RED  LODGE   COAL   FIELD,  .MONTANA.  107 
In  the  area  over  which  the  coal  is  distributed  there  are  no  extensive 
coal-consuming  plants  except  the  smelters  at  Butte  and  Anaconda, 
hence  it  is  probable  that  the  utilization  of  the  coal  will  remain  as  it  is 
now  for  locomotive  fuel,  smelting,  and  domestic  purposes.  The 
price  at  the  mine  for  lump  coal  averages  about  $2.50,  but  some  nut 
coal  is  sold  as  low  as  $1  per  ton. 
FUTURE  DEVELOPMENT. 
The  field  described  in  this  report  is  entering  on  a  period  of  exten- 
sive development,  with  promise  of  continued  and  steady  production 
for  many  years.  The  coal  lies  in  a  structural  basin  the  form  of  which 
as  described  above  probably  permits  mining  under  the  entire  area. 
It  is  expected  that  only  a  small  amount  of  water  and  little  gas  will  be 
encountered.  The  adjacent  mountain  slopes  are  covered  by  forests 
which  will  furnish  mine  timber  for  a  long  period.  With  the  quantity 
of  coal  certain  and  the  possibility  of  extraction  assured,  the  remain- 
ing important  factor — a  field  of  consumption — is  of  importance. 
Domestic  consumption  is  continually  being  increased  by  the  estab- 
lishment of  many  irrigation  plants,  which  aid  the  growth  of  popula- 
tion, with  an  accompanying  demand  for  fuel.  The  climate  of  the 
region  is  such  that  fuel  for  heating  is  required  during  the  greater  part 
of  the  year.  The  coals  are  best  adapted  to  domestic  use.  They  fire 
readily,  break  easily  into  lump  and  nut  sizes,  and  are  not  very  sooty. 
They  are  .good  steaming  coals,  but  in  locomotives  the  strong  draft 
forces  many  of  the  small  unburned  particles  out  of  the  stacks. 
