Maryland Mineral Industries, 1896-1907 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1908 Excerpt: ... of soapstone, talc, and asbestos are found associated with the different serpentine bodies scattered through the Piedmont region. The massive varieties of talc included under the term soapstone have been quarried at irregular intervals from an extensive deposit found northwest of Marriottsville in Carroll County and from less extensive deposits in Cecil, Harford, and Montgomery counties. A small amount of the output is sawn into slabs for sinks, tubs, fire-brick, and hearth-stones, but most of the product is ground and sold to the manufacturers of acid-proof and fire-proof paints. The higher grades of talc demanded for medicinal purposes have not been found within the State in quantities large enough for successful mining. Asbestos, or more properly chrysotile, since it is not true asbestos but the fibrous variety of serpentine, has been found at several places within the State. The deposits, however, are small and the quality inferior. When ground the fibers obtained are short and brittle and the Tock is too thoroughly impregnated with the silica to make its manufacture a profitable venture. Prior to the discovery of better deposits elsewhere, especially in Canada, there were quarries in Harford and Baltimore counties, but these have long since been abandoned. The present production of talc and soapstone is sold by the short ton, being worth about $4 a ton in the rough, $25 sawn in slabs, and $7.50 ground. The values vary within wide limits, depending upon the market, the location of the works, and the size of operations of the producers. LIST OF TALC AND SOAPSTONE OPERATORS. OPERATOR. OFFICE. QUARRT. Deland Mining & Milling Co Havre de Grace Bald Friar. Thomas & Son Westminster Westminster. The Steatite Corporation Baltimore Marriottsville. Cecil...