The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-01-01
PROSPEROUS YEAR
FOR u. S. MINES
Mining Revival Is in Full Swing--Copper
Beats All Records-Large Increase in
Iron, Zinc Records Also Broken
Gold and Silver Increased.

United States Geological Survey is wei
supported by the preliminary reports fo
the year submitted to-day The geology
cal survey is making public its usua
estimate of mineral production for 1911
in the form of a separate statement fol
each of the more important minera
products.
A review OF these statements confirms
Secretary Lanes comment of last July
to the effect that the mining revival il
in full swing. In the western states
alone the metal production shows an in.
crease in value of more than $l30,000,00C
over the corresponding figures for 1914;
and the years increase in output for the
principal metals measured in value is
more than $250,000,00O. Moreover it is
not unreasonable to expect that when
the full returns for all mineral products
are compiled they will show that 1915
was the country's most productive year
in the mining industry. The total may
even reach two and one-half billion dol
lars.
In the response to bettered conditions
the production figures for copper, iron
and zine show the largest increase.
Copper Beats ALI Records.
! The copper mines passed all records
for previous years, the 1915 output hav-
| ing a value of S236000000, or $S3 ,000,0 900
more than the value of the production
for 1914. The statistics and estimates
received place the output of blister and
lake copper at 1865, 100000 pounds or
more than l20,000,000 pounds in excess
Of the largest previous production and
Is per cent above last years figures.
Only twice in the history of copper min
ing has there been larger increase in
quantity of metal produced.
Large Increase in Iron.
The total shipments of iron ore from
the mines in the United States in 1915
are estimated to have exceeded 55,000,000
gross tons, an increase over 1914 of more
than 3S per cent. Based on the same
price as received in 1914 this represents
an increase in total value of about S27,-
645,000. The increase in pig iron is esti-
mated at 100000 tons, with a total in
crease in value of pig iron production of
more than sl20,000,000.
Zinc Records Also Broken.
The output of zinc (spelter) made
from domestic ores was larger than ever
before, being about 425,000 tons, worth
$l20,000000 as compared with 343,4lS
tons in 1914, an increase of about $1,000
tons or nearly % per cent in quantity
and of SS5,000,000 in value Production
was increased during the latter half of
the year, as the production during the
first half was at the rate of $4,000 tons
annually and at the rate of $4,000 tons
during the last half
The output CT refined pig lead from
domestic ores was about $4,000 tons,
worth about $4S,500,00o, as compared |
with 5l2,794 tons in 1914, an increase of
only $500 tons in quantity but of S.
100000. or 20 per cent, in value. The
production of antimonial lead was 20,550 |
tons, as compared with 1865 tons in |
1914, an increase of 3,ss2 tons or % per
cent in quantity and an increase in value
Of nearly S2,000000
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 yet complete,
put early figures based on reports from
he mines indicate an increase in mine
over that OF 1914 of over ST.
100000 in gold principally from Colo
ado. California, Alaska, Montana and
IDAHO, and an increase in mine produc-
ion of silver of fully 100000 ounces,
hiehy from Montana, Utah and Arizona.
This increase in gold production may
ring 1915 up to the record year of 1909, !
when the gold output of this country !
vas nearly Sl00,000,000. II
Quicksilver also has had its best year ,
n 1915. The quantity increased % per !
ent over 1914, but the value of the out
mt more than doubled owing to the
much higher prices. The estimated pro-
uction was 20,6sl TASKS of rs pounds ,
ach, valued, at the average price for the
ear-the highest in the last 40 years
t Sl,76s,225. In value, this domestic !,
reduction was the highest since 1881 !
nd in quantity the largest since 1912. I
Small Changes in Coal.
The production of bituminous coal and
nthracite in 1915 is estimated to have Il
lcreased between 100000 and 100000 a
hort tons, or less than per cent. The d
uantity of bituminous coal mined in u
-eased about 6,500,000 tons and that of n
decreased over 100000 short C
ms. Owing mainly to steady demands &C
" export coal and for coke for steel u
taking, the output in Pennsylvania, I
Test Virginia, Kentucky and Alabama dl
creased over last year, but little change Il
recorded in other eastern states. The
gion west of Ohio, including the Mis- b
ssippi valley, shows general decrease, nj
dorado being the only western state to cl
low betterment. th
Connected with the coke industry was nc
e completion during the last summer ly
a number of large plants for the re- fe
very of benzol from by-prOduct coke m
ZEN gas. This gives the United States =
first output of this material, so inn
rtant as raw material in the manu-
cture of high explosives and chemical
'es. and the amount of this product
N be reported later.
estimates of the total
tput of petroleum in the United States
1915 indicate slight increase over
e corresponding output in 1914. 1t is
lieved that the total petroleum yield
the United States in 1915 amounted
29I 400. 600 barrels, of which quantity
is also estimated that 267. AGO. 900 bar
5 was marketed and 24000.0O0 barrels
GOD In nroducers' field fanIyaua drrinU =, =