William Chenoweth, a longtime geologist and area supervisor for the United States Atomic Energy Commission, talks about the history of radium, vanadium, and uranium mining in Colorado and the world, with a focus on Uravan, Colorado and the Western Slope. He details the history of mining efforts in Uravan, methods of extracting vanadium and uranium there, the role of both elements in the United States war effort during World War II, and the corporations and government organizations behind these efforts. He speaks about his long career in geology and the uranium field, beginning with his master’s project at the University of New Mexico, and including his employment by the US Government, and his eventual work as a consultant. The interview was conducted by the Mesa County Oral History Project, a collaboration of Mesa County Libraries and the Museums of Western Colorado.
