WSP08763

• File Number: 8281.970
• Description: Colorado River Studies and Investigations -- Great Basin Comprehensive Framework Study
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 6/1/1971
• Title: Appendix VII - Mineral Resources -- Great Basin Region Comprehensive Framework Study
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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SUMMARY

The mineral Industry has long been an important segment of the
economy of the Great Basin Region. In 1965, 33 mineral commodities
valued at $389 mill ion were produced in the Region, Metals accounted
for nearly 85 percent of the total value. Copper was the dominant
metal produced, but the Region also produced significant quantities of
gold, iron ore, lead, mercury, molybdenum, and silver. Nonmetal I ic
non-fuel minerals accounted for 14 percent of the mineral production
value, Sand and gravel and cement were the nonmetals with the greatest
value of output, Other major nonmetals included diatomite, lime,
phosphate rock, salt, and stone, Mineral fuels accounted for about
$1 million, or less than I percent, of the total.

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The known and predicted resources of most minerals being produced
in the Regi on are 1 arge and wi 11be adequate to meet expected demands
to 1980 and in many cases, to 2020. Additional mineral resources
undoubtedly will be found, and other deposits not now considered as
resources will become usable because of advancing technology,

Production projections indicate a 92 percent growth in the mineral
economy of the Region between 1965 and 2020. The production of metals
is. expected to Increase about 50 percent, nonmetals to Increase 300
percent, and fuels to increase 400 percent, Mineral output is ex-
pected to Increase In al I subregions" Water diversions for mineral
extraction are expected to increase over 130 percent, from 111,000
acre-feet per year in 1965 to 257,000 acre-feet per year by 2020.
The industry's water requirements will increase throughout most of the
Region, d~spite extensive water recirculation at processing operations.
Land requirements, based on production projections, are estimated to
increase three-fold by 2020,

The mineral industry's water and land requirements must be taken
into account in assessing and planning the Region's future water and
water-related land use. Providing the necessary water and the tempo-
rary use of land for mineral production is Important because so much
of the economy of the Reg Ion and the Nat ion is dependent upon a con-
tinuing supply of these raw materials,

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