Iron-Ore Concentration. No. 4. [Volume: 8, Issue: 4, 1889, pp. 236-240]

236

UNITED STATES ASSOCIATION OF

[VOL. 8,

Charlotte Islands; also at Quesnel, in the Tertiary rocks, where it is
often converted into hematite by the natural combustion of adjacent lignite-beds.
Hematite is found in considerable quantity, being colored with
copper carbonate, at Bull River Canlon, Kootanie Valley. A small
deposit is also noticed at Sooke, and some schistose hematite at
Similkameen Valley.
Numerous small seams of specular iron-ore are reported at Iron
Mountain, near the mouth of Coldwater River.
Iron-Ore Concentration. No. 4.
THE revival of interest in the concentration of iron-ores is more
extended than the majority of those interested in iron-ore mining
and smelting appreciate, for it is attracting attention in various
parts of our own and also in foreign countries. We use the word
revival intentionally, as concentration of iron-ores is far from
being a novelty, as has been shown in the JOURNAL.
There are to-day three experimental works in operation on a
commercial scale, and five permanent plants erected, or nearing
completion, for the concentration of American iron-ores by magnetic separation; so that in the near future we may expect to find
separated magnetites a permanent feature of the iron-ore supply.
A prominent English metallurgist makes the following comment:
"Whether the magnetic separation of iron from the materials with
which it is found associated in nature is at present an assured economic success or not, so much has been actually done in this direction as to justify the hope that we shall see applied to ores per se as
effectual treatment with a view to getting rid of phosphorus and
other metalloids as we have already seen applied to the treatment
of impure iron by the basic process. We have more than passed
the threshold of such a devoutly wished-for consummation, and we
may well feel hopeful in reference to the future."
The question of their disposition is not to our mind one of
doubt. We naturally anticipate that the prejudice against the use
of finely comminuted ore will have to be overcome, but we have
faith that a candid investigation will demonstrate the physical con