| OCR Text |
Show WATER FOR UTAH . . . Coal . . . . . . Utah and the West . . . Rich as the West's hydroelectric resources, the coal reserves of the Mountain States represent about 35% of the Nation's coal reservoir. The Tri- State coal fields of eastern Utah, western Colorado and southwestern Wyoming, with an estimated 800,000,000 tons of bituminous coal constitute about one- third of the United States' remaining source of this important energy potential. Its future values are keystones to the further expansion of the western economy and particularly of the three Pacific Coast States which, with the exception of hydroelectric energy, are generally fuel poor. Of vital necessity to the iron and steel industry of the West, these coals, together with over a trillion tons of less noble sub- bituminous and lignitic deposits in the Mountain States, form a solid foundation for chemical and synthetic fuel industries which will enable the Nation to make up for depletion of its petroleum reserves. In this array of carbonaceous fuels, Utah stands at the apex by virtue of the start already made in the exploitation of its reserves and by its transportation facilities. MINERALS ... FOR INDUSTRY AND AGRICULTURE .. . The Nation The industry of the United States is an insatiable consumer of mineral raw materials. Its further expansion, required by increasing population and consequent rising demands for the products of manufacturing, has created drains upon domestic mineral reserves to the point where now many indispensable to national industry have reached a critical stage of depletion. The recent war made such inroads that the list of strategic and critical materials has increased from its prewar seven to over 50 today and now consists of practically all important mineral substances. To maintain a healthy, expanding economy and a secure Nation will require more than wishful thinking. Imports and stockpiling are necessities no longer questioned, but they are not enough. Resources of grades hitherto rejected by industry as inferior in normal processes must but utilized. New methods of treatment must be developed, and exploration must be accelerated in terms of these new technologies. The loca- tional structure of basic and manufacturing industry must shift to take advantage of closer proximity to growing markets of the West and to its mineral reserves which are as yet undeveloped. . . . Utah and the West . . . Geologic processes have placed the West in a position of being the principal reservoir of many mineral substances most important to national growth and survival. But there is need for more careful and complete beneficiation, smelting and refining- by means of the blast furnace, the electric furnace, the electrolytic cell and advanced chemical methods representing the forefront of modern technology. Electric power, whether as a raw material ingredient in the electrolytic cell or for its controllable high- intensity heat in the electric furnace, will be essential in this new era of thorough mineral exrraction and processing. Utah- by virtue of transportation facilities and other ruling locational factors- has ready access to minerals basic to a wide variety of industries. ( See Maps 6, 7- Highways, Railroads - pages 8, 9.) Mining has been one of Utah's primary economic assets. The potentials yet to be tapped will undoubtedly mount to greater importance, particularly as raw material supplies become integrated into a pattern of diversified industries and manufactures. In 1939, the value of mineral products was equivalent to the combined income from farming and manufacturing in the State. Several specific mineral ores highlight Utah's present and potential development. Its nonfer- rous resources- copper, lead and zinc- have furnished major supplies of these materials to the Nation's industries, with copper leading in importance. Its iron ores and those of tributary areas are recognized as the reason for the establishment of the Geneva Steel plant. The favorable juxtaposition of extensive coal deposits and of ample supplies of fluxing materials assures the [ 7] |
