5 Reasons Why You Can't Live Without Mining

Over the last several years mining has been despised by all types of people from all parts of the globe. Mining is described as archaic and so unnecessary. It has become trendy to oppose mining in all of its shape and forms. The greens convinced the media who convinced the politicians, who in turn convinced you. But like the old Chinese Whispers, the facts have long been lost. But that’s not the most interesting part.

What the greens, politicians and media don't tell you, is that almost every part of your life and lifestyle is only made possible through mining minerals. Mining is very important to you, even if you don't know it. You are the reason mining exists, yet you want it to stop? Your insatiable appetite for the products made (and still yet to be invented) are a by-product of mining. Consumerism is growing not only with the increasing world population, but also with individuals. How many of us own multiple cars, phones, tablets, laptops, televisions, watches, jewelry, and the list goes on and on. You say mining must stop; but what you are really saying through your actions is “I despise mining, but I can’t get enough of it's by-products or the benefits it provides me”. Doesn't quite make sense does it?

Here are five reasons why you can’t live without mining -

1. You

You want to be healthy and look your best. Did you know that the majority of beauty products contain minerals like iron, talc, bismuth, zinc, silica. Minerals are used in vitamins, soaps, toothpaste, shampoo, household medicines and just about every product you purchase and apply. The food you purchase and eat is mass produced with the use of fertilisers that contains minerals such as phosphate, sulfur, cadmium and phosphorous; that are by-products of mining. Lets not forget about the gym equipment. It contains a huge mix of metals such as iron, aluminum, titanium and copper. What about the gym equipment with electronics? It also contains copper, lead, quartz, gold, tantalum, mica, germanium and samarium. Jewelry, watches and mobile phones are not organically grown, they are made from gold, silver, platinum, cadmium, quartz, alloys and may include precious stones. Medical practices like joint replacements, pace makers, minor and major surgery all require equipment that contains a very wide range of minerals

Yes all of the above minerals and precious stones are sourced through mining and many of them through large open cut mines.

So from the time you wake each morning to the time you have your breakfast; mining has already played a big part in your day.

2. Your Home

Your home is made of minerals, in fact the foundations are made of concrete and steel. The basic services in your home (water, electricity, gas) are conducted through copper and steel wires and pipes. Think about that the next time you turn on a tap or flick a light switch on. Your bathrooms and kitchen are fitted out with essential and non essential products that also contain many minerals only made possible from mining. Yes mining provides you with the basic elements of your life - that you take for granted. You fill your home with all sorts of electronic gadgets to improve your quality of life. None of them are possible without mining the minerals that they are made from. Did you know that your television contains several rare earths?

How many of us use wooden or plastic frying pans, pots, plates, cups, glasses and cutlery at home? That's right, the majority of us use these items that are made of minerals. Minerals that have been mined.

3. Your Transport

Transport is very important to the population across the world, for many facets of our daily life. If you use any of these modes of transport - aircraft, boat, car, bus, train, motorcycle, bicycle or segway, then you are relying on the by-products of mining for your transportation. A significant variety and quantity of minerals are required to manufacture these vehicles without even considering the fuel to power it. Now lets think about the surface most of these vehicles travel on (including you if you walk). The roads, rails and concrete paths; are only possible because mining companies mined the minerals used to make these surfaces for you.

Actually the same applies to the equipment used to control the flow of traffic and make it safe and reliable for you to travel. Mined minerals and more mined minerals.

4. Your Work

Basically the same facts apply at your work as to your home. The next time you are having a coffee at work (and home) , look around and almost everything that you can see and touch contains minerals that are the by-product of mining. The building, equipment, your office, your window, your desk and most things on and in it. Yes even the chair you are sitting on and the mug you are holding - good chance it is a by-product of mining. The company you work for or its customers, cannot function or exist without these minerals. It doesn't matter what your business is or your product and services, it wouldn't function or exist if mining companies stopped mining.

Can you think of a company or occupation that doesn't use the minerals that are mined?

5. Your Energy

In our modern lifestyles we cannot function without energy. But do you know how that energy gets to your home or office? Raw minerals are mined and sent to a power plant for refining. It could be a power plant that uitilises coal, gas, oil or uranium to produce electricity. These raw fuels, the power plant, the transmission lines and sub stations are all sourced and constructed from the minerals made only possible by mining.

Renewable energy you say! Well, mining is still required. Again the foundations are made of concrete and steel. The equipment that processes the solar, wind or water energy is actually made of mined minerals. Renewable energy still requires power plants, transmission lines and substations to deliver the power to you. You still require the copper wires in your house and office to be able to receive the electricity to your power point or light switch.

Do you still think mining is unnecessary?

So the next time you have the urge to call for an end to mining - take a few seconds to look at yourself and your home first. Take a look at how minerals assist you to earn your money and enjoy a quality lifestyle. Think about how even the basics elements of your life would be possible without mining companies mining minerals.

Oh and the next time someone from the greens, politics or media tell you that mining is not necessary; look at the beauty products and jewelry that they are wearing, electronic equipment that they are carrying and then think how the five points above, apply to their life and work.

Notes:

1. If you want to get a better understanding how important minerals are to your life, look at this website

http://www.mineralseducationcoalition.org/

2. To see what construction material is required for a wind farm, see this website

http://www.windfarmbop.com/tag/materials/