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<br /> <br /> <br />o <br />(, .~) <br />Co) <br />~ <br />~ <br />~ <br /> <br />SUMMARY <br /> <br />Mineral industry is the leading sector of economic activity <br />in the Upper Colorado Region. Much of the growth in the region in <br />post-World War II years has been centeree on minerals development. <br />In terms of 1958 dollars, value of mineral production was $543 <br />million in 1965, up approximately 220 percent from levels of the <br />late 1940's. Substantially increased output of uranium is widely <br />expected, and development of synthetic fuels industries feeding on <br />oil shale, rock asphalt, and .coal resources is prophesied by some. <br /> <br />Water needs of mineral industry have been moderate--depletions <br />in 1965 were only about 34,000 acre-feet. Anticipated efficiencies <br />in water use by the industry will be offset by the need to process <br />lower grade ores in the future; therefore, increased water require- <br />ments through 2020 will tend to parallel the upward trend in mineral <br />output. Water depletions are expected to increase about 57 percent <br />by 1980, and then remain about the same through 2020. <br /> <br />Regionwide land needs for mineral production are negligible--a <br />total area of approximately 37,000 acres was ~sed in 1965. ' <br />Responsible reclamation efforts by the industry are on the increase <br />and seem certain to minimize environmental impacts related to mining. <br />Future land needs are expected to increase about 90 percent by 1980 <br />and 380 percent by 2020. <br /> <br />i <br />