The mining process is used to separate rock or ore from surrounding rock. There are four main mining methods: underground, open surface (pit), placer, and in-situ mining. The method used depends on the type of mineral resource that is mined, its location beneath the surface, and whether the resource is worth enough money to justify extracting it. The potential environmental impacts of mining depend on the resource being mined, how it is mined, and local factors like climate. In the United States, these impacts are now closely regulated, and mine areas are often reclaimed for another purpose after mining is over.
Why does mining matter?
Mining is essential to provide the 38,000 lbs of mineral resources per person per year that we use in the United States.[1] Mineral resources are integral to the roads, vehicles, buildings, technologies, and personal products we rely on every day. Mining also produces a large proportion of the fuels that power and transport our society.
How does geoscience inform decisions about mining?
Geoscientists determine how to mine mineral resources economically, help to protect water and minimize environmental damages around the mine, and help reclaim disturbed land after mining.
References
1How many pounds of minerals are needed for each person in the U.S. per year?, AGI Critical Issues Program, www.americangeosciences.org/critical-issues/faq/how-many-pounds-minerals-are-required-average-person-year
Learn More
Introductory Resources
- Metal Mining and the Environment(Booklet),American Geosciences Institute
Provides basic information about the mining cycle, from exploration for economic mineral deposits to mine closure. The booklet discusses the environmental aspects of metal mining and illustrates the ways science and technology assist in preventing or reducing environmental impacts.
Resources for Educators
- Education Resources Network, AGI's Center for Geoscience & Society
Search for coal resources in: Professional Resources, Organizations, Curricula & Instruction, Teaching Media, Outreach Programs - NGSS Performance Expectations, Next Generation Science Standards
K-ESS3-1, K-ESS3-3, 4-ESS3-1, 5-ESS3-1, MS-ESS3-1, MS-ESS3-3, MS-ESS3-4, HS-ESS3-1, HS-ESS3-2, HS-ESS3-3, HS-ESS3-4 - NGSS Disciplinary Core Ideas, Next Generation Science Standards
ESS3.A, ESS3.C
Frequently Asked Questions
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U.S. Energy Information Administration
The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s Coal Data Browser provides a variety of state-specific and nationwide visualizations for their coal reports and data sets.The annual data sets go back to 2008 and can be displayed as a time series graph, bar graph, U.S. map, or coal basin map. Data set...
U.S. Energy Information Administration
The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s Coal Data Browser provides a variety of state-specific and nationwide visualizations for their coal reports and data sets.The annual data sets go back to 2008 and can be displayed as a time series graph, bar graph, U.S. map, or coal basin map. Data set...
Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet
The Kentucky Mine Mapping Information System is produced by the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet to allow users to access maps of coal mines and mined out areas in Kentucky. Users can search by company name, seam name, or state file number (SFN). For each map, overview information is...
Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet
The Kentucky Mine Mapping Information System is produced by the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet to allow users to access maps of coal mines and mined out areas in Kentucky. Users can search by company name, seam name, or state file number (SFN). For each map, overview information is...
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources provides an interactive map of underground mines in Minnesota. The map provides detailed information on underground mines and their relationship to overlying surface features. Specifically, this map focuses on iron mines in the northeast of the state....
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources provides an interactive map of underground mines in Minnesota. The map provides detailed information on underground mines and their relationship to overlying surface features. Specifically, this map focuses on iron mines in the northeast of the state....
North Dakota Public Service Commission
The North Dakota Public Service Commission provides an interactive map showing the locations of known abandoned mines in North Dakota. Users can click on an individual mine for more information, including the type of mine and the amount of information available for each mine.Click here to access...
North Dakota Public Service Commission
The North Dakota Public Service Commission provides an interactive map showing the locations of known abandoned mines in North Dakota. Users can click on an individual mine for more information, including the type of mine and the amount of information available for each mine.Click here to access...
Missouri Department of Natural Resources
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources provides an interactive map of industrial mineral mines (stone, aggregates, and clay) in the state. By clicking on individual sites or areas, users can find a variety of information, including:The commodity being mined: stone (mostly limestone, but...
Missouri Department of Natural Resources
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources provides an interactive map of industrial mineral mines (stone, aggregates, and clay) in the state. By clicking on individual sites or areas, users can find a variety of information, including:The commodity being mined: stone (mostly limestone, but...
Missouri Department of Natural Resources
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources provides an interactive map of abandoned mines in the state. By clicking on individual sites or areas, users can find a variety of information, including:The commodity that was mined thereThe date and method of closure used (for mine shafts) and...
Missouri Department of Natural Resources
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources provides an interactive map of abandoned mines in the state. By clicking on individual sites or areas, users can find a variety of information, including:The commodity that was mined thereThe date and method of closure used (for mine shafts) and...
South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources
The South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources provides an interactive map of over 6,000 sand, gravel, and construction aggregate mining operations in South Dakota.The map shows reclaimed (green) and active (red) mines. Users can click on individual sites to find detailed...
