Explore the Mining Process
Teacher Activity Outline 1 of 2
1.1
Suggested Levels: Junior, Intermediate and Senior Purpose
• • • •
Time
90 minutes
Resources
• Explore the Mining Process student handout • Natural Resources Canada Web site entitled “Posters on the Mining Industry” www.nrcan.gc.ca/mms/mining/index_e.html • Elements of Mining poster • Explore the Mining Process teacher information sheet • Two sheets of poster paper for each pair of students • Art supplies
Link to Ontario Curriculum
Visual Arts Grades 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8
• Creative Work
Rocks, Minerals and Erosion Grade 4
• Relating Science and Technology to the World Outside the School
Learning Activity
To introduce the stages of the mining process. To locate key information about Canadian mineral resources and their uses. To demonstrate how technology is used in the mining process. To examine the environmental concerns that can accompany mining.
The Provinces and Territories of Canada • Developing Inquiry/Research and Grade 4 Communication Skills The Earth’s Crust Grade 7
• Relating Science and Technology to the World Outside the School
Natural Resources Grade 7
• Understanding Concepts • Developing Inquiry/Research and Communication Skills
Human-Environment Interactions Grade 9
• Understanding Concepts
Earth Materials Grade 12
• Relating Science to Technology, Society, and the Environment
Teacher Information This activity is designed to introduce students to the mining process. It is a great challenge to find a mineral deposit, usually buried under the Earth’s surface, and then to determine its size, content and economic potential. Mining professionals must design safe mining and processing methods and skilled workers must carry out the plans. The valuable metals or minerals must be separated from the host rock and purified for sale in a form the purchaser wants. Waste materials must be disposed of in a way that protects the natural environment. The economics of the enterprise are complicated by the fact that prices are based on supply and demand in competitive world markets, not by local producers.
Mining New Opportunities
.9
