Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1941-04-12

More or less extensive use of
chromium in alloys began back in
the early part of the twentieth
century. At this time Russia,
New Catalonia, and Turkey were
the principal producers. In 1906
Southern Rhodesia began her pro-
duction and in four years became
the leader in the field which it
held throughout the period ending
with the World War. But dur
ing this time Rhodesia was strong
ly supported by New Caledonia.
Russian and Turkish production
declined during this period. India
and the United States had a sudden
rise in production during the World
war but it collapsed Immediately
upon the end OF the War. Through
out the 192Os Southern Rhodesia
was by far the largest producer,
marketing as much as 42% of the
worlds total in 1929. But its fall
was equally rapid during the de-
preston of the early thirties. In
1888 she could muster only nine
percent of the world production.
At this time Turkey became the
important producer of high grade |
chrOmite and Southern Africa s |
Transvaal district the producer OF
lower grades, helped in no small
way by the output of Russia.
On an export and production |
harfc &c
figures that about IS % of the ores
produced are exported from where 4
they are mined. And of these
exports, the United States consumes
the lions share. The average
100000 or more long tons OF ehro-
mite imported into the United States
each year is from a total of be-
tween 100000 and 100000 long
tons of total exports. The total
domestic production, with the ex-
ception OF the World War years,
have never equaled 1000 tons a
year. However, there are many
known deposits within the United
States. The nd-Pennsylvania
first worked commercially
in 1927, was the beginning of the
chrome industry and has produced
about 100000 tons of ore ganging
from 40 to 63 percent chromitel
oxide.
There are 40 known deposits OF
chromite in Alaska with an esti-
mated reserve of one quarter mil
ION tons of low grade ores. $50 to
40 percent chromite oxide.) These
deposits are mostly on the PENN
sula of Kenai Little work has
been done to develop these ores
Yet a contract to the U. S. Govern
nent OF $4,000 tons has been let
o one OF the operators there.
Deposits in California. Georgia.
oregon Washington and Wyoming /
contain undetermined amounts of |
10 percent average ores. Many OF ,
hese deposits were worked out dur
ng the War period of 1918. These
'odies OF ore are mostly in lenticu-
lies.
The deposits in Montana are the
argest single deposits known in
he United States. The Red Lodge
-rea Is composed of lenticular mas
I'VE structure ores that are broken
'adly In places by heavy faulting
ma displacements of great dis
ances occur in several places. The
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. belt is diff
erent in structure than that OF
led Lodge. The bodies are more
n seams and veins, combined with
and massive irregular
bodies situated along a basic dixie
. miles long. The seams and
'eins have depth of $500 or :
more feet in places. The reserve .
II these ores is said to be suffi-
lent to maintain the chrome indus-
ry In the United States for several
ears, The grade of ores found
lere compare with other ores found
n the United States, ranging from
50 to As percent chronic oxide
A Roman news commentator