The Marble times and Crystal silver lance., 1901-05-24
The Outlook for Copper.

The consumption of copper during
the year 1900 has been abnormally
large, and shows a great increase over
that of the previous year. In England
the increase has been nearly 2l.Ooo
tons, and in Germany $1,000 tons,
while Italy, Austria and Russia have
taken 1000 tons more from the United
States than in 1899. The total Euro
mean increase is about 3S, 500 tons, and
it would appear from the statistics
supplied that American consumption
has increased %, 500 tons that OF lS99
over 1898 having increased 81. 900 tons
making the total increase of Europe
and the United States about $1,000
tons. This is mainly due to the de-
velopment in the use of electricity, es-
pecially for traction and power pur-
poses. The requirements for ammuni-
ton have also been exceptionally
large: while the manufacture of sui
phate has absorbed considerable.
Exports from Europe have diminish
ed 2o.2l5 tons, but from the United
States they have increased 42.334 tons.
Production has increased 1850 tons
or / 3-l6 per cent, in the United States,
and the import into the United States
about 800 tons, chiefly from Canada
and Mexico. Supplies to Europe, ex-
elusive of the United States, have
decreased 600 tons, or one-half per
cent. The total increase of production
on the North American continent is
about 900 tons.
The public stocks in England and
France have increased 69lS tons dur
ing the twelve months: but If the re-
turns of stocks in the United States at
the end of 1899 and 1900 respectively
are correct. American stocks have de-
creased 24,60S tons, making the total
reduction in English, French and
American stocks 17,690 tons, which re-
presents the extent to which it would
appear that consumption has exceeded
production. That consumption is like
ly to continue large during the present
year appears most probable. A con-
tract has already been concluded for
the Pacific cable of $500 miles, and the
French and other governments propose
to largely extend their cable connec-
tions. Electric tramways and lighting
are extending in all the large towns
and their suburbs: the use of tele-
phones is increasing, while the neces-
sity for more telegraph wires is APP
parent: and steam is being steadily
supplanted by electric current for
power purposes. The use of sulphate
for combating vine and potato disease
is on the increase. fully 25,000 tons of
copper being consumed annually for
this purpose. For steamships, marine
engines and locomotives the demand
promises to be good: considerable
quantities will be required for ammu-
milton. and India is expected to take
more than during recent years.
Whether production will keep pace
with the promised increase in con-
sumption 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 for some time to come. The
older mines show no signs OF much
increase, the increase in the product
ion 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 and Boleo, the official
returns made of the output of the prin-
cipal mines under European manage
ment showing practically no change.
Japan, however, may send larger sup
plies to Europe, and some further in
crease may be expected from PERU
Denver Mining Reporter.
AS there is practically no limit to
IN Al