6 
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 DAVIS 
 
CALIFOftNiA 
 
 STATE 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 DOCUMENTS DEPT. 
 
 COMPLIMENTS OF 
 
 LEWIS I AUBURY 
 
 SFATt; MiM'RMilGlST. 
 
 CALIFORNIA 
 
 STATE 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 POCUfiltl'iTS DEPTi 
 
RELIEF MAP OF 
 
 N. F. DRAKE 
 
 Department of Geology, 
 Stanford University. 
 
 Accompanying Bulletin No. 45 
 
 THE AURIfEROUS BLACK SANDS 
 Of CALIfORNIA 
 
 Issued b; the 
 
 CALIfORNIA STATE MINING BURE4 
 
 LEWIS E. AUBURY 
 
 State Mineralogist 
 1 907 
 
BULLETIN No. 45 SAN FRANCISCO, APRIL, 1907 
 
 THE AURIFEROUS BLACK SANDS 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA „„„„. 
 
 STATE 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 DOCUFAENTS DEPT. 
 
 ISSUED BY 
 
 THE STATE MINING BUREAU 
 
 FERRY BUILDING, SAN FRANCISCO 
 
 UNDER THE DIRECTION OF 
 
 LEWIS E. AUBURY, - - STATE MINERALOGIST 
 
 SACRAMENTO 
 W. W. SHANNON - - .... SUPERINTENDENT STATE PRINTING 
 
 1907 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 HANTS 
 
LLTTLR OF TRANSMITTAL. 
 
 it) II (in. J. A. (illUtt, (ion nmr nf ('iiliftiniid. ami hi tin Jhnioidhh 
 Undid of 7'ntst((s of till Shih Minimi I'linnii. 
 
 (tENTLEmex: I have tilt' lidiKif to trjiiisiiiit liulU'tiii NO. 4.'). "The 
 Auriferous BljK'k Siiiuls of California." a paniplilet dealing; generally 
 with the lilaek sand tjuestiou. 
 
 As many in(|uiries have heen rooeivod at tlie Bureau concerning this 
 subject. 1 have deemed it advisal)le to furnish to tiie public a brief 
 statement of the conditions as found, and to correct man> wrong 
 impressions which have been formed concerning llic black sands of 
 California. 
 
 I wish to extend the thanks (tf this departiiiciit to .Mr. .1. .\. 
 Edniaii. K.M.. fur his kind assistance in i>reparing this bulletin. 
 .Mr. Mdman has given many years' study to the subject of black sand 
 investigation in California, and has allowed the Bureau the benefit 
 of his conclusions. 
 
 \'ery respectfull.w 
 
 T.KWTS K. .MlUiiV. 
 
 State Mineralogist. 
 
 S.vx Fr.vxcisco, April ."). 10(17. 
 
i 
 
THL AURIFLROU5 BLACK SANDS 
 OF CALIFORNIA. 
 
 Hv J. A. KI>MAX, K. M. 
 
 Tin- periodicjilly in.-fiin-iiiL;- i»ull)ri';ik.s (if [Kipuhir rxcitciiu'iil in 
 reference In new discoveries or re-discoveries of auriferous material 
 have, at various times, hccu dirceted towiiiil llic jk'Iii.iI oi' jiiiaLiiiiai'v 
 values of the heavy sands derived from j,'old-hearin»r frravel deposits, 
 and j,'enerally known as lilack sands. l)y reason of llif preponderance 
 of dark-colored iron iiiinn-als amonj; them. 
 
 The first ami most n()tal)le popular excitement of this kind occurred 
 in April. IHol. about the heacli deposits at Gold Bluff, llumlioldt 
 County, and led to (piitc a rush of San Franciscans to that liM-;ility. ;dl 
 ea«;er to leather the y:()lden sands of fabulous riclmess. whieii. huwever, 
 proved limited in extent and ephemeral in their n;ilni'e. 
 
 Seven years lalei'. twenty-live tliousand Californians rushed |>recip- 
 itatelx to the jowei- Fi'aser River, in British Columbia, to si^'k wealth 
 in somewhat related .deposits of recent river p:ravels — a .search wiiich 
 result«'(l disastrously to many, and led to the return of most of tlie 
 California prospectoi-s durinjj: 1859. 
 
 Since that time the black sands rested in ob.scurity. except in isolated 
 instances, when feeble attempts were made to extract the metallic 
 values from various beach deposits alonj; the coast of Califoi-nia and 
 southern Ore^'on. until 1893, when public attention was ajrain directed 
 t(< the f;old-bearin<r beach sands, as capable of rmnishin^ a sup|)ly of 
 economically valuable iron ore, aside from their values in ^old nnd 
 platinum. 
 
 The fallaey of this expectation was clearly shown durinj; the dis- 
 cussion that followed, but attention was thereby directed to the gold 
 values present in the tailin<rs from the extensive placer, drift, and 
 hydraulic mines operating in the ancient and recent auriferous gravels 
 of California, and which in their concentrated form carried values in 
 association with the black sands. 
 
