MINERAL INDUSTRY, CALIFORNIA, 1914

DATA COMPILED FROM DIRECT

RETURNS FROM

PRODUCERS IN ANSWER TO INQUIRIES SENT

OUT BY CALIFORNIA STATE MINING

BUREAU, FERRY BUILDING,
SAN FRANCISCO, CAL.

CHAPTER ONE

Mineral production in California during the year 1914 amounted to $93,436,553 worth of crude materials. There were forty-two different mineral substances, and of the fifty-eight counties in the State all but two contributed some mineral product.

The total value was less than that of 1913 by $5,208,086, owing to the general depression in business. Demand for mineral products varies with activity in other lines of industry. The mineral products which fell off most from the preceding year were petroleum, cement, copper, and stone of various sorts.

The decrease in price of oil caused its decline in total value, though there was an increase in the amount produced. The other three products mentioned fell off in amount as well as value.

The figures of the State Mining Bureau are made up from reports made by the producers of the various minerals. Care is exercised in avoiding duplication, and any error is doubtless upon the side of underestimation.

It would be folly to attempt to set a limit of maximum mineral production for California, because the mineral resources are so extensive and have been so slightly developed along many lines.

The following table shows the yield of mineral substances of California for 1914, as compiled from the returns received at the State Mining Bureau, San Francisco, in answer to inquiries sent to producers:

*Including granite, macadam, rubble, paving blocks, sand, and gravel. **Estimated. See supplement to Chapter Three-Metals, pp. 33, 34.

The following table shows the comparative value of minerals produced in California during the years 1913 and 1914:

Estimated. See supplement to Chapter Three-Metals, pp. 33, 34.

The following table shows the comparative value of the mineral production of the various counties in the State for the years 1913 and 1914:

Includes gold and silver production of Stanislaus. b-See Merced. c-Asbestos from Alameda, El Dorado, Placer, Shasta. Amounts not separable. d-Platinum from Butte, Del Norte, Sacraskiyou, Yuba. Amounts not separable. See also supplement to Chapter Three-Metals, p. 33.