Substrand: "9.8 Mineral and energy resources" (12 periods)

This sub-strand deals with mineral and energy sources in Solomon Islands. Gold is one of the many minerals that are found in our islands. Geologists have discovered other minerals other than gold in other islands in the country. Currently some companies are undertaking mineral prospecting in our islands. Mineral is a very important resource, however, care must be taken when we extract it. Energy is important for Solomon Islands. The current main source of energy is fossil fuel. Scientist predicted that fossil fuel will run out soon. It is therefore, important that other alternative sources of energy (such as solar, coconut oil, wind, etc) are identified.

Learner's should:

Learner's should:

Learner's should:

9.8.1 know that minerals formed naturally in the Earth (k)

9.8.1.1 describe that material in the Earth’s crust under very high temperature and pressure produce minerals

9.8.2 know that there are different types of ores or mineral deposits in Solomon Islands (k)

9.8.2.1 name all the different types of ores and minerals found in the Solomon Islands

9.8.3 be able to show methods of mineral mining (s)

9.8.3.1 demonstrate two types of gold mining methods in Solomon Islands: i. open mining (mining industry) ii. punning (villagers)
9.8.3.2 state the advantages and disadvantages of each type of mining i. closed mining ii. open and punning

9.8.4 know the process of mineral extraction (k)

9.8.4.1 describe the important steps in the process of gold, aluminum, iron and nickel extraction

9.8.5 appreciate that minerals brings economic benefit for our country (a)

9.8.5.1 state the value of gold exported from Solomon Islands in year 1998 – 2012
9.8.5.2 state how much the government land owners are receiving from the export of gold from 1998 – 2012

9.8.6 understand that mining activities can cause destructions to the natural environment (u)

9.8.6.1 discuss both the negative and positive impacts of mining in Solomon Islands

9.8.7 know that mineral resources are non-renewable resources (k)

9.8.7.1 state that gold and other minerals found in Solomon Islands are non-renewable resources

9.8.8 know the World’s main produces of fossil fuel (k)

9.8.8.1 list the main fossil fuel producer-countries in the world: Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, USA and Kuwait
9.8.8.2 state that the Earth’s ‘energy crisis’ is the situation where the world’s fossil fuel deposit are running out

9.8.9 know that there are alternative sources of energy to solve the “energy crisis” (k)

9.8.9.1 describe the alternative sources of energy; solar, wind, coconut oil, waves, hydro, geothermal, and tidal and bio- fuel

9.8.10 know that nuclear energy is an alternative source of energy generated from nuclear radiation (k)

9.8.10.1 describe the sources of “nuclear energy”
9.8.10.2 describe both the positive and the negative effects of nuclear radiation