Foster County does not have a large supply of minerals other than clay, sand, and gravel, which may be found in most sections of the county. The sand and gravel has been found to be suitable for use in concrete, stucco, plaster and roadwork. Though a somewhat limited quantity exists, there are a number of places where usable clay is found for stabilized road building. At one time there was talk of a brick factory being established using the clay found in Haven Township. The test bricks were of very good quality but the venture never materialized.
Throughout the years there were some discoveries that caused some excitement at the time but did not prove to be successful. Here are some of these stories that were printed in the Foster County Independent:
December 3, 1908:
There was a discovery of a large vein of coal in the Blocher neighborhood just east of Bordulac. Several loads were mined which were thought to be of a better quality than ordinary lignite. It turned out to be of short supply.
1931
A vein of lignite coal four to 13 feet in depth was uncovered by the Schaaf brothers 15 miles east of Carrington along the Kelly Creek. The coal samples that were tried proved to burn almost free of ash. A consulting engineer for a coal company from Minot came to the area and made tests. They drilled and dug holes and did some stripping, in order to send two or three loads of coal to a power plant for testing. Laboratory tests were also made.
More than thirty holes were sunk in an area of five miles. Their prospecting showed that there was no seam of coal. Coal and sand were mixed in the test holes. The only definite evidence of a coal seam was discovered in a water well at the William Black farm near Grace City. It was a three foot vein at a depth of 85 feet‑ too much of an overload to make the coal of any commercial value.
The formation in which the coal was found in lumps at Kelly Creek is known as the Lance Strata.
May 15, 1913
The story told about F.M. Clark, who was living in Bucephalia township, had discovered some iron ore in a ridge of hills along the James River on the east side of section 21‑145‑64 which was owned by Clark.
He did some prospecting on his own. Later he called in an experienced iron ore miner. This too, proved to be unsuccessful.
Lignite and a few gold nuggets were found on the August P. Multz farm, west half, section 17‑145‑64.
Source: A History of Foster County 1983 Page 4