ZNOTES.ORG
UPDATED TO 2019-2021 SYLLABUS
CAIE IGCSE
EVM (0680)
SUMMARIZED NOTES ON THE THEORY SYLLABUS
,CAIE IGCSE EVM (0680)
1. Rocks and minerals and
their exploitation
1.1. Formation of rocks
The rock cycle: a representation of the changes between
the three rock types and the processes causing them.
Exploring for minerals:
Prospecting: a process of searching for minerals by
examining the surface of the rocks.
Remote sensing: a process in which information is
gathered about the Earth’s surface from above.
Photographs of the area are taken from air.
The images are carefully analysed for mineral
presence.
Aerial photography can cover more ground than a
person on the surface.
Radiation detection:
Mineral deposits are weathered at the Earth’s surface,
forming mineral oxides.
They can be detected by their unique radiation
Types of rocks: pattern (recorded by a satellite and downloaded to a
Igneous rocks: computer for analysis).
Made when liquid magma cools to form solid rock. Satellite signals:
Molten rock below the surface is called magma, Some satellites send signals to the Earth’s surface and
and lava when it reaches the surface. collect the reflected signals, indicating the presence of
Extrusive igneous rock: if the rock cools quickly, minerals.
small crystals are formed e.g. basalt. The system works in all weather conditions.
Intrusive igneous rock: if the rock cools slowly, Satellite images:
large crystals are formed e.g. granite. Computers are used to process the data from a
Sedimentary rocks: region of interest to check for mineral presence.
Formed by the weathering of existing rocks at the Geologists confirm the presence of the mineral by
Earth’s surface. visiting the location (recorded by the satellite’s
Fossils may be present. positioning system).
Sediments (small particles of rocks) accumulate
into layers and get pressurized due to the newer
deposits above them.
The sediments are transported by water and wind
(erosion).
Particles like clays, silts, sands, gravels and small
boulders are found in sediments.
Examples: limestone, sandstone and shale.
Metamorphic rocks:
Formed from existing rock when heat and/or
pressure causes changes in the rock crystals
without melting it.
The changes can be physical, chemical or both.
Examples: marble and slate.
1.2. Extraction of rocks and minerals
from the Earth Geologists can further check the availability of the
mineral in nearby areas.
WWW.ZNOTES.ORG
,CAIE IGCSE EVM (0680)
Using satellites saves time and costs less. The vegetation is cleared and topsoil removed.
Geochemical analysis: analysing the chemical
properties of rocks (by taking samples).
The samples can be taken from stream sediments,
soil or rocks (using shallow drilling).
The location of the sample points can be accurately
found using the Global Positioning System (GPS).
Geophysics: method to identify mineral ores present in
rocks using their physical properties.
A series of vibrations (seismic waves) are sent through
the Earth’s surface.
Several sensors are placed at different distances from
the source of vibrations on the surface.
The rocks are broken up and loosened with
explosives.
The vibrations create shock waves that travel down The loose rock is removed using diggers.
into the rock layers. The rock or mineral is tipped into trucks or railway
They are reflected back to the sensors on the surface. wagons.
The shock waves record different patterns depending Building materials such as sand, gravel and stone are
on the mineral present in the rock layers. removed from open pits called quarries.
Methods of extraction: Strip mining is used to mine a seam of mineral.
Surface mining: includes open-cast (open-pit, open-cut) The overburden (overlying rock and soil) is removed
and strip mining. as a thin strip.
Open-pit mining is used when a valuable deposit is
located near the surface.
It is mainly used to mine coal.
Sub-surface mining: includes deep and shaft mining.
A vertical shaft is sunk down to the rock layer
containing minerals.
A horizontal tunnel is made, following the mineral
layer.
WWW.ZNOTES.ORG
, CAIE IGCSE EVM (0680)
The profit from a working mine depends on changes
in supply and demand.
If the demand is too high, mines that were not
profitable before become worth mining.
If the demand falls, working mines may get into a loss
due to the transport and extraction expenses.
1.3. Impact of rock and mineral
extraction
Environmental impacts:
The minerals are extracted by digging (by machines
Ecological impacts:
and miners).
The loose rock is brought from the mine and piled up Loss of habitat as the vegetation is cleared ∴ plants
on waste heaps on the surface. do not have a place to grow, so the animals
depending on them for food and shelter are affected.
