Learning Resources (Educational Info)
As you go about your daily life, have you ever thought about where the things that you use come from? The components in your electronic devices, the electricity that powers your lights and computers, the roads that you drive on, the buildings that you live and work in, the medicine you take, the solar panels that make it possible to capture the sun's energy as a renewable fuel…they must come from somewhere, right? There is a saying that goes "if it can't be grown then it has to be mined" and that is as true today as it was yesterday, and it will continue to be in the future. The Minerals Education Coalition estimates that every man, woman, and child uses approximately 3.19 million pounds of minerals, metals, and fuels in their lifetime.
Mining is clearly important to our everyday lives and it is equally important to return these mined lands to productive use when they have reached the end of their reserves. The Division of Mineral Resources is tasked with regulating the mines in New York State and ensuring that reclamation meets the regulatory standards.
The Division maintains a data management system and databases, as well as regulatory mine files about the mines and minerals found during exploration, including:
- Geology and location of mines in New York
- Mine inspections performed by DEC
- Financial security held by the state for reclamation of mines
- Reclamation of land affected by surface mining
This information can be used to form an overall picture of the mineral resources in New York, their extraction and use, and mitigation techniques that help protect the environment. There are close to 2,000 permitted mining operations in New York State producing almost two dozen mineral commodities and affecting almost 50,000 acres of land that will need to be reclaimed. Descriptions and interesting facts about several of these commodities are discussed in the Mineral Fact Sheets (PDF) (2.8 MB). The Division works to ensure that the lands affected by mining are reclaimed and returned to productive use as either wildlife habitat, agriculture, further industrial or commercial use, etc.
The New York Rock Talk page provides even more interesting facts about mining in New York State. To some people, they're just rocks but, when extracted and processed, the mineral commodities of New York State are valued at more than $1 billion annually. The Conservationist Magazine has included articles about New York States mineral resources and mined land reclamation, Treasures Of The Earth and New Beginnings For Old Mines.
As part of an ongoing environmental forum series, the Albany Law School convened a panel discussion on "Sustainable Development and Mining: Perspectives on New York State's Mined Land Reclamation Law" (PDF) (37.8 KB). A former Division Director participated as one of the panelists and his discussion of the issues includes a historical perspective on the implementation of the Mined Land Reclamation Law, as well as some insights into the DEC application and review process for mining applications, a process that is not always well-understood by local governments and the public.
Another source of information about New York's mineral resources is the New York State Geological Survey (link leaves DEC's website) at the State Museum in Albany, where many geological records and maps are on file, along with the world's oldest and largest collection of New York rocks and minerals, and an extensive list of geological publications. A complete list of Survey publications may be obtained from: NYS Museum and Geologic Survey 3140 Cultural Education Center Empire State Plaza Albany, NY 12230.
Additionally, the Division of Mineral Resources regulates the oil, gas, and solution salt mining industries in New York State. Data and statistics pertaining to these industries can also be found on our website.
DEC geologists and mined land reclamation specialists both teach and learn from other professionals in their fields, maintaining contact with government and industry mined land reclamation units. The principal forums for this exchange of information are professional and popular publications and professional conferences and meetings. If you have any questions about mining in New York State, please reach out to your regional Mined Land Reclamation Specialist and they will do their best to provide you with answers.
More about Learning Resources (Educational Info):
- Treasures Of The Earth - To some people, they're just rocks. But New York State is a treasure trove of sand and gravel, stones and minerals that--when extracted and processed-- are valued at more than $1 billion annually. NYSDEC Division of Mineral Resources.
- New York Rock Talk - There are over 2500 permitted mining operations in New York State producing over 25 mineral commodities and affecting over 40,000 acres of land that need to be reclaimed. NYSDEC Division of Mineral Resources.
