TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11755, 20 July 1916, Page 4

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

GROWING DSE OF GIAPHITE. One of the many industries which has felt the stimulation of war conditions in the United States, it has been found by the Geological Survey in its stock-taking of mineral developments, is graphite mining. While graphite is not used itself as an ingredient in war munitions, it is of great importance in the manufacture of many munitions and devices of war, since the melting of metals for fino work is carried on almost exclusively in graphite crucibles. The unprecedented demand for the snbstance has brought about the opening of mines in new locations in Alabama and in virgin graphite territory in Central Texas. After a study of the situation the Survey found that the old-established mines in a number of the Eastern States increased their output nearly 2,000,000 pounds in 1915. The opening of the new sources of the mineral will bring about an even more marked increase in the production the present year, the Government geologists predict. It "is considered not improbable that the demand for graphite may stimulate the discovery of new deposits enough to completely supply the domestic demand. At present, however, much of the graphite consumed in America is brought half way around the world from Ceylon and Madagascar. Rising freight rates and insurance, coupled with increased demand, have about doubled the price of the commodity. Another phase of the graphite industry affected by the war, it has been brought out by the Geological Survey, is the manufacture of artificial graphite by electrical processes at Niagara Falls. This artificial product cannot be employed for making crucibles, but is used for electrodes in electric furnaces. The need for these electrodes has been increased by the complex metallurgical demands of modern warfare.—'" Washington Star."