New
New
Economic minerals and their uses
I can describe what economic minerals are and explain where they can be found and how we use them.
Lesson 4 of 6
New
New
- Year 5
Economic minerals and their uses
I can describe what economic minerals are and explain where they can be found and how we use them.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Economic minerals are useful or valuable solid substances that are found in the Earth's crust.
- Iron has been an important metal since ancient times; it is used for steel production but is now in short supply.
- Non-metallic resources include feldspar and quartz, used for electronics, and sand which is used in construction.
- Extraction of these resources can pollute the ground and water supplies locally and damage landscapes.
Keywords
Extraction - Extraction is the process of removing something (like minerals), especially by force.
Mining - Mining is the process of digging under the ground to remove natural resources.
Quarrying - Quarrying is digging into the surface of the ground to remove things like rock or sand for use.
Common misconception
Economic minerals are not important to everyday life.
Nearly every product we use in day-to-day life contains economic minerals that have to be mined or quarried.
Ensure children understand that economic minerals are naturally occurring substances and cannot be made by humans.
Teacher tip
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Approximately what percentage of the Earth's energy comes from renewable resources?
Approximately what percentage of the Earth's energy comes from renewable resources?
40%
90%
Q2.Which are these examples of renewable energy?
Which are these examples of renewable energy?
coal
Q3.Which of these products are grown, not reared?
Which of these products are grown, not reared?
cows
chickens
Q4.What animal are they trying to protect in the Bwindi Forest in Uganda?
What animal are they trying to protect in the Bwindi Forest in Uganda?
kangaroos
polar bears
Q5.What is sustainable farming?
What is sustainable farming?
farming to make as much money as possible
farming without worrying about the environment
Q6.Are these products from an arable or pastoral farm?
Are these products from an arable or pastoral farm?
Q2 image 3 J. Helgason/Shutterstock.com
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Can you match the key word to the correct definition?
Can you match the key word to the correct definition?
Q2.Which metal has been used since ancient times? Unscramble the letters to help you find the answer.
Which metal has been used since ancient times? Unscramble the letters to help you find the answer.
Q3.What can iron and steel be used for?
What can iron and steel be used for?
light bulbs
Q4.What natural resources is steel made from?
What natural resources is steel made from?
copper and clay
copper and sand
Q5.Are these metallic or non metallic minerals?
Are these metallic or non metallic minerals?
Q6.What negative impacts can the extraction of minerals cause?
What negative impacts can the extraction of minerals cause?
improved infrastructure
