The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-08-21

thty WClO Ohty AVseopsOfV tOhos III
1905, g03 ;801 tons and In 1851
Of one year occasionally fall behind
those OF the preceding year, IL seems
TO me that no one can expect this
prolonged and rapid growth to come
TO sudden stop. To be sure the re-
sources OF the region are sufficient
to maintain an output OF forty mil
lion tons a year for 40 years, taking
only ore that Is 'merchantable under
present conditions so that at recur-
rent intervals the market may be
glutted. But IL the demand continues
to increase In anything like the pro.
portion that has ruled during the last
30 years, these known reserves will
be exhausted in a much shorter time.
At least three-quarters Of all these
reserves have been put in sight by
the exploration OF the Mesabi range
In Minnesota during the last 20
years. The discovery OF new ore In
that district has almost ceased and
IL is to be expected that from now on
the already known ore bodies will be
In d progressively firmer commercial
POSITION. II is conservative to say
the amount OF new ore discovered IN
the Lake Superior region each year il
not now more than keeping pace with
the depletion of reserves. II Is also
probable that the progress of discov-
cry Is now proportionately more rap.
Id in Michigan than in Minnesota.
Michigan has lost to Minnesota her
former commanding position In the
iron trade. In 1880 Michigan pro-
duced all OF the iron ore shipped from
Lake Superior; In 1890 1t shipped
more than 80 per cent; In 1900 ap-
proximately 80 per cent; In 1910 less
than 80 per cent. In spite of this pro-
rortionate loss, the tonnage shipped
by the Michigan mines has steadily
Increased and may be expected to
increase"
For the first time In many years,
some OF the Lake Superior iron pro
ducers are expressing uneasiness as
to the effect OF competition OF iron
ores from Cuba and Brazil, especial
ly In view OF the probable abolition
Of the tariff on iron ore. In Cuba,
there has been de, eloped q reserve
of iron ore amounting to three thou
sand million tons, all lying close to
hAuC WobOhs LIS OAO plCoCnl bOtnC al
vantages; being very high in mois-
ture, so that while the dried ore runs
something over 80 per cent in metal
JIG iron n its natural state. II con.
tains less than 80 per cent. This
fact presents some metallurgical diff
ficulties which cost money to over
come, At present, the ore Is put
through process of "nodulizing" be
fore shipment at cost of one dol
lar ton. The cost Of mining and
shipping to the coast is expected 10
be very small, the ore being really
nothing but a ferruginous clay, form
ing bed from 10 to 80 feet thick on
the surface OF the ground, requiring
no stripping or any preliminary work
except to clear away the brush II
Ia said that this ore can be utilized
without the "noduliZing" process, in
which case Il could probably be de-
hvered at New York or Philadelphia
at cost OF $1.25 per ION. AT present
however, the nodulized ore must cost
well over SEES ton at our Atlantic
ports.
Brazil also has a tremendous field
OF high-grade Bessemer iron ores
running 60 to IS per cent metallic
iron. Tho field Is, however, entirely
undeveloped. II IS situated 300 miles
inland from the ports of Rio Janiero
and Victoria and is reached by rail
road, but the railroad Is such a poor
one that II cannot be seriously USED
as vehicle for bringing the ores to
market. Il appears that these ores
might some time be delivered in Eu.
rope or the United States for a cost
OF about 81 a ton. Lake Superior
ores OF tho same grade, would cost
over S. ION at Lake Erie ports and
over 81 a ton on the seaboard.
"In comparison with the copper
mines. the situation OF the iron mines
is distinctly more favorable. Several
considerations contribute to this.
Il. They are not facing any consid.
cradle deterioration in the metallic
contents OF their ores, nor are they
facing the impending exhaustion OF
any commandingly important prop
erty. The probable downward limit
OF ore occurrence Is nowhere in sight.
20. The condition OF their ore re
serves is excellent and this points TO
continuance OF production. with al.
most absolute certainty for a period
OF 25 years In advance.
% In contrast to the paucity OF
discoveries In the copper country
many new deposits have been discov'