This is the Self-Learning Module (SLM) for Earth Science for STEM, Quarter 1, Module 6: Ore Minerals: How They Are Found, Mined, and Processed for Human Use. It is a Senior High School module, published by DepEd Region IV-A CALABARZON under the Alternative Delivery Mode, for learners studying at home or in class. After working through it, learners should be able to explain how ore deposits are located, tell the main mining methods apart, and describe the steps that turn a raw ore into usable minerals.
What learners will learn
After going through this module, learners are expected to:
- Describe how ore minerals are found.
- Identify the different mining methods.
- Explain the different steps in mineral processing.
The module has one lesson, Lesson 6, which carries the same title as the module.
What ores are and how they are found
The module defines mining as taking minerals out of a rock seam or an ore. An ore is a natural rock or sediment that contains one or more valuable minerals. These minerals can be precious metals, iron, gemstones, or quartz. A rock that only holds a fossilized insect is not an ore. A rock combined with copper or a sediment with traces of gold is an ore.
Modern miners locate a likely ore body with geophysical techniques. These measure the magnetic, gravity, and sonic (sound) responses of the rocks above and around the possible deposit.
The two methods of mining
Surface mining
Surface mining takes out ore minerals that lie near the earth’s surface. The soil and rock covering the ore are removed by blasting, which is the controlled use of explosives and gas to break rocks. The module gives three examples:
| Type | How it works | What it is used for |
|---|---|---|
| Open-pit mining | A big hole (pit) is made in the ground by blasting and drilling. It is the most common type of surface mining. | Gravel, sand, and rock |
| Strip mining | A thin strip of overburden (earth or soil) is removed and the deposit is extracted. Then a second, parallel strip is cut, and its waste is dumped onto the first strip. | Coal, phosphates, clays, and tar |
| Dredging | Materials are mined from the bottom of a body of water such as a river, lake, or ocean. | Sand and other bottom materials |
The module ties these methods to Philippine examples. Nickel mining in the CARAGA region removes thin parallel strips of soil, which is strip mining. Black sand mined at sea and along coastlines is a case for dredging.
Underground mining
Underground mining reaches rocks, minerals, and precious stones found deep beneath the surface. Miners dig tunnels to get to the ore. The module explains that it is more expensive and more dangerous than surface mining, because miners must use explosives to free the minerals from the rocks around them.
The five steps of mineral processing
Mineral processing means taking the minerals out of the ore, refining them, and preparing them for use. The module lists the steps in this order:
- Sampling: taking a portion that represents the whole deposit, so it can be analyzed.
- Analysis: checking the valuable part of the ore through chemical, mineral, and particle size tests.
- Comminution: separating the valuable parts by crushing the ore to a certain size, then grinding it into powder.
- Concentration: separating the valuable minerals from the raw material.
- Dewatering: turning the concentrate into usable minerals by filtering and settling the mixture, then drying the solids.
A simple way to remember the order is that you sample first, test the sample, break the ore down, separate the good part, and finally dry it.
Activities in the module
- What I Know: a 15-item multiple-choice pretest.
- What’s In: list at least five ways minerals are important to society, based on an illustration of daily life.
- What’s New: a bowl stands for layers of rock, with guide questions on how hidden minerals can be found and separated.
- What’s More: true-or-false items, a matching table for the five processing steps, and a task to put them in order.
- What I Have Learned: a concept map of the two mining methods and the five processing steps.
- What I Can Do: read an article on how mining can be sustainable in the Philippines and write a reaction. It is scored with a rubric on ideas, organization, conventions, and legibility (5, 3, or 1 point each).
- Assessment: a 15-item multiple-choice post-test.
- Additional Activities: explain a quotation from Gina Lopez on the proposal to lift and review the open-pit mining ban, which begins “Mining is not a right. It’s a privilege.”
How to use this module
Learners: Start with the pretest, then go through the parts in order. Write all answers on a separate sheet of paper, not on the module. Answer keys are included at the end, and the module asks you to use them honestly to check your own work after answering.
Parents and facilitators: The module includes Notes to the Teacher. After the What’s In activity, ask your child to share what they learned. Help them find an article on sustainable mining for the What I Can Do task.
Teachers: The answer key covers What I Know, What’s More, and the Assessment, plus the rubric for the reaction paper. Please check the Assessment key before using it. It is printed identical to the pretest key, but the Assessment questions are in a different order. For example, Assessment item 12 asks for the first step in processing (sampling), while the key gives C (dewatering).
Frequently asked questions
What grade and quarter is this module for?
It is a Senior High School module for Earth Science for STEM, Quarter 1, Module 6. The cover and code say Quarter 1, although the inner title page prints Quarter 3.
