When has a mineral resource been economically depleted?
A) When it costs more to mine the mineral than it is worth.
B) When 50% of the minerals have been mined.
C) When 80% of the minerals have been mined.
D) When there is no mineral left to mine.

Question

When has a mineral resource been economically depleted? 
A) When it costs more to mine the mineral than it is worth. 
B) When 50% of the minerals have been mined. 
C) When 80% of the minerals have been mined. 
D) When there is no mineral left to mine.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A mineral resource is considered economically depleted when the cost of extracting the remaining mineral is higher than the price at which it can be sold. This is because the cost of mining includes not just the physical effort of extracting the mineral from the ground, but also the cost of labor, equipment, energy, and other inputs. Once these costs exceed the potential revenue from selling the mineral, it is no longer economically viable to continue mining it. The percentage of the mineral that has already been mined is not always a reliable indicator of economic depletion, as it can depend on factors such as the depth, quality, and accessibility of the remaining deposits.

When Has a Mineral Resource Been Economically Depleted