Document xzeeap0ME239XzON3XK30kJRg
X
|j&' ;
^
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF CO
R. P. LAMONT, S.cr.trr
BUREAU OF MINE
SCOTT TURNER* Director
MINERAL RESO
OF THE
'
UNITED STA
1927
FRANK J. KATZ
Chief EngliMtTi Division of Minera
PART I--METALS
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING O
WASHINGTONl 1I 11PNW0y,
Ou/
r sals by ths Superintendent of Documents, Washington
LEAD
By Le w is A. Smit h
STATISTICAL SUMMA
'Lower prices for lead in 1927 resulted i production in the tri-State area but on the fleet the domestic situation as regards prod
stead of being stimulated by the reduction in ^`primary metal actually decreased more t salient statistics of the lead industry in the nd 1927 are compared in the following table
4
Salient figures of the lead industry in the United
Production of refined primary lead: From domestic ores................................................................ ....sho From domestic aDd foreign ores...... ...............................................
Average selling price per pound of refined lead.......................... ........ Value of refined primary lead produced from domestic ores............. . Imports of lead in ore, base bullion, etc.:
General....... . ......... ............................ ................................. .sho For consumption....... ........ .............. ............................... ................ Exports of lead: '' From domestic ores.............. ............................. ......... ..................... . From foreign ores........................................................................ ....... 8tock* of lead in bonded warehouse: h 1 Jan. 1......................J...............................___.. Dec. 31............................................................................ ................... -- Total supply of reOned primary lead................................. Lead withdrawn....... ....................................... -............................... .... Apparent consumption of roflned primary lead >................ ................. AntlrnociaUead produced______ ____ __________________________ ___ Recovery secondary lead.................... ............................................. ...
1 Exclusive of foreign lead exported In manufactures and upon wbl
The production of refined primary lead fro ^decreased 1.8 per cent from 1926, but the de .lead from domestic and foreign sources was v /selling price of lead decreased 1.7 cents .per .from 1926 and accounted largely for the ma J25,000,000 in the value of refined lead .produ 'Most of the smelter production from dome States, ranking as follows in importance: Mi ,the total), Utah (22.7 per cent), Idaho (2
, 'The statistics on domestic prpduotlon were prepared by H. M. M exports were complied from records of the Bureau of Foreign and Do both of tho Bureau of Mines.
342
MINERAL RESOURCES, 192 7---- PART I
(9.6 per cent), Colorado (5.4 per cent), and Montana (3.4 per cent).
These six States account for nearly 94 per cent of the total of 684,165 tons from domestic sources; only Idaho and Utah showed substantial
increases. The total imports of lead in 1927 were nearly 14,000 tons in excess of those in 1926, and the exports were 53,000 tons more
than m 1926. Practically all of the lead recovered from ore produced in the United States is used at home; only about 2,500 tons of lead from domestic ores was exported in 1927.
GENERAL FEATURES OF LEAD INDUSTRY IN 1927
The production and the apparent use of lead both declined in the,
Umted States in 1927 but probably did not in the rest of the world/
Available figures for world output and consumption indicate a slight
increase over thoso for 1926, a record year. No new factors appeared
in the situation. The competition of substitutes for lead and the;
return of secondary metal continued to trouble producers, but even>
along these lines that would tend substantially to alter the trend that
has been under way for several years there were no outstanding*
developments. There is reason to believo that the apparent drop in
domestic demand represents in part at least nothing more than the
adoption of hand-to-mouth buying policies on the part of certain
consumers who, in view of market conditions and improved, trans-:i
portation services, considered it no longer necessary to maintain as '
large stocks as formerly. Flotation, notably selective or -differential
flotation, made further advances, yielding richer concentrates and
higher extractions at lower costs.
CHANGES IN USES
For several years the American Bureau of Metal Statistics has published.a table that shows the approximate amounts of lead con sumed in the various uses in which that metal is required. By translating these figures into percentages an idea may be gained as to the relative changes in distribution according to the various outlets for lead.
Percentage of total lead consumed in Ike United States, 1923-1927, by uses
Use
Storage batteries.................................. Cable coverings....................................
BWuhiiltdeinlega.d.._._..-................................................................
Litharge and red lead ........................ . Solder.................................... -............... Ammunition......................................... Bearing metal......... ........................ . Foil......................................................... Calking....................................... ......... Castings___*......................................... Typo metal................... .............. ........ Automobiles........................................ Terneplate............................................. Railway cars........................ ............. Locomotives......................................... Shipbuilding........................................ Miscellaneous..................................... .
