The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-05-02

Since the conquest of the country by
the Spaniards, Mexico has been knowr
almost exclusively as a producer of sill
Yer, and 1t Is only during the last Gee.
ade that the signal decline in the price
of the white metal has caused the pros.
eCution Of gold mining on large scale
The precious metals, however, consti-
tute but a small part Of MeXico's min
eral resource, and the recent opening
of large plant Of Monterey Is an
indication that vigorous efforts Will
now be made to profit by the vast de-
posts of coal and iron. Many inter-
esting facts relating to the subject Will
be found collected in the last number
of Engineering.
AS lately as a quarter OF a century
ngo the belief was current among
biologists that there were no coal
measures Of great Importance in Mex
leo. In 1881, however, the existence of
anthracite was reported from several
widely scattered districts, and the
specimens forwarded to the capital
caused the appointment Of commits
sons to make a systematic survey of
all the promising localities in the re-
public. At Barranca in Sonora an
thracite beds containing up to 80 per
cent Of fixed carbon were discovered,
and found to be extensive enough to
revolutionize the whole of the north
western section of the commonwealth.
The same mineral was encountered at
other places in the same state, as well
as numerous points in the states Of
Michoacan. Vera Cruz, Guerrero, Pue-
bla and others. 1t seems that the late
Mr.. c. P. Huntington bought some
mines in Coahuila, which are now
yielding 100000 tons or more annually.
Quite recently at Peidras Negras. in
the last mentioned state, a deposit Of
coal having continuous, powerful and
compact seams was met with, and,
after twelve trial shafts had been sunk,
100000 tons of high grade coal We're in
sight. 1t has been calculated by the
engineer Ramirez that in the one state
of Coahuila there is carboniferous
region covering nearly five thousand
square miles. The coal measures of
Sonora are estimated at seven thous-
and square miles. At San Marcial
siX-foot seam was found at depth of
no more than seventeen feet, and this
seam, containing coal "great in guam
lily anu eACelieilL III Qudllty, Has DeeIl
followed for a distance of ten miles.
Three other veins have been traced
one Of them as much as twenty feet
thick and containing fuel said by test
to equal the finest Leigh Valley pro-
duct. Without enumerating other
localities in which coal has been met
with, we may say with confidence that
enough is known to justify an early
and careful examination of Mexico's
coal deposits by American experts.
Fortunately for the future develop
ment OF Mexican industries, iron and
coal are found in close juxtaposition.
Near LimOntla in Puebla, for instance,
are Tepevco and Moreno, where specu-
lar and hematite iron of excellent
quality is encountered in unmeasured
quantities. In Durango is the Cerro
del Mercado, or Hill of Iron-a solid
mass Of mineral $40 feet high, averag-
ing about 70 per cent of metal, and
capable of yielding over 300,OOO,O 900 tons
of solid iron.N 1t is asserted on good
authority that. If Durango We're
brought in direct communication with
the United States, a company working
this mountain of iron could export Its
products at prices that might almost
defy competition. Iron deposits only
less rich than those of Durango are
found at Nochitslan and Zimatian in
Aaxaca, the first named being in prox-
unity to coal at TlaXiaco.