Montana oil and mining journal., 1937-01-16

the OiQ QAy5 MllEu al Ql
our metal deposits were virgin, many
we're the romances connected with the
mining of our high grade deposits,
fortunes made on shoestring by
men Of brains and courage" he said.
1T was thought for q time that such
adventures were things Of the past,
but the IS percent advance in the
price Of gold has made new frontiers
In Montana and elsewhere and ro-
nance in finance and accomplishment
in our mines is being re-enacted to
conform to the standards of this day
and age, by men who have the same
stamina as had our pioneer prospectorS.
There are a number of high points
in mining developments IN a number
of Montana districts, although it is
little realized by the ordinary citizen
that great developments have taken
place in most of the mining counties
of this state
Manganese Outlook
From a standpoint Of money produc-
ton, Silver Bow county, as usual, leads
with its increased output OF copper,
lead. zinc and silver. While Granite
county leads in manganese mining, Sill
yer Bow is running a very close second.
So far as is known, there are no
greater deposits Of manganese in the
entire world than are Centered in Sill
yer Bow county and in spite OF adverse
tariffs, we again venture the prediction
that Butte, some time in the future
will produce more pounds OF mangan-
ese per year than 1t ever has pro-
euced copper. Butte can produce the
highest grade Of manganese concen-
trate ever known, its rnetallurgists have
proven that statement-and it remains
fol. someone with energy, business abll-
ity and foresight to do for Butte's man
panese deposits what the key members
of the American Metal Co. did for
Colorado's molybdenum deposits.
Chromium Deposits
And while we are talking of steel
alloys, we should not overlook the fact
that Montana has the largest deposits
of chrome ore in the United States,
these deposits being located in Carbon,
saltwater, Sweetgrass and Madison
counties. One company has been pio-
neering in developing these deposits,
the principal problem being to make
a concentrate that can compete with
the products being shipped in from for
eign countries In the future all steel
viii be rustless and chromium is the
basis of rustleSs steel. The future OF
chromium Is so alluring that we can
not adequately express the OUTLOOK In
words
Verrniculite Deposits
This state also has another earth
mineral which holds forth much at
traction for men of commercial ability. |
This Is known as vermiculite, kind Of |
mica. or asbestos. which is found and /
IS being developed In the northwestern |
portion Of Montana. When roasted this I
mineral takes on a beautiful golden (
color. IS waterproof. soundproof and I
fireproof, besides being a good elec-
trical insulator. It can be put TO many
uses and its development in this state
is only dependent upon the energy and
business ability Of the men who are
active in the industry.
Hard to Finance
It Is admitted that it Is more diff
cult 10 finance a mining property to-
day than it has been in the entire his
tory Of this nation, due to the recent
passage Of federal security laws. Mon
tana's mining association has lead the
country in the attempt to have these