1. Which term refers to the way light interacts with the surface of a rock or mineral?
Lustre is the way light interacts with the surface of a rock or mineral. It is the light reflected from the surface of the mineral or rock and depicts its sparkling quality.
2. What will happen in an area where large deposits of a desired mineral are found? .
The area will experience a downturn once all of the available resources are mined-because once the resources are exhausted, there will not be any work and the mines are usually left barren
The area will experience a short-term economic boom
Setting up and operations of a mine involve a lot of manpower and job opportunities which will lead to economic boom depicting a new growth. However, this boom may last till the mining activities are continued there.
3. How can both surface and underground mining affect miners' health?
Risk of injuries from heavy equipment
Risk of lung disease, like silicosis-
Mining causes serious lung diseases like silicosis, black lung disease, asbestosis etc due to exposure of dust and other harmful chemicals. Mining involves usage of heavy equipment, trucks and machinery and safety precautions should be taken to prevent mechanical injuries.
4. Which statements accurately compare the environmental impact of surface mining to the environmental impact of underground mining?
Both surface mining and underground mining risk causing severe water pollution.
Water pollution takes place due that chemicals leach out from mining sites and mix with groundwater
Surface mining causes more destruction of land ecosystems than underground mining-
Surface mining destroys surface land, renders it infertile, create sinkholes, and causes soil pollution and erosion.
5. The use of which material can substitute for copper and reduce copper mine production?
Glass can substitute copper and reduce copper mine production. Fiber-optic cable manufactured using glass can be used in place of copper because fiber-optic cable provides better bandwidth with increased speed, cover long distances and more reliable. They are thin but sturdy and flexible.
6. What is the goal of land reclamation of mining sites?
The goal of land reclamation of mining sites is to restore environmental vitality to land degraded from mining and mitigate all the damages caused to the environment. All hazardous chemical or materials are removed, natural wildlife is restored, and the land is converted into economically and environmentally valuable land.
