MINERAL STATISTICS

Summary of Mineral Output from January 1, 1901, to January

The estimated output of mineral products for the coming year, 1903, based on the increase in equipment already made, and a demand equal to that of the past year, is not less than $1,000,000.

With this biennial report the Geological Survey begins the publication of the mineral statistics of the state. The data presented herewith is incomplete at a number of points, but the output is always under rather than over estimated. Steps are being taken to place the State Survey in close touch with every mine, brickyard and manufacturing establishment using native mineral for raw material throughout the state, and succeeding reports will contain complete statements of the state's mineral productions.

LIGNITE.

For a number of years the United States Geological Survey, through its bureau of Mining and Mineral Resources, has published yearly statements of the output of coal in North Dakota, their report beginning with the year 1889, and coming down through the year 1901. The data given in these reports, though carefully compiled and collected, is necessarily incomplete, for many of the smaller mines are known only locally and their output could not be determined. From 1895 to 1900 at least the figures given in these reports are doubtless too low. The extraordinary increase in the output of lignite in 1902. over the output for 1901 as shown in the accompanying tables, is partly real, and in part apparent only. Some of the larger mines now producing were not in operation in 1901, and the output during last year has actually nearly doubled. A more minute knowledge of the lig

nite deposits of the state renders possible a statement of the output of localities that were not reported in 1901.

The following tables, taken from the United States bulletin, "The Production of Coal in 1901," present interesting data: Coal Product of North Dakota in 1901, by Counties.

Total ..... 134,664 26,775 5,162 166,601 $214,151 $1.29 198 280

Distribution of the Coal Product of North Dakota from 1889 to

The great increase which is shown for 1902 is due largely to the development of the large mines at Wilton, Burleigh county, at Kenmare, in Ward county, and the increased capacity of the mines in Morton and Stark counties. A great number of smaller mines throughout the entire lignite area were opened up, the coal in most of them being secured by stripping. As time goes on, and the mines work back from the banks of the streams draws where they are commonly located, the overburden increases and instead of winning the coal by stripping, drifting is begun. As the population increases many of these surface mines develop into underground workings of considerable magnitude. This transformation is at present taking place in a number of localities.

or

An attempt has been made to estimate the output of a number of the local workings. These localities were personally visited and the figures given are under rather than over the truth. There are hundred of localities in North Dakota where farmers and ranchmen dig their own lignite and pay absolutely nothing for the privilege. It is impossible to estimate the amount of coal so mined though the total is considerable.

The selling price of lignite at the mine varies from nothing to a dollar and a half. Where lignite costs nothing, the labor of the farmer who does his own mining, is not considered. If this were taken into account the lowest selling price would be but a few cents, for thousands of tons are won along streams where the floods of fall and spring do all the stripping. The selling price, however, does not represent the true value of the lignite to the community. A truer standard would be the cost of fuel to

*The output for 1902, as shown above, is based on data collected by the State Survey.