Utah Ozokerite

Utah Ozokerite

Ozokerite is a natural paraffin wax. It was mined in Utah by the pioneers who used it to make candles. Ozokerite deposits are believed to have originated in much the same way as mineral veins, the slow evaporation and oxidation of petroleum having resulted in the deposition of dissolved paraffin in the fissures and crevices previously occupied by the liquid. As found native, Ozokerite varies from a very soft wax to a black mass. 

Ozokerite has been used in candles, electric insulators, boot polish, in rubber to make it pliable, and to make some of the earliest know recording drums and records. It has also been used in paper tissues to make them soft. T

he Utah state legislature meetings were recorded on records (LP-type) that were made of this material. 

One of the most productive sites in the world was near the top of Soldier Summit on the Provo side. Remnants of the mine are still visible along the road. Ozokerite is not mined anymore, and probably will never be mined again. 

There is not any Ozokerite found around the mine, though there is still a lot underground.