What are the two methods of mining in this module?
Surface mining, which removes ores near the surface through open-pit mining, strip mining, or dredging, and underground mining, which uses tunnels to reach deep ores.
What are the steps of mineral processing?
In order, they are sampling, analysis, comminution (crushing and grinding), concentration, and dewatering.
Does the module have an answer key?
Yes. It has keys for the pretest, the What’s More activities, and the Assessment, plus a rubric for the reaction paper. The Assessment key repeats the pretest key, so teachers should check it against the Assessment questions.
Why is underground mining more dangerous than surface mining?
The module explains that miners must dig tunnels and use explosives to remove minerals from the surrounding rock, which makes it more expensive and dangerous.
Full text of the module
The text below is a transcription of the PDF above, as printed.
Earth Science for STEM Quarter 1 – Module 6: Ore Minerals: How they are Found, Mined, and Processed for Human Use
Senior High School
Earth Science for Stem Quarter 1 – Module 6: Ore Minerals: How they are Found, Mined, and Processed for Human Use
[illustration: learners reading and studying outdoors and at home, with a teacher, a globe, and a child working by lamplight]
CO_Q1_ESS SHS Module 6
Earth Science for STEM Alternative Delivery Mode Quarter 1 – Module 6: Ore Minerals: How they are Found, Mined, and Processed for Human Use First Edition, 2021
Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: No copyright shall subsist in any work of the Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of the government agency or office wherein the work is created shall be necessary for exploitation of such work for profit. Such agency or office may, among other things, impose as a condition the payment of royalties.
Borrowed materials (i.e., songs, stories, poems, pictures, photos, brand names, trademarks, etc.) included in this module are owned by their respective copyright holders. Every effort has been exerted to locate and seek permission to use these materials from their respective copyright owners. The publisher and authors do not represent nor claim ownership over them.
Published by the Department of Education Secretary: Leonor Magtolis Briones Undersecretary: Diosdado M. San Antonio
Development Team of the Module
Writer: Nerissa C. Macapuno, Annabel A. Sengco Editors: Randie B. Atienza, Adelinda A. Fajardo Reviewers: Marionel U. Briz, Francia C. Silva, Tita S. Acorda, Venerando C. Castillo, Cyrus T. Festijo, Rowena D. Cabanding Illustrator: Patrick Lemuel V. Reyes Layout Artist: Paulina S. Crescini Management Team: Francis Cesar B. Bringas, Job S. Zape Jr., Ramonito O. Elumbaring, Reicon C. Condes, Elaine T. Balaogan, Fe M. Ong-ongowan, Sacoro R. Comia, Fe M. Fallurin, Marieta N. Perez
Printed in the Philippines by ________________________
Department of Education – Region IV-A CALABARZON
Office Address: Gate 2 Karangalan Village, Barangay San Isidro, Cainta, Rizal 1800 Telefax: 02-8682-5773/8684-4914/8647-7487 E-mail Address: 02-8682-5773/8684-4914/8647-7487
Earth Science for STEM Quarter 3 – Module 6: Ore Minerals: How they are Found, Mined, and Processed for Human Use
Senior High School
Earth Science for STEM Quarter 3 – Module 6: Ore Minerals: How they are Found, Mined, and Processed for Human Use
transcriber’s note: the title page above reads “Quarter 3 – Module 6” as printed, while the cover on page 1 reads “Quarter 1 – Module 6”.
Introductory Message
This Self-Learning Module (SLM) is prepared so that you, our dear learners, can continue your studies and learn while at home. Activities, questions, directions, exercises, and discussions are carefully stated for you to understand each lesson.
Each SLM is composed of different parts. Each part shall guide you step-by-step as you discover and understand the lesson prepared for you.
Pre-tests are provided to measure your prior knowledge on lessons in each SLM. This will tell you if you need to proceed on completing this module or if you need to ask your facilitator or your teacher’s assistance for better understanding of the lesson. At the end of each module, you need to answer the post-test to self-check your learning. Answer keys are provided for each activity and test. We trust that you will be honest in using these.
In addition to the material in the main text, Notes to the Teacher are also provided to our facilitators and parents for strategies and reminders on how they can best help you on your home-based learning.
Please use this module with care. Do not put unnecessary marks on any part of this SLM. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises and tests. And read the instructions carefully before performing each task.
If you have any questions in using this SLM or any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator.
Thank you.
What I Need to Know
[illustration: hand pressing a button]
This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you master the nature of Biology. The scope of this module permits it to be used in many different learning situations. The language used recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard sequence of the course. But the order in which you read them can be changed to correspond with the textbook you are now using.
