Question 1

Once a mineral resource becomes economically viable to mine, it remains that way until the majority of the deposit has been extracted.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  False

Question 2

Which of the following best describes the primary cause of the environmental problem known as acid-mine drainage?

Accepted Answer

A)  chemical breakdown of sulfide minerals 
B)  use of strong acids during mining operations 
C)  excessive mining regulations 
D)  poorly ventilated underground mines 
E)  all of the answers listed here 
A)  chemical breakdown of sulfide minerals 
B)  use of strong acids during mining operations 
C)  excessive mining regulations 
D)  poorly ventilated underground mines 
E)  all of the answers listed here A

Question 3

Which of the following statements is true with respect to layered intrusions?

Accepted Answer

A)  form when crystals settle in a magma chamber 
B)  form in layered sedimentary rocks 
C)  form during high pressure metamorphic events 
D)  form when magma is injected between layers within the crust 
E)  all of the answers listed here 
A)  form when crystals settle in a magma chamber 
B)  form in layered sedimentary rocks 
C)  form during high pressure metamorphic events 
D)  form when magma is injected between layers within the crust 
E)  all of the answers listed here A

Question 4

Much of the world's supply of iron comes from banded iron deposits that formed between 1.8 and 2.6 billion years ago. In addition to being a source of iron, why are these deposits important in geology?

Accepted Answer

A)  represent the point in time when free oxygen was becoming more abundant 
B)  provide proof of the first known ice ages 
C)  mark the point in history when marine mammals were first beginning to evolve 
D)  provide evidence of the earliest known sedimentary rocks 
E)  all of the answers listed here 
A)  represent the point in time when free oxygen was becoming more abundant 
B)  provide proof of the first known ice ages 
C)  mark the point in history when marine mammals were first beginning to evolve 
D)  provide evidence of the earliest known sedimentary rocks 
E)  all of the answers listed here

Question 5

Which of the following statements best describes strategic minerals?

Accepted Answer

A)  minerals a country finds necessary, but must be imported. 
B)  minerals a country considers essential for its economy. 
C)  minerals a country exports in a controlled manner for national security reasons. 
D)  minerals a country considers essential for its national security. 
E)  minerals used to produce military weapons. 
A)  minerals a country finds necessary, but must be imported. 
B)  minerals a country considers essential for its economy. 
C)  minerals a country exports in a controlled manner for national security reasons. 
D)  minerals a country considers essential for its national security. 
E)  minerals used to produce military weapons.

Question 6

Which of the following statements best describe how evaporite deposits form?

Accepted Answer

A)  minerals precipitating out of a solution. 
B)  minerals accumulating in soils as water percolates downward. 
C)  minerals associated with hydrothermal activity. 
D)  mineral crystals that settle in a magma chamber. 
E)  minerals that remain within a soil during chemical weathering. 
A)  minerals precipitating out of a solution. 
B)  minerals accumulating in soils as water percolates downward. 
C)  minerals associated with hydrothermal activity. 
D)  mineral crystals that settle in a magma chamber. 
E)  minerals that remain within a soil during chemical weathering.

Question 7

Which of the following statements is true regarding kimberlite pipes?

Accepted Answer

A)  all of the answers listed here 
B)  are produced by small, explosive volcanic eruptions 
C)  sometimes contain diamonds 
D)  originate in the upper mantle 
E)  are relatively rare types of igneous deposits 
A)  all of the answers listed here 
B)  are produced by small, explosive volcanic eruptions 
C)  sometimes contain diamonds 
D)  originate in the upper mantle 
E)  are relatively rare types of igneous deposits

Question 8

Which of the following terms describes a rock body where the concentration of a mineral is high enough that it is profitable to mine?

Accepted Answer

A)  ore deposit 
B)  placer deposit 
C)  mineral resource 
D)  mineral deposit 
E)  mother lode 
A)  ore deposit 
B)  placer deposit 
C)  mineral resource 
D)  mineral deposit 
E)  mother lode

Question 9

Which of the following statements are true regarding open-pit mining?

Accepted Answer

A)  all of the answers listed here 
B)  as the pit becomes deeper, the diameter of the hole must decrease 
C)  common technique for extracting low-grade ores 
D)  has lower operating costs and fewer occupational hazards 
E)  involves excavating massive volumes of waste materials 
A)  all of the answers listed here 
B)  as the pit becomes deeper, the diameter of the hole must decrease 
C)  common technique for extracting low-grade ores 
D)  has lower operating costs and fewer occupational hazards 
E)  involves excavating massive volumes of waste materials

Question 10

In addition to lowering the pH of nearby streams, which of the following is an environmental problem associated with acid mine drainage?

