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CALIFORNIA ^
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California State Library
Accession No.
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INDEX TO VOLUME 121
Mining and Scientific Press
July to December, 1 920
Page
cme Motor Truck To
dam, H. R. . . .Resume of literature on the theory of
flotation 765
Advertiser anil the editor A correspondence. . . . 408
Ditto Editorial..., 103
advertising ethics P. B. McDonald. . . . 545
Aerial mail Editorial .... 402
Agnew, John A Editorial. ... 327
Alaska Gold Mines Co Editorial. . . . 898
Alaska Treadwell Editorial. . . . 475
Alderson. Victor C Editorial. ... 441
Ditto Oil-Shale Industry, book review. . . . 473
leer. F. R. . .Underground prospecting at Joplin. ... 109
Ulen. A. W Science and industry. . . . 161
Hen. C. A Signaling mine-hoists from moving
cages 232
•Ulis-Chalmers Mfg. Co 64 5
Copper converters 145
Lluminum, manufacture of 15
Amalgamation, steaming of plates 20
\merican Lubricants, book review . L. B. Lockhart. ... S23
kmerican-made gold-dredge for New Zealand 324
Operations of Consolidated Gold Fields of South
Africa 881
American Mining Congress 747
Ditto Editorial 752, 790, S26
\merican Smelting & Refining Co 215
American Steel & Wire Co 218
Americanization Editorial .... 3
\naconda company and taxes Editorial. ... 470
Enterprise in Chile 698
Apex litigation John J. Presley. ... 81
Application of the Bradford flotation process to mixed
sulphide concentrates
W. D. Green and Wm. Fagergren . . . . 455
Vrizona. mineral production of: 664
Arnold. Ralph, J. L. Darnell, and others. . . .Manual for
the Oil and Gas Industry, book review 33
\ssaving methods at the Globe & Phoenix mine
H. R. Edmands. ... 451
Association of Accountants 10S
Australian treatment of American low-grade copper
ores 419
B
Bacon, John Lord Forge Practice and Heat-Treat-
ment of Steel, book review 3 3
Bad language Editorial .... 39
Bailey, F. J. . . .First-aid and mine-rescue contest. ... 241
Baking 'gold' ore Paul T. Bruhl. ... 479
Ditto B. L. Gardiner .... 89
Ball-granulators 645
Barber-Greene bucket-loader 930
Barrett Company 929
Barrows. David P Editorial .... 29.3
Bastin, Edson S., and H. D. McCaskey Work on
mineral resources by U. S. G. S 166
Beck, E. G. . . .Structural Steelwork, book review. ... 473
Belmont Shawmut Mining Co., mill
Henry Hanson. . . . 793
Mine and mill A. B. Parsons. . . . 619, 659
Page
Belt-conveyors 399
Joining, new booklet on 217
Selection am! treatment of E. J. Black.... 34
Benedict, W. deL Concerning silver. . . . 329
Benguet Consolidated, milling practice at
C. M. Eye and M. F. Dodd .... 805, 84J
Benitez. A. T Interviews with Governors of
Zacatecas and Durango 667
Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation 323, 474
Bethlehem Steel Corporation 218
Bingham decision Editorial. . . . 721
Bishop. Thomas Carlton Structural Drafting and
the Design of Details, book review 33
Black. E. .1 Selection and treatment of
transmission belts 34
Black. N. Henry, and James Bryant Conant. .Practical
Chemistry, book review 575
Blast-furnaces at Copper Cliff 45S
Fired with coal H. C. Robson. . . . 409
Slag, use of 664
Blessing. George F., and Lewis F. Darling. . .Elements
of descriptive geometry, book review 823
Blinn. Leroy J Tin. Sheet-Iron, and Copper-Plate
Worker, book review 473
Boiling-points of water under reduced pressure 646
Bolivian silver-tin ores M. G. F. Sohnlein. . . . 384
Books written in a hurry. . . . M. W. von Bernewitz. ... 43
Borzynski. F Case oil-fired assay-furnace. ... 42
Bosworth. T. O Geology of the Mid-Continent
Oilfields, book review 435
Bounty on gold Editorial. . . . 684
Bourne, F. J. .Human factor in mine management. . . . 831
Boyer, L. R A new track-scale. ... 107
Bradford flotation process on mixed sulphides
W. D. Green and Wm. Fagergren. ... 455
Branner. John Caspar 581
Brannt. William T., and Dr. George Langbein . .Electro-
Deposition of Metals, book review 435
Brass Check Editorial .... 753
Brazil, geology of F. Lynwood Garrison. . . . 581
Brinsmade, Robert B Wages, profits, and social
ethics 151
Broken Hills Silver Corporation Editorial. . . . 222
Brown, G. Chester Electric detonators. ... 81
Bruhl, Paul T Baking a gold ore. . . . 479
Ditto Engineering education. . . . 615
Bull-pen in the Coeur d'Alene T. A. Rickard. . . . 335
Bullard, E. D Gas-masks. . . . 546
Bunker Hill Enterprise. . T. A. Rickard. .195, 227, 335, 413
Ditto S. F. Shaw. . . . 185
Burch, Albert Editorial .... 295
A western engineer T. A. Rickard. . . . 299
Burma Corporation Editorial .... 327
Burro Mountain concentrator 285
Business Man and His Bank, book review
William H. Kniffin . ... 473
Outlook Charles T. Hutchinson. . . . 755
Butler. H. G Distribution of power in
California 688
Butte and the election Editorial. . . . 719
Butte it Superior Mining Co., company report 3 66
Mining methods at A. B. Parsons. . . . 513
Butters, Charles Concerning silver. ... 5, 185
.MINING AND-. SCIENTIFIC PRESS
Vol. 121
Page
c ...... ••:.••:: • ".
C. T. H Three hours with t'he;Qeid6oratV.'.:.\" 6i'
Caetani, Gelasio Editorial. ... 860
Calderwood, James P., and Andrey A. Potter. . . .Ele-
ments of Steam and Gas Power Engineering,
book review 435
California Metal Producers Association 304
Call to arms A. E. Zeh .... 41
Calumet & Hecla Mining Co., curtailment at 813
Ditto Editorial. . . . 719
Camp Bird, Mr. Agnew, and Mr. Spurr
John A. Agnew. ... 79
Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy
R. C. Wallace 773
Care of rock-drills Howard R. Drullard. ... 310
Case oil-fired assay-furnace F. Borzynski. ... 42
Centrifugal pumps Editorial. ... 76
Ditto Robert S. Lewis. ... 83, 479
Cerro de Pasco, pulverized coal as fuel
Otis L. Mclntyre. ... 55
Chauvenet, Regis, obituary 856
Chile Copper Co. report 103
Chile, mining nitrates in P. A. Raymond. . . . 257
China, copper 'i 82
Chloride volatilization Editorial. ... 2
Chloridizing roasting M. G. F. Sohnlein. . . . 384, 688
Chomley, W. B Price of gold. ... 617
Chromiferous iron ore 738
Chuquicamata Robert Clarke .... 405
Mines at 280
Clark, Charles W 811
Clarke, Robert Chuquicamata. ... 405
Clawson, Spencer W., obituary 321
Clennell. J. E Early days on the Rand. ... 51
Coal, production per man 421
Cobalt 560
Silver producers Editorial. . . . 859
Code of ethics Editorial .... 4
Ditto A. T. Parsons .... 42
Collins, Henry F Record for cheap mining. ... 373
Colorado School of Mines Editorial. ... 369
Combinations of gold J. H. Mockett, Jr. . . . 6
Company reports. . . .Butte & Superior Mining Co. . . . 366
Ditto Dome Mines Co. . . . 366
Conant, James Bryant, and N. Henry Black. .Practical
Chemistry, book review 575
Concentrator of Belmont Shawmut Co
A. B. Parsons. . . . 659
Concerning shift-bosses Editorial. . . . 752
Silver W deL. Benedict. . . . 329
Ditto Charles Butters. ... 5, 185
Ditto Frank L. Sizer. . . . 298
Conditions in Mexico
An Occasional Correspondent. ... 345
Conference on standardization 395
Contreras, Adriano, and Ramon Oriol Spanish
Mining Directory, book review 473
Conventions Editorial. ... 77
Conveying hot material by belts 108
Co-operation and reciprocity 785
Copper converters at Clarkdale, Arizona 145
Deposits of Lake Superior S. S. Lang. ... 408
In China 82
Industry of British Columbia 889
Output, January to June, 1920 213
Production Editorial. . . . 403
Production in U. S., 1913 to 1919 383
Production statistics 641
Copper Canyon mine 566
Copperopolis fire 737
Corless, C. V Editorial. . . . 827
Ditto Labor the holder of the nation's
wealth 829
Cornish mining Editorial. ... 295
Coronado mine operations 469
Cottrell treater, flue type A. B. Young. . . . 273
Cox, James M 62
Crescent Belt Fastener Co , 108, 217
Cripple Creek and Pikes Peak Editorial. ... 149
Crocker, Wm Question and answer. ... 80
Crossing the bay Editorial. . . . 510
Crowell & Murray. . . .The Iron Ores of Lake Superior,
book review 473
Cubore, a new type of ship 218
Curves for ore-valuation K. K. Hood. ... 270
Cutler Hammer Mfg. Co 110
Cutting a 44-in. riser 682
..•••••. Page
Cyanide, -practice at Benguet Consolidated
: •" • • '•' CM. Eye and M. F. Dodd. . . . 805, 841
Cyaniding concentrate at Belmont Shawmut property. .
A. B. Parsons. ... 659
Flotation, concentrate Henry Hanson. ... 793
D
Danger from explosives fume in metal mining
D. Harrington and B. W. Dyer.... 308
Darling, Lewis F., and George F. Blessing. .Elements
of Descriptive Geometry, book review 823
Darnell, J. L., Ralph Arnold, and others .... Manual
for the Oil and Gas Industry, book review. ... 33
Dawson and gold production 570
Day, David E Oil-shale industry. . . . 298
Day, David T Editorial. . . . 442
Dayton, Nevada, dredge 464, 474
Decision in Deister patent suits 400
Deepest mine Editorial .... 477
Deister Machine Co 400
de Laschmutt, Ivan 819
Democrats, three hours with the C. T. H. . . . 61
Denver Fire-Clay Co 681
Denver Rock Drill Mfg. Co 257, 787
Design of Highway Bridges, 2nd edition, book review. .
Milo S. Ketchum.... 575
Determination of molybdenum 343
Dings magnetic separator 218
Distribution of power in California. .H. G. Butler. . ... 688
Dividends from metal mines in North America 365
Divining rod Editorial .... 721
Ditto W. A. Middleton. . . . 863
Ditto William Pryce. . . . 733
Ditto Forbes Rickard. . . . 863
Ditto Grant H. Smith 863
Dodd, M. F., and C. M. Eye Milling practice at
Benguet Consolidated Mine 805, 841
Dodge Sales & Engineering Co 824, 895
Dolbear, Samuel H Enlarging maps. ... 374
Dollar, Capt. Robert Editorial. . . . 790
Dome Mines Co., company report 366
Dorman & Co., W. H 610
Drainage of swamps to reduce pumping 496
Dredging in New Zealand A. C. Ludlum. . . . 479
Drilling contest at Jerome 133
Drullard, Howard R Care of rock-drills. . . . 310
Dust in metal mines 3 52
Dwight-Lloyd roasters at Port Pirie smelter. ...:....
Gilbert Rigg. ... 90
Dyer, B. W., and D. Harrington Danger from
explosives fume in metal mining 308
Dynamobile 681
E
Early days on the Rand J. E. Clennell. ... 51
Edison Lamp Works 217
Editorial
Americanization 3
Bad language 39
Bingham decision 721
Bounty on gold 684
Brass Check 753
Burma Corporation 327
Code of ethics 4
Colorado School of Mines 369
Concerning shift-bosses 75 2
Conventions 77
Copper production 403
Cornish mining 295
Crossing the bay 510
Deepest mine 477
Divining rod 721
Election 684
Electrolytic zinc 792
Engineering education 223
Examination of mines 223
Federal Trade Commission 114
Federal Trade Commission and Minerals Separa-
tion 262
Flotation conference 790
From Leadviile to Cyprus 685
Geologic fallacies 182
Great steel strike 371
Grievance 404
Harding's acceptance 150
Immigration 900
Vol l'-M
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
Pat*
impending labor crisis 862
Impressions or the Mining Congress B61
ln.lusin.il leadership 4 1"
In.lusiriul relations 511
Japanese In California f>4 3
l.lndley. I'urtis H 791
Metal quotations 112
Mining finance 476
New mineral 580
News (roni Mexico 78
Oil-shale industry 441
Our national responsibility 613
Ownership of mine water 612
Pike's Peak anil Cripple Creek 149
Polish muddle 261
Question of ethics 403
Rising tide of color 648
Salting of mines 183
Smelting lead-zinc ores 113
Speakers and speeches 826
Stores in mining communities 649
Struggle at Klo Tlnto 326
Western engineer 295
Work ol Congress 40
Yankee engineer 899
Edmands. H. R Notes on routine assaying at the
Globe & Phoenix mine 451
Education of engineers Editorial. . . . 223
El Tlgre. geology of R. T. MIshler. . . . 583
Election Editorial. . . . 579. 684
Electric detonators G. Chester Brown. ... 81
Furnace at San Francisco mint 865
Furnace voltage regulator 507
Electric Steel Co 474
Electricity at the Bunker Hill property
T. A. Rickard 195, 227
Electro-Deposition of Metals, book review
Dr. George Langbein and William T. Brannt. ... 435
Metallurgy of manganese ore 132
Electrolytic separation of copper from a copper-cobalt-
nickel matte R. G. Knickerbocker. ... 45
Zinc Editorial. . . . 792
Zinc methods Herbert R. Hanley. . . . 795
Elements of Descriptive Geometry, book review
George F. Blessing and Lewis F. Darling. . . . 823
Of Steam and Gas Power Engineering, book review
Andrey A. Potter and James P. Calderwood. ... 435
Elliott, Charles G. . . .Engineering for Land Drainage,
book review 33
Elliott. Edward Federal Reserve system. . . . 699
'Engineer' Power resources. . . . 480
Engineer and national prosperity
George Otis Smith.... 243
Engineer mine 923
Engineering Council E. H. Leslie. . . . 704
Engineering education Paul T. Bruhl. . . . 615
Ditto Editorial. . . . 223
Ditto P. B. McDonald 329
Engineering for Land Drainage, book review
Charles G. Elliott. ... 33
Enlarging maps Samuel H. Dolbear. . . . 374
Enriquez, Ignacio Editorial. . . . 578
Esperanza, Ltd 752
Ethics, a code of Editorial .... 4
Ditto A. T. Parsons .... 42
Professional Robert Hawxhurst, Jr. . . . 79
Examination of mines Editorial. . . . 223
Exploitation of manganese deposits 23 7
Explosives fume, danger from
D. Harrington and B. W. Dyer. ... 308
Handling of 242
Exporter's Gazetteer of Foreign Markets, book review
Lloyd R. Morris.... 4 73
Eye, C. M., and M. F. Dodd Milling practice at
Benguet Consolidated mine 805, 841
Fagergren, Wm., and W. D. Green ...'. Application of
Bradford flotation process to mixed sulphide
concentrates 455
Fagergren flotation machine 457
Fairbanks Co., E. & T 107
Fans for mine ventilation Walter S. Weeks. ... 11
Farnsworth, Philo Taylor, obituary 178
Farrell, J. H Tonopah Divide report. . . . 709
Federal Reserve system Edward Elliott. ... 699
And crops Editorial .... 578
Pan
Federal Trade Commission Editorial. ... Ill
And Minerals Separation
Ditto Editorial 262
Federated American Engineering Societies 290, 783
Ditto Editorial. .. . 761
Field. Charles K Editorial. ... 683
Ditto Hoover's biography. . . . 688
Fighting mine tires H. J. Rahllly.
Finance, some principles of Robert S. Lewis. . . . 487
Fires In mines of the South-West
Charles A. Mltke. . . ,166, 187
Fire-walls made of gunlte 3 5
First-aid and mine-rescue contest. . . .F. J. Bailey. ... 241
Flotation conference Editorial. . . . 790
Controlling factors in Ralph D. Nevett. . . . 349
Mechanism of surface phenomena of
Irving Langmulr. . . . 913
Mill-runs v. laboratory tests
Frederick G. Moses. ... 238
Of graphite 624
Oils 929
Processes, 'The Mining Magazine' 279
Resume of literature on theory of . .H. R. Adam. . . . 765
Tests James M. Hyde. . . . 481
Flue type of Cottrell treater A. B. Young. . . . 273
Food-draft system of the American Relief Administra-
tion Edgar Rickard .... 739
Foote. Arthur DeW Editorial 899
Dftto T. A. Rickard. . . . 901
Forge Practice and Heat-Treatment of Steel, book
review John Lord Bacon. ... 33
Fort Norman, oil at Editorial. . . . 721
Foster, William Z Editorial. . . . 370
Freight-rates in Utah 316
Increases on ores 503
To Nabuska 920
French loan 434
French, Thomas Price of gold. . . . 115
Fresnillo mine and mill 76 4
Friend, J. Newton Text-Book of Inorganic
Chemistry, Vol. IX, Part 1, book review 33
From Leadville to Cyprus Editorial. . . . 685
Fuller's earth 23
Fulton, R. E. . . .Motor trucks at freight terminals. . . . 108
Fume from explosives Jeffrey Schweitzer. ... 408
Fundamental principles of industrial employment rela-
tions 437
G
Garrison, F. Lynwood Geology of Brazil. . . . 581
Gas-masks E. D. Bullard . . . . 546
Gavin, Martin J Oil-shales and
their economic importance 193
General Electric Co 217, 438
Geologic fallacies Editorial .... 182
Geologists as expert witnesses F. L. Ransome. . . . 666
Geology at El Oro S. J. Lewis. . . . 527
Of Brazil F. Lynwood Garrison. ... 581
Of El Tigre district R. T. Mishler. . . . 583
Of sundry districts in Mexico S. J. Lewis. ... 16
Of Zacualpan district S. J. Lewis. . . . 379
Geology of Mid-Continent Oilfields, book review
T. O. Bosworth. . . . 435
Geology of the Non-Metallic Deposits Other Than Sili-
cates, Vol. I, book review"
Amadeus W. Grabau.... 823
Gilsonite 244
Gold bounty Editorial. ... Ill
Committee, report to Secretary of the Treasury. . . . 705
In India Editorial .... 898
Price of W. B. Chomley. ... 617
World's production of 168
Gold, its Place in the Economy of Mankind, book review
Benjamin White. ... 823
Goldfield Development Co 778
Goodsprings, Yellow Pine mill at 239
Grabau, Amadeus W.... Geology of the Non-Metallic
Deposits Other Than Silicates, book review. ... 823
Grabill, C. A Japanese in California. . . . 617
Ditto Umpire assays. ... 615
Grass Valley mines Editorial. . . .899, 901
Great steel strike Editorial. ... 371
Green, W. D., and Wm. Fagergren .... Application of
Bradford flotation process to mixed sulphide
concentrates 455
Grievance Editorial .... 404
Gross, John. . . .Recovery of gold from black sand. ... 770
'Gunite' for fire-walls 3 5
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
Vol. 121
Hadley. Isaac B., obituary
Hague, James D Editorial ....
Handling of explosives
Hanley, Herbert R Editorial. . . .
Ditto Electrolytic zinc methods. . . .
Hanson, Henry Belmont Shawmut mill. . . .
Harding's acceptance Editorial ....
Harrington, D., and B. W. Dyer Danger from
explosives fume in metal mining
Hatt, William Kendrick, and H. H. Scofleld. . . .Labora-
tory Manual of Testing Materials, book review.
Haulage underground, safety in
Hawxhurst, Robert, Jr Professional ethics. . . .
Hazen, Allen, and Gardner S. Williams
Hydraulic Tables, 3rd edition, book review. . . .
Herron, David, A., obituary
Hill, James M
Hines, P. R Recent metallurgy at Trail. . . .
History of mine-fires in the South-West
Charles A. Mitke. . . .155,
Hoisting equipment at Tonopah Extension mine
Signaling from moving cages C. A. Allen. . . .
Hollinger Consolidated
Holt Manufacturing Co
Hoochite Editorial ....
Hood, K. K Curves for ore-valuation. . . .
Hoover's biography Charles K. Field
Ditto Max von Bernewitz ....
Ditto H. E. West ....
Human factor in mine management. .F. J. Bourne. . . .
Ditto Sam A. Lewisohn ....
Side of Bunker Hill enterprise. .T. A. Rickard. . . .
Hutchinson, Charles T Business outlook. . . .
Ditto Pinch of salt ... .
Hyde, James M Testing ores for notation. . . .
Hydraulic Tables, book review
Gardner S. Williams and Allen Hazen ....
Hydro-electric power Editorial ....
Page
. 820
. 899
. 242
. 792
. 795
. 793
. 150
30S
823
44
80
575
572
561
44
187
277
232
604
7S8
5S0
270
687
794
864
S31
651
335
755
123
481
575
402
Immigration Editorial .... 541, 900
Impending labor crisis Editorial. ... 862
Impressions of the Mining Congress 861
Improved stretcher J. c Williams, . . . 109
Improvements in bulk-cargo handling 436
India, economic conditions in Editorial. . . . 898
Industrial Accident Commission Editorial.... 325
Industrial leadership Editorial. ... 440
Relations Editorial. ... 512, 827
Ingalls, W. R Editorial. ...543, 612, 827
Ditto Labor the holder of the nation's
wealth and income 558, 592, 628
Ingeniero Minerals Separation in Chile. . . . 724
Interest rates and deflation 143
Interesting experiment Physicist. ... 226
Ditto Thomas T. Read. . . . 116
Ditto Martin Schwerin. . . . 116
International Association of Silver Producers
Blarney Stevens. ... 864
International Motor-Car Co 3 23
International Nickel Co. report 215
Interviews with Governors of Zacatecas and Durango. .
A. T. Benitez. ... 667
Iron and steel in India E. F. O. Murray. ... 654
Iron Ores of Lake Superior, book review
Crowell & Murray. ... 473
Japan, lead and zinc in 27S
Japanese in California Editorial .... 543
Ditto C. A. Grabill .... 617
Jayne, Joseph L Editorial. . . . 511
Jones. Franklin D., and Erik Oberg Shop
Mathematics, book review 435
Judge Mining & Smelting Co Editorial. . . . 614, 650
Judge on experts r 665
K
Kelsey, George O., obituary S92
Ketchum, Milo S Design of Highway
Bridges, 2nd edition, book review 575
Kimberly, Nevada, sinking of Alpha No. 2 shaft
H. S. Munroe. . . . 871
Knee Lake district in Northern Manitoba 306
Page
Knickerbocker, R. G Electrolytic separation of
copper from a copper-cobalt-nickel matte 45
Kniffin. Wm. H Business Man and His Bank,
book review 473
Labor policies Editorial. . . . 440
The holder of the nation's wealth. C. V. Corless. . . . 829
The holder of the nation's wealth and income
W. R. Ingalls. .. .558, 592, 628
Troubles at Bunker Hill property 335
Laboratory Manual of Testing Materials, book review. .
William Kendrick Hatt and H. H. Scofleld. ... 823
Testing for flotation James M. Hyde. . . . 481
Lake Shore mine, operations at 394
Lang. S. S Copper deposits of Lake Superior. . . . 408
Ditto Method of blasting. . . . 374
Langbein, Dr. George, and William T. Brannt
Electro-Deposition of Metals, book review. ... 435
Langmuir, Irving Mechanism of the
surface phenomena of flotation 913
Largest mines Editorial. ... 261
Las Chispas mine in Sonora, Mexico
Fernando Montijo Jr. . . . 5 8
Laschmutt, Ivan de 819
Latour. C. C Editorial .... 898
Lead and zinc in Japan 278
Production, first half of 1920 383
Smelting at Port Pirie Editorial. ... 76
Smelting practice at Port Pirie. . .Gilbert Rigg. ... 90
Zinc ores, smelting of Editorial. ... 113
Leadville, A. DeW. Foote at T. A. Rickard. ... 901
Leighton, M. O National Department of
Public Works 758
Leslie, E. H Engineering Council. . . . 704
Lewis. Robert S Centrifugal pumps. . . .83, 479
Ditto Editorial .... 476
Ditto Some principles of finance. . . . 487
Lewis, S. J Ore deposits of Mexico. . . .16, 375, 521
Lewisohn, Sam A Editorial .... 440
Ditto Human factor in mine management. . . . 651
Leyner, John George, obituary 396
Lighting drafting-rooms by electricity 217
Lindley, Curtis H Editorial .... 791
Obituary 784
Liquid oxygen Editorial. ... 612
Lockhart, L. B.American Lubricants, book review. . . . S23
Lorenz, Fred H Salting of mines. ... 546
Loring, W. J Editorial .... 752
Ditto Re-opening of the Plymouth mine
and the results 771
Ditto War Minerals Relief. . . . 653
Ludlum, A. C Dredging in New Zealand. . . . 479
Ludlum dynamobile 681
M
MacNaughton, James Editorial. ... 1
Magnetic separators P. R. Hines. ... 44
Magnetite ore, concentration of 122
Main Belting Co 399
Management at the Bunker Hill property
T. A. Rickard. . . . 413
Manganese deposits, exploitation of 237
Manning, Van. H. Scope of work of the
Bureau of Mines 21
Manual for the Oil and Gas Industry, book review. . . .
Ralph Arnold. J. L. Darnell, and others. ... 33
Marsh, Jr., Robert Steam-Shovel Mining,
book review 575
Mason, F. H Recent metallurgy at Trail. ... 151
Ditto Two suggestions on a
national problem 373, 724
McCaskey, H. D., and Edson S. Bastin Work on
mineral resources by U. S. G. S 166
McCone, Alexander J., obituary 678
McDermid, C Sulman and the medal. . . . 297
McDermott, Walter Editorial. . . . 183
McDonald, P. B Advertising ethics. . . . 545
Ditto Engineering education .... 329
McFadden bill 564
McFadden, Louis T Editorial. . . . 684
McGarraugh, Robert Mine Bookkeeping
book review 5 75
Mclntyre, Otis L Pulverized coal in
metallurgical furnaces at Cerro de Pasco 5 5
McRae, Hector Oil-shale and shale-oil. . . . 616
Vol. l-M
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
Mechanism of ili<> surface phenomena of flotation,
irviiiK Langmulr ,
Mori Baal marina
Nordstroni ping valve
Ueri lam, J"iui C Editorial. .
Merrill Company
Metal mining In California daring lirsi hair .>r 1910. . . S44
Metal prloea unil iiilnluK in Mexico. II Q Nichols. . . . 6S6
Quotations Editorial.... 112
Metallurgy of copper »t Fredrlektown. Missouri
It. Q. Knickerbocker. ... 45
Metculf. Henry C, anil Onhvay Tend
Personnel Administration, book review 576
Method ol blasting S. S. Lang.... 374
Of ore-sampling In Montana. H. B. Pulsifer. . . .866. 907
Mexican Corporation Editorial. . . . 789
Mexican peon 736
Revolution 7
Mexicans, who and what they are
Occasional Contributor. . . . 443
Mexico Editorial .... 38
Condition! in Occasional Correspondent. . . . 345
News from Editorial .... 78
Ore deposits of S. J. Lewis 16. 3 7". 521
Miami Copper Co Editorial .... 898
Middleton. \V. A Divining rod. ... 863
Midvale Minerals Co
\Y D. Green and Wm. Fagergren . . . . 4SG
Milling practice at Benguet Consolidated mine
C. H. Eye and M. F. Dodd. . . . SOB. S41
Milling talc 738
Mine and mill of the Belmont Shawmut Mining Co. . . .
A. B. Parsons. ... 619. 659
At Chuqulcamata 280
Fires Editorial .... 182
Fires in the South-West. .Charles A. Mitke. . . . 155, 1ST
Locomotive headlight with spring suspended case. 438
Rescue medals Editorial .... 112
Water, ownership of Editorial. . . . G14
Mine Bookkeeping, book review
Robert McGarraugh. . . . 575
Mines Handbook, book review
Walter Harvey Weed. ... 33
Mineral Industry, 1919. book review. .G. A. Roush. . . . 823
Minerals Separation Editorial. ... 114. 790
Before the Federal Trade Commission 263
In Chile Ingeniero .... 723
Litigation 289
Ditto Editorial .... 898
Objectionable practices of George L. Nye. . . . 873
Position under the laws. .Gilbert H. Montague. . . . 833
Mineralogy, course in 213
Miner's safety hat 474
Mining Congress, impressions of Editorial. . . . 861
Mining finance Editorial .... 476
Ditto Robert S. Lewis. . . . 487
In the Ketchikan district Joseph Ulmer. . . . 493
In the Potosi district 192
In Queensland 200
Methods at the Butte & Superior
A. B. Parsons. . . . 513
Near Joplin Edgar Z. Wallower. . . . 297
Nitrates in Chile .P. A. Raymond. . . . 257
Mining Laws of the British Empire and of Foreign
Countries, Vol. I, Nigeria, book review
Gilbert Stone. ... 575
•Mining Magazine', flotation processes 279
Minneapolis Steel & Machinery Co 220
Mishler, R. T. . . .Geology of the El Tigre district. . . . 583
Missouri Cobalt Co., operations of
R. G. Knickerbocker. ... 45
Mitke, Charles A History of mine-fires in
the South-West 155, 187
Mockett, Jr., J. H Combinations of gold. ... 6
Molybdenum, determination of 343
Montague, Gilbert H Minerals Separation's
position under the laws 833
Montijo, Jr., Fernando Las Chispas mine
in Sonora, Mexico 58
More books written in a hurry
Max von Bernewitz. ... 297
Morris, Lloyd R Exporter's Gazetteer of
Foreign Markets, book review 4 73
Moses, Frederick G Flotation mill-runs
v. laboratory tests 238
Motor trucks relieve congestion at freight terminals. . .
R. E. Fulton. ... 108
Moving Sacramento hill 847
Mu, i.i. Seeley W Editorial. .
\n.l copper luin iiik III Cyprus T. A Rlckard, . .
Multiple-cylinder anunonla-aompressor 824
Munroe, n S Sinking of Alpha No I
Mhufi at Kiini.eriy. Nevada
Murray, E. F. o iron and tteel In India.
N
National Compressed Mr Machinery Co 14*;
National Department ..i Public Works
National responsibility, our Editorial 818
Neva, la Consolidated Co Editorial.... 649
Neveit, Ralph ii Sum.. .■ni:ir. .1 1 1 Mu factors
Is flotation 349
nv» sir shafl ol Davis-Daly Co 880
automatic control-panel for motor-generator sets. . 1 Hi
Hoisting equipment at the Tonopah Extension mine . 277
Mineral Editorial. . . . 580
Track scale L. R. Boyer. . . . 107
X.w Cornelia co-operative store at Ajo 591
New York Engineering Co 324, 681
News from Mexico Editorial. ... 7 s
Nichols, H. G. .Metal prices and mining in Mexico. . . . 655
Nickel Plate mine 745
North Star mine 929
Norwalk Iron Works 323
Notes on routine assaying at the Globe & Phoenix mine
H. R. Edmands. . . . 452
On the Salmon River mining district
Charles E. Prior. ... 51 S
Novel dredge-light 323
Nye, George L Objectionable practices
of Minerals Separation 873
O
Oberg, Erik, and Franklin D. Jones Shop Mathe-
matics, book review 435
Objectionable practices of Minerals Separation
George L. Nye. ... 873
Obregon, Gen. Alvarp 8, 347
Oil-engine generator unit 895
Oil-pipe lines 706
Oil-Shale Industry, book review
Victor Clifton Alderson. . . . 473
Ditto David E. Day. . . . 298
Ditto Editorial. ... 441
And shale-oil Hector McRae. ... 616
And its economic importance. .Martin J. Gavin. ... 193
Ontario's mining industry in 1920 451
Opening kegs of blasting powder 698
Ore deposits of Mexico S. J. Lewis. . . .16, 375, 521
Ditto F. L. Sizer. . . . 794
Reserves of the Rand 627
Sampling in Montana, methods of
H. B. Pulsifer. . . .
Oriol, Ramon, and Adriano Contreras Spanish
Mining Directory, book review
Orizaba mine
Osmoridium in Tasmania
Our national responsibility Editorial. . . .
Ownership and Valuation of Mineral Property in the
United Kingdom, book review
Richard Redmayne and Gilbert Stone. . . .
Ownership of mine-water Editorial ....
Oxweld Co
Ozokerite
Oxy-acetylene cutting
907
473
814
240
613
473
614
682
308
146
Paaswell, George. . .Retaining- Walls, book review.
Paddy Pride mine
Parker, R. L Rod-mill .
Parsons, A. B Mine and mill of
Belmont Shawmut Co
Ditto Methods of mining at
Butte & Superior
Ditto. . . .Zinc-oxide plant of the Utah Zinc Co.
Parsons, A. T Code of ethics .
Parsons, L. A United Verde smelter.
Personnel Administration, book review
Ordway Tead and Henry C. Metcalf.
Physicist Interesting experiment .
Pickard, B. O
Piez, Charles Editorial .
Pike's Peak and Cripple Creek Editorial.
Pinch of salt Charles T. Hutchinson.
Pittman Act, sale of silver under
the
619,
the
435
276
794
659
513
759
42
547
575
226
737
512
149
123
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
Vol. 121
Page
Platinum 561
Ditto S. Skowronski. . . . 840
Plymouth mine W. J. Loring. . . . 771
Polish muddle Editorial .... 261
Political and Commercial Geology and the World's Min-
eral Resources, book review. . . J. E. Spurr. ... 823
Popular Oil Geology, book review. .Victor Ziegler. ... 435
'Porphyries' 319
Port Pirie, lead smelting at Gilbert Rigg. ... 91
Potosi district, mining in 19 2
Potter, Andrey A., and James P. Calderwood
Elements ot Steam and Gas Power Engineering,
book review 43 5
Power resources 'Engineer'. ... 480
Practical Chemistry, book review
N. Henry Black and James Bryant Conant ....
Presley, John J Apex litigation. . . .
Price of gold W. B. Chomley. . . .
Ditto Thomas French ....
Ditto P. A. Robbins ....
Prior, Charles E Notes on the Salmon
River mining district 518
Problems in mine ventilation. . . .Walter S. Weeks. ... 117
Production of zinc 272
Professional ethics Robert Hawxhurst Jr. . . . 7 9
Pryce, William Divining rod. ... 733
Ditto T. A. Rickard .... 459
Pulsifer, H. B Methods of ore-sampling
in Montana 866,
Pulverized coal in metallurgical furnaces at Cerro de
Pasco Otis L. Mclntyre. ... 55
Pumps, centrifugal Robert S. Lewis. ... 85
For elevating tailing 918
Pumping by electricity T. A. Rickard. . . . 227
In Rand mines 421
On the Rand 912
Purington, C. W., and G. Toderovich. . . .Vocabulary of
Russian-English, English-Russian Mining
Terms, book review 473
575
81
617
115
794
907
Question and answer Wm. Crocker. ... 80
Of ethics Editorial. ... 403
Quicksilver 80
'RF' adjustable-speed motors 438
Radium 563
Rahilly, H. J Fighting mine-fires. ... 625
Railroads 179
Financing 717
Rand, early days on J. E. Clennell. ... 51
Economics of gold mining on. . .* 142
Ransome, F. L Geologists as expert witnesses. ... 666
Ray Consolidated 693
Raymond, P. A Mining nitrates in Chile. . . . 257
Read, Thomas T Interesting experiment. ... 116
Recent metallurgy at Trail, B. C P. R. Hines. ... 44
Ditto F. H. Mason .... 151
Record for cheap mining Henry F. Collins. ... 373
Recovery formulae Hallet R. Robbins. . . . 422
Of gold from black sand John Gross. ... 770
Redmayne, Richard, and Gilbert Stone. ... Ownership
and Valuation of Mineral Property in the United
Kingdom, book review 473
Redmond Consolidated Co 356
Reduction of wages in Arizona 883
Reinforced concrete highways 218
Re-opening of the Plymouth mine and the results
W. J. Loring 771
Report of special Gold Committee to Secretary of the
Treasury 705
Resume1 of literature on theory of flotation
H. R. Adam 765
Retaining-Walls, book review. . .George Paaswell.... 435
Revolution, the Mexican 7
Rhodesia Broken Hill 757
Rice, Geo. Graham .• Editorial. . . . 222
Rickard, Edgar Food-draft system of the
American Relief Administration 739
Rickard, Forbes Divining rod. . . . 863
Rickard, T. A. . .Albert Burch, a Western engineer. . . . 299
Ditto Arthur DeW. Foote of Grass Valley. ... 901
Ditto The Bunker Hill
enterprise 195, 227, 325, 413
Ditto Seeley W. Mudd and copper
mining In Cyprus 689
Page
Ditto Some Cornish mining terms. ... 459
Ditto Testimony before Federal
Trade Commission 263
Rigg. Gilbert Editorial 76, 113
Ditto. . . » Lead practice at Port Pirie,
South Australia 90
Rio Tinto, the struggle at Editorial. ... 326
Rising tide of color Editorial. ... 649
Road-wear from big trucks 323
Roasting and chloridizing of Bolivian silver-tin ores. . .
M. G. F. Sohnlein. . . .384, 688
Lead-zinc ores at Port Pirie Gilbert Rigg. ... 90
Robbins, Hallet R Recovery formulae. ... 422
Robbins, P. A Price of gold. . . . 794
Robson, H. C Smelting with bituminous
coal in blast-furnaces 409
Rock-drills, care of Howard R. Drullard. . . . 310
Rod-mill R. L. Parker. . . . 794
Roehling's Sons Co 399
Root, Elihu Editorial. . . . 613
Roush, G. A The Mineral Industry, 1919,
book review 823
Royal School of Mines Editorial. . . . 542
Ruth mine, rich ore in Editorial. . . . 509
S
Safety in underground haulage 4 4
St. John del Rey Co Editorial. . . . 477
Salmon River district, notes on. .Charles E. Prior. . . . 518
Salting of mines Editorial. . .". 183
Ditto Fred H. Lorenz. . . . 546
Sampling Editorial..., 860
In Montana H. B. Pulsifer. ... 867
Of mines H. R. Sleeman. . . . 407
On large mine-examinations. . .Morton Webber. . . . 233
San Francisco Bay, crossing the Editorial. . . . 511
Mint adopts electric furnace 865
Schwab, Charles M 927
Schweitzer, Jeffrey Fume from explosives. . . . 408
Schwerin, Martin Interesting experiment. . . . 116
Science and industry A. W. Allen. ... 161
Scofield, H. H., and William Kendrick Hatt. . . .Labora-
tory Manual of Testing Materials, book review. . 823
Scope of work of the Bureau of Mines
Van. H. Manning. ... 21
Selection and treatment of transmission belts
E. J. Black. ... 34
Shaw, S. F Bunker Hill enterprise. . . . 186
Shields, Alex., obituary 820
Shift-bosses, concerning Editorial. . . . 725
Shop Mathematics, book review
Erik Oberg and Franklin D. Jones. ... 435
Signaling mine-hoists from moving cages
C. A. Allen 23 2
Silver, book review Benjamin White. ... 435
Silver and the Pittman Act 363
Concerning Charles Butters. . . .5, 185
Under the Pittman Act 29
Silver Reef Consolidated Mines Co 568
Sinclair, Upton 745
Sinking of Alpha No. 2 shaft at Kimberly, Nevada. . . .
H. S. Munroe. . . . 871
Sizer, Frank L Concerning silver. . . . 298
Ditto Ore deposits of Mexico. ... 794
Skowronski, S Platinum. . . . 840
Sleeman, H. R Sampling of mines. . . . 407
Smelting at the United Verde plant. .L. A. Parsons. . . . 547
Charges are increased 361
Lead-zinc ores Editorial .... 113
Some observations on C. W. Tandy. ... 41
With bituminous coal in blast-furnaces
H. C. Robson. . . . 409
Smith, George Otis Engineering and
national prosperity 243
Smith, Grant H Divining rod ... . 863
Sohnlein, M. G. F Roasting and chloridizing
of Bolivian silver-tin ores 384, 688
Some controlling factors in flotation
Ralph D. Nevett 3 49
Cornish mining terms T. A. Rickard. . . . 459
Observations on smelting C. W. Tandy. . . .41, 186
'Sonic' transmission of power 609
Principles of finance Robert S. Lewis. ... 487
Spanish Mining Directory, book review
Andriano Contreras and Ramon Oriol. . . . 473
Spassky Copper Co H. C. Robson. ... 409
Speakers and speeches Editorial. . . . 826
Vol l-i
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
Pug.
Spurr. J K Polliical and Commercial Geology
and the World's Miners] Resource*, book re
view,
Stamlardliatlon in mining
Of mine work 813
Status of gold F. A. Wright 898
Steam-elect rlc project In South Afrlcn
Steam-Shovel Mining, book review
Robert Marsh Jr. . . . 676
Steaming amalgamating plates -11
Stevens. Blame; International Association
ol Silver Producers 864
Stiff hats for miners 116
Stoddard. Lothrop Ddltorlal. . . 648
Stone. Gilbert. . . .Mining Laws of thp British Empire,
Vol. I. Nigeria, book review 675
Ditto and Richard Redmayne Ownership and
Valuation of Mineral Property in the United
Kingdom, book review 473
Stores in mining communities Editorial. . . . 649
Stoughton. Bradley 851
Structural Iir.iftlng and the Design of Details, book
review Carlton Thomas Bishop. ... 33
Structural Steelwork, book review. . . .E. G. Beck. . . . 473
Struggle at Rio Tlnto Editorial 326
Suggestion Harry H. Townsend. . . . 479
Sullivan Machinery Co 109
Drill-sharpener 610
Sulman and the medal C. McDermid. . . . 297
Sumner. Rutherford B., obituary 678
Superior & Boston Copper Co 461
Superpump. Traylor 219
Sure-shot mine-car coupler 4 74
Systematizing large mine examinations
Morton Webber. ... 233
T
Talc, milling of 738
Tandy. C. W. . .Some observations on smelting. . . . 41, 1S6
Tax litigation in Arizona 495
Tead, Ordway. and Henry C. Metcalf Personnel
Administration, book review 575
Ten-Minute Talks With Workers, book review 575
Testing and application of ventilating-fans
Walter S. Weeks. ... 11
Centrifugal pumps Robert S. Lewis. ... 86
Of fans Walter S. Weeks. ... 120
Oil-shale 681
Ores for flotation James M. Hyde. . . . 481
Textbook of Inorganic Chemistry. Vol. IX. Part I, book
review J. Newton Friend. ... 33
Thomas, Chester A., obituary 748
Thornley 'coalometer' 787
Three hours with the Democrats C. T. H. . . . 61
'Through the meshes' Editorial. . . . 368
Tin. lead, and zinc mining in Great Britain 311
Mining Editorial .... 1
Tin. Sheet-Iron and Copper-Plate Worker, book review
Leroy J. Blinn. . . . 473
Tintic Standard mine 429
Toderovich, G., and C. W. Purington . . . .Vocabulary of
Russian-English, English-Russian Mining
Terms, book review 473
Tonopah Divide report 709
Tonopah Extension mine, new equipment at 277
Top-slice mining A. B. Parsons. . . . 623
Townsend, Harry H A suggestion. . . . 479
Traylor superpump 219
Treatment of American low-grade copper ores
An Australian. . . . 419
Trent replacing machine. C. M. Eye and M. F. Dodd. . . . 844
Tri-State district Edgar Z. Wallower. . . . 297
Tube-milling C. M. Eye and M. F. Dodd. . . . 842
Turnover of labor 165
Two suggestions on a national problem
F. H. Mason 373, 724
Ditto Max von Bernewitz. . . . 225, 545
U
Ulmer, Joseph. . .Mining in the Ketchikan district. . . . 493
Umpire assays C. A. Grabill. ... 615
Underground haulage T. A. Rickard . ... 195
Prospecting at Joplin F. R. Alger. . . . 109
United Eastern 694
United Verde smelter L. A. Parsons. ... 547
Pagn
it. ill metal production 249
Public utilities and freight-rates .... Editorial ... . 3«8
Utah Apex v. Utah Consolidated 736
Ditto Editorial. . . . 721
It. ill Consolidated Co. v. t'tah Apex Co. .Editorial. . . . 721
Utah Copper Co 888, 779
Milling practice 419
Utah Zinc Co Arthur B. Parsons. . . . 769
Valuation of Arizona mines 169
Of ore, curves for K. K. Hood. . . . 270
Vanadium Corporation 810
Vehicular tunnel Editorial 295
Ventilating-fans, testing and application of
Walter S. Weeks 11
Ventilation at Davis Daly mine 880
Of mines 186
Problems in Walter S. Weeks .... 117
Vocabulary of Russian-English, English-Russian Min-
ing Terms, book review
C. W. Purington and G. Toderovich. . . . 473
von Bernewitz, M. W. . . .Books written In a hurry. ... 43
Ditto Hoover's biography. . . . 794
Ditto More books written In a hurry. . . . 297
Ditto Two suggestions on a national
problem 225, 545
W
Wages, profits, and social ethics
Robert B. Brinsmade. . . . 151
Reduction in Utah 922
Wall, Enos A., obituary 72
Wallace, R. C Canadian Institute of Mining and
Metallurgy 773
Wallower, Edgar Z Mining near Joplin. . . . 297
War Minerals Relief W. J. Loring. . . . 653
Washing coal 848
Waugh rock drills 929
Turbo drills 824
Webber. Morton 405
Ditto Editorial .... 223
Ditto. .Systematizing large mine examinations. . . . 233
Weed. Walter Harvey The Mines Handbook, book
review 33
Weeks, Walter S. . . .Problems in mine ventilation. . . . 117
Ditto Testing and application of
ventilating-fans 11
Wellman-Seaver-Morgan Co 436
West, H. E Hoover's biography. . . . 864
Western engineer Editorial. . . . 295
Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Co 438, 507
Wetherill process Arthur B. Parsons. . . . 760
What she thought 658
White, Benjamin. .Gold: Its Place in the Economy of
Mankind, book review 823
Ditto Silver, book review. ... 435
Williams, Gardner S., and Allen Hazen. .. .Hydraulic
Tables, 3rd edition, book review 575
Williams, J. C An improved stretcher. . . . 109
Williams, Whiting Editorial. . . . 827
Wire-rope slings for industrial plants 399
Women as geologists Editorial. . . . 510
Work of Congress Editorial .... 40
Work on mineral resources by the U. S. G. S
Edson S. Bastin and H. D. McCaskey. ... 166
Wright, F. A Status of gold. ... 298
Yankee engineer 899
Yellow Pine mine at Goodsprings 239
Young, A. B Flue type of Cottrell treater. . . . 273
Zeh, A. E Call to arms .... 41
Ziegler, Victor. .Popular Oil Geology, book review. . . . 435
Zinc and lead in Japan 278
Electrolytic methods Herbert R. Hanley. ... 795
Mining industry Editorial. . . . 751
Oxide plant of the Utah Zinc Co
Arthur B. Parsons.... 759
Production of 272, 679
_ MMimg nmd
Scientific Pms
f/h
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Salt Lake City, Utah
Martin Bldg.,
El Paso, Texas
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3, 1920
12.500 Kiv. 100* P. F. 1500 R. P. M. Allis-Clmlmers Sleam Turbine and Alternator Unit
Allis- Chalmers Steam
Turbines and Alternator Units
Sizes from 200 Kw. up
Unequalled for —
Sustained Efficiency
and
Reliability in Operation
Built for—
Continuous Service, Durability
and
Accessibility for Inspection
LU/fftMMEft/
1HHL mM^jUFACTURING COMPANY
Milwaukee^ 'lT,;w Wiaconsin, U. S. A.
District Offices in AH Leading Cities
Allis-Chalmers Products
Electrical Machinery
Steam Turbines - Steam Engines
Gas and Oil Engines
Hydraulic Turbines
Crushing and Cemeot Machinery
Mining Machinery
Flour and Saw Mill Machinery
Power Transmission Machinery
Pumping Engines • Centrifugal Pumps
Steam and Electric Hoists
July :, 19S0
MINING AND Si II N I II H l'KI *>s
-Correct Design
-Careful Construction!
- Complete Protection
Three Essentials
The same engineering sagacity must be applied to the question 'of Paint
Protection as to the design and construction of mine and mill buildings
and equipment.
Time and the elements will destroy what has been erected unless all
surfaces are protected with a lasting and durable coating.
DIXON'S Silica-Graphite Paint pro-
tects against dampness, heat, acids and
alkalies, liquids and solids. It stays
"put" and is good for years of service.
Easy to apply and flows smoothly from
the brush.
The pigment in DIXON'S Silica-
Graphite Paint is a flake formation,
Nature's combination of Silica and
Graphite. In spreading the flakes form
a tough, scale-like covering of great
flexibility which prevents cracking.
Write for Booklet 141-B which gives full data.
Joseph Dixon Crucible Company
Jer.ey City, N. J., U. S. A.
ESTABLISHED 1827
Pacific Coast Sales Office : 444 Market St., San Francisco, Cal.
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3? 1920
Dofe]ti£iJMow31ock
ADAPTED TO EXTRA HEAVY DUTY FACTOKT SERVICE
Lined with Best Grade of Babbitt
You fill the reservoir of this pillow block only
once in six months; that saves oil, saves labor
and eliminates the necessity of men working
around the line shaft while it is in motion.
Dodge rigid pillow blocks are built in capillary
and ring-oiling type; they are substantial in
form and adapted to the severest kind of service;
order from your dealer — he has the complete
Dodge line in stock.
Dodge Sales & Engineering Company, distributor of the products of the Dodge Manufacturing Company and the
Dod<re Steel Pulley Corporation. General Offices: Mishawaka, Ind. Works: Mishawaka, Ind., and Oneida, N. Y.
Canadian Plant: Dodge Mfg. Co. of Canada Ltd., Toronto and Montreal
Philadelphia CiDcinnati New York Chicago St. Louis Boston Atlanta Pittsburgh Minneapolis Dallas Providence Seattle Newa#
July .;. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
PRESCDTT
INE PUMPS
. A
I lliiUUi
ill II
THE PRESCOTT COMPANY
MENOMINEE, MICHIGAN, U. S. A.
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PrtESS
Serviceand Quality
made these houses
possible
■■■ ■ ■=»*
'855-GRANE
Manufacturers of
Va Ives
Pipe Fibtin^s
jteam Specialties
LE9 OFFICES. Y
OKLAHOMA ClfV
CRANE nonT«e»i, Toronto. Vancouver. Winnipeg, iwdon. ENO„
Limited Sydney, h 4 w. QUEBEC. Halifax. Ottawa. CALGARW
!
Julv 3, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
11
: II I
iiuntetitifl i Bi
Anniversary!
12
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRF^SS
July 3, 1920
/^GC/WOOC/
Douglas Fir
CONTINUOUS STiVE -WIRE WOUND-BORED
July ::. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
13
Dependable
Distribution Systems
The factor which counts for most in a distribution system is dependability — it must
be dependable under all conditions of service.
The pipe used must withstand extra heavy demands as in the case of a fire.
The pipe used must withstand sudden overloads without bursting.
The pipe used must carry maximum loads continuously without failure.
The pipe used must remain unaffected by electrolysis.
The pipe used must remain free of tuberculation and scale.
The pipe used must ALWAYS CARRY AS MUCH WATER as when originally laid.
The pipe used must supply water at all times without interruption for household,
commercial and industrial uses.
The ONLY PIPE that meets all these demands is Western Wire Wound Wood Pipe.
It is made in sizes from 2 inches up to 32 inches inside diameter and for any pressure
required up to 175 pounds per square inch — and higher pressures on special order.
The wide range of sizes makes it possible to select just the size of pipe needed for each
particular section or district.
By specifying Western Wood Pipe a pipe of smaller than customary diameter can
be selected for a given service because this pipe has the greatest carrying capacity and al-
ways will have it — the capacity does not decrease as the length of service increases.
Its adaptability and ease of laying permits the rapid completion of a system.
Bends, turns and connections can be made with standard fittings supplied by the wood
pipe manufacturers.
The advice and assistance of our expert engineers, widely experienced in the planning
and building of efficient, dependable distribution systems at lowest consistent costs, are at
your command.
Let us tell you why Western Wood Pipe is the best pipe obtainable for the distribu-
tion system you may have in mind. Address us by wire or mail.
WESTERN WOOD PIPE PUBLICITY BUREAU, WHITE BUILDING, SEATTLE. U.S.A.
Address all inquiries for details and prices to the following: Redwood Manufacturers Company, San Francisco; Pacific
Tank & Pipe Company, San Francisco; Continental Pipe Mfg. Company, Seattle; American Wood Pipe Company, Tacoma
Redwood
Douglas Fir
GONTINUOUSSTAVE -WIRE WOUND-BORED
34
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3, 1920
♦
:
:
♦
•♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
o
♦
f
♦
I
%
♦
I
x
♦
♦
♦
♦
G aSoline fljo Co mo t i
Moves 400 Tons of Coal Daily
C. M. Wolf, superintendent of the Morrell
Coal Company writes: "Skilled labor is unness-
ary to operate your Plymouth Gasoline Loco-
motive. It picks up a heavier load more
quickly and easily than any other system I
have found. We pull a heavier load than is
understood to be possible, due to the Ply-
mouth's full power at slow speed.
In coal, iron or zinc mines, or wherever
earth or mineral demand big haulage, the Ply-
mouth is complete master, with increased ton-
nage at lower cost and fewer men. Whether
underground or on the surface, it multiplies
production and profit.
Write for special bulletin on Plymouth
service in mines.
THE FATE-ROOT-HEATH CO., Plymouth, Ohio
July 3, 1!I2U
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
15
AMERICA'S BEST
LUNKENHEIMER
-^QUAUTYli-
SlNCE 1682
me* priA/na/ \
ne>/Sr/r?c///7A Va/ve
LUNKENHEIMER
REGRINDINO
VALVES
have firmly established their unparalleled
merit by the successful results they have
given through many years < of satisfactory
service.
The metal to metal seat — ground to a
tight fit, forms the ideal seating surface to
resist the wearing action of steam at high
velocity. And the fact that the seating
surfaces can be reground (and inexpensive
operation easily accomplished) makes the
renewal of parts wholly unnecessary.
Their extreme durability due to correctly
proportioned parts, high quality materials
and expert workmanship insures economy
in maintenance.
Globe, Angle and Cross Valves with
Inside Screw and with Outside Screw and
Yoke; and Horizontal, Angle, Vertical and
Swing Check Valves for 200 and 300
pounds working steam pressure.
Specify Liunkenheimer and insist on
their installation. Distributors of
Lunkenheimer Products situated in every
commercial centre.
Write for descriptive Booklet No.
517-CD.
l!i£ LUNKENHEIMER £2:
-^•QUALITY"—-
Largest Manufacturers of
High Grade Engineering Specialties
in the World
CINCINNATI
New York Chicago Boston London
111
16
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3, 1920
Half a Crucible
couldn't be sold at all — and
yet poor quality crucibles
which render only half ser-
vice are just as absurd.
The measure of a crucible's
value is the number of heats
it will survive.
BARTLEY
Victory B-42
CRUCIBLES
have set new standards of
crucible endurance.
The "Lawton Process" has
increased materially the
number of heats it is possible
to obtain.
?>
Don't buy "half a crucible
Buy Bartley Victory B-42 and get full measure in
crucible value.
Write for complete data.
Jonathan Bartley Crucible Company
OXFORD STREET
TRENTON, NEW JERSEY
PACIFIC COAST REPRESENTATIVES
THE MERRILL COMPANY
121 SECOND STREET, SAN FRANCISCO
July 3, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
17
•The Waugh Way Win,"
A Perfect
Tribute
THE Tonopah Extension Mining
Company, speaking through its
Master Mechanic, Mr. H. A. Reid, says
of the Waugh Model 8 Drill Sharpener:
"AS we have been using one of your Waugh
D. S. 8 drill sharpeners at the Tonopah Exten-
sion in Tonopah, and one at the White Caps
mine in Manhattan, for a period of over three
years with most gratifying results, I wish to
state that we consider it the best sharpener on
the market today.
"WE have used several different types of ma-
chines, changing makes to keep abreast of
improvements as they came up. *****
' 'TO date we have purchased no repairs for any
of the equipment, and we consider the Waugh
D. S. 8 to be the best machine we have ever
used from every standpoint, as to low upkeep,
durability, low air consumption, and efficiency."
TRIBUTES of this sort not only point the way
to contentment and efficiency in the mine black-
smith shop, but afford further proof of the well-
known fact that
"The Waugh Way Wins"
l^tVwy ^SX^wTV^^tWya^ Q.
Denver, Colorado
San Francisco
Scrtmton
El Paso
Toronto, OnL
Lob Angeles JopUn Lima
Seattle Wallace Santiago
Salt Lake City Birmingham Mexico City
Canadian Rock Drill Company, Limited
Sole Agents in Canada
Cobalt, Ont Nelson, B. C.
M-105
New York City
Houghton
Butte
Melbourne
Johannesburg
Vancouver, B. C.
18
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3, 1920
Westinghouse
Agitator Motors
Unexcelled in Economy of
Operation and Endurance Qualities
When a motor has been designed by Westinghouse Engineers (or a
special operation and those same engineers select the materials from the
large Westinghouse storerooms, this motor, judging from all earlier records,
will prove to be the finest motor available for the operation for which it
is designed.
The Westinghouse Agitator Motor is an example of the ability of
Westinghouse Engineers to design a motor fitted in every detail for the
operation it is to perform. This special type of motor is sturdy, extra
heavy, and will resist vibration. The bearings have a special oiling
system and the shaft and guide bearings are proportioned to'withstand the
thrusts that are apt to be encountered. The lower bearing sleeve is of
non-corroding alloy.
The thousands of these motors in successful operation today stand
as justification of our claims.
WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC & MFG. CO.
EAST PITTSBURGH.-PA.
-I ill v- 3, 1!H*0
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
19
DOES QUALITY PAY?
QUALITY
AND
SERVICE
Two of
The Victor American Fuel Co.'s
HOISTS
Referred to below
Read What Our Customers Say:
Denver, Colorado, March 18, 1919.
The Denver Engineering Works Co.,
Denver, Colorado.
Dear Sirs:
On March 24, 1913, we purchased two of your electric
mine hoists, one having a single drum with a capacity of
14,000 pounds and the other a double drum with a capacity
of 12,000 pounds rope pull.
Tests made on the single drum machine show that we
are developing 18,600 pounds rope pull on the peak of
the load, which is equivalent to an overload of 23%.
Both of these machines have been in continuous
operation for six years and our records show that it has
never been necessary to make any repairs on either
hoist.
Yours truly,
THE VICTOR AMERICAN FUEL CO.
Sold in California by
rollinsTWebb
INCORPORATED
MACHINERY
447-449 East 3rd St, Los Angeles, Cal. 229 Rialto Bldg., San Francisco, Cal.
Crushers
Rolls
ConTeyors
Air Compressors
Ball Mills
Aerial Trams
Oil Engines
Rock Drills
Tube Mills
Concentrators
Pumps ■'■'•'<'■■
Dryers
20 MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS July 3; 1920
NATIONAL
Welding-SCALE FREE Pipe
Made by a welding-scale removing process which leaves the pipe surfaces smooth and clean
A new and higher
Standard of
Butt-weld pipe
Quality
Ask for "NATIONAL" Bulletin No. 7—
Manufacture, and Advantages of "NATIONAL" Welding-SCALE FREE Pipe
THE MAMC
NATIONAL TUBE COMPANY, PITTSBURGH, PA.
General Sales Offices : Frick Building
DISTRICT SALES OFFICES
Atlanta Boston Chicago Denver Detroit New Orleans New York Sa' t Lake City Philadelphia Pittsburgh St. Louis St. Paul
PACIFIC COAST REPRESENTATIVES: U.S. Steel Products Co. San Francisco Los Angeles Portland 8eattle
EXPORT REPRESENTATIVES : V. S. Steel Products Co. New York City
July 3, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
ai
«
a better pump for any
service
99
The SUPERPUMP-A New Product Of An Old Company
A Company known the world over as Designers and Builders of Mining,
Milling, Smelting, Crushing and Cement Making Equipment of excep-
tional merit, including the Bulldog Jaw and Gyratory Crushers, Traylor
Heavy Duty Crushing Rolls with Automatic Lateral Adjustment and
Traylor Patented Water Jackets having the Tuyere an integral part of
the Firesheet.
Bulletin P-101 tells you why your next should be
A SUPERPUMP-Get It
Traylor Engineering & Mfg. Co.
ALLENTOWN, PA.
NEW YOBK
30 Church Street
CHICAGO
1411 Fisher Building
PITTSBURGH ifLI&IOi LOS ANGELES
211 Fulton Bldg. Citizen* Bank Building
SPOKANE
Mohawk Block
22
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3, 1920
ROLL YOUR OWN
ore cars on Hyatt Roller Bearings
and get the savings in lubrication,
power, wheels, axles, etc.that hundreds
of operators are getting every day.
Hyatt Roller Bearing Company
Industrial Bearings Division
New York, N.Y.
July 8, 1020
MINING AND St II.NTII'IC PRESS
2\
A complete air power unit for mines
and prospects
JkT MINES where fuel oil is easily procura-
Z\ ble, the Chicago Pneumatic Oil Driven Air
Compressor is replacing less efficient air
power units.
This machine supplies a complete air compress-
ing plant in one unit. The power and air cylinders
are direct connected. There are no bothersome
chains or belts. The unit operates dependably
and economically on low-cost fuel oils. Simplicity
and automatic operation are other advantages
contributing to high operating efficiency.
These units are readily adaptable in batteries to
large air power requirements. When so installed
they eliminate all possibility of complete shut-
downs.
Stationary, skid and truck-mounted types are
built in several sizes. Ask for bulletin.
Chicago Pneumatic Tool Company
' Chicago Pneumatic Building ' 6 East 44th Street • New York
Sales and* Service Branches all over the World
.PjRMtHGHAM .CWCAOO •DETROIT ERffl lOPUN .MINNEAPOLIS .PHILADELPHIA RICHMOND .SEATTLE BARCELONA BRUSSELS CKRISTIANIA HONOLULU RLONDON .MONTREAL SlOUt VaNCOUVO.
•CINCINNATI ELDORADO FRANKUN "LOS ANCELES "NEW ORLEANS .PITTSBURGH SALT LAKE CtlY "ST. LOUIS .BERLLN BUENOS AIRES .FRASERBURCH JOHANNESBURG MADRID OSAKA TOKYO WOTNIFEO
.PORTLAND .SAN FRANCISCO TUCSON BOMBAY CAOIE HAVANA LISBON ' MILAN -PARIS TORONTO
C-48
.BGTTALO •CLEVELAND ELPaSO. HOUSTON MILWAUKEE .NEW YORK
BOYER PNEUMATIC HAMMERS -LITTLE GIANT PNEUMATIC AND ELECTRIC TOOLS
CHICAGO PNEUMATIC AIR COMPRESSORS • -VACUUM PUMPS ■• PNEUMATIC HOISTS,
GIANT OIL AND GAS ENGINES ^-^TcX>~ 1 ROCK DRILLS ■• COAL DRILLS
CHICAGO
The Compressor with
PNEUMtfnc
the Simplate Valve
24
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3, 1920
NEW YORK ENGINEERING CO.
Above is shown an Empire Gold Dredge under construction in Mambulao Bay, Luzon, P. I. This dredge was de-
signed, built, shipped and erected by the New York Engineering Company. The difficulty of transportation and
burning tropical wood was overcome in this case by installing a steam-electric power plant on the dredge; a bad
clay condition was successfully combatted by special apparatus and many other special features substantiate the
claims of superiority for the Empire Dredge.
A Gold Dredging Problem?
Put it up to us!
From the rime when dredge recovery of gold and tin from Placer
ground was first proved practicable we have specialized in that field
and made the solution of its problems our sole aim.
We make a special study of each particular problem, and from our
experience design a dredge to meet the condition. That's the reason
why no Empire Dredge has ever had to be redesigned — and they
are in operation in all parts of the globe.
We have originated many of the improvements in dredge con-
struction which have greatly added to their efficiency; among them
were the first steel hull, the first self-contained steam-electrically
driven dredge, the first solution of the clay problem, and many others.
Empire Dredges are built in our own plant, ideally situated in the
heart of the district producing the special steels used in their con-
struction, and with the most excellent shipping facilities.
Bring the problem direct to us. We'll find the solution and
carry the work through from start to finish.
Have you our catalogue?
NEW YORK ENGINEERING CO.
NEW YORK
July :;. 192C
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
25
Right from the Beginning
Cameron Centrifugal Pumps meet every speci-
fied condition as soon as they are placed in
operation. There is no juggling of parts or
adjustments to be made. Every pump is
given a thorough running test before ship-
ment, duplicating service conditions to insure
the fact that the pump will exactly fit the
service for which it was specified and con-
structed.
Send
for
Bulletins
A. S. Cameron
Steam Pump Works
11 Broadway,
NEW YORK
S6-DV
• t
J6 •
26
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3, 1920
NO matter how big the job, the customer can
count on getting steel from us as he needs it.
Years of experience brought our organization to the
point of expert efficiency, and we have established a
reputation for prompt deliveries and good work.
We a*re favorably located for making shipments to
the West and Northwest. Our shops are equipped to
handle every size and every kind of fabricated steel
jobs, and are at your service.
MINNEAPOLIS STEEL
AND MACHINERY COMPANY, Minneapolis, Minn.
BRANCHES: Minneapolis Steel & Machinery Co., Salt Lake City, Utah; Spokane, Wash.; Denver, Colo.; Great Falls, Mont.; 1S4 Nassau St., New York Cty
July 3, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
27
Handle all Mine and Mill
Figure-^rk Mechanically
The Monroe takes the burden of intricate Mine and Mill
figuring just as your crusher takes the load of ore you feed it.
DAILY problems, routine figuring,
complicated calculations, special
reports, records and determina-
tions— "feed" them all to the Monroe
Calculating Machine.
The Monroe has the same capacity
for "run-of-mine" figuring as the big
crusher has for "run-of-
-mine'' ore.
Pad-and-pencil methods of figuring are just
as out of-date and wasteful as crushing ore by
hand-and-arm power.
Would you change your gyratory for a gang
of men wielding sledges.
The Monroe two-way mechanism
is simplicity itself— a turn of the crank
forward to add or multiply — backward
to divide or subtract.
Since there is no obligation, send for
complete details. Fill out and mail the
coupon today.
Monroe Calculating Machine Co.
Woolworth Building, New York, N. Y.
Offices in Principal Cities
28 MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS July 3, 1920
ORE TESTING
Have you ever carefully considered the reasons for the absolute necessity of
having your ore properly tested by a reliable firm before deciding upon the design
of a treatment plant, and the fundamental rules that must be born in mind and fol-
lowed out by those entrusted with such important work ?
REASONS
It has been said that "No two individuals are exactly alike", and the same is
true of ores, therefore it must be a good investment to eliminate chance and decide
on the correct treatment for an ore by tests entrusted to competent and experienced
engineers, before the mill is designed, rather than to guess at the flow sheet and then
have to re-design and re-build the mill after it has gone into operation and found to
be unsuited to the ore. It is better to invest a few hundred in test work rather than
lose thousands of dollars for lost time, re-building and poor results.
FUNDAMENTAL RULES
Metallurgical Honesty
Be sure the engineers employed by you have established such a reputation that
their results can be relied on, so that the anxiety to obtain for their clients a favor-
able showing may not lead them to over-state the results.
Practical Results
Tests that are obtained in a laboratory or testing plant by methods that could
not be duplicated in practice are of no value ; the testing engineers must therefore be
men of wide and varied practical experience, to be able to judge of such matters,
and the reports gotten up in such shape that a clear decision can be arrived at.
Metallurgical Balance
A close cheek should be obtained when closing up a test report. In a test report
the sum of all the several products should check closely to the value in the heads,
otherwise an error has been made in the assays or weights of the various products,
which if not corrected would vitiate the results, and therefore the conclusions.
Self Explanatory Results
Test results should be submitted in a clear concise form with graphic illustra-
tions as to the method employed to obtain the results. These should be clear to the
lay-man as well as the metallurgist.
For sixteen years we have operated one of the best
equipped and most widely known ore testing plants,
treating ores from all parts of the world. Our increas-
ing business demonstrates the confidence the mining
public has in us and the reliance they place in our results.
Send For Our "ORE TESTING BULLETIN"
THE GENERAL ENGINEERING COMPANY
J. M. CALLOW, President
159 Pierpont Street, Salt Lake City, Utah, U. S. A.
July 3, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
2'j
Synchronous motors and condensers have made America's
electric power go further without increasing generating or
transmission equipment.
400 h.p.~l$0 r.p.m. Synchronous Motor-
driving Compressor at copper mine
When synchronous motors should be used
WHEN your power factor is low
and you need greater gener-
ator, transformer or feeder capacity.
When you are paying for power at
a rate which is now, or shortly may
be, dependent upon the power factor
of your load.
When your voltage regulation is poor
on account of an existing induction
motor load and production falls off in
consequence, synchronous motors will
raise the average voltage and help
keep it constant.
When continuity of operation is
imperative and dirty operating condi-
General
General Office f*\ ^^
tions make a small motor air gap
inadvisable.
The General Electric Company has
designed complete lines of synchro-
nous motors covering a wide range of
speeds and capacities which are in
extensive use throughout many in-
dustries driving rolls, compressors,
pumps, grinders, crushers, blowers,
fans, conveyors and jnills. Some of
these motors have been in continuous
service for a score of years.
Our experts will be pleased to select
suitable synchronous motors for vour
work.
any
Schenectady, N. Y
PUMPS — COMPRESSORS — CONDENSERS — OIL & GAS ENGINES
WORTHINGTON
Deane Works, Hotyoke, Mass.
Blake 8C Knowles Works ^
East Cambridge, Mass, <^
Worthington Works ^
Harrison, N. J.
LakUaw Works, Cincinnati, Oh
Hazleton Works,
--- ■'':"
Gas Engine Works, Cudahy, Wis,
^^ Power BC Mining Works
||j5> Cudahy, Wis,
fes^ Snow-Holly Works
^ Buffalo, N, Y.
Epping-Carpenter, Pittsburgh, Pa.
July 3, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
31
The FEATHER Valve Compels
(REG. U.S. I" AT. OFF.)
Dependable Air Service
AIR Compressors and Compressed Air
l Services have been rendered sure, safe and
reliable by Worthington "FEATHER" Valve.
This valve has but one moving part, weighs less
than one ounce and functions without friction or
hammering action. It is a strip of ribbon steel —
strong and long lasting — that seats tightly on
ground face slotted seats and allows air or gas
to pass by bowing against slotted curved guards,
the ends remaining in contact on seat at all times.
All Worthington Air Compressors are
"FEATHER" Valve equipped, and are built by
Worthington, whose service has attained world
dimensions through 80 years' building, designing
and improving Pumps and Pumping Machinery
for all uses and purposes.
WORTHINGTON PUMP AND MACHINERY CORPORATION
Executive Offices: 115 Broadway, New York City
Brunch Offices in 24 Large Cities
_Jj^E±\ Mining Machinery \
Worthington 7" x 10" Tube Mill
Direct Motor Driven
IZ±\ Mining Machinery |gk
V
Jr
36" Worthington Superior ^SCcCully
Gyratory Crusher
I Mining Machinery ~|
54>x24' Worthington Garfield Roll with
Built-Up Steel Plate, Small Pulley; Steel
Plate Web, Fly. Wheel Rim, Large Pulley
METERS — MINING — ROCK CRUSHING & CEMENT MACHINERY
WORTHINGTON
Deane Works, Holyoke, Mass.
Blake 8£ Knowles Works
East Cambridge, Mass.
Worthington Works
Harrison, N. J.
Laidlaw Works, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Hazleton Works.
Gas Engine Works, Cudahy, Wis.
Power 8: Mining Works
Cudahy, Wis.
Snow-Holly Works
Buffalo, N. Y.
Epping-Carpenter, Pittsburgh, Pa.
•32
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
HH9II
July 3, 1920
Occupies less floor
space than any other
filter on the market.
,wmt; i
Has no wire windings
and cloth remains more
open and pliable at all
times.
Can be redressed in
lees time than any
other filter. Individ-
ual sectors can be
changed in two min-
utes. A unit of 400
sq. ft. area can be re-
dressed in less than
two hours time.
't:
Produces a cake ap-
proximately 50%
thicker than any other
vacuum filter operat-
ing on ordinary metal-
lurgical slim<
iililL
One user of an "American" Filter writes:
"We have in operation here suction niters of two other
types of the cylindrical pattern, and the work done by your
machine and its popularity with the operators compare very
well, and in some particulars exceed that of other types. We
prefer the machine because of its compactness, the close
filtering work done by it, and particularly because of the
ease of renewing the filtering medium.
"The machine seems to be standing up remarkably well,
and promises to continue to give indefinitely the same satis-
factory service which has been secured from it since its
first run."
This company has purchased a second "American for
another operation.
Mininf! men find (he "American" j'usl riflltl for Iheir requirements. Wrile hrllhe
ea'alofiue and tell us your specific problem. *•
UNITED FILTERS
CORPORATION ___
Sweetlandjand Kelly Filters, American Continuous Filters, I" UNITED"
Filter Presses and Sweetland's Patent Me allic Filter Cloth
65 BROADWAY, NEW YORK
CHICAGO SALT LAKE CITY SAN FRANCISCO LOSANuELES
and
speed.
When used for filter-
ing and washing the
cake shows a constant
extraction of 98% and
more of the original
moisture values left in
the cake.
!l!ML
Jllii;
July 3, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
33
Style "A" Main Troughing Roller with 20° Trough for 20"
to 24" belts. Style "S" Main Return Roller.
Style "C" Main Adjustable Troughing Roller with 10°. 15°
and 20° Trough. Style "R" Main Return Roller.
Style '•£'
Main Flat Carrying Roller. Style "R" Main
Return Roller.
Style "A" Main Troughing Rollers with 15° Trough for 12*
to 14" belt, and 15° or 20° Trough for 16" to 18" be"
Style "S" Main Return Roller.
Rollers that Really Lengthen
the Life of the Belt
THE following suggestions for lessening the
wear of conveyor belts are based on over
thirty years' experience in installing scien-
tific conveyor systems.
The Style "C" roller illustrated admits of in-
stant adjustment to meet special conditions in
any plant. Styles "A" and "E," while not ad-
justable, are perfectly finished and have the same
high conveying qualities as the Style "C" roller.
The Style "C" Main Adjustable troughing
roller has the following points of advantage, some
of which may be found in other equipment, but
no other one roller contains them all.
<1) MAXIMUM ANGLE OF TROUGH IS 20°— The troughing
pulleys are adjustable to 3 positions: 10°, 15° and 20° horizontal. If
the troughing pulleys are put in their lowest position, a belt of much
heavier ply may be used than would ordinarily be possible.
Experience shows that the maximum angle ct which a belt may be
troughed without finally cracking is 20° and it should be troughed
only so much as is necessary to keep the material from spilling. This
is why adjustability is so desirable.
The slight gain in the carrying capacity of a belt troughed at 35°
over one troughed at 20° is obtained at the price of the premature de-
struction of the belt, and a belt which is troughed excessively also has
a decided tendency to run off the rollers.
(2) EDGES OF THE TROUGHING AND THE FLAT PULLEYS
OVERLAP — The troughing pulleys overlap the edges of the end pul-
leys on the center roll. The inside edge of the troughing pulley is
considerably under the top line of the center roll pulleys, and all possi-
bility of the belt coming into contact with the edges of any of the pul-
leys is absolutely eliminated.
(3) SELF-ADJUSTING BEARINGS— The shaft of the flat roller
is suspended in dustproof babbitted swivel bearings. The bearings
are not rigidly fixed to their supports, but are suspended in them and
are free to adjust themselves to accommodate any warping of the
stringers. Hence the possibility of the shaft binding in the bearings
and ceasing to revolve is eliminated.
(4) FLAT ROLL CARRIES THE LOAD — Maximum support is
given to the belt in the center, where the load is carried, by com-
paratively long central pulley or roll.
<5) POSITIVE LUBRICATION AT EACH BEARING SUR-
FACE— Each bearing surface is provided with an individual compres-
sion grease cup effecting positive lubrication.
(6) CORRECT MECHANICAL DETAILS— Rollers are ample
in every respect.
Rims of the troughing pulleys are reinforced, making it impossible
for the rim to wear away and leave a sharp edge to cut the belt.
Shafting is 1 3,ic in. in diameter for all sizes.
Pulleys are 6 in. in diameter, with faces lathe-finished absolutely
true with bore, making a true running smooth roll that will not wear
the surface of the belt.
Grease cups on troughing pulleys are placed well within pulley rim,
thus protected from injury. Set screws are all of ample size and easily
accessible.
The experience of Superintendents in hundreds
of plants points to Leviathan -Anaconda belts,
carried by Main Belting Rollers, as the ideal
combination for efficient conveying of all classes
of material.
We have prepared two interesting booklets on
belting — "Transmission Belts," and "Conveyor
Belts." We shall be glad to mail either, or both,
on request.
MAIN BELTING COMPANY - Philadelphia
New York Chicago Pittsburgh Atlanta San Francisco
34
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3, 1920
6000 tons in 8 hours
Hoisting four tons per trip from
a depth of 275 feet, this Nord-
berg Hoist at American Coal
Mining Co., Bieknell, Indiana,
raises 600 tons of coal in eight
hours. The hoist is direct con-
nected to an 800 H.P. motor
which operates in conjunction
with a motor-generator set.
As the mine buys its current
from a public utility company,
it was not desirable to run -the
motor-generator set except dur-
ing the coal hoisting period. At
'other times a 300 H.P. induction
motor is connected to the hoist
through reduction gears, thus
enabling the hoist to be operated
at slow speed for handling men
and materials. A jaw coupling
permits disengagement of the
small motor when the large one
is being used. This is the first
time this arrangement has been
used on a mine hoist.
Nordberg engineers have solved
many visual hoisting problems
in both the coal and metal min-
ing fields. Their wide experi-
ence makes their advice ex-
tremly valuable. Consultation
with them may be arranged by
appointment ; just write.
NORDBERG
f
MACHINERY
Steam Eofiaci
Oil Enginei
Mine Hoiits
Air Compreuo n
Blowing Engines
Condenser!
NORDBERG MANUFACTURING CO.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN
July 3, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
35
Rubber Goods for the Mining Industry
Giant Belt
4810 Air Hose
Rainbow Steam Hose
Rainbow Packing
rPHE mining salesmen and
A the practical factory men
of the United States Rubber
Company are qualified
through study and experience
to recommend the right me-
chanical rubber goods for any
condition existing in this
industry.
They are ready to assist mine
operators by advising as to
the best application of me-
chanical rubber goods in order
that the greatest possible ser-
vice may be obtained for
every dollar invested.
Take advantage of this Com-
pany's facilities and experi-
ence when in the market for
mechanical rubber goods.
Through our nearest Branch
you can obtain the fullest co-
operation of our organization
Rainbow Belt
F. S. Elevator Belt
■573 Hydraulic Packing
United States Rubber Company
The World's Largest and Most Experienced
Manufacturer of Mechanical Rubber Goods
BELTING
HOSE
PACKINGS
MISCELLANEOUS
Transmission" "RainbouXPtlof
"Shawmuf-Giant Stitched'
Covmyat'UnikdStaH'Grainster'
Elevator ."Matchless'Granite:
**• "Grainsler"
Iractor " _ Sawyer Canvas'
(Little Giant Canvas"
Agricultural "Rainbow^Bengal"
"GrainstefSatvyerCanvas"
Air '4810: 'Dexter"
Steam "Rainbow'VianQafected"
Water "R_ainbow}4ogul'}erJeckd"
Suction "Amazon". "Giant"
Garden "RainbowTMogul. lakeside'
AlsoHose for Acetylene.Oxygen.Acid.
Air Drill, Auto Radiator. Car HeatinP.^^!
Air Brake.Gasoline .Oil. Hydraulic, x^tflkt
Chemical.Coke.Creamery.Dischatgcy^^^Z
Vacuum, Sand Blast. Spray, c-
Sheet "Rainbow"' \!inda'"Paramo"
Rod "Wizani','Rainbesto"'Peerless~
"Honest John". "No. 573 "
and hundreds of other styles
in coils, rings, gaskets and
diaphragms —
JJsco Valves —
STHE RIGHT PACKING
\1N THE RIGHT PLACE
Mats.Matting and Flooring.*
Plumbers" Specialties.
Rubber Covered Rolls.
Friction Tape, Splicing Conqf0.\
Dredging Sleeves,
Hard Rubber Goods,
Printers' Blankets .Tubing, a
Soles, Heels. Jar Rubbers;]
Moulded Goods
36
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3, 1920
Section through Neill Jig as Bet In a Hlulce-way. The paddle shown In the middle of its swing —
dotted lines show its swing-limit 3% Inches total. If the Jig Is shut down for any reason, the action
of the sluice Is not Interfered with — the Jig bed Alls and merely forms a larger riffle.
The Great Efficiency of the Neill Jig
in the recovery of fine values, otherwise lost, is due to the fact that it has twice
as much screen area per square foot of floor space as the plunger type of jig.
There's nothing complicated about the Neill Jig — nothing
to get out of order. The pulsion caused by the oscillating
paddle causes an alternate upward and downward flow of
water through the screen-floor of the jig and the fines
which have settled upon it. A layer of shot covering the
Bcreen acts as a self-cleaner and permits the passage of
fine values but not other coarse material.
Remarkable results have been obtained by
the use of Neill Jigs in connection with
dredging operations. It absolutely takes
care of the fine values so often lost in the
sluices — and pays for itself in the savings
it makes.
Write for information and
descriptive literature
UNION CONSTRUCTION CO.
Union Drills -;- Neill Jigs -;- Union Dredges
604 Mission St., San Francisco
WALTER W. JOHNSON, Pre..
HARRY G. PEAKE, Vice-Pre*. and Geo. Her.
Shows outside bearings for the rocker-arms which
carry the paddle. This Is a steel casting. The
stub-end Is for connection with the eccentric. Dis-
charge pipes fitted with cast caps perforated with
V4.' holes.
July ;:. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC. PRESS
:;:
Angle Compound Compressors
and Vibrations
In a vertical compressor vibration of the moving parts shakes the
machine up and clown.
In a horizontal compressor, this vibration shakes it back and
forth.
In a cross compound compressor, the connecting rods and crank-
shaft form a couple which causes still other vibrations.
In these older types, heavy construction and massive bed plates or
foundations are necessary to absorb the vibrations. But these
exist, and cause wear and strain on the moving machine.
The perfect balance of the vertical and horizontal moving parts of the Sullivan Angle
Compound Compressor, assisted by a slight counter weight, practically neutralizes the
up and down and back and forth vibration. There is no twisting strain, because the
two connecting rod boxes seat cheek to cheek on the crank shaft.
This balance, smooth running
Sullivan Angle Compound
Air Compressor
WATER OUTLET
AIROUTLXT
Sectional View of Sullivan
Angle Compound Air
Compressor
and practical freedom from
vibration are responsible for
Angle Compound superiority
as shown by:
Smaller foundations and floor
space
Reduction in horse power per
unit of air compressed
Reduction in wear and break-
age
Smaller and lighter units can
operate safely at greater
speeds, thus reducing initial
cost
Other Angle Compound Ad-
vantages:
Accessibility
Flexible driving arrangements
"Finger" plate valves
Removable Cylinder liner
Aluminum Intercooler tubes
Inlet unloader with high pres-
sure relief valves
Capacity single units 400-1300
feet
Twin units 900-2700 feet
ASK FOR BULLETIN 137S-S
SULLIVAN MACHINERY COMPANY
123 So. Michigan Ave., Chicago
580 Market St., San Francisco
Denver
Knoxville
New York
San Francisco
Toronto
Duluth
r.ondon. En?.
Paris, France
Spokane
Tunis
El Paso
Havana
Pittsburgh
St. Louis
Turin. Italy
Butte
Nelson. B.C.
Salt Lake City
Santiago. Chile
"\ ancouver. B, €
Christian! a
Juneau
Sydney, N. S. W.
Wallace. Idaho
38
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3, 1920
The OLIVER is fast |
replacing other filters— I
1 BECAUSE
The continuous automatic principle is right;
Designed and built for mill conditions;
Operating cost is lower than any other filter;
Both skilled and common labor are greatly
reduced ;
Net returns per ton are at a maximum.
YOU KNOW THE FILTER.
!wq«WBSfcSW*S^^
WRITE FOR BULLETIN 12 A.
Oliver Contihi
501 Market Street, SAN FRANCISCO
33 West 42nd Street, NEW YORK
July 3. l!i
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
For More Than Thirty Years—
REMCO sswood pipe
Has maintained the REMCO
standard of quality and has
proven its superiority in all
parts of the world.
MADE EXCLUSIVELY . BY THE
REDWOOD MANUFACTURERS CO.,
1611 Hobart Building, San Francisco
40
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3, -1920
From Prospector to General Manager
— We meet the needs of Mining Men
WHATEVER the activities of the min-
ing man, he rightly insists upon de-
pendable equipment and tested ma-
terials with which best to do his work.
Starting with the prospector, we attend
each step of the individual engaged in min-
ing and metallurgy, promoting his effi-
ciency by providing for his exact needs.
To render successfully these diverse serv-
ices demands the inventive skill and manu-
facturing capacity of a long-established in-
stitution like ours. Specialized needs can
only be filled by a house that has grown up
with mining and metallurgy and produced
the utilitarian factors required by the in-
dustry.
Whether for the field work of the pros-
pector or the indoor pursuits of assayer
and chemist, we furnish what the opera-
tion requires. We maintain a glass blow-
ing department in connection with our
business and are prepared to make any
special apparatus as per sketch or blue
print furnished.
To meet instant needs, we carry large
stocks at our headquarters and in our
warehouses. In our special display rooms
you may inspect Brown Pyrometers and
Recording Thermometers, Braun special-
ties for the assayer, laboratory equipment,
glassware, c.p. chemicals, etc., for the assay
office. We are inventors and manufac-
turers of
S~*\
CRUSHERS
BRAUINJ
PULVERIZERS
FLOTATION a and
"We Know How To Pack For Export
GRINDERS
FURNACES
CUPEL MACHINES
BRAUN-KNECHT-HEIMANN-CO.
Pounded
1852
576-584 Mission Street Los Ange'es House
SAN FRANCISCO THE BRAUN CORPORATION
INVENTORS AND MANUFACTURERS
LABORATORY LABOR SAVING MACHINERY
SPECIALISTS IN LABORATORY EQUIPMENT AND TESTING APPARATUS
DEALERS IN LABORATORY GLASSWARE AND CHEMICALS
July 3. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
41
Pioneers
FIRST to make
Chrome Vanadium
Steel and many other
alloy steels commer-
cially.
FIRST to specialize
in the manufacture of
alloy steels.
FIRST to introduce
heat treated alloy
Steel Grinding Balls,
Grinding Rods, and
Stamp Shoes and
Dies.
ORIGINATORS of
many essential pro-
cesses in the manufac-
ture, of alloy steels.
Leaders
ONE OF OUR PRODUCTS
OPERATING OUR
OWN
Blast Furnaces.
By-Products Coke
Ovens.
18 Large Open
Hearth Furnaces.
3 Large Steel Mak-
ing Electric Furnaces.
Complete Rolling
Mills. ;
Cold Drawing De-
partment.
Forge Shop con-
taining Hydraulic
Presses and Hammers.
Heat Treating De-
partment including
Automotic Furnaces.
UNITED ALLOY STEEL CORPORATION
CANTON, OHIO
Address all Inquiries to our Western Sales Agents
HICKOK and HICKOK
HOBART BUILDING
San Francisco
HENRY BUILDING
Portland, Oregon
KEARNS BUILDING
Salt Lake City
AMERICAN P. O.
Shanghai, China
42
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3, 1920
y-
2
J
" ; L
' „ \ l|
^ I
Class "PRE" Compressors are found tn
all industries where large direct connected
compressors are desired.
1. Cleveland Cliffs Iron Co., Cliffs
Shaft Aline, Ishpeming, Mich.
2. Sun Shipbuilding Co., Chester, Pa.
3. In a Pennsylvania Foundry.
4. Erie Forge, Erie, Pa.
5. Presbrey & Copyendale, Barre, Vt.
0. In a large railroad shop in Penn-
sylvania.
Send tor Bulletin 3146
\tM\
fir ' JMw %Sm
July 3, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
43
Ingersoll-Rand Preference
Users of Ingersoll-Rand Compressors know these units to be extraordinary in their
simplicity of operation, overall economy and sturdy construction. Their power bills
show a less cost per cubic foot of air delivered, while their repair part record is
convincing evidence of low upkeep cost.
These are only a few of the reasons for Ingersoll-Rand popularity witnessed by
countless installation? in all parts of the world — they possibly explain the number
of repeat orders and duplicate installations.
Ingersoll-Rand Compressors are built for steam, direct connected, electric or belted
drive.
The Class "PRE"-2 Compressors shown in the illustration is fitted with Ingersoll-
Rand Plate Valves, has automatic lubrication and is regulated by 5-stage Clearance
Control. The motor is direct connected to the shaft of the compressor.
A study of these machines will give you the reasons for Ingersoll-Rand preference.
Let us send you a copy of Bulletin 3126.
Ingersoll-Rand Company
11
Mekidl
44
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3, 1920
Pacific Products //yfAe Field
A Pacific Redwood Pipe Line Carries
Water to the City of Oroville, California
The illustration shows part of a 20-inch Pacific Machine-banded
Redwood pipe-line which was laid in 1911. It supplies water
for the city of Oroville and has given uninterrupted service since
its installation.
Pacific Redwood pipe is unequalled for carrying water, acid or
alkaline solutions. Its long life, satisfactory service and adapta-
bility to extremes of climate have made it the standard wood
pipe for mining use.
Write for information and prices
PACIFIC TANK </ PIPE CO,
THE STANDARD SINCE 66
General Offices: 302 Market St., San Francisco
BRANCH OFFICES:
Los Angeles 902 Trust & Sayings Bide. New York 2605 St. Paul Bldr.
Salt Lake City 329 Newhouse Bids. Philadelphia 423 Liberty Bldg-
^
Ill lllllllllllllllltlllllllllllllltlimillllllllll, MHl.lllllI Ill Mill iiiiiiiiiininiiiiiilllllllllllllHlllilliiillnilllllllllllllllllllllllllluilllllllll.illlllii'
EDITORIAL STAFF
T. A. RICKARO, EDITOR
L. A. Parsons, associate editor
A. B. PARSONS. ASSOCIATE EDITOR
iirKiiiiHihiiitmimiiiimtiilillimilllllllllimtllimmiliiliniminiii minium
Member Audit Bureau of Circulations
Member Associated Business Papers, Inc.
ESTABLISHED I860
JPtiblisfied at UO Market St., San Francisco,
bv the Deuxu Publish ino f'ompntiv
BUSI N ESS STAFF
C. T. H UTCH I NSON. MANAOER
E. H. LESLIE. 600 Fisher Bos.. Chicago =
F. A. WEIGLE. 3514 WOOLWORTH BOO., N.V. §
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiini iimiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiminiiiiimiiiiiiitiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiimiiiimiiir
SCIENCE HAS NO ENEHT SAVE THE IGNORANT
Issued Every Saturday
San Francisco, July 3, 1920
{4 per Year — 15 Cents per Copy
T/\BLE OF CONTENTS
EDITORIAL,
NOTES
Page
1
AMERICANIZATION
Immigration necessitates Americanization. The
making of Americans. Education. The fusion o£
diverse peoples into the American nation. The need
tor sympathetic contact with the alien. The harm
resulting from various propaganda tor or against
different European peoples. Origin must be for-
gotten in the warmth of allegiance to their adopted
country — America.
A CODE OF ETHICS
The code should be brief and to the point. Some
suggestive criticism. Replacing a fellow-engineer.
The engineers' relations with the technical press.
Make certain of the ground before promulgating a
new code.
DISCUSSION
CONCERNING SILVER
By Charles Butters
The utility of silver coins abroad. American dol-
lars in Mexico. The romance of freshly minted
coins. Dividends paid in coin. The banker takes
the bullion and makes "two for one". Re-estab-
lish the mints — and keep them busy!
COMBINATIONS OF GOLD
By J. H. Mockett Jr . .
An inquiry answered.
ARTICLES
THE MEXICAN REVOLUTION
By An Occasional Correspondent
Carranza never popular in Central and Southern
Mexico. Government under the Carranza regime.
•Page
The impending election. Gonzales and Obregon.
Intrigue in favor of Bonillas. The revolt. The
Plan of Agua Prieta. The present outlook.
THE TESTING AND APPLICATION OF VENTILAT-
ING-FANS
By Walter S. Weeks.
11
How a fan-test is conducted. The equipment re-
quired. Calculations. Door-regulator. Problems.
High-pressure fans.
THE ORE DEPOSITS OF MEXICO — IV
By S. J. Lewis , 16
Deposits in limestone, but not of direct igneous
origin. The Cabrillas group. Mitra mountain.
Theory of origin. Antimony deposits near Wad-
ley. Cola de Zorra; Catorce Real. The identity
of two main types of ores.
THE SCOPE OF WORK OF THE BUREAU OF MINES
By Van. H. Manning 21
Law prohibits doing work for the exclusive benefit
of a private concern. Graphic diagram showing
activities of the Bureau. Illustrations of various
classes of work.
NOTES
MANUFACTURE OF ALUMINUM 15
STEAMING AMALGAMATING PLATES 20
DEPARTMENTS
REVIEW OF MINING 23
THE MINING SUMMARY 29
PERSONAL 30
THE METAL MARKET 31
EASTERN METAL MARKET 3 2
BOOK REVIEWS ; 33
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS 34
Established May 24, 1860. as The Scientific Press: name changed October
20 of the same year to Mining: and Scientific Press.
Entered at the San Frar Cisco post-office as second-clasB matter. Cable
' Pertusola.
Branch Offices — Chicago, 600 Fisher Bdg\: New York, 3514 Woolworth
Bdg\: London. 724 Salisbury House. E.C.
Price. 15 cents per copy. Annual subscription, payable in advance:
United States and Mexico. S4: Canada. $5: other countries. $6. ..v.
46
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3, 1920
The W\r Department of
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
RECOGNIZES IN THIS AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
THE LOYALTY ENERGY AND EFFICIENCY IN THE PERFORMANCE
OF THE WAR WORK BY WHICH
<$xxwi*fiutyim& <i*+
aided materially in obtaining victory for the arms'
of the United States of America in the war with
the Imperial German Government and the Imperial
and Royal Austro -Hungarian Government
,ftww«
$£CX£MP.r Of WaaJ
Another O. K. on a Good Product
FOR making prompt deliveries and otherwise co-operat-
ing with the Construction Division of the Army."
So runs the citation for which this award was made.
The great Oxweld organization which kept Uncle Sam stead-
ily supplied with welding and cutting apparatus during
traffic- tied days of war is once more devoting its entire ener-
gies to the needs of welders and cutters throughout America.
It is, indeed, amplified, improved and of greater scope be-
cause of its war experience.
In peace as in war, Oxweld has but one standard of product
and service.
OXWELD ACETYLENE COMPANY
NEWARK, N. J. CHICAGO SAN FRANCISCO
World's Largest Maker of Equipment for Oxwelding and Cutting Metals
July 3, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
Illilllt IIIIJMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIHI
:m:i I ■ i- ■ Hi ir II
CECRETARY PAYNE, of the Interior Department,
^ has announced tliat plans are afoot for the greater
development of Alaskan resources "through policies that
will attract new capital and improve transportation con-
nections with the United States". It is proposed to con-
solidate the two American shipping lines now serving
Alaskan ports and likewise to consolidate the Federal
supervision of Alaskan affairs, both proposals being ex-
pected to conduce to economy and efficiency.
T. A. H.ICKARV, .... Editor
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiililiilllllllllinmiliiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiHhiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiitiiiriiiiiiiiriiiiiiiiiiiiiiHiiiiiiitiiiiiiiriiiiiiilliHlllllllllllitiiiiiiiililllilltitliiliiii
the price of tin is maintained consistently in the neigh-
borhood of £325.
PREPARATIONS are complete to start removing 20
■*■ million tons of worthless overburden that will permit
the mining of 5 million tons of rich copper ore in the
mine of the United Verde Copper Company at Jerome.
The work will be done by steam-shovel, this plan being
resorted to after repeated attempts to remove the burn-
ing sulphides in the 'fire-stopes' by other methods. Fire
first started in the sulphide ore in 1894 and has been
burning in certain parts of the mine ever since in spite
of efforts to extinguish it by means of steam, water, and
carbon dioxide. The project includes the building of a
new town adjoining the present site of Jerome, on the
'made' ground that will result from filling the gulch
below with waste-rock excavated from the mountainside.
rPIN MINING in Cornwall is facing a crisis. Two of
■*■ the largest companies, Grenville and Dolcoath, are
reported to have given provisional notice to 1000 of their
employees that operations will be suspended immedi-
ately unless definite promise of assistance from the Gov-
ernment be forthcoming, or until the market and operat-
ing conditions alter materially. At the present quota-
tion, which is around £270 per ton, the mines are losing
money. The operators take the attitude that government
regulation during the War reduced by some £500,000 the
profits that would have accrued in an open market, and
on this contention the plea for a government subsidy is
based. Cornwall was the training-school for many of
the miners who helped develop the industry in our own
country and Dolcoath is one of the most remarkable of
the old mines. From its upper levels it produced £1,250,-
000 in copper ore prior to 1787. The copper was then
exhausted, but on sinking deeper tin ore was developed,
from which £3,572,17«was-i-ealized. At a depth of 3000
feet the tin content of the ore became too low for profit-
able mining, but lateral work has opened other veins the
exploitation of which is expected to produce dividends if
T> ELATED discovery of previously unsuspected wealth
-*-* has more than once brought admirers, flatterers, and
ready favor where none had been before. Even in Ne-
vada where the people pride themselves on measuring a
man 's worth by what he is, not what he has, this trait of
human frailty is being displayed. There is, it seems, a
stray wedge of land in the north-east section of Town-
ship 13 N., Range 34 E., Mt. Diablo Base and Meridian,
a forlorn outcast that until lately had never been given
more than a passing thought by anyone. Recently three
counties, Churchill, Mineral, and Nye, suddenly de-
veloped an affectionate regard for the erstwhile friend-
less vagabond, and now are competing with each other to
establish the closest kinship. Moreover each county
brazenly concedes that its earnest solicitude is occasioned
simply and solely by recent developments in the mine of
the Broken Hills Silver Corporation whose property
happens to be situated in the disputed area. Within a
short time high-grade silver ore has netted $60,000, and
$100,000 worth of ore is said to be blocked out in work-
ings only 150 feet deep. In view of the taxes which will
accrue to the county that wins, if the mine develops into
the bonanza it promises, it is easy to sense the deeply
sympathetic attitude of the contending counties.
"1%/TR. JAMES MacNAUGHTON, general manager for
•*-*-*- the Calumet & Hecla company, is quoted as saying,
in effect, that if it were certain that conditions in the
copper industry of Michigan would continue as they are
today most of the mines in the district would suspend
operations immediately. Ahmeek, Isle Royale, and some
of the conglomerate-lode enterprises are exceptions to
the general rule ; they are returning a small profit. But
there is little immediate comfort in the situation except
the fact that the physical condition of the mines is not
essentially changed. There is plenty of 'rock' of a grade
that has been profitably treated in years past, and there
is a prevailing optimism that sees a readjustment not far
in the future that will enable the mines again to be
operated on a profitable basis. Some of the factors that
haTe helped put the Michigan companies in this unfavor-
able position are shared equally by all of the copper pro-
ducers, but in some respects they have fared worse than
their friends in the Western States. The proximity of
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3, 1920
the automobile-manufacturing districts with their highly-
paid jobs has made it possible for the minor to get -lucra-
tive and agreeable employment with little difficult}'.
These high wages have attracted the best miners and have
made it difficult to maintain a reasonable degree of in-
dividual efficiency among the men who remained at the
mines. Another handicap which is being felt more than
ever is the dependence in a large measure upon steam
for prime motive power, and the unusual amount of hoist-
ing and hauling of large quantities of low-grade ma-
terial. The copper companies burn annually more than
a million tons of coal, so that an increase of $5 in the
price per ton at once adds $5,000,000 to the operating
costs. The stock of Calumet & Hecla. that has often sold
for $1000 and has paid its holders 152 millions in divi-
dends, is now quoted at $320 per share, the lowest level
reached in 40 years. A dividend of $5 recently posted
came out of surplus, while the Quiney company, always
reputed as being one of the reliable dividend payers, has
just found it advisable to pass its regular payment.
Nevertheless Quiney is completing the erection of the
largest hoisting engine in existence. It weighs, com-
plete, 900 tons and it is designed to hoist ore from a
sloping depth of 12,500 feet. The other companies are
going ahead too; they have confidence in the future.
They feel sure that the price of copper will go up and
that the cost of production will come down ; that it will
be possible again to make a profit from ore that contains
only a little more than one per cent copper.
"TlISCUSSION on the status of silver has almost
*-* pushed the gold problem to one side, for the mo-
ment. We take pleasure in publishing a letter from
Mr. Charles Butters, who needs no introduction. It will
be noted that Mr. Butters was uncertain whether his
letter ought to be published ; that adds to the interest
of it, for communications that are so frank as to verge
upon indiscretion are just the ones most of us like to
read. Mr. Butters, of course, writes as the owner of
silver mines in Mexico; his study of the subject is
prompted by enlightened self-interest, to which none
can take objection. He makes a plea for the greater use
of silver, insisting that the countries of Europe have
almost abandoned the use of the metal, and hope that
we shall be driven to do likewise". Among the Mexicans
there is a great and insistent demand for silver coins,
and we can fill that demand to our advantage, and theirs,
if we awaken to the opportunity. American silver coins
are welcome in South America also, and in the Orient,
for the world is nearly bare of white money. Mr. But-
ters proposes to pay his current obligations, to trades-
men and others, in silver ; he would like the silver-mining
companies to pay their dividends in units of their own
metallic product. It is a pious idea, but we anticipate
that those receiving silver dollars would deposit them in
the bank, preferring to use cheeks or Federal Reserve
bank-notes. Something may he done with the peoples
among whom the credit system has been undeveloped,
but those used to the exchange of notes do not care to
fill their pockets or their safes with the heavy discs of
the Mint. Indeed- in- a perfect world all settlements
would be made by exchange of I. O. U.s ; it is only in a
world rendered imperfect by folly, hysteria, and dis-
honesty that a hard basis of metal is requisite. At this
time when the folly, hysteria, and dishonesty of man-
kind, as individuals and as nations, are particularly in
evidence we find the need for something safer than a
signed paper, and that is why we are so anxious to en-
large our metallic base, which is the shock-absorber of
our commerce.
'T'HE Exploration Company, which acts as the agent,
■*■ in London, of the Treadwell group of mining com-
panies, has issued a circular summarizing the position
of these companies at the end of the financial year. The
information is taken directly from the reports of Mr.
F. "W. Bradley, who is president of the three companies
operating on Douglas island, Alaska. The premier en-
terprise, the Alaska Treadwell, made a profit of $17,500
from commercial business and interest on investments.
A surplus of nearly $2,000,000 of assets over liabilities,
exclusive of property and plant, places the company in
a strong position to carry out its policy of acquiring
new mines in Alaska, thereby establishing the continuity
of the enterprise. The Alaska United shows a deficit of
$78,900, the operation of the Ready Bullion mine, which
is the only one not drowned by the caving at the surface,
having been rendered unprofitable by the excessive cost.
Mr. Bradley suggests that two courses are open, either
to suspend work "until after the purchasing power of
gold becomes greater", or to gouge the mine as quickly
as possible. He recommends, and the directors have ap-
proved, the second plan of action. The Alaska Mexican,
which is flooded, made a loss of $21,250. It has realiz-
able assets worth $177,900. Working. options on three
gold and silver properties in Alaska have been secured,
and examinations are being made. It is sad to contem-
plate the condition of this famous group of mines, and
it is much to be hoped that their good tradition will be
perpetuated by the transfer of their remaining capital
to some new and promising venture in Alaska.
'pHLORIDE VOLATILIZATION' has been success-
^"* fully applied in the treatment of low-grade copper
ore by the Pope-Shenon Mining Co. at its property near
Salmon, Idaho. Two comparatively simple operations
are involved in the treatment by which the metal in the
oxidized ore is recovered in the form of high-grade bullion.
The process, developed by Dr. Robert H. Bradford, con-
sulting metallurgist for the company, is a departure from
the ordinary methods of smelting. The ground ore,
mixed with pulverized calcium chloride in proper pro-
portion, is treated in an oil-fired revolving roaster in
which the metal is volatilized and driven off as a fume
of copper chloride. The fume is passed through a Cot-
trell electric treater that functions perfectly in separat-
ing the precipitated particles of copper chloride from
the gaseous constituents of the smoke. The dust is col-
lected, mixed with lime and charcoal, and fused in a
July 3, i;>20
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
3
melting furnace in which oil is likewise used as the fuel.
'I'lic molten copper is tapped into bullion-molds as a
marketable product, while the slag, which is impure
Calcium chloride, is crushed and reverted to the original
roaster to supply tile ehloride for subsequent operations.
Several features of the process appeal to the metallurgist.
The only raw materials required arc charcoal and lime,
in addition to the necessary fuel-oil. A unit as small as
BO tons is economically practicable; the machinery is not
■omplicated; and the success of neither the roasting nor
the fusion depends upon delicate chemical reaction or
precise regulation of temperature. Sufficient bullion has
been made to demonstrate the success of the process, but
the most advantageous mixtures of material and exact
degree of roasting for the best results are yet to be de-
termined. The satisfactory performance of the new- plant
emphasizes the possibilities in combining the operations
of modern metallurgy in novel ways and is a credit to
the ingenuity and resource of Dr. Bradford.
Americanization
Last week we discussed immigration, and the proposal
to restrict, if not to stop entirely, the entry of foreigners.
During the decade from 1909 to 1918 inclusive there were
admitted into the United States 6,958,034 immigrants, of
whom. 21% could neither read nor write. In 1910 half
of those living in California were foreign-born or the
children of the foreign-born. Here admittedly are hard
nuts to crack, or, shall we say, tough morsels to digest.
Those who oppose the placing of an embargo on immigra-
tion as. being contrary to the American idea, and as being,
in large measure, the shirking of a national responsibil-
ity, are compelled to face the duty, of making the best of
the foreign elements in our population; in short, they
advocate systematic Americanization.
Americanization is the making of Americans ; that is the
bringing of men and women into sympathy with the ideals
of the American republic. As those born in this country
are Americans in fact, the term Americanization implies
the conversion of aliens into American citizens. To do
this effectively it is necessary to employ two processes,
education and naturalization. The latter process, which
is a legal formality, is of no avail in making an alien into
a real American citizen unless he has been so educated as
to understand and love the traditions and ideas that have
made a nation out of the diverse population living in the
United States. This nation consists of men and women
who themselves or whose progenitors came from foreign
countries. They have become united and assimilated by
sharing the same experiences ; they have fought for their
freedom ; they have battled among themselves over great
principles ; they have developed their own ideas of liberty,
of law, and of government ; they have been fused, by liv-
ing and working together, by sorrowing and rejoicing to-
gether, by thinking and dreaming together, into one na-
tion, separate from any other and unlike any other. This
unlikeness is the essence of Americanism, to it the people
of the United States owe their identity, upon it they base
their ways of living, that is, their civilization. In order
to maintain and develop this civilization, this American
way of living, with all that it connotes in the conduct of
domestic, civic, and national affairs, it is imperative that
the incoming foreigner — the immigrant — shall not re-
main an outsider, alien to the spirit of the country. As
Roosevelt said, this must not be "a polyglot boarding-
house"; it must be a home in which all those under the
same roof shall understand each other and work together
in harmony for the good of all. Therefore the newcomer
must be taught the habits and imbued with the aspira-
tions of the American citizen. First of all, he must learn
our language, for without that no complete understand-
ing is possible ; next, he must acquire some knowledge of
the history of the country, so that he may appreciate its
past ; then he must become reasonably well informed con-
cerning the constitution, laws, and system of government
under which he expects to live. The success of this edu-
cative process will depend not only upon him, but also
upon those who undertake to teach him. There must be
mutual sympathy. The foreigner must want to become
Americanized and we must make it evident to him that
we desire to help him to his graduation as a citizen. In
short, Americanization is a sympathetic process whereby
the foreigner, ceasing to be an alien, becomes a fellow
citizen with the direct inheritors of the American tradi-
tion.
The foregoing is, we believe, a fair statement of a
subject that is vital to the welfare of this republic.
Emphasis must be placed upon the need for sympathetic
contact with the alien. This means neighborly inter-
course between American men and women on the one side
and foreign men and women on the other. The children,
if let alone, will follow the instinctive sociability of un-
sophisticated youth. Colonies of alien people should be
disintegrated, not by force, but by kindness, through the
establishment of American social settlements intended to
win the goodwill and understanding of those about them,
by mingling with them unaffectedly and naturally. They
will have to overcome the opposition of political bosses,
bigots, labor contractors, and hyphenated bankers, all of
whom profit from the social detachment of whole groups
or even communities of foreigners. To be effective in
this work of Americanization the social worker must learn
the language of those whom he desires to befriend. Un-
digested alien communities are a menace to the health
of our body politic ; they must be assimilated by kindness
if we are to escape chronic political dyspepsia. It is a
condition that confronts us, not an economic theory. The
War and its aftermath have greatly aggravated the harm-
fulness of the un-Americanized elements in our popula-
tion, because the War made calls upon the devotion of the
Europeans in our midst and those calls were not all in
accord with the national purpose as it was finally defined
by our own participation in the conflict. Since hostilities
were formally stopped by the Armistice we have been
plagued by various propaganda in favor of different
European peoples, all tending to elicit sympathy with
one or another of them, and thereby superimpose some
sort of European sentiment on top of American patri-
otism. A German, an Irish, a British, or any other propa-
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3, 1920
ganda that draws the citizen away from his proper alle-
giance to the United States by developing an un-American
point of view on matters of national concern is more than
objectionable, it is pestilential. Dislike of it necessitates
neither a frothy provincialism nor a sloppy international-
ism. All appeals for, or against, any propaganda based
upon European sentiment have a disintegrating effect on
the national spirit, because they serve to accentuate
prejudices that are non-American. If the alien elements
in this country are to be Americanized, it must be done by
developing sympathy with American ideals and not by
making calls upon an allegiance that has been surrender-
ed to the United States. Hearst's campaign, for example,
may make people anti-British or pro-British, but it does
not help in the least — on the contrary, it hinders — the
Americanization not of the British alone, but of the
Germans or Irish or any others to whom his propaganda
makes any sort of appeal. Most Americans object to the
repeated compulsion to align themselves for or against
such schemes, which serve merely as an irritant entirely
subversive of the sincere effort to cause the diverse Euro-
pean elements to forget their origins in the warmth of
their allegiance to the country of their adoption. Amer-
icanization assumes the existence of a genuine American-
ism, which, while not lacking intelligent sympathy with
other countries and desiring friendly intercourse with
them, is determined to follow its own ideals and achieve
its own destiny.
A Code of Ethics
A special committee of the American Society of Me-
chanical Engineers has prepared a tentative draft of a
'Code of Ethics', which it is proposed to submit for ap-
proval to all of the national engineering organizations,
with the hope that, if generally adopted, it may become
a universal code recognized by engineers in all branches
of the profession. The 14 articles of the proposed code
were published in our issue of June 19. To some it may
seem futile to attempt to improve upon the familiar set
of ten admonitions that were first promulgated on Mt.
Sinai, and equally so to attempt to legislate morals into
people either by imperial or democratic edict. Yet, if a
formal code of ethics we must have, let it be brief and
to the point. We venture the opinion that some of the
articles proposed by the Mechanical Engineers are of
too little importance and that some are either incon-
sistent or not clearly expressed. If they be deleted or
revised the essential parts will gain emphasis, and the
value of the entire code will be increased. For example,
Article 8 reads: "He should satisfy himself before
taking over the work of another consulting engineer that
good and sufficient reasons exist for the change". There
can be but one "good and sufficient reason" for a change
other than the voluntary resignation of the first engineer
himself. That reason is the dissatisfaction of the client
who is presumably the man that foots the bills. Few
mining engineers would care to continue in the capacity
of consultant to a company that wanted to get rid of
them, but that was unable to do so because ethics, or
etiquette, would prevent another engineer from taking
up the work. Why engineer No. 2 should pass judgment
on the motives of the employer or client in seeking the
services of another consultant is hard to see, either from
an ethical, or from any other codic viewpoint. Article
9 declares that "He must base all reports and expert
testimony on facts or upon theories founded only on
sound engineering principles and experience". In the
name of common sense on what else could an intelligent
man base his expert opinion? Indeed, we must assume
that all engineers have intelligence; and even if some
lack it, the mere fact does not make them guilty of any
breach of ethics. Certainly we cannot declare 'un-
ethical', or heretical, one group of engineers because
their conclusions based on the identical set of facts
diverge widely from those of another group. Judged by
that standard every lawsuit involving expert testimony
from engineers would produce material for the consid-
eration of the proposed Standing Committee on Profes-
sional Conduct. Article 10 reads : " He must not regard
as his own any information which is not common knowl-
edge or public property, but which he obtained confi-
dentially from his client or while engaged as an em-
ployee. He is, however, justified in using such data or
information in his own private practice as forming part
of his professional experience." These two ideas are
perhaps not flatly contradictory, but they read as if they
were. If they mean anything it is that an engineer
should not publish confidential information obtained
during the performance of his professional duty without
the consent of his client. Next is Article 11, which says
"He should do everything within his power to prevent
sensational, exaggerated, or unwarranted statements
about engineering work being made through the public
press. First descriptions of new inventions, processes,
etc., for publication should be furnished only to the
engineering societies or to the technical press." In view
of the proclivity of the "public press", which presum-
ably refers to the daily newspapers, to gather sensa-
tional and exaggerated, if not unwarranted, statements,
the engineer who fulfilled the letter of this mandate
would have little time for his professional work. As
to the second injunction, the impress of a spirit kindred
to our own is manifest. We appreciate the motive, and
are duly grateful; but is there any essential obligation
for the engineer to do either of these things in order to
be 'ethical'? Would the failure on his part to do either
be a reasonable excuse for disciplinary action on the part
of the national engineering society to which he happened
to belong? We mention these things simply to illustrate
the point that there has not been exercised enough care
and discrimination in the preparation of what is ex-
pected to be an enduring code. The various societies
may well formulate a statement of essential principles
governing the professional conduct of their members,
but they should take time to decide just exactly what
those principles should be. 'Die Decalogue was written
on stone.
July 3. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
D
I IIIIIIUMII. '
Concerning Silver
The Editor:
Sir — On account of the shortage of silver coin in
France and Germany and England, travelers going
abroad well supplied with silver coins find their way
made easy. An American 25c.-piece represents some-
thing like two francs, a 10c. -piece would be very welcome
money, being about the size of a 50-centime piece. Amer-
ican banking agencies in Paris would find a profitable
business in shipping American coinage for their custom-
ers. "We do thousands of dollars worth of business week-
ly here at our mines in Mexico with American money.
A Mexican silver coin is a great rarity. This has all
happened within a couple of years. This change has hap-
pened so rapidly that in the State of Sonora all prices
are now quoted in American dollars instead of Mexican
pesos. They call them "do-lars" and are very fond of
them. They look pretty good beside a Carranza bill, 100
to the 1. It would seem good business for the American
mints to take any kind of fine-silver bars presented to
them and return American silver coins worth per ounce
anywhere from $1.29 to $1.38 for subsidiary coins and
make this coin by taking in bars at $1 per ounce on any
market-price below the coinage-value. Our mints could
afford to run 24 hours per day on such business.
The silver producer could surely afford to pay the mint
charge, if any, and the express charges, and instead of
sending out checks send real newly minted silver coin.
People would soon realize that there was such a thing as
a silver industry if they saw the real stuff come pouring
into the channels of trade, piling up in the safes, like the
old days of California. A new interest would be taken
in silver mining by the very sight of the bright new
money going from hand to hand; a greater tendency to
[save would be instilled by the sight and ownership of
coin as against paper or checks. Many a man would
think twice before he counted out and parted with ten
thousand new bright silver dollars in ten bags of a thous-
and each. The bulk appeal of ten bags of bright coin is
much greater than that of a cheque with ' ' Ten Thousand
Dollars" written upon it.
' . "We talk of interesting people in silver mining by tell-
ing how much profit they can make. Profit can be made
in rubber, bricks, automobiles, steel, hats, shoes, baking
companies, street-car companies, etc., but that is not
silver mining. Interest them in the metal itself. How
many shareholders in a silver mine paying dividends ever
see any of the company's product fresh from the Mint —
new bright clean coin? Your own money straight from
your own mines — great business! Does not every auto-
mobile dealer get a big window on the principal street
and gloat over his bright new shiny car, which, the min-
ute it has been sold and once around the block, $1000
comes off its value. While our bright new silver may lose
its gloss in going from hand to hand, it still holds its
value, good stuff to own ; get some, put it away in a safe
deposit, always handy. Just about $5 apiece all around
would be as much as the great Government storage before
the "War. That storage is much safer, much more useful,
and much more liable to be a source of political safety for
the people in time of trouble, in their own pockets than in
any great tempting pile represented by floating paper.
How many officers of a silver mining company ever see
an ounce of their product ? As a rule, none of the home
officers, boards of directors, or secretaries. How many
of the officers at the mine? Probably one or two — the
melter and the local secretary. How many of the miners
or mill-hands, or town's-people where the silver is pro-
duced? Probably very few. How many silver dollars
does the average shareholder of the Nipissing Silver
Mines Co., of which there are 14,000 in America and
Canada, carry about with him? I will venture to state
you could not find 500 single American dollars on the lot.
You will find some paper money and subsidiary coin
made at a price of about $1.38 an ounce out of silver for
which the Nipissing received about 60 cents an ounce.
"What is the matter with giving these 14,000 shareholders
their two million silver dollars in 14,000 packages marked
' Nipissing Silver ' ? "Why, say, they would never want to
spend one of them. It would be the greatest advertise-
ment the silver-mining industry could possibly have,
every shareholder receiving from a hundred to three
hundred new dollars. "Where is your imagination if you
cannot see the instantaneous effect of every silver-mining
company paying out all its production in dollars, or
halves or quarters or dimes if you want them, instead of
offering bars like merchandise to people who are doing
their best to knock their product. Everyone knows that
if you have a $20 gold-piece and don't change it you have
always got $20. Just change that $20 gold-piece into
50c.-pieces and lOc.-pieces and walk down the pike with
your girl — you will not find it intact after one turn ; in
fact, you can't for the life of you square your account,
try as hard as you can. Now, why do the producers de-
cline to put their product into such small pieces that it
scatters itself without effort? It will cost some trouble
and about 2% of its value, but there can be no such thing
as a point of saturation because you can always buy both
supplies and labor with American silver coin and your
6
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3, 1920
shareholders will never send your dividend package back
and demand gold; so why don't we adopt this plan? Let
someone tell me why. Why ? Because bankers and
financiers can make more money out of the people's
money by handling it for them. They can do as much
with a little coin and a lot of paper as the individuals
can with all coin. This process has been going on so long
and so cleverly that most of the world at the present time
sees absolutely no gold and they are getting it down so
fine that shortly there will he no use for silver — paper,
copper, nickel, and nickel and silver taking the place.
This is not good for either the public or the gold or silver
producer.
A gold miner is supposed to be doing what I have out-
lined above, paying out for everything in his own prod-
uct, but as a matter of fact, while he used to do this, he
does it no longer. He is now using paper and his single
dollar is stretched to about twenty dollars in paper
credit. For this he gets no benefit. If everyone should
demand gold payment in actual coin you would soon see
the price of paper fall and the gold producer would come
into his own. Formerly in California the gold miner did
pay in gold coin. It would not suit the banker or finan-
cier to see actual silver used and demanded in place of
paper, because he could not make two into one. He
would have to produce the coin for payments. The silver
miner wants silver to circulate as coin everywhere and
not see shinplasters and postage-stamps take its place.
The producer is the one to start it. again. Do you sup-
pose if the copper producer could pay in kind as easily as
a silver produceer that he would ever try to force his
bulk production on a world that can't pay for it in gold ?
No, he would keep on paying in kind just as the gold
miner is actually supposed to be doing. "Why, the lead
miners, zinc miners, or producers of any kind, would
never quit if they could do what the gold miner does.
There is only one other who can do that — pay in kind —
and that is the silver miner, who paid in kind in a rich
and prosperous Mexico for three huundred years, and
tli is was only stopped by absolute destruction of the pub-
lic mints so that the gold standard could be established
in order that bankers could enrich themselves by issuing
paper, and finally between the bankers and the public
officials the people of Mexico have been absolutely robbed
of all their metallic wealth and'the credit of Mexico abso-
lutely ruined. I say the metallic money is safest in the
hands of the people. No country can be ruined by schem-
ing officials if its people hold the actual coin.
The logical conclusion of such a plan would mean that
every convenience should be given to the silver miner for
coinage and we should have local mints as they formerly
had them in Mexico. For instance, every State produc-
ing large amounts of silver, like Montana, Colorado.
Nevada, should have a local mint for silver coin only.
Imagine Anaconda paying out its total silver production
in wages and for supplies, because, as silver is only a
by-product, no doubt that these two items would absorb
their production of about ten million ounces of silver.
Nevada would become an exporter of silver coin ; Colo-
rado also. Carry this plan out and the United States
would soon realize that there was a real silver industry
and she was a leader in this industry. There is a world
of sentiment in this idea of actually seeing, having, own-
ing, and handling masses of silver coin. This sentiment,
which could be so easily aroused, is at present absent,
from this silver question. We deal only in figures and
hide our bullion in safes and banks. Silver is such a
rarity that even the transfer of a truck-load of bare al-
ways attracts crowds. Coin the bars, that's what I say,
and distribute instead of hiding them away and hunting
a customer for an article we produce but refuse to use
ourselves, preferring to let other people carry the silver
and we our paper. The West will wake up some day and
find the East the real bankers of the world, because
they are, and have been, accumulating real money — gold
and silver. I hope these notes will not be misunderstood
as having connection with the free coinage of silver. All
we ask the Mint to do is to convert our bullion at the
market-price into silver coin. If they will do this, and it
surely would be a profitable business, I should like to
know from Mr. Baker how much his present coinage ca-
pacity is on a 24-hour basis with fine bars. The refining
capacity of the United States is ample. Next, what is the
coining capacity ? Is there any valid reason that would
prevent the Mint from doing this business? If such a
reason exists the producers should see, too, that such a
reason should be promptly removed. It may be doubtful
whether this scheme should be published, as it might
arouse powerful enemies, whom such a plan would not
suit at all. I am not sure of this, however. You would
gain friends as well as enemies.
Charles Butters.
Copala, Sinaloa, Mexico, May 31.
[We comment upon this interesting letter on another
page of this issue. — Editor.]
Combinations of Gold
The Editor:
Sir — On page 103 of the 'Mining Engineers' Hand-
hook' in the paragraph entitled 'Gold-Bearing Minerals', I
I find the following statement: "In some of these min-
erals, when the ores are refractory, it may exist as an
involved telluride, or as a bismuth compound (Richard
Pearce)."
Having frequently seen in print the statement that
tellurium is the only element with which gold is found
in chemical combination, the sentence quoted appears to
me as unusual. The question is of particular interest to
me as our ores carry a percentage of bismuth as well as
gold. It appears to be also a subject of some general ,
scientific as well as economic interest.
J. H. Mockett Jr.
Red Cliff, Colorado, June 14.
[Gold is found in combination with selenium as a |
seienide, with silver as eleetrum, with mercury as amal-
gam, with rhodium as rhodite, with palladium as an
undetermined mineral. The combination with bismuth
was found in Australia and is called maldonite. — Editor]. -
.Inlv 3, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
REFUGEES ON THE ROAD
A TKAINLOAD OF REVol.TOSOS
The Mexican Revolution
By An Occasional Correspondent
Within two months Carranza has fallen, just, when he
was least expected to do so. Long ago in 1915, even just
after the destruction of Villa's army in the C'elaya cam-
paign, everyone was saying "Carranza can't last six
months". And even more confident of speedy disaster
for the Mexican "scourge of God" were the prophets of
1916 as they saw rapidly pass into history the typhus
epidemic, the wholesale repudiation of Carranza money,
the ( 'arrizal massacre, and the looting of the State banks
of issue. Yet undismayed by these Mexican Cassandras,
Carranza proceeds in 1917 to boldly launch a brand new
constitution and to exchange his uncertain post of 'First
Chief' for the dignified office of national dictator or
'President'.
Carranza was never popular in Central and Southern
Mexico, for he had treated this most densely populated
part of the country like a conquered province ever since
his triumphant entiw into Mexico City from the north in
August 1914. His general unpopularity in part accounts
for his inability to pacify the country and suppress the
countless rebel or bandit leaders who under various
designations as Zapatistas, Villistas, Felicistas, etc., kept
up a constant turmoil in all the rural districts sufficiently
fertile to lie self-sustaining for their troops. Even to
guard the cities and railways, Carranza has had to main-
tain an army of 150,000 men, the most expensive one in
Mexican history, involving in 1917, even, an expenditure
nearly thrice what Huerta's army, of a similar size, had
cost. As Carranza paid them about the same wages as
Huerta, and Mexican soldiers feed themselves, the dif-
ference cannot be explained by the extra price for the
limited quantity of munitions consumed, but only by
graft on a colossal scale.
Carranza's leadership of his party was always anal-
ogous to that of a cowboy whose pony has managed to
keep in advance of a stampeding herd of cattle, and his
attempt to suppress graft well illustrates this. In 1917,
Is an aftermath of the Mexican- American Peace Confer-
ence, Carranza engaged Henry Bruere of New York to
visit Mexico and revise his financial accounting system.
One of the principal changes due to Bruere 's advice was
the organization of a general purchasing agency for the
army called Departamento de Establecimientos Fabriles
y Aprovisionamiento Militar, which was not under the
War Ministry but directly under the control of the
President himself. Anyone selling merchandise to this
new department had to furnish his bill in sextuplicate,
so that it had to be approved by six separate officials be-
fore a warrant could be issued for payment. When this
excellent system had been guaranted a sincere trial by
the naming of a (relatively) honest officer, General
Murguia, as head of the department, it really seemed as
if the days of wholesale military graft were numbered.
And so they would have been, had not Carranza bark-
ened to the pleas of his favorite generals, like Juan Bar-
ragan, the "Mexican Adonis" and Chief of Staff, and
allowed them to continue to make their own purchases as
heretofore.
Thus, in spite of an increase in Federal and local
taxation of three to eight times the rates prevalent under
Porfirio Diaz, the Carranza regime was always hard up.
It had no money to construct new streets or public
edifices, or even to repair those already in existence.
The minor bureaucracy had usually to accept part of its
wages in bonds, while the pay of school-teachers was
often in arrears and numerous schools were closed en-
tirely for lack of funds. The few big cities were crowded,
but not from normal growth, for their surplus popula-
tion represented the refugees who had fled from the
chronic disorder of their rural homes. All Mexico seemed
slipping back into the barbarism of the early nineteenth
century. The flow of foreign capital for investment had
practically stopped in 1914, for who would risk more
money in a country where vast sums previously planted
had already been jeopardized, rendered unproductive,
and even wiped out completely by brigandage on the one
6
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3, 1920
hand and an unscrupulous anti-foreign government on
the other.
Such in brief was the situation last summer when can-
didacies for the presidency began to be launched. Car-
ranza's term ran until December 31, 1920, and the elec-
tion to choose his successor was scheduled to take place
the preceding July. From the very beginning there
were only two noteworthy candidacies, those of Pablo
Gonzales and Alvaro Obregon, the two generals of divi-
sions who shared between them the command of the
Carranza armies when they marched victoriously south
in 1914. Gonzales is reputed to have spent five years as
a youth in California, where he married his American
wife. Later, he became a commander of Rurales (rural
police) in Nuevo Leon, but was unknown to fame till
he joined Carranza's forlorn hope to fight Huerta, in
1913. As a field-officer he showed some talent for or-
ganization but none for strategy, so that he doubtless
owed his high command to the personal favoritism of
the First Chief. Like most of the Carranza generals, he
found revolution a profitable occupation and cleaned up
perhaps the biggest fortune of the gang. In 1918 he
possessed the huge sum required for planting and har-
vesting nearly the whole State of Morelos, then just won
from the Zapatistas, and his total reward from his
patriotic labors is estimated to exceed 5,000,000 pesos.
Younger by several years than his middle-aged rival,
Alvaro Obregon hails from a small town in Sonora where
he owned a farm and was mayor at the beginning of the
revolution in 1910. He then raised a company of volun-
teers and did some fighting for Madero, but did not
attain distinction until Sonora rebelled against Huerta
in 1913. It was the Sonoran army that first successfully
defied Huerta and saved Carranza when he fled west
from his early defeats. Exhibiting marked military
talent, Obregon soon rose to the command of the Sonoran
army, and in 1914 he marched south along the west coast
and captured Guadalajara, while the ever-victorious
army of Generals Angeles and Villa was breaking
Huerta 's power on the central plateau.
When Carranza was east off as First Chief by the
military convention at Aguascalientes, in October 1914,
and had to flee for refuge to Vera Cruz, it was Obregon
who led his Sonorans to the rescue and reorganized the
army during the following wiater. In his spring cam-
paign against the Convention army led by Villa, Obregon
re-captured Puebla in January, and by May had anni-
hilated his opponents as a result of his victories between
Celaya and Leon, where he lost his right army by a shell.
Shortly after the transfer of the Carranza government
to Mexico City, in September 1915. Obregon became
Secretary of the Army and Navy, and held this post till
his retirement from politics a year later, after his mar-
riage to a Sonoran lady of large estate.
Until this spring, the presidential campaign proceeded
along peaceful lines. Obregon toured the country to
greet his partizans, and both he and Gonzales subsidized
newspapers in the State capitals as well as in the metrop-
olis. In the latter place. Obregon 's friends started last
sumnier 'El Heraldo' and this year 'El Monitor' as
dailies, while Gonzales launched 'El Liberal'; all this in
opposition to the old established dailies 'El Universal',
'Excelsior', and 'El Democrats '. New posters an-
nouncing a candidate's merits were struck off every little
while and pasted on the billboards of every post-office
town in the country.
Carranza meanwhile remained, in his public utterance,
quite neutral as between the rivals, and frequently an-
nounced his intention to abide by the letter of the law,
both by holding the July election and by retirement in
December in favor of the successful candidate ; but sud-
denly he changed his attitude and Mexico awoke one
morning in March to see blazoned on every billboard the
posters announcing the launching of the presidential
candidacy of Ygnacio Bonillas, then living at Washing-
ton as Mexican ambassador. Bonillas was born nearly
60 years ago in northern Mexico and completed his edu-
cation for a civil engineer at the Massachusetts Institute
of Technology, at Boston. Practising his profession for
awhile in our South- West, he removed later to the north-
west of Mexico, where he made a good income as an en-
gineer. He joined Carranza's army in 1913 and so far
gained the First Chief's favor that on the establishment
of the Government at the capital in 1915. he was ap-
pointed a cabinet minister in charge of the Department
of Communications. Well educated and of fair admin-
istrative ability, Bonillas, unlike the majority of his con-
freres, had kept himself clear of graft. He was as ideal
a candidate, from every personal standpoint, as could be
found among the Carranzista leaders, and had his back-
ing been of a less sinister character, he might have caught
the popular fancy. As it was, everyone began to ponder
as to Carranza's motives in proposing Bonillas, and ad-
vertising him, regardless of expense, from Guatemala to
the Rio Grande. Some said that he was booked for the
role of the earlier Gonzales, the henchman of Porfirio
Diaz, who held the presidential office after Diaz's first
term, from 1880 to 1884. and amended the Constitution
so that his master could legally get himself re-elected in
1884 and continue as president indefinitely. Others be-
lieved him to be a mere stalking-horse for Luis Cabrera,
the Secretary of the Treasury and one of the most cun-
ning hypocritical rogues of the Carranza gang ; they an-
ticipated that the presidency, once gained by Bonillas'
popularity, would shortly be resigned in favor of Don
Luis, the most cordially hated man in Mexico but never-
theless the right bower of the Carranza regime.
At the beginning of April, the Bonillas backers be-
came bolder and summoned Obregon from his political
campaign in Nuevo Leon to Mexico City, where he was
accused of conspiracy in connection with the trial of
Cejudo. The latter — a famous Zapatista general for
many years in Vera Cruz — was accused of fraud, in that
his recent acceptance of amnesty from Carranza had
been merely the favorite Zapatista trick for re-stocking
the surrendered troops with money and munitions as a
preliminary to again becoming rebels. Although the letter
incriminating Obregon with the Zapatistas was declared
by Cejudo to be a forgery, the former was detained in
the capital under surveillance "'pending further investi-
.Inly ::. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
gation". Soon eluding liia captors, Obregon skipped to For several weeks the revoll progressed slowly. Car-
Michoacan, and his escape was the signal for the revolt ranza prepared to invade Sonora from Chihuahua and
VENUSTIANO CABRANZA
ALVARO OBREGON
De la Huerta to capture Sinaloa. The legal governors
of Michoacan, Zaeateeas, and Guerrero declared for
Sonora, as did also a number of rebel leaders; including
the Zapatista, General Genevo de la 0. of Morelos, the
Villista, General Pelaez of Vera Cruz, and the Oaxa-
quenb, General Mexequiera. In later April, it looked as
if the new war might continue indefinitely with Obregon
~<
Bu&
'•'- ^i<a
&jtS|
a^E^pW
"
PANCHO VILLA
of Sonora, whose governor, Adolfo De la Huerta, pro-
■claimed the Plan of Agua Prieta as the charter of a new
irevolution.
THE RURALES
holding the whole Pacific Coast region and Carranza the
remainder of the country.
In the first week of May luck deserted its erstwhile
favorite, Carranza, for General Pablo Gonzales joined
the rebels, with most of the army of the East, captured
Puebla, and threatened Mexico City. After sending
10
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3, 1920
General Murguia south with 5000 men to hold Gonzales
at bay, Carranza loaded 15 trains with his chief officials
and valuables and prepared to repeat his mancevre of
1914 by retiring his government to Vera Cruz. Yet his-
tory refuses to repeat itself on demand, so Carranza
never reached Vera Cruz, but was overwhelmed by the
enemy near the eastern edge of the central plateau and
obliged to flee on horseback into the mountains of Puebla
with a few followers. Here the end came suddenly on
tlie night of May 22, when Carranza was shot by an
attack on Ids tent by a body of supposedly friendly
troops. Amnesty to leave the country was even then on
its way from General Obregon, but it arrived too late to
save the fallen dictator.
Meanwhile the triumphant revolutionists had entered
Mexico City with the semi-savage horde of Genevo de la
O. and had domiciled Obregon in the Hotel St. Francis
and Pablo Gonzales in the National Palace. Following
the Plan of Agua Prieta, the Congress was called in
session to elect a provisional president, and on May 24
chose Adolfo De la Huerta to fill out Carranza 's unex-
pired term of seven months. The election for the new
President and Congress was also postponed from July
till the first Sunday in September. Soon thereafter, all
Carranza 's governors and generals, who had not already
turned over or been captured, tendered their submission,
so that the Obregon revolution was finally achieved by
June first with a minimum of bloodshed and destruction
and with scarcely any damage to civilians.
Although nominally a Federal republic, under the
Constitution of 1857 and even more that of 1917, the
national President has found it easy to centralize the
powers of the States in the Federation and to control the
latter as he wished. In fact the recent imposition by
Federal fiat of governors on the States of Queretero,
Guanajuato, Tamaulipas, and San Luis Potosi was one
of the chief accusations brought against Carranza in the
Plan of Agua Prieta. However much the President's
arbitrary power may be criticized by his opponents, such
power — equivalent to that of a military dictatorship —
seems to be necessary if the barbarous masses of Mexico
are to be kept within the bounds of a civilized order.
The all-important public question then is the personality
of the dictator, for upon his nod hangs the woe or weal
of millions. As Pablo Gonzales has just withdrawn his
candidacy, the election of Obregon is practically assured
and his character thus becomes of supreme importance to
everyone interested in Mexico. Will Obregon, like Car-
ranza, continue to humor the brigand generals of the
army and the grafting chiefs of the civil service; and
will he likewise be helpless to restrain the bands of rebels
who have infested every fertile rural district? Will
Obregon also flout, foreigners, especially Americans, and
deride their pleas for damages by a Claims Commission
that carefully files every brief but never pays a cent ?
Upon the answer to these questions depends the fate of
Mexico as soon as the chief foreign sponsor for the Car-
ranza government retires from office next March.
As Obregon 's public career to date has been purely
military data are lacking for any exact prediction as to
his reaction when invested with the civilian power. Al-
though his troops were probably no more respectful of
private property when on campaign than those of other
leaders, I have no evidence that he ever used them as
looters for his personal enrichment as was the practice
of many of his confreres. His retirement from his high
office in 1916, just when the national harvest of graft
was most bountiful, indicates anyhow that avarice is not
his ruling passion. Of only a mediocre education like
Carranza, Obregon is free from the petty jealousy that
rendered the former so incompetent as an administrator.
Carranza would have no one near him whose intellect
surpassed his own, and was once heard to remark : "I
don't want ministers in my cabinet, but just clerks who
will do my will". On the contrary, Obregon realizes his
own limitations and has made his success by his wise
selection of the best talent available for aids. An ama-
teur strategist, he was yet able to beat the semi-profes-
sional army of Villa in the Celaya campaign by his prac-
tice of never making an important move without a coun-
cil of war. Of proved bravery as a soldier, Obregon
should carry into the presidency the courage required to
suppress any malefactor however powerful — a courage
that Carranza never had.
Since his recent triumph, Obregon 's public statements
of policy have been reassuring. He not only sustains the
Plan of Agua Prieta in guaranteeing the inviolability of
private life and property, but has promised to forgive all
his political and military opponents except those guilty
of vulgar crimes. He tells foreign investors that they
will be again welcome in Mexico and assures them that
those paragraphs of the new Constitution which infringe
their just rights will be eliminated by legal amendment.
Toward the perennial rebel political movements he has
adopted a conciliating policy and has thereby done more
for pacification in a few weeks than Carranza was able
to do in five years with a huge army. The rebel generals,
Pelaez of Vera Cruz, Mexequiera of Oaxaca, Genevo de
la. 0. of Morelos, and Felix Diaz of the south-east coast
have already laid down their arms, along with many
lesser lights, and Villa seems to be the only important
rebel who is still recalcitrant.
Free from avarice, competent as an administrator,
courageous as a lion, friendly to foreigners, and con-
ciliatory toward his opponents, Obregon offers every hope
of being able to restore Mexico to the honored place
among nations she held under Porfirio Diaz.
Nickel-copper ore to the amount of 301,133 tons was
mined and 238,700 tons was smelted in Ontario during
the first quarter of 1920. Shipments of matte totalling
10,168 tons were made to the refineries in Canada. United
States, and Great Britain. The British America Nickel
Corporation is producing matte at Nickelton and ship-
ping to the refinery at Desehenes, Quebec. The latter is
now in operation, although there was no output for the
first quarter. A considerable part of the nickel oxide
produced" at the Port Colborne refinery of the Inter-
national Nickel Co. of Canada is marketed in that form
in England.
•lulv 3, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
11
The Testing and Application of Ventilating-Fans
By WALTER S. WEEKS
Definitions. The efficiency of ;i machine is the per-
centage of the power input that is recovered in useful
work; it is the useful work thai it does in a given time
divided by the power input.
A ventilating-fan is given credit for the static head
that it produces and for the veloeity-head that it pro-
duces. The pressure that a pressure-fan maintains to
overcome the mine resistance is called the static pressure,
and the pressure corresponding to the veloeity-head
which the air possesses when it leaves the fan is called
the velocity-pressure. The sum of the two pressures is
known as the total or dynamic pressure. The total
PlG. 1. ADJUSTABLE ORIFICE
pressure multiplied by the quantity per minute in circu-
lation gives the useful work; this divided by 33,000 is
the horse-power that 'shows up' in useful work in the
air.
Pan-Testing. In order that a fan may be tested, it
must be operated at constant speed under varying con-
ditions of resistance. Tests may be run at any speed.
The resistance is obtained by interposing orifices of va-
rious sizes in the duct leading from the discharge in the
case of a pressure-fan ; and in the duct leading to the
intake, in the case of an exhaust-fan. The orifice is
placed at the end of the duct. With small fans a pipe
serves as the duct, and with large fans an artificial drift
must be constructed. A frame in which are placed any
desired number of slats is a convenient type of variable
orifice. Pig. 1 shows a model of such a frame. The
duct should be long enough to smooth out the eddies and
establish a steady flow. The length of a circular duct
is usually made 50 times the diameter.
In mining work the oyer-all efficiency of the fan and
motor, or fan and engine, is obtained. To determine the
efficiency of the fan itself a transmission dynanometer is
necessary, or else the efficiency of the motor and trans-
mission must be separately ascertained. In the follow-
ing discussion I shall use the manometer readings in
inches of water as a measure of head or of pressure.
A fan may be operated as a pressure-fan, as an ex-
haust-fan, or as a combination pressure-and-exhaust fan,
so we must understand the methods of determining the
total pressure under these conditions. Let us first con-
sider the pressure-fan.
The arrangement for the test is shown in Pig. 2. The
PlG. 3. VERTICAL MANOMETER
adjustable orifice is at a. At 6 a tube is inserted with a
pin-hole opening facing the side of the pipe. This tube
is connected with a vertical manometer like the one in
Pig. 3. The scale on the manometer is a flat 'engineer's
scale' reading to decimals of an inch and arranged so
that the bottom edge, which is the zero of the scale, may
be set opposite the water-level in one leg of the manom-
eter. The method of mounting the scale is shown in
Pig. 4.
The Pitot-tube readings for velocity should always be
taken in the duct midway between the fan and the orifice.
The manometer, under the conditions shown in Pig. 2,
records the friction and shock losses that the air un-
dergoes after passing the point b. We credit the fan
with this static pressure. In addition we must credit
the fan with the velocity-head in the air at the point 6.
For example, let us suppose that the area of the pipe
is one square foot and 3000 cubic feet per minute is
flowing. The manometer reads 4 in.. The weight of
one cubic foot of air is 0.08 lb. Let us determine the
12
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3, 1020
total pressure and the horse-power in the air.
The velocity is 50 ft. per second.
0.08 X 2500
Velocity-pressure =
= 3.12.
2g ' 64
Velocity-pressure = 3.12 lb. per square foot.
;-> 12
Velocity-pressure in inches of water V5- =0.6
Total pressure in inches of water = 4.0 + 0.6 = 4.6.
Total pressure in pounds per square foot = 4.6 X
5.2 = 23.9.
23.9 X 3000
Horse-power =
= 2.2.
33,000
Let us consider next the exhaust-fan arranged as in
Fig. 5. The manometer is connected at a. The pressure
at a will be below that of the atmosphere. Conditions
are quite different from the case we have just discussed.
In the ease of the pressure-fan, the pressure recorded by
the manometer did not cause the air to flow; it did not
impart the velocity-head to the air; the air received its
velocity in the fan before it reached the manometer, so
the reading did not include the velocity-head.
In the case of the suction-fan, the atmospheric air is
still. The fan produces a depression, and this depres-
sion, or difference in pressure between the outside air
and the fan-inlet, must not only overcome friction but
it must supply the velocity-head to the still air when it
enters the pipe. A manometer arranged on an exhaust-
fan as in Fig. 5 records the total pressure produced by
the fan.
The fact to fix in the mind is this: if the pressure
measured causes the flow, the velocity-pressure is in-
cluded in the manometer reading. If we had a pressure-
fan arranged as in Fig. 6, where the air is brought to a
negligible velocity before entering the pipe, the manom-
eter would record the total pressure, because the only
source of velocity would be the pressure in the chamber.
The usual arrangement of a pressure-fan is that of Fig.
2, where the manometer does not measure the velocity-
head. Now let us attack the problem of a combination
pressure-and-exhaust fan.
There are three subdivisions under this head that de-
mand attention. The discharge-pipe is (a) the same size
as the suction-pipe, (6) smaller than the suction-pipe, or
(c) larger than the suction-pipe. Two manometers are
necessary, one at the inlet and one at the discharge. "We
must be careful that we do not cVedit the fan more than
once with the velocity-head. Let us consider the condi-
tion where both pipes are of the same size. The velocity-
head in the diseharge-pipe is the same as that in the
suction. The manometer on the suction gives friction
and shock losses in the suction-pipe, and velocity-head in
the suetibn-pipe. The manometer on the discharge-pipe
gives friction and shock losses in the discharge-pipe, so
the sum of the two manometer readings is the total
pressure produced by the fan.
If the discharge-pipe is smaller than the suction-pipe,
there has been a gain of velocity-head. The fan must be
credited with this gain. An example will illustrate:
The suction manometer reads 3 in. and the discharge
manometer 4 in. The size of the suction is one square
foot, and that of the discharge is half that ; 3000 cu. ft.
per minute is circulating. Weight of air is 0.08 lb. per
cu. ft. Determine the total pressure.
The sum of the water-gauges is 7 in. This includes
friction in both pipes and velocity-head in the suction.
The velocity-head in the suction is 0.6 in. The velocity
in the discharge is twice that in the suction, so the ve-
locity-head in the discharge is four times that in the
suction, or 2.4 inches.
The gain in velocity-head is 2.4 - 0.6 = 1.8.
So the total head is 7 + 1.8 = 8.8 inches.
If the discharge-pipe is larger than the suction-pipe,
it is assumed that the fan has recovered some of the
velocity-head of the suction-pipe, therefore the decrease
in velocity-head is deducted from the sum of the two
manometer readings.
In all cases the horse-power in the air is computed by
the formula :
HP.:
PQ
33,000
P = Total pressure in pounds per square foot.
Q = Quantity in cubic feet per minute.
In running a complete fan-test, the orifice is first en-
tirely closed, and the pressure readings taken. Air is
then admitted in stages, and at each stage the quantity
is determined with the Pitot tube, and the pressure read-
ings and power measurements are taken. With these
data the working characteristics of the fan may be
plotted.
With cubic feet of air per minute as abscissae, we may
plot curves of static pressure, total pressure, velocity-
pressure, and efficiency.
The Equivalent Okifice of a Mine. In the fan-test
the resistances interposed are orifices of various sizes. If
we know the pressure necessary to overcome friction in
a mine when a given quantity of air is flowing, we can
calculate the size of the orifice that will offer the same
resistance. Such an orifice is called the 'equivalent'
orifice of the mine. The conditions that exist when a
fan is connected with an equivalent orifice may be repre-
sented by Fig. 2. The fan will maintain some pressure
in the pipe. Air will flow out through the orifice accord-
ing to the law v = V 2 g h. The static pressure-head in
front of the orifice is first converted into velocity-head
and the air flows through the orifice. When it meets
the still air outside, the velocity-head is destroyed by
shock. The actual pressure that causes the flow through
the orifice is the static pressure plus the velocity-pressure
in the air as it approaches the orifice. This velocity of
approach is ordinarily so small that it may be neglected,
and the flow calculated as if it were due to the static
pressure alone.
Let A be the area of the orifice to be determined.
v = Velocity in feet per second.
g = Quantity in cubic feet per second.
Av = q.
When air flows through an orifice under a constant
head, the area of the stream contracts so that the actual
July 3, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
13
amount flowing is only ti4' , of the theoretical amount.
q = 0MA ^YgT.
= 0.64 y'YJh
I. it Q = quantity in cubic feet per minute.
t = pressure in inches of water.
0.075 lb. = weight of one cubic foot of air.
0.0004 Q
Then A =
V i
Fig. 2
Example : It requires a water-gauge of 4 in. to force
100,000 cu. ft. of air through a given mine. What is the
equivalent orifice?
A =
0.0004 Q
A = f = 20sq. ft.
The principle of the equivalent orifice may be used to
determine whether a fan will accomplish a given result.
For. example, suppose that you wish to force 3000 cu. ft.
per minute into a pipe in a drift and it requires 12 in.
of water to do it. You have on hand a fan that you
would like to use. Connect a pipe and orifice to the fan.
Hard-wood Guide
Glass Tube
Close the orifice until the pressure rises to 12 in. (if it
ever does) and measure the air. If 3000 cu. ft. or more
is passing, the fan will do the work. If the fan when
running at the maximum speed never gives a water-
gauge of 12 in., or if when the water-gauge is 12 in.
less than 3000 cu. ft. is passing, the fan will not do.
Such a short-cut method would not be used in selecting
a big fan because the efficiency of the operation must be
considered carefully.
The Door-Regulator. The approximate opening of
a regulator in a mine-door is figured in the same man-
ner as the equivalent orifice. It will be recalled that the
resistance of a split must often be increased to prevent
too much air from passing through the split. Let us see
how the regulator destroys pressure. Referring to Fig.
7, a given quantity of air is circulating in the drift with
a velocity of V feet per minute. In a door a is an orifice
the size of which is controlled hy a sliding gate. The
velocity increases when the air passes through the orifice.
This increase in velocity-head is accompanied by a de-
crease in pressure-head. If this increase in velocity-head
is then destroyed, we have thus destroyed a certain
amount of static pressure. The velocity-head in the drift
itself is usually so small that it may be neglected. That
being the case, the size of the opening of a regulator
necessary to destroy a given amount of static pressure
may be computed with the equivalent orifice formula.
0.0004 Q
A=-
Vt
In this case i is the number of inches of pressure that
we wish to destroy. After the air passes through the
regulator at high speed it strikes the slow-moving air in
the drift, and swirls and eddies until it finally slows
Uncharge
Fiq.5
Fig. 6
down to the normal speed of the drift. This formula is
used to determine the approximate size of the regulator,
and then it is adjusted until the correct amount of air is
shown by the anemometer. Example : the resistance of a
drift when 15,000 cu. ft. per minute is flowing is two
inches. ' The resistance must he increased to 4.25 in. with
the same amount of air. Determine the regulator
opening.
The regulator must destroy 2.25 inches.
. 0.0004 X 15,000
A = 4 sq. ft.
Changes op Velocity. In the first article of the
series* we studied the friction of the ventilating air and
we saw that we must apply enough static pressure to
overcome the friction of the circulating air. "We must do
more than this ; we must supply enough additional pres-
sure to account for such increases in velocity as may take
place.
*'M. & S. P.', April 24, 1920.
14
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3. 1920
Consider Fig. 8. Suppose air is moving 500 ft, per
minute in the drift A B. The area of B C is half the area
of A B, so the velocity in B C is 1000 ft. per minute. This
increase in velocity-head must come from the static pres-
sure at a, so the static pressure at b will be less than the
static pressure at a by an amount equal to the gain in
velocity-head. Now, when the stream of air enters B C
it contracts, so the speed at entrance must be greater
than the speed after the air fills the whole drift. When
an orifice such as the opening of a drift or shaft is fol-
lowed by a duct of the same size, the coefficient of con-
traction is about 0.82, so the velocity-head at the entrance
will be 1.5 times the velocity-head in the drift after the
air fills the drift. So half the normal velocity-head in
the drift B C is lost in shock at the entrance. If the
a- -b
■d
B CL
Fig. 8
1 in.
2- in.
Fig- 9
l-m.
change in size were made gradually, this shock loss would
not occur.
If the drift B C opens into a larger drift, the fast-mov-
ing air in B C strikes the slow-moving air in C D and the
difference in these two velocity-heads is lost in shock. If
the change were made by a gradually expanding cone,
part of the velocity-head would be recovered and the
static pressure at d would be greater than the static pres-
sure at c. In practice, however, no velocity-head would
be recovered because no attempt is made to save it. So
if the velocity increases we must add the increase in
velocity-head to the mine resistance ; if velocity decreases
we neglect it. Let us now take a short example of select-
ing a pressure-fan for a small mine considering the
changes of velocity. See Fig. 9.
The fan situated at A is to force 50,000 cu. ft. of air
through the openings as shown. The friction is first cal-
culated, and this is given in inches of water below the
drifts. The figures in the drifts indicate the velocity of
the air in feet per minute. The problem is to determine
the water-gauge at which the fan must operate.
Assuming that an air current with a velocity of 4000
ft. per minute has a velocity-head equivalent to one inch
of water;
Increase in velocity-head at B . . 1.5 X 0.063-0.016 = 0.078
Decrease in velocity-head at C (neglect)
Increase in velocity-head at D . . 1.5 X 0.076-0.01 =0.104
Total increase in velocity-head 0.182
Friction 3.75
The fan for this mine must be able to supply 50,000
cu. ft. of air per minute at a static pressure of 3.93 in. of
water.
If there are but few velocity changes, they may be
neglected, but if there are many in series, their sum may
be appreciable.
Now let the fan be an exhaust-fan situated at E, with
the air circulating as before. We must now maintain a
slightly greater difference in pressure between the two
ends, because it is now necessary to give velocity to the
still air outside in order to make it enter the mine. The
velocity in the first drift is 500 ft. per minute. This is
equivalent to 0.016 in. of water. The velocity-head at
entrance is j.g X 0.016 = 0.024
Since the velocity-head outside is zero, this is the gain
in velocity-head.
The suction-fan must maintain at the fan-inlet a static
vacuum, as it is called, of
3.93 + 0.024 = 3.95 in. of water.
A manometer at the fan-inlet of an exhaust-fan mea-
sures friction and all the velocity changes that take place
from the still air outside. A manometer at the discharge
of a pressure-fan measures friction and all the velocity
changes that take place after the air has passed the ma-
nometer. It does not measure the velocity-head in the air
in the first drift. The air possessed this velocity before
it reached the manometer.
High-Pressure Fans. Up to the present we have been
dealing with fans that supply a large amount of air at
low water-gauge. This sort of fan is adapted to mine
ventilation when the ducts are the ordinary mine open-
ings. There is another type of ventilation no less essen-
tial, namely, the ventilation of drifts and tunnels while
they are being driven. For such work, a pipe-line is run
from the entrance to the breast and the air is either
forced in through the pipe or sucked out through the
pipe. Such a ventilating system demands a much higher
pressure ; for instance, to force 2000 cu. ft. of air per
minute through a 12-in. pipe 4000 ft. long requires a
pressure of about 40 in. of water.
Ordinary centrifugal blowers can be obtained that will
deliver at pressures up to 1.5 lb. per square inch. To
obtain pressures above this we must use a centrifugal
compressor or a positive-pressure blower. A centrifugal
compressor is built much like a high-grade turbine-pump
with diffuser-vanes. A single-stage centrifugal com-
pressor may be obtained to give pressures up to 4 lb. per
square inch.
In tunnel work it is often desirable to reverse the air
current. By means of a 'four-gate system' either the dis-
charge or the inlet can be connected to the pipe. With
high-pressure fans or centrifugal compressors, a smaller
water-gauge will be produced when the fan is exhausting
than when it is blowing, provided the speed and quantity
be he same. This is because the density of the air
handled is less when the fan is exhausting.
If the pressure that a fan or centrifugal compressor
will produce when blowing is known, the suction-pressure
July 3, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
15
that tlii- machine will produce may be computed by
Utilizing the simple nil<>. that with a given speed and
quantity the ratio of the absolute discharge-pressure to
the absolute inlet-pressure is a constant.
Let /' be the absolute discharge-pressure.
Let /', be the absolute inlet-pressure.
Then £- = C
Example :
A tan blowing gives a pressure of 40 in. of water.
AV hat suction-pressure will it create when exhausting1.'
Let the atmospheric pressure be equivalent to
407.2 in. of water.
Conditions when blowing.
P = 40 + 407.2 = 447.2
P, = 407.2
When exhausting. /' will be at atmospheric pressure,
and P, will be determined.
447.2 _ 407^
407. 2 X
X = 370
407.2 - 370 = 37.2
So the suction-pressure is 37.2 in. below the atmos-
phere.
A centrifugal compressor gives 4 lb. per square inch in
blowing. What negative pressure will it create?
Assuming that atmospheric pressure is 15 lb. per
square inch,
19 = 15
15 X
X = 11.8
15-11.8 = 3.2
The negative pressure produced when exhausting will
be 3.2 lb. per square inch.
[ This is the fourth of a series of articles by Professor
Weeks on the ventilation of mines. The first article
appeared in the issue of April 24, the second in that of
•June 12, and the third was in the issue of June 19. —
Editor.]
Manufacture of Aluminum
The possibilities of manufacturing aluminum by hydro-
electric means at The Dalles, Washington, is discussed
in Bulletin No. 5 of the Engineering Experiment Sta-
tion at the University of Washington by Charles D.
Grier. The manufacture of aluminum requires two
steps: the preparation of pure alumina, the oxide of
aluminum, from the ore, bauxite, and the solution and
electrolysis of this alumina in a bath of molten cryolite,
resulting in the deposition of molten aluminum at the
bottom of the bath. Bauxite, which is the natural
hydrated oxide of aluminum, is never pure enough as
mined to be used without purification. This is accom-
plished by calcining the ore, dissolving in caustic soda,
precipitating alumina from this solution, and calcining
the resulting precipitate. This purified alumina is then
fed at intervals into a bath of used cryolite which is
contained in a box-like furnace or pot, the bottom of
which acts as a cathode. The anodes are specially pre-
pared amorphous carbon blocks suspended in the bath,
and are gradually consumed by the oxygen liberated.
The bath is kept molten by the heat generated by the
passage of the current. The law materials required for
tin' manufacture of aluminum are bauxite, coal, and
caustic soda for purifying it, cryolite, and carbon in
some form (usually as petroleum-coke) for making elec-
trodes. There are no bauxite deposits of large size known
in Western States. If domestic ore were to be used in a
plant in Washington, it would be necessary to procure
the ore from the Eastern deposits, those in Arkansas
being the nearest and also of the highest grade. Large
deposits of high-grade bauxite were being opened up in
British Guiana before the War, and a considerable
amount of this material has been used at the Soller's
Point plant of the Aluminum Company of America, in
Maryland. Permits for developments beyond those then
licensed were not granted by the British government
during the War, and it is said that operations in the
future are to be governed by the policy of conserving the
mineral wealth of the British Empire for itself. If these
deposits become available they might be a very attractive
source of raw material for an aluminum plant on the
Pacific Coast. Deposits of bauxite are also found in
Dutch Guiana. India produces bauxite of high grade,
and ore from that source might also be available. These
latter sources involve ocean transportation, however, and
although this may be an advantage when the shipping
industry becomes more nearly normal, it is thought best
not to consider the use of these ores in this discussion.
Cryolite is mined in Greenland, which furnishes the
world's supply. It is possible to substitute an artificially
made fluoride of aluminum and sodium; this is done to
some extent by the European manufacturers. Coal and
caustic soda for bauxite purification are readily avail-
able both in Arkansas and in Washington ; purification of
the bauxite at the mine would, however, save freight. Pe-
troleum-coke is readily available from the oil-refineries ;
charcoal could also be readily obtained if a steady and
reliable demand for it were assured.
The production of aluminum in the United States in
1917 was estimated to be 200,000,000 lb., which is nearly
triple the production in 1913. The average yearly in-
crease since 1913 in the annual production was about
34,000,000 lb. The 1917 production may be taken as a
measure of the capacity, for all plants were working at
full capacity. It is stated that this capacity will be
doubled by the completion of the plants of the Cheoah
Aluminum Co., a subsidiary of the Aluminum Company
of America, thus making the producing capacity roughly
four million pounds per year. It is difficult to forecast
future consumption, but it is evident that the present
American producer is providing ample capacity to take
care of a great expansion of demand, and that any new
company entering the American market would have
strong competition. The conclusion is that the erection of
a plant on the Pacific Coast at the present time is not
justified.
le
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3. 1920
The Ore Deposits of Mexico— IV
Ore Deposits in Limestone and Not of Direct Igneous Origin
By S. J. LEWIS
Introduction. In the foregoing articles I have dis-
cussed Mexican ore deposits in sedimentary rocks in
which a close association can be established with igneous
intrusives. There is a large number of mines in Northern
Mexico where such an association cannot be proved. In
this class of deposits, confined exclusively to the base
metals, nearly every condition is similar to those found
in the other classes of orebodies, except for the lack of
an igneous rock in contact with the mineralization or
close to it. In this class the sediments are disturbed,
broken, and highly altered in the immediate neighbor-
hood of the orebodies as by hot solutions and vapors. The
ores themselves, with their gangue, are in all important
respects similar to the products of mineralization in the
cases of admitted igneous influence. Hot or tepid min-
eral springs in the neighborhood of some of these deposits
give evidence of expiring vulcanism, establishing the ex-
istence in the locality of a deep-seated source of mag-
matic emanations. While exploration in most of these
will probably never go deep enough to prove such igneous
connection, the inference is warranted that igneous in-
trusives, buried under the sediments, are the ultimate
source of the hot solutions that mineralized these de-
posits, at least as regards the primary ores. In most of
these cases, pay-ore has been made largely by oxidation
due to secondary agencies.
The Cabrillas Group. This group of lead-zinc-iron
mines, comprising the Cabrillas, Palomas, and Higueras
properties, besides adjoining prospects, are in the State
of Coahuila, mid-way between Monterrey and Saltillo.
They are of comparatively recent discovery, having risen
to importance owing to the requirements of local smelters
for fluxing ores. The ores are oxides of lead. iron, and
zinc, the last occurring in large and profitable bodies in
the Palomas. Unoxidized cores'of galena are common in
specimens of the better ore.
"The limestone ridge in which these orebodies occur
has a general east and west axis, with spurs radiating
northward into the valley. The mineralization is in a
belt of black, shaly, badly-crushed limestone."17 The
ores were deposited in pipes or chimneys, in open or in
partly open eaves, and as replacements of strata con-
nected with the chimneys, all along the great fracture
that goes through the mountain from the Cabrillas to
the Palomas side and through to the Higueras mine across
the next arroyo. This great fracture is the arresting
feature of the deposits. From the Palomas side it shows
■"Lewis, S. J., 'Cabrillas Lead Mines', 'E. & M. J.'
p. 1071.
Vol. 89,
up well, with the heavily folded strata changing rapidly
from the nearly horizontal position where undisturbed to
the steep inclination into which the movement pushed
them. It is a typical break like that with which similar
deposits are so often associated in Northern Mexico, its
special feature being great size. No intrusive igneous
rock is known in the immediate neighborhood. The ad-
jacent hills, which show no signs of fracturing, do not
contain ore deposits, so far as known. The known ore is
bottomed by a thick sheet of highly altered rock made up
principally of gypsum, the full thickness of which has
never been determined. When the deposits are followed
down to this gypsum formation their richness diminishes,
finally to extinction, the fracture meanwhile pinching to
a small crack that cannot be followed.
In every essential feature, except the visible presence
of an eruptive or intrusive rock, the deposits are similar
to typical contact orebodies in limestone such as those we
have been discussing. We have a huge channel through
the limestones, at high angles to the bedding-planes, with
the sediments sloping away from the fractures on both
sides. We have the oxidized ore deposited along this
channel, replacing the lime strata in some places and fill-
ing open spaces in others. We have the highly-altered
"black shaly" limestone in the immediate vicinity of the
orebodies. although the country -rock is the ordinary blue
limestone of the Cretaceous. Such alteration is very sug-
gestive, like the other conditions, of a deep-seated source,
from which mineralizing solutions worked their way up
and caused deposition in the fracture. As has been said
in a somewhat different connection, "the cause is found
at some point below the effect, pointing to a reaction be-
tween an ascending mineralizer and the limestone"'.18
The only cause that could satisfy the conditions of the
problem would seem to be a deeply-buried intrusive mass,
whose forced entrance into the ground would be amply
sufficient to cause the fracturing, and from which the
mineralizers have since made their devious way upward.
In no other way can this local break be explained: re-
gional folding in the general course of mountain-making
could hardly have made such a fracture system and left
everything in the immediate neighborhood practically
undisturbed. In shape, size, orebodies. and general fea-
tures, the deposits belong to the contact group, except for
the unknown intrusive.
Mxtra Mountain. Similar low-grade lead-iron ores
were found in considerable tonnage in Mitra mountain
near Monterrey, some twenty-odd years ago and a good
isprescott. Basil, 'Economic Geology', Vol. X. p. 61.
July 3, li'L'O
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
17
lea] of it lias been used by local smelters. The mountain
gets its name from the striking resemblance its three-
pointed crest bears to a bishop's mitre, when seen from
tin- city. Monterrey stands on a little plain, hemmed in
by liiirli mountains carved out of the limestone strata.
Likr them, the Mitra rises almost sheer from the flat; on
closer acquaintance, it turns out to be much longer than
one would suppose in viewing it from the city, and to be
approachable on the west side by small foothills that
break the ascent. On the east it is all but insurmount-
able for the average climber. As
in all this region, the folding has
been severe, and erosion has usu-
ally cut through the upper parts
or anticlines. The mitre-shaped
crest is formed by blocks of the
anticlines left as small spires; in
most of the surrounding mountains,
such spires have been removed,
leaving only the sharply-tilted
strata of the hillsides, with the
domes cut off, so that the ends of
the beds go down on the opposite
sides like huge irregular steps.
The Mitra is a conspicuous excep-
tion ; it shows a gently-sloping
dome on its longer axis, broken
here and there by transverse frac-
tures, and capped by the spires re-
maining from the uppermost
strata. Its summit is over 5000 ft.
above sea-level.
The ore deposits are of the red-
dish-brown earthy oxide type, with
a little lead, a few hundred
grammes of silver, considerable
iron, and a low percentage of in-
soluble: hence 'neutral' or better,
and desired by the smelter. The
ore occurs in irregular bodies, fill- „
ing caves in the limestone along a
line of fracturing, or replacing cer-
tain strata. In the former case,
the trail of mineralization can generally be followed,
with patience and skill, from one cave orebody to the
Enext ; in the case of the blanket deposits, the mineraliza-
tion generally can be traced from one of the dominant
fractures, as in the true contact deposits. The most
important feature of the Mitra deposits is the fact that
all pay-ore to date has been found in strata of dolomitic
limestone near the crest of the mountain, where the
fractures go through them. Above this dolomite hori-
zon, only low-grade iron ores have been found, exclu-
sively in the anticline. There is considerable dissemina-
tion of galena crystals in the limestone above the ore-
horizon. No heavy fracturing is visible at any point.
Nevertheless, lines of weakness at the anticlinal folds
have served as channels for mineralizers from below,
where solutions could react with the wall-rock, widening
the channels and depositing the mineral. See Fig. 15.
The accepted theory for the origin of these deposits,
based on J. E. Spurr's work in 1906 in the Diente de-
posits on the other side of the city, shows that the metal-
lic minerals were precipitated out of solution by the
selective action of certain sediments in which fossils are
especially abundant. A similar action will be shown to
have influenced the deposition of antimony ores at Wad-
ley, south of Catorce. The present paper is more espe-
cially concerned with the origin of the mineral-bearing
solutions that found their way into the favorable horizon.
'isseminatvtf /finera/s
Onpbojies
'" t)/ac/r.
Under-lyir?Q (iran'/fed') . ,
Fig. 15. la mitra
In accord with the views herein expressed, their origin
must be sought in deep-seated igneous bodies lying below
the limestone. There is no intrusive structure visible
anywhere near the deposits, and the lines of circulation
in the anticlinal domes may have originated in the
crumpling and folding of the sediments. The origin of
the mineral that in one form or another found its way
into these channels is, however, a more difficult matter
to determine.
The precipitation products of similar solutions will be
similar ; if the ores of various deposits are closely alike, it
would certainly seem that the original solutions from
which they came could not have differed markedly. All
of these lead-zinc deposits in Northern Mexico have much
the same features of occurrence and mineralization as are
found in the numerous lead-zinc deposits in the same
region where the intrusive is known to exist. For ex-
18
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3, 1920
ample, the principal structural difference between these
Mitra deposits and those of the Santa Rosa range near
Muzquiz, State of Coahuila, is that, in the latter, evi-
dences of vulcanism are abundant, instead of being deep-
ly buried as in the Mitra. The Cedral mine, for instance,
in the Santa Rosa area, is on a fracture showing a strik-
!KtfWE
;ia*--?y^M
' of -
P6E9 ^^Mtk "m,-^ i^dgjfc '• *ctbmi
^^JSIfl
Fig. 16. wadley antimony mines
ing resemblance to the Cabrillas fracture. At Topo
Chico, a few kilometres from the Mitra, profitable de-
posits of lead and zinc have been found in ground en-
tirely like the Mitra formation ; with the difference that
the mineral springs close-by suggest a connection with
underground sources of mineralization. The fact is that
in all these mines, the ore occurs either in fractures or
close to them in the anticlines, not disseminated over
The one visible structure of igneous origin in the dis-
trict is the vast field of granite, which outcrops about 30
km. north of Topo Chico and is such a prominent feature
of the Bustamante and Villaldama topography. The in-
FlG. 17. COLA DE ZORRA MINES
fluence of this intrusive mass would be quite sufficient to
account for the neighboring ore deposits; and it would
seem entirely probable that similar occurrences of gran-
Mine*
Fig. IS. the santa mama
ANTIMONY MINKS
Shales,
undisturbed areas. The most satisfactory hypothesis of ite, related to the Bustamante rock, underlie the Monter-
origin would allow for the existence during some bygone rey lead-zinc district and are responsible for the mineral-
period of deep-seated mineralizing influences that be- izing emanations that made their way up to the limestone
came effective through the dislocation of the strata. and deposited the ore.
July 8, [920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
L9
The antimony deposits near Wadley, in the State of
San l.uis l'otosi. have been mentioned as showing the in-
fluence of the organic remains due to fossils on ore depo-
sition in adjoining strata. They furnish an interesting
example of mineralization in limestone clearly to be
ascribed to mineralizers Crom deep-seated sources, yel
whirli cannol he connected directly with any near-by
Volcanic mass. The district is 16 km. south of the Catorce
Real, hence it is an outlier of the andesite-limestone con-
tact district of Catorce. The only volcanic rock I have
seen near the Wadley deposits is found in arroyos at the
Southern end of the district, where dikes of reddish-
brown doleritic rock appear crossing the formation. The
antimony mineralization is entirely in the blue limestone
high on the mountain wall, and shows no admixture of
any common metal or of gold or silver. A little cinnabar
is frequently found coloring tlte antimony crystals, and
in certain veins carrying no antimony a little lead has
been observed. As a whole it is strictly an antimony de-
posit, the ore occurring chiefly as replacements in certain
strata, but the mineralization nearly always proceeds
outward into those strata from vertical fractures cross-
ing the formation.
The principal mines are at Tierras Prietas, near San
Jose village, 8 km. east of the railway station at Wadley.
In these the ore occurs in each of three parallel and
nearly vertical fissures, running nearly north and south
for a distance of over a kilometre, and cross-faulted in
two places, the displacement being but a few metres east-
ward. The strata are nearly horizontal at the top of the
mesa, and at a short distance below the surface some of
them have been extensively replaced by irregular bodies
of antimony, usually in crystalline form, penetrating the
limestone. The accompanying' photograph (Fig. 16)
shows the two principal blankets, crossed by the Treinta-
y-Uno cross-vein, all heavily ore-bearing. The principal
lode, already mentioned, makes another set of crossings
with these, as it runs parallel to the edge of the mesa.
These deposits have been partly mined to a depth of
100 m. below the outcrop, there being as yet no change
observable in the ore in that depth. The ore is antimony
oxide, chiefly valentinite, usually in fine crystal aggre-
gates. Individual crystals are sometimes ten to twelve
inches long. Stibnite is occasionally found, also cry-
stalline, and nearly all the oxide crystals have a core of
sulphide. A good deal of the product is in the form of
amorphous mineral taken out as an earth of rather lower
grade than the coarse ore. Oxidation has certainly been
very thorough in these deposits, yet the evidence of the
original sulphide deposition is indisputable.
A striking and noteworthy feature of the deposits is
the occurrence of especially good orebodies at the inter-
sections of vertical fractures with certain strata having a
favorable chemical reaction. The accompanying sketches
(Fig 19) show the mode of occurrence of the ore under
variants of these conditions. Several cases show fine
bodies in the anticlinal folds where cut by a vertical frac-
ture ; others in the syncline where cut in the same way ;
and still others in practically level horizons. In every
case, the richest ore is found in the vertical fissure, di-
minishing in quantity and grade as it goes outward from
the fissure mid penetrates the strata. It is evident that
the ore deposition was principally from magmatic vapors
under high temperature, which carried in the antimony
in a state of volatilization, and which dropped their
metallic burden under certain conditions of temperature
anil reaction with the strata. Whatever the cause of the
fracturing, the mineral must have come from a source of
great heal and pressure, corresponding to some deeply-
buried volcanic mass, in which the antimony minerals
San Cristoba/
5anta Em'/W
La Queirae/o.
Fig. 19
were differentiated at a late period of magmatic segrega-
tion, and discharged in gaseous solution.
At the Cola de Zorra mines of this group, at the north-
erly end of the district, there has been a striking mineral-
ization of the limestone strata adjoining a narrow belt of
sandstone and clay, about 30 ft. thick, in which fossils
abound, chiefly small clams. I have traced this fossil
horizon south to the Tierras Prietas mines, always im-
mediately above the mineralized strata; however, it is
nowhere so clearly defined as at the Cola de Zorra. The
photograph (Fig. 17) shows the string of mine openings
in the strata immediately below the sandstone. The re-
placement of lime by antimony is extensive through
these strata, vertical fractures showing occasionally as in
the Tierras Prietas deposits. The strong twisting to
which the whole structure has been subjected, giving
heavy folding of the limestones, makes the ore-occurrence
very striking, with the sandstone beds on top, the ore-
bearing strata below, and a stratum of black, hard,
silicious limestone, highly altered, below that, all three
formations following the regional folding faithfully. It
is quite evident that here, as in the dolomite horizon at
20
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3, 1920
the Mitra or in the lead-iron mines of the Diente, the
organic remains contained in the sandstone exercised a
precipitating influence on the solutions circulating in
their vicinity. It seems equally evident from the testi-
mony of the ore-occurrence in the vertical fractures, with
enrichment at the intersections with certain strata and
dying out with distance from the fissures, that the solu-
tions and vapors carrying the primary mineral had an
igneous origin. With metals so easily volatilized as anti-
mony and the mercury that frequently colors it, it may
he assumed that the primary deposition was effected from
gases. The comparatively short distance of the deposits
from the enormous igneous structure of the Catoree dis-
trict : the presence of the dikes in the "Wadley arroyos, in
connection with the important part played by the dikes
of Catoree. all point to a regional relation to the Catoree
deposits. In the last analysis, the antimony orebodies at
Wadley, deposited in cracks made in the strata through
the general processes of mountain-making of the area, are
to be considered as evidence of dying vulcanism, which
in its earlier stages made the lead-silver deposits of
Catoree, and originated, like the latter, in the magmatic
gases and waters discharged from the igneous rock-mass.
Summary. In the foregoing examples, we have begun
by considering true contact deposits, in which the igneous
origin of the orebodies can be conclusively demonstrated,
and have ended with others in which such igneous origin
could only be deduced by analogy ; the most striking fea-
ture of the study, as a whole, is the practical identity of
the ores in the true contact class with those we have just
reviewed. This feature seems to me of the greatest im-
portance in its suggestion of a common origin for all
these ores.
Steaming Amalgamating Plates
Under certain conditions the removal of amalgam from
plates requires a good deal of labor, unless steam is used
to soften the deposit. A plate which has a comparatively
large amount of amalgam left on it will be capable of re-
ceiving a liberal amount of mercury when dressing and
will remain soft and in good receptive condition longer
than a comparatively bare plate under the same condi-
tions. To preserve this quality such plates will be
scraped but lightly, and the result is an accumulation
which produces a high steaming-return. The man who
adopts this method will obtain a high return by amalgam-
ation, but will probably be accused of holding gold back,
and may be reckoned a culprit as far as advocating steam-
ing is concerned. The next example may be taken where
a similar, condition of plate is arrived at with a minimum
of amalgam left. This will require more frequent dress-
ing to prevent hardening, and hard scraping every day ;
probably also a thorough scouring every other day. This
will also give a high amalgamation return with a maxi-
mum of labor and the conscious rectitude of a humani-
tarian who does not advocate steaming. A variety of
the foregoing is found where the plan is to scour less
often, but make a big job of it once a month, in place of
steaming. Another variety of method is adopted by one
group where a decrease in mercury consumption is
effected by the use of blankets. It is not proposed to go
further into methods, because a difference of opinion
exists as to whether a high extraction by amalgamation is
desirable or not, in view of the labor required and the
idle capital involved in laying out the plant.
Variety exists in the ratio of water to rock crushed.
On the one hand we have a plant with launders having
insufficient grade, where the water-ratio is necessarily
high. On the other hand, we have a more modern plant
with probably excess launder-grade, but economic in
plate-area. In the first case we may have a ratio of per-
haps 8 : 1, and in the second as low as 2:1. These dif-
fering conditions will affect the grade of the plant — 18%
being necessary in the one case compared with 8% in the
other. Apart from the overcrowding of the plate-area,
this extra grade causes difficulty in control of the plate-
condition. With a bare plate there is nothing to arrest
the mercury in its tendency to roll off into the launder, so
a choice has to be made as to leaving a deposit or very
frequent dressing. In any case amalgam at the top of
the plate will harden more rapidly and require removal
with more labor whether by steaming or by other means.
The degree of alkalinity of the mill-water affects accumu-
lations on the plates in that an excess of lime hardens
the amalgam. The fineness of the gold amalgamated is
also a minor factor ; coarse gold particles do not accumu-
late and are not difficult to remove, but the reverse is
true of the finer particles. Dealing with the facts as they
are interpreted by S. H. Pearce and T. E. Thomas, accord-
ing to a statement quoted in the 'Financial Times', steam-
ing can only be considered as a labor-saving device which
enables plate-accumulations to be removed with the least
difficulty, as otherwise, in the absence of a mechanical
device to take its place a large expenditure of labor would
be incurred in most instances. In the absence of medical
evidence to the contrary, they do not consider, if proper
precautions are taken, that steaming should not be con-
tinued. The precautions advised are well known to
everyone, and are : Provide ample ventilation for plate-
houses; lead exhaust-steam from plates to the outside of
the building ; select men for the operation who are known
to be immune; divide the work as much as possible, to
avoid over-exertion; provide wash-basins and mouth-
washes for the workmen.
JIanganese ore assaying 40% has been produced from
the Three Kids property near Las Vegas, Nevada. The
method of mining the orebody is simple. An overburden
from 2 to 12 ft. thick which directly overlies the deposit
is broken up and removed by horse-drawn scrapers; the
ore is then mined by the open-pit method. The deposit is
drilled from the top, and with each round of blasts a
great quantity of ore is broken down. The fragments of
ore are generally of large size. Large pieces may be
handled with little difficulty because of the low specific
gravity of the ore, but where necessary the fragments
may be reduced by chopping with axes and streaks of
sand that adhere to some of the ore may be scraped off
with small hand-tools.
July 3, 1930
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
21
The Scope of Work of the Bureau of Mines
By VAN. H. MANNING
Under the organic acl establishing it. the Bureau of
nines is authorized to conducl investigations designed to
Bnprove health and safety conditions in the mineral in-
ilust iv and to promote efficient development and utiliza-
tion of our mineral resources. The field of the Bureau's
activity, therefore, begins with the commercial develop-
ment of mineral deposits and ends with the production
anil utilization of the final marketable product.
In order to serve more efficiently the various sections
of the country, the Bureau has established, in addition to
its main offices at Washington. D. C. eleven field experi-
ment stations, three field-offices, and several mine-rescue
cars and mine-rescue stations. These field-branches are
so distributed as to cover most of the mining districts of
this country, including Alaska.
The Bureau is prohibited by law from doing work ex-
clusively for the benefit of any private company or indi-
vidual. Generally speaking, the Bureau does no assay-
ing, ore-testing, or similar service work for the benefit of
private companies or individuals. In response to re-
quests for work of this sort a list of assay and ore-testing
laboratories is supplied. In referring inquiries to com-
mercial laboratories or consulting engineers, care is taken
to mention several names so as to avoid designating any
one establishment or engineer.
Samples are frequently brought- in to the Bureau sta-
tions or received by mail with a request for identification
or analysis. If identification requires only a few min-
utes, the information is furnished by the station; sam-
ples for analysis are sometimes referred to the State min-
ing bureau, State university, or similar agency if they
are equipped to do such work. An occasional chemical
test or determination is made as a matter of courtesy;
sometimes the facilities of Bureau laboratories are placed
at the disposal of an individual desiring to make some
test. These are the exceptions and not the rule, as this
interferes with regular work and should be avoided
wherever possible. In the matter of f urnishing informa-
tion and professional advice, the stations and field-offices
have, in addition to Bureau publications, technical libra-
ries and catalogue-files which are available to the public.
The main files of technical information regarding the
mining industry are kept in the Washington office. In
replying to requests for assistance or advice in regard to
developing a property or carrying out some metallurgical
experiment or operation, an effort is made to analyze the
problem and indicate the scope and character of the work
which is involved and the type of professional assistance
which is needed. In other words, the endeavor is to sug-
gest the means of obtaining the information or assistance
desired. This practice applies particularly to eases
where an opinion is desired in regard to a mineral deposit
or metallurgical process and where the person making the
inquiry has an incorrect impression as to the amount of
work involved in a mine-examination or in determining
the value of a process for ore-treatment.
Under Bureau regulation, no regular salaried em-
ployee is permitted to do private consulting work, except
in some eases of arbitration ; he is expected to devote his
entire time to the work of the Bureau, and in discussing
the work of the Bureau staff, therefore, I am considering
only the work of the organization.
Apart from certain administrative duties specifically
assigned to the Bureau by Congress, the function of the
Bureau is regarded as essentially investigative and edu-
cational. Prom this standpoint many of the projects
undertaken are in the nature of pioneering; it is ex-
pected that some of these which develop favorably will
be taken up by private interests and carried forward by
them to their ultimate completion or application. In fact
the smallness of the appropriation for Bureau work as
compared with the field which demands attention, makes
it necessary to pursue a general policy of continuing any
given activity only so long and to such an extent as is
necessary to secure the active interest and co-operation
of the commercial organizations or individuals most con-
cerned. In other words, we aim to avoid duplication and,
whenever possible, competing in any work that is being
effectively handled by any private or governmental or-
ganization. This does not mean, however, that the
Bureau will not take an active part in matters which are
receiving attention from private interests, as in all cases
our fundamental purpose is to promote the rapid devel-
opment of those things which will be of value to the min-
eral industry.
In the choice of subjects for investigation, the extent
to which public interest is involved is a fundamental con-
sideration. The way in which activities may be segre-
gated on this basis can be illustrated by the following
diagram :
Governmental activities for benefit
of the public
Activities of companies and individ-
uals for private benefit
A. Clear Field
1. Matters of public
interest only, no pri-
vate interest being
involved.
2. Matters in which the
public interest is
paramount to pri-
vate interest.
B. 'Twilight Zone'
1. Matters in which
private interest is
equal or subordi-
nate to public in-
terest.
2. Matters in which
private ag-encies are
not qualified or lack
the necessary equip-
ment and which
have enough public
interest to justify
governmental
ance.
C. Clear Field
1. Matters in which the
public has no inter-
Matters in which the
public does not need
to be considered.
An illustration of matter falling in the first sub-divi-
sion of class A is the testing and inspection of fuel pur-
chases by the Government. The testing of fuel pur-
22
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3, 1920
chased by many branches of the Government is carried
on by the Bureau, as the volume of this work makes it
possible to carry it on in this way much more cheaply
than through the employment of private agencies. For
example during nine months of the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1920, over 2900 samples involving roughly 38,-
000 determinations were tested.
As an illustration of work of the Bureau falling in the
second group in class A may be mentioned improve-
ments in health and safety conditions in quarries, mines,
and metallurgical plants. This subject is a broad one in-
cluding the work of the mine-rescue cars and stations in
training miners in first aid and mine-rescue methods, the
testing of explosives and equipment for use underground,
the study of vocational diseases among miners, smelter
men, etc., the study of mine sanitation, ventilation, and
of a considerable number of problems related to safety
devices and methods of safe operation underground. In
the majority of these problems mining companies have a
specific interest. In the nature of the case, however, the
solution of these problems involves a study of conditions
at many different points. Such a study can rarely be
undertaken by any private or consulting engineer.
A number of activities of the Bureau fall in class B.
Before citing any specific examples under this heading
it may be well to mention briefly certain fundamental re-
quirements which govern the choice of problems for in-
vestigation by the Bureau. In the first place the problem
must be a real one, involving in its solution something
more than mere routine work or the application of well
known principles in a field where they have already been
applied. In other words it is our aim to take up ques-
tions which involve real laboratory or field research and
which are beyond the range of the ordinary consulting
engineer or commercial laboratory. As a further general
requirement a suitable problem should be one common to
a branch of the mineral industry or to some mining dis-
trict. A problem peculiar to a single mine or metallur-
gical plant, unless presenting some unique feature which
might prove of general importance is not ordinarily con-
sidered within our field.
Recently the Bureau has carried on quite a little work
in co-operation with private companies or individuals.
There are two main reasons why this plan of co-operative
investigation has been adopted: (1) The financial and
other assistance furnished by the co-operative agency
make it possible for the Bureau to do more work than
would be possible under government appropriations
alone. (2) Co-operation on the part of private company
or individual in an investigation implies an active inter-
est in the results of the work, and if the investigation
turns out successfully, the results can at once be applied
in a practical way, thereby leading to more rapid devel-
opment and to an earlier realization of benefit than
would be likely to occur if the investigation had been
conducted independently by the Bureau.
There are two ways in which this co-operation is car-
ried out. By one method the Bureau assumes full re-
sponsibility for the work, although the major part of the
expense is usually borne by the co-operating agency.
Work of this sort is undertaken under a formal agree-
ment in which it is provided that all information and
data secured shall be available to the Bureau for publica-
tion and that any patents arising from the work shall be
taken out in this country for the benefit, of the general
public.
Under the second form of co-operation the Bureau
assumes no responsibility for the work, but merely places
certain of its facilities at the disposal of a private indi-
vidual or company with the understanding that the re-
sults of all work performed with facilities of the Bureau
shall be available to the Bureau.
Generally speaking only subjects which fulfill the gen-
eral requirements mentioned above will be taken up in a
co-operative investigation. The same fundamental pur-
pose applies to co-operative work as to strictly Bureau
investigations, namely, the procuring of information
which will be of value to the mineral industry.
It is in connection with these co-operative investiga-
tions that Bureau work approaches most closely the field
of the private company or engineer. In some cases the
initiative has come from the Bureau, but more frequent-
ly co-operative work has been taken up at the request of
an operating company or engineer.
An illustration of a co-operative investigation, the
study of the calcination of magnesite to be used in the
manufacture of stucco, flooring, etc., may be mentioned.
This work is being carried on at the Berkeley station
jointly with the Northwest Magnesite Co., which is bear-
ing practically the entire expense of the investigation.
A number of other companies engaged in the same in-
dustry are also co-operating to the extent of furnishing
materials and information, and it is agreed that informa-
tion in regard to the progress of the work is available to
any of these companies at any time.
The advantage from the standpoint of the company
lies in securing the use of the laboratory facilities of the
Berkeley station and a certain amount of scientific and
technical assistance from the staff. From the standpoint
of the public, the outcome of this work will be the same
as though it were being carried on exclusively with gov-
ernment funds. The assistance of the Northwest Mag-
nesite Co. makes it possible, however, to get on with the
work more rapidly than would otherwise be possible.
Manganese ore accounted for 87% of the total quan-
tity of ores exported from India during the fiscal year
1918-'19. The quantity shipped decreased by 11%. to
385,400 tons: 77% of the total exports went to the United
Kingdom, and the remainder to France, Japan, the
United States, Belgium, and Italy. Nearly 10.900 tons
of ferro-manganese was exported from Bengal in the
year under review. Wolfram ore was shipped entirely
to the United Kingdom. The total quantity exported was
4870 tons, of which 4799 tons was from Burma and 71
tons from Bengal. The shipments of chrome-iron ore
were 39.400 tons, as against a total of approximately
15.000 tons in 1917- '18.
a
In
:;,
i
ii
July 3, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
23
IMING
IE .' ''
FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS IN THE FIELD
iiihiiiiiiii i iiiiiiinii iiiiiiiinii i iiiitiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiu utir linn iii iiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiii iiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiitiimiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiliit iii miiitiiiiiiinit i nun
CALIFORNIA
PULLERS EARTH TO BE MINED BY ASSOCIATED OIL CO.
Shoshone. — The Associated Oil Co. is preparing to
ship several hundred tons of fullers earth monthly from
one deposit bought from R. J. Fairbanks, and from an-
other leased from the Tonopah & Tidewater Railroad
Co., the latter to be paid on a basis of $1 per ton royalty.
[A. B. Peekham, the engineer in charge, is now in San
Francisco conferring with officials of the Associated on
. the method to be used in mining the material. The beds
vary greatly in thickness, but the average appears to be
six feet. Mr. Peekham says steam-shovels may be used
in removing the overburden and in mining the fullers
earth, which will be shipped to Martinez, California, for
use in refining lubricating oil. The Standard Oil Co.,
which secures fullers earth at Ash Meadows, has en-
gineers at Shoshone, but it is not known that this com-
pany has bought claims. Mr. Peekham says indications
are that the surrounding region contains many useful
minerals that have been neglected because prospectors
lack knowledge of them. He says the entrance of the
Associated into the district caused a rush for claims
containing 'soap', as the fullers earth is called at Sho-
shone, and that everything white was brought to him
for examination. The Tecopa Consolidated is shipping
1200 tons of silver-lead ore monthly and is treating 100
tons monthly in an experimental concentrator. The mine
is worked through a tunnel cutting the vein at a depth
t»f 1000 ft. The Tecopa company was organized by John
T. Overbury, who is now developing the nearby Paddy
Pride, a promising prospect. In 1907, Overbury sold
control to Nelson Z. Graves of Philadalphia, who built a
17-mile railroad to the mine and started development on
a large scale. The manager is L. V. Marshall, who built
and now owns the Needles smelter. The Tecopa has been
the largest silver-lead producer in California for the
last three years. Two tunnels have been driven in the
Paddy Pride, the first cutting the vein at a depth of
180 ft. The vein in this tunnel is 10 to 12 ft. wide and
two carloads of silver-lead ore have been shipped that
gave net returns of $1270 an $1400. There is exposed a
l$-ft. width of ore assaying $138. The second tunnel cut
the vein at a depth of 500 ft. and it is being continued to
the hanging wall of the vein, on which the ore was found
in the upper tunnel. The Silver Rule and Blackwater
have been sold by John Chambers to J. J. Jarmuth of
New York for $200,000, and the new owner plans to drive
a 1000-ft. tunnel. Tonopah men have organized the
Death Valley Talc Refining & Manufacturing Co. to de-
velop a huge deposit of talc three miles from the Paddy
Pride. Tests have shown the material to be of market-
able grade and the success of the company depends on
what it will cost to haul the product to the railroad.
Men who know the situation of the claims disagree as to
whether this can be done.
COLORADO
PORTLAND COMPANY IS SINKING MAIN SHAFT.
Cripple Creek. — Deep development has been under-
taken by the Portland Gold Mining Co., and sinking is
now in progress with two shifts at the main shaft on
Battle mountain. The shaft, now 2300 ft. deep, is to be
sunk an additional 500 ft. and with powerful electric
pumps in operation at the Roosevelt Tunnel level, no
trouble is anticipated from water. Ore worth about
$1,000,000 has been mined from shoots developed between
the 20th and 21st levels and the richest ore in the history
of the mine is now coming from the 23rd level. It is esti-
mated that production from between the 21st and present
bottom level will reach $2,500,000 in value. In addition
to this rich ore, the ore in old stopes near the Portland
No. 1 shaft on the south end of the property, is being
hauled through the 7th level of the Independence, and
600 tons daily are delivered at the Independence mill.
This ore will mill about $3 per ton.
The Ocean "Wave Mining Co., that is leasing the Ocean
Wave, adjacent to the Portland on the south-west, has
resumed production and a car of ore, estimated at 2 oz.
per ton, was shipped to the Golden Cycle mill at Colorado
Springs recently. The Isabella Mines Co., having failed
to secure satisfactory bids for sinking the Empire State
shaft, is doing the work on company-account. Lessees on
the property continue production.
Leadvtlle. — An orebody opened in the Gertrude in
Colorado gulch last fall is again being developed and ore
assaying as high as 252 oz. silver, 41% lead, and 2£ oz.
gold is coming to surface. Lessees on the property also
hold leases on adjacent claims and are extending their
work to hold their leases. South of the Gertrude, work
has been resumed on the Golden Curry by lessees. The
Tiger has been leased and lease-options are reported on
the Venture; the Bartlett, Virginius, and Dinero tun-
nels are under operation by lessees. The Ready Cash
tunnel is to be extended by the National Development
Co., a Chicago corporation, and the bore is planned to cut
the Cora May, Big Chicago, and the Aurora No. 1 and 2
24
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3, 1920
at depth, and explore the veins and dikes traversing this
territory. The same company is also operating the St.
Kevin of the Parker group held under hond and lease.
Work is also in progress on the Collins and Clarke groups
in the Bed Mountain section and on the Ruby, an old, but
rich, producer. Other prospeects are active and in fact
more properties are being prospected than for many
seasons past.
Breckeneidge. — An electric hoist and compressor is
being installed at the Deep shaft on Shock hill by the
Deep Shaft Mining Co., recently organized. This shaft,
the deepest in the district except the Brooks-Snyder, has
reached 700 ft. The property, on account of litigation,
has been inactive for 15 years. The power-line of the
Colorado Power Co. has been extended to the property.
Lessees on the Barger are sinking a new shaft and the
owner H. K. Barger, who recently returned from Cali-
fornia, is also sinking a shaft west of previous develop-
ment. Bulkeley Wells, who recently became interested
in the Iron Mask, is sinking a deep shaft near the portal
of the Iron Mask tunnel and further develpoment is
planned.
Telluride. — All machinery for the mill of the Valley
View Leasing Co. has been delivered at the San Bernardo
mine, the tramway is ready, and, with large tonnage of
ore blocked out in the mine, steady production will be
made as soon as the mill is completed. A recent assay-
test has shown higher gold content in the ore now mined.
The plant will start on or about July 10. The Bay State,
active 20 years ago, is under examination and it is
thought the low-grade silver-lead ore may now be mined
at a profit. The Tomboy and Smuggler mills ore oper-
ating steadily and shipments of concentrate are going
forward.
Silverton. — The Gold King mill is operating steadily
and turning out two cars of concentrate daily. W. Z.
Kinney, manager, has returned from Denver, where the
contract for purchase of the Gladstone-Silverton railroad
was signed. The mine-output shortly will be increased
when transportation facilities are furnished. The West
vein, reported 75 ft. wide, is to be explored by a drift at
the 700-ft. level, a contract having been awarded local
miners by the Pride of the West Mining Co. for 800 ft.
of work. The property, a rich producer of the early days,
is expected to 'comeback'.
MICHIGAN
STATISTICS FOR MAY.
Hpughtox. — Arcadian Consolidated has entered good-
looking lode material on the 500-ft. level of the New
Baltic shaft. The formation is identical in general
physical characteristics with the lode uncovered on the
400-ft. level of the same shaft at the time operations
were suspended during the War. When work was re-
sumed this spring the shaft was sunk to the 500-ft. level.
Drifting has started both north and south, but at this
writing has not progressed any great distance. The shaft
itself is in the hanging wall, so that there is a distance of
20 ft. to reach the strike from the shaft. The formation
is small mass copper. The width of the lode is not yet
determined, but there is developed a length of at least
100 ft. The skip-rails have been laid, the timbering com-
pleted, and further openings will be made at once. In
connection with the present exploration at the New
Baltic shaft, it is significant that this shaft is 1000 ft.
from the old Arcadian workings, and that the territory
between has good possibilities as demonstrated by dia-
mond-drills.
Victoria will become involved in litigation with
Gogebic county, if present threats of officials are followed
by action. The Victoria mine is situated in Ontonagon
county, but the source of supply and outlet of water
for its hydraulic compressor is Lake Gogebic. Gogebic
county and several residents own land on the shores of
Lake Gogebic. When the mining company first began
to use the lake-water the level of the lake rose six inches.
Recently it has risen six inches in two weeks. The
property owners claim that it will rise 60 in. more.
They assert that this rise in the water is damaging their
property. In recent years the Victoria compan.y has
acquired considerable property on the lake shore, but
not all of it. The supervisors of Gogebic county are
holding a special session this week to determine upon
legal action against the company.
The tabulated statement of the output for May 1920
is presented below. Seneca assumes its position among
the permanent producers, and all of the larger producers
show a decline in refined copper, due to the continued
departure of laborers.
'Rock'
tons
Ahmeek 72.000
Allouez 21.000
Baltic 15.000
Calumet & Hecla 196.831
Centennial 4,950
Champion 22.000
Isle Royale 44.800
Miehig-an 5.773
Mohawk 29.302
Osceola Con 44.050
Quincy 62,000
Seneca 5.611
Trimountain 8,900
Victoria 5.000
Wolverine 18,879
White Pine 8.791
Copper content
May April
Production
of refined copper
lb.
22.95
17.48
36
25
13.1
45
19
24
29
16.7
21
30
32
17
16.18
21
lb.
26.36
18
35
25
13.4
41
18
23.45
29.25
16.1
20
30
32
17
17.26
20
May
lb.
1.652.900
367,100
540,000
4,920.786
65.100
990.000
851.200
138,552
849.758
739.500
1.302.000
168.330
284,800
85,000
305,603
184,625
April
lb.
1.700.500
373.700
619,000
5.320,063
90,700
1,041,400
1.083.7001
116.350
1.071,553
716.200
1. 480.000
107,070
374.400
84,000
346,428
179,713
MONTANA
NEW WAGE SCALE FOR NEIHART.
Butte. — The Tuolumne Mining Co. reports rich silver
ore on the 500-ft. level near its Main Range shaft. The
discovery is on the Spread Delight vein, it is five feet
wide and gives an average assay of 30 to 40 oz. per ton.
Specimens taken from this ore run as high as 1100 oz.
per ton. The Davis-Daly plans further sinking of its
Hibernia shaft. The adjoining Nettie mine is said to
have uncovered high-grade silver ore below the present
workings of the Hibernia, where the lowest are at 400
feet.
Helena. — The Lump Gulch mines continue active pro-
duction and development work. The Little Nell is a con-
sistent shipper of high-grade silver ore, the Free Coinage
is making good progress in its sinking operations, while
July 3. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
25
tunneling ami drilling continue at the Muskegon and
Mariner mini's. Development work is in progress at the
Bunset and Baby Helena mines. Operations have been
resumed at tlie King Solomon group.
Nkiiiakt.— The Cascade Silver Mines & Mills, the
Neihart Consolidated Silver Mines Co., Flohart Silver
Mines ( (i.. and the London company have posted the fol-
lowing notice: "The mine owners and operators of the
Neihart mining district will pay the following daily scale
of wages: miners $5. teamsters $5, topmen $5, black-
smiths $6, blacksmith's helpers $5.50, carpenters $5.50,
engineers I li rst mot ion ) $6, engineers (gear) $5.50, pipe-
men $5, station tenders $5.50. Eight hours constitute a
day's work. The I. W. W., O. B. U., and the Neihart
Metal Mine Workers Union will not be recognized." The
Neihart silver Mines Co. has entered into a partial agree-
ment with the union covering several points. A daily
i ,i;i it I' mis. — Control of the Whippoorwill Mining
Co. lias been secured by F. Wright from Charles Wilkes
of New York. The Silver Dyke properties a) Carpenter
creek are being opened. These properties wwr recently
purchased from Ilcidenseck & Erickson, and are now
under option to a syndicate of New York and Boston
capitalists.
NEVADA
UNITED COMSTOCK. RUBY HILL DEVELOPMENT CO.
Cactus. — Drifts are being driven on the 265-ft. level
of the Cactus Nevada and ore assaying 12 to 15 oz. is
being opened. The vein is cut by numerous faults that
make it difficult to follow, but it is much less broken
than on the upper level. The cross-eut on this level,
which was being driven beyond the main vein to the
'south' vein, has been discontinued 100 ft. from the
THE DOROTHY SILVER MINE AT WHITEHALL, MONTANA
wage scale of $5.50 is being paid as before the strike.
The present silver market has served to make the position
of the companies a little stronger, while the strikers have
been weakened considerably. Many of the single men
have left the district since the strike was called.
Cut Bank. — The Black Chief mine has been taken over
by local men. Operations on a large scale are planned as
soon as a company is organized. Copper is the chief
metal, with uranium an important secondary considera-
tion.
Corbin. — L. S. Roper has leased the property of the
Alta-Montana Mining Co. from Costin and Merritt.
Cross-cuts will be continued on the 13th level. These
cross-cuts are entering the hanging wall of the old Alta
vein.
Cooke City. — The Republic Mining Co. is shipping
machinery for use at its Mohawk property. The equip-
ment includes compressors, engine, and drills. Shipment
of ore will be started at once. 2000 ore-sacks to sack the
ore mined during the winter have also arrived.
shaft because of the extreme hardness of the rock. Ore
assaying 75 to 100 oz. is being broken on the 100-ft. level.
This is being shipped.
Arrowhead. — The west drift on the 100-ft. level of
the Arrowdiead has been advanced 100 ft. from the shaft
and for 50 ft. it has been in ore If to 3 ft. wide and
assaying $125 to $320. The existence of this ore has been
proved 25 ft. below the 100-ft. level in a drift driven
from a raise from the bottom level and the grade of ore
at this point is similar to that on the 100-ft. level. The
shaft is over 250 ft. deep and cross-cutting to the vein
will soon be started.
Divide. — The Victory has started shipping to the Mc-
Namara mill at Tonopah at a rate of 400 tons per month,
but a statement of the value of the ore cannot be se-
cured. The ore, coming from a depth of 350 ft., is
reached through a winze from the 200-ft. level, and it is
now planned to resume sinking the shaft.
Virginia City. — The United Comstock has completed
repairs to the Belcher surface plant and repairing of the
26
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3, 1920
shaft has been started. Two shifts of miners are em-
ployed in sinking the Imperial shaft from the 400 to the
700-ft. level, and in the other mines of the company
work preliminary to starting the haulage-tunnel is under
way. The cyanide mill, to be built at a cost of $1,000,000,
will have a crushing and grinding capacity of 2500 tons
daily, but the other equipment will at first have a car
pacity of only 1000 tons, which can be increased to handle
the output of the entire crushing and grinding-plants as
the tonnage is gradually raised to the maximum. The
mill will have a gyratory, or Symons disc crushers, ball
and tube-mills, Dorr agitators, slime-tables, and precipi-
tation by zinc-dust. It is estimated that the treatment
cost will be $1 to $1.25 per ton. The mining cost is esti-
mated at $1.50 per ton.
Eureka. — Eight hundred tons of ore giving a net re-
turn of more than $50 per ton has been shipped from a
recently found orebody north of the main Dunderberg
workings on the 400-ft. level of the Eureka Croesus. A
winze has been started to prospect this shoot and several
others in the immediate vicinity, and it is planned to
reach a depth of 300 ft. below the level. This ore is in
territory heretofore unexplored, as the early-day work at
this depth in the Dunderberg was done in the south
vein. The ore is 8 ft. wide in places and most of the
value is in gold. Ore containing 30% copper carbonate
has been found at a depth of 700 ft. in the Atlas claim.
This ore also assays high in gold and silver. The Pros-
pect Mountain tunnel of the Eureka King is 3200 ft.
long and the Eureka tunnel is 2100 ft. long. These tun-
nels are being driven from opposite sides of Prospect
mountain. The Eureka tunnel reaches a maximum depth
of 800 ft. and the greatest depth reached by the Prospect
Mountain is 1300 ft. The latter is now nearing an impor-
tant vein in the limestone. Cutting of a pump-station
and sump has been started on the 900-ft. level of the
Locan shaft of the Ruby Hill Development Co. and un-
watering of the shaft to the bottom, at 1200 ft., is to be
started in a few days. Shipments are being made from
the 900-ft. level. The two 75-hp. semi-diesel engines of
the Eureka Holly, one for the hoist and the other for the
compressor, are now working, and other important im-
provements have been completed. It is planned to de-
velop the two main orebodies on a large scale, make con-
nection with the Bullwhacker, where there is a good ton-
nage of shipping ore broken, and sink the Holly shaft
from the present depth of 400 to 700 ft. It is reported
that an experimental ore-treatment plant is to be built
soon.
UTAH
PARK, CITY AND EUREKA ORE-SHIPMENTS ARE CURTAILED.
Ophir. — Conditions at the property of the Ophir Sil-
ver Mines Co., which recently resumed development
work, are most promising, according to Sol Snider, su-
perintendent. An average sampling of a rich streak in
the upper claims assayed 173 oz. silver, 5.3%, lead, and
7.69% copper. All of the seven main fissures of the
district, from which millions of dollars worth of ore has
been produced, should cross the property. The company
has expended $30,000 in development work, and Snider
states that shipping ore of high grade can be developed
within ninety days. On the strike of the Buckhorn
fissure, which crosses the company 's upper claims, and is
some 40 ft. wide, with a length of more than 1800 ft.,
samples have been taken that run from 100 to 1000 oz.
silver per ton, besides containing both lead and copper.
In the lower working-tunnel, which is now in some 700 ft.,
a cross-cut has been discovered 75 ft. from the portal
and 85 ft. long, which had been run by previous owners
in the early days. This cut follows a vein which at its
face widened to more than a foot and was strongly min-
eralized. The company has a force at work in the lower
tunnel, another in the upper workings, and a road-
building crew.
Park City. — An embargo by the Murray smelter of
the A. S. & R. Co. held back shipments from local mines
during the week ended June 19 and the preceding week.
The embargo is a temporary one, due to labor conditions,
which it is believed have now been relieved. The Silver
King Coalition was unable to move ore during the week.
Shipments totaled 1309 tons, of which the Judge M. & S.
shipped 652 tons, the Ontario 501, and the Daly-West
73. The Judge smelter shipped 83 tons of premium
spelter during the week.
L. R. Perry, president of the Iowa Copper Co., spent
several days here recently. He stated that for more than
15 ft. the face of the cross-cut on the 200-ft. level has
been in pyrite, and the expectation is that it will lead to
a body of ore. Mr. Perry leased the Mount Masonic prop-
erty, north of this camp, to Harry Barnicott, who, it is
reported, will commence operations in the near future.
Eureka. — Between the embargo still in effect by the
American Smelting & Refining Co., and the slump in
price of silver, local mines are producing only the mini-
mum amount of ore necessary to keep their organizations
intact, with the result that shipments from the district
for the week ended June 19 totaled 122 cars, as compared
with 143 cars for the preceding week. The Chief Con-
solidated shipped 36 cars ; Tintic Standard, 25 ; Dragon,
19 ; Iron King, 8 ; Mammoth, 6 ; Iron Blossom, 6 ; Eagle
& Blue Bell, 5 ; Victoria, 4 ; Grand Central, 4 ; Cornu-
copia, 3 ; Gemini, 3 ; Centennial-Eureka, 2 ; and Colo-
rado, 1. The Tintic Consolidated Mining Co. in the
North Tintic district is making preparations to com-
mence work, according to George Nicholes, manager, who
has been at the property making the necessary prepara-
tions. On account of the scarcity of labor at the present
time, it may be late in the summer before development
of the ground will be undertaken. A water-line is now
being laid to the property. This property adjoins the
Lehi-Tintic mine on the north.
The development of the Empire Mines ground through
what is known as the 'Lower Mammoth' shaft has been
stopped temporarily, according to officials of the Knight
interests. This company owns an exceptionally large
tract of mineral land in the central part of the district,
and during the last few years there has been a consider-
July 3, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
27
able amount of development, most of it through the
lower Mammoth shaft. Jesse Knight has always had
confidence in the Empire Alines, and it is with reluctance
that he finally derided that it would he necessary for the
present to suspend operations.
Operations by the Dragon Consolidated Mining Co.
were suspended on June 20. This action was decided
upon by the directors at a meeting held shortly before
that date at Provo. There is a market for the iron ore,
but there is only a small amount of profit under existing
conditions and it is deemed best to hold the ore until such
time as it can be made to yield a better revenue. While
definite figures are not available, it is generally under-
stood that the iron ore from the Dragon property has
been bringing the company about $3.50 per ton, from
BRITISH COLUMBIA
ROAD TO BE BVILT BEYOND PREMIER MINE.
Stewart. — Claims have been located on Fish creek,
six miles above Hyder, over which Henry Benson, a resi-
dent of Victoria, B. C, and his sons are enthusiastic.
They have a good vein and samples taken at the outcrop
give returns of $120 per ton in gold, silver, and lead.
No trace of zinc is shown. The Bensons have organized
a syndicate in Victoria and Vancouver and propose doing
development during the summer.
The official announcement that the government of
British Columbia plans the building of a road from the
Premier mine, to which point there already is a fair road
from tidewater, to Joker Flats has been received by
CHIEF CONSOLIDATED MINE AT EUREKA, UTAH
which has to be deducted the cost of mining and freight
to Silver City, but not to the smelter. All of the product
has been going to the United States smelter at Midvale
and to the plants of the American Smelting & Refining
Company.
Alta. — At the Emma property, two teams are hauling
ore from the mine-bins to the railroad siding at the
Columbus Rexall property. Approximately 1000 tons
of ore was accumulated. A new electric air-compressor
is being installed at the property, which will be ample
for the present needs of the mine. Work on the lower
levels has been stopped for the present because of the
heavy flow of water, which is about three times the nor-
mal quantity. Ore averaging from $85 to $90 per ton
has been followed continuously for a distance of 127 ft.
on the 500-ft. level of the Woodlawn mine, according to
W. N. Lawrence, general manager. A shoot of ore 18 ft.
long and 2§ ft. wide, one of the objectives of the drift,
has been cut.
mining men with satisfaction. Among the enterprises
affected are the Big Missouri, on which work has been
in progress for more than a year, and_ on which it is
intended to do some 12,000 ft. of diamond-drilling;
Mineral Hill, on which work has been done for two years ;
the Hercules, which is to be developed this summer ; the
Silver Tip and Silver Crest, being opened up by Van-
couver interests ; and the holdings of the Algunican De-
velopment Co. The latter company controls through a
subsidiary concern, known as the Northern Light Con-
solidated, a group of claims situated adjacent to the
Premier and diamond-drilling thereon is planned for this
summer. The same company has the Spider group under
option. This property, is situated on the west side of
Long lake and is equipped with an air-compressor and
other machinery.
Sheep Creek. — A new concentrating mill, having a
capacity of 50 tons per day, has been completed at the
Emerald mine by the Iron Mountain, Ltd. i This mine has
28
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3, 1920
been one of the steady producers of this section of the
Province. During 1917 the mine-run averaged: lead,
2T , ; zinc. 5 to 6% ; and silver, li oz. As originally de-
signed the mill was to have a capacity of 30 tons but the
addition of an extra set of rolls for the crushing aud some
alterations in the process, principally in the direction of
decreasing the proportion of product sent through the
ball-mill, makes it possible to run through 50 tons, while
the crushing capacity is 100 tons. The Nugget Mines.
Ltd., has its property on a steady producing basis; the
Mother Lode mill, remodeled and extended, is in opera-
tion. It is giving entire satisfaction. The ore is being
taken care of as quickly as it can be brought to the
surface.
Nelson. — The annual meeting of the California Min-
ing Co. was held recently at Nelson when it was reported
that good progress was being made in the development
work under way on the California mine as well as on the
installation of new machinery in the Athabasca, mill,
which is being put in shape for the treatment of the ore.
Officers were elected as follows: John R. Cassin. Spokane.
president ; J. B. Sehieger, of La Crosse, Wisconsin, vice-
president: W. R. Orndorff, Spokane, secretary-treasurer;
John Fraser. Nelson, auditor; W. H. Turner, Nelson,
mine superintendent.
Vancouver. — The town of Phoenix will soon be no
more. It is gradually being dismantled. The Granby
Consolidated Mining & Smelting Co. has a crew of 30 or
40 men dismantling its plant and shipping it to Grand
Forks and elsewhere ; 20 or 30 cars having been forward-
ed already. This work will not be finished before August
when the Canadian Pacific will remove its steel. The
depot now is being taken away. The Great Northern has
been busy for the past month removing equipment. Sev-
eral buildings in the town also are being taken elsewhere.
ONTARIO
IIOLLINGER COMPANY ISSUES INTERIM REPORT.
Toronto. — The stamp-tax on the transfer of shares
of stock, originally fixed at two cents per share irrespec-
tive of the par value, has been modified and fixed at two
cents on each $100 face-value of the stock transferred.
It is stated that the change was made because there are
so many low-priced mining stocks, on which the tax as
at first proposed would have represented a large per-
centage of their value.
Porcupine. — An interim report of an encouraging
character has been issued by the Hollister Consolidated
covering the period from January 1 to June 2, during
which the total income was $2,879,706, compared with
$2,822,858 for the corresponding period of last year.
The expenditure was $1,448,020, compared with $1,507.-
060, and the net profit $1,431,685. as against $1,315,798.
The average tonnage treated per day showed an increase,
being 4056 tons, as compared with 3907. At the annual
meeting of the Dome Mines company, held on June 18,
it was announced that dividend-payments would be con-
tinued at the present rate and that instead of increasing
dividend disbursements, surplus earnings would be de-
voted to the repayment of capital, as the $1,000,000 pos-
sessed by the company in cash and bonds gives it all the
working capital necessary. Reports as to the closing
down of the mine were referred to by C. D. Keading.
general manager, who stated that unless the miners quit
work or demanded higher wages than they were now
receiving there was no intention of shutting down.
Kirkland Lake. — From present indications five mines
in the Kirkland Lake district will be producing gold be-
fore the end of the year. At present the Lake Shore,
Kirkland Lake, and Teck-Hughes are treating an aggre-
gate of nearly 300 tons daily, and producing at the rate
of about $115,000 per month. With the Tough-Oakes
mill again in operation, and the completion of the
Wright-Hargreaves mill, the daily tonnage treated
should approximate 600 tons with a monthly output of at
least $200,000. The King Kirkland Gold Mines, with an
authorized capital of $2,500,000, has been organized for
the development of a group of seven claims having an
area of 309 acres in the central part of Lebel township.
Operations have been begun on a vein which has been
uncovered for 150 ft. and contains visible gold.
Skead Township. — This district is attracting in-
creased attention and development is being carried on
by a number of companies. The Wisconsin-Skead has
installed a mining plant and has done considerable un-
derground work at the 112-ft. level, where some good
veins have been tapped by cross-cutting. Diamond-
drilling has indicated a series of veins with good gold
content. The shaft will be put down to the 300-ft. level.
Surface work is being done on the Crawford-Skead,
lying west of the Wisconsin. The Fidelity, which owns
a group of 10 claims on St. Anthony lake, plans a dia-
mond-drilling program. Many claims were taken up in
this area as early as 1906, but the high cost of develop-
ment and the difficulty of getting in supplies discour-
aged operations. Now that conditions are more favor-
able, work may be resumed on many of these properties.
Cobalt. — With United States currency at a premium
of around 15% in Canada, the producers of silver in
Cobalt are able to market their metal in New York and
receive the advantage of payment in American funds.
The added revenue from this source alone is about
$150,000 monthly. Cobalt mining companies have been
approached on the subject of lending their support to
two or more oil-prospecting syndicates which propose to
carry on exploration work along the Abitibi river at a
point less than 150 miles north from Cochrane where
members of the Geological Survey announce the dis-
covery of shale in which crude oil is contained. Activity
in the South Lorrain silver-area is increasing. The As-
sociated Gold Mines of Western Australia is operating
the Keeley mine, and reports having opened a moderate
tonnage of medium-grade ore in the lower workings.
The company has acquired an option on the adjoining
Beaver Lake property and is stated to have found ore
extending across the boundary from the Keeley at a
depth of about 230 ft. The Haileybury Frontier mine
in South Lorrain is also being re-opened.
.lulv ::. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
29
THE MINING S£J
=L5l
SALE OF SILVER UNDER THE I'll "I'M AN ACT
For the benefit o£ the producers of silver ore who sell
their product to smelters, samplers, custom concentrators
or cyanide plants, or to refiners, the Director o£ the Mint
has revised, with the approval o£ the Comptroller o£ the
Treasury, the affidavits required in connection with the sale
of silver at the rate of $1 per ounce as provided in the Pitt-
man Act. A careful examination of these affidavits will
make the conditions of such sales clear. The original pro-
ducer should furnish the 'Miner's Supporting Affidavit' with
each shipment of silver-bearing ore in order that he may
get the immediate benefit of the fixed price. In order that
the vendor, who is usually a refiner, may realize on silver
for which he paid $1 or more per ounce, but which he has
had in process for some months, provision is made for ore
received at reduction-works since January 17, 1920. The
form of the affidavits follows:
AFFIDAVIT BY VENDOR IN CONNECTION WITH PUR-
CHASE OF SILVER UNDER PITTMAN ACT
State of "j
County of j ss'
In order to make a sale of silver to the Director of the
Mint in accordance with the provisions of the Pittman Act
approved April 23, 191S, the undersigned hereby represents
and certifies under oath that he is the of
(Title of office)
owner of certain silver to the amount
(Name of vendor)
of fine ounces more or less, forwarded to the
United States Mint at on the day of
1920, and delivered for sale to the Director of
the Mint under the provisions of said Act for account of
said vendor; that said silver is the product of mines situated
in the United States and of reduction-works so located, being
either (1) wholly without admixture of the product of for-
eign mines or reduction-works, or (2) part of a mixture of
foreign silver and domestic silver delivered to domestic re-
duction-works since January 17, 1920, and within the pro-
portionate part of such mixed product which represents the
product of mines located within the United States and of
reduction-works so located, delivered by such mines to such
reduction-works since January 17, 1920, after taking into
account sales heretofore made to the Director of the Mint
under said Act; and that the vendor will forthwith file with
the Superintendent of said Mint such statements and exhibits
from its books of account and also such supporting affidavits
and sworn statements of exhibits by itself and by the miner,
smelter, and refiner, as may be demanded by the Director of
the Mint under said Act.
(Signature of vendor or duly authorized officer)
Subscribed to and sworn to before me this day
192. ..
Notary Public.
MINER'S SUPPORTING AFFIDAVIT
State of . .
County of
The undersigned, being duly sworn, deposes and says:
That he is the of
(Title of officer) (Name of mine owner)
owner of the mine, situated in the County of
(Name of mine)
State of ; that the said
(Name of mine owner)
has sold and delivered to on the day of
1920, at its smelting plant known as the
smelter, situated in the County of State of
fine ounces of silver, which was pro-
duced at the said mine located as aforesaid and contained
in certain parcels of ore as described in settlement or
liquidation sheet No of said and
that said silver was paid for at the rate of not less than $1
per ounce, adjusted to the equivalent price of silver 999 fine
and to the cost of delivery refinery to mint.
Subscribed and sworn to before me this day of
1920.
Notary Public.
COLORADO
Denver. — The dates for the first-aid and mine-rescue con-
tests which, in a way, will be international in their scope, in
that miners of Canada and Mexico, as well as those of the
United States, will be invited to participate, has been
changed to September 9, 10, and 11. Contests were held at
Pittsburgh last year and teams from Colorado, Montana, and
Washington were represented. The meet is held under the
auspices of the Bureau of Mines.
Mayday. — Lon Wigmore and associates have secured a
lease on the Lucky Moon and have started a tunnel to cut a
vein along a fault where some good ore was mined a few
years ago. It is reported that lessees have taken over the
Mountain Lilly, situated above La Plata, and have begun
work there. This property, it is said, has produced a small
amount of ore, but has been idle for some time. Thomas
Welborn and Joe Clark are making an examination of the
Tomahawk, with a view to taking a lease. They are also
working the Idaho dump, and have shipped two cars of ore
which assayed $40 per ton. Wm. Graflin has a force of
men at work on the Copper Queen.
IDAHO
Twin Falls. — Arrangements are being made for the erec-
tion of a 100-ton mill at the Buhl-Jarbidge mine at Jarbidge.
This announcement is made by J. C. Deemer, general man-
ager of the property, who says the work will begin as soon
as roads to the mine are in condition to use, which should
be in about a fortnight. Power-drills, it is expected, will be
in operation not later than September 1. Mr. Deemer states
that the Windy vein, where it outcrops on top of the moun-
tain, is only eight inches wide, while 640 ft. below the sur-
30
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3, 1920
face, in the tunnel, this vein is 17 ft. wide, assaying $12
per ton.
MINNESOTA
Duluth. — Further curtailment of mining work on the
iron-ranges, due to shortage of coal as well as hoats to take
ore from the docks, is reported in many sections. Range-
pits that increased the number of shovels at work re-
cently have been again forced to reduce operations to a
minimum. Shipping has been almost entirely discontinued
and other work is being regulated by transportation facili-
ties.
MISSOURI
Joplin. — A record week's output of zinc has been made by
the Chanute Spelter Co. from its mine one mile west of
Baxter Springs. In six working days of 24 hours each the
output was 458 tons of zinc and 14 tons of lead. The next
highest record in this district was made by the Skelton mine
near Douthat, which produced in one week 43 8 tons of zinc.
Production figures for the district are: blende, 18,462,880
lb., $408,358; calamine, 459,660 lb., $8050; lead, 2,009,730
lb., $145,300; total value, $561,708. Average value per
ton, blende, $44; calamine, $35; lead, $100. Twenty-four
weeks: blende, 534,571,640 lb., $13,550,487; calamine,
8,984,620 lb., $170,039; lead, 90,478,000 lb., $4,781,065;
total value, $18,501,613.
Beer, Sondheimer & Co., of New York, have brought suit
in the Supreme Court against National Zinc Co., to recover
$873,342, alleged to be balance due plaintiffs for advances
at different times to the Zinc company. It is alleged that
demand for payment of balance alleged due was made June
1 and was refused.
UTAH
American Pork. — Operations at the Globe mine in Amer-
ican Fork canyon are being pushed steadily, according to
John Cleghorn, manager. From four to six feet of progress
per day is being made in the drift along a north-south fissure
to its intersection with an important vein about 150 ft.
ahead. At present the formation is well mineralized, with
bunches of carbonate ore appearing at intervals. W. S.
Cool, of Salt Lake City, owner of the Sierra patented claims,
has been here recently, arranging to start work on his prop-
erty. These claims adjoin the Miller mine, a big producer
in early days.
Vernal. — The Jeannette Copper Mining Co. will resume
operation of its property in the Uinta basin about July 15,
according to Wm. O'Neil. The mine has been idle since
1916. The property consists of 34 unpatented claims, sit-
uated about 35 miles south of Rock Springs, Wyoming, the
nearest railroad point. Development consists of approxi-
mately 1000 ft. of tunnel and shaft-work. It is stated that
some rich copper ore has been developed, which the com-
pany will start mining and shipping.
Santaquin. — The Union Chief Mining Co. will ship three
cars of high-grade lead-silver ore from its mines, according
to Alfred Larson, superintendent. The company has recent-
ly completed work on a road from the mine to the railway, a
distance of three miles. Ore showings in the mine continue
to improve, and a fair amount is being taken out from de-
velopment work.
WASHINGTON
Northport. — An orebody on the line of the Gladstone and
Electric Point mines, opened in the Gladstone to a depth of
50 ft., has been cut by the Electric Point in a cross-cut at a
depth of 145 ft. At the new point it is on both sides of the
line. It contains lead in carbonate and sulphide form. The
Gladstone has opened six chimneys, four within recent
weeks. The sixth has been followed by a shaft to a depth of
43 ft. and is said to contain carbonates and some sulphides.
The last carload weighed more than 43 tons. The ore con-
tained 78.4% lead and the gross value was $4272, of which
$4 per ton was in silver.
personalI
The Editor invitee members of the profession to send particulars of their
work and appointments. The information is interesting- to our readers.
H. S. Denny is returning to London from Montreal.
S. E. Bretherton has gone to Seattle and Vancouver.
F. Le Roi Thurmond is at Santa Barbara, Chihuahua.
Fedor F. Foss, of New York, is at Rockville, Maryland.
Arthur Feust is with Hughes & Dies, at 42 New St., New
York.
J. H. Forman, of Tonopah, Nevada, has moved to San
Francisco.
J. B. Annear has moved from Panaca, Nevada, to Merced,
California.
Philip Wiseman, of Los Angeles, is in New York, on his
way to London.
William Compton has moved from Fairfield, Idaho, to Vir-
ginia City, Nevada.
Warren D. Smith is returning to the Philippines as Chief
of the Division of Mines.
Conway G. Williams has changed his address from Ajo„
Arizona, to Garfield, Utah.
Edwin E. Chase, of Denver, has gone to Wyoming to ex-
amine some copper mines.
Charles E. Prior Jr. is engineer with the Premier Gold
Mining Co. in British Columbia.
G. O. Murray is still at Asanboni, India, being unable to
go to London as he had intended.
M. 3. Weller, superintendent of the Greenhorn mine in
Shasta county, is in San Francisco.
R. C. Warriner, formerly general manager of the Crown
Mines, on the Rand, is visiting California.
Alan M. Rodgers, of Washington, D. C, is now with the
Moctezuma Copper Co., at Nacozari, Mexico.
Lewis A. Levensaler has opened offices as consulting
mining engineer at 902 Hoge building, Seattle.
O. F. Brinton, general manager for the Western Utah
Copper Co. at Gold Hill, Nevada, is in New York.
Clarence A. Wright, of the Salt Lake City station of the
U. S. Bureau of Mines, has gone to Trentino, Italy.
Alfred Hunt has been appointed superintendent for the
Angels Camp Deep Mining Co., at Angels, California.
Homer Guck, for the past 15 years editor of the 'Daily
Mining Gazette' at Houghton, Michigan, has resigned.
Alan M, Bateman, professor of economic geology, at Yale
University, has gone to British Columbia and Alaska on
professional business.
li. T. Buell has taken a position with the Phelps Dodge
Corporation at Douglas, Arizona, after having spent several
years in South America.
Horatio C. Ray has resigned his position with the School
of Mines, University of Pittsburgh, to become connected
with the Keystone Consolidated Publishing Co., at Pitts-
burgh.
Glen D. Cook, mining engineer of Salt Lake City, who
has been operating the Montezuma and Jersey mines in
Pershing county, Nevada, has organized the Pershing County
Mines Co.
H. Hardy Smith arrived in San Francisco on June 23 on
the 'Tenyo Maru' from Korea on his way to New York,
where he will remain three weeks. He will return to San
Francisco before sailing for Australia.
R. Allison Purvis, of London, arrived on June 23 in San
Francisco on the 'Tenyo Maru' from the East, having es-
caped from the Bolshevists in Siberia, where he was im-
prisoned by them from January until April at Krasnoyarsk,
Irkutsk. He will sail for London from New York on the
Mobile' on July 10.
July 3, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
31
THE MET
is m f&
IMifcEti
IARKET
METAL PBICES
San Francisco, June 29
Aluminum-dual, cents per pound
Antimony, cents per pound
Copper, electrolytic, cents per pound
Lead, pig, cents per pound 8.25-
Platinum. pure, per ounce
Platinum. 10r* iridium, per ounce
Quicksilver, per flask of 75 lb
8pelter. cents per pound
Zinc-dust, cents per pound 12.50 —
EASTERN METAL MARKET
(By wire from New York)
June 28. — Copper is inactive but steady. Lead is dull but steady.
is quiet and firm.
SILVER
Below are given official or ticker quotations, in cents per ounce of silver
999 fine. From April 23. 1918, the United States government paid SI per
ounce for all silver purchased by it. fixing a maximum of SI .01% on
August 15, 1918, and will continue to pay $1 until the quantity specified
under the Act is purchased, probably extending over several years. On
May 5. 1919. all restrictions on the metal were removed, resulting in
fluctuations. During the restricted period, the British government fixed the
maximum price five times, the last being on March 25, 1919. on account of
the low rate of sterling exchange, but removed all restrictions on May 10.
The equivalent of dollar silver (1000 fine) in British currency is 46.65
pence per ounce (925 fine) calculated at the normal rate of exchange.
Date
June
New York
cents
22 93.00
23 92.50
24 90.00
25 90.00
26 90.00
27 Sunday
28 93.00
London
pence
52.50
51.62
51.25
51.25
50.50
Jan.
1918
..88.72
Feb 85.79
Men 88.11
Apr 95.35
May 99.50
June 99.50
1919
101.12
101.12
101.12
101.12
107.23
110.50
53.00
Monthly averages
1920
Average week ending
Cents
17 101.21
24 100.12
31 101.17
7 98.23
14 86.00
21 87.07
28 91.41
Pence
58.50
58.52
68.87
56.52
48.02
48.73
51.69
132.77
131.27
125.70
119.56
102.69
1918
July 99.62
Aug 100.31
Sept 101.12
Oct 101.12
Nov 101.12
Dec. .' 101.12
1919
106.36
111.35
113.92
119.10
127.57
131.92
Prices of electrolytic in New York, in cents per pound.
Date
June
May
June
22 : . - .19.00
23 19.00
24 19.00
25 19.00
26 19.00
27 Sunday
28 1900
Monthly averages
1919
20.43
17.34
15.05
15.23
16.91
17.53
Average week ending
17
24
31
19.00
19.00
19.00
19.00
19.00
19.00
19.00
1918
Jan 23.50
Feb 23.50
Men 23.50
Apr 23.60
May 23.60
June 23.50
1920
19.25
19.05
18.49
19.23
19.05
1918
July 26.00
Aug 26.00
Sept 26.00
Oct 26.00
Nov 26.00
Dee 26.00
1919
20.82
22.61
22.10
21.66
20.45
18.55
LEAD
Lead is quoted in cents per pound. New York delivery-
Date
June
23
24
26
26
27 Sunday
28
8.15
8.15
8.15
8.15
8.15
May
Average week ending
17
24
31
Jan.
Feb.
1918
. , 6.85
. . 7.07
Mch 7.20
Apr 6.99
May 6.88
June 7.59
.. 8.15
Monthly averages
1919 1920
8.65
8.88
9.22
8.78
8.55
8.50
8.50
8.60
8.68
8.75
8.21
8.15
Zinc is quoted as spelter, standard Western brands. New York delivery.
5.60
5.13
6.24
6.05
6.04
6.32
1918
July 8.03
Aug 8.05
Sept 8.05
Oct 8.05
Nov 8.05
Dec 6.90
1919
6.53
6.78
6.02
6.40
6.76
7.12
Prices in New York, in cents per pound.
Monthly averages
65
10.50
m eei
Date
June
Jan.
Feb.
Mch.
Apr.
May
June
ts p
23
24
25
26
27
28
er pound.
. . 7.80
May
June
average
July
Aug.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Average week
17 . .
ending
8.11
-9.25
Sunday
7.85
7.85
7.85
7.85
. . 7.90
24. .
$85
S118
7..
S85
14. .
9.25
21..
28. .
1918
1919
7.44
6.71
6.63
6.49
6.43
6.91
Monthly
1920
9.68
9.15
8.93
8.76
8.07
s
1918
. 9.58
. 9.11
1919
7.78
7.81
7.57
7.82
8.12
8.69
1920
Zinc
. . 7.67
silver
7.92
.. 7.92
QUICKSILVER
The primary market for quicksilver is San Francisco. California being:
the largest producer. The price is fixed in the open market, according' to
quantity. Prices, in dollars per flask of 75 pounds.
Date I June 15 85 00
June 1 80.00 " 22 85.00
8 90.00 I " 29 85.00
Monthly averages
1918
1919
1920
1918
1919
71.50
62.74
July . .
.. .93.00
70.11
Feb. . .
. . . 85.00
72.44
59.87
91.33
62.20
Mch. . .
. . . 85.00
72.60
61.92
55.79
72.50
62.12
Oct. . .
78.82
64.82
. . .100.01
72.60
54.99
54.17
. . . 91.00
71.83
71.52
54.94
1918
Jan 128.06
Feb 118.00
Mch 112.00
Apr 115.00
May 110.00
June 112.00
1919
103.75
90.00
72.80
73.12
84.80
94.40
1920
89.00
81.00
87.00
100.00
87.00
1918
July 120.00
Aug 120.00
Sept 120.00
Oct 120.00
Nov 120.00
Dec 115.00
1919
100.00
103.00
102.60
86.00
78.00
95.00
1920
FOREIGN EXCHANGE
Discussing the improvement in sterling exchange, the Anglo-South Ameri-
can Bank of London analyzes the situation as follows: "In case of countries
whose currencies are at a discount as compared with ours, there has been
a fairly general contraction in the premium on sterling the past month or
so. this improvement being particularly marked in the German quotation.
Premium on sterling as compared with marks has fallen since the end of
January from 1686% to 69%, while in ease of Paris the present premium
in sterling of about 102% compares with 170% two months ago.
"This recovery in value of depreciated foreign currencies compared with
sterling, however, has not had any adverse effect on the position of sterling
as compared with markets in which British currency is at a discount. In
New York, discount on sterling is now about 20%. against 31% in Febru-
ary, the extreme mark during the present year, and in most other markets
in this group the experience has been the same. Presumably London,
which previously was affected by its own indebtedness to New York, and
indirectly by indebtedness of other countries for which it acted as inter-
mediary in exchange transactions, is now benefiting not only from im-
provement in our own exports but from the better trade position being
established by certain continental countries.
"How substantial has been the improvement in European trade position
as against the United States the following figures show. During April
value of United States shipments to Europe declined $135,000,000 com-
pared with April of last year, but imports from Europe increased $68,000,-
000 and practically $700,000,000 for. 10 months to April 30. Figures of
United States exports to this country showed substantial reduction, and
corresponding imports, almost as substantial an increase, while in ease of
France, also, marked improvement is shown, value of French exports to
United States for 10 months being $145,000,000. against less than $45,-
000.000 the preceding year, while during the same period French imports
from United States declined just over $200,000,000. It is true the balance
of trade is still heavily in favor of America, but all evidence goes to show
Europe has appreciated the need for lessening of consumption and increase
in production, and is acting accordingly.
"In these circumstances, improvement in the European exchanges as
compared with the dollar is only natural, but the position has also been
affected by definite decision of the British and French governments to re-
pay the $500,000,000 Anglo-French loan at its due date in October next,
by heavy gold shipments made to the States on this account, and also by
large sales of government- owned wool, while another factor of more tem-
porary character but of considerable importance is the definite postpone-
ment until 1022 of interest payments on our debt to the American gov-
ernment. This was disclosed by Austen Chamberlain in answering a
House of Commons question on May 5, and incidentally he stated that
approximately £23.000.000 was included in the debt charge for the current
financial year in respect of interest on debt raised outside the United
Kingdom, but that the amount due from this country to the American
government alone would, at par of exchange, amount to £43,000,000 per
annum."
MONEY AND EXCHANGE
Foreign quotations on June 29 are as follows:
Sterling, dollars: Cable 3.95%
Demand 3.96 %
Francs, cents: Cable 8.40
Demand 8.43
Lire, cents : Demand 6.01 '
Marks, cents 2.75
32
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3, 1920
Eastern Metal Market
New York, June 23.
There is still an absence of demand for practically all the
metals and prices of some have fallen.
Demand for copper is very light but prices are steady.
While buying of tin is light, values have been advancing
and the market is fairly strong.
Lead has declined quite decidedly and there is no urgent
demand.
The zinc market is still lifeless and prices are lower.
Antimony is a little easier.
IRON AND STEEL
Iron and steel producers are still traveling in a circle, bet-
terment in car and fuel-supply being quickly followed by a
return of old conditions, says 'The Iron Age'. This week the
breaking out of fresh railroad strikes at Philadelphia and
Baltimore has crippled several Eastern steel-plants, and em-
bargoes against the affected districts have been put in force
at Pittsburgh.
Fuel-shortage has driven some pig-iron producers to pay
new high prices for coke and $17 has been reached in the
dizzy ascent of that market. Basic pig-iron also tends
higher. On the other hand are easier prices in plates and
shapes; but with little promise of better than 75 or 80%
production for many weeks, no significant readjustment of
finished steel prices is looked for.
The buying of steel cars by steel and coke companies goes
on. In the past week such new inquiries involved 2700 cars
and one car-works took orders for 15 00.
The possibility of a sheet and tin-plate shut-down on June
3 0 has led to recent re-sales of sheet-bars, some bessemer
bars having been offered at $65 to $70 and open-hearth bars
at less than $75, representing some easing-off.
A new development in the coke market is the inquiry com-
ing from South American and European sources, including
one for 10,000 tons per month for 18 months. Owing, how-
ever, to the shortage in this country and to the high prices,
it is not expected that exports will be heavy.
COPPER
There is no change in the general situation — at least not
for the better. A fresh outbreak of 'outlaw' railroad strikes
in the East is not an encouraging sign, particularly in the
Baltimore territory where there are large refinery interests.
It may be necessary to shut-down one or two refineries there
should the matter grow worse. Demand is very light and
prices as a result are largely nominal. Large producers con-
tinue to quote 19c, New York, for both Lake and electrolytic
for early delivery and see no reason to change. Small pro-
ducers and some outside interests are quoting as low as
18.25c, New York, for electrolytic for early delivery. The
large interests are booked up well ahead but difficulties of
various kinds are limiting output and shipments.
TIN
There has been a gradual advance in the quotation for
spot Straits, New York, and it is believed that the low level
was reached last week at 45.50c. Yesterday the quotation
was nominal at 50c, New York. The higher trend is due
largely to a strong London market. Yesterday spot Straits
in London was quoted at £270 per ton. In the week on this
side the market has been quiet on the surface but a fair
record in sales has been made. These have been participated
in largely by dealers though consumers have done a little
buying. One large consumer inquired last week Thursday
for 200 tons which is understood to have been closed. On
Wednesday last week, on the New York Metal Exchange,
sales of 225 tons were recorded as well as 50 tons on Tues-
day. Of the 225 tons on Wednesday, 200 tons was Straits
tin for July shipment and future shipment from the East, !
all at 45 to 45.25c. There was a 25-ton lot of Chinese tin :
which was sold at 42.12Jc, the sale being forced because of
the failure to protect a margin, according to reports. Last
Saturday there was an active demand for future shipment
but there was a lack of sellers, not much business being done
at bids of 47.75 to 48c With London advancing, a buying- i
movement on this side is expected soon. Arrivals of the ;
metal to date this month have been 269 5 tons with 4430 .
tons reported as afloat.
LEAD »
A dull market here for several weeks as well as the slump
in London a week ago have been the causes of two sharp re- :
ductions in prices. Late last Tuesday, June 15, the Amer-
ican Smelting & Refining Co. reduced its quotation Jc. to 8c, I
St. Louis, or 8.25c, New York, and then on the next day re- I
peated the operation, making the level 7.75c, St. Louis, or
8c, New York, for early delivery. The outside market,
which had been above the Trust price for some time, met I
this and is now quoted at around 7.90c, St. Louis, or 8.15c, I
New York. The fear of imports of the metal is also alleged
as a cause for these reductions. It is a fact that lead is not
plentiful for spot delivery or for early shipment from the
West, neither is there any urgent demand.
ZINC
Extreme dullness still characterizes this market. There is ''
no extensive buying and the general basic conditions men- ;
tioned last week still prevail. Values fell to lower levels
late last week when 7.35c, St. Louis, for prime Western i
prevailed, but since then there has been an advance, due to
a higher London market. Today prime Western is quoted at
7.45 to 7.50c, St. Louis, or 7.80 to 7.85c, New York. Pro-
ducers are still inactive sellers and are only taking care of
customers' immediate needs. Galvanizers are not active |
buyers, due to the uncertainty of the future.
ANTIMONY
The market is dull and inactive. The metal is quoted at
7.75c, New York, duty paid, for wholesale lots for early
delivery.
ALUMINUM
Quotations are unchanged at 33c, New York, from the
leading interest and 31.50c from other sellers for whole-
sale lots for early delivery.
ORES
Tungsten: There are no transactions recorded and the
market is flat. The last quotation, which was nominal, was I
$6.50 per unit for Chinese ore with other grades correspond- I
ingly higher. Until general business conditions improve no
life to the market is likely.
Ferro-tungsten is unchanged and nominal at 85c to $1.15
per lb. of contained tungsten.
Molybdenum: This market is also dead with quotations
nominal at 60 to 65c. per lb. of MoS= as the foreign quota-
tion and 7 5c as the local.
Manganese-Iron Alloys : There continues to be an absence
of inquiry for both prompt and last-half delivery. Prices are
firm at $225 to $250 for prompt and $200 for last half. The
only inquiries are about 3 00 tons for last half. Spiegeleisen
is firm at $75, furnace, but the market is quiet.
Kerosene export quotations in New York have declined
twice since June 1. A drop on June 7 from 15c. to 14.25c.
per gallon for standard water-white, in bulk, was followed
by a second on June 12, from 14.25c to 13.50c
July 3, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
::::
Book Reviews
Structural Drafting and the Design of Details. By Carl-
ton Thomas Bishop. Pp. 33S. ill., index. John Wiley &
Sons. Inc., New York. For sale by 'Mining and Scientific
Press . Price, $5.
This is a textbook for students and apprentices and a ref-
erence book for structural draftsmen. It is divided into
three parts. Part I is introductory and gives a general dis-
cussion of the organization of a structural-steel company
and of the manufacture and fabrication o£ structural steel.
Part II is devoted to drafting-room practice. The discussion
is complete, from the mechanical details of the use of trac-
ing-cloth and ink-erasers to the laying out of beams, gird-
ers, and columns. Part III deals with the design of details
In a similarly thorough manner. An appendix contains the
usual data regarding properties of standard structural
shapes as well as a number of other tables and diagrams
nseful in this class of work.
Manual for the Oil and Gas Industry. By Ralph Arnold,
J. L. Darnell and others. Pp. 176. 111., index. John Wiley
& Sons, Inc., New York. For sale by 'Mining and Scientific
Press'. Price, $2.50.
Whatever we may think of the various provisions of the
internal revenue laws relating to corporation taxes, the fact
remains that corporations must make returns under these
i laws. The present volume was originally issued as a bulletin
of the Internal Revenue Bureau, and is designed to assist
members of the accounting departments of companies pro-
ducing oil in making the calculations necessary for prepar-
ing the proper tax return. The scope of the book is indi-
cated by the titles of the various chapters, which are Ampli-
fication of the Law and Regulations, Estimate of Deprecia-
tion of Equipment, and Estimate of Recoverable Under-
ground Reserves of Oil. While the hook, as already noted,
is primarily designed for those preparing Federal tax re-
turns on behalf of oil companies, it will he useful to anyone
interested in the valuation of oil properties.
Text-book of Diorganic Chemistry. Vol. IX. Part I. By
J. Newton Friend. Pp. 366. Index. Charles Griffin & Co.,
London. For sale by 'Mining and Scientific Press'. Price, $6.
The general plan of this series has been to devote one
volume to each of the groups of elements according to the
periodic classification. In this instance iron has been treat-
ed separately in Part II so that this particular book deals
only with nickel, cobalt, and the palladium and platinum
groups. For the research student, as the author points out,
fuller details are necessary than can be included in a text-
book of this scope. Accordingly copious references are
given to the original memoir. While the past two decades
have marked rapid strides in the development of the chem-
istry of the metals and their compounds, there is still a
I deal of unchartered territory yet to be explored. This work
is new and is based upon the present state of our knowledge
of inorganic chemistry. The hook is of course designed for
the use of the student and for that purpose it is well
adapted. It appears to be comprehensive, clear, and well
arranged.
Forge Practice and Heat-Treatment of Steel. By John
Lord Bacon. Third edition. Pp. 407. 111., index. John
Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York. For sale by 'Mining and
Scientific Press'. Price, $1.75.
The author of this book was for some time instructor in
forge practice at the Lewis Institute at Chicago, and the text
is based on notes prepared for courses given there. In the
third edition the subjects of hardening, tempering, and an-
nealing are treated at considerably greater length than in the
previous editions. The first chapter is devoted to a general
description of the blacksmith's forge and tools. Welding in
the forge is next discussed, and then the making of all kinds
of hand forgings, including the calculation of stock, and the
methods of actually doing the work. Steam-hammer work is
then considered, also the use of dies to produce duplicate
parts. The remainder of the book is mainly devoted to tem-
pering, hardening, annealing, and casehardening, and dis-
cusses both the equipment used and the methods of doing the
work. The treatment is non-technical and practical through-
out, theoretical discussion being eliminated as far as possi-
ble. It will be of value not only to the apprentice and
mechanic but also to the engineer who either uses or has
charge of the manufacture of forgings.
The Mines Handbook. By Walter Harvey Weed. Pp.
1976. W. H. Weed, New York. For sale by 'Mining and
Scientific Press'. Price $15.
The latest issue of this valuable publication is just to
hand. It covers the years 1918, 1919, and the first quarter
of 1920. Much of the information is brought down to April
of the current year. The present volume contains 70 pages
more than that issued in 1918, and the number of companies
listed has increased by 1000, making the total 7400. It
would he well if all the advertisements could be placed at
the hack of the volume; also the index. The geographical
arrangement by countries. States, counties, and districts is
advantageous. As usual, the volume contains a glossary
and a brief description of the principal copper minerals. It
is evident that there has been some difficulty in getting in-
formation concerning certain mining enterprises, but this is
the usual experience of statisticians and compilers of in-
dustrial data. As this volume becomes a public institution,
it ought to receive increasing support, not only by its sale
but also by a greater willingness on the part of mining com-
panies to assist the editors by giving them the needed in-
formation. The new districts, in Nevada and British Colum-
bia, for example, are creditably complete. Consolidations,
absorptions, and liquidations are carefully recorded. No
less than 460 pages are devoted to mining companies in
foreign countries, particularly those to which American en-
ergy and capital are being diverted. The collection of geo-
logic and metallurgic data gives technical value to the
volume. The various statistical tables have been brought up
to date. This handbook is the successor to the one started
by Horace J. Stevens in 1900. It is fortunate that a man so
well informed as Mr. Walter Harvey Weed should have
taken up the work when Stevens died. We are frank to say
that we find the 'Mines Handbook' of great use to us in our
editorial work, and we can surmise how useful therefore it
must be to others requiring prompt information concerning
the organization, personnel, and production of mining com-
panies in various parts of this country and also abroad. It
is extremely difficult to compile so large a mass of informa-
tion without introducing errors, but the marvel is that there
are so few. Without question, the 'Handbook' is perform-
ing a highly useful function, and we hope that Mr. Weed's
enterprise will meet with public support. — T. A. R.
Engineering for Land Drainage. By Charles G. Elliott.
Pp. 353. 111., index. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York.
For sale by 'Mining and Scientific Press'. Price, $2.50.
This is the third edition of a book which, appearing orig-
inally in 1902, has come to be regarded as a standard trea-
tise on the subject. Comparing it with the second edition,
we find several changes and additions, including a revision
of the discussion of the hydraulics of flow in underdrains,
new tables for computing the discharge of tile-drains, and
additions to the discussion of drainage by pumps and of
drainage of irrigated lands.
34
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
Jul}- 3, 1920
IND
^
EGRESS
INFORMATION' FURNISHED BY MANUFACTURERS
tmiiriiiiiiiinmiiiiiniinnijiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiNiiiiiiimiiiiiiriiiimiiiiiijiiuiiiitiiiiiiiitiiiifiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiriiiHiuHiliiMiiiiiJiiiiniiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiriiiiiin^
THE SELECTION AND TREATMENT OP TRANSMISSION
BELTS
By E. J. Black
The right and wrong ways of lacing belts are shown in the
accompanying illustrations. The top and bottom views show
a belt which has been properly laced. The holes were
punched evenly and the lacing was done smoothly, leaving
no loose ends which might catch and injure the belt. The
middle view shows a belt improperly laced. The holes were
punched in some instances so close together that the lacings
tore through. A belt laced like this cannot be expected to
give the maximum amount of service. The following de-
tailed instructions as to the proper way of lacing may well
be studied.
(1) Cut the ends of the belt absolutely square. Do not
depend upon your eye or use an ordinary ruler. If the end
is slanted in the least degree all the pull will come on one
side of the belt and the consequences are likely to be dis-
astrous. (2) Make the holes as small as practicable. Use
an awl rather than a punch, wherever possible. (3) Leave
a sufficient margin at the edge of the belt without holes so
as not to impair its strength. In belts 2 to 6 in. wide, the
holes should not be nearer to the edge than J in., in belts
6 to 12 in. wide not nearer than f in., and belts 12 to 18 in.
wide not narrower than J in. (4) Make two rows of holes,
in parallel lines straight across the width of the belt, and
stagger the holes, so that the strain comes upon different
portions of the belt. (5) Be sure that the holes in the two
ends to be joined match exactly. Otherwise there will be a
'jog' in the belt, and this is likely to result in tearing the belt
lengthwise. (6) Use flexible lacing, being careful to have it
proportionate to the size of the belt. A heavy lacing is likely
to cause trouble. (7) In lacing the belt, make the pulley
side as smooth as possible. Rough places and ends should
be turned away from the pulley. ( 8 ) In using metal f asten-
Table for Finding the Horse-Power of a
Speed in feet per minute
Width Ply
4" 4
5
6
5" 4
5
6
6" 4
5
6
8" 4
5
6
10" 4
5
6
12" 5
6
14" 5
6
16" 6
8
18" 6
8
20" 6
8
24" . .' 6
8
30" 6
8
30" 10
36" 8
10
42" 8
10
48" 8
10
200
1.45
1.82
2.18
1.82
2.27
2.73
2.18
2.73
3.28
2.91
3.64
4.37
3.64
4.55
5.46
5.46
6.55
6.36
7.64
8.73
11.63
9.82
13.09
10.9
14.5
13.09
17.4
16.3
21.8
27.3
26.2
32.7
30.5
38.2
34.9
43.6
500
3.64
4.55
5.45
4.55
5.68
6.83
5.45
6.83
8.18
7.27
9.1
10.9
9.1
11.4
13.65
3.65
16.3
15.9
19.1
21.8
29.1
24.5
32.7
27.3
36.4
32.7
43.6
40.8
54.6
68.2
65.5
81.8
76.4
95.5
87.3
109.0
1000
7.27
9.1
10.9
9.1
11.4
13.6
10.9
13.6
16.4
14.5
18.2
21.8
18.2
22.7
27.3
27.3
32.7
£1.8
38.2
43.6
58.2
49.1
65.4
54.5
72.7
65.4
87.2
81.6
109.0
136.4
131.0
163.6
152.7
190.9
174.5
218.0
1500
10.9
13.6
16.4
13.6
17.1
20.5
16.4
20.5
24.6
21.8
27.3
32.7
27.3
34.2
40.9
40.9
49.1
47.7
57.3
65.5
87.3
73.7
98.3
81.8
109.0
98.3
130.8
122.4
163.8
204.6
196.5
245.4
229.2
286.5
261.9
327.0
2000
14.5
18.2
21.8
18.2
22.8
27.2
21.8
27.2
32.8
29.1
36.4
43.6
36.4
45.5
54.5
54.5
65.5
63.6
76.4
87.3
116.3
98.2
130.9
109.0
145.5
130.9
174.4
163.2
218.0
273.0
262.0
327.2
305.4
382.0
349.0
436.0
2500
18.2
22.7
27.3
22.7
28.4
34.1
27.3
34.1
40.9
36.4
45.5
54.5
45.5
56.9
68.2
68.2
81.7
79.5
95.5
109.0
145.3
122.8
163.4
136.5
181.9
163.4
218.0
204.3
272.8
341.0
327.5
409.0
382.0
478.0
437.0
546.0
3000
21.8
27.3
32.8
27.3
34.1
41.0
32.8
41.0
49.:
43.
54.
65.
54.
.1
.7
.6
.5
.6
68.3
81.8
81.8
98.2
95.5
114.6
131.0
174.6
147.4
196.6
163.6
218.0
196.6
261.6
245.0
327.6
409.2
393.0
490.8
458.4
573.0
523.8
654.0
3500
25.4
31.8
38.2
31.8
39.8
47.8
38.2
47.8
57.3
51.0
63.6
76.
63.
79.
95.
95.
114.
111.
133.8
152.7
203.5
171.8
229.0
191.0
254.5
229.0
305.0
286.0
382.0
477.4
458.0
573.0
535.0
668.0
612.0
764.0
Belt
4000
29.0
36.4
43.6
36.4
45.5
54.5
43.6
54.5
65.5
58.2
72.7
87.3
72.7
91.0
109.0
109.0
130.9
127.2
152.8
174.6
232.6
196.4
261.8
218.0
291.0
261.8
348.8
326.4
436.0
546.0
524.0
654.4
610.8
764.0
698.0
872.0
4500
32.7
40.9
49.0
40.9
51.
61.
49.
61.
73.
65.5
81.9
98.3
81.9
102.2
122.6
122.6
147.0
143.0
172.0
196.5
262.0
221.0
294.0
245.6
327.7
294.0
392.0
368.0
492.0
614.0
589.0
737.0
687.0
860.0
786.0
982.0
5000
36.4
45.4
54.5
45.4
56.8
68.2
54.5
68.2
81.8
72.7
91.0
109.0
91.0
114.0
136.4
136.4
163.5
159.0
191.0
218.0
290.6
245.6
326.8
273.0
363.8
326.8
436.0
408.6
545.6
682.0
655.0
818.0
764.0
956.0
874.0
1092.0
5500
40.0
50.0
60.0
50.0
62.5
75.0
60.0
75.0
90.0
80.0
100.0
120.0
100.0
125.0
150.0
150.0
180.0
175.0
210.0
240.0
320.0
270.0
370.0
300.0
400.0
370.0
480.0
450.0
600.0
750.0
720.0
900.0
840.0
1050.0
960.0
1200.0
6000
43.6
54.6
65.5
54.6
68.2
81.8
65.5
81.8
98.2
87.3
109.2
131.0
109.2
136.4
163.6
163.6
196.0
191.0
229.2
262.0
349.2
294.8
393.2
327.2
436.0
393.2
523.2
490.0
655.0
. 818.4
786.0
981.6
916.8
1146.0
1047.6
1308.0
Julv
1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
35
«rs select those which place the strain on the length-wise
strands of the bolt. The cross-wise strands are not as strong
as those which run length-wise.
Besides improper lacing, there are many other abuses
which shorten the life of belts. Shafting that is out of line
may cause an undue strain upon the belt and make it run off
the pulley. Oil may be allowed to drip upon the belt and
ruin it. The belt may be applied with an initial tension so
great as to produce an unnecessary strain. Many complaints
regarding unsatisfactory belt performance can be traced to
the fact that the wrong belt was used on the job. No mat-
ter how good a belt is or how good treatment it receives it
HiLLl
Correct and Incorrect Methods of Lacing Belts
"will fail to give satisfactory service if not adapted for the
use to which it is put.
In deciding upon the right belt for any particular service
there are eight factors to be considered: (1) distance be-
tween pulley centres; (2) diameter of the pulleys; (3) width
of the pulleys; (4) use of idlers, cone pulleys, quarter turn,
half turn, etc.; (5) speed; (6) horse-power to be trans-
mitted; (7) character of the load (jerky or constant); and
(8) conditions such as contact with moisture, oil, or other
deteriorating influences.
Over these factors the belt-man usually has little or no
control. His problem is to take the conditions as he finds
them, and apply a belt that will give the best service possible
under the circumstances. Yet he may sometimes perform a
real service by calling attention to a faulty arrangement,
when the conditions are such that the fault may be cor-
rected. Real economies may sometimes be effected by
lengthening the distance between pulley centres, increasing
the width of the pulley face, or by changing the arrangement
of a vertical belt so as to give a certain degree of slant.
The factors which are under the belt man's control are
these: (1) The kind of belt to be used, such as rubber,
leather, canvas, etc.; (2) the grade, whether cheap, medium,
or high; and (3) the weight of the belt, such as 4 or 6-ply,
single or double.
In determining the kind of belting to be used, the merits
of rubber belting should receive full consideration. It is
economical in first cost, extremely efficient in service, and
frequently outlasts other constructions. On the other hand,
in places where constant contact with oil is unavoidable, a
rubber belt will not give good service. The constant use of
shifters is also injurious to a rubber belt.
In deciding upon the right grade for a particular service,
the points to be especially considered are the size of the pul-
leys, the presence of idlers or other unusual conditions, and
the speed. Small pulleys, operated at high speed, necessi-
tate a high-quality belt. The reason for this is the internal
wear between the various plies of fabric, and even between
the fibres in each ply, as the belt rounds the pulleys. A
high-grade rubber friction is the best possible protection
against this internal wear, because it protects each fibre
with an elastic coating which remains uninjured and which
indeed retains its life and elasticity longer when in use than
when lying idle.
In this connection, it should not be forgotten that the
value of a particular rubber friction cannot be determined
merely by the test showing 'pounds pull*. If the plies were
fastened together with glue, this test would show a very
high-grade belt, but we all know that such a belt could not
give service. The most valuable property of rubber friction
is that intangible quality called 'life'. There Is no known
test for this but length of service. In specifying the proper
ply for the installation, the determining factors are the size
of the pulleys, width of the belt, speed, and the horse-power
to be delivered. The belt itself should be at least one inch
less in width than the face of the pulley.
'GUNITE' FOR FIRE-WALLS
Some months ago the architects of a large factory in the
East decided to use as a 'fire-wall' a hollow wall with 'gunite'
sides two inches thick, with an eight-inch air space between,
and with the side walls connected with gunite studs at from
5 to 7-ft. intervals. The outer walls were reinforced and
the studs had two J-in. round rods as vertical reinforcement.
This construction was refused. 'Fire-wall' in insurance par-
lance is distinguishable from 'fire stop', in that the latter
means a wall that will act as a temporary retardent to pre-
vent the spread of fire, while a 'fire-wall' is supposed to be
a wall that will actually prevent the spread of fire from one
portion of a building to another portion. Inasmuch as the
only material which had ever been classified as a 'fire-wall'
construction, and the only construction that had been used
in this connection, had been a brick wall not less than 12 in.
thick and increasing in thickness due to the height and
character of the partition, the architect was faced with the
quandary of getting a decision in favor of the gunite con-
struction or of delaying the erection of the plant for an
indefinite period, on account of the scarcity of both brick
and brick-masons. The insurance company was sufficiently
interested to request that the Underwriters' laboratories
make arrangements to test samples to be made in conformity
with the scheme proposed. The final test was completed on
June 3 and 4.
The samples tested were reproductions of a section of
wall, the studs being spaced with 7-ft. centres and side walls
extending about 18 in. beyond each stud to their intersection
with the brick frame. The walls were 'shot' about April 20,
and had cured since that time. To avoid excessive damp-
ness, they had been surrounded with tarpaulins for the last
36
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3, 1920
ten days, and two salamanders were kept burning under
this cover. The laboratory and the underwriters' regulations
tor testing a ' fire-wall' provide that the sample shall be sub-
jected for lour hours to a heat ranging from 1000° within
five minutes after the test is started to 1600° at one hour,
and up to 2000° at four hours. The curve of the readings
made in this test followed this theoretical curve closely. In
addition it also provided that the face of the wall away from
the flames shall not become hotter than 300°. When the
first sample had been under heat for about IS minutes a
considerable spalling of the face occurred between one of
the studs and the abutment about 18 in. away, but this had
been expected as previous experiments had shown that gunite
slabs demanded considerable opportunity for expansion be-
tween fixed points. In fact a hole about 15 in. diameter
was opened up through the side toward the fire, but even
with this handicap the sample was subjected for four hours
and fifteen minutes to the heat above indicated without any
sign of breaking. The heat was withdrawn at this period
because of the fact that one of the outside thermometers
showed a little more than 300°, although all the other four
thermometers read considerably less. Strange to say the
thermometer that showed the high reading was farthest
away from the hole that had broken through the inner wall.
The second test made on June 4 called for a similar sample
to be subjected to heats up to 1600° for one hour, at which
time the frame was removed from the furnace and the sam-
ple swung over so that it could be subjected to a stream of
water through a lj-in. nozzle at 50 lb. pressure for five
minutes. This sample at about the same period as the first
sample showed similar spalling and a hole at almost exactly
the same spot. The general impression was that the great-
est initial heats were at the end of the furnace, and that
when the stress on the short span was once relieved no
further trouble occurred. When the water was thrown
against the wall considerable cracking occurred, and after
cooling it was seen that the slab had split for some distance
hack from the slabbing-point due to a lamination along the
plane of the wire mesh. None of the material fell, however,
nor was there the slightest spalling of the gunite. This led
to the recommendation that the mesh be placed as near the
centre of the slab as practicable in a wall of this kind, in
order to allow for a considerable thickness of undisturbed
material behind the wire if such lamination should occur.
It is uncertain pending the issuance of the official report
exactly what the ruling will be, but inasmuch as all of the
gentlemen present seemed to be satisfied, and in view of
the statement made by one of them that he considered this
wall "better than a 12-in. wall", it seems certain that gunite
walls will be accepted as self-supporting 'fire walls' under
certain conditions in steel or reinforced-concrete strutures.
No tests have ever been made to show the value of concrete
walls under similar conditions, but tests that have been
made on concrete have indicated' that gravel concrete will
stand only a small amount of heat; that granite concrete
breaks down under the water-test; that trap-rock and gravel
concrete fuses and flows at 1800° to 2000°; but that a high-
grade limestone concrete will withstand these heats. Off-
setting this, however, is the fact that most of the limestones
obtainable are not suitable. Also it is noted that, if limestone
or slag screenings were used as the aggregate in gunite,
even better results still would probably have been obtained,
as the sand used in these tests was highly silicious. Gunite
is much used for fire protection in the larger mines through-
out the United States where timbers in shafts, stations, and
other more or less permanent working passages are coated
with a layer :] to } inches thick.
Bulletin L 531-B. issued by the Worthington Pump &
Machinry Corporation, describes Laidlaw 'feather-valve' air-
compressors.
COMMERCIAL PARAGRAPHS
The C. L. Best Gas Traction Co. announces the establish-
ment of its sales and display room at 730 Van Ness Avenue,
San Francisco. The product of the company will be on dis-
play and full information regarding Best 'tracklayer' trac-
tors may be obtained.
B. V. E. Nordberg, son of the pioneer engine and hoist-
builder. B. V. Nordberg, has been appointed sales manager
for the Nordberg Manufacturing Co., Milwaukee. H. W. Dow,
former sales manager, recently resigned to become vice-
president and engineer for the Forest Products Chemical Co.
at Memphis.
At the annual meeting of the stockholders of the West-
inghouse Electric & Manufacturing Co. held at East Pitts-
burgh on June 9, the following directors were unamiously
re-elected for three years: Guy E. Tripp, chairman, Joseph
Marsh, president of the Standard Underground Cable Co.,
H. H. Westinghouse, chairman of the board, Westinghouse
Air Brake Co., Albert H. Wiggin, chairman of the board of
the Chase National Bank, and George W. Davison, president
of the Central Union Trust Co., was selected to succeed
James N. Wallace, deceased, for the term expiring in June
1921.
Recent advertisements of the Westinghouse Union Bat-
tery Co., Swissvale, Pennsylvania, have, unfortunately, led
many to assume that the Westinghouse Electric & Manu-
facturing Co. was entering the storage-battery field. In
order to clear away any misunderstanding, the Westing-
house Electric & Manufacturing Co. authorizes the state-
ment that the Westinghouse Union Battery Co. is owned
and controlled by the Westinghouse Air Brake Co., Wilmer-
ding, Pennsylvania, and the Westinghouse Electric & Manu-
facturing Co. is not in any way connected with the manu-
facture, sale, distribution, or service of the product of the
Westinghouse Union Battery Co.
The Chicago Pneumatic Tool Co., New York, announces
the election of Allan E. Goodhue as vice-president in charge
of sales. Mr. Goodhue since May 1, 1919, has been manag-
ing director of the company's English subsidiary, the Con-
solidated Pneumatic Tool Co., London; also director of
European sales for the Chicago Pneumatic Tool Co. Mr.
Goodhue was formerly for a number of years connected with
the sales department of the Midvale Steel Co. and Midvale
Steel & Ordnance Co. in Philadelphia, Chicago, and Boston,
leaving that company in March 1918 to enter the service of
the Government. From that time until January 1, 1919,
when he became connected with the Chicago Pneumatic
Tool Co., he was assistant manager of the steel and raw ma-
terial section, production division, of the Emergency Fleet
Corporation.
The General Fireprooflng Co. in the May issue of its pub-
lication points out that the most important part of any in-
dustrial operation is the human part — the men who run it.
Machines are important. Buildings are important. But
they are useless without the men; whereas men could, in a
pinch, make progress without either the machines or fac-
tories, as was the case before the invention of machinery.
The house is one of the most important factors in shaping
the true growth of the individual. Ramshackle dwellings
cannot fail to impress their character upon their inmates,
and ramshackle workers cannot fail to impress their char-
acter upon their work. The company believes that the ques-
tion of proper 'industrial housing' is one of the most im-
portant considerations of the employer today and recom-
mends permanent fire-resisting construction. Cement stucco
on metal lath over reinforced concrete frame, produces a
construction which is not only rigid and permanent, but pos-
sesses the insulating qualities so essential in exterior wall-
work by having dead-air space, thereby keeping the building
warm in winter and cool in summer.
July 3, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
47
Two-ton White operated by the Cananea Consolidated Copper Co., at Cananea, Sonora, Mexico. This owner says
that White Trucks have given long, satisfactory service at a low cost of operation
WHITE has the OWNERS
THE real merit of a motor truck is strongly reflected in its
owners. The Annual Roll Call of White Fleets in actual
service is graphic proof of the most remarkable truck ownership
in America, as remarkable for the quality of that ownership as
for its extent and steady growth from year to year.
The Roll Call, including only owners of ten or more White
Trucks, lists 350 concerns with a total of 12,674 Whites. All
together there are 3,691 White Fleets comprising 40,919 trucks,
exclusive of single-truck installations.
Behind it all there is one decisive reason : White Trucks do the
most work for the least money.
THE WHITE COMPANY
CLEVELAND
White Trucks
48
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3, 1920
Justinian Caire Company The Calkins Company
SAN FRANCISCO, CAL.
—Established 1S51 —
LOS ANCELES, CAL.
Gas Combination Furnace Outfits
The firing in these furnaces
is done on a tangent to the fire
box, with the result that the
flame does not impinge on the
crucibles but surrounds and en-
velops them. This great ad-
vantage will be appreciated by
experienced assayers and re-
finers who know how destruc-
tive it is to the crucibles to
have the flame strike directly
against them.
The crucible chamber is cir-
cular, which is the proper and
natural form of a fire box, as
such a form offers less corners
and edges for the fire to act
upon, as well as being the best
form for proper combustion.
Access to this chamber is to be
had from either side of the fur-
nace through covered apertures.
The cold furnace will be at a
good working heat twenty min-
utes after starting the burner,
and the muffle will be ready for
use before the first melt is com-
pleted. The muffle capacity is
equal to the melting capacity
and will easily cupel all the
melts possible to be made.
GAS BURNER
The gas burner used in this
outfit is a simple, inexpensive,
long lasting cast-iron burner;
this operates equally well on
either illuminating or fuel gas.
Gas supply is controlled by
valve in burner, while air sup-
ply is regulated by six-point
regulator which is furnished
with motor, this way of regu-
lating air is much better than
the usual way employed in the
majority of outfits of this kind
where they use a damper in the
air pipe.
ltlltlltllllllllltlllllllllll1llllillMlllltlllll[l<llllllll1llllllilllllllllllllH<[llllllllllllllllllllllll1llllillilllllllllllltlHI<lllll1IIIIIIMIIIIIIIIIII1IIU
GARRATT JACK HEAD I
PLUNGER PUMPS
Are Not Affected by |
Muddy, Gritty Water I
The cylinder has large clearance and I
the plunger is outside packed at the |
top. The suction and discharge valves 1
are fitted with bronze taper seats and \
are easily exchanged by removing bon- |
nets. The Jack Head works altogether |
on the down stroke; the pump rod is |
made to weigh just half the amount of 1
pressure exerted on the plunger so that 1
the load is equal and uniform at all |
times whether on down or up stroke. I
In this way |
Balance Bob is Eliminated
3^ thereby increasing the efficiency and |
?3£ materially reducing cost of installation. |
' These pumps are made with capacities 1
of from 30 to 500 gallons per minute 1
and for elevations up to 600 feet. \
W. T. GARRATT & CO.
Established 1850 X
299 Fremont St. San Francisco, Cal. 1
nllimilllMiiiimimiiiM mini iiiimiiimimiimmiij tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii minimi tun m
Protect Your Lamps
^g. From Breakage^Theft
m| ^Your Property from Ere
Inexpensive Security Against
Danger — Losses — Delays
FLEXCO-
TRADE I W ■ M^K ACaiCTCN
MARK I ■ ■ ^^^k U IHTOfl
Lamp Guards
Mechanically Perfect
Easiest to Put On — Best in Service
Flexco-Lok Steel Lamp Guards are of expanded sheet
steel heavily plated with non-corroding tin. Very simple
in adjustment. Halves open on riveted hinges in base;
close over lamp locking screws in collar. Strongly rein-
forced.
All Sizes — Locking or Plain
Flexco-Lok Steel Lamp Guards are made for all sizes of
lamps for either standard brass or weatherproof sockets.
Self-retaining lock screws in Flexco-Lok Guards lock with
a key preventing unauthorized removai. We make also
Flexco Steel Lamp Guards exactly the same construction,
types and sizes but with plain round head screws.
Ask Your Dealer— or Write Us
Write today. We will send you prices, sample 40 watt
Siard and full details regarding Flexco-Lok Steel Lamp
uards.
Jobbers — Get these excellent products for your trade.
FLEXIBLE STEEL LACING COMPANY
S26 Sooth Clinton Street Chicago, Illinois
July .:. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
49
REBUILT ENGINES
1-5x4 Ball Mill (Hendy)
2-4x3 Ball Mills (Hendy)
1-16x10x16 Sullivan
Class WH2.500' Straight
Line Compressor
1-50 HP. Type H Western
Engine, 38° Fuel
1-35 HP. Type G Western
Engine, 38° Fuel
1-20 HP. Type Y Fair-
banks-Morse, 27-K Oil
1-36 HP. Meitz 6 Weiss,
Two Vertical Cylinders,
27+ Oil
REBUILT BEARINGS, REGROUND VALVES, 5
NEW PISTON RINGS =
Condition: EQUAL TO NEW =
We Welcome All Inquiries SS
WRITE — WIRE — CALL ■=
^ A. H. SIMPSON COMPANY ^
SAIM FRANCISCO v$5}>
%.
%/lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllli^
50
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3, 1920
OPPORTUNITIES
Under this heading: announcements may be made of new and
second-hand machinery or supplies, for sale or wanted. The cost
is five cents per word, including- address. Minimum charge one
dollar per insertion. Remittances MUST accompany order. Copy
must be received by Saturday for the following: week's issue.
FOR SALE — One gold dredge, flume type 3% cubic feet buckets of
nickel chrome steel with manganese lips: completely equipped with 90 H.P.
"Western Gas Engine, separate engine and dynamo for lighting plant, 60-
foot flume with riffles, 14-inch Byron Jackson pump, blacksmith's outfit,
etc. All new. never used: can be purchased for much less than present
cost of manufacture. AdoVsss Straub Mfg. Co.. 5th and Chestnut Sts..
Oakland. Cal. tf
OPPORTUNITY — Diamond drilling on a new basis of cost, saving you
one-half to one-quarter over present methods. Guaranteed work with best
up to the minute equipment, efficient and experienced help. Long ex-
perienced and enthusiastic customers. Write for information. H. D. Staley.
229 Lick Bdg., San Francisco. tf
WANTED — Wood pipe, second hand, four to ten inch; telegraph quan-
tity, location and price to O. H. Fairchild, Richfield. Utah. 7-17
HYDRAULIC EQUIPMENT FOR SALE — 23,000 feet double riveted drive
pipe, 11 in. to 30 in., with elbows, tapers, tees and gates; 3 Campbell ele-
vators; complete inventory upon request. Address Opp. 392, Mining and
Scientific Press. 7-24
FOR SALE — One 4-in. Empire prospecting drill, regular equipment, com-
plete with horse-power sweep, spring attachment, 60 feet of rods. 90 feet
of casing and many extras: in use only four months: original cost S1400;
bargain. Address Star Machinery Company, 1731 1st Ave. South, Seattle.
Wash. 7-17
WANTED — Right parties to develop best copper prospect in Arizona;
will consider lease or sale. Address Box 134, Jerome, Arizona. 7-10
WILL give controlling interest in group of claims at Ray. Arizona, for a
certain amount of development work. Copper-silver, prospect stage only,
but fine ground in proven district; close to railway; plenty of water. Ad-
dress McKee Investment Co., Ray, Arizona. 7-3
FOR SALE — An electric traction shovel, Vulcan type, one and one-quarter
yard dipper. For particulars address S. P. Colt, Hereford, Oregon. 7-24
WANTED — Compressor, two to four-drill capacity, together with suitable
oil or gas engine; also drills and equipment; price must be right for cash.
Address P. O. Box 772, San Jose, California. tf
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rDoYOUWANTTAIS
IT IS A LIST OF USED MACUINER.Y
FOR MINING MILLING SMELTING
CHEMICAL AND POWER PLANTS
OVER 3000 PIECES OF HEAVY
MACHINERY THOROUGHLY REBUILT
READY FOB. SERVICE
WHATEVER YOU NEED IN THE MACHINERY LINE
WE VANT TO SHOW YDU WHAT YOU CAN SAVE
"^
WRITE US *
ft SUPPLY CO
DENVER USA
BROS
±iiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiitiiii!iiriiiiitiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiitiiiHiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimmm
! JARDINE SCRAPERS
We manufacture Dragline Scrapers
all sizes and capacities, with special
heavy sheave blocks.
Sizes— K-yard to 5-yard capacity.
Send for Cuts and Data
Manufacturers and Dealers in New and
Rebuilt Machinery
Your Inquiries Solicited
I JARDINE MACHINERY CO.
OFFICE AND WORKS
| 115-125 Main St., San Francisco, Cal.
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I THE ZINC INDUSTRY
By E. A. SMITH
211 Pages
(1918)
Price $3.75
Cloth
ib I !
For Sale by
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS,
420 Market St., San Francisco, California
= nllMllllltl1ll1lllllll1l|]lllll1l[lllllllllllll[ll[1lllll]|lll[IIMIIIIIIMIMI|][ll[ll[llllll11ll[lllllll[l1ll]ll]llllllllllllllllltll>lllllTtri]IIHIIIII
1 MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS wants a permanent circulation rep-
= resentative in every mining' community in the world. Replies will be held
confidential if desired. Address The Manager, Mininr and Scientific Press.
3»iiHiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiii!iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiijiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiii[iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiii(;
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ENGINEERS
MANUFACTURERS
CONTRACTORS
DENVER, COLO.
MININGAND
MILLING MACHINERY
AND PLANTS
July 3, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
51
POSITIONS WANTED
The cost of advertising- for positions wanted is 2 cents per word,
including' address. Minimum charge 50 cents per insertion. Replies
forwarded without extra charge. Remittances must accompany
order. Copy must be received Saturday morning1 for the following'
week's issue.
CHEMIST AND MILL SUPERINTENDENT, at present employed by large
corporation, wants change: technical graduate; expert in flotation and
leaching. Address Box 1067, Phoenix. Arizona. 7-24
SAFETY ENGINEER — Graduate engineer with eleven years general min-
ing experience, at present engaged in safety and welfare work, wishes larger
ppport unity with corporation definitely pledged to this line and endeavor;
torganizer. capable and tactful; married; age 36. Address PW 391, Min-
ing and Scientific Press. 7-3
DRAFTSMAN open for engagement; three years with mining, milling
And smelting machinery companies. Twelve years with mining, milling and
smelting companies. Address PW 375. Mining and Scientific Press. 7-3
MINE CHIEF CLERK wants position; available after July 1; age 45:
single: years of experience; able to handle all office work, including monthly
«ost sheets, all by himself, for mine employing 50 to 100 men; speaks
Spanish; good references; minimum salary to start, S225. Address PW
rS88, Mining and Scientific Press. 7-3
POSITION WANTED — Master mechanic, mine, mill, power house con-
struction; 20 years experience: references from past employers. Address
PW 390, Mining and Scientific Press. 7-3
MINING ENGINEER, experienced and efficient superintendent and man-
ager, open for engagement: age 43; references A-l. Address PW 384. Min-
ing and Scientific Press. 7-17
MINING ENGINEER open for engagement; 20 years executive experi-
ence in the Southwest and Mexico: thoroughly conversant with both tech-
nical and business end of mine and mill operation; fluent Spanish; highest
references. Address PW 383, Mining and Scientific Press. 7-17
MINING ENGINEER available for exploration work or mine and mill
management anywhere except Mexico. Salary $300; single: speak Spanish.
Address PW 382. Mining and Scientific Press. 7-10
MILL FOREMAN OR SHIFTEOSS: first class all around millman: ex-
iensive experience both flotation and cyanide; can do assaying; good
mechanic; speak Spanish; go anywhere. Address PW 381, Mining and
Scientific Press. - 7-3
MINE FOREMAN OR SHIFTBOSS at present employed desires position
with a responsible mining company in the western United States; have had
9.5 years good practical experience as miner, timberman, etc.; four years
as shift boss and foreman; thoroughly understand the care and operation
of pumps, compressors, etc: 45 years of age; married: will be available
on the first of July. Address PW 377, Mining and Scientific Press. 7-3
COLUMBIA E. M., ten years experience in both operation and engineer-
ing as mine foreman and chief engineer respectively; speak Spanish. Ad-
dress PW 371, Mining and Scientific Press. 7-3
SUPERINTENDENT gold mine and mill: 25 years experience; thorough
assayer, machinist and millwright; mill planning and construction; have
well-equipped assay outfit. Address PW 336, Mining and Scientific Press.
7-3
MILL SUPERINTENDENT of wide experience desires employment: just
completed five-year job; go anywhere: know how to handle men and
machinery. Address PW 367, Mining and Scientific Press. 8-7
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS wants a permanent circulation rep-
resentative in every mining community in the world. Replies will be held
confidential if desired. Address The Manager, Mining and Scientific Press.
3iiN»iniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiitiiiiiiiiiititiiiiiiiiiiiiti)iiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiitiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiu
1 Portland Filters |
| The following rebuilt filters in our Denver §
1 stock ready for immediate delivery. |
I 1—12x7^' 4—12 x 9' |
I 2—12x8' 1—12^x14' |
Hiiiiliitiillliliiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiliiiiiiiiiiiii]iiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiii]iiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiliiiiiitiiiiiiiiii[iiiiiiiiiiiiliiliillitiiiiiititiiiiiiiiiiiiiminiE
| BUTCHART
| Concentrating Tables, Flotation Apparatus, Classifiers, |
= Screens, etc
W. A. BUTCHART. 1326-1330 Eleventh St.. Denver. Colo.
| A. P. WATT. Eastern Repiwentotife, Room 1903. 52 Vaodeifailt Ave., New York |
?liiiiii(ititMiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiititiiiiiiiiiiNiitiiiiiitiiinitiiiiiiimiiiiinin
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| IMew 4x4 Ball IVIill 1
| Latest heavy pattern. For immediate delivery at a |
| SPECIAL PRICE
HALLIDIE COMPANY
I Spokane, Wash.
5 7-10 =
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{classifiers I
I IS — 45" Akins, complete with tanks, j
| 3 — Dorr Duplex, with steel tanks.
1 Immediate delivery from Denver stock §
| THE MORSE BROS. MACHINERY & SUPPLY CO. |
1 Denver, Colorado 1
I 9-18 §
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I PRACTICAL MATHEMATICS I
FOR HOME STUDY
| By CLAUDE mWTN PALMER
| 403 pp. $3.00 Fabrikoid 1
Arranged in four parts:
Arithmetic with Applications
A concise treatment of the subject with checks of
progress, degree of accuracy possible in solutions, and
contracted processes.
Geometry with Applications
Facts and principles involved in the Bolution of
geometrical problems are thoroughly discussed, bring-
ing into play the devices and methods used by prac-
tical men.
Algebra with Applications
Considers graphical methods and the application of
equations to practical problems.
Trigonometry and Logarithms
Giving many applications and emphasizing those
parts that may be applied directly to practical prob-
lems.
USE THE COUPON
MINING AND SCD3NTD3TC PRESS,
420 Market St., San Francisco
Gentlemen: Enclosed find $3.00 for which send me
one copy of Palmer "Practical Mathematics for Home
Study".
1 The MORSE BROS. MACHINERY & SUPPLY CO. I I
Denver, Colorado
9-18 |
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I Name
| Address
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MC 7-3-20 =
52
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
Jul}' 3, 1920
POSITIONS AVAILABLE
Announcements in this column are secured through the co-opera-
tion of many of the largest mining* companies in the United States.
Advertisements under this heading will he inserted two times without
charge. Additional insertions charged at the rate of 2c. per word,
including address.
WANTED — Young man who has taken partial or full university mining
or mechanical course: preferably one who has spent his vacation period in
employment in metal or coal mine. Desirable permanent position with ad-
vancement opportunities is offered to one who is a business student and
with live commercial spirit. Applications are invited from young men
graduating this year or those who have been out one or two years. Please
give personal description, educational details, and three references. Answers
will be held strictly confidential and full information concerning position
open will be given to those whose application letters warrant it. Refer-
ences are asked to establish applicant's standing, and will not be communi-
cated with until negotiations have been opened with applicant. AddresB
PA 374, Mining and Scientific Press. 7-3
CHEMIST wanted for Western smelter: thoroughly familiar with in-
organic determinations. Give experience, references and salary expected.
Address PA 385. Mining and Scientific Press. 6-26
WANTED MINERS — Two first-class practical miners with modern ex-
perience in drilling, timbering and pumping, for gold company in Ecuador.
South America, forty-five miles from coast, altitude 2500 ft.; climate good;
salary $150 per month, commencing from date of arrival at mine to re-
turn in New York, together with traveling expenses from port of sailing
both ways, provided two years contract is completed; also board and quar-
ters furnished; knowledge of Spanish desirable: only those with best ref-
erences as to ability and character need apply. Address J. W. Mercer. 922
Equitable Bdg., Denver. Colo. 7-3
POSITIONS SECURED PROMPTLY for well qualified men in all branches
of mining and metallurgical work; 17 years established clientage with the
largest companies in the industry. Wanted immediately: zinc smelter su-
perintendent. Arkanass. S225: junior chemists, Utah. Tennessee, Illinois.
$140; flotation operator, northwest. S175; 2 cyanide shift bosses. Nevada.
$165; coal mine surveyor, Colorado, $175; mill draftsmen. Arizona. Min-
nesota, $225-$275. Apply Business Men's Clearing House. Denver. Colo. 7-3
OPENING for experienced mine foreman and shift-boss with large min-
ing company in Mexico. A knowledge of Spanish essential. Address J I
Kane. 1112 Mills Bdg.. El Paso. Texas. 7-3
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§ Our New Catalogue of Technical Books is now 1
| ready for distribution. Write for your copy. 1
| 420 Market St. Mining and Scientific PreSS San Francisco |
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Guaranteed Machinery
BOILERS
300 H.P. Rust Vertical Water Tube, 150 lb. pressure.
250 H.P. Heine Water Tube, 115 lb. pressure.
100 H.P. Heine Water Tube.
Horizontal Tubular Boilers, all sizes from 20 to 125 H.P,
Vertical Boilers, sizes from 20 to 40 H.P.
Locomotive Type, sizes from 10 to 25 H.P.
FEED WATER HEATERS
160 H.P. Reynolds (closed type).
100 H.P. Sims.
80 H.P. Wainright (closed type).
ENGINES
16 x 42 Allis-Corliss.
16 x 36 Allis-Corliss.
15 x 36 Hamilton -Corliss.
16 x 24 Atlas Side Crank Automatic.
14 x 20 Atlas Side Crank Automatic.
15 x 15 Armington Simms.
14 x 18 Woodbury Side Valve.
PUMPS
9 x 14 x 10 x 12 Smith-Vaile Duplex, outside packed.
10x6x12 Jeanesville Duplex, outside packed.
10 x 4 x 10 Snow Duplex, outside packed.
14x8Vj x 12 Snow duplex, piston pattern.
14xl0M> x 12 Knowles Duplex, P. & R. pattern.
16x8x10 Knowles Single, piston pattern.
14 x 10 x 10 Deane Duplex. P. & R. pattern.
2Vi>" Krogh. 4 stage, vertical centrifugal sinking pump, with 35
H.P.. vertical G. E. motor. 3 phase. 60 cycle. 440 volt.
No. 11 Cameron Sinker.
No. 9B Cameron Sinker.
No. 5 Cameron Sinker.
8" Morris Centrifugal Sand Pump, direct connected to a S x 5 Morris
twin vertical engine.
(>" Wheeler. 2' stage centrifugal, has extension base for motor.
4" Worthington Single Stage Turbine, extension motor base.
BLOWERS
16x42x36 Guild & Garrison Blowing Engine.
No. 7 Green Rotary, 67 cu. ft. per rev.
No. 6 Connersville. 57 cu. ft. per rev.
No. 5 Baker, 25 cu. ft. per rev
HOISTS
16x25 Nelsonville. double cyl., dbuble drum. Link motion.
14 x 18 Lidgerwood. single drum. Link motion.
1JS% xl5 Lidgerwood. double cyl., double drum. Link motion.
11 x 15 Gates Iron Wks., double cyl.. single drum, Link motion,
geared.
GOLD DREDGE
3% cubic foot MARION Elevator Dredge, electrically equipped with
3 phase, 60 cycle, 440 volt motors.
Write for specifications of this dredge.
This is only a partial list of equipment which we have in stock.
We can give immediate delivery on all of the above equipment.
Write Us Your Requirements
Morse Bros. Machinery & Supply Co.
DENVER, COLORADO
I PACIFIC NEW AND RE-NEWED PIPE
SAVES MONEY
= Renewed screw casing costs one-half to two-thirds less than stand-
= ard pipe. Large savings on standard pipe, fittings and valves;
1 special fittings made to order. Pacific Pipe is thoroughly tested and
= guaranteed for 150 pounds working pressure; asphaltum dipped;
= serves every purpose. Let us save you money. Write!
| PACIFIC PIPE CO., ii3NHF<KXfcRcktTd
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^iiniiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiniHininiiiiiiHiniHinitiitiiiiiiiiiinitiiiiiiiiiinifiiiinininiiiiiiitiiiitiinininiiiiiiitiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii^
FOR SALE
I 1 — 20" and 12"xl6" Ingersoll-Rand Air Compressor (type SB-2). =
= 084 cubic feet per minute. -
1 1 —150 H.P.. 2000 V.. 580 R.P.M., Western Electric Induction 1
| Motor, complete with starting panel, etc.
I 1 — 4.8"xl2' Air Receiver. |
1 Above unit complete with belt, pulley, etc. Excellent condition. 5
= Available in San Francisco for inspection. Can make immediate =
= delivery. =
= NITROGEN PRODUCTS COMPANY
= 90S Insurance Exchange Bldg.t San Francisco, Caf. 7-3 =}
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July 3, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
53
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE
COMPRESSORS
1 — Ingersoll-Rand Compound Air Compressor, 3000
cu. It. air per minute. Direct connected to 460-hp.
Synchronous motor, complete.
1 — Nordberg Manufacturing Company Compound Air
Compressor, 1500 cu. ft. air per minute. Belted to
200-hp. Westinghouse Type "C", 3-60-440 motor,
complete.
1 — 16x10x12 Fairbanks Compound Air Compressor,
476 cu. ft. air per minute. Belted.
-10x10 Clayton single cylinder.
1 — Clayton single cylinder, 16x10 Air Compressor.
1 — Ingersoll-Rand duplex low pressure, 13x10 Air
Compressor.
PUMPS
3 — 7x8 Gould Triplex Belt Driven Pumps.
2 — 4x6 Gould Triplex Belt Driven Pumps.
1 — 4x4 Gould Triplex Belt Driven Pump.
1 — 6x7 Aldrich Triplex Belt Driven Pump.
ENGINES
1 — 100-hp. Fairbanks Type "R" vertical two cylinder
Distillate Engine, complete with outboard bear-
ing, friction clutch and air starting set.
1 — 16x24 Allis-Chalmers, two cylinder horizontal full
Diesel Heavy Duty Oil Engine, complete with start-
ing set.
MISCELLANEOUS
1 — 7} Gates Gyratory Crusher.
6 — 6x16 Allis-Chalmers Tube Mills.
3 — Model "C" Dorr Duplex Classifiers, 20J-ft. x 4J-ft.
1 — Akins Classifier.
3 — 500-kva. General Electric Transformers, 56000/
47500-440/2200 volts, outdoor type, water and air
cooled.
1 — 640 K.W. Motor Generator Set.
Lot Redwood Tanks.
1 — 15 H.P. Fairbanks Gasoline Hoist.
1 — 25 H.P. Fairbanks Gasoline Hoist.
1 — 6 H.P. Bull Dog Gasoline Hoist.
NEVADA ENGINEERING & SUPPLY COMPANY
RENO, NEVADA
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I M ID IS [Ml fl f I I SERVICE IS WHAT YOU WANT \
If you grind ores or any other material
you should investigate the merits of —
tue simplest and strongest
macuine on tue market
NOTUINCj TO GET OUT OF ORDER^,
A 100% OPERATING TIME WORKS
EITHER VET OR DRY MADE IN ALL SIZES.
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Our Portland factory is located in the heart of the
Douglas Fir Forests where the best of tank woods is
always at hand; we also make tanks from California
Redwood. Our tanks are manufactured according to
our own special process and are guaranteed to give the
most satisfactory wear. We make all kinds and all
sizes of wood tanks and can serve you promptly and
satisfactorily.
The United States government has used carload
after carload of our tanks as well as some of the
largest mines in the country. You will be pleased
with them. Get our prices and specifications.
NATIONAL TANK & PIPE CO. l7i?R?Ki?f ore
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Rocks and Rock Minerals I I Economic Geology
| By L. V. PIRSSOX 1
414 Pages 3G Full Page Plates Cloth |
| Price $3.00 |
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS |
| 430 Market St., San Francisco |
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By H. RIES
: 85C Pages Cloth Price $5.00 |
§ This volume is the standard treatise on Economic Geology. It is =
= divided into Two Parts: Non-Metals and Ore Deposits. §
1 Sold by |
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
430 Market St., San Francisco --.
^iiMniiiiiniiiniMiinniiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiitiiiiiititiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiHiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiH
54
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3, 1920
FOR
ALE
STEAM LOCOMOTIVE
1 — 7"x 12" 7-TON FOUR DRIVTER SADDLE TANK "VULCAN" LOCOMOTIVE, 24" gauge, 46" wheel-
base, equipped with steam brakes, 2 — J" "Monitor" injectors, "Hammel" oil burner. No. 9 "Bulls-
eye" lubricator and 65-gal. fuel oil tank. Working pressure 165 lbs. Extra set o£ new brake shoes
and heads included.
GASOLINE LOCOMOTIVE
1 — 6-TON, MODEL BL "PLYMOUTH" GASOLLNE LOCOMOTIVE, 24" gauge, with 5"x 6", four-
cylinder, 50 H.P. "Pittsburgh Model" engine, friction disc and roller chain transmission, brakes on
all four wheels, "WestinghouEe" two-inch starting and lighting system, "Bosch" magneto, "Strom-
berg" carburetor, and 25-gal. gasoline tank. Speed 0-10 miles per hour; drawbar pull, 2400 lbs.
at 5 miles per hour, or 1200 lbs. at 10 miles per hour; wheelbase 46i"; length over all 144";
height over all 78"; width over all 56".
STEAM SHOVEL
1 — "MARION" MODEL 28 REVOLVING STEAM SHOVEL, with %-yd. dipper and traction wheels.
Working weight about 183 T.; length of boom 16' 6"; length of dipper handle 11' 6"; type of
boiler, vertical; size of boiler 42"x 96"; working pressure 125 lbs.; size of engines: hoisting 5}x6",
crowding 4*x5", rotating 4ix5"; capacity of water tank 200 gals.; width over traction wheels
8' 3"; diameter of traction wheels 33". Boiler has just been retubed. Two extra sets of dipper
teeth and four new rotating rollers included.
MISCELLANEOUS
850 New Fish Plates for 20-lb. rails.
15 kegs (about 3000 lbs.) New a"x3%" Track Spikes.
2 kegs (about 370 lbs.) New}£"x2" Track Bolts with square nuts.
1400 Second-hand "Koppel" Pressed Steel Ties for 24" gauge track, 32" long, 5" wide, % " deep.
BUTTRESS & McCLELLAN,
20S-207 IV.
MACHINERY DEALERS
LOS ANGELES STREET, ....
LOS ANGELES. CAL.
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illinium^ ^■■IIIMIMlllllllllllllllllflllllllllltlltlllllllllltllfllMIIIMIllllllllllllllllllltllllilltlllllllllllllllllltlllllllllllllllllllllllllllltinillllllllllllllillie
| Structural Steel 1
| We have over two thousand tons of Structural Steel of
| all shapes and dimensions. This is secured from mill
| buildings we are dismantling.
| Write or wire us your requirements.
| We have one item of 200 tons of 24" 100 lb. I Beams
| in 50 to 5 5 foot lengths. A large number of columns,
| girders, channels, I beams, angles, etc.
| 20 Complete Steel Buildings
1 The MORSE BROS. MACHINERY & SUPPLY CO.
= Denver, Colorado
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5 aiiiiiimiii immiiimnmiii > iimum minium imnmi im i mi immitimimmiK:
1 COLBURN FLOTATION & ENGINEERING CO. j [
- Consulting, Mining and Metallurgical Engineers | |
| AGENTS FOR § |
l COLBDRN YACUUM FLOTATION PROCESS I I
I Mill Tests by Flotation and Cyanide | |
| S3 STEVENSON ST., SAN FRANCISCO | |
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SILVER PLATED COPPER AMALGAM PLATES
FOB SAVING GOLD
Most extensive and successful manufacturers.
Old plates replated — made equal te new.
SAN FRANCISCO PLATING WORKS
1349-51 Miuoo St., San Francisco E. G. DENNISTON, Prop.
Get our prices. Catalog" sent
Telephone: Market 2916
iiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiriiimiiiiifiiiiiHiiHiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiuiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiKiiiiii
Julv ;:. L920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
55
Send -for
Bulletin 180-A
JACKSOH ROTARY
COMPRESSOR
Is "Every Mines' Compressor" from
prospect to the largest developed property.
You can't carry a Jackson Rotary
Compressor around in your pocket, but
you can do the next thing to it.
It is so compact, that it can be lower-
ed down the smallest shaft.
It is 'light enough to be readily
portable; it is self-contained, of course.
Whether underground or on the sur-
face, the Jackson Rotary is one of the
mojt effective, useful appliances made for
mining operations.
Send for Bulletin 1 80- A
THE JACKSON COMPRESSOR CO.,
233 So, Cherokee St., Denver, Colo.
^■nittiiiHiiriiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiitMiiiiiiiiiilhltliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitlilllliilliiiiiiiiiii
miiimiiiiiiniiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiumiM iliiilliililllllliiiliiiiiiiiilllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllillllllllllllililliltiliiiiiiiiiiiiitlllllllllllllllflllllllllllllillllltlllllllllliiilillllHlllllllllllllflllllllllK
STATIONARY
120 to 3300 B.H.fi
MARINE
600 •«> 3000 SHAFT H.K
AMERICAN
DESIGNERS $ BUILDERS
OF
DIESEL, ENGINES
SINCE 1095
BUSCH-SULZER EROS.-DIESEL ENGINE CO.
ST. LOUIS, U.S.A.
NEW YORK
M» 60 BROADWAY.
SAX ntANCISCO
RIALTO BITIL.DINO.
!l>iiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitillllllllltill<'lliiiiiiitiiiiiillliillllltililiiiiiiiiii[iiiiiiillilllilltllllllllllllllllliiliiiiiiliiiiililiiitiiiriu
| AMERICAN CAST IRON F»IF»E COMPANY l
MANUFACTURERS OF
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IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMllllllltlllllllllllllllllMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIllllNllllllij
BIRMINGHAM, ALA. i
SALES OFFICES: _. . . I
= Birmingham, Ala.— Box 908. Chicago, HI.— 5 1 2 I jl Nut. Bk. Bl dg =
I CoInmbiB. Ohio— 607 New Hayden Bldg. DaUiu, fre*.— 1217 Praetorian Bldg. 5
I Minneapolis, Minn.— 712 Plymoth Bldg. Kansas City, Mo.— 716 Scanitt Bldg. =
1 New York City— No. I Broadway San Francisco, Cal.— 71 1 BalboaBldg. 1
Los Angeles, Cal.— 339 Citizens' National Bank Bldg. =
niimmmimmimiimimimmimimmiHiiii m nniiiiii in minimi iiiiiiiiiiiimmiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiin
siiimiiiimiiiiimimni iiiimmimimiihiimtmiimimiiiimimtmmiiiiimimmiiimi
| /UFK/N
| Backed by a record of 25 Tears
5 of dependable service
Measuring*-
Tapes and
Rules
CATALOG ON request Saginaw,
-llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllilllllllllltllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
riiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiririiiiiiiiiiiiiriiiiriiiiiiriiniiiiriiiiiititiiiiiiiiii
ijiiiimiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiitiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiifiiii
FRENIER'S SAND PUMP I
THE MOST DURABLE) FOR |
SLIMES, TAILINGS, BATTERY SANDS, Etc. |
AGENTS
Allis-Chalmers Co. Steams-Roger Mfg. Co.- =
Milwaukee, Wis, Denver Colo. =
Harron, Rickard & McCone, San Prancieco =
Prank R. Perrot. Sydney and Perth. Australia =
FRENIER & SON, RUTLAND, Vt. |
ii it m ii mil ntn ii ii in ii ii iimif iiiinm iimne
iiiiiiiiHimiHiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiini£
| "Mechanize Underground" with the 1
a practical mucking machine |
| Lake Superior Loader Cp. DulutK, Minn. I
^iiiiiniiiiiiiiiniiiiMiiiitiiiiiiiiniiinnninnNiuiiiihiHiiinuiiinniiiiiiiiiifiiiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiMiMiii.iiiiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiHMiiii^
56
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
Jul}- 3, 1920
UNWATERING PUMPS INCLINE or VERTICAL
To meet any condition of capacity or head.
Self-contained, provided with extra large water-
cooled thrust bearing, driving shaft being car-
ried through this bearing, and connected by a
solid coupling to a motor, so that thrust of
rotor is also taken up.
Pump is multi-stage, with solid or split casing
as preferred. Ball-bearing motor with spatter-
proof hood. Submit your problems to our
engineering department.
Ask for catalogue No. 71.
BYRON JACKSON IRON WORKS l^F^cisco
LONG YEAR
a
A Drill for Every Purpose"
Write for Prices and Catalogs
EFFICIENT
ECONOMICAL
Made in all sizes
750 to 5000 feet
to 2-inch cores
E. eJ. LONGYEAR COMPANY
Branch Office, Tucaon, Arizona MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA
July 3, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
57
iiiimimminiMii
iiiiiiiNiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiUjiii iiiiiiii
iiiiiiiiiiiii in
iiimiminiii iiiiiiiiiihiiii^
The Dow Chemical Company --t--*-^.
Sm midland, micmioan.u.i.a <~^-^3-^*:-
J«.r.u»ry 19th 1920
■ortitrcn Lubricated Plus Cock*.
a. C. whita
The Merrill Co.
131 Seoond Street,
San Frar.ciaco, Gal.
Gentleman:
In conformity with my letter of Nov 19th 1919
and your reply of Not 34th 1919 beg to aubmlt the f oil. lowing
report on one of your 2" plug oooke Installed on one of
our etrong Sulphuric Aold linee.
Installed 11-21-19 open
Closed
Opened
(Closed)
(Opened)
Closed
Opened
Closed
11-31-19
13-3—19
8" wrench
1-1-20
1-16-20 10"
1-17-20 10
uelng lstlok of lubricant &
10" wrenoh.
