Monthly mineral market reports

The series consists of monthly reports summarizing industry surveys and market reports of minerals such as iron ore; silver; lead and zinc; coal and coke; gold; sulphur; gypsum; slate; talc; gem stones; mica; mercury; peat; salt; natural gas; sand and gravel; abrasive materials; and nonferrous scrap metal. The reports were produced and distributed by the United States Bureau of Mines (Dept. of the Interior). During wartime, Harold L. Ickes was the bureau's secretary; R.R. Sayres was director. Date stamps show the reports were received by the State Museum in 1949, years after the final release date (1947). This supports the conclusion that the Geological Survey compiled such information on mineral resources for statistical and research use.

Reports include advance and final summaries and preliminary returns of statistical and economic surveys. Information typically includes data on trends in commercial production, demand, and shipments; interstate transportation and exports; and consumption. There are numerous tables and charts showing the month and date of survey, and a report number. There are many gaps in the report numbers, which may indicate the Geological Survey requested mailings for particular minerals. Often years and report numbers overlap. Folders in box one of the series represent an aborted attempt to group reports for New York State by type of mineral. This work was not completed, leaving the series in disarray.

Records were transferred from the office of Robert Fakundiny on September 30, 1985. This accession resulted from a project undertaken by Archives staff in 1997 to accession or reintegrate estrayed or unidentified records.

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.