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NON-METALLIC MINERALS
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107
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Due
to the unique characteristic of this industry, that of the
distribution of this crystal being largely in the hands of export
houses in the urban centers who ,buy directly from the independent garimpeiros, there are no detailed statistics as to the number of firms, capital, number employed, etc.
The deposits of Baia are in the vicinity of Conquista and various scattered regions thoughout the sertxw. The
quartz of this state is known for its sizes, stones over 300 kilograms
each being found with frequency. Although, production data is
unavailable, there is little regional utilization of the stone and the
quantities approximate, fairly closely, the amount exported. In 1938
the total shipments to other states (coastwise) and overseas totalled
81,162 kilograms. In 1938, this had risen to 344,722 kilograms while
in 1939 it was 429,099 kilograms. In 1940, the shipments totalled
444,005 kilograms.
With
the more exacting demands placed on crystals, the state of Goiaz has
come to the fore because of the general quality average. The usual
density is 2.5 to 2.8 and the hardness rating — 7. It is estimated that
the output of the state is 1,500,000 kilograms, based on exports, thus
placing it as the largest producer in Brazil. The deposits of
Cristalina, although the most important from the standpoint of
reserves, are not, however, the largest producers. They have been
worked for over a hundred years but lack the necessary modern equipment
and sums of capital which are imperative for their development.
Actually, the largest output comes from the Santana deposits; others of
commercial importance are Cavalcanti, Garimpao, Raizama, Peixe,
Pequizero, Veadeiros, Santis-simo, Bom Jardim, Alagoas, Arraias and
Paciencia.
The
overseas exports average in the 1920-9 decade was 192 metric tons
annually while that for the five years, 1930-4 amounted to 367 metric
tons. In the 1935-9 quinquennium, there was a rise of 19% to
436. The total in 1939 was 678 metric tons of which Japan purchased 382
metric tons valued at 8,839 contos. England was the second largest
market, taking 163 metric tons valued at 5,364 contos while the United
States was the third largest having purchased 28 metric tons worth
2,308 contos. Germany's purchases exceeded that of the United States
with regard to quantity being 93 metric tons while the value was but
2,279 contos due to the low unit price.
It
may be noted in this connection that the smaller stones, usually less
than 1 kilogram in weight; go to Japan, although this country does
purchase the larger sizes and cuts them. The United States market
prefers the stones weighing more than one kilogram.
The
1940 shipments, the largest in the export history of this mineral,
totalled 1,103 metric tons valued at 27,863 contos of which 447 metric
tons (41% of total) valued at 12,224 contos (44% of total) were shipped
to Japan. The United States purchased 61 metric tons in Brazil priced
at 6,034 contos and was the third largest with regard to quantity and
value. Great Britain was the largest according to quantity purchasing
522 metric tons which was valued at but 8,703 contos, the second
largest.
The
price (FOB Brazil) per metric ton of the exported product has been
registering the following changes: 1937 — 13,111 milreis, 1938 — 20,059
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