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Show ' ' , ;,' ' 'k ,':s ; ' ''.'':!": V':IJ'i, ; . '. - .7.'. .iV'JV'VfWH'VVvl ': , INSPECT SITE. Howard D. Knight, left, secretary of Silica Sand Company, and BLM area manager, Gordon R. Staker, examine high quality silica sand. The deposit is located at the white ledges in Paro-wan Paro-wan First Left Hand Canyon. Silica mine in Parowan Canyon to be expanded by operators, DLL1 in the scenic canyon. "We enjoy en-joy the scenery , and . recreational recre-ational activities as much as anyone," h0 added. District' Manager Harold E. Isaacson said he commended the mining claimant for its cooperative co-operative attitude. Future plans indicate that mining will be compatibile with other oth-er uses in the area. BLM is interested in protect-ing protect-ing the environment on public lands in Parowan Canyon. Travel on this route increased from 300 vehicles per day in I960 to 360 vehicles per day in 1970. Also, BLM has indent-ified indent-ified a potential recreation site near the mine location. Have you ever noticed the silica sand mine at the White Ledges in Parowan Canyon? Few people have! Even though it is located only 25 yards from the highway near the bottom of the canyon, it is tucked away among the fir trees and isn't visible to travelers. trav-elers. An indirect access road helps to keep the surface mine obscure. The White Ledges contain a vast deposit of the silica sand. The mining claimant to the deposit is Silica Sand Company Com-pany from Parowan. Howard K, Knight, secretary said his company has owned the mine and operated it on an intermittent inter-mittent basis since 1955 Each year enough silica is mined to meet demand. According to geologists, this particular deposit of sand con-' tains 95 percent silica in its natural state and 99 percent when washed. The quality is sufficient for making glass, however, according to Mr. Knight, presently it is ship-, pod to Interstate Brick Company Com-pany In Salt Lake City where it is used for making bricks. Recently BLM officials met with company representatives at the mining site to review future plans. This summer it will be necessary to expand the surface area of the mine in order to meet the demand of the buyer. However, this will require only a slight disturbance dis-turbance to the surrounding vegetation. Mr. Knight pointed out that the claimant is very interested in protecting the environment I i |