Registered Environmental Manager (REM) Practice Exam

What is the first step in the resource cycle?

1. Concentration

2. Extraction

3. Consumption of goods

4. Waste disposal

The correct answer is: Extraction

The first step in the resource cycle is extraction. This stage involves obtaining raw materials from the natural environment, which is essential for initiating the cycle. Extraction encompasses activities such as mining for minerals, harvesting timber, or drilling for oil, which provide the foundational resources that will be utilized in various processes, including manufacturing and energy production. Once the resources are extracted, they go through concentration, further processing, consumption, and eventually waste disposal. Each of these stages relies on the availability of the raw materials that have been obtained during the extraction phase. Thus, extraction plays a crucial role in the overall resource cycle, marking the beginning of how natural resources are transformed into consumable goods and subsequently reintroduced into the cycle again through waste management and recycling efforts.