Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-21
THE COPPER INDUSTRY.
Production Heavier Last Year Thar
in 1901.

in 1901. -
In his report to the United States geo.
logical survey on the production of copper
in 1902 Mr.. Charles Kirchhoff says that the
copper mining industry of the United
States suffered during 1902 from the reac-
ton which followed the unsuccessful at
tempt during 1901 to maintain the value of
the metal at an artificial level. The col
lapse which came toward the close Of 1901
left many producers committed to sales
covering a long period, at low prices, with
the menace of heavy accumulations of
metal constantly over the market. Yet pro-
duction was heavier during 1902 than 1t
had been In 1901, because some of the i'm
portant mines were worked to full capacity
and because some of the engagements and
improvements previously begun became eff
fective during the year. Furthermore, a
number of new enterprises first produced
important quantities of metal. On the other
hand accidents and labor troubles cut down
the outputs of some of the larger under
takings. Unless unforeseen events cause
widespread or prolonged stoppage of opera
lions at the mines, Mr.. kirchhoh thinks
that the production of copper in the United
States will be considerably larger in 1903
than it has ever been. The Lake Superior
district will yield considerably more cop
per; Arizona is expected to return con-
siderably larger product; Utah may reach
a total of 100000 pounds, and Wyoming.
Nevada. Colorado, New Mexico and the
southern states will report an increase.
The consumption of copper in the United
States was enormous in 1902 1t was larger
also in other leading Industrial countries.
AS compared with 26S.7S long tons in
1901, the total production of copper in the
United States in 1902 was 294 ,42} long tons,
of which the Lake Superior district pro-
duced 76, 1866 or 25.9 per cent; Montana,
12s,975 long TONS or 1873 per cent, and Ari-
zona, 53,547 long tons, or 1872 per cent.
This is an increase in the total production
of 1854 long tons, or nearly 10 per cent,
as compared with 1901.
Utah is forging to the front as one Of the
most important copper states, and 1t is
notably in the Bingham camp that devel-
opment has been most rapid.
Only small quantities of copper ore have
been shipped from Alaska to Puget Sound
smelters, but it is known that large de-
posts of copper ore exist. whose develop
ment is being taken seriously in hand.
The imports of copper ore in 1902 were
valued at 81 ,921 Gal, as compared with $14,-
304, 663 in 1901; and the imports of copper
in bars ingots, pigs and in manufactured
forms were valued at $12, S64O21, as COM
pared with S11 $40, 459 in 1901. The exports
Of domestic copper in different forms were
valued at SAG, S11 723 in 1902 as compared
with 1886, OIL 44S in 1901. The exports from
Baltimore, Md, increased from 54,377, 1855
pounds in 1901 to 1907 ,2o6 pounds In 1902
and from New York the increase was from
1913 $40, $50 pounds in 1901 to 236, 500 ,513
pounds in 1872
In the aggregate the reporting mines had
a stock of 155, $685. 52 pounds of copper on
January l. 1908 as compared with 2S2 O14,-
297 pounds on January l, 1902, a decline of
ever 1925, 600, 600 pounds during 1902.
The estimated consumption in 1902 was
551 6SS 191 pounds, compared with 3S2,-
761 Ola pounds in 1901, and with 356, S91 ,121
pounds in 1900. The average selling price
of lake copper during 1902 was 11.S6 cents
per pound.