South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources
The South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources provides an interactive map of over 6,000 sand, gravel, and construction aggregate mining operations in South Dakota.The map shows reclaimed (green) and active (red) mines. Users can click on individual sites to find detailed...
U.S. Geological Survey
The U.S. Geological Survey's National Coal Resources Data System comes with an interactive map that provides a huge amount of information on the distribution, thickness, and classification of coal in the United States.The interactive map contains over 250,000 data points, each typically...
U.S. Geological Survey
The U.S. Geological Survey's National Coal Resources Data System comes with an interactive map that provides a huge amount of information on the distribution, thickness, and classification of coal in the United States.The interactive map contains over 250,000 data points, each typically...
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' Aggregate Resources Web Map provides a large amount of information on aggregates in Minnesota. The map includes:Pits, quarries, and prospectsSand and gravel potentialCrushed stone potentialField observations and test holesStatus of the...
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' Aggregate Resources Web Map provides a large amount of information on aggregates in Minnesota. The map includes:Pits, quarries, and prospectsSand and gravel potentialCrushed stone potentialField observations and test holesStatus of the...
West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection
The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection provides an interactive map of environmental information in West Virginia. The map includes:Mining underground injection sitesOil and gas wellsSites of regulated pollutant dischargeLandfill sitesMining permitsAbandoned...
West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection
The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection provides an interactive map of environmental information in West Virginia. The map includes:Mining underground injection sitesOil and gas wellsSites of regulated pollutant dischargeLandfill sitesMining permitsAbandoned...
West Virginia Geological & Economic Survey
The West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey provides an interactive map of underground and surface coal mining activity in West Virginia. The map shows areas of active and historical coal mining in both underground and surface mines, with separate colors for auger and highwall mining.Users...
West Virginia Geological & Economic Survey
The West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey provides an interactive map of underground and surface coal mining activity in West Virginia. The map shows areas of active and historical coal mining in both underground and surface mines, with separate colors for auger and highwall mining.Users...
Utah Geological Survey
The Utah Geological Survey has produced an interactive map showing the locations of more than 450 abandoned coal mines in Utah. For over half of these, detailed maps of the individual mines are available for download and further use. The Utah Geological Survey is constantly working to improve this...
Utah Geological Survey
The Utah Geological Survey has produced an interactive map showing the locations of more than 450 abandoned coal mines in Utah. For over half of these, detailed maps of the individual mines are available for download and further use. The Utah Geological Survey is constantly working to improve this...
Washington Division of Geology and Earth Resources
The Washington State Coal Mine Map Collection from the Washington Division of Geology and Earth Resources allows users to find maps of coal mines (including abandoned coal mines) in the state of Washington. The interactive atlas provides shaded "map areas" that the user can click on to find maps of...
Washington Division of Geology and Earth Resources
The Washington State Coal Mine Map Collection from the Washington Division of Geology and Earth Resources allows users to find maps of coal mines (including abandoned coal mines) in the state of Washington. The interactive atlas provides shaded "map areas" that the user can click on to find maps of...
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Office of Active and Abandoned Mine Operations has collaborated with Pennsylvania State University to produce the Pennsylvania Mine Map Atlas. This enormous resource contains thousands of detailed coal mine maps that can be overlaid on a...
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Office of Active and Abandoned Mine Operations has collaborated with Pennsylvania State University to produce the Pennsylvania Mine Map Atlas. This enormous resource contains thousands of detailed coal mine maps that can be overlaid on a...
Colorado Division of Reclamation Mining & Safety
The Colorado Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety's AUGER map provides information on active and historic mines in Colorado. The interactive map shows:Active and inactive construction and hardrock mines with information on permitting, size, commodities, fees, land use, and moreCoal...
Colorado Division of Reclamation Mining & Safety
The Colorado Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety's AUGER map provides information on active and historic mines in Colorado. The interactive map shows:Active and inactive construction and hardrock mines with information on permitting, size, commodities, fees, land use, and moreCoal...
North Dakota State Government
The North Dakota State Government's North Dakota Hub Explorer provides a large amount of information on North Dakota's geology and natural resources in interactive map form, including:Surface and bedrock geologyEarthquake locations and datesHydrography - aquifers, watersheds, and water...
North Dakota State Government
The North Dakota State Government's North Dakota Hub Explorer provides a large amount of information on North Dakota's geology and natural resources in interactive map form, including:Surface and bedrock geologyEarthquake locations and datesHydrography - aquifers, watersheds, and water...
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's Mineral Resources Navigator provides an interactive map of mines, oil and gas wells, and other regulated wells in New York State.The map is updated nightly, and can be used to find locations and permitting and operating dates for...
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's Mineral Resources Navigator provides an interactive map of mines, oil and gas wells, and other regulated wells in New York State.The map is updated nightly, and can be used to find locations and permitting and operating dates for...
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality's GeoWebFace website provides a large amount of information on Michigan's geology and natural resources in interactive map form, including:Surface and bedrock geologyWater wellsMineral resources and mine locationsCoal resources and mine...
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality's GeoWebFace website provides a large amount of information on Michigan's geology and natural resources in interactive map form, including:Surface and bedrock geologyWater wellsMineral resources and mine locationsCoal resources and mine...
