The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1875-05-28
Quicksilver.
San Francisco Commercial Herald. May 10

A very marked, but not wholly unexpect-
ed, decline has taken place in the price of
quicksilver within the past two months. In
the early part Of January it was selling at
$3.50 per H., now at G5 to 80 cts. In view
of the fact that stocks had everywhere
been kept low by demand in excess of
supply, such rapid depreciation was not
looked for, even by those well aware of the
extensive discoveries of cinnabar that had
been made in California during the preeed-
ing two years nor has this decline been
due to any accumulation that has occurred,
but simply to an anticipated accumulation.
II then the price of this commodity has
tumbled nearly fifty per cent. in SO short a
time, and before the supply is as yet in
excess of demand, where may it be expected
to go when the market becomes glutted, as
will soon most likely be the case ? A further
decline is inevitable. .-.
Foreseeing this threatened result, certain
large mine owners attempted not long since
to form combination with view to keep
ing up the prices. But this effort, as all
such efforts under the circumstances neces-
sarily must, proved failure. The cinna-
bar deposits in this State are too numerous
and widespread, and in the hands of too
many owners, to render anything of this
kind practicable. There are scores and
hundreds of these deposits, this ore in
workable quantities having been found in
nearly half the counties in the State. Com
| binations, then, to keep up prices are out of
the question.
But the business of mining for the
precious metals is rapidly extending, both
in this and many other countries, insuring
corresponding increased consumption OF
quicksilver and it may happen that the
price Of the latter viii not for some time
| fall below the point of profitable production.
| Owing to the extent and richness of the
deposits, and the facility with which the
ore can be mined and benefciated, this
metal can be produced for SO cts per H.,
and in some localities for even 40 cts. with
profit. When it shall have fallen to DO cts,
should this ever occur, this reduced price
win lead to the working of such quantities
of low grade ores as will have a tendency
to arrest much further decline. The reduc-
ton of price that has already taken place
will add largely to the net profits of those
engaged in gold and silver mining and
greatly stimulate the business. In Sonama
| Lake, and Napa counties. the centre ol
/ greatest activity in quicksilver operations,
prospecting is still kept up; new claims
being constantly located and much work
being done in the way of development
putting up furnaces, retorts, etc., there
being enough cinnabar, If appearances can
he trusted, in these three counties to suppl,
the entire coast--enough, in fact, to mee'
the demands of the whole world, if tht
reports OF the local press and of parties
interested may be relied upon
| But while the deposits of this ore seen
to be especially plentiful in Napa, sonoma,
and Lake, they occur also in the adjacent
counties of Mendoeiniu. Solana. Tolo and
Colnsa, whence they continue into Trinity
occurring here in much profusion, ant
holding on in that direction, pass int
Oregon, the indications met with nea
Jacksonville in that State denoting thu
existence there Of rich deposits. Turning
south, we have the mines at New Ailnaden
Santa Clara county, the earliest opened AMI
the most extensively outiitted On the coast
making considerable production, though
| not 30 large as formerly; the New Idra
Fresno county, also in full tide Of successfu
operation, while the several new companie
who have lately started In at various point
i'm San Bcnifo, San Luis Obispo, and SAINT;
Barbara counties arc getting well unde
! way; somesof them turning out nearly BOZ
TASKS of quicksilver per month, 4 yielt
that they expect to rapidly increase
i From this outlook II is evident onr min
ing interests are going to suffer M NOR
from excessive prices of this metal tll
4 probabilities being that the aggregate pro
duction of the State will bo thirty per cent
larger this year than last, 4 ratioof increas.
that may be expected 70 continue for som
time--as long perhaps, Al 4 paying make
for tl.is conlanaaitr can s,e f,sand.