Where Do Metals Come From and How Can We Control Their Shape for Our Needs?

 The Importance of Metals in Our Lives

Metals are essential for the development of civilization and the prosperity of the economy, and they directly affect the quality of our lives, the development of our technologies, our safety, and our well-being.

Industry and Manufacturing:

Metals are widely used in the manufacture of machinery, equipment, and industrial products. They form essential parts of cars, airplanes, ships, trains, and other means of transportation, as well as electronic devices, household appliances, and construction materials.

Technology and Communications:

Metals play a crucial role in the manufacture of electronic and communication devices, such as smartphones, computers, tablets, and medical devices. Metals are used in the manufacture of electronic circuits, wires, and mechanical components.

Energy and Environment:

Metals play an important role in the manufacture of energy generation equipment, such as solar panels, nuclear and wind power generation devices. Metals are also used in the manufacture of batteries for electric and hybrid cars and in energy storage.

Medicine and Health:

Metals play a vital role in the manufacture of medical devices and equipment, such as respirators, artificial joints, and X-ray machines. Some metals are also used in surgical instruments and in the manufacture of medicines.

Agriculture and Food:

Metals are used in the manufacture of fertilizers and pesticides to improve soil quality and increase crop productivity. Some metals also play a role in the manufacture of packaging and containers used in food storage.

Examples of Things We Use That Contain Metals:

• Electronic devices:
  • Smartphones
  • Computers
  • TVs
  • Tablets
• Household appliances:
  • Refrigerators
  • Washing machines
• Tools:
  • Hand tools
  • Power tools
  • Sports equipment
• Other objects:
  • Jewelry
  • Coins
  • Medical devices
  • Batteries

Vehicles:

• Cars: Contain metals such as steel, aluminum, copper, and iron.
• Airplanes: Contain metals such as aluminum, titanium, and steel.
• Ships: Contain metals such as steel, aluminum, and copper.
• Buildings: Contain metals such as steel, iron, copper, and aluminum.
• Bridges: Contain metals such as steel, iron, and iron.
• Railroads: Contain metals such as steel, iron, and iron.

Where Metals Are Found:

• Mountain ranges:
  • Mountain ranges are very common places to find metals. There are two main reasons for this:
  • Uplift and erosion: Mountain ranges form when parts of the Earth's crust are pushed upwards by plate tectonics. This uplift can bring mineral deposits that were previously buried deep underground closer to the surface, making them easier to extract. Erosion can also play a role, as it removes the upper layers of rock and exposes the mineral deposits below.
  • Volcanic activity: Many mountain ranges form around or alongside volcanic areas. As volcanoes erupt, magma rich in minerals is brought from deep within the Earth to the surface. Over time, this magma cools and crystallizes, forming valuable mineral deposits.
• Rivers and beaches:
  • Dense metals such as gold and platinum can be concentrated in these areas through a process called placer mining.
• Stars:
  • These giant, glowing gas balls are the primary fusion furnaces in the universe, creating heavier elements from lighter elements through nuclear fusion. Over time, stars become rich in metals such as iron, oxygen, and silicon.
• Asteroids:
  • These are rocky remnants from the formation of our solar system. Some asteroids, especially metallic asteroids, are believed to be composed almost entirely of metals such as iron and nickel.
• Interstellar dust:
  • This fine dust scattered throughout space contains particles of various elements, including metals. It is believed to be the remains of stellar explosions and supernovae.

Metal Extraction Methods:

There are four main ways to extract metals:

• Underground mining:
  • Used to extract metals from deposits located deep underground. This method involves creating a network of tunnels and pillars to access the mineral deposits. Once the metals are extracted, they are transported to the surface for processing. This method is more expensive than surface mining, but it is necessary to extract metals found in deep deposits.
• Surface mining:
  • Used to extract metals from deposits located near the Earth's surface. This method involves removing the upper layers of rock and soil to expose the mineral deposits. This method is less expensive than underground mining, but it can only be used for deposits located near the surface. There are different types of surface mining, including open-pit mining, strip mining, and mountaintop removal.
• Placer mining:
  • A type of surface