THE MINING AND QUARRY INDUSTRY I9II 



37 



IRON ORE 



The record of the iron mining industry last year was uneventful. 

 The reports from the individual companies covering the year's 

 operations indicated the usual number of active enterprises but the 

 average quota was less than for some time and in most sections 

 diminished attention was given to exploration and development 

 work. Unsatisfactory market conditions were responsible for the 

 poor showing. The large production of iron in the preceding year 

 proved to be in excess of the market requirements and brought on a 

 slump which extended well into the season of 191 1. There was con- 

 sequently very little inquiry for ore during the early months. The 

 absorption of the surplus output was facilitated by radical price 

 cutting and by the middle of the year the conditions so far as related 

 to the demand were somewhat improved. This change in the situa- 

 tion proved permanent and enabled the mining companies to dispose 

 of most of their output for the year though at reduced prices. At 

 the close of the season the outlook for the immediate future seemed 

 fairly encouraging. 



The production of iron ore in the State during the last two 

 decades is shown in the accompanying table. The figures are based 

 on lump ore and concentrates of commercial grades and not on the 

 mine output which is considerably larger. The volumes of the 

 Mineral Resources published by the United States Geological Sur- 

 vey have supplied the data for the years previous to 1904. 



Production of iron ore in New York State 