 Lacking the element of novelty and speculation, pid)lic attention was 
 not again directed to the subject until in 1899 Dr. David T. Day. of 
 the United States Geological Survey, visited California and southern 
 Oregon to investigate the occurrence of platinum and its related 
 
6 THE AURIFEROUS BLACK SANDS OF CALIFORNIA. 
 
 metals. chieHy on the beaches and in the stream gravels of northern 
 California. This a^'ain called attention to the V)lack sands, although 
 no attempt was then made to ascertain their jrold value. 
 
 The results of this investigation were scarcely mentioned by the 
 public i)ress. but were briefly referred to in Volume XXX. pages 
 702-708, of the Transactions of the American Institute of Mining 
 Engineers. 
 
 ]\Ieanwhile the constantly iiu-reasing scarcity of platinum, due to 
 its enormously extended consumption, led to efforts to exploit the 
 known occurrences of that metal on the Pacific Coast, and Dr. David T. 
 Day was again placed in charge of a laboratory establislied by the 
 (Geological Survey, at the Lewis and Clark E.xposition in Portland, 
 under a liberal appropriation made for the purpose, the object of which 
 was to examine and report exhaustivclx ui)on the black sands of the 
 Pacific Coast. Numerous samples of the heavy sands from the mines 
 of the Western States were collected and tested in the la])oratory men- 
 tioned, and some of the results have reached the public through press 
 reports, apparently einanating from the chief of the laboratory. 
 
 Some results obtained from California sands were also published 
 in Bulletin No. 38. "Structural and Industrial Materials of Cali- 
 fornia," of the California State Mining Bureau. 
 
 The official report of these investigations made l)y Dr. David T. Day 
 and R. II. Richards was finally made public about March 1st last, and 
 contains in tabulated form the mineral composition and metallic values 
 of the 931 samples of sands examined by the commission. 
 
 While containing much of value in relation to the mineralogical 
 composition of these sands, the rei)()rt gives but few practical sugges- 
 tions for their mechanical or metallurgical treatment in the field or at 
 the mine. It gives, however, the record of several interesting labora- 
 tory experiments in the production of crude iron and steel from the 
 iron sands by the use of the electric furnace. 
 
 Since the close of the Portland Exposition in October. 1905, there has 
 appeared a liost of actual or jiretended inventors of machinery to 
 numipulate the black sands, and also a number of patent or secret 
 process men or corporations, among which many have put forth the 
 most extravagant claims of their ability to extract metallic as well as 
 other values from these golden sands, and manufacture high-grade 
 steel from the waste; all to be done cheaply and efiiectively. All these 
 alluring prospects are founded on the basis of the extensive, but 
 mythical, black sand deposits of the Pacific Coast. 
 
TlIK AIRIFEROL'S BLACK SANOS OF CALIKi>KMA. < 
 
 INDUSTRIAL ASPECT. 
 
 In view of the erroneous ami luisleadin^' impressions already created 
 by the fore«roin'^ conditions, the tollowinu' Itrict" statement of the ori«rin. 
 distril)iiti(>n. anil prohahle values of the heav\- black sands, from the 
 stantlpoint of the miner and metalluririst. has been prepared: 
 
 Oriffiii n)i(l rinjsical Chdracfi rs. — The popularly .so-called l)lack 
 sands com[)rise the miinite particles of the heavy, hard, and resistant 
 minerals orijjinally existing' in the rocks that form the various j;ravel 
 deposits of California, as well as of an\' other country where raeta- 
 morphic and iirneous rocks exist or predomiiuite. and are found in 
 small (piantities in all watei-boi-ne sands and y:ravels. in Ix'ach. i-iver. 
 creek, irulch. and hill deposits, both ancient and recent. In their 
 ( ri«rinal condition they form but a small percentaj^e of the jrraveLs, 
 varyin«r from 0.2") per cent up t(». but seldom exceedinjr. 2 per cent; 
 are fre(|nently distributed all through the nuiss of deep jiravel beds, 
 l»ut l)y virtue of their j^enerally hiiih specific ^'ravity occur somewh.it 
 concentrated in the lower strata and on the underlying' bedrock. They 
 seldom, if ever, become visible except through the operations of the 
 •Travel miner, when they underj:jo a partial mechanical concentrntion in 
 the resultant tailings. The tailings deposits in their turn become 
 further concentrated wherever in contact with free-tlowing streams, 
 when by the removal of the lighter sands a concentration may be 
 • 'tfeetetl up to o per cent, and occasionally but rarely up to 10 per cent. 
 
 The black sand of the beaches represents nature's work of concen- 
 tration oti tile sli'^ditly auriferous gravel beds of tluviatile origin, as at 
 (Jold Blutf. in lluml)oldt Count.w and at other points on the coast, and 
 more rarely from direct erasion l)y wave action on the auriferous rocks 
 of a coast line. The concentratit)n here, as depending upon the surf, 
 is ever fitful and changing, but frequently results in the formation of 
 a thin layer of almost pui'<' black iron sands, occasionally (|uite imcIi in 
 gold and to less extent in phitiuutn. 
 
 Any deep and extensive deposits of iron sands have not yet been 
 discovered on this coa.st. and so far exist only in the vivid imaginations 
 of unscrupulous j)romoters of mining schemes or patent processes, ever 
 ready to exj>loit a cretlulous public. If. however, they tlid exist, such 
 sands are of little commercial value for the manufacture of iron in 
 an\- country where pure iron ores in mass are relatively abundant, as 
 is the case even in California. They could not, even under the most 
 favorable conditions, compete with the iron ores of Lake Superior. 
 
