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Yo,» M609 USA CIS) «8.- -- OMO - Phone (716) 288 - 5989 - fo. 4 L Carbonizing and Briquetting of Lignites Economic Possibilities r ( — ^ f .1 ,- Jv '-.-■■ - i.% Gommissioii of Cons0rvatioii Ouuida ■.-i'-;--- ^ * j:*- :.<*^-;^'> «-,«» 5X>'Ar*T i^^m .■SSS<-.' 'tf r-'i -* ^,iJrii:^-£^:2fc2,'t X^y^t^^^A-S"^. .; "^ii*^ ^arvf: :??<>i^; .o-u-v. :,-.?- COMMISSION OF CONSKRVATION CANADA Carbonizing and Briquetting of Lignite Economic Possibilities BY W. J. DICK, M.Sc. Mining Engineer Commission of Conservation COMMITTEE ON MINERALS Dr. Frank D. Adams, Chairman Mr. J. F. MacKay Mr. J. P. Babcock Dk. Howard Murray Mgr. C. p. Chovuette Hon. Martin Burrell and the ex-officio mtinbers of the Commission representing the various provinces. OTTAWA- 11.17 Commission of Conservation Conyliluled uiidi-r I he Consenilion Ad." S-o FJward VII, Chap. 27, 1909. and amrnJint Acts, v 10 t.duard VII, Chop. 41, 1910, and 3-4 Utorg* V, Chap. iJ, iv'J- Chaimuin : SiK CLifi-OKt) SiF roN, K.C.M.t '.. Mcmben • Dr. IIowxhd Murray, Dulhousic I'liiviTsiiv, Halifax, N.S. Dr. Cihl C. Jonks, Chancellor, IJiiiviTsity of New Briinswlclc, Fretkricton, N.U. M» Wli.i.lAM ». Snowuai I , Ch.itham, N.B. Hon. Henri S. HftLANo. M.D., M.K, St. Jo»iph-de-Ueaiice, One. Dr. Frank D. .\oams, Dean, Faculty of Apr lied Science, McOill Univcriity, Montreal, (Jiie. . Mgr. Cmariis 1'. CnoQiKTTE, St. HyaiimUe, Que., Professor, Seminary ot St. Hyacinthc and Member of Facii!t> Laval L'nivemity. Mr. Kdwaro (JoHiER, St. Laurent, (Jiie. Dr. Jam.1 j W. ROPERTSON, C.M.G., Ottawa, Ont. Hon. Senator William Cameron Kdwards, Ottawa, Ont. NiR. Charles A. McCool, Pembroke, Ont. Sir Kdmlnd B. Osler, M.P., Toronto, Ont. Mr. John F. MacKav, Business Manager, The Globe, Toronto, Ont. Dr. B. E. Fernow, Dean, Fatuity of Forestry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont. ,, Dr. CiEORGE Brvce, University of Manitoba, W mnipeg, Man. Dr. William J. Rutherford, Member of Faculty, University of Saskatche- wan, -viskatixin, Sask. Dr. Henrv M. Tory, President, University of .■\Ibcrta, Eo. 'on, Alta. Mr. John Pease Babcock, Victoria, B.C. Members ex-officio : Hon. T. a. Crerar, Minister of ARriculture, Ottawa. Hon. Arthur Meighen, Minister of the Interior, Ottawa. Hon. .Martin Burrell, Minister of Mines, Ottawa. Hon Aubin E. Arsenault, Premier, Prince Edward Island, Charlottetowr, Hon. Orlando T. D.\nif.ls, Attorney-General, Nova Scotia. Hon. E. a. Smith, Minister of Lands and Mines, New Brunswick. Hon. Jules Allard, Minister of Lands and Forests, giiebro. Hon. G. H. Ferguson, Minister ol Lands, Forests ur.d Mines, Ontario. Hon. Thomas H. Johnson, Attorney-General, Ma'iitoba. Hon. George W. Brown, Regina, Saskatchewan. Hon. Charles Stewart, Premier, Minister oi Railways and Telephones, Alberts. Hon. T. D. Pattullo, Minifter of Lands, British Columbia. Assistant to Chairman, Deputy Head : Mr. James White To His Exceli.uncy, Victor CiiRisTrAs William, Dike or DiCVoNsiiiRi;, Marquis of IlAKriNOTON, ICarl of Di.von- siiiRi:, Karl of Biirlington, Baron Cavknuisii of Hahd- wicKi:, Bakon Cavindisii of Kiuiiii.kv, K.(i., I'.C, Ci.C.M.C., <"..C.V.(>., ETC.. icTC, GoVKRNOR Genkral of Canada. May it Pleask Yomr Kxcflluncy: The undersigned has the honour to lay before you a report on the possibilities of establislung a carbonizing and briquetting plant for the treatment of lignites in Saskatchi wan. Respectfully submitted CLIFFORD SIFTON Chairman Ottawa, Oct. 25, 191' Ottawa, Canada, Oct. 24, 1917 Sir: 1 beg to transmit herewith a report on the possibilit' of establishing a carbonizing and britjuetting pHnt for the tr( ment of lignites in Saskatchewan. The report has been prepared as a result of a visit made by Mr. VV. J. Dick, M.Sc, Mining Engineer to the Commission of Cons^rv.tion, to the lignite fields of Western Canada, and a thorough i:ivestigation of the problem. Respectfully submitted jamp:s white Deputy fiead and Assistu'u to Chairman Sir Clifford Siftox, K.C.M.G. Chairman Commission of Censervation Note The information contained in this pampM-jl was prepared by Mr. W. J. Dick, M. Sc, Mining Engineer, Commission of Con- servation. The numerous enquiries respecting this important question — the economic use of our Lignites — received by t.ie Commission of Conservation and by the Advisory Council for Research demonstrate that it should receive the widest possible distribution. Carbonizing and Briquetting of Lignites in Saskatchewan Foreword EVER since the