The Goldfield news and weekly tribune. [volume] (Goldfield, Nev.) 1911-1947, 1915-06-19
BULLETIN ISSUED ON POTASH
PRODUCTION IN GOLDEN STATE

labor has issued an interesting Dul'
1etin upon the production of potash
in California, prepared by CONNER
cial Agent Thomas II. Norton. In
the document reference is briefly
made to the fact that after expend-
ing $150,0OO in studying the posi-
bilities of finding potash in worka-
BILE quantities in Nevada, a Califor-
MIA has abandoned the task
in the belief that there is no prom
Use of ever securing a profitable
deposit of the mineral in this state.
The bulletin, in part, follows:
With the cessation in the custo-
mary import of potash salts from
Germany and the danger of this in
terruption being prolonged indefi-
nitely, there is renewed interest in
the possibility of securing a supply
of the much needed compounds from
domestic sources. and especially from
our Pacific states.
Attempts to develop a domestic
potash industry are more advanced
in California than in any other Sec
ton. No less than six companies
are actively engaged in this field.
Two companies are seeking to ex-
tract potash from mineral deposits
within the state. These deposits on
tain frequently relatively high per-
c~entages of potash, but not sutfi
GENTLY high to warrant transporta'
ticn without previous concentration.
This factor of transportation pre-
sents the most serious difficulty in
the whole problem, as the chief ae-
mand for potash as a fertilizer comes
from the eastern half of The country
and very largely from the gulf states
The California state board of mines
expresses strong doubt as to a posi-
BILE profitable exploitation of the de-
posits in the southeastern section OF
the state on account of their remote
ness from existing co%nveniences for
transportation.
The most promising source of pot
ash is in the saline deposits at
Searles lake in San Bernardino ooun-
ty. where the American Trona COM
pany has erected a development plant
and is actively investigating the
methods proposed for effecting a
complete commercial utilization OF
the vast supply of raw material IN
sight. The deposits are not only
rich in potash but contain, also, bor-
ak, common salt, sodium %sulphate,
and sodium carbonate. The mana
ger of the company is hopeful of put
ting potash salts on the market with
in a few months.
Deposits in the Imperial valley, 10
the east of San Diego, are reported
as offering some hope of satisfactory
commercial development, when pro-
>jected rail connection is established
in 1916.
. Potash from Alumite
1t is worthy of note in this con-
'nection that active experiments have
been conducted by large chemical
works in Ohio for the industrial ex-
traction of the potash present in the
alunite of Marysville, Utah. These
experiments, performed on carload
lots, show that the method used is
technically satisfactory. The high
cost of railroad transportation from
Utah to the Atlantic seaboard is at
present a serious obstacle in market
ing the sulphate of potash obtained
in Utah. in direct competition with
potash salts of German origin, on
tne basis of the rates hitherto cur
rent. The erection of the requisite
plant at Marysville for extracting tho
sulphate has been begun, and IL Is
probable that a suitable market will
eventually be found for the product
in the central states. There is a
large consumption of potash AIS IN
the sugar plantations of Hawaii, aud
this market would also be open IL
the Utah products. 1t is stated
ina; powerful fertilizer interests in
Chicago are backing financially the
effort to exploit the alunits deros-
its of Utah.
The utilization of the enormous
masses of seaweed growing off the
Pacific coast seems to offer bitter
chances of sewing the potash Iroi'-
lem. Considerable doubt is express
G.. by engineers, who have carefully
s'uCied the methods thus fa- en-
ployed to develop the kelp industry,
as to the possibility of it's becom
ing a serious factor in the produc-
ton of potash salts.
The leading companies engaged in
the extraction from kelD is. however.
quite confident of its ability to build
up the industry on a substantial
commercial basis. 1t is now nan
featuring regularly a crude nCtas-
stun chloride ranging in strength
from IS to 95 per cent of pure ECI.
This is all sold for use as a iertil-
izer. The present output is II ton
per day. Prospective enlargement
of the plant will double this output.
The raw material, the giant kelp