1923 1024 1925
1027
18.62 17.06 16.03 9.76 5. 09 3.01 6.21
3.65 4.34 3.26
1. 05 1. 66 1.35 .60 .78 .27 .01 4. 75
20.93
17.00 18.47*
10.23 4. 10 3. 69 3. 32
3.04 4.31 3. 26
1.85 1. 60
1.32 .60 .65 .14 .02 4.68
21.02
18.21 15.20 10. 32 4.00 4.00
3.68 3. o; 3. 80 3. 60 2. 10 1.76
1. 49 .63 .62 .09 .01 4.73
21.00
20. 63
13.32 10.40
4.00 4.11
3.65
4.00 3. 89
32.0r,05
1.78 1.86 .45 .42
.11 .01
4.04
20.81 10. 15
14.98 10.46 4.62 : 4.16 4.04
3.60 . 3. 57 3.67 2.02 1.00
1.43 .46 .32 .08 .02 4.62
LEAD
I * Four of tho outlets alone, it will be noted, acc
|thirds of the total consumption. As prepare
IBureau of Metal Statistics the estimates of cons
11927 add to onlj>840,950 tons, or almost 100,00
|total lead available for consumption in the Unite
I by production and trade figures now available.
relative proportions of lead used for the various
[but using tho larger figures for indicated con
[required by these principal consuming industr
I estimated at approximately 195,000 short tons
180,000 tons for cable coverings, 141,000 tons
198,000 tons in building.
c
E' Four years is scarcely long enough for definit
I-established, but the percentages in the foregoing
|relative to other uses, the consumption of lead
I cable coverings and on the decrease in the manu
I In building there is'a consistent though slight up
[.storage batteries, on the other hand, the upw years seems to have reached its climax. The g
lead for the last-named purpose is affected by Fuse of "socket power" for radio receivipg sets
1 available, thus eliminating a large number of s
! more important factor, however, is the recovery
- part (estimated at about 95 per cent) of tho lead
: teries is returned to the industry within two to
i initial utilization in this way. Hence, despite
of automobiles and radio receivers in use, the
lead required in storage battery manufacture h
However, the extent to which old battery
virgin metal is not revealed by available figure
given in the table are based upon estimated
including lead of both primary and secondary o
lead.
As compared with 1926 there was a drop in
coverings in 1927. Nevertheless, the outlook f
in this field, the-second largest use of the metal, i
favorable.' ' Although undersea cable coverings
Elace for many years, land cable and transmissio eing raised, enlarged, and replaced. The lea
reclaimed; but, since, new and larger lines
added as the use of electricity becomes more-a
consumption in this field should increase, prov
substitutes to replace lead are not found. In the manufacture of white lead, formerl
outlet for the metal, there was an apparent s sumption in 1927, offsetting in part the dow
recent years. In Eur-ope the use of white lea
has been unfavorably affected by legislation th particularly for interior painting, because of all
workmen applying it.- In the United State pigment has failed tp share in the fast-growi
products is simply the result of active com
substances, notably zinc-white, lithopone, bariu
oxide, and cellulose lacquers. Of these substitu
344
MINERAL RESOURCES, 1927--PART I
which now find such extensive use in the automobile industry, and
titanium oxide are newcomers in the field. The latter after becoming
moderately well established abroad has made steady advances in
this country. The importance of this new competition may be
gauged by the fact that the National Lead Co., a leading manufac
turer of lead pigments, has purchased the properties and business of
one of the largest titanium pigment companies in Europe and has
obtained control of one of the largest producers of such pigments in
this country. It is evident that the prospects for the wider use of white lead are not bright.
As regards the use of primary lead in the building industry the
competition from reclaimed lead and substitute materials is likewise
apparent. Because of its resistance to corrosion and its workability
load is used in roofing sheets, cornices, electric cables and wiring,
drainage and sewerage pipes, plumbing fixtures, etc. Brass, copper,
and zinc are all finding increased application in building, and the brass
manufacturers especially are advertising extensively and effectively.
However, the American people are beginning to demand more per
manence in their buildings. For this reason, even though lead may
be replaced by other materials for some purposes, it is likely to hold
its own and possibly may find further uses in the construction indus
tries.
.
In the numerous minor fields of use the only recent development
that calls for special comment seems to be the replacement *of solid
bearings by roller bearings. Even some of the railway companies
have equipped their rolling stock with these new bearing's which,
though much more expensive in initial cost, are deemed advantageous
because they reduce friction and consequently contribute to greater operating economy.
Lead is relatively a cheap metal, and for this reason even a
decrease in its price does not tend largely to encourage its use' to
replace other metals. Increases in the price of other metals, however,
do tend to encourage the substitution of lead therefor. In the manu
facture of foil, for example, either (1) pure tin, (2) pure lead, (3) lead
covered with tin on both sides, or (4) aluminum may be used. When
the price of tin advances to 50 cents or over per pound, foil manu
facturers are disposed to replace it as far as possible by lead. Since
ordinary solder contains lead and tin in equal proportion, other sol
ders, such as cadmium solders, which contain 85 to 95 per cent of lead,
or amaloy," a now invention containing 98 per cent or even more
of lead and only 1 per cent or less of tin (a small amount of phos
phorus being added to produce the desired properties), tend to be used when tin beoomes relatively more costly.
