| OCR Text |
Show Steen Wants To Up Ore Production From Holdings Charles A. Steen, probably the most publicized figure in the huge uranium producing industry of the Colorado Plateau, hopes to increase production from bis mines to a whopping 1,000 tons per certain deterrents are removed. In a prepared statement, Steen declares that on the basis of known ore reserves on his properties, that "ore can be mined at a faster rate (than at present), perhaps up to 1,000 tons per day." He believes that "several changes U. S. AEC in the present buying program would accerlerate this production: first, a gauaran-tee- d market for an indefinite tonnage of ore; secondly, higher haul, ing allowance; thirdly, elimination of the high lime penalty. "The most salient factor, however, would be a considerable increase in the depletion allowance," he comments. Utex Exploration Co., which Steen heads as president, has never made request for government assistance, but has financed 115,000 feet of core drilling, and has constructed access roads to expedite service to his companys mines and operations. The Steen statement listed estimated reserves of uranium ore in the Big Indian Mining District of Utah at 2,475,000 tons This ore is on claims of the Utex Exlora-tio- n Co.; Big Indian Mines, Inc.; U. S. Oil and Uranium Co.; Standard Uranium Co.; Little Beaver Co.; La Sal Mining Co.; and Cal Uranium Co. For the latter, the statement said only that Cal Uranium reserves are large, day-prov- iding Modern O listing no figures. Beserves of Utex were listed at 1,550,000 tons or more. "Strong geological evidence Indicates that the present reserve picture (in the Big Indian Mining District) is far from complete. The reserves are expected to increase steadily as the exploration drilling continues in the area. Drilling in the past supports this belief," said the statement. Infermounfain Obtains Slick Rock Claims Keith B. Redd, president of Intermountain Uranium Corp., reports to stockholders the acquisition of three claims on the east side of the Dolores River in the Slick Rock Area, approximately 30 miles north of Dove Creek and s of a mile east of the Cougar mine which has reportedly shipped in excess of $8,000,000 in ore to date. "Uranium ore has been shipped from our claims, and they have been certified for bonus payments by the Atomic Energy Commission, Mr. Redd said. Mr. Redd also reported that firm has explored its claims in the Lavender Canon area and have located several outcroppings and areas of high radio-activ- e country which were not formerly known. Fissionable material is now being loaned out by the Atomic Energy three-fourth- Commission to non-prof- it institu- tions for use in atomic research reactors. Air Conditioned Steam Heat Roy and Zolo Sherwood, Owners Day and Weekly Rates Grand Junction, Colorado PRICE EXPLORATION COMPANY BOX 1283 Grand Junction Colorado LIPPOTH AND WEIN DRILLING COMPANY 304 Main St., Grand Junction, Colo. Complete Uranium Exploration, Drilling, Logging, Mapping, Probing, Sampling Phone Grand Junction 1346 Edgar West Geo. Lynch MIDWEST ELECTRIC co. ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS RESIDENTIAL 1107 No. 7th COMMERCIAL, Phono 3485 The Rocky Mountain Canary," that stubborn but dependable jackass of the mountain mining district, played a big part in the discovery of uranium. In 1898 burros packed ten tons of uranium-bearinore out of the rough Roc Creek country in Montrose county, Colo. A Frenchman bought the ore for shipment to Paris and Madam Curie, who with her husband was conducting extensive experiments with the mineral. A short time later they announced the discovery of radium. But it has never been determined if the Curies actually were using Colorado Plateau uranium at the time of the discovery. They were also using African and South American ores in their experiments. However, ore was purchased on the Plateau for the Curies by Charles Poulot, a French chemist, according tc a 1904 issue of Mining Journal. Gordon Kimball of Ouray had written the Journal that he had obtained samples of a yellow mineral along Roc Creek for the chemist, and later determined that it contained 21.5 per cent uranium oxide and 15 per cent vanadium. Noting the high uranium content and the Latin word for yellow, he Kimball named it Uranochre. leased the claim and soon was loading up burros for the trip to Paradox Valley. From Paradox Valley, the ore was hauled 80 miles to Placerville by wagons, where it was forwarded to Denver. Kimball sent some of the mineral to M. Adolph Carnot, and it is believed by old timers on the Plateau that Carnot applied the name Carnotite to the ore the ore that is proving to be the biggest uranium producer on the Plateau. g ms South On Highway 50 0229-J- 4 In Uranium, Too Pete Campbell Recalls MOUNTAIN VIEW MOTEL Phone Burro Worked INDUSTRIAL. Grand Jet, Colo. of Old The man behind the candy counthe youngster his change and thanked him for his business, then turned to a couple of oldtimers of Nucla to comment on the way things are going in Denver. His listeners were attentive, for when Blind Pete Campbell expressed an opinion it was based on