Figure 1.—Value of copper, petroleum, and total value of mineral production
in 
Montana. 
486 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
' I, 
 
a 
0 
~0 
 
C 
0 
 
 
E 
 
w 
-j 
4 
> 
250 
 
 
 
 
 
 
200 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
150 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
100 
MINERALS YEARBOOK, 1967 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 The output of primary aluminum from the Columbia Falls reduction plant of
Anaconda Aluminum Co. remained nearly equal to the 1966 production figure.
By the end of 1968, the scheduled completion date for construction underway,
the rated capacity was to be 175,000 tons annually. 
 Important developments in the petroleum industry included discovery of a
petroleum field in the Powder River Basin and a major natural gas field in
the Bearpaw Mountains. 
 
 Economic Activity and Employment.— Business indicators reflected to
a great extent the impact of the copper strike on the State's economic activity.
Total and per capita income growths were less than in 1966 by around 2 percent
in each 
category. Building permits, very sensitive to change in the economic climate,
declined 13 percent. A significant factor for future employment expansion
in the construction sector was the award of an $82.9 million contract for
construction of Libby Dam in Lincoln County authorized by the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers. 
 According to reports of the Montana State Employment Service, the copper
strike had pronounced effects on the State's employment picture. An anticipated
record-setting labor force of 200,000 was not realized because of the work
stoppage involving 7,500 workers employed at plants in Anaconda, Butte, Great
Falls, and East Helena. Secondary unemployment was becoming critical toward
yearend because of the extended length of the labor dispute.