ABSTRACT
The extraction of mineral resources in the Southwest has, as we have seen, involved the infusion of large amounts of capital into rural, underdeveloped regions. Although the profits from the ventures return to investors elsewhere and the consumption of the end product most often takes place at some distance from where the resources are located, still local populations expect to benefit in a number of ways. Increased employment is expected to improve the standard of living. Payrolls should create a demand for services which in turn creates more jobs and general business improvement. Finally, the increased cash flow is expected to contribute taxes to local and state governments, thus improving the public sector of the economy.