 The black sand of tlie beaches, as well as of the interior, consists 
 largely of tifaniferous iron as well as chromite. which minerals can not 
 be successfully eliminated for commercial uses, even by the best mag- 
 netic separation. After concentration and separation, a l)ri([uetting of 
 
8 THE AURIFEROUS BLACK SANDS OF CALIFORNIA. 
 
 the sand would be imperative before transporting to a furnace. Viewed 
 from every .standpoint of eeonomio u.se. the production of iron or steel 
 from these sands must be relegateil exclusively to the laboratory. 
 
 The l)lack sand derived from the gravel deposits of the interior carry, 
 in addition to the gold and platinum metals of the beaches, also other 
 elements of value, such as gold anudgaius. nickel iron, various aurifer- 
 ous sulphides and selenides. and occasionally metallic copper. Various 
 heavy silicates and oxides are found mingled with the ii-oii sand, of 
 which, however, only a few occur in (piantity enough to be commercially 
 valuable, such as zircon, tantalite, and cassiterite. 
 
 Diamonds in microscopic sizes are occasionally met with in the black 
 sand, and larger sizes will pr()l)al)ly lie found by working over many 
 tailings deposits. 
 
 The chief values in the stream l)lack sand will always be found in 
 the gold, the platinum metals, and the amalgams it contains in mechani- 
 cal mixture. In some localities, however, certain iron niiiiecals carry 
 gold included within their mass, in wliich case the gold value of their 
 resultant black sand rises far alx)ve the average. 
 
 In general, the valuable black sand may be descril)ed as consisting 
 of hard minerals ranging in specitic gravity from 8 to 7, mingled 
 with small percentages of metals and metallic minerals reaching from 
 7 to 20 in specific gravity. Most of the value will be found in the 
 sand below one eighth inch diameter of its grain. 
 
 The black sands as here described should be considered as the con- 
 centrates of the gravel deposits, and may l)e compared with the 
 concentrates obtained in milling the metalliferous ores to which they 
 are related and from which they are partly derived. Their treatment 
 should in essentials follow the rules that experience has dictated in 
 the mani]iulation of gold ores. 
 
 OUTLINE OF TREATMENT. 
 
 This will naturally fall iiit(» two divisions: one of concentration, and 
 another of reduction to values. 
 
 It will not in general be practicable to concentrate direct from the 
 gravel deposits, except in the case of dredge mining, wherein the first 
 .stage of concentration, by grading to a determined size, is already 
 performed. 
 
 The vast tailings deposits occui-ring in California, as well as in other 
 gold-mining states, already partially concentrated, offer the best and 
 most inviting field for the recovery of black sand. 
 
 The first step should be grading to a definite size, by means of 
 grizzlies, riddles, and screens; the next concentration in water by 
 gravity to a definite range of specific gravity. Both these lines of 
 
TIIK AIKlFKKtHS BLACK SAN'DS OK CAIJFOKMA. 9 
 
 Operations lUiiy Im* aiTMn«r«'(l hy tlif use of the maiiv now wi'll-know ii 
 incchaiiifal ap|)liaMct's. 
 
 In tlir reduction, the lirst stej) should he a sepai'ation of tlie niaiinetie 
 Ironi the non-niatxnetie minerals of the sands, after previous dryin«r. 
 For this purpose we now possess several ettiiMent niatrnetie separat(»i's. 
 
 r.irt of the melallie values may he i'e('oveie<l duriu'j tin- process of 
 concentration. 
 
 The linal rccovi-i-y of irold, plat iiiiiiii. and aiiialiiaiii can nut he 
 efl\'ct<'(l hy incclianical means alone, althou-jli erindinL; of the coai'ser 
 sand ma\ Ite rcipiircd. In many instances a moderate roastini; will he 
 re.piircd. and a sid>sf(|ni'nt treatment liy ehlorinat inn nv \\y i-yanide 
 solution. 
 
 In e^ciiei'al. it ma\' he taken I'oi' Lii'anted that already well-known 
 mechanical appliances and familiar and well-tested milliuL: and mi-tal- 
 lurtdcal opei'ations will he adai>1al)le to collect the heav,\' Stinds and 
 e.\ti-ai-t their values of all kinds. 
 
 As in all other minimr and im^alluruieal operations, the points to 
 he determined are: l-'ii'st. the percenta<i:e of heavy minerals |)resent in 
 a certain hody of sands or »rravels; no.xt. the averaj^e values of these 
 when concentrated; and. finally. th(> co.st of their extraction. 
 
 Wheivver the values in the concentrates possihle of i-ecovel-y exceed 
 the cost incurred in mininl.^ concentration, and reduction, and includ- 
 ing; interest on tlie capital invested, a prohtahle industry ma\ ^l•a<lually 
 be established. 
 
 APPROXIMATE VALUES. 
 
