40 The Phosphates of America. 



After duly and seriously considering the problem from every 

 standpoint, we venture to say that, if the best working mines could 

 be all grouped together, the total ratio of pure apatite to other ma- 

 terial could be brought up to about seven per cent. 



It is true that there would be certain times when " bonanza " 

 pockets would permit of very large production, but it is equally 

 true that when the ordinary veins commence to "pinch," as they 

 often do, the average production would be very small, or sometimes 

 even nil until other bonanzas appeared. The figure of seven per 

 cent, is therefore a very reasonable one as basis for calculations, 

 when applied to Canadian mining as a whole. 



A properly equipped mine, under the direction of a careful and 

 experienced miner, judicious in his use of explosives, should be al- 

 lowed the following force of men, employed as set forth : 



20 men at prospecting- or preparatory work over various 

 parts of the propeTty at $1.10 per day each for 300 

 days $6,600 



50 miners and strikers in shafts or quarries with one steam 



drill at $1.20 per day each for 300 days 18,000 



10 men at surface labor, unloading, dumping, etc., at $1 



per day each for 300 days 3,000 



10 men in engine or machine shop, blacksmith shop and 



carpenter's shop at $1.20 per day each for 300 days. . 3,600 

 5 men in cobbing house at $1 per day each for 300 days. . 1,500 



20 boys in cobbing house at 75 cents per day each for 300 



days 4,500 



115 men and boys employed daily cost for the year $37,200 



From practical experience in this class of work it is estimated 

 that the miners and prospectors will produce 5 tons of rock matter 

 from the lode or belt per day and per man, and it has been found 

 that the other labor and the plant must be regarded as accessory to 

 this production. 



Seventy men at 5 tons per day for 300 days will therefore pro- 

 duce 105,000 tons of material, which, at 25 cents per ton, will cost 

 $26,250 for steam, explosives, wear and tear of plant, tools and 

 general stores. 



The cost of the apatite per ton at the mines, ready for ship- 

 ment, will therefore be approximately as under : 



Total yearly cost of labor $37,200 



Total cost of stores, etc 26,250 



Total expenditure at mine. $63,450 



