Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1901-02-07
OCERY, MEAT AND PROVISION DEPARTMENT
THE COPPER
SITUATION


Son on the copper situation for the year
1900 is very bullish document on the
metal. 1t says in part:
The consumption of copper during the
year 1900 has been abnormally large
and shows a great decrease over that of
the previous year. In England the in
crease has been nearly 81, 600 TONS and in
Germany $4,000 tons, while Italy, Austria
and Russia have taken 1900 tons more
from the United States than In 1899. In
France it has been 1000 tons less. The
total European increase is therefore
about $500 tons, and it would appear
from the statistics supplied that Ameri-
can consumption has increased $500
tons chat of 1899 over 1898 having in
creased $4,000 tons). making the total in
crease of Europe and the United States
about $4,000 TONS This is mainly due to
TIE development in the use OF electricity
especially for traction and power pur-
poses. The requirements for ammuni-
ton have also been exceptionally large;
whlie the manufacture of sulphate has
absorbed considerably more "copper". 900
tons more in the United States-it being
the countries where it is chiefly con-
sumed. Ship building has been very ae-
1--WE and locomotive engineers fully EN-.
plcyed. while general trade has been
good
Exports from Europe have diminished
2o.21a tons. but from the United States
they have increased 1884 tons
production has increased 1850 tons. or
o-lo per cent. in the United States. and
lhe imports into the United States abou,
1910 TONS chiefly from Canada and Mexi-
co. the imports from Europe and Chile
pelng practically the same as in 1899.
supplies to Europe, exclusive of the
United states. have decreased 600 tons
or one-half per cent. The total increase
OF production on the North American
c. htinent and in the other supplies to
Europe is therefore about $3.50 tons.
Inc public stocks in England and
france have increased 691S tons during
the twelve months: but if the returns Of
stocks in the United States at the end
OF 1883" and 1900 respectively are correct
'ahd we are advised on the best at
thorlty that stocks on the 31st of De-
cehfoer last did not exceed $4,000 tons).
American stocks have decreased q. COS
tons. making the total reduction in Eng
tons. which represents the extent TO
which it would appear that consume
lon has exceeded production
That consumption is likely to continue
large during the present year appears
most probab contract has already
been concluded for the Pacific ole of
$500 miles. and the French and other
governments propose to largely extend
their cable connections. Numerous bills
for electric railways are before pariia-
ment, and electric tramways and light
ing are extending in all the large towns
and their suburbs: the use of telephones
is increasing, while the necessity for
more telegraph wires is apparent: ana
steam is being steadily supplanted by
electric current for power purposes. The
use of sulpha:e for combating vine and
potato disease is on the increase fully
2o,oOo tons of copper being consumed an
nually for this purpose. For steamships,
marine engines and locomotives the de-
mand promises to be good: considera Bile
quantities of copper will be required for
ammunition. and India is expected to
take more copper than during recent
years.
Whether production will keep pace
with the promised increase in consump-
ton seems doubtful. Except In Canada,
Mexico and Australia no new mines of
much Importance are being opened up.
or are likely to be large producers ro..
some time to come. The older mines
show no signs of much increase. those
Of Lake Superior having fallen off 4,774
tons, and of Arizona 6272 tons last year,
as compared With 1899, while the increase
in Montana was only $500 tons, the in
crease in the production of the United
States coming from the smaller mines.
The Spanish and Portuguese mines do
not materially increase, and the same
may be said of the Cape mines an:
Boleo. the official returns made of the
output of the principal mines under
European management showing prac-
tically no change. Japan. however. may
send larger supplies to Europe, and some
further increase may be expected from
Peru