Natural Resources of the West: Energy
GEOL/ENVS 396 - TOPICS: Natural Resources

Fall 2005

Geology and Present Mining Activities of the Uravan Mineral Belt, Colorado

Dick White
Geologist
Cotter Corporation
Nucla, CO

This talk will consist of a summary of the Mesozoic stratigraphy of southwestern Colorado, with emphasis on the uranium-bearing Jurassic Morrison formation. Details of uranium-vanadium ore bodies will be discussed. Cotter Corporation is currently the only company producing in the Uravan Mineral Belt. Cotter also owns the only operating uranium mill in the nation. Their underground mines will be described along with a brief overview of the mill. Environmental and safety aspects will be included.

Saccomanno Lecture Hall (SL 110)

Mesa State College 

Grand Junction, CO

Dick White received an Associate Degree from Mesa Jr. College in 1971 and a Bachelor’s Degree in Geology at the University of Colorado in 1973. He is a Certified Professional Geologist and member of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration of the American Institute of Mining Engineers.

Dick has worked as a geologist mainly in metal mining and exploration. This work has included uranium exploration and mining in Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Wyoming, Texas, and South Dakota (1974-1985), base and precious metal mines in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado (1985-1991), and in uranium again (1991-present) for Cotter Corporation at both the Schwartzwalder Mine near Golden, Colorado and at Cotter’s Western Slope Operations in Nucla, Colorado. Since most of this work has been for small companies, Dick has considerable experience in related activities, such as surveying, permitting and compliance, equipment operation, mine safety and mine rescue training.