The Washington herald., 1921-08-19
zINCPRODUCTION
REPORT REVEALS
HEAVY DECREASE
First Six Months of Year
Show Sharp Drop
From 1920.
PRICE ALSO FALLS
World Zinc Stocks Placed ut
About 100000 Short
Tons.
PRICE ALSO FALLS

thai and A. Stoii. of the United
States Geological survey, Depart
ment of the Interior, from reports
submitted by all zinc smelters
which operated during the first six
months of 1921 show that the pro-
duction OF zinc from domestic ore
in that period was 1oo.ss1 short
tons, and from foreign ore 1,74i
tons, a total Of 1o2.525 tons, as
compared with 2o5.ess tons in the
last half of 1920 and 25s.los ton.
in the first half. The stock of
zinc held at shelters and in ware
houses June 80 was s5.747 tons.
having increased from 71.os7 tons
at the end of 1890 and 2s.ss2 tons
at the middle of that year.
From the foregoing figures anc
from the statistics Of imports and
exports as recorded by the Bureau
OF Foreign and Domestic Com
merce. IT Is calculated that the APP
parent consumption for the PERIOD
was 1895 tons. as compared with
147.7S3 tons in the last half OF 1890
and 1925 tons in the first half.
saved From Ashes.
In addition to the zinc produced
from ore. 1850 tons was re-
distilled from zinc ashes. skim
mings. and Dresses. Much OF this
zinc was of grades above prime
western. and the total. added to the
primary output. gives 1li.475 tons
consisting Of 1883 tons of high
grade. 1.106 tons Of intermediate"
brass special grade. and s2,546 tons
OF prime western" Electrolytic
zinc amounted to 4,61T tons, as COM
pared with 1854 tons in the last
half of 1920 and with 2t.oS5 tons
in the first half
The total number OF retorts az
plants at which there were some
operations during the first half OF
1921 is 1883. as compared with
1855 at the end OF 1890 The
number of retorts in operation on
June 80. 1921, was $4,000. as COM
pared with $1,000 at the end OF 1890
and $4,000 on June 80 1920.
The average quoted price for
prime western zinc at St. Louis for
the first six months OF 1891 was
ass cents a pound. as compared
with IS cents for the year 1890.
The price at the beginning OF 1921
was Sc cents but a steady decline
brought II to i.ss cents at the mid
die OF April. After rising to 5 cents
by the end of the month. II again
fell by degrees and closed the half
year at 4.25 cents.
Drop Of Industry.
The decentralization of the zinc
industry during the half year. with
imports of 7.405 tons. exports of
2.25S tons. and apparent consump-
ton of $685. tons, Is strikingly
shown by comparison with the two
periods OF 1919 and the first half of
1890. when imports were nothing.
exports from 10000 to 10000 tons.
and consumption, from 10000 to
175.000 tons.
shelters in the first half Of 1921
was 1855 short tons, as compared
to a total Of 1852 tons IN 1890.
The output in June was 4.s1f tons.
1t is understood that the monthly
output has been limited by the
Federation of Belgian Zinc Smell
tiers to 5000 tons.
World zinc stocks have been re-
Gently stated as about 100000 short
tons, exclusive OF the stocks of
sheet zinc. Of which Belgium is re-
ported to hold $4,000 tons.
Mines in Siiesia.
The tentative division lines IN
Upper Silesia so far proposed throw
the lead and zinc mines and gmel-
ters to Poland. The output of
Upper Silesia for the half year has
not been published. but II must
have been reduced by the recent
struggle for possession between
Germans and Poles, and the output
in the near future will undoubt-
eddy by handicapped by the impend-
ing political change.
The Bunker Hill and Sullivan
Mi.ing Company has been expert
menting with the electrolytic re-
duction OF zinc ores for some time,
and has been recently operating /.
pilot plant. from the results Of
which it has decided to install a
plant capable Of handling the zinc
OF the Star mine and of the Pine
Creek district. An experimental
electrolytic zinc plant has been
started at Rhodesia Broken Hill.
Africa.