The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1931-04-03
MORE ORE To Be
SHIPPED IN 1881.
MINING MEN PREDICT HEAVY
SHIPMENTS THIS YEAR AND
MINES ARE PREPARING FOR
OPENING OF NAVIGATION

OPENING OF NAVIGATION.
While steel producers are counting
on early replenishment Of depleted in
ventorieS to start their industry on
it's climb out of the slump OF last
year, mining men of Northern Mime
sofa also are anticipating a gradual
increase for demand of iron ore during
the 1881 season.
With favola able weather continuing
and the Great Lakes almost free of ice,
preparations are now being made for
the opening of navigation for the
carrying of ore the states largest pro-
duct, to Eastern ports. Business lead
ers of the country are forecasting an
increase in several industries and hopes
are held by mining men in the Lake
Superior district, where approximately
SIS per cent of the iron ore of the
country is mined, that demand for the
product will increase from the more
important consumers, building con-
struction companies, railroads and
automobile manufacturers
While the 1880 season did not show
as large shipments as the record
breaking year of 1929, the total was
more than 100000 tons, which was
regarded by mining men as good"
considering the general business con-
ditionS. Mining men here are not IN
a position to estimate the ore pro-
duction for the Lake Superior district
this year, but hope for general in
crease in demand as the season adj
vanceS.
At present, it was reported, stocks
are fairly heavy at lower lake ports.
While the underground mining and
stripping operations have been under
way during the winter months, full
time operations at the mines are ex-
pected to be started within short
time. With an early opening of navi-
cation expected the first ore carriers
will leave Lake Superior docks within
two or three weeks. perhaps earlier.
There has been no change in ore
prices over last year, it was reported,
and no change is expected. At present
the price is $4.65 ton for Mesabi
Bessemer 81 u per cent ore. In 1929
IS cent increase was made because of
the approaching shortage of ore and
increased consumption. During the
1929 season the mines of Lake Superior
district produced the greater tonnage
in the history of mining, there being
shipments of more than 65,000000 tons.
Information here is that there will
be no let-down in mining operations
as compared to last season, with full
time operations of mines on the three
largest ranges of Minnesota the
Mesaba Guyana, and Vermilion, giving
employment to more than 10000 men.
1t is estimated there will be about
ninety mines in operation in Mime
sofa this season, the same number as
in recent years, with the usual number
of mines idle because of various econ
onic reasons while several mines have
been exhausted.
The ranges of Northern Minnesota
produced 1898 per cent of the total
perior district during the last year,
with shipments for the last ten years
aggregating more than 500,00O,0OO tons,
and in 1923, 1925, 1926, 1923 and 1929
being well above the $4,000, 900 ton
mark. While the last seasons ship
ments represent the lowest gross ton
mage since 1924, the total was far from
being the low year for the last decade,
there being two years, besides 1924,
when total shipments were under the
1880 figure.
AS in previous years, mines on the
Mesaba range will produce the bulk Of
the ore in the state during 1881 The
total iron ore shipped from The three
Minnesota ranges in 1880 was 34,463. 125
gross tons, while on the Michigan
ranges, including part of the Gogebic
range which is in Wisconsin, total of
12,119,857 tons was shipped in 1890.
Practically all iron ore produced in
the Lake Superior district is taken to
Eastern mills by boat. with several
hund ed carriers at the disposal of the
shippers at Duluth and Superior docks.
These. carriers also will be borught into
service within short time for carry
ing grain, produce, coal and automo-
biles by water transportation. At the
present time the outlook for grain
shipments is not favorable, although
there is expected to be several boats
leaving the Head of the Lakes laden
with grain shortly after the opening of
navigation.