The minerals are brought to the surface and
transported in trucks or trains. After deep mining has been working for several years,
more habitats will be destroyed due to the increased
Factors that affect the decision to extract rocks and
overburden aboveground.
minerals:
The costs of exploration and extraction: Pollution:
Probable cost of extracting one tonne is calculated. Noise pollution: due to machinery and explosives ∴
There are fewer technical difficulties of mining on a disturbs the behaviour of animal species and causes
large scale using open-pit mining as there’d be low hearing problems for people.
extraction costs per tonne. Water pollution: water supplies may also be polluted,
Shaft mining is costlier to set up and maintain as the making it unsafe for people to drink.
cost per tonne will be higher. So, only deposits of The water may become acidic and dissolve toxic metal
higher value can be mined in this way. ions-this combination kills many aquatic organisms.
Bioaccumulation: organisms absorb the ions and
Geology:
High-grade ores yield more of the required chemical retain them in their body, reaching concentration
elements than low-grade ores. higher than that in water.
Biomagnification: the concentrations increase higher
Small deposits of high-grade ore are worth mining.
Small deposits of low-grade ore that cannot be mined up in the food chain and cause the death of top
at a profit are left as reserves. consumers.
Accessibility: Land pollution: toxic nature of the waste doesn’t allow
Transporting the ore from the mine to processing plant growth even years after the mining is stopped.
plants can be difficult and expensive. Air pollution: dust particles settle on the vegetation,
The cost of building road or rail links to the processing not allowing sunlight to reach the leaves and thus,
plant or to the nearest port for export has to be reducing the rate of photosynthesis.
considered. Breathing in dust that remains in the lungs can cause
Carrying out some processing at the mine reduces serious lung diseases.
transport costs. Visual pollution: landscape is damaged.
The mining company must be given a licence before Waste management: (refer to section 1.4 Managing
the impact of rock and mineral extraction)
extracting a deposit.
A long-term agreement between the government and Economic impacts:
mining company must be reached to avoid rapid rises Provides employment for people and taxes for the
government.
in the tax, which makes the mining unprofitable.
Environmental impact assessment: Jobs are created directly to extract the mineral;
For a licence application to be approved, the company Further jobs are created to supply transport and
must have a plan to keep the loss of habitat minimal, mining equipment;
followed by the restoration of land proceeding the More jobs are created when the mineral is refined to
completion of mining. make products;
The choice of site for mine waste should also be If all these activities occur in the same country, it will
considered. generate the most income;
Supply and demand: the relation between how much of a Earn foreign exchange.
commodity is available and how much is needed or The income earned can be used for buying goods and
wanted by the consumers. services and investing in infrastructure projects.
Increase in world demand for any mineral ore will Improvements to transport;
elevate the prices.
WWW.ZNOTES.ORG
UPDATED TO 2019-2021 SYLLABUS
CAIE IGCSE
EVM (0680)
SUMMARIZED NOTES ON THE THEORY SYLLABUS
,CAIE IGCSE EVM (0680)
1. Rocks and minerals and
their exploitation
1.1. Formation of rocks
The rock cycle: a representation of the changes between
the three rock types and the processes causing them.
Exploring for minerals:
Prospecting: a process of searching for minerals by
examining the surface of the rocks.
Remote sensing: a process in which information is
gathered about the Earth’s surface from above.
Photographs of the area are taken from air.
The images are carefully analysed for mineral
presence.
Aerial photography can cover more ground than a
person on the surface.
Radiation detection:
Mineral deposits are weathered at the Earth’s surface,
forming mineral oxides.
They can be detected by their unique radiation
Types of rocks: pattern (recorded by a satellite and downloaded to a
Igneous rocks: computer for analysis).
Made when liquid magma cools to form solid rock. Satellite signals:
Molten rock below the surface is called magma, Some satellites send signals to the Earth’s surface and
and lava when it reaches the surface. collect the reflected signals, indicating the presence of
Extrusive igneous rock: if the rock cools quickly, minerals.
small crystals are formed e.g. basalt. The system works in all weather conditions.
Intrusive igneous rock: if the rock cools slowly, Satellite images:
large crystals are formed e.g. granite. Computers are used to process the data from a
Sedimentary rocks: region of interest to check for mineral presence.
Formed by the weathering of existing rocks at the Geologists confirm the presence of the mineral by
Earth’s surface. visiting the location (recorded by the satellite’s
Fossils may be present. positioning system).
Sediments (small particles of rocks) accumulate
into layers and get pressurized due to the newer
deposits above them.
The sediments are transported by water and wind
(erosion).
Particles like clays, silts, sands, gravels and small
boulders are found in sediments.
Examples: limestone, sandstone and shale.
Metamorphic rocks:
Formed from existing rock when heat and/or
pressure causes changes in the rock crystals
without melting it.
The changes can be physical, chemical or both.
Examples: marble and slate.
1.2. Extraction of rocks and minerals
from the Earth Geologists can further check the availability of the
mineral in nearby areas.
WWW.ZNOTES.ORG
,CAIE IGCSE EVM (0680)
Using satellites saves time and costs less. The vegetation is cleared and topsoil removed.
