Q1. [1] medium thorough-understanding
Which of the following best explains why improving technology to use low-grade ores is considered a mineral conservation measure?
(A) It reduces the need to import minerals from other countries.
(B) It allows workable deposits to last longer by making previously unviable ores economically useful.
(C) It speeds up the geological process of mineral formation.
(D) It increases the total volume of mineral deposits in the earth's crust.
- A It reduces the need to import minerals from other countries.
- B It allows workable deposits to last longer by making previously unviable ores economically useful.
- C It speeds up the geological process of mineral formation.
- D It increases the total volume of mineral deposits in the earth's crust.
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-26 13:34 · grounding rag
Model Answer
(B) It allows workable deposits to last longer by making previously unviable ores economically useful.
Explanation
The passage states that "improved technologies need to be constantly evolved to allow use of low grade ores at low costs." Since total mineral deposits are finite and fixed (only ~1% of earth's crust), using low-grade ores extends the life of existing deposits — this is conservation. Options C and D are scientifically impossible; Option A is unrelated to the passage's reasoning.