10" wrench
You will note that only once since the installation
of this oook have we needed to put lubricant into it to nake
work. We are very muoh pleased with the results we have
had go fax with this oook as any other kind of valve we
have used had to be moved at least once in 24 hours to keep
It free, or at least to be positively sure it would work
when wanted.
fould it be possible for you to furnish ub with
a lubricant that will stand 180 degrees Cent.? We have one
other plaoa where we would like to try one of theee oooka
but the material passing thru the line frequently rises to
the above mentioned temperature.
Kindly let the niter hear from you at your early
convenience.
Calcium-Magnesium Products Div.
■it
'Any other kind''
of valve caused some trouble for the
Dow Chemical Company—
But the
Nordstrom
PLUG VALVE quickly demonstrated
its superiority.
No matter how corrosive the solution,
the MERCO Nordstrom valve always
turns easily and smoothly.
IT IT
CAN'T WON'T
STICK LEAK
SEND FOR DESCRIPTIVE LITERATURE AND STATE
OUTLINE OF YOUR WORKING CONDITIONS.
THE MERRILL COMPANY
121 SECOND STREET,
SAN FRANCISCO
Chicago Office: JUonadtiock Bldg.
PLEASE SEND ORDERS TO OUR NEAREST OFFICE
~ ■ ■ ■ i 1 1 ■ i ■ r r 1 1 ■ t j c ■ l ■ q e i ■ ■ , i ■ ■ t ■ r ■ i ■ j ■ 4 ■ ■ i ■ t ■ r ■ 1 1 1 ■ 3 . j ■ ■ i ■ t ■ i ■ i ■ j ■ ■ ■ i . ■ ■ ■ r ■ i ■ h ■ I ■ i ■ 1 1 1 1 1 ■ ■ r j t ■ t ■ i ■ 1 1 , ■ i ■ 1 1 3 ■ ■ b ■ t ■ 1 1 1 ■ I u l j 1 1 1 3 i [ ■ ^ i e h ■ i c , r i J ■ 1 1 1 ■ i ■ ■ e ■ t ■ i ■ 1 ■ i , 1 1 ■ b ■ i ■ a ■ , ■ ■ r ■ r 1 1 ■ j t ■ e ■ i ■ j ■ i ■ ■ j ■ ■ ■ ■ k ■ i ■ 1 1 ■ i ■ 1 1 1 r i r I ■ ] I ■ i ■ , 1 1 ■ 1 1 ■ 1 1 r ■ d ■ ■ c ■ t ■ t ■ , ■ ■ e ■ i ■ i ■ ■ ■ ■ t ■ q ■ ■ ■ ■ r ■ 1 1 J * ■ h ■ r i r-
P ELTON
!i() foot head PELTON Turbine connected through speed, increasing gears to
11G ft. head PELTON Pump.
WATER POWER
FOR PUMPING
Very satisfactory savings
can be made in pumping
costs by the installation ot
all-hydraulic pumping equip-
ment.
First costs are kept at the
lowest point as only one
power unit is necessary. The
water wheel or turbine de-
velops the power and trans-
mits it direct to the pump
shaft. Operating costs are
practically zero as there are
no power nor fuel bills to
pay.
The maximum amount of
water can be pumped. Xo
loss occurs between the
power unit and the pump.
Both are designed to oper-
ate with high individual effi-
ciency. When speed changes
are necessary, high efficiency
gears are installed to pro-
vide proper ratios with very
small losses of power.
Lei us give you details.
THE PELTON WATER
WHEEL COMPANY
1986 Harrison St., San Francisco, Cal.
86 West St., New York, N. Y.
58
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3, 1920
Practical Oil Geology
By DORSET HAGEB
THIRD EDITION, 1919
Flexible Fabrikoid
253 pp.
7%x5
Price
$3.00
This new edition, with consider-
able new material added, contains
the following chapter headings:
1 — Origin and Accumulation of
Petroleum
3 — Physical and Chemical Prop-
erties
3 — Stratigraphy
4 — Structural Geology
5— Prospecting and Mapping
6 — Locating Drill-Hole Sites
7 — Oil Well Drilling
8 — Oil Production
9 — Water
10 — Natural and Casinghead Gas
11 — Oil Shales
12 — Geological Field Methods and
Instruments in Use
13 — Cautions
THE APPLICATION OF GEOLOGY
TO OIL FIELD PROBLEMS
USE THE COUPON
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS,
420 Market Street, San Francisco
Gentlemen: Please send me one copy of "Practical
Oil Geology" by Hager, for which I am enclosing $3.00.
Name
Address
It is understood if the book should prove unsatis-
factory, I am at liberty to return it within ten days
and refund wHl be made of the purchase price.
Mc 7-3.20
Waterbury Wire Rope of iron, crucible
cast steel, extra crucible cast steel and im-
proved plow steel is made in all lays and
standard sizes. Let us help you to select
the right rope for your work, so that
satisfactory sendee will be doubly sure.
Waterbury quality in even7 grade is with-
out a superior.
1 60,000 buy-
ers of rope
are using the
Wa terbury
Rope Hand-
book as a
guide. A copy
will be sent on
request.
WATERBURY COMPANY
S3 PARK ROW, NEW YORK
Makers of Wire, Armored, Fibre, and Fibre-
clad Rope, also Music Wire
CHICAGO 609-613 North La Salle St.
SAN FRANCISCO 151-161 Main St.
NEW ORLEANS 1018 Maison Blanche Bldg.
DALLAS, TEX A. T. Powell & Co.
2371-W
July 3, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
59
tAxl
»*e
&>
&
*<* &
«6
S^Vo***
,S6-
Wk
€%p-\*^
&* ;.„^
<&*
•**S*
■&v
%&&(&&
C°-
*-*>&*".
^^ Uitl ^\
SM00TH-0H
I have found nothing to equal
SMOOTH-ON for leaky steam-pipe
joints. It does the trick every time.
Robt. Tomlinson,
MacFadden Sanatarium,
Battle Creek, Mich.
We *ave h J^~*^=S=a=====^^
5tfs to
Geo.
shiPi
4"eila
aser
sotne
Song
very
your
in-
m> Xe^'lH
■Seaia.
ud
«, because of its sfreng#v
iougimess and tfextbiitfy,
if ts safe and durable
because of its
durability \t is
economical
cA £escKei\ & SorvS
*Ropc Company
Sf. CouiS.ltVo
TlotOlJopK' Ctvicaoo "OetuJcr
Salt (atie Othj 5a.tv 'JranciscO
ni
"ILL iSlSYlIJUQI^ SPUR ^
M
DRIVES
SPEED REDUCERS
iWORM
BEVEL GEARS
FAWCUS MACHINE CO. PITTSBURGH, PA.
lUumiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiritiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiH
Jigs, Screens, Sand and Slime
Tables, Classifiers, Automatic
Ore Feeders, Etc.
Manufactured by |
JAMES ORE CONCENTRATOR CO. |
35 Runyon Street Newark, N. J. |
^niMiiiiMiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiifiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiriiiiiiiiiiiiiiriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiirii?
Hundreds of Letters
Like These —
have been coming in for 24 years. They come
from big engineers and business men, who are glad
to let us know their appreciation of
SMOOTH-ON IRON CEMENTS
Many of these letters are instructive to any man
interested in plant operation, since they tell in de-
tail how to save time and money on repair work.
The best of them have been collected into a big
free instruction book which will be sent to you
on request.
Write for your copy now.
SMOOTH-ON MANUFACTURING CO.
570-574 Communipaw Ave., Jersey City, N. J., U S. A.
Chicago Office:
221 N. Jefferson St.
San Francisco Office:
56 Sacramento St.
uiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiriiiiiitiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiMiiiiiiiiu
aiiKiiiiiiJiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiifiiiiimiiiiiimmiiiiiiiiJifiiimfiiifi.
60
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3, 1920
Simple Practicable ■ Economical
Type 1-B Callow Screen without hous-
ing is adapted for coarse screening, large
capacities and heavy duty. The feed soles,
undersize hoppers and undersize gutters
have increased slopes, are lined with re-
newable liners, and are capable of taking
care of large quantities of feed without
banking. You'll find satisfaction in a
Callow Traveling Belt Screen
If the mill water in your district is charged with acid which eats out im-
portant parts of your screening machines, we'll submit designs for your ap-
proval, on a cast iron Callow Screen that is acid proof.
Bulletin 100 contains information of interest to you — it will help solve your
screening problems. Write for it.
THE GALIGHE/R A\ACHIN£>RYCO
IOI WEST 2ND SOUTH (DOOLY BLOCK)
SALT LAKE CITY
The ELSOL
DRY CONCENTRATOR
Handles all Dry Ores Successfully
For working all kinds of Concentrating Ores in Quartz or Placer.
Saves the fines as well as the coarse. No dust. Utmost simplicity.
Write for Catalog B
ELSOL CONCENTRATING COMPANY
423 Wesley Roberts Bids.. Los Angeles, CI.
The
Company
Manufacturers of
FLOTATION OILS
Barrett Nos. 4, 609, 633, 634, 635
and
Alpha-Napthylamine Xylidin
( Crude and Refined) (Crude and Refined)
Ortho-Toluidine
or combinations of the above
17 Battery Place
New York City
Salt Lake City
Utah
atlHulluimi mil mmmi iliiliiimmiiiniiMiilliiliiimiiirimmiimmmmiimifimmmiil iimimiiilinmiilili
I'i'iiMii Hinm imiiiiiiiiiiMHM milium in miniiimiimm imimmmimimmiiiiiiimiiiimj
MANUFACTURING
"SUNNY SOUTH"
| Flotation Oils ]
Six Standard Pure Oils From Pine
I FLORIDA WOOD PRODUCTS CO., Jacksonville, Florida j
iiiiiiuiuimmmiiiiiimiiiiiiiiimiiiiiii iiiinii nitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiuiimHiiiiiiiitiiKii e >
Simmmmiiiiiiiiimmimiimmmmm.iimmmiiiiimmmiii. itiiiiiiiitiiJiumitiuiiiiriiitniliuuillM iM.111.m1111111UHi.115
FLOTATION)
1 PINE TAR OH.
I PURE PINE OIL
Get Oar Priest
OIL
HARDWOOD CREOSOTE 1
COAL TAR CREOSOTE %
SampUl Graf*, i
I UNITED NAVAL STORES CO., new YORK I
■llMIMIIIl[lllllll]|l1tllll1llll[lllll!IIM[lllllll]|lllMfllllllll!llMllllMtllllllllMIMrlllllllMMIIIIIIIIMIllllll!llllllll|[1llllllil[llltllllHUIUIIItlM»
Jnlv !. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
61
Electric Hot Plates
and Renewal Parts
£ Jmfy
T
-P»
-wGbbd 1 BHB9B
-
"■^■"■fl
HUH
^^MM^fi
^^T
FOR JMMED/ATE SHIPMENT
The Denver Fire Clay Co
SALT LAKE CITY
NEW YORK CITY
DENVER, COLORADO, U. S. A.
ijiiiiiiiiinmimiimimiinimii iiiiiiiiliiiiiiiliiiiiiiiiiiliiiii(iiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiuiltillliiliiiiiiiiL:
Screens while it grind* |
Simplest Cheapest §
Best |
NEW STEEL 1
BALL MILLS |
Interchangeable peripheral =
or end discharge =
Wet or dry |
Pat. March 23, 1916 |
10 tons to 40 slot... S 550 1
2D " " " " ... 750 |
40 ' 1000 1
TO ■ " ... 1500 |
110 2000 |
3 ton laboratory Iran =
mill (175 |
Repeat orders shew merit 1
J JOHN HERMAN, 339 S. L. A., LOS ANGELES, CAL. §
lllllNIIHII IMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIItlMIIIIIIIIIIIIIMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIItllimilllllllllllllllllllllKli?
IUII!llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllMllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll!lll>2
FLOTATION)
PURE PINE OIL PINE TAR OIL
HARDWOOD AND COAL TAR CREOSOTE |
Write tor new BooHant
General Neva! Store. Co, 90 West Street, New York j
iiiiiiitiiiiiiHiiiiHin iiiiiiiiitiimiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiimi mi;
liliniiiiiiiHH iiiiiiiiniiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii minimi MMMiiiiiimMimmimmiiiiiiMMiiiMMH
PINE
FLOTATION OILS
Pensacola Tar & Turpentine Company
F. E. MARINER, Puna.
iiiiHiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiii i
Gtjll Podit, Fla. I
IIIIHIIIIIIIIIIIUIIIllllllllllMIIIIIMIIIIIIINIllllllMllltllrr
Save Haulage Money
Many dollars leak away between mine,
quarry or pit and railroad, mill or fac-
tory because of costly or complicated
haulage systems.
B & B Aerial Tramways
mean simpler equipment, lessened labor,
steadier output, lower upkeep, minimum
repairs.
Catalog 45 will interest you. Get it.
BRODERICK & BASCOM ROPE CO.
New York
t?
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3. 1920
HATES: One-half inch, tts per year, subscription included. Combination rate with The ifinino Magazine (London) one-hcdj inch in each, tttOpervear, wbecription included i
■MrnituiimmiimHmiminmMniiiliimiminniMiuniuiiiiiiminjnNnmn^ I
ABRAHAMSON, Hjalmar
PETROLEUM GEOLOGIST AND ENGINEER
Specialty. Texas Geology and Appraisals
802 Texas State Bank Bdg., Port Worth, Tex.
ADUICKS, Lawrence
CONSULTING ENGINEER
61 Maiden Lane. New York City
Cable- Galie, New York
BEAM, A. Mills
METALLURGICAL AND CONSULTING
ENGINEER
807 Central Savings Bank Bdg..
Denver. Colorado
BEATTY, A. Chester
CONSULTING MINING ENGINEER
25 Broad St., New York
No professional work entertained
Cable: Granitic
Burch, Hershey & White
BUROH, Albert
CONSULTING ENGINEER
Crocker Bdtr . San Francisco
Cable: Burch Usual Codes
BURCH, H. Kenyon
CONSULTING ENGINEER
Phelps Dodge Corporation.
Copper Queen Branch
Bisbee. Arizona
AGUILAR-REVOREDO, J. P.
CONSULTING MINING ENGINEER
■lamination, valuation and development of
mines in Bolivia
Casilla 178. Oruro. Bolivia
Hamilton. Beauchamp. Woodworth. Inc.
BEAtFCHAMP, P. A.
METALLURGIST
Specialty: Flotation
410 Embarcadero, San Francisco
BURGER, C. C.
MINING ENGINEER
71 Broadway, New York
ALD RIDGE, Walter H.
MIXING AND METALLURGICAL ENGINEER
BO East 42nd St.. New York
BELL, J. Mackintosh
MINING ENGINEER AND GEOLOGIST
Office with Messrs. Bain. Bicknell & Co. Lums-
den Bdg.. Toronto. Can. London Address %
Bk. of New Zealand. 1. Queen Victoria St.. B.C.
CARPENTER, Alvin B.
MINING ENGINEER
Citizens National Bank Bag.. Lob Angela*
ANDERSON ENG. CO., G. E.
GEOLOGISTS
Petroleum and Metals
417 Burton Bdg., Forth Worth, Texas
BELLINGER, H. C.
METALLURGICAL ENGINEER
% Chile Exploration Co.,
120 Broadway, New York
CHANCE & CO., H. M.
COAL MINING ENGINEERS
839 Drexel Bdg.. Philadelphia
ARGALL & SONS, Philip
MINING AND METALLURGICAL
ENGINEERS
First National Bank Bdg.. Denver
Cable: Argall Code : Bedford McNeill
BENEDICT, William de L.
MINING ENGINEER
19 Cedar St., New York
CHANNTNG, J. Parke
CONSULTING ENGINEER
61 Broadway, New York
ARNOLD, Ralph
GEOLOGIST AND PETROLEUM ENGINEER
Union Oil Bdg.. Lob Angeles, Cal.
120 Broadway, New York
Cable: Ralfamoil Code: Bedford McNeil]
BLANKINSHD?, J. W., Ph.D.
CONSULTING PLANT -PATHOLOGIST
Specialty: Smoke and Other Industrial Injury
to Vegetation. 14 years experience in America
and Europe. 2625 Hilgard Ave.. Berkeley. Cal.
CHASE, Charles A.
MINING ENGINEER
825-826 Cooper Bdg.. Denver
Liberty Bell G. M. Co., Telluride. Colo.
B. C. Austin G. E. Gamble W. V. Wilson
AUSTIN, WILSON & GAMBLE
MINING ENGINEERS
Chronicle Bdg., San Francisco
Cable- Austin Usual Codes
BOISE, Charles W.
MINING ENGINEER
Foreign Exploration
Room 1507. 14 Wall Street.. New York
Cable : Mukeba
CHASE, E. E. and R. L.
MINING AND GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERS
207 Colorado Nat. Bk. Bid*..
Denver, Colo.
BALL, Sydney H.
MINING GEOLOGIST
42 Broadway, New York
Oable: Alhasters Rogers, Mayer & Ball
BOSQUI,
Francis L.
METALLURGICAL
ENGINEER
90 WeBt St
64 New Broad St..
New York
London. B.C.
COHEN, Samuel W.
CONSULTING MINING ENGINEEB
Dominion Express Bdg.. Montreal, Canada
BANCROFT, Howland
CONSULTING MINING GEOLOGIST
408 Crocker Bdg., San Francisco
Caailla No. 216, Oruro. Bolivia
Cable : Ho w ban Code : Bedford McNeill
BARKER
Edgar
E.
MINING
ENGINEER
Morococha.
Peru
BARLING, H. B.
MINING
ENGINEER
7 and 9 Hanover St.,
Marquette.Mich.
New York
Code
McNeill
BRAYTON, Corey C.
MINING ENGINEER
2937 Magnolia Ave.. Berkeley. Cal.
BRODBE, Walter M.
MINING ENGINEER AND METALLURGIST
47 Cedar St.. New York
BROWN, R. Gilman
CONSULTING ENGINEER
Pinners Hall. London, B.C. 2
Cable: Argeby Usual Codes
COLLBRAN, Arthur H.
- MINING ENGINEER
Seoul, Korea
COLLINS, Edwin James
MINING ENGINEER
Mint Examinations and Management
1008-1009 Torrey Bdg., Duluth, Minn.
COLLINS, George E.
MINING ENGINEER
Mine Examinations and Management
414 Boston Bdg.. Denver
Cable: Colcomac
BATTEN,
H. L.
MINING ENGINEER
616 Pender St. W.
Vancouver.
B
c.
BROWNE, Spencer Cochrane
MINING ENGINEER
118 West 57th Street. New York
Cable: Spenbrowne. New York
COLLINS, Henry P.
MINING AND METALLURGIC.iL ENGINEERS
66 Finsbury Pavement. London. E C.
July 3, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
63
COLLINS, W. P.
CONSULTING MINING & METALLURGICAL
ENGINEER
Cable: Collins. P.-kink- Peking. China
SUE, J. A.
CONSULTING MINING ENGINEER
La Salle. Illinois
GARREY, George H.
CONSULTING MINING GEOLOGIST AND
ENGINEER
Bullitt Bdg.. Philadelphia. Pa.
CRANSTON, Robert K.
MINING ENGINEER
1213 Hobart Bdg.. 682 Market St.
Ban Francisco 2 Rector St.. New York
Cable: Reerans
Code: McNeill 1908
ELFTMAN, A. H.
MINING GEOLOGIST AND ENGINEER
icon Hobart Bdg.
San Francisco. Cal
408 State Bank Bog.
Tonopah. Nevada
GEPPERT, Richard M.
MINING ENGINEER
2200 27th Ave.. South.
Minneapolis, Minn.
DARLING, Harry W.
Field Engineer for Crown Reserve M. Co., Ltd.
30 North Chapel St.. Alhambra. Cal.
H. W. Evans J. C. Ballagh
EVANS & RALLAGH
MINING AND METALLURGICAL ENGINEERS
P. O. Box 1155. El Paso. Texas
GOSROW, R. C.
ELECTROMETALLURGIST
METALLURGICAL ENGINEER
Specialty: Electric Furnaces
701 Claus Sprcckles Bdg., San Francisco. Cal.
DAVIS, Leverett
MINING ENGINEER
Examination, Development. Management
011 Foster Bdg.. Denver. Colo.
EYE, Clyde M.
MINING AND METALLURGICAL ENGINEER
% Wells Fargo Nevada Nat. Bank,
San Francisco, Cal.
Cable: Eyecon Codes: Western Union
GRANT,
Wilbur
H.
GEOLOGIC AND
MINING
ENGINEER
1213
Hobart Bdg., 582 Market St.,
San
Francisco
Code
Bedford McNeill
DEFTY, W. E.
MINING ENGINEER
818 North Third Avenue
Phoenix, Arizona
FARISH, C. S. T.
MINING ENGINEER
Casapalca, Peru
e/e Sac Min. Backus y Johnston del Peru
GREENAN, James O.
MINING ENGINEER
Mina. Nevada
DEL MAR, Algernon
MINING ENGINEER AND METALLURGIST
Specialty. Mill Operation and Construction
1424 Alpha St., Los Angeles
DENNIS, Clifford G.
MINING ENGINEER
Crocker Bdg., San Francisco
Cable : Sinned Code : McNeill
DEWEY, STRONG & TOWNSEND
PATENT ATTORNEYS
Crocker Bdg., San Francisco
DICKERMAN,
Nelson
MINING ENGINEER
The Insurance Exchange
San
PranciBco
Cable: Deernodor
3ode:
McNeill 1908
DOLBEAR, Samuel H.
CONSULTING MINING ENGINEER
1415 Merchants National Bank Bdg.,
San Francisco
DORR COMPANY, THE
John V. N. Dorr, President
HYDROMETALLURGICAL AND WET CHEM-
ICAL ENGINEERS
Denver New York London. E.C.
DUDLEY, H. C.
MDNING ENGINEER
704 Lonsdale Bdg;., Duluth. Minn.
Lindsay Duncan Curtis Lindley, Jr.
DUNCAN & LINDLEY
MECHANICAL ENGINEERS FOR MINES
AND MILLS
849 Mills Bdg.. San Francisco
DWIGHT, Arthur S.
MINING ENGINEER AND METALLURGIST
29 Broadway, New York
Cable: Sinterer
Code: McNeill: Miners & Smelters
EASTON, Stanly A.
MINING ENGINEER
Manager Bunker Hill St Sullivan Mining &
Concentrating Co., Kellogg, Idaho
PARISH, George E.
CONSULTING MINING ENGINEER
v'iret National Bank Bdg., San Francisco
25 Broad St., New York
PARISH, John B.
MINING ENGINEER
Office. 58 Sutter St.. San Francisco
Apt. 608 Stanford Court. San Francisco
Cable: Farish
Rowland King Chas. Mailhot
PASSETT COMPANY, Inc., The C. M.
MINING & METALLURGICAL ENGINEERS
ASSAYERS & CHEMISTS
209 Wall St., Spokane, Wash.
FEAGLES, R. L.
MECHANICAL AND METALLURGICAL
ENGINEER
Deister Machine Company
Fort Wayne. Ind.
PINLAY, J. R.
MINING ENGINEER
Room 1410, 170 Broadway New York
PITCH COMPANY, Walter Jr.
SHAFT AND TUNNEL CONTRACTORS
Eureka, Utah
FISHER & LOWRLE
CONSULTING GEOLS. AND FUEL ENGRS.
1st Nat. Bk. Bdg., Denver. 423 Broad St., New
York. 826 Great Southern Bdg., Dallas, Tex.
Cable: Calfishoil Usual Codes
FOWLER, Samuel S.
MINING ENGINEER AND METALLURGIST
Nelson, British Columbia
Cable: Fowler Usual Codes
FREITAG & AINSWORTH
DESIGNING AND CONSTRUCTING ENGRS.
Mine and Metallurgical Plant Design and
Construction
1209 Hobart Bdg.. San Francisco
GAHL,
Rudolf
CONSULTING
METALLURGIST
804
Equitable Bdg.,
Denver,
Colo.
David X, Greenberg Frank A. Humphrey
GREENBERG & HUMPHREY
EFFICIENCY ENGINEERS
Kingman, Arizona
Mine Reports and Examinations
GREENOUGH, W. Earl
CONSULTING MINING ENGINEER
Old National Bank Bdg.. Spokane, Wash
HAMILTON. E. M.
METALLURGIST
Specialty: Cyaniding Gold and Silver Ore*
419 The Embarcadero. San Francisco
HANSON. Henry
METALLURGICAL ENGINEER
Specialty, Gold and Silver Ores
Plant Design and Construction
Hobart Bdg-., San Francisco. Cal
HAWXHURST, Robert, Jr.
MINING ENGINEER
234 Holbrook Building.
68 Sutter St., San Francisco. Cal.
Cable: Hawxhurst
Burch, Hershey & White
HERSHEY, Oscar H.
CONSULTING MINING GEOLOGIST
Crocker Bdg., San Francisco
Cable : Herahey Code : McNeill
HILLS,
Victor
G.
MINING ENGINEER
312 McPhee
Bdg..
Denver,
Colo.
HOFFMAN, John D.
MINING ENGINEER
1, London Wall Buildings, London E.C. 2
Usual Codes
HOFFMANN, Karl F.
MINING ENGINEER
% General Development Co.,
Code: McNeill 1908 61 Broadway. New Yorl
HOFFMANN, Ross R.
MINING ENGINEER
228 Ferry St., Oakland, Cal
Cable: Siberhof
MOLLIS, H. L.
CONSULTING MINING ENGINEER
AND METALLURGIST
1025 Peoples Gas Bdg., Chicago
64
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3, 1920
HOOVER, Herbert
MINING ENGINEER
120 Broadway. New York
KIRK, Morris P.
MINING ENGINEER
General Manager Yellow Pine Mining Co.,
Goodspringe, Nevada
MARSHALL. N. O.
MINING ENGINEER
Andagoya. via Buenaventura. Colombia.
South America
HOOVER, Theodore J.
MINING ENGINEER
1 London Wall Bdg.. London. E.C.
and 634 Mills Bag.. San Francisco
Cable: Mildaloo
KRUMB,
Henry
MINING
ENGINEER
Felt
Bdg.. Salt
Lake
City.
Utah
MATHEWSOX, E. P.
CONSULTING ENGINEER
Non-Ferrorjs Metallurgy
•12 Broadway. New York
HOLLOWAY & CO., Geo. T., Ltd.
METALLURGISTS AND METALLURGICAL
ENGINEERS
13 Emmett St., Limehouse. London. E.C.
Cable: Neolithic Code: McNeill
LAKENAN,
C. B.
MINING
ENGINEER
Ely.
Nevada
MAYREIS, L. J.
MUSING ENGINEER AND METALLURGIST
% Burma Mines. Ltd.,
Jamshedpur. India
HOSKIX, Arthur J.
CONSULTING ENGINEER
Mining. Metallurgy. Geology. Oil Shale
Technology
401 Kittredge Bldg.. Denver. Colo.
LEHMAXX, Charles
MINING ENGINEER
Examination and Management of Properties
Casilla 1364. Santiago, Chili. S. A.
McCarthy, e. t.
MINING ENGINEER
10 Austin Friars. London
HOYLE, Charles
MINING ENGINEER
Apartado 8. El Oro. Mexico
LEVEXSALER, L. A.
MINING ENGINEER
Suite 902 Hoge Bag.. Seattle. Wash.
McDERMOTT, E. D.
MINING ENGINEER
Rakka Mines P. O. District. Singhbkom.
Chota Nagpur. India
HUSTON, H. L.
MINDNG ENGINEER
207 Alaska Commercial Bdg.. San Francisco
Cable: Haruston
LEWIS
, H. Allman
CONSULTING ENGINEER
Cochabamba,
Bolivia
The Berenguela Tin Mines
Ltd..
Turn
logenio, Potosi
Code: McNeill 1908
McGregor, a. g.
ENGINEER
Design of Metallurgical Plant*
Warren. Arizona
HUTCHiXS,
John Power
CONSULTING MINING ENGINEER
Room
3700, 120 Broadway.
New York
LLOYD, R. L.
METALLURGICAL ENGINEER
Specialty: Pyro-Metallurgy of Copper and As-
sociated Metals. 30 Broadway. New York
Cable : Ricloy Code: McNeill
MEI>\ William Wallace
MINING ENGINEER
43 Exchange Place. New York
Cable: Mein. New York
Dudley J. Inskipp
John
A. Bevan
EVSEIPP & BEVAN
MINING ENGINEERS
1 Broad St. Place. London.
Cable: Monazite
E.C.
Usual Codes
Bewick, Moreing & Co.
LORIXG, E. A.
MINING ENGINEER
62 London Wall, London. E.C. 2
Cable : Ringlo Usual Codes
MERCER, John W.
MINING ENGINEER
General Manager South American Mines Co,
Mills Bdg.. Broad St.. New York
JAXEV, Charles
MINING ENGINEER
T16 Kohl Bdg
San
Francisco
Cable
Charjan
Code:
McNeill
JEXKS, Arthur W.
MINING ENGINEER AND METALLURGIST
2601 Hillegass Ave.. Berkeley, Cal.
LORTXG,
Frank
C.
MINING
ENGINEER
Sun Life Bdg.. Toronto.
Ontario.
Canada
Bewick. Moreing & Co.
LORING, W. J. MINING ENGINEER
62. London Wall. London, and
614 Crocker Bdg., San Francisco. Cal.
Cable: Wantoness Usual Codes
MERRILL, Charles W.
METALLURGIST
121 Second St., San Francisco
Cable : Lurco Code : Bedford McNeill
MERRILL COMPANY, THE
ENGINEERS
121 Second St.. San Francisco
Cable : Lurco Usual Code*
JTJLLAN, E. A.
MINING ENGINEER
Goldneld Consolidated Mines Exploration Co.
Crocker Bdg.. San Francisco. Cal.
KEEXE, Amor F.
CONSULTING MINING ENGINEER
233 Broadway, New York.
Cable Address: Kamor. New York
E. H Kennard E. C. Bierce
REWARD & BIERCE
MINING AND METALLURGICAL ENGRS
Mill Design and Construction. Filtration
Hollingsworth Bdg.. Los Angeles. Cal
RTXZIE, Robert A.
MINING ENGINEER
EllSt National Bank Bdg.. San Francisco
KIRBY, Edmund B.
MINING ENGINEER AND METALLURGIST
918 Security Bdg., St. Louis
Specialty: The expert examination of mines
and metallurgical enterprise*
LONGYEAR COMPANY, E. J.
EXPLORING ENGINEERS AND GEOLOGISTS
Diamond Drilling and Shaft Sinking
Contractors
Manufacturers of Diamond Drills and Supplies
General Office: 710-722 Security Bdg..
Minneapolis, Minn.
Cable: Longco Code: McNeill
LUCRE,
P. E.
CONSULTING
MINING ENGINEER
Avenida
Isabels
La
Catolica,
Num.
26.
Mexicc
City
LUNT, Horace F.
Commissioner of Mines for Colorado
Denver. Colo.
No professional work undertaken
MAJOR, Chas. Edward
MINING ENGINEER
P.O. Box 474. Ppeseotl. Arizona
MILLER, G. W.
MINING ENGINEER AND GEOLOGIST
The examination of mining properties for
investors a specialty
721 S. Hope St.. Los Angeles. Cal.
MILLS, Edwin W.
MIXING ENGINEER
75 Yamashita-cho,
Yokohama. Japan
Telegrams : Edmills 1
MtXARD, Frederick H.
MINING ENGINEER
21 East 40th St.. New York
Cable: Frednard Code: McNeill
MITKE, Chas. A.
CONSULTING MINING ENGINEER
Mine Ventilation — Mining Methods
Bisbee. Arizona
MORRIS, F. L.
MINING ENGINEER
1057 Mooadnock Bdg.. San Francisco
Cable : Fredmor Code : McNeill
July 3, 1920
M Vim, Seeley W.
MINING ENGINEER
120« Hollinraworth Bdg . Los Angels*, 0*1.
MV1K, N. M.
MINING ENGINEER
1024 Mills Bdg.. San Fran&BCO
lttTNRO. C. H.
MINING ENGINEER
Ipoh. Perak, Federated Malay States
Cable: Ornum Code: McNeill
Ni;n.L, James W.
METALLURGIST AND MINING ENGINEER
159 Pierpont St.. Salt Lake City, Utah
Pasadena, Cal. Spelling. Cal.
NEWBERRY, Andrew W.
MINING ENGINEER
66 Broadway, New York
NEWMAN, M. A.
MINING ENGINEER
Union League Club, San Francisco. Cal
NOWLAND, Ralph C.
Eobart Bdr-, San Francisco
In charge Exploration Dept. of D. C. Jacklinr
PAYNE, Henry M.
CONSULTING MINING ENGINEER
1870 Hudson Terminal.
50 Church St.. New York
Cable: Macepayne Usual Codes
PEARSE & CO., Arthur Ii.
CONSULTING MINING ENGINEERS
Coal and Shale Treatment
Worcester House, Walbrook, London, E.C.
43 Exchange Place, New York
PERKINS, Walter G.
METALLURGICAL ENGINEER
587 Mills Bdr., San Francisco
PICKERING, J. C.
CONSULING MINING ENGINEER
Avenida Juarez 83, Mexico City, Mexico
Cable: Keringpic
PLATE, H. Robinson
MINING ENGINEER
Examination, Development and Management
Hobart Bdg„ San Francisco. Cal
Howard Poillon C. H. Poirier
POILIiON & POIRIER
MINING ENGINEERS
83 Wall St.. New York
POMMERANTZ, K.
CONSULTING MINING ENGDJBHB
Casilla 489, Santiago da Chile
Cable: Kivapo, Santiago. Chile Code: McNeill
PRICHARD, W. A.
MINING ENGINEER
% Oroville Dredging, Limited,
Mille Bdg., San Francisco
PROBERT, Frank H.
MINING ENGINEER
University of California. Berkeley, Cal.
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
PURINGTON, C. W.
MINING ENGINEER
5 Sodonsky Pereuiok, Vladivostok
8, Copthalt Ave.. London. E.C. 2
RACEY, P. W.
MINING ENGINEER
Examination ami Development of Properties
730 Granville St.. Vancouver, B. C.
Stewart. B. C.
RAY, James C.
MINING ENGINEER AND GEOLOGIST
865 Hamilton Ave.,
Palo Alto. Cal.
RICE, John A.
MINING GEOLOGIST
625 Market St., San Francisco
Robert H. Richards Charles E. Locke
RICHARDS & LOCKE
MINING ENGINEERS — ORE TESTING
Tests for design of Flow Sheets
69 Massachusetts Ave.. Cambridge, Mass.
RICHARD, Edgar
MINING ENGINEER
120 Broadway, New York
RICHARD, Forbes
MINING ENGINEER
Equitable Building, Denver
RICKETTS, L. D.
CONSULTING ENGINEER
42 Broadway, New York
RIORDAN, D. M.
CONSULTING ENGINEER
Mining investigations carefully made In
responsible intending investors
525 Market St., San Francisco
HITTER, A. Etienne
MINING ENGINEER AND GEOLOGIST
Colorado Springs, Colo.
ROBERTS. Milnor
MINING ENGINEER
The Pacific Northwest
British Columbia and Alaska
University Station, Seattle, WaBh.
ROBERTSON, Jasper T.
MINING ENGINEER
1108 Hobart Bdg.. San Francisco
Code: McNeill
Allen H. Rogers Lucius W. Mayer
Sydney H. Ball
ROGERS, MAYER & BALL
MINING ENGINEERS
42 Broadway, New York
201 Devonshire St., Boston, Mass.
Cable : Alhasters
ROGERS, Edwin M.
CONSULTING MINING ENGINEER
32 Broadway, New York
Cable : Emrog Code : McNeill
ROGERS, John C.
MINING ENGINEER
Examination and Exploration of lining Prop-
erties with a view to Purchase
Copper Cliff, Ontario. Code : Bedford McNeill
65
ROYER, Frank W.
MINING ENGINEER
1213 Holltngs worth Bdg-. Lob Angele*. Cal
Cable: Royo Code: McNeill
RUTHERFORD, Forest
Consulting' Metallurgist. Ore Smelting- Con-
tracts Investigated. Smelting and Milling of
Copper and Lead Ores. Design and Construc-
tion. 120 Broadway, New York
SANDERS, A. D.
MINING ENGINEER
Reports. Consultation and Management. Spe-
cially, Manganese. Stow Bedon. Norfolk, Eng.
Codes: A. B.C., 5th Ed.: Bedford McNeill
SCHMATOLLA, E.
Chem. and Met. Eng'rs.. 217 Broadway, New
York. Designing and Building- Furnaces and
Kilns: Lime, Magnesite, CO- Plants and Gas
Producers. Exp. Lab. for Mineral Products.
SCOTT, Archibald B.
CONSULTING MINING AND
METALLURGICAL ENGINEER
First National Bank Bdg., Denver, Colo.
W. H. Seagrave W. E. Dunkle
SEAGRAVE, W. H.
CONSULTING MINING ENGINEERS
Ii. C. Emith Bdg., Seattle
SEARS, Stanley C.
MINING ENGINEER
Reports, Consultation and Management
705 Walker Bank Bdg., Salt Lake City, Utah
Usual Codes
SHAJLER, Millard K.
MINING GEOLOGIST AND ENGLNJOtt
66 Rue do Colonies,
Brussels. Belgium
SIMPSON, W. E.
MINING ENGINEER
Amos, Quebec, Canada
fnndicion de Los Atcob, Toluca, Max.
P. O. Box 160, Cobalt, Ontario
SIZER, F. L.
CONSULTING MINING ENGINEER
1006 Hobart Bdg., San Francisco
SMITH, Howard D.
MINING ENGINEER
60 Broadway, New York
Cable : Diorite Code : Western Union
Franklin W. Smith Ralph A. Ziesemer
SMITH & ZIESEMER
MINING ENGINEERS
Bisbee, Ariz. Code: McNeill
SPILSBURY, P. Gybbon
MINING ENGINEER
214 O'Neill Bdg1., Phoenix, Ariz.
STAVER. W. H.
MINING
ENGINEER
15 Broad St.
New York City
Cable
Revatso
STEBBINS, Elwyn W.
MINING ENGINEER
814 Mills Bdg.. San Francisco
STEVENS, Arthur W.
MINING ENGINEER
Atlanta, Idaho
66
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3, 1920
STEVENS, Blarney
CONSULTING MINING ENGLNEEE
Triunio, Baja Gal., Mexico,
% S. A. de Minaa y Monies
STEWART, R. H.
aoniNG and metallurgical engineer
Yancouver Block, Vancouver. B. C.
STINES, Norman G.
MINING ENGINEER
4, Moorgate Street, London, E.C., 3
Codes: McNeill (both Editions) and Bentley'a
f'*Me: Nurmstinen. London
TURNER, Scott
1511 Bank of Hamilton Bd«.,
Toronto, Ontario. Canada
TYRRELL, J. B.
MINING ENGINEER AND GEOLOGIST
534 Confederation Life Bete.. Toronto, Canada
208 Salisbury House. London. E.C. 2. England
TYTLER, Maynard Fitzroy
Consulting, Mining & Metallurgical Engineer
% Holte Mining Co., Burgdorf. Idaho
Cable Address : McCall. Idaho Code: Bed. McN.
WICKS, Frank R.
CONSULTING ENGINEER
Ore Treatment. Test Work. Plant Supervision
Office and Laboratory: 1006 South Hill St.,
Los Angeles
wtley, w. h.
MINING ENGINEER
Palm Drive, Glendora. Cat.
J. H. Devereux W. B. Devereux, Jr.
WTLKENS and DEVEREUX
CONSULTING MINING ENGINEERS
120 Broadway, N. Y. 7, Victoria Ave., London
Cable: Eenreux Code: Bedford McNeill
STRAUSS, Lester W.
ENGINEER OP
MINES
Caeilla 514, Valparaiso
Chile. S.
A.
Cable: Lestra-Valparaiso
Code
McNeill
SUMMERHAYES. Maurice W.
MINING ENGINEER
Mgr. Bluestone Mining & Smelting Co..
Mason, Nevada
SYMMES, Whitman
MINING ENGINEER
PreB. and Mgr. Con. Virginia. Ophir. Mexican,
Union Consolidated, etc.
Virginia City, Nevada
Arthur F. Taggart B. B. Yerxa
TAGGART & YERXA
CONSULTING ENGINEERS
Operation and design of ore treatment plants
Laboratory. 165 Division St.. New Haven, Conn.
TALBOT COMPANY, E. W.
Contractors and Engineers
DIAMOND DRILLING CONTRACTING
1108 Hobart Bdg., San Francisco
Code: McNeill
TALMAGE, Sterling B.
MINING GEOLOGIST AND ENGINEER
Geologic Maps, Examinations, Reports
315 Judge Bdg.. Salt Lake City, Utah
TELL AM,
Alfred
METALLURGICAL ENGINEER
Denver
Engineering Works
Denver. Colorado
Company
THOMSON, S. C.
CONSULTING MINING ENGINEER
45 Exchange Place, New York *
THORNE, W. E.
MINING ENGINEER
*> Bopp Tin Ltd., P. O. Naraguta,
N. Nigeria. W. Africa
Codes: McNeill, both Editions
TITCOMB, H. A.
MINING
% A. Chester Beatty,
ENGINEER
26 Broad St.. New York
Code: Bedford McNeill
TURNER, H. W.
MINING
GEOLOGIST
Mills Bdg..
San Francisco
Gable: Latite
Code: Bedford McNeill
TURNER, J. K.
MINING ENGINEER
Goldfleld, Nevada
VAN LAW, Carlos W.
% Sinclair Consolidated Oil Corp..
120 Broadway. New York
WALLACE, H. Vincent
MINING ENGINEER
329 Central Building
Los Angeles. California
WARRINER, R. C.
CONSULTING MINING ENGINEER
42 Exchange Place, New York
WEATHERBE, D'Arcy
MINING ENGINEER
14 Copthall Ave., London, E.C. 2
And Peking. China
Cable: Natchekoo. London
WEBBER, Morton
mill VALUATION AND DEVELOPMENT
165 Broadway, New York
O'Souke Estate Bdg., Butte. Montana
WEEKES, Frederic R.
MINING ENGINEER
233 Broadway, New York
WEIGAJLL, Arthur R.
MINING ENGINEER
•«neral Manager The Seoul Mining Co.
Tul Mi Chung (Nantei)
Whang Hai Province. Chosen (Korea)
WESTERVEI/r, William Young
CONSULTING MINING ENGINEER
552 Fifth Ave.. New York
Cable : Casewest Code : McNeill
WHITE, Charles H.
CONSULTING GEOLOGIST
788 Mills Bdg., San Francisco
WHITE, J. E.
CONSULTING ENGINEER
Botkin Bdg.. Santa Barbara. California
Burch. Herehey & White
WHITE, Lloyd C.
CONSULTING ENGINEER
Crocker Bdg., San Francisco
WHITMAN, Alfred R.
MINING GEOLOGIST
Underground Programmes. Orebody Problems
43 Exchange Place. New York
Haileybury. Ontario (Cobalt District)
WH3TMORE, Claude C.
CONSULTING MINING ENGINEER AND
METALLURGIST
3216 Bayard St., Butte, Montana
WEVCHELIa Horace V.
CONSULTING MINING GEOLOGIST
1212 First National-Soo Line Bdg.,
Minneapolis, Minn.
Cable : Racewin
WEVWOOD, Job H.
MINING ENGINEER
Continental Bank Bdg.. Salt Lake City. Utah
WISEMAN, Philip
MINING ENGINEER
1210 Hollingsworth Bdg.. Los Angeles
Cable: Filwiseman Codes: W. U.: McNeill
WOLF, Harry J.
MINING ENGINEER
42 Broadway. New York City
Cable : Minewolf Code : Bedford McNeill
WRIGHT, Charles Will
MINING ENGINEER
28. Via Parlamento. Rome. Italy
Code: Bentleys
WRIGHT, Lonls A.
MINING ENGINEER
Via Del Parlamento 28. Rome. Italy
Cable : Lawright. Rome Codes : Bedford McNeill
and Bentley's Complete Phrase
WROTH, James S.
MINING ENGINEER
42 Broadway, New York
Pope Yeatman Edwin S. Berry
YEATMAN & BERRY
CONSULTING MINING ENGINEERS
Examination, Development and Management
of Properties
Room 706, 111 Broadway. New York
Cable:
Ikona
Code:
Bedford McNeill
YOUNG, E. J.
CONSULTING GEOLOGIST AND ENGINEER
Offices and Laboratory
Story Bdg., Los Angeles, California. U. S. A.
Examinations and Reports on all Mineral
Deposits. Formations and Processes
of Extraction
20 years experience in the Western States,
Pacific Coast States, U. S. A., Mexico
and Central America
ZEIGLER, Victor
GEOLOGICAL ENGINEER
Examination of oil lands and mineral deposits
Geologic and structural maps
415 Empire Bdg.. Denver. Colo. ^^^^^
Julv 3, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
67
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.Mil tlllllllllllll Hi
A Smith Hydraulic Turbine
installed in a con- [
crete scroll case, |
fulfills the re- |
quirements of
ABSOLUTE
DEPENDABILITY (
in the power and pump- §
ing equipment |
furnished the :
u. s. i
RECLAMATION SERVICE |
For SUNNTS1DE, WASH.. Plaal |
as shown in accompany- |
ing illustration I
TURBINE DEVELOPS |
214 H. P., 225 R. P. M. |
UNDER 21 FEET HEAD |
All tnnit caiily accessible for inspection and renewal,
doe to action of till at certain seasons.
Similar anil now betaf bail, lor Grand Valley Project In Colorado |
WRITE DEPT. "V" FOR BULLETIN 1
S. MORGAN SMITH C0.,«k,Pa. |
CHICAGO BOSTON MONTREAL SAN FRANCISCO I
76 W. Monro* St. 176 Fedml St 405 Power Bid*. 461 Market St. |
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Copper Steel
Galvanized-
Highest in quality and rust |
resistance. Unequaledfor i
Culverts, Flumes, Tanks, i
Roofing, Siding, Spouting, and |
all exposed sheet metal work, |
= We maunf actnre Sheet and Tin Mill Products of every description— Black audi 1
= Galvanized Sheets, Corrugated and Formed Products, Roofing Tin Plates, Eta |
| AMERICAN SHEET AND TIN PLATE COMPANY, Pittsburgh, P* , §
e Pacific Coast Reps: U.S. Steel Prodogts Co., San Francisco, Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle i
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FARREL
BACON
ORE &- ROCK
CRUSHERS'ROLLS
EARLET C.BACON. Inc. engineers.
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JPRECISION
| BALANCES AND WEIGHTS
j§ F.or twenty years metallurgists and assayera
S have looked upon Thompson Balances and
= Weights as the acme \A precision. Made in
= a style and size for every purpose.
Writ© for catalog
THE THOMPSON BALANCE CO.
Denver, Colo.
IIIIIIIIIIII1I1IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUIIIIII1IIIIIIIIUIIIIIUUIIIIIUIIIIUII r.
GANDY,
the original stitched COTTON
DUCK BELT, has all the
strength of a steel cable with
the tenacity, flexibility and
longevity of specially processed
cotton duck.
GANDY is the standard
belt of industry.
Its enviable reputation is based
on the performance of nearly
40 years in the transmission and
conveyor field.
GANDY engineering service
goes with every belt — power or
conveyor — to insure the right
belt — in ply and size — for each
particular job.
Orders filled promptly from
mill supply house or direct.
GANDY BELTING COMPANY
Main Office and Factory:
W. PRATT ST., BALTIMORE, MD.
BRANCHES:
549 W. Washington St.,
36 Warren St.,
New York City
Chicago, 111.
Look for the green edge
Candy trademark
68
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3, 1920
ARIZONA ASSAY OFFICE
(F. W. Libbey)
Afleayers, Chemists and Metallurgist!
CONTROL AND UMPIRE WORK
805-307 N. First St., Phoenix, Arizona
ATKIN & McRAE
Assayers, Chemists and Metallurgist*
CONTROL AMD UMPIRE ASSAYS
Flotation and Cyanide Testa
1008 South Hill St., Los Angeles. Cal.
BARDWELL, Alonzo F.
CUSTOM ASSATER AND CHEMIST
(Successor to Bettles & Bard well)
IBS S. W. Temple St., Salt Lake City, Utah
Ore Shippers' Agent
BAVERSTOCK & PAYNE
INDUSTRIAL CHEMISTS AND ASSAYERS
Technical and Chemical Analysis of Ore*
Minerals, and All Organic Materials
223 W. First St., Los Angeles, Cal.
BEOKMAN & LINDEN ENG. CORP.
Chemical, electro-chemical, metallurgical and
electro-metallurgical investigations and
reports. Processes developed
604 Balboa Bdg., San Francisco
COLE & CO.
ASSAYERS, CHEMISTS, ORE BUYERS
Shippers' Representatives
Box BB, Douglas, Arizona
ORITCHETT & FERGUSON
ASSAYERS AND CHEMISTS
El Paso, Texas
Umpire and Controls a Specialty
DWIGHT & LLOYD SINTERING CO.
Special problems in ore treatment
29 Broadway, New York City
Cable Address : Sinterer
ERMLICH & CO., Geo. J.
ASSAYERS AND CHEMISTS
Control and Umpire Work
Ore Shippers Agent
1726 Champa St., Denver, Colo.
FROST, Oscar J.
ASSAYER
420 18th St.. Denver
GIBSON, Walter L.
Successor to
FALKENAU ASSAYING CO.,
ASSAY OFFICE AND ANALYTICAL
LABORATORY, SCHOOL OF ASSAYINQ
824 Washington St., Oakland
Phone 8929
Umpire assays and supervision of sampling.
Working tests of ores, analysis. Investiga-
tions of metallurgical and technical processes.
Professor L. Falkenau, General Manager and
Consulting Specialist.
IRVING & CO., James
ASSAYERS and GOLD BUYERS
Mines Examined
702 South Spring- St., Los Angeles. Cal.
LAUCKS, I. F., Inc.
Chemists. Assayers, Metallurgists
Shippers' Representatives at Smelters
99 Marion St.. Seattle. Wash.
GENERAL ENGINEERING CO., THE J- M. CALLOW. President
CONSULTING ENGINEERS
159 Pierpont Avenue, Salt Lake City. Utah
Design and Erection of all Classes of Reduction Plants
•RES TESTED IN SMALL OR 10-TON LOTS BY AMALGAMATION, CONCENTRATION,
CYANTDATION, MAGNETIC SEPARATION. FLOTATION
The 4th edition of our Ore Testing Bulletin is now ready for mailing. We shall be pleated U
send it to you upon request
New York Office, 120 Broadway, Room 2817. C. E. Chaffin, Local Manager
Canadian Office. 363 Sparks St., Ottawa. Canada
Australian Agent: F. H. Jackson, 22 Carrington St., Wynward Square. Sydney, N. S. W.. Australia
HAMILTON, BEAUCHAMP, WOODWORTH, Inc.
METALLURGICAL ENGINEERS
SPECIALTY: THE TREATMENT OF GOLD AND SHjVER ORES. BY FLOTATION. BY
CYANIDE, OR BY A COMBINATION OF BOTH PROCESSES
Flotation of Copper, Lead. Zinc, and Other Minerals
Tests made on Lots of 1 lb. up to 5 Tons
MILLS DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTED. CONSULTING AND EXPERT WORK UNDERTAKEN
Laboratory and Office: 419 The Embarcadero, San Francisco
Telephone: Sutter 5266 Cable address: Hambeau Codes: West. Union: Bed. McNeill
LEDOUX & CO., Inc.
ASSAYERS, CHEMISTS AMD METALLURGISTS
Independent samplers at the port of New York
Representatives at all Refineries and Smelters on Atlantic Seaboard '
Office and Laboratory: 99 John Street, New York
O. A. LUCKHARDT CO.
Telephone, Kearney 5951
ASSAYERS AND CHEMISTS
A. H. WARD
Sampling of Ores at Smelters
63 Stevenson St.
San Francisco
SMITH, EMERY & CO. (Ore Testing Plant. Los Angeles)
INDEPENDENT CONTROLS AMD UMPIRE ASSAYERS
Represent Shippers at Smelters, Test Ores, and Design Mills
051 Howard Street. San Francisco 245 South Los Angeles Street, Lob Angeles
NEW MEXICO STATE SCHOOL OF MINES
An Institution of Technology and Engineering Full degrees, low cost, fine climate. -Mew
equipment, accessible to mines and smelters. Write lor catalogue.
A. Z. DjLINISKI, PRESIDENT, SOCCORO. NEW MEXICO
HANKS, Abbott A.
CHEMIST AND ASSAYER
Established 1866
530 Sacramento St., San Francisco
Control and Umpire Assays, Supervision ol
Sampling at Smelters
Cable: Hanx
Code: W. U. and Bed. McN.
PEREZ, Richard A.
ASSAYER. CHEMIST AND
METALLURSIST
(Established 1S95)
120 N. Main St.. Los Angeles. Cal.
RICHARDS & SON, J. W.
ASSAYER AND CHEMIST
1118 Nineteenth St., Denver
Ore Shippers' Agent. Write lor terms
Representatives at all Colorado smelters
Wm. P. Miller C. W. NeB
JAMES CO., THE GEORGE A.
METALLURGISTS AND MINING
ENGINEERS
ASSAYERS AND CHEMISTS
Mines Examined and Reported On
Processes Investigated. Mills Designed
Laboratory. 28 Belden Place. San Francisco
THE TWINING LABORATORIES
ASSAYERS AND CHEMICAL
ENGINEERS
Fresno, Cal.
OFFICER & CO., R. H.
ASSAYERS AND CHEMISTS
wila. Hydrocarbons and Oil Shale Analysis
169 South West Temple Street.
Salt Lake City. Utah
NOW ON SALE
Mining Engineers' Handbook
ROBERT PEELE, Editor in Chief
Fabrikoid Binding 2375 pages 4%x7 $7.
Order today from
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
420 Market Street San Francisco
July 3, L920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
69
Old Drifts and Crass-Cuts Sealed
up with GUNITE
Are EASILY done and are out of
the way permanently.
The constant menace of abandoned workings
can be easily removed. Fire risk can be thus
reduced and your men protected from sagging
roof or rotting timber.
the
(SieJ&s simple
All you have to do is to lay up a dry stone stopping and shoot on the Gunite
to whatever thickness you desire. Then any floods, breaks, gas or fire that
break out in the drift will be blocked and your men protected.
LET US SHOW YOU HOW IT CAN BE DONE
Write lor Details
CEMENT-GUN CO., Inc.,
ALLENTOWN, F»ENJ>J.
BRANCH OFFICE:
904 Cham, of Com. Bldg.. Chicago, HI. 204 R, A. Long Bldg., Kansas City.'Mo.
30 Church St.. New York City 612 Mohawk Block, Spokane, Wash.
211 Fulton Bldg.. Pittsburgh. Pa. 812 Va. Railway & Power Bldg., Richmond. Va.
Citizens Nat. Bank Bldg:.. Los Angeles General Supply Co.. Ltd., Winnipeg-, Manitoba
Agencies In all Principal Foreign Countries
am tini m inn urn urn mmmm m inmmmmiim iimiiimmimmimiimm mm y m urn m m m it mm t m in mmimmim mini i s
I Deister-Overstrom Diagonal Deck Concentrating Table
1920
JUST OUT!
1920
MANUAL
OF
CYA NIDATION
By E. M. HAMILTON
I A higher extraction of value*. A higher grade concentrate. |
Minimum percentage of middlings. Greater capacity* |
WRITE FOR ILLUSTRATED BOOKLET. I
1 The Deister CONCENTRATOR Company 1
£ Office, Factory and Test Plant: FORT WAYNE, IND. =
riiiiiitiiiiiiiiiMiiiiMiiiitiMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiTiiiiiiiijimiMiiiiMitiniiiiiiiiititiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiMiiititiiiiiiiiiiriipiH..
aiuniUIIIIIIIUUNIIIUHMIIIIinilMNlnnillllllllllMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIJIIIIIIIIIMIIIIIIIIIlllllllMIIIIIIIIIIIIUIIIIIIIlMlllllllllllllllllMlllllllllllMlll'J
L0C0M0TI«E8-CftR8 1
Switches, Frogs and Equipment |
FOR MINES, SMELTERS, ETC. |
3 THE ATIAS CAR & MFG. CO. |
CLEVELAND, OHIO |
Coast Equipment Co., Merchants Exchange Bldg. |
^=Si-^r.^ San Francisco, and San Fernando Bldg., Los Angeles =
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^iiiiiriiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiJiii[|iii[iiiiiiiiiiiiii]ii!iiiiiiiiiiMii!i!iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii<iiiiiiiii[)iiiiiiiiiiiii[iiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiMi!iiiiiii)i^
THE LANE MILL \
can be 6ectionalized for =
mule packing. It ia par- =
ticularly suited for use in =
isolated places on account =
of the long life of the =
wearing parts and its =
freedom from breakdowns. =
Send for Catalog No. 0. |
LANE MILL AND I
MACHINERY CO., §
106 W. Third St., §
Los Angeles. ObI. =
niiiiiiiiiiii urn minium iiiiiiimiimiiiinii.
277 PAGES PRICE $3.00 7 % "x 5 Yi "
Pocket Size Flexible Fabrikoid Binding
A practical handbook on the cyanide process, in-
cluding the latest information and inventions. It pre-
sents in convenient form the essential data having a
practical bearing on testing an ore, planning the flow
sheet and operating the plant when erected.
All tables pertaining to the cyanide process as well
as formulas and standardized tests, are given.
-TEAR OFF AND MAIL TODAY-
| MIXING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS |
| 420 Market St., San Francisco |
= Gentlemen: Enclosed And $3.00 for which send me one copy of =
| "Manual of Cyanidatlon", by E. M. Hamilton. =
| Name =
= Address =
| Mc 7-3-20 |
SniiiiiiiniiiiiiiMiiiniiiiiniiitiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiihiuuiiiuiiiiiufiiiiMUUiiiiiiiinuinmiiiinuihl
70
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3, 1920
ER'S- GUIDE
Machinery and Supplies of Dependable Manufacturers are here Listed
Addresses will be found on the Sixth followinq Page —
n If you do not find what you want communicate with Mining and Scientific Press Sehvice
Acetylene Generators
Bullard, E. D.
Oxweld Acetylene Co.
Agitators
Chalmers & Williams
Collins & Webb. Inc.
Dorr Co.. The
Kansas City Structural Steel Co.
Meese & Gottfried Co.
National Tank & Pipe Co.
Pacific Tank & Pipe Co-
Trent, Goodwin M.
Air Receivers
Chicago Pneumatic Tool Co.
Collins & Webb. Inc.
Ingersoll-Rand Co.
Ocean Shore Iron Works
Reardon. P. H. n
Rix Compressed Air ft Drill Co.
Simpson Co.. A. H.
Sullivan Machinery Co.
Amalgamating Plates
Denver Engineering Works Co.
Gibson. W. W. p
Morse Bros. Machy. * SjiP- w»-
San Francisco Plating Works
WoSSfon An?* Mach. Corp.
Amalgamators
Mine ft Smelter Supply Co.
Angles, Boiled Steel
Pollak Steel Co.
Assayers' and Chemists' Supplies
Bartley Crucible Co. Jonathan
Braun Corporation. The
Brauu-Knecht-Heimann Co.
Caire Co.. Justinian
Calkins Co. rwr , _
Denver Engineering Works U>.
Denver Fire Clay Co.
Dixon Crucible Co.. Joseph
Mine & Smelter Supply Co.
(See Index to Advertisers)
Axles, Car and Locomotive
Pollak Steel Co.
Axles, Mine Car
Pollak Steel Co.
Bubbitt Metals
Finn Metal Works. John
Bags
Braun Corporation, The
Braun-Knecht-Heimann Co.
Balances and Weights
Ainsworth, Wm. ft Sons.
Braun Corporation. The
Braun-Knecht-Heimann Co.
Caire Co.. Justinian
Calkins Co.
' Denver Fire Clay Co.
Fairbanks, Morse & Co.
Mine & Smelter Supply Co.
Morse Bros. Machy. ft Sup. Co.
Thompson Balance Co
Balls for Ball-Mills
Bacon & Matheson Forge Co.
Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp. Ltd.
Chalmers & Williams
Denver Engineering Works Co.
Hardinge Co.
Hickok & Hickok
Los Angeles Foundry Co.
Mine Equipment & Supply Co.
Pollack Steel Co.
Ball-Mills (see 'Mills')
Bars, Concrete
Pollak Steel Co.
Bars, Rolled Steel
Pollak Steel Co.
Bells
Gaxratt ft Co.. W. T.
Belting and Lacing
Diamond Rubber Co., Inc.
Dodge Sales & Engineering Co.
Fairbanks. Morse & Co.
Flexible Steel Lacing Co.
Gandy Belling Co.
Goodrich Rubber Co., B. F.
Main Belting Co.
Marsh all -Newell Supply Co.
Meese & Gottfried Co.
Pioneer Rubber MillB
United States Rubber Co.
Belt Fasteners
Crescent Belt Fastener Ce.
Blowers
Allis-Chalmers Mfg. Co.
Hendrie & Bolthoft Mfg. ft Sup. Co.
Ingersoll-Rand Co.
Mine & Smelter Supply Co.
Morse Bros. Machy. ft Sup. Co.
Nordberg Mfg. Co.
Rix Compressed Air ft Drill Co.
Blowing Engines
Nordberg Mfg. Co.
Boilers
Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp. Ltd.
Hendrie ft Bolthoff Mfg. ft Sup. Co.
Mine ft Smelter Supply Co.
Morse Bros. Machy. & Sup. Co.
Bolts and Nats
Drake Lock-Nut Co.
Books, Technical
Mining and Scientific Press
Brick. Fire
Atkins. Kroll ft Co.
Denver Fire Clay Co.
Mine ft Smelter Supply Co.
Briquettlng Machinery
General Briquetting Co.
Traylor Eng. & Mfg. Co.
Buckets
Atlas Car & Mfg. Co
Box Iron Works Co.. Wm. A.
Dodge Sales & Engineering Co.
Hendrie ft Bolthoff Mfg. ft Sup. Co.
Meese ft Gottfried Co.
Mine ft Smelter Supply Co.
Simpson Co., A. H.
Burners, Oil
Braun Corporation. The
Braun-Knecht-Heimann Co.
Denver Fire Clay Co.
Lunkenheimer Co.. The
Mine & Smelter Supply Co.
Powell Co., Wm.
Cages
Atlas Car ft Mfg. Co
Hendrie & Bolthoff Mfg. ft Sup. Co.
Mine & Smelter Supply Co.
Morse Bros. Machy. ft Sup. Co.
Traylor Eng. & Mfg. Co.
Calculating Machines
Marchant Calculating Machine Co.
Monroe Calculating Machine Co.
Cam Shafts
Pollack Steel Co.
Carbide Flare Lights
Bullard. B. D.
Carbons, Borts, and Diamonds
Atkins. Kroll ft Co.
Cars
Allis-Chalmers Mfg. Co.
Atlas Car ft Mfg. Co.
Box Iron Works Co., Wm. A.
Chicago Pneumatic Tool Co.
Hendrie ft Bolthoff Mfg. ft Sup. Co.
Kansas City Structural Steel Co.
Mine & Smelter Supply Co.
Ottumwa Iron Works
Simpson Co., A. H.
Western Wheeled Scraper Co.
Chain
Dodge Sales ft Engineering Co.
Meese & Gottfried Co.
Channels, Boiled Steel
Pollak Steel Co.
Chemicals
Barrett Co.. The
Braun Corporation, The
Braun-Knecht-Heimann Co.
Caire Co.. Justinian
Calkins Co.
Denver Fire Clay Co.
Du Pont de Nemours ft Co.
Giant Powder Co.
Hercules Powder Co.
Mine & Smelter Supply Co.
Roessler & HasBlacher Chem. Co.
Chilean Mills (see 'Mills')
Classifiers
Allis-Cbalmers Mfg. Co
Box Iron Works Co.. Wm. A.
Chalmers ft Williams
Colorado Iron Works
Deister Machine Co.
Denver Engineering Works Co.
Dorr Co.. The
Meese ft Gottfried Co.
Pacific Tank ft Pipe Co.
Traylor Eng. & Mfg. Co.
Classifiers, Dry
National Milling ft Refining Co.
Clutches, Friction (see 'Transmis-
sion Machinery')
Compressors
Allis-Chalmers Mfg. Co.
Buttress ft McClellan
Chalmers & Williams
Chicago Pneumatic Tool Co.
Collins & Webb. Inc.
Fail banks, Morse & Co.
Gardner Governor Co,
General Electric Co.
Hendrie ft Bolthoff Mfg. ft Sup. Co.
Ingersoll-Rand Co.
Jackson Compressor Co.
Mine & Smelter Supply Co.
Morse Bros. Machy. & Sup. Co.
Nordberg Mfg. Co.
Norwalk Iron Works
Reardon. P. H.
Rix Compressed Air ft Drill Co.
Rosenberg ft Co.
Simpson Co.. A. H.
Sullivan Machinery Co.
Western Machinery Co.
Worthington Pump ft Mach. Corp.
Concentrators
Allis-Chalmera Mfg. Co.
Butchart. W. A.
Chalmers & Williams
Collins ft Webb. Inc.
Colorado Iron Works
Deister Concentrator Co.
Deister Machine Co.
Denver Engineering Works Co.
Dings Magnetic Separator Co.
Elsol Concentrating Co.
Gibson. W. W.
Hendrie & Bolthoff Mfg. ft Sup. Co.
James Ore Concentrator Co.
Mine & Smelter Supply Co.
Morse Bros. Machy. ft Sup. Co.
Simpson Co.. A. H.
Traylor Eng. ft Mfg. Co.
Concentrators, Dry
Elsol Concentrating Co.
Concrete Mixers
Worthington Pump ft Mach. Corp.
Concrete Reinforcements
Pollak Steel Co.
Condensers, Low Level Jet
Ingersoll-Rand Co.
Condensers, Surface
Ingersoll-Rand Co.
Connecting Rods
Pollak Steel Co.
Contractors, Core Drilling
Sullivan Machinery Co.
Converters
Allis-Chalmers Mfg. Co.
Hendrie ft Bolthoff Mfg. ft Sup. Co.
Traylor Eng. & Mfg. Co.
Conveyors, Belt or Screw
Allis-Chalmers Mfg. Co.
Diamond Rubber Co.. Inc.
Dodge Sales & Engineering Co.
Gandy Belting Co.
Goodrich Rubber Co., B. P.
Main Belting Co.
Meese ft Gottfried Co.
Pioneer Rubber MillB
United States Rubber Co.
Cranes
Box Iron Works Co., Wm. A.
Chicago Pneumatic Tool Co.
Crank Pins
Pollak Steel Co.
Crank Shafts
Pollak Steel Co.
Crank Webs
Pollak Steel Co.
Cross Heads
Pollak Steel Co.
Crucibles
Bartley Crucible Co., Jonathan
Braun Corporation, The
Braun-Knecht-Heimann Co.
Denver Fire Clay Co.
Dixon Crucible Co., Joseph
Mine ft Smelter Supply Co.
CrusherB
Albs-Chalmers Mfg. Co.
Bacon. Inc.. Earle C.
Box Iron Works Co., Wm. A.
Braun Corporation, The
Braun-Knecht-Heimann Co.
Buttress ft McClellan
Caire Co.. Justinian
Calkins Co.
Chalmers ft Williams
Collins ft Webb, Inc.
Colorado Iron Works
Denver Engineering Works Co.
Denver Fire Clay Co.
Elsol Concentrating Co.
Hendrie ft Bolthofl Mfg. ft Sup. Oo.
Mine & Smelter Supply Co.
Morse Bros. Machy. ft Sup. Co.
Simpson Co.. A. H.
Traylor Eng. ft Mfg. Co.
Worthington Pump ft Mach. Cor*.
Cupels
Braun Corporation, The
Braun -Knecht-Heimanu Oft.
Denver Fire Clay Co.
Dixon Crucible Co., Joeeph
Mine ft Smelter Supply Co.
Cyanide
American Cyanamid Co.
Roessler ft Hasslacher Cham. 0*.
Cyanide Plants and Machinery
Aldrich Pump Co.
Allis-Chalmers Mfg. Co.
Buttress & McClellan
Collins ft Webb, Inc.
Colorado Iron Works
Dorr Co.. The
Hendrie ft Bolthoff Mfg. ft Sup. Co.
Mine ft Smelter Supply Co.
Morse Bros. Machy. & Sup. Co.
National Tank ft Pipe Co.
Oliver Continuous Filter Co.
Pacific Tank ft Pipe Co.
Redwood Mfrs. Co.
Traylor Eng. ft Mfg. Co.
Trent, Goodwin M.
Worthington Pump ft Mach. Corp.
Dewaterers
Chalmers ft Williams
Colorado Iron Works
Dorr Co.. The
General Engineering Co.
Morse Bros. Machy. ft Sup. Co.
Oliver Continuous Filter Co.
Traylor Eng. ft Mfg. Co.
Drafting Material
Ainsworth, Wm. ft Sons
Dixon Crucible Co., Joseph
Lietz Co., A.
Dragline Excavators
Collins ft Webb, Inc.
Leschen ft Sons Rope Co., A.
Lidgerwood Mfg. Co.
Dredges and Accessories
Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp., Ltd.
Hendrie & Bolthoff Mfg. ft Sup. Co.
Hickok ft Hickok
Leschen ft Sons Rope Co., T.
Morris Machine Works
New York Engineering Co.
Pollack Steel Co.
Union Construction Co.
Yuba Mfg. Co.
Drill Makers and Sharpener*
Collins ft Webb, Inc.
Denver Rock Drill Mfg. Co.
Ingersoll-Rand Co.
Sullivan Machinery Co.
Drills, Air and Steam
Chicago Pneumatic Tool Co.
Cleveland Rock Drill Co.
Collins & Webb, Die.
Cochise Machine Co.
Denver Rock Drill Mfg. Co.
Hendrie ft Bolthoff Mfg. ft Sup. Oo.
Ingersoll-Rand Co.
Mine & Smelter Supply Co.
Reardon. P. H.
Rix Compressed Air ft Drill Co.
Simpson Co.. A. H.
Sullivan Machinery Co.
Drills, Core
Dobbins Core Drill Co.
(Continued on page 72)
July 3. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
71
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/iiiiiHHiimiiiiiihiiiimiiii
limillllllllllilllilllllll II [III I IIIIIIHH i. ..■',.,
Perforated Steel Screens I Tube Mill Linings and Grinding Pebbles
T® E<s®ffii©innin§@ U§@
I "ADAMANT SILICA" Linings
and Grinding Pebbles
| GRINDING COST REDUCERS
Some users you know
| Utah Copper Co., Salt Lake City, Utah
| Gold Hill & Iowa Mines Co., Quartzburg, Idaho
| Federal Mining & Smelting Co., Morning, Idaho
| Cornucopia Mines Co., Cornucopia, Oregon
| United States Portland Cement Co., Denver, Colo.
| Ray Consolidated Copper Co., Hayden, Arizona
| Hercules Mining Co., Burke, Idaho
| Bunker Hill & Sullivan Mining & Concentrating Co.,
| Kellogg, Idaho
| Alaska Gastineau Mining Co., Thane, Alaska, and
I many more.
| In use in 34 States, Alaska, Canada, and Mexico.
Write today tor prices and information
I PROMPT SHIPMENT STOCK SIZES
JASPER STONE COMPANY
204 LYTLE BLOC
SIOUX CITY, IOWA
^iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitniiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiriHiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiii
For TROMMELS— JIGS— CHUTES |
STAMP AND GRINDING MILLS
FILTERING— DEWATERING, Etc
Made for Service |
The Harrington & King Perforating Co. i
637 N. Union Ave., Chicago, III. |
NEW YORK OFFICE: 114 Liberty Street |
iimiiiiiuiiiiiiiMiiiiniiiMiiiiniiiiuiiMiiiHiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiHiiiiiiiiiiiiiiT
aiiuiiriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii]iiiiiiii[iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii[iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiu
"
(Especially TheWhite Star Valve) |
Valves for Steam, |
Water, Gas, Oil or |
Air to meet every |
mining requirement |
Gate Valves with ris- |
ing or non-rising |
spindles. Screwed or |
flanged ends, in brass, |
iron or steel. |
If your dealer cannot furnish =
you with |
Powell
"White Star" \
Gate Valves |
write us. |
The/^Wm. Powell Co. |
HVdePENDABlE Engineering Specialties j
CINCINNATI,©.
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(S3
-sas^**^*"^^^^^^^**-.
Si
1 I
■■iii
ORESCENT
^* BELT
FASTENERS
MAKE C00D
BELTS GIVE
BETTER
SERVICE
THEY DO-
AND MORE.
ir
HiifiifiSS 21 ^^H^^^b
CRESCENT BELT FASTENER CO.
381 FOURTH AVE.. NEW YORK.
-or ask your local dealer.
ipllllH
ITS^^-C^
W
72
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3, 1920
THE- BUYER'S -GUIDE
iiiimiMimimi mitiitiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiitiii iiiiimmmmmii iiiiiitiiiimitiimtiiiitimim iiiiiiiimiiiiiiiimiiiiiiimiiiiiiimijmimmiiiiiiimimmmiiim iiiiimmilimmi iimmiimimiiummmuiummiiimmmMimmiiiiiuiiMiiirm
Ingersoll-Rand Co.
Longyear Co.. E. J.
Sullivan Machinery Co.
Drills, Diamond
Ingersoll-Rand Co.
Longyear Co., E. J.
Sullivan Machinery Co.
Dryers
Allis-Chalmers Mfg. Co.
Colorado Iron Works
Traylor Eng, & Mfg. Co.
Electrical Supplies
AlliB-Chalmers Mfg. Co.
General Electric Co.
Westinghouse Elec. ft Mfg. Co.
Employment Bureau
Business Men'B Clearing Houoe
Engineers (Designing and Contract-
Box Iron Works Co.. Wm. A.
General Engineering Co.
Kansas City Structural Steel Co.
Steams-Roger Mlg. Co.
Engines. Internal Combustion
Allis-Chalmers Mfg. Co.
Chicago Pneumatic Tool Co.
Collins & Webb. Inc.
Fairbanks, Moree ft Co.
Hendxie & Bolthoff Mfg. & Sup. CO.
Mine & Smelter Supply Co.
Morse Bros. Machy. & Sup. Co.
Nordberg Mfg. Co.
Novo Engine Co.
Reardon, P. H.
Western Machinery Co.
Engines, Oil
Ingersoll-Rand Co.
Engines, Steam
Allis-Chalmers Mfg. Co.
Ingersoll-Rand Co.
MorriB Machine Works
Morse Bros. Machy. ft Sup. Co.
Nordberg Mfg. Co.
Rosenberg & Co.
Simpson Co.. A. H.
Explosives
Gahfornia Cap Co.
Du Pont Powder Co.
Giant Powder Co.
Hercules Powder Co.
Pans. Ventilating
Galigher Machinery Co.
Hendrie & Bolthoff Mfg. ft Sup. Co.
niter*
Chalmers & Williams
Colorado Iron Works
Galigher Machinery Co.
Merrill Co.
Moree Bros. Machy. & Sup. Co.
Oliver Continuous Filter Co.
United Filters Corp- „
Worthington Pump & Mach. Corp.
Filter Cloth, Metallic
Ludlow-Saylor Wire Co.
United Filters Corp.
filter Presses
Galigher Machinery Co.
Merrill Co.
Morse Bros. Machy. & Sup. Co.
United Filters Corp.
Worthington Pump ft Mach. Corp.
Fire Extinguishers
Bullard, E. D.
.Justrite Mfg. Co.
First Aid Equipment
Braun Corporation. The
Braun-Knecht-Heimann Co.
Bullard. E. D.
Flotation Apparatus
Braun Corporation. The
Braun-Knecht-Heimann Co.
Butchart, W. A.
Butters Co.. Ltd., Chas.
Colburn Flotation & Eng. Co.
Denver Engineering Works Co.
Galigher Machinery Co.
General Engineering Co.
Mine & Smelter Supply Co.
National Tank & Pipe Co.
Southwestern Eng. Co.
Stimpson Equipment Co.
Forges
Denver Fire Clay Co.
Hendrie & Bolthoff Mfg. ft Sup. Co.
Ingersoll-Rand Co.
Mine & Smelter Supply Co.
Frogs and Switches (see 'Railway
Supplies')
Forglngs
Cambria Steel Co.
Pollak Steel Co.
Forglngs, Drop
Pollak Steel Co.
Forglngs, Heavy
Pollak Steel Co.
Forgings, Mine and Dredge
Machinery
Pollak Steel Co.
Fuel Oil
standard Oil Co.
Furnaces, Assay (see 'Assayers and
Cliemists supplies')
t uruui'to, Uii
Deliver U'ire Clay Co.
ingersoll-Kand Co.
Furnaces, Boasting and Smelting
Aiu=-tUiiuitia jillg. Co.
vviurauu li'uu Wui'Kb
Aseuver Eng uieeriuif Works Co.
Meuurie Ot JDOiinull Jlig. « Sup. Co.
Mine oc smelter supply Co.
Morse Bro». Aladiy. dc Sup. Co.
Traylor -tug. dc Mlg. Co.
Wortningtun Pump ft Mach. Corp.
Gears
Chicago Pneumatic Tool Co.
Denver Engineering Works Co.
Dodge Sales & .Engineering Co.
D'aweus machine vo.
General Klectnc Co.
Meese ft Gouined Co.
Generators, Electric
AiUs-CnalmerB Mfg. Co.
.buttress & McClelian
Collins & Webb, Dae.
General Electric Co.
Hendrie & BoithoH Mfg. & Sup. Co.
Morse Bros. Machy. & sup. Co.
Westinghouse Elec. ft Mlg. Co.
Giants, Hydraulic (see 'Hydraulic
Alining Machinery')
Governors
Gardner Governor Co.
Graohlte Products
Bartiey Crucible Co., Jonathan
Detroit Graphite Co.
Dixon Crucible Co., Joseph
Grinders, Laboratory
Braun Corporation, The
Braun-Knecht-Heimann Co.
Caire Co., Justinian
Calkins Co.
Denver Engineering Works Co.
Ingersoll-Rand Co.
Heaters, Feed Water
Allis-Chalmers Mfg. Co.
Hendrie & Bolthoff Mfg. ft Sup. Co.
Morse Bros. Machy. ft Sup. Co.
Simpson Co., A. H.
Hoists, Electric
Aihs-Chaimers Mfg. Co
Box Iron Works Co., Wm. A.
Buttress & McClelian
Collins ft Webb, Inc.
Denver Engineering Works Co.
General Electric Co.
Hendrie & Bolthoff Mfg. ft Sup. Co.
Leschen & Sons Rope Co., A
Lidgerwood Mfg. Co.
Mine & Smelter Supply Co.
Morse Bros. Machy. ft Sup. Co.
Nordberg Mfg. Co.
Ottumwa Iron Works
Rix Compressed Air ft Drill Co.
Rosenberg & Co.
Simpson Co., A. H.
Westinghouse Elec. ft Mfg. Co.
Hoists, OH and Distillate
Box Iron Works Co., Wm. A.
Buttress & McClelian
Collins & Webb, Inc.
Denver Engineering Works Co.
Leschen & Sons Rope Co.. A
Simpson Co.. A. H.
Western Machinery Co.
Hoists, Steam or Air
Albs-Chalmers Mfg. Co.
Box Iron Works Co., Wm. A.
Chicago Pneumatic Tool Co.
Collins & Webb. Inc.
Hendrie & Bolthoff Mfg. ft Sup. Co.
Bagersoll-Rand Co.
Lesehen & Sons Rope Co.. A
Lidgerwood Mfg. Co.
Mine & Smelter Supply Co.
Morse Bros. Machy. & Sup. Co.
Nordberg Mfg. Co.
Ottumwa iron Works
Rix Compressed Air ft Drill Co.
Simpson Co.. A. H.
Hose
Buttress & McClelian
Chicago Pneumatic Tool Co.
Cochise Machine Co.
Denver Rock Drill Mfg. Co.
Goodrich Rubber Co.. B. F.
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.
Bigersoll-Rand Co.
Pioneer Rubber Mills
Rix Compressed Air ft Drill Co.
Simpson Co., A. H.
United States Rubber Co.
Hydraulic Mining Machinery
Aldrich Pump Co.
Allis-Chalmers Mfg. Co.
American Spiral Pipe Works.
GaiTatt & Co.. W. T.
New York Engineering Co.
Pelton Water Wheel Co.
Sacramento Pipe Works
Hydrocyanic Acid, Liquid
American Cyanamid Co.
Ice Machines
Norwalk Iron Works
Injectors
Lunkenheimer Co.. The
Marshall-Newell Supply Co.
Morse Bros. Machy. & Sup. Co.
Powell Co.. Wm.
Iron Cements
Smooth-On Mfg. Co.
JlgB
Allis-Chalmers Mfg. Co
Box Iron Works Co., Wm. A.
Buttress & McClelian
Chalmers & Williams
Colorado Iron Works
Denver Engineering Works Co.
Morse Bros. Machy. & Sup. Co.
New York Engineering Co.
Traylor Eng. & Mfg. Co.
Union Construction Co.
Kilns
Allis-Chalmers Mfg. Co.
Laboratory Supplies (see 'Assayers'
and Chemists' Supplies')
Lamp Guards
Flexible Steel Lacing Co.
Lamps, Arc and Incandescent
General Electric Co.
Westinghouse Elec. ft Mfg. Co.
Lamps, Miners'
Bullard, E. D.
Justrite Mfg. Co.
Wolf Safety Lamp Co.
Lining for Ball-Mills
Chalmers ft Willi am a
Hardinge Co.
Hickok & Hickok
Jasper Stone Co.
Los Angeles Foundry Co.
Traylor Eng. & Mfg. Co.
Linoleum
Paraffins Companies, Inc.
Loading Machines, Pneumatic
Lake Superior Loader Co.
Lock Nuts
Drake Lock-Nut Co.
Locomotives, Electric
Atlas Car & Mfg. Co.
Collins & Webb. Jjic.
General Electric Co.
Morse Bros. Machy. ft Sup. Co.
Simpson Co.. A. H.
Westinghouse Elec. ft Mfg. Co.
Locomotives, Compressed Air
Porter Co.. H. K.
Locomotives, Gasoline
Fate-Root-Heath Co.
Locomotives, Steam
Morse Bros. Machy. ft Sup. Co.
Porter Co.. H. K.
Simpson Co.. A. H.
Lubricants
Chicago Pneumatic Tool Co.
Dixon Crucible Co., Joseph
Standard Oil Co.
Lubricators
Chicago Pneumatic Tool Co.
Justrite Mfg. Co.
Lunkenheimer Co., The
Marshall-Newell Supply Co.
Powell Co.. Wm.
Machinery, Used
Butte Machinery Co.
Buttress & McClelian
Collins & Webb. Inc.
Jardine Machinery Co.
Morse Bros. Machy. ft Sup. Co.
Nevada Engineering & Supply Co.
Pacific Pipe Co.
Rebuilt Machinery Co,
Rosenberg & Co.
Simpson Co.. A. H.
Zelnicker Supply Co.
Magnets, Lifting
Dings Magnetic Separator Co.
Magnetic Separators and Pulleys
Dings Magnetic Separator Co.
Metal Buyers and Dealers
American Smelters Securities Co.
American Zinc. Lead 6 Smelt. Co.
Atkins. Krol.l ft Co.
Empire Zinc Co.
Grubnau. Bryant ft Grubnau
International Smelting Co.
U. S. Smelting. Bef. & Min. Co.
Wildberg Bros.
Mills — Brill. Pebble and Tube
A llis- Chalmers Mfg. Co.
Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp. Ltd
Box Iron Works Co.. Wm. A.
Buttress & McClelian
Chalmers ft Williams
Collins & Webb. Inc.
Colorado Iron Works
Denver Engineering Works Co.
Denver Fire Clay Co.
Hardinge Co.
Herman. John
Mine & Smelter Supply Co.
Mine Equipment & Supply Co.
Morse Bros. Machy. & Sup. Co.
Rosenberg ft Co
Steams-Roger Mfg. Co.
Traylor Eng. ft Mfg. Co.
Worthington Pump & Mach. Corp.-
Hills, Chilean
Allis-Chalmers Mfg. Co.
Chalmers ft Williams
Collins & Webb. Die.
Colorado Iron Works
Denver Quartz Mill ft Crusher Co.
Lane Mill ft Machinery Co.
Morse Bros. Machy. ft Sup. Co.
Traylor Eng. ft Mfg. Co.
Worthington Pump & Mach. Corp.
Mills, Grinding
Gibson, W. W.
Marathon Mill & Machine Works
Mills, Stamps
Allis-Chalmers Mfg. Co.
Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp, Ltd.
Buttress & McClelian
ChalmerB ft Williams
Collins ft Webb. Die.
Colorado Iron Works
Hendrie & Bolthoff Mfg. ft Sup. Co.
Morse Bros. Machy. ft Sup. Co.
Simpson Co., A. H.
Traylor Eng. ft Mfg. Co.
Worthington Pump ft Mach. Corp.
Motor Trucks
Garford Motor Truck Co.
Mutual Truck Co.
Motors
Allis-Chalmers Mfg. Co.
Buttress ft McClelian
Collins ft Webb, Inc.
Fairbanks. Morse ft Co.
General Electric Co.
Hendrie & Bolthoff Mfg. ft Sup. C*.
Ingersoll-Rand Co.
Mine & Smelter Supply Co.
Morse Bros. Machy. ft Sup. Co. i
Rosenberg ft Co.
Simpson Co.. A. H.
Westinghouse Elec. ft Mfg. Co.
Mucking Machines, Mechanical
Lake Superior Loader Co.
NoduUzers, Ore
Allis-Chalmers Mfg. Co. .
Office Supplies
Dixon Crucible Co., Joseph
Marchant Calculating Machine Co.
Monroe Calculating Machine Co.
OH and Grease Cups (see TLnbri- I
cators')
Oil, Flotation
Barrett Co., The
Florida Wood Products Co.
General Naval Stores
Pensacola Tar ft Turpentine Co.
Standard Oil Co.
United Naval Stores
Ore-Bnyers (see TMetal Buyers ani
Dealers')
Ore Testing Equipment
General Engineering Co.
Oxy-Acetylene Welding and Cuttrai
Apparatus
Bullard, E. D.
Oxweld Acetylene Co.
Oxygen Apparatus
Bullard. E. D.
Siebe, Gorman Co..
Ltd.
Packing
Diamond Rubber Co.
Goodrich Rubber Co.. B. F.
Marshall-Newell Supply Co.
Pioneer Rubber Mills
Smooth-On Mfg. Co.
United States Rubber Co.
(Continued on page 74)
July J. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
73
TTENTION ENGINEERING PROFESSION
REPAIRING OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS
When your surveying instrument meets with an accident it warrants
placing in reliable hands. Mechanics cannot be expected to intelligently put
a scientific instrument in order, despite a conscientious effort on their part.
A mechanician trained for years in this particular work can make the neces-
sary repairs in shorter time and with the interest of the profession constantly
in mind.
We, with our factory facilities and trained workmen, can assure the
profession of the utmost satisfaction in the repairing of all makes of sur-
veying instruments, and we assume all responsibilities when this work is
entrusted to us, for the work of our help is fully guaranteed.
The necessary charges for such work represent nothing more than the
time, carefully tabulated, and actually required by only skilled mechanicians
to put the instrument in first class condition; this being supported by the
integrity of a firm established in San Francisco since 1882.
Delays may ensue, for we are at present entrusted with the repair of
many instruments, but we solicit your work, assuring you that it will be
handled as quickly as possible.
Estimates are cheerfully made.
REPAIRS ALSO MADE TO ANEROID BAROMETERS, HAND
LEVELS, STEEL TAPES, DRAWING INSTRUMENTS AND
OTHER SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS.
THE A. LIETZ COMPANY
Established 1882
Main Office and Salesroom: 61 Post St., San Francisco, U.S.A.
Factory 632 to 648 Commercial St,
|IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII1IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!I!IIIIIU
I Prospector's Field Book and Guide 1
1 In the Search for and the Easy Determination of Ores and Other Useful Minerals m
| By H. S. Osborn H
1 NINTH EDITION, THOROUGHLY REVISED AND ENLARGED |
S By M. W. von Bernewitz =
I 4 5£ x 7 1,£ 400 Pages 57 Illustrations Flexible Binding Pocket-Book Style g
Price . *322.
Anew addition to this splendid book is
a spirited introduction emphasizing
the necessity of prospectors receiving some
technical training. Discusses practical
mineralogy, crystallography, the value of
the blowpipe in prospecting, surveying,
and chemical tests in the field. Separate
chapters are given to the precious and base
metals, also to the non-metallic metals.
I
!
" prospectors
-|ELO-BqOKAN»&UID£
n«0RN-l»Btt«IEWITZj
An important guide and a suggestive aid
throughout the new book are the many brief
descriptions of ore deposits of all minerals
occurring in scattered parts of the world.
These have been abstracted carefully, and
tell how certain minerals may be expected
to be found. Another special feature is
the lists of outfits, prices and the manipu-
lation of the apparatus. In the appendix
will be found numbers of useful tables, an
explanation of the unit system of buying
and selling ores, and a complete glossary
of mining and mineralogical terms.
■ USE THE COUPON-
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
420 Market Street, San Francisco
Gentlemen: Enclosed And S3.00 for wUlch send me one copy of Osborn-
Book and Guide.
Name
-Prospector's Field =
J You will be interested in our
1 latest catalogue which con-
| tains a description of the best
| and latest bookt on indus-
I tries allied to the mining field
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Address
It is understood, if the above book proves unsatisfactory I am at liberty to return it
within ten days and refund will be made of the purchase price.
HOB 7-3-fl0
74
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3, 1920
THE -BUYER'S -GUIDE
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mi iiimtlillllllll niiffliinmimii i iiiiiiiiihh timiniuimiNiiKiiaa.
Paint, Preservative
Detroit Graphite Co.
Dixon Crucible Co.
Parafflrte Companies, Inc.
Standard Oil Co.
i'aper — Building, Insulating and
Asbestos
Paraffine Companies. Inc.
Atkins. Kroll & Co.
Hardinge Co.
Jasper Stone Co.
Perforated Metals
Allis-Chalmers Mfg. Co.
Galigher Machinery Co.
Harrington &. King Perforating Co.
Ludiow-Saylor Wire Co.
Meese & Gottfried Co.
Pipe Covering
Paraffine Companies, Inc.
Pipe Fittings
Diamond Rubber Co.
Garratt & Co., W. T.
Goodrich Rubber Co., B. F.
Lunkenheinier Co., The
Marshall-Newell Supply Co.
Merrill Co.
Nor walk Iron Works
Pacific Pipe Co.
Pacific Tank & Pipe Co.
Powell Co.. Wm.
Sacramento Pipe WorkB
Pipe, Cast Iron
American Cast Iron Pipe Co.
Pacific Pipe Co.
Pipe, Riveted
American Spiral Pipe Works.
Sacramento Pipe Works
Pipe. Standard Wrought
National Tube Co.
Pacific Pipe Co.
Pipe, Wood
National Tank & Pipe Co.
Pacific Tank & Pipe Co.
Redwood Mfrs. Co.
Placer Mining Machinery
Aldrich Pump Co.
American Spiral Pipe Works.
Collins & Weub, Inc.
Harrington & .King Perforating Co.
Morse Bros. Machy. & Sup. Co.
New York Engineering Co.
Union Construction Co.
Yuba Mfg. Co.
Pneumatic Tools
Chicago Pneumatic Tool Co.
Ingersoll-Rand Co.
Sullivan Machinery Co.
Prospecting Supplies
Braun Corporation, The
Braun-Knecht-Heimann Co.
Denver Fire Clay Co.
Dobbins Core Drill Co.
Longyear Co., E. J.
Mine & Smelter Supply Co.
New York Engineering Co.
Rix Compressed Air & Drill Co.
Union Construction Co.
Pulleys, Magnetic
Dings Magnetic Separator Co.
Pulleys, Shafting and Hangers (sat
'Transmission Machinery')
Pumps, Air Lift
Aldrich. Pump Co.
Buttress & McClellan
Chicago Pneumatic Tool Co.
Ingersoll-Rand Co.
Proscott Co.
Traylor Eng. & Mfg. Co.
Pumps, Centrifugal
Aldrich Pump Co.
Allis-Chalmers Mfg. Co.
American Well Works
Buttress & McClellan
Cameron Steam Pump Wks.. A. 5.
Collins & Webb, Inc.
Fairbanks, Morse & Co.
Frenier & Sons
Garratt & Co.. W. T.
General Electric Co.
Hendrie & Bolthofl Mfg. & Sup. Co.
Ingersoll-Rand Co.
Jackson Iron WorkB. Byron
Krogh Pump & Machinery Co.
Mine & Smelter Supply Co.
Meese & Gottfried Co.
"orris Machine Worka
Morse Bros. Machy. & Sup. Co.
Oliver Continuous Filter Co.
Pacific Pipe Co.
Pelton Water Wheel Co.
Prescott Co.
Rosenberg & Co.
Simpson Co.. A. H.
Western Machinery Co.
Worthington Pump & Mach. Corp.
Yuba Mfg. Co.
Pumps, Reciprocating
Aldrich Pump Co.
Allis-Chalmers Mfg. Co.
Cameron Steam Pumps Wks.. A. S.
Hendrie & Bolthofl Mfg. & Sup. Co.
Ingersoll-Rand Co.
Mine & Smelter Supply Co.
Morse Bros. Machy. & Sup. Co.
Prescott Co.
Rosenberg & Co.
Traylor Eng. & Mfg. Co.
Worthington Pump & Mach. Corp.
Quicksilver
Atkins, Kroll & Co.
Braun Corporation, The
Braun-Knecht-Heimann Co.
Bullard, E. D.
Denver Fire Clay Co.
Mine & Smelter Supply Co.
Railway Supplies and Equipment
Atlas Car & Mfg. Co.
Diamond Rubber Co.. Inc.
Hickok & Hickok
Pollack Steel Co.
Rods for Rod Mills
Pollack Steel Co.
Roller Bearings
Hyatt Roller Bearing Co.
Rolls, Crushing
Atlas Car & Mfg. Co.
Bacon. Inc.. Earle C.
Box Iron Works Co., Wm. A.
Chalmers & Williams
Collins & Webb. Inc.
ColoradG Iron Works .
Denver Engineering Works Co.
Hendrie & Bolthofl Mfg. & Sup. Co.
Mine & Smelter Supply Co.
Morse Bros. Machy. & Sup. Co.
Pollak Steel Co.
Traylor Eng. & Mfg. Co.
Worthington Pump & Mach. Corp.
Roll Shells
Cambria Steel Co.
Roofing
American Sheet & Tin Plate Co.
Kansas City Structural Steel Co.
Paraffine Companies, Boo.
Standard Oil Co.
Rope, Manila
Waterbury Co,
Rope, Wire
American Steel & Wire Co.
Broderick & Bascom Rope Co.
Denver Engineering Works Co.
Dodge Sales & Engineering Co.
Leschen & Sons Rope Co., A
Meese & Gottfried Co.
Roebling's Sons Co., John A.
Simpson Co., A. H.
Waterbury Co.
Rubber Boots and Shoe*
Goodrich Rubber Co., B. F.
United States Rubber Co.
Safety Appliance*
Bullard, E. D.
Siebe. Gorman Co., Ltd.
Samplers
Box D-on WorkB Co., Wm. A.
Braun Corporation, The
Braun-Knecht-Heimann Co.
Colorado Iron Works
Denver Fire Clay Co.
Mine & Smelter Supply Co.
Morse Bros. Machy. & Sup. Co.
Traylor Eng. & Mfg. Co.
Saw Mill Machinery
Meese & Gottfried Co.
Box D-on Works Co., Wm. A.
Prescott Co.
Screens
Allis-Chalmers Mfg. Co.
Box Iron Works Co., Wm, A.
Braun Corporation, The
Braun-Knecht-Heimann Co.
Chalmers & Williams
Colorado Iron Works
Collins & Webb, Die.
Denver Engineering Works Co.
Galigher Machinery Co.
Harrington & King Perforating Co.
James Ore Concentrator Co.
Ludiow-Saylor Wire Co.
Meese & Gottfried Co.
Rosenberg & Co.
Stimpson Equipment Co.
Traylor Eng. & Mfg. Co.
Worthington Pump & Mach. Corp.
Screens, Mining, Etc.
Ludiow-Saylor Wire Co.
Screens, Rolled Slot
Ludiow-Saylor Wire Co.
Screens, Wire
Ludiow-Saylor Wire Co.
Separators
Dings Magnetic Separator Co.
Shafting (see 'Transmission
Machinery)
Shafts, Forged Steel
Pollak Steel Co.
Sheet Steel
American Sheet & Tin Plate Co.
Kansas City Structural Steel Co.
Shoes and Dies
Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp, Ltd.
Denver Engineering Works Co.
Hickok & Hickok
Worthington Pump & Mach. Corp.
Shovels, Electric and Steam
Leschen & Sons Rope Co.. A
Shoveling Machines
Lake Superior Loader Co.
Slier
Atkins. Kroll & Co.
Hardinge Co.
Jasper Stone Co.
Sintering and Agglomerating
Machinery
Worthington Pump & Mach. Corp.
Smelters and Refiners
American Zinc. Lead & Smelt. Co.
Empire Zinc Co.
International Smelting Co.
U. S. Smelting, Ref. & Min. Co.
Wildberg Bros.
Smelting Machinery
Allis-Chalmers Mfg. Co.
Collins & Webb, Lie.
Colorado Iron Works
Hendrie & Bolthofl Mfg. & Sup. Co.
Morse Bros. Machy. & Sup. Co.
Traylor Eng. & Mfg. Co.
Worthington Pump & Mach. Corp.
Solder
Finn Metal Works, John
Springs
American Spiral Pipe Works.
American Steel & Wire Co.
Cary Spring Works
Steel, Drill
Buttress & McClellan
Cambria Steel Co.
Collins & Webb, Die.
Denver Rock Drill Mfg. Co.
Ingersoll-Rand Co.
International High Speed Steel Co.
Simpson Co,, A. H.
Sullivan Machinery Go.
Steel, Structural
Kansas City Structural Steel Co.
Pollack Steel Co.
Steel, Tool
Cambria Steel Co.
International Highspeed Steel Co.
Stretchers
Williams Improved Stretcher Co.
Surveying Instruments
Ainsworth, Wm. & Sons.
Braun-Knecht-Heimann Co.
Broderick & Bascom Rope Co.
Leitz Co., A.
Tanks, Steel
Box Iron Works Co., Wm. A.
Denver Engineering Works Co.
Digersoll-Rand Co.
Rosenberg & Co.
Kansas City Structural Steel Co.
Simpson Co., A. H.
Tanks, Wood
Denver Engineering Works Co.
Morse Bros. Machy. & Sup. Co.
National Tank & Pipe Co.
Pacific Tank & Pipe Co.
Redwood Mfrs. Co.
Tapes, Measuring
Lufkin Rule Co.
Thickeners, Pulp
Buttress & McClellan
Collins & Webb, Inc.
Colorado Don Works
Dorr Co.. The
General Engineering Co.
National Tank & Pipe Co.
Oliver Continuous Filter Co.
Pacific Tank & Pipe Co.
Tires, Auto and Truck
Goodrich Rubber Co.. B. F.
Tools, Blacksmith
Ingersoll-Rand Co.
Tractors
Yuba Mfg. Co.
Tramways, Aerial
American Steel & Wire Co.
Broderick & Bascom Rope Co.
Morse Bros. Machy. & Sup. Co.
Roebling's Sons Co.. John A.
Simpson Co., A. H.
Transmission Machinery
Allis-Chalmers Mfg. Co.
American Pulley Co.
Dodge Sales & Engineering Co.
General Electric Co.
Meese & Gottfried Co.
Prescott Co.
. Rosenberg & Co.
Tracks, Motor (see 'Motor Trucks')
Tube-Mills (see) 'Mills')
Tumbler Shafts, Heavy Forged
Steel
Pollak Steel Co.
Turbines, Hydraulic
Allis-Chalmers Mfg. Go.
Pelton Water Wheel Co.
Smith Co., S. Morgan
Turbines, Steam
Allis-Chalmers Mfg. Co.
General Electric Co.
Westinghouse Elec. & Mfg. Co.
Valves
Crane Co.
Lunkenheimer Co., The
Marshall-Newell Supply Co.
Merrill Co., The
Norwalk Iron Works
Powell Co., Wm.
Water Wheels, Impulse
Box L-on Works Co., Wm. A.
Morse Bros. Machy. & Sup. Co. :
Pelton Water Wheel Co.
Simpson Co., A. H.
Smith Co., S. Morgan
Well Drilling Machy. and SnppUaa
American Wei! Works
Union Construction Co.
Wheels, Car
Atlas Car & Mfg. Co.
Hickok & Hickok
Whistlers
Lunkenheimer Co., The
Powell Co., Wm.
Wire
American Steel & Wire Co.
Anaconda Copper Mining Co.
Broderick & Bascom Rope Co.
General Electric Co.
Meese & Gottfried Co.
Roebling's Sons Co., John A.
Simpson Co., A. H.
Wire Cloth
Ludiow-Saylor Wire Co.
Wire, Insulated
Diamond Rubber Co., Die.
Goodrich Rubber Co.. B. F.
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.
Roebling's Sons Co., John A.
United States Rubber Co.
Zinc Boxes
Colorado Don Works Co.
Mine & Smelter Supply Co.
National Tank & Pipe Co.
Pacific Tank & Pipe Co.
Redwood Mfra. Co.
Traylor Eng. & Mfg. Co.
Zinc Dust and Shavings
American Zinc. Lead & Smelt. Co.
Atkins. Kroll & Co.
Braun Corporation, The
Braun-Knecht-Heimann Co.
Denver Fire Clay Co.
Finn Metal Works. John
Merrill Co.
Mine & Smelter Supply Co.
Pacific Tank & Pipe Co.
U. S. Smelting. Ref. & Min. Co.
July 3, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
75
I II II II II 1111(111(11111111 II II I I II II II II II Mill
AUrich Pumps | GARFORD
FOR GENERAL SERVICE
Quintuplex Motor Driven Pot Chamber Pump, for general pump- =
ing requirements such as water works, eteel mills, factories, etc.. =
but is especially suited for mine service. Can be run with one or =
two motors, mounted on top. Their range of operation is from 300 =
to 4000 G. P. M. against lifts of from 500 to 1000 feet. |
Write for a copy of our 1920 calendar |
THE ALDRICH PUMP COMPANY
No. 5 Allen St., AUentown, Pa., U.S.A.
CHICAGO. ILL. NEW YORK CITY PITTSBURGH, PA. |
McCormick Building 30 Church Street Keenan Building i
EL PASO TEXAS. MUU Building 1
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I SACRAMENTO PIPE WORKS (
MANUFACTURERS
= SHEET STEEL RIVETED PIPE, I
WELL CASING and AIR PIPE |
WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTERS
Standard Pipe — Screw Joint Casing, Pipe
and Casing Fittings, |
HYDRAULIC ENGINEERS AND CONTRACTORS |
Valves and Brass Goods 1
SACRAMENTO, CAL.
I BLAKE, MOrTITT & TOWNE |
DEALERS IN PAPER
87 TO 45 FIRST STREET, SAM FRANCISCO, CAL. j
BRANCH HOUSES IN LOS ANGELES AND PORTLAND |
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SEND FOR CATALOG
A-9 OF BALANCES 1
B-X OF ENGINEERING INSTRUMENTS 1
Hfr~~mU PIT PRECISION FACTORY] VmtM*
The Garfbrd Definite System
of Service to individual truck
owners has been fundamental
in the accomplishment of
Garford Low Cost Ton-Mile.
Lima, Ohio
Periodically during each year Garford
expert service men go from our factory
to every Garford owner. They thor-
oughly inspect each truck, ride with the
driver on the job, and make minor ad-
justments. Written reports of these
inspections are sent to factory for anal-
ysis, and recommendations are made
direct to owners by our Maintenance
Department.
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76
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3, 1920
iMiiMiimmiimmmi
United States Smelting,
Refining & Mining Company
55 CONGRESS STREET, BOSTON, V. S. A.
BUYERS OP
Gold, Silver, Lead and Copper Ores. Lead and Zinc
Concentrating Ores, Matte and Furnace Products.
REFINERS OF
Lead Bullion.
PRODUCERS AND SELLERS OP
Gold, Silver, Lead, Copper, Zinc, Zinc Dust, Arsenic,
Insecticides, Fungicides, and Cadmium.
OPERATING OFFICES:
912 Newhouse Building, Salt Lake City, Utah; Ken-
nett, Cal.; Goldroad, Ariz.; Baxter Springs, Kansas;
120 Broadway, New York; Pachuca (Real del Monte
Co.), Mexico.
SELLING OFFICES: ISO BROADWAY, NEW YORK
United States Smelting R. & M. Exploration Co.
For examination and purchase of Metal Mines, 55 Congress St.,
| Boston, Mass. District Offices, 130 Broadway, N. Y.; 1504 Hobart
| Blag., San Francisco, Cal.: Newhouse Bids., Salt Lake City, Utah.
Immediate Shipment from Our
San Francisco Stock
JOHN FINN'S Air Separated Zinc Dust for Cyaniding.
JOHN FINN'S Crank Pin and Empire Anti-Friction
Babbitt Metals, universally used in tbe Mining and
Cement Industry. Also manufacturers of all grades of
Solder and Type Metals.
Write or wire for prices on your requirements.
John Finn Metal Works
372-398 Second Street. San Francisco, California.
AMERICAN
ZINC, LEAD & SMELTING COMPANY
Purchasers of
ZINC AND LEAD ORES
Address: 1012 Pierce Building, St. Louis, Mo.
EXPLORATION DEPARTMENT FOR THE PURCHASE OF
METAL MINES AND METAL MINING COMPANIES
55 Congress St., Boston, Mass.
INTERNATIONAL SMELTING CO.
New York Office: 42 Broadway
Purchasers of
Gold, Silver, Copper, and
Lead Ores
SMELTING WORKS: INTERNATIONAL, UTAH and MIAMI, ARIZ.
REFINERIES:
International Lead Refining Company, East Chicagro, Indiana
Rariton Copper Works, Perth Amboy, N. J.
ORE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT:
618 Kearns Building-, Salt Lake City, Utah
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ATKINS, KROLL & CO., San Francisco
IMPORT MERCHANTS
DANISH FUKT PEBBLES. SILEX LINING. CYANTDsl
1 QUICKSILVER. MINING CANDLES. FIREBRICK.
1 BORTS AND CARBONS. BLACKSMITH COAL. COKU
S IMPORTED FUSE. SCHEELITE CONCENTRATES. 70%.
1 SUPERIOR QUALITY ZINC DUST.
STOCKS CARRIED
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■COLO DREDGES I
Yuba Ball Tread Tractors Yuba Centrifugal Pumps 1
YUBA MANUFACTURING COMPANY |
WORKS: Marmiile, Cat. SALES OFFICE: 433 California St. San Frandieo, CtL |
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American Smelters Securities Co.
(Selby Smelting Works)
Buyers or
GOLD and SILVER BULLION
ORES, CONCENTRATES, ETC.
Consign all shipments to
AMERICAN SMELTERS SECURITIES CO.
SELBY, CAL.
Address correspondence to
MERCHANTS EXCHANGE BLDG., SAN FRANCISCO
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] GENERAL BRIQUETTING COMPANY j
Consulting Engineers
1 25 Broad Street, New York J
Specialists in the Briquetting of Ores, j
Flotation Concentrates, Coals, Etc. \
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The Empire Zinc Company j
Buys Zinc Ores
Address oar Offices: Or write to |
160 Front SL New York NY H- L WILLIAMS. %
mil rront m., new lore, n. i. ^ KEARNS BLDG §
703 Symes Bldg., Denver, Colo. SALT LAKE CIT^ UTAH fl
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July 3, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRES
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The
Roessler & Hasslacher
Chemical Company
707-717 6th Ave., cor. 41st St., NEW YORK, N.Y.
WORKS: PERTH AMBOY, N. J.
Cyanide of
Sodium 96-98%
Cyanogen
51-52%
"Cyanegg"
Sodium Cyanide 96-98% in egg form,
each egg weighing 1 ounce.
Cyanogen 51-52%
Grinding Balls and
Mill Liners
What Was Your Liner Cost Last Year?
Would You Like to Reduce That Cost?
DUROLOID
Is the Logical Answer.
LOS ANGELES FOUNDRY CO.
2444 So. Alameda
Los Angeles, Cal.
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Grubnau, Bryant & Grubnau
Buyers of
ZINC CARBONATE ORES
Manufacturers of
Zinc Oxide and Zinc-Lead Pigments
WIRE ROF>E |
WELDING WIRE
JOHN A. ROWS SONS CO. OF CALIFORNIA 1
900 First Ave. South, Seattle 624-646 Folsom St., San Francisco |
487 Lovejoy St., Portland, Ore. 216 South Alameda St., Los Angeles §
Office and Works :
Waldo, New Mexico
WILDBERG BROS.,
Smelters, Refiners and Purchasers of
Gold and Silver Ores, Gold Dust, Bullion and
Native Platinum
Production of Proof Gold and Silver for AssayerB
OFFICE: 416-419 PACIFIC BDG. SAX FRANCISCO
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(ore: broker)
1 20 years experience in marketing ores and |
1 minerals. Tell me your troubles.
S L. C. BUTLER
1 NEW DORP, BORO OF RICHMOND, NEW YORK CITY 1
| Tel. 276 New Dorp I
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UNIVERSAL CYANIDING MACHINE
TRENT
AGITATORS Catalog
THICKENERS on
REPLACERS Request
DORR
CLASSIFIERS
THICKENERS
AGITATORS
GOODWIN M. TRENT
| Sharon Bldg. San Francisco, Calif. |
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THE DORR COMPANY
ENGINEERS |
DENVER NEW YORK LONDON
1009 17th Street 101 Park Avenue 16 South Street =
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78
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3, 1920
is ^
Dash • Indicates • Every- Other-WeeK-or- Monthly • Advertisement -
Pare
Ainsworth & Sons. Wm.. Denver 75
Aklrich Pump Co.. Allentown. Pa 75
Allis-Chalmers Mfg. Co.. Milwaukee, Wis 6
American Cast Iron Pipe Co.. Birmingham. Ala. 55
American Cyanamid Company. New York 3
American Pulley Co.. Philadelphia. Pa —
American Sheet & Tin Plate Co.. Pittsburgh. . .67
American Smelters Securities Co.. San Francisco. 76
American Spiral Pipe Works. Chicago 78
American Steel & Wire Co.. Chicago 59
American Well Works. Aurora. Ill
American Zinc, Lead & Smelting- Co.. St. Louis. 76
Anaconda Copper Mining Co.. Chicago —
ABBayers. Chemists and Ore Testing Works. . . .68
Atkins. Kroll & Co.. San Francisco 76
Atlas Car & Mfg. Co.. Cleveland. Ohio 69
Bacon. Inc.. Earle C. New York 67
Barber-Greene Co.. Aurora, 111
Barrett Co.. The. New York 80
Barlley Crucible Co.. Jonathan. Trenton. N. J. .16
Beer, S.. Sacramento. Cal
Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp.. San Francisco. . .
Blake. Moffitt & Towne. San Francisco 75
Books. Technical 51-58-69-73
Box Iron Works. Wm.. A.. Denver. Colo
Braun Corporation, The. Los Angeles. Cal 40
Braun-Knecht-Heimann Co., San Francisco! '.'. ~40
Broderick & Bascom Rope Co.. St. Louis 61
Bullard E. D.. San Francisco _
Bullen & Co.. San Francisco
Bunting Iron Works. San Francisco; '.'.'.'.'.'.'"
Buseh-Sulzer Bros.. St. Louis. Mo... 55
Business Men's Clearing House. Denver 50
Butchart. W. A.. Denver. Colo. . . si
Butler. L. C. New York. . 77
Butters & Co.. Ltd.. Chas. New York _
1SS?8 GuidecC!e"an: ,Los .Aneelea-. ™;]^M
Caire Co Justinian. San Francisco ... 48
Cakins Co.. Los Angeles. Cal. IS
California Cap Co.. Oakland. Cal __
Cambria Steel Co.. Philadelphia.
Cameron Steam Pump Works, A. S. New' York' *>^
Cary Spring Works. New York *orK.-o
Cement-Gun Co.. Allentown. Pa. '. '. «q
Chalmers & Williams. Chicago Heights,' ill '. ' ' ' -1
Chicago Pneumatic Tool Co.. Chicago 00
rS^MR°v?k DriU cr°" Cleveland Ohio! '. ! '. [ ' 79
Cochise Machine Co.. Los Angeles. Cal _
S En^*^1?^ & ^ Co- SaVi Francisco'. '.54
Collins & Webb. Inc.. Los Angeles. Cal 19
Colorado Iron Works. Denver . . 70
Crane Co.. Chicago. PI Vn 11
Crescent Belt Fastener Co.. New York.'.'.'.'.'. .71
Deister Concentrator Co.. Fort Wayne Ind 69
Deister Machine Co.. Fort Wayne Ind 80
Denver Engineerimr Works Denver
Denver Fire Clay Co.. Denver. ^7
Denver Quartz Mill & Crusher Co..' Denver" ' " " —
Sf?Z5* 5°<* ?n" & Mfg. Co.. Denver. ;'*17
Detroit Graphite Co.. Detroit. Mich. tL
Diamond Rubber Co.. Akron. Ohio
Divnn ri!^VC^epaTrator Co- Milwaukee'. 'Wis! —
Dixon Crucible Co.. Joseph, Jersey City N J 7
Dobbins Core Drill Co.. New York. ' ' -1
Dodge Sales & Eng. Co.. Mishawaka." Ind". '.'."' 8
Dorr Company. The. Denver 77
Drake Lock -Nut Co.. San Francisco.".'.".'; _
Du Pont de Nemours & Co.. Wilmington, Del! '. '.—
Elmer. H. N.. Chicago
Elsol Concentrating Co.. Los Angeles, Cal fin
Empire Zinc Co., Denver. Colo ..... . .31 ;;;;;; 76
Page
Fairbanks. Morse & Co.. Chicago —
Fate-Root-Heath Co., Plymouth Ohio 14
Fawcus Machine Co.. Pittsburgh, Pa 59
Filter Fabrics Co.. Salt Lake City, Utah —
Finn Metal Works, John, San Francisco 76
Flexible Steel Lacing Co.. Chicago 4S
Florida Wood Products Co.. Jacksonville, Fla . . . 60
Four Wheel Drive Motor Truck Co., Clinton-
ville. Wis —
Frenier & Son, Rutland. Vt 55
Gahgher Machy. Co.. Salt Lake City. Utah 60
Gandy Belting Co., Baltimore, Md 67
Gardner Governor Co., Quinsy, HI —
Garlord Motor Truck Co., Lima. Ohio 75
Garratt & Co., W. T.. San Francisco 48
General Briquetting Co., New York 76
General Electric Co.. Schenectady, N. Y 29
General Engineering Co., Salt Lake City. Utah. .28
General Naval Stores, New York 61
Giant Powder Co.. San Francisco —
Gibson, W. W.. San Francisco —
Goodrich Rubber Co.. B. F.. Akron. Ohio —
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Akron, Ohio.... —
Grubnau, Bryant & Grubnau. Waldo, N. M 77
Hardinge Company, New York —
Harrington & King Perforating Co.. Chicago... 71
Hendrie & Bolthoff Mfg. & Supply Co.. Denver. . 4
Hercules Powder Co., Wilmington, Del —
Herman. John. Los Angeles. Cal 61
Hickok & Hickok. San Francisco 41
Holt Mfg. Co.. Peoria. Ill —
Hyatt Roller Bearing Co.. New York . . . 22
Ingersoll-Rand Co.. New York 42-43
International Smelting Co., New York 76
Jackson Compressor Co.. Denver 55
Jackson Iron Works. Byron, San Francisco. .. .56
James Ore Concentrator Co.. Newark, N. J 59
Jardine Mach. Co.. San Francisco 50
Jasper Stone Co., Sioux City, Iowa 71
Justrite Mfg. Co., Chicago —
Kimball Co.. F. L.. Los Angeles, Cal —
Krogh Pump & Mach. Co., San Francisco —
Lake Superior Loader Co., Duluth. Minn 55
Lane Mill & Mach. Co., Los Angeles, Cal 69
Leschen & Sons Rope Co.. St. Louis, Ma 59
Lietz Co., A.. San Francisco 73
Lidgerwood Mfg. Co.. New York —
Linde Air Products Co.. New York • —
Llewellyn Iron Works. Los Angeles —
Longyear Co.. E. J,. Minneapolis. Minn 56
Los Angeles Foundry Co.. Los Angeles, Cal. . . .77
Ludlow-Saylor Wire Co., St. Louis, Mo 5
Lufkin Rule Co., Saginaw. Mich 55
Lunkenheimer Co., The, Cincinnati, Ohio 15
Main Belting Co.. Philadelphia. Pa 33
Marathon Mill & Mach. Works, Chicago —
Marshall-Newell Sup. Co.. San Francisco —
McMyler-Interstate Co., Cleveland. Ohio —
Meese & Gottfried Co.. San Francisco 80
Merrill Co.. San Francisco 57
Midvale Steel & Ordnance Co.. Philadelphia. . . —
Mine & Smelter Sup. Co., New York
Front Cover
Minneapolis Steel & Mach. Co.. Minneapolis. . . .26
Monroe Calculating Machine Co.. New York. . .27
Morse Bros. Machy. & Sup. Co., Denver
50-51-52-53-54
Mutual Truck Co., Sullivan. Ind —
National Tank & Pipe Co., Portland, Ore 53
National Tube Co.. Pittsburgh, Pa 20
Nevada Eng. & Supply Co., Reno, Nev 53
Page
New York Engineering Co.. New York Sfl
Nordberg Mfg. Co., Milwaukee. Wis 34
Norwalk Iron Works Co.. So. Norwalk. Conn.. —
Novo Engine Co.. Lansing, Mich —
Nuttall Co.. R. D., Pittsburgh. Pa —
Ocean Shore Iron Works. San Francisco —
Oliver Continuous Filter Co., San Francisco. . . . 38
Opportunity Pages "jO-54
Ottumwa Iron Works. Ottumwa. Iowa —
Oxweld Acetylene Co., New York 46
Pacific Pipe Co., San Francisco 52
Pacific Tank & Pipe Co., San Francisco 44
Paraffine Companies. Inc.. San Francisco —
Pelton Water Wheel Co.. San Francisco 57
Pensacola Tar & Turpentine Co.. Gull Point. Fla. 61
Pioneer Rubber Mills, San Francisco —
Pneumatic Process Flotation Co. New York... —
Pollack Steel Co., Cincinnati. Ohio —
Porter Co.. H. K.. Pittsburgh. Pa —
Positions Available 52
Positions Wanted 51
Powell Co.. Wm., Cincinnati. Ohio 71
Prescott Co.. The. Menominee. Mich 9
Prest-O-Lite Co.. New York —
Professional Directory 62-66
Redwood Mfrs. Co.. San Francisco 39
Rix Compressed Air & Drill Co.. San Francisco. —
Roebling's Sons Co., John A.. Trenton. N. J. . . .77
Roessler & Hasslacher Chem. Co.. New York. . .77
Rosenburg & Co., Los Angeles. Cal —
Sacramento Pipe Works, Sacramento, Cal 75
San Francisco Plating Works. San Francisco. . .54
Senn Concentrator Co.. San Francisco —
Siebe. Gorman Co.. Ltd.. Chicago —
Simpson Co.. A. H.. San Francisco 49
Smith Co.. S. Morgan. York, Pa 67
Smooth-On Mfg. Co.. Jersey City. N. J o9
Southwestern Engineering Co., Los Angeles....—
Standard Oil Co.. San Francisco —
Steams-Roger Mfg. Co.. Denver. Colo 50
Stimpson Equipment Co.. Salt Lake City 2
Straub Mfg. Co., Oakland. Cal —
Sullivan Machinery Co.. Chicago 37
Surplus Property Division (Quartermaster Gen-
eral), Washington, D. C —
I
Thompson Balance Co.. Denver 67
Traylor Eng. & Mfg. Co.. Allentown, Pa 21
Trent. Goodwin M., San Francisco 77 j
Union Construction Co., San Francisco 36
United Filters Corp.. Salt Lake City. Utah. . . .3-
United Naval Stores. New York 60
U. S. Iron Works, Seattle, Wash —
United States Rubber Co.. New York 35
U. S. Smelting, Refining & Mining Co.. Boston. .75
Wahl & Co.. H. R., Chicago, 111 —
War Department (Surplus Property Division).
Washington, D. C —
Water-bury Co., New York o*>
Western Machinery Co.. Los Angeles. Cal —
Western Wheeled Scraper Co., Aurora. 111. . . . . —
Western Wood Pipe Publicity Bureau, Seattle. 1
Wash , 1-s-ltf
Westinghouse Ele'c". & Mfg. Co., East Pittsburgh.
Pa. 18
White Co.. The. Cleveland, Ohio 47 I
Whitney & Lass. Juneau. Alaska — 1
Wildberg Bros.. San Francisco . - - - • -77
Williams Imp. Stretcher Co.. Wheeling. W. Va. .54 ,
Wolf Safety Lamp Co.. Brooklyn. NY....... — I
Worthington Pump & Machy. Corp.. New Y0™.-.,- j
Yuba Manufacturing Co., San Francisco 76
Zelnicker Supply Ca.. Walter A.. St. Louis —
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Taylor Spiral Riveted Pipe
346 Pounds Pressure
Incaoro Mines, near LaPaz, Bolivia, S. A.
"The handling of all this material was particularly severe, aa It had
to be transferred twice at New York, several times at the Isthmus of
Panama, again at Mollendo, and many times more during- the inland
journey, ending with a haul of 120 miles on the backs of mules. In
all, there were more than twenty transfers of each shipment, yet the
material was bo well packed, and waa itself so substantial (particularly
the Forged Steel Flanges), that there was no loss by breakage.
"Your pipe and your promptness in shipping, I can only Bay affords a
great favor to anyone In a distant country, and I cannot recommend it
toe highly. ,._ . ,
"Very truly yours,
"(Signed) D. C. BRICKER. Gen. Mgr..
Catalogue and Special prices on request. "Incaoro Mines."
AMERICAN SPIRAL PIPE WORKS
Chicago, 111.
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iiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiMiiiiiHiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiMi:
.lulv :;. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
79
The Foremost Dewatering Device
The Highest Development ol the Modern Filler
The Portland Continuous Filter
Filters heavy tonnages of flotation concentrates rapidly and inexpensively.
Delivers concentrates direct to cars or bins with a moisture content frequently as low as 8
or 10%. It pays for itself by reducing shipping costs and eliminating waste in handling.
Every Portland Is a complete machine. Patented features
give unequaled precision and ease of adjustment, even
delivery of evenly dewatered cake, low upkeep and steady
service.
Used by the foremost mining companies, Smuggler-
Union, Portland Gold Mining, Utah Copper, Timber Butte,
American Zinc, Chino Copper, U. S. Smelting, Ref. & Min-
ing, Butte & Superior, Nevada Cons., etc.
There is a very strong probability that the Portland Con-
tinuous Filter can make your mill earn additional profits.
Send for a copy of new Bulletin 28-C and see.
No anxiety about patent litigation, no royalty to pay. We
guarantee that the Portland Continuous Filter does not
infringe any legal rights of other patent owners.
Colorado Iron Works Co.
Ore Milling Machinery and Smelting Equipment Since 1860
30 Church St. n»nin>r Cnln
new york, n. y. L»enver, ^OIO.
Cleveland Products-^
Are Built for Hard Work
Cleveland "Pocket-In-Head" Rotators are quality
products. Every detail in construction has been
so perfected as to deliver the greatest service. Drop
forgings have been used throughout. The steel is carefully
selected, the machinists who make Cleveland drills are all
experts in this line and the majority of them have been in the company's
employ for years and take real pride in maintaining our high standard.
The result is a product that will not fall down on the job but which
will deliver a greater footage at a lower eost.
SEND FOR BULLETIN 38
IT DESCRIBES IT COMPLETELY
Cleveland Rock Drill Company
3734 E. 78th St.,
CLEVELAND, OHIO
EASTERN HEADQUARTERS:
Guy Gregory. Mgr.
Room 536. 39 Church St.. New York City.
MIDDLE WEST HEADQUARTERS:
A. C. Most. M&r.
570 Gas & Electric Bldg:., Denver. Colo.
PACIFIC COAST HEADQUARTERS:
C. J. Albert, Mgr.
515 Mission St.. San Francisco, Cal.
Canadian Trade supplied by
Cleveland Pneumatic Tool Co. of Canada. Ltd.,
Toronto, Ont.
80
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 3, 1920 ■
PLAT-O
NOTE the SIMPLICITY and EXCELLENCE
i
Deck Bearings are self-oiling
Br Headmotion is entirely
■ 7 enclosed and self-
oiling.
m The main channel m
J frame is no longer ^^
used.
Write (or Full Particular* of the
PLAT-O TABLE
MANUFACTURED AND SOLD EXCLUSIVELY BY
DEISTER MACHINE COMPANY
East Wayne Street manufacturers of the well known Fort Wayne, Ind., U. S. A.
DEISTER SIMPLEX TABLES and CONE BAFFLE CLASSIFIERS
E. DEISTER. Pio. ud Go. Mv. W. F. DEISTER. Vice Pro. E. G. HOFFMAN. Seer, mi Treu.
Meeseco Drives
A Perfect Short Center Silent Drive
A system of belt driving at "short
centers"superseding high speed
chains or gears,- it is not a belt
tightener that exerts strain on
shaft and bearings, it is a drive
scientifically designed to wrap
a belt on a small pulley without
straining shafts or bearings.
JUmt kdottfriei dompanlj
ENGINEERS AND MANUFACTURERS
CONVEYING. ELEVATING. SCREENING
AND MECHANICAL POWER TRANSMITTING
MACHINERY
SANFRANCISCO SEATTLE PORTLAND LOS ANGELES
660 Mission Street 558 First Ave. Co 67 Front Street. San Pedro SE3n) ft
m 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ii 1 1 1 1 n h 1 1 H 1 1 1 1 1 1
illlNlllllllUMIIMMIIIIIIIIIIIIIlll 1 1 1 II II II II til 1 1 1 1 II I I II 1 1 1 1 1 It II II II II 1 1 1 Ml III M 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 II II 1 1 1 II II 111111 1 1 III 1 1 1 I II II 1 1 II I II II 1 1 ,1 III I II I II II 1 1 II II II 1 1 III II I II
EDITORIAL STAFF
T. A. RlCKARD. Editor
a.. Parsons, associate editor
3. Parsons. Associate Editor
MBDOfll HIM
Member Audit Bureau of Circulation*
Member Auociated Buaioesa Pftpcra, Inc.
ESTABLISHED I860
Pubtithcd at ifo Markd St, Stan Francisco,
by the Dctvey PulUWiino Own jot hi/
BUSINESS STAFF
C.T. Hutchinson, manager
E. h, Leslie, eoo fisher bos., chicaco
F. A. WEISLE, 3514 wool. worth Bog.. N.Y.
ii imiiiiiii iimitiiiriiinm iiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiin iiiiiniliiuitililltl in iiiiiiiiiiiiimmiiiiiiiiimmimnmii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiHiintiiiiiiiiiitiiitiimitiiiiiimiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiih'
SCIENCE HAS NO ENEHY 8AVK THE IGNORANT
Iwued Every Saturday
San Francisco, July 10, 1920
$4 per Year — 15 CtsntB per Copy
TABLE OF CONTENTS
;
Page
EDITORIAL.
NOTES 37
BAD LANGUAGE 39
Bewildering terms used by a competent mining
engineer in discussing the mining industry of Jop-
lin. Not intelligible to average engineer. Ex-
amples of localisms in various other districts.
These corruptions sacrifice precision of scientific
writing.
THE WORK OF CONGRESS 40
The Railroad Transportation Act and the Water
Power Act. Bills of interest to mining fraternity.
Proposed Department of Public Works.
DISCUSSION
A CALL TO ARMS
By A. E. Zeh 41
A Non-Partisan party with Herbert Hoover at its
head. Too much of the professional politician.
SOME OBSERVATIONS ON SMELTING
By C. W. Tandy 41
Smelting and melting. Flotation concentrate as
a substitute for pulverized coal as a fuel. Semi-
continuous operation of the copper-converter.
A CODE OF ETHICS
By A. T. Parsons 42
Why have a 'Code of Ethics' anyway? Double
standard for professional and business men not
right.
THE CASE OIL-FIRED ASSAY-FURNACE
By F. Borzynsky 42
Comment on criticism of an article in the 'Press'
of May 15. Improvements in new model of the
furnace.
BOOKS WRITTEN IN A HURRY
By M. W. von Bernewitz 4 3
'Herbert Hoover: The Man and His Work', by
Vernon Kellogg. Inaccuracy as to material facts
in the book.
RECENT METALLURGY AT TRAIL, B. C.
By P. R. Hines 44
Dings magnetic separators. The applicability of
these machines.
Page
ARTICLES
ELECTROLYTIC SEPARATION OF COPPER FROM
A COPPER-COBALT-NICKEL MATTE
By R. G. Knickerbocker 45
Products delivered to the copper department. Sun-
dry difficulties. The leaching-plant. Operation of
the electrolytic department. Starting-sheet prob-
lems; remedies. The furnace refinery.
EARLY DAYS ON THE RAND
By J. E. Clennell 51
Gold on the 'banket' first found in 1885. Found-
ing of Johannesburg. Boom-days on the Rand.
Difficulties of transportation. The Stock Ex-
change. Newspapers.
PULVERIZED COAL IN METALLURGICAL FUR-
NACES AT CERRO DE PASCO
By Otis L. Mclntyre 55
Preliminary work. Experiments with Dwight-
Lloyd sintering machines. Pulverized coal in the
blast-furnaces. Difficulties. Reverberatories. Re-
sult of experiments is the equipping of all furnaces
with coal-dust burners.
THE LAS CHISPAS MINE, IN SONORA, MEXICO
By Fernando Monti jo Jr 58
Situation of the mine. Geology. Habits of min-
eralization. Mining methods. Local history of
the enterprise.
THREE HOURS WITH THE DEMOCRATS
By C. T. H 61
The Convention at San Francisco. First-hand im-
pressions. The augmented brass band. 'Dixie'.
Sundry quartettes. Proclaiming the merits of rival
candidates. More 'Dixie'. The fate of Senator
Reed. Keynoting of the permanent chairman.
Republicans denounced and their platform demol-
ished.
NOTES
SAFETY IN UNDERGROUND HAULAGE 44
JAMES M. COX 62
DEPARTMENTS
REVIEW OF MINING 63
THE MINING SUMMARY 71
PERSONAL 72
OBITUARY 72
THE METAL MARKET 73
EASTERN METAL MARKET 74
Established May 24, 1860. as The Scientific Press: name changed October
'20 of the same year to Mining and Scientific Press.
Entered at the San E'rai Cisco post-office as second-class matter. Cable
'address: Pertusola.
Branch Offices — Chicago, 600 Fisher Bdg\: New York, 3514 Woolworth
Bdg.: London, 724 Salisbury House. E.C.
Price. 15 cents per copy. Annual subscription, payable in advance:
United States and Mexico. S4: Canada. $5: other countries. S6.
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 10, 1920
Marcy Mills Are Made For Any Capacity Plant
I T is worth your while to investigate the
Marcy "One Easy Step" method of ore
reduction, even though your plant be
small.
The same savings in crushing costs being
made in large operations as at Inspiration,
Braden and Kennecott, are possible in
your own smaller mill.
The Marcy patented discharge is only one
of many features which distinguish the
"One Easy Step" method.
MARCY
BALL_»M!LL
\Literature describing the Marcy Mill best
suited to your requirements will be sent if
you will write an outline of conditions.
The Mine and Smelter Supply Company
Denver Salt Lake City El Paso
New York Office: 42 Broadway
Headquarters for Mine, Mill and Smelter Equipment.
Large Stocks in Denver, Salt Lake City, \El Paso.
Julv 10. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
37
T. A. K./CKMSD, .... Editor
IHIIItlllllllllllllllltllllllllllMlllllllllllltllllirillllllllllllllllltllllllllMllilllMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMIIIIIIllllllllllllllllllllllJltllllllllllllllllllllltlllllllllllllirill
imlllllnlllllllllllnllllllllll
1V7"E take pleasure in publishing a description of the
** structural geology of the Las Chispas mine, in
Sonora, by Mr. Fernando Montijo Jr., the Mexican en-
gineer in charge of the property. It is gratifying to
see the native-born taking a proper part in the develop-
ment of the mineral resources of the country ; it is also
pleasant to find a Mexican 'technician so well able to
express himself in our language.
A T a time when the high, cost of everything, including
-**- government, is impressed upon all of us, it is regret-
table that fifty Congressmen, with their wives and fami-
lies, should start oil a junket to the islands of the Pacific
at the expense of the taxpayers. The transport 'Great
Northern ' sailed on July 5 with this party aboard. It is
to be "a long cruise" among the islands, including the
Philippines. We would like to know who authorized this
public extravagance and what excuse there is offered for
it. One of our local Congressmen is in- the party; he
should be asked to make an explanation.
/~kN another page we publish an article on the eleetro-
^-' lytic separation of copper from copper-cobalt-nickel
matte as performed at Fredericktown, Missouri. The
article is by Mr. R. G. Knickerbocker, who described the
incidence of bolshevism on mining in Siberia in our issue
of May 8. Mr. Knickerbocker is now smelter superinten-
dent of the Messina Transvaal Development Company,
for which Mr. A. B. Emery is resident manager, in the
Transvaal. The results of experiments and investigations
into the production of a suitable solution of nickel and
cobalt are given frankly, and they should prove helpful
to others in like difficulties. It is rarely that the record
of such work is given for publication, yet it is exactly
the kind of information that is most useful.
T T is about time that San Francisco had a real morning
■*■ newspaper. The Democratic convention adjourned on
Saturday night at 11 : 40, after the 22nd ballot, yet the
'Examiner' of Sunday morning had no news later than
the 20th ballot, whereas the 'Chronicle' did tell its read-
ers that the Convention had adjourned, but failed to give
the figures of the last ballot. On the following Tuesday
morning the 'Chronicle' on its front page announced a
deadlock at the 41st ballot, although shortly after mid-
night Governor Cox had been nominated. Of course, the
people of this community know that both our morning
papers go to press in the evening and are on sale soon after
nine o'clock; both are belated evening papers: but the
delegates from other cities must have remarked the pitiful
lack of enterprise exhibited by both of them in failing
to make an effort to record the doings of the Convention
with some degree of promptitude. Owing to its geo-
graphical position, San Francisco offers extraordinary
opportunities to a wide-awake publisher, but unfortu-
nately our miserable morning newspapers are as note-
worthy for the lack of worthy enterprise as they are
notorious for their meanness and untrustworthiness.
CTATISTICIANS of the Department of Agriculture
*-^ declare that the countiy-wide shortage of farm labor
has been constantly increasing until now it is 28%.
There is no reason to doubt that this figure is approxi-
mately correct and it is entirely logical to conclude that
unless there come a change the farmers will not be able
to produce sufficient foodstuffs to supply the hundred
million people in our own country. Even if the farmers
could by extraordinary effort supply the deficiency, they
would not do it ; nor should it be expected of them. With
an under-supplied market the same amount of profit can
be obtained from 75 bushels of potatoes or 75 hogs as can
be realized from 100, and like the rest of us the farmer
sees no reason why he should not take advantage of his
position. That is one reason the prices of foods are not
coming down with those of some other commodities. The
only solution is a return of workers to the farms. This
may be brought about by a further increase in the prices
of farm products to a point that will influence more
people to engage in farming for themselves, and attract
laborers to seek work on the farms at higher wages than
they are getting in the so-called industrial occupations,
which now offer a number of agreeable advantages in
addition to better pay. An alternative is a sudden de-
pression in industrial activity that would force the work-
ers to seek employment in agricultural occupations rather
than be idle. Whether we are engineers or laborers,
merchants or clerks, we are interested in the farmer and
the farm as being the source of that first essential com-
modity, food. Food we must have ; but we will have to
pay for it at a rate such that after sundry retailers,
wholesalers, brokers, and packers have taken a toll there
is enough left to make it worth while for someone to
produce it. There are many angles to the problem, but
it is safe to say that hope for material gain, rather than
38
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 10, 1920
an altruistic sense of responsibility to a hundred million
stomachs, will re-fill the places of the missing 28%.
A CCORDING to the report of the third annual meeting
■**■ of the Anglo- American Corporation of South Africa,
that enterprise is making satisfactory progress. We note
that Mr. Walter McDermott has joined the directorate,
largely in consequence of the absorption of the Rand
Selection Corporation, a subsidiary of the Consolidated
Mines Selection Company, a successful enterprise with
which Mr. McDermott has been identified from the start,
in 1897. The Anglo-American has acquired the con-
trolling interest in the Consolidated Diamond Mines of
South-West Africa, which owns the diamantiferous area
in the former German territory. A report was presented
to the meeting by our friend Mr. W. L. Honnold, an
American mining engineer well known in our West, and,
as we recall, a graduate of the Michigan College of Mines.
Mr. Honnold used to be manager of the Brakpan mine
on the Rand. He gave an interesting description of the
gravel from which the diamonds are washed, and quoted
an estimate indicating that the diamond-field should
yield 15 million carats. We note that the four principal
diamond-producing companies in South Africa have
agreed to restrict the production, each company being
allowed a prescribed quota. The amount of annual sales
is fixed at £12,000,000, of which De Beers is to contribute
51%, South-West Africa 21%, the Premier 18%, and
Jagersfontein 10%. The minor producers are left to
their own devices, which must be a comfort to them. The
Anglo-American Corporation also holds blocks of shares
in mining companies on the Rand. Mr. B. Oppenheimer,
the chairman of the meeting, and of the corporation,
stated that the premium on gold has been entirely ab-
sorbed by the increased expense, due to higher wages,
the advance in the cost of supplies, the rise in banking
exchange on London from Johannesburg, and the less-
ened efficiency of labor. The corporation is capitalized
for £4,000,000 and has paid a dividend of 5% on account
of the first half of the current year.
"DERHAPS the most ludicrous thing at the Democratic
■*■ powwow was the speech of Mr. Charles F. X.
O'Brien, who placed before the convention the name of
Governor Edwards, banker, vestryman, teetotaler, but
avowed champion of the 'wet' cause. The speech was all
the funnier because Mr. O'Brien had an impressively
pompous demeanor; he took himself with exceeding se-
riousness— possibly to make up for the lack of it in the
attitude of the delegates toward himself and his candi-
date. If, 40 years ago. before even Kansas had given
prohibition a serious thought, some foe of booze had hired
a yeggman to break into the vault wherein the Constitu-
tion reposes, and had in the middle of the night inscribed
the 18th amendment on that revered document; and if
the Supreme Court, upon discovering next morning the
presence of this revolutionary addendum, had decreed,
sapiently, that what has been writ could not be nnwrit.
but must become the law of the laud ; if these remarkable
events had transpired, the speech of Mr. O'Brien might
then have been comprehensible. His contention was that
the people should have had a voice in a question of such
serious moment ; but that since by some mystic chicanery
this amendment had been foisted on us, a candidate
should be named for President who would make it his
purpose to enable "the citizenry of the great and
glorious, etc. ", to raise its voice in protest. We can appre-
ciate the argument of those who believe that the amend-
ment infringes upon their personal liberty ; we can
sympathize with those who were wont to worship at the
shrine of John Barleycorn ; but we have no patience with
the man who is so stupid as to insist that prohibition was
put over on the people by some exterior force without
their knowing it. What about the 45 States that have
collectively and individually ratified the amendment ? If
the liquor people or anyone else want to continue the
argument why not advance this line of reasoning : ' ' By
an overwhelming majority we let ourselves in for some-
thing. Having found out how it works some of us are
sorry. Perhaps there are enough sorry ones to cany a
vote for reconsideration."
f^ OMPLYING with the order of Federal Judge Bour-
^"* quin in the suit of Minerals Separation against the
Butte & Superior company for alleged infringement of
froth-flotation patents, the defendant has filed a complete
record of operations since 1911 when its ore was shipped
to the old mill at Basin, Montana, for the purpose of de-
veloping a satisfactory scheme of treatment. A complete
record of ore mined and milled, concentrates produced
and marketed, costs, and earnings is included in these
data and the • terms of the contracts under which the
product was sold to sundry smelting companies are given.
Some months ago the Butte & Superior filed an account-
ing in which it calculated that approximately $400,000
represented the difference between the actual proceeds
from the company's operations and what could have been
obtained if the patents of Minerals Separation as defined
by the decision of the Supreme Court had not been in-
fringed. This was not satisfactory to the owners of the
patents. They obtained the order for the additional data,
which have now been furnished, and from them the ex-
perts doubtless will proceed to calculate supposed dam-
ages running into millions of dollars. Last week Mr.
Huston Thompson, of the Federal Trade Commission,
opened hearings in San Francisco against Minerals Sep-
aration, on the charge of using unfair and coercive
methods in attempting to prevent legitimate use of the
flotation process.
'"PHE prospect in Mexico is less gloomy than for many
-*- months ; in fact at the moment the outlook may con-
servatively be described as cheerful. It is true that
Pancho Villa has been entertaining himself at the ex-
pense of Generals Jesus Guajardo, Ignacio Enriquez, and
Joaquin Amaro, but General Eugenio Martinez and Col.
Sandoval are about to take command and these sterling
soldiers are expected to comb the mountains of Chihua-
hua until Pancho is apprehended. We wish them well.
General Jacinto Trevino. Secretary of Commerce and
July 10, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
,■:>
Industry in the cabinet of Provisional President Adolfo
l>c la llueita. lias not as yet agreed 1" nullify the objec-
tionable restrictions regulating drilling tor oil that were
instituted by the Carranza regime, hut he has shown a
willingness to consider the contentions of the oil com-
panies. This attitude has increased confidence among the
American and other interests, and record production is
being made. More than 11 million barrels was shipped
during May and the Standard of New Jersey recently
hnuight in a new well with a daily capacity of 100,000
barrels. It is reported that trains are running without
military escort, an unusual thing in the country south
of the Rio Grande ; the Government has ordered the re-
turn of property confiscated years ago ; and General
Elias P. Calles, Secretary for War, has diverted the
energy of many of the soldiers from plundering to road-
building and other profitable work. Other indications
of a return to normal are labor strikes at Puerto, in the
State of Vera Cruz, and at Leguna, in Coahuila. Gen-
eral Calles, upon being appealed to, ordered the release
of union leaders, who had been arrested, declaring as he
did so that "the right to strike is sacred". Reports from
Sonora are to the effect that the outlook has stimulated
mining activity. A number of mills have resumed opera-
tion lately and several old mines are again producing,
while at others unwatering has been started. At Nacozari
the Phelps Dodge Corporation is planning to double the
capacity of the Moctezuma concentrator, the project in-
cluding the installation of seven new Diesel oil-engines.
According to 'El Democrata', all of the political factions
have agreed to support the candidacy of General Alvaro
Obregon and he will presumably be chosen President at
the general election, which has been set for September 5.
Whether or not these favorable reports reflect the true
state of affairs, and if so, whether this is simply a lull
before another storm, is hard to say. It is difficult to
believe that any radical change has taken place, and that
the fundamental causes for turmoil have been removed,
but if there is ever to be lawful order and peaceful in-
dustry a start must be made some time. Let us hope
that the time has come.
Bad Language
A few days ago we picked up a paper on the mining
industry of Joplin presented before the recent meeting
of the Zinc Institute at Chicago. We were impelled to
read it because it bore the name of a man whom we knew
' to be a competent mining engineer. After reading a
couple of paragraphs we laid it down in despair, because
we found ourselves unable to follow the author in his
statements concerning the condition of mining in that
Missourian district. The reason for our bewilderment
was the use of terms to which a local meaning was at-
tached. It is more than probable that other readers,
even those familiar with the literature of mining in
places in which the language of America and of several
other countries is spoken, would have been non-plussed as
we were. The author of the paper in question, in accord
with local usage, wrote of "ores" when he meant 'con-
centrates', namely, lead concentrate and zinc concen-
trate. When he spoke of "blende ore" and "calamine
ore", he meant the mill-products containing a high pro-
portion of the sulphide and the silicate of zinc, respec-
tively. It is not his fault, nor ours, that in Europe the
name 'calamine' stands for the carbonate of zinc, ami
that there the silicate is called 'smithsonite'. This is
mentioned by the way, just to suggest the need for the
adoption of a uniform nomenclature. Moreover, in Mis-
souri, it appears, they talk of a "lead ore" and a "galena
ore" interchangeably, although they differentiate be-
tween a "zinc ore" and a "calamine ore". Again, the
"ore" may be the crude, but selected, product from the
mine or it may be the concentrated product from the
mill. To tell the truth, we had intended to publish the
Joplin article in this paper, because it was a good review
of the progress of the industry in that district, hut we
were not sufficiently confident of the meaning of the
terms used to be able to translate them into correct tech-
nical English, although we have been to Joplin and know
something of the local lingo. Therefore we did not feel
warranted in editing the paper for the benefit of our
readers, who otherwise would have been unable to under-
stand it. We ask, what chance had an intelligent reader
at London, Melbourne, Shanghai, Vancouver, or Lima of
understanding this paper as read before the Zinc Insti-
tute at Chicago ? A plague on these localisms ! They
are not even discriminating in their own way, largely
because they reproduce the usage of the stope and mill.
As we have said often, it is well for us to go to the miner
and the mill-man for knowledge concerning the mining
and milling of ore, because that is their special business,
but wli3' in the names of Roget and March should technical
writers, who are supposed to be specialists in their busi-
ness, which, among other things, is to write intelligibly,
go to the artisan and the mechanic for the terms they
use in their writing or speaking? Joplin is not peculiar
in its adoption of a half-baked terminology. At Central
City, Colorado, it is the established custom to speak of
the pyritic concentrate, containing gold and silver, and
sometimes copper, as "tailings". There used to be a
regular trade in "tailings", this mill-product being
bought in small lots by brokers for the purpose of pre-
paring a mixture upon which advantageous terms could
be obtained from the smelters at Denver. Everybody
spoke of "tailings", when they meant not the discard or
refuse from the stamp-milling and bumping-table opera-
tions, but the valuable sulphidic concentrate. Such
usage beggars language. To say it is unscientific is not
enough ; it is puerile. In Boulder county, Colorado, the
miners speak of "hornblende", when they mean the
dark agatized quartz, 'homstone'. Shall we copy that
blunder and introduce it into the literature of mining,
just because some excellent single-hand miners happen
not to know what they are talking about 1 In the Michigan
copper country they call their ore "rock" and their
crushing-plant at the shaft a "rock-house". They do
not use the term 'ore'. Only last week a distinguished
engineer, formerly connected with the Calumet & Hecla,
told us that it was his understanding that the word 'ore'
40
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 10, 1920
could not be applied properly to an economic mine-
product containing metal in the native state, 'and that
"copper rock" was as correct, for example, as "gold
quartz". The answer is that both are technically in-
correct, the verbal coinage of unscientific people unable
to speak or write with discrimination. The "gold
quartz" of California is a misfit, because the ore of the
Mother Lode, for example, contains only a minor pro-
portion of quartz, the preponderant constituent being
slate. Gold is associated with quartz in most veins, all
over the world, but not in all; the product of the mine
usually contains some quartz and a minute proportion
of gold, so that "gold quartz" is not accurately de-
scriptive; moreover it ignores the economic factor, that
is. whether the proportion of gold is sufficient to make
the rock an 'ore'. This last is a term with which we
cannot afford to play fast and loose ; it is defined as rock
contaning a valuable mineral in such proportion as to
constitute an economic product, that is, one that can
be exploited, at a given time and place, profitably. The
idea of profit is implicit, for mining is performed for
the purpose of making money. 'Mineral', of course,
includes native metal ; native copper is as much a min-
eral as chalcoeite, native silver as argentite, native gold
as ealaverite. "Copper rock", on the face of it, means
a rock containing copper or made up largely of copper;
but the idea of profitable exploitation is not there.
"Copper ore" carries the essential significance of eco-
nomic value. The test is to take such local vulgarisms
as those we have quoted from Joplin, Central City,
Houghton, and Sutter Creek, and ask persons well in-
formed in mining affairs in other districts what they
mean. The misleading character of these spurious terms
will then become manifest, for their descriptive value
will be found to be far below par; they pass current
locally, like the token coinage of a depreciated currency.
To some people exactitude in these matters is meticu-
lous. They do not realize how spurious words get into
use in consequence of a careless attitude on the part of
those who ought to know better. It is common to speak
of "slack lime" or "slacked lime", when, of course, the
right word is 'slake' or 'slaked'. "Slack" means nothing
in regard to lime; 'slake' is beautifully descriptive of
the manner in which lime absorbs water with a sizzle,
like a thirsty man on a hot day. The same people talk
of a "larry", which is not a word in our language; they
mean ' lorry '. They use such abstract terms as ' ' capping ' '
and "filling" in lieu of the concrete and precise 'cap'
and 'fill'. They use "muck" and "dirt", which signify
nothing. "Feldspar" came into use simply because
Kirwan in his book on mineralogy failed to detect a
typographical error, whereby a 'd' was inserted in
'felspar'. A majority, it is sad to say, of technical men
use 'data' as if it were a singular and as if it were a
synonym for 'information'. Many miners speak of
"stratas". Are we to be the unprotesting victims of
such illiteracies? Is it not worth while to preserve our
language from such corruptions for the sake not only
of our literary inheritance from the great ones of the
past, from Chaucer and Shakespeare, from Addison and
Ruskin, but also for the sake of that precision of ex-
pression upon which all scientific writing depends if it
is to serve as a means of exact statement ?
The Work of Congress
Tradition was perpetuated by Congress in the session
that began on December 1 and ended just in time for
the Republican senators to participate in the 'delibera-
tions' at Chicago last month. Much was said and little
was accomplished in the way of passing bills. The
Railroad Transportation Act, establishing the Railroad
Labor Board, before which hearings are now being
held in Chicago on the proposed increase in wages, and
the Water Power Act, which should stimulate the de-
velopment of hydro-electric projects for industrial power,
were among the few important pieces of legislation
actually accomplished. A number of bills of particular
interest to the mining fraternity were introduced. The
War Minerals Relief Bill, designed to permit appeal
from the decision of the Interior Department to the Court
of Claims or the Supreme Court, was passed by the Senate
and reported by the Mines committee of the House, at
which point progress was arrested. Representative Mc-
Fadden's bill providing a premium on newly mined gold
and at the same time placing an excise tax on gold used
in the arts and industries, was the subject of a series of
hearings before the House Committee on Ways and
Means. It will repose there until next December. The
Senate Committee on Finance reported bills previously
passed by the House that provide a tariff of magnesite,
tungsten, and zinc. Efforts to reach a vote on these
measures were unavailing because of the pressure of
multitudinous other affairs. Bills providing for duties
on antimony, baryte, chromium, graphite, manganese,
mercury, molybdenum, pyrite, and potash are pending
before the Ways and Means committee of the House, and
similar bills are in preparation dealing with mica, tin,
and lead. A bill recently introduced provides for the
creation of a division of mines and geology in the De-
partment of the Interior with an Assistant Secretary of
the Interior as the executive head. He shall be tech-
nically qualified by experience and education to direct
the affairs of the division, which shall undertake the pres-
ent activities of the Bureau of Mines and the Geological
Survey, together with such other work related to mining,
metallurgy, and geology as shall be designated by the
President. The purpose is to do away with the duplica-
tion of effort, and to co-ordinate activities of the several
offices. The creation of the proposed Department of
Public Works, which would result in the partial re-
organization of the various major departments of the
executive branch of the Government to consolidate in a
systematic way all engineering work, except the purely
military, appears to be a more important project and
deserving of attention first. The scheme to combine the
Bureau of Mines and the Geological Survey might be
found advisable later, but an overlapping of the work of
these two offices is not of sufficient moment urgently to
require attention.
h
-
N
•
.lulv 10, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
41
D I 3
I or NF
_'. '..IIHIIIMIII
llll llll.lnl.lll.
A Call to Arms
The Editor:
Sir — If you would help to save our country from tak-
ing a perpendicular course straight down to hell, pull
pff your coat and jump to it right now. There are sev-
eral million people in the United States ready to help in
this job. and several thousand in foreign countries who
will gladly come home and help to muck out the dirty
filth of politics which is scattered in heaps all over the
country.
This is the idea. In your paper from cover to cover,
and in the heaviest black type, advocate the organiza-
tion of a Non-Partisan Party and place at the head of
it Herbert Hoover. Let your motto be : ' ' Our govern-
ment must be run by the people, and not by a few pro-
fessional politicians." Ring out the motto in clarion
■ones across and up and down the land, and let it be
known that such a party stands for honest government
and will not be dominated by the stench of dirty politics
as has been done in the past by both the great parties.
Make it an open season on every kind of a politician, re-
gardless of creed, color or age, in any place or spot from
Town Constable up to Governor, frbm representatives in
State legislatures, to members of Congress and the Senate.
It certainly is high time something was done when two
tiandfuls of grafting party politicians can force down
)ur throats any candidate for President they may de-
sire, and then make us like it, just as has been done at
Chicago and will be done again at San Francisco.
The only remedy is for the people to refuse to jump
at the crack of the political whips and follow a selected
eader like a flock of sheep. They must organize a Non-
partisan Party, for elective offices, use lawyers very
iparingly. but lots of business men, accountants, engi-
leers. mechanics, doctors, and hard-headed farmers with
>r without whiskers. Then there would be a show to run
lur government on a business basis and put a stop to
lolitical graft, which, at the present time, is without end
ind growing worse all the time.
There must be a change in our political system very
oon and thinking people are demanding it. If this is
lot forthcoming, for the sake of decency, let us throw a
leavy mantle over the statute of Liberty so she cannot
Be ns as we go gaily sliding down the chutes to hell.
There, Mr. Editor, I feel a little bit better after get-
ing this load off my chest, but still feel a trifle sad.
lowever, I know a friend who has some raw and fiery
squila with a kick to it like a mule, so I know I shall be
inging like a mocking bird pretty soon, and by morning
I will be completely recovered and joyously looking for-
ward to another Mexican revolution.
A. E. Zeh.
Cananea, Mexico.
Some Observations on Smelting
The Editor:
Sir — For the questionable enlightenment of ' H. H. S. '
I wish to contribute some of my own thoughts on this
topic. His letter in your issue of June 19 was a real treat.
First, smelting may be defined as a melting with chem-
ical change producing liquids, separable by difference of
specific gravity. Second, it is to be observed, even though
high-grade material is added during converting, most of
the matte is fed to the converter as a molten mass. In
order to convert economically, a 40% to 50% matte is
required. Smelting, instead of simple melting, must
precede the converting; the progress of the ore being
from the roaster to the reverberatory, then to the con-
verter. The modern reverberatory is, as H. H. S. sug-
gests, a "nielter" since the furnace atmosphere is neutral,
or reducing, instead of oxidizing, as I was taught by my
good professor in days gone by.
The self -firing of reverberatories by blowing dry flota-
tion concentrate through the tuyeres as a substitute for
pulverized-eoal firing sounds reasonable, as most roasters
are self-firing. Others have anticipated the process. J.
H. Klepinger and Peter Thill (or J. H. Klepinger and
Archie Wheeler) all formerly with the old Boston and
Montana Reduction Works, at Great Falls, Montana,
have letters of patent covering the principle of calcine
(or concentrate) and pulverized coal being blown sepa-
rately into a reverberatory. To my knowledge no experi-
ments were ever made with the process.
According to the present-day practice the heat of roast-
ing finds a most important use, namely, in the drying of
concentrate as it descends through the roaster. In this
connection it should be observed that sometimes the heat
of the burned sulphur must be supplemented by extrane-
ous firing.
H. H. S. is normal. He seeks to accomplish an object
with the least effort. In the problem under consideration,
the aim is to produce copper direct from the ore. This
has been the ambition of a host of men. E. D. Peters in
his 'Practice of Copper Smelting' dwells on the attempts
to produce copper direct from the blast-furnace, without
converting. In recent time we have a twin converter
affair that was predicted to have possibilities. As I un-
derstand it. one chamber smelts and the other converts.
42
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 10, 1920
For my part I see no way to eliminate the reverberatory,
except to operate the converter semi-continuously instead
of in batches like a concrete mixer. This is to utilize the
surplus heat not necessary for liquidation to smelt the
dried concentrate (or calcine) so added. The blister cop-
per is to be drawn off from the bottom and the slag is to
be poured off the top.
This process once started would complete the cycle of
operation in the following order :
Drawing of copper.
Charging of materials.
Blowing for slag.
Pouring of slag — that is the surplus.
Blowing for copper.
On the other hand the usual process, self-primed or
rather reverberatory-primed, would complete the cycle of
operation in this order :
Charging of matte.
Blowing for slag.
Pouring of slag.
Blowing for copper.
Pouring of copper.
It matters not with which foot you start. Either will
take you to the same destination. This process would re-
semble a blast-furnace and reverberatory practice in that
the converter always contains molten material and differs
from them in that the matte is not produced continuously.
It differs from the ordinary converter practice in that the
converter always contains molten material.
C. W. Tandy.
Garfield, Utah, June 25.
A Code of Ethics
The Editor:
Sir— The '14 points' of the Code of Ethics of the
American Society of Mechanical Engineers appearing in
your issue of June 19 and the editorial comment thereon
in your issue of July 3 have interested me, as, I suppose,
they have other members of the engineering profession.
The Code of the Mechanical Engineers is identical with
that prepared by the American Society of Civil Engi-
neers, which was, I believe, the first among our engineer-
ing societies to go into competition with Moses. How-
ever, making codes, like the influenza, is infectious, so we
may expect the epidemic to spread to a number, at least,
of the other societies before it runs its course.
The objections raised in your editorial to specific pro-
visions of the Code are well founded, but the more im-
portant question, in my opinion, is. why have a special
code of professional ethics, or, in fact, any special code of
ethics ?
In the first, place, what good does it do? The spirit
behind these codes is doubtless excellent, but the ordinary
upright member of the profession has always observed the
spirit and will continue to do so, forgetting about the let-
ter. The shyster in the engineering professions, where
there is as yet no compulsion behind the adopted codes.
will continue to disregard both spirit and letter whenever
it appears to further his interests. In some of the other
professions, where there are various forms of compulsion
behind the written or unwritten codes, the shyster keeps
the letter and violates the spirit.
On the other hand all such codes are definitely harmful
because they tend to perpetuate the outworn theory that
certain classes of men are holier than the rest of human-
ity and that upon them special standards of conduct are
obligatory. That this theory has a bad effect upon both
the elect and the unregenerate does not require proof.
If an engineer violates the ordinary rules of public or
private decency, throw him out of the Society, and. if it
seems advisable, let the world know the reason why. It
is not done now, to be sure, but no fancy Code of Ethics
is going to make it any easier. If, on the other hand, he
comports himself as any honest citizen should, leave him
alone, or, if you must say something, tell him that the
Society is proud of him.
The sooner engineers and other professional men forget
about special codes of ethics and get back to the Golden
Rule and the ideal of Service, the better it will be for
them and for the world in general.
A. T. Parsons.
San Francisco, June 30.
The Case Oil-Fired Assay-Furnace
The Editor:
Sir — I wish to comment on the criticism of my article
on this subject.
Mr. Sherlock states that the turning of the front baffle
so that the flame hits the broad side of it enables him to
cupel with the door open. In previously trying this
arrangement, I found that it took almost twice as long to
complete the fusions as it did by the method described in
my article. This was due to the smaller amount of fuel
that could be fed into the furnace and secure perfect
combustion. It is also evident that 33 cupellations would
occupy only about 50% of the muffle-space even in the
smaller sizes of Case furnaces. That comparatively small
number of buttons may be satisfactorily cupelled with
the muffle-door open, for they can be placed in the most
advantageous parts of the muffle. However, not all
assayers can afford to use only part of their equipment
and very often the last row of cupels is only two or three
inches from the front end of the muffle. Under this con-
dition, cupelling with a door open is neither practicable
nor possible regardless of any baffle arrangement.
Mr. Sherlock further states that the gas or fume enter-
ing the interior of the muffle through the cracks does not
interfere. Oxygen is needed for cupellatiou and if the
muffle is being continually filled with an inactive or re-
ducing gas it is plain that the oxidizing atmosphere is
partly or even entirely prevented from coming in con-
tact with the molten buttons and so the cupellation is re-
tarded, or ceases altogether.
The opening or lifting of the upper part of the boss —
opening of slots in some types — increases the amount of
air available for combustion. This increase varies, hut it
is about 10% of the amount of air passing through the
burner. This extra amount of air is forced into the fur-
July 10, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
4:i
nan' by the difference in weight of the air-columns out-
side and inside and by the vacuum created by the spray
of oil and air entering into the furnace through a rather
narrow opening. Any operator can satisfy himself in
regard to the above statement by lifting the upper half
of the boss and regulating the air, oil, and dampers so
that only a small flame is visible above the top of the
furnaee, then replacing the upper half of the boss and
noting the flame and smoke that presently appears just
B)Ove the dampers.
I agree with P. L. Guppy on the desirability of a
low-pressure air-flame for assay-work. There were no
statements in my article which could have been construed
as a criticism of the low-pressure air used in the Case
furnaee. That the mechanical arrangement of the vari-
ous parts was not all that could be desired is best proved
by the extensive modification of the new Case oil-fired
assay-furnace.
F. BoRZYNSKI.
Como, June 20.
Books Written in a Hurry
The Editor:
Sir — Looking over the latest publications for sale in a
book-store in this city recently, I came across 'Herbert
Hoover: The Man and His Work', by Vernon Kellogg,
published in 1920 by D. Appleton & Co. of New York.
'As I have watched Mr. Hoover's progress since he was
at Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, in 1900 or so, and
really believe him to be the man most fitted for the Presi-
dency of the United States, I became interested in this
book, which, I believe is a reprint of a series of articles
appearing in an Eastern magazine. ' I opened it at page
105. and read the following:
' ' His work took him back to Australia, the land of his
first notable success, but this time into South Australia,
instead of West Australia. Here he took personal charge
of a large constructive undertaking in connection with
the rehabilitation of the famous Broken Hill mines.
These mines were in the inhospitable wastes of the Great
Stony Desert, four or five hundred miles north of Ade-
laide, the port city. The living and working conditions
on the desert were a little worse than awful, but by his
technical and organizing ability he brought to life the
two or three abandoned mines that constituted the
Broken Hill properties, and adding to them some ad-
joining lower grade mines, converted the whole group
from a state of great unrealized possibilities into one of
highly profitable actualities.
"An important factor in this achievement was his
origination and successful development of a process for
extracting the zinc from ores that had already been
treated for the other metals, and then cast aside as worth-
less residues. There were 14,000,000 tons of these residues
on the Broken Hill dumps, and from them he derived
large returns for the company that he had organized to
purchase the property. He also introduced new metal-
lurgical processes for the profitable handling of the low-
grade sulphide ores that constituted most of the mineral
body of the mines. Indeed, this work in South Australia
did much to help prove to him what has long been one
of his cardinal beliefs, namely, that the safe backbone of
mining lies in the handling of large bodies of low-grade
ores. When such great orebodies are given the benefit of
proper metallurgical processes, and large organizing and
intelligent building up of extensive plants, mining leaves
the realms of speculation and becomes a certain and
stable business.
"All this successful work in South Axistralia occupied
but seven months ..."
'Ye Gods'! I ejaculated, and said to a person near-by
that Hoover needed protection from his friends; also
that the matter was a libel on Australians. I am certain
that Hoover never read proof on this section of Kellogg 's
book, as he would not have permitted it to pass. The
only way to criticize the matter is to analyze each sen-
tence :
(1) Broken Hill is not in South Australia, but in New
South Wales, although only a short distance over the
border. Practically the only mining in South Australia
is at Wallaroo and Moonta, and at Iron Knob, with the
. great lead smelter at Port Pirie ; but Hoover had noth-
ing to do with them. Adelaide is not the port city, it
being 12 miles from its own port. Port Pirie is the out-
let for the Broken Hill field.
(2) Although the Barrier (Broken Hill) is in an arid
region, it is by no means an inhospitable waste ; while the
living and working conditions in a city of over 20,000
people were not "a little worse than awful". I have
been there.
(3) Instead of there being a group of large mines con-
tributing 10% of the world's lead, 5%, of its silver, and
20% of its zinc (in concentrates), Mr. Kellogg would
have us believe that there were only two or three aban-
doned mines on the Barrier, with goats browsing on the
dumps. His admission of 14 million tons of residues does
not point to two or three mines. Why, at that time I
know that the South and Central mines were estimated
to contain over 4,000,000 tons of ore ; and ore that carries
15% lead, 8 oz. silver, and 10% zinc is by no means low-
grade. The Broken Hill Proprietary had by that time
paid about £8,000,000 in dividends.
I am not sure of the year in which Mr. Hoover was at
Broken Hill, but it must have been about 1906, when the
Zinc Corporation, which is the company referred to in
this book, was trying new processes almost daily and
spoiled the reputations of a number of reputable men for
a time. The corporation was in. sore straits, and became
the current topic in Australian and London papers.
Eventually, after getting more money in London, local
advice and that of Theodore Hoover — Herbert's brother
— and absorbing the South Blocks mine, the Corporation
passed through its troubles, and is now one of the big
operators at Broken Hill. This rehabilitation occupied
a long period. I have never heard of Herbert Hoover
being responsible for the development of any of the flo-
tation processes in use there. The metallurgists whose
names are best known in this connection are Potter,
44
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 10, 1920
Delprat. Bradford, Shellshear, Courtney, De Bavay,
Hebbard, Horwood, and Lyster.
Anybody reading that "the safe backbone of mining
lies in the handling of large bodies of low-grade ores",
would think that this was something new, whereas in
America and other countries such a theory has been in
practice at many mines for many years, and Mr. Hoover
expounded it in his 'Principles of Mining'. As you,
Mr. Editor, have discussed mining as a speculation and
as a stable business, I don't care to intrude.
After reading the quoted page I did not go further,
but some time I may look at the section on Kalgoorlie.
where I spent nearly 12 years, up to 1912 ; yet I am
afraid I may be tempted to peruse that critically also.
It is a pity that in his admiration for Mr. Hoover, Mr.
Kellogg was not more careful, and that the former did
not edit the matter before going to press. I am now
curious to know what my friends in Australia will say ;
but I can guess.
M. W. von Bernewitz.
San Francisco. June 17.
Recent Metallurgy at Trail, B. C.
The Editor:
Sir — Referring to the excellent article on this subject
in your issue of June 12, by F. H. Mason, in which he
makes note of the Dings magnetic separators: Mr.
Mason has not made it clear as to the type of machine
and operation. In fact it is a two-belt machine and not a
one-belt machine as he states. It is also of the high-
intensity type. This machine has to operate with an
extremely large gap, because the magnets and belts can-
not be submerged, consequently they have to use a high-
intensity magnet to obtain sufficient pulling force to
reach the material lying upon the belt and covered with
water. Underneath the poles of this machine there is an
intense boiling action, and the pyrrhotite, which is at-
tracted to the poles, is washed by this boiling action, free-
ing itself from the blende.
In your issue of March 13 you have another excellent
article on 'Magnetic Separation on Bismuth, Tin, and
Tungsten in Tasmania'. The authors state, on page 380,
in regard to the standard Wetherill separator, that
"these machines are not suitable for slime, that is, a
material passing through a 150-mesh sieve." Also, "For
slimy ores a magnetic separator that will treat the wet
material is required. ' ' This is practically my experience
and opinion. Mr. Mason, however, has not pointed out
that this new type B-W wet magnetic separator is sep-
arating a pulp ground to pass through a 100-mesh screen.
All through 100-mesh screen necessarily means at least
75%, through 200-mesh. Consequently they are making
a separation which has before been considered impossible.
At the same time wet separating eliminates dust and
dirt and the usual trouble in a dry plant, and removes
the objections stated above.
I have not exact information here regarding the pres-
ent arrangement at Trail, but when there last, the roasted
and ground ore was fed first to six machines, making a
lead-zinc concentrate, going directly to the Deister tables.
There was a second battery of six machines, re-treating
the re-ground magnetic portion. This was followed by a
third set of five machines and a final step of one unit,
making eighteen machines in all, for 600 tons capacity.
P. R. Hines.
Milwaukee, June 24.
Safety in Underground Haulage
Some standard regulations governing the operations
of underground haulage are included in a recent bulletin
of the Colorado Bureau of Mines. Cars operated by hand
should have a convenient handle so that it is unnecessary
for the trammer to place his fingers inside or outside the
car-body. Depending upon the system used, the capac-
ity of a car should not be too great, nor should too many
cars be hauled in one train. The body and running-gears
of ears should be kept in good condition. Where neces-
sary ears should be provided with adequate brakes so
that the hazard offered by the grade of the tracks will be
reasonably overcome. Grades should not be so steep that
they offer danger from derailment of cars. Locomotives
should be of an approved type with all necessary appli-
ances for their safe operation. They should be provided
with head-lights and gongs. Gasoline-locomotives should
be used only by special written permission of the Com-
missioner of Mines. Locomotives should be kept in good
condition. The following minimum clearance should be
provided : between top of ears and back, two feet ; be-
tween sides of car and timber or rook sides of haulage-
way, six inches ; between top of car and trolley, 18 inches.
"Where electric haulage is used, shaft-stations must be
electrically lighted and haulage-ways should have elec-
tric-light bulbs at least every 200 ft. For animal-tram-
ming a light must be carried on the first car of the trip
or by the driver. For hand-tramming a light must be
carried by the trammer or on front of car. Rails should
be of such weight as to safely carry the maximum load
that may be imposed at maximum speed. They should be
firmly spiked, have suitable joint fastenings, and rest on
a sufficient number of ties of adequate dimensions. Frogs
and switches should be properly blocked on motor-haul-
age roads. The track should be properly aligned and
free from high joints, broken rails, defective switches
and frogs. Chute lips should not project more than
three inches over the nearest side of the cars. Jumping
moving cars and uncoupling cars moving at a speed ex-
ceeding four miles per hour should be prohibited. Cars
without brakes should not be ridden on grades. Speed
of trains should not be greater than the conditions of the
track make safe — in no case over 15 miles per hour.
Where mechanical haulage is used and there is not room
to pass at all points, refuge or shelter places, affording
space of at least two and one-half feet at each side be-
tween the widest portion of cars or train and walls,
should be provided not more than 50 ft. apart. These
places must be kept open and clear at all times.
July 1". ir.20
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
45,
Electrolytic Separation of Copper From a Copper-
Cobalt-Nickel Matte
By R. G. KNICKERBOCKER
Introduction. This article describes the operation of
tho mpper department of the plant of the Missouri
Cobalt Co.. at Fredericktown, Missouri, of which I had
charge during: the first half of 1919. It should be re-
membered that copper was a by-product, the principle
object of the treatment being the production of a suit-
able solution of the nickel and cobalt from which the
copper had been entirely removed. Accordingly ther«
will be some departure from standard practice in the
electrolytic precipitation of copper on account of this
special application of the process. A statement of the
peculiar conditions and the measures taken to improve
the results should be valuable. In order to simplify the
discussion it is divided into four parts, namely, (1) the
quality of the products delivered to the copper depart-
ment. (2) the leaching plant, (3) the electrolytic plant,
land (4) the furnace-refinery. The accompanying gen-
eral flow-sheet (Fig. 1) shows the relation of the copper
department to the scheme of treatment.
Products Delivered to Copper Department. The
analysis of the anodes from No. 2 blast-furnace averaged
55% copper, 19% nickel, 6% cobalt, 9% sulphur, and
10% iron. In the preliminary testing it had been de-
termined that successful electrolysis required the sulphur-
content to be below 3%. and the iron between 7 and 8%.
It was. however, found impracticable to produce a matte
.with this combination of low sulphur and high iron, be-
• cause of the formation of sows in the blast-furnace. I
ihave known this furnace to be blown in and out five times
in one month. "We had to handle these high-sulphur
(7 to 8%'i anodes very carefully, as they are extremely
brittle and even with care they would break upon being
immersed in the warm electrolyte. The high iron-con-
tent was necessary to prevent loss of cobalt in the slag.
The first anodes were cast with the "Walker side-lug for
support in the cells, but the brittleness of the metal
caused these lugs to crack and most of the anodes were
without lugs by the time they reached the cell-room.
iThen we tried the wire-loop type, in which heavy loops
jof copper-wire are held in place by a slot in the anode-
mold. The vertical lug that held this wire made a re-
entrant angle with the body of the casting and 50% of
the anodes cracked as shown in Fig. 2. The electrolyte
entered this opening and dissolved the copper wire,
thereby allowing the anode to drop to the bottom of the
Jell, where it would cut a hole in the lead lining. Later
this re-entrant angle was filled with metal, giving an
ingle of approximately 45° with the body of the casting.
The anode was also made thicker {2\ in. at the top to
If in. at the bottom), and this type gave much better
service.
The method of casting the anodes was crude, and a
poor separation of matte from slag was made. No settler
was used, the furnace being tapped into a 6-ft. launder
that discharged direct into the anode-molds. A wooden
rake served to fill the corners in the mold as well as to
skim off the slag. More than a quarter of the anodes had
to be cleaned by hand. Besides the slag that was left
sticking on the outside, and which was easily removed,
there was the slag mixed with the metal in the interior
of the casting. This occluded slag caused surprising in-
creases of voltage in the cell-room. Another bad feature
of the slag was the warping of the anode caused by the
difference in conductivity of the two sides. This gave an
anode that would touch the cathodes when placed in the
cell, causing short circuits. An oil-fired tilting barrel-
type of ladle in conjunction with an anode-easting wheel,
operated by hand, was tried, but did not prove a success.
The anode that gave the best results was light-gray
and dense ; it had a close structure and was without gas-
holes. These anodes were also tough and corroded evenly
in the cell in case they were free from slag. The North
American Lead Co., which preceded the Missouri Cobalt
Co., made an anode in a reverberatory furnace that was
tough, white in color, and resembled soft steel in physical
characteristics. This was due to the larger proportions
of copper, cobalt, and nickel, with small amounts of iron
and sulphur. This was the anode that the Missouri
Cobalt test-work called for, but the blast-furnace depart-
ment was unable to turn it out. Such an anode would
have been easy to electrolyze.
The roasted and pulverized matte as delivered to the
leaching plant, to be used for the making of the electro-
lyte solution, was not quite so variable in composition as
the anodes, but in physical condition and quantity it
varied even more. Twelve to 14 tons of this matte came
daily from No. 1 blast-furnace. The residue from the
leach, amounting to 9 or 10 tons, was sent to the No. 2
blast-furnace. The following are typical analyses :
Sulphun
c
Copper
acid
Cobalt
Nickel
Iron
Sulphur
Chlorine
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
Roasted matte ...20.0
2.0
8.0
10.0
4.0
Leached residue. .12.0
1.8
7.6
11.0
4.2
3.0
0.2
0.4
o.s
0.1
0.015
The leach was not made with the idea of a high extrac-
tion, but only for the purpose of supplying the electro-
lyte. If the roast was not carried to 4% sulphur or
under, the cobalt sulphate seemed to act as a coagulator
of the raw sulphides and this residue would set in the
tank and would have to be taken out with pick and
shovel. Even when the chemical conditions were ideal
the residue could not be allowed to stand after the solu-
46
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 10, 1920
tion was decanted or it would cause similar trouble. Pro-
vided tke roast analyzed below 3% sulphur and 10%
iron, and would pass 20-mesh, we had little trouble in
making the required 45 tons of 3.5% copper electrolyte
from 12 to 14 tons of matte every 24 hours.
The acid used in the leaching plant was of ordinary
commercial quality, 60°B., and gave no trouble from
chemical impurities. The water used was of poor qual-
ity; it contained calcium and magnesium salts, which
precipitated in the tanks and pipe-lines of our circulation
system. Much time was lost in cleaning the pipe-lines.
At the time I took charge there were no means for heating
solutions in the storage-vats, and the difference in tem-
perature of the cell-solution caused additional precipita-
tion in the pipe-lines. Accordingly steam-coils were
placed on the bottom of each vat and the solutions were
kept at the same temperature throughout the plant.
Similar crystals formed on the sides of the lead lining
in the cells and were taken out in the sludge. The
analysis of crystals obtained from sludge, in water-
soluble metals, is as follows :
%
Copper 4.86
Cobalt 1.88
Nickel 3.73
At one time the lead in the matte was recovered by a
chloride leach and considerable salt was left lying on the
ground outside the leaching plant. Whenever it rained
this salt was washed into our sumps and contaminated the
electrolyte with an overcharge of chlorine. This had a
bad effect on the cathodes and at one time entirely stop-
ped the production of starting-sheets.
The Leaching Plant. A general plan of the plant is
shown in Fig. 3. A cycle of operations was as follows:
the tank first received the wash from the last previous
charge. The solution contained 8% sulphuric acid and
was between 80° and 90° C, having been heated by a
steam agitator during the night. The matte was dumped
into the vat while the steam agitator was operating under
90-lb. pressure. Three hours was required for introduc-
ing the matte, and the agitation was continued only a
little longer. The electrolyte was then decanted or
siphoned to the storage-vat. Wash-water was added to
the residue, and agitated 30 minutes, the liquor then
being siphoned into the next vat, preparatory to another
cycle. The residue was dumped through the discharge-
cock and laundered into a tub from which it was wheeled
to No. 2 blast-furnace. Under normal conditions one vat
per day was leaehed.
The vats were without lead lining, they had inferior
pipe-fittings, and poor arrangements for dumping, and
the work was hard on the men on account of the dripping.
There 'was constant trouble.
The Electrolytic Plant. As shown in the plan, Fig.
4, there are four sub-divisions of the plant, namely: (1)
starting-sheet division, (2) cathode division, (3) soft
copper division, and (4) lead-cell division. The work of
making starting-sheets was arranged as follows: two
men spent 8 hours lifting the copper blanks from the
cells and stripping off the sheets; they weighed and
counted them, and carried them to the trimming and
hanging-table; one man painted the necessary blanks
and a boy hung the new sheets during the day-time.
The anodes used in the starting-sheet cells were 8 in.
longer than those in the regular cells. This was on ac-
count of the length of the copper blanks used. In fact,
we found that, on continued use of these blanks with the
shorter anodes, the high-acid electrolyte would layer very
readily in the space just beneath the short anodes and
would tend to dissolve rapidly that portion of the copper
blank upon which no deposition was taking place.
The circulating solution for the starting-sheet rows was
raised by an Antisdell pump which gave excellent service.
We frequently wished that the other four pumps for the
regular rows were also of this type.
The quantity of acid in the electrolyte was determined
by the foreman of the leaching plant, who, when I first
went there, maintained the strength of the starting-sheet
solution at 6%, free acid. This was then thought neces-
sary to produce good starting-sheets but it was subse-
quently shown that 3% acid would give a tougher prod-
uct. When the change was made it was no longer neces-
sary to return the solution, depleted in copper, to the
leaching plant, and the result was the discontinuance of
a troublesome pump and pipe-line. Under the old
method of using 6%, sulphuric acid, the electrolyte that
went to the starting-sheet cells contained at least 2%
iron in solution ; the amount of ferric iron increased with
the length of time that this electrolyte was used. The'
current efficiency among the starting-sheets in February
1918 under the old system was 84%. The time lost due'
to power-plant delays or shortages of anodes or of solu-
tion is not covered by this efficiency figure. The propor-
tion of good sheets made under the old system averaged'
about 60%,. This sheet was made in 24 hours and,
weighed about 4J lb. Under the new system we used|
twice as many cells, but only stripped at 48-hour inter-!
vals, thereby making a sheet whose approximate weight;
was 8 to 10 pounds.
About March 15, the proportion of starting-sheet serapj
increased rapidly, and owing to changes in the material!
coming to the electrolytic department a serious conditionl
developed. By the first of April we were unable to make
a single sheet. The average analysis of the solution that!
would not make starting-sheets follows: 6.5% acid, 3.0%
copper, 2.0%, iron, 0.025% chlorine. The compositei
analysis of the anodes in the cells at this time was 56.9%
copper, 19.5% nickel, 5.5% cobalt, 2.5% lead, 9.3% iron
7.0% sulphur.
The difficulty was that the starting-sheet would breaii
upon being bent 180° in one direction. We tried everj
change possible, made solution from pure water insteac
of old wash-water, cleaned all the sumps, storage-vats
pipe-lines, and other places of possible contamination
but with no beneficial result. We then started a series o!
tests, the results of which are given below. The test!
were conducted in a cell 20 by 15 by 15 in., with a solu,
tion temperature of 50°C. The current density wai
maintained at 10.
July 10. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
47
Tf.l No. 1
To dati riiiim- if ihe trouble « i* in tin- water us.si in iha leaohlnf plant.
A.1>1 Qopper Chlorine Iron Number
VOltafe % % * ot bends
Matte and dn-tilled water. . 0 4-0.6 6.0 3.5 0.007 2.0 1
Matte and leach-plant solu-
tion 0.4-0.6 6.0 3.5 0.013 18 1
This seemed to prove that whatever the impurity iu
tlir electrolyte, it did not come from the water.
Test No. 1
Aetd Copper Chlorine Iron Number
% % % of bends
2.8 0.012 1.5 1
Voltage
Statu- and leach-plant water. 0.4-0.6 6.0
Copper sulphate and leaeh-
waler 0.3-0.4 6.2
In order to be sure that the anodes did not contain the
impurity that was causing brittle sheets, we ran a com-
parative teal on the regular anodes and some old ones
that were left by the North American Lead Co. The
temperature iu these tests was approximately 45°C. The
acid strength in both solutions was 6% and the cop-
Per 3%- Teat No. 0
Sul- Num.
Copper Cobalt Nickel Iron phur Lead ber of
3.4
l.S
11
Voltaire
%
%
%
%
%
%
beDda
Regular anode ...0.0-0.7
50.9
55
19.5
9.3
7.0
2.0
1
North American
Lead anode ...0.4-0.5
62.0
6.0
20.5
40
3.0
2.5
2
Run of Mine, 350 Tons daily
CONCENTRATOR
2S Tons daiiy to Lead Smelter J
Lead Concentratef60% Pb
To Acid Plan t of Zinc Smelter
Pyrlte Concert -are
[ Copper, Nickel, Cobalt
Concentrate
ROASTER
Sulphuric Add
FT
MCD0UGALL
FURNACE
Calcine
100^ Tons daily
L_£
BRIQUETTE-
MILL
1
N9 1 BLAST-
FURNACE
Flue- duet
5 lag to Dump
-J 1
{
ROASTER
TO 37,5
Ic ions daily
•*. —
DRIER
Granulated Matte J
'
'
\
LEACHING-
Leached
BRIQUETTE-
MILL
N° 2 BLAST
FURNACE
t Stag
PLA
NT
residue
{ Electrolyte
Cast Anodes
J_£
J
CELL -ROOM
To Market
^Sludge J g.
Fectroiytic Solution
Containing Sulphates ot
Cobalt and Nickel
NICKEL AND
COBALT
DEPARTMENT
FURNACE
REFlNEiRY
Ingots toMarket )
Slag to Copper Smelter
Shot- nickel to Market^
Cobalt Oxide to Market
FlG. 1. PLOW-SHEET OP THE MISSOURI COBALT COMPANY'S PLANT
This showed that the water used in the leaching plant
was all right, but that the impurity which caused the
trouble either was in the matte or entered while the solu-
tion was being made up from the matte.
Tests with our leaching-plant acid and with C. P. acid
gave us proof that there was nothing wrong with the
former.
Test No. 3
The effect of reducing- the strength of the free acid was learned
Acid Copper Chlorine Iron Number
Voltage % % % % of bends
Hirh acid 0.4-0.6 6.5 3.2 0.01 2.0 1
Low acid 0.8-0.7 2.0 3.0 0.01 2.4 4
Tost No. 4,
A small amount of glue was added to the electrolyte.
Acid Copper Chlorine Iron Number
Voltage % % % % of bends
High acid plus glue 0.4-0.5 6.2 3.0 0.01 2.0 3
Low acid plus glue 0.8-0.9 2.3 3.0 0.01 1.0 7
Test No. 6
All conditions same is in Test 5, but glue was added to electrolyte.
Copper Acid Number
% % of bends
Regrular anode 3.5 2.4- 10-12
North American Lead anode 3.7 2.6 12—14
"We decided to operate the leaching plant so as to pro-
duce an electrolyte with 3% acid and to add the solution-
pocket of the head cell of each row half a pint of warm
glue solution (25% glue) every eight hours. After
making this change the following results were obtained
in a 45-day period; blanks placed, 2936; good sheets
stripped, 5543; sheets hung, 4346; weight of scrap and
trimmings, 6881 lb.; weight of sheets, 24,379 lb. This
shows 6% of the total number of sheets scrapped. The
remedies for the production of brittle sheets may be
summarized as follows:
48
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 10, 1920
(1) The spring rains had washed a large amount of
salt refuse into the leaching-plant sumps and this was
the probable cause of our difficulties. The figures given
below seem to show that the troublesome impurities in
our starting-sheets were metallic chlorides. An analysis
K-A
45' 'Angle
First Type
Second Type
Fig. 2. anodes
Third Type
of bad starting-sheets gave copper, 99.517%; chlorine
0.159; and insoluble, 0.144, as compared with 99.707%,
0.017, and 0.094 for the satisfactory sheets.
(2) The glue tended to overcome the activity of the
impurities.
(3) The lower percentage of total iron obtained with
the low-acid electrolyte, as well as the lower percentage
of other impurities extracted gave beneficial results.
Ferric iron decreased from as high as 0.5 to 0.1%.
The following data on current efficiencies are given
by L. Addicks:
eral tests I used thinner paint than usual on the starting-
sheet blanks and found that even under the worst condi-
tions a somewhat tougher sheet resulted. It was decided
that more care must be used by the painter in giving the
blanks a uniform coating ■£$ in. thick. The variation in
thickness of this coat was sometimes due to a change in
the viscosity of the oil. At times I have been convinced
that some foreign impurity in the oil or graphite was
causing part of our trouble, but I could find no proof.
No more brittle starting-sheets, however, were produced
after the acid was lowered to 3% and glue added. In
connection with the character of the paint used, we found
that it was impossible to make use of the standard paint
(oil and lamp-black), as our voltage was so high that the
copper burned through a thin paint and ruined the
blanks for future use. Much thicker oil mixed with
graphite was used as a coating and the oily graphitic
surface was dusted over the flake-graphite.
The methods of hanging starting-sheets are given be-
low in Fig. 5.
The following data are arranged to compare the work
in the cathode-vats with that at Ajo as given by Henry
A. Tobelmann and James A. Potter in Vol. LX of the
Transactions of the A. I. M. & M. E.
Ferric iron in electrolyte
0.05
0.10
0.15
0.20
0.30
Current efficiency
90.0
80.0
68.0
56.0
35.0
Ajo
Electrolytic, per minute, gal 1055
Copper, inflowing electrolyte, % 3.05
Effluent solution, % 2.60
The electrolyte used by Mr. Addicks in this test was
5% acid, 2.5% iron, 3.0%, copper, temperature 48°C.
Ferric iron, inflowing solution.
Ferric iron, effluent solution, '
Current density
0.38
0.94
7.80
Missouri Cobalt.
average for 6 months
200
3.80
0.02
High-acid Low-acid
electrolyte electrolyte
0.5 0.12
0.60 0.16
10 10
SMELTER DEPARTMENT
Acid- tanks
O Q»
Pump
Fig. 3. leaching plant
The low percentage of free acid permissible in our
work was no doubt due to the soluble sulphates. The
total of nickel, cobalt, and iron sulphates was at least
20%. The ampere efficiency was not affected by the
lowering of the free acid.
(4) The use of thinner paint on the blanks. In sev-
Voltage 1.97
Weight of cathode, lb 117.0
Number of cells 121.0
Number of cathodes per cell 77.0
Number of cells on starting-sheets. . . 23.0
Total number of blanks 1925.0
Starting-sheets scrapped. % 10.4
Copper in cathodes. % 99.48
Copper in sludge of cement. % 69.0
Note. Chlorine in cathodes at Ajo. 0.05-0.35*7
0.7-1.2
50.0
90.0
8.0
20.0(lowaeid.4Shr.)
160.0
20.0 (6% after Apr.4)
99.5
45.0
July 10, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
49
In the operation of the cathode division, 14 men are
■mployed on the day-shift and on eaeli of the others the
force consists of a foreman, one circulation-man, and one
contaet-man. At 7 a.m. the power is cut off for ten
minutes to allow the vat-cleaning squad to cut out the
ten cells that they are to clean in eight hours. The
anodes and cathodes are removed from the two-head
cells in the row to be cleaned, and are placed in racks in
soluble copper, cobalt, and nickel that could be extracted
by a simple water-wash was determined by a series of
tests supervised by J. A. T. Robertson, metallurgist for
the company.
Anilyais of Soluble Soluble
dry nlmlpe in 6% acid in water
% % %
Copper 51.35 1.24 0.60
Nickel 2.83 1 „ .„ 2.02
Cobalt 1.03) " 0.85
Iron ... 2.80
5luG$£ -drying
Industrial Railroad Track
SHEET DIVISION
Fig. 4. vat-house
order to prevent them from breaking or warping. The
solution is then siphoned out of the cells and allowed to
flow down onto the floor and thence to a sump. When
this sump is full, the solution is pumped to a storage-
vat. After the solution is out of the cell, one man, with
TRT TFT
First Method Second Method Third Method
Fig. 5. hanging starting-sheets
The acid does not give any better extraction of cobalt
and nickel than water; moreover the acid-wash contains
much iron. It would be possible to recover 9.25 lb. of
cobalt and 31.15 lb. of nickel per ton of dry sludge by
means of a water-wash. Valuing the cobalt at $1 per
i-h Air-pipe^
l-in. Pipe, O
X)
2-in. Lead Pipe
Fig. 6. agitators
rubber boots and gloves, gets into the cell and scrapes
the sludge through a 2-in. hole with a wooden shovel.
Each cell has two of. these holes plugged with lead stop-
pers having rubber washers. The sludge drops into a
launder, which leads to a box where the excess solution
is drained into the sump ; the operator shovels it from
this box into a wooden wheelbarrow and removes it to a
wood-fired drying-pan. It takes 24 hours to dry two to
three tons of sludge on this pan. The amount of water-
pound and nickel at 25c. per pound, a saving of at least
$17 per ton might be effected as well as a reduction in
penalty of two units of cobalt and nickel. This had not
been done up to the time I left the plant.
The men who cleaned the vats removed the 40-lb.
cathodes and placed the starting-sheets and the new
anodes that were required. They left 10 cells at 3 p.m.
in first-class condition as far as electrolysis was con-
cerned. Bach vat was cleaned twice a month. If we
50
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 10, 1920
had been able to run continuously we would have made
cathodes in 15 days and all 'pulling' of copper would
have taken place when the vats were cleaned.
The head circulation-man's duty was to go over all
solution-pipes from the feeders to the overflows into the
pump-boxes in order to keep the rate of circulation at a
maximum. The contact-man watched the voltages and
corrected irregular readings by shining contacts, remov-
ing 'berries' and broken pieces of anodes or cathodes.
The handling of anodes in the cell-room was done by a
small i-ton crane with ordinary spider for moving anodes
and cathodes.
Under the new scheme the 3%-acid electrolyte was
passed through the head cells of the starting-sheet rows
and flowed from there to the A, B, C, and D cells re-
spectively.
Below are given typical analyses of the electrolyte as
it flowed through the plant.
Acid Copper Iron
% % %
Effluent from leach-plant 2.8 3.5 1.0
From startinr-sheet cells ; 3.0 3-1 1.2
A cells 3.2 2.7 1.39
B cells 3.7 1.9 1.52
C cells 4.0 0.07 1.73
D cells 5.1 0.018 2.0
The Antisdell pump lifting the starting-sheet solution
could discharge into either No. 1 and No. 1A vat. The
leveling-valve between the two was kept closed. The
pump handling electrolyte for the four A rows dis-
charged into 2A vat. The leveling-valve between No.
2A and No. IB was left open,. The A cells were fed
from No. 1A vat. The solution was pumped back to No.
2A, leveled into No. IB and the B cells were fed from
No. IB vat, pumped back into No. 2B. and leveled into
1C. The C cells were fed from No. 1C, pumped back
into No. 2C, and leveled into No. ID. The D cells were
fed from No. ID and pumped into No. 2D. The solution
entering 2D was ready for the cobalt-nickel department.
The head cells of the C rows produced hard cathodes
with a 3%, acid electrolyte. The agitators used are
shown in Fig. 6. These agitators reached below the
anodes and cathodes, and the results obtained were highly
satisfactory. The proportion of soft copper was reduced
from 35% to 8%, and although the agitators required
considerable attention this was more than offset by the
reduced handling of soft copper. Soft copper was pro-
duced in the lower 18 cells.
To increase the amount of electrolyte in circulation
and the period of contact of. the electrolyte with the
cathodes, pipes between the cells were replaced with
open lead launders.
The following comparative data show the results from
changes made in the lead-cell division.
December 20 April 1 to
to April 1 July 1
Acid in solution. % 6.4 4.0
Copper in solution sent to the nickel-cobalt de-
partment, % 0.04 0.01
Iron in solution sent to the nickel-cobalt depart-
ment, % 4.3 2.0
Daily solution to nickel-cobalt department, tons. 10.0 20.6
Nickel in solution. % 0.7 1.2
Cobalt in solution, % 0.1 0.2
These changes in the quality of the products delivered
to the nickel-cobalt department were due to additional
circulation, agitation, clean lead sheets, and vats free
from sludge. The high-acid solution in these cells was
hard on pumps. The D pump, for example, was re-
paired at least once every 24 hours.
From my experience in this plant, I suggest the fol-
lowing improvements :
(1) The use of Antisdell pumps for handling elec-
trolyte.
(2) The use of solid bus-bars.
(3) Protection of all wood vats and cells with anti-
monial lead.
(4) The washing of copper sludge for soluble metal.
(5) The use of asphalt covering on cement floors and
vat-bases where lead caps are not used.
(6) The handling of sludge in lead-lined buggies
from the discharge of the cells to the drying-pan.
(7) Where circulation pipe-lines become clogged with
crystals, the use of steam to keep all solutions at the
same temperature. If this is not adequate the use of
open launders, if possible.
(8) The use of air-agitation and increased circulation
in cells operating with electrolyte under 2% copper.
(9) The use of insulators of the Ajo type on all lead
anodes and cathodes.
Furnace Refinery. Up to January 1919, the corn-
pan}' had not made any refined ingot copper. However,
I started a small 10-ton furnace, which was a relic from
the North American Lead Co. 's operations and a good
furnace considering its size.
It was necessary to break-in an entire crew of furnace-
men and ladlers. The only men that I had to draw from
were farmers, whose lack of experience caused many
expensive accidents before they became efficient. At
first the furnace was equipped with oil-burners, but the
use of oil, owing to the poor system of circulation, was
expensive and gave poor results. Coal-firing, with a
forced draft under the grate-bars, proved better. The
copper was ladled with small 8-in. wrought-iron ladles
requiring four men. It took about four hours to ladle
six to eight tons of refined ingots.
The ingot copper, containing 0.02% nickel and 0.001%
cobalt, was medium-grade casting copper assaying about
99.7%. The furnace operated only about 10 days per
month, owing to the small production of electrolytic cop-
per. During the first months the cost of brick and brick-
laying amounted to one-third the cost of refining copper.
For this reason, I discontinued the use of the smelter
bricklayers and broke-in the furnace-men for this work
with considerable saving. C. B. Underwood, who was
then assistant superintendent of the furnace refinery,
was responsible for a considerable reduction in the cost
of the refining.
My opinion is that a metallurgical method is available
for the profitable treatment of this ore. Frankly. I be-
lieve that the Missouri Cobalt Co. made the mistake of
spending too much money and time on the extraction of
nickel and cobalt, instead of first realizing on the copper
and in the meantime working out, in a small test-plant,
a scheme for the recovery of nickel and cobalt.
Jub 1". 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
51
Early Days on the Rand
By J. E. CLENNELL
It wat. in the year 1854 that the earliest recorded dis-
covery of gold was made in this district. In that year
it was announced that one Jan Marais had made a find
at the Yoke-Skey river, a tributary of the Crocodile, or
Limpopo, and had also observed the precious metal on
the Witwatersrand, the range of hills which forms the
main watershed of the country. Some nuggets were
■exhibited at Potchefstroom, but there the matter seems
. to have dropped, for we hear no more of gold being
sought for in this part of the Transvaal until 1883,
seldom remarkably rich. It was soon noted that these
deposits were extensive, and that the gold was distributed
in them witli remarkable uniformity.
In November 1885 J. Bantjes began prospecting on the
farm Roodepoort, and struck what was afterward known
as the 'Main Reef, and in December Struben erected a
5-staxup mill, with which he and Bantjes crushed 50 tons
of conglomerate in March 1886. The Main Beef was also
uncovered by "Walker on the farm Langlaagte and then
Struben and Bantjes struck it again on Vogelstruisfon-
COMMISSIONER STREET, JOHANNESBURG
nearly 30 years later. In December of that year, Fred-
eirck Struben noticed the gold-bearing formation of the
Witwatersrand, and in January 1884, he began pros-
pecting on the farm Sterkfontein. In April of the same
year he was led to suspect the probable presence of gold-
bearing conglomerate, from the occurrence of water-
worn pebbles on the highest parts of the range, but it was
not until September 1884 that a lode was struck east of
Sterkfontein, assaying 913 oz. gold and 362 oz. silver per
ton.
The conglomerate formation now known as 'banket'
was first noticed in March 1885. The word 'banket'
(pronounced bon-ket, with the accent on the second syl-
lable) is the Dutch name for 'almond-rock', a sweetmeat
to which the rock in question bears some resemblance.
It consists of hard white round or oval pebbles imbedded
in a friable darker matrix, which carries the bulk of the
gold. The banket sometimes shows visible gold, but is
tein. These discoveries began now to attract attention,
and many other persons started prospecting, some of
them on the spot that became the site of Johannesburg.
In May 1886 Col. Ferreira informed the Government
of the presence of gold on the Gatsrand, a parallel range
of hills, south of the "Witwatersrand. On July 18, nine
adjoining properties were proclaimed by the Govern-
ment as forming the Witwatersrand goldfield. About
the same time the Ferreira and Natal camps, the nucleus
of the present Johannesburg, began to spring up. The
Main Reef was found to run through the ground occu-
pied by Ferreira 's camp; the houses were accordingly
demolished and fresh building-sites sold to the inhabit-
ants in what is now Johannesburg proper. On Septem-
ber 20, a plan of the new township was advertised by
Captain Von Brandis, the Landdrost, or special magis-
trate appointed by the Government, and on December 8
of the same year the first sale of building-sites took place,
52
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 10, 1920
realizing £13,002. This may be considered to mark the
foundation of the present eity of Johannesburg.
The growth of the town from that date to the begin-
ning of 1889 was probably without a parallel even among
the annals of American and Australian mining settle-
ments. At the time of my arrival, in March 1889, there
were probably well over 20,000 inhabitants, whose dwell-
ings of brick, iron, and wood extended over a mile from
east to west and nearly as far from north to south. Little
more than two years before, nothing would have been
visible save a boundless expanse of green veldt, broken
by ranges of rocky hills, with here and there a pros-
pector 's tent, or a few miserable hovels of unburnt brick,
rudely covered with thatch, canvas, or a sheet of corru-
gated iron.
Every day saw coaches, mule-carts, ox-wagons crowded
with newcomers, nocking in from all quarters. The older
towns of Cape Colony and Natal, and also Kimberley,
Barberton, and other once flourishing mining centres
were being rapidly drained of their wealth and popula-
tion to swell the ranks of the goldseekers on the Rand.
The difficulty experienced by newcomers in getting sleep-
ing accommodation was incredible. A night or two in a
bullock-wagon or on a billiard-table was no infrequent
experience, and there were many who gladly paid 35 or
40 shillings a week for a miserable truckle-bed in a tiny
corrugated iron shed, with three or more others in similar
plight for companions. Happy was he who, by a plenti-
ful application of 'Keating', could secure immunity from
the too-pointed attentions of the nimble tribe, and could
also escape that other too frequent boarder who has won
such renown in the recent war, and who has been aptly
described as 'slow, but steady of purpose'.
In the outlying townships, such as Doornfontein,
Jeppestown, and Booysen's, suburban villas with some
pretensions to elegance and luxury were springing up, to
form pleasant retreats for those who should win fortune
in the great gamble. A splendid general view of Johan-
nesburg could be obtained from any of the heights to the
north and east, and a most impressive effect was pro-
duced by the immense variety of buildings with their
metal roofs flashing in the sun, the spacious squares with
scores of laden wagons, and along the southern edge of
• the town, the headgear of numerous shafts, the battery-
sheds, workmen's and staff dwellings, stretching in a
continuous line along the course of the Main Beef.
The life and activity of Johannesburg was mainly con-
centrated in the neighborhood of the market-square,
which in a South African town fills the role of the plaza
in Mexico and other Spanish-American countries. Run-
ning east and west, south of the square, was Commis-
sioner street, the main thoroughfare, containing many of
the principal stores, shops, and offices. The financial
heart of the city, the Exchange, was accommodated in a
somewhat imposing white stone building in a short street
joining Commissioner street with the market-square, but
much business was transacted in the open air 'between
the chains' in front of this building, where an animated
scene was generally to be witnessed as the excited crowd
surged to and fro discussing the latest movement of
'Kaffirs', while from time to time a stentorian voice would
make some modest announcement such as "I'll sell
'Cities' at 15!"
To the east of the market-square, a large block of build-
ings with a facade of white stone housed the Post and
Telegraph offices and other Government departments,
which at that time were much under-staffed. The tele-
graph service was notoriously bad and important busi-
nes with Capetown and Kimberley was frequently car-
ried on by letter rather than risk a wire that might be
cut at any moment by some enterprising speculator with
reasons of his own for depriving the outside world of all
knowledge of the existing condition of the market.
In the centre of the Square was a large red-brick
market-house, in which the sale of fruit and vegetables
was conducted at prices that (before the War) would
have turned a London or New York fruiterer green with
envy. Many large produce-stores surrounded the square.
Galvanized iron, that unsightly and uncomfortable
building material, was everywhere much in evidence, but
good building-stone had already been quarried at Doorn-
fontein and a company had been formed for brick-mak-
ing on a large scale. Masons and carpenters were paid
30 shillings per day, which in those happy days was
looked upon as an extravagant wage.
Immediately before the date of my arrival, the Rand
had experienced its first 'boom'. Speculation in stocks
and shares presented far greater attractions than the
legitimate development of the mines, and although many
of the properties were already of proved merit, many
others were placed on the market with nothing to recom-
mend them except some attractive title, or the neighbor-
hood of some well-known property.
Soon afterward metallurgical difficulties began to de-
velop, and on reaching the' pyritic ore it was found not
only that the cost of crushing was increased but that the
recovery of the gold by amalgamation was sadly dimin-
ished. Many croakers began to despair of the future of
the goldfield and the inevitable 'slump' set in, which be-
came acute in 1890. Many deserted the camp, and it was
mainly the introduction of the cyanide process that saved
the situation by solving the problem of treating the ore
from the lower levels.
One of the chief difficulties with which this goldfield
had to contend was the cost and delay of transport. The
nearest point to which the railway extended was Lady-
smith in Natal, some 250 miles from Johannesburg.
Kimberley was about 300 miles away. An ox-wagon,
with a load of ordinary merchandise, frequently took six
weeks to perform the journey from the rail-head to
Johannesburg. All heavy crushing machinery came from
England or America, and as may be supposed, a long
interval elapsed between an order and the delivery of the
goods, though even in this respect, the Witwatersrand
had an advantage over Barberton and other more remote
districts. White labor at the mines received from £3 to
£6 per week, while the Kaffirs got 10 to 15 shillings, and
the cost of mining and milling was reckoned at consider-
ably over £1 per ton.
Another advantage that the Rand enjoyed was the
July 10. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
53
presence of large deposits of coal close to the banket
formation, at Boksbnrg, 12 miles east of Johannesburg,
and at other points in the neighborhood. Many rich de-
posita in other parts of South Africa were unworkable
for lark of fuel. The country round Kimherley had been
denuded of trees to supply the WKQta of the diamond
mines and in the rugged country about Barberton the
transport of fuel was costly and difficult. A project was
already on foot for building a light railway between
Johannesburg and the coal mines. For political reasons,
since the Boers dreaded the introduction of railways in
Qie country, this line was always called the Rand Tram-
way.
The goldfield was further blessed with an abundant
supply of water, since the Rand was the source of in-
numerable streams that go to swell the Vaal or the
The Main Reef Leader, a rieli but narrow deposit
parallel to and south of the Main Reef, had been struck
on the City & Suburban property, just east of Johannes-
burg.
Situated at an elevation of nearly 6000 ft., with a
fairly dry and bracing climate, with no great extremes of
temperature, one would have expected to find Johan-
nesburg a healthy spot. Nevertheless, a good deal of
sickness prevailed, chiefly what was called 'camp fever',
which was generally supposed to be a mild form of
typhoid. The sanitary arrangements of the town were
then, and for a long time afterward, in a disgraceful con-
dition, and this, added to the frequent dust-storms of
the dry winter, no doubt helped to spread disease.
Frosty nights and cold windy days were quite usual
during the winter, say, from May to August, and in the
RANDFONTEIN CENTRAL MINE
Limpopo. In some instances the mine-water sufficed for
milling purposes; in many places were vleis, or marshy
ponds, which gave no abundant supply, and large dams
had been constructed, notably at Knight's, later known
as the Witwatersrand mine, to conserve the natural flow.
On the other hand, there was not sufficient fall to admit
of the utilization of water-power for mining or milling
purposes.
Two small companies were working on alluvial gold,
and a rich strike of ore, of a character somewhat different
from that of the ordinary banket, had been made at the
Black Reef, some eight miles south-west of Johannesburg.
The largest battery on the Rand at that time was that
of the Witwatersrand company, which had 100 Sandy-
croft stamps, and a new 60-stamp mill, which was then
considered a model of excellence and efficiency, had just
been started at the Langlaagte Estate, erected by Fraser
& Chalmers.
summer a short spell of heat would be followed inevitably
by frequent and violent thunderstorms. These were
sometimes preceded by squalls of wind that filled the air
with red dust, giving for some time a fair imitation of a
genuine London fog. The dust penetrated everything,
so that all objects in-doors and out would assume a uni-
form reddish hue. It lay in drifts on the roads, filling
the many holes and ditches. The effect after the heavy
rain, which usually followed, may easily be imagined.
Life in the Johannesburg streets, especially at night,
was not altogether without its excitements, although the
'tenderfoot' usually managed to acquire an exaggerated
idea of the dangers awaiting him. At that time there
were no street-lamps, but as there was usually a bar in
full blaze at each of the four corners of every street-
crossing, their absence was not such a serious incon-
venience as might have been supposed. Burglaries and
street robberies were not unknown, but in general the
54
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 10, 1920
streets were remarkably quiet, though no doubt many
lively scenes were being enacted within the aforesaid
bars. These establishments usually displayed the notice
"All drinks sixpence except Three Star". Other liquids,
however, were procurable, as the town had already been
furnished with a good supply of water for domestic pur-
poses.
Apart from the Stock Exchange and the bars, the chief
place of entertainment was the race-course, within easy
reach of the town, where the sport was carried on with
much enthusiasm under the patronage of the Turf Club.
North-east of the town the cricket-ground of the Wander-
ers' Club was a great attraction. Two theatres had al-
ready made their appearance ; this, of course, was long
before the days of the 'movie', but the 'variety shows' of
the music-halls was a more popular form of entertain-
ment than the 'legitimate' stage. Occasionally, however,
a good theatrical company would visit Johannesburg,
and full houses was the rule.
A project was on foot for establishing a free library
and reading-room, and a number of clubs and masonic
societies had their meeting-places. Churches had already
been built for the following denominations: Church of
England, Roman Catholic, Wesleyan, Baptist, Presbyter-
ian, and Dutch Reformed. In the last the service was
conducted in the Dutch language. Most of these churches
had schools attached to them.
A hospital had been erected on the northern heights at
a little distance from the town, on what became known as
Hospital hill, but the accommodation was already insuffi-
cient and a new building was being planned, to be erected
near the same site.
Four seemingly flourishing daily papers made their
appearance, namely, the 'Transvaal Mining Argus', the
'Daily News', the 'Standard', and the 'Diggers' News'.
The two latter became amalgamated. The 'Eastern Star'
also rose every alternate day. These papers for the most
part represented the interests of the 'Uitlander', or for-
eign settler, as opposed to the 'Afrikander', or Boer ele-
ment, between whom relations were none of the best al-
ready. The conservatism and primitive habits of the
Boers provoked the ridicule of the newcomers, whereas
the old established settlers, mainly of Dutch descent,
were animated by a spirit of arrogance engendered by
their apparently easy victory over the 'rooi-nek' in the
war of 1880- '81. A great and not altogether unjustifi-
able opposition was displayed 'to the opening up of the
natural resources, of the country by hordes of not very
desirable immigrants. Yet as many of these brought
much money into the country, the Boers were not slow to
Teap what advantage they could, in the way of taxes and
imposts of all kinds, and by heavy charges for transport
and such agricultural supplies as the country afforded.
The old Boer transport rider, with his long train of
oxen (eight or nine pairs in a span), his great slouch
liat, and formidable whip, was a most picturesque object.
A long iron chain connected the pole of the wagon with
the foremost pair of oxen, the wooden yokes being affixed
.at intervals along this and secured to the necks of each
pair by loops of rope or leather. A small Kaffir boy —
the 'voor-looper' guided the movements of the foremost
animals, and kept watch over them, usually lying for
hours face downward in the dust of the market-square,
while his master haggled over the disposal of his produce.
The Kaffirs employed at the mines were of many differ-
ent races, and tribal fights were by no means uncommon.
I have myself witnessed several spirited combats of this
kind. The opposing parties would establish themselves
on neighboring mine-dumps, and after a prolonged
period of mutual recrimination and vituperation, would
make a simultaneous charge followed by a scrimmage in
which 'knob-kerries' would crash unceasingly on un-
yielding craniums. Zulus, Basutos, Shangaans, Fingos,
Matabele, and other tribes contributed their numbers to
supply the unskilled labor of the goldfield, attracted by
the hope of earning, in a few months, the means of pro-
viding themselves with such a supply of cattle and wives
as would obviate the need for further work on the part
of the lord and master. Needless to say, these dreams
were not always realized, and many fell victims to drink,
to insufficient shelter from the rigors of the climate on
the high veldt, and to the many vices, and diseases that
they acquired by contact with white 'civilization'.
Thp Anakie sapphire fields in Queensland had a
profitable year during 1919. Never before has the price
of gem stones risen so high, and never have so many buy-
ers been doing business on the fields. "While at the begin-
ning of 1919 prices, generally speaking, were slightly
higher than before the War, toward the middle of the
year they steadily mounted, until the value of ordinary
'parcel' blues had, on the average, doubled. For large
corundum, for which there was a keen demand during
war time, the price has not varied much. It is said that
in the present chaotic state of some European countries
many people, having lost faith in paper money and scrip,
are converting their assets into gems as having an inter-
national value. It is also stated that, since lapidarian
workshops have been established in Great Britain during
the War and the gem industry has assumed larger pro-
portions in France, the cutting and distribution of sap-
phires is no longer, as it was, practically a monopoly of
the towns of Idar and Oberstein, in Germany, and that
consequent competition between old and new establish-
ments tends to increase the demand and raise the price
of rough stone. There has been a gradual rise in the
price of stones since 1900.
Gold has been found in the beds of rivers rising in the
Carpathians, but they have as yet not been prospected.
Particles of gold up to 2.35 carats have, however, often
been found in the washings of the Oltul. In the district
of Ramnicu-Valcea workings of an experimental nature
were begun in 1912. The ore gives from 15 to 30 gm. of
gold per ton, but the known reserve of this grade is only
3000 tons. These deposits present but a scientific inter-
est, as yet no serious work having been undertaken to
arrive at their practical importance.
July 10, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
:..-.
Pulverized Coal in Metallurgical Furnaces at
Cerro de Pasco
By OTIS L. McINTYRE
•The Cerro de Pasco Copper Corporation at La Fundi-
eion. Peru, uses about 65,000 tons of coke per year, of
Which about 85% is local coke made at the smelter, and
]")' , is imported. This latter is very expensive, and of
course both classes of coke enter largely into the smelting
costs; consequently, about two years ago it was decided
to determine what could be done in the way of using
pulverized coal in the various departments of the smelter.
The preliminary work consisted in determining the gen-
eral combustibility of the local coals in pulverized form.
These coals are obtained from two mines operated by the
company and have the following general analysis :
Ash, 26.8%; volatile material, 40.05%; and fixed
carbon, 33.15%.
This coal was dried by hand on steam hot-pans to less
than 1% moisture, and then ground in a 4 by 4-ft. Marcy
mill, the product being stored in barrels until a sufficient
quantity had been pulverized to run a test. An average
screen-test of this pulverized coal was about as follows:
on 60 mesh, 8% ; on 100 mesh, 8%.; on 200 mesh, 14% ;
through 200 mesh, 70%.
The equipment used in the test is shown in Pig. 1-A.
It consists of a coal-hopper, a 3-in. feed-screw driven by
variable-speed motor, and a No. 2 Sturtevant blower sup-
plying the air. The burner was a standard 6-in. pipe
projecting about 12 in. into the furnace, which was ap-
proximately 4 by 4 by 16 ft. and constructed of firebrick.
A number of tests were run with this equipment and
though no pyrometric measurements were taken, obser-
vation of the furnace showed the results to be satis-
factory.
The tests were first made with pure pulverized coal,
and then with mixtures of coal and coke breeze, varying
from 10 to 35% breeze, which gave practically the same
results as did the pure coal. The lay-out was then
changed, Pig. 1-B, to test the practicability of using more
than one burner with a single feeder. This test was run
with the 4-in. return pipe, first open and then closed, the
results indicating that satisfactory operation could be
obtained by either method with a properly proportioned
system of pipes.
The next test made was in the sintering of fine ores on
a standard Dwight-Lloyd sintering machine. These ma-
chines are oil-fired, and if coal could be substituted it
would effect a considerable saving. The equipment used
in this test was the same as shown in Pig. 1-A, except that
a 1-in. screw-feeder, a smaller fan, and a 2-in. pipe
burner were used. This test produced a satisfactory
*A paper presented before the American Society of Me-
chanical Engineers at St. Louis, in May 1920.
sinter, though some trouble was encountered in the pri-
mary ignition of the coal, and the standard oil-muffle
proved to be too small.
The next experiment was to test the feasibility of con-
veying pulverized coal under direct-air pressure. The
lay-out used is shown in Fig. 2. Pulverized coal was
placed in the pressure-tank and air at 20 to 25 lb. was
then admitted through the f-in. pipe at the top of the
Fig. 1.
EQUIPMENT FOR PRELIMINARY COMBUSTION-TESTS
FOR PULVERIZED COAL
tank. The 4-in. valve at the bottom was then opened and
the coal passed through the 4-in. piping system to the
coal-hopper. In this way 4000 lb. of coal was transported
in from 1J to 2 minutes. The loss through the vent-pipe
varied from 100 to 200 lb. This can be taken care of by
using dust-collectors on the hopper, or an exhaust system
which would return this waste coal to the main hopper.
The foregoing tests were so favorable that it was de-
cided to erect a larger experimental pulverizing-plant.
There were available for this purpose one set of 18 by
36-in. rolls, one 4 by 4-ft. Marcy mill, and two 6 by 4-ft.
56
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 10, 1920
Allis-Chalmers ball-granulators. The drier consisted of
five passes of 16-in. by 12-ft. screw-eonveyor, mounted
in a brick housing on top of the reverberatory flue,
through which part of the flue-gases were by-passed.
After completing this plant it was decided to make the
first experiment on the blast-furnaces, so No. 5 furnace
was selected for the purpose and was equipped on one
side only, as shown in Fig. 3. The coal was ground at the
experimental plant and transferred to the No. 5 furnace
in a hopper-bottomed car, being weighed in transit. A
number of tests varying from 8 to 12 hours were run with
this equipment. The air-pressure in the furnace aver-
aged 34 oz., and auxiliary air for injecting coal about
22 lb. The charge of coke was reduced first 25% and
then 50%. These tests were so encouraging that it was
decided to equip the other side of the furnace with coal-
feeders and run a test of several days' duration. This
was done and the results were entirely satisfactory. Dur-
ing these tests the auxiliary air was taken from the con-
verter air-line, which varied from 12 to 16 lb. pressure.
The following quantities will give an idea of the propor-
tion of coke and pulverized coal used :
Length of run. hours 14 50
Normal charge of coke, lb 31.000 114.000
Actual charge of coke, lb 17.000 61.800
Pulverized coal fed to furnace, lb 8,900 41,000
The analysis and screen-tests of the coal used were
practically the same as noted above. The performance of
the furnace during all tests was carefully observed and
was found to be fully equal to that when operating on the
normal coke charge. Two difficulties were experienced on
the blast-furnaee test : namely, keeping some to the feed-
ers in operation and keeping the tuyeres open. It was
observed that in some of the feeders there was a slight
back-pressure, due probably to partly blocked tuyeres.
This did not affect materially the feeding, but forced
some coal-dust into the feeder-bearings which mixed with
the oil and finally bound the bearings so that it became
necessary to shut-down that particular feeder and clean
the bearings. This was easily done without stopping the
other feeders, as the gears on the main shaft were
mounted on feathers and provided with shifters. By
using dust-proof bearings and a better-designed injector,
we expect t. eliminate this trouble.
Keeping the tuyeres open is absolutely essential to the
safe and efficient operation of this process, and as it is a
manual operation it must be handled by the operators.
During these tests, tuyeres were 'punched' every 15 to
20 minutes on signal. On one occasion a tuyere became
badly blocked, the feed was cut off and the tuyere-cap
opened. The blast from the furnace blew out a dense
cloud of coal-dust and molten material. The dust was
ignited and burned on the outside of the furnace for 20
to 30 seconds with an intense flame about six feet long,
the tuyere acting as an ordinary coal-burner. In view of
the difficulty of keeping the tuyeres open and the connec-
tions air-tight, it is probable that the most satisfactory
place to inject the coal into the furnace would be through
a separate opening in the jackets, between and preferably
somewhat above the tuyeres.
The No. 5 reverberatory was selected for the final test.
All four reverberatory furnaces in use are identical : they
are old-style, designed for hand-firing, and about 18
by 58 ft. inside the bridge-wall. The coal was discharged
from the last mill into a hopper and dropped into a 7-in.
pipe where it was picked up by an air-jet and conveyed to
the coal-hopper, a distance of about 80 ft. with a rise of
about 30 ft. ; the top of the hopper was constructed simi-
larly to a cyclone dust-collector. From the hopper a 6-in.
variable-speed screw-feeder fed the coal into the suction
side of a No. 9 Sturtevant Monogram blower ; this in turn
discharged the mixture of coal and air into the feed-
piping from which branched five 6-in. pipe-burners into
the furnace, the excess air and coal returning to the
hopper.
The results of this test were disappointing, but when
the following difficulties are corrected, the furnace will,
beyond question, show a higher efficiency than the hand-
fired furnace. First, the coal could not be dried suffi-
ciently, the average moisture being in excess of 1.5%.
This introduced difficulty in handling. The plant would
not grind sufficient coal to the required fineness, the
average screen analysis being: on 65 mesh, 22.8%;
through 65 mesh, 8.5%; through 100 mesh, 25.6%;
through 200 mesh, 42.4%.
Furthermore the discharge from the hopper to the
feeder was too small, and the coal continually caked and
bridged. The screw-feeder was so short that the coal
flushed badly at times ; also the discharge from the feeder
was too far from the fan so that the coal accumulated in
the suction-pipe and had to be removed with an air-jet.
Under these conditions it was obvious that uniform feed-
ing, which is essential to efficient operation, was im-
possible.
This test covered nine days, and was run for two days
with the return-pipe open. Some time during the second
day the return-pipe was blocked, due to overfeeding, and
it was decided to continue the test without opening the
run-pipe, the only difference being an apparently heavier
feed at the burner farthest from the fan. With a prop-
erly designed piping system there seems to be no reason
why a series of burners cannot be operated from a single
feeder with or without a return. The last day's run of
this test was made with a mixture of 75% coal and 25%
coke breeze, which gave results equal to. straight coal.
The following table shows a comparison between the
average performance of reverberatories No. 2, 3, and 4,
which were hand-fired, and No. 5 over the same period:
, — Average of — ■
2-3-4 5
Charge smelted per hour, tons 5.35 4.63
Coal used per hour, tons 2.00 1.99
Smelting ratio 2.67 2.33
Duration of run, hours 262 225
Time last, hours 37
These results are really not so bad when the troubles
experienced are considered and it is remembered that this
furnace was not designed for pulverized coal, that it cools
very rapidly dui'ing any shut-down, and that consider-
able time is required to bring it up to the smelting tem-
perature again.
As accumulations of ash are an important factor in
July 10, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
57
- CoolHopptr
,fc**ST
Fig. 2. equipment for testing feasibility of convey-
ing PULVERIZED COAL BY DIRECT AIR-PRESSURE
Pig. 3. experimental equipment for using pulverized
coal on No. 5 blast-furnace
reverberatory smelting with pulverized coal, close ob-
servation was made of these accumulations, and the fol-
lowing samples were taken :
1. Ash and slag float on the bath : comes out when
skimming in small and large pieces, sometimes has to be
broken to pass the skiming-door, is easily handled when
furnace is hot, but is tough and sticky when furnace is
cool.
2. Ash in boiler cross-flue: spongy mass of ash and
some slag accumulates in fairly large quantities in cross-
flue between furnace and waste-heat boilers; is soft and
easy to remove when first deposited, but if allowed to re-
main, is difficult to remove.
3. Ash on sides and roof of furnace: almost pure ash,
lightweight and brittle when cold, appears to accumulate
on sides and roof of furnace until too heavy to stick, when
it drops and floats on the bath.
4. Ash in reverberatory flue, similar to No. 2.
Quite a large quantity of ash was deposited during
each shift on the boiler-tubes, but was easily blown off
by compressed air once or twice a shift. It was estimated
that at least 50% of the total ash was disposed of in the
manner described, while the remainder was deposited in
the main flue and went up the stack.
As a result of these experiments a modern 250-ton coal-
pulverizing plant was designed and is now in course of
erection. Blast-furnaces, reverberatories, and sintering
plant will be equipped for pulverized coal, and the ex-
periments will be continued to ascertain the equipment
most suitable for local conditions, which will then be
used at the new smelter now being constructed. In con-
clusion, it may be of interest to note that these experi-
ments and tests were carried out at an elevation of 14,200
feet.
The Bering River and Matanuska coalfields in Alaska,
according to a report of representatives from various
government departments, contain high-grade bituminous
coal much better than that on the Pacific seaboard, as
well as some anthracite. The coal is closely folded and
much broken, making it expensive to mine, and render-
ing it in part unavailable for present profitable exploita-
tion. There are, however, in both fields, high-grade coal
that can be mined and these will find an export market.
Until they have been more thoroughly prospected by
underground exploration, it is not possible to predict
their annual tonnage. The committee says the develop-
ment of Alaskan coalfields is of first importance, and rec-
ommends that it be encouraged by making the terms of
leases as liberal as the law will allow ; that underground
explorations in the Matanuska coalfields be conducted
with vigor by the Government ; that companies engaged
in prospecting the Bering River coalfield be encouraged
to develop coal ; that the departments give immediate con-
sideration to the desirability of establishing a coaling-
station for commercial and naval use at a port in the
Aleutian Islands suitably situated to serve Trans-Pacific
shipping ; and that the Alaskan coal-leasing law be modi-
fied so as to allow a prospecting period of four years be-
fore a lease is signed.
58
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 10. 1920
The Las Chispas Mine, in Sonora, Mexico
By FERNANDO MONTIJO Jr.
The Las Chispas mine is near the town of Arizpe, and
about 40 miles from the railroad at Nacozari, Sonora, by
pack-trail through difficult broken country. There are
several roughly parallel veins in the same spur of the
Sierra, none of which, except Las Chispas, and Guillermo
Tell, has been explored systematically.
Near the mine the surface shows old lavas, tuffs, and
breccias, with an occasional patch of conglomerate. The
Chispas vein occupies a fault-fissure that has a north-
west-southeast strike. It has been explored by mine-
workings through a number of layers of breccia and tuff,
locally called mantos; these are closely related in mineral
composition and about 600 ft. thick in all. Next the vein
penetrates a light-gray dense rock, megascopieally felsite-
porphyry, extrusive, followed by a pink felsite-porphyry,
together about 200 ft. thick. Then comes less than 100
ft. of No. 2 breccia, and No. 2 felsite, of unknown thick-
ness and as yet unexplored except by a shaft outside the
vein. These formations, throughout the length of the
mine, occupy a gentle syncline.
A basaltic dike, dark-green, with numerous small crys-
tals of pyrite, cuts nearly vertically, through the forma-
tions. This dike is anterior to the vein-fault. A number
of minor cross-slips (crosswise in relation to the vein)
and one major cross-fracture are posterior to the dike
but anterior to the vein-fault. There is no evidence of
further faulting posterior to the vein. The dike is first
cut in cross-cut 619B (of the adit-level) at a distance of
110 ft. north-east of the vein. At station 627 it was
found at a distance of 15 ft. from the vein. At station
629 the vein crosses the dike, both running together, how-
ever, for a distance of 35 ft. The angle between dike and
vein at the point of crossing is about 11°. From here the
dike is not again cut until station 648, beyond the largest
cross-slip, is reached. Here vein and dike touch tangen-
tially for about 40 ft. Finally, the dike is met 28 ft.
south-west of the vein in the 650 or Dolores cross-cut.
These relations are shown in Fig. 1. The vein-fissure is
continuous throughout its explored length ; the only ef-
fect the dike has upon it is fo deflect its course at the
crossing where both run together for 35 ft. and again
where both touch tangentially for 40 ft. The dike is
faulted by the small cross-slips, but not the vein.
The economic minerals are native silver, silver chloride
and argentite mainly in the upper breccia; argentite,
polybasite, stephanite, and ruby silver in the felsites be-
low. Interior shafts extend into the lower breccia and
No. 2 felsite, but outside the vein. At the 800-ft. or
deepest level we are near the lower contact of the upper
felsites. in the zone of secondary sulphides. Besides the
silver sulphides, the ore contains pyrite and a very small
quantity of zinc, lead, and copper sulphides, besides anti-
mony, of course, in the polybasite and stephanite. The
gangue is quartz, clay, very little calcite, and fragments
of eountry-roek. A typical analysis of shipping ore gives,
the following proportions of metals: silver, 350 oz. per
ton; gold, 2.75 oz. ; lead, 0.7%.; copper, 0.2%; zinc,
1.4%.; iron, 4.5% ; lime„l%.
Certain persistent habits of mineralization have been
observed. The ore occurs along the vein in exceedingly
irregular patches, or 'pockets'; these are irregular as to-
size, shape, position, and quality of ore. However, dis-
tinct shoots may be recognized with barren areas between
them. These ore-shoots persist through the breccias into
the felsites below, apparently with no change due to-
change of country-rock. The quartz filling is continuous
in the fissure independent of sulphides. The dike also-
has no apparent influence on the mineralization. At the
crossing of dike and vein there is no ore whatever, only
fragments of dike and country-rock enclosed in clean
quartz. At the point of tangential contact of dike and
vein, the dike is again shattered, but, being along one of
the recognized ore-shoots, there are sulphides with the
quartz-enclosing fragments of rock. There is no ore in
the cross-cuts reaching the dike, on either side. The vein
cuts across the cross-slips at a constant angle of about 26°
and in the areas of ore-shoots the ore invariably extends
away from the vein for a few feet along the cross-slip.
In the barren stretches there is no ore on the cross-slips.
The 'caliche', or clay-filling, seems to play an important
role in the mineralization. Usually the limits of an ore-
pocket are defined by caliche completely filling the open
spaces in the vein-fissure. Beyond the ore and caliche
there may be up to a foot of open space between the
quartz lining on either side but not an ounce of silver to
the ton. The mineralizing solutions or emanations seem
to have been confined within certain channels by the fill-
ing of caliche. A diagrammatic sketch of the conditions
would be as in Fig. 2. The caliche is derived from the
feldspar of the wall-rock. The feldspar phenocrysts of
the felsite-porphyry in the vicinity of the vein are so
decomposed that they may be picked out of their molds
with the point of a pin. Some of the caliche, however,
is attrition gouge. The finding of caliche in mine-work-
ings has always been taken as a sign of the proximity of
rich ore.
The mine may be considered young, as measured by the
extent of mining operations to date. Only two leveb
have been opened and not along the whole length of the
vein, below the adit-level. Above there are four main
levels, but the ore has not been stoped out altogether.
The vein was reached near the north-western boundary
by a cross-cut adit 1150 ft. long, continued by the main-
level drift for 1250 ft. in a direction S. 42-T E. to sur-
vey-station 629, or the point where the vein crosses the
dike ; then in a S. 344/ E. direction to station 648, or the
July LO, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
59
point where the vein again encounters the dike and both
touch tangential!?, for a distance of 750 Et. Near this
point a stringer branches out. Finally, from station 648
the main vein continues for 500 ft. more in a S. 54° E.
direction to beyond station 054. From the cross-cut adit
in the opposite, or north-west, direction there are further-
division there are three roughlj defined ore^shoots: the
first is between stations 610 and 615 and has yielded only
second-class or mill ore, in small quantities; the second
shoot, at the No. 1 interior shaft, has produced some lirsl-
class ore in stopes immediately below the adit-level and
has not yet been mined out completely. It has not been
SCALE OF FEET
SOO
~*<.
IOOO
Fig. I. Relation of Vein, Dike and Cross-slips, in plan.
Vein - Dike t8<5SS5 Cross -slips — — ""
Barren-+~^%%ie
quartz
Fig. 2. A typical pocket. Horizontal section.
Ore < »>^ Caliche :-::\:.:\ Quartz iVHW/SI Wall-rock I I
Level
Level
■A"--1.1" '■■■■■ ' ' ■ ■■ '
Level
to Shaft
Ore
Mine-
openings
Level
'■':■ ". ' ' " i
Fig. 3-A. Ideal stope
Fig. 3-B. 738 Stope
GEOLOGY OF THE LAS CEISPAS MINE
"more 520 ft. of drift. All these general directions be-
tween like points are the same on all levels above and
below. There are thus four main divisions separated in
a vertical plane by imaginary lines pitching 79° S. In
the first division, north of the cross-cut adit there has
been no ore found with the exception of a small and un-
important pocket cut by the Locarno shaft. In the second
found above the adit-level. The third and last shoot of
the second division contains the discovery ore-pocket,
which extends irregularly for about 150 ft. along the
strike and which from near the surface to the 406-ft.
level yielded several million ounces Of silver. This is in
the region of Las Chispas shaft. From the 400 to the
600-ft. level there is a break in the shoot, there being
60
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 10, 1920
practically no ore, but below the 600-ft. level the No. 2
shaft shoot appears to be the continuation of the Chispas
shoot. The stopes reached from No. 2 shaft have yielded
well and are not yet worked out, but the shaft has had
to be abandoned and the ore will have to be reached from
No. 1 shaft. The third division includes the most im-
portant part of the mine: within this there are two sub-
shoots: the 38-39 shoot and the 43 shoot continue to the
800-ft. or deepest present level with no sign of discon-
tinuity below 800 ft. as far as is ascertainable. No. 3
interior shaft is in the region of 43 shoot. The fourth
and last main division contains the Tajo Chico called the
53 shoot below the main level and practically continuous
with the 56 shoot, and, finally, the rather small pocket.
but one that yielded very rich ore, where No. 4 interior
shaft was started from the main level. No continuation
of this ore has been found in the level above nor in that
below. The Central air-shaft is close to the Tajo Chico
shoot and in this region on the old levels above there is
known to be considerable ore. These levels may be re-
covered by re-timbering.
At present no work is being done except in the 38-39,
the 43, and the 53-56 shoots in the 700 and 800-ft. levels.
For the past eight months production has been well above
normal and absolutely all the ore extracted has been from
the felsite zone below the upper breccia. The richest ore
is in 842A raise from the 800-ft. level on the 43 shoot.
On the 800-ft. level itself ore has been developed for 135
ft. in the north drift from No. 3 shaft and the end of the
shoot has not yet been reached. This length of drift in
ore on the 800 compares well with the longest drifts in ore
in the breccia zone of the upper levels, thus exploding the
theory that there are no important orebodies below the
breccia zone! On the 800 the vein averages 6$ ft. in
width and the ore from the north drift, after hand-sort-
ing, has averaged as follows: first class, 20% of the total.
360 oz. silver; second class, 35% of the total. 55 oz. ; and
waste, 45%, with less than 3 oz. silver. The gold con-
tent is about 5 of 1% of the silver. No sloping has been
started from the 800 yet, but three raises have been just
begun ; one of which will connect with the 738 winze for
ventilation. The three are in ore.
Mining methods will be described briefly: The wall-
rock is firm throughout the mine and the vein nearly
vertical. It is apparent that the best way of stoping
would be to open a raise from one level to the next, and
to underhand inclined slices into the raise, leaving open
space above (see Fig. 3) . This method would be splendid
but for the fact that if the ore-patch is of the form shown
in Fig. 3 (an actual stope), the preparation of openings
through waste for the underhand-slicing method would
cost considerably more than overhand-stoping on stulls,
following the ore. One cannot know beforehand what
the shape of the ore-pocket is going to be. Both under-
hand and overhand stoping are used as may be advisable,
but in either case it has been found cheaper to extract
all the waste instead of leaving it in the stopes on the
necessary timbering. Timber is scarce, expensive, and of
poor quality. Imported timber is not to be considered
on acount of the cost. Openings between levels are
started from both ends simultaneously, connection of
raise and winze being made at about half-way. Many
intermediate short drifts as well as intermediate blind
raises, inclines, etc., are made for prospecting along
signs of ore and to find the continuation of a known
patch of ore. Almost no timbering is required except
for shafts, chutes, and the stulls in raises and overhand
stopes, necessary for convenience, but not to sustain the
walls. All ore is trammed out through the adit-level.
Four interior shafts serve this level, but at present only ,
one, the No. 3. is working. Bach car, after being filled,
is marked with the number of the chute or face it comes
from, in order to keep a record of the production of each |
pocket of ore. This record has proved serviceable in
prospecting for new pockets and more dependable than,
hand-sampling of the faces and stopes. The kind andi
grade of ore demand quality rather than quantity of ma- 1
terial extracted, and mining operations are devised ac-i
cordingly. The present compressor plant suffices fori
only six machines, besides the interior hoist and the one<
pump in No. 3 shaft, and the small column-hoist fori
winzes. Hand-drilling is employed to supplement the,
machines. Driving, sinking, and raising are generally
paid by the foot of advance ; stoping by the day, with a
premium for an extra footage of holes drilled.
This article will end with a few remarks on recent local (
history : Political disturbances have greatly handicapped
operations since 1911, by interrupting transportation and
withdrawing security against labor troubles. In 1917 1
the mine was confiscated by the local government and:
handed back when all the rich ore exposed had been ex-|
tracted. This confiscation followed a strike and favored;
the strikers, who obtained all their demands, while the,
mine was not operated by the company. Since then,;
however, better guarantee has been obtained from the^
Government. One result of the confiscation was thej
necessity for considerable unprofitable development work
in the years following. Moreover, a flood swept away the
pump-station on the Sonora river, leaving the mill with-;
out water. The pump-line has not yet been repaired and
rain and mine-water have been used in the mill. Rain-;
water is available in limited quantities during the sum-
mer. The mine makes enough water in three months to
fill the reservoirs for a mill-run of 10 days. The mill
has had five 10-day runs each year in the past two years,,
producing about 35 tons of concentrate of about 500-oz
grade per run ; head, 45 oz. ; concentration, 11 : 1. The
tailing is being saved for re-treatment. From the above
it will be clear that at present the business of the mine is
to produce first-class ore. The small amount of mill-ore
extracted is in connection with shipping ore, the rest
being left in place.
;,:
Safety, sanitation, lighting, and ventilation under-
ground should receive proper attention and supervision
Safety devices and proper directed safety supervision
more than pay their cost in decreased loss of labor
through lessened accidents and saving in compensation.
At large mines a safety-engineer is as much a necessity
as a mining engineer according to the Bureau of Mines.
Ill
:;
I
■i
Julv Id. l'lji'
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
61
Three Hours With the Democrats
By C. T. H.
Tin' Convention was a wonderful thing I'm- San Fran-
Bscans. For the first time in history, this great event,
the selection of a candidate for the highest office in the
land by one of the great political parties, has taken place
west of the Rockies. We who, perforce, have had to be-
hold similar events through the eyes of Samuel Blythe,
or Irvin Cobb, have had an opportunity to get our im-
pressions first hand. Accordingly, on the second day of
this history-making event, we hied ourselves to San
Francisco's Auditorium prepared to behold with awe the
portentous deliberations, to listen with rapt attention
to the greatest spellbinders from 48 States, and to follow
the words of the keynoter as he "views with alarm", and
"points with pride".
After passing successfully the phalanx of police officers,
ticket-takers, sergeants-at-arms, and other lesser digni-
taries, we were conducted to a seat in the gallery, where
we settled ourselves as well as possible on our aerie perch,
and looked around at the rapidly augmenting throng.
There was a glittering colorful panorama spread before
is. On the main floor were the special seats for the dele-
gates, each State section duly marked with its name on a
placard erected on a stand. The ladies with their gaily
colored hats and gowns added a pleasing touch of bright-
ness. At one end of the great hall was the semicircular
platform where the elect of the elect were seated. A
husky table in front was provided to sustain the whacks
of the chairman's gavel, while a magnavox sound-ampli-
fier suspended from the roof and connected with the
speakers' rostrum looked for all the world like a set of
covered launders in a cyanide plant distributing pulp to
a battery of Dorr thickeners from a central point.
Back of the platform and just below the great pipe-
organ was an oil portrait draped in flags purporting to
represent the President ; at least we cannot imagine who
else it could have been. Whoever the artist was, he cer-
tainly took atrocious liberties with the physiognomy of
the man who is trying to make the world safe for Demo-
crats for another four years. There he was looking
down upon his satellites with an expression at once
sardonic and admonitory, his watchful eye upon all they
do, assisted by a glittering array of cabinet ministers,
and other Federal office-holders in the flesh, who, as they
| flutter to and fro upon the floor, occasionally glance to-
ward the portrait of their titular over-lord, as if in search
of commendation and encouragement.
To the left of the organ in the gallery was what is
known as an augmented brass band; and it was some
band. Its working pressure must have been 100 pounds
or more, with the safety-valve in imminent danger of
popping most of the time. It could play ' Dixie ' and, per-
haps, one or two other things as alternatives during off
periods. Then there was a mixed quartette, fully
equipped with seven-passenger megaphones, through
which the members shouted a medley of sounds, which
were occasionally distinguishable above the band, the
pipe-organ, and the cheering delegates. Below the plat-
form, groaning beneath its weight of notables, were the
press headquarters at which all sorts of special corre-
spondents were busily grinding out the story of the con-
vention by rounds for the edification of one hundred
million free American citizens. Flags, and quantities of
red, white, and blue bunting festooned the galleries,
flanked by what might be called the 'house' banners of
rival candidates.
It was 12 : 45 p.m. and the hour set for the beginning
of hostilities was 1. Suddenly there was a commotion at
the far end of the hall. Thousands of necks craned for-
ward to see. "It is Bryan", said someone in an awe-
some whisper. The band played 'Dixie' and everybody
yelled. It wasn't Bryan after all. It was just some-
body or other with a bald head. The crowd sighed with
disappointment and resumed their seats. A diversion
was created by a quartette, this time unmixed, that
essayed to shout a song about Palmer, the "peepul's
choice", to the tune of 'John Brown's Body'. A rival
quartette struck up something about Cox and his su-
preme qualifications for the presidency, and nearly
drowned out the Palmer quartette until the band played
'Dixie', everybody yelled, and all were smothered. To
show that they were not down-hearted, the Cox people,
bearing banners proclaiming they were Cox's army,
stamped around the aisles yelling themselves hoarse, ac-
companied by boos and catcalls from the camps of rival
candidates. A shrill crowing that sounded like McAdoo-
dle-doo showed political bias in favor of the present
dynasty on the part of a sizable group of lusty-lunged
patriots. Oh, yes, the band played 'Dixie', and every-
body yelled.
Finally, at 2, a tall, imposing, bald-headed man ap-
proached the rostrum, and whacked the husky table with
his gavel. He said something or other about the meeting
coming to order, but it took a lot of whacks before the
roar subsided, and the delegates and spectators quit
shuffling their feet, and the band played, not 'Dixie', but
the National Anthem. Then came the invocation by a
bishop of one of the assorted churches selected for the
task. He prayed long and .earnestly, for the United
States of America, the President, his official family, the
Justices of the Supreme Court, Senators, and Congress-
men, in fact for everybody except Republicans. He
expressed the hope that those in authority would admin-
ister their trust with skill and foresight, in which prayer
everybody joined. At times when his vocal efforts co-
ordinated perfectly with the magnavox, an effect was
produced that was reminiscent of the renaissance of the
62
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 10, 1920
phonograph ; in fact one could almost hear that nasal
" Columbia-a-a Ree-ord", with which the first of the
disc records were wont to conclude their offerings.
Another whack from the Chairman's gavel, and he
read a telegram to be dispatched to the Governor of Ten-
nessee commending him for calling a special session of
the legislature to ratify the suffrage amendment. He
asked a unanimous vote for authority to send the tele-
gram in the name of the convention. He put the ques-
tion, and got a bunch of ayes and a considerable sprink-
ling of noes. "Unanimously carried", he blandly an-
nounced. The steam-roller was on the job. Then came
the report of the Credentials Committee. This promised
to be interesting on account of the fight over the seating
of Senator Reed of Missouri, who, though a Democrat,
has been bucking the administration program at Wash-
ington. The secretary of the committee took his place on
the rostrum, and read his report. He turned down Sena-
tor Reed cold. A spokesman from the Missouri section
asked the privilege of the floor, and proceeded to the
rostrum. He mildly objected to the action of the com-
mittee as over-riding the action of the voters in Senator
Reed's district, especially as that district was almost
'chemically pure' Democrat, and rolled up whooping big
majorities for the Party. The secretary, in reply, dis-
played a little more vigor, and after calling Senator Reed
a renegade Democrat, and stating that he wasn't elected
by anybody at all. and that he couldn't have no seat,
nohow, he sat clown, well satisfied. Another whack of
the gavel, and the Chairman asked for the approval of
the committee's report. Again came a lot of vociferous
ayes, followed by some vigorous noes. "Unanimously
carried", quoth the Chairman. The steam-roller was
shooting on all six.
Then came the piece ele resistance. With solemn voice
the Chairman delegated three notables to escort the per-
manent chairman to the platform. Three spotlights
burst into view and focused their blinding rays upon the
three escorters, as they wound their way around to
where the great man sat, and trotted after him to the
platform. He was Senator Robinson of Arkansas. With
the assistance of the committee of three, he popped up
through the trap door and landed safely on the platform.
The Chairman whacked some more and introduced the
permanent gavel-wielder. He was greeted with prolonged
cheering, and the band playe'd 'Dixie'. Then, when the
noise subsided, he stepped up to the rostrum, and began
his keynoting.
He singled out the Republican platform as the object
of his scathing denunciation. He ripped it up. He tore
it to pieces. He took it apart, plank by plank, and re-
duced it to kindling wood amid the howls of his delighted
audience, who viewed the destruction of that cherished
structure with vociferous glee. He lambasted the Re-
publicans. He called them names. He heaped upon
them vitriolic vituperation. What a bully time he had,
and how they all enjoyed it. "Why", said he, in effect,
"have the Republicans failed to observe their time-hon-
ored custom of declaring that a Democratic administra-
tion is always synonymous with hard times. Because",;
he paused with fine dramatic effect, "the American'
people are enjoying a period of prosperity unparalleled
in the history of our country". "Gee", remarked a by-
stander, sotto voce, "I didn't know the Kaiser was a,
democrat and started the War to drive all the business
to this country. Anyway," he philosophized, "if the1
Democrats are responsible for $40 suits of clothes at $100,
and $6 shoes at $20, I'll be doggone if I don't vote for1
Harding." He got up and went out. So did we.
James M. Cox
C
liull
The career of Governor James M. Cox, Democratic)
presidential nominee, began on a farm. He worked his
way to be editorial writer for the Cincinnati 'Enquirer';
owner of the Dayton 'Daily News' and the Springfield!
'Press-Republican', when he formed the News League ofl
Ohio ; and thence to politics, being a member of the Sixty-I
first and Sixty-second Congresses, and eventually be-
coming, in 1913, Governor of Ohio, which office he now.
holds. Cox was born on a farm near Jaeksonburg, Butler
county, Ohio, on March 31, 1870, the son of Gilbert and
Eliza A. Cox. As a boy he learned to know what chores
were early in the morning and late at night. As soon as
he was able he spent more time at work than at play.
Cox as a boy attended country schools and later \va>
graduated from the Middletown high-school. He always
was earning money of his own by doing odd jobs. He was
once a janitor in a rural church. Later he was a news-
boy, working up to a printer on a Middletown weekly
doing these things to help finance his way through school
He never attended • college. After his graduation fron
school, Cox taught in rural schools for several years, bu'!
having a liking for the newspaper business he became a
reporter on the Middletown 'News-Signal', then stil
owned by John Q. Baker, his brother-in-law, remaining
there until he obtained a place on the Cincinnati 'En I
quirer'.
Cox purchased the 'Daily News' at Dayton in 1S9S
The paper was at that time operating on a losing basis
However, he finally succeeded in making it yield a profit
Five years later he bought the Springfield 'Press-Repub
liean', and today both newspapers are highly profitable ,:''wi
institutions. He was elected to Congress in 1908 and re| BN,k
elected in 1910. In this capacity he attracted the atten! al for
tion of State Democratic leaders, and in 1912, at the las' *.?«,
nominating convention held in Ohio, became the party'* 4'>Bi
candidate for Governor and won. His election in 191! 'irt,i
made him the only Democrat elected Governor threi 'Kti.j
times in the normally Republican State of Ohio.
Governor Cox is a lover of the out-of-doors, plays golf! 1!t«t.
hunts and fishes, rides horseback, takes long hikes. Hi1** ana
is stockily built, with a strong neck, indicative of com .*».\'
bativeness, and has remarkable physical endurance. Hi >%n
is an eloquent campaign and after-dinner orator. Hr,,
The Governor lives, when not at the executive hom<| 1'ffr
in Columbus, in a beautiful country home at Trail's End. ^paijj
near Dayton.
(uly 10, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
S3
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FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS IN THE FIELD
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ARIZONA
COPPER QUEEN KINDS WATEB FOR NEW CONCENTRATOR.
Bisbee. — During the past year development has been
■nducted by the Copper Queen branch of the Phelps
Oodge Corporation in the Cochise shaft in Warren, to get
i substantial water supply for the new 4000-ton coneen-
•jator which is under construction. Within the last few
lays a strong flow of water lias been met on the 1700-ft.
evel. about 400 ft. south-east of the shaft in the Black
ings. It is believed that good ore will be developed in
the vicinity of the old works, and for the present mining
operations in the new workings will be discontinued, and
all efforts concentrated on opening up and re-timbering
old drifts and stopes. Development work in the Night-
hawk is progressing satisfactorily and it is expected that
the main cross-cut on the 750-ft, or new, level should out
the ore with about 70 ft. more of work. It is stated that
the orebody has been cut 30 ft. in one direction and 35 ft.
in the other, with the faces of the drifts still in ore.
MILL AND MINE-SHAFTS OF THE MIAMI COPPER CO., ARIZONA
Bock section. So far the volume has not as yet been
jauged, but it is believed that it will be more than suffi-
iient for the needs of the mill. A conference of branch
nanagers, assistant managers, and other officials of the
Phelps Dodge Corporation was held at Bisbee. Confer-
jnces of a similar nature are called periodically by P. G.
Beckett, general manager for the corporation, for the ex-
change of views and the discussion of matters of general
uterest. Among those who will be present are the man-
agers and assistant managers of the Bisbee, Morenci,
Tyrone, Naeozari, and Globe branches of the corporation ;
;he superintendent of the Copper Queen reduction works,
;he general auditor, and all consulting engineers.
The Wolverine Mining Co. is planning a prospecting
iampaign in the neighborhood of old abandoned work-
Drifting is also in progress toward the Boras side-lines
with 350 ft. still to go before reaching the fracture be-
tween the Boras and Nighthawk. It is believed that the
Boras orebody extends to this fracture and therefore the
prospects for opening good ore at this point are quite
promising. A good body of ore was recently developed on
the 600-ft. level. Ore is at present being shipped from
the 500, 600, and 650-ft. levels. Mining operations are
being conducted on a conservative basis to the end that
future mining may be conducted as efficiently and profit-
ably as possible.
Jerome. — Claud Ferguson of the Consolidated Arizona
Smelting Co. is now in charge of the Planet mine. He is
opening the old workings and finding favorable orebodies,
preparatory to shipping ore to the smelter. It is rumored
64
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 10, 1920 >
that the California Southern railroad will join the
Arizona Swansea and will then extend the latter railroad
from Swansea around to the Planet mine. Several en-
gineers have already heen over the route, but no informa-
tion is as yet obtainable as to when construction work
will commence.
The Swansea mine is operating with two shifts at
work in the mine and one shift running the mill, where
it is stated a saving of 99% is being made. Eleven teams
participated in the machine-drilling contest held at
Jerome on the Fourth of July; four from the- United
Verde, four from the Extension, two from the Jerome
Verde, and one from the Jerome Superior. There were
six entries for the hand-drilling competition with double-
jacks.
COLORADO
SHORTAGE OF LABOR IN CRIPPLE CREEK.
Leadville. — Lead-silver ore assaying 38% lead and
from 10 to 20 oz. silver has been opened up on the
Chrysolite lease in a drift extended into virgin ground.
The vein has been followed for 100 ft. and shows no
sign of discontinuance. Two cars, about 60 tons, of zinc-
silver ore were consigned to the A. V. smelter last week
by Harry Schrader of Lake county, operating the Griffin
property in the St. Kelvin district. The ore has an esti-
mated value of $30 per ton, and was mined from a vein
averaging more than two feet wide that was recently
opened in new territory.
High-grade ore averaging $100 per ton is coming from
rich streaks in a fissure vein under development in the
Dinero tunnel in the Sugar Loaf district. Second-grade
ore shipped to the A. V. Smelter brought $40 per ton.
Water is interfering with leasing operations on the
Fanny Rawlins, and in excess of 100 tons of ore already
broken will be delayed in shipment on that account. The
ore contains gold, silver, and copper. Machinery has
been installed and the shaft on the O 'Donovan Rossa has
been re-timbered and made safe to a depth of 523 ft.
The old caved drift at this level has been opened for
200 ft., where work will now be started in expectation of
opening an orebody dipping into the mine from adjacent
workings.
Georgetown. — Many old properties in the George-
town-Empire district are resuming and, while produc-
tion is at present light, development undertaken should
bring more ore to the mills. Th*e Seven Metals company
is overhauling machinery at the Wilcox tunnel at Argen-
tine, and work will be resumed after the holidays. H. M.
Vincent has resumed on the East Argentine group
owned by him and will shortly be shipping from a shoot
of silver ore opened up before the property closed for the
winter. Work is also to be resumed after the holidays
in the Raymond tunnel, impending litigation having
been satisfactorily settled. The Boston group in the Em-
pire district is again active and development has been
resumed by lessees. The Empress tunnel at North Em-
pire is being re-timbered and placed in condition for de-
velopment by the Randolph Gold Mining Company.
Aspen. — An examination has recently been made of
the properties of the Contact Mining Co. and Midnight
Mining Co. in Queen's Gulch and Richmond hill and of
the Fred Anderson group, in the Lake district of the
Taylor river section, by mining engineers representing
Eastern interests. The Fred Anderson group, if the re-
port is favorable, will be purchased by the Cotoba com-
pany, controlled by Kansas City interests, and the Con-
tact-Midnight properties by Pennsylvania investors.
Construction of a mill is planned by the Hunter Park
Mining, Milling & Leasing Co., and with a plant in op-
eration large bodies of low-grade ore under development
will be milled at the mine. The Little Annie mill of the
Richmond Hill M. & M. Co. is to be increased to 50 tons
capacity. Ore is broken in the mine and awaits altera-
tions to the plant.
Cripple Creek. — Exploration on the 9th and 10th
levels of the Rose Nicol mine adjoining the Portland
estate on Battle mountain is being done by the Reva
Gold Mining Co. that holds a long-time lease on the
property. A drift and cross-cut is being carried on each
level and, while the material in the drifts is low-grade,
John Nicholls, the superintendent, expresses confidence
in results. The diamond-drilling in the north-east end of
the district is reported progressing, but beyond the fact
that the drill is gaining depth no information of interest
has been made public.
Sheriff Von Phul has leased the Jefferson mine dump
on Gold hill. The mine, once a heavy producer of rich
ore, has long been idle and the dump has never been
worked over. Labor is scarcer than at any previous
time in the district and, due to the cutting-off of the
electric-car service, difficulty is experienced by miners in
getting to work.
MICHIGAN
SHORTAGE OP COAL STILL THREATENS.
Houghton, — Shortage of coal continues to dominate
the mining situation. Bluntly stated, the Michigan cop-
per mines have not coal enough to supply them for more
than two months. That is the outside forecast. Quincy, .
the third largest of the Lake producers, has been operating
on borrowed coal for a month. On June 23 it announced
that it had a cargo afloat, but that it would have to pay
back the greater portion of it to the Calumet & Hecla, so-
even this cargo does not help Quincy. Copper Range
announces that it has coal on the way, a cargo being
loaded on June 23 at a Lake Erie port. Without this it is
doubtful if the Champion, Baltic, and Trimountain mines
and the Copper Range railroad could continue to operate.
Some of the smaller mines, notably Seneca, Mayflower,
and Arcadian Consolidated, have supplies for two to-
three months.
Metal shipments from the Lake district have been al-
most negligible. Less than 1000 tons has been shipped in
a fortnight by water. Calumet & Hecla is making rail
shipments for foreign account. The company sold last
week about 500,000 lb. to a European customer. It ob-
tained fast delivery to seaboard on the Canadian Pacific-
Julv Id. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
65
I A recent French order, saiil to have 1 n 75.000 tons of
kpper, was not participated in to any great extent by
Michigan mines. In faol foreign orders will not be a
factor in tliis district till Germany begins buying. Hit-
many Formerly took as much as 36.000,00(1 ll>. of Lake
copper per month.
Committees arc making preliminary arrangements for
the entertainment of the American Institute of Mining
and Metallurgical Engineers, which meets in the Lake
Superior district in August. John Knox, underground-
superintendent for the Calumet & Hecla. is chairman of
the Copper Country committee, and with him is associat-
south, and west White Pine is now employing 150 men
and is producing 450 tons per day. This mine is badly
handicapped by lack of lahor. It could double its force
in its present openings. While Michigan showed a pro-
duction increase in May. as compared with April, it is
bady hampered by lahor shortage. Its drifts in the Butler
lode cannot do justice to themselves with the present
working force, which is half below normal. Victoria,
free from coal worry, with its hydraulic-compressor plant
to furnish power for all operations, cannot do itself
justice because of its small force. It is the most isolated
mine in the district and does not attract new men. Mass
THE BUTTE & SUPERIOR MINE
ed the alumni association of the Michigan College of
Mines. Tentatively the program includes trips by auto-
mobile to the principal plants of the district, sessions at
the College of Mines in Houghton, and social entertain-
ment at the clubs and the college. The party comes to
Houghton by boat and leaves by rail for the Michigan
and Minnesota iron-districts.
Mining news centres around the small mines and pros-
pects. The bigger companies are doing nothing in the
way of construction or exploration, with the exception of
the Calumet & Hecla's re-grinding plant for Tamarack
sands, and the Quincy's new hoist at No. 2. The Stanton
mines have abandoned temporarily large plans for metal-
lurgical operations. Mayflower continues extensive ex-
ploratory and development operations with favorable in-
dications appearing in each of the three directions, north.
copper is helping materially in keeping up the Victoria
yield. Seneca continues as a producer from its original
Seneca shaft and at the Gratiot shaft has definitely
identified the Kearsarge lode. For this reason Gratiot
development is being pushed.
MONTANA
NORTH BUTTE COMPANY IS CROSS-CUTTING ON THE 3600-PT.
LEVEL.
Basin. — The Ruby group of claims, which is now being
worked by lessees, is to be developed by driving a cross-
cut tunnel from the mill for a distance of 2500 ft. This
will serve to tap the vein known to exist at the 800-ft.
level. Plans also include modernizing and enlarging the
10-stamp mill now on the property.
Elliston. — The Silver Pick Mining Co. has resumed
66
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 10, 1920
further sinking operations on the Julia claim from the
350 to the 400-ft. level. The present owners have in-
stalled complete up-to-date equipment, which shoul prove
adequate for several years active work. Smelter assays
show 63 oz. silver, 44% eopper, $11 gold, and 10% lead.
Charles Riley is in charge of operations, on which 16
men are being employed.
Butte. — The North Butte Mining Co. reports satis-
factory development oil the 3200 and 3400-ft. levels of
the Speculator mine. The orebody on these levels shows
no diminution either in size or in copper content. On
the 3400-ft. level this orebody averages more than 4%
eopper. Cross-cutting is now being undertaken on the
3600-ft. level in the direction of the orebody. The pro-
duction costs continue to hover around 14c. per pound.
Clark's Fork. — A 16-in. vein of bornite has been un-
covered on the Clagy- Verdun property at a vertical
depth of 30 ft. Work on the property was started only
recently. Owners of the Mike Horse mines, on the North
Fork of the Blackfoot river, report that satisfactory de-
velopment work is in progress. No. 3 tunnel is now 800
ft, long. One vein of milling ore has been out by this
tunnel. No. 1 tunnel exposed a 6-ft. vein of good ore.
In No. 2 orebodies from 6 to 12 ft. wide have been ex-
posed in three stopes. Archie McDonald is resident
manager.
NEVADA
BULLION SHIPMENTS FROM TONOPAH.
Goldfield. — The north drift from the west cross-cut
on the seventh level of the Florence is 220 ft. long and
that to the south is 170 ft. long. These drifts, 726 ft.
from the shaft, are in a vein 20 to 25 ft. wide. They have
been driven on the foot-wall and two raises have been
driven short distances from them. Two cross-cuts have
been started to the hanging wall and it is planned to sink
a winze. The vein is a promising body of quartz and E.
A. Byler, engineer for the company, says the possibilities
have not been exhausted and that work will continue until
at least one winze has been sunk. There are several other
wide veins in the west cross-cut and if the work being
done fails to open ore, as appears probable, these will be
prospected. A short branch from the south-east cross-cut
has connected with the Aurelia lease-shaft after a fight
with caving ground that lasted two months. This con-
nection is for air and the shaft is being cleared. The
cross-cut is being continued from where the branch was
started. The objective, a point under an outcrop, thought
to mark the southern extension of the Jumbo vein, is 300
ft. distant. A small quantity of ore has been sent to the
Development mill from the Cracker Jack lease, but an
important shipment has not been made from the Florence
since April. The Florence management has two objects
in the present work : to prospect veins west of the shaft
and parallel to the main ore-channel, and to search for
the main ore-channel south-east of the shaft. Maps show
this ore-channel to extend through the Consolidated and
Florence at a constant distance from the supposed Colum-
bia Mountain fault, which in the southern part of the
Florence has been thought to turn east into the C. O. D.
The strike of the outcrop, that is the objective of the
south-east cross-cut, indicates a possibility that after
turning east the fault again extends south. This fault
was not recognized in the west cross-cut, but it is sup-
posed to exist from the depth at which the latite is found
east and west of it. Some engineers say this fault, which
has been discussed for many years, does not exist. J. K.
Turner, a Goldfield mining engineer, W. J. Tobin of
Pioneer, and others are preparing to start work on pat-
ented claims owned by them near the Five to One tunnel.
The tunnel, over 125 ft. long, is being advanced three
feet daily. From the 125-ft. point it is lined with 6 by
8-in. timbers and 3 by 8-in. lagging. The present depth
is 235 ft. and in 75 ft. more the greatest depth, over 300
ft., will be reached under the peak of the hill. The tun-
nel will be continued through the hill to determine if
there is a vein. Rich pannings are secured and the work
has attracted attention because success would mean the
opening of ore more than two miles south of the Florence.
Negotiations between the Consolidated and Jupiter com-
panies indicate that the former is to build a plant and re-
treat the mill tailing. The Jupiter owns one-third of the
ground covered by the tailing, which is in places 16 ft.
thick. It was reported several years ago that the tailing
had an average value of $4.10 per ton, but re-treatment in
the mill, to which it was raised by a tramway that was
costly to operate, did not give good results.
Tonopah. — Ore 7 ft. wide and assaying $40 to $50 per
ton has been opened by the Tonopah Extension in the
Murray vein at a depth of 1760 ft., according to unofficial
reports. The first mill clean-up in June was valued at
$49,000. The first clean-up of the Belmont mill in June
gave 76,000 oz. of bullion worth $83,600. The gross pro-
duction during the first quarter was $419,000. The oper-
ating expense was $318,450. The Surf Inlet in British
Columbia, a subsidiary, gave a profit of $100,000.
Divide. — Sinking of the Tonopah Divide shaft from the
800-ft. level has been started and will continue at a rate
of three feet per day until the water-level is reached.
This work, as usual, is being done with an auxiliary hoist.
Battle Mountain. — A carload of 100-oz. silver ore is
being hauled from the Kattenhorn at Maysville for ship-
ment. A number of lessees started work in the Katten-
horn last summer and since then irregular shipments of
rich silver ore have been made. The mine contains many
narrow shoots of high-grade ore, ideal for development
by lessees. It was at one time under option to George
Wingfield.
Arrowhead. — High-grade silver ore continues to be
found in the Arrowhead shaft, now 270 ft. deep. Drifts
will be driven at this depth. Ore 12 in. wide and assaying
200 oz. is exposed. A heavy flow indicates that the per-
manent water-level has been reached. The west drifts on
the 100-ft. level and the intermediate level below continue
to show 4-in. to 1-f t. widths of rich silver-gold ore, with 3
to 4 ft. of low-grade material.
Manhattan. — The ore on the 800-ft. level of the White
Caps can be treated successfully by a process of flotation,
,lulv 10, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
67
toasting, and cyanidation, according to the result of tests
hade for several months. The work on the sou. ft. level
has been ilone east, of the shaft and after the ore to the
uvst and above the level has been tested it is planned to
add a flotation plant to the present equipment.
IT.VH
MINE-RESCUE AND FIRST-AID TEAMS ARE TRAINING FOR
CONTEST IN" DENVER.
Salt L\ke City. — Eight teams from Utah are expected
to compete for the international championship in the
first aid and mine-rescue contest, to be held at Denver on
September 9, 10. and 11. according to Dr. Arthur L. Mur-
ray, surgeon in charge of mine-rescue car No. 11. sta-
tioned in this city. Several years ago. a team from the
Utah Furl Co. won the world's first prize at San Fran-
cisco. The car of which Dr. Murray is in charge will be
at the disposal of any crews wishing to train for the
championship match during the entire month of August.
The teams, which compete at Denver, will be made up of
five men and a captain. Not more than one first-aid and
one mine-rescue team may enter from any one mine,
smelter, or mill ; members of all teams must be bona fide
employees. There is no limitation as to the number of
teams which may enter from any State or district. The
same team may enter for both mine-rescue and first-aid
work. It is expected that teams from Park City, Eureka,
Bingham, and from the coal mines in Carbon county will
attend the contest.
Assessment of the metalliferous mines in the State, for
"taxation purposes, on the basis of three times the net pro-
ceeds, fell off $29,295,402 in 1919 as compared with 1918,
according to figures compiled by the State Board of
Equalization, or a decrease of practically 50%. The
assessed valuation of every other class of property in the
State was increased, with the exception of water com-
panies, but the increases were not sufficient to offset the
reduction in revenue from the metalliferous mines. The
real estate of metal mines, with the exception of ground
owned for mills or townsite purposes, is assessed at a flat
rate of $5 per acre. During 1918, mining real estate was
assessed at $10,155,058, while during 1919 it was assessed
at $13,596,864. Improvement and machinery at the
mines of the State was assessed at $23,061,317 for 1919,
as against $22,877,982 for 1918.
Boxelder County. — At the property of the Vipont
Silver Mining Co., near the Utah-Idaho line, 90 men are
now employed and shipments of silver concentrate are
being hauled by truck to Oakley, Idaho, 25 miles distant.
East of the Vipont properties, Tony Scoro and others are
driving a tunnel, while to the west the Utah-Idaho Min-
ing Co. is driving a cross-cut in the hope of reaching. the
same orebodies. At Rosette, it is reported that the Old
Century and Suzanne properties will resume operations.
At the property of the Salt Lake Copper Co. three lessees
are now working. Seventeen miles north-east of Wend-
over, three small properties are operating at the south
end of the Silver Island mountains.
\i r i ( Operations at the Cardiff property in Big Cot-
tonwood canyon are being carried on at near capacity,
and shipment of ore from the mine to the bins at South
Fork has been started, the wagon-road now being in good
condition. Fixe trucks are being used for ore-hauling,
and a sixth kept in reserve. Forty men are now em-
ployed at the property, and this number will be increased.
At the annual meeting of the Big Cottonwood Coalition
Mines Co.. the following officers were elected for the en-
suing year: W. G. Roniney, president ; E. J. Jeremy, vice-
president; C. E. Robertson, secretary-treasurer: H. J.
McKean, James A. Stanley, and W. H. Hurd, additional
MAP OF UTAH
directors. A new compressor was recently installed at the
property. During the past year the company purchased
a controlling interest in the Copper King Mining Co.
Robert Gorlinski, mining engineer of Salt Lake City, has
been engaged to make a complete survey of the company's
claims for patent. During the past year the main adit
was extended 926 ft., making the total length 2680 feet.
Park City. — Shipments of ore for the week ending
June 26 totalled 2234 tons, as against 1309 tons for the
previous week. This increase was due to the removal of
the embargo at the Murray smelter, to which most of the
local mines ship their ore. The Silver King Coalition
resumed shipments with the lifting of the embargo; this
company not being permitted to ship any ore the previous
week. The Judge M. & S. Co. shipped 796 tons ; the On-
tario, 718 tons ; Silver King Coalition, 502 tons ; and the
68
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 10, 1920
Daly-West, 228 tons. The Judge smelter shipped 108
tons of premium spelter during the week.
Larry Murphy and Malachi Maloney, miners, were
severely injured in an accident in the Alliance tunnel,
and have heen taken to Salt Lake City for surgical treat-
ment. The men, who were doing repair work, were in-
jured when an empty car, which had been set on a side-
track for their use, was hit by swaying cars of ore on the
main line and tipped over on them. Both men were in-
jured internally, and also sustained fractured arms.
Eureka. — Charles Zabriskie, manager, states that two
drifts are being driven at the property of the Lehi-Tintic
company in the northern part of the district. Owing to
shortage of power, there is but one shift being worked in
each heading. The drift which is following the north-
south break is reported to be in a promising formation.
The other drift, which is being driven for the purpose of
cutting the Gold Blossom vein, is passing through a hard
formation, and no change is expected for the time being.
At the Copper Leaf property, in the eastern part of the
district, but one drift, on the 1000-ft. level, is now being
driven ; work on the 1200-ft. level having been suspended
for the time being. Officials of the company feel con-
fident that as soon as the lime formation is reached the
drift should enter more promising ground.
After sinking the Central Standard shaft to a depth
of 490 ft., the work has been temporarily suspended in
order that a reservoir may be cut on the 400-ft. level.
This reservoir is needed to take care of water which was
developed during the first 200 ft. of sinking ; the reservoir
which was cut in the porphyry formation not being satis-
factory. John W. Taylor, manager, states that sinking
of the shaft will be resumed shortly, and with the water
properly taken care of, better headway will be made.
The first 400 ft. was in porphyry formation, then about
40 ft. of shale was passed, while the last 50 ft. has been in
decomposed lime, which carries iron.
Walter Fitch Jr., mine contractor of this district, has
returned from Pennsylvania, where he has had an im-
portant contract in driving tunnels. Mr. Fitch brought
with him a number of experienced tunneling men who
will be employed in various pieces of work now under his
direction in Utah and Nevada. Cecil Fitch, manager,
states that a drift is advancing at a depth of 1750 ft. in
the Plutus company's property. It is estimated that 200
ft. of drifting will be required to cut an important system
of faulting, and officials of the company consider this the
most promising piece of development that has been taken
up in the Plutus ground. It is being done through the
Chief Consolidated shaft. About a year ago, ore was en-
countered in the Plutus at a depth of 1000 ft., and since
that time a winze has been sunk 750 ft., while consider-
able prospecting was also done on the 1400-ft. level.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
ROSSLAND MINES ARE TO BE RE-OPENED ACCORDING TO
REPORTS.
New Denver. — After much steady development, a sub-
stantial body of zinc-blende and galena ore has been cut
by a raise between No. 4 and No. 6 levels at the Bosun
mine. This mine is being operated by the Surprise-Rose-
bery Mining Co., which owns also the Surprise mine, near
Cody, and the Ivanhoe, near Sandon. The company has-
moved its offices to New Denver. Except for a few miners,
who are working on contract, the Standard mine, at Sil-
verton, is being operated entirely by four groups of
lessees, all of whom are doing well. Some unusually rich
silver ore is being taken from the mine. Bodies of zinc-
blende containing freibergite, granular chalcopyrite, and
occasional films of ruby silver have been found closely
associated with the lenses and dikes of porphyry, which
have intruded into the zone between the vein walls. The
lessees are in communication with several smelting com-
panies with the object of trying to get more satisfactory
treatment-terms for this class of high-grade silver ore.
Considerable adverse feeling has, been aroused locally
against the Silversmith Mines, Ltd., for its capitulation
to the 'One Big Union'. The general opinion is that the
members of this organization, who have done nothing for
the workers and have been a considerable source of an-
noyance to the mine-owners, should be run out of the
camp. The other mines in the district, while running an
'open shop', favor the International Mine Workers
Union. When the O. B. U. called a strike many miners
left the camp, and now are working at other camps, some
at less than the Slocan scale of wages.
Nelson. — The Granite Poorman mine has been taken
under lease and bond from the Vincent Development Co.,
of Walla Walla, Washington, by a recently organized
syndicate. The Vincent company has had the property
under option for some time, but concentrated its energies
at the Eureka mine, where it did considerable under-
ground development. It constructed a tramway, too, I
from the Eureka to the Granite-Poorman mill, and re-
constructed the mill and added a flotation plant. The
new syndicate will reap the advantage of all this work.
Alice Arm. — The McLennan Silver Mines, Ltd., which
recently acquired the Royal group, adjoining the Dolly
Varden property on the west, has traced a vein for 400
ft. on the surface, which is believed to be an extension of
the No. 4 Dolly Varden vein. The vein is 12 ft. wide, and
samples taken from it have run up to 320 oz. silver per
ton. A tunnel has been started on the vein, 600 ft. below
the summit of the hog's back. A semi-Diesel compressor
is being put in place at the North Star mine. The Dolly
Varden is running at least one train per day and some-
times two. Each train carries about 90 tons of ore. The
United Metals Co., Ltd., in the Alliance River district, has
20 pack-horses taking supplies into the mine and bring-
ing ore to Alice Arm. Unless labor troubles break out
afresh, there is every promise of a successful season in
this district.
Hazelton. — The Kitselas Mountain Copper Co.'s con-
centrator at Usk has been in operation since early in
June. It is giving satisfactory results. A considerable
quantity of ore is being treated and development is in
progress at the mine. The ore carries gold, silver, and
copper.
July 10, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
69
The Silver Standard mine has been shipping steadily
this year and important development also is in progress.
A new tunnel is being driven which has reached two veins
mill will continue until it cross-cuts the main lode. Trans-
portation to the concentrator is furnished by a large
motor-truck. It is used both summer and winter. Travel-
ing in the winter is good after the snow becomes hard-
ened, wires being wound about the truck wheels to ensure
traction. Considerable high-grade ore is being shipped
direct to the Trail smelter. Although the property is
very promising it is yet in the development stage.
Barkerville. — Placer miners are preparing for the
season's work in the Cariboo district. John D. Galloway,
prosperity, which momentarily passed when the mines of
the Consolidated Mining & Smelting Co. were practically
closed down, would return is about to be justified. The
company's mines, it is stated, are to be put on a producing
basis very soon, it being expected that shipments will be
resumed early in July. The ore-bunkers have been re-
paired ; ore from the Mandy mine, Manitoba, which the
management likes to handle with the Rossland mineral, is
being received. There is still some question as to labor.
If the men are available there is no doubt that the mines
will be operated without delay and that Rossland once
more will be active.
Trail. — Ore-receipts at the Trail smelter of the Con-
UNLOADING MACHINERY AT THE BRITANNIA WHARF, B. C.
government mining engineer, recently made a trip
through a part of the section and, while it is impossible
as yet to estimate the extent of the hydraulic mining to
be undertaken, the prospect is good. Owing to the un-
usually late spring and the heavy fall of snow there
should be a plentiful supply of water and late-fall opera-
tions appear assured. The old channel on Grouse creek,
where the gravel is reported to be good, will be piped by
the Waverly, and there will be operations at Lowhee and
Stout's gulch. Generally it is expected that most of the
old companies will be on their ground again and that
some new leases will be worked. Notwithstanding lack
of labor and high costs it looks as though the old Cariboo
would see more placer mining, both hydraulic and indi-
vidual, than it has for some years and that the gold out-
| put will increase.
Rossland. — The faith of the old-time residents of Ross-
land, one of the oldest mining towns of the Province, that
solidated Mining & Smelting Co. for the week ending
June 14 totaled 6913 tons. For the week ending June 21
there was received 6742 tons. Two new shippers appear-
ed in the latter list, namely, the old Whitewater mine, of
Slocan, and the Sunnyside, Rock creek. The total ore
receipts at the smelter for the year up to date are 135,068
tons.
Princeton. — "W. P. Tierney, the contractor in charge
of the construction of a railroad to connect the Copper
Mountain mine of the Canada Copper Co. and the Kettle
Valley railway, has stated that rails will be laid within
30 days. This 15-mile stretch of steel probably represents
the hardest and roughest piece of construction under-
taken in western Canada in recent years. The only work
comparable to it is the road to the Dolly Varden mine.
The contractor states that the cost totals $1,500,000. He
describes it as having been heavy rockwork, bridges, and
trestles all the way.
70
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 10, 1920
ONTARIO
SUPREME COL'RT HANDS DOWN DECISION IN UNION NATIONAL
GAS SUIT.
Toronto. — An important point in regard to the taxa-
tion by municipalities of oil and gas wells has been set-
tled by a decision of the Supreme Court of Canada, in the
ease of the Union National Gas Co. v. the Township of
Dover. The company appealed against the assessment by
the Township of the income from two producing oil-gas
wells at $62,376, being the amount of the returns for the
year, less operating costs. The company claimed the
right to deduct from the income, in addition to operating
expenses, a deficit for the preceding year, and expenses
for dry holes or unproductive wells, and rentals paid
for oil and gas leases. The case was appealed from one
tribunal to another, the original assessment being con-
finned at every step, and the decision is again upheld by
the Supreme Court of Canada, holding that the company
could not make any deductions except for operating ex-
penses.
Kirkland Lake. — The Lake Shore produced $41,187
during May from the treatment of 1636 tons of ore with
an average recovery of $25.18 per ton. Most of the ore
now being milled comes from development work, but little
being taken from the large orebodies blocked out. The
management has decided to sink the shaft to the 800-ft.
level At the Harvey Kirkland two more veins have been
uncovered. Stripping is actively in progress. A survey
party is at work on the line of the Canadian Light Rail-
ways Ltd., which will run from Swastika through the
producing area of Kirkland Lake and the new properties
in Lebel township to the Larder Lake district.
Gowganda. — Additional rich discoveries are reported
on the Castle property of the Trethewey. The vein re-
cently cut on the shore of the lake has been traced over
the brow of the hill and close to the first shaft. A shaft
is being sunk on it and at a depth of 20 ft. the vein is
producing ore of excellent grade. A new vein has been
found running directly under the office building.' Four
shipments in all have been made since operations were
started and the company has a large supply of high-grade
ore sacked ready for shipment.
Beaver House Lake. — The management of the Argo-
naut has decided to sink to a depth of 500 ft. A 12-drill
compressor and high-speed electric hoist have been in-
stalled and plans for the construction of a large mill in
the fall are being considered.
Cobalt. — A decision has been handed down by the
Supreme Court of Ontario in the dispute between the
O'Brien and the La Rose companies, having to do with
the correct location of the boundary between the O'Brien
mine and the Violet property of the La Rose. The
O'Brien is declared to be entitled to possession of all the
territory lying west of a direct line running from No. 4
post of the Colonial mine to the Shaw, thence to the
Earle property. The La Rose is enjoined from trespass-
ing beyond that line and damages are awarded. Cyril
W. Knight, assistant provincial geologist, has commenced
the work of making a re-survey of the geology of the
Cobalt silver area. It is estimated that the Bureau of
Mines will have the field-work completed by late fall.
Silver production from Cobalt during the first half of
1920 amounted to approximately $5,400,000, according
to preliminary estimates. Cobalt metallics and cobalt
oxides marketed as a by-product brought the total value
up to about $5,750,000. The decline as compared with a
year ago amounts to about $1,000,000.
The Victory Silver Mines has increased its capital from
500,000 shares of the par value of $1 each, to 2,000,000
shares of similar par value. Plans are being made to
commence mining operations. The Nipissing Mining Co.
will disburse a 5% dividend, amounting to $300,000, on
July 20. Total dividends from the Nipissing during 1920
amount to $1,200,000, while the aggregate since 1906
amounts to $21,540,000. The company has 1,200,000
issued shares, distributed among 13,000 shareholders.
Liquid assets, consisting of Canadian and United States
war bonds, as well as cash, ore in transit, etc., amounts to
slightly over $5,000,000. Production continues at the
rate of well over $4,000,000 per year. A movement is
under way with the object in view to induce the govern-
ment of Ontario to set aside ten townships in Northern
Ontario, the timber from which to be sold by tender and
the proceeds to go toward the construction of a macadam
road from North Bay to Cochrane, with branches to
Porcupine and to Iroquois Falls, covering a total dis-
tance of about 300 miles at an estimated cost of $3,000,-
000. This would connect the mining, lumbering, and
agricultural districts of Temiskaming with Southern
Ontario.
YUKON TERRITORY
DREDGING OPERATIONS COMMENCE.
White Horse. — The North West Corporation has
assembled its dredge on Claim 20, Dominion creek. The
dredge was hauled from the upper Hunker river during
the winter. The corporation has secured a second dredge
which will be worked on lower Dominion creek, near
Grenville. The Yukon Gold Co. has a dredge working on
Gold Run and another on the lower Hunker. Three of
the company's dredges are still idle. The White Pass
boat 'Reliance' has loaded 800 tons of ore on the Kan-
tishna river from the Tom Aitkin mine, for smelters in
the South. The Tukon Silver Lead Mining Co. has ship-
ped 30 tons of high-grade silver ore from Lookout Moun-
tain, in the Mayo district. The Dominion government
will erect a radio station at Maj-o during this summer, so
that the camp may not be so cut off during the long
winters. The mail of June 1 — the first in six weeks from
the Mayo camp — brought 120 applications for mining
claims from that district. The greatest prospecting activ-
ity was at Keno Hill and Lookout Mountain. Dr. Cock-
field who is in charge of the Geological Survey field-work
in this district, has arrived at White Horse. He is ac-
companied by T. F. Armstrong, W. G. Cuttle, C. A.
Merritt, and A. E. Pattison. The party will outfit at
Dawson and then take the field.
.July 10, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
71
THE
■■'\?J^~~ " ' ?yV?. • ""vv^'"-'--- ■■,--■:...■■>.-'
COURT GIVES MIXER JUDGMENT FOK $500,000
The United States Circuit Court of Appeals has awarded
John Tuppola possession of Alaskan mining claims valued
at more than $500,000, property that heretofore had been
claimed by the Chichagoff Mining Co. Tuppola, in 1914,
became joint owner with the Chichagoff company of four
valuable claims near Sitka. In order to gain complete pos-
session, avers Tuppola, the mining company brought suit
against him, charging insanity, had Tuppola tried and sen-
tenced to an asylum. Later the claims were sold by a
guardian for $1000. Subsequently Tuppola brought suit in
the Alaska court and was defeated. His victory yesterday
gives him possession of two claims and one-half interest in
the claims held by the Chichagoff company. An accounting
of all profits since 1914 also is ordered to be made to Tup-
pola.
ALASKA
Anchorage. — Good reports come from the Willow Creek
district on the government railroad less than 50 miles from
here. Willow Creek promises to become one of the heavy
gold producers of the Territory.
Juneau. — The Alaska Treadwell Gold Mining Co. has
taken a bond on twelve quartz claims on Nixon Fork on
the Kuskokwim and is now busy prospecting the property.
The Independent Mining Co. reports the discovery of a
rich orebody six feet wide at the end of a 109-ft. tunnel on
its property at Windham Bay. A contract for driving a
tunnel 1000 ft. long has been let by the Admiralty Alaska
Mining Co. which is operating at Funter Bay. The
Alaska Endicott Mining & Milling Co. has resumed opera-
tions at William Henry Bay where water-power is being
developed for a saw-mill preparatory to the erection of a
stamp-mill.
A syndicate has been formed at Juneau for the purpose of
developing the Red Top group of claims on Bear Creek in
the Portland Canal district. All the larger quartz mines of
Alaska are operating full crews, and pre-war production has
been resumed by the Alaska Treadwell, Alaska Juneau,
Alaska Gastineau, Chichagoff, Kennecott, and Latouche com-
panies.
Nome. — Regardless of almost prohibitive transportation
costs, increased and renewed activity in placer mining is re-
ported and no less than twenty big outfits are operating
within fifteen miles of here. Extensive prospecting for oil
is also reported.
Valdez. — The Columbia Red Metal Co. has resumed oper-
ations at Columbia Glacier near Valdez and is employing 50
men. A railroad carries ore from the mine to where it is
loaded on steamers for shipment to an outside smelter.
The Valdez Gold Mining Co. has resumed operations and is
assembling supplies and equipment necessary for driving a
new tunnel.
ARIZONA
Jerome. — Smelter chemists have been taking samples of
air. around the reduction works at Clarkdale and Clemenceau
for careful analysis of the foreign gases contained. This has
followed an investigation by State bee experts, who have
found a sickly condition prevalent among the bee colonies
of the Verde valley, with the total loss of many hives. The
bee owners claim the trouble lies entirely with the smelter
fumes. There is local belief that the great orebodies of
the camp are pitching toward Mexico under the Don Luis
section, where exploration is finding new orebodies at com-
paratively shallow depth, though there is no expectation of
striking continuations of the Bisbee lenses short of 2000 ft.
The Boras mine has developed into a strong shipper and the
adjoining Nighthawk is shipping about twenty carloads per
month of 6}% ore from the 500, 600, and 650-ft. levels. A
cross-cut now is being run on a new level at 750 feet.
Miami. — By cutting its dividend from $6 to $4 per annum
the Inspiration Copper Co. has eliminated the necessity of
drawing further from surplus. Present earnings cover divi-
dends at the new rate of $1 quarterly. The reduction will
save $2,363,934 in dividend outgo. Last year a deficit of
$2,905,174 resulted after paying the full year's dividends.
Under the existing curtailment policy Inspiration's produc-
tion costs have remained relatively high, the average being
close to the 1919 figure of 13ic. per pound. Market condi-
tions show no signs of material improvement in the near
future and until the company's overhead can be apportioned
over a greater production this cost cannot be materially
reduced.
IDAHO
Coeur d'Alene. — The Caledonia Mining Co. will disburse
a dividend of $26,050 on July 5. This is at the rate of one
cent per share. Quarterly payments hereafter will be at this
rate. The Bear Creek Mining Co. has shipped ore, its
first carload of concentrate containing 61% lead and six
ounces silver per ton. Shipments will be made at the rate
of one carload per week.
Hailey. — The Silver Triumph Mining Co. has found a body
of ore 6 to 15 ft. wide. One to two feet is galena rich in
silver. The first samples assayed $140 in silver and lead.
The ore was disclosed in clearing an old cave, and has been
found to a height of 70 ft. above the upper tunnel and its
dip indicates that it can be found in a raise of 200 ft. from
the main tunnel. Three parallel veins lie in a zone 100 ft.
wide.
NEVADA
Pioneer. — The new winze on the 200-ft. level south of the
main shaft of the Mayflower has cut a full face of mill ore,
with a streak of high-grade in the hanging wall. Drifting
for the Starlight vein is proceeding and is expected to reach
.the objective within 400 ft. W. J. Tobin, president, has
gone to Denver to complete further financing of the corpora-
tion.
Winnemucca. — Unwatering of the Nevada Harmony, six
miles east of Winnemucca, has been completed and mining
resumed. With the present pumping outfit the manage-
ment expects to keep the mine clear by pumping five hours
per day. G. R. Williams is superintendent.
MEXICO
Pachuca. — The El Bordo shaft of the Compania de Santa
Gertrudis, Mexico, which was partly destroyed by fire, has
now been wholly repaired and the mine is producing about
600 tons per day. The Santa Gertrudis company is enlarg-
ing its mill from a capacity of 40,000 tons per month to ap-
proximately 60,000 tons.
72
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 10, 1920
[PERSONAL
The Editor invites members of the profession to send particulars oi then
work and appointments. The information is interesting to our readers.
W. H. Shockley has been examining a mine at Auburn,
California.
J. C. Pickering has opened an office as consulting mining
engineer at Mexico City.
George A. Packard, ot Boston, was in San Francisco last
week, on his way to the Mother Lode.
E. F. Orr has resigned as superintendent for the Simon
Silver Lead Mines Co., at Mina, Nevada.
Glenn L. Allen, mill superintendent for the Shattuck-
Arizona Copper Co., is in San Francisco.
Roy Hatch, superintendent of the Alaska Gold Mines Co.'s
mill at Juneau, Alaska, is at Salt Lake City.
A. E. Chodzko has closed his office in San Francisco, and
is now at 1674 Long Beach avenue, Los Angeles.
Charles A. Mitke has spent a few weeks at Morenci on
professional business for the Arizona Copper Co.
Rndolf Gahl, of Denver, is now with the Cerro de Pasco
Copper Corporation, at 15 Broad Street, New York.
F. B. Kirkbride has been elected president of the S. K. F.
Industries, to take the place of B. G. Prytz, who resigned.
John E. Bergh, of Salt Lake City, has gone to Chesaw,
Washington, to start development on a gold prospect in that
district.
Henry H. Holden, of San Diego, California, has been in
the Payson district, Arizona, examining the properties of the
Atlantis Mining Co.
Charles K. Barnes has been appointed to succeed Morris
P. Kirk as general manager for the Yellow Pine Mining Co.
at Good Springs, Nevada.
Solon Spiro,. president of the Silver King Con. M. Co., at
Park City, Utah, recently underwent a second operation in
New York. He is reported as improving.
H. C. Plummer, formerly assistant superintendent of
mines for the Cananea Con. Copper Co., has accepted the
position of general superintendent for the Arizona Com-
mercial Mining Co., at Globe.
Walter Lyman Brown, Director in Europe for the Ameri-
can Relief Association, arrived in New York on June 26 and
will return to London immediately after planning winter
relief operations with Mr. Hoover.
Albert Burch has resigned as manager for the Simon
Silver Lead Mines Co., the Simon Sterling Mines Co., and the
Simon Contact Mines Co., and, temporarily at least, is not
acting as consulting engineer for any of these companies.
Oscar H. Hershey and Lloyd C. White will continue to act in
a consulting capacity.
Utah, engaging in mining at Mercur, and in 1887 first be-
came interested at Bingham, in property which later formed
part of the Utah Copper Co. After selling the Brickyard
mine at Mercur at a profit of $60,000, he developed the
Yampa mine at Bingham, which property he later sold to
Moore & Schley for $150,000, as against a cost to himself
of $40,000. He held to his faith in the copper-bearing
porphyry of Bingham, and in 1895, Capt. J. R. DeLamar
secured an interest in the property, and in December 1902,
D. C. Jackling succeeded in getting the present officials of
the Utah Copper Co. interested in the project. In January
1903, Col. Wall sold a half interest in the property to C. M.
MacNeill, Spencer Penrose, and R. A. F. Penrose, for which
he is said to have received $420,000 and a 20% interest in
Obituary
Col. Enos Andrew Wall, one of the most prominent pioneer
mining men of the West, died at his home in Salt Lake City
on June 29. Death was due to a cancerous growth and came
after a long illness. Col. Wall was born at Richmond,
Indiana, June 21, 1839, the son of pioneers from North
Carolina. After a common-school education, he came West
in 1860, settling in Colorado. There he became interested
in mining, and in 18 63 went to Montana, where he continued
his search for gold, but combined his activities as a miner
with those of freighter and trader. In 1868 he went to
Utah, remaining there for 14 years, after which he removed
to Idaho, where he became superintendent for the Wood
River Gold & Silver Mining Co. While in Idaho, he was
elected to the upper house of the territorial legislature and
served as president ot that body. In 1885 he returned to
Col. Enos A. Wall
the stocks and bonds of the new company. In 1906 Col.
Wall started injunction proceedings against the Utah Copper
Co. when it was proposed to increase the capital stock to
$6,000,000 and to issue $3,000,000 worth of convertible
bonds, with the disposal of 51% of the stock to the Guggen-
heim interests. A restraining order was issued in this case,
but later withdrawn. This was the beginning of a series of
bitter legal battles between Col. Wall and the Utah Copper
Co. over surface rights at Bingham. At the time of his
death, Col. Wall owned approximately two-thirds of the out-
standing shares of the Daly-West Mining Co. at Park City.
On March 7, 1879, he married Miss Mary Mayer of Salt Lake
City; this union being blessed with nine children, five of
whom are living. Up to the time of his death, Col. Wall
maintained an active interest in mining and Utah financial
affairs, and was one of the wealthiest men in the State. He
established and endowed the Wall Fellowship in Metallurgy
at the Utah School of Mines at Salt Lake City. He was a
man of great ability and enterprise, and kept abreast of the
times in all the essentials and mining and metallurgy.
July 10, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
73
THE META
ARRET
METAL PRICES
San Francisco. Jvily 0
Aluminum-dust, cents per pound 65
Antiraouy. cents per pound 9.00
Copper, electrolytic, cents per pound 18175
Lead, pig, cents per pound 8.25 — 9.25
Platinum, pure, per ounce $85
Platinum. 10% iridium, per ounce $118
Quicksilver, per flask of 75 lb S00
Spelter, cents per pound 9.50
Zinc-dust, cents per pound 12.50 — 15.00
EASTERN METAL MARKET
(By wire from New York)
July 5. — Copper is inactive but steady. Lead is quiet and firm. Zinc is
dull but stronger.
SILVER
Below are given official or ticker quotations, in cents per ounce of silver
999 fine. From April 23, 1918, the United States government paid $1 per
ounce for all silver purchased by it. fixing a maximum of $1.01% on
August 15, 1918, and will continue to pay $1 until the quantity specified
under the Act is purchased, probably extending over several years. On
Kay 5, 1919, all restrictions on the metal were removed, resulting in
fluctuations. During the restricted period, the British government fixed the
maximum price fire times, the last being on March 25, 1919, on account of
the low rate of sterling exchange, but removed all restrictions on May 10.
The equivalent of dollar silver (1000 fine) in British currency is 46.65
pence per ounce (925 fine) calculated at the normal rate of exchange.
Date
June
New York
cents
29 89.00
30 91.00
1 90.50
2 89.75
3 89.62
4 Sunday
5 Holiday
London
pence
52.50
52.00
Holiday
51.12
51.12
Jan.
1918
. . 88.72
Feb 85.79
Mch 88.11
Apr 95.35
May 99.50
June 99.50
1919
101.12
101.12
101.12
101.12
107.23
110.50
July
Monthly averages
1920
Average week ending
Cents
24 100.12
31 101.17
7 98.23
14 86.00
21 87.07
28 91.41
5 89.97
Pence
58,52
68.87
56.62
48.02
48.73
51.69
51.68
132.77
131.27
126.70
119.56
102.69
90.84
1918
July 99.62
Aug 100.31
Sept 101.12
Oct 101.12
Nov 101.12
Dec 101.12
1919
106.36
111.35
113.92
119.10
127.57
131.92
Prices of electrolytic in New York, in cents' per pound.
Date
June
29 19.00
30 19.00
1 19.00
2 19.00
3 19.00
4 Sunday
5 Holiday
Average week ending
May 24
31
June 7
14
21
28
July 5
Monthly averages
19.00
19.00
19.00
19.00
19.00
19.00
19.00
Jan.
Feb.
1918
..23.50
23.50
Mch 23.60
Apr 23.50
May 23.50
June 23.50
1919
20.43
17.34
15.05
15.23
15.91
17.53
1920
19.25
19.05
18.49
19.23
19.05
19.00
1918
July 26.00
Aug 26.00
Sept 26.00
Oct 26.00
Nov 26.00
Dec 26.00
1919
20.82
22.61
22.10
21.66
20.45
18.55
LEAD
Lead is quoted in cents per pound. New York delivery.
Date
June
Jan.
Teb.
Mch.
IS Apr-
May
I June
4 Sunday
5 Holiday
1918
, 6.85
. 7.07
. 7.26
, 6.99
. 6.88
7.59
£.25
8.30
8.40
8.50
8.50
1919
5.60
6.13
6.24
6.06
5.04
5.32
July
Monthly averages
1920
Average week ending
24
31
7
14 ,
21
28
5
8.50
8.50
8.68
8.75
8.21
8.15
8.39
8.66
8.88
9.22
8.78
8.55
8.43
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
1918
8.03
8.05
8.06
8.05
8.05
6.90
TIN
Prices in New York, in cents per pound.
Monthly averages
1919 1920 1918
71.60 62.74 July 93.00
72.44 69.87 Aug 91.33
72.60 61.92 Sept 80.40
72.60 62.12 Oct 78.82
72.60 64.99 Nov 73.67
71.83 48.33 Dec 71.52
1918
Jan 85.13
Feb 85.00
Mch 86.00
Apr 88.53
May 100.01
June ..... 91.00
1919
5.53
5.78
6.02
6.40
6.76
7.12
1919
70.11
62.20
55.79
54.82
54.17
64.94
ZINC
Zinc is quoted as spelter, standard Western brands. New York delivery,
in cents per pound.
Date
29
30
1
8
4
5
May
June
July
average
July
Aug.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Average week ending
24
7.96
7.95
8.05
. 7.92
July
8.02
8.00
• •
Sunday
Holiday
1918
1919
7.44
6.71
6.53
6.49
6.43
6.91
8.15
Monthly
1920
9.66
9.15
8.93
8.76
8.07
7.92
7.79
"
28..
7.85
8.04
s
1918 1919
8.72 7.78
8.78 7.81
9.58 7.57
9.11 7.82
8.75 8.12
. 8.49 8.69
1920
Feb.
Mch.
Apr.
May
June
.. 7.92
QUICKSILVER
The primary market for quicksilver is San Francisco, California being1
the largest producer. The price is fixed in the open market, according' to
quantity. Prices, in dollars per flask of 75 pounds.
Date I June 22 85.00
June 8 90.00 " 29 85.00
15 85.00 I July 6 90.00
Monthly averages
1918
Jan 128.06
Feb 118.00
Mch 112.00
Apr 115.00
May 110.00
June 112.00
1919
103.75
90.00
72.80
73.12
84.80
94.40
1920
89.00
81.00
87.00
100.00
87.00
85.00
1918
July 120.00
Aug 120.00
Sept 120.00
Oct 120.00
Not 120.00
Dec 115.00
1919
100.00
103.00
102.60
86.00
78.00
95.00
1920
THE SHIPPING BELL
J. W. Powell, directing- head of the Bethlehem Ship Building Corporation.
Ltd., characterizes the Jones merchant marine bill as a highly constructive
piece of legislation, He says:
"There has been a marked dropping-off of ship orders during1 the last
six months, and a discreet carrying' out of the spirit of its provisions should
mean more contracts. The bill grants greater authority to the Shipping
Board and permits it to put into effect various policies heretofore held in
abeyance. Among these are a new sales program for the 10,000,000 gTOss
tons of war-built, government-owned shipping. The Board is enabled to
sell it at virtually whatever price it decides upon, with the proviso, how-
ever, that all ships, save those not needed for our own commerce, must be
sold to American men or corporations.
"For ten years, owners of American shipping can deduct from their in-
,come-tax return, the net earnings of Bhips engaged in overseas trade, pro-
vided that the amount of exemption be applied, with an added amount to
be decided upon by the Board, to new tonnage in American yards. New
government construction of merchant ships is to cease, and an annual fund,
for five years, of $25,000,000 is to be created through the sale of vessels
by the Board, with which to provide loans to individuals or private cor-
porations engaged in shipbuilding for the postal service and the naval re-
serve. The postal authorities and Shipping Board are authorized to assist
with adequate postal compensation to uphold such of our American trans-
Atlantic companies which best serve the interests of American commerce.
Marine insurance companies can amalgamate without fear of anti-trust
laws. Bankers can do likewise for the creation of ship mortgag-es. To
American Bhips is reserved the right of conveyance of all exports or im-
ports which are granted preferential rates by American railroads.*'
THE MONEY MARKET
Increased discount rates can hardly be expected to do more than check
further borrowing, according to the National Bank of Commerce, until the
railroad situation improves so as to permit prompt liquidation of commercial
and agricultural credits. In its money market discussion in the July num-
ber of its magazine. 'Commerce Monthly', the bank declares that the present
partial breakdown of transportation, by interfering with the movement of
products, has prevented the liquidation of a tremendous volume of credits
such as is normally effected at this season of the year.
"During the period from May 16 to June 15. the money market has ex-
perienced continued tension which, largely as a consequence of the traffic
situation, had become pronounced during the preceding- month. The strain
on credit facilities has been reflected in a further general advance in money
rates. While some improvement of the traffic situation, mainly potential
rather than actual, has been accomplished, it has not proceeded sufficiently
to release and considerable part of the credit which had been locked up,
and traffic conditions can be expected to improve only slowly. Meanwhile
the credit requirements of a new crop movement will become pressing in
the not distant future.
"Until the railroad situation improves sufficiently to afford an adequate
physical basis for the prompt liquidation of commercial and agricultural
credits, the increased discount rates of many of the Federal Reserve banks
can hardly be expected to do more than check further borrowing-; there-
after, they should be a strong influence in effecting a curtailment of out-
standing credit, in preparation for the heavy requirements of autumn."
MONET AND EXCHANGE
Foreign quotations on July 6 are as follows:
Sterling, dollars: Cable 3.94%
Demand 3.95 y3
Francs, cents : Cable 8.70
Demand 8.71
Lire, cents : Demand 6.25
Marks, cents 2.70
;
74
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 10, 1920 ;
Eastern Metal Market
New York June 30.
The markets are inactive or only moderately active, de-
pending on the metal. The vacation season is also having
its effect.
Demand for copper is a little better and prices are fairly
firm.
The tin market is quiet hut moderately strong.
There is but little demand for lead but prices are very
firm.
The market for zinc is lifeless. Prices are steady, how-
ever.
Antimony is quiet and steady.
IROX AXD STEEL
After two days conference at Columbus, Ohio, the pros-
pects Tuesday night were that a shut-down of union sheet
and tin-plate mills on June 3 0 would be averted, says 'The
Iron Age'. Amalgamated Association officers notified the
various lodges to continue at work pending further negotia-
tions, and it was expected that an agreement would be
reached Wednesday. The sheet and tin-plate mills of the
United States Steel Corporation, in which the open-shop
policy prevails, are not affected by the Columbus negotia-
tions.
