5 
2 
Asbestic is a name applied to impure very short fibre as 
bestos. It is used by plasterers, manufacturers of roofing, 
and also for a number of the purposes referred to above. 
PREPARATION OF ASBESTOS. 
In most cases in Canada asbestos is mined by open-cut 
methods. From the mine it is conveyed to the mill, where 
it is hand cobbed. The long fibre asbestos is separated as 
completely as possible, by hand, from the waste rock, and from 
that carrying the short fibre. The waste is discarded and the 
balance subjected to a complicated milling treatment in order 
to separate the fibre from the gangue. The first crushing is 
done by jaw crushers, and the final by cyclone or similar crushing 
devices. The fibre is removed partly by means of air currents 
and partly by screening out the finely powdered rock. 
The asbestos is graded according to length of fibre. The 
market price varies greatly according to grade and the demand. 
The long fibre always commands a much higher price than the 
short. 
Amount of asbestos used in the manufacturing industries, 
as reported by the consumers;— 
Location 
No. of firms 
reporting 
consumption 
Domestic 
Imported 
Tons 
Tons 
Maritime Provinces.. 
1 
10 
11 
Quebec.... 
Ontario. 
27 
3 
537* 
25 m 
100 
Prairie Provinces. 
British Columbia.. 
i 
— 
Canada (Total! 
42 
7435 
33A