The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-08-24

With the help of atmospheric air sesquioxid
and sesquichlorde of iron are formed. Sui
pburets OF antimony and arsenic are also oxy-
dlZed; and the roast further contains chlorides
OF manganese, sodium, and lead, besides the
sulphate OF soda. Whether this statement will
be ntellielble or not to the general reader 1t
will at least suggest the great variety of ele-
ments which enter into the composition of ore.
=, Inc roasted ore now goes into the barrels.
Ten huudred weight of powdered ore enter 300
weight of water. 10 which are added 20 to 100
pounds OF wrought iron, in bits about an inch
square. Fresh quantities of metal are added
according to the state OF dissolution, and after
couple OF hours rapid turning round of the
barrels, cwt. of mercury is poured into them,
and the rotations continue for 18 hours. The
amalgamstion Is supposed to be complete at the
end OF 20 hours, after which the barrels are
6lled with water and turned moderately. The
amalgam IS thus freed from refuse aud collected
IN the bottoms. Silver has been taken up at from
hVe TO SIX ounces TO the ton, and another
0arTellipg must sometimes be undergone.
1t Is calculated that every five tous OF
mineral require Is pounds of iron aud 20
pound: IL ounces OF mercury, the process of
reduction occupying twenty-four hours. 1t Is ex-
planned to me that before mercury enters the
barrel sesquichlo1Ide in the ore Is converted by
the metallic iren into protochloTide. Were the
mercury to enter suddenly 1t would become
p1otoChlorlde or calomel, and,be loss which is
prevented by allowing the proto chloride Of iron
to form. Chloride OF silver in the ore combines
with the mercury in a liquid amalgam and
chloride of lead and copper join it also.
Through close canvas bags the mercury is
drained from the amalgam which still contains
SIX parts OF mercury and one part of an alloy
holding eighty of silver and twenty of lead,
copper, antimOny, bismuth, golG, zinc, and
nickel, mixed. The adhering mcrcury is dis
titled away, and the impure silver refined by
fusion.
Gold is found in Mexico with the silver, say
at fifteen grains to the mark; but it does not
pay now TO extract it. Interior ores are seldom
reduced. ltwas lately said in Congress that the
road to Real del Monte was paved with the
good Intentions.
policy of overburdenng Mexico's chief industry
does not make it pay to take this accumulated
wealth out of the dirt into which it is east.
Measuraby this is true. Poor ores are now
thrown aside which with liberated industry
might be prodtably reduced; and there are
many reasons to suspect that the very dust of
the Real road Is argentiferous. The same min les
cannot always be dug nor can very rich
ores always be had in the same places.
There is natural fear that without encourage
ment mining will restrict itself to known
districts. AT Real del Monte it is complained
that as the ores assay less than ever, the cost
OF extraction increases. Meanwhile, the "a per
cent. tax on silver, reprentiug 100000 marks
continues. Taking off this tax, it is reckoned
that ores assaying but one mark to monton OF
twenty Quntals, or about twenty cwt., could
be reduced with profit. BY protecting the
mnes all the other industries which are de.
pendent on 1t are encouraged. The report lately
made to the President by mining committee
entorces these facts, and 1t it is highly probable
that Congress will give heed to it; not the less
because very many Of its views are agreed to
by the Government. The mineral resources of
Mexico are as potent as ever.