Management Proposals for the Uncompahgre and San Juan National Forests, Public Hearing Notice

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Minerals Some 92,000 acres of the Section have significant mineralization with surface indications. An additional 14,000 acres are considered to have mineral deposits at depth. Small veins and deposits may also occur outside of identified mineralized areas. The economic value of the mineral resources within this Section is still significant. The historic Camp Bird Mines and the Idarado Mining Company properties are current stable mining operations with extensive ore reserves and firm plans for long -term operations. Numerous smaller operations have been active with renewed interest in old workings and new prospects. New technology and rising prices for base and precious metals keeps the interest in prospecting and mining activity high. The geology and history of successful mining activity suggests that mineral development on valid mineral claims and patents will continue as an important resource activity for many years. The U. S. Geological Survey and the Bureau of Mines, Department of the Interior, have conducted field investigations of the Uncompahgre Primitive Area and vicinity. The first combined report of the two Bureaus was published as Geological Survey Bulletin 1261 -C, "Studies Related to Wilderness, Primitive Areas, Uncompahgre, Colorado. his report, issued in 1968, covers the Primitive Area and a border zone of 1 and 1/2 miles around the Primitive Area. It states, in part, that this east Section has yielded $M2 million worth of minerals since the 1870's. The Idarado Mining Company is Colorado's principal producer of gold, silver, copper and lead. In 1967, this company processed 438,000 tons of ore. In 1965, mines in Ouray and San Miguel Counties - mines mostly in or near the Primitive Area - yielded nearly $9.5 million of gold, silver, copper, lead and zinc. This was 32% of the total Colorado production of these metals that year. The Camp Bird and Idarado mining operations currently employ about 500 people. The report also makes the following conclusions: 1. "The southern and western two - thirds of the Uncompahgre Primitive Area, and contiguous lands, contains one of the most intensively mineralized regions in the United States, therefore, the area is not regarded as available for management as a Unit of the National Wilderness Preservation System. In addition, there is a large acreage of patent mining properties with accompanying access roads and structures, and most of it will not qualify under the definition in the Wilderness Act of 1964, which defines Wilderness as "an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man" ... "an area ... without permanent improvements or human habitation." -17-