68 . B'LUORSPAR DEPOSITS OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS, [bill. 25.5. 



Production of fluorspar in the United States in 1002 and 1903, by States. 



1902. 



State or Territory. 



Quantity. 



Arizona and Tennessee. 



Kentucky 



Illinois . - . - 



Short tons. 

 628 



Value. 



$6, 872 



1903. 



Quantity. Value. 



Short tons. 



375 $3,037 



39,030 [ 143,410 30,835 153,960 

 18,360 131,532 11.413 i 57.630 



Total 



48.018 371.814 i 43,523 



813, 61^ 



The spar is shipped in part by the Illinois Central Kaihvay and in 

 part on the Ohio River. Prices are fixed by Pittsl^iirg' ({notations, less 

 freight and commissions. At Pittsburii; the American si)ar comes 

 into competition with Eno-lish and (xerman material imported 

 through Xew York. The American mines supply the western trade 

 and about half of the Pittsburg demand. The importers control the 

 eastern trade and determine prices at Pittsburg. 



There are three main uses for fluorspar. The highest grade, run- 

 ning less than 1 per cent of silica, and white in color, is sold either 

 ground or in lump, for utH}. in the enameling, chemical, and glass 

 trades. It brings the highest price, recent New York quotations 

 being $8 to $10 a ton iinground and $11.50 to $13.50 ground. The 

 price at the western mines is about a dollar less per ton than the New 

 York price, to offset differences in freight rates to competing terri- 

 tory. There is a limited market for this grade of spar, and it prob- 

 ably would not be extended much even at lower jjrices, since the 

 amount used is determined by conditions wholly outside the cost of 

 the spar. On the other hand, it is a (piestion whether even a higher 

 price could not well be obtained for this grade. 



The second grade of spar is used in steel making, and is sold 

 unground as lump or gravel. It includes colored spar and may run 

 as high as 4 per cent silica, though mostly sold with a 3 per cent 

 guaranty. It is demanded for open-hearth work because of the great 

 fluidity which it gives the slag At present at least -20,000 tons are 

 used annually in this work, at a cost to the user of from $(> to $8 per 

 ton. Importers have now a slight advantage in the Pittsburg 

 market on this grade of ore. It is prol)al)le that when a steady supply 

 of fiuors])ar at the present or slightly lower prices can be guaranteed 

 in steel-making centers the market can rapidly be expanded, and this 

 affords the most hoj^eful outlook for spar producers. In many ways 

 fluorspar has advantages over other fluxing materials now used. 



The lowest grade of spar, including all running over 4: per cent 



