For a short time in 1980 I worked for the US Bureau of Mines in their Mineral Availability System (MAS), a computerized database on world-wide mineral supply focusing on the US. One of MAS's main tasks (my opinion) was to make available critical mineral information, such as US supply and foreign sources, to keep stupid federal legislators (and other elected officials) and their staff from making unwise decisions that would have adverse repercussions on US industry and our military. In 2000 MAS data was taken over by the USGS and became part of USGS's Mineral Resource Data System (MRDS). According to their official info, one of the main goals is to "...provide a high-quality, consistent mine and deposit inventory to support US actions and policies on mineral resources and land management". It's good to see that that original mandate still exists but stupidity at the federal level continues. Lets hope somewhere in that DC morass some reality on imports will get through.
The chromium deposits of the Beartooths were developed as a national priority during WW2, as SA imports were curtailed. Absurdly, the milled Cr ore production never made it to the supply chain. It was stockpiled at the mine sute and left untouched for decades until the feds sold it for at a bargain rate to a Swedish company. It was trucked to a rail siding at Columbus and eventually hauled away. The mine's aerial tram and company town are long gone.
Thanks for sharing that. Some of the buildings do remain - I was up there at the mine last summer on a geology field trip. Post about it to show up here in the future.
For a short time in 1980 I worked for the US Bureau of Mines in their Mineral Availability System (MAS), a computerized database on world-wide mineral supply focusing on the US. One of MAS's main tasks (my opinion) was to make available critical mineral information, such as US supply and foreign sources, to keep stupid federal legislators (and other elected officials) and their staff from making unwise decisions that would have adverse repercussions on US industry and our military. In 2000 MAS data was taken over by the USGS and became part of USGS's Mineral Resource Data System (MRDS). According to their official info, one of the main goals is to "...provide a high-quality, consistent mine and deposit inventory to support US actions and policies on mineral resources and land management". It's good to see that that original mandate still exists but stupidity at the federal level continues. Lets hope somewhere in that DC morass some reality on imports will get through.
Thanks for sharing that. The USGS Mineral Commodities Summaries are a wealth of information and food for thought.
Isolationism will cause a wee bit of pain for the US.
At this point, I hope so.
Information that the vast majority of Americans are ignorant of .
The chromium deposits of the Beartooths were developed as a national priority during WW2, as SA imports were curtailed. Absurdly, the milled Cr ore production never made it to the supply chain. It was stockpiled at the mine sute and left untouched for decades until the feds sold it for at a bargain rate to a Swedish company. It was trucked to a rail siding at Columbus and eventually hauled away. The mine's aerial tram and company town are long gone.
Thanks for sharing that. Some of the buildings do remain - I was up there at the mine last summer on a geology field trip. Post about it to show up here in the future.
Excellent awareness & information. Thanks
Thanks!