Mining Project
Enduring Understanding: ___/20
You are a scout for the Marvelous Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company (4M). Your job is to
research a Minnesota rock or mineral resource of the present or future.
You will choose 1 mineral resource to scout—each group will have a different resource.
Some scouting options include—check with me if you have another idea:
limestone
iron ore
copper
nickel
gold
titanium
diamonds
pipestone
granite
aggregate (sand & gravel)
silica sand (made of quartz)
clay (&/or kaolin)
The FOCUS 5—Five Things You Need to Focus on as a Scout!
Prepare an electronic presentation with your group that includes the following, explained and
put into your own words: (4 points each)
In other words, you need 6 slides total. One each from the following….
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A title slide with you and your partner’s names on it
Where in MN would you locate your mine or quarry?
How did this resource form—in detail—that the class will understand, of course!
How would this resource be used by people?
What environmental problems may be caused by locating your mine or quarry here?
And one other slide from the choices below…
*Pick one of the following for your 5 FOCUS:
th
___What MN community has been affected (negatively or positively) by mining of this resource?
___How have mining, processing, or production methods/strategies changed over time?
___What method of transportation would/does your resource use to get to its market?
One picture per slide shall be included.
Check out these SUPER SITES to get started on your scouting:
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Digging into MN Minerals--http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/education/geology/digging/index.html
 Be sure to use the menu on the left side of the page for MANY other links
within this site! You’ll find stuff on gold, iron ore, granite, clay, silica sand, and
limestone.
Mining & Mineral Resources of MN-- http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lands_minerals/mining.html
 Be sure to check this one out!!
Minerals: MN Facts & Figures-- http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/faq/mnfacts/minerals.html
Explore MN Minerals-- http://mn.gov/irrrb/miningtimber/minnesota-minerals/
 Scroll down a bit to the blue hyperlinks to some great info for a variety of
rocks/minerals
The Search for Diamonds in MN-- http://www.citypages.com/content/printVersion/368564/
MN Gold Discovery-- http://www.goldfeverprospecting.com/migodi.html
http://www.goldrushnuggets.com/goinmi.html
Mineral Industries of MN (map)-- http://images.dnr.state.mn.us/education_safety/education/geology/digging/minmap.gif
New Mining Opportunities in Northern MN Pose Environmental Concerns-http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/06/03/acidmining/
MN Sulfide Mining Controversy-- http://www.preciouswaters.org/
MN Pipestone Information/History-- http://www.rocksandminerals.com/specimens/pipestonegeo.htm
Mining MN (Nickel, Copper, and precious metals)-- http://www.miningminnesota.com/metals_base.php
Silica Sand: http://www.mineralproducts.org/prod_silica01.htm
Copper and nickel mining controversy http://www.mprnews.org/story/2012/04/10/coppermining-primer
Vermillion Gold finds http://minnesotagoldprospectors.org/history.htm
Diamond mining in MN http://www.nrri.umn.edu/default/pt.asp?id=1357
http://blogs.mprnews.org/cities/2011/03/twin-cities-diamond-mine-yes-well-maybe/
Minnesota Minerals http://mn.gov/irrrb/miningtimber/minnesota-minerals/
 Be sure to use the menu at the bottom of the page. Good site for Copper, nickel, titanium, diamonds,
iron ore,and gold.
Titanium in MN http://mn.gov/irrrb/images/Titanium.pdf http://www.us-mining.com/minnesota/titanium-mines \\
Environmental factors of limestone quarrying http://www.ehow.com/list_7634673_environmental-hazardslimestone-mining.html
Environmental issues of mineral mining
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/campaigns/climate-change/coal/Mining-impacts/
http://www.pollutionissues.com/Li-Na/Mining.html
Timeline:
Day 1—Pick resource with partner, begin research, and set-up Google Docs. Start Research Focus
on the FOCUS 5 (See above)! Record your points in BOTH of your NBs.
Day 2—Continue Research—start organizing research into main ideas/points for electronic
presentation, discuss electronic presentation options, Begin work on electronic presentation.
Day 3—Finish up electronic presentations—final touches! / Start presentations
Day 4—Finish up the presentations to the class.
Example slide