Question 1

What is the difference between an ore and a rock?

Accepted Answer

A)   ores contain a large concentration of a particular mineral; a rock may or may not be an ore
B)   ores contain only metallic minerals; rocks contain only nonmetallic minerals
C)   ores are always profitable to extract; rocks are never profitable to extract
D)   ores are good conductors of heat and electricity; rocks are not good conductors of heat and electricity
E)   ores are usually formed through hydrothermal processes; rocks are usually formed through sedimentationF) A) and D)
G) All of the above

Question 2

Which of the following statements about wetlands is false?

Accepted Answer

A)   Artificial wetlands may take 50 to 100 years to adequately neutralize acidity for aquatic life.
B)   Bacteria in wetlands consume the sulfur in the acid mine drainage, thereby decreasing the acidity of the water.
C)   Creating and maintaining wetlands are inexpensive solutions to the problem of acid mine drainage.
D)   As water in the wetland becomes more basic, zinc and copper precipitate out and enter the sediments.
E)   Wetlands trap sediments and pollutants so that water quality downstream from the wetland is improved.F) A) and C)
G) A) and D)

Question 3

Surface mining is more common than subsurface mining because it:

Accepted Answer

A)   does not cause as much land disturbance.
B)   is less expensive.
C)   requires fewer spoil banks.
D)   does not cause any water pollution.
E)   None of these statements is correct; subsurface mining is more common.F) A) and B)
G) C) and D)

Question 4

Which of the following is an example of a nonmetallic mineral?

Accepted Answer

A)   ore
B)   chromium
C)   zinc
D)   nickel
E)   siliconF) A) and B)
G) C) and D)

Question 5

Hydrothermal processes:

Accepted Answer

A)   occur when groundwater is heated and forced through fissures in rocks.
B)   are responsible for deposits of zinc, lead and copper.
C)   are responsible for deposits of gold and silver.
D)   promote the formation of insoluble metal sulfides.
E)   All of these choices are correctF) C) and D)
G) A) and E)

Question 6

All of the following statements are TRUE except:

Accepted Answer

A)   Examples of nonmetallic minerals include phosphates, salt, and sand.
B)   Subsurface mining disturbs the land less than surface mining.
C)   Highly developed nations still have large mineral reserves within their boundaries.
D)   Many developing countries lack any significant mineral deposits.
E)   Four of the world's top five mineral producers are highly developed countries.F) C) and E)
G) B) and E)

Question 7

Compare the mineral extraction processes of surface mining to subsurface mining in terms of the benefits and environmental impacts of each mining process, and identify various steps needed to reclaim surface mining sites.

Accepted Answer

Surface mining is more economical than s...

Question 8

Which of the following is used to separate impurities from molten metal?

Accepted Answer

A)   tailings
B)   phytoremediation
C)   mine drainage
D)   smelting
E)   recyclingF) D) and E)
G) A) and D)

Question 9

Which of the following statements about Antarctica is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

A)   The Antarctic Treaty of 1961 limits activity in Antarctica to peaceful uses, such as tourism and research.
B)   Polar regions are extremely vulnerable to human activities and impact.
C)   Substantial mineral deposits have been found in Antarctica.
D)   The Madrid Protocol contains a moratorium on mineral exploration and development for at least 50 years.
E)   This continent plays a pivotal role in regulating many aspects of the global environment.F) C) and E)
G) D) and E)

Question 10

Large potato-sized nodules found on the sea floor contain manganese, copper, and nickel. What is the main reason these minerals have not been mined?

Accepted Answer

A)   it would cost more to mine the minerals than they are currently worth
B)   international agreements for seafloor mining do not yet exist
C)   nobody is really sure where these nodules are located
D)   the metals are of limited use and abundantly available elsewhere
E)   none of these statements is correctF) C) and D)
G) D) and E)

Question 11

Identify the bacterial genus that shows promise in "biomining" of certain valuable minerals (i.e., copper) .

Accepted Answer

A)   Arctostaphylos
B)   Thiobacillus
C)   Rhizobium
D)   Streptococcus
E)   MarchantiaF) D) and E)
G) C) and D)

Question 12

What is dematerialization? Identify one way in which dematerialization might help to conserve minerals and one way in which it may lead to greater consumption of minerals.

Accepted Answer

Dematerialization is the decrease in siz...

