Economic Geology Collections

The Anaconda Geological Documents Collection is the scientific product of the Anaconda Company’s 90 year program of exploration and development work throughout the United States and in 110 foreign countries. It has been described as the largest and most significant body of economic geological data in the world. Consisting of more than 54 tons of material and 1.8 million documents, the Anaconda Collection contains a wealth of material useful in exploration, development and environmental studies.

Thayer Lindsley, one of the 20th century's most prominent mine developers, was president of ten mining companies and on the boards of fifteen others. He was also a director of Canada's Crown Trust Company. His mining enterprises extended over five continents. In 1952 he became chairman of the board for Williston Oil and Gas Company. His collection includes mining reports, maps, legal agreements, and business correspondence referencing mines all over the world owned both by Lindsley and others.

M. King Hubbert is best-known for being the first scientist to articulate a model for depletion of energy resources, a theory that came to be known as "peak oil," or "Hubbert's curve. His collection contains correspondence; lectures and class notes on physics and geology; publications and reprints; extensive research notes and subject files; glass negatives; maps & charts; and miscellaneous artifacts.

The Midwest Oil Company, incorporated in Arizona in 1911, played a major role in the development of Wyoming's Salt Creek oil field. In 1951 it merged with the Saltmount Company and Mountain Producers Corporation to form the Midwest Oil Corporation. Materials include minute books, articles of incorporation, balance sheets, financial statements, correspondence, income tax records, oil depletion and reserves reports, legal papers and court documents.