clear, concise calculation and experience. Operator now of a candy and tobacco store at Nucla on the fabulous Colorado Plateau, Blind Pete is a pioneer of the district, and served in the 1951 Colorado House of Representatives. He now is serving as chairman of the state board for the Colorado Industries for the Blind, is an active member of the Nucla Chamber of Commerce, and is considered one Nuclas mainstays behind the towns civic efforts to accommodate its rapidly increasing population. Mr. Campbell is happy to see the on the Plateau, but is glad we have cattle, agriculture and lumber business to fall back on. He has observed the uranium industry in .Nucla, Naturita and Norwood area from a precarious infancy to a business. "I was lucky to be punching cattle for $50 a month, he says, when the Standard Chemical Co. in 1912 dropped overnight from a million dollar uranium processing It was then plant to nothing. that plants in Africa and South America cornered the market on radium for watch dials and uranium coloring for painting pottery. World War I restored mining importance and Mr. Campbell became foreman of a bull gang laying foundation for the U. S. Vanadium plant at Uravan. But, after end of the war, came the depression so he took to ranching and finally entered the coal mines on the Plateau. "Thats when things went bad, he comments now. He was involved in a mine accident and lost his sight. He is quick to add, however, that perhaps "the accident was a blessing in disquise, for since then he has gained considerable knowledge of town and state politics and administration, and has been progressively more active in them. After the accident, Mr. Campbell went to Denver to work in the Colorado Industries for the Blind. As soon as possible, he returned to Nucla to open his present business. His store is a gathering place for men of the community, who like to discuss local and state affairs with Blind Pete. And he enjoys being able to take care of his store and to learn, from the people he meets, more about living for other people after all, what else is there thats worth while! ter handed Once Quiet Paradox Mow Uranium Itch Catching Just a 15 miles west Paradox. Such PARADOX mill would, of of Uravan, in the fabulous Para- course, be a boon to the economy dox valley, is Paradox, Colo., ol Paradox and to the whole valley. which eounts a population of 200 But Paradox is primarily an families spread througnout the val- agricultural community which for years was content to enjoy the ley. Paradox is feeling effects of leisurely existence typical of such the uranium boom from new large towns. The excitement that accommining operations, on nearby Mon- panies uranium mining is prevaogram Mesa and in Bull Canon. lent in Paradox, although there is The AEC recently announced a some effort to keep it down. There is a new grade school mill would be constructed to treat ere of the Jo Dandy mine at here to take care of an enrollment of pupils that has doubled a short distance from Bedrock, just since 1948. Valuation in School District 35 jumped from $920,000 Vanadium Vifal, Too in temperature use such as those required in making jet engines. atOne of the most important tributes of vanadium is that it toughens steel without impairing its ductility or hardness. For this reason substantial quantities of vanadium are used in the production of tool steels and in steel used for mechanical parts that must endure high dynamic stress such as springs, axles and parts of diesel locomotives. The bonus for the first 10,000 pounds of uranium oxide from eligible mines on the Colorado Plateau resulted in payments of over $3,600,000 in bonus awards. shortage at Paradox, although most newcomers live in trailer-house- s. It is hoped by residents that eventually a local government will be established to care for the communitys expanding needs. Already, two new churches and a new school building are directly attributed to the uranium prosperity. Also expected to benefit Paradox materially is the AEC access road program which, if present plans materialize, will include 11 miles of improved road from the Utah state line toward Paradox, linking the Paradox area with the uranium-ricmining areas of San Juan and Grand counties in Utah. to $1,696,310 in 1954, due principally to the Local people talk freely about In the rush for the riches the possibility of renewed efforts brought by uranium, its compan- to extract salt from beds in the ion mineral has alvanadium most been forgotten by the man valley, to be used by USV in treating uranium ore. USV, operator of on the street. Vanadium is one of the most a huge mill at Uravan, once atimportant minerals mined in the tempted to extract the salt ecoColorado Plateau and is treated nomically but gave up the idea. with just as much care as urani- But wherever men gathered in Paradox there is talk that USV will um in the processing mills. About 90 per cent of the vana- once more make the attempt, and dium produced on the Plateau this time successfully because of ends up in steel as a toughener, newer methods. or in some special alloy for high There is somewhat of a housing 1952 h |
