minerals and mining 4

Mining Activity in Nevada, 1851 - 1995 By Lorre A Moyer Open-File Report 04-xxx Digital Movie, Version 1.0 2004 U.S Department of the Interior U.S Geological Survey U.S Department of the Interior U.S Geological Survey Introduction This digital movie was created in Microsoft PowerPoint 2000 to visually describe historical factors that have influenced patterns of Nevada mining including, transportation routes, major historical events, significant mineral deposits, mining districts, mineral production, and precious metal booms The movie includes shorter animated subsets that the viewer can select from a set of menu buttons Mining Activity in Nevada, 1851 - 1995 Precious metal mines and mining camps dominated Nevada’s early history until WWI Base metal surpassed precious metal production during the war and postwar years to the early 1960’s Due to new technologies and high gold prices, precious metal production reached new highs during early 1990’s Patterns of Nevada Mineral Activity Mining Activity in Nevada, 1851 - 1995 Low prices and environmental regulation brought about the decline in precious metal production by 1995 More recently Nevada’s fast growing population and urban infrastructure has created an increasing demand for industrial minerals Nevada’s three major boom periods were known as: the Comstock, the TonopahGoldfield, and the Carlin Patterns of Nevada Mineral Activity Mining Activity in Nevada, 1851 - 1995 This digital movie depicts the significant activity cycles in Nevada during the period 1851 – 1995 for: Precious metals (silver and gold) Base metals (copper, lead, zinc and tungsten) Industrial minerals (such as sand, clay, gypsum and barite) The relationships between transportation routes, mineral exploration and production, active mining districts, and population growth or decline are shown by decade Pre-production Production Pre-production Production Production Pre-production Production Production Production No Production Comstock boom Comstock boom Comstock Boom TonopahGoldfield boom Comstock Boom TonopahGoldfield boom Comstock Boom TonopahGoldfield boom Comstock Boom TonopahGoldfield boom Comstock Boom TonopahGoldfield boom Carlin boom Comstock Boom TonopahGoldfield boom Carlin boom Mining Activity in Nevada, 1851 - 1995 SUMMARY • The 1859 silver discovery near Virginia City began the Comstock Boom • Most of Nevada’s mining districts were discovered during the Comstock Boom and the Tonopah-Goldfield Boom aided by the development of the railroads • A period of decline from 1892-1899 due to a drop in silver prices and depletion of mines caused a population decrease • WWI stimulated mining by raising the price of silver and base metals Mining Activity in Nevada, 1851-1995 SUMMARY • In 1933 a minor “depression”era boom was set off by an increase in the price of gold contributing to early discoveries of “invisible gold” later to be called Carlintype deposits • WWII increased the demand for all metals; however, the War Production Board forced most of the gold mines to close to stimulate base metal production • Base metal production peaked during the 1950’s – copper was at its highest • The 1962 Carlin gold discovery began “the Carlin Boom” Mining Activity in Nevada, 1851 - 1995 SUMMARY • The demand for base metal remained high and increased for industrial minerals during the 1970’s Vietnam War • In 1972 the price of gold was released from government control, and Nevada led the nation in gold production in the 1980’s • In the 1990’s lower prices and environmental regulation brought a decline in precious metal production, and by 1992 the changing market conditions practically eliminated Nevada’s base metal industry Mining Activity in Nevada, 1851 - 1995 SUMMARY • The demand for industrial minerals has steadily increased with Nevada’s growing population and will most likely continue a steady upward trend Patterns of Nevada Mineral Activity Mining Activity in Nevada, 1851 - 1995 Data sources for this animation include the U.S Geological Survey’s Digital Data Series DDS-52 and Open-File Report 98-206A, Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology Report 47 and unpublished production tables, and the State of Nevada Census Thanks to Joe Tingley of the NBMG for access to his unpublished production tables and to Gary Raines of the USGS for constructive input on design Link to 1860 Civil War – The Comstock Gold and Silver Discovery Link to 1870 Comstock Boom - Railroads Help Mineral Exploration Link to 1880 Domestic Market Expands – Precious Metals Peak Link to 1890 Depression Begins – Population & Production Decline Link to 1900 1893 Financial Collapse – Tonopah Silver Discovery Link to 1910 1907 Recession – Tonopah & Goldfield Boom Link to 1920 WWI & Lincoln Highway – Precious & Base Metals Up Link to 1930 Post War Expansion to Depression –Base Metal holds Link to 1940 Great Depression – Slight Increase in Precious Metals Link to 1950 WWII –Base Metal/Industrial Mineral Activity Increases Link to 1960 The Korean War – Base Metal Production Peaks Link to 1970 Economic & Technology Boom –Carlin Gold Discovery Link to 1980 Vietnam War & High Inflation – Industrial Minerals Up Link to 1990 Gold Prices Soar – The Carlin Boom & Decline Link to 1995 Regulation & Low Prices – Mineral Activity Decreases Click Button to Return to Movie Menu [...]... Gold and Silver Discovery 1851-1860 Comstock Historic Trails Major Railroads Major Highways Civil War – The Comstock Gold and Silver Discovery 1851-1860 Historic Trails Major Railroads Major Highways Civil War – The Comstock Gold and Silver Discovery 1851-1860 Historic Trails Major Railroads Major Highways Civil War – The Comstock Gold and Silver Discovery 1851-1860 Civil War – The Comstock Gold and. .. 1860 - 1995 animation Major mining districts 1860 - 1995 animation Mineral production chart Links to decade time periods Pre-1850 Historic Trails Major Railroads Major Highways Early Trails and Westward Migration Pre-1850 Historic Trails Major Railroads Major Highways Early Trails and Westward Migration Pre-1850 Historic Trails Major Railroads Major Highways Early Trails and Westward Migration 1851-1860... of major mines, major mining districts, mineral production, and links to decade time periods Each subset will loop unless the return to the main menu button is selected Exit the movie at any time by right clicking the mouse Settings for the length of time taken by each frame can be adjusted in PowerPoint Movie Menu Click button to view action animations or full length movie Mining activity in Nevada... Railroads Major Highways Return to time links 1871-1880 Historic Trails Major Railroads Major Highways Domestic Market Expands – Precious Metals Peak 1871-1880 Historic Trails Major Railroads Major Highways Domestic Market Expands – Precious Metals Peak 1871-1880 Domestic Market Expands – Precious Metals Peak Historic Trails Major Railroads Major Highways Return to time links 1881-1890 Historic Trails