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<br />15 <br /> <br /> <br />002289 <br /> <br />Appraisal of known mineral resources.-- In parallel With the <br />general appraisal of water resources outlined on page 7, it is <br />proposed to assemble and sUllllll8rize avaUable information CI1 geolOgic <br />environmental features and mineral resources of the Pacific Southwest. <br />~is would be acc~lished in the first two years at a total cost <br />of $190,000. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Geophysical reconnaissance. -- Gravity, aeromagnetic, and <br />seismic surveys are proposed to afford a quick, first approx1mation <br />of extent and bedrock configuration of the numerous sedimentary <br />basins in the region. Such geophysical reconnaissance of all the <br />region would facilitate the ground-water appraisals outlined else- <br />where. It can be c~leted within five years at an estimated cost <br />of $2,100,000. <br /> <br />. <br />Coal investigations. -- Eight main coal-bearing areas potential~ <br />can supp~ fuel for developing power in the Pacific Southwest. ~ese <br />are the Henry Mountains, Kolob, Kanab, and Kaiparowits fields in <br />southern Utah; the Black Mesa field in nortbeastern Arizona; and <br />the Gallup and Zuni fields as well as tbe San Juan River region in <br />northwestern New Mexico. (See, fig. 4). <br /> <br />Among these, the Kaiparowits field is one of tbe most extensive <br />and least eJC;Plored; present information is fragmentary. Mining in <br />this field. bas become active recently. Here a very modest program <br />of quadrangle geologic mapping has been started to delineate grade, <br />extent, and thickness of coal beds as a basis for estimating reserves <br />and classifying the land. At the present pace, bowever, several <br />decades WOUld elapse before mapping and classification are c~lete. <br />It is proposed that the present pace be quickened several fOld, and <br />that mapping of the fifty 7~-minute quadrangles in the Kaiparowits <br />field be accomplished within the five years. TOtal cost is estimated <br />at $1,175,000; from $120,000 in the first year to a maximum of <br />$310,000 in the fourth year. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />A comparable appraisal is proposed to determine the coal <br />resources of the Black Mesa field, Arizona, and of the several fields <br />in northwestern New Mexico. TOtal cost of this work is estimated to <br />be $2,400,000. <br />