orKanisalion of the Commission of Conservation in 1910, ti utilization of the lignites of the Prairie Provinces has receivwi attention. The Commission early realized that the ■olution of this problem would overcome the fuel difficulty of the>e provinces, and also promote the industrial dcveloRmpiit of those portions which are without water-power resour' At the annual meeting of the Conimissic. « i tl2,* the Com- mittee on Minerals recommended that:— "Owing to the necessity of obtaining a suitable domestic fuel and cheap power for ihc Prairie Provinces, it is desirable that investigations be carried on with a view to utilizing the lignites which underlie the greater portion of these provinces." The recommendation ilso pointed out that the United States Bureau of Mines had demonstrated that low-grade lignites could be briquetted, and adverted to the fact that Germany utilized her brown-coal or lignite deposits by briquetting, producing in 1910 some 21,375,000 short tons of briquettes, of which 777c was made from lignites. In harmony with this recommendation, Mr. W. J. Dick, as Mining Engineer of the Commissic", visited the lignite fields of western Canada in 1912 > ' U13, and investigated the problem. The report t discussed ii. tail the supply, quality, and method of treatment of ihe wesi-m lignites necessary to render them serviceable as a f'lel both for domestic and power purposes. It was probi -'y the^e early investigations of the Commission of Cciisei vation tliat prompted the Advisory Council for Scientific and I., v'itrial Research, when it took up the fuel problem of western Canada immediately after its formation in 1916, to apply to the Commission for information on the subject. The report which follows is the result. It deals mostly with the economic side of the problem, and is largely a summary of portions of the information gathered in Ki2 and 1913 brought up to date after Mr. Dirk had again visited the Prairie Provinces in 1917 for further investigation of the fuel situation. Because of the present import- ance of the subject, it has been thought advisable to publish thf report in this brief and readily available form. * Report of the Thi Annual Meeting. Commission of Conservation, 1912, page . . t Conservation of Coal in Canada, with Notes on the Principal Coal Mines. By W. J. Dick, Commission of Conservation, 1914. Carbonizing and Briquetting of Lignites in Saskatchewan THE GENERAL FUEL SITUATION THE producing coal-fields of Canada are situated in the eastern and western portions of the Dominion. Owing to economic conditions, the interior portion, from Cornwall on the east to Swift Current on the west, is supplied by coal from the United States, central and eastern Ontario being supplied via St. Lawrence, Lake Ontario and Niagara River ports, while that for the west is shipped by rail to Buffalo and other Lake Erie ports, whence it is carried by water and rail to its destination. Bituminous coal is used principally for railway purposes and anthracite for domestic use. Solution of Fuel Problem in Manitoba and Saskatchewan In 3o far as supplies of fuel are concerned, the eastern portion of Saskatchewan forms the competitive area between supplies of United States coal on the one hand and of the high-grade bituminous coal of the Rocky mountains on the other. Owing to this fact, the cost of fuel in this portion of the province is high. The southern half of Saskatchewan has been considerably developed, and forms today the most important portion; but there are no water-powers within this area, that could be utilized as a source of cheap power for the most important cities. The central and southern portions of the province receive little precipitation, and consequently have no large rivers; such creeks and lakes as are found do not even provide water suitable for domestic purposes. This area, however, is situated in proximity to large deposits of lignite coal. In 1936, 533,642 tons of anthracite coal and 2,376,934 tons of bituminous coal were imported via Port Arthur, Fort William and Manitoba ports of entry. At least four-fifths of the anthracite was used as a domestic fuel in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. United States anthracite is used because of its non-smoky nature and because it bums in a heater for a long time without re- plenishment. The imports of anthracite have been increasing, notwithstanding its increase \n price. If mined at the present rate of production, the anthracite coal reserves of the United States will be exhausted in about 100 years. It must, therefore, be expected that the price will gradually increase until only the wealthy can afford it. Coincidently, with the rising price, pro- duction will decrease, thus prolonging the life of the mines. This decrease in production is already manifest, as during the four-year period, 1913-16, production decreased from 91,524,922 tons in 1913 to 88,312,000 tons in 1916, or rather more than 1 per cent per annum. 