28 Jun Yakelin Ramos- Energy and Geoscience institute at U Utah, Week 2

Time is flying by quickly as I felt as if this week come and go in a flash. To begin my week Professor Bry took the other intern and I down to the labs where she gave us an explanation on the equipment inside the lab and what each piece of machine did. In the labs professor Bry was putting one of Randol’s samples through the very slow machine but as the machine was slowly consuming the sample she explained where this piece of equipment had traveled too before landing in that lab. After this, my work was primarily looking at maps and the critical minerals present in certian areas and using satellite data, verifying if the critical minerals that were found were actually present in the area. I choose two thing that I would set my mind on during this internship: looking at all the Uranium mines in Colorado, their history and what other possible minerals may be present in these areas. I would start finding data on the Uranium mines history by looking at data provided by the USGS. Along with mapping Ancient Mayan ruins using satellite data. Professor Bry sat me down and explained how to find data and compiled me an amazing list of sources I could look at to be able to compile a list of whether the satellite was correct when it reported on its findings on critical minerals.

I am using Mindat to find all old and new mines in San Miguel County with this website being able to provide an in depth catalogue of minerals that have been documented to have been found in each respective mine!

Outside on my free time I have gone around Campus and looked at the wonderful vegetation and have familiarized myself with how the campus layout. At my host family’s home I have taken the time too look around and see some shops nearby before going home for the day. Although I have found mostly hair salons unfortunately, but I was able to find a boba store!  I have yet to go as the smoke and storms clouds have deterred me from going any farther but it has been an amazing week and I look forwards to reporting what comes next.

This is a list of the Critical minerals that have been found in areas using various sources such as the USGS and Mindat