Algiers.

—The Algerian deposits are probably capable of considerable development, as is shown by the response to the increased demand in 1915 and 1916. The ores are nearly all oxidized and contain various rare antimony minerals. Prior to the war the chief production consisted of antimonate of iron, mined together with lead and zinc ores at Hamman N’ Bails. During the war large deposits of oxides were developed and were supplying antimony at the rate of 300 tons per month during the early part of 1918. In 1912, there was produced 4,661 tons of ore; in 1913, 582 tons; in 1914, 1,100 tons; in 1915, 9,022 tons, and in 1916, 28,473 tons. Apparently the ore produced carries around 40 per cent. antimony (metallic content).

The mine of Hamman N’ Bails is owned by the great Belgian smelting company, the Société de la Vieille Montagne; and the La Lucette company (French) owns the productive Ain Kerma oxide deposits. Prior to the war, the German firm of Beer, Sondheimer & Co. was listed as the owner of one of the less important mines.

British South Africa.

—Several antimony deposits are known in British South Africa, seemingly the most promising being those of the Murchison Range in the northern Transvaal. Here auriferous stibnite occurs as veins and replacements in limestone over a considerable area. The ore as mined carries 3 to 6 dwt. gold and 7 to 10 per cent. antimony. Sales and shipments of concentrated and crude antimony were as follows: 1913, 48 tons; 1914, nothing; 1915, 91 tons; 1916, 722 tons; and 1917, 617 tons.

The principal mine of the range, the United Jack, was purchased in 1917 by the La Lucette company (French). In 1916 there were four producing mines in the district. The antimony deposits of the Steynsdorp district, near the Swaziland border, were under development in 1916, and antimony deposits are known in the Forbes Reef district in Swaziland. Antimony ores are found over a considerable part of southern Rhodesia, and this district would probably be capable of a considerable output with better transportation facilities and continued high prices. Ore production in 1916 and 1917 was 38 and 15 tons. Some of the mines, such as the Hope Fountain, near Bulawayo, are chiefly gold producers, antimony being a by-product.

Australia.

—The only antimony-producing district of any importance in Australia is the Costerfield district of Victoria. Here stibnite and antimony oxides occur in quartz veins cutting Ordovician slates. The antimony concentrates, which average about 48 per cent. antimony, and also contain about 2¹⁄₂ ounces of gold per ton, are shipped to England. The annual production is rather regularly 2,500 to 3,000 tons of concentrates.

Table 32.—World’s Production of Antimony (1912-1917)
Approximate recoverable metal content of ore produced, metric tons; antimonial lead ores not included

191219131914191519161917Principal financial control
United States0 0 0 1,760 1,420 310 United States
Canada0 0 0 420 300 120 Great Britain
Mexico3,500 2,340 1,570 200[91]450[91]2,730 Great Britain and United States
Bolivia40 30 70 7,170 9,100 7,340 Great Britain
Peru0 0 0 260 930 450 Peru
Austria-Hungary1,350 840 [92] [92] [92] [92]Hungary
Germany0 0 [92]700[91] [92] [92]Germany
France2,290 5,170 [92] [92] [92] [92]France
Italy310 360 110 720 1,080 960 Italy
Spain170 0 0 100 170 160 France
Portugal40 10 [92] [92]1,000[91] [92]?
Serbia300 250[91] [92] [92] [92] [92]?
Algiers940 180 320 2,740 8,940 [92]France
British S. Africa0 30 0 50 380 300 Great Britain and France
China10,800 11,000 15,900 10,500 42,800 31,000 China (Japan), Great Britain?
Japan70 20 30 180 280 [92]Japan
India0 0 0 0 400 50 Great Britain
Indo-China110 0 0 160 510 [92]Great Britain
Borneo0 0 300 120 [92] [92]Great Britain
Asia Minor270 240 [92] [92] [92] [92]Turkey (Greece)
Victoria580 960 890 1,300 1,320 [92]Great Britain
New South Wales30 10 20 320 310 150 Great Britain
Queensland0 0 0 80 80 [92]Great Britain
West Australia0 0 0 0 20 10 Great Britain
Total20,800 21,440 24,400[93]35,400[93]78,700[93]54,300[93]