AMAX comes to Crested Butte

Journal Article · Sat Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1979 · Sierra Club Bull.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5637530

Sumner, D

AMAX, Inc.'s discovery of a large deposit of ore-grade molybdenum and its plans to develop and mine the site brought it in direct condlict with the residents of Crested Butte, Colorado. AMAX strategy is to forestall opposition on environmental grounds by complying with the law and gaining public approval for a project before the fact. The past successes of this strategy did not convince Crested Butte residents, who operate in a town-meeting atmosphere and are unified in their desire to retain the character of their town. The threat of a boom town just when Crested Butte has been designated a National Historic District made residents skeptical of AMAX's plans. The fact that 60% of AMAX molybdenum is exported - and its research staff is pressed to find new uses for it - undercut the company's argument that development is essential for the steel industry. The struggle, which has centered on mining law reform, national minerals policy, foreign trade, and industrializing the western states, has received national attention.

• OSTI ID: 5637530
• Journal Information: Sierra Club Bull.; (United States), Journal Name: Sierra Club Bull.; (United States) Vol. 64:5; ISSN SCBUB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290200 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Economics & Sociology
530100* -- Environmental-Social Aspects of Energy Technologies-- Social & Economic Studies-- (-1989)
BOOM TOWNS
COLORADO
ECONOMIC IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
MINING
MOLYBDENUM ORES
NORTH AMERICA
ORES
POLLUTION
ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION
SOCIAL IMPACT
USA