New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-25
Platinum Mining
To Be Stimulated
AS War Measure
Government Is Seeking New
Sources Of Metal Needed
in Making Munitions

areas in this country and Canada where
platinum may possibly be found have
been made by the United States Geo
logical Survey, with a view to reliev-
ing the shortage of this metal, which
has become so acute as to menace many
industries engaged in the manufacture
Of high explosives and other war ma
terials.
The metal is known to exist in the
grsvels of number of streams IN the
Western mountain ranges. both IN the
limited States and Canada, and has
also been found in certain widely scat
tered stream places in Alaska, accord
ing to an article by James NJ. Ill., o.
the United States Geological Survey
lust published by the Department OF
Commerce.
Since 1s43. when biologists discov-
cred the first sizeable deposits OF cruoe
nlacer platinum in the Ural Mountains
the total worlds production, includ-
ing not only the single metal, but all
the metals of the platinum group-pal-
ladium. iridium. rhodium, ruthenlum
and osmium-has been less than 5.OOO'-
900 troy ounces. about 95 per cent OF
which has been supplied by Russia.
Distribution OF Supply
The United States alone, Mr.. Hill
states. apparently uses IN the neigh-
borhood of $1,000 ounces of fine plati-
rum a year. of which approximately
80 per cent is used in jewelry. In 1910
about $4,000 ounces of platinum were
in use in the contact process Tor the
manufacture of sulphuric acid IN tne
United States. and il seems reasonable
to assume that contact plants IN tne
world have at least 100000 ounces: Inc
quantity OF platinum in chemical and
pnvsical equipment in the world cannot
be readily ascertained. but an estimate
may be hazarded as 100000 ounces.
Electrical devices may have used hali
that quantity OF platinum, but II seems
probable that platinum now IN use IN
that industry is not so large. say 2oO'-
600 ounces. The jewelry industry mas
probably consumed at least l,OO0'OOO
ources. and the dental industry ABOUT
! 900 900. Minor uses and hoarded
platinum will account for the remain.
der of the probable supply derived
from the known placer deposits.
With the exception Of little plati-
mum and allied metals obtained by re-
fners Of copper and nickel MATES and
gold bullion. all Of the platinum in the
world has been won from placer de-
posits. Attempts to trace platinum 10
it's source have proved successful, par
tcularly in Russia. Spain and Canada.
but none Of the deposits OF platinum
in the mother rocks has been found OF
commercial grade under normal condi-
lions. A primary deposit in Russia IS
reported under development at the
present time, owing to the remarkably
high prices which the metal commands
Sources of Production
To quote from Mr.. Hills article;
platinum is not known IN all couh-
tries in the world. but that all the de-
posits of this valuable metal are known
is hardly possible. In fact, platlnlter-
Gus deposits in Southern Spain have
ecologist working or the assumption
that the place to look for platinum was
in areas of basic igneous rocks similar
10 the typical Russian rocks. Sys-
tematic search, based on similar as
sumption. in all countries may lead TO
the discovery Of new deposits OF platl-
nferous gravels OF economic impor-
tancc. but note Of warning should be
sounded. In Russia such systematic
work has been in progress for num-
Der Of years, and while new deposits
have been found. they are not so nv
merous nor so rich as the hope OF the
explorers anticipated.
"The Russian platiniferous grsyels
are situated along a belt of discontinu-
Gus clliptical outcrops OF basic igneous
rocks. which are exposed near the sum
nit Of the Urals, particularly on the
west side Of the mountains, that are
larger and more continuous in the
north and central Urals than further
south. The concentration OF platinum
in the grayels is the result of very
long period of weathering and erosion,
and the richer gravels have probably
been concentrated. That is, the orig
inally deposited gravels have been
worked over and over by streams and
their platinum content concentrated in
a small bulk OF gravel. The deposits
most extensively worked are in the
South Verkhoturshi, Perm, North
Verkhoturshi and Cherdinak districts
though several outlying deposits are
known.
"Colombig. South America. Is the sec.
| ond largest producer Of platinum in the