8 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION This situation is unique, and the high price paid for anthracite coal has not a parallel elsewhere. In other countries, even where coal is cheaper than in Canada, substitutes have been developed. In 1917, the price of anthracite coal in the west varies from $12 per ton at Winnipeg to $14.50 in Moose Jaw. It is desirable, both from mining and national standpoints, that these conditions be changed. It is inconceivable what would happen if the exportation of hard and soft coal from the United States were prohibited. We had, in the spring of 1917, a slight indication of what it would mean, when a freight blockade caused a temporary shortage in some localities. It is thus evident that, before many yea's. Western Canada will not be able to procure supplies of anthracite from the United States. As there are no supplies of this class of coal suitably situated in Canada, some kind of a substitute must be found. Briquetted lignite is the one most easily available. The problems to be dealt with in the provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan are those <.f domestic fuel and cheap power. These may be solved by the proper utilization of the low-grade fuels which underlie a portion of Saskatchewan. In order to make this coal transportable and suitable for domestic and power pur- poses, it would be necessary: 1. That it be of sufficient value to bear the cost of transpor- tation. 2. That it withstand handling and a certain amount of weathering. 3. That it be a suitable fuel for domestic and power purposes. Coal or lignite briquettes and carbonized lignite briquettes fulfil these conditions. Manufacture of Carbonized Lignite Briquettes Raw lignite is heated in closed retorts, somewhat similar to by-product coke ovens. The volatile matter and moisture is driven off in the form of gas, a portion of which may be used for heating the retort and the remainder recovered as a by-product. The carbonized material, unlike bituminous coke, is hard, dense and incoherent, consisting chiefly of slack. When briquetted, it produces a fuel similar in many respects to anthracite coal. It is not the object of this report to deal with the actual briquet- ting problem, but to set forth the economic situation which justifies the erection of a briquetting plant in Saskatchewan. BRIQUETTING OF LIGNITES » Coal Available for a Briquetting Plant in the SouRis District On account of the nature of the coal, and its proximity and transportation facilities to suitable markets, the best location in Saskatchewan for such a plant would, no doubt, be in the Estevan district. A plant with a capacity for briquetting 10 tons per hour is proposed, but it is the intention to operate the briquetting division half-cime only, until the plant is proven. Although the plant is capable of producing double this tonnage, the estimated cost of producing briquettes, as outlined further in this report, is based on half the capacity of the briquetting plant only. It will operate on carbonized lignite, and, as two tons of raw lignite are required to produce one ton of briquettes, the amount of coal required annually is 60,000 tons. The principal producing mines in the Estevan district are: Production in IQ16 Western Dominion Collieries 91,843 tons Manitoba and Saskatchewan Coal Co. . .67,809 Bienfait mine (Hosmer mine) 36,452 Saskatchewan Coal, Brick and Power Co. (Shand mine) 23,755 As there is, practically, no market for lignite slack, the coal is loaded into cars in the mine by means of forks, the fine coal being left behind. On account of the rapid disintegration of lignite, the product from the mine is screened on the surface and the slack wasted. In thi.. way from 15 to 20 per cent, or mure, of that mined is wasted. This waste in mines of the Bienfait district amounts to from 30,000 to 35,000 tons per annum. Cost of Mining If the demand for coal were -uch that the mines could work up to capacity throughout the year, the cost of production would be less than at