Iowa Geological Survey
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources's (DNR) interactive map of coal mines in Iowa shows the locations of coal mines and mine entrances throughout Iowa, and also has the option to search the map by street address. Users may click on the map to access information about mine use dates, type,...
Iowa Geological Survey
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources's (DNR) interactive map of coal mines in Iowa shows the locations of coal mines and mine entrances throughout Iowa, and also has the option to search the map by street address. Users may click on the map to access information about mine use dates, type,...
Florida Geological Survey
The Florida Geological Survey provides a huge amount of information on Florida's geology and natural resources in interactive map form, including:Water resourcesHazardsSurface geologyEcologyOil & gas wellsMineral resourcesWaste managementThe map allows users to select...
Florida Geological Survey
The Florida Geological Survey provides a huge amount of information on Florida's geology and natural resources in interactive map form, including:Water resourcesHazardsSurface geologyEcologyOil & gas wellsMineral resourcesWaste managementThe map allows users to select...
Virginia Division of Geology and Mineral Resources
The Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy's interactive map shows the locations of abandoned coal mines throughout the state of Virginia. The map allows users to explore a range of mine features. These features are important because abandoned mines have many land-related problems such...
Virginia Division of Geology and Mineral Resources
The Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy's interactive map shows the locations of abandoned coal mines throughout the state of Virginia. The map allows users to explore a range of mine features. These features are important because abandoned mines have many land-related problems such...
Maine Geological Survey
The Maine Geological Survey's interactive map provides a range of mineral resource information for the state of Maine. The map allows users to explore Maine's significant mineral commodities, mineral deposits, selected historical mines, and more.Much of the data can be downloaded for further use...
Maine Geological Survey
The Maine Geological Survey's interactive map provides a range of mineral resource information for the state of Maine. The map allows users to explore Maine's significant mineral commodities, mineral deposits, selected historical mines, and more.Much of the data can be downloaded for further use...
Kentucky Geological Survey
The Kentucky Geological Survey's interactive map provides scanned document information and location data related to Kentucky's mineral resources and their associated commodities; fluorite (fluorspar), galena (lead), sphalerite (zinc), barite, iron, nitrates, and phosphates. By clicking on...
Kentucky Geological Survey
The Kentucky Geological Survey's interactive map provides scanned document information and location data related to Kentucky's mineral resources and their associated commodities; fluorite (fluorspar), galena (lead), sphalerite (zinc), barite, iron, nitrates, and phosphates. By clicking on...
Missouri Geological Survey
The Missouri Geological Survey's Geosciences Technical Resource Assessment Tool (GeoSTRAT) makes a large amount of geoscience information available in interactive map form, including:Surface and bedrock geologyHazards - earthquakes and sinkholesGeothermal energy resourcesMineral...
Missouri Geological Survey
The Missouri Geological Survey's Geosciences Technical Resource Assessment Tool (GeoSTRAT) makes a large amount of geoscience information available in interactive map form, including:Surface and bedrock geologyHazards - earthquakes and sinkholesGeothermal energy resourcesMineral...
Indiana Geological and Water Survey
The Coal Mine Information System was developed by the Indiana Geological and Water Survey and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. It shows the locations of surface and underground coal mines in Indiana. In addition to coal mines, the map shows active mine permits and can be used to locate...
Indiana Geological and Water Survey
The Coal Mine Information System was developed by the Indiana Geological and Water Survey and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. It shows the locations of surface and underground coal mines in Indiana. In addition to coal mines, the map shows active mine permits and can be used to locate...
Idaho Geological Survey
The Idaho Geological Survey's provides a large amount of information on Idaho's geology and natural resources in interactive map form, including:Surface geology, including geochemical dataOil and gasGeothermal wells and thermal springsMine locationsAggregate sourcesYoung faults...
Idaho Geological Survey
The Idaho Geological Survey's provides a large amount of information on Idaho's geology and natural resources in interactive map form, including:Surface geology, including geochemical dataOil and gasGeothermal wells and thermal springsMine locationsAggregate sourcesYoung faults...
Arkansas Geological Survey
The Arkansas Geological Survey Mineral Commodity Search / Map catalogs information for over 40 mineral resources. Using the interactive map, users can view the locations of active, abandoned, intermittent, and reclaimed mines for each of the listed mineral commodities.By clicking on individual...
Arkansas Geological Survey
The Arkansas Geological Survey Mineral Commodity Search / Map catalogs information for over 40 mineral resources. Using the interactive map, users can view the locations of active, abandoned, intermittent, and reclaimed mines for each of the listed mineral commodities.By clicking on individual...
U.S. Geological Survey
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Mineral Resources Data System catalogs information about mineral resources around the United States and the world. Using the map tool, users can zoom in to obtain reports and data on past and present mines, mine prospects, and processing plants.All of the data...
U.S. Geological Survey
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Mineral Resources Data System catalogs information about mineral resources around the United States and the world. Using the map tool, users can zoom in to obtain reports and data on past and present mines, mine prospects, and processing plants.All of the data...
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