What I learned
❖ Minerals and rocks represent a huge natural wealth. Minerals are naturally formed solid inorganic substances, that have a certain chemical structure and physical properties. They are the main building blocks of rocks. A rock may consist of different minerals. Despite their significant economic and energy benefits, mineral resources must be extracted and used wisely because they are finite and exhaustible natural resources.
❖ We distinguish between metallic and non-metallic mineral resources. Precious stones are naturally formed mineral crystals used in jewellery.
❖ The Mohs hardness scale is used to measure and compare the hardness of minerals. The hardest mineral is diamond with a hardness grade of 10.
❖ The carat is a unit for measuring the weight/mass of gemstones, particularly diamonds. One carat is exactly 200 milligrams. It is a convenient unit for measuring and comparing small weights, such as those of gemstones. It is widely used in jewellery.
❖ Fossil fuels – coal, oil and natural gas are formed from the remains of dead plants, algae and animals that lived millions of years ago. Under the influence of high temperature and pressure below the earth’s surface, these remains are converted into organic matter, which over a long period is converted into fossil fuels. These are finite, non-renewable natural resources that are being depleted much faster than they can be replenished.
❖ The extraction of minerals is associated with several environmental problems. It is important for modern living, but it must be carried out in a way that is sensitive to the environment and reduces harmful impacts on land, water and air. To this end, modern technologies are being developed for the extraction, processing and recycling of these valuable natural resources. The efforts of the modern world are directed towards the use of alternative clean energy sources that are renewable. These include wind, water, the sun and renewable energy from biomass.
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