The week has brought the steel-trade no relief from the
distractions of its railroad entanglements. Operations con-
tinue at a fairly high rate, but with further additions to the
unshipped stocks of finished product. Failure of coke sup-
ply has stopped a number of blast-furnaces, and in eastern
Pennsylvania six have been thrown idle on this account or
for repairs, and in the Chicago district, two.
Four inquiries from Western roads amount to 4750 cars,
which will take 38,000 tons of plates, shapes, and bars.
Eighty locomotives also will be ordered by two Chicago
roads. The week's buying of cars by iron and steel and coal
and coke companies has brought the total of such cars
placed in June to about 6000.
COPPER
Sentiment may be pronounced a little better. This is
probably due to improved demand for forward delivery,
particularly last quarter. Sales of electrolytic have been
made at the full price of 19c, New York, for delivery in, and
through, the last quarter as well as for earlier positions, but
demand is not heavy. There is also a heavier inquiry from
foreign sources, England and the Continent, and substantial
sales have resulted. Aside from these features basic con-
ditions are unchanged, the industry being still more or less
hampered by railroad and other troubles. The quotation
of leading producers is firm at 19c, New York, for third
quarter for both Lake and electrolytic copper. In the out-
side market varying quotations are obtainable as low as
18.25c, New York, for early delivery, but it is not believed
that large quantities are involved. Exports of copper are
on the increase, having been 39,415 tons in May. It is be-
lieved that for the first six months they will average 30,000
tons per month. In 1919 they were less than 1900 tons per
month:
TIN
The market has been an uninteresting one with no pro-
nounced tendency. For the greater part of the past week
it has been dull with consumers manifesting little desire to
buy. Most of the transactions have been among dealers.
About 300 tons was sold last week up to Saturday on the
New York Metal Exchange, 2 00 tons of this on Friday. It
was all for future shipment in various positions at prices
ranging from 45.75c. on Friday to 49.50c last week Wednes-
day. At the close of the week sellers were shy when demand
was fairly good with 46.25c paid on Friday and 47c on
Saturday. On both these days there were more buyers than
sellers. This situation was also true early this week when |
46.75c was bid and 47c asked for futures and 48.75c bid
and 49c asked for spot. This bulge in spot tin over the
future price is explained as probably due to a covering of
short contracts for June delivery; when this is over, it is
expected that the two prices will be more nearly on a level.
Spot Straits yesterday was quoted in New York at 4S.50c.
per lb. and at £260 per ton in London. A week ago the
London price was £270. Arrivals to date this month have
been 3280 tons with 4195 tons afloat. Spot Straits con-
tinues scarce.
LEAD
The market is quiet but firm and featureless. It appears
that consumers and buyers are comfortably supplied for'
their nearby needs and perhaps further ahead and hence;
manifest no interest in buying. Producers are believed to
be catching up in production of the metal only slowly and
hence are not pressing sales. As a result the market is stale
and drifting. The leading interest's quotation is unchanged]
at 7.75c, St. Louis, or Sc, New York, for early delivery.]
That of the outside market is Sc, St. Louis, or 8.25c, New'
York.
ZINC
The market continues inactive and devoid of features. If
anything, however, it is a little firmer than a week ago.
Demand is still confined to intermittent orders which pro-
ducers are filling at prevailing quotations. Prime Western
for delivery in the third quarter is quoted at 7.5 5c, St
Louis, or 7.90c, New York.
ANTIMOXY
This market is quiet with wholesale lots for early delivery
quoted at 7.50 to 7.75c, New York, duty paid, depending on
the grade.
ALUMINUM
Quotations for wholesale lots for early delivery are un-
changed at 3 3c, New York, by the leading producer, with
31.50c asked by other sellers.
ORES
Tungsten: In the absence of any domestic buying, ever,
at lowered prices, it is reported that sales have been made!
for export at $5.75 per unit. Some interest is awakenec
by these sales as well as considerable speculation.
Ferro-tungsten is unchanged at 85c. to $1.15 per lb. 0
contained tungsten.
Molybdenum: Entire lack of interest characterizes this:
market and prices are nominal at 65 to 75c per lb. o£ MoS
in regular concentrate.
Manganese: There is not much demand just at presen'
and quotations are a little easier. About the best price tha>
buyers would pay at present is 70 to 75c per unit for high
grade ore for early delivery.
Manganese-Iron Alloys: Demand for ferro-manganese con
tinues light. A sale of 185 tons for fairly early delivery a
.$190, delivered, is reported, but special considerations an
said to explain the low price. For last half the quotatioi
of producers is regarded as firm at $200, delivered, witl
$225 asked for prompt. Some British alloy is available foi
shipment from August on at $195, seaboard. More demanc
characterizes the spiegeleisen market; which is very firm a
$75, furnace, for all positions. There are domestic inquirie:
aggregating 1000 tons for fairly early delivery as well a
one for 4000 tons for foreign shipment.
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EDITORIAL. STAFF
t. a. rickahd. editor
Parsons, associate editor
Parsons, associate Editor
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Member Audit Bureau of Circulation!
Member Associated Business Papers, Inc.
ESTABLISHED I860
I
PtilUiihrfi at ifo Market St., San FrancbOO, F.
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8CIENCK HAS NO BNKMT SAVE THE IGNORANT
BUSINESS STAFF
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Issued Every Saturday
San Francisco, July 17, 1920
?4 per Year — 15 Cunts per Copy
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
EDITORIAL
NOTKS
THE CONVENTIONS 77
A detached criticism of the two political conven-
tions. What were the best speeches. The plat-
forms and their evasiveness. The candidates nom-
inated. Political machines and their play. Orig-
inal method of electing a President under the Con-
stitution. The function of the electoral college.
Page
Recommendations of the Industrial Accident Com-
mission.
APEX LITIGATION
By John J. Presley 81
A word from the Coeur d'Alene. Ore deposits and
'electric waves'. Care in staking out a location to
accord with the strike of the lode.
ARTICLES
NEWS FROM MEXICO 78 CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS
Cheerful outlook. The provisional government and
its efforts to promote goodwill with the United
States. Need for patience. The Mexican planks
in our party platforms. What the miner wants.
Villa and his brigandage. The restoration of in-
dustry.
DISCUSSION
THE CAMP BIRD, MR. AGNEW, AND MR. SPURR
By John A. Agnew 79
I A letter of protest ignored by the editor of the
'Engineering and Mining Journal'. Some past
history. Camp Bird mine not shut-down.
ROFESSIONAL ETHICS
By Robert Hawxhurst Jr 79
The 'code' of the American Society of Civil Engi-
By Robert S. Lewis
Mechanics of pumps. Plotting curves. Adapting
the pump to its work. Testing centrifugal pumps.
The selection of a motor for the pump.
LEAD-SMELTING PRACTICE AT PORT PIRIE, SOUTH
AUSTRALIA
By Gilbert Rigg
Need for improved roasting as a basis for better
results. Some misconceptions regarding the in-
fluence of zinc, and the handling of fine material.
Experimental work. Pre-roasting on Dwight &
Lloyd machines. Operation of the blast-furnaces.
Zinc as a trouble-maker. Furnace charges. Possi-
bility for recovering zinc from slag.
83
90
NOTES
COPPER IN CHINA 82
'BAKING' GOLD ORE 89
QUESTION AND ANSWER
By Wm. Crocker
The applicability of the 'question and answer'
method to writing books, and to an engineering
problem. Be concrete!
ELECTRIC DETONATORS
By G. Chester Brown
The three-pole switch, delay-fuses, and misfires.
SO DEPARTMENTS
REVIEW OF MINING 97
THE MINING SUMMARY : 103
PERSONAL 104
THE METAL MARKET 105
81 EASTERN METAL MARKET 106
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS 107
Established May 24, 1860, as The Scientific PresB: name changed October
20 of the same year to Mining and Scientific Press.
Entered at the San Frai eisco post-office as second-claas matter, table
address: PertuBola.
Branch Offices — Chicago. 600 Fisher Bdff.: New York, 3514 Woolworth
Bdg.: London, 724 Salisbury House, E.O. Jf
Price 15 cents per copy. Annual subscription, payable in advance;
United StateB and Mexico, £4: Canada, $5: other countries, $6.
36
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 17, 1920
This Crew Is 100% Efficient
The men are of uniform
strength. Any one of
them can finish a job
begun by any other.
This Crew Is Inefficient
It averages the same as
that above, but the little
fellow cannot finish the
big man's job.
These Two Crews Show
the Importance of Linde Uniformity
Any one of the millions of cylinders filled with Linde Oxygen
must be interchangeable with any other produced by Linde.
For uniformity of oxygen is just as important to welders and
cutters as is a high standard of quality.
Expert chemists are constantly at work in Linde laboratories
to prevent the slightest deviation from the extreme high purity
of Linde Oxygen.
Seventy-one Linde Distributing Stations make it possible to
promptly supply welders and cutters everywhere with Linde
Oxygen.
THE LINDE AIR PRODUCTS CO.
30 East 42nd Street, New York
Kohl Building, San Francisco
The Largest Producers of Oxygen in the World
L-511
July 17. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
T. A. H.ICKARD. ■ ■
MMimiiiiMiiiHimiriiMMMMMMimimiiiiiiiminiimiMMimiiiiiiimiiiimii
• • Editor
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiitiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimuiiiiiiiitii
THIIE Missouri School of Mint's and Metallurgy at Rolla
•*- has issued a booklet that contains the records of
Students and alumni who engaged in military service
during the War. Of 273 American undergraduates en-
rolled. 207 entered the military service, and 23 others
were iu the Students Army Training Corps. Still others
were engaged in work of production at which they were
urged to remain in preference to enlisting. In all, 600
Missouri School of Mines men were in active service.
/~\N August 10 the Secretary of the Interior, Mr. John
^-' Barton Payne, will hear arguments in behalf of
claimants under the War Minerals Relief Act in regard
to questions under dispute with the Commission function-
ing under that Act. The hearing was granted at the re-
quest of the American Mining Congress, following the
receipt of hundreds of letters on the subject. Arguments
on the following points will be submitted : request and
demand, purchase of property, net losses, and commercial
importance. The status of the Commission and its
method of procedure will also be discussed.
"D Y courtesy of the Director of the U. S. Bureau of
*-* Mines we are informed that the Secretary of the In-
terior has formally approved the transfer of the Mining
Experiment Station that was established at Denver in
1910, and moved to Golden in 1917, to Reno. This sta-
tion will be known henceforth as the Rare and Precious
Metals Station and its work will be conducted in co-
operation with the Mackay School of Mines of the Uni-
versity of Nevada, which is at Reno. This change seems,
on the face of it, to be well considered ; it will be a source
of strength to the Nevada School of Mines, and also a
matter of convenience to those in the field most likely to
derive benefit from it.
TVTINETY mining companies, including practically all
-*■ ' of the large producers of zinc and lead in the Tri-
State district, which centres at Joplin, have agreed upon
a plan of curtailment that is expected to force the price
of 'ore' to $60 per ton. The first step is a complete shut-
down for two weeks during the early part of July. This
'is to be followed, so it is reported, by other periods of
idleness, to the end that production may synchronize with
demand and the price for the product may thereby be
naintained at a higher level. While the operators point
to the fact that their employees, who have worked steadily
for several years, should appreciate a short vacation, and
that at any rate those who desire can work on the farms
where there is an unfilled demand for help, we are some-
what skeptical as to the result of repeated unsought
holidays on the attitude of the miners. There is the pos-
sibility that the employees may assist in the curtailment
and make temporary shutting-down unnecessary by the
simple expedient of 'tapering off' wore frequently and
persistently. They may reason that, since the demand
for their labor is limited, the market can best be sup-
ported by a co-operative plan of curtailing the rate of
production per man ; and the operators would not have a
particularly strong argument against such a policy.
A MONG the documents received by us recently is the
■^"*- annual report of President Butler on the work of
Columbia University. Owing to our interest in that
university and its distinguished head, we looked over the
report, expecting to find something interesting. We did.
Among the more prosaic items we note that full pro-
fessors are now paid $6000 to $8000 per annum, "with
the expectation of paying salaries of $10,000 to a limited
number of teachers of unusual distinction". We like the
use of the word 'teacher' in this context; every professor
is not a good teacher; a "teacher of unusual distinction"
is worth his weight in gold to a university, and to a com-
munity. In 1919 the Carnegie Foundation paid $60,000
to the Treasurer of Columbia University in retirement
and disability allowances. Altogether the Foundation
has given Columbia $405,439 in 13 years. The President
reviews the changes in the university's chief interest:
for fifty years the centre of gravity lay in the classical
languages and literatures. "It then moved, with results
that were not entirely satisfactory, to the natural and
experimental sciences. From these it moved to the field
of social and political science, and there perhaps it rests
at the present time, although in a state of unstable
equilibrium. ' ' This is as noteworthy as it is satisfactory.
The first purpose of the university is to produce good
citizens, the highest type of citizenship. For such the
scientific study of economics is imperative.
TN a report filed with the State Public Utilities Com-
-*- mission of Utah, which is investigating certain special
contracts under the terms of which the Utah Copper
Company purchases its electric power, Mr. John M.
Hays, treasurer for the company, gives some interesting
76
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 17, 1920
data. The company lias treated since 1907, when opera-
tion commenced, 75 million tons of ore from which was
recovered one and a half billion pounds of copper,
416,000 ounces of gold, and 4,400,000 ounces of silver.
The metal content of this ore averaged less than 1.5%
copper. The company's property, which includes the
Bingham & Garfield railroad, was appraised for taxation
in 1919 at $58,000,000, or practically 9% of the assessed
valuation of all property in the State. From January 1,
1913, to January 1, 1920, the company purchased 900,-
853,060 kilowatt-hours of electric power, for which it
paid $4,034,426 to the Utah Power & Light Company.
Indicative of the importance of the mining industry to
Utah is the fact that of 72,740 wage-earners employed in
the State in 1918, 22,022 or more than 30% were engaged
in the mines, mills, and smelters. In 1917 the mines pro-
duced metal to the value of 99 millions, and in 1918 the
output totaled 86 millions, while the ore hauled in that
year accounted for 85% of the total tonnage handled by
the railroads. While Utah has other natural resources,
she certainly can ill afford to hamper the mining industry.
A NY machine whose motion is rotative has certain de-
■*"*- cided advantages over one of the reciprocating type.
It has fewer bearings, it is more compact, weighs less,
requires lighter foundations, demands less attention, and
costs less than a reciprocating machine designed for the
same work. Steam-turbines, turbo-compressors, and cen-
trifugal pumps are built on the rotative principle and
for many uses are rapidly displacing older machinery.
In spite of the fact that centrifugal pumps rarely have an
efficiency of more than 75% the other advantages are so
great that their use in mines and mills is constantly be-
coming more general. For underground pumping, high-
pressure multi-stage pumps are required, but these have
been developed to such an extent that suitable equipment
can be obtained for any service. Centrifugal pumps,
however, are peculiar in that they work advantageously
only under the conditions for which they are designed.
The quantity lifted, the bead pumped against, and the
speed of operation, each must coincide closely with that
for which the pump is built, if a reasonable efficiency is
to be obtained. The principles on which the pump per-
forms are unusual. We happen to remember a large and
successful mill where a standing order directed the
operators to open the valves in the discharge-line before
starting centrifugal pumps on the theory that otherwise
the motors would be subjected to extra strain when start-
ing. As a matter of fact the shut-off load, as it is styled,
when the discharge-line is closed is the minimum and the
facts directly contradicted the theory on which the mill
superintendent based his instructions. In this issue we
publish an interesting and valuable article on centrifugal
pumps by Robert S. Lewis, Professor of Mining in the
School of Mines at the University of Utah.
T T is said of Jefferson that be did not think it ridicu-
•*■ lous to state that were it left to him to decide whether
they should have a government without newspapers or
newspapers without a government he would not hesitate
a moment to prefer the latter. Mr. Bryan's proposal to
establish a government newspaper, for the avowed pur-
pose of giving reliable news, reminds us of this saying of
the father of the Democratic party. We were glad that
Mr. Bryan's proposal was defeated at the recent Con-
vention, all the more as we had read of Secretary Daniels
disembarking at San Francisco from a warship to the
salute of seven guns and in the company of Mr. George
Creel. If there be a bete noire to American journalism,
it is Mr. Creel. To think of a government paper edited
and controlled by him would provoke mingled derision
and resentment. In truth, most of us are tired of bureau
cratic interference with legitimate industry and to have
the Fourth Estate subjected to the unintelligent tyranny
of such a man as Creel is unthinkable. The defects of
democratic government are obvious enough, and the only
hope of amelioration lies in the criticism of a free press.
Even the license of a string of disreputable papers, like
Hearst's, is preferable to the subordination of journalism
to a petty official at Washington. Sane criticism is the
best cure for the ills of maladministration ; upon the de-
velopment of healthy public opinion rests the welfare of
representative government in this, or any other, republic.
T? LSEWHEBE in this issue we publish a particularly
-*-J valuable article by Mr. Gilbert Rigg, metallurgist
for the Broken Hill Associated Smelters Proprietary,
Ltd., describing recent improvements in lead smelting as
practised at Port Pirie, South Australia. The smelting
of galena ore in the blast-furnace, following a prelimi-
nary roast for the removal of part of the contained sul-
phur, is comparatively old, the principal advance during
recent years being the development of blast-roasting.
Although the early edition of Hoffman's standard
treatise on the metallurgy of lead antedates the use of
Huntington & Heberlein pots, and the introduction of
the Dwight & Lloyd sintering machine came still later, it
seems fair to say that lead smelting bas been looked upon
as being a rather commonplace operation, which depended
for its success largely on plenty of flux and good furnace-
men, and that, if not actually neglected by the metal-
lurgist, it has at least not been studied as zealously and
assiduously as have some of the newer processes. Mr.
Rigg deals in a thorough and practical way with actual
problems of a nature similar to those that present them-
selves to every smelter superintendent. For instance, he
says that a foreman in charge of the Dwight & Lloyd de-
partment found that the sulphur content of the sinter lie
produced varied, not directly but inversely, as that of
the material received from the pre-roasters. This seems
paradoxical, but it was true. It appeal's that the pre-
roasting was done on a primary Dwight & Lloyd ma-
chine, the product from which was crushed by rolls in
preparation for the second treatment. The better the
pre-roast, the harder was the sinter, and the greater was
the proportion of coarse material in the crushed product.
Less sulphur was then removed in the second roast and
the sulphur content of the final sinter was accordingly
high. The improvements made at the Port Pirie plant
July 17. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
77
illustrate the value of intelligent and painstaking re-
search and experimental work and suggest in particular,
as Mr. Rigg concludes, thai the "last word has not yet
l n said in regard to the method of blast-roasting the
ore and smelting the sinter in blast-furnaces".
npilE effort to prosecute those responsible for the Bisbee
-*- deportations of July 1917 seems unlikely to lead to
any convictions. The Hist test case ended in an acquittal
on April :i0 at Tombstone, as recorded in our issue of
May 1"). The next ease is set for November, but we
think it unlikely that it will come to trial, owing to the
apparent difficulty in persuading any jury that a crime
was committed, even if a blunder was perpetrated. On
the other hand, it is pleasant to recall the fact that out of
' the Bisbee trouble there has come one good result at least,
namely, the adoption of the scheme ordered by the Presi-
• dent's mediation committee, of which the Secretary of
Labor, Mr. William B. "Wilson, was chairman. The man-
agers of the mines and their employees were compelled to
adjust their quarrels by means of a grievance committee,
' the members of which had to be elected by secret ballot
and on neutral ground. Any complaint from the em-
ployees is referred to the grievance committee, which
; either rejects it or takes it up with the manager ; in case
'of disagreement the matter is then referred to a Federal
mediator, who, although he has not the actual powers of
mm arbitrator, is virtually enabled to act as such, because
in every case so far his decision has been accepted by both
sides. This arrangement will continue so long as a state
• of war persists ; it holds good for all the copper mines of
Arizona; and in effect it settled the labor controversy in
the South-West for the term of the War. We hope that
it may become established, for it works admirably.
Among its minor features it is noteworthy that the men,
by reason of the secret ballot, showed good judgment in
the selection of their representatives, choosing both union
and non-union men, much to the chagrin of the walking
delegates but greatly to the satisfaction of those, man-
agers and men alike, who earnestly desire to promote fair
play in industrial affairs.
The Conventions
In a recent article Sefior Blasco Ibanez remarked that
the people of the Latin countries are restrained by the
fear of the ludicrous. He might have included the
British ; their sense of humor likewise is largely per-
verted into a dread of making themselves ridiculous.
This is intimidating ; it is tyrannous ; Ibanez likens it
• to the fear of the inquisition, and then proceeds to say,
apropos of the suffragette picketing at the Chicago con-
vention, that in a Latin country "it would be impossible
to assemble a dozen ladies of respectable age and dimen-
sions to dress themselves up like schoolgirls and parade
in the streets. The thing would strike them as utterly
preposterous". It would indeed, and that may be why,
lacking the courage, the Spanish and Italian women
have not won the vote. The conventions at Chicago and
San Francisco proved our people indifferent to any fear
of Beeming absurd; they made themselves intensely
ridiculous by their antics and yet retained their self-
respect. Macaulay's New Zealander or Butler's citizen
from 'Brewhon' would have been moved to homeric
laughter, not wholly good-natured perhaps, at the per-
formances that preceded the selection of the next Presi-
dent of the United States. Even to the sophisticated
and comprehending spectator, to the thoughtful student
of our political system, the antics of the political mobs
that represented the two dominant parties in the nation
affords cause for regret and chagrin. The organized ap-
plause, the hired bands, and the paid yell-leaders were
hardly worse than the opening invocation, which simu-
lated a prayer to the Almighty while really only a speech
to the audience, or the exploitation of the national flag
and the national anthem alike in the interest of the in-
dividual, candidate. Of the many speeches, most of which
we read, for our sins, we recall only one that we would
be willing to read again, and that was the opening address
by Mr. Homer S. Cummings. The other key-note ad-
dress, by Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, left an unpleasant
taste of personal rancor toward a stricken man and of
narrow partisanship unrelieved by any touch of generous
vision. Much the worst nominating speech was that of
Mr. Charles S. Wheeler in support of Senator Hiram
Johnson and the best that of Mrs. Douglas Robinson in
seconding General Wood. The most effective nomination
was that made by Mr. Frank B. Willis, who closed a
short speech by saying: "Well, boys and girls, let's nomi-
nate Harding." Mr. Willis, by the way, was the man
who defeated Mr. Cox for the governorship of Ohio
in 1914. Another felicitous recommendation was that
made by Mrs. Jewel Brown, who said of her candidate,
Mr. John W. Davis: "He is not a preacher but he prac-
tises what the preachers preach." These were rare
flashes amid the fog of platitudinous piffle. As for the
platforms, both are a mass of evasive verbiage. The Re-
publican contains 6396 words ; the Democratic is equally
long. As Mr. Woodrow Wilson said during the 1912
campaign, "A party platform is not a program". It is
an elaborate gangway for stepping into power, a political
posturing that deceives some and binds nobody. Both
conventions were essentially political mobs that came to
heel at the call of the bosses. That was inevitable ; with-
out bossing they would still be mulling around in help-
less confusion. At Chicago the crowd of politicians was
moved scientifically by the old machine in the masterful
hands of Senator Penrose. The reactionary element, rep-
resenting a highly organized phase of predatory politics,
won easily. A 'regular' was nominated, a colorless docile
henchman was made the standard-bearer. Whereas the
present incumbent of the presidential chair has assumed
an autocratic power repellant to thousands of good citi-
zens, his proposed Republican successor is a second-rate
politician who is expected to be wholly amenable to a
senatorial coterie. The pendulum will make a full swing
if the Republicans succeed in electing Senator Warren G.
Harding. In San Francisco the Presidential machine
dictated the platform and ensured a tribute of praise to
78
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 17, 1920
the outgoing Chief Executive, but it declined to nominate
a candidate recommended by Mr. Wilson. Here the
bosses became effective by distributing the votes of the
pivotal States, those of New York. Illinois, and Indiana,
in such a way as to defeat the forces of the Administra-
tion and after systematic delay compel the nomination
of Governor James M. Cox of Ohio. He is a man of
some character and considerable achievement, but it is
unlikely that he will win the race under the handicap of
the outgoing Democratic regime. To earnest men the
forthcoming election presents no scope for enthusiasm,
and yet we agree with Mr. Hoover that those of liberal,
mind must do the best they can from within the existing
parties. A third party would make for a confusion sub-
versive of our political system. For the present the
sanely progressive elements whom Mr. Hoover would
have represented are submerged. They may make them-
selves felt in the cabinet of the next President, for it is
quite probable that a weak man will fortify himself by
selecting strong men for his cabinet, in contrast to a
President of strong character who filled the offices of
State with weak men. Co-operation between the Bxecu
tive and Legislative branches of the Government is essen-
tial ; the experience of the last twelve months is eloquenj
on that point. It even seems a pity that the selection of
a President, who is the chief of a victorious party, is not;
left to the members of that party in the House of Repre
sentatives. Originally, under the Constitution, the elec
tors were highly respected citizens chosen from eacli
State with authority to select a President. Owing to the
inability of men who were unknown to each other to
concur in a choice, the arrangement broke down; so
eventually the electors accepted a mandate from the
electorate and became the mere recorders of the popular
vote. This led to the party ticket, which is the expres-
sion of a choice made at a party convention. Today,
thanks to improved transportation and communication,
the s.ystem as originally devised under the Constitution
would work much better than it did a century ago and it
would probably lead to the choice of men of a higher
type. A thousand men in open assembly never did, and
never will be able to function intelligently in the choice
of a representative. In a multitude of counsellors there
is only noise. So long as the present system survives, the
nomination of a president will fall into the hands of
those small groups of quick-witted men we call political
machines. Sometimes they are, outwitted by Providence
and we are given a Lincoln or a Roosevelt, but most of
the time they give us the cigar Indians of the political
sidewalk.
News From Mexico
Letters from Mexico bring cheerful news; there is an
increasing confidence in the near prospect of a restoration
of order and it would appear as if the provisional govern-
ment of De la Huerta were being well established, in
preparation for the general election of September, when
General Alvaro Obregon is assured of election to the
Presidency. Officials at Washington are watching the
course of events closely with a view to determining when
it will be proper to recognize the provisional government,
which is the de facto successor of the Carranza adminis-
tration. Senor Iglesias Calderon, a special envoy from
Mexico, is now at Washington making every effort to
persuade the Acting Secretary of State that his govern-
ment is worthy of recognition and support. We hope
recognition will be accorded soon, for it will help to con-
firm the status of the existing order and facilitate the
financial arrangements necessary to the rehabilitation of
the railways and other industrial activities of a mining
region in which our people have a large stake. Com-
plaints reach us that the representatives of mining com-
panies find themselves still facing many of the predatory
officials appointed by Carranza; as yet apparently the
new government has not been able to make a clean sweep.
We would counsel patience ; give President De la Huerta
a chance ; in the land of la manaiva it is necessary to
allow for the element of time even when the best inten-
tions actuate the policy of a government that has just
jumped into the saddle. The resumption of order and
the revival of industry in Mexico must be left to the
Mexicans themselves; the recovery of the country must
be brought about mainly by the forces from within, not
by interference from outside. The Mexican planks in
the platform of our two parties are humorous. The
Democrats give credit to the Wilson administration for
the recent improvement south of the Rio Grande, where-
as, of course, the vacillating policy of Washington during
recent years has served chiefly to aggravate the troubles
of our so-called sister republic. The Republicans echo
the truculent tone of the Fall resolution, and expect
Mexico to amend her constitution to suit our desires, but
if we can persuade oue neighbor in a friendly way not to
give a retroactive interpretation to the clause national-
izing the subsoil we shall have done as much as we can
do in that direction. For the rest, all the miner asks is
life, liberty, and the pursuit of his occupation under a
civilized code, whereby the Mexican government will not
discriminate against him so long as he obeys the laws of
the country ; and in doing his legitimate work he asks for
the protection of his own government whenever or wher-
ever his just rights are invaded or suppressed by any
other government. Several minor revolutionary out-
breaks have been reported during the past month, but
they represent, we hope, the crackling of vagrant sparks
of unrest on the edge of the latest revolution. Villa is
still at large and is trying to bluff the authorities into
recognizing him as a political unit. He has ceased to be
that, and if the new government is to receive recognition
it devolves upon it to perform its proper function by
extinguishing this vile ruffian, who has too long menaced
life and property in the North. The rehabilitation of the
railroads and the restoration of the school system are the
two primary needs of Mexico. After that, and while
these reforms are in progress, we may hope for a re-
establishment of conditions favorable to industry. Not
for ten years have the prospects been so good for ttae
miner in Mexico.
July 17, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
79
The Camp Bird, Mr. Agnew, and Mr. Spurr
The Editor:
Siiv— I had occasion some little time ago to write to
the editor of the 'Engineering and Mining Journal',
New York, calling his attention to the incorrectness of
sonic remarks published in that journal on 14th Febru-
ary last. Since the date of that letter I have carefully
sought for its publication, an acknowledgment of error
on the part of the editor, or a reply direct to me, in each
case without success. I conclude therefore that the
editor of the journal in question intends to ignore my
communication. I enclose herewith a copy of the latter
and I shall be grateful if you can arrange to publish
same in the 'Mining and Scientific Press', together with
this explanation.
John A. Agnew.
London, June 14.
Copy of letter follows.
No. 1, London Wall Buildings,
London, E. C. 2.
10th March, 1920.
The Editor,
Engineering & Mining Journal,
New York, U. S. A.
Sir — My attention has been called to the paragraph in
your issue of 14th February, relating to the Camp Bird
deep tunnel.
It is a matter for surprise that you should not have
taken steps to ascertain the correctness of the statement
to effect that the mine had been shut down before pub-
lishing same. It is true that you mention it as being
reported to you, but the deductions you draw therefrom
and the peculiar satisfaction expressed, leave no doubt
as to your belief in the report.
As one of the technical advisers to Camp Bird Ltd., I
may be permitted to reply to your remarks. Some years
ago — to be accurate, in 1908 — Mr. J. E. Spurr was called
on to advise the Camp Bird directors as to the policy to
lie followed in further development work. In the east
end of the mine the then lowest working was the No. 3
adit-level. In the course of an exhaustive report, made
no doubt after an examination of a similar character,
Mr. Spurr advised the board that any further work be-
low the No. 3 adit would be useless and unproductive:
in spite of this adviee the board decided to sink No. 3
shaft and between No. 3 adit-level and the ninth level —
a vertical distance of about 1000 ft. — in a short shoot of
ore in the vicinity of the shaft referred to, there has since
been extracted ore which has actually yielded a profit of
over £500,000.
To sink below the ninth level would have meant en-
larging No. 3 shaft and the installation of much heavier
winding and pumping equipment: there was, moreover,
the constant danger of the workings being flooded if any
connection were established with certain water courses be-
lieved to traverse the No. 1 shaft section, the latter being
an extremely wet section. These factors caused the direc-
tors, largely on the advice of the writer, to agree to the
driving of the tunnel now referred to. It did not seem
too much to ask that a moderate percentage of the profits
won from the shoot of ore above referred to should be set
aside to seek for its continuance in depth, especially
when the then lowest level — ninth — appeared promising.
Whether Mr. Spurr 's opinion was sought, in earlier
years, in order that the directors might have the benefit
of his advice on driving a low-level tunnel, I do not know :
I do know, however, that it was not asked for when the
question of driving the present one was under discussion.
The Camp Bird mine is not shut down ; work is actively
proceeding in the eastern section — the one referred to
above, and a commencement is being made to extend the
west drive on the vein, at the tunnel level, under No. 1
shaft section.
Am I right in assuming that the Mr. J. E. Spurr, men-
tioned in the paragraph I have drawn attention to, has
no connection with Mr. Josiah Edward Spurr, the editor
of the 'Engineering and Mining Journal', or is it per-
missible for one of them to seek a cheap form of notoriety
while the other has a sneer for a body of men possessing
what is often enough lacking today in mining — a little
pluck and enterprise?
Yours faithfully,
John A. Agnew.
[We know Mr. Agnew to be a distinguished member
of the mining profession and a man of the highest char-
acter. We are willing therefore to give him the space
to make this protest. Why Mr. Spurr did not publish it,
we are at a loss to surmise. — Editor.]
Professional Ethics
The Editor :
Sir — Referring to your critical editorial upon the code
of ethics proposed by the American Society of Mechanical
Engineers, I would call attention to that adopted by the
American Society of Civil Engineers in 1914, which
reads as follows :
It shall be considered unprofessional and inconsistent
80
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 17, 1920
with honorable and dignified bearing for any member of
the American Society of Civil Engineers :
1. To act for his clients in professional matters other-
wise than as a faithful agent or trustee, or to accept any
remuneration other than his stated charges for services
rendered his clients.
2. To attempt to injure falsely or maliciously, directly
or indirectly, the professional reputation, prospects, or
business, of another Engineer.
3. To attempt to supplant another _ Engineer, after
definite steps have been taken toward his employment.
4. To compete with another Engineer for employment
on the basis of professional charges, by reducing his
usual charges and in this manner attempting to under-
bid after having been informed of the charges named by
another.
5. To review the work of another Engineer for the
same client, except with the knowledge or consent of such
Engineer, or unless the connection of such Engineer with
the work has been terminated.
6. To advertise in self-laudatory language, or in any
other manner derogatory to the dignity of the Profession.
Article III, Clause 6 of the constitution of the society
provides for the expulsion of a member for cause. Un-
professional and dishonorable conduct would clearly con-
stitute such cause. This code is simple and brief. Means
of enforcement, or rather of punishment for breach, are
not wanting and I believe have been exercised upon one
or more occasions in the past.
„ . _ , „ Robert Hawxhurst Jr.
San Francisco, July S.
Question and Answer
The Editor :
Sir — In your issue of June 26 you invite criticism of
your book on technical writing. The following is not a
criticism, but a suggestion. The suggestion I would
make is based on the benefits I have received from a cer-
tain work on mining, namely, Mr. J. E. Spurr's 'Geology
Applied to Mining'. I have got more out of Mr. Spurr's
book than all the books on mining I have ever read. I
believe this is due to the manner in which the subject is
presented, that of question and answer. The answers
to questions are easier found and are easier fixed in the
mind. I believe it would be an improvement if all sub-
jects were presented in the same way, at least to the
beginner. It may be that this method of presenting a
.subject is not suited to addressing those who already
know a great deal about it.
Not only is it an advantage to present a subject this
way, at least to a beginner, b- * it is, I believe, an advan-
tage to a writer in preparing his subject, even if he
doesn't present it to his readers that way. The following
will illustrate what I mean. Just before the War I put
in two years prospecting in Central Africa for a mining
company ; and, for my own satisfaction, I worked out the
best way of doing every part of my work. In this I was
greatly assisted by using the method of question and
answer. Following is an example.
Cutting down the cost of prospecting. "What items
enter into the cost of prospecting? What is practically
a salary and expenses from the time a prospector leaves
America until he returns, hrj food while in Africa, the
cost of administration, the wages and up-keep of the men
in his employ, his outfit and tools. What does all this
amount to? I can't say exactly, but for the purpose of
discussion I will say about $7000 for the term. How
much time does a man spend in the field? About 19
months r.t the most. Then according to these figures it
costs at least $12 per day for the time a man is ;, tually
prospecting in the field ? Yes. Are there circumstances
nnder which it may cost more? Yes. What are they J
Sickness and loafing. Then it pays the company for a
prospector to pay considerable attention to his health?
Yes. Does good management cut much figure in the cost
of prospecting? Yes, a very big figure. In what ways
can a man increase his effectiveness in the field ? By not
doing anything more than is necessary in finding what is
wanted; and by devising ways and means of doing
quickly what is to be done. What do you consider the
most desirable thing to find? Big enough bodies of ore
and gravel of a grade that it will pay to put in railroads,
etc., or reduction plants. Why not put in a great deal of
time looking for small bodies of high-grade ore and
gravel? Because the chances are greater to make more
out of the big lower-grade bodies of ore and gravel. It
is a law of mineral distribution that the amount of min-
eral in rich veins and deposits is small as compared to
the amount in lower-grade veins and deposits. This law
is a very important factor in mining. Don't you think
it would be profitable to pay more attention to the small
high-grade ore and gravel deposits? It is not a question
of what is profitable, it is a question of what is most
profitable. If railroads or machinery were put in on .
account of big low-grade stuff, the small rich stuff would
then become more profitable. What do you consider
unnecessary work? Accurate surveys of streams, trails,
routes, or lodes, and the surveying of small streams un-
less they are to be prospected to get more detailed in-
formation. The sampling of small streams, or at least an
extensive sampling of them, when the streams around
them have not proved good. And sampling any stream
any further than to draw comparisons with the best or
until we wanted to know the amount of gold in it with
the idea of exploiting it. The building of trails any bet-
ter or putting any more time on them than the amount
of travel warrants. Or building houses any better than
the length of time they are to be occupied warrants. The
cutting of plantations when it is possible to get food from
the outside. The planting of anything that won't maturfl
soon enough to be used. In what other ways can a man
do prospecting cheaper and quicker? By employing out-
siders to do all the work than can be done by outsiders,
such as cutting trails, leaves for houses, sticks, clearings!
plantations, porterage, etc., and using the services of
various chefs de postes and commercial agents in arrang-
ing for food and porterage. May not the employment of
outsiders to do all this work cost more 1 It would- appear
July 17. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
81
so if we only consider the wages and up-kecp of one's
own men without considering the cost of administration,
the salary and expense of the prospector from the time
he leaves America until be returns. But if we consider
the.se items it would have to Cost Considerably more than
it does to be profitable for one to use his own men for this
work. Kvery clay one loses in actual prospecting costs at
least +1-. By employing outsiders we make a more
affective use of the over-head expense — the constant ex-
pense.
The method of question and answer can be employed
to great advantage in working out the problems of any
business. It is surprising how readily some pretty knotty
problems can be solved by putting down questions as
. they occur to you and then answering them. Every
question when uttered seems to call forth an answer and
every answer seems to suggest another question. Try it.
The effect is a little surprising. By asking a question we
give ourselves a definite task to perform, which helps
immensely.
At all times a writer, in discussing a subject, is an-
swering questions, only he doesn't utter them or write
them down. By writing down the questions or uttering
them the writer gets a clearer and better idea of his sub-
ject. He may afterward, in presenting his subject, omit
the questions.
¥m. Crocker.
Prescott, Arizona, July 1.
[It so happens that we drew attention to the useful-
ness of Mr. Spurr's book, on the application of geology
to mining, in our issue of June 26 (page 927) . We agree
with Mr. Crocker that the value of this handbook is en-
hanced by the method of question and answer. Undoubt-
edly the written record of questions pertinent to any
subject under discussion helps to fix the essential points,
but most men try to accomplish this by making mental
notes. — Editor.]
Electric Detonators
The Editor:
Sir — The article on this subject in your issue of June
19 is most interesting. However, the recommendation
about a three-pole switch will not, in my opinion, elim-
inate the most common causes of misfires. In the fourth
paragraph of their conclusions, the authors of the paper
suggest two objections to the use of delay-action ex-
ploders in cut-holes, and recommend the use of instan-
taneous exploders. While their suggestion is feasible,
provided the three-pole switch be used as described, it is
directly contrary to the recommendations of the mining
division of the Industrial Accident Commission that in-
stantaneous exploders shall not be used in the same circuit
as delays. It is possible with a lighting current and a
three-pole switch having one leg shorter than the other
two, to use the instantaneous exploders in the same circuit
&i the delays. If a lighting circuit is not used there is no
way to use the combination successfully. Delay-action
detonators as a rule are so made that the first delays are
timed to pull the cut-holes satisfactorily, and they can be
used with any kind of current, provided the wires are
properly connected.
The authors also make a point of the fact that misfires
may occur by using delays in the cut-holes. There is no
more of a chance of electrical failure in using No. 1 de-
lays than there is in using instantaneous detonators.
Again, referring to the three-pole switch discussed in
this article, it should be borne in mind that this method
is liable to cause trouble unless one of the poles is con-
siderably shorter than the other two poles in the switch,
and unless the contact is made very slowly at the time
of throwing the switch. Moreover, users must be sure
that they do not get a lead wire from the delays con-
nected to the short pole. It is essential that the delays
be ignited first, hence they must be connected to the long
pole. All of these points are likely to be neglected by
men who do not appreciate the need of care, with the
result that men may be injured by accidents due to mis-
fires.
G. Chester Brown.
San Francisco, July 1.
Apex Litigation
The Editor:
Sir — I have been a frequent reader of your paper.
Your appeal for aid to help solve the apex problem no
doubt will attract the attention of many mining men of
this country. The time is most appropriate to make an
attempt to correct the many mistakes made concerning
the present procedure in apex cases in court.
In response to that call you will please find enclosed a
printed sketch or map showing the vein system of the
Coeur d'Alene district with the Bunker Hill vein as the
mother vein of the entire system. This map represents
approximately thirty miles of the Bunker Hill vein, in-
cluding the later veins of note that branch out from both
foot and hanging wall. If there was an extension of
thirty miles more added to this map it would then fail
to reach either end of this great vein. There is nothing
in connection with this map and the lines representing
the veins of the Coeur d'Alene that has-been borrowed
from anyone — not even from Germany. And, further-
more, there is nothing I can borrow from geology as it
is being taught in our higher institutions of learning con-
cerning the structure and the power that have created
all mineral veins and earthquakes. Strange as it may
seem, the earthquake that occurred in Old Mexico a few
months ago sent an electric wave through every vein in
this Coeur d'Alene vein system.
I have devoted a great deal of time and energy re-
garding this nation-wide apex problem, which has been
the cause of so many serious conflicts in the mining in-
dustry. In many apex suits the testimony introduced by
geologists has been so contradictory that no judge or jury
could give an intelligent decision. In some cases the
judge is accused both by the public and the defendants
in the case as having shown some partiality in his de-
cision. The general impression prevails that geologists
82
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 17, 1920
testify for the side that pays them. Such is not the ease.
Geologists testify honestly, each for himself along the
lines that he has been schooled and trained. It has been
suggested in the last few years, why doesn't the judge
employ a third set of geologists to testify for the Court,
that he may arrive at a non-partisan decision. The re-
sult would be that such a procedure would give the judge
one more color to choose from, with no better results.
The first serious mistake is made by the prospector
who does not locate a claim properly along the trend of
the vein or apex. There is no branch of mining that re-
quires greater skill in mining than the developing of a
prospect into a producing mine. There are a great many
cases that I can refer to, two in particular, where the
Federal Mining Company undertook to develop the
Bunker Hill vein between Government gulch and Pine
creek. After spending approximately $200,000 they did
not touch that great vein at any point. On the Senator
Clark vein on Sunset mountain, after spending an
enormous amount of money in development work, they
do not know whether the vein they should have developed
is six feet wide or one hundred feet. Those are condi-
tions that confront us today, that make mining such a
hazardous risk.
The time is near at hand when those who testify in
mining suits, especially as to the apex of a vein, must
prove it by some method. Theory has got to be such a
vexed question in past years. If those that are interested
in mining and the higher institutions of learning would
recognize the great almighty power, electricity, that has
created all things, then, and not till then, will this apex
problem be solved.
There is so much that can be written on this subject,
other than that taught by high institutions of learning,
that when the time comes that I must defend the apex
of a vein in court the problem will be solved along the
lines as expressed in this paper.
John J. Presley.
Kellogg, Idaho, June 28.
[We publish this letter, although we are not in agree-
ment with the writer's views in regard to the part elec-
tricity plays in the formation of veins; as to that we
plead ignorance; but we do wish to endorse Mr. Presley's
suggestion that the locators of claims should take more
care to ascertain the strike of the vein they desire to
exploit. Much of the litigation is due to random locating.
— Editor.]
Copper in China
In 1918 over 8000 short tons of copper ingots and slabs
valued -at about $5,000,000 was imported into China.
An increased amount was imported in 1919. The im-
ports for the first three-quarters of that year amounted
to over 14,000 tons, but final figures for the total year's
importations are not yet available. Practically all of this
copper came from Japan and was minted into coins.
Recently some American copper has reached China
through the Japanese dealers. Copper has been used in
China since before the Christian Era; it forms a large
part of the old bronze objects of those days. The metal
has been produced in China for centuries, but never, so
far as there are any records to show, in quantities which
today would be considered of importance. Many occur-
rences of copper ores are known, but so far no large cop-
per mines have been developed. These ores are scattered
throughout a number of the provinces of China and the
copper produced is derived from these small properties.
The production of copper in China now amounts to about
2000 tons annually which does not nearly supply the de-
mand. Copper probably has a relatively larger utiliza-
tion in China than in other agricultural countries. Cop-
per objects of art and brass utensils are quite common.
The brass 'cash' pieces, 10 to the cent, and the large
1-cent and 2-cent copper pieces which are, by the way,
much larger than the coppers of the United States, are
in use everywhere. The 2-cent piece is about the size of
the American, silver half dollar and the 1-cent piece is,
approximately, one-quarter of an inch less in diameter.
According to the Chinese maritime customs, imports of
copper bars, rods, sheets, plates, nails, and wire amounted
to 1,276,266 lb. in 1916, 1,376,400 lb. in 1917, and 1,380,-
933 lb. in 1918 ; imports of copper slabs and ingots total-
ed 3,474,000 lb. in 1916, 3,687,733 lb. in 1917, and 16,-
187,733 lb. in 1918. The final figures for 1919 are as
yet unavailable, but the total tonnage for the first three
quarters of the year was 28,973,200 lb., showing that a
further large increase took place during that period.
Japan furnished 3,206,800 lb. in 1916; 212,000 lb. came
from the United States and possessions; 212,000 lb. was
credited to Great Britain. The share of Japan increased
to 3,647,866 lb. in 1917 and to 16,238,533 lb. in 1918.
Changsha led all the rest in the volume of copper im-
ported in 1918 and 1919. The reason is not difficult to
find. Changsha is the capital of the Province of Hunan,
which has been overrun by the armies of the North and
the South and is now in a bad financial condition. In
1918 the Southern troops were driven out of Changsha
and the city was looted. It is now occupied by the
Northern forces. Since the occupation, the mint has been
coining copper. Approximately 30 tons of copper and
3 tons of zinc are melted and cast into slabs each day.
The melting at the Changsha mint is done in crucibles of
Japanese make for most part, although a few new Eng-
glish crucibles recently arrived. Approximately $800
worth of crucibles are used daily, it is said. The cast
slabs are then cold-rolled on old German rolls into strips ;
many of which are defective, full of holes and cracks.
These are then punched and stamped on small slow-work-
ing German machines which punch two blanks at a time.
The dies formerly made by the Japanese are now being
made at the mint by Chinese workmen. Defective coins
and other scrap are re-melted in small clay crucibles
made in the mint, and re-cast.
One-third of the average man's time is spent in
recreation. Every mining camp, if it desires to progress,
must recognize that wholesome and health-building facili-
ties for recreation are a necessity.
Julv
1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
83
Centrifugal Pumps
By ROBERT S. LEWIS
The first centrifugal pump built in the United States
was in 1818. It was called the Massachusetts pump, and
was of crude design. Evidently the early pumps were
not considered a success, for the wide use of centrifugal
pnmps has developed rapidly only during the last few
years.
Mechanics. The centrifugal pump depends for its
art ion upon transforming the kinetic energy of a rapidly
revolving mass of water into a pressure that forces the
water through the pipe-line. A high velocity is imparted
to the water by the action of the rotating impeller, the
Correct design of which practically controls the efficiency
of the pump. The effect that the shape of the impeller-
vanes has on the velocity of the water, as it leaves the tip
of the vanes, may be understood easily by studying
Fig. 1.
Let 1" = velocity of the water relative to the vane.
U— peripheral velocity of the vane-tip.
Then by vector addition W is the absolute velocity of
the water as it leaves the impeller. The total head de-
Wi V- V- ,
veloped by the pump is H~ y + ^ Y' wnere 9 1S
the acceleration due to gravity. This total head, M, is
W-
made up of two parts : the velocity-head — , which may
XT' — T"
be converted into pressure-head, and — s- — , the pres-
sure-head developed within the impeller. If the losses
due to shock and friction be neglected, this formula holds
for all pumps in which the water enters the impeller
radially, and consequently applies to nearly all cen-
trifugal pumps.
In Fig. 1 it is evident that with constant speed of rota-
tion. U is constant, but W is the resultant of U and V.
The velocity, V, of the water relative to the vane in-
creases with the amount of water delivered. In case the
impeller-tip is at right angles to the tangent at the cir-
cumference, that is, is radial, any increase in V must en-
tail an increase in — , but — , is diminished. If the
vane-tip is inclined forward, the increase in W is very
rapid. If we substitute for W2 its value in terms of V
tand V, V- -f- U2 + 2FZ7 cos 9, where © is the angle be-
tween the tangent and the direction of the tip of the vane,
m. • , „, „ v uv cos e
the expression for H becomes H = — - + .
As cos 0 is positive for all values of © less than '90°, it
is plain that for this type of impeller the greater the
amount of water delivered, the greater is the head de-
veloped. When 6 = 90°, cosine 0 is zero. Therefore
IP
the head is constant for all deliveries and is equal to — .
9
For backward-directed vanes 0 is greater than 90° and
cos 0 is negative ; consequently the head developed de-
creases as the delivery increases. A graphic, representa-
tion of these different conditions is shown in Fig. 2, 3,
and 4.
A knowledge of these simple relations will go far
toward ensuring a clear understanding of the apparently
confusing behavior of different centrifugal pumps, and it
emphasizes the fact that a centrifugal pump should be
designed for the particular work it is to do. The effi-
ciency of a well designed pump may be considerably
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
diminished by using the pump under conditions different
from those for which it was intended.
Before a centrifugal pump can be properly adapted to
its work it is first necessary to know how the capacity
varies when the pump is operated at constant speed
against different heads. The curve obtained by plotting
the capacity or pump-discharge against the head is called
the pump-characteristic. Fig. 5, 6, and 7 show the char-
acteristics and efficiencies of the impellers illustrated in
Fig. 2, 3, and 4 respectively. The efficiencies are taken
from the same scale as the heads, but the figures are to
be read as percentages. Brake horse-power curves are
also given, but these curves are merely to show the
general behavior of different pumps and not all are
placed in exact position on the charts. The flatter the
efficiency-curve at its highest part, the wider is the range
of capacity without serious loss in efficiency. It is evident
that the pump of Fig. 5 can maintain a high efficiency for
a fairly large variation in discharge, but the pumps of
Fig. 6 and 7 must be operated with nearly the discharge
84
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 17, 1920
for which they are designed in order to secure maximum
efficiency. For a rising characteristic the delivery in-
creases with increase of head and, consequently, the
power required for driving the pump must increase. The
more drooping the characteristic, the less will he the
power required for increased delivery. Centrifugal
pumps should be designed so that power-demand falls off
sharply after the point of maximum efficiency is reached.
Such a design makes it impossible to overload the pump-
motor. A poorly designed pump might have a power-
curve as shown by the dotted curve in Fig. 5. A break
in the pipe-line near the pump would reduce the head
nearly to zero, the discharge would be increased, and the
increased power required might overload the motor so
seriously as to burn it out.
In a centrifugal pump the maximum energy is pos-
sessed by the water at the instant it leaves the impeller-
vane. Part of this energy is in the form of pressure-head
TT- — v*
and is — ^z — • The remainder is kinetic energy or veloc-
lty-head and is^r . The ratio between these two quan-
tities depends upon the shape of the impeller-vane and
also upon the relation between the velocity, V, of the
water relative to the impeller, and upon the peripheral
speed, U, of the impeller. In general, the velocity of the
water in a radial direction as it leaves the impeller is
from 10 to 15% of the peripheral velocity.
The efficiency of the pump as a whole depends upon
2g
the efficiency with which the impeller-pressure
generated and the efficiency with which the velocity-
head ^— , possessed by the water as it leaves the impeller,
is converted into pressure. Efficiency within the im-
peller is secured by correct surfaces, curves of large
radius, and smooth finish. It is desirable to develop as
much head as possible within the impeller, because the
greater the velocity-head of the water as it leaves the
impeller, the more unsuitable is the form of the head-
characteristic curve.
"With an impeller of constant diameter the following
relations hold :
The discharge of the pump varies as the speed of the
impeller.
The head developed varies as the square of the speed.
The power required varies as the cube of the speed.
If the speed is the same, impellers of different diam-
eters have these relations :
The discharge varies as the diameter of the impeller.
The head developed varies as the square of the diam-
eter of the impeller.
The power required varies as the cube of the diameter
of the impeller.
The equation for the total head against which the
pump must deliver is
H = hs + h< + /i„
where hs = the static head or lift in feet
ht = the friction-head in feet
and hv = the velocity-head in feet, or the head re-
quired to give the water the velocity it has
in the pipe, and is j- where v = velocity
in feet per second
For long pipes the friction-head is usually the largest
part of the total head. The friction-loss in pipes varies
approximately as the square of the velocity, so the im-
portance of keeping the velocity down to a reasonable
figure is evident. The question of the make-up of the
total head against which a centrifugal pump must work
has an important bearing on the performance of the
100
1 1
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60
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40 ^-~
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Capacity
Fig. 6
140
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Capacity
■Fig. i
pump, that is, whether the head is all static, part static
and part friction, or practically all friction-head.
The volume delivered by a centrifugal pump increases
directly as the speed, but the head developed increases
as the square of the speed. If the head pumped against
is entirely a friction-head, its value varies as the square
of the velocity of the water in the pipe. The velocity
varies with the delivery, hence the head must vary with
the square of the delivery. Under these conditions prac-
tically constant efficiency is secured for all deliveries and
at all speeds.
Should the head be partly static and partly frictional
the efficiency would vary with the delivery and the pump
should be designed to give maximum efficiency at one
definite head and delivery. If the curve is flat, the effi-
July 17. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
85
mousy will not change greatly with moderate variations
in head and delivery.
These points may be made clear by explaining the
method of testing a pump to determine all its character-
istics and to learn whether it fulfills the guarantee of its
maker. The details of testing will be considered later,
but the general factors involved will now be considered.
The pump is operated at constant speed. First, it is
primed and started with the discharge-valve wide open,
and the following data are noted or calculated:
Discharge in gallons per minute
Total head developed in feet
Efficiency of the pump
Brake horse-power
Revolutions per minute
The discharge-valve is closed slightly and a second set
of readings is taken. Then the valve is closed farther
and readings are again taken. This method is continued
until the last set of readings is taken with the valve
tightly closed. This point is called the 'shut-off', and is
important in the selection of a motor for driving the
pump. Table I shows the data derived from a test on an
eight-inch pump.
Gallons Revolutions
per Head, Efficiency. Brake per
minute feet % horse-power minute
0 111.0 0.0 28.0 1420
400 114.0 30.0 38.0 1420
800 114.0 52.0 44.5 1420
1200 110.5 65.5 51.0 1420
1600 102.0 72.5 56.5 1420
1800 95.0 73.2 58.5 1420
2000 86.0 72.5 60.0 1420
2200 76.5 70.0 61.0 1420
These results are plotted in Fig. 8. The highest point
on the head-curve is 114 ft. Therefore, the pump will not
deliver against a greater head. The maximum that the
pump will deliver is about 2400 g.p.m., but, as will be
observed on the chart, the head at this capacity would be
zero. With the discharge-valve closed, the usual condi-
tion when starting a centrifugal pump, the shut-off
horse-power is 28 and the head developed is 111 ft. The
highest efficiency, 73.2%, is reached at a head of 95 ft.
At this point the discharge is 1800 g.p.m. and 58.5 hp. is
required. This is the service for which the pump is de-
signed. However, the efficiency-curve is rather flat near
this point, so that changing the head (with a correspond-
ing change in delivery) through a moderate range would
reduce the efficiency but little.
The static head against which the pump works is 80
ft. as marked by the horizontal line on the chart. The
friction-head, which varies approximately as the square
of the velocity of flow, or as the square of delivery in
gallons per minute, is shown by the curved dotted line.
The friction-head curve is so placed that any point on it
gives the total head on the head-scale. Of course these
two lines are independent of any characteristic of the
pump. For this reason the point of intersection of the
head-characteristic and friction-head curves gives the
limit of capacity of the pump, approximately 1950 g.p.m ,
unless the head is reduced to zero, in which case the dis-
charge will be 2400 gallons per minute.
If the pump is to be used for a lower head than that
for which it was designed, care should be taken that the
motor is not subjected to an excessive overload. At the
point of maximum efficiency the required horse-power is
58.5. The maximum load that could be thrown on the
motor is 61 hp. at zero-head. There is no danger of a
serious overload here. But suppose that the pump was to
discharge 600 g.p.m. The head would then be about
114 ft. and the brake horse-power about 40. The effi-
ciency would be too low for real working conditions, but
this serves as an illustration. Let a 40-hp. motor be
used to drive the pump. Should the pipe break close to
the pump and the head be reduced to zero, the discharge
would increase to 2400 g.p.m. and the power required
would be 61 hp. This would mean a 53% overload on
no
100
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30
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'w Head-Curve
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or-
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$tatir.
Head
D
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* — .
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40 5
20
40$
40
rf£S)<^Jf2££-
HZ—
*
?»ti
?0~~
0
<K
/
/
<=>
1
1
1
is
1
!
Gallons per Minute
Fig. a
the motor, which, if continued, would probably burn it
out. The importance of using a pump under the condi-
tions for which it was designed is apparent.
The effect of reducing the capacity of a centrifugal
pump by throttling will now be discussed. In Fig. 8 the
conditions of maximum efficiency are: discharge, 1800
g.p.m. ; head, 95 ft. ; brake horse-power, 58.5 ; and effi-
ciency, 73.2%. If the capacity is reduced by throttling
to 1200 g. p. m. what will be the result, considering the
head as all static ? From the data of the test the pump,
when throttled to 1200 g.p.m., will .develop a head of
110.5 ft., will use 51 hp., and will have an efficiency of
65.5%. However, this is not the useful efficiency as will
now be shown. The useful or actual head remains con-
stant at 95 ft., consequently throttling has developed an
artificial head of 110.5-95 = 15.5 ft., as a result of the
friction of the water passing the throttling-valve. The
1200 X 95
power to lift the water is 3960 — =28.8 hp., but the
pump requires 51 hp. Therefore the useful efficiency is
28.5 -h 51 = 56.5%. instead of 65.5%. Throttling pro-
duces an artificial head and its effect on the useful effi-
ciency of the pump should be understood to avoid mis-
takes in operation. It is true that throttling also reduces
the power required, in this example from 58.5 to 51, but
the useful efficiency is not 65.5%l as it would be if the
pump were discharging 1200 g.p.m. against a total static
head of 110.5 ft. with no throttling.
Suppose the original head of 95 ft. to be made up as
follows: static head 50 ft. and friction-head 45 ft. The
new capacity is to be 1200 g.p.m. as before. The fric-
tion-head varies approximately as the square of the veloc-
86
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PrfESS
July 17, 1920
ity, and so may be taken as varying with the square of
the capacity since the velocity is directly proportional to
the capacity. The new friction-head developed by throt-
1200
tling is, therefore,
1800=
X 45 = 20 ft., and the new
The wasted head is
1200 x 70
3960
total head is 50 + 20 = 70 ft.
110.5 - 70 = 40.5 ft. The water horse-power is
= 21.2, but 51 hp. is required to operate the pump. The
useful efficiency is 21.2-4-51 = 41.6%. This makes it
plain that more efficient results are obtained when the
head is nearly all static than when it is largely friction-
head. Throttling may be used where the capacity is to
be reduced, but the speed of the driving motor cannot be
changed. A permanent reduction in capacity is more
efficiently obtained by reducing the speed of the pump,
provided the new speed is suited to the prime mover.
Let it be required to reduce the capacity of the pump,
under the original conditions, from 1800 g.p.m., to 1200
g.p.m. by changing the speed. The problem is one of
constructing a new set of curves from the old ones with
the aid of the relations between speed, power, head, and
capacity. In Pig. 8 determine the point C" correspond-
ing to 1200-g.p.m. discharge and 95-ft. head. This is a
point on the new head-curve. Draw the curve through
this point parallel to the old head-curve. To determine
the new speed the cut-and-try method must be used until
a point is found that falls on the new curve. Assume
1338 r.p.m. as the speed. The corresponding new capac-
ity and head are found as follows: New capacity is pro-
13 3 8
portional to the speed, so 1800 14„0 = 1695 g.p.m., the
new capacity. New head is proportional to the square of
133 82
the speed, so 95 jtjmS" = ^4-3 ft., the new head. This
point, A', falls approximately on the new head-curve,
consequently 1338 r.p.m. should give the desired dis-
charge, 1200 g.p.m. A number of such calculations are
usually necessary before a point is found that will fall
on the curve.
A new efficiency-curve may be drawn to be used in
connection with the new head-curve. Thus, points on the
original head-curve are selected and transformed into
points on the new one by using the two speeds as in the
problem just solved. The efficiencies corresponding to
the points on the original curve are transposed to a new
efficiency-curve by placing these respective values under
the corresponding points on the new head-curve and then
connecting them. In Fig. 8, A on the old head-curve
becomes A' on the new. B is the efficiency under A, so
this value is placed under A' and is a point on the new
efficiency-curve. As an alternative method, the point
C, through which the new head-curve was started, can
be transformed into a point on the original head-curve.
As C" corresponds to 1200-g.p.m. discharge and 95-ft.
head, the new capacity would be 1200 ~^ = 1273
g.p.m., and the new head would be 95 i||^ = 107.0+
ft. This gives the point C", which should fall on the
original head-curve. The efficiency, D, for this point is
also the efficiency under C" on the new curve. The value
is approximately 68%.
The brake horse-power for the point C" is „,. .„
= 42.4 hp. By making similar calculations for other
points a new horse-power curve can be constructed. Since
the brake horse-power for the throttled discharge of 1200
g.p.m. was 51, and the corresponding efficiency was
56.5%, there is a gain, both in power used and in effi-
ciency, by reducing the speed instead of throttling the
discharge, provided this lower speed can be efficiently
supplied by the prime mover operating the pump.
Testing Centrifugal Pumps. All large manufac-
turers of centrifugal pumps have their own testing labor-
atories, and each pump must be tested to determine its
characteristics and to learn whether it answers speci-
fications. Centrifugal pumps should be purchased under
a guarantee, the substance of which is often as follows:
' ' The efficiency of the pump under specified conditions of
head, capacity, and speed shall be clearly and definitely
guaranteed. The pump-builder shall conduct a test to
determine head-capacity, efficiency, and brake horse-
power characteristic curves, and a certified copy of this
test is to be furnished to purchaser".
The three points to be noted during a test are, total
head against which pump works, discharge in gallons per
minute, and power-input. The power-input is determined
by using a driving-motor which has been carefully cali-
brated, and whose efficiency is accurately known under
all conditions of operation. The total head is determined
by gauges placed in both suction and discharge-pipes.
The discharge is measured by a weir, a calibrated nozzle,
a Pitot tube, or by a Venturi meter.
Measurement of Head. A vacuum-gauge, or mercury
manometer, is placed in the suction-pipe about two
inches from the pump-flange. A pressure-gauge, or
mercury manometer, is placed at a similar point in the
discharge-pipe. The mercury manometer is sometimes
used up to pressures of 70 lb. per square inch, though a
pressure-gauge is more common. The suction-gauge is
usually a mercury manometer. Pressure in pounds on
the gauge is reduced to head in feet by multiplying by
2.31. Inches of mercury is converted into head in feet
by multiplying by 1.132. When used thus, the pressure-
gauge shows the static, friction, and velocity-heads in the
discharge-pipe and the suction-gauge gives the static lift,
friction-head, and head-loss due to entrance velocity in
the suction-pipe. The suction and pressure-heads should
be reduced to the axis of the pump-shaft as a basis for
computation. In Fig. 9, D is the distance between the
gauges, and should be added to the sum of the heads
just found. Thus, if the pressure-gauge indicates 40 lb.
per sq. in., the suction-gauge reads 20 in., and D is two
feet, the total head will be 40 X 2.31 + 20 Xl-132 + 2 j
=117.04 ft. In case the suction and discharge-pipes are
not of the same diameter, a correction must be made for
the difference in velocity in the two pipes. If the dis-
charge-pipe is smaller, the velocity in it is greater than
in the suction-pipe and the pump should be credited with
July IT. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
87
the difference. If the discharge-pipe is larger than the
■action, the pump should be debited with the difference
calculated in terms of velocity-head. Thus if the veloe-
tty-head in the discharge-pipe is 2.5 ft. and in the suc-
tion-pipe 1.5 ft. per second, the difference should be
added to the head jus determined above; consequently the
total head would be 117.04 -f 1 = 118.04 ft. The veloc-
ity-head is V'-~2g, where V is the velocity in feet per
second. In a centrifugal pump the water must have high
velocity through the easing to obtain high efficiency so
that the size of the opening of a properly designed pump
is not always the best size for the discharge-pipe. The
friction-head developed by the flow of water through the
pipe, bends, and valves is the governing factor in select-
ing the proper size of pipe. To prevent excessive fric-
tion-loss the velocity in the pipe is often limited to from
€ to 8 ft. per second.
Measurement of Discharge. The rectangular weir is
used for large flows of water, but the V-notch weir is
i — r-0S9ufe
Fig. 10
Fig. II
more suitable for small quantities. For a rectangular
weir with end-contractions, the formula of Hamilton
Smith Jr. is as satisfactory as any.
<? = C2/3V2g Iff/'
where Q = cubic feet per second
L = length of weir in feet
H = head in feet
C = constant (see table below)
Table Showing Values of C
Hin
ieet 0.66
0.1 0.633
0.2 0.611
0.3 0.601
0.4 0.505
0.5 0.590
0.6 0.587
0.7 0.585
0.8
0.9
1.0
1.2
1.4
1.6
Length of weir in feet
1
0.639
0.618
0.608
0.601
0.596
0.593
0.590
0.646
0.626
0.616
0.609
0.605
0.601
0.598
0.595
0.592
0.590
0.585
0.580
3
0.652
0.630
0.619
0.613
0.608
0.605
0.603
0.600
0.598
0.595
0.591
0.587
0.582
5
653
631
621
615
611
608
606
604
603
601
597
594
591
For a V-notch weir, angle 90°, the formula
Q = 2.544 Ei/2
where Q = cubic feet per second
7
0.654
0.632
0.623
0.617
0.613
0.611
0.609
0.607
0.606
0.604
0.601
0.598
0.595
is
10
0.655
0.633
0.624
0.618
0.615
0.613
0.612
0.611
0.609
0.608
0.605
0.602
0.600
// = head in [eel
Where the rectangular weir is used the edge should be
of thin iron plate, sharply beveled. The depth of the
water, a in Pig. 11. should not be less than one-third the
length of the weir. The height of the water mi the crest.
//. should be carefully measured by a hook gauge at a
point several feet up-stream, where the water is quiet and
its surface level. Free access of air should be allowed
under the stream as it falls from the weir.
In the displacement method, the water is pumped into
a tank or reservoir where the volume can be accurately
measured. This is an accurate method if the rise of the
water during the test is sufficient to obviate small errors
in measurement.
The nozzle and Pitot-tube method of measurement is
reliable if a correctly shaped nozzle is used. The nozzle
should be placed at the end of a straight section of pipe
to obtain a smooth jet. The velocity-head may be meas-
ured by a column of water or of mercury. If the head, I,
indicated by the tube is in feet of water, the velocity of
the water leaving the nozzle in feet per second is ob-
tained from the equation V = V 2(/ /. If the diameter
of the nozzle is d inches the theoretical flow through the
nozzle in gallons per minute is 19.63 dr yi. The actual
flow through a well designed nozzle is from 98 to 99% of
the theoretical flow. Fig. 10 shows the arrangement of
nozzle and Pitot tube. The head produced must be
measured from the level of the outlet of the nozzle.
Centrifugal pumps may be divided into two classes,
low-lift and high-lift pumps. Low-lift pumps are gener-
ally of the volute type, and are designed to work against
heads up to 150 ft. The pump-casing is in the form of a
spiral or volute curve and serves to guide the water from
the impeller into the discharge-pipe in such manner that
the velocity-head is gradually converted into pressure-
head. High-lift pumps are commonly known as turbine
pumps. The impeller is surrounded by a circular diffuser
with vanes so arranged as to offer gradually enlarging
passages to the water. In this way the velocity of the
water as it leaves the impeller is converted into pressure.
These pumps are used for high heads. Single impellers
can be made to work against a head of 350 ft., or even
greater, but it is not usual to find pumps with single
impellers working against more than 150 ft. High heads
are obtained in multistage pumps or those which have
more than one impeller. Each impeller draws its suction
from the preceding one, and adds its increment of pres-
sure so that the final pressure is attained only in the last
stage. Pumps of the multistage type are made for heads
as high as 250 ft. per stage, but modern mine practice
indicates a tendency to keep the head per stage between
100 and 150 feet.
Theoretically there is no limit to the number of stages
that may operate in one casing, but there is a practical
limit that is imposed by the size of pump-shaft required.
This depends upon the distance between bearings and
the size of the casing. The number of stages in one cas-
ing is usually not more than four; sometimes six are
used. For high heads the pump is really a combination
88
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 17, 1920
of two separate multistage units working in series. Thus,
an eight-stage pump is made up of two four-stage pumps.
Separate centrifugal pumps, having the same capacity,
may be connected in series to pump water against a head
equivalent to the sum of the heads for which the pumps
were designed. However, there is danger of splitting the
casing of the second pump unless it is strong enough to
withstand the additional pressure to which it is subjected.
Motors for Centrifugal Pumps. The present prac-
tice of manufacturers is to rate motors nearly at their
maximum capacity. This means that motors Cannot be
operated at an appreciable overload without danger of
overheating. Where centrifugal pumps are to be motor-
driven it is imperative that the approximate power re-
quired by the pump be known beforehand and that the
possibility of any marked change in operating conditions
should be foreseen so that the motor selected will not be
subjected to dangerous overloading. Conservative aver-
age efficiencies of centrifugal pumps are given in the ac-
companying table. These figures can be used for esti-
mating the power requirements of pumps of good design.
Normal ratine:. Efficiency, single Efficiency. multi-
Size of gallons per stage ; head up stage pumps: head
pump, inches minute to 150 ft., % above 150 ft., %
2 100- 150 50 45
3 200- 350 55 50
4 400- 600 80 56
5 650- 900 65 62
6 950-1300 70 68
8 1500-1800 72 70
10 2000-3000 75 72
12 3500-4500 76 73
14 5000-6000 77 74
16 78 75
The horse-power required is found by dividing the
water horse-power by the efficiency of the pump. How-
ever, the motor selected should be one having from 10 to
12% higher rating than that calculated in order to take
care of wear in the pump, which reduces the efficiency,
and to meet the contingency of any small unlooked-for
increase in the power needed.
In general, centrifugal pumps are easily started. The
starting-power required is less than full operating-power,
and this has an important bearing on the type of motor
that can be used since the motor need not have a high
starting-torque. Centrifugal pumps are nearly always
started with the discharge-valve closed. Starting condi-
tions are, therefore, the 'shut-off' conditions as described
above. The power required at 'shut-off' is found from
the pump curves. In Fig. 5, 6, and 7 the starting-power
is given in percentages of power required under normal
operating conditions. The percentages are 47, 36, and
24 respectively. Should a motor be of such design that
its starting-torque was just sufficient to start the pump
of Fig. 7, 'shut-off' power being 24% of full operating-
power, the motor would be unable to start the pump of
Fig. 6 which requires 36% of full power for starting.
In some pumps the 'shut-off' may be as much as 70% of
the full operating horse-power. If a pump is started
with the discharge-valve open the motor has to come up
to full power at the same time that it comes up to full
speed, which means that the motor must be thrown onto
the line at full rating instead of at only a fraction. Some
squirrel-cage motors, used under such a condition, have
had their coils loosened by the heavy surges of current
caused in this way. The motors that are suitable for
driving centrifugal pumps are the squirrel-cage induc-
tion motor, the slip-ring induction motor, the synchro-
nous motor and, in some cases, the direct-current motor.
The squirrel-cage motor is most commonly used for
driving centrifugal pumps. Because of its simplicity,
this type is used for nearly all small and medium-sized
pumps. It is inherently a motor of low starting-torque
and relatively large starting-current. The average
squirrel-cage motor, if thrown directly on the line, takes
from four to eight times normal current. Only in the
case of small machines, 5 lip. and under, can the motor
be thrown directly onto the line, as the rush of current
resulting would cause too great fluctuations in voltage,
excessive demand of current of low power-factor on the
generating-station, and dangerous shocks to both pump
and motor. There is a definite limit to the starting-torque
that this motor can develop. The starting-torque varies
from 100 to 150% of full-load torque for full voltage,
and inversely as the square of the normal applied voltage.
For motors of large size some form of starting-com-
pensator is always used to reduce the starting-voltage.
If this voltage is greatly reduced the starting-torque may
be low. A reduction of only one-half in current would
make the starting-torque one-quarter that of full-load
torque. Motors of 150 hp., or even less, are generally of
the slip-ring induction type. Such motors have the abil-
ity to start smoothly against a large load and draw rela-
tively small current from the line, thus minimizing fluc-
tuations and the danger of shocks to motor and pump.
Synchronous motors, especially of the self-starting
type, are quite suitable for centrifugal-pump drives in
cases where large-sized pumps are to be operated con-
tinuously over long periods. The self-starting synchro-
nous motor has auxiliary windings imbedded in its field-
poles. Bars are placed in the pole-faces and are con-
nected by rings, so that for starting conditions resemble
those of the squirrel-cage motor. When it has attained
full running speed as an induction motor it must be
pulled into step or synchronous speed, after which it
operates as a synchronous motor. A motor of this type
can have a higher starting-torque than a squirrel-cage
induction motor because a high starting-torque for a
squirrel-cage motor means comparatively poor efficiency
at full speed. The synchronous motor drops the induc-
tion-motor characteristics as soon as it is at synchronous
speed. Once up to this speed, the motor will run at con-
stant speed independent of the voltage of the supply as
long as it is within the limits of the pull-out torque.
Most synchronous motors will carry an overload of 200
to 300%, and, consequently, will continue to operate a
centrifugal pump at full speed although the supply-
voltage should drop to a point where there would be con-
siderable drop in speed if an induction-motor were being
used. A great advantage of the synchronous motor is
that it can be adjusted to give a power-factor that will
have a correcting effect on a bad power-factor in the
supply-line. For this reason it is well adapted to heavy
July IT, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
89
duty where fluct nations of load would ordinarily pro-_
duce a low power-factor in an induction motor. How-
ever, the synchronous motor is more costly than the in-
duction type and is not to be recommended except in
large sizes, say of 150 hp. or more.
The induction and synchronous motors are essentially
constant-speed motors, and the speeds are limited by the
cycles used and the number of poles on the machines. If
only direct current is available, or if speed-adjustment,
is necessary, as in the case of a centrifugal pump that
must operate against different heads, the direct-current
motor is useful. The motors are either of the shunt or
compound-wound type, depending upon the condition of
voltage in the supply-line. There is less variation in
speed due to irregular voltage in a compound motor than
in a shunt-wound motor. A direct-current motor will
run at a lower speed when cold than when hot, because
of the lesser resistance in the field- windings when they
are cold. From two to six hours is usually required for
the shunt-fields to attain normal operating temperature,
depending upon the size and characteristics of the motor.
During the time of heating the motor will operate below
normal speed and the capacity of the pump will be re-
duced. In one case a pump did not deliver any water
until the motor was up to full speed. The special field
for direct-current motors for driving centrifugal pumps
is city water-works, where water at constant head must
be pumped in varying amounts. High pressure can be
obtained for fire purposes. Direct-current motors have
a high starting-torque and a more efficient method of
speed-variation than either induction or synchronous
motors.*
I 'Baking' Gold Ore
An interesting and successful method of treating the
ore from the Connemara mine in Rhodesia is outlined in
a communication to the Chemical, Metallurgical and
Mining Society of South Africa by B. L. Gardiner. Mr.
Gardiner sets forth the essential principles involved in a
process which, for the sake of a better name, has been
termed the 'baking process', and which consists merely
fin subjecting the ore to the action of heat preparatory to
treatment by cyanide. It differs from the ordinary
roasting process, in that the degree of temperature to
which the ore is raised is much lower than that necessary
for the roasting, and, further, that the presence of air
or oxygen is in no way essential to its success, the appli-
*I wish to acknowledge my indebtedness to the DeLaval
Steam Turbine Co. and to the Goulds Manufacturing Co.
both in regard to their catalogues and to private communi-
cations. The following articles have also been used as
sources of information:
'Horse-Power Requirements of Centrifugal Pumps.' T. M.
Heermans, 'Power', May 20, 1919.
'Induction Motors for Driving Centrifugal Pumps.' Fraser
Jeffrey, 'Power', August 26, 1919.
'Direct-Current Motors for Driving Centrifugal Pumps'.
Nathan Wilkinson, 'Power', December 16, 1919.
'Synchronous Motors for Driving Centrifugal Pumps.' S.
H. Mortensen, 'Power', January 20, 1920.
cation of a certain amount of heat being all that is
necessary. The net result of the introduction of the
baking system at the Connemara mine has been to in-
crease the extraction from 68 to 86%, with little or no
increase in the working costs. The ore belongs to the
class known in Rhodesia as banded ironstone, and at
present only the upper oxidized portions of the lodes are
being worked, and it is only to this oxidized ore that the
scheme applies. Besides the silica and iron oxides which
make up the bulk of the ore, qualitative analysis shows
the presence of combined water, magnesia, and sulphates.
The original plant consisted of twenty 1250-lb. gravity
stamps and one 5-ft. Chilean mill as crushing units, fol-
lowed by sand-leaching and slime-decantation plants, the
gold being recovered by amalgamation on copper plates
and by precipitation on zinc shavings from the cyanide
solutions. The best results were obtained by using 200-
mesh screens on the mill. The average results over a
period of 12 months were : 4000 to 4600 tons per month
treated, 67.9% extraction. Re-treatment of the residues
failed to recover further gold, and laboratory tests merely
tended to show that the plant was doing all that could
be expected of it. Without the addition of lime there
is an excessive consumption of cyanide, and this has been
attributed to the action of ferric sulphate or basic iron
sulphates. The consumption of lime is high, being from
6 to 8 lb. per ton of CaO.
The tubular drier was then designed and constructed.
So far only the fine, eliminated after the rock-breaker,
has been subjected to baking, the balance of the ore going
through the ordinary process of milling ore, amalgamat-
ing and cyaniding. The separation of the fine and coarse
is done on a shaking screen provided with l|-in. aper-
tures. It is estimated that the fine ore passes through
the drier in 30 minutes. The time of treatment in the
cyanide vats averages ten days, and the total weight of
solution is at least 1 J times that of the ore treated. The
consumption of lime on the baked ore amounts to 10 to
12 lb. per ton in terms of CaO. The fine ore in mass has
the appearance of rather coarse gravel, some of the lumps
being as large as walnuts, then grading downward. A
liberal estimate of the average cost is about ls.lOd. per
ton for the actual roasting, and including transport to and
from the drier to about 2s.2d. per ton. The ore contains
considerable proportions of hydrated oxides of iron, and
when it is heated appreciable quantities of water are
given off. This water, it must be understood, is not pres-
ent as moisture, since it will not be driven off in a water
bath at 100°C, but requires a somewhat higher tempera-
ture, and it is evident that it exists in the ore as water
of combination. Mr. Gardiner concludes by saying : "As
a process likely to be applicable to the generality of gold
ores, baking is not likely to hold a very important place,
as its success depends upon an unusual peculiarity. At
the same time there may be other ores of a similar nature,
and with such as these the baking process may find a
beneficial application."
Two dredges shipped from Alaska by the Yukon Gold
Co. have reached Siam to be used in mining tin.
90
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 17, 1920
Lead- Smelting Practice at Port Pirie, South Australia
By GILBERT RIGG
*In the present paper I wish to offer some account of
the advances in metallurgical practice which have been
made at the plant of the Broken Hill Associated Smelters
Proprietary, Ltd., at Port Pirie, South Australia, during
the past four years. I do not propose to enter into a de-
tailed description of the plant itself for two reasons. In
the first place there is still a good deal of reconstruction
in progress and to be accomplished, so that auy detailed
description would be out of date in a year or two, and in
the second place, in general it follows the usual lines of
plants carrying out the roast-sintering and blast-furnace
treatment of galena concentrate, with subsequent, refining
of the bullion. Specific references to equipment will
therefore only be made in so far as they are necessary to
make clear the operating methods.
Early in 1916, it had become evident that considerable
improvement both in plant and in practice had become
highly desirable, and that serious experimental work on
a large scale was necessary in order to provide data on
which such improvements could be most economically
carried out. The roasting operation was neither as thor-
ough nor as efficient as could be wished, and this of course
reflected seriously on the blast-furnace operations, which
were giving a good deal of trouble. The increasing pro-
portion of the very finely divided flotation concentrate
(or slime concentrate as it is commonly called) was in
part responsible for this, as at that time its treatment was
not properly understood ; but the roasting practice, as a
whole, needed a thorough revision, as until that was set
in order good results could hardly be expected. It was on
this department, therefore, that our attention was first
concentrated.
The lead-sulphide concentrates of Broken Hill are
divided into two classes, namely, granular concentrate
(from jigs and tables) and slime concentrate (from the
flotation-plants). The general average composition of
these two classes is as follows :
Granular Slime
concentrate concentrate
% %
Lead :.. 63.0 57.0
Zinc 7.0 11.0
Iron 1
I 4.7 4.3
Manganese!
Sulphur 14.5 1S.0
Lime 1.5 1.5
Alumina 1.5 1.0
Silica . . . '. 5.0 3.5
A large proportion of the slime concentrate will pass-
through a 200-mesh screen.
These concentrates were formerly roasted in two differ-
ent ways.
*A paper discussed at a meeting of the Institution of
Mining and Metallurgy on May 20, 1920.
According to the first method, a mixture of the two
grades, with a proportion of oxidized lead ore, mainly
silicate, and also limestone and ironstone, was partly
roasted in Ropp reverberatory roasters, after which the
partly roasted ore was transferred to Huntington-Heber-
lein pots and the sulphur brought down as low as pos-
sible there.
According to the second method, the mixture was pass-
ed over a Dwight-Lloyd machine, operating as a pre-
roaster, and the partly roasted sinter was crushed and
passed over a second Dwight-Lloyd machine, where the
elimination of the sulphur was carried as far as possible,
this latter machine being the counterpart of the Hunting-
ton-Heberlein pot in the first method.
The first process gave the best results, the product from
the second being uniformly poor; 5% sulphur in the final
sinter was quite common, and the sinter lacked strength.
Its behavior in the blast-furnaces was unsatisfactory.
The Ropp roasters on the other hand took up a great deal
of room and the combination of these reverberatories and
Huntington-Heberlein pots did not seem to offer the same
scope for economy as the double treatment with the
Dwight-Lloyd machines.
Finally, while the product worked better in the blast-
furnaces than the Dwight-Lloyd product it was not as
good as we wanted. The final results of the investigation
into the double Dwight-Lloyd method showed that at the
outset we have been laboring under three serious miscon-
ceptions. These were :
(1) That the sulphur that is combined with the zinc is
more difficult to roast-off than that combined with the
lead.
(2) That the presence of coarse pieces of flux or pre-
roast sinter are necessary in the charge in order to 'open
up the bed'.
(3) That the slime is intrinsically more difficult to
roast than the granular concentrate.
The first of these hypotheses received a rude shock
when our attempts to blast-roast pre-roasted zinc concen-
trate carrying 48% zinc, came to successful fruition in
1917. Some data concerning recent developments of this
method are given subsequently in this paper. At that time,
however, our results showed that zinc concentrate of the
above zinc content, that had been pre-roasted to 9%, sul-
phur, could be rapidly roasted on a Dwight-Lloyd ma-
chine to 1% sulphur. Under these circumstances the re-
luctance of a charge carrying only 3% sulphur combined
with zinc to roast to below 5% sulphur clearly needed
some other explanation, and the zinc excuse was dropped,
although I think I am safe in saying that the majority of
lead metallurgists at that time would have concurred in
it. As a matter of fact, if zinc does cause trouble it is
due to the rapid evolution of heat which its roasting occa-
July 17. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
91
sinus, this causing a tendency to fuse the galena. I do
not believe, however, thai this is sufficient to cause ap-
preciable trouble.
Our second fallacy, namely, t lint the presence of coarse
(4 to f-in. ) pieces of ironstone or limestone or sintered
Barge are necessary to render the charge on the machine
• arvious to the blast, met a similar fate. This also may be
reckoned as a common belief, or was at that time, but as a
matter of fact it is not true. The shrinkage of the finer
part, of the charge around these coarse pieces certainly
does open fissures in the neighborhood, and allows the
blast to pass, hut these openings are localized and render
tile distribution of the blast through the charge uneven.
that the air passes readily between them, and by diffusion
reaches the inside of the aggregate and roasts it through.
It is quite evident that pieces of free lime in the sinter
have done no work during the roasting, and in conse-
quence arc wasted, besides taking up room on the ma-
chine to no purpose. Further, the crushing of the stone
was an expense, and we lacked crushing capacity, and at
the same time we had at our disposal a range of sand-hills
composed of limestone sand (through 40 mesh), which
was cheaper to obtain than quarrying solid limestone and,
of course, needed no crushing. Our experiments were
therefore directed to the substitution of limestone sand
for crushed limestone in the roaster-charge, and the re-
THE SMELTER AT PORT PIRIE
In the case of the limestone, the coarser pieces are to be
iund embedded in the sinter, altered only on the sur-
'ace, the bulk of the piece being simply burnt to lime.
These pieces slake on exposure to the air, and cause
jrumbling of the sinter in consequence, which is really
mdoing the work done during sintering to a considerable
stent.
As a matter of fact the notion that the air-blast finds
ts way downward between the particles of a finely di-
vided (through 40 mesh) charge is wrong. It is quite
mpossible to roast such a charge dry, because the spaces
>etween adjacent grains of ore are so small that too much
esistance is offered to the air passing through. The
'olume of air drawn through is in consequence too small
o carry on the roasting operation. By damping the
barge the particles cohere into larger or smaller aggre-
gates, and by proper mixing and handling these aggre-
;ates can be obtained of such a shape and size of grain,
suits corresponded with what would be expected if the
foregoing conclusions were true. The charges worked
more evenly, and the final sinter stood up much better
when exposed to the weather.
The reduction in size of the ironstone to correspond
with the limestone sand was not possible. In the first
place we had not the crushing equipment necessary to re-
duce all the ironstone to pass 40 mesh, and in the second
place we were dealing with a hard ironstone, the crushing
of which would probably have been more costly than the
advantage to be derived warranted. With no limestone to
be crushed, however, we were able to crush all the iron-
stone through four mesh, which gave us distinctly better
results, and later a further improvement, which enabled
us to eliminate ironstone altogether from the charge,
finally disposed of this problem. In the meantime the
following experiment indicated clearly that our coarse
ironstone was only a passenger.
92
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 17, 1920
Crushed through 4 mesh, the ironstone yielded a prod-
uct of which 70% would pass through 8 mesh. A charge
made up in the ordinary way was screened on an 8-mesh
screen before going to the Dwight-Lloyd machine, thus
eliminating all ironstone coarser than 8 mesh, and pro-
portionately reducing the percentage of ironstone in the
charge, as all the other constituents were fine enough to
pass readily through the 8-mesh screen.
This screened charge roasted just as well as the charge
containing the whole of the ironstone. On the other hand
it was impossible to get good results when the percentage
of limestone in the charge screened through 4 mesh was
brought down to the same point. The coarse ironstone
was obviously therefore not paying for itself.
Just how much of the work done by these added agents
is physical and how much is chemical it is hard to say.
They act as cooling agents, preventing premature fusion
which would lock up sulphides in the fused charge, be-
cause they dilute the sulphides which furnish the fuel,
and similarly absorb some of the heat produced. They
also appear to have some catalytic action which facilitates
the oxidation of the sulphides. "We are preparing to make
a; close study of the actual sequence of operations in the
laboratory and try to ascertain as nearly as possible the
exact part which each of the constituents plays.
Much the same line of argument holds good as regards
the size of the material which has passed through the in-
termediate crushing between the first and second roasting
on the Dwight-Lloyd machines. The foreman in charge
of the machines used to hold that the better the ore was
roasted (that is, the lower the sulphur content was re-
duced) on the pre-roasting machines, the higher the sul-
phur content of the final sinter. This sounded absurd,
but it had nevertheless a substantial substratum of truth.
The better the pre-roast the harder and more sintered the
material, and hence the greater the proportion of coarse
material after passing through the rolls, that is, material
up to f-in. size. This coarse stuff upset the roasting on
the final machines, and gave rise to the belief referred to
above. By keeping the size of the pre-roasted material
smaller than \ in. this difficulty may be avoided.
As regards the prejudice against slime concentrate, this
depended partly on the poor results which had been ob-
tained in the past, and partly on a priori considerations
based on its exceedingly fine state of division. As a
matter of fact, as this slime concentrate is always obtained
wet, and is subsequently dried, it is usually in the form of
lumps and cakes, which, if they can be brought down to a
size which will enable them to roast, without disintegrat-
ing too much, so as to bring them back to fine powder,
behave perfectly well on the machines.
As mentioned before, it is necessary to damp the
charge, and this naturally weakens the pieces of caked
slime, and helps them to disintegrate into their original
fine state. If now the charge is vigorously stirred the dis-
integrated material works between the granules of the
charge and fills up the spaces. On the other hand, if the
lumps of slime are too coarse, the air cannot reach the
inside.
Originally the charges were mixed and conveyed to the
machines by interrupted-flight screw-conveyors, which
were driven fast, and had a strong disintegrating action.
These were taken out and belt-conveyors installed instead.
In the meantime a set of bins had been erected for the
different constituents of the charge, the bins delivering
by belts to a main conveyor-belt, the different materials
being therefore distributed in thin superposed layers on
this belt. Provision was also made for breaking up the
coarse lumps of slime. The conveyor-belt delivered into
an elevator, and this in turn to belt-conveyors that dis-
tributed the charge to the feed-hoppers over the ma-
chines. These hoppers delivered to short conveyor-belts
which fed the machines as described above. The damp-
ing of the charge takes place during transit from bins to
machines.
This system of mixing proved quite successful. The
constituents of the charge were sufficiently blended and
the slime granules remained so far undisintegrated that
the charge remained evenly open. A gratifying feature
of this improved distribution of the charge on the ma-
chine was the evenness of the roasting mass. Blow-holes
and other irregularities became more and more rare, and
with this came a substantial diminution in the amount of
metal lost by volatilization. In the roaster-charge there
is always more or less of a roast reaction going on with
production of metallic lead and a lead-sulphate fume. The
more even conditions can be kept on the machine the more
easy it is to control this, and consequently loss by volatil-
ization has sunk to less than 1% of the lead on the pre-
roasting machines.
The next step was the elimination of the Kopp roasters,
Dwight-Lloyd machines being used to pre-roast for the
Huntington-Heberlein pots. The same precautions were
used in both cases, and the work correspondingly im-
proved. At this stage, then, the roasting of the concen-
trate had become considerably simplified, the practice
being :
(1) All concentrate pre-roasted on Dwight-Lloyd ma-
chines.
(2) All pre-roasted material crushed and the roasting
finished either on another set of Dwight-Lloyd machines
or in Huntington-Heberlein pots.
The following figures will serve to illustrate the prac-
tice which we had reached at this stage :
■ Average composition of charge to pre-roasters :
%
Granular concentrate 49.0
Slime concentrate IS. 5
Silicious ore 12.0
Limestone 6.0
Ironstone 14.5
This charge after complete roasting gave a sinter, of
which the following is an average analysis :
%
Lead 44 to 45
Zinc 5 " 6
Silica 9 " 10
Ferrous oxide 16 " 18
Manganese oxide 3 " 4
Lime 4 " 5
Sulphur 2 " 3
July 17. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
!i:j
In many respeota this sinter was satisfactory. Consid-
ering its high metallic content its sulphur was low. and it
gave good results on the lilast-furnaees. with DO additions
except a little limestone, particularly thai which was
finished on the Htintington-IIeberlein pots. That which
was finished on the Dwight-Lloyd machines was still
rather weak structurally. The output per machine was
good, the pre-roasting machines, which measured 21 ft.
by 3 ft. 6 in. over the wind-box, dealing with 130 tons of
concentrate per 24 hours.
There were, however, certain unsatisfactory features.
In the first place the ironstone added passed into the
blast-furnaee slag and became a total loss. So also did
the lime and the zinc, the percentage of the latter metal
in the slag being too low to render its recovery econom-
ical. Further, attempts to raise the lead content of the
work which has been done with a view to elucidate its con-
stitution will be described biter in this paper.
From the point of view of roasting, however, here was
B material earning silica, lime, and iron-oxide, all of
Which we were adding to our roaster-charges. From the
results obtained when trying out the different sizes of
material it looked as though these substances became
active when actually in a state of semi-fusion with the
sulphides in the charge. "Why, therefore, should not the
slag act as substitute? True, the zinc content of the
charge would rise owing to zinc brought into it in the
slag, and this might possibly upset the blast-furnace run-
ning. On the other hand, we had become by this time
pretty thoroughly convinced that zinc is only detrimental
when sulphur is present in serious amount, and we looked
to the slag to give us as good a roast in respect to sulphur-
THE PROPRIETARY MINE AND MILL AT BROKEN HILL
sinter were not successful, because it was not found possi-
ble to reduce sufficiently the percentage of sulphur in the
finished sinter if the lead were seriously increased. By
comparing the lead content of the sinter with that of the
concentrate given above, it will be seen that the dilution
is substantial. We were therefore on the lookout for some
way of getting over these drawbacks, and the application
of blast-furnace slag as an addition-agent in place of iron-
stone appeared to be worth trying.
The slag yielded by the blast-furnaces working on this
class of sinter is rather a curious product so far as com-
position goes, as the following analysis indicates :
%
Silica 21.0
Ferrous oxide 33.5
Manganese oxide 4.5
Lime 14.0
Zinc oxide 13.5
Lead 2.0
Silver 0.75 oz.
This highly basic mixture resisted all attempts to fit it
into a formula which would satisfy any of the silicates
usually postulated for lead blast-furnace slags, and the
elimination as the ironstone charge. In any case, if it did
not — that finished the matter. Lastly, we looked to the
slag to increase the strength of the Dwight-Lloyd sinter
owing to its fusibility.
Trials with crushed slag were a failure. The stuff was
hard to crush and gave us coarse pieces at one end of the
scale and powder at the other, neither of which was de-
sirable. Granulating the slag by pouring it into a stream
of water yielded a mass of granules, these granules being
much fissured and porous, and ranging from about 4, in.
diam. down to ^V in-> the majority of the stuff being
around -J in. With this material we soon began to get
results. Encouraging results were obtained on the small
scale, and finally the following charge was sent to the
roasting-machines. The old charge is shown beside it for
comparison: glag QId
charge, % charge, %
Granulated concentrate 40.0 49.0
Slime concentrate 25.5 18.5
Silicious ore 10.0 12.0
Limestone sand 8.0 6.0
Ironstone 4.5 14.5
Granulated slag 10.0
94
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 17, 1920
This charge yielded a roasted sinter of the following
composition (the old sinter is shown again for com-
parison) :
Granulated Old
slag sinter, % sinter, %
Lead 44.5 44.5
Zinc 7.5 5.5
Silica 11.5 9.5
Ferrous oxide 12.0 16.5
Manganese oxide 3.5 3.5
Lime 5.5 4.5
Sulphur 2.5 2.5
The sulphur content in both eases is good. The zinc
has increased as was to be expected and the ferrous oxide
has decreased. The blast-furnace behaved well on this
sinter and we felt encouraged to go further. We ac-
cordingly changed to the following charge:
%
Granulated concentrate 47.0
Slime concentrate 27.5
Limestone sand 7.0
Ironstone '. 4.0
Slag 12.5
Sand (silica) 2.0
It will be noticed that no silicious ore was used, this
constituent being temporarily unavailable. The charge
roasted well and gave no trouble. The analysis of the
sinter showed :
Lead 47.5 to 48.5
Zinc 7.5
Silica S.O to 8.5
Ferrous oxide 13.0 to 14.0
Manganese oxide 3.0
Lime 5.5 to 6.0
Sulphur 2.5 to 3.0
The lead content went up without causing trouble and
later we had no difficulty in carrying it as high as 507c
The blast-furnaces behaved all right, the slag showing :
%
Silica 20.5
Ferrous oxide 30.0
Manganese oxide 4.5
Lime 12.0
Zinc oxide 19.0
Finally, the whole of the ironstone was taken off the
charge. No trouble followed, and the charge became
simply a mixture of ores, granulated slag, and about 7%
of limestone sand. All crushing of raw materials was
eliminated and the whole process simplified until a steady
practice has resulted with corresponding beneficial effect
on the blast-furnace operation which follows it.
Before leaving the subject of roasting, I should like to
refer briefly to our more recent work on the blast-roasting
of zinc concentrate. We were faced in 1917 with the
urgent need of quickly increasing our zinc-concentrate
roasting" capacity, while anything like prompt delivery of
roasting equipment was out pf the question.
Blast-roasting on Dwight-Lloyd machines or Hunting-
ton-Heberlein pots of Broken Hill zinc concentrates was
found to be out of the question owing to the high temper-
ature generated and the fusibility of the ore, which
caused it to melt and become impervious to the draft;
and having regard to the fact that the roasted ore was to
be treated in retorts no addition-agents were possible.
Finally, the problem was solved by pre-roasting the ore
from 30% sulphur to 9% in reverberatories, at which
point the heat generated on the blast-roaster is not suffi-
cient to cause fusion, and finishing on a Dwight-Lloyd
machine. The product is a dry crumbly sinter, readily
broken through a f-in. ring, at which size it is charged
into the retorts where it works excellently, the sulphur
content of the roasted ore being 1%. Recent work has
shown that the capacity of a reverberatory furnace roast-
ing our concentrate from 30% to 9% is rather more than
double its capacity when roasting to 2%. Further, that,
using a multiple-hearth muffled roaster, 5% of fuel is
ample to bring the ore down to 9% sulphur. The blast-
roaster requires not more than 1% of fuel to ignite the
charge. Hence the consumption of coal by this method is
reduced to a maximum of 6%. Further, an interesting
relation has been established between the different factors
concerned in roasting. These factors are three in num-
ber, namely :
( 1 ) Temperature.
(2) Time.
(3) Ventilation.
By 'ventilation' I mean the maintenance of contact
between the ore particles and the air. These factors are
more or less interdependent. For example, by increasing
the length of time a lower temperature can be used. Our
more recent work has shown that the factor of ventilation
is of enormous importance.
In blast-roasting the air is drawn directly through the
Charge, and in consequence has an excellent chance to
come in contact with the ore-particles. When roasting on
a hearth the air passes over the charge, and. in conse-
quence the contact between ore and air is poor, and the
interstices of the ore-charge are largely filled with a mix-
ture of sulphur di-oxide and nitrogen. This is to some
extent shaken out during stirring, but as the stirring
mechanism does not work in between the grains of ore the
effect is incomplete. Moreover sulphur di-oxide being a
dense gas has a low diffusion rate.
Consider first a furnace of the superposed-hearth type,
namely, the M. & H., having two sets of hearths measur-
ing 80 by 6 ft. The ore descends from hearth to hearth,
and in general not less than the last two hearths will
assist in eliminating the last 8 units of sulphur driven off.
The capacity of the furnace is 40 tons of ore per 24 hours
for the two sets of hearths. Consequently four hearths
out of the fourteen are concerned with the elimination of
the last 8 units of sulphur from 40 tons of ore. The
hearths measure 60 ft. net between drop holes. Hence
the total hearth area concerned in removing these 8 units
from 40 tons of ore is 60 by 6 ft. by 4 = 1440 sq. ft. 8%
of 40 tons = 7168 lb. sulphur. Hence amount of sulphur
roasted off per square foot of hearth per day is five
pounds.
The Dwight-Lloyd roaster we are using has an active
grate area over the wind-box of 16 ft. by 2 ft. 6 in. = 40
sq. ft. and roasts 60 tons of ore from 9% to 1% per 24
.lulv 17. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
95
hours. Hence the elimination of sulphur per Bquare foot
per 24 hours amounts to 270 lt>. This is a remarkable
result, mid illustrates strikingly the tremendous impor-
tance of the ventilation factor. The ore passes over the
machine in a layer from 4 to -H in. thick, and the time
required to eliminate eight units of sulphur is 14 minutes
as against 14 hours or mure Tor the M. & II. furnace,
I feel pretty well convinced that the future of zinc-
ixmcentrate roasting lies in a combination of multiple-
hearth pre-roasters and finishing blast-roasters. The
blast-furnace practice has undergone an evolution paral-
lel t<> that of the roasting, and for the proper understand-
ing of it some reference to the part played by zinc in lead
blast-furnace troubles is essential. About seven years
ago, I was engaged in an attempt to make use of a water-
jacket blast-furnace for the production of zinc-oxide from
low-grade zinc-carbonate and zinc-silicate ores. In the
early stages of the work, before the conditions under
which the zinc could be reduced and driven off from the
charge were understood, from 70 to 80% of tbe zinc
passed into tbe slag, which carried as much as 32% zinc
oxide. In spite of the evil reputation which zinc pos-
sessed for making slag viscous and sticky, this slag ran
perfectly and gave not the slightest trouble.
Zinc is only a trouble-maker when combined with sul-
phur. In the ore referred to in the preceding paragraph,
the sulphur content was less than 1%. But with tbe
high-sulphur sinters, which were the rale at Port Pirie
before the reform of tbe roasting-praetice, troubles due
to zinc were serious and frequent.
Briefly, tbe trouble caused by zinc in the presence of
sulphur is the formation of a ziney matte containing
about 14% of zinc. This matte is of a mushy consistence
and lends itself excellently to the building up of accre-
tions inside the furnace. There is considerable evidence
that it is soluble in the slag but separates out readily if
' the temperature falls. For example, it forms a crust on
the surface of the slag in the slag-pots, having apparently
separated from solution and come to the surface. Its con-
stitution and properties need more thorough study than
they have received in the past.
The introduction of slime concentrate into the charge
had increased the zinc content and at the same time, be-
fore the roasting of the slime had been properly worked
out, had brought up the sulphur content of the sinter
likewise. Hence conditions were well adapted for trouble
in the blast-furnaces. A rather curious practice had de-
veloped. Large bodies of old slag running lower in zinc
than tbe new slag were available on the dump. This ma-
terial was quarried and charged into the furnaces. Enor-
mous quantities w-ere used, the old slag being from one to
{two times the weight of the other constituents of the
charge. The furnaces were thus exposed to a tremendous
flushing action by this mass of molten material passing
through them, and in all probability, this slag also acted
by dissolving the zincy matte produced from the high-
sulphur sinter and carrying it out of the furnace.
This practice had several obvious drawbacks. In the
first place the cost of quarrying was an item of expense,
and the disposal of this great volume of slag was another.
Then again the melting of all this slag and its elevation
to the temperature of the furnace consumed a good deal
of coke, and the slag took up room in the furnace that
could be more profitably occupied by sinter.
On the other hand it was felt by all engaged on the
work that the true solution of the problem lay in the im-
provement of the roasting, and that no attempt should be
made to seek out remedies for the blast-furnace troubles
until sinter of reasonably low-sulphur content was avail-
able. As improvement in roasting continued, the blast-
furnace practice was modified until it became simplified
down to its present, form.
In the days of the returned-slag practice the charge
was a complex one. consisting of :
Dwight-Lloyd sinter,
Huntington-Heberlein sinter,
Ironstone,
Limestone,
Refinery-drosses,
Returned slag,
Slag shells.
The last, item is the slag which is frozen in the pots and
forms a shell or skull. The metal in the slag tends to con-
centrate in these shells and they are consequently re-
turned to the furnaces.
Since the introduction of granulated slag into the
roaster-charge the blast-furnace charge has become :
Dwight-Lloyd sinter,
Huntington-Heberlein sinter,
Refinery drosses,
Slag shells.
Tbe simplification is obvious. Tbe furnaces are hot,
run smoothly, and the slags are low in lead (1 to 2%).
The surface of the slag in the pots is free from any crust
of zincy matte.
In this connection it may be pointed out that the
Broken Hill ores contain less than 1% copper. Where
copper in oxidized form is added to the charge, its high
affinity for sulphur enables it to combine with this ele-
ment to forai an easily fusible matte which separates
readily from the slag, or, as the furnace-men say, the
copper cleans the slag. Where copper is present in serious
amount higher sulphur can be carried without trouble,
but with our ores 2.5% sulphur in a sinter carrying 45 to
50% lead is as much as can be allowed if perfectly smooth
running of the blast-furnaces is to be assured.
The slag presents some interesting problems. The fol-
lowing analyses show the composition of the slag when
ironstone to the extent of 14%, was used in the roaster-
charge, and again after granulated slag had been sub-
stituted for all the ironstone.
Ironstone, Granulated
% slag, %
Silica 21.0 24.2
Ferrous oxide 33.5 25.6
Manganese oxide 4.5 5.3
Lime 14.0 11.0
Zinc oxide 13.5 20.0
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 17, 1920
In addition we have another one made when furnaces
were running on a very zincy concentrate :
%
Silica 18-3
Ferrous oxide 20.3
Manganese oxide 4.9
Lime 90
Zinc oxide 31.8
The difference between the foregoing figures and 100
is accounted for by alumina 5 to 6%, lead 1 to 2%, and
sulphur 2 to 3%.
The ratios of bases to silica are for the three slags re-
spectively 2.7, 2.17, and 2.96. In the last example the
zinc oxide alone is more than sufficient to form with the
silica a metasilieate. A good deal of work has been done
on this slag with the object of working out its constitu-
tion. This is not yet complete but the results obtained
so far are of interest. Unfortunately there are no means
at our disposal for ascertaining the constitution of a slag
at the really interesting stage of its career, namely, while
it is still in the furnace. Once safely out of the furnace
its practical interest has largely departed. Still a certain
amount of information can be obtained from the frozen
material.
In thin slices under the microscope the slag is seen to
consist of two distinct mineralogical types, namely, a
clear and transparent ground-mass, with a black to
brown, opaque to translucent, scattered constituent. In
the former olivene (fayalite) and willemite (the ortho-
silicate of zinc ) are present. The brown mineral has been
provisionally determined as a zinc and iron-bearing
spinel or ferrite. Crystals of the green zinc-alumina
spinel are also present.
The evidence in favor of the presence of iron-bearing
spinel is as follows : In fine powder the slag is decidedly
magnetic, and if kept melted for some hours at a temper-
ature close to its melting-point it deposits a strongly mag-
netic mushy material. The natural ferrite or f ranklinite
is strongly magnetic. Its crystallization, though not very
distinct, is apparently octahedral. It is well known that
zinc ferrite is insoluble in dilute sulphuric acid. If the
powdered slag is subjected to treatment with a substan-
tial excess of this acid, only a part of the zinc is soluble,
the remainder being retained in the dark-colored insolu-
ble residue. Ferric oxide is present in the slag but its
determination is difficult owing to the reducing action of
sulphides in the slag.
In many cases the brown mineral is found in fine paral-
lel rods in the silicate base, these rods being oriented ac-
cording to the crystallization of the silicate ground mass
in which they are embedded. The appearance suggests
that they have been rejected from solution in the silicate
at the moment of freezing. It would appear that some
zinc oxide is present in solution also.
Provisionally then we regard the zinc as being dis-
tributed between the silica as a silicate and the iron as a
ferrite, and that while the slag is in the furnace the lat-
ter is probably in solution in the former; and moreover
that some part of the zinc is also in solution. That these
compounds are perfectly fluid at the temperature of the
furnace, the smooth operation is sufficient proof.
It is hoped that as a result of the experimental work
now going on we shall eventually be able to arrive at the
true constitution of the slag. There is no doubt that the
whole question of slags is worthy of more investigation
than it has hitherto received.
Before leaving this subject, the possibility of recover-
ing part of the zinc in the slag needs a few words. It
would appear that our slag in the future will carry about
20% of zinc oxide, if not more. I have already referred
to the fact that the earlier slags were too poor in zinc to
make the recovery of this metal worth while. With 20%
or more of zinc oxide, the question takes on a different
complexion, and I believe that a large part of this can
be economically recovered, either by blast-treatment or in
a reverberatory furnace.
Reference has been made, under the head of roasting,
to two types of sinter, namely, that made entirely on
Dwight-Lloyd machines and that made in Huntington-
Heberlein pots after pre-roasting on a Dwight-Lloyd ma-
chine. Just which of these methods will finally be used,
or whether both will be retained, is a question that can-
not be answered yet. The Huntington-Heberlein sinter
is still stronger than the Dwight-Lloyd, but less porous.
The Huntington-Heberlein is more massive and stands
rough-handling better. There seems to be little doubt
that the blast-furnaces run better on a mixture than on
Dwight-Lloyd alone, and, provided this is borne out by
further testing, it is probable that both methods will be
retained.
The foregoing covers the main elements in the develop-
ment of our roasting and smelting practice. In general,
we have moved along the line of simplification of methods,
and so far as our opportunities and abilities lay have
aimed to progress by way of making the best use of our
existing equipment rather than by radical changes in it.
In fact the great difficulty of obtaining supplies of this
kind practically forced us to adopt the lines we did.
There is just one point I wish to make in this connec-
tion. New processes and new appliances usually have the
advantage of the concentration of a great deal of energy
and trained brains on their development, while the older
methods have a tendency to degenerate into rule-of-
thumb practice. One sometimes asks oneself what would
happen to these older things if they were laid hold of and
studied with the some zeal that is devoted to the new
ones. So far as lead-smelting goes I do not think that
the last word has yet been said in regard to the method
of blast-roasting the ore and smelting the sinter in blast-
furnaces.
The owners of asbestos mines near Paotingfu. Peking
district, are seeking capital for the development of their
properties. It is said that if Americans do not evince
an interest the holders of the concessions will have to
turn to the Japanese for assistance. The available
monthly output is estimated at between 100 and 200
tons. Other deposits in the vicinity of Liangkochwang
are for sale. The samples shown have a fibre of good
length, of which about 30 tons monthly is available.
ti 17. i!l2ft
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
97
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IMING
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COLORADO
I'RODCC "HON FROM CRIPPLE CREEK.
Cripple Creek. — Production during June from the
Cripple Creek district totaled 38,867 tons, average assay-
value $13; and gross bullion, $443,867. The Golden
Cyele mill at Colorado Springs reported treatment of
18,500 tons of $20 ore with value of $370,000. The Port-
land company's Independence mill at Victor treated
19,667 tons of an average value of $3.64, and the total
bullion amounted to $71,765. Samplers shipped 750
tons to smelters estimated at $75 per ton. The Portland
Gold Mining Co. has declared the regular quarterly divi-
dend of lie. per sfcare, payable July 20 to stock of record
July 13. This amounts to $45,000 and will bring the
total to $11,647,080.
The Wilson lease is again shipping from the Ingham
mine on Raven hill owned by the Doctor-Jack Pot Mining
< 'o. The ore is milling grade. A new and rich ore-shoot
has been opened on the 14th level of the Dexter mine on
the south slope of Bull hill, on the Trail property of the
United Gold Mines Co. by the leasing firm of Anderson
& Benkelman. The vein, 4 to 5 ft. wide, is reported
to carry rich ore. The extent of the shoot is not yet de-
termined. Ore will be shipped from the War Eagle
workings at the Moffat tunnel level, during the ensuing
week. The ore will be hoisted through the Blue Flag
shaft. Development at the 1200 and 1400-ft. levels of
the Blue Flag continues.
Dumps at the Index mine, Gold hill, are to be worked
over and screened. Ore saved will be shipped to the
Golden Cycle mill. Delay has arisen in starting up the
Gasche process mill of the Lincoln Mines & Reduction
Co., on Ironclad hill, because of the failure of the manu-
facturer to ship minor parts of machinery.
Idaho Springs. — Boston owners of the French Flag,
closed down whem Col. Ripley, the manager, entered the
coast-defense serriee during the War, are preparing to
resume operations. The Roosevelt Mining & Milling Co.
has resumed operations on its properties at Alice. The
Metals Mining & Leasing Co. has" installed machinery at
the Big Five tunnel and is cross-cutting to cut the ex-
tension of the Coinstock shoot on the Sheffer claim. The
Lincoln group is under development through the Big
'Five tunnel by B. F. Zalinger of New York, B. F.
Francis, and Denver associates. A flat vein 40 in. thick
and of good ore is reported opened up on the Virginia
B. oh Bellevue mountain.
Empire. — The Golden Empire Mining Co., that is op-
erating the Conqueror, Union, and General Harrison, in
North Empire, and the Tennessee, Denver City, and
Marshall-Russell groups on Covide mountain and Miller
gulch, and that controls a large group of some 200 claims
in the district, will shortly commence shipments. A
modern mill has been constructed and is turning out con-
centrate. Three other mills on the property are to be re-
modeled. Shipment of a good grade of ore mined by
lessees from the Bellevue-Hudson is being made regu-
larly. The leasing firm of Nrlson & Co. is shipping to
the Idaho Springs mill and Pueblo smelter of the Ameri-
can Smelting & Refining Co. from Silver Mountain prop-
erties.
Central City. — Denver operators have taken over the
Federal mine in Russell gulch under bond and lease and
are preparing to develop it. The shaft is 400 ft. deep
and produced rich ore when last operated. Water in the
Coaley shaft in Silver gulch has been lowered several
hundred feet. The shaft is 800 ft. deep and through long
inactivity is in such condition that it must be re-timbered.
The mine, now operated by the O. C. Reddick company,
was one of the first silver producers in Gilpin county.
MONTANA
BUTTE AND PLUTUS SHAFT CUTS WIDE VEIN OP SILVER ORE.
Butte. — Six feet of silver ore has been cut by the
Butte & Plutus company while sinking its shaft. The
discovery was made 250 ft. from the surface and is be-
lieved to be the Plutus main vein. Exploration of this
vein will be continued from the 300-ft. level. When the
shaft reaches the 400-ft. level, a cross-cut will be run
toward the Norwich claim to intersect the. south-dipping
Norwich vein. The orebody consists of silver sulphide
with a pink manganese gangue.
Cooke City. — A fleet of twenty 2 J-ton trucks is being
used to haul the ore from this district to Gardner for
shipment by rail. A temporary loading-station has been
constructed until permanent ore-bins are built. The Re-
public mines expect to ship 50 tons per day by truck.
W. E. Renshaw has charge of the development work for
the Republic interests.
Neihart. — W. D. Murphy and HI Westgard have
leased the Rochester mine from the Cascade Silver Mines
& Mills Co. for a period of six months. A steam-plant,
compressor, and other machinery have been installed to
speed-up development work. A promising vein has been
uncovered.
The Flohart Silver mines, which were closed down on
account of the O. B. U. strike for four weeks, resumed
98
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 17. 1920
operations for one day, only to close down again the fol-
lowing day. The men had agreed to a< pt the terms of
the management, but the agitators succeeded in persuad-
ing them not to. The scale agreed to was as follows:
Blacksmiths, $6.50; compressor-men, $5.75; blacksmith
helpers. .$5.50; machine-men, $530; carpenters, $5.50;
shovelers, $5 ; and laborers, $5. The O. B. U. was not to
he recognized, and there was to be no discrimination.
Boulder. — High-grade copper ore has been found at
the Shields and Ironside mine at a depth of 800 ft. The
ore assays $42 per ton across the face of the vein. M. L.
Leydig of Helena holds the property under lease and
bond.
NEVADA
LOW-GRADE VEINS AT QUARTZ MOUNTAIN ARE TO BE
DEVELOPED.
Quaetz Mountain. — The Goldfield-Quartz Mountain
Mining Corporation has been organized to develop the
Bell group of eight gold claims at Quartz mountain, 12
miles west of Goldfleld. The purchase price is said to
have been between $10,000 and $15,000. The company
was financed in Los Angeles ami all of the officers are
Los Angeles men. Corrin Barnes of Goldfield is consult-
ing engineer. Air-drills will be used to extend a 160-ft.
tunnel 65 ft. to cut the vein at a depth of 140 ft. The
vein is 110 ft. wide, consisting of four bands: A 20-ft.
width of iron-stained porous quartz; 40 ft. of pumiceous
material ; 30 1't. of hard dense quartz ; and 20 ft. of iron-
stained material. The ore is in the iron-stained and
pumiceous hands, but pannings can lie secured over the
entire width of .the vein. The following assays were
secured: An 8-ft. width, $8; 18 ft., $17; 24 ft.. $5.20.
The gold, yellow and high-grade, is in flakes embedded in
quartz. The vein follows the general course of the Assur-
ing in the district. The outcrop is 1500 ft. long, conform-
ing to the curvature of the hill known as Quartz moun-
tain, and the silicification becomes less intense from the
top of the hill, the vein being composed of softer rock
where it disappears under the wash of the slopes. Mr.
Barnes says the surrounding formation is dacite and that
the hill is "an effusive mass of material similar to the
daeite and erupted at a slightly later time". He says it
probably is allied to the dacite yitrophyre of Ransome's
report on the Goldfield district. Some of the fissures are
large and show the result of displacement. Some are
completely filled with quartz and others are open, form-
ing crevices.
Tule Canyon. — A contract lias been let to sink 100
ft., from the present depth of, 150, the Silver Hills shaft
in Tule canyon. The Silver Hills is operating the Ingalls
mine under option. The company will pay $20 per foot
and furnish power. . . ,
Stonewall. — The Yellow Tiger, which is driving a
tunnel at Stonewall mountain, near Goldfield, has levied
assessment No: 2, at the rate of one cent per share, pay-
able immediately and delinquent August 7. The com-
pany collected $25,400 by assessment No. 1, levied De-
cember 8, 1019, and to June 15, $20,450 was spent, leav-
ing a balance of nearly $5000. There was spent for the
erection of buildings at the mine, for road-construction
and machinery $8300 ; a $3000 payment was made on the
Red Lion claims at Goldfield ; office, corporation, and ad-
ministration expense was $2600, and labor and supplies
cost $2400. The clearing of old accounts, prospecting at.
Goldfield. and the purchase of equipment for the tunnel
and a motor-truck made the expenses heavy.
Montezuma. — The Harmill has completed several
buildings on the Monitor claims and has built a road to
the shaft. A new hoist-house has been built and a 15-hp.
hoist is to be moved from Divide, which has become a
good field for the purchase of second-hand machinery, as
Goldfield long has been for houses. During the height
of the Divide boom there was never a day for months that
there was not a house on the road from Goldfield to
Divide and now all of them, except those at the Tonopah
Divide and a few other places, have little more value than
the claims on which they stand.
Tonopah. — The Tonopah Extension has moved 10
houses from Goldfield and has furnished them with mod-
ern conveniences. They will be rented to employees at
a low rate in an effort to solve the miner-shortage prob-
lem, which has become acute in some southern Nevada
districts. The labor turn-over in the smaller districts is
heavy and the shortage of good miners is felt keenly.
An engineer in charge of a dozen prospects in southern
districts complains that he cannot secure good miners and
says his experience in the last year leads him to believe
the 'mucker' is entering the class of the dodo.
Jungo. — Three leases have been let by the newly or-
ganized Pershing Lead-Silver Mines Co. on the claims
owned by the company at Jungo, in Pershing county,
three miles from Antelope on the "Western Pacific rail-
road. The Pershing Lead-Silver is sinking a shaft, now
40 ft. deep, in ore from a few inches to three feet wide
and assaying $35 to $40 in lead, silver, and gold. Jungo
is one of several districts in or near the Jackson range
that have attracted attention in recent months. The Man-
delay is sinking a shaft in silver-gold ore near the Per-
shing Lead-Silver. Work on a small scale for many years
in the Jackson range has resulted in promising copper.
gold, silver, and lead prospects, but important mines
have not resulted. Several carloads of high-grade silver-
sulphide ore have been shipped from the Mandalay and
small shipments of rich silver ore have been made from
the Duffner, 15 miles north of Jnngo. Twenty miles
from Jungo, at the southern end of the Jackson range,
the Craven company has shipped high-grade copper ore
and has concentrating ore blocked oiat to a depth of 200
feet.
Goldfield. — The Silver Pick has started shipping to
the Development mill at a rate of 25 tons of $15 to $18
ore daily. The shipments are being made from the 117-ft.
level. The cross-cut at a depth of 271 ft. will have to be
driven 80 ft. more to cut the same vein. All of this work
is being done in ground sub-leased fuoni the Development
mpany.
Tolicha. — A 10-ton pan-amalgaiiaation plant has been
July 17, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
99
started at Tolicha to test ore from the Landmark claims,
developed by Thomas Harnej of Chicago and asso-
nates. Two of four wide veins 5 to 20 ft. n ide have been
cut and tlic value and width of the ore, as reported un-
officially, indicates that a mine of much possibility is be-
insr developed. A tunnel is being driven and a 10-ft.
width of ore assaying more than $100 is reported in the
first vein out. A .'U-t't. width is said to assay more than
Mr. Harney, who makes his headquarters in Gold-
laid, lias consistently refused to make a statement re-
garding the mine until further work has been done.
UTAH
DIVIDENDS OF UTAH MINING COMPANIES.
Salt Lake City. In spite of unfavorable conditions,
the metal mines of Utah showed a gain in the amount of
dividend disbursements for the first six months of the
current j'ear, as compared with the same period for 1919.
amounting to $120,083. During the first half of 1919
the Bingham Mines Co. and the Ontario Silver company
paid dividends, whereas so far this year they have paid
none. The Daly-West, of Park City, has been added to
the list of dividend-payers this year, after a period of
seven years. The following table shows the disburse-
ments for the first half of 1920 and 1919 :
First half First half
of 1920 of 1919
Bingham Mines Co. (Bingham) . . . .$ $75,000
Chief. Con. Mining Co. (Tintic) ... . 176,846 169,004
Daly Mining Co. (Park City) 45,000 52,000
Daly-West (Park City) 100,000
Eagle & Blue Bell (Tintic) S9.314 44,657
Grand Central Mining Co. (Tintic) . 42.000 24,000
Iron Blossom Mining Co. (Tintic) . . 25.000 25,000
Judge M. ^ S. Co. (Park City) .... . 120,000 60,000
Ontario Silver (Park City) 75,000
Tintic Standard (Tintic) 234,540 187,952
Utah Copper Co. (Bingham) 4.S73.470 4,873,470
Total $5,706,171 $5,586,083
In addition to this, the American Smelting & Refining
Co. and the United States Smelting, Refining & Mining
Co., both with extensive interests in the State, have paid
dividends, part of which were earned in Utah.
Eureka. — In spite of the railway embargoes, lack of
miners, and unfavorable conditions that have prevailed
at various times during the first six months of 1920, ore
shipments from the Tintic district during that period
totalled 3537 cars, as against 3632 for the same period
in 1919, or a decrease of but 95 cars. Mining in this
district was started in 1870, or exactly a half-century
ago. The camp has been a steady producer during
all this period, and shipments today are at the rate of
about 600 cars per month. So far this year, five new
shippers have been added to the list of producers. Ore
shipments from the camp for the week ended July 3
totalled 148 cars, or one less than for the previous week.
Directors of the Chief Cona°lidated have declared a
dividend of 10c. per share, payable August 2 to stock-
holders of record July 10. This payment, the second
quarterly for the current year; will call for $88,423 and
will bring the grand total dividend disbursements by the
company up to $1,783,094, A new co-operative leasing
system is being tried oul by th rapany. Stopes of
liberal size are turned over to a group of miners on a
royalty basis, which ensures the company al t the same
amount of money thai could be realized under the old
system of 'company time' work, and at the same time
gives the men employed a chance Tor a greater return
for their labor. In a few places this plan is being tried
out. below the water-level, where three shifts are required,
and this means that as many as ten or twelve miners
share in the revenue derived from a single block of
NEVADA CON. PIT, COPPER PLAT, NEAR RUTH
ground. The regulations governing this system of leas-
ing require that every miner who works on the block be
interested, and when the work of any man becomes un-
satisfactory, his partners in the lease have the right to
vote him out and take in another miner. As the lessees
have not been to any expense in searching out the ore, or
in -putting it in shape for extraction, the company's roy-
alty charges are necessarily larger than usual, but even
so, there is more money to be made by. the lessees as extra
compensation for efficient work, over and above regular
daily wages.
The Tintic Standard company shipped 100 carloads of
ore in June, and this amount could be easily increased if
men were available. The mine could use at least 100 more
men. A part of the present output is from the deepest
level (1450 ft.) where a large deposit was opened recent-
ly. In the south end of the property, three headings are
io§
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 17, 1920
being driven, two on the 1200-ft. level and one on the
1000. One of the drifts on the 1200 is being sent over
toward the big stopes, principally to help ventilation, al-
though it should encounter ore. About 1200 ft. of work
remains before the connection is made. E. J. Raddatz,
president of the company, states that the claims of the
South Lily Co. have recently been purchased by the
Tintic Standard. The South Lily adjoins the Tintic
Standard on the south. Excellent progress is being made
on the new milling plant, and it is expected that the first
unit will be ready for operation by fall.
Park City. — Shipments for the first six months of 1920
were about 50% larger than for the corresponding period
of 1919, being 52,443 tons as against 35,368 tons. The
high price of silver during the early part of the current
year stimulated mining considerably, which accounts for
the increased production.
The Judge M. & S. Co. will open a company store that
will be ready for business on August 1. The store will
be conducted solely for the benefit of the employees of the
Judge company and all other properties under the same
management. All goods will be sold on the cost system.
Coupon books will be issued to the employees, and if
unused coupons are in possession of employees when con-
nection is severed with the company, they will be re-
deemed at full value. The store will be open every after-
noon and goods delivered once eacli week, purchasers pay-
ing pro-rata the expense of delivery.
An important strike of high-grade ore was made recent-
ly in a cross-cut on the 700-ft. level at the Naildriver
property, according to J. D. Fisher, superintendent. The
ore has been developed to a width of three feet, and assays
run as high as 150 oz. silver per ton. Shipments have
been started, and should average 200 tons per week dur-
ing the present summer. Frank Fleishman, superintend-
ent of the Ontario, states that development work at that
property was suspended for a week on account of the
compressor breaking down. Operations were resumed on
July 6. At the Silver King Coalition property, 190 men
are now on the payroll and at least 100 more could be
used to advantage. Physical conditions at this property
are excellent, and development work in new territory is
reported as highly satisfactory.
WISCONSIN
ZINC AND LEAD MINING DURING JUNE.
Notwithstanding the fact that offerings for zinc ore re-
mained low and that the price for lead ore had dropped
considerably, the Wisconsin districts maintained unin-
terrupted operation all through the month of June, and
good production resulted. High-grade zine ore recovered
at magnetic separating-plants was in good demand at the
beginning of the month, on a range of prices running
from $48 to $51 per ton. Premium-grade ore commanded
even higher figures, but a recession in price came the
second week, the base holding flat at $48.50 per ton. At
the close of the month, the base price for refinery blende
stood at $49 per ton, and while complaint was general
that the price was not high enough to warrant profit-
taking operators held their working-forces together hop-
ing for an upward turn. Low-grade zinc-ore producers
received better offerings during the month and a consid-
erable portion of reserve ore was sold but lean producers
found it hard going and several mines were shut-down
pending better market conditions. The mines in the
Highland district operated by the New Jersey Zinc Co.,
were all shut-down and over 100 men thrown out of em-
ployment. Many quickly, transferred to other parts of
the field. The Blewett mine, in the Galena district, shut-
down and several producers in the Livingston district
gave up all hope of continuing production, assigning as
the reason low prices for zine concentrate.
Lead ore, which had reached $110 per ton prior to
June, dropped at the beginning of the month to $100.
This figure was destined to remain but a short time and
the price current over the better part of the month ruled
around $90. Many producers who had refused $110 for
their ore, believing even better prices would prevail, held
on after the drop calculating the price would recover but,
when less than $100 was offered, a portion of the holdings
was sold. The increased output of zinc ore aided ma-
terially in an increased production of lead ore and the
reserve in the field closely estimated at the close of the
month, is in excess of 1000 tons. No competition was
noticeable between buyers as had been the rule when lead
ore ruled high and the major portion of lead ore sold
through June went to the Federal Lead Co. Scores of
lessees gophering old workings on a small scale met with
poor success and sales of mixed lots for the month were
negligible. The bulk of the lead ore recovered in the
Wisconsin field will come in the future from the big zine-
mine operators.
Producers of carbonate-zinc ore, in the northern dis-
tricts of the field, shut-down permanently. Prices for this
class of ore have been steady and fair but the big deposits
have been mined out and unless new exploration work
determines new ranges in virgin soil this portion of the
field will be abandoned.
Deliveries of zinc ore and lead for June, by districts,
follow :
Districts Zinc, lb.
Benton 10,360,000
Cuba City 4,600,000
Livingston 5,492,000
Galena 3,558,000
Day Siding S14.000
Highland 760,000
Hazel Green 806,000
Platteville 716,000
Shullsburg 664,000
Linden 336,000
Millbrig 132,000
Lead, lb.
440,000
62,000
80,000
160,000
80,000
90,000
Total 28,238,000 912,000
The gross recovery of crude concentrate for the month
at mills amounted to 13,949 tons. A small surplus of
crude ore was disposed of during June but the reserve in
the field at the close of the month ran up near 10,000
tons, most of which was held at refineries and by one or
two of the larger operating concerns.
.inly 17. 1926
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
101
shipments of high-grade blende from separating-plants
were made for the month a« shown here,
Company Lb.
Mineral Point Zinc Co 5.670,000
National Ore Separators 2.966,000
Wisconsin Zinc Roasters 1,266,000
Block-House Mining Co 540,000
Bine Concentrating Co 532,000
Total 10,974,000
The total net deliveries of high-grade zinc ore from the
field to smelters for June amounted to 5487 tons of
blende, and 440 tons of carbonate-zinc ore.
Raw-ore production was distributed as follows: to the
Mineral Point Zinc Co., 5487 tons; Wisconsin Zinc Roast-
ers. 5360 tons ; National Ore Separators, 2147 tons ; Zinc
Concentrating Co., 685 tons. High-grade ore was divided
mainly between the Prime Western Smelters, a subsidiary
of the New Jersey Zinc Co., Depue, Illinois, and the Min-
eral Point Zinc Co., so that practically all went one way
for the month. It indicates that the buying-latitude in
the field is more closely restricted than ever before.
Labor conditions remain precarious. Shovelers espe-
cially were in demand, although the pay is the highest
ever known and the men employed earn as high as $10 to
$12 on a single shift. Some accidents were reported, one
at the Jefferson mine, near Hazel Green, following a cave-
in of supporting pillars resulting in the death of three
miners. Exploration work in the field has been reduced
considerably and at the end of the month little construc-
tion work was in progress in any of the districts.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
PORTLAND CANAL AND DOLLY VARDEN DE3TRICTS AEE
FLOURISHING.
Windermere. — Construction of a second unit of the
power-plant for the Florence mine, at Princess creek, is
well under way. The company is employing 60 men, and
working a double shift in the mine and a single one in
the mill. About 150 tons of ore is being treated daily,
and it is expected that over 300 tons of concentrate will
be produced each month. The mine is in splendid con-
dition, both the fissure and replacement veins yielding a
good supply of ore. More miners are needed.
The Laib Brothers, who are operating the Spokane
group, are crushing the ore in an arrastre and running
the pulp over amalgamated copper plates, and tables.
Most of the gold is collected in the arrastre and on the
plates and thesilver-lead concentrate is shipped to Trail.
Transportation facilities are bad, the cost of shipping to
the smelter running from $50 to $60 per ton.
Princeton. — E. T. Hodge, late professor of mining
at the University of British Columbia, has bonded the
Emancipation group of eight claims, at Jassica, 15 miles
from Hope. Some good ore was taken from this prop-
erty in 1916 by C. H. Lighthall, who had an option on
the property, 53 tons yielding $18,295. Later in the
same year F. Merrick netted $2822 from eight tons of
ore shipped to the smelter. D. C. Coleman, president of
the Canada Copper Corporation, has announced that the
railway from Princeton to Copper Mountain should be
finished by September 1, and the corporation, expects to
start milling on that date. The West Kootenay Power
& Light Co. has nearly completed its 1 15-mile high-power
branch to the property.
Stewart. — It is declared that there is no mining boom
in the Portland Canal district, but that there is much
solid development. Nine diamond-drills now are in op-
eration, two on the Premier, two on the Northern Light
group, one each on the 49 group, the Big Missouri, the
Mother Lode, Goose Creek, and the B. C. Exploration
Co.'s property on Marmot river. It is stated that the
snow is rapidly disappearing from the higher reaches
and that there is still employment for good miners.
Activity is apparent through the country contiguous
t<' the Bear River valley. Men are engaged in putting
the line of the Canadian Northeastern railway, owned by
Sir Donald Mann, in shape for operation, and a gas-
locomotive has been bought, together with some rolling
TINTIC MILLING CO. S PLANT at silver CITY, UTAH
stock, in order that the transport of supplies to the
various camps may be undertaken as soon as the repairs
to the road render it feasible. On the Q. & L. group,
held under bond by J. Tretheway, of Cobalt, surface-
stripping has exposed a vein and a tunnel has exposed
ore containing galena, zinc-blende, and silver.
Alice Arm. — The population of the town of Alice Arm
is growing to such an extent that much building is in
progress. A three-story hotel is under construction in
addition to numerous cabins. The community radiates
prosperity. Everyone is busy and the Dolly Varden
railway is operating regularly. Reports are received re-
garding the richness of the new ore being found in the
Dolly Varden mine. It is stated also that the Royal
group nearby is showing up well. Prospectors are going
into the hills both up the Kitsault and the Illiance rivers.
Use.- — High-grade copper ore is reported on Nicholson
creek, near Usk, by Alexander Baxendale, a prospector.
As a result the Crescent group of mineral claims has
been staked. Stripping is said to disclose a fissure vein,
one to six feet wide, for a distance of 700 ft. carrying
bornite and chalcopyrite, much of which is rich enough
to ship.
Slocan. — That the Utica mine will be re-opened at
once and put on a shipping basis is announced by C. F.
102
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 17, 1920
Caldwell, vice-president and managing director of the
Utiea Mines Ltd. The old Sunset property, situated near
the Utiea, also is to be developed. The latter has not
been worked for tifteen years. During its operation over
$500,000 worth of ore was shipped, some 2000 tons av-
eraging over .$250 per ton at the former price of silver.
It is proposed to continue the existing cross-cut to strike
the vein at new depth.
Nelson. — Another deal is reported in connection with
the Granite-Poorman mine, on Eagle creek, it being
stated that a syndicate has been formed to take over the
property from the Vincent Development Co. As a result
the Granite-Poorman property will resume operation
immediately, a crew of men already having been put to
work.
ONTARIO
PROVINCIAL MIXES DEPARTMENT Til BE INVESTIGATED.
Toronto. — An investigation which lias been for some
time in progress into sales of timber by the former Pro-
vincial administration has resulted in the discovery of
extensive frauds, occasioning considerable loss to the pub-
lie treasury. As until recently the Department of Mines
was included in the jurisdiction of the former Depart-
ment of Lands, Forests, and Mines, it is suspected that a
laxity of administration, if nothing worse, may have re-
sulted in similar abuses in connection with mining sales
or leases, and Premier Drury has announced that a
thorough investigation of the Department of Mines will
be held. In view of the facts as disclosed by the timber
investigation, no other course appears open to the Gov-
ernment, and the action meets with general public ap-
proval.
Porcupine. — The shareholders of the Hollinger Con-
solidated have approved of the removal of the bead office
of the company from Toronto to Timmins. A contract
has been let for diamond-drilling the Miracle property
south of Night Hawk lake, the work to be started as
soon as possible. It is planned to tap the main vein at
300 and 500 ft. The property, previous work on which
yielded promising results, is equipped with a mining and
a milling plant.
Kirkland Lake. — At the Ontario Kirkland work has
been started on the excavation for the mill. It is planned
to have the foundations and perhaps the framework of the
building completed before winter. Drifting on the 450-ft.
level is being actively carried on, the ore being richer
than on the upper levels. Operations at the Wright-
Hargreaves have been handicapped owing to shortage of
power. The main shaft was unwatered some weeks ago
and work started, but it had to be abandoned through
failure- of the Northern Ontario Light & Power Co. to
deliver enough electric energy. Steam-power is being
used on shaft No. 2, which has been straightened and
timbered to a depth of 200 ft. The foundations of the
mill have been completed and work started on the build-
ing, which is expected to be finished and the machinery
installed late this fall. The date for commencing mill-
ing operations has been indefinitely postponed owing to
the power shortage. A vein about 10 ft. wide has been
opened on the "Wood-Kirkland in a dike of porphyry
formation stated to be about 400 ft. wide. Several veins
have been uncovered by surface work on the Moffatt-Hall
claims near Mud Lake. Trenching is being carried on to
ascertain the best point for sinking. At the Chaput-
Hughes the shaft is down 40 ft. on a 5-ft. vein, the gold
content of which shows an increase at depth.
Sesekinika. — On the Russell claims, adjoining the
Smith-Labine group, a discovery regarded as being of
importance has been made. Trenching has revealed a
scbisted zone, about 70 ft. wide, cut by numerous quartz
stringers of low gold content. The quartz, which is
highly enriched with pyrite, is blue in color and the
stringers are usually narrow. The shaft on the Light-
ning River Gold Mines properties, 2\ miles east of Sese-
kinika Station, is down 20 ft., the vein showing improve-
ment and maintaining its width.
Cobalt. — During the first six months of 1920, the sil-
ver mines of Northern Ontario produced approximately
$6,372,000, according to preliminary estimates. This
compares with $12,747,621 for the whole of 1919 and
shows how production is being maintained. The total
silver output since the first discoveries in Cobalt in 1903,
up to June 30 of 1920. amounts to 309,011,136 oz. valued
at $188,411,972. Dividends paid amount to some $1
000,000. while the treasuries of the various companies
contain upward of $] 5.000,000, the net profit realized ap-
proximating 50% of the total production. The sixth
high-grade ore-shoot to be opened since last fall is re-
ported this week on the Beaver Consolidated. There is
some promise of regular quarterly dividend disburse
meats.
The regular- quarterly dividend of 5% declared by the
Nipissing on July 20 is not accompanied with the usual
lionus of equal amount. The company has quick liquid
assets of over $5,000,000. the highest figure in its history,
and the failure to pay a July bonus is interpreted as in-
dicating the intention of the directors to yield to the re-
quest of shareholders to distribute its surplus more
freely among stockholders. It is believed this will take
the form of a substantial capital reduction at intervals,
in addition to regular dividends-
Arrangements are being made to diamond-drill the
Mohawk-Cobalt property in the Mud Lake district. An
investigation of the possibilities of the Belle-Ellen mine
in South Lorrain is being made by M. J. O'Brien, Ltd.,
with a view to recovering cobalt from the large veins on
the propert}'. Another shipment of ten or eleven tons of
high-grade ore has been made from the Castle property
of the Trethewey company. The ore contains, on an av-
erage, 2000 oz. of silver per ton. Current production is
adequate to pay expenses, in addition to carr-y on nec-ps
sary development work. Announcement is made that the
Kerr Lake Mining Co. has arranged a contract with the
Dominion Reduction Co. to treat between 75,000 and
100,000 tons of low-grade mill-ore. The Kerr Lake com
pany will itself continue to mine its medium and high-
grade ore. "• •> i
July 17. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
103
THE MININ
CHILE COI'I'KR CO.
The Chile Copper Co.'s report for 1919 emphasizes that in
spite of world-wide economic and social readjustment since
the Armistice, the finances of the company have been well
husbanded and operations singularly successful, considering
conditions under which Chile is working.
"Upon signing of the Armistice," it adds, "large stocks of
copper were left on the market and coincidentally sales for
about four months practically ceased. This necessitated
curtailment in production. For the year ended December
31, 1919, your company produced 38,359 tons, compared to
51,068 for 1918. Capacity of plant during 1919 was ap-
proximately 60,000 tons, in spite of small production for
1919 actual cash cost of producing this copper, including
estimated cost of selling and delivering, was 13.01c. per
pound, compared to 13.30c. for 1918. During 1919 Chilean
exchange was more favorable than in 191 S, which helped to
reduce the cost of production. On the other hand, it is esti-
mated that nearly all other factors entering cost of produc-
tion were considerably higher in 1919 than in 1918."
For the year ended December 31, 1919, a deficit of
$2,290,658 after all charges and taxes, against a surplus of
$3,440,229 in 1918 is reported. The combined income ac-
count o? Chile Copper Co. and Chile Exploration Co. follows:
1919
Operating revenue 810,350,167
Oiierating costs 8.729.956
Operating (rain 1.(120.211
Miscellaneous income 868.877
Total income 2.489.088
Federal taxes and miscellaneous 395,556
Interest charges 2.823,043.
Deficit 729.511
Plant superseded . . . ({5,(139
Ore depletion 1.355.508
Amount ot bond discount 140.000
Deficit 2.290.658
•Surplus.
ARIZONA
Bisbee. — The work of pouring concrete in the Dallas shaft
of the Copper Queen branch of the Phelps Dodge Corpora-
tion is now under way. Eventually this will be the main
hoisting shaft for the entire Copper Queen mine, and will
replace the Sacramento, through which the ore is hoisted at
present. Owing to steam-shovel operations, in the course of
time the Sacramento will have to be abandoned as an
operating shaft.
Maricopa County. — At the Mammoth mine, near Supersti-
tion mountain, on the road between Mesa and Roosevelt,
application has been made for the establishment of a post-
office, and the changing of the name to Youngville, after the
chief operator and owner, George U. Young, former Secre-
tary of State. It is reported that new equipment is being
purchased and development work is planned on an extensive
scale.
CALIFORNIA
Grass Valley. — With 80 stamps dropping on high-grade
•mill pre from Empire and Pennsylvania mines, the Empire
, Mines Co. is doing well despite high labor and operating
costs. The mine force has been increased and development
pf new territory below the 4500-ft. level is proceeding satis-
factorily. Opening of ore in new ground has been attended
with encouraging results during the past year. In the
1918
1917
S20.931.071
$18,908,855
12.414.607
11.751.778
8.516.404
7.157.077
437.263
0-19.294
8.953.667
7.806.371
776.995
505,233
2.422.419
1.860.525
•5,754.253
•5.440.613
41.441
1.026.586
2.132.583
1.710.615
140.000
105.000
•3,440.229
•2,598,412
Pennsylvania property good ore is also being opened at
depth. The output is sent to the Empire mill over an elec-
tric railway. Excellent developments are reported at the
North Star, Alcalde, and Boundary properties. The Central
mill of the North Star company is running steadily on good
ore from deep levels. Shoots of bonanza quartz continue to
develop in the Alcalde and Boundary properties, and both
mines promise to be consistent producers. At the Allison
Ranch drifting is proceeding along the new-found Hartery
vein, with indications pronounced good for development of
a large orebody in virgin ground.
Portola. — Regular shipments of copper concentrate are
going out from the flotation-plants of the Engels and Walker
mines, with new developments adding to the present ore-
reserves of both properties. Recent work in the Superior
section of the Engels group has placed in sight some of the
richest deposits ever found in this district, and the grade of
ore going to the plant continues excellent. Activities at the
Beardsley, Gruss, Trask & Coffer, Five Bears, Feather River,
and several other properties continue. Practically every
company reports development of additional ore, with new
work materially extending the dimensions of the proved
reserves.
IDAHO
Couer d'Alene. — The mines of this district have paid in
dividends in 35 years $95,082,316, nearly half of this in the
last seven years. At the present rate of earnings the $100.-
000,000-mark will be passed next year. Dividends in the
first six months of the present year were $2,660,357, and
will probably continue at about this rate. The individual
companies paid: Bunker Hill & Sullivan, $981,000; Her-
cules, estimated, $500,000; Interstate-Callahan, $373,300:
Hecla, $350,000; Federal, preferred, $299,757; Caledonia
$156,300.
A new vein of fine ore has been uncovered by the Colum-
bus Mining Co. The vein is 13 ft. wide and its discovery
follows continuous work for two years. Raising is in.
progress from the main-tunnel level of the Nabob Consoli-
dated mine. The raise has attained a height of 20 ft. and
will be continued to the next level above; -which is-220-ft. •
higher than the main tunnel. The work will be completed
in six weeks. The Orogrande Gold Mining Co., near
Stites, has increased the capacity of its mill to 500 tons
daily. The designed capacity was 3 00 tons. Changes and
improvements have been made in the method of ore-dressing.
Workings of the Baltimore vein of the Silver Triumph
Mining Co. have been entered for the first time in 3 0 years.
Ore containing 3 9 oz. silver per ton, 2.0% lead, and 18%
z'nc has been discovered 60 ft. from the surface. The old
workings honeycomb the ground on two tunnel-levels. The
orebody between the main-tunnel level and a point 150 ft.
deeper is six feet wide and gives promise of a greater width.
The Tamarack & Custer Consolidated Mining Co. is pro-
ducing crude ore and concentrate at the rate of 3500 tons
per month. The net value of the ore is said to range from
$100 to $125 per tori. The purchase of a tunnel that pene-
trates an adjoining property is under consideration. This
tunnel attains greater depth than any on the Tamarack &
Custer and is convenient to a mill. ;.Its use by the Tamarack
& Custer will reduce the cost of mining. i
104
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 17, 192»
MISSOURI
Joplin. — The Iowa Mining Co. is erecting a mill on its
lease on the Gilniore land, two miles south of Baxter
Springs, and expects to have the plant in operation by Sep-
tember 1. The mill was formerly the old Oak Orchard,
north of Joplin. It is of 150 tons capacity and is in good
condition. It is equipped with gas-engines, which will be
the motive power at the Iowa mine. Ben Hoskins, mill-
builder of Baxter Springs, is in charge of the construction
work. A feature of the plant is that the building will be
covered with a new roof entirely of zinc. Zinc sheets will be
used and so placed as to conform to the best methods of
laying roofing of this kind, allowing for expansion and con-
traction.
•The Iowa company has had many obstacles to overcome
in the development of its mine. The lease is regarded as
one of the richest in the district. Eighteen or nineteen holes
were sunk in the prospecting and a fine body of ore blocked
out. Spasmodic troubles with water delayed operations at
times and just when everything seemed to be ready for a
continuation o£ mine development a fire destroyed nearly
everything at the plant. After re-building the engine-house
and derrick, work was resumed underground and negotia-
tions were started looking to the purchase of a mill.
NEVADA
Searchlight. — A. S. Gaines and Charles Johnson have
found srme fine ore on their lease on the 600-£t. level of the
old Duplex mine. The find is said to be similar to that
made about two months ago by Burdick and Perkins on the
500-ft. level of the Duplex. Burdick and Perkins are still
mining ore worth about $200 per ton and are shipping at
the rate of a car every eight days. Gaines and Johnson
expect to begin shipments at once.
UTAH
Grantsvillc. — Promising mineralization has been pene-
trated in the adit being driven at the 'L' Marie property to
open at depth a shoot of good ore previously opened by a
shallow shaft. This property is situated in the Free Coin-
age district, nine miles east of here. In the face of the tun-
nel, which is about 75 ft. from the portal, four inches of
high-grade silver-lead ore, containing manganese and spar,
has baen cut.
Bingham. — I'pper workings at the United States proper-
ties here are to be turned over to lessees, according to D.
D. Iiluir, mine manager. The United States properties in-
clude the old Jordan and Galena mines, from which high-
grade galena was mined in the early days.
Alta, — Since June 15, the South Hecla company has been
shipping an average of one carload of ore per day, according
to George H. Watson, general manager. At present 57 men
are employed at the property, and twice that number could
be used to advantage, if they were available. A similar
shortage of men exists in the other mines in the district.
WASHINGTON
Stevens County. — The only mining company in Washing-
ton that is now paying dividends is the Electric Point which
has made two disbursements this year and expects to con-
tinue its present rate of $23,790 per quarter. The North-
west Magnesite Co. is making good profits but has not yet
declared any dividends. The American Minerals Production
Co., alsoa magnesite corporation, paid a dividend of $30,000
in 1917 and may resume payments before long, in view of
the present condition of the mine.
A concentrating plant has been erected at the Lead Trust
mine and has started operation. The plant is of 75 tons
daily capacity and designed to dress lead ore. Operations
have disclosed ore 6 to 14 ft. wide on two levels. One level
is 200 ft. above the mill and the other 350 ft., both being
opened with adits.
personalI
The Editor invites members of the profession to send particulars of theti
work and appointments. The information is interesting: to our readers.
P. L. Sizer is in Arizona.
J. Power Hutchins writes from Italy.
W. Pellew-Harvey, of London, is at Vaneeuver.
A. Campbell, of Anaconda, visited Globe recently.
Algernon Del Mar, of Los Angeles, Is at Alamos, Mexico.
Wilber Jndson is on his way back to New York from Sam
Francisco.
Charles Janin left Penang, Straits Settlements, for Lon-
don on July 7.
E. O. Daue has returned to Blueflelds, Nicaragua, from
Easton, Pennsylvania.
William B. Bishop and P. L. Watson, of Lima, Peru, are
visiting the South-West.
Frederick F. Ransom is doing geological work in the oil-
fields near Santa Maria, California.
D. A. Lyon, supervisor of stations for the U. S. Bureau of
Mines, was recently in San Francisco.
John Davenport, formerly of Boston, is at Wausau, Wis-
consin, in care of the Wausau Abrasives Co.
Bobert M. Hampton, of Tonopah, is now superintendent
for the Utah Boston Development Co., at Bingham, Utah.
W. S. Hall, metallurgical engineer for the Chino Copper
Co., at Hurley, New Mexico, is visiting metallurgical plants
in Utah.
Paul T. Bnihl has left Thomson, Georgia, and is now with
the New York & Honduras Rosario Mining Co., at San
Juancito, Central America.
M. J. Pinnegan, of Worcester, and E. L. Marsh, of Boston,
who are interested in Nevada and Utah mining properties,
were at Salt Lake City recently.
W. Prouty, geologist for the Old Dominion company at
Globe, has been appointed chief geologist for the Copper
Queen branch of the Phelps Dodge Corporation at Bisbee.
B. A. Sulliger has left the Estaca Mining Co., at Contra
Estaca, Mexico, to take charge of the Delores Esperanza Co.,
at Delores. H. D. Hickie succeeds him as superintendent
for the Estaca Mining Co.
M. J. Gavin, refinery engineer for the V. S. Bureau of
Mines, with headquarters at Salt Lake City, visited the San
Francisco office of the Bureau during June in connection
with oil-shale development.
W. E. Dickson, assistant engineer, and R. B. Bowe, junior
engineer of the U. S. Geological Survey at Salt Lake City,
are at Wabuska, Nevada, installing a naw reeordlng-gauge
station on the Walker river.
T. H. O'Brien, for twelve years manager for the Stag
Canyon Fuel Co., at Dawson, New Mexioo, a subsidiary of
the Phelps Dodge Corporation, has been appointed general
manager for the Inspiration Con. Copper Go. and also for the
'"'"-national Smelting Co.
Dewey, Strong & Townsend announce the entry of Capt.
William A. Loftus, Thomas Cast berg, James M. Abbett, and
John H. Herring into the firm, which will be known as
Dewey, Strong, Townsend & Loftus, with offiees as hereto-
fore in the Crocker building, San Francisco.
J. M. Hill, of the U. S. Geological Survey, has been trans-
ferred from Washington to the Survey's office in San Fran- I
Cisco, where he will be associated with Charles G. Yale. Mr.
Hill's field of geological studies will include the Pacific Coast
States and to some extent also Arizona and Nevada. The
desirability of having a geologist attached to the San Fran-
cisco office has long been felt, for many requests for exami-
nation and report are received that cannot be met by sending
a Federal geologist across the continent.
lal
Ma,
.InIt 17. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
195
THE METAL
MARKET
METAL PRICES
Ban Francisco. July l.'t
Aluminum -dust, cents per pound 65
Antimony, cents per pound 9.00
Copper, electrolytic, ceate per pound i:i on
Lead, piir, centa per pound 8.35 — 0.25
Platinum, pure, per ounce |85
Platinum. 10% iridium, per ounce 5118
Quicksilver, per flask of 75 lb 585
Spelter, cents per pound 9.50
Zinc-dust, cents per pound 13.50 — 15.00
EASTERN BIETAL MARKET
(By wire from New York)
July 12. — Copper Is Qulel and strong1, Lead ia inactive but firm. Zinc
u dull but steady.
SILVER
Below are given official or ticker Quotations, in cents per ounce of silver
BfiO flnc. From April 33. 1918. the United States government paid 51 per
ounce for all silver purchased by it. fixing1 a maximum of 51-01% on
August 15. 1918. and will continue to pay 51 until the quantity specified
under the Act is purchased, probably extending over several years. On
May 5, 1919, all restrictions on the metal were removed, resulting in
fluctuations. During the restricted period, the .British government fixed the
maximum price five times, the last being on March 25, 1919. on account of
the low rate of sterling- exchange, but removed all restrictions on May 10.
The equivalent of dollar silver (1000 fine) in British currency is 46.65
pence per ounce (935 fine) calculated at the normal rate of exchange.
New York
Date
July
cents
« 90.00
7 91.87
8 94.50
9 91.75
10 93.12
11 Sunday
12 92.87
ondon
Average
week ending
pence
Centa
51.50
May
31
. .101.17
52.50
June
7
. . 98.23
54.00
It
. ..86.00
52.25
"
21
. . 87.07
52.62
"
28
. . 91.41
July
5
. . 89.97
53.12
18
. . 92.18
Pence
58.87
56.52
48.02
48.73
51.69
51.68
52.60
1918
.88.72
.85.79
.88.11
Apr 95.35
May 99.50
June 99.50
Jan.
.Feb.
Men.
1919
101.12
101.12
101.12
101.12
107.23
110.50
Monthlj
1920
132.77
131.27
125.70
119.56
102.69
90.84
averages
1918
July 99.62
- Aug 100.31
l Sept 101.12
' Oct 101.12
: Nov 101.12
Dec 101.12
1919
106.36
111.35
113.92
119.10
127.57
131.92
COPPER
Prices of electrolytic in New York, in cents per pound.
Date
July
6 19.00
7 : 19.00
8 19.00
9 19.00
10 19.00
11 Sunday
12 19.00
May
June
Average week ending
31
14.
21.
28.
5.
12.
19.00
19.00
19.00
19.00
19.00
19.00
19.00
1918
Jan 23.50
Feb 23.50
Mch 23.50
Apr 23.50
May 23.50
June 23.50
Lead is quoted in
Date
July B
1919
20.43
17.34
15.05
15.23
15.91
17.53
Monthly averages
1920
19.25
19.05
18.49
19.23
19.05
19.00
1918
July 26.00
Aug 26.00
Sept 26.00
Oct 26.00
Nov 26.00
Dec 26.00
1919
20.82
22.51
22.10
21.66
20.45
18.55
10
11 Sunday
12
1918
Jan 6.85
Feb 7.07
Mch 7.26
Apr 6.99
May 6.88
June 7.59
cents per pound,
8.25
8.25
8.25
8.25
8.25
. . 8.25
Monthly
1920
8.65
8.88
9.22
8.78
8.55
8.43
New York delivery.
Average week ending
May
June
31.
7.
14.
21.
28.
5.
12.
1919
6.60
5.13
6.24
6.05
5.04
5.32
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Not.
Dec.
1918 1919
8.50
8.68
8.76
8.21
8.15
8.39
8.25
8.03
8.05
8.05
8.05
8.05
6.90
TIN
Prices in New York, in cents per pound.
Monthly averages
1919 1920 1
71.60 62.74
72.44 59.87
72.60 61.92
72.50 62.12
72.60 54.99
71.83 48.33
1918
Jan 86.13
Feb. 86.00
Mch 85.00
Apr 88.53
May 100.01
June 91.00
1918
July 93.00
Aug 91.33
Sept 80.40
Oct 78.82
Nov 73.67
Dec 71.62
6.63
5.78
6.02
6.40
6.76
7.12
1919
70.11
62.20
65.79
54.82
64.17
64.94
Zinc Is quoted as spelter, standard Western brands, New York delivery,
in cents per pound.
Date
July
Jan.
Feb.
Mch.
Apr.
May
June
10
11 Sunday
12
8.20
May
8.15
June
8.10
*■
8.15
"
8.15
"
July
Average week ending
37:::::::::::::::::
14
21
88
IS.
Monthly averages
7.78
7.44
9.68
July
7.97
0.71
9.15
Aug.
7.67
6.63
8.93
Sept
7.04
6.49
8.76
Oct.
7.92
6.43
8,07
Nov.
7,92
6.91
7.92
Dee.
1918 1919
7.93
8.02
8.0*
T.79
7.85
8.04
8.15
8.72
8.78
9.58
9.11
8.76
8.49
7.78
7.81
7.67
7.82
8.12
8.69
QUICKSILVER
The primary market for quicksilver 1b San Francisco. California being
the largest producer. The price is fixed in the open market, according to
quantity. Prices, in dollars per flask of 75 pounds.
Date I Jane *> 85.0*
June 15 85.00 July « 90.0*
22 85.00 1 " 13 86.0*
Monthly averages
1918
Jan 128.06
Feb 118.00
Mch 112.00
Apr 115.00
May 110.00
June 112.00
1919
103.75
S0.00
72.80
73.12
84.80
94.40
1920
89.00
81.00
87.00
100.00
87.00
86.00
1918
Jnly 120.00
Ang 120.00
Sept 120.00
Oct 120.00
Nov 120.00
Dee 116.00
1919
100.00
103.00
102.60
86.00
78.00
95.00
1920
FOREIGN VIEW OF THB POTMAN ACT
The New York market for silver and the operation of the Pittman Act
have been followed with interest by bankers and bullion dealers in Europe.
Under influences tending to depress silver in world markets, such as
Chinese selling and Continental selling of silver coins, Europe watched the
price decline in this market well below the dollar mark, with the Pittmaa
Act ineffectual for the time being. Now that the Treasury has found a
means of putting the Pittman Act into operation, and thus stimulating the
price even for foreign silver, practicability of. the measure is still ques-
tioned by foreign dealers.
Advices to hand reflect views of foreign dealers on Information that the
Director of the Mint had revised its regulations regarding tender of silver
of United States origin, although mixed with alien-produced silver in refin-
ing. Resultant stimulation of silver in New York by this means is re-
garded as rather artificial and as tending to be against commercial interests
of United States citizens in settlement of trade obligations with China, or
where debts are to be paid in silver.
Samuel Montagu & Co., bullion dealers, of London, say: "There are
two good reasons, both touching the well-being of the people of the United
States, why silver sold under the Pittman Act should not be purchased at
a dollar the fine ounce. First, there is the prospect that if the dollar
limit were removed their silver could be acquired at a substantial discount
of 25% or more under the dollar per fine ounee. Second, the balance of
trade with China was against the United States to extent of £14.684,000 in
1914 and in 1919 had increased to 848.639,000 (nearly 3% times).
"Any fall in the price of silver must have material effect in reducing to
people of the United States the cost of commodities from the Far East.
In the above figures a fall of 50% in the price of stiver would not only
show an apparent gain of £5.000,000 to people of the United States, but
it would really mean many times more, for trading and manufacturing
profits connected with raw material imported from China would be. to a
large extent, proportionately lessened by a redaction of wholesale and
retail prices."
TAKES AND NATIONAL DEBTS
Financiers of experience and vision continue to stress taxes and public
debts as factors of the utmost importance financially. Otto H. Kahn thinks
the excess profits tax ia the source of much economic evil and gives ex-
cellent reasons for his belief. Another economist, who is not of the bank-
ing fraternity, thinks there is great danger of the world's gold reserves
becoming inadequate, and suggests that gilt-edge gold interest-bearing bonds
be made the baaia of the currency by Congress if a great crisis ia to be
averted owing to the deflation of credit Just when inflation is needed, or
later will be needed, by expanding business in thiB country and in Europe.
As to national debts there ia perhapa less awe of the great indebtedness
piled up since 1913. Everything la relative. Ia Britain's present war debt
any greater, relatively speaking than the four billions she owed at the end
of the Napoleonic ware? It is not. Britain 1b a great many times richer
than she was 124 years ago. If this is true of the English what is to be
said of the war debt of the United States which country, equally rieh.
though only half developed, hae a war debt of ¥30,000,000,000.
MONEY AND EXCHANGE
Foreign quotations on July 13 are as follows:
Sterling, dollars: Cable 3.93%
Demand 3.94 F£
Franca, cents: Cable . 8.42
Demand ^44
Lire, cents: Demand , (J.«6
Marks, cents ......,,.,. 2.84
106
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 17, 1920
Eastern Metal Market
New York, July 7.
The three-day holiday has not been a stimulus to an al-
ready rather lifeless market. Prices have, however, re-
mained fairly strong.
Buying of copper is only moderate but prices are steady
and unchanged.
Business in tin is confined to dealers and is light.
Demand for lead is small. Prices are firm but nominal.
The zinc market is stronger and prices are higher.
Antimony is unchanged and quiet.
IRON AND STEEL
Pig-iron output increased in June, showing that the net
result of all the changes in the railroad situation was favor-
able. At 3,043,540 tons for the 30 days the daily average
was 101,451 tons, a gain of about 5000 tons per day upon
the May output, which was 2,985,682 tons for 31 days. May
in turn showed a gain of 5000 tons per day over April. But
the industry is still nearly 7 500 tons below the peak reached
in March when the daily average was 108,900 tons. The
estimated capacity active at the opening of the month was
101,500 tons per day, against 98,350 tons for 295 furnaces
on June 1.
The latest word from steel-producing centres, however, in-
dicates a more unfavorable turn, within the week. The Com-
merce Commission order that open-top cars be sent to coal
mines and the renewal of the order directing box-cars to
grain-producing sections have left steel-mills so short of cars
ihat there is increased talk of a suspension of operations for
ten days or two weeks to permit of a clearing up of the
desperate congestion.
While reports from the automobile industry have been un-
favorable, two companies made records in June, one turning
out 3 5 00 cars per day and another 6 25 cars.
Cars bought by industrial companies have amounted to
6 500 since May 1 and active inquiries will bring the total to,
10,000.
COPPER
Conditions as to labor and transportation are not greatly
altered. Demand continues light from domestic sources but
buying for foreign shipment is good. There is more interest
for forward shipment by domestic buyers, and sales have
been made of both Lake and electrolytic copper, for forward
as well as prompt and early delivery, on the basis of 19c,
New York. Large producers are firm in their quotations of
19c. for both grades. The outside market is believed to have
been pretty well cleaned out of speculative and cheap lots
and is quoted at around 18.50c, New York, for early de-
livery.
Statistics regarding copper exports show that to June 1
these have been at the rate of 3*0,906 gross tons per month
and that the average for the half year will probably be 30,-
000 tons per month. This compares with 19,000 tons per
month in 1919 and 32,000 tons per month in 1913, the
record before the War. Exports during the War were high-
est at 41,000 tons per month in 1917.
TIX
There has been no heavy buying in this market recently.
Such as has been reported has been mostly on the part of
dealers and has not exceeded 100 tons. Consumers are not
interested. Dealers, however, appear to be optimistic about
the future of prices and this is the reason for this activity,
but there are, however, few sellers. Until Friday of last
week there was almost no buying, but late that day a few
dealers were buyers of future shipment at prices ranging
from 47.75c to 49c. and at the close 49.50c was asked. Spot
Straits tin is scarce and prices are nominal and fairly stiff.
closing on Friday at 50.25c, New York. Yesterday, how-
ever, the market was nominally lower at 48c, New York,
due to a decline in London over the holiday from £273 per
ton on July 2 to £259 yesterday.
Tin arrivals in June are reported to have been 4730 tons,
of which 900 tons came in at Pacific ports. The amount of
tin delivered into consumption in June was 6500 tons, of
which 5 600 was from Atlantic ports. The quantity in stocks
and landing on June 30 was 35S6 tons. Imports to July 1,
this year, have been 27,743 tons, of which 20,820 tons was
Straits tin. To July 1, 1919, the imports were only 6341
tons.
LEAD
The market is quiet and quotations are nominal. The
undertone, however, is strong. There is a marked scarcity
for certain positions. It is almost impossible to purchase
prompt-shipment metal and spot delivery is scarce. There
is, however, almost no demand for either position. There
has been no change in the quotation of the American Smelt-
ing & Refining Co., which is 7.75c, St. Louis, or 8c, New
York. An appraisal of the outside market is a guess, but it
may be conservatively quoted as nominal at 8c, St. Louis,
or 8.25c, New York. Quotations range up to 8.50c, New
Y'ork.
ZINC
The market is stronger and prices are higher. This is
due to three causes. One is the shutting-down of most of
the mines in the Joplin district, due to labor troubles and
the exodus of men to the farms. This will last a month at
least and thus reduce the supply of ore. Another cause is a
better inquiry from galvanizers and brass-makers, and the
third reason is a stronger London market. Prime Western
for early and third-quarter delivery is quoted at 7.85c, St.
Louis, or 8.20c, New York, with fair inquiries reported.
ANTIMONY
Quotations are unchanged at 7.50c to 7.75c, New York,
duty paid, for wholesale lots for early delivery.
ALUMINUM
Virgin metal, 98 to 99% pure, is quoted in wholesale lots
for early delivery at 33c, New Y'ork, by the leading interest
and at 31.50c by other sellers.
ORES
Tungsten: There is no life to the market and no features.
Quotations are nominal at $5.50 to $15 per unit, depending
on the "grade, the •quantity, and the delivery.
Ferro-tungsten and tungsten powder is quoted at 8 5c. to
$1.05 per pound of contained tungsten, f.o.b. makers' works.
Molybdenum: Conditions are unchanged with prices nomi-
nal at 75c to 85c per pound of MoS. in regular concentrate.
Manganese: The market is strong at 70c. to 75c per unit
for high-grade ore. A large consumer has contracted for
20,000 tons per month of Indian ore, deliveries commencing
last month to continue one year. Imports in May were
5 6.5 86 tons, the largest for any month this year. The total
for the 11 months to June 1 this year is 243,572 tons, against
444,902 tons to the same date in 1919.
Manganese-Iron Alloys: Demand is light and quotations
are firm at $200, delivered, for domestic alloy for last half,
with $195, seaboard, for a limited quantity of British alloy.
The spot quotation is $225, delivered. Imports of ferro-
manganese in May were 3 981 tons, or the largest in a year
and a half. The total for the 11 months to June 1, 1920.
has .been 33.279 tons, as compared with 22.200 tons to
June 1, 1919. The spiegeleisen market is strong but quiet I
at $75, furnace.
:!
July 17, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
in?
INFORMATION FURNISHED BY MANUFACTURERS
hl.UIJMMI]MII14t)t JIJP1LI[lhlIi:iilliJririliJI + l^»IOi'PIJI>riE]iiii[|[ riltllt J r rMIIIIL IMMrirJIMcillt 1 i hliril ritlllJ lllllr IblidrihirilEitliirill^liMt JIMM)JIMrilM1ltrilllJIMIII»ltlTMIIMtll 1l«ltl*1Mr hlLIIEIIItl
A NEW TRACK-SCALE
By L.. R. Boyer
A new track-scale embodying many new and exclusive
features has been developed by E. & T. Fairbanks & Co., St.
Johnsbury, Vermont, manufacturers of the well known
Fairbanks scales. This was occasioned partly by new speci-
Newly-Designed Scale Beam
fications adopted jointly by the American Railway Associa-
tion, the American Railway Engineering Association, and
other organizations. These specifications make necessary
such changes in the design of scales on the market up to this
time, that the new scales in accord with them are not inter-
changeable -with, the old scales. While changes were being
made that were sufficient to destroy the interchangeability
of the new and old, it was decided to go further and remove
incongruities in design that have been present in scales ever
since the first were built nearly ninety years ago. The
feature first noticed on looking at the accompanying illus-
tration is the departure from the use of the customary I-sec-
lion levers, and the consistent use of the double-web section
throughout.
The scale is built in two capacities for light-duty service,
or service where only a relatively small number of cars is
to be weighed. These have 60
and 7 5-ton sections and lengths
of 50 ft., 56 ft., and 60 ft. effec-
tive weighing rail. For heavy
service or where a large number
of cars is to be weighed the scale
will be built in 75 and 100-ton
sections and in the same three
lengths as above. The difference
between the light-duty and heavy-
duty scales is mainly in the load-
ing per linear inch of knife-edge,
this being 5000 lb. in the heavy-
duty scales and 6000 lb. in the
light-duty scales. The difference
in allowable loading and the al-
lowance of a higher multiple
main lever in the light-duty
scales serves to make somewhat
lighter castings than are neces-
sary in the heavy-duty scales.
The beam in keeping with the
other parts of the scale is novel
in design. A close study will re-
veal that this design includes
well accepted principles essential
to an accurate and durable mean
and the difference in appearance
from the conventional type of
beam is due to a consistent use
of these principles. It is Of cast-
iron with cross-section of in-
verted-U shape. This shape, be-
sides giving the maximum rigid-
ity, furnishes a housing over the
balance-ball and1 track for carry-
ing the poise.' The notches are
cut in a steel bar inserted in the
bottom of the back web, which
ensures that no dirt can fall and
lodge in them. The type for
printing weights on tickets is
fastened on the bottom of the
front web where it is protected from damage.
The centre indicating poise suspended from three ball-
bearing trolley-wheels runs smoothly upon a machined
track housed inside the beam. Its exact weighing position
is determined by a positive locking device of 30 or more
teeth engaging the same number of notches of the beam.
This locking device or pawl moves in vertical guides ar-
ranged to be| always tight, to ensure a positive position of
the poise. A convenient handle on the front of the poise
1*8
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 17, 1921
serves to operate the pawl when turned in one direction and
to print the tickets when turned in the other direction. The
heara stand is of the upright pillar type with compensating
steel bearing-blocks machined in.
Standard erection-plans have been drawn which incor-
porate the best recognized practice as to all details of in-
stallation. Wide pits afford ample room for installing the
scale correctly as well as for convenient examination from
time to time. The design of weigh-bridge, the mounting of
dead-rail supports and fastening, the arrangement of
weather guards, and all other details have been worked out
carefully, with a view to obtaining the most economical way,
consistent with accurate performance and at the same time,
the lowest maintenance cost.
HOW THE MOTOR- TRUCK MAY RELIEVE CONGESTION
AT FREIGHT TERMINALS
Hy R. E. Fulton
Freight congestion is, in reality, terminal congestion. The
present railroad situation vividly demonstrates that the root
of the much discussed railroad inadequacy lies more in the
lack of proper terminal facilities than it does in the lack of
freight-cars. It has further proved that the motor-truck,
properly used in conjunction with railroad terminals, can
relieve terminal congestion and increase the productivity of
each unit of the railroads' rolling stock.
Although it is estimated that the railroads of this country
now need 500,000 more freight-cars, it is obvious that, if this
number of cars were put into service under existing terminal
•onditions, the confusion would only be increased. Unfortu-
nately, the majority of railroad terminals were constructed
in the days of horse-drawn highway transportation facilities,
and no provision was made for the advent of the motor-
truek. At that time it was necessary for the railroads to
bring their freight within a radius of a day's team-haul of
its final destination, a distance considerably less than can
now be covered by a motor-truck. Cities have grown and
traffic has increased, but the terminals have remained prac-
tically unchanged as far as distribution radius is concerned.
It Is a fact that the average freight-car travels only about
six miles per day, and that this inefficiency can be attributed
directly to wasted time through congestion at terminals.
Considering that we now have over 2,400,000 freight-cars
in nse, it can be seen that every mile per day added to the
productivity of this total by increasing efficiency, is the
equivalent of 400,000 cars. Thus it is obvious that if a con-
tinuous movement of freight -cars to and from their terminal
points can be obtained, a two-fold advantage will result;
first, eliminating the delay and waste incidental to conges-
tions, and second, releasing a vast number of cars for main-
line traffic.
To say that this can be accomplished by utilizing the
motor-truck is not a mere prophecy; it is a proved reality.
The few railroads that have applied the use of trucks in
their limited way to this problem have met with remarkable
suecess and should stand as uncompromising examples to
every railroad now affected by terminal congestion. For ex-
ample, figures compiled by the U. S. Railroad Administration
show that in the Big Four yards at Cincinnati, the use of
motor-trucks with demountable bodies has reduced the time
required per ton-mile for transfer shipments from 12 hours
and 18 minutes, to less than S minutes. This saving of time
is accompanied by a reduction of fifty cents per ton-mile on
the cost of the transfer shipments. The motor-truck is now
a permanent supplement to the railroads and has proved its
capacity to take the short-haul traffic that has developed to
be time-wasting and unprofitable business for them. By
'feeding' short-haul shipments to the main-line traffic, it has
released thousands of cars for long-distance transportation
and has done much toward relieving congestion at terminals.
CONVEYING HOT MATERIAL BY BELTS
An unusual problem in the handling of hot cement
clinker with a temperature of 200° and over, was recently
solved at the plant of the Standard Portland Cement C«.
at Leeds, Alabama. The method decided upon for moving
the clinker was a rubber conveyor-belt, but the clinker
could not be cooled sufficiently in the process previous tt
conveying to prevent scorching of the belt and its rapid de-
struction. The answer to this problem was found by run-
ning the belt at an incline of 12°, so that the lower pulley
dipped into a trough of water, thus carrying a film of cold
water upon the belt, onto which the hot clinker from the
loading hopper was deposited. At this point a new problem
was met; namely, how to join the belt bo that the belt's full
strength would be retained, and in a way which would with-
stand the extremes of temperature, the wear on the pulleys
and the abrasion of the clinker. For this purpose Crescent
belt-fasteners were used, because they brought the belt ends
tightly together in a snug joint, which made the belt prac-
tically endless on the pulley-side, so there was no oppor-
tunity for clinker-ash to get into the joint and abrade the
belt-ends, and also because in this method of joining, n»
metal came in contact with the pulleys to cause wear. More-
over, exceptional strength of the heads of the Crescent
rivets and the formation of Crescent plates prevented de-
struction of belt-joint through abrasion by the clinker.
In six months of operation, this conveyor has carried
61,000 tons of clinker, and the Standard Portland Cement
Co. credits the saving of $300 in belt-cost alone to this con-
veyor. The belt used was Goodyear 'hy-temp', which is
made particularly to withstand temperatures up to 200°,
and is adapted for work on conveying jobs in mines, coking-
plants, and cement-factories where heat resistance ani
ability to withstand hard wear are prime requisites. Not
alone on heavy drives, such as tube-mill, Griffin mill, crusher,
and heavy conveyor units are Crescent belt-fasteners suc-
cessfully used, but also on lighter drives of all kinds where
dependability is an economic factor, as they assure con-
tinuous production. The Crescent Belt Fastener Co. has
just published a new hand-book illustrating Crescent belt-
fasteners in use on many different kinds of belting an*
under different conditions.
ASSOCIATION OF ACCOUNTANTS
The Industrial Cost Accountants Association was organ-
ized in Chicago on June 18 by representatives of leading
manufacturers in various lines of industry. The object of
the new association is the standardization of accounting and
cost terminology and the adoption of standard governing
principles; the promotion of active co-operation and Inter-
change of experiences between representatives of mainufac-
turers engaged in similar activities; the education of the
members and their business associates in the complex eco-
nomic problems of industry; to assist standardization com-
mittees in each line of industry in establishing uniform ac-
counting and cost practices; to act as a clearing house i»
distributing to all members the development in cost prac-
tices to the end that uniformity, once established, may be
maintained.
M. F. Simmons, of Schenectady, New York, supervisor of
costs for all General Electric Co. interests, was elected presi-
dent of the association. C. H. Smith, of Wilmerding, Penn-
sylvania, director of clerical operations of the Westinghouse
Air Brake Co. interests, was elected first vice-president.
Roland H. Zinn, of New York, was elected second vice-presi-
dent. A. A. Alles, Jr., of Pittsburgh, secretary of the Fawcus
Machine Co. and treasurer of the Schaffer Engineering &
Equipment Co., was elected secretary-treasurer of the new
organization. Headquarters of the association win be i»
Pittsburgh, at the office of the secretary-treasurer, 1501
Peoples Bank Building.
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1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
W9
UNDERGROUND PROSPECTING AT JOI'I.IN
Hy P. R. Algt-r
For years there has been a need for some convenient and
economical method of underground prospecting In the load
and line mines in the Joplin or Tri-State mining district;
and this has been especially urgent in the Picher-Miami sec-
tion recently developed, it frequently happens that the ore-
•ody Is worked out and the owners wish to locate, for oper-
ation from the same shaft, other bodies of ore on their prop-
coupling, sit Fig. 2, which lit" the up.-.et and threaded
female ends of the drill-steel, and makes a substantial and
readily handled coupling. A particular advantage of the
Fiff. 1. Sullivan Class FS-.'i Murk-Drill
erty, without going to the expense of new openings from
the surface. Often the presence of these bodies has been
iadicated by drilling from the surface. Sometimes their
location is roughly determined by the geological indications.
It is a well known fact that the 'runs' of ore frequently fol-
low water courses, spreading out at some points and dimin-
ishing at others.
Sometimes the presence of these runs of ore is indicated
above the mine stope; frequently they are below the general
level of the mine. For this class of work, even in the high
stopes of the Joplin district, the use of a churn-drill under-
ground is impracticable. Although diamond-drilling has
keen demonstrated to be practicable the cost is high.
A method has recently been employed which gives prom-
ise of excellent success. This consists in the employment
of a Sullivan 'Hy-Speed' rock-drill of large size, mounted on
a tripod, and operated by compressed air. The machine em-
ployed is the Sullivan Class FS-3 machine, see Fig. 1, with
4j-in. cylinders, mounted on a Lewis hole tripod, having a
planed and slotted front bar, such as is used in quarries for
drilling parallel holes to split granite blocks. The FS-3
machine is exceedingly substantial and powerful; it is equip-
ped with a hollow piston and employs hollow drill-steel.
With it, holes have been drilled in Joplin-Miami mines to a
depth of more than 40 ft. and under favorable condition in
this class of work the drill is capable of putting in 60-ft.
holes. Round hollow steel of If in. diameter is employed.
For lengths above 15 ft. the steel is jointed, the joint itself
being similar to that used in churn-drill practice. The dif-
ferent sections are connected by means of a double male
I'lc. B, Cmiiillni: tin Drill s-l.'i'l
FS-3 drill consists in the cushion valve at the front end of
the cylinder. When running inio pockets, or caves, damage
to the front head may be prevented by throwing a lever near
the front end of the drill, which puts a front head cushion
into effect and relieves the drill entirely of the shock and
danger of breakage from pounding on the front head. This
feature is also of value in freeing steel that has become
stuck.
This drill can put holes in any direction or at any angle.
In the work already done, some holes were directed a little
below horizontal, and others at an angle of about 60° above
horizontal. The cuttings are preserved in the same manner
as cuttings from a churn-drill hole, and provide a reason-
ably accurate record of the orebody penetrated. The ad-
vantages of this method of prospecting are obvious. In the
first place the deep holes from the surface, running through
150 to 200 ft. of worthless cap rock, are avoided. In the
second place, the angle at which the drilling is done permits
the orebodies to be cross-cut, thus furnishing a valuable
check on any previous vertical drilling. Third, a large sav-
ing in time is effected, as compared with other methods of
prospecting.
AN IMPROVED STRETCHKR
By J. C. Williams
A few years ago I made a litter or stretcher with a joint
lengthwise through the centre through which ran a strap,
which, when withdrawn, allowed the stretcher to separate
like a door-hinge when the centre pin is withdrawn. At
that time the care of injured employees took up but little
time of the employer, who had not realized that a workman
was an asset while he worked but became suddenly a liability
when he was injured; the term 'first aid' was not yet coined.
However, the largest industrial concerns suddenly woke up
to the importance of caring for their employees, many States
passed drastic laws to enforce care for injured employees
and to guard against accidents. Today the large plant that
has not a safety-engineer or first-aid superintendent is the
exception and not the rule. We christened our stretcher
from its inception 'Williams' Improved Stretcher', feeling
sure that would include its' past, present, and future, for it
has been a succession of improvements — and the end is not
yet. The only features remaining unchanged today are, the
use of white duck owing to the fact that it can be washed
when soiled, while colored ducks cannot be; and the size of
the cot which remains, 2 by 6 ft., thus assuring interchange-
ability. Get a cot from us now and it will fit a stretcher
bought of us two years ago. Practically all other stretchers
are as alike as 'peas in a pod' — simply a strip of canvas, hem
on each end, tacked to wooden handles with braces about
one foot from each end for spreaders and iron legs riveted
on, there are usually about seventy-five tacks to each side
so it is out of the question to take the cot off to wash, in fact,
this kind of stretcher is not intended to be washed, but to be
thrown away when soiled and new stretchers bought. With
our improved stretcher no two component parts are insepa-
rable, for instance, the cot is in two interlocking parts, the
rubber strap acting as lock, the spreader and legs are of one
piece and easily slipped from the handles, the handles slip
through a hem at each side of the stretcher, there are no
tacks, no catches of any kind, so when it Is taken apart, we
have two handles, two spreading-iron and legs, one rubber
110
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 17, 1920
strap, and one each right and left-hand cots. Any and all of
these parts can be perfectly cleaned. We sell our stretcher
in a dust-proof bag so it reaches the customer clean and can
be kept clean, always ready for instant use. Naturally we
do not compete in price with the old-fashioned stretcher any
more than mazda lamps do with kerosene lamps.
NEW AUTOMATIC CONTROL-PANEL FOR MOTOR-
GENERATOR SETS
In mines and metallurgical plants where the direct-cur-
rent supply is obtained from a motor-generator set, it is fre-
quently advantageous to control the power equipment from
some remote point, thus eliminating the necessity of an
or the breaker may be left closed and the equipment oper-
ated by means of the remote control-switch. The closing
of the main circuit-breaker effects the closing of the phase-
failure and reversal relay, unless one or more of the phases
are open or reversed, in which case the abnormal condi-
tion must be moved from the line before the relay will close.
This relay has also the characteristics of a voltage-relay, so
the equipment will not operate if the line-voltage is very
low. After the relay closes, the automatic starter connects
the motor through an oil-switch to the low-voltage taps of
an auto-transformer. When the equipment has come up to
speed, the oil-switch opens and a second oil-switch connects
the motor directly to the supply-line, at the same time com-
pleting a circuit to the closing-coil of the automatic re-
Switchboard for Automatic Control of Miitor-tieneratnr Sets
Rear View of Board, Showing A. C. Oil-Switeiies and Cireuit-Breaker
attendant at the switchboard. Several mines are using
with their motor-generator sets an automatic control-panel,
shown in the illustrations, which has all the protective fea-
tures used in the small modern switchboards, and may be
controlled from any remote point by means of an ordinary
snap switch.
This automatic equipment, manufactured by the Cutler-
Hammer Mfg. Co. of Milwaukee,, consists of the necessary
circuit-breakers, switches, relays, fuses, and recording in-
struments mounted on slate panels carried on a floor-type
frame. The primary equipment of the control-panel shown
in the illustration consists of a hand-operated oil circuit-
breaker provided with inverse time overload attachments, a
phase-failure and phase-reversal relay, and an automatic
starter of. the auto-transformer type. This is to be used
with induction motors, but the same general equipment with
a few slight changes can be used with motors of the syn-
chronous type. On the direct-current side a knife-switch,
voltmeter, and ammeter with the necessary fuses, and an
automatic re-closing circuit-breaker are provided.
With the remote control-switch 'on' the controller may be
operated by merely closing the main-line oil circuit-breaker.
closing circuit-breaker, which immediately closes, establish-
ing the generator voltage on the direet-current feeders. In
case of an overload on the direct-current side, the circuit-
breaker opens, and re-closes when the overload is removed.
The oil-switches used on this equipment were described and
illustrated in the January 10 issue ol 'Mining and Scientific
Press'. These control-panels can be furnished in different
capacities up to 300 kw. and, when desired, can be built for
operating two motor-generator sets in parallel.
The Worthington Pump & Machinery Corporation an-
nounces the purchase from the Piatt Iron Works, Dayton,
Ohio, of its drawings, patterns, jigs, templates, special
tools, good-will, and came, in connection with the following
products: (1) oil-mill machinery, suitable for the extrac-
tion of oil from all sorts of nut and seed products, com-
prising crushers, cookers, cake-formers', presses, filters, and
pumps; (2) hydraulic turbine and water-wheels, including
horizontal and vertical, high and low-head machines; (3)
feed-water heaters, steel and cast-iron, horizontal and ver-
tical; (4) high-pressure air-compressors ,for torpedo and
other high-pressure charging, cleaning, and discharging.
JI.IKHIIM,
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EDITORIAL STAFF
T. A. RlCKARO, Editor
L. a parsons, associate editor
A. B. PARSONS, ASSOCIATE EOITOR
Member Audit Bureau of Circulations
Member Associated Business Papers, Inc.
ESTABLISHED 1860
PiihtMmt at ISO Market St., San Francisco,
hv ttu Detect) PabtUhfno Compan|i
BUSINESS STAFF
C. T. Hutchinson, manager
E. H. LESLIE, 600 Fismer Bdc, Chicago |
F. A. WEIGLE, 3514 WOOLWORTM Bdg,, N.V, |
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SCIENCE HAS NO ENEMY SAVE THE IGNORANT
Issued Every Saturday
San Francisco, July 24, 1920
$4 per Year — 15 Cents per Copy
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
EDITORIAL
NOTES
Page
. Ill
METAL I'i'OTATIONS 112
Smeller .settlements based on a "guess". A true
weighted average has never been available. The
McGraw-Hill publications are absolved from collu-
sion, and the editor of the 'Journal' given credit for
bis frankness. A fake acknowledged at last.
MELTING LEAD-ZINC ORES 113
Discussion of Mr. Gilbert Rigg's paper by a num-
ber of metallurgists. Peculiar practice in a Rhode-
sian plant. The result of high-zinc and high-sul-
phur content on blast-furnace operation. De-
zinking slag. Mr. W. Dewar on roasting. A tend-
ency to neglect the older processes, in enthusiasm
for the new.
THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION 114
.Mr. William B. Colver's statement of the reasons
for the creation of the Commission. The hearing
on the complaint against Minerals Separation.
Procedure not adapted to eliciting the truth. Ir-
relevant matter in a voluminous record. Sufficient
evidence to warrant disciplining Minerals Separa-
tion should appear.
DISCUSSION
THE PRICE OF GOLD
By Thos. French 115
Issue is taken with a letter from Mr. A. Moline.
British notes and gold coins. Reference to a
speech by Mr. Francis A. Govett.
AN INTERESTING EXPERIMENT
By Thomas T. Read 115
The experiment of Charles W. Gardner. Gold and
quicksilver. Quicksilver wets gold as oil wets a
lamp-wick. The solubility of gold in mercury.
By Martin Schwerin 116
Explanation of the phenomena described by Mr.
Gardner: gravity, amalgamation, resistance of the
gold, surface-tension of the mercury. A third ex-
periment suggested.
ARTICLES
PROBLEMS IN MINE VENTILATION
By Walter S. Weeks 117
Characteristic curves. Effects of variation in
speed. Operation of fans in series and in parallel.
Economic size of airways; a concrete problem.
Selection of an appropriate fan and motor,
factors involved in a choice.
The
A PINCH OF SALT
By Charles T. Hutchinson 123
"Once upon a time there was a promoter"; also a
bank-president whose opulence had not overcome
his cupidity. He visits a mine and takes some
samples. Thereupon he lays a trap for the un-
wary promoter. A publicity campaign. The
grand opening of the mine and mill. The pro-
moter departs for New York to take a deserved
vacation. An engineer arrives on the scene in
time to prepare an obituary — of the mine.
ELECTRO-METALLURGY OF MANGANESE ORE. . . . 132
Plant of Bilrowe Alloys Co. at Tacoma. Descrip-
tion of the equipment. Analyses of ore treated and
the alloy produced.
NOTES
STIFF HATS FOR MINERS 116
CONCENTRATION OF MAGNETITE ORE 122
DEPARTMENTS
REVIEW OF MINING 133
THE MINING SUMMARY 141
PERSONAL 142
THE METAL MARKET 143
EASTERN METAL MARKET 144
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS 145
Established May 24, 1860. as The Scientific Press: name changed October
20 of the same year to Mining and Scientific Press.
Entered at the San Frai Cisco post-office as second-class matter. Cable
address: Pertusola.
Branch Offices — Chicago. 600 Fisher Bdg.; New York, 3514 Woolworth
Bdg.: London. 724 Salisbury House, E.C.
Price. 15 cents per copy. Annual subscription, payable in advance:
United States and Mexico. $4; Canada. $5: other countries, 56.
22
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 24, 1920
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.lulv 24, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
111
T. A. K.ICKARV, .... Editor
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OALES of copper during June were 52 million pounds,
^ as compared with G2 in May and 1(11 in April, making
a total "I' 215 million pounds fur the second quarter of the
year, as compared with 639 millions during the first
quarter and 753 millions in the last quarter of 1919.
Thus in nine months 1607 million pounds has heen sold,
besides 350 millions of copper refined in the other coun-
tries. The refinery output in the United States has been
ahoid 1250 million pounds during the nine months, in-
dicating a reduction in world stocks of 357 million
pounds. That is less than was hoped. At present the
stock of refined metal in this country is about 400 million
pounds, not counting the copper in course of treatment.
The figures for the first quarter of this year show the
effect of the crippled railroad traffic, which has been in-
jurious both to production and consumption. It is ap-
parent also that there has been a hitch in the arrange-
ment for financing the export of copper to France. More-
over, our legal state of war continues to militate against
our commerce in metals as in other commodities needed
by Europe.
TN our last issue we mentioned tlie fact that the Mining
■*■ Experiment Station of the U. S. Bureau of Mines has
been moved from Golden, Colorado, to Reno, Nevada, be
cause the trustees of the Colorado School of Mines de-
clined to renew the contract whereby the Station was
Quartered in a suitable building, but offered new quarters
in an unsuitable building, and stipulated that all work
done by the Bureau in Colorado should be done at
Golden. This last proviso seems to have been prompted
by jealousy of the University of Colorado, at Boulder,
where oil-shale investigations are being conducted by the
Bureau. The trustees, it seems, have made a blunder.
The editor of 'Chemical & Metallurgical Engineering',
Mr. H. C. Parmelee, says: "The transparency of this
subterfuge will be evident to those who are familiar with
the location of the mill in the creek-bottom and its unfit-
ness for use in the delicate and exact work conducted by
the Bureau ' '. This refers, of course, to the new site offered
by the trustees. Mr. Parmelee knows whereof he speaks,
for he was president of the Colorado School of Mines and
had to resign, for reasons that do him no discredit. We
are informed that the mining people of Colorado appre-
ciate highly the work done by the Bureau of Mines at
Golden and Boulder, and they ' ' deeply deplore the action
Zinc Experiment Station of 1he Bureau of Mines is to be
established at Rolla, and is to be conducted in association
with the Missouri School of Mines at that place.
FN the current 'Atlantic Monthly' Dr. Frederick Stair.
-*• the anthropologist, describes Mexican politics for the
benefit of the Boston intelligentsia. He finds many
analogies between conditions Upon the opposite banks of
the Bio Grande; for example, Carranza's effort to force
Ignacio Bonillas upon the Mexican people as his suc-
cessor in the Presidency was like Roosevelt's successful
effort in forcing Mr. Taft upon the American people.
In both eases, says Dr. Starr, the result was the disrup-
tion of the party and war to the knife, but he overlooks
the fact that the "war to the knife" in one case was
figurative and in the other literal. He seems to think
that fighting with ballots is much the same as fighting
with bullets. Disregarding a difference that seems to us
to be more than academic, he concludes that the American
people is in no position to criticize the Mexican people.
It is not the first time that an anthropologist has failed
to understand the politics of his own day. We have more
respect for the opinion of the small hoy who was asked
by his teacher: "Now, Johnny, can you tell me what is
raised in Mexico?" The bright boy replied promptly:
"Aw go on, I know what you want me to say, but ma
told me to cut out that rough stuff."
of the trustees"
Meanwhile we note that the Lead and
AMONG the items of misinformation appearing on the
editorial page of the 'Morning Howl' we note the state-
ment that "Great Britain has found an effective mode of
stimulating production in her South African mines in the
shape of a disguised bounty to producers". The stimula-
tion is due, of course, directly to the fall in exchange where-
by more shillings have to be paid for an ounce of gold ; the
cause lies as much in New York as in London. The article
in which the misleading assertion appears is meant to sup-
port the proposed $10 excise-tax on manufactured gold
under the terms of the McFadden bill. The chief objec-
tion made to this bill is that it is a piece of special
legislation, in behalf of a relatively small industry.
This, we must confess, is a valid objection, much as we
may sympathize with the gold miner. Such legislation
provokes log-rolling in Congress, after the fashion of the
methods by which support is obtained for River and Har-
bor Bill appropriations and tariffs in favor of various
domestic products. It has heen suggested that a law be
112
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 24, 1920
passed forbidding the sale of gold by the Mint to manufac-
turers, but any such provision would be avoided by taking
Federal Reserve notes and converting them into gold coin,
which could then be melted into bullion. Another idea is
to prohibit the use of gold in manufactures, thereby re-
stricting its employment to monetary purposes. All such
legislation is objectionable because it destroys the free
market for gold, on which in the long run we must de-
pend for a correction of the existing abnormal conditions.
The problem is one that has world-wide implications; it
is not local nor even national.
/~iN page 142 we give extracts from a speech made at
^-' Johannesburg by Mr. Samuel Evans, the chairman
of the Crown Mines company. Mr. Evans is a man much
respected for his sagacity and good sense. He stated that
the premium on gold produced from January to May
inclusive this year had averaged 21s. Id. per ounce, which
is equivalent to 25%. An ounce of gold is worth nor-
mally 84.95 shillings. The premium, he said, repre-
sented 7s. less than the increase in cost per ounce since
1913, which therefore must have been 28s., or $6.75, per
ounce produced. White wages have increased 69% since
1915 ; the average earnings of European workers have
risen 64.6%; stores cost 33% more, and other costs are
36% higher than five years ago. The purchasing power o
gold in South Africa, however, has not fallen as rapidly
its in England, where it is half what it was in 1914. If the
commodity price of gold had remained as it was in 1896
the average cost of mining on the Rand would be, accord-
ing to Mr. Evans, under 12s. per ton as against the actual
average of 22i{s. last year and the higher figure this
year. The banks of South Africa have been issuing
paper money at an accelerating rate and they seem bent
upon "plunging the country deeper into the paper-
money bog". In this respect South Africa is no solitary
sinner. The gold held by the 31 principal countries of the
world is only two billion dollars more than before the
"War, whereas the pile of paper money is larger by 43;
billions.
WE can think of no act of courage more unselfish or
" more splendid than to enter a burning or caving
mine in an effort to save the life of fellow workmen
The risk is not faced on the spur of the moment, it is
taken knowingly and deliberately; it means entering a
dark hole in the ground where the story of a valiant effort
may be buried with the bodies of those in danger and
their would-be rescuers, and even if successful there can
be nothing of the spectacular in the performance; there
is no glamor of heroic achievement before an admiring
crowd ; often there is less chance of saving the lives of
the imperiled ones than of losing those of the men that
seek to aid them. It is an everlasting tribute to the
miner that invariably when the emergency arises some-
one quietly undertakes the task of rescue. On the
occasion of the international first-aid and mine-rescue
contest to be held at Denver next September Dr. Freder-
ick G. Cottrell, Director of the U. S. Bureau of Mines, on
behalf of the Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association, will
present gold medals and appropriate diplomas to four
miners, and to the nearest surviving relatives of three
others, who lost their lives in their effort to succor fellow-
workmen. Mr. John L. Boardman, wearing an oxygen
helmet, single-handed saved three men who had been
overcome by gas from a fire in the West Colusa mine all
Butte. Mr. Daniel Bionvitch jeopardized his own life
by running his electric locomotive three times into I he
fire-zone at the Balkan mine in Bewalik, Minnesota, on
each trip bringing out men whose lives were imperiled]
At. the Gold Hunter mine, near Mullan, Idaho, two miners
were entombed as a result of a fall of ground. Mr. James
Collins and Mr. James Dillmark, while endeavoring to
help their comrades, were themselves caught by caving
rock. They were later rescued although buried to the
shoulders in broken ore. Messrs. Michael Conroy, Peter
Sheridan, and James D. Moore particularly distinguished
themselves in the terrible fire in the Speculator mine at
Butte, in which they and 168 other miners lost their
lives. The heroism of these three, however, stood out
particularly, and their relatives are now to receive the
honors that the men so unselfishly earned. The other
men named will receive their medals in person. There
are doubtless others both living and dead who under
similar circumstances have performed deeds equally
worthy. To them, let us hope, has come reward no less
than to these whose heroism is to have a public recogni-
tion so richly deserved.
Metal Quotations
Great is truth and it will prevail, says a Latin proverb.
We arc amused to read the naive and belated confession
of the 'Engineering and Mining Journal', in an editorial
appearing in the issue of July 10, acknowledging that ils
metal quotations are merely approximations, of a char-
acter unsatisfactory even to its editor. For many years
we have insisted upon the absurdity of mine-operators
selling their ore and basing their wage-scale on the guess
of a trade-paper in New York. Heretofore our contem-
porary has insisted upon the essential accuracy of its
weekly guesses and it has suited the metal-buyers to
accept its figures in the settlement of purchases from I he
smaller mining companies. The big ones, of course.
avoided doing anything so foolish; they sold their metal
through their own agencies. We have insisted again and
again that the price at which copper, for example, is sold
by a given individual or company may be ascertained
definitely, but the average price at which a variable num-
ber of producers at varying intervals sell varying quanti-
ties of copper cannot be determined by anybody, unless
all the transactions are known accurately, that is, a true
weighted average has never been available to the trade.
Only recently the editor of the 'Journal', anxious to
prove that the papers of the McGraw-Hill agglomeration
were not "in collusion " as to metal prices, showed what
discrepant quotations they have been giving their read-
era Of course, he proved too much; we hastened to ex-
cuse the 'Journal' from the charge of collusion and we
absolved it also of the imputation of accuracy. So now
Juh 24. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
11::
tin- editor rounds the inoidenl by confessing his quota-
Ions i" In- "unsatisfactory" because they are mere "ap
■roxiinations" of the truth. He deserves credil for Ins
frankness; in future there can b<- no misunderstanding as
to the real character of the 'Journal's' metal prices,
■here will be do excuse for relying upon them; there
lever was. Sellers of ore can, and should, settle on the
price thai the smelter obtains for the metal in their ore;
miners can. ami should, base their sliding scale of wages
upon the price thai the company obtains for its metal for
tin* month; as the metal is sold in advance, there need be
no trouble in adopting such an arrangement. It is a clear
Kin tn the industry that a fake should have been ac-
know ledged at last.
Smelting Lead-Zinc Ores
Last week we published a paper by Mr. Gilbert Rigg
in which he detailed recent improvements in the practice
of roasting: and smelting lead-zinc ore from Broken Hill
at the Tort Pirie plant. A number of well known metal-
lurgists associated with smelting enterprises in other
countries joined in the discussion of the paper and their
remarks, together with an informal reply by Mr. Rigg,
appear in the June bulletin of the Institution of Mining
and Metallurgy. Mr. Rigg has recently completed a tour
of the United States in the course of which he visited a
Lumber of the big smelters, and his comments are doubt-
less enriched by his observations in this country. The
discussion therefore brought together ideas on modern
practice in lead smelting from many parts of the world.
Mr. S. J. Speak described briefly the blast-furnace smelt-
ing of an oxidized lead-zinc ore in northern Rhodesia.
The furnaces were run in a decidedly unusual way. The
charge-column had a height of only 12 feet above the
tuyeres, the blast-pressure was maintained at less than 8
ounces, and the slag, which averaged 20.5% zinc oxide,
contained 43% ferrous oxide and was extremely low in
lime, the average analysis for lime and magnesia com-
bined being only 2 to 3%. The capacity of the furnace
was but two tons per square foot of tuyere-area, and the
slag usually contained 7% lead. Obviously this remark-
ably high lead content suggests faulty reduction and the
iquestion arises why a higher charge-column and a corre-
spondingly increased blast-pressure could not be used.
Moreover, the necessity for a moderate proportion of
lime to obtain good reduction is generally recognized. A
query from Mr. Rigg, as to whether any attempt had
been made to determine the particular form of the lead
in the slag, was answered in the negative. Without in-
tending any reflection on those in charge of the plant in
Rhodesia, there appears to be a fruitful field for pains-
taking and systematic experimental work with an excel-
lent chance for revising the practice in such a way as to
Jffect a decided decrease in the amount of lead in the
ilag; but final criticism would be imprudent, as the eco-
lomic conditions may have been such as to warrant the
procedure described. While on the face of it the metal-
urgy appears to be bad, it is certainly no more repre-
hensible than, for instance, tin- practice formerly in
vogue at Porl Pirie of feeding old slag, in proportion
ranging from one in two times the remainder of the
Charge, as a sort of physic to Hush the /inky matte
through tin- blast-furnace. The cost of quarrying this
slag, the additional fuel required, the reduction in effec-
tive capacity of the furnaces, and the cost of the final
disposal of the extra slag from the furnaces were obvious
defects, and. as was later demonstrated, they were all
unnecessary. The concensus of opinion was that a high
zinc content in the sintered material causes trouble in
the blast-furnace only when the roast has not been
effectual in reducing the total sulphur to a. point con-
siderably below what would be allowable were the zinc
not prominent ; in fact, the prime essential for the smooth
operation of the furnaces, when the analysis shows more
than 15 or 16% of zinc oxide, is the removal of the sul-
phur. At Port Pirie the sulphur in the sinter is kept at
approximately 2.5%. In this connection Mr. J. ('. Moul-
den pointed out that at Cockle Creek difficulty has always
ensued if the silica content of the slag, containing 20 to
22% of zinc oxide, is allowed to rise above 20%. Mr.
H. C. Lancaster injected a novel suggestion. He had
noted that, whereas slags containing 15 or 16% of zinc,
oxide were generally conducive to trouble, slags running
30 and 32%, in his experience, had been quite fluid and
exceptionally low in lead. He inferred that there might
be a critical point in the neighborhood of 20% beyond
which the difficulties incident to the presence of zinc
diminished. Mr. C. O. Bannister was impressed with the
possibilities opened up for an alternative method of
heneficiating a lead-zinc ore. The trend of metallurgical
development has been in the direction of making two ex-
ceptionally clean concentrates, one of lead and the other
of zinc ; this result, of course, being facilitated by the use
of flotation and fine grinding ; if, however, as seems prob-
able, a lead concentrate containing a reasonable propor-
tion of zinc can be smelted successfully and economically
and the zinc afterward recovered from the slag, the older
and more simple methods of concentration might be re-
vived. Several schemes for de-zinking slag are available.
At South Chicago two methods have been tried, namely,
charging the slag in lumps, and feeding briquettes made
of ground slag and pulverized fuel. The use of briquettes
gives a higher extraction, but, of course, introduces a con-
siderable extra expense. Blast-furnaces for de-zinking
have been used in the United States and Germany, but
the best success has been obtained in reverberatories, fed
at the side. This last point is important because of the
fact that the zinc-oxide fume is driven off before actual
fusion occurs ; accordingly the fuel-ratio and the opera-
tion must he regulated to avoid actual melting, or the re-
covery will be poor. Reverting to the roasting process,
Mr. W. Dewar agreed with Mr. Rigg that the three prin-
cipal considerations in any roasting operation are tem-
perature, time, and ventilation or contact of the ore
particles with the air; and that the three are comple-
mentary factors. In blast-roasting the third factor is
emphasized and the time is consequently reduced. He
114
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 24, 1920
points out that the difficulty is to keep the charge from
becoming hot enough to fuse before roasting is complete,
and that this may be accomplished by the addition of
limestone, iron oxide, and slag, and by damping the ore
preliminary to the roasting process. Primarily, blast-
roasting has the tremendous advantage of large capacity.
Mr. Riggs' figures indicate that in 24 hours 270 pounds
of sulphur is driven off per square foot of hearth-area as
against only 5 pounds in a furnace of the superimposed-
hearth type. However, the efficient utilization of Dwight
& Lloyd machines or Huntington & Heberlein pots de-
pends upon a careful study of the physical, no less than
the chemical, characteristics of the material to be smelted.
There seems to be a tendency, when a process has been
developed to a point where good results are obtained, to
subside to a vule-of -thumb practice. Perhaps also, metal-
lurgists, like the rest of us. are prone to take up fads and
to centre on them their entire attention while the more
familiar methods suffer from neglect. Without advo-
cating by any means a policy of metallurgical Bourbon-
ism we venture to say that much may be gained by de-
voting more time, talent, and energy to scientific research
in some of our supposedly perfected processes.
The Federal Trade Commission
We have received a copy of a speech delivered by Mr.
William B. Colver, a member of the Federal Trade Com-
mission, at Atlantic City on July 8. We note that he
says that "the Commission has been created to aid in
keeping the channel of the River of Commerce free
from obstructions and the Ships of Commerce moving
freely without undue interference, one with the other".
He says that the spirit of the legislation under which the
Commission was created is expressed by the phrase :
"Unfair methods of competition in commerce are here-
by declared unlawful," and he proceeds to expatiate on
this text by saying: "This declaration means that in
commerce there shall not be trickery or chicane; that
there shall not be the rule of might as opposed to right ;
that unfairness, meanness, ruthlessness, and dishonesty
have no place in American business." Which reminds
us of Mr. Bryan's proposal to compel equality of punish-
ment between the sexes in regard to infractions of the
seventh commandment. However, if the Federal Trade
Commission can help toward the much desired consum-
mation of promoting clean and fair business methods all
the way from New York to San Francisco, or from Cape
Cod to Cape Nome, it will deserve, and obtain, the grati
tude of all good citizens. We take an interest in Mr.
Colver's remarks because we were present at, and even
participated in, a recent hearing before the Federal
Trade Commission in San Francisco when its representa-
tives were taking evidence in the matter of the complaint
against the Minerals Separation people. This slight ex^
perience of its methods and the reading of the volumi-
nous record in this particularly interesting case prompt
the remark that the procedure, like that of the courts in
patent cases, seems curiously ill adapted to eliciting
the truth. In the first place, counsel for Minerals Sep-
aration understands the affairs of his company thor-
oughly; he has himself testified that he is a director of
the Minerals Separation North American Corporation,
and a stockholder in that corporation, "or rather, a
holder of voting-trust certificates". He holds the whip-
hand over counsel on the other side, who do not under-
stand the flotation controversy nearly as well, and are
bent apparently on a general fishing expedition in the
course of which they expect to catch some high-smelling
game. The method is something like the old equity pro-
cedure termed a 'bill of discovery'. The respondents
have had to submit to a search among their papers and
an investigation of their correspondence such as must
have proved extremely irritating. We would not spare
that irritation, remembering the high-handed and in-
quisitorial methods that they themselves have adopted
toward the operators of mines and mills, but we can
readily see that the methods permitted under the law to
the Federal Trade Commission are open to grave abuse!
As the identity of the complainant and the period cov-
ered by the actions of which complaint is made air uol
disclosed to the respondents or to the public, it is impos-
sible to appreciate how much or how little of the testi-
mony is pertinent. One thing is sure, there will be an
enormous mass of it to be digested by the members of the
Commission before they can deliver a decision. The
proceedings were started a year ago and the hearings
began on April 7 last in New York. They are now being
held in San Francisco, Salt Lake City, and Denver.
Months must elapse before they are finished and more
months before the record is corrected and revised for
presentation to the Commission itself. A great deal of
irrelevant matter has been put into the record, simply
because it is impossible for the presiding officer, the
Commissioner, to tell off-hand how much of it has a
bearing on the issue. Opposing counsel engage in long
and wordy debates, not to mention acrimonious squab-
bles, over points that seem quite immaterial. The pro-
ceedings in San Francisco, under the direction of Mr.
Huston Thompson, seem to have been more orderly than
they were in New York, so far as we can judge by the
record, but even the Commissioner who presided here
had to allow a wide latitude in regard to the discussions
initiated by counsel on both sides. This does not impress
the spectator as an efficient method of inquiry. It is, of
course, an old-fashioned way of getting at the truth!
but it is woefully clumsy. In so far as the inquiry runs
parallel with the case now before the Court of Appeals
at Philadelphia, it is regrettable, for the hearings before
the Commission are quite unsuited to the ventilation of
technical questions, apart from the unseemliness of tra-
versing issues that are being tried elsewhere. The in-
quiry will, we expect, elicit ample evidence of the queer
practices of the Minerals Separation people and we hope
that it may lead to their being disciplined for any in-
fraction of the Clayton act, if they have been guilty
thereof, but it will, we fear, fail in loosening the blight-
ing tentacles of that patent-exploiting agency.
.lulv 24. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
115
D
The Price of Gold
The Editor:
Sir — In your issue of June 26, Mr. A. Moline says that
tin conclusions in my letter appearing in your issue of
March 6 are based on a misconception. He states that,
"when gold was quoted in London at £6 per ounce it
meant that for an ounce of gold you could get six British
notes or a negotiable instrument of equal face value, or
the equivalent value in other goods, but six sovereigns
could not be got for an ounce of gold under any conceiv-
able conditions. " He then goes on to show that if one
could get six sovereigns for an ounce of gold they would
be immediately melted down, making an ounce and a half
of gold, for which one would proceed to obtain nine sov-
ereigns, and so on ad lib.
The weak points in Mr. Moline 's argument are :
1. That in Great Britain it is illegal to mutilate or de-
stroy sovereigns. "When the price of gold rose in Eng-
land during the War, the immediate effect was the viola-
tion of the law, by certain of the public, in melting down
sovereigns. The British government at once took steps to
prevent this.
2. A British note, or a negotiable instrument of equal
face-value, is a promise to pay gold, in the ultimate. It
is quite conceivable that if a person must have gold for
an industrial purpose, he should give a promise to pay six
sovereigns for an ounce of gold at some future time, and
this was actually the case.
In support of what I have said, I would recommend
Mr. Moline and others to read and re-read the masterly
address delivered by Mr. Francis A. Govett at the annual
meeting of the Ivanhoe Gold Corporation, part of which
was published in your issue of June 5. If you will allow
me I shall quote Mr. Govett as follows: "For six years
past, except nominally, the convertibility has been sus-
pended, and, except in very small amounts, you could not
get gold for notes; but the credit of the note — the cur-
rency, either Bradbury or Bank of England — has not
been damaged to the extent of a penny piece. The fact
that prices have risen does not mean depreciation of the
currency ; nor is currency inflated ; currency is not in-
flated until the currency in circulation is in excess of the
demand. At the present time more people with higher
wages have been competing for scarcer commodities, more
currency has been required, and paper internally has not
depreciated in gold. Try it for yourselves. You can get
probably 50 or 100 sovereigns from the bank, once at any
rate, without being followed by a detective ; go and see if
you can buy more commodities with your hundred golden
sovereigns than you can with a hundred Bradburys. You
cannot do it unless you sell your gold to an illicit buyer
who proposes to melt it down."
In view of this I regret that I cannot accept most of the
five basic facts laid down by Mr. Moline. If No. 5 is cor-
rect, that "bar gold of specific fineness and sovereigns or
other gold coin are interchangeable on a fixed arithmetic
basis only", then why should an illicit buyer of sovereigns
want to melt them down ? No. 4, which states, ' ' The price
is expressed in the unit of measurement in current use,
and just now that is paper currency, not metallic cur-
rency," is sufficiently well answered by the quotation
from Mr. Govett. _, _,
Thos. French
Guelph, Ontario, July 8.
[Mr. French is, we think, inconsistent. He takes issue
with Mr. Moline when he says that ' ' six sovereigns could
not be got for an ounce of gold under any conceivable
conditions" and then immediately quotes Mr. Govett as
saying "For six years past, except nominally, the con-
vertibility [of notes] has been suspended. . ." Messrs.
Moline and Govett in substance concur, although Mr.
French apparently does not think so. — Editor.]
An Interesting Experiment
The Editor:
Sir — The results of the experiment described in the
communication from Charles W. Gardner, which appear-
ed in your issue of June 26, are "remarkable and unex-
pected" if the conditions of the experiment were exactly
as described, namely that the outer end of the gold strip
was above the level of the quicksilver in the vial. By
substituting a lamp-wick for the strip of gold and water
or oil for the quicksilver the forces involved remain the
same. When the outer end of the wick is belowr the level
of the liquid in the vial, the liquid will drip from the
outer end of the wick ; in other words, the wick will act
like a siphon. Quicksilver wets gold just as oil wets a
lamp-wick, and the so-called capillary attraction causes
it to climb up. When it reaches the top and spreads over
to the downward-hanging segment gravity helps to pull it
down, so it accumulates at the lower end and finally drops
off, drop by drop.
The statement that in 30 days 1.9 grains of gold had
been "dissolved" by the quicksilver needs further ex-
planation. It cannot be literally true, for the solubility
of gold in mercury is very low, certainly not over 0.1%
at ordinary room temperatures. The exact quantity of
quicksilver used is not given but was apparently about
500 grains, which would suffice to dissolve only half a
116
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 24, 1920
grain of gold. Gold dissolves mercury, however, forming
one or more intermetallie compounds, as I have described
in some detail in Vol. XXXVII of the Trans. A. I. M. E.
'This appears in the form of distinct crystals, first de-
scribed by A. H. Chester in 1878, which seem to become
detached and float about in the quicksilver. It is ap-
parently for some such reason as this that the published
data as to the solubility of gold in quicksilver vary quite
widely, for Dudley found that the apparently dissolved
gold could be partly removed by filtering the quicksilver,
and my own results confirmed this. Our results indicated
that the solubility of gold in quicksilver at 20°C. is not
over 0.06%, and may be much less, the figure given repre-
senting our limitations as to filtering media, rather than
the actual solubility.
Thomas T. Read.
Washington, July 6.
ment, performed in water, to which is added a liquid to
sufficiently diminish its surface-tension, as for instance
alcohol, yields results as in air.
Martin Schwerix.
Cave-in-Rock, Illinois. July 6.
The Editor:
Sir — The experiment described by Mr. Chas. W. Gard-
ner in your issue of June 26 may be explained as follows :
The affinity of gold for mercury caused the gold bar to
act like a wick, up to the point of saturation. Upon sat-
uration, gravity caused the mercury to accumulate on the
lower outer end of the bar and drops to form. When the
first drop began to form the forces acting were gravity,
amalgamation, resistance of the gold to passage of mer-
cury, and the surface-tension of mercury: that in the
vial tending to force mercury up the bar and that en-
veloping the drop tending to force mercury back along
the bar toward the vial. The resultant coincided with
that, of gravity.
In the second experiment, conducted under water,
there was a hydrostatic head in the vial and on the outer
end of the bar, which exactly balance. In the vial its
sides were wetted by water but the convex surface of the
mercury was not wetted. Consequently the surface-ten-
sion of the water in contact with the mercury caused a
downward pressure, which the mercury transmitted along
the bar. On the outer end of the bar and acting against
the tendency toward the growth of a drop, there was
likewise an unwetted mercury surface enveloped in a skin
of water, the tension in which, per unit of surface, was
greater than the surface-tension on the mercury in the
vial, but acting in the opposite direction. This minute
unbalanced force acting opposite to the resultant of all
the forces in the first experiment sufficed to prevent the
discharge of mercury from the vial in the second experi-
ment.
If it be argued that this force is insufficient to suppress
the formation of the mercury drop, one need but consider
that 168 hours were required to form the first complete
drop ; which proves that the resultant of the unbalanced
forces in the first experiment, as measured by its effect,
was exceedingly minute : therefore a like minute force
acting in the opposite direction would restore equili-
brium. In the second experiment this is exactly what
happened.
. Proof of this explanation can be had if a third experi-
Stiff Hats for Miners
The -use of helmets during the War has accentuated
interest in the use of stiff hats in mines to protect the
miners against falling rock. About 40% of the acci-
dents in mines result from this cause. A large number of
these accidents could be prevented if the miners wore
stiff hats or helmets. The use of protective devices for
the head in mines is not new, for they have been in use
for many years in Europe and in the Lake Superior dis-
trict in the United States. In practically all of the
mining districts in Europe stiff hats of some kind are
required by the managers of the mines. George S. Rice,
chief mining engineer of the Bureau of Mines, reports
that in Germany, Belgium, and France stiff hats made of
papier mache or felt rosin are in use. Similar hats are
generally employed in the Lake Superior district. In
building the subways of New York and Philadelphia it
was the practice of engineers and workers to let the hair
grow long and to wear a close fitting cap or felt hat. In
Germany the hats are high, like the military helmets,
whereas in France and Belgium they fit more closely to
the crown. In England both kinds are worn. As a rule
the miners use soft padded caps, but in Yorkshire many
of the miners use tight-fitting caps of sole-leather made
on a jockey pattern with the seam forming a little ridge
down the middle of the cap. These hats are useful in
low thin beds of coal, as in crawling one is likely to strike
his head on a sharp piece of rock or on a timber. It must
be admitted such hats do not stick on well, though this is
usually due to their not being specially fitted. The
German hat is unsuited to an American-shaped head.
It is interesting to note that on the Continent tight
cotton caps are generally worn over the hair and under
the hard hat. This is a measure for cleanliness. In low
beds of coal where much crawling on hands and knees is
necessary the dirt and coal dust sift down, making the
miner black and dirty. In metal mines stiff hats are of
especial use in shaft-work; also in raises or high stopes.
A small fragment of rock falling some distance either
down a shaft or raise would kill a man if it struck him
squarely on the head. A stiff hat or helmet may protect
him and save his life. At a station in a shaft where men
are loading a cage or skip, some kind of adequate head
protector should be compulsory. A head-protecting cap
which is also a good insulator should be worn where there
is danger of striking one's head against a wire carrying
an electric current. As a rule, miners are more willing
to take chances than to wear a hat that is cumbersome or
hot. The European miners have become so accustomed
to the use of a head-protecting device that wearing one
has become second nature to them. It would be desirable
if stiff hats were in more general use in our mines.
.Inly 24, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
117
Problems in Mine Ventilation
By WALTER S. WEEKS
We have completed our discussion of the method of de-
termining mine-resistanee. When the mine-resistance
has been calculated, a fan can be specified that will be
suited to the work.
Another phase of the problem of ventilation is to pre-
dict the amount of air that a given fan will circulate if
the resistance is known. This type of problem occurs in
tunnel-driving where the air is forced to the breast
through an ever increasing length of pipe. We should
like to know how much air the fan will deliver at differ-
ent periods during the advance of the tunnel.
Through the kind permission of the American Blower
Co. I am able to use its chart showing the drop in pres-
sure in air-pipe. See Fig. 1.
Let us assume that a tunnel is to be ventilated with a
16-in. pipe. The tunnel is to be driven 4000 ft. The
static-pressure characteristic of the fan when operated at
the rated speed is shown in Fig. 2, curve A. How much
air will this fan deliver when the tunnel is in 2000 ft.
and how much when it is in 4000 ft? From the pipe-
chart we read the drop in pressure in a 16-in. pipe per
100 ft. with amounts of air from 0 to 6000 cu. ft. per
minute in circulation. The drop in pressure for other
lengths may be easily calculated, as it is proportional to
the length. The resistance offered by the tunnel to the
returning air after it leaves the pipe is generally negli-
gible because of the low velocity.
We may plot on the chart with the fan characteristic
the pipe characteristic that shows the drop in pressure in
a given length with varying amounts of air. In Fig. 2,
B is the pipe characteristic for 2000 ft. and C, for 4000
ft. The point where a pipe characteristic and a fan char-
acteristic intersect shows the pressure and quantity at
which the system reaches equilibrium. The quantity that
will be delivered may be read vertically below the point
of intersection. The same method might be used to de-
termine how much air a large fan would circulate in a
mine but the computation would be tedious.
Effect of Variation in Speed. It is often desirable to
have the pressure-volume characteristics of a fan for sev-
eral different speeds. If the characteristic at one speed
is available others may be computed.
In Fig. 3, A is the characteristic of a fan running at
1000 r.p.m. Let us determine the characteristic at 2000
r.p.m. We know that if we double the speed we double
the air and obtain four times the pressure if the condi-
tions are unchanged. Select any point on the curve A
and we obtain the combination of pressure and volume
which occurs when the orifice is open a certain amount.
If we were running a test at double the speed, at some
time we should have this same gate-opening. When that
happened the fan would deliver twice the air, at four
times the pressure, that it did at 1000 r.p.m. So if we
select any point on the 1000-r.p.m. characteristic and
multiply the quantity by two and the pressure by four
we shall obtain a point on the 2000-r.p.m. characteristic.
Curve B is the 2000-r.p.m. characteristic constructed
from curve A. The density of the air is assumed to be
the same in both cases. By plotting a number of curves
at different speeds on the same sheet as used for the pipe
characteristics, a complete knowledge of a tunnel-venti-
lating system may be gained.
Operation of Fans in Series. When the limiting
speed of a fan is reached and the pressure produced is
inadequate, the pressure may be increased by connecting
fans in series; that is, the discharge of one fan is piped
into the suction of another. Any number of fans may
be operated in series. The same result may be obtained
by placing the fans at intervals along the line. If the
fans are close together a high pressure is produced at the
entrance of the pipe. Accordingly if the pipe-line is full
of leaks much air will be lost.
Fig. 4, A and Fig. 5 are the characteristics of two fans
that are to be operated in series. To determine the result
of such a scheme we plot a combined characteristic curve
by adding the water-gauge readings produced by the two
fans with the same given quantity. Curve B, Fig. 4, is
the combined characteristic. Whichever fan is receiving
air from the other produces a slightly higher water-gauge
than when running alone because it does not have to
accelerate the air at the inlet, and because it is handling
air of a higher density, but consideration of the extremely
slight difference is unnecessary.
The smaller fan will be a help where the quantity is
less than 30,000 cu. ft. per minute. At that point
it is circulating its maximum amount of air and the
static pressure produced is zero. If more air than this is
circulated the smaller fan will be a hindrance because a
part of the pressure produced by the larger fan will be
consumed in forcing the air through the smaller, and so
the two in series would deliver less air than the larger
one alone. The combined characteristic curve may be
treated as the curve of a single fan.
The Operations of Fans in Parallel. The study of
the operation of fans in parallel is somewhat more compli-
cated. Let us assume for the purpose of exposition that
conditions are as shown in Fig. 6. Fan No. 1 blows air
through 300 ft. of 12-in. pipe to the point where 200 ft.
of 12-in. pipe brings the air from fan No. 2. The ducts
unite at B and the air is then conducted through 500 ft.
of 18-in. pipe. In Fig. 7, curve A is the characteristic of
fan No. 1 and in Fig. 8, curve C is the characteristic of
fan No. 2. The problem is to determine the load that
each fan will assume. First plot the pipe characteristic
118 MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS July 24, 1920
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FRICTION IN INCHES WATER GAUGE PER 100 FEET
FlG. 1. CHART SHOWING DROP IN PRESSURE IN PIPES
of the 18-in. pipe on either chart. It is shown in Fig. 8, curve. Then on the chart of No. 2 fan plot its pipe char-
curve E. acteristic. This is D in Fig. 8. The pressure at B (Fig.
Next on the chart for fan No. 1 plot the characteristic 6) will he determined by the total quantity of air that
of its pipe up to the junction. Curve B in Fig. 7 is this flows through the 18-in. pipe. The air that flows from
July 24. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
119
either fan must contain, when it reaches B, a pressure
equal to the pressure at />' sn the amount of static pressure
that can be consumed in the pipe from either fan before
reaching /.' will be the static pressure produced by the fan
when the air is flowing, minus the pressure at B.
Assume the total amount of air and 'pick-off' with a
pair of dividers the pressure at B from curve E, Fig. 8.
%40
4
7
0 1000 2000 3000 1000 5000 6000
CUBIC FEET Or AIR PER MINUTE
Fig. 2
Place one point of the dividers on curve C with the other
point vertically beneath. Keep the first point on the fan
•characteristic and move the dividers along until the other
touches curve D. Read the amount of air that the fan
will then give. This amount subtracted from the total
amount assumed must be what the other fan will deliver.
Turning now to Fig. 7, without altering the dividers,
place one point on the intersection of curve A and the
5
lb-3"
%20
0 5000 10,000
CUBIC FEET OF AIR PER MINUTE
Fig. 3
■quantity line just computed for fan No. 1. If, when the
•other point is vertically beneath the first, it does not fall
on curve B our first assumption of the total air was in-
correct and we must make another and repeat the opera-
tion. If the point does fall on curve B the assumption
was correct and the division of the air will be as com-
puted.
Example. Assume 4050 eu. ft. per minute as the total
Y
A
"
air. To drive this through the 18-in. pipe the pressure at
B must be 2.6 in. We have then available for the pipe
from No. 2 fan the water-gauge that it will produce minus
8.6 in. When 1750 eu. ft. is flowing from fan No. 2 the
drop in pressure in the 12-in. pipe is 1.5 in. With this
amount of air the fan produces a water-gauge of 4.1 in.
so there will be left 2.6 in. at B. The difference between
4050 and 1750 is 2300, or the amount that the other fan
will deliver. When 2300 cu. ft. is flowing from fan No. 1
the drop in the 12-in. pipe from fan No. 1 is 3.9 in. The
I3
N^
"^>d
20,000
CUBIC FEET OF AIR PER MINUTE
Fig. 4
fan produces 6.5 in. with this quantity, so the air when
it reaches B will have the 2.6 in. of static pressure that is
required. Of course it took several assumptions to solve
this example.
The Economic Size op Airways. The cost of driving
air through a duct depends to a large extent upon the
resistance offered by the duct. In selecting the best cross-
section for an airway, the one having the smallest ratio of
perimeter to area should be selected if possible. The
reason for this may be seen by inspecting the formula
for friction. Obviously the duct should be made as
smooth as feasible. After the shape of the duct is decided
upon, it becomes necessary to fix upon the size. In this
matter the cost of transmitting the air is the arbiter. The
2
IS
si
I
30.0
CUBIC FEET OF AIR PER MINUTE
Fig. 5
question may be best discussed by using a concrete case.
Let us assume that we are to sink a circular air-shaft
1000 ft. to connect with the mine-workings. The shaft is
to be in use for twelve years. It costs $20 per cubic yard
of excavation and 100,000 cu. ft. of air per minute is to
pass through the shaft. The efficiency of the fan and
motor is 60%. The coefficient for friction is assumed to
be 0.000,000,007,3. Power costs $150 per horse-power-
120
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 24, 1920
•Table I — Sinking-Fund Table
Time Rate of interest
At end
olyear 2% 3% 4% 5% 8% 7% 8%
1st ... 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
2d ... 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08
3d ... 3.06 3.09 3.12 3.15 3.18 3.21 3.25
4th ... 4.12 4.18 4.25 4.31 4.37 4.44 4.51
5th ... 6.20 6.31 5.42 6.52 5.64 5.75 5.87
6th ... 6.31 6.47 6.63 6.80 6.98 7.16 7.34
7th ... 7.43 7.66 7.90 8.14 8.39 8.65 8.92
8th ... 8.58 8.89 9.21 9.55 9.90 10.26 10.64
9th ... 9.75 10.16 10.58 11.03 11.49 11.98 12.49
10th ...10.96 11.46 12.01 12.67 13.18 13.82 14.49
lllh ...12.17 12.81 13.49 14.21 14.97 15.78 16.65
12th ...13.41 14.19 15.03 15.91 16.87 17.89 18.98
13th ...14.68 16.62 16.63 17.71 18.88 20.14 21.50
14th ...16.97 17.09 18.29 19.60 21.01 22.55 24.22
16th ...17.29 18.60 20.02 21.58 23.27 25.13 27.15
16th ...18.64 20.16 21.82 23.65 25.67 27.89 30.33
17th ...20.01 21.76 23.70 25.84 28.21 30.84 33.75
18th ...21.41 23.42 25.66 28.13 30.90 34.00 37.45
19th ...22.84 25.12 27.68 30.54 33.76 37.38 41.45
20th ...24.30 26.87 29.79 33.06 36.78 41.00 45.76
21st ...25.78 28.68 31.98 35.72 39.99 44.86 50.43
22d ...27.30 30.54 34.26 38.50 43.39 49.01 55.46
23d ...28.8* 32.46 36.63 41.43 46.99 53.44 60.90
24th ...30.42 34.43 39.10 44.50 50.81 58.18 66.77
25th ...32.03 36.46 41.66 47.72 54.86 63.25 73.11
26th ...33.67 38.56 44.33 51.11 59.15 68.68 79.96
27th ...35.34 40.71 47.10 64.66 63.70 74.48 87.35
28th . . 37.05 42.93 49.98 58.39 68.52 80.70 95.34
29th ...38.79 45.22 52.98 62.31 73.64 87.35 103.97
30th ...40.57 47.58 56.10 66.43 79.05 94.46 113.29
31st ...42.38 50.01 59.34 70.75 84.80 102.07 123.35
32d . . .44.23 52.51 62.72 75.29 90.88 110.22 134.22
33d ...46.11 55.08 66.23 80.05 97.34 118.93 145.96
34th . . .48.03 57.73 69.88 85.05 104.18 128.26 158.63
35th ...50.00 60.46 73.67 90.31 111.43 138.24 172.32
36th ...51.99 63.28 77.62 95.82 119.11 148.91 187.11
37th ...54.03 66.18 81.72 101.61 127.26 160.34 203.08
38th ...56.11 69.16 85.99 107.69 135.90 172.56 220.33
39th ...58.24 72.24 90.43 114.08 145.06 185.64 238.95
40th ...60.40 75.40 95.05 120.78 154.75 199.63 259.07
41st ...62.61, 78.67 99.85 127.82 165.04 214.61 280.79
42d ...64.86 82.03 104.84 135.21 175.94 230.63 304.26
43d ...67.16 85.49 110.04 142.97 187.50 247.78 329.60
44th ...69.50 89.05 115.44 151.12 199.75 266.12 356.97
45th ...71.89 92.72 121.06 159.68 212.73 285.75 386.52
46th ...74.33 96.51 126.90 168.66 226.50 306.75 418.44
47th ...76.82 100.40 132.98 178.10 241.09 329.22 452.92
48th ...79.35 104.41 139.30 188.00 256.55 353.27 490.15
49th ...81.94 108.55 145.87 198.40 272.94 379.00 530.37
60th ...84.58 112.80 152.70 209.32 290.32 406.54 573.80
•From Trans. A. I. M. E.. Vol. XLI. Page 633.
Table No. 2. Data on Fans
Outlet Speed Mechanical Horse-
No. velocity r.p.m. efficiency power Price
1 4200 ,352 67.0 120 $1424
2 3500 30S 65.5 115 1712
3 3000 276 64.5 111 2024
4 2580 254 60.0 116 2432
Table No. 3. Yearly Charges Against Fans
No. Capital Power Total
1 5421 $19,950 $20,371
2 456 19,200 19,656
3 495 18,450 18,945
4 545 19,350 19,895
year. What should be the size of the shaft to transmit
the ail- most economically ?
Let us consider yearly charges. There will be two
types of charges, namely, capital and operating. In the
capital charge there will be interest and amortization.
The money invested in the shaft will carry, let us say,
an interest rate of 6%. Assuming that safe bank inter-
est is 5%, an amount must be charged against the shaft
each year, which, if placed in the bank at the end of each
year, at compound interest, will at the end of twelve
years equal the cost of the shaft. The only operating
charge that varies with the size of the shaft is that for
power so this alone must be considered in this group. We
must now take a series of diameters and determine the
yearly capital charge and the yearly operating charge.
The sum of these will constitute the total yearly charge
for transmitting the air. If we plot curves with the vari-
ous shaft-diameters as abscissae we can determine which
diameter will be the cheapest. To illustrate the method
of making the calculation I shall give the computation
for an 8-ft. shaft.
An 8-ft. shaft 1000 ft. deep will have a volume of 1861
cu. yd. Its cost at $20 per cubic yard will be $37,220.
The yearly interest charge at 6% will be $2233. To figure
the amortization we must have a sinking-fund table.
Table No. 1 gives the amount which will accumulate in
any number of years, if one dollar is placed in the bank
at the end of each year with interest compounded annu-
ally.
One dollar put aside each year at 5% will according to
the table amount to $15.91. In order to have $37,220 at
the end of twelve years we must put aside at the end of
each year 37;220 _
15.91 ~~ *zdds
The total yearly capital charge will be
$2233 + $2339 = $4572
The amortization charge will be the cost of the shaft
multiplied by jrr: or 6.29%.
The total yearly capital charge then will be 12.29% of
the cost of the shaft.
The drop in pressure in the shaft computed with the
friction formula is 2.78 in. of water or 14.46 lb. per sq.
ft. The horse-power, assuming a 60% fan efficiency, is
14.46 X 100,000 „„
0.6 X 33,000 '6
At $150 per year 73 hp. will cost $10,950.
The total cost for transmitting the air will be
$4572 + $10,950 = $15,522
Such a calculation must be made for a sufficient num-
ber of diameters to determine which will be the most
economical. The results for this particular problem are
plotted in Fig. 9. The curve for total yearly cost is low-
est with a 10-ft. shaft. So this will be selected. It will
cost $10,744 per year to transmit the air through the
shaft. If an 8-ft. shaft were selected by guess it would
cost $15,522 per year and the owners during the twelve
3'ears that the shaft is to be used would lose, unneces-
sarily, about $57,000. This method of determining the
cheapest airway should be applied to the pipes in tunnel
ventilation as well as to mine-openings.
The Economic Size op Fan. I shall discuss the selec-
tion of a fan by means of an example. The shaft which *'
we have selected connects with a mine. We have appor-
tioned the 100,000 cu. ft. to the mine-workings and we
have calculated the mine-resistance exclusive of the air-
shaft and found it to be 1.22 in. The resistance of the
shaft is 2.78 in., so the total mine-resistance is 4 in., and
when 100,000 cu. ft. is flowing through the mine a water-
gauge at the collar of the shaft would read 4 in. The
area of a 10-ft. circular shaft is 78.5 sq. ft., so the veloc-
ity of the air in the shaft will be 1275 ft. per minute.
We decide upon the type and make of the fan and then
ask the manufacturer to submit a list of different sizes
which will give 100,000 cu. ft. of air per minute at a
•lulv 24, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRES
121
siiit ic pressure of 4 in., and at an outlet velocity greater
than 1275 ft. per minute. The list that we receive is
shown in Table No. -. The size of the fan increases with
the manufacturer's number. We are told that No. 1 fan
is operating at the high point on the efficiency eurve.
Any one of these fans operating at the speed stated will
deliver the prescribed amount of air at the designated
pressure.
Let us first see how this table illustrates some of the
lip.
12- in.
B
IS -in.
7 300 ft.
FAN No. I
500 ft
'-FAN No. 2
Fig. 6
principles that we have learned. No. 1 fan is operating
at the peak of the efficiency curve, hence the ratio of
stetic to velocity that is shown here will indicate to us
the ratio at which this type of fan is most efficient. The
outlet velocity is 4200 ft. per minute, so the velocity-pres-
j^rz) X 1 or 1.1 in. of water. The ratio of static
4
to velocity is r-j or 3.64. The larger fans, since they have
larger discharge-openings, will have a smaller outlet-
velocity with 100,000 cu. ft. of air. Since the static pres-
sure in all cases is 4 in., the ratio of static to velocity in-
W-J00 ft.
of IZ-in. F
'ipe
7
^-Fan Nc
.1
X
O ' IOOO 2000 3600 4000 5000 6000
CUBIC FEET OF AIR PER MINUTE
Fig. . 7
creases with the size of the fan and so we should assume
that the mechanical efficiency would decrease. The table
shows this to be the case.
The table states that the No. 1 fan requires 120 hp.
This should be checked. The velocity-pressure is 1.1 in.
and the static pressure is 4 in., so the total pressure is
5.1 inches.
5.1 X 5.2 X 100.000
Hp.
The ratio
5.2
33,000 X 0.67 u
always appears 'in this type of calcu-
33,000
lation.
The quotient is 6350. A person used to working such
problems would at once express this equation for slide-
rule computation thus:
:, 1 ■ 100.000
6350 ■ H.67
In the calculation of velocity-heads a alide rule should
lie used on which the top-scale figures are the squares of
those on the lower scale. Using the outlet velocity for
No. 1 fan as an illustration 1 will show how the velocity-
pressure in inches of water is quickly determined.
The velocity-pressure in inches of water is (t^j) X 1
Let V. P. = velocity-pressure in inches of water
Then,
4200
V 4000
On the lower scale of the rule divide 4200 by 4000. The
of IZ-in. Pipe.
500 ft of
10 -in. Pipe
IOOO zooo 3000 4000
CUBIC FEET Or AIR PER MINUTE
Fig. 8
result is the square root of the velocity-pressure so the
velocity-pressure is read directly on the top scale of the
rule.
To return to the fans, the other horse-powers may he
computed in the manner shown. The prices given are
those of the fans delivered at the mine. Our next move
is to consult the dealer in motel's. We are informed that
a 150-hp. 3-phase induction motor will cost, with belt,
$2000 at the mine. Its mechanical efficiency is 91% in
^/
Capital _
DIAMETER OF SHAFT IN FEET
Fig. 9
the range from three-quarters to full load. We are now
in a position to select the fan in the same way in which
we selected the proper size of airway. I shall make the
calculation on No. 1 fan to illustrate.
The cost of fan and motor is $3424,
The yearly capital charge is 12.3%, of this, or $421.
Using an efficiency of 90% for the motor and belt the
190
horse-power required will be ^-r =133.
133 hp. at $150 per year costs $19,950.
The total yearly charge is then $20,371.
122
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 24, 1920
Table No. 3 shows the yearly charges on all of the fans.
Evidently No. 3 fan will do the work most cheaply, but
how is it that a fan with a mechanical efficiency of 64.5 %
will do the work more cheaply than No. 1 fan that has a
mechanical efficiency of 67% ? The reason is this: No. 1
is developing a total pressure of 5.1 in. of water while No.
3 is developing a total pressure of only 4.56 in. ; so in
spite of the fact that No. 3 has the lower mechanical effi-
ciency, the power required to run it is lower. The speed
of the air entering the mine is 1275 ft. per minute, which
corresponds to 0.1 in. of water. The total head actually
required for the mine is 4.1 in. If we could have all the
conditions fulfilled and at the same time get the highest
mechanical efficiency it would be ideal, but we cannot.
As we go to the larger fans the velocity-pressure ap-
proaches that demanded by the mine, but as the outlet-
velocity decreases, the ratio of static to velocity departs
more and more from 3.64, so the mechanical efficiency de-
creases. After we go beyond No. 3 fan the increase in
power due to the decrease in mechanical efficiency more
than offsets the power saved by the lower velocity-pres-
sure and the power to run the fan increases with the size.
If the mine resistance is increased by the extension of
the workings the speed of the fan may be increased to
produce a higher pressure. If the same amount of air is
circulated, the ratio of static to velocity will be still
higher and so the mechanical efficiency will be lower.
The velocity-pressure in the air as it leaves the fan is
0.56 in. The velocity-pressure in the shaft is 0.1 in. Un-
less we can recover this by a gradually expanding duct
from the fan to the shaft 0.46 in. will be lost in shock.
Using an outlet-velocity that is higher than necessary is
uneconomical in the same manner that it is inefficient to
compress air to 100 lb. per square inch and use it at 50 lb.
per square inch. In the case of the fan we cannot help it.
This problem illustrates the term 'commercial effi-
ciency' which I used some time ago. No. 3 fan, although
mechanically not the most efficient fan for our purpose, is
from a monetary or commercial view-point the best fan
that we could select. In closing this series I desire to
thank Prof. B. M. "Woods, of the University of California,
for his constructive criticism, and R. B. Guernsey, of the
American Blower Co., for his interest and material aid in
the preparation of these articles.
[This is the last of a series of articles by Professor
"Weeks on the ventilation of mines. The former articles
appeared in the issues of April 24, June 12, June 19, and
July 3. — Editor.]
Concentration of Magnetite Ore
The whole process of magnetic concentration as applied
to the Eastern Mesabi magnetite ore is a good illustration
of the manner in which the various machines can be made
to work together so as to produce a high-grade furnace-
product from an ore containing only 25% iron in the
form of magnetite. The hard rock is first crushed to
about 3-in. size and is then passed over a magnetic cob-
ber. The field-strength of this cobber is so adjusted that
all of the coarse material containing no magnetic iron is
discarded as tailing. The concentrate from this cobber
is still too low-grade to be useful, and is, therefore, crush-
ed again to 2-in. size. This material is passed over a
second cobber and the worthless gangue again discarded.
This process of crushing, cobbing, and discarding worth-
less material continues until the product has been re-
duced to about i-in. size. "When this stage has been
reached, approximately one-half the ore has been dis-
carded as tailing and the other half contains practically
all of the magnetic oxide that was originally present in
the rock. This £-in. material, however, still contains too
much gangue to be a desirable furnace-product. It is,
therefore, crushed wet in ball-mills until it will all pass
a 100-mesh screen. This fine material is concentrated by
magnetic log-washers in which the final separation is
made. The concentrate produced by these machines is
then de-watered by the use of continuous filters in the
tank of which the fuel for sintering is mixed. The filter-
cake is conveyed directly to the sintering plant, where
the ore is agglomerated. After being sintered the ore is
screened in order to remove any fine material, and only
the clean coarse sinter is shipped to the furnaces. It is
apparent that in order to make this process a success
financially, a large initial investment is necessary. The
plant must be built in the most substantial manner, and
only that machinery can be used which will operate effi-
ciently and continuously under heavy loads and with
little personal attention. At best, the profit per ton that
can be made is small, and in order to make the proposi-
tion attractive financially, a plant of large capacity is
necessary. While this process is a success, from the
metallurgical point of view, its financial worth must yet
be demonstrated.
The Mesabi Iron Co., according to a recent bulletin of
the University of Minnesota, is now undertaking the last
stage in the experiment, that is, proving the financial
worth of the process. A plant is being built on the east-
ern end of the Mesabi range, and it is hoped that within
a year or two this plant will be in operation and will be
contributing its share of ore to the yearly shipment from
the district. It is extremely fortunate for the district
and for the whole State that responsible individuals, who
are willing to expend large sums of money in order to
determine whether or not it is economically possible to
produce a merchantable material from this low-grade
ore, have become interested in this problem.
It is apparent that the success or failure of this first
attempt means much in the history of the Lake Superior
region. Thoughtful men of the iron-mining industry are
watching the progress that the Mesabi Iron Co. is making
with the greatest interest. They recognize the fact that
failure means a gradual decline of the district, while suc-
cess means the awakening of a new period of activity.
If the hard rock of the Eastern Mesabi containing only
20 to 30% iron can be mined, crushed, and concentrated
into merchantable product, it is not difficult to believe
that the vast amount of comparatively soft hematite con-
taining from 35 to 45% iron can first be rendered mag-
netic by roasting and then concentrated magnetically in
the same manner as described above.
-Itilv 24, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
123
Qi^ Charier T. \4ul'ch.vtv,fo»v'
Those wlio, from the title of this article, expect to find
herein either a learned treatise on chemistry or a recipe
for some new viand that defies the H. C. L. will be dis-
appointed. The writer is neither a chemist nor a cook.
There is salt and salt. There is the chloride of sodium
of commerce, without which popcorn and many stories
lack a necessary something to make them satisfying, and
again, in mining parlance, there is that ingredient with-
out which many mines would fail of promotion, and
many samples would assay of Au nothing, and of Ag
even less. Let us then hasten to plunge into the subject,
now that the preliminaries are over, and we are settled
in our easy chairs and prepared for the worst.
Some philosopher once remarked upon our debt to the
great family of suckers, boobs, tenderfoots, and others of
that ilk, who view with scorn the modest stock or bond
that offers safety and a beggarly 7%, and who instead
absorb like a sponge an unlimited quantity of gaudy
stock certificates that have back of them nothing what-
ever but the alluring -will-o'-the-wisp of something for
nothing. These tender lambkins occasionally back a
winner in spite of themselves, and the story of their rise
to affluence through the 'investment' of a few paltry
dollars furnishes bait for ensnaring new crops of easy
marks for generations and generations. Without them,
an occasional enterprise of real worth would languish
and die; without them a lot of ingenious gents would
have to go to work at honest labor.
In the great world of mines and mining, there are
names to conjure with, names which have become se-
curely established by lives of honest square dealing, that
any enterprise with which they are connected is assured
of financial backing from the very start. Mining men of
this stamp do not hawk their wares along the highways
and byways; theirs are not the ornate, mahogany, and
brass equipped suites of offices with thick velvet carpets ;
they do not surround themselves with those sharp-eyed
young salesmen whose eyes are generally too close to-
gether and who never look you straight in the face.
Many and devious are the ways of the fake mine-
promoter. They would fill volumes if an attempt were
made to describe them all, but, fundamentally the differ-
ence is nil ; all are based upon certain elements of human
psychology, greed, the gambling instinct, the desire that
lies latent with all of us to get something for nothing,
persisting in spite of all warnings of common-sense, and
the touch of romance that with the human race begins
at the cradle and stops only at the grave. Many men
have made great fortunes by capitalizing their knowledge
of these fundamentals, and many more have contributed
their mites to the capacious maw of these predatory
cormorants of finance.
Once upon a time, there was a promoter. He has now
gone to his reward, whatever it may be, but for more
than twenty years he flourished, waxing fat or lean, ac-
cording to the times and the necessity for changing his
base of operations after each fresh onslaught upon the
treasure-chests of the tenderfoots. He was a survival
from the Bret Harte epoch, externally and internally,
except that he did not wear a beard. Physically he was
not large, but stocky in build, with a deep chest and an
iron jaw that bespoke tenacity of purpose.
He spoke two languages, Western United States and
profane, the two being so thoroughly admixed as to cause
one to think that the latter predominated, which, as a
matter of fact, it did. Take the lurid diction of a mule-
skinner's vocabulary, add the simple eloquence that
would charm a bird off a tree, and you have an unbeat-
able combination when directed against either the wise
men of the Bast or the unsophisticated denizens of the
Middle-West.
Barnum said that the people like to be fooled, and
especially do they like their doses of foolery coated with
romance, flavored with glittering promises, and washed
down with the hope of an affluence gained without exer-
tion on their part. All of these things this mine-pro-
moter furnished, again and again, with little if any
variation in method, and with only an occasional change
of base. California, Arizona, and Montana were the sites
of his various Lost Peglegs, with an occasional incursion
to Nevada by way of variety. His crops were harvested
in the Middle- West, and even in Southern California,
which the rich and idle Easterners make their play-
ground, while the land of Harry Lauder furnished at
least one batch of 'canny' Scots whose stock of 'siller'
was reducit mair than a wee drappie by a venture in
Montana.
He was no wholesaler, this promoter. None of his
stocks were hawked about either by salesmen or adver-
tisements. He published neither house-organ nor mar-
ket-letter. The New York curb knew him not, and the
time-worn expedient of wash-sales as bait for the unwary
■was regarded by him as the trick of a petty larcenist.
As a matter of fact, he was an artist in his chosen calling.
He was the Caruso of the mining game, a Corot in his
masterful command of colorful profanity, an alchemist
124
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 24, 1920
in his transmutation of basic quartz into shining coin of
the realm.
Always, he was within the law — just within. "When
the bubble was pricked, and the wails of anguish arose
to high heaven from those whom he victimized, they
found that they didn't have a leg to stand upon; there
was nothing to do but write it off: to experience account
and shut up. Again he was so very select, as a general
rule, in the choice of those whom he invited to "join him
in a mining venture ' ', that their very prominence worked
against a bleat of any volume. Men of that stamp hate
to admit that they have been done, and done brown, with
plenty of gravy. Rather do they shut up, pocket their
losses, and save their faces from the ridicule of their
friends, and, what is even more important, save their
reputations as shrewd men of affairs against the un-
doubted business injury that would react upon them from
too much publicity.
How did he do it? Here is a story that is fairly
typical. Up the principal street in the financial district
of a certain city strode a man of the great outdoors. His
tanned face showed exposure to the fierce desert sun-
shine. His gnarled hands bespoke familiarity with the
single-jack and shovel. Over his shoulder was an ore-
sack, bulging with specimens. His clothes were well cut
without being at all dandified, and he wore them with a
vigor and a grace that indicated a muscular body inured
to physical activity. Reaching a well-known banking-
house, he walked in without hesitation, stopped before
the desk provided for depositors, wrote out a check and
cashed it. It was during a slack period, and compara-
tively few people were about the room. Turning to one of
the assistant cashiers, who called him by name, he
growled, "I want to see the President; tell him I am
here". Evidently he was a man who was at least suffi-
ciently at home to command attention.
After a brief period of waiting, he was ushered into
the holy of holies. Still clutching his sack of samples
he greeted the great man, not in the least overawed by
the outward and visible signs of opulence, the oriental
rugs, mahogany tables and chairs, and oil paintings of
former financial dignitaries that graced the walls.
"How are you, Mr. Promoter?" said the president,
with the habitual air of reserve of the money lender, who
hesitates to commit himself in advance, on even so trivial
a matter as the state of the weather.
"How ami?" growled the promoter, "I'm fine as silk,
of course, and why not? Last week we were running a
cross-cut on the 100-ft. level of the Horned Toad shaft
calculated to cut the vein that made such a won-der-ful
showing in the surface croppings, the one I told you
about last month. Well, just look at this." With that,
he up-ended his sack on top of the president's shiny
mahogany table, and a veritable cataract of samples
poured forth. Quickly p pocket magnifying-glass was
produced, which, carefully freed from dust by rubbing
on the leg of the promoter's trousers, was brought into
requisition. Silence prevailed for several minutes. One
could see the bank president 's eye glitter with cupidity.
Here was money, even better, the real thing itself, gold,,
free gold, sticking out all over. The samples were liter-
ally riddled with it. Surely, that ore would go hundreds,
perhaps thousands, per ton.
WITH THAT HE UP-ENDED HIS SACK
After a short interval, the bank president brought him-
self out of his beautiful dream, and his habitual caution
struggled for recognition.
"Have you opened this up at all?" said he.
"Opened it up?" ejaculated the promoter. "Why I
am in on this thirty feet already, and I haven't struck
the foot-wall yet. It is a genuine fissure-vein, pitching
about 10 degrees from the vertical, and, you know, a
formation of that kind goes down all the way to China,
and gets richer the farther down you go. Just as soon
as I cut the foot-wall I am going to drift along the vein
so as to prove it up, and then put in a raise so as to
expose it on all four sides. I consider, from the showing
so far, that the Great Horned Toad property is bigger
and richer than the North Star or the Empire or any of
those others which have been paying big for fifty years."
"Well", said the president, with a sigh, "I suppose
you will have to go out and raise some money in order to
develop and put in a mill. ' '
"I don't know what I'll do", replied the promoter.
"The P. D. & Q. people had one of their experts around
the camp when the news of the great showing came out,
and they want me to see them today, but I don't suppose
they will give more than a half million for it as it stands,
and I don 't see why I should let them have a mine that
will be worth five million or more within a year or so for
any such figure as that. . What I would prefer is to let
some of my friends in on this and divide up with me, so
we will all make money and tell that P. D. & Q. crowd
to go to hell."
The fly was dangling, and the trout was about to rise.
' ' How much will it take ? ' ' asked the banker.
"Well, now", replied the promoter, "I figure that I
can enlarge and timber the working-shaft and sink it
another hundred feet for about $8000. Then I must
opi n up and develop about 50,000 tons of ore. which I
can do easily with about 500 ft. of additional work under-
bill
July 24. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
125
ground. Then, while that work is going on we can erect
a 20-atamp mill and a cyanide plant, install about lOu.ooo
gallons in water-storage capacity, build a bunk-house and
other necessary camp-buildings. I have made careful
estimates of the whole business, and," here the promoter
paused impressively, "you know I never make a mis-
take: $2(10.000 will do the whole job."
Now spoke the banker, the shrewd man of affairs.
"Entirely too much", he snapped. "You ought to get
along with about half that. A 10-stamp mill is plenty
big enough, and you can add to it from the earnings of
the property. Then, why do you have to do so much
work underground for the present 1 Why not get your
mill up. and mine as you go along? Make the property
pay its own way from the start. ' '
"That's a good idea", replied the promoter. The fish
was nibbling at the bait. "This ore is so rich that, even
milling only forty or fifty tons a day we can net five or
six hundred dollars right along, taking only the poorer
rock and leaving the rich ore in place.
"Five or six hundred dollars a day", mused the
hanker. That was $15,000 per month, $180,000 per year.
The investment was only $100,000. Truly, this was a
toothsome morsel. Yet, doubt began to assail him. His
habitual caution, struggling with the glittering promise
dangled before his eyes, clamored for recognition. Then
he spoke.
"I suppose you would have no objection to having an
engineer go over the property and make an examina-
tion", he suggested, hopefully.
"Engineer", snorted the promoter, contemptuously.
"Engineer, hell. Old maids in lace-boots, that went to
college and write a lot of dam-fool initials after their
names, think they can learn about mines from books,
spend their time chewing the rag- about pseudo-morphs
while some goat is paying $100 a day and all expenses
for their time. Then, after they are away a month they
write a hundred-page report with ninety-nine pages about
the weather, rainfall, and county politics, to say nothing
about a lot of bunk on the geology of the district that
nobody can make head or tail of, and then, in the last
page they say 'Safety First' and turn it down, bill here-
with for $3000, please remit. ' '
"Well", replied the banker, "I'll think it over and see
what I can do."
"I leave tonight for Boston", returned the promoter,
shortly. "There is a friend of mine there whom I
• promised to give the first chance whenever I struck any-
thing good. He wants to put up all the money himself,
and I have no objection to him, personally, as he is a fine
fellow. The only reason I spoke to you about it at all
was that I have taken a great fancy to you and would
• like to put you in the way of making a lot of money for
yourself. You could have taken the train back to the
mine with me and looked everything over, taken your own
samples and had them assayed anywhere you pleased.
!Then you could have joined me in this venture and
.looked after it yourself. Of course, you understand, I
don't want any money for myself. You can put in your
own book-keeper who will supervise all expenditures, and
assure that every cent you put up actually goes into the
mine and mill. We can organize a company and you
and your friends can have 55% of the stock, which will
give you control. I'll put in the mine for the remaining
45%, and you sign a contract agreeing to put tip a mill
and furnish the money for the additional development
work. You don't take any risk at all on that basis. Well,
I'm sorry to see you lose this chance." Picking up his
samples and putting them back in the sack the promoter
took his hat and started for the door.
The banker struggled. One hundred and eighty thou-
sand a year; 55% of the stock. Perhaps he could freeze
this innocent, rough, uneducated miner out, and get it
all for himself. He gulped a second in indecision, and
then, down went the bait, hook, sinker, and all.
"Hold on there a minute", said he. "I didn't say 1
wouldn 't go into it. ' '
"Well, I haven't got any time to waste fooling around
here", replied the promoter shortly. "You meet me on
the 6 : 10 train tonight. So long."
True enough, the banker met the 6 : 10 on schedule
time. With him was a lawyer friend, well versed in the
intricacies of legal chicanery. In due course of time,
after leaving the main line, a 20-mile stage-ride brought
them to their Golconda. It certainly was a picturesque
camp. A few tents, with flies to fend off part of the
fiercest rays of the midday sun, thatched on top with
desert willow. In the centre a larger tent, similarly
thatched, but open at the sides and end, served as what
would now be known as a conference room. In the middle
of the tent hung an olla, surrounded with moss, and filled
with delicious cool water. In the corner were sundry
cases of bottled goods, for snake-bites, probably.
BOTTLED GOODS FOR SNAKE BITES
Excavated into the hillside was a storehouse, filled with
choice cuts of meat, poultry, and groceries. Every day
500 pounds of ice was packed in burlap, and carried by
stage to the camp at a staggering cost.
Hot, tired, and dusty from their long ride, the visitors
were conducted to their quarters, where a cool shower
and a change of raiment — to say nothing of a real old-
time Scotch highball, tinkling with ice, the glass frosted
126
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 24, 1920
with the dew — restored good temper, good nature, and a
feeling of physical well-being that prepared the stage
for the second act in the little comedy, for in those days,
the 19th hole was still one up on the eighteenth amend-
ment.
His victims being now regaled and pleasantly relaxed,
the promoter brought out his specimens, and for two
hours entertained them with tales of the desert, the mines
he had opened, the money he had made for himself and
friends. He was a wonderful talker, which, coupled with
his picturesque profanity, caused kaleidoscopic visions of
roseate hue to chase themselves across the imagination of
his listeners. Already, they felt themselves fingering the
glittering gold-pieces, or shuffling the sheaves of crisp
banknotes, all won from Mother Earth.
After a dinner, or 'supper' as it is called, of unbeliev-
able sumptuousness, excellently prepared by the com-
petent cook at $150 per month, backed by an imported
cigar and washed down with the Haig & Haig of our
forefathers, the cold canny men of the money market
such as this. The work took several hours. It had to be
done carefully and painstakingly, not too much, nor yet
too little. It would never do to have the assay too high.
That would immediately suggest mining and shipping to
a smelter. The mill was what was wanted to play the
trick, and $20, $30, or $40 per ton was about right. There
are many ways of 'salting', from gold-dust propelled into
the face of the orebody with a shot-gun to manipulation
of the sample-sacks after they have been taken to the sur-
face, but this particular artist in mineralogical camou-
flage preferred to plant it where it would do the most
good, just like rows of potatoes. His work finally done
to his own meticulous satisfaction, he, tired but satisfied,
climbed the ladder to the surface, and, in turn, retired to
his simple couch, there too, to indulge in his roseate
dreams of the first stage in the shearing to take place on
the morrow.
Early the next morning, the captains of industry from
the busy city were awakened from their glittering dreams
by the musical clang of a triangle fabricated out of an
S
t
ill
DO HI GO DOWN ON THAT THING?
took to their tents, and were lulled to sleep by the dron-
ing of the night-roaming insects.
That night, after all was quiet, our mine promoter took
himself down the working-shaft, and then into the old
drift and cross-cut. Candle in hand, he went over each
inch of face with minute care. He did certain odd and
curious things at regular intervals, taking something
from his pocket, from a bulging ore-sack in his hand, and
apparently planting — what ? potatoes ? No indeed, ' salt ',
just salt, in grains and lumps, not the chloride of sodium
of commerce, but the good old specimen-rock, obtained
from somewhere or other in anticipation of an occasion
St
I
k
HI
old piece of drill-steel and beaten by the efficient Chinese i\
manager of the culinary department. "Bleakfass he
leadv. Hot cakee all catchum cole. Hully up quick
It
Jumping into their clothes, a quick lick and a promise i : -1
in the tin basin, and the banker and his lawyer friend 'j;
made their way to the cook-house with an unwonted
spring in their step, a resultant of the fresh early-morn-
ing air. Sitting on the rough benches, they did full
justice to the grape-fruit, crisp bacon and eggs, followed j «n
by hot cakes and syrup prepared by the hands of a
master. Oh, the psychology of the full stomach, and the
July 24. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
127
■numerable men and women who, since the day of Esau,
have sold their birthright for <i mesa of pottage 1
Joined by the promoter, who had been up and about
before them, their cigars lighted, they hied themselves
to the collar of the shaft. There was the usual little head-
frame, a 15-hp. gasoline hoist, and a 750-lb. bucket. The
two tenderfoots looked askance at the bucket, dangling:
just at the level of the opening, swaying a little and
twisting back and forth. A slight shiver passed over
them. Their cigars were suddenly bitter to their taste.
"Do we go down in that thing?" asked the banker,
doubtfully.
"Of course you do", replied the promoter. "It is
really very simple. Two of us go down at a time. Put
your left foot on the edge of the bucket. Hold on to the
rope with your hands, and fend off with your foot against
the sides of the shaft as you go. I'll do the same on the
other side of the bucket, and that balances the weight.
Your lawyer friend will come down after us with Mike,
the foreman. Come ahead now, let's get started, and
you had better put these candles in your pocket."
With many inward misgivings, the banker grasped the
oily rope with both hands, and, with one foot, stepped
gingerly upon the edge of the bucket. The promoter
duplicated this action on his side, and gave the signal to
lower. Down they went, the bucket swaying and twist-
ing, the banker trying to recall his boyhood prayers, now
long fallen into disuse. After a seemingly interminable
period, the bucket fetched up gently at the bottom^ and
they stepped off and lighted their candles to await the
coming of the lawyer and the foreman. Again the bucket
rose to the surface and returned, depositing its second
cargo of human freight. "Come along", said the pro-
moter, gruffly, "and I will show you the greatest ore
deposit you ever saw. ' '
Picking their way gingerly along the drift, they plod-
ded on, the fitful glare of the candles shedding a ghostly
light upon their white faces.
Now, from here on", said the promoter, indicating
the wall with his candle-stick, "you can take your sam-
ples. For 20 ft. this is all ore. It is all of good milling
grade, with a rich seam running through it a few inches
wide that will go hundreds of dollars to the ton. Now
here", pointing to a series of irregular seams, "is that
rich ore, and you don't want to bother with that because
that is too high in value. Here are some sacks, and you
3an take your samples now, or I will take some myself
jnd pan them for you right here before your eyes, so you
san see the free gold yourself. ' '
The banker and the lawyer exchanged glances. "We
will take some samples and see you pan them now", re-
plied the banker, "and then perhaps this afternoon or
xxmorrow morning before we have to catch the stage for
;own we can go underground ourselves and take some
pies home for assay. ' '
That is perfectly satisfactory to me", said the pro-
aoter; "go ahead and knock down your samples."
Gingerly they turned toward the wall. Taking their
landlesticks they made a . few gentle dabs at the rock
and succeeded in loosening a little piece which fell at
their feet.
"Hell", snorted the promoter, "that's no way to take
samples." He grasped his candlestick, and attacked tin-
wall, apparently at random, with such vim. that in a
minute or two, he had loosened enough fragments to make
a sizable pile. He gathered it up in a sample-cloth, and
carried it to a mortar, beside which was a pan, and a
bucket of water. The tenderfoots looked on in rapt ad-
miration. A vigorous pounding in the mortar soon pul-
verized the fragments. Scooping up a few handfuls he
filled the pan, plunged it into the bucket of water, and
then the really interesting part of the morning's enter-
tainment began.
THE EXPERT MANIPULATOR PANS THE SAMPLE
With that delicate undulating motion, the expert
manipulator began to pan the sample. As if by magic,
the coarser particles of ore came to the top and were dis-
carded. Little by little the contents of the pan were
lessened, until finally nothing was left but a few table-
spoonfuls of fine particles. With a quick twist of the
wrist, the sample feathered. There were a few shining
grains, that even in the half-light of the candles were
different from the rest.
"Here you are", granted the promoter, holding the
pan up to their view.
The two tenderfoots craned their necks forward to see ;
their mouths open in wonderment. Before their eyes was
a little string of particles, perhaps an inch long, shining,
glittering gold, the real thing. A sigh went forth from
both of them. They licked their chops in eager anticipa-
tion.
"How much gold is there?" asked the banker, the man
of figures.
"About a dollar and a half", replied the promoter.
"This ore is worth about $100 per ton. I will pan some
more. ' '
Quickly putting his thumb over the little thread of
gold particles, he plunged the pan into the water with
the apparent purpose of removing the result of his first
panning before adding another batch, but the thumb over
128
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 24, 1920
the gold kept it in place, ready to 'sweeten' the result of
the next test. His movements were so rapid that they
were not noticed.
Another sample was panned. The resultant gold was
nearly twice as much as the first. More oh's and ah's.
Again the performance was repeated with the same re-
sult. Clearly, this was a marvelous mine. Evidently the
promoter was too conservative in estimating its value.
Quickly the thought chased itself across their minds.
How could they get it all for themselves ?
"I think we will get your foreman to help us to take
some samples for assay now, while we are down below,
so we won't have to come back tomorrow", suggested the
lawyer.
"All right", acquiesced the promoter. "Mike, you
help these gentlemen take all the samples they want. I
will leave you now. Dinner will be ready in about an
hour." With that he departed, leaving the embryo
miners to their own devices.
With Mike on the job, they delved deep into the sur-
face of the orebody, carefully preserving the samples in
the little canvas bags provided by a thoughtful host for
the purpose. Each bag was tagged and numbered, al-
though why was not disclosed, as they had no map, nor
even a sketch upon which to locate the points from which
the samples were taken. However, such is life. The
doctor who essays to take his own legal advice, the lawyer
who believes in his heart that he is a great architect, and
the banker who makes his own mine examinations, are no
better than the stage Rube who thinks he knows under
which of the three little shells the nimble pea is reposing.
After an hour of toil in the dank depths of the earth,
the two tenderfoots, again wafted safely to the surface
through the agency of the asthmatic coughing gasoline
hoist, took their numerous sacks of samples to their tent
for safe keeping until the time of their departure. They
did not see the look of inquiry that passed from the pro-
moter to the foreman, nor his solemn wink in return, in-
dicating that all was well.
After brushing the evidence of toil from their clothes,
the investors again met the promoter at the conference
table, where cool drinks of a refreshing nature were
copiously applied where they would do the most good.
Soon the stage arrived, and the promoter sent them on
their way rejoicing. Why didn't he rush it through be-
fore they got away? He was too good a general for that.
Too great an eagerness to close* before the assays of their
' own ' samples had been assayed would have curdled the
cream. The time for the hurrah was not yet.
A day. two days, three days elapsed, and then a wire
came. ' ' Meet me at my office in two days. Assays satis-
factory", read the wire, that brought a grunt of satis-
faction from the promoter. Forthwith, he slammed a
change of clothing in his bag. caught the next stage for
the railroad where he took train for the city, arriving in
due course and taking up his quarters in the hotel. Im-
mediately tipon his arrival, he phoned the banker and
made an appointment for the following morning.
Tomorrow arrived on time, as it sometimes happens.
and promptly the promoter was ushered into the banker's
office, and the office boy was instructed that an important
conference was to be held and that he was to be incom-
municado until further notice. The lawyer, of course,
was on the job also, and there in a leather brief case was
a mass of imposing-looking documents. Cigars were
lighted, and the banker leaned back in his easy backed
swivel-chair, fitting beautifully into his surroundings.
Here, he was in his element.
"Well", began the banker, "we have had the assays
made, and they seem quite favorable. The thing looks
good", continued he, deliberately, "and Mr. Lawyer and
I will go into the thing in accordance with the general
terms you outlined, with certain modifications which I
believe you will be wise to accept. Where are those con-
tracts and incorporation papers?"
The promoter took the papers and skimmed over them
with apparent carelessness. Stripped of legal verbiage,
parties of assorted parts, if 's, and's, and aforesaid 's, they
contracted to furnish the sum of $100,000, to be placed
in their bank for the purchase of machinery and supplies,
subject to draft signed by the promoter and counter-
signed by a secretary to be appointed by the banker.
The banker was to O. K. the contract for the machinery
and mill construction. A corporation was to be formed
with a capital stock of $1,000,000, of which 45% was to
be paid to the promoter in consideration of his deeding
the mining property and all improvements thereon to
the company. The other 55% was to be given to the
banker, the lawyer, and two of their friends in return
for advancing the $100,000 for equipment. This $100,000
was to constitute a loan to the company, and was to be
repaid to the banker out of the first earnings of the com-
pany before any dividends were distributed to the stock-
holders. This was a pretty tight agreement, and the
banker was quite pleased with himself in consequence.
He waited for the promoter's verdict.
"Well", remarked the promoter, with a grin, "you
certainly have this proposition sewed up in a sack.
Now", he continued firmly, "there is one thing that I
want thoroughly understood. I, and nobody else, am
going to buy the mill and install it, and there is to be no
interference from anybody. I don 't care whether any of
you fellows have a nephew, or a son-in-law, or a friend
in the machinery business or not. I know exactly what
is wanted, and it goes in as I say, or this deal is off right
now. ' '
The banker hesitated for a minute. "There is a man
to whom the bank has advanced some money who has in-
vented a new process for taking the gold out of rock by
electricity, and I would like to give him a chance to put
in this plant", he said slowly, "but if you are so set on
having your own way, we will let it go. It is too bad,
though", he continued regretfully, "for this is a very
wonderful thing. There's nothing to it but some kind
of a dynamo and some wire, and a magnet. You just
crush the ore and then give it a little shock, and out
comes the gold. I wish you would change your mind
about it."
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July 24. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
129
"You leave that shook business to me", replied the
promoter, grimly. "I will take care of all the shocks that
go on around that mine. This mill is going to have ten
good honest stamps, with plates and a nice little cyanide
plant. We will have a power-plant, a good pump, and
ji hoist with an automatic self-dumping skip, too. This
plant is going to work, and work right, and any dam-fool
inventor who wants to come around that property and
shock my ore is going to take a long ride on the seat of
his pants."
That was final. The papers were signed, sealed, and
delivered. The funds were placed to the credit of the
promoter, and he started for the machinery district to
dicker for his plant. One week later he had contracted
for his machinery, lumber, cement, and other building
material, and. what was even more important, had had
himself interviewed by both morning and evening papers.
He was a picturesque character, and always good for a
stickful of copy. The interviews were corkers. The mine
was painted in glowing colors, as being simply rotten
with wealth. The reporters played it up with all the
language at their command, as they were assured in
advance that there was no stock for sale to anybody at
any price.
This done, the promoter hied himself back to the mine,
and then began a period of feverish activity. Work be-
gan on the mill grade, the construction crew was organ-
ized. Up went a boarding-house, cook-house, and mine
office, in which was installed an anemic-looking secretary
selected for the post by the banker. Soon, the first car-
load of equipment was hauled in, and the new mill began
to take form. Quietly, the promoter left for the nearest
town and insinuated himself into the graces of the local
correspondents for the city papers. He invited them
out to the mine. Took them all around, filled them with
good things to eat and drink, regaled them with tales of
his own prowess, and showed them assay report after
assay report of the workings of the Great Horned Toad
Mining & Milling Company. When they departed, each
with a nice pocket piece of specimen ore, richly sprink-
led with free gold, they had material for several Sunday
Supplement feature stories.
The promoter organized his publicity campaign with
the skill of a master. Every week or ten days, he would
drop into town, and feed boost talk to the correspondents.
He had just come from the assay-office and would show
them the results of the last 10 ft. in the south drift on
the 100-ft. level, or he had just traced the outcrop of the
rein for a thousand feet or so, and, just see what a won-
ier-ful showing it makes, and similar yarns with the
e single purpose. Weekly letters to the banker were
the same import. He wafted them along on billowy
ilouds of imagery; he filled them with dreams of afflu-
ifice; their nights were replete with beautiful dreams,
heir days with calculations of profits in six figures.
They talked. They always do. At the club, at the
'ffice, at their homes and those of their friends, at social
gatherings, even at vestry meetings, there was nothing
liscussed but that Horned Toad mine, and its wealth.
They were importuned on all sides !>y friends and ac-
quaintances to be allowed to participate. When the pro-
moter came to the city he was the cynosure of all eves.
He was dined, wined, and feted, and how he did bask in
the limelight, and enjoy his brief period of adulation and
flattery. Little by little the circle widened. The public-
ity, advertising, or whatever one may call it was insinuat-
ing its way through a constantly growing group of sheep,
who were fast approaching shearing. The time was near-
ly ripe for the grand coup.
In a few months the mill approached completion. Then
the day was set for the start, the launching of the enter-
prise that was to be marked by glittering bars of bullion.
MATERIAL FOR SEVERAL FEATURE STORIES
As the time grew nearer, the promoter was adding many
names to a little list in a memorandum book that never
left his possession. It consisted of men prominent in the
business affairs of the city where lived the banker, and
the lawyer, and made up the circle of acquaintances, in
one way or another made familiar with the progress of
the enterprise, and who had been under the influence of
the subtle campaign of publicity launched by the pro-
moter with the unwitting co-operation of his associates.
One short week before the time set for starting the mill,
a confederate of the promoter called upon him at the
mine. There, in the dark of the night, they conferred
long and earnestly. On the following day, without flour-
ish of trumpets, the confederate left for the city where the
banker and lawyer resided. In his pocket was a copy of
the promoters list taken from the little private memoran-
dum book. Also there was a bunch of neatly engraved
stock certificates, in small denominations, not more than
one or two hundred shares in each.
Upon his arrival at the city, he lost no time. One by
one, the men whose names were on the list were approach-
130
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 24, 1920
ec". To each, the confederate told the same story. After
swearing them to secrecy, he said that he was an old pros-
pector, that he had assisted in locating the Great Horned
Toad mine, that his share of the property was represented
in so many shares of stock. Here, he exhibited a cer-
tificate that had been duly endorsed over to him by the
promoter. He was hard up, broke in fact, and, although
he understood that it had turned out to be a great prop-
erty, he simply had to sell. Wonderful opportunity, a
chance to slip one over on a man hard up, and who would
have to accept most anything that was offered. He was
shrewd however, this innocent hard-up prospector. He
stuck out for a fair price, and, in almost no case did he
take more than 10% less than par. So well did he do his
work, so quietly did he go from man to man on the list,
that he was cleaned up a day or two before the time set
for the starting of the mill. Then a wire, a few cryptic
words to the promoter, and a visit to another bank, the
purchase of New York exchange for the entire amount,
and it was considerable, and he caught a train for Broad-
way.
The day of the grand opening had come. The stage
was set. The mill finished, the banquet table arranged
for the banker, the lawyer, and their friends who were
approaching the mine in special stages chartered for the
purpose. The table fairly groaned with good things.
THE TABLE FAIRLY GROANED WITH GOOD THINGS
There were whole baked hams, cold turkeys, salads,
relishes, superb hot biscuits prepared by the Chinese cook,
a master of Ms profession. There at the side of the open
tent, were tubs of bottled beer, surrounded by chunks of
ice. In other tubs were pieces of cracked ice to add the
necessary fillip to the famovfs Scotch, for which long
glasses were provided. The table was set for forty, and
as the first of the special stages rounded the turn, it ap-
peared as if everybody had come.
There was the new mill, clean cut and beautiful to the
eye. There the head-frame, there the new power plant,
with the business-like smoke pouring from the stack. As
the last stage came into view, the whistle blew, a loud
discordant note proclaiming the advent of the conquering
heroes, to whom the perils of the desert were as nothing.
Welcomed to the mine by the promoter, who was
wreathed in smiles, they were conducted to the primitive
wash-basins where they removed the stains of travel.
Then the feast, that wonderful feast, that was like noth-
ing else they had ever experienced. Filled to repletion,
they lolled back on the benches, their cigars lighted, and
listened to an impromptu address from the promoter. He
told them lovely things about themselves, how great they
all were, of the great debt that civilization owed to them,
those pioneers of the waste places. He told them about
the mine, as only he could, how rich it was, and how rich
it would make them. Then he took them underground in
batches and showed them around. He had put a round
of shots in the roof of the drift making passage next to
impossible. There they were, all dressed up. at times
crawling on their hands and knees, and even tummies,
candle in hand, down in the bowels of the earth, wishing
they were safely topside once more.
This finished, they were conducted around the mill.
They admired the imposing battery of stamps, they in-
spected the mysteries of crusher, automatic feeders, con-
centrating tables, the rows of tanks the purpose of which
was to them a profound mystery. Then, at a given word,
a rumble, then a creak, then a hum was heard. The darn
thing was running. The breaker began its crunch, crunch,
and the broken rock began to fall into the bin. Then the
roar of stamps was added to the din, and soon, a watery
mud began to trickle through the battery screens and run
down over the plates. Then the concentrators began to
shimmy, the filter revolved, in short everything was a
grand success.
"I don't see any gold," anxiously remarked one of the
guests. The promoter regarded him pityingly. ''We al-
ways start up with waste until everything is running
smoothly, and the adjustments are made," he replied.
Satisfied, pleased at this exhibition of foresight, the guest
retired. Taking the banker aside, the promoter said,
"Tomorrow I will turn everything over to the superin-
tendent you picked out, and who is due here iu the morn-
ing. I am tired out with my hard work getting this mine
started, and I am going to the seashore for a couple of
weeks. ' '
Surely, he was entitled to a rest, this hard worked
miner. The banker acquiesced with a smile. He re-
membered his instructions to the new superintendent,
"Run her for a week and then shut down for any reason
you like. Then we will declare a series of assessments
until we freeze that old duffer out."
The guests departed. The next morning the new super-
intendent arrived, and was met at the stage landing by
the promoter, all packed, bag and baggage, ready to take
the same stage out. "I am leaving everything for you
with the book-keeper. You are in full charge and will
report for instructions to Mr. Banker. I am going to the
seashore for a rest. So long", and that was all. But,
the promoter did not catch the train for the seashore. On
the contrary he caught the Limited for the East. and. in
course of time, at a well known New York hostelry, lie met
the hard-up prospector, now miraculously metamorphosed
into considerable of a dandy, who greeted him warmly,
almost affectionately.
The two retired to a room, where an interesting cere-
mony took place. It consisted of a division of sundry
bright looking documents, New York drafts aggregating
It
u
(■■■
Julv 24. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
131
a sum of money running into six figures. Le1 us leave
them fur the present, and return to the Qreal Homed
Toad mine, and follow the new superintended around.
This new saperintendent was a competent man. He
teemed to ignore the beautiful oew mill, the mine office
with its imposing sign, or the other surface indical ions of
something, whatever it might be, at depth. He went
immediately to his quarters, changed to his digging
clothes, proceeded to the hoist house, and gave orders to
be lowered. Candle in hand, accompanied by the fore-
man, he plodded through the short drift, crawled over the
material which had been broken from the roof in prepara-
tion for stoping operations. Every few feet he stopped,
looked, and listened for any explanation that the foreman
might offer. None was forthcoming. Silently he con-
tinued on his way, and reaching the end of the drift, he
turned, retraced his steps, and was hoisted to the surface.
Immediately he gave orders to shut down the mill.
His lunch was eaten in silence. Then he sent for the
foreman, and said, "We are going to sample this prop-
erty immediately, as best we can. Get a couple of men
with drills and get underground at once. I will show you
where I want the shots put in."
For three days, the men were busy putting in the holes.
Then they were fired, and the result carefully hoisted to
the surface, crushed, quartered, and delivered to the
assayer. A day or two later came the reports. Assay
after assay revealed the cold, pitiless fact that of Au there
was from a trace to 49c, and of Ag there was nothing that
could be determined. In order that no stone might be
left unturned, the superintendent then sampled the crop-
pings, as far as he could trace them. The result was the
same. There was nothing there, nothing but just plain
ordinary country rock. The dose was not palatable. It
lacked the pinch of salt.
Gathering up his documents, the superintendent caught
the first train to the city. Upon his arrival he met the
banker and the lawyer in the former's office, and there,
quietly and in simple language, he told those two shrewd
business men that they had been stung, that they had
been bamboozled to the Queen's taste, that there had been
nothing there, and that there was no indication that there
ever would be anything there.
Shock, followed by consternation, then wild rage
against the promoter who had dared to assault these
hitherto impregnable treasure chests, oh ! the language
that rose to the high heavens, as they called him every-
thing they could think of. They would have him arrest-
ed ; they would send him to the penitentiary for life.
Then the lawyer remembered that they had no grounds
whatever for any action. He remembered that of all the
crimes on the Penal Code, there was not one single one
that they could pin on that wily promoter. They had
been salted. Of that they were sure, otherwise how could
those marvelous assays be accounted for, but of evidence,
there was not one jot or tittle. They knew that the sam-
ples that had been assayed could not possibly have come
from the 'Great' Horned Toad, but prove it they could
not. There was no more. Of that they were sure.
Telephone calls from their circle of friends asking
anxiously when the first clean-up would be made, first
created suspicion, and then certainty, that the promoter
had unloaded his stock at good prices through their own
unwitting connivance. Little by little, as they began to
recall the facts, all the circumstances reassembled them-
selves in their minds, and they realized to the full, their
folly, and how cleverly they had been done. Analyzing
tin' whole scheme for flaws in their own procedure, the
banker, some months after, was heard to remark, "Well,
I suppose it would have been better for me to have sent
an engineer to examine the property before we got in so
deep, but, anyway," this to himself, consolingly, "I saved
two or three thousand dollars in engineers fees." His
friend, who had been listening, asked with a smile, "And
how much did you lose without the engineers' services?"
The banker, startled out of his calm, answered ' ' One hun-
dred thousand". Then he saw the drift of the question.
"Oh, go to hell," he snorted.
(
OAOT43N86H
.63.MUMIN
The Ievinebank smelting works, in North Queensland,
which were taken over by the Government last year for
a period of 34. months, up to December 31 produced 35
tons of tin valued at £11,770. The Government battery
at Bainford treated during the year 1070 tons of tin ore,
and 253 tons of ore containing wolfram, molybdenite,
etc., and the recoveries were : black tin, 25 tons, valued
at £3308 ; wolfram and bismuth, 44 tons, valued at £9783 ;
bismuth, £112 ; or a total of 904. tons of concentrate,
valued at £19,915. The plant is being further improved
by adding to the storage capacity of the bins and by the
addition of a magnetic separator for the purpose of sep-
arating bismuth and wolfram. The plant worked two
shifts during the greater part of the year. The report of
the Secretary for Mines states that the acquisition by
the Government of the Chillagoe smelters, railway, etc.,
has led to a great revival of industry in that locality, as
well as at Mungana and Einasleigh. About 75% of the
ore supply for the smelters is expected to be derived from
the last-mentioned mine. It is expected that the regular
output of the works will be at the rate of about 200 tons
per month. The complete return for March was: 153
tons of blister copper, containing 151.3 tons of pure cop-
per, 7650 oz. silver, and 111 oz. gold ; also 280 tons lead
bullion, containing 272 tons lead, 16,880 oz. silver, and
39 oz. gold.
132
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 24, 1920
Electro - Metallurgy of Manganese
Ore
Bulletin No. 5 of the Engineering Experiment Sta-
tion of the University of Washington, 'Electro-Metal-
lurgical and Electro-Chemical Industry in the State of
Washington', by Charles Denham Grier. gives the fol-
lowing brief description of the process in use at the
ferro-manganese plant of the Bilrowe Alloys Co. at
Taeoma. In this plant, manganese ores from Philips-
burg, Montana, are mixed with sufficient coke for reduc-
tion, limestone for fluxing, and a little metallic iron, and
then smelted in six single-phase open-top shaft furnaces.
Each furnace has a capacity of a little less than two tons
per day when operating on the best ores. Pour of these
furnaces are enclosed in shells of Win. boiler-plate, 77
in. diam.. 69 in. high, flanged at the top, with a 6-in. strip
of brass running from top to bottom to break the mag-
netic circuit. The shells are cooled by a water spray
from a perforated pipe that encircles the shell near the
top. The other two furnaces are of reinforced concrete,
7f ft. square on the outside with a circular central shaft
79 in. diam. The lining of both kinds of furnaces is the
same. At the bottom is a water-cooled cast-iron grid,
which is embedded in and under the rammed mixture of
ground carbon, graphite, and coal-tar that forms the
bottom of the crucible. The side-walls of the crucible
are made of California magnesite and extend up above
the smelting-zone. Above this, the lining is of hard-
burned firebrick, which will best withstand the abrasive
action of the charge and of the poking necessary to ensure
proper descent of the charge.
The two concrete furnaces each have a guide, which
extends from the sides and across the top of the furnace
to hold the electrode in the centre of the shaft. The
other furnaces lack this feature, and their electrodes are
merely supported by steel cables from a car-truck over-
head. In all except one furnace, 16-in. square, amor-
phous carbon electrodes are used ; in that one 20-in.
round electrodes of the same material are used. The
electrodes have threaded recesses in each end and new
lengths are joined to the electrode in place by means of a
threaded plug screwing into both pieces. A paste of
graphite and raw linseed oil is used between the surfaces
to increase the conductivity of the joint. Putting on a
new length requires from ten to, fifteen minutes with the
concrete furnaces, but from one to two hours on the other
furnaces.
The electrode-holders are in two parts, which clamp on
the sides of the electrodes. They are water-cooled. The
flexible water-connection required is an asbestos i-in.
steam-hose. These holders have arms that extend past
the side of the furnace where the clamps which make con-
nections with the leads are bolted on. A counterweight
balances this eccentric weight. Some trouble has been
experienced with the holders, as the electrode faces are
irregular and good contacts are not made over the entire
surface. This results in hot spots, which eat away the
carbon, sometimes producing an arc that attacks the cop-
per, and frequently allows the suspended electrode to
drop into the bath.
The power required for each furnace is approximately
350 kilowatts. The current is supplied to the terminals
of the furnace at about 55 volts. The power factor is ■
said to be about 90%. The conductors to the furnace,
which are $ by 6-in. bars, are placed close to each other
to minimize reactions, and the magnetic circuit in the
shell is opened by the strip of brass mentioned before.
The energy required per long ton of product is said to
vary between 4600 kilowatt-hours, which is the amount
used when running on the best ores, to an average of
5500 kilowatt-hours, which was the figure obtained over a
period of four months while using the different grades
of ore shown below. Power is purchased at rates varying
with the load factor, and this is usually such as to earn
a rate of from 3.31 to 3.52 mills per kilowatt-hour. Un^
der the power contract, the plant is subject to shut-down
in ease of low water. During the past two years it has
lost approximately ten days together with three or four
minor interruptions.
The following analyses represent the different grades
of Montana ore used :
Mn
%
Concentrate 40.1.3
Washed ore 42.07
Coarse rood ore 47.08
Coarse poor ore 38.27
The concentrate is fine and tends to pack in the fur-
nace so tightly that the gases formed by the furnace re-
actions cannot pass freely. The result is that gas ac-
cumulates until the pressure is high enough to force a
passage, which is usually along the electrodes, through
which it 'blows' with considerable force, materially
shortening the life of the electrode. To minimize this
trouble, coarse ore is mixed with the concentrate in equal
quantities. It is also found necessary to mix the ores so
that the AL03 content does not exceed 4%. Ores ex-
ceeding this amount yield a slag which does not separate
well from the metal, which is entangled in, and clings to,
the slag when cool.
Typical analyses of the ferro-manganese and the slag
produced are as follows :
SiO.
P
Fe
A1.0S
Moisture
%
%
%
%
%
9.4
0.081
1.0
2.7
10.3
20.2
0.092
1.3
4.0
12.2
15.08
0.055
1.2
3.0
5.81
23.4
0.077
6.0
9.55
Ferro-Manganese
%
Manganese 80.03
Iron 11.5
Silicon 0.6
Phosphorus 0.274
Slag
«i
Manganese 13.97
Ferrous oxide 1.2
Silica 34.7
Lime 35. 8
Alumina 4.6
The ingredients of the charge are bedded in small bins
and are mixed by shoveling into the charge-cars which
carry it to the furnace. The furnaces are fed continu-
ously and are kept poked down at all times except during
the 20 minutes before tapping. It is desirable to have
the furnace crust over before tapping so that no im-
perfectly separated material will be tapped out. The
ferro-manganese and slag are tapped into shallow cars
every two hours, allowed to cool for several hours, after
which slag and metal separate along a clean line if the
charge has been correctly proportioned and the alloy is
ready for shipment.
July 24, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
133
KEVIB
JNING
FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS IN THE FIELD
""" ■""■Iimilin I line i i iiiiiiiiiiuiti in in i , „,li mm, , , , , iniinn mini iiiiiii iii
ARIZONA
DRILLING CONTESTS AT JEROME.
Globe. — The Old Dominion company has developed
high-grade ore on the Maggie vein, north of the 'A' shaft
on the 19th level. Assays running from 10 to 34% have
been reported. The company is now cutting a station on
the 20th level, which will automatically drain the 19th
and permit active development on the Maggie vein at that
level. Production for the month of June was consider-
ably in excess of that for the month of May, which
amounted to 2,287,000 lb. of copper.
It is reported that the Arizona Commercial has opened
rich ore in its raise that is up a distance of 85 ft. from
the 1600-ft. level. This is now within 15 ft. of the 1500-ft.
level and practically assures the company 100 ft. of ore
yielding in the neighborhood of 10% copper. On the 4th
level, where commercial ore was recently found, drifting
continues with the orebody which shows no diminution
in size or quality. The company is producing 600,000
lb. of copper monthly at a cost of approximately 14e. per
pound.
During April, according to monthly bulletin sent to
stockholders by Frank P. Knight, president, the produc-
tion of the Iron Cap Copper Co. amounted to 654,125 lb.
of copper and 8807 oz. of silver. The mill is operating
satisfactorily and production is estimated at about 300
tons per day. It is said that on June 9 the Supreme Court
of Maine handed down decisions in the suits brought by
the Arizona Commercial company. In the apex-ease the
bill was sustained. Counsel for the Iron Cap has asked
for a re-hearing.
Bisbee. — The ventilating shaft which is being put
down in the neighborhood of the Briggs mine of the
Calumet & Arizona Mining Co., has reached a depth of
300 ft. An average of more than eight feet per day has
been attained since the work began, and during last week
54 ft. was sunk in six days. When completed the shaft
will be more than 800 ft. deep. The company is installing
two more boilers which will give the boiler-plant a total
of 15. The increased capacity is for use in handling the
increased flow of water that is expected to develop as the
Junction shaft is deepened. Plans for sinking the Junc-
tion shaft from the 1800 to the 2200-ft. level are now
der way.
Superior. — Announcement has been made that John
'owle, vice-president and general manager of the Silver
King of Arizona Mining Co., has been appointed receiver
of the company by the Superior Court. It appears the
Silver King company is having difficulty in financing
property and Mr. Fowle will keep the water pumped out
of the mine and look after the property generally.
Jerome. — Unusual interest was aroused by the drilling
contests held in the town of Jerome during the two holi-
days on July 4 and 5. Contests in both hand and ma-
chine-drilling were held. Seven teams of two men each,
entered' for the machine-drilling contest, two from the
United Verde, two from the United Verde Extension, and
one from the Jerome Verde. A large block of granite was
brought over from the famous granite mountains of Pres-
cott, expressly for the purpose. The betting was fast and
furious and several thousand dollars changed hands be-
fore the United Verde teams were declared the winners
of both first and second money. The first prize, which
amounted to $250, was won by Navarette and Navo, of
the United Verde. The winners showed them all a trick
by making but three changes of steel in drilling the last
hole instead of four changes as made by the other com-
petitors. Each team was required to drill two holes, one
above, and one below the bar, and the program for each
team was to set up the standard, attach the bar, connect
air and water-hose, drill a 5-ft. hole, turn the drill under
the bar, and drill another hole.
. The time taken by each team is as follows:
Team Set up
Gerkovich and Mrtieh 2:32
Gomez and Lopez 2:16
Vineente and Mendiaz 2:05
Lopez and Fernandez 1 :47
Navarette and Navo 2:03
The quickest set-up was made in 1 min. 47 sec., while
the longest took only 2 min. 32 sec. Ordinarily it takes a
man from 20 to 40 min. underground to set up and pre-
pare to drill his first hole.
Four teams entered for the double-jack hand-drilling-
contest: Townsend and Slade from the United Verde,
Lopez and Gomez from the Jerome-Verde, McKinnon and
McKinnon from the Grand Island, and Sehull and "Wolf
from Turkey. Thousands of dollars were wagered on the
contest. The results were as follows :
McKinnon brothers 31% inches
Sehull and Wolt 29 "
Lopez and Gomez 27 % "
Immediately at the conclusion of the contest Sehull
and Wolf challenged the winners to another competition
for a purse of $500 and the McKinnons not only accepted
the challenge but suggested that they still had another
$500 and would like to wager it as well. The local record
is 35f in. and the State record is 39| in., made 12 3rears
ago in Bisbee.
1st hole
Chang-e
2nd hole
Total
6:06
1:11
4:59
14:48
7:06
1:38
6.21%
17:21V-
7:59
1:20
7:19
18:43
7:21
0:50
6:34
16:32
6:28
0:56
4:54%
14:21%
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MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 24, 1920
CALIFORNIA
SEVERAL MINES IN NEVADA COUNTY SUSPEND OPERATIONS.
Amador County. — The water level is being lowered
slowly at the Argonaut mine. The pumps are now work-
ing smoothly. Tanks are also used in hoisting water.
No move has yet been made by the Kennedy company to
operate its plant although the hoist has been completely
overhauled and placed in readiness to commence at any
moment. From what the public can learn it is believed
that a move will be made shortly by the Kennedy people
to bear their part of the expense in draining the under-
ground workings. At this writing the water has been
lowered about 65 ft. below the 3100-ft. level.
In cutting a station at the bottom of the recently sunk
section of the shaft at the Plymouth Consolidated mines,
a body of high-grade ore, assaying $70 per ton, was un-
covered. Just what the length and width of the new find
is, cannot be known until further development is done,
but 16 ft. of ore has already been cross-cut. The find is
important and comes at an opportune time. The ore
hoisted from drifting in the 600-ft. winze in the Bunker
Hill mine, from which so much was anticipated, is so low-
grade that it goes over the dump. Prospecting still con-
tinues. The Keystone at Amador City is doing nothing
beyond keeping the mine drained.
Nevada County. — The controversy which has existed
for a number of months between the North Star and
Empire Mining companies and other users of water and
the Pacific Gas & Electric Co. was recently decided by
the Railroad Commission in favor of the water-users.
The latter company sought to compel the water-users to
change to electricity necessitating the expenditure of
many thousands of dollars. After years of operation the
North Star Mines Co. has decided to abandon the Cham-
pion mine on Deer creek, a mile below Nevada City. The
property consists of a large area, the greater portion of
which has been acquired as the result of litigation with
the Home Mining Co and other properties, due to alleged
charges of trespass, and on account of a complex vein
system. The mine operated two shafts and was equipped
with a 40-stamp mill and a cyanide annex. Formerly
the mine was a producer but of late years small bodies of
ore encouraged continued prospecting until within the
last year. High costs and lack of ore-reserves have com-
pelled the company to close permanently. Nevada City
is thus left without a single quartz mine within its im-
mediate vicinity. A force of men is already at work dis-
mantling the machinery and buildings.
R. H. Long of San Francisco stated that the old Ex-
celsior mine at Meadow lake will be re-opened shortly,
treating the ores by the cyanide process. The Golden
Gate mine, idle for some time, has been abandoned. It
adjoins the Idaho-Maryland property. Operations at the
Lily have come to a temporary standstill pending a bet-
ter understanding among the stockholders. George Main-
hart of Nevada, Harvey I. Miller of Salt Lake City,
George Packard and J. S. Oiler of Boston, have recently
been looking over the Mother Lode section and the Grass
Valley district.
Placer County. — The Rising Sun mine at Colfax has
commenced mining in earnest, the 10-stamp mill treating
ore of ordinary grade. The ore is automatically handled
from skip to mill.
COLORADO
'DOLLAR' SILVER IS REVIVING COLORADO DISTRICTS.
Cripple Creek. — Old mines and old miners are mak-
ing good: as a result of recent work two rich gold dis-
coveries have recently been made. The first was at the
Strong mine, Battle mountain, near the surface, and the
second, at a depth of 750 ft., on the American Eagles
property, located personally by the late "W. S. Stratton.
An 'old timer', George Furst, has opened up a rich vein,
on the upper Strong fraction, immediately adjacent and
cutting into a later location the Queen of the Hills, of
the Portland company. Samples taken across 2,\ ft. of
vein matter, have returned $75 to $800 per ton. Furst
has taken out about 45 tons and his first shipment will be
loaded next week. He will install an electric hoist if re-
turns are as good as the assays.
The second discovery has been made by F. M. Kurie,
former superintendent of the Portland company, who has
been mining and shipping a good grade of milling ore
from two blocks of the Stratton estate, Bull hill, operated
through the Star of Bethlehem shaft. He recently se-
cured a modification of his lease whereby the depth was
extended and he was permitted to operate from the
American Eagles deep shaft. By a short cross-cut Kurie
has opened up, if not the vein he was seeking, one with
better prospects as two drifts now being run on the vein
have both breasts in ore and samples show four ounces
gold per ton.
A vein of altered granite, not hitherto cut on the prop-
erty, has been found in sinking the Empire State shaft
of the Isabella Mines Co., below the 900-ft. level station.
The vein has two streaks, two feet apart, that sample $30
to $50 per ton. It has a north-west strike and dips
strongly to the north-west. The shaft is to be continued
to the 1500-ft. point. Development work at the Last
Dollar shaft, Modoc Consolidated Mines Co., is centred
in the long cross-cut through the Combination claim, to
the north-west. This cross-cut when completed will be
2400 ft. in length, with cross-cuts at intervals to exploit
this undeveloped territory. The cross-cut should cut
every known vein and dike that traverses this claim. At
the 1200-ft. level, three veins are under development in
ground south and east of the shaft.
Gilpin County. — A rich strike has been made on Idaho
hill, on property adjoining the old Mackey mine, by the
Elk Park Mining Co., a Denver corporation. At a depth
of 200 ft. the Annie H. vein, first opened in an upper
shaft on the property, has been cut and samples assay two
ounces gold, 16% copper, and two to five ounces silver
per ton. In addition there is 2\ ft. of mill-ore assaying
$11 to $13 per ton. The company has a stamp-mill on the
property but plans to install a flotation unit to handle
the sulphide ore.
Georgetown. — A recently organized Wisconsin com-
July 24. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
135
pany, the Brown Deer Mining Co., is starting work on the
Reindeer lode near Silver Plume under management of
Thomas Buxton. Operations have Wen resumed in the
Cutley tunnel near Berthoud pass and on the property of
the Republican Mines Co. Contractors have started an
extension of the Clinton tunnel.
Central City. — Smelting-grade ore has been opened
up on the Annie H. mine at Apex, above Black Hawk.
The streak measures eight inches, in addition to some
mill-ore. Operations have been resumed on the Ever-
green property, and the milling-plant is shortly to resume
treatment. The Rochester tunnel of the Saco de Oro
company has been re-timbered and work resumed in the
breast, where streaks of galena have made their appear-
ance. The tunnel is heading for the discovery shaft,
where rich silver-lead ore formerly was mined. Silver-
bearing ore has been opened up in the Yankee Hill dis-
trict by owners of the Saunders-Gobelman property. The
Chase mine is to be unwatered and the shaft sunk 100 ft.
from its present depth of 450 ft. The Rara Avis, a silver-
lead producer, one of the richest mines of the earlier days,
has been leased to Kansas parties. The property has been
in litigation some 30 years and has been closed for this
time. The shaft is 550 ft. deep but in unworkable condi-
tion and a tunnel already in 600 ft. will be extended to
cut the shaft at the 300-ft. point. The property accord-
ing to the records has produced ore running as high as
1300 oz. silver per ton, and ore is reported by 'old timers'
to be still exposed in the lower workings.
Lake City. — A contract for 1000 ft. of work in the
Hidden Treasure tunnel has been awarded to local min-
ers and work has commenced. An aerial tram is to be
constructed from the Cleveland tunnel to an ore-house
under construction on the county road, thereby reducing
the haulage to the shipping point on the D. & R. G. rail-
road. The lessee on the Fannie Fern on Benson creek is
shipping silver-lead ore of high value to the smelter. The
Mountain Chief group near the Fannie Fern is being
operated by the Standard Mines Development Co., a com-
mon-law trust recently organized by G. R. Harkness,
prominent mining man of Hinsdale county, and Denver
men. Ore is exposed in tunnel-workings that assays as
high as 472 oz. silver and 1.63 oz. gold from the foot-wall
streak, with fully six feet of milling ore in addition. In
the shaft workings, ore assaying as high as 640 oz. has
been mined, and a tunnel is now projected to cut the
vein at depth. Dollar silver is proving an incentive to
silver mining and a number of Hinsdale county proper-
ties have recently been examined.
Silvebton. — The Early Bird property owned by C. B.
Mitzkie of Silverton and operated under bond and lease
is producing high-grade gold-silver ore. A recent ship-
ment of sacked ore, of small size, netted the operators
$1470. A second shipment of rich ore will be made soon.
The Bagley mill has been bought under writ of execution
"by C. B. Blitzkie and will be overhauled and put in con-
ditipn to treat custom ore. The Gnome Mining Co. has
increased the working force at its properties at Animas
Forks, where development is in progress.
MICHIGAN
OUTLOOK FOR THE COPPER PRODUCERS NOT IMPROVING.
The coal situation continues to be the most important
problem for every copper mine in Michigan. The prob-
lem is in no wise helped by knowledge of the fact that
there is no hope for any reduction in prices, and there is
doubt whether coal in sufficient amount can be secured
even at the present going prices. To add to the prevail-
ing pessimism there is the continued shortage of labor
and the fact that there is little evidence in present ship-
ments of an increased demand for the product of the
mines.