NEW USES
In addition to amaloy, which is being used for soldering work in the automobile industry and in the manufacture and installation of electrical equipment, a few other new uses have come into prominence lately, and some of these may develop into important items of con sumption. In building construction interest is evoked by the use of lead mattresses to act as shock absorbers between the foundations and the steel framework of skyscrapers. In one building in New York about 55 tons of lead appears to have been used for this purpose.
LEAD
In the pigment field a new lead preparation ca been introduced. ' This preparation, which consi divided particles of lead suboxide (Pb20) suspen can be sprayed or applied with a brush upon an being applied it undergoes a slow transformation, of metallic lead -held firmly as a protective coait by
SELECTIVE FLOTATION
UNITED STATES
No important new lead districts have been di years, but the world's resources have been larg result of more efficient metallurgical processes. As and zinc are typically associated in nature. Ores mined together in many parts of the world, bu 1 advent of the Wilfley table in the nineties the sep 'and zinc.was incomplete and wasteful. In the lead and zinc have been separated with fair succes but in the western United States the lead and z quently also copper and iron sulphides are so intim relatively fine grinding is necessary to liberate t erals. The development of methods of treating th the Rocky Mountain States is one of the most in in the history of ore dressing. The shaking ta economic operation of an enormous number of d succeeded in effecting a thoroughly' satisfactory blende in particular, being intermediate in speci the lead and the gangue minerals, was not recov The zinc that accompanied the lead concentrate in smelting, was not paid for, and if present in amount was penalized.
Even before the World War flotation was b improve the recovery of sulphide minerals, partic sory process for the treatment of slimes, but it w 1918 that methods were devised whereby the present in complex ores'of lead and zinc could be cially by flotation. In North America, the Sulliv Columbia was the first to introduce selective flo zinc on a large scale, and it was not until 1924 this new method became apparent in the product United States. The fact that a reasonably clean effected by this relatively simple process has mad itable operation of many mines that otherwise forced to close down as a result of the price level that prevailed during the greater part of 1927. has been to bring into the category of commercia was not previously workable.
In the Mississippi Valley and Eastern States, less complex, the effect of this new method has not In consequence, operators in these States have western competitors. The reasons for this are Bom By using selective flotation the mills in the W making cleaner products and recovering more zinc
346
MINERAL RESOURCES, 1927--PART I
penalized as formerly the zinc thus saved is now being paid for and, contributes to theopcrating income of the mining companies. More- over, much of this new western zinc, being refined eloctrolytically, is produced so cheaply that under existing conditions it introduces serious competition ns against the product of retort smelting in Cen-'. tral and Eastern States. This situation relates primarily to zinc but-
nevertheless reacts upon the lead situation. To be sure, the Western States have increased lead production but did so essentially because they havo been able vastly to increase their zinc output. In the Mississippi Valley, on the other hand, the considerable proportion of
the lead production coming from small mines that are dominantly
zinc producers has been curtailed. The fact that the Mississippi
Valley ores do not contribute by-product credits in the form of gold and silver values is a further handicap, as it makes the eastern
minors depend even more than the western operators upon the prices
of'lead, and zinc. As noted elsewhere, the output of lead in the
Mississippi Valley and Eastern States, as measured by smelter records, decreased from 313,891 tons in 1926 to 288,347 tons in 1927, or 8.1 per cent.
_ The American Bureau of Motal Statistics has canvassed tho prin cipal' western producers to determine the amount of lead and zinc ores beneficiated by flotation. The following table shows tho rapid increase in lead output by selective flotation and other flotation methods. The production of 220,000 tons of lead in flotation con centrates in the Western States in 1927, accounted for by the incom
Eplete canvass above cited, indicates that at least 56 per cent of the
ead from western ores was recovered by flotation.
Lead and zinc concentrates directly obtained in Western Slates by use of flotation
methods, 1921-1927
.
[Dased oo figures complied by tbe American Bureau ol Melal Statistics and published In Its Yehr Book tor 1927, p. 701
Lead concentrates
Year
Total produced
Short tons
mi..............
1922 .........................
1923 ......................... 1924 ..........................1 . 1926.............................. 1926 .............................. 1927.............................. .
