These different forms of surface mining are methods of extracting ores close to EarthвЂ™s surface. Strip mining is like open pit mining but with material removed along a strip.ДЇigure 2. Other methods of surface mining include strip mining, placer mining, and dredging. As pictured in figure 2, surface mining includes open-pit mining and mountaintop removal. Overlying rock is blasted and the rock that contains the valuable minerals is placed in a truck and taken to a refinery. Surface mining allows extraction of ores that are close to EarthвЂ™s surface. A concentration of minerals is only called an ore deposit if it is profitable to mine.

Geologists study geological formations and then test the physical and chemical properties of soil and rocks to locate possible ores and determine their size and concentration.ДЄ mineral deposit will only be mined if it is profitable. Geologic processes create and concentrate minerals that are valuable natural resources. It is important to use mineral resources wisely.

Environmental damage from these processes is often not figured into a productвЂ™s cost. The cost of creating a product from a mineral depends on how abundant the mineral is and how much the extraction and refining processes cost. Aluminum in bauxite ore (figure 1) is extracted from the ground and refined to be used in aluminum foil and many other products. An ore is a rock that contains minerals with useful elements. Aluminum is made from the aluminum-bearing minerals in bauxite.

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