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