Mohave County miner., 1916-08-12
MID-YEAR MINING REVIEW
E(THE accomplishment of the mining industry
 six-month period just completed warrants tn

l
 six-month period just completed warrants the fore
 A cast that 1916 is to be a recOrd-breakng year" With this statement the director of the United States Geo. logical Survey up his official review of the mineral industry reported to him by the government geOOgiSts and statistcans covering the different sub jects Active demands and good prices have furnished the mine operators with full opportunity for in working developed properties and this in turn has given added incentive and available funds for exploration pros pecting, and experimentation with processes The mining man is having his innings"
 Summarizing the special reports which are now being made public, Director Smith continues his review:
 The returns for six months furnish basis for the be- lief that 1916 will set up record for the soft coal mines Every coal mining state is sharing in this pros pey and of course this demand for coal is to be traced back to the increased business of the railroads and of the steel and other large industries
 Drilling activity throughout the oiproducing states has brought about gratifying increase in production of crude oil that promises to make 1916 record year for marketed petroleum Already production and consump tOn reported by the surveys specialist essentially Tn balance east of the Rocky mountains with tendency to lower prices
 The portland cement industry has had a busy six months and the manufacturers optimistic It is pre- dcted that in both production and shipments of cement this year will show gain last year. indeed it does not establish record for cement
 Among the metals copper continuing the steady in in production which began early last year. and the forecast for 1916 indicates only the largest output known but also the largest profits.
 Shipments of iron from Lake Superior points for five months of 1916 exceeded by than 30 per those for the months in 195 and the indications for the year favorable for high record ron-ore production, and of pig iron we'll Higher prices with steady demand are stimulating the mining of manganese with the result that this years output of IS expected to SurpaSS the large production of last year.
 The lead and zinc mines are producing ore at rate exceeding that of last year and the prevailing prices have made possible the working Of large quantities of low grade
 Most precious metal mines are operating at full ca pacty. The gold production will probably fall below the nigh yield Of last year, but silver the one metal last to benefit by the general domestic prosperity expected this year to break all previous records.
 In quicksilver the outlook is for continuance of the output of 1915 which the largest for several years Thus far in 1916 the average price has greatly exceeded the 1915 prces and although the reaction in prices has come conditions favorable for steady and profitable operation of the quicksilver mines, some of which are newly opened.
 The reports from the surveys western offices are all optimistic. In Arizona mines and smelters working at high pressure and the production of metals already shows increase that promises to make the value of the output nearly double that of last year. Arizona will main tain first place as copper producer New Mexico IS nnung its rapid progress metal mining state, with
 increases in its output of lead copper znc gold and silver The mines of Colorado in the siXmOnhs just past have shown some changes Tn output compared with last year. increase of 30 per cent in copper indicated together with small gains in lead an znc 15 cent decrease in gold and little change in silver This output however represents large gain in value of mine production Min ing has also been stimulated Montana and the forecast indicates increase of 60 per cent in value of the mine product that of last year. Here also record outputs may be expected for 1916 Idaho mines increasing their shipments in all the metals, with higher and larger dividends as the result of better prices,
 Utah is experiencing ore production in excess of shelter capacity The value of the 1916 output of copper is expected to be double that of last year Through Ne vada the old term boom" best expresses the present min ing revival Old mines being reOpened and regular producers working at full capacity The chief gains in production will be in copper lead and zinc The increased activity in the mining industry of California is finding presson largely in the reopeng of mines that have been long idle and the opening of mines for chrome tng sten manganese antmony and magnesite rail shipments of these the east being made possible by high prices