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The New Mexico Minerals The New Mexico Minerals ConnectionConnection
Virginia T. McLemoreVirginia T. McLemoreNew Mexico Bureau of Geology and New Mexico Bureau of Geology and
Mineral ResourcesMineral ResourcesNew Mexico TechNew Mexico Tech
Mining, recycling, and Mining, recycling, and conservation are important to conservation are important to provide the continued flow of provide the continued flow of
commodities required to commodities required to continue our way of life.continue our way of life.
U. S. flow of raw materials by weight 1900-2000. The use of raw materials in the U. S. increased dramatically during
the last 100 years (from Wagner, 2002).
Metals prices are increasing in response to the increasing world’s population.
World CopperPopulation Vs Consumption
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1900 1920 1940 1960 1980 2000
Bill
ion
Peo
ple
'
0
6
12
18
24
30
36
42
B L
bs C
u
'
World Population World Consumption
China's Population
-
0.20
0.40
0.60
0.80
1.00
1.20
1.40
1.60
1.80
1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030
Bill
ion
Peo
ple
Reference: United Nations
Yet mineral production and Yet mineral production and exploration in the US has been exploration in the US has been
decreasing, and imports decreasing, and imports increasingincreasing
$-
$200,000
$400,000
$600,000
$800,000
$1,000,000
$1,200,000
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
YEAR
DO
LL
AR
S
Production of nonfuel mineral resources in New Mexico, 1979-2003.
U.S. Copper Net Import Reliance
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
1983 1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003
Net
Im
port
Rel
ianc
e
Reference: U.S.G.S.
What are mineral deposits?What are mineral deposits?
What are mineral deposits?What are mineral deposits?
• An occurrence of any valuable commodity or mineral that is of sufficient size and grade (concentration) that might under favorable economic conditions have potential for development
What are ore deposits?What are ore deposits?
• A mineral deposit that has been tested and found to be of sufficient size, grade, and accessibility to be extracted at a profit at a given time
• The size and grade of an ore deposit changes with time in response to market conditions
Mineral deposits are not found just Mineral deposits are not found just anywhere in the world.anywhere in the world.
Instead they are relatively rare and Instead they are relatively rare and depend upon certain natural depend upon certain natural
conditions to form.conditions to form.
NEW MEXICO MINING: WHERE NEW MEXICO MINING: WHERE ARE THE DEPOSITS?ARE THE DEPOSITS?
New Mexico is at the edge of one of the world’s greatest metal-bearing provinces
Uranium deposits in the Grants district.
Active mines in New Mexico 2002-2005 (excluding aggregates)
Active aggregate mines in New Mexico.
Stone House zeolite mine, Sierra County (18.3 million tons of reserves).
Metals districts with Significant deposits in New Mexico
Aging work forceFewer universities with mining-related departments, graduating less students
The Importance of Minerals in New The Importance of Minerals in New MexicoMexico
• Match the rocks and minerals to the proper name card
• Match the products to the proper name card
• Match the rocks and minerals to the proper product
• Match the rocks and minerals to the proper county in New Mexico where they are found