The Science of Mining gives secondary science teachers ideas to promote student leaning in earth science and other science concepts in the context of mining activities in Queensland.The material is organised around outcomes focusing on a key question asked by students about rocks, minerals and mining.This resource will help you explore everything from plate tectonics, demonstrate different exploration and drilling techniques, role play environmental management scenarios and explore the chemistry behind a blast furnace or electrolysis.

An interactive resource for secondary science students developed by the Minerals Council of Australia.Students become 'virtual metallurgists' and undertake on the job training, conduct experiments, alter variables and examine the consequences, assess the cost and environmental impact of their actions and interact with on-site staff to discover more about a range of careers.This interactive is also suitable for chemistry teachers to use for demonstrating the importance of chemistry and highlighting job opportunities in the minerals industry.

The Chamber of Mines and Energy Western Australia is acknowledged as the provider of this resource with significant contributions from Rio Tinto.Iron ore is a rock from which metallic iron can be economically extracted. Iron is the most used metal accounting for about ninety five per cent of the total metal produced worldwide. It can be alloyed with many elements to produce stronger and harder products which are used in millions of items we use every day.Find out more in this fact sheet.