K-12 students, create your 3-minute video about the importance of minerals and mining, and you could win $1,000!

Thank you to the many volunteers who have generously given their time and efforts to help MEC achieve its goals. Your participation has enabled us to continually inform and educate the public about the importance of mining and minerals in their everyday lives.

Did you know the average American will need 3.02 million pounds of minerals, metals and fuels in their lifetime? The 2022 MEC Mineral Baby illustrates the important work of the mining industry to support our daily lives.

MEC attended the NSTA National Conference on Science Education in Houston, March 30–April 2 and distributed more than 3,000 educational resources to the attending teachers and presented a booth focused on the the importance of mining and minerals in our daily lives. Click here for more information.  

Find a wide range of useful resources for the Mining In Society Merit Badge.

The interactive Periodic Table of the Elements lets you click on an element to learn its history, description, benefits, sources and biological rating.

Education about minerals and mining is crucial to the future of the mining industry. Use these resources to explain the importance of mined minerals in everyday life to members of your local community.

Learn about many minerals, their properties, mining information, and uses. This database contains: minerals and ores of specific elements; individual, highlighted minerals; a limited number of rocks; and a few, key industrial materials for reference.

There are hundreds of careers related to mining, from accountant to mining engineer to welder. Careers in mining offer the opportunity for world travel, good income and the chance to make a difference.