Page 535

  535The Mineral Industry of 
Vermont 
This chapter has been prepared under a Memorandum of Understanding between
the Bureau of Mines, U.S. Department of the Interior, and the Office of the
State Geologist, Agency of Environmental Conservation, for collecting information
on all nonfuel minerals. 
By Doss H. White, Jr.' and Charles A. Ratté2 
 Nonfuel mineral production in 1978 and 1979 added $47.8 million and $54.1
million, respectively, to the economy of Vermont. The State led the Nation
in the production of talc, and ranked second in asbestos, dimension granite,
dimension marble, and dimension slate. Mineral production was reported from
all 14 counties. Dimension stone, crushed stone, and sand and gravel accounted
for over 80% of mineral value during the biennium. 
Trends and Developments.—Approximately 7% of the State's industrial
workers were engaged in mineral extraction or in an industry relying heavily
on mineral raw materials. However, in specific localities, employment in
mineral production or proc 
essing was significant. In Barre, Washington County, 80% of the manufacturing
firms produced stone (primarily granite monuments), clay, or glass products,
and in Rutland County almost 20% of all firms mined, processed, or finished
slate or marble. Granite working and finishing accounted for approximately
50% of manufacturing in Washington County. 
 Legislation and Government Programs.—A bill introduced by the
Vermont
Legislature, H.327, would require an Act 250 (Vermont's Development Control
Law) permit for mineral prospecting and exploration beyond the reconnaissance
level. The bill was the culmination of a West German firm's efforts to explore
for, and possibly 
Table 1.—Nonfuel mineral production in Vermont' 
1977 
1978 
1979 
Mineral 
Quantity 
Value 
(thousands) 
Quantity 
Value 
(thousands) 
Quantity 
 Value (thousands) 
Sand and gravel_ — — thousand short thns —
Stone: 
  CrushecL do~~  Dimension do_~Talc do~ 
Combined value of other nonmetals       Total                           
3,405 
2,123 
121 
310 
XX 
$5,837 
12,635 
14,561 
2,006 
6,415 
3,726 
1,971 
137 
315 
XX 
$6,425 
13,178 
17,681 
2,238 
8,311 
3,660 
2,077 
180 
346 
XX 
$6,240 
13,927 
23,006 
2,755 
8,208 
XX 
41,454 
XX 
47,833 
XX 
54,136 
 XX Not applicable. 
 ' Production as measured by mine shipments, sales, or marketable production
(including consumption by producers).