74 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



TALC 



The talc mines in the Gouverneur district last year continued to 

 supply a large output for the demands of the paper trade and for 

 other purposes. The list of producers remained unchanged, with 

 the Ontario Talc Co. and the International Pulp Co. as the only 

 active representatives. The latter company carried on the largest 

 operations and for some time has been the leading, factor in the 

 production and sale of ground talc in this country; its position was 

 materially strengthened a few years ago by securing control of the 

 mines and mills formerly owned by the Union Talc Co. and the 

 United States Talc Co. 



The general features of the Gouverneur talc district and of the 

 mining developments were described in the issue of this report for 

 1908. 



An important recent development is connected with the 

 preparations of the Uniform Fibrous Talc Co. for engaging in the 

 industry. This company was formed in 1908 since which time it 

 has opened a mine just west of Talcville and erected a mill in the 

 same locality. The mill, a steel frame structure on concrete founda- 

 tions, was designed for about 50 tons daily capacity. Power for 

 both mines and mill will be supplied by an independent hydro- 

 electric plant on the Oswegatchie river, above Dodgeville. Produc- 

 tive operations were begun in January of this year. 



The Ontario Talc Co. has concentrated its mining operations on 

 the Potter property, below Fullerville, which the company began to 

 develop a few years ago. The workings are now down about 175 

 feet on the bed which dips 45° and ranges from twelve to 

 eighteen feet in thickness. There is little water in the mine, and 

 the walls are sufficiently strong to require no timbering, though not 

 infrequently they give trouble in the mines of this district. The 

 product is hauled in wagons about a mile to the grinding plant 

 where it is prepared in the usual manner by reduction in crushers 

 and pebble mills. The ground talc is mainly of one grade, of finely 

 fibrous texture, and finds sale among paper, wall plaster and paint 

 manufacturers. 



The International Pulp Co. has obtained most of its supply of 

 rock from the mines in the northeastern section of .the belt. The 

 mine once owned by the United States Talc Co. has been one of its 

 chief producers since the consolidation. The Arnold and Balmat 

 mines of the old Union Talc Co. have been worked intermittently 



