The Geological Society of London’s Online interactive resource The Rock Cycle, with the Rock Cycle Animation, shows how surface and deep Earth processes produce the rocks we stand on and use to build our homes. Also find a glossary, demonstrations/experiments and extensive background information about the rock cycle.
Resource: Audio/Visual
From Ore To More Video
This fun 6-minute video from Rio Tinto’s Kennecott Utah Copper tells the story of copper from start to finish, through the mining, processing and end uses of copper, complete with great mathematical analogies for the scale of giant sizes and weights.
Content aimed at grades 4-8, though all ages will enjoy the video. [5:59]
Phosphate Mining Middle School and High School Video
Phosphate is an important mineral because it contains phosphorus, a key nutrient for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in plants, in addition to humans and animals. This 6 1/2-minute video by Nutrients for Life shows the process of mining phosphate rock and processing it for use in fertilizer for crops.
The largest phosphate deposits in North America lie in the Bone Valley Region of central Florida. Georgia, Idaho, North Carolina, Montana, Tennessee, Wyoming, South Carolina and Utah also have significant phosphate deposits.
Grades 6-12
Phosphate Mining Elementary Video
Phosphate is an important mineral because it contains phosphorus (P), a key nutrient for plant growth, in addition to human and animal health. This 6-minute video by Nutrients for Life shows the process of mining phosphate rock and processing it for use in fertilizer for crops.
The largest phosphate deposits in North America lie in the Bone Valley Region of central Florida. Georgia, Idaho, North Carolina, Montana, Tennessee, Wyoming, South Carolina and Utah also have significant phosphate deposits. [6:15]
Potash Mining Video
Potash is a common name for salts that contain potassium. Potassium (K) is an important element in human and animal health, and a major nutrient for plant growth and crop yield. This 5-minute video from Nutrients for Life discusses the process of creating usable potash for fertilizer through two different mining techniques for extracting and processing potash ore. [5:16]
Nevada Mining Association Virtual Tour
Take a virtual self-guided tour behind-the-scenes of Newmont Mining’s Twin Creeks Gold Mine and Mill. View the mine from an overlook, visit the underground mine (1000 feet below the surface), the gold refinery, process lab, emergency refuge chamber and other facilities through narration, 360° images, and videos. The upper left area has symbols for options like a list of the stops on the tour, a map of the tour, and more information about some of the sites on the tour.
Note: The virtual tour works best with the latest version of modern browsers Firefox, Explorer and Chrome. The introductory narration can be silenced with a sound button in the lower right corner area. If this does not work, start again and go directly back to where you were. Content is aimed at grades 6-12, though all ages will enjoy the Virtual Tour.
Dig Into Mining: The Story of Copper Activities
Uncover the use of metals such as copper, gold and molybdenum in everyday life and gain a deeper understanding of today’s hard rock mining industry. Discovery Education and Freeport-McMoRan have created an interactive program for grades 6-8 and 9-12 that equips educators, students and families with dynamic resources – including a virtual field trip, interactive digital learning tools, school-to-home connections, exploration activities and STEM resources.
STEM Pro Live – Freeport-McMoRan, Miami Mine, CO – April 2015 — Video
Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM subjects) are used by mining professionals throughout the industry. Listen to these interviews to see how interest in STEM subjects can lead to a rewarding career in the mining industry.
Here, Michelle Montague, a senior geologist, and Jerek Caroll, a mining engineer, from Freeport-McMoRan Miami Mine discuss their careers. A senior geologist identifies minerals in blast holes in the mine allowing a computer model of the mineral resources to be created. As geomechanical engineer, Jerek ensures the safety of the mine slopes using radar and laser technology. He also designs the blasting plans to ensure safety and effectiveness. [29:00]
Ground Rules: Mining Right for a Sustainable Future Video
Embark on a 23-minute tour across almost every continent where people are working to produce the minerals on which our modern world depends. The film, from Caterpillar and Science North, is available in English, Spanish, Portuguese and French, plus English with Chinese subtitles.
Bonus! A Conversation with a Reclamationist–Interview
Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM subjects) are used by mining professionals throughout the industry. Listen to these interviews to see how interest in STEM subjects can lead to a rewarding career in the mining industry.
Here, Jim Gusek, Senior Engineer and Reclamationist, is focusing on source control–extremely important new ways to prevent mine water problems rather than having to treat them once they occur. Many sciences come together to plan and conduct a reclamation plan. [12:00]
