SECRETARY'S OFFICE. W. W. THAYER, Secretary. The California State Mining Bureau was created April 16, 1880, by legislative act. In March, 1893, the original act was repealed and an amended act approved and passed by the legislative body. Again on June 16, 1913, a new Mining Bureau Act was approved which became effective August 10, 1913, repealing all former acts, and forming the basic law under which the Bureau now functions. It is doubtless true that both the mining and lay public have not in the past always recognized the part played by the Bureau in the development of the state's mineral resources. Innumerable inquiries regarding them, originating within and without its borders and in foreign countries, have been answered with ultimate results reflected by a consistent growth in the value of the state's mineral output since the records of production were first compiled by the Bureau in 1887. It is believed that a better understanding of the economic position occupied by the Bureau will be imparted to the public, whose funds support it, by embodying in the Monthly Chapter a review of the executive activities. The responsibility for the coordination of effort of each department, to the end that the utmost efficiency may be maintained with the limited and variable appropriations accorded the Bureau by successive legislatures, rests upon the office of Secretary. Activities referable to that office, such as reports of new maps and publications issued, amount of mail handled, changes and enlargements in offices, changes in personnel of the staff, property and equipment, financial statements, etc., are therefore included herein. New Publications. During the month the following Bureau Publications have been made available for distribution: Summary of Operations, California Oil Fields, October, 1922, Vol. 8. No. 4. Mining in California, October, 1922, Vol. 18, No. 10. Distribution of Publications. The Bureau's publications are constantly in demand, requests for copies coming from all over the United States and foreign countries. Publications were distributed during the month as follows: Bulletin No. 37, Gems, Jewelers' Materials, Ornamental Stones of California 11 99 Bulletin No. 75, United States and California Mining Laws_ 10 Bulletin No. 76, Manganese and Chromium in California_. Bulletin No. 78, Quicksilver Resources of California__ Bulletin No. 85, Platinum Resources of California_. Bulletin No. 89, Petroleum Resources of California, with special reference to unproved areas 61 Bulletin No. 90, California Mineral Production for 1920, with County Maps 50 3000 50 3000 County Maps and Registers of Mines_ Copper Deposits Map Inyo County Geological Map Tuolumne County Mineral Map-. Geological Map of California, mounted_ Mails and Files. 15 470 38 The Bureau maintains in addition to its correspondence file a mine report file which includes reports on some 7500 mines and mineral properties in California. Also there is available to the public a file of the permits granted to mining and oil corporations by the State Commissioner of Corporations. During the month 768 letters were received and answered. They are practically all requests for information and the inquiries cover all phases of prospecting, mining and developing mineral deposits, reduction of crude minerals and marketing of refined products. Drafting. The Bureau maintains an up-to-date drafting department, where topographic and geological maps, tracings, oil well logs, and oil field maps are prepared. DIVISION OF MINERALS AND STATISTICS. STATISTICS, MUSEUM, LABORATORY. WALTER W. BRADLEY, Statistician and Curator. Estimate of 1922 Output. STATISTICS. The total value of the mineral production of California for the year 1922, just closed, is conservatively estimated to have been approximately $257,351,690. 