Elementary 1.

As we develop smarter technology, build

more houses and produce more for a
growing population, our need for raw
materials increases.
We need mines to provide the metals we require for everyday life, but at the
same time mining can impact the environment negatively. But how much?
And why? Do all mines impact the environment in the same way? How long
will the impacts stay? And what about the people? Are there social or
economical impacts? How does the permitting process work, and how do we
make sure that the mining we do is sustainable?
MineFacts is a great way to learn more about mining and sustainability in a
simple way.
MineFacts is a collection of facts on mining, exploration, the permitting
process and sustainability. The material is meant to be used by anyone who is
affected by mining, either as a government official, company, NGO or
individual. MineFacts is a product from EIT RawMaterials, a body within the
European Union.

What are metals? How much do we use and

for what?
METALS AND SOCIETY
Since the early history of mankind we have used metals in everything from
implements and buildings, to food supplements. Originally they were metals
that are easily accessible, for example copper and iron.

Through smarter technology the number of metals we use has increased

exponentially. Several metals are used to form alloys to make use of the
properties of different metals. Others are used in technology such as touch
screens, circuit boards or fibre optic cables.

With an increasing population and rising standard of living in many places,

the need of metals is increasing. For example, a person uses on average 600
kg of copper and 15 t of iron, and several tons of other metals and minerals.

Metals are elements extracted from our bedrock. Metals are finite resources,
that is to say there is only a certain quantity of metals. At the same time,
metals are elements which in many cases can be recovered an infinite number
 Elementary 1.1

of times without losing their properties. However, there can be technical

difficulties in recovering certain metals.

Our metal production comes from mines, which extract primary raw materials
from the bedrock, and from waste recovery.

FACT: HOW MANY ELEMENTS DO WE USE

EVERY DAY?
Modern technology, such as smartphones, solar cells, electric cars and
airplanes, need many different materials and elements to work. Throughout
the ages, the number of elements used by people in different objects has
increased dramatically, from only a few to almost all in the periodic table. The
figure below shows a handful of the most important, but far more elements are
used today in smaller amounts.

ACTIVITIES

Oral work

Read the article. What is it about? Did you know about this? Name metals you know. Where
can you find those metals in every day things?

ACTIVITIES

A) Look at the underlined words. Find the synonyms or definitions here. Write the correct
word in the blanks
 Elementary 1.1

1. Took out, removed ______________________

2. Rescue ______________________
3. Obtainable ______________________
4. Substratum ______________________
5. Incremented ______________________
6. Limited ______________________
7. Reserves, ways and means ______________________
8. Blend ______________________
9. Utensils ______________________

B) Look at the word in yellow. Read the sentence it is in. Now read the sentence below. Do
they mean the same?

But there can be technical difficulties in recovering certain metals.

C) Rewrite the sentences using the words in parenthesis

1. The bus was empty but it didn’t stop. (however)
2. It is cold, however, the sun is shining. (but)
3. Metals are finite but here are still a lot. (however)
4. We need metals, however, mining can damage the environment. (but)

D) More linking words

And, but, so, because, although

Video watching. https://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/grammar/a1-a2-grammar/

conjunctions-or-so-because-although

Activity

chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://
learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/sites/teens/files/gs_conjunctions_-_exercises_3.pdf

E) Look at the word in light blue in the text. This word is a comparative adjective. Let’s know
more about this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vj3SbCwQd9I

https://wordwall.net/es/resource/19649878/comparative-adjectives

https://www.liveworksheets.com/worksheets/en/English_as_a_Second_Language_(ESL)/
Comparative_adjectives/Comparative_Practice_jl905855by
F) Read the sentences extracted from the text

We develop smarter technology

Do all mines impact the environment in the same way?
 Elementary 1.1

How does the permitting process work?

the need of metals is increasing

WORD BANK

Make a list of the words associated with mining

Aluminium

Silver

Zinc

Platinum

Titanium

Gold

Cobalt

Lead

BACKUP ACTIVITIES

Comparative Adjectives

https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/comparative-adjectives-exercise-1.html

https://games4esl.com/english-exercises/english-grammar-exercises/comparative-adjective-
exercises/

And but so because although

https://test-english.com/grammar-points/a1/conjunctions_and-but-or-so-because/

https://test-english.com/grammar-points/a2/however-although-time-connectors/