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An introduction to geology
An introduction to geology

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2.20 Zones at Parys Mountain

Parys Mountain mine is actually divided into multiple zones, which have very different amounts of copper in each zone, and not just copper but other useful elements too. Look at the table and then complete the activities below.

Table _unit2.21.1 Table 2.1 Parys Mountain copper
Zone Tonnes Cu % Pb % Zn % Ag Au
    % g/kg % g/kg % g/kg g/t g/t
Engine 489,000 1.38 13.8 2.61 26.1 4.99 49.9 92.8 0.5

Deep Engine

618,000 1.95 19.5 1.9 19 4.22 42.2 23 0.2

White Rock

1,625,000 0.34 3.4 2.05 20.5 3.84 38.4 33 0.5

Garth Daniel

299,000 2.06 20.6 3.07 30.7 6.43 64.3 75 0.2
Total 3,031,000 1.01 10.1 2.21 22.1 4.36 43.6 46 0.5

Activity _unit2.21.1 Activity 2.5 Questions about Parys Mountain

Timing: Allow about 10 minutes

How would these varying levels of copper affect which areas are mined (and when)?

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You can see that silver (Ag) and gold (Au) are there in much lower concentrations. Why is it ever worth mining them at Parys Mountain?

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