CBS created The Search, an educational series produced by the Public Affairs Department, in the 1950s to share scientific research with viewers in an easy-to-understand manner. The 26-episode series aired over 1954 and 1955. This episode, “Colorado School of Mines: Uranium Prospecting and Mining, Golden Colorado,” is hosted by Charles Romine and shows all the phases of the uranium rush happening on the Colorado Plateau. The film begins with footage of atomic bombs detonating (00:50; 01:08) as Romine narrates the incredible power of atomic energy that can be used for destruction or for helping human life. The key to atomic power is uranium, and Romine (01:47) takes viewers on a tour of mining uranium on the Colorado Plateau. Romine visits with Professor Paul Keating, a pioneer in uranium fields, who explains the geology of uranium and some of its early uses by the Ute and Navajo Indians. Next, Romine meets with prospectors to learn about the early stages of mining. He speaks with a prospector who owns a mine on Davis Mesa (04:28); the prospector explains how to stake a claim (05:19). Romine then goes to the Montrose County courthouse (05:48) where he learns how to file a claim for mining. Afterward, Romine visits with a successful miner in Grand Junction (07:49) and learns how to start a mine, including financing one. One way to finance is through selling stock; the film shows the Salt Lake Stock Exchange (11:26) where people are speculating on stocks. Romine travels to the Colorado School of Mines (12:19) to learn about the university’s Prospector Service, observing the samples sent in to the lab (12:46). The lab identifies what the minerals or metals are in the samples, but also allays the samples, determining the amount of mineral or metal, using instruments such as the Geiger counter (13:33). A lab technician explains how a Geiger counter works (14:54). Next, Romine observes an exploration operation, watching mining equipment in action (16:48) and going on an aerial survey (18:44) to locate likely uranium deposits. Once a site is located, the operation builds roads (19:42) into the sides of the mesas and create a functional camp on top (20:06) with their own testing laboratory (20:32). Once the exploration operation determines that the mine has commercial-grade uranium, large-scale mining operations commence, such as the U.S. Uranium Corporation in Paradox Valley (21:10). The episode concludes with Romine and Keating discussing mining uranium and the future of uranium.
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