The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-11-22
THE NICKEL SUPPLY.
The U. S. Mint Gets Its Supply
From Pennsylvania.

dity. 1t Is claimed that there are
valuable nickel mines in Virginia and
North Carolina. In view of this fact
the following from the Iron Age is in-c
tercstlng:
Since the discovery of the value of
nickel steel plates large calculations of
nickel properties and others interested
in smelling works. The future demands
for armor plating are put down at
large figures, and if accounts are en-
titled to credence there is something
like u scramble by manufacturers in
the United States and Europe to secure
themselves from tho greed of mine
monopolists. The sources of supply,
therefore, are inquired into with un-
wonted interest. Hitherto the demand
for nickel has been on a comparatively
limited scale.
So it happened some years ago when
mines were opened in Noumca and two
full cargoes were shipped for consump-
ton that tho market at once became
overstocked, prices dropped toa nominal
figure, bankruptcy became imminent
and the mines which had been exploited
with SO much enthusiasm were incon-
mentally closed. The situation at
present is radically changed, for in addi-
ton TO the wide demand for nickel in
tho arts, chiefly on account of it's anti
corrosive qualities, the metal is dis
covered TO possess peculiar ductility
which admits of its use as an alloy with
special advantages. For example, a
new French rifle cartridge has been
brought out, in which nickel forms an
essential part. But it was not until the
superiority of nickel steel for certain
purposes was announced that the nickel
boom, I; got fairly to work.
The nickel MINIS i'll New Calcndonia
we're the richest known up to a recent
date, and were the principal dependence.
Considerable quantities of nickel have
como from mines in Norway. owned and
worked by Sir IIussey Vivian. Bart. NJ
p. Tho United States Mint derived it's
supply from mines in Lancaster county,
Pa, owned by Joseph Wharton. The
discovery of nickel ut Sudbury, in
Canada, is of recent date, so that the
development as yet is very imperfect.
but indications point to the existence Ct
the ore in large quantities. These mines
are said 10 be owned jointly by Cleve-
land syndicate, the Canadian Copper
Company and Sir IIussey Vivian. the
latter represc nted by Emei son Foote, of
New York. The matte from Sudbury
carries 30 per cent of copper and Is per
cent. of nickel, and in this form is sent
largely to Swansea, where the pure
nickel is extracted.
We arc informed that quite an extra
ordinary discovery OF nickel has been
made quito recently in Nevada. Among
those best informed it is spoken of as "a
wonderful development" and this repre-
sentation is supported by the exhibit in
This nj o n ~ e ;un 10;
that tho nickel is found in deposits al
most limitless and of such richness that
even what is termed the lowest grade
yields 8 to IL per cent. of pure metal
Quantities aggregating hundreds of tons
are In sight, which give by analysis
from 20 to 35.4 per cent of ingot metal.
The consumption of pure nickel in the
United States has been estimated at
100000 pounds per annum. But in this
country and elsewhere there will be in
creased demands, partly as result of
tho recent discovery of malleablc nickel
used as veneer for iron, which is made
more acceptable material for house
hold utensils. Private London adylcns
received in New York, and said to bo
wholly authentic, are to the effect that
Tho British government has recently
been unable to place nickel steel orders.
because the nickel could not be OBJ
tanned. This small supply is attributed
mainly TO reduced receipts from New
Cile lonia.
The present price in New York is so
cents per pound for delivery during the
ensuing year. From the foregoing il
would appear that the Sudbury mines
form tho main reliance, although it is
ny no means certain, if entire d, pend
ence can b. placed on the latest adviccs.
that Nevada will not in due time be
ranked equal, or even OF more import
anee. Developments at these two points
will be watched with unusual cxpcc-
fancy, especially if it is true that the
New Caledonia mines are less product
i've than formerly.
EuDpDSy,