WorldWide Drilling Resource

52 JANUARY 2014 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® Mining in the USA Part 18 Compiled by Amy White, Associate Editor WorldWide Drilling Resource ® Over the past few years, innovations have transformed the Bakken Formation into a rich source of oil and natural gas. North Dakota has been thrown into the spotlight as a result. Though the state’s oil reserves have gained enormous fame recently, an abundance of other mined natural resources have been produced in the state for over a century. The North Dakota Geological Survey first reported the production of sand and gravel in 1902. It has been an important mineral resource for the state ever since. Oil and gas development has led to increased production since 2009. In fact, production more than tripled from 2009 to 2011. Its value was estimated to be just over $80 million in 2012. By 1900, many smal l, seasonal “wagon mines” were producing coal in the state. They were termed such because farmers and ranchers would bring their own wagons to sites to be filled with coal. Large mines with thousands of feet of underground workings also existed during this era employing hundreds of men. With an estimated 351 billion tons, North Dakota has the largest deposit of lignite (brown coal) in the world. The state contains enough minable coal to last over 800 years, and ranks 9th in U.S. coal production. It is a vital part of North Dakota’s prosperous energy sector. North dakota The Bob Miller mine near Williston, North Dakota, circa 1902. Image courtesy of the State Historical Society of North Dakota. Four surface mines in the state pro- duce lignite coal commercially. Lignite from these mines powers six in-state power plants as well as several other commercial locations in the surrounding region. It is also used to produce syn- thetic natural gas and fertilizer products. Two smaller operations in North Dakota mine leonardite, which is oxi- dized lignite, for use in soil stabilization and drilling additives. With an estimated annual impact of $3 billion, the lignite industry employs over 4000 North Dakotans. Natural resource production is sure to contribute to North Dakota’s thriving economy for many years to come. )0&"%1 "6)&4 ,, ,, 2)&0 -%3120*"+ )0&"%1 "-% 312., )0&"%1 "-3'"$230&0 .' -&02*" !&+%&% 0*++ */& 3"+ !"++ 0*++ */& !*0&+*-& 0*++ .% "1*-( .,/.1*2& !*0&+*-& 0*++ .%1 .-*$ 0*++ */& "1*-( *21 &0$311*.- "1*-( *21 0*++ .++"01 *1)*-( ..+1 3#1 2"02&0 .%1 "-% 2"#*+*7&01 0*++ */& -$ )*0% 2 8 !*-12&% ).-& 8 8 "5 2., %0*++/*/&*-$ $., Check out our great advertising deals. Let our team customize a marketing plan for your business! Call 850-547-0102 for more details.