Arizona Nonmetallics: A Summary of Past Production and Present Operations

The nonmetallic mineral resources of Arizona are attracting increased attention because of their possible utilization in future industrial expansion of the Pacific Coast region and the Southwest. Production of nonmetallics in Arizona has been small compared with that of metals. Of the $3,500,000,000 value of all minerals produced in the State prior to 1944, nonmetallics constituted possibly $48,000,000 or about 1% per cent. Development and mining of nonmetallics have been handicapped by costs of transportation to the industrial centers that offer steady markets. Because of their natural abundance, most nonmetallics are relatively low priced. The potential value of a deposit depends largely upon its location in reference to transportation, its adaptability to low-cost mining, and its quality and tonnage. Most of the nonmetallics mined in Arizona have been used locally, but some find their chief markets outside the State. There is room for much research upon the geology, methods of beneficiation, and possible new uses- for Arizona's minerals. 58 p.Documents in the AZGS Document Repository collection are made available by the Arizona Geological Survey (AZGS) and the University Libraries at the University of Arizona. For more information about items in this collection, please contact azgs-info@email.arizona.edu