Wolverine is going to show an improvement in the con-
tent of its rock this month, and what is now going to the
Wolverine mill contains 20 lb. per ton. Wolverine No. 4
MASS COPPER IN THE QUINCY MINE, MICHIGAN
shaft is shut-down temporarily. The tonnage is increas-
ing from No. 3. The Wolverine stamp-mill is idle for a
few weeks to make repairs to the rock-bins, and the Wol-
verine ore is being cared for at the Mohawk mill. The
tonnage now is coming from the 38th level and the four
levels above, including the foot-wall, arches, and pillar*.
Wolverine now is holed-through to the North Kearsarge
so that it is not necessary to handle the extra water which
has been coming from the South Kearsarge.
Seneca's shaft now is approaching the 5th level. The
3rd and 4th level drifts are being pushed to the property
limits, with the thought of securing greater lateral dis-
tance before further stoping. This policy makes it neces-
sary, temporarily, to forego the increase in tonnage an-
ticipated. Under existing conditions of the market this
is not objectionable. Development work in the Gratiot
shaft is exposing much barrel and small mass material.
Mohawk is securing considerable silver from points be-
low the 16th level. It does not appear in nuggets, the
particles being quite fine, recoverable only in the smelter.
MONTANA
LUMP GULCH MINES ARE SHIPPING TO THE PLANT OP THE
NEW YORK-MONTANA TESTING & ENGINEERING CO.
Marysville. — A new 5-ft. fissure has been opened
on the 400-ft. level of the Shannon mine of the Barnes-
136
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 24. 1920
King Development Co. The ore assays $14 per ton in
gold.
Helena. — Another high-grade ore-shoot has been open-
ed at the Vera Cruz mine in the Lump Gulch district
after drifting west and cross-cutting to the south from
the 4-ft. orebody recenty reported. The new ore-find
strikes with the first discovery and shows similar assay
values, namely, 5% copper, 78 oz. silver, 1 oz. gold, 18%
.l^di. (,]VI. J, McEvans is superintendent. Ores:from
both the Liverpool and Monarch mines are now being
treated at the plant of the New York-Montana Testing &
Engineering Co. Plans have already been completed for
increasing the output of this plant.
Neihart.— Practically normal conditions are prevail-
ing in most of the mines in this district. The Hartley
mine is employing 18 men. Ore is being taken out from
two stopes on the 300:ft. level. At the Silver Belt and
Blackbird mines, similar conditions exist. Twenty-two
men are employed. Development work is being com-
pleted to connect the two mines and thus reduce haulage-
costs. On the 200-ft. level of the Silver Belt, a 4-ft.
vein has been uncovered. The ore is said to run 50 oz.
silver per ton and 35% in lead. After a second walk-out
at the Flohart mines, the men have returned and promise
to remain regardless of any further action by the labor
union. The wages and conditions are satisfactory.
NEVADA
ADDITIONAL TIME GIVEN IN SALE OP SILVER HILLS .MINE.
Tule Canton. — Three stamps that crush 10 tons each
daily have been added to the five light stamps in the old
mill at the Silver Hills, giving a total capacity of 40 tons.
Ore is being stoped from above the 50 and 100-ft. levels
and the mill-heads are maintained at 40 oz. silver. The
concentrate assays 1000 oz. The west drift on the 50-ft.
level is 85 ft. long and the east drift is 75 ft. long. The
west drift on the 100-ft. level is 65 ft. long and the east
drift is 90 ft. long. There is an 8-ft. width of 106-oz.
ore on this level. The shaft, which is being sunk from the
100-ft, level, has passed out of the vein and a cross-cut
will be driven at 200 ft. The condition of the vein at 200
ft. will, decide definitely whether the sale will be con-
cluded and Ingalls and Mercer, the owners, are so con-
fident ore 'will be found that they have extended the time
for the second payment from August to December.
Neither ore nor concentrate has been shipped since the
Silver Hill* started work. There has been found on the
50-ft. level a piece of almost pure silver five inches in
diameter. This was sent to the New York office of the
company. The inclined shaft now being sunk is single-
compartment, but if ore is found at 200 ft. a double-
compartment vertical shaft will be sunk and electric
power will be secured from the line of the Nevada-Cali-
fornia Power Co. at Palmetto. Thirty-five men are em-
ployed.
West Divide. — Work has been resumed in the West
Divide after a shut-down of two weeks caused by lack of
funds. L. L. Patrick, promoter and manager, says he has
oeen assured by Zeb Kendall, already heavily interested,
that he will furnish additional money sufficient to pros-
pect the vein at a depth of 150 ft. An inclined shaft was
sunk 65 ft. in the vein and drifts were driven with good
results. An old tunnel was then extended and a vein
was cut south of the shaft at a depth of 150 ft. This vein
was supposed to be the same as that in the shaft and a
drift was driven toward the shaft without opening ore.
When the drift reached a point under the shaft a re-
survey showed the possibility that the work had been
done in a parallel vein and a cross-cut was started to find
if this were true. This cross-cut is now 65 ft. long. It
will be advanced 10 ft. more and if another vein is not
found a raise will be driven from it.
Divide. — Work has been stopped at the Alto and East
Divide because of lack of funds, according to J. K.
Turner, consulting engineer for both companies. There
is 300.000 shares of stock in the Alto treasury, but to con-
tinue work it would have been necessary to sell thisat one
cent or less per share. "We can't interest anyone now
and intend to let the affairs of the company rest," Mr.
Turner said. The Eastern stockholders in the East
Divide are reported to have a plan to re-finance the com-
pany without levying an assessment. Sinking of the
Sutherland shaft has been stopped at 900 ft. and lateral
work has been started at this depth. At a meeting of
stockholders in the Belcher it was voted to reorganize the
company on an assessable basis. The shaft of the Gold
Zone, being sunk from the 500-ft. level, is nearing 800
ft., where an attempt will be made to find the extension of
the Tonopah Divide ore-shoots, which, according to engi-
neers, will be found in the Zone at this depth. The Ker-
nick, a short distance west of the Tonopah Divide, is-plan-
ning to sink to 1000 ft. from the present depth of 500.
It is said that before the present management took charge
the main south-east drift on the fifth level of the Tonopah
Divide was in error turned from the main vein and
driven outside the vein to the Gold Zone boundary line.
This is the most recent development in the efforts 'of
George H. Garrey and William Watters to determine
what became of most of the $9,000,000 worth of ore that
A. I. DArcy estimated was in the mine in July of last
year. Reports say the main vein has been found in a
cross-cut from the drift and engineers take this as an
indication that perhaps the future of the mine' is not as
black as it has been painted in recent months. A drift
on the third level has been driven 50 ft. in a vein parallel
to the main one, the ore for the width of the drift assay-
ing more than $35 for this distance. This vein has not
been cross-cut.
Railroad Springs. — The 70-f t. shaft of the Silver Coin
has been cleaned, a hoist and head-frame are in place, and
it is planned to sink the shaft to 100 ft. before drifts are
driven. J. K. Turner, consulting engineer to the com-
pany, estimates that there is four carloads of $60 ore
available for shipment through Goldfield. 23 miles north.
The Silver Coin is being developed under lease by the
Crescent Divide, which has $4000 to $5000 in the treas-
ury.
Goldfield. — Work from the 815-ft. level of the Grand-
July 24. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
137
ma has been stopped and sinking of the Bhaft has t n
resumed. The Great Bend, after driving around caving
ground on the 375-ft level, is cleaning the raise Erom this
level and When this lias been completed drifting from the
raise will be resumed. Ore ii to 9 in. wide and assaying
$815 for b distance of 12 ft, has l o found by a lessee on
the 60-ft. level of the old Patriek-lease shall of the Lone
Star. No work was done south of the shaft hy the early-
day lessees and the ore was found by drifting S ft. in
this direction. Work has been stopped on the 60-ft. level.
with the fai f the drift in rich ore. and a drift is being
driven at 80 ft. The company has started work at 220
and 250 ft. to search for the same shoot. When this ore
is shipped it will be the first to come from the Lone Star
this city on duly 13. Representing the < lommission were
Huston Thompson, chairman; Claude R, Porter, chief
counsel, and Gaylord R. Hawkins, assistant counsel,
Among the mining nun who were culled to testify were
Frank J. "Westenlt. seeretary of the Silver King Coalition
Mines Co. ; Geo. T. Hansen; of the .Mid vale Minerals Co. ;
Geo. \V. Lamboume, president and general manager of
the Judge Mining & Smelting Co.: O.'J; Salisbury, presi-
dent of the Itamshoi n Mining Co. of Idaho; L. D. Ander-
son, of the United States Smelting, Refining & Mining
Co.; and Anthony II. Godhe. president- of the Prince
Consolidated M. & S. Co. of Pioche, Nevada. The fol-
lowing day, Thomas Varley, superintendent of the local
station of the Bureau of Mines, was the principal wit-
Sl'RFACE PLANT AT THE VICTOR SHAFT, TONOPAH EXTENSION MINING. CO.
in many years. The find was made by Qeorge Meuli, a
ipoeket . hunter from the Mother Lode country in Cali-
fornia, after many efforts had been made by others to
open ore in the same workings. The Spearhead has erect-
ed an, electric hoist at the 112-ft. winze from the 910-ft.
level and sinking has been resumed on a 5-ft. vein of
quartz in the alaskite.
UTAH
SUIT FOR ACCOUNTING IS FILED AGAINST DIRECTORS OF THE
MONTANA BINGHAM COMPANY.
Salt Lake City. — Inquiry of the Federal Trade Com-
mission into charges that the Minerals Separation Cor-
poration, Minerals Separation North American Corpora-
tion, Beer-Sondheimer & Company, and other respond-
ents, byr an oppressive system of license agreements with
mining companies for the use of flotation processes, have
supressed competition, opened at the Federal building in
ness. Mr. Varley 's testimony was, that he considered the
license rate of the Minerals Separation Corporation and
the other respondents liad greatly curtailed the produc-
tion of ore and its trea'ment by the flotation process, as
the royalty charges were so excessive that many of the
smaller companies and individuals could not afford to
pay them. On the evening of July 14, Geo. L. Nye and
Gilbert H. Montague, attorneys for the American Mining
Congress, met at the Alta Club with a- number of local
mining men, explaining why the Congress was aiding the
Trade Commission in its inquiry into, the license methods
of the Minerals Separation Company and its associates. :
Bingham. — All . preliminary, preparations have beep
made for resumption of work at the old. New England
mine, now owned by the Utah-Boston Development Co.
It is stated that the main workjng-shaf t will be extended
from the .300 to the 800-ft. level. .
The Utah Apex Mining Co. is now employing 285. men
at its mine and mill. V. S. Rood, general manager, re-
138
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 24, 1920
ports that the company is getting good results from the
contract work in some of the large orebodies. In this
work, the men are paid for the work they accomplish ; the
company furnishing all necessary materials, power, and
powder.
It is reported that the main workings of the Montana
Bingham property are to be connected with the Mascot
tunnel of the Ohio Copper Co., for the purpose of facili-
tating transportation. Recent shipments from the Mon-
tana Bingham have ranged from 6 to 16% copper, 2 to
6 oz. silver, and $1.50 to $4 in gold per ton. Suit for an
accounting of the affairs of this company was filed on
July 14 by several of the stockholders against the di-
rectors and others. The complaint charges that the com-
pany's funds have been and are now being squandered in
excessive salaries and bonuses; that the directors of the
company secured control for the purpose of handling the
funds for their own benefit. The complaint further
charges that the defendants agreed to purchase 500,000
shares of the treasury stock of the company at a stipu-
lated price of 50c. per share, on which consideration they
were elected to the directorate. It is stated that not more
than 265,000 shares of the stock has been so purchased.
It is also alleged that C. G. Ballentyne was elected presi-
dent and general manager for the company at a salary
of $105,000 for five years and that he was given a bonus
of $10,000 to come here from Honolulu to take charge of
the property.
Tooele County. — Ore-hauling has been resumed from
the old Sharp mine, located about ten miles from Ben-
more, and about twenty miles from the Salt Lake Route.
This mine was a heavy shipper some years ago, but in
recent years only a small amount of ore has been mined.
During the past winter operations were conducted in a
limited way, and the ore extracted was piled until such
time as the roads would permit of hauling it to the rail-
way. The ore is rich in lead and silver. In the same sec-
tion of the eounty, Alex Caldwell is developing a num-
ber of claims, in which there is reported to be a good
showing. No ore has as yet been shipped but it is hoped
to commence stoping later.
Eureka. — John Manson, manager of the North Stand-
ard property, has been spending considerable time here
of late. The shaft is below the 600-ft. level and sinking
will be continued until the 1000-ft. level is reached if the
showing warrants. A meeting of the stockholders of this
company has been called for August 2, at which time a
financial report, covering operations of the company to
date, will be submitted. Recently there has been con-
siderable opposition to the present management, and a
lively time is expected at the meeting.
The Eureka pumping plant of the Grand Central Min-
ing Co. was recently dismantled and the equipment
moved to Mammoth, where it will be re-erected. Instead
of getting its water from the wells at Eureka, the Grand
Central is now being supplied by water from the springs
near Diamond ; this latter supply, running by gravity to
Mammoth, is then pumped to the mine, the lift being con-
siderably less than required at the Eureka wells. The
Grand Central is mining on all levels between the 540 and
the 2100 at present.
Park City. — During the week ending July 10, the
Keystone Mining Company made its initial shipment.
The Ontario Silver company is also shipping again, fol-
lowing a shut-down due to compressor trouble. The total
shipments from the camp for the week were 2065 tons, as
against 1807 tons for the previous week. The Ontario
shipped 663 tons ; the Silver King Coalition, 413 tons ; the
Judge M. & S., 534 tons; the Daly- West, 235 tons; the
Naildriver, 165 tons; and the Keystone, 55 tons. The
Park-Utah property is making arrangements to produce.
Development work at this property is being done through
the Ontario drain-tunnel, and the ore will be conveyed to
the station on the 1500-ft. level of the Ontario, then
raised to the 600-ft. level, and transferred to the loading
station for marketing. For more than 450 ft. a vein of
first-class ore has been followed, ranging from 10 in. to
4 ft. in width. No stoping has yet been done, owing to
shortage of men, and the ore that is accumulating in the
bins came from development work. A force of men has
been employed for some time enlarging the station on the
1500-ft. level of the Ontario, installing additional track-
age facilities.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
MANY CLAIMS HAVE REVERTED TO THE GOVERNMENT.
Trail. — The ore received at the Consolidated com-
pany's smelter during the last nine days of June amount-
ed to 8755 tons, bringing the total for the half year up to
147,389 tons, of which only 3705 was in the form of con-
centrate. The first week of the new half year started
well, 9036 tons of ore being received, of which 7231 tons
came from the Consolidated company's own mines. The
other shippers were: Bluebell, Riondel, 138 tons; Cres-
cent, Greenwood, 2 tons ; Emerald, Salmo, 47 tons ; Elec-
tric Point, Washington, 133 tons; Florence, Princess
creek, 35 tons ; Josie, Rossland, 172 tons ; Monarch, Field,
31 tons; Mandy, Le Pas, Manitoba, 1006 tons; North
Star, Kimberley, 216 tons ; and Sally, Beaverdell, 42 tons.
The Consolidated M. & S. Co. and 52 farmers have
entered into an agreement to arbitrate claims for crop-
damage to the farms supposedly due to smelter fume, and
Judge Forin has been appointed arbitrator. Both parties
to the pact have agreed that his decision shall be final.
Under the agreement, the arbitrator has the power of
awarding damages and also granting the smelting com-
pany a 'smoke easement' over the property and setting
the value thereof. Should the arbitrator find that the
damage from fume is so great that it is impossible to raise
crops on any farm, he may decree that the smelting com-
pany shall purchase the property at a price he may set.
Judge Forin is making a tour of the various claimants'
farms and is accompanied by P. J. O'Gara, superin-
tendent of the American Smelting & Refining Co.'s ex-
perimental farms of Salt Lake City, M. S. Middleton,
formerly provincial horticulturist, who are acting for the
company, W. J. Elmendorf , of Seattle, and W. H. Slee-
nian. of Annable, who are acting for the claimants, and
July 24, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
139
S. Q. Blayloek. general manager for the company. Each
claimant accompanies the party over his own property
ami points out damage that he believes to have been done
by smelter fume.
San don. — Prospectors are active at this camp. Celano
Polich is mining some good-looking ore from his claim
and will ship a car of it to Trail this month. A tunnel is
being driven in the Argo Fraction, better known as the
Dutch Jake property. M. Byrnes is awaiting a run of
water to clean up his placer claim on Carpenters creek.
Spokane parties have bonded a number of properties at
.Zineton and will start development at once. Gus Foun-
dry has struck some good milling ore on the Majestic
group. J. P. Wilson has a good showing on the Hope
group. George Dean has struck a new vein on the
Cinderella group. The Silver Card Mining Co. has let a
which have reverted ii> the Crown because of non-payment
of taxes and now are subject to lease under the terms of
the Taxation Act. have been completed. This publication is
of surprising size, containing more than 30 pages. Every
district of British Columbia figures in the tables it con-
tains. As would be expected the sections best known to
miners, because they have been longest prospected and
are yielding the bulk of the mineral for which the Prov-
ince is responsible, have contributed to the Crown the
greatest number of delinquent mineral claims. The Boss-
land district has provided somewhat over 800 such prop-
erties, all of which, as stated, may be leased after com-
pliance with the statutory formalities, the particulars of
which will be furnished on application to the Assessor.
The Slocan district, also, is well represented with about
300 such claims advertised for lease. Nelson has about
DALY-JUDGE MINE, PARK CITY, UTAH
contrast for 200 ft. of driving. Some good ore is being
taken from the old Payne mine.
Ainsworth. — The New Canadian Metal Co. is un-
watering levels 'B', 'C, 'D', and 'E' at the Blue BeU
mine. These levels have been under water for two years,
hut the mine has been shipping steadily from the other
workings. At the present time 45 men are employed at
the Miine, but this force will be increased considerably
as soon as these levels are free from water and in condi-
tion for mining. The Nelson Iron Works built a special
pump to unwater the mine.
Stewart. — During the winter the Premier mine ship-
Iped over 1500 tons of ore assaying about $275 per ton.
i But for labor troubles, which persisted during the greater
part of the season, a much larger quantity would have
heen shipped. Besides the shipping-ore, a large amount
•of milling-ore was mined, and this has been placed on a
| dump, awaiting the completion of the new 100-ton con-
centrator, which, it is expected, will be started early in
August. Considerable development work and diamond-
Irilling have been done, and the mine is reported to be
splendid condition.
Victoria. — Lists of Crown-granted mineral claims,
328 ; Fort Steele about 90 ; Kettle River, 170. Many of
these properties have not been sufficiently developed to
conclusively prove their merit and probably will be
further explored.
Alice Arm. — J. A. McLennan, of Vancouver, B. C,
president of a company organized to develop certain min-
ing property in this district, on his return from the North
stated that work on the Royal group, adjacent to the
Dolly Varden, was giving satisfactory results. He asserts
that the vein of the latter mine has been found on the
Royal group, that it has been traced for 400 ft., and that
a tunnel has been started on the 600-ft. level where the
vein is well defined. There still is snow in the gulches but
the season may be said to have opened. Every train leav-
ing Alice Arm is well filled with prospectors bound for
different parts of the interior.
Silverton. — Louis H. Biggar, a flotation engineer of
Montreal, claims to have developed a process for the
treatment by preferential flotation of the silver-lead-zinc
ore of the Standard mine. He now is engaged in the con-
struction of a six-cell plant, which will be ready for oper-
ation soon. The process will be used first in the treat-
ment of a 5000-ton slime-dump averaging 11 oz. silver,
140
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 24, 1920
Zr'( lead, and 7% zinc, which was accumulated before the
adoption of flotation at the Standard. As this material
averages 50% through 200 mesh the only way the silver
and lead can be separated from the zinc is by a process of
preferential or selective flotation.
ONTARIO
M IXTYRE COMPANY MAKES NEW HIGH RECORD OP
PRODUCTION.
Porcupine. — Construction having been some time com-
pleted, the; gold mines of this camp have settled down
into. -a groove of steady production -with comparatively
few changes to report. The Hollinger Consolidated is
treating about 1700 tons of ore daily, and no marked in-
crease in this rate is anticipated for some time. Costs
remain comparatively high, a recent increase having been
made in the priee of high-grade cyanide. The fiscal year
of the Mclntyre ended June 30 and forecast of the finan-
cial report indicates, an income approximating $2,000.-
000 with net profits of over $1,000,000, constituting
a new high record. ^Diamond-drilling at the Porcupine
Crown has cut, on the 1100-ft. level, either a new vein or
a faulted section of the orebody from which production so
far has been obtained. The new discovery shows about
five feet of quartz of similar characteristics to the main
vein. Encouraging surface showings have been found at
the Carveth property! in Thomas township and the veins
will be explored at ! depth by diamond-drilling before
sinking is undertaken.
Kirkland Lake. — The Teek Hughes is being operated
to about two-thirds capacity with a force of 70 men, treat-
ing 2400 tons of ore per month. Underground work is
mainly confined to the 400-ft. and upper levels, the ore at
the deeper workings not being drawn upon. An impor-
tant feature is the reduction of costs to approximately
$6 per ton. Similar economies have been effected at the
'Kirkland Lake where the average of operating costs has
been reduced to below $7 per ton. The physical condi-
tion of the mine is being rapidly improved. A raise has
been made on a comparatively narrow orebody from the
200 to the 400-ft. level, and subsequent, lateral work
shows that the main orebody, 40 ft. wide in places, paral-
lels this work at a distance of a few feet. The main vein
of the Bidgood has been cut at the 200-ft. level where it
has a width of about 15 ft. as compared with 12 ft. at the
100-ft. level. The shaft is being continued to a depth of
300 feet.
West Shining Tree. — The Wasapika Consolidated an-
nounces that it is about to offer for sale 2.000,000 treas-
ury shares of the par value of $1 at 10 cents per share
"in view of the speculative nature of the enterprise".
The company is capitalized at $6,000,000, $1,000,000 in
shares of the former company having been exchanged oh
a basis of three shares in the new company for one in the
old. A further $1,000,000 of shares were issued to finance
the purchase of leases on three new claims lying to the
north of the original Wasapika property and 2,000,000
shares were retained in the treasury. , By the sale of these
it is expected to raise $50,000 necessary for the installa-
tion of a mill capable of treating a minimum of 50 tons,
of ore per day.
Frontenac County. — The feldspar mining industry,,
the centre of which is at Tichborne, Frontenac county, in
eastern Ontario, has increased considerably lately. Many
new deposits of this mineral have been discovered and
large shipments are being made to the United States.
The Frontenac feldspar is regarded as superior in qual-
ity to that so far developed in other localities.
Cobalt. — Increased activity is noted in the silver-
mining areas of Northern Ontario, the field being again
broadened by the success being obtained at Gowganda as.
well as South Lorrain. Prospectors are pointing to this
as support to their earlier predictions that just as soon as
interest became de-centralized and turned to the outlying-
fields, the likelihood of new producing mines would be-
strong.
Official advice from J. Mcintosh Bell, who is in charge
of the operation, confirms recent reports that success was.
being met in the development of the Keeley mine in South
Lorrain. It is announced that silver ore to the width of
three feet and averaging from 40 to 90 oz. silver to the
ten has been found. This vein has been opened at the
230-ft. level as well as at a depth of 300 ft. While some
of the. richer shffots are yielding a fair amount of high-
grade ready for shipment, the main output will be milling
ore, the company now having an 80-ton mill in course of
construction, which will be ready for operation by late
summer or early fall. A shipment of between 10 and 11
tons of high-gra'de ore was made from the Castle property
at Gowganda during the second week of July. The con-
signment wras estimated to contain about $15,000. On the
recently opened Colonial mine, at Cobalt, a rich shoot of
ore has been found, and the indications are that this
property will take its place among the regular shippers.
The Colonial lies adjacent to the O'Brien, having similar
geologic conditions and a number of promising veins al-
ready opened.
Work has been curtailed on the Walsh mines, at Gow-
ganda. it having been decided to remove the plant to an.
island near the north side of the property where it is
planned to sink a shaft and explore that part of the
property lying beneath the lake. The mill on the Reeves-
Dobie mine is being operated 20 hours daily. About 25
tons of ore per day is being handled. Plans are being
made to enlarge the plant so as to treat about 50 tons.
In June, the Nipissing mine produced $200,449. This
compares with $335,597 during the previous month. For
the first half of 1920, the Nipissing output is valued at
$2,037,567, or at the rate of more than $4,000,000 yearly,
as compared with $3,553,958 during 1919. Net profits
for 1919 amounted to $2,717,312, from which fact it is
estimated that 1920 profits will be still higher owing to
the indicated increase in output of about $500,000. In
addition to paying regular quarterly dividends of 5%,
amounting to $1,200,000 annually, the company is ex-
pected to make annual capital reductions of $1,200,000,
this being equal to $1 on each issued si are.
July 24. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
141
THE MINING S£J
••■•:".-l-~
CALIFORNIA
Duwnlcville. — The greatest gold discovery for many years
in this section has been announced by the Gold Exploration
Co.. operating the Comet mine in Jim Crowe canyon. The
orebody is said to be 30 to 50 ft. wide and has been proved
for a length of 200 ft. with no limit yet reached. Officials
state that shoots of bonanza ore accompany that of mill-
grade, and that a wide face of high-grade quartz has been
exposed. Plans are being made to replace the present mill
■With a larger and more efficient plant and to carry forward
mining operations on a larger scale.
Plumas County. — The freight rate on ore shipped from
points in Plumas county to Wabuska, Nevada, a distance of
180 miles, now is $10.50 per ton, while the rate from the
same points to Garfield, Utah, a distance of 680 miles, is
J9.70. Several months ago the Interstate Commerce Com-
mission granted reduced rates after a hearing in San Fran-
cisco, but objections were made by the Western Pacific com-
pany and the reduced rate was suspended. The Mason Val-
ley Mines Co. is petitioning for a return to a lower rate,
which will mean the resumption of operations at the smelter
at Wabuska. The company also will begin immediately to
develop and produce ore from properties it controls in
Plumas county, it is said. Arguments are to be heard by an
examiner of the Commission at Reno on July 26.
Sierra, County. — The Twenty-One Mining Co. has sold all
its mining property to the Sitxteen-to-One Mining Co. The
deal marks the ending of bitter litigation, in which the Six-
teen-to-One secured a judgment for $60,000 for ore ex-
tracted from its ground. The $60,000 judgment is a part of
the purchase price, the rest being cash. The Twenty-One
holdings consist of four valuable quartz mining claims, to-
gether with a ten-stamp mill and other surface improve-
ments, and the Sixteen-to-One intends to operate through
the Twenty-One tunnel, as well as through its own workings.
MISSOURI
Joplin. — Fire destroyed the roof, interior woodwork, and
all of the bags at the bag-house of the zinc-oxide plant of
the Metals Extraction Corporation at the State-line west of
here on July 9, causing a loss of $10,000, which is covered
by insurance. The fire started by sparks falling on a small
frame building near the bag-house. The Galena fire-depart-
ment arrived too late to prevent complete destruction of the
interior bag-rooms. The walls and floors are of concrete
and were not damaged. A force of men started immediately
clearing away the debris and will re-build the interior of the
house as quickly as possible. A metal roof will be put on the
building to make it completely fireproof. The plant had
been operating for several weeks in the manufacture of zinc
oxide by a modified process. Two furnaces have been work-
ing, turning out from 7000 to 10,000 lb. of oxide per day,
and other furnaces will be added soon to bring the output
riip to' 70,000 to 80,000 pounds.
NEVADA
Contact. — Stockholders of the Seattle-Contact Copper
3o. have received their first dividend checks. The company
shipping: large quantities of high-grade ore by way of
togerson. — : — At a recent meeting of the stockholders of the
Javan Mines Co. a report was rendered by the general man-
!
ager announcing a recent discovery of high-grade ore. Per-
sons familiar with conditions in the company's workings pre-
dict one of the biggest producing properties in the Contact
district.
Eureka. — More ore of shipping grade is now exposed in
the Eureka-Croesus mine than ever beforehand returns from
the smelter on shipments sent out prove that material as-
saying $70 per ton is being mined from good-sized bodies' in
several places on the 400-ft. level. The company has been
under heavy expense for the past two years in equipping (he
surface plants, purchasing freighting outfits, and sinking
and drifting to reach and prove orebodies that were in the
beginning believed, and later proved, to exist in the lime-
stone below the old workings. the Eureka-Climax is
building a chute from the portal of the Mabel L. tunnel to a
bin on the road about 40 ft. below, for storing the ore.' The
tunnel is being pushed through the Dead Broke claim.
The Eureka-Prince is drifting on the 150-ft. level, connec-
tions for air having been made with a winze above. The
ore on this level is about three feet wide, mostly of, good
shipping grade. The gold content is high in portions of it,
one sample of those assayed this week containing 5.2 oz., to-
gether with 248 oz. of silver, per ton. The ore is a brown-
ish-black loosely-cemented lead carbonate, and while this
assay cannot be considered representative of the orebody on
this level, it shows that ore of exceptional value is being
found. The Eureka-Holly last month sent 300 tons of
ore to the Utah smelters, the largest amount ever sent out
from the mine in 30 days. All of this ore runs $75 per ton
or more, and the same grade is being mined and hoisted
daily, with the main orebody still averaging about 10 ft.
wide. -The Ruby Hill is shipping ore as fast as cars, are
available, and rapidly completing pumping preparations on
the 900-ft. level.
OREGON
Gold Hill. — The War Eagle Mining Co. has let a contract
to W. H. Stickel of Gold Hill to burn 200,000 brick at the
mine, 12 miles north of Gold Hill, to be used in the construc-
tion of a 3 0-ton Scott mercury-furnace. , The property, con-
sisting of 3 6 claims, known a£ the Utah group of mercury
mines, was purchased by Salt Lake City men in 19,15 from
the original locators and later sold to the Seattle men who
developed the property. The mine is equipped with two 12-
pipe mercury furnaces with 10-ton capacity and has been a
steady producer since 1915. The present equipment has
been used only on high-grade ore) running better than 17%,
but with the completion of the Scott furnace ore running as
low as 2 % can be reduced at a profit, with mercury selling
at present prices of from, $80 to $90 per flask of 7 5 pounds.
YUKON TERRITORY
Mayo.— There has been a' stampede to a new strike that
has been made near Mount Hinton, on the opposite side of
Lightning creek to Keno hill and about five miles from it.
Under the belief that it i3 ah extension of the Keno Hill de-
posits, it is stated that claims are being staked all the way
between the two deposits. Ore running from $1000 to $2000
per ton is being taken from some of the Keno Hill prospects.
In one instance a five-foot vein has been stripped for more
than 200 ft., and is said to icarry more than lOOO-oz*. fn
silver.
142
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 24, 1920
ECONOMICS AND GOLD MIXING ON THE BAND
At the annual meeting of the Crown Mines company at
Johannesburg, on June 17, the chairman, Mr. Samuel Evans,
said that the net premium on gold produced this year from
January to May totaled £292,000, which was equal to 21s.
Id. per ounce, or 7s. less than the increase in costs per ounce
since 1913.
The working costs were now considerably higher than
they had ever been, owing to increases in wages to white
labor, stores, and other costs. White wages show an in-
crease this year of 69% on the 1915 figure, when 103,000
more tons was milled. The average monthly earnings of the
European workers have gone up from £24 6s. lOd. per
month to £40 Is. 7d., an increase of 64.6%. Stores show
an increase of 33%, and other costs 36%, as compared with
1915. Reverting to the working costs, Mr. Evans expressed
the view that the increases were due mainly to the replace-
ment of gold by paper for currency purposes in South Africa
and elsewhere. The index numbers showed that the pur-
chasing power of gold in England was now rather less than
half of what it was in 1914. It had not diminished in the
same ratio in South Africa, as they started at a different
level. Taking everything into consideration, it was not an
exaggeration to conclude that had the commodity value of
gold remained stable since 1896 the mines of the Rand
would be working today at a cost averaging something well
under 12s. per ton, compared with 22s. 9d. last year and a
much higher figure now.
Notwithstanding the example of England, where an effort
was being made to keep paper money within bounds, the
banks in South Africa had been issuing paper money at an
accelerating pace. On the outbreak of the War the banks
had £2,150,000 in circulation in South Africa. During the
War they issued an additional £4,000,000 worth of notes,
and since the Armistice they had added £3,500,000 to the
paper circulation of South Africa. He was afraid that the
dangerous character of the action of the banks was not
appreciated by the Government and Parliament. Instead of
taking prompt and effective steps to make an end as quickly
as is safely possible to the senseless creation of artificial
buying power, it appeared that serious consideration was
being given to measures which, if adopted, would almost
certainly have the effect of further disturbing the currency
and plunging South Africa deeper into the paper-money bog.
It hardly seemed a sane policy for the Parliament of the
largest gold-producing county in the world to enact laws
encouraging and facilitating the supersession of gold by
paper.
If the majority of the mines on the Rand were to be kept
working, not only must the upward movement of prices be
arrested, but there must be a reduction in prices, and that
could only be accomplished by limiting and diminishing the
supply of paper money. He spoke strongly, as he felt there
was a real danger that in order to give temporary relief to
the banks and the wool and other interests Parliament might
adopt a course which was bound to terminate disastrously,
however promising it might appear now. The afflictions
caused by the excessive issues of paper money could only be
made worse by further issues. In spite of the menacing
character of the immediate outlook in South Africa, he was
disposed to take a more optimistic view of the gold-mining
industry than was usually held. Many people, even among
the leading economists, believed that paper money had come
to stay, and that the commodity value of gold would remain
at a permanently lower level than in 1914. The experience
of France under Napoleon justified the conclusion that the
countries which first completely abandoned paper money
and returned to specie payments would be the first to re-
cover their prosperity, and that their good fortune would
force the others to do likewise. He looked forward to a
similar outcome at the present time.
IpersonalI
The Editor invites members of the profession to send particulars of their
work and appointments. The information is interesting- to our readers.
D. D. Moffat is at Los Angeles.
"W. 3. Loring is in Washington, D. C.
C. W. Purington writes from Kobe, Japan.
James S. Douglas was in the Ray district last week.
Bond Coleman has moved from Zacatecas to Mexico City.
E. D. Bullard Sr. arrived last week from the East, where
he has been for two months.
Arthur Mort passed through San Francisco on his way
from Beluchistan to London.
Hugh B. Louden, of the Colorado Iron Works, Denver,
was in San Francisco this week.
Harold A. Linke, mining engineer of Salt Lake City, is
examining lead-silver properties near Hailey, Idaho.
Frederic R. Weekes has returned to New York from a six
weeks professional trip to Montana and California.
Hilding Magnusson, mining engineer for a large steel
company in Sweden, spent a week in Utah recently.
W. S. Boyd, manager for the Ray Consolidated Copper
Co., was in San Francisco and Salt Lake City recently.
Warren D. Smith sails on the 'Shino Maru' for the Philip-
pines, where he is Active Chief of the Division of Mines.
J. Walter Beam, superintendent of the Benguet gold mine
near Manila, P. I., is visiting at his old home in Salt Lake
City.
Henry W. D. Hayden, recently acting superintendent of
the Suan mill, at Holkol, Korea, has returned to San Fran-
cisco.
H. C. Goodrich, chief engineer for the Utah Copper Co.,
and George C. Earl, assistant mine engineer, are in San
Francisco.
J. B. Mcintosh, of Salt Lake City, has gone to Pachuca,
Mexico, to accept a position with the United States Smelting,
Refining & Mining Co.
Guy C. Rlddell, formerly adviser to the U. S. Tariff Com-
mission, is now consulting engineer to the Wah Chanc Trad-
ing Corporation in New York.
Howard A. Eavenson has resigned as chief engineer to
the United States Coal & Coke Co., to open an office as con-
sulting mining engineer at Pittsburgh.
E. A. Holbrook, superintendent in charge of the Pitts-
burgh experiment station of the Bureau of Mines, has been
appointed Assistant Director of the Bureau.
H. S. Weigall has been demobilized with the rank of Major
and has returned from England to Korea as assistant gen-
eral manager for the Seoul Mining Company.
Lester S. Grant, Professor of Mining in the Colorado
School of Mines, has motored from Golden to San Francisco.
visiting various mining districts on the way.
Walter A. Scott, formerly counsel for the Butte & Su-
perior Mining Co. and other defendants against Minerals
Separation, now living at Los Angeles, was in San Francisco
this week.
Rudolf Gahl has been retained by the Cerro de Pasco Cop-
per Corporation as consulting metallurgist in connection
with its milling projects and sailed for Peru from New York
on June 30.
Jackson A. Pearce, who is now with the Compagnie du
Boleo, in Baja California, was in San Francisco recently and
testified before the Federal Trade Commission in the Min-
erals Separation affair.
A. G. Burritt, geologist of Salt Lake City, has recently re-
turned from northern Mohave county, Arizona, near St.
George, Utah, where he has examined promising oil lands.
He is now at DeBeque, Colorado, for a few days.
July 24. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
143
METAL PRICES
San Francisco. July 20
Aluminum-dust, cents per pound 65
Antimony, cents per pound S.'>0
Copper, electrolytic, cents per pound 19.00
Lead, pig1, cents per pound 8.25 — 9.25
Platinum, pure, per ounce $85
Platinum. 10'',- indium, per ounce $118
Quicksilver, per flask of 75 lb $90
Bpelter, cents per pound 9.50
tine-dust, cents per pound 12.50 — 15.00
EASTERN METAL MARKET
(By wire from New York)
July 19. — Copper is steady and quiet. Lead is inactive but strong. Zinc
1b dull but firm.
SILVER
Below are given official or ticker quotations, in cents per ounce of silver
•99 fine. From April 23, 1918, the United States government paid $1 per
ounce for all silver purchased by it, fixing a maximum of $1.01% on
August 15. 1918. and will continue to pay $1 until the quantity specified
under the Act is purchased, probably extending over several years. On
Hay 5, 1919, all restrictions on the metal were removed, resulting in
fluctuations. During the restricted period, the British government fixed the
laiimum price five times, the last being on March 25, 1919. on account of
the low rate of sterling exchange, but removed all restrictions on May 10.
The equivalent of dollar silver (1000 fine) in British currency is 46.65
pence per ounce (925 fine) calculated at the normal rate of exchange.
Pence
56.52
48.02
48.73
51.69
51.68
52.66
52.91
Monthly averages
Date
July
reb'.
Mch
Apr.
Kay
June
ia
14
16
IS
17
IS
19
Ne
Sunday
1918
w York
cents
93.50
93.00
92.25
90.25
92.12
88.76
1919
101.12
101.12
101.12
101.12
107.23
110.50
London
pence
53.62
53.75
53.62
62.50
52.00
52.00
Monthly
1920
132.77
131.27
126.70
119.66
102.69
90.84
COP
June
July
averag
July
Aug.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
PES
At
7
14
21.
28.
5
19.
58
erage week ending
Cents
98.23
86.00
87.07
91.41
89.97
92.18
1918
100.31
101.12
91.04
1919
111.35
. .88.11
. 95.36
..99.50
. 99.50
113.92
119.10
127.57
131.92
Prices of electrolytic in New Tort, in cents per pound.
Date
July
13 19.00
14 19.00
15 19.00
16 19.00
17 19.00
18 Sunday
19 19.00
July
Average week endinr
7 19.00
14 19.00
21 19.00
28 19.00
5 19.00
12 19.00
19 19.00
Tan.
feb.
Mch
ipr.
(ay
tune
I<e
>ate
ruly
an.
•eb.
Ich.
lay
une
1918
Monthly
1919 1920
20.43 19.25
17.34 19.05
15.05 18.49
15.23 19.23
16.91 19.06
17.53 19.00
KB
cents per pound,
8.40
average
July
Aur.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
AD
New 1
June
July
average
July
Aug.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
s
1918 1919
26.00 20.82
26.00 22.51
26.00 22.10
26.00 21.66
26.00 20.45
26.00 18.55
elivery.
rage week ending
1920
. .23.50
id is
13,
14
16
18
. ,23.50
23.50
23.50
quoted in
ork c
Ave
8
. 8.68
. 8.76
. 8.21
, , 8.50
. 8.16
. 8.39
Sunday
. 8.25
. 8.45
1918
1919
5.60
5.13
5.24
5.06
5.04
5.32
Monthly
1920
8.66
8.88
9.22
8.78
8.65
8.43
1918
. 8.05
. 8.05
1919
6.53
6.78
6.02
6.40
6.76
7.12
1920
. . 7.69
. 8.05
. 6.90
Zinc is quoted as Bpelter, standard Western brands, New York delivery,
a cents per pound.
late
IllT
13
June
July
Average week ending
8.02
•■
1*
8.25
8,00
»
7.79
"
7.85
•■
8.04
18 Sunday
8.15
8.24
7.78
7.44
9.56
July
7.97
6.71
9.15
Aug.
7.67
6.53
893
Sept
7.04
6.49
8.76
Oct.
7.92
6.43
8.07
Nov.
7.92
6.91
7.92
Dec.
1918 1919
8.72
7.78
8.78
7.81
9.58
7.67
9.11
7.82
8.75
8.12
8.49
8.69
Jan.
Feb.
Mch.
Apr.
May
June
QUICKSILVER
The primary market for quicksilver 1b San Francisco, California being
the largest producer. The price is fixed in the open market, according to
quantity. Prices, in dollars per flask of 75 pounds.
Date I July 6 90.00
June 22 85.00 " 13 85.00
29 85.00 I " 20 90.00
Monthly averages
1920
1918
Jan 128.06
Feb 118.00
Mch 112.00
Apr 115.00
May 110.00
June 112.00
1919
103.75
90.00
72.80
73.12
84.80
94.40
89.00
81.00
87.00
100.00
87.00
85.00
1918
July 120.00
Aug 120.00
Sept 120.00
Oct 120.00
Nov 120.00
Dec 115.00
1919
100.00
103.00
102.60
86.00
78.00
95.00
1920
INTEREST RATES AND DEFLATION
The subject of interest rates is one that is of vital importance, not only
to bankers but to every business man and to the community at large. The
bank's profits depend largely upon the return received for the use of its
money and the merchant's welfare and success depend to a great extent
upon his ability to borrow from the banks at as low a rate as possible,
according to the Chemical National Bank of New York. Recently, and in
fact during most of this year, the papers and financial magazines have
been setting forth the advantages and disadvantages of inflation and
ruminating upon the apparently ever-increasing rates for the use of money.
To the uninitiated or to those who have not had the opportunity to study
the subject, it may seem almost unbelievable that intereBt-rates could go
higher than 6%, which is generally thought to be the maximum. These
persons fail to take into account the fact that money is a commodity,
the same as wool, meat, or anything elBe. and its value depends upon the
old law of supply and demand. It is, therefore, no more possible to set a
maximum figure for which money can be loaned, and have interest rates
remain at that figure, than it has been to set a maximum price for sugar,
which recently, due to an actual scarcity, has reached a price never before
equaled since the Civil War. During the recent war the Government had
the power to fix the prices of certain commodities, but this was merely a
temporary measure and was not based upon the law of supply and demand.
The Federal Reserve banks, through a policy of higher re-discount rates,
have recently inaugurated a period of deflation which is well under way.
Had the era of inflation been allowed to make greater headway, the result
might have been a panic, but, an orderly re-adjustment is now in progress.
One of the principal reasons for putting an end to inflation was to bring
about lower prices. There is no need of explaining that commodities of all
kinds have recently reached figures quite out of proportion to the average
person's pocketbook. One way of bringing about lower prices would have
been to increase production, when prices would naturally fall But, with
the laboring class demanding shorter hours and no one willing to work on
our farms, greater production has not been possible, at least for the present.
The other method of lowering prices, at least to some extent, is that of de-
creasing consumption. A combination of both methods would probably be
the most desirable, but since this could not be had, it is evident that the
latter method was the one to be followed.
The result of the Federal Reserve Board's policy of deflation is already
apparent and, while the process may be unpleasant for the time being, there
is no doubt but what the outcome will be of benefit to all. As long as the
merchant uses his own money for speculative purposes there is no great
objection, but when he speculates with his bank's money, resulting in gen-
erally increased prices for commodities, there is no question but what the
wrong policy is being pursued. Money today is scarce, but there is plenty
for legitimate business needs.
While the Federal Reserve banks probably took the first actual step in
the process of deflation, the situation has been more or less affected by
the outlaw railroad strike, the results of which have recently become more
apparent, with deliveries of merchandise held up at all points. There is a
vast amount of 'frozen credit' which cannot be released until there is a
free movement of goods. Merchants and manufacturers awaiting delivery
of goods have, therefore, been obliged to borrow very heavily from the
banks. Until there can be prompt liquidation of such credits, the increase
in the discount rates adopted by the Federal Reserve banks can be of little
effect except to check additional borrowings.
Another instance of the scarcity of money is the fact that the Treasury
of the United States, when seeking $400,000,000 a few weeks ago, was
obliged to pay the highest interest charge in half a century. The new
treasury certificates bear b%% and 6% interest and the Secretary, with
the combined wisdom of the other treasury officials, evidently believed that
high rates at least will prevail for a year. The ultimate aim of all reme-
dies for inflation is to reduce the high cost of living, and every effort to-
ward that end should be made, but just as long as there is an actual short-
age of goods. and labor insists on a short day of inefficient work, we cannot
expect permanent results.
MONEY AND EXCHANGE
Foreign quotations on July 20 are as follows:
Sterling, dollars : Cable 3.83
Demand 3.82 %
Francs, cents : Cable 8.23
Demand 8.20
Lire, cents: Demand 5.76
Marks, centB 2.60
144
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 24, 1920 -
Eastern Metal Market
New York, July 14.
There is a better tone to all the markets but business is
not heavy. Prices are firm to higher.
Inquiry for copper is reported as considerably improved
and the tone of the market is stronger.
The market for tin is quiet with the light transactions
confined to dealers. Spot Straits is nominal.
Conditions in the lead market are but slightly changed.
The tone of the zinc market is strong with the price ten-
dency upward.
The antimony market is quiet and unchanged.
IRON AND STEEL
Against the protests of iron and steel producers the Inter-
state Commerce Commission has extended for 3 0 days from
July 21 its order confining the use of open-top cars to coal.
It remains to be seen how far the shut-downs, that steel
companies said were inevitable, will go. Some relief is given
by exempting from the order all flat-bottom gondola cars or
cars which on June 19 had been definitely taken from coal-
carrying service, this being one modification asked by iron
and steel interests.
So far as the merchant pig-iron trade is concerned, the
soaring of fuel prices has caused as much concern in the
past week as the car troubles to which high prices for fuel
is chiefly laid. There is an urgent call from some quarters
for a return to the Government control of fuel that was
given up on April 1, producers of pig-iron viewing with dis-
may sales of prompt coke at $19 this week, while bituminous
coal has brought from $10 to $12 at the mines.
In the Pittsburgh district more steel-making and finishing
capacity has been idle or has run intermittently this week
than in the preceding week. Two large steel-pipe works
which closed down July 3 have not yet resumed.
Soaring fuel prices are playing havoc with cost-sheets. In
the ease of a large steel interest the advance in June was
between $1.50 and $2 per ton.
Export business keeps up on a good scale. Some irregu-
larities in prices have resulted from the re-sale of material
bought from Japan, but the tonnages are not significant. A
5000-ton ship-plate order for export was placed at 3.75c,
Pittsburgh.
COPPER
The tone of the market is reported as considerably im-
proved. There is a good deal more interest from consumers,
although this has not yet developed into business. Sales,
however, both for domestic and foreign account, continue
satisfactory and prices are firm. It is reported that offerings
in the outside market have been pretty well absorbed and
that prices there are firmer. An interesting statement is to
the effect that consumption of copper at present is "enor-
mous, running into 60,000 net tons per month". It is cer-
tain that this is in excess of production at present. Prices
of the leading producers continue firm at 19c, New York,
for both Lake and electrolytic copper at which sales have
been made for prompt delivery and into the third quarter.
In some cases transactions for delivery in October are also
made at correspondingly higher prices. There are offerings
in the outside market at IS. 75c, New York, but purchases
can be made at IS. 50c
TIN
This market has been lifeless and quiet the last week.
Consumers continue to hold aloof. Some dealers could have
been buyers at prices somewhat below the market but sell-
ers have been indifferent. As a consequence total sales have
been light and spot Straits continues in light supply and
prices are nominal. On the New York Metal Exchange, total
sales last week were around 200 tons, nearly all future ship-
ment, at prices ranging from 47c. to 50c, depending on the
position. Late last Friday one dealer reported an active
inquiry for 300 to 400 tons, but aside from this there was
little of interest. The same conditions have prevailed thus
far this week. Spot Straits yesterday was quoted at 50.25c,
New York, but largely nominal. In London yesterday spot
Straits was quoted at £2S1 per ton, against £259 a week ago.
Spot standard tin was quoted yesterday at £260, the spread
between the two being due to the scarcity of Straits tin.
Arrivals thus far this month have been 1730 tons, with 5430
tons reported afloat.
LEAD
Basic conditions in this market as discussed a week aga
are but little changed. There is some demand for prompt
metal, but the scarcity makes it difficult to obtain. Some
has been sold, however, for quick shipment at the equivalem
of 8.6 5c, New York, and there was also a sale of earl;
August shipment at the equivalent of 8.45c, New York, bu
the total in both cases was not large. Without doubt mop
could have been sold had there been sellers who possessei
the metal. The leading interest is apparently not selling,
and hence its quotation of 7.75c, St. Louis, or 8c, New
York, is nominal. In the outside market quotations may be,
conservatively put at S.15c, St. Louis, or S.40c, New York,
for early delivery.
ZINC
There has been little change in this market during thi
week. Demand continues moderate and prices firm, wit1
the tendency upword. Prime Western for third quarter d<
livery is quoted at 7.85c, St. Louis, or 8.25c, New Yor]
while for July 7.90c. to 7.95c, St. Louis, has been realized.;
The fact that production is curtailed, as noted a week ago,
and that producers are fairly well sold for July, makes for
a technically firm, to strong, market. Producers are at
least not inclined to quote beyond July.
ALUMINUM
Demand is light and quotations are unchanged at 33c.
New York, for wholesale lots of virgin metal for early di
livery by the leading producers, and at 31.50c by outsid<
sellers. The former quotation is nominal.
ANTIMONY
The market is quiet and unchanged at 7.50c. to 7.75c,
New York, duty paid, for wholesale lots for early delivery.
ORES
Tungsten: The market is exceedingly quiet and devoid
of features. Prices are nominal at $6.50 up per unit in
60% concentrate, depending on the grade of ore.
Ferro-tungsten is quoted at S5c to $1.05 per pound
contained tungsten.
Molybdenum: Conditions are unchanged and prices an
nominal at 65c. to 75c per pound of MoS. in regular con-
centrate.
Manganese: The market is quiet with prices firm at 7 0c
to 75c per unit for high-grade ore. The largest consuming
interest has contracted for about 20,000 tons per month ot
Indian ore for delivery in the next year.
Manganese Alloys: Production of ferro-manganese in
June, according to the blast-furnace reports of 'The Iroa(
Age', was 26,265 gross tons, which is larger than for any
other month this year or in 1919. Prices continue firm at
$200 per ton, delivered, for the last half and $225 for spot.
Some British alloy is available at $195, seaboard, for ship-
ment from August on. Demand is light and sales are con-*
fined to small lots for early shipment. Spiegeleisen is qu
and firm at $75. furnace, for prompt and early delivery.
in
are
',-.
July 24, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
14.-)
IND
GRESS
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INFORMATION I I KMSIIED BY MANUFACTCBEBS
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COPPER-CON VKBTKKS AT CLARKDALE, ARIZONA
The accompanying illustration shows the copper con-
verters at the smelter of the United Verde company at
Clarkdale. Arizona. They are made by the Allis-Chalmers
Manufacturing Co.. being the standard vertical or 'Great
Falls' type of machine.
In this type of converter the shell is made of heavy steel
plates, with two cast-steel trunnions riveted on, one of which
is fitted with a removable cast-steel riding-ring and the other
with a cast-steel removable riding and gear-ring. Both
trunnions are rough-machined on the inside to give a per-
w&¥ "4
^
Four 12-ft. 'Great Falls' Copper-Converters at the United Verde Smelt
feet bearing on the steel shell, in exact alignment with the
centre line of the shell, carrying rings and driving gear.
Where the tuyeres enter the shell it is reinforced by a heavy
steel plate. The hood or top half of the shell is made in one
piece of cast steel and is bolted to a heavy cast-steel re-
inforcing angle, which is riveted to the upper part of shell.
Lifting lugs are riveted to the shell and cast integral with
the hood. One of the trunnions is provided with an opening
for the passage of the blast, and arranged to connect with a
east-steel or cast-iron wind-box; the wind-box being held by
1 bracket secured to the shell. A sheet steel shield is se-
cured to the shell, to prevent accumulation of slag on top
3f wind-box. The shell is provided with individual tuyeres
md ball-valves both of which can be removed easily. The
;uyere-bodies are made of cast-iron with covers of cast-steel.
The ball-valve is held in a suitable casing, cast integral with
:he cover of each tuyere, from which it can be removed or
•eplaced by taking off the tuyere cover. The tuyere-bodies
ire arranged for fastening to the bottom of the wind-box
with brass sleeves and coupling nuts, forming an air-tight
connection. The tuyeres are made of extra heavy pipe, of
proper length to extend into the shell and through the lining.
At a point where the tuyeres enter the shell, a flange or stuf-
fing-box for each tuyere is attached to the shell and arranged
for retaining a suitable packing around the tuyeres, so that
the joint will be air-tight. The lower end of the tuyere
bodies are attached to a steel bar, to keep the tuyeres in
proper alignment. A flexible blast-connection is attached to
the trunnion, which allows the shell to rotate and admits of
any slight difference in alignment between the shell and the
blast-pipe. For controlling the blast a
lever-operated quick-opening gate valve
is supplied. The stationary part of the
blast-connection is supported by a stand-
ard having bolted connection on one end
and a ball-support on the lower end,
which fits into a spherical socket on a
bracket attached to the roller frame.
The converter-shell is supported on two
stands, one placed at each end. These
stands are of heavy deep-box section,
strongly ribbed, having suitable bosses
for foundation-bolts. The angle roller-
bearings mounted on these stands are
securely bolted to same and are provided
with large grease-pockets and cups for
lubrication. The stand at the driving
end has cast integral therewith an ex-
tension which forms the base for sup-
porting the worm, worm-shaft, and bear-
ings for same. There are four cast-steel
supporting-rollers on which the shell is
rotated. Two have plain faces, to permit
lateral movement of the converter, due
to expansion. The other two are flanged
to suit the combined riding and gear
ring. The supporting roller on the driv-
ing shaft is a combined carrying roller
and spur pinion, having the bottom of the gear between the
teeth cast open, to avoid binding of the gear and pinion-
teeth. The other flanged roller has two turned faces for the
riding-ring and a recess into which the gear-teeth pass; the
driving is done entirely from the shaft on which the worm-
wheel is mounted. The supporting rollers are mounted on
heavy forged-steel shafts. The converter-shell is tilted by
means of a worm-wheel consisting of a cast-steel spider fit-
ted with a removable bronze rim accurately machined. A
forged-steel worm is provided which is accurately machined
and mounted on a steel shaft which is coupled to the motor.
This worm-shaft is fitted with a compression coupling by
means of which it can be disconnected from the motor shaft,
in order to allow of withdrawal of the worm and shaft from
the casing. The worm-wheel is surrounded by an oil-tight
sheet-steel housing, which is fitted to the inside of the worm-
box. This housing consists of an upper and lower half and
a removable cover on the outer side, giving access for inspec-
tion and repairs. The tilting mechanism is operated by
146
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 24. 1920
either a direct or alternating-current, variable-speed, back-
geared motor of the well-known Allis-Chalmers type, espe-
cially designed for this service.
For operating the motor, a reversible 'drum type' con-
troller and 'grid type' resistance are provided. There is also
provided a solenoid brake for automatically stopping the ma-
chine at any time when the current is shut off. The motor
and solenoid brake are covered with a sheet-steel housing,
provided with two sliding covers for inspection, which are
easily removed. A storage-battery safety system, which
automatically takes the control from the operator in case of
failure of electric current, and rotates the converter to a
'safe' position, should the tuyeres be submerged when such
a failure occurs, can be supplied with the converter.
motor or engine drive, pressure-unloader, and electric,
pneumatic, or other types of control, as best suits the user's
conditions.
NATIONAL AIR-COMPRESSORS
Air-compressors, in sizes from 1 to 150 hp., are being
manufactured in Los Angeles by the National Compressed
Air Machinery Co. The compressors are constructed in two
general types; the single-cylinder Class 'S' machine is for
light work; the two-cylinder Class 'D', 'D2S', and 'DVL' are
designed for those whose requirements are greater. The
duplex types are made in a wide variety of sizes and for
pressures of from 10 to 5 00 lb. per square inch. The leader
in the duplex type is the Class 'D', two-cylinder, single-stage,
single-acting, as illustrated in the accompanying cut.
Some of the features that distinguish this machine from
other makes that look about the same are as follows: The
main bearings are three in number, all adjustable by the
removal of laminated shims, and any one removable with-
Class TV National Air-Compressor
out disturbing any other. Equally important these bearings
are carried on heavy bridges cast in the main frame. The
cross-head guide is free from stuffing-box troubles and the
cylinder walls get no side-thrust wear. Lubrication is by
splash only. There is not a luBrieator, oil, or grease-cup on
the compressor. The cylinder wall lubrication is controlled
by the apron, on the piston, dipping into a groove kept filled
with oil by the cross-head. Enough without too much is the
answer to the cylinder-lubrication problem in this design.
National arch-disc valves are used in all National air-com-
pressors. They are guaranteed for two years against break-
age in 'use. Inlet and outlet valves are interchangeable.
They are a happy medium between the old, self-destructive
poppet valves, and the host of frail, and in many cases com-
plicated, so-called plate valves. While being efficient and
silent, they stay tight and they 'stand the gaff'. There are
no extra parts, such as buffers, stop-plates, guides, or wash-
ers. For each valve there is but one spring, one cap, and
nothing else. Both the single and two-cylinder are fur-
nished bare, or in complete assembled outfits, including
•The use of the pulley and pipe-extension was necessarj
only because a suitable length of pipe was not at hand. A
single section of pipe of the right size to allow for welding
in the spokes and long enough to keep the inner strand fron
curling would be much simpler and would answer the pur
pose equally as well.
SIMPLE DEVICE FOR STRIPPING OUT INNER STRAX1>
OF STEEL CABLE
An interesting salvaging operation was recently carried
out successfully by the Spanish-American Iron Co.. a sub-
sidiary of the Bethlehem Steel Corporation, in Cuba. The
inner strand of a three-inch steel cable which had been con-
demned and discarded because of worn and frayed outer
strands was salvaged and the worn strands cut into six-foot
lengths for the charging-box. Both the inner strand and
the scrap were well worth saving, as the cable was a mile
and a quarter long and the reclaimed strand (1} in. diam.) I
was practically as good as new.
The problem involved was to cut away the six worn [
strands without damaging the valuable inner strand. This
was accomplished by means of a simple but ingenious device i
constructed on the ground out of scrap material. Suitable
lengths of iron pipe, of a size convenient to grip with the i I
hand, were oxwelded into the rim of a small iron pulley in I
such manner as to resemble spokes of a wheel with the tire i I
and felloes missings. A short section of sheet-iron pipe,
slightly smaller in diameter than the pulley but larger than
the shaft bore, was then welded to it in line with the bore I
by the use of four strips of strap iron.'
The strands of the cable were then pried apart for a few |
feet to admit of passing the inner strand through the hub
and its extension, and the feeding of the outer strands
through the six spaces between the spokes. With the strands
so adjusted the device was revolved against the wind of the | *
cable and advanced as the strands unwound, the inner strand !
being allowed to lie in a continuous length along the course
of the work and the worn members being easily cut into the
proper lengths with the oxy-acetylene torch. The length of
the spokes gave the necessary leverage for operation of the i
device by hand. The cable, of course, remained stationary,
the inner strand being coiled and the scrap collected after
the work was completed. The job was done in jig-time, the
oxy-acetylene flame snipping off the worn strands with al-
most chopping speed.
The use of the oxy-atetylene cutting, which was done with
a portable Oxweld outfit, made simple and inexpensive an, \lb
operation that would have been prohibitive by any other!
mechanical means, as it was equally out of the question to |
carry shears of sufficient power to the work or to convey the
work to the shears. Thus the salvaging was accomplished
with dispatch and economy, netting the owners of the cable
a handsome profit on material that could not have beenjir.:,
profitably reclaimed by any other process.
The Molybdenum Corporation of America, having thel
same executive and operative personnel as that of the Elec-|
trie Reduction Co., announces that it has acquired as ot
July 1, 1920, the plant, equipment, and operations of the|
latter company at Washington, Pennsylvania, together with'
molydbenum mines in New Mexico. This company will con-
tinue to furnish ferro-tungsten, ferro-molydbenum, and
other high-grade ferro-alloys, metals, and chemical products1
with no change in policy whatever. Having now direct con-|
trol, from the crude ore to the finished material, the Molyb-I
denum Corporation of America is in position to render ex-|
ceptional service in supplying molybdenum products.
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EDITORIAL STAFF
T. A. RlCKARD. Editor
Parsons, associate editor
parsons, associate editor
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Member Audit Bureau of Circulations
Member AuociAted Business Papers, Inc.
ESTABLISHED I860
nioKgAed ii' UO Mnrk'f St.. San Franctaco.
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SCIENCE HAS NO ENEMY SAVE THE IGNORANT
Issued Every Saturday
L.
San Francisco, July 31, 1920
J 4 per Year — 16 Cents per Copy
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
EDITORIAL
NOTES 147
Page
fight mine-fires. Methods of mining and character
of ore have a bearing on the problem. Fighting
fires in the Bisbee-Warren district; at Cananea;
at Nacozari; in the Clifton-Morenci-Metcalf dis-
trict.
PIKE'S PEAK AND CRIPPLE CREEK 149
The centenary of the first ascent. How promi-
nent peaks near Denver were named. Early dis-
coveries of gold in Colorado. 'Pike's Peak or
Bust.' The rush of 1858. The Mt. Pisgah fiasco
and how it fizzled. Discovery of the Cripple Creek
district, which justified the old tradition.
MR. HARDING'S ACCEPTANCE 150
The Republican nominee's speech of acceptance.
Unnatural style and inflated verbiage. Quota-
tions from the speech. The Mexican problem. In-
dustrial unrest. Repression of anti-social propa-
ganda. A good peroration, in genuine language,
such as should have been used throughout.
DISCUSSION
RECENT METALLURGY AT TRAIL, B. C.
By F. H. Mason 151
Wet magnetic concentration v. flotation. Treat-
ment of ore from the Sullivan mine, at Trail, B. C.
I WAGES, PROFITS, AND SOCIAL ETHICS
SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY
By A. W. Allen 161
Science is knowledge. Its value to industry.
Scientific research must be untrammeled. Scien-
tists are not 'aggressive'. How the development of
the cyanide process was affected by the hampering
of true scientific research. Patents. Is pure
science decaying? An asset to the country that
should be nourished.
THE WORK ON MINERAL RESOURCES DONE BY
THE UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
By Edson S. Bastin and H. D. McCaskey 166
Mineral investigations of the Survey fall into three
groups, namely, geology of particular districts,
statistics of production, and survey of public lands
with respect to mineral resources. Development
of the Survey. Work of compiling data on natural
resources. War activities.
NOTES
By Robert B. Brinsmade 151 THE TURNOVER OF LABOR 165
The problem of wages in modern industry. Divis-
ion of profits. Six classes of industry and the re-
lation of each to labor unionism. There is a
remedy, but our practical politicians fail to com-
prehend it.
THE WORLD'S PRODUCTION OF GOLD 168
ARTICLES
|A HISTORY OF MINE-FIRES IN THE SOUTH-WEST —
PART I
By Charles A. Mitke. . . .„ 155
The need for organized effort to prevent and to
DEPARTMENTS
REVIEW OF MINING 169
THE MINING SUMMARY 177
PERSONAL 178
THE METAL MARKET 179
EASTERN METAL MARKET 180
,:»•
Established May 34. I860, as The Scientific Press: name changed October
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Entered at the San Francisco post-office as second-class matter. CaDte
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Price, 15 cents per copy. Annual subscription, payable in advancer
United States and Mexico, $4: Canada, 85: other countries, $8.
32
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 31, 1920
The Metal Master
With an Oxweld welding or cutting
torch the welder of to-day is perform-
ing miracles.
Problems of production which a few years ago
were considered unsolvable are simple now
because of this modern Master of Metals.
Oxweld Research Engineers are constantly
bringing to light new applications of oxweld-
ing and cutting to industrial uses — keeping
pace with the growth of American enterprise.
The story of the development of the oxy-acety-
lene process is the wonder-tale of modern
industry. Everywhere it is lightening labor,
improving products, saving time and money.
Oxweld Service Engineers in fifty important
cities will gladly tell you how Oxweld can be
applied in your plant to your advantage.
Write, wire or telephone to any of the addresses
below for immediate attention.
Oxweld Acetylene Company
Newark, N. J. Chicago San Francisco
WORLD'S LARGEST MAKER OF EQUIPMENT FOR
OXWELDING AND CUTTING METALS
July 31, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
147
T. A. KICK ART), .... Editor
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T> ESUMPTION of trade with Russia will include the
■*-*- shipment of a product for which there is no demand
in the United States, namely, Bolshevists. The removal
of commercial restrictions will render practicable the
deportation of about a thousand 'Reds', from Russia,
Esthonia. Finland, and other parts of what was formerly
known as the Russian empire. It is stated that a number
of these anarchists are out on bail, on account of the
embargo against American ships entering Russian ports.
That embargo is now lifted. We hope the departure of
the undesirables will be expedited and that more care
will be taken to prevent them or others like them from
re-entering this country.
TN the course of expanding its bureaucratic organiza-
■■■ tion at Washington, the American Mining Congress
has decided ''to create a tax division under the direction
of a man who has given tax matters thorough and careful
consideration, and who will be in a position to render
assistance to both the Government and the tax-payer".
One would think that among the 35.000 employees in the
Treasury department there would be a man "who has
given tax matters thorough and careful consideration",
such consideration as would enable him to arrive at an
intelligent decision in difficult cases. Either the Treasury
department is ridiculously inefficient, despite its huge
payroll, or else the Mining Congress is adding to its
organization needlessly.
YJ7TLD-CATS wearing an engaging smile, like the
*' proverbial Cheshire feline, are as numerous in Aus-
tralia as in the United States. We have read recently a
description of a remarkable mineral deposit at Miva, in
Queensland, where an "unlimited" tonnage of ore as-
saying 73% iron has been uncovered. This ought to be
enough for one story, but we are told by the irresponsible
scribe that "oxide of iron and white and red lead of
good quality have also been found in fair quantities, and
gold, the assays yielding 15 dwt. and 9 dwt. respectively
of the latter metal". Evidently all that is needed now
is an oil-well in juxtaposition; then with one product
the good people of Miva can paint things red and with
the other they can whiten a reputation darkened by such
divagations from the truth. We are reminded of the
deposit of soapstone that was found in the sagebrush
desert many years ago and was described as "natural
soap", useful for removing stains from the escutcheon
of the State of Nevada, which at that time had become
somewhat besmirched by the fiscal activities of Graham
Rice and other peddlers of wild-cat scrip.
"TiANIEL GUGGENHEIM has 'called the turn', as
-*-^ thejr say, more than once, so we note with pleasure his
statement, made just before sailing for Europe, that
"there is absolutely nothing in the present situation to
justify any pessimism". Presumably the cost of sugar
or of gasoline does not worry Mr. Dan. as it does some of
the rest of us. In regard to the metal markets, he says:
' ' The clearing up of the foreign exchange situation and
financial readjustment on the part of European countries
will materially relieve present uncertainties. We are
now marking time, but I wish to emphasize that there is
nothing to justify any pessimism." He says it twice, so
he must mean it. His opinion on such matters is usually
well founded.
XT' IGHT editors are needed to prepare the weekly out-
*-* put of our contemporary at New York, so its editor-
in-chief states in the latest issue to hand. We have
three editors on our staff, one of whom, we regret to say,
has been absent on sick leave for five months. The two
salute the eight ! The editor in New York explains that
' ' the editorial which you find so punk or offensive is the
work of the jail editor". We have noticed no editorials
that were offensive : but as to the jail, we are reminded of
the lady who showed her new maid a room and explained
that it belonged to her son, "who is at Yale", she added.
Whereupon the Swedish damsel replied that she also
had a brother "in yail; he got to stay there 60 days".
We hope the gentleman in New York, and probably from
Columbia, will retain his dangerous post for more than
60 days and enjoy his sentences.
WE take pleasure in publishing a scholarly article, on
the relation of science to industry, by Mr. A. W.
Allen, who, just now, is in Chile. He makes a plea for
scientific research as the handmaid of industrial develop-
ment, and he does it in terms that will enlist the interest
and sympathy of all thoughtful citizens. It is well
occasionally to look beneath the surface of things and
remind the community of its obligation to science, and
of the need, if only on account of enlightened selfishness.
148
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC F^ESS
July 31, 1920
to foster the investigation of those basic principles, in
chemistry and physics more particularly, upon which,
for example, the progress of mining and metallurgy de-
pend. Mr. Allen does that for us effectively, illustrating
his argument by reference to the story of the cyanide
process and the function of oxygen in precipitation.
The recent disorganization of the Geological Surveys of
both the United States and Canada by reason of the
inadequate pay allowed to those engaged in an important
phase of scientific research, is another illustration of a
condition to which it is well to draw notice at this time.
npHE La Rose Consolidated Mines Company has started
■*- legal proceedings to compel the Mining Corporation
of Canada to compensate it for the old tailing from the
La Rose ores treated in the Northern Customs Concen-
trator that is now being re-treated by the Mining Cor-
poration. Tailings derived from ores from various mines
were impounded without attempt at segregation in the
bed of Cobalt lake. The defendant company in the pres-
ent action is obtaining a profit from re-treating the old
tailing with which is intermingled some from the La Rose
ore. The plaintiff contends that it is still the owner of
the residue from the first treatment and is entitled to a
share in any profit that may be won. "Without knowing
exactly the particular circumstances under which the
Mining Corporation acquired its interest in the tailing,
we are unable to present its side of the controversy, but
the search for an equitable basis for settlement offers an
interesting problem.
TVTEW regulations covering the leasing of phosphate
-*- ' lands have been issued by the Secretary of the In-
terior under date of May 22, yet the local land-offices,
we are informed, have as yet received no copy of them ;
meanwhile they have been authorized to accept applica-
tions for lease, but not to transmit them to 'Washington.
This suggests a curious failure to connect. These new
regulations specify a minimum royalty of 2% on the
gross value of the output, but they fail to state the maxi-
mum royalty, or indeed to indicate at what figure the
royalty will be fixed. Of the annual "investment" on
the lease, meaning probably the money spent, not less
than one-third must be expended in actual mine develop-
ment, "and a like amount each year for the two suc-
ceeding years", so that evidently in the two succeeding
years not the ratio but the amount governs. Bach lease
will contain "approximate conditions fixing the mini-
mum production of phosphates or phosphate rock from
the land". Are 'phosphates' and 'phosphate rock'
synonymous? The regulations are poorly worded and
obscure.
January to April inclusive of this year it was 100,414,971
gallons valued at $3,929,302. Last year 83% of the oil
exported from this port went to Canada; this year,
48.62% had the same destination, and 35.74% went to
Chile. In May the export of gasoline reached 4,342,270
gallons, and it was then that the people of California
were told that there was a severe shortage, so that they
must be content with five gallons at a time. In June the
export of gasoline from San Francisco was 4,585,227
gallons, worth $1,401,731. This does not mean much
unless compared with the. consumption of gasoline in
California, which has averaged 20 million gallons dur-
ing the first five months of this year. Obviously if 20
to 25% of our output goes abroad, the domestic price is
bound to be excessively high.
EXPORTATION of gasoline from the port of San
-Li Francisco is increasing steadily while the shortage
of motor-spirit is causing growing perturbation. During
the first four months of 1918 the export of oils, including
gasoline, amounted to 65,136,601 gallons valued at
$2,291,294; in the corresponding period of 1919 the
total was 43,722.630 gallons valued at $1.714,766 ; from
"TVIVIDENDS distributed by the gold-mining com-
-*--' panies of the "Witwatersrand for the first half of
the current year aggregate £3,102,975, which compares
with £2,576,000 for the first half of 1919 and £3,872,000
for the second half of last year. It must be noted that it
is the custom to make a special distribution of profit at
the end of the year, so that a comparison between the
first half of 1920 and the second half of 1919 would be
misleading. As against the corresponding period of
1919, the first half of the current year shows an increase
of £526,975 in dividends. This is encouraging, but it is
not as much as was to have been expected, having regard
to the premium on gold. The amount of gold produced
in the respective first half-years has been about the
same, while the gross increase of revenue due to the
premium lias been fully £4,000.000 more during the
first six months of 1920 than during the same period of
1919, so that, evidently, nearly seven-eighths of the
premium has been wiped out by the increase of expendi-
ture in other directions. Higher wages, the advance in
the price of supplies, and banking charges have done
their deadly work to a distressing degree, from the share-
holder's point of view.
IN a recent dispatch from Philadelphia we read:
■*■ "Anthracite operators regard $3.34 per day as a suffi-
cient wage to enable a common laborer in the mines to
support himself and family". If by "to support" is
meant to purchase food containing the calorific value re-
quired to sustain life regardless of quality and variety;
and to provide garments capable of preventing death by
freezing ; and to rent and heat a structure large enough
and whole enough to serve as a place to eat and sleep,
with no consideration of healthfulness, not to mention
comfort or convenience; if these things are what the
operators conceive as constituting "support", then
$3.34 per day may be enough. However, had this been
their idea, there would have been no point in specifying
"for a common laborer" with respect to these essentials
to living under the economic conditions of today. A
'common' capitalist would require less than a common
laborer because he would need less food ; neither he nor
his wife do as much work and they could accordingly
July 31, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
149
get along with a 1 iirlit «-i- diet It appears, then, thai this
$3.34 is presumed to supply such degree of comfort as,
in the eyes of the anthracite producers, a laborer may
reasonably expect They believe, apparently, that it
should enable him to purchase the things that make liv-
ing something more than mere existence; that it should
give him sueh an outlook on life as to make American
citizens out of him and his children. We do not believe
$3.34 is nearly enough: nor do we think that the oper-
ators who make the statement really believe it is enough.
When they make sueh a statement they invite hitter and
justifiable resentment.
npHE Joint Conference Committee of the four Founder
•*- Societies, which originally constituted Engineering
Council, has issued Bulletin No. 1. in which it corrects cer-
tain misapprehensions regarding the recently launched
Federated American Engineering Societies. The bulletin
points out that the administration of the new organiza-
tion is to be entrusted to American Engineering Coun-
cil and that the latter is essentially a perpetuation of
Engineering Council as .t now exists. The suggestion
that "no specific business is yet outlined for action by
the Council" and that "the Federated Society is so com-
pletely nebulous that one cannot commend or condemn
it" are refuted in definite terms. The new organization
will compete with none of the existing societies nor
appropriate any of their functions ; it has already come
into existence and the unanimous expression of those
attending the conference at Washington is sufficient to
assure the success of the project. Its purpose is clearly
expressed in the constitution : ' ' The object of this organi-
zation shall be to further the public welfare wherever
technical knowledge and engineering experience are in-
volved and to consider and act upon matters of common
concern to the engineering and . allied technical pro-
fessions."
Pike's Peak and Cripple Creek
On July 14 the centenary of the first ascent of Pike's
Peak was celebrated at Colorado Springs. The event
provokes a retrospect. The soldier explorer, Lieutenant
Zebulon M. Pike, who discovered and named the moun-
tain, was not the first to ascend it, that honor being
claimed by Dr. Frank James, a member of an expedition
under Major Long, who has likewise given his name to
one of those hoary sentinels that look down upon the
prairie around Denver. Dr. James ascended Pike's Peak
on July 14, 1820, starting from Fountain creek, la
fontaine qui bouille, the spring that bubbles, as it was
called by the French trappers long before Manitou
Springs came into existence. In honor of the first ascent,
Major Long named the mountain James Peak, but as the
earlier trappers and plainsmen had called it Pike's Peak
as far back as 1810, this name survived, and Dr. James
conferred his name upon a peak to the north, not far from
that which was named after his chief, overlooking Boulder
and Estes Park. Since then a bridle-path, a wagon-road,
a railroad, and an automobile road have been built suc-
cessively to the summit for the benefit of the thousands
Qf tnm-ists that go thither every year. A caterpillar
tractor reached the summit last year and shortly there-
after an aeroplane sailed over the mountain, so that all
the fascination of aloofness and loftiness has been taken
from poor old Pike's Peak, hut the essential romance re-
mains. In the early years of the last century the snowy
crest of this granitic massif served as a beacon to the
uoyagt iirx and explorers who preceded the advance of
civilization westward; in 1849 a party of Georgians, led
by the Russell brothers, camped on Cherry creek, near
flie present site of Denver, on their way to Downieville,
California. In 1858 some of the members of this party
returned to Colorado and uncovered the gold veins of
Clear Creek and Gilpin counties. In 1857 a financial
panic had broken the moorings of thousands of enter-
prising spirits and had incited a wave of popular migra-
tion westward across the prairies until it broke against
the ramparts of the Rocky Mountains. In their progress
across the plains the leaders riding in front of the wagon-
trains would seek with shaded eye for the first glimpse of
the beacon mountain whose white crest on the far hori-
zon gave promise of the land of gold. 'Pike's Peak or
Bust', the motto of the adventurers of 1857 and 1858,
sounds but mock-heroic in our ears, yet it expresses some-
thing of the mingled humor and daring of the men who
pierced the unknown wilderness which was then the
borderland of the Territory of Kansas. Thus the immi-
gration that marked the birth of Colorado's mining in-
dastry was called "the Pike's Peak excitement"; but it
expressed a delusion. No noteworthy discoveries of gold
were made at that time in the canyons or on the hills sur-
lounding the peak. Important finds of gold and silver
ore were made about 70 miles northward, under the pro-
tecting shadows of Long and James peaks. Although
mines were started in many parts of Colorado during the
succeeding twenty years, the silence of the Pike's Peak
region remained unbroken. The cattle grazed on the
sunny western slopes while towns and railways were
being built amid the foothills of the eastern approach,
but the prospector found nothing to justify the tradition
of gold in the granitic battlements that rose above the
line where the pines ceased to climb into the snowfields.
Suddenly, in the spring of 1884, rumors came of a great
discovery of gold ore on the southern side of Pike's Peak.
During the darkness of an April night a horde of pros-
pectors stole swiftly away in obedience to the vague hints
that had been scattered among the saloons of Leadville
and the neighboring mining camps. Each party aimed
to be first on the ground. The dawn of the next day
found an excited crowd of four thousand men gathering
at the foot of a pine-clad slope. This became known as the
Mt. Pisgah fiasco. Among the hills, which like a flock of
sheep cluster at the southern base of Pike's Peak, there
is a dark cone standing in solitude above its smaller
brethren. This is Mt. Pisgah. In 1884 the miners who
rushed thither could find no gold save in the prospect-
holes m?de by the first locators. Salting was suspected,
the man who had instigated the rush had decamped, an
accomplice was caught with a bottle of yellow stuff in his
150
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PrlESS
July 31, 1920
pocket. It was not whisky, but its quondam antidote,
the chloride of gold. Angry feelings found vent in
threats of lynching, but in the failure to lay hands on
the real perpetrator of the fraud, the affair was turned
into a big picnic and a general drunk. A little digging
had been done, one or two veins had been uncovered, hut
the poverty of the ore only added bitterness to the gen-
eral disappointment. The prospectors disappeared as
quickly as they had come. The hillsides resumed the
quiet aspect of the cattle range for which they seemed
best fitted. Pike's Peak was no mining district; it was
left to the cows and the tourists. Nevertheless within
ten years Mt. Pisgah overlooked the very streets of the
town of Cripple Creek with its 20,000 inhabitants, and
on the surrounding ridges the smoking shaft-houses be-
spoke a long series of rich mines. The lodes of Cripple
Creek were discovered in 1891, seven years after the Mt.
Pisgah fiasco. During the interval prospectors had wan-
dered over the hills from Colorado Springs and Floris-
sant; indeed, it is said that a shallow shaft, dug by the
pioneers even before 1884. was found just above the site
of the Victor mine, which was one of the first to rise
into importance during the early 'nineties. Some of the
cowboys employed by the cattle-men did a little desul-
tory prospecting after the rains, when float is easy to
detect. Among these was Robert Womaek, who dis-
covered the vein, in Poverty gulch, on which the Gold
King mine was based. That was in 1888 or thereabouts;
in February 1891 he showed his find to E. M. de la
Vergne and F. F. Frisbee, of Colorado Springs, both
experienced miners. Then came Stratton's discovery of
the Independence on July 4, 1891. That event marked
the birth of Cripple Creek, which two years later, in
1893. attracted thousands of miners thrown out of work
by the collapse of the silver market. In 1891 Cripple
Creek produced $2060; in 1898, $13,507,349; in 1900.
$18,147,081. The tradition of Pike's Peak was fulfilled.
Mr. Harding's Acceptance
A man may own a newspaper and yet not know how
to write. If Senator Harding's speech of acceptance
had been sent by an unknown man to any self-respecting
editor, he would have known what to do with it, without
hesitation. We know of no better example of an effort
to be magniloquent and to fail utterly, of an attempt to
use a style wholly unnatural .to any sensible man, of a
method so affected as to be utterly ludicrous. The gen-
tleman now at the "White House must have chortled
when he read the effusion of his intended successor. The
President wallows in words himself occasionally, but he
has enough of literary skill not to permit himself to be
bogged in verbiage, as the Senator from Ohio does re-
peatedly in his recent utterance. The straining at effect
is marked not only by repeated use of the abstract in-
stead of the concrete, but also by the introduction of
strange words for which even the sanction of the dic-
tionary is lacking. We select one or two of the Senator's
purple patches:
"AVe must stabilize and strive for normalcy, else the
inevitable reaction will bring in its train of sufferings,
disappointments, and reversals." He means we must
strive to restore normal conditions. "When the com-
pact was being written. I do not know whether Europe
asked or ambition insistently bestowed." The reference
is to the President; he means the ambitious man at
Washington. "GUI's is an outstanding influential ex-
ample to the world, whether we cloak it in spoken
modesty or magnify it in exaltation." This is worthy
of the baboo who announced his mother's death by
stating: "The hand that rocked the cradle has kicked
the bucket". "Speaking our sympathies, uttering the
concurrence of all the people, mindful of our right to
dwell amid the good fortunes of rational, conscience-
impelled advancement, we hold the majesty of righteous
government, with liberty under the law, to be our avoid-
ance of chaos." Presumably the man in the street will
think this is high-brow stuff and excuse himself thereby
for his inability to understand it ; any educated man will
recognize it to be piffle, hardly worthy of a high-school
sophomore. Apart from the ridiculous phraseology of
the speech, we note the most naive evasion of any clear
expression of purpose. For example, we are told: "We
must not abridge the freedom of speech, the freedom of
the press, or the freedom of assembly, because there is
no promise in repression", but, "We do hold to the right
to crush sedition, to stifle a menacing contempt for law,
to stamp out a peril to the safety of the republic, etc."
Is it fair to ask how sedition and anarchy are to be
cheeked if freedom to speak, to write, and to assemble
are not to be limited by reasonable regulations ? Again,
as to Mexico, we are told: "It will be simple to have a
plain and neighborly understanding; merely an under-
standing about respecting our borders, about protecting
the lives and possessions of American citizens lawfully
within the Mexican dominions." Simple, is it? It is
the crux of a difficulty that has baffled the best intelli-
gence of two Presidents, Mr. Wilson and Mr. Taft.
Simple, indeed? it is the essence of our trouble with
Mexico and it is the kernel of our foreign policy. Mr.
Harding dismisses the greatest problems with the wave
of a rhetorical hand ; thus, speaking of economic unrest,
he says : " I decline to recognize any conflict of interest
among the participants in industry". The interests of
the capitalist and the laborer are identical, he proceeds
to explain. This is nonsense; can he exorcize the evil
spirit or the more substantial facts that menace our in-
dustrial progress merely by "declining to recognize"
them? Is it only a theory, not a condition, that con-
fronts us? We have criticized frankly, for criticism
should be brought to bear upon the utterances of men to
whom great power is proposed to be given. It remains
to recognize the modesty and sincerity of Mr. Harding's
concluding remarks, in which he drops his false diction
and talks like an honest man. It is a pity that the spirit
of his peroration was not permitted to suffuse his
entire speech. We await Governor Cox's speech of ac-
ceptance with increasing interest.
Julv 31, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
151
Recent Metallurgy at Trail, B. C.
The Editor:
Sir — lu reply to the letter from P. R. Hines appearing
in your issue of July 10. I beg to say that at the time of
my visit to Trail it was impressed upon me that both
the concentrating plants treating the Sullivan ore, al-
though yielding a satisfactory concentrate, were still in
She experimental stage and, for that reason, no exact
details of either feed or concentrate could be given ; so
I contented myself with general principles rather than
detailed descriptions of the machinery employed in both
plants. In the original draft of my article I went more
deeply into details, but when I found I was unable to
give the working results, I thought it inconsistent, and
so deleted it.
As Mr. Hines states, two poles of a magnet cross the
main belt of the Dings magnetic separator and each has
a narrow cross-belt, but, as a matter of fact, when I saw
the machine in operation the first pole that the pulp
crossed was removing practically all the magnetic par-
ticles, leaving little or none for the second pole to pick
up, and, for that reason, I did not mention the existence
of the second pole. The general arrangements of the
plant were substantially the same as wThen Mr. Hines
saw it.
The wet magnetic and flotation plants were being run
against each other with a view to discovering which is
the better process for dressing the Sullivan ore. Re-
cently, I understand, the magnetic plant has been dis-
mantled, so, presumably, the flotation plant has been
awarded the palm. This does not mean, of course, that
flotation necessarily would be better than magnetic sep-
aration for the removal of pyrrhotite from other ores, as
without doubt, the wet magnetic machine is capable of
extremely good work.
It must be remembered, however, in this connection
that the Sullivan ore is an exceedingly complex one, car-
rying pyrite as well as pyrrhotite, both of which, of
course, it is desirable to remove as completely as possible.
Added to this, according to the superintendent of the
plant, prior to the heat treatment the pyrrhotite is only
feebly magnetic. "Whether the so-called pyrrhotite is
really all pyrrhotite I am inclined to consider doubtful.
A careful microscopic analysis of polished surfaces of the
ore may reveal other minerals closely associated with the
pyrrhotite that at present are not known to exist in the
Sullivan ore.
P. H. Mason.
Victoria, B. C, July 16.
Wages, Profits, and Social Ethics ■
The Editor:
Sir — As stated in an editorial in a recent issue of your
paper the present demand of the organized workers on
our railways for a minimum annual wage of $2500 offers
not only a serious problem for sociologists but for every-
one interested in the continued success of democratic in-
stitutions. As late as 1916 the average annual railway
wage was under $700, it is now over $1400, but as the
minimum wage is considerably less than the average in
both eases the new demand means at least a doubling of
the existing scale and a quadrupling of the rates of 1916.
Is there any limit to wage demands or to the possibility of
meeting them ?
In the simple days of production by hand-labor, which
prevailed everywhere till the later 18th century, this
question was easy to answer, for it was self-evident that
no worker could hope for a greater wage than the value of
his own output. If one cobbler could make two pairs of
shoes daily while his mate made but one, even an ap-
prentice might calculate that while the first deserved
just twice the wages of the other, even the first could not
hope for a day's pay larger than the selling price of two
pairs of shoes less the cost of the material to make them.
But in a modern sliO' -factory, organized to realize on the
economy of machine-production by a minute division of
labor, the problem of apportioning to each worker his
rightful share of the total output is far from simple ; to
solve it requires both a practical knowledge of shoe-mak-
ing and an intimate acquaintance with political economy
and social ethics.
Modern industry is nominally conducted on the com-
petitive system. The price of commodities is fixed by
competition between the various producers in the market-
place, the price of labor is set by the competition between
several workmen for the same job. Similarly, the inter-
est on capital is fixed by competition between its owners
for the notes of an entrepreneur. In the many industries
where this basis, of a fair field and no favor for all com-
petitors, actually prevails, the problem of an equitable
division of the annual gain between masters and men is
greatly simplified. If the owners be allowed the com-
petitive rate of interest on their capital, and the men be
granted the competitive rate of wages for each class of
work they do, it is clear that any surplus remaining, after
making proper allowances for the insurances, deprecia-
tion, and amortization of the capital, can easily be divided
between masters and men on some mutually satisfactory
basis wherever both sides are sufficiently intelligent and
152
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 31, 1920
fair-minded. That such is the ease has been proved by
many profit-sharing experiments in both Europe and
America. Two of the most successful recent examples
of such practice have recently been described: the first
is a large cotton-print factory at "Wappinger Falls, N.
Y.,1 the second is the Hydraulic Pressed Steel Co. of
Cleveland, Ohio.2
Unfortunately for industrial peace and the attainment
of an ideal society, the profits of many enterprises are not
limited strictly by free competition, notwithstanding the
opinion to the contrary of many superficial economists.
Therefore the Cleveland factory's policy of 'telling the
truth' and sharing the profits has only a limited range
as a social panacea, for it is clear that the mere sharing
of unearned profits with the workmen will not right the
wrongs of those mulcted by such an enterprise. More-
over, the less the profits are earned by industrial effi-
ciency, the less will the owners have need for the en-
thusiastic co-operation of their employees, and the less
liable will the former be to make the latter the sharers of
their financial secrets.
It is the prevalence of this anachronism — vast quanti-
ties of unearned profits in a supposedly competitive so-
ciety— that has made the militant labor-unions useful
and even essential for gaining for the workers some share
in the new wealth due to improved methods of produc-
tion. In spite of considerable success in raising the nomi-
nal rate of wages for their followers, few labor leaders
understand political economy, and they therefore are
liable to make impossible demands on employers, or else
to gain an increase of wages at the expense of an increase
of commodity prices, and thus perhaps injure the work-
ers more in their consuming capacity than they benefit
them as wage-earners. For scrutinizing the possibility
of raising wages by union effort, all industries must be
divided into six classes: I, universally competitive; II,
nationally competitive; III, locally competitive: IV,
legally monopolistic with competitive prices; V, legally
monopolistic with monopolistic prices; and, VI, arti-
ficially monopolistic.
Class I. Universal competition may be illustrated by
cotton-cloth manufacture, in any free-trade country like
England, where a world-wide competition keeps the dif-
ference between the cost and the selling price of the
product so small that the employer has little or no sur-
plus, above the necessary cost for his capital and super-
vision, for the increase of wages. If he raises the selling
price for his cloth, he will lose his customers. Unions
therefore must increase the daily output of their mem-
bers if they wish higher wages in this class of industry.
As in such an endeavor the financial interests of the em-
ployer coincide with those of the men and the community,
we have here no natural obstacle to impede either the
introduction of industrial democracy or the opening of
the books to the general public.
Class II. National competit:on may be illustrated by
^'Industrial Democracy at Wappinger Falls', 'Literary
Digest', March 6, 1920, p. 115.
='Tell the Truth', 'The Outlook', Jan. 28, 1920, p. 148.
woolen-cloth manufacture in any country protecting it
from foreign competition by an import duty, like the
United States. In this class the possible surplus for
raising wages would be the difference between the exist-
ing cost of production, and the foreign price plus trans-
portation and import duty; because a combine of all
the employers could advance the selling price of their
cloth to this latter sum without danger of losing their
home market. As soon as our woolen-mills have sufficient
capacity to supply the domestic demand, their selling
price will be set by competition among themselves and
tend to fall below the price of imported cloth. While
this status of free competition prevails, our protected
manufacturers will have just as much to gain from in-
dustrial democracy and no more to fear from their
balance-sheets becoming public property than have their
counterparts in free-trade England. It is only when they
abandon competition and combine, so as to fix their price
with reference to the protective tariff-wall that they can
acquire an unearned profit, and must needs become auto-
cratic and mysterious, in order to defend themselves from
prying labor-leaders on the one hand and from tariff-
revising statesmen on the other.
Class III. Local competition is illustrated by the
building-trades of a city, where the only limit to an ad-
vance in the prices for construction is the danger that
contractors and workmen will be brought in from a near-
by city to do the work. There is therefore a strong
temptation for local contractors to form a combine, so as
to advance their prices to this natural limit and thus
gain an unearned or monopoly profit. Such a combine,
in order better to defend itself from underbidding by
'scab' contractors and hold-up strikes by labor leaders,
has found it usually advantageous to establish the closed
shop and divide its loot with its union workmen. In
some eases, especially in plumbing, the supply-houses
are also in the combine and will sell their goods only to
its members. Among our big cities, Chicago and San
Francisco have been notorious for such building-rings,
which have stopped at no means, fair or foul, to main-
tain their monopoly. As such a ring greatly increases
the cost of houses, it means higher rents for everyone,
including the workmen, of whom only a small fraction
belong to the building-unions and get a compensatory
wage. As a contractors' combine shares both its profits
and its secrets with its workmen, it may be considered
as the application of industrial democracy to predacity,
the public being the prey.
Class IV. Legal monopoly with competitive prices is
based on the ownership of all classes of land except that
of public utilities.3 In the popular concept, nothing is
a monopoly that cannot set the price of its product ; but,
technically, the exclusive possession of national resources,
conferred by a land-title, represent a monopoly irrespec-
tive of the land's relation to commodity markets. Eco-
nomic rent, or the income arising from the land itself
apart from its improvements, is unearned by the indi-
s'Mr. Ingalls and Walkerian Economies', by the writer.
■M. & S. P.', Vol. 119, p. 627.
July 31, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
153
vidunl land-owner, for it arises solely from some quality
inherent in the valuable land that enables it to yield a
lesiilmim after all tile necessary costs for the use of labor
and capital to render it productive have been paid.
While large areas of privately-owned land are so lean
as to he reinless, the superior lands yield an income of
economic rent, which comprises the hulk of the wealth
engendered by a community working as a soeial unit.
Any enterprise of this class, therefore, which owns su-
perior land and employs many workmen — such as numer-
ous mining and lumber companies — is sure to yield a
monopoly profit (rent > which will arouse the cupidity of
labor leaders if they discover its existence. Any share of
this profit that a labor leader can secure for his followers
will mean a net increase in wages, since here the profit
(rent) is not due to a monopoly price but to the su-
periority of the productive factor (land) and therefore
the cost of commodities is unaffected, be its recipient
land-owner or laborer. It is thus to the interest of this
class of enterprises, as land-owners, to conceal carefully
all details of their capitalization and income from their
employees; while as producers their interest may lie in
the opposite direction so as to improve their labor effi-
ciency by profit-sharing. The greater the rent in pro-
portion to the total profit, the more will the former policy
outweigh the latter in the practice of an enterprise. As
rent is an unearned profit authorized by law, the great
land-owners are much less vulnerable to militant union-
ism than are the illegal monopolists of Class VI. In the
United States before the Great War, it was only where
the rich landed enterprises employed a large proportion
of the voting population and this was well organized — as
in the Rocky Mountain mining districts — that they were
obliged to pay out any considerable share of their rental
profit in the form of higher wages.
Class V. Legal monopoly with monopolistic prices in-
cludes three sub-classes of property: (a) Special lands
of limited areas so that the world's price for their prod-
uct can be fixed by any owner who may have acquired
control of the bulk of them, for example, the Diamond
Trust of South Africa, the Borax Trust of England, and
the Henequen Trust of Yucatan. In countries with a
protective tariff it suffices for one owner to acquire con-
trol of the domestic lands in order to fix prices inde-
pendent of national competition, for example, the Alumi-
num Company of America with its ownership of bauxite
deposits. (b) Public utilities such as railways, tele-
graphs, telephones, oil, gas, and electric trunk-lines.
Here, owing to the franchises required and the cost of
■duplication, an enterprise can largely fix its own prices
for service at whatever 'the traffic will bear'. This con-
dition prevails except at 'competitive points', where two
or more enterprises may offer the public the same ser-
vice, and in countries where the rates charged by public
utilities are strictly controlled by charter of or by a gov-
ernment commission, (c) Patents for invention, as
granted by the United States, confer a monopoly for the
manufacture and sale of the article upon the grantee,
•and consequently free the latter from competition in
ifixing his selling price.
From the above, it is evident tli.it the unearned profits
of sub-classes (a) and (h) proceed partly from the legal
advantage conferred by the ownership of superior land
(mines or rights of way) and partly from the power of
charging prices for the output independent of the natu-
ral regulator called competition. In sub-class (c) the
unearned profit proceeds solely from this latter power,
for any reasonable royalty paid to the inventor should
be regarded as merely a fitting reward for his services to
society. The relation of labor to the enterprises of sub-
class (a) duplicates its relation to those of Class IV in
so far as the unearned profit proceeds from superior
land; where such profit proceeds from the enterprise's
power to fix prices, any share of this obtained by labor
will result in a higher price for the output to the con-
sumer whenever the increase will mean more of an an-
nual income for the owner. The last statement likewise
holds true in the case of enterprises of sub-class (c)
owning patent rights; so, in both cases, the gain of the
monopolist's workmen may mean a loss for the consum-
ers. The public utilities of sub-class (&) resemble sub-
class (a) in their relation to labor, and have a relation
to the public similar in kind but widely different in
degree. On American railways a general increase of
wages during the Great War has meant the ruin of thou-
sands of investors in their securities, while should the
investors be compensated by a corresponding increase of
rates for service, the public must meet the expense in
the form of dearer commodities.
Class VI. While artificial monopolies for the purpose
of suppressing competition may be formed among enter-
prises of Class II or III, as already described ; the largest
and most profitable ones, like the Standard Oil, the Beef-
Trust, and the United Shoe Machinery Co., have owed
their power chiefly to the ownership or control of monop-
olies of Class V, by which they gain advantages not
enjoyed by their rivals. A recent demonstration of this
fact is afforded by the surprising number of independent
oil-refineries that have sprung up in the United States
since the pipe-lines of the Standard Oil group were de-
clared to be common carriers a few years ago.
In normal times, artificial monopolies of a temporary
nature have been features of the commodity exchanges.
These 'corners' of the market have also depended for
success upon secret alliances with the legal monopolies
of Class V, through which they enjoy special favors,
usually in transportation. In wheat, the coups are com-
monly made by speculators controlling a string of ele-
vators closely identified with some railway system.
Since 1914 the dislocation of production, caused by
the Great War, has rendered it easy to corner many
commodities that formely were too plentiful to permit
of such an operation. This game has become so simple
and profitable that few merchants can resist the tempta-
tion to take a hand, so we have coined a new word,
'profiteering', to describe it. The hue and cry due to
this merciless mulcting of the consumers has driven the
politicians nearly frantic, and the profiteers are being
combatted by remedies as wide apart as jail sentences
and overall clubs.
154
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 31, 1920
In so far as the unearned profits of the enterprises of
Class VI are concerned, they accrue regardless of
efficiency in labor and there is therefore nothing to be
gained directly by the introduction of profit-sharing to
balance its cost to the owners, but operating as the latter
do in defiance of both the Common Law against combina-
tions and the Federal statute against restraint of trade —
Sherman Anti-Trust law — many of them realize their
political weakness and have been wise enough to pay their
workmen the best of going wages, so as to avoid strikes
and their frequent accompaniment of dangerous investi-
gations of business secrets by meddling politicians.
The above remarks have proved, I hope, that labor-
unions may often increase their members' wages with-
out augmenting either their production or the cost of
living. A successful attack on unearned profits by mili-
tant unionism will never increase living costs where the
profiteers belong to Class IV and seldom do so when they
belong to Classes V or VI. Nevertheless, these battles
between masters and men cause vast inconvenience to
the public and much needless suffering to innocent by-
standers, however closely they may observe the laws
against physical violence. Whichever side succeeds in
gobbling the lion's share of the unearned profits, which
form the bone of contention, the practical question is :
Has the struggle been unavoidable and the ensuing result
ethical? It is just here that we have a use for social
ethics brought up to date — for in this subject there are
few teachers whose know-ledge of industrial relations is
of a later period than the early 18th century or who
possess a sufficient mastery of political economy to an-
alyze correctly such relations as they may now encounter.
The Industrial Court recently established by the State
of Kansas proposes to protect the public from further
labor wars by taking over for State operation any essen-
tial industry whose owners or employees refuse to obey
the Court's rulings and suspend work. The Court has
power to alter any labor contract. Picketing and black-
listing are equally outlawed, while striking or calling a
strike are made punishable by heavy fines and imprison-
ment. A student of history can feel no great certainty
for the success of this Court. Lacking any intelligent
code of social ethics on which to base its decisions, its
chief effect will be a partial transfer of the labor war
from the industrial to the political field. Bach contestant
will strive to name its own partisans as judges, so that
labor will be oppressed or capital mulcted according to
whether capital or labor chooses the State's governor
who makes the appointments.
While private monopoly has been execrated by Ameri-
can politicians for half a century and multitudinous laws
have been framed to suppress it, little has been accom-
plished even to restrain its operations except in the case
of certain price-fixing monopolies — the public utilities —
of Class VI. But as the land-value or monopoly element
of all public utilities comprises scarcely 25% of the total
land-values of the country, the campaign against monop-
oly can scarcely be considered a brillian success, even
■without considering the many artificial monopolies of
Class VI that still continue to flourish. Indeed, no
marked change can be expected until the public ceases to
regard money as the badge of distinction and becomes
familiar with the simple economic laws that govern the
distribution of wealth.
If a monopolist does not earn his profits in the fair
field of a competitive market, it is clear that his profits
proceed from the earnings of somebody else and are
therefore stealings, however much the fact may be camou-
flaged by property laws inherited from the conditions of
a bygone age. Similarly, a militant unionist is a thief
when he forces his employer to pay him as wages several
times the value of his contribution in labor to wealth pro-
duction ; for such an excess wage must mean either the
mulcting of the consumer, by high prices, or the private
absorption of economic rent — the rightful heritage of the
nation under our existing political system, if justice were
done.4 So it is hardly consistent for the bourgeois to
applaud an investor for drawing out $1000 from a $10
investment, and condemn a proletarian who demands $10
for $2 worth of labor.
Anyone who has resided in a medieval country like
Mexico must realize how far modem America has ad-
vanced beyond the ethical code of the 16th century.
Nevertheless, our code is still notably archaic in its lack
of provision for an equitable distribution of wealth in a
political democracy working under the factory system.
This defect — hitherto marked by fortuitous conditions5 —
is becoming glaringly evident as an aftermath of the
social dislocation resulting from the Great War and must
be remedied if American ideals of freedom of oppor-
tunity are to be preserved. The remedy can be readily
prescribed from the proved principles of political
economy, but at present our practical politicians have
no knowledge of, nor use for, this science and its adepts.
Robert B. Brinsmade.
Ixmiquilpan, Mexico, July 11.
Only a large deposit of mica, favorably situated with
regard to transportation and a grinding-mill, can be
worked solely as a source of scrap-mica for grinding.
Most mica mines must also yield good sheet-mica to make
the mining profitable. Mica to be of value as sheet must
yield rectangles at least 1J by 2 in. that must split easily
and evenly, be free from cracks, markings, and fracture
lines, and be reasonably free from specks or foreign min-
eral matter. The size stated is the smallest rectangular
size which is salable as uncut sheet, and the rough-
trimmed mica sheet must be nearly twice as large to
yield the rectangle stated. In order to be profitable
most deposits must also contain some mica larger than
li by 2 in., according to the U. S. Geological Survey.
Good sheet-mica should be so flexible that a sheet one-
thousandth of an inch thick can readily be bent into a
cylinder one-quarter of an inch in diameter without
showing any crack.
4'Story of my Dictatorship', by L. H. Berens, Chap. XV.
G'Free America', by Bolton Hall, Chap. I.
July 31, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
155
A History of Mine-Fires in the South -West— Part I
By CHARLES A. MITKE
Introduction. The problems that primarily confront
the manager of a mine are those of ore-reserves, methods
of stoping, transportation, equipment, supplies of labor
and materials. While these absorb practically the entire
attention of the staff, they fail to include the possibility
of a fire underground, which may destroy valuable prop-
erty in a short time and result in a complete shut-down
of the mine for an indefinite period. Drifts and stopes
may be caved in a few hours by the burning of timbers,
shafts may be destroyed and manways ruined, to say
nothing of the loss of lives or the number of men in-
valided by breathing poisonous gases in the process of
fighting fire.
The erection of a large building is never undertaken
without preparing careful plans for protection against
fire and providing a full equipment of fire-fighting appa-
ratus. In addition to this, the owner carries heavy in-
surance to reimburse him in the event that all his pre-
arranged plans for preventing or fighting the fire fail at
the critical moment. In the mining industry, however,
there are mines of an estimated value of from $100,000 to
$50,000,000 that lack an adequate system of fire-protec-
tion, that have little or no equipment available in case a
fire breaks out, and, of course, no fire insurance under-
ground, for as yet no insurance company has entered this
field. Should an outbreak occur, there is not only the
danger of destroying timber, which often results in ex-
tensive caving, but frequently stopes must be sealed, thus
preventing the mining of large bodies of ore for years.
It is a well known fact that some of the big copper mines
of this country contain large bodies of pay-ore which
have been sealed for many years, and there are a few in-
stances where even high-grade ore has been locked up and
lost temporarily on account of dormant fires.
The principal reason for sealing mine-fires is to localize
them and so permit the rest of the mine to be operated in
safety. This practice was followed wherever possible in
the past, and has proved especially successful in orebodies
stoped by the square-set method. Under such conditions,
the filling of stopes with waste at intervals, as the ore is
removed, usually prevents the ground from caving to
surface. In the top-slice system, however, the conditions
are entirely different. "With few exceptions, it is impossi-
ble to seal hermetically a stope that has been worked by
top-slicing, as, this being a caving method, the over-
burden generally breaks to surface and allows the air to
find its way down to the fire, while the heated gases work
their way upward through the mat of timber. In a few
exceptional eases, where the overburden of the top-slice
has not broken to surface, a seal may be effective. This,
however, presents a dangerous condition, as large blocks
of ground from the arched overburden may drop at any
time and crush the top-slice, closing all drifts and man-
ways.
It is the general impression that a fire cannot occur in
a stope operated by the shrinkage system, as this method
of mining requires very little timber. There are cases on
record, however, where the cribbings in shrinkage stopes
have taken fire, the flames following the timbered raises
to the haulage-levels and ultimately causing the caving
of both the stope and the haulage-level.
While it may be possible to abandon and seal that part
of the orebody that is on fire in mines containing large
bodies of low-grade ore, the management of high-grade
properties cannot afford to follow this method of pro-
cedure, as the ore usually occurs in a very limited quan-
tity, and it is absolutely necessary to work out some
means of handling the fire in order to continue operations
without curtailing production.
The following is a brief account of some of the fires
that have occurred during recent years :
Bisbee-Wakken District
One of the most serious fires in this district was that
in the Lowell mine of the Copper Queen branch of the
Phelps Dodge Corporation, which started in January
1911, and is sealed up at the present time. The place
where the fire originated is between the 1000-ft. and
1200-ft. levels, and was mined by the square-set system.
The orebody contained a high percentage of sulphur and
undoubtedly some pyrite had been lost in the waste.
While it has been the general practice in the South-West
for a number of years never to put any pyrite in the
filling of stopes, nevertheless, with the most careful min-
ing, there are times in handling fine material when it is
impracticable to prevent a few tons of pyrite from escap-
ing into the waste. Even with excellent supervision, a
careless miner may allow this small amount to run into
the fill unnoticed. This small amount of pyrite, coming
in contact with timbers, under pressure, is sufficient to
produce the heat required to start a fire.
At the Lowell, the progress of stoping naturally
caused considerable friction between the blocks of sul-
phides, which created a great deal of heat. Oxidation of
pyrite and timber was also an important factor. The
temperature increased until the timbers took fire, and
they in turn started a fire in the sulphide ore. The re-
sulting gases, such as S02 and the distillation products
of wood, came to the upcast shaft and caused considerable
damage by corroding the heads of lag-screws in the
guides, with the consequence that some of the guides fell
out and jammed one of the cages near the 600-ft. level,
which put it out of commission, while the other cage was
in danger of meeting the same fate at almost any time.
156
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 31, 1920
In 1911, at the time this fire started, the Lowell mine
had only one shaft, which, as stated above, was an up-
cast, the intake air coming from an adjoining division
(the Sacramento), and as the fire could not be reached
conveniently from below, it was absolutely necessary to
make an attack from above. This implied the use of the
shaft, and made repair-work essential before fire-fighting
could be organized. It was therefore decided to start
with the free cage and commence repairing the shaft
from surface to the 800-ft. level, the place where the
gases first entered the shaft.
On account of the large amount of carbon di-oxide and
sulphur di-oxide, the men were compelled to use oxygen
helmets while carrying on the repair-work, which con-
sisted of putting in 500 lag-screws; taking out an old
electric cable, which had worked its way across the shaft
and was beneath the free cage ; chopping out the cage,
which, owing to the falling out of the guides, had jammed
hard against the timbers ; and putting in 150 ft. of new
guides — quite a dangerous and extensive piece of work
to be accomplished by men wearing oxygen helmets.
Owing to the unusual circumstances, the men, while on
duty eight hours, were only asked to perform actual
service for two hours of the day. On account of the heat
and gas, the time of the helmet-crew was originally di-
vided as follows : 20 minutes of actual work in the shaft,
and from 40 to 50 minutes resting and overhauling the
apparatus. Great difficulty was faced by the men using
the breathing-apparatus in the hot and- gaseous atmos-
phere, as the sulphur di-oxide, in combination with ex-
cessive natural perspiration, formed sulphurous acid, and
in a comparatively short time the men had large burns
all over their bodies. Finally, the total working-time of
two hours per day in actual work had to be cut down to
an hour and a half, and some of the men had to remain
idle in order to recover from their burns.
On a few occasions, while two men were r>n the cage
between the 400-ft. and 600-ft. levels, the breathing-appa-
ratus of one of them gave out, making it immediately
necessary for the other to pull the signals and bring his
companion to surface. In several cases, the men brought
to surface in this condition were partly unconscious when
the apparatus was removed, so that artificial respiration
had to be performed.
After the shaft was repaired and the cages again in
operation, so that supplies could be taken to the different
levels, it was not long before the fire was successfully
sealed. As this ore is not needed for present production
and its recovery would involve a large expenditure, the
fire-area will not be re-opened for some time to come.
On December 2, 1915, fire again broke out in a stope
adjacent to the one described above. As the men had
just gone on shift, the bosses were instructed to bring the
entire force back to the different shaft-stations immedi-
ately. The fire spread rapidly and the smoke and gas
penetrated nearly all the workings between the 900-ft.
and 1300-ft. levels during the first day. Part of the gas
escaped through the Oliver and Cole mines of the Calu-
met & Arizona' Mining Co., where six men were overcome.
At the time of the first fire in this mine (Lowell) there
was but one outlet to surface, namely, the shaft that had
to be repaired (theintake being from an adjoining mine,
the Sacramento). It was impracticable therefore to use
mechanical ventilation, and all repairs and fire-fighting
had necessarily to be done by helmet-men. After this
first fire was sealed, and prior to the new outbreak, a
raise had been put to surface for the purpose of having a
permanent outlet for smoke and gas, and a system of me-
chanical ventilation had also been established. When,
therefore, the fire broke out a second time, the general
mechanical ventilating system was kept in continuous
operation, and an auxiliary system quickly was intro-
duced to take care of the fire-stope. Aside from 10-in.
blowers and ventilating-pipe, a 3-ft. disc-fan was used,
which furnished a large volume of air at a low pressure.
This created a better atmosphere and permitted the
larger part of the work of fire-fighting to be done without
the use of oxygen apparatus.
Within two and a half days, the fire was sealed, and no
further outbreaks have occurred.
In each case, after the fires were sealed, water was
turned in through the bulkheads ; this finally collected in
a drift on the 1300-ft. level, known as 'Copper River'.
A small preeipitating-plant on this level has yielded
handsome returns.
Other important outbreaks, as regards size and danger
to life and property, were the several fires in the Hol-
brook mine, of the same company.
In the early part of 1912, a district in this mine, be-
tween the 200-ft. and 400-ft. levels, known as the
'Neptune', became exceedingly hot, but the volume of
smoke and gas was small. Toward the end of the year,
however, an outbreak occurred and the fire-area was
sealed without delay.
On July 13, 1913, another fire broke out in the Hol-
brook. This was located in a square-set stope between the
500-ft. and 600-ft. levels. At that time the mine was
ventilated by natural means. The smoke and gas pro-
ceeded along the 600-ft. level to the Spray, Lowell, and
Sacramento, and caused an immediate shut-down of these
three mines. During the first hour, while in search of the
origin of the fire, the assistant-superintendent and one of
the shift-bosses were overcome with gas, while the mine-
superintendent became delirious. These men were res-
cued with great difficulty. Owing to the foreman's pres-
ence of mind, the pulmotor and oxygen apparatus had
been sent previously to the mine, and as the men were
brought out through the raise from the 500-ft. level, the
pulmotor was immediately applied until they recovered
sufficiently to be sent to the hospital. Exploratory work
was continued until the fire was reached. A plan was
then formulated to seal all the drifts and raises leading
from the fire-stope. Temporary brattices served to check
the gas, so the men could work without using the oxygen
apparatus. Finally, cement bulkheads were built. Two
churn-drill holes were put down from the surface, im-
mediately over the fire-stope, and water turned into
them. After several months, the fire-area was opened
July 31, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
l.'.T
and it was found possible to extinguish the smoldering
remnant from the 500-ft. level.
On October 29. 1915. the third Holbrook fire occurred.
Smoke was detected coming out of an old stack near the
site of the former change-room. This stack had been
erected some years before to ventilate an earlier fire-area.
The cause of the new fire was the heat generated by the
FlG. 1. THE LOWELL SHAFT OF THE COPPER QUEEN MINE
sealed fire-area; this had penetrated through waste until
it reached a raise between the 200-ft. and 300-ft. levels,
where smoke and gas burst out, filling the raise and
finding their way to surface through the stack. Prior to
this outbreak, a mechanical system had been installed to
ventilate the lower levels, the natural air currents being
depended upon to ventilate the
upper workings. After arrang-
ing the ventilation so that no
smoke or gas would be forced
down to the lower levels, water
was turned into the raise to put
out the fire, then pipes were
driven from the raise into the
surrounding waste, and con-
nected to water-lines in order
to cool all the ground in the
immediate vicinity. Midway
between the 200-ft. and 300-ft.
levels intermediate drifts were
started from this raise into the
hottest part of the old fills.
These were flooded from time
to time until the entire area
finally was leached. The cop-
pery water from this fire-area,
as well as that from other areas
in the Uncle Sam and Czar divisions, is pumped to sur-
face, and flumed to the leaching-plant, where the copper
is recovered.
On April 29, 1914, gas was noticed on the 1000-ft.
level of the Gardner division of the Copper Queen mine,
■at 150 ft. from the Gardner shaft. The following day
three men were overcome while attempting to put up
brattices, in order to turn the gas to other outlets, but
they recovered when taken into fresh air. Most of the
ere Mad been stoped from this area by the square-set
method about ten years before, and at that time some
pyrite and old timber had probably found its way into
the fill. In the course of time the whole area became hot
and the temperature increased
until timber-gases were given
off. This part of the mine was
quickly sealed and some water
admitted from above, which
apparently had the effect of
cooling the ground, for the gas
decreased. However, on April
29, 1915 (just a year later),
the gas began coming out on
the 800-ft. level, immediately
over the old fire-area, and it
was then found necessary to
outline a campaign for lower-
ing the temperature of the en-
tire block of ground, in order
to eliminate the dangers aris-
ing from continual outbreaks
of gas.
A main drift was driven
over the heated zone on the 800-ft. level and cross-cuts
branching from it at right angles every 25 ft. The faces
were so hot that they had to be sprayed thoroughly be-
fore the men could commence work. Auxiliary systems
of ventilation also had to be used. The work was con-
tinued over a period of a year and a half, during which
Fig. 2. two members or the helmet-crew about to enter the cage at
THE LOWELL MINE
time there was a great reduction in the temperature, and
the fire-area has now cooled to such a degree that no gas
is given off and there is no immediate danger of further
outbreak.
In February 1919 a complete shut-down was caused
at the Shattuck-Arizona mine by an underground fire
158
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC FfcESS
July 31, 1920
between the 700-ft. and 800-ft. levels in the mine, in the
abandoned and filled portion of the low-grade sulphide
orebody. Gas and dense sulphur smoke penetrated the
workings above the 800-ft. level, making operations un-
safe. A force of 50 men was trained in the use of
oxygen-helmets. Bulkheads were built to confine the
burning area, and preparations were made to flood the
workings below the 700-ft. level. To accomplish this, it
was necessary to pump into the mine more than 25 mil-
lion gallons of water. "Wood and sulphur gases ceased
to escape when the water-level reached a point eight feet
below the 700-ft. level. Unwatering of the flooded part
of the mine began in September 1919, and mining of
copper ore was resumed on a small scale in that month.
The workings are now free of water and a force of men
is engaged in re-timbering the caved portions of the
800 and 900-ft. levels.*
On the night of March 27, 1920, a fire started on the
1300-ft. level of the Briggs mine of the Calumet & Ari-
zona Mining Co. A large body of pyrite containing
masses of copper-sulphide ore had been stoped by the
square-set method for a number of years. Owing to the
-large amount of sulphur in the ore, it was recognized
that this was a dangerous area, which sooner or later
might take fire. In order to prevent this, a system of
ventilation was devised to force large volumes of cool air
through the prospective fire-area. This system was
established four years ago, and had the effect of cooling
the area considerably. Arrangements were made also
for the coursing of smoke and gas from a possible fire
through an old abandoned raise and level, and thence
to surface. At that time it was obvious that as additional
timber was taken down the mine each year, and the
stoping operations enlarged, the frietional area between
the stoped parts and the pyrite would also increase, as
well as the amount of heat generated.
Prior to March 27 the area was fairly cool and no fire
was looked for at that time, as the men had been work-
ing near the point where the outbreak occurred, and. one
of the bosses had gone through only an hour before.
However, the gases that are the result of distillation
products from timber were noticed. Simultaneously with
the characteristic odor, there was a general movement
of ground over old filled stopes, which caused a great
deal of friction between the old waste and the edges of
the pyritic ore adjacent to the old fills This, in turn,
caused much heat so that the timbers of the drifts on
the 1300-ft. level ignited simultaneously and soon de-
veloped into a terrific fire. Thanks to the co-operative
effort of the mine organization, excellent work was per-
formed in extinguishing the fire in less than 24 hours.
After the fire had been extinguishe'd, a small amount of
sulphide ore, under a mass of caved material, was still
burning. "Within a few days this was also extinguished
by the application of air and water. The mine was idle
only two days, and the operating department deserves a
great deal of credit, as conditions were such that this
might easily have developed into one of the largest fires
•Annual report, Shattuclc-Arizona Mining Co.
that have yet occurred in the South-West and might have
caused enormous loss to the company. However, through
the foresight of the management in establishing a com-
plete ventilating system to meet just such an emergency,
a catastrophe was averted.
A second outbreak occurred on May 2, 1920, but this
was not nearly as serious as the former fire and was soon
under control. In order to cope with the danger, fur-
ther precautionary measures are being taken by sinking
a new shaft from surface to the 770-ft. level, so as to
have a direct outlet to surface from the sulphide ore-
body. Additional fans will also be installed so that
higher air-pressures can be built up to force still larger
volumes of air through the hot area.
During, the last five years there were two shaft-fires
in the Bisbee-Warren district, a small one at the Briggs
mine of the Calumet & Arizona Mining Co., which was
extinguished in a few minutes, and the other in the
White Tail Deer shaft of the Copper Queen. The latter
shaft was entirely destroyed to the 150-ft. level, as well
as the head-frame and surface buildings, the flames rising
as high as 50 ft. above the collar of the shaft. Although
this shaft was down to the 300-ft. level, there were no
workings below the 150-ft. station, and even though the
fire had a good start, nevertheless, on account of lack of
air, it extinguished itself at the first level.
Prior to 1911, a large fire broke out near the side-lines
of the Irish Mag mine of the Calumet & Arizona and
the Spray mine of the Copper Queen, by which more
than 30 men were overcome with gas. Fortunately,
there were no fatalities in getting the fire under control.
A dormant fire exists in the Irish Mag mine, adjoining
the side-lines of the Gardner mine of the Copper Queen,
near the fire just mentioned. Fire-areas also exist in
other parts of the Bisbee-Warren district, but these are
well under control and are unlikely to give any immedi-
ate trouble.
Cananea, Mexico
During July 1914, owing to political and labor
troubles, the mines at Cananea were closed down. On
the 23rd of that month, fire broke out in at least nine
different places in two of the large mines, the Veta
Grande and Oversight. Four of these fires were put out
immediately by the foreman and shift-bosses, but the
remaining five — two in the Oversight and three in the
Veta Grande — were soon beyond control. Several helmet
teams from the Copper Queen at Bisbee were sent to
Cananea; when the men arrived, the Oversight shaft
was afire, and smoke and gas were coming out of the main
tunnel to surface, indicating that the fire in the shaft had
also set fire to the tunnel. The powder magazine was
situated at a point half-way between the entrance to
the tunnel and the shaft.
Extinguishment of the fire at first appeared impossible,
so the removal of the powder was attempted. As no
fans were available, the helmet team blasted the com-
pressed-air line about fifty feet from the tunnel entrance,
which resulted in reversing the air currents. Within a
few minutes the men were able to work without helmets
July 31, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
L59
Fig. 3. pilares shaft of the moctezuma copper co., in sonora
meta. The fact that mechan-
ical ventilation was not in use
in these mines added to the
peril because the gases were
liable to go in any direction.
Eventually the fire in the
Veta Grande extended to the
300-ft. level and all the haul-
age-drifts beneath the fire-
stopes had to be bulkheaded.
Water was admitted from
above, wherever possible, un-
til the fire-area had been re-
duced to a, few small stopes.
As conditions in Mexico at
that time were such that the
mines could not be operated,
the remaining fire-areas were
sealed.
In view of the large num-
in removing the powder from the magazine,
and, later, were successful in extinguishing
the fire.
All efforts to save the Oversight shaft, how-
ever, were unsuccessful, as the fire had gained
too great a start before the men arrived on the
ground. In a few places the fire spread from
the shaft until it entered the timbered mat
over some of the top-splice stopes. These had
to be bulkheaded and the seal made as effective
as possible.
In the Veta Grande, the fire entered square-
set workings adjoining the large shrinkage-
stopes on the 200-ft. level. This was extreme-
ly dangerous, because caving resulted from
the shrinkage-stopes as the square-set work-
ings burned out. Practically all the fire-fight-
ing had to be done by men using oxygen hel-
FlG. 4. CLAY ADIT OF THE ARIZONA COPPER CO., AT MORENCI
Fig. 5. CAVED ground (at back of these houses) OVER TOP-SPLICE stope of
THE COPPER MOUNTAIN MINE
ber of fires, and also the fact
that so many men were em-
ployed, who were gaining
their first experience in fight-
ing mine-fires, it was ex-
tremely fortunate that no
lives were lost and no one
seriously injured.
Nacozaki, Mexico
At the Pilares mine of the
Moctezuma Copper Co., near
Nacozari, two small shaft-
fires occurred during the
early part of 1918, one on the
800-ft. level of the Gaudelupe
shaft and the other on the
500-ft. station of the Pilares
shaft. Both these were dis
covered immediately and ex-
160
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PrtESS
July 31, 1920'
tinguished promptly. They were caused probably by
defective insulation of electric wiring.
Clefton-Morenci-Metcalf District
On September 25, 1916, fire was discovered in the
Clay mine of the Arizona Copper Co. at Morenci. This
mine was ventilated solely by natural means. Helmet-
crews went into the mine as far as the large top-slice
stope, known as the Harrison, and found a fire immedi-
ately beneath this stope on the adit-level. Preparations
were then made to put water on the fire, but the ground
surrounding it began to cave, extinguishing the fire in
the adit, but not that portion of it which had already
passed through the stope and entered the timbered mat
above the top slice. It was impossible to reach this, so
that the entire mine filled with gas, making bulkheading
extremely difficult under conditions of natural ventila-
tion.
A temporary system of mechanical ventilation was
then devised, using compressed air, a number of small
blowers, a 3-ft. disc-fan, and one larger fan that was
hastily built in the company's shops. These fans and
compressed-air jets were utilized to clear the workings
of smoke and gas, so as to make it possible to reach the
Harrison stope, where hose-connections were made in
order to force water into the timbered mat. This was a
difficult as well as a dangerous operation, on account of
the caves that were continually taking place as the bot-
tom of the mat burned out. As the work progressed, it
became evident that the visible fire was only the lower
extension of a larger one higher in the mat.
By this time another fire had been discovered on the
first level of the Clay shaft, adjoining the Harrison stope,
which made it necessary to seal the entire fire-area. This
required the construction of a number of cement bulk-
heads on the first, second, and third adit-levels, after
which the fire-area remained sealed for some time.
About six months later, some exploratory work was
done over the timbered mat above the fire-area, for the
purpose of learning whether any of the peaks of flame
that had penetrated the mat were still burning, because,
in this event, their presence would be indicated by great
heat on this upper level. However, through labor diffi-
culties, this work had to be abandoned temporarily.
In November 1917, the above-mentioned level and the
entire fire-area were again re-opened under pressure and
thoroughly examined. Gas analyses of the atmosphere
within the bulkheads showed the presence of a large
amount of carbon di-oxide. The fact that mining had
only recently been commenced in the top slice and the
ground had not yet broken to surface had made it pos-
sible to seal the stope. The result was a depletion of the
oxygen in the air with a corresponding increase in the
amount of carbon di-oxide, which had the effect of ex-
tinguishing the fire.
The Harrison stope was then rehabilitated, and later
work has shown that there is a complete absence of ex-
isting fire, latent heat, or resulting gas.
On October 16, 1916, a fire was detected in a top-slice
stope in the Copper Mountain mine of the Morenci
branch of the Phelps Dodge Corporation. A large-
amount of smoke and gas poured from this stope through
the Copper Mountain adit. That same evening, and for-
some time thereafter, a great deal of gas was noticed in
the town of Morenci, in the vicinity of the post-office,
and some of the residents near the mouth of the Copper-
Mountain adit had to abandon their homes temporarily.
After investigation, it was found that the fire was in the
timbered mat, immediately over the stope in question.
When efforts failed to extinguish it from below, this
plan was abandoned, and bulkheads were built in raises-
on the 300-ft. level, and water turned in from above, so
as to flood the ground and raise the water-level as much
as possible. While this was being done, an effort was-
also made to extinguish the fire from above by driving-
drifts and cross-cuts over the fire-area. The rock was-
hard, so that winzes could be sunk from the different
cross-cuts and water turned into them at once. As alii
work in the drifts, cross-cuts, and winzes was carried on
in hot ground, blowers had to be used to force large-
volumes of cool air into the headings. The principal
difficulty in fighting this fire was that the ground above
was caved to surface, thus allowing some circulation of"
air. While the active fire was extinguished within a
short time, it was several years before the heated ground'
showed the effects of the application of air and water.
(To oe continued)
There is considerable popular misapprehension re-
garding the occurrence of petroleum. It is sometimes-
said that oil occurs below the surface of the ground in
some regions just as water does in others. This would
mean that a well in an oil region is as likely to strike
petroleum as a well in a water-bearing region is likely
to strike water — that the oil is distributed in an almost
continuous sheet beneath extensive parts of the country.
This is not true. Another statement frequently heard is-
that the oil forms an underground 'stream', and that a
lucky location for a well must lie over that 'stream'.
Expensive and fruitless drilling has repeatedly shown
that such 'streams' of oil do not exist. A belief that is-
strongly held in some parts of the country is that oil
pools are connected — that some channel connects the
pools in an oil region. This belief is absolutely disproved
by the ranks of barren wells that encircle practically
every producing oil pool in the world. Another wrong-
idea is that petroleum occurs in underground ponds or-
lakes. In fact prospectuses of some oil companies refer-
to "lakes and rivers of oil", giving the idea of great
caverns filled with oil. Not a single such cavern has
been found in any oil-fields in the United States. Oil is
really contained in the tiny openings between grains of
sand, in the pores and crevices of a crystalline limestone,
or, as in the largest wells, in the comparatively small
openings of a porous rock. The depth at which oil may
be found is apparently limited only by the depth to which
men can sink a hole. In some fields productive oil-wells
are only 100 ft. deep. In others most of the wells are-
3000 ft. deep, and many are more than 4000 feet.
July 31, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
161
Science and Industry
By A. W. ALLEN
Science is knowledge — complete knowledge, knowledge
without boundaries, knowledge that brooks no restric-
tions. It can be made the beacon-light of industry, but
not the servant of commercialism. It can be made to
point the way to greater and still greater material
achievement ; but those who would gamble with science as
they would with stocks or shares on the Exchange or on
the Curb are liable to find an instance where the law of
averages does not apply. Luck in a game of chance is
just luck. Luck in science — there is no such thing; for
with a real search for enlightenment the result is never
too great to be unexpected nor too insignificant to be
valueless.
No scientist worthy of the name fails to 'make a job'
of an investigation — he covers the ground thoroughly.
Much of his work appears to the uninitiated to be of no
tangible value. Much appears to the superficial observer
to lead nowhere. But the scientist knows differently, for
he and he alone can gauge the worth of gossamer threads
of fact and theory — threads of inspiration that may be
woven into chains of evidence leading to great dis-
coveries.
It is the failure to look beneath the surface — the
eternal measurement of data and results in dollars and
cents — that is leading to a lack of appreciation of the
scientific mind. It is commercialism pure and simple
that is hindering scientific expansion — a modern com-
mercialism that cannot appreciate the danger in the fact
that although science, like virtue (as Kingsley puts it)
is its own exceeding great reward; it is liable to die of
neglect because of its altruism. What does industry owe
to science? "What would have been the position of in-
dustry today but for science? How much of our present-
day comfort and success is due to pure science, how much
of our present-day security is due to the work of scien-
tific men? And what could industry have done had it
systematically encouraged science during recent years?
These are pertinent questions.
Since 1821 the world has been utilizing Michael Fara-
day's purely scientific discovery in connection with elec-
tro-magnetic induction. The primary achievement has
been elaborated by experimentation and research to such
an extent that it must be admitted that many if not most
of the notable electrical inventions would never have re-
sulted but for the science of Faraday. It is to pure
science that we owe our major tribute, not to experi-
mentation along commercial lines. For Faraday was
prepared to risk so much for pure scientific research that,
according to one of his biographers, he gave up the idea
of profit because "worldly gains became contemptible in
comparison with the rich scientific province he had sub-
dued".
This is the spirit that occasionally gives to the world
a great scientist. But what has been done to perpetuate
the ideals of Faraday? One wonders how many others,
who have the same view of achievement for achieve-
ment's sake, are disheartened at the outset by the de-
mands from utilitarianists for a tangible commercial re-
sult from all research, and at every stage of the investi-
gation. And must it not be admitted that, so long as the
initiative of scientists is cramped and circumscribed by
the dictates of those who have no appreciation of the
nature of a scientist or the method of his work, no appre-
hension of the fact that great truths need diligent search,
then so long shall we have to remain content with the
building of additional stories on the firm foundations al-
ready laid, rather than to plan new edifices ourselves.
A common objection to science is that it lacks definite-
ness of aim. Scientific research may lead nowhere, one is
often told. True ; but so may also experimental research
along predetermined lines. The point that needs empha-
sis is that, whereas scientific work may lead nowhere,
histoiy has shown that it invariably results in achieve-
ment, although often arising from a totally different
direction from the one originally planned by the scien-
tist. A scientific investigation may have been unfruitful,
but the ground has been covered, for once and all, in a
scientific manner ; and there has been no waste. Hit-or-
miss experimentation, so favored by modern seekers after
immediate financial results, may be unfruitful as well as
useless ; for no consideration of any subject is thorough
unless it is tackled in a scientific spirit, and with an en-
tire disregard of the ultimate money-value of the dis-
coveries made. And no record of an investigation is
worth while unless it is made by an experienced man, one
who has all the facts at his finger-tips. In scientific re-
search one thing may be sought, another found. This is
an axiom with the independent investigator, whose one
aim is revelation, no matter from what direction.
The time is ripe for a realization of the fact that scien-
tific research cannot profitably be hampered by the re-
strictions that usually hedge the efforts of those who may
be employed to solve great industrial problems. A scien-
tist must be given a free hand and trusted to work out
his own salvation in his own particular way. The in-
variable comment is: "But that is no business proposi-
tion." No, it certainly is not. Business and science are
irreconcilable. A scientist may be a good business-man
and he may be a good so-called 'practical' man, but
usually he is neither. An intermediary may, and in-
variably is needed to, translate and deflect the results of
his work into utilitarian channels ; but this fact does not
make purely scientific research the less necessary.
There is a word — 'aggressive' — which is used in Eng-
land to denote the attitude of a person who commits the
first act of hostility or offence. American dictionaries,
162
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 31, 1920
sustain this interpretation ; but in American industry to-
day an aggressive manner is a sine qua non. The columns
of the great dailies are replete with advertisements from
self-styled aggressive men who need appointments, and
from commercial houses who are on the look-out for em-
ployees with the desirable qualification of aggressiveness.
In the publication of a large corporation with which I
was once connected I read the following warning: "Your
advancement is largely in your own hands; it is doubt-
ful whether anyone else is worrying over it." I found
that this was literally true ; the men who succeeded were
those who insisted on a recognition of their qualities. In
other words, it is personal aggressiveness that counts.
For the individual without it I doubt whether there is
any hope of advancement, commensurate with his abili-
ties or efforts, in American industrial or commercial
work.
Scientists are not temperamentally aggressive, to use
the word in either the American or English sense. Con-
sequently, there will always be a great gulf between in-
dustry and science, a gulf that may be bridged but that
can never be filled in. A scientist who begins to worry
over his prospects of material advancement automatically
forfeits the designation. Aggressiveness and science are
opposite; and so there is a real danger of the scientist
being pushed off the map by the aggressive utilitarian.
It is nonsense to point morals from such catch phrases
as "the survival of the fittest" or "the elimination of the
unnecessary". Industry has taken the funds from the
balance which was built up by science; and there is a
danger of the account being overdrawn. Science the
world needs and must have, but it should not be prosti-
tuted to the ideals of undiluted commercialism.
Much of our present-day comfort and so-called civiliza-
tion is due to the fact that industry has built prosperity
on the foundations of disinterested and unpaid effort.
Discoveries of great scientists have been utilized to the
full, and industry now hopes to duplicate such achieve-
ments by means of non-scientific experimentation. The
type of men chosen for such work may be gauged from
the advertisements constantly appearing in the press.
The following is a typical example: "Engineer, recent
graduate preferred, to carry out research work." It may
be assumed that a recent graduate is preferred because
the expenditure will be small ; but what can be expected
from such a junior when his experience is, obviously, nil,
and his outlook narrow and immature? Few men in
such a category have the ability to record the results even
if discoveries were made; and a wasteful repetition of
work occurs.
The reason for the frequent failure of experimentation
along definite channels is that commercial considerations
force it to take a circumscribed path which must always
be in direct line with the particular object sought. Im-
mediate practical results are demanded, monthly or even
weekly reports are usually insisted upon, and the im-
mense value of definite although possibly unproductive
progress is ignored. It is unfortunate that scientific re-
search is not always undertaken in connection with sub-
jects of more or less vital importance to industry and to
the national advance or protection. But time spent on
pure science is not wasted ; for the scientific mind must
be cultivated, and catholicity of interest is an important
factor. Much good can be done by directing research
along sensible channels without in any way circumscrib-
ing its efforts when work is once commenced.
The need for the co-ordination of science and industry
has been much in evidence in connection with many in-
dustrial efforts, and several examples can be cited with
reference to the metallurgy of gold and silver since the
introduction of modern wet processes began to revolu-
tionize precious-metal recovery. With the exhaustion of
the majority of the known rich gold deposits in all parts
of the world, problems had to be faced and solved as to
the economical treatment of low-grade ore. Residues left
from the more primitive operations and as the result of
inefficient beneficiation became bonanzas with the passage
of time. The ounce of gold has cost more and more to
produce, largely on account of the increasing amount of
rock, at times over 20 tons, which had to be mined,
hoisted and hauled, crushed and re-ground, and finally
treated by metallurgical or chemico-metallurgieal meth-
ods in order to win that ounce of gold.
For the greater part of the latter half of the nine-
teenth century it was well known that gold was soluble
in a solution of potassium or sodium cyanide. Some
scientific research was done; but because the investiga-
tions lacked official encouragement or material assistance
the work stopped at the first stage, and little attempt was
made to discover or evolve a process for recovering the
gold from the cyanide solution after it had been dis-
solved, or to ascertain if this first step in treatment could
be accomplished without prohibitive expense, that is,
with weak solutions. A syndicate of engineers, among
whom was John Stewart MacArthur, made experiments
in 1886 in an effort to discover such a process, and their
investigations led to what may be termed one of the
notable inventions of the century. In all their tests,
however, success was gauged by a consideration as to
whether or no actual gold could be produced by the
method adopted — the gold had to be laid 'on the table' —
and a neglect to appraise the real value of theoretical
research resulted in faulty judgment and much delay.
Various solvents, of a dilution indicating commercial
practicability, were tried on the gold ore; and an evil-
smelling gas — sulphuretted hydrogen — was used to pre-
cipitate the precious metal from the solutions resulting.
With weak cyanide solutions there was no result — no
gold was precipitated — and the experiment was voted a
failure. As a matter of fact, however, the first stage of
a new process had been completely successful. But prac-
tical commercial results were being sought, as they in-
variably are in all industrial research, and a scientific
fact of vast importance passed unnoticed and unrecorded.
It was nearly a year later that an accidental discovery
was made of the absence of gold in the residue from the
original test ; and it was then realized that the failure to
lay the gold 'on the table' was due to the fact that the
precipitant used — the sulphuretted hydrogen gas — was
ineffective; and further tests then confirmed the con-
July 31, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
163
elusion that the gold had been readily dissolved in the
first instance by means of a dilute solution — a feasible
Step from the commercial standpoint.
Had the haste of commercialism been replaced by the
thoroughness of science the discovery of the cyanide
process would undoubtedly have taken place a year
earlier. But for an accident it might have been delayed
for a decade or more, with economic consequences im-
possible to estimate. Patents were issued to MaeArthur
and his associates in 1888 which indicated the use of
zinc-shaving as a precipitant of the gold which had been
dissolved in the first stage of the process. These patents
marked the complete specifications of a commercially
feasible scheme for the treatment of low-grade ores.
With the introduction of the cyanide process came a
revolution in the industry. Leaching plants were erected
in New Zealand, that cradle of progressiveness, in 1889 ;
and in 1890 in South Africa. In 1897 the cyanide proc-
ess was mainly responsible for the fact that the world's
yearly output of gold had been more than doubled within
a decade. Much of the increase was due directly to the
introduction of cyaniding, but much was also due to the
circumstance that a wider field for the treatment of low-
grade ores was presented by the standard method of
amalgamation with mercury, followed by a cheap leach-
ing with cyanide solution.
Soon after the introduction of the cyanide process it
was found that the dissolved gold obtained by the treat-
ment of the ore could be precipitated by passing the solu-
tion through lump charcoal, instead of through zinc-
shaving. The charcoal cost practically nothing, and so
there was a possibility of reducing considerably the ex-
pense of treatment ; but the results were found to be un-
satisfactory. An enormous amount of charcoal was need-
ed to precipitate a small amount of gold, and the modi-
fication was never generally accepted as commercially
feasible.
From the chemical point of view the reaction ought
never to have happened. Discussions arose as to the
cause of the precipitation, but no definite or satisfactory
conclusion was reached that was generally acceptable.
No scientific analysis or investigation was made; and
after casual mention by engineers and college professors
the innovation passed into the limbo of the impracticable.
The question as to why the gold was precipitated on an
apparently inert substance like charcoal was viewed as
of academic and scientific interest only, and was soon
dismissed as unworthy of further attention by those who
were keenly interested in a phase of the process where
enormous expenditures were being made for a metallic
precipitant which was unrecoverable). Contradictory
hypotheses were sporadically advanced from time to
time, on which there was no umpire to pass judgment ;
and a lack of recognition of the value of purely scien-
tific investigation and the obstinate retention of the idea
that no theoretical questions were worth considering were
together responsible for the postponement for a number
of years of an important discovery. Had a trained mind
been put in charge of research on the theory of the action
■ — the purely scientific aspect of the question — there is
no doubt that the cause of the precipitation would have
been discovered almost at once; and there is also no
doubt that the discovery would have immediately pointed
a way to the practical utilization of charcoal as a pre-
cipitant under certain conditions.
Recently, after all these years, two Australian engi-
neers, in an endeavor to effect a war-time economy,
stumbled onto the fact that charcoal is suitable as a
precipitant, and will under certain conditions prove an
efficient substitute for the expensive metal usually used,
by merely grinding it to a powder before use, instead of
using it in lump form. The fact that the charcoal is more
effective when finely divided gives the clue at once as to
the reason for the precipitation — it was a physical rather
than a chemical action. This hypothesis in definite form
comes after many years of inaction and unnecessary ex-
penditure. Had scientific research been applied to the
problem in the first instance the cause of the phenomenon
would have been discernible, and then the most efficient
manner of utilizing the charcoal for the purpose would
have suggested itself. In this instance physical action
meant surficial action, and by increasing the surface —
by reducing the size of the particles — the result is
achieved. Theoretical research would, undoubtedly,
have disclosed the conditions under which the adoption
of the cheaper precipitant would have been practicable
and advantageous.
The function of oxygen or air as an aid in dissolving
gold by cyanide solution had been known for many years
previous to the introduction of the MacArthur-Forrest
cyanide process, the importance of oxygenation in this
connection having been emphasized by Faraday in a
scientific paper published in 1857. But from the time of
the. discovery of the cyanide process the profession has
floundered along with little or no help from theoretical
research. A purely scientific discussion invariably failed
to create sustained interest, the connection between pure
science and successful industry never having been recog-
nized. A number of individual cyanide engineers spent
odd hours in investigation and experiment, but none had
the time nor the resources to carry the work to a logical
conclusion. Occasional research, so-called, was under-
taken by students at universities and schools of mines,
but nothing definite resulted, and no complete study of
the subject was ever made ; no scientist was ever in-
trusted with the problem.
For nearly thirty years the function of oxygen or air
in the various stages of the process (other than in dis-
solving the gold, and that was learnt from scientists) has
remained an unheeded theory and beyond the interest of
practical men. Hit-or-miss experimentation in some
cases suggested that better results, irrespective of wast-
age, could be obtained by again adding more oxygen
before the gold-cyanide solution reached the precipita-
tion boxes ; but as to any scientific interpretation of the
variable results obtained in the many phases of the work,
there was nothing but exasperating indecision. Text-
books carefully avoided the question.
Vacuum-filters were introduced at an early date to
separate the ground or classified ore from the cyanide
164
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 31, 1920
solution that had been used to dissolve the gold; and a
definite although unrecognized result of their adoption
was the removal, by the abstractive action of the vacuum,
of much of the air or oxygen from the solution before
precipitation of the gold on zinc-shaving or zinc-dust.
No convincing data were produced, however, and noth-
ing was published along lines such as would inevitably
have resulted from elementary scientific or theoretical re-
search. The absence of any centralized effort in this di-
rection led to much experimentation. Some plants had
vacuum-filters and some had pressure-filters. Practice
in some places resulted in good precipitation; in others,
bad ; there was no accounting for the results one way or
the other. Varying efficiency was the outcome of ap-
parently parallel operation ; and a considerable amount
of waste resulted of gold, solvent, precipitating ma-
terial, and time. The climax was reached in 1918, that
is, thirty years after the introduction of the cyanide
process, when a patent was taken out by an American
engineer who now claims a monopoly over a phase of
operation which has been in regular use since the intro-
duction of vacuum-filters, namely, the abstraction, by
means of a vacuum, of air or oxygen from the unpre-
eipitated solutions. The Patent-Office at Washington
has, apparently, no technical advisers; and patents are
issued whenever a search fails to reveal a prior grant.
Whatever the fault of the Patent-Office, however, it is
evident that in the case under consideration the patentee
was the first to insist that, by adopting the simple ex-
pedient of removing the oxygen or air, the efficiency of
the process may be considerably increased; and marked
economies of precipitant and solvent will result. In
hundreds of plants this had been done unconsciously for
many years. In other cases operators were wondering
why their results were so erratic, why their costs were so
high. In the absence of a sound foundation of funda-
mental principle the industry has muddled along, avoid-
ing a definite line of research, and content with the
empirical results of the uneneouraged and unpaid efforts
at improvement carried out in odd moments by zealous
though inexperienced investigators, whose work was too
often condemned by so-called practical men as an effort
to 'get into the spotlight'. Had a real scientific investi-
gation been placed in charge of a capable research chem-
ist the industry would have been saved many millions of
dollars ; and waste, uncertainty, and the unnecessary ex-
penditure of time and money, much of which was alto-
gether unproductive and barren of result, or which
merely indicated the duplication of futile effort, would
have been avoided.
When there is a clear problem to be solved it is the
scientist who is best equipped with knowledge of what
has already been done, and who knows the particular
line of research that should be undertaken to solve it.
It was Humphry Davy, the scientist, who evolved the
miners' safety-lamp. It indicates a paucity of intelli-
gence to ignore what is owed to scientists, whose work
carries them above the plane of aggressiveness that in-
dustry is wont to admire in this age of notoriety. It
would be pitiable to belittle or discount the scientific side
of Davy's invention which, above all others, has con-
tributed to the safe working of that essential, coal. When
it was suggested that he should patent the safety-lamp
he refused, saying that wealth could not increase either
his fame or his happiness. This is the scientific spirit.
Another aspect of the matter demands consideration.
The decay in pure science and the attitude of disdain
that is being taken toward it by industry and commerce
is leading to a steady deterioration in the manner of
presentation of non-scientific data of vital importance.
With an almost entire elimination of pure science from
curricula has come a turgidity of exposition that is de-
plorable. It is the great scientist who teaches us not only
how to discover, but also to transmit the acquired knowl-
edge with a clarity and simple beauty of expression that
we all enjoy and envy. But this is merely an outward
and visible sign of the inward and scientific mind. So
long as science remains divorced from the resources and
help of industry so long will many great truths remain
hidden, and unsung in language befitting the achieve-
ment of their discovery. There may be no obvious prob-
lems to be solved but that fact constitutes no reason why
scientific investigation should be decried. We must ad-
mit the verdict that we are no judges ; we do not know
what scientific research and men of science could do for
us if ample opportunities were afforded for investiga-
tion. It is becoming more and more evident that the
prejudices against pure science prevent us from adding,
in an adequate manner, to the reserves of knowledge,
other than by adapting to present-day needs the dis-
coveries of the past. Other ground should be scientific-
ally prospected in all directions. Much of the work may
be barren of immediate result ; but an endeavor should be
made to prevent the economic waste that must inevitably
occur when reliance on new discoveries is placed on the
results of haphazard, hit-or-miss experimentation — often
from duplicated effort in rival organizations — carried on
without scientific guidance, and with no other object
than immediate commercial gain.
A scientist should be considered as a valuable asset to
any country, not as an individual of little practical worth,
because he is too costly an investment and because he
will not, and cannot, guarantee a return for money ex-
pended. It should be remembered that true scientific re-
search is never unproductive of good ; for one result, at
least, is to inculcate a thoroughness of analysis, a breadth
of view, and a clarity of deduction that is of inestimable
value to the worker, his employer, and the nation.
Achievement along new lines necessitates, as a pre-
liminary the abandonment of the present unreasoning
attitude toward pure science; we must reject the idea
that experimentation and research must be curtailed or
carried out along paths with a pre-determined end in
sight. Progress without true scientific research can only
be accidental. With it, who knows what the future may
have in store? The country that can afford to encourage
the scientific mind, and then place its greatest scientists
on research work in each phase of industry, with a free
hand as to the line of action to be taken, and with ample
resources, will find that commercial as well as intellectual
July 31, L920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
165
supremacy have been won. For few believe tliat the
world baa reached the zenith of great discovery.
Science needs and deserves encouragement, sympathy,
and facilities. It must be allowed to work in freedom
and without restraint. The provision of funds is not all
that is necessary; tor discovery is not an open book, to
be read by the passer-by. It must be approached by men
of keen analytical and dissective minds, men with ex-
perience, knowledge, perception, logic, and a capacity for
unlimited perseverance. Three essentials are needed:
the best men that can be found, ample resources, and
patience as to results. If progress is desired, then noth-
ing will be achieved by making research a means of
livelihood for mediocrities. The true inquiring scientific
spirit must be fostered in the first place, not discouraged
as at present, then allowed ample opportunity for devel-
opment. The greater the utilization of individual ability
and keen scientific sense the less the time needed to un-
cover the hidden truths that the world needs.
The Turnover of Labor
Records show that there are few, if any, industries in
which the turnover of labor is so large as in mining and
metallurgical operations. Some of the features of the
problem are discussed in a recent bulletin of the Federal
Board for Vocational Education. Labor turnover is of
import to employers chiefly because it costs money to
replace separations. Gross separations cannot be de-
pended upon to show the extent of harmful turnover, for
the reason that such separations include lay-offs which
ordinarily do not have to be replaced. The replaceable
separations constitute, therefore, the only practical meas-
urement of the extent of costly turnover.
The extent of labor turnover may be said to be a prac-
tical gauge for measuring the relative satisfactoriness of
employment policies, general wages, and labor conditions.
This is so because, aside from lay-offs, which by their very
nature call for no replacement and constitute, therefore,
no turnover, the two principal causes of turnover are dis-
charges and voluntary resignations. Practically speak-
ing, the extent of discharges indicates the relative ability
of the management to carefully select, train, and manage
its help. The relative frequency of resignations indicates
in a practical manner the relative satisfactoriness of the
lsbor and wage conditions in the establishment. Wage-
earners whose principal source of livelihood is their daily
job resign only when they are, for some reason or other,
dissatisfied with their work and can, or think they can,
obtain better positions. Labor turnover represents a
definite, though not easily calculable, economic loss to the
employer. The principal items entering into this loss
are: (1) the clerical cost incident to firing and replace-
ment; (2) the cost of training newly hired employees;
(3) the wastage, breakage, etc., attributable directly to
|inexperience ; (4) the maintenance of idle machinery and
quipment while seperations are being replaced; (5) the
leerease in the general efficiency in the organization due
o the constant state of flux in the working force; and
(6) the tendency on the part, of new employees to in-
ereii.se the frequency and severity of accidents.
Turnover in an organization docs not take place in an
equal degree throughout. Some parts, such as, for in-
stance, departments employing large numbers of new
employees or casual workers without skill, usually have
large turnover ; others, employing, for instance, handy
men with longer records of service, might have a medium
turnover; while still others, such as those concerned with
maintenance and employing old skilled mechanics, may
be almost stationary.
The methods used in the computation of turnover will
vary, of course, with the meaning of the term. If by
labor turnover is meant, as in business, the general turn-
over of men. — accessions as well as separations — or the
labor flux — the extent of turnover will be measured by
the ratio which the aggregate of accessions (hirings and
re-hirings) and gross separations (discharges, resigna-
tions, deaths, marriages, etc.) will bear to the working
force during a certain period, usually one full year.
Some employment men see their turnover wholly in ac-
cessions or hirings, in which case the turnover is meas-
ured by the ratio of accessions to the working force.
Others, however, think that gross separations constitute
the best method for measuring turnover. In such a ease
the turnover extent is measured by the ratio of gross
separations during the period to the working force. The
various policies bearing upon the extent of the labor
turnover in the working force may roughly be classified
into two main groups: (1) methods of hiring, placement,
and discharging, and (2) methods of reducing voluntary
separations. The latter group may further be subdivided
into: (a) wage policies and wage changes ; (&) conditions
of employment; and (c) agencies for the adjustment of
grievances.
'Industrial medicine' is one of the most potent means
of promoting efficiency of labor and has application to
every branch of mining operations, according to Arthur
L. Murray of the U. S. Bureau of Mines. In the selec-
tion and planning of camp-sites, the sanitary engineer is
indispensable in determining adequate water supplies;
methods of drainage including proper disposal of sewage ;
suitable housing arrangements as regards light, ventila-
tion, and overcrowding ; and provisions for the disposal
of refuse and waste. In the selection of labor industrial
medicine plays an important part. By careful study of
working conditions, and the correction of conditions and
causes leading to accidents and illness, much needless
time loss may be eliminated. Through sanitation applied
to mining camps or towns and the safeguarding of the
conditions under which employees live, the general health
of the community is promoted. Through medical wel- ,
fare-work, especially by popular instruction in personal
and public hygiene, much sickness with its resultant suf-
fering and time loss may be prevented.
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 1920, 912,750
gold coins, 128,728,400 silver, and 603,942 minor coins
were made by the U. S. Mint.
166
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC P^ESS
July 31. 1920
The Work on Mineral Resources Done by the
United States Geological Survey
By EDSON S. BASTIN and H. D. McCASKEY
*The United States Geological Survey has been charged
by Congress with many duties, but one of the most im-
portant is that of making an inventory of the country's
mineral wealth as utilized in the industries. Considered
in connection with this duty, the Survey may be de-
scribed as an accountant whose task it is to know where
the valuable mineral deposits of the United States are
situated; what, if anything, they are contributing year
by year or month by month to the economic life of the
country ; and, in a general way, what they may be count-
ed upon to contribute in future years.
The mineral investigations of the Geological Survey
fall naturally into three major groups. Those of one
group, conducted by the division of geolog}', consist of
the study, interpretation, and mapping of the geology of
particular districts, of the discovery of mineral deposits,
of the determination of their approximate magnitude and
their suitability for industrial uses, and of the study of
the natural conditions or processes that control their
formation or that limit their development or extent. The
mineral investigations of a second group, conducted by
the division of mineral resources, consist in compiling a
continuing statistical record of the mineral production
of the country and in reporting new sources of minerals
or new methods of their utilization. "Within recent years
a third group of the mineral investigations of the Geolog-
ical Survey has consisted in the classification of the pub-
lie lands with respect to their content of mineral wealth.
This work finds immediate application in controlling the
conditions under which such lands may be sold, leased, or
utilized, but it has increased the knowledge of the coun-
try's mineral reserves, especially of those that are little
developed or not developed at all.
The year 1918 was the thirty-seventh year of consecu-
tive compilation of mineral statistics by the United States
Geological Survey, and many of those who have con-
tributed to the succeess of this work or have been bene-
fited by it may welcome the-following brief story of its
development and its scope.
The first annual report of the Geological Survey on the
country's mineral resources was that for the year 1882.
It was specifically authorized by an act passed at the
first session of the Forty-seventh Congress, and it was
•compiled under instructions issued August 5, 1882, by
Maj. J. "W. Powell, who had succeeded Clarence King as
Director of the Geological Survey. Since then a system-
atic annual canvass of the mines, quarries, and oil and
gas wells of the country has been made by a regularly
organized division of the Survey, for many years known
*To be published in 'Mineral Resources', 1918. Part I.
as the 'division of mining statistics and technology', later
as the ' division of mining and mineral resources', and in
more recent years as the 'division of mineral resources'.
The first geologist in charge of the division was Albert
"Williams, Jr., and he had among his associates Charles
G. Yale, in charge of the Pacific division and then editor
of the 'Mining and Scientific Press', of San Francisco.
Mr. Yale is still in charge of the San Francisco office of
the Survey and probably is acquainted with more mining
men on the Pacific Coast than any other man. Among
other associates was David T. Day, who succeeded Mr.
"Williams in charge of the work in 1886 and remained as
geologist in charge until 1907, when he was succeeded by
one of the division staff, Edward "W. Parker, who re-
mained statistician in charge until his resignation from
the Survey in 1915. Mr. Parker was in turn succeeded
by his principal associate, H. D. McCaskey, who relieved
him early in 1915 and continued as geologist in charge of
the division until January 3, 1919, when he was relieved
by Edson S. Bastin, the present geologist in charge. Dur-
ing the 37 years covered by this work, from late in 1882
to the end of 1919, the Survey has had only three direc-
tors, namely, J. W. Powell, Charles D. "Walcott, and
George Otis Smith ; and the division has had only the five
chiefs named above. This long-continued service has
made for continuity of effort and for maintenance of
worthy tradition and of esprit de corps, and as each ad-
ministrative chief has been succeeded by a former asso-
ciate the whole work has been marked by continuous and
consistent growth.
It is interesting to recall, however, that the 'organic
act' of the Survey — the act upon which the organization
of the Geological Survey was laid out by the first Di-
rector, Clarence King, in 1880 — provided for investiga-
tions of the country's mineral resources, and in the census
for that year well-known geologists of the Survey, includ-
ing S. F. Emmons, George F. Becker, and Raphael
Pumpelly, assisted Mr. King in the first systematic sta-
tistical investigation of the mineral production of the
United States. These men, with Henry Gannett and
"Whitman Cross, also of the early Survey staff, assisted
in compiling the first report of the series now entitled]
'Mineral Resources of the United States'.
The Geological Survey has directly and notably aideci
in the statistical canvass of mines and quarries in th<
four censuses taken since its organization — those fo:i
1880, 1890, 1900, and 1910— and is now preparing to co
operate in the census for 1920. In the mineral census fo
1880, conducted by the Survey at the request of th,
Census Bureau, the method of obtaining returns directly
July 31, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
m
from producers was tirst pul into practice in a broad way.
Cordial and effective relatione with the entire mineral
industry were then established by the Survey and have
since been continued and widened.
After tin statistical work was begun by Mr. Williams
and during much of Dr. Day's administration a central
>ta(T in the Survey maintained current lists of mineral
producers, sent out schedules, and compiled and tabu-
lated the returns received, but many of the chapters were
written on a contract or for an honorarium by specialists
not on the permanent staff of the Survey and not resid-
ing in Washington, who gave only a part of their time to
the work. In this way the Survey availed itself of the ex-
perience and knowledge of experts like John Birkinbine,
as to iron ; Charles Kirchoff, as to copper, lead, and zinc ;
and George F. Kunz, as to gems and precious stones.
During the early part of this period, also, when the Sur-
vey's central force was small and when it was employing
specialists who were engaged principally in other occupa-
tions and were not in constant touch with the statistical
w oik. it was not always practicable to make the canvasses
as complete as they were made in the first year (1880)
and as they were again made in later years; but though
some loss was thus suffered, some gain was made by the
earlier publication of results.
To keep more closely in touch with the rapidly develop-
ing mineral industries and to cover every phase of eco-
nomic and mining geology it was finally determined to
revert, to the plan of making a comprehensive and de-
tailed statistical campaign in every mineral industry,
similar to that made by the Survey for the census of 1880
but on a much larger scale. It was arranged to develop
specialists from the economic geologists and trained engi-
neers and statisticians of the permanent staff of the Sur-
vey and to re-establish permanent Western offices. Walde-
niiir Lindgren undertook the reorganization of the work
on metals and really became successor to Clarence King
in directing the investigation, both geologic and statis-
tical, of the precious metals, of copper, lead, and zinc, and
of the rare metals. He organized the Survey's offices in
Denver, Salt Lake City, and San Francisco and brought
them into close contact with the metal-mining industries,
except the iron industry. About this time Mr. Parker
succeeded Dr. Day in charge of the mineral statistical
work. With the appointment of selected specialists from
the Survey staff for every commodity and with several
accessions to the trained statistical and clerical staff, the
statistical work was made more complete and accurate
and was supplemented by field-work done by trained
economic geologists. Thus we find the organization to-
day, with some changes in personnel, bringing to its task
the strength gained by the continued development of
methods and of men and by intimate professional con-
tact with the mining industry during a period of nearly
■10 years.
From 1880 to the end of 1918 the value of the mineral
production of the United States has increased from $367,-
000,000 to more than $5,500,000,000, nearly 15 times, or,
measured in another way, from a little over $7 per capita
to more than $52. The funds ahVfted for measuring this
production have increased from $10,000 in 1890 to $100,-
000 in the year 1918-19, or only 10 li s. The staff in
L918 numbered 32 technically trained si ialists, most of
them geologists and mining engineers, of whom 12 de-
voted their entire time to the mineral statistical work and
tie- remainder devoted some of their time to geologic
studies. In addition. 4:i stenographers and clerks, many
of them highly trained in statistical work, were employed
for full time.
As the statistical work has grown in magnitude it has
tended to absorb a larger and larger share of the time of
specialists who were expected to devote oidy part of their
time to it. Many geologists who have enjoyed the 'touch
with the practical' which the work on mineral resources
affords have found themselves forced by the growth of
the mineral industries to devote their full time to the
work and to abandon their chosen scientific labors. This
condition has greatly retarded the geologic work of these
members of the Survey, who have been unable to finish
extensive and important Held investigations. Recently a
remedy for this condition has been sought in the selection
for work on mineral resources of persons willing to de-
vote their entire time to it, and the new grade of 'min-
eral geographer', established early in 1919, is designed to
furnish, through the civil-service .system, eligibles for this
work.
The field covered by the intimately interlocking activ-
ities of the Survey in the investigation of the mineral re-
sources of the United States now includes every known
raw mineral product and commodity of economic value
and anticipates future development by including some
rocks and minerals that are of no present economic value
but that may be valuable in the future. The Survey's
lists of mineral operators now contain more than 110,000
names and addresses, including operators of mines, quar-
ries, wells, mills, smelters, and refineries, all of whom are
in direct touch with the Survey, not only supplying in-
formation, but also receiving it- The work has received
international recognition as the most complete govern-
mental investigation of mineral industries yet made, and
Congress has repeatedly given it approval and the sub-
stantial recognition of increased, though still inadequate,
funds and facilities.
In all its investigations of mineral resources the Survey
has aimed to avoid duplication of work by co-operating as
closely as practicable with other Federal bureaus and
offices, particularly with those that are doing statistical
work or that are especially interested in mineral sta-
tistics, such as the bureaus of mines, standards, and for-
eign and domestic commerce, and the Mint. Many trade-
bodies and 18 State organizations also co-operate with the
Survey in work on mineral statistics, and co-operation
will be extended to other States as rapidly as they make
funds or facilities available for their -share of the work.
The Geological Survey recognizes, too, that a statistical
service organized for the benefit of the? mineral industries
should impose no unnecessary burdens upon those in-
dustries and has therefore avoided the unnecessary multi-
plication of requests for the same data.
At the beginning of the war in Europe in 1914 the
168
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 31, 1920
Survey, as it had compiled a mass of data on domestic
mineral resources and some on foreign resources, and
was in intimate contact with all branches of the mineral
industries, was able to furnish the public with much in-
formation relating to the raw materials needed to fill
orders for war material from Europe. The rapid in-
crease in the number of inquiries made during the War
showed the usefulness of the work performed. Little has
been published concerning the great and highly diversi-
fied war work of the Geological Survey, which extended
through many mineral industries and through all the
Federal departments, for it has been held throughout the
Survey that this work was a privilege not to be cheapened
for self-glorification or loudly exploited as an exhibition
of patriotism. Now that the War is over, the Survey's
work in it may be more freely mentioned, and, in justice
to the men who aided in it, an account of it should form a
part of every complete record of the participation of the
United States in the War.
When the United States entered the War the Survey
was immediately called upon to assist the War and Navy
departments and many new war boards, especially the
Council of National Defense, the War Industries Board,
the War Trade Board, the Shipping Board, and the Capi-
tal Issues Committee, in their rapidly expanding war
activities. With no increase in appropriation and, for
most subjects or materials, no increase in technical or
clerical staff, the statistics of several mineral resources
were collected not annually, as before, but quarterly,
monthly, or even weekly. This expansion was made pos-
sible only through the complete sacrifice of all the purely
scientific work that had before occupied a part of the time
of most of the mineral-resources specialists and through
longer hours of more strenuous labor by the specialists
and clerks.
The Survey furnished rooms and other facilities for
mineral committees of the War Industries, War Trade,
and Shipping boards and for the interdepartmental Joint
Information Board on Minerals and Derivatives, ad-
jacent to its own specialists and records, and thus and in
other ways aided the numerous war organizations in find-
ing their way to effective work. By establishing this
intimate contact with the organizations that needed in-
formation concerning minerals, comparable to its inti-
mate contact for many years with the industries that sup-
ply the information, the Survey had a unique opportun-
ity to be of larger use — an oppartunity of which it gladly
availed itself to the limit of its ability.
The experience gained by the Survey during the War
and the growth of the demaud for mineral-statistics have
shown the need of expanding this work so that it may in-
clude the preparation of more detailed and frequent cur-
rent domestic statistics and more exhaustive research into
foreign mineral resources. To adapt the organization to
its changing responsibilities the Director of the Survey
provided for a larger service, effective at the beginning
of 1919. The most noteworthy part of this provision,
perhaps, has been the establishment within the division of
mineral resources of a section of foreign mineral deposits,
charged with the assembling, mainly from the official re-
ports of foreign governments, of statistics of mineral pro-
duction, imports, and exports and with the compilation,
from both public and private sourees, of information
showing the location and size of foreign mineral deposits,
particularly those that contribute to our own mineral im-
ports or that compete with our mineral exports. The
interest and co-operation of some large American com-
panies that are interested in foreign mineral deposits
have already been enlisted in this great work, but as only
a small fund and personnel are available for its prose-
cution it has merely been begun. In the work on both
foreign and domestic mineral resources the Geological
Survey needs the continued and increased support of the
public and of Congress that it may go fwward confident-
ly to larger and more effective service.
The World's Production of Gold
The United States Geological Survey has given out
some preliminary figures showing the production of gold
throughout the world in 1919. The production in the
United States was $58,285.196 ; Canada is reported to
have produced $14,687,000; India $10,028,000; Aus-
tralia (not including New Zealand or the Islands), $29,-
268.000; the Transvaal, $171,640,123; Rhodesia and
West Africa, $18,631,070. There was a probably large
decrease in the production of gold in Russia and Siberia
in 1919. Some increase was probably made in the output
of Central America and South America, which, however,
was doubtless offset by decreases in the output of other
countries. The incomplete returns now available indi-
cate that the world's production of gold in 1919 was be-
tween $345,000,000 and $350,000,000. The world's pro-
duction in 1918 amounted to $380,924,500. The Geo-
logical Survey further states that information received
during the first six months of 1920 indicates a still fur-
ther decrease in the production of gold in the United
States and that the output for the year will probably be
less than $50,000,000. The production in Alaska, Colo-
rado, California, Oregon, and Montana will be much less
in 1920 than it was in 1919. because water is very short
for placer mining and many stamp-mills are closed.
Canada as a whole may increase its output, although the
production of the Yukon districts will be smaller than
last year. The output of Russia cannot be estimated.
That of Australia will show a decrease. That of South
Africa and South America will probably show no radical
decrease. According to the Geological Survey, the indi-
cations are that the decrease in the world's production of
gold in 1920 will not be so great as it was in 1919. [Our
estimate of the world's output of gold in 1919 was $350,-
044,489, as given in our issue of May 8, 1920. — Editor.]
Between January 1 and March 31, 1920, inclusive,
4899 flasks of quicksilver, each of 75 R>. net, was pro-
duced in the United States. This is 852 flasks less than
the output in the fourth quarter of 1919 and 1226 flasks
less than that in the first quarter of 1919.
i
k
July 31. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
169
R E M I E
IMING
.*T^
FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS IN THE FIELD
iiiiuimiimiumiimiHiitmiuniwttiiiiiiimMMiniiuiiiiiiiaiwiwiiwiiiinnniunim urn iiitiiiiinii i mum < miimiiiiiimiimm mmjmmmmHUNiniummtmimmimmiiHiiiHHmimtii hi
ARIZONA
VALUATION OF MINING PROPERTY IN THE STATE.
Phoenix. — The State Tax Commission lias announced
the valuation of Arizona minea as $389,029,919, which is
$25,000,000 less than the valuation for 1919. Five new
properties put a half million dollars valuation on the
books this year, but the reduced total is due to the large
number of small mines which have closed down, owing to
the condition of the copper market, and to the fact that
many of the large properties were working only at 35 to
60% of full capacity. It is interesting to note from the
statement of the Tax Commission that there are at pres-
ent 43 producing mines in the State of Arizona.
The highest valuation placed on any property was that
of the Copper Queen branch of the Phelps Dodge Cor-
poration, which amounted to $65,394,204, being an in-
crease over the 1919 figures, of nearly two millions. The
Inspiration property in the Globe-Miami district was
assessed at $65,372,690, being a reduction of almost eight
millions from the 1919 valuation. The Calumet & Ari-
zona Mining Co. 's valuation was increased approximately
two millions over last year, while the figures for the
United Verde Copper Co., and United Verde Extension
Mining Co. show a decrease of $3,800,000, and $2,400,-
000, respectively, from the 1319 assessment.
Bisbee. — It is anticipated that the new 4000-ton mill
for handling the concentrating ore of Sacramento hill
will be completed early next year. Rapid progress has
been made in removal of waste capping over the orebodies
and it is estimated that when production commences,
early in 1921, approximately 6,167,000 cu. yd. will have
been removed; 71% of the waste stripping necessary be-
fore ore production starts was complete at the end of last
April.
The ventilating shaft, being sunk by the Calumet &
Arizona Mining Co. below its Briggs shaft, is going down
at a remarkable rate. The log during the last week show-
ed an average of 10 ft. per day or 70 ft. for the week.
The shaft has now reached a depth of approximately 385
ft. An aftermath of the 'Bisbee Deportation' cases was
the recent issuance of summons from the Superior Court
at Tombstone in 37 civil cases, complaints in which were
filed a year ago, and which arose from the deportation of
July 1917. With the issuance of these summons there
are now more than 500 civil cases pending, the amounts
claimed for damages ranging from $10,000 to $75,000.
Taking $25,000 as an average elaim, the total amount
claimed would be in tlic neighborhood of $12,500,000.
The defendants in the last :'>7 rases filed include all the
large mining companies in I he Bisbee-Warfen district, as
well as a number of prominent citizens.
Jerome. — As previously announced, the plant of the
Jerome-Superior Copper Co., near the Hopewell tunnel,
is being electrified throughout Tliis means the installa-
tion of thousands of dollars worth of new machinery and
the removal of much of the present steam plant. There
are at present 57 men on the payroll, not including the
electrician and crew of five men imported from Preseott
who will do the electrical work under contract. The
depth of the shaft is approximately 860 ft. and steady
progress is being made in sinking, despite the great
volume of water. Quartz porphyry is the formation in
which the shaft is bottomed. It is the present intention
to sink to a depth of at least 1000 ft. before doing any
more lateral work, and if indications are not satisfactory
at that level sinking will continue as the plant is capable
of carrying the shaft down to 2000 ft. if necessary. The
pumps are lifting an average of 160,000 gal. every 24
hours. The flow is steadily increasing as the shaft gains
depth, due no doubt to the big sheared zone. A big pump
for installation on the 1000-ft. level, or above, if needed,
is already on the ground. Machinery for a water-soften-
ing and cooling plant is at Clarkdale and will be hauled
out to the Jerome-Superior at once. This plant will take
most of the lime out of the water and thus greatly im-
prove it for domestic and other purposes.
The latest report from the Shea Copper Co. advises
that the tunnel has attained a length of slightly more
than 100 ft., and that work is progressing favorably. The
tunnel is now 280 ft. from the shaft and a raise will he
started at once, in order to cut the orebody.
One of the most spectacular fires ever seen in the
Jerome district, occurred the latter part of this week
when the old coke-bins of the United Verde Copper Co.
were destroyed by fire, supposedly caused by cinders
from a passing engine. Simultaneously the pipe, leading
from the oil-tanks opposite the bins, broke and some 5000
gal. of fuel-oil added to the fire. No. 3 power-house
stands close to the site of the bins and this structure was
in serious danger more than once, but was saved by good
work on the part of the mine fire-fighting crew.
H. P. Henderson, consulting engineer for the Jerome-
Verde Co. recently issued a report on conditions at the
mine in which the necessity for re-financing the company
is urged. It is recommended that development work be
170
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 31, 1920
continued on the 1200-ft. level of the Main Top orebody,
which has already produced over $157,000. Under date
of March 12 a report was submitted to stockholders call-
ing attention to the condition of the mine, the desirability
of continued development, the financial condition of the
compauy, and the immediate need of additional operating
funds. Mr. Henderson advises that "complete cessation
of operations would result in much damage through flood-
ing of the workings and caving. Therefore to ensure the
continuance of operations and to safeguard their own
interests, the stockholders must act without delay".
Superior. — A road is being constructed between Su-
perior and Miami, the completion of which will shorten
the distance between Phoenix and Miami by about 25
miles. One of the novel features will be the driving of
two tunnels, one 240 ft. in length, and the other 270 ft.
Work will be commenced from both ends of each tunnel,
thus providing labor for four crews. In certain sections
the cost will approximate $250,000 per mile, on account
of the heavy construction.
COLORADO
CANADIAN SYNDICATE TO OPERATE AT IDAHO SPRINGS.
Idaho Springs. — A Canadian syndicate has taken over
the Gem and Silver Age mines in Clear Creek. Re-tim-
bering of the Gem shaft has commenced and equipment
ordered. The development will start on the Silver Age.
Ben McDougal is in charge of operations with R. B. Lamb
as consulting engineer. W. E. Renshaw of Idaho Springs
is president of the mining syndicate, Sir Henry M. Pollatt
of Toronto, president of the Mining Corporation of
Canada, is chairman of the board of directors.
Aspen. — Unwatering of the Smuggler mine b}7 air-lifts
is progressing and a gain of three feet daily is reported.
More lifts will be used when additional power is secured.
As levels are recovered the ground will be operated either
by the leasing company or by sub-lessees. All levels down
to the ninth are said to have silver-lead ore exposed that
will pay well at present prices. Other properties on
Smuggler mounlain will become active when the Smugr
gler is unwatered.
Silverton. — The Martin Mining & Power Co. is pre-
paring to resume on its properties the Golden Fleece,
Gold Lion, Jennie R., and Tom Moore in the Picayune
basin near Eureka in the San Juan. Samuel G. Martin
nl' New York, formerly of Aspen, is now in Denver pur-
chasing machinery and equipment.
Breckenridge. — G. W. Morgan lessee of the Brooks-
Snyder on Shock hill has opened up a vein containing six
inches of chloride ore sampling between 300 and 100 oz.
silver per ton. A sacked shipment will be sent forward
to the A. V. smelter at Leadville, this week. The Quandry
Queen is shipping high-grade silver-lead ore. Three feet
of the six-foot vein has a high silver content. Wellington
Mines continues shipping zinc concentrate and last week
loaded out four cars of lead concentrate, the first lead
shipped for several months. The company, like others, is
working short-handed.
The Dianthia property has been taken under lease and
a cross-cut tunnel has been started to cut the vein below
the present workings that, when operated last year, pro-
duced light tonnage of high-grade ore.
An electric hoist has been installed at the Deep shaft,
Shock hill, and power will be turned on by the Colorado
Power Co. as soon as the power-line can be connected. A
pumping plant, electrically operated, will also be in-
stalled. Water is standing at the 300-ft. level, where
work will start.
Leadville. — The Penrose shaft of the Down Town
Mines continues heavy production of silver-iron ore and
lead carbonate to the Pneblo and Durango smelters and
zinc carbonate to the Western Zinc Oxide Co. 's Leadville
plant. Improvements to the District mill are progressing.
New machinery is being installed and ore handling facili-
ties added. The mill will treat ore from the C. and G.
lease, of which John Cortellini is manager, and it is esti-
mated the lease will keep the mill running at a capacity
of 150 tons per day.
Boulder. — The Keystone mill is again in operation and
stopes and dumps at the Keystone mine have thus far
furnished ore for tests, in which flotation is first used in
the treatment, while concentration later is used on the
tailing and slime. Preliminary runs are reported to show
greatly increased saving but the light gold content in the
Keystone ore, it is said, has so far not been rccvecd.
MICHIGAN
kranklin company levies assessment.
Houghton. — Production in refined copper by the Calu-
met & Heela mines shows an increase for June of 219.068
lb. The output for June follows: Calumet & Hecla,
5,097,594; Ahme.-k. 1,773,200; Isle Royale, 878,508; Al-
louez, 333,800: Osceola, 661,500; Centennial. 86,000;
White Pine, 160,077; Superior, 32,000; total, 9,022,877.
The May production for Calumet was 4,920,786 ; Ahmeek,
1,652,900; Isle Royale, 851,200; Allouez. 367,100;
Osceola, 739,500; Centennial, 65,100; White Pine, 184,-
625; LaSalle. 22.600: total, 8,803,811. The production
of Calumet in June included 1,279,491 lb. of copper re-
covered by the reclamation-plant. Calumet & Hecla has
begun work on an order for 1500 tons of copper for
France and a consignment of 500 tons left here recently
for Montreal for trans-shipment to European markets.
A steamer is expected this week and will take out 1600
tons for Eastern markets, chiefly Buffalo. The metal for
France is special-order copper, consisting of billets and
wire bars.
The Franklin Mining Co. announces that financial and
operating conditions compel the calling of an assessment
of $2 per share, due August 12 by shareholders of record
August 11. Tlii- company's announcement says: ''The
mine must be kept free of water and the plaut in condi-
tion to resume operations because the recent underground
developments warrant the resumption of production as
soon as normal conditions again prevail in the copper in-
dustry. Our bankers say the cost of this should be car-
Julv 31, li'-'n
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
171
ried by stockholders, which cannot weU be denied. De-
velopments since the first of the year have proved a long
stretch iti.'iii i'i. of good ground al the bottom of the
:i!'th level on the Pewabic amygdaloid. It is undoubtedly
better than any similar ground heretofore opened. There
are excellent reasons for the belief that the ore will
continue and probably improve as drifting proceeds
north. This theory is corroborated by the fact that the
30th level is better at 1600 ft. than it is at 600. It costs
but little more to continue this development a the bottom
of the mine than it does simply to provide for the abso-
lutely necessary pumping; consequently, development
there should proceed while the price of copper is low.
as every Eoot of new ground opened will be a big asset
when production is resumed."
Mayflower-Old Colony has opened a good quality of
ground in its south drift since the work was resumed in
this direction. The raise in the west cross-cut also has
started and is breasted in trap formation. There is a
hope that this opening will encounter the Mayflower lode
as it proceeds upward and, in this event, the develop-
ment of the vein will be possible with less difficulty. To
the north, the eross-eut continues in tin' conglomerate
lode, the same formation that was entered by the eross-
eut 140 ft. farther west, and 320 ft. from the shaft. Alto-
gether Mayflower has close to 1000 ft. of openings on the
1700-ft. level and it may be that an equal amount of
exploration will be necessary before the work on this level
is complete.
The employees of Allouez and Centennial have been
absorbed by Ahnieek and Kearsarge. principally, while a
few have been given positions in the Calumet conglom-
erate and at the C. & H. mills. The result will be an
increase in tonnage for Ahmeek, Kearsarge, and Calumet
proper, in July or until the two mines resume. Both
mines are maintaining substantial crews for repair work.
so when the time comes to re-open there will be no delay.
The Calumet & Hecla company reports that from 20 to
25 former employees are returning each week from the
automobile manufacturing centres, and whenever possi-
ble they are being given their old positions. Other work-
men also are finding their way north, so the mines are
gaining slightly in man-power. To offset the number
who are returning, other miners and trammers who own
farms are going back to complete the harvest, but in
the fall they will return to the mines. In connection with
the efforts of the mining companies to hold their workers,
no operator, perhaps, has introduced such successful
methods as Calumet & Hecla. Among other innovations,
the company this year plowed and harrowed three im-
mense tracts of land and turned them over to employees
without cost to them. Practically every inch of the
ground has been converted into garden space and at any
hour of the day hundreds of men, women, and children
can be seen at work on their miniature farms. The re-
sult will be a considerable saving to the employees, for
many of them market the products that are in excess of
what they require for themselves.
Calumet is speeding up the dismantling of the old
Tamarack mill and as booh as the site is cleared, the
erection of the leachjng-plant will begin. At the Tam-
arack mine No. :; hoist still is being dismantled ami as
rapidly as the parts arrive at Isle Royale the machinery
is being set up in No. ■"> engine-house. A delay has been
noted in the shipment of steel for the addition to the
Calumet flotation-plant, hut delivery is expected before
the end of the month.
No. 4 shaft. Wolverine, has been re-opened after a
suspension of about 20 days, and shipments are divided
A PACK-TRAIN GOING TO SII.VERTON, COLORADO
between this and No. 3 shaft. The Wolverine rock is
still stamped in the Mohawk mill, however, with about
14 heads allotted to Wolverine. In the meantime the
bins in the Wolverine mill are being overhauled. The
suspension of work in the shaft was necessary in order to
remove the old concrete supports and install timber, on
the 26th, 27th, and 28th levels. In practically every
mine on the lake, concrete pillars are being discarded
and there is little likelihood that anything other than
timber ever will be used again. The concrete experiment
has cost the Lake Superior mines hundreds of thousands
of dollars, hut practically every mine manager has been
convinced that a cement composition cannot withstand
the constant shifting of the ground. With every earth
movement the concrete cracks or crumbles and unless it
is removed at once it invariably becomes a menace to the
safety of the employees.
172
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 31, 1920
MONTANA
GOLDSMITH MINE IS PRODUCING.
Wickes. — The Mount Washington mine is again ship-
ping ore. Work on the mill has heen delayed by the diffi-
culty in getting the needed material.
Walkerville. — The Crystal Copper Co. operating the
Goldsmith mine is now shipping 100 tons of silver-gold
ore per week ; 50 men are employed. The ore is from de-
velopment work on the 500-ft. level and from stopes on
the 600-ft. level. New ore-bins have been constructed.
A railroad spur has been extended to the property to
eliminate the use of haulage by team. M. W. Anderson
is in charge.
Butte. — Butte & Superior produced during June
S,250,000 lb. of zinc concentrate compared with 5,900,000
lb. for the month of May. North Butte produced 1,616,-
822 lb. of copper in June. Indications for July are that
the 2,000,000-lb. mark will be exceeded. Development
work continues to centralize on the Edith May vein on
the 3600-ft. level. Cross-cutting toward this orebody is
well under way.
Townsend. — A 2000-ft. development tunnel has been
completed at the Iron Mask mine in search of a high-
grade lead orebody. A 100-ft. drift is now being driven
at an angle to this tunnel which it is expected will cut the
mineral zone.
Cooke City. — Work on the road to Gardiner is well
under way with a crew of 10 men and engineers. It is
planned to finish some rock construction at the Gardiner
end of the highway during the coming winter.
Helena. — Messrs. Johnson, Gerald, and Weisner have
taken a lease on the Sunset mine in the Lump Gulch dis-
trict. Pay-ore is expected at a depth of 100 ft. where 45
ft. of cross-cutting to the south should reach the main
vein. Surface work has indicated rich silver ore.
NEVADA
TONOPAH-BELMONT WILL EE-TREAT TAILING AT MILLERS.
Beowawe. — Machinery and supplies are being hauled
to the Cortez, on the Lander-Eureka county line, 35 miles
south of here. The Arctic, or lower tunnel, 3000 ft.
distant and 300 ft. lower than the 3700-ft. Garrison, or
main tunnel of the old workings, has been put in condi-
tion for continuing it 600 to 800 ft. The present length
is 1400 ft. All of the old machinery at the mine is worth-
less and an entire new plant has been bought. The Arctic
is a double-tracked cross-cut tunnel and by continuing it
the extension of ore in a winze from the Garrison tunnel
can be opened. Practically all of the ore in the mine is
in this winze. It is estimated that 75,000 ft. of work, ex-
clusive of stoping, was done in the Garrison, Premium,
Fitzgerald, and Arctic claims by the former owners.
These claims were developed by raises from the main-
tunnel level. The ore contains gold, silver, and lead. The
gold is native or is associated with iron pyrite, the lead
is found as galena and the silver is in the form of horn-
silver or silver glance. The ore in the winze and in the
dumps is estimated to have a recoverable value of $1,737,-
000.
Sunshine. — Gold-silver-eopper ore is being shipped
from the Sunshine district, 17 miles south of Winne-
mucca, by the Sunshine Mines Co. The ore is in fissure
veins in limestone that contain silver sulphide in quartz.
A tunnel is being driven with power-drills to cut these
veins under the present workings.
Virginia City. — Seams of quartz 6 in. to 3 ft. wide and
assaying as high as $12 are being cut in a 400-f t. cross-cut
from the 550-ft. shaft of the Comstoek Silver, operatkig
on the Brunswick lode in the south-eastern part of the
district. The company owns four elaims and has a lease
on adjoining ground. The objective of the cross-cut is the
Occidental fissure, in which little work has been done.
The same management is to start work on the Comstoek
Phoenix, in the Sixmile canyon part of the district. The
Comstoek Phoenix has produced $400,000 to the 550-ft.
level. The shaft is 550 ft. deep and a winze from the
bottom level reaches 800 ft. The company will re-open
and prospect further from the bottom of the winze and
will continue sinking to 1200 feet.
Tonopah. — The Belmont mill at Millers is to be re-
opened to re-treat the tailing. The plant has been closed
for more than five years, or since the mill of the company
in Tonopah was started. It is reported that a process has
been devised by Albert Siler, metallurgist for the com-
pany, by which the material can be treated at a profit.
It is understood that the Toaopah Mining Co. made an un-
successful attempt to treat the tailing at the Millers plant
of that company before it was closed three years ago.
Austin. — Hubert W. Rast is preparing to start ship-
ping ochre from a mine owned by him near Walters sta-
tion on the Nevada Central railroad. Rast says a San
Francisco paint company has closed a contract with him,
agreeing to pay $35 per ton f.o.b. Walters station.
Osceola. — Silver-lead ore richer than the low-grade
material found heretofore has been opened in a raise from
a 145-ft. cross-cut on the 100-ft. level of the Lucky Boy,
near Osceola, 46 miles south-east of Ely. There is enough
ore in the shaft workings and a 350-ft. tunnel, with 700
tons of $20 ore on the dump, to justify the erection of a
100-ton concentrator, and a plant is now being built.
The mine machinery includes a hoist that can lift from
400 ft. and an air-compressor. The ore in the raise is a
sulphide in a granite pegmatite vein.
Black Mountain. — Ore assaying $75 in silver and lead
has been found 30 ft. from the portal of a tunnel being
driven by the Black Mountain Silver Mining Co. in the
Marietta district, 12 miles west of Belleville, in the south-
western part of Mineral county. A shallow shaft was
sunk in the Black vein, 20 ft. wide, and a 1-ft. seam of
ore assaying 150 to 200 oz. silver and 20% lead was open-
ed. The tunnel will cut this vein at a depth of 140 feet.
Montezuma. — The Montezuma Silver Mines Corpora-
tion has announced that the 400-f t. inclined Arizona shaft
is to be sunk to 1000 ft. A 34-hp. hoist and a 36-f t. head-
frame have been ordered for this work. Ore assaying
July 31, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
173
*2">0 in silver, lead, and •••>! per is being Backed for ship-
ment from ii 4 to 10 in. Beam on the 400 ft level. A 30-in.
n iilth assaying $16 to $35 also is being stoped on this level
and a carload shipment nf both grades is to be made. Tha
rich ore contains 12 to 14' , copper, $6 to $!• in gold, and
4',. /inc. Sinking of the 245-ft. Caracas shaft, 1 \ miles
from tin' Arizona, is to be resumed. Work is to be started
after an idleness of many years by the Washington Mon-
tezuma. This company has a 220-ft. sliaft on the claims.
Goldfieul- -Thr agreement lor the organization of the
Deep Mims 1ms been ratified by all of the companies in-
volved. Contrary to widely circulated reports, the pro-
proposed increases in rates for power furnished by the
Utah Tower & Light Co. to most of the corporations in
the State, including the mining companies. The Utah
Power & Light Co. was organized in 1!H2, and D. C.
Jackling was elected president, holding that, office until
January 1. 1920, when he resigned. Lafayette llanchett,
formerly general manager for the Boston Consolidated
Mining Co., which company was taken over by the Utah
Copper Co. in February 1910 was elected as successor to
Mr. Jackling. When the Power company was organized,
it took over a number of plants in Utah, Idaho, and Colo-
rado, and acquired several hydro-electric plant sites in
THE ANACONDA COMPANY S COMPRESSOR-PLANT AND VARIOUS MINES ON ANACONDA J] ILL
posed shaft of the Deep Mines has not been started and.
except that it will be on or near the Blue Bull claims, so
far as known a location for the shaft has not been select-
ed. J. B. Humphrey and 0. K. Reed, cattlemen, and
others are buying supplies to be used in sinking a shaft
near the Five to One tunnel. Humphrey and Reed have
offered to invest $10,000 in the Five to One, but their
offer was rejected, as the company has ample funds to
continue work. The tunnel is now nearly 500 ft. long.
Ore 3J ft. wide, containing some gold, has been found by
cross-cutting 60 ft. into the foot-wall of the vein in the
Red Hill lease on the Florence. The find was made a
short distance below the 400-ft. level. This is the only
shoot of high-grade ore exposed in the Florence at the
present time.
UTAH
MINING COMPANIES OPPOSE INCREASE IN POWER-RATES.
Salt Lake City. — Hearings have been conducted by
the Public Utilities Commission of Utah in the matter of
those States. The company entered into long-time agree-
ments for power service with practically all of the largest
industries in this State. As a result of these agreements,
several of the largest mining companies; it is alleged, dis-
continued operation of their own plants, or relinquished
opportunities that they had to acquire sites for hydro-
electric plants. Owing to the mounting costs of labor and
supplies, officials and attorneys of the Power company
claim that 60% of their power is being sold, at the pres-
ent time, for less than the cost of production. The min-
ing companies and other industries are opposing the pro-
posed heavy increased rates, on the ground that the Pub-
lic Utilities Commission cannot abrogate contracts enter-
ed into in good faith, and several of the largest companies
are preparing plans for power-plants of their own. Some
of the largest increases proposed for mining companies
holding special contracts are as follows, the figures given
being the amounts paid for power in 1919, and what the
contemplated rates, for the same period, would have
been : Spring Canyon Coal Co., $17,000 to $33,000 ; Chief
174
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 31, 1020
Consolidated Mining Co., $69,000 to $107,000; Judge
Mining & Smelting Co., $48,000 to $93,000 ; Silver King
Coalition Mines Co.. $38,000 to $83,000 ; Silver King Con-
solidated Mining Co., $10,000 to $17,000 ; Utah Consoli-
dated Mining Co., $41,000 to $76,000 ; Utah Copper Co.,
$667,000 to $1,515,000; American Smelting & Refining
Co., $29,000 to $44,000 ; United States Smelting Co., $52,-
000 to $116,000. On July 30, attorneys of both sides filed
written briefs with the Commission and commenced oral
arguments.
There is at present a great scarcity of metal miners in
the State, according to Carl A. Allen of the State In-
dustrial Commission. Mr. Allen believes that many m<=tal
miners have heard the call of the coal mines, especially
those of the Middle West, which are offering better wages
than those paid in the local metal mines. At the present
time Mr. Allen believes that many former metal miners
are hiring out as harvest hands, as many of the men con-
sider that the time spent in the fields is in the nature of a
vacation.
Park City. — Ore shipments from this camp for the
week ending July 17 totalled 2267 tons, as compared with
2094 tons for the previous Week. There are now eight
regular shippers. The Ontario shipped 725 tons ; Judge
M. & S., 432 tons; Silver King Coalition, 337 tons; Daly
"West, 241 tons ; Daly Mining, 101 tons ; Naildriver, 115
tons, and the Keystone, 110 tons. The Judge smelter
shipped 206 tons of premium spelter during the week.
Directors of the Glenallen property have levied an
assessment of one cent per share. For the past few weeks,
development work at the property has been at a stand-
still, and in order to secure the additional machinery to
equip the mill, it was necessary to levy the assessment.
James B. Allen states that there is considerable ore await-
ing the completion of the mill. On account of the high-
zinc content of the ore from this property, it does not pay
to ship direct to the smelter, notwithstanding the high
silver-load content. The work of driving the Spiro tun-
nel is going ahead at a good rate, two shifts per day now-
being employed. The raise in the tunnel is reported to
be advanced ">0 ft., with indications that ore will soon be
cut. The face of the tunnel is now in more than 12.000
ft. from the portal.
Conditions at the Ontario mine are promising, accord-
ing to Clarence Bamberger, one of the officials of the com-
pany. The mine has been entirely re-equipped with elec-
trical facilities and all of the old steam equipment has
been abandoned. For the first. time in more than twenty
years, the 2000-ft. level has been opened and develop-
ment work of importance will be undertaken. An inside
electric hoist and a large skip has been installed for this
work. The level has been opened for 400 ft. on the
west side and 350 ft. on the east side, the object of the de-
velopment, work being to find good shoots of silver ore
cut on the 1700 and 1800-ft. levels. The ore-shoot re-
cently entered by a drift on the 1800-ft. level carries from
40 to 60 oz. of silver per ton. It has been developed on
both sides of t*ie 1800-ft. level and the full floor of the
drift is in this class of material.
Eureka. — Work on the' new concentrator of the Tintie
Standard company is progressing rapidly, and the build-
ings themselves will be completed soon after August 1.
The setting of the machinery will then be started and the
first section will be ready for operation before winter.
Shipments from this district for the week ending July
17 totalled 136 cars, as against 81 cars for the week pre-
vious. The Chief Consolidated shipped 36 cars ; Tintie
Standard, 30 ; Eagle & Blue Bell, 10 ; Grand Central, 9 ;
Dragon Con., 8 ; Iron King, 7 ; Victoria, 7 ; Centennial
Eureka, 6 ; Mammoth. 6 ; Iron Blossom, 6 ; Gemini, 3 ;
Tintie Drain Tunnel, 2; Colorado, 2; Bullion Beck, 2:
Gold Chain. 1 ; Swansea Con., 1. At a meeting of the
directors of the Pinion Queen Mining Co., E. J. Raddatz
was elected president, to succeed Thomas F. Pierpont.
wlio resigned. Development at this property is going
along smoothly and the contractors are still using two
shifts in sinking. The shaft now has a depth of about
700 ft., and sinking will continue until the 1000-ft. level
is reached, unless the formation at some place between
those levels justifies lateral development.
The Tintie drain-tunnel, which is being driven for the
purpose of draining the district, is now in a distance of
nearly 7000 ft., and there is no intention of stopping the
work until the project is completed. A force of miners is
now engaged in driving a raise to the surface for the pur-
pose of giving better ventilation, this raise being started
at a point about 6000 ft. from the portal. After a delay
of thirty days, work of sinking the Central Standard
shaft has been resumed. A large sump has just been
completed on the 400-ft. level and John Taylor, manager,
believes that trouble from water is now ended for all time.
Two shifts are now being employed in the shaft-sinking,
and excellent progress is being made. The formation
which the shaft is cutting is highly mineralized, and it is
the intention to continue sinking to the 700-ft. level, when
drifts will be sent out.
Conditions in the headings, which are being driven in
the upper workings of the Pncle San and May Day mines,
are promising, according to George H. Dern, general
manager.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
OUTPUT FOR THE YEAS 1919
Victoria. — The monetary value of the mineral output
of British Columbia for the year 1919 was $33,296,313.
as compared with $41,782,474 for 1918 as shown by the
official figures given in the annual report of the Minister
of Mines. The comparison is shown in the following
table:
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Oz.
Oz.
Oolil. placer
lfi.000
S320.000
14.325
5286.500
Gold, lode .
164,074
3.403.812
153.426
3.150.645
Silver
. . 3.408.172
Lb.
3.215.870
S.4O3.110
Lb.
3.502.673
2.028.107
a».*75.968
1.526.855
Copper
.. ni.48:!.7.r.4
15.143.449
43.450.330
7.030.806
Zinc
. . 41.77-.'. Dili
2. 800.040
06.737.051
3,540.420
One interesting feature of the above is the increase
shown in silver production, reflecting fine increase quota-
Julv 31, 1920
MINING AND SCIKN I 1FIC PKI.SS
IT.".
bona for the metal and, to aome extent, the opening up of
promising northern Gelds.
Stewart. — A strong vein of s good grade of ore is said
t<> have I m struck on the I Hi -n group, and ore of
high grade lias been brought into Stewart From the
Glacier Creek property. An open cut, driven 20 ft. on
the latter, has exposed rock containing galena and iron
sulphide.
Vancouver. — During the War tlu> Consolidated Min-
ing A: Smelting Co. started the production of zinc on a
large scale. Now, with an annual output of 20,000 tuns
of this metal and the total annual requirements of Can-
ada not exceeding 10,000 tons, sonic profitable means of
disposing of the excess must be found. The Vancouver
board of trade promised its assistance in the solution of
this problem.
Nelson. — Knur of the levels of the Blue Bell mine are
being nnwatered by a pump just installed and con-
structed at the Nelson I roii Works from drawings fur-
nished by S. S. Fowler, manager for the New Canadian
Metal Co. As soon as this is accomplished the levels will
be actively mined. La.st year the Blue Bell shipped to
the 'frail smelter 124!) tons of cillde ore and 3t> tons of
concentrate. To date the property is credited with ship-
ments aggregating 730 tons.
Princeton. — The Princeton Mining; & Development
Co. is proceeding- with the work of placing its mine
property, situated five miles east of Princeton on the
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Great Northern railway, on a permanent shipping basis.
There are three full claims on which the vein has been
opened by three tunnels, varying in depth from 48 to 480
ft. The vein is reported to have been traced for about
4500 ft. on the surface and the operators assert that they
have a large body of concentrating ore averaging 4% in
copper and 1 oz. in silver. A. three-drill compressor run
by steam is in use and another is to be installed to be run
by electric power which will be secured from Bonnington
l';iiu by tapping the line to the Copper Mountain mine
of i he i 'anada < 'opper < !o.
The annual report of the ('anada ('upper Co. shows
that, with a share capital of $5,441,046 and a bonded in-
debtedness of $2,920,650 there was a dividend distribu-
tion of $622,518 for the year 1919, as compared with
$3,025,347 in 1918. The company invested in nineteen
properties in liiitish Columbia last year. Both the
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Greenwood smelter and the Motherlode mine have been
dismantled. On construction at the Copper Mountain
mine and the concentrating mill at Allenby $1,112,000
was expended. Work on the mill and the railway to the
mine is making good headway. It was held up by labor
trouble, otherwise it is likely that 2000 tons of ore per
day now would be coming from the mine. The ore will
concentrate to a 25% copper content and the concentrate
will be shipped to Trail to be refined.
Trail. — An explosion of gas soon after the blast was
turned on in re-starting the copper blast-furnace at the
Consolidated M. & S. plant caused damage that will delay
the starting of the plant for a week or ten days. Ore
shipments received during the week ended July 14
totalled 4810 tons, of which 3533 tons came from the
Consolidated company's mines. The other shippers were :
Blue Bell, Riondel, 123 tons; Electric Point, Washington,
31 tons; .Tosie, Rossland, 11!) tons; Mandy, Le Pas, Mani-
toba, 822 tons; North Star, Kimberley, 137 tons; and
Providence, Greenwood, 35 tons.
ONTARIO
LA ROSE CONSOLIDATED SUES TO RECOVER FOR TAnjNG FROM
CUSTOM ORE.
Cobalt. — Announcement is made that an order in
council has been passed by the Ontario government,
authorizing the opening of timber on the Gillies Limit for
prospecting, the date set being July 20. The Gillies Limit
lies immediately adjacent to the silver-bearing area of
Cobalt, and is regarded as being a fairly promising pros-
pective field. During the second quarter of 1920, the
Bailey mill, formerly known as the Northern Customs
me
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 31, 1920
( loneentrator, earned $50,478. Work was also started on
the Bailey mine, and lias resulted in adding to the reserve
of 20-oz. ore, formerly estimated at 23,000 tons. This ore
will be shipped to the mill just as soon as a railway siding
can be constructed.
The La Rose Consolidated has entered action against
tlic Mining Corporation of Canada to recover for the
value left in tailing from La Eose ore formerly treated in
the mill of the Mining Corporation previously operated
as a custom plant. The tailing from custom ore treated
as well as tailing from ore subsequently treated by the
Mining Corporation are all in one common heap which is
now being re-treated. The case promises to be decidedly
complicated. Production at the MeKinley-Darragh is
being maintained at from 55,000 to 60,000 oz. of silver
monthly. Considerable new ore is being opened, although
not at a rate equalling the amount being mined. Nego-
tiations between the Mining Corporation and the Penn-
< 'anadian Mines have terminated unsuccessfully in con-
nection with the proposed purchase of the Penn-Canadian
tailing pile of 125,000 tons. The decline in quotations
for silver had an important bearing on the failure of the
deal. The Canadian Light Railway Construction Co. has
announced that 20 miles of the survey for the proposed
narrow-gauge railway from Elk Lake to Gowganda has
been completed, and that it is now possible to estimate
the cost of construction. In order to finance the build-
ing of the Elk Lake-Gowganda line as well as a line from
Swastika to Larder Lake by way of Kirkland Lake, an
endeavor is being made to raise $1,500,000.
Harry Mills, Minister of Mines for Ontario, an-
nounces that during the coming winter courses of train-
ing for prospectors will be opened at several mining
centres in Northern Ontario, including Sudbury, Hailey-
limy, Timmins, Swastika, and some point at the head of
the Great Lakes. The courses, which will be free, will
last for six weeks, during which instruction will be given
by competent geologists as to roek formation and the
sampling and testing of ores. The Department will also
open an assay-office at Kirkland Lake, where assays of ore
will be made at cost.
Porcupine. — The annual report of the Davidson cover-
ing the 10-month period from September 1, 1919, to June
30, shows that $144,245 has been expended in develop-
ment work, the most important item of which was the ex-
tension of the west drift at the 500-ft. level which has
been driven along the main vein for 615 ft. This orebody
is increasing in width and has an average width of 20 ft.
over the entire distance. A gold production of $17,069
was obtained from the milling of test runs on develop-
ment ore. The management proposes to sink a huge
shaft to cut the orebody at a depth of 1000 ft. In the
meantime operations at the mine will be discontinued,
pending" plans for financing the work on a large scale.
The option held by the Dome Mines on the Dome Ex-
tension expires September 15, and the question as lo
whether it will be exercised or not is expected to be de-
termined by the result of work now being carried on at
orebody at a vertical depth of 1150 ft. at the boundary
line of the two properties having a dip onto the Dome
Extension and work is now being undertaken to verify
this conclusion. The .-ore from the diamond-drill hole
was officially stated to show a gold content of $7.94 for a
distance of 93 ft. and $5.16 for an additional distance of
23 ft. The Mclntyre has declared an interim dividend of
5%, making the third to be paid this yrar. The total dis-
bursements of the company amount t® $1,985,655 or 55%
of the issued capital.
Kirkland Lake. — The main shaft at the Kirkland
Lake mine has reached a depth of 900 ft. being 300 ft.
deeper than any other workings in the camp. Ore has
been proved to occur down to the 700-ft. level. During
May the production was valued at $36,236, the mill-heads
averaging $12.03. Ore taken from a test-pit six feet deep, '
sunk on the recently discovered vein on the "Wood-Kirk-
land, is stated to yield high assays and to contain gold
tellurides.
MEXICO
A NEW RAILROAD PROJECT.
Sonora. — The demands for increased pay made by the
Mexican labor unions in the State of Sonora have been
carried to such an extreme, that, according to reports
from that State, the Democrata mine at Cananea will
close down at the end of the month owing to inability to
meet the demands of the union. The Cananea Consoli-
dated Copper Co., the big producer of the district, while
not acceding to the demands of the union, will continue
operations, pending negotiations with the Mexican gov-
ernment. The Mexican copper producers, in addition to
being affected by the present condition of the copper
market, are subjected to much heavier expenses than
American operators, as, in addition to taxes paid to the
Mexican government, an export tax of approximately two
cents per pound is levied on copper bullion and a heavy
import duty on coal and fuel-oils.
It is reported that a concession- has recently been grant-
ed by the new Mexican government to railroad promoters
of Ajo. Arizona, for the construction of a railroad from
the Mexican line in Sonora to San Jorge bay, on the Gulf
of California. This proposed railroad will start at Ajo,
connecting at Ajo with the line from Gila Bend, which in
turn connects with the Southern Pacific. It is understood
that a survey of the proposed road will be made in the
near future. Many veal's ago a railroad from Tucson to
Port Lobos. on the Gulf of California, was projected by
the late Frank Murphy, prominent mining man of Pres-
cott, but it was never constructed. San Jorge, where the
new proposed railroad expects to build its terminal, is be-
lieved to be a more advantageous point than Port Lobos.
Both are situated considerably south of the extreme
northern point of the Gulf of California, it being con-
sidered inadvisable to attempt to build a terminal farther
north on account of the gigantic tides which make the
north end of the gnlf an unsafe harborage. It is under-
stood that officials of the Calumet & Arizona Mining Co.
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the 10th level. Diamond-drilling has indicated a large are interested in the plan.
July 31, 1!»20
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
177
ARIZONA
AJo. — Recently a fire occurred in one of the large wells of
the New Cornelia Copper Co., which supplies water to the
leaching-plant amd the town of Ajo. The fire, which was
probably caused by defective insulation, broke out near the
700-ft. level, and threatened the loss of the well. In order
to avoid a repetition, the company has decided to fireproof
the entire well by Ranking all the timbered sections.
Kingman. — The production in May of the United Eastern
is given as $176,018, the ore averaging $22 per ton. It
is reported that the IXL property, one of the old properties
of the district, lying about 14 miles north of Kingman, has
opened up rich silver ore. At the Cycle mines the mill is
said to be running smoothly and high saving is being made.
The ore which is being milled averages about $12 per ton.
Tucson. — The Arizona-Tucson Copper Co. expects to in-
stall additional equipment on its property. The double-com-
partment shaft has reached a depth of approximately 200 ft.
The material in which the shaft is being driven is heavily
impregnated with iron and copper, greatly oxidized.
CALIFORNIA
Amador County. — The work of unwatering the Fremont
property near Drytown is progressing satisfactorily. Al-
ready the Gover shaft has been drained, that shaft being
about 1500 ft. deep, and good headway is being made in the
Fremont. The latter has a depth of over 3000 ft. and con-
siderable stoping has been done from the various levels.
Relay pumps are to be installed on the 1500-ft. level to
make short work of lifting the water from the lower levels.
Excessive working costs, due to war conditions, caused the
Fremont Consolidated Mining Co. to cease operations two
years ago. The property comprised four mining claims,
covering 4200 ft. on the Mother Lode, and bears a good
record as to the size and continuity of its orebodies so far
developed. Alex Ross, formerly in charge of the under-
ground operations at the Kennedy mine in Jackson, is su-
| perintending the re-opening of the Fremont workings.
Placer County. — The new 10-stamp mill at the Rising
I Sun mine, a short distance from Colfax, is working steadily
on good ore. Indications in the lower levels of the old pro-
ducer are encouraging. A small vein has been uncovered
|and this is adding to the mill production.
Sonora. — High-grade gold ore has been encountered in
I the Jones-Tarantula property at Shawmut, according to
J advices from the property. The discovery is said to be
l.highly important and opens to development a wide area of
Inew ground. Development of the group has been in progress
(several years with varying results. Henry T. Gage is under-
stood to be one of the leading owners of the property, which
(adjoins the noted Shawmut mine.
At the Shawmut property, operated by the Belmont De-
velopment Co., of Tonopah, mining is proceeding at full
Icapacity. The mill is running steadily on ore of excellent
[(character and development of new shoots in the lower work-
ings continues to give results. The property is the leader
(among Tuolumne county producers and one of the premier
||m nes of the entire Mother Lode.
Yuba County. — Development work at the Horse Shoe
mine at Challenge, which is owned by Joe Supple, ship-
builder of Portland, Oregon, has shown such favorable in-
dications that a five-stamp mill will be erected. An out-
crop of ore over 200 ft. long has been exposed. A five-stamp
mill at the Rose mine has been purchased by the manage-
ment of the Horse Shoe company and is being transported to
this property. Will Beik is superintendent.
IDAHO
Bonner County. — The Clarksfork Copper Co. will sink to
the water level, 100 to 150 ft., from a point on the vein
where it was intersected by the tunnel. The vein has been
followed by a drift for 40 ft. Two shifts will be employed.
Coeur d'Aleue. — Directors of the Silver-Standard Mining
Co. contemplate an early meeting at which they propose to
let a contract for additional tunnel-work on their property
in McFarren gulch, south of Osborne. They plan to let 50
ft. of work at a time. It will be done in tunnel No. 3, which
will give considerable depth. The Bullion Mining Co., in
the St. Joe district, will build a mill of 100 tons daily ca-
pacity. The quantity of ore in sight is sufficient to supply a
mill of this capacity for several years. Ore in a body 6 ft.
wide has been disclosed by a diamond-drill in the Nipsic
property of the Callahan Zinc-Lead Co. It was reached from
the 600-ft. level of the Callahan and can be opened by 400
ft. of cross-cutting. The core of the drill suggests the pres-
ence of 21 ft. of lead-silver ore, 2i ft. of zinc ore, and the
remainder a mixture of lead and zinc.
If the ore widens and improves the Ajax Mining Co. will
make provision for sorting and washing the ore as it comes
from the shaft. A hoist with capacity to sink 300 ft. has
been installed. Ore has continued for the entire 35 ft. the
shaft has gone, and is from 6 to 12 in. wide, of better grade
than previously found. Fourteen men are employed.
The Cedar Creek Mining Co., at Wallace, shipped a carload
of ore to the Bunker Hill smelter which netted a return of
68.9% lead and 9 oz. silver per ton.
The Copper King Mining & Smelting Co. has completed a
raise of 200 ft. from the tunnel-level. The raise has been
in ore practically from the beginning, with only one wall of
the vein in sight; it opens only a small section of the ore-
body. Hand sorted ore, removed in the course of raising,
contained 20 to 48% lead and 10 to 20 oz. silver per ton.
The raise has passed through three streaks of high-grade
ore. The remainder of the filling is low-grade mill-feed.
MISSOURI
.loplin. — One of the largest companies operating in the
Tri-State district is said to have taken leases on land near
Galena, at one time the busiest mining town in the district.
A deep run of ore is known to exist, and the company has
obtained almost 1000 acres. A few years ago zinc ore was
found at 485 or 490 ft. in the drilling of a deep well for city
water. The report is that the orebody is more than 10 ft.
thick, the ore assaying S% or better in zinc with a trace of
lead. Numerous other deep holes in the Galena field show
the presence of zinc orebodies at depths considerably lower
than has ever been mined in that district.
The program of drilling started by the Webb City &
178
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 31, 1920
Carterville Development Co. seven or eight months ago in
an effort to find lead or zinc on new leases is continuing.
Three drills are at work but, while indications are favorable
at one or two places, no real orebody has been found.
MONTANA
Great Falls. — The Anaconda Copper Mining Co. is said to
be considering doubling the capacity of its rod and wire-
plant. Operations have been conducted practically at ca-
pacity at this plant from well along in 1919 up to the
present time, and orders are now in excess of the ability to
care for them with present manufacturing capacity. The
plant calls monthly for a maximum of S, 000, 000 lb. of cop-
per. The company has given more than a passing thought
to the possibility of the manufacture of brass at Great Falls,
where the company has an adequate supply of refined copper
and zinc i»t hand for alloying into brass.. Anaconda has been
successful thus far in disposing of its electrolytic-zinc out-
put, and the activity of the company in developing its silver-
zinc properties would suggest a confidence in better prices.
NEVADA
Mina. — Cross-cut 701, on the seventh level of the Simon
silver-lead mine is being driven west in search of the seg-
ment of the orebody thrown off by the west fault. Raise
705-A is being driven from the seventh level to the sixth
level, 150 ft. above. At the Simon Contact property a
silver-lead-zinc orebody has been drifted on along the 350-ft.
level for more than 50 ft. Average samples returned 56.4
oz. silver. 23.6% lead, 22.5% zinc, and $1.60 gold per ton.
Indications point to the orebody being the top of a shoot of
considerable size. Contractors engaged in sinking the
shaft on the Fagan Consolidated Silver Mines property have
completed the first 100 ft. of the work.
OREGON'
Gold Hill. — It is reported that the Chisholm group of
mercury mines,, adjoining the War Eagle property, that has
been worked in a crude manner since 1878, will soon change
hands and a large Scott furnace will be erected at the works.
This mine is equipped with a 12-pipe furnace operating on
high-grade ore. The Force group owned by David Force
of Beagle, is likewise equipped with the pipe-type furnace,
but recently-developed rich ore warrants the purchase of a
large-capacity furnace.
Obituary
Philo Taylor Farnsworth, a widely known mining man
of Utah and Nevada, died at his home in Salt Lake City on
July 19, following a two-days illness of acute intestinal
poisoning. Mr. Farnsworth was born October 15, 1849, at
Salt Lake City, of New England parentage. While a young
man he saw active service in the Black Hawk war and other
Indian wars in the early days. At one time he was mayor
of Beaver City, and later repiesented Beaver county in the
Utah territorial legislature. For twenty years Mr. Farns-
worth was manager for the Horn Silver Mining Co. near
Frisco, Utah. He also served as manager for the Bullion
Beck Mining Co. at Eureka, Utah, for about twelve years,
and for about the same length of time was manager for
the Austin Mining Co. at Austin. Nevada. Besides these
properties, he was identified with the Dalton and Lark
mines at Bingham and had numerous other mining interests
in Utah and Nevada. Mr. Farnsworth was an enthusiastic
supporter of education, and donated liberally to the various
institntions of learning in the State. Among his donations
was the presentation of the Fort Cameron property in
Beaver county, which he purchased from the Federal gov-
ernment, to the Mormon Church. This is now the home of
Murdock academy. Mr. Farnsworth is survived by a widow
and eight childrem.
PERSONAL]
The Editor invites members of the profession to send particulars of their
work and appointments. The information is interesting to our readers.
F. L. Bosqui was in San Francisco last week.
James McKeen, of Cherry Creek, Nevada, is here.
Keith Roberts is at 203 Reaper block, Chicago, Illinois.
Percy Williams, of Silverbell, Arizona, is in San Francisco.
H. Brehm has left Bolivia and is now at Greiz, Germany.
John Kiddie and J. Webster are visiting the Globe-Miami
district.
Robert. S. Davis is with the Alvarado M. & M. Co., at Par-
ral, Mexico.
M. Albertson has moved from Turon, Kansas, to Shreve-
port, Louisiana.
Lyman H. Brooks Jr. has gone to Cooke City, Montana, to
examine mines.
Frank L. Sizer has returned from professional duties near
Phoenix. Arizona.
F. Le Roi Thurmond has gone from Santa Barbara to
Chihuahua, Mexico.
H. E. Queen, of Berkeley, is now with the Candelaria
Mines Co., at Candelaria, Nevada,
L. R. Wallace, manager for the Andes Copper Co. at
Portrerillos, Chile, has been in Utah.
Charles Butters has returned to Oakland from Mexico,
and is now proceeding to New York.
A. E. Druckcr, of the Wisconsin School of Mines, has been
visiting the Tacoma smelter and refinery.
George W. Lloyd and Charles J. Worden, mining engi-
neers, have opened offices at Quincy, California.
Francis Drake has gone from London to Melbourne. He
will be in Australia until the end of September.
Roy Hatch has been appointed superintendent of the
Arthur plant of the Utah Copper Co. at Garfield.
W. J. Sharwood, metallurgical chemist to the Homestake
Mining Co., was in San Francisco during the week.
L. Venn Brown has resumed control as general manager
for the King Island Scheelite Co., at Grassy, Melbourne.
M. W. Hayward has ) eturned to Denver from South
America, whither he went to examine mines for the Ameri-
can Metal Co., Ltd.
Edwin E. Chase and his son, R, L. Chase, of Denver, have
gone to the San Juan district of Colorado to examine mines
at Ouray, Lake City, and Rico.
James T. Norton, ore-dressing engineer, has been trans-
ferred from the station of the U. S. Bureau of Mines at
Moscow, Idaho, to the station at Salt Lake City.
N. M. Muir has opened an office for general mining and
petroleum work at 425 Flynn Ames building, Muskogee,
Oklahoma. He retains his office in the Mills building, San
Francisco.
T. A. Jaruiey, superintendent of the Arthur plant of the
Utah Copper Co., has been promoted to the position of chief
metallurgical engineer in charge of all the company's plants.
H. C. Bellinger has been appointed vice-president of the
Chile Copper Co. and will make his headquarters at New
York. Burr Wheeler succeeds Mr. Bellinger as general
manager at Chuquicamata.
At the recent commencement of the University of Pitts-
burgh, the honorary degree of Doctor of Science was con-
ferred upon Professor H. H. Stoek, head of the Department
of Mining Engineering, University of Illinois.
Charles G. Yale remains in charge of the U. S. Geological
Survey's office in San Francisco. An impression to the con-
trary has been given by a badly worded paragraph in the
'Engineering and Mining Journal'. J. M. Hill comes as a
welcome associate, not as a successor, to Mr. Yale.
July 31, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
179
THE METAL MARKET
METAL PBICE8
Son Francisco, July 27
Aluminum-dust. .Tiit« pit pound
Antimony, cents per ik>uik!
Copper, electrolytic ■ .-m.* pit pound
Lead, pur, centa per pound
Philinuni. pup-, per ounce
Platinum, LO' ! Iridium, per ounce
Quicksilver, per flask of 75 lb
Speller, cents per pound
Zip,- dust, cents per pound
EASTERN METAL MARKET
(By wire from New York)
July 26. — Copper is quiet and steady. Lead is strong and higher,
is dull but easy.
SILVER
Below are given official or ticker quotations, in cents per ounce of silver
999 fine. From April 23, 1918, the United States government paid SI per
ounce for all silver purchased by it, fixing a maximum of Sl.Ol'-j on
August 15. 1018, and will continue to pay $1 until the quantity specified
under the Act is purchased, probably extending over several years. On
May 5. 191ft. all restrictions on the metal were removed, resulting: in
fluctuations. During- the restricted period, the British government fixed the
maximum price five times, the last being on March 25. 1919. on account of
the low rate of sterling exchange, but removed all restrictions on May 10.
The equivalent of dollar silver (1000 fine) in British currency is 46.05
pence per ounce 1 925 fine) calculated at the normal rate of exchange.
New York London
cents pence
Date
July
20 89.60
21 94.00
o^ 9.1.25
2S! '.'.'.'.'.'. '. '.m'.ss
24 01.37
25 Sunday
26 95.00
52/
55.25
55.25
54.37
54.37
5fi.62
Average week ending
Cents
June 14 86.00
•• 21 87.07
" 28 91.41
July 5 89.97
'• 12 92.18
" 19 91.04
26 92.39
Pence
48.02
48.73
51.69
51.68
52.66
52.91
54.77
1918
88.72
85.79
88.11
95.35
50
Jan
Feb
Meh.
Apr.
May
June 99 50
1919
101 12
101 12
101 12
101 12
107.23
110.50
Monthly averages
1920
132.77
131.27
125.70
119.56
102. R9
90.84
1918
July 99.62
Aug 100.31
Sept 101.12
Oct 101.12
Nov 101.12
Dec 101.12
1919
106.36
111.35
113.92
119.10
127.57
131.92
Prices of electrolytic in New York, in cents per pound.
Date
July
20 19.00
21 19.00
22 19.00
23 19.00
24 19.00
25 Sunday
26 19.00
.Average week ending
June 14 19.00
21 19.00
28 19.00
July 5 19.00
12 19.00
19 19.00
26 19.00
Jan.
1918
. . 23.50
Feb 23.50
Meh 23.50
Apr 23.50
May 23.50
June 23.50
1919
20.43
17.34
15.05
15.23
15.91
17.53
Monthly averages
1920
19.25
19.05
1849
1923
19 05
19.00
1918
July 26.00
Aug 26.00
Sept 26.00
Oct 26.00
Nov 26 00
Dec 26.00
1919
20.82
22.51
22.10
21.66
20.45
18.55
Lead is quoted in cents per pound. New York delivery.
Date
July
Jan.
Feb.
Meh.
Apr.
May
June
30 8.75
21 8.85
9.00
9.00
9.00
23
24
25 Sunday
Average week ending
14
21
28
1918
6.85
7.07
7.26
6.99
6.88
7.59
1919
5.60
5.13
5.24
5.05
6.04
6.32
. . 9.00
Monthly averages
1920
12.
19.
8.21
8.15
8.39
8.25
8.45
8.93
8.65
8.88
9.22
8.78
8.55
8.43
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
1918
8.03
8.05
8.05
8.05
8.05
6.90
Prices in New York, in cents per pound.
Monthly averages
1918
Jan 86.13
Feb 86.00
Meh 85.00
Apr 88.63
May 100.01
June 91.00
1919
1920
71.60
62.74
72.44
69.87
72.50
61.92
72.50
62.12
72.50
64.99
71.83
48.33
1918
July 93.00
Aug 91.33
Sept 80.40
Oct 78.82
Nov 73.67
Dec 71.52
1919
5.53
5.78
6.02
6.40
6.76
7.12
1919
70.11
62.20
55.79
54.82
54.17
54.94
Zinc is quoted ms spelter, standard Western brands. New York delivery.
n cents per pound. i
8.00
19.00
—9.75
585
■sllS
«NX
9.2S
-15.00
Zinc
silver
Date
July-
Jan.
Feb.
Meh
Apr.
May
June
20
21
s 30
8 25
« 22
June
July
averagt
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Average week ending
14
8.00
7.79
28..
7.85
8.04
■:.-.
Sundas
12. .
19. .
•:o. .
a
1918
8.78
. 9.58
8.75
. 8 49
1919
7.78
7.81
7.57
7.82
8.12
8.69
8.15
8.24
1918
, . 7.78
. . 7.97
1919
7 44
6 71
6 5.1
649
6 4.1
6.91
Monthly
1920
9 56
9 1 :,
8.93
8 76
S 07
1920
7.67
of
7.92
. . 7.92
QnCKSII/VER
The primary market for quicksilver is San Francisco. California beimt
the largest producer. The price is fixed in the open market, according to
quantity. Prices, in dollars per flask of 75 pounds.
Date
June
July
July
Jan.
Feb.
f) 85,00
6 90 00
Monthly
1*11*1
103 75
90 00
13 85.00
20 oo.oo
27 88.00
1918
. .128.0ft
. .118 00
Meh 112 00
Apr 1 1 5 00
May nn oo
June 112.00
ISO
73 10
84 SO
94 40
1021
SM 00
SI 00
S7 00
inn 00
«7 00
85,00
averages
1018
July 120 00
An? 120 00
sept 120 oo
Ort 120 00
Nov 120 00
Dec 115 00
1019
100 00
103.00
102 R0
Sft 00
78.00
05.00
TUB RAILROADS
Railroad operating' results re ported hy the Commerce Commission for
the first five months of this year indicate the carriers would have- earned
in the period, with the 19%9& increased revenue a«ked in the present rate
'•ase. slightly less than the pro rata share of the SI. 23ft. 000.000 necessary
to show fi% return on property investment. This in spite of the fact that
several adverse factor* contributed to make the results in that period un-
satisfactory.
Estimates made public by the Commerce Commission show that the rail-
roads in the first five months of this year had a total operating- revenue of
SI. 781 0ft3.5ft9 and expenses of Sl.ft31.655 489. Net operating- income was
S47.923.347. If this revenue had been 19 */• % greater, as is designed in
the revision of rates suggested to the Commission, net operating income
would have been increased by about S357.000.000. bringing: it to 5405.000,-
000 for the five months.
In the first live months of the year railroads normallv, as shown bv the
test-neriod. earn 35% of the total year's operating income. On this basis
a net operatine: income in the fir^t five months of SUOS ^00.000 would in-
dicate net operating- inrome for the year of SI 157 000,000. only $79,000.-
000 short of the amount nc.-estarv to show fi% return for toe vear. The
property-investment account* of the railroads agrrres-ated S20. Rift. 000. 000
on October 31. 1919. To show a return of f\°fn on this total, it would be
nprf.aBa.rv for the railroads to have a net operating- income of SI, 23ft.-
000 000."
In view of difficulties under which the railroads were onerating during
the early part of this vear this showinc should be considered excellent.
For the first two month* tb"v were und°r e-overnment operntion. When
returned to their owners, roiiine stock and road-beds were g-enerally below
standard, so that it is understood maintenance exnenses for succeeding
months were nnnouallv Irish Traffic was interrunt.ed by the steel strike,
and later hy strikes of yardmen, shonmen. and other railroad employees.
Tp addition it has recently been impn^ihle to onerate railroads in many
parts of the country at maximum efficiency, because freig-ht offered for
transportation has been in excess of the eanaeity of the roads to handle,
necessitating- priority orders and special handline-.
The railroads, it is understood, have no intention of restorine* the two-
weeks credit extended to manv patrons prior to Federal control. In accord-
ance with resmlntion" prescribed recently by the Commerce Commission,
railroads authorized their ac'-nts. heginniner July 1. to allow patrons on
their credit lists 48 hourr credit, that is. until morning- of the second busi-
ness dav following rendering of bills, to settle charges, this privilege beine
extended for 48 hours additional eredit only on the patron filing- a bond
satisfactory to the treasurer of the railroad.
Before the railroads were taken over by the Government it had br-cn the
custom to allow certain natrons, who had filed apnlications with the rail-
roads and established their responsibility, to delay payment of freight bills,
two weeks being- the g-enerally recognized limit. The Railroad Administra-
tion discontinued this nraetice. and the 'cash credit list' was established. A
recent ruling- of the Commission restores the practice of extending- credit.
limiting1 the time, however, to two days in ordinary cases and four days for
those who file bonds to ensure payment.
MONEY- AND EXCHANGE
Foreign quotations on July 27 are as follows:
Sterling-, dollars: Cable . . 3.78»&
Demand 3.80
Francs, cents: Cable 7.84
Demand 7.8ft
Lire, cents: Demand 5.57
Marks, cents 2.55
180
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
July 31, 1920
Eastern Metal Market
New York, July 21.
All the markets are quiet hut strong with prices higher
in one or two.
Buying o£ copper is satisfactory and prices are steady
and firm.
The tin market is quiet and transactions are confined to
dealers.
The lead market is very strong and prices are advancing.
There is not much activity in zinc but values are firm to
higher.
Antimony is unchanged.
IRON AND STEEL
Appraisal of the effect of the 21% advance in railroad
wages is not easy in the absence of clear indications of the
attitude of the unions. In the steel-trade the more general
opinion is that a widespread strike is not likely. The in-
creasing signs of reaction in various industries are cited as
having an important bearing.
Steel manufacturers lonk for some relief from the difficult
conditions of many weeks, with the return to work of ex-
perienced railroad workers, but it is recognized that im-
provement will be slow and it is admitted that the accumu-
lations of product are more than have been commonly
known.
While the Steel Corporation has only 60% of its tin-plate
capacity in operation, independent makers are doing better,
the average for the entire industry being put at 75%.
Structural work is falling off sharply. June reports show
90,400 tons booked by fabricators or 50% of the capacity
of the country.
COPPER
There is little change in general conditions. Buying is
moderate and fairly satisfactory from both domestic and
foreign sources, the purchases extending into the fourth
quarter in some eases. The large producers are maintain-
ing their prices firmly at 19c, New York, for both Lake and
electrolytic copper, with some sales for fourth-quarter de-
livery made at 19.25c. In the outside market, so-called,
small producers and dealers are quoting both grades of
copper at 18.75c, New York. While there are no indica-
tions of a heavy buying movement, the situation is fairly
satisfactory and the volume of business is good.
TIN
This market continues quiet with the only business re-
ported confined to the buying back by London sellers of
contracts. This has been the feature and is an event that is
infrequent. It takes place usually when the market here is
below the cost of tin importations. Because of this situa-
tion there have been few London sellers and the market
has been consequently quiet with, demand for spot and other
positions small. Consumers continue to remain uninter-
ested. Sales on the New York Metal Exchange have been
light also. Spot Straits yesterday was quoted in New York
at $49.50, with £288 per ton the value in London. Arrivals
thus for this month have been 236 5 tons, of which 720 tons
is credited to Pacific ports. The quantity afloat is 5700 tons.
LEAD
Pronounced strength characterizes the market. This is
due to an intensification of the underlying conditions that
have prevailed for two or three weeks. There continues to
be a deficiency in supply of the metal and consumption is
exceedingly heavy. Production does not increase enough
to overtake demand and transportation troubles have been
and are still a factor. The quotations of the American
Smelting & Refining Co. of 7.75c, 9t. Lonis, or 8c, New
York, are nominal, as that company is not selling. We
quote the outside market as 8.50c, St. Louis, or 8.75c,
New York, with prompt metal actually sold as high as
9.123c, New York, and still offered at J. 25c For prompt
shipment from the West the metal has sold at an equiva-
lent of 8.90c. New York. Import lead has been offered at
8.62ic, duty paid, which would indicate that such metal is
likely to appear despite the belief that the price of the lead-
ing interest is kept low to prevent this.
ZINC
There has been little change in conditions. Prices re-
main steady, to strong, with the tendency upward. There
has been a depletion of stocks in the hands of producers
and production has been slowed-down recently, which makes
for a strong technical position. Most large sellers are dis-
inclined to sell beyond August and are mot anxious to buy
at present levels, which are not much, il any, in excess of
cost. Demand is fair from domestic consumers. We quote
the market for prime Western at 7.95c, St. Louis, or 8.30c,
New York, for early or July-August delivery, with some
sales made into September at this level. There has been a
resumption of mining in the West, several mines having
been closed about three weeks ago.
ANTIMONY
Conditions are unchanged and wholesale lots for early
delivery are quoted at 7.50c, New York, dnty paid.
ALUMINUM
The leading interest is quoting 33c, New York, for whole-
sale lots of virgin metal for early delivery. The same prod-
uct can be obtained from other sellers at 31.50c, New York.
ORES
Tungsten: There is no activity and the market remains
featureless. Quotations are nominally unchanged at $6 per
unit in regular 60% concentrate.
Ferro-tungsten is in moderate demand at 80c to $1.05
per pound of contained tungsten.
Molybdenum: There is no life to this market, with quota-
tions nominal at 65 to 75c per pound in regular concentrate.
Manganese: Caucasian ore has been eflered at 80c. per
unit, seaboard, for shipment in September, October, and
November. Indian ore has also been offered at the same
figure. It is believed that no more than 70 to 75c per unit,
seaboard, would now be paid by users.
Manganese-Iron Alloys: The market is quiet with de-
mand confined largely to small lots for prompt and early
delivery. There is one inquiry for 600 tons for delivery in
August, September, and October at 209 tons per month.
Quotations are firm at $225 for spot and $200 for last-half
delivery. The spiegeleisen market is quiet but firm at $75,
furnace, with moderate sales for early delivery.
The Antwerp diamond-cutting industry is passing through
a depression unequaled since the American financial crisis
of 1907. The industry normally employs about 13,000 men.
Some 5500 are now without employment, and the industry
is working at only about 50% of normal capacity. The
chief cause of this depression is the almost complete sus-
pension of orders from the United States. American buyers
are usually relied on to take more than half of the Belgian
output of cut diamonds. Extraordinary demand for dia-
monds in the United States following the Armistice has,
however, been followed by a reaction.
LUIilHIHIHIHIHlUHH
EDITORIAL STAFF
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
EDITORIAL
NOTES 1S1
GEOLOGIC FALLACIES 182
Another queer prospectus. Pseudo-scientific geol-
ogy. A complex ore, the valuation of which as-
sumes that each metal is recovered at a profit. A
common blunder. Misleading assays. The old
fallacy of enrichment with depth. Dynamic forces
and their operations. The continuity of fractures
in the crust of the earth. Suppositions.
THE SALTING OF MINES 183
Apropos of the article by Mr. Hutchinson in the
issue of July 24. A technical description of a real
case of salting. The experience of a distinguished
mining engineer. Precautions taken. Bulk sam-
ples to check salting. Miscarriage of plans. Open-
ing sacks. Connivance of the express company's
agent. Another story.
Page
By Charles A. Mitke 187
Fire in the 'top-slice' stopes of the Coronado mine.
The burning sulphide-stopes in the United Verde
mine. Causes of mine-fires. Incendiary origin.
Importance of organization for preventing and
fighting fires. Mechanical ventilation.
OIL-SHALES AND THEIR ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE
By Martin J. Gavin 193
The 'age of petroleum'. Products of petroleum
and the increased consumption. Oil-engines. The
oil-shale industry in Scotland. The development
of the industry in this country. A task requiring
large capital investment. The future.
THE BUNKER HILL ENTERPRISE — XI
By T. A. Rickard 195
The use of electricity in the mine and at the mills
and smelter. Underground haulage. Storage-bat-
tery locomotives. Details. An electric hoist un-
derground. Its operation. The considerations
that determined its purchase. Some illustrations
of the electrical equipment.
DISCUSSION
CONCERNING SILVER
By Chas. Butters 185
The argument of the silver miner clarified. The
mints should provide a market; disposition of
coins after once being minted is not material.
THE BUNKER HILL ENTERPRISE
By S. F. Shaw 185
The fluctuation in mining costs. Some compari-
sons. Costs in Mexico.
SOME OBSERVATIONS ON SMELTING
By C. W. Tandy 18B
A correction regarding credit for patents.
ARTICLES
HISTORY OF MINE-FIRES IN THE SOUTH-WEST-
PART II
NOTES
VENTILATION OF MINES 18G
MINING IN THE POTOSI DISTRICT 192
THE COLOR BAR ON THE RAND 194
MINING IN QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA 200
DEPARTMENTS
REVIEW OF MINING 205
THE MINING INDUSTRY 213
THE METAL MARKET 214
PERSONAL 215
EASTERN METAL MARKET 216
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS 217
Established May 24, 1860. as The Scientific Press: name changed October
20 of the same year to Mining and Scientific Press.
Entered at the San Francisco post-office as second-class matter. Cable
address: Pertusola.
Branch Offices — Chicago. 600 Fisher Bdg.: New York, 3514 Woolworth
Bdg.: London. 724 Salisbury House. E,C.
Price, 16 cents per copy. Annual subscription, payable in advance:
United States and Mexico, $4; Canada, So: other countries, $6.
38
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC ftRESS
August 7, 1920
Enviable Records for Large Capacity
and High Extraction
Over twenty-two thousand Wilfley Tables are now in use. Wilfley users
are found in practically every mining district in the world. Some of
these tables were installed twenty years ago. All are making enviable
records for large capacity with high extration.
At the Nevada Consoli-
dated Copper Company,
McGill, Nevada, you will
find more than 500 Wil-
fley Tables. They have
been in active service over
ten years, yet still giving
splendid service.
WILFLEY
rAf£JEABLB
There is a type of Wilfley
for every possible require-
ment. The latest Model,
No. 11-D, embodies all
improvements. This table
is especially suitable for
the foreign or isolated
operator in that this design elim-
inates about 40% of the shipping
steel
The Consolidated Copper Mines
Co., Kimberly, Nevada, is a recent in-
stallation where Wilfley Tables are weight of the same sized
making a highly satisfactory showing, frame table.
WRITER FOR OUR LATEST BULLETIN
Uhe fdine & Smelter Supply Company
ffEW YORK
DENVER
SALT LAKE CITY
EL VASO
Wilfley Representatives:
Pacific Coast — Harron, Rickard & McCone. San Francisco
Alabama and North Carolina — McCIary, Jemison M'ch'y. Co., Birmingham
Australia — F. H. Jackson, Sydney
France, Spain, Italy — L. & E. Frenkel, Paris
LATEST MODEL
No. 11-D
WILFLEY TABLE
na
August 7. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
181
T. A. ■R.ICKARV. .... Editor
■^« JIJ91t]liM1IMlMI]l1 tltltltHMMDMIIIItlfllMITIl 9M4IILMIIJ JMLIItDllt JMIIIJMIlt LltiMlfllJIl.JII Ullll n IIIIIJLlLJl^r Illnhir ItlClldlllllMMMr 1I4L kIMIIIrltiril TIL tir iririFIIFJOP t I MIJI
STATISTICS of gold production in Rhodesia show an
*■* eccentricity for the month of May, the value of the
output being nearly double that for April, although the
quantity of gold produced during the two months was
nearly the same. The anomaly is explained by the fact
that to the value of the actual May output there was
added nearly £200,000— to be exact, $197,043— on ac-
count of the gold premium during the period from
October 1919 to January 1920. Thus in the three months
the premium was about equal to the normal value of a
month's output.
/~\N his return from Pachuca to London, Mr. Alfred
^-' James was interviewed by the 'Financial Times',
We note that he reports favorably upon conditions in
Mexico. The people are tired of revolutions, he says,
and ask only to be left quietly at work. Obregon is de-
scribed as "firm and able". Mr. James makes a sly dig
at us when he says: "Whatever the future of oil in
Mexico may be — and the demand is very great while the
territory so far proved productive is extremely limited —
there can be no doubt that the enterprise of the British
mining and other companies who have devoted them-
selves to the exploitation of Asia, South America, and
other oil districts will, before long, be as highly appre-
ciated by the investor generally as it appears now to be
by our American cousins." Boy, page Senator Plielan!
A N excellent example of extending the life of a mining
**• enterprise by the acquisition of new property else-
where is afforded by the Oroville Dredging Company.
This started by acquiring and exploiting gold-dredging
property at Oroville, California, in 1905. The first com-
pany was registered in Maine and was succeeded four
years later by an English company, which purchased
large dredging areas at Pato and Nechi, in Colombia,
two subsidiary companies being organized in 1909 and
1914 respectively. The original American company,
controlled in London, is now being liquidated, as the
ground at Oroville has been worked out ; it paid 37J%
on its capital of $3,500,000 up to 1909, and since then its
successor has paid 47£% on an equal amount of capital.
Oroville Dredging started badly; the ground was pur-
chased on an appraisal made largely by the vendor's
engineers and proved to be considerably less profitable
than was anticipated ; in consequence, the company was
over-capitalized. These early blunders have been re-
trieved, in large part, by the later extension of the com-
pany's activities to South America. Last year the Pato
earned $29,724 on a capital of £100,000, of which the
Oroville company holds £70,000 ; likewise the Nechi
earned £61,995 on a capital of £140,000, half of which is
held by Oroville shareholders. The success of this enter-
prise is shared by Mr. W. A. Prichard, the mining en-
gineer responsible, and Mr. F. W. Baker, the chairman
of the three companies.
OECRETARY DANIELS and Secretary Paine ob-
^ tained valuable information from their inspection of
the Chicaloon coal mine in the Matanuska field. So says
an official bulletin issued by the Navy Department.
What information the publisher of a country newspaper
and a very able lawyer could gather between them con-
cerning an extremely difficult phase of coal mining, we
leave the reader to conjecture. We are in no doubt as
to the value of it. It is not recorded whether the Hon-
orable Josephus was accompanied by a mining engineer,
but we note that Mr. Sumner S. Smith has been given
charge of coal mining for the Navy under the Alaskan
Engineering Commission. Strange as it may seem, we
have a respect for the opinion of a mere engineer like
Mr. Smith such as we confess to lacking entirely in re-
spect of the Secretary of the Navy — that is, in regard to
coal mining, of course.
T N this issue we publish the remainder of the article by
•*• Mr. Charles A. Mitke on mine-fires in the South-West.
Mr. Mitke has devoted most of his time during recent
years to the study of those phases of metal mining that
have to do with systematized operations as distinguished
from the exploration for, and development of, ore. He is
thoroughly informed on nearly every mine-fire in Ari-
zona, not only in regard to its origin and cause but as to
the measures taken to isolate or extinguish it. The causes
of 35 active fires in the copper mines of the South-West
are given by Mr. Mitke as follows : careless use of candles,
3 ; defective electric wiring, 5 ; friction from movement of
sulphide orebodies, 11 ; incendiarism, 15 ; and unknown,
1. The efforts of mining companies today are directed
primarily toward preventing, rather than fighting, fires.
Modern equipment and organized plans for inspection
and immediate action in emergency make an unexpected
fire of any size almost impossible. Even should a small
blaze start, it could gain no headway. In June 1917,
182
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PR.ESS
August. 7, 1920
electricians were lowering a lead-armored electric cable
in the Granite Mountain shaft of the North Butte Mining
Company. The tackle broke, and the cable fell in such
a way as to tear off much of the armor and expose the
highly inflammable insulation beneath. A mine foreman,
engaged in recovering the cable, accidentally lighted this
insulation with his carbide lamp and the shaft-timbers
burst into flames. The workings were filled with smoke
and 171 miners were suffocated. This catastrophe served
as a lesson to operators throughout the West and en-
couraged the adoption of sprinkler systems, concreted
shafts, 'gunited' stations, fire-doors, bulkheads, and simi-
lar precautions. A few weeks ago a timbered well that
supplies water to the New Cornelia company 's leaching-
plant at Ajo was threatened by a fire near the 700-ft.
level. We are informed that the timbers will be coated
with 'gunite' (sand and cement applied with a pneu-
matic gun) to avoid a second fire, which might be more
disastrous. One of the most important requirements is
an adequate system of mechanical ventilation. Not only
does positive uniform ventilation minimize the danger of
loss of life, and reduce the cost of fighting fires, but it
may in a large measure prevent fires in sulphide ore-
bodies by keeping the temperature below that necessary
to start combustion. Mr. Mitke's articles may well be
read by every mine manager and superintendent, for fire
is no more a respecter of mines than of buildings.
WE take pleasure in publishing another letter from
Mr. Charles Butters, in advocacy of the greater use
of silver coin. Whereas we think there is little chance of
supplanting the use of checks and other forms of paper
money in the United States by the circulation of silver
dollars in ordinary business transactions, we do appre-
ciate the conditions that may render such a proposal
feasible in Mexico. There, at the present time, the cur-
rency consists mainly of American silver coin and bilem-
biqn.es, or promissory notes, besides the various kinds
of fiat money printed by successive presidents and de
facto governments, alive and dead. The Mexican natu-
rally looks askance at all forms of paper currency, the
value of which is doubtful and subject to discount. In
his small dealings he needs silver, of which in coined
form there is not enough to go around. What more
reasonable than to coin the silver metal produced by the
mines of Mexico and put the product into immediate
circulation? In this country we would not care to carry
or hold more than five silver dollars at a time ; they are
clumsy; we prefer to convert them into bank-notes, the
value of which is incontrovertible — at least for ordinary
purposes. The Mexican peon is not unwilling to load
himself with heavy coins, preferring to put them under
the hearth or in some other safe hole rather than ex-
change them for doubtful paper. If the silver of the
mines — for instance those owned by Americans, like Mr.
Butters — is coined by the Mexican government, then the
mine-owners, instead of exporting bullion at consider-
able expense and subject to sundry duties at both ends,
could use their Mexican dollars to buy Mexican products
I'm- export to the United Slates. For example, they
might buy carloads of the highly nutritious chick-pea,
garbanzo, which General Obregon is exploiting so suc-
cessfully in Sonora. They might buy oilier products,
such as henequen and gayule, hides and wool, from other
deserving Mexican citizens, many of whom, most prop-
erly, on account of their unusual intelligence, are now
officers of the Government. It seems to us that the But-
ters idea is commendable for many reasons, the chief of
which we mention last, namely, it would take Mexican
silver off the American market by putting it to a benefi-
cent domestic use.
p EORGE WHITE, the new
^-^ cratic National Committee.
chairman of the Demo-
is interesting to miners
because soon after graduating from Princeton he made
the adventurous journey to the Klondike during the rush
of 1898 and remained there three years. He was one of
the lucky men who came away with a fortune — nothing
big, but enough to start him in successful oil speculation.
It is said, in the 'New York Times', that he gave a talk on
his experience as a gold-miner before a church club at
Washington and in the course of his description he told
his hearers about digging 72 ft. through frozen ground
to reach the gold, which was separated from the gravel
by washing with water. Whereupon Mr. James M. Cox,
then a member of Congress from Ohio, twitted him for
asking intelligent people "to believe that where the
ground is frozen 72 ft., running water is found". Many
of our readers know how to explain the apparent dis-
crepancy. The freezing of the ground is due, not to the
cold of the preceding winter, but to the cumulative effect
of a long period of excessive cold, namely, the Glacial
period. The ground is frozen three hundred feet deep,
or as deeply as the water percolates from the surface.
The gold-bearing gravel used to be thawed by wood-fires,
later by steam, and now by unheated water, as described
in our issue of March 13, 1920. After the gravel has been
brought to surface, mainly during the long winter, it is |>
washed in summer, when for three months, or slightly
more, the air is as warm in the Klondike as in Idaho or
Oregon. Running water is plentiful, even if it runs over
frozen ground, for the bedrock is in the grip of a primeval
frost and only the surface surrenders to the summer sun.
Geologic Fallacies
Speaking of real mines, we have been favored with a
report on one owned by the Sulphide Mining Company,
near Chelan, in Washington. The description has been
written by the secretary and treasurer of the company,
who judging by his name and by his literary style is of
Scandinavian origin. His conclusion is that "from all
indications here in time to come will be one of the great-
est mines of the United States". That time may come,
if the physical forces at work in the crust of the earth
succeed in concentrating valuable metals with sufficient
intensity at this particular spot, but it is more than prob-
able that we shall be "ancients of the earth and in the
August 7. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
1R3
morning of the tunes " when that happy evenl super-
venes; our Recent period will seem Algonkian to the de-
scendants of the deluded mortals who "ill have boughl
Sulphide Company stock. The little prospectus is a good
example of meretricious statement. For example, the ore
assays 0.89$ U1 copper, representing $1.20 per ton; 9%
in lead, equal to $9 per ton ; 1C.7 oz. silver, worth $16.70;
and ''lf> hundredths per cent" in gold, equivalent to
$.3.10. nmJriTig a total of $30 per ton. Of course, he means
0.15 of an ounce of gold, but that is a negligible error
compared to the adding of the assay-values of a number
of metals, the presence of which may prove metallurg-
ii-ally conflicting. lie adds: "It will be noticed that I
did not have this sample [he estimates the value of the
vein from the assaying of one sample] assayed for zinc,
and there is no doubt that there was considerable zinc in
the same." The suggestion that the money to be made
from the exploitation of an ore is measurable by adding
the nominal value of each of the metals it may contain is
a fallacy that has been told "to the marines" and to
other supposedly gullible people from time immemorial.
He obtains a poorer assay from a sample taken 400 feet
higher on the surface of the mountain and thereupon con-
cludes: "This, in my opinion, demonstrates that the
deeper one comes on the ledge the richer the ore will be."
Another worm-eaten fallacy; as if the finding of $5 ore
on the top of a mountain and of $15 ore at the surface a
thousand feet lower proved that the ore became trebled
in richness if followed to a depth of 1000 feet below the
surface. All the experience of mining, not to mention
the knowledge of the ways in which outcrops are enriched
in places, contradicts the inference of the simpleton.
The conditions affecting surficial enrichment are measur-
able usually not from a former imaginary horizontal sur-
face but from the surface of today. Another sapient
observation made by our Scandinavian pseudo-geologist is
as follows: "There have been tremendous forces at work
which could not develop from only a few hundred feet
below the surface, but have issued out of depths thou-
sands of feet below the surface, and therefore these ledges
will not work out, but go to unknown depths ; and no one
needs to be afraid that the ledge or ledges will be lost and
not found in driving a tunnel at a great depth." Tell
that to the suckers; it has been told them so often, they
may believe it ! As" if the continuity of a fracture in
granite ensured the persistence of the ore with which it
is filled at the surface or near it; or as if the deep-seated
origin of the geologic forces that formed the fracture
I made certain that it would reach to great depth. A river
does not widen toward its source nor does a crack enlarge
in approaching the place of its origin. If these foolish
| notions, long ago exploded, concerning veins were time,
we would save time and energy by sinking a mile forth-
with, leaving the shallow zone to the timid technicians
who still think it best to be guided by observed facts
and logical induction therefrom. But the best — or the
worst, if you will — is yet to come. On the top of the
"ledge", the Scandinavian and another of the same ilk,
judging by his name, found "all slag, showing the tre-
mendous heat and the forces that have been working".
The vein was capped, so they say, with geologic shiLr.
which apparently had been cooled by the snows of today,
for mention is made of t ho fact that "the lower expanse
is all covered with snow". Another inference is made:
"No minerals have hern discovered in this ledge, and I
think for the reason that a certain depth has to bo readi-
ed before minerals appear." "What then, have we here
an undifferentiated magma! But why should it cap a
vein containing no minerals; is this according to Iloyle
or Kemp, or even in accordance with U. S. mining regu-
lations? A vein without minerals is as rare, if not as
self-eontradic.tory, as a tree without wood or a politician
without talk. So, it appears, if a vein contain several
kinds of metallic minerals, they prove its potentiality of
wealth in depth, at Chelan, "Washington, no matter how
much they may interfere with the extraction of the more
valuable of the metals. "But suppose", says our pseudo-
geologist from the land of the vikings, "that minerals
are found in this ledge on a depth from 50 to 100 feet
and then down, what an unlimited quantity of ore is
here in store." Supposing, supposing — well if a pair of
barn3'ard fowls can produce eight chickens, and the eight
chickens proceed to business like their parents, then 64
more chickens will appear, and if the 64 get busy, why,
there will be a whole lot of chickens, and so ad infinitum.
After all, 'minerals' do not make a mine and even a
'ledge' is not a treasury. As Bossuet said, the greatest
aberration of the mind consists in believing a thing be-
cause it is desirable.
The Salting of Mines
In our issue of July 24 we gave our readers a humor-
ous article on a phase of fraud in mining transactions
written by one who is a kindly spectator of what the
newspaper reporter calls the mining 'game'. Fiction,
even when funny, is not stranger than fact ; indeed to be
funny it must be linked with fact sufficiently to include
an element of probability. The doings described by Mr.
Hutchinson have their parallel in real life. We are re-
minded of the description of an elaborate piece of salt-
ing recounted by Mr. "Walter McDermott in a paper read
before the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy in
London in 1894. Mr. McDermott is an engineer of such
successful experience and proved sagacity that he could
confess himself to have been beaten once by a curious
combination of circumstances favorable to a particularly
systematic and ingenious scheme of salting. An English
engineer brought a series of average samples and half a
ton of average ore from a silver mine in the West to Mr.
McDermott, who was then living in New York. The sam-
ples assayed well and the ore proved docile to ordinary
treatment, so the engineer's report was a glowing one.
However, for financial reasons, the deal in London fell
through. A year later the owner of the mine came
direct to Mr. McDermott, who took an option for an
English company subject to an examination. Before
doing so Mr. McDermott obtained a report from an engi-
neer in the West, confirming the owner's statements.
In addition, he received a statement from two other
184
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 7, 1920
Western engineers stating that the mine would prove
valuable if the ore were milled on the ground instead of
1 icing selected for shipment to the smelters. Thereupon
lie himself went to the mine and sampled it carefully,
taking more than half a ton of samples, in sacks that were
sealed in the mine by wire through and around the necks,
and held by a special lead seal. It was a question whether
the full width, six feet, of the lode was rich enough to be
milled successfully on a large scale, or whether only a
small part of it could be treated profitably on a small
scale. In addition to his 25 average samples, he took
seven full-sack samples from different parts of the mine,
each of these consisting of large lumps of the poorer ore
without any fine stuff, the idea being that they would be
immune from salting because they could be cleaned
easily, so that any 'salt', in a fine or a liquid state, could
be removed before assaying. In an evil moment he had
to change his program, for his clients pressed him for a
preliminary report, whereupon he decided to crush five
of his seven bulk-samples at a local sampling-works. He
took the usual precaution of cleaning the crusher and
rolls himself, dusting the lumps beforehand, as well as
quartering the pulp himself and taking samples in dupli-
cate. One set he handed to a local assayer, whom he knew
to be interested and whom he could not trust unchecked.
The second set of. samples he kept in a valise in his own
bedroom, but, as was ascertained later, the assayer was
in collusion with the vendors, the entire mining camp
was involved in a conspiracy six years old, and somebody
managed to enter his room and doctor his check-samples.
He still had two, which were sent to New York, but, as
bad luck would have it, he was delayed by other business
in returning thither and the samples arriving before he
did they were crushed and assayed by his assistant in
New York without taking the precaution to clean the
lumps. So this check proved unavailing, Into each sack
was introduced a dose of finely divided silver such as is
obtained from leaching plants using copper-plate pre-
cipitation. As a matter of fact, the lump samples con-
tained naturally only two to three ounces of silver per
ton, but when 'doctored' or 'fixed' they assayed 20 to 30
ounces. The smaller samples of crushed ore were 'got at'
afterward. In each one Mr. McDermott found, by pan-
ning and the use of a microscope, particles of fine metal-
lic silver such as did not exist in the mineral itself. This
sinister fact he discovered in the course of milling tests,
and it raised suspicion sufficient to cause him to endeavor
to re-sample the mine, but again the force of circum-
stances beyond his control and the skillful actions of the
gang at the mine sufficed to defeat his purpose. To this
unfortunate result his own clients contributed by their
anxiety to consummate the deal, refusing to consider the
chance of error in view of the previous good reports and
the insistence of the vendors upon a prompt decision.
Shortly after the purchase had been made he re-sampled
the mine, the first assays disclosed the fraud, and he in-
formed his clients by cablegram that they had been de-
ceived. He proceeded to bring the matter home to the
perpetrators. After four years of hard work he was able
to get a sweeping judgment against the vendors. It was
disclosed that the English engineer, who made the first
report, had not sealed his sacks ; he had tied them with a
string and had crushed his samples at the local mill be-
fore shipment to New York. The gang had been able to
empty his sacks and fill them with selected ore. Un-
fortunately these samples, after being assayed in New
York, were thrown away in due course, but one sealed
bottle containing a mixed average of the English engi-
neer's samples was found and upon examination it
proved to be free from any metallic silver. This served
as evidence in the trial of the case. An American engi-
neer, who took small samples and sealed them with the
end of his penknife, took the samples himself to the ex-
press company's office at the nearest railway station, but
the agent was persuaded to let the vendors have a look
at the samples. They opened the sacks, changed the con-
tents, and re-sealed the packages, using a penknife as
the expert had done. The more experienced Western en-
gineer had taken his samples carefully, quartered them
in the mine himself, and sealed them in sacks, using a
seal bearing his own initial. He also delivered them to
the express company's agent in person and therefore felt
safe. At midnight the agent and two of the vendor's
gang set to work. To avoid breaking the seals, they
opened the sacks at the bottom, at the seam, and re-sewed
them neatly after substituting a grade of ore more satis-
factory for expediting a sale. As Mr. McDermott re-
marks: "A sack that has the sewing of the join inside,
and is sealed at the mouth, cannot be opened at the bot-
tom and re-seWed with absolute impunity ; but the open-
ing need not be large, and with neat work, and the big
chances of the expert having absolute confidence in the
express company or post-office after he has personally
delivered his samples, the business can be done." It was,
in this ease. Moreover the vendor's representative had
the foresight to take a copy of the seal on the sacks and
had one made for himself. The story is worth re-telling,
if only to show how even many precautions will some-
times fail to prevent or to detect 'salting' until it is too
late. The use of a magnifying glass to examine the ore is
an excellent precaution. Mr. McDermott relates how,
when examining an alleged silver prospect in South
Dakota, he detected particles of silver to which traces of
native copper were attached. On questioning his guide,
he found that he had worked in the Lake Superior mines.
That sufficed, for the association of native silver and
native copper is almost unknown save on the Keweenaw
peninsula. The only absolute protection against salting
is to be alone at all stages of the work or else to be ac-
companied by one's own assistants. When the engineer
has to go in a hurry to examine a mine offered for sale on
a short option, he may have to accept the aid of people in
the mine. Then he is in danger. Clients are often to
blame for their insistence upon a hasty decision and for
their refusal to allow the engineer to adopt the necessary
precautions, chiefly plenty of time and reliable assistance.
Two sayings should be written, like an electric safety-
first warning, on every engineer's notebook and oper-
ator's check-book: 'Caveat Emptor' and 'It is better to
be sure than sorry'.
-i 7. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
1 85
Concerning Silver
1
The Editor:
Sir — Thank you for your kind notice of my letter, in
your issue of July 3, concerning silver. Criticism of any
kind is always helpful and enlightening if one only lis-
tens carefully enough to the other man's view.
I note your remark that for the silver miner to pay his
obligations in his product or silver money "is a pious
idea, but we anticipate that those receiving silver dollars
would deposit them in the bank, preferring to use cheeks
or Federal Reserve bank-notes". I want to thank you
very much indeed for these few lines, because they show
me, first, that I had failed to make my argument clear
for the silver miner, and, second, that even if the re-
ceiver of the silver did not use it but once and then de-
posited it as mentioned, our object would still have been
attained, in part at least.
The silver miner is concerned in the primary market-
ing of his silver. If the silver is marketed in bars, it can
be sold and re-sold, and is a constant menace to the
market until it reaches some final manufactured form —
the more expensive the form of manufacture the better.
Once manufactured into silver salts, jewelry, or plate, it
is well off the market, at least for a time. In bangles or
anklets on an Bast Indian woman, where a lot of it goes,
it is fairly sure that, for the present at least, it won't
bother. With these markets supplied, if the miner goes
to the Mint and sells there for the market-price, and re-
ceives silver coin in payment, he has put his product into
a manufactured form and it takes a price of $1.29 per
ounce for dollars and $1.38 for subsidiary coin before
that silver can come back on his market for re-sale. In
that way the miner has accomplished his object of en-
larging his market when the price is down, and has re-
duced the supply to other users.
What brings down the price is trying to sell where
there is no demand. When the silver miner sees a fall-
ing demand, he should immediately sell his product to the
Mint at any market-price and get his output put into
coin. When there, it is safely locked up to at least coin-
age-value. When he pays this out and it goes into circu-
lation the miner has accomplished his object. What is
lone with it afterward does not interest him so much,
tf it is carried around and used and gradually wasted
|>y attrition, so much less silver. If it is put in a bank
tnd the banker issues a paper note against it, still the
ilver producer is satisfied. If the banker can issue two
r more notes against it, the banker is satisfied and the
ainer did him a kindly turn by giving him a basis for
the multiplication of credit, and for the man who wants
to borrow there is money and credit where it did not
exist before. So it seems to me that the miner, when he
coins his silver for his own protection, is in the position
of the man who made two blades of grass grow where
only one grew before, and I believe such a man is highly
respected and looked up to as a public benefactor. If our
paternal and non-profit-making Mint buys the silver for,
say, 90c. per ounce and coins it into silver at anywhere
between $1.29 and $1.38, the silver miner, in addition to
all the other benefits he has bestowed, has incidentally
given the public about 35 to 40e. per ounce on his out-
put, which is at least twice as much profit as he himself
has received. The public gets this because the Govern-
ment has a monopoly on coinage ; which all goes to show
what happens when the silver miner goes to the Mint
with his silver, or what ought to happen.
Now I will tell you just what happens right now, be-
cause it happened to me. You go to the Mint with your
fine bars and you ask them to coin them at the market
price. The reply is, "Yes, but we pay you in gold. We
are not letting any silver out at present. We want the
silver to get back our reserve." It is a curious attitude.
In other words, our policy at the present time is to give
gold for silver. The reason majr interest the silver miner.
The Treasury may think that silver is cheaper now than
it will be in the future, otherwise they ought to be will-
ing to pay out silver.
It is to the interest of the silyer miner that every means
should be taken to lengthen the time of filling the Gov-
ernment reserve, and that can only be done by reducing
the amount of silver going into the reserve and increas-
ing the amount going into circulation.
If any reader can tell me on what grounds the Mint
can insist on paying for silver deposits in gold, when
the depositor of bullion asks for silver, I shall be very
glad to learn.
Chas. Butters.
Oakland, California, July 20.
The Bunker Hill Enterprise
The Editor:
Sir — The statistical summary of the operations of the
Bunker Hill & Sullivan Mining & Concentrating Co.,
given in your issue of May 15, is interesting and valu-
able; it indicates the great increase in costs that obtain
in mining and concentrating ore as compared with a few
years ago. This subject is of much interest to me owning
to having had occasion recently to review the costs of a
186
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 7, 1920
lcrge n umber of mines situated in Mexico, in which the
operating costs have increased from 40 to 100% over
those obtaining in 1912.
In making some notes on the table prepared for you
of the Bunker Hill costs. I tabulated them for the years
since the production passed 300.000 tons per annum, the
figures being approximately as follows :
19041911 1911-1915 19161917 19181919 1919
Sloping- S1.45 $1.68 S2.07 J2.45 S2.58
Tramminr 0.07 0.06 0.06 0.08 0.08
Concentrating .... 0.31 0.40 0.58 0.74 0.81
Shipping 0.05 0 0? 0.03 0.05 0.06
Superintendence ... 0.08 0.16 0.16 0.48 0.57
I*gal 0.01 0.09 006 Oil 0.02
Contingent 0.05 0.06 0.06 0.07 0.13
Total 2.00 2.50 3.00 4.00 4 25
Increase, per cent 25 50 100 112
There was a steady increase in the cost of stoping. the
cost for 1919 being approximately 80% greater than
those for the period 1904-1911. Wages and supplies
enter very largely into this. I suspect that the price of
power had not been increased to any great extent during
this period, and hence stoping costs do not reflect the
increase that would have applied had the property been
using other than hydro-electric power, and therefore the
peak for high price for stoping may not have yet been
reached. The cost of tramming has suffered almost no
change, which might be explained by the same reason
as that mentioned for stoping. Concentration shows a
maximum increase of 160%. which may have resulted
from some extraordinary expenditures in 1919. The
most marked increase is in superintendence, amounting
to 600%. which would appear to cast a reflection on the
good intentions of the present-day workman. In general,
the total cost appears to have increased by more than
100% over that for 1904-1911.
Costs in Mexico have increased from 40 to 100% over
those of 1912, as noted above. Supplies that are im-
ported from the United States will average probably
somewhere between 100 and 150% over those of 1912.
Coal and especially fuel-oil obtained in Mexico have not
greatly increased, therefore the item of power has not
increased in the same proportion as other items. Wages
have probably increased 40 to 60% when considering the
tendencies produced by several years of revolution.
S. F. Shaw.
Charcas. San Louis Potosi, Julv 15.
Some Observations • on Smelting
The Editor:
Sir — In your issue of July 10. I credited J. H. Klep-
inger and Peter Thill (or J. H. Klepinger and Archie
Wheeler^ as being patentees of the process of blowing
concentrate and pulverized fuel separately into a rever-
beratory. whereas I should have credited it to J. H.
Klepinger. Milo W. Krejei, and Charles R. Kuzell.
Garfield, Utah. July 16. C' W" TandT
[F. S. Pat. 1.100.621 was issued on Nov. 16. 1915. to
J. H. Klepinger. M. W. Krejci, and C. R. Kuzell for a
process of introducing oxides of zinc, copper, lead, or
other oxide ore, flux, and fuel into a reduction chamber
while in the form of dust, so as to fuse, reduce, and sep-
arate the metals from the slag.
F. S. Pat. 1.164.653 was issued on Dec. 31. 1915, to the
same men, for spraying copper-sulphide ore containing
iron into a chamber with flux and powdered fuel, the
mixture to be ignited, and air supplied after ignition
sufficient to oxidize sulphur and iron, slag the iron, and
produce copper sulphide: raw material being added to
the fused product to counteract any other oxidation. — -
Editor.]
Ventilation of Mines
Each mine should have its ventilating equipment and
system installed by someone thoroughly familiar with
the subject. The main fan should be in fireproof housing,
equipped for quick reversal of air currents in event of
necessity. Air currents should be split underground by
a system of doors, overcasts, regulators, etc., in such way
that air is quickly removed from the mine after passing
through one or two levels, and in the event of a fire in
one part, that the fume may be removed without con-
taminating any other part of the mine. The chief object
in ventilating a mine is. however, to bring the moving
air to the working face, the most difficult places to ven-
tilate being blind ends. For such places the best results
are obtained with small auxiliary fans directly connected
to electric motors (1J to 10 hp.) and forcing 1000 to
5000 cu. ft. per minute at a velocity of 1000 lineal feet
per minute to the working place or face. Blower-fans
are preferable to the suction type, as they provide rapid
movement in addition to removing impure air. Either
canvas or iron pipes can be used with blower-fans. Can-
vas pipes are more convenient and flexible, but iron pipe
lasts longer. The last 50 ft. at least should be of canvas
for bringing air directly to the face, and for quick re-
moval before blasting and quick replacement after the
blast. The most essential feature of metal-mine ventila-
tion is probably that of competent supervision of equip-
ment and practice. Good results cannot be attained if
the ventilating system is left without attention, as is the
ease in many metal mines, nor if left to a mine foreman,
who frequently knows little about ventilation. Progres-
sive companies are realizing the value of efficient ven-
tilation at working faces, and in general find the best
results are had when ventilation is placed in the hands
of one man who devotes all or most of his time to this
work. Where this is done the returns in improved safety
and health of employees, and in financial return to the
company, far outweigh any costs entailed. — F. S. Bureau
of Mines.
Owixg to the present high price of platinum, there has
been a recent great demand for substitutes for it. At
one time platinum was used in making incandescent
lamps, but in this use it is now almost entirely replaced
by tungsten.
August '■ 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
187
A History of Mine-Fires in the South -West— Part II
By CHARLES A. MITKE
From August 1917 until November 1919, the Coronado
mine of the Arizona Copper Company suffered from a
series of fires, which, unfortunately necessitated numer-
out shut-downs. All these fires occurred in active top-
slice stopes, in which the percentage of the sulphur in
the ore was less than 3%.
The Coronado mine extends along a continuous east-
west vein, over two miles long. The main haulage-way
is on the adit-level, which is the 1100-ft. level in the
Coronado mine. The remaining levels are the 500, 600,
700, and 900, which are all in the vein and parallel. The
Matilda shaft, extending from the 1100-ft. level to sur-
face ( on top of Coronado mountain) is situated one mile
such large volume that it filled both the 655-ft. and 700-
ft. levels as far east as the Matilda shaft. This was due
partly to the fact that the mine was ventilated entirely
by natural draft, and during the summer the air-shaft,
though caved by earlier top-slice workings, was a slight
upcast during part of the day aud a strong downcast at
other times.
The part of the mine on fire was worked principally
by top-slicing, and a large and continuous timbered mat
extended over the 500-ft. level for some 1200 ft. The
stopes on the west end (at the air-shaft) were top-sliced
down as far as the 655-ft. level, whereas those in the
east end had only reached the 500-ft. level. Above the
Fig. 6. coronado adit and incline
west from the portal of the adit. In 1917 nearly all the
Coronado stopes were west of the Matilda shaft, between
the 700-ft. and 500-ft. levels. The 700, which is the ex-
traction level for all the Coronado stopes, was the only
one at that time which extended from the Matilda shaft
(through the Coronado stopes and Horseshoe mine) clear
to daylight, at the extreme west end of the vein.
During the month of August 1917, and for some time
previous, the mine had been idle, owing to a strike in
the district. As a protective measure, the company or-
ganized patrols, who visited the workings at stated
periods during the 24 hours. At midnight, on August
19, the night patrol detected gas on the western end of
the 655-ft. level, in the vicinity of the air-shaft, which is
about 1500 ft. west of the Matilda shaft. The source of
the gas could not be discovered, as there was no smoke.
Later, smoke made its appearance on the 700-ft. level,
near the air-shaft, and within a short time it came out in
timbered mat a large portion of the workings was caved
and broken to surface. It was important therefore that
the fire should be prevented from reaching the air-shaft,
where the upcast air would carry it through the caved
ground into the timbered mat beyond and make its ex-
tinguishment extremely difficult.
The first efforts to decrease the smoke and gas were
made by means of doors, bulkheads, and small fans, in
order that an attack might be made on the fire in the
neighborhood of the air-shaft, approaching it from the
east end of the 700-ft. tunnel, the main object being, if
possible, to go up the air-shaft to the level above, and seal
the fire that was progressing westward on the 655-ft.
level. No attempt was made to reach the air-shaft from
the adit on the extreme west end of the 700-ft. tunnel, as
this was the natural outlet for the smoke and no elec-
trical power was available at that end. Approach was
also impossible from the upper levels, as the fire pre-
188
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 7, 1920
vented access on the 655-ft. level, and the air-shaft above
this level was caved to surface.
However, before the smoke had been forced back
sufficiently to permit of an approach, a cave took place
in a stope immediately east of the air-shaft, and the
burning rock found its way through chutes and filled
that portion of the 700-ft. level beneath the stope. The
removal of this caved material was necessary before
further progress could be made, and, as it contained con-
siderable pyrite and burning timber, it presented a
hazardous undertaking. When water was first turned
on, a large amount of steam, dust, and sulphur di-oxide
arose from the waste-piles, making it almost impossible
for the shovelers to approach. The water-lines had to
be kept ten feet ahead of the men so as to flood the caved
material before it was cool enough to be shoveled. A con-
siderable amount of spiling and breastboarding had also
to be done under the chutes from which the caved ma-
terial had come.
When the work of getting through on the 700-ft. level
was finally completed and the air-shaft reached, it was
found that the fire had already progressed to this point
and the air-shaft and several adjacent chutes had given
way and caused further caving on both the 655 and 700-
ft. levels. All hope of attacking the fire from above had
then to be abandoned, and it was therefore decided to
build bulkheads and flood the ground.
This was an ideal flooding scheme, for the reason that,
as stated above, the workings extended along one con-
tinuous vein, having parallel drifts on the different
levels, and it only required a few bulkheads to complete
the reservoir. Two of these were constructed on the
700 (at the east and west ends of the level), one on the
655, and one on the 600 (both at the east end, as on the
west the levels ended in solid rock). As all indications
led to the belief that the fire had not progresed farther
than 55 to 70 ft. above the 700-ft. level, it was apparent
that only a comparatively small amount of water would
be required. However, in order to make sure that any
peaks of flame that might extend into the mat were ex-
tinguished, it was decided to raise the water-level about
120 feet.
After the bulkheads were completed, a little over two
million gallons was pumped into this underground reser-
voir. Considerable difficulty was experienced at first in
raising the water-level, owing to unforeseen conditions
in the vein (through which the tunnel extended), at the
point where one of the bulkheads was constructed ; never-
theless, the water was finally raised 120 ft. above the
700-ft. level, which thoroughly drenched the lower por-
tion of the timbered mat.
The water was then drained off, the bulkheads re-
moved, and the levels prepared for stoping operations.
Subsequent examination and later stoping showed that
the fire had been completely extinguished.
Ten months later, on the night of June 17, 1918, three
men were gassed while pulling ore from a shrinkage-
stope on the 400-ft. level of the Coronado mine, over a
quarter of a mile east of the place of the first fire. As a
lot of blasting had previously been done, it was thought
they had been overcome by powder-smoke. Gas was
noticed the following day on the 600-ft. level, about 350
ft. west of the shrinkage-stope mentioned. An investi-
gation was made ; although no fire was discovered, never-
theless there was considerable smoke. During the sum-
mer, from May to November, the air currents in the
Coronado reverse daily and the shafts and small openings
through the mat to surface are downcast the greater
part of the day, whereas the main adit on the 1100 is
an outlet. Bulkheads were therefore put in on the 600-
ft. and 700-ft. levels, in order to prevent the gas from
going into the lower workings. However, the smoke and
gas kept increasing so rapidly that in a short time the
workings had to be abandoned.
Blowers were put in operation on the 400, 500. and
700-ft. levels, to force the smoke and gas back and up
through the mat and caved workings to surface. The
fire was then located in a raise on the 600-ft. level, con-
necting with one of the top-slice stopes, but before any
effective fighting could be done the surrounding ground
caved.
As this outbreak had occurred over 100 ft. higher in
the mat than the former fire, it was decided not to at-
tempt to re-flood the workings, but to seal the stopes
adjacent to the fire, put the remainder of the mine
under pressure, and continue operating. The ventilat-
ing equipment that was immediately available, although
inadequate for the task, was sufficient to force the gas
back far enough to allow normal production to be con-
tinued, and 11 days after this second fire was discovered,
the mine was again in operation.
On August 5, 1918, smoke was discovered in another
stope on the 600-ft. level of the Coronado mine, some
150 ft. west of the fire of June 17. This stope was being
operated on three shifts by top-slicing for the purpose
of carrying it down rapidly in order to sever the timber
connection extending through the mat from the point
where the fire of June 17 occurred to the live workings
beyond. The back of the stope and drift leading into it
soon began to settle, which made it absolutely necessary
for the men to do a lot of reinforcing and bracing of
timbers before an effective attack could be made on the
fire. Burning timbers dropped down the chute beneath
the stope and set fire to the 655-ft. and 700-ft. levels.
The smoke was so thick on these lower levels that the
fire could not be extinguished before the ground had
caved.
With such a large fire existing in the timbered mat, it
was impossible with the inadequate ventilating equip-
ment to continue operating with safety. It was there-
fore decided to seal the entire mine and admit super-
heated steam. Pipes were laid and an old boiler-plant on
the surface was utilized. The superheated steam was
carried into the fire-area on the 600-ft. level in the form
of vapor, in order to reach the various peaks of flame
that extended from the fire-stopes. This was continued
for about six weeks. On November 25, 1918, the mine
was re-opened and examined on the 500, 600, and 700-ft.
si 7. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
1H!I
levels, and while the large tire appeared to I"- extin-
guished, a raise on the 500-ft. level, about 300 ft. east,
was found to be burning. The entire fire-area was again
sealed and steam turned into the 500-ft. level. The find-
in-: of tin- fire above the 500 led to the belief that at the
time of the outbreak of June 17, 1918, a number of fires
Pig. g. west Yankee shaft, morenci
■were started in different places in the mine, but owing
to caved rock, smoke, and gas, it had been impossible to
explore the 500-ft. level before, and consequently this
particular fire remained undiscovered until the mine was
re-opened on November 25, 1918.
Jerome District
Fires have existed in the mines of the United Verde
Copper Co. for over 22 years.*
These fires were originally
caused by friction, due to the
caving of orebodies containing
a large percentage of sulphur.
There have been a number of
outbreaks from time to time,
necessitating the bulklieading
•of a large portion of the upper
levels.
Various methods of fight-
ing these fires have been tried
land the management has
finally decided to reclaim the
•ore in the fire-area by strip-
ping the overburden with
.steam-shovels. '
I On January 20, 1917, a cave
•occurred in the 1407 stope of
the small orebody of the
United Verde Extension mine.
This ore was very heavy and contained a high per-
centage of copper and sulphur. In a comparatively
short time the entire stope became hot and a fire ensued.
It was then found necessary to design a temporary venti-
lating system that would clear the smoke and gas. Raises
had i" be driven, the cave timbered and cribbed in such
a manner as to prevent further movement of ground,
while main gangways were established through the slop,-.
Alii r considering the different methods applicable under
these circumstances, it was decided to excavate the caved
ground by underhand stoping. Considerable patience
had to be exercised in training the men to
timber the stope thoroughly as the work pro-
gressed. After completing the first floor at
the top of the cave, and filling with waste,
another was started, and this plan was con-
tinued until not only the broken ore, but also
the loose pyrite scattered around the stope
had been removed. The greater the amount
of pyrite and rich sulphides removed, the
lower the temperature became, until there
was a complete absense of gas and the heat
had decreased so that working conditions were
restored to normal.
In December 1917, a fire at the collar of
the Daisy shaft of the same company de-
stroyed several sets of timber. However, hose
and water connections were soon available
and in a comparatively short time this fire was
extinguished. It was taken in time and resulted in only
slight damage. Since then the first set below the collar,
and connection to the fan on surface, have been made of
concrete.
Causes op Mine-Fires
The usual causes of fires are defective electric wiring,
neglected candles, heated bearings, blasting, spontaneous
•'Mine-Fire Methods Employed by United Verde Copper
Co.' R. E. Tally, A. I. M. E., Bulletin, Sept. 1916.
Fig. 8. united vehde mine, showing surface that is now being steam-
shoveled
combustion resulting from pyritic orebodies that have
caved, and incendiarism.
Fires in surface-buildings have been the cause of many
catastrophes underground. The fire is communicated to
the shafts and thence to the workings. In recent years,
however, steel head-frames and other fire-proof construc-
tion have come into general use and a convenient water
190
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 7. 1920
supply is usually available, so that the possibility of
mine-fires from this source has been largely obviated.
During recent years there have been at least 35 active
fires in copper mines in the South- West. Twelve of
these were in shafts, while the remainder occurred in
drifts, raises, and stopes. The causes may be classified
as follows :
Candles 3
Defective electric wiring 5
Sulphide stopes 11
Incendiary 15
Unknown causes 1
35*
Fires in sulphide stopes were the cause of at least 31%
of the above. These fires originated from the heat caused
by friction in moving or caving ground, containing a
high percentage of sulphur. Such fires are extremely
dangerous on account of the gas that is given forth.
Aside from the distillation products of wood, sulphur
di-oxide is always present in large quantity, which adds
considerably to the difficulty of fighting a fire.
When stoping is first commenced in an orebody of this
character, the workings are just as cool as they are in a
body of ore having no sulphur content, but after mining
has progressed for some time, should the ground be
allowed to settle or cave, the results of friction are indi-
cated by a steadily increasing temperature until the stope
becomes so hot that it sets fire to the timbers. These in
turn set fire to the sulphur in the ore. The importance of
selecting the proper method of mining an orebody of
this character cannot be too strongly emphasized. As a
general rule, no caving method can be applied, and as
this ore is usually very hea"vy it must be stoped by taking
out very small sections and immediately filling with
waste. In this way only a limited portion of ground is
left open at any one time, thereby minimizing the danger
from caving, which is the principal cause of fire in sul-
phide ores.
Great caution should be exercised in operating stopes
by the top-slice method. A fire that has once obtained a
good start in the timbers usually forms peaks which
extend so far up in the mat as to become inaccessible ;
and while the lower part of the fire may be extinguished,
there is always the danger of these peaks of fire progress-
ing through the caved ground along the top of the mat.
For this reason, every mine in which the top-slice method
is used should be equipped with mechanical ventilation,
and fire-fighting plans fully prepared beforehand, so that
should a fire start the section in question may be brat-
ticed off immediately, put under pressure, and an attack
made before the fire has an opportunity to get beyond
control.
Aside from the active mine-fires described in this
paper, there were at least five dormant fires, which were
the result of filling old stopes with timber and pyrite
♦This total does not include the numerous outbreaks in
the United Verde mine at Jerome during recent years, nor
the inactive fire-areas and dormant fires in other mines in
Arizona.
before the danger of sulphide fires was appreciated.
Some of these required a great deal of development work
and considerable expenditure before they were cooled
sufficiently to prevent their generating gas, and thereby
endangering the live workings.
Many writers have shown reserve in including in-
cendiarism among the causes of mine-fires, but a careful
study of the origin of recent fires in the South- West
shows that over 40% of them have had this sinister
origin. Since this has become a definite cause, it is im-
perative that the fact be recognized and preparations
made accordingly. A few companies have already real-
ized this and have made adequate preparations to pre-
vent such fires, principally by sealing their old workings,
locking the exits and entrances to mines, erecting doors
at shaft-stations, and resorting to mechanical ventilation
in the newer workings. For instance, at one mine, sepa-
rate water-pipes are laid parallel with the air-pipes, fire-
doors are being built to separate the shafts from the
workings, and also the different divisions from each
other; a large number of bulkheads have been construct-
ed to seal old workings; a system of fire-patrol intro-
duced; helmet crews trained, and complete apparatus
and fire-fighting equipment kept on hand. A second
mining company, aside from installing a mechanical
ventilating system, has adopted further preventive meas-
ures, such as placing water-pipes in the shaft, fire-doors
to separate the different mines, removal of mule-barns
from shaft-stations, and concreting of the main hoisting-
shafts. Another large mine has an extensive system of
fire-protection, which includes mechanical ventilation,
sprays in the shafts, doors at shaft-stations, and a com-
plete code of directions, specifying duties for everyone in
the organization.
Other companies have realized the great importance of
fire-proofing their main working-shafts (as well as mak-
ing them downcasts), so as to eliminate the danger of
fire in the shaft, and the possibility of any smoke or gas
entering the live workings from this source. By making
the working-shafts downcast, in the event of a fire un-
derground, the men can then come out to the different
shaft-stations into good air, and without fear of the gas
overtaking them.
The old method of fighting fires was to make a dash
into smoke or gas without any pre-arranged plan, keep-
ing the entire crew in the most excitable condition and
doing many things that were extremely hazardous and
that really accomplished practically nothing toward ex-
tinguishing the fire. At times, helmet men were sent
thousands of feet into gaseous atmosphere, when there
was but a bare possibility of their ever returning. In
one case, two helmet men out of five lost their lives under
just such circumstances, without a single thing being
accomplished. Another old-time method was to have men
rush into gas to build a bulkhead, unprotected by hel-
mets, and work two-minute shifts, then return to fresh
air while two other men rushed in and took their places.
There are cases on record where it took several days to
build a bulkhead in this manner, which can now be con-
August 7. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
191
Btrocted within a few hours when mechanical ventilation
is used in lire-lighting. In the former case, not only did
it take mneh longer to build the bulkhead, but many men
were overcome with gas and had to be rushed to fresh air,
while the remainder of the crew were sick and suffered
from headache and nausea when going off shift
In fighting fires in shafts, care should always be taken
to see that the man are first removed to a place of safety,
be/on «»'/ water is turned doini the shaft. When the
men are out of danger, the most effective method of
attacking the fire is to close the iron doors at the collar,
and the doors at shaft-stations on the different levels, for
the purpose of bringing the ventilation to a stop while
water is turned on the fire from sprays placed at regular
intervals down the shaft. Merely closing the iron doors
charcoal, even though not exposed to them for more than
two minutes, while, incredible as it may seem, their com-
panions escaped injury by simply holding their breath
and walking a distance of ten feet into good air. The
fall of rock down a raise, causing a tremendous air-blast,
forces the heated and burning charcoal (which appears
in the form of fine black dust), along the tunnels or
drifts for hundreds of feet. When this combination is
inhaled, the hot poisonous gas and dust destroy the tissue
of the lungs. These air-blasts are frequently mistaken
for explosions of carbon mon-oxide. This is an erroneous
idea, as, so far, every case in the South- West has been
the result of falling ground.
When exploratory work has to be done long distances
through smoke and gas, mechanical ventilation is usually
Fig. 9. united verde extension mine
at the collar is not sufficient to hold the ventilation in
check, as there is always a certain amount of leakage,
and in such cases gas has been known to proceed along
the main haulage-ways for hundreds of feet from the
shaft. When water is turned into a shaft under these
circumstances, if there are any men in the mine, in all
probability there will be a good many fatalities. One in-
stane of this kind has already occurred in which over 50
men lost their lives. This illustrates the necessity of in-
stalling fire-doors at shaft-stations as well as at the
collar of the shaft.
One of the serious dangers accompanying the fighting
of fires in mines is that of air-blasts, which are caused by
caves following the burning of the timbers in raises and
stopes. These may be frequent; their intensity depends
on the quantity of material and the height of the cave.
Great care should be exercised in work around a fire
where caves are likely to occur, and frequent instructions
should be given to remind the men of the serious results
that may follow their being caught in the gas resulting
from the air-blast. There are eases recorded where men
have received fatal injuries by inhaling these noxious
gases, in conjunction with minute particles of burning
employed to clear the atmosphere as far back as possible.
As the workings are being cleared of smoke and gas by
means of ventilation, great care is always exercised to
prevent the fresh air from stimulating the fire. This is
accomplished by the extensive use of bratticing. The
brattices are moved ahead as the work of clearing the
smoke and gas progresses. When the fire-area is reached,
water is turned on through openings in the brattices.
This method permits the maintenance of a safety-sta-
tion in the proximity of the fire, so that attacks can be
made by men without oxygen apparatus. While helmet-
crews are necessary for exploratory purposes, and, in
exceptional eases, to complete work in certain places that
cannot be ventilated quickly, nevertheless, the larger
part of the work is done by men without oxygen appa-
ratus, and therefore a far more rapid attack can be made
on the fire.
The work of fire-fighting is frequently rendered ex-
tremely hazardous by the caving and air-blasts. In many
instances, the warning that precedes these air-blasts is
very slight, consisting either of a slight cracking of tim-
bers, falling of cinders, or dropping of small particles of
rock. Experience has shown that a man wearing a hel-
192
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC P$ESS
August 7, 1920
met. owing to his encumberances, is not as sensitive to
these signals and cannot make his escape as quickly as a
man without the apparatus. It is therefore quite an ad-
vantage to be able to conduct as much of this dangerous
work as possible in good air without the apparatus. An-
other advantage is that fewer men have been knocked out
by smoke and gas as compared with those fighting fires
in mines ventilated by natural means.
Still another consideration of great importance is the
continuity of air currents in a definite direction, when
mechanically controlled, as contrasted with the variable
movements of the natural draft, which subject the miners
to continual atmospheric changes, depending upon the
season of the year and time of day.
The economy of mechanical ventilation is apparent
when it is considered that the cost of fighting fires in
mines where such systems are used ranges from 10%, to
20% of that in mines using only natural ventilation.
This has been proved in all the largest mine-fires in the
South-West. Furthermore, a considerable number of
fires have been extinguished by the use of ventilating
systems before the fire had a chance to spread. This
would have been impracticable had the ventilation not
been controlled by mechanical means, as the smoke and
gas would have been carried in every direction by the
variable currents of air.
It has been demonstrated in a. number of instances
that with the use of mechanical ventilation, properly de-
signed and carefully handled during a crisis, a mine in
which a fire exists can be kept in continuous operation
by controlling all the air that enters and leaves the fire-
area, thus obviating long delays, large expenditures, and
curtailment of production.
Mining in the Potosi District
A railway connects the city of Potosi with the main
line of the Bolivia railway between Uyuni and La Paz.
This branch line is 174 km. long and makes connection
with the main line at the Rio Mulato junction, which lies
105 km. north of Uyuni and 441 km. south of La Paz.
The Condor station on this line, at the point where the
railway crosses the divide of the Cordillera de los Frailes,
is probably the highest altitude reached by any railway
line in the world, being at a height of over 15,800 ft.
above sea-level. There are two trains a week between
Potosi and Rio Mulato. which make the trip in a little
less than 9-| hours. Passengers coming from Anto-
fagasta, after leaving that port at 7 : 50 p.m. on Tuesday,
reach Potosi at 7:34 p.m. on Thursday. The freight
traffic of the Potosi district is divided between the Anto-
fagasta and Arica routes, though most of it passes
through the former port. The railway line which is
being built in from Potosi to Sucre has been completed
as far as Betanzos. a distance of about 55 km. Passenger
service as far as Betanzos was started several months ago,
but this line has not yet begun to carry freight destined
for Sucre,
j The Potosi district is essentially a mining region, and
whatever other industries exist are subordinate to this
main interest. The mining industry centres about the
famous Cerro de Potosi, although there are less important
mines at other points outside the immediate radius of the
city of Potosi. Silver and tin are the principal products
of the Potosi mines, though copper, lead, antimony, and
other minerals are also produced. Exports from the dis-
trict during 1918 were as follows :
Mineral Kg.
Tin:
Barrilla (concentrate) 4.G39.530
Bars 58*2.050
Wolfram , X.990
Silver 22,840:
Copper ■ 31.. 000
Bismuth ' 18.360
The Cerro de Potosi is a cone-shaped mountain about
2000 ft. high, situated on the outskirts of the city of that
name. The Spaniards began to work its rich deposits of
silver ore in about 1545, and during the colonial regime
the enormous quantities of silver taken out of the Cerro,
variously estimated at from $1,000,000,000 to $2,000,000.-
000, formed the principal basis of the mineral industry
of the old vieeroy^lty of Peru. However, the Spaniards
not only ignored the tin and other metals existing in the
Cerro, but the. inadequate, methods, used in mining and
smelting prevented them from securing the full benefit
of their labors, so that the dumps, left from their work-
ings still contain an appreciable quantity of metal. Dur-
ing the past few decades there has been a marked re-
vival of mining in the Cerro, the present operators being
comparatively new comers.
The most important interests in the Cerro are those
belonging to Luis Soux, of French birth, who operates
several mines in the Cerro and owns a smelter, the only
one in Bolivia, which was built about 25 years ago, and in
which he makes' bars containing about 95% tin. He also
sends out large quantities of tin concentrate (barrilla)
and silver ore. About 1000 people are employed in all
his workings. The second most important interest in the
district belongs to Bebin brothers, also of French origin.
These men have recently installed a new concentrating
plant, where the tin ores from their mines in the Cerro
are prepared for shipment in the form of concentrate.
The equipment of this plant, which is the most modern
of its kind in Bolivia, is of American manufacture.
About five tons of barrilla, which runs from 55 to 60%
tin, are turned out per day. Probably 400 employees
are on the payrolls of the Bebins. Third in importance
are the interests of the Anglo-Bolivian Mining Syndicate,
Ltd., which is controlled by the Aramayo Francke Mines,
Ltd., with important tin, silver, and bismuth mines in
southern Bolivia near Atocha. This company works,
among other mines, the old 'Real Socavon', which dates
from early colonial times. Of secondary importance are
the mining interests of Benavides, Cabrimonte, and
Medinaeeli.
Numerous small operators work one or two 'galleries'
with the aid of a few Indians and sell their ore to the
larger miners or to the regular buyers of ore.
August 7. 1980
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
193
Oil-Shales and Their Economic Importance
By MARTIN J. GAVIN, U. S. Bureau of Mines
•The twentieth century has often been spoken of as
the age of petroleum, and from many viewpoints it fan
be justly eonsidered so. Certainly the petroleum indus-
try is one of enormous importance to this country, in-
dustrially, financially, and economically. The United
States, however, at present producing over 60% of the
world's total output of petroleum, is not producing
petroleum at a sufficient rate to provide for its own do-
mestic consumption. For several years this country has
been importing increasing quantities of crude and partly
refined oils from Mexico, and has been drawing heavily
on domestic stocks of petroleum. Production in the
United States is increasing, but it is not increasing at
the same average rate as domestic consumption, nor is it
probable that in the future domestic production will in-
crease sufficiently to satisfy the demands of domestic eon-
sumption, but on the contrary, in the opinion of those
best qualified to know, the peak in the curve of domestic
production of crude petroleum will be reached in a com-
paratively few years, whereas the consumption of pe-
troleum and its products will increase at a continually
growing rate. This country, then, must turn, and as the
increasing imports from Mexico indicate, is turning, to
other sources than the crude petroleum produced in this
country to make up the deficit between domestic produc-
tion and domestic consumption of petroleum and its
products.
The chief products of petroleum are motor-fuels, kero-
sene, fuel-oils, and lubricating oils.' Of these, the increas-
ing demand for motor-fuels, or gasoline, is perhaps the
greatest, and that of fuel-oils probably next greatest.
The ever-growing use of the internal-combustion motor,
especially in automobiles and trucks, accounts for the
first, and the increasing use of fuel-oil, chiefly for steam-
raising purposes, accounts largely for the second. Lubri-
cating oils are, of course, of prime importance, as ma-
chinery must be lubricated if it is to operate.
To compensate for the deficit in our supply of pe-
troleum we can expect to draw on the enormous potential
supplies of Mexico at an increasing rate, and by the use
of new and improved processes of manufacture a greater
I percentage of the petroleum products for which there is
I the greatest demand will undoubtedly be obtained from
I petroleum. The more efficient utilization of these prod-
I nets, as for example, through the development and use
II of the Diesel engine and the gradual change in the design
I of our present internal-combustion motors, enabling
I I them to use lower-grade fuels, will perhaps tend to re-
Blieve the growing shortage. Hydro-electric power, or
♦Presented by permission of the Director, U. S. Bureau o£
L 1 Mines, before the 13th Convention of the Utah Academy of
i Science, April 3, 1920.
electricity otherwise produced, can be expected to take
the place, to a certain extent at least, of fuel-oil installa-
tions on land. However, all these expedients have their
practical limitations, and it is to be expected, therefore,
that in the comparatively near future new sources of
products similar to those now being derived from oil-well
petroleum will have to be developed. As a matter of
fact, some are already being developed.
There are possibilities of importance in the develop-
ment of the production and use of benzol as a motor-fuel
and other coal-tar products as Diesel-engine fuels and as
substitutes for other petroleum products. There are also
important possibilities in the commercial production of
alcohol as a motor-fuel. In fact, blends of alcohol, benzol,
and petroleum distillates are being marketed in the
East at the present time as motor-fuels and are giving
satisfaction in use. Taking all these considerations into
account, however, it is the opinion of many that the oil-
shales of Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, and Nevada, and
possibly of other States, are extremely important as new
sources of products similar to those now obtained from
oil-well petroleum. These States contain enormous de-
posits of oil-shale, which by proper treatment yield gas,
oil, and also, if desired, ammonia, of value as a fertilizer.
The oil in many respects is similar to oil-well petroleum
and yields products similar to those of petroleum.
Oil-shale has been worked in Scotland and France for
upward of sixty years. In the former country the in-
dustry has been a successful one from a financial stand-
point, especially of late years, although it is passing
through a difficult period at present. The industry in
France has not been nearly so successful as that in Scot-
land.
The success of the Scottish shale industry has been
brought about partly by the development of cheap pro-
cesses for treating the shales and the oils produced from
them, but mostly by local conditions, such as competition
only with high-priced petroleum products, low labor-
costs, and the fact that the industry grew up in a densely
populated region where a ready market for oil and
ammonium products was available. A recent reorgani-
zation of the Scottish shale companies, combining them
into one organization, is hoped to better the present con-
dition of the industry in Scotland.
Oil-shale contains little or no oil as such, but it con-
tains substances which when the shale is subjected to
destructive distillation yield gas, crude oil, and nitrogen-
containing compounds, notably ammonia, as well as the
other products in small quantity and probably of unim-
portant value for the most part. Oil-shale as a rule must
be mined much as coal is mined, crushed, and heated to a
relatively high temperature in closed retorts, which may
194
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 7, 1920
operate continuously or intermittently. These steps are
necessary to produce gas, crude oil, and ammonia, the
last of which is in solution in the water obtained along
with the oil.
The ammonia water is then distilled and the released
ammonia passed into sulphuric acid, producing am-
monium sulphate. The crude oil must be refined, much
as petroleum is refined, to produce the various commer-
cial products. The refining of shale-oil is more complex
and in all probability more costly than the equivalent re-
fining of petroleum. However, the shale-oils can be re-
fined and can be made to yield many products similar to
those produced when petroleum is refined. The oils pro-
duced from shale of this country will yield gasoline,
burning oils, and paraffin wax, all of which when prop-
erly treated will undoubtedly be satisfactory commer-
cial products. Whether the more viscous grades of lubri-
cating oils, such as lubricants for internal-combustion
motors, can be produced from shale-oil is doubtful, but
it may be possible to do so. Little is known in this coun-
try as to the refining of shale-oil at the present time, and
this statement can be applied generally to the possibilities
and technique of oil-shale operations in the United States.
The development of an oil-shale industry to one of
considerable importance in this country will require the
expenditure of many millions of dollars and take a period
of many years. Such development will require much
research and technical study, and will require the ser-
vices of trained executives and experienced technicians.
Nevertheless, when economic conditions become favor-
able it is reasonable to believe that our oil-shale will be
of great value as a source of oils similar to those now
derived from petroleum. An idea of what large-scale
development of the oil-shale industry involves may be
gained from the consideration that to produce one barrel
of crude oil from shale, on the average at least one ton
of a tough rock must be mined, crushed, heated to a rela-
tively high temperature, and finally the residue, amount-
ing to about 75% of the original weight of the raw shale,
must be discarded as valueless. The United States now
produces over one million barrels of crude petroleum
per day.
Our immense oil-shale deposits practically assure us
that, come what may, this country will still have its own
sources of petroleum products. We should never have
to be wholly dependent on foreign countries in this re-
spect. From another standpoint, the shale is also of
great economic importance. T*he oil-shale, especially of
the Rocky Mountain country, occurs in sparsely settled
regions. Its development on a large scale means the
bringing into these regions of a great number of miners
and other laborers, often with their families, who will
earn their living and spend their money in the same
locality. Millions of dollars must be spent in erecting
plants, developing mines, and the like, much of which
will be spent in the States where the oil-shale occurs.
The refineries will require sulphuric acid and other
chemicals and supplies, which logically will be produced
as near to the shale as possible, thus bringing in more
capital and labor. Transportation facilities will be ex-
tended to meet the requirements of the operators, thus
benefiting the regions now inadequately supplied in this
regard. Prices of petroleum products in the regions con-
tiguous to the shale operations can be expected to be rela-
tively lower than they would be if similar petroleum
products had to be shipped in.
It should again be emphasized, however, that develop-
ment of an oil-shale industry to a scale sufficient to be of
so much economic importance, will require much study,
time, and money. The oil-shale industry is no business for
the man of little experience and small capital. It may be
compared with the development of the low-grade copper
ores of the West, in that it is a large, low-grade, chemical
manufacturing enterprise, requiring capital, time, and
trained men. The investor in oil-shale operations should
know that he will probably have to wait for a long time
for a return on his investment and that returns in all
probability will be conservative. In spite of this, the
day of the oil-shale industry is coming.
The Color Bar on the Rand
Speaking recently as chairman of the Consolidated
Mines Selection Co., Walter McDermott said: "Labor, as
always, is the most important item, and it covers two sep-
arate difficulties, divided by the color bar. White labor
is almost wholly some form of superintendence, and
native labor constitutes the manual work on which all
operation of the mines depends. There is a sort of com-
mon land between the two classes of workers in which
native labor has proved itself capable of yielding valu-
able services; but it is a field of rather shifting bound-
aries, and the encroachment on it by natives is viewed by
white labor with extreme jealousy always, and active
opposition if it becomes at all marked. The natives are
anxious for the more skilled work which carries higher
pay. In the past the 'color bar' has been accepted with-
out very serious question by the natives, but in the last
few years constant contact with the effect of white-labor
movements — in many of which the natives were sufferers,
but gained no benefits — has had a marked educational
effect, and colored labor has made progress in organiza-
tion and in the adoption of the active proceedings which
are seen to benefit white labor. In the recent strike of
natives, the organizers of trouble adopted regular trade-
union methods of picketing and rough handling of ' black-
legs' who tried to work; and they thereby succeeded in
promoting temporary uniformity of opinion. I believe
the correct technical description of this sort of uniform-
ity among English labor circles is "the solidarity of the
proletariat", which is in itself quite a comforting phrase.
There is a limit plainly within sight to the wages which
can be paid in many mines working now on a small
margin, and as the increase by war allowances has be-
come permanent in effect, and as it is accompanied by
higher cost of all material, and by additional outlay on
the prevention and cure of miner's phthisis, the limit of
possible working would have been passed already for
some of the poorer mines if the premium on gold had not
temporarily moved the boundary line."
'..V
August 7. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
195
The Bunker Hill Enterprise — XI
The Use of Electricity in the Operations of Mine, Mill, and Smelter
By T. A. RICKARD
One of the interesting features of the many and varied
industrial operations performed in the mines, mills, and
smelter of the Bunker Hill company is the use of elec-
tricity for divers purposes.*
Electricity was first applied at the mine in 1893, when
an Edison bi-polar 500-volt D.C., 30-hp. hoist was placed
in a winze below the Sherman tunnel. In 1897 this hoist
was dismantled and the motor was employed to drive a
fan for ventilating the Wood stope on the fifth level.
Power was supplied to this motor through an Edison 500-
volt D.C., 25-kw., generator driven by a 24-in. Pelton
water-wheel. In 1896 the Bunker Hill company pur-
chased the Edison three-wire 110-220 volt D.C. lighting
system owned by Cheyne Bros. This plant was used to
illuminate the town of Wardner ; it operated two 20-kw.
generators actuated by water-wheels on Milo creek at the
lower end of the town. An auxiliary steam-engine had to
be used during the dry season. It operated under a heavy
expense and as soon as the Bunker Hill company gained
possession the water-wrheels were discarded in favor of a
2080-volt A.C. transmission line and transformers. The
Cheyne brothers, Eobert and James, were Scots. The
elder was mill superintendent under Victor Clement and
the younger was jig-man, becoming foreman later. Dur-
ing the riot of April 29, 1899, James Cheyne was cap-
tured by the strikers and shot by them. Robert returned
to Scotland and died not long thereafter.