present, but there would be other disadvantages. The cost of producing one ton of saleable lignite is estimated at from $1.25 to $1.50, depending on the mine, plant equipment, etc. If all the coal mined were saleable, it is estimated that the cost of production would vary from $1.14 to $1.41 per ton. The slack coal now wasted could be obtained at from 50 cents to 75 cents per ton. Summary — 1. The requirements of the proposed carbonizing plant are 60,000 tons per year. 2. From 30,000 to 35,000 tons of slack coal could be obtained I nnually at Bienfait at a cost of 75c per ton; 5,000 tons at Shand 10 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION station at about 60c per ton, whilst 20,000 tons could be obtained under certain conditions from Estevan at 50c per ton. 30,000 tons at 75c per ton $22,500 5,000 tons at 60c per ton* 3,000 20,000 tons at 50c per tont 10,000 55,000 tons at a total cost of $35,000 Average cost per ton of slack at mines = 65c. In this district there is sufficient slack made in mining opera- tions to supply a plant of the size proposed. On account of the slack being produced principally in the autumn and winter months, and.^as it cannot be stored, there would not be a steady supply of this material to keep the plant in continuous operation. On the other hand, there would be a large enough supply for about half of the time, and at a period when the mines would be glad to sell it; foi^the remainder, run-of-mine t coal could be obtained at a price ofv$1.50 per ton. Location of Carbonizing and Briquetting Plant The economic selection of a location in Saskatchewan, for the carbonizing and briquetting plant is determined by the following: (1) Suitable supply of cheap coal near plant (2) Transportation facilities by which the briquetted material may be delivered to the most profitable markets at a minimum cost due to freight charges (3) A consideration of markets for by-products, such as gas, resulting from carbonization of the lignite. Supply of Coa/— The.only developed mines which could deliver adequate supplies of coal are the Western Dominion collieries, Manitoba and Saskatchewan Coal Co., Bienfait mine, Shand mine, Estevan Coal and Brick Co. All these mines are in the vicinity of the town of Estevan. Transportation Facilities— Either Estevan or Bienfait presents exceptional advantages for serving the larger markets of Saskatche- wan and Manitoba. Markets for By-products— The most important by-product recovered during carbonization is gas. From every ton of lignite * If the plant were constructed at Bienfait, this cost would be increased to $1.16 by the freight and switching charges from Shand to Bienfait. t If the plant wore constructed .it Bienfait, this cost would be increased to 90 cents by the freight and switching charges from Estevan to Bienfait. t Includes all coal mined. BRIQUETTING OF LIGNITES tl carbonized there is a surplus of 4,000 cubic feet of gas with a heat value of 400 to 450 B.T.U. per cubic foot. In the carbonization of 60,000 tons of coal, 240 million cubic feet of gas would be oroduced as a by-product. This gas is valuable as a source of power for brick burning, domestic heating and for all purposes requiring heat or fuel. The candle-power is below the standard for lighting, but it could be used to generate electricity for lighting purposes. In brick burning, gas fuel is very desirable, as it permits an even and uniform burn throughout the kiln, and requires less labour for firing and attendance than coal firing. A potential market exists in the brick plants of the Estevan Coal and Brick Company, and Saskatchewan Coal, Brick and Power, Limited. The Estevan electric light plant is too small for present requirements and the city would be pleased to take gas to increase its capacity. This plant would require gas of at least the equivalent of 4,000 tons of lignite at $2.10 (pre-war price). There is no city gas plant in operation and the city still holds the franchise. There is, therefore, a potential market at Estevan for some 10 million cubic feet per annum for heating and cooking purposes, provided the city undertook the distribution. Summary — Value of by-product gas which would replace coal at Estevan electric power plant « 8.400 per year Domestic heating and cooking, 10,000 M . at 10c per M 1.000 Estevan Coal and Brick Co. at 10c per M 7,500 Total SI'" " " After meeting the above requirements there would still be a surplus of about 70 million cubic feet per year. There is no demand for this surplus, at present, but it would be available for extension of the Estevan power plant and for encouraging the development of manufacturing enterprises. While the following shows the estimated cost of 60,000 tons of slack and run-of-mine coal at the most economic locations for the 18 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION carbonizing and briquetting plant, the factor of quality of coal would also have to be considered : Cost of Coal at Bienfait — 30,000 tons of slack at 75c per ton 122,500 30,000 tons run-of-mine at $1.50 per ton. .. . 