An important goal for a sustainable society is to make manufacturing processes cleaner and more sustainable by having them mimic how nature deals with waste. This is called

An important goal for a sustainable society is to make manufacturing processes cleaner and more sustainable by having them mimic how nature deals with waste. This is called

a. biocopying

b. sustainable biology

c. biomimicry

d. nature rules

e. common sense






Answer: C

In 1975, which company began a Pollution Prevention Pays program?

In 1975, which company began a Pollution Prevention Pays program?

a. DuPont

b. BP

c. IBM

d. 3M

e. Exxon








Answer: D

Recycling aluminum beverage cans and scrap aluminum produces _____ percent less pollution than mining and processing aluminum ore.

Recycling aluminum beverage cans and scrap aluminum produces _____ percent less pollution than mining and processing aluminum ore.

a. 75

b. 80

c. 85

d. 90

e. 95




Answer: E

The use of Grancrete to build houses has all of the following advantages, except

The use of Grancrete to build houses has all of the following advantages, except

a. It requires more wood for construction.

b. It is twice as strong as concrete.

c. It is affordable.

d. It does not leak or crack.

e. It reduces the need for non-mineral materials.

Answer: A

Which of the following is true concerning the possible mining of the ocean floor?

Which of the following is true concerning the possible mining of the ocean floor?

a. Use of hazardous chemicals in mining could destroy marine life.

b. Countries cannot come to an agreement about who owns the minerals.

c. Disturbance of the sea floor may release dangerous chemicals.

d. No one has the ability to mine the deep ocean floor.

e. Giant squid may interfere with the mining.

Answer: B

The advantages of using microorganisms for mining include all of the following, except

The advantages of using microorganisms for mining include all of the following, except

a. reduced land disturbance

b. reduced air pollution

c. faster removal of the mineral

d. reduced use of hazardous chemicals

e. reduced water pollution







Answer: C

The mining law that governs the exploration and mining of hardrock minerals on U.S. public lands was passed into law in what year?

The mining law that governs the exploration and mining of hardrock minerals on U.S. public lands was passed into law in what year?

a. 1992

b. 1972

c. 1952

d. 1932

e. 1872

Answer: E

In 2004, the very large mining company Phelps Dodge bought public land in Colorado worth $155 million and paid how much for it?

In 2004, the very large mining company Phelps Dodge bought public land in Colorado worth $155 million and paid how much for it?

a. $155 million

b. $100 million

c. $25 million

d. $1 million

e. $875





Answer: E

If consumers paid the full market cost of mineral extraction and processing, all of the following would occur, except

If consumers paid the full market cost of mineral extraction and processing, all of the following would occur, except

a. Harmful environmental effects would be reduced.

b. Economies would collapse.

c. Recycling would increase dramatically.

d. Minerals would be replaced with less harmful substitutes.

e. Reuse would increase.

Answer: B

The United States subsidizes mining companies through depletion allowances that amount to _____ % of their gross income from mining and processing.

The United States subsidizes mining companies through depletion allowances that amount to _____ % of their gross income from mining and processing.

a. 2-4

b. 4-8

c. 5-10

d. 5-22

e. 6-33







Answer: D

Depletion time is the time it takes to use up approximately _____% of the mineral reserves at a given rate of use.

Depletion time is the time it takes to use up approximately _____% of the mineral reserves at a given rate of use.

a. 30

b. 50

c. 60

d. 70

e. 80







Answer: E

When a resource has been economically depleted, we can do all of the following, except

When a resource has been economically depleted, we can do all of the following, except

a. Use other supplies.

b. Recycle existing supplies.

c. Waste less.

d. Use less.

e. Do without.

Answer: A

It is now necessary for the United States to import _____ of the 24 most important nonrenewable mineral resources.

It is now necessary for the United States to import _____ of the 24 most important nonrenewable mineral resources.

a. 25%

b. 33%

c. 50%

d. 67%

e. 75%







Answer: C

The United States, Germany, and Russia, with only 8% of the world's population, consume about _____ of the world's most widely used metals.

The United States, Germany, and Russia, with only 8% of the world's population, consume about _____ of the world's most widely used metals.

a. 25%

b. 33%

c. 50%

d. 67%

e. 75%








Answer: E

Which of the following is not a member of the group of nations that supply most of the nonrenewable mineral resources used by modern societies?

Which of the following is not a member of the group of nations that supply most of the nonrenewable mineral resources used by modern societies?

a. United States

b. Russia

c. South Africa

d. Germany

e. Canada






Answer: D

Which of the following is not one of the important, but scarce, mineral resources?

Which of the following is not one of the important, but scarce, mineral resources?

a. manganese

b. copper

c. chromium

d. cobalt

e. platinum

Answer: B

The portion of ore that does not contain the desired mineral is called

The portion of ore that does not contain the desired mineral is called

a. hazardous waste

b. spoil

c. gangue

d. tailings

e. smelt




Answer: C

Which of the following does mining not cause?

Which of the following does mining not cause?

a. forest fires

b. water pollution

c. toxic chemical emissions

d. subsidence

e. diseases







Answer: A

Which of the following is associated more with surface mining than subsurface mining?

Which of the following is associated more with surface mining than subsurface mining?

a. It is more dangerous.

b. It is more expensive.

c. It produces less waste material.

d. It disturbs more land.

e. It causes subsidence.

Answer: D

Many of the millions of miners that have moved into tropical forests and other tropical regions looking for gold use the very destructive technique known as

Many of the millions of miners that have moved into tropical forests and other tropical regions looking for gold use the very destructive technique known as

a. acid leaching

b. contour strip mining

c. mountain-top removal

d. area-strip mining

e. hydraulic mining

Answer: E