The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1908-01-25
9iHECToR OF THE MINT ESri.
MATES THIRTEEN MILLION
DOLLARS INCREASE.
NEVADA TO The FRONT
SOUTH AFRICA THE GREATEST
GOLD PRODUCING REGION
IN THE WORLD.

Ao SoId enters SO largely into the
requirements of the financial and bust
ness interests of the world and as pro-
uuctlon plays SO prominent a part in
establishing prices and fixing limita-
tons OF credits, in view of the recent
monetary disturbance in the United
states more than passing interest
Is manifested in what the mines of the
world, and those of the United States
IN particular, are producing at this
time and what may be expected in the
lmmeiiate future.
The aggregate Of the worlds produc-
ton OF precious metals has been in
creasing rapidly for some years past,
rs shown by the annual reports and
statistics OF yields obtained from the
various countries. The total annual
yield Of gold passed the $500 900, 900
mark in the year 1905, and the end of
each year since then has shown a
marked increase, until, at the close OF
1906, Mr., Roberts. the former director
Of the mint of the United States. esti-
mated the total yield of gold from all
the mines Of the world for that year
would reach the enormous amount of
e40O 100000 or more. The compilation
Of thc gold and silver production sta
tist1cs for 1906 for the world has just
been completed, and a review of the
table given herewith will show Mr..
Robert estimate to have been re
markaOiy accurate, the total yield of
gold being given at $40o,245, 800
An estimate of the production of gold
for the year 1907. just closed. in
crease the aggregate of 1906 by sew
eral million dollars. 1t will take some
months Yet to secure the figures show
Ing the actual yield of all the mining
sections of the world and to check and
revise them before they can be made
ready for final publication, but sufii-
cient is known from complete and par
tial returns from the principal mining
districts to place the yield of gold for
the year 1907 at $4l3 100000.
Whether we have reached high wa
ter mark IN production is a question.
1t is more than probable that the an
nual Yield will be somewhat greater
than this for several years to come, al
though the conditions at the present
time do not promise any great in
crease. II the figures are materially
added to, however, South Africa and
the United States will undoubtedly be
the sources of the increase, possibly
South Africa alone.
The bulk Of the worlds production.
came from South Africa, the United
States, Australasia, Russia, Mexico
Canada and India.
South Africa will show more than
one-third of the entire product of the
world, as the yield reported to Novem-
Der list warrants the total for the year
just closed to be placed at $l52, 2,GOO,-
UeU, as against $l35, ,472,10O for the
year 1906.
The three principal districts of
South Africa are the TransvaaI, West
Africa and Rhodesia. OF course, the
Transvaal is the principal and largest
source Of production of the precious
metals, the mines of which locality
have been described so often as to
make them familiar with all inter
ested in the subject of mining. The
output of this locality will be about
l4,O00,000 more than the yield of last
year, Notwithstanding the labor trou-
bles which have interferred somewhat
with the production. The repatriation
of Chinese miners has been going on
for some time, several steamers, carry
ing in the neighborhood of 1000 Chin
ese at a load, having left Durham since
the first of July for China. The min.
ers have been replaced by natives,
chiefly from Cape Colony and Central
Africa.
The mines of West Africa are prin-
cipally quartz mines, carrying some of
the base metals. There is some
dredger work, the yield of which is
expected to reach the sum of $125 900
this year. The production of this dis
trlct will reach nearly $4,000, 900 this
year, as against $4,G7o,572 last year.
Rhodesia is the third of the princi-
pal districts, and the returns so far
Indicate an approximate output of $l2,-
100000 for the year, which will be a
gain Of little over $l,000,000. Copper.
lead, chromite, etc, coal and precious
stones are also mined in this district
Considering this immense output OF
South Africa, it may be of interest to
note that the product of that country,
together with the product of Canada.
Australasia and British India, will ag-
gregate more than $250,000,000, or
more than half the entire output of
the world, and it is the product of
all of which are under the
British flag.
From the reports from the various
mining sections of Australasia it ap-
pears as II the product of that coun- !
ry Will be smaller this year than last, /
probably falling below the $4,000, 900 !,
mark, as against $S2,371 400 in 1906 |
There has been a steady decrease in
production Of about 100000 year
since 1908, when the product reached |
he amount Of $s9.21O,1O0 The indica-
ions are that the shrinkage will prob
ibly be even greater for 1907.
Canada's output of gold is expected |
o show shrinkage, due to the grad
lal falling off of the output of the
but considerable increase
n the production Of fine silver is
ooked for. The production for 1906,
is shown in the table, gives an in
'rease Of little less than 100000
ounces Of silver. with a commercial