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<br />\JOUS88 <br /> <br />Minerals <br /> <br />Some 92,000 acres of the Section have significant mineralization with <br />surface indications. An additional 14,000 acres are considered to have <br />mineral deposits at depth. Small veins and deposits may also occur outside <br />of identified mineralized areas. <br /> <br />The economic value of the mineral resources within this Section is <br />still significant. The historic Camp Bird Mines and the Idarado Mining <br />Company properties are current stable mining operations with extensive <br />ore reserves and firm plans for long-term operations. <br /> <br />Numerous smaller operations have been active with renewed interest <br />in old workings and new prospects. New technology and rising prices <br />for base and precious metals keeps the interest in prospecting and mining <br />activity high. The geology and history of successful mining activity <br />suggests that mineral development on valid mineral claims and patents <br />will continue as an important resource activity for many years. <br /> <br />The U. S. Geological Survey and the Bureau of Mines, Department of the <br />Interior, have conducted field investigations of the Uncompahgre Primitive <br />Area and vicinity. The first combined report of the two Bureaus was <br />published as Geological Survey Bulletin 1261-C, "Studies Related to <br />Wilderness, Primitive Areas, Uncom ah re, Colorado." This report, issued <br />1n B, covers the Primitive Area and a border zone of 1 and 1/2 miles <br />around the Primitive Area. It states, in part, that this east Section has <br />yielded $~32 million worth of minerals since the 1870's. The Idarado <br />Mining Company is Colorado's principal producer of gold, silver, copper <br />and lead. In 1967, this company processed 438,000 tons of ore. In 1965, <br />mines in Ouray and San Miguel Counties - mines mostly in or near the <br />Primitive Area - yielded nearly $9.5 million of gold, silver, copper, <br />lead and zinc. This was 32% of the total Colorado production of these <br />metals that year. The Camp Bird and Idarado mining operations currently <br />employ about 500 people. <br /> <br />The report also makes the following conclusions: <br /> <br />1. "The southern and western two-thirds of the Uncompahgre Primitive <br />Area, and contiguous lands, contains one of the most intensively <br />mineralized regions in the United States, therefore, the area <br />is not regarded as available for management as a Unit of the <br />National Wilderness Preservation System. In addition, there <br />is a large acreage of patent mining properties with accompanying <br />access roads and structures, and most of it will not qualify <br />under the definition in the Wilderness Act of 1964, which defines <br />Wilderness as "an area where the earth and its community of life <br />are untrammeled by man" ... "an area... without permanent <br />improvements or human habitation." <br /> <br />-17- <br />