Different types of minerals have impacted the U.S. states.  The California Gold Rush shaped the state, while the Klondike Gold Rush in Alaska made the purchase of Alaska worthwhile.  In the Black Hills of South Dakota General Custer's search for gold made Indians move to reservations.  Then in Galena, IL the huge amount of lead put Galena on the map, and helped railroads there too.  As you can see minerals have shaped the states and affected populations all over the country.