 The value contained in the heavy sands after suitatile concent i';it ion 
 can scarcel\' he stated, even a])proximatel\-. as it will vai".\' within indefi- 
 nite limits. (le|ieudinL;' u|><»n the character of the <ii'avel deposit from 
 which the hlack sand is artificially or natni'ally concentrated, the 
 I'antre of its concentration, and its contained minerals. Tn ireneral, 
 the hijrhest value is found in the heavy sands derived from the ancient 
 Tertiai'y deep-jrravel channels, where Lireat chemical changes hy leadi- 
 ini: and re-precij)ilat ion have originated various secondary auriferous 
 comi)ounds as yet scarcely known. 
 
 In most instances it must be taken foi* granted thai tlu' hlack sands 
 referi-ed to will he concentrates from the tailiiiLis oi- waste products of 
 irold-bearin^'' ui-avels. ;dready strij)ped of the values obtainable by 
 ordinai-y methods of «:i-a\el miniuL;'. such as i)racticed in liydi'aulic, 
 drift, and shallow placer operations, amon^' which the first is always 
 most wasteful of ^'old. In contradistinction, the jrold-savin^ system of 
 washing the jrravel. applied in dredtre minin'_'. may he said to he the 
 most rational as well as most perfect metal-savini: method in i)resent 
 
10 THE ALUlKEROrs BLACK SANDS OF CALIFORNIA. 
 
 use, and as a result the concentrates from dredg:e tailings may be 
 expected to carry but a low value in gold and platinum metals. 
 
 The black sand obtained from the shallow ravines and gulches is 
 generally the poorest, and when chietly composed of magnetite and 
 chromite, often practically worthless. 
 
 Subject to the above limitatioiiK as to composition, the properly 
 concentrated heavy sands of California's gravel deposits may be said 
 to carry values from $5 to $200 jx'i- ton. and probably average near 
 $40 per ton. Well-authenticated hut rare instances occur, however, 
 where concentrates from drift mines on deep-gravel channels have 
 exceeded $1,000 per ton in value. 
 
 No definite information is available relative to the average values 
 of the concentrated l)laek sand of the ocean beaches, which, differing 
 .so much in physical features, would require a method of treatment 
 radically different from that of the stream sands referred to above. 
 
 SUMMARY. 
 
 When fully understood and intelligently developed, the above 
 described heavy sands of the gravel and beach deposits can not fail to 
 add nuich to the mineral wealth of California. It should, however, 
 always be borne in mind that these comparatively little known and 
 lately often )nisrepresentcd auriferous sands exist not as a natural 
 product, ready for the miner, the investor, or the speculator, but must 
 be brought forth by the intelligent efforts of man, in this instance 
 greatly assisted by tiie always present and ever active forces of nature. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
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CALIFORNIA STATE MINING BUREAU. 
 
 This institution aims to he the chief source of reliabh' information 
 ahout the mineral resources and mining' industries of California. 
 
 It is encouraj^ed in its work by the fact that its puljlications have 
 been in such demand that larj^e editions are soon exhausted. Tii fad. 
 copies of them now command hiiih prices in the market. 
 
 The i)ul)lications. as .soon as issued, find tlieir way In the scientilic, 
 public, and private libraries of all countries. 
 
 STATE MINERALOGIST. 
 
 The California State Minin^^ Bureau is under the supervision of 
 Hon. Lewis E. Anbury. State Mineraloijist. 
 
 It is supported by leiiislative appropriations, and in some deforce 
 performs work similar to that of the ireoloijical surveys of other states; 
 but its purposes and functions are mainly practical, the scientific work 
 beinor clearly subordinate to the economic phases of the mineral field, 
 as shown by the or^'anic law y:overninfr the Bureau, wliich is as follows: 
 
 Sec. 4. It shall Ix' tlif duty of said State Mineralogist to make, facilitate, and 
 enc'ouraue special studies of the mineral resoiin-es and mineral indnsti'ies of the 
 State. It slial! l>e his duty : To c-ollect statistics concerning the occurrence of the 
 ecDnoniically iniportant minerals and the methods jjursued in making tlieir \ahialtlo 
 constituents available for conunercial use: to make a collection of tyitical .i;eolo;;ical 
 and mineralojiical specimens, especially those of economic or commercial importance, 
 such collection constituting; the Museum of the State Minin-r Bureau : t<i i)rovide 
 a lilirar.v of hooks, reports, drawinjis. beariuir ujion the mineral industries, the 
 sciences of mineralogy and freology and the arts of mininsr and melallur.iry. such 
 library cnnstitulin^ the Liiirary of the State Mining Bureau: to make a collection 
 of luoilels. draw injrs. and descriptions of the mechanical appliances used in mining 
 and metal lurjrical [irocesses ; to preserve and so maintain such collections and libiary 
 as to nuike them .-nailable for reference and examination, and ojien to public inspec- 
 tion at reasonai)le hours; to maintain, in efTect, a bureau of information (■on<'ernin}r 
 the miui'ral industries of this State, to consist of such collections ami library, and 
 to arrauy:e. classify, catalo^rue. and index the data therein contained, in a manner 
 to make the infornuvtion available to those desiriiui it. and to pro\ide a custodian 
 specially qualified to promote this i)ur|)0se; to mal:e a biennial rei^ut to the Board 
 of Trustees of the .Minim; Bureau, settinj; foi-th the imi)ortant residts of his work, 
 and to issue from time to time such bulletins as he \ui\y deem advisable concernin;; 
 the statistics and technology of the mineral industries of this State. 
 
