Environmental Sciences Video 19: Mining

This video explores the concept of mining, its historical significance, and its importance in extracting valuable minerals from the earth. It discusses various mining methods, including surface and subsurface mining, and the environmental and human impacts associated with these activities. Key legislation like the General Mining Act and SMCRA are highlighted, along with the challenges of nonrenewable resources and the uneven distribution of minerals. The video also covers the processes involved in extracting and processing ores, and the ongoing environmental challenges posed by abandoned mines.

What event in 1848 significantly increased the population in California?

• The invention of the telegraph

• The construction of railroads

• The California Gold Rush

• The discovery of oil

Which of the following is NOT a type of surface mining?

• Subsurface mining

• Mountaintop mining

• Open pit mining

• Strip mining

What was the purpose of the General Mining Act of 1872?

• To ban mining on federal lands

• To regulate the sale of mining equipment

• To protect wildlife in mining areas

• To encourage mining on federal lands

What health condition was commonly associated with coal miners a century ago?

• Black Lung

• Asthma

• Silicosis

• Asbestosis

What does the Hubbert Peak Theory suggest about resource extraction?

• Resources are infinite

• Resources will regenerate over time

• Extraction rates will continuously increase

• There will be a peak in extraction followed by a decline

Which process involves using water to separate ore from other materials?

• Subsurface mining

• Froth flotation

• Smelting

• Placer mining

What is a major environmental concern associated with mining tailings?

• They improve biodiversity

• They are easy to dispose of

• They can contaminate soil and water

• They are a renewable resource

What is the primary goal of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA)?

• To regulate coal mining and reclaim mined lands

• To ban all mining activities

• To promote the use of renewable resources

• To increase mining on public lands

What is the main challenge with abandoned mines in the US?

• They are a source of renewable energy

• They can lead to chemical spills and contamination

• They pose no environmental risks

• They are easily converted into tourist attractions

What is the process of heating ores to extract metals called?

• Subsurface mining

• Smelting

• Froth flotation

• Placer mining