Mining brings about positive and negative changes for the residents of regions that are heavily dependent on such economic activity. In Brazil, the so-called Iron Quadrangle fits within a complex regional arrangement that results in various conflicts of interest between different stakeholders, which complicates decision-making processes regarding mining activities. In this article, we introduce geodesign as a methodological approach that could efficiently contribute to mediating these challenges and conflicts. We present an educational experience in geodesign conducted within the framework of a minicourse offered in 2019 to undergraduate students at a Brazilian university. The experience illustrates how students were able to use the framework of geodesign to propose projects and policies to be included in a sustainable development master plan for the Iron Quadrangle region. Specifically, to examine the social dimensions at play in an iron mining region, students applied Steinitz’s geodesign framework, premised on six main questions and six corresponding models. This case study contributes to the emerging literature on geodesign pedagogy by demonstrating the benefits of this process and proposing recommendations that are applicable not only in academia but also in real-world situations that would truly benefit from such an approach.