After going through this module, you are expected to:
- describe how ore minerals are found.
- identify the different mining method; and
- explain the different steps in mineral processing.
What I Know
[illustration: hand holding a pencil]
Read and analyze the following questions/statements. Choose and write the letter that best describe the following statements.
Which of the following is not a mineral ore?
- a. a rock with fossilized insect
- b. a rock combined with copper
- c. a sediment that has gold traces
- d. a rock that contains valuable mineral
How do modern miners determine the prospective mineral ore body?
I. using geophysical techniques
II. determining the elevation of the area
III. measuring the magnetic reading of the area
IV. determining the sonic responses of the locationa. I, II and III b. I, II and IV c. II, III and IV d. III, IV and I
Nickel is an important ingredient in the production of stainless steel. In the Philippines, CARAGA region has the most numbered nickel mining site where miners remove a thin parallel strip of soil to extract the ore deposits. Which mining method did the miners use?
- a. Dredging
- b. Open-pit mining
- c. Strip mining
- d. Underground mining
Which of the following mining methods are used in mining gravel?
- a. Dredging
- b. Open-pit mining
- c. Strip mining
- d. Underground mining
Sand is composed of mineral grains that are widely used as a construction material. Which of the following method is the most applicable way to mine sand? 1. Open-pit mining 2. Strip Mining 3. Dredging
a. 1 and 2 b. 1 and 3 c. 2 and 3 d. 1, 2 and 3
Which of the following is the correct step by step process in mineral processing?
- a. comminution, dewatering, crushing, grinding and analysis
- b. sampling, analysis, comminution, filtration and dewatering
- c. sampling analysis, comminution, concentration and dewatering
- d. dewatering, comminution, analysis, sampling and surface mining
Which of the following is not included in the group?
- a. Dredging
- b. Open-pit mining
- c. Strip mining
- d. Underground mining
What method of mining involves digging of tunnels to extract the ore deposits?
- a. deep mining
- b. pit mining
- c. underground mining
- d. surface mining
Which mineral mining process involves filtration and sedimentation of the mining water and drying of the solid minerals harvested from the suspension?
a. comminution b. concentration c. dewatering d. samplingRandie examined the ore sample from the undeveloped mining site in Batangas. He tested the chemical, mineral and particle size of the mineral sample from a site. What mineral processing did he perform?
a. analysis b. comminution c. dewatering d. samplingWhich of the following statement/s is/are correct?
- Surface and underground mining use explosives.
- Underground mining is cheaper than surface mining
- Open pit mining is the most common type of surface mining
a. 1 only b. 2 only c. 1 and 2 d. 1 and 3
Which of the following is the final step in mineral processing?
a. Analysis b. Comminution c. Dewatering d. SamplingWhich is not true about surface mining?
- a. It is the most dangerous method of mining.
- b. It is used to extract ore minerals near the surface of the earth.
- c. Surface mining can be done through open pit, dredging and strip mining.
- d. In surface mining, the soil and rock that covered the ores are removed through blasting.
Engr. Atienza took a sample of mineral from the prospective mineral deposit. What mineral processing did he do?
a. analysis b. sampling c. comminution d. dewateringWhich of the following processes involved crushing and grinding of mineral ore?
a. analysis b. sampling c. comminution d. dewatering
Lesson 6: Ore Minerals: How They Are Found, Mined, and Processed for Human Use
What’s In
[illustration: hand holding a puzzle piece]
Look at the illustration below. List down at least 5 ways minerals are important to society as shown in the illustration. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.
[illustration: circular drawing of a globe surrounded by scenes of daily life, including homes, lights, transport, electricity, machinery, and farming]
Illustration 1 Importance of mineral
Notes to the Teacher
As facilitator kindly asks the learner to share the insights, he/she has gained during his/her to the activities.
What’s New
Read the situation below and answer the guide questions. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.
Minerals have been extracted from the earth since prehistoric times and the history of civilization and industrial advancement has been linked with man’s ability to harness and use the minerals available. Once a mineral deposit has been found, it has to be extracted from the ground to access the valuable minerals it contains. Use the idea of this bowl as layers of rocks. In these layers of rocks are mineral deposits.
[illustration: a bowl with a large question mark over it, representing layers of rocks]
Illustration 2
Guide questions:
- What do you think are the mineral deposit present in these layers of rocks?
- Since we cannot see what underlies beneath, how can you suggest minerals can be found?
- How will you separate each mineral component?
What is It
Mining is the process of mineral extraction from a rock seam or ore –a natural rock or sediment containing one or more valuable mineral. The minerals can range from precious metals and iron to gemstones and quartz. Modern mining technology
uses geophysical techniques that involve measuring the magnetic, gravity and sonic responses of rocks above and around a prospective mineral ore body.
