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Bingham Copper Mine, UT
World’s largest mine
1 mile deep, 3 miles wide
Atoms
Compound
To make a compound, you bond cations (+) to anions (-)Compound has specific internal structure
Ionic Bonding
Gain or lose an electronElectrons used in bonding -- the “glue”
Covalent Bonding
A mineral’s outward appearance is a reflection of its internal structure
Fluorite Halite (salt) Calcite
Physical Properties
Physical properties depend on a mineral’s internal structureand chemical composition.
HardnessCleavageLusterColorSpecific Gravityetc…
Silicon Tetrahedron
Silicon Oxygen
Basic buildingblock of >90%of minerals
1 Si4 O------SiO4
Pyramid shape
“Silicate Minerals”
Most abundant elements
QuickTime™ and aCinepak decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Silicate Minerals
Silicate MineralsSi tetrahedrons
Ionic Substitution
When 2 or more ions substitute for each other in a mineral structure.
For example, in the mineral olivine (Mg,Fe)2SiO4, ions of Fe and Mg can substitute freely for each other.
The total number of Fe ad Mg ions is constant in relation to Si and O, but the ratio of Fe/Mg may vary from sample to sample.
Ions must have same charge and be similar in size.
Polymorphism
Same chemical formula, different chemical structure
Example: Graphite “C” and Diamond “C”
Graphite
Surface environment: Low pressure, low temperature
Diamond
High pressure, high temperature
Non-Silicate MineralsOther important minerals are: - Calcite CaCO3: Important mineral in fossils and shells of sea creatures - Clay minerals: Make up the finest sediment in rivers and streams - Halite NaCl: Table salt - Native Elements: Au, Cu, Ag, Pt, C (diamond and graphite) Gemstones: - diamond C - emerald from a mineral called Beryl - Opal - Ruby & Sapphire from Corundum - Amethyst from quartz (SiO2) - Topaz - Jade - Garnet Sulfides: - galena PbS - lead - sphalerite ZnS - zinc - pyrite FeS2 - fools gold - penlandite for Ni, Pt- chalcopyrite CuFeS2 - copper
New Cornelia Mine, AZ
1000’ deep
Cyanide leakage
Cyanide is used to leach metalsout of tailings piles.
Cyanide pit
Acid DrainageSummitville, CO:All aquatic life absent for17 miles away from mine.
How bad is it?
Tintic Mountains, Utah
Reclaimed coal mine, PA
Site refilled, lined with thick plastic