The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1915-07-09
Mandan Bank Tells
Of Coal Possibilities
Lignita Coal in Western Part 81,
the State Of Great Value j.,
For Future !

Inc FIRST NaClOnal Bank OF
Mandan has issued a circular en-
titled ''Lignite CpaP' which
reads as follows:
Something is known Of, the
vast deposits of ignite coal
which are found within the
State Of North Dakota, but it
is surprising how little the i'm;
mense value Of these deposits is
appreciated. There is a very
large area in the western part
of this state. which is umderlaid
with quite thick deposits of lig-
mite coal. Whether the outcrops
which have BEEN discovered are.
fragments of one immense coal
basin which has been broken up
by water action and covered by
newer. formations, or whether
they are deposits of numerous
woody swamps Of the same geo.
logical period, we may not at
present determine with certainty,
but we may re sure that North
Dakota has enough coal, if pro-.
perly used, to supply her fuel
needs for generations.
North Dakota has one Of the
largest coal areas Of any State
of the Union, estimated at $4,000,
square miles, and capable of pro-
ducing 638 billion tons, according
to a recent report on this sub
ject by the U. s. Government.
While many mines have been op-
ened in different localities, the.
deposits are for the most part
undeveloped. Altho these de-
posits are in a general way sim
liar, still they vary somewhat
both in physical and chemical
properties in different localities.
Usually the coal is Of a brownish
black color, seldom having much
luster., Occasionally, however,
seams are encountered which
are more compact and have a
darker color and brighter lustre.
The seams most commonly work
ed usually appear at from so to
200 feet below the surface and
vary in thickness, being from
z to 20 feet.
From many hundreds Of ana
lysis of Ignite coal made in the
labnatories Of the School Of Mines
at the University of North Dako-
ia, the average composition of
the dried coal would seem to be
about as follows:
Dried Coal Approx. ave.
Fixed Carbon AZ per cent.
Volatile Matter go. A per ct.
Ash :. -. .. :. 9 per cent.
Moisture in coal fresh from the
mine runs from 25 to IS per
cent. 50 =.
N is evident dent from the. ,.5investii-
CATIONS which have been carried
on at the School of Mines that
the heat value or calorific pow
er Of the average Ignite Of Nortx
Dakota, when entirely dry, is
about IS per cent of that of the
Hooking valI:.y coa, and about
so per cent Of hat o:' the Poca-
hantas coal. III analysis which
have been made show that the
fixed carbon is the samples of
North Dakota coal (dried) us
ually runs from 48 to So per cent
that Of West Virginia bituminous
Goals about 81 per cent; that of
the better grades Of semibitumin-
GUS dry Goals Of Maryland Is per
cent; and that of the fine dry,
close burning bituminous GOALS
of Pennsylvania 20 per cent. In
q general way it may be said
that heating power Of one ton
Of North Dakota coal will equal
about IS per cent of a ton
(13OO lbs.) Of bituminous coal.
The purity of a fuel is very
important element in determine.
ing its value. A difference of
2 or 3 per cert in the earthly
matter Of two GOALS may be the
sAnrce Of very serious differ
9ksce in their final value. North
Dakota Goals are almost always
very free from earthly matter as.
seen from the amount and char
,acter of their ash.
By these comparisons it will
be seen that North Dakota iig-
mite ranks so far as its heat pro
ducing power is concerned, be-
tween the lower grades Of lig-
mite and a bitunninous coal, and
that it is far superior to the
ignite mined in some countries.
It is largely due to a lack Of ]