Mining Paper 2 May/June 2022

Question 12

 

  1. Define minerals.
  2. State four uses of minerals.
  3. Classify the following minerals into the classes indicated in the table below: coal, tar sand, iron ore, dolomite, galena, limestone, talc, sphalerite, gypsum and petroleum.

 

 

Observation

 

 

The expected answers were:

(a) A mineral is a naturally occurring inorganic homogeneous solid substance having a definite chemical composition.
            (b)
            - Construction materials e.g. buildings, roads, bridges e.t.c
            - Used in electronics. Silicon, copper, mica etc.
            - Used in space technology e.g. tantalite, aluminum, bauxite e.t.c
            - As agricultural commodity e.g. phosphate, potash, nitrate e.t.c
            - Manufacturing of industrial equipment e.g. drill bits
            - Used in chemical industry e.g. petrochemicacl industry e.g. tale

(c)


Metallic Mineral

Industrial Mineral

Fuel Mineral

Iron ore                                         Dolomite                                     Coal
Galena                                           Limestone                                   Tar sand  
Sphalerite                                      Gypsum                                       Petroleum
Tarc