Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-09
DEMAND FOR PLATINUM BIG.
United States Geological Survey to Elk
anime Country's Resources.
From the Chicago Chronicle.

FROM the chicago Chronicle
Owing to the increased demand for plati-
mum, especially in the electrical industry,
the United States geological survey is about
to make an examination of the platinum
resources of the United States. 1t is pro-
posed to collect the heavy sands from all
placer mines in the United States where
evidences of platinum have been observed
The samples thus obtained will be used in
determining the best methods of extracting
the various minerals which have economic
value. 1t is hoped that the separation and
sale of these useful minerals, such as mag
nete, chromite. garnet monazite, rutile,
zircon, gold, platinum, etc, will in many
places become a permanent and profitable
industry.
AS a preliminary step to this investiga-
ton the survey invites the owners of placer
deposits to contribute for examination
samples of material likely to contain plati-
mum.
These samples. which should be sent by
mail. must weigh not more than four
pounds each 1t is suggested that the
gravel be concentrated before 1t is mailed.
Careful note should be made on the pack
age. in a letter accompanying It, of the
total quantity of original gravel which the
concentrate represents in order that an
accurate idea may be obtained of the value
of the gravel for the purposes under inves-
tigation. The sand should not be dry when
mailed. and great care should be exercised
to pack it securely. preferably in canvas
bags, for transmission through the mails.
Each package of sand should be accom-
panied by exact informa ton as to the name
and post office address of the sender. the
name of the mine or claim from which ii
came and the state, county. city, village or
district in which the deposit is located.
After the survey has made an examina
ton of these samples experts will be sent
to all localities where preliminary tests give
evidence of platinum. The experts will
port on the size of the deposit and -superin-
tend the collection of representative sam
pies for concentration. Experiments in the
concentration of platinum sands will prob
ably be carried on In connection with the
exhibits of mining machinery at the Lewis
tween June ! and October 10 of this year
Native platinum has been found most fire.
quently in gold-bearing sands. On account
of its weight 1t remains in the sluices- with
gold and other heavy material 1t is most
readily distinguished by the following char
acteristics:
1. Its great weight In panning Ii re-
mains behind even gold in the pam
2. Its white color. 1t is whittier than lead
and Is distinguished from amalgam by it's
smooth surface, whereas the surface of
amalgam as seen under a good glass is
rough.
Platinum seems to be more generally dis
tributed through California than through
any other state. 1t has been found in
Butte, Del Norte. Humboldt, Mendocino,
Placer. Plumas, San Luis Obispo Santa
Barbara. Santa Cruz Shssta, Siskiyou,
Temaha. Trinity and Yuba counties. Curry,
Coos. Lincoln and Josephine counties. In
Oregon, have produced platinum. 1t has
been discovered In Nee Perces county,
idaho