THE WYOMING MINING ASSOCIATION

SERVING WYOMING MINING FOR OVER 40 YEARS

LIFE DEPENDS ON MINING

What do you know about this basic industry?

Have some fun; test your knowledge and challenge your friends using this informative quiz.
Click on the answer of your choice and a page will appear telling you whether you are right or wrong!
Each answer page contains a link with which you can return to the quiz to answer more questions!

Look out for trick questions!

About Wyoming Mining In General

1. About how many people work in mining and mine contracting in Wyoming?
A. 5,000 B . 2,000 C. 10,000 D. 25,000
2. We either grow it or mine it. Can you think of anything we use that doesn't come from either land or sea? If so, what is it?
A. Answer
3. Wyoming lands disturbed by mining are being reclaimed to pre-mining condition.
True or False
4. Years ago, Wyoming established strict reclamation laws with which modern mines comply.
True or False
5. What is the carrying capacity of one of the large mine haul trucks used in a coal mine?
A. 75 tons B. 240 tons C. 120 tons D. 500 tons
(An Army 6X6 truck in World War II carried 2.5 tons.)
6. Computer controls help operate the enormous mine machinery used to mine and remove overburden?
True or False
7. All Wyoming mining is surface and there is no underground mining.
True or False

Let's Learn About Wyoming Coal.

8. How does Wyoming rank in national coal production?
A. Third B. Second C. First D. Fourth
9. In 1995, Wyoming produced about how many tons of coal?
A. 100 million B. 150 million C. 260 million D. 350 million
10. How many men and women work in Wyoming coal mines?
A. 2500 B. 3500 C. 4500 D. 6500
11. The largest surface coal mine in the U.S. is located in:
A. Kentucky B. Wyoming C. West Virginia D. Montana
12. A unit train hauling coal carries how many tons?
A. 5,000 tons B. 11,000 tons C. 100,000 tons D. 1 million tons
13. Wyoming coal industry pays tens of millions of dollars to Wyoming education through taxes and royalties. In addition, last year the industry paid ??? dollars in scholarships and voluntary foundation contributions.
A. $25,000 B. About $87,500 C. Over $100,000 D. $55,000
14. Coal produces what percent of the electricity produced in the United States?
A. 50% B. 30% C. 70% D. 40%
15. An average coal hauler is ??? times taller than a pickup.
A. 2 B. 4 C. 8 D. 25

What Do You Know About TRONA and SODA ASH?

16. Wyoming produced what percent of U.S. soda ash?
A. 50% B. 80% C. 90% D. 100%
17. Trona deposits being mined lie from 800 to 1600 feet down.
True or False
18. Which of the following is not made from soda ash?
A. Glass B. Kitty litter C. Detergents D. Caustic soda
19. About how many people work in trona mining, soda ash plants and in contracting for the soda ash industry?
A. 650 B. 1,250 C. 2,575 D. Over 3,100

Is the Wyoming uranium industry "dead"?

20. Wyoming produced how many pounds of "yellowcake" in 1995?
A. None B. 200,000 C. About 500,000 D. Over 1.2 million
21. What percent of U.S. electricity comes from uranium?
A. 5% B. 11% C. 22% D. 35%
22. Energy contained in one (1) pound of yellowcake is equivalent to thirty-one (31) barrels of oil or ten (10) tons of coal.
True or False
23. The current spot market price (December 21, 1998) for yellowcake is:
A. $8.75 B. $10.00 C. About $12.50 D. $43.25
24. In-situ uranium mining means:
A. Removing overburden B. Mining in place C. Mining in rock
25. World consumption of uranium is less than production:
True or False

What do you know about BENTONITE?

26. Bentonite was formed by:
A. Clay mixing with oil B. Earthquake breaking granite C. Volcanic ash falling in sea water D. Nobody knows
27. Wyoming's sodium-type bentonite can swell or expand how much when mixed with water?
A. 2 times B. 4 times C. 15 times D. 35 times
28. Which use listed does NOT involve bentonite?
A. Drilling mud. B. Taconite production C. Kitty litter D. Paint manufacture E. Foundaries
29. Wyoming leads the nation in bentonite production
True or False
30. How long has bentonite been produced in Wyoming?
A. 25 years B. 75 years C. 90 years D. 108 years.

Can Wyoming support and sustain mining?

31. Wyoming is about to run out of coal, trona, uranium and bentonite.
True or False
32. A rubber tire for a large mine haul truck costs about:
A. $500 B. $2,500 C. $7,500 D. $15,000
33. Most repairs of big mine machinery are done out of state.
True or False
34. What mechanical functions are vital to mining?
A. Hydraulics B. Computers C. Pressure lubricants
35. How many companies (besides Wyoming Mining Association members) actively support Wyoming mining?
A. 15 B. 35 C. 75 D. About 125
36. How many cubic yards can Wyoming's largest dragline move in one (1) bite?
A. 15 B. 5 C. 75 D. 160

E-mail the WMA at wma@vcn.com

I WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION ON MINING IN WYOMING

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Revised: 12/28/98 by Oscar Paulson

oscarp@trib.com