There are two methods of mining:
A. Surface Mining – is used to extract ore minerals near the surface of the earth. The soil and rocks that covered the ores are removed through blasting. Blasting is a controlled use of explosives and gas exposure to break rocks. Some examples of surface mining are:
- Open-pit mining – This is the most common type of surface mining. Open pit means a big hole (or pit) in the ground. The pit in mine is created by blasting with explosives and drilling. It is used to mine gravel and sand and even rock.
[illustration: open-pit mining scene with a crane and an excavator beside a pit in the ground]
Illustration 3.1 Open-pit Mining
- Strip mining – This mining type involves the removal of a thin strip of overburden (earth or soil) above a desired deposit, dumping the removed overburden behind the deposit, extracting the desired deposit, creating a second, parallel strip in the same manner and depositing the waste materials from that second (new) strip onto the first strip. This mining method is used for coal, phosphates, clays, and tar mining.
[illustration: strip mining scene showing stepped cuts in the ground with a vehicle in the cut]
Illustration 3.2 Strip Mining
- Dredging – This is the process of mining materials from the bottom of a body of water, including rivers, lakes, and oceans.
[illustration: dredging scene showing a dredge working in water, with sediment piled on the bank]
Illustration 3.3 Dredging
B. Underground mining – is used to extract the rocks, minerals and other precious stories that can be found beneath the earth’s surface. In underground mining, miners need to create a tunnel so they can reach the ore minerals. This kind of mining is more expensive and dangerous as compared to surface mining because miners need to use explosive devices to remove the minerals from the rocks that cover them.
[illustration: underground mining scene showing tunnels with mine carts carrying ore]
Illustration 3.4 Underground Mining
Mineral processing is the process of extracting minerals from the ore, refining them, and preparing these minerals for use. The primary steps involved in processing minerals include:
- Sampling – is the removal of a portion which represents a whole needed for the analysis of this material.
- Analysis – is important to evaluate the valuable component in an ore. This includes chemical, mineral and particle size analysis.
- Comminution – is the process where the valuable components of the ore are separated through crushing and grinding. This process begins by crushing the ores to a particular size and finishes it by grinding the ores into a powder form.
- Concentration – involves the separation of the valuable minerals from the raw materials
- Dewatering – uses the concentration to convert it to usable minerals. This involves filtration and sedimentation of the suspension and drying of the solid materials harvested from this suspension.
What’s More
Write T if the statement is true and F if the statement is false. Then choose the word/s that make the statement false. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.
- Underground mining is more expensive and dangerous than surface mining.
- Dredging is an example of underground mining.
- In surface mining, miners need to create a tunnel so they can reach the ore minerals.
- Modern mining technology uses geophysical techniques to locate prospective mineral ore deposit.
- Both surface and underground mining uses explosives.
Match each statement in Column A with the correct mining process in Column B. In Column C, arrange column B in chronological order using numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.
| Column A | Column B | Column C |
|---|---|---|
| 6. It involves the separation of the valuable minerals from the raw materials. | A. dewatering | 11. ________ |
| 7. This is the removal of a portion which represents a whole needed for the analysis of this material. | B. sampling | 12. ________ |
| 8. This process begins by crushing the ores to a particular size and finishes it by grinding the ores into a powder form. | C. comminution | 13. ________ |
| 9. It uses the concentration to convert it to usable minerals. | D. analysis | 14. ________ |
| 10. It is important to evaluate the valuable component in an ore. | E. concentration | 15. ________ |
What I Have Learned
Using the concept learned, complete the concept map with the correct word/s or phrases. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.
[chart: concept map; Using the concept learned, complete the concept map with the correct word/s or phrases]
- Mining
- Divided into two methods → a.; b.
- a. → 1.; 2.; 3.
- b. → (blank)
- involves → five steps
- 1.; 2.; 3.; 4.; 5.
- Divided into two methods → a.; b.
Values are not labeled on the chart.
What I Can Do
Read an article about how mining can be sustainable in the Philippines, then make a reaction on it. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper. (You will be graded based on the given rubric)
My Reaction
_____________________________________________________________________________.
Assessment
Multiple Choice. Read and analyze the following questions. Write the letter that best answers each question on a separate sheet of paper.
Which of the following is a mineral ore?