Horses and mules were used for hauling the rock
broken in the Kellogg tunnel when it was started. In
1896 electric traction was introduced in the form of two
General Electric 500-volt trolley-locomotives, each weigh-
ing 44, tons and each having a drawbar-pull of 1000 lb.
The power was provided by a G. E. 50-kw. 550-volt D.C.
generator connected by belt to a turbine taking water
under a 56-ft. head from the mill-flume. The adit, or
'tunnel', was then 3000 ft. long and these electric loco-
motives were used in finishing the work. They still re-
main in use. The first ore was hauled out of the adit on
November 9, 1902. Meanwhile another locomotive of the
same type had been purchased, making a total locomotive
capacity of 13 tons (three locomotives). At the present
time the total locomotive capacity available at the mine
is about 105 tons, besides 36 tons more at the smelter.
The track of the Kellogg adit has a gradient of 0.25%
for half its length and 0.50% for the other half ;f it is of
*For my information I am indebted to Walter C. Clark,
electrical engineer for the company.
tWhere the grade is J of 1% in favor of the load it re-
quires exactly the same power to push the empty train up-
grade as it does to bring the loaded train out.
24-in. gauge and has 50-lb. rails. The outer half of the
road-bed, where the ground is softened by oxidation and
surface drainage, is reinforced with concrete. The ore-
train runs at the rate of 6 \ miles per hour ; it consists of
a locomotive and 17 cars, each car when loaded weighing
4.4 tons gross. The locomotive has two G. E. type HM-
801, 500-volt, D.C, motors, which can be used in parallel
or in series; it weighs 8 tons and has a drawbar-pull of
4000 pounds. The cars are called 'Big Sams', a name
given to them by Charlie Moffat, an old-time blacksmith,
who supposed that the initial 'S' in the manager's name
stood for 'Sam', these big cars having been designed by
Mr. Stanly Easton for an increased capacity when he first
took charge. They are 6 ft. 6J in. long and 3 ft. 4i in.
wide, with hopper-bottoms. Each car contains 46.4 cubic
feet ; as the ore averages 14.3 cu. ft. per ton, the car holds
3.25 tons net. The car itself weighs 2472 lb. On the
lower levels a smaller car is used ; this contains 34 cu. ft.
and weighs 1800 pounds.
On the lower levels, where the work of assembling the
ore has to be performed, and where short hauls suffice,
it is not practicable to use the trolley system. There the
storage-battery locomotive does admirably. It obviates
the necessity for bonding the rails and for maintaining a
trolley- wire ; it is capable of assisting itself if derailed,
and, on account of the low voltage used (80 to 100), the
maintenance of controllers and motors is much reduced
as compared with the 550 volts ordinarily used by the
trolley type of locomotive. On the other hand, the em-
ployment of the storage-battery for traction in the long
main adit is considered inadvisable on account of the ex-
cessive battery equipment and the difficulty in placing it
above the locomotive where the dimensions of the tunnel
are restricted ; if the battery is trailed behind the loco-
motive, the efficiency of the latter is reduced by the lack
of weight on the driving-wheels and the necessity for
pulling a dead load constantly. In low drifts cluttered
with chutes or in places where the timbering is being re-
paired, men are likely to strike the live wire with their
tools ; under such conditions it is inconvenient aud dan-
gerous to use the trolley system.
The Bunker Hill company was prompted to employ the
storage-battery locomotive on the working-levels for the
reasons already cited and on account of the danger of
transmitting a high voltage, such as is required for a
trolley system, along small drifts where ore-chutes and
low timbers project into the level. Fatal accidents in
other mines, as well as in the Bunker Hill, served as a
warning against any attempt to use the trolley below the
adit-level.
196
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PI*ESS
August 7, 1920
The first storage-battery locomotive was used on March
3. 1913 ; it weighed 2A tons and made four miles per hour
on a track of 24-in. gauge. It was made by the Jeffrey
Manufacturing Co. and was placed on the 11th level.
This locomotive was equipped with two sets of batteries,
each of 63 cells, of the Edison A-4 type. One set was used
on the day-shift and the other by night. These batteries
were worn out after four years of continuous service and
were replaced (in 1917) by two sets of 63 cells of the G-6
type of Edison battery. The second storage-battery loco-
motive was put to work in June 1913 : it consists of a
Westinghouse (Baldwin) 3J-ton machine equipped with
68 A-8 Edison cells and type V-50, 80-volt, motors. This
locomotive has a running drawbar-pull of 2000 lb. and a
maximum pull with sanded rail of 2300 lb. Its speed is
3$. miles per hour. It replaced a 500-volt trolley loco-
motive on the 12th level. The third storage-battery loco-
motive was added on May 11, 1914, for the purpose of
hauling tailing and sand for concrete road-work on the
main street through the company's domain. The haul
was 3250 ft. This locomotive was used in road-building
until August 9, 1914, when it was placed on the 13th level
for assembling ore. It was a General Electric 4-ton ma-
chine equipped with 72 AS Edison cells. It has a speed
of 3 miles per hour and a drawbar-pull of 2000 pounds.
The fourth storage-battery locomotive was placed on
the 14th level upon April 30, 1916 ; it consisted of a West-
inghouse (Baldwin) machine equipped with two V-50 J
motors and 63 A-8 Edison cells ; it weighed, with battery,
4^ tons and had a drawbar-pull of 2000 to 2300 pounds.
The fifth locomotive is a General Electric machine,
which was placed on the 10th level on April 26, 1918.
It has 72 G-6 Edison cells and weighs 2 J tons: it makes
four miles per hour and has a drawbar-pull of 800
pounds.
The sixth is a Jeffrey machine of 4J tons, provided with
72 G-ll Edison cells. It began work in the mine in May
1919.
The storage-batteries arrive in trays, 8 by 36 by 15
inches, there being six to eight cells per tray. A battery-
box, containing 72 cells, is placed on top of the locomotive
chassis. The trays are taken into the mine on the electric
train, lowered on the skip, and then assembled at the
shaft-station, where they have remained in use ou the
level for one or two years before being brought back to
surface for a general overhaul and thorough cleaning,
previous to being returned to service for two years more.
A battery weighs 1S00 lb: it is moved by means of a
hoist operated by compressed air. If a suitable platform
and track are available, the battery is rolled on and off
by aid of castors placed on the battery-box at the mine.
It may be added that with the later types of storage-
battery locomotive, when only one battery is used for two
shifts and the battery is not removed from the chassis for
charging, it is customary to mount the battery-box on a
swivel base, so that it can be turned at right angles to
tThis does not refer to the power, such figures as 'HM-
801'. 'V-50'. and 'A-8' are merely serial numbers of identi-
fication as used by the manufacturer.
the chassis for the purpose of exposing the motors and
for facility in oiling, inspection, and repairs, without re-
moving the battery.
The average life of batteries is four years. As they
arrive from the factory they are filled with electrolyte.
To charge the battery all that is necessary is to establish
contact with the motor-generator set, which is placed
centrally in the mine. On each level there is a sub-
charging station equipped with variable-resistance and
recording ammeters, so that each battery can be charged
at the rate required by its storage capacity and internal
condition. If a battery is sluggish, an excessive over-
charge is given, and. in special cases, even a reverse
charge may be given with beneficial effect. When a bat-
tery appears sluggish during the shift, a booster-charge
may be given at twice the normal rate for a period of 20
to 90 minutes, in order that it may complete the shift
without slowing down the train or causing the delay con-
sequent upon the changing of batteries. This booster-
charge is given at times when the train is standing idle or
the motor-man is otherwise engaged, say, at lunch or
attending to the locomotive equipment. The boost is
given by increasing the volume, or amperage, of the elec-
tric charge to twice its normal rate, this being done by
connecting the battery to the charging-station through
the rheostat, or resistance-coils, thereby regulating the
volume of charging current.
The specific gravity of the electrolyte changes, owing to
evaporation of the water it contains, during the charging
and discharging of the battery, so that it becomes neces-
sary to add distilled water at regular intervals. Indeed.
the healthy condition of the Edison battery is indicated
in large measure not by the specific gravity of the elec-
trolyte, as in the old lead cell, but by the amount of
water required. If the proportion be excessive, this
points to one of two conditions : either a deterioration of
the electrolyte, or to excessive duty demanded of the loco-
motive on account of the bad condition of the track,
caused, for example, by falls of rock on the rails, bad
joints or curves, and the like. The water used for the
batteries is obtained from Barnstead stills sold by Braun-
Knecht-Heimann of San Francisco : these stills are heated
electrically and have a capacity of a gallon per hour.
One still is placed at each charging-station. Water for
this purpose must be absolutely pure. For example, at
the start use was made of water condensed from the ex-
haust-steam taken at about 500 ft. from the boilers of the
heating system at the motor-barn. This water, of course,
contained impurities, including grease, collected from a
long and elaborate system of pipes ; the result was a slow
deterioration of the electrolyte and of the metallic plates
in the cells. Thereupon it was decided to erect a still at
the motor-barn near the portal of the adit. Water was
delivered from this still to the batteries on the lower levels
by means of large glass demijohns, which were carefully
padded to prevent breakage, but they proved most unsat-
isfactory on account of the rough handling unavoidable
on such a journey. Then water-bags of 5-gal. capacity
were substituted, but these also were unsatisfactory on
account of the contamination of the canvas and the eon-
August 7, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
197
sequent penetration of mine-dirt into the contents. More-
over, it was found difficult to empty the bags into a suit-
able container previous to filling the cells. The uext step
was to place individual stills at each charging-station.
Tlic filling of the cells is done expeditiously by means
of a special nozzle equipped with an electric alarm, which
loosening the plates and separators to such a degree as to
interfere with their proper action, and causing a steady
decrease in the efficiency of the battery. A similar result
ensues from a careless handling of the cover on the bat-
tery or the contact of steel tools over the exposed tops of
the cells, thereby occasionally causing short circuits, the
6 ft- 6 in.
a &
&L
3 ft- 4 in.
OOP
/
V
jBottom of Car V
9 open ^
y
yc^r^qf gty
DETAIL OF HINGE
THE "BIG SAM CAR
•ings as soon as the liquid is at the proper level in the
ell. This obviated any need for attempting to look into
he cell, a practice that was found to be injurious to the
ell itself and also to the men, because an explosive gas is
•enerated and ignited by the open light used in making
n examination. Such an explosion, even of a minor
ind, results in a bulging of the sides of the cell, thereby
flash from which, like the open light during an inspection,
ignites the explosive gas. The bulging sides tell the
story. Mr. Clark and his assistant, M. J. Bottinelli, tried
to rejuvenate batteries that had been in use for some time
or had failed to recuperate under the customary treat-
ment, such as a change of electrolyte, over-charging, and
reverse charging. In order to accomplish their purpose,
198
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PkESS
August 7, 1920
they attempted to cleanse the cells, removing the accumu-
lated sediment by means of agitation by hand, when the
cells were only a quarter-full of electrolyte, and changing
the electrolyte several times in each cell. When this
method proved too laborious and expensive, they devised
a mechanical agitator, which consisted of a cable-reel, 5
ft. in diameter, on the periphery of which 36 cells were
clamped. As the wheel revolved the electrolyte flowed
alternating from one end to the other of the cells, the ends
being closed by rubber corks, so as to rinse the cell and
wash out the sediment, the origin of which has not been
determined. This practice has now been abandoned be-
cause the results did not justify the trouble. Instead,
when a battery fails to respond to the usual treatment, it
is returned to the factory, credit being received on a new
set, this credit being based upon the manufacturer's 10-
year guarantee. It is fair to remark that any battery sub-
jected to the severe conditions necessarily incidental to
work underground, at a distance of 2£ miles from day-
light, and not subjected frequently to the careful scrutiny
of an experienced technician, is tried severely; it can
hardly be expected to have the life normal to conditions
on the surface. The Edison Storage Battery Co. main-
tains a service-station in charge of a competent engineer
at Seattle. This engineer, Poster C. Gibson, takes a keen
interest in the Bunker Hill operations and makes frequent
visits to the mine, to advise and consult with those in
charge in regard to the care and treatment of the storage-
batteries, so that the most friendly and mutually helpful
relations are maintained between the technicians of the
two companies.
The electric haulage system of the mine is protected by
block-signals operated by hand. The blocks vary in
length, the first is a mile long and includes the outer
straight portion of the adit, the other blocks are reduced
to a minimum length of 300 ft. A 'safety first' sign is
prominent at the point where the Tyler track branches
from the main line. The noise of the train is magnified
by the narrowness of the excavation and the echo from the
rocky walls. In timbered ground the noise is consider-
ably less ; it is due to the gear-wheels of the locomotive,
the friction on the rails, and the rattling of loose doors.
The cars are equipped with springs. An empty train is
the noisiest. The length of haul is about two miles. The
heaviest train ever pulled out of the adit was one recorded
on March 31, 1917 ; it carried 173,150 lb., or about 86 J
tons, net. The weight of the_ entire train, including ore,
cars, and locomotive, was 241,650 lb. or over 120 tons.
The locomotive weighed 16,300 pounds.
The positive plates of the Edison battery consist of
tubes, f in. diameter, of nickel-plated sheet-steel, filled
with alternate thin layers of nickel hydrate and flakes of
pure metallic nickel. The tubes are mounted in nickel-
plated steel frames or grids. The negative plates consist
of thin rectangular pockets, I in. wide by 3 in. long, of
perforated sheet-steel, also nickel-plated, filled with iron
oxide and mounted on nickel-plated steel grids. The
electrolyte consists of potassium hydrate in water. The
container is a steel can, corrugated and heavily plated
with nickel. The batteries now in use at the Bunker Hill
consist of 72 cells of the G-ll type, with a 275 ampere-
hour capacity. The weight of a cell is 26 pounds. Ex-
perience at this mine has shown that severe vibration or
concussion does not affect the efficiency of the battery.
Short circuits do not injure it. No buckling or grooving
of plates has been noticed. Hydrometer readings are
taken at intervals to determine whether the solution needs
renewal after long use. No obnoxious fume or gas is
generated when charging or discharging, although the
slight amount of gas discharged immediately over the
cell is inflammable, as stated above.
The first trolley-locomotive cost $1500 f.o.b. factory;
now a similar locomotive costs $4000. The storage loco-
motives used to cost $1140 to $1500 before the War ; now
they cost $3000 to $6250, according to their size and type,
the cheapest being the 2£-ton machine. The company
now owns seven storage-battery locomotives.
An electric hoist is in use at the No. 1 or main shaft
and a compressed-air hoist at the No. 2 shaft. Here I
may interject the information that the main shaft is sunk
at an angle of 50° and has three compartments, namely,
two 5 ft. square and one 4 ft. by 5 ft. The No. 2 is sunk
at an angle of 40° 30' ; it has two compartments 5 ft. by
6 ft. and one 4 ft. by 6 ft. The No. 1 is extended by sink-
ing and the No. 2 by raising. The No. 1 is used for hoist-
ing ore, the No. 2 being devoted to the lowering of men,
tools, and timber. Waste is rarely hoisted, of course; it
is used for filling the stopes. The No. 1 shaft has two
pockets to hold 100 tons, one is for ore and the other for
waste from development" work. This waste is hoisted to
the adit and then dropped into chutes leading to the
lower levels, from which it is drawn and taken to the
stopes that are in need of filling. Both shaft-stations are
concreted ; the room in which the electric hoist stands, at
the No. 1 shaft, is in solid rock, the walls of which have
been whitewashed so as to improve the lighting. Looking
from the auxiliary air-hoist at the No. 2 shaft through the
rope-hole, one sees a second arch above the sheave, giving
a cathedral effect, to which Mary Roberts Rhinehart re-
ferred poetically in an interview after her visit under-
ground. The accompanying photograph shows how the
impression was obtained.
At the No. 2 shaft a Hendrie & Bolthoff, 10 by 12 in.,
hoist is operated by compressed air. It has been in oper-
ation for six years and has given great satisfaction, I was
told. It is run on counter-balance and has no ore-pocket.
The electric hoist at the No. 1 shaft was designed for
duty from the 1400-ft. level, to raise a load of 7000 lb.
of ore at the rate of 840 ft. per minute on a 50° incline in
a skip containing 564- cubic feet of ore. The normal cycle
of operations from the 1400-ft. level is 13 seconds for
accelerating, 93 seconds for operation at full speed, 5
seconds for retarding, and 18 seconds for loading below
and dumping above. The hoist was made by the Allis-
Chalmers Co. in March 1911 ; it has two cylindrical drums
actuated by a 200-hp. 440-volt induction-motor, connected
by gearing to the dram-shafting. The entire machine
was seetionalized in order to permit of its being taken
August 7. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
199
through ;i t; by 6 ft. tunnel. The total weight is 40 tons.
Tin- ilronis are cast-irou with a smooth surface 5 ft. in
diameter and a 40-in. face, so that they can cany six
layers of inch rope. The clutch is of the Lane friction
t; 'pr. The brakes are of the standard post type operating
on wheels 6 ft. 8 in. diameter with :U-in. faces. Auxiliary
air-engines are used to operate both the clutch and brake ;
they are controlled from the platform. The control of the
hoist is effected by means of a Cutler-Hammer multiple
solenoid controller mounted in switch-board form. This
switch-board controller in turn is controlled by a niulti-
Bpeed master drum placed on the hoist-platform. The re-
sistance units are of the cast grid type mounted in suit-
able frames. Sufficient resistance is provided for all the
usual operations, with an additional section to be brought
into play when operating the motor at 50% speed with
p09& torque while handling men or for shaft inspection.
An electrically operated oil-switch is controlled through
a solenoid in connection with the master drum of the
hoist : this connects and disconnects the primaries of the
2300-volt to 440-volt transformers at each trip, thereby
obviating the no-load losses and magnetizing current
when the hoist is idle.
The special feature of this hoist is the absolute control
of the maximum demand at the time of acceleration. The
time of acceleration and the maximum amount of current
that can be drawn is controlled by the series relays;
therefore the engineer cannot hasten the acceleration by
rapid application of the controller. The following data
indicate conditions developed during hoisting in balance:
Level
10
Hoisting
distance
on 50°
incline
Pounds
ore
per
trip
7000
7000
7000
7000
7000
Kw.-
hours
per
trip
1.91
2.73
3.92
5.05
0.13
Hoistinir 1
time in Loadinir
sec. per time in
trip sec.
34 12
50 12
72 12
92 12
111 13
ime in sec
full time
between
bells
46
11
62
10
13
14
1430'
123
As an example of the duty performed by the hoist, I
quote figures for the month of my visit, September 1919,
s.s follows :
Number of Ions hoisted from shaft (all levels) 24,740
Number kw-hr. consumed in the month (all hoisting including
chippy work, etc.) 38.850
Average kw-hr. cost per ton of ore hoisted 1.57
Average cost in cents per ton of ore hoisted (electric power only.
rate 0.625c. per kw-hour) 0.98c.
At the time when this hoist was first mooted the only
Sectric hoisting in the district had been done at the Hecla
mine, using a fly-wheel motor-generator. This hoist had
proved successful, but costly; it came into service at the
time when the Washington power-plant was just com-
pleted and the power company required that t.vpe of hoist
in order to 'iron out', or average, the peaks in the con-
sumption of electrical energy, and as the hoist was of a
very expensive type, Mr. Clark was not in favor of buy-
ing one like it for the Bunker Hill. No straight-induc-
tion hoists of large capacity had been used in the Coeur
i'Alene. but after a careful analysis of all the data avail-
ible. Mr. Clark recommended the purchase of the Allis-
3halmers hoist as above described, but before placing it
n position it became necessary to obtain the power com-
pany 's consent to the connecting of such a hoist to their
electric system. The Washington Power Co. gave con-
sent, being influenced favorably by the type of control
selected. This provides for automatic acceleration and
prevents peaks abovo a fixed level.
The accompanying diagram shows the cycle of opera-
tions between bells, when hoisting in balance from the
1400-ft. level. The net weight of ore is 7000 lb.; the
speed of the rope is 840 ft. per minute; the hoisting dis-
tance is 1430 ft. on a 50° incline, the maximum current
is 90 amperes, the minimum pressure is 2080 volts, the
power consumed is 6.13 kw-hr. per trip. At the stroke
of the bell the engineer opens the controller to its maxi-
mum capacity without hesitation and the automatic fea-
tures of the control provide for a predetermined acceler-
ation. In this instance it requires 13 seconds to accelerate
Sope
-Speed
. .
1
a
1
1
J
J 15
j^tCO jJM
/
1
II
7T0
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«'
O 0
u»a.
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5econds
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n
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/A
LOAD-CURVE OF ELECTRIC HOIST
from full stop to full speed, and it demands 315 hp. dur-
ing these 13 seconds. The power consumed then drops
immediately to 220 hp. and gradually diminishes during
the period of hoisting — 106 seconds — until it is only 137
hp., when the controller is closed and the loaded skip is
carried by its own momentum into the pocket, completing
the cycle in 111 seconds from the bottom to the dump.
Twelve seconds are required to load the other skip, when
the cycle is repeated.
This hoist is geared and therefore is noisy ; it is a crude
and rough machine compared with later designs made by
the same and other manufacturers. It was chosen on ac-
count of its high efficiency and rugged durability, two
expectations that have been amply fulfilled, as is shown
by the kilowatt-hour cost per ton hoisted.
If it were a question of selecting a new electric hoist
today, and if the matter of first cost were not critical, Mr.
Clark would prefer, he tells me, a hoist of the motor-
generator fly-wheel type, such as the Ilgner, because, al-
though expensive, its smoothness of control and general
efficiency recommend it; but for strict economy, and
where looks don't count, he would again recommend the
straight induction-motor type with automatic accelerat-
ing features like those of the hoist at the No. 1 shaft in
the Bunker Hill mine. The automatic feature is ad-
mirable ; the engineer has no control over the period of
acceleration and therefore cannot establish unduly high
peaks by excessive acceleration. When raising men, the
200
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PrtESS
August 7, 1920
hoist operates at half -speed ; this is done by slow applica-
tion of the controller to half of the quadrant, registering
the amount of resistance units that have been cut out.
I may add that at the time of selecting a hoist for the
No. 1 shaft, the various types of hoist were passed in
review. The use of compressed air was rejected on ac-
count of the length of the adit (two miles from the air-
compressing plant), which would require the placing of
compressors inside the mine close to the hoist or an ex-
pensive pipe-line from the outside, together with the re-
heating of the air before delivery to the hoist. The con-
gestion of pipe-lines in an adit of such small cross:section
would have been most objectionable. The first cost also
would have been excessive, and the operating cost would
have been high on account of the extra attendants. A
suggestion was made by an engineering firm to use a
synchronous motor directly connected to an air-com-
pressor underground, to be installed with a series of small
air-receivers (small on account of the dimensions of the
adit) to supply air for an air-operated hoist, but the idea
was rejected on account of the excessive outlay, the cost
of attendance, and the amount of money to be invested in
expensive apparatus that could not be removed from the
mine in case of a temporary shut-down, and the rapid
deterioration of such machinery if left in the mine during
a period of idleness, and the probability of the receivers
leaking by reason of the constantly varying pressure and
temperature caused by the erratic demands of a hoisting-
load. The Ilgner type of hoist was rejected for many of
the same reasons, such as excessive first cost, inability to
remove such parts as would suffer during periods of idle-
ness, and especially the probable damage to the direct-
current motor-commutators that would be caused by ex-
cessive 'sweating', whereas the hoist selected would raise
the ore as cheaply as, if not more cheaply than, any other
hoist available ; and on account of the moderate sum of
money invested the hoist need not be expected to operate
beyond a moderate capacity, so that another hoist could
be purchased advantageously in case it were demanded
by future requirements ; in short, it was deemed wise not
to look too far ahead. The pumps in the mine are oper-
ated electrically. The new pumping equipment includes
four centrifugal Cameron pumps of the turbine type, one
each of three-stage, four-stage, seven-stage, and ten-stage.
They make 1800 r.p.m. and have proved most satis-
factory. As successive new levels are opened up, the flow
of water increases until the ground overhead has been
drained of its free ground-water; after that there is a
steady seepage, so that a graph of the water pumped from
the mine shows peaks at regular intervals coincident with
the opening of new ground and a constant increase with
depth due to the drainage of a steadily widening area.
I noted three or four carborundum wheels driven elec-
trically. One stone was fine and the other coarse, each
had a diameter of one foot ; together they consumed about
two horse-power. The use of these grindstones under-
ground saves much time ; in 10 or 15 minutes one machine
does the work of two men, one to turn the stone and the
other to hold the axe for approximately an hour.
The accompanying photographs explain themselves.
On the first page is shown the automatic tell-tale device
that trips out the motor when any loose end in the rope
sticks out. The device is shown in position ; the end is
electrically connected to the trip-coil fastened on the
oil-switch. Two illustrations show the shaft-station with
its concrete arches.
(To be continued)
Mining in Queensland, Australia
The mineral production of Queensland, Australia, last
year was valued at £2,472,000, which was £268,700 less
than during 1918. This decrease was due, not to de-
clining resources except as regards gold, but to the great
reduction in prices that followed, early in the year, upon
the release of large quantities of metals, that had been
held in reserve by the British government for war pur-
poses; to a great scarcity of explosives; and to the ex-
istence of drought conditions for some time. In late
years there has been an expansion in Queensland's min-
eral output apart from gold; and, prices having gradu-
ally recovered themselves in the course of 1919, the pro-
duction of the last quarter of that year was higher than
for the corresponding period of 1918.
Still further proof that the large northern State of the
Australian commonwealth was recovering from its 1919
set-back in the output of industrial metals is afforded by
the returns for the first quarter of 1920, which have just
been published and which amount to £602,270, a com-
parative increase for the three months of no less than
£351,360, or of 58%. In May, however, a disquieting
effect was produced by copper dropping to below £90 per
ton and tin to £270. More copper is now produced in
Queensland than any other metal. The principal copper
mines are in the Cloncurry district, over 500 miles from
the coast at Townsville ; and in this remote district, where
the conditions of living are not alluring, the cost of pro-
duction is high. The manager of one company has stated
that it can now produce the metal at a cost of £61 per
ton, which should give a handsome profit even at the
present price; but the other big companies of the dis-
trict, whose mines are not so rich or easily worked, had
to shut-down in 1919 when copper dropped below £80,
and will no doubt have to do the same again if quotations
reach that level.
Two mining companies, the Finland Copper Co. and
the Salla Mining Co., have bought some large deposits of
copper ore which have been discovered in Kuolajarvi
Parish in the Oulanka River valley in northern Finland.
Geological examinations have shown that the copper near
the surface is rich, and if diamond-drilling is used it
probably can be ascertained whether mining on a large
scale will be profitable or not. The directors of the com-
panies have applied for a Government subsidy for this
purpose, as security for which they offer shares of old
stock at a nominal value of 200,000 Finnish marks. There
are also rich veins of pyrite in the same place, apparently
amounting to several million tons. Diamond-drilling will
show the depth of these veins.
I
Augusl 7. L920
MINING AND SCI EN I II IC PRESS
201
Electric Apparatus at the Bunker Hill
202
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 7. 1920
RE-FILLING EDISON STORAGE-BATTERY CELLS WITH DISTILLED WATER, USING NOZZLE EQUIPPED
WITH AUTOMATIC ALARM
No. 1 SHAFT STATION IN KELLOGG ADIT, SHOWfNG CONCRETE LINING. SKIP-WAY, DRINKING-
FOUNTAIN AND MINE TELEPHONE
Angusl 7. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
203
THE COLLAR OF No. 1 SHAFT IX THE KELLOGG ADIT
THE ELECTRIC HOIST AT THE No. 1 SHAFT
204
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 7, 1920
OUTDOOR SUB-STATION' OF THE WASHINGTON' POWER Co.
THE QUINTUPLEX CENTRIFUGAL PUMP THAT WAS STARTED AFTER BEING SUBMERGED TWO WEEKS.
ELECTRIC MOTOR ON TOP OF PUMP.
Augual 7, 1980
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
•J<>.-.
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■■"i'':-'xr-aM
INING
FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS IN THE FIELD
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ALASKA
ACTIVE DEVELOPMENT AND PROSPECTING ABOVE HYDER.
Hyder. — The Beason's work has been well under way
in the Portland Canal district for some weeks. With the
snow "rone and prospectors and miners in the lulls the
towns of Hyder and Stewart are almost deserted. On
the properties along the Salmon and the Bear rivers
activity prevails. The only notable new discovery is on
the (Jeorgia river, a few miles below Stewart, where a
number of gold-bearing claims have been recorded. Sam-
COLQRADO
NEW REDUCTION PLANT AT BOULDER.
Leadville. — Operations have been resumed on the Col-
lins group of the Golden Calf Mining Co. in Sayers gulch.
Denver people have secured a bond and lease on the
property. Aspen men are operating on the Ruby prop-
erty in Lincoln gulch, following a long period of in-
activity. The mine produced high-grade ore when last
operated. South of Sayers gulch, Leadville miners are
developing a promising orebody on the Tellurium lode,
FAIRBANKS DISTRICT, ALASKA
pies indicate that there is some rich ore and that the
showing warrants development. The Marmot river also
is being prospected and promising claims have been
located. Development work is continuing on all the bet-
ter-known mines and prospects and road construction is
in progress to assist in the opening of the mineral region.
The Unicorn group is to be drilled, a contract having
been awarded to Lynch brothers, of Seattle, and P. P.
Stewart has returned to the camp to supervise plans for
opening the Mountain Boy group of Crown-granted min-
eral claims. He is a pioneer of the Portland Canal dis-
trict, being credited with directing the attention of Sir
Donald Mann to the possibilities of the district. Ship-
ments are being made regularly from the Premier mine,
and prospecting and development by diamond-drilling
are proving up additional ore.
owned by W. E. Wright of Twin Lakes. The ore is rich
in gold. The Burge group on the north slope of East
Red mountain is being developed by a tunnel now in 1200
ft. The formation is rhyolite but no vein has yet been
cut. Gouge of clayey matter contains pyrite carrying
some gold.
Boulder. — The Tungsten Products Co. is installing a
chemical reduction-plant for the treatment of radium-
bearing ore at its plant in this city to be completed during
August. The ore to be treated is mined at Gateway, on
the western slope. It is claimed that the uranium and
radium will be recovered and the mill will be equipped
to handle in addition tungsten and vanadium. The
tungsten mining industry at Nederland in Boulder
county is at this time practically at a standstill.
Georgetown. — T. B. Burbridge of Denver, operating
206
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 7, 1920
the Jo Reynolds and American Sisters mines under bond
and lease, is shipping a fair grade of ore obtained from
development work, and is reported to have netted $5000
in the first six months of 1920. Sub-lessees are also ship-
ping. The Utah Copper Co. is reported to be financing
the development of the Alice placer in this district. The
Pennsylvania group is again active and will be developed
by Eastern interests. The Canadian Syndicate is operat-
ing the Gem Mining & Milling Co.'s group near Idaho
Springs, with W. E. Renshaw in charge. Ore-bins have
been constructed at the Mount Kelso mines, and cabins
are to be built to accommodate miners during the winter
months, as continuous operation is planned. The group
is developed by a tunnel. Ore has been opened on the
main vein and shipments will start shortly.
Cripple Creek— The test-drilling in the north end of
the district has reached the 800-ft. point, with the core of
the drill still showing nothing but granite. The rock is
much harder and the two shifts are advancing about 20
ft. per day instead of 40 ft, as recorded for the first 500
ft. i Lessees on the third, level at the Lee shaft of the
Isabella Mines Co. have installed an air-hoist and are
hoisting ore from the vein recently opened. The ore is
sampling one ounce in gold, and, as the vein or dike is
fully 12 ft. wide, ore is made rapidly. One round of
machine-drilled holes breaks more than the shovelers can
handle on one shift.
Telluride. — The mill of the Colorado Vanadium Co.
is running steadily on vanadium ore from the Sawpit dis-
trict and there is a good market for all ore mined. A
recent shipment to the plant of the Ore Products Co. at
Denver, from the Donegan property at Sawpit, netted the
snipper nearly $1000 for a 26-ton carload.
Silverton. — Machinery and equipment for the Martin
Mining & Power Co.'s group of claims in the Picayune
basin near Eureka, lias been shipped to Denver and has
been hauled to the property for immediate erection. De-
velopment on a large scale is planned. Sam Heidel. owner
of the Mazeppa group in the South Mineral section of the
San Juan, is mining a good grade of ore, in a tunnel
driven to cut the Mazeppa vein at greater depth than the
shaft workings. Shipments will shortly commence.
Denver interests have purchased the Bandora group in
the South Mineral section for a consideration reported'to
be $100,000. A large tonnage of ore is blocked out and a
milling plant will be constructed for local treatment of
low-grade, according to the present plan. Ore of ship-
ping grade will be consigned to the A. V. smelter at Lead-
ville.
Ouray. — Mines in the Red Mountain, Sneffles, and
Bachelor districts have been examined and samples for-
warded, to the Golden School of Mines for testing. Ex-
perimental tests are in progress at Golden to determine a
satisfactory process for treatment of these low-grade com-
plex ores. A discovery on an unpatented property, im-
mediately adjacent to the Paymaster mine in the Irouton
section has been made by James Davis, well known pros-
pector of this city. A 4-ft. vein, believed by Davis to be
the extension of one of the rich Paymester veins, has
been cut. Assays were high enough to warrant Davis
shipping a trial lot to the smelter.
IDAHO
POPE SIIENOX PROPERTY MAY CHANGE HANDS.
Salmon City. — An offer to purchase a controlling in-
terest in the Pope Shenon Mining Co. on the basis of $2
per share for the stock has been submitted to the di-
rectors of the company. It is believed that the offer is
made on behalf of large Eastern copper interests. The
company is capitalized for 1,000,000 shares. Most of the
stock, of which slightly more than 800,000 shares has
been issued, is owned by Salt Lake City people who
financed the development of the property and construc-
tion of the mill. A volatilization mill was completed re-
cently, having a capacity of 50 tons per day. The offer
provides for an option on not less than a controlling in-
terest, the option to permit a 30-day period in which to
survey the property, during which time the company
would continue operations. At the end of 30 days the
holders of the option would take over the operation of the
mine for further development, but would ship no ore.
The development work is to occupy a period of five
months. At the end of that period, should the option lie
exercised, a payment of $500,000 would be made and the
balance would be paid six months later. While the offer
provides that controlling interest be acquired, it is de-
sired to purchase the entire outstanding stock. The
directors of the company have authorized R. H. Winder,
president, to appoint a committee of three to investigate
the proposition. The new mill was shut-down recently,
following its initial test-run, to repair the damage done
to the Cottrell electric-precipitating plant by fire. These
repairs have been completed and the mill is again in
operation. It is stated that there is approximately 100,-
000 tons of ore in sight in the mine, and the work of con-
necting various tunnels and raises is now under way.
MICHIGAN
CONTRACT LET FOR RE-TREATMENT-PLANT FOR TAMARACK
SANDS.
Houghton. — Calumet & Hecla's success with its 'recla-
mation' plant, which at present is yielding at the rate
of 15,000,000 lb. of refined copper per year, is reflected
in the awarding of a contract to the American Bridge
Co. to erect a complete plant for the treatment of Tam-
arack sands. The contract, it is understood, involves the
expenditure of $1,000,000 for buildings and equipment.
The new venture will be a replica of the Calumet plant,
for it will include re-grinding, leaching, and flotation, and
in size will equal the C. & H. plant. The site, now occu-
pied by the old Tamarack mill, is being razed rapidly, and
as soon as possible foundations will be put in. Because
of the immensity of the project it is not likely that steel-
construction work will begin until fall and more than a
year will elapse before the plant is completed. The
awarding of the contract bespeaks Calumet's faith in
Angus! 7. 1930
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
•Jo 7
the Michigan copper country and its full appreciation
of the development of metallurgical processes. The
Tamarack sand contains, it is estimated, from 15 to 40
lb. of copper per ton and its treatment will afford an
excellent profit.
Quincy recently hoisted a 'mass' weighing 24 tons.
This came from No. 2 shaft, which last year produced
1290 tons of mass copper. Incidentally, in the stope
from which the mass was removed, another of still
greater dimensions was uncovered and it will be brought
to surface within the next thirty days. The first mass
was 8 ft. long, 4 ft. wide, and slightly more than 4 ft.
thick. It was so cumbersome that it was necessary to
cut it into three pieces in order to get it into a skip.
Acetylene torches were used for the work. In the old
days such a task would have required weeks, for hand'
chiseling was the only method known for cutting it. The
mass came from the 82nd level.
Baltic's sub-shaft, which will connect No. 2, 3, and 4
shafts, will require more than a year for completion.
It is being driven at the bottom of No. 3 shaft on either
side, and will connect on the 33rd level of No. 2. When
complete, all hoisting for No. 3 will be done through
No. 2, and considerable expense thereby will be avoided.
Baltic's operations have been carried down to a depth
of about 3900 feet.
The Mayflower-Old Colony south drift, which perhaps
is the most important work in the exploration program,
is breasted in a mixture of trap and vein-rock and is
still going forward. In the north, the cross-cut still
proceeds eastward, while the raise in the west cross-cut
has penetrated some vein matter, with characteristics of
the Mayflower formation. Mayflower feels the shortage
of men to some extent, for many miners have gone to
their farms and will not return to the mine until after
the harvest.
Seneca's third and fourth levels, north, are producing
rock of slightly better quality than for the past three
weeks, with the third level drift at a point 469 ft. from
the shaft and the fourth, 412 ft. from the shaft. The
south drift on the third level, which reached the Ahmeek
boundary a week ago, was in comparatively rich ground
for almost its entire distance, and the fourth level, south,
also is yielding good rock. The south drift on the fourth
level is 260 ft. from the Ahmeek limits, which will be
reached at 430 ft. The shaft has about reached the depth
at which the fifth level will be holed-through and the
forms are being installed for concreting the floor. When
the concrete is poured and set, sinking will be resumed
in order to put the raise up through the floor of the level.
In the meantime it will be necessary to cross-cut to the
lode. The concreting of the shaft will in no wise inter-
fere with operations on the third and fourth levels, for
the shaft already has been concreted from the fourth
level upward. Little rock is being stamped of late, due
to the labor shortage, and it is accumulating until suffi-
cient quantities are available to warrant a mill-run.
Gratiot's thirteenth-level drift, south, reached a point
506 ft. from the shaft on the 19th of the month and is
going forward rapidly. The ground for the past week
is described as favorable
Apart from the order for France, Calumet & Hecla
has caught up on its orders, and shipments of metal
practically are at a standstill, except for an occasional
carload that goes to Kenosha, Wisconsin. Quincy's
shipments are negligible and comparatively small quan-
tities are being shipped by the Copper Range and Stan-
ton groups. The Calumet order for export calls for
billets and wire bars only, hence three weeks will be re-
quired to turn it out. Of 1500 tons that left early in the
week for domestice consumers, Calumet's portion was
700 tons. In addition to its refined-copper shipment,
t 1 '■■■nil-.,:
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27
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Michigan
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MINES IN THE LAKE SUPERIOR COPPER REGION
Calumet ships about 120,000 lb. of copper oxide per
month.
The announcement that steps have been taken to pro-
vide fuel for the North-West was received with pleasure
here, for it ensures winter coal for those mines that can
afford to pay the high price. In some quarters a decline
is looked for, but unless the drop is material it is cer-
tain that treasury surpluses will have to be drawn upon.
The Copper Range mines, to illustrate, consume from
75,000 to 80,000 tons of coal per year and at present
prices, $10.50 per ton, the increase will mean upward of
$500,000 for this group alone.
MONTANA
NEW OREBODT OPENED IN THE FLOHART MINE.
Neihart. — The Hartley mine is again in the list of
regular producers. From the bottom of the shaft at the
300-ft. level, drifts have been driven on the vein and
stopes have been opened 50 ft. in each direction from the
208
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PtfESS
August 7, 1920
shaft. It is planned to open up more stoping-ground and
double the present production.
The newly opened shoot at the Plohart mine lias the
characteristics of an extensive high-grade orebody. The
present development consists of carrying ahead all the
levels from No. 1 to No. 5 with a series of raises and
chutes, so as to bring all the ore out of No. 1 tunnel to the
ore-bins above the railroad track. The 500-ft. shaft will
be drained to the 200-ft. level where the old workings will
be explored ; 20 men are employed at the mine. This
mine has been operated intermittently for the past 30
years and is credited with a production of about 4,000,-
000 oz. of silver.
Helena. — Considerable development work is being
done on the Jawbone property. Machine-drills have been
adopted, making progress in tunneling and cross-cutting
more rapid. Metallurgical tests on the ore are being
made to determine the concentration method to be adopt-
ed for the mill that is to be erected. Gold and silver are
the chief metals.
Philipsburg. — The mines of this district are now pro-
ducing 500 tons of manganese ore and more than 400 tons
of silver ore daily. About 1000 men are employed at
present in the district.
Deer Lodge. — The Champion mine of the Butte-
Jardine company is making regular shipments of high-
grade ore to the Washoe smelter at Anaconda. Work on
the new mill is progressing satisfactorily. Recent devel-
opment in the mine includes an 11-ft. winze in rich ore.
and a tunnel 130 ft. on the orebody. Smelter returns on
the last shipment gave 72.6 oz. of silver and $4 in gold
per ton ; 43 men are employed at the mine and mill.
NEVADA
NEW REPORTS FROM DIVIDE.
Copper Canyon. — The Homestake Consolidated Placer
Mines Co., operating on the Guy Davis and Homestake
claims, has finished sinking shafts and is preparing to
start washing gravel. In April these claims were award-
ed to the Homestake Consolidated by the United States
Supreme Court after years of litigation. There is little
water near the claims, but by re-using the water it is
thought the supply will be ample. More than five ounces
of gold was recovered recently from one yard of gravel.
The company has purchased 11,000 ft. of pipe to carry
water to the claims. The work is in charge of William
Forman, of Tonopah, who aided George B. Thatcher,
formerly attorney -general of Nevada, in the court actions.
The claims originally were held by the Glasgow &
Western, an English exploration company, as lode claims.
They were located as placer claims in 1913 by two
miners, and when the locators disobeyed an injunction
secured by the Glasgow & Western they were put in
jail and remained there until their plight was brought
to the attention of Thatcher, who took their case with-
out charge and secured their release. One of the men,
Guy Davis, interested others and the claims were again
located and work was started, only to be stopped by
a second injunction. Davis took his case to Thatcher,
who interested Forman, and in return for a share in the
ownership of the claims the two attorneys went into court
and secured a verdict in their favor on the ground that
mineral in place had not been found on the claims. The
case was appealed to the Circuit Court, which reversed
the verdict. Thatcher and Forman then appealed to the
United States Supreme Court and won their case after
all of the locators had lost confidence and had sold out to
friends of Thatcher. The claims cover what engineers
say is the richest placer ground in the country.
Ioxe. — Robert B. Todd of Reno has financed in New
York the construction of a 50-ton mill at the Star of the
West, 20 miles north of lone, in northern Nye county.
The Star of the West is an old producer of silver-lead ore
that has been re-opened by the cleaning of three tunnels
and by work from them. Ore assaying $20 for a width of
7 ft. has been found in surface trenches and assays of $7
to $18 have been secured from 6 to 10-ft. widths in the
tunnel-workings. The lowest tunnel is 350 ft. long and
it is to be continued 800 ft., or well into the San Fran-
cisco claim.
Eureka. — The Prince is preparing a shipment of high-
grade ore from the 140-ft., or bottom, level, where the
shoot is 3 to 4 ft. wide. Some of the ore being saved
assays more than $200 in silver and gold in the propor-
tion of 1 oz. gold to 50 oz. silver. The drifts on this level
are in a shoot from which good shipments were made at
the surface. All of the work on the Prince in former
days was done at or near the surface, most of the pro-
duction being made from a depth of less than 50 ft. The
output from these workings is estimated to have been
nearly $750,000. The Croesus is shipping $80 ore regu-
larly, most of it being mined 1500 ft. north of the Catlin
shaft, on the 400-f t, level. The Holly is shipping $75 ore
at a rate of 50 to 75 tons weekly from the 400 and 500-ft.
levels. Sinking of the shaft from 450 ft. has been started.
Shipments that net the company more than $5 per ton
continue to be made at a rate of 50 to 75 tons daily from
the 900-ft. level of the Loean shaft of the Ruby Hill De-
velopment Co. There is estimated to be 50,000 tons
blocked out. Sinking of the shaft from 1200 ft. has not
yet been started. The Climax is preparing a shipment of
ore saved in driving the Mabel L. tunnel, which is now
well into the Deadbroke claim. No stoping has been done.
There is a 3-ft. width of ore of shipping grade, with a
6-in. seam that is rich, in a 70-ft. winze at the 1500-ft.
point in the Eureka tunnel of the King. An air-power
hoist has been put in place and the shoot is being ex-
plored further.
Divide. — A drift in the main vein of the Tonopah
Divide near the (Jold Zone line and on the fifth level has
exposed 2| ft. of 158-oz. ore. Rich ore also has been
found in new work in the main vein on the third level
and the main south-east drift on the first level is being
continued in a full face of 70-oz. ore. According to re-
ports it is probable that there is good ore for 150 ft.
beyond the present face of the drift on the first level, as
a raise this distance south-east, from the second to the
Angus! 7, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
209
first level, is iii ore. This mis. ■ was driven 105 ft. in
gooil ore. It has been teamed Erom an anthentie source
that the distance between tiie point where the main south-
oust drifts on the third, fourth, and fifth levels were turn-
ed from the main vein, and the Zone line, is more than
400 ft. These reports indicate that the main vein has not
been explored for this distance. The ore recently found
on the third and fifth levels is in drifts from cross-cuts
driven to the main vein from the workings made by the
former management, The Victory has resumed sinking
the winze from the present depth of 360 ft. An electric
UTAH
FIRE DESTROYS SAMPLING-MILL AT THE MURRAY SMELTER.
Saw Lake City. — Fire, thought to have originated
from a burning cigarette, destroyed sampling mill No. 4
of the American Smelting & Refining Co.'s smelting
plant at Murray, seven miles south of here, on July 26.
The property loss is estimated at $50,000. The mill was
built about 12 years ago, and was the last of a series of
four sampling mills, being adapted to the handling of ore
that could not be sampled in the other three mills.
MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN THE SPECULATOR MINE AT BUTTE
hoist is being used and the winze will be continued an-
other 100 ft. One carload of ore assaying 30 oz. silver
and 0.25 oz. gold has been shipped from the 310-ft.
level, from which the winze was started, and 100 tons of
the same grade is ready for shipment according to re-
liable advice. Only low-grade ore, assaying $8 to $10,
was found on the 360-ft. level. The shoot is 60 ft. long
and 3£ ft. wide on the 310-ft. level.
Carson City. — The Comstock Superior Co., operating
in North Carson field, is preparing to sink on the junc-
tion of a cross-vein with the main lode. Several cross-
veins have been found and the main orebody traced the
full length of the group.- Sinking is progressing steadily
at Nevada Protective.
Park City'. — Mining operations have been resumed at
the Three Kings property, following several months of
exploration work with diamond-drills, which was done for
the purpose of locating known ore-bearing lime beddings,
according to P. J. Mackintosh, general manager. The
drilling work furnished information of value in guiding
mine development. A further increase was made in ore
shipments from this district during the week ending
July 24, when 2349 tons was shipped, as against 2267
tons for the previous week. The Ontario Silver shipped
911 tons ; Silver King Coalition, 645 tons ; Judge M. & S.,
364 tons; Daly "West, 170 tons; and the Naildriver, 165
tons. The Judge smelter shipped 94 tons of premium
spelter.
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC P#ESS
August 7, 1920
Big Cottonwood Canyon. — The stockholders of the
Reed's Peak Mining Co., at a special meeting, unani-
mously voted to consolidate the property of the company
with that of the Big Cottonwood Consolidated Mining
Co., adjoining the Reed's Peak to the south. The new
company is to be called the Reed's Peak Consolidated
Mining Co. The property consists of an attractive group
of 32 claims, located in the south fork of Big Cottonwood
canyon, one-half mile north of the Cardiff mine and 22
miles south-east of Salt Lake City. The new company
starts out free of debt, with $8000 cash in the treasury,
and with ample equipment in the way of tools, ma-
chinery, mine buildings, cars, and track. The portal of
the Reed's Peak tunnel is but 12 miles from the Murray
smelter. It is the intention of the management to begiu
operations immed.ately.
Conditions in the Cardiff mine are reported as ex-
cellent ; an average of 50 to 60 tons per day of silver-lead
ore is being shipped, that averages about $55 or $60 per
ton. Five teams are engaged in hauling the ore down the
canyon.
Milfobd. — Three lessees are mining exceptionally high-
grade ore from the 'Wild Bill' mine, which adjoins the
Cedar Talisman property : the last car of ore shipped net-
ting $4000 after payment of all charges, including roy-
alty. The shipment averaged 61% lead and 38 oz. silver
per ton. The property was opened by an incline shaft,
but the company stopped operations before ore was
found. The lessees sunk a short distance in a winze from
the shaft before cutting high-grade ore. Mine develop-
ment is increasing in Beaver county. J. M. Reynolds,
who financed the Capitol company, which is now develop-
ing its property, has recently been successful in financing
the old Humboldt group. Equipment has already been
installed on the property and shaft sinking started. At
a depth of 35 ft. a promising vein was struck, from which
high-grade samples have been taken. It is the intention
to sink this shaft to the 500-ft. level.
At the old Monitor property, the new lower tunnel has
almost reached a north-south fissure that has enriched
bedded deposits, which furnished good shipping ore in
the upper levels of the mine. The tunnel has been driven
250 ft. and is about 40 ft. from its objective. Small
seams of high-grade ore have been cut, which have assay-
ed as high as 52 oz. in silver and 63% lead. William
Gore, president and manager of the property, is well
satisfied with the progress being made.
American Fork Canyon. — Ore was found recently in
a raise from the Holden tunnel which is being driven to
open at depth the orebodies mined near the surface in the
Live Yankee, Silver Wave, and Bellerophone properties.
This is the first prospecting at great depth in this part of
the district and is of importance on that account. The
Holden tunnel is being driven by the American Leasing
Co., controlled by C. B. Ferlin. former superintendent of
the Pacific mine ; the leasing company operating the three
properties named, under a lease. In the early days, some
of the richest silver ore found in this district was mined
in the Live Yankee property. The ore was found as
large boulders of galena, lying in the bed of a stream
which follows an east-west fault fissure. Much of the
early-day mining in this pfrrt of the camp was done by
A. L. Holden, later associated with the United States
Smelting Co., and Mathew Cullen, of Salt Lake City, who
were pioneers among Utah mining men. The American
Leasing Co. developed considerable milling ore in the
upper workings of the old properties and then built a
small concentrating mill. The milling ore developed at a
point 185 ft. above the Holden tunnel has been opened
from 8 to 15 ft. in width.
Eureka. — The suit of the Tintic Delaware Mining Co.
against the Salt Lake, Fillmore, and Kanosh Railroad
Co. has been decided in favor of the plaintiff. The suit
was instituted to recover $5000 and interest on money
alleged to have been advanced to the representatives of
the railroad company for the purpose of assisting in the
building of a railroad from the Salt Lake Route in Mil-
lard county to the Deseret Mountain mine and other
properties in the West Tintic district.
Walter Fitch Jr., mining contractor, who is sinking
the new shaft at the Chief Consolidated mine, states that
a depth of 1440 ft. has been reached and that the forma-
tion is changing. It is understood that the shaft is near-
ing the lime, as the formation is loose and large boulders
of lime are making their appearance. This loose forma-
tion will necessitate using solid concrete lining instead of
hollow concrete forms, such as were used in the upper
part of the shaft. Excellent progress has been made in
the sinking of this shaft, an average of 61 ft. being made
each month. The shaft will be sunk to the 2000-ft. level
before extensive lateral work will be started.
Ore shipments from this district for the week ending
July 24 totalled 145 cars, an increase of 9 as compared
with the previous week. The Chief Consolidated shipped
50 cars ; Tintic Standard. 27 ; Victoria, 9 ; Eagle & Blue
Bell, 8 ; Iron Blossom, 8 : Dragon, 8 ; Grand Central, 6 ;
Iron King, 6 ; Centennial-Eureka, 5 ; Mammoth, 4 ; Bul-
lion Beck, 4; Gemini. 3; Tintic Drain Tunnel, 2; Gold
Chain, 2; Colorado, 1 ; Swansea. 1 ; Ridge & Valley, 1.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION AT NELSON.
Hedley. — There now are employed at the Nickel Plate
mine about 150 men. two-thirds of whom are at work
underground and the remainder at the mill and power-
plant. The company is extracting gold-bearing ore av-
eraging $9 per ton. As it costs about $8.50 per ton to
mine and mill, the profits are not large. Development is
planned in the expectation that richer ore will be found.
Ore-cars holding two tons ran on a narrow-gauge electric
railway for a mile out of the mine. Then the ore is
dumped into a tipple at the top of a steep side-hill.
From the tipple it is dumped into care operating on long
steel cables and running down a side-hill that seems al-
most perpendicular. The long slide to the mill in the
town itself is made in two sections and passengers who
go up or down on the ore-trams sit tight and pray that
August 7, 1930
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
211
n«>t li in«r breaks, A trip t<> the 'Nickel Plate1 in one of
the little ore-can beats any roller eoaster.
Victoria. — That «il Ikis been, discovered in commercial
quantities in the Peace River country is reported. • !rude
nil. it is said, will be delivered to customers before the
end of the present season. In No. 1 well the bore is
being enlarged from six to eight inches; this work has
progressed beyond the 1000-ft, point. No. 2 well, 2\
miles below Tar island, lias been started. Equipment is
being installed at Hudson's Hope, and on the upper and
lower Smoky river. At the San Joaquaim well it is said
that 20.000.000 ou. ft of gas is eseaping daily, that it is a
wet gas containing a good deal of gasoline, and that the
well will be capped and provision made for the recovery
of the gasoline and the saving of the gas. The Depart-
ment of Mines, Ottawa, claims to have discovered a
process by which crude oil may be recovered from the
tar sands which occur so extensively in the neighborhood
present time it was being worked nearly at full capacity.
This produced more line than Canada required, but mar-
kets had been secured in Great Britain and Japan. The
company has made a long-term agreement to treat the
concentrate produced by the Canada Copper Corpora-
tion, and for this reason the copper plant had been in-
creased from a capacity of 20 to 50 tons per day. Ground
has been broken for the Rossland-ores concentrator, and
the plant will be finished some time next year. The water
for this plant has been provided by a large pumping-
station situated a mile above the smelter on the Columbia
river. The pumping-plant has a capacity of 3,500,000
gal. per day. An interesting exhibit at the convention
was some samples of heavy crude oil that had been col-
lected from seepages in the extreme south-western part
of British Columbia.
Armstrong. — J. Hamil has located a 6-ft. vein about
a mile from the head of the Okanogan lake, and has
THE KIRKLAND LAKE MINE, ONTARIO
of Athabasca river, near Fort McMurray. A reserve of
55,000 acres of such land has been created.
Nelson. — From the start the third International Min-
ing Convention, held July 20 to 24, went with a swiug.
and Fred A. Starkey, secretary, and his colleagues in the
management are to be congratulated. There were several
good addresses and a number of interesting papers that
were productive of lively discussion. The side-trips to
mining and metallurgical plants were enjoyed thorough-
ly, and every visitor came away from Nelson feeling that
he had had a really instructive as well as agreeable time.
The invitation to the convention finished with: "There's
Kick in every Smile — at Nelson. There's Dew in the
ountains Still', and there was. Among the speakers
ere Nichol Thompson of Vancouver, Glenville A. Col-
lins of Seattle, S. S. Fowler of the Canadian Metal Co.,
A. G. Langley, and William Sloan, Minister of Mines.
T. "W. Bingay, comptroller to the Consolidated M. & S.
Co., in the unavoidable absence of J. J. Warren and G. S.
Blaylock, gave an interesting account of the company's
doings and plans. He stated that the electrolytic-zinc
plant had a capacity of 75 tons per day, and that at the
stripped it for 600 ft. An assay from the ore gave a re-
turn of 33 oz. per ton in silver and 21% lead. This claim
was staked 28 years ago, but was allowed to lapse. Mr.
Hamil was one of the original discoverers. The re-loca-
tion has caused considerable local excitement, and sev-
eral other claims recently have been staked in the neigh-
borhood.
Greenwood. — Notwithstanding the departure of the
B. C. Copper Co., now called the Canada Copper Cor-
poration, from this neighborhood there is a great activity
in mining and high-grade ore is being shipped. The
Providence mine is the leader both in quantity and
quality. Some remarkably rich ore has been taken from
this mine recently.
Vancouver. — Charles F. Law, of this city, recently re-
turned from England, where he succeeded in raising
money for the development of placer claims at the mouth
of Slate creek, on the Tulameen river, and on Keithley
creek, near Little Snowshoe, Cariboo district. The shaft
on the Tulameen river property will be continued to bed-
rock, and drifts then will be run. Test-pits will be sunk
and drifting done at the Keithley creek property. For
212
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 7, 1920
several years Robert Harrison lias worked rich ground
at Keithley creek by drifting and sluicing. His work
last year is said to have given him a return of $150 per
day. Last fall he sold to a Philadelphia syndicate, re-
taining an interest in the management of the property.
The Canadian Geological Survey has placed an excellent
collection of Canadian minerals on display at its branch
office, in Pacific building, for the benefit of prospectors.
The B. C. Chamber of Mines is making a collection of
minerals for display at the fall exposition in this city.
Mine-owners and prospectors are asked to contribute.
ONTARIO
MINING ASSOCIATION OP ONTARIO RESENTS IMPLIED CHARGES.
Cobalt. — Following the opening of the Gillies Limit,
lying adjacent to the Cobalt silver area, quite a number
of prospectors entered the field on July 20, and staked
a large number of claims. No discoveries of importance
have been reported, but the geological conditions peculiar
to the area bear a marked resemblance to the producing
territory. An average of from 125 to 150 tons of ore
from the dumps of the Kerr Lake mine is being shipped
to the Dominion Reduction plant, and from the early
returns the indications appear to be that the 75,000 to
100,000 tons of dump material may prove to be a sub-
stantial source of revenue. The price of silver will have
a vital bearing on the final result.
The Mining Corporation is constructing camps and
making arrangements to carry on exploration work on a
group of claims in Butt township, in the Nipissing dis-
trict, where there have been discoveries of pitchblende
containing an encouraging amount of radium. It is said
that the radium-bearing material occurs only in patches
and is of a grade that should make commercial operation
feasible provided the patches are not too widely sep-
arated. On August 1 the Coniagas paid a dividend of
24%. amounting to $100,000 and making a total of $400.-
000 paid so far this year. The mine has produced a total
of over 28,000,000 oz. of silver to date, and is still pro-
ducing at the rate of close to 900,000 oz. annually. Total
dividends paid amount to $10,040.(1(10. Production from
the McKinlcy-Darragh is averaging between 55,000 and
60,000 oz. of silver monthly. Net profits are adequate to
meet current dividend disbursements of 3% quarterly.
The treasury surplus is more than equal to a full year's
dividend requirements. Production up to the end of
June reached a total of 18.907,250 ounces.
Andrew B. Cullen, of Haileybury, owner of an instru-
ment with which he claims to be able to locate metal de-
posits, has been engaged by a New York syndicate to go
to the Cocos islands to locate treasures hidden by the
pirates "of old, notably Captain Kidd. Mining men have
failed to recognize any merit in the instrument during
the course of experiments conducted in Northern Ontario.
The Ontario Mining Association has requested the On-
tario government to institute a search of records and
conduct a complete investigation of the Department of
Mines. The reason for the request is that Premier Drury
recently stated that the Government had found the De-
partment of Lands and Forests to be "positively rotten",
and that the Mines Department might be the next in
line for investigation. Mining interests have resented
the implied slander and are making a general demand to
have the matter cleared up by the broadest possible in-
vestigation. They are confident that no irregularities
will be found.
Gowgaxda. — A slab of silver ore from the Miller Lake-
O'Brien. mine. has. be£n_shipped.to_the,Roy.aL Museum at
Toronto. The ore is nearly one-quarter silver and the
slab, which is 42 in. wide, is officially stated to contain
7000 oz. of silver per ton. It is undoubtedly the richest
sample of silver ore produced by the Northern Ontario
mines, since the early days of the Cobalt camp. State-
ments of new discoveries of a highly sensational character
at the Miller Lake-O'Brien, which have recently obtained
widespread circulation, are officially denied.
Porcupine. — The Melntyre, in diamond-drilling from
the 1500-ft. level, has penetrated a vein of good ore at
about the 1600-ft. level, the deepest point at which gold
has been found in the mine. At the Dome Mines a
spectacular discovery is reported at the 850-ft. level, but
the statement lacks confirmation. It is known, however,
that the orebody at that depth is 434. ft. wide and has an
average gold content of $7.60 per ton. Until two years
ago the estimate of ore-reserves averaged only $5.10 per
ton, and the increase of 50% in this value at the depth
reached is regarded as of great importance. It is under-
stood that the question of exercising the option held by
the company on the Dome Extension will be dealt with at
a meeting to be held in August.
There is strong probability that the directors of the
Porcupine Vipond-North Thompson will accept the offer
of a Toronto syndicate to underwrite 600,000 shares
of treasury stock at about 30c. per share. This plan
would provide funds to enlarge the mill so as to treat 150
tons daily at a cost of $50,000, as well as greatly increase
the scope of underground operations.
The shaft on the Keora is down 190 ft. \Yheu a depth !
of 250 ft. is reached lateral work will be undertaken to
cut veins No. 5 and 6, encountered in diamond-drilling
which showed high gold content.
Kirkland Lake. — The Lake Shore during June treated
1535 tons of ore with a recovery of $37,546, being an
average of $24.46 per ton. Production showed a falling
off as compared with May, owing to a shortage of electric
power. The output for the first six months of the current
year aggregated $244,710. Arrangements for starting
work on the Tough-Oakes have nearly been completed, a
few details in connection with the taking over of the
mine by the Kirkland Lake Proprietary remaining to be
settled. The staff has been engaged and the mill in-
creased in capacity by the addition of another hall-mill
and other equipment. There is ore on hand sufficient to
keep the mill in operation for eight months. The Burn-
side, which is also embraced in the merger with the Kirk-
land Lake Proprietary, is expected to prove an important
source of ore.
August 7. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
213
the mining:
OUTPUT OF THE COPPER MIXES
Comparative figures of copper production (or the first halt
of the current year reflect the condition of the market. In
the first two months of this year about 300,000,000 lb. of
copper was sold. This, with the 450,000,000 lb. disposed of
in November and December of last year, brought total sales
on that movement up to 750,000,000 lb. Since then it has
been a buyers' market. While the amount of metal con-
tracted for in that period would ordinarily cause a slight
cessation in buying for a month or two, reappearance of
some demand should have been made before this. Faced
with such lethargic metal-market, producers are generally
sticking to the curtailment schedules determined upon early
List year. Anaconda is showing a slight expansion in pro-
duction. Prior to April the company was producing about
IS. 000, 000 lb. of smelter copper per month against 13,000,-
000 monthly a year ago. In the first six months it pro-
duced 93,250,000, or over 13,000,000 lb. more than in the
same period 1919. Phelps Dodge and Utah, on the other
hand, are 8,000,000 and 11,000,000 lb., respectively, behind
last year.
Total production of twenty representative mines amounted
to 648,023,716 lb. of blister copper in the period ending June
30 last; in the corresponding period last year these mines
produced 580,098,152 lb., or about 6S. 000, 000 lb. less. The
South American mines are all ahead of 1919, Chile showing
a gain of 20,000,000 lb. With its Latin subsidiary. Braden,
Kennecott is up 22,000,000 lb. from its 1919 production
pace. Output of these properties is shown below.
January to January to
June 19S0 May 1920 June 1920 June 1919
Lb. LI). ' Lb. Lb.
Anaconda 12.700.000 9.700.000 03.250.000 70.950.000
Phelps Dodire 7.552.000 7.902.000 46.730.000 54.431.144
Utah 10.000.000 9.904. 7S1 40.017.999 57.276.000
Kenneeott 10.120.000 0.: 111. 000 53.653.860 31,554.000
Galumet & Hecla .. 9.022.879 8.803:811 55.490.206 52.465,514
Chile '10.000.000 10.300.0110 53.866.000 30.860.000
Inspiration 7.300.000 7.500.000 41.700.000 .39.200.000
Chino 4.010.069 3.930.728 S2.156.025 22. 261. 277
Miami 4.400.000 5.054.760 27.931.482 28.152.031
Ray Con 4.520.000 4.260.000 24.964.073 23.927,000
Nevada Con 4.650.000 4.350.000 24,871,938 23. 37.8. 482
Calumet & Arizona. 3.812,000 3.840.000 21.180,000 22.188.000
New Cornelia 3.664.000 3.720.000 21.332.000 17,804.000
Arizona Copper . . . 3,000.000 3.000.000 18,000,000 17,392.000
Old Dominion 2.999.000 2.287.400 14.432.700 14.714.000
East Butte 1.306,140 1.412.760 8.908.820 8.900.840
Granby 2,079,000 2.131.219 12.566,558 11.407.563
Greene-Cananea . . . 3.750,000 4.300.000 22.150.000 1S.200.000
Cerro de Pasco 3,944,000 6.890.000 29.668.000 28.096.000
North Butte 1.616.822 892.118 9.153.995 5.940.301
Total 110,535.910 109.490.577 048.023.710 580.098.152
•Estimated.
COURSE IN mXERALOGY
The Technical Department of the Extension Division.
University of California, announces a new course by corre-
spondence in determinative mineralogy and blowpipe-analy-
sis by Arthur S. Eakle, professor of mineralogy. It is equiv-
alent to the course given in the regular session of the Uni-
versity. Two units of university credit will be given, if de-
sired, on the passage of an examination. Each of the ten
assignments are based on portions of a textbook which is
• nt out with the preliminary announcement sheets. The
fee for this course is $12, payable in advance. This will
include all assignment sheets, the text-book, all powders and
mineral specimens, a pad of report blanks, postage on all
material sent to the student, and the supervisory work of
the instructor over each student. Necessary apparatus for
the course must be provided and will be furnished by the
Associated Student's Store. Berkeley, California, on receipt
of a check or money-order for $20. The difference between
this amount and the actual cost will be returned. For those
who have access to a laboratory or who already have blow-
pipe apparatus the charge can be reduced to a few dollars
only. A list of the necessary laboratory equipment will be
sent on application.
CALIFORNIA
Amador County. — The 1500-ft. Gover shaft of the Fre-
mont Consolidated has been cleared of water and the pumps
are now engaged in unwatering the main Fremont shaft,
which is approximately 3000 ft. deep. Immediately follow-
ing clearance of the lower levels repairs to the shatt will
be rushed and prospecting and mining resumed. The Fre-
mont shaft will be sent deeper and effort made to determine
extensions of orebodies which formerly yielded high-grade
ore. The property is being re-opened under an option by a
strong company after lying idle two years.
New pumps have been added to the plant at the Argonaut
mine and unwatering is proceeding more rapidly. Freez-
ing ot sections of the pumps, attributed to the use of com-
pressed air, has caused some trouble. Repairs are follow-
ing unwatering and the management is endeavoring to have
the property in shape for production as soon as the water
is out of the lower levels. The disastrous fire, which forced
flooding of the property, is definitely extinguished, and be-
fore the end of the year the Argonaut should again take its
place among the gold producers of the State. Labor
shortage is hampering work at many local mines, and at the
Central Eureka the management has been forced to curtail
operations to such an extent that only 20 stamps are drop-
ping. It is presumed that with the passing of the harvest
and lumbering season labor for the mines will become more
plentiful.
Placerville. — The 700-ft. tunnel of the Pacific Channel
Co. has entered the long-sought channel and is advancing
to reach a deposit of cemented gravel. Indications point to
the proximity of a large body of gold-bearing material.
The property lies about 16 miles east of Placerville.
. A number of small quartz and placer mines in territory
tributory to Placerville are receiving attention, despite a
scarcity of skilled labor and the adverse circumstances af-
fecting gold mining. Some promising discoveries have been
reported and several companies are preparing to resyjne
placer mining as soon as the rainy season provides suffi-
cient water.
Plumas County. — At a point 1500 ft. north of the Walker
property Frank Morehouse has penetrated a 16-ft. vein of
good ore at a depth of 510 tt. This development, while
generally predicted by those who were familiar with the
country, gives promise of another producer. Arizona
parties have taken a bond on the Five Bears mine, and will
214
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 7, 1920
soon commence extensive work there. Spokane capital-
ists have taken a bond on the Eagle group and plan de-
velopment on that property and San Francisco interests
expect to commence work on the Trimetallic group adjoin-
ing the Engel mine. Work on the Beardsley copper mine
and mill is going ahead satisfactorily. Tunnel No. 3 is
rapidly nearing completion. This will facilitate handling
the ore from the mine to the mill. Some mill machinery is
installed and more is on the way. The owners are planning
to enlarge the capacity of the mill, as recent work has
demonstrated that the orebodies are greater than was
estimated.
Redding. — The Bully Hill Mines Co. has purchased the
Balaklala Copper Co.'s smelter buildings at Coram to get
structural steel for erecting reduction works and other
buildings at Bully Hill. None of the machinery at the
Balaklala smelter was purchased. It is estimated there
will be 200 carloads of steel to be shipped by rail to Bully
Hill, where workmen already are grading for the new
buildings.
COLORADO
Denver. — The management of the Lackawanna Oil Shale
Products Co. announces that the first unit of its plant near
DeBeque is almost completed. The first unit, it is stated,
will handle 250 tons of shale per day. It is the intention
to increase the size of the plant to 1000-ton capacity. A
pipe-line is now being laid from the plant to DeBeque, a
distance of 7i miles, from which point the company ex-
pects to ship its finished product. John Gaffy, president of
the company, has spent several months in studying various
processes for the extraction of oil from shale and it has been
decided to use the Randall method, which is reported to be
far simpler in mechanical operation than many of the
other methods. The Randall process, it is stated, is a modi-
fication of the inventions of J. W. H. Randall, which were
used with reported good success during the War by the
American and Allied governments in the manufacture of
wood alcohol and acetone, from waste wood products, both
substances being used in the manufacture of munitions.
IDAHO
Coeur d'Alene. — The Russell shaft, being sunk by the
Federal company to prove its contention in the apex litiga-
tion with the Hecla company — that the apex of the east
orebody is within the Russell claim, owned by the Federal
and under lease to the Marsh — is now down 240 ft. The
Federal company has placed a new hoist in position, since
taking over the shaft, that is capable of handling the work
to the depth of 1000 ft., and has practically re-timbered the
shaft and otherwise placed it in a safe and workable con-
dition.
NEVADA
Manhattan. — The annual report of Charles Kirchen, con-
sulting engineer to the Consolidated Spanish Belt, operating
near here, estimates the "probable ore" in the mine at 25,-
000 tons worth $20. and 50,000 tons worth $30. The en-
gineer says work now being done may open another 100,000
tons; 6000 ft. of development work has been done, accord-
ing to the report. It is expected to have a 50-ton concen-
trator in operation before the end of August.
Rochester. — One foot of ore assaying $3 50 per ton in
silver, lead, and copper has been opened in the bottom of a
190-ft. winze in the Mayer-Preston lease on the Buck &
Charley. The full width of the winze assays $60 and ship-
ments of this grade of ore have been started. Several
moLths ago shipments from drifts at the bottom of this
winze reached 300 tons monthly, some of the ore assaying
more than $500 per ton for a width of two feet. The ore
recently opened was found when sinking of the winze was
resumed.
personalI
The Editor invites members of the profession to send particulars of their
work and appointments The information is interesting to our readers.
A. T. Watson is in Peru.
Augustus Locke is in Utah.
D. C. .Tackling is at Salt Lake City.
John B. Hastings is at McGill, Nevada.
Nicolas G. Berger, from Bodaibo, Siberia, is here.
Frank C. Loring has returned from London to Toronto.
John W. Mercer, of New York, is at the Fairmont hotel.
E. M. Hamilton has returned from London to San Fran-
cisco.
John P. Gray, mining attorney of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, is
in San Francisco.
H. AV. Hardinge left for London and the Continent on the
'Aquitania' on July 31.
Percy R. Middleton, on his return from New York, has
gone to southern Arizona.
Emmet D. Boyle, mining engineer and Governor of Ne-
vada, is at the Palace hotel.
A. H. Richards has been appointed general superintendent
of the Garfield smelter, in Utah.
Ben. B. Thayer, vice-president of the Anaconda Copper
Mining Co., is at the Palace hotel.
L. J. Mayreis has renewed his engagement with the
Burma Corporation as resident manager in India.
Arthur F. Taggart, of New Haven, now professor in
Columbia University, was in San Francisco this week.
F. H. Skeels has been appointed superintendent of the
Ramshorn mine of the Ramshorn Mines Co., at Bayhorse,
Idaho.
Oscar Osolin, electrical and mechanical engineer for the
Lenskoie Gold Mining Co., of Bodaibo, Siberia, is in San
Francisco.
R. F. McElvenney, plant manager of the Garfield smelter,
has been appointed manager of the A. S. & R. Co.'s lead
refinery at Omaha.
Sumner S. Smith has resigned as Mine Inspector for
Alaska to take charge of coal mining for the Navy under
the Alaskan Engineering Commission.
Robert X. BeU, State Mine Inspector of Idaho, will re-
sign at the end of the year, after 16 years of service, to take
up the private practice of engineering at Boise.
Frederick B. Tough, of Colorado, petroleum technologist
of the Bureau of Mines, has been appointed supervisor of
oil and gas drilling operations under the leasing law.
B. A. Middlemiss, assistant general manager for the Chile
Copper Co., is making a visit to the principal mining centres
of the United States. He was at Salt Lake City recently.
L. Everett, manager of the McKnight Mining Co.'s mines
at Mokelumne Hill, California, is on his way to Colombia.
South America, to investigate oil and platinum properties.
Donald D. Riddle and Roger F. White have been appointed
valuation engineers in the oil and gas section, Income Tax
Unit of the Internal Revenue Bureau. Paul Ruedemann
has resigned.
H. L. Norton, formerly general superintendent for the
Arizona Commercial Mining Co., has been transferred to the
office of the general manager for the Phelps Dodge Corpora-
tion, at Douglas.
August 7, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
215
iil*
THE MRTAIv
\:?r
METAL PBICES
San Francisco. August 3
Aluminum ilu-l. cents ptt pound . .* 65
Antimony, trills iht pound 0.60
Copper, electrolytic, cftnts per pound 19.25
Lt ;wl. pig, cents per pound 8.76—0.76
Platinum, pure, tier ounce Slo.>
Platinum. lOTo iridium, per ounce $165
Quicksilver, per flask of 75 lb $88
Spelter, cents pep pound 9.50
Zinc-dusl, cents per pound 12.50 — 15.00
EASTERN METAL MARKET
(By wire from New York)
August 2. — Copper is inactive but firm. Lead is quiet but very strong.
is dull but easy.
SILVER
Below are given official or ticker quotations lor silver in the open market
a- distinguished from the fixed price obtainable for metal produr-ed. smelted,
arid refined exclusively within the United States. Under the terms of the
Pittman Act such silver will be purchased by the United States Mint at $1
I>er ounce, subject to certain small charges, which vary slightly but amount
to approximately three-eighths of one cent. The equivalent of dollar silver
(1000 fine) in British currency is 4(1. 05 pence per ounce (925 fine), calcu-
lated at the normal rate of exchange.
Date
July
New York
cents
93.25
28 94.25
29 92.25
30 92.62
31 93.37
1 Sunday
2 91.37
1918
. . .88.72
. ..85.79
...88.11
...95.35
. . .99.50
June 99.50
Jan
Feb
Mch.
Apr.
May
mm
101 12
101.12
101 12
101 12
107 23
110.50
London
pence
65 50
56.12
56.12
56.25
56.63
56 62
Monthly
192"
132.77
131.27
125.70
119 56
102 69
90.84
Aug.
Average week ending
Cents
21 8T.07
28 91.41
5 89.97
12 92.18
19 91.04
26 92.39
2 92.85
averages
1918
July 99.62
Aug 100.31
Sept 101.12
Oct 101.12
Nov 101.12
Dec 101.12
191 9
106.30
111.35
113.92
119.10
127.57
131.92
Pence
48.73
51.69
51.68
52.66
52.91
54.77
56.20
1920
02.04
Prices of electrolytic in New York, in cents per pound.
Date
July
27 18.00
28 19.00
29 .19.00
30. ... . 19.00
31 19.00
1 Sunday
2 19.00
Average week ending
21 19.00
28 19.00
5 19.00
12 19.00
19 19.00
26 19.00
2 19.00
1918
. . 23.50
. . 23.50
. .23.50
. . 23.50
. .23.50
June 23.50
Jan.
Feb.
Mch.
Apr.
May
1919
20.43
17.34
15.05
15.23
15.91
17.53
Monthly averages
1920
If).
19.05
IX 40
19.23
19.05
19.00
1918
July 26.00
Aug 26.00
Sept 26.00
Oct 26.00
Nov 26.00
Dec 26.00
1919
1920
20.82
19.00
22.51
22.10
21.66
20.45
18.65
LEAD
Lead is quoted in cents per pound. New York delivery.
Zinc is quoted as speller, standard Wet tern brands. New York delivery,
in cents per pound.
Date
July
Jan.
Feb.
Mch.
Apr.
May
June
Average week ending
July
Aug.
Jan.
Feb.
Mch.
Apr.
May
June
Pri
Jan.
Feb.
Mch.
Apr.
May
June
20
31
1
.
June
July
Aug.
average
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
N
ound.
averag
July
Aug.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
. 9.05
12.
19.
. 8.25
Sunday
9.10
. 8.45
. 8.93
. 9.00
1918
. . 6.85
. . 7.70
. . 7.26
. . 6.99
Monthly
1919 1920
5.60 8.65
5.13 8.88
5.24 9.22
5.05 8.78
5.04 8.55
5.32 8.43
T
rk, in cents per p
Monthly
1919 1920
71.60 62.74
72.44 59.87
72.60 61.92
72.50 62.12
72.50 54.99
71.83 48.33
B
SB
1918
. 8.03
. 8.05
. 8.05
1918
93.00
. .91.33
1919
5.53
5.78
6.02
6.40
6.76
7.12
1919
70.11
62.20
55.79
54.82
54.17
54.94
1920
S.63
ces in New Yo
1918
85.13
85.00
88.53
100.01
1920
49.29
. . 80.40
. .78.82
. . 73.67
27
... S.20
28
8.15
1 Sunday
July
Average week ending
is'. '.'.'.'.'.'..'. ;;;;;;;;
12.
19.
26.
7.79
7.85
8.04
8.15
8.24
8.22
8.11
r.92
r.»2
1919
7.44
6.71
6.53
6.49
6.43
0.91
Monthly averages
1920
9.58
9.15
«93
8.76
8.07
7 92
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
1918
8.72
. 8.78
. 9.58
. 9.11
. 8.76
. 8.49
1919
7.78
7.81
7.67
7.82
8.12
8.69
1920
8.1S
QUICKSILVER
The primary market for quicksilver ie San Francisco. California being
the largest producer. The price is fixed in the open market, according to
quantity. Prices, in dollars per flask of 75 pounds.
Date I July 20 90.00
July 6 90.00 ■• 27 88 00
13 85.00 1 Aug. 3 88.00
Monthly averages
1918
Jan 128.06
Feb 118 00
Mch 112.00
Apr 115.00
May 110.00
June 112.00
1919
1920
1918
1919
1920
03.75
89.00
July .
. . .120.00
100.00
88.00
90.00
81.00
. . .120.00
103.00
72.80
87.00
Sept. .
. . .120.00
102.60
73.12
100 00
Oct. .
. . .120.00
86.00
84.80
87 00
. . .120.00
78.00
94.40
85.00
95.00
AMERICAN SMELTING & REFINING CO.
The American Smelting- & Refining Co. earned the $2 semi-annual divi-
dend on the common stock by a comfortable margin in the six months
ended June 30. 1920. a decided contrast to the corresponding: period last
year, when only 4c. per share was earned and a deficit of SI. 195. 464 was
left after payment of the common dividend. In the final six months of
1919 the net increased to $2.12 per share, and progressive improvement has
since been shown, largely due to more favorable conditions in Mexico and
better demand for copper.
In the first six months of this year the company made big inroads into
its copper accumulation and was able to dispose of 40 to 50% of the metal
it was carrying for other companies. How the cash position has been
strengthened may be gleaned from the fact that working capital, including
metal stocks, Btbod at $57,680,910 at the close of 1919, against J57.986.51S
at the close of 1918. whereas, excluding metal stocks, it fell to $8 919 808
as of December 31. 1919. against $13,940,422 at the end of 1918. Opera-
tions of Mexican mines are now approximately 90% of normal. Rapid
strides are being made toward completing the unwatering of properties
which became Hooded during years of disuse, and capacity ore production is
expected before the close of the year. The company's five Mexican smelter-
are now running full blast. With promise of stable government below the
Rio Grande, officials hope for a restoration of normal conditions in Mexico
under which they were able to show net income of $6 per share from
Mexican properties alone in former years.
INTERNATIONAL NICKEL CO.
Sentiment among people conversant with affairs of the International
Nickel Co. has taken a decided turn for the better. The company is said
to have definitely rounded the corner and its business is considerably better
than for some time. This condition may be expected to be reflected to
some extent in the report for the three months ended with June. While
surplus stocks of nickel held abroad and difficulties of transportation in
Hub country materially reduced demand in the fiBCal year ended March 31.
officials are encouraged by better business since that time. It may be pre-
sumed that plant operations are at a higher rate than the 60% capacity
averaged during the three month* ended March 31: that 60% capacity
represented 80% of former capacity, as the Port Colborne plant was in-
eluded in the percentage for the March quarter.
Not a little of the improvement is the result of new markets the company
is constantly developing for its monel metal, an alloy made up of the same
component parts as are found in nickel ore. One of the uses for monel
metal is in the construction of racing yachts. A large amount was used
in the construction of the 'Resolute*, as well as in the 'Vanitie'. Another
wide use is in golf clubs, where non-rusting qualities are important. The
nickel company's financial position was greatly strengthened in the last
fiscal year, and at March 31 it had a working capital of nearly $9,500,000.
against $9,779,045 on March 31. 1918. The working capital on March 31
last was larger than at any time during the previous three years. Possi-
bility of resuming dividends on the common stock is believed to be some-
what remote, although the company is in a strictly liquid position, with
earnings showing real improvement.
MONEY AND EXCHANGE
Foreign quotations on August 3 are as follows:
Sterling, dollars: Cable 3.70 %
Demand 3.71 %
Francs, cents: Cable 7.69
Demand 7.70
Lire, cents : Demand 5.37
Marks, cents ' 2.31
216
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 7, 1920
Eastern Metal Market
New York, July 28.
Mid-summer dullness pervades all the markets, but prices
in most of them are firm. There is a marked disappearance
of speculation in copper, lead, and zinc.
Demand for copper continues of moderate proportions
and prices are firm.
The tin market is quiet; small transactions are confined
to dealers.
Pronounced strength characterizes the lead market and
prices have advanced.
There is but little life to the zinc market and prices have
eased slightly.
Antimony has declined somewhat.
IKON AND STEEL
Steel works in the Pittsburgh district will soon be forced
to a further lessening of output because of the railroad situ-
ation unless unexpected relief is soon afforded. Develop-
ments at Chicago have been unfavorable because of the
strike of the coal miners of the State. Five more blast-
furnaces have been banked there, so that the Steel Cor-
poration has only 14 in blast out of a total of 29 in that
district.
Steel producers from Pittsburgh aud Youngstown have
gone to Washington to obtain relief, because they state that
the threatened coal famine in the North-West and the grain
movement in the West are diverting an excessive number of
cars.
Generally speaking, new inquiry on finished products has
decreased. Reports from the automobile trade are con-
flicting. Indications are that there is a letting-up because
of the smaller operations by manufacturers of axles, springs,
and other parts. Demand for trucks has fallen off, because
the financial situation is causing users to cease buying or to
cancel orders.
COPPER
Business from both domestic and foreign consumers con-
tinues of moderate proportions. Prices are firm at 19c,
New York, for both Lake and electrolytic copper from the
large producers. Prom small producers and particularly
from dealers the supply is light and only small quantities
are available around 18.75c, New York, for early delivery.
Leading interests are selling for August-September delivery
at 19c. and some are asking 19.25c. for delivery in the last
quarter. An encouraging sign is that demand from con-
sumers for shipment on contract is better and also that
shipments from refineries are easier. The June production
of smelters was about 115,000,000 lb. by 20 representative
operators, which made about 650,000,000 lb. in the first
half. Copper exports thus far this year have been only a
little less than the rate which was a record in 1913.
TIN
Conditions are but slightly changed and the market con-
tinues quiet. There is no demand from consumers who
have been out of the market now for some weeks. It is
even said that one large consumer was offering October ship-
ment metal, but this is not confirmed. Last Thursday low
prices we're quoted for future shipment at 48.25c. The spot
Straits market is nominal with the quotation yesterday at
48.50c, New York. Metal for this position continues hard
to obtain. In the week, sales on the New York Metal Ex-
change have been small, one of 2 5 tons of July-shipment
Straits going at 48c. last Thursday aud 25 tons of August-
September on Monday at 49c. The London market is quiet
with spot Straits quoted at £282 per ton yesterday against
£288 a week ago. For spot standard tin the quotation was
£267 and for future standard it was £271. Arrivals thus
far this month have been 3385 tons, of which 720 tons is
credited to Pacific ports. The quantity afloat is 4715 tons.
LEAD
The American Smelting & Refining Co. last Wednesday,
July 21, advanced its price 1c per pound to 8c, St. Louis.
or 8.50c, New York, thus recognizing the strength of the
market, which continues to expand. But this price is still
considerably below the outside market, which yesterday was
quoted at 8.75c, St. Louis, or 9c, New York, at which level
sales have been made. This situation Is due to continued
good demand in spite of high prices and to limited output,
which is stated to be about 60% of normal. Prompt-ship-
ment lead from the West has sold at 9c, New York, at
which level it is scarce. It is believed that August lead can-
not be had at less than 9c, New York, and perhaps Septem-
ber lead, also, at no better price. There is no question but
that import lead will soon appear in this market, as it is
reported already on the way.
ZIXC
Conditions in this market do not improve greatly and
business is of the hand-to-mouth order and light at that.
Galvanizers and brass-makers are buying only as they need
it, due either to light business or large stocks. Producers
are unwilling to sell beyond September, so uncertain are
they of the future. Ore is high and present zinc prices do
not net much profit. What the situation as regards labor
and ore will be in the fall, no one can tell, and hence the
conservatism. Prime Western for July, August, and Sep-
tember delivery is quoted at 7.85c, St. Louis, or 8.20c, New
York.
ANTIMONY
Heavy stocks and offers of shipment at prices about equal
to the ruling spot price have caused an easier tendency.
Wholesale lots for early delivery are quoted at $7.25, New
York, duty paid.
ALUMINUM
Wholesale lots of virgin metal, 98 to 99% pure, are
quoted at 33c, New York, by the leading interest and at
31.50c. by other sellers, both for early delivery.
ORES
Tungsten: The general situation is unchanged. Demand
is light and prices are nominally unchanged at $6 and up-
ward per unit, depending on the grade and the delivery.
Ferro-tungsten is quoted at 80c. to $1.10 per pound of
contained tungsten.
Molybdenum: Quotations are nominal at 65c. *to 75c per
pound of MoS= in regular concentrate and the market is
devoid of features.
Manganese: There have been offerings of Indian ore at
75c per unit, but no sales, as most users are unwilling to
pay more than 70 cents.
Manganese-Iron Alloys: The ferro-manganese market is
quiet with inquiries light and sales confined to small lots for
early delivery. Quotations are unchanged at $225 per ton,
delivered, for early delivery and $200 for forward delivery.
The spiegeleisen market is strong and unchanged at $75,
furnace, with one inquiry for 600 tons before sellers.
The production of silver in Mexico has averaged in recent
months about 6.500,000 ounces.
101
August 7. \'X20
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
•JIT
gM^POGPESS
INFORMATION Ft RMSHF.D BY MANUFACTURERS
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LIGHTING DRAFTIXG-KOOMS BY ELECTRICITY
Modern methods of lighting drafting-rooms are discussed
in Bulletin L. D. 108, recently issued by the Edison Lamp
Works of the General Electric Company.
There are now three methods generally accepted of sup-
plying light, known as direct, semi-indirect, and totally in-
direct. With direct lighting a reflector is placed above the
lamp, or an enclosing globe around it, sending the larger part
of the light at once to the desk level. A semi-indirect unit
consists of a translucent dish, bowl, or reflector placed below
the lamp, sending most of the light to the ceiling, from which
it is reflected downward, but allowing part of the light to be
diffused through the glass. A totally indirect unit consists
of an opaque reflector below the lamp, sending all of the light
to the ceiling.
Direct lighting with efficient reflectors is unquestionably
the most economical, as far as current consumption is con-
cerned, of the three methods, for with it the color of walls
and ceilings have less effect on the resultant illumination.
Direct lighting, if improperly arranged, may produce glare
either from the light sources themselves or by reflection
from the objects lighted, or it may distribute the light un-
evenly and as a result produce dense shadows. Neverthe-
less, thousands of satisfactory installations of good direct
office-lighting are to be seen, employing translucent glass-
ware rather than opaque reflectors, thus avoiding the unde-
sirable condition of a dark ceiling and the gloomy appear-
ance of the room. Many forms of semi-enclosing glassware
of the direct type are giving very satisfactory service.
Totally indirect lighting is probably the most 'fool-proof
from the standpoint of a glaring installation. The light is
usually evenly distributed and comfortable. Objections have
been raised that there is a total absence of shadow, making
the room appear flat. If the system is properly designed,
however, this is not true.
Semi-indirect lighting is an intermediate practice; it is
more efficient than totally indirect and much better for the
eye than the average direct-lighting system. Semi-indirect
lighting is not glaring if the proper unit is chosen; the light
is quite evenly distributed and such shadows as are pro-
duced are very soft and do not become annoying. The fact
that the place where the light originates is readily discerni-
ble, has a psychological effect on the average individual, and
makes many people feel more at ease under semi-indirect
lighting than under totally indirect.
A semi-indirect unit, first, should be of quite dense glass;
in other words, transmit but a small portion of the light, if
the best conditions for the eye are to be obtained. If light
density glass is used, the bowl becomes very bright and the
system loses many of Its advantages, dropping back to the
direct-lighting class where a number of fairly bright objects
are in the field of vision. Second, the fixture or hanger used
should be of such a length and the socket in the proper rela-
tive position to the bowl that the light is directed in such a
manner as to illuminate the ceiling evenly. Many cases can
■be noted where the lamp is placed too low in the dish, con-
centrating the emitted light in a fairly narrow angle, re-
sulting in a ring or circle of very bright illumination on the
ceiling directly above the unit with the spaces between units
comparatively dark. At other times to get rid of this effect,
the lamp is raised so high that from some parts of the room
the filament becomes visible, introducing glare. On the in-
troduction of the Mazda C lamp, with its rather concen-
trated filament, this feature became of more importance
than formerly. Third, the glass used should be smooth
inside and, preferably, outside, as roughed glass collects
dirt very readily and is difficult to clean. Needless to say,
all lighting fixtures should be regularly and carefully
cleaned to keep the illuminating-efficiency at a maximum.
Although the lighting requirements of the drafting-room
are somewhat exacting, they may be readily met if due care
be taken in the selection and placing of lighting units. The
ideal condition is an even distribution of well-diffused light
of a high intensity. Shadows must be minimized, as they
make it difficult to follow the fine lines when working close
to the T-square or triangle. A high intensity of illumination
is necessary. Five foot-candles is the minimum and should
be supplied only for rough work. For the most exacting
work, such as tracing from blue-prints, from 10 to 20 foot-
candles will be required.
Semi-indirect systems where dense glass is employed, or
totally indirect systems are probably the best suited,, using
from 1.5 to 3.5 watts per square foot. Direct general illu-
mination of a high intensity using rather close-spaced semi-
enclosing units is also used, where the ceilings are so dark
as to preclude the use of indirect systems, and found satis-
factory. The units should be located with reference to the
drawing-tables and so arranged that the maximum light will
come from the proper direction. Lamps must be hung well
out of the angle of vision and every effort made to avoid
glare. In both the direct and semi-indirect systems of
illumination due note must be taken of the usual arrange-
ment of boards relative to the windows, placing the lamps
so that, as far as possible, the direction of predominant light
is the same as that of daylight.
A system which is quite frequently found is the use of a
diffused general illumination (1 to 2 foot-candles) supple-
mented by a local lamp for each drawing-board. This unit
may be of several varietiej, fixed or movable, attached to
the wall or to the drawing-board, opaque or diffusing re-
flector, and various sizes of lamps; b»t in any case it is open
to the usual objections of local lamps, namely, liability of
glaring reflections, loss of time in shifting the lamps, and
relatively high maintenance cost. Tracing may often be
satisfactorily accomplished by having the top of the tracing
table made of etched glass, and lamps with suitable re-
flectors placed below the glass, illuminating the work from
beneath rather than from above.
NEW BOOKLET ON MODERN METHODS OP BELT-
JOINING
Both the man who buys belting today and the man who
has an investment in belting have a commodity which can
only be replaced with delay, difficulty, and considerable ex-
pense, and the continuous performance of which is essential
for maintenance of production schedules and operating at
218
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 7, 1920
minimum cost. One o£ the biggest problems the belt-user
has to face is that of joining the belt in a way which pre-
serves its strength and ensures its longest and most satis-
factory service. Obviously, no belt can give better service
than its joint will permit, and if destructive methods are
employed which punch out valuable material or weaken the
lengwise power-carrying belt-fibres the service and the life
of the belt are impaired. A new booklet entitled 'Modern
Scientific Methods in Belt Joining' contains practical belt-
joining data for the practical man. This information is of
permanent value to anyone interested in the upkeep of belts
and the book is so designed that when it is tacked to a wall
it presents on one page full information for joining the belt
to ensure its best service under all conditions of work. The
instructions as to how to make belt joints which retain the
belt's full strength and assure its longest life are given in
simple and concise language and are amply illustrated. The
larger illustrations show in full size the outside and pulley
sides of Crescent joints. A cross-section illustration shows
how a belt can be joined without weakening it in any way,
and is a vivid demonstration of how the Crescent method
retains the full strength of the belt and actually reinforces
it. It also shows how the Crescent method prevents metal
coming in contact with the pulley and thereby eliminates
noise, wear, and crystallization. Copies of this illustrated
circular, form N. Y. 227, will be sent upon request by the
Crescent Belt Fastener Co., 381 Fourth avenue, New York.
NEW TYPE OF SHIP COMPLETED BY BETHLEHEM
STEEL CORPORATION
The diesel-driven ore-steamer 'Cubore' has completed suc-
cessfully her trial trip and will start on her first voyage to
Cuba this week. The 'Cubore' is propelled by a Bethlehem
two-cycle diesel oil-engine of 3200 hp., designed by Arthur
West, one of the foremost gas-engine engineers in the United
States and the designer of the largest and most successful
gas-engine in the world. This ship represents the greatest
single advance in marine engineering in fifteen years. Its
heavy-oil engine, designed by an American, built by Amer-
icans, for use in an American ship, represents this country's
first successful attempt in a field that has been held ex-
clusively by foreign interests. The 'Cubore' will be used in
carrying ore from the Bethlehem Steel Corporation's Cuban
properties to the Bethlehem plants in the United States. The
following are special features of the vessel:
Length overall, 469 ft.; length between perpendiculars,
450 ft.; breadth, molded, 57 ft.; depth, molded, to upper
deck, 37 ft.; dead weight, about 11,500 tons; number of
screws, one; revolutions, 105 per min.; type of boiler,
Scotch; number of boilers, one; steam pressure, 140 lb.;
heating surface, 1800 square feet.
REINFORCED-CONCRETE HIGHWAYS
A recent leaflet from the American Steel & Wire Co. says:
"Steel and concrete have about the same ratio of expansion
hence readily become as one' integral mass. The great
strength of steel is therefore imparted to every inch of the
concrete in above manner. A concrete tower, or building,
<r sidewalk, or bridge, or ship, is invariably reinforced with
steel fabric. A concrete highway has to stand more than
either in that in addition to rending impact of heavy traffic
it has to endure the tremendous heaving force of frosts that
lift up the sides of the road as the first freezing occurs in
the fall, lowering with the spring thaw, thus causing the
long sprawling cracks lengthwise, mainly, of the road. But
these cracks do not harm the concrete if bound together
with steel as shown above, while the reinforcement greatly
lessens the liability of the cracking.
"It is possible to reinforce concrete so strongly as to avoid
any possibility of cracking, but the cost of such construction
makes it necessary to limit the steel to a certain adequate
medium to fit the money available; and for the same reason
the thickness of the concrete must be limited. But the con-
crete and the steel must go together — not one without the
other. The steel must be evenly distributed throughout a
concrete road to reinforce not only in one direction but in
all possible directions to meet the crushing and abrasive
forces of sudden and heavy loads imposed by a necessarily
ever-increasing heavy traffic, and also the frost-stresses
above described and the effects of washouts.
"For these reasons a concrete highway distinctly has a
greater burden to bear than the tower, the building, side-
walk, bridge, or ship and hence a more urgent need of being
adequately reinforced with steel. These points are, of
course, admitted. It is simply a question of the amount of
money available for the work. It prompts this suggestion —
how much will it cost to make a mistake and have to build
all over again?"
THE DINGS MAGNETIC SEPARATOR FOR WET
CONCENTRATION
The Dings magnetic separator, type "BW", has recently
been developed for concentrating wet ore. It is built upon
a combination of the Wetherill and Dings principles. The
pulp is fed upon a vanner belt which conveys it under the
two magnetic poles. The magnetic material attracted to the
poles is removed by the two cross-belts, and the nor.-mag-
Dlngs Magnetic Separator
netic material is discharged over the drive-pulley into the
launder beneath.
The standard Wetherill machine has coils both above and
below the belt. The lower coil would be water-soaked in
a short time if used on a wet machine. A Dings bridge bar
has been substituted for the lower Wetherill coil, complet-
ing magnetic circuit. The cross-belts, which remove the
magnetic material, must be placed above the surface of the
pulp; consequently a very large magnetic gap is required.
The inverse law of magnetism and the wide gap necessitate
a high-intensity field to attract the magnetic particles of ore
in the pulp. There is a distinct agitating action caused by
the magnetic flux in the pulp underneath the poles. This
zone of agitation is of assistance in thoroughly washing and
cleaning the magnetic particles and freeing them from any
attached non-magnetic material. It also permits the ma-
chine to run faster than a standard dry machine for the
same separation, and has for that reason a higher capacity
One of the difficulties in dry magnetic separation has been
the clinging of fine particles to the belt, and material finer
than 100 mesh was difficult to separate cleanly. This wet-
type machine is making a high-grade zinc concentrate from
August 7. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
219
ore ground so that SOU passes a 200-mesh screen. The
consistence ot the pulp is about one of solid to four of
water. It has a capacity of LOO tons per 24 hours on a
4S-ln. belt. One of the main objections to magnetic sep-
paratlon is the dust and dirt from handling dry material as
well as the cost of drying This machine removes this
objection and can be used with other wet-concentrating
machines.
The coils of this machine are thoroughly impregnated by
vacuum and pressure, and then encased, making them
water-proof. The current can be varied by a large rheostat,
and the poles may be raised or lowered independently to
u-iv.- any width of gap desired. The power required to
drive and to energize the coils is small. The machine is sold
outright, there being no royalty. It is made in five sizes
with belt widths from IS to 60 inches.
THE TRAYI.OR SUPERPUMP
A recent development in pump manufacture is the super-
pump made by the Traylor Engineering & Manufacturing
Co.
That the power-driven pump is the most efficient and most
economical machine for the handling of liquids is an in-
contestable fact. This is true for the reason that the stroke
is a fixed and known quantity thereby yielding a measured
displacement for each revolution. A further reason is that
a much higher piston speed may be had with a crank-pump
than with a direct-acting steam-pump. It is. however, no
simple matter to build an efficient power-pump, due to the
fact that problems are presented which are not found in the
design of a direct-acting steam-pump. The chief of these
are:
First: The piston speed of a plunger-pump varies through-
out the stroke, inasmuch as the crank describes a circle
while the plunger moves in a straight line. It will thus be
seen that the velocity of the plunger increases from zero to
maximum and then decreases from maximum to zero.
Second: Water is practically incompressible and therefore
the velocity of the discharge is at all times in direct pro-
portion to the speed of the plunger.
Consideration of these points will show that the pump-
chambers and the pipe-line are subject to shocks or pulsa-
tions depending in severity upon the speed and pressure.
This does not occur in steam-pumps. As a consequence,
simplex and duplex power-pumps have little advantage over
direct-acting steam-pumps, notwithstanding the wasteful-
ness and low efficiency of the latter. It is clear, then, that
the solution lies in the multiplication of plungers, and when
three or five are used, the power-pump rises superior in effi-
ciency and economy. The reason is, of course, that the
cranks being set equal distances apart (120° in the triplex
or three plunger, and 72° in the quintuplex or five plunger),
the pulsations overlap, so that the discharge from the pump-
chambers is nearly uniform in quantity and pressure.
The Superpump is a machine of simple and sturdy rugged-
ness. The design is heavy, the use of metal lavish — to mini-
mize vibration and forestall fracture. The water passages
are large and free from angles; valves are ample in area and
bearing pressures are low. The pump is simple to operate
and easy to maintain and the delivery is steady and reliable.
An especially valuable characteristic of the Superpump is
its very economical use of power; it pays its way easily and
leaves a margin for substantial profits.
All these advantages combine to make the Superpump the
most efficient, economical, and dependable pump purchas-
able. In a pump, initial cost is negligible when operating
and upkeep expenses are held down to the minimum and
here is where the Superpump excels.
The Superpump is a vertical, single-acting, outside-packed
plunger-pump — the pattern which all engineers agree is the
most compact, durable, and efficient. The design offers the
following advantages:
1. It is the only pump which will successfully handle
gritty or acid water.
2. Leakage is noticed as soon as it occurs and packing can
be adjusted without stopping the machine.
3. Lubrication of any part can be accomplished during
operation.
4. The pump is single-acting, so that all the working
thrust is always in one direction, minimizing wear and
vibration.
5. All strains are taken on finished bolts, eliminating
loose joints and consequent packing.
6. The machine is highly sectionalized, which cuts down
repair bills. As every part is easily accessible, only the
single inexpensive part directly affected need be removed.
Also, by this construction, pumps of large size may be taken
to, and erected in, places that would otherwise be inac-
cessible.
Some details of the construction of the pumps, two types
Type I». Quintuplex Superpump, Drive 102
Type DD, Quintuples Superpump. Drive 100
of which are shown in the accompanying illustrations, are of
special interest.
The crankshaft is the single piece, which is conceded by
all users to be superior to the composite or built-up type,
by reason of its greater resistance to deflection. Our crank-
shafts are made of the highest grade open-hearth steel, cast
on end, and designed for a strength of sixteen to twenty
times the plunger load. The connecting-rods are the adr
justing type with forged steel strap, cast-steel stub and
bronze bearings, correctly grooved for proper lubrication.
A wedge and screw is provided on the crank end, by means
of which micrometer adjustment may be had. On rods with
crank-pins five inches and less the wedge is under the bear-
ing while on larger sizes it is on top. A cradle of semi-steel
is securely bolted between the standards and is bored out for
the crossheads or for crosshead-ways. Usually the cradle is
fitted with ways or guides for the crossheads to work in.
The ways are generally made of cast-iron, but in special
cases may be of bronze. They are turned to fit the cradles
and bored for the crossheads.
The crossheads are made of hard close-grained cast-iron
220
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 7, 1920
carefully turned and polished to fit the ways. They are
made of such size that the pressure on the ways does not
exceed 4 5 lb. per square inch. In some cases, the cross-
heads are fitted with adjustable shoes, the cradle being then
merely bored out for the crossheads. Such shoes may be of
cast-iron or bronze and are adjusted by means of setscrews.
Adjustment is on an inclined plane, thus keeping the cross-
head-pins in the centre of the guides and securing even dis-
tribution of the load.
Each working barrel is a separate casting, either bolted
between standards or to adjacent barrels. Liberal flanges
are provided for attachment of valve-chambers. In some
cases the working barrel and valve-chambers are made in
one casting. The working barrel is made of cylindrical
shape, which is the strongest form. For pressures to and
including 75 0 lb. working barrels are made of semi-steel;
between 750 lb. and 2000 lb. open-hearth cast-steel is em-
ployed, while above 2000 lb. they are of forged steel, work-
ed out of the solid. Attachment of barrels to each other or
to the standards is by means of turned bolts. The stuffing-
boxes are of extra ctepth to minimize friction and prevent
leakage. High-grade waterproof packing, suitable for the
service demanded in each instance, is provided. The pack-
ing is adjusted by glands, made of semi-steel, or cast-steel,
as required. They are held in position by hinge-bolts or
studs, according to the construction of the pump. The
plungers are made of hard close-grained cast-iron, chilled
iron, or forged steel as the service demands. All plungers
are machined and ground to exact size and perfect finish.
Plungers are securely attached to the crossheads and can be
easily removed. The valves are the most important part of
the pump and they are therefore accorded particular atten-
tion. The valves in every Superpump are specially designed
for the particular service contemplated and may be single
or multiple, of the disc type with grid or annular seats, or, in
the case of heavy liquids or those carrying solid particles,
of the ball type. In the disc type, the seats, plates, and
stems are made of bronze of high tensile strength and phos-
phor-bronze springs are used. The disc-valves have renew-
able faces of fibre, rubber, or leather, depending on the
service. Ball-valves may be steel, bronze, or rubber-covered
iron, with bronze or steel seats. Valve-seats are turned on a
taper outside to facilitate insertion or removal from the
decks in the valve-chambers. All valve-openings are de-
signed for a water-velocity not exceeding three feet per
second. Special attention is given to the question of lubri-
cating all parts of the Superpump. The means range from
the ample grease and oil-cups of ordinary requirements to
elaborate force-feed systems actuated by the crankshaft for
large heavy-duty units.
EMPLOYEES OP THE MINNEAPOLIS STEEL & MACHIN-
ERY CO. CELEBRATE THE NATION'S BIRTHDAY
The accompanying illustration shows an assemblage of
skilled craftsmen listening to the reading of one of the im-
perishable documents that embody the spirit of American-
ism. They are the men who operate the big plant of the
Minneapolis Steel & Machinery Co., gathered for a patriotic
program in anticipation of Independence Day. Only a small
part of the audience could be included in the camera's focus,
but these men are representative of the whole. This picture
is characteristic of the company's organization. There are
few enterprises of its size in the country which boasts of
more friendly relations, not only between employer and em-
ployee, but among the men themselves. Interdepartment
friendships are cemented by summer kitten-ball leagues and
an all-winter bowling league, picnics, and dances at the
Minneapolis Steel Club, and the men are encouraged to take
a personal interest in the company's welfare.
COMMERCIAL PARAGRAPHS
After August 1 the office of H. W. Clarke, manager of the
publicity department of the Chicago Pneumatic Tool Co.,
will be in the Chicago Pneumatic building, 6 East 44th St.,
New York City.
The General Engineering Co., of Salt Lake City, has been
retained by the Utah Consolidated Mining Co. to design and
erect the 1000-ton flotation-plant that the mining company
is building at Tooele, Utah.
Bulletin 504, recently issued by the Chicago Pneumatic
Tool Co., 6 E. 44th St., New York, describing its Slogger
rock-drill, is now available, upon request, from its New York
office or any of its branches.
On August 1 the Denver Rock Drill Manufacturing Co.
opened a new branch office at 421 Manhattan Bdg., Duluth,
to facilitate the handling of its business in the Minnesota
and Michigan districts. The new office will be an added
convenience to the company's customers.
The Republic Belting Co., of Baltimore, has acquired a site
covering a full city block for the erection of its new plant.
Mr. Haldreich Egli has been retained to direct the construc-
tion work, which is to be commenced at once. Charles H.
Dankmeyer, president of the company, has been engaged in
the belt-manufacturing business for many years and his
organization will include experienced men in their particu-
lar line.
The Buffalo Forge Co. has issued catalogue No. 700 on
'Fan Systems of Heating and Ventilating'. The company
has always taken the stand that engineering data and de-
velopments should not be hoarded as hidden treasures but
should be made available for the use of the engineering
profession in general. In this volume it has laid stress on
the principles underlying all the various steps in the deter-
mination of suitable apparatus to meet all conditions of heat-
ing, ventilating, and humidifying. These principles have
been proved by actual practice and are the ones used by its
own engineers in the solution of problems of a similar
nature. This is a most valuable publication for the ventilat-
ing engineer as a reference work dealing with the principles
of ventilation and the most modern equipment.
D. D. Tripp, vice-president of the Pioneer Rubber
Mills, returned some time ago from a five-months
journey in the Orient. He says that his trip proved
resultful in the actual contracts secured, in the new
agencies opened for the Pioneer Rubber Mills, and
especially in the intimate insight be had obtained
into conditions in the Orient. His company is mak-
ing adequate plans to take care of its increased do-
mestic and foreign business and, to this end, has
materially enlarged the capacity of its plant at Pitts-
burg, California. One of the largest and most mod-
ern belt-presses in the United States was recently in-
stalled at the plant. It is indicative of the progress
made by- this Pacific Coast -institution, not only in
broadening its market but in taking good quality-
care of its business at home.
Illllltlllllllllll
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EDITORIAL STAFF
T. A. RlCKARO. EDITOR
parsons. associate editor
Parsons, associate editor
Member Audit Bureau of Ciiculaiioni
Member Associated Business Papers, Inc.
ESTABLISHED I860
PuHished at UO Market St.. San FranciKO,
bv the Dncev Pxtbtithino Company
BUSINESS STAFF
C.T. HUTCHINSON. MANAOER
E. H. LESLIE. 000 FISHER BDfi.. CHIC*
F. A. WCIGLE, 35 I A WOOLWORTH BOO.. I
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SCIENCE HAS NO ENEMY SAVE THE IGNOBANT
Irsued Every Saturday
San Francisco, August 14, 1920
$4 per Year — 15 Cents per Copy
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
EDITORIAL
NOTES 221
THE EXAMINATION OF MINES 223
Comment on Mr. Webber's article. Its obvious
usefulness, especially to the younger members of
the profession. The aid of the geologist in a mine
examination. His relation to the engineer. The
reasons why mines are bought and sold. How our
grandfathers used to inspect mines for valuation.
The value of hints from those familiar with the
mine, especially the shift-boss.
ENGINEERING EDUCATION 223
A six-year course in engineering at Columbia Uni-
versity. Cultural and economic subjects. A min-
ing engineer is not the product of a school. A com-
parison with the college-course In medicine. A
suggested curriculum. Study after graduation.
The executive or the specialist. The purpose of an
engineering education. Difference of opinion.
DISCUSSION
TWO SUGGESTIONS ON A NATIONAL PROBLEM
By Max von Bernewitz 225
The gasoline question. Producer gas as a substi-
. tute. Some uses of gas-engines. An economical
source of gas.
AN INTERESTING EXPERIMENT
By Physicist 226
Are the observations accurately recorded? Laws
of siphoning should hold.
ARTICLES
THE BUNKER HILL ENTERPRISE — XI
By T. A. Rickard
227
Various transmission cables for underground ser-
vice. Electric pumps; geared and direct-connected
motors. Electricity in the mill. Advantages.
Starters. The Cottrell plant. Details. The cost
of electric power. Electrolytic treatment for lead-
poisoning.
SIGNALING MINE-HOISTS FROM MOVING CAGES
Page
By C. A. Allen 232
The device in use at the Eagle and Blue Bell mine
at Eureka, Utah. Details. Advantages.
SYSTEMATIZING LARGE MINE EXAMINATIONS
By Morton Webber 233
The data that are usually required. The work re-
quires organization. 'Understand your mine'. Pre-
liminary work. Promise of future life. 'Painting'
the mine. Sampling stope-fills. Mill-tests. Search
of title, and audits.
FLOTATION MILL-RUNS V. LABORATORY TESTS
By Frederick G. Moses 238
Discrepancies between tests and mill operations.
Reasons. Grinding; manipulation; water; time
element. Investigate new oils!
THE YELLOW PINE MINE AT GOODSPRINGS, NEVADA
Special Correspondence 239
Development of the mine. Equipment. Calciner
for decreasing weight of concentrate. The other
mines in the district.
FIRST-AID AND MINE-RESCUE CONTEST
By F. J. Bailey 241
The importance of mine-rescue work. The Joseph
A. Holmes Safety Association. The contest at Den-
ver, in September.
NOTES
EXPLOITATION OF MANGANESE DEPOSITS 237
OSMIRIDIUM IN TASMANIA 240
THE HANDLING OF EXPLOSIVES 242
DEPARTMENTS
REVIEW OF MINING 245
THE MINING SUMMARY 253
PERSONAL 254
THE METAL MARKET 255
EASTERN METAL MARKET 256
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS 257
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28
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 14, 1920
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MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
221
T. A. ILICKARV. .... Editor
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1 < ' II'
HPAXGIBLE evidence of the unfortunate result of the
-*- steadily increasing cost of producing gold is found
in the recent action of the Tonopah Belmont Develop-
ment Company in suspending all operations except pump-
ing at its Shawmut mine in the Mother Lode region of
California. Last January the ore-reserve in this mine
was reported to be 429,098 tons, so the reason for the
action of the directors is obvious.
T> ENDIGO was once a name to conjure with, but that
-*-* was long ago. Like other mining communities born
in the golden age of Californian and Australian dis-
covery, its glory has grown dim; yet it remains an im-
portant and attractive town, thanks in part to a pros-
perous agricultural industry. The golden grain on the
surface now brings more riches than the harvest of gold
underground. Even this is not ended. "We learn, from
an Australian paper, that on May 26 a shipment of re-
markable ore was made from the Constellation mine, be-
longing to the Bendigo Amalgamated Goldfields. It is
reported that 365 tons broken on the 622-ft. level yielded
1465i ounces of gold. Since the 'reef was found 18
months ago a profit of £100,000' has been made. The
'reef, of course, is not like anything the term suggests,
but a 'saddle', an anticlinal structure of gold-bearing
quartz following an arching fold in the slate and sand-
stone beds of the Lower Silurian sediments. In 1853
Bendigo yielded 661,729 ounces of gold, worth about
$13,250,000. Altogether Bendigo 's output is estimated
at $325,000,000. In 1917 it contributed 66,000 ounces.
\\/E have received a copy of a prospectus in which is
™ described a new kind of ore deposit. It consists of
"a lime-quartz dike or belt several thousand feet wide".
Of course, it is of no importance whether the width be
two or twenty thousand feet. It has "a very peculiar
asbestos grain or texture". It must be peculiar indeed.
"Almost the whole of this dike carries values in gold and
silver with occasional carbonates of lead. ' ' For our part
we prefer the "carbonates", which are specific, even if
"occasional", to the "values", which are nebulous.
"What is or are 'values' anyway, for the love of Pete?
The prospectus quotes no assay ; it gives no average con-
tents ; it expatiates only in terms of 'values'. ' ' Occasional
lenses of this asbestos character", we are informed, "car-
ries very high gold values, the lead being dissiminated
almost entirely". Why not? What's to hinder? We
quote verbatim et literatim. Apparently "the character
carries very high gold values", which is reasonable, for
one abstraction may well be contained within another ;
it is more reasonable than putting a concrete idea within
one that is abstract. That would be dyspeptic to any
real philosopher. Shades of Metalliferous Murphy ! how
he would love the lead that is "dissiminated entoirely".
"The geological formation shows very deep and lasting
bodies of ore values ". A body of " ore values ' ' resembles
the limited liability companies, of which it has been said
that they had no souls to save and no bodies to be kicked,
and thus were free in this world and the next from all
the effective sanctions of conscientious conduct. People
who talk about exploiting "ore values" in a lime-quartz
dike, or any other geologic abortion, enjoy the sensation
of thought without the trouble of thinking.
f^ OVERNOR COX, in his speech of acceptance as the
^-* Democratic nominee for the Presidency, strikes a
note that is more natural, and therefore more interesting,
than that of his opponent. Indeed if speech-maJring be
the main test of fitness for the most responsible office in
the world, Senator Harding is disqualified. Both candi-
dates take much the same stand on the various issues,
except the League of Nations. On that they cross swords
unmistakably. It is a great and vital question, and we
are not sorry to see it made the chief issue of the political
campaign that is now formally started. A separate peace
with Germany is unthinkable, for it would dishonor us as
a nation and involve us in complexities worse even than
those that face us now owing to our refusal to ratify the
peace that has been made by our Allies, or Associates.
That the League should be used only for maintaining
peace and that our participation must be within the
terms of the Constitution are 'interpretations' in which
every citizen can well afford to join with Mr. Cox. We
agree with him that "we are in a time which calls for
straight thinking, straight talking, and straight acting",
in short, we must be true to our traditions — those handed
down to us through Washington, Lincoln, and Roosevelt.
TTNDER the caption 'An Inside View of Wall Street'
*-^ we are told, in the 'Boston News Bureau', that "the
Harding letter of acceptance is the most forceful docu-
ment of its kind that voters have read in recent years".
222
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 14, 1920
This is true only if voters do not make a habit of reading
such ' documents'. But we can understand that it pleased
certain people on Wall Street and State Street. Harding
promises, from their point of view, to be 'good'. Edi-
torially the same useful financial paper says: "The art
of clear and graphic statement is one of the marks of a
leader of the people". This introduces sundry favorable
remarks upon Mr. Coolidge's letter of acceptance, which
certainly was vastly superior to that of his colleague, but
even so is nothing to brag about. Why in thunder do
not these gentlemen talk plain English and avoid their
foolish efforts to be impressive not by clear thinking but
by a stilted magniloquence. Front porches seem to be
more demoralizing than pulpits and almost as debilitating
as soap-boxes. Our Boston contemporary says that Mr.
Coolidge's speech is "a powerful, but characteristic, com-
plement to the longer, more detailed and argumentative
utterance of Harding". It is astonishing how the faculty
of criticism is benumbed by partisanship, and how clever
people like Mr. C. W. Barron, of the 'News Bureau',
are not content to fool themselves but expect to extend
the process to others. Most of the time they succeed
with most people.
QOMEBODY has sent us the prospectus of the Broken
^ Hills Silver Corporation, together with a letter mailed
to him by George Graham Rice. Our correspondent has
taken care to remain anonymous, by cutting out the place
where his name and address had been written. Evi-
dently he assumes that we shall show more moral courage
than himself. His assumption is fully warranted.
Whether the mine under option to the aforesaid corpora-
tion is valuable or not, we do not know. The report by
Mr. A. P. Thompson is not convincing. There is too
much geologic guff; the quantity of it is wholly dispro-
portioned to the number of assays quoted or the amount
of real information conveyed. Mr. Thompson says that
the property lies in "a region of profound volcanic dis-
turbances", although most of his remarks deal with sur-
ficial lava and "cap rock". There is too much pseudo-
scientific stuff, such as: "East of this strata [stratum, if
you please, but even that is not the word for a flow of
andesite] of silver-bearing silicious andesite, more basic
andesite flows cover the surface. While there is no evi-
dence either on the surface or underground in the mine
to definitely fix the age of this andesite relative to the
more acidic rock, in which most of the veins and ores
[are the 'ores' detached from the 'veins'?] occur, it is
possible that beneath this basic andesite the more prolific
mineral-bearing acidic flows will be found. ' ' This reads
like a front-porch speech by a politician trying to avoid
saying anything by talking a great deal. Mr. Thompson
says that ' ' vein-matter which does not contain 100 ounces
silver per ton or over is left in the workings and used as
a floor". What magnificently negligent persons the
present owners must be ! He cites the assay of a sample
here and there, but he does not quote the results of sys-
tematic sampling, although he appears to have taken
some of his samples "at intervals of ten feet". In ap-
proved front-porch manner he makes the sapient remark :
"In the course of stoping the ore it will be convenient
and highly desirable to sort out the barren rock-from the
ore in the stopes after it is broken and before the ore is
hoisted to the surface." Who would have thought it!
He finds $101,375 of ore blocked out, with various possi-
bilities and potentialities, some of which are not unreas-
onable in an area so well fissured and mineralized, but
this prospect is capitalized for 3,000,000 shares of 10
cents each, of which 2,000,000 shares have been under-
written by the Fidelity Finance and Funding Company
of Nevada "to net the Broken Hills Silver Corporation
$380,000". This sounds grand; but it is only another
name for Rice, alias Herzig, who signs the letter as
Treasurer and whose nefarious doings have been exposed
time and again. He calls attention to a copy of "a com-
mendatory letter from the Chief Executive of the State
of Nevada, which appears on page two of the circular".
Now, Mr. Emmet D. Boyle is a mining engineer and a
first-rate man in other respects, but it is fair to ask why
he allowed his name to be used by such a man as Rice,
whose career as a fake promoter is notorious. Moreover,
we venture to say that for gentlemen labeled as "The
Treasurer of the State of Nevada" and "The State Bank
Examiner of Nevada" to use the prestige of their public
office to boost a promotion by Rice is a scandal. In any
event, we are surprised at Mr. Boyle. He gives his opinion
of the mine after an examination that he describes as
"necessarily cursory". He might do this as Governor
of Nevada, but he ought not to do it as an honorable
member of the mining profession.
COPPER in the form of large masses of native metal
is found in the amygdaloid lodes of the Lake Su-
perior region. Our correspondent at Houghton records
the fact that a mass weighing 24 tons was hoisted recently
through the No. 2 shaft of the old Quincy mine. Last
year 1290 tons of 'mass' copper was hoisted through this
same shaft. The latest, weighing 24 tons, was 8 feet long,
4 feet wide, and 4 feet thick — in other words, just the
size of a cord of firewood. In order to get it into the
skip it had to be cut into three pieces by means of an
acetylene torch. In the old days the cutting would have
been done by means of chisels and hammers. The largest
mass of copper on record was the one found in the
Minesota (with one 'n') mine, in the Ontonagon district
of Michigan, in 1857. Its extreme dimensions were 46
feet long, 18J feet wide, and 8J feet thick, that is, as much
as 60 cords of wood. It weighed 420 tons, which suggests
that it was ragged in shape and that the extreme dimen-
sions do not indicate correctly its real bulk. Attempts
to break it by blasting failed ridiculously, as might be
supposed. Then 20 men labored with cape chisels (hav-
ing a f-inch bit) and sledge-hammers for 15 months; the
cutting yielded 27 tons of chips. The cost of cutting was
$12 per square foot. In later days the pneumatic ham-
mer has been used successfully, at about a quarter of the
cost of the old-fashioned method. We shall endeavor to
ascertain the cost when the acetylene torch is used for
the purpose, as mentioned above. The latest mass was
unearthed on the 82nd level of the Quincy. As the shaft
qg
in
k»
Bile
August 14, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
223
follows the dip, which flattens from 50° at stfrface to
37° in the lower workings, the 82nd level must be about
5000 feet deep. It is an interesting fact, but not dis-
cordant with scientific expectations, that native copper
in large lumps should be found a mile below the surface.
The Examination of Mines
In tliis issue we publish another of the series of articles
by Mr. Morton Webber upon the sampling and valuation
of mines. This time he describes the system he himself
uses when engaged in the task of appraising a large mine.
Of course, his methods are not unique ; in large measure
they resemble those of other experienced mining engi-
neers, but the description of the plan he adopts will
pique the curiosity of his peers and should prove highly
interesting and useful to the younger members of the
profession. It is proverbially difficult to teach new tricks
to an old dog; probably Mr. Webber's contemporaries
ivill prefer their own way of attacking such a problem
ts the one described in his article, but his juniors will be
grateful for this frank and detailed account of the prac-
tice followed by a successful senior in their profession.
After all, the generalized statements and roundabout
ratiocinations to which many writers limit themselves
may have a vague literary charm, but such a frankly
egoistic account as Mr. Webber's brings the engineer
face to face with realities; it gives first-hand facts in a
way that the practitioner in the field, rather than the
student in the library, will be glad to use to his own
benefit.
It will be noted that Mr. Webber is willing to avail
himself of the assistance of the geologist, but he has a
decided opinion concerning the limitations of the latter
as an appraiser of mines. We are in accord. Some, but
not many, geologists have had the training of a mining
engineer, the best of which is the actual management of
mines, but commonly they lack the qualifications for
valuing mines, and many are the sad stories of those
unaware or careless of such qualifications. The geologist
naturally is as strong on the scientific side as he is weak
on the commercial ; he knows the value of geologic criteria
much better than he appreciates the incidence of eco-
nomic conditions upon the profitable exploitation of an
ore deposit. Mr. Webber shows good judgment in recog-
nizing the proper province of the geologist and the un-
wisdom of a mining engineer on his part attempting to
elucidate geologic relations vital to the future of a min-
ing enterprise without the aid of a specialist in that sub-
ject. Next Mr. Webber lays emphasis on the fact that
wise men do not buy mines for their ore-reserves — they
do not buy ore — but in the expectation of an expansion
of the enterprise through the finding of more ore, in
depth or laterally; they hope to do better than the pre-
vious owner by the application of more skill, in manage-
ment, in mining, or in metallurgy, than the other fel-
low could command; or by the lowering of the cost of
winning the metal by increasing the tonnage treated,
either by additions to plant, by more extensive develop-
ment, or both. In plain English, the buyer expects to
do better than the seller; it is a speculation, based upon
technical data plus luck, for a man who goes into mining
without easting a kindly eye at a billiken or some other
fetish of good fortune does not know the proper spirit of
the adventure. An adventure it was and ever will be,
from Colchis to Chuquicamata. In starting an examina-
tion one has to deal with men as well as samples. Mr.
Webber touches upon the amenities of the business. He
who does not understand his fellow-men is likely to make
blunders, or, at least, to lose many opportunities for
obtaining hints that are worth as much as a thousand
assays. The object of an examination is to value the
mine, of course, but to do that comfortably it is also de-
sirable to understand the vendor's standpoint and to
ascertain why he is selling. In other words, the canny
engineer will look around for the nigger in the wood-pile,
for any condition that while explaining the motive for
the sale thereby gives a reason for not buying. That
applies especially to high-grade mines and to those that
have been too little tested by metallurgical results. In
the days of our forefathers it was customary to depend
less upon sampling and assaying, and more upon other
kinds of evidence of an unsystematic character. The
graduate from a mining school today has been taught
how to sample and survey, how to map and estimate, he
has heard of amortization and Inwood's tables, but with
all his meticulous methods he may fail lamentably in
recognizing the real character of the mining venture on
which he is asked to express an opinion. His grand-
father, if in the same profession, would have looked over
the records of the mine, examined the maps, gone under-
ground, broken a sample here and there, recognized the
critical headings, and put his finger on the vital spot.
He did it unsystematically, partly by sheer native in-
telligence, partly by a knowledge based upon experience,
sometimes by a stroke of luck. At other times, he failed
lamentably in his appraisal, just as his much better
trained grandson. A good judgment on a mine, or on
anything, requires the ascertainment of facts, the elimi-
nation of the non-essential, the concentration of thought
upon the essential factors, and then the ability to put
them in their right relations. On the whole, the best
thing to do is to become friends with the foreman, if he
is intelligent; if not, then give a cigar to the shift-boss.
Engineering Education
Recently we received a circular from Columbia Uni-
versity that outlined graphically the requirements of the
various engineering courses based upon six full years of
instruction after the high-school. The first three years of
this work may be done at any of the better colleges by
making an appropriate choice of subjects. The course in
mining engineering at Leland Stanford University has
also been lengthened to six years, but so far as we know
these are the only institutions definitely requiring six
years of university work, although there has been much
discussion of the question and considerable agitation in
favor of such a change. To some extent this is due to a
growing conviction that engineering curricula should in-
224
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 14, 1920
elude more of the cultural and economic subjects rather
than be confined almost exclusively to purely technical
studies. This idea, we believe, is eminently sound. If,
then, it be granted that philosophy, economics, English
literature and composition, and perhaps some of the more
practical subjects, including industrial organization,
business law, and finance, should have a place in the
college training of an engineer, we are faced with two
alternatives, namely, either to cut down some of the tech-
nical courses that hitherto have occupied all of the time
in the regualr four-year period, or to lengthen the period
of the standard course by one or more additional years.
Some who favor a lengthened course declare with great
conviction that "four years of college work is not suffi-
cient to make an engineer". They speak more truly than
they know, for six or even a dozen years in college cannot
and will not make an engineer. With respect to mechan-
ical and electrical engineers, this view of the matter may
not apply with equal force, but a mining engineer is not
the product of any school; upon the completion of his
college course he is simply equipped to make an engineer
of himself in the minimum possible time. We are pre-
pared to concede that at the end of six years of college
work the young man is better qualified than he was at the
end of only four years, but whether it would not be better
for his career, as an engineer, to have devoted the last
two years to the actual practice of his profession, is a
moot point. Whenever this question is discussed a com-
parison is invariably made with the established curricula
of six years for the training in medicine ; there appears
to be lurking in the background the feeling that the dig-
nity of the engineering profession suffers somewhat from
the implied reflection that it can be 'learned' in a shorter
time than that of our medical friends. This, of course, is
no argument in favor of a lengthened engineering cur-
riculum; there are, on the contrary, distinct differences
that make an excellent reason for a longer course in the
school of medicine. The diseases and the symptoms, and
perhaps, to a less extent, the cures, with which the physi-
cian comes in professional contact are unchanging. Much
of his time is spent in clinics where the identical processes
and operations that necessarily will form part of his fu-
ture work are being performed ; and moreover, he is, early
in his career, called upon personally to assume the re-
sponsibility for human life. Fortunately, it is practicable
to train the doctor in the college and its affiliated hospital.
The work of an engineer, the mining and metallurgical
engineer in particular, is different. His problems are
constantly changing ; entirely new conditions are met and
have to be overcome ; no two tasks are alike. His school-
ing therefore is not to teach him by practice how to do
certain definite things, but to equip him to use ingenuity,
resource," and judgment in appfying science and art to the
solution of new problems under vai-ying sets of conditions
for the purpose of achieving definite economic results.
What then should a college course in mining engineering
include ? We suggest a sound broad foundation of mathe-
matics, physics, chemistry, geology, mechanics, economies.
and English, with a supplementary teaching that will
show the relation of these subjects to mining and metal-
lurgical problems. A valuable course would be one in
which were given hypothetical problems involving ore
deposits of specified character and composition that are to
be mined, milled, and smelted. The solution might con-
sist, not in a detailed practice to be followed, but in a gen-
eral outline of the processes to be used, with references
to the books in which data on each process are to be found.
We submit that a man who has never been in a mine can
study mining methods from a book for a year and learn
less than he could from the same book in a week after he
has spent six months working as a suveryor or sampler
underground. The young mining engineer almost in-
variably is so situated that he has an excellent opportun-
ity for study, and if he does not take advantage of it he is
not the kind that will develop into a successful engineer.
A book on copper-smelting or one on mine-sampling be-
comes tenfold as intelligible after a man has run furnaces
for a few months or assisted an experienced engineer in
examining a mine. The proposal is not to discard such
studies from the curriculum ; but the question arises, is
there wisdom in trying to absorb a great mass of detail in
a dozen different arts, many of which are undergoing con-
stant change, and few of which will concern in detail the
work of any particular graduate. The ambition of the
student in mining engineering usually is to become a man-
ager or executive, or to specialize in some one particular
branch with a view to practising as a consultant. How-
ever, the average youth does not have a definite idea as
to just the work for which his tastes and abilities will best
fit him ; in fact, until he has been engaged for a time in
actually doing things, he is in no position to make a de-
cision as to what to choose as his future work. If he is a
handler of men, and his judgment is particularly sound,
he will doubtless become an executive ; college training in
economic and cultural subjects will be of particular value
to him ; in the future, experience will be his best teacher.
If, on the other hand, it develops through chance or other-
wise— and we cannot honestly deny fate a considerable
measure of influence in these matters — that the young
engineer becomes a specialist in a given kind of work, the
detailed information regarding a dozen other subjects
that he may have accumulated will be of slight value to
him. It is quite possible that he may be able to take a
year of post-graduate work, in which case his efforts will
be directed intelligently toward a definite end. We can
appreciate the reasoning of those who think that in either
case a four-years college course supplemented by two
years of experience would have accomplished more toward
ultimate success than six years spent at school. In the
end the purpose of an engineering education is to de-
velop clear thinking, good judgment, and the ability to
apply scientific principles to the manifold forms of in-
dustry. Whether this can be done most effectively by
giving a four or a six-year course in our engineering
schools, and in either case, what kind of curriculum
should obtain, are questions permitting sincere difference
of opinion. We welcome discussion on any phase of the
subject.
.August 14, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRLSS
225
D I 3
Two Suggestions on a National Problem
The Editor:
Sir — It seems to me that it is no use for this country,
or any other, to fool itself into the belief that the oil and
gasoline problems will be solved automatically; every-
thing points to the reverse. In the United States, even
though the production of petroleum increases each year,
yet the known resources have been determined by the
Geological Survey to be only a matter of a couple of
generations. In the meantime, stocks have dwindled to
a small quantity when compared with those of five years
ago ; while the uses of oil and its products are extending
rapidly. In five years, the Pacific Coast States report a
gain of 200% in the number of automobiles and trucks,
and 400% in tractors. It is pretty safe to say that the
increase in other States has also been large. I was in
the East for six months in 1917- '18, and for ten months
in 1919- '20, and noticed how many more motor-cars and
trucks were in use. And this factor will continue to be
an increasing strain on the oil industry. More engines
of the Diesel type are being used, and, as D. M. Folsom
remarked in an address before the American Mining
Congress in San Francisco in January 1919, "the heart
of the hydro-electric systems in California is the steam-
plants in the cities, where power is generated by oil-
fuel". It is not intended here to discuss hydro-electric
power, simply to say that the new Water Power Bill
should hasten development of the remaining forty mil-
lions of horse-power available, and eventually dispense
with steam-plants.
Regarding the gasoline problem, the prime causes of
the present position were ably discussed in the 'Press'
of May 20, 1916, by J. H. G. "Wolf. The intervening
years have accentuated the trouble. Something has to be
done, and I doubt whether the many lower grades of dis-
tillate or various forms of alcohol will be effective. As
a substitute for gasoline or distillate for automobiles and
trucks in urban areas, I have suggested city gas. Accord-,
ing to Captain Brewer, who addressed the Engineering
Societies in San Francisco a couple of years ago, during
the "War, some automobiles in England used city gas,
which was stored in an unsightly bag atop of the machine.
This gas was at low pressure, supplied by gas-works. My
suggestion is to compress the gas to several hundred
pounds, store it in a receiver on the machine, and pass it
through a reducing-valve before use. Supply-stations
could be provided, just as they are for gasoline. I com-
municated my idea to the Ford Motor Co., whose research
department said it was not a practical solution of the
problem; also to John A. Britton of the Pacific Gas &
Electric Co., who has not replied yet. As if refuting the
Ford reply, I find that in England the Government has
been investigating the use of the Smith gas-producer on
motor-trucks, as a substitute for petrol (gasoline) and
other oil products. The Army authorities declare that
the system is entirely satisfactory, and at the lowest
known fuel cost, in this case coal at 55 shillings ($13.20
per ton normal exchange) producing gas equivalent to
petrol at 3.4 pence (6.8 cents) per gallon.
Regarding the tremendous quantity of oil used under
boilers to make steam, the number of stationary engines
consuming gasoline, distillate, and low-gravity petroleum,
and the tendency to increase the number of Diesel en-
gines, I have advocated the use of producer-gas engines
wherever possible. I have communicated my ideas to
the Skandia Pacific Oil Engine Co., of Oakland, Cali-
fornia, where I recently saw an 1100-hp. Diesel engine
undergoing a test; the Union Gas Engine Co. of Oak-
land ; and F. G. Cottrell, Director of the U. S. Bureau of
Mines. The producer-gas type of power-plant is exten-
sively used in Australia, England, and the Continent of
Europe, and after studying its efficient use in the "West-
ern States, I wrote an article in July 1910 for the 'Min-
ing Journal' of London.
Although the use of small producer-gas engines has
not advanced in America, there are a good many large
engines in the Eastern States being driven by blast-
furnace gas; and I believe that the Ford Motor Co. at
Detroit employs engines consuming city gas. Inci-
dentally, I might mention another use of producer-gas:
that being in the Humphrey gas-pump. By means of an
explosion-chamber, and a large 'play-pipe', in which
water can surge to and fro, enormous quantities of water
are pumped, but through low-lift. Instances are those
pumping 180,000,000 gal. daily for the water-supply of
London, and also near Cairo, in Egypt, lifting 300,000,-
000 gal. daily for irrigation. In Australia this type of
engine is used, up to 500 hp., for all kinds of work, com-
peting with electric power. The fuel used is almost any-
thing—coal, coke, charcoal, sawdust, sugar-mill refuse,
sawmill refuse, and firewood up to 6-ft. lengths. I saw
most of the seventy -odd engines then at work, producing
3400 hp., and heard little complaint regarding their be-
havior ; and certainly none on the score of cost, then about
one penny (two cents) per British horse-power for all
charges. At "Waihi, in New Zealand, a large producer
plant, using coal, supplied gas to a number of 200-hp.
engines, and the total cost was only 6 pence (12 cents)
226
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 14, 1920
per horse-power. I cannot see why the enormous quanti-
ties of waste from all industries in America, the low-
grade fuels (even the coal of California at Tesla and
Coal Canyon), the peat of North Dakota (Canada has
already investigated its peat for this purpose), and many
other combustibles should not be used in producers to
make carbon monoxide for engines, and thus conserve the
oil-supply and avert a crisis. For this reason I suggested
to Mr. Cottrell that the Experiment Station at Pitts-
burgh make trials on such engines using the fuels men-
tioned. This is not only a national problem ; it is inter-
national, and all oil-men are aware of it. I give my ideas
for what they are worth.
Max von Bernewitz.
San Francisco, August 1.
same, but as that is a condition almost impossible of
attainment under the circumstances, he must be speak-
ing generally. If the end of the foil is below C the above
explanation is ample. If it is at or near C the explana-
tion may be similar but due to inequalities of conditions.
In the latter case equilibrium would be reached when C
is supporting the maximum weight of mercury. If the
apparatus is set up near a stamp-mill or dredge the vibra-
tions might jar a small drop loose on the outer end yet be
dampened by the bath on the inner portion. Similar con-
ditions might be brought about by change of capillarity
constant due to temperature variations.
Another explanation is that if the end of the foil is at
An Interesting Experiment
The Editor:
Sir — There are several possible explanations for Mr.
Gardner's experiment with gold foil and mercury, but
just the same "it reminds me of away back when" we
read the story of the scientists who discussed why it was
that when one filled a bowl with water and then put in a
stone the water overflowed, but when a fish was put in,
instead of the stone, the water did not overflow, and
after discussing the question for several days one of
them thought to test the statement, so the bowl, the water,
and the fish were brought together and the experiment
tried, only to find that the water did overflow.
I am not contradicting the observations recorded by
your correspondent, but only refer to them because the
points involved are not definitely stated and we may be
discussing something that 'ain't so'.
The first explanation is siphoning by capillarity. If
the outside end of the gold foil is below the level of the
mercury in the container, this will take plaM. If gold
foil is dipped into mercury, the mercury will be drawn
up on the gold foil to a point regulated by the attractive
force between the mercury and the gold, the physical
condition of the gold foil, and the static head of the
mercury above the level of the bath. If the point to
which the mercury will rise under the condition of the
test is higher than the top of the siphon, the mercury
will pass over and down the outside portion, and the
amount of mercury on the side of the shorter leg of the
siphon will be such that the attractive force of the mer-
cury for the gold is just balanced by the weight of mer-
cury sustained. Equilibrium will be reached when the
same condition is reached at C, if the foil ends at C, but
if the foil extends to a point below this, say D, the mer-
cury will be drawn on to D and at this point the static
head will be greater than the attractive force and it will
drop off at a rate governed by the height of B, the tem-
perature, condition of the foil, and the length of CD.
Try this with a string and a glass of water, remembering
that a certain length of CD must be allowed to compen-
sate for the dryness of the atmosphere.
Mr. Gardner states that the levels A and C are the
Gold-foil
DIAGRAM SHOWING CONDITIONS OP THE EXPERIMENT
or near C and equilibrium reached, the mercury need not
be saturated with gold. On standing, this would take
place and both increase the amount supported and de-
crease the attractive force, with the result of the loss of a
drop. The drop would be replaced by another unsatu-
rated and this action taking place along the line result in
a constant motion toward C until the gold is dissolved.
This would explain why the action would not take place
under water.
If the end of the foil is above the point C, I am inclined
to believe it another case of the fish and the dish.
Physicist.
San Francisco, July 30.
The Bureau op Mines has recently published Tech-
nical Paper 229, 'Accident Prevention in the Mines of
Butte', by Daniel Harrington, mining engineer for the
Bureau. Mr. Harrington, in the course of an investiga-
tion of the health and safety conditions in the Butte
district, conducted by the Bureau in co-operation with
the U. S. Public Health Service, personally inspected
practically every working-place underground in many
of the mines of the district. In the investigation it was
found that in nearly all the mines where much attention
had been given to accident prevention, the results ob
tained were commensurate with the effort expended, not
only in decrease of accidents of all kinds, but in the large
saving to the companies in dollars and cents. The
report describes in detail the safety organization and
work of the several companies, gives statistics on the
accident rates in Butte mines for the years 1915, 1916,
and 1917, and presents conclusions and recommendations
based on the results of the investigation. Copies may be
obtained free from the Bureau at "Washington.
August H. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
227
The Bunker Hill Enterprise — XI
The Use of Electricity in the Operations of Mine, Mill, and Smelter— II
By T. A. RICKARD
The electrical energy used underground is delivered at
2300 volts, three-phase, at a point near the collar of the
No. 1 shaft. The first cable for transmitting electricity
underground was laid in 1906 in the Kellogg adit ; it was
covered with lead, without any jute or other armor, yet
it has given uninterrupted service along the 10,000 feet
of transmission. The second cable, parallel with the
first, was laid in 1911 ; this has a double wrap of jute, in
reverse lay, for protecting the leaden sheath. Both these
cables are supported on a f-in. Siemens-Martin galvan-
ized strand, using Boston clips with zinc straps that go
sufficient to provide against any interruption of elec-
tricity to the pumps or hoist in the event of an accident
in the adit. In 1918 a third cable was laid in the Reed
adit, two miles south of the Kellogg portal. This last
cable was furnished by the Standard Underground Cable
Co. and is especially designed for the purpose. It is of
Ifef ^9i
) p. El
lErTvffiaLSll
irF*"? BP-» ^fifl
i & m
SSfii
Lf'fl
^^a 1^1 i ■*1'":i(J8ij
W. J. LOCKE, MINE ELECTRICIAN
TRIPPING-DEVICE ON SWITCH, WHICH OPERATES PROM AUTO-
MATIC TELL-TALE, DEVISED BY M. J. BOTTINELLI
around the cable. The clips are spaced about 18 in. apart.
The strand, or 'messenger', is supported on L hangers
that are bolted either to timbers or to expansion bolts
(If in. diam.) flattened and drilled on the exposed end
for receiving the t angers. In addition, the messenger is
attached to eye-bolts with bridles every 500 ft., so as to
take the strain each way and prevent slack in case the
messenger itself should break.
The two cables have a combined capacity of 800 hp.,
the three-conductor type and 6000 ft. long, each con-
ductor being insulated with 5/64-in. varnished cambric.
A lead sheath, | in. thick, serves as a protective cover
against moisture and acid. This in turn is covered first
with a layer of jute, then by No. 6 galvanized steel, and
finally with jute. The insulation is designed for a con-
stant pressure of 3000 volts.
This cable weighs 5 tons per 1000 ft., so it was ordered
in lengths of 500 ft. and on special reels small enough to
228
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 14, 1920
fit the mine-opeuings. In raises, or wherever the cable
has to be hung at an angle, special joint-boxes are used.
A sleeve, 7 in. diaru. and 30 in. long, with brass flanges
and plugs, is attached to the joint in the cable. This
sleeve is filled with a soft compound, which flows into the
cable, thereby compensating for the loss (due to the
natural downward flow) of the same compound with
which the cable is impregnated when it leaves the fac-
tory. Before pouring the compound into the upper
joint-box, it is heated to 250°F. for about 15 minutes in
order to expel any moisture ; it is then allowed to cool be-
fore being poured into the sleeve. At the bottom of the
inclined parts of the cable, an inverted joint-box is
placed, for the purpose of preventing moisture from
entering the cable and to seal it by pressure so that the
compound cannot escape. Previous experience with
other cables had shown that the compound would leak
out of the ends of vertical cables, thereby impairing the
insulation. The factory price of the special cable was
$10,860 (in 1918, during the War) and the complete
equipment, including the necessary raises, messenger
wires, and other supplies, was $17,500.
All the pumps in the mine are operated by electricity
and each is provided with a recording ammeter, marking
the time when it was started and stopped, as well as
the power consumed. By a scrutiny of the chart it is
possible to detect the condition of the mechanical parts,
as, for instance, a loose or broken valve. The water of
the mine is relayed from the No. 14 and No. 15 levels
to the No. 13, from which it is pumped to the top of
the shaft at the No. 9 level, or Kellogg adit. The levels
are 200 ft. apart. The combined discharge from the
pumps in both shafts is 804,750 gal. per 24 hours, or
506 gal. per minute. The mine-pumps consume 4145
kw-hr. per day at a cost of $25.78, the cost per thousand
gallons delivered at the collar of the shafts being 3.23
cents.
The first electrically operated pump was placed on the
No. 11 level in September 1906. It was of the triplex
horizontal type, with a capacity of 500 gal. per minute
against a 400-ft. head, and was double-geared to a 75-hp.
"Westinghouse C. C. L. motor. The cost of it was only
$1900. The second pump was placed on the No. 12 level
in the summer of 1909. This was an Aldrich pump of
the quintuplex vertical type ; it had a capacity of 425
gal. per minute against an 800-ft. head and was geared
to a General Electric 125-hp.,' 2200-volt, form M motor.
The cost was $3120. The third pump was placed on
No. 13 level of the No. 1 shaft in 1911. This also is of
the quintuplex vertical type, made by the Birdsboro
Steel Foundry & Machine Co.. in Pennsylvania. It has
a capacity of 500 gal. per minute against an 800-ft. head
and is "geared to a G. E. 150-hp., 2200-volt, form M
motor. It cost $4300. On the same level, at the No. 2
shaft, there is another quintuplex vertical pump of the
same design with a capacity of 550 gal. also against an
800-ft. head, and geared to a similar motor. This pump
cost $4920.
The shaft-stations on the No. 13 level are about a
thousand feet apart. A pump forces the water from one
station to the other along the level. This is a horizontal
three-stage centrifugal pump made by the Swaby En-
gineering .Co. and has a capacity of 700 gal. against a
275-ft. head. It is direct-connected to an Allis-Chalmers
100-hp., 2200-volt, 1800 r.p.m. motor. The cost of this
pump was $1545.
The water from the lower levels is assembled at the
No. 13 level, where a large sump is established for the
purpose of storage. This sump, of course, collects mud,
which has to be removed periodically. To do this a 10-
stage horizontal centrifugal turbine-pump is used. It
was made by the Byron Jackson company of San Fran-
cisco and has a capacity of 250 gal. per minute under
800-ft. head. It is direct-connected to an Allis-Chalmers
150-hp. motor. This pump cost $3500. The cost of the
various pumps as quoted here is f.o.b. factory and does
not include the motors.
On the No. 15 level there is a seven-stage horizontal
centrifugal turbine-pump made by the Byron Jackson
company. It has a capacity of 270 gal. against a 410-ft.
head and is direct-connected to a Westinghouse 50-hp.
type CS motor. In addition, on this level, there is a
four-stage pump of the same type made by the Cameron
Steam Pump Works. This has a capacity of 400 gal.
against 400 ft. ; it is fitted with the Kingsbury thrust-
bearings and direct-connected with a Westinghouse
75-hp. motor.
As an example of the hard usage to which electric ap-
paratus is subjected underground, it may be stated that
the third pump purchased by the company, and placed
on the No. 13 level, was completely submerged undec
200 ft. of water for three weeks, yet even after that
experience the motor* was not disconnected from the
pump nor tli£ rotor removed before re-starting. The
windings were dried by use of an electric current at low
voltage furnished by the Curtis steam-turbine at the
power-house operating at slow speed and by the aid of
hot air-blasts from electric radiators assisted by electric
fans. The fourth day after unwatering, the pump was
started and has operated continuously since, showing no
ill effects from the excessive water-pressure on the
windings.
In a mill the use of electric power is advantageous, of
course, on account of the small space required by elec-
trical units and b}' reason of the extreme flexibility of
such applications of power, the individual drives per-
mitting the millman to shut-down any particular unit
without interrupting the other units of a system. Con-
stant speed is another obvious advantage afforded by
electrical machines, which can be adjusted to a given
speed and maintained at that speed, whereas if driven by
gas or water the speed usually varies with the load.
As engineers drifted from the direct use of the water-
wheel and the steam-engine, they found that, with elab-
*The submergence of this motor was due to the tact that
a fire at the top of No. 1 shaft cut off the pump-cable. The
mine-fire started on October 7, 1912, and since re-starting
the pump has been in continuous operation to this date.
Augusi It. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
ELECTRO-MAGNET OVER BELT-CONVEYOR
WELDING OP A CAST-STEEL KETTLE AT THE BUNKER HILL SMELTER BY AID OF THE ELECTRIC ARC
230
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 14, 1920
orate and expensive governors, they could get much bet-
ter results from machines operating at uniform speed.
Of such machines those operated electrically do the best
work. Moreover, the use of electricity enables the mill-
man to place the various parts of his equipment in the
most convenient positions ; for example, the magnet used
to remove bits of steel in the ore before it goes to the
crushers. This magnet had to be placed in a particular
position in order to give maximum efficiency. See photo-
graph. If a big piece of ore comes along it can push the
magnet to one side, because the magnet is suspended by a
eling, which allows it to resume its position once the ob-
struction has passed. Mill-men are familiar with the
trouble given in starting an induction motor in a cold
building, especially after a shut-down, with its thorough
chilling of the grease and belting. Usually sufficient
starting resistance is demanded from the manufacturer
that supplies the motor, but in many cases this proves
inadequate, so that at the moment of resumption either
the motor or its starting equipment is taxed unduly. The
Bunker Hill company has made it a practice to use only
motors dependent upon external resistance, such as the
M type of General Electric motors, where such duty is
required. In a number of instances it has been con-
sidered advisable to substitute the water-rheostats to
serve as a temporary means of accelerating slowly under
extreme load as demanded under the conditions de-
scribed. This method of starting may be deemed het-
erodox; it is used only in emergency to prevent shut-
downs or delays, because the burning of the resistance
units supplied by the manufacturer would prevent the
starting of the motor and the excessive current taken
through such resistance under the abnormal demand
would cripple the motor. Mr. Handy, the superintendent
of mills, was much impressed with this method of start-
ing and frequently requested the electrical department
to attach this type of water-rheostat to all motors oper-
ating under severe starting conditions, and where slow
acceleration was desired, but Mr. Clark has been loth to
do so on account of its rather crude form ; instead he has
requested the manufacturer to analyze the conditions
with a view to providing the requisite apparatus. For
instance, in any mill in which belting is used it is neces-
sary often to put on a belt after lacing, by tying the
belt to the rim of the pulley by means of a twisted rope
and revolving the pulley very slowly so as to run the belt
onto it. The water-rheostat enables this to be done com-
fortably, whereas the usual sudden starting, by means of
the conventional device, makes it both dangerous and un-
certain to do so.
The mills were illuminated electrically when first
erected, but it is interesting to note the use of the Cooper
Hewitt iight (a mercury-vapor lamp) over the jigs and
ether machines where it is desirable to examine closely
the feed and tailing, and be able to detect any given min-
eral in either. It has been found that by shifting these
Cooper Hewitt lamps to different parts of the mill, with-
out drawing the attention of the men, the efficiency of the
supervision is increased. Recently the C 2 Mazda, or
'Daylight', lamp has been employed in similar places for
the same reason.
At the smelter the fullest use is made of electricity;
108 induction motors, five electric locomotives, and three
electric cranes are in service, the total motor-capacity
being 3572 hp. Individual motor-circuits are provided
with oil-switches that cut in ahead of the compensators
so that repairs can be made without interruption to the
main power-feeders. The electric system is sub-divided
into a number of feeder-circuits, each terminating on a
separate panel in the power-house. The main power-
feeder comes to the smelter from the sub-station at the
. mine ; it carries 13,000 volts, which is reduced at the
smelter to 2300.
The most interesting application of electricity at the
smelter is the Cottrell plant for precipitating fume. This
plant has not worked as well as was expected, but the
various difficulties have been fairly well overcome now,
so that a 95% clearance is being obtained. As originally
designed by the Western Precipitation Co., the structure
was to have been made entirely of steel, but owing to the
difficulty of getting structural steel during the War it be-
came necessary to substitute brick wherever possible. This
proved fortunate on account of the practice of adding
water to the fume in order to expedite settling. The
humidity has been increased by the use of spray in the
chambers ; this, in turn, has caused complications owing
to the condensation of water in the 'tr eater' where the
moist gases come into contact with the cold exterior. The
resulting sulphuric acid has played havoc with the steel,
so that the use of brick and cement has proved fortunate.
All the steel parts that were exposed to the outside air
have been destroyed in consequence of the corrosion
caused by the moisture in the fume. The outlet-pipes
and boxes have been replaced with wood.
The Cottrell plant consists of four sections, each of
which has 64 pipes, of 12-in. diam., or a total of 256 pipes.
In the centre of each pipe is hung a No. 10 jack-chain or
a piece of No. 14 galvanized wire, at the end of which is
suspended a 20-lb. weight, to keep the wire or chain taut.
The wires and chains alike terminate on a common bus
above each section, and this in turn connects, through
suitable switches, with the rectifiers, where they are
charged with 60,000 to 100,000 volts of direct current.
It has been found advantageous to reverse the polarity of
the current at frequent intervals during the day. The
draft through the treater is downward; this aids pre-
cipitation, as the fume has to pass down the 256 pipes
and close to the highly-charged electric conductors, the
wires and chains, so that ionization ensues, and then pre-
cipitation.
The best results have been obtained under the follow-
ing operating conditions: The nine roasters produce
125,000 cu. ft. of fume consisting of about 10% solid and
90% gas. This product enters a humidifying chamber,
33 ft. long, 16 ft. wide, and 34 ft. high, in which are
placed four baffles, alternately hanging from the ceiling
and standing upon the floor, but not extending to the full
dimension of the chamber, so that the fume, traveling at
■;
August 1 t 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
231
tin rate of 14 ft. per second, is compelled to circulate
around them. It enters at a temperature of 220°F. and
is cooled in the chamber to 110°. On top of this chamber
tli. -r. are 150 nozzles, made by the Spray Engineering
Co. : of tluse. only 70 are used at any one time. Water
is supplied under a pressure of 225 lb., the 70 sprays
using 36 gal. per minute. The average humidity of the
fume, as it leaves the chamber, is 45%. It is further
cooled about 10° while going through the treater, pass-
ing down the pipes at a speed of 8 ft. per second. An
interesting fact has been noted here : after the water was
added to the fume the lead content of the precipitated
material increased 10%, as compared with the composi-
tion before humidification was adopted, whereas the
silver content dropped 30%.
As for the electric current itself, this is generated at
interruption in the delivery of power, and no failure on
the part of the Bunker Hill company's equipment, for
more than two hours since the start 17 years ago. The
present sub-station is of the outdoor type ; it is equipped
with three 1800 kva. transformers, stepping down from
60,000 to 13,800 volts. The transformers are oil-cooled
and are equipped with disconnecting switches so that in
case of trouble any transformer can be separated for in-
spection and repair.
In closing, I like to instance another beneficent use of
electricity, even though it be on a small scale, namely,
the Clague electrolytic method for the treatment of lead-
poisoning. The accompanying photograph shows three
smelter-hands undergoing treatment at the Wardner hos-
pital. At times as many as 40 men are being treated for
lead-poisoning at this hospital. The treatment consists
ELECTROLYTIC TREATMENT FOR LEAD-POISONING
220 volts A.C. single-phase and is stepped up to the high
voltage (60,000 to 100,000) required for the treater in
special General Electric transformers, after which it is
rectified. For the four sections of the plant there were
■supplied three rectifier units, complete with the motor-
generator sets and transformers. It was planned orig-
inally to use one generator set on two sections of the
treater and keep one set as a spare. Experience proved
however that one unit operating in all four sections did
just as good work as two units could do, and at half the
cost for current ; in other words, the load on a generator
unit is not increased by the addition of two sections.
The treater is so designed that the dust is allowed to set-
tle in a chamber at the bottom of the pipes. Twice each
•month the dust is collected and sintered in the treater.
The electricity is obtained from the "Washington Power
Co. at a cost of $36 per hp. per annum, this being the
equivalent of $0.00625 per kw-hour. At the outset, in
1903, the rate was $88 per hp-year. There has been no
in passing a weak electric current (110 volts, D.C., 75
milli-amperes) through the patient's body while his fore-
arms and feet are immersed in tubs containing a normal
(0.7%) salt solution. The treatment lasts one hour. As
yet no research has been done to ascertain whether there
is any actual withdrawal of lead from the body, but a
marked improvement in the symptoms is noticeable after
about five such treatments, this result being more rapid
than when adopting strictly medical treatment. Experi-
mental work elsewhere appears to disprove the idea that
there is an actual deposition of lead on the electrodes in
the bath-water. Lead-poisoning is likely to become
chronic if repeated; the acute symptoms will disappear
in a few days, but complete recovery is a slow business.
This electrolytic treatment, like any other cure for lead-
poisoning, must be continued for some time, but it ap-
pears to be more rapidly effective than any other. It is
of special value as a prophylactic, and if used early it
will prevent a severe attack.
232
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC P&ES5
August 14, 1920
Signaling Mine-Hoists From
Moving Cages
By C. A. ALLEN
The problem of signaling to the hoisting engineer
from a moving cage has been considered by many mine
operators for a number of years. There are several
methods in use in different mining districts, but so far
as the writer is aware they have been further developed
in Utah than in any other State. The latest devices are
of interest because they use a low-voltage circuit for the
shaft-wires and also because the wiring can be so ar-
ranged that the hoist can be stopped from the cage, if
so desired. The first installation in Utah was in the
shaft of the Centennial-Eureka mine under the manage-
ment of C. E. Allen. It was placed in operation in the
summer of 1899, and has been in continuous and satis-
factory operation for 21 years. The arrangement con-
sists of two bare wires down the shaft carrying a current
at 60 volts, with a device on the cage for making con-
nection between the two wires. This device is simply a
short piece of wire which is thoroughly insulated from
the cage and is operated by a short lever. "Whenever
the cage-rider wishes to signal the engineer he pulls down
the lever, forcing the short wire out against the two
bare wires, thus making a circuit which rings the bell
in the hoist-room. A similar device was placed in the
Grand Central shaft at Mammoth, Utah, but was later
abandoned. The cause of failure was reported to be that
the shaft was very wet.
At a later date a system having the same general ar-
rangement as that used in the Centennial-Eureka mine
was placed in the shaft of the Eagle and Blue Bell mine
at Eureka, but dry batteries were substituted, reducing
the voltage to about 10 volts. This shaft is wet in places,
but no trouble has been experienced. In order to give a
better idea of the possibilities and application of the
system, it should be stated that the hoist is a double-reel
modern electric hoist with oil-operated clutches and
brakes. The clutch and brake for each reel are actuated
by different movements of the same control-lever. The
hoist has the usual safety devices, such as limit-switches
in the head-frame, position-switches for each reel, and
ball-governor control. These devices are operated by
what may be termed the control-wiring, which is in series
with a no-voltage release on tke switch-board. Should
the circuit in the control wires be broken, the no-voltage
release acts, which cuts off the power and automatically
applies the brakes.
In the Eagle and Blue Bell shaft there are two No. 4
bare copper wires, one on each side of the shaft-guides.
One of these wires is used for signaling from the levels,
the second wire forming the return. The second wire is
also used to make the circuit for ringing the bell from a
moving cage. As regards signaling from the cage, it may
be assumed that there is only one bare wire in the shaft,
this wire extending into the hoist-room and through an
ordinary "Western Union relay-switch to the ground. On
the cage is a battery of six dry cells enclosed in a piece
of iron pipe for protection. One terminal of the battery
is connected to the hoisting-cable and is thus grounded
through the hoist. The other terminal is connected with
an ordinary push-button switch and a piece of curved
copper plate which, by means of a small lever, can be
pushed out against the bare wire. The push-button is
on the same lever. When the cage-rider pulls the lever,
at the same time pressing the button, current flows from
the dry cells through the bare wire, through the relay
into the ground, thence through the hoist-cable back to
the cells. The current flowing through the relay closes
a separate electrical circuit, which rings the signal-bell.
The current for the bell-circuit is supplied by 30 dry cells
in the hoist-room, but connection could be made with a
direct power or lighting circuit.
The important feature of this arrangement is that the
dry cells, placed on the cage, give a low-voltage current,
only 10 or 12 volts, eliminating all possibility of danger,
sueh as would be present were higher voltage used. Also,
if the contact-lever should be accidentally struck and
contact made with the bare wire, the circuit would not
be completed, because in order to close it the button must
be pushed at the same time the lever is thrown. The use
of the relay in the hoist-room is also important, because
it permits the use of a low-voltage current in the shaft
and a higher voltage to ring the bell. In order to stop
the hoist from the cage by the same wiring system, it is
only necessary to place in the control circuit of the hoist
another relay so arranged that when the circuit is com-
pleted in the shaft, this relay will open the hoist-control
circuit. As soon as this circuit is open the no-voltage
release on the hoist switchboard will be operated, cutting
off the power and automatically stopping the hoist.
O. N. Friendly, general superintendent of the Judge
Mining & Smelting Co., is installing a modification of
the Eagle and Blue Bell system for use in the Daly-
West shaft at Park City. It is planned to do all the
signaling from the cage and have no signal arrange-
ment on the levels except the flash or buzzer system for
calling the cage. A number '0' bare wire will be sus-
pended in the shaft with insulators every four feet. In-
stead of a hand-lever to make contact against the wire,
there will be a continuous contact with the wire as be-
tween an electric motor and trolley wire. Six dry cells
will be placed on the cage as at the Eagle and Blue Bell
shaft, and the relays and bell circuits on the surface
will also be the same ; push-buttons will be used to close
the circuit.
Double-deck cages are in use, and to make it possible
for a cage-tender to give signals from the cage, while
standing on the station at either side of the shaft, four
push-buttons will be used, two on each side of each deck.
By this method there is no possibility of anyone sig-
naling the hoisting engineer except from the cage. It not
infrequently happens that careless or ignorant employees
signal the engineer when they do not know where the
cage is. causing the engineer to move the cage when it
should not be moved.
August 14, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
233
Systematizing Large Mine Examinations
Bv MORTON WEBBER
Engineers usually experience lack of confidence in
themselves when entrusted with their first large mine
examination. Their experience has been gained from the
examination of small properties and prospects. The ob-
taining of the data in such cases is relatively simple and
the work is done personally by themselves. The time
allowed for large examinations is seldom proportional to
the time obtainable for small jobs. For the latter 30 to
60 days are frequently afforded. After the completion
of the examination a cash payment is seldom required.
In the examination of a large and supposedly valuable
mine 60 or 90 days are usual periods for examination
when a large initial payment is involved. To obtain the
necessary data in the limited time afforded, the engineer
therefore must employ a sampling crew, a surveyor, and
draftsmen, and he will probably have to arrange to fur-
nish a composite sample that is representative of the ore
of the mine for a metallurgical test. This procedure is
becoming increasingly common because frequently large
deals involve new treatment plants. The valuing engi-
neer should also furnish an opinion on what changes, if
any. should be expected in the composition of the gangue
and metallic minerals in depth.
Since the ore for the metallurgical test is procurable
only from developed openings and since the contem-
plated plant must successfully treat ore beyond these
exposures after the present ore-reserves are consumed,
and for other reasons connected with a competent ex-
amination, it may be necessary to call in a geologist as a
consultant. In that ease it is particularly necessary for
the engineer to have a thorough grasp of the principles
of mine valuation to enable him to present questions to
the geologist vital to the appraisal of the particular mine.
Otherwise he will get a mass of geological data a great
proportion of which is of small economic value ; for few
geologists are mine-valuers. If the engineer has there-
fore the experience, or natural aptitude, to determine
what are the economic geological questions governing a
particular case, although he may not have the geological
training to answer them, and can focus the geological
consultant, on these features, he will save considerable
time in separating essential from non-essential geological
information.*
It. is therefore axiomatic that the engineer whose ex-
*This statement is not intended as uncomplimentary to
the geologist. The training of the mine-valuer and the
geologist is different. The valuer must think naturally
along lines ot finance, for mines are operated to make money.
He must, however, understand geology sufficiently to appre-
ciate the relation of geology to mine-valuation, for only thus
can he ask intelligent questions of his less material brother,
the consulting geologist. It is along these lines that team-
work between the engineer and geologist should be expected.
perience has been confined to the examination of small
mines and prospects will feel nonplussed and timid when
attempting his first large examination. There will be the
unfortunate feeling of not knowing how to go about it, or
where to start. Experience gained from comfortably
cutting about 150 samples and submitting a report in 30
to 60 days will not help much when tackling a large oper-
ating mine involving anything from 10 to 100 miles of
workings, masses of past-production records, a roomfull
of maps with which the engineer is unfamiliar but which
must be grasped in short order, and the necessity of cut-
ting from 10 to 50 tons of samples and producing a com-
posite sample for a treatment test, the whole job to be
finished in about 70 days, for in a 90-day option the in-
vesting clients must have time to 'turn round' after re-
ceiving the report.
I shall endeavor therefore to recite some of my methods
in systematically arranging the examination of a large
mine so that the report may be submitted within the al-
lotted time. I will use a large silver mine for an example,
as its examination was typical of the various points that
confront the engineer when examining a large mine that
has come on the market.
The vendors claimed three things : (1) The existence
of an ore-reserve of 300,000 tons, which, based upon an
operating cost of $7 per ton, represented an operating
net profit of $1,000,000. (2) That owing to the past life
of the mine being through years of lower silver prices,
large areas of old workings can be mined at a profit.
That for the same reason a large number of stope-fills can
be drawn profitably and treated. (3) That the present
mine bottom is hopeful, the grade of the lowest level
being as good if not better than the levels above, and that
the shoots are equally long. That other successful mines
in the district are mining profitably 900 ft. below the
present bottom of the mine under examination.
The intending vendee accepted the above statements
as the basis for an option. He, however, believed that the
mill was old-fashioned, that by modem plant a saving
in operating costs and additional extraction could be
made of $5 per ton or an additional profit of $1,500,000
through plant improvement alone. In addition to this,
a saving of another $200,000 was hoped from improve-
ment in mining methods. In the example under review
stoping had been done by square sets and the preliminary
examination, on which the above hopes were based, dis-
closed the possibility of employing shrinkage stoping
with its obvious economies.
In the above example, and for that matter in all other
examinations, the system I employ in procuring the data
is similar. My methods may differ in degree but. they do
not alter. After I got over being frightened at the size
234
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 14, 1920'
of the job I realized that the procuring of the data gov-
erning a large examination was as simple as obtaining
the data for a smaller one. It is largely a question of
doubling up the sampling crews and the number of train-
ed assistants. The gulf the engineer has to cross is the
step from doing most of the work himself to splitting the
work up into departments under departmental heads.
A mistake the younger engineer is likely to make is to
endeavor to get his sampling crew at work too soon. If
he has brought a large crew to do the mechanical part of
the sampling, the first impulse is to get them started.
This is a mistake. The crew will get all the work they
Want before the examination is completed.
The first thing the engineer should do is to thoroughly
familiarize himself with the mine he is reporting upon.
For this reason it is preferable to detail an assistant to
bring the crew a few days after his own arrival. If this
is not feasible, as in the examination of mines abroad,
where it is necessary to take the entire force en bloc,
under no circumstances let the fact that your crew is
hanging around for the first few days disturb you. The
first thing is to thoroughly ' understand your mine '. This
is best accomplished by investigating the workings and
plant accompanied by the mine manager or some other
person of technical training able to discuss the engineer-
ing features intelligently. If you want to make head-
way, do not treat him with suspicion. Treat him as you
would like to be treated were you in his place. Because
he is the engineer of the vendor it does not preclude him
from being as honorable as you are. If you are just be-
ginning to get the confidence of important capital inter-
ests (for this article is intended for the benefit of the
junior engineer attempting his first big job), you may
have some peculiar and unfortunate points of view.
Some years ago I made a joint examination with another
engineer who in his attitude toward the staff of the
vendor showed himself to be a first-class snob and the
friendly progress of our work was much impaired.
After a grasp of the physical situation is obtained, an
investigation of the maps and records should be made. I
was employed to report on a large operating mine in
Canada that was under option to purchase. The vendee
was a near-by mining company. I made arrangements to
get my crew from the latter mine. They were to be
forwarded on telegraphic instructions. By investigating
the vendor's assay-maps I was able to prove on the basis
of his own figures that the purchase price was unreason-
able. In this manner the expense of a large sampling
job was avoided.
After a thorough study of the property prior to sam-
pling, the process previously referred to as getting to
'understand your mine', two important features should
present themselves. The first is that the future life of
the mine will depend on definite areas of ground, which,
for simplicity, may be termed the prolongation of the de-
posit. This should not be confused with the ore-reserves,
because their investigation is relatively simple. I refer
to areas on which will depend the future life of the en-
terprise. Mines are seldom of interest to a purchaser for
their ore-reserves alone. There is little profit nowadays in
buying ore, because developed mines that are for sale are
becoming increasingly scarce. The purchaser must hope
to make the major profit during the future life of the
property as the outcome of greater skill in intensive de-
velopment, the profit to be gained by spreading overhead
and standing charges over enlarged operations, and the
economies and increased extraction obtainable from a
modern plant. The future life will depend on the ex-
tension of profitable ore with depth, or the extension of
the mine in length, or additional life expected from later
discoveries of parallel veins that may rejuvenate the en-
tire operation.
Accordingly it is my practice to start on this part of
the sampling early; that is, to commence on areas vital
to the consideration of the future life of the mine. In
the particular examination under review the sampling
was commenced on the lowest level. As stated, the ad-
joining mines were operating profitably at greater depth.
It could be determined at an early stage whether or not
this mine had an attractive future life. Assuming the
sampling of the mine bottom showed up badly, a basal
step would have been made in the examination. The en-
gineer would know that the mine was of value only in
respect to its established ore-reserves, t
If the engineer is familiar with the terms of the deal,
as he should be, he can then judge whether or not, under
the terms of the option, it is advisable to proceed with
the remainder of the examination. Accepting the own-
er's figures of the ore-reserves as a basis for calculation,
their value to the proposed buyer will become a banking
question of risk and interest. A price has to be paid for
the ore-reserves, as a present value, and the proceeds of
their marketing will become interest-earning over a pe-
riod depending on their rate of consumption. The 'yard-
stick' is In wood's tables coupled with a knowledge of the
metal market. If the sampling of the prolongation of the
orebodies is disappointing the engineer should notify hia
client. This will permit him to demand a radical modi-
fication in the purchase price or to terminate further ex-
amination expense. There is usually little incentive in
the purchase of ore-reserves unless accompanied by fu-
ture possibilities and the benefits of enlarged operations.
The second phase that will present itself as the process
of getting to 'understand your mine' is that large areas
may or may not contain ore.- I do not mean the ore-
reserves or their immediate extension. The majority of
mines offered for sale have been insufficiently sampled.
There are usually extensive workings that are supposed
to contain low-grade ore or where new shoots are sup-
posed to be coming in. In a general way, these areas are
part of the future possibilities and they excite cupidity.
They are usually so extensive in area and their value so
fAttention is particularly called to this phase, for de-
veloped mines with important ore-reserves frequently come
on the market because the more recent development of the
property by the owner has disclosed the limited life of the
mine. In such cases the owner hopes that the ore-reserves
will 'carry the sale' and that the finite life of the enterprise
will he unapparent to the buyer. 'Caveat emptor'.
Si 14, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
235
problematical that to sample at a close interval similar to
that used in the estimation of the ore-reserves would en-
tail considerable expense. My practice is to give these
areas a preliminary sampling at a wide interval of about
■30 ft. In this way much can usually be eliminated from
farther consideration and valuable areas indicated by the
preliminary sampling can thereafter be sampled at a
close interval to determine their width and value.
1 liuve now dealt with the two main phases that will
present themselves prior to commencing sampling and
will assume that the engineer has a general grasp of the
areas on which the future life of the mine will depend
after the exhaustion of the present ore-reserves, and that
he has decided to give certain extensive areas of possible,
but quite indeterminate, value a preliminary sampling.
The time has now come to get the sampling crews to
work. There is a fundamental feature in my sampling
in that I personally decide on the position and length
of the sample-cuts. I do not delegate this part of the
work to an assistant. The essence of a mine examination
is the understanding of the particular mine as exhibited
in the placing and width of the cuts. A few cuts placed
by an engineer of experience are worth a raft of samples
poorly placed. I therefore always 'paint my own job'.
This is done by whitewashing and numbering the strips
to be later sampled by the crew. In this way each sample
is my own. The accumulation of experience or heritage
gained from sampling other mines is thus transmitted to
the particular examination. The mechanical part, cut-
ting uniform channels, quartering down and assaying,
can be delegated to others.
The whitewashing of the sample-cuts is done by having
tags of duplicate numbers strung on a wire. There are
two adjoining tags, say, 256, next to these are two tags,
say, 351, and so on. Numbers are not allowed to be
strung in regular order for reasons that will be hereafter
stated. In this way the strips to be channeled can be
rapidly painted and numbered. Adjoining each strip of
whitewash, or ealsomine, duplicate numbers are affixed
with a nail. When the members of the sampling crew
draw the sample they take down one of the tags and
place it in the sack with the sample. The other tag is left
on the nail. This affords permanent identification of the
cut and prevents confusion of the samples, it also enables
the surveyor to plat the cuts with their width on the map.
In this way the sampling part of the examination is con-
ducted in three successive operations. First, the engi-
neer with paint-pot, nails, and tags, accompanied by an
assistant who notes the width of the proposed cuts ; sec-
ond, the sampling crew acting under a boss who cuts a
uniform channel for the entire length of the painted
strip, and third, the surveyor who plats the position of
"the cuts and checks the width and uniformity of the
-channeling. This phase of the work is important. It is
necessary to know that the men cut the entire width
painted.
By the above method the examining engineer can keep
mine 'painted' far in advance of the sampling crew.
n active man can paint enough in one day to keep three
OreWB I'hanneling for a week. In this way he can get his
nun all busy at underground sampling, commencing, as
advocated, on the portions of the mine critical to the
life extension of the enterprise. Thereafter he can de-
vote his attention to the other phases of the examination.
In my practice the next step is inaugurating the de-
partment of mixing and quartering the samples to dupli-
cate pulps. As this phase does not receive attention until
the underground crews are at work, it is advisable to
have an excess of sacks. This will allow the sampling
crews to proceed without interruption during the train-
ing of the mixing-crew. After the mixing-department
becomes efficient the excess of filled sacks can be worked
off. The proportion of men cutting samples to those mix-
ing will vary with every mine. The accessibility of the
faces to be channeled, the amount of staging required to
sample the backs of stopes, the sampling of raises and
the hardness of the rock, make it impossible to suggest a
standard proportion beyond that for every man in the
mixing department, assuming it is intended to cut down
to duplicate assay-pulps of 100 mesh, three samplers
should be underground. This is merely a ratio on which
to commence sampling. Adjustments should be made
thereafter.
I will not describe the method of reducing samples te
duplicate pulps, as this is standard practice. In respect
to this part of the work, however, I may suggest that en-
gineers frequently endeavor to reduce samples to pulp
too quickly. I recommend a thorough mixing on a mat
prior to cutting down. If this is done it will avoid a
multitude of sins thereafter, for if a sample is once thor-
oughly mixed it can stand some careless treatment. If a
sample is quartered with insufficient mixing and the
opposite quarters are $5 and $7 per ton, and $6 and $8
per ton, respectively, it does not matter how much care
is introduced thereafter, the error of 50 cents per ton at
the start cannot be eradicated. For this reason I insist
on all samples being mixed on a mat for not less than five
minutes, depending on the ore. A clock is placed in the
mixing-room so that the minimum mixing-time will be
afforded.
After sampling is under way and likewise the reduc-
tion of samples, which should always be done on the sur-
face, the next step is the map-work. In the case of large
mines, where extensive maps are in existence, it is usually
unnecessary to survey the entire mine. It is my practice
to survey certain important portions of the workings and
if the maps are found correct in these particulars to ac-
cept the remainder. On these maps I propound my own
maps and make additional sections. It is generally neces-
sary to compile different forms of maps to present the
case clearly to my clients. Maps are the language of the
engineer and this language should be clear and concise.
Generally the maps of an operating property are suffi-
ciently clear to the resident staff, as they are familiar
with the mine. They are frequently insufficiently clear
to a third party at a distance. I recently examined a
mine where a plan showed that the workings curved like
a bow. The sampling was shown on a longitudinal pro-
236
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 14, 1920
jeetion. One-half of the projection was foreshortened
60° and the remainder was foreshortened 25°. Such a
sample map was misleading to even a trained engineer.
In the silver-mine examination the sampling of the
stope-fills and the assembling of a composite sample for a
metallurgical test was obtained at this stage of the ex-
amination, that is, after the sampling and drafting were
safely underway. Had I desired to consult a geologist I
would have engaged his services at about this time, as my
work had progressed sufficiently to give me a thorough
understanding of the mine and I would be able therefore
to consult him on the particular points concerning which
I wished to be advised.
In respect to the sampling of the fills, these were di-
vided into two classes. Class 1, fills where there was
good reason to believe their content could be treated with
profit. Class 2, fills of more uncertainty. Small quan-
tities were drawn from various stopes and placed in rail-
road ears and sent to a smelter for treatment. The ob-
ject in dividing the fills into two classes and shipping
separate portions was to prevent Class 2 from vitiating
Class 1.
The method I employ of obtaining a bulk-sample for
a treatment test depends on the size of the sample re-
quired. If a mill-test sample of 20 tons or upward is
wanted, it is not procured until the mine is sampled.
After the sampling-maps are completed it is feasible to
shoot down portions of ore throughout the mine to fur-
nish a composite sample representative of the average
ore of the mine as disclosed by hand-sampling. This
sample should be obtained on a foot-weight basis. That
is, before making up the composite sample a foot-weight
is determined upon, say for example, 50 lb. per sampled
foot. If a mine has ten stopes, each stope will contribute
its proportional foot-weight based upon sample-widths.
If stope 'A' has 200 ft. of sampling it would supply two
tons to the composite. If stope 'B' had 400 ft. of sam-
pling it would supply four tons, and so on. In a ten-
stope mine there would be ten components of the com-
posite sample. The contribution from each stope is ob-
tained by rows of 'pop-shots' uniformly spaced along the
sample-cuts. In a large stope it is not feasible to pop-
shot all the sample-cuts. In such a case it is my practice
to shoot down a selected number of cuts that appear to
represent the average material of the stope ; and also to
ascertain that the foot-dollar of the selected number is
approximately similar to the • foot-dollar of the total
stope-sampling.
It is advisable to break down more than the foot-weight
required from a stope rather than less. The excess above
the stope foot-weight can be removed by cone-mixing.
If too little is shot down the deficiency has to be obtained
by removing more ore from the stope. This will intro-
duce the personal equation which should be avoided after
a method of sampling is determined upon. The assem-
bling of the ten units or components of the composite
sample so that the testing-plant will get the consignment
as thoroughly mixed as possible is obtained by arranging
the components in a circle and heap-mixing in the centre.
If a small test is required, 100 to 500 lb. for prelim-
inary flotation tests, the sample is obtained from the re-
jects of the hand-sampling. The rejects should be stack-
ed under original numbers. This is essential, for in the
great majority of even profitable mines a large number
of hand-samples will not come from ore-shoots and will
therefore have no bearing on the ease. By retaining all
rejects until after the sampling has been platted and the
average metal content of the mine determined it is possi-
ble to make up a composite sample representative of the
profitable ore.
As stated heretofore, I avoid tagging the sample-cuts
in consecutive order. This is to permit me to introduce
the 'key series' of checking the sampling. This method
was described in an article entitled 'The Detection of
Salting', in the 'Mining and Scientific Press' of No-
vember 8, 1919. The method depends on removing a
number of tags from various portions of the mine after
the samples have been drawn and substituting new num-
bers. Instructions are then given to an assistant to have
the original cuts re-channeled. The key of the old and
new numbers is kept on my person. I do not expect the
assays of each sample to agree closely each to each, but
unless salting has been attempted or the cutting and
assaying has been inefficient the averages should agree.
It is my practice to introduce two systems of key-series,
one underground and the other by substituting the num-
bers of a series of pulps and having them re-assayed.
The cheeking of a custom assayer is done by forwarding
for assay two or more series of duplicate piilps masquer-
ading under new numbers. It is obvious that if the
sample-cuts were tagged consecutively the merit of the
key-series, in that the examining engineer alone knows
the key, would be lost.
The other phases of a large examination not discussed
are the investigation of the title and the audit of the
books. These duties may be placed on the shoulders of
the examining engineer. Assuming that it .is the engi-
neer's duty to have this work done as part of the exam-
ination, as for example, in the case of an American engi-
neer examining a mine in Colorado for a London com-
pany, the following procedure is suggested : The audit
should be made when possible by a chartered accountant.
Other accountants may be good and many of them are
highly competent, but there is a security in the hall-
mark of the chartered accountant. Similarly a corpora-
tion attorney should be employed for the investigation
of the title. In event of an engineer examining a mine
in a community with which he is unfamiliar, and having
the additional burden of passing on the earnings, finan-
cial state, and validity of the title, I recommend that he
call upon a reputable bank in the neighborhood. He
can thus get in touch with a responsible and competent
attorney and accountant. Under no circumstances should
he allow the vendor, his associates, or any person directly
or indirectly connected with the sale to suggest whom to
employ.
As the search of titles and the audit of the books cause
considerable expense, it is suggested that this work
August 14. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
237
should be delayed until the engineer has a fairly good
idea whether or not he will recommend the mine. He
should not delay until rendering his report, for when the
vendee decides whether or not he will proceed with the
purchase the engineer's report, the audit, and the report
on the title should be before him simultaneously. A bet-
ter example of a tripod cannot be imagined. The audit
may show the company in debt. The title examination
may show that the corporation does not own the prop-
erty. The engineer's report may show that the mine is
bottomed. If one leg fails to stand up the other two will
collapse. On the other hand, as suggested, the engineer
should delay the examination of the title and the audit
until he has reason to believe his report will be favorable.
It is a waste of a client's money to pass on the title and
audit the books of a mine that the engineer knows his
client will not want.
Exploitation of Manganese
Deposits
In the past, the steel industry of the United States has
depended almost wholly on imports for its supplies of
manganese. Many of the important domestic sources
yield ores that in their natural condition contain less
manganese than the foreign ores the steel industry has
been accustomed to use. To make these domestic ores
available, therefore, they must be concentrated or prac-
tice in the steel industry must be modified. Roughly,
25,000 tons of high-grade manganese ore is used an-
nually for dry batteries, for chemical purposes, and in
other minor ways, and approximately 750,000 tons is
required for making steel. By present practice every
ton of steel takes an average of about 15 lb. of metallic
manganese, which generally is added to the steel in the
form of an alloy. The standard alloys are 80% ferro-
manganese and 20% spiegeleisen.
On account of the irregularity of manganese deposits
and the uncertainty of an adequate supply of ore, great
care should be exercised in connection with the various
operations, particularly with respect to prospecting and
mining. Similarly, preparatory to the erection of a
washing or concentrating plant, the factors that have to
do with the success of the work must be carefully con-
sidered.
In general, as regards concentration methods, manga-
nese ores may be divided into two groups, as follows:
(1) Ores permitting mechanical separation of the man-
ganese minerals and the gangue, and (2) ores in which
the manganese minerals and the gangue are so intimately
associated that separation requires some hydrometal-
lurgical or pyrometallurgical process. Heretofore, at-
tention has been confined almost wholly to mechanical
separation, chiefly by gravity.
The principal considerations affecting the cleaning of
ores are :
1. The character and grade of ore.
2. The recoverable percentage of mineral.
3. Relative value of crude to cleaned ore.
L Basis upon which royalty is paid, whether crude
ore or the cleaned product.
Aside from the clay and other materials more or less
intimately mixed with manganese, considerable silica is
associated with the ores. The silica may be 'free' or
'attached'. The free silica can be readily removed by
washing, but the attached silica, being embedded in the
ore or attached to it can be separated, if at all, with
difficulty.
High-grade ores, particularly when occurring in large
masses, and soft ore, as pyrolusite, should receive the
minimum preparation consistent with proper cleaning.
Low-grade ores usually require much more careful treat-
ment than the high-grade ores, and the work and expense
of concentration depend largely upon the impurities
present. Free silica is not difficult to separate from the
manganese. Soft ore, or 'wad', although of high grade, is
difficult to clean without great loss from fine, particu-
larly when much fine sand is mixed with the clay and ore.
The recoverable percentage of mineral in the wash-dirt
depends largely upon the character of the mineral. Cer-
tain clays are readily broken and separated from the
manganese, whereas others become pasty when washed,
adhering tenaciously to the particles of mineral. As a
rule, the larger the pieces of ore and the higher the grade
the more readily is separation from the waste effected,
owing probably to the smoother surfaces. Nodular ore of
small and fairly uniform size is readily washed and
jigged, but fragments from large masses and rough par-
ticles resulting from decay of limestone and possible in-
complete solution of manganese are difficult to clean.
The relative value of crude ore as compared with that
of cleaned ore may be the deciding factor in determining
whether a concentrating plant should be erected. Dur-
ing the past year a considerable quantity of low-grade
ore was shipped at a low price, simply because there was
a market for it. The question is whether such ore could
not have been raised in grade by concentration, so as to
have brought a price that would have warranted the
erection of a suitable plant. However, uncertainty as to
the extent of the deposits and the length of time the pre-
vailing schedule of prices would be maintained did not
foster experiments of this sort.
The grade of ore upon which royalties are assessed has
been the cause of considerable trouble in different dis-
tricts, but in most of the districts during the past year
royalties were paid on all ores coming within the schedule
unless otherwise specified. In the future high-grade
ores will alone be subject to royalty charges. More-
over, careful mining in well-proved deposits of high-
grade ore will be necessary in the various manganese dis-
tricts. The ores mined will, in turn, require either close
hand-picking or concentration in well-designed plants in
order to produce a high-grade ore, low in silica and
phosphorus. With a dependable output of such ore, it
should be possible to continue operation in the face of
foreign competition wherever freight rates to consuming
furnaces are reasonably favorable. — U. S. Bureau of
Mines.
238
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 14, 1920
Flotation Mill-Runs v. Laboratory
Tests
By FREDERICK G. MOSES
Introduction. At the present time a notation plant
is rarely built until the ore to be treated has been tested
thoroughly in the laboratory and a flow-sheet carefully
prepared. It is the object of the laboratory tests to de-
termine all the small factors that may have a bearing on
the operation of the larger plants. Within certain limits
this can be done successfully and there are few finished
mills that cannot be made to duplicate closely the results
obtained in the laboratory. However, it must be borne
in mind that in the mill it is sometimes necessary to do
things that are not required in the laboratory in order to
obtain the same results. It is usually a good plan to
assume that success in the laboratory simply means that
there are a certain set of conditions under which large-
scale results can be obtained and that it will be necessary
in the operating plant to duplicate these conditions in
whatever way may be required, before comparable re-
sults are possible. This fact brings in a consideration
that has often been overlooked. In the laboratory much
of the work is done in order to determine the exact kind
and quantities of flotation oils that will give the best re-
sults. It has been found, however, that the same oils
that have given the best results in the laboratory may not
give the same results when used in the mill. There are
several reasons for this. They may be segregated under
the heads of grinding, manipulation, water, and time of
treatment.
Mill and Laboratory Grinding. There is no doubt
but that the grinding that can be carried out in the lab-
oratory and in the operating mill is different, and this
difference is bound to have an affect on the results ob-
tained. The different effects of grinding on flotation oils
may be caused by any one of several factors, among the
most important of which may be mentioned the difference
due to grinding in batches, which is necessary in a labor-
atory, and continuous grinding, such as is done in the
mill. This batch-grinding necessitates the use of the
same water during the full grinding period, while in the
large grinding machines the water continually changes to
a varying extent. These two sets of conditions have de-
cided effects on the action of the oils, particularly when
the oils are added in the grinding machines.
It is difficult to name all the ways in which grinding
may affect flotation oils, largely because we understand
so little of the true action of the oils. One factor is the
difference in temperature. Practically all flotation oils
are more -or less volatile and if the commercial machine
operates at a higher or lower temperature than the labor-
atory machine, the results will differ. One experience of
this kind that may be cited happened at Superior, Ari-
zona. A large Hardinge mill was being operated at full
capacity. It became necessary to reduce the tonnage in
the mill, owing to lack of ore. It was found that when
the smaller tonnage was being ground in the mill, the
flotation results were quite different from those obtained
when the larger tonnage was being ground. Various ex-
planations were considered but the conclusion reached
was that while operating on a small tonnage the pulp in
the mill became excessively hot and volatilized some of
the lighter constituents of the oil.
Manipulation. Another cause of variation in results
may also be the different ways of handling the pulp
in the laboratory and in the mill, or differences in manip-
ulation, necessitated by the different conditions. When
a mechanical machine is used in the laboratory and the
oil is dropped directly into the pulp, we have a certain
condition. The machine is operated until the oil is thor-
oughly distributed in the pulp, then speeded up and the
froth taken off. Of course, this manipulation is differ-
ent from that of the continuously operated machine and
different results may be obtained even with the same re-
agents.
Difference in Water. Undoubtedly one of the great-
est causes for varying results is the different water used.
There is no question but what the physical and chemical
characteristics of the water have decided effects on flota-
tion results. Therefore, the same water should be used
in the laboratory testing as will be used in the mill.
Effect of Time. Another factor that may cause a
discrepancy is variation in the time of treatment. In the
laboratory it is common to treat the ore as long as may
be necessary to get a satisfactory extraction. This may
require from 45 minutes to one hour and may necessi-
tate adding small quantities of oil every few minutes. In
the large mill the time of treatment can, of course, be
varied, but the limits will be comparatively narrow. If
the mill is so designed as to treat the ore for 45 minutes,
an oil that would give satisfactory results in an hour in
the laboratory could not be expected to give satisfactory
results in the mill. If the ore can be treated only 45
minutes conveniently in the commercial plant, it is neces-
sary to use an oil that will give the desired extraction
within that period. It may be found that to do this re-
quires an oil entirely different from that which has given
satisfactory results in the laboratory.
Desirability of Mill-Test of Flotation Oils. These
things have been mentioned to emphasize the necessity
for continuing the testing of various flotation oils even
if the mill has been built and is in successful operation.
It has been found that many operators are prone to take
it for granted that the oils they are using, or that
they were advised to use by the testing laboratory, are
the ones best suited for their purpose. This is seldom
true; a small amount of experimental work in one unit
of the mill will often give results that are much better
than those already obtained and will more than pay for
any extra trouble involved. Such experimental work
will require extra labor and the purchase of additional
oils for testing. The work may also result in the loss of
the oils that may be proved less satisfactory but this loss
is a comparatively small item, if the investigation proves
that some other oil will give better metallurgical results.
August 1», 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC P.^ESS
239
The Yellow Pine Mine at Goodsprings, Nevada
Special Correspondence
The Goodsprings mining district is situated in Clark
county, Nevada, about eight miles west of Jean, a station
on the Salt Lake Route. The principal ores at Good-
springs are oxidized lead-zinc and copper-gold, some of
the latter containing platinum-bearing minerals. The
GOODSPRINGS, NEVADA
lead-zinc ore has a high
silver content. The ore
occurs near, and in
places in contact with,
large monzonite-porphy-
ry intrusions. The con-
tacts are conformable
with limestone strata
dipping 35°. The de-
posits are replacements,
apparently confined to
the limestone exclusive-
ly. The Yellow Pine is
the largest producer in
the district and since
1912 the company has
paid $3,030,000 in divi-
dends. The mine is 4J
miles north-west of the
town of Goodsprings and the mill is in the town. The
mine, mill, and town of Jean are connected by a narrow-
gauge railroad built by the company in 1911.
The mine-shaft is 950 ft. deep on an incline of 35°.
Hoisting is done with a two-ton skip at an average rate
of 20 tons per tour from the 300. 500, 700, 800, and 900-
ft. levels, where there are large skip-pockets. The shaft
now in use was started in 1913 and was completed in
1915. Before 1913 work was done through a 300-ft, in-
clined shaft. Square-sets are used in the stopes, this
method replacing a combination of the caving and shrink-
age systems used prior to 1912. To assure a clean prod-
uct, stoping is done with single-jacks. Forty men are
employed on one shift
and three machine-drills
are used in development
work. The output is
1600 tons per month.
The surface equipment
consists of a Fairbanks-
Morse semi-Diesel en-
gine operating a. Fulton
hoist, Ingersoll-Rand air-
compressor, and a gen-
erator to furnish electric
light and power for the
mine, and power for a
Blake crusher. A Chi-
cago pneumatic direct-
driven air-compressor is
used as an auxiliary.
The mill was com-
THE YELLOW PINE MILL
pletely reconstructed and remodeled last year. The ma-
chinery, driven by a 100-hp. Fairbanks-Morse semi-Diesel
engine, consists of rolls, jigs, and 6 Deister-Overstrom
concentrating tables. The coarse crushing is done at the
mine. The lead-silver concentrate is shipped and the zinc
concentrate is calcined. The calciner, which was recently
completed, treats the zinc produce by driving off the
moisture and a large proportion of carbon dioxide, thus
240
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 14, 1920
reducing the weight and giving a material saving in
freight charges. The United States Bureau of Mines is
experimenting with a process to drive off by chloride
volatilization fumes containing lead and silver. The
fumes would be collected in a Cottrell precipitator. The
perfection of this process would be of importance to the
entire district.
The district comprises 400 square miles at the southern
end of the Spring Mountain range. With the exception
of the Yellow Pine, practically all mining is done near
the surface, but some of the other companies have made
remarkable production for the amount of Work done.
Scale Of Miles ,
i
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MAP OF SOUTH-EASTERN NEVADA
The Boss mine is interesting as a considerable producer of
copper and also as a producer of platinum, palladium,
iridium, and gold. Other mines in the district that are
or have been producers are the Alice, owned by the
Yellow Pine Extension; Goodsprings Bill Nye, Sultan,
Christmas Consolidated, Anchor, Bullion, Ingomar, Mil-
ford, Prairie Flower, Bed Streak, Azurite, Annex, Cop-
per Sides, Mobile, Whale, Oro Amigo, Potosi, Monte
Cristo, Root Zinc, Copper Peak, Contact, Dawn, Singer,
Tarn O'Shanter, Green Monster, and the 20 patented
claims of the Campbell estate.
Under the appropriation of $75,000 made for the in-
vestigation of the mineral resources of Alaska, the U. S.
Geological Survey has dispatched seven field parties to
the Territory. The work to be done is that of extending
the surveys and investigations which were begun in 1898.
Osmiridium in Tasmania
The mining of the rare mineral osmiridium in Tas-
mania is attracting widespread attention, and it is said
that the island promises to be the world's chief producer
for some time to come.
For months past the Tasmanian Mines Department has
been investigating the osmiridium fields of the west coast.
The work includes a complete geological survey of the
various fields in which osmiridium occurs, from Nine-
teen Mile creek in the north to Wilson river in the south,
and the nature of the deposits and the distribution of this
precious metal, which is now worth about $195 per ounce,
has been carefully investigated. The publication of the
complete bulletin is expected to throw much light on the
subject. It was not until 1910 that the Department
officially took notice of osmiridium among its mineral re-
sources, and then efforts were made to ascertain values
and outputs. These have since been carefully placed on
record, thus enabling the State to enter the world's mar-
kets and attract attention to its new and promising source
of mineral wealth. The Department ascertained in 1910
that 120 oz. had been produced in that year, and by its
assistance the output in the following year was more than
doubled. In 1912 the output rose to 778 oz., and in 1913
it was 1261 oz. This figure would have been far sur-
passed in 1914, it is stated, but for the War, and actually
stood at 1018 oz. in spite of the check the industry re-
ceived. Under the influence of the War for the next
three years the output was 247, 222, and 332 oz., respec-
tively. As osmiridium was a precious metal requisite for
munitions of war, manufacturers, finding their usual
sources of supply cut off, turned their attention to Tas-
mania. This resulted in keen buying, which sent the out-
put up to 1606 oz. in 1918. With the close of the War
the rush collapsed, and for the first quarter of 1919 only
209 oz. was produced, but more stable conditions set in
and the production for the year reached the record total
of 1669J ounces.
The Tasmanian Mines Department recently published
an interesting bulletin on osmiridium mining in Tas-
mania, prepared by Campbell Brown, who personally in-
vestigated the fields. According to this bulletin, the
precious metal is found in various districts in the west
of Tasmania, all of them more or less remote and some-
what distant from each other, yet bound together by a
common invariable feature, namely, the occurrence in the
neighborhood of great masses of serpentine rock. On the
brow of Bald Head, in the Savage River district, facing
Nineteen Mile creek, there is an osmiridium mine which
is quite unique. Here a well-known miner, according to
the official bulletin, has been quarrying solid serpentine
rock for over six years and; by crushing it, obtaining
high-grade metal. He is the first and only miner in the
world, so it is officially noted, to find the precious metal
actually occurring in the solid rock.
The principal use of zinc oxide is in the manufacture
of rubber products, chiefly automobile tires.
- 14, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
241
First -Aid and Mine-Rescue Contest
By F. J. BAILEY
The event of the year, as far as the million miners of
the United States are concerned, is the International
First-Aid and Mine-Rescue Contest that will be held on
September 9. 10, and 11 at Denver, Colorado, under the
auspices of the Bureau of Mines.
The contest will be open to all first-aid and mine-rescue
teams connected with the mining and metallurgical com-
panies of the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Prizes
of gold medals, cups, and banners will be awarded to the
teams most proficient in the art of saving human life. A
number of similar contests have been held in the past by
the Bureau and each succeeding contest has aroused in-
creasing enthusiasm among the mining fraternity.
A little more than ten years ago the Bureau of Mines,
under the late Joseph A. Holmes, its first director, intro-
duced into the mines a new method of life-saving, namely,
the use of oxygen apparatus, which permits trained
rescuers to enter a mine filled with poisonous gases that
would kill in an instant. That allowed the formation of
mine-rescue crews at the mines, and today there is not an
important mining community that does not boast an
expert crew of life-savers. With the trained rescue
miner, wearing the oxygen apparatus, has come the train-
ed first-aid man who takes the victim of a mine disaster
and gives him the emergency aid that may save his life
or prevent him from becoming permanently crippled.
Today there are more than 100,000 men in this country
trained by the Bureau of Mines in modern first-aid or
mine-rescue work, or both, all of them volunteers, ready
to help their own or those in some other place, no matter
RESCUER EQUIPPED WITH OXYGEN APPARATUS
FIRST-AID TEAM FROM BUTTE IN COMPETITION AT PITTSBURGH
242
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 14, 1920
where. The Bureau maintains ten fully equipped mine-
rescue ears with trained crews that visit as many mines
throughout the country as they can, training men in
modern life-saving, and now and then stopping their
work to rush to a disaster and assist in a practical way in
the saving of men from death. The Bureau also main-
tains ten stations and five trucks that perform similar
duties. In this work altogether the Bureau employs 50
trained men.
The mining industry in this country employs more
than a million men, and more than 3000 are killed each
year while at work. This life-saving work has now been
in existence ten years or more, and the records of fatali-
ties show that in that time the lives of 5000 men have
been saved. To state this in another way, had the fatali-
ties been in the same proportion during the last ten j'ears
as in the preceding ten years 5000 more miners would
have lost their lives.
There is such interest in these contests that teams have
been busy all the summer in local and State contests pre-
paring by competition for the big event. California,
Kentucky, Alabama, Indiana, Oklahoma, Virginia, Iowa,
and West Virginia have selected their best teams for the
Denver meeting. The Lehigh Valley Safety Division of
Pennsylvania recently held a 'No Accident' week and
picked out the best teams in their localities to attend the
contest in September.
Last year the contests of the Bureau were held at Pitts-
burgh, with 108 teams participating. This year the
entries close on August 26, and must be filed with the
Bureau at its Pittsburgh office. D. J. Parker, head of
the rescue service, will have charge of the affair.
One of the spectacular events will be an actual demon-
stration of the utility of the aeroplane in rescue work in
transporting engineers and oxygen apparatus to the
scene of a disaster. "While the rescue teams are showing
their proficiency on the field where the contests are to be
held, an alarm of a supposed mine disaster will be tele-
graphed or telephoned to the hangar of the nearest aero-
plane of the TJ. S. Air Service. An aeroplane will be
dispatched to pick up Bureau of Mines men and appa-
ratus, bringing them to the field as quickly as possible.
. Another feature of the meeting will be the formal
presentation of gold medals to miners for deeds of
bravery in saving life in the United States during the last
three years. The awards will be made by Dr. Frederick
G. Cottrell, Director of the Bureau of Mines, in behalf of
the Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association, of which he is
also president.
The Handling of Explosives
Explosives should be stored so that they will be in good
condition for use, so that they will be available when de-
sired, and in such quantities and in such locations as not
to be a menace to life or property, says a recent bulletin
by S. P. Howell, of the U. S. Bureau of Mines. Ex-
plosives will be in good condition if stored in dry well-
ventilated magazines situated on well-drained ground.
They should be purchased in such quantities that they
may be used without an undue period of storage, and
the older explosives of any desired brand and grade
should be used first. The temperature of the storage
place should not exceed 90°F. and the magazine should
be protected by adequate means. Security against pre-
mature explosion or burning is obtained if the magazine
be of incombustible material; if the ground around the
magazine be cleared of combustible debris; if blasting-
caps and electric detonators be not stored in or near the
magazine; if the ventilators be screened to prevent in-
troduction of sparks; if no boxes are opened in or near
the magazine ; if its contents be protected from bullets by
its location or construction of bullet-resisting materials.
Magazines should be situated with respect to uninhab-
ited buildings, public roads, and public railroads, in ac-
cordance with the American Table of Distances. This
table represents the judgment of experts and provides a
material decrease in the distances at which magazines may
be located from buildings, railroads, and roads, if they be
barricaded.
Good practice in the transportation and storage of
explosives presupposes conforming to the following:
(1) Carry detonators and electric detonators, separ-
ated from explosives.
(2) Make-up primers at or near the working place.
(3) Keep electric detonators away from batteries,
blasting machines, and other sources of electric current
until immediately before blasting.
(4) Carry and store explosives at such times and in
such places that, should premature explosion occur, it
will injure the least number of persons.
(5) Keep explosives, fuse, detonators, and electric de-
tonators away from open lights.
(6) Keep black blasting-powder away from electric
currents, and especially do not transport explosives in a
motor unless they are enclosed in a non-conducting re-
ceptacle.
In the preparation of primers and the charging of
holes, the following precautions should be observed :
(1) Use a good quality of fuse and crimp it on the
detonator with cap-crimpers that are in first-class work-
ing condition.
(2) Imbed the detonator or electric detonator in the
cartridge of explosive and secure it firmly in place so
that it may not become separated from the explosive. If
fuse be used with the detonator, it should not be im-
bedded in the cartridge, for side-spitting may ignite the
explosive and the full energy of the explosive be not
obtained. If an electric detonator be used, wire should
not be looped in such a way as to invite a short circuit.
(3) 'Put stemming in the drill-holes and tamp lightly
if close to the explosive.
(4) Use wooden tamping-sticks.
(5) If firing is done electrically, connect the battery
or blasting-machine after ail other connections are made,
and disconnect the battery immediately after firing or
attempting to fire the shot.
(6) Do not use short fuse.
Anguat H. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
243
The Engineer and National Prosperity
By GEORGE OTIS SMITH
•No profession can claim exemption from citizenship.
The constitutional privileges of citizenship are also con-
stitutional obligations, for democracy distributes broad-
cast duties as well as rights. The engineer cannot dodge
his responsibility as a citizen unless he is a conscienceless
slacker. Moreover, even a reconnaissance survey of the
subject is enough to show that the engineer has the mak-
ing of a good citizen.
The best American citizen is and always has been he
who lives not for today so much as for tomorrow. The
pioneer and the volunteer soldier alike choose hardship
and danger that there may be a larger measure of com-
fort and safety in the future. Regard for the future is
not only a good definition of civilization but it is a prac-
tical kind of simple test to apply to our every-day mo-
tives: Are you and I seeking an easy today or a safe
tomorrow ?
Now. as I understand the requirements of effective
citizenship, the engineer measures up to the specifica-
tions: he is forward-looking, he seeks to safeguard the
future, and he is constructive by training and habit.
Need I say much to convince you that while to look
backward is a large part of the lawyer-statesman's code,
to look forward is the professional habit of the engineer ?
Where could be found better evidence of the vision of the
engineer than this city of Washington ? Our first Presi-
dent was successively a civil engineer, a military engi-
neer, and a nation-builder ; and his vision of the America-
to-be was so far-reaching that his contribution to city-
planning has proved no less adequate than beautiful,
even though since he selected this site for the new na-
tion 's capital the population of the United States has in-
creased more than twenty-five fold. Washington the en-
gineer planned for national prosperity and planned well.
The engineer of today also thinks in terms of the
future, and because he ever keeps the factor of safety in
mind as he works I have chosen to call him an insurance
agent of the first magnitude. National prosperity will
not satisfy us unless it is backed up with guaranties of
permanence, and so it is that I appeal to the engineers
to help write this nation-wide endowment policy to run
to the benefit of our children's children. My political
conviction is that tine future of our nation will be largely
what you engineers make it, and national prosperity must
be worked out in terms of the nation's industry. The
public questions of the day are largely matters of pro-
duction and distribution, and however humanistic or
idealistic or altruistic you and I may wish to be, the
future of America can be safeguarded only as the plans
are drawn up by citizens like you, who trust to the eternal
•A speech made at the Engineers Conference at Washing-
ton on June 3.
laws of matter and energy rather than to the broken reed
of political expediency. This industrial nation needs
citizens who will patiently lay solid foundations of fact
and erect upon them structures of just action in which
there is a factor of safety large enough to safeguard the
nation's future prosperity.
The third link that connects the engineer and national
prosperity is his constructive habit. It is not enough to
know the truth ; we have to translate it into action, and
herein lies the distinction I draw between science and
engineering: what science has discovered engineering
must apply. Take this thought over into polities, and the
peculiar usefulness of the engineer-citizen becomes almost
self-evident. He has no use for the abstract except as the
formula or the equation may affect his working plan.
The engineering habit of mind is to trust implicitly the
constants determined by science and tested by experience,
but such faith is only the point of departure — works, not
faith, is the engineer's creed, and it is his task in life to
construct.
Now it is just this constructive tendency that we need
more of in American politics. In political procedure we
use practical engineering simply as a source of figures
of speech — the terms 'log-rolling', and 'wire-pulling',
'steam roller', and 'side-tracking' are suggestive of the
world of work, but only suggestive. In keeping our
political institutions in running order, the legislative
habit is to putty up any cracks in the structure that in-
dicate weakness, without making any inspection of the
foundations. And I regret to record my observation that
in our legislatures, whether State or Federal, we find too
little confidence in experts, possibly because the best of
our scientists and engineers are rarely if ever seen or
heard by those who control matters of statecraft. The
skilful faker has had a standing here in Washington
that he could not get in business circles. However, there
has been some improvement in the status of the specialist,
though even now a well-displayed sensational news item
about a new motor fuel is likely to seem to the legislator
a more acceptable basis for a Government investigation
than a well-considered and therefore conservative state-
ment by a chemical engineer of world-wide repute. Nor
is the perpetual-motion variety of optimist without a
hopeful following. Now it is this condition, this need of
light, that demands a larger interest in politics on the
part of our engineers, not so much through their great
national organizations as in the capacity of individual
citizens.
Our political temper today puts too much stress on
legislation and too little on execution ; we do not even
reach the stage of a working plan. A new law is offered
as the cure-all, whatever the evil that appears, and in
devising the new law often the chief feature sought is
244
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 14, 1920
povelty; at least the remedy proposed must look new.
The engineer's methods are different, both in planning
his new structures and in putting them to use; to meet
new requirements he usually adopts well-tested plans;
he naturally seeks the safety of experience. And his
structure once erected, his machinery installed, or his
process perfected, he provides for its operation in ac-
cordance with his plans. This reliance upon well-tested
facts of experience, this attention 'to the many details
which taken together' provide the requisite factor of
safety, this 'seeing the thing through', are all working
habits that the engineer-trained citizen can well take over
into his political life. As I read American history, I
believe that the intensely practical yet altogether pro-
gressive leadership of George Washington in affairs of
state was possible because he was thoroughly a man of
affairs, an explorer and pioneer, a leader in experimental
agriculture, an administrator of business, a promoter of
inter-state waterways, and even a drainage engineer.
The earliest precedent that we have here in America,
then, is that an engineer makes the best type of Presi-
dent ; but most of us can only aspire to be useful private
citizens, and more useful if active in public affairs.
The constructive habit is sadly needed in these days of
change. The critic is abroad in the land, and he attacks
our institutions as the wrecker rather than as the builder.
My own conception of political reconstruction is best
illustrated by what we have all seen, the erection of a new
railroad bridge. The bridge-engineer may well be taken
as the type of worker we need in public life. You have
seen how. with his plans prepared to the last rivet, he has
replaced the small and inadequate and possibly weakened
bridge with the larger and stronger and up-to-date struc-
ture, and he has done this without interruption to traffic.
His plans provide for one essential that is lacking in too
many Utopian schemes: the bridge workers build up
faster than they tear down, and therefore there is always
a bridge to use.
This nation of ours is a going concern ; indeed, the
rate of our progress is much more rapid than many of
our statesmen realize: Change's must be made to meet
the demands of the heavier traffic, new structures must
be erected, new motive power must be provided, and the
effective citizen of today is one who can see ahead of the
present moment, who can plan to meet safely the de-
mands of the future, and who has likewise the will to
build the needed structures, without tearing down too
rapidly the house of state in which we live. I believe the
engineer is a citizen of just that type.
Imports of sodium salts in 1919 amounted to 522,000
tons, valued at $20,704,000, as compared with 2.111,000
tons, valued at $90,939,000, in 1918. This great decrease
in 1919 was caused almost entirely by a decrease in the
imports of sodium nitrate, which is the sodium salt im-
ported ,in largest quantity, the imports of all other com-
pounds haying actually increased in 1919, over those in
1918. The imports of sodium cyanide, sodium ferro-
cyauide. and sodium sulphide were notably greater.
Gilsonite
Among the natural hydrocarbons are gilsonite, elater-
ite, wurzilite, glance pitch, manjak, grahamite, albertite,
and ozokerite. With the exception of ozokerite and other
mineral waxes, they all more or less resemble asphalt in
that they are dark brown or black bituminous substances
of organic origin, generally with a resinous lustre, .'•
Gilsonite or uintaite is an asphaltite characterized by a
black color, conchoidal fracture, bright to fairly bright
lustre, red-brown streak, specific gravity 1.01 to 1.10.
hardness 2, and a melting point of 250° to 350°F. It
is found only in the United States in a belt in the Uinta
basin, about 65 miles long extending from Rio Blanco
county, Colorado, into Uinta county, Utah, most of the
important veins being in Utah. The veins are more or
less parallel, having a general strike of north-west to
south-east. They vary in thickness from a few inches up
to 18 ft. and some are over 8 miles long. Branch veins
joining the main veins' at very acute angles are common.
The walls, either of limestone or shale, are nearly vertical
and are often so impregnated 'with gilsonite for several
feet that no sharp line of demarcation exists. Close to
the walls the gilsonite has the characteristic columnar
structure perpendicular to the walls which is common to
all asphaltites. Near the outcrop gilsonite loses its bril-
liant lustre and becomes a dull black through weathering.
The methods of mining gilsonite are crude, little ma-
chinery being used. Little or no timbering is necessary,
as the walls are usually strong and stand well. The ore
is hoisted from underground, sorted, and packed in bags.
Two grades are marketed, 'selects' or 'firsts', and 'sec-
onds'. Selects are taken from the centre of the vein and
have a bright lustrous conchoidal fracture. Seconds
come from near the walls and have a semi-conchoidal and
semi-lustrous fracture. In 1918, 31,918 tons, valued at
$863,826, or au average of about $27 per ton f.o.b. cars,
was shipped from this district. Since the freight from
the mines to the railroad averaged about $10 the average
price f.o.b. mines was about $17 per ton. There were
five producers in Utah in 1918. Gilsonite is used princi-
pally for the manufacture of paints, varnishes, and
japans, and it is regarded by some as the most valuable
hydrocarbon for this purpose. Unlike grahamite, gil-
sonite and glance pitch will mix in all proportions with
fatty-acid pitches. Such mixtures are utilized for a great
variety of purposes. Gilsonite is also used to a large
extent in the rubber industry. Pure rubber is sensitive
to heat and cold, but a vulcanized mixture of gilsonite
and rubber has different physical and chemical properties
and will resist both oxidation and changes in tempera-
ture. In such instances gilsonite may not be regarded as
an adulterant but as a valuable constituent. Gilsonite
also is used to some extent in prepared roofings and floor-
ing materials, in paving cements, and. when mixed with
other hydrocarbons, in pressed and molded insulation,
electrical insulating tape. etc. Recent market quotations
for gilsonite are reported at $55 per ton, f.o.b. New
York City. — U. S. Bureau of Mines.
Angual 14. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
B45
:ning
FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS IN THE FIELD
ainiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiimiiitinmiiimHmiimmimiiimimnmimimiihMmiimmimiiiiiimiinMiimiin
ARIZONA
NEW PLANTS ARE UNDER CONSIDERATION
Globe-Miami. — It is reported that the International
Smelting Co. is planning the erection of a large aeid-
plant. The purpose of this plant is to manufacture
sulphuric acid from the smelter fume. Estimates are
made that considerably more than 100 tons of sulphur
is | M.u nd into the atmosphere each day in the form of
sulphur dioxide.' The acid-manufacturing plant will
really be a by-product plant, as it will utilize a consider-
able quantity of this sulphur which is at present lost.
The sulphuric acid produced will be used in the proposed
new leaching-plants which will be constructed by the
Inspiration Consolidated Copper Co. The mixed ores
•will be the first to receive acid treatment. At present
only sulphide ores are being mined and treated by flota-
tion ; there is a high recovery of the sulphides and a low
recovery of the oxides. The next metallurgical step will
be to give the mixed ores the double treatment, first by
flotation and then by leaching with acid solutions. After
this practice has been fully developed, the next step will
be the leaching (without flotation) of ores which contain
oxides only.
The, surplus acid will be shipped to a powder factory
near Benson, Arizona, where it will be utilized in the
manufacture of dynamite in a new plant at that place.
Jt is reported that C. E. Mills, formerly general manager
for the Inspiration Con. Copper Co., is president of the
powder-manufacturing corporation, which, it is under-
Stood, is an association of the copper producers of Ari-
zona, who will in the future manufacture the dynamite
used in their mines from the sulphuric-acid output of
their smelters.
A copper refinery in connection with the International
lelter works is being considered also. This will avoid
iding the pig-copper produced by the International
jiompany to Eastern refineries and the plant will proba-
bly also treat copper produced by neighboring smelters.
|.f the proposed plans materialize, the copper consumer in
le South-West will be saved something like 6000 miles
freight charges on the finished product, which under
ISesent conditions must be shipped to the Eastern sea-
■oard to be refined and then returned to the consumers.
It is reported that the Grand Reef mine, in the Ara-
ai]ia district, in Graham county, about 60 miles north
£ "Wilcox, has been purchased by the Aravaipa Leasing
'o., which is controlled by the American Lead & Zinc
I'ompany.
The last report of the general manager for the Magma
Chief Copper Co. to the stockholders is more favorable
than former reports. Erection of heavy equipment is an-
nounced ; also the fact that the engineers have reported
available ores amounting to 250,000 tons. Doubling of the
reserve within the next 90 days is predicted. Construc-
tion of a 100-ton flotation-plant is to start soon, the report
says. Pending its erection the company plans to send 50
tons of ore daily to the Hayden smelter. Shipments of
ores to the smelter have returned as high as 28% copper
and 10 oz. silver per ton. As the ore comes from the mine
it will average 9% copper and 6 oz. silver, with some gold.
Bisbee-Warren. — The flow of water recently de-
veloped by the Copper Queen Con. Copper Co. in its
Calumet & Cochise shaft, primarily for use in the new
mill, now in course of construction, is sufficiently large
to permit of a portion of it being used for irrigation
purposes by the residents of Warren. This water is re-
markably pure and clear and, coming from a tank high
on the hill above the shaft, a high pressure is developed,
which permits the use of revolving sprays for irrigation.
Patagonia. — A large body of copper ore is reported in
the Wild Horse mine, situated near the 3-R mine, about
seven or eight, miles from Patagonia. Gray brothers,
owners of the Wild Horse, have been in the district ap-
proximately 15 years and are enthusiastic over their find.
H. J. Gray, senior member, was for 17 years superin-
tendent of mines in the Tombstone district.
COLORADO
SILVERTON DISTRICT IS BOOMING.
Cripple Creek. — Production during July, as reported
from the various reduction plants, totaled 38,222 tons ;
average value, $12.10 ; gross bullion-value, $464,568. The
Golden Cycle mill at Colorado Springs treated 17,500
tons of ore averaging $20 ; Independence mill of the
Portland G. M. Co., at Victor, 20,022 tons of ore averag-
ing $3.10. There was shipped direct to smelters 700 tons
averaging $75 per ton. The Portland company paid a
dividend of $45,000 and the Golden Cycle one of $30,000
during July.
Tests on Blue Flag ore at the plant of the Denver
Engineering Works have proved satisfactory, and a flota-
tion unit will be installed at the mill on Raven hill, to be
running by the end of September. Equipment has been
ordered. Development at the 1200 and 1400-ft. levels is
reported to be encouraging both as to the quantity and
grade of ore under development. The Blue Flag com-
246
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 14, 1920
pan}' owns property in the Patagonia mountains, Ari-
zona, and following the recent development on the
World's Pair group, immediately adjoining, the lease
and option to purchase the Blue Flag group has heen
cancelled. The Arizona property is to be operated on
company account. Important discoveries have been made
on the north-west slope of Battle mountain by the Port-
land company, and by the Modoc Consolidated company
on the south-east slope of Bull hill. The Portland dis-
covery, made on the Wisconsin claims, at a depth of 1700
ft., is reported to be rich in gold. The Modoc find was
made at 1300 ft. from the Last Dollar or No. 2 shaft. The
orebody in places measures 40 ft. in width and is of good
milling grade.
Silverton. — San Juan county is experiencing unprece-
dented activity; old mines are resuming and new com-
panies, soiindly financed, are starting. Production will
be far in excess of last year and may reach a new high
mark. The Sunnyside M. & M. Co. has in excess of 400
men on its mine and mill payroll, and a larger force
would be employed at the Eureka property if miners
were obtainable. The mill is running at close to capacity.
The Gold King Extension company is operating three
shifts at mine and mill and heavy shipments of concen-
trate are moving to the smelter at Leadville. High-grade
mill-ore is being concentrated at the Iowa-Tiger mill in
Arrastra gulch and bi-monthly shipments are made to
the Southwestern Leasing Co., operating the property.
The Astor, Copper Bell, Toltec, and Mable mines are in
operation by the United States Mining Corporation and
shipments, it is reported, will shortly be moving. The
Gnome Mining Co., operating the Columbus at Animas
Forks, is opening rich ore in the vein cut last fall; a
milling plant is to be constructed.
Powerful mining machinery is being installed by the
Silverton Mines Co. on its Bandora property in the
South Mineral district, 8 miles south of Silverton. The
Mazeppa mine in the same district will soon be shipping ;
a good grade of ore is now being developed. The Red
Mountain Mines Co., operating the Yankee Girl and
Genessee near the San Juan-Ouray boundary, is ship-
ping to the Durango smelter and the Barstow is produc-
ing and shipping high-grade concentrate to the Durango
plant.
Telluride. — The Smuggler company has a large force
employed clearing away debris from the Pandora fire
in preparation for the new flotation plant. Mine and
store buildings are nearing completion. Machinery for
the plant is arriving. The Valley View Leasing Co. has
its new mill at the Matterhorn in operation and with
large reserves of milling-ore blocked out the plant will
be operated at capacity following test runs.
Aspen. — A gold-bearing vein has been opened by an
irrigation ditch on the Clavel ranch, about eight miles
from the city. Samples assayed gave results of 35 oz.
gold from a 12-in. streak of ore. The owner will develop
the prospect "when he has time", he says. Supplies
have been sent up to the Turley tunnel on Montezuma
mountain by Aspen parties who have financed the locator,
Henry Turley, who located a tunnel-site following the
discovery of a vein of rich silver ore last fall. A mill-
site has also been located. The property has good
prospects.
MICHIGAN
MOHAWK. WOLVERINE. MAYFLOWER.
Calumet. — Mohawk's operations, considering labor
conditions, are continuing at a good rate and openings
are on a par with those of a year ago. Production, how-
ever, is only about 50%, of normal, but this is the gen-
eral ratio that is maintained by most of the Lake Superior
mines. In No. 5 shaft, on the 21st level, drifting is well
under way in both directions. In No. 6, which also is
sinking, the 17th level soon will be cut and drifting will
be started. No. 4 shaft still is producing 'rock' that
yields considerable over 24 lb. per ton on the 24th and
25th levels.
Mohawk is using stope-scrapers to advantage and ar-
rangements are being made to install more of them in at
least two shafts. At the same time experiments are being
made with a 'zinc-field' scraper for use in the levels, and
the miners are confident that the device will be a suc-
cess. So far as is known, the only mines in which such
a scraper is being used are the zinc properties, from
which it derives its name. It is built so that it can draw
the rock up an inclined level and drop it into the cars.
If it fulfils predictions, it may go a long way toward
attaining a goal that the whole Michigan copper region
is seeking and the time when 11-lb. rock can be mined
profitably may not be so far distant, as predicted recently
by James MacNaughton, general manager for the Calu-
met & Hecla. Mohawk and Calumet & Hecla, to a certain
extent, are working together in experiments with stope-
scrapers and there is a likelihood that this device will be
universally adopted for the C. & H. properties. Quiney
also utilizes scrapers in its flat stopes and this method is
usually succesful.
Wolverine will not complete the repairs to its mill for
another week or ten days. Production is not suffering,
however, for a stamp-head in the Mohawk mill has been
allotted to Wolverine. Meantime both No. 3 and 4 shafts
are operating, but, like Mohawk, production is about
50% of the peak. As soon as North Kearsarge is able to
take care of the flow of water that seeps from South
Kearsarge through Wolverine ground, Wolverine will be
able to resume operations from the 38th to the 44th or
bottom level. It is the extensive flow of South Kearsarge
water into Wolverine that necessitated the shortening of
Wolverine's ropes and the temporary abandonment of
operations below the 38th level. There is considerable
ground yet to be worked in the six lowest levels, but the
water makes it impossible to get below the 38th at pres-
ent. Since Wolverine holed through to North Kearsarge
the flow of water is so great that No. 1 shaft of the latter
is used for bailing purposes and all hoisting is being done
in No. 3 and 4. It is understood that Kearsarge has
ordered three large electric pumps to take care of the
water, and once this equipment is in operation a resump-
August 14, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
247
turn of ore-hoisting in No. 1 shaft can be looked for at
once.
Kearearge shows sumo slight improvement in tonnage
since the curtailment at Allouez and Centennial and a
further increase is looked for within another month for a
large number of Allouez and Centennial employees have
been transferred to Kearsarge. The increase in the force
is estimated to be 60 men. Meantime, Allouez is gradu-
ally getting its stopes cleaned up, with rock shipments
since the suspension averaging about 325 tons per day.
No. 2 shaft now is undergoing repairs and as soon as
the interior is re-lined with timber and otherwise over-
hauled, similar operations will be under way in No. 1.
Ahmeek has absorbed the bulk of the Allouez and Cen-
tennial workers and an appreciable increase in the July
production should be noted.
Calumet & Hecla's No. 16 shaft, Osceola amygdaloid.
is hoisting on only one shift, employing about 50% of
and this section may get an adequate share of coal as a
result of this arrangement. C. II. Benedict, metallurgist
for Calumet & Hecla, is the northern Michigan member
of the commission.
In connection with Mayflower's operations, the ques-
tion of 'commercial rock' occasionally is raised. This
may be answered briefly by the statement that the com-
mercial value of rock can be determined only by a mill-
test. Mayflower has about 1000 ft. of openings and less
than one-third of the total are on the Mayflower vein. In
the north drift, not more than 50 ft. was driven through
the lode while in the south, the lode was opened by the
drift, and eastward in the cross-cut. To the west, the cross-
cut penetrated some vein matter, then entered trap and
a mixture, breasting in the foot-wall trap. Grades in
this region cannot be determined by assaying bits of rock,
for the formations are too irregular. Accordingly the
mill-test in a new section comes when a sufficient number
THE IRON CAP MILL AT COPPERHILL, ARIZONA
the normal force. The production of other Osceola-lode
shafts has dropped proportionately, while shipments
from the shafts on the conglomerate have not been as
heavy as last winter or early in the spring. With the
reclamation plant producing at the rate of close to
1,400,000 lb. of refined copper per month, decreases in
rock-shipments are not felt seriously, and while the labor
problem has been one of the most serious that the Michi-
gan copper mines have had to solve for the past six years,
the fuel shortage has presented even greater difficulties.
Although shipments have been coming with greater fre-
quency during the past week or ten days, receipts must
he far greater if a winter's supply is to be put in storage
before the navigation season closes. Far removed from
the coalfields, the only economical way in which fuel can
he shipped is by water, but other lake ports are crying
just as loudly for help as the Michigan copper country.
The State of Michigan, however, has taken a hand in the
?uel situation by the appointment of a fuel commission.
of tons, probably 300 to 500 tons, of vein rock have been
accumulated. It is Mayflower's intention to stock a
sufficient quantity of rock to warrant a mill-run after the
developments proceed farther. In the absence of such a
test, the best barometer is the miners' experienc as he
sees the openings from day to day. The Mayflower lode
contains fine copper, in granular form, and the miners
who helped to sink the shaft are confident that where the
formation is regular, the rock will be commercial.
NEVADA
DEVELOPMENT MILL AT GOLDPIELD IS TREATING 100 TONS
PER DAT.
Oreana. — The Pershing County Mines Co. is buying
machinery to be used in re-opening the Jersey mine,
which is credited with a production in the '70s of $200,-
000 to a depth of 75 ft. The company has an option on
the Montezuma, from which a good production also was
248
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PEESS
August 14. 1920
made in the '70s. The company was promoted by Glenn
D. Cook of Salt Lake City, and the principal stockholders
are Salt Lake City men. Cook shipped $75,000 worth of
ore from dumps before organizing the company for deep
work. A 100-ft. shaft on the Montezuma is to be sunk to
200 ft., where a cross-cut will be driven to the vein. In
the early days a shaft sunk on the Montezuma passed out
of the ore at a depth of 75 ft., but the ore, raking west, is
reported to have been found in a drift that is now caved.
The shoot was 100 ft. long and 5 to 15 ft. wide. The ore
contained jamesonite, a sulph-antimonite of lead ; bind-
heimite, an amorphous antimonate of lead formed by
alteration of the jamesonite, cerussite. gypsum, and anti-
mony. The Montezuma and Jersey mines are four miles
from .Oreana, which is on the Southern Pacific in Persh-
ing county.
Carson. — J. F. Shaughnessy, of the Nevada Public
Service Commission, declares the 25% increase in freight
rates granted to the railroads operating in the mountain
States "will seriously cripple, if not destroy, Nevada's
mining industry". He thinks the new rates will result
in decreased revenue for the railroads operating in Ne-
vada, as he says it will result in the closing of many mines
now shipping. In illustration of this, he points to the
Virginia Louise mine at Pioche, now giving the Los An-
geles & Salt Lake road $300,000 gross earnings annually.
The Virgina Louise is operating on a profit of 50e. on
each ton of ore shipped. Mr. Shaughnessy also said that
the increased rates possibly will amount to more than the
net earnings of the Nevada Consolidated at Ely. Mine
operators of the State have feared the effect of the in-
crease, as it will be felt not only by the companies ship-
ping ore, but companies working prospects will be com-
pelled to pay much more for everything used, from pow-
der to food for the miners.
Arrowhead.— A 3-ft. width of ore assaying $500 per
ton has been opened in the 150-ft. west drift on the 100-
ft. level of the Arrowhead, according to A. H. Blftman,
consulting engineer to the company. Drifting has been
started on the 267-ft., or bottom, level. The Consolidated
is drifting from a cross-cut to the vein at a depth of
215 ft. Drifts are being driven east and west in a body
of quartz giving low assay returns. J. H. Goodman and
S. H. Williams of Ely have bought the Signal claims,
adjoining the Arrowhead on the south-west and it is
reported that they will organize a company to develop
the group. A 100-ft. shaft was sunk by former owners
and this can be continued by the new company.
Rochester. — The mines here and the Nevada Packard
are closed because of lack of power and they are not ex-
pected to re-open for more than a month. Electric power
for the district is furnished by a company using water
from the Lahontan reservoir at Fallon, which is prac-
tically exhausted.
Ely. — The Nevada Consolidated mined 791,151 tons
of ore of an average value of $3.27i from April 1 to July
1. The gross value of the ore was $2,591,348. Cost of
management was $47,562 ; mining, $607,187 ; transporta-
tion. $256,393; reduction and sales. $1,438,237, making
a total cost of $2,349,379. The net realization was $241,-
968. No ore was mined by the Coppemiines company
during the quarter. Royalties received from lessees
amounted to $2231 net. The cost of management was
$10,539 and mining, $78,018, leaving a net loss of $88,-
557.
Tolicha. — The W. J. Loring interests are negotiating
for the purchase of the Southey group of claims, two
miles from the Harney group. Southey has fixed the
■ price at $50,000 and he is in Goldfield awaiting the ar-
rival of those who are expected to close the sale. Other
sales of claims are reported to be pending on the strength
of recent developments in drifts from the Harney tunnel.
Goldfield. — The Silver Pick has secured a lease on
practically all of the Red Top mine of the Development
company, including the part in which a large tonnage
was broken by the Development in two blasts about a
year ago. The lease was granted because the Silver Pick
can mine the ore more economically than the Develop-
ment and return a better profit to the Development than
if that company did the work, according to Mat Murphy,
superintendent for the Silver Pick. The Development
has no air-compressor available for this work and air
from the Silver Pick can be used with little expense.
The workings are in good condition and the Silver Pick
expects to make a good production of ore assaying $10
to $20 from them, in addition to opening higher-grade
ore in the foot-wall of the vein. The Pick is shipping
regularly to the Development mill, which is treating
daily 100 tons of ore from several sources.
The Deep Mines Co. has announced that the proposed
3000-ft. shaft will be sunk on the southern end of the
Combiantion claim, east of the Atlanta. There is a two-
compartment shaft at this point that is thought to be
400 to 600 ft. deep. This will be enlarged to four com-
partments and sinking will be started from it, with two
shifts of miners employed. Nine men are building a road
to the shaft and excavating for the foundation for a 75-
hp. hoist, which will be used until sinking is started.
The Merger equipment, capable of hoisting from 4000 ft.,
will then be used. H. G. McMahon, secretary for the
company, says the exchange of stock "has been success-
ful to a marked degree". The Kewanas has secured a
lease from the Deep Mines. A small compressor will be
used in driving a cross-cut from the 825-ft. level of the
Merger shaft to prospect a vein that has produced ore
from the surface to 300 ft., but which has not been pros-
pected below that depth except by a cross-cut at 600 ft.,
which shows the vein to be 15 ft. wide. Assays as high as
$6 were secured in the cross-cut. Regular shipments of
ore assaying $12 to $24 are being made to the Develop-
ment mill from the Cracker Jack lease on the Florence.
UTAH
UTAH METAL PRODUCTION.
Sam Lake Citt. — Some interesting figures on the min-
eral output of the State have been compiled by Henry M.
Adkinson, mining engineer of Salt Lake City, from re-
ports of the V. S. Geological Survey. Since the discovery
of metal in Utah in 1863 to the close of 1919, the total
August H. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
249
value of the gold output of Utah has been $98,138,503;
of silver. $298,109,421 : of copper, $426,034,339; of lead,
$207,508,430; and of sine, $17,751,225, making a grand
total of $1,047,641,934. Up to the close of 1917, Bing-
ham had an output of $419,699,686; Park City, $169,-
814,024; Tintic district, $180,401,804, and Eorty-sLs
other districts, $146,239,823, making a grand total of
$916,155,337. The total value of 1 1 1 « - 1918 mineral out-
put of tin- State was *S6.l)47.r>!IT and of the 1919 output.
$45,439,000, but figures showing the distribution of these
totals among the various mining camps have not yet been
prepared.
KtKKKA. — A mechanical shoveling machine, of a sim-
ple and practical type, has been developed at the Tintic
Standard mine. So far as is known, this is the tirst
time the device has been used underground. On the
1100-ft. level of the mine, in the main north-south min-
eral channel; a large stope of dry silicious silver ore,
which averaged over 30 oz. in silver per ton. has been
opened. A road-seraper. handled by two men. is being
used to load the broken ore into mine-ears. A
small air-hoist has been set up. from which is
run a steel cable to the scraper. The scraper is
loaded and hauled up on inclined slide to the
ears by this cable. About two seraperloads fill
a mine-ear. and much hard labor is saved. On
this level the temperature is so high that it is
almost impossible for shovelers to work with
comfort. This new stope of silicious ore on the
1100-ft. level is about 100 ft. west of No. 2
shaft. So far as present developments indicate,
the ore is from 40 to 50 ft. wide. The ore-zone
has been proved to a depth of 1400 ft. ; on the
1450-ft. level, a raise has been put up for a dis-
tance of 50 ft. in a stope of high-grade galena,
which contains considerable silver.
Shipments for the week ended July 31 to-
taled 146 cars, of which the Chief Consolidated
shipped 46; Tintic Standard, 27; Eagle & Blue
Bell, 15; Dragon, 10; Iron Blossom, 8; Mam-
moth, 7; Grand Central, 7; Iron King, 6; Gemini, 4;
Victoria, 3 ; Swansea, 3 ; Bullion Beck, 3 ; Centennial
Eureka, 3 ; Zuma, 1 ; Victor, 1 ; Alaska, 1 ; and Gold
Chain, 1.
It is announced that the Knight interests will tem-
porarily suspend work at the Tintic drain-tunnel. It is
understood that this also means that operations will be
suspended in the Ruby Hill shaft, which has been sunk to
a depth of 700 ft. About 25 men are being employed in
the tunnel and almost as many at the shaft. The Knight
people state that they have no intention of abandoning
the drain-tunnel, but the large stockholders do not feel
like meeting the heavy assessments at the present time.
It is hoped that work will be resumed by fall.
It is reported that one of the Salt Lake valley smelters
is trying to make a deal for the treatment of the big mill-
dump of the Mammoth Mining Co. Figures on file in
the office of the company indicated that the dump con-
tains 250,000 tons and that its metal content averages
close to $7 per ton on the basis of present metal prices.
The Mammoth is one of the pioneer properties in this
camp, and at various times in the- past, offers have been
made the company for the treatment of the tailing, aone
of which has been accepted.
PARK City. — The .lodge Mining it Smelting Co. has
prepared plans for a new office building to supplant the
one now occupied in Empire Canyon. In addition to
office-rooms, there will he a large drafting-room, as well
as change-rooms, equipped with the latest drying para-
phernalia, shower-baths, etc., for the employees. The
Park I'tah company has its tirst lot of ore at the Daly-
West loading-station awaiting transportation to the rail-
way. Conditions at the property are reported as ex-
cellent. Shipments for the week ended July 31 totaled
1901 tons, as compared with 2349 tons for the preceding
period. The Silver King Coalition shipped 693 tons;
the Ontario 550 tons; the Judge M. & S., 419 tons; the
Daly-West, 119 tons; Daly, 60 tons; and the Naildriver,
60 tons.
Alta. — Unwatering of the workings of the Old Colum-
SIMON-CONTACT SHAFT NEAR MINA, NEVADA
bus Consolidated mine was accomplished recently by the
connection made between the Wasatch Mines tunnel and
the 400-ft. level. The Wasatch Mines tunnel was started
not only for the purpose of tapping the Columbus work-
ings at depth, but to furnish transportation and drain-
age for the other Alta mines. Some twenty years ago,
the Columbus Consolidated was a producer of high-grade
ore. When the 400-ft. level was reached, trouble with
water prevented economical operation. All operations
were suspended, and later the Wasatch Mines Co. ac-
quired the property and started the main working-tun-
nel. When the face of the tunnel had been advanced
5538 ft. from the portal, a cross-cut was driven along the
fissure 250 ft. back of the face until the Cardiff over-
thrust contact, in which the richest mineralization was
found in the Columbus workings, was intersected. Drift-
ing was started along this fissure. At a distance of ap-
proximately 500 ft. from the point at which the tunnel
left the main adit, the contact was cut. On this contact
a two-compartment, 9 by 5-ft. raise, has been made in
250
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 14. 1920
good milling ore. One foot of the ore is excellent ship-
ping product, averaging $70 per ton in gold, silver, lead.
and copper. The management made the connection with
the 400-ft. level 140 ft. above the cross-cut. "When the
connection was made, a flow of water, four feet deep in
the adit, flowed for 24 hours. The No. 3 shaft had 70 ft.
of water and several miles of drifts, tunnel, etc.. were
full of water.
WISCONSIN
DISTRICT IS STILL SHORT OF MIXERS.
Higher average prices paid for zinc and lead ore
maintained production through July in spite of critical
labor conditions. Several large producers suspended out-
put on account of an acute shortage of shovelers, and
two others shut-down because their ore deposits were ex-
hausted. The better tone in the slab-zinc market is the
natural result of curtailed output of zinc ore in other
districts, especially in the Tri-State region. A reserve in
in the Wisconsin field, conservatively estimated at 10.000
tons of green concentrate, is held principally by magnetic
ore-separating plants and a few of the large zinc-opera-
tors. This reserve remained practically untouched
through the month of July and should price offerings for
high-grade blende continue at the base reported for this
month it is probable that this reserve will be disposed
of quickly. While there was a feeling of gloom spread
over the field prior to July 1. this gave way to a more
cheerful attitude as prices began to climb, and the close
of the month found many with the disposition to renew
exploration work, undertake new construction, and ex-
tend the scope of operations generally. The fly in the
ointment is the scarcity of shovelers. Many competent
miners have been attracted to the harvest fields, and not
until one of the best crops known to the district is gath-
ered will there be any relief from this quarter. Negroes
have been obtained in fair numbers and it is said they
develop into good miners. Wages are the highest ever
known to the field and husky shovelers willing to work
can on contract earn as high as $12 per shift.
High-grade refinery blende opened up the first week
of the month on a base of $48 per ton. Production of
raw ore at mills rau close to 3300 tons for the week, and,
strangely, as fast as offerings advanced production de-
ci eased. The scarcity of men was responsible. On July
10 offerings were advanced to $49.25 per ton. base, and
penalties were not considered. €)n July 24 the price ad-
vanced to $53. with the latitude on zinc assays widened.
The closing week saw high-grade zinc ore selling on a
range of $51 to $53. with choice grades in good demand.
The recovery of low-grade zinc ore fell to 2000 tons per
week during the last three weeks of the month and it is
safe to say that under present conditions not much larger
yield may be anticipated. Only the larger and better de-
posits are being mined where working forces are not
normal.
Lead ore. which ruled high this year at $110 per ton.
suffered repeated cuts until the price was brought down
at the beginning of the month to $90 per ton. 80% metal
content. About mid-month an advance was made, bring-
ing the price back to $92.50 per ton. Without much prior
notice another advance came quickly to $100. A growing
scarcity of ore is mainly responsible for the advance in
the price of supplies available, but a shortage is evident
as the lowered production of zinc mill-feed is mainly
responsible for the decreased output of lead ore. No
published figures were given out in the closing days of
the month, but lead-ore buyers were scouring the district
for stocks and offerings had advanced to $104 for choice
lead concentrate. It was predicted freely that the ground
lost would be recovered shortly and that lead ore would
again command the high price of earlier in the year,
namely, $110 per ton. The reserve in the field at the
close of the month exceeded 1000 tons of lead concen-
trate. The lead deposits for which the Wisconsin field
was famous in early days seem to have been well searched
out by the pioneer miners.
Iron pyrite is in poor demand, the only shipper being
tie Zinc Concentrating Co.. of New York, with deliveries
to the General Chemical Co. The operation of a new
sulphuric-acid plant for the Vinegar Hill interests, at
Cuba City, was thought would benefit the market, but
this conclusion was wrong. The fumes necessary to
manufacture acid are taken up in the process of zinc-ore
separation and raw pyrite is not necessary. Shipments
of carbonate-zinc ore were low and confined to clean-up
shipments, as the mines have all suspended operations in
the northern districts of the field, from which this grade
of ore has been principally obtained.
Deliveries by districts, for July, to magnetic separat-
ing plants in the field were made as follows:
District Zinc ore. lb. Lead ore. lb.
Benton 9.830.000 304.000
Livinirston 6.068.000 60.000
Cuba City 2.808.000 102.000
Galena 1.802.000 236.00O
Platteville 1.286.400
ShulUburs 1.164.000 70.000
Hazel Green 552.000
Bay Siding 538.000
Highlands 240.000
Linden 500.000
Total 24.7SS.400
:.ooo
The recovery of milled concentrate for the month at
mines amounted to 12.394 tons, all ore being disposed
of on current output. Net deliveries of high-grade blende
shipped to smelters amounted to 7205 tons, distributed
as follows:
Company Lb.
Mineral Point Zinc Co 7.202.000
National Ore Separators 3.470.000
Wisconsin Zinc Co 2.406.000
Block-House Mining- Co 804.000
Zinc Concentrating Co 528.000
Total 14.410.000
The closing down of the Champion mine, in the Benton
district, on account of a shortage of shovelers removed
the best individual producer in the field. The mine has
averaged 300 to 400 tons of zinc concentrate weekly. The
Blewett mine, in the Galena district, also shut-down ; the
low price for 40"^ zinc concentrate was stated as the
cause for the suspension. The Bull Moose mine resumed
shipments, for the time being at least, in order to relieve
congestion at ore-bins.
si 14. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
251
ItltlTISH COLUMBIA
REPORT OP siiAi:u<\iiTii HIKES, LTD.
is.- The report of the Silversmith Min.s, Ltd.,
for the year ended May 31, 1920, shows that 13,400 tons
of ore was mined during the year, producing 280 tons of
shipping ore. S:!4 tons of lead concentrate, and 96S tons
of zinc concentrate. The total income from ore and con-
centrate was $205,996' and the net profit $14,350. A
shortage of water, due to severe frost early in the winter.
-Hated the closing of the mill on December 2, and
the unusually late spring prevented it being re-started
before May 13. Added to this loss of five months at the
mill, the mine and mill were closed by a strike for two
weeks. But for these two causes the output of concen-
trate would have been considerably greater, which is
demonstrated by the fact that since the re-starting of the
mill more than $100,000 has been received for sale of
■concentrate. This, however, goes into next year's ac-
count. The mine is in excellent physical condition. The
ore-shoot that, was found on No. 10 level in 1918 has
been developed on No. 8 level, where it is as strong and
rich as on No. 10. It is estimated that enough ore lias
been proved to keep the mill running at its present ca-
pacity for the next seven years. L. H. Bigger, of Mont-
real, has purchased Pat McGuire's share in the Ottawa
mine, and will place a mill of his own design on the
property. Mr. Bigger is in Montreal financing the enter-
prise. Mr. Griffin and associates have found a strong
vein of silver-lead ore on Lincoln creek. George Aylard
and his associates in the Standard mine have taken a
lease and option on the Wellington property, in the
Whitewater district. The Standard mine is known to be
•approaching exhaustion, the vigorous development of the
last, two years having disclosed nothing of a lasting
nature. The owners of the property, therefore, are anx-
ious to find another mine to provide feed for their mill
and employment for their staff. The last dividend was
passed and some $300,000 set aside for this purpose.
There is much activity in Kaslo camp.
Vancouver. — J. W. D. Moodie has resigned from the
management of the Britannia mine, and, after a long
holiday, will reside in California. B. B. Nieding, who has
been operating mines in the State of Washington, has
been appointed to fill Mr. Moodie 's place. Mr. Moodie
has been in charge of the Britannia for many years, and
his foresight and energy have done much toward placing
the mine in its present excellent physical state. The
British Columbia 'Gazette' shows that five or six mining
•companies are being organized each week in this city.
Prince Rupert. — H. Smith, representative of the
American Smelting & Refining Co:, has made an examina-
tion and sampling of the Sunrise mine, at Nine-mile
mountain, which the company has under option. Pros-
pectors are active at Kleanza mountain, near Usk; Lind-
'erland and Wells have started work on the Peerless group,
■at the head of Kleanza creek ; Bell and Gall are develop-
ing the Sunset group. High-grade ore is being developed
by J. D. Wells, at the New Era group, near Usk. To
facilitate prospecting, work is to be started at once on a
trail up Kleanza creek. Good Samples have been taken
from the Hole in the Ground group, near Prince lieorge.
'I'll.' vein has I n Ira 1 for 600 ft. The tunnel at the
Babine Bonanza mine, in (he Telkwa section, is now in
850 It. During the last 75 ft. of driving the vein lias
widened from six inches to two Eeet, and is good milling
ore.
Victoria. — It is understood that, owing to the high cost
of labor and supplies and the unsatisfactory condition
of the copper market, the Consolidated Mining & Smelt-
ing Co. will defer the erection of a concentrating plant at
the Sunloch mine, about 40 miles from here. Develop-
ment work will be continued at the mine. A contract for
diamond-drilling has been let to the Diamond Drill Con-
tracting Co., of Spokane, and the drills are being shipped
to the mine.
Stewart. — R. K. Neil, pai-t owner of the Premier mine,
NEAR THE BRITANNIA MINE, BRITISH COLUMBIA
in discussing operations on that property, stated that a
cyanide plant, with a capacity of 100 tons per day, is
being installed and would be ready for use early next
year.
There are some 100 claims staked in the Marmot River
district and on many, development work is in progress.
George Clothier, government mining engineer, recently
made a tour of inspection through the district with a view
to ascertaining the extent of the necessary road and trail
improvements. The B. C. Exploration Co. is heavily in-
terested in this section and W. L. Uglow, geologist for the
company, has completed an examination and is preparing
a report. P. D. I. Honeyman, for the same company, has
a small crew of men at work on the Salmon River Lode
Mining Co.'s property, situated near the Big Missouri
group. Among the properties under development in the
Bear River valley are the Bayview, situated just back of
Stewart, from which a trial shipment is to be made soon :
252
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 14, 1920
the Lakeview, which is being worked by Al. Harris on
tehalf of P. Welch and associates; the Fitzgerald group,
which is to be explored by diamond-drill by the Al-
guuican Development Co. ; and the Nabob and Redtop
groups.
Alice Arm. — The Dolly Varden is shipping an average
of 150 tons of ore per day and preparations are being
made for the extension of the railway to the "Wolf claims
s.tuated a short distance north of the mine. The Torie,
Tiger, Musk, Silver Horde, Climax, and other prospects
are being opened up. Surface-stripping is being done on
the La Rose group with satisfactory results and good
showings are reported on the Wild Cat, North Star, and
Foyal groups.
Quesnel. — Once again R. T. Ward, of the Bullion
Placer Leases, has been heard of in connection with litiga-
tion. Having won his long drawn-out suit with John
Hopp it was thought that the operation of the long dis-
used property would follow without delay. Some of
Ward's associates, however, challenged his right to retain
control or the management of the project. For a time it
looked as though there might be another sustained fight
through the courts. However, it now appears that a
settlement, said to be generally satisfactory, has been
reached and that the well known property soon will be
put on an operating basis.
ONTARIO
SILVER BEING STORED AT COBALT.
Cobalt. — At the time of writing, silver stocks at the
mines of Cobalt are increasing. A total of about three
million ounces of bullion is stored in the local vaults.
Using cars with a capacity of 30 tons each, four such
carloads of refined silver are being held pending higher
prices. The Nipissing alone has nearly two carloads. It
is believed that if silver producers in other countries
would adopt a similar policy they would frustrate the
designs of certain financial interests to hold the price of
silver down. An incident of peculiar interest ;s the dis-
covery of gold-bearing quartz at a depth of 800 ft. on
the Crown Reserve mine where heretofore native silver
has been the only precious metal. Gold assays run as
high as $12 per ton, but the quantity is decidedly limited.
Oil-flotation equipment, being installed at the Temis-
kaming plant, is expected to be ready to operate by the
end of September. Although this company has not paid
any dividends so far this year, ft is learned that the sur-
plus amounts to nearly $1,000,000. This compares with
$864,016 at the end of 1919. It is understood another
dividend disbursement is under consideration similar to
that of 4%, made in December of last year.
The' construction of an 80-ton mill on the Keeley Silver
Mines in South Lorrain is proceeding satisfactorily, and
production is expected to commence within the next 90
days. Underground work is steadily adding to the
amount of ore in sight, and the indications are that mill-
beads may average between 30 and 40 oz. silver per ton.
Attracted by reports of a rich silver discovery thirty
miles from Amos, in north-western Quebec, a large num-
ber of prospectors from the Cobalt district joined in a
rush to that field. They allege that after examining the
find, it is evident to them that the silver was placed there
by human agencies.
The shaft on the Oxford-Cobalt property is to lie con-
tinued from the present point of 150 ft. to 250 ft. Only
lean silver ore has been found on the 150-ft. level. No
silver discoveries have so far been reported as a result
of throwing the Gillies Limit open for prospecting, al-
though quite a number of claims have been staked.
Porcupine. — Figures covering the second quarter show
that mining costs have been increased to a considerably
greater extent than was anticipated. At the Hollinger
Consolidated it was estimated that the increased rate of
wages would add about 25c. per ton to the cost of treat-
ment, but the actual increase is more than double that
amount. It had been expected that the higher pay wrould
attract larger forces, and that increased efficiency would
hold the extra cost down to 25c. per ton, but the increased
efficiency has not been apparent. It is realized, however,
that the raising of wages was necessary in order to pre-
vent a further decline in the number of men employed,
and that otherwise the company might not have been able
to 'carry -on' even at the present reduced capacity. As
costs last year at the Hollinger averaged close upon $5
per ton. the figure this year will probably be about $5.50.
The Mclntyre has opened up for nearly a quarter of a
mile vein No. 5 at the 1125- ft. level, where it has a width
of from 9 to 10 ft. with gold content averaging $18 to
the ton. The orebody extends into the Jupiter claim.-
The shareholders of the Porcupine Vipond-North Thomp-
son have ratified the proposed sale of 600,000 shares of
treasury stock to a syndicate represented by Hamilton B.
Wills. Immediate delivery is to be made of 200.000
shares at 15c, the purchasers holding an option on 200,-
000 more at 30c. at six months, and a further option on
another 200,000 at ten months at 50c. The mine will be
re-opened soon.
In the early days of the Porcupine camp Bewick,
Moreing Co., an English concern, secured a large number
of claims and a large block of Hollinger stock. It dis-
posed of the latter to considerable advantage, but the
outbreak of the War prevented the working of its proper-
ties. It is now stated that a new company is being organ-
ized to take over the Bewick-Moreing interests, and that
financial arrangements have been effected which will
enable them to operate.
Kirkland Lake. — At the Bidgood, the vein on which
the main shaft was sunk dipped out of the shaft. It was
tapped by a cross-cut 70 ft. in length at the 200-ft. level,
where it was found to have widened out to 16 ft. A vein
some distance from the shaft on the surface dipped into
the workings at a depth of 240 ft. It shows a width of
25 ft. and is being sampled as the work proceeds.
Rapid progress is being made with the mill of Wright-
Hargreaves, which will be the largest in the district with
a daily capacity of from 150 to 200 tons. The structure
is almost completed, and the equipment is being installed
— two crushers, a ball-mill, and two tube-mills are now
i: . place.
August 14. 1!»L'0
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
253
CALIFORNIA
Bishop. — Preparations are being made to start the mill on
the Wilshire gold property about the end of September. A
force of 60 men has been steadily at work developing the
mine since last May in order to furnish the mill with a con-
tinuous supply of ore at the rate of 150 tons per day. A
body of ore 420 ft. long and about 15 ft. wide with an
average gold content of $11 has been developed on the
second level with ore still in both faces. Crushing will be
clone with an Allis-Chalmers ball-mill, which will be fol-
lowed by K & K flotation machines.
Redding. — Erection of the building recently purchased
from the Balaklala Copper Co. by the Shasta Zinc & Copper
Co. will start at Winthrop in a short time. Dismantling of
tne structures at Coram, including the old Balaklala smelter,
which cost upward of $1,000,000, is to start this week and
the material will be moved to Winthrop as rapidly as possi-
ble. Considerable work has begun near Winthrop with more
men employed as they can be obtained. The Shasta Zinc
& Copper Co., controlled by the Jackling interests, has taken
an option on the Arps and Michigan groups, in the Bully
Hill region, and is reported negotiating for other nearby
properties. On the bottom levels of the Bully Hill mine a
large deposit of high-grade ore has been exposed with zinc
largely predominating. Plans of the company include erec-
tion of a reduction plant and a heavy output of zinc and
copper. Some silver and gold are also found.
Sonora. — Operations have been suspended at the Shawmut
mine, the largest producer in Tuolumne county, by the Bel-
mont Development Co. of Tonopah. It is stated that al-
though the ore is of good grade with a large tonnage blocked
out, the steadily mounting labor and material costs have
made closing of the property advisable. A small force will
be kept at work to keep the shaft unwatered and in repair.
The Shawmut is one of the famous Mother Lode mines and
produced millions before passing into the control of the
Belmont company. Under the new control the shaft was
deepened, new ore deposits opened, and mine-plant and mill
greatly improved. It is stated that operations on the old-
time scale will be resumed as soon as gold mining approaches
its pre-war status. A large mill has been erected on the
Morning Star group, formerly the Boston, seven miles south-
east of Jackson. The property contains large bodies of
medium-grade ore near surface and the ground is to be
worked on a large scale. The Boston was long noted for its
yield of rich ore, but much medium-grade product is said
to have been ignored by early-day operators. New York
capitalists control the property.
IDAHO
Coeur d'Alene. — The Jack Waite company, in the Coeur
d'Alene, has commenced hauling ore from its mine, 13
miles to Prichard, making two trips per day. The mine has
several cars of ore ready to be hauled for shipment to the
smelter. Some of the ore is first class and some hand-jigged.
The ore runs 65 to 70% lead, with 5 to 7 oz. silver per ton.
The Hecla Mining Co. is shipping 2700 to 2800 tons of
high-grade crude ore and concentrate per month, according
to James F. McCarthy, president and general manager. It
is hoisting 600 to 700 tons daily. The mine and mill are
operated on a basis of six days per week. Three hundred
men are employed. The orebody opened on the 2000-ft.
level of the main workings has been followed by drifting for
500 ft. It is 16 ft. wide and contains ore like that on the
1600-ft. level, the next above, in which the grade is good.
The drift on this level is 1600 ft. long, considerable work
having been done before the ore was reached. Movement
of ore by truck from the Idaho-Continental to the railway at
Porthill. 2 6 miles distant, has been resumed. Four trucks
are required in addition to the eight owned by the company;
1300 tons of lead-silver concentrate, slime, and crude ore
has been accumulated in the period of suspended hauling,
and slime and concentrate at the rate of 20 tons daily is
being made. Eight trucks will haul 50 tons per day by
making eight round trips. The company has a full crew of
miners and shovelers. but needs mill men and several road
repairmen; 125 men are employed at present.
MISSOURI
.Top tin. — What is considered one of the most remarkable
drill-holes ever completed in the district is that on the Acme
lease of the Hurlbut land, a block of the Butte-Kansas Min-
ing Co.'s holdings. Ore was entered in the hole at 155 ft.
and continued with more or less richness to a depth of 365
ft. — or a continuous run of 210 ft. The average assay for
this deposit was 6.54% zinc. Cuttings were taken from
every five feet of drilling. With the exception of a few feet,
the entire orebody is considered workable. The lease, a
40-acre tract, is situated west of the Waco No. 2 mill, oper-
ated by the Barnsdall interests. L. P. Buchanan of Joplin
is manager of the Butte-Kansas. The discovery is a con-
tinuation of the big deposits that have been developed in
the Waco field, and the orebodies are believed to be the
largest yet developed in the Joplin district.
Practically the same run of ore obtained on the Butte-
Kansas lease was found on the Waco No. 2 and the High
Five properties, controlled by Franks and Danglade. Other
big deposits have been blocked out on portions of the 400-
acre tract controlled by Franks and Danglade.
Three drill-holes have been completed on the Gascho
lease on the Olsen land, which show an average assay of
ore of 5.9 8% between 300 and 350 ft. An average face
of 35 ft. was developed.
NEVADA
Beatty. — The Continental Fluorspar Co.. operating in the
Bare mountains, has discharged all of the miners and prac-
tically has closed until new machinery can be secured. The
grinder has caused trouble by the fluorspar caking in it and
it is reported that clay mixed with the fluorspar has been
found in larger quantity than usual in recent work. The
company expects to resume in a month with a new grinder.
Cactus. — Drifts on the 265-ft., or bottom level, of the
Cactus Nevada continue to open ore of erratic value, but
which could be treated at a' good profit in a mill on the
claims. Some rich ore is being found in small lenses. The
Cactus Leona is preparing to start work.
Montezuma. — The Montezuma Silver mine has been closed,
the reason given being bad roads. It is rumored that a
254
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 14, 1920
shake-up of officials is due and that the real reason for the
closing is dissatisfaction of the New York men interested
with recent expenses, which are said to have been unusually
beavy.
Virginia City. — An air-compressor has been erected at the
place on American flat from which driving of the tunnel of
the United Comstock Mines Co. will be started from the
surface. The tunnel also will be driven from several old
shafts. The mill to be built by the company will be con-
structed on American flat at the portal of the tunnel, which
will be 8 ft. wide and 8 ft. high. The shafts are being put
in condition so that driving can be started from them. The
Imperial shaft has been sunk to 575 ft., the depth from
which the tunnel will be driven. It is planned to replace
the steam-hoist used for years at the C. & C, one of the
north end mines, with a 400-hp. electric hoist, which will
Tesult in an estimated saving of $40,000 yearly. The vein
has been entered in a cross-cut from the 370-ft. shaft of the
Comstock Silver Mining Co. The cross-cut is being con-
tinued through the vein and low assays are being secured.
WASHINGTON
Stevens County. — Nine chimneys have been opened on the
property of the Gladstone Mountain company, and in eight
of them lead ore has been found. Some sulphide and car-
bonate exists in all. Chimney No. 2, in which a 100-ft. shaft
has been sunk, has yielded three or more carloads of lead
sulphide witn a net value of $83 to $98 per ton. A carload
of 46 tons, shipped recently, returned $4488 net. The car-
bonate ore removed from the several chimneys lies on the
dump for the present. From the No. 8 chimney, a carload
of lead sulphide has been shipped, another prepared for
shipment, and a carload of carbonate will be shipped. This
ore was removed from a shaft that penetrates the body for
20 ft. vertically and has an area of 8 by 8 ft. Some of the
chimneys will be followed by shafts and others will be ex-
plored by drifts from a depth of 100 ft. The ore removed
by the Gladstone in the last 10 months has supplied all the
money used in exploration except that advanced to start the
work and install equipment. Several carloads of high-
grade zinc ore have been mined from the vein opened re-
cently on the Makie farm, on Deep creek, near Northport.
The ore is carbonate and has a zinc content of 45%. The
body is five feet wide and is not in a lime formation. Oper-
ators are proceeding with development. The comparatively
short distance to a rail-point has added interest to the
deposit. The Lead Trust mine recently obtained a bond
and lease on a timber claim near the mine and has found
ore on it, according to reports. Ore containing lead has been
disclosed at the surface and is being followed by a tunnel.
MEXICO
Sonora. — North of Las Chispas the Suiza Mining Co. is
opening two shafts on the extension of the Chispas vein.
One shaft is down 80 ft. and has yielded ore containing 175
oz. silver per ton. The owners of the Keystone property,
west of Las Chispas, have opened negotiations to lease the
Purisima claim of the Minas Pedrazzini Co., which adjoins
their holdings, and have also started a cross-cut adit in the
Keystone. The Espiritu Santo people have sent their engi-
neer and geologist to inspect and report upon their claims
situated south of here. The Bavicanora property, next to
the Keystone, may be re-opened soon. The Ilusion, a small
prospect in Las Chispas, is sinking a test-pit, that shows
promising ore assaying up to 40 oz. silver and 0.5 oz. gold
per ton. In the Las Chispas mine the bonanza opened last
December continues to produce. Shipments of 25 to 40
tons have been made every 20 days, with assay returns
ranging from 3 50 to 850 oz. silver and 2.75 to 7 oz. gold
per ton. besides some special sulphide fine with 15,000 oz.
per ton. All of this is hand-sorted ore.
[PERSONAL]
The Editor invites members of the profession to send particulars of thai*
work and appointments. The information is interesting to our readers.
Adolph Knopf is at Mina, Nevada.
K. C. Parrish is at Barranquilla, Colombia.
Lyman H. Brooks Jr. has gone to Cooke City, Montana.
Askin Nicholas, formerly of New York, is at Brisbane,
Australia.
John W. Mercer is making a short stay in Denver on his
way to New York.
Charles E. Newton, of the Oregon School of Mines, at Cor-
vallis, was here last week.
A. E. Drucker is examining copper mines in the Olympic
mountains, Washington.
L. F. S. Holland is superintendent for the Crater Mining
Co., at Winslow, Arizona.
John Roger, of New York, and Walter H. Dunce, of Los
Angeles, called on August 4.
H. C. Hoover is on his way from Palo Alto to Minneapolis,
to attend the Institute meeting.
J. C. Vidmar, mining engineer with the Chile Copper Co.
at Chuquicamata, Chile, is in Arizona.
C. B. Lakenan, general manager for the Nevada Con. Cop-
per Co., was in Salt Lake City last week.
Clarence A. AYright, recently associated with the Salt Lake
City branch of the U. S. Bureau of Mines, is in Italy.
W. H. Wellman, superintendent for the 85 Mining Co., at
Valedon, New Mexico, has moved to Parral, Mexico.
W. W. Norton, superintendent of the A. S. & R. Co.'s
smelter at Murray, Utah, is taking a vacation in Europe.
Ing. S. Postnikoff, manager of the Bogoslovsk mining es-
tate in the Ural region, is visiting reduction works in Utah
and Montana.
Lester S. Grant, professor of mining in the Colorado
School of Mines, has been visiting mining and metallurgical
plants in Utah.
P. A. Simon, president and general manager for the Simon
Silver-Lead Mines Co. at Mina, Nevada, has returned from a
trip to New York.
E. L. Newhouse Jr., manager of the ore-purchasing de-
partment of the Utah branch of the A. S. & R. Co., spent sev-
eral days in Nevada recently.
A. G. Burrltt, geologist, and H. A. Linke, engineer, of Salt
Lake City, are making a geological survey of the Fossil oil-
fields near Kemmerer, Wyoming.
T. C. Botterill, formerly assistant superintendent of the
Surf Inlet mine, has accepted the superintendency of the
Emancipation mine, operated by the Liberator Mining Co.
J. W. D. Moodie, for many years general manager of the
Britannia mine, has resigned. He is succeeded by B. B.
Nieding, recently with the United Verde Extension, in Ari-
zona.
Alfred T. Hastings, formerly general manager for the
Bingham-Coalition Mines Co., at Bingham, Utah, is now as-
sistant manager for the Phosphate Mining Co. at Nichols,
Florida.
A. W. Fahrenwald has been appointed ore-dressing engi-
neer with the U. S. Bureau of Mines in charge of the Moscow
station. Idaho. He is conducting differential flotation tests
in the mills of the Coeur d'Alene.
George S. Rice, chief mining engineer for the U. S. Bu-
reau of Mines, addressed the San Francisco section of the
A. I. M. & M. E. on August 6. His subject was 'Liquid
Oxygen as a Commercial Explosive'.
Angus! 14, L920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
255
METAL PBICE8
San Francisco. August 10
Aluminum-dust, cents per pound 65
Antimony, cents per pound rt ."hi
Copper, electrolytic, cents per pound 19.50
Lead. pip. cents per pound 8.75 — 9.75
Platinum, pure, per ounce J105
Platinum. 10% iridium, per ounce $155
Quicksilver, per flask of 75 lb 585
Spelter, cents per pound 9.50
Zinc-dust, cents per pound 12.50 — 15.00
EASTERN METAL MARKET
(By wire from New York)
August 9.-^-Copper is inactive but firm. Lead is dull but steady. Zinc
SILVER
is quiet and firmer.
Below are given official or ticker quotations for silver in the open market
as distinguished from the fixed price obtainable for metal produced, smelted.
and refined exclusively within the United States. Under the terras of the
Pittman Act such Bilver will be purchased by the United States Mint at SI
per ounce, subject to certain small charges which vary slightly but amount
to approximately three-eighths of one cent. The equivalent of dollar silver
(1000 fine) in British currency is 46.65 pence per ounce (925 fine), calcu-
lated at the normal rate of exchange.
Date
Aug.
Jan.
Feb
Men.
Apr.
May
June
New York
cents
3 93.75
4 92.75
5 94.50
6 95.50
7 96.00
8 Sunday
9 96.00
1918 1919
88.72 101.12
86.79 101.12
88.11 101.12
95.35 101.12
99.50 107.23
London
pence
57.00
57.12
58.25
59.75
58.62
59.62
Monthly
1920
132.77
131.27
125.70
119.56
102.69
90.84
June
July
Aug.
Average week ending
Cents
28 91.41
5 89.97
12 92.18
19 91.04
26 92.39
2 92.85
9 94.58
averages
1918
July 99.62
Aug 100.31
Sent 101.12
Oct 101.12
Nov 101.12
Dec 101.12
1919
106.36
111.35
113.92
119.10
127.57
131.92
Pence
51.69
51.68
52.66
52.91
54.77
56.20
58.39
1920
92.04
Prices of electrolytic in New York,
Date
Aug. 3 19.00
4 19.00
5 19.00
6 19.00
7 19.00
8 Sunday
9 19.00
Monthly
in cents per pound.
Average week ending
June
July
Aug.
19.00
5 19.00
12 19.00
19 19.00
26 19.00
2 19.00
9 19.00
1918
Jan 23.50
Feb 23.50
Men 23.50
Apr 23.60
May 23.60
June 23.50
1919
20.43
17.34
15.05
15.23
15.91
17.53
1920
19.25
19.05
18.49
19.23
19.05
19.00
averages
1918
July 26.00
Aug 26.00
Sept 26.00
Oct 26.00
Nov 26.00
Dec 26.00
1919
20.82
22.51
22.10
21.66
20.45
18.56
1920
19.00
LEAD
Lead is quoted in cents per pound. New York delivery.
Date
Aug.
3
6
8
9.
9 00
June
July
Aug.
average
July
Aug.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
N
Dund.
average
July
Aug.
Ave
28.
12
19
9
s
rage week ending
. 8.15
. 8.39
..
. 8.25
„
9.00
8.45
. 8.93
„
Sunday
1918
1918
93.00
1919
5.63
6.78
6.02
6.40
6.76
7.12
191S
70.ii
62.20
65.79
54.82
54.17
54.94
. 9.00
1918
Monthly
1919 1920
5.60 8.65
5.13 8.88
5.24 9.22
5.05 8.78
5.04 8.55
6.32 8.43
Tl
rk, in cents per p
Monthly
1919 1920
71.60 62,74
72.44 69.87
72.60 61.92
72.60 62.12
72.60 64.99
71.83 48.33
1920
8.63
Feb.
Men
7.26
May
ee ii
6.99
. . 7.59
a New Yo
1918
. 86.00
Prk
s
J.W9
49.29
Feb,
Oct.
May
June
Dec.
Zinc is quoted as spelter, standard Western brands. New York delivery,
in cents per pound.
Date
Aug.
6
7
8 Sunday
9
8.05
S.10
8.15
8.15
815
June
July
Aug.
Average week ending
28
12.
19.
26.
Jan.
Feb.
1918
. . 7.78
. . 7.97
Mch 7.67
Apr 7.04
May 7.92
June 7.92
1919
7.44
6.71
6.53
6.49
6.43
6.91
. . 8.15
Monthly averages
1920
7.85
8.04
8.15
8.24
8.22
8 11
812
9.56
9.15
8.93
8.76
8.07
7.92
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
1918
8.72
8.78
9.58
9.11
8.76
8.49
1919
7.78
7.81
7.67
7.82
8.12
8.69
1920
8.18
QUICKSILVER
The primary market for quicksilver is San Francisco. California being
the largest producer. The price is fixed in the open market, according to
quantity. Prices, in dollars per flask of 75 pounds.
Date I July 27 if'22
July 13 85.00 Aug. 3 88.00
20 90.00 I " 10 So.00
Monthly averages
1918
Jan 128 06
Feb 118.00
Mch 112.00
Apr 115.00
May 110.00
June 112.00
1919
103.75
90.00
72.80
73.12
84.80
94.40
1920
89.00
81 00
87.00
10000
87 00
85.00
1918
1919
1920
July .
...120.00
100.00
88.00
. . .120.00
103.00
102.60
Oct. .
...120.00
86.00
.. .120.00
78.00
...115.00
96.00
THE MERCHANT MARINE
Provisions of the Merchant Marine Act riving: preferential rail-rates on
export and import commodities carried in American bottoms are in line
with practices adopted in Germany. Japan. France. Spain, and other
countries. Admiral Benson, chairman of the United States Shipping Board,
declared in a recent letter.
These provisions were inserted by Congress at the request of the Ship-
ping- Board. Admiral Benson said, and are designed to offset "the count-
less discriminations by other nations against American shipping with which
the Shipping Board ships and privately owned vessels of the United States
have had to contend.
"Allowing a differential export-rate lower than the domestic rate upon
rail-shipments within the country is purely a domestic prerogative." the
chairman declared. "Each nation may unquestionably determine for itself
that such rates may be made and that they shall be limited in application
to cargo carried in vessels of its nationals. The Board of Trade report to
the British government made in 1918 regarding shipping policies conceded
that the control of such practice cannot properly be made the subject of a
treaty."
Admiral Benson's letter was in reply to one from W. T. Christensen. of
Seattle, who declared that since the major part of the Oriental commerce
with Puget Sound was carried by foreign vessels, the enforcement of the
discriminatory features of the Merchant Marine Act might result in the
diversion of that commerce to Canadian ports. Admiral Benson said that
threats of foreign carriers to transfer their Pacific Coast operations to
Vancouver, should preferential rates be granted for American ships, were
not worthy of consideration. .
"Unless American ships be substituted for foreign ships in carrying of
the greater part of your Oriental commerce the shipyards of Puget Sound
which have given employment to many thousands of workmen, bringing
abundant prosperity to your community, must close their gates, dismiss
their employees, and as an industry cease to exist. Few. if any, repairs to
foreign shipping are made in American yards, nor does the use in our trade
with foreign ships encourage the building of American ships in American
yards, the benefits of which should be apparent to the merchants in other
business interests of Puget Sound."
Discussing the giving of preferential rates in other countries, the chair-
man said that France had given a 20% discount upon export-freight mov-
ing in French vessels to New York and other ports, including those of
Great Britain, and that Spain also was using that method along with
many other preferential s in the way of subsidies and subventions with
Spanish ships. "Japanese ships in the past." he said, "were able to quote
the Bame rates to interior points in Japan as other nations were able to
quote to the seaports of that country, a differential quite sufficient to have
enabled them in the absence of like preferential rates within the United
States for our own ships, to control the rail-routings within the United
States, and they have done so in many instances to the disadvantage of
American ships and at times to certain American ports."
MONEY AND EXCHANGE
F*r*lf» quotations on August 10 are as follows:
Sterling, dollar*-. Cmbte 3.63V-
Demand 3.64 H
Francs, cents: Cable 7.30
Demand 7.32
Lire, cents: Demand 5.13
Marks, cents 2.2-"'
256
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 14, 1920
Eastern Metal Market
New York, August 4.
Very little activity is reported in any of the markets.
Prices are firm in most cases. Increased freight-rates are
expected to advance prices ultimately.
Demand tor copper is moderate for domestic consumption
but fairly good for export. Prices are firm.
The tin market is stagnant, and prices are nearly nominal
but steady.
Not much business is reported in lead but prices are still
firm and strong.
The zinc market is lifeless and prices have declined.
Antimony is unchanged.
IRON AND STEEL
The steel trade, which indulged in some ill-starred hopes
of large orders when the railroads were returned to their
owners in March, is making few predictions as to the new
business to flow from the large freight-rate increase granted
this week, according to 'The Iron Age'. It is evident that
time will be required for building up earnings and that
financing will not be made easy at once.
How the freight advance will affect prices of pig-iron and
of steel products is widely discussed. Some grades of pig-
iron have advanced $4 in the past two months and from ¥15
to $18 in the past year. Fuel and transportation conditions
have done this and they are still controlling factors. In
comparison, the advance of $1 to $1.50 in pig-iron costs in
tLe Middle West, due to the new freight rates, is insignifi-
cant.
Pig-iron production in July held up better than was ex-
pected in view of the railroad blockades. The total 3,067.-
043 tons, or 9S.937 tons per day, against 3,043,540 tons in
June, or 101,451 tons per day. The falling off was thus
about 2500 tons per day. But July ran 26 00 tons per day
ahead of May and 7600 tons per day more than April. There
was a net loss of nine furnaces last month.
COPPER
There has been little change in buying-power and no
change in prices. Domestic consumers are not active in pur-
chases, but foreign buyers are more so and the volume of
this business is substantial. The increase in freight rates is
expected to advance costs as well as freight-charges and
hence the price of copper, lead, and zinc, but how, or when,
no one knows. There is a possibility that buying for early
delivery may speed up because of this, but there are no evi-
dences yet. Leading producers of Lake and electrolytic
copper maintain their prices firm at 19c, New York, for
August and in some cases for September delivery. The out-
side market is quiet and inactive with limited quantities
obtainable at around 18.75c, New York.
ZINC
Prime Western for August or September delivery has
eased off to 7.70c, St. Louis, or 8.05c, New York, a decline
of about 15 points in the week. This is due largely to a
light demand. Buying is only hand-to-mouth and confined
to a few galvanizers and brass-makers who are purchasing
only for immediate needs. There is no disposition on the
part of producers to sell beyond September, and some not
that far. because of the effect of the new freight rates.
LEAD
The interesting news in this market is the rumor that a
substantial amount of lead is on the seas from England con-
signed to New York. The effect of its arrival is causing
speculation and it is predicted that the New York market.
when offered this lead, will fall-off and may reach a level
as low or lower than St. Louis. It even might reach to the
level of the American Smelting & Refining Co. One cause
for- this opinion is the radical change in this market where
the good demand has vanished and offerings of domestic lead
in small quantities have been unabsorbed. Some business
has been done at 9c, St. Louis, for prompt shipment and
lead in transit and spot delivery has been sold at 9c, New
York. We quote the market as largely nominal at 8.7.5c,
St. Louis, or 9c, New York, with that of the leading in-
terest unchanged at 8.25c, St. Louis, or 8.50c, New York.
TIN
There has been only enough business done to establish
prices which have been relatively steady around 48c, New
York, for spot Straits. Consumers still remain out of the
market, which is almost lifeless. Offerings of spot-delivery
Straits are light; this constitutes the only outstanding fact
and it is evident that it would not take much buying initia-
tive to send prices up. An interesting development is* that
speculators are letting the market drift. There was ^'holi-
day in London on Monday which intensified the dullness
here, and there has been little doing since. Spot Straits
there yesterday was quoted at £280 per ton with spot and
future standard tin at £273 and £278, respectively. The
New York quotation for spot Straits was 48.50c, yesterday.
Tin arrivals in July are officially reported as 38 70 tons, with
553 0 tons delivered into consumption, the amount in stocks
and landing July 31 having been 1926 tons. Arrivals thus
far in August have been 1910 tons with 3065 tons afloat.
ANTIMONY
The market is unchanged except that there is a pressure
to sell spot stocks. Quotations for wholesale lots for early
delivery are 7.25c, New York, duty paid.
ALUMINUM
Conditions are nominal with quotations unchanged at 33c.
from the leading interest and 31.50c, New York, from other
sellers for virgin metal, 9S to 99% pure in wholesale lots
for early delivery.
ORES
Tungsten: As compared with recent weeks a fair business
has been done and negotiations for further business are re-
ported. Chinese ore is quoted at $5.25 per unit with
Bolivian ore at $6.50.
Ferro-tungsten is quoted at 80c to $1.10 per pound of
contained tungsten.
Molybdenum: The market is quiet with inquiry some-
what better. Sellers are asking 75c per pound of MoS. in
regular concentrate with 60c. offered.
Manganese: Quotations are nominal at 70c per unit,
with offerings at 75c Importations in June are officially
reported as 80,329 gross tons or the largest in many months.
This brings the total for the first half to 216,542 tons, or
3 6,090 tons per month.
Manganese-Iron Alloys: Offerings of Japanese ferro-man-
ganese are reported to have eased off the spot quotation,
which has been $225, delivered. This foreign alloy is offered
at $185 seaboard. The last half quotation is still $300, de-
livered. Inquiries are few, although some small prompt lots
have sold at $225. Importations in June were 5 694 tons or
the largest in many months. Exports were 275 tons in June,
making the total for the fiscal year 2374 tons against 2184
tons for the fiscal year of 1919. The spiegeleisen market is
stronger with $S0, furnace, asked and with inquiries totaling
3000 tons and 600 tons sold to domestic consumers.
August 14. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
257
I I till!
INFORMATION FURNISHED BY MANUFACTURERS
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiMMiiMiiiinnHiiriiiiniititiniMinuiiiiintiniiiiniiithiiiiiiinninniMiiuiiiMlinMnnillMMiinntMliiniunnnuitiiiiiiinniiiiiiiniiiiiiiniMiitiiinniniiiHMiiniinniililuniiiiiiliiuniiiniiilMiMiiiliiHi
MIXIXC; NITRATES IX CHILE
lly P. A. Raymond
('hile has been producing nitrate from its northern
pampas for more than 50 years. It is natural that in the
beginning the work was done in a primitive way, both with
reference to extraction and elaboration. Of late years im-
provements have been made both in the transportation of
the raw material to the elaboration plant and in its elabora-
tion, but the methods of drilling and blasting has changed
but little. The nitrate is produced from a material known
in Chile as 'caliche', which lies in a horizontal stratum cov-
ered by an overburden of 'costra' and sometimes other rock.
Costra is a rock that is impregnated with nitrate and might
be considered a low-grade ore. The formation is broken.
and contains seams, fissures, and vug-holes. The method of
working has been to open up trenches, locally known as
Hole drilled
by hand
Hole drilled
with machine
\^ Tamping
Fie. 1. Methods of Mining Nitrate
"rajos'. These trenches are then widened, making a quarry-
like hole called a 'calichera'. The depth of the trenches
•depends upon the depth of the strata or caliche or costra,
ranging from 6 to 30 ft. The method is to go back from
the face from 6 to IS ft., according to conditions, and drill
a hole as shown in Fig. 1.
These holes are dug by hand in the following manner:
A hand-drilled hole is put down to the point marked 'A'; it
is blasted and cleaned out. Then the driller proceeds to dig
a hole from 6 to 8 in. diam. until he strikes the caliche, after
which he forms what is known as a 'tasa', which gives the
same condition as a sprung hole in quarry work. The tools
used are a single-hand hammer, hand-steel, punch-bars with
points formed at different angles, and a steel spoon 3 or
4 in. diam. fastened to a stock 6 to 12 ft. long. The hole is
afterward loaded with black-powder as shown in the sketch
mentioned. The above work represents from 2 to 6 days
for one workman, and will break from 700 to 1000 cu. ft.
of material, leaving many large boulders which are after-
ward block-holed by hand or broken up with a 16-lb. double-
hand hammer. This material is afterward sorted by hand
men who work at a certain price per carload, the barren
ck being thrown to one side.
About two years ago the Allied Machinery Co. of America
sent a representative to Chile, and he, like many others,
saw the big opportunities for the use of steam-shoyels, drag-
line scrapers, etc. After looking over the conditions, he suc-
ceeded in placing two steam-shovels of the Thew automatic
portable type for handling old worked-over material, but,
like other engineers, he found himself handicapped with the
problem of drilling and shooting the material in place suffi-
ciently fast to make a shovel work efficiently. It will readily
Native Workman and Turbro Dri
be seen that 1000 cu. ft. of material drilled and shot in
three days will not keep a shovel busy.
Manufacturers of drills in both Europe and America had
tried to solve the problem. Nearly every type of drill, in-
cluding piston-drills, hammer-drills, churn-drills, and dia-
mond-drills had been tried and all failed for one cause or
another. The water question eliminated the piston and
churn-drills, the hammer-drills failed for the reason that in
all hammer-drills the rotation was dependent on the action
of the hammer, causing the steel to stick when striking
open fissures, vug-holes, or hard pebbles.
258
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 14. 1920
I made a visit last August to some eighteen or twenty
properties and I wish to say that every assistance was given
by the Chileans toward a thorough study of the question.
After going over the data, including the reasons for previous
failures, it was decided to try out the Turbro drill, manu-
factured by the Denver Rock Drill Manufacturing Co. of
Denver, for the reason that it is of a portable type (plain
tripod-mounting), and that by a small change in the air-
connections it could be made to use compressed air instead
of water through the steel to expel the cuttings. Moreover,
the rotation is independent of the action of the hammer or
piston.
After the manager of the Pefia Grande property, owned
by the Dupont Nitrate Co., was good enough to agree to
allow us to use compressed air from its power-plant, re-
ports and recommendations were sent to the Denver Rock
Drill Co., specifying steel for holes 6 in. diam. A Turbro
drill with tripod and different types of drill-bits were sent
to Chile for experimental work. This equipment arrived
about January 1 when work was started. As the nitrate
producers, due to old established customs, insisted on large-
diameter holes, it first was attempted to drill 6-in. holes.
through soft broken material by rotating the steel only.
The bit could be extracted readily when it became time to
change from one length to another.
After considerable experimental work a trial was made
under working conditions, with the following results: The
operator connected his machine to the air-line and proceeded
to drill five holes, 9 ft. apart, at the points spotted by the.
superintendent of Rajos. These five holes were drilled in
5 hours and 15 minutes, making a total of 53* ft. The time-
included setting-up and moving from one hole to another.
The cost, including labor, power, and lubrication, was $2.01
Chilean currency, as compared to ?3.97 per foot drilled by
hand.
This represented the necessary drilling for the breaking
of approximately 5000 cu. ft. of material, as compared to
1000 per hole drilled by hand. While the difference in cost
is encouraging, that is not the most important item to be
taken into consideration by the American manufacturer or
the nitrate producers themselves. The point of interest to-
both is that this shows a large increase in material produced
per man.
The question of blasting was also studied. It is a simple
iSS:-*^!
!®i£ilfillltel!
■t jpB
V* ji
Mining Nitrate In Chile
This was a failure for many reasons. The large bits that
were tried lost gauge quickly, due to the heating in dry
drilling, and the excessive friction caused by rotating in a
large circle. Also, the larger the hole the more susceptible
to caving; and most important of all, the larger. the hole
the more power was required, not so much to cut the rock
as to keep the hole clean of cuttings. For example, in drill-
ing a hole 6 in. diam. at the rate of 5 in. per minute, there
is about 400 cu. in. of loose cuttings to be expelled per
minute in order to keep the hole clean.
Different types of detachable bits were tried, as a de-
tachable bit is particularly desirable, due to the fact that
the work generally is some distance from the blacksmith-
shop. It is interesting to note that the best results were
derived from the old cross-bit, commonly used in mining all
over the world. The size of bits finally adopted was 3J-in.
starters, finishing with 2}-in. at a depth of 9 ft. The Turbro
drill in its construction had a great advantage due to its
independent rotation. On several occasions the drill went
shallow-quarrying problem, in fact the loading of the holes
with smooth walls properly tamped, using a booster in form
of a cartridge consisting of a stick of 62% dynamite. 3 by
i in. and a No. 6 cap, gave as good results as hand-drilled!
holes loaded as shown. This plan also lends itself to simul-
taneous blasting with a battery, which had never been used!
before. It was not customary even to put a cap on the end
of the fuse in the old method of working.
The object of shooting in front of any apparatus for mov-
ing dirt mechanically is to loosen it. A certain proportion
of the material is left in the form of boulders. These were
block-holed by using a small drill made by the same manu-
facturer, known as the Clipper. The cutting speed and
portability of this machine can be appreciated from a trial
run which gave twelve holes per hour at an average depth
of 12 in. per hole.
Bulletin LD-101, issued by the Edison Lamp Works, dis-
cusses maintenance of lighting systems.
EDITORIAL STAFF
T. A. RICKARO. EDITOR
PARSONS. AMOCIATt EOITOH
PARSONS. ASSOCIATE EOITON
Member Audit Buinu of Circulations
Member AssociAted Business Piperi. lac.
ESTABLISHED I860
Pubttohcd at UO Market St., San Franctrco.
by the- Deu-cy Piibtithmg Company
BUSINESS STAFF
C.T. Hutchinson, manaseh
E. H. LESLIE. OOO FI1HCS BOS.. CHICAOO
F. A. WEISLE. 3514 WOOLWOKTH BOB.. N.V,
in it miiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiitiiini i miiiiiimiHiitii iiiiiiiiiiiliiiiiimiiimii i iiinii i iiiiiiiiinii ijiiimiiimiiijiiitin iiiiiiiiiiiuii iiiiiiiiiiimini nullum iiiiiiiiiiiiiinr
SCIENCE HAS NO ENEMY SAVE THE 1QNOBANT
Irsued Every Saturday
San Francisco, August 21, 1920
$4 per Year — 15 Cents per Copy
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EDITORIAL
NOTES
Page
. 259
THE POLISH MUDDLE 261
A statement of the events that have brought about
the pres?nt crisis. Poland as the first fruit of the
Versailles treaty. Territorial ambition of the
Poles. Invasion of Russia and attempted seizure
of the Ukraine. Failure of the enterprise. The
baby act. Polish aggression consolidates Russian
sentiment and causes rally to the Bolshevist gov-
ernment. Unreliability of news from Russia.
Statements issued by American and British gov-
ernments. Action of France. Western civilization
menaced. Allow Bolshevists to stew in their own
juice.
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION AND MINERALS
SEPARATION 262
Testimony given by the Editor before the Commis-
sion. Cross-examination. A supposed inconsis-
tency. Failure of Minerals Separation to impugn
evidence of the witness.
ARTICLES
Page
THE FLUE TYPE OF COTTRELL TREATER
By A. B. Young 273
The treater at the Tooele smelter. 'Horizontal'
construction. The electrical equipment. Classi-
fication of products in successive hoppers. Success
with this particular smoke.
NEW HOISTING-EQUIPMENT AT THE TONOPAH EXTEN-
SION MINE 277
Recent improvements at the mine. Features of
the new hoist. Hydraulic operation of brakes and
clutches. Safety devices. Automatic braking in
emergency.
FLOTATION PROCESS 279
An editorial from 'The Mining Magazine' of May
1911, re-printed. The attitude of the 'Engineering
and Mining Journal'. Patent controversies. Ad-
vice to American mining companies.
THE MINES AT CHUQUICAMATA 280
Mining operations. Other activities. Power-plants.
The town of Chuquieamata. Living conditions.
MINERALS SEPARATION BEFORE THE FEDERAL
TRADE COMMISSION 263
T. A. Rickard under direct examination by G. R.
Hawkins. The license agreement of Minerals Sepa-
ration. Theodore Hoover's book and its printing
after revision by the M. S. officials. E. H. Nutter's
objections to publication by the witness of an in-
terview with Charles Butters. The one-sided
agreement that E. M. Hamilton was asked to sign.
Cross-examination by A. A. Cook. Mr. Channing
and Mr. Argall and their interest in the 'M. & S.
P.' An editorial in 'The Mining Magazine' written
by Edward Walker.
CURVES FOR ORE-VALUATION
By K. K. Hood 270
Graphic methods for estimating tonnage and value
of 'ore' in place. Wisconsin and Tri-State zinc
districts.
XOTES
PRODUCTION OF ZINC 272
THE PADDY PRIDE MINE 276
LEAD AND ZINC IN JAPAN 278
DEPARTMENTS
REVIEW OF MINING 281
THE MINING SUMMARY 289
PERSONAL 290
THE METAL MARKET 291
EASTERN METAL MARKET 292
Established May 24. 1860, as The Scientific Press: name changed October
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MtNlNC AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 31, 1920
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Angus! 21, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRF.SS
259
T. A. K.ICKARV. .... Editor
iiiiiiiiiiiiiMiiiitimiiiiiiiiimiiiNiMiiiiiiiijiiiiiiNmmiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiHiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiii
i in i in in i in ii
riK. VON SIMMONS, the Secretary for Foreign Affairs
*^ at Berlin, said, al the opening of the National As-
sembly: "German- American official relations will not be
■ hanged before March 1921." Perhaps. Meanwhile in
England it lias been announced that by Order in Council
the date of the termination of the war with Germany was
fixed as January 10. 11)20. The Armistice was signed on
November 11, 1918!
TN the latest issue of our New York contemporary we
-*- note a letter, signed 'X', on the subject of metal quota-
timis. The writer of this letter says: "From the stand-
point of the trade 1 therefore consider that the 'Journal'
is tlie best-fitted agency to determine the average price
of lead." This might be interesting if the writer had
signed his name instead of hiding as an unknown. The
editor might have insisted upon a proper signature to
this letter instead of interjecting a foot-note about "mud-
slinging editors", which is merely a childish expression
of spleen. The opinion of Mr. X that the 'Journal' is
best fitted to quote accurate average prices for lead, or
for other metals, is unimportant as against the recent
confession of the editor of the 'Journal' that he cannot
give accurate quotations, and that he would like to dele-
gate the task to Mr. X or Mr. Y.
/"CALIFORNIA ranks first among the States in the
^-"4 variety of mineral substances that are produced on
a commercial scale, and except for four Eastern States,
where iron and coal are mined in great quantity, it leads
in the gross value of mineral production. For 1919 this
amounted to $196,473,560, according to statistics recently
prepared by the State Mining Bureau. Fifty different
substances, of which eleven, in the crude form, were
valued at more than a million dollars each, are included
in the list. California is the only State that produces
borax, and it supplies three-quarters of the domestic out-
put of mercury. It leads in gold and platinum; it com-
petes with Colorado for first place as 'regards tungsten
and with Oklahoma in its production of petroleum.
Crude-oil is by long odds the most valuable product,
101,182,962 barrels, worth $142,610,563, having been
mined in 1919. Gold takes second place, the value being
$17,335,100. Less than 3000 tons of coal and only 2300
tons of iron were mined. There was a marked reduction
in the output of most of the metals as compared with
1918. The production of copper decreased to less than
half, of lead and tungsten to approximately one-tenth,
while the value of manganese fell from almost a million
to $450,001). Quicksilver diminished one-third in quan-
tity and one-half in value, but even then was worth
$1,353,381.
A NNUAL reports of mining companies usually give the
■^"*- names of the president, vice-president, and directors ;
they also state the names of the secretary, treasurer, and
so forth, but they omit sometimes to record the man upon
whom, more than any other, the success of the enterprise
depends — the manager at the mine. We have received
the annual report of the Howe Sound Company, for ex-
ample. The names of various important and unimpor-
tant persons appear in handsome print on expensive
paper, together with a statement to the shareholders
signed by the president of the company. Nowhere, not
even in the president's report, is there any mention of
the manager or of any member of the technical staff.
The Howe Sound Company owns the Britannia, one of
the finest copper mines in the world and a highly tech-
nical undertaking, as we happen to know well, because
we have been there. One would suppose from the report
that the assistant-secretary and assistant-treasurer were
more essential to the prosperity of a mine and mill than
the superintendent of either one or the other. If the
shareholders are wise they will show some reasonable
curiosity in regard to the personnel of the staff at the
vital spot as well as in the office at New York.
f-pHOSE of us with an abiding faith in the proposition
■*■ that 'nothing is, that is not useful', especially if we
happen to have supersensitive olfactory nerves, may find
consolation in some experiments conducted by the Bureau
of Mines whereby the malodorous properties of certain
substances are put to practical use. Various schemes
have been tried for warning miners in remote mine-
workings of fire or other danger; the difficulties are
obvious. The tests made by the Bureau in the Speculator
mine at Butte, and in the North Star and Empire mines
at Grass Valley, California, demonstrated that a signal
could be transmitted a distance of as much as a mile in
less than five minutes by introducing certain chemicals
into the pipes conveying compressed air to the working-
places. A pungent gas is formed that mixes with the
260
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 21, 1920
compressed air and circulates with it to the most remote
parts of the mine. To be suitable the pis thai makes the
stench should be harmless; it should not irritate the
eyes, for fear of hindering the miner from finding his
way ; it should have a high vapor-pressure, to permeate
widely; and, lastly, it should be disagreeable as well as
distinctive, so as to compel attention. Butyl mereapton,
ethyl mereapton, and amyl acetate are, in order, the most
satisfactory substanees. The last is artificial banana-oil
and is rather pleasant, which, according to the Bureau
engineers, is not in its favor.
i""\N his return from Scotland, Dr. Victor C. Alderson,
^-' president of the Colorado School of Mines, made
sundry interesting remarks on the oil-shale industry.
The Scottish shale, he says, yields 20 barrels of oil per
ton, this being half the yield from American shale. Even
at that the Scottish shale affords a net profit of 50 cents
per ton, despite the fact that the mining is done by hand
and that wages are about $4.50 per day. The retort
used in Scotland is not suited to our Western shale ; out
of 14 types of retorts only one is at all adapted to the
beneficiation of the shale deposits in Colorado, Utah, and
Wyoming. Dr. Alderson states further that crude oil
can be won from shale at $1.85 per barrel in Colorado and
Utah, where 5500 square miles of such rock is available
for exploitation. A yield of even one barrel of oil per
ton of shale represents a fabulous output. One 10-foot
bed of shale, at one barrel per ton, represents over fifteen
million barrels of oil per square mile of shale. The pro-
duction of petroleum from wells in this country to date
has been obtained from 4109 square miles, the estimated
yield having been 2,280,000 barrels of oil per square
mile. These are big figures. We hope that Dr. Alderson
will succeed in stimulating intelligent interest in the
subject. We note that the Comptroller of the Currency
speaks of "the limitless oil-shales of the West" in con-
text with our resources in water-power.
T"\EFLATION of prices is in progress, as most of us
*-* have begun to discover, not without satisfaction if
it concerns the things we buy, and not without chagrin
if it concerns the things we sell. The Federal Reserve
banks are using gentle but effective means for restraining
further gambling in merchandise ; and some people have
become sadder and wiser, while others have become more
cheerful, but no wiser. Mr. John S. Williams, Comp-
troller of the Currency, says: "The deflation and sub-
sidence in prices is proceeding by orderly and satisfac-
tory steps and methods." Deflation usually involves
some crinkling, and subsidence some cracking, but the
operation, like that of the surgeon, is highly satisfactory
even if the patient feels somewhat piano for a time. The
slowness of the process, we are told by the knowing ones,
gives the best evidence that it will proceed safely. It is
over-due, but we trust this will not intensify the unpleas-
ant symptoms, such as are recorded in the list of bank-
ruptcies. One splendid feature of this economic crisis,
impending ever since the Armistice, is the strong posi-
tion of the banks, National and Stale, as shown by Mr.
Williams in his recent address before the Maine Bankers
Association. To the establishmenl of the Federal Re-
serve system our entire economic structure is greatly
indebted for moral, as well as financial, support. Thanks
in large measure to it, as Mr. Williams says, "we have
the right to look to the future with confident hope".
A CCORDING to news in the latest Australian mail
**■ the leaders of the strike at Broken Hill profess their
belief that an early settlement is possible. This was a
month ago, however, and as yet the cables have not
apprised us that work has been resumed. The strike,
which began in May 1919, is one of the most protracted
and bitterly waged industrial disputes on record. While
only about 2500 miners are directly concerned, their re-
fusal to work has affected more than 20,000 employees.
whose income has been largely stopped for fifteen con-
secutive months. In spite of widespread suffering, which
we are told entailed actual starvation, the men have re-
fused stubbornly to accept the terms offered by the em-
ployers. The demands include a six-hour day, a five-
day week, the abolition of both the contract system and
night work in the mines, and a minimum wage of £1 per
day. With respect to the contract system of payment,
we believe the miners are in the wrong; likewise we fail
to see reasonable grounds for insisting on a five-day
week. The workmen point to the extremely large divi-
dends that were paid during the period of the War, and
decline to believe the contention of the companies that
they would be unable to operate at a profit under the
conditions for which they are striking. Just what con-
cessions the employers are prepared to make we do not
know, but there should be a basis on which both sides
could see their way to a resumption of an industry that
heretofore has produced silver, lead, and zinc to the
value of five or six million pounds sterling annually.