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 definite figures on other than the more important items. The blank report forms have been 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 $257,351,690 is a decrease of $10,805,782 from the 1921 production, due mainly to lower prices prevailing for crude petroleum, and an apparent decrease of nearly a million dollars in the gold yield. Preliminary reports indicate a record yield of approximately 139,000,000 barrels of petroleum; but, as production was considerably in excess of consumption, the prices for all grades dropped accordingly. This resulted in lowering the average price, although the increased yield was of the higher-gravity oils and especially in the later part of the year. We have estimated an average value, at the well, of $1.60 per barrel for the first six months of 1922, and $1.21 per barrel, the second half; the amounts being 61,000,000 barrels and 78,000,000 harrels, respectively, for the two periods. This gives an average of $1.375 per barrel for 1922 as against $1.804 per barrel in 1921. This results in a net decrease of slightly over $12,000,000 in total value. Though reports from the gold mining districts have, for the most part, been indicative of renewed interest and renewing operations, receipts of bullion at the mint and smelters show a decrease for the year. This was in part due to the Argonaut mine fire, and to a slight decrease in dredge yield. Silver, mainly from the Randsburg district as in 1921, showed a small decrease from the high point of the preceding year. Copper shows an increase to nearly double the 1921 figure, owing to the resumption of shipments by the Walker mine in Plumas County and the continuity of operations by its neighbor, the Engels group. Lead and zine increased materially, both in quantity and value; as did also quicksilver in a lesser degree. Magnesite shipments increased about 25 per cent, owing to improvement in the demand for plastic purposes. As the demand for building materials was active during 1922, the structural group (brick, cement, building stone, crushed rock, etc.) showed some increase in value over 1921. There were no notable changes in the general status of the miscellaneous "industrial" group; nor among the salines, except borax. The last-named recovered, in part, from the slump of 1921, and the present market is reported favorable for a continuation of activity. The estimated quantities and values for 1922 are tabulated as follows: $14,900,000 gold. 3,200,000 (3,200,000 fine oz.) silver. 3,035,100 (22,650,000 lb.) copper. 356,250 (6,250,000 lb.) lead. 206,340 (3,620,000 lb.) zine 191,000,000 (139,000,000 bbl.) petroleum. 5,250,000 (75,000,000 M. cu. ft.) natural gas. 629,000 (59,100 tons) magnesite. 33,000,000 brick, cement, building stone, crushed rock, etc. 2,750,000 salines (including borax, potash, salt, soda, etc.). 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 located in North America; and contains not only one or more samples of most of the known minerals found in California, but many specimens from other states and foreign countries as well. Aside from those visiting it for its purely educational features, the Museum daily attracts scores of tourists and travelers, and furnishes visual evidence of the well-nigh unlimited mineral resources of California. During the past 30 days a total of 527 visitors signed their names to the Museum register, and in addition there are many others daily who fail to take note of our request for their signatures. It is interesting to note how widely spread are the home localities of these visitors. In addition to nearly every county in California, there were thirty states, Alaska and Hawaii represented, as well as 15 foreign countries. Outside of California, Nevada led with 18 names; followed by Canada and Alaska, 15 each; Washington, 14: Oregon, 13; New York, 12; Ohio, 11; and Alabama, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin, Wyoming, each showing from one to eight names. following foreign countries, besides several provinces of Canada (including Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Quebec, Saskatchewan and Yukon), are represented: Australia, Belgium, Costa Rica, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Honduras, Hungary, India, Japan, Java, Russia, San Salvador, South Africa. The 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 Bureau supplies a set of forty typical minerals and ores, appropriately labeled, for study purposes to any public school in the state upon request. Among the specimens received recently, and catalogued for the Museum, are the following: 19750. Dolomite, high grade. From San Benito County, by C. L. Votaw San Francisco. 