Evening star., 1928-12-23

an average and this marks about the
limit of future knowledge as to what
may be expected in the way OF produc-
tion. Sometimes this is exceeded be-
cause of favorable conditions, but, on
the whole, the time of exhaustion Of
working is q secret of the earth. On
the Rand, In South Africa, the geologic
formation Is different and better idea
can be obtained with fairly accurate
foreknowledge covering longer term.
So data are being gathered there
covering what may be expected from
existing workings and as good guesSes as
science permits concerning new discov-
cries, the latter being based on. the
and type of rpck.
Other factors enter very largely into
any estimate of future gold production
Cost of production is the chief one. If
wages rise, II freight rates on ore and
costs of mining and smelling machinery
go up, some mines are obliged to close
down. Low-grade ores will not pay for
the trouble of extracting the gold. This
means a decline in total gold produc-
ton. Conversely. If costs Of production
decline, old low-grade mines are re-
opened and additional gold Is brought
forth.
Costs Influence Output.
Improvements in mining machinery
and in processes for the reduction of
ore have the effect of adding to gold
production. Then, too, gold is found in
many cases In combination with such
other minerals as silver, copper, lead
and 2if,c. The copper market might be
especially good and stimulate q produce
ton which, incidentally, would bring out
gold when, If copper were low in price
In relation to cost of production, the
mine might not be worked at all. 50
the scientists have no easy Job in max
ing their survey and their estimate OF
future outturn.
South Africa now is far and avav
the greatest gold producer in the world
Rand production is fairly steady at
around $225 100000 year--the 1925
production was $226, 6,4lB.0O0. This COM
pares with United States production.
averaging just below $4,000 900 q year
the 1926 figure being S46,26o, 900.
American gold production, however. is
on the decline. Although South Africa
has forged so far ahead, such figures
as exist recording gold production from
the earliest times indicate that our
own country still holds the record, hav-
ing produced about % per cent of the
world total output compared with 81
per cent for South Africa.
Russia Is producing about 10000, 900
in gold year and the indications are
that the yield will be increased. It is
felt among biologists that Siberia holds
fabulous possibilities for gold produce
ton. That extensive domain has never
been adequately explored for gold, but
such prospecting as has been done gives
promise of large deposits. 1t Is entirely
conceivable that the next big gold rush
will be to the bleak wastes of Siberia
A curious situation exists in conrec.
ton with the attendance of American
representatives at the International
Geological Congress Important as this
biennial meeting is to American indus
try as well as to the Government. Con.
gress has made no appropriation to
send delegates. Government Scientists
have attended the congress in the past
and plan to attend the 1929 ana future
meetings, but they must pay eli OF their
own expenses and use their annual
leave, although their purpose In at.
tending is to forward the scientific
work of the Government. It is Thought
that President-elect Hoover, being 4
mining engineer himself, will prevail
upon Congress to make provision to pay
the way Of the scientists doing this
Government work.