Metals and Mining

The vast majority of elements are metals. The elements in the central block of the periodic table are known as __________ metals.

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Like other metals they are good __________ of heat and electricity and can be bent or hammered into __________ (malleable). They are useful as __________ materials and for making things that must allow heat or electricity to pass through them easily.

We get all the metals we use from rocks. Rocks that contain enough metal (or metal compound) to make it __________ (profitable) to extract the metal are called __________. Rocks that once where not considered ores, may now be, as better ores have been __________ (used up).

Metal ores are obtained by __________ and that this may involve digging up and processing large amounts of __________. There are environmental, social and economic arguments, both for and against the mining of metal ores:

__________ __________

Environmental
Once __________ with, surface mines can be landscaped into wildlife parks (at extra __________).
Subsurface mines have little impact on the habitat above.

Large areas of __________ destroyed by surface mining, leading to reduction in wildlife.
The processing for ores uses alot of energy which generally means the release of Carbon Dioxide.

Social

__________ are produced for the construction of homes and buildings.
Local comunities may benefit from facilities paid for by the mining company.

__________ pollution caused by blasting and increased traffic

Economic

__________ created for local people.
a saleable product produced for business.

May damage __________ to an area.

	__________	__________
Environmental	Once __________ with, surface mines can be landscaped into wildlife parks (at extra __________). Subsurface mines have little impact on the habitat above.	Large areas of __________ destroyed by surface mining, leading to reduction in wildlife. The processing for ores uses alot of energy which generally means the release of Carbon Dioxide.
Social	__________ are produced for the construction of homes and buildings. Local comunities may benefit from facilities paid for by the mining company.	__________ pollution caused by blasting and increased traffic
Economic	__________ created for local people. a saleable product produced for business.	May damage __________ to an area.

There are two main types of minining: surface (open cast) and sub-surface (underground). Surface mining is far more visible and destrcutive to habitats.