New
New
Year 6

Natural resources and sustainability: focus on Africa

I can list some of Africa’s natural resources and describe some of the consequences of mining cobalt.

New
New
Year 6

Natural resources and sustainability: focus on Africa

I can list some of Africa’s natural resources and describe some of the consequences of mining cobalt.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. There are a range of landscapes, climates and biomes in Africa.
  2. Africa has a range of natural resources that are exported around the world.
  3. The mining and collection of Africa's natural resources is not always sustainable and ethical.

Keywords

  • Natural resources - Natural resources are those that come from Earth without human influence and can be used for human needs.

  • Minerals - Minerals are chemical substances that are formed naturally and are found in the ground or in rocks.

  • Non-renewable - Non-renewable means something that cannot be replaced and will eventually run out.

  • Renewable - Renewable means that something can be re-used and will not be used up or run out.

  • Economy - The economy is the way money in a particular area is made and spent.

Common misconception

Pupils may not fully appreciate the wide range of landscapes, physical features and biomes in Africa.

Spend some time exploring different countries and regions, including major cities and different types of biome.

Discuss what other action learners could take on the issue of sustainability. For example, they could give an assembly to raise awareness or talk to the headteacher about using recycled or refurbished electronic devices.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which key lines of latitude run through Africa?
Equator, Arctic Circle and Antarctic Circle
Correct answer: Equator, Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn
Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn
Equator only
Q2.
An example of a natural resource is ...
copper
wood
water
oil
Correct answer: all of the above
Q3.
Which of these are countries in Africa?
Correct answer: Nigeria
Correct answer: Tanzania
Italy
Correct answer: Morocco
Q4.
Renewable means...
something that will be used up and run out quickly
Correct answer: something that can be re-used and will not run out
something that is made by people over and over again
Q5.
Coal, oil and gas are examples of...
Correct answer: non-renewable sources of energy
Correct answer: natural resources
physical features
Correct answer: fossil fuels
Q6.
The way money is made and spent in a country is known as its...
Correct answer: economy
ecology
ecosystem

6 Questions

Q1.
The largest hot desert on the planet is...
Correct answer: the Sahara
the Gobi desert
the Atacama desert
Q2.
Put these letters in order to spell the name of Africa's longest river.
1 - N
2 - I
3 - L
4 - E
Q3.
Doing things that will cause as little harm as possible to the environment and all living things is living...
economically
sensibly
Correct answer: sustainably
energetically
Q4.
Which African country is the source of more than 70% of the world’s cobalt?
Botswana
Mali
Correct answer: Democratic Republic of Congo
Tanzania
Q5.
Which industries are important in countries in Africa?
Fishing
Mining
Agriculture
Renewable energy
Correct answer: All of the above
Q6.
Match two positive and two negative effects of mining cobalt in the DRC
Correct Answer:It brings benefits such as,improving local road networks, building new schools and hospitals.

improving local road networks, building new schools and hospitals.

Correct Answer:The mining industry ,provides jobs for many people in the DRC

provides jobs for many people in the DRC

Correct Answer:Waste produced by cobalt mining,causes air, water and land pollution and harms the environment

causes air, water and land pollution and harms the environment

Correct Answer:Mines take up a lot of land ,leading to habitat loss for animals and plants

leading to habitat loss for animals and plants