The Grants uranium region is the largest uranium area in the United States. From 1951 through 1977, underground and open-pit mines produced 126,537 tons of uranium oxide U₃O₈. This amounts to 40% of the total United States uranium production. Ore reserves estimated by DOE for the region are 366,200 tons U₃O₈, or 53% of the domestic reserves in the $30 forward-cost category. Since 1963, production in the Grants uranium region has expanded to the north and east largely owing to the efforts of exploration programs of major oil companies. During this period, average drilling depths have increased from approximately 200 to nearly 1,600 ft (60 to 960 m). Application of various geologic models is expected to assist in finding additiona deposits, and the Grants uranium region is expected to maintain its position as the nation's principal source of uranium for years.

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