mining

Science Year 9 Mining **Mining in Australia** is a significant [|primary industry] and contributor to the [|Australian economy]. Historically, mining booms have also encouraged [|immigration to Australia]. Many different ores and minerals are mined throughout the country. Mining contributed significantly to preventing potential bankruptcy for the early colonies in Australia. [|Silver] and later [|copper] were discovered in [|South Australia] in the 1840s, leading to the export of ore and the immigration of skilled miners and smelters. In 1851, gold was found near [|Ophir, New South Wales]. Weeks later, gold was found in the newly established colony of [|Victoria]. Australian gold rushes, in particular the Victorian Gold Rush, had a major lasting impact on Victoria, and on Australia as a whole. The gold rush coloured every aspect of Australian society and elements of it are still clearly visible today. The influx of wealth that gold brought soon made Victoria Australia's richest colony by far, and [|Melbourne] the island's largest city.

Australia's population changed dramatically as a result of the gold rushes: in 1851 the population was 437,655 and a decade later it was 1,151,947; the rapid growth was predominantly a result of the [|new chums] (recent immigrants from the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth states) who contributed the 'rush'.[|[5]] Although most Victorian goldfields were exhausted by the end of the 19th century, and although much of the profit was sent back to the United Kingdom, sufficient wealth remained to fund substantial development of industry and infrastructure.

In groups of up to 5 compete against other groups in the class to win the most points and a prize!

Create a Keynote for this topic. All of your work is to be inserted into this and submitted for grading at the end of the unit.

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Rock Files
metals and their uses These "Rock Files" are a series of web pages which describe the properties, uses and sources of ten key metals produced by the Australian minerals industry. This basic information is supplemented by "Amazing Facts" about each metal, and by a bibliography of publications and web-sites for further information. The Rock Files support the Olympic Minerals web-site and are relevant to Science/SOSE curriculum requirements in the upper primary and secondary years of schooling. (Minerals Council of Victoria)

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How much do you know about gold? Use the information on Gold Rush History from the Victorian Government to answer the quiz below

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Understanding the reactivity of metals helps us to understand why some metals are found pure in nature (like silver and gold) and others are found as ores. Unreactive metals, like gold are shiny - that is, they don't tarnish. This shininess and the potential of metals to be shaped into useful object is why people prized elements like gold and silver so much from way back in history. ======

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Metals which fade unless you polish them react with the air in a process called oxidisation.... literally, react with oxygen. Rust is oxidised iron (the key component of steel). Rust is the reason why Mount Tom Price is red, it is said to have been discovered when someone who had done a unit like this at school flew over the WA outback and said... mmmm... that looks like iron ore. They became quite rich.======

Prac: Reactivity in Metals p 192
Use the template below to get a great mark.

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Understanding reactivity in metals has its uses. Unreactive metals like chromium can be used to protect ones which would otherwise rust on exposure to the air, like iron. Reactive metals like Lithium can be used to create powerful batteries or used as a sacrificial layer like the zinc layer on tin in galvanized iron.======

When metals are arranged from most reactive to least reactive then we call it a **activity series**. It is the secret knowledge of inventors and engineers.




You can find out more about the activity series at wikipedia

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When tow or more metals are mixed together they are called alloys. Alloys have a combination of the properties of the metals they were made up of. Changing the amount of each metal in the alloy changes its properties. It is possible to design a metal which has exactly the properties you need to solve a problem.======

Stainless steel, modern coins, brass, soft drink cans, the wire used in orthodontic braces and the rims on many cars are all alloys. They all have properties which solve a particular problem.

Pie chart activity: p. 197

Heat treatments
Dipping a red hot sword into cold water changes its properties. Do it at the right temperature and it becomes much harder. Harder swords were feared, because they could break the swords of your enemies and piece armour. Before the invention of ballistic weapons, the army that had the best swords were invincible. The technology and the blacksmiths who mastered it were state secrets and prizes of war. In part they determined which civilization would rule that part of the world.


 * = Wootz Steel - Material of Interest

(About.com) Many cultures are known for the aggressive development of iron and steel weaponry.  Medieval Blacksmith Reenactor, Archeon 2005 Photo Credit: __[|Hans Splinter] __ The 6th century Celts, the 11th century Vikings, the 13th century Japanese; each of these developed a method of sword-making called pattern-welding. Pattern welding involved folding the metal blade of a sword during manufacture, again and again, making a layer cake of hardness and strength.

But, in the 12th century AD, artisans of the Islamic civilization developed a solid core weapon that sent fear into the hearts of the Crusaders. That weapon, called Damascus steel, was developed by Syrian blacksmiths from a carbon-rich iron ore produced in southern and central Indian and Sri Lankan mines: wootz steel.

