¿ ABOUT MINING IN

SECONDARY EDUCATION

Committed to the dissemination and promotion of professions 1 SECONDARY EDUCATION (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) ABOUT MINING IN NAVARRE

Most of the mining companies Mining in Navarra promotes MINING AND ITS anti-speculative and sustainable in Navarra are SMEs and family development in rural areas. businesses. The sector generates RELATIONSHIP Mining concessions last for decades more than 350 direct and and the necessary investments have qualified jobs. a very long return on investment WITH NAVARRA period. For this reason, mining companies have very strong roots in their territories. Mining is one of the oldest activities developed by mankind. In Navarra it has always existed, and our symbols are engraved and sculpted Navarra mining operates with the on mining products: MARBLE, ARENISCA and CLAY with which highest standards of environmental cathedrals, farmhouses and streets are built. quality and occupational safety. The accident rate is lower than that of other similar activities such as construction or industry. It is a typical activity of developed countries.

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PHASES OF MINING

EXPLORATION PHASE DEVELOPMENT PHASE RESTORATION PHASE The first phase of a mining project The development of a mine It consists of the rehabilitation of the space affected by both extractive always consists of gathering encompasses the set of activities and the facilities associated with them, including mining waste. information and expanding the activities aimed at the extraction, It is carried out at the end of the mining activity, or whenever possible, as geological knowledge of the area, preparation, concentration, and it progresses. in order to identify and assess the benefit of a mineral resource. The In the restoration of mining areas, you must give the land a value equal geological resources. In addition use of a natural public resource to or greater than that it had before the mining activity began. In some to analysing the technical and distinguishes mining from other cases the old use can be renewed, and other times the land is given a economic viability of its use. economic activities. new use. The holders of mining concessions or mining authorisations have This gives value to a geological the obligation to ensure full restoration of the affected natural space. This resource, by extracting a obligation is backed up by financial guarantees in the form of insurance or mineral from the earth which bank deposit, as a mandatory requirement from the Administration before is later transformed into a raw starting the development phase. material by using concentration techniques or shape modification. Sustainable development is “development that meets the ¿? needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” World Commission for Environment and Development.

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IMPORTANCE FOR THE WHY IS RURAL COMMUNITIES

The mining operations are located MINING in rural communities, which helps fix population in these areas and allows their social and IMPORTANT? demographic development.

SOCIAL IMPORTANCE ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE

Geological resources are present Research and use of geological in most of the things we use, and resources is, in most cases, without them, our lives would be declared of public utility due to its very different. Minerals are basically strategic nature and its impact on involved in every important sector, the economy and employment. such as construction, and have other lesser known, but also very significant applications, such as the The Eugi open pit mine use of borates in cancer treatment, ¿? and of silica in photovoltaic panels supplies the raw material or telescopes. Navarra represents 1.3% of that is processed at the the value of ’s mining Zubiri factory, the industrial production. We have more than engine of the Esteribar 50 mining operations that valley. employ more than 350 people.

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CONSTRUCTION MINING 1 EXPLORATION AGGREGATES ORNAMENTAL LIME AND PLASTER CLAY STONE PRODUCTS GEOLOGICAL CONCRETE AND LIME FOR BRICKS EXPLORATION MORTAR FACADES VARIOUS USES ROOF TILES ROAD COVERTS PLASTERBOARD REFRACTORIES Mining is a beneficial activity for our RAILWAY PAVEMENTS PROJECTION PLASTERS daily life, and, without it, it would be DAMS STONEWORK impossible to lead the life we ​​lead. LEISURE AND FOOD AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRY ENERGY

Mineral resources are essential for many 2 activities: DEVELOPMENT THERMAL INDUSTRIAL METALLIC ENERGY EXTRACTION AND With metals we build boats, bridges, TRANSFORMATION OF WATER ROCKS MINERALS PRODUCTS GEOLOGICAL buildings or machines, solar panels, wind DRINK FERTILISERS ELECTRONICS DOMESTIC HOT RESOURCES WATER farms, electric cars. We make jewelry SPAS FOOD CAR COMPLEMENTS HEATING with precious metals like gold, but they COSMETICS TOOLS ELECTRONICS are also used in the electronic industry. AERONAUTICS We use aggregates to make concrete, MEDICAL PROSTHETICS slate, clay, and granite as construction materials. 3 RESTORATION REST WATER AGRICULTURAL, RECOVERY OF INDUSTRIAL OR REHABILITATION OF THE AREAS MANAGEMENT LIVESTOCK PROTECTED RESIDENTIAL AFFECTED LAND. OR FOREST HABITATS FLOOR WASTE TREATMENT. PRODUCTION

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ACTIVITIES

Use Google Earth to locate the Ezkoriz pond An alloy is a combination of metallic properties, which is com- or Zolina pond. posed of two or more chemical elements, of which at least one is Look at the image of the area. Do you see it? Does it seem to be a metal. For example, steel, bronze or brass. Copper is a metallic related to a mine? Then search the Internet for the pond story. alloy of copper and tin. When was it created? What was it for? Discuss in class the history What minerals are required for this alloy? of potash mines in the basin and what benefits the pond brings to its natural environment. Write your conclusions.

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IN NAVARRA WE HAVE MANY EXAMPLES OF MINING AND THE REHABILITATION OF MINING SPACES: ENVIRON- MENT

Mining, like all human activity, for example, the opening of a mine produces alterations in the must always be authorized by the environment, but it does not cause administration. NATURAL SPACES LEISURE AND WALKING SPACES more pollution than other activities Ezkoriz or Zolina pond in Plazaola Greenway, former mining railway such as traffic, urban waste, In addition, it is mandatory to and Valle de Egüés industry or agriculture. carry out environmental impact assessments in order to specify To guarantee good environmental each of the conditions that mining practices and avoid irreparable activity may produce in the territory, damage to nature, mining is a highly the corrective measures that will be regulated sector, with specific applied and the rehabilitation plan preventive laws and regulations: for when the works are completed.

The United Nations says that sustainable development is “development that meets the needs of the present ¿? generation without compromising the ability of future FARMLAND FOREST LAND generations to meet their own needs.” Olive plantation in Falces Restoration of native species in Eugi

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MINING AND Cu Fe C Nd Dy Tb RENEWABLE ENERGY copper iron carbon neodymium dysprosium terbium

In the same way that the metals Wind and solar power generation, extracted from mines are batteries and electric vehicles fundamental to construct buildings require large amounts of resources and means of transport, they are that we extract from mines: copper also necessary in new technologies for wires and electric motors, lithium that allow us to reduce greenhouse and cobalt for batteries, rare metals gas emissions. such as indium or gallium, and silicon (which comes from quartz) for solar panels or photovoltaic cells... Renewable energy is one of the great challenges of our generation and in that challenge the supply of minerals will be very important.

SECONDARY EDUCATION 14 15 SECONDARY EDUCATION An initiative to disseminate knowledge about mining and minerals. More information about mining in Navarra at mineria..es

This learning unit is based on materials created by the Mining Chamber of Galicia (Cámara Oficial Mineira de Galicia)