 THE BULLETINS. 
 
 The field covered by the books issued inider this title is shown \u 
 the list of publications. Each bulletin deals with only one phase of 
 mininsr. Many of them are elaborately illustrated with en<rravin^s 
 and maps. Oidy a nomitial price is a^dvinL in order that those who- 
 ueed them most may obtain a copy. 
 
14 CALIFORNIA STATE MINING BUREAU. 
 
 THE REGISTERS OF MINES. 
 
 The Registers of Mines form practically both a State and County 
 directory of the mines of California, each county beint; represented in 
 a separate pamphlet. Those who wish to learn the essential facts about 
 any particular mine are referred to them. The facts and figures are 
 given in tabular form, and are accompanied by a topographical map of 
 the county on a large scale, showing location of each mineral deposit, 
 towns, railroads, roads, power lines, ditches, etc. 
 
 HOME OF THE BUREAU. 
 
 The Alining Bureau occupies the north half of the third floor of 
 the Ferry Building, in San Francisco. All visitors and residents are 
 invited to inspect the Museum, Library, and other rooms of the Bureau 
 and gain a personal knowledge of its operations. 
 
 THE MUSEUM. 
 
 The Museum now contains over 16.000 specimens, carefully labeled 
 and attractively arranged in showcases in a great, well-lighted hall, 
 where they can be easily studied. The collection of ores from Cali- 
 fornia mines is of course very extensive, and is supplemented by many 
 cases of characteristic ores from the principal mining districts of the 
 world. The educational value of the exhibit is constantly increased 
 by substituting the best specimens obtainable for those of less value. 
 
 These mineral collections are not only interesting, beautiful, and in 
 every way attractive to the sightseers of all classes. l)ut are also educa- 
 tional. They show to manufacturers, miners, capitalists, and others 
 the character and quality of the economic minerals of the State, and 
 where they are found. Plans have been formulated to extend the 
 usefulness of the exhibit by special collections, such as one showing the 
 chemical composition of minerals; another showing the mineralogical 
 composition of the sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks of the 
 State; the petroleum-bearing formations, ore bodies, and their country 
 rocks, etc. 
 
 Besides the mineral specimens, there are many models, maps. ])lioto- 
 graphs, and diagrams illustrating the modern practice of mining, 
 milling, and concentrating, and the technology of the mineral indus- 
 tries. An educational series of specimens for high schools has been 
 inaugurated, and new plans are being formulated that will make the 
 Museum even. more useful in the future than in the past. Its popu- 
 larity is shown by the fact that over 100.000 visitors registered last 
 rear, while manv failed to leave anv record of their visit. 
 
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16 CALIFORNIA STATE MINING BUREAU. 
 
 THE LIBRARY. 
 
 This is the mining' reference library of the State, constantly consulted 
 by niininji" men, and contains lietween 4.000 and 5.000 volumes of 
 selected works, in addition to the numerous publications of the Bureau 
 itself. On its shelves will be found reports on ^eoloijy, mineralogy, min- 
 ing, etc., published by states, governments, and individuals ; the reports 
 of scientific societies at home and abroad ; encyelopa'dias, .scientific 
 papers, and magazines ; mining publications ; and the current literature 
 of mining ever needed in a reference library. 
 
 Manufacturers' catalogues of mining and milling machinery by Cali- 
 fornia firms are kept on file. The Registers of Mines form an up-to- 
 date directory for investor and manufacturer. 
 
 The librarian's desk is the general bureau of information, where 
 visitors from all parts of the world are ever seeking information about 
 all parts of California. 
 
 READING-ROOM. 
 
 This is a part of the Library Department and is supplied with over 
 one hundred current publications. Visitors will find here various 
 California papers and leading mining journaLs from all over the world. 
 
 The Library and Reading-Room are open to the public from 9 a. m. 
 to 5 P. M. daily, except Sundays and holidays, and from 9 a. m. to 
 12 M. on Saturdays. 
 
 THE LABORATORY. 
 
 This department identifies for the prospector the minerals he finds, 
 and tells him the nature of the wall rocks or dikes he may encounter 
 in his workings; but this department docs not do assaying nor compete 
 with private a.ssayers. The presence of minerals is determined, but 
 not the percentage present. No charges for this service are made to 
 any resident of the State. IMany of the inquiries made of this depart- 
 ment have brought capital to the development of new di.stricts. ]\Itiny 
 technical questions have been asked and an-swered as to the best chemi- 
 cal and mechanical processes of handling ores and raw material. The 
 laboratory is well equipped. 
 
 THE DRAUGHTING-ROOM. 
 