45,000 Total 167,500 Average cost per ton $1 • 12J^ Market for gas None Cost of Coal at Estevan — 20,000* tons of slack at 60c per ton (10c freight) $12,000 10,000 tons of slack (from Shand) at 60c per ton (freight Shand to Estevan 40c) 10,000 30,000t tons of run-of-mine at $1.50 (switch- ing charge 6c per ton) 46,800 Total $68,800 Average cost per ton $ 1.15 Market for gas, per year $16,900 Cost of Coal at Shand — 5,000 tons of slack at 60c $ 3,000 25,000 tons of slack from Bienfait at 75c per ton (freight and switching charges, 60c per ton) 33,750 30,000 tons of run-of-mine at $1.50 per ton. . 45,000 Total $81,750 Average cost per ton $1.36 Market for gas, per year $3,000 The distances from Estevan to Bienfait and Shand are about 8 miles and 6H miles, respectively, and, as the soil is sand and gravel, without rock exposures, it would not be a very costly under- taking to pipe gas from one place to the other. Estimated Cost of Carbonizing and Briquetting According to estimates prepared by R. A. Ross, chairman ol the Lignite Committee, Honorary Advisory Council for Scientific * This slack coulH be obtained provided gas was supplied at a reasonable price for fuel for brick burning. .„., ^ ,, , ... t It is assumed that the Estevan Coal and Brick Co. could supply this quantity of coal. BRIQUETTING OF LIGNITES 18 Research, the cost for carbonizing and briquetting, at a plant pro- ducing 30,000 tons per annum, would be as follows: Total cost of plant, etc $366,534 Fixed charges — Interest , 6 per cent ^ Depreciation, 10 per cent [ 73,307 Repairs, 4 per cent J Fixed charges per ton of output 2 . 46 Total operating expenses 4 . 55 \ Total cost of carbon briquettes, per ton . . $7 . 00 This estimate is based on a cost of Jl.OO per ton for coal, but if a market for gas be not considered, and, assuming that the plant were constructed at Bienfait, the requisite amount of coal is estimated to cost Si-12H per ton. As two tons of coal are required in the pro- duction of one ton of b<"iquettes this would increase the cost ct briquettes 25c per ton over Mr. Ross' estimate, or a total cost for producing one ton of carbonized briquettes of $7.25. The following table shows the estimated cost of carbon bri- quettes compared with the price of United States anthracite coal in certain cities in Manitoba and Saskatchewan: Comparative Cost of United States Anthracite Coal and Carbon Briquettes in Manitoba and Saskatchewan City Winnipeg. . Portage la Prairie . . Carberry. . Brandon. . V'irden .... Moosomin. Wolseley. . Regina. . . . Moose Jaw U.S. anthracite used in 1916-17 Tons 200,000 4,000 1,0.50 9,200 2,280 1,836 1,012 45,300 3,845 Price of U.S. anthracite per ton, f.o.b.* S 9.50 to $' 10.00 " 10.65 " 10.60 " 10.80 " 11.00 " 11 50 " 11.60 " 11.45 " •0 K 50 11.15 10.85 12.15 12 2.- 11.75 12.25 12.35 Carbon briquette Esti- mated price, f.o.b. carst Freight and Switch- ing SI. 90 1.80 1.60 1,50 1.60 1.80 1.80 1.60 1.50 S10.15 10. a5 9.85 9.75 9.85 10.05 10.05 9.8.5 9.75 Difference in favour of carbon briquettes . .80 .85 .95 .95 1.45 1.75 1.70 to .45 ■' 1.30 "1.10 " 2 30 " 2 20 " 1.70 " 2.40 " 2.50 The following is a comparison of the chemical analyses a.r 1 * Owing to the exhaustion of the anthracite resources of the United States, these prices will increase year by year, t Including profit of $1.00 per ton. u COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION calorific values of anthracite coal, lignite and carbonized lignite briquettes;* Lignite ai mined. . Lignite briquettes carbonized Anthracite Moiiture, per cent 35.01 nto6 lto5 VoUtilc matter, per cent 25.01 2 to 8 2 to 6 Fixed carbon, per cent 34.07 72 to 82 78 to 92 Ath, per cent S.21 10 to 16 10 to 15 Heating value, B.T.U. 7,000 to 7.S00 11,500 " 12,000 12,000 " 13,500 Analyses of the lignites (as mined) from the Estevan district show that lignite from this field is equally as high in value as the analyses given above. The analyses show