falls into three eras. First, muck and peat areas were drained for agricul- 

 tural cultivation early in this century. Second, peat was used as an energy 

 source. In 1905, the first plant for the conversion of peat to briquets was 

 constructed. Ideas for the use of peat for fuel prevailed into the 1920's. 

 The conversion of peat to fuel now is too costly. Third, peat is used primar- 

 ily for humus and fertilizer. Between 1917 and 1945, 200,000 tons of 50 per- 

 cent air-dry peat were mined (Davis 1946). 



A mineral which has recently gained economic importance is uranium, a by- 

 product of the phosphate industry. Areas that are rich in phosphate often 

 contain relatively high concentrations of uranium. Several other minerals are 

 scattered throughout Southwest Florida, but are not important. 



COUNTY PROFILES 



The amount and value of most minerals produced in Southwest Florida are 

 not available from publications open to the public. Specific data by county 

 and, in the case of phosphate for the State, are withheld so as not to compro- 

 mise the competitive positions of individual producers and operators. In a 

 few instances figures were obtained. For example, in 1965 phosphate produc- 

 tion in Hillsborough County was valued at $27,344,000 or 19% of the total 

 value ($141,258,000) of mineral production for the State (U. S. Department of 

 the Interior 1965) . 



In 1978, oil and gas production contributed $42,753,000 to the economy of 

 Southwest Florida. This amount was 6% of the total oil and gas production for 

 the State and 2% of the State's total mineral production (U. S. Department of 

 the Interior 1978). 



Limited profiles for each county in Southwest Florida based largely on 

 1972 data are given in the following subsections (U. S. Department of the 

 Interior 1960, 1970, 1975). 



Charlotte County 



No data are available. 



Coll ier County 



In 1972, petroleum was the most valuable mineral produced, followed by 

 limestone and natural gas. The 18 mineral producing establishments employed 

 about 1,000 workers. The payroll was about $1.1 million, which added $4.2 

 million to the State's economy. Capital expenditures were $1.7 million. 

 Seventeen establishments, all in oil and gas extraction, employed between 1 to 

 19 employees. One establishment in nonmetallic mineral mining employed 

 between 20 and 99 employees. 



DeSoto County 



DeSoto County reported one establishment in oil and gas extraction. No 

 other data were available. 



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