Minerals as a natural resource

South Africa has large deposits of minerals like gold, iron, coal, platinum and diamonds. The map on the next page shows that these South African minerals are concentrated in the north-eastern part of the country. Coal and gold make up a large proportion of our country's mineral wealth.

Figure 1

Minerals in South Africa

Some of these minerals are mined at the surface (diamonds), while others are mined deep below the surface under extremely dangerous conditions.

Iron, which is a basic component in the production of steel, is less abundant. Melting iron ore and other minerals together in large furnaces manufacture steel. Flat steel plates are manufactured during this process. Later on, these steel plates are used to manufacture other products. Steel is a very important component of the modern manufacturing process. Just consider the car that was referred to earlier in the module. Without steel, there would be no motor vehicle production line.

There are two methods of mining:

Minerals like iron, copper, asbestos and diamonds are sometimes mined from open cast mines. These simply are large open holes in the earth that are dug in such a way that a spiralling road leading to the deepest part of the mine is formed. This means that vehicles that transport ore and materials to the places where they are processed can be driven to every part of the mine.

Figure 2

When minerals are found deep under the ground, a shaft has to be built. Mine headgear is erected and a deep hole is drilled into the earth. Shaft diggers (sinkers) dig side passages and tunnels from this hole (shaft). This enables the miners to reach the reefs or veins containing the minerals. These passages and tunnels are situated on different levels.

The minerals are blasted loose with dynamite and are then dug out. The “gravel” is loaded into iron buckets (cocopans), which run along a rail like a train and are hoisted to the surface of the earth in lifts for the minerals to be processed. Excess rock is dumped on mine dumps and the watery remains are taken to sludge dams.

LO 1

GEOGRAPHICAL ENQUIRY

The learner will be able to use enquiry skills to investigate geographical and environmental concepts and processes.

We know this when the learner:

1.1 with guidance, selects and uses sources of useful geographical information [finds sources];

1.2 distinguishes between facts and opinions [works with sources];

1.3 categorises information [works with sources];

1.4 uses an index to find places on global atlas maps [works with sources];

1.6 identifies and explores possible solutions to problems [answers the question];

1.7 demonstrates knowledge and under-standing of the issue through projects, discussion, debate and charts [communicates the answer].