Accepted Answer

A)  release of heavy metals into the environment 
B)  erosion of mining tunnels causing land subsidence 
C)  chemical burns of workers due to presence of alkaline minerals 
D)  increased runoff leading to more frequent flooding 
E)  acidic runoff causes aquifer materials to dissolve 
A)  release of heavy metals into the environment 
B)  erosion of mining tunnels causing land subsidence 
C)  chemical burns of workers due to presence of alkaline minerals 
D)  increased runoff leading to more frequent flooding 
E)  acidic runoff causes aquifer materials to dissolve

Question 11

Placers are sedimentary deposits where valuable minerals have been hydraulically sorted. Which of the following mineral properties are required for hydraulic sorting by streams to be effective?

Accepted Answer

A)  high density and high chemical resistance 
B)  high solubility and high density 
C)  well-rounded shaped and high chemical resistance 
D)  small grain size and well-rounded shape 
E)  large grain size and high solubility 
A)  high density and high chemical resistance 
B)  high solubility and high density 
C)  well-rounded shaped and high chemical resistance 
D)  small grain size and well-rounded shape 
E)  large grain size and high solubility

Question 12

Which of following best describes why asbestos minerals are hazardous to humans?

Accepted Answer

A)  fibrous shape and are chemically resistance 
B)  contain toxic elements and are chemically resistance 
C)  readily dissolves and contains toxic elements 
D)  small size and fibrous shape 
E)  contain toxic elements and was once widely used in society 
A)  fibrous shape and are chemically resistance 
B)  contain toxic elements and are chemically resistance 
C)  readily dissolves and contains toxic elements 
D)  small size and fibrous shape 
E)  contain toxic elements and was once widely used in society

Question 13

Some minerals are economical to mine at lower concentrations because of their higher value to society and relatively low extraction costs.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

Which of the following describes the degree to which geologic processes have concentrated a mineral resource above its average concentration in Earth's crust?

Accepted Answer

A)  enrichment factor 
B)  concentration level 
C)  economic potential 
D)  relative abundance 
E)  geologic factor 
A)  enrichment factor 
B)  concentration level 
C)  economic potential 
D)  relative abundance 
E)  geologic factor

Question 15

Which of the following describes the mineral processing technique whereby a chemical solution percolates through crushed ore and liberates the desired elements?

Accepted Answer

A)  leaching 
B)  smelting 
C)  dredging 
D)  ionization 
E)  hydration 
A)  leaching 
B)  smelting 
C)  dredging 
D)  ionization 
E)  hydration

Question 16

Ore deposits are randomly located around the world.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

Which of the following describes why hydrothermal vein and disseminated deposits are important to society?

Accepted Answer

A)  source of valuable metals such as copper, lead, and gold 
B)  easy to mine because they are found in aquifer materials 
C)  are the primary source of pure sulfur 
D)  sometimes contain diamonds 
E)  are the primary source of water-based minerals such as gypsum 
A)  source of valuable metals such as copper, lead, and gold 
B)  easy to mine because they are found in aquifer materials 
C)  are the primary source of pure sulfur 
D)  sometimes contain diamonds 
E)  are the primary source of water-based minerals such as gypsum

Question 18

Mine tailings represent the waste material from mining operations that must be permanently stored on the land surface. Which of the following is the primary environmental problem associated with mine tailings?

Accepted Answer

A)  air and water pollution 
B)  excess weight causes land subsidence 
C)  excess weight causes small earthquakes 
D)  great height creates aviation hazards 
E)  all of the answers listed here 
A)  air and water pollution 
B)  excess weight causes land subsidence 
C)  excess weight causes small earthquakes 
D)  great height creates aviation hazards 
E)  all of the answers listed here

Question 19

What is a mineral resource?

Accepted Answer

A)  any rock or mineral that is useful to humans. 
B)  rock body containing economically valuable minerals. 
C)  minerals that contain useful metals. 
D)  sand and clay minerals used in construction. 
E)  any rock or mineral that is non-organic. 
A)  any rock or mineral that is useful to humans. 
B)  rock body containing economically valuable minerals. 
C)  minerals that contain useful metals. 
D)  sand and clay minerals used in construction. 
E)  any rock or mineral that is non-organic.

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT an example of a mineral resource being used in a consumptive manner?

