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MINERAL INDUSTRY The following topics under the major heading "Mineral Industry" will present trends in value, water consumption, and number of employees of the mineral industry of the Lower Colorado River Basin. Past performance records of the industry have been studied for the ten-year period 1953 through 1962. The performance data for this period have been extrapolated to obtain an estimate of anticipated performance of the mineral industry of the basin for the year 1980 (see figures 1-5 and tables 1-7). The graphs (figures 1-5), although based upon the accurate data found in tables 1-7, are smoothed in an effort to predict long-range trends of the industry. Data referred to in the following discussion are from the figures and so do not always coincide with corresponding data in the tables. Oil and gas and copper currently account for almost three-fourths of the total value of mineral commodities produced in the basin. In 1953 the total value of all mineral commodities was $1.17 billion. In the following ten years to 1962 mineral production increased 28 percent to $1.51 billion per year. The value will be $1.8 billion per year by 1980, based upon extrapolation of past production. Also in 1953 the mineral industry consumed 100,000 acre-feet of fresh water. Over the ten-year study period water consumption increased 40 percent. It is expected to reach 230,000 acre-feet by 1980. The number of persons employed by the mineral industry increased from 41,000 to 46,000 between 1955, the first year for which employment records were available, and 1962. The number of employees is expected to increase to 57,000 by 1980. Nonferrous Metals Production of nonferrous metals, over 90 percent of which are copper and associated metals from Arizona, accounts for about one-third of the total annual mineral value and water consumption in the basin. A continuing drop in the grade of copper ore mined will greatly increase the tonnage of ore processed and the quantity of water used in flotation of the ores. The annual production value of nonferrous metals grew from $289 million to $480 million between 1953 and 1962. The value is expected to reach $600 million by 1980. Water consumption grew from 35,000 acre-feet per year to 41,000 per year during the same study period and is expected to be 50,000 acre-feet per year by 1980. Employment grew from 13,000 to 15,000 and is expected to be 18,000 by 1980. Ferrous Metals Ferrous metals, principally iron from California and molybdenum from Arizona, account for less than 2 percent of the total value and water consumption of the basin's mineral industry. Between 1953 and 1962 ferrous metals production grew in value from $16 million per year to $35 million; water consumption grew from 1,200 acre-feet per year to 2,100; and employment grew from 2,000 persons to 3,000. Partly due to anticipated increased iron ore exports to Japan, it is estimated that by 1980, value of annual production will be $50 million; water consumption, 4,000 acre-feet; and employment, 5,000 persons. 4Epson Perfection 4870 Photo, 400 dpi, 8 bit, 14,071,808 byte