Minerals (useful resources)
Natural riches taken from under the ground that benefit people are called minerals (mineral resources). They fall into three groups: fuels (coal, oil, natural gas), ores (from which metals such as iron, copper and gold are obtained) and non-ore materials (sand, gravel, salt, clay, marble). Most formed slowly in the Earth’s crust over millions of years. If a mineral lies near the surface it is dug in the open, in a quarry; if it lies deep, a shaft is built underground to bring it up. The place where a mineral lies is called a deposit. Mineral resources are not renewed, or only extremely slowly, so they must be saved. Entering mines and quarries without permission is dangerous; never go alone.
Take 6 things at home (for example salt, glass, copper wire, an iron nail, a brick, a gas stove) and work out which mineral each comes from; put it in a table.