19751. Chrysotile Asbestos (hydrous magnesium silicate, fibrous serpentine). From Meikle Mine, on Coffee Creek, 2 miles north of Carrville, Trinity County, Cal., by Geo. M. Nelson, San Francisco. 19753. Mica (Muscovite, aluminum-potassium orthosilicate). Arriba County, New Mexico, by Geo. M. Nelson, San Francisco. From Peteca, Rio 19754. Quartz (silicon dioxide). Crystal. From 88' level stope, Bunker Hill Mine, Amador City Amador County, Cal. 19755 to 19761, Inc. Tetrahedrite (copper-antimony sulphide approaching Tennantite, on account of high arsenic content. Fine, large crystals; Quartz (silicon dioxide, crystals with Chalcopyrite (copper-iron sulphide); Chalcopyrite (copper-iron sulphide) 2 Fcs. Crystals; Pyrite, Chalcopyrite, Quartz, and Dolomite, showing successive deposition in order named; Bornite (copper-iron sulphide); Galena (lead sulphide) silver-bearing; Pyrite (iron disulphide, crystals, with Dolomite). From Morococha Mine, of Cerro de Fasco Mining Co., Cerro de Pasco, Peru, by Thomas A. Gill, Grass Valley, Cal. 19762. Carnotite (hydrous potassium, uranium, vanadium oxide). Massive. An unusually fine, high-grade specimen. From Copper Prince Mine, Roc Creek, Montrose Co., Colorado, by Ernest Schernikow, San Francisco. 19763. Topaz (aluminum fluo-silicate). From near Ramona, San Diego County, Cal., by Ernest Schernikow, San Francisco. 19764. Copper, native. From Arizona, by Ernest Schernikow, San Francisco. 19766 to 19780 Inc. Lignite Coal. Vein ranges from 2' to 11' thick between clay beds. Stated to give good results as powdered fuel; No. 10 Clay. White-burning: used in terra cotta bodies, face brick, garden terra cotta, flue lining etc.; "Red Bone" Clay. A 'bastard fire-clay' somewhat iron-stained, but quite refractory. Used in saggers' (clay pans in which potters burn wares to protect them from direct flames in kilns), also mixed with other clays in making sewer pipe; "Pink Mottle Clay" redburning. Used for sewer pipe, roofing tile, hollow tile, and in mixes of vitreous brick, paving, face and rug brick, et al.; "E 101 China Clay." A fine-grained china clay, is cbtained by washing, suitable for sanitary and porcelain wares. Also used as component of stoneware bodies, art pottery and novelty wares; "Yellow Owl Cut" Clay. Buff or red burning. Suitable for face or rug brick mixtures, hollow tile, roofing tile etc.: "Select West Blue" Clay. Cream or buff burning. Used for face brick, rug brick. terra cotta, ladle brick, roofing and hollow tile, etc.; "Red Mottle" Clay. Redburning. For roofing and hollow tile, etc.; "Main Tunnel" Fire Clay. Refractory, sandy used for fire brick, locomotive blocks and refractories; "SH4 Ball Clay." Very plastic, white-burning. Used in chinaware and porcelain mixes, china, insulat ors, etc.; "SH3" Clay. White-burning. Suitable for terra cotta, faience tile body, face brick garden pottery, etc.; "Extra Select Main Tunnel" Clay. A refractory fire-clay. Used for high-grade fire brick, also saggers, face brick, etc.; "Hill Blue" Clay. One of most useful. Used for faience tile body, terra cotta, garden and art pottery, stoneware, face brick, etc.; "West Tunnel Blue" Clay. Used for sewer pipe, hollow tile, etc.; "Hard Bone" Clay. A highly-aluminous fire-clay. Used for highgrade and extremely refractory fire-brick. From Alberhill, Cal., by Alberhill Coal & Clay Co., Alberhill, Cal. 19781. Placer Gold. From Magalia, Butte County, Cal. by Highland Chief Mine, Carl A. Phelps, Manager, Magalia, Cal. LABORATORY. FRANK SANBORN, Petrologist. During the thirty-day period covered by this report, 211 samples were received and determined. A list of those of possible commercial value, judged from the sample submitted only, is appended. The Bureau will supply the name and address of the party who sent in any of the samples listed, upon request, if the reference number is given. 15-1 Iceland spar. 15-2 Tale-schist. Copper ore; some silver and gold present. 154 Quartz containing lead vanadate; some silver present 5 Clay; alumina content fairly high. 15-6 Limonite; (paint pigment). 15-7 Gold-silver ore; contains pyrite and galena. 15-8 Quartz crystal. 15-9 Gypsum. 15-10 Silicified clay; burns white. 15-11 Lazulite. 15-12 Magnesite. 15-13 Massive garnet. 1-14 Highly kaolinized rock; (white-burning clay). |