Colorado Goldfields is implementing one of the state's largest and most comprehensive metal mineral exploration programs. We are extremely excited to be working in a region with such a rich mining heritage, beginning with the discovery of gold in 1859, and the industry in this mineral rich state continues to evolve, with the discovery and development of new reserves.
Colorado's present day industry is a modern, innovative, safe and environmentally responsible citizen that extracts a wide variety of minerals from the earth valued at more than $1 billion. The following minerals are produced in significant amounts in Colorado: Gold, coal, gypsum, limestone, silver, soda ash and sodium bicarbonate. A thriving aggregates industry (sand, gravel, crushed stone) also exists.
Colorado is home to one of the largest primary producers of molybdenum in the world - the Henderson Mine and Mill located in Clear Creek and Grand Counties. Operated by Freeport Copper, the mine produced 37 million pounds of molybdenum valued at more than $350 million in 2006. Colorado is the nation's second largest producer of molybdenum, a metal used in high-strength steels and other alloys. Freeport Copper is also reopening the famous climax molybdenum at Leadville, Colorado,
When both the direct and indirect benefits of mining are considered, the industry in Colorado contributes about $8 billion to the state's economy. Colorado's mining industry directly employs 5,000 persons in the mining industry and generates more than 5,162 jobs in related industries such as engineering, consulting, finance, transportation, geotechnical and utility services, according to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. Colorado ranks 3rd among the states in mineral royalty receipts; in 2004, the state received $90 million in coal, other mineral, oil and gas production royalties, half of which are used to fund public schools. Mineral severance taxes support local governments and important state programs, such as the geologic hazard detection and avalanche prediction and prevention.
Gold mining in Colorado has been an industry since 1859. Today, gold mining still has a tremendous influence on the Colorado region. Currently in Colorado, interests in several gold properties are being advanced. The Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mining Co., a subsidiary of Anglo Gold, operates the largest open pit and heap leach gold mine in the state of Colorado, including the most productive gold mine in Colorado's modern history, the Cresson Mine, which produced more than 8.8 tonnes (283,000 troy ounces) of gold in 2006. Other active gold mines in the state are underground the Golden Wonder mine near Lake City, and the Cash and Rex mines in the Gold Hill mining district in Boulder County.