NEVADA — Gold dominates in Nevada

Nevada mines churned out 7.1 million oz. gold last year, making it the first state to produce more than 7 million oz. of the yellow metal in the history of the United States.

The state produced 6.8 million oz. gold in 1995, as well as 20.5 million oz. silver. It was the fourth consecutive year that silver production exceeded 20 million oz.

While the combined value of Nevada’s silver and gold production topped US$2.9 billion in 1996, precious metals were not the only mineral commodity that added value to the state’s economy. An estimated US$353 million was generated by the sale of mined volumes of barite, clays, copper, diatomite, gypsum, limestone and lime, lithium carbonate, magnesite, opals, perlite, salt, sand and gravel and zeolites.