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
600 Mere Than In
1914-Copper and Zinc
Break All Records.

The midyeaI review of mining con-
ditlons. reported to the secretary of the
interior on July l by the director of
the United States geographical sur.
vey. is well supported by the prclim-
mary reports Tor the year, submitted
today. The geographical survey is maxi
ing public its usual estimate of min
eral production for 1915 in the form OF
"A separate statement for each Of the
more important minera products.
a review of these statements con-
frms Secretary Lanes comment of last
july TO the effect that the mining re-
VlVai Is in full swing. In the western
states alone the metal production
shows an Increase in value of
more than Si3O.oO0.oo over the CORE
spending figures for 1914; and the
years increase in output for the prin-l
cipal metals measured in value is more
than $3.50. 900, 900. Moreover, il is not
unreasonable to expect that when the
full returns for all mineral products.
are compiled they VIII show that 1915
was the country's most productive year
in the mining industry. The total NAV
even reach $1,000, 600. 600.
In the response 10 bettcred conditions
the production figures for copper, iron
n zinc show the largest increase.
Copper Beats All Records.
The copper mines passed all records
for previous years, the 1915 output hav-
ing a value of 1896. 0 $1,000, or $50, OOO.-
900 more than the value of the produce
ton for 1914. The statistics and es-
Inmates received place the output of
pounds or more than 100. 600. 900 pounds
in excess of the largest previous pro
ductfon and IS 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-
t!mated to have exceeded 5b, OOO. 900
gross tons. an increase over 1914 OF
more than SS per cent. Based on the
same price as received in 1914 this rep
rescnts an increase in total value of
about $27.645.OO The increase in pig
iron Is estimated at $500, 900 tons. with
II total increase in alu of pig iron
production OF more than $500, 600, 600.
Zinc Records Also Broken.
The output of zinc (spelter) made
from domestic ores, was larger than
worth Sl20. 00O, 900, as compared with
343,4l8 o in 1914. an Increase of
about $4,000 tons, or nearly rs per cent
In quantity. and OF $85. 100000 in value.
PRODUCTION was increased during the
latter half of the year. as the pro-
LIN hISS Gt was IL
the rate of 415,000 tons annually and
at the rate of 436, 900 ions during the
last half.
The output of refined pig lead from
domestic ores was about SIG, 600 tons,
worth about $4S, 10000. as compared
with 5l2.794 tons. an Increase of only
$500 tons in quantity. but OF SO. 500, 900,
or 20 per cent, in value. The pro-
ductinn of antinonia lead was go, $50
tons. as compared with 1868 tons in
1914, an increase of 1852 toHs. or 23
pei cent In quantity and an increase
I'm aiu of nearly $4,000. 900.
Gold and Silver Increases.
The annual preliminary estimates
on the production of gold and silver in
h 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 mine production over that of
1914 of cver $4,000, 900 in gold. prin-
cipally from Colorado, California.
ALASKA. Montana and Idaho, and an in
crease in mine production OF silver OF
fully 1000, 900 unces chiefly from
month"; a, Utah and Arizona. This in
CREASE in gold production may bring
1916 up to the record year Of 1909.
when ,he gold output Of this country
was nearly 500, 00O, 600.
Quicksilver also has had it's best
year III 1910. Inc Quantlty increased
Is per cent owe 1914. but the value
OF the output more h doubled. ow-
ing TO the much higher prices. The
estimated production was 90 S1 TASKS |
OF Is pounds each. valued at the av-
erage price for the year-the highest
in the last 40 years-at $1,768, 225. In
vsiIe this domestic production was
Il highest since 1881 and in quantity
tie largest since 1912.
Small Chanuae In Coal.
The production Of bituminous coal
and anthracite in 1916 is estimated, to
have increased between 1000, 900 and
100000 short tons. or less than / per
cent. The quantity Of bituminous coal
mined increased about $500, 900 tons
INT that of anthracite decreased over :,
100000 short IN Owing mainly to
steady demands for export Goa and for
COX for steel making. the output in I
Pennsylvania. West Virginia. Kentucky
and 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
betterment.
Connected with the coke industry
was the completion during the last
summer Of q number of large plants
the recovery of benzol from by
product, scoke-oven a This gives the
United States Its first output of this
material. 80 important as q raw ma
terlal in the manufacture OF high ex-
p~loeives and chemical dyes. and the
amount Of this product will be reported
later.
Petroleum Output Large.
preliminary estimates Of the tota!
output OF petroleum In the United
States jNal916 Indicate q SLIGHT tncrcaf l