For more on Wootz steel and Damascan blades, pick a link and follow it.* __[|Wootz steel] __ __[|Damascus Steel] __ ||

notes p 195 prac p 196

Read the text; page... Use the template below to come up with facts about and a definition for save this to your files Re-read the text for this section then
 * 1) Ores
 * 2) Minerals
 * 3) Metals
 * 1) Copy the table on p191 and do the activity "Metals and their Ores"
 * 2) complete the over-to-you questions p.

** Mining in Australia today **
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=Types of mines...=

Your mini research task this period is to research a mine and list:
· Type of ore mined at the mine (chemical formula of mineral) · How deep the mine is · How long its been in operation · How many people are employed there · How much ore is processed a year · How much of the target metal is produced · Prospective life of the mine · Picture of the mine and machines involved in the mining process · How the metal being mined at your mine is refined after being mined

__//Great sites to help your research//__
 * //Mining resource http://www.australianminesatlas.gov.au/aimr/index.jsp//
 * //Our natural resources in Australia http://www.australianminesatlas.gov.au/education/index.jsp//
 * //http://www.australianminesatlas.gov.au/education/down_under/index.html Fact sheets!//

A great view of a combined open cut and underground mine. This is the mine which Matt and Jourdan (who were interviewed in 9 White) work in. media type="youtube" key="y4VIQtJ-oG0?fs=1" height="505" width="853"

A view of the Wiluna Gold Mine firing early this year
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How to become a miner @http://www.skillsone.com.au/industry/7/mineral-resources/video/905/a-lesson-in-the-virtual-mine/

What kind of jobs there are in Mining @http://www.skillsone.com.au/industry/7/mineral-resources/video/1003/people-and-mining/

Making Money from Metals - The Extraction Process The graphic above refers to the extraction and purification of uranium. 

Create an informative flow diagram of either the making of copper / steel / gold
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 * single A4 page[[image:flow_chart.jpg align="right"]]
 * use the 'shapes' function of Pages, or be creative in another program
 * include scientific terms whenever possible
 * explain what is happening at each step
 * include graphics
 * begin with the mining of the ore
 * finish with the kind of products it can be made into
 * show all the steps in-between
 * use the text p 201-204, and the internet as a reference source

Froth Floatation Prac


Mining companies use special chemicals to 'float' sulphide minerals away from the crushed rock particles. The froth flotation process using bubbles to float out metallic ore was invented by Graeme Jameson, an Australian scientist working at Mount Isa. A simplified version of this flotation method can be carried out using basic chemicals and equipment found in the science classroom. (Information about Graeme Jameson and his work with bubbles can be obtained from the Minerals Education Centre Victoria using the information request form.)
 * Froth Floatation**


 * A sample of ore to be separated can be made by mixing iron filings with sand. A ratio of 1:4 should be satisfactory. This ratio can be increased if there does not appear to be enough iron filings in the mixture.
 * Students add two spatulas of the ore sample to a large test tube and then add 3cm of water. A rubber stopper is placed in the tube which should then be shaken for ten seconds.
 * Students should observe no bubbles or separation of the sand and iron filings. As the mixture sinks in the test tube, the iron filings may settle to the bottom.
 * 2 cm of kerosene and 5 drops of a good quality detergent should now be added, the stopper replaced and the test tube shaken again for ten seconds.
 * Observation should now show white bubbles moving up the inside of the test tube, carrying the iron filings with them. The sand remains at the bottom of the test tube.

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 * Note:**
 * Students should hold their thumbs over the stoppers and point the top of the test tubes away from other students. The stopper should not fly off as no gas is generated.
 * Different detergents should be tested to select the most appropriate.

The kerosene coats the iron filings and makes them become water repellent (collector). When each comes in contact with an air bubble produced by the detergent (frother), it is attracted to the air and repelled by the water so it sticks to the bubble. The filings then move up with the bubbles into the froth and can be skimmed off. source: Minerals Education Victoria
 * Why does it work?**



**Making a mining test** Your teacher will assign you into groups. Each group will be given a specific topic from the mining subject. Your task is to write one multiple choice and two short answer questions from this topic, which will be placed onto the test for this subject. For each question you must provide a detailed answer and reasoning as to why you chose that question. Please email your teacher with the questions and answers by the end of the lesson.

Textbook:
In this unit you are expected to
 * read the chapter on mining,
 * summarising key words and
 * complete one set of over-to-you questions each week.

Assessment:
 * Completion, neatness and accuracy of class notes and exercises
 * Practical reports
 * Assignment
 * Test



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