Exploiting the lithosphere or earth’s crust Stone age: 1.6 million to 2000 years ago people in SA made stone implements – choppers, hand axes & scrapers. Iron Age: 2000 – 500 years ago people in SA were mainly farmers – cattle, sheep, goats & planting seeds. Gold was originally found in riverbeds in Discovery of gold in L impopo Early ma n 1
Exploiting the lithosphere or earth’s crust. Early man. Stone age: 1.6 million to 2000 years ago people in SA made stone implements – choppers, hand axes & scrapers. Iron Age: 2000 – 500 years ago people in SA were mainly farmers – cattle, sheep, goats & planting seeds. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Exploiting the lithosphere or earth’s crust
Stone age: 1.6 million to 2000 years ago people in SA made stone implements – choppers, hand axes & scrapers.
Iron Age: 2000 – 500 years ago people in SA were mainly farmers – cattle, sheep, goats & planting seeds.
Gold was originally found in riverbeds in Limpopo 1000 years ago & was traded with ivory to China, India & Egypt.
Elements are usually found in the form of gases in the atmoshpere and in the form of ores of the various substances, in the Earth’s crust.Ores are mined and then the various elements extracted.
Most often they are in the forms of the various ores compounds & minerals i.e. metal oxides, nitrates, carbonates etc.These need to be extracted by chemical means.
Indication of mineral distribution in Southern Africa.Mining is a very important source of income in SA.However, people must not be exploited in this industry.
Mineral distribution in SABesides these elements, diamonds, platinum & uranium are also mined in these areas.Note how most of the minerals are found in the North & North Eastern parts of SA.
SA gold production has decreased from 68% of world’s gold in 1970 to only 8% in 2009. 5
Mining
Mining iron-ore Mining gold-ore Coal mining
In general, rocks containing the minerals & ores must be extracted from the mines, crushed and then often chemically extracted from the crushed rocks.You can elect to study any one of the following major SA mining industries:Gold, iron, phosphate, coal, diamond, copper, platinum, zinc, chrome, asbestos & manganese.
Questions that need to be asked about mining in SA.
What is available? Where is it found? How is it found? How are the precious materials recovered & processed?
Platinum Diamonds Gold Coal7
Gold mining
The gold industry has been one of the most important industries in SA since alluvial gold was first found in riverbeds and streams at Langlaagte farm in 1886.
After that, deep, underground mines were started and developed in Gauteng & the Free State.
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Gold bars, nuggets & coins
Gold bars or bullion Gold nuggets
Gold coins – printed by the SA Mint – often to commemorate important occasions.
Dust from mine dumpsAir pollution - chemical processing
Open-pit mining Acid water pollution 13
Pollution
Air pollution from burning coal for the generation of electrical power in SA.
The burning of fossil fuels – coal, oil, petrol & gas, releases incredible amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere & many scientists believe this will lead to global warming.