 In this room are prepared scores of maps, from the small ones filling 
 only a part of a page, to the largest County and State maps; and the 
 numerous illustrations, other than photographs, that are constantly 
 being required for the Bulletins and Regi.sters of Mines. In this room, 
 also, will be found a very complete collection of maps of all kinds 
 
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18 
 
 CALIFORNIA STATK MIXIN"(i BlliKAU. 
 
 relating to the industries of the State, and one of the important duties 
 of the department is to make such additions and corrections as will 
 keep the maps up to date. The seeker after information iniinires here 
 if he wislies to know about tlie y:eolojry or topojiraphy of any district; 
 about the locations of the new camps, or positions of old or abandoned 
 ones; about railroads, stage roads, and trails; or about the working 
 drawings of anything connected with mining. 
 
 MINERAL STATISTICS. 
 
 One of the features of this institution is its mineral statistics. Their 
 
 annual ( i|»ilatioii by the State IMining Bui-cau began in 18i)8. No 
 
 other State in the Tnioii attempts so elaborate a record, expends so 
 much lal)or and money on its compliation, or secures so accurate a one. 
 
 The State .Mining Bureau keeps a careful, up-to-date, and reliable 
 but confidential register of every producing mine, mine-owner, aiul 
 mineral industry in the State. From them are secured, under idcilge 
 of secrecy, reports of -output, etc., and all otlier available sources of 
 information are used in checking, verifying, and supplementing the 
 information so gained. This information is published in an animal 
 talmlated. statistical, single-sheet bulletin, showing tlie luincral j)ro- 
 duction l)y both substances and counties. 
 
 TOTAL GOLD PRODUCT OF CALIFORNIA- 1848-1905. 
 
 COUNTY RANK IN GOLD PRODUCT IN 1905, 
 
 While gold is still the leading mining product, its yield no longer 
 puts the greatest gold-producing county in the first place. The petro- 
 leum of Kern County and the copi)er of Sliasta give them precedence. 
 Gold is nu)re widely distributed tlian any other substance thus far 
 mined in California ; 84 counties out of the 57 in the State showing a 
 gold \icld in lilO."). and il is known to exist in several others. The order 
 
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 CALIFORNIA STATK .MINING lUKEAU. 
 
 ill r.iiik of the counties of tlio State, in the prodnction of gokl alone, 
 is at i>i-esent as follows: 
 
 1. Nevada ..$3 
 
 2. Butte 2 
 
 3. Amador 2 
 
 4. Calaveras 1 
 
 o. Tuohiinne 1 
 
 ♦i. Keni 1 
 
 7. Siskiyou. 
 
 8. Trinitv 
 
 ». Shasta". 
 
 10. Sacramento ... 
 
 11. Placer 
 
 12. Sierra 
 
 13. S. Bernardino. 
 
 ,179, 
 60 
 445. 
 ,73« 
 .291, 
 ,160, 
 803, 
 6(K), 
 684, 
 66H, 
 597. 
 51 
 473, 
 
 715 
 
 50i» 
 81.') 
 816 
 26 
 971 
 035 
 844 
 952 
 382 
 793 
 303 
 893 
 
 14. 
 15. 
 16. 
 17. 
 18. 
 19. 
 20. 
 21. 
 22. 
 23. 
 24. 
 25. 
 26. Los Angeles. . 
 
 Mariposa . . 
 Kl Dorado .. 
 
 Yuba 
 
 Mono 
 
 Plumas 
 
 Inyo 
 
 San Diego . . 
 
 Madera 
 
 Stanislaus .. 
 Humboldt .. 
 
 Fresno 
 
 Riverside 
 
 $.386,380 
 
 384,735 
 
 324,135 
 
 308.884 
 
 283,810 
 
 135,959 
 
 109,712 
 
 50,867 
 
 .50,000- 
 
 45,824 
 
 40,037 
 
 35,690 
 
 15,035 
 
 27. 
 28. 
 29. 
 30. 
 31. 
 32. 
 33. 
 34. 
 
 Del Norte $10,5^ 
 
 Monterey 4,000 
 
 Tulare.." 2,300 
 
 Ventura 1,200 
 
 Santa Barbara. 725 
 
 Alpine .575 
 
 San L\iisObispo 300 
 
 Mendorino ..- 40 
 
 Undistributed. 147,500 
 
 Total 
 
 !i!19.197,W3 
 
 TOTAL MINERAL PRODUCT OF CALIFORNIA FOR 1905. 
 
 Thi' i'dlliiwiim talili' shows the y'lvld aiul \alii(_' oi' iniiu'ral suhstaiu-es 
 of Califoniia for 190r). as per returns received at the State Alining 
 Bureau. San P^rancisco. in answer to iiiquirics sent to producers: 
 
 Quantity. Value. 
 
