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Show production of magnesium metal has increased 31- fold since production began in 1974, and the value of production of salt has increased 17- fold since 1970. These increases have not been steady however, as the value of production in all three categories declined periodically, particularly from 1986 to 1989 due to years of flooding. In total, minerals extraction from GSL amounted to a value of production of $ 231,611,752 in 1997 ( Trimmer, 1998).( See Figure 14) Solar salt produced from GSL represents a significant and increasing share of total domestic solar salt production. The remainder of solar salt produced in the U. S. is primarily from California with some production from New Mexico. Solar salt competes in regional markets with rock salt for chemical and industrial, water conditioning and agricultural uses. Nationwide, the consumption of rock salt is four times that of solar salt. However, USGS data show that these markets are regional and, with respect to road salt, local. Solar salt dominates in western markets and appears to be increasing in certain Midwestern markets for certain end uses. DFFSL believes that the growth of regional solar salt markets, in which Utah producers compete, could continue to grow at 3 percent per year over the next five years. This amounts to approximately 50,000 tons per year ( Trimmer, 1996). Production of magnesium metal in the U. S. declined by six percent in 1996 from 1995. World magnesium oversupply and high prices were primarily responsible. For the first time in 20 years, the U. S. imported more magnesium than it exported. However, the U. S. continued to lead the world in production and production capacity of primary magnesium ( Kramer, 1998a). Utah magnesium production remained steady in 1996 while prices declined, primarily due to increased foreign competition ( U. S. Bureau of Mines, 1996). Magnesium metal is used for aluminum alloying, diecasting, and automotive applications. However, demand for magnesium used in aluminum alloying dropped in 1996 and several U. S. auto manufacturers canceled some programs to incorporate more magnesium diecastings into domestic passenger vehicles due to rapidly changing magnesium costs ( Kramer, 1998a). MINERALS EXTRACTION § 300 d 250 • I 200 § 150 < 100 £ 50 5 0 VALUE OF PRODUCTION* ^ v 11 m 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 YEAR Figure 14 ( Source: Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands) * not adjusted for inflation 124 |