107,237 117,405 166,777 235.049 320, 613 392,220 451,617
10. 168
49,372 68,272 86,464 71.707 69,397
9.48 42.05
40.94 30.36
22.37 16.14
Lead content
Short tona
Increase Short tona
Lead coDtont of tine concentrates
Short tons
Per coot
41.67
41.85 42. 07 41.17 43.46 46. 67 48. 77
44,904 49, 131 70, 166 96, 774 139,264
183,047 220.236
4,227
21,035 26,608 42,490
43,783 37, 180
6.41 42.81 37.92 43.61 31.44 20.32
4,467 6,105 11.181 14,368 11,064 16. 722 12,293
11.60 7.43 6.60 6.30 4.36 4.13 2.46
The first significant feature is the increase of western concentrates being produced by flotation (mainly selective). The greatest absolute
increase was made in 1925, when an increase of 85,464 tons of concentrates'was obtained. Following that lesser increases of 71,707 tons in 1926 and 59,397 tons in 1927 were made. The increase of
LEAD
' '1922 over 1921 was 9.48 per cent; of 1923 over - over 1923,40.94; of 1925 over 1924, 36.36; of 1 and of 1927 over 1926, 15.14 per cent. Durin .'1921 to 1927, the amount of lead in the concen 41.87 per cent in 1921to 41.17 per cent in 192 to'48.77 per cent in 1927, a net increase of 6.9 /Such an increase indicates that much progress in .attained since 1921, and.some further increase future as more improved methods are found. A percentage of lead in the zinc concentrates has from 11.6 per cent in 1921 to 2.46 per cent in 1
: CANADA
; The Canadian mills are likewise treating a larg ores by selective flotation. The production fig shown in the table that follows.
Flotation concentrates produced in Canada,
|Figures compiled by tho Americas Bureau of Meta
Lead concentrates
Zln
Year
Short ton*
Lead content
Short tons
Per cent
Short tons
Zino
Short tona
1924.. ......................... i 125,879*
1925............................. 181. 103
1926.......................--. 182,895
1927.............................
204,764
80,822 101,908 118,243 137,789
64.21 63.26 64.65 67.29
127,901
168,252 206,641
206,867
65,014 76,464 63,899 99,909
Selective flotation in Canada has also materia and lead output as well as the zinc or lead co trates. The lead content of the zinc concentrate reduced from 5.41 per cent in 1924 to 2.94 per cen
estimated that the Canadian production would b tons less if it were" not for selective flotation.
MEXICO
.
Many of the Mexican mines have shown a ores with increase in depth. Thus, a good pric necessary to insure their continued operation. will probably have an increasingly beneficial influ situation. This influence hitherto has been sim that in the United States and -Canada. The p flotation in 1927 was mpre than three times tha
content is- lower than in Canada, and the perce lead is lower. The complexity of the Mexican
the large number of mines producing, has no dou able recovery. The increased production of 1927
largely due to installations using selective flotat
348
MINERAL RESOURCES, 192 7---- PART I
|
The following paragraphs are quoted from the American Bureau!
of Metal Statistics statement of April 23,1928:
j
The returns from 17 operations in this country [Mexico], beginning with 1925, j
give the following totals:
|
Flotation concentrates produced in Mexico, 1986-1987
. 'I
Lead concentrates
Zinc concentrates
Year
Short tons
Lead content
Short tone
Per cent
Short tons
Zino content
Lead content
Short tons
Per cont
Short tons
Per cent
1028............................. 108,022 1926............................. 142; 160 1927............................. 211.107
34,808 61.124 96,316
31.68 43.00 46.62
86,306 190,893 268,160
41,603 96,086 138,260
48.87 60.66 61.66
2,306 2,087 6,327
2.70 1.41 1.99
By comparison with the Mexican official statistics it appears that our totals |
as given above are only a little short of the total zino production of Mexico. !
Most of the zino concentrate of Mexico is beneficlated pyrometallurgically, j
principally in Europe, but a small part of its ore is distilled domestically and a j
part is distilled in bond in the United States. Of the exportation of ore to 1
Europe, a small part goes to electrolytic extraction there.
S
DOMESTIC PRODUCTION
'
J
.
RfCSUMfS
-
1
Refined primary lead produced in the United States in 1927 from 1
domestic ores amounted to 668,320 short tons, valued (at the average j
selling price of refined lead, 6.3 cents a pound) at $^4,208,000. These 1
figures represent decreases of 1.8 per cent in auantity and 22,7 peri
cent in value as compared with 1926. Refined lead produced in 1927 I
from foreign ores and base bullion amounted to 128,210 short tons, 4
valued at $16,155,000. The total output of refined lead in 1927 from j
both domestic and foreign ores and bullion was 796,530 tons, valued i
at $100,363,000.
;
Refined lead produced and consumed in the United Slates, 1986 and 1987, in short
ions
;
1926
1927
PRODUCTION c o n s u mp t io n *
366,413 258,666
66,707
680,686 118,256
798.941 22,624
277,300
378,889 233,944
66,487
668,320 128,210
796,630 24,347
270,000
717,663
663,412
"Primary load/* which Is produced directly from ore, Is here distinguished from "secondary lead," v wbloh Is obtained by redoing skimmlngs, drosses, and old metals. The statistics of secondary lead are
given on p. 868. In this report the word "lead " used without qualification means primary lead. ' For method of calculating consumption see p. 371.
