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Show OUTPUT OF MilS sets m mm I i WASHINGTON", June 30. Thn output out-put of American mines for 101(3, as seen in production for the first six months of the year, will set new records, the ffeological survey announced today. Good prices and an active demand for mineral products, the statement said, have spurred mine operators. Reports from throughout the country show that soft coal, copper, iron, lead and zinc are being; mined in larger quantities than last year. Gold production pro-duction probably will show a decrease, but silver mines arc workinp to capacity. capac-ity. Shipments of iron ore from Lake I Superior points for the first five months i of the year exceeded by more than SO j per cent last year 's shipments for the same period. "Higher prices and heavy 'demands are stimulating the production I of manganese as never before. I The statement predicted that 1916 "will doubtless be the most profitable year in the history of copper produe-, produe-, tion to the present time and possibly I for years to come." It is asserted that ! profits of the producing companies have I been large and as much of the output is i sold several months ahead of delivery j the prosperity of the industry is well : assured tor the remainder of the year. 1 Under the influence of large demands and resultant high prices the production of copper during the last six months has exceeded that of any equal period in the history of the industry. Prices of copper have averaged more than 26 cents a pound during the first six months of this year, the highest in recent years. |