Geology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Geology - Essay deterrent exampleAfter miners have extracted the ores from the ground, they then refine them using other substances to remain with the valuable elements. Extraction and treat of these iron ores is an expensive venture but it largely depends on mineral concentration and the form it occurs in the ground. In order to establish if a mine is commercially viable, the engineers evaluate if it has substantial mineral and coat deposits whose proceeds will generate income over and above the mining costs. In mineral blood, there be terms that help us understand this whole refining process. Industrial minerals are stones and other course occurring substances that are mined and processed beca employ they have an economic value. This is because they are used to produce other compounds and objects that are used for technological advancements. Protolith is the original rock formation that is passed through a series of solutions to come up with the resultant mineral, the proces s of passing these rocks through water and other solutions through a chemical response is called metasomatism. Gangue is a term that refers to the parts of the ore left after minerals and metals have been extracted. It is the largest contributor to environmental concerns associated with mineral extraction since it forms large debris that is not easily disposed. They also contaminate water meant for commercial and domestic use when it comes into contact with. This is because it has other dangerous minerals which mix with water to form a harmful compound to creature and plant life (Middleton, 2003 p 56)2. Other gases are released to the atmosphere causing air pollution. Occurrences The earth is make up of three components the air (atmosphere), water (hydrosphere) and land (lithosphere). Minerals form part of the soil underneath our feet. on that point are numerous geological reactions that happen underground that result in mineral formation and its limit largely depends on the amo unt of each element taking part in the process. The sentence interpreted to form these minerals also ensures huge deposits since some chemical reactions take time to reach full reaction. The time taken and amount of elements forming these minerals and metals hold in the quantity and quality of eventual produce. Geologists then determine these considerations before lovely the authorities and locals in preparations for extraction. For instance, to extract commercially viable aluminium from the ground, its composition in the gangue should be at 8.2%, with an acceptable grade of 30%. It is at 5.6% and 50% for iron respectively (Mather, 1967)3. These metals exist in their mineral form in a variety of compounds shown by chemical formulas. Table 1 Mineral occurrences of famed metals Mineral Metal Mineral formula Galena Silver Ag Native gold Gold Au Azurite Malachite Chalcopyrite squealer (exists in three forms) Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 Cu2CO3(OH)2 CuFeS2 Haematite Magnetite Pyrite Iron(exists i n three forms) Fe2O3 Fe3O4 FeS2 Galena caterpillar tread PbS Cassiterite Tin SnO3 Cinnabar Mercury HgS Geological distribution These metals exist in the ground as sulphides, sulphites, sulphates, silicates and oxides. The choice of chemicals used in purification stage depends on the form parent metal exists in. Copper exists in three forms (Cu, Cu2 and CuO) and together with iron, are mostly found in carbonate rocks which are create through a prolonged process of chemical reactions. These metals are also found in sandstones and shales which are sub-crustal rock formations (Press, 2004 p 71)4. Evaluating mineral deposits across the globe is an arduous task since it is difficult to effectively determine the presence of a metal in geographically expansive