Fascinating Facts How Mining Has Impacted Lives
Countries at all levels of development dig to unearth the resources needed to build wealth. Some regions are wealthy just by the benefit of location and the wealth they are literally sitting on. Other countries have endured centuries of constant security concern as their natural resources make them a target of a “hostile takeover.” The power of the elements, minerals, and even organic matter that lie within the earth continues to help usher in grand new eras; this is as true today as ever.
We’ve dug up seven interesting facts about precious materials. You can use this information to develop your next investment idea or share it with guests as you begin to entertain more this Spring and Summer.
Pre-Historic Miners
The first unearthed metals were gold and copper. Scientists have located copper pipes that are more than 5000 years old. Copper mining, at some level, dates back to at least 8700 BC.
Your Consumption
The average American consumes 40,000 pounds of minerals each year. This includes salt, the zinc used to prevent severe viral infections, and electrolytes such as those found in sports drinks like Gatorade.
Petroleum Beyond Motor Fuel
We know that petroleum is used to make gasoline, but as gasoline demand becomes less, will this lower the price of production of other products made from oil? Only 45% of U.S. petroleum consumption in 2019 was in the form of gasoline. The rest was finished into wax, Vaseline, lipstick, crayons, asphalt, golf balls, fiberglass boats, chewing gum, car interiors, shopping bags, and so much more. Look around; our lives surround us with products resulting from drilling for oil.
The ‘Luck of the Irish’
The gold and silver mining frenzy in the old West made folk heroes out of some miners. Many of the most famous and successful miners were of Irish descent. This gave rise to the phrase “The Luck of the Irish.”
Electronics
The average modern electronic device has more than 35 minerals in it. From your cell phone to the microwave you use to heat your lunch, modern electronics use gold, copper, lithium, zinc, and many other minerals to function.
Pyrite
Pyrite is one of the most widely used and distributed sulfide minerals. The name comes from the Greek word pyr meaning fire because pyrite emits sparks when struck by iron. In fact, it has been used to start fires since prehistoric times.
Gold is Elusive
It’s believed that upwards of 80% of the world’s gold is still eluding us below the earth’s surface. Pure gold is so soft that it can be molded with nothing more than a simple rigid hand tool.
Resources and Mining
The world of mining has been beneficial to mankind for thousands of years before any written history—the natural resources that continue to be unearthed and those that are recaptured in recycling programs continue to improve our lives.
https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/10-Unexpected-Uses-of-Oil.html