Resource development

Outline the concept of the resource frontier.

Figures 9a and 9b are in the insert.

Figure 9a shows the percentage land area affected by drought in Montana, USA, between May 2017 and January 2018.

Figure 9b shows the energy sources of electricity generation in Montana, 2012–2017.

Analyse the data shown in Figure 9a and Figure 9b.

Figures 10a and 10b are in the insert.

Figure 10a shows information produced by West Cumbria Mining about a proposal to mine coal in the area.

Figure 10b shows a local protest about the proposal to open a coal mine in West Cumbria.

Using Figure 10a, Figure 10b and your own knowledge, discuss why there may be conflict between resource security and human welfare.

With reference to one mineral ore, assess the relationship between demand for the ore and the end uses of the ore.

‘Strategies to increase water supply can never be sustainable as they always result in negative consequences somewhere else.’

To what extent do you agree with this view?

Outline the difference between indicated and inferred resources.

Figures 7a and 7b are in the insert.

Figure 7a shows the amount of nuclear waste being stored at nuclear reactor sites in the USA in 2010.

Figure 7b shows nuclear energy use and the waste fund contribution in selected states in 2014.

Analyse the data shown in Figure 7a and Figure 7b.

To what extent does the role of one specified mineral ore in global commerce and industry lead to sustainability issues?

Assess the extent to which changes in the carbon cycle can lead to water stress.

‘Transnational corporations (TNCs) care far more about their own profits than the environmental impacts of their activities.’

With reference to energy production and distribution, how far do you agree with this statement?

Outline a strategy used to manage energy consumption.

Figures 9a and 9b are in the insert.

Figure 9a shows the location and amount of economically viable oil reserves at different oil prices in 2016.

Figure 9b shows the average oil price between January 2004 and January 2020.

Analyse the data shown in Figure 9a and Figure 9b.

Figures 10a and 10b are in the insert.

Figure 10a shows information produced by the Canadian government about greenhouse gas emissions and tar sand developments producing oil in Canada.

Figure 10b shows a tar sand oil production area in Alberta, Canada.

Using Figure 10a, Figure 10b and your own knowledge, to what extent do you agree that the environmental impacts of the development of a major energy source such as this are always negative?

To what extent are the geopolitics of mineral ore trade determined by global patterns of consumption?

Assess the relative importance of physical and human factors in creating water conflicts at different scales.

Outline how an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) can be used to encourage sustainable resource development.

Figure 9 shows minerals and the associated geology found in part of north west England.

Key

Carboniferous sedimentary rocks Graphite

Analyse the relationship between mineral mining sites and rock types shown in Figure 9.

Figures 10a and 10b are in the insert.

Figure 10a shows selected gas pipelines and liquefied natural gas terminals in Europe in 2014.

Figure 10b shows gas consumption and the level of dependence on Russian gas in 2014.

Using Figure 10a, Figure 10b and your own knowledge, how far do you agree that geopolitics are important in ensuring energy security in Europe?

Assess the relative importance of climate and geology in the supply of water.

‘The environmental impacts of ore extraction will always be greater than that of water supply schemes.’

With reference to a major ore extraction scheme and a major water supply scheme, assess the extent to which you agree with this statement.

Choose the answer below that would be considered an appropriate strategy to manage water consumption.

A A desalination plant built using EU funding following an Environmental Impact Assessment.

B A government policy to order water companies to fit compulsory meters to all homes.

C A water transfer scheme to move water from areas of water surplus to areas of water deficit.

D Water below the ground stored in aquifers to be pumped to the surface when it falls below the water table.

Which of the following defines the concept of a resource frontier?

A The boundary surrounding a resource, beyond which the resource is not located.

B An area on the periphery of a country, where resources are produced for the first time, frequently found in locations that are difficult to exploit.

C The point after which new discoveries of a resource decline as production has already exploited the most accessible resources.

D Undiscovered resources that may occur in known geological settings where no previous discoveries have been made.

Which of the following has the correct examples of primary and secondary sources of energy in the correct columns?

Primary energy
Secondary energy

A A water wheel powered by a Releasing radiation from river used to drive machinery in uranium to convert water to a factory.
steam for electricity powering a town.

B Burning coal and wood in a Gas transfer by pipeline to multi-fuel stove for heat in the power a gas cooker in the home. home.