that the heating values of carbonized lignite briquettes and anthracite coal are practically equal, and, in practice, the briquettes and anthracite will stand comparison very closely on the basis of cost. The briquettes should, however, hi made from lignite low in ash, that the calorific value may be kept as high as possible. From the table on page 13 it will be seen that Regina and Moose Jaw could consume the total output from the proposed plant and that, at these points, the minimum difference in favour of the briquettes over United States anthracite coal is ?1.70 per ton. In the intervening country districts the saving would be greater. Assuming that, in order to give the consumer some benefit from the manufacture of these briquettes, the retail selling price be $1.70 below the price of anthracite coal, there would still be a profit of $1.00 per to.i, or $30,000 on the 30,000 tons, equal to 7H per cent on the investment. In addition to this profit, there would be kept in Canada, annually, some $200,000, or one-half the total money spent on the plant. There is a possible market for this class of fuel equal to at least nine times the capacity of the proposed plant. Suggested Method for Marketing Briquettes The present practice of marketing coal in western Canada is by means of local agencies. These, besides selling United States coal, have the exclusive right to handle coal from a mine or group of mines in a particular coal field. In a few cases, the right to handle coal from a group of mines for distribution within the pro- vince is granted to one agency, which, in turn, distributes the coal to local dealers. The cost of distributing is, in general, as follows: To the f.o.b. cost of coal, from 15 to 20 cents murt be added as the cost of un- loading the coal ^rom cars and reloading on delivery waggons. • Economic Methods of Utilizing Western Lignite, Bulletin 89, U. S. Bureau of Mines. BRIQUETTING OF LIGNITES l» The delivery cost varies from 50 to 60 cents per ton. The selling price to tha consumer is in some cases represented by the total cost of the coal (plus delivery) to the dealer plus 10 per cent for profit and overhead charges, as follows: Cost, f.o.b.. say $10.00 per ton Unloading and loading 20 " Deliver/ CO " 10.80 " " Dealer's profit, from which overhead charges must be deducted— 10 per cent of $10.80 $ 1 ■ 08 Cost to consumer 1 1 . 88 No difficulty should be experienced in getting coal dealers to handle carbon briq>iettes, provided there is a fair margin of profit. One of the largest mining companies in western Canada requires all dealers handling its coal to sign a contract, in which the selling price of coal is fixed and certain conditions are imposed with regard to the handling of iis coal exclusively. The sale of carbon briquettes should be available to ill dealers, but, in order to protect the public, and, at the same time, encourage the demand for this product, each dealer should be required to sign a contract to the effect that biiquettes will be sold to him on railway cars at a stated price per ton (pries may be reduced during summer months depending on conditions of coal trade) subject to the follow- ing conditions: 1. In selling to the public in carload lots, not more than per ton be added to the foregoing rates. 2. In selling to the public in small lots from shed, not more than per ton to be added to the above rates. 3. A reasonable amount per ton for cartage to be cha ged in addition to the above rates when delivery is required. 4. Payment for the coal to be made on arrival at station, when that point is a regular billing station for freight traffic; otherwise, cash must accompany order. 5. All contracts for the delivery of coal, either upon his part or upon that of the briquetting plant to be subject to interruptions of coal supply from any cause whatever. 6. Railway weights at point of shipment to govern settle- ments in all cases. 7. The dealer to keep on hand, at all times during the winter months, a supply of not less than tons of carbon briquettes, and, during the summer mon^hs, of not less than tons. 8. This arrangement to terminate in any event on but to be subject to cancellation at any time by either party giving one month's notice in writing. le COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION Imports or United States Coal into Prairie Provinces The total import* of coal into Fort William, Port Arthur and Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta pointt of entry for the ycar« 1914. 