Rocks II (Junior Cert Geography): Revision Notes

Rocks II

Methods of Extracting Rocks

Drilling

• Oil and gas are extracted from underground by drilling.
• If oil or gas is found under the sea, the drilling takes place offshore. The oil or gas is pumped back to shore.
• Example: Kinsale oil and gas field off the coast of Ireland.

Opencast Mining/Quarrying

• This method is used when the resource is close to the Earth's surface.
• It's the cheapest method of mining but causes serious damage to the landscape.
• Commonly used for stone, gravel, and sand in construction.

Shaft Mining

• Used when resources like coal, lead, or zinc are found deep underground.
• Vertical shafts are dug to reach the seams, and the resource is brought to the surface.
• This method is expensive and can cause landscape damage.
• Example: Tara Mines in Co. Meath, Ireland, where lead and zinc are extracted.

Kinsale Oil and Gas

Impact of the extraction of Rocks

The Tara Mines near Navan in Meath is a zinc mine. It has impacted the local area and changed the environment and economy of the town.

Environmental Consequences

• Tailings (waste from mining) are a concern for locals. They worry that the liquid waste could leak into the ground and pollute water supplies.
• The mine is seen as an eyesore, so trees have been planted to reduce its visual impact.

Economic Consequences

• The mine provides direct employment for over 600 workers.
• It also supports indirect jobs in equipment, transport, and other services needed by the mine.
• Wages earned at the mine are spent locally, boosting businesses in Navan and helping the town's development.

Social Consequences

• Services and facilities in the town have improved due to the mine, such as housing and roads.
• With the mine's operation, Navan's population has grown, and more people use the services offered in the town. There are plans in place to introduce a commuter rail service to Navan due to this population growth.