Part 1: Coal Mining Simulation

In this activity, you will be simulating a coal mining project. There are two types of buried coal which you must successfully mine to make a profit, while also considering how to lessen environmental impact and reclaim the land after mining. 

The licorice pieces represent lignite, which is a type of coal with the most sulfur and ash, and while easier to mine, is the least valuable. The chocolate chips represent sub-bituminous coal and is a higher-quality coal that is harder to extract.

Costs and Calculations

1. Before beginning your mining project, you have some decisions to make. First, record the amount of start-up funds your teacher provided.

1. Start-up funds: ____________

2. Next, you must acquire land and mining rights. Your teacher will give you the options. Record the cost of your decision below.

1. Cost of land acquisition and mining rights: ____________

3. Mining equipment also comes with costs. Choose your mining equipment and calculate the total cost.

1. Popsicle stick ____________ x $3 = ____________
2. Spoon ____________ x $6 = ____________
3. Total equipment cost: ____________

4. Additional mining costs will be $1 for every minute that you engage in mining activity. Make your decision based on how many minutes you think you will need to successfully mine the coal you need to make a profit, as well as on how many minutes you can afford to pay for.

1. Number of minutes ____________ x $1 = Additional mining cost ____________

5. Subtract your total expenses from your start-up funds. How much money do you have left?

1. Start-Up Funds ____________ – Expenses ____________ = Balance ____________

6. Listen to your teacher and follow mining directions carefully. Remember, only use your mining tools to extract layers and coal (no hands or fingers). Also, you will engage in land reclamation after mining, which will impact your profits if not done well. Take care as you remove layers and place the materials carefully in separate cups.

7. Set the timer to the number of minutes you agreed to pay for, and begin mining! Once your time is up, and you have completed mining as much “coal” as possible, calculate the mining valuation of your coal. 

1. Number of licorice pieces mined ____________ x $1 = ____________
2. Number of chocolate chip pieces mined ____________ x $2 = ____________
3. Total Mining Valuation (gross profit): ____________

8. Carefully replace the layers of materials that you removed. Replace the layers in the same order you took them out, and do your best to recreate the layers as they were before excavation. Your teacher will judge the success of your land reclamation efforts. Record your land reclamation costs. 

1. Land reclamation cost: ____________

9. Now do the final calculations for your total profit/loss. 

1. Record your balance from Step 5A: Balance ____________
2. Less: Land reclamation cost: ____________
3. Add: Total mining valuation (gross profit): ____________
4. Total Profit/Loss: ____________
   
   

Analysis and Reflection

1. Were you able to make a profit? Why or why not? What would you do differently if you did the activity again? 

2. Did you try to be more careful or fast during mining? What were the trade-offs? 

3. What challenges did you face during land restoration? Was it possible to return the land to its original condition? Why or why not? 

4. How would poor restoration affect wildlife, water, or local communities in real life? 

5. How might a real mining company balance making money with protecting the environment? Who decides what matters most? 

6. Identify one problem that you discovered during the activity and propose a solution.

Analysis and Reflection (Advanced Questions)

1. What challenges did you face while trying to extract the “coal” (candy) without disturbing the surrounding layers? How do these challenges compare to what happens during actual surface or strip-mining operations?

2. Describe the process of reclaiming your mine site. Was it easy or difficult to restore the layers to their original order without mixing them? Why is land reclamation so important in real-world mining?

3. How did your mining technique affect the surrounding “environment” in your model? What might be some environmental consequences of coal mining in real ecosystems?

4. Did you find that more destructive mining methods made coal easier or harder to get? What trade-offs do real mining companies have to consider when choosing how to mine coal?

5. If you had to do the simulation again with the goal of minimizing environmental impact, what changes would you make to your mining method? How could this reflect more sustainable mining practices in the real world?

Part 2: Power Generation Simulation

Instructions: Start a timer for 60 seconds. Using spoons, tongs or chopsticks, transfer the “coal” from the furnace (cup) to the “Power Plant Output” section of the paper. For every piece of “coal” transferred to Power Plant Output, drop two pieces of “emissions” into “Emissions Output.” 

Power vs. Emissions Results

Fill in the table recording your results. 

Discussion and Reflection

1. Compare your Power Output to Emissions Output. What does this ratio tell you about coal as a power source?

2. How does this activity help you understand the challenges energy producers face when balancing power demand and environmental protection?

3. Would you support using coal in countries that need affordable energy to reduce poverty, even if it adds to increased emissions? Justify your answer.