Coal is a nonrenewable resource.
Today there is a big push toward developing and using renewable resources. Once a nonrenewable resource is used it cannot be replaced. Oil, gas, coal and uranium are all considered nonrenewable resources. Even though oil will eventually replace itself as natural materials, the process takes so long it is considered nonrenewable.
Oil
Oil is made when plants and animals die, then are covered by layers of dirt and mud. As the layers accumulate, pressure and heat increase. The added stress put on the decaying matter turns it into oil. This process takes millions of years. Because it takes so long, oil is considered a nonrenewable resource. All of oil's by-products such as diesel, gasoline and propane are also nonrenewable.
Coal
Coal is also a type of fossil fuel. Coal is formed similar to the way crude oil is. Dead vegetation fall to the bottom of swamps and bogs. Over time peat forms. As more time goes by, the peat is compressed and heated. After this process is completed, coal is formed. Like oil, coal is considered nonrenewable because its formation process takes so long.
Minerals
Mineral deposits form naturally in the Earth's crust. Minerals such as copper, iron ore and gypsum are used in massive quantities in the world today. Copper is used in construction, machinery and household products such as cookware, plumbing and wiring. Almost all of mined iron ore is used in making steel. These mineral resources are considered nonrenewable because they take many years to accumulate.
Uranium
Uranium is a natural substance found on Earth. It is found in rock formations around the world. However, it is a rare substance. Uranium is mainly used as fuel for nuclear fission. Even though it does not take a lot of uranium to produce a lot of energy, because uranium cannot be duplicated in a lab, it is considered nonrenewable.
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