Show quicksilver SLUGGISH the quicksilver industry in the united states broke a record last year but not an enviable one for with the exception of that of 1908 the production last year was the lowest since 1860 final figures from every producing district according to H D mccaskey of the united states geological survey gives a domestic output of quicksilver for 1913 of flasks flacks of sev enty five pounds each valued at against a production of flasks flacks valued at in 1912 the decline was due partly to the large foreign output tor for the last few years a dull market and a general lowering of prices producers report short tons ot 01 ore mined and available for treatment in 1913 against tons in 1912 and the reduction of 13 tons against tons in 1912 calif california ornia as usual was the largest producer in 1913 with flasks flacks valued at a decrease from the output of 1912 of 4 flasks flacks in quantity and of in value the total value of the production of quicksilver in the state from 1850 the date of the earliest output to the end of 1913 has been the quicksilver output of nevada in 1913 was 1645 flasks flacks valued at quicksilver is used mainly for the manufacture of fulminate for explosive caps electric appliances drugs and scientific apparatus and for the recovery of gold and silver by amalgamation the use in gold and silver recovery was formerly extensive but the rapid increase in the of 0 gold and silver ores has materially decreased the recovery by amalgamation this is of course due in part to the change in depth from free milling to ores but more largely to the successful treatment of certain large supplies su i of ores never profitable by amalgamation at any depth andio and to increased economics and profits by the substitution ution of for amalgamation the most important producer of quicksilver in the united states is the famous new almaden mine at santa clara county california which contains over miles of underground workings and which has produced steadily since 1850 |