Mining and resources are a large part of our everyday lives, even in ways that we don’t realise.

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Gold and copper were the first metals to be discovered by man around 5,000 BC

Petroleum is used to make over 6,000 items, including; paint, dresses, CD players, antifreeze, lipstick and hair colouring

Most modern electronic devices contain over 35 minerals

The chemical symbol for gold is Au, from the Latin aurum, which means shining dawn

Archaeologists have discovered copper drain pipes from as far back as 3,500 BC that are still in good condition

If you can’t grow it, it has to be mined or recycled

In Pre-Columbian times, indigenous people in North America mined turquoise, jet, opal, copper, silver, coal, obsidian and other igneous rocks, asbestos, salt, and sodium sulfate, as well as other minerals

Turquoise, jet, opal, copper, and silver were mined mostly for decorative use. Coal was mined for fuel. Obsidian and other igneous rocks were mined to make projectile points, mortars and pestles, grinding stones, stone axes, and other tools. Clay and asbestos were mined to make pottery; salt was used as a preservative and for flavoring; and sodium sulfate was used as a purgative

The Luck of the Irish is an old mining expression from the gold and silver rush in the second half of the 19th century

A microcoating of gold on glass reflects solar energy and reduces the electrical demand of air conditioning

Fool’s Gold can be one of three minerals; the most common mineral mistaken for gold is pyrite, chalcopyrite may also appear gold-like, and weathered biotite mica can mimic flake gold

69 days is the longest time survived underground after a mining disaster

Until 1886, aluminum was considered a rare metal and a chemical curiosity. Researchers in the U.S. and France independently discovered the continuous electrolytic reduction process which is used to make aluminum metal from the aluminum ore, bauxite

Twenty-Four-Karat Gold is not pure gold since there is a small amount of copper in it. Absolutely pure gold is so soft that it can be molded with the hands

After gold has been mined approx. 63 per cent is used in jewelry, 21 per cent as coins, 15 per cent in industrial uses including electronics and the other 1 per cent in dental

Gold will not oxidize, rust, tarnish, corrode, decay, or deteriorate

Zinc is 100 per cent recyclable

Copper does not corrode, rust or damage easily