 Asbestos 112 tons $2,625 
 
 Asphalt - 40.304 '• 28.5,290 
 
 Bituminous Rock .'. 24,753 " 60,436 
 
 Borax.., 46,334 " 1,019,158 
 
 Cement' 1,265,553 bbls. 1,791,916 
 
 Chrome 40 tons 600 
 
 Clays (Brick) 286,618 M 2,273,786 
 
 Clays (Pottery) 1:^3,805 tons 1.30,146 
 
 Coal 46,500 " 144,500 
 
 Copper _ 16,997,489 lbs. 2.6;50,605 
 
 Fuller's Earth 1,344 tons 38,000 
 
 Gems - 148,500 
 
 Glass Sand 9,257 " 8,121 
 
 (iold 19,197,043 
 
 Granite 228,788 cu. ft. 3.53,837 
 
 Gypsum 12,8.50 tons 54,500 
 
 Infusorial Earth 3,000 " 15,000 
 
 Load 533,680 lbs. 25,083 
 
 Lime 616,995 bbls. 5.55,322 
 
 Limestone 192,749 tons 323,325 
 
 Lithia .Mica.. , 25 " 276 
 
 Macadam 1,440,455 " 942,503 
 
 .Magnesite (Crude) 3,933 " 16,221 
 
 Marble 73,303cu. ft. 129,450 
 
 Mineral Paint ... 754 tons 4,025 
 
 Mineral Water 2,194,1.50 gals. 638,700 
 
 Natural Gas 148,345 M cu. f t. 102,479 
 
 Paving Blocks 3,408 M 134,347 
 
 Petroleum ...34,275.701 bbls. 9,007,820 
 
 Platinum 200 oz. 3.320 
 
 Pyrites 15,503 tons 63,958 
 
 (Quicksilver 24,655 Hasks 886,081 
 
 Kubble 1,183,802 tons 774.267 
 
 Salt.. 77,118 " 141,925 
 
 Sandstone 302,813 cu. ft. 483,268 
 
 Silver... 678,494 
 
 Slate... 4,000 squares 40,000 
 
 Soapstone 300 tons 3,000 
 
 Soda 15.000 " 22,r>00 
 
 Tungsten. 52 " 18,800 
 
 Total value $43,069,227 
 
CALIFORNIA STATE MIXING BIREALV 
 
 O 
 
 21 
 
 MINING BUREAU PUBLICATIONS. 
 
 Publications of tliis liurcaii will l)e sent on ivceipt of tlio iv<|uisite 
 amount and postayro. Only stamps, coin or money orders will he 
 aec('|>ted in payment. (.1// imhlii ations not mcntioiud arc exhnustvd.) 
 
 Attention is respectfully i-alled to that portion of Seetion S. amend- 
 ment to the Mining; liureau Act. approv(>d March 10, 1SJU3, which 
 states : 
 
 "Tlif Hoard (Board of Trastees) is herein- empowered to fix a price 
 upon, .ind to dispose of to the i)uhli(', at such i)ricc. ;iiiy .iiid .ill pub- 
 lications of the Bureau, iucludiuLr reports, bullet ins. maps. i-e«;isters, 
 etc. The sum derived from such disposition must be accounted foi- jiiid 
 used as a revolvin^r printinj,' and publishing' fund for other reports, 
 bulletins, maps, rejristers. etc. The prices fixed must approximate the 
 actual cost of printin<r and issuinir the respective reports, bulletins, 
 maps, registers, etc.. without reference to the co.st of obtaininj^ and 
 preparing the information eml)raced therein." 
 
 Price. Postacp. 
 
 It.>I>ort XI— 1802. Fii-st Hi.-nnial .?1 fMl $0 15 
 
 \lv\Kn-\ XIII— ISOC. Tliinl I'.i.-nnia! 1 (Ml 'JO 
 
 Hullctin No. it — "(Jold .Mill I'ractic.-s in Califoinia" (3(1 edition).. ."»0 04 
 
 IJulIotMi No. !» — "Mine iMaina^e. I'umps. Etc.." bound (iO 08 
 
 Bulletin Xo. 15 — "Mai) of <>il ^'il.v Oil Fields. Fresno County. Cali- 
 fornia" 0."» 02 
 
 I5iilli-iin No. l(i — "Genesis of Petroleum and Asplialtuni in Cali- 
 
 Ininia" (3d edition) ."{O 03 
 
 Kulli'tin Xo. Ii3 — "Coijper IJesources of California" ."»0 12 
 
 bulletin Xo. 24 — "Saline Heposits of California" ."»0 10 
 
 HuUt'tin Xo. 27 — "(Juicksiher Uesources of California" 7.") 08 
 
 Pullt'tin No. 30 — "Iiil)!ioH:ra))h.v Uelatiii? to the (ieolojr.v. Pala?ontol- 
 
 og.v and Mineral Resources of California." im-hidinL; List of Maps. 50 10 
 
 Bulletin -No. 31 — "Chemical Anal.vsis of California Petroleum" 02 
 
 Bulletin Xo. 32 — "Production and Use of California Petroleum"... 7."> 08 
 
 Bulletin Xo. .Sr — "(iold Dred-iu}.' in California" (2d edition) ."lO OS 
 
 Bulletin .No. .37 — "(iems and .Jewelers' .Materials of California" 
 
 ( 2d edition) ."O 08 
 
 Itulleiin .Ni). 3>i — "Structural and Industrial Materials of California" 7."> 20 
 