LEAD
:t< Refined lead produced in ihe'United States from
Year
Short tons
Value '
Ye
1918. 1919. 920. 1931.
r1_92_3.
If: .
, 639,906 r 424,433
476,849 3D8,222 468,746
$76,667,000 1923............ 44.990.000 1 1924............ 76.296.000 1 1920............ 36.840.000 1920............ 61.662.000 1927............
QUANTITY AND VALUE OF RE
The total refined lead produced in the U 1927, from domestic ores and from foreign
its value are shown in the following table:
Refined lead produced in the United S
Short tons
Year
Desilver Desilver
Total
ized ized Soft lend1 produc
lead1* soft lead
tion.'
From domestic oros and
base* bullion
1720-1912.-- 7.170,497
1913.............. 301,16C
1914.............. 340,397
1915.............. 344,603
1916.............. 336,376
1917.............. 306,903
1918.............. 382.314
. 1910_______ 260.633
1920.............. 273,13?
1921.............. 238,32t
1922......... .
m ioi
1923 ......... -- 306.241
1924 .............. 423,421
1925............... 467,47:
.1926............. A484,661
1927...........
607,099
326,991 2, 929,180 10,432, 668 8.646,38 29,433 131. 867 462; 460 411,87 43,606 158,219 642,122 . 612,70 44,001 161,461 650,056 607,02 08,244 * 167,616 671.134 552,22 60,208 188,603 010,769 648,46 47,418 210,403 640,195 639,90 67.938 147,744 482.220 424,43 66.668 180,864 629, 657 476.84 62,747 157,613 448, 686 398,22 74,305 209, 26C 632,662 468,74 61,332 190,749 618,322 643,84 63.44G 203.01f 600,463 666,40 48,032 200, 60C 766,909 664.92 65,707 258,561 788,941 680,68
66,487 233,944 796.630 668,32
12,612,358 1,162,426 6,799,002 19,473,786 16,600,08
1 Tho load content of antlmonlal lead Is oxcludcd; see page 367. 1 Dosllvorixod soft load Isoxcludod.
' Details for years prior to 1913 aTe show
.The valuei-for years prior to 1917 is based
Now York; beginning with 1917 the value
: of each producing company.
'
PRODUCTION BY STA
SMELTER OUTPUT
The smelter production of primary lead domestic and foreign sources for 1927 was While the total output was essentially th stantial decrease in the Mississippi Valley tailments in the production from many of a decreased output of by-product lead o operations. This decrease was balanced, i the- output of the Western States. The selective flotation methods applied to t increased the output of lead there.
108395--30----- 81
356
MINERAL RESOURCES, 192 7--PART I
The St. Joseph Lead Co.'s output and sales in 1927 were as follows*
Lead produced and sold by the St. Joseph Lead Co. in 1927, in short tons
Ore.......................................................................................... Lead concentrates:____________________________________________________ Lead content---------------------------------------------------------------Lead:
Smelter output_____ _____
Sales..........................
4,527,094 203,38 151,04" ' 140,875
193,265
Comparable figures for the National Lead Co. and the United States
Smelting, Refining & Mining Co. are not available from the company
reports.
'
SOFT LEAD
The lead ores of the Mississippi Valley are almost froo from silver, and the lead produced from them is known as soft lead. The out put of the lead pigment known as basic lead sulphate or sublimed lead is derived from these ores. The galena of southern Illinois, however, is notably argentiferous as compared with the rest of the Mississippi Valley ores, and the silver-bearing lead concentrates treated during.! the period 1918 to 1927 averaged 5.5 ounces of silver to the ton; lead m this district is now produced only incidentally in the concen
tration of fluorspar, and the output is small compared with that from i other districts in the Mississippi Valley States.1 Lead ores from southeastern Missouri also contain a small amount of silver; over a series of years the silver-bearing lead concentrates smelted have averaged about 1 ounce of silver to the ton.
Zinc ores from Western States, that are made into zinc oxide, contain some lead which goes into the pigment; therefore it is not
strictly accurate to speak of the lead content of pigmdnts as wholly soft lead.
In some years small quantities of foreign lead have also been made into pigments in the United States. During the period covered by
the following table, lead pigments vilere made from foreign ores in 1924 only, when the lead so recovered amounted to 545 tons.
Soft lead produced in the United Staten from, domestic ores, 1022-1927, in short tons
. Year
Bolt pig lead
Undesil- Desil vorized verized
Total
1922............................................... 1923.... ... 1924............................................... 1925........................................ 1926................ .............................. 1937...............................................
