Desert Mining (1 results)

Original silver gelatin photograph measuring 8 1/2 x 10 3/4 inches. Four printing guidelines to the margins. A very crisp image with a linen backing.H. S. Emlaw, a mining engineer by profession, became general manager of the American Trona Corporation in 1920 and Chairman of the Board at a later date. Their main facility was in Trona, Califorrnia, a pocket of humanity of the shores of hell-blasted Searles Lake. "Following the end of John Searles' operation, several other companies attempted to extract the saline minerals, principally potash, borax and soda ash, from brines pumped from the mineral salt body (these were subsurface brines). However, none were successful until 1915 when, during the 1st World War, the American Trona Corporation began the first commercial production of potash outside of Germany. In doing so, they made a substantial contribution to winning the war - potash was required to make gunpowder" (Searles Valley Historical Society).