CONTENTS [The dates of publication of the separate chapters are given in parentheses] The mineral resources of the United States in 1923: Introduction, by F. J. Katz__ Summary, by M. B. Clark. Page 1A 9A Chromite, by Edward Sampson and H. M. Meyer (October 29, 1924). Lead and zinc pigments and salts, by C. E. Siebenthal and A. Stoll (Novem- Lead, by C. E. Siebenthal and A. Stoll (November 4, 1924) – Manganese and manganiferous ores, by H. M. Meyer (November 5, 1924) - Arsenic, by V. C. Heikes and G. F. Loughlin (November 13, 1924). Copper, by H. M. Meyer (December 13, 1924) - Secondary metals, by J. P. Dunlop (November 22, 1924). Antimony, by F. C. Schrader (January 21, 1925). Iron ore, pig iron, and steel, by E. F. Burchard and H. W. Davis (January 295 Gold, silver, copper, and lead in Oregon, by J. M. Hill (February 14, 363 Gold, silver, copper, lead, and zinc in Idaho, by C. N. Gerry (February 12, 375 Gold, silver, copper, lead, and zinc in Utah, by V. C. Heikes (March 20, 417 481 Gold, silver, copper, lead, and zinc in Arizona, by V. C. Heikes (March 6, 515 Gold and silver in South Dakota, by C. W. Henderson (May 13, 1925). Gold, silver, and copper in Wyoming, by C. W. Henderson (May 13, 1925) - Gold, silver, copper, lead, and zinc in New Mexico, by C. W. Henderson Gold, silver, copper, and lead in Texas, by C. W. Henderson (July 30, 1925) Gold, silver, copper, lead, and zinc in Colorado, by C. W. Henderson ILLUSTRATIONS PLATE I. Quantity and value of gold and silver produced in the world, 1860-1923. FIGURE 1. Average weekly quoted price of zinc at St. Louis and London 2. Relation of prices of metallic zinc products to the price of 3. Relation of weekly prices of lead pigments and salts to the 6. Contract prices of ferromanganese, spiegeleisen, and manga- Page 556 98 99 125 126 5. Average weekly quoted price of lead at New York and London, 143 156 7. Domestic production, imports, and average quoted price of 161 8. Quoted wholesale prices of white arsenic, 1920-1923- 164 187 10. Principal features of the copper industry, 1913-1923. 188 192 12. Stocks of metallic antimony in bonded warehouses at end of 279 13. World's production of antimony, 1897-1923, based on esti- 292 14. Annual production of iron ore, pig iron, and steel in the United 298 15. Source and district of entry of iron ore imported into the 311 16. Commercial quotations of basic pig iron at blast furnaces in 318 17. Daily average production of coke and anthracite pig iron in 320 18. Quantity and value of gold and silver produced and price per IV 552 MINERAL RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES, 1923-PART I THE MINERAL RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES IN 19231 INTRODUCTION By FRANK J. KATZ Geologist in charge, Division of Mineral Resources All the main branches of the mineral industry in 1923 showed marked improvement over the preceding years of depression, and several established new high records of production. The several elements of the industry were restored to or had gained over their pre-war vigor with probably only three notable exceptions-copper mining, through overdevelopment followed by curtailment of its market; precious-metal mining, by reason of depreciated purchasing power of its products; and bituminous-coal mining, from excessive capacity and overmanning. The year 1922 had on the whole been. one of gradual betterment in tone of business despite the longest and most widespread strike in the annals of coal mining and a strike among the railroad shop crafts which for a few months seriously interfered with transportation. These difficulties had been overcome before the beginning of 1923, and throughout that year there was generally steady improvement in conditions affecting the mining industries. The total value of mineral products of the United States in 1923 was about $6,000,000,000, an increase of 29 per cent over the value in 1922 and 45 per cent over that in 1921, but a decrease of 14 per cent from 1920, when prices were at the peak. Soft-coal mining shared with other industries a continued recovery from the depression of 1921 and the early part of 1922, but the dominating influence in the market was the after effect of the great strike of the year before. Stocks of consumers at the beginning of the year were low-only 36,000,000 tons on January 1. Though above the danger point, this was not enough to conduce to a feeling of safety, and in consequence prices were high. The average spot price in January, according to Coal Age, was $4.38 a ton, against $2.25 in the corresponding month of 1922. Congestion of the railroads prevented rapid accumulation of reserves until the winter peak of consumption was passed, and distribution continued under nominal supervision by the Federal Fuel Distributor. In Mineral Resources of the United States the use of leaders (...) indicates that so far as the Geological Survey has been able to ascertain there was nothing to report. If data are not available, the fact is indicated by a statement to that effect in a footnote. Leaders are also used in footings where it is quite evident that figures in a column are not addable and in other places where entries are not appropriate. All figures of imports and exports in this report were compiled by J. A. Dorsey, of the Geological Survey, from records of the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, Department of Commerce, having been converted by Mr. Dorsey to the various units of measurement used in this report and arranged by him in their present form. The imports are those for the calendar year unless otherwise stated. Wherever exports are shown, unless otherwise specified, the figures represent domestic products and not foreign minerals reexported, and they also cover calendar years. |