C Production of petrol from crude Conversion of biogas from oil to drive cars.
organic decomposition of animal waste.

D Electricity generated from an Geothermal power heating HEP scheme used to power a ground water supplies directly field centre.
into the home.

Choose the best definition of the virtual water trade from the list below.

A The movement of water from one country to another via a pipeline in order to produce goods designed for export.

B The agreement between two or more countries involved in manufacturing and the subsequent trade in desalinisation plants.

C The hidden water volume involved in the full production process of a product destined for export.

D The source of the water used in the import and export of goods such as agricultural products.

Figures 9a, 9b and 9c are in the insert.

Figure 9a shows the world’s top ten coal producing countries in 2015. Figure 9b shows coal consumption in the top ten coal consuming countries and the rest of the world in 2015. Figure 9c shows a Spearman’s rank calculation used to study whether there is a relationship between production and consumption of coal in the countries shown in Figure 9a.

Analyse the data shown in Figures 9a, 9b and 9c.

Figures 10a, 10b and 10c are in the insert.

Figure 10a shows the renewable and nuclear energy mix of selected European countries in 2012. Figure 10b is a relief map of Europe. Figure 10c shows average annual precipitation.

Using Figures 10a, 10b, 10c and your own knowledge, assess the relationship between energy supply and physical geography.

To what extent are water conflicts the result of globalisation?

‘Increasing demand for energy and/or mineral ores is inevitably leading to an increase in the importance of geopolitics.’

To what extent do you agree with this statement?

Which of the following is a correct list of gases that are major contributors to the enhanced greenhouse effect?

A Methane, helium, oxygen

B Methane, hydrogen, hydrofluorocarbons

C Methane, hydrofluorocarbons, carbon dioxide

D Methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen

What is an inferred resource?

A A resource where the quantity and grade can be estimated with confidence using inspection sites that are situated far apart. The economic viability can be confidently assessed and planned for.

B A resource where the grade or quality can only be estimated on the basis of limited geological sampling. There is insufficient data to justify expenditure on exploiting the resource.

C A resource where the quality and grade of the resource can be measured accurately. A preliminary feasibility study indicates that it is economically viable and extraction is justified.

D A resource that has a finite supply. It is economically viable and extraction is justified. Confidence in the supply is measured by wide geological sampling.

Which of the following is an example of a local water conflict?

A In 2015 Islamic State militants fighting in Iraq and Syria shut off and redirected water flows below the Ramadi Dam to enable the militants to cross the Euphrates. As a result, there are water shortages for hundreds of kilometres downstream, affecting thousands of people.

B In 2016, in the Peruvian town of Ocucaje, farmers set fire to plastic water pipes. These pipes were installed by a company that was diverting water 12 km from water wells in Ocucaje to irrigate grapes for export.

C In 2014 Russia took control of the region of Crimea from Ukraine. Russia accused Ukraine of cutting off the water supply in the North Crimea Canal. This led to water shortages for Crimea’s farmers who grew maize, rice and grapes.

D In 2011, the Ethiopian government announced plans to build the ‘Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam’, a $4.1 billion hydroelectric dam on the Blue Nile near the border with Sudan. The potential impact on water supplies, particularly downriver, is a grave concern in Egypt.

Which of the following impacts would not be considered as part of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in relation to resources?

A Dust and particulate matter from mining and vehicle movements

B Future possibilities for the site once the resource is exhausted or the quarry is closed

C Degradation of the landscape

D The economic cost of transporting the ore to the processing site

Figure 9a shows greenhouse gas emissions per capita in selected European countries in 2015. Figure 9b shows the % of electricity generated from renewable sources in selected European countries in 2015. Figure 9c shows the selected countries.

Analyse the data shown in Figure 9a and Figure 9b.

Figure 10a shows a hydro-electric scheme in Scandale Beck, an upland river in the Lake District. Figure 10b shows electricity generation for the scheme in selected months between 2015 and 2017.

MWh = Megawatt-hours, a measure of electricity generation

Using Figure 10a, Figure 10b and your own knowledge, assess the extent to which renewable energy can be used to achieve energy security.

Evaluate the success of strategies used to reduce the demand for water in achieving long-term sustainability.

‘Challenges presented by the physical environment affecting the availability and cost of a resource, will be overcome by future technological and economic developments.’

With reference to a specific place, to what extent do you agree with this statement?