Unit 2: North Dakota Lignite Geology, Mining and Reclamation

Lesson 1: Course Welcome
 1 Topic
1a. Terms to Know
Lesson 2: North Dakota Geology – Coal Bearing Rocks in the Northern Great Plains
 9 Topics
2a. What is Coal?
2b. Peat Formation & Coalification Process
2c. Delta Environments & Coal Formation
2d. United States Coal Reserves
2e. The Stratigraphic Column of North Dakota
2f. The Williston Basin
2g. Glaciation
2h. Clinker Formation
2i. Observations from the Field
Lesson 3: Activity – Playdough Core Sampling, Part 1
 11 Topics
3a. Review Time: Terms to Know
3b. Test Your Knowledge
3c. Sedimentary Rocks
3d. Supplies
3e. Sedimentary Layering
3f. More Sedimentary Layering
3g. A Swamp Forms
3h. The North Dakota Swampland
3i. The Swamp Dries Up
3j. A Final Sedimentary Layer
3k. Part One Conclusion
Lesson 4: Geologic Drilling
 6 Topics
4a. Economically Recoverable Coal
4b. Exploration Drilling
4c. Croplining
4d. Coal Analysis
4e. Creating a Geological Model and Cross Section
4f. Core Samples
Lesson 5: Activity – Playdough Core Sampling, Part 2
 10 Topics
5a. Playdough Core Sampling
5b. Mark the Sampling Grid
5c. Core Sampling
5d. Take a Core Sample
5e. Record your Core Sample
5f. Continue Sampling and Recording
5g. Calculating Profit and Operating Costs
5h. Coal Seam Thickness and Overburden Depth
5i. Coal Value Calculator
5j. Final Report
Lesson 6: Lignite Mining to Reclamation
 15 Topics
6a. Mining and Reclamation Video
6b. Terms to Know
6c. History of Regulation
6d. North Dakota Regulations
6e. Federal Regulations
6f. Overview: Mining and Reclamation
6g. Step One: Obtain Mining Rights and Regulatory Approvals
6h. Step Two: Water Management
6i. Step Three: Remove Topsoil and Subsoil
6j. Step Four: Move Overburden and Mine the Coal
6k. Step Five: Reclamation – Grade spoils to approximate original contours
6l. Step Six: Reclamation – Spread soils and seed with grasses or crops
6m. Step Seven: Obtain Bond Release
6n. Test Your Knowledge: Reclamation Steps
6o. Mining and Reclamation Word Search
Lesson 7: Activity – Cooking Mining
 14 Topics
7a. Introduction
7b. Test Your Knowledge
7c. Cookie Mining Activity
7d. Reclamation
7e. Mining Regulations
7f. Choose Equipment and Cookies
7g. Trace the Cookie
7h. Mining Regulation Reminders
7i. Time to Mine!
7j. Mining Timer
7k. Employee Salaries
7l. Fines
7m. Calculate Your Total Income
7n. Profit and Loss Calculations
Lesson 8: Additional Resources and Activities
 1 Topic
Printable Resources
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Unit 2: North Dakota Lignite Geology, Mining and Reclamation Lesson 6: Lignite Mining to Reclamation 6f. Overview: Mining and Reclamation

6f. Overview: Mining and Reclamation

Unit 2: North Dakota Lignite Geology, Mining and Reclamation Lesson 6: Lignite Mining to Reclamation 6f. Overview: Mining and Reclamation

Today, all coal mining in North Dakota is surface mining. Because dirt, rather than rock, covers the coal, it’s easier to remove the overburden above the coal than tunnel down to mine it. The mining process involves seven steps:

Obtaining Mining Rights &
Regulatory Approvals

Managing
Water

Removing
Topsoil & Subsoil

Moving the Overburden &
Removing the Coal

Returning the Land
to its Original State

Spreading
Topsoil & Seed

Achieving
Bond Release

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