A SUBSCRIBER writes asking for a list of "the six
-^*- largest mines in the world, that is, those mining and
milling the largest tonnage, in the year 1917". This has
incited us to delve into some statistics, with sundry inter-
esting results. The eleven companies that mined the
greatest amount of ore during 1917 are, in their order,
Utah Copper, Anaconda, Nevada Consolidated, Inspira-
tion, Chino, Ray, Calumet & Hecla, Chile Copper, Alaska
Gold, Crown Mines, and Randfontein Central, the last
two in South Africa. The iron-mining companies are
not included in the comparison, although it may be men-
tioned that the Oliver Mining Company, from its group
of properties in Michigan and Minnesota, mines 25,000,-
000 tons in the 'course of a year. Perhaps our seeker
after information will object to the inclusion of Utah
Copper on the ground that its steam-shovel operations
make it a quarry rather than a mine, more like the pits of
the iron ranges than his notion of a hole in the ground
from which ore is hoisted. Other mines of the dissem-
inated copper group belong to the same category, but thfl
word 'mine' is not limited by any such restriction. A
A i gusl 21, L920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
261
mine is an excavation in the earth from which mineral is
removed. An oil-well, a salt cavern, a sulphur bore, a
glory-hole, an open-cul for hydraulic operations, a series
of terraces for steam-shoveling are different in kind bul
they are all veritable mines. Our inquirer may even
demur to the classification of the Ana. 'inula as a unit
because of the fact thai the company actually operates a
re of mines at Butte, although one can descend the
High Ore shaft tit the northern end of the district and
emerge from the Original in the heart of the city after
having traveled through workings wholly within Ana-
conda ground. However, a mine is noi limited to one
shaft or to one claim ; it is a unit if it belongs to a single
proprietary. Probably, however, the single shaft through
which the must copper ore is hoisted is that of the In-
spiration. We jrivo herewith the record of tonnage in
PU7 for several groups of mines:
Disseminated Copper
Utah Copper 12,542,000
Nevada Consolidated 4,064,000
Inspiration 3.S91.000
Chino 3,608,000
Ray : 3,560,900
Chile Topper . 2,904,000
Braden 1,750,000
.Miami 1.640,000
Michigan Copper
Calumet & Hecla 3,159,000
Quincy 1,280,000
Ahmeek 1,271,000
Osceola 1,237,000
Other Copper
Anaconda 4,300.000
Copper Queen l,277,0tfu
South African Gold
Crown Mines 2.100,000
Randfontein Central 2,017,181
East Rand Proprietary 1,700,000
Miscellaneous
Alaska Gold 2,240.346
Homestake 1,677.623
Rio Tinto (1913) 1,859,571
The Polish Muddle
The impression prevails that Poland tried to get a
home-run on a foul. Nobody could have dreamed three
years ago that the painful work of reconstruction after
the War would be imperiled by fighting between Russia
and Poland. At that time Poland was crushed to earth
and Russia was in the hands of madmen. One of the first
fruits of the Treaty of Versailles was the restoration of
Poland as a nation and the fixing of boundaries that gave
the Poles the territory to which they were entitled ethni-
cally, in accord with the ideas of national self-determina-
tion that were awakened during the great struggle with
Prussian piracy. The countrymen of Kosciusko and
Paderewski wanted more, they aimed to restore the vague
outlines of the Polish kingdom of 1772. but their impor-
tunities had to give wa3r to the greater need for establish-
ing a European peace. Most of us were sympathetic, the
American Relief organization gave prompt aid to the
hungry, and one of Mr. Hoover's best stories was the one
in which he told of the 45,000 barefooted children at
Warsaw that passed in review before him in order to
express their gratitude. .Meanwhile there was talk of
Poland becoming a buffer against. Bolshevik inclusion
ami of serving as an obstacle to German exploitation of
Russia. The Germans and the Bolsheviki were the bogies
of civilization; anything that would circumvent them
was well worth while. Germany had her revolutions and
counter-revolutions. Interest was diverted from "Warsaw
to Berlin. Then in May of this year we began to hear
about thi' Polish campaign in Russia, Poland was on the
aggressive, a strong army had been mobilized anil was
about lo seize the Ukraine. It might, he a crime, hut it
was being done against the criminal Soviet republic, and
that made it almost respectable. So there was but little
protest. The government of Lenin and Trot/.ky was
about to collapse in any event and the Ukraine would be
happier under Paderewski. of Pilsudski, or whoever was
in control at Warsaw, than under the bloody tyrants at
Petrograd. Here we may refer to the fact that of all the
subjects that have been darkened by misinformation
there has been none so obscured as Russian affairs during
the last five years. The columns of the great newspapers
of London and New York, for example, have reeked with
rot ; there have been enough silly books written on Russia
by ignorant reporters and stray litterateurs to fill a
library; the telegraphic dispatches from "our own cor-
respondent" have been ludicrous in their contradictions.
One reason is that, few people know the Russian language ;
another is that prejudice for or against the Bolshevist
regime has stupefied the judgment of those who have
written on Russian affairs. For ourselves, we believe that
outlaws to civilization are in the saddle at Petrograd and
that the welfare of the world will be furthered by making
an end of them; nevertheless, that does not excuse Polish
invasion, which was prompted by territorial greed. The
Poles having failed in their banditry, now play the baby
and make an appeal "to the conscience of the nations";
they are screaming that the fall of Poland will be "due
to the indifference of a world which calls itself demo-
eratic". This is shameless effrontery. The Polish Coun-
sel of National Defence, from whose proclamation we
quote, also says that "Bolshevist victory on the Vistula
threatens all Western Europe". It may be true, and the
probable truth of it introduces a complication of which
the Poles and their friends are making the most. Of
course, the Bolshevists intend to organize a Soviet at
Warsaw ; and that in turn will serve as a new outpost for
Bolshevist propaganda in Germany. The menace is
plain.
At the critical moment, on August 10. our government
through the Secretary of State, Mr. Bainbridge Colby, in
a note to the Italian ambassador at Washington, stated
the policy of the United States in unequivocal terms.
The hope is expressed that an armistice may be arranged
and the territorial integrity of both Poland and Russia
respected, but "this country strongly recoils from the
recognition of the Bolshevik regime". The government
and people of the United States desire to help the Rus-
sian people and are unwilling that while "in the grip of
262
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 21, 1920
a non-representative government, whose only sanction is
Irate force, Russia should be weakened still further by a
policy of dismemberment, conceived in other than Rus-
sian interests". The whole pronouncement, as made by
Mr. Colby, is strong and sane. It has decided moral
value, even if ' ' the employment of all available means to
render it effectual" prove, under the circumstances, only
an academic phrase. It is extremely unlikely that the
government of the United States will be willing to use
either naval or military force to assist Poland at this
time. On the same day, Mr. Lloyd George, speaking
for England, said that the Polish attack on Russia was
not justified and that it was made? despile the warnings
of the Allies, but that "nothing justifies retaliation,
reprisal, or punishment which goes to the extent of
wiping out national existence". In other words, the
independence of Poland must be preserved, because "its
existence as an independent nation is an essential part
of the structure of European peace". He himself had
been negotiating with Mr. Leonid Krassin, an emissary
of the Soviet government of Russia, whereas the French
government allowed it to be known on August 12 that it
had already agreed to support General Wrangel, who has
set up a military government in the Crimea and is
battling with the Bolshevists. The reason given by Mr.
Millerand, the French premier, is the traditional friend-
ship between France and Russia, whereas the reason
given by rumor is the undertaking of General "Wrangel
to recognize the debts incurred by Russia to France
during the Czarist regime. It is a pretty mess. The com-
plexity of the muddle is increased by the fact that the
Russian armies are commanded by officers of the old
Czarist army and by many of those who served under
the Kaiser, whereas the Polish armies include numbers
of Frenchmen, Britons, and even some Americans. The
Great War of 1914-1918 has been followed by a hideous
nightmare in which brave soldiers from the various
armies find themselves fighting under unaccountable
alignments. One thing is clear: the Polish attack has
aroused the national spirit of the Russians and rallied
them for the moment under the leadership of Trotzky.
alias Braunstein, a German Jew, and Lenin, alias
Clianof, a Kalmuck. The Czarist officers answered the
national call and the young men have enlisted in the
army largely because military service ensures them bet-
ter food and clothing than the civilian population can
obtain. The Poles, instead of checking Bolshevism, drove
the Russian people to the support of the Bolshevist
regime. Instead of serving as a rampart against the
savagery of the anarchist. Poland has become an excuse
for a further onslaught upon Western civilization. That
menace outweighs the plight of Poland, much as we may
deplore it. If Bolshevism overwhelms Poland, it will
inundate Germany. Civilization is on the defensive.
The best way In kill Bolshevism is to let the Russians
stew in llieir own juice; if they come beyond their own
borders they must be driven hack, but to invade Russia
is lo strengthen the Bolshevist regime, which would have
collapsed ere now if foreign interference had not rallied
national sentiment to its defence.
Federal Trade Commission and Minerals
Separation
In this issue we publish the record of the testimony
given by the editor of this paper before the Federal
Trade Commission, which is hearing a complaint against
the Minerals Separation companies. We have omitted
some of the irrelevancies and immaterialities, and cor-
rected some obvious errors in the reporting of the collo-
quies between the witness and counsel, but we believe
these minor omissions and changes will meet with the
approval of counsel on both sides. The Minerals Sep-
aration people were given an opportunity to expose the
shady past of the witness and to prove the sinister in-
fluences that have controlled his public criticism of their
doings. They did their best and failed utterly, of course,
because there was nothing to uncover. A petty fuss was
made over an editorial that appeared in the 'Mining
Magazine' of May 1912. That editorial was rather
friendly, than otherwise, to the Minerals Separation
people, so Mr. Nutter challenged the editor of the 'Min-
ing and Scientific Press' to re-print it, on the supposition
that the editor of the 'Press' had written the editorial
in the 'Magazine', and therefore had exhibited gross in-
consistency as between his attitude in 1912 and in 1917.
As the testimony shows, the editorial of 1912 was writ-
ten by Mr. Edward Walker, assistant to the editor of the
'Mining Magazine', not the editor himself. At that time
the interest in flotation affaire was small, the process was
relatively unimportant, the mining profession had but
little curiosity concerning it. and had heard of it chiefly
through the story of the miserable quarrel between the
Elmore brothers and the firm of Sulman & Pieard. Sun-
dry points in patent law had arisen and sundry litiga-
tions were in progress, but they were not deemed in any
sense vital to the mining industry. Mr. Walker, a resi-
dent of London, had given some attention to the subject
previously and to him naturally was delegated the writ-
ing of the editorial upon the organization of an American
branch of the Minerals Separation company. We re-
produce Mr. Walker's article on page 279. Naturally no
reason existed for the re-publication in the 'Mining and
Scientific Press' of an article in another paper written
by a gentleman in no way connected with the 'Mining
and Scientific Press'. We have omitted the interrogatory
concerning a correspondence between the witness and Mr.
Ballot, because it has no significance, except to show that
they could exchange letters politely, and that, although
the witness consistently opposed the exactions of Minerals
Separation, he was still on such terms with the chairman
o2 the company as showed that there was no personal
animus and no underground motive for his criticism.
The record of this small part of the proceedings suggests
how much time is lost in aimless questioning, it being
evident that counsel for the Commission did not know
what testimony the witness could give that, bore upon till
complaint, and was engaged chiefly in a fishing exped'-
tion. Tt remains to extend our compliments to counsel
for the respondents and express the regret that the clever
lawyer is so often on the wrong side.
Angus) 21, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
26:1
Minerals Separation Before the Federal Trade
Commission
Excerpt From the Record of Proceedings
Thomas Arthur Rickard was thereupon called as a
witness, and, having been duly sworn, testified us fol-
lows :*
Direct Examination
By Mr. Hawkins:
Q. Will you please state your name. Air. Rickard .'
A. Thomas Arthur Rickard.
Q. And where do you live, Mr. Rickard .'
A. Berkeley. California.
(J. What business are you engaged in .'
A. Editor.
Q. What are you editor of?
A. The "Alining and Scientific Press'.
Q. What is that ?
A. It is a professional weekly publication — [spelling
it] w-e-e-k-1-y.
Q. To what extent is it circulated, where is it circu-
lated ?
A. It circulates as widely as it can, and that is around
the world.
Q. Does it circulate to any particular class of people?
A. It circulates among those engaged in mining and
metallurgy.
Q. What has been your engineering education, if any,
Mr. Rickard?
A. I am the son and grandson -and great-grandson of
a mining engineer. I was graduated from the Royal
School of Mines in London in '85, when I came to Colo-
rado, and there I was engaged as an assayer, surveyor,
mine manager, and consulting engineer, successively.
Q. In 1905 ?
A. In 1885. I was State Geologist for Colorado for
three terms, under three different Governors.
Q. Are you the author of any books, text-books, or
books on mining engineering?
A. Yes, seven or eight books.
Q. What are they 1
A. 'The Stamp Milling of Gold Ores', 'Pyrite Smelt-
ing', 'The Copper Mines of Lake Superior', 'Journeys of
Observation', 'Through the Yukon and Alaska', 'Flota-
tion', 'The Flotation Process'. There are others, the
names of which I don 't recall for the moment.
Q. What has been your experience with flotation and
| the flotation process ?
A. I am familiar with it in a general way, and I have
*The Commissioner and presiding officer is Houston
Thompson. G. R. Hawkins and Claude R. Porter are attor-
neys tor the Federal Trade Commission. Alfred A. Cook is
counsel for the respondents, the various Minerals Separation
companies.
read what others have written. I have visited a number
of mills where it is in use, I have watched it in operation,
I have made minor experiments on my own account in
order to try to understand the physics of it, but I am not
a specialist or an expert; I am an editor.
Q. Have you made any study of it other than you
describe ?
A. I have made a study of it for the purpose of un-
derstanding the litigation, the processes, and the writings
of other people.
Q. Now. in your study of it what sources of informa-
tion have you used?
A. I have gone to those who were directing flotation
operations, I have gone to specialists and have asked them
for light on the obscure phases of the subject. I have
been to a large number of mills where it has been in use,
and, as I have said, I have conducted some of the ele-
mentary experiments that are needed to understand the
phenomena of surface-tension.
Q. Are you the author of any literature on flotation
other than the books you have described, any articles?
A. Yes. I have written a number of articles by way
of comment and criticism, as editor of the 'Mining and
Scientific Press', and I may add, in order to win a smile
from the very solemn face of Mr. Nutter, that in 1918 I
was asked by the 'Encyclopedia Americana' to write the
aiticle on 'Flotation', and I took great pleasure in doing
so. Now [beckoning to Mr. Nutter, who thereupon did
smile] ; thank you.
Q. What is your familiarity with the articles in min-
ing magazines written by other authorities on the subject
of flotation 1
A. Well, I have published a great many of those
articles myself, and I always revise carefully anything-
that I publish. I have also read articles written in other
magazines by other people.
Q. You said you came to this country when ?
A. In 1885.
Q. How did you become acquainted with Mr. Ballot?
A. I was editor of the 'Engineering and Mining
Journal' in 1903, and then I came here and obtained the
control of the 'Mining and Scientific Press' in 1905, be-
cause I wanted to be an independent editor, and I didn't
have enough money to buy the 'Mining Journal', but I
did have enough to buy the control of the 'Press'. In
1909, on the invitation of a number of mining engineers,
some of them Americans, I went, to London to start ' The
Mining Magazine', and while there I made the acquain-
tance of the principals in Minerals Separation : Mr. Sul-
man and Mr. Pieard, who were among the leading mem-
264
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 21, 1920
bers of the profession. Mr. Curie, one of the directors,
was one of my very best friends, and he is still — I believe
I am not his, but he is mine — and I also made the ac-
quaintance of Mr. Ballot, through Mr. Curie.
Q. Are you acquainted with their policy, or were you
at that time, with reference to the restriction of the dis-
semination of knowledge with reference to the art of
flotation !
Mr. Cook : That is objected to as irrelevant and im-
material.
Commissioner Thompson: Whose knowledge? You
don't say in your question.
By Mr. Hawkins :
Q. "Were you familiar with their license agreement,
of the Minerals Separation?
A. I was not then. Not when I was in London. I
have become so since.
Q. Are you familiar with it now ?
A. I have seen copies of it since then.
Q. I hand you a copy of Exhibit 46-L, which is a copy
of the license agreement, and call your attention to clause
9 of the last sentence. Now, will you tell us whether dur-
ing the time you were in London, the Minerals Separa-
tion Company had a clause of that character in their
license agreement?
A. I was not aware of it, but I was aware of the ex-
treme paucity of information available concerning the
technology of the process.
Mr. Cook : I move to strike that out as not responsive.
Commissioner Thompson : We will let it go in.
By Mr. Hawkins :
Q. "What did you inquire for ?
A. I inquired for information that I thought would be
of benefit to those who would be likely to use the process.
Q. What did you want the information for, for per-
sonal use. or to publish ?
A. To publish in 'The Mining Magazine', of which I
was then editor.
Q. You spoke regarding Mr. Hoover's book.
A. Yes.
Q. It was published by 'The Mining Magazine'?
A. The Mining Publications Company; that was the
holding company. "We published the book for Mr. Hoover.
Q. "What year was it that you published Mr. Hoover's
book?
A. The book was published ill 1912.
Q. Did you ever have any talk with any of the officials
of the Minerals Separation with reference to its publica-
tion?
A. Yes. When Mr. Hoover offered me the manuscript
of his book. I realized it was a book for which there would
be a big demand. I knew he was extremely well fitted to
write such a book at that time. Therefore I was very
glad to get it. When I looked through his manuscript, I
found certain parts that seemed to me not suitable for
publication, especially the chapter that dealt with pat-
ents. I submitted to Mr. Hoover that he should not pub-
lish this part of the book.
Mr. Cook: I object to the conversation between Mr.
Hoover and the witness. He was not in the employ of
the Minerals Separation.
Commissioner Thompson : Sustained.
By Mr. Hawkins :
Q. State what your conversation with the ^Minerals
Separation people was.
Mr. Cook: I object unless the particular person or
persons of the Minerals Separation Limited with whom
Mr. Riekard had talked are mentioned.
Commissioner Thompson : You can name the persons
in the Minerals Separation, the names of the persons with
whom you discussed the matter, and then you can state
what you discussed.
A. John Ballot and J. H. Curie.
By Mr. Hawkins :
Q. What was said at that time, at that conversation,
by you and by them ?
A. Having made up my mind that the book could not
be published without the consent of these gentlemen —
Mr. Cook : I move to strike that statement out of the
mental operation of the witness.
Commissioner Thompson : The witness may proceed.
Mr. Cook: Exception.
A. (continued). 1 told Mr. Hoover I would not be a
party to the publication of the book without the consent
of his former employers, but that I would try to get their
consent.
By Mr. Hawkins :
Q. Why was it necessary for you to get the consent of
Mr. Ballot and Mr. Curie?
A. Because I knew that Mr. Hoover had been in their
employ, and I thought it was the proper thing for him,
as a professional man, to get their consent : otherwise he
would lay himself open to the charge of disloyalty that
had already been made against him. in ex parte proceed-
ings. So I went to see Mr. Ballot and Mr. Curie and
pointed out to them that if they would be reasonable, if
they would give their consent, Mr. Hoover would prob-
ably delete parts of the book that should not be pub-
lished, and if they were unreasonable he would probably
publish it elsewhere ; that I would not myself publish it
unless they gave their consent. I advised them in the
most friendly way to be reasonable, otherwise they might
have a great disservice done to them; and so it was ar-
ranged that the manuscript of the book should be sub-
mitted to their patent lawyer — I think he was called
Ballantyne — and Mr. Hoover acted most frankly in the
matter and agreed that this inspection should be made.
The manuscript was sent to New York, to Dr. Gregory,
I was told, and they had a cat-and-dog time of it for
three or four months —
Q. A cat-and-dog time — what happened, if you know ?
Mr. Cook : Were you present when they had this cat-
and-dog time ?
A. I was present at echoes of it. in conversations.
What we did finally was to accept the manuscript, with
many alterations and corrections in red ink. which
Angusl 21, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
265
marked the exceptions taken by the exports of the Min-
erals Separation to portions of the text. Those correc-
tions were all accepted in -rood faith by Mr. Hoover, and
by me, as publisher, and the book was forthwith pub-
lished.
By Mr. Hawkins:
Q. Do you know of any other instances in which they
have censored publications on flotation?
A. Yes, most assuredly, in my own case.
Q. Tell us of that.
A. In 1915. returning here, I saw the importance of
the subject and undertook to publish matter on flotation.
Among others I went to see Mr. Charles Butters at Oak-
land.
Q. Who is he ?
A. Mr. Butters is a well-known mining engineer, a
metallurgist of high standing, and a man of international
reputation. I went to see him because he was an old
friend of mine and because he had a laboratory in which
a Minerals Separation machine was in operation. I was
curious to learn all I could about the process, and I de-
cided that a good way of eliciting information for public
use would be to interview him. He consented to be inter-
viewed ; this was in July 1915. He gave some interesting
information concerning his own experiments. Soon after-
ward Mr. Nutter came to my office and asked me whether
I had some such article or interview in preparation for
publication, and I acknowledged at once that I had.
Q. What was the character of this information that
you were going to publish ?
A. Well, the interview itself concerned Mr. Butters'
past experience in metallurgy, and gave his opinion as to
the importance of flotation at that time, and as to its
applicability to various ores. So Mr. Nutter came to
me — I had known him in the most pleasant way for many
years — and he asked me whether I had this article. I said
"Yes" ; so then he said, "I have got to raise a red flag"
— a curious phrase — I knew the meaning of it, of course.
I said to him, "Excuse me for a moment if" I do not
answer, because I am angry. " So I waited for an interval,
and then asked him "You undertake to warn me not to
publish this artiele ? " He said, ' ' Yes. " I said, " Why ? ' '
He said, "Because Butters is a licensee of ours, and he
has no right to give the information, and it may inter-
fere with our business." Thereupon I answered, "This
article is the property of the 'Mining and Scientific
Press'. It is in my drawer here, and no man alive has a
right to come to me and tell me not to publish it — not
even Mr. Butters. As a matter of courtesy to Mr. But-
ters, if he asked me not to publish it and gave a valid
reason, I should probably acquiesce, as a matter of cour-
tesy, but I have worked on this thing as much as he has,
and it is the property of the 'Mining and Scientific
Press'." Then I added, in a not unpleasant way, "You
have no more right to butt into this than a man in the
street. This is going to lead to a great deal of unpleas-
antness if you press the matter. ' ' I think I volunteered
to give him the text of the article. At all events, I did
give it to him, and I said, "You may take it with you;
there is no great hurry about the publication of it," and
I think he asked if he could send it to Dr. Gregory — I
know he did send it to Dr. Gregory, because he told me
so, and then again I told him that I hoped he would not
insist on objecting, because I did not want to have a row
with him personally. Mr. Frank II. Probert, Professor
of .Mining in the University of California, was present at
the conversation.
In due course — it may have been ten days later — Mr.
Nutter notified me by telephone that he had heard from
Dr. Gregory, and that Dr. Gregory was not unwilling to
have the article published, but that he himself was still
unwilling to give his consent. Whereupon I told him I
would come down to his office — if I recall correctly, my
office was in course of repair, whitewashing or something
— so I went to his office. He repeated to me what he had
said over the telephone, and I said to him, "What is it
that you object to?" "Well," he said, "for instance,
what Butters says about treatment of the concentrate by
ehloridizing-roasting and leaching with cyanide. I am
thinking of taking out a combination patent for that my-
self." "Well," I exclaimed, "Good Lord! That is a
thing that any metallurgist would try. It is a thing I
tried in 1892." I thought it a most extraordinary objec-
tion that the article should be withheld because a most
obvious suggestion made by Mr. Butters was one that
Mr. Nutter himself proposed to patent, and thereby pre-
vent others from using ; nothing new, but simply an idea
that had been used at least 28 years before — had been
used by myself in Arizona, 28 years ago. Again I asked
him not to persist in his course, and urged him to refer
the matter again to Dr. Gregory; or it may be that he
agreed, without my urging, that he would submit it again
to Dr. Gregory. He did submit it again to Dr. Gregory,
and a few days later I received a telephone message from
Mr. Nutter releasing the article for publication. I said,
"Any changes?" He said, "No, it is not worth while,"
or something of the kind, and the article was published
in our issue of August 21, 1915.
Q. Have you had any other experience of a like
character ?
A. No, because no attempt has ever been made against
me since then to curb my proper function as an editor.
Q. What would you say as to the importance of flota-
tion in metallurgy?
A. Well, I heard the question asked this morning,
and —
Q. What do you have to say?
A. (continued) — and I at once framed an answer in
my own mind, as I heard it asked then : Flotation is one
of the most remarkable methods of ore reduction that has
been devised by man ; but, of course, this does not apply
to the one method, but to the many different methods
of doing it.
Q. What would you say as to the need of free ex-
change of information in the development of flotation?
A. Absolutely vital to the welfare of the industry.
Q. Why?
A. Because the progress of individuals is only made
266
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 21, 1920
by learning from the efforts of others. No one man ever
applied a process successfully on his own experience.
Q. Are you acquainted — I think you said you were
acquainted with the license agreement of the Minerals
Separation North American Corporation ?
A. Yes.
Q. You are acquainted with Clause Nine, which I
have shown you ?
A. Yes.
Q. The last sentence of which reads: "The licensee
shall not. without obtaining the consent of the licensor,
communicate any details connected with the work of any
of said inventions, modifications, conditions, or improve-
ments to any third party." What would you say the
effect of that has been upon the advancement of flotation?
Mr. Cook : I object to that as problematic and specu-
lative.
Commissioner Thompson: I think that question is
too general.
Mr. Cook: Indefinite.
Commissioner Thompson : And indefinite.
The Witness : Mr. Commissioner, may I ask a ques-
tion?
Commissioner Thompson : You may.
The Witness : In order to get at the whole truth — I
am a witness — I think this is the first time I have ever
been a witness — am I not to give information that is not
asked me in questions? It seems to me in order to get
the whole truth — counsel is endeavoring to elicit the
truth, but his inquiries do not always throw the light —
is it not within my province to tell it ?
Commissioner Thompson : You are supposed to be in-
terrogated by counsel, and he will take charge of that
part of the case.
The Witness : All right.
By Mr. Hawkins :
Q. From your experience, Mr. Rickard, and your
knowledge of flotation, which you have described to us,
what would you say as to the advancement of the art in
this country?
Mr. Cook : I object to the question as indefinite and
general.
By Mr. Hawkins :
Q. Has it been fast or slow ?
MR; Cook : I object to that as calling for a conclusion.
Commissioner Thompson : I think he may answer.
A. It has been . extremely slow, considering the im-
portance of it.
By Mr. Hawkins :
Q. What has made it slow ? Or what has retarded it ?
Mr. Cook : I object to that.
Commissioner Thompson: If he knows.
Mr. Cook: And as indefinite and calling for a con-
clusion of the witness; as incompetent, irrelevant, and
immaterial, in no wise binding on these respondents, nor
the respondents represented. Exception.
A. I think I do know, and I shall be glad to state.
The progress of the art in this country has been retarded
by the attempt to impose secrecy upon the experiments
and the operations of those using the process, by means,
of course, of these license agreements and other methods,
but more particularly by the effort to tie individual
metallurgists to the chariot-wheels of this patent-exploit-
ing agency, by preventing them from giving information
such as comes to —
Mr. Cook : I move to strike it out.
Commissioner Thompson : I think you are going too
far when you speak of patent-exploiting agency. You
may strike out that phrase.
A. Patent-owning corporations — we will call it Min-
erals Separation, for short.
Mr. Cook: We won't call it Minerals Separation, for
short.
By Mr. Hawkins :
Q. What corporation do you refer to ?
A. I believe I am testifying, sir; to the Minerals Sep-
aration, for short.
Q. When you say Minerals Separation, what corpora-
tion do you have reference to ?
A. I mean the whole caboodle.
Q. You mean the Minerals Separation Companies or
the Minerals Separation North American Corporation ?
A. Both the one in London and the one in New York,
as far as I know, are marked by the effort to bind tech-
nical men to secrecy, which is a matter that has greatly
hindered the — ■
Mr. Cook : Is there any question on the record :' May
I ask the stenographer to read the last question ?
Commissioner Thompson: The question is. what has
retarded flotation ?
Mr. Hawkins : Yes, he said that the advancement of
the art had been held back, and I asked him what had
retarded it, and he said he knew, and the objection of
counsel came then. He said he knew, and he started to
tell what had retarded the advancement of the art when
the objection came, and as I understand it he had re-
ferred to the name of the corporation indirectly.
Mr. Cook: Isn't that all speculative, whether there is
any retardation or not ?
Mr. Hawkins : No, here is a man —
The Witness: As an example of the methods by
which the art has been retarded, I cite a case that came
to my notice, of E. M. Hamilton, who gave me a copy of
an agreement or contract whereby a metallurgist in the
employ of a licensee is estopped from giving any infor-
mation to anybody, and he is bound to disclose anything
he discovers in the course of his work to Minerals Sep-
aration. I published such an agreement in the 'Mining
and Scientific Press', an agreement which was enforced
and binding on Mr. Hamilton.
Q. Will you look into your files this evening or in the
morning and find the publication of this contract .'
A. Certainly, I will. So I looked at this agreement
and it seemed to me to be extremely one-sided, and I
advised Mr. Hamilton to take legal advice. I asked him
if he would let me have a copy of the agreement and said
I would submit it to a lawyer, because I was curious my-
August 21. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
267
self to know whether it was legal or not. I submitted it
to a good lawyer, C. Irving Wright, and he advised me —
Mr. Cook: I object to that
CoMMTsmowBt Thompson: That is hearsay evidence,
Mr. Rickard, unless you can produce —
A. I can produce the attorney's published statement,
which was published in connection with the agreement,
in my paper.
Commissioner Thompson: You are not permitted to
say what he said to you.
The "Witness: No, but he gave me his opinion, and
he allowed me to publish it. and I published it, together
with the copy of the agreement in Mr. Hamilton's name.
and I told Mr. Hamilton, as I told other engineers, that
I thought it was an iniquitous thing, and that it was
peculiarly objectionable when it was entered into by an
honorable man, because it tied him for the rest of his
natural life — practically tied bis hands as a metallurgist,
because it made it extremely difficult for him to accept
employment or a retainer from any other clients ; while,
on the other hand, Minerals Separation did not give the
party to the contract anything in exchange for binding
him.
Mr. Cook : I object upon all grounds to what Mr.
Rickard said to Mr. Hamilton, and I move to strike it out.
Commissioner Thompson : Now, this is what he said
in the discussion in his paper, I understand.
Mr. Hawkins: His opinion of the contract, what he
thought was the iniquity of it, because it lacked con-
sideration.
The Witness : Certainly.
By Mr. Hawkins :
Q. Have you any other instances of a similar char-
acter ?
A. Yes, but not instances that I can recall sufficiently
clearly to be worth relating here. ■ I have had letters from
time to time from people telling of their troubles. Mr.
Jackson Pearce, for instance, told me some of his troubles.
Q. He told us that on the stand.
Mk. Cook: I have here the article: February 5th,
1916. I think that is the publication.
The Witness : Thank you. That is it.
Br Mr. Hawkins:
Q. Mr. Rickard, I have here the copy of your maga-
zine under date of February 5, 1916, and on page 193 a
copy of the agreement that you have just referred to in
your testimony, which is the agreement with Mr. Hamil-
ton, I understood you to say. As you have published
here in your magazine, it was made with John Doe, and it
appears that John Doe is a member of the staff of the
Minerals Separation Syndicate, and that this form of
contract here is one that was made with the members of
their metallurgical staff. What do you know as to
whether Mr. Hamilton, at the time he had this contract,
or made it, at the time you refer to in your testimony,
was or was not, a member of their metallurgical staff?
Mr. Cook: Isn't Mr. Hamilton the best witness to
testify to that?
Mr. Hawkins : I am asking him whether he knows.
Q. Have you any personal knowledge on the ques-
tion?
A. No. It seems to be a question as to whether this
contract was forced upon him as an employee of Minerals
Separation or as an employee of Charles Butters. He
gave me the information that it was a contract which
had been forced upon him, and whether it was forced
against him as one or the other, it was an objectionable
contract on every account.
Cross-Examination
By Mr. Cook :
Q. Mr. Rickard, I suppose this 'Mining and Scientific
Press', of which you are editor, is sold, is it, by you to
the public?
A. It is not given away.
Q. And the company that runs it, runs it for profit 1
A. Vous avez raison, vous etes juste.
Q. Merci, Monsieur.
Reporter: I didn't get that.
The Witness: You can put down, "A glimpse of the
obvious," as Huxley said.
Q. Is Mr. Parke Charming a stockholder of your com-
pany .'
A. Yes, sir, he holds $5000 out of $300,000 ; he is one
out of 22 shareholders, and he is the largest shareholder
outside myself; that is to say, no other shareholder has
more than $5000, and I personally own three-fourths.
Q. Do you know whether Mr. Channing has any
affiliations as an engineer with the Utah Copper Com-
pany ?
A. No, I don't know.
Q. You have no knowledge on that subject?
A. I would be surprised to find out that he had.
Q. Would you be surprised to find out that he was
the consulting engineer of the Miami Copper Company ?
A. I believe he is vice-president of the Miami Copper
Company.
Q. Do you know Mr. Argall ?
A. I do, indeed.
Q. Is he a stockholder of your company ?
A. He owns $5000, par value, which he has owned
for 15 years.
Q. Do you know whether or not —
A. And the same applies to Mr. Channing; they both
hold that small holding and have for 15 years.
Q. Do you know whether or not he has any control of
the operations of the Argo mill in Colorado, at Idaho
Springs?
A. No, I do not. That is news to me.
Q. And do you know whether or not he had anything
to do with the installation of the flotation process at the
Ozark mine in New Mexico ?
A. Yes, I believe he had, because he told me so.
Q. You know, do you, that since 1911 to date, the
Minerals Separation, Ltd., the Minerals Separation
American Syndicate of 1913, Ltd., and Minerals Separa-
tion North American Corporation, are engaged in litiga-
tion in the United States courts with respect to their
various matters?
268
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PF^SS
August 21, 1920
A. Certainly.
Q. And you know that the litigation is being vigor-
ously defended?
A. Defended as against them?
Q. Yes.
A. Not as vigorously as it ought to be, it seems to me.
Q. Not as vigorously as it ought to he ?
A. No, not as effectively as it ought to be.
Q. But it is being defended vigorously and effec-
tively ?
A. I presume so.
Q. And that has been the situation constantly since
1911 in this country with reference to patents of Min-
erals Separation ?
A. Yes.
Q. The case has gone up and down in various courts
and been commented upon by you from time to time ?
A. Yes.
Q. You say you were in London in 1909 ?
A. Yes.
Q. You are a native Englishman ?
A. I am a native of Italy, but a man is not a horse
because he is born in a stable. My father was a Cornish-
man.
Q. But a man may be always a gentleman ?
A. Yes, sir, even under extremely difficult conditions.
Q. When did you become a naturalized citizen ?
A. I am not yet naturalized: I have declared my in-
tention.
Q. You are not an Englishman ?
A. No, sir, I am not ; I am an American.
Q. Do you recall a publication of yours in ' The Min-
ing Magazine' when you were editor?
A. No, sir: I might recall one, but probably you are
going to refer to a particular one.
Q. Do you know the one I want to refer to ?
A. No, I have not the slightest idea.
Q. As editor, do you accept responsibility for publi-
cations in your magazine, of which you are editor ?
A. I do.
Q. You were the editor of 'The Mining Magazine' in
May 1911.
A. Yes.
Q. I show you an article on the subject of flotation
processes, and ask you whether that was not published
by ' The Mining Magazine ' under your editorship ?
A. I have no doubt that tha* is a correct facsimile.
Mr. Cook : I will ask to have it marked in evidence.
Q. Now, in your 'Mining and Scientific Press', when
you came to San Francisco, you published a great many
articles with reference to Minerals Separation, did you
not, Mr. Rickard?
A. I did, yes.
Q. And Mr. Nutter wrote you a letter, did he not,
calling to your attention this article that I have just
read, and you declined to publish it later. Do you recall
that ?
A. No, I do not, but if he says so, I accept it. Yes, I
do ; I do recall his asking me, and didn't I give a reason ?
Q. Yes, I am going to get the correspondence. Did
you not receive under date of October 11, 1917, from Mr.
Edward H. Nutter, chief engineer of the Minerals Sep-
aration North American Corporation, a letter of which I
am handing you a copy, to which was attached a copy of
the article that I just read in evidence ?
A. Yes, I think that is so.
Q. That is the copy ?
A. Yes.
Q. I show you what purports to be a copy of your
reply, and ask you whether that is not a correct copy?
A. May I read it ?
Q. Yes.
A. "Yours of the 1st inst. came duly to hand, and I
have read it with interest. The editorial in ' The Mining
Magazine' that you were kind enough to copy was not
written by me, but by Mr. Walker. I can see no point in
publishing it in our paper, but I shall always be glad to
publish anything that you care to write." May I have
my reply to Mr. Nutter in the record ?
Me. Cook : I am going to get it all in.
The Witness: Because, you see, the suggestion is
made that I wrote that editorial, and I didn't write it.
Mr. Walker was my associate and assistant.
Q. You were editor of the paper that published it ?
A. I was.
Q. And as you have stated in answer, you accept re-
sponsibility for everything published in your paper of
which you are editor?
A. I simply wish to establish my personal consistency,
that I did not write the editorial and could not have
written it. At that time I took very little interest in the
flotation quarrel, and I deputed that matter, which had
mainlj' to deal with the litigation then going on in Lon-
don, to Mr. Walker, who had been interested in it for
some time previous to my coming to London.
Q. You received the letter from Mr. Nutter in reply
to that, did you not, of which this is a copy (handing
witness a letter) ?
A. Well, that is merely a piece of maladroit humor.
Mr. Cook: Well, we have had so much adroit humor
from you —
Mr. Porter: I object to this. I don't think counsel
has to indulge in such remarks as that.
Commissioner Thompson: The witness did not an-
swer the question.
The Witness: Mr. Commissioner, I submit that the
correspondence could not be understood by anybody
reading the record, and they appreciate the fact.
.Commissioner Thompson: He asked you a question,
and you have not responded to it, that was the point.
You wrote the letter ?
By Mr. Cook :
Q. You wrote the letter?
A. You asked me whether I received it.
Mr. Cook : The only point is, we offered this letter to
Mr. Rickard for publication, and he declined to publish
it for the reason he stated, and there was some personal
correspondence between him and Mr. Nutter on the sub-
August 21, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
369
ject, ami the maladroit humor, or otherwise, is ool im-
portant in the case.
<.,). Sir. Richard, suppose you went to an inventor of
s process and asked him to teach you and instruct you
in the process, anil its variations, ami give you access to
his plant, his laboratory, and acquaint you with the de-
tails of his business, do you think it important for that
inventor to bind you to secrecy as to what you learned?
A. I would not go to him under those conditions.
Q. Please answer my question.
A. It is so supposititious.
Q. You would not go to him under such circum-
stances, but if you went to him under those eircumstancs 1
A. If I went to him under those circumstances, I
would refuse to sign any contract without a time limit.
I probably would refuse to sign any contract of the kind
to which you are now alluding.
Q. Well, you recognize the right, don't you, of the
inventor to say, "Well, if you come to me and ask for
instructions and ask for the secrets of my business, and
all of the details of it" — to decline to give you that in-
formation unless you —
A. Well, he has a perfect right to decline to do any-
thing.
Q. There is no obligation, is there, on the part of an
inventor of a patented process to instruct another in the
secrets or the details of it ?
A. Yes, sir, but you have entirely overlooked the fact
that I have denied from the beginning the invention by
Minerals Separation. I don't believe that Minerals Sep-
aration invented the process of froth-agitation — I believe
they only contributed to it.
Q. Mr. Rickard, irrespective of your own individual
thought or view of the subject —
A. I can't disregard anything without respect to my
own individual thought, sir. Why do you ask me such a
foolish question?
Q. Well, it is a habit of mine not to be able to ask you
any other kind of a question, I regret that. Unfortu-
nately, I have not had the literary experience you have
had.
The Witness : It would have been useful.
Mk. Cook : Yes, sir.
Commissioner Thompson : Until counsel and the wit-
ness can get on a better basis, don't let us incumber the
record.
Mb. Cook: I think the Commissioner will bear with
me in saying that I am trying to get along with the wit-
ness.
By Me. Cook :
Q. Are the views that you have expressed today, as
well as those that you have expressed from time to time
in your publications, based upon the statement just given
that you do not believe that they are the inventors 1
A. I believe they were not the sole inventors of the
froth-agitation process, but very important contributors
to the development of the process.
Q. And I say the views you have expressed today,
and from time to time —
A. Y< s. sir.
Q. are based U] the opinion you liavi given me!
A. Upon the belief.
Tin: Witness: Can I suggest a question. Mr. Commis-
sioner, a question to the counsel that will elucidate — I
have taken an oath to tell the truth and the "hole truth —
Comissioner Thompson: It is up to your counsel.
Me. Hawkins: You mean me?
Tin; WITNESS: Yes. sir.
[The witness left the stand and said to Mr. Hawkins:
"The question asked by counsel over there insinuates a
sinister imputation ; I want you to ask me when and how
Mr. Argall and Mr. C'hanning became shareholders in the
'Mining and Scientific Press'." He then returned to
the witness-chair].
Mr. Cook : Mr. Rickard, I asked you as to the connec-
tion of Mr. C'hanning and Mr. Argall with your paper,
and you told me of their interest. I did not mean to in-
sinuate anything, but I simply wanted to ascertain
whether they had a large or small interest in it. I had
no thought of insinuation, Mr. Rickard, on the subject,
and I think in fairness to you I ought to say and assure
you that there is no insinuation whatever.
The Witness: We will put the matter beyond any
doubt.
By Mr. Hawkins :
Q. Is there any further explanation you wish to make
with regard to the articles, or in regard to the subject of
Mr. Argall or Mr. Channing?
A. Mr. Argall and I are personal friends. I knew
him as a small boy. He was associated with my father.
Parke Channing has been a personal friend of mine for
nearly 30 years. Both of them were friends of mine long
before the flotation issue appeared upon the horizon,
and their holdings in the paper are very small. The only
reason why there are any shareholders besides myself is
because I wished to have the pleasant responsibility of
having some small holdings by a number of representa-
tive engineers.
[Editorial comment on these proceedings will be found
elsewhere in this issue. On page 279 we reproduce the
editorial in 'The Mining Magazine' concerning which
Mr. Nutter wrote.]
Electrolytic-zinc works are now manufacturing
spelter at Hobart in connection with the hydro-electric
power scheme financed by the Tasmanian government.
In addition to spelter, zinc sheets are being rolled, and
it is proposed to extend the manufacture to the follow-
ing: Lithopone blocks for marine boilers; zinc-shavings
for the gold industry ; zinc-dust for sherardizing metallic
aluminum ; ferro alloys ; zinc alloys ; zinc chloride ; zinc
sulphate ; caustic soda ; bleaching-powder ; other chlorine
products; and calcium carbide. The outlay of these
works is estimated at £1,500,000, and the plant, which is
now producing 70 tons of spelter per week, is being ex-
tended to produce 100 tons per day. In 1918 these works
produced from New South Wales ore 3822 tons of spelter,
at £152,880, and in 1919, 3668 tons, at £160,660.
270
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 21, 1920
Curves for Ore- Valuation
By K. K. HOOD
The estimating of tonnage in the ground and arriving
at a value of that tonnage is far from an exact science.
There is, however, often a certain amount of mathe-
matical computation in which the same assumptions have
to be made. These become burdensome because of their
repeated application. In such cases charts or curves
constructed from the desired data may be of assistance,
and it was with this idea in view that the two curves
shown herewith (Fig. 1 and 2) were constructed.
Fig. 1 shows a graph to be used in the computation of
valuation of ore similar to that found in the Wisconsin
zinc districts, where the minerals in the ore are a com-
bination of zinc and iron sulphides in a proportion with-
in the limits of the curve, and where the factors and
resultants considered are (1) metallic zinc in the ore as
indicated by sampling and assaying, (2) metallic iron in
the ore, (3) grade of recoverable ore, (4) grade of con-
centrate produced, (5) the ratio of concentration, (6)
cost of mining and milling per ton of ore, and (7) cost
per ton of crude concentrate produced. Having given
any two or more of these factors, the remaining factors
may be determined by inspection from the graph. In
constructing the curve it was assumed that 70% of the
zinc and 40% of the iron, as shown by assay, would be
recovered, and that the resulting concentrate would con-
tain 10% of gangue.
As an example, assume a certain block of ore has been
sampled by churn-drilling or other means and that the
average assay shows 6% metallic zinc and 5% metallic
iron. Without the curve shown in Fig. 1, the results may
be arrived at as follows:
70% X 6 =4.2% Recoverable zinc.
4.2% X 1.5 =6.30% Recoverable blende.
40% X 5 =2.0% Recoverable iron.
2% X 2.14 = 4.28% Recoverable pyrite.
6.30% + 4.28% -^ (100% -10%) =11.75% Grade of re-
coverable ore.
4.2% X 100 -=- 11.75 = 35.7 Grade of zinc concentrate pro-
duced.
100 -f- 11.75 = 8.5 : 1 Ratio of concentration.
The curve shown in Fig. 1, however, represents these
derivations graphically for any combination of zinc and
iron within the limits of the graph, thus: At, the inter-
section of the 6% 'Zinc in Ore' and 5%, 'Iron in Ore'
lines read 11.75%, grade of ore; 35.7% grade of the
concentrate. Then trace a line parallel to the ' Grade of
Ore' lines and through the point of intersection just de-
ASSUMPTIONS
707. Zn Recovered
407. Fe
107. Gangue in Concentrate
August 21, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
27]
tonniiied, and at the intersection of this line with the
'Ratio of Concent rat ion' tine read 8.6:1, ratio of con-
centration. See dashed line. The cost per ton of con-
centrate may also be determined from the graph by find-
ing the intersection between a line drawn from a point
on the A-A axis, whose value corresponds to the ratio
of concentration, and is equidistant from the diverging
lines from this axis, and the line corresponding to the
desired 'Cost per ton of Ore'. From this point trace to
the right until the A-A axis is cut and read, 'Cost per
ton of Concentrate'. Using the above example and
assuming a mining and milling cost of $1.50 per ton,
read on the graph $12.75. cost per ton of concentrate.
See dashed line. With a little practice the dashed lines
as shown on the figure can be traced mentally and the
above results determined at a glance. In determining
the 'Cost per ton of Concentrate', it will be noted that
there may be assumed ten small spaces on the A-A axis
between every large division and ten small divisions
along the line B-B, between each of the diverging lines
drawn from the A-A axis; so that a line may be drawn
equi-distant from any two of these diverging lines by
connecting points on the A-A axis and the B-B line
located the same number of small divisions from one of
the two diverging lines. Where this line cuts the de-
sired 'Cost per ton of Ore' line, read cost per ton of
concentrate directly opposite on the A-A axis.
In a great many cases experience has shown that in
the actual mining of a block of ore considerable more
rock is mined than estimated, and that the grade of the
ore is less than that figured. This is due perhaps to the
fact that ground is broken above the roof as figured,
and that mining is carried on outside the assumed areas
owing to the lack of a definite line between what is pay-
- EXAMPLE -
G/Wr -
Zn Ort Base = $0-5.00
Royalty - 15 7.
O-e (as 607. Cnncte.)' 7 V.
' Result
Value I Tan Ore.
Royalt/ deducted -
40 SO 60 70 -ffSO
Zinc Base- per Ton Concentrate - 607, Zn
NOTE
Grade -Metallic Zinc
- Grade -Blende Zn5
— — — Grade -Jack as 60% Concentrate
Fig. 2
272
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 21, 1920
ore and what is not, and the necessity of mining barren
ground to expedite the mining of indicated ore. The
consideration of the character of the orebody and one's
experience is about the only method that can be used to
determine the value or amount of this mining of ground
outside the assumed ore-bearing areas. In the construc-
tion of the curve shown, a line was added whereby if it
was assumed that an amount equal to 25% of the ore esti-
mated within an area would be mined, in addition to that
estimated, and that this 25% outside breakage would
contain no metal, the resulting grade of ore of the whole
could be read from the graph. See line marked 'Grade
of ore with 25% outside breakage'. Using the above
example with 25% outside breakage, the grade of the
ore as shown by the curve is 9.4%, instead of 11.75%,
with no outside breakage. The grade of the concentrates
will of course not change, but the ratio of concentration
will be increased. The effect of using an outside-breakage
factor is practically the same as using a sampling-error,
as far as the grade of recoverable ore is concerned.
Pig. 2 represents a series of curves applicable to an
ore similar to that found in the Joplin-Oklahoma zinc
district, using the following factors or variables: (1)
Value per ton of crude ore ; (2) recoverable grade of ore
expressed in percentage as metallic zinc, zinc-blende, or
as 60% -zinc concentrate; (3) market-price of 60% -zinc
concentrate; and (4) percentage of royalty to be paid on
the selling price of the zinc concentrate. Having given
any two of the above-mentioned factors, the remaining
factors may be determined by inspection. For example,
assume that a certain mine is required to pay 15%
royalty on all the zinc concentrate sold, that the ore
runs 7% recoverable 'jack', and that the cost of mining
and milling per ton of ore is $2.67 ; the graph shows the
minimum market-price of the zinc concentrate on which
operation can be conducted without loss to be $45.
This figure is arrived at thus : Prom a point correspond-
ing to $2.67 on the 'Value per ton Ore' axis trace to the
right until the 7%.-jack line is intersected; thence at
right angles until the 15%-royalty line is cut; thence to
the right again until the 'Zinc Base when Royalty is to
be deducted' is intersected. This point corresponds
to $45.
The graph also shows the equivalents in terms of zinc-
blende, and 60%-zinc concentrate for values of metallic
zinc within the limits of the curve. For example, the
curve shows that 6% metallic zinc is equivalent to 9%
blende, or 10% jack as 60% concentrate, or that 7%
jack is equal to 6.3% blende, or 4.2% metallic zinc.
A report on graphite, just published by the Canadian
Department of Mines, points out that Canada possesses
deposits of flake graphite superior in richness and quality
of flake to any on the American continent. What is prob-
ably the largest and richest deposit of flake graphite
known in the world occurs in Ontario and is worked by
the Black Diamond Graphite Co. Difficulties of concen-
trating and refining the graphite, however, have long
hampered operators. Recently, these difficulties have
been overcome by the employment of the oil-flotation sys-
tem of ore concentration, which yields far better results
than were obtainable by the old methods, both in the rich-
ness in carbon of the concentrate made and in the
amount of graphite recovered from the ore treated. Sev-
eral Canadian mills have now been equipped with the
flotation process and are producing refined graphite
equal, if not superior to, the best graphite on the market.
Production of Zinc
Figures compiled by C. E. Siebenthal, of the U. S.
Geological Survey, from reports submitted by all zinc-
smelters that operated during the first six months of
1920, show that the production of zinc from domestic ore
in that period was 251,065 short tons, and from foreign
ore 7043 tons, a total of 258,108 tons, as compared with
210,241 tons in the last half of 1919 and 255,502 tons in
the first half. The stock of zinc held at smelters June 30
was 29,892 tons, having decreased from 36,793 tons at the
end of 1919, and 59,651 tons at the middle of that year.
From the foregoing figures, and from the statistics of
imports and exports, as recorded by the Bureau of Com-
merce, it is calculated that the apparent consumption
for the period was 175,268 tons, as compared with 164,463
tons in the last half of 1919 and 159,501 tons in the first
half. In addition to the zinc produced from ore, 12,474
tons was re-distilled from zinc-ashes, skimmings, and
drosses. Much of this zinc was of a grade above prime
Western, and the total, added to the primary output,
gives 270,582 tons consisting of 41,177 tons of 'high-
grade', 17,310 tons of 'intermediate', 37,917 tons of
'select and brass special', and 174,178 tons of 'prime
Western'. Electrolytic zinc amounted to 24,035 tons, as
compared with 3845 tons in the last half of 1919, and
with 23,211 tons in the first half. The total number of
retorts at plants at which there were some operations
during the first half of 1920 is 157,456, as compared with
157,004 at the end of 1919 and with a maximum total of
224,778 on June 30, 1917. The number of retorts in
operation on June 30, 1920, was 95,000 as compared with
107,500 at the end cf 1919 and 82,000 on June 30, 1919.
English zinc smelting is greatly curtailed by high operat-
ing charges, and smelters on the Continent are handi-
capped by heavy fuel costs. Belgium alone is steadily
increasing operations, the output of zinc in the first half
of 1920 being apparently about 40,000 tons. At the rate
of increase which has been maintained since the begin-
ning of the year, the output at the end of the year should
be in excess of 14,000 tons per month, or at the rate of
about 170,000 tons per year, approximately 80% of the
pre-war capacity.
The price of prime Western zinc at St. Louis at the be-
ginning of the year was 9.05c. per pound, but it rose to
9.37ic. by January 9 and then by a long decline, broken
by several slight recoveries, reached 7.35c. on June 18,
rising to 7.6c. at the close of the half-year. The average
for the period was 8.36c. per pound, as compared with
7c. for the year 1919.
August 21, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
The Flue Type of Cottrell Treater
By A. B. YOUNG
•Intbodi otion. Tin' object of tliis paper is to describe
a CottreU treater thai was placed in operation in April
1919 at tlu> Tooele plant of the International Smelting
Co., for the purpose of recovering solids in the smoke
from the McDougaU roasting-fumaces. The treater is
simply a fine containing rows of vertical plates, forming
the grounded electrode, alternating with rows of small
horizontal pipes, forming the negative electrode. Means
is provided underneath for taking away the dust that
collects. This construction has certain advantages over
the more cumbersome types, both the vertical-tube and the
vertical-box, particularly in avoiding heavy supporting
columns and massive foundations. There are no right-
angle turns to interfere with distribution of the smoke ;
consequently there is greater efficiency, or, in other
words, a greater volume of smoke per minute can be
effectively treated. Another advantage of the horizontal
construction over the vertical is that the principle of the
selective precipitation of the various components of the
fume as it passes along the electric field may be utilized.
Since the treater has been placed in operation, the results
have been satisfactory, in many ways, particularly in re-
gard to the volume of gas that may be treated.
Construction. In the original design the flues from
the roasters delivered their smoke to a large brick dust-
ehamber that discharged into another flue connecting
with the stack, as shown in Fig. 1. The treater is so situ-
ated that the smoke is taken by it directly from the cham-
ber and discharged again into the flue. The complete
plant will comprise two units, only one of which has been
erected at present.
The treater is essentially a flue 10 ft. high, 12 ft. wide,
and 61 ft. long. Suspended inside, vertically, and run-
ning lengthwise, are four banks of No. 20 corrugated-
iron plates ; each bank is 10 ft. long, making an effective
length of 40 ft. The spacing from centre to centre of the
rows of plates is 9£ in., giving 16 rows of plates per bank.
Mid-way between the rows is a row of horizontal ^-in.
pipes, running longitudinally; the vertical spacing be-
tween them is 6 in. The plates form the grounded, and
the pipes the negative, electrodes. Allowing for the thick-
ness of the plates and the area of the pipe-sections, the
treater has an effective cross-section of 113.5 square feet.
Steel hoppers that discharge into a screw-conveyor
catch the dust underneath; the conveyor delivers into a
small bin built in a shaft beneath the treater. This bin
may be emptied into cars that are used to charge the
reverberatory furnaces and run upon tracks in a tunnel
under the large dust-chamber.
The unit is divided into two electrical sections con-
*A paper to be read at the Lake Superior meeting of the
A. I. M. & M. E. in August 1920.
Structed in a straight line and operating in tandem.
Each section contains 1wo 10-ft. banks of plates, or an
effective length of 20 ft. The pipe electrodes arc 26 ft.
long and extend through both banks of plates. These
pipes are supported by three grids, one on each end and
one in the middle between the two banks of plates. The
intermediate supporting grid is necessary to keep the sag
of the pipes within allowable limits. The grid is built
up with 1^-in. pipes that have been bored to allow the
passage of the ^-in. pipes, and is suspended from a beam
carried on post-insulators. A box encloses the insulators
and the beam on top of the treater, as shown in Fig. 2.
The feed-wire is brought into this box through an insu-
lator-bushing. Each insulator is completely enclosed in a
small compartment, which protects it from the stream of
gas.
The channel-iron beam that rests upon the insulators
passes through ring-gaps in the inside walls of these in-
sulator compartments. The ring-gap consists of a ring,
made of a 1^-in. pipe with the ends welded together and
welded to a round opening in the wall, and a short length
of 10-in. pipe slipped over the beam, making a 2-in. gap.
The opening inside the 10-in. pipe is filled with cement.
Each row of corrugated-iron sheets, forming the plates,
is suspended, with the corrugations vertical, from the top
by means of two angle-irons back to back, making a slot
into which the sheets are inserted and secured with bolts.
Much the same arrangement is used at the bottom as a
guide only. The sheets are not bolted to the bottom
angles, nor are they fastened to one another. They must
be carefully inspected before being put in the treater,
only those free from warp being used. The top of the
treater is made of steel plate ; and the side walls and the
insulator house are made of f-in. transite board mounted
on a steel framework.
Knocking devices are provided for shaking the dust
from the plates and pipes. For the former, there are
four knockers, one in each space between the insulator-
boxes. The knocker is composed of a shaft, running
transversely across the top of the treater, to which ham-
mers are attached, one for each row of plates. The shaft
is partly rotated by a handle attached to it, and the ham-
mers strike the angles that support the plates, first on one
side of the shaft and then on the other. The two pipe-
knockers are similar in. design and are arranged to hit
the under side of the middle grid of each electrical sec-
tion. Small doors in the sides opposite the grids enable
a man to enter the treater to make necessary repairs.
The treater is supplied with a sliding damper at the
intake by means of which all smoke can be shut off, and
with a butterfly damper at the outlet. There is a butter
fly damper also in the section of the old louvers, one
274
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 21, 1920
Ousf
X
FlG. 1. PLAN OP FLUE SYSTEM
having vertical and other horizontal axes.
At the outlet there is one set with horizontal
axes. The purpose of these was to regulate
distribution, but so far they have not been
used.
Nine hoppers underneath the treater col-
lect the dust. The ends, as well as the sides,
of these hoppers come up to the floor-line
and each is provided with a vertical baffle,
which extends through the treater from the
floor-line nearly to the bottom of the hopper
to prevent gas from leaking through.
Electrical Equipment. Th"e electrical
equipment for each section is as follows : one
25-kva,, 100,000—87,000—75,000—62,500—
50,000 to 220-volt transformers; one 31-in.
disc-type mechanical rectifier; one 3-hp.,
1800-r.p.m., 200-volt, three-phase, 60-cycle,
synchronous motor for driving the rectifier ;
one 37|-kva., 2200 to 220-volt, single-phase
transformer; one 1.25-ohm grid-resister with
current-carrying capacity of 100 amp., di-
vided into seven sections; one 2.75-kva., 60-
cycle, 220-volt, 22-volt, 125-amp. motor-gen-
erator induction regulator; three 7|-kva.,
2200 to 220-volt single-phase transformers;
one switchboard panel with necessary
meters, etc. In supplying power, the pro-
cedure at this treater follows that of the
other Cottrell installations of the Tooele
smelter, that is, to step down one phase
from the smelter main power-line, so that
it can be handled on the switchboard. The
current is then put directly on the treater-
transformer, using a synchronous motor to
operate the rectifier. No motor-generator
sets are used. The voltage is regulated by
means of a grid-resistor, the final adjust-
ment being made by means of an induction
regulator, thereby gaining much closer con-
trol of the voltage than can be obtained
from use of the grids only.
Operation. In the operation of the
treater, the pipes and plates are cleaned
periodically. During the few minutes re-
quired for this work, the dampers at each
end of the treater are closed and the gases
by-passed. Accumulations of the collected
Fig. 2. section of cottrell treater
August 21, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
275
dust nol readily removed by the knockers have nol been
found to interfere with electrical conditions, nor with
the efficiency of the treater, probably because of its acid
content ami high electrical conductivity. After some
time, this dust forme a thin permanent scale upon both
plates and pipes. This is almost impossible in remove,
and might, in appearance, be compared to boiler-scale.
A number of aspiration tests have been made to de-
termine the recovery obtained by the treater for actual
gas-velocities varying from 15 to 22 I't. per second.
Typical recoveries, which vary little within this range of
velocity, are shown in the following table:
Recovered
Metal
Copper 98.3
bead 81.2
Silver 8B.6
Gold 90.4
Total recovery 93.97
The velocity through the treater. under actual condi-
tions of temperature and pressure, is 21. -15 ft. per second ;
the volume is 146.004 cu. ft. per minute. The tempera-
ture at the outlet averages 260°F., and at the inlet, 280°
F. The uniformity of distribution is probably responsi-
ble, in large measure, for the efficiency attained with the
high velocity, which is approximately equivalent to a
breeze at 15 miles per hour. The upper limit of velocity
for 40 ft. of plate-electrode has not been determined, but
a material drop in recovery has been noted at 31 ft. per
second.
It has been mentioned that advantage may be taken
of the principle of selective precipitation in this type of
Cottrell treater where the composition of the dust, or
fume is such that the recovery of several products is pos-
sible. Tabic I shows the distribution of the various com-
ponents Of the dust drawn from the successive hoppers
underneath. The hoppers are numbered beginning at
the intake.
Tuhle ] — \ti:il\ |lf
of DiinI
Silver.
Qold.
lil-u!
Sul-
Hoppar Copper
Lend
ounces
nl, 10,
Iron.
phur,
Lime.
No.
%
%
per ton
per ton
%
%
1
...a so
3.2
6.84
0.4.1
19.1
1ST
14.1
2.6
■:
. . . 8.30
3.7
0.26
(1.41
20.0
17.1
11 ii
2.6
8
. . . 7.60
6.3
6 B2
0 38
20.0
17.8
14.0
2.5
4
. . . 7.00
6.8
6.96
0.34
19.2
IS :s
14 .7
2.3
5
. . . e.oo
8.2
5.94
0.80
10.8
18.4
11.7
2.1
B
... 6.15
11.6
5.90
0.27
10.1
IS :i
14.0
7
... 4.55
18.1
6.36
0.24
13.5
10 ■:
15.6
1.7
8
. . . 3.95
16.5
4.80
0.19
11.4
8.7
1 :, 2
1.6
9
. . . 3.80
14.8
4.30
0.19
10.3
G 1
10.2
1.7
The outstanding feature is the constantly decreasing
copper content and increasing lead content as the outlet
is approached, thereby permitting a portion of dust to
be segregated and smelted for its lead. An examination
of the, figures for iron and insoluble bears out the idea
that there is a marked tendency to precipitate the true
dust particles near the entrance, and that the more im-
palpable fume must travel farther through the electric
field before being caught.
It is extremely difficeult to state accurately the power-
input to the treater, other than that it is lower than usual
and varies considerably. For normal gas-volumes (125,-
000 to 150,000 cu. ft. per minute), the input of power
will average close to 8.4 kva. for the first electrical sec-
tion and 5.5 kva. for the second. Approximately 85%
of the dust caught is collected by the first and 15%, by
the second section. Sphere-gap peak-voltages run from
30,000 to 35,000, and occasionally higher; they are usu-
ally about 1000 to 1500 volts higher in the second than in
the first section.
i/y^y//-.
Fig. 3. another section op the treater
276
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 21, 1920
In conclusion, it may be said that this form of treater
has proved admirably adapted to this particular smoke.
Its ability to treat a purely fume product satisfactorily
is an unsolved question, no data being available for its
performance in this regard. However, when one com-
pares the compact flue-like building, which is efficiently
handling 150,000 cu. ft. of gas per minute, with the com-
plex towering structures of the vertical type necessary
to treat a like amount, a distinct forward step is ap-
parent.
Credit should be given to O. M. Kuehs, assistant gen-
eral manager of the International Smelting Co., for the
suggestion of the horizontal electrode and the use of pipe
for this purpose, thereby making the adaptation of the
plate-type treater to a horizontal flue feasible; to R. B.
Sumner, mechanical superintendent of the Tooele smelter
for its design; and to B. L. Sackett, superintendent of
the lead-plant at the Tooele smelter for the experimental
work done in its development.
The Paddy Pride Mine
The Paddy Pride Silver Mining Co. owns the Over-
sight group of five claims, nine miles west of Zabriskie,
California, a station on the Tonopah & Tidewater rail-
road. The claims are in a rugged country consisting of
a series of irregular, rough, and jagged limestone hills
at the southern end of the Funeral range. The claims
are at an altitude of 1500 ft. above Zabriskie. Water is
hauled from Shoshone, 16 miles distant, over a good
wagon-road, the last mile of which is steep and winding.
The outcrop was found at the top of the ridge and
some rich lead-silver ore was shipped from it. The out-
crop was then traced along the side of the hill and a 150-
ft. tunnel was driven in the vein, cutting it at a depth
of 180 ft. At 150 ft. from the portal there is a fold in
the vein and a raise was driven, the continuation of the
ore being found. Raises and two winzes were sunk in
ore. There is a 50-ft. inclined winze 50 ft. from the
portal of the tunnel and a 25-ft. vertical winze 110 ft.
from the portal. The ore is persistent in these winzes
and in a drift from the vertical one there is rich ore.
. One carload of ore that netted $1400 and another that
netted $1270 were shipped from these workings, but be-
cause of the expense of mining through the winzes it was
decided to drive another tunnel, lower in the vein, that
also would be more accessible for the wagons in which
the ore was hauled to the railroad. This tunnel, being
driven toward the hanging wall, has not yet reached the
vein.
The ore is lead-silver. The lead is mostly in carbonate
form, with some galena, the amount of sulphide not in-
creasing rapidly with depth. There is carbonate of lead
at the bottom of the 110-ft. winze, showing that the zone
of oxidation extends much deeper. The rich ore is in
seams parallel to the bedding planes of the shale and the
seams continue into the limestone as far as the fracturing
exists. The average width of the fracturing is 8 ft. The
silver content of the ore varies from \ oz. to each per
cent of lead in the richer ore to from f to J oz. to each
per cent of lead in the lower grades. Shipments show
the gold value to be as high as $4 per ton, with 4% iron,
20% lime, and little magnesia. A 25-ton shipment to
the American Smelting & Refining Co. had the following
content :
Gold, 102 oz. ; silver, 24.4 oz. ; lead, 45.9%; copper,
c *JWfc_
PORTAL, OP PADDY PRIDE TUNNEL
1.25%; zinc, 6%; sulphur, 8%; iron, 3.3%; insoluble,
11.8%. The smelting company paid $56.43 per ton for
this shipment.
The ore is valuable to the smelters because it contains
a large proportion of lime and some iron, so that a reas-
onable contract can be made for treatment and low-grade
ore can be handled at a profit.
A method of blasting a heading, possessing a new
feature, is reported from the Nordhausen mining district
in Germany. Instead of two or three inclined shot-holes
in the centre to un-key the face of the work, the holes are
bored parallel with the axis of the drift, locally known
as 'canon-shots'. These are arranged and fired to make
a hole of no great diameter in the centre of the face by
crushing the rock. Then a ring of shot-holes is bored
around this central opening and fired. This removes a
considerable mass of rock, thereby greatly enlarging the
central opening. Another ring of holes, more widely
spaced, clears the face. The novelty consists in the closely
situated central crushing holes. Being so near together,
it is not necessary to have a primer and fuse in each.
The concussion of one shot is sufficient to fire the rest.
August •-'!. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
211
New Hoisting-Equipment at the Tonopah Extension
Mine
•The Tonopah Extension Mining Co. has recently com-
pleted a number of improvements in its surfaee-plant,
for increasing the capacity of its Victor shaft and per-
mitting deeper mining under advantageous conditions.
These improvements include a change-room to accommo-
date 156 miners, new bins for ore and waste, a 100-ft.
steel head-frame, and a new building to house compres-
sors of increased capacity, and a new electrically-driven
hoist. A number of features in the design and construc-
tion of the hoisting equipment are of special interest.
The hoisting-engine was built by the Nordberg Manu-
facturing Co., of Milwaukee, and is of
the double-drum type, each drum run-
ning loose on the shaft, with a hydraul-
ically operated clutch and brake. The
hoist is connected through a single re-
duction of herringbone gears to a 300-
hp., three-phase, 440-volt, 60-cycle
motor, running at 600 r.p.m. It was
manufactured by the General Electric
Co. The current is fed to the motor
through a magnetically controlled
switchboard. A Francke all-metal
flexible coupling is interposed between
the pinion and the motor.
The hoist was designed to handle, for
continuous duty, when in counter-bal-
ance, a total load of 8 tons, which in
eludes the weight of the rope, from a
maximum depth of 3000 ft. Each part,
however, is of sufficient strength to
permit hoisting an unbalanced load
when necessary. The drum-shells,
which are cast in halves, are construct-
ed of hard close-grained cast-iron.
They are machine-grooved over the en-
tire face for lj-in. rope, having a pitch-diameter of 72 in.
with a winding-face of 66 in. The drum makes 54.8
r.p.m., giving a rope-speed slightly in excess of 1000 ft.
per minute.
Hydraulic operation of brakes and clutches, together
with automatic safety-devices, are important features
and are marked improvements over many types of hoist
that have preceded this design. The brakes and clutches
are operated from the engineer's platform in much the
same manner as with the direct-brake type of hoist. The
brakes are applied by means of dead weights and are re-
leased by a direct-acting thrust-cylinder, the motive
power for which is oil, from an accumulator, which is
maintained at a pressure of approximately 105 lb. per
square inch. The clutch-cylinders are of the differential
•Data furnished through the courtesy of John G. Kirchen.
double-acting typo, applying the dutch on the forward
stroke and releasing on the return. Oil is admitted to,
and exhausted from, the thnist-cylinders by hydraulic
valves so constructed that it is impossible for the inlet
and exhaust-valves to be open at the same time ; the
arrangement of the mechanism is such that the move-
ment of the hydraulic valves, and therefore the thrust-
cylinders, follows absolutely the motion of the operator's
lever. Whenever this lever eomes to rest, the thrust-
cylinders also come to rest and are securely locked in
that position, due to the fact that both hydraulic valves
HOIST-ROOM AT THE VICTOR SHAFT. TONOPAH EXTENSION MINING CO.
are closed. Accordingly the operator has full control
over the brake mechanism, in the same manner as he
would with direct action of the brakes, but the operation
is accomplished with less effort; it is more positive and
permits of a smoother handling of the hoist.
" The accumulator is a cylinder 40 in. diam. by 48 in.
long, outside dimensions, provided with a vertical fixed
plunger that permits the oil-filled cylinder to rise or
lower. The oil-supply is maintained in the accumulator
by two If by 2|-in. direct-connected vertical triplex
pumps. One of these pumps has sufficient capacity to
operate the accumulator, the other being a spare. When
oil is fed to the thrust-cylinders, the displaced oil causes
a slight movement downward of the accumulator, as the
oil drawn from the feed is in excess of that supplied by
the pump during the same period of time. However, the
278
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 21, 1920
capacity of the pump, working continuously, is in excess
of the total amount of oil required for the periodic feeds
to the thrust-cylinders so that the accumulator is usually
held at, or near, the upward limit of travel, at which
point a by-pass opens and allows the excess oil to re-
turn to a well from which the pump draws its supply,
and to which all of the oil exhausted from the thrust-
cylinders is returned. The accumulator has a travel of
36 in. on its fixed plunger, thus having ample reserve
during periods when the feed to the thrust-cylinders may
exceed the capacity of the pump, such as might occur
during a series of closely intermittent starts and stops,
or more especially when the clutches may be repeatedly
shifted. The quantity of oil required to fill the entire
circuit is approximately 50 gal. A light grade of dynamo-
oil is used. The use of heavy oil should be avoided, espe-
cially under conditions of temperature that would tend
to lessen its fluidity.
The safety-devices consist of a solenoid-operated valve
that functions in connection with the brake-operating
levers. A Welch controller works in connection with
the solenoid, which will open the solenoid-circuit and
automatically shut off the power from the hoist-motor
under any of the following circumstances :
1. If the hoisting-speed exceeds normal at any point.
2. If the operator fails to slow-down the hoist at any
predetermined and adjustable point, and further fails to
continue to slow-down between this point and the land-
ing-level.
3. In case of overwind.
4. If the operator fails to reverse the hoist after the
skip or cage has reached the landing, or limit of travel.
5. If the power goes off for any cause.
Should any of the above conditions arise, the solenoid
is immediately de-energized. The solenoid circuit is
then thrown open, the hydraulic brake-valves opening
simultaneously, and allowing the oil to be exhausted
from the hydraulic-brake cylinders; and the brakes are
applied by the dead weights, the entire operation occur-
ring automatically, smoothly, and almost instantly. The
solenoid, with its counterweights, is placed at the front
of the engineer's platform, while the controller, together
with the rest of the safety mechanism, is supported on
the indicator-column and is driven from the drum-shaft
by the same sets of gears and shafting that operates the
indicators.
Lead and Zinc in Japan
Lead is mostly found in the form of galena, which is
closely associated with zinc-blende ores. The principal
lead mine in Japan is the Kamioka, in Gifu Prefecture.
The Mitsui Miuing Co. in 1918 produced at this mine
7,408,309 lb. of lead, says a recent Commerce Report.
Producers and smelters were buoyed up by the high
prices ruling during the War and by the hope that strikes
and political conditions in the United States, Spain, Aus-
tralia, and Mexico, the principal lead-producing coun-
tries of the world, would create a world-wide shortage.
However, this hope does not seem to have fully material-
ized, and the lead market has become quiet as a conse-
quence. The increased cost of materials for smelting
and higher wages has caused a considerable reduction in
output as compared with 1917. If the 1919 figures were
available they would undoubtedly show a still more
noticeable decrease in amount and value, many of the
companies having experienced financial difficulties. In
1915 Australia sold to Japan 24.599,868 lb. of lead ingots
and slabs, valued at $1,102,933. The same year the
United States sold to Japan 5.790,156 lb., valued at
$248,307. In 1919, while imports of lead slabs and ingots
from Australia had only increased to 32,366,341 lb., im-
ports from the United States jumped to 27,239,280 lb.
In 1914 Japanese consumption of lead was estimated at
43.753,000 lb., a great share of which was imported from
Australia. In 1918 the estimated consumption had
reached 144,025,000 pounds.
Only since 1913 has Japan engaged in smelting zinc.
Prior to that time zinc ore was shipped abroad and the
refined product then imported. The largest zinc mine is
Hikoshima in Yamaguchi Prefecture. In 1918 the pro-
duction of this mine was given as 27,672,960 lb. of zinc
and 230,720 lb. of lead. The estimated consumption of
zinc in Japan increased from 25.512,000 lb. in 1914 to
60,761,000 lb. in 1918. The estimated cost of production
of refined zinc, at the smelters, is about $11 per picul
(133J lb.). Prices of 98% zinc ranged from $6.41 in
June 1914 to $27.40 per piexil in December 1915. Since
then prices have hovered around $12 as an average. In
March 1920 the price was $13.96 per picul. The margin
of profit, considering transportation charges, is thus pro-
portionately low at present. Yamaguchi Prefecture led
in zinc production in 1918 with 27,672,972 lb., valued at
$2,535,822. Fukuoka and Okayama followed in the order
named, with over 18,000,000 lb. each.
In Japan, the principal uses of lead are for the making
of paint, cables, and piping, and in producing acetic acid.
The principal uses of zinc are for plating and making
paints. In the mining of lead and zinc, primitive
hand methods are used by the smaller companies. The
operations of the larger ones, however, compare favor-
ably with those used in the Coeur d 'Alene, Idaho. There
are 2364 miners employed in zinc mining, while 1046 are
employed in lead mining. The Mitsubishi Kogyo Kabu-
shiki Kaisha pay their miners an average of about. 75e.
per day, with two holidays per month. The underground
miners work about 56 hours per week; surface workers
usually have a 77-hour week. During 1917 and 1918
a great deal of zinc ore was imported for smelting,
mostly from Australia. However, since 1918 imports of
zinc ore have decreased considerably, owing to a smaller
foreign demand for the refined article, thus causing many
smaller smelters in Japan to suspend operations.
The exports of zinc ore have shown a steady decline
since 1915, when they amounted to 13,618,250 lb. On
tlie other hand, exports of zinc ingots and slabs increased
until 1917, since when they have shown a noticeable de-
August 21. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
279
Flotation Processes
•The aanonnceme&t that die Minerals Separation Com-
pany is ready to do business in the United States marks
an interesting epoch in the history id' the flotation
processes, li is signalized l>y the formation of a company
incorporated under American laws, with Mr. E. H. Nut-
ter as manager. This method of concentration has
hitherto received but little attention in America, chiefly
because no one skilled in such operations has been on the
spot to demonstrate the application of the principle in-
volved. This disadvantage has now been removed, and
metallurgists on the other side of the Atlantic will have
an opportunity of judging for themselves. Concurrently
with the establishment of an American branch of the
Minimis Separation Company, the 'Engineering and
Mining Journal' publishes an editorial in its issue of
April 25, attacking the validity of flotation patents in
general, and those of the Minerals Separation Company
in particular. The 'Journal', after maintaining for five
years an attitude of incredulity as to the practical value
of a new-fangled notion, now shifts its ground, and
argues that the same thing was done twenty years ago
in the United States. Thereupon it recommends Ameri-
can metallurgists to go ahead for themselves, and not be
frightened with threats of litigation on the part of the
proprietors of the process now introduced to their notice.
We abstain from making more than passing reference to
the personal considerations that may explain this un-
friendly attitude toward Minerals Separation, merely
ejaculating, with Mr. Vincent Crummies, of immortal
memory : ' ' How do these things get into the papers ! ' '
How indeed ! It is not for us to say. But seriously, and
on general principles, we wish to warn American metal-
lurgists that the history on which the article in the
'Journal' is based is incomplete and the application in-
accurate. In our issue of September 1909 we published a
detailed account of the various patents from 1860 on-
ward, covering the selective action of oil, and the flota-
tion by gaseous bubbles, oil, and surface-tension, and we
recommend American metallurgists to read this article
for themselves. A careful perusal of it will show that
the subject is much more complicated than the editor of
the 'Engineering and Mining Journal' Would have it
supposed. Of course, all these old attempts to utilize
oil, acid, bubbles, etc., were perfectly well known to
Elmore, Cattermole, and others who have applied them-
selves to this branch of metallurgy. For instance, Elmore
only claimed the application of the principle to a freely
flowing pulp, that is, he considered his invention to con-
sist in the continuity of the process and in the use of
large volumes of water. This claim was, however, not
upheld in the English courts, although the German
Patent Office recognized its novelty; while in Australia
the decision of the law on the subject has not yet been
reached. The Minerals Separation Company, which owns
the series of patents of Cattermole, Sulman, Picard, and
•An edltoral from 'The Mining Magazine' of May 1911, in-
troduced as evidence before the Federal Trade Commission.
Ballot, bases its main claim on the use of minute quanti-
ties of thin oil for the purpose of creating the froth that
• nil, rt s and buoys the sulphide particles. Both of the
belligerent croups have patents for modern applications
of an old idea, and their patents will cause trouble to
those who wish to work the processes on their own ac-
count. So we recommend American metallurgists not
to be in a hurry to follow the 'Journal's' advice.
An editor may have some difficulty in deciding which
line to follow: whether to fight for the perfect freedom
of every process and so benefit metallurgists and oper-
ators generally, or to appeal for fair play to the indi-
vidual metallurgist, who by years of thought and hard
work has evolved a commercial process out of a ehemieal
or physical idea. His decision is usually made accord-
ing to the degree of reasonableness on the part of the
inventor. If the inventor is too grasping, general re-
sentment is aroused ; but if he is reasonable in his de-
mands, he ought to be allowed a legitimate reward. In
the case of flotation processes, the owners are not avari-
cious ; their terms of royalty and co-partnership are quite
businesslike. There remains a further reason for recom-
mending metallurgists not to embark rashly on the sea
of investigation and invention for themselves, namely,
the complexity and obscurity of the physical forces that
underlie the phenomena of flotation. By all means let
them make examinations of the problem, for we want
more light on it — and less heat — both from scientific and
practical men. But our advice is that they should not
do it at the expense of a mine, for it will come cheaper
to engage the services of an expert, who has had a few
years of experience, and to pay him a reasonable royalty,
than to spend time and money on research work in the
hope of evolving a commercial plant that will dodge the
payment of a small royalty.
There is another feature of the 'Engineering and
Mining Journal's' advice that is open to objection. The
question of the validity of patents is entirely one for the
courts to decide, and it is useless for an editor to pass
an opinion as to the legal standing of the various pat-
ents. If an editor has information that will help in the
elucidation of an intricate dispute he is fully justified
in publishing it, and in giving his interpretation of it,
but to present an incomplete statement that practically
evades the main question is only a trespass on the legal
domain. In this connection it has to be remembered that
several lawsuits are about to be tried in Australia and
for this reason alone one-sided statements and comments
by influential papers, though published on the other side
of the Atlantic, are to be deprecated. The Elmore v.
Minerals Separation case will be commenced on May 22.
The Potter Company, which has the rights to hot acid
solutions, is also bringing action against Minerals Sep-
aration. As for the De Bavay Co., nearly all the other
patentees claim that its process, though not necessarily
its patents, is an infringement of their rights, therefore
we suppose that it would be to the interest of this com-
pany that every patent should be upset in Australia,
America, and elsewhere.
280
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 21, 1920
The Mines at Chuquicamata
•Chiiquicamata, lying at an altitude of about 9200 ft.
above sea-level, is at the end of a spur of the Antofagasta
& Bolivia railway, about 14 miles distant from Calama.
with which it has daily train connections. The latter
town is 150 miles north-east of Antofagasta. The mines
situated at Chuquicamata are the property of the Chile
Exploration Co., a subsidiary of the American Smelting
& Refining Co.. and the present plant began production
in Slay 1915. It is said that the works at both Chuquica-
mata and Tocopilla represent a total investment of about
$100,000,000.
Tin- mining operations are simple. The ore, ranging
from 1.5 to 2% copper, is shoveled directly from the side
of the mountain into the care, which carry it down to the
crushers. There are three different series of these. The
contents of the ears, holding 90 tons, are dumped into
the primary jaw-crusher, which breaks up the large
pieces of the ore. Thence the ore is carried by belt-con-
veyors into storage-bins, from which it is drawn off un-
derneath by belt-conveyors and sent to the gyratory
crushers. These still further reduce the ore, after which
it is passed to Symons disc-crushers. It leaves the latter
in condition to be treated in the leaching-plant. Belt-
conveyors, more than 1000 ft. long, carry the ground ore
to the large leaching-vats, where it is treated with water.
There is sufficient sulphur in the ore to form copper sul-
phate, without the introduction of sulphuric acid, al-
though before this fact was discovered the company had
installed an elaborate acid-plant, since abandoned. After
four clays the liquid copper-sulphate solution is drawn
off and carried to the large tank-house, where the copper-
is deposited eleetrolytically in sheets, about 2 by 3 ft. in
size. These sheets of pure copper are then hauled to the
smelter, where they are east into bars 5 ft. long and 5 in.
thick, ready to be shipped.
The monthly production of copper is now between
3000 and 4000 tons, and an increase in the capacity of
the plant is being planned. The cost of production per
pound, including transportation to New York and selling
costs, is about $0,145.
The company has two railway lines of its own on its
property, one of standard gauge and another of the same
gauge as the Antofagasta & Bolivia railway — in all, about
50 km. of track. Moreover, it owns 50 locomotives of
three different types. Since the terminal of the spur
from Calama is at Punta de Bieles, a short distance be-
low the town of Chuquicamata, the company has con-
structed a track from this point into its own plant, thus
making it possible to load the copper bars directly onto
the cars at the smelter, and to unload all the materials
brought in from the outside for the use of the plant. The
entire product of the mines is shipped from Antofagasta,
in part by the company's own boats and in part by inde-
pendent steamers. However, the company is now se-
riously considering the building of a line almost due west
to the coast at Tocopilla, which lies much nearer to the
*W. L. Schurz in 'Commerce Reports'.
mines than does Antofagasta. and, moreover, is situated
farther up the coast and therefore nearer New York.
Power for the plant at Chuquicamata is supplied by
electricity brought from the company's power-station at
Tocopilla ; 100.000-volt current is distributed through a
large transformer station. Between 50,000 and 80,000
bbl. of fuel-oil is used at Tocopilla each month, and from
25,000 to 30,000 bbl. at the plant itself, largely for the
smelter and the locomotives. The water for the use of
( 'huquicamata is brought a distance of 90 km. from near
the base of the volcano of San Pedro. It is said that the
building of this system alone cost $1,000,000.
Chuquicamata. or 'Chuqui', as it is generally known,
is one of the largest mining camps in the world ; the
total population is about 10,000. The mine is situated
two miles from the town and nearly 1000 ft. higher. The
town itself is divided into three parts. On one side is
the 'American town', consisting of the houses occupied
by the American employees, the hospitals, the clubs, and
the offices of the company. The American and English
employees number between 200 and 250 and are em-
ployed on a three-year contract. Next to their settlement
is the plant proper — the crushers, leaching-vats, shops,
tank-house, electric station, smelter, etc., and beyond
lies the so-called 'new camp', or town, where the work-
men live. These laborers, consisting of both Chileans
and Bolivians, are housed in neat and comfortable plaster
buildings of which there are altogether some 1300.
"Wages range from 7 to 25 Chilean pesos per day (about
$1.40 to $5). Homes^for the American and better-paid
Chilean employees are noticeably well built, equipped
with heating apparatus and modern plumbing, and are
furnished as attractively as possible. The total number
of residence buildings at Chuquicamata is 1795. Visitors
to the plant may stay at the 'Guest house', where excel-
lent accommodations are supplied for 18 pesos per day.
A welfare manager has charge of the housing of all
employees, as well as of sanitary conditions, amusements,
and the general welfare of the native population of the
town. There are public baths, and a sewage system cov-
ering the whole camp, and the sanitary regulations made
by the welfare department are rigorously enforced. Two
hospitals with attendant doctors and dentists are man-
tained by the .company.
Education is furnished by two schools, one for Ameri-
can children, who are taught by American teachers, and
another for the children of the Chilean workmen. Sev-
eral hundred pupils attend the native school, which is
housed in an attractive concrete building and equipped
as well as any American school of equal grade. A church
has also been constructed, and is in charge of a resident
priest. Two club-houses are furnished for the American
employees, one of which is said to be among the finest in
Chile, possessing with other features a swimming-pool,
dance-hall, bowling-alleys, and billiard-rooms. Other
club-houses are available for the native laborers. A large
theatre displays moving pictures for the benefit of the
whole population of the camp. In addition, there are
golf-links, tennis-courts, football-fields, and a race-track.
The camp does not lack amusement.
August 21. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
281
IMING
FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS IN THE FIELD
miiftiiimitiiiiiiiimiimiiiiiilmiiiiiii iiinNiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiifmiiiiiimtiiiiimiiiimmiiiiimiiiimiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiii mliiiiiiiniiiimiiiiiriiiiimi tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitinili
ARIZONA
CONDITIONS AT THE V. V. X. MINE.
JEROME. — The reverberatory furnace at the United
Verde Extension smelter was blo\vn-in last week and is
operating satisfactorily. The roasting-plant is also in
operation, and as a result of this expansion the Extension
is adding to its smelter force. From a recent report
issued to stockholders by the United Verde Extension on
underground conditions it is learned that the ore-bearing
area on the 1500-ft. level is approximately two-thirds the
size of that on the 1400, and the copper content is about
6%. Development work on the
1600-ft. level has reached the
orebody and it is understood
that the first samples were in
the neighborhood of 5%. Sim-
ilar work on the 1700-ft. level
will not cut the orebody for
some time to come.
The tunnel at the Shea Cop-
per Co. is now at a point im-
mediately below the shaft and
a station is being cut for the
raise, which will be begun to
connect the tunnel-level with
the shaft 200 ft. above. In the
meantime the tunnel will be
advanced to cut the orebody
developed on the 325-ft. level
west of the shaft. The ore-
body is now dipping to the
west and it may require as
much as three weeks to advance the tunnel to the inter-
section. The width of the vein was determined when cut-
ting the station and an interesting point is that the walls
have changed from diorite to porphyry, the latter being
associated with the orebodies opened on the upper levels
of the mine. While the tunnel was being driven, a small
crew has been at work on the stope west of the shaft on
the 325-ft. level and several cars have been shipped to
the Extension smelter. The ore coming from this stope
is of as high a grade as any yet found in the mine and
expectations are that with the additional deptli afforded
by the tunnel steady shipments can be maintained as
soon as the new bore cuts the orebody.
Ajo. — The New Cornelia Copper Co. has declared its
second dividend of 25c. this year — the third since the
initial payment, made the latter part of 1918. The New
Cornelia is rapidly forging to the front as one of the
leading copper producers. Ore shipments were com-
menced exactly three years ago. The New Cornelia is
controlled by the Calumet & Arizona, through ownership
of 1.229,741 shares of its 1,800,000 shares of outstanding
stock. Dividend payments by New Cornelia therefore
benefit Calumet & Arizona to a considerable extent. The
recent 25c. dividend, payable August 23, will call for the
distribution of ,+450,000. New Cornelia last year pro-
duced 39,509,000 lb. of copper, and sold 29,972,106 lb.
The copper on hand at the close of the year was inven-
toried at 12ic. per pound. While the company last year
LEACHTNG-PLANT AT THE COPPER QUEEN MINE, BISBEE
showed a net income of but $17,246, this was after charg-
ing off $641,861 to depreciation and $897,144 to ore de-
pletion. The sum total of these two charges alone was
equivalent to about 85e. per share on the stock.
. Oatm.\n. — It is reported that the owners of the Gold
Dust mine at Oatman are preparing to install a milling-
plant. The company has machinery that can readily be
converted into a plant capable of handling the product
of the mines with small expenditure of money.
Coconino County. — It is reported that plans are un-
der consideration for the construction of a railroad that
will run from Flagstaff to Winslow and thence through
the northern part of Arizona to New Mexico, Utah, and
Colorado points, in order to tap the rich coalfields and
mineral deposits of Arizona and New Mexico, and also
connect with eastern lines.
282
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 21, 1920
COLORADO
CAPACITY OF SMUGGLER UNION MILL BEING INCREASED.
Leadville. — Mine buildings and equipment at the
Ponsardin mine that were recently destroyed by fire, be-
lieved of incendiary origin, are to be replaced by the
lessee, W. E. Bowden, and as soon as the new plant is in
operation shipments of tin and lead will be resumed.
The force at the Northern will be doubled immediately,
according to S. M. Carleton, manager, and two shifts
operated. The Rio Grande Railway Co. will re-lay track
to the mine and ore is being stored underground rather
than incur the high cost for haulage by team. A strong
body of manganese ore was recently opened at the Newell
shaft and is now under development. Operation of the
District mill has been unsatisfactory and it is doubtful if
the plant is kept in operation. The test run has shown
the mill to be "expensive, inconvenient, and unsatisfac-
tory", according to the manager's statement. Develop-
ment is in progress by the C. & H. Mining Co. in the
Graham Park section, operating through the Star of the
West shaft in search of the Iron-Silver shoot believed to
extend into this property.
Telluride. — Shipments during July from the Tomboy
mill totaled 60 cars of concentrate ; the Smuggler Union
billed out 35 cars. The last-named plant is turning out
about 400 tons of concentrate daily. Work is progress-
ing on the new flotation unit and when completed the
Smuggler mill will handle 700 tons per day. Lessees at
the Favorite mine at Ophir are shipping smelting-grade
ore.
Breckenridge. — Fire of unknown origin destroyed the
sawmill of the Royal Tiger company last week, together
with timbers for mine and the new concentrating plant,
now in course of construction. The delay to operations
will be expensive. A flotation unit lias been added to
the plant of the Liberty Mining & Reduction Co. on the
Pennsylvania group. Lessees who have been operating
on the property shipped two cars to the A. V. smelter at
Leadville last week. The electric-power line to the Deep
Shaft mine of the Tymos company on Shock hill has been
connected, and a second shift is cross-cutting to connect
with the Brooks-Snyder workings for ventilation. With
ventilation provided the Deep shaft will re-enter the
shipping list after a long period of inactivity.
Central City. — A rich body of lead-silver ore has
been opened at a depth of 35 ft. in the Alaska mine,
above Black Hawk in Gilpin county, by the Midwest
Mining Co. Rich lead ore containing native silver is
being sacked, while the concentrating ore is treated at
the Iron City plant with good profit to all interested.
The Comstock, operated by a syndicate of Ohio capital-
ists, continues shipments of concentrate and smelting
ore. The main shaft is to be sunk to greater depth and
the property long inactive is to be thoroughly exploited.
Rich gold ore has been opened by former Cripple Creek
men, on the Gold Rock in Russell gulch. The lessees, who
have an option to purchase, are McLean and McCamp-
bell. Ore uncovered at the 450-ft. level has given assay
returns of 48.60 oz. gold, 100 oz. silver, and 15% copper,
a total of $1100 per ton. The property was operated 13
years ago by the same McCampbell, who cut but passed
up the narrow streak that is now yielding this rich ore.
McCampbell carried up a short raise where the streak
widened to 12 in. The stope is now 18 ft. in length with
ore in both ends and overhead. The Rara Avis in Eu-
reka gulch has been taken under bond and lease by Steve
Hoskin, of Denver, and Kansas City associates. Electric
equipment is being installed.
Cripple Creek. — The crew testing the formation in
the north-east end of the district has drilled more than
1150 ft. and for 150 ft. change in the character of
the rock has been noticed. Small seams of quartz, show-
ing mineralization in pyrite with slight flourine stain,
have shown in the core of the drill, and conditions are
considered most encouraging. Progress is being made
at the rate of about 20 ft. daily. Samples of the drill-
core have been sent to Denver for assay.
MICHIGAN
RESUMPTION AT FRANKLIN ANTICIPATED.
Calumet. — Calumet & Hecla, by August 18 or 20, will
have caught up on unfilled orders for France. A recent
order for that country, 1500 tons, called entirely for
special shapes, including bars weighing 265 lb. to be
used for wire-drawing, and billets of from 150 to 400 lb.
each for seamless tubes. A small quantity of cake-cop-
per, ordinarily used for sheets, also was included in the
order. In the meantime, comparatively small orders for
domestic consumers are being filled, the last of which was
350 tons. Shipments are about on a par with production
and the curtailed operations actually leave a smaller sur-
plus on hand than was reported a year ago.
Planned improvements at the Calumet smelters have
not gotten beyond the blue-print stage and as long as
prices of material continue so high, it is not expected that
work will begin. Construction work at the Calumet mills
is confined to the erection of the addition to the flotation
plant. With the extra equipment installed and in opera-
tion, a further recovery from the conglomerate tailing
will be possible, as all the slime then will be treated by
the oil-process. Only two-thirds of the slime-tailing is at
present treated by flotation, yet the reclamation-plant is
yielding 1,400,000 lb. of refined copper per month.
Allouez reports 11,120 tons of ore for July against
18,750 tons in June, and its shipments, representing the
cleaning-up process in the stopes since its recent suspen-
sion, at present are not more than 250 tons per day,
while Centennial's shipments have ceased completely.
Superior in July shipped 1275 tons to the Osceola mill
and LaSalle's July production was only 375 tons. Isle
Royale has been making no overflow shipments for three
or four months and its production is held at about 50,000
tons per month, all of which is stamped in its own mill-
ing-plant. Arcadian Consolidated is making splendid
progress in the sinking of its New Baltic shaft from the
500 to the 900-ft. level, with two machines operating two
shifts per day. The next project, once the sinking is
completed, will be the driving of a drift south to connect
August 21, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
with New Arcadian's north drift on the 900-ft. level.
When completed, the drift will be 3400 ft. long. On the
500-ft. level a cross-cut was driven 15 ft. to the vein,
which revealed a width of 18 ft. and encouraging copper
content. The showing, in fact, was as good as on the
400-ft. level where rock that will yield at least 25 lb., it
is estimated, was opened.
Seneca reports a fair showing in Gratiot, while the
miners freely assert that the developments during the
past week are by far the best since the south drift on the
13th level started. The improvement in the level has
been persistent and there is every reason to hope for a
continuation of present or even higher grade as the drift
approaches Mohawk No. 1 shaft boundary. In Seneca
proper, preparations are being made to sink below the
fifth level. Concreting keeps abreast with sinking and
no delays will be experienced when capacity production
begins. The drifts on the fourth level,
north and south, are in excellent
ground and on the third level, north,
there is a marked improvement in
quality.
Franklin shareholders on the lake
are eagerly awaiting a resumption of
operations at the property. From
all indications the prospects of the
mine were never better thant they
are at present. Operations on the
39th level seemed to inject renewed
life into friends of Franklin, for good
prospects are known to exist 700 ft.
north, and perhaps up to the 30th
level. There has been no mill-test of
the rock in the lower workings, but
the mineralization was persistent from
the shaft to a point 700 ft. distant,
and the rock should assay 25 lb., re-
fined, per ton. The operations in No.
1 shaft have been confined to the one
lode, the Pewabic amygdaloid, while in No. 2 shaft the
Allouez conglomerate is promising and may prove to be
profitable.
of the vein on the 550-ft., or bottom, level of the Simon
Silver-Lead. A raise was driven on this level and at a
height of 50 ft. the orebody was entered. The raise has
been in ore for 15 ft. and a cross-cut on the level is ex-
pected to cut this ore within 40 ft. P. A. Simon, presi-
dent, has denied the rumor that the International Nickel
controls the company. He said, however, that the sale of
a controlling interest to the International had been dis-
cussed and may be discussed again.
Goodsprings. — T. J. Renaux has been appointed to
succeed M. P. Cloonan as mill-superintendent for the
Yellow Pine company. E. F. Gordon, of the Vanadium
Corporation of America, and Oscar Hershey, of Burch,
Hershey & White, consulting engineers of San Francisco,
are here to inspect the vanadium-producing mines, the
owners of which are seeking to find the best method of
marketing their product. The Yellow Pine shipped
NEVADA
CONTROL OF SIMON SILVER-LEAD PROPERTY MAY -BE ACQUIRED
BY INTERNATIONAL NICKEL CO.
Divide. — There is little doubt in the minds of many
who have followed the Tonopah Divide developments
closely that in a few months a report will be issued that
will place the ore-reserves at a figure approximating that
given by A. I. D'Arcy before he resigned as consulting
engineer. It is said that in two or three months the mine
is to be re-sampled in preparation for the issuance of
this report and that until then the main effort will be to
block out ore on all levels, particularly on the third,
fourth, and fifth, where the south-east drifts are said to
have been turned from the vein by the former manage-
ment.
Mina. — Ore has been found on the hanging-wall side
PORTAL OF THE STERLAG TUNNEL AT STONEWALL, NEVADA
during June, 21 carloads of zinc concentrate, 5 of lead
concentrate, and 9 of zinc slime. Nine cars of ore were
shipped from other mines.
Goldfield. — The Development company has levied as-
sessment No. 2, for 2c. per share, delinquent September 4.
A. I. D'Arcy, vice-president and general manager, in a
statement to stockholders, says that since June 16, when it
was started, to July 30, there was delivered to the mill
4800 tons of ore of a gross value of $45,690, or $9.50 per
ton. The last 800 tons treated before July 30 had a gross
value of $16.20 per ton, according to the statement. In-
dications are that the extraction will be 90% and Mr.
D'Arcy says, "as a matter of fact the tailing has shown
an assay value of but 40c. per ton." He estimates the
net profit from July 16 to July 30 at $12,000. The first
large clean-up will not be made until September 15 and
Mr. D'Arcy says "notwithstanding that our operations
are showing a profit, it will be necessary to provide addi-
tional funds with which to meet payrolls, cost of supplies,
settlement for custom ore treated, and other expenses
falling due before we can realize on our bullion and con-
284
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 21, 1920
eentrate shipments. " He gives this as the reason for
levying the assessment and by September 15 "returns
should well exceed expenses and the operation show a
tangible profit", according to the report. The mill is
now treating 100 tons of ore daily, an average of 30
stamps being used. All of the crushing is done on one
shift.
West Divide. — Zeb Kendall has bought the interest of
Al McCoy and George Cook in the West Divide, a silver-
lead prospect, and he is reported to control practically
all of the stock with the exception of that held by L. L.
Patrick. The cross-cut from the tunnel level at a depth
of 150 ft. is being continued and a raise has been started.
The cross-cut has passed the point where the vein should
have been entered, according to the dip as indicated in
the workings from the bottom of the 65-ft. inclined shaft,
which cuts the vein. The vein dips east, and well west
of the shaft there are two outcrops. If the most westerly
of these outcrops is the vein cut by the shaft, then, ac-
cording to surveys, the cross-cut at 150 ft. is still 20 ft.
from the vein, and if this is true the dip is not as great
as was estimated from the outcrop farther east. The
cross-cut is approaching the foot-wall of the vein. Be-
tween the bottom of the shaft and the tunnel-level there
is an intrusion of lime that has only a slight dip and it
is also considered probable that the vein flattens and
follows the lime, instead of continuing below it with a
dip as indicated in the shaft workings. It is on this
theory that the raise is being driven. The West Divide
has become the centre of interest in Nevada because of
the heavy buying of the stock on the San Francisco ex-
change by Mr. Kendall.
Tobar. — One hundred tons of silver-lead ore is being
hauled daily from the Spruce Monarch to Tobar and
Currie, 25 miles distant. Two caterpillar tractors and
eight motor-trucks are being used. The ore is being
treated in Utah smelters.
Eureka. — During the last 40 days 200 tons of ore has
been shipped from the Croesus. There is a shortage of
cars for shipping ore and this has been felt particularly
by the Holly and Ruby Hill for two weeks.
Tonopah. — The tailing at the Tonopah Extension,
West End, and MacNamara mills was covered with a
thick coating of sand during a recent storm. Lessees had
prepared the ponds for sweeping and treatment in the
special plant of the Belmont for this purpose. The tail-
ing is regarded as being lost for recovery by sweeping.
Stonewall Mountain. — The Yellow Tiger tunnel is
500 ft. long. A drill-sharpening machine is now being
used. The stockholders have made a generous response
to the call for assessment No. 2, according to Gordon M.
Bettles, manager.
The Red Indian Metallic Point Co. has been organized
at Reno to develop a deposit of red ochre, or 'paint ore',
that is said to be 97£% oxide of iron. The president of
the company is Charles R. Evans, Congressman from
Nevada. The claims, which are five miles from the
Sterlag tunnel of the Yellow Tiger, are developed by sev-
eral short tunnels and shallow shafts.
NEW MEXICO
OPERATIONS AT BURRO MOUNTAIN CONCENTRATOR ARE
RESUMED.
Burro Mountain. — On August 1 operations were re-
sumed at the Phelps Dodge Corporation's Burro Moun-
tain concentrating plant after a shut-down of 14 months,
during which time the two-unit concentrator has been
completely remodeled under the direction of H. Kenyon
Burch.
The original mill as completed in 1916 was designed
for 500 tons per unit, but the capacity was increased by
minor changes, until at the time of the shut-down 700
tons per unit was being handled. Arrangement of plant
at that time was: crushing-plant, No. 8 gyratory, griz-
zlies, and three vertical-disc crushers followed by three
54 by 24-in. rolls breaking to four-mesh. Each unit of
the concentrator consisted of six roughing-tables, two
duplex classifiers, four 48 by 96-in. rod-mills, and two
more duplex classifiers. The classifier sand went to six
sand-tables and the slime to six mechanical-flotation ma-
chines; all flotation tailing went to fifteen pan-motion
vanners. Tailing from the six sand-tables was added to
the vanner tailing.
Rearrangement of the mill as it is now running to
handle 1000 tons per unit is as follows : crushing-plant,
3-in. grizzley, No. 8 gyratory, two 48 by 120-in. trommels
to 1£ in., two vertical-disc crushers to 1£ in. Concen-
trator unit, two 78 by 150-in. rod-mills, seven roughing-
tables, two duplex classifiers, four 48 by 96-in. rod-mills
in closed circuit with two duplex classifiers. Slime from
all classifiers goes to four pneumatic flotation machines,
with the flotation tailing to 24 slime-tables. Flotation feed
is 48-mesh. Three No. 7£ rotary blowers furnish air at
4 lb. pressure to all of the flotation machines, which are
arranged with rougher and cleaner cells, all tailing com-
ing from the roughers. Operations were resumed with-
out mechanical difficulty, with a certainty that concen-
tration will yield a higher extraction than was attained
in the old plant. The flow-sheet of the plant as now
operating is shown on the opposite page.
Electrical transmission-lines from the power-plant to
the concentrator have been doubled to take care of the
extra power required. The power-plant is now equipped
with four Nordberg-Carels five-cylinder vertical Diesel-
type generating engines delivering a total of 5000 hp.
for all mining as well as concentrating requirements. A
duplicate of the 4000-eu. ft. Nordberg-Carels Diesel com-
pressor erected in 1917 has been added to ensure a con-
tinuous and economical supply of air for mining; the
power-plant is completely equipped with Diesel engines
and is the largest of its type thus far erected in the
United States.
During the period of reconstruction at the mill, ex-
tensive development was carried out at the mine, 122,338
ft. of work having been done, .with some churn-drilling
from the surface. The result was a satisfactory increase
in the grade and tonnage of ore-reserves and a more eco-
nomical arrangement of tracks and equipment for un-
derground haulage.
August 21, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
285
UTAH
l'T\ll COPPED OPER ITIONS.
Salt Lake City. — During the second quarter of the
current year, the Arthur plant of the Utah Copper Co.
treated 1,428,600 dry tons of ore, being 145,300 tons more
than for the preceding quarter. The ore averaged 1.21:!' ,
copper and the average extraction was 82.8' , . as against
1.233% and 86.14%. respectively, for the first quarter of
the year. The production of copper from concentrate
was 28,697,127 lb. and from leaehing-plant precipitate
307,254 lb., making a total of 29,004,381, as compared
with 27.257.546 lb. for the first quarter. The average
cost per pound of net copper produced, including all
charges except Federal income tax reserve and without
credit for gold, silver, and miscellaneous income, was
13.697c, as compared with 13.202c. for the previous quar-
ter. The value of the gold and silver was $234,544, while
miscellaneous income amounted to $300,767. These items
combined are equal to 1.929c. per net pound of copper
produced. The total net profit for the second quarter
was $2,240,470. A dividend of $1.50 per share, or
$2,436,735, was paid on June 30, leaving a deficit for
the quarter of $196,265, as compared with a profit for the
first quarter of $433,855. The earnings for the second
quarter were computed on the basis of 18.209c. per pound
for copper, as against 21.994e. the previous quarter.
The lower carrying price was due to sales of copper hav-
ing been less than the quantity produced during the
period, whereas during the first quarter of the year, the
reverse was true. During the quarter there was removed
760,610 cu. yd. of capping, as compared with 839,713 for
the first quarter. The Bingham & Garfield railway trans-
ported a daily average of 19,068 tons of freight during
the quarter, as against 17,458 tons for the previous
quarter.
Park City. — The Park-Utah company made its first
shipment in many months during the week ended August
7. The total output of the mines in this district for that
week was 2308 tons, as compared with 1901 tons for the
previous week. The Judge M. & S. shipped 721 tons ; the
Ontario, 540 tons ; Silver King Coalition, 542 tons ; Daly-
West, 339 tons; Park-Utah, 64 tons; and Naildriver, 120
tons. The Judge smelter shipped 20 tons of premium
spelter. At a special meeting of the stockholders of the
Copper King Mining Co. on August 9, it was unanimous-
ly voted to consolidate that property with the Big Cot-
tonwood Coalition Mines Co. This will give the new com-
pany about 400 acres of mineral-bearing ground. The
property is situated in the Big Cottonwood district, and
from recent reports indications are promising. Condi-
tions continue to be good at the Iowa Copper property,
small pockets of galena occasionally appearing in the
face of the cross-cut on the 200-ft. level, according to
David Scott, the manager.
Eureka. — An offer to purchase the property of the
Godiva Mining Co. has been made, and a special stock-
holders' meeting has been called for August 21 to con-
sider the proposition. This is one of the old mines of
the camp, and at present it is controlled by the Mc-
Cbrystiil interests. During tin- Week elided August 7 the
Chief Consolidated shipped 49 cars; Tintic stain lard. 2* ;
Dragon. 12; Eagle & Blue Bell, 10; Iron Blossom, 9;
Mammoth, 9; Grand Central. 7; Iron King. t>: Gemini,
4; Victoria, :!; Swansea. :! ; Gold Chain, 2; Centennial
Eureka, 2; Bullion Heck. 2; Sunbeam. 2; Tintic- Drain
Tunnel. 1: Laclede, 1. making a total of 150 cars, as
against 140 can shipped the previous week.
Thomas O'Keefe has accepted the superintendency of
the Griggs-IIuisb concentrator. Operations at the plant
were started early in August, the material treated being
the tailing from the May Day mill. The necessary con-
i j y i i~j
mmt
Coarse -ore bins
J-m. Smiley
Mo 6 Gyratory crusher
Two 48 by 120 -in. trommels
Two vertical- disc crushers
Fine - ore bins
Two 76 by 150 -in. rod- mills
Seven rougher -tables
Two duple* classifiers
four 48 by $6-m. rod-mills
Two duplex classifiers
four flotation rougher -machines
four cleaner-cells
J[ Uj, U _ U\ U U V\ U[ V 24 slime -tables
W\ V\ Yj Y^ V} Y| VpdjJi^ Yj V} Y| ]
Concentrate
Tail
NEW PLOW-SHEET FOR BURRO MOUNTAIN CONCENTRATOR
neetions to enable milling ore from the May Day and
Yankee properties to be delivered direct to the ore-bins
at the new plant have been 'completed.
During the second quarter of the current year the
Chief Consolidated Mining Co.'s development work to-
talled 6948 ft. of drifts, winzes, and raises. There was
shipped a total of 20,071 tons of ore, yielding after
smelting, transportation, and sampling charges, $407,993.
The average assay of the ore shipped was as follows:
gold, 0.07 oz. ; silver, 25.57 oz. ; lead in lead ores, 11.9% ;
zinc in zinc ores, 34.29% ; zinc in zinc-lead ores, 16.77%,
and lead in zinc-lead ores, 13.14%. The average gross
value per ton of all ores was $39.44; smelting, freight,
and sampling, $18.12, leaving a net value of $20.32.
286
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 21, 1920
After payment of all charges, the net profit for the quar-
ter was $18,073. The cause of the large decrease in
profits was the drop of 29c. per ounce in the price of
silver, and the continuance of high operating, freight,
and treatment costs. During the quarter there was paid
out for additional mineral land about $57,000 ; this pay-
ment covering several small areas necessary to protect
the company in its future operations. What is thought
to he an entirely new ore-zone has been cut in the eastern
part of the property. For some time, two drifts, sev-
eral hundred feet apart, have been driven eastward on
the 1800-ft. level. Recently work has been confined to
the north drift, and at a point about 1500 ft. from the
most easterly known ore deposit, the new zone was
found. The point where this work is in progress is about
1200 ft. from the new shaft.
According to officials of the Pinion Queen Mining Co.,
the treasury now contains sufficient funds to continue
development work which has been in progress for some
time past. The shaft is now at a depth of 730 ft., and
when the 900-ft. level is reached, sinking will be stopped
temporarily to permit cross-cutting and drifting.
Since the re-timbering of the main working-shaft at
the Bullion Beck property was completed, seven ears of
ore have been shipped. Recently some additional leases
have been given. There is still considerable virgin terri-
tory at this property, although the mine has been a pro-
ducer for nearly 50 years.
Grand County. — Thirty years search for a rich gold
vein has been rewarded by a discovery in Miners' Basin,
about 35 miles from Moab. During that period W. I.
Fowler and Robert G. Bryant have been prospecting
every summer in an effort to discover the source of the
rich float picked up in Miners' Basin. The find is report-
ed to have been made in a mountain just south of the
Tornado property, and the quartz ore assays as high as
$2000 per ton. Dozens of locations have been staked dur-
ing the past ten days, indicating that there will possibly
be a revival of the boom of twenty years ago, when
Miners' Basin boasted a population of several hundred
people.
WISCONSIN
NEW JERSEY ZrNC CO. MOVES PLANT.
Highland. — The New Jersey Zinc Co., which pur-
chased in fee thousands of acres of land in this district
for the purpose of mining for smithsonite is abandoning
the camp after heavy investments in modern plants. The
big deposits have been exhausted. Seven mills are being
dismantled and the machinery removed to other districts
in the field where the syndicate is now engaged in zinc
mining.
Cuba City.— The Zinc Hill Mining Co., a South Da-
kota corporation, licensed to do business in "Wisconsin,
has increased its capital stock from $300,000 to $1,000,-
000. The increased capital will provide for two new
zinc-concentrating mills ; an all-steel magnetic separating-
plant of the Louis Skinner rabble type, to cost $100,000 ;
and a site for the new separating-plant. Charles Wolf,
president and manager of the Zinc Hill Mining Co., is
authority for the statement that it is the intention of
the company to erect a zinc-smelter at some convenient
point in the coal-belt of Illinois. Drills at work over a
period of a year have prospected the hills in and about
Cuba City and the east extension of the Raisbeck range
has been proved over a stretch of a mile. It is said this
will guarantee large zinc-ore production over a period
of several years. The Big Dick mine, owned and op-
erated by the Zinc Hill, is now producing at the rate of
50 tons of zinc concentrate on a single shift in the mill.
Mechanics are engaged in erecting a new 100-ton zine-
mill, on the Lee farm south of and adjoining the Big
Dick mine. The principal shareholders of Zinc Hill
Mining Co. are Davenport and Waterloo (Iowa) capi-
talists. It is stated that the company has ample financial
support.
Benton. — The Frontier Mining Co., now operating the
Middie and Bull Moose mines, is dismantling and re-
moving to a new site, near the Bull Moose mine, its 250-
ton power, mining, and milling plant at the Frontier
mine, where the ore has been exhausted. The Middie
and Bull Moose mines are large producers of zinc ore
and big reserves of milled ore are held at both mines.
Rich strikes have been made by the Frontier Mining Co.,
on the Farrey-Whaley lands, the main deposit of zinc
ore being 30 ft. thick. Drills are at work proving the
Furlong farm, in Vinegar Hill township, near the site of
the former Vinegar Hill mine, where outcrops of lead
ore were found recently. The Frontier Mining Co. was
originally incorporated under the laws of Indiana for
$75,000. Later this was increased to $125,000; it has
been one of the consistent dividend payers in the Wis-
consin field.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
PREMIER TUNNEL CUTS VEIN AT A DEPTH OF 675 FEET.
Stewart. — The most important news of the week is
the striking of the ore-shoot at the Premier mine by a
tunnel at a point 675 ft. below the outcrop. It will take
time to determine the width and length of the shoot, but
the quality of the ore is said to be similar to that in the
upper levels. It has been decided to erect a cyanide-
plant at the mine, and this and the concentrator prob-
ably will be in operation before the end of the year. The
Algunican Development Co. is pushing exploration and
development at the Spider, Northern Light, and Fitz-
gerald groups. Next to the Premier company, which is
employing more than 150 men, the Algunican company
is the largest employer of labor in the district. R. P.
Thompson, of Everett, Washington, has struck high-
grade silver ore at the Bayview group, on the hills near
Stewart. He has established a camp on the property and
is cutting a trail through difficult ground that entails a
good deal of blasting. R. F. Weeks, of the Consolidated
Gold Fields, Ltd., of South Africa, has been examining
properties in the Alice Arm district. Mr. Weeks is said
to have an option on a controlling block of stock in the
McLennan Mines, Ltd., which owns the Royal group, ad-
August 21, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
287
joining the Dolly Varden property on the west. He will
soon be prepared to make his report.
Trail. — The Bmma mine, which was closed at the time
that the copper Mast-furnaces at the smelter were slim
down, is being re-opened. A fori',' of 50 men is at work
and it is expected that six oars of ore will be shipped
from the mine each week. The Bmma ore contains
hardly enough copper to pay for mining and transporta-
tion, but is rich in iron, and consequently useful for
fluxing the silieious ores. At the time the mine was
closed, it was thought the Canada Copper Corporation
would be shipping eoneentrate to Trail before this, and
that the iron content of the concentrate would supply
the necessary flux for the other ores. During the last
ten days of July. 12,862 tons of ore and eoneentrate was
instances by finding their headquarters in the hills rifled
on returning from their periodical trips.
The Perrier Gold Mines Ltd., of Nelson, recently in-
corporated with a capitalization of $250,000, announces
that the development of the Perrier, on Cottonwood
creek, will be proceeded with. The property has been
opened by two shafts, one being 120 ft. deep with a north-
erly drift 200 ft. in length from the bottom. There are
two feet of good milling ore in the shaft and a similar
width in the face of the drift. The smaller shaft, 40 ft.
deep, has been sunk in four feet of milling ore. The
latter is said to he similar to the product of the Atha-
basca and the Granite-Poorman, from 60 to 70% of the
gold being free-milling. While there is a considerable
body of ore blocked out, no stoping has been done as yet,
BULLION BECK AND CHAMPION MINES AT EUREKA, UTAH
received at the smelter, 10,916 tons coming from the
Consolidated company's mines. The other shippers were :
Bluebell, Riondel, 140 tons ; Caledonia, Adamant, 3 tons ;
Florence, Princess Creek, 56 tons ; Josie, Rossland, 349
tons ; Mandy, La Pas, 870 tons ; Monarch, Feld, 138 tons ;
North Star, Kimberley, 291 tons; Providence, Green-
wood, 48 tons; and St. Eugene, Moyie, 51 tons. Total
receipts for the year to date are 181,157 tons.
Nelson. — The Prospectors' Protective Association con-
tinues to gather strength. Local organizations repre-
senting the Grand Forks and Smithers districts have
made applications to the central body for copies of the
constitution and there is every reason to believe that they
will become affiliated. It has been decided that the at-
torney-general shall be asked what action will be taken
to protect prospectors' cabins and caches from the depre-
dations of thieves. It appears that members of the asso-
ciation have been put to expense and annoyance in many
the ore shipped having been taken out in the course of
development. The present equipment includes a 150-ton
milling-plant, a compressor, a friction-hoist, and a
hydraulic pump, this being operated by water-power
brought through a 2500-ft. eight-inch wooden pipe.
Vancouver — John Hopp, well known as a hydraulic-
placer operator in the Cariboo, states that, while British
Columbians interested in this phase of mining appreciate
government action in relieving them partly from taxa-
tion and the payment of royalty, they still are seriously
handicapped. With camp supplies, fuel, and wages
doubled in cost, the gold-mining companies are in diffi-
culties by being compelled to market their product at an
arbitray figure. "We miners," he said, "only wish that
gold would be left free to have its price fixed by the law
of supply and demand. The arbitrary price of $20.67
per ounce hits us hard. Only the best conducted plants
can afford to operate and many placer men are just
288
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 21, 1920
holding on and not operating." He stated that the water
has been late this year and that to make it worse there
is a very rapid run-off which probably will limit the
season to 90 days.
ONTARIO
LOW-GRADE CYANIDE IS WINNING FAVOR.
Cobalt. — Low-grade cyanide manufacture by the
American Cyanimid Co. at Niagara Falls is coming into
general use in the Cobalt district, and to some extent is
replacing the higher grade article manufactured by the
Cassel Cyanide Co. of Glasgow, Scotland. The reason
given for using the low-grade material is a saving in costs
which more than compensates for the added incon-
venience. This week it is announced that the Hollinger
and the Dome, which are the two leading gold-mining
companies in Canada, have each ordered a carload of the
low-grade chemical with a view to carrying out detailed
experiments. Arrangements have been made to explore
the La Rose Consolidated ground by core-drilling, as part
of a final scheme to tap all remaining prospective terri-
tory on the property. An effort will be made to com-
mence taking ore from the Bailey Silver mine within the
next month or six weeks. The Bailey mill, treating cus-
tom ore, is making from $2500 to $5000 net profit month-
ly pending treatment of the 23,000 tons of medium-grade
ore estimated to be in sight at the Bailey mine.
Added activity is reported in the Elk Lake district,
where the Triangle Silver Mines, Cane Silver Mines, and
Parragon-Hitchcock properties are among those starting
work. The Parragon has had 400,000 shares of stock
underwritten and plans to install a small plant for treat-
ing its ore at the property. The Cane Silver Mines has
been bought outright from its former Elk Lake owners.
The La Rose Consolidated Co. of Cobalt has been asked
to assist in financing the work, and a representative of
this company is now examining the property.
A prosecution has been instituted against the Mining
Corporation of Canada on the charge of conducting blast-
ing operations on the Buffalo open-cut so as to endanger
life and property. The neighborhood is thickly populated
and it is alleged that owing to the neglect of proper pre-
cautions by the company the houses have been struck by
falling rock involving serious danger to the residents.
The Police Magistrate sent the case for trial to a higher
court.
Kiekland Lake. — The annuel report of the Kirkland
Lake for the year ending May 31 shows earnings of $159,-
777, operating costs of $135,278, and profits of $24,499.
Little work was accomplished during the first five months
of the year owing to the miners strike. During the period
from January 1 to May 31 the mill handled something
over 100 'tons per day or two-thirds of its capacity, mill-
heads during May averaging $12.03 per ton. On March
1 it was estimated that between the 300 and 700-ft. levels
there was 120,000 tons of ore in sight, enough to keep the
mill running at capacity for over two years, and later de-
velopment proves that the orebody extends above the
300-ft. level, adding materially to this estimate.
The new mining plant of the Hunton-Kirkland has
been completed and will be put in operation this week.
Extensive development has been planned. The main
shaft will be put dowu to a depth of 300 ft., at which
point the first lateral operations will be started.
Gowganda. — A number of the companies operating in
this camp have suspended work for the present, owing to
the high cost of labor and supplies and the decline in the
price of silver. Some of the companies are waiting for
the construction of the light railway, the route for which
has been surveyed for 20 miles, before resuming opera-
tions. The directors of the Big Four, who recently visited
the property, have decided to employ oil-burning engines,
as a means of overcoming the fuel difficulty. The com-
pany owns about 155 acres, comprising a large hill of
rock, containing a net work of veins running in different
directions. From the top of the hill a shaft has been sunk
40 ft. finding ore worth about $26 per ton, and a tunnel
has been run into the side of the hill. In addition to
silver the ore carries a large amount of cobalt. A vein
22 ft. wide, stated to carry 44% sulphur, has also been
found and will shortly be opened up.
YUKOX TERRITORY
THE MAYO DISTRICT.
Dawson. — George P. Mackenzie, gold commissioner,
recently returned from the Mayo district reports ac-
tivity there. W. E. Cockfield and party, of the Canadian
Geological Survey, have pitched camp near Keno hill,
about ten miles from the Yukon Gold Mining Co.'s
camp, and are busily employed in their investigations.
Surface prospecting, which cannot be done during the
winter, is being given most attention, with a view to
finding suitable locations for the coming winter's work.
The Yukon G. M. Co. has 20 men employed at this kind
of work. The ore that was taken out by the company
during last winter is being hauled to Mayo. Ore is being
sacked from surface work on the Rico claim, where slabs
of dense argentiferous galena weighing up to 1200 lb.
are being found. Erickson & McKay have uncovered a
four-foot vein of galena, which gives considerable
promise. Mr. Mackenzie thinks there is sufficient ore in
sight to provide work for the next two years with pros-
pects for finding entirely new deposits.
It is hoped that there may be established this summer
the continuity of the ore to a sufficient depth to ensure
the permanance of the camp, and diamond-drills are
being used for this purpose. "When this has been demon-
strated, the Government must provide proper means of
transportation; present conditions being bad. Some
veins with the best-looking surface indications have
pinched out at comparatively shallow depths. Surface
outcrops, however, have been demonstrated over such a
large area that there will be much prospecting during
this summer, followed by development during the winter,
and it is thought that a reasonable proportion of the
lodes will be found to persist to a sufficient depth to
make mining profitable and to encourage the Govern-
ment to construct the much-needed roads.
Aiikuki 21, 1920
VH\;\C AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
2«n
MIXKKA1.S SEPARATION LITIGATION
The Nevada Consolidated Copper Co. has admitted openly
that it has infringed that patent of the Minerals Separation
North American Corporation governing the use of oil in
flotation in amounts less than 1% on the ore. This ad-
mission was made before Judge Hale in the U. S. District
Court in Portland during discussion of a motion requesting
further answers to interrogatories in connection with the
infringement suit of the Minerals Separation Co. against the
mining company. The period of infringement extended
from September 1914 to August 1917 when flotation was
used in Janney machines.
Suit of Mineral Separation Co. against the Magma Copper
Co. has also proceeded another step, although the latter's
motion for a bill of particulars has been denied. In this
instance Judge Hale said: "It appears ... an attempt
to force from the complainant a statement of what his en-
deavor is to be upon certain material allegations in the bill.
..." The litigation with the Magma company, as with
Nevada Consolidated in the same court, has to do with two
patents, one for the use of less than 1 % oil and the other
covering soluble frothing-agents. As matters now stand,
each defendant must file before October 1 answer to the Min-
eral's Separation's bill of complaint. Suit against the Miami
Copper Co. has been held up temporarily by the refusal of
the Wilmington court to permit Minerals Separation to file
a supplemental bill of complaint alleging further infringe-
ment and seeking an injunction for alleged contempt of
court. The court in this case has demanded an entirely new
suit be started unless the present case can be threshed out
before the master who has been engaged for more than a
year taking testimony for an accounting.
CALIFORNIA
Amador County. — Drifting in several directions is in prog-
ress on the 3 500-ft. level of the Old Eureka, and 1500 ft.
below the old workings. The latter part of the sinking was
in soft rock, and good progress was made. Sinking to the
3900-ft. level at the Central Eureka is completed, a station
has been cut and levels will be started immediately. All
ore taken out of the 600-ft. winze in the Bunker Hill mine
near Amador City is of too low grade for treatment, assaying
not over $3 per ton. Operations at the Keystone mine in
Amador City have come to a standstill after the collection of
two assessments. The plan of keeping the mine dry pending
a change in conditions was found to be too expensive, so the
mine is filling up. The cost of unwatering will be much less
than the other procedure.
The Argonaut company continues to hoist and pump
water, but the headway made is slow. It has been estimated
that 190,000,000 gal. flowed into both mines in order to ex-
tinguish the recent fire. The Argonaut and Kennedy mines
make 150,000 gal. in 24 hours. The former company has
three No. 9 Cameron relay pumps, operated by compressed
air, raising water to the 2000-ft. station, and from there an
electrically driven Deane pump forces it to the surface.
About 35 0,000 gal. is raised daily. The present water-level
is just below 3300 ft. There have been persistent rumors of
the Kennedy starting and also of a sale to the Argonaut
people, but neither can be verified here. The Kennedy is
idle in every department. At a recent meeting of the
Board of Equalization the assessment on the Argonaut M.
company was reduced from $50S,410 to $334,155, the Orig-
inal Amador from $15,000 to $12,500, the Central Eureka
from $172,000 to $106,890, and the Old Eureka from $65,-
125 to $50,000.
Nevada County. — Peter Delucci is building a two-stamp
mill on his claim about two miles above Graniteville. J.
T. Blight and others nave taken a bond on the Delhi a few
miles above Nevada City, and are preparing to develop the
property. H. E. Sayers of Pasadena is making an examina-
tion. W. A. Simkins has taken over all interest of Jack
Harris in the Lily mine on the Mitchell ranch near Grass
Valley. The Western Precious Metals Corporation has had
the mine under development until recently and Simkins
states that work will be resumed under his management.
Sierra County. — Joseph Mason and F. T. Meadery are
making preparations to mine the East Fork of the North
Yuba river half a mile above Downieville. The ground has
never been worked. Water has been drained from the
300-ft. shaft in the Gibralta gravel claim near Downieville
and when re-timbered the ground will be explored to learn
tne course of the channel.
IDAHO
Coeur d'Alene. — The Federal Mining & Smelting Co. is
hoisting 900 to 1000 tons daily from its Morning mine, and
shipping 3 500 to 4000 tons of crude ore and concentrate
monthly, according to Frederick Burbridge, general man-
ager. About 425 men are employed. A raise is being made
from the North Star tunnel level to the Independence tunnel-
level, a distance of 450 ft. The work is being done in coun-
try rock, and it is expected to be completed within a month.
The purpose of the raise is to provide an outlet to the North
Star for ore from the Independence. All ore broken in the
Independence will be removed through the raise and tunnel,
and dressed in the North Star mill. Shipments from the
Independence mine aggregate about 1000 tons monthly.
Three shipments made by the lessees in the lower work-
ings of the Monarch mine in the North Fork district have
netted good returns. From the three shipments $1178 was
returned for 16 tons, $306 7 for 3 8 tons, and $2668 for 45
tons. Good indications are reported in the face of the
tunnel being driven by the United Lead Mining Co. in the
North Fork district. It is expected that within SO to 100
ft. the drift will reach the orebody shown in the tunnel
above. A. M. Nash is manager. Eighteen men are em-
ployed by the Jack Waite mine. The company is using two
trucks to haul the ore and has ordered two more. Two car-
loads have been shipped to the smelter. A controlling
interest in the Kill Buck Mining Co. has been purchased by
the Chicago-Boston, which company recently acquired an
interest in the Callahan Zinc-Lead company. The purchase
is an important one, adding materially to the holdings of the
Chicago-Boston. Some years ago ore was sold for $80,000.
but the shipments seemed to exhaust the ore in sight and it
has been a geological puzzle to know where the orebody is.
Louden and Lane, who have been developing a group of
claims near the divide between the head of the main fork of
290
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 21, 1920
Pine creek, say they have cut their vein at a depth of a little
more than 100 ft. They report an orebody 2 to 3 ft. wide of
galena ore with some copper.
UTAH
Bingham. — A serious accident occurred at the Utah Cop-
per mine on the morning of August 13. Mine locomotive
No. 14, while pushing a flat-car on which 10 Japanese labor-
ers were riding, was struck by locomotive No. 29, coming
down from one of the upper levels with 7 cars of ore. Two
of the Japanese were killed instantly, and the third died
within a short time, while the remainder of the party sus-
tained minor injuries.
Washington County. — Sydney H. Ball, of New York, has
been making an examination of the Silver Reef Consolidated
property at Leeds. This property is to be developed by a
syndicate headed by Frank T. Moorehouse. Mr. Ball ex-
pressed himself as favorably impressed with the project.
AN INVITATION TO TECHNICAL ORGANIZATIONS
The Joint Conference Committee of the American Society
of Civil Engineers, the American Institute of Mining and
Metallurgical Engineers, the American Society of Mechanical
Engineers, and the American Institute of Electrical Engi-
neers, acting as an ad-interim committee in accordance with
the authorization of the organizing conference held in Wash-
ington, D. C, June 3-4, 1920, extends to your organization a
cordial invitation to become a charter member of the Feder-
ated American Engineering Societies, and to appoint dele-
gates to the first meeting of the American Engineering Coun-
cil, of which due notice will be given later.
There has been previously sent to you an abstract of the
minutes of the organizing conference, at which there were in
attendance 140 delegates, representing 71 engineering and
allied technical organizations. It was the unanimous opin-
ion of the conference that there should be created an organ-
ization "to further the public welfare wherever technical
knowledge and engineering experience are involved and to
consider and act upon matters of common concern in the
engineering and allied technical professions" and that this
organization should consist of societies or affiliations, and
not of individual members.
At the gathering in Washington, which was the greatest
event in the history of the engineering and allied technical
organizations in this country, steps were taken which created
'The Federated American Engineering Societies', which will
have a far reaching influence on the future of these pro-
fessions. The fact that this action was taken without a dis-
senting vote indicates that the psychological moment had
arrived and that there was a unanimous desire on the part
of the representatives of these professions for the organiza-
tion formed.
The Joint Conference Committee, the ad-interim commit-
tee, would ask each organization invited to take favorable
action in the matter of membership in the organization at the
earliest possible moment and to advise the Committee
promptly of the names of the delegates who will attend the
first meeting of the American Engineering Council in No-
vember of this year.
The Joint Conference Committee is confident that with the
universally acknowledged need for such an organization,
there will be a prompt affirmative response to this invitation.
Very truly yours,
JOINT CONFERENCE COMMITTEE
of
American Society of Civil Engineers
American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical
Engineers
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
American Institute of Electrical Engineers.
[PERSONAL!
The Editor invites members of the profession to send particulars of thet»
work and appointments. The information 1b interesting to our readers.
Wendell T. Jones, of Salt Lake City, is in San Francisco.
Eugene G. Sncdaker is in Denver, on his way to New
York.
Herbert W. Pudan has returned from Mexico to San
Francisco.
Fred B. Ely, of Fort Worth, Texas, was in San Francisco
for a few days.
Milton F. Dodd, foreman of the Benguet mill, is on his
way back to the Philippines.
Roscoe H. Channing, president of the Utah Consolidated
Mining Co., is at Salt Lake City.
Frank A. Wichs is making an examination of the Glove
mine, in Santa Cruz county, Arizona.
E. H. Clausen has returned to Berkeley from professional
engagements in Colorado and Nevada.
L. J. Ingolfsrud, engineer for the Santa Gertrudis Co., at
Fresnillo, Mexico, has moved to El Paso, Texas.
Arthur F. Taggart, professor of ore dressing at Columbia
University, has been in Utah on professional business.
Raymond Bassett, chief engineer to the American Brass
Co., has been visiting mining and metallurgical plants in
Utah.
C. W. Newton, general manager for the Con. Interstate
Callahan Mining Co., has returned to Wallace from New
York.
E. W. Engelmann has returned to Salt Lake City, after a
short trip to the Nevada Con. Copper Co.'s concentrator at
McGill, Nevada.
J. Benton Leggat, general manager for the Argyle Silver
Mining Co., of Montana, has returned to Salt Lake City
from St. Louis.
F. C. Calkins, of the U. S. Geological Survey, is now in
charge of a party surveying the mines of the Cottonwood
mining district in Utah.
K. D. Koliasnikoff, until recently resident manager of the
Kyshtim Corporation in Siberia, is in Utah, visiting mining
and metallurgical plants.
Victor C. Alderson, President of the Colorado School of
Mines, has returned from Scotland and England, where he
investigated the oil-shale industry.
C. N. Shuette, recently superintendent of the Mariscal
quicksilver mine, in Texas, has re-joined the staff of the
U. S. Bureau of Mines at Berkeley.
Otto Sussman, vice-president of the American Metal Co.,
has returned to New York after a visit to the company's
properties at Baxter Springs, Kansas.
George A. Laird, who has just returned to New York
from Mexico, has been appointed general manager for the
Guiana Development Co., and will leave for South America
in September.
Charles H. Fulton has resigned the professorship of
metallurgy in the Case School of Applied Science, at Cleve-
land, in order to accept the directorship of the Missouri
School of Mines, at Rolla.
Ralph R. Woolley, hydraulic engineer to the U. S. Geo-
logical Survey at Salt Lake City, is investigating electric
power-generating possibilities of the headwaters of the
Green river in Wyoming.
Robert S. Lewis, Professor of Mining and Metallurgy in
the University of Utah, has been appointed by the U. S.
Bureau of Mines to conduct a six weeks investigation of
copper deposits in Alaska. He expects to return to Utah
early in October.
August 21, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
291
THE META
ARRET
'-- ^-''AK 'w
METAL PRICES
San Francisco, August 17
A hi mi ■ urn -dust, cents per pound 65
Antimony, cents per pound 9.50
Copper, electrolytic, cents per pound 19.25
Lead. pig. cents per pound .* 9.25 — 10.85
Platinum, pure, per ounce $115
Platinum. 10% Iridium, per ounce 9165
Quicksilver, per flask of 75 lb 885
Spelter, cents per pound 9.50
Zine-dust. cents per pound 12.50 — 15.00
EASTERN METAL MARKET
(By wire from New York)
August 16. — Copper is inactive but firm. Lead is quiet but strong. Zinc
SILVER
is dull but higher.
Below are given official or ticker quotations for silver in the open market
as distinguished from the fixed price obtainable for metal produced, smelted.
and refined exclusively within the United States. Under the terms of the
Pittman Act such silver will be purchased by the United States Mint at SI
per ounce, subject to certain small charges which vary slightly but amount
to approximately three-eighths of one cent. The equivalent of dollar silver
(1000 fine) in British currency is 46.65 pence per ounce (925 fine), calcu-
lated at the normal rate of exchange.
Date
Aug.
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Me
Sunday
1918
...88.73
w York
cents
95.50
94.83
95.37
85.63
85.37
95.87
1919
101.13
101.12
101.12
101.12
107.23
110.50
London
pence
59.37
58.37
68.75
68.25
58.12
69.37
Monthly
1920
132.77
131.37
125.70
119.56
102.69
90.84
July
Aug:.
averag
July
Aug.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Av
5
12
19.
26,
2.
9
16.
23
erase we
ek ending
Cents
89.97
93.18
91.04
93.39
93.85
94.58
95.39
1919
106.36
111.35
113.92
119.10
127.57
131.92
Pence
51.68
52.66
53.91
54.77
66.30
Jan.
Feb.
1918
. 99.63
100.31
101.12
101.12
.101.12
59.05
1920
92.04
Mch
.88.11
May
99.50
. .99.50
June
COPPER
Prices of electrolytic in New York, in cents per pound.
Data
Aug;.
10 19.00
11 19.00
12 19.00
13 19.00
14 18.00
15 Sunday
18 19.00
July
Average week ending
5 19.00
12 19.00
19 19.00
26 18.00
2 18.00
9 19.00
16 19.00
Mch. . .
1918
23.50
1919
20.43
17.34
15.05
15.23
15.81
17.63
Monthly
1920
19.25
19.05
18.49
19.23
18.05
18.00
averagres
July
1918
26.00
26.00
26.00
26.00
1919
20.82
22.51
22.10
21.66
20.45
18.56
1820
18.00
LEAD
Lead is Quoted in cents per pound. New York delivery.
Date
Aug.
10
13.
14.
15
July
Aur.
average
July
Aug.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
IN
ound.
average
July
Aug.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Ave
5
19.
20.
9
16.
B
rage week ending
8.38
. 8.25
••
. 8.45
„
Sunday
. . 9.10
9.10
. 8.93
. 9.06
■i
. 9.00
1918
8.03
. 8.05
1819
6.63
6.78
6.02
6.40
6.76
7.12
1919
70.11
62.20
66.79
64.82
54.17
64.94
. 9.06
1918
Monthly
1919 1920
6.60 8.65
5.13 8.88
5.24 9.22
5.05 8.78
5.04 8.55
5.32 8.43
T]
rk, in cents per p
Monthly
1919 1820
71.50 62.74
72.44 68.87
72.50 61.92
72.60 62.12
72.50 64.99
71.83 48.33
1920
8.63
Feb.
Mch.
8.05
.. 8.05
. 6.90
6.99
6.99
7.69
eeB in New Yo
1918
91.00
May
Pri
Jan.
«
1818
78.82
1920
49.28
Mch.
Apr.
May
June
Zinc is quoted as spelter, standard Western brands. New York delivery.
in cents per pound.
Date
Aug.
10
11
12
13
14
15 Sunday
16
8.15
8.20
8.25
8.35
8.35
July
Aug.
Jan.
Feb.
Mch.
Apr.
May
June
1918
7.78
7.97
7.67
7.04
7.92
7.92
1919
7.44
6.71
6.53
6.49
6.43
6.91
. . 8.3
Monthly averages
1920
Average week ending
6
12
19
26
2
9
16
9.60
9.15
8.93
8.76
8.07
7.92
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
1918
8.72
8.78
9.58
9.11
8.76
8.49
1919
7.78
7.81
7.67
7. 82
8.12
8.69
, 8.04
8.15
, 8.24
. 8.22
. 8.11
. 8.12
8.27
1920
8.18
QUICKSILVER
The primary market for quicksilver is San Francisco. California being
the largest producer. The price is fixed in the open market, according to
quantity. Prices, in dollars per flask of 76 pounds.
Date I Aug. 3 88.00
July 20 90.00 " 10 85.00
27 88.00 1 " 17 86.00
Monthly averages
1918
Jan 128.06
Feb 118.00
Mch 112.00
Apr 116.00
May 110.00
June 112.00
1919
103.75
90.00
72.80
73.12
84.80
94.40
1920
89.00
81.00
87.00
100.00
87.00
85.00
1918
July 120.00
Aug 120.00
Sept 120.00
Oct 120.00
Nov 120.00
Dec 115.00
1919
100.00
103.00
102.60
86.00
78.00
■ 95.00
1920
88.00
CALL LOANS
With the exception of bankers and brokers and those who invest their
surplus funds in market securities, most people seem to have a general
misunderstanding of the laws and customs governing the various charges
for the use of money. There is, however, sufficient justification for much
confusion, when on the same day in New York City, discounts to a bank's
customers are quoted at 6%. commercial paper in the open market at 7%,
banker's acceptances at 5%%, call loans at 25%, and collateral time-
loans at 8%. Probably the one item which has caused the most confusion
during the recent months of high money is the call-money rate. When
people see 30% money, for example, featured in the newspapers, there iB a
general feeling that the banks are doing a little profiteering and would
stand investigation along the lines which have recently been prevalent in
other businesses, says the "Chemical Bulletin' of the Chemical National
Bank.
Probably the only call-money market of national importance is in New
York City, and it is there that collateral call loans are chiefly made. These
loans are secured by pledge of investment securities, usually stocks and
bonds dealt in on the New York Stock Exchange, and parable on demand
of the bank or lender without previous notice. It can thus be seen that
these loans are in an entirely separate class from those made by a bank to
its commercial customers or depositors for usual business purposes. The
claims of such clients have the first place in the eyes of the banker, not
oniy in New York but in all cities, and it iB only therefore the banks'
surplus funds which are loaned on the Stock Exchange at call-money rates.
The excess of loanable funds available for employment in this manner
varies according to the country's commercial needs, which always have
first consideration.
It is of course evident even in times of great stringency that some
money must be loaned to finance the purchase and sale of investment
securities, for if the investment market were at a standstill for lack of
funds, commercial customers would suffer as well.
Since the position of call loans as compared with commercial borrow-
ings has now been discussed, the legal aspect of the question is interesting.
Most call loanB are made in New York City. aB Btated before, and upon
examining the Banking Law of New York State we find that Section 115
provides that "Upon advances of money payable on demand to an amount
not less than S5000. made upon warehouse receipts, bills of lading, cer-
tificates of stock, certificates of deposits, bills of exchange, bonds or other
negotiable instruments, pledged as collateral security for Buch re-payment,
any bank may receive or contract to receive and collect as compensation
for making such advances any sum which may be agreed upon by the
parties to such transaction."
The rate for which call money iB loaned by the banks is of course based
largely on BUpply and demand. 'The old axiom, which applies to money
in general, that "a temporary increase of the money supply in excesB of
the demand tends to lower the rate of interest temporarily, and a tem-
porary decrease of the money supply, the demand not also decreasing,
tends to cause the rate of interest to rise" is largely true in the caBe of
call money.
MONEY AND EXCHANGE
Foreign quotations on August 17 are as follows:
Sterling, dollars: Cable . 3.65
Demand 3.66
Francs, cents : Cable 7.39
Demand 7.40
Lire, cents : Demand 5.06
Marks, cents 2.17
292
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 21. 1920
Eastern Metal Market
New York. August 11.
Mid-summer dullness pervades all the markets and there
is very little business recorded in any of the metals. There
are no indications of increased buying due to anticipation of
higher freight rates.
The copper market is quiet but firm.
There is almost no business in tin.
Demand for lead has declined but prices are steady to
firm.
There is no change in the zinc market which continues
lifeless.
The antimony market is without quotable change.
IRON AND STEEL
The feature of the niarset as to buying-demand is the
activity in pig-iron. The demand for iron, particularly steel-
making grades, is perhaps more pronounced than at any-
other period this year. Consumers' demand is for both near-
by and distant delivery. In the East it is said that over
50.000 tons of foundry, basic, bessemer. and malleable iron
was sold recently.
The semi-finished steel market in Pittsburgh is easier with
steel bars down to 579. and nothing higher than 575 has
been heard of. A marked decline is not looked for because
of increased costs due to higher freight-rates and resulting
costs.
The July output of steel ingots was 2.S"2.S1S tons ac-
cording to the American Iron and Steel Institute's regular
figures. This is the second lowest for the year. The total to
August 1 this year has been 2 0.4 3 6.2 5 2 tons against 17 "
ns to August 1. 1919.
COPPER
This market is practically without change as to demand
or prices. The leading producers continue to hold their
price at 19c, New York, for both Lake and electrolytic.
Domestic demand is confined to small lots for fairly early de-
livery and it is probable that these are being satisfied by out-
side dealers or small producers at IS. 50 to 18.75c, New
York, at which levels only small quantities are available.
The fall in exchange the past two weeks has caused sales for
foreign account to diminish. Indications are that copper
output in July declined. Twelve of the largest producers
have given out their figures and eight of them show a com-
bined loss of over 5.000.000 lb. for June. The London
market on standard copper, while showing increased busi-
ness, eased off yesterday 5s. per ton on all positions.
TIN"
The marked decline in foreign exchange, particularly the
pound sterling, has had a distinct effect on the tin market as
well as some influence on all the metals. The principal
factor, however, has Deen the absolute lack of demand, con-
sumers being entirely out of the market. Yesterday the
metal was weak, declining about one cent per pound to 4Sc
New Y"ork for spot Straits, nearby futures being quoted at
There was some willingness by sellers to make con-
cessions, but it was without results, although there were
some inquiries in the market on Monday. As a result of
these conditions the market has been lifeless all the week,
with the price-range confined to 4S to 49c. New York, for
spot Straits. Yesterday the London market was £295 per
ton for spot Straits against £2<S a week ago. This grade is
quite scarce in both markets. Business on the New York
Metal Exchange has been light this week.
LEAD
The market is dull. It is. however, statistically strong
because of the continued scarcity of nearby deliveries, al-
though this condition has eased to some slight extent. The
American Smelting & Refining Co. maintains its price un-
changed at S.25c. St. Louis, or 8.50c, New York. All the
business done here being by outside sellers at around 9c,
New York, or S.Tdc. St. Louis, which we quote as the mar-
ket. There have been some sales, however, as high as 9.10
to 9.20c. New Y'ork. The import lead reported to be headed
for New York from England has not yet been a factor.
ZINC
•
Prime Western for early deliveries is unchanged at 7.80c.
St. Louis, or S.loc. New York, the latter being largely nom-
inal. Sellers' offerings are light, and not much activity is
reported. The business of leading producers is confined to
business on contract and to hand-to-mouth orders. Zinc ore
continues strong at 546 to 547.50 per ton with as high as
553 paid in some districts. There is little if any profit for
most producers at these levels and they are confining their
business to nearby shipments and regular customers. There
is nothing heard about the effect of increased freight rates.
ANTTMONT
The market is very quiet and quotations for wholesale lots
for early delivery are unchanged at 7.25c per lb.. New
York, duty paid.
aluminum
The virgin metal. 9S to 99 °c pure, is quoted in wholesale
lots for early delivery at 33c per lb.. New York, by the lead-
ing producers and at 31.50c per lb. by other sellers.
ORES
Tungsten: There is little activity in this market. Inquiry
and sales are both light and quotations are unchanged from
those reported a week ago, that is. from 55.50 per unit up,
depending on the grade and the quantity as well as the de-
livery.
The ferro-tungsten market is quiet and unchanged at SOc
to 51.15 per lb. of contained tungsten.
Molybdenum: There is no change in conditions with de-
mand light and prices nominal at 65 to 75c per lb. of MoS;
in regular concentrate.
Manganese: The market is quiet and stale with 75 to SOc
per unit asked for high-grade ore and 70c. the highest that
users are willing to pay. There appears to be an ample sup-
ply because of the heavy importations of the last few months.
Manganese-Iron Alloys: The ferro-manganese market is
quiet with demand confined to small lots for early delivery,
sales of which have been made at a range of 5200 to 5225.
The forward-delivery market is fairly firm at 5200, delivered.
The production in July, according to the blast-furnace re-
ports of 'The Iron Age', was 29.S64 tons, or the largest for
any month this year. The spiegeleisen market is exceed-
ingly strong at SS0. furnace, with demand good. The pro-
duction in July was 6925. tons, relatively a small output.
There has been a definite change for the better in the
market for silver and it is believed that we have passed the
period of depression. Demand is still not of very large
magnitude; but the optimism in the market is justified,
says Srinivas R. Wagel, 33 Pine street. New York. An im-
portant development is the premium for forward in London,
where prices are being maintained by the Indian demand.
China is also reported to have bought small lots in London.
There has been a material improvement in the local market:
demand for arts is increasing, especially as no purchases
have been made for the past two months. The total of the
Treasury purchases now amount to 10.000.000 ounces.
iiiiiiiiiiimimiriiimii)
I.llitlillliin mini
Mill lill MM UN 111 I IIIIIIII Ill III! l!Nlllllim!H>UIMMMIr1!l,ITM>
EDITORIAL STAFF
IlininiMj aural
L. A. P
A. B. P
nuiiiiuiimtimi
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ARSONS. ASSOCIATE EDITOR
ARSONS. ASSOCIATE EOITOR
MfmHcr Audit Burrsu of Circulation!
Member Associated Business Papers, Inc.
ESTABLISHED I860
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bv the. Devty Publishing Ciwipiiiii/
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SCIENCE HAS NO ENEMY SAVE THE IGNORANT
Irsueil Kvery Saturday
San Francisco, August 28, 1920
$4 per Year — 15 Cents per Copy
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
EDITORIAL
NOTES 293
CORNISH MINING 295
Depressed condition of the industry. Efforts to ob-
tain aid from the British government. Failure to
do so. Remarks by Oliver Wethered, chairman of
Cornish Chamber of Mines. The market for tin.
Condition of Dolcoath and other mines. Recent
discoveries. What William Pryce had to say a
hundred years ago.
A WESTERN ENGINEER 295
An appreciation of Albert Burch, apropos of the
Interview printed in the same issue. Early educa-
tion and beginning of his career. From railroad
surveying to mining engineering. Side-lights on
his character. A hard worker. Testimony of asso-
ciates. His interest in the men under his manage-
ment, at Kellogg, Goldfield, and Plymouth. The
future for young men in mining.
DISCUSSION
MR. STJLMAN AND THE MEDAL
By C. McDermid 297
Reason for the action of the Institution of Mining
and Metallurgy, according to its secretary.
MINING NEAR JOPLIN
By Edgar Z. Wallower 297
Labor conditions and transportation difficulties
that dictated the recent suspension of operations.
MORE BOOKS WRITTEN IN A HURRY
By Max von Bernewitz 297
Some quotations from 'The Making of Herbert
Hoover' in the 'Sunset' magazine. Criticised as
inaccurate.
THE STATUS OF GOLD
By F. A. Wright 298
A 'Gold-Producers Bank' as a means by which the
miners, instead of the bankers, may reap the profit.
CONCERNING SILVER
By Frank L. Sizer 298
Support for the plan of Charles Butters. The Mint
should exchange coin for silver bullion.
THE OIL-SHALE INDUSTRY
By David E. Day 298
Exception taken to the plans of Martin J. Gavin.
Let us face the situation frankly.
Page
ARTICLES
ALBERT BURCH: A WESTERN ENGINEER
Interview by T. A. Rickard 299
Mr. Burch as underground surveyor and as mine
superintendent at Eureka, Utah. He enters the
employ of the Bunker Hill company. Labor
troubles in the Coeur a Alene. Development of the
Plymouth Consolidated. 'Welfare work'. Gold-
field Consolidated. Mr. Burch's ideas on Amer-
icanization; on the present methods of trying apex-
litigation; . on unions and the open shop. The
California Metal Producers Association. Some
observation apropos of mining legislation and the
American Mining Congress.
THE KNEE LAKE DISTRICT IN NORTHERN MANITOBA
An Official Report 306
Geology of the upper Hayes River basin. Water-
power. Prospecting to date.
DANGER FROM EXPLOSIVES FUME IN METAL MINING
By D. Harrington and B. W. Dyer 308
Two recent accidents and the circumstances sur-
rounding them. The danger from carbon monoxide,
particularly in small mines. The best remedy ap-
pears to be good ventilation.
CARE OF ROCK-DRILLS
By Howard R. Drullard 310
The importance of lubrication. Directions. Clean-
ing a drill. Making drill-shanks. Proper temper-
ing. A good method in which oil is used.
STANDARDIZATION OF MINE WORK 312
Developing time-standards and their application at
the North Butte mines. Individual efficiency.
NOTES
OZOKERITE 309
TIN, LEAD, AND ZINC MINING IN GREAT BRITAIN 311
DEPARTMENTS
REVIEW OF MINING 313
THE MINING SUMMARY 319
PERSONAL 320
OBITUARY 320
THE METAL MARKET 321
EASTERN METAL MARKET 322
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS 323
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Price. 16 cents per copy. Annual subscription, payable in advance:
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30
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 28, 1920
No job too big — No job too small
THE range of the oxwelding flame is one of the marvels
of modern science.
This small jet of concentrated heat is used on mammoth
castings of tremendous weight as well as upon the tiniest
of parts.
Whatever the size of the job, Oxweld does the work and
does it better, quicker, and cheaper than was possible before
the Oxy-acetylene torch came into being.
A process so flexible in its usefulness as to handle with equal
success tons or ounces may very probably be applied to your
own production problems to your profit.
Hundreds of manufacturers have found Oxwelding a labor,
time and money-saver.
Why not ask Oxweld Engineers to study your repair or
production problems?
Write, wire or telephone to any of the addresses below for
immediate attention.
Oxweld Acetylene Company
Newark, N. J.
San Francisco
Chicago
WORLD'S LARGEST MAKER OF EQUIPMENT FOR OXWELDING AND CUTTING METALS
Hi
August 28, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
293
imiiiinmii I I immmmmmmmiimimji
T. A. KICKARB.
iiiililimiNiNiiiimiiimimitiiiiiiimmiiiimiiiiiiiiiilliilliimiiiii
T TNDER 'Discussion', we publish a letter from the Sec-
*-^ retary of the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy
explaining that the gold medal of that society was given
to Mr. Sulman not on account of his recent paper on flota-
tion but "in recognition of his contributions to metal-
lurgical science". We accept the apology!
'"PO the Canadian Department of Mines we are indebted
■*- for the description of the Knee Lake district in
Northern Manitoba. This part of the North-West does
not seem to be particularly promising, but it is well to
place on record the sort of information that would be use-
ful to anyone desiring to prospect in that region.
T N fairness to Dr. Alderson and ourselves, we draw at-
-*■ tention to a typographic error in our last issue, where
the yield of oil from Scottish shale is given as 20 barrels ;
and from American shale, one half of that. The first
figure, of course, should be two, as is indicated by the
subsequent references to a yield of one barrel from
American shale.
PERSISTENCE of rich ore in. depth at Butte is indi-
■*■ cated by the fact that the bottom of the Steward
shaft is in a vein six feet wide that assays 8 to 10%.
The valuable mineral is bornite. This is at a depth of
3750 feet. Whether due to primary deposition or sec-
ondary enrichment, it is highly satisfactory to note this
promise of a long life for the mines of the Butte district.
TMMIGRATION is increasing. More than 5000 arrivals
■*■ per day are being recorded at Ellis island, says the
Department of Labor. Despite unfavorable conditions,
800,000 immigrants have landed during the twelve
months ending on June 30, as compared with 141.132
during the corresponding period immediately preceding.
The record was made in 1907, when 1,285,389 landed on
our shores. We welcome this resumption of immigra-
tion on a large scale, provided the newcomers are
scrutinized with care, so that only material suitable for
citizenship is admitted.
ry INC stocks in the hands of the smelters on June 30
^ amounted to 29,892 tons only, as compared with
36,793 at the beginning of this year and 59,651 tons on
June 30 of last year. This shows a 50% decrease in
stocks during the twelve months, and is decidedly reas-
suring, for even in normal times a surplus of 35,000 tons
imiiimiiiimij ii
nil II inn Minimi Milium minim
is not unusual. Eighteen months ago the market was
staggering beneath the big stock of zinc accumulated at
the mines and smelters under the stimulus of war prices.
The surplus at that time was as much as 75,000 tons, and
constituted a real menace to current production. Since
then operations at the mines and smelters have been
severely curtailed, so that on June 30 last only 95,000
retorts were in action as against 107,500 on January 1.
Later, strikes and shut-downs have caused a further con-
traction in the scale of operations. Export business is
insignificant, and is likely to continue a negligible factor.
T AST Friday Mr. David P. Barrows, president of the
•*-i University of California, gave the Commonwealth
Club the impressions he brought home from his recent
visit to Europe. He made them vivid to his audience.
Among other things he spoke of the work of feeding the
under-nourished children of Europe as it is conducted
now by Mr. Hoover's organization, more particularly in
Vienna. The administration of the funds placed in Mr.
Hoover's hands by the United States is so efficient that
the overhead expenditure is barely 1%. What a model
to other organizations for charity! Here we may men-
tion how instant is the applause elicited in any assembly
of intelligent people by the mention of Mr. Hoover's
name. It is safe to say that the appreciation of his work
in Europe, and in his own country, goes far to measure
the intelligence of an audience. In speaking of the pres-
ent sad plight of Europe, and of America's vital interest
in the preservation of European civilization, Dr. Bar-
rows referred to the aid to be given by our "reserves of
trained young men ' '. Yes, that reserve is, or can be made,
as valuable to the countries devastated by the War as our
reserves of capital or food, if it is accompanied by in-
telligent sympathy, not the vacuous aloofness advocated
by Senators Borah and Johnson.
SEMI-OFFICIAL statistics issued at Berlin give the
total German loss of life in the War as 2,243,364.
This includes both army and navy. The army lost 1,718,-
608 in dead and missing. Again we are reminded of an
appalling feature of the War, namely, that the Germans
killed nearly twice as many as they had killed on their
own side. The British lost nearly a million, the French
1,350,000, the Russians at least 1,000,000 in their fighting
with the Germans. That makes about 3,250,000 deaths in
the armies of the three Allies. Deducting losses against
the Turks and Bulgarians from the British and French
totals, and making a similar deduction for German losses
294
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 28, 1920
in fighting the Americans, Italians, Serbians, and Ru-
manians, we arrive at the horrible conclusion that the
Germans suffered only half as much as the French and
British combined. The disparity in lethal destructive-
ness probably was most marked in the early period of the
War when the Germans were relatively better equipped
with death-dealing devices.
himself the most useful man in the world during the great
crisis of civilization.
r* ONSUMPTION of gasoline in the United States dur-
^-* ing the first five months of the current year has been
26% more than it was in the corresponding period of last
year, according to the U. S. Bureau of Mines. The total
consumption was 1,418,534,063 barrels as against 1,127,-
879,649 barrels in the like period of 1919. Of our im-
ports of crude oil in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2825
million gallons, out of a total of 2826 million gallons,
came from Mexico. "We imported a million gallons of
crude oil from Trinidad and Tobago. We exported over
354 million gallons of crude oil, of which Canada took
308 millions. We also exported 690,859,418 gallons of
refined oil, besides 205,057,450 gallons of bunker-oil laden
on vessels engaged in foreign trade. We imported 81,-
888,904 gallons of refined oil. Of the refined oil, Great
Britain took 205 million gallons, and Canada 146 mil-
lions. Our exports of crude oil increased 190 million
gallons over the fiscal year 1919, whereas our exportation
of refined oil decreased by 208 million gallons.
T> OOKS are written in a hurry sometimes ; for example,
•*-* on the eve of a Presidential campaign. Mr. Max von
Bernewitz writes with a good deal of feeling to protest
against some careless statements appearing in the story
of Mr. Herbert Hoover's life as printed in the 'Sunset'
magazine. Of course, the suggestion that Mr. Hoover or
anybody else from the United States introduced the
single-hand drilling practice into Australia is ridiculous ;
it was introduced into Australia, and into California, by
the Cornish miners before Mr. Hoover was born. If Mr.
von Bernewitz waxes wroth, it is due partly to the fact
that he is a New Zealander by birth and is solicitous for
the reputation of the Australasian mining engineer. Of
course, the Hoover stories written by Messrs. Vernon
Kellogg, Charles Field, and others far less competent,
have contained many exaggerations, provoked by their
enthusiasm and condoned by their lack of knowledge con-
cerning the technology of mining. The pity is that these
writers did not submit their manuscript, if not to their
victim, at least to some competent mining engineer, and
one acquainted with Mr. Hoover's career in foreign
lands. The typewriting incident in the office of Louis
Janin, as related by Mr. Kellogg, for example, is entirely
apocryphal. The fact is that Mr. Hoover has done so
many big things well that no exaggeration is needed in
order to make a good story. That by Miss Lane and Mr.
Field is much the best. We have read it with keen pleas-
ure, particularly the account of his parentage and child-
hood. His origin and rearing are truly American, and go
far to explain the personal characteristics of the most
distinguished of living Americans, a man who proved
TLTOW much money is being diverted from necessaries
-*--*- to the creation of luxury in these days is suggested
by an item in the New York 'Times' stating that in July
plans for only one apartment house and one dwelling
were filed in Manhattan as compared with plans for five
theatres, 115 garages, and three loft structures, indicat-
ing that the urgent need for adequate housing is being
neglected in favor of facilities for joy-riding and enter-
tainment. Normally New York adds 20,000 apartments
per annum, in addition to two-family houses and hotel
apartments. Similar conditions obtain in San Francisco
and its suburbs ; there is a great lack of the small houses
that make homes for young people. To this deficiency
musi be added the tremendously increased cost of do-
mestic service, which now has risen to such a point as to
make it almost prohibitive for a young couple on a small,
income to have a servant, thereby throwing a burden on
the mother that threatens the very foundations of a pro-
gressive people. The ideal of a civilization like ours is a
comfortable and well ordered home ; without it a young
married man is heavily handicapped ; without it the pro-
duction and development of good citizens is rendered
difficult, if not impracticable. It is a curious thing that
these basic factors in the welfare of the commonwealth
are habitually disregarded.
TI/TECHANICAL ventilation for the 29-foot twin tubes
■*■*•■■ that are to constitute the new vehicular tunnel con-
necting Manhattan with Jersey City will be supplied by
65 electrically driven blowers, which will be capable of
completely changing the atmosphere every two minutes.
The longest span between ventilating shafts is 3800 feet,
while the length of the entire tunnel from entrance to exit
is to be 9425 feet. It is to be noted that the traffic
through the tubes will be almost exclusively by motor,
although at the outset horse-drawn vehicles will be per-
mitted to use them. Research conducted by the U. S.
Bureau of Mines at Yale University established the fact
that the only substance in the exhaust of a gasoline en-
gine that is toxic to an appreciable degree is carbon mon-
oxide. This is also the dangerous product from the ex-
plosion of the dynamite used in metal mining, and for
this reason the investigation by the Bureau was particu-
arly appropriate. It was demonstrated that four parts
of carbon monoxide mixed with 10,000 parts of air pro-
duces- no harmful effects on the human system during
an exposure of one hour ; six parts may cause slight dis-
comfort, but eight parts of carbon monoxide are required
to be really injurious. Since the maximum time for the
slowest trucks to pass through the tubes is 45 minutes,
complete safety will be assured if the maximum con-
tamination is limited to four parts in 10,000. This work
by the Bureau has been the means of reducing the cost
of mechanical equipment as originally planned by 25%,
with a corresponding saving in operating expense. Some
of the blowers will force fresh air into the tubes while the
August 28, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
2! I "I
remainder will aol as auction-fans for withdrawing the
foul air, the two principal stationa being placed on piers
at either side of the navigating channel. One of the
important factors in determining the diameter of the
tabes was the cost of ventilation. The annua] outlaj
tor power required by the 29-fool tubes is estimated al
(280,000, whereas tubes 27 feet in diameter would have
entailed an expenditure of $529,350 for electric current.
The fresh air is introduced in the sector of the tube be-
neath the traffic-way while the contaminated air is with-
drawn through gratings into the passage above. For
economical operation, the tubes must be proportioned so
that a tendency for 'wire-drawing' may be avoided. This
has been accomplished by the 20-foot design. These
tubes will be the longest, although not the largest, in ex-
istence; they will he lined with cast-iron: they will cost
$28,670.000 ; the project will be completed in 1924 ; and
ten years later the tunnels, it is estimated, will be used
by 12.900.000 vehicles annually, or 3500 per day.
Cornish Mining
The mining of tin in Cornwall is in a parlous state.
Therefore efforts have been made recently to obtain the
aid of the British government in behalf of the industry.
A representative deputation, according to 'The Mining
World', waited upon the president of the Board of Trade
with a plea for financial help in the development of new
mining enterprises. The reply was that no public money
was available for the purpose and that it was advisable
for the necessary funds to he subscribed privately. The
answer of the Government is not at all surprising, nor do
we believe that a governmental dole is the proper stimu-
lant for a decaying industry. Mr. Oliver "Wethered, the
president of the Cornish Chamber of Mines, sounds the
right note when he says, according to 'The Financial
Times', that he is firmly determined to make no further
effort to move the Government to re-consider its decision,
but that he is "more than ever convinced that there is a
great future for Cornish mining". Mr. Wethered 's
cheery optimism, plus the force of his engaging person-
ality, have been greatly influential in Cornish mining
affairs during the last decade, and we feel sure that his
leadership is one in which the 'old county' can place im-
plicit trust. Of course, the fall in the price of tin, to-
gether with the increasing cost of labor and supplies
since the War, has been a great blow to Cornish mining.
In 1918 tin was worth £400 per ton ; in June the price
was £235. The doyen of Cornish mines, Doleoath, is look-
ing 'poorly' in the bottom, but East Pool, South Crofty,
Geevor, and Levant are in vigorous health. As the editor
of the Bulletin of the Canadian Mining Institute says:
"There are many in all parts of the world who would
regret the passing of this historically interesting mining
centre. Directly and indirectly, the mines of Cornwall
have contributed enormously to the advance of mining
practice in all parts of the world." Yes, indeed, the
'Cousin Jack' has been the real professor of mining to
many peoples. When it comes to working in hard rock
and in tight places, there is no one like him. He has
penetrated to the uttermost parts of the earth and left
his mark in every corner. From him the Phoenicians
bought tin in B. C. days and to him the world will look
for tin, and other metals, in the years unborn. That old
worthy. "William 1'ryce, writing in 1778, said: "Super-
eminently this little province of Great Britain deserves
to be ranked amongst the first principles of this island, as
a nation and people, whose very name, according to the
ancient authority of Bochart, and the later opinion of
Boerhave, is derived from Bratanak, which, in the
Phoenician language, signifies the Land of Tin." After
citing various authorities, he states: "We may, hence,
conclude it very probable, that this part of Great Britain
was the first resorted to by the most ancient maritime
powers in Europe and Asia, on account of its valuable,
beautiful, and precious Metal ; and therefore gave a name
to the whole island, with some little variation, it retains
to this day, and proves the antiquity, locality, and superi-
ority of our product, and its universal supply for the use
of mankind." From Dr. Pryce's 'Mineralogia Cornu-
hiensis', from which we have been quoting,- we get an
idea that is pertinent to the immediate subject, namely,
the decay of the industry. He says: "We hope the land-
owners will hold us excusable when we assert upon the
clearest conviction that they contribute by their heavy
exactions to deprive the industrious adventurers of too
large a proportion of that profit which ought to be ap-
plied to the encouragement and reward of their arduous
and expensive undertakings." Of course, a detached
observer in California is not likely to know much about
conditions in Cornwall, but it is a fact that we have heard
or read somewhere that the 'lords', or landlords, around
Camborne and Eedruth do take too large a proportion of
the profit that ought to go to the adventurers, or share-
holders, and we suggest that one way to encourage the
resuscitation of the Cornish mining industry is to per-
suade, not the Government, but the landlords to forego
some of their perquisites in order not to kill the goose
that lays their golden eggs.
A Western Engineer
In this issue we resume our series of interviews with
representative members of the profession. Our victim
this time is Mr. Albert Burch, who embodies the best
traditions of Western mining. He was born in the
prairie-lands of Nebraska, far from any mines, and not
even within sight of any mountain that could suggest
either geologic disturbance or prospective digging. Like
many others he entered mining through the door of sur-
veying, in his case it was railroad work. He followed the
rails into a mining district and shortly afterward was
given an opportunity to survey the workings of a mine,
in Utah. That marked the beginning of his career as a
mining engineer; he did not graduate from a school of
mines nor undergo any special academic preparation ; he
became a mining engineer by doing the work of a mining
engineer, which, unquestionably, is one of the most
296
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 28, 1920
effective methods of qualifying for the profession. He is
one of those useful men who, starting with nothing more
than high-school instruction, have made the most of the
greater school of experience, aided hy persistence and
native intelligence, plus character. He became proficient
technically by dint of study during spare time ; to tech-
nical science he added an understanding of his fellow-
men — an essential knowledge. The leasing of a small
mine on his own account was an experience that must
have helped greatly in equipping him as an adviser to
others. It was a personal venture — an adventure — and it
gave him, we surmise, a first realization of the economics
of mining and a keen appreciation of the fact that the
basic purpose of mining is to make money, not to fur-
nish jobs for excellent young men. The appointment to
the superintendency of the Bunker Hill was an important
event in his life, because it enabled him to prove his metal
and enlarge his acquaintance among men of importance
in Western mining. Mr. F. "W. Bradley tells us how he
came to know Mr. Burch through an experience that they
shared while traveling in Oregon. They were overtaken
by a snowstorm so violent that two of their horses suc-
cumbed, but eventually they reached the shelter of the
cabin for which they were making, because Mr. Burch
broke trail with indomitable courage. He showed similar
courage and persistence while in charge at Kellogg; he
used to go through the workings of the Bunker Hill twice
a day. A capacity for hard work and long hours has
stood him in good stead ever since. Fortunately he has
been blessed with a fine physique, rendering him capable
of great exertions. Mr. Oscar Hershey, his partner, tells
us how as geologist to the Bunker Hill company he was
called upon to take Mr. Burch into the field and show him
the evidences of faulting. He led Mr. Burch first as
rapidly as possible to the top of the highest peak in the
district, and thereby ascertained that his associate's repu-
tation for endurance was justified. In Colorado, one may
notice the great number of wagon-roads leading to in-
significant prospects, the cut made for the road in sev-
eral instances being deeper than the shaft. A mine-
owner is said to have been asked to explain the anomaly.
""Well", he replied, "you know here in Colorado we
can't get an engineer to visit our mines unless we haul
him up in a buggy. ' ' That may be apocryphal ; evidently
it is archaic ; but in any event it does not apply to Mr.
Burch. He would go on foot or on snowshoes, in a sub-
marine or an aeroplane, if necessary, to reach his objec-
tive. He is extremely active in his profession. When
we meet him at intervals, on train or ferry, on his way
to and from his office, we learn usually that he returned
to town yesterday and is leaving tomorrow or the day
after. He seems rarely to 'take five', or 'taper off', as
the Cousin Jack says. Capacity for hard work will go
far, but it is not enough. Our friend has powers of keen
observation, quick thinking, and good judgment. An ex-
cellent engineering equipment, the reader will say. Be-
sides these he has a good temper ; he is not easily ruffled
and is kind to those with whom he comes in contact. An-
other of his associates says that the only time he saw Mr.
Burch lose his temper was at the close of a long hard trip
over a muddy road in central Idaho. The driver persisted
in whipping the horses, although it was manifest that they
were doing their best. Finally they stalled. The driver
proceeded to use his tongue and his whip with equal
violence. Mr. Burch expressed his opinion scorehingly,
and later ordered the staff at the mine to give the driver
no more business. A decent consideration for mankind is
shown in his replies to our queries dealing with the labor
problem and welfare work. At Kellogg, Goldfield, and
Plymouth he did much to establish pleasant relations be-
tween the company's representatives, the employees, and
the people of the town. That is good management ; with-
out good-will all round it is impossible to ensure efficient
work ; the disagreements that cause so much loss of time
and money are like the screw-driver thrown by a vicious
man into a delicate mechanism. Mr. Burch succeeded in
his welfare work, as it is now called, because he was sin-
cere in his purpose. Many similar attempts by company
officials, presidents, managers, or superintendents have
failed because they lacked the genuine humane interest in
the workers without which welfare work is a Dead Sea
apple, or, to use the vernacular, proves a lemon. The
'open shop' is a question that tests intellectual honesty,
for most employers and managers do not face its implica-
tions fairly. If capital -is organized, it is well that labor
should be organized also, in order to facilitate collective
bargaining. The 'walking delegate', of course, prosti-
tutes a workable arrangement to his own selfish purpose,
using his agency to promote trouble rather than to smooth
difficulties. Mr. Burch talks good sense on this matter.
He has a characteristic that is the mark of the truly
scientific mind, he is intellectually honest; he does not
'kid' himself, as many well-meaning people do. Thus he
is quite frank in deprecating the present method of ob-
taining evidence in apex suits ; he suggests special courts
for such litigation. We commend what he says to our
readers. He is equally frank about the war-minerals
business, which has left so many heartburnings in its
wake. He has no doubt in regard to the disingenuous
effort of the gentlemen at Washington to restrict claims
for compensation to those who were solicited personally
by Government officials, ignoring the larger number that
were reached by official propaganda in the press. Twice
in the course of the interview, Mr. Burch turned the
tables on his interrogator, by asking questions himself.
That made the performance more natural, for every man
likes to retaliate after a while. The interview should
appeal to the young men of the West, for it tells how
one' of them 'made good' and achieved success. Mr.
Burch has definite ideas concerning the kind of young
man that ought to go into mining as a profession. He
specifies the qualifications, but, naturally, he does not
stress the special ones that helped him to succeed. One
can learn to work hard, to observe accurately, even to
think honestly, but the force of character that opens the
ways of the world to a true man is not acquired at school
or at college. "Which of you by taking thought can add
one cubit unto Iris stature?"
August 28, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRLSS
297
D I 3
Mr. Sulman and the Medal
The Editor:
Sir — You have referred in recent issues of your journal
to Mr. H. L. Sulman ?s paper published by this Institu-
tion in November last and also to the award of the Gold
Medal of the Institution to Mr. Sulman. As you appear
still to be under some misapprehension as to the terms of
the award of the Medal. I am directed by my Council to
again inform you that it was awarded to Mr. Sulman "in
recognition of his contributions to Metallurgical Science
with special reference to his work in the development of
Flotation and its application to the recovery of
minerals".
The Gold Medal of the Institution is awarded for con-
spicuous services of a life-long character in the advance-
ment "of the science and practice of mining and metal-
lurgy and it is not and has never been awarded for any
specific paper as you will see on reference to the list of
distinguished recipients in the past, amongst whom are
the late Dr. James Douglas, the late Dr. R. W. Raymond,
and the late Mr. Hennen Jennings.
London, July 22.
C. McDermid.
Secretary of the Institution of
Mining and Metallurgy.
[We refer to this letter on another page. — Editor.]
Mining Near Joplin
The Editor :
Sir — My attention has been called to a news paragraph
in your issue of July 17, in which it was stated that
"many mining companies, including practically all of
the larger producers of zinc and lead in the Tri-State
district which centres around Joplin, have agreed upon a
plan of curtailment that is expected to force the price of
ore to $60 per ton". It would seem from the above that
the mine-operators in this district had gone together to
restrict output for the sole purpose of increasing the
price of their products.
The facts of the situation are that for many months
the shortage of freight-cars has caused an accumulation
of ore in the bins of the mine-operators. At the present
time there is a total of 64,000 tons of zinc concentrate
stored in the bins of the district. Every summer the
operators are faced with a shortage of labor, due to the
requirements for men in the Kansas wheat-fields. This
year the crop was unusually large, and it was certain
that many of our men would be absent for a profitable
vacation, leaving us short-handed. It was therefore de-
cided by the operators to shut-down for a two weeks
period, in order to give our men this vacation, and also
if possible to permit the shipment of the large accumu-
lation of ore [meaning 'concentrate', probably.— r
Editor] in the bins.
The public at large has not realized that this district
has for many months suffered severely from a shortage
of freight-cars, and our advices lead us to think there is
not much hope for improvement in the immediate future.
We cannot continue indefinitely to produce more than we
are able to ship, and it has therefore been mandatory for
us to adjust our production to our shipping facilities. I
would appreciate it if you would correct the wrong im-
pression contained in your issue of July 17, and I assure
you that this courtesy will be much appreciated by all
of the operators in this district.
Edgar Z. Wallower, Governor,
Tri-State Chapter of American Mining Congress.
Joplin, July 26.
More Books Written in a Hurry
The Editor:
Sir — In the 'Press' of July 10 I discussed what Vernon
Kellogg said about Herbert Hoover's work at Broken
Hill, Australia ; this time I would like briefly to quote a
few passages from 'The Making of Herbert Hoover', a
biography by Rose Wilder Lane and Charles K. Field in
the 'Sunset' magazine for July.
"The big firm of Bewick, Moreing & Co. in London
had asked Janin [Louis] to recommend a young Ameri-
can mining man to send to Australia; salary, one thou-
sand pounds a year. Did Mr. Hoover want the job?
. . . They write that they have to have a man not more
than thirty years old, with seventy-five years experience.
A man over thirty can't stand Australian climate and
living conditions, they say, and it takes a man of seventy-
five to handle their problems down there. . . . He
thought it over. ... It was a great opportunity if he
could make good. ... It was settled . . . He was to
leave at once for Australia, by way of London. . . . By
midsummer he was buried in work, with plenty to do
and precious little time to do it in, it seemed. He had
charge of the Coolgardie office of the company [Kal-
goorlie is meant, as B., M. & Co. had no office at Cool-
gardie] , the most important office in the colonies. . . .
Things were getting in splendid shape. . . . Encourag-
ing compliments were coming constantly from London.
Simply the introduction of a little hard work and a lot
of American sense. Mining there was in the kindergarten
stage of sixty years ago in California. It fairly made an
•298
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 28, 1920
American engineer weep. Already his introduction of
American methods was increasing the output of the mines
and threatening trouble with the workmen. He found
that the miners were using the old 'double-jack' — one
man holding the drill while another struck it with the
sledge. It was one of the innumerable small details that
he described as sickening. The single-jack was intro-
duced into the mines and he faced a rebellion of the
miners. They refused to use the new tools; they flung
them into the machinery of the stamp-mills; they were
found in shafts and tunnels doggedly working in the
old way. . . . "
! !! !!! ? ?? t.i.i.
I Why discuss such rubbish ? and there is more of it too.
Shades of eminent Australian mining men rise and smite
these biographers, or whatever the writers consider them-
selves. And shame on the 'Sunset' magazine for widen-
ing the distance between America and Australia, instead
of making it less, by deprecating Australian efforts, which
have given se much to the mining industry.
San Francisco, August 1. Max vox Berxewitz.
[Editorial comment will be found elsewhere. — Editor.]
The Status of Gold
The Editor:
Sir — The position of the gold-producers today suggests
to my mind that there is something fundamentally wrong
that they should consider.
Briefly : Under the gold standard, gold establishes the
basis for money credit, but the producers of gold do not
get the credit. The producer turns in his gold for about
$20 per ounce ; that same ounce of gold has a money
credit which the banking interests get.
The gold-producers, in my opinion, can correct this
situation and come into their own only by forming a
'Gold-Produeers Bank', where all production will be de-
posited. The banking or industrial interests can then
obtain the gold by payment of the credit-value for gold,
or it may be possible for the Government to issue cur-
rency to such a 'Gold-Producers Bank' upon the credit
system in operation.
In any event the gold-producers would get what be-
longs to them rightfully, and the credit they establish
would be in their control.
I am advised that there is* no law compelling gold-
producers to sell their production to the Government.
Reno, Nevada, August 7. F. A. Wright.
Concerning Silver
The Editor :
Sir — Recent communications from Mr. Butters have
attracted my attention, and I think a little further pub-
licity is desirable.
It is significant that Mr. Butters seems to agree with
the Treasury Department that "silver is cheaper now
than it will be in the future". He has suggested some-
thing of real benefit to the silver miner, "that the Mint
should be willing to exchange silver coin for the bars
which the producer deposits". I venture to say that
legislation to this effect would be of greater benefit to
the whole mining community than the proposed "bonus
on gold ", as it would stimulate the mining of mixed ores,
which have gold only as the metal of relatively lesser
value. Our depleted gold reserve would certainly be
largely increased if base metals and silver were mined
more extensivel}'.
While Mr. Butters does not stand sponsor for bi-metal-
lism, he advocates something which in effect would be of
equal value to the silver producer. As a side-light on
this phase of the question I would refer to what Mr.
Govett said in his speech on the gold problem. "The
Indian government embraced the bi-metallic heresy with
fine contempt for the economic law that ' it is not possible
to fix a ratio between two fluctuating values.' . . .
Curiously enough, though entirely unsound, it was good
business. For many years it looked as if they were
right." This raises the point that it would be "good
business ' ' for the United States to take a lesson from the
Far East where is our biggest market for silver.
As a query, and for the purpose of provoking further
discussion, I would like to ask mine-operators who are
producing both gold and silver to consider seriousjy Mr.
Butters suggestion.
Frank L. Sizer.
San Francisco, August 18.
The Oil-Shale Industry
The Editor:
Sir — I note in your number of August 7, an article by
Martin J. Gavin on ' Oil-Shales and Their Economic Im-
portance'. It appears to me that Mr. Gavin has pretty
thoroughly damned the enterprise with faint praise. I
am interested to note that in his remedies for the coming
oil shortage in this country, Mr. Gavin suggests, among
others, importing oil from the "enormous potential sup-
plies of Mexico", and the "gradual change in the design
of our present internal-combustion motors, enabling them
to use lower-grade fuels".
I understand from rather well informed sources that
the "enormous potential supplies of Mexico" are not as
enormous or as potential as they are cracked up to be;
that in fact the territory favorable to drilling so far dis-
covered is very restricted, and that many of the big pro-
ducers are suddenly going salt. I am also anxious to
know where Mr. Gavin is going to obtain his supplies of
low-grade fuel even if our present internal-combustion
motors are gradually changed for its use. Kerosene and
distillate are rapidly becoming matters of history, gas-
oil is selling at a high premium in the Middle West, and
fuel-oil is crowding gasoline as far as a shortage is con-
cerned.
Continual harping on these two "solutions" grows
wearisome. If we have a situation to face, let us at least
face it frankly. David e. Day.
San Francisco, August 10.
August 28, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
299
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EUREKA, UTAH
Albert Burch: A Western Engineer
An Interview, by T. A. RICKARD
You were horn in the West, Mr. Burch?
I was born at Peru, Nebraska, on January 8, 1867.
What ivas your father's occupation?
Methodist minister.
How did you get your taste for mining?
Through surveying underground. There was no min-
ing in our part of the country. The first mine I saw was
the Homestake, in South Dakota, when I was a boy on a
railroad survey in 1882.
What was your education?
The equivalent of a high-school training at the State
Normal School of Nebraska, followed by one year, when
I was 16, in York College in the town of York, also in
Nebraska.
What was your first jo~b ?
As a boy I worked during the summer on gardens and
farms for a few cents per day. My first important job
was with the Burlington railroad, in 1880', when on
Friday afternoons and Saturdays I made computations
on earthwork quantities. The next summer I commenced
work for the same people in the field, beginning as back
flagman and advancing to chief of a locating party. I
remained with them until 1888, when the locomotive en-
gineers strike caused them to cease construction of new
lines.
How long were you engaged in railroad work?
Until May 1889.
What led you to your first engagement in mining?
While I was in charge of construction of a branch rail-
road to the mining camp of Eureka, in the Tintic dis-
trict, Utah, I was asked by Hank Smith, who ivas at that
time superintendent of the Bullion Beck & Champion
mine, to do their underground surveying and make my-
self generally useful as an outside foreman when there
was not enough to keep me busy with the surveying. I
stayed there until the latter part of 1891.
What pay did you get?
I got $180 per month, with my room and board. In
the middle of 1890 I gave up all the work at the mine
except the surveying and the construction of a water-
works system, and took a commission as U. S. Deputy
Mineral Surveyor, which proved more profitable. I was
married on January 1, 1891, and within a few months it
became evident that my wife could not stand the altitude,
so I resigned from the Bullion Beck & Champion, and
moved to Salt Lake, where I opened an office as Mineral
Surveyor late in 1891, but I continued to make periodical
trips to the mine for the purpose of keeping up their
surveys. On the first day of January 1893, I was offered
the superintendency of the mine and remained in charge
300
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 28, 1920
until about April 1894, when the property changed hands
and I was fired.
What was the reason*
The mine passed into the control of others. There had
been a bitter fight for the control of the mine and I was
believed to be a partisan of those who had formerly con-
trolled it.
Did you return to Salt Lake?
Yes, and re-opened my office there as Deputy Mineral
Surveyor. I also took a lease on the Northern Spy mine,
in the Tintic district, which I operated under a lease for
a year. This proved to be about the first easy money I
ever made. During that year I became interested in the
local geology and conceived the idea that a block of
ground lying between the old Mammoth mine and the
Centennial Eureka ought to contain a considerable quan-
tity of ore. I interested C. E. Loose in the matter of de-
veloping it and secured options on the property. Loose
carried the enterprise alone for about six months and
then incorporated the Grand Central Mining Co. The
Grand Central was financed by Loose, the present Senator
Smoot, an Ogden lawyer named David Evans, and a hotel
proprietor of Provo named Lafayette Holbrook.
Ho to did it pan out?
It proved successful, though nearly all of the original
money subscribed, $125,000, was expended before any ore
was found. It finally became a profitable mine and it
has paid about $1,500,000 in dividends and is still paying
dividends. It suffered greatly on account of apex litiga-
tion with the Mammoth.
So you had your first taste of apex litigation, Mr. Burchf
I was personally touched by it because the shares which
I had valued at $9 declined within a year to about $4, at
which price I sold my holdings in the Grand Central,
after removing to Wardner, Idaho.
When did you go to Wardner?
In the spring of 1897, but before going there I acted
for a few months as substitute manager of a little gold
mine in the western part of Oregon. It was owned by an
English company — Lawler's Gold Mines, Ltd. — and Mr.
Lawler was the manager. He went to Europe in the fall
of 1896 for treatment of his eyes and I took his place
during his absence. It was while I was manager of this
little concern that I first met P. W. Bradley, in February
1897. He came to make an examination of the Lawler
mine for some of the shareholders whom he had just met
in London. At the conclusion of the examination, he
suggested that in case I should want to leave the Lawler
mine, he would be in position to offer me the superin-
tendency of the Bunker Hill & Sullivan. He evidently
knew that when his report reached London the Lawler
mine would no longer be operated and in the course of
two or three months this developed. I went to Wardner
as superintendent of the Bunker Hill & Sullivan on the
first of May. 1897.
Then, you were in charge of the mine at the time of the
destruction of the mill at Kellogg?
Yes, I was ; and saw the mill blown up.
Looking hack, what is your opinion as to the merits of
the industrial quarrel in the Coeur d'Alene at that
time?
I think that the wages which were being paid by the
Bunker Hill & Sullivan just prior to the strike were per-
haps too low considering the era of general prosperity
that was then beginning. However, before the mill was
blown up, the wages of all the Bunker Hill miners were
advanced to the figure asked by the Union; but the
Bunker Hill company had only a few Union men in its
employ. As the total number of employees was 550, and
only 90 went out on strike, that represented probably
more than the full strength of the Union in the mine,
because some men were undoubtedly intimidated. The
fight really was for Union control of the district. The
Union had been successful in obtaining control of all
other mines except the Bunker Hill and had determined
to make an example of it. The mill was not blown up
by the Bunker Hill employees but by others who came
from the outside. I still approve the stand taken by the
Bunker Hill management as far back as 1892 against the
"Western Federation of Miners, who then controlled the
Union. I approve their stand for an open shop, which
they have continued from that date to this. There was
no resistance made by the Bunker Hill officials or em-
ployees because the entire county government was in the
hands, of the Western Federation and resistance of any
sort would have meant bloodshed, and prompt prosecu-
tion of the resisters rather than the attackers.
You must have your opinion in regard to the bull-pen
and other repressive measures that were taken later
by the mine-owners assisted by the United States
troops. .
The action of the State government in rounding up
and confining a large percentage of the male population
of the county was, perhaps, drastic ; but so far as I was
able to observe they were well treated, except for con-
finement. They were detained in buildings constituting
what was called a bull-pen because there was not sufficient
jail capacity in the county to contain the number under
arrest. Most of them were held only during the neces-
sary examination of witnesses before the coroner's jury,
which had to determine, if possible, who was responsible
for the deaths of three men who were killed. The evi-
dence gained at the inquest was used to a considerable
extent later in the trials of those who were indicted, but
comparatively few of those who were really guilty were
ever brought to trial. On the other hand, a great many
who were innocent of any real intent to commit a crime
were forced by their officers and the radical element in
the Union to join in the attack upon the Bunker Hill
property and to the extent that they were innocent par-
ticipators in that attack they probably had a real griev-
ance against the officers who arrested them and confined
them for one week to three or four months in the bull-
pen. The point is this, probably two-thirds and perhaps
even three-fourths of the members of the local union of
August 28, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
301
the "Western Federation of Miners were opposed to vio-
lence, but they were in much the same position as poor
dog Tray, who got into bad company, and the officers of
the law did not discriminate between those who were
willing and those who were unwilling to commit crime.
Hoir long did you remain as superintendent of the
Bunk.r Hill?
Until June 1901, when I was promoted to manager, re-
maining in that position until January 1, 1903, although
1 was nominally manager until 1905. Later in 1908 I
was appointed consulting engineer to the company with
a view especially to the conduct of a litigation in progress
with the Federal Mining & Smelting Co. From April
1903 until January 1905 I was a member of the firm of
Burbidge & Bureh, with offices in Spokane, and engaged
in the development of various mining properties under
option. My partner was Frederick Burbidge, now living
at Wallace, Idaho.
"Were you, successful in developing anything of impor-
tance f
No ; so in January 1905 I left Spokane and opened an
office in San Francisco, where I have remained up to the
present time in practice as consulting engineer.
You were connected personally with the Plymouth Con-
solidated, were you not?
The properties now owned by the Plymouth Consoli-
dated Gold Mines, Limited, were largely held by the
estates of Alvinza Hayward, "Walter S. Hobart, and by
Charles D. Lane. For some time I had been consulting
engineer to the Chicago Exploration Co., headed by J. D.
Hubbard. On one of his visits to San Francisco, Mr.
Hubbard met Gordon Hall, who was attorney for C. D.
Lane, and Mr. Hall talked with Mr. Hubbard about the
Plymouth property and persuaded him to ask me to look
it over. I did so, and obtained options upon the property
owned by the Hayward and Hobart estates, and Lane, and
also upon several adjoining properties which I thought
should be included. This took three or four months ; in
the meantime the revolution in Mexico commenced, with
the results that the Chicago Exploration Co., which was
largely interested down there, decided not to take up new
enterprises. This left the Plymouth option on my hands.
I tried to interest various parties during the summer of
1911, but was not successful until I met "W. J. Loring of
Bewick, Moreing & Co. He came to the United States on
■a visit to his mother. Through his firm, British capital
was interested in the development of the Plymouth by
means of a corporation called the California Exploration
Co. The development period extended from late in 1911
until early in 1914, when the Plymouth Consolidated
Gold Mines, Limited, was organized, the control of the
shares being taken by the California Exploration Co., the
remaining shares going to Mrs. Lane, Mr. Hall, and my-
self. Since then the mine has been operated continuously
and has practically returned its entire cost, namely,
$1,000,000, and still has good prospects.
While you were consulting engineer of the Plymouth, you
built a club-house at the mine and did other things to
promote loyalty among the men. Wlmt </>» your
rii irs on welfare workt
Under the head of what is called 'welfare work ' a great
many things are (lone that do not really help to promote
good feeling between the management and its employees,
because there is frequently a lack of genuine sincerity in
the conduct of the work. My own belief is that welfare-
work, so-called, is only useful when the bead of an enter-
prise takes a genuine interest in his employees. A man,
or a crowd of men, will quickly detect the lack of sin-
MR. BTJRCH AS SURVEYOR AT EUREKA IN 1891
cerity, if it is lacking; and that affects anything that
can be done to promote cordial relations. Human sym-
pathy must exist between the management and the men,
for without it no amount of money expended for club-
houses, entertainments, housing, and sanitation can be of
real value in promoting cordial relations. It becomes an
empty shell without the kernel of genuine feeling.
With what companies have you been connected in later
years?
In 1911 1 was consulting engineer to the Goldfield Con-
solidated Mines Co., at Goldfield, Nevada, and during the
years 1913-1914 I was general manager for the same com-
pany.
You must have had experience with ore-stealing, and
taken measures to prevent it?
302
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 28, 1920
No, I did not. That was before my time. We had
difficulty in finding ore rich enough to return a profit
after it was handled in the mill, rather than through a
custom assay-office.
What would you regard as the most pleasant feature of
your management of this minef
Aiding in the building up of a more cordial feeling be-
tween the business-men and townspeople of Goldfield
and the management of the mine. It commenced with a
dinner to which about 250 people of the town and the
more important mine employees were invited. On this
occasion a club for better social intercourse between all
classes of the community was launched. It aided greatly
in establishing more cordial relations between the people
of the town and the company. There had been a spirit of
suspicion between them, although there was really no
reason for it. This reminds me that long before, when I
was at Wardner after the strike of 1899, a local union
was organized largely on the initiative of Mr. Bradley,
and it served as a pattern which I was able to follow in
later years at Goldfield and Plymouth. There is no ques-
tion but that a man's success in life depends largely upon
his standing in the community in which he lives and in
which he does business, and the same applies to a cor-
poration. Unless the corporation has the good- will of the
people in the local community, it will always be subjected
to all kinds of annoying and frequently expensive im-
positions. Whenever there is a spirit of distrust, you have
a condition of constant bickering and attempts at goug-
ing, all of which cost real money to the corporation;
therefore, either from a standpoint of comfort in living
or in actual profits, the corporation can well afford to
spend some thought and some money upon maintaining
cordial relations between itself and the people in the com-
munity in which it operates. It is largely the spirit of
the people of Kellogg and Wardner that has maintained
industrial peace at the Bunker Hill mine for the last
twenty years.
Why did you leave Goldfield?
I was tempted and fell. Mr. Jackling persuaded me to
go to Butte in the interests of the Butte & Superior Co.,
in connection with its litigation with the Elm Orlu.
This made it impossible for me to continue my duties at
Goldfield.
When did you become consulting engineer for the Moun-
tain Copper Co.?
In 1913. Our firm of Burch, Caetani & Hershey be-
came consulting engineers to the Mountain Copper Co.
in 1913. Gelasio Caetani was in London early in 1913
and met yourself and through your introduction to then
Captain, now Major, Lawson, who was the chairman of
the board of directors of the Mountain Copper Co., a con-
nection was established with them in that year. Mr.
Caetani, as you know, is an Italian mining engineer, who
has specialized in concentration. For instance, he re-
designed the Bunker Hill & Sullivan concentrator at
Kellogg. Idaho, and designed the mill of the Mountain
Copper Co. at Keswick, re-constructed the mill for the
Tomboy Gold Mining Co. in Colorado, designed a plant
and mill for the Plymouth Consolidated of California,
and has acted in a consulting capacity for many concerns
interested in the concentration of ores. At the beginning
of the World War he returned to Italy and became an
officer of engineers in the Italian army. He little ex-
pected at that time that he would remain in Italy, but
owing to the death of his father and other changes which
were brought about by the long-continued war. he finally
decided not to return to the United States. Thereby a
very valuable man is lost to the profession of mining en-
gineering. The firm of Burch, Caetani & Hershey was
organized on the first of January 1912. The third mem-
ber of the firm being 0. H. Hershey, the well-known
geologist for the Bunker Hill & Sullivan and other con-
cerns. Since the decision of Mr. Caetani not to return,
his place in the firm has been taken by Lloyd C. White.
Looking bach, Mr. Burch, over your thirty years of ex-
perience, what are the chief changes in mining opera-
tions and in the men by whom they are performed?
The introduction of much lighter and more readily
adaptable machine-drills is probably the thing that has
aided most in bringing down the cost of actual mining
operations and also contributed largely to the comfort of
the men themselves. The development of electric power
and its transmission to all parts of mine-workings has
also aided greatly in reduction of cost and in addition to
comfort. A study of ventilation in many mines has aided
materially. So far as the miners themselves are con-
cerned, I look back to those whom I knew first as a sturdy
race of Cornishmen and Irishmen. They have practically
disappeared from the larger mining districts, though
they and their children, and grandchildren, are found in
some of the smaller and older districts of the country,
such, for instance, as Grass Valley in California and
Central City in Colorado. The miners who succeeded
them in the regions with which I was familiar were
largely Swedes and Finns. There are still a great many
Finns employed in sections of the country, but very few
Swedes. Most of the miners now are from south-eastern
Europe, and, in my opinion, do not measure up to the
standard and type of men that I knew at the mines in
my younger days.
To what extent are steps being taken to promote Ameri-
canization, and to what extent do you think such
steps can be taken successfully?
I am not familiar with the work which is being done
by the various Americanization organizations, nor am I
in elose touch at present with any large operations where
individual companies are attempting to carry on a cam-
paign of Americanization. I have no doubt that sys-
tematic work of this kind will attain favorable results if
sufficiently persistent. I believe that the more we can
educate and imbue the foreign element with American
ideas and American ways the better it will be for the
future of mining, as well as for the country. I also be-
lieve that the training of native-born Americans in min-
ing is one of the things that will have to be done in the
next few years.
August 28, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
303
THE PLTMOUTH STAMP-MILL IN AMADOR COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Have you done anything in the way of night-schools?
I have not. I tried to get some companies interested in
private night-school training for the younger employees
of the mines. The idea did not meet with a favorable
reception, and nothing was accomplished.
You have participated in a good many mining litigations?
Not very many. About half a dozen, but they all hap-
pened to be important cases.
May I ask you whether you have any opinion as to the
present method of eliciting facts before the Court,
and whether you can suggest any better metliod?
I certainly think that the present method is wrong,
because it develops partisanship upon the part of the men
■who should be studying questions from a strictly scien-
tific standpoint and because of the great waste of money
which the method entails upon the litigants. It is a waste
of energy and a waste of money and might be avoided by
the development of special courts for trying of mining
suits. This is not an original suggestion. It is one that
I obtained from Judge Farrington of the U. S. District
Court of Nevada after the long drawn-out trial of an
extra-lateral suit in the court in 1912. He expressed the
thought well when he said: "Here I have listened for
three months to eminent scientists taking absolutely op-
posing views upon scientific questions and I as a judge not
trained in geology am called upon to decide which group
is right." He added: "This is a farce and it could be
cured by the establishment of specially trained courts for
the disposal of such litigation."
Therefore, you would not approve the retention of pres-
ent courts with provision that the expert witnesses
be engaged by the Court itself?
No, for the obvious reason that the Court would still
be left very much in the dark as to the facts because of
lack of training upon its part in matters of geology. I
do not know whether it would be possible under our sys-
tem of government to require that cases of this kind be
submitted to Boards of Arbitration instead of the present
courts, but if this can be done, I would suggest a Board
of Arbitration consisting of, say, one lawyer, who had
been accustomed to mining practice, one mining geologist,
and one mining engineer, and allow the arbitrators to
examine the premises and arrive at their own conclusions
as to facts.
Thereby rendering it unnecessary to have an array of
expensive witnesses?
Yes, that would be the result, and it would also fre-
quently result, I think, in obtaining just decisions or
compromises.
You were engaged in stimulating the production of min-
erals during the War, for the Government, were you
not?
I regret to say that I was. I thought it was my patri-
otic duty to do what I could toward advancing the inter-
ests of the nation in connection with the War and did not
feel that I could probably be of much service in the
Army, and therefore did not attempt to enter the Army,
but early in the War made application to Government
bureaus for employment in a volunteer capacity. I was
accepted as a consulting engineer for the Bureau of
Mines and was first sent to Cuba to investigate the manga-
nese and chrome resources of that island. Later, I was
placed in charge of the district embracing Oregon, Cali-
fornia, and other Western States, with a selected field
force for the purpose of examining and reporting upon
chrome mines in the territory and advising the operators
of the mines to the end that production might be made as
rapid as possible. This work occupied practically all my
time from the beginning of May, 1918, until after the
signing of the Armistice. It then became evident that
the industry had been over-stimulated. I have deep
sympathy for those who were urged by the various
government agencies to begin the production of war min-
erals as a patriotic duty ; but have no sympathy for those
who have used this as a cloak to cover exorbitant de-
mands for the reimbursement of funds that were never
lost at all.
Do you consider that the decision of the Secretary of the
Interior, acting on the advice of the Attorney Gen-
eral, that only the personal solicitations of the Gov-
ernment bureaus should count as proof of work
304
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 28, 1920
done in response to the Government was unfair?
Do you not think, with me, that the relief given
should include all those who responded to the re-
quest of the Government as advertised in the press,
daily and technical, of the day?
Certainly I agree with you, because a direct personal
request was made of comparatively few people and
usually the larger and more important operators. The
small producer was not approached directly, and yet
frequently it is the small producer who has to stand the
largest percentage of loss.
How do you regard the question of unionization of mine
labor? In other words, is it feasible or practicable
to maintain the open shop?
I am a strong believer in the local union, which affords
machinery for collective bargaining, the handling of
grievances, and a closer approach between the manage-
ment and its employees without the danger of sympathetic
strikes, which are brought on through causes in which the
local people can have no interest or knowledge whatever.
I do not believe in the salaried business agent, or 'walk-
ing delegate', as he was formerly called, who feels that
he must stir up trouble and cause turmoil in order to
hold his job. I think perhaps if his relationship to the
union would change to something like that of the Chinese
doctor who is paid a regular fee as long as he keeps his
patient well and none while the patient is sick, it might
make a great difference in the handling of labor ques-
tions between the business agent of the union and the
manager of the property.
And you undoubtedly wish the manager of the mine
likewise to play the part of the Chinese doctor?
He does now, for he is paid hjs salary as long as he
makes good; when he cannot, he loses his job.
To what extent do you approve of the more modern prac-
tice of employing graduates as shift-bosses in mines?
My experience in that has been a little unfortunate. I
have employed college graduates as shift-bosses in mines
with rather poor success unless the college graduate be-
fore, as well as after, entering upon his college career
had had a considerable mining practice.
You mean as a working miner?
Yes. The graduate of a mining school who comes from
a mining district, was born and reared in a mining dis-
trict, can usually be depended upon to make a good shift-
boss if he has the other necessary qualifications, includ-
ing physique, but the graduate of a mining school, who is
reared in the city, or even in the country districts, where
he did not absorb the mining atmosphere, does not as a
rule make a good mining man in comparatively subor-
dinate positions. "What do you think about it ?
Well, Mr. Burch, I think this, that comparatively few
young men have the physique as well as the intelli-
gence 1o do the hard work of the miner preparatory
to becoming shift-bosses, and I believe thoroughly
that the sort of leader of men that the shift-boss
must be is onhi dt vcloped by actual experience in
the manual labor that his men are performing.
Would you have made a good shift-boss?
I would not, because I had not the practical experience
that goes with the duties of a shift-boss, or that leads up
to a knowledge of the duties of a shift-boss.
Whereas your experience in surveying and in railroad
work did prepare you to become the superintendent
of a mine?
It helped.
You have taken a keen interest in the California Metal
Producers Association?
Yes, after observing for two years the operation of the
Nevada Mine Operators Association, which I assisted to
organize, I thought I saw the need for something along
similar lines in California. Therefore in 1914 I invited
some eight or ten prominent mine operators in California
to lunch with me at the Engineers Club, San Francisco,
where, after a few hours discussion we commenced the
organization of the California Metal Producers Associa-
tion. This, I believe, has been of value to the mine oper-
ators in California. It is now affiliated with the Amer-
ican Mining Congress and embraces within its member-,
ship nearly all the large mines and many of the small
ones in the State.
What ivork does it do more particularly?
The first and most important work that it did was to
bring about a spirit of harmony between the mine oper-
ators and the newly organized California Industrial Acci-
dent Commission ; it aided in formulating the rules that
were promulgated by that Commission in connection with
the operation of mines; it supported the Commission in
its efforts to reduce rates for workmen's compensation in-
surance, thereby saving to the operators considerable
sums of money. It has maintained an inspection service
for the mines of the State for the last three or four years,
the Inspector of the Association having at all times har-
monious relations with the inspectors of the California
Industrial Accident Commission, and in legislative mat-
ters it has been of considerable aid to the mining industry
in combating vicious measures. These are among the
principal things accomplished by the Association, though
a great deal of attention has been given to First Aid
work and the general improvement of operating condi-
tions about the mines.
You and I, Mr. Burch, had a talk two years ago about
the American Mining Congress, and we agreed that
it was deserving of support as an agency to repre-
sent the mining industry at Washington, and to do
for the national industry ichat your California
Metal Producers Association teas doing in Cali-
fornia. I would like to have your opinion as to the
recent extension of the activities of the American
Mining Congress in establishing bureaus for sta-
tistics and technical information on a somewhat
grandiose scale.
I believe that, being in close touch with the various
Government bureaus in Washington, it has a field of use-
August 28, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
305
fulness along the lines suggested, in the matter of collect-
ing and disseminating information, not to the puhlic nor
to the mining public, but to members of Congress, who
are sadly in need of correct information regarding the
various measures that come up before that body. The
field, you might perhaps consider, is fully occupied by
the American Institute of Mining Engineers, scientific
and technical publications, the Bureau of Mines, and the
Geological Survey ; but in my opinion there is still a good
field for the activities of the American Mining Congress
along the lines stated. It is a fact that can be seen by
any one who goes to attend committee hearings in Con-
gress that little attention comparatively is paid to the
statements made by the Bureau chiefs and Bureau em-
ployees as against statements made by rank outsiders,
and since the American Mining Congress makes a spe-
cialty of looking after national legislation as it may af-
fect the mining industry, it has to maintain a position
can be kept within bounds it may be worthy of sup-
port. What do you think members of Congress
really want for thtir consideration of matters com-
ing before tin ml
They really want accurate information on various sub-
jects coming from people in whom they have confidence.
Does that mean that tluy have no confidence in the
Bureau of Mines and the Geological Survey?
The experience to be had in the hearings in connection
with the War Minerals Control Bill indicates clearly that
Congressmen pay but little attention to statements of
such eminent men as Van. H. Manning and George Otis
Smith as compared with outsiders. The attitude of the
average Congressman is that the men in the Government
bureaus are trying to get something for the bureaus,
whether it is needed for the country or not, and he looks
with suspicion on measures which are advocated by these
THE MINNESOTA CONCENTRATOR OF THE MOUNTAIN COPPER CO.
■ensuring its officers a respectful hearing. I may mention
here that this has been accomplished largely by the efforts
of James F. Callbreath. I believe that, if not carried too
far, the expansion which has been commenced will be of
added benefit. Mr. Callbreath has had to depend in the
past largely upon his own ability to collect facts without
much assistance and having now the beginning of a
corps of assistants he can save his time for more impor-
tant work. What do you think about it ?
7 think you have stated the case correctly in the last
sentence where you refer to the "more important
work". It is a matter of relativity as to whether
lobbying — using the word in a kindly sense — and
the watching of legislation is not more important
thorn, the establishment of further statistical bu-
reaus; but, of course, it may be said that the one can-
not be done without the other; that is to say, the
stirring of legislation is impossible without an ade-
. quate source of data such as the organization can
collect for the purpose, so you and I will agree that
some of this expansion is warranted and that if it
bureaus. Whether this attitude be right or wrong, that
is the attitude of the average Congressman.
Would you advise a young man today to become a min-
ing engine erf
If the young man has the physique necessary to stand
a great deal of hardship in all kinds of climate, and also
has some of the elements of a diplomat in his make-up,
in addition to the technical knowledge which he will gain
by taking a mining course, Yes; otherwise, I would say
No. There is going to be a continued demand for mining
engineers and continued call for young men in minor
capacities about the mines and mills. There are a great
many more little places, or little positions, than there are
big ones ; too many of the men who enter upon the pro-
fession of a mining engineer get into ruts early in their
careers and never seem to be able to extricate themselves.
Just why this is, is hard to determine, but sometimes it
is because of the difference in ability in different human
beings ; frequently it is a question of luck, and oftentimes
it is due to the lack of diplomacy.
306
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 28, 1920
The Knee Lake District in Northern Manitoba
An Official Report
The development of mining in Manitoba has led to
some renewed interest in the upper Hayes River basin.
Early geologic exploration proved the existence of an
area of rocks similar to those associated with the gold
and copper ores of the district north of the Saskatchewan
river, and a few prospectors paid hurried visits to Oxford
and Knee lakes. One party, directed by H. M. Paull
of the Pas, staked a number of claims on the north shore
of Knee lake and did a considerable amount of develop-
ment work on them.
The Knee Lake district, in common with other parts
of the pre-Cambrian region in Manitoba, is characterized
by low relief. In some places the surface is hummocky
and rugged, but much of the district is so deeply cov-
ered by clay and sand that the solid rocks are not ex-
posed and the inequalities of the solid surface are almost
completely smoothed out. Along the shore of the lake,
ridges of rock are exposed rising 10 to 30 ft. above the
water. Inland the rocks are covered by fine sand and
clay and by muskeg, although the elevation may gradu-
ally increase up to the divide between the river systems.
Thus from points four or five miles from the lake the
country appears as a plain sloping gently down to the
hollow in which the lake lies. The hollow, however, is
considerably deeper than the lake at most places. Hence
the solid rocks appear beneath the plan as rugged ridges
bordering the lake shore.
The country at the south end of Knee lake is the most
rugged part of the region. It is underlain by hetero-
geneous rocks, the resistant bands of which stand up above
the more easily eroded formation. Even in this locality
the rock exposures do not extend far inland from the
waterways. At the lower end of the lake the country is
fb-t. Outcrops are rare even along the shore, and beaches
of sand and boulders extend for long distances, forming
a natural levee behind which lie swamps and muskegs.
Hayes river is the only large river in the area ex-
amined; very few tributaries large enough for canoe
travel join it in the Knee Lake district. A small creek
enters the north end of Black lake. It is used as a canoe-
route leading to Deer river, which empties into the Hayes
a considerable distance below Knee lake. Muskegosip
creek drains a lake two miles long into the west end of
Knee lake. "Wolf river drains Swampy Portage lake and
Pisging Eagle lake into the large bay south of Magnetite
nr.rrows. Though the volume of water carried by Hayes
river is not great, it is the canoe and York boat route to
Gods and Island lakes. Below Magnetite narrows, Cin-
der ereek empties into the extreme western bay of the
lake. It is the outlet of Cinder lake, a body of water
4 miles long by 1^ miles wide. Many other small streams
flow into the lake, but those mentioned are the only ones
of any size. The run-off of large areas seems to be accom-
plished by a slow seepage through the moss and muskeg,
without any definite channels.
The fur trade is the oldest and still the most important
industry of the Hayes River valley. Much of the country
in the immediate vicinity of the river and its lake expan-
sions has been exploited for so long and so intensively
that the number of animals taken each vear is much
PART OP EASTERN MANITOBA
smaller than formerly, but this is more than offset by
the great increase in the value of furs. In the outlying
districts tributary to Hayes river, there seems to be no
decrease as yet in the number of skins taken.
No systematic examination of the water-powers of
Hayes river has yet been made. In the part of the river
above Knee lake there are several rapids and falls that
could furnish considerable energy. Below Whitewater
lake, the first expansion of the river, there is a descent
of over 60 ft. in less than a mile of river. The average
flow, however, is probably not very large. Below this
August 28, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
307
is a long narrow part of the river with several rapids;
by flamming the river helow Hellgate rapids, power
could he developed from these. Between Oxford and
Knee lake several rapids occur and the lowest of these,
Trout falls, has almost vertical descent of 15 ft. with
possibly an additional 10 ft. in the rapids helow. This
should develop a fairly large amount of energy.
Much of the area has been burned over and the second-
L'lowth trees are still small. In well-drained areas trees
ai lain a fair size, but in the poorly drained areas at some
distance from the streams and lakes, growth is very slow
and trees seem never to have attained a large size.
The rocks of the Knee Lake district consist of an
ancient sedimentary and volcanic complex intruded by
quartz-porphyry dikes and by batholiths of granite.
These are probably all pre-Cambrian. Pleistocene de-
posits consisting of till and stratified sand and clay lie
directly upon these old rocks, and, over much of the area,
are overlain by beds of peat. So much of the region is
completely covered by Pleistocene and recent deposits
that it is difficult to determine the relations of the pre-
Cambrian rocks.
The character and sequence of the rocks of the dis-
trict are comparable with those in the district in which
ore deposits have been found. Little prospecting has
yet been done in any part of the Hayes River basin, and
the veins found at Knee lake have been disappointing.
The heavy cover of clay and muskeg renders large
areas underlain by promising rocks entirely valueless for
prospecting. In some parts of the district the solid rocks
are well exposed and search may be rewarded by the
discovery of mineral deposits, but such parts do not con-
stitute more than 2% of the whole area. Besides this
handicap, the district lies at a great distance from trans-
portation routes, and orebodies ol only exceptional rich-
ness or unusual size would be worth considering. Not-
withstanding these drawbacks the country in the vicinity
of Knee lake must not be considered unpromising for
mining. Some of the quartz veins have been shown to
carry gold, although the amount in those examined is too
small to be profitably extracted. Much of the area, even
when the rocks are well exposed, has not been examined
even casually and in those parts of the region as good
chances exist of discovering orebodies as in similar rocks
in other districts.
Assuming that mineral deposits are associated with
igneous emanations, the rocks bordering the small in-
trusions of granite south-east of Cinder lake and east of
the second narrows of Knee lake are the most likely
localities for concentration of metallic minerals. Any
of the rocks prior to the granite may possibly contain
veins, but the brittle massive rocks, such as the lavas, are
more likely to contain large and continuous veins than
are the soft and heterogeneous sedimentary beds. The
quartz veins that have been found to be auriferous occur
in fractured quartz-porphyry dikes.
Claims have been staked at two places. One group
occupies the eastern end of Magennis island, seven miles
from the inlet of the lake, the other group is on a point
in Painkiller bay. A few other claims have been staked,
but practically all the work done in the district is con-
fined to these two groups. The Lucky Boy, Apex, Mother
Lode, and Melntyre claims are located along the same
mineralized zone, two claims lying on each side of it. At
the eastern end, the zone lies in a dike of quartz-por-
phyry, but at the western end the dike is north of the
quartz zone. In the altered and sheared dike are nu-
merous intersecting veinlets of quartz one inch or less
in width. The quartz in the schistose greenstone occurs
in lenticular masses, the longer axis parallel to the
direction of schistosity. The largest of the lenses un-
covered is 25 ft. long and has a maximum width of 12 ft.
Some pyrite occurs in the quartz ; chalcopyrite is spar-
ingly present in the wall-rocks. No gold is visible and
assays of samples across the main lens at its widest part
give only 0.09 oz. of gold per ton.
The claims on the point in Painkiller bay are the
White Davidson, Tilden Smith, and O'Reilly. The point
has been almost completely cleared and many trenches
have been dug through the clay overburden. The rocks
are greenstone conglomerate with chert and greenstone
pebbles intruded by a quartz-porphyry dike. This dike
has been fractured and in the fractures veins of quartz
up to an inch wide have been deposited. The whole body
of the dike was said to carry gold, but assays of samples
of the quartz veins that seemed to be the most likely
source of the gold show only traces.
Graduates from Australian universities will be given
the opportunity to obtain a year's practical experience in
the plants of the Electrolytic Zinc Co. of Australasia
under the supervision of the superintendents of various
branches according to the provisions of a plan adopted
by the company. Holders of these cadetships, as they are
termed, will have an excellent opportunity to gain a full
knowledge of the plant in running, of commercial-scale
metallurgical operations, and of labor conditions, and will
be classified, at the end of the year, as follows : Class A :
Specially good men, with personality for command and
technical ability. These cadets will be marked for spe-
cial advancement. Class B : Cadets with technical abil-
ity, but without power of command, who may be usefully
employed in research. Class C : Cadets with power of
command, but without high technical ability might be em-
ployed in routine operating. Class D : Remainder to be
dispensed with. Cadets may take up either the metal-
lurgical or the engineering side, but no distinct line will
be drawn between the two. This scheme is, of course,
quite distinct from that for awarding scholarships and
bursaries to a limited number of picked university grad-
uates, which has been subscribed to by a number of min-
ing and metallurgical companies in the Commonwealth,
including the Electrolytic Zinc Co.
Raises and winzes used for man-ways should have
ladders in good repair. Collars of winzes, raises, or man-
ways should be protected by means of doors, railings, or
bars.
308
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 28, 1920
Danger From Explosives Fume in Metal Mining
By D. HARRINGTON and B. W. DYER
*Two recent catastrophes in Western metal mines, in
each of which three men were killed by breathing fume
from explosives, have aroused keen interest among min-
ing men not only as to the exact cause of such accidents,
but also as to the best preventive measures.
In sinking the 45° inclined Marsh shaft near Burke,
Idaho, on May 13, 1920, a round of holes containing
about 60 lb. of 40% gelatin was blasted by miners on the
night shift upon leaving at 11 : 30 p.m. It was customary
for them to leave compressed-air blowers open at the
bottom of the shaft until the compressor was shut-down
shortly before midnight. Presumably this was not done
on this particular night, as the fume was so heavy in the
shaft-bottom on the morning of the 14th that at about 8
o'clock, P. L. Bergen, superintendent, and one of the
shaft-men, on reaching the bottom, were overcome and
fell from the bucket into the sump containing about six
feet of water ; and when two other men went down in the
bucket a few minutes later to investigate, one also fell
into the sump and the other was barely able to reach the
surface. The three bodies were later recovered from the
sump.
At 4:50 p.m., June 10, 1920, at the Dominion mine,
Colville, Washington, a round of 11 holes containing
about 15 lb. of 60% nitroglycerine was blasted in a 50°
raise about 50 ft. above the main-tunnel level by the
men going off for the night. In this mine it was the
practice not to try to blow out the fume until just before
the men on the shift went to work the next morning.
Although no work was being done on the night shift, one
of the raise-men, curious to ascertain the effect of the
shots, at about 7 : 45 p.m., wandered into the mine (which
was a tunnel only a few hundred feet long), and was
missed by one of his companions an hour later. When
three men tried to remove the body of the inquisitive
miner, two of them also were overcome ; later these two
and the first man were removed from the point at which
all were asphyxiated, which was practically at the foot
of the raise.
In this case the explosive was J-in. straight nitroglycer-
ine, used because the ordinary li-in. gelatin was tempo-
rarily unobtainable, though the holes were drilled for the
larger sized stick ; the explosive, too, was about a year old.
While two. of the eleven holes missed fire, there was ob-
tainable no evidence of burning explosive, but later, after
firing these two missed holes, containing possibly three
pounds of the explosive, a sample of air taken a few
minutes after blasting, at the point at which the three
men had been asphyxiated, gave 0.79% carbon monoxide,
or sufficient to cause death after being breathed for a
"Report of investigations. U. S. Bureau ot Mines.
few minutes. It was thought locally that the deaths
were due to other gases, but analyses indicate strongly
that carbon monoxide was responsible.
These accidents emphasize a danger daily confronting
men working in metal mines and especially in small
properties. In one case the dangerous fume was in a
shaft, in the other in a raise, the deaths in the latter
being, however, practically on the tunnel-level. Com-
pressed air was the usual means for removing dangerous
gases and in both mines it failed.
In neither case is there evidence of defective explosive
or of bad methods of firing; hence the situations are
practically such as may occur at any of our operating
metal mines, especially those operating on a small basis,
and the question arises as to possible prevention of such
accidents.
The Bureau of Mines has been asked to attack the prob-
lem from various points of view ; some companies having
several mines and employing hundreds of men have
numerous cases of 'powder gassing' annually, frequently
with fatal results, and have asked the assistance of the
Bureau in finding methods of firing explosives so that no
poisonous fume will be developed; others wish experi-
mental work along the line of developing a 'fool-proof
super-safe explosive such that irrespective of method of
handling, and conditions, no dangerous fume will result ;
and still others, realizing the probability that dangerous
fume will be generated irrespective of present-day pre-
cautions, wish information as to positive methods of re-
moving dangerous fume.
Theoretically, there are in existence today explosives
with constituents so balanced chemically that with com-
plete detonation there should be no resultant gases of
more potential danger than carbon dioxide, which, mixed
with the almost invariably larger quantities of ordinary
air present, would be diluted to such an extent as to be
harmless. The Bureau of Mines has in several publica-
tions given data as to proper methods of blasting, selec-
tion of explosives, etc. However, numerous samples of air
at faces in metal mines almost invariably reveal the pres-
ence of dangerous gases due generally to incomplete com-
bustion, these dangerous gases being usually carbon
monoxide and oxides of nitrogen. Dangerous percent-
ages (upward of 1%) of carbon monoxide have been
obtained at drift-faces after blasting with explosives of
ammonium nitrate as well as gelatine base, detonated
with No. 8 as well as with No. 6 caps, fired electrically as
well as by fuse, tamped and untamped.
The most dangerous gas found in fume of explosives is
carbon monoxide, of which quantities up to and over
1% are frequently found in the general air around newly
August 28, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
309
blasted faces, and frequently as much as 0.2 to 0.3% in
air from piles of broken rock several hours after blasting.
This gas gives headache when mixed with air in propor-
tions as low as 0.05%, and is dangerous at 0.20% and
quickly fatal when over 0.50%. Another gas sometimes
found is nitrous oxide and its effect, while serious, is not
likely to be so quickly fatal as that of carbon monoxide ;
however when dynamite burns instead of exploding, the
nitrous content of surrounding air may be sufficiently
high to cause death. Other dangerous gases, such as
hydrogen sulphide and sulphur dioxide, may also be
found in fume, but are rarely present in harmful pro-
portions. However, straight nitroglycerine dynamite
gives off several times as much carbon monoxide gas as
gelatin or ammonium-base explosive, hence straight nitro-
glycerine should never be used in confined places.
It appears that at present there is no explosive used in
metal mining, with any guarantee that formation of dan-
gerous gases can be prevented, hence the one feasible pre-
ventive is effective ventilation.
It is significant than in 1919, the coal mines of the
United States, which are compelled to give minute atten-
tion to ventilation, had but three deaths from suffocation
from explosives fumes, although over 760,000 men were
employed, or about three times as many as in metal
mines. Metal mines too frequently place entire reliance
on natural ventilation or on compressed air, and both are
likely to be inefficient, dangerous, and, in the long run,
costly. A compressed-air blower will rarely deliver to a
working-face more than 100 to 150 cu. ft. of air per
minute. The cost is 2 to 5c. per 1000 cu. ft. and there is
danger that at least occasionally the compressed air may,
through defective compressing, be charged with danger-
ous gases. Ordinary ventilation methods by mechanical
fans produce air circulation at a cost of about 2 to 5c.
per 1000 cu. ft. and, with proper supervision, will readily
deliver several thousand cubic feet of air per minute to
working-faces, instead of the 100 eu. ft. by compressed-
air blowers. For dead-end faces of drifts, cross-cuts,
raises, winzes, and shafts, small electrically-driven fans
direct-connected to \ to 10-hp. motors force air through
canvas tubing or galvanized pipe, and readily deliver
1000 to 5000 cu. ft. of air per minute, or 10 to 50 times
as much air as can be obtained from compressed-air blow-
ers and at much less cost. These small fan and canvas
or galvanized-pipe units not only remove fume from the
face, but if operated as blowers will keep a stream of
moving air at the point where the machine-man or "
shoveler works. In hot mines especially, the worker's
comfort and efficiency are greatly improved and his
health and safety assured at least as far as explosives
fumes are concerned. Managers of the larger metal
mines now recognize this and many new mechanical ven-
tilation units are found in the West.
try. The average annual production during the years
1911, 1912, and 1913 was as follows: 13 mines produced
154,900 metric tons of copper ore; 4 mines 10,000 tons
of iron pyrite; 5 mines 25,400 tons of rock salt; and 7
smelters 6614 tons of copper. Armenia's output of rock
salt and iron pyrite represents 100% of the production
of the whole of Transcaucasia and its production of cop-
per 69%. Before the War Russian Armenia's copper
output represented 20% of Russia's total production.
The mining industry of Russian Armenia is repre-
sented by 22 copper-ore, rock-salt, and pyrite enterprises,
18 of which exploit old mine workings. Seven copper
smelters comprise the metallurgical industry of the coun-
Ozokerite
The largest domestic deposits of ozokerite are in Utah
near Colton, Utah county, and Soldier Summit, Wasatch
county, along the Denver and Rio Grande railroad,
about 90 miles from Salt Lake City. During the War
the Soldier Summit deposits were reopened, a new plant
installed and production started on an important scale.
The ozokeite occurs as a filling of brecciated zones in
fissure veins in sandstones and shales. The veins vary
in width up to 5 or 6 ft. and the ozokerite in the veins
from mere films to 22 in. The ore from the mine is
sorted, crushed, and subjected to a refining process. Sev-
eral methods have been used, varying principally in me-
chanical details, but the underlying principles are simi-
lar. The ore is placed in steam-heated vats with water
and raised to a temperature of 54° to 70°C. The wax
melts and floats off as a liquid into cooling-vats, while
the rock is removed either continuously or intermittently
from the bottom. The impure wax is purified by a sec-
ond boiling, and the tailing from the first tanks is re-
treated, producing an impure wax which is later purified,
a middling product which is returned to the first tanks,
and clean tailing which is wasted. The purified wax is
heated in an open tank to remove trapped moisture, and
then cast or molded into blocks for market.
Ozokerite may be used either as the purified wax or as
eeresine, which is made by further refining ozokerite.
The wax may be purified by mixing with alkali and
filtering through fuller's earth, animal charcoal, or mag-
nesium silicate.
Ozokerite vaseline is made by filtering ozokerite
through animal charcoal 12 to 30 times, and distillation
with superheated steam at 250CC. for three or four hours.
Ozokerite is used for the manufacture of wax figures,
dolls, and candles ; as a substitute or adulterant for bees-
wax ; as a covering to protect metals from moisture, acids,
and alkalies ; for making waxed paper ; for lining barrels,
kegs, and acid tanks ; as a foundation for waxes, polishes,
liniments, salves, and plasters; for imitation alabaster
statuettes and decorations for confections; for artificial
honeycombs, for making boot-blacking and polish, var-
nish, shoemaker's wax, and floor-wax ; as a base for a va-
riety of lubricants from axle-grease to gun-oil; in the
manufacture of leather polish, sealing-wax, and pomades ;
and as electrical insulation. A very large and impor-
tant use, which took most of the domestic output in 1918,
was as an acid-proof coating for electrotypers' plates. —
U. S. Bureau of Mines.
310
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 28, 1,920
Care of Rock-Drills
By HOWARD R. DRULLARD
*Best results from hammer-drills may be obtained by
giving close attention to two factors in drill maintenance.
They are of equal importance; one is lubrication, and
the other is care of the shank. With the exception of
stoping-drills, most modern rock-drills require both oil
and grease. The oil-ports are in the lubricator, on or
behind the hammer-cylinder; the grease-port for the
lubrication of the chuck-sleeve and rotating mechanism
is on the chuck-end. Ordinary machine-oil is not adapted
to rock-drills ; a heavier more gelatinous oil such as castor
machine-oil or liquid grease should be used. The lubri-
cators should be filled once for every 12 or 14 ft. of hole
drilled. Grease-guns should be used to fill the port in the
chuck-end once a shift ; a medium grease is well adapted
to this purpose. Hard grease must not be put into the
lubricator, as it will not flow through that part. Con-
trary to the popular belief, oiling a machine once or
twice a shift does not provide sufficient lubrication; the
drills should be oiled once for every 12 or 14 ft. of hole
drilled.
The rotating handle of a stoping-drill is an oil-reservoir
and is provided with a port for oiling. The rotating
handle is packed with wicking, or similar material, which
causes the oil to feed slowly from the handle to the other
parts of the machine. Stoping-drills require oil at least
twice a shift; lighter oils than castor, such as Arctic
Ammonia, may be used.
Drills used in shaft-sinking can be oiled satisfactorily
by placing a good-sized drop-sight lubricator on the sta-
tion above and connecting it with the air-line supply-
ing the sinking-drills. If this lubricator is properly filled
and adjusted, a uniform oiling of the sinking-machines
will be effected without the necessity of oiling the drills
individually. The grease end should be filled at the
station or on the surface before each drilling-period.
The shift-boss should see that the machines are greased
and also that the lubricators at the station function prop-
erly. The life of the air-drill hose is somewhat shortened
by this method, as oil attacks the inner tube ; but as
some oil is always present in the compressed air, this is
not a serious objection to the method.
When operating wet drills, the water-valve should
always be closed before the air is shut off from the ma-
chine so that any water leaking from the water-tube will
be exhausted from the machine. After drilling is finished,
the machines should not be carelessly thrown aside, but
should be carried well back from the face and placed in a
clean dry place. Many experienced drill-runners stand
the drifting and sinking-machines chuck-end up and
pour a liberal quantity of oil into the chuck-end. This
prevents rusting if there is moisture in the machine ; also,
the oil finds its way into the small parts, such as the
rotating mechanism.
*A paper to be presented at the Lake Superior meeting
of the A. I. M. & M. E. in August 19 20.
Stoping-drills are often stood in the opposite manner.,
that is, with the chuck-end down. Oil is then poured
around the air-feed piston, often called the 'feed-bar'.
The oil flows down the piston into the air-feed cylinder,
keeps the cup-leathers soft and pliable and, if the
leathers are somewhat worn, passes on into the other
parts of the drill.
When machines have been in service for some time
without being repaired, they should be sent to the sur-
face to be cleaned and oiled. If this is not practicable,
good results can be obtained by pouring 5 or 6 oz. of coal-
oil into the air-hose, connecting it to the machine, and
then running the drill for a minute or two. This will
usually clean a drill quite thoroughly, but care must be
taken to keep all lights away from the face for a few
moments for, as the oil breaks up into very fine particles
as it is exhausted from the machine, it forms an explosive
mixture, which has been known to flash and burn the
hands and face of the drill-runner. After the machine
has been thus cleaned, the lubricators filled, and several
ounces of oil poured in the drill-hose, the machine will be
found to operate much more freely than before cleaning.
Drill-Shanks
The method of forming drill-shanks on a standard
drill-sharpener is simple and quite generally understood.
The shanks, however, must be accurately made and
maintained at the dimensions specified for the particular
steel. A variance of J in. in length will often reduce
the drilling speed of the machine 25%. Close attention
must also be paid to the shape and location of the hole
made to accommodate the water-tube. To avoid excessive
breakage of water-tubes, this hole must be f\j in. diam.
and punched to the depth of at least 3 in. It must be in
the centre of the steel and, after punching, should be
counterpunehed slightly to prevent a sharp edge forming
that will cut off the water-tube. The shank, of course,
should present a smooth striking-face.
The shank, when properly formed, is hardened. Some-
times this process is not thoroughly understood. The
operation is simple, involves no delicate judgment of
temperatures or high mechanical skill, can he learned by
any intelligent blacksmith in a few moments, and makes
a shank that will not batter, break, or damage the
piston-hammers of the rock-drills.
The proper treatment of the shank begins in the forg-
ing. The steel must not be overheated, that is, it must
not approach a white heat. The work of forming the
shank should begin as soon as the steel attains a bright-
red heat. The steel must not be allowed to 'soak' in the
fire, as this causes scaling; an unduly high air-pressure
in blowing the forge will also cause the steel to scale, and
a scaled shank will not respond properly to the harden-
ing process. After forming, the shanks should be an-
nealed by being cooled gradually ; preferably they should
be covered with lime or ashes and allowed to cool.
Either fish or linseed oil is satisfactory for hardening,
although other light oils are at times used. The quantity
required is proportionate to the number of shanks to be
hardened at one time; 5 gal. will suffice for the harden-
I
- 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
311
ing of three or four shanks, hut if considerable steel is
being worked, 45 or 50 gal. are advisable. A rectangular
tank in which the steel can be stood on and conveniently
is generally used. A heavy Boreen should lie placd 4 or
5 in. from the bottom in order to hold the steel above any
water or dirt that may collect in the bottom of the tank.
The oil must be kept free from any foreign matter, par-
ticularly water, for water collecting below the oil will
over-harden any hot steel that comes into contact with it.
The shank should be heated to a cherry-red at the
striking end. with the heat graduated to a dull red just
beyond the collars, or lugs; or in the case of the shank-
oping-steel; to a point about 4 in. from the end.
The shank is then plunged into the oil and allowed to
cool thoroughly; the operation is then finished except for
test ill).'.
One thing must be borne in mind: each and every
shank must be so hardened that it can be readily cut
with a tile. The shanks must be softer than the piston-
hammers or damage to both will result. It is obvious
that if two pieces of steel of approximately the same
hardness are brought violently together, one or both will
be damaged. If any piece cannot be readily cut with a
file, it should be rejected and re-hardened and the oil
tested for water. Care must be taken that too many
shanks are not treated at one time and the oil over-
heated : if the oil becomes hot, soft shanks will result.
The often-used draw-temper water-method requires an
extremely fine knowledge of color values, is seldom ac-
curate, and is much slower than the oil method, there-
fore it should not be used. If the shanks are properly
hardened, any well-made piston-hammer will take care
of itself.
Tin, Lead, and Zinc Mining in
Great Britain
An interesting report has been made by a committee
appointed by the Board of Trade to investigate and re-
port upon the nonferrous mining industry of Great
Britain.
The production of black tin from existing mines and
streams, all situated in Cornwall and Devon, amounted
in 1918 to 6378 tons, which, in terms of metal (the black-
tin concentrate from the mines is taken to contain 65% of
recoverable metal, that from the stream works 46%) is
3% of the world's production and under 15% of the
normal British consumption of the metal, taken at the
pre-war figure of 27,500 tons per annum. The falling
off in the production during the last 30 years, from close
to 1500 tons in 1890, is due to several causes, the chief
of which are the fall in the value of the metal in the
period 1890-1898, impoverishment with increasing depth,
exhaustion, and the increased cost of extraction and of
pumping. It was accentuated during the "War by the
lack of development consequent to the labor shortage.
The future of tin mining in Cornwall depends in a
great measure on the finding of new shoots by lateral
development on the lodes now worked, or by cross-cutting
from existing workings to other known lodes, some of
which in their shallower levels were large producers of
copper. The work of mining geologists ami engineers in
the Camborne-Uedruth area has indicated the probability
that certain minis in this district, which were abandoned
when their copper production failed, will be found to In-
valuable tin producers if developed at a lower level.
Lead mining is of great antiquity in the British Isles,
dating back to the time of the Roman occupation ; and
for many centuries large quantities of lead ore were ob-
tained from outcrops and shallow workings. Deeper min-
ing, involving pumping, belongs to a comparatively late
period, but was carried on extensively during the last
century. Consequently, the more accessible and richer
ore-shoots are now exhausted ; and in general it is where
natural difficulties hindered exploitation that the richer
orebodies have been preserved for the miners of today.
A notable example of this is the Halkyn district of Flint-
shire, where the lodes in the mountain limestone are so
heavily watered that they could not he mined to any con-
siderable depth with ordinary pumping appliances. The
driving of a drainage tuuiel, which was completed about
1886, enabled them to be worked down to 200 ft. above
sea-level. A new tunnel has been commenced and would,
if continued as projected, unwater the mines down to
sea-level, thus rendering a large quantity of valuable lead
ore available for mining.
The mining of zinc ore in this country is not so ancient
as that of lead mining. The ore is chiefly blende, cala-
mine being of little importance. It occurs associated with
galena; but 'black jack', as blende is termed by the
miners, was formerly rejected as a waste product, the first
recorded production of zinc ore being in 1858. Much
has been discovered in recent years by working over old
dumps and by re-opening abandoned stopes where blende
has been left on the walls of the lodes, or used as filling.
The total production, however, is not large, and has
fallen from 17,294 tons in 1913 to 9025 tons in 1918, the
latter figure representing 5% of the present capacity of
the home smelting works. In terms of recoverable metal
(the zinc concentrate is taken to contain 35J% of recover-
able metal) it represents 0.65% of the world's present
production of spelter and about 1.6% of the pre-war
British consumption of that metal. The present outlook
for zinc mining, the committee states, is discouraging,
since mines that are mainly dependent on blende produc-
tion are not able to make a profit at current prices for the
ore. The low price obtainable for home-produced blende
is due mainly to the high smelting-costs prevailing, but
the purchase by Government of the annual production of
the Broken Hill mines of Australia was considered by
many to be a contributing cause.
Tungsten is obtained from various ores, such as wol-
framite, which is a tungstate of iron and manganese, and
scheelite, which is a calcium tungstate. Ores are mined
in Colorado, California, New Mexico, and in other places.
The ore is usually reduced to the oxide, which is a yellow
powder.
312
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 28. 1920
Standardization of Mine Work
•The application of time-studies to mining operations
on any comprehensive scale, I believe, is new. The value
of time-studies was first emphasized some years ago by
Taylor and has been widely recognized in manufacturing
and other productive industries, but aside from special
cases has never been used in controlling or standardizing
underground work. All time-studies at North Butte were
made by the company's staff. The well-known methods
in general use in manufacturing industries were em-
ployed, but it was considered best to have the actual work
done by men of experience in metal mining and familiar
with the particular underground conditions to be studied.
The investigations were comprehensive. Every opera-
tion underground was timed and a careful record was
kept of the figures. The data, which were quite volu-
minous, after critical analysis by Mr. Braly and his
assistants, formed the basis of the standard of efficiency
ratings now in use. The time-studies also suggested nu-
merous improvements whereby individual work could be
made more productive with little or no increased effort.
A classification of underground labor into various kinds
of work performed under present conditions is as follows :
Miners, 15.7% ; shovelers, 26.8%,; trammers, 18.9% ; tim-
bering, 26.4%; powder-men, 2.3%,; nippers, 2.1%; sta-
tion-tenders, 1.8%,; shaft repairs and shaftmen, 2.4%;
draining and ventilation, 1.9% ; top carmen, 1.3%.
The greatest difficulty in applying the results of these
time-studies to actual operations was to find a simple
method of recording the work of each individual work-
man. This was finally solved by the 'pictorial' record
card devised by Mr. Braly. On this card, the letter A,
for instance, represents setting up a machine and taking
it down, including bringing up the machine from the
drill-platform to the breast, bringing the column to the
breast and setting it up, placing the machine in proper
position, connecting both air and water-hose, oiling the
machine, etc., all preparatory to drilling. Should the
time-studies show that the proper time for two men to
perform this is 40 min., if they perform it in 50 min.
they are 80% efficient; if they perform it in 30 min.
their efficiency would be 133%. Every operation in
drifting and cross-cutting has been timed and is known,
so that it is only necessary to record the operations done
by any man underground for an entire day, add them
together, and compare the totals with the standard in
order to arrive at his efficiency for the day. Shoveling,
tramming, timbering, and all other underground work
were timed in the same careful and detailed manner.
In practice, the shift-boss makes out cards daily for the
men in his crew and sends them to the office, where the
factors are applied. The cards for each man are totaled
weekly and the factors have been so worked that the
units can be added directly on a machine without in-
volving any excessive amount of clerical detail.
These cards are not only efficiency records, they are
♦From a paper presented by Robert Linton at the Lake
Superior meeting of the A. I. M. & M. E. in August 1920.
instruction cards for the men and the shift-bosses. They
also give the shift-bosses specific information as to what
men in different positions ought to do ; this is one of the
most important results that has developed by the use of
this system. Many shift-bosses are inclined to give some
men too much work and not enough to others, not in-
tentionally, but because they have not crystallized in
their minds the exact amount of work a man should do.
Further, there is recorded on the cards the supplies used
each day in each working-face. This facilitates compil-
ing ; and it has been found possible to improve consider-
ably the routing of supplies to points of use. and thus
eliminate time lost because the men did not have their
supplies within convenient distance. Stocks and the loca-
tion of underground supplies are kept track of on tally-
boards, on which supplies used each day are pegged up
from the cards ; the stocks are replenished without special
requisitions from shift-bosses. Tally-boards are also used
for compiling the output of ore and waste-rock shoveled,
and other items of work done.
After having established the time-standards and in-
stalled the system of recording individual efficiency, a
bonus-system was inaugurated under which underground
men are paid a bonus based on efficiency rating in excess
of 80% of the standard. All underground men are paid
the standard rate of day's pay regardless of rating, but
if they make a rating of over 80%, they are paid at fixed
rates per point above 80%. This is an incentive for the
men to study their jobs and co-operate in raising the
efficiency of the whole organization. However, the pri-
mary object of standardizing the work is to educate the
miner to conserve his effort and not waste it. Ordinarily
it requires much less energy to do a thing right than to do
it wrong, and the application of the standardized meth-
ods has demonstrated this. The standard methods in-
troduced have resulted in increased efficiency, but it is
believed that they have at the same time enabled the
workmen to do their work more easily.
It was also found that inefficiency was frequently due
to men not being placed to the best advantage. For
nearly three years, employment has been in charge of the
assistant superintendent instead of the individual shift-
bosses. He interviews all applicants for work and fur-
nishes the various shift-bosses, on their requisition, with
such numbers of men as they require. Men who are
recommended for discharge or who wish to leave are
obliged to report to him; in many cases such men are
transferred and retained as employees. Of men so trans-
ferred, about two-thirds have made good in their new
jobs: Since establishing this system, labor turn-over has
been reduced over one-half and the shift-bosses have
found that they get a much better force of men than when
they hired their men by selecting from those who applied
each day. The policy does not contemplate or tolerate
discrimination against any man who is, by no fault of
his own, unable to make a high rating; the policy is to
give any man who is willing to work a chance to do so,
to place him where he can do his best, and to educate him
in his work so that he can do it better.
August 28, L920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
313
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ARIZONA
ASBESTOS MINING IN THE GLOBE DISTRICT.
Globe. — October 10 to 16 luis been designated as
'safety week* in the Globe-Miami district, according to a
recent announcement. Special plans have been formu-
lated and the goal has been set for a week without a
single 'lost-time' accident. The cutting by the Old Do-
minion company of the Maggie vein on the nineteenth
level is considered important. The vein is practically
undeveloped and it has recently been found that the ore
Geological Survey have found valuable deposits of as-
bestos on the Port Apache Indian reservation and also
the San Carlos reservation. Although mining is not yet
permitted on these lands, the Government is taking
steps to have these deposits made available to meet an
ever-increasing demand for the product. T. R. Drum-
mond, president of the Superior & Boston Mining Co.,
together with several associates, recently had a narrow
escape when visiting properties in the Dripping Springs
valley. While driving through the sandy bed of a wash,
where travel is rarely impeded, they were overtaken by
LONGFELLOW MINE OF THE ARIZONA COPPER CO. AT MORENCI
assays better than 5% and is therefore available for
direct smelting. Operations are to be continued down to
the twentieth level in order to secure drainage. The San
Carlos Indian reservation is to be opened at once for
prospecting. The western section is known to be espe-
cially rich in asbestos, generally found in localities so
rough that aeroplanes or dirigibles have been suggested
as means of bringing out the ore. It is reported that
Arizona will produce this year as much asbestos as the
total output of the United States last year. During the
year 1919 the total quantity of asbestos sold in the
United States was 1002 tons, nearly half of this amount
being contributed by Arizona. Almost all the asbestos
mined in Arizona comes from the region north and west
of Globe, although promising deposits have been found
in the vicinity of Grand canyon. Members of the U. S.
a cloudburst which lifted the Ford car in which they
were traveling, and carried it along at rapid speed for
nearly a mile, finally leaving the party stranded high
and dry on a welcome bar. After pumping out the ma-
chine it was found possible to resume the homeward
journey without assistance.
Jerome. — It is reported that Tom Collins and asso-
ciates are prospecting the Verde Central group of claims,
having a large tract of land under option. Mr. Collins,
who is an expert miner, was instrumental in collecting
the group of claims which originally comprised the
Junction division of the Calumet & Arizona Mining Co.,
in the Bisbee district, and which forms one of the best
portions of the property of this organization, and he
hopes to be as successful in his development of the Verde
Central group. It is announced that sinking will shortly
314
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 28, 1920
be resumed at the Dundee-Arizona, perhaps as soon as
the first of September. It is believed that the country
has been drained to such an extent that the company
will no longer be troubled greatly by the flow of water
which forced the suspension of sinking last winter, when
the shaft had reached a depth of 810 ft. When the
pumps were stopped the water rose to within 25 ft. of the
main station on the 450-ft. level. In the last two months
it has subsided fully 150 ft. Development of the Dun-
dee's surface deposit of carbonate ore continues. As
yet no decision has been reached regarding the character
of the plant that is eventually to be installed to handle
this ore.
Bisbee. — It is reported that the old Mellegren prop-
erty at Tombstone has been purchased by Frank P.
Cavanaugh, a mining engineer of New York, represent-
ing a new company which has been incorporated in the
name of the Tombstone Silverfield Syndicate, and an-
nouncement has been made that mining operations with
modern machinery will begin shortly. After 30 days of
preparation, the Flux Mining Co. started operating the
mill at its property at Patagonia last week. For the
present the company will work on a high-grade lead-
silver sulphide ore of which about 300 tons has been
broken down ready to mill. Many more tons are re-
ported in sight. Although the mill has not been in op-
eration long enough to give accurate figures, the com-
pany estimates that it will be able to mill 30 tons per
day with one shift operating the mill. This is expected
to make about eight tons of concentrate to be shipped to
El Paso for smelting.
Jerome. — Owing to the failure of the stockholders to
respond to the proposal made by the directors that they
subscribe to a bond-issue for the purpose of continuing
the development of the property, the Jerome-Verde is
being closed down. The pumps are being pulled, the
mules hoisted to the surface, and all preparations made
for a period of inactivity at the property.
COLORADO
RICH ORE FOUND NEAR GEORGETOWN.
Aspen. — Electric power is to be substituted for steam
at the power-plant at the portal of the Hope tunnel of
the Hope M. M. & L. Co. and a contract has been signed
with the Roaring Fork Electric Light & Power Co. A
saving will be effected, as the haulage charge on coal will
be avoided. The breast of the Hope tunnel is in the
blue and brown lime formation containing some silver,
lead, and zinc.
Georgetown. — Tetrahedrite ore sampling 400 to 2220
oz. silver per ton has been opened up in a new shaft on
the Ready Cash in the Williams Fork section at a depth
of about 30 ft. by Teagarden and Taylor, well-known
Georgetown miners. The operators are sacking ore to be
packed on burros and plan the installation of a steam-
hoist. The Silver Mountain mine, operated by the Nel-
son Leasing Co.. is producing both smelting and milling
ores. A force of men is remodeling the Payne mill at
Empire and a flotation unit is to be added. The Ameri-
can Vanadium Corporation has a force of men preparing
for resumption of work on the Urad molybdenum group
that it acquired from the Primos Chemical Company.
Idaho Springs. — The Gem Mining Co. has surveyed a
route from the Frater Friend group to the Silver Age
mill-site on the C. & S. road below the city, and a tram
will be constructed for the delivery of ore to the modern
mill that will be constructed. The Crown Prince com-
pany has miners employed in the Hecla tunnel. Sul-
phide ore containing gold is being developed. The
Hireen Mining Co. has awarded a contract for 600 ft. of
cross-cutting and drifting at the Lake property. The
lateral will connect with the Frontenac workings and
ventilate both properties. Cabins are under construction
on Mount Kelso for the miners employed on the Decker-
Jeffrey properties. The tunnel has cut a vein, 600 ft.
from the portal, that carries smelting and milling ore.
Operations are to be continued through the winter.
Silverton. — The Climax-Tip Top tunnel in Eureka
gulch is being re-timbered and re-tracked and develop-
ment resumed. The property owned by the Brensen
estate has produced high-grade gold ore. New York in-
terests plan development of the Ariadne and the manage-
ment is now cross-cutting at the fourth level for the
shoot opened on the three levels above. A winze sunk
from the third level proved continuity of the ore, with a
streak 14 in. wide sampling 1 oz. gold, 51 oz. silver, with
some copper content.
Denver. — John T. Burns, assistant secretary of the
American Mining Congress, now here to arrange for the
September meeting, is authority for the statement that a
Standardization Conference will be held in Chicago on
August 30, at which Charles A. Mitke, chairman of the
Metals section of the Mining Congress, William R. Rob-
erts, president of Roberts & Sbeafor, construction engi-
neers, chairman of the Coal section, and representatives
of the Federal Bureau of Mines, National Committee on
Standards, and the American Institute of Mining &
Metallurgical Engineers will be present. Details of the
proposed work will be arranged. The Standardization
conference will, it is expected, occupy two or more days
of the 23rd annual convention of the American Mining
Congress to be held in this city in November.
MICHIGAN
FURTHER DECLINE IN COPPER PRODUCTION.
Calumet. — A decrease of 710,854 lb. of refined copper
is noted in the July production report of Calumet &
Hecla subsidiaries. Total output was 8.312,025 lb., com-
pared with 9,022,879 in June and 8,803,811 in May.
Production for July follows: Ahmeek, 1,572,838; Al-
louez, 262,400 ; Calumet & Hecla, 4,684,972 ; Centennial,
34,600 ; Isle Royale, 775,200 ; Osceola, 735,900 ; Superior,
85,800; White Pine, 160,315. Of the Calumet product,
1,168,093 lb. represents the output of the reclamation
plant. Osceola and Superior are the only mines of the
group to show an increase over June, when the former
August 28, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
315
produced 661,500 ll>. and the latter reported an output
of 32,200 pounds.
(upper continues to go out from the Lake region in
small 1ms. practically all of which is being shipped east-
ward. Calumet & Hecla this week filled an order for
2:")ii tons for a New England customer and 350 tons of
ingot bars also went out for a Philadelphia firm. Only
small amounts of Calumet copper are going to auto-
motive ooncerns. Quiney and Copper Range are tilling
frequent orders from automobile plants but the sales
are far below normal. The lull in export trade is indi-
cated by the fact that no metal has been shipped to Great
Britain for several months. Only one shipment has been
m;nle by Calumet to Germany this year and the only
order of consequence for some mouths is that now being
filled for France, consisting of slightly over 1500 tons.
Colony still is in vein matter, but for the past few days
probably not in commercial 'rock'. Nevertheless the
work is of value, as it establishes the dip of the forma-
tion. The south drift, which now terminates 150 ft.
from the shaft, is in trappy ground and the east cross-
cut continues in the conglomerate. It is the plan of the
management to proceed with the cross-cut, carrying out
original exploration plans, but another week or ten days
may bring it into a new formation.
With the first indication of the restoration of former
conditions in the metal-market, Wolverine will begin ta
develop and explore the several lodes that are found in
its property east of the Kearsarge formation. Two or
three veins, penetrated by diamond-drills and cross-cuts
from various levels below the 14th, yielded ore in com-
mercial quantities and the preliminary openings were
COMPRESSORS IN THE NEW ENGINE-HOUSE OF THE TONOPAH EXTENSION MINING CO.
Local companies do not expect much improvement in the
market until foreign demand improves.
Mohawk's experiment with 'zinc-field' scrapers in its
levels have been disappointing and until a device that is
less cumbersome is perfected no further attempt to utilize
it will be made. The employment of stope-scrapers,
however, is a splendid success and they are a permanent
fixture in the Mohawk and Wolverine mines. They are
operated b}' two men and perform the work that four to
six men formerly did by hand shoveling. Mohawk's
openings keep abreast of those of a year ago, while the
I yield continues at 22 or 23 lb., with occasional shipments
of 'mass' boosting the grade to 25 lb. or better. With
the present small force, compared with that employed in
past years, no attempt is being made to open the fissure
in No. 4 shaft and this will be left for future years.
This vein, originally opened on the 22nd level, south, of
the No. 4, contains considerable 'mass' and warrants
extensive work as soon as conditions permit.
The raise in the west cross-cut of Mayflower-Old
of such character that extensive work on them will be
done just as soon as the step is warranted. The showing
in an amygdaloid on the 28th level was particularly
promising and it is probable that the first development
work will be on that lode. There will be no let-up in
operations on the Kearsarge vein and by the time all of
the arches and backs are removed it is expected reserves
in other parts of the mine will have been determined.
In the event the showing fulfills predictions, Wolverine's
life will be prolonged. It was with the intention of de-
veloping new ground that the management decided that
the shaft-pillars would not be removed, so as to keep the
shafts intact. The pillars contain thousands of tons of
high-grade rock, for they are 90 ft. square, extending to
the bottom levels from the surface.
Whie Pine Copper is preparing to suspend operations
and at present only a few men remain on the property.
This decision came as no surprise, for the constantly
rising costs of labor and supplies, together with the
steady decline in output, left no alternative. For the
316
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 28, 1920
past four or five months a force of only 150 men has
been employed and production dropped from 285,000 lb.
in March to 160,077 in June. White Pine is a mine that
presents different problems and requires more modern
methods than any other property in the district. Due
to the fine character of the copper in the Nonesuch lode,
flotation and re-grinding have been used successfully.
The rock is low in grade, in fact so low that it is stated
that the mine can operate successfully only on a quantity
basis. It is a subsidiary of Calumet & Hecla.
NEVADA
RECO DIVIDE CO. IS PROSPECTING NEAR WINNEMUCCA.
Paradise. — The Reco Divide is prospecting 17 claims
adjoining the old Spring City mine that were acquired
by location. A shaft has been sunk 35 ft. in a quartz
vein 10 to 40 ft. wide, and small seams of ore assaying
40 to 50 oz. silver and 40c. in gold have been found. The
Reco first had an option on the Spring City, in which
there was said to be good ore under water. The Spring
City has a production record of $3,000,000 net, made in
the early '80s, but the ore-under-water rumors were
scouted by J. B. Kendall, president and manager of the
Reco, and work was stopped after one carload of ore
had been shipped through Winnemucca, 50 miles dis-
tant. Kendall, formerly mine superintendent for the
Goldfield Consolidated, said all he had ever found under
water was fish. He estiamtes that a 1000-ft. tunnel
driven in quartz with hand-steel by the Spring City in
the '80s cost $150 per foot. The ore was hauled to Mar-
tin creek, 12 miles distant, and milled. It now costs $23
per ton to haul supplies from Winnemucca. Kendall
has a good opinion of the district. The formation at
Paradise is porphyry and slate. The Reco is developing
a gold prospect at Spanish Flat, 20 miles from Kirby, a
station on the Southern Pacific in Humboldt county. A
50-ft. tunnel is being driven to cut at a depth of 60 ft. a
vein in which rich ore was found on the surface. The
formation is lime shale, and Kendall has little confidence
in the district. The Reco is backed by New York men
for whom Kendall is trying to find a promising prospect.
Allied. — The Allied Mining & Milling Co. has at the
mine machinery for a concentrator that is expected to
treat 40 to 50 tons of lead-silver ore daily. The wagons
in which the machinery was hauled returned to Gold-
field loaded with 45 tons of ore assaying 60% lead and
15 oz. silver, according to David Trepp, manager. The
construction of the plant is in charge of George S.
Wardell, formerly mine superintendent for the Alto
and East Divide companies. The manager says that con-
ditions are excellent and that a raise from the 110-ft, or
second level, has been driven to the surface in ore 4 to
15 ft. wide and assaying $40 for this width. This shoot
has been opened for 100 ft. on the second level, accord-
ing to Trepp.
Manhattan. — A 150-ft. winze is to be sunk from the
800-ft., or bottom level, of the White Caps to determine
the position and condition of the ore-shoot before sink-
ing of the shaft to 1000 ft. is started.
Spanish Belt. — A nve-mile electric-power line has
been completed to the Spanish Belt and it is expected to
have a 50-ton mill and an electrically-driven aii-com-
pressor working within six weeks, according to Jules V.
Barnd, president of the company. The mill will be built
at the main tunnel, which is to be continued 150 ft. to
connect with the shaft-workings.
Goldpield. — The winze from the 910-ft. level of the
Spearhead has been sunk 170 ft. and it is being con-
tinued. Prom the 130-ft. point it has been in the foot-
wall of the vein and at the present depth seams 18 in.
wide and assaying 80c. in gold are being cut. The last
assays taken in the vein, at 130 ft., gave a return of
$7.90 for a width of eight feet.
West DrvroE. — The raise from the tunnel level of the
West Divide is 40 ft. high. At the 65-ft. point a cross-
cut will be driven to the vein, according to L. L. Patrick,
manager. The Occident Divide, owning eight claims
adjoining the West Divide on the south-west, has started
selling stock to raise funds for sinking a shaft. There is-
exposed in a 70-ft. inclined shaft sunk by former owners
an 18-in. seam of ore that assays 80 to 120 oz. silver. The-
officers of the company are R. S. Wilbur, superintendent
of the Spearhead in Goldfield, president; F. E. Sholtz,.
one of those who sold the Bell claims at Quartz moun-
tain, vice-president; R. T. Armstrong, secretary and
treasurer. H. F. Bruce, formerly manager for the Ker-
nick companies at Divide, is a director and is consulting
engineer.
Tule Canton. — The cross-cut on the 200-ft, or bottom
level, of the Ingalls has been driven 25 of 70 ft. necessary
to reach the vein. The work is being done under con-
tract with machine-drills and the cross-cut is being ad-
vanced 4 ft. daily. Whether the sale will be concluded
depends on what is found at this depth.
UTAH
MINING COMPANIES PROTEST INCREASE IN FREIGHT-RATES.
Salt Lake City. — A protest on behalf of the metal-
mining companies against an increase in freight-rates,
especially on low-grade ores, was begun on August 20
before the Public Utilities Commission. H. W. Priekett,
manager of the traffic bureau of Utah, introducing wit-
nesses to show that if such raises are permitted, it may
put many low-grade ore shippers out of business. A. G.
Mackenzie, secretary of the Utah chapter of the Ameri-
can Mining Congress, explained that freight-rates have
a great deal to do with mining costs, as Utah is a low-
grade-ore State. Testimony was given showing that an
increase in freight-rates is a double burden to the mines,
as the rate itself is not only raised, but the smelters also
increase their rates, as a result of the increased cost of
coal, limerock, and other supplies. After the freight
increase on June 25, 1918, Mr. Mackenzie stated that the
smelters raised their rates on smelting ores from 50c.
to $1 per ton. Figures were presented, showing that in
1917, there was mined in the State 15.358.481 tons of ore;
in 1918. 14.705,718 tons: and in 1919 about 6.427.000
tons, the decrease being attributed to the mounting costs
.August 28, L920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
317
uf production and adverse metal markets. The values
of tin above tonnages were given at $99,328,155 tor
1917, $86,047,597 tor 1918, and $45,438,985 for 1919. Mr.
Mackenzie further stated that as a result of the adverse
conditions, many Utah mines had been forced to ship
high-grade ores, either avoiding the mining of low-grade
ore, or throwing it upon the dump; that 138 small pro-
ducers, who shipped a total of 1,058,244 tons in 1918,
had been compelled to suspend shipments on account of
the increase allowed in June of that year. All witnesses
examined were agreed on the fact that any advance in
t-rates would be an unjust burden on mine oper-
especially upon those who ship low-grade hits, and
would undoubtedly result in the closing of many of the
smaller properties.
i (old Hill. — The Western Utah Copper Co. has en-
DALY-WEST MINE AT PARK CITY, UTAH
tered into a new contract with the American Smelting &
Refining Co., which will permit the production of its
mine to be increased to three times the present output.
During July the company shipped about 3000 tons of
lead ore, and new contract calling for an output of 300
tons per day. It is estimated that there has been de-
veloped about 150,000 tons of low-grade lead-silver ore.
All of this tonnage is above the 750-ft. level, the deepest
in the mine. In addition tp the lead ore, there is a large
tonnage of iron fluxing-ore developed, and a low-grade
■copper-ore deposit.
Ecreka. — The Tintic Milling Co. 's plant is not operat-
ing at capacity on account of shortage of ore, an average
•of only about 150 tons being treated daily. One shift is
employed in the crushing-department, while three shifts
are required in the leaching and roasting-departments.
At present some changes are being made in the precipi-
tating and refining sections of the plant which will make
:'it possible to separate the gold and silver from the cop-
per, and thereby enable the company to sell the gold and
silver direcl to the mints. Recently a shipment of 30
Ions of bullion Was made to an Eastern refinery.
Exploration work being conducted at the Emerald
mine, adjoining the Mammoth, the Centennial-Eureka,
and the (iraiid Central properties, is meeting with en-
couraging results, according to officials. Development is
being done on the 1000-ft. level, at which depth it is the
intention to open up the north-south break which has
been so productive in the Eagle & Blue Bell and Grand
Central properties. This break ean he traced, it is said,
for a distance of 1500 ft. on the 'Diamond' claim. On
the western side of the property, the ore-zone which lias
been productive in the Centennial-Eureka mine, can be
traced across the Emerald ground for 3000 feet.
Development work is going ahead in a satisfactory
manner at the Tintic Pay-
master property in the north-
ern part of the district. At
the present time, a station is
being cut on the 350-ft. level,
preparatory to sinking a
winze from the east drift,
which is in a distance of about
500 ft. This winze is being
sunk for the purpose of fol-
lowing a small vein. At the
Selma Mines property, which
adjoins the Tintic Paymaster
on the south, work has been
resumed and two shifts are
employed in sinking the shaft,
which now has a depth of 250
ft. At the Eureka Bullion
property, small bunches of
ore in the north drift on the
800-ft. level have been found,
and a winze is sunk for fur-
ther exploratory work. With-
in the next 30 or 40 ft. is is
expected to be able to deter-
mine the extent of the showing. John M. Bestelmeyer,
manager for the company, states that the shaft is now
at a depth of 900 ft., and a winze has been sunk from
the 900-ft. level to a depth of over 400 ft. Within the
next month, sinking of the winze will be resumed.
Park City. — An important find has been made at the
property of the Keystone Mining Co., according to
Andrew Hurley, superintendent. The new orebody is
on the K. K. Level No. 3, and since the vein was broken
into, a drift 20 ft. long and a cross-cut of the same dis-
tance have been driven, all in ore averaging $75 per ton.
Another network of mineralized fissures has been cut
by the Spiro tunnel, being driven by the Silver King
Consolidated to develop its holdings at depth. The fis-
sures heretofore penetrated by the tunnel have been
cross-cut almost at right-angles. The newer veins are
coming in obliquely, with a south-west trend. The ter-
ritory now being pierced by the Spiro tunnel adjoins
that of the Silver King Coalition company.
318
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 28, 1920
BRITISH COLUMBIA
EMMA MINE AT NELSON IS AGAIN PRODUCING.
Hazelton. — Encouragement of the production of gold
is a problem which is giving the Provincial Mines De-
partment some concern. The amendments to the Placer
Mining Act passed at the last session of the Legislature
reducing rentals and other expenses attached to leases,
and permitting the payment of arrears annually in com-
paratively small amounts, were aimed to making it easy
for those really desirous to operate, and at the same time
squeezing out those who have been holding merely for
speculation. Attention now is being turned to a more
direct, and perhaps a more practical, form of aid. J. D.
Galloway, resident engineer with headquarters at Hazel-
ton, has been authorized to continue Keystone-drilling
operations on the placer areas at Harpers camp. This
work was started last year, but for various reasons could
not be finished. An expert crew of men has been engaged
and operations have been under way for some weeks.
Mr. Galloway estimates the amount of gold taken out
of this area at from $500,000 to $1,250,000. It is pointed
out that the character of the gold taken from the ground
was uniformly 'fine, flat, and well worn', making it clear
that it had traveled some distance and probably had its
origin at some unknown point far up the Horsefly river.
Trail. — Four smelter employees were seriously hurt
recently while at work in the copper-refinery of the Con-
solidated Mining & Smelting Co. All were burned about
the face, and one, Gordon O 'Connor, may not recover his
sight. Molten copper splashed between the molds and
into running water used for catching the drip. The cop-
per was shot 40 ft. into the air. Ore receipts at the Trail
smelter of the Consolidated Mining Co. for the week
July 21 to 31 aggregated 12,862 tons and for the week
August 1 to 7, 10,221 tons.
Nelson. — The Emma mine of the Consolidated Mining
& Smelting Co. will resume operations immediately with
a force of 50 men. This property formerly shipped
about six cars of ore per week, but work ceased last year
when production was discontinued at the Rossland mines.
Now that the latter have resumed, the ore of the Emma
is required, as it makes a good flux for the product of
Rossland. It is understood that its output will be about
the same as before. The ore is low-grade gold, silver,
and copper.
Vancouver. — The Liberator Mining Co. has been
formed to take over and operate the Emancipation mine,
situated on the western slope of Coquihalla valley,
opposite Dewdney creek.. The consideration is $60,000
in cash and $100,000 in shares. In the Canadian Geo-
logical Survey report, which recently has been published.
Charles Camsell. deputy-minister of mines, describes this
property as follows: "The first work on this property
was on a big quartz vein carrying a little gold. Later
work, however, was confined to a high-grade vein near
the hanging wall of the larger vein. On this a tunnel
has been driven 220 ft., with a cross-cut 80 It. in length
tn the right at a point 70 ft. from the portal. A raise to
the surface and a winze 50 ft. deep were made on the ore-
shoot. The raise and winze supplied all the ore shipped,
namely, 90 tons, which yielded $35,000. The veiu carries
pyrite and arsenopyrite, some enargite, and much free
gold. The gold is associated with both minerals and
with them impregnates the country rock adjacent to the
vein. Polished specimens indicate that the gold was
introduced later than the pyrite and arsenopyrite."
Slocan. — Lessees on the No. 3 level of the Rambler-
Cariboo mine have struck a one-foot vein of practically
clean galena, assaying 71% lead and 370 oz. silver per
ton. The discovery was made 450 ft. below the outcrop,
with virgin ground above, so if the vein holds in size
and richness the men have a bonanza.
ONTARIO
ONTARIO MINING ASSOCLATION MEETS AT SUDBURY.
Cobalt. — Favorable developments in the Gowganda,
South Lorrain, and Elk Lake districts, are reported,
while at Cobalt the result of work on some of the newly-
opened properties is also adding to the number of pro-
ducers. At the 350-ft. level of the Bailey Silver mines
a shoot of high-grade ore has been cut in which the silver
content ranges from 2000 to 4000 oz. per ton. Further
work will be necessary before the extent of the ore-shoot
can be determined. The Keeley Silver Mines in South
Lorrain is estimated to have close to $1,000,000 worth of
ore in sight. One shoot has a width of from 4 to 5 ft.
and averages from 30 to 100 oz. of silver per ton. This
ore-shoot is about 150 ft. long. In the meantime the
work on the new mill is proceeding satisfactorily, the
building itself being completed and the work of install-
ing the machinery progressing. The mill will be ready
to operate during the last quarter of the year and will
treat about 80 tons of ore per day. During the third
week in August a meeting of the Ontario Mining Asso-
ciation was held in Sudbury. About 90% of the mines
of the Province were represented. This newly organized
body, with a paid secretary and supported by the leading
mining men, is looked upon as likely to become one of the
most influential organizations in Canada.
Porcupine. — The Mclntyre company has purchased
the Blue Diamond Coal Mines Ltd., of Brule, Alberta,
the property comprising an area of about 3300 acres,
which is producing over 500 tons of steam and coking-
coal daily. The company is capitalized at $1,500,000.
The Mclntyre has also obtained an option on the Cana-
dian Coalfields Ltd. in the same vicinity, capitalized at
$10,000,000 and covering a much larger area, which is
stated to contain anthracite., J. P. Bickell. a Mclntyre
director, states that plans are under way for the imme-
diate development of the coal mines and that equipment
has been ordered which should increase the daily eapaeity
of the Blue Diamond to about 2000 tons.
Regarding reports as to a possible merger of the Kirk-
land Lake, Orr, and Teek-Hughes mines. Frank L. Cul-
ver stated that a suggestion of that kind had been made,
but that the terms of such an amalgamation had not been
discussed, and the proposal would only receive consid-
eration on a basis of actual values.
Angus! 28, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
319
THE
THE 'PORPHYRIES'
The extreme dullness prevailing in the copper industry
since the buying movement which ended last March, was
sharply reflected in the reports of the so-called porphyries —
Utah. Chino. Ray, and Nevada Consolidated — for the second
quarter of 1920. Excepting Chino, all had to dip into sur-
plus to meet dividend requirements; and Chino just skipped
by. having earned a net profit of 38c. per share against the
period's dividend of 37»c. The relatively good showing
made by the porphyries in the first three months of this
year, however, was a good offset to the lean earnings of the
second three months. Utah with net profits of $3.14 per
share for the first six months earned its dividend of $3 per
share; Chino earned nearly twice its dividend, and Ray
earned a margin of 14c. per share. Nevada Consolidated
was the exception, showing net profits for the half year of
only 30c; dividends called for 50c. per share.
In the matter of costs, however, three of the companies
showed reductions. Nevada Consolidated's cost averaged
15.56c. per pound, or 5}c. less than In the preceding quarter.
This was due to an exceptionally heavy credit to operating
expenses having been received In the shape of a substantial
sum from the Nevada Northern railway. Ray reduced its
cost lc. per pound, and Utah made a fractional discount
from the previous three months. Chino, however, showed an
increase in cost of lie. per pound. This was due to the
higher iron content of its ore causing a lower yield of copper.
Indeed the yield was less than for many months, the aver-
. age for the quarter being 23.20 lb. of copper per ton against
25.66 in the preceding quarter. The tabulation below pic-
tures earnings and costs in the second quarter of this year
compared with the first, together with the dividend rates of
the four companies:
r- Net per
Second
share — ^
First
Current
, CO
Second
st »
First
quarter
quarter
dividend
quarter,
cents "
quarter
cents
Utah
S1.38
S1.76
S1.50
11.77
11.93
0.38
0.93
0.37%
15.28
13.91
0.24
0.40
0.11
0.26
0.25
15.34
15.66
18.30
0.19
20.72
The average price received for copper was considerably
less than in the first three months. Under the policy of the
porphyries of inventorying unsold copper at 13c. per pound
and with this figure and the actual sales-price striking an
average, it is impossible to deduce the actual selling price
they received. The reduction in the carrying price in the
second quarter is from 3* to over 4c. per pound and is clear
testimony to the lean business prevailing during the period.
A comparison of sales-price averages of all four companies
follows :
Second
First
quarter, cents quarter, cents
Utah 18.20 21.99
Chino 18.17 21.88
Ray 18-42 21.96
Nevada 18.50 22.66
CALIFORNIA
Nevada County. — A new tube-mill is being installed at the
Alta-California gravel mine near Washington. Satisfactory
elean-ups have already been made with antiquated ma-
chinery. C. W. Girton is manager and the property is being
paid for out of royalties. The water is out of the 1100-ft.
shaft at the Idaho-Maryland at Grass Valley and the drain-
ing of the 1000-ft. incline will soon commence. The shaft
of the Greenman quartz mine on Canada hill, owned by the
Mayflower Consolidated Company of Omaha, is being sunk
rapidly. The old shaft was 300 ft. deep and since renewing
operations has been advanced 30 ft. The company will sink
150 ft. and there explore the vein with two drifts. It is a
2-compartment shaft, 6 by 14 ft. The equipment consists
of an electric hoist, compressor, and two pumps. A test is
being made of a small lot of ore at E. D. Ott's sampling
works in Nevada City preparatory to making an application
for permission to sell 100,000 shares of stock. Charles
Dow is superintendent.
The mining companies at Grass Valley are agitated over
an order issued yesterday in San Francisco by H. G. Butler
of the State Railroad Commission, curtailing electric energy
20% in central and northern California except for agri-
cultural and domestic purposes. The superintendents are
making an effort to keep the mines in operation. Power is
furnished by the Pacific Gas & Electric Co. and is distributed
principally among the Empire, Idaho-Maryland, Allison
Ranch, North Star, Alcalde, and Sultana mines at Grass
Valley and at the Montana and Mayflower near Nevada City.
The proposed reduction of 20% means that actual mining
will practically cease until the fall rains. Every effort is
being made, however, to prevent the order from being car-
ried into effect in this district. The removal of all under-
ground material in the Champion mine near Nevada City
was completed yesterday. The hoist at the Providence shaft
will be removed to the Empire mine at Grass Valley. The
property nas gone through the experience of closing down
only to be later re-opened several times. There are rumors
of a bond to be taken on all the company's holdings in the
vicinity.
Sierra County. — The plant at the Independence mine near
Alleghany, consisting of a 5-stamp mill, hoist, compressor,
boarding-house, and other buildings, was completely de-
stroyed by fire on August 13. Shortly after tbe fire started
two explosions were heard in the mill suggesting the possi-
bility of incendiary origin of the fire. The property was re-
cently bonded by W. H. Griffith, supplies had commenced to
arrive and preparations were being made to unwater the
shaft and develop the mine. The raise in the upper tun-
nel in the City of Six mine near Downieville is up more than
100 ft. and is in excellent ore. A raise is also going up in
the lower tunnel as well as a cross-cut. It is the intention
to drive this tunnel ahead 700 ft. to determine the length
and depth of the orebody in the upper workings. Hugh
McCormick is temporarily in charge.
IDAHO
Coeur d'Alene. — With the Nabob mill in operation and its
underground work showing up well, and increased activity in
a number of other properties, the Pine Creek district is
beginning once more to attract attention. Good reports
from the development work under way on the Sidney mine,
where a drift on the vein has been driven 15 0 ft. east of the
shaft, show a well-mineralized lode carrying lead, silver,
and zinc. This drift will reach its objective in another 100
ft., where it is expected to open a body of ore previously dis-
closed in the upper levels.
Work of the Red Monarch Mining' Co. will be resumed
320
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
August 28, 1920
soon. It is expected either to drift or sink, or perhaps both,
on the vein that was struck when the 4000-£t. adit was driven
two years ago. The vein is at 3000 ft. and is one of three
promising lodes cut by the long cross-cut. The company
has a compressor-plant and other machinery for develop-
ment.
The production of lead, zinc, and silver from the mines of
the district is greater to date than for the same period of
1919. In 1918, the mines of Idaho produced 294,695,993
lb. of lead, but the total output in 1919 was about 184,07?,-
0001b. The output of recoverable zinc in Idaho decreased
from 45,161,172 lb. in 1918 to about 16,565,000 lb. in 1919.
If the Callahan Zinc-Lead Co. continues to ship zinc ore and
concentrate at the present rate, about 3 500 tons per month,
the output of zinc in 1920 will be larger. The production of
silver in Idaho in 1919 was about 7,700,000 oz., valued at
$6,340,000, the lowest output for the last three years. The
average annual output for the last ten years was 9,730,180
oz. The producers of silver-lead ore in the Coeur d'Alene
district are making larger shipments than in 1919, espe-
cially the Bunker Hill, Morning, Hecla, Hercules and Tam-
arack, and Custer mines.
MISSOURI
Joplin. — The Butte-Kansas Mining Co. has begun the oper-
ation of its new mill, which was erected near the site of the
old plant that was seriously damaged by a cave-in at the
mine on June 1. Operation continued for a full 10-hour
shift, during which time a carload of concentrate was made.
All machinery in the plant worked perfectly and there was
not a hitch anywhere. Following the cave-in on June 1,
preparations were made to re-build immediately and con-
struction work started June 17. The new plant is of 400-ton
capacity. The company has continued development of its
lease and as a consequence continuous production is assured.
One of the new holes shows a face 6 5 ft. thick that averages
19*%. Another hole has a face of 210 ft. of 9*% ore.
MONTANA
Butte. — Details of the compromise agreement between
Anaconda company and the W. A. Clark interests whereby
Anaconda gives to the latter a portion of the Emily vein
under the surface of the Pilot-Butte claim have not been
disclosed, but it is known to be a notable victory for the
Clark interests. A vein apexing in the Elm Orlu claim, the
prior location, was found to unite with the Emily on its dip
at about the 2400-ft. level of the Pilot-Butte, where the ore-
body has a width of approximately 50 ft. with the grade of
ore ranging up to 6 % copper, with some silver. Anaconda,
some years ago, instituted suit against the Pilot-Butte, claim-
ing the Pilot-Butte's chief fissure, the Emily, on the ground
of extra-lateral rights, purchasing the property later for
$1,125,000. Certain interests that had been connected with
the Pilot-Butte asserted that this sum was insufficient, in
view of the size of the orebody disclosed.
MEXICO
Dispatches dated August 23 state that Pedro Zamora has
released six of the Americans who were kidnapped recently
by him in the State of Jalisco, but is holding one American,
W. A. Gardner, superintendent of the Esperanza mine, for
a ransom of ¥=100,000 and W. B. Johnson, a British subject,
for 1*50,000. Charles Hoyle, manager for the Esperanza
Mining Co. at El Oro, and Mrs. Hoyle, have been released
and are now safe at Penas, on Banderas bay. The names
of the other four Americans set free are given as Dietrich,
Gillis, Culvert, and Nels. These four are at Mesa del Cora-
zon. J. C. Bryden, representing the Esperanze company in
Mexico City, today said nothing regarding a ransom for
the Americans captured had been received, but that the
money was ready for payment when the demands were pre-
sented. He explained the presence of Hoyle and the other
Americans in Cuale, where they were captured, by saying
that they left El Oro to inspect a mine in that vicinity.
PERSONAL
The Editor invites members of the profession to send particulars of theit
work and appointments. The information is interesting to our readers
Oscar Lat'hniuncl is at Canton, China.
Andrew W. Newberry has returned from London to New
York.
Arthur J. Stewart has moved from Cottage Grove, Oregon,
to Los Angeles.
A. C. Block, recently of Brownwood, Texas, is at San
Diego, California.
H. R. Bischofl has gone from Stillwater, Minnesota, to
Larder Lake, Ontario.
James O. Greenan, lately at Mina, Nevada, has gone to
Dawson, in the Yukon.
D. D. Irwin has become superintendent for the Moctezuma
Copper Co. at Nacozari, Mexico.
Donald F. Irvin has returned to San Francisco after an
extended stay in South America.
Lewis A. Levensaler has gone to Nome, Alaska, and will
not return to Seattle before October.
Felix McDonald, superintendent of mines for the Inspira-
tion Con. Copper Co., is visiting California.
3. P. Montague, formerly superintendent of the Big Pine
mill, Manhattan, Nevada, is now at Tonopah.
A. W. Rogers, representing the Central Mining Corpora-
tion, has returned from New York to London.
F. C. Schrader, of the U. S. Geological Survey, is making
an examination of the Jarbidge district, Nevada.
C. T. Ulrich, secretary for the Kennecott Copper Corpora-
tion, is making a trip to "Western mining camps.
J. D. Shilling, general superintendent of the Utah Copper
mine, is spending his vacation at San Diego, California.
F. L. Bosqui, now residing in New York, paid a short visit
to San Francisco, in the interest of Charles Butters & Co.,
London.
F. It. Stack has left the Cia. de Santa Gertrudis at
Pachuca, Mexico, to join the staff of the Chile Exploration
Co., in New York.
Y. Nakayama, metallurgical engineer with the Furukawa
Mining Co. of Japan, has been visiting mining and metal-
lurgical plants in Utah.
F. R. Rain', traffic manager for the American Smelting &
Refining Co., with headquarters in New York, has been in
Utah and Idaho recently.
Ernest G. Ashby, chief accountant for the Julian Alaska
Mines Co. and auditor for the Algunican Development Co.,
has returned to Montreal.
Harry P. Hill, formerly foreman of the Clay mine of the
Arizona Copper Co., at Morenci, Arizona, has accepted a
position as superintendent of the El Bordo group of mines,
which is controlled by the Santa Gertrudis company, of
London.
Spencer W. Clawson, pioneer mining engineer, died at his
home in Los Angeles on August 15. Mr. Clawson came
West in 18S0 and settled in Arizona. He became identified
at that time with the Contention mine in Tombstone and
later was associated with some of the biggest mining enter-
prises in the country. For 23 years he was manager of the
Copper Queen Consolidated in Bisbee and then he went to
Los Angeles and opened offices as a consulting mining en-
gineer. He returned to Arizona as consulting engineer to
the Arizona-Michigan Co. and two years later went to Par-
ral, Mexico, in the interests of a gold mining company. He
was driven from that country by Villa and again returned to
Los Angeles.
August 28, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
:;-J1
————■ '
THE METAL MARKET
ft
) P
METAL TRICES
San Francisco, Ai^-u-i 24
Aluminum-dust, cents per pound 85
Antimony, cents per pound 8 50
r, electrolytic cents per pound 10 DO
Lead, pig*, cents per pound 9. Co — 10 25
Platinum, pure, per ounce Sll.'i
Platinum, lif^ iridium, per ounce $1**5
Quicksilver, par fla*k of 75 lit $80
Spelter, centa per pound 9.00
Stnodust, cents per pound 12.50 — 15.00
EASTERN' METAL MARKET
(By wire from New York)
August 89 — Copper is inactive but firm. Load is quiet but strong. Zinc
is moderately active but higher.
SILVER
Below are riven official or ticker quotations for silver in the open market
ae distinguished from the fixed price obtainable for metal produced, smelted,
and refined exclusively within the United States. Under the terms of the
Pittman Act such silver will be purchased by the United States Mint at SI
per ounce, subject to certain small charges which vary slightly but amount
to approximately three-eighths of one cent. The equivalent of dollar silver
(1000 fine) in British currency is 46.65 pence per ounce (925 fine), calcu-
lated at the normal rate of exchange.
Dale
Aug.
New York
cents
London
pence
59.75
60.50
61.00
63.75
63.75
60.87
Monthly
1920
132.77
131.27
125.70
119.56
102.69
90.84
COP
July
Aug.
averag
July
Aug.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
PER
Av
12
19
26
9
16
23.
es
3rage week ending
Cents
92.18
91.04
92.39
92.85
94.58
95.39
99.12
1918 1919
. 99.62 106.36
100.31 111.35
101.12 113.92
101.12 119.10
101.12 127.57
101.12 131.92
Pence
62.66
18
98.00
98.50
52.91
54.77
Jan.
20
21
22
23
101.75
101.75
Sunday
97.50
1918 1919
...88.72 101.12
66.20
58.39
59.05
61.60
1920
92.04
...88.11 101.12
Apr.
May
99.50 107.23
9950 110.50
Prices of electrolytic in New York, in cents per pound.
Date
Aug.
17 19.00
18 19.00
19 19.00
20 19.00
21. . 19.00
22 Sunday
23 19.00
Average week ending
July . 12 19.00
19 19.00
26 19.00
Aug. 2 19.00
9 19 00
16 19.00
" 23 19.00
1918
..23.50
. .23.50
..23.60
Apr 23.50
May 23.50
June 23.50
Jan.
Feb
Men
1919
20.43
17.34
15.05
15.23
15.91
17.53
Monthly averages
1920
19.25
19.05
18.49
19.23
19.05
19.00
Lead is quoted in cents per pound.
Date
Aug. 17 9.12
18 9.15
19 9.20
20 9.20
21 9.25
22 Sunday
23
1918
July 26.00
Aug 26.00
Sept 26.00
Oct 26.00
Nov 26.00
Dec 26.00
New York delivery.
Average week ending
1919
1020
20.82
19.00
22.51
22.10
21.66
20.45
18.65
Jan.
Feb.
Men.
Apr.
May
June
1918
. 6.85
. 7.70
. 7.26
. 6.99
. 6.99
. 7.59
1919
6.60
5.13
5.24
5.05
5.04
5.32
. . 9.25
Monthly averageB
1920 |
July . .
19 8.45
26 8.93
2 9.06
9 9.00
16 9.06
23 9.19
8.65
8.88
9.22
8.78
8.55
8.43
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
1918
, 8.03
. 8.05
. 8.05
. 8.05
. 8.05
. 6.90
1919
5.53
6.78
6.02
6.40
6.76
7.12
1920
8.63
TIN
Prices in New York,
1918
Jan 85.13
Feb 85.00
Meh. < 85.00
Apr 88.53
May 100.01
June 91.00
in centB per pound.
Monthly averages
1920
62.74
59.87
61.92
62.12
54.99
48.33
1919
71.50
72.44
72.50
72.50
72.50
71.83
1918
July 93.00
Aug 91.33
Sept 80.40
Oct 78.82
Nov 73.67
Dec 71.62
1919
1920
70.11
49.29
62.20
55.79
54.82
54.17
54.94
Zinc Is quoted as spelter, standard Western brands. New York delivery.
in cents per pound.
Date
Aug.
17
8 Ki
July
1",
18
,v to
19
"
19
8.40
"
SIB
"
20
8.40
Aug.
•i
*'
21
8.45
a
■'
22 Sunday
"
16
"
23
8.45
"
23
Average week ending
Jan.
Feb.
Meh.
Apr.
May
June
1918
7.78
7.97
7.67
7.04
7.02
7.92
1919
7.44
6.71
6.63
6.49
6.43
6.91
Monthly averages
1920
56
9.15
8.93
8.76
8.07
7.92
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
1918
. 8.72
, 8.78
. 9.58
. 9.11
. 8.75
. 8.49
1919
7.78
7.81
7.67
7.82
8.12
6.69
8 15
8.24
8.22
8.11
8.12
8.27
8.42
192"
8.18
QUICKSILVER
The primary market for quicksilver is San Francisco. California being
the largest producer. The price is fixed in the open market, according to
quantity. Prices, in dollars per flask of 75 pounds.
Date I Aug. 10 88.00
July 27 88.00 " 17 85.00
Aug. 3 88.00 1 " 24 80.00
Monthly averages
1918
Jan 128.06
Feb 118.00
Mch 112.00
Apr 115.00
May 110.00
June 112.00
1919
103.75
90.00
72.80
73.12
84.80
94.40
1920
89.00
81.00
87.00
100.00
87.00
85.00
1918
July 120.00
Aug 120.00
Sept 120.00
Oct 120.00
Nov 120.00
Dec 116.00
1919
1920
100.00
88.00
103.00
102.60
86.00
78.00
95.00
....
MONEY AND EXCHANGE
"Were shipments of great quantities of gold possible, even if that were
desirable," said F. R. A. Shortis, vice-president of the Guaranty Trust Co..
"the decline in Sterling exchange would be arrested immediately: but al-
though Great Britain is not in a position to liquidate her indebtedness to
America in gold, she holds abundant tangible assets, which America could
have today, as good in intrisie value as the American securities which the
British people have already sold back. If the United States would adopt
the policy of purchasing securities now held by Great Britain to the degree
that Great Britain invested in American securities before the War, esti-
mated at S10, 000. 000, 000. the difficulty would be solved at once. I am
aware, however, that while American securities always appeal to British
investors, British securities of equivalent intrinsic value have not appealed
to American investors. For this there have been certain well-defined
reasons, including the field for domestic investments presented by the de-
velopment of this newer country. I am aware also that American farmers
and manufacturers and merchants require money, rather than securities.
for their products, and that bankers are required to keep their depositors'
funds liquid, but nevertheless it is unfortunate that the investing public
of this rich country cannot, for the time being, be induced to invest in
foreign securities.
"The debt of Great Britain to the United States today approximates
$5. 000. 000.000. made up of 8772.000,000 of Government loans and of
$4. 280.000.000 of other credits on behalf of the British government.
Until the loans that are placed in this country mature, they will not, of
course, affect the exchange situation. Sterling exchange is declining be-
cause British exports are not at present sufficient to pay for current im-
ports. The recent decline is due to the large supply of grain bills offered.
So far, very little cotton exchange has been offered.
"This decline in Sterling exchange will operate automatically to increase
the cost of British imports and thus prove to be a blessing in disguise.
It will, on the other hand, stimulate British exports to the United States.
While the curtailment of American export trade, because of a low Sterling
exchange, may be a hardship for the time being, we must recognize that
the British are by this method adjusting their international account with
Americans and that eventually this will be to America's advantage as well
as to Britain's. Until the British are able to adjust their indebtedness to
the United States, the decline in exchange will provide the only effective
method of forcing Great Britain to economize, and the more the exchange
declines, the greater will be the effect.
"The restriction of imports into Great Britain and the encouragement
of exports are not. however, the only economic force thus brought into
play. Because of the low Sterling exchange, investments in British securi-
ties are made exceptionally attractive. Under present exchange conditions
these securities can be bought at a discount, in fact, at a discount which
is exactly the same as the premium which British purchasers have to pay
on commodities imported from the United States. Should the American
investor disclose a disposition to take advantage of this situation, he could
have a wide choice of gilt-edged investments, including railway debentures,
municipal bonds, and many other securities based on tangible assets."
Foreign quotations on August 24 are as follows:
Sterling, dollars : Cable 3.55 %
Demand 3.56
Francs, cents: Cable 6.90
Demand 6.91
Lire, cents : Demand 4.60
Marks, cents 2.00
322
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC P&ESS
August 28, 1920
Eastern Metal Market
New York, August 18.
All the markets are under the influence of seasonal in-
activity and there is 'little doing' in any of them.
Conditions in the copper market are unchanged and prices
are generally firm to steady.
The tin market is without life in any department.
Lead is the strongest of the markets with the price tend-
ency higher and supplies still inadequate.
The zinc market shows more activity than in recent weeks,
but it is not marked. Prices are higher.
Antimony is unchanged in any respect.
IRON AND STEEL
In the pig-iron market sellers appear to be sold well ahead
and are accepting new business with caution. Consumers
have been rushing to fill nearby deliveries as fully as possible
and as a result some sellers are reported to be asking fancy
prices. The market has reached the point where makers are
no longer anxious and examine all orders carefully. Some
predict that prices will continue high for some time.
There is an active demand for sheets which is centring on
galvanized products just at present. There is a good demand
for large sizes of black sheets.
In general the market is quiet with most producers active.
Railroad conditions are improving and shipments on con-
tracts are progressing with more speed. August is always
a dull month and no developments of interest are tran-
spiring.
COPPER
While business is reported to be light, sentiment is con-
siderably improved. The leading producers have done a
moderate business during the past week, but it cannot be
said that buying is even normal. They maintain prices at
19c, New York, for both Lake and electrolytic copper for
delivery to November 1. The better feeling is explained as
being due to a depletion of stocks in the hands of specu-
lators. There is talk of an advance in quotations by some
interests despite the inactive market, in order to meet the
increased costs, inevitable as a result of freight-rate ad-
vances. For the first time in more than a month bids by
buyers appeared on the New York Metal Exchange; this was
a surprise. They offered 18.25c. spot, August and Septem-
ber, and 18.50c. for October, but sellers held firmly at 19c.
and 19.25c, respectively. Foreign demand is not as active
as previously, due to lower values for exchange and to
political conditions in Europe. Copper output in August is
not expected to show any improvement over July.
TIN
Conditions in this market are pronounced by traders as
duller than in many months, even more so than many can
recall. The leading consumers are still out of the market
and this has been a feature for 'some weeks. Even dealers
and speculators are taking no interest. The market may be
characterized as dull and steady with prices for spot Straits
tin largely nominal at around 48c, New York, which was
the quotation yesterday. Import prices are around 48 to
48.25c There is an absence of any transactions on the
New York Metal Exchange, none having been reported last
week against only 25 tons the week before. There have
been some offerings of Chinese tin at 43.50 to 44c, New
York, which has tended to interfere with demand for better
grades. An unusual occurrence has been the non-arrival
of any tin for some days or almost a week. The receipts
this far this month have been about 300 0 tons with 5545
tons still afloat. The London market was steady yesterday
with spot Straits quoted at £2S5 per ton and spot standard
at £274 10s. with futures at £281 15s.
LEAD
The leading interest advanced its price on August 12 an-
other ic, bringing it to 8.25c, St. Louis, or 9c, New York.
The outside market had been up to this level for some weeks
so the change was not a surprise and was regarded as en-
tirely warranted. While demand is not heavy and is still
largely confined to early-delivery metal, the fact that sup-
plies are meagre constitutes an element of strength. In the
outside market spot and early-delivery lead has sold as high
as 9.12} to 9.25c, New York. Nothing is obtainable at 9c„
New York, except from the American Smelting & Refining
Co., providing it has it to spare. The first purchases of
English lead are now arriving here, 400 tons having been
received a few days ago.
ZINC
A much better sentiment prevails and prices are advanc-
ing. There has been more interest from consumers but the
market cannot be said to be active. Prime Western for early
delivery is quoted at 8.05c, St. Louis, or 8.40c, New York,
at which level sales have been made. There have also been
sales made for September at 8.10c, St. Louis, and for October
at 8.15c, St. Louis. There is considerable uncertainty as to
far-forward delivery prices, due to the effect of freight-
rates on costs, etc. There is some talk of an advance in
prices soon because of this. There are reports of a distinct
shortage of stocks which l>y some is pointed to as a decided
influence. It is stated that the supply has fallen to a point
where producers have become buyers to cover delivery obli-
gations.
ANTIMONY
The market continues dull with no change in prices which
are 7.25c per lb., New York, duty paid, for wholesale lots
for early delivery. Jobbing lots are 4c higher.
ALUMINUM
Virgin metal, 98 to 99% pure, continues obtainable at
33c. per lb., New York, from the leading interest, with 31.50
to 32.50c. per lb., asked by other sellers. These apply to
wholesale lots for early delivery.
ORES
Tungsten: The market continues inactive with prices un-
changed around $5 to $5.50 per unit and up. There has
been a little business but it is regarded as difficult to do any
because prices are too low or under the cost of production.
Bolivian ore is about $6 to $6.50 per unit.
Molybdenum: Conditions are unchanged with the market
quiet and prices nominal at around 65 to 75c per lb. of
MoS. in regular 90% concentrate.
Manganese: There is almost no business and prices are
nominal at 70c per unit for high-grade ore.
Manganese-Iron Alloys: The summer dullness has per-
meated this market. Inquiry for ferro-manganese is limited
to moderate quantities for early delivery, for which around
$200 per ton, delivered, is the price. The spiegeleisen mar-
ket is strong, some sellers asking $82.50 furnace and others
$.85.
A market letter from London says: "The movement of
prices for silver has been upward. India is not much in evi-
dence as a buyer. There have been some purchases for
China, where, despite the lack of export business, great
demand for the metal for speculative purposes in India, has
created a market. The strength does not lie so much in the
moderate demand as in the fact that the United States is
unable or unwilling to feed it. Some silver from America
has been sold here, and some has come from the Continent."
August 98, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
323
^ n
INFORMATION FIRMSHED BY MANUFACTURERS
•MMiiHmimMMtiHiimmiimHntiiiiiiimuiiiinnnmiimmmiiiiimimmiiimimiimiimimiiiiimiH
A NOVEL DREDGE-LIGHT
The accompanying illustration shows a make-shift ap-
paratus devised by the Dredging Department of the Bethle-
hem Shipbuilding Corporation for lighting the bow and stern
of its gold-dredges. It consists of an old automobile head-
light mounted on a hinge with a *-in. bolt bent in the form
of a quadrant, with notches filed in the quadrant so that it
/
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A Novel Dredge-Light
can be centred at any angle and held there. The light is
pivoted in a horizontal direction and held with an ordinary
clamping-bolt. The whole arrangement is mounted on a
piece of 2^-in. pipe and is used in repair work on the bank,
or at the stern of the dredge. It is easy to adjust this light
so as to throw the rays exactly where wanted.
The picture of the man in front is that of an old dredge
operator, but due to his modesty his name is withheld.
BIG TRUCKS CAUSE LESS ROAD-WEAR
There is probably no more vital nor widely discussed topic
of interest in the motor-truck industry just now than the
relation of heavy-truck duty to road-wear. Much opinion
has been expressed to the effect that large-capacity vehicles,
by virtue of their greater weight, are in some measure re-
sponsible for excessive road deterioration. Some interesting
facts in this connection were brought out recently in an
interview with R. E. Fulton, vice-president of the Inter-
national Motor Co., manufacturers of Mack trucks. "No
one realizes better than the motor-truck manufacturers",
said Mr. Fulton, "the necessity of putting into force legisla-
tion which will preserve the roads and enable this country
to approach more rapidly its ultimate state of highway per-
fection. It is doubtful, however, whether the policy which
is now pursued of restricting large-capacity trucks will be
effective in accomplishing this end. There are but two pos-
sible ways of preserving the roads through legislation:
either the total tonnage of traffic passing over the roads
must be reduced or the road-wear per ton of material trans-
ported mi'st be decreased. Barring the heavy-duty truck is
an attempt to save the roads by the first method. The
elimination of this most economical of motor tranportation
units tends to make the cost of highway transportation pro-
hibitive. If eliminating the 7J-ton truck would divert the
freight formerly carried in those units to some entirely dif-
ferent transportation agency then its elimination would re-
duce road-wear. The other carriers are not able to cope
with the traffic already in their own legitimate sphere.
Therefore, if this freight is to be moved at all it must go
over the highways in a laiger number of light vehicles re-
gardless of the increased cost of such transportation.
"Apparently the object of prohibiting the 73-ton truck is
to decrease total tonnage over the highways. Let us see
how it works out. The average truck of one-ton capacity
weighs by itself approximately two tons. On the other
hand, in a 73-ton truck there is less than one ton of vehicle
weight for each ton of freight capacity. This means that
in transporting seven tons of material in one-ton trucks,
21 tons of traffic (total weight of vehicle and cargo) will
pass over the roads, whereas if transported in a 73-ton
truck the road will have to bear only 14 tons of traffic.
In other words, the tonnage formerly shipped in 73-ton
trucks would have to be decreased 33% before there would
be any actual reduction in the volume of traffic. Further-
more, to even approach the economy of the heavy-duty truck
in bulk-hauling, the light vehicle must resort to excessive
road speeds, which have been definitely proved to be more
destructive than increased weight.
"Although it might be advisable at the present time to
decrease the tonnage transported over highways, it is not
possible to do so because there is no other agent capable of
taking over this traffic. Thus the only alternative is to
direct legislation toward reducing the road-wear per ton of
materials transported. The results of tests recently con-
ducted by the Bureau of Public Roads at Washington indi-
cate clearly the way in which this can be done. These tests
show that the road impact is the principal cause of highway
destruction, and also that the road impact does not neces-
sarily increase in direct proportion to the size of the truck,
but is governed by the amount of weight which a truck car-
ries below its springs. For instance a 53-ton chain-driven
truck fully loaded delivered only 68% of the road impact
pressure produced by a 3-ton shaft-driven truck operated
under the same conditions. This is accounted for by the
324
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PtfESS
August 28, 1920
fact that a chain-driven truck carries all of its driving
mechanism on the frame above the springs, whereas in a
shaft-driven truck the entire weight of the final drive and
its housing rides directly on the rear axle and the blow
which this delivers to the road is unrelieved by springs.
"Not gross weight but actual pressure on the road is the
all-important thing to be considered in framing laws to
protect the highways."
MULTIPLE-CYLINDER AMMOXIA-COMPRESSOB
Marked innovations in design, resulting in exceptional
simplicity and reliability, are claimed for the Norwalk re-
frigerating plant, a product which has recently been added
to the line of the Norwalk Iron Works Co., South Norwalk,
Connecticut. The Norwalk company has during the past 40
years built up a world-wide demand for its air and gas-
compressors, and its reputation for quality products is fully
sustained in this new product.
The plant is of the multiple-cylinder ammonia-compressor
type. It is furnished with motor or gas-engine drive, and is
thus equally suited to city or country use. The fundamental
design is standardized, so that while the cylinders and
operating parts are adapted to the various capacities, the
principle of construction remains unchanged throughout
the whole line. This policy, the Norwalk engineers point
out, has resulted in a degree of efficiency which would not
otherwise have been possible.
The internal mechanism of the Norwalk plant is free
from bolts and nuts, a big factor in avoiding derangements.
There is nothing to work loose and call for adjustments or
replacements. The operating parts are few and rugged.
The drive is by eccentric shaft, and a feature typical of
Norwalk simplicity is the floating ring-bearing used be-
tween the eccentric ring and the ring on the connecting-rod.
This ring-bearing turns constantly under the action of the
connecting-rod ring, and, being of softer metal than the
rings between which it functions, it takes all wear. The
major parts of the mechanism are thus protected for long
life, while the ring-bearing can be replaced when necessary
at trifling cost.
This policy of having the mechanism automatically safe-
guard itself is applied at all points, resulting not only in
uninterrupted efficiency and economy but also in exception-
ally long life for the whole plant. Another departure which
has had a great deal to do with the success of this plant is
the use of graphite semi-fluid lubrication, instead of oil.
One of the problems in mechanical lubrication, especially in
the smaller types of machines, has been due to the oil
volatilizing and passing out into the refrigerating system.
This not only meant poor lubrication but at the same time
seriously interfered with the refrigerating process. Nor-
walk lubrication is declared to be trouble-proof.
AN AMERICAN-MADE GOLD-DREDGE FOR
NEW ZEALAND
An example of the far-reaching activities of American
industry is to be found in a gold-dredge that has been de-
signed and constructed in New York for the purpose of
operating in New Zealand goldfields. This dredge is being
built by the New York Engineering Co. and is similar to the
dredge constructed for operations in Alaska. The hull is
115 ft. 6 in. overall; beam, 50 ft.; depth, 11 ft.; and is built
of native pine. Power for dredging, pumping, and shifting
position is furnished by Westinghouse electric motors, while
twelve men, four men to a shift, constitute the crew.
The general method of dredging is as follows: The dig-
ging-ladder carrying the buckets is lowered and dirt is
scooped up. This dirt is dropped on the conveyor-belt and
is carried to the screen. Here it is screened and washed and
the refuse is dropped from the screen to another conveyor-
belt, where it is carried to the stacker and deposited. The
pay-dirt that remains is further washed on gold-tables and
then passed to a gold-box where the gold is recovered. The
remaining deposit in this gold-box is treated about once a
week with mercury so that most of the gold is obtained
either in nuggets or in the form of an amalgam.-
A winch motor is used to change the position of the
dredge. On frequent occasions the dredge is shifted to shoal
water, and the pumps must then be operated before it can
be re-floated.
The digging-ladder carrying the buckets is 100 ft. long
and weighs 110,000 lb. There are 73 buckets, each bucket,
empty, weighing 3000 lb., with a load-capacity of about 10.5
cwt. When in operation, 18 buckets per minute are dug.
and a linear speed of 5 4 ft. per minute is obtained from a
200-hp. slip-ring motor with a magnetic controller for re-
versing and 50% speed-reduction.
The screen is 40 ft. long with diameter of 7 ft. and weighs
approximately 6500 lb. A 50-hp. slip-ring motor operates
this screen at seven revolutions per minute. About S000
gallons of water is used per minute in washing and the three
pumps (high-pressure, low-pressure, and nozzle-pumps) are
driven by Westinghouse squirrel-cage motors of 125, 60, and
25 hp., respectively.
