The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1915-11-04
prevail. for the metal In the future.
Trade Movements Of Zinc.

ments of zinc and the data available
as to consumption of the metal, and
the three factors of the industry for
weighing the future will have been set
forth. The apparent domestic con-
sumption Of zine was 160,906 tons for
the first six months of 1915, or 11,000
tons greater than the previous six
months. Our exports, both domestic
and foreign, totaled 70,326 tons, as
against 72.496 tons the previous six
months. 1t would appear from recent
figures that the exports Of zinc as
metal are growing smaller from month
to month, while goods manufactured
from zinc, brass, etc, are increasing
/ In view of the generally known con-
ditions of the worlds business at this
time 1t would seem fair to predicate
that the consumption of zinc for the
last six months of 1915, both for DOM
estic use and for export. will equal,
but not greatly exceed, the first six
months Of the year. That will mean
a total consumption of $4,000 tons of
spelter that will have to come from
smelling zinc ores This leaves out
Of consideration the production and
consumption of secondary spelter
coming from the treatment of Dresses
skimmings, old zinc, etc, which usu-
ally amounts to $4,000 tons and will
probably this year be augmented to
go, 900 to $4,000 tons.
With these basic facts laid out, We
may examine the relationship of the
various factors which will determine
the future. An examination of the
proposed consumption of zinc in rela-
ton to the possible capacity Of the
smelters to supply 1t, will be under
taken first. AS noted, the first half
year of 1915 yielded 1862 tons Of
spelter from 130,642 retorts, or at the
rate of 3.2 tons per annum per retort.
These same retorts will be In commits
sion the remainder of the year, and
by the end of the year the geological
survey estimates 34,04S more retorts
win have been added to them 1t is
very doubtful if these will be added
early enough to make more than so
lper cent of their scheduled capacity
for the period. But granting that they
do operate to capacity for so per cent
of the period, and at the rate of 80
tons of spelter per year, we should
have an increase of 27,20O tons of
metal which, added to the remaining
of 460,265 tons, or within 5000 tons of
the estimated total consumption for
the year. This is more than made up
by the amount of spelter stocks re-
ported at the end of June
According to Mr.. Siebenthal's es-
innate 1t is not likely that the retorts
actually in commission turn out much
more than 3.5 tons of spelter per an
mum at the present time. That con-
Eviction is based upon Investigations Of
the survey in 1908 and upon observa-
changes in the condition of ore\ sup
plies and the spelter content in more
recent years. This estimate is strong
lily upheld by the results shown in the
first half of 1915. The rate of pro-
Iduction shows an average rate of 80
tons per annum or retort 1t should
/ be recalled to mind that this period
has been one in which smeltermen
have crowded the capacity to the very
maximum, due to the desire to take
advantage of the high price of metal
The restrictions in buying ores so
that no sulphides under so per cent
were taken, shows how the policy was
kept up. These restrictions have been
just as rigidly enforced as conditions
OF previous contracts would permit.
This being true and with shelters
buying high grade Joplin and Wis
consin ores, and combing the coun-
try for this class of ores exclusively
the first halt OF the year must
have seen the very maximum of re-
tort capacity obtainable. There is
little possibility of any further in
crease in retort capacity, because the
ore supplies to be drawn from, either
domestic or foreign, will not be as
high grade nor contain so large per-
centage of zinc as have the ores of the
last half year, The tendency for ca
pacity should therefore be downward
Another factor that will act in the
direction of lower average output
per retort is the larger relative pro
portion of higher grade spelter de-
manded at this time as compared with
previous years. The increase in the
demand for brass, special spelter, has
been unusual while galvanizing which
has hitherto taken the greater proper
tion of spelter and was content with
ordinary grades has had a direct fall
ing Off 1t is very probable therefore |
that a considerably larger number Of |
retorts will be engaged in retreating |
prime western grades to bring up r |
the brass special grade than has ever
prevailed before.
II would seem In the light Of these
conditions that there has been
somewhat exaggerated idea of the
possible increase in spelter output. II
may be inferred from these
facts 1t seems certain that in spite OF