Economic Geologic Resources (Useful stuff from the Earth!)
Introduction
For over four and half billion years planet earth has been generating rocks and minerals, through the geologic processes that we have learned about.
Human beings have been around for a tiny fraction of this time (remember the analogy in Geologic Time chapter?– If earth history were the distance from a King’s nose to outstretched finger, then all of human history would be erased with a swipe of the nail file!); but we are now using certain kinds of mineral and/or natural materials at a frantic pace.
It’s not just fossil fuels—oil, natural gas and coal– but ore deposits and minerals also.
Here is a cool graphic illustrating the type and amount of resources each American will need and use throughout their lives.
This chart provides us with some staggering statistics on the amount of resources we use:
Were you surprised see some of the items listed? How about the quantities—3.11 million pounds of resources per person?!
One item not shown on the figure is tantalum. If you have a cell phone, tablet, computer, camera or gaming system you own some tantalum. This resource is used because it has many desirable properties including high heat capacity, ductile and the ability to conduct electricity (Tantalum, 2015). However, tantalum is considered to be a “conflict resource.” This means that it is mined in an area where a dispute or conflict is occurring. It could also mean that the resource is used to perpetuate the conflict. In the case of tantalum, it is mined in an area of the Congo where it is believed to have played a role in helping finance war in the area. This conflict is believed to have caused the death of 5,400,000 since 1998 (Tantalum, 2015)!
Depending on the resource and its location, different mining methods may be used. And these resources are mined on every continent (except Antarctica).
You’re certainly aware of a big distinction within the realm of resources– Renewable and Non-Renewable. But in reality, there can be a rather blurred line between the two. Even something like petroleum (the result of micro-organisms that collected on ancient sea floor, then buried by sediment) is sort of renewable, but it would take millions of years!
Learning Outcomes
- Learn how earth and mineral resources form within different types of rock.
- Recognize various extraction methods and identify different types of mining.
- Describe geologic materials as current or potential energy resources; note various sources as renewable or nonrenewable.