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The Crandon area, in Forest County, Wisconsin, has been involved in a controversial issue dealing with a potential zinc/copper mine. In 1976, Exxon was doing mineral exploration of northern Wisconsin and discovered a body of ore that they estimated to contain approximately 55 billion tons of ore rich in zinc and copper. The company chose to withdraw their mining permits in the 1980's before actually removing anything from the ground due to low zinc/copper prices. In 1993, Exxon joined with Canada's Rio Algom to create the Crandon Mining Company, and resubmitted proposals to mine the area. In 1998 Exxon sold all their shares to Rio Algom, which then created the Nicolet Minerals Company. Rio Algom, in turn, sold the Nicolet Minerals Company to Billiton, an international mining company based in Australia. Very recently, the mineral rights have been sold to three Native American Tribes, preventing any mining in the area in the foreseeable future. There is still controversy over this issue. Some people believe that we are hurting our economy by not using the resources that we know are there. Others believe that the mining would do irreversible damage to our environment AND economy.
Your task will be to analyze the Crandon mining issue, and draw your own conclusion to the following question:
Should the mining permits be granted in northern Wisconsin?
Remember that there is no right or wrong answer. The Crandon mining issue is very complex and controversial, involving many different groups of people. You will be assessed on how you support your conclusion, communicate effectively, and collaborate with your peers. Your Mining WebQuest activities will include performing lab activities, reading news articles, watching a video, expressing your personal opinion in a letter, and creating a web page from the viewpoint of the role your group has been assigned.
Government officials, environmental experts, and concerned citizens can’t seem to agree on this issue. Maybe they need to see it through the eyes of an informed student.
As an individual you will have to complete the following:
*Complete the Chocolate Chip Cookie Mining Lab
(We will do this in class)
*Read the article linked here, and answer the question sheet that follows.
(This will be worked on in class and assigned as homework for completion)
www.wausaudailyherald.com/wdhlocal/277457354190071.shtml
*Watch a video about mining in Wisconsin
(This will be done in class)
Write a letter expressing your personal opinion about the Crandon mining issue. Click on the following links for specific information about the letter:
Letter-Directions
Letter-Suggested Format
Letter-Grading Rubric
Letter-Addresses
When these steps have been completed, you will be ready to get your group assignment. You will be assigned one of the following roles:
- Native American who lives in northern WI
- Man who owns land in Northern WI and fishes with his son on a regular basis
- Single mother of two, who is currently unemployed
- Owner of Nicolet Mineral Company
- Local hotel/resort owner
- Local department store owner
Click Here for a Note-Taking Sheet
*Collect evidence from a variety of web links on behalf of the person you are representing.
(You will use classroom and computer lab research to provide background information. These links are located at the bottom of this webquest.)
*Design your webpage.
(After you have created a rough draft of your page, show it to me and then you will be able to begin working on your final webpage.
Click Here for the Webpage Rubric
*Email the webpage to me, or burn it on a disc to hand in.
nairaudi@ksd.k12.wi.us
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