The
production of gold in the United States for 1906 was 4,266,742 fine
ounces, or 132,680 kilograms, equivalent to $88,180,700. This
represents an increase of 373,262 ounces, or $7,716,000, over the
production of 1904. The rapid advance in gold production which began
in 1892, but temporarily halted from 1901 to 1903, was resumed in 1904.
This increase in 1904 over the output of 1903 was approximately
$7,000,000, and in all probability the increase in 1906 over 1905 will
be at least the same amount. The chief sources of the great increase
are as follows: Alaska added about $6,000,000 to its output of
$9,160,458 in 1904, and Colorado, Nevada, and Utah added about
$1,000,000 each to their product of the previous year. On the other
hand, decreases are noted in Arizona, Idaho, and other States. The
States producing over $1,000,000 in gold rank at present in the
following order: Colorado, California, Alaska, South Dakota, Nevada,
Utah, Montana, Arizona, Oregon, and Idaho.
The
production of silver in the United States for 1905 was 56,101,600 fine
ounces, or 1,713,852 kilograms, equivalent to $34,221,976, at an
average price of 61 cents per fine ounce. In comparison with the
figures of' the Bureau of the Mint in 1904, this represents a decrease
of 1,581,200 ounces, but in spite of this the increase in the average
price of 4 cents per ounce (from 57 in 1904 to 61 in 1905) effected an
addition to the value in 1904 of $765,952. Two years of better prices
for silver have thus far failed to stimulate the production. The record
figures were attained in 1892, when the output was 63,500,000 fine
ounces, valued at $55,662,500. A still further advance to a maximum of
somewhat over 70 cents has taken place in 1906, but it is not likely
that the year will show startling additions to the output for 1905. The
increase should be more marked in 1907, and will probably be rather
derived from copper ores and dry silver ores than from lead ores.
The
decrease in the quantity of silver is specially noticeable in Colorado
and Utah; to a slight degree also in Montana. On the other hand, Nevada
and Idaho materially increased their output. The States producing over
1,000,000 ounces rank at present as follows: Montana, Colorado, Utah,
Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, and California.
A review by States brings out the more important details.
Alaska.—The
great increase of $5,765,100 in gold is chiefly due to the new
Fairbanks placer district-on the Tanana, in the Yukon Basin, while the
Nome placers and the quartz mines on the Pacific coast belt show
moderate additions to their previous yield. The copper ores yielded
for the first time a considerable quantity of silver with some gold.
The total production of gold in Alaska is estimated at $14,925,600.
Arizona.—The
moderate decline in the gold production of Arizona is due to the
temporary suspension of operation on the part of some important mines
in the Yavapai districts, south of Prescott. An important decrease is
also noted from Yuma County. The total yield in gold is $2,691,300. The
silver output also shows moderate decline. Renewed activity at the
recently unwatered Tombstone mines is offset by decrease in the Yavapai
districts. The total yield is estimated at 2,605,700 ounces.
California.—The
continued development of the dredging industry in the State is
responsible for a moderate increase in the production of gold, which
now has reached $19,197,100. The great increase noted in 1904 was,
however, not repeated in 1905. Less gold than in 1904 was yielded by
the old productive counties of Tuolumne, Placer, Kern, and San Diego,
while Amador, Trinity, Nevada, and Sierra show an increase. Nevada
County, which includes the Grass Valley district, still leads with an
output ot over $3,000,000. Most notable are the favorable changes in
the dredging counties of Butte, Yuba, and Sacramento.
A
decided decline in the silver production is traceable to lessened
output of siliceous ores in Kern County and of copper ores in Shasta
County. Great activity prevails, however, in the copper districts at
the present time, and a much larger silver production from copper ores
is in view within two or three years.
