74 The Apatite Deposits of Canada. 



variable, estimates in different deposits giving from $2 to $8 the 

 ton. In Ottawa county, where, within the last fonr years, 

 deposits have been opened and mined on a better system than 

 heretofore, the figures of production and cost are instructive- 

 According to the report of its manager in July 1882, the High 

 Rock mine, in Buckingham, yielded, in 1880, 2400 tons, and 

 in 1881, 2000 tons of apatite, An adjoining portion of land 

 having been then acquired, the production of this company's 

 mines in 1882 and 1883 is stated at 5000 tons annually; from 

 eighty to ninety men being employed. The cost of the mineral 

 is here given at $4 the ton, dressed, at the mine ; in addition 

 to which $3 is paid for carriage to the railroad or the river, and 

 about SI additional to Montreal, the port of shipment. The 

 mines in the Ontario district are for the most part in or near 

 to the waters of the Rideau canal, or some of the many lakes 

 connected therewith, from which the freight to Montreal is $1.50 

 the ton. I am informed by a merchant, who is a purchaser 

 and shipper of apatite, and is also engaged in mining it both in 

 Ontario and Quebec, that the average cost for freight from 

 Montreal to England, with selling-charges, is 20s. the ton; 

 which, for apatite of 80 per cent., now worth 100s. the ton, 

 would leave 80s., or $19.36. Deducting from this the cost of 

 production and of transportation to Montreal, there remains 

 a large profit. 



The amount of apatite shipped from Montreal has gradually 

 increased, and, according to published figures, attained in 1883, 

 17, 840 tons, of which, it is to be remarked that 1576 tons were 

 delivered in Hamburg, and 650 in Stockholm, the remainder 

 going to Liverpool, London, and other British ports. Of this 

 about 15,000 tons were from Quebec, and the remainder from 

 Ontario. It should be noticed that this was, with small exceptions, 

 mined in 1882, and brought to the water-side during the winter 

 season. It is estimated that the shipments of apatite for 1884 

 will equal 24,000 tons. 



The methods of mining hitherto generally pursued in the 

 apatite deposits of Canada, allow of many improvements which 

 would materially reduce the average cost af production, and give 

 a permanency to the industry which the present modes of working 

 can never attain. The regularity and persistence of the bedded 



