34
NATURAL RESOURCES OF QUEBEC
however, important discoveries of copper ore have been made in the
western part of the province, in the Rouvn area, and also in the Gaspé
Jeninsula.
Copper mining operations have been carried on continuously in the
Eastern townships, since 1865. During that time the Eustis Mining Com-
pany has produced more than 1,500,000 tons of ore, which contained 42
ser cent or more of sulphur, and from 2 to 8 per cent of copper. During
1926, the production from this district was 6,233 tons of copper concen-
trate and 14,100 tons of pyrite for the manufacture of sulphuric acid having
a total value at the mine of $411,003. apart from the precious metal con-
tent.
Two areas in Gaspé show deposits of copper, namely near Matane
and in the interior at the headwaters of the York river, but as vet they
have not been successfully mined.
The Rouyn deposits occur in the mineralized development of rocks
of the Keewatin, Témiscamingue, and Cobalt, formations adjoining the
anterprovincial boundary. The greatest prospecting activity has taken
olace in the townships contiguous to the county line between Témisca-
mingue and Abitibi, and along the Transcontinental railway. Discoveries
of important mineral occurrences at points far distant from the main
camp at Rouyn indicate future developments on a large scale.
Copper-bearing pyrite ore of the Eastern townships is now milled
and separated into copper concentrate which is shipped direct to the
smelter, and the sulphur ore is shipped to sulphuric acid works.
The copper producing industry of Western Quebec has become of
great importance since the Noranda smelter began producing blister
copper in December 1927. This was an important milestone in the copper
industry of Quebec. Before the end of the year, 235 tons of copper ingots
1ad been shipped to a New Jersey refinery.*
In 1927, copper produced in the Province of Quebec amounted to
3.119,848 1b. which represented a value of $407,146.
Ores in the Rouyn district may be grouped under three general
headings: (a) Copper-zinc-gold ores; (b) Gold-bearing pyritic ores: and
‘c) Arsenical pyrites and pyrite with native gold.
The effects of the solid mineral discoveries are shown in the develop-
ment of the region. From being a wilderness in 1923, there is now a rail-
way spur from the Canadian National Railway.to the centre of Rouyn
township; a wagon road of 100 miles to the Canadian Pacific Railway
at Angliers; a town of 500 buildings, with a growing population of 3,500,
sub-divided according to modern town planning, waterworks and sewerage,
electric power, and telephone.
EE “Progress in the development of the Mineral Deposits of Western Quebec in 1927" by A. O.
Dufresne and R. H. Taschereau. (Mining operations in Province of Quebec during 1927.)
