ORE MINERALS

HOW THEY ARE FOUND, MINED AND PROCESSED FOR HUMAN USE
Learning Competency:
To describe how ore minerals are found,
mined, and processed for human use
(S11/12ES-Ic-d-8)
A. Mineral Maze

Hidden Sentence:
 Are You Taking It?

A. Analyze Me.
Direction: Use the idea of a bowl of soil (Figure 3A) as layers of rocks. In these layers of
rocks are mineral deposits. Since you cannot see what underlies beneath, suggest a way
to know and examine the presence and identity of the mineral deposits present in these
layers of rocks. Use the rubric (Table 3A) as your guide in answering this item.
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Figure 3A
B. Expand Your Understanding.
Describe the structure of the bowl of soil once you have finished the previous item. How
can you relate these descriptions to underground mining?
Use the rubric (Table 3A) as your guide in answering this item.
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 5 4 3 2

The student was able to The student was The student was The student was
convey several ideas and able to convey able to point out able to point out
Ideas and examples on the topic with a ideas and examples some ideas but an idea. No
Explanation high degree of knowledge. on the topic with a has an inadequate explanation was
good degree of explanation. written.
knowledge.

The student was able to The student was Some ideas were An idea was
make connections between able to relate stated but need stated but needs
Understanding the various texts related to his/her various further further
the subject with clarity and ideas about the elaboration. elaboration.
effectiveness topic.

 Mineral are the building blocks of rocks.
 any present inorganic solids that possess an orderly crystalline structure
and a well- defined chemical composition.

 Ore is simply a rock that contains a high percentage of a certain

mineral.
 For example, a limestone. Limestone is an ore, and it contains a high
percentage of the mineral calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate is used
in medicine and in industries.
Examples of Ore minerals
Cinnabar(HgS)-an ore of Mercury
Sphalerite(ZnS)-an ore of Zinc
Cassiterite(SnO2)-ore of Tin
Magnetite(Fe3O4)-ore of Iron
Cuprite(2Cu2O)-ore of Copper
 CORE DRILLING AND MINING
METHODS

 Core Drilling- is a process of using core drills to cut
holes in any concrete surface.
 Surface Mining- utilized to extract ore minerals that
are close to earth’s surface. Different types include open pit
mining, quarrying, placer mining and strip mining.
 Underground Mining- utilized to extract ore minerals
from the body that is deep under the earth’s surface.
Open pit Quarrying

Placer mining Strip mining

 THE TWO FUNDAMENTAL
PRINCIPLES IN MINERAL
 Mineral processing is the process of extracting minerals from the ore,
PROCESSING
refining them, and preparing these minerals for use. The primary steps
involved in processing minerals include:
 1. Create Heterogeneity- basically the process of breaking down
relatively homogenous rocks into small different particles before
exploitation.
 Sampling- removal of a portion which represents a whole needed
for.
 Analysis- evaluate the components in an ore. This includes
chemical, mineralogical, and particle size analysis.
A. Chemical Analysis- uses electrical discharge which excites the elements
in the sample to emit certain spectra which will reveal the identity and its
concentration.
B. Mineralogical- uses heavy liquid-testing that aims to separate the
less dense and denser materials.
C. Particle size analysis-coarse-grounded minerals are classified
according to particle size through sieving.
 Comminution- is the process where the valuable components of the ore are
separated through crushing and grinding. This process begins by crushing the ores
to a particular size and finishes it grinding into powder form.
2.Exploit Differences- harvesting of different minerals through specific methods.
Some minerals are directed to extreme temperature and pressure.
 Concentration- involves the separation of the valuable minerals from the
raw materials. This may be done through optical separation, gravity, flotation,
magnetic, and electrostatic separation.
 Dewatering- involves filtration and sedimentation of the suspension &
drying of the solid material harvested from this suspension.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT THAT RESULT FROM THE
EXPLOITATION, EXTRACTION, AND USAGE OF MINERAL
RESOURCES
We cannot deny the fact that minerals are important in economic development.
Ironically, these processes also pose threats to both humans and the environment.
Illegal activities and irresponsible mining are obvious, especially in the
Philippines. These unregulated activities are the main causes of pollution. Here are
some general impacts of mining.
 Loss of biodiversity
 Land, air, and water pollution
 Risks in Health and Safety
 Consuming huge amount of energy
 Ways to Address Issues on the
Negative Impact on the Use of
Minerals

1.Sustainable mining is an effective way to reduce the impact of

mining on the environment. It is a huge step towards becoming
more environmentally and ecologically- friendly. They will meet
society’s needs for minerals and metals, while demonstrating
responsibility to social, economic, and environmental issues.
2.Recycling is another effective way to reduce the negative
effects of mining.
 A. TRUE OR FALSE.
Direction: Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE
if the statement is incorrect.

1. The mineral concentration process involves the separation of valuable

materials from raw materials.
 2. Mineral evaluation can be done by separating the materials by their
density using heavy liquid- testing. This process is known as flotation.
 3. Exploit difference is basically the process of breaking down relatively
homogenous rocks into small different particles before exploitation.
 4. Mining plays an important role in Philippine economic development.
 5. Re-use is another effective way to reduce the negative effects of mining.
B. Essay. Answer the question below.
Write 5 sentences.
What are your plans or steps to
conserve and protect the mineral
resources for future generation?
Cite examples