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DIVISION OF MINERALS AND STATISTICS.

Statistics, Museum, Laboratory.

WALTER W. BRADLEY, Deputy State Mineralogist.

Estimate of 1923 Output.

STATISTICS.

The total value of the mineral production of California for the year 1923 is conservatively estimated to have been approximately $270,472,000. This is, in part, detailed in the tabulation below; but, as there are more than fifty mineral substances on California's commercial list, it is impractical at this early date to obtain anything approaching definite figures on other than the more important items. The blank report forms are being mailed out to the operators in all mineral lines, and the date of publication of the final and complete report will depend upon the promptness of their replies. The State Mining Bureau urges the hearty cooperation of all concerned, to the end that the results may be made known early.

This estimated total of $270,472,000 is an increase of over $25,000,000 above the 1922 production and surpasses by more than $2,000,000 the previous record value of $268,157,472 of the year 1921. This increase in value is due principally to petroleum, which shows a new record quantity for 1923, which is nearly double the previous record figure of the year 1922 in number of barrels. Even with the resultant lower prices prevailing, it is estimated that the 1923 petroleum yield will show an increase of approximately $22,000,000 in total value over that of 1922.

Though reports from a number of the gold mining districts have been indicative of renewed interest and renewing operations, receipts of bullion at the mint and smelters show a decrease for the year. Apparently some of the larger lode mines have not operated to their full capacity. There has been considerable activity in the Alleghany district, Sierra County, and in the Grass Valley district, Nevada county. Smelter reports give increased quantities for copper and lead, and as a consequence a larger amount of silver, though the last named will show a lessened total value owing to cessation after June of $1 per ounce purchases by the Government under the Pittman Act.

As the demand for building materials continued active during 1923, nearly all items of the structural group will show increased quantities and total values, especially cement, brick, hollow building tile, crushed rock, sand and gravel. Magnesite shipments increased about 25 per cent. The demand for this material for stucco and other plastic purposes is showing a healthy growth. There were no notable changes in the general status of the miscellaneous 'industrial' group, nor among the salines, except pottery clays and borax. Demand for architectural terra cotta and tile has caused increased shipments of pottery clays of all grades. Reports from the borax producers indicate a 50 per cent. increase in borate minerals for 1923.

The estimated quantities and values for 1923 are tabulated as follows: $13,250,000 gold.

2,771,000 (3,400,000 fine oz.) silver.

3,942,000 (27,000,000 lb.) copper. 605,000 (8,400,000 lb.) lead.

20,000 iron and manganese ores. 409,000 (6,200 flasks) quicksilver. 100,000 (800 fine oz.) platinum. 195,000,000 (262,000,000 bbl.) petroleum.

7,475,000 (115,000,000 M. cu. ft.) natural gas.

17,000,000 (10,000,000 bbl.) cement.

12,000,000 crushed rock, sand and gravel.

9,000,000 brick and hollow building tile.

840,000 (70,000 tons) magnesite.

1,500,000 other structural materials, including granite, lime, marble

et al.

3,000,000 miscellaneous 'industrial' minerals (including asbestos, barytes, pottery clays, dolomite, feldspar, gems, graphite, diatomaceous earth, limestone, lithia, mineral water, shale oil, silica, talc, et al.).

3,560,000 salines (including borates, calcium and magnesium chlorides, potash, salt, soda).

$270,472,000 total value.

MUSEUM.

The Museum of the State Mining Bureau possesses an exceptionally fine collection of rocks and minerals of both economic and academic value. It ranks among the first five of such collections in North America; and contains not only specimens of most of the known minerals found in California, but much valuable and interesting material from other states and foreign countries as well.

Mineral specimens suitable for exhibit purposes are solicited, and their donation will be appreciated by the State Mining Bureau as well as by those who utilize the facilities of the collection.

The exhibit is daily visited. by engineers, students, business men, and prospectors, as well as tourists and mere sightseers. Besides its practical use in the economic development of California's mineral resources, the collection is a most valuable educational asset to the State and to San Francisco.

LABORATORY.

FRANK SANBORN, Mineral Technologist.

The State Mining Bureau since its organization has supplied the necessary identification of minerals, without cost, to thousands of individuals, and has been largely instrumental in bringing to light those of commercial importance in California.

At irregular intervals new uses are found for minerals; as a result, the market for the particular mineral is stimulated or created, and the prospector adds a new name to his list of commercial products.

Recently the aluminum silicates sillimanite, andalusite, and cyanite have been in demand. These minerals are not easily identified in the

field, therefore prospectors who have made inquiry at this Bureau for a description of the silicates have been supplied with small samples. Counties in which some or all of these minerals are known to occur are: Mono, Riverside, Inyo, Imperial, and San Bernardino.

During the four months' period, September 15, 1923, to January 15, 1924, 1223 samples were received and determined at the laboratory.

LIBRARY.

FOREST L. CAMPBELL, Librarian.

In addition to the numerous standard works, authoritative information on many phases of the mining and mineral industry is constantly being issued in the form of reports and bulletins by various government agencies.

The library of the State Mining Bureau contains some five thousand selected volumes on mines, mining and allied subjects, and it is also a repository for reports and bulletins of the technical departments of federal and state governments and of educational institutions, both domestic and foreign.

It is not the dearth of the latter publications, but rather a lack of knowledge of just what has been published and where the reports may be consulted or obtained, that embarrasses the ordinary person seeking specific information.

To assist in making the public acquainted with this valuable source of current technical information, 'Mining in California' contains under this heading a list of all books and official reports and bulletins received, with names of publishers or issuing departments.

