Metal and stone mining dates back to prehistoric times. These processes are required to obtain materials that cannot be grown agriculturally or created artificially in a laboratory. Modern mining often focuses on ores, including metals, coal, oil shale, gemstones, limestone, and many more. This program examines the processes of mining, smelting and refining of aluminum, while addressing environmental concerns.

Originally released by TMW Media Group, 2015. Streaming video file encoded with permission for digital streaming by Infobase on February 08, 2017.

Introduction to Mining (2:34); --Aluminum Bars (2:06); -- Purifying a Substance (3:01); -- Alcoa's Manufacturing (3:03); -- Credits: Smelting and Refining Aluminum: Show Me Science (0:08); .