The conveyor-belt for transportation of dirt from the
screen to the stacker is 42 in. wide and 13 0 ft. long, and the
stacker is operated by a 40-hp. slip-ring motor. Winch-
drive is furnished by a 25-hp. slip-ring motor and a 10-kw.
transformer is used for lighting purposes. All motors are
of the three-phase, 60-cycle, 2200-volt, alternating-current
type, and have special impregnated windings to protect them
from moisture. Complete protection is afforded the motor
by overload and no-voltage release; a time element attach-
ment is furnished which permits a fixed overload for a
definite time before releasing.
Power is furnished by a hydro-electric plant and feeders
are run along the ground to the dredge. As alternating
current is used, the dredge can be operated a considerable
distance from the plant. Dredges of this type have operated
on a cost basis of 64c. per cubic yard and in one instance
where records were available, 418,745 cu. yd. has been dug
in a period of two years.
COMMERCIAL PARAGRAPHS
Rickard & Sloan, Inc., purveyors of 'Productive Publicity'
have moved their offices from the Evening Post building to
25 Spruce street, New York, where they will have more
ample quarters for their growing business.
On September 1, 1920, the Flexible, Steel Lacing Co. will
occupy its new factory at 4607-4631 Lexington street, Chi-
cago. The company's entire facilities will be devoted to the
manufacture of Alligator steel belt-lacing, high-duty belt
fasteners, Turtle belt-fasteners, Flexco lamp-guards, and
Flexco-lok lamp-guards.
The Oxweld Acetylene Co., the world's largest manufac-
turer of oxy-acetylene welding and cutting apparatus, has
established Pacific Coast sales and distributing headquarters
at San Francisco, with offices at 1077 Mission street. Addi-
tional sales representatives' office are maintained at the fol-
lowing points: Los Angeles, 646 Maple avenue; Salt Lake
City, 908 Kearns Bdg.; Portland, 90 First street; Seattle,
433 Pioneer Bdg. Leo Romney, with headquarters at San
Francisco, is Pacific sales manager. The territory embraces
the States of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Arizona,
California, Nevada, and the counties of Lincoln, Sweetwater,
and Uintah in Wyoming. This territory was formerly served
from Chicago and Los Angeles. Removal of headquarters to
San Francisco was made necessary to secure a more central
location for supplying the company's rapidly growing busi-
ness in the Pacific States where Oxweld apparatus is exten-
sively used in the metal industries and shipyards.
EDITORIAL STAFF
T. A. RlCKARD. EDITOR
parsons, associate ec
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Mfinannoisi sunt
Member -Audit Bureau of Circulation*
Member AitccUlrd Bufinru P»prn. Inc.
ESTABLISHED I860
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by Uu 1 tomsMmv
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IM'IENCB HAS NO ENEMY SAVE THE IGNORANT
BUSINESS STAFF
C.T. HUTCHINSON. MANAOCR
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San Francisco, September 4, 1920
$4 per Year — 15 Cents per Copy
TABLE OF CONTENTS
KIMTOKIAIj
NOTES
1'age
. 325
THE STRUGGLE AT RIO TINTO 326
Strike at the famous copper mine in Spain. Ger-
man agents and local socialists of the Red kind.
Origin of the strike. Efforts to settle it. Nucleus
of loyal workmen. Emigration to United States.
Offer of the manager. W. J. Browning. A dead-
lock. Inopportune character of the strike.
THE BURMA CORPORATION 327
Comment on report by John A. Agnew. Character
of the ore. Reorganization of company. Earnings
and working capital. Metal prices. Geologic con-
ditions. Plans for treating the ore. Character of
the reduction plant. Electric power.
DISCUSSION
ENGINEERING EDUCATION
By P. B. McDonald '. 329
Educators disinclined to disturb the existing order
of things. Less of the technical; more cultural
education. The need is for a better class of
'professors'.
I'H£r
of North Idaho'. Bloody battles followed by mar-
tial law. Destruction of the Bunker Hill mill. The
bull-pen. Harry Orchard and the attempt on the
life of F. W. Bradley in San Francisco. Some in-
teresting photographs.
METAL MINING IN CALIFORNIA 344
Production of gold during the first half-year;
silver. Effect of high prices on the industry. Cop-
per and zinc production diminished.
CONDITIONS IN MEXICO
By An Occasional Correspondent 345
Further facts concerning Pablo Gonzales. His re-
lease in spite of suspicious circumstances. Pancho
Villa and Esteban Cantu. Provisional President
De la Huerta and his reforms. The approaching
election. A federal decree regarding mining.
SOME CONTROLLING FACTORS IN FLOTATION
By Ralph D. Nevett 349
Crushing. Rate and regularity of feed and the
density of the pulp. The effect of temperature.
Addition agents; oil not essential. Condition of
circuit-liquor. Agitation and aeration and their
influence. The Cascade process.
CONCERNING SILVER
By W. deL. Benedict 329
Reference to Charles Butters' communications to
the 'Press'. Dealing with Uncle Sam at the mint.
'Seigniorage' Is the Government taking advantage
of the public?
ARTICLES
THE BUNKER HILL ENTERPRISE — XII
By T. A. Rickard 33i
Human side of the business. The town of Kellogg;
a community dependent upon the mine. The strike
of 1892. The statement of the Mine Owners' Asso-
ciation and the reply. Excerpts from the 'History
NOTES
DETERMINATION OF MOLYBDENUM 343
DUST IN METAL MINES 352
DEPARTMENTS
REVIEW OF MINING 353
THE MINING SUMMARY 361
PERSONAL 362
THE METAL MARKET 363
EASTERN METAL MARKET 364
DIVIDENDS FROM MINES 365
COMPANY REPORTS 366
Established May 24. 1800. as The Scientific Press: name chanred October
! 20 of the same year to Mining and Scientific Press.
Entered at the San Francisco post-office as second-class matter. LaDle
address: Pertusola.
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London. 724 Salisbury House. E.C.
Price 15 cents per copy. Annual subscription, payable in advance:
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3G
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 4. 1920
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A Complete JWassco
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This MASSCO Laboratory Outfit ought to be a part of
every mining laboratory, every milling plant ; it certifies
conclusions regarding the proper treatment method for
any ore and serves to help regulate and adjust the process
after your mill is in operation.
THE SAMSON CRUSHER — does the heavy
work in your laboratory flotation mill — it's
the primary breaker.
THE McCOOL PULVERIZER — prepares the
pulp quickly, uniformly, and to the desired
mesh — ideal tor laboratory grinding.
THE LABORATORY WILFLEY — a com-
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decks, roughing and finishing, each 14x3 0
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THE RUTH FLOTATION MACHINE — dupli-
cating large-scale mill conditions — a most
efficient flotation, aeration, emulsification,
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THE HEUSSER BALANCE — accurate and
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a Heusser Balance. There are some very
special features you should know about.
MASSCO CLAY GOODS — Muffles, Crucibles,
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MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
325
r. A. K1CKARD Editor
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TVTAMES of the 'investors' in Mr. Ponzi's get-rieh-
■*■ " quit-k scheme have been published by the Boston
'Post'. We can imagine what a rush there must have
been on the part of Mr. Rice and other 'fiscal agents',
especially those engaged in the art of incubating oily
wild-cats, to get hold of this list of 'suckers'. To them
it will be a mine, more real than those in which they
invite 'investors' to put their money.
I" AST week several Republican newspapers came out
J-i with a flaring head-line stating that the British em-
bassy at "Washington had contributed $87,500 to the
Democratic campaign fund. This was corrected next
day in small print. Now Mr. Myron Herrick says that
' ' western European statesmen are hoping for a return of
the Republican party to power". This, of course, is
featured in the Democratic press. Thus one bit of silli-
ness balances another. Meanwhile a more serious state-
ment is made that "British interests take a hand in Cali-
fornia senatorial fight". It appears that a local publica-
tion, 'The British-Calif ornian', objects to one candidate
as a "dangerous demagogue". Forthwith, there is fool-
ish talk of "sinister foreign influence". Undoubtedly a
paper avowedly conducted in behalf of British residents
in California has no business to take sides in the senator-
ial election. Indeed, it is most undesirable that any
publication should be published on non-American lines
and for the purpose of promoting solidarity among
foreigners.
COME of these 'literary gents' have queer ideas about
*J mines. For example, in the current 'Atlantic Month-
ly' we read this: "Authors are like miners: they put the
precious metal into their books ; but when one gets to the
mine, there is apt to be a lot of 'slag' about!" The ex-
clamation mark is well placed. The simile is mixed.
Apparently the idea is that as authors put precious things
into their books, so miners put precious metal into their
mines, that is, they 'salt' them; but when you read the
book you find a good deal of piffle scattered over the
pages, and when you go to the mines you find heaps of
slag. The comparison might hold, if miners made slag at
the mine; they don't; the slag is made at the smelter,
which usually is far from the mine. For 'slag', read
'rock'. Part of the slag in the 'Atlantic' quotation is to
be found in the word "apt", which is out of place. The
word means 'suitable' or 'appropriate' ; it is not a correct
synonym for 'likely'. However, it is fair to add, the
article that contained the above-quoted slag also con-
tained several bits of crystalline gold.
/CHARGES and counter-charges of an excessive use of
^-* money for campaign purposes are being made by
both political parties, thereby continuing the exposures
that were started before the meeting of the conventions
at Chicago and San Francisco. The facts will disgust the
public and tend further to decrease interest in a presi-
dential campaign that so far has evoked but scanty en-
thusiasm, largely because neither nominee commands ad-
miration. Senator Harding, states that the millions col-
lected by Messrs. Upham and Hays for the Republican
cause "are essential to our success in planning for na-
tional enlightenment and are all deeply appreciated by
me". "Why not say, in the best front-porch manner, that
they are "essential" to the "evolvement" of "nor-
malcy". A bitter fight is looming, and in the course of
it we expect to see Governor Cox's war record exposed.
Through his newspaper he expressed opinions that are
thoroughly discreditable. For ourselves, we wish that
the vice-presidential candidates were on the same ticket
and could be elected in lieu of their leaders.
"DRAISEWORTHY co-operation and a spirit of fair-
•*■ dealing on the part of miners, mine-operators, and
members of the Industrial Accident Commission of
California has resulted in the formation of a set of Mine-
Safety Orders that is definite and complete, and that
affords reasonable protection to workmen without im-
posing impracticable and unworkable restrictions on the
companies owning mines and metallurgical plants. In
1915 the Commission adopted mine-safety rules, which
have lately been revised by a committee composed of
mine-operators and sundry officials from organizations
of mine, mill, and smelter employees, who, upon invita-
tion, collaborated with the engineers of the Commission.
As a result, a tentative draft of the new orders was
printed and distributed among those connected with the
industry, and last week a public hearing was held to re-
ceive any protest or criticism before the final form of
the orders should be determined. One proposal directed
that stoping should be done in such a manner that the
back at any time could be tested, either from timbering
or broken rock, with a seven-foot bar. It was pointed
out at the hearing not only that this was sometimes im-
practicable, but that, for instance, in some stopes where
shrinkage methods are employed, additional ore is drawn
:;2(i
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC FfcESS
September 4, 1920
off for the specific purpose of preventing accidents. The
Commission accordingly will amend the regulation so as
to permit its engineers to determine the procedure ac-
cording to the methods and conditions in particulaa
mines. Another proposal fixed five years of practical
experience underground as one qualification for a mine
superintendent. It was recommended that this be
changed to three years for a superintendent employing
more than 25 men, and two years where less than that
number is employed. Apparently, the policy of the Com-
mission is to avoid making orders that are unreasonable
or unjust; a natural corollary would be insistence on
strict compliance with the regulations that are made;
laws that are not enforced are worse than no laws at all.
The Struggle at Rio Tinto
On July 8 began the greatest strike in the history of
Bio Tinto, the famous copper mine in Spain. The prop-
erty has been involved in a sort of perennial labor-war
for several years, with brief intervals of peace. In the
beginning the agitation was provoked by German agents
in order to hinder the output of copper and pyrite for the
Allies. The Red variety of socialist was employed by
Germany in this work, not only at Rio Tinto but through-
out Spain. Syndicalism was developed with the thor-
oughness and finish so characteristic of German economic
institutions, for the principle of completeness serves de-
structive as well as constructive purposes. It was the
masterly devilishness of this highly perfected anti-social
organization, bearing the brand 'Made in Germany', that
plunged Mr. Frank A. Vanderlip into a panic of post-
prandial panegyrics upon Spain and the Spanish people
while he stood upon the volcano of Spanish terrorism in
Barcelona, although he promptly substituted a deluge of
diatribe as soon as he had passed safely beyond the
border.
Spanish syndicalism is startling to one who is unac-
customed to the red torch with which Germany has light-
ed the social conflagration in Europe. It has been met by
measures less oppressive than we would deem warranted
in this country under like provocation, but the prepara-
tions to combat a general uprising are more elaborate
than appear upon the surface. Nevertheless, the Rio
Tinto strike, involving 10,000 workmen, quickly followed
by the strike of iron and steel workers at Bilbao, where
40,000 men have made a determined stand against the
authorities, surpasses any demonstration that has been
witnessed previously in the Peninsula. Agitation against
the Rio Tinto Company has enjoyed a certain popularity
throughout the country, which undoubtedly has facili
tated the propaganda of the syndicalists. Like all gov-
ernment-owned mines, the Rio Tinto was an incubus upon
the State for generations ; it was operated at a loss, just
as the famous Arrayanes lead mine at Linares has always
been a failure, and as the Almaden quicksilver mine
shows a deficit, in any period of five years, despite its
marvellous orebodies with their fabulous tenor of 8% of
mercury. Accordingly, the Rio Tinto was sold to an
English company in 1872, and after a long financial
struggle, involving the investment of enormous capital,
it was placed firmly in the position of a steady producer
of profit, the gross amount of which appears stupendous
in the eyes of demagogues. It is the fashion, therefore,
when less urgent matters demand attention, to rail at the
opulent Rio Tinto Company, which is accused of despoil-
ing Spain of her resources.
The strike started as usual with the workmen employed
in the smelter, which is the smaller part of the Rio Tinto
operations. In two days the entire enterprise was para-
lyzed, even the railroad men and telegraphers joining the
strike. Communication with the port of Huelva was
maintained by running a mail-train manned by members
of the English staff. The cessation of traffic, on which
the town depended for the necessaries of life, immediately
brought the population face to face with famine. A com-
mittee of women appealed to the manager, Mr. Walter J.
Browning, to make concessions to the workmen in order
to avert starvation. He refused to be coerced by sym-
pathy, and told them to send their husbands back to work,
but to each visitor he gave five pesetas ($1) as a gratuity.
The local authorities then petitioned the Council of
Ministers at Madrid, which resulted in a request from the
Governor of Huelva to the president of the workmen's
syndicate for a proposal that might serve as a basis for
discussion with the Rio Tinto Company. The reply was
an insistence upon recognition of the union and the
syndicate, following which terms of settlement would be
offered. This was repudiated, but it is interesting to note
that at this juncture a movement for conciliation took
place within the ranks of the strikers. Although it was
stopped by the labor leaders, it possesses significance.
For many months before the outbreak of the trouble,
rumors of an impending crisis had been coming to the
United States in the form of letters from conservative
workmen begging an opportunity for employment here,
alleging that they were being coerced by the radical ele-
ment under non-Spanish influences, and, being unable to
resist this pressure, they were eager to escape before the
storm should break. Their idea was to settle in a country
where they could do an honest day's work for an honest
day's wage and rear their families in peace. This episode
indicates that there exists a rational element, around
which, as a nucleus, a loyal body of workmen. may be
built. The problem there, as well as in the United States,
is to get rid of the foreign agitators.
The Government next appointed Seiior Leopoldo Pala-
cios, of the Instituto de Reformas Sociales, a branch of
the public service presided over by the distinguished
sociologist, Sefior Adolfo Posada, to make an effort to
effect a compromise. This brought out concrete demands
from the union that embraced reinstatement of all strik-
ing workmen, pay for time lost during the strike, regula-
tion of pensions and contributions for medical and other
benefits, and an increase of 50 to 65% in the wages paid.
Mr. Browning proposed an increase of three reales (about
15 cents) on all wages from three pesetas upward, a
doubling of all wages below three pesetas, and some minor
concessions. The deadlock was complete, and Seiior
Palacios retired, admitting his inability to settle the
September 4. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
327
dispute. Meanwhile seven steamships thai had been
chartered t<> load pyrite al Hnelva were obliged to sail in
ballast, and a steady emigration of laborers from Rio
Tinto began. Hundreds of men have deserted the miue,
avowing their determination uever to return. These in
elude many of the most capable and reliable, so that the
preponderance of the radical type is increased, which will
augment difficulties in the future The union insists that
this must be a conclusive contest, and evidently the com-
pany lias accepted the gage of battle. To surrender uow
would mean ceaseless heckling and practical dictation by
the agitators, which would render economic operation im-
possible. It is an unfortunate moment for the miners at
lluelva, owing to the rapid increase in the competition of
lirimstone as a basis for sulphuric-acid manufacture.
The American demand for pyrite has fallen enormously
with the general change to sulphur-burning at the acid-
works in this country. The purity of the acid made from
brimstone as compared with the acid made from pyrite,
which always contains some arsenic, is raising the stand-
ard and giving the advantage to the sulphur producers
of Louisiana and Eastern Texas. In the face of a dimin-
ishing American market for Spanish pyrite, the syndical-
ists have chosen an inopportune time to make demands
that would increase the cost of producing ore at Eio
Tinto. The wages paid have been low, but they were on
a par with those prevailing in other parts of Spain. To
ameliorate the hardships of the workers without setting
new standards of compensation, the Rio Tinto Company
has long been selling supplies at a loss through its four-
teen stores, undertaking in this maimer to sustain the re-
sources of the laboring men in the face of rising prices.
For example, the company stores have been selling a daily
average of 40,000 pounds of bread at a loss of 26%, on
the cost price, 400 gallons of olive oil at a loss of 23%,
2200 pounds of sugar at a loss of 33%, and other articles
in proportion. The wholesale price of flour in Spain on
July 1 was at the rate of 10 cents American per pound,
sugar sold for 26 cents, beans for 4 cents, rice for 7|
cents, and olive oil for $1.25 per gallon. In addition to
the consideration shown in supplying the prime neces-
saries below cost, the Rio Tinto Company has built model
villages of commodious houses, in which every modern
sanitary convenience has been provided, and these houses
are rented to workmen at less than the cost of crowded
unhealthy quarters in the manufacturing towns. The
better class of laborers have seemed content with the con-
ditions, and have asked only that they be freed from the
agitation of the Red leaders, but the present struggle has
led to an impasse that will embitter the people for a long
time to come. They have been led to believe that the
attitude of the manager has not been sanctioned by the
board of directors in London, and that he is personally
hostile. Intense excitement was produced by a report
that Mr. Browning intended to shut off the water-supply
from the town and was prevented from doing so only by
the intervention of the local political authorities. He is
also blamed for the suspension of freight deliveries, re-
gardless of the fact that the railroad operatives have
joined the strikers. The Spanish view of the situation at
Rio Tinto before the outbreak of the strike has Keen pre-
sented in a oovel .muled 'The Metal of the Dead' by
Concha Espina, one of the st talented writers of the
cniintry.il book that lias just I n published, h will help
to rev. ,il the serious problem faced by the Rio Tinto < lom-
pany, which in si. me respects is national, if not, iinl I.
fn1 i ■mil tonal.
The Burma Corporation
In these days when entire mountains arc being carried
piecemeal to leaching-plants and concentrators, a mine
with an ore-reserve of 4,732,003 tons is no longer aston-
ishing. If, however, in addition to 1.2% of copper, in
itself enough to promise profitable exploitation under
favorable conditions, the ore contains an average of
18.2% zinc, 26.4% lead, and 24.5 ounces of silver per ton,
the total of 4,732,003 tons becomes an impressive quan-
tity. If only 80% of the metal contents of this ore were
recovered and sold at the present market prices, the pro-
ceeds would amount to nearly 500 million dollars. These
figures, except for the calculation as to the estimated
value of the metals, are found in a recent report by Mr.
John A. Agnew on the operations of the Burma Corpora-
tion, Ltd., in Upper Burma. In our issue of November
29, 1919, we reviewed the history of this remarkable
enterprise. In December 1919 a new company was in-
corporated at Rangoon with a capitalization of 20,000,000
shares, of 10 rupees each, together with £1,000,000 of 8%
convertible stock, the purpose of the latter being to pro-
vide funds for the completion within three years of the
metallurgical plants, power-projects, and railroad con-
struction necessary to treat 1650 tons of high-grade ore
daily. The present earnings of the company are at the
rate of £600,000 per year, and since £1,600,000 will suffice
to carry out the proposed construction and equipment, it
is apparent that before long the current profit should be
available for dividends. The decision of the National
Mining Corporation to underwrite the stock-issue was
based on the report of Mr. Agnew. It is a clear and con-
cise analysis of the resources of the company and of the
methods by which it is proposed to exploit them, together
with an estimate of the financial results to be expected.
Mr. Agnew disclaims any superiority of judgment as to
the trend of future prices for metals but presents com-
prehensive tables showing how the profit will be affected
by fluctuations above certain prices which he thinks may
safely be assumed as the minimum. These are, lead at
£22, spelter at £33, copper at £80, per ton of 2240 pounds,
and silver at 40 pence per ounce. In American currency,
taking the pound sterling at $4.50, these prices are equiv-
alent to 4.42, 6.63, 16.07 cents per pound, and 75 cents per
ounce, respectively. The company has recently acquired
a new lease for 30 years from the Indian government on
the ten square miles of ground that includes the mine at
Bawdwin. The geology of the area is discussed briefly ;
the statement is frankly made that "it is to be expected
that if the ore-channel passes into sediments in depth the
orebodies will become restricted in size". This is in ac-
cord with experience elsewhere. Thus far, development
328
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRBSS
September 4, 1920
has been confined largely to Lateral work from the Tiger
adit, which is the bottom level, and the two levels im-
mediately above. For the purpose of estimating the ore
in reserve, an additional zone only 100 feet in depth is
assumed as containing 'probable' ore, although this
should not be interpreted as delimiting the orebodies.
About 1,600,000 tons of lower-grade ore is proved, but
nothing is included in the calculations that does not con-
tain at least 20% of combined lead and zinc. At present
the mine is in condition to produce 1500 tons of lead-
Scale of Miles
o IQO zoo
zinc ore and 150 tons of copper ore per day, so that de-
velopment work will be directed mainly to blocking out
additional ore while supplying the current needs of the
existing plants. The ore itself is a complex mixture of
sulphides of lead, zinc, copper, and iron. The silver is
associated with the lead and copper, in proportion to
these metals and irrespective of the zinc content. The
fineness of the particles and the intimacy of the mixture
of galena .and blende present obstacles to metallurgical
treatment. The existing plants include a smelter, which
has been treating high-grade lead ore, at Namtu, 13 miles
from Bawdwin. since 1911, and a new concentrator, with
a present capacity of 800 tons per day, which since being
started recently has supplied lead-concentrate instead of
raw ore to the smelter. In 1918 Mr. Lawrence Addicks
visited Burma as consulting engineer. After a number
of possible plans had been considered, it was decided on
his recommendation to construct an entirely new and
modern smelter near the mill at Namtu, rather than at-
tempt to remodel the old plant, and to build a retort-
smelter and sulphuric-acid plant at Jamshedpur, near
Calcutta, to treat annually 25,000 tons of zinc-concen-
trate. The proposed site adjoins the famous plant of the
Tata Iron & Steel Co., which will utilize in its galvanizing
department a large proportion of the zinc produced.
Both these projects are now under way. There is still
doubt as to the metallurgical plan to be adopted finally,
but the alternatives as stated by "Mr. Agnew, and on
which he bases three separate estimates of resultant real-
ization, are interesting. The first, a 'foul-smelting'
scheme, involves nothing new. The concentrator will
produce a zinky lead-concentrate, a zinc-concentrate, and
a middling. The first will be smelted for lead, the result-
ing zinky slag being treated with the middling in a re-
verberatory furnace, while the zinc-concentrate is sent to
the retort-smelter in India. The other schemes provide
for two clean concentrates, one of lead and one of zinc,
to be made in the mill and sent to the appropriate smelt-
ers, while a comparatively large proportion of middling,
containing less than 30% lead and 30% zinc, will be
treated by either the 'double chloride' or the Elmore
process, yielding a lead bullion and a clean, and accord-
ingly desirable, zinc-concentrate for shipment to Jam-
shedpur. The process would be simplified by making not
more than two products in the concentrator in addition
to a clean tailing. These would be a high-grade lead-
concentrate and a middling, containing nearly all the
zinc and some lead, which would then be treated by one
of the proposed chemical processes in order to obtain a
clean zinc-concentrate for the retort-smelter, besides lead
and silver read}' for refining. The treatment will prob-
ably develop in this direction because it promises profit
considerably in excess of that assured by foul smelting.
It may be remarked that no electrolytic process is being
considered ; one reason for this is the lack of an adequate
supply of hydro-electric power, although the company
will generate a dry-season minimum of 1250 horse-power
at Mansaw falls. In addition, a 2500-kilowatt generating
station is to be built at Nam Ma, where the company's
geologists have discovered a deposit of semi-bituminous
coal of good grade. Approximately 7,000,000 tons has
already been proved ; this will replace the almost ex-
hausted supply of wood for fuel at the smelter as well as
operate the steam-electric plant. The development of this
coal was one of the factors that determined the selection
of Namtu as the site of the new smelter. Thus far the
stockholders of the corporation have received no divi-
dends, all the current profit having gone into construc-
tion and betterments. This remarkable mine has had the
benefit of intelligent engineering and sound financing.
There is every reason for believing that Mr. Agnew 's
calculations, based on the estimates of Mr. R. G. Hall, the
resident manager, are conservative and that a profitable
future is assured.
September I. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
329
Engineering Education
The Editor:
sir — Acting upon the editorial invitation in your issue
of August 14 to discuss engineering education, I submit
with much humility my own poor views upon the subject.
This apology is necessary because, otherwise, someone
mighl think that I imagine educators reading this letter
will be influenced by it. which I don't. (This is nearly
as complicated as Harding's front-porch effusions.) Few
high-ranking educators will accept your invitation, I
think, and discuss the matter freely, because they realize
that they disagree markedly among themselves, and it is
a mark of honor in the teaching profession to suggest no
changes of any importance — merely small fads that don't
disturb things too much.
I would summarize my personal views as follows :
(1) A four-year course, as you suggest, is enough.
Employers in all lines of engineering prefer a man not
too specialized who will adapt his ways to theirs; and, as
Dr. Mann in his famous report has pointed out, technical
ability is only a small portion of what an employer looks
for in the young engineers. Six years gets a student in
a rut.
(2) Engineering courses should be less technical and
more cultural. This could be gained by eliminating much
highly-specialized technique, as'now taught, and making
courses broader and more leisurely, so that the hard-
pressed student could look around a bit and read on his
own account. Milo S. Ketchum, from his long experience
in engineeirng education, has remarked that the cultural
value of a course lies more in the teacher than in the sub-
ject matter. For my part, I picked up more culture from
a course in steam-engineering given by 0. P. Hood than
from various courses in English literature and public
speaking. However, engineering courses will not be made
less technical and more cultural for a long time, because
to do so would make it necessary to throw out of their
jobs many unchangeable professors who are long on tech-
nique and short on culture. 0. P. Hood himself left
teaching to work for the Bureau of Mines.
(3) Quoting Milo S. Ketchum again, the problems of
engineering education will be largely solved when better
teachers are secured. Improvement will come not so
much by mechanical changes in courses, or new wrinkles
in this or that, as by getting capable men to serve as pro-
fessors with not too much restriction on their individu-
ality. And, of course, they should be well paid. Other-
wise professors like 0. P. Hood will leave the profession.
Again, I do not think this reform will come about, at
least for some time. Too many poor teachers are in
already, and they protect their interests by keeping
capable men out, for which perhaps no one can blame
them. Also there is too much machinery, using the word
in the figurative sense, in the conduct of the colleges
too much red tape, too much ponderousness to overcome
to change anything, too many committees for regulating
what generally should be left unregulated in order to
give scope for individuality.
Of course, changes will come in engineering education.
They are taking place all the time, but they get so com-
promised and complicated by the time they become
effective that they become something else in the mean-
time.
P. B. McDonald.
New York University. August 10.
Concerning Silver
The Editor :
Sir — Mr. Charles Butters concludes his letter concern-
ing silver, published in your issue of August 7, by say-
ing: "If any reader can tell me on what grounds the
Mint can insist on paying for silver deposits in gold when
the depositor of bullion asks for silver, I shall be very
glad to learn."
Previously, in his letter, he had written: "Now I will
tell you just what happens right now, because it hap-
pened to me. You go to the Mint with your fine bars
and ask them to coin them at the market price. The
reply is 'Yes, but we pay you in gold. We are not letting
any silver out at present. "We want the silver to get
back our reserves'. It is a curious attitude."
In your issue of July 31, I had noticed a 'personal' to
the effect that Mr. Butters was on his way here; so, after
reading his letter, I called at his office, hoping to have
the pleasure of meeting him once more and, incidentally,
to inquire if he meant his letter to be taken seriously or
whether it was intended to be a sort of pleasantry. Much
to my regret, I learned he had remained hut a few days
and was then in Mexico. Consequently, with your kind
permission, I will endeavor to reach him through the
medium of your columns.
Perhaps I have missed the real meaning that he in-
tended to convey, but, taking the literal interpretation of
the words about his visit to the Mint, I am sure either
he did not understand correctly what was said to him
about paying gold for fine bars, or else he was mis-
informed. At present, the Mint does not pay out gold
for bars of fine silver. Instead, they are paid for in
paper currency or by check (or draft) on the U. S.
Treasury ; and, in the latter case, which is. customary for
330
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 4, 1920
larger sums, the word 'silver' is written on one corner of
the check as a notice that it has been issued in payment
Eor silver bullion and that it is to be cashed in current
funds. Of course, a given amount in current funds has
the same exchange value now as a like sum in gold coin.
If we were using a silver standard, instead of gold, Mr.
Butters could have obtained silver 'dollars' for his bars
of fine silver; but who wants "free silver," anyway?
The precise meaning that Mr. Butters wished to con-
vey by saying, "You ask them to coin them at the market
price", seems to be very obscure, because silver is not
coined at the market price". To illustrate; suppose he
took two bars of fine silver, of 1000 ounces each, to the
Mint. If they were domestic silver, he would obtain the
"market price" of $1 per ounce for them; either in the
form of a check or in paper currency, according to his
choice, for that is the "market price" paid by the Mint.
But, if the Mint coined that quantity (2000 oz.) of fine
silver into 'dollars', it would produce 2585.858 (1.292929
X 2000 oz.) such 'dollars'. Therefore, in all probability,
he wouldn't expect the Mint to give him that many silver
'dollars' for his 2000 ounces of fine silver, for, by so
doing, it would pay him at the rate of $1.29 per ounce,
which is the 'Mint price' for silver that Uncle Sam
charges the public when he issues silver 'dollars' to it.
"With reference to the statement of the Mint employee
that ""We want the silver to get back our reserve", it is
not so very long since Uncle Sam depleted our reserve to
the extent of 207,000,000 oz. of fine silver, to obtain
which he melted down something like 267,636,363 silver
'dollars', against which, it is quite probable, silver cer-
tificates had been issued ; and that quantity of silver was
just as far removed from the market, while the silver
certificates were in use, as it would have been in the form
of silver 'dollars' in actual circulation.
To digress for a moment ; it may be said that such of
our silver 'dollars' as have been issued have been sold to
the public at the rate of 30.02 gr. of gold ($1.29), or its
equivalent, per ounce of fine silver contained in them.
And yet Uncle Sam took many of them away from us,
giving us Federal Reserve bank-notes in exchange (Fed-
eral Reserve bank-notes not Federal Reserve notes) and
then sold this silver abroad at the rate of only 23.22 gr.
of gold ($1.00) net per ounce; for which we had paid
him 30.02 gr. of gold ($1.29). The difference is 6.S gr.
of gold per ounce, which, multiplied by 207,000,000 oz.,
equals 1,407,600,000 gr. of gold; or $60,620,000 in round
numbers. This will be reverted to, herein, later on.
With reference to that paragraph in Mr. Butters' letter
that begins with "If our paternal and non-profit-making
Mint buys silver for, say, 90c. per ounce and coins it info
silver at anywhere between $1.29 and $1.38", it is prob-
able that he, upon reflecting, will recall that that differ-
ence ($1.29 or $1.38 less 90e.) is termed 'seigniorage'.
It is really a tax imposed by all gold-standard nations on
silver and subsidiary coins. In my communication en-
titled '"What is a Dollar', which appeared in your issue
of August 3, 1918 (a copy of which I gave to Mr. Butters
at. that time), it was stated, in effect, that, according to a
recent article in the local press, the present cost of silver
to the Government had averaged 72c. per ounce. Conse-
quently, if the cost was given correctly, the seigniorage
(profit) made by the Mint amounted to 57c. per ounce on
the silver in the silver dollars and 66c. per ounce on the
silver in the subsidiary silver coins. The profit on the
267,636,363 silver 'dollars', alone, would have been nearly
$118,000,000. Hence, the term "non-profit-making"
doesn't seem to fit the Mint very well when the latter is
engaged in turning out silver coins under the conditions
that have obtained during the past generation or so.
To digress once more, Uncle Sam, no doubt, intends to
be fair to the public, and, as evidence of such intention,
he has said he will endeavor to restore to his Treasury
reserves a quantity of silver equal to that which he "bor-
rowed" from the public and sold to foreigners to over-
come a very trying situation abroad that had been oc-
casioned by the War. Inasmuch as he sold the public's
silver dollars at $1 per ounce, and, perhaps, because he
wants to encourage some of our home industries, he offers
to pay the public $1 per ounce for all it will produce,
from home territory, up to 207,000,000 oz. Our produc-
tion, per annum, has been estimated at about 50,000,000
oz., so the price of $1 per ounce seems to be fixed for a
period of about four years. As has been stated pre-
viously, the public, presumably, paid a seigniorage tax
of about $118,000,000 on the 207,000,000 oz. that Uncle
Sam borrowed from it. Just now it seems pertinent to
ask if the public does dig up out of the ground, during
the next four years or so, 207,000,000 oz. of silver, will
Uncle Sam, after buying it at $1, coin it into dollars and
sell it back to the public at $1.29 per ounce, thereby
making an additional seigniorage profit of more than
$60,000,000 on silver coin that, practically, has already
cost the public a seigniorage tax of $118,000,000 ?
The ethics of Uncle Sam's decision to buy domestic
silver at $1 per ounce, rather than purchase foreign sil-
ver in the marts of the world at a lower price, will admit
of debate ; and this is particularly true because the pro-
ducers of domestic silver will sell it to him at $1 per
ounce only in ease they cannot obtain a higher price for
it elsewhere. Still, he can afford to pay $1 per ounce for
domestic silver, even if foreign silver is available at a
lower price, if he sells it back to the public at $1.29 per
ounce, although he would make more if he bought foreign
silver at less than $1. Or, if he buys and coins the 207,-
000,000 oz. into silver 'dollars', issues silver certificates
against them, and retires a corresponding amount ($267,-
636,363) of Federal Reserve bank-notes, will the public
be relieved of the additional $60,000,000 seigniorage tax ?
Perhaps one of your readers who is experienced in
government finance will answer this conundrum. II' not,
would it be proper to ask Senator Pittmau ?
„ , , , ,, W. deL. Benedict.
New York, August 14.
A corporation has been formed in London, according
to an article in 'El Econoinisto ', for the placing, in Span-
ish ports, of stocks of petroleum products. The capital of
this corporation is 25,000,000 pesetas (1 peseta = 19.3c.
normal exchange), 55% of the stock being held by the
'English Shell' group, the remaining 45% being divided
among several Spanish companies in Madrid.
September 4. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
331
THE BUNKER HII.L ClIMI'AXY S OFFICE AT KEI.LoCli, IDAHO
WARDNER IN 1890
332
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 4, 1920
SOME I IF THE BOYS
The star marks Fred T. Wilson, the famous scout
THE BUNKER HILL MINE IX 1904
September t. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
333
THE BULL-PEN IN 1899
PRISONERS IN THE BULL-PEN DRILLING THEMSELVES
under the leadership of Kennedy, who, later, was shot in a saloon by Dick Adams, a deputy sheriff.
The weapons in the hands of the prisoners are made of wood.
334
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PAESS
September 4, 1920
RUINS OP THE MILL AFTER IT HAD BEEN DYNAMITED IN 1899
A MOTOR-TRUCK HAULING MINE-TIMBERS
September 4, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
The Bunker Hill Enterprise — XII
The Human Side of the Business; Labor Troubles; Good Management
By T. A. RICKARD
On September 9, 1919, Mr. Easton and 1 went up Milo
gulch so that I mitrlit see the place where the Bunker
Hill lode was discovered and tret a genera] idea of the
district. This \v;is not my first visit to the locality: [
was there in Oetoher 1904. on my way from New York
as delegate at large to the American Mining Congress at
Portland. It was a pleasure to find the mine under the
same manager, and. as I said to Mr. Easton laughingly,
both looking bigger than ever. Leaving Kellogg, we
wire soon in the deserted street of the senior settlement,
Wardner.
The town of Wardner used to extend for some distance
on each side of Milo creek ; now it has shrunk to a row of
dilapidated and bedraggled houses, most of them mi-
tenanted. Those which have disappeared have served
for fire-wood and other useful purposes. Their sites and
their little 'yards', or gardens, have been re-claimed by
Nature. Mr. Easton pointed on the right to the Page
hotel, formerly notorious for its wild doings. On both
sides of the road are the shells of the 'hurdy-gurdies',
'honky-tonks', dance-halls, and beer-saloons now extinct.
On October 10, 1885, the name of Yreka was given to
this mining district, and the town was called Kentuck,
but the Post-Office department refused to accept the
latter name ; so on April 4. 1886. it was changed to
Wardner, in honor of Jim Wardner, "a widely known
and popular citizen, who did much toward advancing
the prosperity of the young but ambitious town". So
says the 'History of North Idaho".
On January 4, 1890. a fire-alarm was followed by the
discovery that no water was available; this caused
"deepest chagrin", says the chronicler, and compelled
"the stricken populace" to fight the flames with snow —
successfully, it may be presumed, for the town survived.
On the right is Wardner mountain, in whose rocky
depths are the workings of the great mine. Mr. Easton
showed me the line of the outcrop, now obscured by
the brush that has grown on the rock broken in the course
of prospecting. In the gulch is the dump and entrance
of the Reed tunnel, the first adit of the Bunker Hill mine
and named after Simeon Reed, who bought it from its
discoverers. There was the upper terminal of the
Bleicbert tramway, which crossed the town of Wardner
in a 1700-ft. span and in its time was one of the biggest
things of its kind. All the old photographs show the tram-
way, which united the Reed adit with the concentrator
that was built near the present mill-site. When the
Kellogg adit was completed, in November 1902, the use
of the tramway was discontinued. These old workings
in Milo gulch are still in use, all the ground above the
Reed tunnel being under lease to various parties of
'tributcrs'. At the time of my visit SO of these lessees
were at work. A million tons of ore has come out of the
Reed tunnel. At the entrance is the old candle-house
where illuminants were issued to the miners; now the
IN THE COEUR D ALENE
acetylene lamp is in general use. Thirty years ago a
miner required three candles per shift, at a cost of 6 cents
apiece ; now the carbide used in his lamp costs only 3Ac.
per shift. The lamp itself costs $1.30 and lasts from two
to six months, according to the care it receives. Most
of the old Reed mill is dismantled, but out of the rem-
nants a party of lessees has made a rough concentrator
and is treating 80 tons per day. Those of us who have
been managers of mines know the genus 'tributer', or
'leaser', as Tie is often incorrectly labeled, and will
336
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 4, 1920
appreciate this story: A local soothsayer, called Alex-
ander, was asked by one of them: "Will I make any
money out of my lease?" The oracle replied : "If you'll
go up there and work steadily, instead of spending so
much time in pool-rooms and watching trains come and
go, you may make some money, but you certainly won't
unless you work". He hit the nail on the head, and his
interlocutor hit the trail, it is said.
The Sullivan outcrop, on the left side of the gulch, is
now marked by caved workings. In the early days it
was supposed to be the best part of the mine. Higher
up the gulch are the Stemwinder tunnel and the ruins
of another tramway-terminal. Looking back, it is re-
markable how little confidence there was in this district
even after ten years of productivity. Nobody looked
more than five years ahead at the most. Now the miner
says to his partners: "0 hell! boys, we may as well quit,
we can't dig it out". The average man in most mines
expects to "dig it out" and anticipates looking for work
elsewhere ; he is essentially nomadic, and it takes no little
self -repression to cause him to settle down like any other
respectable citizen.
We climbed to the place of discovery, and, like Kel-
logg's donkey, surveyed the scene. The outcrop has been
mined ; in the caved open-cut the hanging wall has fallen,
but the foot-wall remains exposed and well defined. That
foot-wall has been the theme of much geologizing; it is
known now as the Cate fault, after Oscar Cate, a miner.
Looking around, it is evident that there was a glade or
open space in the forest around the outcrop ; here grew
the bunch-grass that attracted the historic burro when
he strayed up-hill from the gulch. The pinnacle of sil-
very galena was then, as now, the product of imagina-
tion; for Nature has her way of dulling the brilliant
minerals of the underworld as soon as they are exposed,
by erosion, at the surface. The line of the lode runs
diagonally across Wardner mountain, across Milo gulch,
and steeply up the other side across the ridge. As far as
the eye reaches all is Bunker Hill property, for the com-
pany's mineral domain is 4 miles long' by 1J miles wide.
On the pitch of the ore-shoot underfoot the distance to
the deepest workings is nearly a mile, and down there
the showing of ore is better than the one that is supposed
to have paralyzed the ass thirty -five years ago.
A hundred yards above the place of discovery, a good
miner, Walker Johnson, is opening up a find that was
overlooked despite the coming and going of thousands of
men during the last thirty years or more. The lode here
must resemble that of the original outcrop ; not so wide,
but similar in character. At the discovery the lode was
100 ft. wide and was stoped for 30 ft., although during
the litigation some experts stretched it from the foot-wall
over the mountain for half a mile or more. Johnson's
find shows a reef or comb of quartzite, darkened by
weathering and bearing patches of moss, in which, when
broken, are exposed veinlets of bright galena, encased in
oxidized mineral. It is a promising apex for a lead mine,
for, as already stated, the showing made by lead veins or
lodes at surface is rarely alluring. To find the masses of
galena that yield profit to the miner, he must dig below
grass-roots and beneath the level to which oxidation ex-
tends.
Kellogg was named after the discoverer of the lode, as
Wardner after its backer ; the newer settlement is a great
contrast both to Wardner as it is and as it was. As a
town, Kellogg dates from July 7, 1893, when the original
plat was filed with the auditor of Shoshone county. The
'History' says: "Kellogg has always enjoyed the repu-
tation of a moral town, the first law by the authorities
prohibiting a red-light district, and which has since never
been permitted to be established. Rev. J. B. Orr, Con-
gregational minister at Wallace, preaches at Kellogg on
alternate Sundays." One may ask whether the law or
the red-light district was "never established", but one
can infer that the Reverend Orr's ministrations were
highly effective. As I saw it, Kellogg looked a clean and
cheerful town. It extends southward up Milo gulch and
westward toward the mills of the Bunker Hill company,
so that it is not a town of one straight avenue. The
streets are well paved and well kept. In the centre of
the town is a monument to Mullan. The inscription is as
follows :
CAPT. JOHN MULLAN
TRAIL
1853-1855
Surveyor and Constructor of the military road from
Fort Benton, Mont., to Walla Walla, Wash.,
completed 1862.
Erected under the auspices of the Historical Society
of Montana Pioneers. Grift of Wm. A. Clark, Jr.
of Butte, Mont., to the city of Kellogg, 1918.
On the granite monument is the figure of Mullan in
bas-relief. Standing here one can see the town-hall, a
handsome structure of pressed brick, two bank-buildings,
two hotels, and two cinemas. The day may come, but not
for several decades, when Kellogg will be as Wardner,
and eventually both "as one with Nineveh", but we ask
the historian of a later day to note the difference between
the places of amusement that Wardner boasted as against
those of Kellogg. While there I went to one public en-
tertainment, and that was an address on the Constitution
by a distinguished local office-seeker, it being the day
set "aside for celebrating that great statement of funda-
mental principles.
From the centre of the town, one looks up Milo gulch
to the wooded hillsides of the Wardner range and west-
ward down the Coeur d'Alene valley to the settlement
adjoining the Bunker Hill mills, with the chimney of the
smelter appearing above an intervening hill. Northward
are the river-flats and more pine-clad ranges.
The community dependent upon the life of the Bunker
Hill mine is now so orderly and comfortable that it is
difficult to realize what a picture of terrorism it pre-
sented 20 years ago. I refer to the strikes of 1892 and
1899, which gave to the Coeur d'Alene a sinister fame.
It is necessary to refer to them, not only because of their
eifects on the Bunker Hill enterprise, but as illustrating
the industrial conditions of a former period.
In 1890 a Consolidated Miners' Union was organized in
September 4, 1020
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
] 337
;
.... . ,.
-
•-•*■ ;
- — — ' ■"
s
. "-r^ ■*"—.'. ~
'X^§£5^ / i ' -:~-rf
THE BUNKER HILL MILL AND FLUME IN 1892
Office Manager's house
THE SECOND MILL AS IT LOOKED IN 1893
338
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC F^ESS
September 4, 1920
the Coeur d'Alene and in 1891 a Mine Owners' Protective
Association was formed. In July 1891 the Wardner
union presented a demand to Victor M. Clement, man-
ager for the Bunker Hill company, that the arrangement
whereby the men paid a dollar per month for medical
treatment, without hospital facilities should cease, and
that, the same amount be deducted from each man's pay
in behalf of the Central Miners' Union Hospital at Wal-
lace. Early in August the manager replied by calling an
election for choosing between three propositions: (1) to
continue the existing arrangement; (2) to build a new
hospital on the company's ground, the company to give
the site and the lumber, on the condition that sufficient
money was subscribed to pay all other expenses; (3) ex-
emption from hospital taxation of the men signing a con-
tract releasing the company from all liability for sickness
or injury during their employ. Only a few men voted,
and most of these favored the erection of a hospital at
Wardner. The company gave notice of its intention to
continue the dollar per month deduction for medical
treatment and invited those who objected to 'get their
time'. A strike followed. Sundry outrages were per-
petrated. The strike ended, by compromise, in Decem-
ber. Other disagreements ensued at other mines in the
Coeur d'Alene and as these synchronized with a dispute
with the railroad companies over freight-rates, all the
principal mines were closed down by January 15, 1892.
In March it was announced by the Mine Owners' Asso-
ciation that satisfactory arrangements had been made
with the railroads and that the mines would resume work,
but only $3 per day would be paid to ear-men and shovel-
ers, as against $3.50 per shift of 10 hours to all miners.
In the statement published by the Mine Owners' Asso-
ciation, it was said :
"This scale of wages, after much consideration, has
been determined upon as liberal and fair by the Associa-
tion and it is hoped that it may meet the approval of all
old employees as well as the public generally. The Asso-
ciation also announces that in all tunnel mines where a
majority of the men desire to avoid working Sunday and
Sunday night they may, on giving expression of such
desire to the manager, have Sunday and Sunday night
off each week.
"While we have no objections to miners' unions if they
are governed and conducted by able, sensible, real miners,
it is nevertheless a fact that during the years we have
had unions in this country tfyere has been trouble some-
where most of the time, strikes and threats of strikes,
committees and delegations continually, to the great an-
noyance and loss not only to the miners but also to the
community generally as well as to the mine-owners, and
we challenge anybody to show in what manner the miners
or owners or the community have been benefited one
cent's worth for all the trouble caused, for all the time
lost, for all the hard feelings engendered, for the many
hard-earned dollars which the working miners have con-
tributed to the coffers of the unions, excepting in the
matter of the Sisters Hospital, which is a notable institu-
tion and worthy of generous support . . .
"The only men who can be said to have been benefited
at all are the car-men and shovelers, worthy men, no
doubt, but it is well known that any reasonably intelli-
gent man can learn to do this work in tunnel mines in a
few days, and can it be said that these men are entitled
to the same pay as skilled miners, who have spent years
in learning their trade ? We have endeavored many times
to learn by what reason the unions demand the same pay
for these men that they do for miners, but have failed
entirely to get any good reason . . . Even admitting
that the danger is equal to both mind's and car-men
alike, we would ask if the world's work is paid for with-
out regard to skill? Does the locomotive fire-man get
the same pay as the engineer ? . . .
"It is true that the mine-owners raised the wages of
car-men and shovelers last year at the demand of the
unions, but they did so under protest and with a keen
sense of its injustice. However, at that time lead and
silver were much higher than at present, and desiring to
get along amicably with the unions and being able to
afford it, the wages of car-men and shovelers were raised.
Now the conditions have changed ; lead is only four cents
and tending downward. Silver is below 90 and going
lower, and the mine-owners are therefore under the
necessity of the strictest economy."
I would like to quote in extenso, but space forbids.
The pronunciamento proceeds to say that it is entirely a
matter of business, that the ores are low-grade, and that
strict economy is imperative. Moreover the capitalist
followed the prospector into the region, and with the
money and skill of the capitalist the mines were devel-
oped and equipped. Why then these threats to run them
out of the country, to burn their mills, blow up their
flumes, and even murder them? Does this talk of riot
and murder do anybody any good? Who are the cause
of it? A few agitators, not real miners, who terrorize
the community, "their sole purpose being to keep up a ]
continuous state of turmoil and strife to the end that l
tribute may in some way or another come to them".
Then the unions are warned by the mine-owners that
any losses due to the destruction of mills or other prop-
erty will have to be paid by the county. They seem to t
anticipate events. They expect that any concession wiUyltl
be followed by fresh demands. They say :
"We would ask if many of the leaders have not made |
up their minds that if they are successful in the present
conflict, they will within 60 days urge a strike for $4 a |
day for miners, for the closing of company boarding- it
houses, for a boycott on all business enterprises in which it
any mine-owner has an interest, for a rule that no miner
will be allowed to work in any mine in the Coeur Tf
d'Alenes over seven days unless he joins the union, if not
freely then by force, that no mine foreman shall dis-
charge any man underground until he has given a satis-
factory reason for so doing to the union." ]
Again it is evident that the mine-owners anticipate the
union program with considerable accuracy. Their state-
ment is long and discursive ; it shows how warm the con-
troversy has already become, for it mentions all those i
causes of trouble with which we are now familiar. It
was not a fight between employer and employee, but be-
September t. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
339
tweeu the owners of the mines and a group of agitators
from the outside. The statement concludes by saying:
"We will simply add that we have determined that the
wagi a cited are fair and liberal, and all we ought to be
asked to pay, and having so determined we do not mean
to start up our mines at any higher wages. We will wait
until the first of April for our men to make up their
minds, and if they decline to accept, we will have no
other course but to claim the right to work our mines
(which we paid for and own I outside of any unions, and
We are fully determined to do so without any dictations
from any association, conceding, however, the right to
every person to demand any price they see lit for then-
labor as long as they do not interfere with the rights of
others, and we feel confident the law will uphold us in so
doing."
To this the Central Miners" Union of the Coeur d'Alene
replied immediately, in terms that indicated the impend-
ing struggle. The spirit of the reply is suggested by the
opening paragraph :
' ' As miners, we are not gifted with the literary abil-
ities of the hired attorneys of the Mine Owners' Associa-
tion, nor at the same time with the talent of making
statements so absurd and false as to cause a blush of
apology on the cheeks of Ananias, hut as working-men we
ask a thoughtful and considerate public to view both
sides of the question before forming an opinion as to the
merits or demerits of the case brought before their
notice."
As a critic, I would say that the statements of the two
parties do not differ greatly in literary style, and it is a
safe guess that both of them were prepared by "hired
attorneys". The Unions assert that "the late shut-
down" was not due to wages but was intended "to crush
out organized labor" and to introduce contract labor.
They insist that the owners have made big earnings on
their capital, except where the mines have been misman-
aged. They complain of the condition of the lodging-
houses and the quality of the board provided by the com-
panies. They deny that the increased rate to the car-
men was made under protest and that in certain mines
the higher rate had been paid previously without the
solicitation of the miners' union. They proceed to say:
"The Mine Owners' Association conveys the idea that
we are nothing more nor less than a band of anarchists
continually threatening the destruction of life and prop-
erty, liable at any moment to carry out such threats if
necessary to accomplish our purpose."
They ask where and by whom were such threats made ?
The history of succeeding events records the fact that
the mine-owners were better prophets than managers and
»that the Union fulfilled the worst anticipations of its
opponents.
The question uppermost in strikes. is touched:
' ' There is no doubt that the mine-owners would not ob-
ect to the unions provided they were officered by their
nominees, but to this every member objects, as they
should, in order to maintain some independence that in
future as in the past they might be in a position to direct
their efforts to mutually benefit all working-men and by
lawful means, and to Btate that the central or any other
local union means in the future to select a county ticket
to be voted on in the fall is a falsehood without a vestige
of truth. ... As for coercion in order to enlist mem-
bers, the people here know well we have never used the
like with one-half the force the Association has done to
compel outside mines to fall ill line. Will the Mine Own-
ers' Association allow their constitution to be perused by
the public.' We think not, because from information
now in our hands we know it is so opposed to law and
THE OLD REED MILL
order that the darkened archives of the Association is its
safest retreat."
The proposal of the mine-owners was rejected ; the
mines were closed down and notice was given that new
arrangements would be made to re-open them for work
on June 1 (1892). Before that date the managers began
to import miners from the outside under the guard of
detectives. They also obtained injunctions from the
Federal court, and served them on a number of persons,
restraining them from interference with the operation
of the mines. During June the mines were run short-
handed and intermittently, chiefly by non-union labor.
The 'History of North Idaho' says:
"The mines that came under the special displeasure
of the union men were the Bunker Hill & Sullivan, at
Wardner, and the Gem and Frisco, on Canyon creek.
At the Canyon creek mines the feeling between the union
strikers and the non-union men who had taken their
340
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 4, 1920
places and were working under guard was very bitter.
Exchanges of harsh words were frequent and fist-fights
were not uncommon. These eventually precipitated an
armed encounter on July 11th between union men and
the employees and guards of the Frisco mine. At about
five o'clock in the morning of that day the firing com-
menced. It is said by both sides that the shooting was
not intended at first to do other execution than to fright-
en the men out of the mine. Soon, however, a pitched
battle resulted, both miners and guards firing to kill.
The strikers were at a disadvantage, so withdrew up the
hills. It was now that the plan of destroying the mills
took shape in their minds. They came to the end of the
tramway, placed some giant powder in a car and started
it to the buildings on its errand of destruction. The fuse
was too short, so the explosion took place too soon to do
serious damage, though the tramway was destroyed.
Powder was then carried to the flume and, the water
having been turned off, sent down the penstock and to
the water-wheel. The old mill was thus wrecked, for
fortunately most of the men had withdrawn to the new
mill, thus saving their lives. The men in the mill con-
tinued firing a short time, but soon realizing their hope-
less position, surrendered.
"Soon the battle began at the Gem. The men in that
mine had made some preparation by erecting barricades
of wood and lumber. As the night shift was going off
and the day force going on, the firing began. After a
large number of shots had been exchanged by the strikers
in the town of Gem and the men at the mine, a confer-
ence was held under a flag of truce, in which it was
agreed that the non-union men should surrender if so
advised by A. L. Gross, the only member of the Gem
company in the country. Gross advised the surrender
and the men handed over their arms.
"In the two battles two non-union men were killed,
namely John Starlick and Ivery Bean, also three strikers,
James Henessy, Gus Carlson, and Harry Cummings. A
considerable number were wounded.
"After their victories at the Gem and the Frisco the
strikers proceeded to Wardner. going from a point out-
side of Wallace to the junction in two freight-cars pro-
pelled by gravity. They arrived after dark on the night
of the 11th, took possession of the Bunker Hill concen-
trator and placed a ton of powder under it. Next morn-
ing Mr. Clement had the choice of discharging his non-
union employees and sending them out of the country
or having his mill blown to pieces. Under the circum-
stances he agreed to send the men away, which was done.
"Many of the non-union men left the country Jul}7
12th, going by rail to the Mission and arriving at that
point about three o'clock. The steamer was transferring
troops across the lake and did not reach the Mission until
one o'clock next morning. While waiting, the non-union
men were made the victims of an outrage which has been
condemned by both parties to the quarrel as a dastardly
and utterly inexcusable affair. Persons whose identity is
unknown to the writer and perhaps not known with cer-
tainty by many outside of their own number, came down
on a hand-car to the Mission and attacked the unarmed
men with guns. The men fled, of course. They were
pursued by the attacking party over the meadow toward
Fourth of July canyon, six miles distant, and all of them
subjected to the hardship of spending a night in various
hiding-places. Those who took refuge along the banks
of the river either made their way back to the Mission in
small boats or were picked up by the steamer next morn-
ing. From the number missing it was supposed that
many had been killed, but no bodies were found, al-
though diligent search was made for them. At least one
man, John H. Abbott, was severely wounded in the left
breast by a bullet, so that he was not expected to recover,
but we are informed that he eventually did. The pur-
pose of the attack was doubtless robbery rather than
bloodshed. Many of the victims had everything in the
world that they possessed taken from them. It should
be added that the miners' union of the Coeur d'Alene
emphatically denied that it or any of its members had
anything to do with this outrage, directly or indirectly.
"Martial law was promptly declared, and under the
protection of the soldiers many of the expelled non-union
men returned. With such help, the Bunker Hill & Sulli-
van resumed work before July 1. Many of those who
were most active in the uprising were compelled to flee
from the country ; many others were placed under arrest,
but only a comparatively few were convicted and punish-
ed. Twenty-five were tried in the Federal court on a
charge of violating the restraining order, and of these
Thomas O'Brien was sentenced to eight months and F.
T. Dean, R. M. Boyce, Thomas Henney, and Thomas
Doyle to six months imprisonment. A number were
tried at Coeur d'Alene City for conspiracy and four
were sentenced to the House of Correction at Detroit,
Michigan ; George A. Pettibone for two years, M. L.
Devine and Charles St. Clair for 18 months, and John
Murphy for 15 months. Gradually the troops were re-
moved, and on November 18, 1892, martial law was
revoked."
It is a miserable story. Even the shooting was poor!
Think of all the gun-play that took place at the Gem and
Frisco mines, yet only five men were killed. A side-light
on these events is afforded by Charles A. Siringo, a de-
tective engaged by the Mine Owners' Association. In
his book, 'A Cowboy Detective', published in 1912. he re-
lates his experiences during this strike. Acting under
instructions, he played the part of a miner and joined
the union at Gem. His reports were mailed to St. Paul,
Minnesota, where a copy was made and sent to the secre-
tary of the Mine Owners' Association at Wallace. Sir-
ingo, or 'Allison', as he then called himself, was elected
secretary of the union; whereupon he did the correct
thing, shirked work, and was discharged. In order to
remain secretary, he pretended that his father sent him
money from Texas. The treasurer of his union was
George A. Pettibone, a justice of the peace, mentioned
among those who were punished for their crimes. With
Pettibone and other union men he would order 'scabs',
that is. those refusing to join the union, out of the coun-
try and, if necessary, "get up a mob, by holding a cit-
izens mass-meeting, to ruu them out of the State". Only
September 4. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
341
members of tbe union were permitted to enter the
"citizens' meeting". He describes the sequel:
••Then it would be declared the sense of the citizens'
indignation meeting that certain 'scabs' be run out of
tin State. Often as many as half a dozen 'scabs' would
De taken from their homes, sometimes with weeping
wives and children begging for mercy, and with tin pans
and the music of bells, they would be marched up and
down the street to be spit upon and branded as 'scabs'
before the public eye. Then half-clothed and without
food, the poor devils would be marched up the canjron, a
few miles beyond Burke, and told to hit the road. Pistols
would be fired over their heads to give them a good run-
ning start. By this route, during winter, the snow is
waist deep over the Bitter Root range, and there is not a
living inhabitant until reaching Thompson's Falls, Mon-
tana, a distance of about 30 miles. This thing was kept
up all winter, and I learned a few new lessons in human
nature." His reference is to the winter of 1891- '92.
"When war was declared between the mine-owners and
the unions in the spring of 1893, the sheriff of the county
was friendly to the unions, as Allison informed his em-
ployers, so that a trainload of strike-breakers passed
through Wallace without stopping, thereby eluding the
sheriff, who stood ready to arrest them under the State
law against importing armed thugs. Each side invoked
the law and both sides broke it. It was a lawless fight, a
reversion to frontier lawlessness. Other trainloads of
strike-breakers were imported under armed guards. It
became evident that the secrets of the Gem union were
being given away by a traitor, so a Butte detective was
put to work to spot him, and Mr. Allison's job became
uncomfortable. He was charged with disloyalty at a
meeting called for the purpose, but managed to bluff his
accusers. Two days later he had reason to believe that
he had been recognized by a man. whom he had helped to
convict in Nevada. It was time to skip. He hid under
the sidewalk, and while there saw some of the fighting
and heard the explosion at the Frisco mill. Crawling
under the sidewalk, he escaped, while angry men on top
were discussing what they would do to him. He makes
a good story of it. A few days later he was kept busy
identifying the union leaders, who were arrested by the
troops under General Carlin and placed in the 'bull-
pen', a large stockade with a frame building in which the
prisoners slept and ate. In less than a week 300 were in
the 'bull-pen', which was at Wardner. Our author, the
detective, concludes his description of his experience
thus:
"The Coeur d'Alene trouble had been caused through
the miners' union wanting to dictate as to how the mines
should be run. "When they made a demand for shorter
hours, and that 'muckers' and common roustabouts re-
ceive $3.50 per day, the same wages as skilled miners,
the mine-owners closed down the mines and sent out for
non-union men."
Work at the mines was resumed, the bad men were
arrested or driven out of the district, and order was re-
stored, but the feeling of bitter antagonism survived be-
tween union and non-union labor. Several outrages were
committed, one of the worst being the murder of John
Kneebone in July 1894 and the expulsion by force out of
the county of R. K. Neill and three other men. On April
23, 1899, a demand was made on the Bunker Hill com-
pany by the Wardner union for a uniform wage of $3.50
to all underground men and for the recognition of the
union, now organized with the Western Federation of
Miners. The manager, Frederick Burbidge, said he
would submit the matter to the other officers of the com-
pany ; they agreed to increase wages of all laborers from
$2.50 to $3 and of all miners from $3 to $3.50 per day,
but refused to recognize the union. On April 26 the
tramway was seized by a group of armed strikers and
men were stopped from going to work.
On April 29 a group of masked men at Gem took pos-
'old glory' asserting the restoration op law and
order ; july 1, 1899
session of a train from Burke, they compelled the engi-
neer to back the train to the powder-house at the Frisco
mine, where 70 boxes of dynamite were loaded on a box-
car. The train then went to Wallace. There a number
of men from Mullan got on board. Proceeding to within
a mile of Wardner, the engineer was compelled to stop
the train while another group of men boarded it. By
this time the mob on the train numbered about a thou-
sand, of whom 300 were masked and armed. They left
the train and went to the Bunker Hill mill, which was
then completely destroyed by the use of several hundred
pounds of dynamite.
As soon as the echoes of the explosion had died away
among the surrounding mountains, an ominous silence
342
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 4, 1920
ei sued, to be broken by a deafening fusillade from the
train, this being meant to celebrate the 'victory' of the
ruffians posing as labor reformers.
Nobody was killed at the mill, but during the excite-
ment that followed John Smythe, a Frisco miner, was
shot and killed; James Cbeyne, a vanner-tender of the
mill, was fatally wounded; and R. R. Rogers, stenog-
rapher with the Bunker Hill company, was wounded.
Smythe is said to have been killed by the strikers because
he was suspected of being a 'traitor'; for the killing of
Cheyne a man named Corcoran was convicted and sen-
tenced to 17 years imprisonment.
Those were bad days for the staff at the Bunker Hill.
Wisely, they did not meet violence with more violence,
for that would have settled nothing. Friends came from
Gem to warn them of the impending danger; they were
told that 500 men had stolen a train, opened the Frisco
powder-house, broken into militia headquarters and
seized rifles, and were coming down to blow up the mill.
Word was passed for everybody to abandon the property
and seek safety. Mr. Clark tells me that after he had
seen "the mill go up" he noted the sun glistening on the
dinner-buckets of a group of men on the hillside coming
down from the mine toward Government gulch, so as to
avoid Wardner. Mr. Burch was with them. The whole
party walked to the mouth of Pine creek, where they
camped. J. C. Bodley, an old-timer, made 'biscuits' for
them that night. They waited until 11 p.m., when a spe-
cial train sent by the president of the company, Mr.
Bradley, came up from Tekoa. At Cataldo they picked
up Mr. Burbidge, who had. escaped over the river flats.
On arrival at Tekoa, at 5 a.m. next day, they breakfasted,
and four hours later took the train back to Kellogg,
where they found that the strikers had gone and every-
thing was quiet. The Kellogg adit was being driven at
that time and the management was anxious not to
suspend this particular work, so, as the power-plant had
been destroyed, the old plant in Milo gulch was brought
into use and an Edison bi-polar dynamo was installed for
driving the cars in the adit. Lights from the same dy-
namo were used to illuminate the bull-pen at Kellogg,
where 500 men were imprisoned all summer. This is the
second mention of a 'bull-pen'. Again United States
troops were sent into the district, on appeal from the
Governor of the State. General H. C. Merriam was in
command. He 'rounded up' those suspected of complic-
ity in the destruction of the mill and placed them in the
bull-pen. Most of those charged with major offenses
escaped and those charged with minor offenses were re-
leased, because the County declared itself unable to try
so many persons. Owing to complaints made against the
harshness with which the prisoners were treated, the mat-
ter was referred by Congress, on January 8, 1900, to an
investigation by the Committee on Military Affairs. It
was charged that there was issued and enforced by Gen-
eral Merriam a proclamation in violation of the Con-
stitution of the United States and of the State of Idaho.
It reads as follows:
"Whereas the following notice has been served upon
the mine-owners of Shoshone county by the duly consti-
tuted State authorities, by whom martial law has been
declared, to-wit:
"To the mine-owners of Shoshone county:
"Certain organizations or combinations existing in
Shoshone county have shown themselves to be criminal
in purpose, inciting and, as organizations, procuring
property to be destroyed and murders to be committed,
by reason whereof it has been twice necessary to declare
martial law in Shoshone county.
"You are therefore notified that the employment of
men belonging to said or other criminal organizations
during the continuance of martial law must cease. In
case this direction is not observed your mines will be
closed."
The effect of this proclamation, of course, was to pre-
vent union men from obtaining work in the county,
whereupon the authorities, civil and military, were
charged with "an outrageous misuse of the military
power of the United States ... in the interest of the
owners of the Bunker Hill and Sullivan mines." After
an investigation that lasted three months, the committee
reported that none of the 'whereases' were sustained by
the evidence, but a minority of seven condemned the ac-
tion of the President, the Governor, and the General.
The trouble-makers were scattered effectively and
normal conditions of production were restored by the end
of the year.
Another incident needs to be recorded. The Western
Federation of Miners, an organization at that time domi-
nated by criminals masquerading as labor-leaders, bore
a grudge against Mr. Bradley, as the president of the
Bunker Hill company. So they told one of their number
to assassinate him. The story is told in the ' Confessions
of Harry Orchard', published in 1907. Horsley, alias
Hogan, alias Orchard, assassinated Frank Steunenberg.
former Governor of Idaho, on December 31. 1905. While
in prison at Boise, during 1906, he wrote the 'Confes-
sions'. One chapter is entitled 'How I went to San
Francisco and Blew up Fred Bradley'. It appears that
in August 1904, W. D. Haywood, secretary-treasurer of
the Western Federation of Miners, and George A. Petti-
bone, who was sentenced for two years on account of his
doings in the first Coeur d'Alene strike, arranged with
Orchard, at a meeting in Denver, "to put Fred Bradley
out of the way". Orchard proceeded to San Francisco
and prepared for the crime. Pettibone sent him $100
each month. He had brought 10 pounds of dynamite for
making a bomb and engaged a room a few doors from
Mr. Bradley's home on the corner of Leavenworth and
Washington streets. Mr. Bradley was in Alaska when
he arrived, so Orchard waited until his return to San
Francisco in October. He watched for him "with a shot-
gun loaded with buck-shot, and tried to catch him coming
home at night ; but it was not light enough to tell him
fiom the rest" of the people living in the flats in which
Mr. Bradley resided. So he put strychnine in the bottles
left by the milkman in the early morning. He says: "I
figured the girls [the servants] would serve Mr. and
September 4. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
343
Mrs Bradley's breakfast Oral and they would gel the
poison rirst " ". llo had made the acquaintance of the ser-
vants while spying about the place. It happened for-
tunately thai the cook bad occasion to taste the milk.
ti and it hitter, and informed Mrs, Bradley, who sent out
for a fresh supply. So tliis diabolical plot miscarried.
Next be prepared bis bomb. "I bought ;i piece of five-
inch lead pipe about a foot long at a plumber's." lie says.
"and put wooden ends in it. Then I hammered one side
of it flat, so it would lie straight without turning over,
and 1 CUl a piece out of the other side, and turned back
the flap and fastened a little vial on this, so that whin
you tilled it with sulphuric aeid. and you pulled out the
cork, the aeid would run out into the hole in the pipe.
Then I filled up the lead pipe with about five or six
pounds of No. 1 gelatin, and put some caps and sugar
and potash on top of this and opposite the hole in the
had pipe, so the aeid would fall on them. Then I plan-
ned to hitch a little string to the eork of the bottle, and
fasten the other end of the string in a screw-eye in a
door, mi when you opened the door it would pull out the
cork and set off the bomb. ' '
lie practised with it in his room, omitting the cap and
acid, until he felt sure it would work. He noted Mr.
Bradley's habits and decided to "get him" as he came
down after breakfast on his way to his office. In order
to make certain, he telephoned to Mr. Bradley, posing as
a miner from Goldfield, Nevada, and made an appoint-
ment with him at nine o'clock in the morning at his office.
On November 17, 1904, he placed the bomb on the stair-
way, so that the opening of the door would cause it to
explode. He left his room and wandered about the town,
waiting to read in the evening paper how well he had suc-
ceeded in his foul deed. In due course he read an account
of the explosion and that if Mr. Bradley did not die, he
would lose both hearing and sight. The explosion was
imputed to the leaking of gas and the Pacific Gas &
Electric Co. actually had to pay $10,000 damages to the
owner of the flats, after a lawsuit that went as far as the
Supreme Court.
The stairway and entrance were blown to pieces and
Mr. Bradley was hurled into the street, badly injured, of
course, but, most fortunately, the first fear of a loss of
sight and of hearing proved wrong, and he was himself
again within a few months. On arrival at Denver, says
Orchard, "Pettibone was well pleased with the news,
but said it was hard luck that it did not kill him".
Orchard is still in jail, for, on account of giving evidence
against, his associates, he was not hanged. Haywood has
continued in his career and is now again in jail, as a
leader of the I. W. W. One of the features of the murders
and assassinations perpetrated in the name of a false kind
of labor unionism is the repeated re-appearance of the
same criminals as the agents of disorder and crime in
various mining districts and the apparent failure of the
law to discipline them. Even public opinion has failed
to stimulate the officers of the law to the proper protec-
tion of the community.
(To be Continued)
Determination of Molybdenum
The Bureau of Mines has recently issued Technical
Paper 230, Determination of Molybdenum', by .1. I'.
Bonardi and E. I'. Barrett. This report presents the re-
sults of an investigation by the Bureau on methods of
analysis lor determining this metal. During the n ut
activity in the molybdenum market the old and well-
known methods for the determination of molybdenum in
ores were found inadequate. They were satisfactory for
high-grade material, but. on account of the advent of
flotation methods and the inflation of the market because
of the War. the grade of products became so low that the
molybdenum content needed to be determined to the
second decimal place.
The Bureau, therefore, began an investigation to devise
a more accurate method for determining molybdenum in
low-grade ores. The results of the first efforts disclosed
the fact that the required degree of accuracy was diffi-
cult to obtain by the various methods in use. The method
used must be rapid as well as accurate, as a company-
treating a low-grade ore must know the results not later
than the day after the samples are taken in order to con-
trol closely the mining of the ore as well as the operations
of the milling plant.
Some of the quantitative methods for the determination
of molybdenum that are in general use are as follows :
(1) Precipitation as the sulphide from acid or alkaline
solutions with or without increased pressure; (2) pre-
cipitation as mercurous molybdate; (3) precipitation as
lead molybdate; (4) titration with lead acetate; (5) ti-
tration with potassium permanganate; (6) titration with
titanium chloride; (7) the iodometric method; and (8)
titration with potassium iodate.
Of these methods, that of reduction of the molybdenum
and titration with potassium permanganate proved the
most suitable for rapid accurate determinations on low-
grade ores. The ore is decomposed either by acid or by-
fusion with sodium peroxide into a soluble molybdate and
insoluble compounds of the other constituents of the ore.
The molybdate is filtered, acid added, and the solution is
passed through a Jones reductor where the MoO, is re-
duced to Mo203. The solution is then titrated with
potassium permanganate and the percentage of molyb-
denum present is calculated. Successful use of the
method, however, requires close attention to details of
procedure as outlined in the report. Gravimetric de-
termination of molybdenum by precipitating and weigh-
ing as lead molybdate is rapid and accurate, but certain
precautions must be observed. In this method the ore is
decomposed with acids and treated with ammonium hy-
droxide to form ammonium molybdate. From the hot
solution the molybdenum is precipitated as lead molyb-
date by adding lead acetate solution, 2 or 3 cc. in excess,
heating the mixture a few minutes, and filtering. The
precipitated lead molybdate is then ignited, cooled,
weighed, and the weight of molybdenum is calculated. A
copy of the pamphlet detailing the procedure may be
obtained from the Bureau at Washington.
344
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 4, 1920
Metal Mining in California
The conditions in the metal-mining industries in Cali-
fornia during the first half of 1920 were even more bur-
densome to the operators than in 1919. The high cost of
supplies and labor and the scarcity of skilled labor have
increased the number of mines that have suspended or
curtailed operations and have materially lessened the out-
put of metals, according to C. G. Yale, of the U. S. Geo-
logical Survey.
During the first six months of 1920 the U. S. Mint and
local smelters and refiners, to which most of the newly
mined gold from California is sent, received from the
mines of the State $7,811,390 in gold, or $1,086,739 less
than during the first six months of 1919.
In 1918 there was a decrease in the production of gold
in California, compared with 1917, of more than $3,500,-
000, but in 1919, with an estimated production of $17,-
380,000, there was an increase of $852,000 over 1918,
which showed some progress toward the recovery of a
normal output. However, if the monthly receipts at the
mints, smelters, and refineries for the last six months of
1920 continue at the same rate as in the first six months,
the total output of gold in California in 1920 should be
$15,622,000, or $1,757,000 less than in 1919.
The silver received during the first half of 1920 by the
mints, smelters, and refineries amounted to 503,794 oz.,
376,310 oz. more than in the first half of 1919. This ab-
normal increase in the output of silver is due entirely to
operations at a new silver mine discovered in 1919 in San
Bernardino county, just over the border of Kern county.
Most of the silver heretofore mined in California has
been obtained as a by-product in the mining of gold, cop-
per, and lead ores, for few purely silver mines have been
operated in the State. During the last year, however, a
number of old silver mines, most of them in Inyo and
San Bernardino counties, have been re-opened, owing to
the high price of the metal.
The loss in the output of gold is caused by curtailment
in the operations in certain large mines on the Mother
Lode and elsewhere and by stoppage of work on a large
number of mines. Many properties that were worked
profitably under normal conditions continue to be op-
erated at a loss. Once shut-down and filled with water,
such mines may never be re-opened. Two of the most
productive mines of the Mother Lode, with workings ex-
tending vertically below 4000 "ft., had to be flooded to
extinguish disastrous fires, and now hard and expensive
work is being done to unwater them. On the Mother
Lode five or six years ago a profit could be made on ore
that yielded $3.50 per ton, but now nothing can safely be
classed as ore which contains less than $6 per ton. Not
only the quartz but the placer field is affected. Six years
ago one large dredging company, handling about 36,000,-
000 tons of gravel yearly, worked 14 dredges, which dug
up $2,637,700 in gold at a cost of $15 per ounce. In
1919 it worked 11 dredges, and the gold output of
$1,840,000 cost $23 per ounce. It is found less expensive,
however, to sustain the loss than to close down the plant,
for the loss through taxes, insurance, deterioration of
equipment, and breaking up of organization would be
greater.
At Grass Valley, the most productive quartz-mining
district in the State, the larger mines are severely
affected by a shortage of skilled miners, for higher wages
in lumber-camps and shipyards have induced many men
to give up mining. The Empire mine, the most produc-
tive deep gold mine in the State, has made extensive im-
provements in 1920. The North Star mine continues
production but at a less rate than during normal times.
At Jackson and Sutter Creek, Amador county, the most
productive district in the Mother Lode, the principal pro-
ducers have made little output this year, owing to the
necessity of unwatering the mines after flooding them to
extinguish fire. The highly productive activities of the
recently re-opened Morgan mine, Calaveras county, are
noteworthy.
Shortage of water throughout the hydraulic-mining
regions in Sierra, Plumas, Siskiyou, Trinity, and other
counties, where this class of work is carried on. has
greatly reduced the production of placer gold. Drift-
mining has also languished, and no new properties of
note have been opened. The dredge-mining industry has
propably suffered less than other gold-producing opera-
tions, yet skilled labor has been scarce and costs have
been greater, and reduced prices have materially les-
sened output and profits.
Copper mining in California has not been in good con-
dition this year. What was formerly the largest pro-
ducer, the Mammoth, in Shasta county, continues closed
down and other large mines are idle. The Mountain
Copper Co., at Keswick, started work again this year in
its Iron Mountain and Hornet mines and is reducing its
ore at the smelters on San Francisco bay. Operations
have been curtailed at the mines of both the Calaveras
Copper and the Penn Mining companies, in Calaveras
county. Plumas is now the most productive copper-
mining county in the State. The principal mines, the
Engels and the Walker, continue operations and have
made many permanent improvements at their plants.
The Cerro Gordo mine, near Keeler, the largest producer
of lead-zinc ores, has again been started, and ore is being
shipped by the Rip Van Winkle, Lucky Jim, Utaeala,
Sterling, and other mines around Darwin. Most of the
zinc mined in California in 1920 will come from these
southern counties, as very little has been produced in
Shasta county.
The highest grade pumice at present mined is of
Italian origin. The seat of the industry is the volcanic
island of Lipari, one of the group lying off the north coast
of Sicily about 40 miles from the Italian mainland. The
methods employed in mining are primitive. The deposits
for the most part are found near the surface, and the
material is extracted by drifts driven only a few yards
into the hillsides. The output could be increased if these
drifts were properly timbered so as to follow up the
profitable strata. Without support the danger of caving
necessitates the abandonment of the drifts before they
are worked out.
September 4. 1980
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
345
Conditions in Mexico
By An Occasional Correspondent
The Mexico City version of the early history of Gen-
eral Pablo Gonzales, reported in my July letter, I have
recently found to be incorrect. Don Pablo did not reside
in the United States as a youth nor did he marry an
American wife; his knowledge of English was acquired
by residence on the Mexican side of the Texas border,
and when Carranza revolted against Huerta in 1913, the
future presidential candidate was merely a book-keeper
in the flour-mill of his German father-in-law at Mon-
clova, the State capital where Carranza was governor.
All of which is a preliminary for giving a final farewell
to Don Pablo as a public character of note.
Even though Don Pablo's desertion of Carranza was
ON THE TRAIL
the main cause of Obregon's quick and easy victory over
the Government, the entrance of the victorious rivals into
Mexico City in May as friends seemed to offer little hope
of permanent peace between them. Everyone was there-
fore relieved, as well as surprised, when Don Pablo soon
announced in the papers the withdrawal of his presiden-
tial candidacy for patriotic reasons. The real reason,
however, was fear of Obregon, who had packed Mexico
City with 30,000 devoted troops, drawn from his
Sonorans and the Zapatista hordes, and had then pro-
ceeded to notify Don Pablo that it was now a case of
'fight or get out of the ring'. While Don Pablo— luckily
for the public — proved a coward, some of his friends
were more pugnacious, so that the rebellion of various
lesser generals soon ensued. Among the latter were
Jesus M. Guajardo, who earned his high rank last year
by slaying the famous Zapata; Carlos Osuna, once a
Protestant preacher and lately governor of Tamaulipas;
Espinasa Mireles, the governor of Coahuila; Lucio
Blanco, who in 1914 was recreant to his trust as Car-
ranzista governor of Mexico City ; Ricardo Gonzales ;
and Ironeo Villareal.
However, the campaign of these rebels against the new
government were of short duration, as they foolishly
started operations in the deserts on the Rio Grande bor-
der, where, lacking control of the railways, they were
unable even to feed their troops, much less keep up a
supply of munitions. Osuna was soon defeated and fled
with a few followers into the mountains. Blanco and
Mireles, after a few reverses, escaped into Texas. Mean-
while Gonzales and Villareal were fighting between
Laredo and Monterrey, and happened to attack the latter
city while Pablo Gonzales was visiting there. On this
suspicious coincidence, the Government ordered the im-
mediate arrest of Don Pablo and his gang, but while the
generals Jose E. Santos, lately governor of Nuevo Leon,
and Carlos Garcia, chief of staff, were soon found and
jailed, the king-pin himself was only discovered after a
long search and was then found concealed in the chimney
of his cellar. About this time, General Guajardo was
also captured in Monterrey, having entered the city in
disguise in order to obtain recruits and supplies. The
unlucky Guajardo was at once tried and shot, on July 19,
as a spy ; and many, remembering the usual fate of Car-
ranza's opponents under like circumstances, expected a
tragic sequel also to the court-martial handling the case
of Don Pablo. Nevertheless the court, being given a free
hand by the Government, found no evidence implicating
the latter in the sedition of his subordinate generals and
were therefore obliged to release him. This unexpected
denouement produced an excellent impression every-
where and probably had much to do with the surprising
fact, reported by the Minister of War on August 1, that
not a shot had been fired by the Federal army against
rebels anywhere during the previous week.
While it requires skilled diplomacy to get a Mexican
rebel to surrender, it often requires even more to keep
him peaceful. For instance, the Zapatista general, Gene-
vevo de la O, who in May had accompanied Obregon on
his triumphant entry into Mexico City, became surly on
his forced retirement to Cuernavaca in June, and was
only restored to good humor by being allowed to name
the governor of Morelos. As the generals Gildardo
Magana, successor of Zapata as chief of the Liberating
Army of the South, Valentin Reyes, and Everardo Gon-
zales had joined Obregon at the same time as Genevevo,
the surrender in July of the generals Saveedra and Men-
doza signified the practical finish of Zapatism as a re-
bellious political movement.
In Puebla, the notorious brigand Higineo Aguilar, who
has been in arms against all the various Federal regimes
since 1909, has tendered his submission ; and this means
7346
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 4, 1920
the possibility of again resuming mining in the South,
distracted since 1914. A strong argument for the fatalist
view of life might be found in the ease of General
Meixueiro of .Oaxaca, who, active in arms against Car-
ranza for five years past, died last month quietly in his
bed within a few weeks of his reconciliation with the
Government. In July the rebel bands of Chiapas and
Tabasco also submitted, and the generals, Manuel Lar-
raga and Leon Martinez, who had plagued the State of
San Louis Potosi. Even distant Sonora has its tale of
pacification, for some of the Yaqui tribes, in revolt since
the Diaz epoch, after a severe defeat administered to them
in April at Bacatete by the army of General Elias Calles
decided to lay down their arms.
What seems almost too good to be true is the expected
speedy rendition of Pancho Villa in accordance with a
contract just drawn up between him and a Federal en-
voy. In return for his submission, Villa is to be given
the ranch of El Canutillo in Durango and provided with
an operating force of fifty of his friends, whose wages
will be paid by the War Ministry. Those of his troops
who desire to do so, will be incorporated into the Fed-
eral army, the remainder will be mustered out with a
year's salary as a present, and each man given sufficient
land to start a fami of his own. The cessation of Villa's
brigandage will be an inestimable boon to American min-
ing enterprise ; indeed, as first fruits of the expected sur-
render, the Mexican Bureau of Mines reports that 400
companies have filed applications for resuming work in
Villa's old stamping-ground in the central North.
The only remaining war-cloud is one newly arisen in
the Territory of Lower California, where the C'arran-
zista Governor, Esteban Cantu. has reigned for many
years as an almost independent satrap. At first Cantu
tendered his allegiance to the new government ; but. when
summoned, a little later, to Mexico City for a conference
with President De la Huerta, the satrap refused to budge
and began to fortify his territory to resist invasion.
About this time, 'various Carranzistas — proscribed by the
new government as vulgar criminals, or else irrecon-
cilable— who had escaped to the United States, held a
meeting at San Antonio, Texas, under the leadership of
the infamous Luis Cabrera. They evidently voted to
hack up the rebellion of Cantu, because Lucio Blanco
soon left for Lower California to lead the rebel army,
and a number of these exiles are now aiding Cantu with
money and advice.
The new provisional president, Adolfo De la Huerta,
should not be confused with the unspeakable Vietoriano
Huerta, who sprang from quite a different family and
State. Besides being twice governor of Sonora — once
in 1916, by appointment, and again in 1919, i>y election —
Don Adolfo was sub-secretary of Gobernacion in 1915
and Federal senator in 1918. Partly of Indian blood, he
was this year elected chief of the Yaqui nation. In his
youth he enjoyed an education unusually good for a
Mexican ; in consequence he is open-minded toward new
ideas and progressive in his political tendencies. Per-
sonally, he is affable and democratic, and his popularity
is evidenced by the testimony of Villa, who gives his ad-
miration of De la Huerta — with whom he was associated
in 1913 — as one of the leading motives for his proposed
surrender. Of early-middle age and naturally robust,
he is at present suffering from appendicitis, which in-
terferes lamentably with his desire to fulfil properly the
numerous duties of his high office.
The new government has extended amnesty toward all
Carranza's followers, except those guilty of vulgar
crimes. Among the latter, Luis Cabrera was cunning
enough to evade capture and escape into Texas, whither
Juanito Barragan soon followed him after he had eluded
his jailers in Mexico City by an unscrupulous trick.
Thence fled, too, Colonel Fontes, the despoiler of the
National railways, and General Candido Aguilar, son-
in-law of Carranza and erstwhile liberator — and looter —
of fertile Vera Cruz. Of all the old ring, only two
notables were safely jailed, Licenciado Berlanga, min-
ister of Gobernacion, and General Murguia. The for-
mer is now on trial on charges of misappropriating pub-
lic funds and corrupting the daily press; but the latter
turned honest some years ago, so that evidence to in-
criminate him now is probably lacking. Yet while en-
gaged in accumulating his present considerable fortune,
Murguia. was perhaps as audacious as any of his 're-
forming' confreres. Not content with the usual conven-
tional toll of a Carranzista general arising from a shame-
lessly padded payroll and supply-list. Murguia seized for
himself in 1915 the whole of two bonuses — one of ¥300,-
000 and the other of ¥=150,000 — sent to him by Carranza
to be distributed among his troops as rewards for their
successful campaign in the West.
As the first fruits of Don Adolfo 's campaign against
military graft, his government now finds itself with
sufficient funds to pay its civil servants henceforth fully
in cash, instead of the payment of 75% cash and 25%
bonds practised by Carranza. Not only graft must go,
but all superfluous troops, and especially the scandalous
redundancy of officers maintained on public pay since
1915. A garrison with one general and eight or ten lower
commissioned officers to 100 private soldiers and 'non-
coms' was a common thing; while in certain centres, like
Mexico City, were assembled the 'unattached' officers, in
huge droves, which resembled nothing so much, in their
lack of social utility, as the bachelor-seal herds or the
similar guanaco bands of the Andes. A recent comical
incident of army revision was the case of a general who
thankfully accepted the rank of lieutenant rather than
suffer the calamity of complete erasure from the army
payroll. The proposed speedy reduction of the army to
50.000 men is certainly the first move essential to any
economic rehabilitation of the country. Last year 120
out of the 200 million pesos of Federal revenue was spent
by the War Department.
The Department of Bienes Intervenidos (intervened
properties) was originally instituted by Carranza as a
scheme to deprive his political enemies of any funds with
which to oppose him. It has its excuse in the shameful
betrayal of Madero by the Diaz cicntifieos after he had
been so foolishly generous as to leave undisturbed their
huge fortunes stolen from the nation. The intervened
September 4. 1990
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
347
properties comprised doI only hundreds of the ranches, high-grade ore. Originally proclaimed us a temporary
mines, factories, and reside » of individuals, but ?ni- measure, the intervention department proved so profit-
merons »li<«ils and asylums belonging to the Catholic able to iis operators thai it whs continued in full blast
GENERAL ALYARO OBREGON
church. Many of the large buildings intervened were
used as military barracks, and, as most Mexican soldiers
have the personal habits of swine,, the effect of their resi-
until the fall of Carranza. The new government has now-
reversed this policy and is returning the intervened prop-
erties as fast as their owners can be identified, while the
THE LATE PRESIDENT CARRANZA AND SENOR PABLO GONZALES
dence on the furniture, woodwork, and decorations of
these edifices can readily be imagined. The intervened
ranches were usually stripped of their livestock and other
chattels, while the mines were gutted of all developed
Department itself will be abolished in September.
Outside the National system of railways, of which con-
trol was obtained through stock-ownership by the Feder-
ation in the time of Diaz, the leading trunk-line 'of the
348
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 4, 1920
country is the 'Mexicano', which was first intervened by
Carranza in 1914 and continued (except for an interval
in 1916-'17) in his possession until his fall. This line
has now been returned to its English owners, who will
be indemnified later for their long deprivation of its
earnings.
Next to the President, the leading public figure at pres-
ent is General Salvador Alvarado, the Minister of
Finance. A revolutionist ever since 1906, when he
helped to lead the great strike in Cananea, Alvarado first
rose to fame in 1915 when he invaded Yucatan as a Car-
ranzista general and soon became its military governor.
His administration of the State, which lasted till 1918,
was one of the most extraordinary phenomena of the
Revolution. Yucatan, a country of half-savage Indian
peons and vast henequen plantations, was transformed
(on paper) by Alvarado into one of the most civilized
Utopias ever conceived, in fact or fiction. In 1918, evi-
dently tired of playing the game of a creative statesman-
ship that failed to function, he left Yucatan. During
1919 he amused himself, and dropped M.00,000 of his
savings in starting a new Mexico City daily, ' El Heraldo
Mexicano'. Later he was arrested by Carranza and tried
for sedition, but for lack of evidence was acquitted.
Shortly after he took refuge in the United States and
published his famous exposure of the Carranza admin-
istration.
Having always been an ardent supported of his fellow
Sonoran, Obregon, on the triumph of the latter he natu-
rally was given a high place in the new government. In
his present office, Alvarado has been as active and auda-
cious as ever, chiefly busying himself with uncovering the
corruption of his predecessor, Luis Cabrera. The first
mare's nest exposed was in the Casa Monetaria (Treas-
ury bank) which had made loans of two million pesos to
various Carranzistas without any security. Next came
two bureaus of the War Ministry, the first of Military
Police and the second of Military Instruction in Public
Schools, which employed numerous officials and cost two
millions per annum, but never did any work. Later, he
abolished the use of the 'infalsifiable' paper money,
which, ever since its demonetization in 1916, has been
' redeemed ' by requiring a bonus of its bills to be added
to every payment of certain Federal taxes assessed in
coin. He now proposes to launch the Banco Unico
(unique bank) which has been mooted ever since 1916.
This bank will monopolize the, issue of bank-bills former-
ly distributed among the State banks — looted in 1916-'17
by Carranza — and if its inauguration is accompanied by
doing justice to the latter it will mean much for the
restoration of normal commercial facilities, lacking since
1914.
The recent re-opening of the kidnapping case of U. S.
Consul Jenkins of Puebla has exposed to the public gaze
the clumsy conspiracy hatched by Carranza to incrim-
inate Jenkins in order to relieve his government of any
responsibility for re-payment of the $150,000 ransom.
Exactly why Carranza should have gone to all this
trouble is inexplicable, for he could easily have filed the
Jenkins claim, along with the thousands of others, in the
archives of his fundless Claims Commission, and let it go
at that.
Last month the Republican (Catholic) party held a
convention in Mexico City and nominated an engineer,
Robles Dominguez, for the Presidency. This is the first
time the Catholics have dared to hold a political meeting
since 1914, and though Dominguez has perhaps no chance
of being elected, the very fact that his candidacy is per-
mitted by the Government shows how things have
changed.
A recent Federal decree, designed to encourage the re-
sumption of mining, remits the usual fines for non-pay-
ment of back taxes for all delinquents who will pay up
for the first and second thirds of this year before August
31. Previous back taxes may be paid pro-rata with
future current payments until liquidated, but failure to
now take advantage of this final and liberal offer will re-
sult in forfeiture of the mining claims or titles involved.
The same syndicalist propaganda that was widely sub-
sidized by Carranza in 1915, as a weapon against his
rivals, but suppressed by him in 1916 on discovering its
boomerang nature, has now re-appeared in its brand new
dress of Bolshevism with Russian trimmings. The leader
seems to be a young American journalist, named Gale,
who is said to have fled here, in 1918, to escape the draft.
After stirring up the usual ruction in the recent strikes
at Vera Cruz, at Tampico, Bolshevism is now face to face
with the new government, and it is safe to predict that its
heyday of trouble-making has come to an abrupt end.
In either vertical or inclined shafts, skips or cages
must not be overloaded ; and boards must not be placed
across the top of skips and men permitted to ride there-
on, unless a side-casing is provided as a protection, ac-
cording to the mine-safety standards in Colorado. Guides
or back-runners should be installed in all shafts when the
inclination is more than 20° from the horizontal. Safety-
catches should be used on man-cages or skips. These
safety-catches should be inspected daily and tested once
a month. When hoisting or lowering men at the begin-
ning or end of shifts, special cages or skips should be used
in all shafts where the angle of inclination from the hori-
zontal exceeds 20°, and when the angle of inclination ex-
ceeds 30°, such cages or skips should be equipped with
bonnets to protect men from falling rock. Safety-gates
should be used on cages for hoisting men. Men should
never be hoisted or lowered faster than 800 ft. per minute.
Conditions may require slower speed for safety. Where
buckets are used in vertical shafts over 100 ft. deep, cross-
heads should be used. Where men ride on the buckets a
suitable bonnet and safety-catches should be used on
cross-heads. Cross-heads should be securely fastened to
the cable. ' The guides of vertical shafts and the tracks
and back-runners of inclined shafts should be inspected
daily. Where inspection shows that guides or tracks have
been shifted by moving ground, repairs must be made
immediately. Wall-plates must be kept clear of accumu-
lations of broken rock. Men should not be allowed to
crowd around the shaft-collar or the station, previous to
lowering or hoisting.
iiiImt 4. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
34!>
Some Controlling Factors in Flotation
By RALPH D. NEVETT
•The object of this paper is to offer some suggestions to
assist metallurgists in supervising the operations of flota-
tion plants. We do not yet thoroughly understand what
'flotation' is, or 'why minerals float'; all attempts that
have been made to explain the phenomena have been
based on theory or imagination, and have not been capa-
ble of substantiation by practical demonstration, or even
by laboratory tests ; but it is well known that particular
minerals will float in a liquid under certain specified con-
ditions, and that some other minerals will not float under
those conditions, and that, if a mixture of the two classes
of minerals be subjected to those conditions, there will be
separation of the minerals, of which one class will float
and the other will remain unfloated as a residue. The
duty of the expert is to so control the operations and the
conditions of the liquor as to obtain the best commercial
result from the ore he is treating.
The chief controlling factors in a flotation plant appear
to fall under the following eight headings, all of which
are important :
1. Crushing. 5. Addition agents.
2. Eate and regularity 6. Condition of circuit
of feed. liquor.
3. Density of pulp. 7. Agitation.
4. Temperature. 8. Aeration.
Crushing
The ideal feed for flotation treatment is the true slime,
which has been the bugbear of metallurgists throughout
the ages. This fact should be remembered and taken ad-
vantage of wherever possible, although it would not be
profitable, as a rule, to continue the crushing operation on
crude ore to so great a degree as to make a slime of it.
It may be generally accepted, however, that it is bad
practice to have any particles remaining on a 40-mesh
screen. This is not true in some exceptional cases, as
sometimes, for instance, with laminated minerals such as
molybdenite and certain copper ores.
Whether the degree of crushing is qualified by classi-
fiers or screens, it is advisable for the metallurgist to
assume personal control by having sizing-tests made on
regular samples of the crushed feed. In practice it will
be found generally that the undersize of a 20-mesh re-
volving screen, with 45% screening area when fully
loaded, will almost entirely pass through a 40-mesh labor-
atory screen. An efficient crushing plant is the first
essential for flotation treatment.
There are two reasons why the ore requires to be crush-
ed so that all particles will pass through a 40-mesh
•From the Proceedings of the Australasian Institute of
Mining and Metallurgy.
1. Because the bubble of air or gas that becomes at-
tached to a particle has not sufficient power to float larger
particles of mineral which are produced by any other
coarser crushing. If, moreover, a bubble of gas were
large enough to float a larger particle, the resistance it
would offer to the flow of the pulp would probably c;iuse
it to be wiped off and removed from the- particle before
it had time to reach the surface of the flotation bath.
2. Large particles of ore, when hurled around in the
agitation zone of the flotation vessel, do considerable
damage in hindering aeration by cutting bubbles of gas
off other particles of mineral.
Kate and Regularity op Peed
It is essential that the rate of feed going into the flota-
tion plant should be as nearly regular as possible each
second of time. There is nothing that interferes so much
with treatment as irregularity in the rate of feed and ir-
regularity in the quantity of liquor passing through the
plant from moment to moment. It is a simple matter to
make the rate of feed and liquor regular by means of a
large agitator or Dorr thickener placed at the head of the
treatment vessels. This agitator or Dorr thickener can
store quantities of feed supplied to it in an irregular
manner by the preparatory plant and deliver it in a regu-
lar flow at its discharge to the treatment plant. This
storage of slime also enables the flotation plant to be
operated continuously through any small stoppages of
the preparatory plant.
Density op Pulp
It is necessary that the feed should be introduced to the
treatment plant, in the form of pulp, at the pre-deter-
mined density best suited to the process. The density
should be maintained at a regular rate from moment to
moment just as strictly as the rate of feed itself.
Extensive experiments were made on the dump from
the flotation plant at the Junction North mine for the
purpose of determining a suitable density and rate of
feed. It was found that variations of density had an
important effect upon the rate of feed that could be
treated. When the density was 56% solid, it was im-
possible to treat more than 8 tons of dump material per
hour, and then only with poor metallurgical results.
When the density was reduced to 35% solid, the same
plant treated 24 tons of material per hour with excellent
metallurgical results. This fact alone shows how easily
a flotation plant can go wrong.
It will be seen from this that the rate of feed and dens-
ity are allied with each other and complementary, and
should be kept under constant control. The following is
a quick and reliable method for controlling the density
of the pulp in a flotation plant :
350
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC Pr*ESS
September 4. 1920
A tin is made to hold 1000 cc. of water up to a mark,
say, about half an inch below the top. The tin is dipped
quickly into the flowing pulp and filled up to the mark.
It is then weighed, using a counterpoise for the tin. The
shift-boss or operator should make such a density test at
intervals not greater than 15 minutes. The weight of the
pulp would be. say. 1350 to 1400 gm., which represents
about 30 to 34% of solid in the pulp at the dump-treat-
ment plant at the Junction North mine. If the weight is
greater than 1400 gm., the operator adds water to the
pulp as it leaves the Dorr thickener.
Temperature
On some ores flotation can be carried out in the cold,
but a good many require heat to a limited extent. Some-
times, on ores containing several minerals, it is necessary
to have a little heat for the flotation of one mineral and a
greatly increased amount of heat for the flotation of the
second mineral. At the dump plant at the Junction
North mine in the selective flotation of lead and zinc
sulphides by either the Bradford process or the Palmer-
Seale-Nevett process, it has always been necessary to
watch the temperature of the pulp very closely. In the
lead section the most suitable temperature was 89° to
90°F. Even a single degree over 90°F. has been detri-
mental to the grade of the lead concentrate, as zinc sul-
phide commenced to float with the lead concentrate with
the rise in temperature. In the zinc section the best re-
sults were obtained at a temperature of 135 °F. with the
Bradford process, and at a temperature of 125°F. with
the P. S. N. process. If the temperature is allowed to
drop to 130°F. in the former case, the zinc concentrate
is not completely floated, and a loss is made in the residue.
No benefit is gained by increasing the temperature above
135°F.
Metallurgists, wherever possible, like to treat the ores
with as little added heat as possible, to save cost. "Wher-
ever heat is required, attempts are made to utilize the
exhaust-steam of engines and similar sources of heat. It
is not always possible, however, to make use of exhaust-
steam in this way, even if it be available. The favorite
method of heating, although perhaps the most expensive,
is by the introduction of high-pressure steam direct from
the boilers to the pulp, which is always convenient and
easy to manipulate, and has quick and effective results,
requiring only the operation of a valve from time to time
for keeping the temperature of the pulp constant. The
ease with which high-pressur'e steam can be obtained by
the operator, and the fact that the extra temperature
does no harm in zinc treatment, makes it liable to be
wasted considerably. A close watch therefore must be
kept, on the steam consumption in this way, as it might,
besides being wasteful in cost, tend to overload the boiler-
plant if it is otherwise working at high pressure.
Addition Agents
In all flotation plants it is necessary to add some chem-
icals. The point at which such chemicals should be added
is an important one, and should be determined carefully.
It is a matter of vital importance that the valuable min-
erals in the pulp should be in a properly prepared condi-
tion suitable for floating before the pulp enters the ma-
chine. For the purpose of ensuring this, it is obvious
that whatever chemicals are required should be added to
the pulp at least before it reaches the flotation machine.
Frequently the purpose will be served if the chemicals
are added in the agitation machine, but sometimes it is
advisable to add them to the pulp before that.
When acid is required, generally speaking the best
place to add it is in the agitation machine, although it
may sometimes be added directly to the flotation ma-
chine. Frequently acid produces gases, such as sul-
phuretted hydrogen, by action upon the pulp. These are
harmful to flotation, and it is advisable to let them have
time to disappear before the pulp reaches the flotation
machine.
Oil is not an essential reagent in flotation, but when it
is used it should be added far enough back in the flow to
ensure its emulsiflcation in the pulp before it reaches the
flotation machine. When it is not thoroughly emulsified,
oil is distinctly detrimental to flotation. Oil should never
be added directly to the flotation machine, but may be
added in the tube-mills or other grinding machines or in
the return-liquor pump or in the agitation machine, as
may be found best in practice.
Condition op Circuit-Liquor
Usually it is convenient to employ the ordinary mill-
feed water for making up flotation circuit-liquor. The
first essential is that this water shall be clean, that is.
free from sediment. Such feed-water is usually drawn
from the underground drainage system, to which has
been added some fresh water from the surface supply.
The mine-water would probably contain a certain amount
of salts in solution, and in some cases the proportion of
salts in solution would render the water unsuitable for
flotation.
The mill-water coming in contact with the ore usually
dissolves a good deal of the soluble impurities, and by the
time the water reaches the flotation plant it might be too
heavily charged with salts to make it suitable for acting
as a flotation circuit-liquor.
The circuit-liquor requires some propei-ties other than
cleanliness to ensure its successful use in a flotation plant,
but it is not clear what those properties are. For a long
time it was thought that it was necessary to have at least
a comparatively large definite quantity of salts in solu-
tion, and that this was the main controlling factor in the
constitution of a good liquor for flotation. From many
tests carried out at the Junction North mine, it. would
appear even yet as if the quantity of salts, and kind of
salts, in solution exerted an important influence on the
operation. It was noticed sometimes, when the flotation
plants were not working well, that the quantity of salts
in solution had either dropped below 1400 gr. per gallon
or had risen above 2600 gr. per gallon. It would seem
from the various tests that the best results were obtained
when there were about 2000 gr. of salts per gallon in the
solution. The salts were mainly salts of manganese, zinc,
iron, and calcium. It would be a difficult matter to carry
September ■». 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
361
out a set of testa either in the laboratory or in an operat-
ing plant to prove the effect of salts in solution. The
ore itself, containing Boluble suits, would, as soon as it
canie in eontaet with pun- water, immediately provide
some salts in solution.
A good deal of work has been done a1 the junction
North and by other investigators to endeavor to deter-
mine the actual effect of certain specified salts in solu-
tion, and much interesting information has been eol-
lected; but it has never yet been shown thai any of the
Common salts that naturally go into solution in the
Broken Hill treatment have a marked influence upon re-
sults, unless present in excessive quantities, and oone of
the N.alts known to exist in the eireuit. liquors at Broken
Hill have anything like so great an influence upon the
treatment as to explain the reason why some flotation-
liquors are energetic ami others dull in their action. It
is distinctly noticeable, when flotation work is going on
successfully in the plant, that the liquor has some prop-
erty which has never yet been thoroughly defined, and it
seems to be a physical property denoting energy which
has been instilled by some means into the circuit-liquor.
Sometimes the nature of the liquor can be corrected by
alteration in the oiling; sometimes by alteration in the
application of aeid. The new P. S. N. process claims to
correct the conditions of the liquors in many cases by the
addition of elemental sulphur.
If oil exists in the circuit-liquor, it must be emulsified.
Free oil is detrimental to flotation work, as can easily be
seen in the Cascade process. If a few drops of oil are ad-
mitted to the first Cascade vessel, its effect will be seen
on each of the following Cascade vessels of the series in
killing the float that was just previously there.
Agitation
Agitation is beneficial in all methods of flotation on all
classes of ore. Some, however, do not require so much
agitation as others, and caleitic ores treated by purely
acid processes usually require only a moderate degree of
agitation before treatment. The quantity of calcite pres-
ent in the ore need not be more than a few pounds per
ton. The aeid readily sets free the carbon di-oside gas
which, being nascent, rapidly attaches itself to the min-
eral particles and floats them. The intimate association
of the calcite in the ore ensures successful gassing. Such
ores as do not contain calcite or any other carbonates re-
quire treatment by agitation-aeration, by which the at-
mospheric air is beaten into the pulp, to cause the attach-
ment of bubbles of air to mineral particles. The M. S.
machine was originally designed for this purpose, and
later on the Owen patent and Lyster patent showed other
means by which it could be carried out more effectively
and more completely. The agitation should be carried
out in the treatment-vessel so that the mineral can rise
to the surface of the vessel and be removed without hav-
ing to travel a greater distance than is absolutely neces-
sary, or, in other words, to avoid overtaxing the ability
of the bubble to retain its hold on the mineral particle
for. leading it out of the flotation-bath. However, I am
strongly in favor of providing some kind of machine at
the head of the treatment; for instance, a vortex mixer
or an If, S. mixer, or a larger agitation machine, to pro-
vide that the pulp shall he thoroughly agitated and partly
aerated before it enters the treatment-vessel. This pre-
agitation aeration incorporates oils, reagents, acids, etc.,
and probably causes some beneficial effect by oxidation
of some of the substances, and so saves the first treatment-
vessel from being wasted on this work. It might be, too,
that some deleterious substances are formed immediately
upon application of the acid and reagents, such as nox-
ious gases like sulphuretted hydrogen, which, in this pre-
liminary incomplete agitation-aeration, are either driven
off or altered to make them innoxious, and, in this pre-
liminary agitation, chemicals or aeid or perhaps oil may
be added, the temperature being controlled so that when
the pulp enters the machine it is ready for separation of
the valuable minerals. It is even advisable to add the
chemicals or oil or acid to the pulp before it enters the
preliminary agitation machine.
With some simple ores very little agitation is required
before the pulp passes to the flotation machine, and, in
such eases, if the pulp is lifted by bucket-elevators direct
to the flotation machine, sufficient agitation will be pro-
vided by the elevators for successful separation. In that
case the chemicals and other reagents may be added, per-
haps, at the boot of the elevator. The bucket-elevator
may be looked upon as a first-class agitator, although the
period of agitation provided by it is very short.
If the pulp requires much acid or heat added to it, it
is advisable to have the agitation-vessel at the head of
the flotation machine besides the elevator, because- in such
eases the elevator-belt would suffer severely if it bandied
hot or acid liquors.
Agitation is always beneficial to flotation, and in most
eases it is absolutely necessary. It has a cleaning effect
on the particles, and, if oil is used, causes a greater
emulsification and distribution of the oil. To ensure a
more complete flotation of the particles, it breaks up the
bubbles of air and distributes them in a free state of
division throughout the pulp in such a manner as to give
every particle of mineral a chance to become attached to
air-bubbles.
Aeration
Aeration means the introduction of air into the pulp
in a finely-divided condition so as to form a froth, in
order that the particles of mineral may become attached
to finely-divided air-bubbles, by means of which they are
buoyed upward to the surface of the flotation-bath and re-
moved across the periphery as a separate concentrate.
Air for aeration was originally introduced into the M. S.
machine by being sucked down to the impeller from the
surface through the vortex and disturbance caused by
the agitation. The quantity of air so converted into
froth was always indefinite and not under control, and
for this reason flotation results were very changeable.
It was necessary to have the agitation-aeration zone in
another vessel separated from the flotation-bath, because
the latter required a quiescent surface, which could not
be provided by the former. This was a severe handicap,
352
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PFJESS
September 4, 1920
as it required the bubble to travel a great distance be-
fore it could be rescued at the surface ; consequently, only
the most powerful methods of flotation could be used with
it, such as would develop combined flotation and not
permit of any selective action.
It was found by Owen that if agitation and aeration
were carried out in the flotation bath itself the bubble
would have a much shorter travel, and much more deli-
cate flotation work could be carried out. The effect of
this was to permit of selective flotation on one mineral
in preference to another. By means of the Owen process,
air was either sucked in by impellers or pumps, or was
introduced as compressed air and delivered to the im-
peller in such a manner that it could be most effectively
beaten up into a foam.
Later on, at the Junction North, it was found that
definite control could be obtained to govern the quantity
of aeration introduced into any pulp, and measurements
could be obtained of the amount of aeration by means of
a steelyard or an ordinary water-gauge tube, graduated
and placed outside the flotation vessel and connected with
it. It was found afterward, by means of the Cascade
process, that aeration could be adequately obtained by
means of entanglement of air with the pulp as it fell
down open pipes.
It is essential that the air should be completely atom-
ized in the pulp and not allowed to be distributed
through the pulp in the form of comparatively large
bubbles. This must be carefully watched when aeration
by compressed air is adopted. If the supply of com-
pressed air is too great through any one delivery pipe,
then the air is distributed throughout the pulp in the
form of large bubbles, which are unsuitable for flotation.
These large bubbles rise rapidly to the surface and dis-
turb the quiescent zone, so that some of the float already
there is caused to sink again and some of the gangue is
caused to overflow the periphery and spoil the concen-
trate. Compressed air must be added in such a way that
it enters the pulp in the zone of maximum agitation of
the impellers. The force of agitation at that point will
determine the amount of air which may be effectively
taken from the supply-pipe. If it is desired to atomize
a still greater quantity of air than can be dealt with from
one supply-pipe, it is possible to gain such an increase
in any particular flotation machine by increasing the
number of air-supply pipes around the impellers or by
increasing the speed of the impellers.
In the Cascade process the air is drawn in and en-
tangled by the pulp as it drops down the vertical pipe
and becomes atomized by the splashing of the pulp in the
impact, which occurs when the pulp hits the surfaces of
the liquor and metallic parts of the flotation machine.
It is generally advisable in the Cascade process to have
a cup placed below the bottom of the vertical pipe to in-
tensify the impact.
shafts developed large quantities of water and progress
was made under difficulties. At the south shaft a dolerite
dike was intersected above the dolomite horizon. It
weathered rapidly on exposure to the atmosphere ; so to
ensure safety the shaft was closely timbered, and the
space between the dike and timber filled in with con-
crete, thoroughly reinforced. Since passing through the
dolomite series both shafts have made rapid progress.
The average rate of sinking for the first four months of
1920 was : north shaft, 225 ft. per month ; south shaft,
247 ft. per month. The world's record for a timbered
shaft till this year was 224 ft. in one month, but the south
shaft had averaged a greater footage for four months,
while an advance of 270 ft. in March exceeded the pre-
vious record.
A new claim for the record for rapid sinking of tim-
bered shafts comes from South Africa. Of two new
shafts at the New State Areas property, one was sunk
920 ft. and the other 1338 ft. during the past year. Both
Dust in Metal Mines
Dust in the air in metal mines probably causes more
sickness and ultimately more deaths among miners than
any other cause. In the opinion of experts of the Bureau
of Mines any kind of dust will ultimately be harmful if
breathed in large quantities, and this includes not only
silicious dust, but coal dust, which some authorities be-
lieve has no harmful effect, lead-carbonate dust, and
arsenical dust. The most harmful is probably free silica
(quartz, flint, etc.) especially in the finer sizes. The hard,
sharp, insoluble particles cut and injure the lung tissue,
making it more or less inelastic and incapable of expan-
sion, and ultimately bring on miner's consumption. It is
probable that more than half of the common metal ores
have a silicious gangue, or occur within silicous wall-rock.
The finest dust, which is the most harmful, is invisible,
and the dust is tasteless and odorless. It is chiefly raised
in the air by dry drilling, blowing holes dry, blasting,
shoveling, and tramming. The fine dust, once raised into
the air, remains suspended many hours in still air, hence
in poorly ventilated places the miners breathe this fine
dust continually. By far the most dangerous condition is
that of breathing dusty air in a hot humid stagnant place
all day, and then going home in perspiration-saturated
clothing through air frequently many degrees below zero.
Miner's consumption and lead-poisoning among metal
miners are both caused by dust and are wholly prevent-
able. The most effective prevention of dust in mine air,
apart from elimination of dry drilling, is the circulating
of pure air at the working face. Also, piles of broken ore
should be wet down, and the timbers, floor, and walls of
dusty working places should be sprinkled. The effective-
ness of good ventilation in preventing miner's consump-
tion is illustrated by two mining districts in the United
States. In both districts the mines have cool rock and
air and dry silicious ore easily broken into fine dust. In
one district the method of mining requires constant shoot-
ing, so the mines all have moving currents of air at nearly
all the working places; in the other, little or no air is
circulating at working places. In the former, miner's
consumption is practically unknown, in the latter it is a
common disease.
September 4, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
353
REVm
INING
tHIIIIIIJIimimiiniiii
FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS IN THE FIELD
'"""""""" '"" iwiiiiiiiii tn ii minium i Hum,,, I,,,,, | , , , ,„ I,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, „„„„ ,„„ , ,„„„
ARIZONA
G. H. DOWELL OF THE COPPER QUEEN COMPANY TALKS OP
THE FUTURE OF BISBEE.
Bisbee. — A full face of sulphide ore, a general sample
of which assayed 19% copper, has recently been exposed
in the Boras mine. The importance of this find lies in
the fact that this is the first sulphide ore found in this
section of the district. It is possible that this discovery
may tend to alter geological opinion as to the nature and
depth of copper deposits and have considerable bearing
on mineral operations in this section. The ore was found
in a drift on the 600-ft. level of the Chance claim, west
Dallas and both will probably be housed under one roof.
When completed the Dallas shaft will become the main
hoisting-shaft for the Copper Queen, taking the place of
the Sacramento, which will in time be caved as operations
on Sacramento hill progress.
At a recent meeting of the Bisbee Luncheon Club,
G. H. Dowell, manager of the Copper Queen branch of
the Phelps Dodge Corporation, said in part: "The com-
pany that I represent depends largely on the income from
this property for the development of other properties.
As you all know, operations have been restricted during
the last year or so on account of the inability of the com-
pany to market copper, but all look forward to a time
YENTILATING-STATION AT THE INSPIRATION MINE. FANS HAVE A CAPACITY OF 226,000 CU. FT. PER MINUTE
of the shaft, and every indication pointed to a big body
of good sulphide ore. Considerable doubt has been ex-
'ressed in regard to the possibility of finding sulphide
re in the vicinity of the "White Tail Deer mine of the
opper Queen, where the Boras is situated. Develop-
ment of the newly discovered orebody will be watched
with keen interest. Prior to this find the Boras company
had nothing but oxide and carbonate ores to ship.
The concreting of the Dallas shaft of the Copper Queen
is progressing rapidly, about 21% of the work being al-
ready completed. Sinking to the 2000-ft. level is being
pushed, and a tunnel is being driven for use as a con-
veyor-belt tunnel. The power-plant and hoisting-plant
at the Sacramento shaft will shortly be moved to the
when we will be able to market all the copper we can
produce. In addition to normal mining operations, there
has been the work on Sacramento hill. The company has
invested there already about $5,000,000 and before the
project is ready for operation will have invested more
than $8,000,000. I remember that a speaker here some
time ago remarked that Sacramento bill is an illustration
of the saying that faith will move mountains, but I have
found that it takes something more than faith to move
Sacramento hill. The project is really just begun. "We
have moved up to date about ten million tons but before
the project is completed we will have to move more than
80,000,000 tons. The companies and the community here
as elsewhere have the problem of labor supply. "We have
354
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 4, 1920
had and have now all the labor we need under present
production conditions. I think we will have enough when
the time comes to arrive at a normal output, about eight
million pounds of copper per month. It has been the
policy of the company to employ English-speaking men
underground. About 80% of those working underground
are Americans. I hope the company will be able to con-
tinue this policy. On Sacramento hill the company has
been forced to employ much Mexican labor, but you
should understand that this is only a temporary condi-
tion. When the Sacramento Hill project is completed
most of these will be laid off."
Residents of Douglas who were injured by flying bul-
lets from across the line during the fighting at Agua
Prieta in April 1911, last week received from the war
department warrants in settlement of their claims. Five
claims, amounting to a total of $17,000, were paid. One
claimant was injured by the shattering of window-glass
in the residence of the superintendent of the Copper
Queen smelter. These claims have been pending against
the Government for nearly ten years. A commission, ap-
pointed by the secretary of war, investigated the claims
in 1912 but it was not until 1918 that Congress included
in the general war appropriation bill an appropriation-
of $71,000 to pay in full the awards of this commission
on the claims arising at Douglas and Bisbee.
Jerome. — Orders have been received to resume dia-
mond-drilling operations at the Pittsburg-Jerome. The
first drilling done will be to complete an underground
hole which had been started when the shut-down came
last spring. After it is finished, a 2400-ft. hole will be
started from the surface. It is understood that the strike
at the Shea is responsible for the decision of the Pitts-
burg-Jerome directors to resume prospecting.
A moving picture company is spending several weeks
in Jerome in order to snap scenes for a new picture
'West is West'. The special feature to be filmed is a
strike in what is known as the Torpedo mine in the story.
Some of the pictures are being made in the streets of
Jerome, others in the United Verde and United Verde
Extension Mines, and the J. S. Douglas residence. Sev-
eral of the scenes will be taken on the 1700-ft. level of
the United Verde mine.
Just recently the short-line road from Prescott to
Jerome, the centre of the rich Verde mining district, has
been opened up for travel. Credit for this wonderful
piece of highway work is due "not only to the State and
Federal authorities, but to the Yavapai County chamber
of commerce which started to obtain this improvement
and never stopped until the road was built. The old
route over the Cherry Creek hill was 62 miles long, while
the new road is 32. When the road is capped and gravel-
ed, the running time will be about 14. hours.
The Jerome-Superior has reached a depth of about 900
ft. and will sink 100 ft. more before starting lateral de-
velopment. The surface equipment is ample for about
2000 ft. of sinking. It is reported that a new corporation,
the Crater Mining Company, said to be an annex of the
United States Smelting & Refining Co., has been formed
to drill the famous meteor crater west of Winslow. Two
standard drilling-rigs have been purchased and will be
erected near the inner edge of the 4100-ft. pit, with the
expectation that the meteor plunged into the earth at an
angle from the vertical. Exploration was conducted for
a period of years by a Philadelphia company, that found
great difficulty in handling the quicksand that filled in
the great hole. Fragments of the meteor, however, were
found, although it is believed that the main mass has not
yet been found. The metal, as shown by analyses of the
fragments within and around the pit, contained a re-
markable proportion of nickel.
COLORADO
NEW DISCOVERY ON 1800-PT. LEVEL OP THE VINDICATOR
AT CRIPPLE CREEK.
Cripple Creek. — A rich shoot on what is believed to
be the extension of the Lillie vein, has been entered at
the 1800-ft. level from the Vindicator Consolidated com-
pany 's No. 1 shaft on Bull hill. The discovery was made
in virgin or undeveloped territory about 900 ft. south of
the shaft station. The vein is a strong one measuring 8
to 12 ft. between walls and contains seams of sylvanite
in quartz. The ore is reported to assay as high as 30 oz.
gold per ton, while the general average of the sorted
product assays from $75 to $150 per ton.
Kokomo. — Organization has been effected of the Koko-
mo Mining Co. to operate the Pearl Consolidated group,
formerly controlled by the late Charles J. Moore. Mod-
ern equipment is to be installed and development in
charge of Stillwell Conner, who formerly operated in the
Cripple Creek district, is planned. A mill will be con-
structed and plans are being prepared. A large tonnage
of ore averaging 16 oz. silver per ton is on the dump and
ore of higher grade is being developed by a tunnel and
shaft.
Mayday. — A 35-ton mill, with modern equipment, is
the consideration paid by W. B. Cauble, of Peoria. Illi-
nois, for an undivided one-half interest in the Esmeralda
group, in the La Plata district, to the owners, M. De
Luche and George Smart of Durango. The material will
be shipped from Denver and the mill construction will
start as soon as plans are approved.
Boulder.— Four distinct veins, all rich in silver, have
been opened and are under development on the property
owned by the Caribou Hill Mining Co., recently organ-
ized by W. W. Robinson, of Colorado Springs, and Den-
ver associates. The company secured by purchase 14
claims, some adjoining the famous Caribou mine. Two
shafts, one 200 ft. and the second 140 ft., are on the
property but had not been worked for 20 years. They
were in poor condition and half full of water when pos-
session was taken. Samples of the ore taken from the
workings of the No 2, or 140 ft., shaft were assayed with
the following results: 1402 oz., 390 oz., 155 oz., and 584
oz. silver per ton. The claims are all patented and are
among the oldest locations on the hill, but the owners
had, through lack of funds, been unable to develop their
properties.
Breckenridge. — The Blue Flag company has received
September 4. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRES5
355
part of tin- equipment for it* Laurium mill, and prepara-
tion has been made for installation of the ball-mill and
flotation equipment ou receipt from the Denver Bngi-
Deering Works so that the plant can be in operation be-
fore winter sets in. The county boundary dispute, in-
volving title to valuable molybdenum mines, which was
originally decided in favor of Lake county, has I n
carried to the Supreme Court of Colorado by Summit
county. Attorneys for Summit have petitioned that the
writ of error be made a writ of supereedeas.
Leahville. — The Fanny Rawlins Gold Mining Co. is
producing an average of 10 tons daily with a force of
1"J men. The ore shipped to the A. V. smelter averages
about $45 per ton in gold, silver, and copper. A second
shift is to be employed. Sundry Leadville lease-operators
have taken over the Gold Basin properties and are in-
stalling an electric hoist. Sampling of the vein has
shown gold content as high as $90 to $100 per ton, as
broken, with much higher value for sorted ore. The
Gertrude mine in the Sugar Loaf district continues ship-
ments of silver ore to the A. V. smelter. The mine is
operated by lessees.
Rico. — July shipments from the Rico Wellington to-
taled 13 cars; of which 10 cars of lead-carbonate ore was
shipped to the Midvale smelter in Utah, and two cars of
lead-zinc ore to Coffeyville plant in Kansas. One car of
pyrite was consigned to Vanadium, Colorado. Work has
been resumed by local mining men who have a lease and
bond on the Union Carbonate property, that has been in-
active for many years, but when last operated produced
a good grade of ore. The Rico Argentine has secured
contracts for the sale of its lead-zinc ore and is shipping
steadily.
IDAHO
ENCOURAGING DEVELOPMENTS IN' UTAH-BELLEVUE MINE,
WOOD RIVER DISTRICT.
Bellevue. — Assays of ore taken from a drift on a vein
traversing the property of the Utah-Belle vue Mines Co.
indicate rich ore, according to Joseph H. Saxman, man-
ager, some being as high as 27% lead, 198 oz. silver, $8.80
in gold, and 16.5% zinc. The lowest sample result was
of $1.20 in gold and 51.4 oz. silver per ton. The Wood
River district, in which the Utah-Bellevue property is
situated, is one of the oldest in the State. The principal
development at the property consists of an incline shaft,
sunk to a depth of 108 ft. Although a vein from 2 to
8 ft. wide was opened and some shipments made, the com-
pany decided to develop the ore at greater depth by
driving a cross-cut tunnel. Within a distance of 500 ft.
several high-grade ore-shoots have been cut, according to
Mr. Saxman. Recently a connection between the drift
and incline was for better ventilation.
Clayton. — Robert N. Bell has secured a long-term
lease on some mining property at Clayton. Within a
short time, it is stated, he and his associates will erect a
50-ton mill for the purpose of treating the low-grade ores
in the 'Red Bird' property. Speaking of the mining situ-
ation generally in the State, Mr. Bell says the scarcity of
labor and the tightness in the money market have proved
serious drawbacks to progress, but that the labor situa-
tion was easing considerably, so that he anticipates no
trouble in finding miners fur his work.
Coeur d'AlenE. — The Tamarack & Custer Consoli-
dated Mining Co., on Nine Mile, is operating with 250
men. It is reported to be producing 3000 tons of lead-
silver ore monthly. The Hercules •Mining Co. is operat-
ing with 600 men, 300 on each shift, and shipping 6000
tons of ore per month. The Friend Mining Co., on
Beaver creek, declares that lead ore is taking the place
of zinc in the drift from the 50-ft. shaft. The drift is in
20 ft. in an 8-ft. vein. The ore has changed from nearly
A N A D A
N E V A D A
MAP OF IDAHO
all zinc to about three to one in favor of lead. The three-
compartment raise being driven by the Nabob Consoli-
dated company has attained a height of 112 ft. above the
main-tunnel level. The purpose of the raise is to provide
an outlet for ore developed on the Sidney and Denver
tunnel-levels of the Nabob property, but in the course of
work considerable ore has been developed. The Hecla
Mining Co., at Burke, will disburse its regular quarterly
dividend of $150,000 on September 28. This is at the
rate of 15c. per share on the issue of 1,000,000 shares.
The company is hoisting from 600 to 700 tons daily and
shipping from 2500 to 2800 tons monthly.
356
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 4, 1920
MICHIGAN
HANCOCK CONSOLIDATED IS HOLDING WATER IN ANTICIPA-
TION OP RESUMING WORK.
Calumet. — The recent advances in freight-rates add to
the worries of the Lake Superior mine-owners, who are
struggling with the burden of a demoralized market, high
cost of coal, labor-shortage, and increased cost of ma-
terials entering into mining. The rate advance is a major
problem. In the case of Calumet & Hecla it will add
approximately $40,000 to its coal bill, besides increasing
by 35%, the cost of hauling 'rock' from the subsidiary
mines. Calumet & Hecla has just shipped 1300 tons of
billets and ingot bars to Montreal, en route to France.
Included in the shipment were a few carloads of copper
that had been stored on the old Lake Superior Smelting
company's docks at Dollar Bay for more than two 3'ears.
This was the first copper taken from the 13,000,000-lb.
stock since 1918. Steel is on the ground for the addition
to Calumet & Hecla 's flotation plant, and it is expected
that by early winter the two units which the extension
will house will be in operation. Accordingly there will
be no large increase in the flotation-plant production
until next year. The present output of the reclamation
plant is at the rate of 16,000,000 lb. per year. Calumet
& Hecla has transferred its crew of miners and tram-
mers from No. 16 to No. 15 shaft of the Osceola lode,
the former having suspended work. For upward of two
months No. 16 has been operating only one shift, with a
force of 40 men, as compared with a normal of 60. A
few Centennial men have been taken on in No. 15, so
the suspension of No. 16 will make little difference in
tonnage.
The Copper Range group — Champion, Baltic, and Tri-
mountain — holds production nearer normal than almost
any other company on the Lake. While the Copper
Range organization suffered early in the year, the out-
put of refined copper indicates that progress is being
made in face of adverse circumstances. The production
in July was approximately 233,000 lb., for Trimountain,
500,000 for Baltic, and 1,200,000 for Champion. This is
even better than early in the year for Baltic and Cham-
pion, but slightly below the production six months ago
for Trimountain. The yield for Champion in July was
45 lb. per ton, 36 for Baltic, and 30 for Trimountain.
This is an increase of from three to five pounds for
Champion and two pounds for Baltic, compared with
the past six months, while it is normal for Trimountain.
Champion is not operating with as many openings as a
year or two ago, although developments at the Baltic
property are well ahead of the corresponding period of
1919. New openings are being pushed with greater
speed at Trimountain. Baltic's principal openings are
in the south end, in No. 2 shaft, and all through the
West lode. Copper Range still has about four months'
supply of copper on hand, or nearly as much metal as at
the beginning of the year. There is little possibility of
a shortage of fuel at the Copper Range mines, for assur-
ance has been given that cargoes will arrive at regular
intervals, with sufficient fuel to carry the mines, rail-
road, and smelter until spring, when a general improve-
ment in conditions is expected by the operators.
Hancock Consolidated is keeping its shaft pumped out
in anticipation of an order to resume operations, but it is
likely that no attempt will be made to begin actual mining
until there is a considerable improvement in market con-
ditions. With fuel-costs at high levels and the mine
only on a development basis, Hancock is saving money
by remaining idle. Hancock is well financed for opera-
tion, for the bond issue authorized by the shareholders
at the annual meeting in July took care of indebtedness
and provided a comfortable surplus for the future. The
mine is well equipped and the yield has been around 17
lb. per ton. While this is sufficient to pay expenses
normally, only production on a large scale gives promise
of making a dividend payer.
Seneca's shaft has approached a depth where the
driving of a cross-cut will begin. About 60 ft. must be
driven. The north drifts on the third and fourth levels
have reached a length of slightly more than 600 ft.,
while the fourth level, south, is near the Ahmeek boun-
dary. The ground to the north has improved materially.
In fact all three faces are in good ground. For the time,
drifting only will be done as each level is reached and by
the time the mine is opened to the 8th, the openings, it
is expected, will be sufficiently large to make possible a
daily production of 5000 tons of ore. This will be pos-
sible by operating on four or five levels simultaneously
and this will entail the use of an unusually large hoist
and skip. The 13th level drift, south, at Gratiot, some-
thing over 650 ft. long, shows consistent improvement
and in this respect is fulfilling expectations.
NEVADA
REDMOND CONSOLIDATED COMPANY OWNS PROMISING GROUP
OP CLAIMS NEAE LUNING.
Luning. — Four miles north-west of here are 15 claims
owned by the Redmond Consolidated. They are 3500 ft.
above Soda Spring valley, but are easily reached over a
good road. Five of the claims were bought in 1915 by
A. A. Redmond, interested in the Five to One company
at Goldfield, and the others were located by him. Before
Redmond took over the claims $750,000 worth of ore had
been shipped from them and there is now blocked out or
partly so, above the 300-ft, or bottom level, 65,000 tons
of ore of an average value of $20, according to a report
made by Leon M. Hall and Edward A. Southworth. The
formation is principally lime-shale, with numerous in-
trusions of dark-gray porphyry. There are five parallel
fissure-veins that can be traced north-east for two miles,
or from the crest of the range down the slope toward the
valley. These veins dip north-west and, although they
are prominent, the width can only be determined defi-
nitely in the mine, where on the 100-ft. level vein No. 3 is
70 ft. wide. The outcrop of the veins indicates a width
of 50 to 200 ft., with 150 as the average. Some of the ore
contains copper and there is a gray-copper vein-capping
at several places. The orebody from which the $750,000
production was made was 500 ft. long and 3J to 12 ft.
September 4, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
857
wide. It was stoped to the surface tram a depth of 135
ft. Much of the ore ill the dumps assays $L'0 in the pro-
portion of three pans silver to our of gold. The work
was confined almost entire!; to vein No, 3, on which there
is a 300-ft vertical shaft, with 6000 ft of laterals, raises,
and winzes from it. Most of tile work was dune between
the 100-ft level and the surface and three shoots were
mined, one on each wall and one in the centre of the vein.
Practically all of the ore came from the centre shoot,
although a stope 40 ft. long and 6 ft. wide extends to the
surface on the foot-wall. The average value of all of the
ore mined was $35 per ton, according to the report. It
was treated in a mill eight miles from the mine. The
report says the three ore-shoots merge on the 300-ft. level
and that a drift has been driven 42 ft. in ore at this
depth. A 20-ft. eross-eut from the hanging wall also is
entirely in ore. It is estimated that for $50,000 a tunnel
can be driven from the valley to cut the veins at depths
of 1000 to 2500 ft., including the cost of machinery. A
spur track from the Southern Pacific main line can be
built on an easy grade to the tunnel, the report says.
Divide. — The Gold Zone has opened 15 ft. of $16 ore
in a cross-cut on the 700-ft, or bottom, level. The vein
in which the ore is found is said to be 175 ft. from the
extension into the Zone of the Tonopah Divide vein, which
is the objective of the cross-cut. This discovery, with re-
cent finds in the Tonopah Divide and the announcement
that the Hercules and Giant, Wingfield companies, are
to resume work, has caused optimism among those inter-
ested in the district. Good reports, verified by disinter-
ested engineers who have been in the mine recently, con-
tinue to come from the Tonopah Divide. It is said that
much good ore is being found on the fifth level in a vein
parallel to the main vein.
Carson. — Representative mining men of the State at-
tended the intra-state rate hearing of the Public Service
Commission and petitions were received by the commis-
sion protesting against increases in railroad freight-rates.
It is reported that the commission will deny the applica-
tion of the railroads for permission to raise rates, as it is
the opinion commonly held that an increase would mean
disaster for the mining interests of the State.
Ely. — The Siegel, on the west side of Spring valley,
is to be closed if railroad freight-rates are increased. The
Siegel is a shipper of silver ore containing manganese
and there is blocked out 100,000 tons of ore with an av-
erage silver content of 25 oz. The manganese content is
as high as 25%. Some of the shipments have contained
200-oz. silver ore. During the quarter ended July 30,
the Nevada Consolidated treated 691,095 dry tons of ore
assaying 1.47%. copper, as compared with 685,944 tons
assaying 1.34% in the preceding quarter. The income,
after deducting depreciation charges, was $384,000, or
19c. per share. The cost of production, including fixed
charges and administration expense, was 15.56c. per
pound, as against 20.72c. in the preceding quarter.
Tonopah. — The Rescue is driving a cross-cut on the
1100-ft. level in a vein cut recently near the Belmont
boundary line. The cross-cut is being driven from the
foot-wall and the opposite wall has not 1 D entered, lint
indications are thai the Mini is of much importance.
QOLDFEELD. The drift being driven by the Kewanas
on the 825-ft. level of the' Merger shaft toward the St.
Ives vein in leased ground has been advanced 85 ft.
The st. Ives vein is parallel to the Consolidated and the
pari the Kewanas will prospect has produced well from a
depth of 300 ft. to the surface. The vein should lie cut in
4oti ft. The Kewanas has a four-year lease from August
1 and will pay a royalty of 15% to the Deep Mines alter
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ELY DISTRICT, SHOWING SIEGEL MINE
freight and treatment charges have been deducted.
Nicholas P. Theo, secretary and treasurer for the Cali-
fornia Excelsior Oil Co., now drilling in Fish Lake val-
ley, his brother, A. P. Theo, and others have been in-
dieted on a charge of using the mails to defraud in con-
nection with the affairs of the Cuprite Sulphur, a com-
pany that formerly operated at Cuprite, south of Gold-
field. The indictment was returned in the Federal Court
of New York. Nicholas P. Theo was arrested in Gold-
field and was taken to Carson by a United States deputy
marshal. He was arraigned in the Federal Court at
Carson and released on $3000 bail. Fish Lake valley, in
western Esmeralda county, is the scene of the latest ex-
ploit of the Theo brothers, this time in what is said by
some to be an 'oil-field'.
Mina. — Demonstrating the continuity of the hanging-
wall orebody from the sixth to the seventh level in the
Simon Silver-Lead mine, and indicating that the present
ore-reserves will be almost doubled, the recent strike of
high-grade milling ore in the raise from the lowest level
is important. Ore has been followed in the raise for
approximately 100 ft. and any round of shots should
break through to the sixth level. Three mill-sites have
been surveyed to determine the one best suited for the
proposed new flotation plant, the first unit of which will
treat 100 tons per day. The engineers are also engaged
in examining the foot-wall territory adjacent to the mine
with a view to selecting the spot for the new shaft.
358
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 4, 1920
UTAH
SMELTING COMPANIES INCREASE THEIR CHARGES AS A
RESULT OF NEW FREIGHT-RATES.
Salt Lake City. — Notices have been sent to ore-ship-
pers by the various smelting companies, advising that
treatment-charges will be raised to meet the increased
freight-rates on bullion shipments. Effective August 26,
there was an increase of 33J%, in the freight-rates on
lead bullion and blister-copper from Salt Lake valley
smelters to the Atlantic seaboard. In accordance with a
provision in the contracts, the smelting companies have
the privilege of making deductions from metal quota-
tions to cover this increased cost. These additional de-
ductions amount to 0.25c. per pound for lead, 0.25c. per
pound on copper, and le. per ounce for silver. It is
further announced by the. smelting companies that in
case the freight advance announced should be modified
by the railroads, their deductions will be changed ac-
cordingly.
Fifty ore-handlers, employed at the Murray plant of
the A. S. & B. Co., went on strike August 21. The men
demanded a general wage increase of 50e. per day. J. M.
Bidwell, manager of the Utah department of the com-
pany, states that operations were not seriously interfered
with and that by August 25, practically all of the strikers
had returned to work.
In a decision handed down on August 24, the Public
Utilities Commission of Utah refused to permit the rail-
ways of the State to increase freight charges on ship-
ments of coal and ore.
Bingham. — During the first seven months of the pres-
ent year, the Bingham Mines Co. 's earnings, including
those from its 95% equity in the Eagle & Blue Bell mine
at Eureka, were $330,803, or $2.20 per share, before
allowing for taxes and depreciation. After deducting all
charges, the net earnings were $222,783, or $1.48 per
share, equivalent to an annual rate of $2.55 per share.
During the corresponding period of 1919, the company
showed a deficit of about $4000 per month.
Alta. — Shipments of ore from the Columbus-Rexall
mine are bringing good returns, according to R. M.
Evans, manager. A recent consignment of four ears
assayed 33.7 oz. silver, 13.2% lead, 3.85% copper, and
9.2% zinc, with a gross value of $55.43 per ton. Pro-
duction at the mine, while steady, is somewhat curtailed
due to the prevailing shortage of labor, which is handi-
capping operations at nearly all of the mines in this
district.
Park City. — Probably the best ore yet developed in
the Keystone mine has been opened recently. The ore
carries approximately 40% lead and 15 to 20 oz. silver,
making it worth $60 to $70 per ton. The new shoot is
being developed in the No. 3 level from the Kearns and
Keith shaft, at a depth of about 1000 ft. The Keystone
company operates through part of the K. & K. shaft.
For the last 125 ft. No. 3 drift has been following a
fissure which has carried some ore most of the way. The
main-tunnel level has been extended along the strike of
the ore for 25 ft. without getting out of ore. The ore was
found making in a lime bedding and a drift was run at
right angles to the main-level drift into the bedding.
This drift has entered the bedding for a distance of 40
ft. and has been in ore throughout its entire length.
Work was suspended temporarily at the Ontario prop-
erty recently to. permit the installation of a larger pump
on the 2000-ft. level, owing to the heavy flow of water.
Frank Fleishman, superintendent, reports conditions as
favorable on that level and improving all the time. Dur-
ing the week ended August 21, eight mines in this dis-
trict shipped 2279 tons, as compared with 1776 tons ship-
ped by six properties during the previous week. The
Ontario shipped 623 tons; Judge M. & S., 483; Silver
King Coalition, 478 ; Daly- West, 178 ; Daly Mining, 158 ;
Naildriver, 120 ; Park-Utah, 51 ; and Keystone, 110. The
Judge smelter shipped 78 tons of premium spelter.
Eureka. — Mining companies in this district shipped
a total of 129 cars of ore during the week ended August
21, as against 122 for the previous week. The Chief Con-
solidated shipped 34 cars ; Tintic Standard, 28 ; Dragon,
12 ; Iron Blossom, 10 ; Mammoth, 9 ; Eagle & Blue Bell,
8 ; Iron King, 5 ; Grand Central, 4 ; Swansea, 4 ; Victoria,
4 ; Centennial-Eureka, 3 ; Gemini, 3 ; Tintic Drain Tun-
nel, 2 ; Bullion-Beck, 2 ; and Empire, 1.
A large map of the Tintic mining district, which has
been under compilation for a number of months in the
office of A. C. Burritt, mining engineer of Salt Lake
City, has been completed. The map is seven feet long
and covers the entire district from the Knight drainage-
tunnel on the south to the Greeley and Utah-Standard
groups on the north; and from the eastern limits of the
Tintic Standard to the North Beck and North Gemini on
the west. Small prints will be available as soon as the
plates can be secured.
Jackson McChrystal, manager of the Gemini and Ridge
& Valley mines, reports new work at both these proper-
ties. From the 1600-ft. level of the Ridge & Valley a
raise is now being driven through promising ground.
Small bunches of ore have been found that promise im-
portant developments.
Recently a small group of employees at the Eagle &
Blue Bell mine endeavored to call a strike, but the move-
ment was a failure. The disgruntled employees made a
demand on William Owens, superintendent, for a raise
in wages, a larger change-room and lockers, and that no
tools be lowered on cages carrying men. The day-shift
at the property remained at work, and the trouble was
caused by part of the night-shift. Mr. Owens states that
no tools are carried on cages along with employees, and
that no mining company in the State is more anxious to
safeguard its emploj'ees than he. . Officials state that the
present is a most inopportune time for considering wage
increases ; that every mining company is having its share
of trouble, and profits have been cut and slashed by in-
creased operating costs and decreased metal prices. The
peak of operating costs has evidently not been reached,
as increased freight-rates will make it difficult for many
of the smaller properties to weather these difficulties.
At a meeting of the stockholders of the Godiva Mining
Co. on August 21, it was voted to accept the proposition
Beptember 4. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
359
for the Bale of the entire holdings of the company. It is
understood that Bonn of the older stockholders will re-
tain their interest in tin company, Imt the control will go
into other hands. It is expected thai the new company
will undertake extensive development At present the
deepest working in the mine is a winze thai was sunk
150 ft. below the 1200-ft level.
HKITISH COLUMBIA
TITLE TO GRANBY CONSOLIDATED COMPANY'S CASSIDY
COLLIERY IS CLOUDED.
VANCOUVER. — In giving judgment in favor of the Es-
qnimalt & Nanaimo Railway Co. in the case of the rail-
other lands by the Dominion government as a part con-
sideration for building the railway, and thai the Pro-
vincial government had do righl to crown-granl the land.
The case will be appealed, and the Granby company will
!•>• allowed to work the property, which is outputting 500
inns of coal daily, until judgment is given at the court of
final appeal, the Privy Council. About two-thirds of the
production Of the Colliery is used for making coke for
the Anyox smelter and the remaining third is sold for
domestic purposes.
Prince Rupert. — Four days of almost continuous
heavy rain following closely on another storm that had
completely saturated the ground played sad havoc with
A NEW PICTURE OP BINGHAM CANYON. UTAH COPPER MTNE IN THE BACKGROUND
way company v. Wilson & McKenzie, on August 24, Jus-
tice Gregory finds that the Granby Consolidated M. S. &
P. Co. loses its title to the land on which it has developed
and equipped its Cassidy colliery at a cost of more than
$2,000,000. The Granby company purchased the prop-
erty from Wilson & McKenzie, executors to the estate
of the late Joseph Ganner and Mrs. Dunlop. The original
owners had received the property under the Settlers'
Right Act, and were in possession prior to the building of
the railway. After purchasing the property, the Granby
company applied for and received a crown grant to the
coal lands. On February 18, 1918, the railway company
brought suit to have the crown grant made null and
void, claiming that the land had been given to them with
railroads in the Portland Canal and Alice Arm mining
districts. Four bridges on the Portland Canal short
line, crossing creeks tributary to the Bear river, were
washed away and in several places the embankments were
badly eroded. The Salmon River wagon-road, too, suf-
fered badly from the effects of the storm. Several em-
bankments were damaged and in places considerable
earth was washed onto the Alice Arm-Dolly Varden rail-
way. This, however, has been repaired and ore-trains
are moving again. The damage to the Portland Canal
iine, which only recently had been repaired and put in
running order by the Alguniean Development Co. for
the purpose of taking supplies to the Fitzgerald group,
which the company had under option, is of a more serious
360
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 4, 1920
nature, and it is doubtful if the line can be operated
again this season. The damage affects a number of other
properties that were using the line, but parties interested
have expressed their intention of continuing operations,
notwithstanding the disadvantage under which the storm
has placed them. A Victoria syndicate has bonded the
Dunwell group, on Glacier creek. A five-foot vein has
been stripped for 300 ft. and is said to average $20 per
ton in gold, silver, and lead. A new strike has been made
at Rivers Bright, at the northern end of Princess Royal
island, and 14 claims have been staked. The vein is said
to be 40 ft. wide, heavily mineralized, and similar to the
Surf Inlet mine ore. The Granby Consolidated M. S. &
P. Co. produced 2.400,000 lb. of copper during July,
against 2,079,000 lb. in June. This is the first month's
work under the new management, and the increased out-
put is said to have been made with a decreased consump-
tion of coke and flux. The company is said to be plan-
ning the erection of a 2000-ton concentrating plant, with
a view to concentrating the ore and smelting the concen-
trate in future. The Hidden Creek ore is low grade, and
in the past has taken considerable quantities of coke and
fluxes to smelt it. For example, last year 647,466 tons of
ore required 41,000 tons of limestone, 36.000 tons of
quartz, and 56,500 tons of coke, and gave a yield of
19,544,588 lb. copper, 348,408 oz. silver, and 4864 oz.
gold. J. H. Meenach, of Seattle, who has the Musketeer
group under bond, has stopped work for the season. The
new compressor has been erected at the North Star mine,
but a shortage of oil-fuel has delayed its being operated.
ONTARIO
NEW ROLLING-MILL PLANNED AT SUDBURY BY THE INTER-
NATIONAL NICKEL CO.
Sudbury. — The International Nickel Co. is planning
the construction of a new rolling-mill at a cost approxi-
mating $3,000,000, to be used exclusively for the rolling
of monel metal, which is now done at Bayonne, New
Jersey. This is understood to be another step in the di-
rection of carrying out all the operations of the company
in Canada. The company at present employs 2500 men
and is mining about 3000 tons of nickel ore per day, or
less than half the capacity of the plant. It is now com-
pleting a dam at High Falls, 90 ft. in height, which will
hold the water back for a distance of 25 miles to secure a
supply of electric power.
Porcupine. — Last week the town of South Porcupine
was in imminent danger of destruction from a devastat-
ing forest fire, which raged for several days in the im-
mediate neighborhood. The place was only saved by the
desperate exertion of the residents who fought the flames
continuously for two days and nights until a heavy rain-
fall brought relief. No reports of damage to mining
properties have been received.
The Hollinger Consolidated has found gold at a depth
of 2400 ft. in a drill-hole sunk from the 1250-ft. level.
The gold content was not high but an encouraging cir-
cumstance is that the core of the drill shows that the
geological formation on the 1250-ft. level continues at
depth. The sinking of the shaft to the 2500-ft. level is
being continued. The working force now numbers about
1200 and new men are being taken on every day. One
hundred British miners are expected to arrive in Sep-
tember. The company has declared a special dividend of
1% payable September 8, which gave rise to the im-
pression that it had resumed the payment of four-weekly
dividends. It is officially stated, however, that the com-
pany has no present intention of the kind, but is merely
paying dividends as the earnings accumulate.
The Davidson has made important financial arrange-
ments in England by which $1,125,000 has been secured
for a program of development, including the sinking of
a 3-compartment shaft to a depth of 1000 ft. and the con-
struction of a mill with a daily capacity of 1000 tons, the
first unit of which will handle 500 tons daily. It is esti-
mated that a working capital of $300,000 will also be
available. The English interests are to receive a block
of 1.500,000 shares of treasury stock at 75c. per share od
which a substantial payment has been made, the entire
amount to be paid by April 1. 1921. The purchasers also
receive an option on 1.000.000 vendor's shares at $1 per
share, and 1,000,000 more at $1.25.
The sinking of thj shaft on the Keora has been con-
siderably delayed by a heavy flow of water but the diffi-
culty was successfully overcome and the 250-ft. level
reached. Cross-cutting has been started to open up
high-grade ore deposits.
The directors of the Dome Mines have decided to take
up the option on the Dome Extension on a basis of one
share of Dome Mines for every 30 shares of Dome Exten-
sion. A meeting of shareholders has been called for
September when the proposal will be submitted for rati-
fication.
Cobalt. — The recent advance in the price of silver has
resulted in increasing the output of the Cobalt mines.
Shipments last week amounted to 565,193 lb. of ore and
274,837 oz. of bullion. There is less unrest among the
miners and if satisfactory conditions continue a largely
augmented production during the remaining months of
the year is anticipated.
The recently discovered vein on the Bailey, li in. wide
of milling ore, has widened out to 5 in. with an increase
in silver content to 1500 oz. per ton. It promises well as
the find is at the contact.
Blue Mountain. — The old mica mine near the head of
Stony Lake, Peterborough county, has been purchased
by C. L. Nicholson, of New York, and Norman Miller, of
Michigan, who will begin operations shortly and expect
to ship 100 lb. of mica per day.
Hyla. — The American Molybdenite Co. has purchased
three feldspar properties at Hyla, Haliburton county,
and made contracts with a manufacturer of sanitary
enamelware in Ohio for the delivery of 35 tons of feldspar
per day with a prospect of largely increasing this amount
when the equipment now ordered has been installed. It is
stated that the feldspar deposits in New England, from
which supplies have hitherto been drawn, are becoming
exhausted, and that new sources of supply ore sought.
(September 4. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
361
THE
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SMELTING-CHAKGES ARE INCREASED
The following is quoted from a notice issued by the Amer-
ican Smelting & Refining Co. at Denver. The same policy
will be followed with respect to the various plants of the
company in other States.
"The general increase in railroad freight-rates allowed by
the Interstate Commerce Commission, effective August 26,
1920, adds 334% to the tariff on smelter products; that is,
lead bullion and copper matte shipped to refineries, and 35%
on shipments of fuel and lime-rock from mines and quarries
to our smelting plants. These advances in freight-rates
affect, furthermore, the cost of material such as steel, ma-
chinery, electrical equipment, etc., used in the operation, and
increase the charges for switching intermediary products
within the plant. In addition the refining plants have in-
creased charges in proportion to their increased cost.
"The smelting industry of Colorado, already handicapped
with refractory ores, high labor costs, and the rapidly mount-
ing costs of fuel and materials, cannot bear this added
burden without adjusting metal-deductions and treatment-
charges in proportion to the increased freight-charges.
"On lead the deduction from New York sales price will be
27Jc. per hundred pounds in addition to the present 50c.
deduction and is directly proportionate to the increased
freight-rates. This will be effective on all ores shipped on or
after August 10, on the assumption that the bullion result-
ing from the smelting of these ores will not be shipped until
after August 26. As a matter of fact the time consumed in
the smelting process is from 3 0 to 6 0 days, the smelting
company suffering a loss on all of its present lead stock.
"The deduction from the electrolytic wire-bar-copper quo-
tation will be 4.7c. per pound, covering increase in freight-
rate which on 40% copper in the matte amounts to 83f%
raise in the metallic copper contents, the balance being in-
creased refining charges. This change is also effective on
shipments on and after August 10 for the same reason as
indicated above in connection with lead.
"Treatment charges on all ores except oxidized iron fluxes
carrying over 30% excess iron received on and after August
26, 1920, will be increased 50c. per ton.
"It is hoped that with the prospect of a steady silver mar-
ket and improved lead and copper prices and with the
closest attention on the part of the mine and smelter to
efficiency in operation, that the mining and smelting in-
dustries in Colorado will be able to maintain operations
throughout this trying period."
ALASKA
Juneau. — During the second quarter of the current year,
the Alaska Gold Mines Co. milled 537,754 dry tons, as
against 625,890 dry tons for the first quarter. The gross
value of the ore was S5c; the yield was 68c. and the tailing
17c. During the period 646,327 tons of ore was broken in
the mine, principally from stopes on No. 8,9, and 11 levels.
A total of 40 2 ft. of development work was done, consisting
of man-way drives and bull-dozing drifts in connection with
opening up new stopes. Owing to scarcity of labor, the mill
was operated with two shifts in the crushing department, and
the concentrating department on a three-shift basis. The
number of employees averaged 450 for the quarter, as
aas
against 560 for the preceding quarter. The gross value of
the bullion and concentrates produced was $364, S66; total
expenses were $426,537; loss for the quarter, $61,670, as
against a loss of $84,585 for the preceding quarter.
CALIFORNIA
Amador County. — The Kennedy Mining Co., whose prop-
erty is near Jackson, has decided not to make any attempt
to unwater its mine and all men, except watchmen, will be
laid off immediately. The Argonaut company continues to
pump water but under the recent order of the Railroad Com-
mission no hoisting of water in tanks is allowed.
Nevada City. — The order from the Railroad Commission
curtailing the use of power for mines in Grass Valley and
Nevada City has in no way been changed, although a very
determined effort was made on the part of the superintend-
ents to have the order modified to such an extent that the
mines could operate on a reduced basis. Even this request
was denied, although all are allowed sufficient current to
hoist water. The only hope of returning to former condi-
tions rests in early mountain storms. Everyone knows that
full resumption is out of the question because of a shortage
of labor. P. F. Roosa, of Washington, D. C, has been
in Nevada and Sierra counties interviewing chrome pro-
ducers who have filed claims for losses incident to the sign-
ing of the Armistice. The Boundary Mines Co., which is
erecting a mill just west of the town of Grass Valley, has
bought the power-plant at the Osborne Hill mine and is en-
gaged in removing it to the new foundation. The New
England and Sligo quartz claims at Gold Flat near here,
have been sold by John V. Hunter and Mrs. C. D. Vincent of
San Francisco to the Nevada County Bank.
San Francisco. — C. H. Fry, engineer for the California
Metal and Mineral Producers Association, advises operators
that they'submit in writing any protests or suggestions that
they may desire to bring to the attention of the Industrial
Accident Commission apropos of the 'Mine Safety Orders'
which are to be finally approved on September 17. A public
hearing, attended by about 20 mining men was held two
weeks ago and a number of suggestions made, which were
adopted by the Commission. Any communications received
prior to September 17 will be given consideration. Copies
of the tentative orders w re distributed among the mine
operators some months ago.
COLORADO
Mayday. — Curtet & Moigg, lessees on the Southern Boy,
have completed their cross-cut, having penetrated the ore-
body for which they have been driving during the past eight
months. The vein is 1 ft. wide and assays 2 oz. in gold. ■
The Mayday Leasing Co. continues operations on the Mayday
dumps. Two cars have been shipped to the Durango smelter.
The screenings show a value of $16 to $28 with some crude
ore assaying as high as $70 per ton in gold and silver.
The cross-cut at the Ruby Gulch has opened two veins, one
4 in. and one 1 ft. wide. The small streak is expected to be
rich in gold and silver, as it assayed 100 oz. gold and 200
oz. silver near the surface. The Jumbo continues ship-
ping from the SOO-oz. silver vein recently found in the raise.
Another raise is being driven to explore the fissure-vein in
the lime strata at the' contact. W. A. Becker, manager of
362
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 4, 1920
the Little La Plata and Boren Gulch, is having a compressor
installed at the Boren Gulch. Operations at the mine, which
discontinued last fall, will be resumed as soon as the com-
pressor is in place. The cross-cut at the Little La Plata,
which has been driven continuously since last winter, has not
proved as beneficial as was expected. Part of the force em-
ployed in driving this tunnel, has been put to work on the
vein at the surface, from where lessees have made shipments
of ore.
MONTANA
Cooke City. — A fleet of 21 trucks is now hauling ore from
the Republic company's property, to Gardiner, where it is
loaded into railroad cars. There is more activity in the
district this year than ever before. At the McKay proper-
ties, the Yellowstone, the Republic mines, Glengarry prop-
erties, and Western Smelting & Refining holdings, work has
been done in spite of a shortage of miners, and encouraging
results are being obtained from development.
Neihart. — Ore shipments are being made at regular in-
tervals from all the mines in the district, with the exception
of the Neihart Silver Mines, where all available men have
been put on development work. One car of ore has been
shipped from the Silver Dyke and another is now being
loaded. The Neihart Consolidated has a couple of cars
ready for shipment and the Molten is loading a car. Sev-
eral lessees are working and nearly all are getting out high-
grade ore.
MINNESOTA
Mining operations on the iron-mining ranges are on larger
scale at present than for some time, mainly on account of
relief from the anxiety regarding coal supplies. Some mines
are even establishing coal-reserves in preparation for winter
stripping operations. Iron ore is moving forward to docks
more freely and it is expected the month's shipments will
show substantial increase. Twenty steamers are loading at
Great Northern docks now and 29 are scheduled to arrive
shortly. Eight boats are loading at Messabi docks and 11
are on the way there to load.
NEW MEXICO
Grant County. — The Silver King mine, a former producer,
is being unwatered preparatory to development. T. C. Mc-
Sherry of Silver City, backed by Eastern capital, is in charge
of the work. If developments are favorable, a mill is plan-
ned and the mine will again be placed on a producing basis.
During 1919 some 20-oz. silver ore was milled.
Hidalgo County. — The Great Eagle Fluorspar mine, under
lease to Bell & Wright of Silver City, has put a second
shift to work to fill contracts with Chicago firms calling for
a large output of spar. The product is hauled by motor-
trucks to Lordsburg for shipment.
UTAH
Grantsville. — Connection of the working adit of the 'L'
Marie Mining Co. with the main working-shaft has been
made, according to John V. Ijong, Jr., general manager.
The property of this company is in the Stansbury moun-
tains, about 9 miles from here. Some time ago a shaft was
sunk upon a promising outcrop of galena ore, to a depth of
130 ft. An adit was driven along a lime foot-wall and quartz
hanging wall through well-mineralized territory. About 15
ft. from the portal a shoot of good ore was penetrated and
a winze was sunk; 18 in. of shipping ore is now being fol-
lowed.
YUKON
Dawson. — The yield of gold from the placer mines in the
Yukon valley for 1920 is estimated to total $4,485,000.
There has been a considerable shrinkage in the output,
owing to the dry season and the decrease in the purchasing
power of gold. Six weeks more will wind up the season as
the winter freeze will begin then.
[PERSONAL]
The Editor invites members of the profession to send particulars of thelt
work and appointments. The information is interesting to our readers.
K. S. Twitcheli has gone to New York.
E. P. Mathewson has been in Arizona recently.
S. S. Lang, of Houghton, Michigan, is at Magdalena, New
Mexico.
L. D. Ricketts has gone from Santa Barbara to Warren,
Arizona.
George Hyde, of Wellington, New Zealand, is in San
Francisco.
T. H. Jenks has returned to Lake City, Colorado, from
Los Angeles.
William Motherwell has moved from Melones, California,
to Trail, B. C.
W. J. Kemnltzer, recently at Magdalena, New Mexico, is in
San Francisco.
Edward H. Clark, president of the Homestake Mining Co.,
is at the Fairmont hotel.
T. H. Jenks passed through San Francisco on his way
from Los Angeles to Colorado.
Charles Camseil has been appointed Deputy Minister of
Mines in the Canadian government.
E. C. Marriage, manager of the assay-office at Pioche,
Nevada, has returned from England.
C. H. Poirier, of New York, was in San Francisco on his
way from Mexico to British Columbia.
Charles W. Adams, manager of the East Helena plant of
the A. S. & R. Co., has been at Salt Lake City.
Robert N. Bell, State Mine Inspector of Idaho, has re-
signed, and will leave his position on January 1.
E. F. Gordon and Oscar Hershey have been examining
vanadium properties near Good Springs, Nevada.
Dwight E. Woodbridge has returned to Duluth from a
journey of exploration in the Hudson Bay region.
H. S. Gale has resigned from the U. S. Geological Survey
to engage in private practice as a mining geologist.
George A. Laird has been appointed manager for the
Guiana Development Co. and leaves for Guiana forthwith.
Joseph Chrisman, recently flotation man for the Leadville
Mines Co., at Gerlach, Nevada, has moved to Bingham, Utah.
L. E. Grant, general manager for the Braden Copper Co.,
has returned to Rancagua, Chile, from Denver, where he has
been since April.
IT. Pukihara, mining engineer for the Mitsubishi Mining
Co., of Japan, has been in Utah visiting mines and metal-
lurgical plants.
Harold Kingsmill, of New York, has been examining prop-
erties at Eureka, Nevada. He passed through Salt Lake City
on his way home.
T. J. Renaux has been appointed mill superintendent for
the Yellow Pine Mining Co., at Good Springs, Nevada, suc-
ceeding M. P. Cloonan.
W. J. Loring has resigned from the firm of Bewick, More-
ing & Co., London. He is succeeded as partner in the firm
by his son, Edward A. Loring.
E. T. McCarthy, of London, a director of the Mountain
Copper Co., operating in Shasta county, California, is ex-
pected in San Francisco toward the end of September.
J. A. Burgess, who resigned recently as general manager
for the United Eastern Mining Co., has opened an office as
consulting engineer and geologist in the Mills building, San
Francisco.
H. H. Claudet, manager of the Ottawa office of the General
Engineering Co., was at Miami most of the summer and
passed through San Francisco from Salt Lake City on his
way home.
September 4. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
M:i
ARRET
Flaw'')
METAL PRICES
S .11 Ki.in. I-.'.. Auk'Ust 30
Altiniimimdu.t. cents per pound 65
Antimony. centa per pound 9.00
Copper. electrolytic ants per pound 19 00
Lead. pig. cents per pound 9.25 — 10 '?.">
Platinum, pure, per ounce $115
Platinum, 10% iridium, per ounce $165
QtddoulYer, per (l.i.k <>t ~~> n> s.s.'j
Spelter, cents per pound 9.50
Zinc-dust, cents per pound 12.50 — 15.00
EASTERN METAL MARKET
(By wire from New York)
August 30. — Copper is quiet but firm. Lead is inactive and lower. Zinc
i* dull but *l
SILVER
Below are given official or ticker quotations for silver in the open market
as distinguished lrom the fixed price obtainable for metal produced, smelted,
and refined exclusively within the United States. Under the terms of the
Pittman Act such silver will be purchased by the United States Mint at SI
per ounce, subject to certain small charges which vary slightly but amount
to approximately three-eighths of one cent. The equivalent of dollar silver
(1000 fine) in British currency is 46.65 pence per ounce (925 fine), calcu-
lated at the normal rate of exchange.
Date
Aug.
New York
cents
24 98.00
25 07.00
26 98.00
27 97.7.".
28 97.12
20 Sunday
30 94.00
Jan.
Feb.
Men.
Apr.
May
June
1918
.88.72
1919
101.11
.85.79 101.12
.88.11 101.12
.95.35 101.12
.99.50 107.23
.99.50 110.50
London
pence
r.i sr
ill nil
61.12
61.00
(10.112
59.62
Monthly
1920
132.77
131.27
125.70
119.56
102.69
90.84
July
Average week ending
Cents
19 91.04
26 92.39
2 92.85
9 94.58
16 95.39
23 99.12
30 96.61
averages
1918
July 99.62
Aug 100.31
Sept 101.12
Oct 101.12
Nov 101.12
Dec 101.12
1919
106.36
111.35
113.92
119.10
127.57
131.92
Penre
62.91
54.77
56.20
58.39
59.05
61.60
60.70
1920
92.04
96.23
COPPER
Prices of electrolytic in New York, in cents per pound.
Date
Aug-.
24
26
27
28
29
30
19.00
July
Aur.
averag
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
" Ave
19
26
9
16
rage week ending
19.00
"
Sunday
1918
1919
20.43
17.34
15.05
15.23
15.91
17.53
19.00
19.00
19 00
19.00
Monthly
1920
19.25
19.05
18.49
19.23
19.05
19.00
.19.00
;;
19.00
19.00
30
IB
1918
26.00
"6.00
26.00
26.00
1919
20.82
22.51
22.10
21.66
20.45
18.65
19.00
1920
May
..23.60
June
LEAD
Lead 1b quoted in cents per pound. New York delivery.
Date
26.
27.
28.
29
30.
July
Aug.
averagt
July
Aug.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
N
ound.
average
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Dec.
Ave
19.
9
16
s
rage week ending
. 8.45
•'
Sunday
1918
8.87
8.75
8.75
8.75
Monthly
1919 1920
5.60 8.65
5.13 8.88
5.24 9.22
5.05 8.78
5.04 8.55
5.32 8.43
Tl
rk, in cents per p
Monthly
1919 1920
71.50 62.74
72.44 59.87
72.50 61.92
72.50 62.12
72.50 64.99
71.83 48.33
9.00
9.06
. 8.85
1918
. 8.03
. 8.05
8.05
. 8.05
1919
5.53
5.78
6.02
6.40
6.76
7.12
1919
70.11
62.20
55.79
54.82
54.17
64.94
1920
8.63
Feb.
9.03
Mch
. 7.26
May
6.99
7.59
ces in New Yo
1918
85.13
.' 85.00
85.00
88.53
100.01
1918
93.00
91.33
80.40
78.82
73.67
.71.52
Pri
Jan.
s
1920
49.29
Mch.
Apr.
May
June
Zinc 1b quoted as spelter, standard Western brands. New York delivery.
In cents per pound.
Date
Aug.
'.'4
B.45
July
Aug.
average
July
Aug.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
ILVER
Average week ending
in
26
2
8.24
..
•::i
.-in
8.11
16..
Sunday
1918
1919
7.44
6.71
6.53
6.49
6.43
6.91
. . 8.46
Monthly
1920
9.56
0.15
8.93
8.76
8.07
7.92
QUICKS
30. .
a
1918
. 8.72
8.78
. 9.58
. 9.11
8.75
. 8.49
1919
7 7S
7.81
7.57
7.82
8.12
8.69
B 15
1920
Feb.
Mch.
May
June
, 7.92
. , 7.92
The primary market for quicksilver is San FranciBco, California being
the largest producer. The price is fixed in the open market, according to
quantity. Prices, in dollars per flask of 75 pounds.
Date , Aug. 17 85.00
Aur. 3 88.00 " 24 80.00
10 88.00 | " 30 85.00
Monthly averages
1918
Jan 128.06
Feb 118.00
Mch 112.00
Apr 115.00
May 110.00
June 112.00
1919
103.75
90.00
72.80
73.12
84.80
94.40
1920
89.00
81.00
87.00
100.00
87.00
85.00
1918
1919
1920
July . .
...120.00
100.00
88.00
. . .120.00
103.00
85.00
Sept. . .
...120.00
102.60
86.00
Nov. . .
. . .120.00
78.00
...115.00
95.00
MONEY AND EXCHANGE
That the Treasury Department can avail itself of the provisions of the
Pittman Act to prevent a runaway movement in the silver market was
admitted by Raymond T. Baker. Director of the Mint, in discussing1 the
silver outlook. Director Baker is of the opinion that the recent decline in
the silver market, due to a lull in buying- from the Far East, is only tem-
porary, and that the white metal will again advance.
Referring to the action of European traders and governments in melting-
silver coin and selling it as bullion, Mr. Baker said: "You must re-
member that in Germany and Austria their money was at such a discount
in the world's money markets that it was practically useless. Their silver
coin did have a value, of course, due to its silver content, and in view of
the comparatively high price of silver it was natural that they should use
their silver coin to purchase the thing's they needed. But at some' time in
the future both Germany and Austria must replace the silver coin that has
been taken out of circulation, so there is a potential demand for silver
from both those countries. The same may be said of Mexico."
Questioned as to the necessity for the passage of a law reducing- the
fineness of silver coins so as to protect them from sale as bullion in the
event of another sharp rise in the price of silver. Mr. Baker intimated
that the Treasury Department, throug-h provisions of the Pittman Act,
could control the situation.
"In the event of a rise in the price of silver to, say. $1.4*2 or above, the
subsidiary coins of the country would be in dang-er of being- melted,"
Mr. Baker said. "The parity point of the subsidiary coins is. say,
SI. 38 and of course the price would have to go above that to cover the
cost of collecting and melting the coins and pay transportation charges.
The price of silver would have to show a profit or there would be no in-
centive to melt coins.
■'What the Treasury would do in event of such a rise I am not prepared
to say. as its action would naturally be governed by conditions existing at
the time, but a study of the Pittman Act will show what the Treasury could
do. The Pittman Act authorizes the sale of silver bullion derived from
melting silver dollars for the purpose of assisting- foreign governments at
war with enemies of the United States. That now is over. But the Act
also authorizes the sale of silver bullion for the purpose of providing silver
for subsidiary coinage and for commercial use as well as facilitating the
settlement in silver of trade balances adverse to the United States. These
provisions have not been changed by the termination of the War.
"Of the silver bullion sold under the Pittman Act we have re-purchased
to date approximately 10.000,000 oz. at SI per ounce, and purchases are
being made nearly every day. Should the price of silver go up to above
S1.42. what is to prevent the Treasury from re-selling this silver purchased
at the market price? Suppose the price went to $1.40 the Treasury could
sell 25.000.000 or 50.000.000 oz., and if this amount should be absorbed
and the price start to advance again, the Government could sell additional
lots up to the full authority of the Pittman Act. And it might be recalled
that the Treasury has a reserve of 50.000.000 silver dollars not availed of
under the Pittman Act which could be sold to the Director of the Mint for
subsidiary coinage at $1 per ounce."
Foreign quotations on August 30 are as follows:
Sterling, dollars : Cable 3.56 %
Demand 3.57 Vi
Francs, cents : Cable 7.12
Demand 7.13
Lire, cents: Demand 4.68
Marks, cents 2.13
36-t
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 4, 1920
Eastern Metal Market
New York, August 25.
The markets are generally quiet and uninteresting with
the price tendency, on the whole, easy.
The copper market is very quiet but firm with no change
in prices or conditions.
Prices of tin are largely nominal and lower because of
absence of demand and lower exchange, as well as a declin-
ing London market.
The lead market is manifesting an easing tendency with
import metal the feature.
Buying of zinc is not heavy but prices are fairly even.
Antimony is lower.
IKON AND STEEL
To an increasing extent the steel trade is taking account
of factors that bear on the future course of demand and of
prices, says 'The Iron Age'. While some producers, long
used to thinking in terms of a seller's market, talk of pass-
ing on the cost increment due to the 40% increase in most
iron and steel freight-rates, others dwell on the final effect
on their own market of the changes going on in other in-
dustries.
With an unwieldy accumulation of unfilled orders in most
finished-material lines, such cancellations as have come on
automobile and shipyard account have not been a marked
factor. But there is the keenest interest throughout the
market in any development bearing on the Steel Corpora-
tion's price policy for 1921 and railroad buying apparently
is waiting for a cue.
The Chicago market, which particularly reflects the rail-
road situation, has been notably quiet apart from nuts and
bolts and wire products. Here and there foundries in that
district are curtailing operations and some of them will soon
be in need of new orders. Railroad demand there has not
yet developed in sufficient volume to offset the curtailment of
automobile, tractor, and allied work. Gauged by cancella-
tions and suspended shipments, a number of Detroit auto-
mobile plants are operating at about 50% capacity, while
two of the largest are running full.
Production and shipments have improved in the leading
steel-making centres, and Pittsburgh reports some reduction
of mill stocks and nearly a complete clean-up of stored cars
in railroad yards.
COPPER
Demand from domestic consumers is very light and the
market is lifeless. It is rather surprising, but true never-
theless, that foreign demand is better than domestic but
even this is relatively small and confined to orders that ap-
pear daily and come from various countries. Deliveries on
contracts, however, are much better and as a result con-
sumption is heavier. Ordinarily a buying movement of some
proportion was due long before this but the railroad and
labor troubles last spring and later delayed this. It is now
expected in some quarters that buying on a large scale is
likely in the next two or three weeks. Whether this and
the increased freight-rates, effective this week, will result
in an advance in price remains to be seen, but it is not un-
likely. Leading producers of both Lake and electrolytic cop-
per maintain their quotations at 19c, New York, for delivery
to October, but are not especially interested beyond this de-
livery except in special cases.
TIN
The market is featureless and uninteresting and sales have
been few and far between. A small business in future-ship-
ment material was put through quietly in the last week,
mostly to dealers. Consumers are still uninterested. The
price of future shipment Monday was around 46.75c. with
the quotation for spot Straits at 46.50c. the same day. Yes-
terday spot Straits was quoted at 45.50c, New York, which
is 2.50c. below the price of a week ago, all these being
largely nominal. The decline is due to the fall in exchange
and to the lower London market. Yesterday spot Straits in
London was £271 15s. per ton as compared with £288 three
weeks ago. Arrivals thus far this month have been 3705
tons with 5395 tons reported afloat.
LEAD
The price situation in the New York lead market is such
that most any estimate of the market is justifiable. Prompt
and early-delivery metal has sold from 9 to 9.37ic and im-
port lead has changed hands at as low as 8.50c, New York,
duty paid. The import supply seems to be the key to the
situation here. It is authoritatively and conservatively esti-
mated that at least 6000 to 8000 tons has been contracted
for importation from England and some of this has arrived.
The import cost of this varies according to the conditions in
each case. Consumers realize the situation and are holding
off. As a result demand has slackened and the market is
quiet. The leading interest maintains its quotation at 8.75c,
St. Louis, or 9c, New York, but is understood to be sold-up
and to be offering nothing for early delivery.
ZINC
It is unusual to record the fact that zinc, sold or shipped
to England, is being offered in this market for re-shipment,
but this is the peculiar situation. Some of this metal has
been sold at 8c, New York. Just what effect this is to have
on the future of the market is not easy to say. Sooner or
later, however, the British market must strengthen and re-
lieve the pressure here. Therefore the effect of this import
movement is small and the general market is strong with
prime Western quoted and sold at 8.10c, St. Louis, or 8.45c,
New York. Demand is light with galvanizers apparently
well supplied for nearby needs. Production is low and stocks
are not heavy, which is one element of strength in the
market.
ANTEVIONY
The market is quiet with wholesale lots for early delivery
quoted at 7c, New York, duty paid. Jobbing lots are ob-
tainable at Jc. to Jc. higher.
ALUMINUM
The leading interest is quoting wholesale lots of 98 to
99% pure at 34.90c per lb. f.o.b. producer's plant, while
other sellers are asking 32 to 3 3c
ORES
Tungsten: More inquiry is reported, developed largely by
the low and attractive prices which are nominally $5 to
$5.50 per unit for wolframite and $6 to $6.50 for scheelite.
It is expected that a fair business will result in the near
future.
Ferro-tungsten is quoted around 90c. per lb. of contained
tungsten.
Molybdenum: No new business is recorded and quotations
are nominal at 65 to 75c per lb. of MoS5 in regular con-
centrate.
Manganese: The market is lower with Indian ore offered
at 6 5c. per unit, seaboard, but no business is yet reported.
Former asking prices were 75c per unit.
Manganese-Iron Alloys: Ferro-manganese has declined de-
cidedly, due to offerings by some British producers at $170,
seaboard, for delivery into Jun 1912. American producers
have met this figure which will make the delivered American
price $170 plus the freight from the seaboard to point of
consumption. Some business has been done at the new
price. The spiegeleisen market is strong but not active at
$80 to $85, furnace, for any delivery. Supplies are not
large because production has not been heavy this year.
September 4. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
36S
Dividends From Mines, United Slates and Canada
UXITKI) STATICS
Company and situation
Ahnuek Mn-hlcan
Aia^k.i Treadirall, Alaska.
Mil tiu'.ni
Haul
copper
gold
(Old
copper
c.i.r.s.z.
C.l.Z.S.g.
Anaconda, Montana c.z.s.g.
Argonaut. California gold
Atolia. California tungsten
Ann t;, ,.n s. & R. U. S. and Mcx..
Am. Z. L Jk S.. Miseouri and Tcnn.
Arizona. Arizona
Arizona Commercial. Arizona
Bamet.-Kinr. Montana
Binrham Mint- Utah
Bunker Hill & Sullivan. Idaho
Butte & Superior. Montana
Butte Copper & Zinc. Montana
Caledonia. Idaho
Callahan Zinc & Lead Co.. Idaho. .
Calumet & Arizona. Arizona
Calumet & Hecla, Michigan
Centennial, Michigan
Cerro Gordo. California
Champion. Michigan
Chief Con. Utah l.z.s
copper
c.ff.a
gold
l.s.g.
1.8.
Z.S.I.
z.s.l.mn.
l.s.
Z 1.8
copper
copper
copper
l.z.s.
copper
Chino, New Mexico
Columbus-Rexall. Utah
Con. Arizona Smelting. Arizona.
Copper Range. Michigan
Cresson. Colorado
Daly. Utah
Davis-Daly. Montana
Dragon Con.. Utah
Ducktown, Tennessee
Eagle 4 Blue Bell. Utah
East Butte. Montana
Electric Point. Washington
Elkton Con.. Colorado
Empire. Idaho
Engels. California
Federal M. & S.. Idaho
First National Copper Co.. Cal. .
General Development. U. S
Golden Cycle. Colorado
Goldfield Con. Mines. Nevada. .
Grand Central, Utah
Hecla. Idaho
Homestake. South Dakota ....
Inspiration. Arizona
Iron Blossom. Utah
Iron Cap. Arizona
Isle Royale. Michigan
Jim Butler. Nevada
Judge M. & S., Utah
Keunecott. Alaska
Liberty Bell. Colorado
Lucky Tiger. Sonora, Mexico . . .
Magma, Arizona
Mass Con.. Michigan
Miami Copper Co., Arizona
Mohawk. Michigan
Nevada Con.. Nevada
Nevada Packard. Nevada
Nevada Wonder, Nevada
New Cornelia. Arizona.
copper
c.s g.
c.g.a.
copper
gold
l.s.g.
copper
c.l.s.g
copper
l.c.z.s.
copper
lead
gold
copper
copper
l.z.s.
copper
gold
gold
l.s.
l.s.
gold
copper
l.s.g.
copper.
copper
s.g.
l.z.c.s.g.
copper
gold
g.s.
copper
copper
copper
copper
copper
silver
s.g.
copper
New Idria. California quicksilver
New Jersey Zinc. New Jersey
North Butte. Montana
North Star. California
Old Dominion. Arizona
Ontario Silver. Utah ' *
Osceola. Michigan ' * *
I Phelps Dodge. Ariz.. N. Mex.. Mex!
.1 Portland. Colorado
zinc
c.s.g.
gold
c.s.g.
s.l.
copper
c.s.g.
gold
f I Quincy. Michigan copper
Pit- n^r, , -i
| Ray Con.. Arizona
Shannon. Arizona
Shattuck. Arizona
Silver King Coalition. Utah
Silver King Con.. Utah
St. Joseph Lead. Missouri.
Success. Idaho
Tamnrack & Custer. Idaho
copper
copper
c.l.s.g.
l.s.
l.s. e.g.
lead
l.s.
l.s.
Sti in - i--i!,,l
•mi 000
200.000
200 ini. i
inn noo
Par valuo
$25.00
;. nil
0
. mi
1.776.500
jpnnessee Copper. Tennessee copper and acid 301.498
Hntic Standard. Utah l.s. 1.174.500
Tomboy. Colorado g.s. 310.000
Tom Reed. Arizona gold 909.555
600.980(com.)100 00
500.000 (pfd.) 100 00
2500
50.00
5.00
1.00
5s.
7«J pfd. . . .
5.00
5.00
10.00
10.00
10.00
5 Oil
1.00
10.00
10.00
25.00
25.00
1.00
25.00
1.00
5.00
1.00
5.00
25.00
1.00
20.00
10.00
1.00
4.80
1.00
10.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
100.00
5.00
25.00
1.00
10.00
1.00
0.25
100.00
20.00
0.10
10.00
25.00
1.00
1.00
6.00
5.00
10.00
5.00
25.00
5.00
25.00
5.00
1.00
1.00
5.00
5.00
100.00
15.00
10.00
25.00
100.00
25.00
100.00
1.00
25.00
10.00
10.00
10.00
5.00
1.00
10.00
1.00
1.00
no par value
1.00
£1
1.00
' l!i3.120(eom.)
I 00.560 (pfd.)
2.331.250
200.000
100.000
i 1,619.888
U316.530
265.000
400.000
150.1)00
327.000
290.184
411.700
2.605.000
3'^.j.Ono
842,521
100.000
90.000
1.000.000
100.000
884.232
809.980
586.234
1.663.000
395.000
1.220.000
150.000
600.000
1.875.000
198.000
893.146
421,849
793.750
616.884
1.000.000
1.791.926
pfd. 120.000
600.000
120.000
1.500.000
3.559.148
600.000
1.000.000
251.160
■1.181.967
1,000.000
142,100
150.000
1,718.021
480,000
2.786.670
133.560
715.337
240.000
100.000
747,114
100,000
1.999,457
1.164.492
1,500.000
1.800.000
100.000
350.000
430.000
250.000
297.071
150.000
96.150
450.000
3.000.000
110.000
1.577,179
300.000
350.000
1.250.000
850.537
1.409.466
1.500,000
Pan! n, 1 !•-:<)
$200,000
1.218.980
1.750.000
■>!>t!NII
2.331,260
227.000
53.840
40.000
981.000
130.250
376,303
1.285,042
500.000
176.840
652.486
394.416
244.000
30.000
150.000
37.500
89.315
23,812
120.000
200.000
350.000
3.545.902
50.000
35,525
120,000
2.786.679
40.067
679.570
747.114
300.000
999.728
450.000
2.800.000
96.150
2.250.000
105.000
110.000
788,590
87,500
1.409.466
53,295
234.940
54.573
Total
$2.4
8 107.381
16.788 """
2 B60.000
118.687 mi:,
com. ami pfd.
, •Lat.-Hl (IivkIi-inIh
Date Parsnara
6.903,300
187.779 876
1.970.000
5.204.500
2.713.728
21.488,004
1.086.500
420.000
.Mil mm
24.212.250
16,940.268
300.000
4.612.950
7.342,385
44.345.420
152,250.000
360.000
300.000
25.250.261
1.694.671
29.665.468
14.600
498.900
26.801,135
8.735.162
3.157.500
900.000
206,250
2.678.702
1.339.719
1.687.396
325.437
3.579.460
300,000
698,684
15.304.246
660.000
4.973.917
9.438.000
29.177.789
1.858.000
8.205.000
41.292.124
36.619.768
3.275,000
996.367
2.025.000
1.151.074
2.490.000
52.110.275
2,701.026
6.825.770
1.704,000
486.585
22,209.943
9.425.000
40.268.752
110,627
1.519,005
900,000
2.705.000
3.500.000
14.657.000
5.002.190
14.405.260
14.157.500
13.887.975
86.846.527
11.602.080
27.002.500
24.624.031
1.425,000
7.612.500
15.198.560
1.562.705
20.275.107
800.969
515.125
392,817
1.186,822
4.074.200
2.810.535
June
Nov.
May
Men.
June
June
-,i .,1
0.10
. 0.50
. 1.00
16, 1820 1.00
16, 1920 1.75
'
■in. mi.-..
29. lino
31. 11110.
May 1. 1020.
Feb. 20. 1020.
Dec. 25. 1910.
Dec. 14. 1918.
1.50
1.00
. 0.05
. 0.60
Aug. 31. 1919 0.18
Oct.
May
Sept.
July
Sept.
July
July
June
June
June
Dec.
Jan.
Dec.
Aug.
June
Dec.
Dec.
June
June
April
Mch.
April
May
April
Dec.
July
May
June
Oct.
June
Feb.
May
May
Dec.
Dec.
June
Sent.
April
April
Mch.
Aug.
Aug.
July
June
June
July
Jan.
Aug.
May
May
June
April
May
May
Jan.
May
Oct.
June
Dec.
Jan.
June
April
July
Mch.
June
Nov.
Jan
Jan.
April
June
July
Dee.
May
June
June
Mch.
1918 0 50
. 0.05
. 0.25
. 0.25
. 2.50
0.50
1920 0.01
1920.
1919.
1920.
1917.
1918.
1920.
1920.
1920.
1918.
1918.
1919.
1920 .
0.50
1.00
6.00
1.00
0.05
6.40
0.10
1920 0.37 V,
1918 0.02VS
1918 0.05
1920.
1920.
1920.
1920.
1920.
1917.
1920.
0.50
0.10
0.10
0.25
0.01
0.90
0.10
1919 0.50
1920 0.03
1915 0.02
1918 0.04%
1918 0.01 ',4
1920 1.75
1919 0.15
1920 0.50
1920 0.05
1919 0.05
1919 0.02
1920 0.20
1919 0.50
1920 1.50
1920 0.02 W
1920 0.25
1919 050
1918 0.07
1920 0.12 Vj
1920 0.50
1920 0.10
1920 0.15
1919 0.50
1917 1.00
1920 0.50
1920 1.50
1920 0.25
1919 0.02
1919 0.05
1920 0.25
1919 0.25
1920 4.00
1918 0.25
1919 0.40
1918 1.00
1919 0.50
1920 0.50
1920 2.50
1920 0.0HS
1920 1.00
1920 0.25
1917 0.25
1920 0.25
1918 0.15
1918 0.10
1920.
1916.
1919.
1918.
1920.
1918 .
1920.
0.50
0.03
0.03
1.00
0.10
0.12
0.02
'These figures include dividends payable on or before June 30, 1920.
Abbreviations; g. =: gold. s. — silver, c. =i copper, 1. = lead, z. = zinc, n. = nickel, mn. = manganese.
Note: Companies not included in the above list are requested to submit details. Changes in capitalization and new dividends will be entered
in receipt, of the information. This table will be published quarterly. Corrections are invited.
366
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC F^ESS
September 4. 1920
Company and situation
Tonopah Belmont Dev., Nevada.
Tonopah Extension, Nevada ....
Tonopah Mining'. Nevada
United Eastern, Arizona
U. S. S. R. & M.. TJ. S.. Mexico. . .
United Verde Copper, Arizona....
United Verde Extension, Arizona.
Utah Apex, Utah
Utah Con., Utah
Utah Copper. Utah
Utah Metal, Utah
Vindicator Con.. Colorado
Wellington Mines, Colorado
West End, Nevada
Wolverine, Michigan
Yellow Pine. Nevada
Yukon Gold. Alaska, Cal., Nev. . .
Belmont Surf Inlet. British Columbia
Coniagras, Ontario
Con. M. & S.. British Columbia...
Crown Reserve, British Columbia.
Dome Mines, Ontario
Florence, British Columbia
Granby Con. M. S. & P.. B. C
Hedley, British Columbia
Holling-er, Ontario
Howe Sound. B. C. and Mexico
International Nickel, Ontario
Kerr Lake. Ontario
Lake Shore, Ontario
La Rose Mines. Ontario
McKinley-Darragh, Ontario
Mclntyre. Ontario
Mining Corp.. Ontario
Nipissing-, Ontario
Porcupine Crown, Ontario
Rambler-Cariboo. British Columbia.
Standard, British Columbia
Temiekaming, Ontario
Tough-Oakes, Ontario
Trethewey, Ontario
Metal
Shares issued
Par value
Paid in 1920
Total
s.g.
1.500.000
1.00
75.000
10.118.063
Jan.
s.g.
1.282.801
1.00
129,271
2,490.620
July
S.g.
1.000.000
1.00
14,875.000
Oct.
gold
1.363,000
1.00
572.460
2.726.000
July
J.z.c.s.g. \
com. 351.115
50.00
1.053.345
14.086.874
July
pfd. 486.350
50.00
851.113
24.030.155
July
copper
300.000 no
par value
900.000
54.197.000
June
copper
1.050.000
0.50
1.050.000
10.605.000
May
e.l.s.g.
528.200
5.00
1.122.425
Nov.
e.l.s.g.
300.000
5.00
12.810.000
Men.
copper
1.624.490
1000
4.873.470
106,636.193
June
l.c.g.s.
691.588
1.00
895.734
Dec.
gold
1.500,000
1.00
15,000
3.847.500
Jan.
I.Z.
1.000.000
1.00
1.950,000
Jan.
s.g.
1,788.486
5.00
178.848
1.251,940
June
copper
60.000
25.00
30.000
10.250.000
Jan.
z 1.
1.000.000
1.00
60.000
2,563.008
June
gold
3,500.000
5.00
CANADA
9,858,110
June
g.c.
2.500.000
1.00
125,000
375.000
July
silver
800.000
5.00
200.000
9.740.000
May
l.c.z.s.g.
419.098
25.00
526,685
6.046.226
April
silver
2.000.000
1.00
8.300.000
Dee.
gold
4.000.000
10.00
200.000
1,700.000
July
l.s.z.
1.100.000
1.00
35.300
April
e.g. 9.
150.004
100.00
10.662,837
May
gold
240.000
10.00
2,460.000
June
gold
4,920.000
5.00
738.000
11.104.000
June
copper
1.984,150
1.00
99.208
793.661
Jan.
f com. 1.673.384
25.00
52,276.984
Dec.
nc 1 pfd. 89.126
100.00
267.378
7.887.537
May
silver
600.000
4.00
9,385.000
July
gold
2.000.000
1.00
40.000
240.000
June
silver
1.500.000
1.00
7,505.410
April
silver
2.247.692
1.00
134.861
5,821,522
July
gold
3.640.283
1.00
364.028
1.812.641
May
silver
1.660.050
5.00
415.012
6.943.630"
June
silver
1.200.000
5.00
900.000
20.340.000
July
silver
2.000.000
1.00
840.000
June
l.z.a.
1.750.000
1.00
660.000
Feb.
l.z.s.
2.000.000
1.00
2.700.000
Oct.
silver
2.500,000
1.00
100.000
2.225.000
Jan.
gold
531,500
5.00
398.625
Jan.
silver
1,000.000
1.00
1.211.999
Jan.
Latest dividends .
Date Per share
1, 1920 0.05
1, 1920 0.05
21. 1919 0.15
28. 1920 0.15
15. 1920 1.50
15. 1920 0.8714
10. 1920 1.50
1. 1920 0.50
11, 1918 0.25
25. 1919 0 25
30. 1920 1.50
10. 1917 0.30
24. 1920 0.01
2. 1919 0.10
5. 1920 0.10
2. 1920 0.50
25. 1920 0.03
1918 0.0-ZM
1. 1920 0.05
1. 1920 n 12%
2. 1020 0 62 'j
30. 1916 0.05
1. 1920 0.35
20. 1919 001 n,
1. 1919 1.25
30. 1919 0.10
16. 1920 0.05
15. 1919 0.05
1, 1918 1.00
1. 1920 1.50
3. 1919 l.OOt
18. 1920 0.02
15. 1918 0.20
1. 1920 0.03
1. 1920 0.05
15. 1920 0.12 VS.
20. 1930 0.26
1, 1917 0.06
15. 1919 0.01
15. 1917 0.05
31, 1920 0.04
15. 1917 0.12%
2, 1919 0.05
•Of this sum. SI. 652. 260 was paid by the individual companies prior to their amalgamation in 1914.
tThis is a capital distribution, and reduces the par value of the stock from S5 to §4, corresponding to a reduction in total capitalization from
$3,000,000 to $2,400,000.
Company Reports
BUTTE & SUPERIOR MINING CO.
Report for the quarter ended June 30, 1920.
Property: mine and mill at Butte, Montana.
Operating Officials: Charles Booking, general manager;
E. V. Daveler, general superintendent; Angus McLeod, mine
superintendent; F. M. Jardine, mill superintendent.
Financial Statement: income, $769,431; operating costs,
$940,433; net operating loss, $147,006. Corresponding
figures for previous quarter were $1,750,770, $1,123,514,
and $627,256, net profit instead of loss.
Dividends: none during 1920; total to date, $16,940,258.
Production: ore mined during the quarter was 82,490
tons, at a mining cost of $7 per ton, against 130,582 tons
mined at a cost of $5.52 per ton for previous quarter. There
was milled 81,619 tons at cost of $3,466 per ton, against
130,204 tons at cost of $2.61. for previous quarter. The
decrease in tonnage treated, with resultant increase in costs,
was due to unsettled labor conditions during the entire
quarter, which affected both mining and milling. A strike
called April 19 resulted in a shut-down until May 5, when
operations were resumed on a limited scale. Operations
were being conducted on nearly a normal basis toward the
end of the quarter.
Financial Statement: earnings from sale of bullion,
$1,773,374. Cost of mining, $315,873; milling, $311,500,
which with miscellaneous costs totaled $930,762. Net op-
erating, $842,612. Miscellaneous income, $109,372; profit
for the year, $951,984. After charging off depletion and de-
preciation, $351,814 was credited to surplus.
Dividends: total to date, $1,600,000.
Development: work was curtailed because of inability to
obtain adequate supply of efficient miners. Broken ore in
the mine is 251,352 tons. Work by diamond-drills from the
10th level disclosed ore at depths ranging to 216 ft., the
holes being at approximately 45°. Ore-reserves are suffi-
cient to promise production for at least three years.
Production: 270,080 tons of ore milled yielded bullion
worth $1,773,374, the average value being $6,566 per ton.
Cost of milling was $1,153 per ton, and the extraction was
94.295% of the gold. A reverberatory furnace was built
to smelt cyanide-precipitate, the increasing copper content
of the product interfering with refining by the old method.
The ore-handling underground has been simplified with re-
sultant economy.
DOME MINES CO.
Report for the year ended March 31, 1920.
Property: gold mines and mill in the Porcupine district,
Ontario.
Operating Officials: C. D. Kaeding, general manager; H.
P. Depencier, acting general manager; C. W. Dowsett, mill
superintendent.
The Davis-Daly Copper Co. during the three months ended
June 30, 1920, shows gross receipts of $311,034; expendi-
tures, $325,035; loss, $14,001. This compares with net
profits of $109,283 in the first quarter of this year and net of
$161,255 in three months ended December 31, 1919. The
report says that cross-cutting on the 2700-ft. level should
within a week or two reach the orebody on the downward ex-
tension from the 2500-ft. level. Tonnage hoisted for the
quarter amounted to 17,414 tons, producing 2,197,936 lb. of
copper ana 91,238.5 oz. of silver. The average assay of ore
shipped for the period was 7.07% copper and 5.8S oz. of
silver to the ton.
urn miiiiiiiiiiitmi
EDITORIAL STAFF
T. A. RlCKARO. EDITOR
Parsons, associate editor
mnmniif mm
n@mttflUfi<s Pipsi
Member Audit Bureau of Circulations
UnnbW AMOdtttd BBrfnMi Papers, Inc.
ESTABLISHED I860
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SK'IENCE HAS NO ENEMY 8AVE THE IGNORANT
Irsued Every Saturday
San Francisco, September 11, 1920 h per Year— 15 cents per copy
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ENLARGING MAPS
Page
KDITOKIAI.
NOTES 367
COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES 369
Report of a committee of inquiry appointed by the
American Association of University Professors.
Charges are upheld. Dr. Alderson, the president
of the School, is condemned for arbitrary and im-
proper action. Mr. Parmelee, an ex-president, is
defended for his stand against the trustees and
striking students in 1917. The fault lies with the
personnel of the board of trustees.
THE GREAT STEEL STRIKE 370
A critical review of tne book by William Z. Foster.
How the strike started and how it was organized.
The campaign conducted by agitators in the Pitts-
burgh district. Large proportion of alien labor
employed by the steel companies. American-born
whites not favorable to the unions. Attitude of
the negroes. The creation of a healthy public opin-
ion and the need therefor of reliable information.
By Samuel H. Dolbear 374
Photographic enlargements render the topographic
maps of the Geological Survey available as bases
for mine reports.
ARTK LES
THE ORE DEPOSITS OF MEXICO — V
By S. J. Lewis
375
DISCUSSION
THE RECORD FOR CHEAP MINING
By Henry F. Collins
Ore deposits in igneous rocks with special refer-
ence to the mines of the Zacualpan district in the
State of Mexico.
ROASTING AND CHLORIDIZ1NG OF BOLIVIAN SIL-
VER-TIN ORES
By M. G. F. Sohnlein 384
Description of the metallurgical difficulties in ob-
taining a high extraction of the silver from these
ores, with special comment on the results obtained
with different types of roasting-furnaces. Special
advantages of the Merton furnace for this work.
373
NOTES
Comparison of a case of exceedingly low costs at a
Mexican mine with those at the Spanish mine,
California.
TWO SUGGESTIONS ON A NATIONAL PROBLEM
By F. H. Mason 373
Criticism of the suggestion to use producer-gas for
raising steam. Calls attention to the possibility of
increasing the available automotive fuels by aid of
by-products from the coke industry.
PRODUCTION OF COPPER IN THE UNITED STATES.
1913 TO 1919
LEAD PRODUCTION
383
383
A METHOD OF BLASTING
By S. S. Lang
As usual the new method from abroad is found to
be already in use in this country.
374
DEPARTMENTS
REVIEW OF MINING 387
THE MINING SUMMARY 395
PERSONAL 396
THE METAL MARKET 397
EASTERN METAL MARKET 398
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS 399
Established May 24. I860, as The Scientific Press: name changed October
20 of the same year to Mining and Scientific PreBS.
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Price. 15 cents per copy. Annual subscription, payable in advance:
United StateB and Mexico. 54: Canada. .55: other countries. $6.
30
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 11, 1920
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LARGEST
PRODUCER
OF OXYGEN
IN THE WORLD
The Curve That's Straight
T^HE Linde engineer plots the quality of Linde Oxygen and
-"- across his paper extends an unwavering, straight line.
Day in and day out, week upon week, and through the year
— the quality of Linde Oxygen must match this line.
If it fails by so little as a hair's breadth it never gets into a
cylinder for shipment.
In specifying Linde Oxygen you assure constant uniformity
— of Oxygen — and the resultant welds.
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30 East 12nd Street, New York
Kohl Building, San Francisco
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September 11, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
867
T. A. KICKAKD. .... Editor
Nmiiiiiiiiiimiiii inn iiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiin nu m iiimiiiiiiiimiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiimiiiiiimuiimiiii u mi i t i < miiiimiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiitumiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
TTOW our bureaucracy has grown during the War and
■*■■*• how little it has been decreased since the Armistice
is shown by the fact that the Federal government has
760.110 civil employees today as against 420,752 in 1913.
TITOVEMENTS of gold and silver bullion indicate the
•*•*-'- course of international trade. For example, during
the first ten days of August our imports of gold amounted
to $8,071,045, of which $6,664,234 came from the United
Kingdom. During the same ten days we exported
$8,430,743, of which $8,114,503 went to Asia. Exports
of gold from the United States from January 1 to August
10 totaled $225,719,396, or $73,379,406 in excess of im-
ports. The excess is a sign of increased importation from
abroad, and the liquidation of some of our foreign loans.
Silver imports during the same period, January to
August, amounted to $64,016,269, as against exports
aggregating $88,470,846.
OENATOR HARDING and Governor Cox have been
^ quizzed by the American Association of Engineers on
several matters of immediate interest to our profession.
The Governor answered glibly, that he gave "an un-
equivocal 'yes'.", whereas the Senator was character-
istically equivocal. Yet the answer of one is worth about
as much as that of the other, at least on the main query,
which referred to;.the creation of a Federal- Department
of Public Works. It is more than probable that in the
childish effort to saddle the opposing party -with financial
corruption neither has had time to consider such an
important subject as the co-ordination of the engineering
activities of the national administration.
A PIECE of quartz containing $3000 worth of gold is
•'*■ on exhibit, says a San Francisco newspaper. It
came from the Alcalde mine at Grass Valley, California.
The quartz, it is reported, "runs in ribbon structure on
a true-fissure vein, and is not merely a pocket". We
hope it is not '; we suspect that it is. The present writer
took out $3000 worth of gold iiv-two hours in the Rathgeb
mine near San Andreas, in Calaveras county, when a
young man. He did not know much, but he suspected
that it was a 'pocket'. Unfortunately such sweet ore
does usually occur in small quantity and is soinueh more
concentrated than the Tun-of-mine that the miner recog-
nizes its sporadic character by calling it a 'pocket'. All
of us love ribboned quartz and true-fissure veins, for are
they not the hall-mark of persistence? Nevertheless, it
seems to be one of the ordinances of nature to regulate
the size of orebodies more or less in inverse proportion to
their richness. To expect specimen ore to exist in large
or continuous masses is the triumph of hope over experi-
ence.
/"\NLY $1,130,752 worth of silver was exported from
^-' this country to India during the fiscal year ended on
June 30, as against $214,4S1,099 in the preceding fiscal
year. On the other hand exports of silver to China
amounted to $117,570,415 in the last fiscal year, as
against $24,571,791 the year before. It is evident there-
fore that the absorption of silver by China helped to re-
dress the cessation of purchases from India. Adding the
exports to the two countries, we find that the Orient took
$118,700,167 in the last fiscal year as against $239,052,-
S90 during the previous twelve months. It is no .wonder,
therefore, that the price of silver fell to 81 cents in May.
a drop of 56 cents from the high point last November.
Only the purchases under the Pittman Act prevented a
further collapse, clue, as shown above, to the inability of
India to buy, owing to a sudden reverse in the flow of
trade.
TNTELLECTUAL dishonesty is the curse of world
■*■ politics, as of similar activities nearer home. 'The
Brooklyn Eagle', an excellent newspaper, says that
"France has declared herself to be in complete accord
with the United States" in regard to Russian-Polish
affairs. This is not true. Fiance has hastened to recog-
nize General Wrangel while he is yet recognizable, where-
as our government has indicated clearly that it will not
go to the support of any Russian faction, however much
it may reprobate the so-called soviet regime. The United
States and the United Kingdom agree in their decision to
keep bands off Russia ; and it is a pity that this policy
was not followed sincerely long ago — either that, or a
whole-hearted and united effort to smash the brigands
who pose as communists. At the present time it seems
to us a wise decision to let Lenin, Trotzky, and their
crew stew in their own juice.
T>ONZI'S fraud has been fairly well exposed now. He
-*- collected ten million dollars from his dupes, simple-
minded people who expected to make money quickly'on
a nebulous scheme based upon the vagaries of interna-
tional exchange. As a matter of fact, this was a clean
368
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 11, 1920
fake, for he spent just six cents upon one international
reply-coupon. All he did was to collect the money of his
victims and pay back a part of it as dividends. When his
'depositors' and 'investors', as the poor things were
called, became suspicious, owing to the much belated
action of the proper authorities, he had to face a 'run',
during which he returned $5,900,000, besides the $1,000,-
000 that he had doled out, as 'profit', before the crash
came. He spent $84,000 on a house for himself, besides
$15,000 in automobiles. He paid $55,000 to a man who
held him up, and an equal amount to lawyers. He gave
a million dollars in commissions to.his agents. At the
accounting there remained $1,073,432 in cash at the bank
and $658,377 in various stocks. There will be about
$1,500,000 for final distribution, which will represent
about 50 cents on the dollar to the 'depositors' who failed
to get out in time. He has been in jail twice already.
His chief asset was impudence, plus the natural fact that
the birth-rate among simpletons is large.
j'TSUALLY 'house organs', that is, the publications
*~* issued by manufacturers to advertise themselves, are
not interesting; they are all that 'literature' should not
be; but some of them happen to get into the hands of a
competent editor, and then they emerge from the mildew
of catalogues into the fresh air of journalism. These
preliminary remarks are prompted by the July issue of
'Through the Meshes', the propaganda of the W. S. Tyler
Company, of Cleveland. In this little magazine we find
the Constitution of the United States, which by itself
would be impressive. In addition, we find an apprecia-
tion of the book 'Back to the Republic', by Harry F.
Atwood, together with sundry timely remarks upon the
critical period in which we are living. The essential dif-
ference between a republic and a democracy is empha-
sized, with a view to urging the need for a return to the
ideals of the founders of this republic. The Government,
both Federal and State, delegates too much power to
boards and commissions. The Tyler company has a man
that can put ideas through the screen of reason so that
only those that have been ground fine by human thought
shall pass forth into usefulness.
/"VBREGON has been elected President of the United
^-' States of Mexico. The election aroused but little
popular interest and passed quietly, as is usual in Mexico,
for the 'election' of a President is generally settled, by
ballets rather than ballots, a short time before the elec-
torate is called upon to confirm the practical result of an
earlier and much more exciting contest. However, far be
it from us to sneer at other people's ways of effecting the
selection of a chief executive. In this case the result is
satisfactory, because it places in authority a man of in-
telligence and character. Seiior Alvaro Obregon — we do
not call him 'General' because, we understand, he desires
to be regarded as a civilian — is an ' Americanista ', that is.
he wishes to live on friendly terms with his neighbors to
the north and hopes to have their financial assistance in
reorganizing the industrial affairs of his own country.
The new President of Mexico speaks the language of the
United States well; that in itself augurs for an under-
standing sympathy, for gentlemen can always be on a
friendly footing if they but speak each other's language.
We wish him well, and hope that his government will
shortly receive recognition from ours. It will be a great
blessing to have Mexico restored to order, for not only
would we like our nationals to have the opportunity of
resuming their mining operations under such laws as the
Mexican government may impose fairly, but we are glad
that the bogy of annexation has been quieted, at least
for a time. Annexation would do more harm to the
United States than to Mexico.
T AST week Dr. John C. Merriam, Professor of Paleon-
*-* tology in the University of California, was tendered
sundry dinners and receptions by way of friendly fare-
well before his departure to Washington, where he will
assume his new duties as head of the Carnegie Institu-
tion. His departure is a real loss to the University and
to the State, but it is gratifying that a man of science
so sincerely devoted to the cause of research should re-
ceive such well-merited promotion to a position of greater
importance and wider usefulness. In these days not
many of the devotees of science have the courage to stick
to the pioneer paths of research when the muddy high-
ways of commercialism promise them greater pecuniary
reward. The application of geology to industry has gone
so far as to suggest the possibility that unless there is
more research there will be but little new science to ap-
ply. Many of the fundamental problems of geology are
being solved, or are in course of solution, in the Pacific
Coast region, notably in our own State of California.
We can ill afford therefore to lose such men as Dr.
Merriam. Incidentally, it is worthy of remark that
paleontology, as a study of evidence on the development
of life, floral and faunal, preserved in the rocks, was a
principal factor in stimulating the central idea of evolu-
tion. It was to Lyell that Darwin owed the first hints of
his own great concept, and it is to geology, particularly
that part of it concerned with the sequence of rock for-
mations, and of the vestigial record they contain in the
form of fossils, that we owe the splendid imaginations of
modern science.
HPHE Utah Public Utilities Commission, after a hearing
■*• lasting several days, has excepted freight-rates on
intra-state shipments of ores, including coal, from the
increase of 25% that it had authorized on other com-
modities in conformity with the action of the Interstate
Commerce Commission. During the hearings, represen-
tatives of the mining companies showed that the increase
of 20% granted by the Director-General of Railroads in
1918 had resulted in the closing of a number of mines
that yielded ore of comparatively low grade ; and figures
were presented to indicate that a further increase at this
time would be followed by the suspension of shipments
from a large number of mines, with attendant hardship
on various mining communities throughout the State. It
was argued that the direct increase in the cost of ship-
ping ore was only one of the burdens that the new rate-
September 11. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
369
schedule will place upon the operating companies. The
transportation of fuel and fluxing material to the smelters
ami the shipment of bullion to Eastern refineries musl
be paid for in large measure by the producer, and in-
.1 freight-rates will likewise be reflected in the
rust of mine supplies. The total average additional ex-
pense for the mining i ipany, according to .-^i muit<s
presented, would amount to $1.63 per ton. Mr. Walter
Pitch, of the Chief Consolidated company at Eureka,
testified thai liis company bad shipped 20,000 tuns of ore
worth +:!!».44 per ton during the second quarter of the
year at a loss of +o.:>lti per ton. Evidence given by other
officials corroborated the statement of Mr. Pitch thai an
inorease in rates would be a serious detrimenl to the in-
dustry. The railroad companies, when given an oppor-
tunity to present their side of the case, took the ground
that the purpose of the proceedings was to arrange Eot
increased revenue in an emergency, and should not be
viewed in the light of a rate-making hearing. On this
hasis they asked that the horizontal increase be allowed
anil that particular questions as to rates be settled later.
We surmise that the carriers recognize the importance of
the mining industry to the welfare of the State ; that t liey
appreciate the position of the mining companies, and
realize that many of them cannot operate if costs continue
to advance. Whether properly or not. freight-rates have
always been based to a large extent on 'what the traffic
will bear' and apparently some of Utah's mining enter-
prises are already pretty well burdened. Since many of
the smelters are in Utah, companies shipping ore from
neighboring States, as. for instance, Pioehe in Nevada.
will doubtless feel badly treated at being compelled to
abide by the ruling of the Federal Commission. Traffic
officials admit that the refusal of the various State com-
missions to authorize parallel increases in intra-state
rates may have serious consequences, and, if general, will
defeat in a measure the purpose of the original award.
Colorado School of Mines
We have received a copy of the report on the Colorado
School of Mines as submitted by a committee of inquiry
appointed by the American Association of University
Professors. Our readers are aware that the mining
school at Golden has been the victim of recurrent scan-
dals; they know that it has produced many mining en-
gineers of high character and ability; they regret that
the good repute of the School should be clouded re-
peatedly by ructions variously between the trustees, the
faculty, the students, and successive presidents ; and they
will be interested in learning what report a competent
committee of inquiry has made. We have read the com-
plaints submitted by numerous professors and ex-presi-
dents of the institution, together with the defence made
by the trustees, and find ourselves in hearty agreement
with the findings of the committee, which, in brief, are
that Dr. Victor C. Alderson, who was president, from
1903 to 1913, and was re-appointed in 1917, dismissed
"strong teachers of professional rank and of long ser-
vice . . . without charges, hearing, or adequate warn-
ing; that he lowered the standards of scholarship . . .
by compelling members of the faculty to change I the I
grades of students, especially of those who had influen-
tial relatives". Next, it is found that individual trustees
"weakened the authority of the faculty by interfering
in matters of discipline . . . and that President Parme-
lee was dismissed chiefly on account of the firm attitude
he tonk in resisting interference on the part of the board
| of trustees] with the faculty's responsibility for main-
taining discipline and proper educational standards".
The reply made by the trustees to "the sworn and de-
tailed statements of former professors" is "uncandid and
evasive"; in effect, it "admits the gravest of the charges
as if they were of no serious importance". In concluding,
the report says: "The conditions which were brought
out in this investigation, unless remedied without delay,
will prove most disastrous to the future of the School.
To attract and to retain teachers of superior qualifica-
tions, an institution must protect them from administra-
tive tyranny and from interference with their personal
functions and responsibilities, and must maintain such
standards as will permit men of character to enter and
to remain in its service without loss of professional self-
respect. This can only be accomplished if the authorities
of the State of Colorado will appoint trustees who are
competent to select and to support a president who has
the proper educational ideals".
In short, what is needed is that the pressure of public
opinion compel the Governor to select suitable trustees or
that the law regulating the choice be so changed that it
will be made intelligently and conscientiously by some
other authority. We visited the School at the time of
the students' strike in 1917 and realized the unfairness
meted to Mr. II. C. Parmelee, as stated in our issue of
June 16, 1917. The board of trustees at that time con-
sisted of five, two of whom were graduates of the School
and well fitted for their responsibility, but the majority
of three consisted of a reporter on one of the Denver
papers, a small banker living at Golden, the representa-
tive of the local boarding-houses and tradespeople, and a
mining 'magnate', who failed to attend any of the meet-
ings of the board until a crisis supervened, and then only
added to the confusion by talking one way and acting
another. The conditions that Mr. Parmelee had to face
provoke satire. The reporter trustee, 'Cap.' Smith,
actually authorized a citizen of Golden, entirely without
official connection with the School, to tell the striking
students to return to work and that "their suspended
colleagues would be reinstated". In 1897, 1902, 1903,
1905, 1915, 1917, and in 1920, the School suffered from
unfortunate publicity arising from domestic troubles.
Sometimes it has been a president who has shown no
decent consideration for the members gf his faculty;
sometimes it has been gross interference by the trustees
with the authority of the faculty ; and sometimes, in
consequence, it was the students who proved mutinous.
If the School is to survive, it must receive the best atten-
tion of the citizens of Colorado immediately. Of course,
the slime of politics is over it all. The majority of the
board of trustees are appointed by a politician, the Gov-
370
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 11, 1920
ernor. It may be right that the Governor should have
some say in the administration of a State institution; he
might he allowed to select the minority of two. We sug-
gested in 1917 that some of the trustees lie selected ex
officio, for example, the president of the Colorado Scien-
tific Society or the chairman of the local seetion of the
American Institute of Mining Engineers. The alumni
of the School elect two members, and they have been well
chosen. The main thing is to divorce the School from
local politics — and meretricious newspapers. We hope
that the mining fraternity in Colorado will arouse itself
to an exertion of whatever influence it may command in
order to safeguard the School, which evidently is on the
rocks. The Colorado School of Mines has done too well
to lie jettisoned; it deserves the best help of the mining
profession in the hour of danger.
The Great Steel Strike
This is the title of a book by William Z. Foster on the
steel strike of 1919. We read in the 'New Republic' that
it was ' ' a book of the first importance in American labor
history ' ' and we thought it well to read what one of the
leaders of the strike had to say about it, so we ordered the
book and read it carefully. Mr. Foster was the organizer
of the strike and was responsible for the management of
it as long as it lasted, that is. from September 22, 191S.
to January 8, 1920. Officially he was secretary-treasurer
of the committee that had charge of the fight. His book,
of course, is an ex parte statement of the case, but it has
value as giving us one side of the story ; as a narrative it
is not, so "swift, vivid, and illuminating" as the reviewer
in the 'New Republic' led us to expect, but it does throw
light on a great industrial struggle and in parts is suffi-
ciently candid to uncover the purpose and program of the
left wing of the labor party. If Mr. Gary, on the other
side, would give us. his version of the affair we would be
much nearer to an intelligent understanding of the causes
and conditions governing the struggle, and any future
struggle of the same kind, for the chief message of the
Foster book is to threaten a recurrence of the industrial
upheaval at an early date. The author says: "When the
opportune time comes, which wall be but shortly, the next
big drive will be on"; and he promises that "the great
steel strike of 1919 will seem only a preliminary skirmish
when compared with the tremendous battles that are
bound to come, unless the enslaved steel workers are set
free". These quotations give a fair idea of the style and
temper of the book.
Mr. Foster reviews the earlier strikes of 1892. 1901.
and 1909, all of which failed. The effort to unionize the
steel workers was resisted successfully by their employers.
The European war afforded an opportunity to organize
the workers. In 1918 Mr. Foster had been organizing
unions in the packing-house industry of Chicago and was
looking for an opportunity to use his energies in a new
field. He suggested to his friends of the American Feder-
ation of Labor that.-'the organization of the vast armies
of wage-earners employed in the steel industries is vitally
necessary to the further spread of industrial democracy
in America". As he says, "the idea was to make a hurri-
cane drive simultaneously in all the steel centres that
would catch the workers' imagination and sweep them
into the unions en masse despite all opposition, and thus
put Mr. Gary and his associates into such a predicament
that they would have to grant the just demands of the
men". He counted upon taking advantage of the na-
tional necessity: "The war was on; the continued opera-
tion of the steel industry was imperative ; a strike was
therefore out of the question; the steel manufacturers
would have been compelled to yield to their workers,
either directly or through the instrumentality of the
Government". He chuckles at the prospect of carrying
out this plan, which was "the logical and practical one".
It miscarried, because, although the unions under the
American Federation of Labor approved the project,
they failed to find the necessary funds. The conspiracy
— for it was that, considering the fact that the nation was
at war — succeeded only in unionizing some of the steel
workers of the Chicago district. In October 1918 the
U. S. Steel Corporation announced the adoption of the
basic eight-hour day, with 50% extra pay for over-time.
That was "a counter-stroke", says Mr. Foster, "which
the national movement had been designed to forestall".
Thereupon he and his friends moved to the Pittsburgh
district and began their campaign of preparing for a
strike, by enticing the steel workers into the unions that
they organized in the various towns. They deserve credit
for persistence, and even courage : for they had to face
many obstacles, including "the chronic lack of funds, sup-
pression of free speech and free assembly, raises of wages,
multiplicity of races, mass picketing by bosses, wholesale
discharge of union men. company unions, discouraging
traditions of lost local strikes". Many pages are devoted
to a description of the efforts made by local authorities to
prevent public meetings : this was done variously . by
mayors, burgesses, and town councils. That such inhibi-
tions were instigated by the steel companies is quite
likely; that in some cases the methods adopted to prevent
disorder were technically unlawful is more than prob-
able. The townspeople did not want their quiet dis-
turbed by the ructions of labor agitators, and. like^he
public generally, wished to be quit of the internecine
struggle between the capitalist and the laborer. In many
instances a meeting was permitted with the proviso that
English only could be spoken. This touches an interest-
ing phase of the struggle. The majority of the strikers
consisted of the foreign-born. Omitting the office forces
and bosses, "it is exceedingly doubtful if over 25% of the
actual workers are American-born whites". So says Mr.
Foster: the proportion is more nearly 40%. He con-
tinues: "How, then, can a general strike for steel work-
ers be anything else than largely a strike of foreigners".
That, of course, is one of its hideous features. The Amer-
icans did not favor a strike, partly because most of them
belonged to the class of skilled labor, which was well
paid. This fact Mr. Foster' acknowledges in so many
words: "But if the Americans and skilled workers gen-
erally proved indifferent union men in the steel cam-
paign, the foreign unskilled workers covered themselves
September 11.
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
371
with glory .... They proved themselves altogether
worthy of the best American labor traditions". In order
to recruit for the unions, it was necessary tor the organ-
izers to issue their circulars is tour languages at least,
usually in six, and the strike call itself was issued in
languages. Another interesting fact is the aversion of
the negro to unionism. "The indifference, verging
often into open hostility, with which negroes generally
regarded Organized Labor's activities, manifested itself
strongly in the steel campaign. Those employed in the
industry were extremely resistant to the trade-union pro-
gram ; those on the outside allowed themselves to be used
as strike-breakers." Of the employees in the steel
industry, 4.7' ; were negroes. They are mostly unskilled
laborers, and are chiefly in the blast-furnace department.
In the Homestead plants they constituted 12 to 14% of
the working force. In that locality only eight out of 1737
negroes joined the union. "In the entire steel industry,
the negroes, beyond compare, gave the movement less co-
operation than any other element, skilled or unskilled,
foreign or native." "Worse yet : those on the outside were
willing to be used as strike-breakers. Mr. Foster asserts
that the steel companies recruited and shipped 30,000 to
40.000 negroes to the mills in order to break the unions.
For this, he thinks the unions themselves are largely to
blame, because "many of them sharply draw the color
line", a discrimination he censures strongly, because it
interferes with the plan of organizing all the workers ir-
respective of color, sex, race, or creed. In this particular,
as in others, the steel w-orkers showed much less soli-
darity than their employers. Although the steel com-
panies independent, of the so-called Trust, the I'. S. Steel
Corporation, had developed various systems of their own
for collective bargaining, such as shop-committees and
works-councils, in order to circumvent the unions, and
although they had gone further than the Steel Corpora-
tion itself in correcting some of the abuses that provoked
the strike, nevertheless, when the struggle with the labor
agitators was once started, they supported Judge Gary
to a man. The entire body of employers functioned as a
unit ; the solidarity of capital exceeded that of labor.
The strike was comparatively free from violence. Reg-
ular troops at Gary, militia at Indiana Harbor, and the
State Constabulary in Pennsylvania were factors in
maintaining order, but there can be no doubt that the
workers were orderly chiefly because they were sober.
Owing to war-time prohibition, the saloons were closed.
Instead of buying drinks, the men bought food. Mr.
Foster asserts that prohibition helped to prolong the
strike, by conserving the financial resources of the men,
many of whom formerly would have spent their savings
in drink and then returned to work. Only 20 persons
were killed during the strike, and some of these were the
victims of criminal violence only indirectly related to the
struggle. Mr. Foster, however, claims that "scores of
scabs, because of their own or other incompetent workers'
ineptness, were roasted, crushed to death, or torn to
pieces in the dangerous steel-making processes during the
strike". This statement, like others that he makes, may
be discounted. For example, the claim is mode that the
steel workers are under-paid ami over-worked. 1 1 is true
probably of some of them, as in other industries; many
work over-time because the processes of steel-making re-
quire continuity of human effort in certain opera!
the skilled men engaged in these special departments earn
from $13 to $21 per shift. Other skilled labor earns $7
to $8 per shift. Common labor gets 45 to 50 cents per
hour, or $125 to $140 per month. These were the figures
published by the Steel Corporation at the beginning of
the strike. Mr. Foster, criticizing the estimate of $87,-
000,000 as the amount lost by the men in wages during
the strike, says that it "bears the earmarks of Steel Trust
origin, and is too low". "Whereupon he bases his estimate
of $112,500,000 upon a rate of "$5 per day per man".
Again, in a letter to Mr. Gary, his committee claimed to
speak for "the vast majority of the employees in this
industry", whereas they had enrolled in their unions
only 156,000, out of 500,000. He claims that 365,000
men went on strike, which, he asserts, was 90% effective.
These statements are untrustworthy. Even his own story
does not support them. The result of the strike renders
them highly improbable. But there is one feature of his
management that merits admiration, and that is the com-
missariat which he established with the funds given by
other unions. He received $418,141 for the purpose and
spent $348,509. At a cost of 93 cents per week per
striker he was able for four months to feed those who
were destitute — a small minority only, apart from whom
the steel workers were able to make "their long hard fight
virtually upon their own resources". The cost of the
strike to the men, in lost wages, was $112,500,000. Mr.
Foster's committee spent $525,702. The cost to the steel
companies was "several hundred millions of dollars",
says Mr. Foster. To this must be added the loss to the
railroads and to the many industries dependent upon
either the consumption or the production of the steel
companies. The total financial loss is incalculable. But,
says Mr. Foster, it was well worth while. "The whole
trade-union movement won a great moral victory." "The
conclusion is bound to be optimistic and full of enthu-
siasm for the future. " "The next movement will have to
win by its own strength, rather than by the vagaries of a
newspaper-ereated public opinion."
Here he places his ringer inadvertently on the chief
feature of the strike, namely, the stupidly helpless atti-
tude of the public. It is obvious that these blind ven-
dettas waged by obstinate and ignorant men are the nega-
tion of civilized life. The attempts of the Strike Com-
mittee to obtain a conference with Mr. Elbert H. Gary,
the chairman of the finance committee of the U. S. Steel
Corporation, and his replies to them exhibit a state of
affairs that is intolerable. The matter is treated as if it
concerned only these particular employers and their em-
ployees, numbering, all-told, only half a million people,
whereas it affected vitally a commonwealth of a hundred
million people. The \%. menaced the welfare of 99|%.
We hold no brief for Mr. Gary ; he may be an improve-
ment upon Messrs. Vanderbilt and Baer as an exponent
372
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC
PRESS
September 11, 1920
of capitalism, but he too shows too small a realization of
the obligations owed by him and his colleagues to the
community in which they conduct their industrial opera-
tions and to the commonwealth under whose laws they are
permitted to exploit a national resource. The only way
to combat the unrestrained egoism and selfishness of the
protagonists in such a struggle as the steel strike is to
inform the public concerning the facts. "Without reliable
information the public is helpless ; it truly is "damned",
as Vanderbilt thought it ought to be. An ignorant and
invertebrate public opinion is helpless. Mr. Foster an-
nounces that another and a bigger steel strike is assured
within a year or two. Mr. Gary says, in effect, "Come
on" or "Go to hell" to Mr. Foster. Is the public, that
is, the nation as a whole, to wait supinefy until the ven-
detta is resumed ? Obviously the proper corrective is the
publication of trustworthy data concerning the facts at
issue, such as hours of labor, rates of pay, treatment of
the men, housing conditions, and the other conditions that
determine the reasonable welfare of the workers. The
enormous profits made by the steel companies leave them
no excuse for disregarding their obligations in such mat-
ters. If the information is to be reliable and convincing,
it must be unbiased. The President should take the initi-
ative in this matter, which is of national importance.
President Wilson did well with his Industrial Confer-
ence ; his successor can do even better by appointing a
committee of inquiry that will command national con-
fidence. The Presidential nominees should be asked their
views on the subject.
One more feature of Mr. Foster's book remains to be
discussed. At the close he outlines his philosophy frank-
ly. The labor-unions are to be used as a means of estab-
lishing the dictatorship of the proletariat; that is Bol-
shevism; they must act in unison, so as to 'hold up' the
entire country if necessary to obtain their demands.
They have ' ' surrounded themselves with a sort of camou-
flage or protective coloring, designed to disarm opposi-
tion . . . This is the function of such expressions as
'A fair day's pay for a fair day's work', 'The interests
of Capital and Labor are identical', etc. . . . They are
for foreign consumption. The fact that those who utter
them may actually believe what they say does not change
the situation a particle. Most movements are blind to
their own goals anyway . . . The trade-unions will not
become anti-capitalistic through the conversion of their
members to a certain point of view or by the adoption of
certain preambles; they are that by their make-up and
methods." The italics are his. He believes that the
trade-unions can be made so 'radical', that is, so much in
accord with the views of men like himself, that there will
be no need.for a party of the Left, such as the I. "W. W.
He complains that the more militant members of the
trade-unions have joined the I. "W. W., thereby devitaliz-
ing the trade-unions, to which he looks for leadership in
the industrial war he anticipates with so much confidence
and cheerfulness. "In a word", he says, "the progress-
ives must be won over from the idealistic and Utopian to '
the evolutionary point of view . . . Indeed it must be
granted that insistence upon the real goal and tendency
of trade-unionism will provoke the capitalistic class into
greater opposition against the movement. But this will
be trebly offset by the added support which the unions
will get from the large numbers of militants who now
stand apart from them because of lack of understanding.
The power of even a few such men, proceeding intelli-
gently along practical lines, is one of the marvels of the
labor movement." I quote at some length because it is
well to understand the menace conveyed. His "evolu-
tionary" seems to lack an 'r', for he speaks of recent
events in England thus: "In England the turning point
came ten years ago when she felt the great wave of senti-
ment for revolutionary unionism then sweeping the
world. The question was whether this movement should
realize its aims through the old unions or by starting new
ones . . . Fortunately, Tom Mann and his colleagues,
with a deeper knowledge of trade-unionism, were able to
forestall this movement and to direct the strong stream of
progressive thought and energy into the old unions. The
result was magical. Within two years the great and suc-
cessful strikes of the transport workers, railroaders, and
miners had occurred, and the renaissance of the English
labor movement was assured. ' ' Yes, and the whole net-
work of English industry was paralyzed for a time by
this magic touch, and would have been held by the throat
if the public generally had not rallied to the support of
the government. Let us hope that nothing so "magical"
will happen in our country when Mr. Foster and his
friends start their little game of terrorism. A combina-
tion of "great and successful strikes" among the rail-
road hands, the steel workers, and the coal miners, such
as he pictures so jubilantly, will be a national calamity
too tremendous to be contemplated with philosophic calm.
There is one way to prevent it, and that is to create a
healthy and intelligent public opinion on this industrial
straggle between the corporations and their employees;
such a public opinion will react upon both sides and hold
them accountable. A public that is ignorant and supine
will be trodden underfoot, as it deserves. The moral of
Mr. Foster's book is that the Federal authority should
order an investigation, ascertain the facts, and take the
public into its confidence. By this is meant not an in-
vestigation such as was conducted under the auspices of
the United States Senate during the strike, when a group
of senators went into a room by themselves and sum-
moned sundry witnesses to come before them, but a gen-
uine inquiry conducted by competent men, say, three or
five, in the mills and in the communities dependent upon
them. The daily press cannot, we regret to say, fulfill
this function. Too few owners of newspapers are suffi-
ciently detached to treat the subject without bias. In
the region directly affected by the strike the newspapers
were controlled or subventioned by one side or the other.
The matter is too serious to be left to the vagaries of
journalism: it must be made the business of official in-
quiry. If the public is given reliable first-hand informa-
tion, it will be competent to exert its proper influence.
"Without such information, it will be helpless.
September 11. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
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The Record for Cheap Mining
The Editor:
Sir— I have only just noticed the very interesting
article upon the Bunker Hill enterprise published in
your issue of May 29, 1920, in which reference is made
to the record in cheap gold mining and milling made by
Mr. Bradley at the Spanish mine in Nevada county, Cali-
fornia, as described in your issue of October 22, 1887.
Your readers might perhaps suppose that the record
in question has remained unbeaten, and it may interest
some of them to learn of a still lower record made at a
Mexican mine and described in a note at the Richmond
meeting of the A. I. M. E. in February 1901 and pub-
lished in the Transactions, A. I. M. E.. Vol. XXXI, pp.
445-449. The figures compare as follows :
Spanish Santa Fe
mine. mine.
California Mexico
Number of tons 2796 10.274
Operating costs, cents per ton :
Hilling: Wages 32.4 19.0
Supplies 5.1 1.5
Milling:
Wages . .
Supplies
12.3
10.7
9.0
8.6
23.0
SI. 155
60.5
17.6
$1,316
38.1
Yield of ore in gold
Total cost, cents per ton
Profit per ton 0.550 0.937
The record made at this Mexican mine 20 years ago
remains, I believe, unapproaehed to this day.
London, July 31. Henry F. Collins.
Two Suggestions on a National Problem
The Editor:
Sir — I have read with interest the letter by M. von
Bernewitz on the gasoline and oil situation, and, though
there can be no gainsaying the urgent need of discovering
a way out of the present difficulty, I do not think it is to
be found in the more extended use of producer-gas for
raising steam and for use in internal-combustion engines.
Producer-gas is of inestimable value in manj' metal-
lurgical processes, such as the open-hearth process for
converting pig-iron into steel, where the. use of a solid
fuel is impracticable and where the rapid regulation of
the atmosphere of the furnace from oxidizing to reduc-
ing, and the reverse, is of paramount importance. Like-
wise, where convenience is a main consideration, pro-
ducer-gas has its uses, but as an economical means of
burning coal for raising steam or for many metallurgical
purposes in which coal-ash does not interfere with the
reaction, producer-gas is not in the same class with pul-
verized coal as a fuel. Theoretically, the combustion of
carbon to carbon monoxide prod S 2450 calories, the
combustion of carbon monoxide to carbonic acid 5630
calorics, and the combustion of carbon to carbonic acid
8080 calories. In the manufacture of producer-gas, there-
fore, that is in the conversion of the carbon of the coal
to carbon monoxide, 30% of the heat value of the coal is
lost. As a matter of fact, in practice a great deal more is
lost, as is proved by the presence of 3 to 10% of CCL in
producer-gas, but as combustion of coal even in the pow-
di nil state is rarely complete, we can afford to be mag-
nanimous, put the one loss off against the other, and
assume a loss of only 30% in comparison with the direct
combustion of coal. That is bad enough, but it is not all.
The nitrogen content of produeer-gas ranges from 50 to
60%, with an average in excess of 55% ; add to this 5%
of CCL and we get 60% of inert gas in the mixture, which
is a serious drawback when used as fuel for internal-
combustion engines, in which the inert gases uselessly
occupy- valuable space in the combustion chamber. For
raising steam, producer-gas has about one-third the
calorific power of coal-gas.
The use of coal-gas as a fuel for stationary internal-
combustion engines is, of course, far older than the use
of gasoline ; in fact, I believe I am right in stating that
gasoline replaced coal-gas mainly on account of its
greater convenience for use in automobiles. So the re-
version to coal-gas for the propulsion of automobiles in
England while there was a shortage of gasoline during
the War was only to have been expected. I should like
to explain to Mr. von Bernewitz, however, that the
storage of the gas in "an unsightly bag atop of the ma-
chine", instead of in steel cylinders, as he suggests, was
not due to innate stupidity on the part of the Briton, but
to the fact that high-grade steel, such as is necessary for
the safe storing of gases under pressure up to 2000 lb.,
which is common practice, was at that time in demand
for far more important purposes.
I do not take such a pessimistic view of the automotive-
fuel outlook as Mr. von Bernewitz appears to. At the
present time there are more trained observers broad-
spread over the face of the earth searching for new oil-
fields than ever before in the world's history, and to me
it will be astonishing if this systematic search does not
meet with reward. Lacking the discovery of new im-
portant oilfields, however, it is generally accepted, I be-
lieve, that far more oil still remains absorbed in the
porous rocks of abandoned fields than has been taken
from them, and attention now is being turned to the dis-
covery of a method by which at least a considerable por-
tion of this oil may be obtained. Then there are the vast
374
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 11, 1920
deposits of oil-shale that have been proved to exist on
this continent and that are estimated to contain far more
oil than has been recovered from oilfields in America in
the past. It will take time and money, of course, to de-
velop these sources and to build plants for the extraction
of the oil. The work that is being started to recover
gasoline, heavy oil, and bitumen from the tar-sand of
the Athabaska valley, in Alberta, will be watched with
interest.
In the meantime, I fully agree with Mr. von Bernewitz
that the use of oil for raising steam and of gasoline for
stationary engines where other forms of fuel is available
should be discouraged.
Last year was the first year in the history of the United
States that the amount of coal coked in by-product ovens
exceeded that coked in beehive ovens. As much as 46%
of the coke produced is still made in beehive ovens. Each
ton of coal carbonized is capable of yielding about two
gallons of liquid that not only can be used by itself as an
automotive fuel but that has the property of making
alcohol miseible with gasoline and providing a fuel com-
posed of three substances that may be used in existing
types of engines. Straight alcohol, of course, requires a
specially designed engine. It behooves the producers of
coke, therefore, to see that the by-products evolved dur-
ing the destructive distillation of coal are saved. The
automotive-fuel situation admittedly calls for serious
thought and active research, but not, I think, for any-
thing approaching panic.
Victoria, B. C, August 19. F. H. Mason.
A Method of Blasting
The Editor :
Sir — On page 276 of your issue of August 21 you have
a paragraph stating: "A method of blasting a heading,
possessing a new feature, is reported from the Nord-
hausen mining district in Germany. Instead of two or
three inclined shot-holes in the centre to un-key the face
of the work, the holes are bored parallel with the axis of
the drift, locally known as 'canon-shots'. These are
arranged and fired to make a bole of no great diameter
in the centre of the face by crushing the rock. Then a
ring of shot-holes is bored around this central opening
and fired. This removes a considerable mass of rock,
thereby greatly enlarging the central opening. Another
ring of holes, more widely spaced, clears the face. The
novelty consists in the closely situated central crushing
holes. Being so near together, it is not necessary to have
a primer and fuse in each. The concussion of one shot is
sufficient to fire the rest."
This is. not a new method; it has been used in this
country for a number of years, especially in raises, for
which it is best adapted. The cut as used in this country
is called the 'hunt' or 'barrel' cut. It consists in drilling
three or four holes as near as possible together, in the
centre and parallel to the axis of the raise. Instead of
loading all the cut-holes, as in the German method, only
one or two of the holes are loaded. The blasting of these
holes breaks the walls of the others, leaving an opening
of barrel shape, from which the cut receives its name.
This is a good cut in raising, because the barrel frees
itself of loose rock and allows considerable space for the
other holes to break to.
In most mines the complete round is drilled, because,
otherwise, the ground would be so shaken by drawing
the cut-holes that in drilling the other holes afterward
there would be considerable delay with fitehered holes.
The article states that "the novelty consists in the
clearly situated central crushing holes. Being so near
together it is not necessary to have a fuse or cap in each.
The concussion of one shot is sufficient to fire the rest."
In recent years, with the new light drills it is possible in
most drifts and cross-cuts to swing the machine so that
two or three cut-holes will meet, and while they all have
primers and fuse, in most cases one primer and fuse
would be sufficient to blast all of them.
Houghton, Michigan, August 24.
S. S. Lang.
Enlarging Maps
The Editor:
Sir — I have had occasion to use, in the preparation of
mine reports, a topographical map in cases where the cost
of an actual survey is not justified. If the district is in-
cluded in any of the published topographic surveys of the
U. S. Geological Survey, an excellent substitute may be
had by a photographic enlargement of the Geological
Survey map. The latter is usually drawn to a very small
scale and the location of workings, buildings, etc., can-
not be accurately indicated on them.
Enlargements must be made accurately, preferably 5,
10, or 20 times, so that the scale may be preserved in
simple ratios. Thus if the original scale is i1 , an
125.000 '
enlargement of 10 diameters will increase the scale to
i
12,500 •
Portals, buildings, and other objects may be tied into
some point shown on the Geological Survey map. If the
enlargement is 20 diameters it will be necessary to make
a tracing from the photograph, as the original lines have
also been enlarged and become too wide and ungainly.
Blue or black-line prints should then be made.
I have found maps prepared in this way to be very
satisfactory and sufficiently accurate for ordinary re-
quirements. It should be borne in mind, however, that if
any inaccuracies exist in the original map, they will be
proportionately increased. Too much dependence should
not be placed on section-lines shown in these photographic
maps. In some of the topographical maps, the notes of
original section-line surveys appear to have been dis-
regarded, and nothing but an actual survey, using the
notes on file in the U. S. Land Office, will suffice. This is
especially true in mountain areas, where the course of the
section-lines appear to have been determined by the con-
venience of travel for the transit-man rather than by his
instrument. Samuel H. Dolbear.
San Francisco, August 10.
September 11. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
375
The Ore Deposits of Mexico -V
Ore Deposits in Igneous Rocks
By S. J. LEWIS
Introductory. Ore deposition results from chemical
reactions. At bottom, the differences between those in
limestone and those in igneous rocks reside in the fact
that in the former the igneous structure, whatever its
size or place, that we associate with the orebodies, is re-
stricted: it serves as the conduit or passage from the
buried magmatic mass to the limestone rocks; so that we
can readily refer the ensuing precipitation of mineral to
the action of the alkaline wall-rock on the sulphide solu-
tions. In igneous rocks we are not dealing with a lim-
ited intrusion that serves merely to connect the lime-
stone with the igneous reservoir, but with the reservoir
itself : that is, with a more or less homogeneous mass of
practically unlimited extent, out of which the magmatic
solutions proceed, and in which the conditions of precipi-
tation must usually be determined by other elements
than the comparatively simple one of a contact with
rock of different composition.
Mechanical forces, by fracturing the rocks, make
openings that serve as Nature's receptacles for the circu-
lating ground-water, in which reactions can take place
as they do in any other container. Later similar forces
introduce factors favorable to enrichment, like dikes or
cross-faults, which frequently are of great importance
in determining the distribution of ore; but aside from
these ground movements, the whole process is chemical
in its nature, strictly comparable to the work done in
the laboratory, and differing from it principally in its
enormous complexity and scale, and in the fact that we
do not control it. In our experimental work we study
the effect of a single reaction by excluding all others ; in
the work of ore deposition a multitude of reactions must
go on together, with an intricacy of interchange that we
cannot wholly grasp. Nevertheless, the only reasonable
concept of the origin of orebodies in igneous rocks is
based on the recognition of the whole process as being a
series of chemical precipitations carried out on a vast
scale in Nature's own receptacles.
A thick structure of volcanic rock presents special in-
terest, because the mass may be regarded as of fairly
uniform composition, possessing much heat which must
be slowly dissipated, and exposed to surficial oxidation
only after its surface has cooled and hardened. Frac-
turing in such a structure will in a general way occur in
two periods: the first comes simultaneously with the
crystallization of the rock-minerals, that is, it will be
due to the contraction of the structure in volume; the
second period will be marked by later fracturing across
these cracks, caused by later intrusions or by regional
movements, which will affect the mass more or less like
forces exerted on rigid bodies. In such formations,
therefore, we should find the channels of deposition
irregular and branching, with sudden changes of dip
and variations in strike, much like the cracks that occur
in badly-annealed glass and having a similar origin ;
while the later fractures become local influences retard-
ing or accelerating circulation and thus making for en-
richment of the ore.
The two stages of mineralization in igneous rocks are
therefore recognizable as the entrance, into the newly-
formed fractures, of two different kinds of solutions:
first, a direct filling with silica in various stages of
gelatinization, carrying dissolved metallic minerals, all
coming direct from the magma and usually hot; and,
second, the entrance into the same channels of the thin-
ner, colder solutions left after the excess silica has
worked its way out. It will be obvious that differences
in chemical equilibrium between these two classes of
solutions will cause precipitation.
It is a matter of common knowledge that gold usually
occurs in nature in quartz veins, either free from other
metals except silver, or else closely associated with iron
pyrite. It is also well known that silica, dissolved in
acid, will under suitable conditions set to a jelly, just
as ordinary gelatin does. If to such a preparation be
added a solution of gold chloride, the latter will diffuse
itself thoroughly within the solidified silica.17 If now a
watery solution of some precipitant be poured on top of
the gelatin in the test-tube, two things will happen if
conditions of molecular pressure are right, which throw
a great light on the formation of such orebodies as we
are discussing: first, the gold will be precipitated in
crystals or aggregates, in the body of the jelly, and in
larger bodies or crystals than are obtainable by other
means; second, the precipitation will usually occur not
all in one mass, but rather in aggregates scattered
through the gelatine, and frequently in a series of bands
of mineral separated by clear spaces. In the original
Liesegang reaction, discovered in 1896, the bands of
mineral were circular and concentric, alternating with
light bands as in the later experimental work. The ap-
pearance produced is similar to that of a fine piece of
red agate, which, it is believed, gets its banded appear-
ance by the precipitation of iron in the way described.
The important factor in these reactions, and one bear-
ing directly on the application of the principle to the for-
mation of orebodies in nature, is the degree of molecular
concentration of the mineral in silieious solution, eom-
I'Hatschek & Simon, 'Gel9 In Relation to Ore Deposition',
Trans. I. M. M., XXI, 1912, p. 452.
376
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 11, 1920
pared with the degree of molecular concentration of the
mineral in watery solution. The bringing together of
two such media sets up circulation of the molecules from
one medium to another: that is, osmotic pressure is in-
duced in one direction or the other, depending on which
is the more highly concentrated. If the concentration is
greater in the watery solution, which is poured on top
of the gelatine, the former will flow into the jelly and
the gold will precipitate inside of the latter ; if the con-
centration in the jelly is greater, then the pressure will
be the other way and precipitation will occur in the
water, at or close to the contact surface of the two media.
The most important point is that the reactions can take
place within the gelatine, notwithstanding the latter is
either semi-solid or quite solid; and it has been shown
that this is the case even if blotting-paper be used in-
stead of gelatine, the reactions taking place just the
same, only more slowly. It will be clear that the princi-
ple should hold true for minerals dissolved in solutions
held in the solid igneous rock, given the difference in
time, pressure, and temperature. I have seen a copper
deposit in andesite in the State of Jalisco, near Colima,
in which an area of several hundred square metres, and
several metres thick, was well mineralized with flakes
and crystals of pure metallic copper, which could hardly
have been deposited in any way except from copper solu-
tions moving through the solid rock and reacting with
some other solution. The crystals of galena scattered
through the limestone of the Mitra mountain, in Mon-
terrey, above the dolomite horizon, may well have had a
similar origin. In both cases, we must view the rock as
a container of silicious copper or lead solutions, to
which at a certain time a reducing solution of proper
molecular strength found its way, just as it would into
gelatine, and that in the same way it brought down the
crystals or aggregates of mineral. In a similar way, the
experiments with the solutions in test-tubes are paral-
leled by the filling up of fracture-cavities in igneous
rock with gelatinous silica, which is subsequently acted
on by reducing solutions. The delicate balance of
molecular concentrations necessary for deposition to take
place will evidently not often occur, making it clear why
orebodies exist only here and there, and sometimes not
at all, in otherwise fine-looking veins ; the irregular
shapes of the aggregates precipitated are paralleled by
the irregular distribution of values in ore-shoots; and,
finally, the alternation of bands of mineral with clear
spaces in the test-tubes is paralleled by the occurrence
of ore in lenses irregularly spaced one below the other
in quartz veins, the lenses of mineral being separated
by barren quartz. We thus reach the concept of a quartz
vein carrying gold, silver, or other metals, as being a
solid solution of silica in a rock-channel, with precipi-
tated crystals or aggregates of the metals, held within
the quartz just where they were precipitated.
A molten mass of igneous rock, existing under high
pressure and temperature in an area of volcanic activity,
before being expelled to the surface, must be a semi-
fluid mass, in which the rock-minerals are carried in
silicious and aqueous solution, and carrying also much
excess silica and great quantities of maginatic water.
These mineral solutions may be conceived to circulate
freely in any direction throughout the mass, depending
on molecular pressure. With the extrusion of the magma
during an eruption, as in the pouring out of a lava
sheet, the reduction in temperature and pressure would
induce the immediate beginning of crystallization of the
rock-minerals, simultaneously with a contraction of the
mass and the formation of fractures or openings, the
first of the three elements required for our reactions.
The excess silica produced from the rock-crystallization
could therefore find its way quickly into the openings,
there to gelatinize gradually as it has been shown to do
in certain mines, finally hardening to quartz. As this
excess silica carries in solution many of the metallic min-
erals derived from the magma, we shall then have the
fractures acting as receptacles for the gelatinous solu-
tions of the metals, furnishing the second element we
require. We would then lack only the addition of a
watery precipitant to complete the requirements, and
make possible the formation of orebodies.
Such a precipitant is furnished, if the conditions of
pressure are right, by the magmatic waters resulting
from the differentiation of the rock-minerals from the
magma. Such thinner, later solutions of the metals, in-
troducing a change of chemical conditions, can work into
the gelatinized or solid silica in the vein-channels, with
ensuing reactions. The precipitated metallic sulphides
would then be found either as isolated perfect crystals
in the solid quartz, or as aggregates or masses of crystals,
sometimes of two or three metals, or grouped in hori-
zontal banded structure or in concentric bands ; or in
lenses formed by combinations of all these forms, de-
posited in the quartz-vein in an irregular mass, with
similar ones occurring under it and the bodies separated
from each other by spaces of barren quartz. The ex-
istence in Mexican mines of types illustrating these re-
actions is familiar to all of us, especially in 'rosario'
silver mines and in the concentric banding of many
silver ores.
Alacran. These phenomena are beautifully illus-
trated in the well-known mine of this name in the
Zacualpan district of the State of Mexico. Where the
vein is narrow, between ore-shoots, banded structure is
common. In the ore-shoots, concentric banding, in thin
laminations parallel to the vein-walls, with the lines of
deposition perpendicular to the latter, are common.
Fig. 16a shows a piece taken from the bottom of the
mine, 100 m. below the level of the Rio Alacran. The
light bands are barren quartz, the dark ones are sul-
phides of silver and iron, with a trace of copper. The
close resemblance to the concentric rings of the Liesegang
experiment speaks for itself.
Five known chimneys occur in the mine, irregularly
spaced over about 800 m. of strike, like beads on a string
(Fig. 16&). This arrangement is usually assigned to
cross-veins cutting across the lode ; but I have never
seen the cross-veins, and if they really exist they must
September 11. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
:S77
Present- ftceue D/o-z
Qreboefy \ oononza
Sarfae
c.
Longifvc/ma/ Section.
nrrt t)reh»J,r<-
P/an
Surface
Cross Sect/on.
d.
F/g. /6.
/?/tfCr<7/? /7/Iie, Zacuofpar?
a.
Concentric Bonding
/f/acran Ore.
Fig. 16
378
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 11, 1920
be small and insignificant. The four parallel veins in
the Alacran lode are well known and usually well de-
fined. Only one of them carries the very rich ore that
has given reputation to the mine. I believe that the im-
portance of vein-intersections in this mine, and in gen-
eral in the district, has been exaggerated. In the Ala-
cran, they seem to have little, if anything, to do with
the mineralization.
I have had the privilege of examining the latest of
these bonanza orebodies,18 which is at the bottom of the
mine, and of studying the mine-plans. The remarkable
alternation of lenses of silver-gold ore with spaces of
barren quartz and wall-rock can at present be fully ex-
plained only as an example in nature of the silica-jelly
reaction that we have been discussing. Throughout the
whole ore-shoot, and it is said, in the old ones also, the
ore occurs in nearly horizontal bodies 30 to 40 m. long,
going down 20 to 25 m., and separated from each other
by the same intervals of barren ground; one lens lies
under the other, all having a slight pitch to the north
and downward as in the sketch (Fig. 16c). Four such
lenses have been worked in the present ore-shoot. In
cross-section, the condition presented is like a string of
short sausages (d). It has been stated locally that the
alternate swelling and pinching of the orebody was due
to the influence of layers of rock of different kinds, in
the walls ; but, as the formation is wholly in the Zacual-
pan andesite or greenstone, with totally insignificant In-
clusions of shale, such a hypothesis cannot be taken
seriously.
Where the ore fails, the vein is usually only a few
centimetres wide, and is at times hardly distinguishable,
there being no walls and no openings. At * enriched
places, lenses of silver sulphides are found, 30 to 70 cm.
wide, the ores carrying from 20 to 60 kg. silver per
metric ton. The wall-rock for a short distance is also
impregnated to the point of making good mill-ore. The
unenriehed spaces between the orebodies usually assay
400 to 500 gm. silver. All the high-grade ores carry
gold, with a characteristic accompaniment of iron and
copper sulphides.
There are many eases where such a series of lenses
may be due to movement of the vein-walls on each other.
Curved parts are thus brought together to form alter-
nate swells or pinches. At Alacran there has been no
discoverable movement of the walls; there is no gouge,
no breccia, particularly no vein; the mineralization con-
sisting merely of a streak of banded quartz, at times
almost invisible. The vein is really a hardly distinguish-
able channel of mineralization, out of which silver min-
erals have diffused into the wall-rock and replaced it.
The silver minerals in the silicious solutions filling this
fracture must have been in a state of quite extraordinary
concentration. Precipitated by some change of chemical
condition, they came down in the silica of the channel
and especially in the wall-rock adjacent to it, in a series
of bands one below the other as in a gigantic beaker.
"Through the courtesy of Don Pedro Melendez, Director,
Neg. Minera Alacran y Anexas.
On this theory we can easily understand the irregular
and infrequent occurrence of ore-shoots in quartz veins.
Cases where enrichment occurs at all swells and impov-
erishment at all pinches are comparatively simple; but
they are in the minority. In most cases the pay-ore
pinches out while the vein remains the same size ; or the
replacement of wall-rock to make ore occurs as a lens in
unreplaced material.
Strictly speaking, we should regard secondary sul-
phide enrichment as a special ease of the same process.
We then have an existing orebody acting as a solid
silicious solution of metallic sulphides, attacked by
watery solutions of the same or other metals, the en-
suing reactions causing precipitation in the solid quartz
vein and consequent enrichment.
A rough classification will be useful to us in making
even a brief study of igneous deposits in Mexico exem-
plifying these principles; the simplest may perhaps be
based on the nature of the igneous mass in which the
ore deposits occur. We may thus divide them into two
classes :
1. In igneous masses intruding older formations.
2. In surface flows of varying composition.
The first class forms a link between the deposits in
limestones, already studied, and those purely igneous
masses; it will therefore be convenient to take it first.
The second class is by far the largest and most impor-
tant, for the flows are found in the great silver-producing
mines of Mexico.
Class 1. In igneous masses intruding older forma-
tions.
The Zacualpan District. Here, in the southern part
of the State of Mexico and close to the Guerrero line, are
excellent illustrations of this class. The mines were
alluded to above in discussing the Sultepec continuation
of the El Oro shales.
The ore deposits of Zacualpan are in a green andesite
like that of El Oro. In thin sections the rock is seen to
be profusely pitted with amygdules, in which the process-
es of oxidation have deposited beautiful crystals of sec-
ondary hydro-silicates. The ferro-magnesian mineral is
generally hornblende and is not abundant. The rock is
fresh, generally speaking, but shows much strain in the
vicinity of the veins, and flow-lines can frequently be
distinguished,. Secondary quartz and calcite are plenti-
ful in the minute veinlets of the rock. A schistose ap-
pearance has been induced in the neighborhood of veins
owing to the heavy pressure to which the mass has been
subjected.
This andesite is the only eruptive rock in the district
and is the principal member of the formation. Black
and gray shale, similar to that of El Oro, occurs in scat-
tered bodies as the subordinate member. This shale,
coming down from Queretaro and Guanajuato to El Oro,
thence to Sultepec and into Guerrero, has been pierced
by one or more laccoliths of the andesite, presumably in
Miocene time, from a centre at or near the Toluca vol-
cano (see map). The igneous masses, working their way
between the strata, pushed them up and tore them away
September U, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
379
until the intrusion was solidified. The domed part of
the Bbale was also the thinnest, and with the breaking
due to the uplift became easily degraded by atmospheric
agencies. This wearing away lias exposed the andesite
throughout the district, with the shale on its flanks and
with small inclusions scattered all through it, some visible
on the highest hills of tie- district. A cross-cut of the
country from Sultepec to Zacualpan* (Fig. 13) shows
thi- shale in place at Sultepec, though much disturbed in
dip and composition, and the greenstone underlying it in
the form of a sill, much as at El Oro. Between the two
towns are a few small isolated masses of limestone of the
late Cretaceous. Continuing south toward Zacualpan,
the greenstone mass rises higher and the shale thins out,
until we come to the Zacualpan district proper, where
the greenstone forms the whole surface, the shale appear-
ing only as scattering inclusions, or 'islands', varying in
size from a few cubic metres to many thousands. These
evidently were torn loose from their original bedding by
the swelling intrusion, floated on the molten mass, and
solidified where chance found them when cooling began.
Vein formation, resulting from cooling and settling of
the laccolith, has been extremely complex in this district.
The fractures have followed the general laws we have
discussed ; but instead of cracking through a homo-
geneous mass, the movements have encountered the shale
inclusions alluded to, and have gone right through them ;
and the deflection of path, modification of channel, or
change in character of vein-filling, have all been matters
of vital importance to the miner. Adapting themselves
to the difference in brittleness of the two rocks, the
fractures have been strong and well defined as long as
they continued in the andesite ; but wherever they have
encountered shale, the strata have yielded to the move-
ment, partly returning to their old position, and the
channel has consequently been made much smaller. For
the same reason, such places show temporary changes of
dip in the vein. The mineralization therefore is nearly
everywhere narrower in the shale than in the andesite,
besides being usually of a different character. The gen-
eral rule of the district has been that as long as the vein
stayed in andesite good ore could be expected, but that
if shale was encountered in the course of stoping on good
ore, the assay-value would drop immediately and coarse
zinc and lead, with but little silver, would be dominant
in the mineralization. A good illustration of this con-
dition was noted a few years ago in the Cuchara mine
close to the town, one of the minor properties of the dis-
trict. It had yielded small orebodies from Spanish times
and had been worked down to the level of the Alacran
river, which drains this part of the country. At this
level the mine was apparently bottomed ; a drainage-adit
driven 600 metres from the surface to cut all the veins,
with about 200 metres of exploration on them, showed
no ore of value. The mine was practically abandoned.
Careful study of the ground showed a horizontal in-
clusion of shale, about four metres thick, outcropping in
the arroyo at the level of the adit, with the solid andesite
♦See 'M. & S. P.' of June 26, page 935.
beneath it stretching away for several kilometres down
the arroyo. Investigation showed that the long and
vitally important adit had been driven for its whole
length in this accidental shale formation, varying in
thickness from the four metres seen at the surface to
about 18 m. at. the thickest known point in the mine,
High-grade ore. which had been followed down to this
Mexico
Naranja
uala
SCALE OF MILES
O 10 20 30
l I 1
^
Shale underlain Tuffs &
by greens tone Shales
m
Limestone Greenstone Andesites
GEOLOGIC MAP OP ZACUALPAN DISTRICT
level in a satisfactory width, pinched to a few centi-
metres of black-jack and coarse galena, the usually per-
sistent antimonial silver disappearing entirely. Twelve
metres of exploration downward had failed to show im-
provement; evidently it was necessary to pass through
the shale and get into the andesite again. The winze
therefore was cleaned out and deepened, the shale left
behind, and with a total of 20 metres of new sinking, the
upper edge of a new orebody was cut, carrying rich silver
minerals, which persisted down to about 80 m. below the
level of the arroyo.
380
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 11, 1920
A similar occurrence was noted in Chontalpan on the
fourth level north several years ago. Excellent ore drop-
ped to 200 grammes per ton when the drift entered the
shale, and returned to a kilogramme when the shale was
passed. On the other hand, the most valuable orebody
found in the Chontalpan mine in modern times occurred
below the fourth level at a point where there is a great
deal of shale in the foot-wall.
The Zacualpan ores are silieious, with considerable
calcite in the gangue of some of the veins. The silver
appears both as proustite and pyrargyrite, but principally
as antimonial ruby silver. At Chontalpan the ruby usu-
ally occurred massive, smeared over the surface of the
ore, especially in conjunction with fine-grained lead. At
other mines near-by, the Carmelita for example, the ruby
occurs in fine crystals and needles, quite transparent and
standing on end within small cavities. Argentite is com-
mon and is disseminated through the ore. Good crystals
are found occasionally, both free in cavities and embed-
ded in the gangue. Some fine stephanite crystals have
been found also, especially at Chontalpan. Native silver
occurs commonly in the form of wire and flakes, usually
the former, in small cavities in the high-grade ores.
Gold is not an important mineral in this district. In
the strictly-silver mines, like Chontalpan and all those
close to the town, the gold rarely exceeds a gramme per
'kilo' of silver. In the mines verging toward the west-
ern edge of the district, like Alacran and Carboncillo,
a high gold content is noted, usually from an ounce to
two or three per ton.
Zinc occurs in two forms. The coarse-grained black-
jack, generally associated with coarse galena, seems to be
the primary mineral. The light-brown zinc acopalado
that is invariably associated with silver minerals, seems
to be of later occurrence. It is found in some of the
mines in fine branching leaf-like or tree-like crystals,
grown into the calcitic gangue, outward from secondary
fractures in the vein-filling. In other mines it occurs as
fairly large crystals scattered through the rock. Lead
occurs in the same way: coarse large galena crystals
with little or no silver ; and fine-grained, steely lead, the
acerado of the miner, with pronounced silver enrichment.
■Wherever pyrite is found in coarse crystals it also is
barren of silver; in most of the mines of the district the
iron sulphide shows poor silver mineralization at best.
There is, however, a class of pyrite, fine-grained and fre-
quently associated with a little copper, that is rich in
silver. Marcasite occurs sparingly, associated with sil-
ver minerals, in beautiful thin plates in cavities.
The veins usually have a well-defined hanging-wall
stringer and frequently a similar stringer on the foot-
wall, with the rock between unreplaced, or shattered and
partly replaced by stringers of ore, or completely re-
placed by sulphides of lead, zinc, and iron, with silver.
The average width of the veins is from 30 cm. to a little
less than a metre. Calcite occurs usually as spar ; quartz
as massive silica with occasional fine crystals in open
spaces. A fibrous amphibole occurred in the Cuchara
mine in depth, associated with the pay-ore, loose in cav-
ities. Silver-bearing ores of bismuth and antimony also
occur in small quantities.
Although the veins are narrow, the ore is so rich in
silver at points of enrichment that mining is profitable ;
and the strong walls, without dangerous gouge or much
water, make the camp attractive for operators with little
capital. Few of the mines have had the advantage of
modern metallurgical methods or equipment, and there
has been little systematic development.
The controlling factor in the deposition of ore in this
district is commonl}' supposed to be the intersection of
veins or their coming together in some way. As I look
back over many years of experience in this and other dis-
tricts, it is surprising to see how few mines there are
where the orebodies were found at the intersections of
the veins, and it may be worth while to go over a number
of examples to see what truth there is in this popular
generalization.
In the Cuchara mine, the fracture system consists of
two principal veins : the high-grade vein, running north
and south, and the low-grade lead vein, running east and
west (Fig. 17). The second is a later vein that cuts off
the principal veL. in the southern part of the workings,
displacing the faulted ground so far as to take it out of
the property. The northern part of the ground, about
120 m. away, is also cut off by a late vein parallel with
the lead vein. The two fault-veins dip toward each
other, so that the short undisturbed block between the
two fault-planes, like an inverted pyramid, is the pro-
ductive formation, by which is limited the life of the
mine. If it were true that orebodies occur at the inter-
sections, we should get an orebody at each end of the un-
disturbed block ; as a matter of fact, the valuable ore has
always been found at some little distance from the area
of disturbance.
In this example the angles of vein intersections are
high, from 45° to 75°. Our next example is one showing
acute angles, from 15° to 25°, in the Carboncillo mine at
the southern edge of the district. The important ore-
body taken out here in recent years has been mentioned
already ; it occurred on one of the four veins of the frac-
ture system, not immediately at the intersection, but at
30 or 40 m. from the junction of the veins. The rich
mass was about 30 m. long by 25 m. high. Mineralization
at the intersection itself was meagre.
In the old San Miguel Tlaxpampa mine, at the edge
of Zacualpan, four veins come together at an acute angle.
Generally speaking, the orebodies have not formed at the
intersection, but rather at short distances therefrom.
Where the veins diverge like a fan toward the north, it is
interesting to note the parallelism of ore occurrence on all
of them (Fig. 19). The lenses of silver ore are found at
30 to 100 m. north of the general intersection, on all of
the veins so far as known.
In the Chontalpan mine, at the extreme southern edge
of the district, the most remarkable intersection comes at
the extreme south end of the principal level. Here three
veins come together to form the main vein ; the three '
branches have been followed south for long distances
September 11, L820
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
88]
without showing any ore of gnat value. The into
tion itself shows nothing at all in the way of ore; real
mineralization begins at about 30 m. north of the junc-
tion and goes on without apparent relation to the inter-
Seetioll. See Pig, 20.
These are all eases where mineralization is known to
persist as pay-ore. The ease of Alacran lias been cited
already. In other cases, like the Bella Vista on the
dotla river, there is a tine intersection of two veins.
hut no ore: the little surface pockets formed near the
ifatt fe,/r
T
/
Fig
SYSTEM OP VEINS IN THE CUCHAKA MINE
intersection having been dug out long ago. In still other
eases, like the veins of the Alacran or the neighboring
Reforma vein, we have recurrent lenses of mineral with
nothing in the way of an intersection immediately near
them. On the other hand, a case occurs in the San Miguel
Tlaxpampa mine that shows the reverse condition (see
Fig. 18). A cross-vein of great importance on the prin-
cipal level intersects the lodes at their greatest known
points of mineralization, indicating by its filling and
other conditions that the intersection was largely re-
sponsible for the orebody.
From these examples and many others that might be
adduced, we see that orebodies in this district do not
occur always at or immediately close to the intersections
of veins. The better way to look at such intersections
would be as Nature's method of bringing in the watery
solutions that effect the precipitation of ore in the older
veins. In all the eases
cited, the fractures are of
varying age and the fill-
ing of the different veins
is strikingly individual,
therefore, in the last analysis are merely the evidence of
later fracturing, or the channels by means of which the
later preeipitants have i o brought into the reaction.
They are of the highest importance; but they do not
necessarily signify ore deposition, and the idea that ore
generally occurs at Buch intersections is not well sup-
I by the facts. Numerous intersections simply mean
that the ground has been well loosened, probably at
two or more different periods, and they are therefore a
favorable sign, but nothing more.
The deepest mining below
natural drainage-levels in the
district was probably done in
the famous Dios Nus Guie mine,
in which the ore is said to be
highly oxidized to a depth of
much over 100 m. below water-
level, with considerable water
in a rather wide vein. The
mine has been in litigation for
thirty years, but has just been
re-opened and will be available for study. The water in
the bottom level is warmer than the body temperature.
The Chontalpan mine is the next deepest, and is prob-
ably the most extensively developed at the present time,
of the mines in this district. The adit-level is 160 m.
below the outcrop, and the inclined shaft on the vein, by
which development has been done in depth, is over 200 m.
deep from the adit down to the seventh level. The mine
may be taken as the type of the district, for purposes of
study, with a total depth of 360 metres.
The Chontalpan vein system is complex, and the fea-
tures common to Tertiary ore deposits formed at moder-
ate and shallow depths are well illustrated. An espe-
cially striking feature is the tendency of the numerous
veins to unite in depth, with abrupt changes of dip.
' The Chontalpan vein system has so many branches
that it is convenient to regard them as three different sets
JUNCTION OP VEINS IN THE SAN MIGUEL TLAXPAMPA MINE
so that in the same mine one can always tell from which
vein a given piece of ore came. Usually the oldest vein
is highly silicious and the ground has been re-opened by
the later fracturing, which allows the new solutions to
enter and find their way into the silicious solution in
which precipitation is to take place. The intersections,
of fractures separated by short time-intervals. They all
have an easterly dip, varying from 50° to 60° ; the nar-
row hanging-wall veins constitute the first group ; the
somewhat wider foot-wall stringers make the second
group ; and the strongest fracture, passing through both
the other groups and making an approximately straight
382
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 11, 1920
channel, constitutes the principal vein of the deposit. It
will be evident from the sketch (Fig. 20), that the
smaller veins are really mere branches or offshoots from
the principal fracture. The resulting channel is very
irregular and the distribution of ore-shoots is equally so.
The ore is seldom found at, or immediately close to, the
intersections; rather it begins a little away from them, as
though deposition sought to take place in spots removed
from disturbance. Very interesting examples of this are
found in the hanging-wall veins, which at their coming
together with the main channel are only a few fingers
wide. On following them they widen out to valuable de-
posits, until one again approaches the main channel,
when the ore again becomes narrower and finally pinches
at the intersection. The best hanging-wall body found
in recent years was discovered by exploration based on
pitch of the ore-shoot and running but a short distance
on the level. When we study this chimney, we find that
it began practically on the surface, where Jean de la
Borde took out the first lenses two centuries ago. It has
been followed down ever since on its southerly pitch, the
lenses of ore re-appearing and closing with depth, till our
own time, when good ore was taken out of it on the sec-
ond level and followed down with local contractions as
far as the seventh, the present deep level of the mine. A
sketch of all these orebodies would show a series of con-
tractions and widenings, just like the Alacran ore-lenses
diagrammed in Fig. 16. Between the fifth and sixth
levels there is the largest barren space known between
lenses ; the lens on the sixth was good, but short ; and that
on the seventh seems to be considerably longer. The ex-
tremely rich ore of the middle levels is not found in such
Pfan.
Section on A-B
this reasoning, a cross-cut being driven on the second
level to cut the widest part of the supposed lens, which
was treated as an intersection of two hanging- wall string-
ers going in opposite directions. A fine orebody was
found carrying exceptionally clean and rich ore, which
diminished gradually in size and value in both directions
back to the principal vein. Similar work was then done
on the lower levels, and the continuation of the same and
similar bodies found by this means. In the case of foot-
wall veins, driving on them southward from the main
fracture has generally showed good mineralization as
soon as the miner got away from the intersections.
The most important orebody found in this mine in re-
cent years occurred a little below the fourth level, where
a foot-wall vein with a flat dip came together with the
principal vein. The extreme foot-wall showed a great
deal of shale, and the effect of it was evident in the large
amount of zinc and lead in the ore ; but silver minerals
were so abundant as to make the deposit very valuable.
The impregnation of the wall-rock between the two veins
made pay-ore at one point, five metres wide. When it is
remembered that in these veins 70 em. is an excellent
stoping-width, the result can be appreciated. The de-
posit, of course, was a chimney, going down with the
Chontalpan rime , Guerrero
Vein- system on Tunnel -level
Fig. 20
abundance in the bottom, but there is really no essential
difference in the mineralization. I should say that we
have here the same phenomenon as at Alacran, that is,
the precipitation of silver mineral in a series of lenses
under each other, following a definite pitch dependent on
circulation currents, and separated from each other by
barren vein-filling.
The same habit of enrichment is noted at other mines
in the district, the chimney occurrence being so marked
as to have given rise to the term rosario, that is, rosary,
to describe the formation, like a string of beads; the
lenses of ore being the beads, strung out one below the
other on the thread of mineralization. The secret of get-
ting ore therefore is to sink on known chimneys, passing
through the patches of barren vein-matter that occur be-
tween orebodies.
The veins of the district have a marked tendency to
come together in depth, this being especially the case at
Chontalpan. In depth therefore the ground will have a
tendency to be less fractured, and as much of the en-
richment is distinctly from late solutions, the question of
persistence resolves itself into a study of the degree of
fracturing that may be expected in depth in a given de-
posit. In general, deposition of minerals seems to have
September 11. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
388
begun on the vein-walls, beginning with galena and rino,
the Conner coining tirst. followed by distinct banding of
tin.- sphalerite, Ribbon structure is aommon; mineral-
isation worked its way toward the centre of thi
which are quite commonly still open channels. Scale-
noids of calcite and fine long quart/ crystals sometimes
occur iii these open spaces, with excellent crystals of
ruby silver, argentite, and stephanite, the last rarely.
The ruby often comes in scales, stains, and crystals, in
minute fractures in the calcite or on the surfaci
crystals. It is quite evident that the making of pay-ore
in these veins is largely a matter of secondary enrich-
ment through the carrying down of silver minerals into
the chimneys, that is. it is dependent on the thoroughness
of the secondary fracturing. The Alacran shows rich ore
at a total depth below outcrop at present not exceeding
250 metres; Chontalpan shows good ore at 340 m. ; San
Miguel Tlaxpampa. at 240 m. The best information
available on Dios Nos Guia would indicate the critical
depth as about 300 m. I should say that enrichment to
pay-ore in this district should extend to a total depth
below outcrop of about 450 metres. Thus the deposits
are typically Tertiary.
Similar deposits, with the chimney feature more or less
in evidence, occur at Noxtepec, Pregones, and Taxco.
The deposits of Noxtepec are narrow, but very rich,
veins, usually carrying gold, and the small orebodies go
down, one below the other, strikingly in the rosary form.
The best -known example is the Xitinga. About half-way
between Zacualpan and Taxco are the Pregones mines,
of which the old Negrillas is the most important. Here
the veins are sometimes very wide, that of Negrillas being
between 4 and 8 metres of breeeiated quartz, with the
better enrichment on the foot-wall. The condition is
complicated by the presence of a black, heavy, basic
andesite on the foot-wall of the 'deposit, giving rise to
contact phenomena. An interesting feature is the cinna-
bar vein that is part of the Negrillas lode.
Production of Copper in the United
States, 1913 to 1919
In the following table the production is apportioned
to the States in which the copper was mined. The figures
represent the content of fine copper in the blister pro-
duced and the smelter output of ingot and anode-copper
from Michigan.
Lead Production
Ordinarily the United Stales produces about 50% of
the world's supply of lead, but this production is insuffi-
cient at the present time to meet the demands for home
consumption. During the past year lead has been im-
iiiiin England, Australia, and Spain, and some
lead which was exported to England was re-imported.
Lead which in normal times was produced in Mexico, and
passed through the United States in bond for exportation
to European countries, has recently been held here to sat-
isfy our own demands. The supply of lead in this coun-
try, and the changes in lead sto.-ks for the first half of
1920, as compared with the same period of last year, are
interestingly set forth in the following figures from the
Metal Bulletin :
1019. tons
Government stocks. January 1 62,852
Imports. January to June 152.258
AvaUable supply 215.110
Exports. January to June 6.579
1020. tons
54,078
62,433
117.408
29.725
Left for home consumption 108.531 88.684
The three most important uses for lead are in the
manufacture of white lead for the paint industry, which
requires over 175,000 tons annually ; in the manufacture
of storage-batteries, which absorbs over 150,000 tons of
lead annually, and has increased between 50% and 100%
per annum during the last three or four years ; and in the
manufacture of cables and conduits. The battery trade
has been increasing rapidly in importance, due to wider
application of storage-batteries for starting and lighting
purposes on automobiles, for mine-locomotives, for the
operation of small motors in industrial plants, and for
farm lighting-plants. Building operations have been fall-
ing below normal requirements all over the country, and
are now forcing a big demand for paint and plumbing
supplies, which helps to swell the total demand for lead
to a tonnage which exceeds production. In view of the
increasing demand for lead and lead products, the ab-
sence of any reserve supply of the metal, and the inability
of lead producers to materially augment their produc-
tion, lead is in a very strong statistical position, and is
likely to remain so for some time to come, in spite of the
fact that the present price of the metal is much higher
than obtained over a long period of time prior to the War.
The volume of the salt in the ocean, according to the
U. S. Geological Survey, is enough to cover the entire sur-
face of the United States to a depth of 8500 feet.
1913
. . . *23,423.070
1914
34,985,847
382.449.922
20.784.173
7,316.066
5.875,205
158,009.748
236.805.845
60.122,904
64,204.703
5.599
18.661.112
160.589.660
683,602
1915
70.695.286
433 467,690
37 658.444
7.372.178
6.317.728
238[956.410
268.263,040
67.757.322
62.817.234
797.471
18,205.308
175,177,605
003,661
1916
113,823.064
694.847.307
43,400.876
9.536.193
7.248,794
369,794,531
352,139,768
100.810,724
79.863.439
2.433.567
14.556.278
232,335.950
2,473,481
1917
84.759.086
719.035.514
44.933,840
10.054.951
6.446.224
268.508.091
276.225.977
115.028.161
107,593.615
1.105.097
16.093.757
227.840,447
2.051.416
1918
67,081,648
769.521,720
44.150.761
7.591.570
5,836.705
231,006.158
326.426,761
106.266.603
06.559.580
2.630.499
15.053,568
230.964.908
2,330,568
1919
56.534.002
536,515.368
23.548,608
4.802.558
3,066.655
201,716,335
176.289.873
64.683.734
Arizona
. . . 404.278,800
32.493.265
9,052.104
Idaho
Michigan
Montana
8.711.490
. . . 155.715.2S0
. .. .285.724.467
85.200.536
. . . 50.196,881
77.812
. . . 148,057,450
146,178.088
732,742
210.350
14,110.117
Undistributed, miscellaneous . .
Total
•Figures are in pounds.
. . .1.234,484,008
1.150.137.192
1.388.009.527
1.927,850.548
1.886.120.721
1.908.533.595
1,310,972,580
384
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 11, 1920
Roasting and Chloridizing of Bolivian Silver-Tin Ores
By M. G. F. SOHNLEIN
*In the metallurgical treatment of sulphide silver-tin
ores mined at Oruro, Potosi, and Choeaya, the most im-
portant and difficult step is chloridizing-roasting. The
ores are mined chiefly from veins in rhyolite, a detailed
description of which can be found in most textbooks on
ore deposits. The chief gangue minerals are pyrite and
quartz, and the silver content is derived from tetra-
hedrite, jamesonite, stibnite, and cylindrite. Most of the
tin is present in the form of a rather impure cassitcrite,
which forms microcrystalline aggregates of varying rich-
ness with quartz and pyrite; occasionally some tin is
found as stannite, cylindrite, and other complex sulph-
antimonates. The silver content of the minerals that com-
pose the ore is approximately as follows: pyrite, 3 to 5
oz. per ton ; jamesonite, 30 to 50 oz. ; stibnite, 30 to 150
oz. ; cylindrite, 200 to 300 oz. ; tetrahedrite, 500 to 3000
oz. Occasionally some ruby-silver ore is found, but it is
rare. In the mines of Oruro, which are the deepest in
the sulphide zone, tetrahedrite has nearly disappeared,
stibnite, jamesonite, and, in the deepest levels, cylindrite
taking its place.
At present there are six mills treating this ore, two at
Potosi, two at Choeaya, one at Poopo, and one at
Machacamarca. The ore is crushed dry, given a chlorid-
izing roast, leaehed with water and hyposulphite solu-
tion (or with brine) to extract gold, silver, and copper,
and concentrated for tin with or without re-grinding.
Between 1890 an 1900, amalgamation was replaced by
leaching with either hyposulphite solution or brine. It is
remarkable that tailings from high-grade ore treated by
amalgamation and those derived from ores of much
lower grade that have been leached contain about the
same amount of silver, namely, from 5 to 7 oz. per ton.
The percentage of chloridizing that can be obtained is
not directly proportional to the silver content of the ore,
but it seems as if the quantity of silver that cannot be
converted into chloride is more or less constant. For
instance, after roasting on ore containing 25 oz. per ton,
the amount of silver that cannot be ehloridized will be
5 to 6 oz. per ton ; whereas, witti ore of 100 oz. per ton,
after roasting, there will be from 8 to 9 oz. of insoluble
silver. The silver that has not been ehloridized and is
left in the tailing after amalgamation or leaching cannot
be dissolved by cyanide or any other commercial solvent
known to me. Only a small proportion of it is con-
tained in sulphides that have remained undecomposed
owing to imperfect roasting; if these tailings, after fine
grinding, are treated by flotation, a small amount of con-
centrate having about the same silver content as the
original ore can be obtained, but the amount extracted
is insufficient to pay for this treatment.
♦Abstract from a paper presented at the Lake Superior
meeting of the A. I. M. & M. E. in August 1920.
On account of the difficulty, expense, and silver loss
connected with chloridizing-roasting, more direct treat-
ments have been tried for these ores. Agitating the raw
ore with cyanide or bromine cyanide after fine grinding
is absolutely ineffective; neither can commercial results
be obtained by attempting to decompose the sulphanti-
monates with metallic aluminum, followed by cyanide
treatment. This experimenting was carried out chiefly
by one of the best known ore-testing laboratories in the
United States. Cyanide consumption on either raw or
roasted ore was excessive, and the extraction obtained by
agitating the finely-ground roasted and ehloridized ore
with cyanide was not better than by leaching the same
material at 16-niesh with hyposulphite. Therefore, thus
far the old method has proved to be the only way of treat-
ing these ores ; and to increase the mill capacity and de-
crease the cost, it was necessary to find a mechanical fur-
nace that would perform roasting and chloridizing as
well, or better, than the old hand-rabbled reverberatory
furnaces.
Chloridizing is simple and quick if salt is added at the
correct stage of the roast. If salt is mixed with the ore
before nearly all the sulphur has been converted into
sulphates, it will retard roasting and increase volatiliza-
tion losses; besides, salt is consumed unnecessarily. If
the salt is added too late, it will fail to react properly
and too low a proportion of silver will be converted into
chloride. In hand-rabbled furnaces, the correct amount
of salt is 3.5% for an ore of 25 oz. per ton and 5% for
50-oz. ore. An excess of salt has no particularly harmful
effect on the process, but the excess is left undecomposed
in the roasted ore, and during the water-wash that pre-
cedes hyposulphite leaching, it forms brine which dis-
solves silver chloride.
Usually the hand-rabbled reverberatory furnace has
one continuous hearth, 10 ft. wide, divided into three
sections 10 ft. long. There is a drop of 4 in. from one
section to the other, the highest being next to the flue,
where the raw ore is charged through a drop hole in the
arch. A charge of 700 kg. is brought into the furnace
and rabbled until it ignites. During normal operation
there is a charge in each section of the hearth and care
is taken that no ore is rabbled into the section lower down
than it belongs. If the charge on the third section is so
far roasted that it shows but a few sparks when rabbling,
the salt is shoveled into the furnace. The decrepitation
of the salt causes violent dusting ; therefore, the draft of
the furnace is shut off until decrepitation ceases. After
the damper is again opened, the charge is rabbled until
chloridizing is completed, when the ore will not flow, but
packs together somewhat like snow and stands up with
nearly vertical sides. The chloridizing takes a little less
than one hour in these furnaces; once the ore begins to
September 11. 1980
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
385
park, it i- to continue rabbling, because the
amount of ehloridizing is not increased. If worked by
two iii.ii. our furnace has a capacity of 4 to 4.5 metric
tons per 24 hours. A little taqnia fuel is used during
ehloridizing, because it is not possible to rabble the charge
during ehloridizing as continuously as during oxidizing,
on account of the corrosive fumes that escape through the
working-doon, for. to keep down the volatilization losses,
the furnace is worked witli reduced draft.
A charge remains about 4 hours in each section and is
in the furnace altogether 12 hours, of which less than 1
hour is used for ehloridizing. It would therefore be a
mistake to try to chloridizc continuously, adding salt to
the last hearth or section of some kind of mechanical fur'
! ause the atmosphere in the furnace would be
■d with chlorine, which retards roasting and attacks
the metal parts. Moreover, continuous work has the dis-
advantage that, if ore with insufficient sulphur enter's
the ehloridizing section poor work will be done until eon-
- are improved, which will take considerable time
with a roasting furnace of some size.
Satisfactory metallurgical results are obtained from
hand-rabbled furnaces worked by competent men; for-
merly, these could be found, as ehloridizing roasting was
practised in Bolivia for generations. The average silver
loss caused by dusting and volatilization during a period
of several years was calculated to be 6 to 7% at Machaca-
marca : if the furnace is worked carefully, the loss can be
reduced to a lower figure. The cost of roasting was not
high, being around $2 per metric ton, including every-
thing, but as the plants grew in size and tin mining drew
a large proportion of the men from the silver mines, it
became imperative to use mechanical furnaces.
The first mechanical furnace installed at the Machaca-
marca plant of the Compaiiia Minera de Oruro was a
six-hearth MoDougall with an inside diameter of 14J ft.
It was first used in connection with two hand-rabbled
ehloridizing furnaces, where the calcines were mixed with
salt. The furnace was fed with ordinary run-of-mine ore
which contained about 35 oz. of silver per ton and 30%
sulphur ; the product from the McDougall contained from
4 to 4.5% sulphur. It was soou evident that the silver
losses in the McDougall furnace were much higher than
in the reverberatory furnaces. The loss of weight dur-
ing roasting is from 18 to 20% on an ore with about 30%
•sulphur ; therefore, if the raw ore assays 35 oz. per ton,
the roasted ore should contain approximately 42 oz. per
ton if no silver were lost during roastiug. Instead of
"this, the product from the McDougall furnace assayed,
usually, a little less than the raw ore, which proved that
at least 20% of the silver passed through the stack. Later
tests proved this loss to be much higher. The capacity
•of the furnace was 20 metric tons per 24 hours when
roasting from 30% sulphur to about 4%. Water-cooling
was used, because on a 30% sulphur charge the furnace
"would run so hot that if no particular care was taken,
"the ore would sinter on the third hearth, causing fre-
quent breakage of rabble teeth. The higher the tem-
perature, the heavier were the silver losses through vola-
tilization. The economy in labor was not as great as had
been expi Cted, because one attendant was needed for the
McDougall ami four furnace-men were required at the
reverberatories for ehloridizing. These men could have
roasted and cldoridized '•• tons per day, using the rever-
ories without the McDougall, so that the cost of
labor was only reduced to about 45%.
It was therefore evident that the furnace should be
used in some other way. For some time the attempt was
made to assist, ehloridizing by feeding salt continuously
into the furnace on the fifth hearth. The rabbles were so
set that on this hearth the ore was moved from the peri-
phery to the centre, so that, if salt was fed through one
of the working-doors on the fifth hearth, ehloridizing
took place on the entire surface of the fifth and sixth
liea rt lis. But at this point the ore was not sufficiently
roasted to react well with the salt, and the final product
from the furnace contained too much sulphur and un-
chloridized silver to allow dispensing with the reverbera-
tories to finish the work. Later, in order to reduce the
heavy losses of silver, the furnace was used only for
roasting ore containing from 12 to 15 oz. of silver per
ton with about 25% sulphur, but even on this material
the silver Josses were entirely too high.
The charge for the McDougall furnace is now pre-
pared by mixing low-grade fines of run-of-mine ore with
high sulphur content with silver-tin ore which carries
only 15 to 20% sulphur. "When working on this ore the
furnace has a maximum capacity of 22 metric tons per
24 hours and delivers its product to one reverberatory
furnace for finishing and ehloridizing instead of to two
furnaces as was the former practice. On ore with more
than 30% sulphur, the capacity is only 17 tons. No fuel
is used in the McDougall, but a small amount must be
supplied to the reverberatory furnace so as to keep its
temperature high enough for continuous ehloridizing.
The difficulty common to all continuous ehloridizing is
experienced here — slight variations in the McDougall
furnace caused by different compositions of the ore, etc.,
are at once reflected in the results. An attempt to remedy
this was made by placing a small bin between the Mc-
Dougall and the reverberatory, where the partly roasted
ore could be stored, if it came down with too much sul-
phur. With this arrangement, two men working at the
reverberatory furnace could finish roasting to the de-
sired point without having to add the salt, and if the ore
came down with too much sulphur, the charge to the fur-
nace could be at once reduced. But it takes several hours
to bring the McDougall furnace back to proper condi-
tions, and if too much half-roasted ore was held in the
bin, it became too cold for ehloridizing, so that this ar-
rangement was not satisfactory. Often some of the ore
had to be chloridized before it was properly roasted to
prevent its becoming so cold that it would spoil the work
of the reverberatory roaster altogether. If, on the other
hand, the ore came down too much oxidized, ehloridizing
would be bad because the salt could not react properly
with the ore. There was no remedy for this, except mix-
ing with elemental sulphur before ehloridizing, which
procedure is far too complicated and too expensive for
practical work.
386
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 11, 1920
Losses of silver through dusting and volatilizing can
be prevented by passing the roaster gases through a Cot-
trell precipitator. Experiments made by a representa-
tive of the International Precipitation Co. showed that
9500 cu. ft. of gas containing 0.32 gm. of solids passed
each minute out of the stack of the McDougall furnace.
Therefore, 4300 kg. of dust was carried away per 24
hours. At that time the feed to the furnace was 22,400
kg. per 24 hours of ore carrying 670 gm. silver per ton.
The sample collected in the filter assayed 1070 gm. per
ton; therefore, a little over 30% of all the silver that
goes to the furnace is lost through the stack. The flue-
dust is a mixture of totally oxidized, half-oxidized, and
raw ore, and contains considerable antimony trioxide.
The erection of a Cottrell treater alone would not have
solved the problem, for the chief difficulty was the dis-
posal of the dust. (1) It might be returned to the fur-
nace feed ; (2) it might be fed, together with raw ore, to
one or more of the hand-rabbled reverberatory furnaces ;
(3) it might be treated separately, without further
roasting, by some hydro-metallurgical process.
The first method has the advantage of simplicity, but
as the gases leave the McDougall furnace at about 180"
C, all antimony trioxide driven off would be collected by
the Cottrell treater and, since it cannot remain in the
furnace on account of the high temperature it would ac-
cumulate between the outlet of the McDougall and the
Cottrell apparatus, making it necessary to clean the con-
duits quite frequently, thus causing great irregularity in
operating the furnace. It was suggested that the gases
be kept so hot that antimony trioxide would not be con-
densed during their passage through the treater, but this
would have been a delicate regulation, and the furnace
was not built so as to allow the construction of the Cot-
trell treater directly on top of it.
The second way, feeding the dust to other furnaces,
has the disadvantage that a certain proportion of the
dust would again be lost; and although this scheme on
the whole would be feasible, and has been frequently
practised here with dust caught in the dust-chamber of
the McDougall, it is not practicable because it reduces
the capacity in the other furnaces.
As the dust is a mixture of raw and roasted ore, it
seemed practically impossible to obtain a satisfactory
extraction by agitation with brine, cyanide, or hyposul-
phite solutions. Cyanide and hyposulphite failed to ex-
tract appreciable amounts q£ silver, but nearly 60%
could be dissolved by a prolonged agitation of the dust
with hot brine, to which a small amount of copper sul-
phate had been added. The residue of this agitation-
leaching was treated by oil-flotation, yielding a product
of 41 oz. per ton ; this brought the total extraction up to
85%. Afterward an attempt was made to combine the
two processes in one operation by agitation with brine
and copper sulphate in the flotation machine and adding
oil at the same time, but no mineral froth could be
formed.
The proposed hydro-metallurgical treatment would
therefore have consisted of the following processes : Agi-
tation with brine and copper sulphate, precipitating the
solution on copper and iron; decantation of the solvent
and washing once or twice with water; oil-flotation of
the residue, filtering and drying the concentrate and
feeding it to the reverberatory furnaces together with
raw ore.
The next step in experimenting with mechanical roast-
ers at Machacamarea was the erection of a straight-line,
one-hearth Merton furnace with five spindles. This type
of furnace was selected because it fitted best in the plant,
the hand-rabbled reverberatories having about the same
dimensions. In order to get a good idea of the movement
of the ore through the furnace, the ironwork was com-
pletely erected before the arch was built. Every spindle
had but one rabble-arm, which was 5 ft. long, and the
rabble-teeth were so placed on the arm that one-half of
them project forward about 6 in. and the other half are
6 in. backward. These teeth are alteimated, the object
being to have the back teeth cut furrows in the ridges
made by the front teeth.
In the modified straight-line furnace 85 sq. ft. of
hearth-area is required to roast and chloridize one metric
ton of ore with over 30% sulphur; in the McDougall
furnace 58 sq. ft. of hearth is required, but 10 sq, ft. per
ton is necessary to chloridize the product in a reverbera-
tory, so that the capacity of the new furnace per square
foot of hearth area is 20% less. If, on the other hand,
the modified Merton furnace were built with step-bear-
ings to support the spindles from below, instead of sus-
pending them from the framework above, it would be
feasible to drive the rabbles at 5 r.p.m. and to obtain a
capacity of five tons per 24 hours, which would be one
ton per 68 sq. ft., or exactly the same as the combination
of McDougall and hand-reverberatory. But, even if the
capacity were considerably lower, the quality of work
done is so much superior that loss of capacity is not a
great objection.
The intermittent system of working, of course, means
a certain loss of capacity. The furnace is working at
full capacity only when there is a charge of ore on every
hearth ; therefore, counting from the moment when a
charge has been chloridized, it is working on two charges
instead of three during 85 minutes. One-third of the
time, or 28 minutes, must be considered as lost, since
there are only two charges of ore in the furnace; as the
time required for one complete cycle is 4 hours, nearly
12% of the capacity is lost. The difference in time
needed to pass a charge of ore from hearth No. 2 to
hearth No. 3 and that required to pass it from No. 1 to
No. 2 is due to the fact that freshly ignited ore flows
more easily than half-roasted ore.
Wherever it is important to obtain a uniform roast, the
operation should be conducted in furnaces operated on
the intermittent system. If anything goes wrong in a
continuous furnace, several hours are required to restore
proper working conditions, and in the meantime a prod-
uct that is not suitable for subsequent treatment must be
discharged. In addition to roasting for leaching, this
system may be useful when roasting for magnetic-sep-
aration, or for differential roasting of complex sulphide
ores preceding flotation.
September 11, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
387
1MING
a^: — «$®
FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS IN THE FIELD
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ARIZONA
ROOSEVELT DAM POWER-PLANTS SUPPLY MIMING COMPANIES.
Bisbee. — -The Shattuck-Arizona company daring the
month of August is estimated to have produced 10.000
tons of lead ore, assaying 6.5% lead and 8 oz. silver, for
treatment in the lead-concentrator which was erected
two years ago. It is reported that an engineers' license
bill, sponsored by the Arizona chapter of the American
Association of Engineers, will be introduced at the com-
ing session of the State Legislature. Under the pro-
Co. is reported. The object of the proposed plant is to
furnish power for the mines in northern Yuma and
southern Mohave counties, and incidentally to irrigate
thousands of acres of farm land.
Maricopa County. — In the vicinity of Pish Creek sta-
tion, on the road between the Roosevelt Dam and Phoe-
nix, development work has been carried on for several
years past on a property that is said to be the Lost Dutch-
man mine, which produced a great deal of coarse gold.
Sinking has been in progress in an old shaft that was
MAIN SHAFT AND ORE-BINS AT THE MIAMI COPPER MINE
visions of this bill it will be necessary for all engineers
engaged in professional business in the State to secure
a license.
Nogales. — Montana and Eastern capitalists are said
to be interested in the famous Sheeby group of mines in
the Santa Rita mountains. It has been announced that
the new owners will take over the properties on Septem-
ber 1. This property is situated in the Agua Caliente
region about 25 miles north-west of Nogales and 12
miles north-east of Tubac. A branch of the Nogales-
Tucson short-line reaches within a mile of the mines.
Bouse. — Development of a big water-power project
on Bill "Williams river by the Stene Consolidated Copper
found covered over with mesquite timber on which had
been packed earth and rock. At 100 ft. samples have
been found returning assays of over $400 per ton. The
ore is to be packed down to the main road on burros and
then taken by motor-trucks to Mesa, the nearest railroad
station.
The receipts from sales of power generated at the
Roosevelt Dam last year aggregated more than $400,000,
and it is estimated that a 50% increase may be looked
for in paid electric consumption during 1920. The In-
spiration Con. Copper Co. has a 36-mile power-line,
which connects the station at the Roosevelt Dam with
the mine. The Inspiration company not only distributes
388
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 11, 1920
power to the mine, mill, and International smelter, but
also supplies power to the mines and mills of the Iron
Cap Copper Co. at Globe and the Magma Copper Co. at
Superior.
Globe. — The Van Dyke shaft has been bottomed at
1692 ft. and the lateral development now will be started
on levels at 1215 and 1550 ft. Ore on the dip was cut
by the shaft at 1180-ft. depth, continuing 40 ft. It is
understood to average 6% copper and is believed to be a
continuation of the Miami orebody.
Over 300 men were called to the surface from both
the Iron Cap and Arizona Commercial mines at Copper
Hill last week when a fire alarm was sounded, and
volumes of smoke appeared underground, leading to the'
belief that there was a fire in the mines. It developed,
however, that the fire had originated on the surface
near the collar of No. 2 shaft of the Arizona Commer-
cial, due to a hot rivet being dropped on top of the shaft
timbers. As the No. 2 shaft is a strong downcast, and
both the above mines are connected, the smoke was
drawn down No. 2 shaft and forced through both the
Iron Cap and Arizona Commercial workings. The mine-
rescue station was notified and a first-aid force rushed
to the scene. However, before they arrived the fire was
extinguished and no damage was done.
Jerome. — The entire Verde district is being surveyed
for the United Verde and the United Verde Extension
mining companies. This is the first time that a complete
survey has been made. The Verde Combination is re-
ported to be drilling on its Mescal claim and cores are
said to be heavily shot with chalcopyrite. The diamond-
drill hole which is being run from the 1300-ft. level has
attained a depth of something over 150 ft. It is prob-
able that a drift will be run into this ground if the in-
dications continue favorable. The United Verde Exten-
sion now has 'two furnaces in operation, and the output
for August is estimated to be approximately 5,000,000
lb. It is understood that the company has no plans for
increasing production and may curtail further if the
market for copper does not improve soon. The ore now
being smelted averages around 14% copper and includes
all the low-grade that is being mined on the 1700-ft. level.
Reports received from the Shea Copper Co. state that the
tunnel has been advanced a little more than 25 ft. beyond
the point at which the raise to the shaft is begun and
that more sulphide is showing ;n the face. The station
has been out for the raise and approximately 30 ft. has
been made by the company employees, the remaining por-
tion of the raise being done by contract. It is expected
that the connection with the shaft 200 ft. above will be
made in about two weeks and that by that time the tun-
nel will ha.ve been advanced to cut the orebody explored
on the 325-ft. level.
stock of record August 31. The directors of the Cresson
Consolidated Co. passed the September dividend owing to
the low grade of the ore now being mined. The Reva G.
M. Co., lessee of the Rose Nicol mine, on the north-west
slope of Battle mountain, has found rich ore on the 10th
level. The vein, just discovered, is believed to be the ex-
tension of one in the Captain system of the Portland
property adjoining the Rose Nicol on the south and east.
Samples taken across eight feet of vein-matter are re-
ported to have showTn a gold content of 15 oz. per ton.
Central City. — Taylor and Riddle of Rocky Ford, in
sinking a new shaft on their Galatea and Summit claims
on Banta hill, have exposed a narrow but rich seam of
ore, that assays from 25 to 50 oz. gold per ton. The seam
is widening and ore is being sacked for shipment.
Silver-gold ore containing from 4 to 6 ounces of gold
per ton has been found by the Quartz Hill Consolidated
Mines, Inc., in a cross-cut from the Argo tunnel driven to
cut the Phoenix-Burroughs vein at depth.
Idaho Springs. — The first shipment from the Lone
Tree mine in the Freeland district was made last week by
the owners. Mayor Moscript and associates, of Idaho
Springs. Nathan Shapiro and associates continue steady
production from the Roosevelt. The mill is operated
steadily on low-grade ore. A 10-in. vein assaying 2 oz.
gold, 20 oz. silver, 4% copper, and 38% lead has been
opened in the Hampton mine. A shipment is being sacked
for consignment to the smelter. The Shafter mine of the
Hudson Mining Co. is to be re-equipped with modern ma-
chinery and work is to be resumed as soon as the plant is
started. The Shafter has a record for heavy production
of ore of both milling and smelting grades.
Ouray. — Work is to be started on the Calliope mine,
property of Charles Nix, in the Bachelor district. The
property has been taken over by a syndicate formed by
Max Grossman of Chicago. A mill for the treatment of
low-grade ore is to be constructed and equipped, and de-
velopment is planned. The workings of the Yankee Girl
and National Belle mines are being cleaned out by the
Diana Silver Syndicate, headed by Burton C. "West of
Denver and E. Johnson of Kansas City. It is planned to
drift on the extension of the Tom Boy vein to its junc-
tion with the Laura Dinsmore vein.
COLORADO
DIVIDENDS BY CRIPPLE CREEK COMPANIES. — NEW SHIPPERS
AT IDAHO SPRINGS.
Cripple Creek. — The Golden Cycle M.' & R. Co. has
declared a dividend of $30,000. payable September 10 to
MICHIGAN"
RECENT IMPROVEMENTS AT THE QUINCY SMELTER.
Calumet. — When normal conditions are restored in
the copper-mining industry, several of the big Michigan
producers, particularly Quincy and Calumet & Hecla,
will enjoy the fruits of extensive improvements that have
been under way for upward of a year. In this connec-
tion, attention is directed to Quincy 's investments in its
smelter and in a new hoist at No. 2 shaft. The hoist will
make it possible to mine at much greater depth, while
the changes at the smelter will materially reduce smelting
costs. The smelter changes include a general remodeling
of the plant, in which a new furnace. 16 by 32 ft., is being
built. There have been installed in addition a 300-hp.
boiler, a 22-ft. casting-machine -which will turn out
September 11, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
::sn
shapes and anodes, a 12£-ton motor-crane to charge the
furnace, a 6-ton crane to Berve the casting-room, a slag-
pol of -i i"iis r:ipaoity operated by a combination trolley
and battery-locomotive, and an elevating-truck which
will carry the refined copper from the casting-machine to
the docks. The capacity of the new furnace will be
130,000 lb, in one charge, which compares with the pres-
ent maximum of 55,000 lb. The total capacity of the
improved plant will be 230,000 lb., compared with 140,-
000 ai present. The easting-machine will be as nearly
automatic us possible. The electric locomotive, operating
on overhead tracks, will 'spot' the cars for the electric
crane and the latter will pick them up and dump the
mineral into the furnace. Charging of the furnace now
is done by manual labor and is one of the most arduous
tasks of the furnace-man. for it must be done in the face
of intense heat. Altogether the smelter will contain the
newest devices especially adapted to the requirements
of a modern plant.
Copper shipments show a little improvement during
the week with several comparatively large orders booked
for Eastern concerns. One shipload, consisting of about
1.600.000 lb., went out from the Qunicy and Copper
Range smelters this week, and Calumet made a shipment
to the East. There are no orders of importance booked
ahead at Calumet's smelters, notwithstanding the fact
that the furnaces are operating at capacity.
Coal shipments are coming into local ports with fre-
quency and there appears to be little possibility of a fuel
shortage next winter. Cargoes of 10,000 tons are arriv-
ing at the Calumet and Copper Range docks, while
Quincy has sufficient fuel on hand and in sight to pro-
vide its employees with coal at cost. The same plan
obtains at Calumet & Hecla and its subsidiary plants,
and at the Stanton mines.
It was reported from the East that Oseeola contem-
plated suspension, but this rumor has been denied here.
