Mining in Eastern Africa

12 Grade 6 Social Studies questions on Mining in Eastern Africa, with worked marking schemes. 12 questions are available on this topic in full.

1. Question 1

   1 mark

   Soda ash, one of Kenya's important minerals, is mined at which of the following places?

   A. Kerio Valley

   B. Kwale

   C. Kakamega

   D. Lake Magadi

   (1 mark)

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2. Question 2

   1 mark

   Tanzanite, a rare and valuable blue gemstone, is mined mainly in which country?

   A. Uganda

   B. Tanzania

   C. Kenya

   D. Rwanda

   (1 mark)

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3. Question 3

   1 mark

   The mineral mined at Kwale near the Kenyan coast and used in making paint and aircraft parts is:

   A. Soda ash

   B. Gold

   C. Limestone

   D. Titanium

   (1 mark)

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4. Question 4

   4 marks

   Describe two methods used to mine minerals in Eastern Africa.

   (4 marks)

   Marking scheme

   Any two x 2 marks. Open-cast/open-pit mining - digging a large open hole to remove minerals near the surface (1+1); shaft/underground mining - sinking deep shafts/tunnels to reach minerals deep underground (1+1); solution mining - pumping/using water or evaporation to extract minerals such as soda ash from a lake (1+1); drilling - boring holes to bring up oil/gas (1+1). Accept two well-described methods.

5. Question 5

   1 mark

   Which of the following is a negative effect of mining on the environment?

   A. Land is left with open pits and heaps of waste

   B. Rivers become cleaner

   C. The land becomes more fertile for farming

   D. More forests grow on the mining land

   (1 mark)

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6. Question 6

   3 marks

   State three ways in which mining is important to the economy of Eastern African countries.

   (3 marks)

   Marking scheme

   Any three (1 each): earns foreign exchange through export of minerals; creates employment; provides raw materials for industries; earns the government revenue through taxes/royalties; leads to development of infrastructure and towns; encourages growth of related businesses. Accept other valid points.

7. Question 7

   1 mark

   Fluorspar is mined in Kenya in which of the following areas?

   A. Lake Magadi

   B. Kerio Valley

   C. Mombasa

   D. Turkana

   (1 mark)

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8. Question 8

   3 marks

   Match each mineral with the correct place where it is mined by writing the pairs: Gold, Soda ash, Titanium — Kwale, Lake Magadi, Geita.

   (3 marks)

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9. Question 9

   1 mark

   When minerals are found close to the surface of the ground, they are usually removed by digging a large hole. This method of mining is called:

   A. Open-cast mining

   B. Solution mining

   C. Shaft mining

   D. Drilling

   (1 mark)

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10. Question 10

    4 marks

    Explain two problems that result from mining activities in Eastern Africa.

    (4 marks)

    Marking scheme

    Any two x 2 marks. Environmental degradation - open pits and waste heaps left behind (1) which are dangerous/scar the land (1); pollution of air, water and soil (1) harming people and animals (1); displacement of people (1) from their land (1); health problems/accidents to miners (1); destruction of vegetation (1). Accept other valid points.

11. Question 11

    1 mark

    Diamonds, which are used to make jewellery, are mined at the Mwadui (Williamson) mine found in:

    A. Tanzania

    B. Uganda

    C. Kenya

    D. Ethiopia

    (1 mark)

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12. Question 12

    3 marks

    (a) Name the mineral mined at Lake Magadi in Kenya.

    (b) Give one use of this mineral.

    (3 marks)

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