The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1922-02-23

gas. contiguous to the largest zinc
mining districts; relatively cheap and
simple plant construction; demand for
zine at continuously rising prices.
winch permitted the mining oil much
low-grade ore. including the reMorA-
ing of tahings and nearly exhausted
properties IN the Jopnn uis1ucG anu
when. IN conjunction with the recent
development OF oh uoauon, electro
magneuc ana electro -statIc concentra-
ton processes. released Ior use large
quantities OF hitherto useless ore.
with the removal OF war STIMULUS to
production. the industry, hsnIy uc-
centralized and with no one interest
controlling more than 10 per cent OF
the total productive capacity and all
eager to retain their previous position
in it, seemed carried ON by the result
ing momentum. Too few of its opera
tors seemed to realize its dispropor-
uOnate size to the normal demands OF
this country, its only natural market.
and they We're encouraged i'm their
failure SO to realize by the abortiVe
industrial boom which began in 1919
and ended in disaster in the fall OF
1920. Belated realization came in 1921
Production, which ON January /. 1921
was at the rate OF Si2. 900 tons per an
mum, or 2S,5OO per month, dropped
sharply on April / to 1880 tons per
month. at approximately which rate
operations were being conducted at
the end of the year
Production Compared.
In considering the outlook for zinc,
it must be remembered that no basic
industry can remain for more than a
limited period on "a paying basis.
Such period existed throughout 1920
and 1921 and represented the ineVita-
bic adjustment due an industry when
the causes for its sudden growth be-
yond its normal sphere in the coun-
trys industrial economy disappear
The United States is
self contained with respect to its zinc /
requirements and supplies, and so, |
.alIen as a unit. is the rest of the |
world. We are now producing at the /
ate OF less than 10000 tons a year,
Is against an average production all |
ised domestically OF over 100000 tons
no .f. I..
Ill of them quiet unsuspecting years
II the business world, and so reflect
ng genuinely normal production needs
n all our basic industries Merely to
eturn to the consumptive require
nents of these years-and we are def
nitely on the way by all known signs
would be great Improvement for
he zinc industry. II is impossible not
o anticipate a greater Improvement
When one realizes that the factors of
tandard living, population increase
nd financial strength which domin-
tie the normal growth of every basic
have not been impaired to
ny real extent.
Facts Of Supply and Demand.
Granted that there is before us
eturn to relatively normal conditions
With gradually improving business. it
$ logical to examine some of the ma
or factors specific to the zinc industry
which affect supply and demand. The
'rass industry has for some time been
practically out of the market for zinc.
hiding ample supplies of scrap. 1t
las been estimated that the zinc con-
ents of the worlds supply of brass
crap totaled nearly 100000 tons on
anuary 1, 1919. The total had de-
reased to less than 100000 tons by
anuary I, 1921. and though exact fig
res for the present status are lacking.
he total today is very small. There
re no available stocks of real moment
! the country, three-quarters of the
scrap having been sold
y the end of 1920 and the remainder d
1921. Europe has turned from a [
sller to a buyer, and the sole remain
lg stocks. in England, are being rap
lily depleted by demands from the q
ONE industries from this country and a
ON Europe. Stocks of 60-4O material
ave been exhausted and only a little )
30 brass scrap remains
So far as the supplies of ore are con-
,rned, the condition is a healthy one
ON a market standpoint With the
of the electrolytic produc-
on and retort production of high g..
-ade metal in the east zinc smelters !.
i'll undoubtedly be restricted to draw
< upon the mid-cOntinental ore >,
slds, as none of the major western n,
ines are likely to supply ore until -.
e price of zinc has advanced some