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I SORTED AND SAMPLED |Jf XIn commerce the term apshaltum is generally used to indicate any or all of the•*varieties of hydrocarbons which are included under the mineralogical names of asphalt uml as elaterite, wurtzilite, albertite graharaite, uintaite, gilsouite and some otli-Ter well-known compounds which exist in nature in all conditions from the viscid to the solid.Calcined magnesite, generally in the form of brick, is now universally recognizedas the best material for lining basic open-hearth furnaces, cement kilns, etc. Thedistinctive characteristics of a magnesitelining are durability, freedom from moisture and silicic acid, and resistance to corrosion when exposed to the action of basicslags and metallic oxides. These qualities make the lining cheaper than most others in the long run.The total value of all of the petroleum marketed in the United States during 1904was $101,170,466, a gain of $6,476,416 over1903, and the largest value hitherto recorded. The average price received was SC.4 cents per barrel compared with 94.20cents for 1903; there being a decline of 7.SG cents per barrel, which was more than offset by the increase in quantity. There was a gain of 14.07 cents per barrel in value in 1903 over 1902.In dry climates, and especially in the western states, assayers experience some difficulty in the handling of their delicatebutton balances^ Sometimes, in merely dusting, in touching the glass accidentally,the instrument becomes charged with staticelectricity, so that accurate weighing is nearly impossible. Sometimes a windstorm,or air friction on the case will cause the rider to become unmanageable. The trouble may be overcome by wiping the case with a moist cloth.When ore is crushed the ore proper is usually pulverized first, as it is more brittle than the matrix or gangue of rock which accompanies the mineral. This fine ore tends to pass the ordinary screens, but there is a point which seems, in the case of many ores, to limit the readiness of pulverization. This limit appears in manytables of screening tests to be reached atabout 160 to 180 mesh. In other cases the finest slime will carry the richest value.The conditions and qualities governing thepulverization limit of ore have not yet beenworked out.California is the only state in the Union that produces magnesite, which is a native magnesium carbonate, composed of 47.6 per cent magnesia and 52.4 per cent carbon dioxide. During 1904 the quantity of crudemagnesite produced was 2850 tons, valued' at $9298. With the exception pf 51 tonsmined in Fresno and Napa counties, this was all derived from the deposits at Por-tersville, Tulare county. For 1903 the quantity reported was 3744 short tons crude,valued at $10,595, equivalent to 1361 tons calcined, worth $20,515. The demand for both crude and calcined magnesite on the Pacific coast is limited, and prohibitivefreight rates has thus far prevented shipments to the east. Oregon and California consume the entire native production,The mineral magnesite is a native carbonate of magnesia, composed of magnesia(MgO) 47.6 per cent and carbon dioxide (C02) 52.4 per cent. There is often combined with it a small quantity of magnesium silicate and iron carbonate. The production of this mineral in the United States continues to he entirely from California, and during 1904 the quantity of output was 2850 tons crude, valued at $9298. With the exception of 51 tons from Fresno and Napa counties, this was all derived from the deposits at Portersville, Tulare county. Inthe crude state magnesite is used for the manufacture of carbon-dioxide gas; calcined it is used in the manufacture of paper from wood pulp; and as a refractory material inbrick or concrete form for lining furnaces,covering steam pipes, as artificial lumber, as composite stone for lithographing, etc.The magnesia chloride is an excellent bleaching agent■The first borax produced in the United States was in 1S64 at Borax Lake, on the margin of Clear Lake, Lake county, Cal., where 12 short tons were manufactured by the evaporation of the waters of the lake.The price obtained at that time was 39 cents per pound, or $780 per ton. Before this production, however, Dr. John A.Veatch had discovered borax (in 1856) at the Tuscan Springs in Tehama county, and also at the mouth of Pitt river, Shasta county, California. In that same year he discovered the existence of borax Lake, where the first production was subsequently made. In 1860 the same gentleman found traces of borax at Mono Lake, Mono county. In 1863 Mr. J. W. Searles discovered borax inSearles Lake, in San Bernardino county,near the Inyo county line. From 1864 to1S6S the entire product of the United Statescame from the waters of Borax Lake, Lake■county.
Newspaper Details
Salt Lake City Mining Review
Salt Lake City, Utah, US
Thu, Nov 30, 1905
Page 4
Full Page
Clipped by
Dean T.
USA 28 Dec 2022
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