Set the Scene:
Let’s start with some questions to connect your everyday life to the subject of iron ore mining. Have you ever wondered how the steel used in your favorite gadgets or cars is produced? Have you heard of the Pilbara region in Western Australia, which is the world’s largest producer of iron ore? How do you think the mining process affects the environment and local communities? What do you know about the technology used in mining operations, such as autonomous drills and haul trucks?
Featured Image Analysis & Prediction:
Take a look at the featured image and describe what you see. What do you think this activity will be about based on this image? Do you see any equipment or machinery that you can identify? What do you think is happening in the scene depicted in the image?
Introduction:
Please read the introduction to the activity, which provides an overview of the importance of iron ore mining and the Pilbara region’s role in it.
Video Engagement:
Watch the video associated with this activity, which can be found at https://maestrocursos.com.br/quizzed-esl-activities/how-iron-ore-mining-works/. Pause the video at the following points and discuss the questions:
- Pause at 2:00 minutes: What is the role of autonomous drills in the mining operation? How do they contribute to the efficiency and safety of the process?
- Pause at 5:00 minutes: Describe the blasting and loading process. What are the key steps involved, and how do they impact the environment and local communities?
- Pause at 10:00 minutes: What is the significance of the strip ratio in mining operations? How does the Pilbara region’s low strip ratio affect the mining process and the environment?
Output Requirements:
After completing the video engagement, please reflect on what you have learned about iron ore mining. Consider the following questions:
- What are the main ingredients used to produce steel, and how does iron ore mining contribute to this process?
- How does the use of autonomous equipment, such as drills and haul trucks, impact the mining operation and the environment?
- What are some of the key challenges and considerations in iron ore mining, such as safety, efficiency, and environmental impact?
Grammar Focus:
The passive voice is often used in technical descriptions to focus on the process or action rather than the person performing it. Review the examples from the text, such as “The area is then cleared” and “The excavated material is then loaded into trucks.” Complete the grammar quiz to practice using the passive voice in different tenses:
- The autonomous drills ____________________ remotely from Perth to ensure safety and efficiency.
- are controlled
- control
- have been controlling
- were controlling
- By the time the blast is set off, the area ____________________ and all equipment ____________________ to a safe distance.
- has been cleared, is moved
- is cleared, has been moved
- was cleared, was moved
- is being cleared, is being moved
- The iron ore ____________________ into different products, including coarse and fine materials, at the processing plant.
- is processed
- processes
- was processed
- has been processing
- The samples of iron ore ____________________ with RFID technology for easy tracking and analysis.
- are tracked
- track
- were tracked
- have been tracking
- Each train ____________________ with 28,000 tons of ore in less than 200 minutes during the load out process.
- is loaded
- loads
- was loaded
- has been loading
Check your answers with the answer key:
- are controlled
- is cleared, has been moved
- is processed
- are tracked
- is loaded