Just ask Joe Foreman....

So, Joe, just what kind of math goes into making decisions in the mining industry anyway?

Well, kid, it's like this....

EXPLORING ISSUES

In the mining industry, sure, a company’s main focus is on discovering and recovering precious minerals from the earth. But, as in any business, time and money must also be spent on maintaining the company's resources, including machinery. Today the first task on my list is to prepare a report for my supervisor on how much it will cost to upgrade the floor in the company’s repair shop. If that doesn't sound like math to you, you've been sleeping in class again!

	Thinking mathematically...
	First, figure how much cement will be needed to pour the slab. Here are the facts. A concrete slab in a repair shop is being poured which is one hundred twenty (120) feet long by forty-two (42) feet wide and six inches thick. How many cubic yards of cement will be needed?

MINING FOR INFORMATION

Now go out to the web to find information about the costs of concrete.

www.servicemagic.com/article.show.concrete-cost-a-primer.14119.html

PROCESSING INFORMATION

With your cost information ready, set up the math problem to figure how much it will cost my company to upgrade the floor in the repair shop.

FINDING AND CHECKING ANSWERS

Figure the cost and share your results according to the directions provided by your teacher.

Moving on ...

1) Use the web to find out what goes into determining the cost of cement.

2) Brainstorm how increases in the cost of cement could affect a mining company, it’s employees and consumers.

MINEQUEST HOME    Minequest Student Gateway