209, 250 190,749 203, 616 260,560 268,666 233, 944
74,305 61,332 03. 449 48,932 55, 707 65,487
283, 555 262,081 267,064 309,492 314,272 289,431
Soft
lend re* coverod In pigmoots
Tola] soft lead
Total domestic
lead 1
Soft lead per* centage
of do mestic lead
13,892 13,612 15,338 17,647 13, 686 13,136
297,447 265, 093 282,402 327,039 327, 957 302, 667
488,448 567.247 693,486 684,968 710, 990 695, 500
61 47 48 48 46 44
1 Includes domestlo refined lead, domestic lend Id aDtimonlal load, and domestic lend In pigments.
ANTIMONIAL LEAD
By-product antimonial lead, produced by lead refineries in 1927 from domestic and foreign argentiferous lead ores, amounted to
24,347 short tons, This amount is 8 per cent greater than the
LEAD
[production in 1926 and exceeds any. previous annual lerable antimonial lead from secondary sources was a Ithe regular lead smelters in 1927; the. figures coverin Ition are given in the ohapter on secondary metals. (from which antimonial lead is obtained is produced fStates and in Mexico.
By-product antimonial lead produced in the United State
Total load refined from bASO bullion (abort tons)
By product
antimonlal From
load doroestio (percent ore
age of (sbort total) tons)
From foroign
ore (abort tons)
Antimonial lead
Tot
Bbort tons
Value
Antim
Sb ton
t'1018.... k 1919
1930........... 1921.... 1922.... 1923.... 1924.... 1926.... 1926.... 1937 ....
382,314 266,638 273,136 238,329 249,107 306,241 423,429 467,477 484,669 607,099
Average.;
4.9 6.2 4.6 4.2 3.2 3.9 -4.9
4.3 4.6 4.8
10,777 9,674 9,604 7,881 7,068 11,636 13,693 14,472 18,909 16,040
7,793 4,200 2,691 2,183 1,007 2,656 7,194 6,196 3,616 . 8,307
18,570 13,874 12,636 10,064
8,076 14,190 20,787 19,607 22,624 24,847
(2,820,360 1,613,968 1,963,255 870,069
844,968 1,960,870 3.376.713 3,786,647 3.916.714 3,277,043
4. A
2, 1, 2, 1, 1 2 2 2 2 2
,*
LEAD PIGMENTS
The amount of lead contained in pigments was
per cent of the total lead recovered from domestic to 37 per cent in 1926. By far the largest part was pigments manufactured from pig lead--white lead, mineral, and litharge. In these pigments the lead from about 80 to nearly 93 per cent. A smaller Qu recovered in the pigment known as basic lead sulph white lead and sublimed blue lead, and a -Btill sma
recovered from the zinc ores from which the zinc oxide
Lead in pigments,* 1922-1927, by sources, in sho
Year
Lead In pig Domestlo Foreign
ore ore
}"2.......................... -...........................------------ --------------
13,892 13,6J 2 16,338 17,547 13,686 13,136
646
`Include* also load recovered In xloo oxide and leaded eino oxide.
358
MINERAL RESOURCES, 192 7--PART I
SECONDARY DEAD
The recovery of load from wasto material is a branch of the metal industry that has expanded notably in recent years. Lead is a relatively cheap metal; but for various reasons, one of which is that it does not rust, it is rather easily reclaimed. The main sources of secondary lead are old pipe, cable sheathings, battery plates, lead linings for acid tanks, and such alloys as babbitt, solder, and type metal. The most important of these sources now is old battery plates which, as stated elsewhere in this chapter, are likely to be returned within two or three years after being fabricated.
Secondary lead recovered in Ike United Stales, 1922-1927, in short tons
Year
. Fig lead
Load la alloys
Total re covered
lead
Value
1924....................................... ..........................................
1926................. ......................................;........................... 1926............................. ........................ ............................. 1027.................................................................................
76,480 00,430 00,400 112,420 '126,000 110,000
84,080 08,000 114,100 114,400 152,300 167,000
160,600 104,400 204,600 220,880 277,300
270,000
$17,652,000 27.220.000 32, 720,000 30.477.000 44.368.000 34.776.000
A number of years ago the principal use for lead was in pigments, and lead consumed in this way could not bo reclaimed'. As time passes the increased tendency toward nondestructive uses is building up a large reserve of lead which will eventually become available for reuse. The quantity of secondary lead recovered in the United States has increased largely not only in actual tonnage but also relatively in respect to the primary production of lead. As the following table indicates, the ratio of secondary lead recovery to refined primary lead production in the United States has been increasing quite rapidly since 1918, amounting in 1927 to 41 per cent.
Ratio o} secondary lead recovered to refined primary lead produced in the United . Stales from domestic ores, 1913-1927
Year
1013..............................................................................................
1914..............................................................................................
1916..............................................................................................
1916 ............................................................................................
1917 .................................................... '....................................
1918.......................................... ;.............................. ..................
1919 ............................................................................
1920.................................................................................
1921 ...................................................
..
1922.................................................. ..
