Grade 12 → General principles and processes of separation of elements ↓
Presence of metals and minerals
The Earth's crust is made up of a variety of minerals that come in a variety of forms. These minerals include various metals, ranging from commonly used metals such as iron and aluminum to rarer metals such as platinum and gold. Understanding the occurrence of metals and minerals is important, as it forms the basis of mining and extraction processes to obtain these valuable resources.
What are minerals?
Minerals are naturally occurring substances that have a certain chemical composition and a crystalline structure. They are formed through geological processes over millions of years. Each mineral has its own unique properties such as colour, hardness, crystalline form and lustre, which help in its identification.
Formation of minerals
Minerals are usually formed through various natural processes such as:
- Crystallization from magma: When the magma cools, different minerals crystallize at different temperatures, forming solid deposits.
- Evaporation: Under certain conditions minerals can crystallize from the evaporation of saline water.
- Metamorphism: High pressure and temperature conditions can change existing rock into new types of minerals.
Types of minerals
Minerals may be broadly classified based on their composition as follows:
- Silicate minerals: These make up the largest group and include minerals such as quartz and feldspar.
- Non-silicate minerals: These include carbonates (e.g., calcite), oxides (e.g., hematite), sulfates (e.g., gypsum) and halides (e.g., halite).
Occurrence and distribution of metals
Metals are typically extracted from minerals called ores. An ore is defined as a mineral deposit that can be mined, processed, and transported to market so that it can be extracted economically. Not all metals are found in ore deposits; some occur freely in nature such as gold, copper, and platinum.
Common metals and their sources
Let's take a look at some common metals and where they're typically obtained from:
- Iron (Fe): Extracted from ores such as hematite (
Fe2O3
) and magnetite (Fe3O4
). - Aluminium (Al): Obtained from bauxite, which consists mainly of gibbsite (
Al(OH)3
). - Copper (Cu): Found in minerals such as chalcopyrite (
CuFeS2
) and bornite (Cu5FeS4
). - Gold (Au): Gold is usually found in its native form, often alloyed with silver.
Extraction of metals from their ores
The process of extracting metals from their ores involves several main steps. It usually includes mining, beneficiation, and extraction:
- Mining: The first step is to extract the ore from the Earth's surface. Depending on the location of the ore this can be done through open pit mining or underground mining.
- Beneficiation: This stage involves the concentration of the ore. The ore is crushed and pulverized to release the valuable minerals from the waste. This can be achieved through various methods such as flotation, magnetic separation, and gravity separation.
- Extraction: In this stage, the metal is chemically extracted from the concentrated ore. Processes such as smelting and electrolysis are typically used.
Smelting
Smelting is the primary process used to extract metals from their ores. It involves the use of high temperatures and a reducing agent to convert the ore into its metallic form. For example, iron extraction from hematite involves the use of a blast furnace.
Fe2O3(s) + 3C(s) → 2Fe(l) + 3CO(g)
Electrolysis
Electrolysis is necessary for some electropositive metals, such as aluminum. During electrolysis, an electric current is passed through the molten ore to separate the metal.
Al2O3 + 3C → 4Al + 3CO2
Recycling of metals
Recycling plays an important role in reducing the environmental impact of metal extraction. It conserves natural resources and saves energy. Almost all types of metals can be recycled, reducing the need to mine new ores.
Environmental impact of metal extraction
Metal extraction can have significant impacts on the environment. These include habitat destruction due to mining, air and water pollution from smelting, and greenhouse gas emissions. Adopting sustainable practices and advanced technologies is important to reduce these impacts.
Conclusion
Understanding where metals and minerals are located is the key to efficiently exploiting these valuable resources and minimising environmental impact. Advances in technology and sustainable practices are vital as we continue to rely on these natural resources to meet human needs.