52 



Figures relating to the occurrence of aluminium 



Occurrence show that it is the third in the list of elements of the 



body of the earth (7-90 per cent, according to F. W. 



Clarke) and as No. 1 of all the metals iron comes next with 4-43 



per cent). 



Bauxite is the only available ore of aluminium. Its consumption 

 has been steadily increasing since the outbreak of war, not only as 

 a source of this valuable metal, but for abrasives, brick for metallur- 

 gical furnaces, etc. 



Statistics of production in the United States, France, United 

 Kingdom, Italy and India, during 1913-17, are given on p. 53. 



" Bauxite has been discovered in considerable quantities in 

 British Guiana . . . Development work has now reached a stage 

 where a steady output is assured . . . The British Government is 

 now taking a firm stand with regard to the exploitation of these 

 deposits and is determined that the first call shall be reserved for the 

 British Empire."* In December, 1917, it was announced that no 

 further applications for bauxite lands would be granted till after the 

 war. The Government also ordered that a portion of the bauxite 

 won by holders licensed before this regulation came into force must 

 be placed at its disposal at a certain price and, also, reserved the right 

 to limit or to prohibit the export to countries other than British. 

 Following the promulgation of these regulations, a large export to a 

 foreign country of British Guiana bauxite, won by a company in 

 which foreign interests are partly represented, was held up.f 



In view of the possibility that additional plants for the manufac- 

 ture of aluminium may be established in Canada, the foregoing state;- 

 ment respecting British Guiana bauxite is of interest. 



No commercial ores of aluminium have, as yet, been found in 

 Canada. Aluminium is, however, made in the Northern Aluminum 

 Co.'s extensive works at Shawinigan Falls, Que., from bauxite ores 

 imported from France, the United States, and also, formerly, from 

 Germany. The company also operates a wire mill for the manufac- 

 ture of aluminium wire and cables. 



* The Mineral Industry During 1917, p. 28. 



tWhile this was probably correct when printed, the Aluminum Company of 

 America is mining bauxite on its properties in British Guiana. Ocean-going vessels 

 ascend the river to the mines, and transport the ore to New Orleans ; thence, it is 

 shipped by rail to East St. Louis. 



