The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1916-04-06
MAY Be ZINC SHORTAGE
IS OPINION OF EXPERTS
BELIEF THAT DEMAND FOR Spell.
TER WILL CONTINUE FOR
A LONG TIME.

/
which exists on copper is impending
in the view of many well-informe6
metal factors. Zinc concentrates sell
| ing at $125 q ton, advanced ore prices
and the active and expanding demand
for prompt spelter resulting in sales
at 21A cents in London and 81 cents
a pound in the domestic market, are
cited as warranting this belief
1t has surprised close observers OF
developments in the general metal sit
uation that spelter has not responded
to the strength displayed by copper
Statistlcally there is a striking SINH
larity in the position of copper and
spelter A relative production parallel
has been maintained for several years.
The sharp upturn in output of copper
in the latter part of 1914 bringing pro-
duction to a record height at the end
of 1915 was duplicated by spelter, and
in spite of this enlarged production,
the stocks of both spelter and copper
on hand at the beginning of 1916 were
materially lower than at the opening
of 1915.
Brass Output Doubled.
The reason for this is that brass,
into the manufacture of which the
major portion of copper goes, consists
roughly of two parts copper to one of
spelter. Brass smelters are estimated
to have taken nearly half the countrys
output of speter in 1915. Their cur
rent consumption of copper is reported
in many cases to be several hundred
pea vviIt 81 v,.ss- ,;:s Sc s 80: &c IL
dicating an enormously increased out
put of brass, and a proportionately
greater absorption of spelter.
The comparative sluggshness of the
spelter market that was in evidence
until quite recently, may be account
II Tor by the large purchases that
vc.c made Of distant deliveries in the
after half Of 1915. Spelter prices re-
coed from the high levels prevail
ng during the early months of 1915
influenced largely by the widespread
'elef that the large increase in re-
orts planned and under construction
vas going to result in an overpro-
uction The slackening demand led |
to offer substantial con-
esstons on contracts for deliveries
unning to the end of the year. This
nabled consumers to cover their
respective requirements to the close
the year and in some cases through
he first quarter of 1916.
No GIut Threatened.
over production that was expected
follow the increase in smelter ca
lcity did not materialize, Blowing In
e new retorts were slower of ac- !
than had been antici- J
tied, and in spite of an increase in :
Itput of primary spelter from 1862 900 c
ms In 1914 to approximately 100000 {
ms in 1915, or about 40 per cent, the 1
ocks at the end of 1915 were only q
300 tons compared with 2S,500 tons Il
the beginning of 1915. r
BY April most of the new retorts :,
ould be producing, and it is estim- r
I'd that the output of spelter will be r
the rate of $4,000 tons year. The y
LXimum production of the world for -
Y year prior to the war was 1,1OO.- 81
tons annually. 81
With the domestic consumption of ..
'per by brass smelters constantly 81
the destination of a big ST
put is easily determined. Another 81
urance against over production is g.
orded by spelter exports, which pro- ST
ed an outlet in 1916 for $4,000 tons. st
20 per cent of our output. against 81
700 tons in 1914. O.
his factor will remain constant as ST
6 as the war lasts, at least, and in st
probability long after peace Is de- 81
red, because the foreign nations St,
formerly relied on Germany and st;
gium for their spelter, must now ST.
he to the United States.
Upper has proven a good baromet- WI
with which to gauge spelter in the
. anu ii is becoming apparent that
imilar position of the two metals
be reflected in the market action
;pelter.