STATISTICS ON MINERAL PRODUCTION IN FLORIDA 
DURING 1920 
COLLECTED in co-operation between the elorida geological survey 
AND THE U-. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 
The total value of the mineral production in Florida during 1920, as 
shown by returns made by the producers, was $23,435,804. This repre¬ 
sents an increase of $12,922,309 over that of 1919. This remarkable in¬ 
crease is due largely to the enormous activity of the phosphate industry, 
the increase in the value of phosphate alone amounting to $11,666,433. 
Most of the other industries show an increase, although some show a 
decrease. 
BALL CLAY OR PLASTIC KAOLIN 
The ball clays of Florida are white burning, refractory clays of high 
plasticity. The clay is commercially produced in only two counties, 
but is distributed quite generally through the central peninsular portion 
of the state. The manner of occurrence is in association with a rather 
coarse sand and quartz pebbles, from which it Is separated by washing. 
During 1920 there were three companies mining ball clay in the state. 
These were: The Edgar Plastic Kaolin Company, Edgar, Putnam 
County; the Immaculate Kaolin Company, Controller, and the Lake 
County Clay Company, both located near Okahumpka, Lake County. 
The figures on the value of production are not given separately, but are 
included in the total mineral production of the state. There was a con¬ 
siderable increase in quantity and value of the 1920 production over 
that of the year 1919. 
BRICK AND TILE 
The conditions prevailing during 1919 were unfavorable to the brick 
and tile industry, due to the high cost of labor, high transportation and 
also to the high cost of building materials which curtailed construction. 
While some of the conditions were more favorable during 1920, the 
high transportation charges remained. There was a considerable in¬ 
crease, however, in the production of common brick. The total number 
of common brick manufactured in Florida during 1920 was 21,199 thou¬ 
sand, valued at $312,150. This is a decided increase over the 1919 pro¬ 
duction, which was 16,067 thousand, valued at $185,135. 
