THE SEARCH FOR RARE EARTH MINERALS FROM KAOLIN MINE WASTE: IMPACT ON ENTRY LEVEL GEOSCIENCE AND MINERALOGY STUDENTS

This research examines (a) feasibility of extracting rare earth minerals from kaolin mining waste in Georgia and (b) effect of such learning on upper-level mineralogy students and students in an entry-level geoscience course. The first-year results suggest potential for developing student interest in critical minerals.

Fall Semester 2023 Mineralogy students attended an optional fieldtrip to a kaolin mine in Sandersville, GA. The eight (of 15 students) who were able to attend watched a slide presentation about kaolin mining, toured the labs, and spent time at the mine talking with staff and collecting samples. The entire class analyzed the kaolin samples during labs. An end of semester survey indicated that fieldtrip participants (on a 5-point scale) rated the tour of labs as interesting (4.43) and experience at the mine as interesting (4.5) and enjoyable (4.5). Other ratings of the mine experience included enhanced interest in geosciences (4.88), enhanced curiosity about minerals (4.5), and enhanced understanding about minerals (4.5).

The entire class processed the kaolin samples in lab and studied samples with a scanning electron microscope. The end of semester survey indicated high ratings for how much they learned and whether they found the following activities interesting: crushing and dispensing in water (learning 4.17, interest 4.1), separating sand, silt, and clay by timed settling (learning 4.47, interest 4.3). analysis by the scanning electron microscope (learning 4.43, interest 4.88). They responded that having class-obtained samples contributed a lot to their interest in the labs (4.38) and their interest in geosciences careers (4.38). Two students experimented at home with samples they got at the mine.

During Spring and Summer Semesters 2024, the first author presented a PowerPoint presentation on the importance of rare earth minerals and her research on extracting them from kaolin wastes to students in two sections of Introductory Geology 2. Kaolin ore samples were examined in class. On a subsequent questionnaire, 56% had not been aware of the importance of critical minerals before the presentation. Only 45% of those who were aware of their importance knew of US dependence on international supplies. All students gave positive responses about the potential for mining critical minerals in Georgia with some raising thoughtful environmental impact questions.