Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1916-01-19
HUGE REVIVAL IN
MINING INDUSTRY
Production In Western States
$13O,OOO,OOO More Than In
1914-Copper and Zinc
Break All Records.

the United States geographical sur.
vcy. IL wei supported by tho prclim-
mary reports for the year, submitted
today. The geographical survey is max
Ing public its usual estimate of min
eral production for 1915 in the form OF
"a separate statement for each of the
more important ~rninera, products.
n review OF these statements con-
firms Secretary Lanes comment of last
July 10 the effect that the mining re
rivai IS in full swing. In the western
states alone the metal production
shows an increase in value of
more chan $3.50. coo, 900 over the CORE
spending figures for 1914; and the
years increase in output for the prin-
cipal metals measured in value is more
than $3.50 600, 900. Moreover. it is not
unreasonable to xpcct that when the
full returns for ali mineral products
arc complied they WIN show that 1915
VAS the country'S most productive year
in the mining industry. The total may
even reach so, 500. 000. 600.
In the response 10 bettcrcd conditions
the production figures for copper. iron
ana zinc show the largest increase.
Copper Beats All Records.
The copper mines passed all records
for previous years, the 1915 output hay
ing Il value of 1926, 600. 900, or $50, OO0,-
900 more than the value of the produce
ton for 1914. The statistics and es-
Inmates received place the output of
blister ;tnd lake copper at 1.365. 500, 900
pounds or more than 100000. 900 pounds
In excess OF the largest previous pro-
ducticn and 1S per cent above last
years figures. Only twice i'm the his
tory OF copper mining has there been
A larger increase in quantity of metal
produced.
Largo Increase In Iron.
The total shipments OF iron ore from
the mines in the United States are es-
ttnlite6 tn haVp pxnonInd EE 0n0 OOO
Gross tons. an increase over 1914 OF
more than S8 per cent. Based on the
same price as received in 1914 this rep
rescnts an increase In total value of
about $27.645. 900. The Increase in pig
iron Is estimated Mt $500. 600 tons. with
a total increase in value of pig iron
production OF moro than 1920, 600, 600.
Zinc Records Also Broken.
The output OF zinc (spelter) made
from domestic ores. was larger than
ever before, being about 425, 900 tons,
worth $40. 900 900. us compared with
about $4,000 tons, or nearly % per cent
in quantity. and OF $85. 600, 900 in value.
Production was increased during the
latter half of the year. as the pro-
ductiOn during the first half was at
the rate of 415, 600 tons annually and
ut the rate of 436, 600 IONS during the
last half.
The output of refined pig lead from
domestic ores was about 515 5000 tons,
worth o $4S.500.00, as compared
with 5l2.794 tons. an increase OF only
$500 tons in quantity, but Of So. 500 600.
or 20 per cent, in value. The pro.
duction of antimonial lead was 20. $50
tons. as compared with 16,66S tons in
1914. an increase of 1852 toHs, or %
per cent In quantity and an increase
In value OF nearly $4,000. 900.
Gold and Silver Increases.
The annual preliminary estimates
on the production of gold and silver in
the United States, made Jointly by the
United States geological survey and
the bureau of the mint. are not vet
complete. but early figures based on
reports from the mines indicate an in
crease in min production over that of
1914 of over $1,000. 900 in gold, prin-
Aias!sa. Montana and Idaho. and an in
crease in mine production Of silver of
fully 100000 ounces. chiefly from
Moistsna, Utah n Arizona. This in
crease in gold production may bring
1915 up to the recor year Of 1908.
when The gold output OF this country
was nearly 500, 900, 900.
Quicksilver also las had its best
year in 1916. The quantity increased
70 per cent over 1914. but the value
or the output more than doubled, ow-
ing TO the much higher prices. Th
estimated production was 20,6S1 tasks
ut 20 pounds each. valued at the av-
erage price for the year-the highest
IN the last 40 years-at 81. 1853, 225. In
value this domestic production was
4 highest since 1881 and in quantity
TIE largest since 1912.
Small Changes In Coal.
II production OF bituminous coal
and anthracite in 1916 is estimated to
have increased between 1000, 900 and
100000 short tons. or less than / per
emf The quantity OF .bituminous coal
mined increased about $500. 900 tons
that OF anthracite decreased over
2.OOO.O00 short tons Owing mainly to
steady demands for export coal and for
coke for steel making. the output In
Pennsylvania. West Virginia, Kentucky
n Alabama increased over las year.
but little change Is recorded in other
eastern states. The region west Of
Ohio. including the Mississippi valley.
shows general decrease. Colorado be-
ing the only western state to show
hetterment.
Connected with the coke industry
was the completion during the last
summer OF u number of large plants
for the recover of benzol from by
product, coke-oven gas. This gives the
United Suites its first output of this
material. 30 important as a raw ma
terial in the manufacture Of high ex-
TOlOaiveS and chemical dyes. and fho
amoun Of this product will be reported
later.
Petroleum Output Large.
preliminary estimates Of the tota!
output OF petroleum In the United
States in 1915 indicate a slight increa:
over the corresponding output in 1914.
Il y believed that the total petroleum
yield OF the United States In 1918
amonnted to 29l. 400. 900 barrels, Of
Witch. quantity 4 Il also estimated tina,