1916 and 1916 were as follows: Kind of coal Amount, in tons Value in 1010 1914 1015 lOlA AnthfArit^* eis.iM 14ft,960 2.005,181 485,330 222,780 1,580,020 533,642 258,830 2,118,008 13,006,480 Bituminout — Slack 326,326 Lump and run-of-mine 2,760,873 Totals 3,7i53,30S 2,204,710 2,910,576 ! $6,004,088 The foregoing valuation of the coal imported in 1916 is based upon the price at the mines in the United States and does not include the freight charges on American lines nor the freight on that brought up the lakes. The total amount of money which annually leaves Canada to pay for these imports represents approximately 110,000,000. Coal is, in general, taken up the Great lakes as return freight by ships engaged in the ore-carrying trade and, therefore, a low freight rate is secured. Owing to war conditions, the price of imported coal, in some cases, has increased nearly 100 per cent. The following table shows the estimated cost per ton (2,000 lbs.) of bituminous lump coal, f.o.b. steamship. Fort William: Coal at mine Rail freight to lake porta. Freight up lakes Duty War-tax Total . Old price <1915-16) 13.38 Present price (1917) S4 00 .98 ..50 .53 .30 SO. 31 The price of anthracite, f.c.b. cars at dock. Fort William, in 1916, was 87.10; the price in May, 1917, was: Egg and stove, $7.60; nut, $7.Z "^his price is made up as follows: Rail freight to lake ports, S . selling commission, loading, etc., $0.70; lake freight, $0.50; price at mine, $4.55 (estimated); total, $7.60. The price of anthracite coal at any point west of For* William would be the price, f.o.b. cars Foit William, plus the fren,;it rate on the rail- way to that point. BRIQUETTI.iG OF I IGNITK3 17 * s 6 s o a I* a. «: m W u £ a a: < o s (A z o u s 1 .9 I t 1 i 'i £1 E 3 '.2 J5 3 •r a. i? 5 8 as' aj'. S <» s j< a M Is •nie s s i S e«^ o 9 *Q O o x ab t* r* r^ o> t» t- t- t- s ? § s s? S^ I 3 3 S ^ I W b Oi N QO • 2 c < ^ t1 I"" o S? 2 8 ^ 3 ^ -• — o »(5 u^ f» « — 1 — O Ot- O — -H o fie M - - g ^-5 S.., and the Canadian Oil Co. The oil refineries are situated at Winnipeg and Regina, and the bulk of the crude oil comes from the oil-fields of Oklahoma and Wyoming. The quantity of oil sold in these provinces is estimated at about BRIQUETTING OF I.IGNITECS l» AOO.OOO gallons and cliHtributetl in approximately thr followinit proportions: Altwrtn, 33 'i per cent; Saskatchewan, (M) per cent; a.i(i Manitoba, lOi per cent. Prices — In Manitoba, with vry few exceptions, then- i«t a flat price for each grade of oil throughout the province. In Win- nipeg, he price to dealcrr* or large consumers is: Kerosene 19 cents per gallon (pre-war price 17 cents per gallon); gasolene, 3.*) cents per gallon. Elsewhere the price is 20 cents per gallon for kerosene and 35 cents per gallon for gasolene. In Saskatchewan and Albern, with few exceptions, a flat price pre\ ails for each grade of oil. Kerosene is 22 cents and gasolene 38 cents per gallon. Crude oil, f.o.b. Estevan, is 15.S7 cents per gallon. Lignite Deposits of Souris District Two coal-bearing formations are exposed in Saskatchewan. The lower formation is the Belly River, which is exposed in the Saskatchewan valley, ir the western portion of the province. In this area the coal is, in genersi, not well consolidated and is of poor quality; several mines have been opened up, but have since been abandoned. When in operation, the coal mine at Brock was work- ing on a five-foot seam, which was considered the best showing in this area. The operating mines in the Souris district are in the higher formf.tion, which is, probabi Tertiary. The Tertiary beds are widely distributed in the soi •.icm portion of the province, where they form the lower portions of the Cypress hills, the greater portion of Wood Mountain plateau and the belt of elevated land extending north-west of Moose Jaw. Eastward, they form a shallow, syn- clinal basin in the Souris River valley and occupy some of the higher country to the north. On the south, they cross the inter- national boundary at the second meridian and west of the third meridian. There are a number of producing mines in the southern area, particularly in the vicinity of Estevan. There is also a developed mine situated on the lake of Rivers, about 35 miles due south of Moose Jaw, but it is understood that this mine is not working at present. The southern field is the most important in the province, and the lignite seams are thick and of good quality; the conditions also are such as to make mining operations safe and relatively cheap. The scams vary in thickness up to 15 feet. The following arc analyses of mine samples from the Souris coal-field : 20 COMMISSION OK CONSERVATION Locality Moisture (frcshly- niinpd coal) per cent Proximate analyses of dry coal Volatile, per cent •Taylorton ' i^S.O •Kstevan ^9 Bienlait Mine ] 29.