..............................
1923.................................................... '
............................
1924................. .................................
'
1926.................................................... .........................................
1926 .............................................................................................
1927.................................................... '
' '"
Rofined primary lead
Secondary lead
Short tons
Averago price per
pound (cents)
llatlo to re
Short tons
fined pri mary fend
(per cent)
411,878 612,794 607,020 652.228 648, 460 639, 905 424,433 470, 840 308. 222 408,746 643,841 500,407 054,021 080,086 008,320
4.4 72,834 3.9 01,002 4.7 78,000 0. 0 90, 300 8.0 03,600 7. 1 97,100 6.3 122, 100 8.0 124,060 4.5 103, 780 6.5 150,660 7.0 104,490 8.0 204,600 8.7 220,880 8.0 277,300 0.3 270,000
18 12
16 17 17 18
2269
26 34 36, 36 36 41 41
LEAD
LEAD SMELTERS AND REFINER
UNITED STATES
Arizona: Douglas--Phelps Dodge Corporation. (Smelte California: Selby--SolBy plant, American Smelting & R
and refinery.)
Colorado: Durango--Durango plant, American Smelting & Re Lcadxillc--Arkansas Valloy plant, American Sme
(Smelter.) Idaho: Kellogg--Bunker Hill & Sullivan smelter. (Sme
Illinois:
1
Chicago--Great Western Smelting <fc Refining Co. *
Collinsville--St. Louis Smelting & Refining Works
(Smelter and refinery.)
.
Federal--Federal plant, American Smelting & Refinin
Indiana: East Chicago--International Lead Refining Co. * (R
East Chicago--U. S.'S. Lead Refinery (Inc.).4 (
electrolytic process.) Kansas: Galena--Galena plant, Eagle-Picher Lead Co.
Missouri:
_
.Granby--American Zinc, Lead & Smelting Co. * (Sm
Herculaneum--St. Joseph Lead Co. (Smelter and ro
Joplin--Eagle-Picher Lead Co. (Smelter.) Montana: East Helena--East Helena plant, American Sm
(Smelter.) Nebraska: Omaha--Omaha plant, American Smelting & R
only. Betts electrolytic process.)
*
New Jersey.
.
Newark--Balbach plant, Balbach Metals Corporation
cry.) Perth Amboy--Perth Amboy plant, American Sm
(Smelter and refinery.) Oklahoma: St Louis--Ontario smelter, Eagle-Picher Lead
Pennsylvania: Carnegie--Pennsylvania Smelting Co. (S
Texas: El Paso--Kansas City Consolidated Smelting &
ter.)
*
Utah: .
.
International--International Smelting Co. * (Smelt
Midvale--United States Smelting, Refining & Minin
Murray--Murray plant, American Smelting & Refin
CANADA
British Columbia*: Trail--Consolidated Mining & Sme (Ltd.). (Smelter and refinery. Betts electrolytic proc
Ontario: Galetta--Kingdon Mining, Smelting & Manu
(Smelter.) . MEXICO
Chihuahua: Chihuahua--American Smelting & Refining
Coahuila: Torreon--American Metal Ccv (Ltd.). (Cia. M
(Smelter.)
Nuevo Leon:
..
___ ...
Monterrey--American Metal Co. (Ltd.). (Cia. Min
(Smelter and refinery.) Monterrey--American Smelting & Refining Co. (S
'Smelters of secondary materials but treating some lead ores.
1 Subsidiary ol Anaconda Copper Mining Co.
4 Subsidiary ot tho United 8tales 8meltlng, Refining <4 Mining Co.
Plant Idlo in 1027.
.,,
Subsidiary of American Smelting 6c Rofinlng Co.
360
MINERAL RESOURCES, 192 7--p a r t I
Z M^era ATsareo')Sa(SmeU]ter0tOSi American Smelting & Refining Co. (Cia ttA?)6C(SmeiterO* Amor*can Meta. Co. (Ltd.). (Cia. Minera do Pcfioies-S.
LEAD
SUMMARY OF PRODUCTION AND COND CIPAL LEAD-PRODUCING REGIONS O
WORLD PRODUCTION
lead from 1923aito^m^so far'as statr^ smoIter Production of!
figures are used wherever possible p!r "f* available- Official: data are not yet available the figures Ere taken1?" whi?h official
the American Bureau of Metal Stj fTom th yearbook of
but in later reports the official statishv!^ "nhtr re Iable sources,
received.
nc,al stafclstlcs will be substituted as
world production^for some c^untriL send0^100^? ^res lowing :
lion to other countries Tor refining FwJ-0* lead or base bf i antimomal lead are often included fn thflUfithomi0ue' secondary and ; production, so that to put theUnitedahomnS the foreignthe statistics it would be nccessarv to fnM j ? a-n equal foting in fdoormtehs.tiUc noiutetpduSt tooftsSecroenpdrens.revnlo"n/e^a^"ad Slncd. Su<^"e ?ln1 its prodTuhcetiofingnthie.l*.
country, whatever the source of the we. th t W*3 smelted in this,
World production of lead, 1923-1937t i; in metric tons 1
(Complied by K M. Jones, 0f the Bureau of Minos]*
Australia
Austria. Belgium. Canada. Chosen_______
Owohoelovakla France________ Germany
......................
