Across the Upper Midwest, mining companies are prospecting for iron, copper, nickel and rare earth metals. This new mining boom promises to jump-start stalled local economies. But because it also threatens the ecosystem, environmentalists and local Indian tribes are united in their opposition. For WBEZ's Front and Center, I traveled to Northern Wisconsin with writer Joel Bleifuss to produce this piece exploring this modern day ore rush and how it's forcing a debate over the true meaning of the region’s wealth.