MJCA. 285- 



MICA. 



While speculation in mica mining is rife, there are few mines that prove pay- 

 ing investments. Nothing is more common than mica deposits in some form, 

 but nothing is more uncommon than to find a mine which will yield a good profit- 

 able return for the money invested. Nature has been very capricious regarding 

 this mineral, and out of some two hundred mines in this country, it is not proba- 

 ble that over half a dozen approach anywhere near ' ' Bonanzas. " Even sup- 

 pose the mine to yield mica in sufficient quantity, there are several features in 

 the business which tend to diminish profits. In the first place, of the mica taken 

 from the mine about five per cent is worthless; opaque mica is not a merchant- 

 able article and must be thrown aside. Afterward when the mica is cut into re- 

 quired sizes there occurs a shrinkage of from 40 to 60 per cent. The mica trade 

 hinges on the stove business, for in stove doors does mica find its chief use. It. 

 has a very limited use for scientific purposes, electrical apparatus, compass cards, 

 lanters, etc. It is employed for battle lanterns on war ships, for the concussions 

 incident to naval engagements would soon shatter glass. All these uses, how- 

 ever, are insignificant compared with its application to heating apparatus. 



Were not the production of mica limited to Nature's stores which she very 

 sparingly doles out, there would have undoubtedly been new uses discovered for 

 the mineral long before this. New Hampshire and North Carohna furnish most 

 of the mica required, though deposits exist over a wide stretch of territory, and 

 the mineral has been found as far west as the Rockies. The Indians were ac- 

 quainted with it, and used it for ornaments to adorn their persons, and for mir- 

 rors to reflect their dusky charms. On opening a mine in North Carolina some 

 years ago, a copper instrument supposed to be at least three hundred years old 

 was found. There has been much small mica thrown on th-e market in recent 

 years, and prices of this kind have declined, but large mica, being scarce, main- 

 tains its price. The number of farmers in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont 

 who have discovered mica deposits on their estates, and who have seen prospec- 

 tive wealth therefrom, is legion, but the number who have really profited by 

 their discoveries is very small. — Manufacturers' Gazette. 



The California lode is down to a depth of 1300 feet, the deepest mine in Col- 

 orado. The 1300-foot station has been established, from which levels are driving 

 both ways — east and west. The mid-dirt from this depth is yielding five and a 

 half ounces gold per cord. This practically demonstrates the fact that deep mining 

 will pay. The smelting ore from the 1300-foot levels is fully up to the former 

 standard of that ore mined in the upper workings of the vein. 