Oreat Britain!'.............................................. Greece......... ......... ..........................................
Italy
.........................
Japan!!!!!!!!!!!!!....................................
Mexico__...
.........
........-.............
PNNNoooorrrlwwathanae1ydrn..^....R..h!!o!d!e!s!ia'!........................................
Rumania!!!'"'""..................... ....... ....... Russia*......!!!....... ............---------
South America!!!!............................*........
fouthwMt African
Sweden^!!!'""""-""--- --....... .....
Tunisia...
.......................... -........
Turkey........ ..................................
Unlon of South Africa.............................
:::::
Known production..
132,165 4,253 65, 080
46,801
<) 2.462 17,413
66,110 6,815 4,235 46.790 17,131 2.700 160,028 11,197
242 17,195
402 307 4081 622 127,614 119 14.090 1.400 6,099 615,395 9,260
130,494 4,986 77,050 76.603
(> 2,204 18,881
67,427 6,387 6,106 62,690 22,062 I 2.941 133,440 6,909
042 20,223
433
686 11,703
813 141,849
477 14,291 6,104 4,609 665,913 11,487
161, 269
6,408 87,480 104,303
486 2.212 20,643 89,468 4,811 , 6,366 I 48,034 24,476 3,337 103,236 3.406 406 28,631 489 1.021 11, 964 1.619 163,667 723 16,013 4,786
636, 700 10,966
166,398 6,478
87,876 123,644
1.968 2,316 19,600 96,200 4r 334 6,069 65,202 23,690 3,010 170, 723 3.897 386 27,924 I 666 1.342 17,663 1,682 149, 614 622 18,106 4014
661,239 9,809
167,616 8,086
() 136,864. (*> .
2,804 24,900 *81,800.; 6,182 4,800 : 67,027 ' 23,774 T 4,000 227,870 : 6.042 V*)'
1.860 14,604 8,898 144,023
330 10,662 7.862
636,661 3,186
1.261,000 1.373,000 J 1,681,000 1.666,000 nS
but aot necessarily reHned.
"' ^rtXiSd'eOTf p/ruodTucoti^on^11'
Vrn0Dl'tsWloi,dt-0 >3>'u6tP^`^^^^^AOh*i}n*?T*.aolutp:ruetparre0\t7advaailllaTbilue.
"uata not nvellable. ' UpB?r Sllesle. . d JS Sf yesr <mded s0Pt. 30.
Pht. for year ended Mnr. 31 of y.ar following that
.
Despite its slight decreaso in production fro United States remained in first position as a lea in 1927. In Spnin and in a few of the less im countries production aid j decreased in 1927, bu 'the world as a wholo showed an increase as c Mexico retained second place in 1927 and was Australia, Spain, Canada, Germany, India, decrease in Spain was due mainly to the lowerin a serious situation was partly prevented by Gove
Australia increased production through furthe
metallurgical efficiency, that Commonwealth is
labor difficulties which again threaten a shutd
properties in the Broken Hill district unless th
substantially. The entry of the Anaconda Co
was to no little extent responsible for the increas This company is now the main producer in Po
. producers were forced to curtail output somewha
year, a condition brought about by a decided
lead, coupled with an improvement in the value o
and France both report a substantial production
the ores from which it is obtained are imported
Mexico, and Greece. France, however, produc
departments of Gard and Lozfere. Relatively
obtained from mines in Argentina, Chile, Rus
Turkey, and Rhodesia.
'
' MEXICO
Mexico, even with the decreased price of lead
tion of some of the mines, showed an increased p 227,870 metric tons of lead in 1927 compared w 1926, an increase of 33.5 per cent. Many of t exhaustion of the bonanza ores and will in co
work the complex sulphides -that usually underli ore. This means that more effective mining methods must be adopted.
By far the greater proportion of the lead or come from limestone replacement deposits known
S'eat manta deposits of Santa Eulalia, Mapim ojada continued their outputs, as did a num mantas. The great lead region, comprising Chihuahua, western Coahuila, Durango, and ea reserves sufficient for a few years ahead, even th are very hard to estimate accurately. The ma contain oxide ores, generally branch from a ce group of chimneys, in which the ores are comple lead, zinc, antimony, copper, and free gold. selective flotation are rapidly gaining a footho methods are decidedly applicable to the ores it i Mexico's production ct^n be maintained at a com and-under reasonably low market conditions. S probably responsible for the added production