QUICKSILVER AND POTASSIUM AND SODIUM CYANIDE CONSUMED IN
CERTAIN STATES.
For
details of the consumption of quicksilver in the amalgamation milling
process and of potassium cyanide and sodium cyanide in the cyanidation
process the reader is referred to the mines reports of the several
Western States named in the prefatory note. Data as to consumption of
these supplies are not yet furnished by a sufficient number of mining
and milling companies to justify tabulation for the entire United
States. It has been estimated by H. D. McCaskey that the consumption of
quicksilver in the amalgamation process in the United States (including
Alaska) for the period 1911 to 1917, inclusive, has varied between
90,000 and 100,000 pounds annually. In 1918 the consumption probably
did not exceed 75,000 pounds, as the gold recovered from placers and by
amalgamation was very much less than in 1916 and 1917. The consumption
at mills treating ore and by dredging and other methods of placer
mining are given in the separate chapters on quicksilver in 1917 and
1918, prepared by F. L. Kansome and published elsewhere in Mineral
Resources for 1917 and 1918.
In
the following tables, compiled by V. C. Heikes, of the United States
Geological Survey, some details are given for the consumption
ofquicksilver and of cyanide in the recovery of gold and silver in six
"Western States from 1911 to 1918, inclusive:
Quicksilver consumed in certain Western States, 1911-1918.