Geochemical analysis: analysing the chemical
properties of rocks (by taking samples).
The samples can be taken from stream sediments,
soil or rocks (using shallow drilling).
The location of the sample points can be accurately
found using the Global Positioning System (GPS).
Geophysics: method to identify mineral ores present in
rocks using their physical properties.
A series of vibrations (seismic waves) are sent through
the Earth’s surface.
Several sensors are placed at different distances from
the source of vibrations on the surface.
The rocks are broken up and loosened with
explosives.
The vibrations create shock waves that travel down The loose rock is removed using diggers.
into the rock layers. The rock or mineral is tipped into trucks or railway
They are reflected back to the sensors on the surface. wagons.
The shock waves record different patterns depending Building materials such as sand, gravel and stone are
on the mineral present in the rock layers. removed from open pits called quarries.
Methods of extraction: Strip mining is used to mine a seam of mineral.
Surface mining: includes open-cast (open-pit, open-cut) The overburden (overlying rock and soil) is removed
and strip mining. as a thin strip.
Open-pit mining is used when a valuable deposit is
located near the surface.
It is mainly used to mine coal.
Sub-surface mining: includes deep and shaft mining.
A vertical shaft is sunk down to the rock layer
containing minerals.
A horizontal tunnel is made, following the mineral
layer.
WWW.ZNOTES.ORG
, CAIE IGCSE EVM (0680)
The profit from a working mine depends on changes
in supply and demand.
If the demand is too high, mines that were not
profitable before become worth mining.
If the demand falls, working mines may get into a loss
due to the transport and extraction expenses.
1.3. Impact of rock and mineral
extraction
Environmental impacts:
The minerals are extracted by digging (by machines
Ecological impacts:
and miners).
The loose rock is brought from the mine and piled up Loss of habitat as the vegetation is cleared ∴ plants
on waste heaps on the surface. do not have a place to grow, so the animals
depending on them for food and shelter are affected.
The minerals are brought to the surface and
transported in trucks or trains. After deep mining has been working for several years,
more habitats will be destroyed due to the increased
Factors that affect the decision to extract rocks and
overburden aboveground.
minerals:
The costs of exploration and extraction: Pollution:
Probable cost of extracting one tonne is calculated. Noise pollution: due to machinery and explosives ∴
There are fewer technical difficulties of mining on a disturbs the behaviour of animal species and causes
large scale using open-pit mining as there’d be low hearing problems for people.
extraction costs per tonne. Water pollution: water supplies may also be polluted,
Shaft mining is costlier to set up and maintain as the making it unsafe for people to drink.
cost per tonne will be higher. So, only deposits of The water may become acidic and dissolve toxic metal
higher value can be mined in this way. ions-this combination kills many aquatic organisms.
Bioaccumulation: organisms absorb the ions and
Geology:
High-grade ores yield more of the required chemical retain them in their body, reaching concentration
elements than low-grade ores. higher than that in water.
Biomagnification: the concentrations increase higher
Small deposits of high-grade ore are worth mining.
Small deposits of low-grade ore that cannot be mined up in the food chain and cause the death of top
at a profit are left as reserves. consumers.
Accessibility: Land pollution: toxic nature of the waste doesn’t allow
Transporting the ore from the mine to processing plant growth even years after the mining is stopped.
plants can be difficult and expensive. Air pollution: dust particles settle on the vegetation,
The cost of building road or rail links to the processing not allowing sunlight to reach the leaves and thus,
plant or to the nearest port for export has to be reducing the rate of photosynthesis.
considered. Breathing in dust that remains in the lungs can cause
Carrying out some processing at the mine reduces serious lung diseases.
transport costs. Visual pollution: landscape is damaged.
The mining company must be given a licence before Waste management: (refer to section 1.4 Managing
the impact of rock and mineral extraction)
extracting a deposit.
A long-term agreement between the government and Economic impacts:
mining company must be reached to avoid rapid rises Provides employment for people and taxes for the
government.
in the tax, which makes the mining unprofitable.
Environmental impact assessment: Jobs are created directly to extract the mineral;
For a licence application to be approved, the company Further jobs are created to supply transport and
must have a plan to keep the loss of habitat minimal, mining equipment;
followed by the restoration of land proceeding the More jobs are created when the mineral is refined to
completion of mining. make products;
The choice of site for mine waste should also be If all these activities occur in the same country, it will
considered. generate the most income;
Supply and demand: the relation between how much of a Earn foreign exchange.
commodity is available and how much is needed or The income earned can be used for buying goods and
wanted by the consumers. services and investing in infrastructure projects.
Increase in world demand for any mineral ore will Improvements to transport;
elevate the prices.
WWW.ZNOTES.ORG
