Business: Treasure of Granite Gorge

The U.S. has few more desolate spots than the Grand Canyon's Granite Gorge, where the millracing Colorado River widens, flattens and becomes the tip of Lake Mead. The nearest town, Peach Springs (pop. 550), Ariz., is 50 miles away. Yet there last week was a marvel of modern engineering: one of the world's longest single-span freight tramways, stretching 9,010 ft. across and 2,800 ft. up to the south rim. Its purpose: to haul bat manure out of caverns where it has lain for ages and hopefully net the haulers $12.5 million profit on a $1,000,000 investment.

Since the '30s, prospectors have known...

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