- a rock with fossilized insect 3. a sediment that has gold traces
- a rock combined with copper 4. a rock that contains valuable mineral
a. 1, 2 and 3 b.1, 3 and 4 c. 2, 3 and 4 d.4, 2 and 1
Which of the following mining methods is applicable in mining gravel?
a. Dredging c. Strip mining
b. Open-pit mining d. Underground miningChromite miners in the Philippines use drill or explosive to bore hole in the ground to extract the mineral deposits. Which mining method did the miners use?
a. Dredging c. Strip mining
b. Open-pit mining d. Underground miningThe following are the processes done by modern miners to determine the prospective mineral ore body except
a. using geophysical techniques
b. determining the elevation of the area
c. measuring the magnetic reading of the area
d. determining the sonic responses of the locationBlack sand is mined at sea and coastline in some areas in the Philippines. Which method is applicable to mine black sand?
a. Dredging c. Strip Mining
b. Open-pit mining d. Underground miningWhich of the following is not included in the group?
a. Dredging c. Strip mining
b. Open-pit mining d. Underground miningA geologist examined the ore sample from unidentified mining site. He tested the chemical, mineral and particle size of the mineral sample. What mineral processing did he perform?
a. Analysis c. Dewatering
b. Comminution d. SamplingWhat method of mining involves digging of tunnels to extract the ore deposits?
a. Deep mining c. Surface mining
b. Open – pit mining d. Underground miningWhich mineral process involves filtration and sedimentation of the mining water and drying of the solid minerals harvested from this suspension?
a. Comminution c. Dewatering
b. Concentration d. SamplingWhich of the arrangement of mineral processing is correct?
a. comminution, dewatering, crushing, grinding and analysis
b. sampling, analysis, comminution, filtration and dewatering
c. sampling analysis, comminution, concentration and dewatering
d. dewatering, comminution, analysis, sampling and surface miningWhich is true about surface mining?
a. It is the most dangerous method of mining.
b. Surface mining is expensive type of mining.
c. Surface mining can be done through creating a tunnel.
d. It is used to extract ore minerals near the surface of the earth.Which of the following is the first step in mineral processing?
a. Analysis c. Dewatering
b. Comminution d. SamplingWhich of the following processes involved crushing and grinding of mineral ore?
a. Analysis c. Dewatering
b. Comminution d. SamplingWhat mineral processing did a geologist perform if he took a sample of mineral from the prospective mineral deposit?
a. Analysis c. Dewatering
b. Comminution d. SamplingWhich of the following statement/s is/are incorrect?
- Surface and underground mining use explosives.
- Underground mining is cheaper than surface mining
- Open pit mining is the most common type of surface mining
a. 1 only b. 2 only c. 1 and 2 d. 1 and 3
Additional Activities
Explain the quotation given by Gina Lopez on the proposal to lift and review the open-pit mining ban in the Philippines. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.
“Mining is not a right. It’s a privilege. It’s a privilege granted on certain conditions. But the Filipinos’ right to our water, our air, our rivers, our streams is not only constitutional, it’s God-given. And it’s the duty of government to protect the rights of the Filipino”.
Answer Key
[transcriber’s note: the three answer boxes are printed upside down; they are read here as they appear when the page is turned]
What I Know
- A
- D
- C
- B
- B
- C
- D
- C
- C
- A
- D
- C
- A
- B
- C
What’s More
- T
- F – Dredging
- F – surface mining
- T
- T
- E
- B
- C
- A
- D
- 5
- 1
- 3
- 2
- 4
Assessment
- A
- D
- C
- B
- B
- C
- D
- C
- C
- A
- D
- C
- A
- B
- C
Rubrics in making a reaction from an article
| Criteria | 5 points | 3 points | 1 point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ideas | Establishes a clear focus Provides relevant information Communicates creative ideas | Develops a focus Details support idea Communicates original ideas | Attempts focus Ideas not fully developed |
| Organization | Demonstrates an orderly flow of ideas | Evidence of logical sequencing | Sequencing is attempted |
| Conventions | Few or no errors in: grammar, spelling, capitalization, punctuation | Some errors in: grammar, spelling, capitalization, punctuation | Has some difficulty in: grammar, spelling, capitalization, punctuation |
| Legibility | Easy to read Properly spaced | Readable with some spacing/forming errors | Difficult to read due to spacing/forming letter |
References
Online Resources:
Dalto, Jeffrey (2017). What is surface mining? https://www.convergencetraining.com/blog /what-is-surface- mining
For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:
Department of Education – Bureau of Learning Resources (DepEd-BLR)
Ground Floor, Bonifacio Bldg., DepEd Complex Meralco Avenue, Pasig City, Philippines 1600
Telefax: (632) 8634-1072; 8634-1054; 8631-4985
Email Address: blr.lrqad@deped.gov.ph * blr.lrpd@deped.gov.ph
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