Accepted Answer

A)  aluminum for making cans 
B)  phosphorites for making fertilizer 
C)  limestone to make concrete 
D)  graphite to make pencils 
E)  diamond tipped cutting tools 
A)  aluminum for making cans 
B)  phosphorites for making fertilizer 
C)  limestone to make concrete 
D)  graphite to make pencils 
E)  diamond tipped cutting tools

Once a mineral resource becomes economically viable to mine, it remains that way until the majority of the deposit has been extracted.

Which of the following best describes the primary cause of the environmental problem known as acid-mine drainage?

Which of the following statements is true with respect to layered intrusions?

Much of the world's supply of iron comes from banded iron deposits that formed between 1.8 and 2.6 billion years ago. In addition to being a source of iron, why are these deposits important in geology?

Which of the following statements best describes strategic minerals?

Which of the following statements best describe how evaporite deposits form?

Which of the following statements is true regarding kimberlite pipes?

Which of the following terms describes a rock body where the concentration of a mineral is high enough that it is profitable to mine?

Which of the following statements are true regarding open-pit mining?

In addition to lowering the pH of nearby streams, which of the following is an environmental problem associated with acid mine drainage?

Placers are sedimentary deposits where valuable minerals have been hydraulically sorted. Which of the following mineral properties are required for hydraulic sorting by streams to be effective?

Which of following best describes why asbestos minerals are hazardous to humans?

Some minerals are economical to mine at lower concentrations because of their higher value to society and relatively low extraction costs.

Which of the following describes the degree to which geologic processes have concentrated a mineral resource above its average concentration in Earth's crust?

Which of the following describes the mineral processing technique whereby a chemical solution percolates through crushed ore and liberates the desired elements?

Ore deposits are randomly located around the world.

Which of the following describes why hydrothermal vein and disseminated deposits are important to society?

Mine tailings represent the waste material from mining operations that must be permanently stored on the land surface. Which of the following is the primary environmental problem associated with mine tailings?

What is a mineral resource?

Which of the following is NOT an example of a mineral resource being used in a consumptive manner?

Humans and the Geologic Environment

Earth From a Larger Perspective

Earth Materials

Earths Structure and Plate Tectonics

Earthquakes and Related Hazards

Volcanoes and Related Hazards

Mass Wasting and Related Hazards

Streams and Flooding

Coastal Hazards

Soil Resources

Water Resources

Conventional Fossil Fuel Resources

Alternative Energy Resources

Pollution and Waste Disposal

Global Climate Change

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Exam 12: Mineral and Rock Resources

Once a mineral resource becomes economically viable to mine, it remains that way until the majority of the deposit has been extracted.

Which of the following best describes the primary cause of the environmental problem known as acid-mine drainage?

Which of the following statements is true with respect to layered intrusions?

Much of the world's supply of iron comes from banded iron deposits that formed between 1.8 and 2.6 billion years ago. In addition to being a source of iron, why are these deposits important in geology?

Which of the following statements best describes strategic minerals?

Which of the following statements best describe how evaporite deposits form?

Which of the following statements is true regarding kimberlite pipes?

Which of the following terms describes a rock body where the concentration of a mineral is high enough that it is profitable to mine?

Which of the following statements are true regarding open-pit mining?

In addition to lowering the pH of nearby streams, which of the following is an environmental problem associated with acid mine drainage?

Placers are sedimentary deposits where valuable minerals have been hydraulically sorted. Which of the following mineral properties are required for hydraulic sorting by streams to be effective?

Which of following best describes why asbestos minerals are hazardous to humans?

Some minerals are economical to mine at lower concentrations because of their higher value to society and relatively low extraction costs.

Which of the following describes the degree to which geologic processes have concentrated a mineral resource above its average concentration in Earth's crust?

Which of the following describes the mineral processing technique whereby a chemical solution percolates through crushed ore and liberates the desired elements?

Ore deposits are randomly located around the world.

Which of the following describes why hydrothermal vein and disseminated deposits are important to society?

Mine tailings represent the waste material from mining operations that must be permanently stored on the land surface. Which of the following is the primary environmental problem associated with mine tailings?

What is a mineral resource?

Which of the following is NOT an example of a mineral resource being used in a consumptive manner?

Humans and the Geologic Environment

Earth From a Larger Perspective

Earth Materials

Earths Structure and Plate Tectonics

Earthquakes and Related Hazards

Volcanoes and Related Hazards

Mass Wasting and Related Hazards

Streams and Flooding

Coastal Hazards

Soil Resources

Water Resources

Conventional Fossil Fuel Resources

Alternative Energy Resources

Pollution and Waste Disposal

Global Climate Change

Filters