1. Why is it worth mining?
most abundant and has many uses as a result of its physical properties
hardness
strength
malleability (can be hammered into sheets)
ductility ( can be drawn out into a wire)
durability
used extensively in the:
:: metal industry
:: building industry
:: building bridges, vehicles, appliances, etc.

2. Why does South Africa export iron ore?
South Africa has a large amount of reserves.
For revenue.

3. What are the locations of the major mining activities in South Africa?
Northern Cape
Siscen
Beeshoek
Limpopo Province
Phalaborwa

4. Discuss each of the following steps:
4.1. open pit mining
Open-pit mining is also known as opencast mining.
This is method of extracting rock or minerals from the earth by their removal from an open pit.
No tunneling into the Earth is undertaken.
Open-pit mines are used when deposits useful minerals or rock are found near the surface.
Open pit mining is also useful if the land is unsuitable for tunneling, example it there is too much loose sand.
Open-pit mines that produce building materials are commonly referred to as quarries.

4.2. separation of the ore from other rock
ore is broken down into smaller chunks by crushing machines

4.3. the need to crush the ore bearing rock
it is crushed to increase surface area for a greater rate of chemical reaction

4.4. reducing the iron ore to iron in a blast furnace using coke to produce CO.
The mixture of ore and stone and coke is added to a blast furnace (heat).

Haematite Fe₂O₃
Fe₂O₃ + CO → 2FeO + CO₂ + energy

Magnetite Fe₃O₄
Fe₃O₄ + CO → 3FeO + CO₂ + energy

Final step to free the iron
FeO + CO → Fe + CO₂

The high temperature keeps the iron molten.

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Types of Iron
Cast Iron (2,5 – 4,5% carbon)
drain pipes, fire grates, engine blocks

Wrought Iron (less than 0,05% carbon)
ornamental iron work

Mild Steel (app. 0,25% carbon)
chains and pylons

Medium Steel (0,25 – 0,45% carbon)
nuts, bolts, car springs, axles, bridges

High Carbon Steel (0,45 – 1,5% carbon)
chisels, files, razor blades, saws

Manganese Steel (1% carbon, 13% Mn)
parts of rock breaking machinery and railway lines

Stainless Stell (20% Chromium 10% Niickel)
cooking and eating utensils
surgical implements
tools