 Bulletin .No. .3!t— "Mineral Production of California"— ]'.>04 02 
 
 Bulletin Xo. 41— ".Mines and Minerals of California"— 1!M>4 04 
 
 Bulletin Xo. 42 — "Mineral Production of California" — 1!>0." 02 
 
 P.iilieiin No. 4.3 — ".Mineral Production of California for .Nineteen 
 
 V.-ars" 02 
 
 Bulletin .No. 44 — "Mines and Minerals of California" — liio.' 04 
 
 (iold Production in California from 1.S48 to V.KIC 02 
 
 Uey;ister of Mines, with .Maji. .\mador Count.v 2."i 08 
 
 Register of .Mines, with M;ui. Butte Count.v 2."> 08 
 
 Register of Mines, with .Map. HI Dorado t.'ount.v 2.j 08 
 
 Register of Mines, with .Map. In.vo Count.v 2.1 08 
 
 Register of Mines, with Map. Kern Count.v -'* 08 
 
 Register of .Mines, with Maj). Lake Count.v ^'-j ^8 
 
 Register of Mines, with .Map. Marii>osa Count.v 2.j 08 
 
 Register of Mines, with Map. Neva<la Count.v 2.j 08 
 
 Register of Mines, with Map. Placer Count.v 2.j 08 
 
 Register of Mines, with .Map, San Bernardino Count.v 2.j 08 
 
 Register of Mines, with Map. San Diego Count.v 25 08 
 
 Register of .Mines, with Map. Santa Barbara County j-|[» OS 
 
 Register of -Mines, with .Map, Shasta County --J 08 
 
22 CALIFORNIA STATK MIXING BUREAU. 
 
 MINING BUREAU PUBLICATIONS— CojUinuerf. 
 
 Piico. Postage. 
 
 RpfristiM- of .Mines, wilh Map. Si.Mi-a Couiity .$() :.'."> .^U OS 
 
 Koj;isr('r o( Mines, witii Maj). Siskiyou Connty 25 08 
 
 Itefristei- of .Mines, with Map, Trinity County 2." 08 
 
 licfrisler of Mines, with Map. Tuohinine County 2." 08 
 
 Kefrisler of Mines, with Ma)). Yuba County '2't 08 
 
 Re;i;ister of Oil Wells, with .Map. Los Aiiireles City .T) 02 
 
 M:\\> of .Mother Lode (I." 02 
 
 Mai> of l>esert Uejrion of California lU 02 
 
 Map Showing: Copper Deposits iu California 05 02 
 
 Map of Calaveras County 25 03 
 
 Map of IMuinas ( "ounty 2.") 03 
 
 .Mineral and Uelief Mao of California 2.". 05 
 
 Map of Forest Reserves in California (mounted) ">(i 08 
 
 Map of Forest Reserves in California (unmounted I HO OG 
 
 Samples (limited to three at one time) of any mineral found in the 
 State may be sent to the Bureau for identification, and tlic same will 
 be classified free of charge. It must ])e understood, liowcvci-. that no 
 assays, or quantitative determinations, will be made. Samples should 
 be in lump form if possible, and the outside of packajre should be 
 marked plainly with name of sender, postoffice address, etc. A letter 
 should ac('om])any sam'ples. and a stamp shoidd be inclosed for rejdy. 
 
 LAW RELATING TO MISREPRESENTATION OF MINES BY ANY OFFICER OF 
 A CORPORATION TRANSACTING BUSINESS IN CALIFORNIA. 
 
 Section 1. Any superintendent, director, secretary, manaiicr. agent, 
 or other officer, of any corporation formed or existing under the laws 
 of this State, or transacting business in the same, and any person pre- 
 tending or holding himself out as such superintendent, director, secre- 
 tary, manager, agent or other officer, who shall willfully subscribe, 
 sign, endorse, verify, or otherwi.se a.ssent to the publication, either 
 generally or privately, to the stockholders or other persons dealing with 
 such corporation or its stock, any untrue or willfully and fraudulently 
 exaggerated report, prospectus, account, statement of operations, 
 values, business. profitvS, expenditures or prospects, or other paper or 
 document intended to produce or give, or having a tendency to produce 
 or give, to the shares of stock in such corporation a greater value or less 
 apparent or market value than they really possess, or with the intention 
 of defrauding any particular person or persons, or the public, or 
 per.sons generally, shall be deemed guilty of a felony, and on conviction 
 thereof shall be punished by imprisonment in State prison, or a 
 county jail, not exceedings two years, or by fine not exceeding five 
 thousand dollars, or by both. 
 
 Sec. 2. All Acts and parts of Acts in conflict with this Act are 
 hereby repealed. 
 
 A Improved :\Iarch 22, 1905. 
 
THIS BOOK IS DUE ON THE LAST DATE 
 STAMPED BELOW 
 
 m^ M 
 
 BOOKS REQUESTED BY ANOTHER BORROWER 
 ARE SUBJECT TO RECALL AFTER ONE WEEK. 
 RENEWED BOOKS ARE SUBJECT TO 
 IMMEDIATE RECALL 
 
 SEP 2 8 1978 
 
 OCTl RtC'O 
 
 RECE •; 
 
 APR 6 1981 
 
 PECEIVED 
 JUN 2 5 1981 
 
 ^HYS SCI LIBRARY 
 
 LIBRARY, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS 
 
 Book Slip-Series 458 
 
3 1175 00646 9897 
 
 l6U90h 
 
 Call Number: 
 
 TN2h 
 
 California. Dept. of 
 natural resources. Di- 
 vision of mines. 
 
 C3 
 A3 
 no.h^ 
 
 PHYSICAL 
 
 SCIENCES 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 
 164904