News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1922-05-17
EDUCATIONAL EXHIBIT
For Teachers observation-disclosures
ton on Asbestos Project

ton on Asbestos Project
To the Teachers of Lamoille County
The teachers of this county are
now busy preparing an educationa
exhibit on asbestos for the State
Teachers Convention, to be held in
| st. Johnsbury next fall An effort
is being made to make it the leading
feature exhibit, giving publicity to a
little known but growing industry in
this state. Many people in this
county but little about this local in
dustry and the information below will
be worth reading by both teachers
and laymen alike.
LOCATION OF MINES
The Thetford mines in Canada
reach from Black Lake to East
Broughton, over a belt 80 miles long
This mine produces 80 percent of the
worlds asbestos or a total last year
of 10000 tons, IS percent being
shipped to the United States and
valued at $12,OOOOOO. In South
Africa the Orange Mountains and
the Rhodesia mines produce several
grades Of spinning fiber consumed in
England. Russia in 1918 produced
over $4,000 tons but during the pre-
sent time production is almost at a
stand-still due to the unsettled con-
ditions. Small mines are located in
China, Australia and Peru. These
are of minor Importance, however.
1900 tons per year of asbestos fiber
especially used in electrical high ten
sion work is produced in Arizona.
Other forms of asbestos used in por-
celain, pottery clays, cements and
paint filters have been produced for
many years in Georgia, South Caro-
lima and Maryland. The Lamoille
County deposit is the largest in the
United States. Approximately
100000 tons of asbestos rock has
been exposed which will average 8
percent or 100 pounds of asbestos to
each ton.
RAILROADS AVAILABLE TO THE
THETFORD MINES AND THE
LAMOILLE COUNTY MINES
The Boston & Maine and the Que
bee Railroad serves the Thetford
mine district of Canada, first centers
being Montreal and Quebec. The St.
Johnsbury & Lake Champlain Rail
road passes thru Hyde Park, connects
Maine and at Burlington with the
Rutland and Central Vermont.
METHODS OF OPERATION
At the Eden mine the method of
mining is similar to quarry work, the
rock being drilled by compressed air
then blasted, passing thru
crushers until it is reduced to one
inch size; then the fiber which is
loose is picked up by a suction quite
similar to vacuum carpet sweeper. |
The rock is then crushed finer and
more fiber picked out as released,
this method continuing until all the
fiber is reduced. Fiber is graded in
to lengths and sold for various pur-
fiber brings $500 per
ton, down to short fiber at SIS per
ton.
ABOUT EDEN MINES
1t is estimated that the production
of the Lamoille County mine the first
year will be at the rate of 10000 tons,
this production being increased to
10000 within few years. Twelve
and one-half tons of rock should pro-
duce one ton of asbestos at the Eden |
mine, or percent, costing for mill
ing and mining, SLIGO per ton. Fig
ure out the cost for operation for the |
year at the mine. The cost for the |
Thetford mine is $1.65 per ton. The |
Eden mine is in an advantageous po-
sition regarding markets, considering |
those markets as Boston, New York |
and Detroit.
PART OF THE USES
AUTOMOBILES
Clutch facings, brake Innings,
packing rings, tires.
BUILDINGS
Mill board--used similar to beaver
board, plaster, fire proof rooms,
shingles.
DOMESTIC
Table covers, stove mats, table
mats, fat-iron holders, gas logs,
fiber for CRATES, book cases and files
are lined with asbestos, curtains,
rope for fire escapes, lining
N gas furnaces.
ELECTRICAL
ldI-lIOIlS, eleCCIlSdl equipment VI
all kinds using asbestor for insula-
ion and protection, motors, insulated
wires, moving picture booths, cur
aims, etc.
VARIOUS
Furnace-men's leggings, aprons,
gloves, large mantles in laundries,
coverings for locomotives and all
grades of steam engines, steam
pipes, hot surfaces, refrigerating
systems, used as a body in paints
md in conjunction with cement and
chemical works.
There are some one thousand and
more uses, some of which have been
listed above. In case samples of
asbestos rock in its various forms of
he mine, or sample of the products
ire needed, please communicate with