Tri-state Mining

Accumulated waste material from mining and smelting operations, often left as mounds in the area.

• galena

• shaft mining

• smelting

• sphalerite

• tailing piles

A long, narrow, and valuable mineral-rich zone inside a rock. It forms when mineral-rich fluids flow through the Earth's crust and leave valuable minerals behind in specific places. Miners dig into these to extract valuable minerals.

• smelting

• shaft mining

• sphalerite

• galena

• ore vein

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-1

The primary ore of lead (a heavyweight metal), often found in the Tri-state region as a bluish-gray mineral. It is the most important source of lead. It is used in ammunition, radiation shielding, soldering (though there has been a change toward lead-free solder), stained glass (metal strips), chemicals, fish sinkers, weights and balances, and historical pigments (along with other uses).

• smelting

• shaft mining

• sphalerite

• tailing piles

• galena

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-1

The process of extracting lead (or other metal) from ore through heating and melting.

• smelting

• galena

• sphalerite

• tailing piles

• shaft mining

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-2

A mineral that is the chief ore of zinc. It is typically found in a range of colors, including brown, yellow, black, green, and red, and its color often varies. In the tri-state area it was known as “Ruby Jack”. It (a lightweight metal) is used for galvanizing steel, batteries, sunscreens and cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and the automotive industry (along with other uses).

• smelting

• sphalerite

• galena

• shaft mining

• tailing piles

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-1

A machine used in mining to separate valuable minerals from unwanted rocks. It works by shaking the material with water, causing heavy minerals to settle while lighter ones are washed away. This helps in concentrating the valuable minerals for further processing.

• jigging table

• smelting

• galena

• shaft mining

• sphalerite

The practice of digging vertical or inclined holes to access underground lead ore deposits.

• smelting

• galena

• shaft mining

• tailing piles

• sphalerite

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-1

Approximately 2500 square mile area located in southeast Kansas, southwest Missouri, and northeast Oklahoma. This area was mined for lead and zinc, beginning in about 1859 and ending around 1970.

• shaft mining

• sphalerite

• galena

• tri-state mining district

• smelting

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-1

A framework or tower used to support equipment for hoisting and lowering miners or ore in shaft mining.

• galena

• derrick

• shaft mining

• smelting

• sphalerite