Wyoming could reap billions from metals

LARAMIE — At a time when many are calling for Wyoming to diversify its economy away from natural resources, a state geologist believes the state is sitting on a gold mine of precious metals that could be its economic salvation.

Gold, silver, diamonds, rubies and strategically important minerals such as platinum and palladium — all are abundant in Wyoming and could contribute mightily to the state’s economy, said W. Dan Hausel of the Wyoming Geological Survey.

“There is, I think, a tremendous potential to diversify our economy, and this is something the state ought to be looking at,” Hausel said in a…