280 Reviews — Manganese Ores. 



In chapter II useful tables are given regarding British imports 

 and exports of manganese ore and ferro-alloys, and all Empire ore 

 deposits are described, the details regarding the Indian deposits 

 being obtained from the excellent Geological Survey publications. 

 It may be mentioned that the lateritic deposits have proved to be 

 highly ferruginous in depth, although in many cases of good grade 

 at surface — suggesting precipitation of iron prior to manganese. 



It is unfortunate that the comparison of costs of production 

 of Brazilian, Russian, and Indian manganese ores is based on 

 figures published many years ago. At the present time the cost 

 of placing the mineral at British ports is probably the lowest for the 

 Gold Coast and Sinai ores, followed by the Caucasian, Indian, and 

 Brazilian supply, but conditions may change at any time, involving 

 alteration in the order given. 



Referring to the joroposed manufacture of ferro-manganese in 

 India, it may be noted that the alloy was produced at the Tata 

 Works during the War, and in view of the rapid development of the 

 Indian iron and steel industry, it is probable that it will continue 

 to produce its requirements of ferro-alloys. 



Mention is made of the utilization of manganese ore for the 

 manufacture of pig-iron containing 2 per cent of manganese, which 

 facilitates the removal of sulphur for basic steel manufacture. The 

 estimated quantity so employed, however, viz. 50 per cent, is high ; 

 a more correct figure would be 10 to 20 per cent, which, however, 

 will be greater as the output of basic steel increases. 



The South African deposits are not extensive, but may be 

 developed for use in the local steel industry, and the same will 

 probably obtain with both the Canadian and Australian ores. 



The Gold Coast manganese ore deposits are important, and as 

 it is probable others will be discovered in the same district, the 

 Colony should become in the future an important source of supply. 

 Successful dressing of the mineral, and the application of mechanical 

 plant for getting and dressing the ore, as well as improvement of 

 the shipping facilities, are necessary to ensure a largely increased 

 export. 



In chapter III the ore-bodies in foreign countries are described. 

 It is interesting to note that the successful installation of washing 

 plants in the Caucasus to treat the screenings, amounting to several 

 million tons, accumulated since mining operations commenced, has 

 resulted in d higher-grade product and prolonged the life of the 

 deposit. 



No mention is made of the Covadonga deposit in Northern Spain, 

 probably because nothing has been published regarding it in recent 

 years. Manganese and iron-ores occur as boulders, in a clay 

 matrix resting on limestone, as the basement rock. The separation 

 of the ore is effected mechanically, and three qualities of mineral 

 are produced, viz. : — 



(o) Manganese ore of the highest grade, almost free from 

 phosphorus. 