^5 Estovan Coal iS: Brick Co.— i I'pper portion, 3 ft. in. ! 25.t>7 Lower (wrtion, 3 ft Willow Bunch Lake Bienfait — I .ower scam 20.20 20.15 22.40 tCarbonized lignite. 42 9 40.0 29.05 28.94 20.70 28.47 29.73 Fixed carbon, per cent 49 43 2 35.90 38 .19 35.95 34.18 37.97 9.10 74.55 Asl.. per cent i 8 1 10 8 5.90 6.80 11.15 17.20 9 90 B. T. U. 13.80 7,605 8,073 6,388 10,987 Chaniic-l samples of coal from the principal mines were taken by the writer and submitted to the Mines Branch, Department of Mines, for analyses. These samples weigh approximately 60 pounds each, and, as it is the intention to carry on tests with them, they have not yet been analyzed. The fMllowing are the results of proximate analyses* of the moisture samples, which are of impor- tance only as indicating the moisture content of the coal when freshly mined. (The analyses were made on the fuel air dried and other results calculated therefrom) : Lignite Co\l (Moisture S.vmplks) from Western Dominion Colliery, Taylorton, S.\sk. Laboratory sample number 1,075 1,076 Moisture condition of sample. . . Fuel as re- ceived Fuel air dried Fuel dried at 10.5" C. Fuel as re- ceived Fuel air dried Fuel dried at 105° C. Loss of air drying, per cent Proximate analysis: Moist ure, [K-r cent Ash, per cent Volatile matter, per cent Fixed carljon (by difference). 13.7 34.3 0.8 20.3 32.0 1.25 23 9 7.8 30.5 37.8 1.25 10.3 40.1 49.0 1.25 12.9 33.8 0.5 20.0 33.7 1.30 24.0 7.5 29.8 38.7 1.30 9.9 39.3 50.8 „ , . fixed carbon '•"^'^''*'"' volatile matter 1.30 Cokine properties: Non-coking. . », . Remarks: No. 1,075, straight north entry, 8 feet coaU No. 1.076. No. 4 wert entry. * Analyses by the Mines Branch, Dciartiiieiit of Mines, t Analysis by Darling. » R I y I K T T I N ( ; C) K L I G M T K S 21 I.UiNiTE Coal (Mi>ist< kt Sxmih.k) i k»m Biknkmt Mink, Bieniait, Sask. Sample mark l.alK)ralory siimplc niiinl'er No. 2 1,077 Moisture condition of samiilc lud as re- ceived dried 105 C air dried 110 l.odg on air drying, fx;r cent Proximate analysis: Moisture, (K-r tent Ash, (XT cent \'')latile matter, jxr cent l'"ixpy dilTeren( e),' 1 , p.-rcem : ;«2 I :W.(i j Mh fixed carlK)ii ;ii ;( 2:{ ti .'■>.■. ti 4 27 () MA S 4 41 1 No. 1 1,07S 1 iiel as re- ceived Fuel as dried i:! 4 1 :n 2 ti 1 21 7 I :») ai () 2'.) 7 MM i 1 Fuel dried at 105 C. 9.;» 45 ti I'liel ratio, volatile matter 1 25 1.25 I 12.-. ("oking pro|M'rtics: Non-coking. Remarks: No. 1,077, No. 1 west !evel; No. 1,07S, No. 5 east entry. l.KiNiTK Coal ^M()lsTt hi: Samim.ki kkom Ksikvan Coal & Ukick Co., ICsTKVAN, Sask. Laboratory simple number . . . . Moisture condition of sample. . 1,079 10.0 I. OSS on air drying, \iet cent. . Proximate analysis: Moisture, per cent .Ash, ft'r cent Volatile matter, (xr cent . . Fixed carbon (bv dilTerenci'l, IXT cent ' 2,S.O ,. , .. fixed carlion ruti ratio, , ., volatile matter Fuel as re- ceived I Fuel Fuel drieii air . at dried 105 f. 35 . it 9.7 2().4 1.05 2H.,S 10.7 29.4 31.1 1.05 15 1 41.3 43.0 1.05 1,080 Fuel Fuel Fuel dried as re- ceived air dried at 105 C. 9.0 31.9 9.9 24.7 28.4 to 9 27.1 15.2 37.9 30 . 5 33. G 40.9 ! 1 25 1 25 1,25 Coking properties: Noii-ioMnn. Remarks: No. 1,079 —Slrippiii^; siiri'.ic sample from second room west; S It. coal. S let. No. 1,1)80 — Mine 22 COMMISSION O I' CONSERVATION Lignite Co.vl (MoisruRf: Svun-i;) from Shwo Mine, S.\?katciiewan Laboratory sample niiniln'r. Moisture condition o! sample i Furl as received S.6 Loss on air - 1-2-2 11 2-8-2 14-2-S-2 14 -2-8-2 n»-2-()-2 ;i-2-(>-2 2.V1-7 2 l(V2-(V-2 2-2-S-2 10-2-H-2 3t-t-lV2 4-2-8-2 18-2-8-2 4-2-7-2 30-1-.T-2 10-2-8-2 11-3-19-2 14-2-8-2 28-1-8-2 17-3-21-2 11-7-27-2 22-4-1 IV-2 32-3 2f.-2 7-4-20-2 18-2-8-2 8-24-1-7 23-2-7-2 33-10-28-2 •«- 1-0-2 2.")-l-t>-2 29-1-0-2 18-0-27-2 33-7-27-2 21K3-27-2 24-2 8-2 3-.V23 2 Output Tonnage sold in ISaskalchcwan 50 7,241 3,310 277 .'>4,678 91,843 35 67,809 C80 Not operated 2,826 Not operated 23,755 Not operated 1.3.-)0 3,237 1,401 838 42 1,030 185 670 403 700 790 Not operated 206 400 359 051 432 Not operated In development 050 205,908 7,241 3,.M0 277 36,4.52 45,921 35 33,905 612 2.826 11,877 1,3,50 3,237 1,401 838 42 1,030 185 670 463 700 790 20t> 200 359 r,51 432 6.50 1,55,710