Question 13

Discuss three processes that can lead to the formation of mineral deposits. Please include in your discussion the role water and mineral solubility play in the process. Include specific examples of mineral deposits formed by each process.

Accepted Answer

In hydrothermal processes, water that wa...

Question 14

The environmental damage near Ducktown, Tennessee was caused by:

Accepted Answer

A)   coal mining and ash ponds.
B)   copper mining and smelting.
C)   gold mining and smelting.
D)   strip mining for diamonds.
E)   open-pit mining for sand and gravel.F) B) and E)
G) A) and E)

Question 15

Reclamation of the environment surrounding Ducktown, Tennessee has involved:

Accepted Answer

A)   the addition of fertilizer.
B)   using advanced technology to extract all of the residual mine and smelting toxins from the soil.
C)   reintroduction of animals, including birds and field mice.
D)   reconstitution of the original, complex forest ecosystem in just three decades.
E)   establishment of a preserve and national park on the old mining site.F) B) and E)
G) A) and E)

Question 16

Estimates of mineral reserves are dependent upon:

Accepted Answer

A)   technological changes.
B)   economic changes.
C)   political changes.
D)   price fluctuations.
E)   all of these statements are trueF) B) and E)
G) None of the above

Question 17

Use the following flow diagram to provide a specific example that would illustrate this material and energy flow in an industrial ecosystem.
raw material -> product -> wastes -> potential raw material -> product

Accepted Answer

Answers will vary.
An electric power pla...

Question 18

__________ use a variety of instruments to locate valuable mineral deposits.

Accepted Answer

A)   Astronomers
B)   Ecologists
C)   Geologists
D)   Marine biologists
E)   MeteorologistsF) B) and D)
G) C) and D)

Question 19

_______ are minerals that are usually malleable, good conductors of heat and electricity, and lustrous.

Accepted Answer

A)   Rocks
B)   High-grade ores
C)   Low-grade ores
D)   Metals
E)   PhosphatesF) B) and C)
G) A) and E)

Question 20

The world reserve base of minerals includes:

Accepted Answer

A)   deposits that have been identified and located.
B)   deposits of low-grade ores, which may be profitable to extract in the future.
C)   deposits of high-grade ores.
D)   deposits that have not been identified yet.
E)   All of these statements are correctF) C) and D)
G) A) and D)

Exam 15: Mineral Resources

Surface mining is more common than subsurface mining because it:

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Hydrothermal processes:

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Which of the following statements about Antarctica is FALSE?

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All of the following statements are TRUE except:

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Reclamation of the environment surrounding Ducktown, Tennessee has involved:

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Large potato-sized nodules found on the sea floor contain manganese, copper, and nickel. What is the main reason these minerals have not been mined?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Estimates of mineral reserves are dependent upon:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The world reserve base of minerals includes:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Identify the bacterial genus that shows promise in "biomining" of certain valuable minerals (i.e., copper) .

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Discuss three processes that can lead to the formation of mineral deposits. Please include in your discussion the role water and mineral solubility play in the process. Include specific examples of mineral deposits formed by each process.

Correct AnswerverifiedIn hydrothermal processes, water that wa...View AnswerShow Answer

Which of the following is an example of a nonmetallic mineral?

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The environmental damage near Ducktown, Tennessee was caused by:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Use the following flow diagram to provide a specific example that would illustrate this material and energy flow in an industrial ecosystem. raw material -> product -> wastes -> potential raw material -> product

Correct AnswerverifiedAnswers will vary.An electric power pla...View AnswerShow Answer

What is the difference between an ore and a rock?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following statements about wetlands is false?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

_______ are minerals that are usually malleable, good conductors of heat and electricity, and lustrous.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Compare the mineral extraction processes of surface mining to subsurface mining in terms of the benefits and environmental impacts of each mining process, and identify various steps needed to reclaim surface mining sites.

Correct AnswerverifiedSurface mining is more economical than s...View AnswerShow Answer

What is dematerialization? Identify one way in which dematerialization might help to conserve minerals and one way in which it may lead to greater consumption of minerals.

Correct AnswerverifiedDematerialization is the decrease in siz...View AnswerShow Answer

Which of the following is used to separate impurities from molten metal?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

__________ use a variety of instruments to locate valuable mineral deposits.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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In hydrothermal processes, water that wa...
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Answers will vary.
An electric power pla...
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Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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Surface mining is more economical than s...
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Correct Answer
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Dematerialization is the decrease in siz...
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Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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