SUMMARY 



Phosphate clearly is the predominant mineral in Southwest Florida, but 

 data on the amounts and value of production are not available in publicly 

 available documents. Although production is high in Polk, Hillsborough, and 

 Hardee Counties, there has been recent speculation that significant quantities 

 of phosphate may exist in the continental shelf of the Gulf of Mexico, approx- 

 imately 16 to 96 km (10 to 60 miles) off the coast from Clearwater. 



Other minerals of importance to Southwest Florida are peat, limestone, 

 cement, and sand, but none are as important as oil and phosphate. One mineral 

 which is gaining importance as a by-product of phosphate production is 

 uranium. 



Southwest Florida is the Nation's leading producer of phosphate and has 

 the potential for major OCS oil production; consequently, it is important to 

 know the current and potential value and magnitude of production of both min- 

 erals. Nondisclosure rules, however, make it virtually impossible to obtain 

 reliable information on a county- by- county basis. The information that is 

 available on employment in mineral industries in Southwest Florida is grouped 

 in size ranges (e.g., 0-19, 20-99 employees, etc.) by the Bureau of Census. 

 Consequently, employment data on mineral industries are of little use when 

 evaluating the economic significance of the mineral industry. Other informa- 

 tion on mineral industries is similarly limited. 



The information required above cannot be obtained from the Bureau of 

 Census because of nondisclosure rules. If information on minerals production 

 by county is needed, it will have to be obtained in a way that will avoid dis- 

 closure, if possible. 



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