Coal is a common fuel used worldwide mainly in the production of electricity. It is used for cooling, heating, powering machines, charging mobile phones and even electric cars. It is also used in furnaces to produce metals like steel and can be used in the manufacturing of plastics, explosives, fertilisers, cement, bricks and tiles. Find out more about coal, its uses, how it is mined and processed the coal export industry in this fact sheet.

Interactive detailing the mining and processing of copper, including the chemistry. Interactive balancing equation activities included for junior and senior students.Students interact with the major steps involved in copper processing. Includes animations, supporting fact sheets, and an interactive balancing chemical equations challenge. Great for general science and chemistry teachers.

A compressed file containing all Operating Mines in Australia - March 2010 - will open in Google Earth.Scroll your mouse over the map and click on an icon to view mine details and associated website. (Not all mines are linked to a website)Where a cluster of mines occurs click in the middle of the cluster to view specific mine details. To zoom in closer to the mine use the Google icons to the right of the screen.

The worksheet is a science literacy activity which involves an investigation into the history of copper. Students are given a series of questions and asked to circle the correct answers.This worksheet is used in conjunction with the Copper ITAM which can be ordered from the Minerals Council of Australia. The first copy is free, a class set is A$27.50. Ordering and contact details are provided on the sheet.

As metals higher in the reactivity series will displace metals lower in the series from their compounds, it should be possible to determine unknown metals by their reaction with known metal compounds. In this experiment, students identify six unknown metals based on their reactivity with known metal compounds.

Copper is a metal which is mined from the earth and used for a number of different purposes. It was formed as a result of volcanic activity which resulted in large masses of molten rock and hot water cooling and then solidifying into copper crystals. This fact sheet provides an overview of copper and its uses, how it is mined and processed and the rehabilitation process post mining.

This PowerPoint examines the properties and uses of copper, how it is mined, separated from the ore and processed into copper metal.

This experiment investigates the process involved in recovering copper metal from ore using solvent extraction.

This PowerPoint is a great reference for climate change lessons. It explains the cap and trade system, targeted businesses, advantages and disadvantages and how it will affect the minerals and energy industry in Queensland.

The Australian Uranium Association provides key facts on the Australian uranium industry, major mines and production and export values.