The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1913-01-02
PRODUCTION OF COPPER, LEAD AND ZINC FOR 1912
SHOWS A BIG INCREASE FOR THE UNITED STATES

Statistics and estimates received by
the United States Geological Survey
from all plants known to produce
blister copper from domestic ores and
from all Lake mines indicate that the
copper output of the United States in
1912 exceeds that of any previous year
in the history of the industry. Not
only is the total output the largest ever
recorded, but six of the large copper
producing states-Arizona, Michigan,
Utah, Nevada. New Mexico, and Alaska
have each exceeded all former rec
ords of production, while Montana and
Tennessee have nearly equaled their
previous record productions.
Smelter Production.
The figures showing smelter pro-
duction from domestic ores, which
have been collected by B. S. Butler, of
the geological survey, represent the
actual production of most of the COM
panies for II months and an esti-
mate of the December output. The
November figures for a few companies
were not available n these companies
furnished estimates for the last two
months of the year. According to the
statistics and estimates received, the
output of blister and Lake copper vas
1,249,ooo 900 pounds in 1912, against
1907, 232,749 pounds in 1911.
At an average price of about &c
cents a pound the 1912 output has a
alu of nearly 5000, 900, 900. against
$137,154,0 92 for the 1911 output.
Refined Copper.
Preliminary statistics showing the
output of refined copper are not col
lected by the geological survey. Fig
ures published by the Copper Pro-
ducers' association show an output of
l,429,147,150 pounds for the first II
months of 1912 INC indicate tina the
production Of marketable copper by the
regular refining plants from all
sources, domestic and foreign, will
amount to about 1850. 900, 900 pounds
for 1912, against 1,433, S75, O26 pounds
in 1911.
According to the bureau Of statistics
imports of pigs, bars, ingots, plates and
old copper for the first II months
amounted to 276, sos, sos pounds, and
the copper content of ore, matte, and
regulus imported amounted to a.
4S6,O4l pounds. If the imports for
December were equal to the average
monthly imports for the first II
months the amount of copper enter
ing the United States for the year
was about 404, 721, 1928 pounds, against
334,607,53 pounds for 1911. Consider
able Of the copper imported as blister
had been previously exported as ore.
Exports.
Estimates based on figures for the
first II months published by the bur
eau of statistics and also by the Cop
per Producers association indicate that
the exports of copper for 1912 will
not equal those of 1911 but may exceed
10000 900 pounds.
Stocks.
Stocks of refined copper held in the
United States January l, 1913, are
probably about the same as on Jan
nary l, 1912. Foreign stocks show a
considerable decrease.
q Domestic Consumption.
Statistics published by the Copper
Producers association show the do
mestic deliveries for the first II months
VI ShC cal dS tOl,l f,GA0 DOuIuS dnQ
Indicate a marked increase in do
nestle consumption, which will prob
ably each S25,000 900 pounds for the
year and may exceed that amount.
Prices.
The average. quoted price of electro
lytic copper for the year showed a
marked increase over that for 1911.
The average for 1912 was about 16
cents a pound, as compared with 1925
cents a pound for 1911. The year
opened with copper at about IA cents
a pound, but since June the monthly
average has not been below II cents.
Leading Copper-Producing States.
For 1912 Arizona again holds first
place among the copper-producing
states. The output will show a large
increase over the 303, 202, 900 pounds
produced in 1911 and may exceed $780,
900, 900 pounds. This is not only the
largest output ever made by the state