Files of all the leading technical journals will be found in the library, and county and state maps, topographical sheets and geological folios. Current copies of local newspapers published in the mining centers of the State are available for reference.

The library and reading room are open to the public during the usual office hours, when the librarian may be freely called upon for all necessary assistance.

Governmental.

OFFICIAL PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.

U. S. Geological Survey:

Annual Report, 44th, of the Director to the Secretary of the Interior for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1923.

Bulletin No. 78 The Twentymile Park District of the Yampa Coal Field, Routt Co., Colorado. By Marius R. Campbell.

Bulletin No. 755-A-The Alaskan Mining Industry in 1922. By Alfred H. Brooks and Stephen R. Capps.

Bulletin No. 755-B-The Metalliferous Deposits of Chitina Valley, Alaska.
By Fred H. Moffit.

Bulletin No. 760-A-Pedestal Rocks in the Arid Southwest. By Kirk Bryan.
Bulletin No. 749-Geology of the Tullock Coal Field. By G. S. Rogers.
Prof. Paper No. 132-B-A New Fauna from the Colorado Group of Southern
Montana. By John B. Reeside, Jr.

Prof. Paper No. 133-The Correlation of the Vicksburg Group. By C. Wythe
Cooke; and The Forminifera of the Vicksburg Group. By Joseph A.
Cushman.

Prof. Paper No. 132-C-Notes on the Geology of Green River Valley between Green River, Wyoming, and Green River, Utah.

Water Supply Paper No. 527-Surface Water Supply of the United States, 1921. Part VII. Lower Mississippi River Basin. By Nathan C. Grover. Water Supply Paper No. 520-A-A Variation in Annual Run-off in the Rocky Mountain Region. By Robt. Follansbee.

Water Supply Paper No. 528-Surface Water Supply of the United States, 1921. Part VIII. Western Gulf of Mexico Basin. Water Supply Paper No. 502-Part II.

Gulf of Mexico Basins.

South Atlantic Slope and Eastern

Water Supply Paper No. 515-Surface Water Supply of Hawaii in 1919. By N. C. Grover.

Water Supply Paper No. 506-Surface Water Supply of the United States, 1919-1920. Part VI. Missouri Riven Basin.

Water Supply Paper No. 494-Outline of Ground-Water Hydrology. By Oscar E. Meinzer.

Water Supply Paper No. 505-Surface Water Supply of the United States. Part V. Hudson Bay and Upper Mississippi River Basins. By N. C. Grover et al.

Water Supply Paper No. 524-Part IV. St. Lawrence River Basin. By N. C. Grover et al.

Mineral Resources of the United States:

Potash in 1922. By George R. Mansfield.

Platinum and Allied Minerals in 1922. By J. N. Hill.

Clay in 1922. By Jefferson Middleton.

Tin in 1922. By B. L. Johnson.

Talc and Soapstone in 1922. By Edward Sampson.

Silver, Copper, Lead and Zinc in the Central States in 1922. By J. P. Dunlop and F. Begeman.

Fuller's Earth in 1922. By Jefferson Middleton.

Arsenic in 1922. By V. C. Heikes and G. F. Loughlin.

Magnesium and Its Compounds in 1922. By J. M. Hill.

[blocks in formation]

Coal in 1919, 1920, 1921. By F. G. Tryon and Sydney A. Hale.

Phosphate Rock in 1922.

By G. R. Mansfield.

Gypsum in 1922. By K. W. Cottrell.

Slate in 1922. By G. F. Loughlin and A. T. Coons.

Barytes and Barium Products in 1922. By G. W. Stose.

Secondary Metals in 1922. By J. P. Dunlop.

Sulphur and Pyrites in 1922. By H. A. C. Jenison and H. M. Meyer.

Mica in 1922. By B. H. Stoddard.

Gold, Silver, Copper and Lead in South Dakota and Wyoming in 1922. By C. W. Henderson.

Lime in 1922. By G. F. Loughlin and A. T. Coons.

Silica in 1922. By Frank J. Katz.

Gold, Silver, Copper, Lead and Zinc in Idaho and Washington in 1922. By C. N. Gerry.

Sand and Gravel in 1922. By L. M. Beach.

Mineral Waters in 1922. By W. D. Collins.

Abrasive Materials in 1922. By L. M. Beach and A. T. Coons.

Gold, Silver, Copper, Lead and Zinc in New Mexico and Texas in 1922. By Chas. W. Henderson.

Cement in 1922. By E. F. Burchard and B. W. Bagley.

U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey:

Annual Report of the Director to the Secretary of Commerce for the year ending June 30, 1923.

Serial No. 240-Special Publication No. 95-Precise Leveling in Georgia. By Henry G. Avers.

U. S. Bureau of Mines :

Annual Report, 13th, of the Director for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 1923. A Handbook for Miners-Self-Contained Mine Rescue Oxygen Breathing Apparatus. By D. J. Parker et al.

Bulletin No. 170-Extinguishing and Preventing Oil and Gas Fires. By C. P. Bowie.

Bulletin No. 220-Bibliography of Petroleum and Allied Substances, 1921. By E. H. Burroughs.

Bulletin No. 232-Manual for Oil and Gas Operations. By T. E. Swigart and C. E. Beecher.

Bulletin No. 215-Timbering of Metal Mines. By E. A. Hobrook et al.

Bulletin No. 208--The Electrothermic Metallurgy of Zinc. By B. M. O'Harra,

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