Teaching and Learning about Mining through Webquesting and Problem Solving

RICHES OF WYOMING

Keeping the big question in mind ...

Should the Global Awareness Mining Company expand its coal mining operations to any of Wyoming’s nine coal fields?

Review your mission by reading this copy of the letter that your teacher received from Global Awareness Mining Company in See Forever, Australia. This is what drew your class into this challenge in the first place! Note the company’s motto and mission.

Review your mission by reading this copy of the letter your teacher received which drew your class into this challenge in the first place! Note the company’s motto and mission.

Global Awareness Mining Company

7 Heaven Circle

See Forever, Australia 2388

Dear Students:

Global Awareness Mining Company is soliciting students to research the feasibility of expanding its coal mining operations to Wyoming in the United States. Your class has been selected because of its professional and exhaustive research capabilities showcased in your graduation body of evidence.

Global Awareness Mining Company is a leader in international mining operations. The company aggressively seeks new mine sources to meet the prediction that energy needs will increase 50 percent by 2030 if trends continue. The company’s motto has always been: “To steward earth and its resources for the benefit of all nations.”

The feasibility study includes the comparison of Wyoming’s Jackson Hole, Big Horn, Powder River, Black Hills, Hans Fort, Wind River, Green River, Hanna, Rock Creek, or Goshen Hole coal fields with regard to eight considerations.

For our company to make a sound decision, please research the following topics and base your recommendations on your findings.

1. From a geologist’s perspective - Identify the availability, location, quantity, quality, and depth of Wyoming’s coal reserves.

2. From an accountant’s perspective - Generate the details of the financial cost and investment return to mine in the various parts of Wyoming.

3. From a marketing expert’s perspective - Wyoming is located in central United States. What markets will be cost effective to sell and deliver to nationally and internationally? Do those markets already exist? Can new markets be generated?

4. From an engineer/planner’s perspective - What technologies will best serve the extraction and reclamation requirements to mine in the various parts of Wyoming?

5. From a government liaison’s perspective - Determine the guidelines imposed by the Department of Environmental Quality. Our motto, in part, is dedicated stewardship of the earth. Outline the best environmental practice and showcase the better practice.

6. From an environmental advocate’s perspective - Land and animals are part of the natural resources of earth. Investigate the ecosystem of Wyoming and predict the impact a coal mine would have on each of the various sites under consideration. Solicit opinions from the organizations advocating for conservation of the natural resources.

7. From a human resource director’s perspective - Wyoming boasts of being the least populated of all 50 states. What is the availability of workers at each of the sites under consideration? What would it cost to attract the best and brightest workers and compete with wages in other local businesses in the state and in the area?

8. From the permitting expert’s perspective - Generate a time line for establishing an active mine operation. The time line will need to comply with all permitting requirements. Present all aspects of permit granting within a five year time frame.

We look forward to receiving your findings. We ask that you take your task seriously and do your best to recommend the overall best site for our expansion.

Sincerely

Mr. Gatestrong, Executive Secretary

GETTING ORGANIZED

Task #1: Meet with your team to devise a plan for completing your first round of research. First and foremost, your initial research will help you explore and clarify your role. But, you will also need to share what you learn with classmates. Are there strategies for note taking that will make this easier? Will you be more efficient visiting websites as a team, or should you divide the list and complete some of the work individually? Check the deadline your teacher has given you to complete this task and plan your work schedule accordingly.

TECH TIP: Be sure to note web page addresses in your notes or, if allowed, add bookmarks to your bookmark menu. You may want to return to certain sites later to answer questions or clarify information.

Task #2: Begin your research. Conduct your search with your ultimate goal in mind. You and your teammates must use your research to inform your classmates of the best site from your “expert” perspective. Look for the information that will help you identify the pros and cons of each site from your assigned role’s point of view.

Here are the web links to begin your search. Some may be more or less applicable to the role you are playing. Explore them all to discover any information that will help you better understand your perspective and begin to shape your recommendation.

General Information

http://www.wma-minelife.com

http://www.nma.org/pdf/states_03/wy2003.pdf

http://doe.state.wy.us/lmi/0498/0498a2.htm

http://www.wsgs.uwyo.edu/coal/default.aspx

Historical Facts

http://www.wsgs.uwyo.edu/coal/HistMineInfo.aspx

http://www.wyomingtalesandtrails.com/coal.html

Current Issues

http://www.mine-engineers.com/wynews.htm

Pictures

http://www.rootsweb.com/~wymining/photoindex.html