Pub. 6 2016 Issue 3

22 AT THE CENTER OF UTAH INDUSTRY A few of the most needed metals are copper, gold, silver, and platinum: • Copper is used in homes, electronics, medical equipment, and in virtually everything that uses electricity. Our net import reliance for copper is 36 percent. • In addition to being prized for making jewelry and decorative items, gold can also be used for money, electrical contacts, and medical applications. The U.S. is a net exporter of gold. • Silver is a transition metal that can be used for soldering, jewelry, and cell phone coverings (it reduces bacteria). It can also be used for electroplating, mirror manufacturing, and medical equipment. Our net import reliance for silver is 72 percent. • Platinum is actually a group of metals that are mined and produced at the same time: osmium, palladium, platinum, rhodium, and ruthenium. Platinum can be used to make alloys, catalysts, computer hard disks, fiberglass, and jewelry. Our net import reliance for platinum is 90 percent. Top producing countries for copper, gold, silver, and platinum are listed in the following table: Metal Top 3 Producing Countries in 2015 Copper Chile China Peru Gold China Australia Russia Silver Mexico China Peru Platinum South Africa Russia Zimbabwe Whether it is for our nation’s defense, strengthening our economy, raising the standard of living for all Americans, or simply producing the items you want and need as part of your holiday celebration, it all begins with mining and its never been more important to responsible utilize our own resources. People don’t usually think about mining when they are shopping, whether it’s online or in a brick-and-mortar store, but the fact is that without mining, your options when shopping for Christmas would virtually disappear, and certainly would be a lot less fun. Mining makes innovation and new technology a reality by providing the basic materials from which electronic and digital gifts can be produced. So when you see the wonderment in a child’s face when he or she discovers the gifts under the decorated tree this Christmas, remember that Santa Claus had help from a miner. People don’t usually think about mining when they are shopping, whether it’s online or in a brick- and-mortar store, but the fact is that without mining, your options when shopping for Christmas would virtually disappear, and certainly would be a lot less fun. Mining makes innovation and new technology a reality by providing the basic materials from which electronic and digital gifts can be produced MINING AND CHRISTMAS continued from page 21