It is announced that the only change during the past two
weeks is the operation of the Osceola plant on one shift.
This does not affect the Kearsarge branch and the dif-
ference in tonnage is negligible. Heretofore, hoisting
was done on only one shift, the opposite crew being em-
ployed in development. Attention now will be centred
chiefly in opening new ground so that quantity produc-
tion will be possible when conditions improve. The pres-
ent force is engaged entirely in drifting southward, both
in Oseeola property and in ground leased from La Salle.
Under the conditions that have prevailed for nearly a-
year. Osceola makes this change advantageously. The
same problem that eonfrots other properties, confronts
this mine. It would be cheaper to suspend if such a step
were possible, but, by keeping up development work, the
way is paved for greater production and the nucleus of
an organization is retained. Osceola's daily shipments
average from 325 to 360 tons, while the daily shipments
of the Kearsarge branch vary from 1350 to 1725 tons.
Ahmeek shows a daily output in 'rock' of 2500 tons, or
slightly better than the normal for the past six months.
This is due largely to the fact that a number of Allouez
miners and trammers were added to its force. Isle
Boy ale's BhipmentS are barely sufficient to keep ils own
mill operating at capacity, while Superior reports 1200
tons of 'rock' so far this month. White Pine, which it
was announced a short time ago was about to suspend, is
producing a comparatively small amount of copper and
limited production likely will be the rule here in prefer-
ence to complete suspension.
No. 4 shaft of Mohawk is approaching the so-called
'wide' spot on the 25th level, and within 60 days, or
three months, the south drift should cut the freak sec-
tion of the Kearsarge vein. This remarkable spot on the
A SLIDE ON SHEEP MOUNTAIN, SILVERTON, COLORADO
three levels above was found about 1300 ft. from the
shaft and it maintained the unusual width of from 35
to 40 ft. for a length of between 400 and 500 ft. The
yield consistently ran from 22 to 25 lb. per ton for the
entire distance and there is every reason to hope for a re-
currence on the 25th and succeeding levels. Curiously
there is comparatively little 'mass' in that particular
section, although the other two operating shafts continue
to produce a fair amount of native 'mass'. No. 4 shaft,
as well as No. 6, is being deepened; the former is ap-
proaching the 26th level, and the latter is below the 17th.
In No. 5 shaft, drifting north is going ahead and the
usual amount of ground is being stoped. One of the most
encouraging features of Mohawk's operations is the ar-
rival of Italian workers, who are being given places un-
derground. Most of the new-comers bring word that
others are preparing to follow and there is reason to look
for an improvement in the labor situation.
An improvement is noted in Mayflower-Old Colony's
south drift. Besides containing a better grade of com-
mercial 'rock', the vein is unbroken, which makes it pos-
390
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
•September 11, 1920
sible to speed operations. There is no change in the raise
in the west cross-cut and the same favorable showing that
was revealed a fortnight ago still is exposed. Arcadian
Consolidated is pushing its New Baltic shaft to the 600-
ft. level with favorable progress. As soon as the sixth
level is reached, which should be early this month, a cross-
cut of about 15 ft. will be run to the vein. The lode will
be opened 125 ft. before sinking is resumed. Two ma-
chines are operating two shifts per day, and it is planned
to follow this program through the winter, with the 900-
ft. level as the objective. From that point a di-ift will be
started south to connect with the drift north on a cor-
responding level in he New Arcadian shaft.
NEVADA
SILVER PICK COMPANY AT GOLDFIELD ISSUES STATEMENT.
PROGRESS AT EUREKA.
Goldpield. — The south-east drift on the 358-ft. level of
the Florence is 1050 ft. long and is within 100 ft. of where
it is expected the southern extension of the main vein-
system of the district will be entered. Work from the
west cross-cut has been discontinued, but more work in
this territory will be done when the treasury of the com-
pany is in better condition, according to reports. Flor-
ence lessees, mainly the Development and Cracker Jack,
have sent 52 fifty-ton carloads of ore to the Development
mill since it started June 15. Mill-returns have not been
received by the Florence. The 250-hp., double-drum
electric hoist formerly used at the Clermont shaft of the
Consolidated has been sold to the Con. Virginia at Vir-
ginia-City. Arrangements have been made to exchange
Gold Bar Extension stock share for share for stock in the
Deep Mines, an assessment of one cent per share to be
paid by the Gold Bar. Extension. This assessment will be
paid by the company and not by the stockholders, as was
done by the Consolidated. The Silver Pick has issued a
statement to stockholders in which it is said ' ' the lease on
the Mohawk ground has so far been a disappointment, the
ground so far opened up being very spotted and most of
the ore developed being too low grade to be sent to the
mill". This is a surprise to those interested in the com-
pany in view of the glowing reports quoting officials that
have been published in the last six months. The report
says : ' ' Our superintendent reports, however, that the de-
velopment so far carried on in the Red Top ground looks
very encouraging to get on to a* shoot of high-grade ore."
In view of the two leases now held "it would be a strange
thing if we did not run into a body of high-grade ore
sooner or later", according to the report. An instance of
a gold-mining company in India that is said to be plan-
ning to sink a shaft 6000 ft. from the present depth of
4000 is given as a reason why stockholders "will certainly
feel that it is worth while to sink down another 300 ft. in
the Silver Pick ". The report declares "the mine in India
shows that gold mining is nearly the same all over the
world, sometimes everything looking very good and other
times very poor. Nature seems to work the same every-
where. It is hoped that after reading over this letter
carefully you will send us your proxy immediately."
The proxy wanted is for a meeting to be held September
14 to increase the capitalization of the company from
1,500,000 to 2,000,000 shares. The 500,000 shares will be
put in the treasury of the company and each stockholder
will be given "a chance to subscribe to one-third of a
share for every share he is holding on payment of six
cents per share". The report closes : "One can never tell
what developments we may make in the leased ground
during the next 30 days to cause a rise in the stock." A
carload of ore assaying $300 to $1000 per ton will soon be
ready for shipment from the Meuli lease on the Lone
Star.
Gold Mountain. — At the 169-ft. point the tunnel of
the Washington Gold Quartz entered a 5-ft. width of $8
ore. At 190 ft. an $18 assay was secured from a 2-ft.
width. At 193 ft. a 6-in. width assayed 0.12 oz. gold, 13.48
oz. silver, and 12.2% lead. A fault, the second cut, was
entered at 200 ft. and in a drift driven to find the vein
beyond the fault there was secured from a 6-in. seam an
assay of 0.5 oz. gold, $11.20 in silver, and 17.5% lead, or a
total value of $43.08. A 50-hp. gas-engine and a three-
drill, belt-driven air-compressor have been bought. More
buildings have been erected, including a boarding-house ;
the roads have been repaired and the company soon will
increase the force of six men now employed, according to
J. K. Turner, a Goldfield engineer, who is in charge of
the work.
Eureka. — Shipments continue to be retarded by a
shortage of railroad cars. Only development work is
being done in the Croesus, where drifts are being driven
in fault-fissures in a search for ore on the 200 and 400-ft.
levels. Stoping has been discontinued until the ore-bins
are again empty. The Holly recently shipped 200 tons of
ore and more is ready for shipment when a new 50-ft.
head-frame has been erected and minor repairs have been
made in the shaft. The Holly is driving a cross-cut into
the Bullwhacker territory. The Locan shaft of the Ruby
Hill Development Co. has been unwatered. Four car-
loads of ore have been shipped and 600 tons remains in
the bins. The Climax is shipping slowly ore extracted in
driving the Mabel L tunnel and in drifting from it. The
Prince recently shipped from the 150-ft. level a carload
of $75 to $100 ore with a high silver and a low lead eon-
tent.
Simon District. — A raise from the bottom level of the
Simon Silver-Lead has been driven 100 f t. in " high-grade
milling ore", according to a report issued by the manage-
ment. This raise is in the hanging-wall orebody opened
on the upper levels. The distance from the sixth to the
seventh, or bottom level, is 150 ft. The Simon Contact,
adjoining the Simon on the north, has opened "milling
ore of good grade", on the 350-ft. level at a point 1400 ft.
from the Simon Silver-Lead shaft, according to a report
issued by that company. The ore was found in a drift in
the extension into Contact ground of the main Simon
Silver-Lead vein.
Tonopah.— Ore 5 ft. wide and assaying $70 for this
width has been found on the 400-ft. level of the New Cali-
fornia Tonopah. This ore was opened in a vein parallel
September 11. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
391
to that from which the Tonopah Wining made shipments
when that company worked the mine onder an option.
- being shipped from the 400, 500, and 600-ft. levels
at a rate of 50 to 70 tous weekly and it is planned to in-
crease the output. The shipments are made to a Tonopah
mill. There are two main veins, which have been ex-
plored to B depth of 700 ft., and a winze is now being
sunk from the 700-ft. level. It is thought the two veins
join at about 900 feet.
UTAH
VIRGIN GROUND IN SILVER KING COALITION PROPERTY
PROMISES WELL.
Salt Lake City. — The thirteenth annual conference of
the National Tax Association was held at Salt Lake City
from September 6 to 10, inclusive. One session was de-
opened along the O'Brien fissure-system in a new ore-
lone. Development between the 1300 and 1500-ft. levels
Bnggesta thin the am ore opened up in the 'Blood' drift
on the 1100-ft. level will persist. An important develop-
ment is reported in the 'Brown' raise, between the 1200
and 1300-ft. levels, close to the Cavanaugh fissure. This
work was undertaken in the hope of finding on the other
side of a fault a continuation of the old 'Copper' stope
orebody, which, in the early days, produced quantities
of bonanza-silver ore. The exposure of high-grade ore
in the Brown raise of a character similar to that mined in
the old Copper stope, is considered an indication that this
rich orebody has been picked up on the other side of the
fault.
Shipments of ore from local mines continue to be cur-
tailed on account of the shortage of labor; all properties
SILVER KING COALITION" CONCENTRATOR AT PARK CITY, UTAH
voted to the subject of mine taxation. A paper entitled
'Appraisement and Assessment of Non-Metalliferous
Mines in Utah' was presented by Prof. William Peterson
of the Utah Agricultural College, and Paul Armitage of
New York, representing the American Mining Congress,
presented an article on 'Net Income as a Factor in Mine
Taxation '.
Bingham. — The new machine-shop at the Utah Con-
solidated Mining Co. is nearing completion, as are the
new change-rooms. A large force of men is now employed
in the grading and concrete work at the company's new
concentrating plant in Pine canyon, near the Inter-
national smelter.
Park City. — Exploration of virgin territory at the
property of the Silver King Coalition Mines Co. is point-
ing to the fact that productivity of ground hitherto un-
explored should be as great as that of the older parts of
the mine, according to M. J. Dailey, mine manager. On
the 1100-ft. level a high-grade silver-lead deposit has been
reporting that many miners and shovelers could be given
employment. During the week ending August 27, the
Ontario shipped 620 tons; Silver King Coalition, 500;
Judge M. & S., 419; Daly-West, 392; Naildriver, 115;
New Quiney, 56 ; and the Keystone, 55, making a total of
2157 tons, as compared with 2279 tons shipped the previ-
ous week.
A lease from the Little Bell Consolidated Mining Co.
has been taken by the New Quiney Mining Co., according
to A. L. Thomas, Sr., secretary and manager of the last-
named company. By the agreement the New Quiney has
secured the use of the Little Bell equipment, consisting
of the hoisting-machinery, compressor-plant, boarding-
house, blacksmith-shop, and other buildings. The Little
Bell shaft has been sunk to approximately the same depth
as the Daly- West 900-ft. level. The above arrangement
will benefit the New Quiney company, as it will permit an
outside entrance for underground work and will make the
company independent in its supply of power and air.
392
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 11, 1920
Previously work done in the New Quincy ground has been
carried on either from the Ontario drain-tunnel or from
the Daly-West 900-f t. level, and power has been supplied
by other companies. Under the new arrangement, ore
can be taken out through the Daly-West or Ontario tun-
nel, and waste through the Little Bell shaft. The prop-
erty of the Little Bell company is adjacent to the New
Quincy and the Daly- West, and it is considered to be the
last undeveloped mining property in the main part of the
district. But 70 ft. lies between the drift on the Little
Bell 900-ft. level and a raise being put up from a drift
from the Daly-West 900-ft. level in the New Quincy
ground to make a connection and work is being pushed
to effect a junction as soon as possible.
Eureka. — It is reported that the Knight interests have
arranged to keep a pump in operation at tlie Ruby Hill
shaft. A short time ago, work at the Ruby Hill shaft was
stopped, owing to the difficulty experienced in raising
money for additional prospecting, so if pumping opera-
tions are commenced now the shaft will be in better shape
when the time comes to resume work. The water will be
used at the Tintic mill where it is badly needed, and the
milling company will stand the expense of pumping. The
mill is now using about 200 gal. of water per minute for
sluicing the tailing.
Stockholders of the Zuma Mining Co. are in receipt
of a statement, covering the operations of the company
for the year ending July 14, 1920. During that period
the company expended $26,732, and did 898 ft. of drift-
ing, raising, and sinking. P. J. Fennell, the president,
states that lack of equipment at the property has been a
serious drawback to rapid and economical development
work. The main shaft should be deepened, if the ore
showing continues to improve. Present work is confined
to the 800-ft. level, where a well defined streak of ore is
exposed. When the winze from the 800 reaches the
900-ft. level, drifts will be driven both north and south,
on the ore-channel. The company at present has a debt
of $22,000. More than 300,000 shares remain in the
treasury, out of the original capitalization of 1.000,000
shares.
Shipments from this district for the week ending
August 27 totaled 141 cars, of which the Chief Consoli-
dated shipped 42 ; Tintic Standard, 29 ; Dragon, 12 ; Iron
Blossom, 10 ; Mammoth, 9 ; Eagle & Blue Bell, 7 ; Grand
Central, 6 ; Centennial-Eureka, 5 ; Iron King, 5 ; Bul-
lion-Beck. 3; Grand Central, 2; Swansea. 2; Sunbeam,
2 ; Victoria, 2 ; Gemini, 2 ; Laclede, 1 ; Victoria, 1 ; Griggs-
Huish Leasing Co., 1. This is an increase of 12 cars over
the previous week.
The shaft at the Central Standard property, in the
eastern part of the district, is now at a depth of 545 ft.,
and good. progress is being made with the sinking. De-
lays have been experienced, owing to the fact that the
porphyry formation, through which the upper part of the
shaft was sunk, continually breaks timbers. There has
been no trouble with water recently, as the reservoir on
the 400-ft, level takes eare of the water from above that
point.
WISCONSIN
REVIEW OP OPERATIONS DURING AUGUST.
Platteville. — The labor shortage in the district be-
came so intense during the month of August that some
operating concerns were barely able to operate. On this,
account the Wisconsin Zinc Co. suspended underground
work at all of its producing mines, and in order to hold
the working forces together special attention was given to-
the re-milling of tailing piles, and with some success. The
number of shovelers especially was reduced to the mini-
mum. At the Champion mine, the best producer in the
Wisconsin Zinc Co. 's group, but six shovelers were at
work when the mine was shut-down, whereas twenty-four
men are required. Low prices for zinc ore contributed as
well. Low prices sometimes can be met with maximum
output but low prices in combination with a shortage of
men is a difficult problem. Usually many farm-hands
drift into the mines after the threshing season is over, but
this year farmers themselves complain of the shortage of
help so that little relief can be looked for from this source.
Prices for zinc ore were not satisfactory ; the cost of
production has been increased by the recent advances in
freight-rates, and the higher prices for coal and power.
The better grades of zinc ore opened at $49.25 per ton,
base, 60% zinc-assay. No gain was shown on offerings
until the third week in the month when the price was ad-
vanced on high-grade refinery blende to $53 per ton. The
last week of the month sales were made on a base price of
$52.50 ; the top price for the month was a little better
than $55 per ton.
Deliveries of zinc ore were made for August, from
mines to magnetic-separating plants, by districts as here
shown, including shipments of lead ore.
District Zinc, lb.
Benton 6,502,000
Livingston 5.056,000
Cuba City 2,004,000
Day Siding 1,214,000
Galena 1,210,000
Shullsburg 862,000
Platteville 474,000
Linden 276.000
Hazel Green 234,000
Highland 60,000
Lead, lb.
172,000'
66,000'
60,000
76,000'
66,000
Total 17,892,000 440,000'
Shipments of the finished product from separating-
plants to smelters were made for the month as follows :
Company Lb.
Mineral Point Zinc Co 4,960,000
National Zinc Separators 3,158,000-
Wisconsin Zinc Co 2,080.000
Block-House Mining Co 296,000-
Linden Zinc Separators 236.000
Total 10,730,000
Low-grade zinc-ore producers fared poorly all month,
and operators who did not suspend piled up big reserves,
which at the close of the month was conservatively esti-
mated at more than 12,000 tons. The best price paid for
the month was 80c. per unit of zinc in the ore. which
Beptember 11, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
393
would bring ios on ap to $32 per ton, l«ut the penalties
reduce this to about $80. The demand tor open market
offerings was lai all month bo thai little cine ooneentrate
u.is sold in iiiis market
The higher offerings for lead ore, which became estab-
lished at $110 per ton, about the tirst of the mouth, it was
believed would stimulate operators to secure a higher pro-
duction, but this did not materialize. Such production as
was made was held closely and the sales reported for the
month were few. Producers sensed even higher offerings
and about mid-month some few sales were made as high as
$115 per ton. The ore in reserve in the field is held in
expectation thai the price will eventually reach +125.
Old workings and shallow mines were invaded by pros-
pectors but without any appreciable increase in produc-
vtloped and a sulphuric-acid plant at Cuba City is now
making 4o tons of tin Hamnc acid, which is marketed
promptly in Chicago and Milwaul
lmiTlSH OOOLUMBIA
R MIKING IN PEACE HI \ lit DISTRICT Is ACTIVE. — NOBLE
FIVE MILL IN OPERATION'.
Hudson's Hope. — The possibilities of gold-placer min-
ing in the Peace River district is attracting a consider-
able amount of attention. A number of dredging-leases
have been taken out by Chase & Stewart on Nation river,
and the ground is to be thoroughly explored. Robert
Woods has a couple of scrapers at work on Brenmau flat
and is said to have obtained good results. The Ingenika
LAKE SHORE MINE AND MILL, AT KIRKLAND LAKE, ONTARIO
tion. Shipments of pyrite fell to the lowest point ever
known in this field. It was thought that, when the new
acid-works went into commission at Cuba City, a demand
of some strength would result, but so far as known none
has developed.
The gross recovery of milled ore at mines for the
month amounted to 8357 tons, the reserve stocks being re-
duced 639 tons. Net deliveries to smelters amounted to
5365 tons; carbonate zinc ore, 30 tons; pyrite. 65 tons.
The raw ore was distributed with the Mineral Point Zinc
Co., 3827 tons; National Separators, 3827; Wisconsin
Zinc Co., 1431 ; Block-House Mining Co.. 148 ; Linden
Zinc Co., 130. The high-grade ore was disposed of to the
Mineral Point Zinc Co.'s smelters at DePue, 3984 tons;
Illinois Zinc Co., 641; American Metal Co., 534; Gras-
selli Chemical Co., 206. The Mineral Point Zinc Co. has
been getting about 75% of all the high-grade blende pro-
duced.
Noteworthy undertakings are planned in the field by
the New Jersey' Zinc Co., following an official survey of
the field by staff officers of the syndicate. The Zinc Hill
Mining Co. has increased its capital stock from $300,000
to .$1,000,000 ; two new mills are planned and an all-steel
separator will be built. Several new mines are being de-
Development Co., a commercial company that has two
power-boats plying on Peace river, proposes to investi-
gate the gold possibilities of the Ingen river.
Stewart. — The Hyder Township & Improvement Co;.
is erecting a wireless plant at Hyder. The plant will be
large enough for all commercial needs and will keep the
district more in touch with the outside world. Cables
have been stretched across the creeks' in the Bear River
valley at places where the bridges were 'washed away.
This will give temporary relief in getting supplies" lot-
use during the winter to those camps that intend to Op-
erate. Hand-picked ore, taken from two dikes 15 to 25
ft. wide, respectively, at the Silver Tip mine, is being
sacked for shipment.
Slocan. — The new 150-ton mill at the Noble Five mine
was started on August 23, and is said 'to be giving satis-
faction. The mill comprises jigs, tables,, and Callow flo-
tation-cells. With the exception of the Cunningham mill,
at Alamo, it is the biggest mill in the Slocan region.
Kamloops. — A local syndicate has bonded the Home-
stake mine, near here, and will start to develop the two
eastern veins at once. The mine has been idle for more
than 20 years. There are five veins on the property, all
of which are said to contain medium-grade ore. The
,394
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 11, 1920
syndicate will work the property in conjunction with the
Mollie Gibson, and already has let contracts for a con-
siderable amount of work.
Trail. — Ore-receipts- at the smelter for the week ended
August 21 amounted to 8911 tons, of which the Consoli-
dated company's mines contributed 7253 tons. The other
shippers were : Bluebell, Riondell, 314 tons ; Josie. Ross-
land, 171 tons ; Mandy, Le Pas. 1080 tons ; Mollie Hughes.
New Denver, 23 tons ; Monarch, Field, 36 tons ; and
Venus, Cercross, Yukon, 34 tons.
Terrace. — A good deal of prospecting is being done in
this neighborhood, and some silver ore is being mined
from several properties Some good-looking ore is being
taken from the Kirkpatrick group, on Kirkpatrick moun-
tain, Cedar river. E. F. Michaud is mining and sacking
for shipment silver ore running up to $300 per ton from
his property adjoining the New York group, and ore is
being sacked from the New York group for a trial ship-
ment. Mat. Allard is sacking ore containing both gold
and silver from the Bear group. Bad transportation con-
ditions are preventing much shipping.
ONTARIO
THE LAKE SHORE PROPERTT. XIPISSING DECLARE* REGULAR
AND EXTRA DIVIDENDS.
Porcupine. — An Important statement in connection
with the option held by the Dome Mines on the Dome
Extension lias been forwarded to the shareholders of the
Dome recommending the exercise of the option. It points
out that a payable orebody has been proved to occur on
the sixth level of the Dome Extension, that the ore-zone
indicated by diamond-drilling on the 10th level of the
Dome extends at depth into the Dome Extension, and that
geological conditions show that other known ore-zones of
the Dome, if they coutinue at depth, must dip into that
property. The life of the Dome will therefore be consid-
erably lengthened by the acquisition of the Extension,
which is practically certain to be ratified by the share-
holders.
Diamond-drilling is being carried on in behalf of Brit-
ish interests on the properties of the Ontario-Porcupine
Exploration Co., situated in the south-western part of
Mountjoy Township, within a mile of Timmins. A con-
tract has been let calling for a minimum of 4000 ft. of
drilling and a maximum of 10,000 ft. Little exploration
has so far been done in this part of the Porcupine area,
as it has a heavy overburden oi sand, gravel, and clay,
and trenching to rock is impossible. Success has attended
diamond-drilling in other similar localities in the camp,
and the operations of the company to ascertain whether
the vein systems of the producing mines extend to this
distance westward will be watched with interest.
Manitoulin Island. — A number of oil operators have
for some time been at work on Manitoulin island with en-
couraging results. Some years ago the Standard Oil Co.
secured a lease of 30,000 acres and drilled a number of
wells, but afterward ceased operations. They have now
returned to the field and are again at work. An English
syndicate headed by Sir Stopford Brunton has leased
25.000 acres and is drilling. The Kyto Oil Co. of Dayton,
Ohio, has found oil in three wells at a depth of 458 ft. and
is producing steadily, and several other syndicates and
individual operators are in the field.
Cobalt. — Announcement is made that the Nipissing
Mining Co. will disburse $600,000 to its shareholders on
October 20, payment being made in the form of a regular
5% dividend, plus a bonus of 5%. This will make a total
of $1,800,000 paid during the current year, and a grand
total of $22,140,000 since operations started some 14 years
ago. The total amounts to 369% on the company's issued
capital. Announcement is also made that the company
has purchased an iron mine within 35 miles of New York
City.
Early in September, it is stated, the shareholders of the
Temiskaming Mining Co. will be asked to participate with
the Melnty re-Porcupine Mines, Ltd.. in the purchase of
extensive coal-lands in Alberta, it is reported that some
of the shareholders favor dividend disbursements by the
Temiskaming rather than the plan to go into the coal
business, but heavy stockholders seem to favor the new
venture. Arrangements have been made to explore the
diabase sill on the Crown Reserve mine, and a diamond-
drill machine will be operated from the fifth level for
this purpose. Some smah .shoots of high-grade ore have
been opened up on the r.l< Lumsden mine, and the oper
ators have been encouraged to carry on further explora-
tion and development work.
Kirkland Lake. — The Lake Shore mine, situated in
the Kirkland Lake gold area, in Northern Ontario, pro-
duces higher grad" ore than any other gold mine in
Canada. The mill treats 60 tons of ore daily, and re-
covery has averaged about $24.90 from each ton since the
mill commenced to operate in March 1918. The mine has
been developed to a depth of 400 ft., the result of which
has been to open up two important orebodies. One of
these lies beneath the lake, and contains sections where
the average gold content is exceedingly high, $50 assays
being quite frequent over the width of an ordinary stope
of from four to six feet. The deposition of the gold is not
uniform, the ore-shoots beginning with low-grade material
and gaining in richness gradually until exceedingly rich
and then gradually falling off to low grade again. These
shoots are from 100 ft. upward in length, and no difficulty
has been experienced in developing ore far ahead of mill
requirements.
It was recently decided to carry operations to a depth
of 800 ft., the plan being to open up an intermediate level
at a depth of 600 ft. This work is regarded as important,
as a continuation of the ore to such a depth would necessi-
tate doubling and possibly trebling the capacity of the
mill. Operations are carried on with a force of about 60
men. Although this reveals the fact that but one ton of
ore is treated for each man on the payroll, the amount
may be expected to increase following the proposed addi-
tion to the mill. This performance compares favorably
with the leading gold mine of Canada, the Hollinger Con-
solidated, where about 1J tons of ore is treated for each
man employed, but where operations are on a scale about
28 times greater than the Lake Shore.
mber 11, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
395
THE MINING SB
ra ^
CONFERENCE ON STANDARDIZATION IX MINING
The American Mining Congress has undertaken to organ-
ize a nation-wide movement looking to the standardization
and improvement of mining practice as it pertains to mining
machinery and equipment, cost-accounting, safety codes, de-
vices for saving lite and time, and co-operative methods as
adopted by States and governments in behalf of operators
and miners. The status of this movement was finally de-
cided upon at a conference in Chicago on August 30 between
officers of the Congress and the officers and representatives
of several other organizations. The meeting was held in the
Engineers Club, where the visitors were guests of Colonel
Warren R. Roberts, who is general chairman of the coal
division of th • Minin<* Congress Standardization Committee.
Two years ago the work of standardization was taken up by
the American Mining Congress and. the first committees
appointed, with Colonel Roberts as chairman. At the St.
Louis meeting of the Mining Congress last fall a three-days
session of the sub-committees brought forth an exhaustive
report, which later was printed and circulated among engi-
neers and manufacturers. From that preliminary meeting
there has gTOwn the ltrgest standardization organization
ever developed, and now, with two general sections and sub-
sections covering the various phases of the problem facing
each division of the mining industry, the membership of the
big committee exceeds two hundred specialists. Several
meetings have been held to lay the groundwork for future
programs. It was to consider how this new and powerful
body could best function with established committees and
with the most beneficial results that the Chicago conference
was called. Dr. P. C. Agnew, secretary of the American
Engineering Standards Committee, Mr. Sidney J. Williams,
secretary of the National Safety Council, Mr. Bradley
Stoughton, secretary of the American Institute of Mining
Engineers, Mr. R. V. Norris, a director of the Institute, Mr.
O. P. Hood, of the U. S. Bureau of Mines, Mr. J. F. Call-
breath, secretary of the American Mining Congress, Colonel
Roberts, of the standardization committee of the Congress,
and Mr. John T. Burns, assistant-secretary in charge of
American Mining Congress convention plans for the Denver
meeting in November, were present and spent several hours
going over the matter. As p. result, a resolution was adopted
requesting the American Engineering Standards Committee
forthwith to organize a mining-standards committee com-
posed of members selected by the bodies represented at the
informal conference. The Mining Congress was urged to
proceed with its work and it was announced by Colonel
Roberts that plans were soon to be published for a great
national conference on standardization, participation in
which would be urged upon all bodies of mining and engi-
neering men interested in the mining problems. "It is not
the intention of this committee to in any way duplicate the
■work of existing bodies," said Colonel Roberts after the
meeting. "There will be no competition and no friction.
The American Mining Congress represents the industry be-
cause it is composed entirely of operators', hence, is the in-
dustry. We intend to take up and consider all of the stand-
ards that have been or may be suggested or adopted by either
the Government or voluntary organizations and to make
tbese standards operative and profitable. We will also pro-
pose changes and new standards as our committee by ex-
perience and contact with the actual conditions in the mines
indicate their value or necessity. The standardization con-
ference in Denver during the annual meeting of the Amer-
ican Mining Congress in November will be, I believe, one of
the most important meetings ever held and its influence will
be felt permanently in both mining and manufacturing.
Among the most necessary things to be developed is to show
how standardization has made wonderful progress possible
in other lines and how the bituminous and anthracite coal
men have materially strengthened their business standing
by recent adoption of standardized accounting without
which they might have suffered many embarassments during
the strikes and wage conferences." The official invitation
now being prepared is signed by Colonel Roberts as chair-
man of the general committee on the standardization of coal-
mining machinery, Mr. Charles A. Mitke of Bisbee as gen-
eral chairman of the committee on metal-mining machinery,
and Mr. Richard A. Parker in behalf of the mining engineer-
ing profession.
ARIZONA
Yuma County. — D. M. DeLong, of Fresno, California, and
Paul Kimball, of Salt Lake City, have taken over a number
of mines in the old silver district in Yuma county. Repre-
sentatives of the American Smelting & Refining Co. are re-
ported to be making an examination with a view to purchase
or lease.
CALIFORNIA
Nevada County. — A. A. Codd, of Reno has been inspecting
the Morning Glory and Delhi group of mines near Columbia.
A rich pocket was found in the Alcalde, formerly known
as the Kenosha, a week ago in sinking a winze from the
400-ft. level. Two pieces weigh about 200 lb. and contain
so much free gold that their value is estimated as high as
$5000. The present company was organized by George W.
Root and associates as the Alcalde Gold Mines, and Lloyd
Root was placed in charge. — ■ — Mr. Coughlin, the county
clerk, who was appointed as a Commissioner to determine
the mineral or non-mineral character of Section 21, Town-
ship 18 North, Range 11 East, near GraniteviUe, has com-
pleted the taking of testimony. This section is a railroad
selection and the Forest Service contend that it is more
valuable for mineral than for agriculture. Expert testimony
was introduced on each side. The power shortage in
Nevada county and in the Mother Lode section has been in
no way relieved.
Placer County. — The Pioneer mine at Towle is closed
until power is restored. -During a violent thunder-storm
last week the lightning struck the 60,000-volt transformer
at the Rising Sun mine near Colfax, and following the wires
to the 900-ft. level shocked several miners unconscious, but
did not otherwise injure them. The damage was $1000.
Shasta County. — The deed from the Bully Hill Copper
Mining & Reduction Co. to the Shasta Zinc & Copper Co. for
th9 Bully Hill mines has been filed for record. Revenue
stamps attached show that the consideration was $433,500.
By a bill of sale the Shasta Zinc & Copper Co. acquires also
all the stock in the Sacramento Valley & Eastern railway
connecting the mines with the Southern Pacific system. The
396
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC rf^ESS
September 11, 1920:
work of tearing down the Balakalala smelter to get struc-
tural steel for buildings of the Shasta Zinc & Copper Co. at
Bully Hill is under way. Shortage of men retards the work.
The first carload of material has been shipped to Bully Hill.
It is well understood locally that the Shasta Zinc & Copper
Co., which owns the Bully Hill mines at Winthrop. is negoti-
ating with the Afterthought Copper Co. for the purchase of
the Afterthought mine and works at Ingot. Ore in the
Afterthought is refractory, but it is believed that it can be
treated successfully by the new process being installed by
the Jackling company at Bully Hill.
Siskiyou County. — M. Munz and associates of San Fran-
cisco have bonded a group of quicksilver mines near Gottville
owned by Siskiyou county mining men. The lessees have a
crew of 12 men preparing to erect furnaces on the property
the coming spring. If the Gottville mines develop well dur-
ing the winter the lessees will also work on other cinnabar
prospects situated along the foothills of the Siskiyou moun-
tains and along Klamath river.
NEVADA
Virginia City. — On September 6 it was reported that 3 50
miners at Virginia City and Gold Hill walked out, demand-
ing a wage increase to $6 per day. The scale now is $5.
The only large property in this vicinity not affected by the
strike is said to be the Concordia. Miners declared an in-
crease in the price of board made higher wages necessary.
The walk-out is not sanctioned by the Miners' Union, jt is
understood, as the union has a working agreement with the
operators which holds until January 1.
Obituary
John George Leyner was killed in an automobile accident
near Denver on August 5. He was an American inventor of
exceptional ability, a pioneer in the development of rock-
drilling and mining appliances. He was born in Boulder
county, Colorado, in 1860, being the first white child born
John George Leyner
in that county. He was the son of Peter A. Leyner. He
leaves a widow and three adopted children. The mining in-
dustry owes much to his genius. To have had a part in re-
ducing the cost of removing rock and ore, as he has done, is
an achievement that places him among America's great
inventors.
[PERSONAL 1
The Editor invites members of the profession to send particulars of their
work and appointments. The information is interesting to our readers.
George A. Deming was in Rhodesia recently.
Charles A. Mitke is visiting southern California.
E. P. Mathewson was recently at Warren, Arizona.
Ij. Maurice Cockerell has returned from London to Mexico-
City.
Harry W. Schumacher sailed from New York for Vene-
zuela on August 21.
Karl Eilers, formerly associated with the A. S. & R. Co.,
is at Salt Lake City.
R. E. McConnell, of Los Angeles, is examining a prospect
in Lassen county, California.
Harold A. Titcomb is. expected at Palo Alto. California,
where he will reside henceforth.
C. Erb Wuensch was at Aspen, Colorado, during the week.
He returned recently from San Salvador.
L. C. Graton, geologist for the Calumet & Hecla Mining
Co., has returned to Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Robert E. Tally, general superintendent for the United
Verde Copper Co., was at Los Angeles last week.
Morris B. Parker is consulting engineer to the California
Rand Silver Mining Co., at Randsburg, California.
A. G. McGregor, engineer and specialist in the construction,
of smelters, is in New York on professional business.
A. P. Anderson, of the U. S. Smelting, Refining & Mining
Co., has returned to San Francisco from Juneau, Alaska.
Ralph E. Davis, director of the Wisconsin Mining School
at Platteville, Wisconsin, since 1911, has resigned to move
to New York.
R. M. Geppert has returned to Minneapolis from an ad-
venturous journey to the headwaters of the Peace river, in.
British Columbia.
Robert S. Lewis, Professor of Mining in the University of
Utah, has returned to Salt Lake City after a vacation at
Huntington Lake in California.
Richard Roelofs, formerly manager of the Cresson mine,
at Cripple Creek, and now residing at Colorado Springs,
visited San Francisco on his way from Arizona.
S. F. Shaw has resigned as superintendent for the Amer-
ican Smelting & Refining Co., to become manager for the
Compania Minera La Constancia at Sierra Mojada. Coahuila,
Mexico.
N. Thompson, manager for Cammell Laird & Co., at Van-
couver, B. C, is here for the purpose of obtaining data on
the possibility of establishing an iron and steel industry on
this Coast.
J. E. Burgess is making a geological examination at Oat-
man, Arizona, and will remain there to take part as an ex-
pert in forthcoming litigation between the Tom Reed and
United Eastern mining companies.
Andover Syrerson, for several years chief engineer for the
United Verde Extension Mining Co., has severed his connec-
tion, and will take charge of the holdings of the United
Arizona Copper Co., at Mayer, Arizona.
September 11. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
397
METAL PBICE8
San Francisco. September 7
Aluminum-dust, cents per pound
Antimony, cents per pound
Copper, electrolytic, cents per pound
Lead. pis;, cents per pound
Platinum, pure, per ounce
Platinum. 10% iridium, per ounce
Quicksilver, per il:isk of 75 lb.
Spelter, cents per pound.
65
9.50
19.00
9.26 — 10.25
»115
»165
$75
9.50
Zinc-dust, cents per pound 12.50 — 15.00
EASTERN METAL MARKET
(By wire from New Tork)
September 6. — Copper is inactive but steady. Lead is quiet and lower.
Zinc is dull but easier.
SILVER
Below are given official or ticker quotations for silver in the open market
as distinguished from the fixed price obtainable for metal produced, smelted.
and refined exclusively within the United States. Under the terms of the
Pittman Act such silver will be purchased by the United States Mint at 81
per ounce, subject to certain small charges which vary slightly but amount
to approximately three-eig"hths of one cent. The equivalent «of dollar silver
(1000 fine) in British currency is 46.65 pence per ounce (925 fine), calcu-
lated at the normal rate of exchange.
Date
Aug.
Sept.
New York
cents
31 92.76
1 91.50
2 93.25
3 94.00
4 94.87
5 Sunday
6 Holiday
Jan.
Feb.
Mch.
Apr.
May
June
1918
.88.72
1919
101.1
.85.79 101.12
.88.11 101.12
.95.35 101.12
.99.50 107.23
.99.50 110.50
London
pence
Holiday
57.62
58.50
59.00
60.50
Monthly
1920
132.77
131.27
125.70
119.66
102.69
90.84
July
Aug.
Average week ending
Cents
26 92.39
2 92.85
9 94.58
18 • 96.39
23 99.12
30 96.61
6 93.27
Sept.
averages
1918
July 99.62
Aug 100.31
Sept 101.12
Oct 101.12
Nov 101.12
Dec 101.12
1919
106.36
111.35
113.92
119.10
127.57
131.92
Pence
54.77
66.20
68.39
69.06
61.60
60.70
94.89
1920
92.04
96.23
Prices of electrolytic in New York, in cents per pound.
Date
Aug.
Sept.
31 19.00
1 19.00
2 19.00
3 19.00
4 19.00
5 Sunday
6 Holiday
1918
23.50
23.60
Mch 23.50
Apr 23.50
May 23.50
June ......23.50
July
Aug.
Average week ending
26
Jan.
Feb.
1919
20.43
17.34
15.05
15.23
16.91
17.63
9
16
23
30
Sept. 6
Monthly averages
1920
19.25
19.05
18.49
19.23
19.05
19.00
1918
July 26.00
Aug 26.00
Sept 26.00
Oct 26.00
Nov 26.00
Dec 26.00
1919
20.82
22.61
22.10
21.66
20.45
18.55
.19.00
.19.00
.19.00
.19.00
.19.00
.19.00
.19.00
1920
19.00
19.00
LEAD
Lead is quoted in cents per pound. New York delivery.
Date
Aug.
Sept.
31..
1..
5 Sunday
6 Holiday
1918
. 6.85
Feb 7.70
Mch 7.26
Apr 6.99
May 6.99
June 7.69
8.50
8.50
8.50
8.50
July
Aug.
Average week ending
Jan.
1919
5.60
6.13
5.24
5.05
5.04
6.32
9.
16.
23.
30.
Sept. 6.
Monthly averages
1920
8.93
9.06
9.00
9.06
9.19
8.85
8.65
8.88
9.22
8.78
8.55
8.43
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
1918
8.03
. 8.05
8.05
8.05
. 8.05
6.90
TIN
Prices in New York, in cents per pound.
Monthly averages
1919 1920
71.50 62.74
72.44 59.87
72.50 61.92
72.50 62.12
72.50 54.99
71.83 48.33
1918
Jan 85.13
Feb 85.00
Men. ..... 85.00
Apr. ...... 88.53
May 100.01
June 91.00
1918
July 9300
Aug 91.33
Sept 80.40
Oct 78.82
Nov 73.67
Dec 71.52
1919
5.53
5.78
6.02
6.40
6.76
7.12
1919
70.11
62.20
55.79
64.82
54.17
54.94
1920
8.63
9.03
1920
49.29
47.60
ZINC
Zinc is quoted as spelter, standard Western brands. New York delivery.
In centB per pound.
Date
Aug.
31
1
July
Aug.
Sept.
averag
July
Aug.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Average week ending
2«
2
9
B.2B
• •
16..
8.27
4
5
6
Sunday
Holiday
1918
1919
7.44
6.71
6.53
6.49
6.43
6.91
Monthly
1920
9.56
9.15
8.93
8.76
8.07
7.92
30. .
8.45
a. .
8
1918
8.72
8.78
, 8.76
. 8.49
1919
7.78
7.81
7.67
7.82
8.12
8.69
8.29
1920
8.31
Mch.
. . 7.67
May
June
. , 7.92
....
QUICKSILVER
The primary market for quicksilver is San Francisco. California beinr
the largest producer. The price is fixed in the open market, according- to
quantity. Prices, in dollars per flask of 75 pounds.
Date - Aug". 24 80.00
Aug. 10 88.00 " 30 85.00
17 85.00 | Sept. 7 75.00
Monthly averages
1918
Jan 128.06
Feb 118.00
Mch 112.00
Apr 115.00
May 110.00
June 112.00
1019
103.75
90.00
72.80
73.12
84.80
94.40
1920
89.00
81.00
87.00
100.00
87.00
85.00
1918
July 120.00
Aug- 120.00
Sept 120.00
Oct 120.00
Nov 120.00
Dec 115.00
1019
100.00
103.00
102.60
86.00
78.00
95.00
1920
88.00
85.00
MONEY
A statement issued by Governor Harding', of the Federal Reserve Board,
last week seemed to indicate that the management of our central banking-
system had been listening' to criticism from quarters where restrictions on
loans were disliked. Mr. Harding1 hastened to deny that the Board ever
acted to discriminate between borrowers, and as far as differentiating- be-
tween essential and less-essential loans, he said: "The Board is too far re-
moved from the actual detailed situations involved to undertake to do this
and has relied on the consistent information and judgment of the local
banker to accomplish the Board's purpose sought."
The head of the Reserve Board reiterated the position taken last May.
which was that the use of credit should be conserved by lending- bankers,
although in such a way that production of needed products and the ac-
complishment of business be not interfered with. The fact of close super-
vision and restriction of credit by bankers to customers has long1 been
recognized in operation. There has been no secret about it. Bankers have
discussed frankly the denial of new credit lines to many applicants and the
limiting1 of existing lines to old clients. If such an attitude had not been
taken it is fair to assume that, despite 6 and 7% Reserve Bank re-discount
rates, there would have been further broad inflation of credit during the
summer instead of the condition of stability, even of moderate contraction,
which prevailed in most sections of the country.
Some critics of the Reserve Board and the Reserve Banks were inclined
to become excited over Mr. Harding's observations. The argument was
heard that the Board was misinformed on its own activities, and that tacit
if not actual discrimination between classes of loans had been made at the
fountain head of credit management. Doubtless the suggestions of the
Reserve Board at the conference with the Federal Advisory Council and
Reserve Bank Directors in May had a great deal of moral weight with bank-
ers, but it is reasonable to believe that the direct apportionment of credit
has been controlled solely by lending bankers themselves.
CURRENCY AND GOLD RESERVES
The amount of gold reserve of the United States available against notes
in actual circulation on July 1, 1920. was more than three times that of
any of the nations of Western Europe, according to information in 'Com-
merce Monthly*. This country had S2. 234. 000. 000 in gold as against
54,512.000.000 in notes, giving it a reserve of 49.5^e of the paper circula-
tion, a ratio which also far exceeds that of any European country.
The nation most nearly approaching this country's percentage of reserve
was Great Britain, whose gold holdings amounted to 31.5% of her note
circulation, while France on the same date had only 9.6%. Germany and
Austria had reserves of only 1.6% and 0.4% respectively. Italy., on Sep-
tember 30. 1919. the latest date for which data are available, possessed a
gold reserve of only 7.8% of her paper currency.
Wide differences also are shown to exist between the total amount of
notes outstanding in the various countries. The 54. 512. 000. 000 of paper
money in the United States compares with S16. 104. 000. 000 in Germany
and 512.559.000,000 in Austria-Hungary. Great Britain's note circulation
on June 30. 1920, was only S2. 258.000.000 and the French total of notes
outstanding at about the same date was equal to 57.288.000.000. Italy
on September 30, 1919. had 53,157,000.000 of paper outstanding. In
giving these amounts the bank has converted the units of foreign currencies
into dollars at their respective pars of exchange.
MONEY AND EXCHANGE
Foreign quotations on September 7 are as follows:
Sterling, dollars: Cable . 3.55*4
Demand 3.56 M,
Francs, cents: Cable 6.97
Demand 6.98
Lire, cents: Demand -. . . 4.55i_.
Marks, cents 2.06
398
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC f»RESS
September 11, 1920
Eastern Metal Market
New York, September 1.
All the markets are extremely inactive and sluggish but
the price situation in most cases is steady.
Buying o£ copper is very light but basic conditions are
bullish if anything and prices firm. Quietness pervades the
tin market with the price tendency easy.
Prices of lead have declined as well as demand.
There is no life to the zinc market, though prices are
steady.
Antimony is unchanged.
IRON AND STEEL
Prices and volume of business in iron and steel are still
governed by factors which are out of line with the readjust-
ments going on in other industries, says 'The Iron Age'.
New buying is not large, but consumption is on a scale that
promises well for operations in the remainder of the year
and longer. Buyers and sellers recognize conflicting tenden-
cies and find it hard to strike the balance. Testimony to a
freer movement of steel products from the mills is definite.
Accumulated stocks are being reduced.
While some Pacific Coast shipyards are bare of work, the
two tankers just placed at Vancouver will give one Eastern
producer 6700 tons of plates and shapes, while 1000 tons
of angles go to a steel works on the coast. There is a report,
not yet confirmed, that the Standard Oil Co. will build 17
tankers, of which 12 will be placed with Eastern yards.
COPPER
There has been no change in this market so far as activity
or prices are concerned. Buying by domestic consumers con-
tinues very light, but there are constantly some foreign orders
heing put on the books. There are no signs of any easing in
prices, the leading producers adhering strictly to the 19c,
New York, quotation for both Lake or electrolytic copper
for delivery through October. They appear not to be anxious
to do any business, possibly anticipating that present con-
ditions and higher costs will force a higher price when de-
mand picks up. Consumers also are apathetic, either be-
cause they are comfortably provided for or expect lower
prices. The expectation is that because consumption is very
heavy, stocks in consumers' hands will soon be cut down to
the point where buying will be necessary and that such a
moment is due by the middle of September. In the outside
market small lots are available at around 18.50 to 18.75c,
New York, but offerings are not heavy.
TIN
This market has again passed through a very quiet week.
Consumers are showing a little more interest, but this has
not yet developed into buying on their part. Neither are
sellers forcing their metal. Some future shipment business
developed last week at around £285 per ton for a London
seller, but this demand was spasmodic and did not broaden
into further activity. It is known that consumption of the
metal is heavy, but it is difficult to reconcile this with the
absence of buying, unless invisible stocks are larger than
figured.' More business was done on the New York Metal
Exchange in the last week than in some time, but it was not
large, totaling about 175 tons, the last sales on Monday hav-
ing been put through at around 46c This compares with
48c a week ago, and the decline of about 2c. has been a
matter of comment. It cannot be explained by lower ex-
change and lower markets in London, as these do not obtain
at present, but it may be due to nervousness by some sellers
who may have offered some metal. Spot Straits tin is quoted
today at 45.75c, New York, with the London quotation at
£280 per ton as against £271 15s. a week ago. The quota-
tion for spot standard tin there today was £272 per ton
with future standard at £279. The Singapore quotation
Monday was £289. Arrivals thus far this month have been
5075 tons with 4270 tons reported afloat.
LEAD
Contrasted with only a few weeks ago the market is very
quiet and dull and values have receded further. Today both
the New York and St. Louis maYkets are on a par at 8.75c
with demand light. Consumers are withdrawing, expecting
apparently that lead will decline still more. This situation
had developed as a result of the improvement which has
been of fair proportion. This material is available at 8.75c,
New York, for prompt delivery, and it is a fact that it can
be imported at no more than 8.50c, New York, duty paid.
Prompt American lead is held and sold at 8.87* to 9c, New
York, against 9.25 to 9.37*c a week ago. The present situ-
ation is not unexpected and was even predicted some weeks
ago. The leading interest continues its quotation at 8.75c,
St. Louis, or 9c, New York.
ZINC
The market has undergone very little change. The offer-
ings of re-shipment prime Western metal from England still
hang over it and this is obtainable at 7.90 to 8c, New York.
While some business is reported done, it is not believed to be
large yet. Certain difficulties attend it, such as the identi-
fication of original parcels, as otherwise a duty is imposed.
This may retard much buying of this nature. The import
movement has not affected the Eastern market yet and may
not. It is pointed out that most of the business in this im-
mediate market is in brass special and other high grades
and that the imported metal cannot compete effectively or
seriously, at least in Western markets. The domestic mar-
ket for prime Western is quoted largely nominal at 8.10c,
St. Louis, or 8.45c, New York, with demand very light from
all consumers.
ANTIMONY
The market is unchanged with wholesale lots for early
delivery quoted at 7c, New York, duty paid. Jobbing lota
rule at 7.25 to 7.50c.
aluminum:
There are fairly liberal offerings of Swiss and Norwegian
aluminum at around 3 2c, New York, but demand is light.
From the leading interest wholesale lots of virgin metal, 98
to 99% pure, are quoted at 34.90c f.o.b. producer's plant.
ORES
Tungsten: There has been more business reported than
in some time, but prices have not advanced. The foreign
market is reported to have gone higher. Quotations here
are $5.25 to $5.50 per unit, with Chinese ore nominal at $5
per unit.
Ferro-tungsten is unchanged at 90c to $1.05 per pound
of contained tungsten, depending on the grade and condition.
Molybdenum: The market is quiet with quotations nomi-
nally unchanged at 75c per pound of MoS= in regular con-
centrates.
Manganese: No business is reported but the market is
easier with high-grade ore offered at 6 5c per unit, seaboard.
Supplies for the ferro-manganese industry seem ample at
present.
Manganese-Iron Alloys: The market is quiet with very
little business in ferro-manganese or spiegeleisen. British
ferro-manganese is offered at $170, seaboard, for delivery
into June 1921, and American alloy can be had on the same
basis. Sales are confined to small lots. One British maker
refuses to meet the new price, having rejected an offer of
$170, seaboard, on a 1000-ton inquiry. Spiegeleisen is firm
at $80 to $85, seaboard.
September 11. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
399
INFORMATION Fl KMSI1KO BY UANCFACTUBEBS
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WIRE-ROPE SLINGS FOR IXDUSTRLAL PLANTS
'Roebling Wire-Rope Slings for Industrial Plants' is the
title of a new catalogue that contains the latest information
as to the various types of wire-rope slings which are now
used in shop and field for handling heavy loads with safety.
Numerous illustrations show some of the most recent de-
velopments of wire-rope slings as a substitute for manila,
chain, and ordinary wire-rope slings. The depreciation of
the manila-rope due to exposure and wear, and the uncer-
tainty of the chain-sling due to welds and fatigue of steel
are so well known that the safety and reliability of wire-
rope slings are emphasized. It is general practice to anneal
a chain-sling after it has been in service a short time and
there is quite a general impression that such annealing re-
moves all fatigue of metal and restores the chain-sling to its
original efficiency. This is a fallacy, for fatigue of steel
cannot be removed in the annealing-furnace. The breaking
of the chain-sling without warning indicates that the fatigue
of steel has reached the critical point. The Roebling wire-
rope sling will show by inspection of the surface the ap-
proach of the critical point of fatigue and at the same time
will have sufficient reserve strength to safely carry the load.
Due to the high strength wire used, the factor of safety is
approximately twice that of chain, so the fatigue of steel is
not so rapid.
The surface indication of fatigue of steel in wire-rope
slings is the breaking of the individual wires. For heavy
loads the slings are fabricated of seven strands of 3 7 wires,
6 strands being twisted about the centre strand, each strand
having 18 wires on the outside and 19 wires of the inside.
The 18 outside wires, due to their location, are subject to
the abrasion and most severe shocks and therefore show
fatigue first, giving direct warning of sling depreciation.
In the manufacture of Roebling wire-rope slings only blue-
centre steel wire rope is used, a rope made from an extra
high-grade steel of such physical qualities that it excels all
others for strength and toughness. All endless rope slings
are made endless in what is termed 'grommet' construction
instead of by splicing. The spliced endless sling is not
practicable for general service, due to the fact that it is im-
possible to protect the rope at points where the six tucks
are made: --When these tucks are in contact with sharp
corners they are displaced and the strength of the sling is
therefore reduced and deterioration becomes rapid. The
endless grommet is made from one piece of strand and there-
fore contains only one tuck, occuring at the point where the
two ends of the strand are tucked in and form the centre
strand of the rope. The point where the tuck occurs is
always placed on the equalizing thimble and therefore is
fully protected from all abuse.
CATALOGUES FOR ROUGH USAGE
Catalogues issued by manufacturers of machinery, plumb-
ing supplies, automobile parts, etc., are frequently handled
by machanics whose hands are soiled by grime and dirt.
The covers soon become so soiled that anyone having clean
hands or dressed in 'good' clothes dislikes to handle the
book. For a permanent catalogue of this type, a cleanable
cover-material is desirable. For many years such a thing
was unknown, but the art of stamping and pasting the edges
of pyroxylin-coated book-cover materials was perfected a
few years ago. It is now possible for any manufacturer to
have a catalogue-cover from which grimy spots can be
washed with soap and water without injuring it. The leather
substitute is durable and will generally remain sound
throughout the life of the catalogue. The cost is necessarily
higher than for paper or cheap-cloth covers, but is not so
high as to be prohibitive if a manufacturer desires a really
permanent catalogue; one that will last and remain in good
condition for several months.
BELT-CONVEYORS
A Tecent attractive publication is 'Conveyor Problems and
their Solution', by the Main Belting Co., manufacturers of
Leviathan-Anaconda belts. An interesting feature is the
summary of the important advantages of belt-conveyor sys-
tems over other methods of handling material. They are
as follows:
1. Large Capacity. A belt-conveyor has greater capacity
than any other type. This is because the capacity of any
conveyor depends largely upon the speed at which it may
be operated. Speeds of 600 ft. per minute are not excessive
for the wider belts, while even with the narrower belts,
speeds of 200 or 300 ft. per minute are attained without
danger of spilling the material carried. These high speeds
enable the belt-conveyor to handle tremendous quantities of
material, so that for all practical purposes, belt-conveyors
may be built to handle any capacity desired.
2. Power Requirements. Where belt-conveyors can be
used, it is not economical to use screw-conveyors or flight-
conveyors, otherwise known as scraper-conveyors. Each of
the latter consume about twice the power of a belt-conveyor
and their capacity is much smaller in comparison.
S. Small Maintenance Charges. The greatest advantage
of a belt-conveyor is its extreme simplicity. There is no
complicated machinery to get out of order and if the proper
attention is given to the belt the total cost of upkeep is ex^
tremely moderate even taking into consideration the cost
of replacing the belt from time to time.
4. Accessibility. The rollers are compact units in them-
selves, easily accessible when properly installed; and re-
pairs, when necessary, can be made in a short time. The!
belt itself is in plain view, so that its condition is always
apparent, and for that reason it cannot give out unex-
pectedly.
5. Protection of Material. A wide variety of materials
may be carried with the maximum of safety on belt-con-
veyors. In the case of foodstuffs there is no danger from
contamination by oil or grease since the material comes in
contact only with the belt, and remains stationary upon it
after loading until the point of discharge is reached; very
little breakage of material occurs. This is important where
the material is of such a nature that a reduction from large
to small size decreases its value. This condition is met
with when conveying sized coal, for example.
6. Flexibility in Loading and Discharge. The material:
400
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 11, 1920
may be loaded on the belt at any point in a variety of ways,
•either by spouts, mechanical feeders, or by hand, and is dis-
charged either at the end or at intermediate points by means
of trippers.
7. Light Weight. Capacity considered, a belt-conveyor is
lighter than any other type of conveying equipment. This
makes it desirable where the machinery has to be carried on
trusses, as in the case of a conveyor carried on a bridge-
truss between two buildings. The lighter the conveyor, the
lighter may be the construction of the bridge, with conse-
quent saving in cost.
8. Freedom from Shut-down. Compared to screw and
flight or scraper conveyors, there is practically no danger
of shut-down from choking due to the material becoming
packed. When a shut-down does occur, it is of short
duration.
the patents just considered is absent. Stratification on the
plateau and on the main surface was therefore accelerated
and also more complete. The abrupt inclines leading to the
plateaus operated as effective resistance planes that cut off
the gangue and prevented it from passing forward at this
point.
"We cannot say that this specific structure, designed to
meet a specific problem, was but an exercise of mechanical
skill."
DECISION IX DEISTBR PATENT SUITS
The U. S. District Court of the State of Indiana has affirm-
ed the decree of the lower courts in the action of the Deister
Concentrator Co., appellant v. the Deister Machine Co.,
appellee. The following is quoted from the opinion:
"Appellant attacks the decree upholding certain claims
in three patents covering improvements in concentrating
tables, asserting that all the patents are invalid, and that
its structures do not infringe any of the claims involved . .
"Various types of concentrating tables were well known to
the trade in 1912. Some were covered by patents, and cer-
tain factors in the successful operation of all concentrating
tables were well recognized at that date. Among the well
ltnown types were the Gilpin County Bumping table, the
Gold Coast of Africa table, the Overstrom table, and the
Butchart Bent Riffle table.
"From these type?, as well as from various patents, we
find that riffles were old, resistance planes were old, the re-
ciprocal longitudinal movement and the tipping or tilting of
the table were all well known and had been commonly
practised for many years prior to the appearance of ap-
pellee's tables.
"Appellee's predecessors in title were far from pioneers in
the art. They conceived and worked out, however, what
they assert was an improvement over other tables. Their
new table, which was a combination with most of the ele-
ments old, possessed merit because of the location and con-
struction of these elements. A new element was added
which, co-operating with the others, doubled, so it is claim-
ed, the capacity of the table without increasing the loss in
the tailings, secured a cleaner and greater quantity of ore
values and reduced the item of labor cost. There is some
evidence to support these assertions. That an increased
capacity without loss in the tailings resulted is not serious-
ly disputed . . .
"Appellant insists that, nevertheless, inventive skill was
not disclosed. For having discovered the value of the
plateau and the incline leading' thereto as disclosed in the
earlier patents, Deister exercised nothing but an ordinary
degree of mechanical skill in making use of successive
plateaus. But this is not merely a case of using successive
plateaus. The use of each plateau is inseparately connected
with the location and the height of the riffles on each
plateau, the motion of the tables and use of the water, etc.
It is a combination where each element works in conjunc-
tion with the other elements.
"In practical operation we find results perhaps not unlike
those found in the tables covered by the patents just con-
sidered, but. clearly, the steps differ by which the results are
attained. In this table an earlier stratification was sought.
This was better accomplished by the level table. The in-
clines leading to the plateau made it possible for the table
to be practically level. The incline found in the table in
COMMERCIAL PARAGRAPHS
The Deister Machine Co. has donated one of its 'Plat-O-
Table' concentrators to the University of California for use
in its mining department.
The firm of Frost & Wurgler, assayers and metallurgical
chemists, succeeds Oscar J. Frost, assayer, of Denver. Mr.
Wurgler comes direct from the employ of the American
Smelting & Refining Co. He devoted 17 years to assaying,
chemical, and research work at its Perth Amboy, Globe, and
Durango plants. Mr. Frost counts on continuing his active
duties with the firm.
Extensive improvements are under way at the plant of the
Pollak Steel Co., Marion, Ohio. The improvements consist
of several new buildings and new equipment, the total cost
running into a large sum. The products of this plant con-
sist of rolled steel bars ad shapes, concrete reinforcing bars,
etc. These new improvements are being made to take care
of increased production and to cope with the volume of
business going to the Marion plant.
Abbot A. Hanks, chemist and metallurgist, has moved his
laboratory plant to 624 Sacramento street, San Francisco.
Enlarged floor space (about 5500 sq. ft.) has made it pos-
sible to transfer the testing equipment of R. E. Noble & Co.,
whose business was purchased by Mr. Hanks some four
years ago, to the new quarters. The activities of the enter-
prise now include metallurgical work, cement testing, con-
crete testing, the inspection of rails, machinery, pipe, timber,
and other equipment, and sampling work at smelters at
various points. Nearly 20 men are employed.
An instructive bulletin, No. 41311, from the press of the
General Electric Co., covers the subjects of power-factor
correction and more recently, power-factor control through
synchronous condensers. For power-factor correction a
synchronous condenser always operates over-excited, or sup-
plies leading kva. to the system; and for power-factor con-
trol it is regulated automatically to maintain constant re-
ceiver voltage, the starting and stopping being made de-
pendent on load and power-factor conditions or a time clock.
It then may operate either over-excited or under-excited,
supplying leading or laggish kva. to the system. Particu-
larly interesting sections of the bulletin are the data on
power-factor, causes and effects of low power-factor, and the
application of the synchronous condenser, with several calcu-
lations both for power-factor correction and control.
The Uehling Instrument Co., 71 Broadway, New York, has
just issued bulletin No. Ill describing 'Style U Uehling CO.'
equipment. The design is new, being built in single and
multiple forms, the latter serving any number of steam-boil-
ers simultaneously, up to a total of six. The purpose of this
equipment is to save fuel by burning it with the proper air-
supply. Neglect of this factor is costing power-plant owners
heavily. Among the features of the new machine are speedy
action, resulting from a new form of aspirator, absence of
chemical solutions, greater simplicity, and the unique plan
of providing an auxiliary boiler-front 'CO.' indicator, which
guides the fireman, while the recorder, installed in the chief
engineer's office or superintendent's office, makes a continu-
ous (not intermittent) record showing all changes in boiler
adjustments that are conducive to either waste or economy.
InNlllNIHNIIIIIIIillMII
EDITORIAL STAFF
T. A. RlCKARO, EDITOR
Parsons. Amociatc Eoitom
Mnmfiinif ami
M-runer Aluill Bureau of
Member Associated limine
in mltttaoi
> Paper*. Inc.
ESTABLISHED I860
PublMrtl ,\t i» Jfarlrt SI.. 8m f"mnc/.<ro,
by thf /Vir*v PulAithino Annpanv
BUSINESS STAFF
C. T. Hutchinson, manager
E. H. Leslie, ooo fisher Boa., Chicago
F. A. WE (CLE. 91 NASSAU ST., NEW YORK
mum u Minium mm iti)iiji}i4iJtiti»ii)ti(iat4iit)tiiMLtLiJiiMii^)tiiiii)iariLiir4rir4riLiik,iJhiiiiMMh4ia,ijiiLi iini:iLi[iij iriiuiiinMhiiiiMr ni<iritiii)r<iiiiit MttiirjMiidtiDE iiiriiMhiinriri riii4riiiji4L]ii(MMtiJi9iiietiiriM»iinciiijiahiiiiiiiiti]iiti^iihiiiitJiiJ[,
SCIENCE HAS NO ENEMY 8AVB TUB IGNORANT
Irsuetl Every Saturday
San Francisco, September 18, 1920 ?* per Year— 15 centa per coPy
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
EDITORIAL,
NOTES 401
COPPER PRODUCTION 403
The increased rate of production. An analysis of
recent statistics. The production is still above
normal. Exports in 1913 and 1914 were abnor-
mal. Consumption promises to increase.
A QUESTION OF ETHICS 403
An advertiser objects to an editorial because it
criticizes the leader of his political party and can-
cels his advertising. An attempt to dictate a
policy. The foolishness of it. The editor's duty is
to please the readers, not the advertisers; to ex-
tend the scope of the paper by independent criti-
cism, and thereby increase its usefulness as a
medium of publicity.
A GRIEVANCE 404
Restrictions placed upon the use of electricity.
The Californian Railroad Commission curtails the
hours in which mining companies can use electric
energy. Waste of power in other directions, such
as 'electrical houses' and gay resorts.
DISCUSSION
CHUQUICAMATA
By Robert Clarke 405
Removal of chlorine from the solutions before
electrolyzing.
THE SAMPLING OF MINES
By H. R. Sleeman 405
A reply to recent criticism. Proper use of factors
of safety. Some methods not suitable to all cases.
COPPER DEPOSITS OF LAKE SUPERIOR
By S. S. Lang 407
Exception taken to some of the theories as to their
origin advanced by J. E. Spurr in a recent number
of the 'Engineering and Mining Journal'.
FUME FROM EXPLOSIVES
By Jeffrey Schweitzer 408
A method for the purification of the air from small
amounts of carbon monoxide after blasting.
THE ADVERTISER AND THE EDITOR
A Correspondence 408
Page
ARTICLES
SMELTING WITH BITUMINOUS COAL IN BLAST-
FURNACES
By H. C. Robson 409
An interesting description of copper-smelting prac-
tice at Spassky, Siberia. An unusual slag and no
coke. Brick furnaces. Successful results.
THE BUNKER HILL ENTERPRISE — XII (Continued)
By T. A. Rickard 413
The human side of the business. Actual working
time of the 'eight-hour day'. No strike since 1899.
Methods by which this satisfactory result is ob-
tained. War activities of employees. The Bunker
Hill settlement. Insurance of workmen. The mine
is a centre of many small industries.
THE TREATMENT OF AMERICAN LOW-GRADE
COPPER ORES
By An Australian 419
An Australian view of our methods in treating
these ores. Rolls and ball-mills. Trend toward
simplicity. The problem of the carbonate ores.
RECOVERY FORMULAE
By Hallet R. Robbins .
422
A set of handy formulae for use in checking ore-
dressing operations, with examples of their use.
NOTES
AMERICAN CAPITAL IN NEW BRUNSWICK
By Colin McKay 412
PUMPING IN THE RAND MINES 421
DEPARTMENTS
REVIEW OF MINING 423
THE MINING SUMMARY 431
PERSONAL 432
THE METAL MARKET 433
EASTERN METAL MARKET 434
BOOK REVIEWS 435
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS 436
Established May 24, 1860, as The Scientific Press: name changed October
20 of the same year to Mining and Scientific Press.
Entered at the San Francisco post-office as second-class matter. Cable
address: Pertusola.
Branch Offices — Chicago, 600 Fisher Bdff.: New York, 31 Nassau St.:
London, 724 Salisbury House, E.C.
Price, 15 cents per copy. Annual subscription, payable in advance:
United States and Mexico, $4; Canada, $5; other countries, $6.
28
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 18, 1920
&_
ELECTRICAL APPARATUS
AMD SUPPLIES
DtWVW-SMTLAKEi
tLPASO NEW VORK
CATALOG N* 50 '
Careful 'Buyers
Consult the
JWassco Catalogs
First
They know that between the covers of these volumes
are shown supplies which are recognized as standard
the world over — backed by the Massco reputation
for square dealing and fair prices. They readily
appreciate the benefit to be derived through dealing
with one house for the purchase of all equipment.
The Massco Line fills every need for mining, milling and smelting
plants — all carried in stock in Massco stores and warehouses.
Massco Service is available to you in any part of the world. In putting
your problems up to Massco engineers, you are at once enabled to
strike the center of the market no matter how remote your location.
In addition to the general Massco Catalogs, special descriptive
literature on particular items in the Massco Line Will be gladly
mailed on request.
The Marcy Mill
The Wilfley Table
Scobey Sampler
Perfection Oil and Acid Feeder
Pierce Amalgamator
Sackett Sand Pump
Krogh Pumps
AMONG THESE AKE ;
Massco Ore Feeder
McCool Pulverizer
Samson Crusher
Laboratory Wilfley
Ruth Flotation Machine
Huesser Balance
Lindsay Furnace
Massco Clay Goods
Assay and Laboratory Equipment
Holman Hoist
Dourte Valveless Pump
Remco Tanks
Massco Cages and Skips
Massco Mechanical Rubber Goods
The Mine & Smelter Supply Company
DENVER
A Service Station Within Reach of You
SALT LAKE CITY
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EL PASO
September 18, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
mi
T. A. KtCKARV. .... Editor
iimiiiitiiiiiitiimiiiiimmiii miiiiiiiimiiiiiiiimmmmi minim t iiiiimiiiiuinmimmmiiimmim mmimiii imiiiiiimiiiimiiiimiiMiiimiuiiimiimimiimiimmiiimiiimtiiiitHiiiiiiJiiiiiimiiillHii'
rT,llK check to the manufacture of automobiles is sig-
■*■ nificant. It is due principally to the action of the
PederaJ Reserve Bank in declining to finance loans se-
cured by sales on the instalment plan. One phase of
extravagance after another will have to be abated in the
general process of deflation now imminent.
"IMMIGRATION is lively, but so also is emigration.
■■■ From July 1919 to March 1920, inclusive, a total of
265,318 aliens landed in the United States, but during the
same period 227,544 left our shores, so that the net gain
was only 37.774 in the nine months. In 1914 the total
of those arriving was 1.218,000. Recently as many as
17,000 arrived in one week at New York, but the condi-
tions prevailing before the War are far from being re-
stored.
TT'ROM "Washington comes the announcement that an
■*• experiment station is to be established by the U. S.
Bureau of Mines at Rolla, Missouri. It is proposed to
conduct research in connection with the lead and zinc
mining industries of the Mississippi valley, more par-
ticularly the treatment of oxidized lead ores such as are
found in certain districts of Missouri. This station, it
may be assumed, will be conducted in friendly associa-
tion with the School of Mines at Rolla, an institution
that has turned out many successful and honorable mem-
bers of the mining profession.
A LETTER dated July 18, 1914, has just reached us
■*"*■ from Simferopol, in the Crimea, from a young Russian
mining engineer who used to be in Colorado. It speaks
volumes for the disorganization of Russia that a letter
should be six years late in arrival, and it suggests that
many letters written during the "War failed of delivery.
One does not need to be either generous or imaginative
to wonder what has happened to the sender of this letter.
Is he in General "Wrangel's army? did he join the Czar's
troops when "War was declared, two weeks after he
wrote? or is he numbered among the unregarded slain
sacrificed in the Russian people's misdirected effort to
gain political and industrial liberty?
A PPARENTLY the Bolsheviki are as capable in min-
2\
ing as they are in governing. It is reported, in the
gold and platinum in the Ural and the "West Siberian
regions of Russia". They proposed to produce 4000
pounds of gold and 3000 pounds of platinum in 1920,
but in six months this year they mined only 192 pounds
of gold and 241 pounds of platinum. We suspect that
it was 'poods' and not 'pounds', but that is a minor de-
tail, the chief point being that they did not come within
sight of their "program". One reason is a shortage of
labor. Conditions of living under the Red rag are not
as comfortable or as healthy as promised.
17"IRGINIA CITY is the scene of the latest strike. Sev-
V
eral hundred miners have 'walked out', compelling
'New York Times', that they have been unable 'to carry
out more than part of their 1920 program for mining
the cessation of work at many mines, with the object of
forcing the managers to give them an increase of a dollar
per day, that is, $6 per shift. This is not an opportune
time to engage in systematic idleness, but the worse
feature of the strike is the fact that it is outlaw, that is,
unsanctioned by the union to which the men belong.
This union has an agreement with the operators that
does not expire until January 1, 1921. Naturally the
operators exclaim that the cost of mining just now is
excessively high, whereas the cost of living is coming
down, and is certain to decline further, but the chief
objection to the strike is that it runs counter to the prin-
ciple of collective bargaining. If the men make con-
tracts collectively and then break those contracts indi-
vidually, they stultify the whole idea of unionism and
compel the employers to work on the 'open shop' system.
Nothing could be worse for the laboring man. If he will
not play the game honestly, he deserves none of the
winnings.
YY/ E take pleasure in publishing this week a description
'* of sundry novel smelting practices in Siberia. It
has been our experience that most of the unusual or novel
methods introduced into the art of metallurgy originate
at the smaller plants, especially at those that lack the
ordinary means of communication and transport. This
is natural. The large smelting companies endeavor,
either by the graduated tariffs of the custom plants, or
thanks to the preliminary ore-dressing of private com-
panies, to supply their furnaces with an ideal charge,
whereas the company working alone must make the best
of what it has, often with instructive results. The feed-
ing of comminuted coal through the tuyeres has been
introduced recently into blast-furnace work in this coun-
402
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 18, 1920
try and was hailed with considerable enthusiasm as a
great improvement, although it seems that only a third
of the coke can be substituted advantageously by coal,
yet here comes Mr. H. C. Eobson with a description of the
practice at Spassky where the substitution is complete
and the amount used compares favorably with reverber-
atory practice. The last decade has been marked by the
sucaess of the reverberatory in rivalry with the blast-
furnace, and if the shaft-furnace is to retain its vogue it
must be improved. "We believe there is opportunity for
this. Mr. Robson points out some of the possibilities, even
though all his suggestions may not be applicable to Amer-
ican conditions.
TVTATURALLY the first delivery of mail by aeroplane
-L " from New York has aroused enthusiasm. The aerial
mail-carriers have had troubles of one kind or another,
and the service cannot as yet be said to be running
punctually or smoothly, but that must be expected in
the beginning of such an enterprise. It is only eleven
years since man's conquest of the air was acclaimed in
the person of Louis Bleriot, when, on July 25, 1909, he
flew across the English channel, from Calais to Dover.
Bleriot 's machine was a monoplane propelled by a 25
horse-power Anzani motor. Since then the aeroplane
has been enormously improved in design, speed, and
safety. We note that plane No. 151, piloted by Mr. P. J.
Murray and arriving in San Francisco on September 11,
brought a copy of the 'New York Times' of September 8.
That is a happy augury. When Bleriot crossed the
Channel he ended the isolation of England, and it may
well be believed that he did something to diminish the
insularity of Englishmen. The delivery of the 'New
York Times', one of the best, if not the best, newspaper
in our language, within three days of publication is sig-
nificant. It shortens the intellectual link that binds us
to our friends in New York; it promises to lessen the
provincialism or sectionalism that marks both sides of
this continent ; and, above everything, it gives us the
lively hope that the day is near when, instead of reading
De Young's 'Morning Howl' and Hearst's 'Yellow Yap',
we shall be able to read a newspaper that not only gives
its readers "all the news that is fit to print" but accom-
panies it with interesting comment and intelligent criti-
cism.
1"VNE of the best means of learning wherein the conduct
y-f of mining and metallurgical enterprises in foreign
countries excels our own is "to see ourselves as others
see us". To this end we publish in this issue an article
that originally appeared in an Australian review and was
written by an Australian for the enlightenment of his
countrymen. Although the tone of this article is, for our
purpose, a little too complimentary, the points that most
attracted the author's attention must have differed in
degree or kind from the practice to which he was accus-
tomed, and therefore deserve attention. He points out
that simplicity should never be forgotten in mill design.
Many a method that has worked satisfactorily in theory
has failed in practice because the fine balance required
of the various operations could not be obtained under
the rough conditions of actual practice. In his enumera-
tion of the different schemes in use he fails to point out
that gravity concentration and froth-flotation are riot
entirely distinct operations as his list would lead one to
believe, that instead of being used in series they may be,
and are, used in parallel on classified products, as is done
at the Inspiration mill in treating the tailing from the
'rougher' flotation cells. His remark that ball-mills have
come to stay overlooks possible successful competition by
an improved rod-mill, and there is no mention of disc-
crushers, perhaps because their use is more general in
preparing ore for leaching than for concentration. Our
use of more permanent forms of construction, for mill-
buildings, is due not only to the cheapening of cement
but also to the longer life confidently anticipated for the
larger copper enterprises, which start with millions of
tons of ore assured. We welcome such friendly comment
as is offered in this article ; indeed, we venture to say
that our engineers in turn should make themselves better
acquainted with Australian practice, more particularly
in flotation, for which the metallurgists of Broken Hill
have done so much pioneer work.
TVTECHANICAL energy essential to industry comes
-LT-*- from three primary sources, namely coal, petroleum,
and water-power. The need for the development of our
water-power is not, however, based so much on an actual
shortage in the supply of coal as upon its great relative
economy. There has been mined in the United States
2.8 billion tons of anthracite and 9.2 billion tons of bitu-
minous coal, while there remain untouched, according to
reliable estimates made by the U. S. Geological Survey,
19 billion tons of one and 1500 billion tons of the other
kind of coal. In addition, there is a fabulous quantity
of lignitic coal from which energy may be obtained when
it becomes necessary. The difficulty with coal lies in the
fact that under present conditions one-third of the
freight carried over the country is coal and we are not
able to spare the trains to handle this traffic. There will
be relief when the system of burning coal at the mines,
to produce electric energy for widespread distribution,
is extended. The burning of coal in thousands of scat-
tered and isolated boiler-plants is highly wasteful, and
the substitution of petroleum for solid fuel is hardly
more efficient. From 1859 to 1917 there was produced in
the United States 4.2 billion barrels of oil, leaving 7
billion barrels still to be mined. Considering the rapidity
of increasing consumption, it is unsafe to count on this
supply, even if helped by imports, to last more than
twenty years. There remains then the one source of
power that is replenished daily, namely, our streams and
rivers. It is estimated that of 59 million available horse-
power only 16.6% has as yet been harnessed. The de-
velopment of high-tension electric transmission has made
hydro-electric energy the most efficient form of power
yet devised. The largest item charged against a hydro-
electric plant, once it is erected, is the interest on the
capital invested ; and the uncertainty of tenure under the
former Federal laws caused corporations to hesitate in
September 18, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
403
investing their money in such enterprises. The new
regulations make reasonable provision for the protection
of capital put into hydro-electric enterprises without
jeopardizing the interest of the public, and there is evi-
dence already of stimulated interest since the new law
became effective last July.
Copper Production
It is generally assumed that the present depression
in the copper industry is due to the cessation of Eu-
ropean buying since the War and the consequent reduc-
tion of output by the producers to an amount much be-
low normal. These mistaken ideas are in large measure
dependent on the supposition that the production of
copper in the United States has increased at a progressive
rate of nearly 10% per annum, that is, not only has the
production of copper increased but the rate has also in-
creased. Statistics of recent production were given on
page 383 of our last issue. The various tables pub-
lished giving the production and increase by decades
seem to confirm the idea, but plotting the figures by years
will show that there have been four periods, in each of
which the rate of increase in the production was fairly
constant. The first, during which the plants took root,
lasted until 1881, and developed an annual rate of in-
crease of a little over three million pounds per annum ;
the second commenced with the introduction of electric
lighting, lasted until 1895, and had an annual rate of
increase of 20,000,000 pounds per annum. The third
commenced with the general introduction of electric rail-
ways and lasted until the War, with a uniform rate of
increase of 40,000,000 pounds per annum. The fourth
period was that of the duration of the War and was one
of supernormal production, not to be considered as form-
ing any part of the normal periods. It is characterized
by excessive expansion unwarranted except by urgent
necessity. Adding six times forty millions to the pro-
duction for 1914 (1,150,137,192 pounds) gives 1,390,-
000,000 as the hypothetical normal production for 1920.
Actually it seems to be at a somewhat higher rate, say,
1,500,000,000 pounds. Thus, even with the great reduc-
tion from the war-rate, the production is still in excess
of what may be considered normal. Omitting 1913 and
1914, exports had risen to 775,000,000 pounds per annum
before the War. The figures for 1913 and 1914 are
omitted because they indicate that Germany was already
preparing for war by making large importations of cop-
per, the apparent per capita consumption being 9f
pounds per annum in 1913 as against 7 pounds in the
United States. Our exports have already reached the
above pre-war quantity, and with the disorganized state
of German monetary and industrial conditions it may be
safely concluded that further increases will be gradual.
In other words, the present rates of production and export
are normal or nearly so. James Douglas pointed out,
many years ago, the coincidence of the curves showing
corresponding conditions in the iron and copper indus-
tries, but since the War this agreement has ceased. The
production of copper for 1916- '17- '18 was nearly 60%
greater than that for 1912-'13-'14. while the correspond-
ing increase in the pig-iron production was only 38%.
Whether this was due to greater foresight or greater
difficulty in developing the industry is beside the ques-
tion, but it fully accounts for the present large surplus
in copper and the fact that the price of pig-iron is 250%
above pre-war prices, while that of copper is scarcely any
higher. In the face of these conditions and the large
stocks, which represent fully eight months export require-
ments, it must be expected that the improvement in the
copper industry will be slow even though it now seems
probable that the next few years will see a new period
of expansion marked by increased consumption of copper
for the electrification of the railways and similar pur-
poses.
A Question of Ethics
On another page we publish the correspondence with
an advertiser who undertook to discipline us because we
wrote something that did not please him. As a matter
of fact he was an advertising agent, who, presumably,
acted in accordance with instructions from his principals,
a firm of manufacturers at Pittsburgh. For obvious
reasons, we forbear from publishing the name of the
firm, because it is no part of our province to pillory them
or to make personal the remarks that follow herewith.
The question is this: Is an advertiser warranted in
attempting to dictate the policy of a paper by with-
drawing his patronage as soon as the editor criticizes
the utterance of a leader of his (the advertiser's) politi-
cal party? In this case the advertiser objected to an
editorial — it was the one on Senator Harding's speech
of acceptance — because it had "a distinct Democratic
trend". It had nothing of the kind, unless every criti-
cism of a leader of one party involves partisanship with
the opposing party. That our depreciation of Senator
Harding's speech was not prompted by Democratic bias
is something of which we are certain ; and for confirma-
tion we refer our advertiser either to Colonel George
Harvey or to Judge Hughes, both of whom, we are confi-
dent, shared our opinion of the speech. Most, if not all,
of the editors of independent papers in this country
criticized the speech adversely, and one of the most com-
petent of commentators, Mr. E. S. Martin, the editor of
'Life', found in it an easy target for his urbane humor.
Of course, we could mount our high horse and protest
loudly against the attempt to dictate to us, for it is
.obvious that if the Messrs. Blank had their way every
paper in which they advertise would have to say only
the things that pleased them. As our independence is
not endangered by this breach of decorum, we need only
state that the attempt will not be placed to the discredit
of "the business interests" of the Republican party.
Such tactics are not characteristic of any party, even
though some persons inebriated by the exuberance of
their enthusiasm should essay to make editors 'good'
from their personal standpoint. This paper is not parti-
san in polities, but it does discuss political matters at a
time when they are of national importance, for it is the
404
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 18, 1920
(junction of an editor to discuss what is interesting to
his readers. We are not committed to the support of the
Democratic candidate; on the contrary, we think that
Governor Cox has made himself ridiculous over the
alleged 'slush' fund and we know that his war record is
open to grave reprobation, as, undoubtedly, the Repub-
licans will try to demonstrate before the first Tuesday
after the first Monday in November. Both presidential
candidates, in our opinion, and in the opinion of other
independent editors, are second-rate men, and it seems
highly probable that the voters in casting their ballots
will be guided more by party affiliations than by enthus-
iasm for either nominee.
Another, and equally important, question arises : Is
it the function of an editor to please his advertisers, or
to interest his readers? Of course, his main duty and
his proper policy is to please the subscribers and readers
by giving them what is interesting. To be interesting
any writing must be true and it must be agreeably ex-
pressed, for misinformation soon ceases to excite curi-
osity, and truth embalmed in piffle is not appetizing. "We
go even so far as to say that the advertiser has no stand-
ing as a reader ; as a matter of fact he rarely has either
the time or the inclination to read the papers in which he
advertises ; even if he does, the fact that he is pleased or
displeased is not a factor in the problem, which is, to
print matter that will appeal not to him but to those
among the subscribers and readers who are his clients or
possibly his clients, that is, buyers of the things he ad-
vertises in the paper. Of course, if a paper were un-
patriotic, scurrilous, or otherwise abominable, a man or
firm would be warranted in ceasing to advertise in it,
even if the'paper had so large and so effective a clientele
that the withdrawal of the advertising patronage in-
volved a loss of business to the advertiser. In short, cir-
cumstances might lead a man to cut off his nose to spite
his face, but usually it is unwise to do so. The kind of
journalism in which we are engaged is clean and inde-
pendent because we have no direct dealings with our
advertisers. We — the editor— look to the subscribers.
The business manager looks to the advertisers. If we
print what interests our subscribers, then ipso facto the
paper becomes an effective medium of publicity and the
advertising pages become valuable to the manufacturer.
The latter would be warranted in complaining if the
editor failed to publish matter that engaged the atten-
tion of the kind of people to whom he appealed through
his advertisement, but he is off his beat when objecting to
something that does not please himself. If he happened
to be a subscriber, he might cease to subscribe, but, if
sagacious, he would not cease to advertise until he had
reason to believe that the article or articles that dis-
pleased him were also so repugnant to many other read-
ers as to cause them to reject the paper and thereby lessen
its usefulness as a medium of publicity. The article that
moved Mr. Blank to unfriendly action was not of that
kind. It pleased many Republicans; it pleased many
others, as we happen to know. We mention this only
because it is part of the evidence in the case. As we said
in our letter to Mr. Blank, we are sorry to have hurt his
feelings; an editor occasionally writes something that
annoys an individual; that is the inevitable consequence
of frank criticism and the independent expression of
opinion. It is possible to write amiable patter, to avoid
contentious subjects, especially politics, to step so slowly
and so gingerly as to tread on no corns, to ignore the
realities of life ; but that is not journalism, because it is
uninteresting. The function of true journalism is to give
the information on which correct opinion can be formed
and to guide the formation of that opinion without fear
or favor, with kindness toward all honest men, with
malice toward none.
A Grievance
The restrictions placed upon the use of electric power
at the mines of this State are proving a serious handi-
cap. A sweeping order has been issued by power com-
panies at the instance of the controlling authority,
namely, the Railroad Commission, to the managers of
mines compelling them to decrease their consumption of
power by at least 20% until such time as the rains come
and there is a sufficient supply of the water used for gen-
erating electric energy. This 20% curtailment is en-
forced upon all mines regardless of circumstances, just
as the increase in railroad freight-rates was granted by
the Director-General of Railroads irrespective of local
conditions. We referred last week to the hardship that
the increase in freight-rates imposed upon sundry mines
and sundry mining communities and how an appeal was
made in Utah to the Public Utilities Commission of that
State for the purpose of relief on intra-state shipments
of ores. Indeed these blanket increases of rates, just like
this blanket restriction on the use of power, argue a lack
of intelligence, or an excess of laziness, on the part of
those in authority. For instance, a small mine is running
a small mill ; one is dependent upon the other ; unless the
mill can be run full time, the work in the mine must stop.
By the recent order the milling must be curtailed 20%
and all this curtailment must be made in the 13 hours
from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. A mine is being unwatered, or the
water in a mine is being kept down so that the breaking
of ore can proceed on the lower levels; a diminution in
the use of power means that the water rises and the work
has to stop. In some cases it becomes impracticable to
continue operations. We are referring to actual cases,
not to imaginary ones. In any event, so many of the
gold mines of California are idle on account of the high
cost of labor and supplies, or the decreased purchasing
power of gold, that it seems both unwise and unfair to
place any fresh burdens or restrictions upon the industry.
Moreover, while electric power is being denied for useful
purposes, it is being expended in exhibits of 'electrical
houses', thereby inviting the public to use it for a hun-
dred and one non-essential purposes. Power is taken
from the hills behind the mines and conducted to cities
where it is used lavishly for illuminating all sorts of non-
essential places and performances. It seems to us that in
this instance the miners have a real grievance and that it
ought to receive the sympathetic consideration of the
Railroad Commission of the State of California.
September 18. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
105
Chuquicamata
The Editor:
sir (in page 280, of your issue of August 21, I have
read with intereal the transcript of a description of the
mines Chuquicamata by W. L. Sehurz. There are one or
two things in the article that I think are not quite right.
ir.> Btates in one paragraph, "belt-conveyors, more than
II ft. long, carry the ground ore to the large leaching-
vats. where it is treated with water. There is sufficient
sulphur in the ore to form copper sulphate without the
introduction of sulphuric acid, although before this fact
was discovered the company had installed an elaborate
acid plant, since abandoned."
Having been assistant-superintendent of the leaching-
plant there for two and one-half years from the time of
the starting of the plant, I think that Mr. Sehurz is some-
what in error in the paragraph quoted above. What he
probably means to say is. that there is sufficient sulphuric
acid obtained from the water-soluble copper sulphate in
the ore by the regeneration of the acid in the electrolytic
plant, to obviate the necessity for adding any manufac-
tured acid ; hence the abandonment of the acid plant. It
would be a chemical impossibility for water and sulphur
to combine and form sulphuric acid to dissolve the copper
in the ore.
He has also left out a very important portion of the
treatment between the actual solution of the copper in
the leaching-tanks and the electrolytic deposition in the
tank-house. Owing to the fact that the ore in Chuquica-
mata is a combination of water-soluble copper sulphate,
the basic sulphate (brochantite), and the oxi-chloride
(ataeamite), with several other minerals of copper of
more or less the same nature, the solutions obtained from
the leaching of the ore contain an amount of chlorine in
combination with copper as cupric chloride (CuCL).
This chlorine has to be removed before the solutions are
delivered to the electrolytic cells. This was done, at the
time I left Chile in 1917. by precipitating the chlorine as
cuprous chloride (Cu2CL) in a plant specially built for
the purpose. Cement copper was added to the solution
at the head of a series of agitation cells and the resultant
cuprous chloride settled in Dorr thickeners. The clear
liquor with chlorine contents reduced to from 0.5 to 1.5
gm. per litre was sent to the electrolytic plant. The re-
action which took place can be expressed by the following
formula: CuCL + Cu = CuXL.
The cuprous chloride thus obtained was dissolved in a
salt solution and the copper precipitated on scrap-iron as
cement copper to be used in the dechloridizing of subse-
quent plant solutions.
At the time that I was there the copper was deposited
on starting-sheets four feet square and the resultant
cathodes, weighing about 250 lb. each, were delivered to
the smelter. These cathodes were melted in oil-tired re-
verberatory furnaces and cast into regular wire-bars.
Denver, August 25. Robert Clarke.
The Sampling of Mines
The Editor:
Sir — During the late discussion on this subject I have
been credited (or debited) with an asinine statement that
I would limit the applicability of methods of guarding
against sampling-errors by means of bulk-samples to
cases where errors up to 8% or 10% only were indicated.
I have been accused also of trying to apply the idea to
cases where it was not intended. Again, I am supposed
to have introduced the issue of applying the method to
ores of secondary enrichment. I have done none of these
things.
I consider that the use of factors of safety becomes
more imperative the greater the indicated 'errors' be-
come. As to applying the idea to cases where it was not
intended, I was not considering some special person's in-
tentions. I was discussing the best ways of applying an
idea. The idea of allowing for a sampling-error on re-
sults obtained by hand-sampling is not new. It was fa-
miliar to me as a youngster twenty years ago. It was not
used under that name ; but a proportion was deducted off
the average assay-results when estimating the actual
value expected to be won when the ore was mined. This
allowance, where possible, was based on experience with
similar ore ; where such data were wanting, the allowance
was based upon the judgment and experience of the en-
gineer. It covered both latent sampling-errors and the
adventitious admixture of wall-rock.
Mr. "Webber has gone further and published a method
of ascertaining the 'latent errors'. It seems he did so
with special deposits in view. That is no reason why the
idea underlying his method should not be applied to other
deposits or why other men should not elaborate their own
methods of applying the idea or why they should not
offer suggestions that may affect Mr. Webber's method as
set out by him. In fact, I agree with him in almost all
he has written on this subject, and his articles have been
most instructive. I do, however, consider that his method
of taking governing tests (bulk-samples) at regularly
spaced intervals means more work than may be necessary
in many instances and that more attention should be
given to establishing separate factors of safety for differ-
406
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 18, 1920
ent types of ore. Mr. Webber's last article (February
20) certainly largely repairs this omission.
Answering the third charge, I believe I never used the
term "secondary enrichment". Certainly it was not in
my mind as affecting this subject. I said that the divi-
sion of the ore, for purposes of security against 'errors',
should be based on differences of character of ore, not on
empirically chosen measurements (as is done in hand-
sampling). I said that such variations would occur most-
ly vertically, though not wholly so. I had especially in
view the change from oxidized or weathered ore to pri-
mary or unweathered ore ; not on account of enrichment
or otherwise, but because of physical differences. These
would affect the degree of accuracy of hand-sampling
differently. Such ores therefore should have their gov-
erning tests made separately.
The following sets out briefly the case as I see it:
Bulk-sampling (whether in form of mill-tests or other-
wise) by itself is insufficient. It ignores the law of aver-
ages, which is the very essence of sampling. It is not
worthy of the name of 'sampling' when applied to a mass,
heterogeneous in value.
Hand-sampling must be the basis of any valuation.
The more samples (the closer they are taken) the more
accurate is the result, other factors being equal. For a
given number of samples, heavier samples will give more
accurate results. For a given total weight of samples a
larger number (smaller individual samples) will give the
greater accuracy.
For every deposit or mine there is the happy mean,
which combines reasonably accurate results with reason-
able amount of work (cost) . It is the art of the engineer
to judge where that happy mean is. The above remarks
do not allow for inherent 'errors' in sampling. If that
allowance is not made, fewer samples of greater individ-
ual size might in some cases give a closer approximation
to true values, because the smaller samples may have a
bigger 'error' in each and so a bigger average 'error'.
Hand-samples are liable to errors. It is of the greatest
importance to ascertain if possible the degree of those
errors. The error in one type of ore in one deposit (or in
similar and neighboring ones) may reasonably be ex-
pected to be more or less uniform.
The errors in different types of ore may be assumed to
be different. If not, the fact is a coincidence. It is rea-
sonable to expect such differences and to arrange the
work on that assumption. Th,e logical procedure, there-
fore, is to secure the sampling-error of each type of ore
(if there is more than one in the case) separately. It is
desirable in securing the error in each type to perform
only such work as is sufficient for that purpose. In the
absence of data obtained by previous operations and com-
parisons, the obvious way to secure the error is to com-
pare results of hand-sampling with that of bulk-sampling,
it being understood that the bulk sampling is so per-
formed that 'error' is eliminated.
The obvious way to effect this is to take a bulk-sample
in such a way and of such a size as to reduce the factors
that cause errors in hand-sampling to a negligible quan-
tity, and to enable the hand-sampling of it to bring suffi-
ciently into play the law of averages. The whole bulk-
sample being small in comparison with the deposit, and
the number of hand-samples taken of it being small com-
pared with the number taken of the entire deposit, great-
er care must be exercised in the hand-sampling than is
the case with the general sampling. This "greater care"
refers to dimensions of channel, etc. It must not be al-
lowed to affect the average 'error' by introducing new
factors of error. The same method of hand-sampling
must however be used as for the general sampling. Chan-
nels should be of the same dimensions, and so on.
There is no reason why the error should vary in differ-
ent parts of the deposit if the type of ore remains the
same. If the character of ore varies in such a way as to
preclude its division into a few types, the division of the
deposit into regular areas, each one having its governing
test made for error, may be necessary ; otherwise only a
sufficient number of tests are justified to establish the
fact that any one type of ore has approximately the same
error. The said number of tests suffice as against the
average error to be applied to one type of ore. For ex-
ample, if three tests give closely similar errors for one
type, further bulk-sample should be unnecessary. If
continued tests give results of more or less wide varia-
tion then bulk-samples should be taken until it is felt that
the law of averages is satisfied. In the last case it would
be advisable that the bulk-samples be taken at regular
distances.
Except in cases like the last, the problem of ascertain-
ing the sampling- error for a certain type of ore, is a
totally different one from that of sampling a deposit, and
the reasons for regular spacing and for large numbers
that exist in the latter problem do not exist in the former.
Indeed, in one type of ore in one deposit, one bulk-sample
might indicate the 'error' correctly. I agree, however,
that it would be better not to trust to its doing so.
In a case where areas of weathered and of unaltered
ore could be dealt with separately, and where a zone of
mixed material lies between them, the sites for bulk-tests
for that zone would have to be chosen according to the
circumstances. Also the area that each test governed
would need to be specially considered.
It is as well to repeat that the above remarks regarding
number of bulk-samples infer that the sample is taken so
large, and that its sampling is done with such care, that
each comparison (governing test) can stand by itself. If
this is not done, then a number of bulk-samples would
be wanted — to introduce the law of averages. I submit
that the former is the more logical and the less costly way
of detecting an error, except under special conditions.
It would be an impertinence in a stranger to suggest
that in the well-known case of the Alaska Gastineau any
precautions may have been missed by the engineers con-
cerned. One does wonder, however, why past experience
did not prevent the over-estimates that were made. Had
not previous work shown that sampling results indicated
higher values than were actually obtained? Was the
sampling done in a way different from usual ? It would
be instructive to know.
Mr. Webber gives an example of his method in taking a
ml. i- 18, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
HIT
bulk-sample. Be makes liis channels 30'inehes apart and
strips hie back one foot deep for each new face', In
tar I wrote previously I suggested a similar procedure,
but taking the channels two feet apart and stripping the
bach two feel deep each round. It appears to me thai the
channels l •. -i 1 1 lt thus placed equidistant measured both
along the strike and the dip is more logical In the case
supposed (a vein or bedded deposit presumably the rea-
son for channeling from wall to wall is because of the
structure being parallel to the walls or because values
tend to form a 'grain' that way; the idea being to channel
'across the grain'. If so, I do not see why channels
should be closer along one direction than along the other.
H. R. Slkemax.
Perth, Western Australia. June 28.
Copper Deposits of Lake Superior
The Editor:
Sir — On the frontispiece of the 'Engineering and Min-
ing Journal' of August 21 was an illustration of a con-
crete head-frame, entitled 'The Modern Obelisk', and I
noted on the right of the illustration, among the list of
contents, the subject, 'Origin of the Lake Superior Cop-
per Ores', by J. E. Spurr. I was immediately struck
with the fact that the Lake Superior copper ores were
also an obelisk or monument to the zeolitie type of copper
deposits in basic flows, of which there are a number in the
world. On reading Mr. Spurr 's article, I was greatly
surprised that he was going to destroy the obelisk.
I enjoyed Mr. Spurr 's notes, but I do not agree with
him that these deposits were formed by igneous-magmatic
solutions. I would have agreed with him in 1911 when I
went to the Lake Superior copper region after spending
several years in districts where the mineral deposits were
formed by igneous intrusives and their accompanying
magmatic solutions. I propose to put a foundation under
the zeolitie obelisk in the form of the suggestion that
secondary concentration of very lean zeolitie copper ores
by means of ascending solutions and the deposition from
these solutions along certain channels formed the rich
lodes.
Mr. Spurr states, "that the conglomerates and basaltic
flows afford zones for the circulation of powerful ascend-
ing mineral-bearing solutions". I agree with him on this
point, as I wrote a letter which was published in the
'Journal' of February or March 1919. I stated then:
"That the heat given off by deep-seated portions of bar-
ren acid intrusive rocks caused circulation of solutions
through the traps and assisted in the deposition and con-
centration of copper in the porous amygdaloid tops of the
flows and in some of the conglomerates so that at present
quite a few of these porous channels are ore deposits.
Most all of the amygdaloidal tops of the flows even if they
are slightly copper-bearing, show that there has been in-
tense circulation of waters and a deposition of numerous
minerals. ' '
He states, "that these deposits, like many others whose
origin is better demonstrated, is of igneous magma origin
and that the solutions injected at a definite period con-
tained, comparatively speaking, little sulphur or iron;
that they ware Hch magma solutions of copper with a
little arsenic, cobalt, and nickel".
My idea is that the only solutions that would be low
in sulphur and form a native copper deposit would come
from the Keweenawan basaltic flows erupted under sub-
marine conditions, The volatile sulphur would easily
eseape. leaving minerals from which solutions with- a
chemical content necessary to form native copper deposits
could be derived. I do not think that the fact that these
ore deposits contain a slight amount of silver, arsenic,
cobalt, and nickel indicates igneous magmatic solutions.
Why should not these basaltic Keweenawan flows con-
tain these metals? The sills and intrusives have been the
mineralizers of silver-nickel-cobalt deposits and copper-
nickel deposits in various parts of Canada adjacent to
Lake Superior and it is to be expected that Keweenawan
flows would contain appreciable amounts of these metals
low in sulphur.
The intrusive gabbro at Mt. Bohemia, in Keweenaw
county, contains small veins of chalcopyrite, bornite, and
chalcocite, showing that the magma was rich in sulphur
and indicating the minerals to be expected if a basic
igneous magma was the mineralizer and if such solutions
were injected into the Keweenawan series.
Mr. Spurr states: "That the concentration of the cop-
per gradually from the enclosing or surrounding rocks
is an explanation so evidently unreasonable and inade-
quate as not to merit a second thought"; and again, "It
is perfectly clear therefore, that there is no special virtue
in either rock — the ore is not native to either, and hence
was introduced from a foreign source".
There are at least 22 conglomerates and sandstones,
not including the Nonesuch formation, that are much
more porous than the amygdaloidal tops of the flows, ex-
cept where these show brecciation due to strike-faults.
Now, if at a definite period, which would have to be after
the Nonesuch formation was laid down, toward the end
of the Keweenawan period, solutions lean in sulphur salts
but rich in salts of copper were injected, would it not
be natural for the solutions to seek the porous conglomer-
ates and sandstones, and would there not be a number of
mineralized conglomerates? As it is there are only three
disclosed at present, the Calumet & Heela, Nonesuch
(foot-wall beds), and Allouez, while there are more than
eight amygdaloids that contain rich copper deposits;
these lodes are as follows: Kearsarge, Baltic, Quincy,
Osceola, Isle Royale, Atlantic, Mass, Lake, and other
lodes of less importance in Ontonagon and Keweenaw
counties, which would indicate there might be a special
virtue in some of these flows.
The area underlain by the Keweenawan flows is about
50 by 250 miles and most exposures show a very slight
amount of native copper, with the ore deposits localized
in northern Michigan and other smaller deposits at Isle
Royale and Michipicoten islands in Lake Superior.
There are Cambrian basaltic flows with interbedded con-
glomerates showing native copper associated with zeolites
in northern Canada from a point west from the Copper
408
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 18, 1920
Mine river almost to Hudson bay covering an enormous
area.
Geologists cite localities in different parts of the world
where zeolitie deposits of native copper in basaltic lavas
are formed and some of these are of economic importance.
Is it not possible that during any cycle of the eruption of
basaltic flows, probably owing to different sources of the
various flows or to a segregation in the original magma,
that certain flows were richer in their low-grade zeolitie
copper ores than others, and that these beds are capable
of having economic ore deposits formed in them ?
The Lake Superior copper deposits were formed by the
heat emanating from local intrusives, causing intense
circulation of ascending solutions, forming a secondary
concentration of rich copper ores from the original very
low-grade or lean zeolitie deposits in basaltic flows. The
copper remained in the flows, in which it was originally
primary, with very little migration except in a few cases,
which caused the formation of rich deposits.
S. S. Lang.
Houghton, Michigan, September 2.
in seven months, at a financial loss, but the outlook for
the future is said to be favorable and a production of 300
tons of metal per month thought possible.
Fume From Explosives
The Editor:
Sir — In your issue of August 28, in an article by D.
Harrington and B. W. Dyer, entitled 'Danger from
Explosives Fume in Metal Mining', the statement is made
that frequently as much as 0.2 to 0.3% carbon monoxide
is in air from piles of broken rock several hours after
blasting. Ventilation has little, if any, effect on these
piles, but I have found that a thorough spraying with
water quickly clears them of obnoxious gases. In addi-
tion it is well to wet the faces and sides of the openings.
The amount of water necessary is not great and it is
removed with the broken rock. The general use of water-
drills simplifies the operation ; connections can be made
easily, and the spraying finished in a few minutes.
Where water-drills are not in use, water may be brought
to the face through the compressed-air pipe. At a cer-
tain mine a sump was built at the 350-ft. station to hold
the seepage. From this sump a 2-in. pipe was run to
the 500-ft. station where it was connected to the com-
pressed-air pipe and either water or compressed air was
available at the face by a simple arrangement of the
valves. After spraying and before connecting the hose
to the drill the pipe should be cleared of water by blow-
ing air through it. The 150-ft. head gave ample pressure
at a point more than 1000 ft. from the station.
Jeffrey Schweitzer.
San Francisco, August 31.
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiMiiitiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiMiiiiMMiiiniiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiitiiiiii
Mining activities in the Rosario district, Brazil, while
never of prime importance, show a tendency to revive
after the suspension due to the War. The Corporaeion
Minera Famatina has sent a representative to the United
States to study the equipment best suited to replace the
water-jacketed furnaces at its copper smelter in Chilecito,
Bioja. The company produced 733 metric tons of copper
The Advertiser and the Editor
A Correspondence
Pittsburgh September 31, 1920
Mining and Scientific Press,
Gentlemen :
Attention: Mr. C. T. Hutchinson, Manager.
Acknowledging your letter dated September 1st, with
reference to your rate increase.
Before I discuss with you the subject of next year's
contract I would like to have you tell me the editorial
policy of your paper.
As you note, the sentiment of the business interests is
strongly Republican, and your journal seems to represent
in this editorial a distinct Democratic trend.
Two of our clients have called my attention to the
above fact, and I would like very much to have an ex-
pression from you on the subject.
Tours very truly,
The A. B. Blank Co.
per A. B. Blank.
The A. B. Blank Co.
Gentlemen :
Your letter of the 31st ult. has been shown to me. As
editor of the 'M. & S. P.', I regret that anything that I
may have written should have hurt your feelings, but I
venture to say to you that as an advertiser you have no
cause to object to an article that was read with keen inter-
est by many, as I happen to know from letters received
on the subject. As a subscriber, you might reasonably
refuse to read a paper that annoyed you; as a manu-
facturer, you might reasonably refuse to advertise in a
paper that failed to give you the publicity for which you
pay; but I beg to remind you that an editor's duty to
advertisers is not to print what pleases them but what
interests readers of his paper, with whom the advertisers
expect to do business. If the article to which you object
had injured the functions of the 'M. & S. P.' as a medium
of publicity, you would be justified in your action ; it did
not; on the contrary, it helped to widen that publicity.
It is certain that a large number, if not the majority, of
those with whom you do business, even those of your
political faith, approved the article to which you ob-
ject. Our paper is independent in politics ; it discusses
national politics only when the subject is of commanding
interest ; when the election is over, you will, I trust, find
nothing to annoy you, and much to interest your possible
clients, in our pages.
Pending the "evolvement" of "normalcy", 1 am, my
dear Sirs,
Yours very truly,
T. A. Rickard.
[This interesting subject is discussed on an editorial
page. — Editor.]
September 18, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
409
Smelting With Bituminous Coal in Blast-Furnaces
By H. C. ROBSON
For 13 years all the blast-furnaces at the Spassky cop-
per mine, in Siberia, have been operated with coal, for
smelting the high-grade ore. As this is unusual, it may
interest to give the details of practice. The Russian
GENERAL VIEW OF THE SMELTER YARD
company that formerly worked the Spassky property
used very small hlast-fumaces in which they smelted
oxidized and roasted ore to black-copper, which was then
treated in a scorifying-furnace for the produc-
tion of an inferior grade of refined copper.
When the present company, the Spassky
Copper Mine, Ltd., assumed control, they at-
tempted to make coke from the local coal, but
the result was a failure, although it has been
proved since then that the coal can be coked
without difficulty and that a good quality of
coke can be made. A typical analysis of the
run-of-mine coal, as used at that time, was as
follows: volatile combustible matter, 19%;
fixed carbon, 52% ; water, 3% ; ash, 26%.
Upon the failure to produce satisfactory
coke, it was decided to use coal, and a new
plant was designed with much larger furnaces
and a converting and refining department.
For several reasons brick blast-furnaces were
erected, instead of the modern water-jacketed
furnace. The following points had to be con-
sidered: scarcity of water and its hardness
(70°), extreme weather conditions (at times the
temperature dropped to -42°C), inferior labor,
small percentage of sulphur in the charge, which would
be conducive to the formation of black-copper in the
furnace and settler.
The following are the chief dimensions of the three
furnaces erected 'luring the year 1907: inside length of
hearth, 19.5 ft.: inside width, 4 ft.; height of tuyeres
above the hearth, 18 in.; height of feed-floor above
tuyeres, 11 ft. There are 32 tuyeres, 16 on each side,
having an internal diameter of 2J in.
The drawing (Fig. 1) of the original
blast-furnace gives the chief dimen-
Isions, together with the general out-
line ami ill-sign.
The hearth of the furnace is made
from red brick, with tamped brasque
lining; this bottom never gives trouble,
as it is always covered with metallic
accretions. The fire-walls of the fur-
nace are made from unburned quartz-
brick 12 in. thick. The brick super-
structure, which is carried on 12-in.
girders, is made from red brick on the
outside and has a fire-brick lining; the
whole is reinforced with cast-iron
plates and bound with 6-in. I-beams.
There are three charging-doors, all
situated on one side, the two settlers
being placed at the extreme ends of the furnace. They
measure 5 ft. by 4.5 ft. by 2.66 ft. deep inside.
The charge, ore and limestone, is bedded and all return-
RUSSIAN AND KIRGHIZ WORKMEN
slags are fed separately. The handling of this material
was originally done in wheelbarrows, the furnace being
fed by shovel. A small beam was fixed in front of each
door, so that the charge had to be thrown into the fur-
410
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 18, 1920
nace instead of pushing it in; this promoted even dis-
tribution of the charge and diminished irregularities in
the running of the furnace. The slag and matte run con-
tinuously through an open breast into cast-iron settlers,
which are lined only with brick on the back side where
the slag enters the settler; the rest is protected by coal-
ash. Originally the slag overflowed into small pots ; these
were dumped by hand on a paved floor. The slag, when
cool, was broken and loaded into railroad-cars, to be used
for ballasting the company's light railroad or thrown over
the dump. The ore that was originally smelted in the
blast-furnace assayed somewhere around 20% copper, the
predominating cuprous mineral being bornite, of the fol-
lowing composition: copper 64%, sulphur 24%, iron
12% ; so it will be seen that the amount of sulphur was
strictly limited and a certain amount of black-copper was
bound to form during smelting operations. In later
years, when the lower levels of the mine were being
worked, the proportion of sulphur increased.
A most uncommon type of slag was produced ; it was
more like an iron blast-furnace slag than a copper one.
This slag was very fluid as it flowed from the furnace,
but chilled at an amazing speed. The following analyses
are the yearly averages of slag from the three furnaces :
Cu
FeO
CaO
BaO
Al-03
SiO.
Tear
%
%
%
%
%
%
1913 . . .
6.0
29.5
6.11
6.64
48.86
1014
0.42
6.77
30.1
6.1
6.4
48.5
Owing to the unvarying character of the ore and fluxes,
the slag produced was uniform in composition, but the
trouble caused by dirty coal was always present, being
more pronounced during the winter, when the snow made
sorting more difficult. The chief impurity was shale, an
undesirable material to smelt even under the best circum-
stances, and in this plant requiring at least 33% of the
flux used in smelting. With the slags mentioned, from
35 to 40% of , coal was always used on the furnace charge
until easier slags were produced ; any attempt to reduce
the amount of fuel always resulted in trouble.
The reasons for this high fuel-ratio are numerous : first,
the slag produced had a high formation-temperature, the
fuel was of inferior grade, the amount of oxidizable sul-
phur was practically nil, and, as the furnace always ran
with a hot- top, a great deal of the fuel was consumed long
before it reached the smelting-zone. Under the old con-
ditions a hot-top could not have been avoided because the
furnace ran so slowly. During the summer months
spraying of the coal and the top of the charge with water
was necessary owing to the intense heat, which was nearly
unbearable for the men working on the feed-floor. The
usual amount of charge smelted per day was only 80 long
tons. About two hours each day was occupied in clean-
ing the settler of black-copper and chilled slag; during
this operation it was necessary to bank the furnace. Re-
verberatory-settlers and numerous other modifications
were tried in an effort to avoid this delay, but with little
success.
The normal length of the campaign is from 9 to 16
months, when the furnace must be shut-down owing to
accretions on the hearth and the frail nature of the fire-
walls, which would need incessant patching to permit
continued operation. The method adopted for patching
the brick-work of the furnace is as follows : the thin part
of the wall is broken away and the charge in the immedi-
ate vicinity is scraped out; this cavity is filled by ram-
ming large balls of damp fire-clay into the damp clay
with the aid of a pole and a sledge-hammer.
The following layers constitute the 'bed' before iron-
stone was introduced as a flux, the figures being given in
long tons : 30 tons .of limestone ; 40 tons of ore ; 30 tons
of limestone ; 40 tons of ore ; and 3 tons of converter
cleanings, etc. The furnace charge, containing about
11% copper, generally consisted of seven barrows, or 56
poods, of 'bed'; two barrows, or 14 poods, of converter
and return-slag; and five barrows, or 25 poods, of coal.
This charge was found most suitable after repeated ex-
periments with charges of various sizes. The air to the
furnaces was delivered by four Thwaites (Root) direct-
acting duplex steam-driven blowers. The pressure for-
merly was from 8 to 12 oz. per square inch, although this
pressure was increased during the latter part of 1917 to
24 ounces. After 1914 a varying percentage of ironstone
was used on the charge, replacing part of the limestone;
this tended to make a free-running slag and reduce the
consumption of coal, but the amount of metallic copper-
iron accretions increased to such an extent that it almost
nullified the advantages, for the bottom of the furnace
built up quicker and the settlers were kept open with
difficulty. It was not until the latter part of the year
1917 that the best furnace conditions were attained. The
ironstone was still further increased and the percentage
of fuel cut considerably ; a greater volume of high-pres-
sure air was used, until there existed in the smelting-
zone a slightly oxidized atmosphere, instead of the highly
reducing one that always existed before.
. Under the new conditions, as much as 4.5 tons of charge
was smelted per square foot of hearth in 24 hours, with
a consumption of from 17 to 20% of coal. The furnace
ran with a cold top, emitting dense yellow fume of un-
eonsumed hydro-carbons from the distillation of the coal.
With the increased rate of smelting the fire-walls of the
furnace soon began to show signs of burning out, but
this was counteracted by side-feeding the charge, thereby
forming a V-shaped channel throughout the length of
furnace. In this channel the coal was placed, and trouble
from that cause ceased. The top of the charge was so
cool under the new conditions that it was possible to enter
the furnace through the feed-doors without serious in-
convenience.
Fuel was just about half that formerly used, and when
it is considered that only about 50% of the coal is avail-
able for smelting, it cannot be called excessive. The
tuyeres, which used to be bright, were now quite dull.
The furnace operated with few irregularities, owing to t
the faster running and the low-formation temperature of
the slag. Typical analyses of slag and matte are given
below.
Slag: CuO 50%, FeO 22.5%, CaO 21.0%, BaO, 2.5%,
A1203 8%, Si02 43.3%.
Matte: Cu 55.0%, Fe 16.8%, S 20.5%.
The following analysis is representative of the ore
eptember 18, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
ni
morning from the lower levels of the mine, this being the
type of ore smelted during the year l:»17-'18 :
•Cu 11 00
A. |i IS
Sb 0.37
Pb .
r* .
Zn
HI
CmO
HfO
0 14
0.08
0.07
0.70
0.20
%
8.31
A1,0,
RaSO, 11 89
SiO, 56 is
CO,
IU
Ag
All
MoUture
0.88
0.01
3oi. Odwt.
5 grains
0.08
The metallic accretions produced in the furnace varied
from time to time with the composition of the charge,
but the following are typical :
Cu
Fe
S
Year
%
%
%
Condition**
3.5
Only limestone used as flux
1916. ..
...83.60
68.6
0.1
Small perceolage of ironstone on the charge
1017. . .
, . ,94.8
2 3
Largo percentage of ironstone on the cbuvfl
problem revolves itrelf into one of correct regulation of
(he air to barn the gases efficiently under waste-heat
boilers; a suitable form of closed-door charging-macliiiie
would be necessary and these have already been de-
veloped for blast-furnaces smelting iron ore. There is no
reason why it should not be accomplished in matte-
smelting.
The Frceland type of machine would be suitable for
charging the furnace and an automatic carbon-monoxide
recorder situated beyond the waste-heat boilers would be
necessary to control the air for complete combustion of
the waste-gases. The extra air required for complete
combustion of the gases could be supplied by a low-
pressure fan, driven by a variable-speed motor or steam-
engine. The waste-heat boilers might be situated as near
-7'ft. — ►]
END ELEVATION
AND SECTION
SIDE ELEVATION AND SECTION
FlQ. 1. THE BLAST-FURNACE USED AT SPASSKY
The following are average analyses of flux used in the
blast-furnace during 1917 :
Ironstone: Fe 45.34%, AL03 8.74%, CaO 2.66%, SiO,
13.57%.
Limestone: CaO 49.3%, Si02 8.08%.
It is my opinion, after eight years experience with coal-
Tun blast-furnaces, that the use of bituminous coal in
matte-smelting of sulphide copper ores could be de-
veloped to a greater extent than heretofore and that it
would ultimately result in marked economy over the use
■of coke, if suitably designed equipment were used. In
carrying out the above idea I see no difficulties that can-
not be overcome. The gas issuing from a furnace run-
ning on coal, with a cold top, I know from experience, is
■easily ignited and burns with a fierce flame. The whole
as possible to the furnace and a combustion-chamber, in
which the gases would be burnt before entering the
boiler, should be interposed. The rapid smelting would
be advantageous, since it would make a free-flowing slag
and produce sufficient gas for economical operation of the
waste-heat boilers.
Bedding of the charge would ensure proper mixing and
small charges should be fed to the furnace at regular in-
tervals to obtain a steady supply of gas of uniform com-
position.
The most suitable type of coal would contain a small
amount of ash and high fixed carbon as compared with
the volatile combustible material, and it should not swell
on heating. The cost per unit of carbon in such a coal
is less than that in coke ; therefore, using coal instead of
412
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 18, 1920
coke in a matting-furnace with waste-heat boilers at-
tached, all the volatile combustible material contained
in the coal could be utilized to produce steam with prac-
tically no extra cost. In conclusion, I might point out
that the use of coal without the inclusion of waste-heat
boilers would probably be cheaper than using coke, but,
owing to the explosive nature of the gases, dust could not
be caught unless the gases were first burnt before being
setled in dust-chambers. Without dust-catching appli-
ances, metal losses would be high and would probably
more than offset any gain.
American Capital in New Brunswick
By COLIN McKAY
The mining possibilities of New Brunswick have begun
to attract American capital. The International Paper
Co. has recently purchased three coal mines in the Grand
Lake district, and has made plans to double their present
output. The North American Antimony Co., of which
Walter P. Dixon, of New York, was the principal organ-
izer, has taken over the interests of the Canadian Anti-
mony Co. at Lake George, and will carry on operations
on a considerable scale. More recently a party of New
York capitalists made an inspection of the oil-shale areas
in Albert county in company with William Pugsley, the
Lieutenant Governor of the Province, who is associated
with parties controlling large development rights there.
Investigations made by the Canadian Department of
Mines show that the oil-shale areas are sufficiently ex-
tensive to form the basis of a large industry. Average
samples of oil-shale taken by the Department have yield-
ed 60 imperial gallons of oil, or about double the average
yield of the shale in Scotland, from which the distillation
of oil has been carried on successfully for many years.
Among the New Yorkers who recently inspected the
oil-shale areas were experts who have had to do with the
development of similar deposits in Colorado, Utah,
Wyoming, and Dakota. Owing to their greater richness
in oil the shale of New Brunswick will, it is claimed, re-
quire a somewhat different treatment from the Scotch
shale, but American experience in Colorado and Utah,
where the shales have about the same content of oil as in
New Brunswick, has developed retorts for the distillation
of oil, which, it is said, can be utilized with advantage
here.
The three coal mines in the Grand Lake district pur-
chased by the International Paper Co. have a present out-
put of 100 tons per day, which will be increased to 200
tons by October. This district produced only 57,000 tons
of coal in 1913, but last year the output was about 250,-
000 tons, the principal producing companies being con-
trolled by- Sir Thomas Tait and Canadian Pacific Railway
interests. The coal-seam has an average depth of 36 in.
and in many parts is so near the surface that it is mined
by stripping the top soil with steam-shovels. Where
shaft-mining is employed the average depth at which the
seam is found is 40 ft. No deep borings have been made,
and the geologic formation does not argue the existence
of coal-seams at great depth. Estimates of the amount of
coal in this district vary Jrom 35,000,000 to 150,000,000
tons.
During the War, and since, Grand Lake coal has been
exported to Maine, and it is understood that the Inter-
national Paper Co. has bought mines here for the pur-
pose of supplying coal to its pulp-mills in Maine.
The mine of the Climax Molybdenum Co. is situated
on the south-western slope of Bartlett mountain, 5000 ft.
east and 1000 ft. above the company's mill, which is at
Climax, Summit county, Colorado, on the crest of the
Continental Divide, and at an elevation of 11,300 ft.
Climax is 15 miles from Leadville, on the South Park
branch of the Colorado & Southern railroad that con-
nects Leadville and Denver. Owing to the altitude, cli-
matic conditions are somewhat severe for practically nine
months of the year, but the topography of the country is
such that there are no snowslides of any extent, and the
mine buildings are so placed as to be immune from such
slides as occasionally may be experienced. The mill is
built on a relatively flat site remote from any danger of
slides. A two-bucket tram delivers the ore to 500-ton
bins, which discharge direct to a 20 by 20-in. Blake
crusher, where it is crushed to 2-in. size. The ore is then
delivered to a conveyor-belt, which takes it to a 400-ton
storage bin at the upper terminal of the main tramway
to the mill. The main tramway is a 5000-ft. Leschen con-
tinuous type, having a capacity of 1000 tons per day, and
delivers the ore direct to the mill bins.
The mill was designed by D. F. Haley, and contains
two Allis-Chalmers ball-mills, Callow and Janney flota-
tion machines, Goldfield agitating-tanks for dewatering
concentrates, Portland filter and steam drier, with ac-
cessory blower, pumps, and elevators. A heating plant
and fire pump are housed separately. The present ca-
pacity is 350 to 400 tons per 24 hours, and the power is
derived from a 13,000-volt transmission line.
Manganese exported from Brazil is subject to duty by
the State in which it is produced, there being no federal
export duties on any commodities. The State of Minas
Geraes bases its export tax on manganese ore upon the
official value of the product, which is fixed monthly by
decree. This value, however, does not correspond exactly
with the value of the ore in the market. The ratio of the
tax was fixed for 1919 at 12%, and remained so until
February 1, 1920, when it was reduced to 10%. The tax
is payable in Brazilian paper currency. The amount of
the tax for February 1920 was $1.25 per metric ton. As
all the manganese ore produced by the State is at present
shipped through the port of Rio de Janeiro, each metric
ton of ore is subject to a port-tax, payable at the current
rate of exchange in Rio de Janeiro. Bahia exported man-
ganese ore for many years. The exploitation, however,
has not been continuous, being affected principally by the
value of the manganese ore abroad and the Brazilian ex-
change. When the Brazilian exchange is low the miner
makes a reasonable profit. This State tax on manganese
ore from January 1 to February 29, 1920, was $0,805 per
metric ton.
Beptember 18, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
41. J
THE CHANGE-HOUSE
The Bunker Hill Enterprise — XII (Continued)
The Human Side of the Business; Labor Troubles; Good Management
By T. A. RICKARD
Since 1899 there has heen no strike among the Bunker
Hill employees. However, at the time I was collecting
information for these articles all the important mines of
the Coeur d'Alene, except the Bunker Hill, were idle.
That was in September 1919. A diagnosis of the dis-
turbance appeared in 'Northwest Mining Truth', of
Spokane, on September 3, 1919. It was written by
Hillard W. Power. He laid the blame on the general
feeling of unrest due to readjustment after the War, the
willingness of the younger men to be misled by the
I. W. W. (Industrial Workers of the World, a subversive
organization that has succeeded the Western Federation
of Miners in its role of trouble-maker) , and disagreement
between the miners and the operators as to the interpre-
tation of the State eight-hour law. Back of these fac-
tors was the old fight of the operators for the principle
of the 'open shop'. Mr. Power hinted at "the machina-
tions of the Trust", meaning the Guggenheim smelter
combination (the American Smelting & Penning Co.), as
another evil influence, but for this he proffered no evi-
dence. On the other hand, he attributed local ill feeling
to the action of the owners of another mine because in the
previous December they had shut-down their property
for an announced period of 10 days, presumably for the
Christmas holidays, and then continued the shut-down
for months, much to the hardship of the men on the
payroll.
The immediate issue was the claim of the miners that
the shift should be measured from portal to portal, that
is, the time spent in going from the portal of an adit, or
other entrance of a mine to the place of work should be
at the company's expense, not the miner's. For instance,
on average it may take half an hour for a man, after
arrival at a mine, to get to work and another half -hour to
emerge from his place of work into daylight. At the
Bunker Hill this loss of time is shared equally, so that
the miner goes 'in' on his own time and comes 'out' on
the company's. This seems fair. At the time of the
strike no company was getting eight hours of work from
its miners ; indeed, as a matter of fact, not many of the
managers knew exactly how much they were getting ; in
some mines the men were underground nearly ten hours
and in others about nine. The lack of accurate data on
the subject handicapped the representatives of most of
the companies in their discussions with the Federal
Mediator, whereas the manager of the Bunker Hill was
able to show an accurate tabulation of the requisite
figures. This grievance over time lost in going to work
was the real cause of the strike, but it was followed by a
demand for a blanket increase of 50 cents per day, despite
the fact that an increase of 50 cents had been granted in
the previous May and another increase of 50 cents on
July 16 ; these increases had been made voluntarily by
all the operators in the district in consequence of a sub-
414
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 18, 1920
stantial rise in the prices of lead and silver'; they were
not the result of any agitation or demand from the
miners, they simply restored the rates obtaining prior to
the cut of $1 per shift that had been made in March 1919
when the bottom dropped out of the metal market. But
wages was not the real issue, so these concessions did not
prevent a strike, which began on August 15. The old
demand for 'recognition', of Local No. 14 International
Union of Mine, Mill, and Smelter Workers Union, was
presented. On August 7 such employees of the Bunker
Hill as were members of this union took a vote, but as
a two-thirds majority in favor of striking was not ob-
tained, they remained at work. Shortly before, the
Wardner Industrial Union, to which 300 of this com-
pany's employees belonged, voted unanimously to con-
tinue at work.
At the Bunker Hill the miners go to work on their
own time and come out on the company's time. They
start to go in between 7 : 15 a.m. and 7 : 30 a.m. and are
at their place of work by 8 o'clock. They have half an
hour for 'lunch' at noon. They quit work at 4; the last
man is 'out', that is, through the portal of the adit, at
4 : 25 p.m. The total time within the mine ranges from
8 hr. 15 min. to 9 hr. 10 min., which includes the half-
hour for refreshment at noon. The time of actual work-
ing ranges from 6 hr. 50 min. to 7 hr. 22 min., as de-
termined by careful records. This represents the so-
called 8-hour shift. At the time of my visit the follow-
ing wages were paid:
$5.25 to miners
5.00 to shovelers and other common labor
5.75 to timber-men
6.25 to hoist-engineers
6.75 to shift-bosses
On February 16, 1920, in consequence of the improved
metal market and the continued high cost of living, a
voluntary increase of 50 cents per shift was made by
the company to all its employees, and this higher rate of
wages is still in effect. By way of comparison with the
current scale, it may be stated that in 1896 the shift was
10 hours, the men arriving at 6 : 35 a.m. and leaving at
5:30 p.m., with an hour for 'lunch'; the pay was $2.50
for laborers and $3 for miners.
Nowadays when the men reach the mine in the morn-
ing they go to the change-house, where they doff their
street clothes and put on their digging apparel. In the
change-house they have chain-hangers, which are better
than lockers. Dryers and shower-baths are provided, be-
sides stationary wash-stands, and wash-tubs for cleaning
clothes.
I saw the men coming from their work, tidy and clean,
as against the dirty digging clothes in which formerly
they returned home or to their boarding-houses, frequent-
ly not changing at all until going to bed. On August 5,
1919, the company issued 3000 circulars ; for three days
prior to the voting these were distributed not only among
the employees but in the homes and business-houses of all
the citizens of Kellogg, so that everyone in the community
had a chance to read them before the ballot. This circu-
lar throws light upon the relations existing between the
company and its employees; therefore I give it in full
herewith :
TO EMPLOYEES
Some of you are shortly to vote on a movement which
may have very far reaching effects and if passed on un-
wisely will largely curtail the industries of this com-
munity and impose great inconveniences and hardships
on many who are innocently involved and who are un-
able to assume such burdens.
That you may determine for yourselves as to what
course you will take in this movement it is thought well
to place before you certain facts which have a very direct
bearing on this situation and which may assist you in
choosing the course which you deem best for your own
interests, for the interests of your family and friends
and for the community.
The industries of this community have operated con-
tinuously without cessation of any kind for over twenty
years and until war conditions affected such operations
they were continually expanded and increased. At all
times the work was carried to maximum capacity, at no
time were men laid off because of metal market condi-
tions, and in season and out of season, without regard to
profits, metal markets, stock jobbing or any other motive
the properties have been worked with full crews to the
advantage of its employees and the community.
During these twenty years of operation there has been
a continuous and steady improvement not only in work-
ing conditions and in wages and in hours of work, but
also in the community itself and in the homes of the em-
ployees, because largely of the steady employment under
good conditions and the never failing large payroll.
These improved working conditions and wages were
not the result of any propaganda, coercion, or threats,
but a natural improvement due to the growth, expansion
and prosperity of the industry. "Wages paid are now and
always have been higher than in any lead mining district
in the United States and that means in the world and are
equalled or exceeded by very few other localities known
of which do not equal Kellogg as a living and working
community.
The last census of employees taken before the war
showed an average period of employment of four years
and ten months and many employees have continued
steadily for over fifteen years and some for over twenty
years indicating a stability unusual in the mining in-
dustry.
This same census showed 32% of employees to be own-
ers of their own homes. This company on January 1,
last, had 81 outstanding loans to its employees a total of
$46,723.85 to be repaid at the convenience of the borrow-
ers at 6% annual interest to assist them in the purchase
and building of homes. Three hundred and thirteen in-
dividual loans of this character have been made to em-
ployees in the past and in no case have forfeitures ever
been taken. There are at the present time one hundred
and forty eight leases on company ground to its em-
ployees and others at nominal rentals of about $1.00 per
year for home building sites.
Within the last few years there has grown up at
Kellogg a modern city where formerly there were but
stumps and brush. This city has been built and im-
proved by money from the mining industries of this
community ; few, if any, citizens drew on outside capital.
The company itself has reinvested many millions in new
plant extensions, in modernizing old equipment, putting
up of buildings, improvements of roads, side walks, all of
which are of the greatest permanent value to all and
whatever profits have been taken by the stockholders dur-
ing this long period of years are from funds left after
every local requirement had been fully satisfied. The
September 1--. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
U5
above facta are laid before you that yon may know thai
the accomplishments in Kellogg could not arise from
other than pood conditions, socially, financially and in-
dustrially; individually owned homes, bank deposits,
automobiles, tine schools and other public buildings with
ample and continuous employment for all arc evidences
which cannot be destroyed by any critic. We can best
judge of the future by the past and with the utmost con-
fidence can we expect continued improvement in the
coming yean as has been experienced in the years past
provided the industries are permitted to operate fully
and efficiently.
The constructive growth of the past is not the result of
any sudden change or upturning, but a natural progress
and evolution continually towards better things and con-
ditions. With these facts before you it is known that
your best judgment will guide you in your vote and that
you will not err in choosing what is best not only for
yourself but for the other citizens of this city.
Sincerely,
Bl'XKER HILL & SULLIVAN M. & C. CO.
Kellogg, Idaho.
August 5,1919.
The failure of the Bunker Hill men to join the strikers
caused the strike to fail ; it dragged along until October
8, 1919, when it was declared off. The steadfastness of
the Bunker Hill men was due to the fact that the local
union at Kellogg, which is recognized by the company,
refused to play into the hands of the irresponsible ele-
ments at Wallace. Moreover, the fair and humane policy
■established by the management, under Messrs. Bradley
and Easton, has won the loyalty of the men, as it de-
serves to do. When I was at Spokane last September, on
my way from Kellogg to San Francisco, I was inter-
viewed by the 'Spokane-Review' and said, inter alia:
"The strike in the Coeur d'Alene is petering out large-
ly because the men working at the Bunker Hill & Sullivan
are showing the goodwill that has been built up by years
of fair treatment and humane consideration on the part
■of the management toward the men. It has become
fashionable to talk about welfare work and to speak
■benevolently about the employer to the employees, but a
lot of it is insincere, and the men are quick enough to
■detect the insincerity, wherefore it proves ineffective as
a means of creating cordial relations. At the Bunker
Hill, however, an experience of twenty years has con-
vinced the men that the consideration shown by the
■manager and his staff is prompted not by commercial
Teasons but by genuine feelings of the kind that make
democracy something more than a name. ' '
Mr. Easton is a fine figure of a man ; in physique and
■strength he is a natural leader of men, as well as in his
mental qualities. Undoubtedly an essential manhood
kelps to establish the authority of a manager, and when
"to an impressive physique are added a generous heart
and a clear head, the conditions are favorable to success-
ful management. Mr. Bradley, as president of the com-
pany, makes semi-annual visits to the property. The
"townspeople invariably provide some excuse for meeting
kim in a public manner; on such occasions he gives a
friendly talk to them, besides calling upon his old-time
friends, thereby tightening the bonds of goodwill between
the company and the town.
Another stalwart member of the company's organiza-
tion is William McDougall, who has been superintendent
of the mine1 since 1905. He began his mining at Grass
Valley, California, and has worked his way up as shift-
boss, foreman, and superintendent. Mr. McDougall has
entire charge of all the underground operations of the
Bunker Hill anil its allied companies at Kellogg, and I
am informed by Mr. Kaslon that he has been extraor-
dinarily Buccesssful in handling the heavy ground of the
large stopes and in modifying the practice to meet chang-
ing conditions, so as to extract the ore cheaply and
William McDougall, Mine Superintendent
cleanly, but he has an unusually good record for the pre-
vention of accidents. He is a member of the American
Institute of Mining Engineers and one of the leading
citizens of the community.
The character of those at the top gives the cue to the
entire personnel. I noticed how courteous the members
of the staff were to each other and how free apparently
they were from the jangles that commonly spoil genuine
co-operation. If one man asked another for information,
he obtained it promptly and pleasantly, without the use,
either facetiously or viciously, of loud talk or vulgar
expletives, such as are only too freely used in mining dis-
tricts. The members of the staff have been promoted
from all kinds of lowly jobs. The manager himself went
to work as a single-handed driller in November 1896. An
office-boy has risen to the charge of the warehouse, a mine
laborer is now chief engineer, the sampler is mill superin-
416
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 18, 1920
tendent, the assayer has held his present post 22 years,
the cashier and office manager for 25 years. It may be
suggested that there is too much in-breeding and that
fresh importations might improve the stock. Dry rot
is prevented by encouraging the departmental chiefs to
travel and see the best practice elsewhere. Among the
newest accessions to the staff is Emmett Waltman, who
came back from the War with the Distinguished Service
Cross, the Croix de Guerre, and the Belgian Military
Cross. Before the War he was a shoveler in the mine ;
now he is in the survey department. He is a native of
the Coeur d'Alene and won his Cross for building a foot-
bridge across the Vesle while under fire. Another young
soldier is Roy Hooper, who is in charge of prospecting
work at the Alhambra mine of the Bunker Hill company.
He was promoted to sergeant on the field of battle and
suffered from shell-shock.
During the War the men were not lured away by the
fanciful wages offered at the shipyards ; they remained at
Kellogg, where the conditions of living have been made
comfortable for them. On the other hand, the company
did not shut-down the mills and smelter whenever the
prices of the metals (lead and silver) were so low as to
justify either curtailment of output or complete cessa-
tion from production. They recognized their obligation
to the community dependent upon their enterprise. The
men who served in the War were re-employed as soon as
they were demobilized, many of them being promoted on
their return. The various services of the Government
took 289 men from the company's payroll. The Honor
Roll, of those who fell in battle, included 17. Their
names are recorded here, for they surely constitute a part
of 'The Bunker Hill Enterprise':
A. Glenn Nichols
Jacob Nybek
Chester Robbins
Hubert Everton Roberts
John Skala
George Sparenburg
John B. Taylor
Gus Zoellner
Lewis Newton Bailey
Braxton Bigelow
C. B. Bussell
E. N. Carroll
A. I. Hough
Simon Iverson
I. N. Kemp
Arthur Gerald Leeson
Roy Meyerhoff
On the front wall of the company's office these names
are inscribed upon a bronze tablet, with the following
statement :
"These men, with two hundred and fiftj'-four others,
left their work here to fight for the right in the great
war of 1914-1918. This memorial is placed by their
grateful friends and fellow-workers as a testimony to
their sacrifice and service so gallantly and freely given
that government of the people, by the people, for the
people shall not perish from the earth." •
Mr. and Mrs. Easton, of course, were at the head of
all the war activities. Mrs. Easton was county chairman
of the Red Cross, head of the War Insurance Board, and
of the War Relief Work. Any woman in the community
could come to her, not as the manager's wife, but as a
woman, competent and sympathetic, and therefore able
to give the most intelligent advice in matters personal as
well as public. On a cinema screen I saw the notice:
"Keep up your war insurance; don't neglect your family
and future. See Mrs. S. A. Easton."
The company is wise in not running a store of its own ;
it operates the light and water service ; it established the
water-supply for its own use, but allowed the town to
connect with its system and use the water at $2 per
month per house, this rate being the one fixed by the
State Board of Public Utilities. The company pays 60%
of the school taxes, because its property is within the
school district, but it never raised any objection to the
erection of more schoolhouses. It may be said that the
paving and lighting typify the pleasant relation between
the town of Kellogg and the company, for the latter made
itself responsible for the long stretch of well-paved and
well-lighted avenue that extends from the bridge to the
smelter.
The Bunker Hill property begins at the edge of the
town, where the westward street crosses the flume. The
concrete pillars of the bridge are surmounted with pieces
of galena, which have been cemented in place. These
pieces of ore have been chipped by boys, but enough re-
mains to be symbolical. Along the flume near the bridge
is a fence, where, I am told, "a bunch of Slavs" congre-
gates regularly — let us hope to settle no questions nearer
home than Piume !
Among the foremen and shift-bosses are a number of
Southerners, from the Carolinas and Tennessee. Most
of them never saw a mine before they came to Idaho;
they obtained their experience locally, but they are men
of spirit and initiative, possessed of excellent judgment
and always loyal. Others on the staff are Cornish and
Welsh, men with mining traditions.
From the town through the Bunker Hill settlement
and nearly to the smelter there extends a cement-paved
highway flanked by handsome_ electroliers, which would
do credit to any city. But this is a minor phase as com-
pared with the houses and gardens that bespeak the com-
fort and thrift of the community. Beyond the mills is
another cluster of houses, belonging to the smelter em-
ployees. Each house has six or eight rooms and is well
equipped with modern conveniences. No two are alike ;
each has about an acre of ground, in which corn and po-
tatoes are cultivated, also strawberries. Between the
smelter and the mills I noticed one particularly attractive
brick cottage ; upon inquiry, I found that it belonged to
Jim Sheridan, the chief bricklayer. When this house was
built, the entire brick-laying crew worked on it gratui-
tously, out of goodwill to their leader, so that the build-
ing went up like a mushroom in the night. Jim Sher-
idan's home therefore serves as a monument to the kind
of good feeling that has made the Bunker Hill something
more than a hole in the ground.
The settlement as a whole, the company 's part of it and
the town of Kellogg, is more attractive than most mining
'camps', and above it rises ever the smoke of the smelter,
like incense from the altar of industry — pace smoke-
farmers and other disagreeable people !
When the town of Kellogg decided to establish a sewer
system and found difficulty in getting money for the
September 18, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
417
purpose, the Banker Hill company came Forward and
timk the whole iaane of bonda To encourage education,
the company gave a sit<\ for the firal sohoolhouse, buill
it, and then deeded it to the district. The ground for the
course. Employees are encouraged to make homes for
themselves. Land is leased to them al a nominal rate of
$1 per annum for any area leas than an acre. Then the
company lends money to build or to puivha.se a house at
THE HOUSE OP ONE OF THE COMPANY'S ELECTRICIANS
new schoolhouse likewise was provided by the company.
on a 100-years lease. The T. M. C. A. club-house was
built and is owned by the company, which placed the
6%, although the local bank-rate ranges between 8% and
12%. The employee who borrows from the company
pays monthly, with a diminution of interest as the capital
THE BUNKER HILL SMELTER
building in the town in order to increase its assessed
valuation and to render it readily accessible to the towns-
people.
The land around the mine belongs to the company, of
obligation is reduced thereby, so that the amount paid
to the company is the equivalent of a fair rent. No in-
stance of forfeiture or foreclosure is recorded. If a
householder cannot pay, the loan is transferred to an-
418
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 18, 1920
other employee, who takes the property with the debt, the
first party receiving his equity. Some of the men have
been enabled to purchase property in fee simple in the
town by means of financial assistance from the company.
Sometimes, instead of borrowing money, the man goes to
the company's warehouse and obtains the material —
lumber, brick, and hardware — which is charged against
him at 6% and paid off in the manner already indicated.
Employees are insured in accordance with the State
law, which fixes a scale of compensation according to the
nature of the injury. Under the Act the employer pays
for this insurance. Every settlement is subject to super-
vision by the Industrial Accident Board of the State.
Even before this law was passed, the company adjusted
claims without recourse to the courts and without stand-
ing on the letter of its legal liability, that is, compensa-
tion was given for injury even when it was caused by
culpable carelessness. The company does not carry com-
pensation insurance with the State nor with any com-
pany ; it compensates directly out of its own revenue, the
sum set aside for this purpose representing a little less
than f of 1%, or 0.75%, of the payroll. The men pay
$1 per month and the company pays 50 cents per em-
ployee per month to the hospital. This entitles each em-
ployee not only to the treatment and care that the hos-
pital affords but to the advice of specialists on ear, eye,
nose, or throat diseases, as well as to orthopedic and other
special treatment.
A big mine like the Bunker Hill serves as the nerve-
centre for the surrounding region. As Mr. Easton said
to me : " Lots of smaller activities hang to the coat-tails
of a big mining enterprise like -this." The miners accum-
ulate a fund out of their wages during the winter and go
prospecting in the summer. It must be confessed that
this useful work is/less popular than it was, so that many
prefer to go on aufenjCobile excursions or to buy a farm.
Members of the staff ^will take a share in a lease or small
venture in the neighboring hills. The chiefs of the com-
pany or the company itself will employ members of the
staff for investigations in regions far afield. While I was
at Kellogg four yoting men returned from the Seward
peninsula, in Alaska. They had been there four months,
making an examination of a silver-lead prospect near
Council.
We have reviewed the history of the discovery of the
Bunker Hill & Sullivan group of mines; we have fol-
lowed the course of the ore £rom the stope to the mill,
from the mill to the smelter ; we have watched the ship-
ment of the refined metals to the markets of the world ;
we have traced the development of the enterprise from
a small beginning to a big achievement ; we have seen how
it contributed to the growth of a model community and
the impact- of personal character upon human industry ;
it remains to suggest the influence of this mining enter-
prise upon the lives of men by recording a true story of
one of its many thousand shareholders. When I was
playing golf with a friend at Spokane on my return from
Kellogg to San Francisco, my companion told me how
many years ago he was in the office of a friend of his at
Chicago. This friend, talking about the ups and downs
of life, remarked that when everything seemed to be
going wrong with him he would turn about in his chair
and look up at the photograph on the wall showing the
Bunker Hill mine and would then recall the fact that it
had seemed likely to fail at times, yet the stock he held
in the enterprise had provided for the clothing, educa-
tion, and helpful start in business of his children, and the
reminder gave him a fresh impulse of courage to go ahead
and a renewal of confidence in the future. Such a mine
as the Bunker Hill is more than a hole in the ground;
it is a splendid expression of hope, initiative, energy, and
accomplishment ; it is the fine flower of industrial achieve-
ment.
Rock-dkill, steel is handled in the shop of the Cham-
pion Copper Co. as follows: The drills are received at
the shop in iron baskets, those from each party of miners
being ringed in separate bundles and each drill stamped
with the serial number of the party. The baskets are
lifted from the wagon or truck by an air-lift supported
by an overhead trolley, and run onto the sorting plat-
form. Here they are sorted and records taken showing
the number returned by each party. Drills needing re-
pairs are placed on a rack from which they go to the re-
pair forges. The rest are placed on the rack at the heat-
ing-furnace, which is at present fired with coke, although
one using oil with pyrometer control will be installed.
The bits are heated to about 1900°F. the proper degree
of heat being judged by color, and then go to the sharpen-
ers. Incorporated on the sharpener is a quick-acting
air-cylinder operating a long pin used to clear the hole in
the steel, should this be found necessary. In sharpening,
care is taken to pull out the corners that have become
rounded from use. The device for doing this is a part
of the fullering-die and consists of a pair of inclined
planes set at an angle of 100°. Care is also taken that
each operation in the sharpener is not carried too far.
In other words, the bit receives a few blows from the
fullering-die, then a few from the dolly ; it then goes to
the gauging-block, then back to the dolly or fullering-die,
and so one, until the proper shape is obtained. After
sharpening, the bit is tested by the gauging-ring and the
drill placed on an inclined rack, which delivers it to the
re-heating or hardening furnace. This was formerly a
coke-furnace, but an oil-furnace with signaling pyrom-
eter control is now used, affording an improved regula-
tion of the heat. The importance of proper treatment of
drill-steel has been emphasized more than ever by the
results obtained in the all-around increase in efficiency.
A concession has been granted by the Venezuelan gov-
ernment to an American company for the construction
of an electric railway from San Felix, on the Orinoco
river, to the Guasipati goldfields of south-eastern Vene-
zuela. The contract was signed on June 2 and is now be-
ing approved by the National Congress. The concession-
aire has also made arrangements for the rental of water-
power for generating hydro-electric energy from the falls
of the Caroni river, situated about three miles from San
Felix.
September 18, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
U9
The Treatment of American Low-Grade Copper Ores
By An Australian
•The treatment of the low-grade copper deposits of the
United States bas as its main features high recoveries on
ores containing in some cases under 5% of sulphides, high
tonnages per unit-area of the mills in operation, and low
working-costs, In a number of these cuvbndies the main
mineral is chalcocite, a cuprous sulphide containing ap-
proximately 80% of copper. The principles involved in
the treatmenl of these ores have a wide range of applica-
tion, and should he of advantage in the concentration of
Australian ores, although the latter are unlike in char-
acter. As this is a large subject, it can only be touched
upon in a general way to demonstrate the main features
of interest.
Mill Coxstructiox. Although timber construction in
a mill allows more latitude for changes in flow-plan if the
general scheme of concentration has not been finalized.
once the best methods of treatment have been definitely
ascertained, concrete and steel construction is greatly to
be preferred from an operating standpoint. For this
reason, although large-scale experimental plants are usu-
ally built of timber, the final construction of most of the
large American mills is of steel or concrete. The ad-
vantage of this is shown among other things in the very
smooth running of all types of machinery in mills of this
class. In spite of the very heavy tonnages put through,
mechanical break-downs are of rare occurrence. A fea-
ture of their design also is the arrangement of launders
in concrete tunnels beneath the concentration floors,
which allows of a cleaner and better type of mill con-
struction.
Coarse Crushing. In most American mills dry crush-
ing by rolls is carried to a further stage than is the case
in Australia, the ore being crushed dry as fine as } inch
in some cases. The usual practice in large-tonnage mills
is to crush initially in huge gyratory breakers of very
large capacity with the usual type of grizzley at their
head. At the Utah Copper Company, for instance, a
single gyratory crusher is installed which will crush 1000
tons per hour with ease, large trucks of ore being dumped
bodily onto the grizzley above the breaker. The ore is
initially crushed to approximately 3 in., the remainder of
the reduction being usually performed by rolls. The type
of roll in common use differs from that used in Australia.
High-speed rolls, belt-driven, with steel springs, are al-
most universally used. Series crushing is generally prac-
tised, the ore being usually crushed in two stages from
2J to 3 in. mesh down to f inch. Each pair of rolls is set
at a definite aperture, there being no oversize return, and
their crushing capacity at these coarse sizes is very high.
Thus four pairs of 60-in. rolls, working two pairs in series
•From 'Chemical Engineering and Mining Review', Mel-
bourne, August 5, 1920.
with the other two, assisted by screens at the bead of each
system, will on an ore of medium hardness crush approxi-
mately 6000 tons per day under the conditions referred to
above. Rotating screens arc largely in use, but in this
respect the Mitchell screen is a noteworthy metallurgical
improvement. It is made to vibrate by a motor giving
3500 vibrations per minute. The movement of the screen
itself is so small that when seeing it in use, it is difficult
to realize that it is working at all, although the quiver
can be distinctly felt by the hand. The efficiency is high
ami the construction simple. The advantages are so
marked that one has only to see the screen in operation
to be convinced of its merit, and it seems a matter of a
short time only before other types will be displaced by it.
The use of elevators between different sets of rolls is in-
geniously overcome by the use of conveyors at the Utah
Copper Co. 's mill, where the Mitchell screen was first de-
veloped in practice.
In considering the advantages of crushing dry to \ inch
and under, by rolls, the fact must be taken into consider-
ation that most of the low-grade copper-ore deposits have
the copper sulphides finely disseminated in the rock and
require initial fine-crushing to free the recoverable min-
eral. With a feed dry -crushed in this way it can be more
readily handled in the later stages of treatment. In the
case of some ores dusting would be a great disadvantage,
and where very coarse mineral can be recovered, as at
Wallaroo,f by a jigging operation, it is doubtful if the
advantages would be so marked. Each ore has its own
grinding problems, but on American low-grade copper
ores rolls have been a marked success used in series on
coarse-crushing, the costs being low and mechanical
troubles few. When followed by a 'one-step reduction',
as it is termed, the extreme practice being at the Inspira-
tion where the ore is crushed in ball-mills from 2-in. size
to approximately 2 or 3% on 48-mesh in one operation,
dry crushing has very marked advantages over any other
system.
This is usually carried on till the ore is crushed to
J in. or | in. size. A dry feed of this nature can be
stored conveniently in intermediate bins, making the fine-
crushing and concentration sections independent of stop-
pages of the coarse-crushing plant. At f-in. size also it
lends itself to accurate sampling and a convenient site for
a sample-mill is between the coarse and fine systems. The
main advantage is absolute control of tonnage to the con-
centrator, and accurate adjustment of water to ore in the
ball-mills, a requirement essential to the highest crush-
ing efficiency that can be readily maintained. The dis-
advantage of the system is dust, but in most ores there is
sufficient moisture to check this, to a large extent, pro-
tin South Australia. — Editor.
420
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 18, 1920
vided dry-crushing is not carried to too great a degree
of fineness.
Fine-Crushing Systems. From the fine-feed bins the
supply of ore is usually controlled by a feeder of the
Challenge type, the best method being to seetionalize the
concentration department into 1000-ton per day units,
each unit being provided with a feeder delivering onto a
conveyor on which the fine ore is automatically weighed
by a Merrick weight-meter. In a large-tonnage unit the
control of feed at this point is vital in importance, as ir-
regularities here will have a disturbing effect on the
metallurgical results of the whole section, whether wet
concentration or flotation is in use. A knowledge of the
rate of feed at all times permits of a reduction of oil or
reagents in flotation to the smallest limits, while an ex-
cellent control of conditions is possible.
Ball-Mills. Ball-mills of the best types have come to
stay. Judging by the smooth running of these machines
in the Miami and Inspiration mills one can say with cer-
tainty that from a mechanical standpoint practically all
troubles have been eliminated, and a ball-mill of good
type, if placed on sound foundations, will certainly run
as well as an ordinary pebble-mill. The best practice,
especially in primary-flotation systems, is to have ball-
mills in closed circuit with Dorr classifiers. With this
combination a very close control of crushing is possible,
resulting in a more even grade of crushing than is usually
the case if the ball-mill alone is used. Both the Marey
and Hardinge ball-mills are greatly in favor at present,
the latter having the advantage that it can be re-lined in
place and has no screens in front to wear. The cost per
ton of crushing with both mills is approximately the
same. The shape of the Hardinge mill allows for a very
compact motor-drive. It is well designed, and its re-
liability from a running standpoint alone would account
for its large use in America.
Milling and Flotation Practice. The tendency in
the treatment of copper ores is more and more toward
simplicity. The question of concentration before or after
flotation has to be considered carefully in the case of each
ore under investigation. Owing to the low first-cost of
plant and great simplicity of the one-step reduction sys-
tem followed by primary flotation, it is very doubtful if
the adoption of primary concentration purely for the use
of obtaining a more granular product and one more suit-
able for smelting than the concentrate produced by flota-
tion is justified on an ore unless it is very coarse in
texture.
Not only does primary concentration result in greatly
increased cost of plant-equipment, especially at the pres-
ent time, but thickening devices are necessary between
the concentration and flotation plants to de-water the
feed for flotation. More labor is required and the cost of
treatment is higher. A few years ago lack of faith in the
results likely to be obtained by flotation resulted in the
erection of a primary or secondary concentration plant
from a point of view of safeguarding recoveries. That
time, however, has passed. The original design of a con-
centration plant is dependent to some extent on smelting
conditions, particularly as regards the iron contents of
the ore, whether the iron pyrite present in it floats or not,
and whether iron is required for smelting or a high-grade
copper concentrate low in iron is preferred. In some
cases also primary concentration is used in the case of
low-grade ores to reject a low-grade tailing and save the
cost of crushing and flotation on a product below the pay-
able limit as far as values are concerned. This is the
practice of the Utah Copper Company.
Schemes at present in use embodying concentration
and flotation are :
(a) Primary concentration followed by flotation.
(b) Primary concentration followed by flotation and
secondary concentration.
(e) Primary flotation followed by concentration.
(d) Primary flotation followed by concentration and
secondary flotation.
(e) Flotation alone.
The general tendency is toward the adoption of flota-
tion alone, using the one-step grinding system. Wet con-
centration, using tables to treat the sandy portion of the
flotation tailing, which is de-slimed by Drag classifiers
or Dorr bowl-classifiers, results in a much simpler plant
than where primary concentration is practised. No de-
watering systems are necessary, and the concentration
plant recovers the coarse mineral lost by flotation. This
is the system practised at the Inspiration, and the factors
leading to the adoption of this flow-sheet are ably sum-
marized in the excellent paper read by Dr. Gahl in 1916
before the American Institute of Mining Engineers.
Most chalcopyrite ores are particularly adapted to the
simple flow-sheet of one-step grinding and primary flota-
tion, a common practice in America being to add oil to
the ball-mill and float the crushed product in Callow cells.
The main feature of water concentration on these ores
is that classification is carried out to a greater extent than
is usual in Australia. With an ore which in crushing
produces a slime difficult to settle, experience has shown
that it is essential to make a clean separation of sand and
slime to get the best results by water concentration. The
Deister tables are very much in favor, owing to their
smooth running. The plateau effect also has marked ad-
vantages where a clean separation is desired. To econ-
omize floor-space double-deck machines have been found
satisfactory. A feature of modern tables is the self-oiling
head-motions, which not only ensure smooth running, but
reduce repairs and attendance costs to the minimum.
As far as flotation is concerned, the bulk of the flotation
problems on these ores has been solved, and the control is
becoming more simple. On some properties successful
results are being obtained using over 1% of oil on the
ore treated. Flotation methods, however, will not be
completely finalized till the cloud of litigation has passed
away.
Treatment op Carbonate and Oxidized Ores. Before
closing this paper a brief mention of the treatment of
these ores may be of interest. Although there is no great
difficulty in the flotation of carbonates by using sodium or
hydrogen sulphides and thereby probably creating an
artificial sulphide film on the faces of the carbonates, the
trouble with most of the oxidized copper ores lies in the
September is. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
421
fact thai there are large amounts of copper, in the Eorm
of silicate, thai eannol be floated in tliis way. in many
cases there is a greater percentage of silicate than car-
bonate. The recent success of Bolution with sulphuric
acid and electrolytic precipitation at Ajo has proved that
this system of treatment is highly profitable, and there is
little doubt that on certain ores there will be a further
application of this method in the near future. For a
mixed oxidized and sulphide ore the leaching of the
oxidized portion first by sulphuric acid leaves the sul-
phides in the residue in an ideal condition for flotation,
and it is probable that treatment methods will evolve
along these lines.
Pumping in the Rand Mines
The impending exhaustion of many of the shallower
mines on the Rand will throw a burden of increased
pumping on the neighboring mines whose workings have
reached lower levels. Few mines are likely to feel the
effect of the cessation of pumping in the old ventures
nearer the surface as much as the Village Deep, which
has the old workings of the Salisbury, Jubilee, and Wem-
mer to its north and the declining Village Main, City and
Suburban, and Ferreira Deep impinging on its bound-
aries. The City and Suburban may be absorbed by the
City Deep and this latter company will therefore pre-
sumably be responsible for pumping arrangements in the
City and Suburban. All the same it is clear that the
City Deep, Village Deep, Robinson Deep, and other
deep-level properties of the central section of the Rand
will have to make adequate arrangements to deal with
any influx of water which may find its way into their
workings through the older mines which immediately ad-
join the town of Johannesburg to the south. With this
object in view, the design, cost, capacity, and location of a
large central Rand pumping-plant is now receiving atten-
tion. Extensive work in connection with underground
dams and walls is in progress at several properties in the
central section of the fields. The Rand cannot be re-
garded as one of the wettest of the world's mining fields,
but at certain periods heavy floods have drowned out the
lower levels of numerous properties and the pumping-
plants of individual companies have been unable to cope
with the influx.
The mines, as a rule, have only sufficient pumping
equipment to cope with the normal requirements. If an
increased inflow is anticipated, additional arrangements
are made. Consequently, if an abnormal flood occurs the
lower workings of a mine are in danger of being filled
more rapidly than the pumps can deal with the water,
pumps are lost, the water rises in the workings, and the
engines and skips have to be used for bailing water in-
stead of hoisting rock, so that routine operations are
sometimes brought to a complete standstill. Nearly
every mine in the Johannesburg district suffered severely
from the unusual heavy rains in February 1918. this ab-
normal fall coming at a time when many of the mines
were already having great diffieulty in coping with the
water from the previous heavy rains in the latter part of
1917, and so completely overtaxed the existing pumping
plants that the lower levels were flooded, and work there
was suspended for some time.
The position at the Crown Mines South Rand (No. 5)
shaft at this time is worth recording. The pumping plant
at the main station on the 13th level, consisting of four
Sulzer centrifugal pumps, of which two were intended as
reserve, worked 90% of full time over a period of four
weeks, handling 3,800,000 gal. per day; in addition to
this, bailing had to be done both by skips and 2000-gal.
bailers, the total volume of water handled per day
amounting to 4,460,000 gal. The New Heriot mine on
February 14 was only saved from disaster by the fore-
sight in having had a reinforced concrete culvert con-
structed over the outcrop about 18 months before. This
culvert was built inside an old culvert resting on the out-
crop pillar, 50 ft. deep, and was carried on steel ropes ex-
tending a considerable distance north and south of the
outcrop. On the principle that prevention is better than
cure, the mines of the Central section are now consider-
ing co-operative arrangements which should ensure them
against serious difficulties with water in the future.
An examination of the available, and in most in-
stances official, sources of information for the principal
coal-mining countries shows that the largest production
per man during any year was 1134 short tons, the aver-
age production for each underground employee, in the
coal mines of the United States during 1918. The closest
competitor of this country was New South Wales where
each underground worker in 1918 produced 814 tons.
British Columbia ranked third with 790 tons and Nova
Scotia was fourth with 718 tons. The smallest individual
output for recent years was that of Japan in 1917, where
an average of 155 tons was mined by the underground
employees, although in 1901 India showed an average of
only 122 tons, the latter figure being the smallest during
any year for the countries under consideration. During
the 18-year period New South Wales and Nova Scotia
have each averaged practically the same amount (718
and 715 tons, respectively). The individual output for
Great Britain was until 1910 above that of Prussia, but
in 1911 Prussia passed the British record and has main-
tained the lead since that time. France has shown but
little change in the miner's yearly production, averaging
302 tons prior to the War. In Austria the annual output
has averaged 296 tons per man during the past 18 years.
Following Austria comes Belgium with an average of 236
tons during the 18-year period. The man-production in
Belgium remained around 250 tons until 1914, when it
dropped to 200 tons and showed only a slight increase
during the five years of the World War. The under-
ground workers of India have shown an almost steady in-
crease in annual output, the quantity having risen from
122 tons in 1901 to 203 tons in 1918, averaging 178 tons
during the entire period. In Japan the average output
over a 17-year period was 174 tons.
422
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 18, 1920
Recovery Formulae
By HALLET R. ROBBINS
All ore-dressing metallurgists are familiar with the
useful formulae originally derived by Jesse Seobey, for
determining the indicated percentage of recovery and
ratio of concentration, from the assay of the feed, con-
centrate, and tailing, without requiring a knowledge of
the actual or relative weights of these products. These
formulae are applicable to the case in which one concen-
trate only is made, and I do not recall having seen any
similar formulae covering cases in which two or three
concentrates are made. I have derived such formulae
for my own use, and offer them herewith for the con-
venience of others.
Let
Ho = Assay of heads or feed in metal O
Hp= " " " " p
Hq = " " ' " " Q
COo = " " O concentrate " " O
COp= " " " " " " P
COq = " ' " " Q
CPo= " " P " " " O
CPp= " " P
CPq= " " " " " " Q
CQo= " " Q " " " O
CQp= " " " P
CQq= ' " " " Q
To = " " tailing " " O
Tp= " " " " " P
Tq = " " Q
Eo = Proportion of metal O recovered in O concentrate
Ep= " " " P " " p
Eq= Q " " Q
Ro = Number tons ore to yield one ton O concentrate
Rp = " " " " P
Rq= " " Q
Then in case a single metal is saved in a single con-
centrate ( Seobey 's formulae)
COo (Ho -To)
Eo =
Ro =
Ho (COo -To)
COo -To
Ep= CPP
Hp x
(Ho - To) (CQq - Tq)-(Hq - Tq) (CQo - To)
Ho -To
Where two concentrates are made, for the recovery of
metals 0 and P respectively
Eo=^2? v (Ho - To) (CPp - Tp)-(Hp - Pp) (CPo - To)
Ho
Ro= C0^
(COo - To) (CPp - Tp)-(COp - Tp) (CPo - To)
Ep =
Rp:
HoEo
CPp x (Hp-TpHCOo-To)-(Ho-To) (COp-Tp)
Hp (CPp - Tp) (COo - To)-(CPo - To) (COp - Tp)
. CPp
'HpEp
Where three concentrates are made, for the recovery
of metals 0, P, and Q respectively
Eo _ COo y (Ho - To) (CQp - Tp)-(Hp - Tp) (CQo - To)
Ho (COo - To) (CQp - Tp)-(COp - Tp) (CQo - To)
COo (Ho - To) (CQq - Tq)-(Hq - Tq) (CQo - To)
Ho X (COo - To) (CQq - Tq)-(COq - Tq) (CQo - To)
COo
HoEo
CPp
EO:
Ro =
Rp =
Eq:
CPp
HpEp
CQq
Hq
X
(CPo-
-To)(CQq-
-Tq)-
-(CPq-Tq)(CQo-To;
(Ho-
-To)(CPq-
-Tp)-
-(Hp-Tp) (CPo -To)
(CQo-
-To)(CPp-
-Tp)-
(CQp -Tp) (CPo -To)
(Hp-
-Tp)(CPq-
-Tq)-
-(Hq-Tq)fCPp-Tp)
■ Tq)-(CQq -Tq) (CPp - Tp)
Eq=£Q9X-
Hq ~ (CQp-Tp)(CPq
Rq=^S_
HqEq
For a two-concentrate example of the application of
the preceding formulae, the data given on page 1830,
Vol. IV, of Richards' 'Ore Dressing' may be taken.
These data refer to results of operations at the Lebanon
plant of the Pennsylvania Steel Co. Making the proper
substitutions in the formulae, the indicated recovery of
the copper in the copper concentrate is 57.9% and the
ratio of concentration 23.2 : 1 ; the indicated recovery of
the iron in the iron concentrate is 87.5% and the ratio
of concentration 1.54 : 1.
For a three-concentrate example, reference is made to
page 923, Vol. LII, Transactions American Institute of
Mining Engineers, where analyses are given of the sev-
eral products obtained in the operation of the concen-
trator of the Timber Butte Milling Co. There are
really four concentrates given in the reference cited,
but making a weighted average of the coarse and fine
zinc concentrates and called that a zinc concentrate, and
making the proper substitutions in the formulae, the
indicated recovery of copper in the copper concentrate
is 4.45%, and the ratio of concentration 69.3:1. The
indicated recovery of the lead in the lead concentrate
is 22.1% and the ratio of concentration 305:1. The
indicated recovery of zinc in the zinc concentrate is 80%
and the ratio of concentration 3.46 : 1.
A comparison of indicated and actual percentages of
recovery and ratios of concentration will often call at-
tention to leaks, slops, and other mechanical losses of
concentrates that otherwise might escape notice.
Ep:
X
(Ho - To) (CQp - Tp)-(Hp - Tp) (CQo - To)
Hp * (CPo - To) (CQo - To)-(CPp - Tp) (CQo - To)
A deposit of magnesite that crops out on a steep hill-
side west of Ash creek, two miles above its junction with
Gila river, about 30 miles north of Lordsburg, New
Mexico, was recently examined by R. W. Stone, of the
U. S. Geological Survey. The general alignment of the
outcrops might indicate that it is a continuous body, 1000
to 1500 ft. long and 30 ft. thick, in limestone, but close ex-
amination shows that the limestone occurs as a number
of detached blocks, none of them more than a few rods
long, enclosed in granite and cut by dikes and sills of dia-
base older than the granite. The magnesite has replaced
certain beds of limestone, but at no place has it yet
proved to be 30 ft. thick, as at first indicated. At one
place where the deposit has been prospected and has since
caved there appears to be a total thickness of 20 to 30 ft.
of magnesite and limestone. The best exposure shows
only 7 ft. of magnesite in a limestone block 5 or 6 rods
long, in which the beds stand vertical. The magnesite is
hard, amorphous, and pure white, resembling the variety
common in California.
September Is. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
vs.;
''INING
FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS IN THE FIELD
iiitiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiJmtiimiiiMiiiiimMmiiiDtiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiNHiiiiiimii
AKI/.OXA
NEW EQUIPMENT, AT THE EON CAP AND ARIZONA
COMMERCIAL.
Hisbee. — Work lias commenced by the Calumet & Ari-
zona Alining Co., on the Junction shaft, which is to be
sunk approximately 500 ft. from the 1800-ft. level. It is
reported that considerable water has been encountered
and in the shaft alone the flow has increased from 20
inches daily to 100 inches.
Changes are being effected in the power plant; six
boilers are being replaced and two additional ones added.
Stacks for the new boilers will be erected shortly. It is
presumed that, this increase in power will be sufficient to
care for all the needs of the shaft.
Work will shortly be completed on the new ventilating
shaft for the Briggs division of the G. & A. mine. This
shaft will provide an outlet to the surface for the smoke
and gases arising from a possible outbreak of the fire in
the large sulphide orebody in this division. It will be
necessary to drift approximately 50 ft. from the bottom
of the ventilating shaft in order to connect with the mine
workings.
The Shattuck-Arizona Copper Co. has filed a petition
with the State Corporation Commission seeking relief
from alleged excessive switching charges. The El Paso
& Southwestern Railroad Co. is named as the collector of
the charges.
The output of the Shattuck-Arizona for August is
given as 194,003 lb. of copper, 463,552 lb. of lead, 34,661
oz. of silver, and 406 oz. of gold.
Mohave District. — Advices state that the shaft on the
McCracken property at Kingman, has reached a depth of
620 ft., 220 ft. below the old level.
The United Eastern and Tom Reed mines, Oatman, are
said to be operating at two-thirds capacity, all explora-
tion work having been postponed until cool weather.
Maricopa County. — It is reported that the old Vulture
mine, 16 miles south of Wickenburg, is to be dismantled.
The property has been idle for some time. During 1915
it produced 29,968 tons of gold-bearing ore, but no recent
financial statement has been made.
Greenlee County. — The Duncan Mining & Milling
Co. is said to have recently found good orebodies in its
development work. This company maintains its head
office at Duncan, Arizona, but the mines are situated in
the Steeplerock mining district of New Mexico, just
across the Arizona state line. The owners of the New
Year's Gift group of mines in the same district are plan-
ning the erection of a 100-ton mill.
iitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiititiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiHiiiiiiiiiiiiiltiliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitliiiiiiilitliiiiiiiiiriilti
Globe-Miami District. — The Gibson Consolidated is
reported to be working 18 men. Drifting on the 300-ft
level continues and low-grade ore-reserves are lieing
steadily blocked out for future milling.
Construction work on the new crushing plant for t he
Miami Copper Co.. adjoining its new No. 5 shaft, is pro-
gressing rapidly. The work will comprise 3200 yards of
conerete, and it is the intention to complete it within the
next few months.
A request for an increase in wages of $1 per day was
recently made by the employees of the Miami Copper Co.
and Inspiration Consolidated Copper Co. The demand of
the employees was based on the claim that the cost of liv-
ing had advanced from 80 to 150%. The request was
denied on the ground that "the very adverse conditions
existing at the present time in the copper industry make
it impossible to consider an increase in the wage scale".
Inspiration Consolidated Copper Co. 's August output
was 7,200,000 lb. against 6,500,000 lb. in July.
The Iron Cap Copper Co. is equipping its Iron Cap
shaft with a complete system of fire protection. This con-
sists of fire-doors, placed near the shaft-stations on every
level, which, upon being closed, immediately isolate the
shaft from the mine workings. In addition to this, water
lines are placed in the shaft with sprays at regular interT
vals in each of the three compartments. The sprays are
regulated by valves placed at the point of connection with
the main water line, which is controlled by a valve on the
surface, near the collar of the shaft. The fire doors at the
shaft-stations are controlled by a separate compressed-
air line. A small cylinder is attached to this air-line at
each door and holds the door open. When an emergency
arises the air in the cylinders is released by turning off
the compressed air and opening the release-valve on sur-
face. This allows the doors to close immediately. As
soon as the doors are closed, the water valve is turned on
and the sprays in the shaft begin to operate, thus pro- •
viding an even distribution of water throughout the
shaft. Should a fire occur in the shaft, the doors are im-
mediately closed and when water is turned into the shaft
it will be impossible for the smoke and gases to find their
way into the mine workings and thus endanger the lives
of the men.
The steel connections for the conveyor-belt which will
transfer the ore from the skips of the new No. 2 shaft of
the Arizona Commercial Alining Co. to the ore-bins, which
have been built on the hillside some 40 ft: below the
collar of the shaft, are now in place and the ore-bins are
424
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 18, 1920
complete. The grading of the railroad-spur is also being
finished. In the course of time a number of buildings,
such as timber-sheds, change-rooms, etc., •will probably be
erected near the new No. 2 shaft and it is believed that
eventually No. 2 shaft will be the main operating shaft
of the property.
Pinal County. — The Dripping Springs Copper Co.,
situated in the Old Plat mining district, near Winkelman,
is preparing for active production and development work.
The company has recently purchased the machinery and
equipment of the Ray Broken Hill property, and has
erected bins both at the mine and at Christmas, the ship-
ping point. Regular shipments of ore have also been
commenced.
The orebodies are on lime-diabase contacts enriched
where they are intersected by the veins coming through
the limestone. The two most important veins are the D
and B vein. The D vein was found in the early part of
this year, but it is only during the past month that the E
vein has been intersected by the lower cross-cut tunnel.
The total width of the D vein is reported to be 42 ft., the
assays varying from 4.7 to 10% copper. The E vein was
cut 520 ft. beyond and while it has not yet been explored,
it is reported to show a width of about 14 ft. and contains
both native copper and oxides.
Nogales. — It is reported that the Labor Bureaus of the
States of Colima, Jalisco, Nayarit (formerly Tepic),
Siualoa, and Sonora will shortly make a demand that
American companies agree to defray the expenses of
Mexican contract laborers from their homes in Mexico to
the scene of their labor in the United States and return.
According to labor statistics 23,000 laborers are wanted
from the West Coast States of Mexico, by the sugar-beet,
cotton, and other industries in the United States this
year. In permitting these 23,000 Mexicans to enter the
United States for the above purposes, the Sonoran gov-
ernment would, under previously prevailing conditions,
assume the responsibility of returning them to their
homes. If all returned to the border with insufficient
money to defray their expenses back into Mexico, as be-
tween 85 and 90% are reported to have done last year,
it would cost the Government approximately $26 each, or
$299,000 in American money. This form of Mexican con-
tract labor may possibly mitigate the labor shortage when
the mines in Arizona again resume full production.
Hayden. — At a meeting in New York on September 10.
the directors of the Ray Consolidated Copper Co. de-
clared a quarterly dividend of 25c. per share, payable
on September 30. This will total $394,294.75, and bring
the total dividend disbursements up to $25,028,335.92.
COLORADO
RECENT APPOINTMENTS AT GOLDEN.
Cripple Creek. — A new vein has been found in the
Cresson mine 700 ft. west from the shaft at the 1600-ft.
level. The vein is narrow but rich ore is reported
and it is being explored. Lessees on the Damon group,
United Gold Mines Co.. Ironclad hill, continue to mine a
high-grade ore from shallow workings. Settlement on
the last car was made on a basis of $135 per ton for a
30-ton lot. Upper levels of the Jerry Johnson mine ad-
joining the Damon have been taken under lease by local
men who are searching for a continuation of the ore on
that property. Drilling at the formation test in the
north-east end of the district has been delayed by the
drill's fitehering. The driller is fishing and is confident
that he will recover his tools.
August production of the Cripple Creek district as re-
ported from the mills and by the district representa-
ative of the American Smelting & Refining Co. totaled
36,991 tons with an average value of $12 per ton and
gross bullion value of $477,603. Of this tonnage the
Golden Cycle mill at Colorado Springs handled 18,000
tons of one-ounce ore, valued at $363,000; the Inde-
pendence mill of the Portland Gold Mining Co. near
Victor, 18,291 tons, valued at $62,104; and the Smelter
at Pueblo, 700 tons, valued at $52,500.
Leadville. — Lessees in the Dinero tunnel continue
shipments of high-grade silver ore, assaying from 100 to
150 oz. per ton. John Cortellini, chairman of the Bureau
of Mines and Commerce, leasing on the Garbutt, has re-
sumed operations. The mine has been idle since the walk-
out of miners some weeks ago. The Blaine on Yankee hill
continues production of zinc ore at a rate of about 20
tons daily, that averages 25% zinc. A new plant has
been erected on the Ponsardin to replace machinery de-
stroyed by fire, and production has been resumed. A
shortage of ore-haulers in the district is causing accumu-
lation of tonnage at many leased properties.
Boulder. — Increased forces are working on the Cari-
bou and other properties and the output for the month
will show considerable increase. The White Raven is
shipping steadily and plans to continue operations
through the winter. The Yellow Pine, under lease to E.
B. Hill and Boulder associates, is active. The lessees are
sinking 900 ft. J. W. Pherson, another Yellow Pine
lessee, is producing and shipping a good grade of ore.
The new mill at the Blue Bird is nearing completion.
Ore-reserves are being developed for the mill. The Boul-
der sampler is operating at capacity.
Kokomo. — A permanent camp has been established at
the Pearl group and supplies sent in to keep the mine in
operation during the winter have been sent forward from
Denver by the Kokomo Mining Co. for use at the Chalk
Mountain property.
Telluride. — August shipments from the Telluride
mills were 60 cars from the Tomboy and 35 cars from the
Smuggler mines of the Smuggler-Union. Progress is
being made on the construction of the new plant at the
Smuggler.
Denver. — The Board of Trustees of the State School
of Mines at Golden have appointed Harold W. Gardner,
of the University of Illinois, professor of civil engineer-
ing; G. W. Gorel, a graduate of Wesleyan, professor of
mathematics; W. P. Hale, formerly head of the depart-
ment of mathematics at Broaddus College, West Virginia,
assistant professor of mathematics ; L. D. Roberts, assist-
ant professor of chemistry.
mber 18, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
425
MICHIGAN
REDtTCl D OOPPEB STOCKS.
Calumbt. — Calumet & Becla has completed shipment
of the l'2ihi tons of copper ordered by French concerns
several months ago. the final shipment consisting of
2,400,000 lb. The entire order called for wire-bars and
billots, all special shapes that required additional time.
This practically completes the unfilled orders at the Calu-
met smelters and for some time, perhaps thirty days,
metal will accumulate on the docks. A small shipment of
100.000 lb. went to Detroit last week from the Calumet
docks. This is one of the new orders booked by C. & H.
for the Michigan metropolis this year. Calumet's Detroit
business for twelve months, in fact since the Armistice
was signed, has been negligible compared with war orders
and even less than pre-war sales. Calumet's surplus on
the Hubbell docks and in process of refining aggregates
August against 111.125 in July. This reflects the recent
transfer of 25 men to the Calumet Osceola shafts. Koar-
sarge dropped slightly in August, with a 'rock' tonnage
of 39,572 against 40,715 in July. Allouez cleaned up
the remainder of the 'rock' that was broken down in the
stopes when the mine suspended, and its shipments for
August aggregated 1000 tons. Superior reports 1520
tons for August, an increase of 400 tons over July. There
were no overflow shipments from Isle Royale, the produc-
tion being barely sufficient to keep its own mill in oper-
ation.
Calumet & Hecla is using a stope-scraper to advantage
and there is a likelihood that more of the same type will
be introduced. The scrapers are in use on the 75th level
of No. 7 shaft and also in No. 10 and in the Red Jacket
shafts. Operated by three men, the scraper handles 40
cars of rock on a shift, against nine or ten cars filled by
GOLD HILL, UTAH
7,000,000 lb. and there is still close to 13,000,000 lb. of
refined copper on the docks of the old Tamarack-Osceola
smelter at Dollar Bay. The total, 20,000,000 lb., reflects
a material improvement in the metal situation since the
first of the year when Calumet & Hecla alone reported
upward of 32,000,000 lb. on hand. The surplus at the
Calumet docks represents the metal on hand of all sub-
sidiaries as well as the parent company so large reduc-
tions in the stocks of all companies have occurred.
Smelter-men, whose observations of conditions invariably
serve as a barometer of the metal trade, are optimistic in
their views of the immediate future and they forecast a
material improvement early in October. The fact that
Calumet's smelters are operating at capacity, with all
furnaces in commission, seems to bear out this prediction
and there is a better feeling in evidence throughout the
Lake district.
'Rock' tonnages for the Calumet mines for August
show small changes, compared with July, save for
Ahmeek which shows an improvement. During the
month. Ahmeek reported approximately 71,350 tons
against 68,068 in the preceding month. The old Osceola
shows a decrease of about 2800 tons, reporting 8100 for
hand-tramming by two men during the same length of
time. The unusual performance of 40 ears on a shift for
the scraper comes only in cutting out the stopes. The me-
chanical 'mucker' in use in the haulage tunnel is an
assured success for, operated by four men, it fills from 16
to 18 cars on a shift, or as much as eight men could fill
by hand shoveling.
The Tamarack and North Tamarack reservoirs are be-
ing drained in the hope of reducing the flow of water into
the mines. Both contain a large amount of water and it
is likely that much of the surface water that seeps into
the lower workings comes from them.
The old Tamarack mill is practically dismantled and
about 50% of the equipment has been moved from the
site. The razing of the plant is proceeding at a rate that
indicates it will be possible to begin work on the reclama-
tion-plant foundations before early winter and steel erec-
tion can be commenced in the spring. Under favorable
conditions it should be possible to turn out mineral by the
early part of 1922.
Wolverine is installing an electric pump at the old
"Wolverine mill dam which was in use when the stamping
plant was built near the mine. The water has been
426
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September IS. 1920
seeping down into the mine, adding to the difficulty of
keeping the mine free from water. With this flow cared
for. Wolverine will have to pump only its normal ac-
cumulation of water and both shafts will be permanently
free for 'rock '-hoisting continually. Considerable inter-
est-has been aroused locally over the plan of Wolverine
to develop additional lodes on the 28th and 13th levels
and there is a hope that valuable ground will be opened.
The section on the 28th level is in the foot-wall and the
13th involves explorations in the hanging. Several veins
penetrated in cross-cutting the property have shown up
well and while the openings were not rich in copper there
was sufficient mineralization to warrant extensive devel-
opments before giving up the mine. The 13th-level ob-
jective is the Kearsarge conglomerate, of which compara-
tively little is known from developments in late years but
the old Ahmeek found this lode exceedingly rich. It is
this vein that Seneca tapped by a diamond-drill last
spring, but in the section from which the cores were
taken the mineralization was somewhat disappointing.
Seneca.'s disclosures, however, by no means indicate that
aiere is no copper in the vein elsewhere. Both Wolverine
and Mohawk are producing about 70% of normal, with
the former hoisting from 800 to 900 tons per day and
Mohawk, 1400 to 1700 tons. Wolverine's yield for the
past few months has been in the neighborhood of 17 lb.
while Mohawk holds persistently to 23 lb. to the ton.
Wolverine 'rock' still is being stamped in the Mohawk
mill and this arrangement likely will continue until
greater output is required. The concentration of opera-
tions in the one mill makes for a marked saving of fuel
"ind at the same time affords opportunity to make neces-
sary changes and repairs in the Wolverine mill. The new
pumping plant, owned jointly by the two companies, is
operating successfully and economically. It means a con-
siderable saving in fuel, because it is operated by exhaust
steam that has hitherto been wasted. The project will
have paid for itself within a few years even on a reduced
operating basis. Considerable power can be generated by
the turbine in excess of present needs and this will be
utilized later by the re-grinding units which it is pro-
posed to install when conditions justify additional ex-
penditures. Both Mohawk and Wolverine are well sold
up and there is little of any metal on hand. Chicago,
Detroit, Kenosha, and other cities are consuming Stanton
copper readily, so these mines are free from the worry
of carrying over large stocks. Approximately 30% of
the normal supply of coal has been received by Wolverine
and Mohawk, although on the present operating basis
not more than 50,000 tons will be needed by both plants
for the winter.
Seneca reports a material improvement in the third
level, north, at a point 816 ft. from the shaft, while good
ore is still found in the fourth. 558 ft. from the shaft.
In the south drift of the fourth level progress has been
retarded because of the labor shortage and it will be
some time before the Ahmeek boundary is reached. Alto-
gether, Seneca is operating eight machines, two of which
are used in sinking and the remainder are in the drifts.
NEVADA
MINERS STRIKE AT VIRGINIA CITY.
Divide. — The Tonopah Divide shaft has been com-
pleted to 1000 ft. and cutting of a station at this depth
has been nearly finished. On completion of the station
a cross-cut will be driven to the vein, estimated to be 130
to 140 ft. distant. Judging from the rake of the ore-
shoots on the 585-ft. level men familiar with the mine
think it will be after November 1 when the shoot is en-
teied at 1000 ft. The cross-cut to the vein at 800 ft. has
been driven 25 ft. from the station. The plan of the
management is to have the cross-cuts at 800 and 1000 ft.
reach the vein simultaneously and, while it is regarded as
probable that drifts will have to be driven south-east to
open ore, they may have to be driven only a short dis-
tance, or ore may be found in the cross-cuts, as the shoots
north-west of the shaft on the upper levels may at 800
and 1000 ft. be where the cross-cuts will enter them. The
Victory winze is nearing 500 ft., where lateral work will
be done. This winze is almost vertical and, depending on
the grade and quantity of ore found, it may be extended
to the surface and used as the main shaft.
Virginia City. — The miners are on strike for an in-
crease of $1 per day to the present wage of $5. Only
enough men to keep the mines clear of water are working
instead of the 350 to 400 formerly employed. The men
at first voted to remain out until the increase had been
granted, but later when representatives of the operators
and miners met with Governor Boyle a committee of two,
Edward Higgins, consulting engineer for the Gold
Canyon Dredging Co., representing the operators, and
Prank W. Ingram, the miners, was appointed to investi-
gate wages and costs in Virginia City as compared with
other districts in the State. The operators, in a state-
ment, said the action of the miners was taken despite sev-
eral contracts, some effective to January 1, 1921, and all
of which call for 30 days notice to the operators before
being nullified. The statement said: "In view of the
absolute proof that the cost of living has already de-
creased, and will continue to decrease, we do not feel that
a raise in wages is at all warranted at this time. We are
ready and willing to resume operations under the old
scale of wages. None of the organizations represented by
the operators is opposed to unionism on the Comstock. "
The operators do not regard their statement as a refusal
to grant an increase and it is thought this may be the
result of the negotiations if the committee favors it.
Dayton. — The 900-ton all-steel dredge of the Gold
Canyon Dredging Co. was started on Sunday, September
4, by Mrs. Emmet D. Boyle, wife of Governor Boyle, with
the Governor and other State officials present. Among
the speakers were the Governor, Walter E. Clark, presi-
dent of the university of Nevada ; Dr. Aurelia Rhinehart,
president of Mills college, Oakland, California ; Edward
Higgins. consulting engineer for the company ; and R. H.
Elliott, assistant general manager. The starting of the
dredge was witnessed by 1500 people from Reno. Carson,
and Virginia City and it was a big day in the history of
the little town of Dayton. The consulting engineer said
September 18, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
427
il onstruction had been completed in tour months
actual working time. He explained that, because of the
uneven surface of the bedrock, large boulders in the
gravel, and high costs, the conditions under which the
company would operate were not ideal. The dredge i-osi
$350,000 and it is estimated that the daily cost of opera-
tion will be $400. Twenty men will be employed in three
shifts at tirst, but this force will be reduced quickly to
three to five men on a shift.
Carson. — A high State official, when asked how Gov-
ernor Boyle's name came to be associated with the Broken
Hills, said the Governor inspected the workings and gave
an opinion without knowing that George Graham Rice
would promote a company to take over and develop the
claims. The official said the Governor was angry when he
saw his name linked with that of Rice, but that he was in
a position in which he could do nothing. The official said
he was surprised at seeing the name of Edward Malley,
side nf tin- vein and a cross-cut is to be driven to t lie loot-
wall. Assays of $5 to $6 are being secured. The Five to
One tunnel has entered the vein that had been the ob-
jective of the work started last October. The vein was
entered on the foot-wall side and the tunnel has been
driven into it for 3 ft. Ore was not found and drifts will
be driven after the hanging wall has been reached. The
vein is composed of tale and quartz.
Tule Canyon. — The Silver Hills has announced that
leases will be let on the Jaggers claims, adjoining the
Ingalls group on the west. There are several shafts in
this territory that are from 50 to 100 ft. deep and there is
low-grade ore in them. The company will mill the ore
from the -leases.
Pioche. — From January 1 to September of the present
year, the Prince Consolidated Mining & Smelting Cor-
poration has produced 36,152 tons of ore. At the present
time shipments are running about 5000 tons per month.
■■■
K-SSfS
mmkm
CAMP AT THE MANDALAT MINE, JUNGO, NEVADA
State Treasurer, appearing at the top of Broken Hills
stationery and declared he did not know how Malley came
to be connected with Rice or why he should permit his
name to be used. He also predicted that "there will, of
■course, be a smash-up one of these days". Conservative
mining men regard with regret the entire Broken Hills
affair, as they consider the name of Rice again connected
with Nevada can result only in injury to the State. The
name of Boyle and Malley connected with the promotion
of the company with no explanation from either remains
a mystery to their friends. Men who say they are
familiar with recent work in the mine do not regard the
result as being worthy of the columns of publicity being
given Broken Hills in Nevada newspapers as "boost'
material, accompanying large advertisements in which
the reader is sometimes reminded that Goldfield Mohawk
stock went to $20 per share.
Goldfield. — The winze being sunk from the 910-ft.
level of the Spearhead is 200 ft. deep and it will be con-
tinued to at least 500, according to R. S. Wilbur, super-
intendent. The winze, being sunk on an incline of 76 :.
is in a series of step-faults and it is penetrating quartz
•and alaskite alternately. It is now on the hanging-wall
The ore is of the usual grade, 75% of the total tonnage
being derived from the Davison bed and the remainder
from the Prince bed. Arrangements will shortly be com-
pleted for the resumption of the sinking of the main shaft
to the lower bed.
Shipments from this district for the week ending Sep-
tember 7 totaled 3240 tons, of which amount the Prince
Consolidated shipped 1900 tons; Virginia Louise, 800;
Black Metals, 100 ; Bristol Mines, 250 ; Combined Metals,
150 ; Consolidated Nevada-Utah, 40.
Ely. — The directors of the Nevada Consolidated Cop-
per Co. held their regular quarterly meeting in New
York on September 10 and declared a dividend of 25c.
per share, payable September 30. This will call for a
total distribution of $499,864.25, and bring the grand
total up to $46,768,616.60.
Jungo. — The Mandalay Mines Co. has completed the
erection of an 8 by 10-in. air-compressor, 15-hp. gas-
engine, 6-hp. gas-engine, hoist, air-blower for the mine,
sinking-pump, and other equipment to complete the plant.
The shaft. 4 by 6 ft. in the clear, is to be sunk under con-
tract to 120 ft. from the present depth of 80. A depth
of 500 to 600 ft. can be reached with the equipment and
428
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 18, 1020
it is planned to reach this depth eventually, with drifts
at 100-ft. intervals. The machinery has been bought and
the shaft sunk to 80 ft. at a cost of less- than $14,000.
The shaft is in ore containing silver glance that assays
from $20 to $75 per ton, with a high silica content which
keeps the treatment charge under $1.50 per ton, accord-
ing to the management. The shaft is nearly vertical.
Part of a 35-ton shipment of $35 sorted ore has been
hauled to the station at Antelope and shipments are to
be resumed when the 100-ft. level is reached. Work was
started July 20, 1919, but little was done except build a
camp and improve the roads to Jungo, Sulphur, and
Antelope before cold weather. The spring and summer
has been devoted largely to putting the machinery in
place. The State engineer has given the company per-
mission to use -J second feet of water. This gives pos-
session of Mandalay creek and Dwyer springs, the latter
on a mill-site which the company plans to utilize for the
erection of a mill when mine conditions make a plant ad-
visable. Water is pumped also from a 30-ft. well for
household use. The amount of cash spent by the com-
pany has been lessened by the employees taking stock in
part payment; of their wages.
Eureka. — The Mammoth Mining Co. is now shipping
two carloads per day from its mill-dump to one of the
Salt Lake valley smelters. The dump contains about
250,000 tons of material, which will average $7 per ton in
metal content. By use of a small engine and mine cars,
the material is transported from the dump to the loading-
station a short distance away ; horses and scrapers being
used to fill the smaller cars. The average cost of loading
the material is about 35 cents per ton. Earl Mclntyre,
manager of the Mammoth property, states that from two
to three carloads of ore per day is being mined. The com-
pany is doing considerable development work, the most
important of which is the drift to the north-east on the
1500-ft. level. Another piece of development is being
performed on the 300-ft. level.
NEW MEXICO
Hurley. — The directors of the Chino Copper Co. de-
clared a quarterly dividend of 37-ic. per share on Septem-
ber 10, payable September 30. This will call for a pay-
ment of $326,242.50, and will bring the grand total of
such disbursements up to $29,991,709.50.
UTAH
ORE SHII'MEXTS TO THE SMELTER. ACTIVITY AT OPHIR
HILL CONSOLIDATED.
Salt Lake City. — At a meeting of the directors of the
Utah Copper Co. in New York on September 10, the regu-
lar quarterly dividend of $1.50 per share was declared,
payable September 30. This will call for the payment of
$2,436,735. and will bring the grand total of such dis-
bursements up to $109,072,927.50.
During the week ending September 4, the sampling mill
of the Utah Ore Sampling Co. at Murray handled 82 car-
loads of ore from Utah mines; 9 from Nevada; 4 from
Montana ; 2 from California ; 1 from Idaho ; and 1 from
Canada. The Tintic mill of the same company handled
a total of 88 cars of ore from Utah mines.
Marysvale. — The Tushar Range Metals Mining Co., a
Pittsburgh organization, after two years of persistent
development at its property here, recently made one of
the most important ore discoveries in south-central Utah.
Guided by geological conditions, the company drove a
tunnel into the south wall of Pine canyon a distance of
nearly 500 ft., and entered a lead-bearing bed of calcite,
which was followed more than 200 ft. through primary
lead, silver, and gold ore. At 795 ft. the company is
sinking an incline winze, with the object of reaching the
underlying quartzite. Officials state that each foot of
depth is marked with improvement in the lead content
and the size of the lenses of high-grade ore. The orebody,
which has now been proved to be more than 30 ft. thick,
will doubtless exceed 50 ft. before the quartzite-ealcite
contact is encountered.
Park City. — An assessment of one-quarter of a cent
has been levied on the capital stock of the Daly-Judge
Extension Mining Co., payable September 25. The money
derived from the assessment will be used to develop the
property.
During the week ending September 4, eight mines in
this district shipped a total of 2186 tons, as compared
with shipments aggregating 2157 tons for the preceding
week. The Ontario shipped 600 tons; Silver King Coali-
tion, 582; Judge M. & S., 495; Daly-West, 239; Nail-
driver, 110 ; Keystone, 55 ; Daly, 53 ; Park-Utan. 52.
Big Cottonwood Canyon. — Development work at the
Woodlawn mine is being steadily done under favorable
conditions, according to W. J. Lawrence, the manager.
Upon the lowest level, at a vertical depth of 600 ft., drift-
ing has been carried forward a distance of 200 ft. westerly
from the point at which the cross-cut from the winze from
the main tunnel-level cut the fissure. Ore was found for
the entire distance in this drift. A raise from the 600-ft.
level to the main tunnel-level, 100 ft. above, is following
good ore. This raise will also improve the ventilation.
On the main tunnel-level, in the west drift, along the
fissure, a raise is being made. It has reached a height of
80 ft. and there is 3 ft. of good ore showing. Ore is now
being hauled from the mine to the loading bins in the
canyon.
Ophir. — The policy of the mining companies in this
district is never to release much news concerning their
activities. Nevertheless, development work of great in-
terest and value is steadily being done. Most of the
mines are more or less privately owned, and there is a lack
of technical literature describing geological features. The
largest property in camp is that of the Ophir Hill Con-
solidated, owned by former Senator W. A. Clark of Mon-
tana. This mine has a gross yield of between 35 and 40
million dollars to its credit, and at present, according to
a conservative estimate, it is producing metal to the value
of $800,000 per annum. It is said that the management
is planning to remodel its concentrator along up-to-date
lines to improve its efficiency. The property at present is
September 18, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
42:)
■hipping an average of two carloads of concentrate per
day and one ear of ore.
Il is reported that the Ophir Silver Mines Co. lias made
a strike of excellent ore on the surface in the Buckhorn
fissure. A force of men has been put to work at this
place and a camp established.
At the mine of the Ophir Metals Co.. a force of 30 men
is employed in driving the tunnel, which is 1200 ft. from
the portal. It should reach the old Lion Hill workings,
from which some 3 million dollars' worth of ore was ship-
ped. At a distance of 800 ft. from the portal, the Buck-
horn limestone should be entered. In this it is expected
that the same orebodies will he found in the fissure as
were encountered in the Treasure Hill bed, some 500 ft.
above.
Tintic. — Shipments from this district, for the week
ending September 4 totaled 145 cars, an increase of 4 cars
over the previous week. The Chief Consolidated shipped
40 ears; Tintic Standard, 30; Eagle & Blue Bell, 10;
latei-.witli a permanent installation. A contract has been
awarded for the construction of an 11.000-volt power-
line from the Tintic Standard to the site of the Smith
Standard company's new shaft, a distance of two miles.
The sinking of the shaft at the South Standard has reach-
ed the point where a hoist is needed, and the company is
planning the installation of a modern hoist and com-
pressor, both to be electrically driven. During the past
few months, the company has erected the necessary sur-
face buildings, and when the hoist and compressor are
installed, development work will be undertaken in earn-
est. The South Standard is controlled by the same in-
terests as the Tintic Standard.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT IS GENERAL. DOLLY
VABDEN AGAIN SHIPPING.
Alice Arm. — The Dolly Varden railway is operating
at capacity again. Notwithstanding the washouts, 4500
TAILING DUMP AT CORTEZ MINE, EUREKA COUNTY, NEVADA
Dragon, 10 ; Mammoth, 10 ; Iron Blossom, 8 ; Grand
Central, 8 ; Iron King, 5 ; Bullion Beck, 4 ; Swansea, 4 ;
Gemini, 3 ; Victoria, 3 ; Gold Chain, 2 ; Colorado, 2 ;
Centennial-Eureka, 1 ; Griggs Huisb Leasing Co., 1 ear
of concentrate.
Recent developments at the Plutus property, controlled
by the Fitch interests, have been most encouraging, ac-
cording to Cecil Fitch, manager. Recently a drift on the
1700-ft. level cut a few small stringers of quartz and talc,
and assays showed 3 to 4 oz. of silver and .0.15 oz. gold
per ton, which the officials believe indicates the close
proximity of an orebody. Mr. Fitch states the drift will
be extended until it cuts the fault-zone, and that later the
company will do some additional prospecting at points
where the best showings exist.
About 125 men are now employed in the construction
of the Tintic Standard company's concentrating plant at
Warm Creek. Two electric hoists are used for lifting
materials to the proper elevation on the hillside. The
boarding and lodging houses, warehouse, office building,
machine and carpenter shops, and dwellings for em-
ployees have been completed. A 44,000-volt sub-station,
two miles of 2300-volt line, and five banks of service trans-
formers have also been installed. Some of the last con-
struction is of a temporary nature and will be replaced
tons of ore was shipped from the mine to the Granby
smelter, at Anyox, besides a small quantity of high-grade,
which was shipped to the Tacoma smelter, as the Granby
company does not care to handle this class of ore. In
July 5600 tons of ore was shipped over the line. About
115 men are employed in the mine and a like number on
the railway and in construction work. Work on the
500-hp. hydro-electric plant, at Clearwater lake, is pro-
gressing well. W. R. Ross has bonded the Moose mine to
D. W. Cameron and associates for $165,000. The same
parties have made an examination of the Esperanza
group, with a view to purchase. Some high-grade silver
ore has been taken from surface operations on this prop-
erty recently and a small shipment is being sent to the
Tacoma smelter. Wolverton, Hammond & Bruggy have
started work on the extension of the Silver Tip vein.
Ymir. — John W. Shaw, who is superintending develop-
ment work at the Texas Yankee Girl mine for the Mining
Corporation of Canada, reports that the mine is develop-
ing well. Two 300-ft. raises have been made from the
No. 5 level, and will be continued another 400 ft. to con-
nect with No. 2 level. This work together with that on
the intervening levels will block out a large body of ore.
'T'hp raises have been driven on the vein, and are in good
ore.
430
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 18, 1920
Nelson-. — The Perrier mine, situated on Cotton-wood
creek on the slope of Morning mountain close to the line
of tlie Great Northern railway, was recently taken over by
a re-organized company with a capital of $250,000 and
the officers of which are C. E. Crossley, president ; R. W.
Hinton. vice-president ; W. M. Cunliffe, secretary-treas-
urer. It was discovered in 1910 and named from the late
King Edward's famous horse. Mr. Turner is one of the
original discoverers. The main shaft of the mine has
been sunk 120 ft. The present plant consists of a Hunt-
ington three-foot mill of five-ton capacity for treating
ore from the drift. From this mill $3300 in gold has
been taken, other metals not having been recovered.
There also are a Rand drill, a Rand hammer-stoper, and
a three-drill Rand compressor driven by a Pelton wheel.
There is an abundance of water and Messrs. Crossley and
Turner claim they have invented an automatic pump to
keep the mine free from water which will work for 12
months without attention. It is planned to put in a
stamp-mill and a modern hoist. About 80% of the ore
is free-milling.
A second vein has been discovered by surface stripping
on the property of the Mountain Chief copper mine,
Renata, on the lower Arrow lake. A tunnel has been
driven exposing considerable mineralization, the ore, for
the most part, being oxidized.
A new vein is reported on the Barnet Silver-Lead
group at the head of Lemon creek. The new lode is
similar and runs parallel to that on which work has been
done. Already ore from this source is being sacked for
shipment. The Bamett mine was re-opened by R. G.
McLeod some four or five weeks ago. It has been a ship-
per in past years.
Trail. — A total of 11,257 tons of ore and concentrate
was received at the smelter during the last ten days of
August; the Consolidated company's mines supplying
9854 tons. The other shippers were : Bluebell, Riondell,
156 tons ; Canada Copper Corporation, Greenwood, 11 ;
Iron Mask, Kamloops, 83 ; Josie, Rossland, 296 ; Mandy,
Le Pas, 372 ; Mayo, Yukon, 3 ; Monarch, Field, 37 ; North
Star, Kimberley, 251 ; Providence, Greenwood, 72 ; Sally,
Beaverdell, 45 ; Silver Standard, New Hazelton, 41 ; Sky-
lark, Greenwood, 16 ; and Venus, Carcross, Yukon, 20.
Up to date this year, the Mandy mine, at Le Pas, has
shipped more than 7000 tons to Trail.
Stewart. — It is reported that the present bond holders
of the Big Missouri group of inineral claims, Salmon
River, Portland Canal district, do not intend to continue
development work. Operations have been under way for
some time by a syndicate known as the Pacific Coast Ex-
ploration Co. prominently identified with which is Sir
Donald Mann, of Toronto. Both diamond-drills, with
which exploration work has been in progress, have been
withdrawn. The only information made public, and it is
unofficial, is that the Big Missouri presents an unusual
problem, that the small amount of drilling done has not
given satisfactory results, and that the complete explora-
tion of the entire mineralized zone is a work of such
magnitude that the company does not feel disposed to
continue at present.
ONTARIO
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS AT KIRKLAXD LAKE.
Toronto. — At a special meeting of the shareholders
of the Dome Mines Co. on September 7 the proposal of the
directors to purchase the property of the Dome Extension
Co. was unanimously ratified. The Dome Extension
shareholders will receive 76,667 shares of Dome stock,
being one share of Dome for every 30 shares of Dome
Extension.
The arrangements made by the Davidson Consolidated
in England, by which $1,125,000 will be secured for de-
velopment and the construction of the mill, is opposed by
some of the shareholders, who object to optioning 50% of
their stock to the English interests, which will prevent
them from taking advantage of a favorable market to dis-
pose of it. G. C. Crean, president, has issued an ex-
planatory statement recapitulating the terms of the
agreement under which, in addition to the 1,500,000
shares of treasury stock to be sold outright, the English
syndicate requires a two-year option on 2,000,000 shares
now held by shareholders the exercise of which would
give them a controlling interest. To meet this demand
each shareholder must option 50% of his stock, otherwise
the deal will fall through and the company will have no
other alternative than to assess the shareholders to pro-
vide the funds required to build the mill and carry on
development.
A diamond-drill machine is being taken to the Clifton,
where exploration will be undertaken to determine the
extent of the continuation of orebodies already found.
Kirkland Lake. — The development of the new east-
ern portion of the Kirkland Lake field is attracting much
attention, the results of operations so far having been of
a decidedly encouraging character. Promising features
of this section are the great width of some of the veins
opened up, and the existence of veins containing visible
gold as well as gold tellurides in close proximity to con-
tacts between conglomerate and porphyry. This is a con-
dition almost identical with that shown on the surface in
the proved part of the Kirkland Lake area. The Bid-
good, Wood-Kirkland, Crystal Lake, Pinelle Kirkland,
King Kirkland, Lebel Ore, and others on which develop-
ment has recently been begun, are all located on the main
belt of favorable rock formation extending eastward from
the producing area.
Boston Creek. — It is stated that visible gold and gold
tellurides have been encountered at the Miller Independ-
ence at a depth of 500 ft., the orebody being apparently
the downward continuation of the rich ore-shoot devel-
oped in the upper levels of an inclined shaft. This work
was only carried to a depth of 200 ft. The Patricia has
been optioned at a high figure to T. J. Flynn.
Cobalt. — New equipment is being installed at the
Kerr Lake to handle a large tonnage of low-grade ore on
the dumps. It includes a mechanical shovel, automatic
loader, and crushing machinery. The ore will be shipped
by aer'al tram to the Dominion Reduction Co. for treat-
ment. Production is being maintained at about 50,000
oz. of silver every three months.
nb< r 18, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
4:il
CALIFORNIA
Amador County. — The Central Eureka at Sutter Creek
has been sinking in pay-ore from the 3100-ft. level for sev-
eral weeks. It is a new find, and although the area is un-
known the prospects are so good that the company is plan-
ning an underground hoist for next year. The surface plant
has about reached its limit. The result of the conferences
in San Francisco between representatives of the Argonaut
and Kennedy companies has not been made public and the
situation is unchanged. New pumping machinery has been
added to the South Eureka mining plant, which is connected
with, and drains the water from, the Central Eureka.
After months of work, the restraining dam constructed by
the Crocker Estate company of San Francisco for the pur-
pose of impounding tailing from the Elephant hydraulic
mine, is completed. It is 30 ft. high and 425 ft. long.
Washing is expected to commence on November 1.
Bakersfield. — The California Rand silver mine, in the east-
ern part of Kern county, has $2,000,000 in ore in sight, and
is paying $25,000 monthly dividends to its stockholders,
mostly in Bakersfield, Taft, and Fellows, according to reports
received here. The California Rand property, which is the
biggest producer in this section since the days of the Yellow
Aster, has been producing for two years, and the ore is said
to run as high as $50 per ton. J. W. Kelly and Hamp
Williams discovered the California Rand mine, and Kelly
recently sold his interest to E. L. Blanck of Fellows for
$200,000. Blanck also bought the John Nosser interest for
$80,000. Two years ago one-eighth interest in the mine sold
for $500.
Calaveras County. — Exploration" work is general and all
available men are busy. Outterbidge and Howe are re-open-
ing the Smith mine, formerly known as the Ketz. They em-
ploy 17 men and are driving a 900-ft. tunnel with the object
of working the vein 1100 ft. below the outcrop. George
Prentiss is developing a prospect on the North Fork of the
Mokelumne. He has driven 60 ft. on a 4-ft. vein of $50 ore.
The West Point Gold company is commencing work with 20
men on some low-grade properties on Licking Fork. The
North Star has taken over the Defender and Lone Star
groups and will spend $500,000 in sinking.
Imperial County. — Baverstock & Staples report that liti-
gation over the Paymaster and President mines is nearly at
an end". The Anaheim M. & M. Co. is preparing to treat the
old tailing and re-open the old workings.
Nevada County. — Repairing the New York Hill and other
shafts of the North Star is proceeding. The new electric
engine to take the place of mules underground has arrived.
At the Idaho-Maryland the water in the incline Canyon
shaft at the bottom of the 1100-ft. shaft, is being kept at a
standstill. The Alcalde continues to produce rich specimen
ore from the shoot uncovered last week. The extent of the
find has not been determined. Hand-mortars are used in
reducing much of the ore extracted.
Placerville. — Charles E. Swezey of Sacramento reports
that the Grit Gold Mining Co. is planning to work the claims
formerly held by Walter P. King and have found some extra-
ordinary high-grade ore. The Hines-Gilbert mine is taking
out ore preparatory to commencing operations in Its 10-
stamp mill.
Plumas County. — The Engels, Walker, Gruss, Beardsley,
and other properties are producing, with the Engels and
Walker shipping heavily. Diamond-drills at the Engels have
demonstrated the occurrence of large deposits of profitable
ore below the No. 7 level to a depth of 400 ft. The 200-ft.
shaft connecting levels 6 and 7 has been completed and
blocking of ore in this area begun. The notation mill is
making an excellent product from the Engels and Superior
mines and activities are being increased as rapidly as more
miners can be secured.
The Walker Copper Co., a subsidiary of the Anaconda
Copper Co., has completed the aerial tramway to Spring
Garden and is shipping its concentrate to the railroad sta-
tion by way of the new transportation system. The tram-
way eliminates costly motor-truck service formerly in use.
Diamond-drills have extended the ore limits of the main
Walker deposits and proved that the orebodies extend to
great depths beyond the main levels.
Sierra County. — The new rotary mill on the Kirkpatrick
mine near Downieville is reported to be operating efficiently
on the high-grade gravel.
IDAHO
C. J. Diebel, of Spokane, president of the United States
Silver Lead Mines Co. has returned from a visit to the
property in the Coeur d'Alene. Another 35 ft. in the cross-
cut is expected to reach the vein at a depth of 135 ft. A. M.
Nash is manager. Paul Liver of Wallace was re-elected
president and manager of the Giant .Mining & Development
Co. at the annual meeting. A cross-cut is being run which
es expected to cut the vein soon. The property is on Sunset
Peak in the Coeur d'Alene. The Idaho-Northern Min-
ing Co. of the Coeur d'Alene is about to extend its lower tun-
nel 1600 ft. additional depth on the orebody. Work was
suspended by this company for a time four years ago. O.
M. Nordquist is arranging for the resumption and Oscar
Eckman will be superintendent. Robert N. Bell, mine in-
spector of Idaho for many years, will take over and operate
the Clayton mine In Custer county. Three carloads of ore
were shipped from the Jack Waite in the Coeur d'Alene the
last of the month. The ore goes to Utah. The shipments
of zinc and of lead-silver ore and concentrate of the Consoli-
dated Interstate-Callahan Mining Co. were 4576 dry tons
less in the quarter ended June 30, than last previous quarter.
Coeur d'Alene. — The Hecla Mining Co. will disburse its
regular quarterly dividend of $150,000 on September 28.
This disbursement will increase the total of dividend pay-
ments this year to $500,000, an extra of $50,000 or five cents
per share, having been paid with the regular dividend of
$150,000 in June. This will bring the grand total up to
$8,355,000. James F. McCarthy, president and general
manager, said recently that the company was hoisting from
600 to 700 tons daily. He said that the main orebody,
opened on the 2000-ft. level, had been followed by drifting
for 500 ft. Its average width is 16 ft., and of a grade similar
to that on the 1600-ft. levl. The company is now employ-
ing 300 men and operated six clays per week.
Gilmore. — The Pittsburgh-Idaho mine in the Gilmore dis-
trict of Lemhi county is now shipping 30 cars of ore per
month. The ore is a carbonate, averaging 25% lead and
12 to 15 oz. silver per ton. The 'Latest Out' property, in the
same district, is shipping about 20 carloads per month.
±:i2
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September IS. 1920
Kellogg. — The raise in the Nabob Consolidated mine at-
tained a point 17 5 tt. from the Nabob tunnel level, according
to Henry Thomson, mill superintendent. This is 6 2 tt. from
the Sidney tunnel level, the objective in the drive. The
work is proceeding rapidly. Ground is being broken at the
rate of five feet per day. A vein has been found in the
face of a 250-ft. tunnel on the property of the Central Idaho
Gold Mining Co., near the Big Buffalo mine, in Buffalo
Hump, according to reports. This is a blind vein, the main
vein being 240 ft. ahead. All the ore-bins of the High-
land-Surprise property on Pine creek in the Coeur d'Alene
are filled from ore mined during development. The ore is
high-grade. Only a small force is working at present, but
the company is considering plans for increasing the force,
connecting the two levels by a 200-ft. raise, and possibly
it will decide to start the mill. The big smelter of the
Bunker Hill & Sullivan company is doing a greater business
than ever and steadily increases its force. Many mines are
commencing or resuming work, and the fact that unpatented
claims must be worked this year is making quite an im-
portant addition to the number of men employed in the dis-
trict. The railroad to be built up Pine creek will greatly
benefit this section. Reports from the Lookout Moun-
tain mine of the Pine Creek district of the Coeur d'Alene
confirms the belief that the strike recently made is impor-
tant. Two feet of good copper-silver ore was found and it
is said that some of it looks as though it would pay to ship
without milling. At a meeting of the stockholders of the
Bristol Mining Co. at Kellogg recently, a consolidation pro-
posal with the Jim Blaine Silver Syndicate was accepted
and the two properties merged. Machinery will be erected
and the tunnel driven from the lowest point possible for the
development of both veins. This will require about 1500 ft.
of work and will secure over 800 ft. of depth on the vein.
The properties are situated on the east fork of Pine creek,
about half a mile from the fork, and the same distance from
the proposed Pine Creek railroad.
Ophir. — Guy R. La Coste, president and general manager
of the Ophir Silver Mines Co., accompanied by F. M. Wich-
man, consulting engineer, have been here. Mr. Wichman
is making a thorough examination of the property, prepara-
tory to a report. On the basis of this report decision will be
made as to whether or not it will be advisable to open up
the lower tunnel, which is in the formation a distance of 700
ft., and follow a strong vein of silver ore which is making
toward and under the contact, but 70 ft. from the face of the
adit. At present considerable water is making in the tunnel.
OREGON
Gold Hill. — Rich ore has been discovered in the Sylvanite
group of gold mines by Victor W. Brown and associates of
Pittsburgh, lessees. This property is the only quartz mine
among those in operation in this region. Gold mining has
been almost wholly suspended in this region since 1914, ex-
cepting the hydraulic placer mines which have extensive
water-rights. The new find was made in the old workings
at a depth of more than 600 ft., and contains ore worth from
$20 to $50 per ton in gold and silver. The several mines
constituting the group, known as the Simmons, Cheney, Haff,
and Ray mines, have been gold producers for 3 0 years.
Tungsten was discovered in this property in 1916 by Ray
& Haff of Gold Hill, who were operating the mine. The
tungsten occurs in small stringers with quartz, and ore con-
taining from 2 to 40% tungsten was extracted. The veins
carrying the best grade of tungsten have been developed
only to a small extent and the tungsten resources of the
mine, therefore, have not yet been determined. The in-
creased amount of this metal required for tool steel and
incandescent lamps has kept up the interest of prospectors
in the district.
IpersonalI
The Editor invites members of the profession to send particulars of their
work and appointments. The information is interesting to our readers.
Karl Eilers is in San Francisco.
Henry Krunib, of Salt Lake City, is in New York.
J. H. Hottendorf, of Bridgeport, Oregon, is at Yreka, Cali-
fornia.
A. E. Roesler is now operating at West Point, in Calaveras
county.
S. L. Boyes has moved from Grants Pass, Oregon, to Los
Angeles.
Walter H. Wiley has returned from the Coeur d'Alene to
Los Angeles.
L. Venn Brown has returned from King island to Sydney,
New South Wales.
Samuel W. Cohen, of Montreal, is in Newfoundland ex-
amining mining property.
O. M. Kuchs, general manager for the International Smelt-
ing Co., of Salt Lake City, is at Chicago.
Frank A. Love, recently of Inspiration, Arizona, is now
with the Alvarado M. & M. Co., at Parral, Mexico.
C. W. Purington has left Hakodate, northern Japan, for
an examination of the coalfields of northern Sakhalin.
George C. Bartells, who has been conducting research
work at the Murray smelter, Utah, has returned to St. Louis.
Charles C. Selbie, of Pasadena, California, sailed from
New York on September 4 for the Congo, by way of Antwerp.
G. Howard Birch and Arthur J. Striker have removed
their offices from 160 Broadway to 522 Fifth Avenue, New
York.
Ernest Levy, on his return from Cuba, has gone to London
to accept a partnership in the firm of Alexander Hill &
Stewart.
R. O. Dobbs has been making an investigation of the Ada
H property, adjoining the Spruce Monarch mine near Wells,
Nevada.
R. S. Baverstock has returned to Los Angeles from a trip
to the Paymaster and President mines in Imperial county,
California.
Frank P. Knight, of Boston, president of the Iron Cap
Copper Co., recently visited the company's properties at
Copper Hill, Arizona.
Sidney R. Stanford has left the Constancia mine, to be-
come mine superintendent for the Nicaragua Mining Co., at
Bluefields, Central America.
Charles E. Prior has left the Premier mine in British
Columbia, to accept a position on the staff of the Mexican
Corporation, at the Fresnillo mine, in Mexico.
T. Hasegawa, K. Mimura, and J. Matsumoto, connected
with the Sumitomo copper works at Osaka, Japan, have been
visiting mining and metallurgical plants in Utah. •
T. R. Arnold, formerly chief electrician for the Arizona
Copper Co., has accepted the position of electrical engineer
for the Southwestern Portland Cement Co. of El Paso.
Howland Bancroft has accepted the appointment of man-
ager for the Sinclair Panama Oil Corporation and will move
to Panama forthwith. He sails from New York on Sep-
tember 22.
L. D. Rlcketts, who has been spending the last few months
in Santa Barbara, California, is making an inspection of the
Inspiration and Calumet & Arizona properties, prior to
visiting New York.
Carl A. Allen, State Mine Inspector of Utah; George
Murphy, superintendent for the Spring Canyon Coal Co.;
and R. M. McGraw, general superintendent for the United
States Fuel Co. were among those who attended the con-
vention at Denver, beginning September 9.
mber 18, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRHSS
433
Eastern Metal Market
New York. September 8.
The prevailing dullness in all the markets has been
rendered more pronounced by the Labor Day holidays.
Buying of copper is at a low ebb but inquiries are more
numerous.
The tin market has a better tone with some buying by
consumers.
The lead market has declined because of offerings of im-
ported metal.
The condition of the zinc market is similar to that of the
lead.
There is no material change in antimony.
IRON AND STEEL
The waiting attitude of buyers of pig-iron and steel has
been more marked in the past week, says 'The Iron Age'.
Pressure for early supplies of everything in finished steel,
with the possible exception of tin plate and wire products,
has disappeared. Buyers generally seem confident that they
can get steel tor 1921 when they need it and at prices not
above those of today.
Pig-iron production in August, under better railroad-oper-
ation, rose to a point only exceeded this year by March and
in 1919 by January alone. The total was 3,147,402 gross
tons, or 101,529 tons per day, as against 3,067,043 tons in
July, or 93,965 tons per day. September promises further
increase. Twenty-three furnaces were blown in last month
and five were blown out — a net gain of 18.
With the large volume of unshipped orders that is on the
books of the mills, prices are little affected by the halt In
buying, but the basis of future contracting is concededly a
two-sided question, whereas in July the shortage in steel
supply seemed the decisive factor.
COPPER
Despite the facl chat buying of copper has shown no im-
provement in actual sales, inquiry from large consumers is
increasing w'nich is taken as an evidence that stocks are
being depleted and that a buying -movement will, and must,
materialize inside of two weeks or so. While most of the
larj,e producers are adhering to the 19c, New York, quota-
'■'rm for both Lake and electrolytic copper, there are evi-
dences that a few are taking some business as low as 18.75c.
and that the light demand afloat is being taken care of at
around those levels by these few sellers as well as by the
smaller producers and dealers. Foreign sales continue mod-
erate and satisfactory under the circumstances. On the
whole sentiment in the trade is better than for some time
and there is a feeling that better times as well as better
prices are near at hand. The British market has been almost
buoyant the entire week.
TIN
For the first time recently there have been sales made to
consumers. Two importers report moderate buying last
week from this source, some for October-November arrival
and some for September-October shipment from the East at
45.50 to 46c. On the whole the market has been only mod-
erately active. There has also been an increase in business
done on the New York Metal Exchange, total sales for the
week amounting to about 250 tons at prices ranging from
45 to 45.50c, depending on the position, mostly future ship-
ment. Last Thursday one buyer had to sacrifice 100 tons,
ex-ship at dock, by selling it under the rule at 45.12*c to
45.50c in four lots. On Friday the market closed higher
with spot at 45.50c and futures held at 46c, at which level
some business was done. Spot Straits New York, yesterday
was 45c. The London market yesterday was £264 10s. per
ton for spot standard, £270 10s. for future standard, £272
for spot Straits, and £280 for Singapore, all lower than a
week ago. Deliveries of tin in August are reported at 3745
tons, of which 3400 tons came in at Atlantic ports. The
quantity in stocks and landing on August 31 was 3256 tons.
Total tin Imports to September 1, 1920, were 36,688 tons, as
compared with 11,5 5 6 tons to September 1, 1919.
LEAD
There is little new to be. said. The controlling factor is
the importation of lead which is a cause of some pressure.
While demand in general is not heavy, several sales have
been made at around 8.50c, New York. Consumers are
understood to have, in some cases, expressed hesitation in
accepting foreign lead on the assumption that it may not be
as good in quality as American metal. The fact that it has
been and is being offered in competition with domestic lead
is the basis of an argument that the domestic price should
also fall. Thus far the quotation of the leading interest has
not been changed and is still 8.75c, St. Louis, or 9c, New
York. We quote the outside market at 8.50c, New York,
or 8.62* to 8.75c, St. Louis, the latter being higher than
New York, an unusual condition.
ZINC
The situation in this market is similar to that in the lead
in that imports of zinc are a source of weakness but not to
so pronounced a degree as in the other case. There con-:
tinue to be offerings and sales of prime Western zinc for re-
shipment from England which have depressed the Eastern
market to a level practically equal to the Western or St.
Louis quotations. Prime Western for early delivery is
quoted at 7.90 to 8c, New York, and at 7.90c, nominal, St.
Louis. Consumers are uninterested and are not making in-
quiries, much less buying, and producers insist there is no
profit in selling at present levels. They therefore sell only
under compulsion to regular consumers.
ANTIMONY
This market is inactive with quotations unchanged at 7c,
New York, duty paid, for wholesale lots for early delivery.
Jobbing lots are held at 7.25 to 7.50c
ALUMINUM
The price of the leading interest is unchanged at 34.90c,
f.o.b. producer's plant, for wholesale lots of virgin metal,
98 to 99% pure, for early delivery, while other sellers are
offering foreign and other metal at 32 to 33c, New York.
ORES
Tungsten: The market is quiet and devoid of features.
Quotations are unchanged at $5 to $5.25 per unit in regular
concentrates, according to grades, quantity, and delivery.
Ferro-tungsten is unchanged at 80c to $1.05 per lb. of
contained tungsten.
Molybdenum: Dullness pervades this market with prices
unchanged at 75c per lb. of MoSs in regular concentrates.
Manganese: The market is weak with buyers apparently
unwilling to pay more than 55c per unit, seaboard, for
high-grade ore, while sellers are asking 6 5c. per unit.
Manganese-Iron Alloys: Demand for both ferro-manga-
nese and spiegeleisen is light. Quotations are unchanged
from the recent decline and are $170, seaboard, as a base for
delivery this year, for ferro-manganese, and $82.50 to $85,
furnace, for the higher grade of spiegeleisen. There are
indications that some electric producers will abandon pro-
duction of ferro-manganese. One Eastern electric ferro-
alloy maker is producing silico-manganese containing 15 to
20% silicon and 45 to 55% manganese which is selling for
$200 to $225 per ton, furnace.
434
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 187 1920
METAL PRICES
San Francisco, September 14
Aluminum-dust, cents per pound 65
Antimony, cents per pound 9.50
Copper, electrolytic, cents per pound 19.25
Lead, pig:, cents per pound 8.75—9.75
Platinum, pure, per ounce $115
Platinum. 10% iridium, per ounce $165
Quicksilver, per flask of 75 lb $75
Spelter, cents per pound 9.50
Zinc-dust, cents per pound 12.50 — 15.00
EASTERN METAL MARKET
(By wire from New York)
Lead is quiet and soft. Zinc is
September 13. — Copper is dull and easy,
inactive but steady.
SILVER
Below are given official or ticker quotations for silver in the open market
as distinguished from the fixed price obtainable for metal produced, smelted,
and refined exclusively within the United States. Under the terms of the
Pittman Act such silver will be purchased by the United States Mint at $1
per ounce, subject to certain small charges which vary slightly but amount
to approximately three-eighths of one cent. The equivalent of dollar silver
(1000 fine) in British currency is 46.65 pence per ounce (925 fine), calcu-
lated at the normal rate of exchange.
Date
New York
cents
94.50
London
pence
59.50
8
94.00
59.00
" 10
" 11
- 12
•• 13
94.25
93.50
Sunday
94.00
1918 1919
59.00
59.00
59.37
Monthly
1920
Average week ending
Cents
2 92.86
9 94.58
16 95.39
23 99.12
30 96.61
6 93.27
13 93.96
Jan 88.72 101.12 132.77
Feb 85.79 101.12 131.27
Men 88.11 101.12 125.70
Apr 95.35 101.12 119.56
May 99.50 107.23 102.69
June 99.50 110.50 90.84
1918 1919
July 99.62 106.36
Aug 100.31 111.35
Sent 101.12 113.92
Oct 101.12 119.10
Nov 101.12 127.57
Dec 101.12 131.92
Pence
56.20
58.39
59.05
61.60
60.70
58.90
59.15
1920
92.04
96.23
COPPER
Prices of electrolytic in New York, in cents per pound.
Date
Sept.
Jan.
Feb.
Men.
Apr.
May
June
8
9
10
18.75
18.75
18.75
12 Sunday
Aug.
Sept.
Average week ending
2
9
16
23
30
6
13
Monthly
1918
1919
1920
23.50
20.43
19.25
23.50
17.34
19.05
23.60
15.06
18.49
23.50
15.23
19.23
23.50
15.91
19.05
23.50
17.63
19.00
averages
1918
July 26.00
Aug 26.00
Sept 26.00
Oct 26.00
Nov 26.00
Dee 26.00
1919
20.82
22.51
22.10
21.66
20.45
18.65
.19.00
.19.00
.19.00
.19.00
.19.00
.19.00
.18.75
1920
19.00
19.00
Lead is quoted in cents per pound. New York delivery.
7
8.50
12 Sunday
Sept.
Average weeic ending
9.
16.
23.
30.
6.
13.
Jan.
Feb.
Men.
Apr.
May
June
1918
6.85
7.70
7,26
6.99
6.99
7.59
1919
5.60
5.13
6.24
5,05
5.04
5.32
Monthly averages
1920
8 78
8.55
8.43
July .
Aug. .
Sept. .
Oct. .
Nov 8.05
Dec 6.90
1918
8.03
8.05
8.05
8.05
1919
5.53
5.78
6.02
6.40
6.76
7.12
9.06
9.00
9.06
9.19
8.85
8.55
8.29
1920
8.63
9.03
TIN
Prices in New York, in cents per pound.
Monthly averages
1919 1920
71.50 62.74
72.44 69.87
72.50 61.92
72.50 62.12
72.50 64.99
71.83 48.33
1918
Jan 85.13
Feb 85.00
Mch 85.00
Apr 88.53
May 100.01
June 91.00
1918
July 93.00
Aug 91.33
Sept 80.40
Oct 78.82
Nov 73.67
Dec 71.52
1919
1920
70.11
49.29
62.20
47.60
65.79
54.82
54.17
54.94
Zinc is quoted as
In cents per pound.
Date
Sept. 7
ZINC
spelter, standard Western brands, New York delivery.
9
10
11
12 Sunday
13
7.90
7.80
7.75
7.75
7.75
7.75
Average week ending
2
9
18
23
30
6
13
Jan.
Feb.
Mch.
Apr.
May
Juno 7.92
1918
7.78
7.97
7.67
7.04
7.92
1919
7.44
6.71
6.63
6.49
6.43
6.91
Monthly averages
1920
9.56
9.15
8.93
8.76
8.07
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
1918
, 8.72
, 8.78
. 9.58
9.11
8.75
7.92 Dec 8.49*
QUICKSILVER
1919
7.78
7.81
7.67
7.8Z
8.12
8.69
. 8.11
, 8.12
. 8.27
, 8.42
. 8.45
8.29
. 7.78
1920
8.18
8.31
The primary market for quicksilver is 8an Francisco, California being
the largest producer. The price is fixed in the open market, according to
quantity. Prices, in dollars per flask of 75 pounds.
Date | Aug. 30 85.00
Aug. 17 85.00 Sept. 7 75.00
24 80.00 I " 14 75.00
Monthly averages
1918
Jan 128.06
Feb 118.00
Mch 112.00
Apr 115.00
May 110.00
June 112.00
1919
103.76
90.00
72.80
73.12
84.80
94.40
1920
89.00
81.00
87.00
100.00
87.00
85.00
1918
July 120.00
Aug 120.00
Sept 120.00
Oct 120.00
Nov 120.00
Dec 115.00
1919
1920
00.00
88.00
03.00
85.00
02.60
86.00
78.00
95.00
....
THE FRENCH LOAN
American investors are given tomorrow the opportunity to subscribe at
par to $100,000,000 bonds of France. Already the applications assure an
over-subscription. There are abundant reasons why this should be so. says
the 'Boston News Bureau', under date of September 8. There are first, and
also foremost, the cold-blooded reasons of dollars and cents. Prance, which
once used to issue 3% rentes, is compelled by the world-wide post-war con-
ditions of capital cost to offer 8% now — just as Switzerland also recently
had to do. Our own government is again borrowing- for a year at 6%.
More than that. France binds itself to devote $4,400,000 per year to a
sinking-fund that shall buy back these 25-year bonds at 110. and after five
years a portion of the bonds are to be drawn by lot for such redemption
at 110.
There is a larger business reason than the individual one of investment
attraction. These bonds represent really an extension of previously granted
credit. In fact the Anglo-French 5s. maturing October 15. are applicable
in subscription to their 8% successors — so far as France was concerned.
That need of credit extension has been dinned into the ears of American
investors as the obvious outstanding requisite of the international economic
situation. It is the procedure which any intelligent merchant would apply
under parallel conditions in his own business. We as a nation have been
merchants on a huge scale. Here is one of the first concrete cases.
Eng-land and France jointly borrowed the $500,000,000 about to mature.
For patent reasons of greater relative wealth, less war hardship, and more
control of exchange and credit facilities. England has been in position to
take care fully of its half when due. She sent us about $75,000,000 gold
and arranged for the rest through security sales, buying of exchange, and
other devices. England's exports today exceed her imports when to the
former are added her 'invisible exports' — investment interest, freight, and
insurance earnings. She is still netting about $50,000,000 per month
on capital abroad, against nearly $100,000,000 per month before the War.
But France is not so advantageously situated. Yet she is easily able to
offer the other business incentive — strong security — that justifies her seek-
ing partial credit. She attends to $150,000,000 of her obligation by funds
already assigned and also by gold to be sent us. of which $4,000,000 is
already on The water. There will be a big influx of gold hither this fall to
bolster our slowly dropping reserve ratios.
There is the further promise of security in the steady recovery of her in-
dustry at home and her trade abroad— -plus, at bottom, the wealth and the
character" of the French people. In the first seveu months of this year
France has improved her trade position almost 32%. or by a reduction in
the adverse balance from 14.250.000.000 to 9.750.000.000 francs. While
her imports — largely raw materials — increased 2.738.000.000 francs, her
exports gained 7.230.000.000 francs.
Every American returning from France — the latest being Mortimer Scruff
— bears willing1 testimony to the marked progress in economic reconstruction
already achieved by the French. And after the Anglo-French maturity is
taken care of. the exchange value of the franc should materially improve.
A member of the French loan syndicate is quoted as saying: "Acceptance
of this responsibility by us is a very clear duty that will be recognized by
every thoughtful American". When the Anglo-French loan was made, the
late James J. Hill led in pointing out our duty then.
MONEY AND EXCHANGE
Foreign quotations on September 14 are as follows:
Sterling, dollars: Cable 2'JS*
Demand «'t«
Francs, cents: Cable 6.56
Demand b.;>7
Lire, cents: Demand *•*"
Marks, cents i ■ * '
Septemh r 18, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
435
Book Reviews
Silver. By Benjamin White. Pp. l-in. m. Sir Isaac Pit-
man A Sons, Ltd., London. For sale by 'Mining and Scien-
Uflc Press'. Price, $1.
An odd combination of historical, technical, industrial,
Statistical, and monetary information regarding silver, is this
small volume. It starts with a dash of geology and ends
with a large table showing the price of bar silver in London
by months from January 1S33 to December 191S. There is
much of general information in the book for the casual
reader, but no particular phase of the subject is treated at
any length. It is written as one of a series devoted to "com-
modities". The author correctly defines silver as a com-
modity and shows its "intimate association with the daily
life of man".
Shop Mathematics. By Erik Oberg and Franklin D.
Jones. Pp. 275, ill., index. The Industrial Press, New York.
For sale by 'Mining and Scientific Press'. Price, $3.
This book is intended for machinists, tool-makers, and
apprentices, primarily for those whose previous mathe-
matical education has been incomplete. The book reviews
arithmetic, and discusses such elementary algebra, geom-
etry, and trigonometry as is especially applicable to shop
calculations. Most of the book is devoted to the applica-
tion of the mathematical theories already discussed to the
solution of machine-shop problems, such as setting tapers,
change-gears, indexing on the milling machine, and gear-
cutting. The book would be improved by the addition of an
appendix containing the mathematical tables most commonly
used in machine-shop calculations, but, even as it is, it will
be useful to shop-men.
Elements of Steam and Gas Power Engineering. By
Andrey A. Potter and James P. Calderwood. Pp. 297, ill.,
index. McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., New York. For sale
by 'Mining and Scientific Press'. Price, $2.50.
This book is designed primarily as an elementary textbook
for engineering students but could also be used to advantage
by others interested in the subjects discussed. The first
chapter is devoted to the fundamentals of power engineer-
ing, following which the various divisions of steam power-
plant work are discussed including engines, turbines, boil-
ers, auxiliaries and accessories, a chapter being devoted to
each of the principal divisions of the subject, including
power-plant testing. Internal-combustion engines are next
considered, including general engine-design, fuels, and auxil-
iaries, particularly carbureters and ignition systems. Chap-
ters are also devoted to locomotives, and to automobiles,
trucks, and tractors.
Retaining- Walls. By George Paaswell. Pp. 269, ill.,
index. McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., New York. For sale
by 'Mining and Scientific Press'. Price, $4.
The construction of retaining-walls dates back to pre-
historic times, but, as the author points out, scientific design
is comparatively modern, while the increasing use of rein-
forced concrete calls for something more accurate than the
empirical methods frequently used . with the gravity-wall.
The present volume is divided into two parts of approxi-
mately equal length. Part I, after discussing the various
methods of computing earth pressures and surcharges, con-
siders gravity-walls, reinforced concrete walls, and various
special wall-sections. A chapter is also devoted to temper-
ature, shrinkage, and other factors of general influence.
Part II, on construction, discusses the plant required, form-
work, and general methods of constructing both concrete
walls and walls other than concrete. Architectural treat-
ment, drainage, waterproofing, surveys, and office work are
also considered. An appendix contains Bkeleton specifica-
tions and a bibliography. The book will be of value to any-
one designing or constructing a retaining-wall.
Electro-Deposition of Metals. By Dr. George LaiiKljoin
ami William T. Brannt. Eighth edition. Pp. 875, ill., index.
Henry Carey Balrd & Co., New York. For sale by Mining
and Scientific Press'. Price, $7.50.
This is the eighth edition of a standard work; it has been
revised and enlarged so as to serve as a thoroughly compre-
hensive textbook to those who desire to learn about the plat-
ing and finishing of metals. It is written in plain and under-
standable English and gives a number of valuable formulas
for the solutions used in the trade. In the main it is a
translation from the German by George Langbein, but it in-
cludes many additions and revisions by William T. Brannt,
the translator. From the chapter devoted to an explanation
of the related phenomena of magnetism and electricity, the
reader is led to an account of the sources of the current
used in the electro-deposition of metals, and then to a de-
scription of an electro-plating establishment. Then come
details as to the preparation of the metallic objects, the
deposition of the various metals. We commend the volume
to those at all interested in an increasingly important phase
of metallurgy.
Geology of the Mid-Continent Oilfields. By T. O. Bos-
worth. Pp. 282, ill., index. The Macmillan Co., New York.
For sale by 'Mining and Scientific Press'. Price, ?3.
Although prior to 1903 their output was negligible, the
Mid-Continent fields, including Kansas, Oklahoma, and
northern Texas, have up to the present time produced nearly
one-sixth of the total from all the fields in the world since
the drilling of the Drake well. Development has been so
rapid that the available information regarding the fields
has hardly kept pace with it, and such information as is
available is scattered, and is found mainly in various bulle-
tins of Federal and State bureaus. The present volume cov-
ers the principal facts about the geology of the various fields
and, in addition, gives references to the sources from which
more detailed information can be obtained. Besides the dis-
cussions of the geological structure, there are chapters on
the character of the oil in the different fields, on the natural
gas found in some of the fields, on the salinity of oilfield-
waters, and on the production of gasoline from natural gas.
The man who wants to inform himself regarding the Mid-
Continent field will need this book.
Popular Oil Geology. By Victor Ziegler. Pp. 166, ill.,
index. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York. For sale by
'Mining and Scientific Press'. Price, $3.
That in two years a second edition of this little book has
become necessary is in itself an indication of its usefulness.
The preface states that the book is designed for the man
without technical or scientific training. As such it gives a
sort of birdseye view of the subject with particular refer-
ence to the Mid-Continent and Rocky Mountain fields. The
first chapter is devoted to the general history and statistics
of the petroleum industry. The next discusses the physical
and chemical properties of oil and gas, following which there
is a brief discussion of the various theories of the origin of
oil and gas. Several chapters are then given to a discussion
of those geological phenomena that affect the migration of
oil, and to the application of a knowledge of these phe-
nomena to prospecting for oil. A chapter is devoted to the
oil-shale industry and the final chapter discusses oil invest-
ments. The principal differences between the second edition
and the first are the rewriting of the chapters on oil-shales,
the migration of oil and gas, and the anticlinal theory.
436
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 18, 1920
GRESS
INFORMATION FURNISHED BY MANUFACTURERS
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IMPROVEMENTS IN BULK-CARGO HANDLING
In the past four years several factors have stimulated in-
terest among shippers of heavy bulky materials in a cheaper
and more rapid scheme of handling such commodities. The
manufacturers of apparatus, especially the pioneers in this
line, started a movement in this direction some twenty years
ago, and succeeded in getting a limited number of plants in-
stalled as early as 1902. The development of plants for
handling large tonnage of coal and iron ore was the most
obvious necessity and it was naturally the first problem
attacked on a large scale. The necessity for such develop-
covers an automatic ore-unloader carrying a 15-ton clam-
shell bucket on the unloader leg and designed to make a
complete cycle or round trip in 50 seconds. The machine
electrically operated throughout is shown in Fig. 1.
The unloader consists of a main framework mounted on
trucks which travel along the runway-rails that are placed
approximately as shown in the illustration. The main frame-
work extends back beyond the rear runway over a temporary
storage pile where the ore can be discharged if desired. It
is then picked up by the ore-bridge and carried to the stock-
pile. Between the front and rear runways, space is pro-
Elwtrically-Operated Ore-t7nloader
ment centred around the Great Lakes region and the first
plants were built in this vicinity. The short season of navi-
gation from the Minnesota, Wiseonsin, and Michigan min-
ing districts to the blast-furnaces of the lower lakes and the
Pittsburgh district, require a movement of twelve-month
supply of ore in about seven months. The coal supply of
the States bordering on the iron-ore region was largely
taken from the lower lakes on the return trip of the same
boats. In order to perform this task with the minimum
operating .costs, it was necessary to provide machinery for
cheap and rapid discharge of cargo from ship to dock or rail-
road, and vice versa, the length of time the ship was tied up
to the dock being a vital factor in costs. The result has
been a high state of development and concentration of bulk
cargo handling plants in the Lakes region. In the late
nineties the Wellman-Seaver-Morgan Co. brought out its
ore-unloader, each machine capable of handling ore at a
rate from 5 00 tons per hour, upward.
A recent contract with the Lehigh Valley Railroad Co.
vided for railroad tracks where ore-carrying cars are placed
under the machines and loaded with ore for transportation
to the furnaces. The girders of the main framework form a
support for runway-rails, on which a trolley travels. This
trolley supports a balanced walking beam, from the outer
end of which a stiff bucket-leg depends. At the lower end
of this leg is the bucket, which is operated by machinery
placed on the walking-beam. All horizontal movements of
the bucket are accomplished by moving the trolley back-
ward and forward on the girders. The vertical movements
of the bucket are accomplished by the operation of the walk-
ing-beam. The forward portion of the beam being out of
balance, the bucket descends by gravity as soon as the
brakes of the hoisting mechanism are released.
Only two men are required for the entire operation of one
of these machines. One of the operators, whose station is
in the bucket-leg directly over the bucket-shells, controls
all of the motions of raising and lowering the bucket, of
traveling the trolley back and forth, and moving the ma-
September 18, L920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
437
chine along the dock from one hatch to another. The second
operator Is stationed in a cab on the larry and from this sta-
tion he controls the movements of the larry, the operation
of the larry-gates. and the weighing of the ore.
Some idea of the capacities of unloading by this method
may h? derived from a record which was made in Ashtabula
by eight machines of this type having a capacity of 15 tons
each, unloading seven boats having a total capacity of 70,-
000 tons in 22 hours actual time. At another point, four
machines working in boats having capacities of 13,000 tons
have unloaded these cargoes in about three hours and
twenty-five minutes.
In addition to the vertical movement, which is given to
the bucket-leg by means of the w-alking beam, it also has a
motion of rotation around its vertical axis. This motion is
business or occupation and to enter, Individually or col-
lectively, into any lawful contract of employment either as
employer or as employee.
II — The Open Shop
The right of employer and employee to enter into anil to
determine the conditions of employment relations with each
other (without reference to the affiliation or non-affillatlon
of either with any organization) is an Individual right of
free contract possessed by each of the parties.
Ill — Right of Association
All men possess the equal right to associate voluntarily
for the accomplishment of lawful purposes by lawful means.
The association of men whether of employers, employees, or
others, for collective action or dealing, confers no authority
Clam-Shell Bucket In Operation
introduced to enable the machine to reach along the keel of
the boat and clean up ore between hatches. The distance
from point to point of bucket-shells when open is approxi-
mately 21 ft. About 97% of the ore is removed from the
boat without hand labor. Records of fifty machines in oper-
ation indicate that this type of machine will handle ore at
21 to 4ic. per ton including all fixed charges, and records
of as high as 783 tons of ore per hour per machine from tie-
up to cast-off of boat have been made. The Lehigh ore-
unloader will be installed at the Claremont terminals, New
York harbor, to handle ore from Chile and Cuba.
FUNDEMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF INDLSTRL4L
EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS
Employment relations should accord with and express
ideals of justice, equality, and individual liberty. The terms
of employment should conform to the essential requirements
of economic law and should, through intelligent co-opera-
tion, based on a recognition of mutuality of interest, conduce
to high productive efficiency. They should reflect an effort
to realize ideals of individual and social betterment.
'Principles
I — The Employment Relation
Every person possesses the right to engage in any lawful
♦Proposed by Committee on Labor of Associated General
Contractors of America.
over, and must not deny any right of, those who do not de-
sire to act or deal with them.
TV- — Responsibility of Combinations
The public welfare, the protection of the individual, and
sound employment relations equally require that all associa-
tions or combinations be subject to the authority of the
State. As the public interest is paramount, full publicity of
facts of industrial relations is necessary.
V — Obligation to Secure Production
To develop, with due regard for the health, safety, and
well-being of the individual, the maximum capacity and out-
put required of industry is the common social obligation of
all engaged therein.
VI — Wages and Management
The wage of labor must be drawn from the product of in-
dustry and must therefore be earned and measured by its
contribution to production. All employees are entitled to
complete business information in matters affecting the terms
of their employment; and frankness is essential. In order
that the worker, in his own and the general interest, may
develop his full productive capacity, it is the duty of man-
agement to assist him to secure regular employment suited
to his abilities, to furnish him with incentive and opportun-
ity for self improvement, and to provide proper safeguards
for his health and safety.
VII — Hours of Labor
The number of hours in the work day or week in which re-
43S
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September IS, 1920
quired maximum output, consistent with the well-being ot
the workers, can be maintained in a given industry should
be ascertained by careful study and never should be exceed-
ed except in case of emergency. One day of rest in seven, or
its equivalent, should be provided.
VIH — Adjustment of Employment Relations
Adequate means satisfactory both to the employer and to
his employees, and voluntarily agreed to by them, should be
provided for mutual discussion and adjustment of employ-
ment relations.
IX — Community of Interest
The greatest measure of reward and well-being for both
employer and employee, and the full social value of their
service to the public must be sought in the successful con-
duct and full development of the industrial establishment
in which they are associated. Intelligent and practical co-
operation based upon a mutual recognition of this commun-
ity of interest constitutes the true basis of sound industrial
relations.
X — Government Employment
The State is sovereign and cannot tolerate a divided alle-
giance on the part of its officers and servants. While the
right of government employees, national, State, or munic-
ipal, to be heard and to secure consideration and just treat-
ment should be amply safeguarded, the community welfare
demands that no combination shall be permitted to prevent
or impair the operation of government or of any govern-
mental function.
XI — Public Service Employment
In public service activities the public interest and well-
being must be the paramount and controlling consideration.
The power of regulation and protection exercised by the
State over the corporation should properly extend to the
employees in so far as may be necessary to assure the ade-
quate, continuous, and unimpaired operation ot public-util-
ity service.
the total field resistor in one step. For heavy flywheel-
loads special control is necessary. The RF motor is rated
on the continuous two-hour basis and, in addition, the main
field-coils are designed to withstand, without injury, full
potential continuously with the armature at rest.
The Committee on Labor of the Associated General Con-
tractors desires the greatest possible publicity and discussion
of the foregoing statement. It invites constructive criticism
in order to perfect this draft, if necessary.
It is hoped that it may ultimately be widely adopted as the
guide for all industrial employment relations.
'RF' ADJUSTABLE-SPEED MOTORS
A second edition of bulletin No. 41021A, superseding
bulletin No. 41021 and describing the latest design of RF,
Form A, direct-current adjustable-speed motors rated from
$ to 50 intermittent horse-power, comes from the press of
the General Electric Co. A compensating winding prac-
tically eliminates flux-distortion losses, which may amount
to from 5 to 10% in the conventional commutating-pole
adjustable-speed motor. To prevent field-distortion the
compensating winding is distributed instead of concentrating
it at the commutating pole-faces, the magnetizing strength
of this winding being equal to and in the direction of mag-
netization, opposite to that of the armature-winding. The
wide and stable commutating zone thus established by a
commutating and compensating winding, the latter being
concentric to the commutating poles assures practical elim-
ination ot commutation troubles even with careless opera-
tion.
For ordinary service, driving shapers, slotters, and lathes,
a simple type of drum-controller can be used. A more
simple type of magnetic control can also be employed, and
the motor is particularly suitable for reversing-planer oper-
ation, pipe-threading, tapping, or for driving any machine
repeating its cycle of operation. Current peaks are limited
by the inherent characteristics of the motor. Acceleration
from basic speed to high speed may be effected by inserting
MIXE LOCOMOTIVE HEADLIGHT WITH SPRING
SUSPENDED CASE
To withstand the severe conditions under which they are
used, the mine-locomotive headlights placed upon the market
by the Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Co. have
been designed so that the incandescent-lamp case is carried
on a spring suspension which adequately protects the fila-
ment from breakage due to vibration and jars. The case,
which contains the socket and lamp, is entirely suspended
Headlight in Spring-Suspension
from six springs. These springs are placed symmetrically
and are in tension. Thus the spring-suspension is equally
effective in all directions, assuring the longest possible lamp-
life. This type of suspension is very much superior to the
usual type employing helical springs in compression. The
new Westinghouse headlight responds to the slightest pres-
sure in any direction assuring perfect cushioning, while the
usual type requires a considerable force to be exerted in any
direction before any movement takes place, which means
that only partial cushioning is obtained. The frame, case,
and cover of this headlight are made of high-grade cast-iron,
heavy enough to withstand a great deal of abuse. As the
lens-holder is fitted to the case with a threaded joint and
rubber gaskets, the headlight is tightly sealed and, therefore,
suitable for use in gaseous mines. Where headlights are to
be operated on circuits of more than 250 volts a resistance is
supplied. This resistance is housed in a full cast-iron case
of sturdy construction, which is superior to the sheet-steel
housing usually furnished.
'Massco Furnaces' is the title of Bulletin No. 63 just issued
by the Mine & Smelter Supply Co. It deals with oil-fired
appliances. Oil as a fuel in industrial plants has come into
widespread use on account of its convenience, ease of con-
trol, and in many places its economy. Oil is considered the
modern fuel just as electricity is considered the modern
power. The advantages of oil as compared with most fuels
are, its ease of handling, freedom from dirt, and the com-
plete elimination of ashes. Less labor is required. In addi-
tion to these it has a high fuel-value. An intense heat may
be quickly secured and when no longer needed fuel-consump-
tion can be immediately stopped by closing the valves. This
means the lowering of fuel costs and an increase in the
efficiency of operation. Even in places where the cost of
coal and oil are comparable, convenience, cleanliness, and
ease of control may be the determining factors. Massco oil-
burning furnaces are primarily designed for a low-pressure
system. Since conditions vary in many localities the corn-
pan; does not, however, recommend one type of burner for
every equipment. The kind to be selected depends on local
conditions as to power and air facilities.
September 25, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
T. A. KICKARV. .... Editor
I tiiiiiiiNiiiiiiiimii umMMMinmiimmiHIiimmiiimimiiiiimummimnmimNMUiiimiHiimiiiiiniNiiiiiimMiiiinuimiiiniimiiiiiimHmHMHHHIimimimmiiiimiiiimmiimMiimiiiiii^^
A CCORDING to the revised figures of the Mint, the
•*"*■ output of gold in the United States last year was
$60,333,400, which is about. $2,000,000 more than the
previous estimate, while that of silver was $63,533,652. or
$1,500,000 more than the preliminary estimate. In fine
ounces the output in 1919 was 2,918,628 of gold and 56,-
682,445 of silver, the decrease in production being
$8,313,300 for gold and $11,127,000 for silver. In gold
California was first, with a yield of 841.638 ounces,
worth $17,398,200. Colorado was second and Alaska
third. Montana produced the most silver, the yield being
15,012,258 ounces, most of which was extracted from
ores chiefly valuable for their zinc and copper contents.
/~\N the occasion of the recent International Mine-
^-' Rescue competition at Ladysmith, in British Colum-
bia, the Provincial Minister for Mines, Mr. William
Sloan, referred to the unfortunate accident at the Black
Diamond mine in Washington as a 'set-back' to mine-
rescue work. A report has been issued by the Chief In-
spector of Mines for British Columbia, who was sent to
make an investigation, and was afforded every facility to
do so by the Inspector of Mines of Washington. It ap-
pears that a team engaged in practice went into workings
that were particularly dangerous without an adequate
s;:pply of oxygen. Two members of the first team to enter
the mine succumbed and later a member of a team that
came to the rescue also lost his life. The members of the
two teams had been provided with apparatus that differed
in type and functioned variously. The disaster was en-
tirely unnecessary, as there was no need for a team en-
gaged in practice to enter seriously dangerous workings.
The lesson taught by the accident is the standardization
of mine-rescue equipment. Already steps have been taken
by Mr. Sloan to co-operate with the U. S. Bureau of Mines
in adopting a uniform apparatus in the coal mines of this
continent,
"PJANIEL GUGGENHEIM made some interesting re- ,
*-^ marks, which we quoted, just before sailing for Eu-
rope. He has something to say on his return. It is cheer-
ful. He says that it is a sad mistake to think that ' ' Eu-
rope will not have enormous purchasing power in the
future, and that Europe is doomed to ruin". It would
be sad indeed if true, and we are glad that Mr. Guggen-
heim feels confident to the contrary. The countries on
the other side axe "pulling themselves together in a re-
markahle way". That is good news. But, he adds, " we.
cannot expect an immediate recovery to normal condi-
tions", owing to the after-effects of the War. We are
inclined to chortle over the appreciation of the dollar, as
compared with European currency, but Mr. Guggenheim
says advisedly that "the low exchange-rates will prove of
great benefit to the depleted countries so far as getting
production under way is concerned. This is particularly
true of Germany ' '. In order that the world, of which we
are an integral part, may be restored to industrial health,
we must give credit to Europe, as Europe used to do to
us. "We must sell them goods and allow them time to
meet the payments. If we expect those countries to pro-
duce, we must supply the materials with which to work. ' '
All of which is true, and therefore worth repeating.
T NTEREST in Mexican mining is increasing, thanks to
•*■ the multiple signs of better government. The excellent
price for silver is another favorable factor. In London
there is a cheerful tone in this part of the mining share-
market owing to the handsome earnings being made by
the Santa Gertrudis, El Oro, and other well-established
enterprises, while the various exploration companies have
men in the field looking for new ventures. In New York
likewise there is a better feeling toward Mexican mining
and the smelting companies are increasing the scope of
their operations, which however are still handicapped
by the shortage of railroad-cars, so many of them having
been destroyed during the years of revolution. Some of
the mining and smelting companies are building their
own cars and using them' under special arrangements
with the Government. The new President. General
Obregon. has published an article in the current issue
of the 'Mexican Review' in which he promises to pro-
tect every legitimate interest in the country, whether
foreign or domestic. "What Mexico needs at the present
time", he says, "is less fighting and more work." We
seem to have heard an echo of that remark, or one of
which it is itself the echo, in Europe. Even truisms wear
a strange solemnity in days like these. Senor Obregon
purposes to recognize the foreign debts of Mexico, and
to pay interest and principle as they become due, so far
as practicable ; and to compromise on the over-due in-
terest. He says that the army is to be reduced to 50,000
men, but they will be well paid and well equipped.
Mexico needs more laborers and fewer soldiers, which is
440
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 25,' 1920
i polite way of saying more workers and fewer bandits.
Meanwhile we feel confident that the forthcoming ad-
ministration at "Washington will recognize the Obregon
government, if such action is not anticipated by Presi-
dent Wilson, as we trust it may be. The United States
and Mexico must live on friendly footing and our people
must try to understand their southern neighbors. To
that end we take pleasure in publishing a timely article
on the Mexicans, describing their racial origins and their
national traits. This article, as the reader will discover
for himself, is written by one who has lived in Mexico
and is in a position to understand the people of that
country. On account of his frankness, and being a con-
sulting engineer, likely to go to Mexico soon, the author
prefers not to disclose his identity.
Industrial Leadership
The current 'Atlantic Monthly' contains an article
that ought to be read by the members of the mining pro-
fession, because the subject is 'Industrial Leadership and
the Manager' and also because the writer of it is Mr.
Sam A. Lewisohn, of the firm of Adolf Lewisohn & Sons,
honorably prominent in the copper-mining industry.
Mr. Lewisohn discusses the efforts made by the managers
of big companies to modernize their labor policy by
joining a liberal spirit to the striving for efficiency. In-
deed, he claims, justly, that efficiency of industrial man-
agement is attainable only by a sympathetic attitude to-
ward the men employed. He has no patience for "mere
railing against the closed shop and petulant complaining
against restricted efficiency". With the growth in the
complexity of modern operations and the increased ap-
plication of technology it has become necessary for the
old owner-managers to step aside in favor of engineer-
managers, graduated from technical schools. The per-
sonal equation remains as of yore; it is still the chief
factor in the problem of industrial leadership, but the
formula has been complicated by new elements. The
creation of a good morale in a mine or mill has been
made the study of specialists, known as employment
managers, efficiency experts, and welfare workers, but in
the end the success of any such systematic effort to pro-
mote an esprit de corps in the face of labor unrest will
depend upon the personality and character of the chief,
the resident manager. If the administration is to be
unified and consistent, the industrial specialist and the
manager must work in harmony, and it is the manager
that must strike the dominant note. The manager of a
mine discovers only too often that his directors, even
engineers who have developed into successful financiers,
are out of touch with working conditions, because these
have changed since they themselves were in charge of
operations. By living in large cities, by associating with
a different class, by lack of contact with working-men
the head officials of a company lose the ability to under-
stand labor conditions; so that the manager may find
himself sometimes out of sympathy with them. They
should realize their detachment from the work and give
him a free hand. We are hardly surprised to learn from
Mr. Lewisohn that "the evidence is overwhelming that
the training that our engineering schools have given
does not adequately equip a man to handle so-called
'human engineering' ". Indeed, the term 'human en-
gineering' contravenes the spirit that should inspire any
effort to deal justly and fairly with employees. It has
been said that the engineer takes pains to learn how to
handle the materials used in his work, yet he ignores the
need for learning how to handle the basic material of
industry, the men themselves. We do not like this way
of looking at the problem. The engineer must learn first
of all that men are not insensate material like rock or
timber; he must have a regard for those imponderables
that count for so much in the relations of men to each
other. The distinction between the physical and the
human factors must be realized, as Mr. Lewisohn says,
and he quotes Mr. C. V. Corliss approvingly on this phase
of the subject. "We have not yet come to the point
where human reactions can be weighed and measured."
As a remedy, Mr. Lewisohn suggests that the trustees
of technical schools plan their curricula so as to include
special instruction "in social economics and the modern
technique of handling labor", and follow this with
practice-work in the summer vacation, whereby engineer-
ing students will be given a chance to work "in industry
with the men they will handle in their future careers".
That suggests at once the need for a careful. choice of
instructors, not only economists and sociologists, but
men who have had experience in handling men success^
fully. Some of them have done it well without being
able to analyze or describe their own methods, but there
are others sufficiently introspective and analytical to be
able to give valuable hints to the younger generation.
Such men would be worth many books on the subject.
Some of them have had but little instruction of an
academic sort, but they are schooled in experience and
have the ingrained sagacity that comes of an understand-
ing of the most difficult subject in the world — mankind.
It may be objected that no academic teaching on such
matters is worth much, but, as Mr. Lewisohn says, it will
serve to awaken the student's interest and stimulate him
to inquire into the technique of the subject. There is a
technique ; it is a branch of psychology on the one hand
and of ethics on the other; and the man versed in it,
backed by a kindly disposition and intellectual honesty,
can exert a personal influence that is priceless. There is
plenty of scope for it, and plenty of opposition ; for the
professional leaders of the labor-unions do not like ex-
periments of this kind because they "impair the very
incentives that hold their national organizations to-
gether". So says Mr. Lewisohn. Undoubtedly to the
'walking delegate' type such efforts to mitigate class
enmity are anathema. If they succeed his occupation is
gone. That is a consummation devoutly to be wished:
What is intensely desirable is that the moderate and
reasonable elements on the side of capital and' the similar
elements on the side of labor should find each other;
shake hands, and unite in a sincere effort to establish a
code of fair dealing between manager and' workmen, a
September 25, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
•Wi-
nnie in which patronage will have no more place than
trui-ulc-mv. and in which the head and the heart will In-
conjoined to promote the square deal — the democratic
ideal.
The Oil-Shale Industry
So much has been said of late concerning the deple-
tion of our national supplies of oil, so many warnings
have been issued in official quarters against the present
extravagant use of fuel-oil, and so insistent has been
the propaganda in favor of the exploitation of our
Western shale deposits, that a book on 'The Oil-Shale
Industry' is sure to be welcomed at this time. The
author is Dr. Victor C. Alderson, who, as President of
the Colorado School of Mines, has been under fire. We
believe much of the criticism directed against him in
that capacity is fully justified, but that does not di-
minish the possible value of his writing on such a sub-
ject as the exploitation of oil-shale. Dr. Alderson is a
graduate of Harvard, a clever and well-informed man,
therefore we set aside any prejudice, as our readers will
do also, we believe, when welcoming a book on a subject
of such timely interest. An oil-shale .industry cannot be
said as yet to exist in the United States, but many small
beginnings have been made and the prospects are good
for such a development of productive activity as will
lead to the actual establishment of a real 'industry'. In
its primary stage this branch of mining and chemistry
must go through many troubles and disappointments.
not because technical difficulties are inherent but because
man is prone to err and optimistic promoters are likely
to lead simple people into foolishness. One can be much
less optimistic than Dr. Alderson and yet appreciate the
large quantity of useful data contained in his book ;
moreover, one may demur to some of his statements and
yet feel grateful for the pains lie has taken to collect
1 reliable information from so many sources. He an-
nounces "the birth of a new industry"; he heralds the
dawn of a new era; he proclaims our "well-nigh in-
exhaustible supply of oil-shale" as the future source of
the oil upon which "modern civilization" depends. The
statistics indicating the increasing consumption of oil,
the depletion of oil-wells, the expansion of automobile
manufacture, the insistent demand for oil in various
directions, are impressive. He starts well by making the
reader realize the importance of the subject he is about
to discuss. Then comes a sketch of the nature, origin,
and distribution of oil-shale. It contains no oil as such.
Oil-shale is mud containing organic matter that has
been consolidated into rock, from which petroleum may
be extracted by chemical processes. In oil-sand, the
objective of an oil-well, the oil is contained in the sand
as oil, so that when penetrated by a drill-hole it gushes
or can be pumped. In shale the ingredients of oil are
undifferentiated ; the oil is not separated from the shale
until it is Subjected to destructive distillation. 'Kerogen'
is the name given by the Scots to the organic compounds
th!at produce the petroleum. In Scotland the utilization
of oil-shale as a Source of oil began in 1850 ; and it be-
gan in France even earlier. In Australia the exploits--
tion of oil-shale in the Blue Mountains of New South
Wales was started in 1865, and a good deal of money
has been spent, without much success, however. In the
United States oil was won from shale by the Mormons
in Utah as early as 1855, but the American supply of
well-oil was so abundant and so cheap that the produc-
tion of oil from rock proved unattractive. Ten years
ago the subject was discussed publicly in this country by
scientific men, Mr. Ralph Arnold among them, and in
1911 the first claims were located under the placer law.
Since then the U. S. Geological Survey has investigated
the distribution of shale in the West and has conducted
experiments in distillation. Many valuable bulletins on
the subject have been issued. Dr. Alderson gives an ad-
mirable account of these early researches and industrial
adventures. In Scotland the richer shale yielded from
30 to 40 gallons of oil per ton of shale. At the present
time a yield of 15 gallons per ton is said to be profitable,
but the author's data on this phase of the subject are
unsafe. He gives figures for 1909, when the total cost
of mining shale and manufacturing oil in Scotland is
said to have been $2.06 per ton and the net profit 83
cents per ton; but much has happened since 1909, more
particularly the increased cost of labor and supplies:
Later statistics are needed, if they are to be any sort of
guide to American operators. However, both the Scot-
tish deposits and the Scottish methods are supposed to
be inferior to those of Colorado. Wyoming, and Utah.
In the Utah portion of the Uintah basin there are 40
billion tons of shale that will yield "more than a barrel
of oil to' the ton", says Dr. Alderson. A barrel is 42
gallons; so that the estimated yield for this enormous
tonnage is nearly three times the winning made in Scot-
land. In Colorado, says our author, there is 2500 square
miles of oil-shale. Estimating a thickness of only 12 feet,
and assuming that 25% of the rock will be left as pillars,
and "counting only on 42 gallons to the ton", there is
1,012,500,000 barrels of crude oil in the Parachute region
of the Grand Valley in Colorado. These figures are con-
vincing only in proportion to their accuracy. The book
contains many handsome photographs showing "moun-
tains" of shale.. These are likewise impressive, on the
supposition that they consist of oil-bearing rock. They
do not; they contain a layer or layers of oil-shale only,
they are not the stupendous masses of valuable material
that their titles suggest. This is symptomatic of oil-shale
propaganda, we fear. In our eagerness to ascertain the
economic value of these deposits, we skim the chapters
on 'Mining', 'Retorting and Reduction', and 'Experi-
mental Work', in order to get at the chapter on 'Eco-
nomic Factors'. There we are told that the cost of
"building and equipping a shale plant will run from
$1000 to $2000 per ton of shale handled". The margin
is too generous. A plant having a capacity of 400 tons
daily, treating shale that produces a barrel of oil per
ton, would produce crude oil at a cost of $1.85 per ton
of shale, or per barrel of oil. So says the author. He
puts the cost of mining at $1.25. This provokes scepti-
442
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 25, 1920
cism, as viewed from experience in coal mining. In 1918.
according to the U. S. Geological Survey, the output of
coal in Colorado was 3.36 tons per man. "In Scotland",
says our author, "two men working together produce 8
tons per day at a cost of $1.25 per ton. . . . Certainly
the American miner in our shale beds so easily mined
can produce twice that amount". In Utah the cost of
run-of-mine coal at the mine is $3.65; in Colorado it is
$2.75 to $3.25 per ton. It is assumed, by Dr. Alderson.
and by others, that the steam-shovel can be used ad-
vantageously in shale deposits; but this is unlikely ex-
cept in a few favored localities. Shale has not the 'cleat',
or cleavage perpendicular to the bedding, that helps so
much in coal mining; on the contrary, the drill-holes
blasted in shale have a tendency to 'bootleg', that is.
explode a thin layer. Moreover, shale is harder to drill
than coal; it is a particularly tough rock. These are
matters upon which reliable information should be avail-
able, enough mining in shale having been done to furnish
the requisite data. We hope some of our readers will
supply them for publication. Dr. Alderson estimates the
cost of retorting at 35 cents; we question whether he has
allowed sufficiently for the expense of maintenance.
The "amortization, interest, and overhead expenses" at
10 cents are certainly under-stated; this item will be
nearer 50 cents, assuming an investment of $3.50 per ton
of annual capacity. On the other hand, crude well-oil in
Wyoming is quoted at $2.50 and in the Mid-Continental
field at $3.15, so that a handsome competitive margin is
assured, says our author. The quality of shale-oil, it is
claimed, is superior to that from the wells. The mini-
mum capacity of a retorting plant should be 100 tons, to
cost $100,000. "Additional 100-ton units could be in-
stalled for $50,000 each." The minimum size of refinery
should yield 400 barrels daily and cost $350,000. "This
also should be regarded as only a starter." The author
says that "an investment of $500,000 is as small as can
be safely counted upon to make a single project suc-
cessful"; evidently he has made scant allowance for
the purchase of claims, the opening up of the mine, and
the building of a crushing plant. On these matters like-
wise actual figures, not guesses, should be forthcoming
shortly. The tone of the book is indicated by the
"opinions" quoted in the last chapter; the author has
selected the most optimistic ; he ignores those that are less
roseate, and in his estimates of yields he sets aside the
results of tests made by the II. S. Geological Survey in
favor of larger yields based upon the high results from a
few tests made by private persons, engaged presumably
in the promotion of oil-shale schemes. Throughout the
book he assumes the normal yield of Colorado shale at 42
gallons .per ton, whei-eas the figures he himself quotes
from the U. S. Geological Survey's bulletins show an
average of less than half the barrel, of 42 gallons, of oil
per ton of shale. These official results, we may add. cor-
respond closely with those of 300 samples that have been
analyzed by private parties known to us. In Utah the
Survey gives an average of 23.7 gallons on 83 distilla-
tion tests. On page 82 the average yield of the brown
shale in the Parachute Creek district is stated to be 67
gallons per ton. Neither the Survey men nor an inde-
pendent expert were able to find any shale of such
quality in minable thickness ; their estimate is just about
one-half that based upon the seven samples quoted by
Dr. Alderson, on the authority of Mr. J. B. Jones, of
Kansas City. In truth, this budding industry, like
many others, is endangered by a careless optimism. For
instance, Dr. David T. Day in the 'Review of Reviews',
contrasting the 'bringing in' of a gusher with the win-
ning of oil from shale, indulges in the following rhetori-
cal confectionery: "Contrast the excitement, the thrill
of such sudden richness, with the comparatively tame
and stable mining and manufacturing industry by which
oil-shale is excavated with a steam-shovel, crushed and
thrown into a retort, which slowly, but steadily, yields a
stream of oil that can be safely estimated many years in
advance, without excitement or speculative risk — an in-
dustry which goes forward day and night, regularly, and
with nothing to interest the speculator". This assuredly
is a gay counting of chickens before they are hatched.
When oil-shale mining ceases to "interest the specu-
lator" and becomes the dreary manufacturing process
painted by Dr. Day's imagination, it will be the Greek
kalends and we shall all go on a perpetual joy-ride. Dr.
Day expects to produce shale-oil for less than 50 cents
per barrel where conditions are favorable, and for not
more than $1.25 elsewhere. He quotes "the best con-
tractors" as "willing to quarry and crush oil-shale, to
the degree suitable for retorting, at a total cost of not
to exceed 40 cents per ton, and many venture an esti-
mate of 18 cents per ton". He expects to retort the
shale at a cost of 10 to 25 cents per ton. None of this is
convincing. A number of shale enterprises are actually
in operation, what are their costs? A few real figures
are worth a bushel of these cheerful guesses as preferred
by gentlemen evidently engaged in the promotion of
schemes. What is needed is up-to-date information from
engineers actually in charge of shale operations. The
subject is worthy of something better than the nebu-
losities of Messrs. Alderson and Day; it is worthy of
scientific treatment. Here we may remark that those
engaged in the well-oil industry seem slow to avail them-
selves of the chances afforded by the deposits of oil-
shale. Dr. Day says that this lack of interest is due to
the fact that "no oil-producing concern is anxious to
increase the oil-supply greatly and thereby disturb mar-
ket conditions". Tell that to the marines, or whoever
now may be the symbol of gullibility ! Those directing
the existing oil industry have had men in the field in-
vestigating the possibilities of exploiting the oil-shale
and if they have turned a cold shoulder to the rhapsodies
of Dr. Day and others it is only because they are aware
of the facts, which are that oil-shale can be benefitiated
profitably under favorable conditions, but that the pro-
moting propaganda now being published is vitiated by
an under-statement of cost, and an over-statement of
yield, and an expectation of by-products that cannot l>e
won in the present state of the art of oil-refining.
Septi nil. r 25, l!)20
MINING AND SCIEN I IFIC PRESS
443
MEXICAN MINERS AT WORK
The Mexicans: Who and What They Are
By An Occasional Contributor
In considering the Mexican question attention must be
given to the history and recent racial development of the
Mexican people. Constant use of the terms Spanish-
America and Latin-America tends to foster the current
idea that the Mexican of today bears about the same rela-
tion to Spain as the New Englander of the last generation
did to England.
Although there is an element of truth in this general
belief, the real situation is far different. The fact is,
Mexico is not, and never has been, a democracy ; it is an
oligarchic despotism, more or less feudal in character,
masquerading as a republic, and the people are of a race
differing, not only from our own but also from the Span-
ish, in the very fundamentals of their nature. In making
this statement I am not referring to the question of
mental superiority but to their ideas, ideals, and their
mode of thinking, for the average Anglo-Saxon usually
requires years of experience to understand them, and
some never succeed.
This may be exemplified in the following way: if we
consider any ordinary every-day American as influenced
by a given set of circumstances, we can predict fairly
well what course of action he will take and if he follows
one different from that expected we will understand the
motives that influenced him, and judge his character ac-
cordingly. In the case of the Mexican the average Anglo-
Saxon fails utterly, and in the reverse the Mexican suc-
ceeds little or no better. The average American going
into Mexico judges the country and the people by his
Anglo-Saxon standards (which are by no means the
standards of the country), and consequently makes many
mistakes. The result is that he is looked upon with con-
tempt by the natives (in their turn judging him by their
standards) as ignorant and incapable.
This inability to understand the Mexica?i is nowhere
more clearly shown than by our own government. The
Mexican is temperamental, but he is just as much in-
fluenced by a plea in the name of the 'square deal'
(square deal is a much more accurate translation of
justicia than the dictionary word 'justice') as is the
American, but his ideas of a square deal are based on
principles fundamentally differing from our own and
the attempt to judge one system by. the standards of the
other is not a success.
Many of the books and magazine articles on Mexico
have been written after a few weeks trip through the
larger cities by people with only a superficial knowledge
of the country and are the object of derision to the
Mexicans in general, and much regretted by Americans
who know Mexico, as well as b}r Mexicans who know the
United States. Many Americans still wax hot under the
collar about the views of the United States held by
Dickens and Kipling, yet these were geniuses, whereas
the ordinary magazine writer is not a genius, nor is he
able to understand the mind of a foreign people after a
short visit among them.
444
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 25, 1920
The reason for this difference in standards lies in the
fact that the population of the country is primarily
Indian, although there are Spanish and Negro elements
and even a slight admixture of Asiatics. In investigating
the subject the first thing noticed is the paucity of data
and next the inaccuracy of those which are available.
Recent census figures are not reliable for a number of
reasons some of which will appear from a consideration
of the older statistics, but especially because they ignore
certain important points. In 1793 Revilla Gigedo, then
viceroy of Mexico, attempted a census and did obtain cer-
tain figures that have considerable value. Later, about
1808. Navarro, who was at the head of that branch of the
government charged with such duties, and, independent-
ly, Alexander Humboldt revised the figures, bringing
them up to date. Prom these data the following approxi-
mations are obtained as representing the population of
Mexico in the year 1808.
Indians 3,676,000
Mestizos 829,000
Mulatos and Zambos 500,000
Negroes 6,000
European Spaniards 15,000
Whites 1,097,000
Total 6,123,000
An explanation of both terms and figures is necessary
properly to understand this statement. Under Spanish
rule, that is, up to the revolution of 1811-1821, govern-
mental positions, with a few exceptions, were held only
by Spaniards of European birth. Presumably equal, but
actually next, in rank both socially and legally came the
whites (criollds), then the castes (castas), that is mes-
tizos, mulatos, and zambos, and finally the Indians and
Negroes. These classifications carried definite legal rights
and obligations as well as social and civil rank. 'Mestizo'
was the general term applied to the offspring of Spaniard
and Indian, 'mulato' for that of Spaniard and Negro,
and 'zambo' for the Negro-Indian union. There was an
elaborate technical terminology comprising some thirty
or forty names to specify the exact nature and degree of
the cross ; thus there would be one term if the father was
Spanish and the mother Indian and another if the mother
was Spanish and the father Indian. A 'quinteron' was
a person having one-eighth Indian blood and the re-
mainder Spanish. The child of a Spaniard and a
'quinterona' was legally 'white'.
The term ' Creole ' ( criollo ) was used to denote persons
born in Mexico of pure white parentage, either Creole or
European-Spanish. The term was not supposed to be ap-
plied to those of mixed blood, as it is in this country, but
in spite of that it was used by the European-born Span-
iards in a somewhat slighting way. The Creoles preferred
the term 'white', which was considered one of honor and
respect, although Humboldt mentions that in his time
they preferred the term 'American' (americanos).
It is to be noted that the two terms 'white' and
'American', used by us to distinguish the inhabitants of
the United States from Mexicans, were formerly used
with pride by the Mexicans to distinguish those of the
highest social standing. Nor has this wholly disappeared.
To an inhabitant of Spanish-America a citizen of the
United States is a 'North- American' or, less politely, a
yanqui, and I recall that a few years ago I was told by
a Mexican Creole : ' ' The trouble with many Americans is
that they forget there are many white Mexicans." In
their own records they class themselves as 'white'; and
the real trouble is that the norte-americano does not
differentiate between the various classes.
There was a sharp distinction between the civil and
social rights of whites and those of mixed blood, much to
the advantage of the former. Those who had more than
seven-eighths white blood were entitled to call themselves
'white', so also were the children of the conquistadores
and certain privileged Indians. The child of a Spaniard
and a woman whose father was Spanish, and whose
mother's race was unknown, was also 'white', so naturally
the genealogy of many an Indian grandmother got lost.
The result was that all who dared to do so called them-
selves 'white' and many mestizos and Indians obtained
legal permission to do so, the formula being, "Let them
consider themselves white" (Que se tengan por blancos).
Humboldt says that every person in Durango claimed to
be white and elsewhere I have seen it stated that in
Sonora only 251 paid the tax due from all except whites.
This was absurd on the face of it.
The number of whites given in the census as 1,097.000
was therefore a gross exaggeration. In 1860 the number
of Spaniards of European birth in Mexico was supposed
to be about 10,000 and in Navarro's estimate, immediate-
ly before the revolution against Spain, it was 15.000.
Revilla Gigedo 's figures were 7904 in 1793, of which 2335
were in Mexico City, but of these only 217 were women.
Bancroft explains the small number of women by saying
that, owing to the hardships encountered, very few Span-
ish women came to Mexico. Where then was there any
opportunity for breeding a million pure-blooded whites?
Practically, the term 'white' as used today means any one
who is not pure Indian or Negro.
Another thing to be noted is the amount of Negro
blood. The figures given are not exaggerated; indeed,
they indicate a rapid absorption of a still greater num-
ber. Cortez was authorized to import Negro slaves, one
of the first licenses being for one lot of 4000. In 1635
Thomas Gage mentions the large number of mulatos and
the wealth displayed by the mulato women of Mexico
City. As an example of the large numbers throughout
the country, he says that on the ranch of the Dominican
fathers near Puebla there were "200 negroes, and women
and children besides". About the middle of the 18th
century Garcia Palaez made an estimate quoted by
William Bollaert as follows:
Whites 450,000
Indians 1,350,000
Negroes 500,000
Mestizos 1,500,000
Mulatos 600,000
Zambos 300,000
H > adds that it is probable the number of Indians in-
cludes only those paying the tribute. Note that there
were more Negroes than whites.
September 25, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
445
-\l ! thai time the Government set itself against the
slave traffic, s.i thai t li.- figures of Navarro show the af-
fective absorption during the next sixty years. During
the last hundred years this absorption has become com-
plete, so that the Negro, niulato, and sambo have dis-
appeared.
Today the population of Mexico is probably about
H.i in id. of whom some 6,000,000 are more or less
pure-blooded Indians, still speaking their own languages,
the remainder being of white and mixed blood. I believe
the census shows over two million whites, but one of the
enumerators told me that the figures are of little value.
The classification 'white' rests on the individual's own
700 tribes are classified according to language into the
following groups:
Apache (Athapascan)
Zapotec 600,000
Yuman
Huavan
Otomian 700,000
Mayan 400,000
Nahuan
Piman
Shoshone
Aztec 1,700,000
Totonac
Tarascan
Zoquian
Serian 200
The figures are from estimates made several years ago
by the U. S. Bureau of Ethnology and are probably much
A BULL-FIGHTER
A 'SPORT'
statement, which is biased. My own opinion is that the
number of genuine pure whites is less than 2% of the
total.
The Indian forms the greatly predominating portion
of the mixture. When Cortez discovered the country he
found it inhabited by a large number of independent
tribes, speaking different languages. Most of these tribes
may still be identified ; Mexican ethnologists have traced
and classified about 700 of them, although the dividing
lines are now blurred, and in many cases have disap-
peared, but all of them, with the probable exception of
the Otomis and Seris, are of the same racial stock. These
too low at the present time, especially the Mayan. The
blanks in the table are caused by lack of data at the time
of writing.
The close relationship between these races and the
Indians of our own country is shown by the names in the
list. The Navajos, Zunis, and similar tribes are just as
closely related. There is a Navajoa tribe in Sonora that
makes, or did a few years ago, fine blankets of the Navajo
type, and I believe the similarity in name and occupation
is more than a coincidence. It will be noted that the
Yaqui tribe, of which so much is read in the news-
papers, does not appear in the above list. The reason is
446
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 25, 1920
that it is simply a branch of the Nahuan. The Seris are
included in spite of their small number because they seem
to be the remnant of an aboriginal people, their language
being distinct from all others. They are the inhabitants
of Tiburon island, which, every few years, is discovered
and explored by a few daring adventurers, at the risk of
their lives and a few columns of print. Any person
desirous of being the first white man to tread the soil of
that unknown land is hereby referred to the reports of
the Bureau of Ethnology, written about 25 years ago, in
which he can find full directions, including maps of the
island, mode of reaching it, sources of food and water,
and all other necessary information, including photo-
graphs of the islanders and the interiors of some of their
dwellings.
Some of the other well-known tribes whose names will
be recognized are the Papagos, Oputos, Tarahumares,
Tepehuanes, Huastecas. and Tlascalans.
At the time of the conquest Mexico, like all Gaul, was
divided into three parts, northern, central, and southern.
Northern Mexico comprised everything north of what is
now Aguas Calientes. The district is mountainous or
sterile, except the coastal region and a few well-watered
valleys. It was inhabited by various Indian tribes of the
same race and stage of development as those of the west-
ern and south-western part of the United States. These
tribes were completely independent and were classed by
the Aztecs under a general term meaning 'the bar-
barians'.
Southern Mexico was held by the Mayas, the remnant
of a once powerful nation which had apparently ruled
the whole country from the tropic of Cancer to the
isthmus of Panama in some former epoch, but had de-
generated as the result of epidemics and internal dissen-
sions. Their holdings were mainly tropical. From per-
sonal observation of some of the Mexican antiquities, I
believe that there was a definite relation between the
Mayas and the Egyptians of the early dynasties, long be-
fore the Christian era.
Central Mexico was dominated by the Aztecs, but there
were still independent tribes and warfare was constant.
The Aztecs, Zapotecs, and Mayas were far ahead of the
remainder in the scale of civilization, but much below
what Prescott would have one believe. Their land was
partly tropical valleys and partly temperate tablelands.
There is no reliable information available as to the
population of the country at that time, but after reading
the various recorded guesses and seeing the country and
people of today, and some of the remains of the former
civilization I would say that five to seven million would
be a fair estimate, although evidence can be adduced that
it could not have reached four millions, and other testi-
mony, equally strung, indicates that it may have exceeded
12 millions. If I had to choose between these two esti-
mates, I would prefer the smaller.
History apparently records no religion so fierce and so
bloody as that of the Aztecs. Clavigero quotes authorities
to the effect that in the coronation-year, alone, of
Ahuitzotl, the number of human sacrifices reached the
awful total of 72,000 and that the average number per
annum in Mexico City alone was 20,000. These figures
are undoubtedly exaggerations, but equally undoubtedly
the real number must have been very large.
In addition to this there was religious cannibalism, that
is, the bodies of the victims were eaten according to pre-
scribed ceremonial. Cortez in his official dispatches to
the King of Spain says : ' ' Thus by means of the ambus-
cade more than 1500 of the enemy were slain and that
night our allies were well supplied for their supper as
they took the bodies of the slain and cut them up for
food". (Folsom's translation, 1843 edition.)
The numerous ware were largely for the purpose of
obtaining victims, the main object of the Aztec warrior
being not to kill but to capture his enemy alive for sub-
sequent use as a sacrificial offering, the subjugation of the
neighboring tribes being only of secondary consideration
with the Aztec rulers. This kept up a continual state of
war and it was by taking advantage of the tribal hatreds
thus engendered that Cortez conquered, rather than by
force of arms.
It was this Aztee-Zapotec civilization that was domi-
nant in Mexico, and it is to be remembered that the de-
scendants of these Indians are prominent in Mexican
affairs of today, and that until about fifty years ago there
was no attempt made to educate them. In vice-regal days
the clergy as far as possible destroyed all knowledge of
the Indian civilization and the secular government pro-
hibited their education in the white man's standards.
Their social system was distinctly feudal. The
Emperor, so-called, was a great feudal lord (cacique)
who was supported by tributary caciques and so on down
the scale, the smaller ones having only a few retainers,
perhaps only the members of their own family. The
family was the unit, not the individual, the individual
being always dependent upon some chief or greater chief
to whom he rendered obedience, tribute, and support, and
by whom he was protected. The relationship was one of
mutual service, not slavery ; it was patriarchal in nature,
although leadership did not necessarily pass from father
to son. Land could be held by individuals, but was main-
ly held in common, and one of the reasons for Zapatism is
the demand for the return of the community-property be-
longing to the villages.
In the north-eastern part of the State of Puebla there
is a remnant of the Aztec tribe, off the beaten track and
comparatively little affected by the outside world. They
still speak the old Aztec tongue and are ruled by their
own customs rather than Mexican law. The villages hold
community-land and the families hold their land in com-
mon. Half-breeds are not allowed to take part in tribal
affairs. If anyone desires to employ a few laborers, the
correct way is to send word to the chief, who will dis-
patch an available sub-chief controlling the requisite
numbers. Under the guise of saints '-days they still cele-
brate the old and easily recognizable corn and sun dances,
and it is even hinted that in the mountains they cele-
brate other old rites, not so harmless.
This, then, is where the fundamental difference be-j
tween the American and Mexican comes in. The Anglo-
Saxon is fundamentally individualistic and democratic,
mber 25, L920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
447
AN INDIAN CAMP
A GROUP OP REVOLUTIONISTS, SUPPORTERS OF MADERO
448
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 25, 1920
and always has been in spite of feudal branches grafted
on the democratic stock. The Mexican, on the other hand,
belongs fundamentally to a feudal patriarchal system,
even to the extent of recognizing the justice of vicarious
punishment.
The second difference is the regard for human life.
It is not to be believed that the bloody customs of the old
Aztec religion are without effect on the character of the
Mexican of today. He shows no hesitancy in killing if
circumstances seem to him to require it.
These native characteristics were developed and
strengthened by the conquest. The Spanish government,
basing its action on the theory that the Indians were
barbarians requiring care and protection, decided that in
recognition of public services certain Spaniards should
be given the government of a village or tribe of Indians,
as the case might be. In accord with the spirit of the
times, they were to be allowed to levy a tax, either in
produce or services, to pay the expenses of the Govern-
ment and to provide a suitable salary for the Governor.
These were the encomiendas ; they were hereditary, and
supposed to indicate the establishment of a feudal system.
In practice, the Indians became slaves. Las Casas gives
a terrible picture of the decrease in population resulting
from the Spanish rule and, although his figures are un-
doubtedly exaggerated, the entire disappearance of the
aboriginal population of Cuba and Santo Domingo is
proof enough of the evil results. To stop this, slaves
from Africa were introduced into the country, and
slavery was not abolished until the revolution commenc-
ing in 1811, but, be it noted, slavery was abolished fifty
years earlier than in the United States. The theory of
government in Mexico during the Spanish rule was ahead
of the times even if the practice was far behind.
After the conquest the Spaniards at once attempted to
take possession of northern Mexico, and sent out colonies
consisting mainly of allies, usually Tlascalans, with a few
Spaniards in charge, to settle the country, but they were
necessarily few and widely scattered. The conditions in
the extreme South was somewhat similar. In the attempt
to rule this vast domain, much of which was sparsely set-
tled, it is not surprising that revolts and raids ensued.
Some tribes never did yield until within comparatively
recent years. The Mayas, I believe, did not consider
themselves as part of Mexico until a treaty was made
within the last fifteen years. It has been said that the
only years of peace in the four' hundred since the con-
quest were those during the administration of Diaz.
Northern Mexico is dry and unproductive; the land
must be worked in large units with expensive irrigation
in order to be profitable. Except in a few favored spots
' forty acres and a mule' are of no value at all. Naturally
the small farmer could neither develop a farm nor pro-
tect it from Indian raids and bandits when established,
so the result was that agriculture was mainly in the hands
of the leaders who improved large ranches with walled
fortress-like haciendas to protect their families and de-
pendents. Many still remain with their loopholed towers
on the alternate corners and a little village within. The
individual could not stand alone, so the combination of
the feudal and patriarchal systems persisted. Then came
the revolution of 1811 and the wiping out of class distinc-
tions, but it could not wipe out the material conditions,-
nor the heritage of blood and feudalism.
This is a rough outline of the background of the pres-
ent Mexican status. What then, is the Mexican of today ?
Taken as a whole he may be said to be a cross consisting
of about 83% Indian, 12% Spanish, and 5% Negro,
with a strong trace of Asiatic, but the melting process is
by no means complete nor is it uniform. In northern
Mexico, for example, the mining engineer in the moun-
tains who employs a lot of peons probably has a group
that is 95% or more Indian. Villa's forces, excluding ad-
venturers from outside, are probably 90% of the same
race as that cooped up on the Navajo, Apache, and Pima
reservations. On the other hand, the manufacturer in
the city is likely to have a force that is 15 to 20% white
blood. In Yucatan, or Oaxaca, or Chiapas, the peons
may be pure Indian.
The percentage of white blood increases with rank in
the social scale until in a few families it is pure, although
I believe this to be true in less than 10% of the cases so
reported in the last census, otherwise the early Spanish
women must have been extraordinarily prolific. Prac-
tically never will a man with predominating white blood
be found among the peons. On the other hand, men with
pure or predominating Indian blood do often appear
among the most important men of the country. Juarez
was a Zapotec, so were Diaz and Huerta; and there is
absolutely no question about the ability of the first two,
at least. Humboldt mentions an Indian millionaire over
a hundred years ago. The large number of Zapotecs and
Tarascans in public life is proverbial. The great ranch-
owners are frequently white though more often there is
a trace of color, since marriage with those of mixed blood
is not regarded as it was before the revolution against
Spain.
The peon, in the mass, therefore may be said to have
at least 90% Indian blood, 6% Spanish, and 4% Negro,
most of the latter being in the peons of Vera Cruz,
Puebla, and other central and southern States. He is
superstitious, ignorant, thoughtless, and improvident,
kind but easily excited, and then cruel both to people and
animals, usually insufficiently nourished, and possessed
of a well developed love for the tierra, with strong family
and tribal loyalty. He is a faithful and stead}' worker
under a just and strong boss who understands him, but
lazy and worthless under a weak or unjust supervisor.
When properlj' instructed, well fed, and well managed,
he is an efficient worker and a good artisan, and soon
identifies himself with the family or concern for which
he works. His mentality is low, but how much of that is
due to lack of education, insufficient and improper food,
and disease, I am not prepared to say — certainly a great
deal.
It is a common saying that the Mexicans are thieves —
and they are ; but the statement must be greatly modified
because in some ways and under some circumstances they
are thoroughly honest and trustworthy. As an example
of the working of the peon mind, I mention Romolo. I
September 25, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
44:>
was in a small mining camp and bad engaged Koinolo as a
siTvant. His duties were to look after my room, do the
marketing, milk the cow, and attend to the usual odds
and ends. One day I went away for the week-end and on
my return w:is told that every house in camp had been
robbed. 1 hurried to my room and found, as expected,
that everything of value was gone. Bomolo showed up in
due season and I told him that the thieves had taken al!
my belongings. "No, Senor," said Romolo, "I had a
hunch that there was going to be a robbery and took all
your tilings and hid them out in the brush"; and sure
enough every last one was brought back. Now that was
honesty as he saw it. He could not 'tell on' the members
of his circle who did the stealing, nor could be permit
them to steal my things; nor did it concern him that they
robbed my friends. I have known a banker to send $5000
in bills by a peon on a ten-days tramp over the mountains
alone and the peon's wages were about 35 cents per day,
yet the money was delivered to me in due course.
"With his heritage of ignorance, feudalism, and serfdom
the peon needs and expects a patron, and I think that it
will require several generations to overcome that condi-
tion. He is not fit for democratic government as we know
it and it seems that it will take at least three generations
of education for him to qualify.
As a people we endorsed Madero's cry for universal
suffrage in Mexico, but in our own country the Indian
has been placed on reservations under the tutelage of the
Government, and Indian schools have been established,
yet even in these days of Bolshevism I doubt if many
people can be found who would advocate giving a eon-
trolling vote to the Apache, Sioux, Navajo, Shoshone,
Zuni, Moqui, and Yuma Indians, yet that would be pre-
cisely the condition in Mexico under a purely democratic
government enforced in accordance with the law. I men-
tion these particular tribes because of their direct relation
in language, blood, and custom to those in Mexico.
The Spanish government attempted to rule five million
Indians by keeping them in ignorance and subjection,
using for the purpose a few thousand Spanish-born
agents, aided by a favored class which was united as
against the divided Indian tribes. The revolution of
1811 was successful against this state of affairs not be-
cause of the combining of the Indians, but because the
favored class of white Creoles was jealous of the authority
and prestige of the Spaniard. The first ruler after the
revolution was a Creole, Iturbide. As soon as the Span-
iards had been overcome, the Creoles expected to rule the
country, but their caste itself was too heterogeneous and
did not hold together, owing to the presence of strong
mestizo and Indian elements. The situation was some-
what as it would be in the Southern States if there were
seven blacks for every white man and a few favored
Macks and mulatos were classified as white. It must be
remembered, first and last, that the Spaniards never did
control the whole country. Indian raids and robberies
were -numerous, particularly in the northern part, and
biinditry was common even in the parts that the Govern-
ment did control. After the break-up of the Spanish
government and' the failure of co-operation and unity
among the whites, one party after another seized the
power, but was never strung enough to accomplish any-
thing definite. Lempriere, writing in 1859, says: "In 38
years tin' country has hail :(6 different forms of gov-
ernment and 72 individuals have figured as chief execu-
tives."
Mme. Calderon de la Barca, writing during the early
years of this period, mentions the necessity for armed
escorts with the stages and of having had prominent ban-
dits pointed out to her on the city streets. She describes
a Governor's ball and mentions that the gentlemen put
on their pistols, as a matter of course, before leaving.
Lempriere. in 1862. says. "Life is utterly insecure in
Sonora, Sinaloa, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, etc",
A ROPE-MAKER
and "the ransom system is coming more and more in
vogue . . . The murderers of Yorke, the young Ameri-
can attache, are perfectly well ascertained citizens resi-
dent in Tepyahualco . . . The civil power has no force
. . . Mr. Mathew's residence in Mexico was forcibly
taken possession of on the 16th of November, 1860, by
General Lagarde under a pretence, the falsehood and
absurdity of which must be notorious, that a deposit of
arms was concealed." "A force of twenty men made a
descent on the house of Mr. Beale . . . They told him
he was a foreigner and as such their enemy, and fell upon
him and literally cut him to pieces." "Two of the public
stages arrived in this city with the passengers stark
naked." "The army is a nursery for highwaymen."
"The lists of claims for outrages on British" subjects pre- '
450
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 25, 1920
sent such a frightful catalogue of murder and robbery
that, except vouched for on the most solemn and sure
grounds, would be incredible. . . . Some small show of
inquiry, and incessant persecution of witnesses, and
never-ending expenses, ending in a mockery of investi-
gation and total impunity of crime, are generally the ut-
most attained." In another place: "Usually after all
his trouble and expense [the injured party] has to pay
the prisoner a sum of money to compromise an attack on
his [the prisoner's] unblemished character".*
This sounds like an extract from one of Senator Fall's
speeches. In other words, the present condition of
Mexico is normal; the period of safety and industrial de-
velopment under Diaz was abnormal.
After some twenty years experience in Mexico, my
opinion is that Diaz was driven out as a result of the
educational system he established. The Spanish vice-
regal system was certainly founded on the ignorance of
the Indians. The Church was an essential part of the
Spanish state in Mexico ; after the revolution it still re-
tained its power, and did not attempt in any way to
educate the Indian except, as to his duties to the Church.
The school as a means of secular education dates prac-
tically from the time of Diaz, and while the system of
public schools which he established was far from what is
considered ideal in the United States it was a vast im-
provement over anything preceding it. By 1910 a gen-
eration had arisen that knew the rights to which they
were entitled under the law, but still did not know how
to use those rights with discretion, and failing to obtain
them because of their neglect to observe at the same time
the maxim of Juarez, "Peace is the due regard for the
rights of others", caused the downfall of the Diaz ad-
ministration. If Diaz could have had his health and
strength for twenty years longer, I believe Mexico would
have attained a well-established liberal government in
peace and quiet. In 1910 practically all the young men
of city and town could read and write, but during the
last few years most of the schools have been closed ex-
cept in the larger cities. Children who were of school
age in 1910 must now work to earn a living and the gen-
eration now growing up knows nothing but revolutions
and their attendant troubles.
Those who state that there never was an honest elec-
tion in the time of Diaz are perfectly correct. There
never has been one in Mexico. Madero's election was a
farce and Carranza's rested on Ms own ipse dixit, but,
by the same token, bow many elections have there been
in Mississippi that have lived up to the spirit of the
Fifteenth Amendment ? Can South Carolina or Florida
throw the first stone? How can any man in Mexico on
whom the welfare of the country depends trust the elec-
tion to a majority of uneducated and ignorant Indians ?
I do not except the recent election. That it represents
the wish of the majority of those now in control of Mexi-
can affairs, I grant; but I doubt if 2% of the popula-
tion voted, and I am sure that not more than a quarter
of those had the slightest idea of what they were doing.
•Mexican law permits a suit o£ damages against the com-
plainant in case of acquittal.
I am equally sure that if any large number had wished
to vote against Obregon they would have had consider-
able difficulty in getting their votes counted without the
usual preliminary discussion with Mauser rifles.
I give an example : In 1909 I was traveling in south-
western Chihuahua, a hundred miles or so from the near-
est railroad, and stopped at a small mountain ranch to
get provisions. I had already noticed throughout the
country a strong feeling against Diaz, which the rancher
evidently shared. He was above the average in intelli-
gence, so I asked him why the feeling existed. His re-
ply, freely translated, was as follows: "Well, Diaz keeps
peace all over the country, but in the old times there was
lots of fighting and when there was fighting (guerra)
the pickings were good". This sounds to me a good deal
like Bolshevism, but he was one of the voters for whom
Madero was crying "universal suffrage". Any govern-
ment in Mexico must reckon with this condition.
Prior to the coming of the Spaniards there was no
government of Mexico as such, because, as previously
stated, the country was inhabited by a considerable num-
ber of independent Indian nations. After the conquest
the history of the government may be divided into three
periods :
The first period, from the conquest until the end of the
revolution against Spain in 1821, consisted of the gov-
ernment of a number of subjugated Indian tribes by a
few thousand agents of the conquering nation. This
period was marked by the education of the dominant race
only, and the form of government failed because the
favored class finally recognized its own power and seized
the government for itself.
The second period lasted until the French intervention
in 1862. In this case a ruling white caste attempted to
govern a large mixed caste and a number of more or less
closely related Indian tribes. There was education of the
dominant groups only. The system failed because of a
lack of solidarity in the ruling caste and its failure to
recognize the nature and strength of the subordinate
castes. It is to be noted that two of the important leaders
who overthrew it were pure-blooded Indians.
From 1862 to 1867 there was an interregnum, due to
an attempt to re-establish a combination of the first two
systems by aid of the French. It failed, because it pos-
sessed the bad points of both.
The third per-iod, from 1867 to the fall of Diaz, repre-
sented the governing of a number of Indian races by a
ruling caste, consisting of a dominant clique mainly of
the white race, and a subordinate larger group mainly of
mixed blood, membership being dependent on money,
education, or political control. This period was marked
by an attempt to establish general education. It failed
because of insufficient recognition of the power of the
awakening subordinate caste, which had not yet acquired
sufficient knowledge to use its power justly or harmon-
iously.
The year 1911 was marked by an ill-judged attempt to
establish a government of the people by universal
suffrage. It was a complete failure, because the general
education was as yet insufficient to weld the heterogen-
Septembet
1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
4.')1
eons elements into a unified nation. The failure baa re-
sulted in the re-establishmeni of the third form of gov-
ernment in its earliest stage. It' that attempt had been
postponed 20 years, I believe that revolution would nol
have been necessary.
The recent revolution and election introduce no new
element Obregon is a Creole, that is, he is of Spanish
des i Mt. which iii itself is a source of weakness. Appar-
ently the Indians lust understand the Indians and there
is more than a suggestion of this truth in the fact that
Juarez, Diaz, and Huerta died in their beds while Itur-
bide, Madero, and Carranza (Creoles all) died from the
common over-dose of lead. Obregon. however, has shown
marked ability in handling the Indians of the North, and
now that he is president and resident in Mexico City he
may succeed with the Indiaus of the South, but there has
been little love lost between the two regions and he is
hit wen the devil of jealousy if he surrounds himself
with old friends and the deep sea of uncertainty if he
abandons them for new ones. He has, however, shown
himself able to profit by the experiences of his prede-
cessors, and our people at Washington likewise are learn-
ing, if somewhat slowly. The death of Carranza will be
forgotten, unlike that of Madero; the outlook is now the
brightest it has been since Madero started his revolution ;
nevertheless the elements of weakness are there. Time
alone will tell whether Obregon has the requisite strength
and wisdom.
Once more I quote from Lempriere, who, sixty years
ago, wrote:
"The merciful hand of Providence has bestowed on the
Mexicans a magnificent laud, abounding in resources of
all kinds — a land where none ought to be poor, and where
misery ought to be unknown. . . . One thing alone is
wanting, that is a government — and the absence of this
mars all the other magnificent advantages. ' '
Ontario's Mining Industry in 1920
Returns received by the Ontario Department of Mines
for the six months ending June 30, 1920, are tabulated
f below, and for purposes of comparison the quantities are
J given for the corresponding period in 1919. Tons
throughout are short tons of 2000 lb.
1920 1910
Product to July 1 to July 1
Gold, ounces 277,656 231,720
Silver, ounces 4,474,322 5,744.172
Platinum metals, ounces 184.45 30.08
Cobalt (metallic), pounds 113,239 59,337
Nickel l metallic), pounds 4,854.979 5,147,745
Nickel oxide, pounds 3,491,544 5,503
Cobalt oxide, pounds 388,318 202.912
Other cobalt compounds, pounds 1,417 26.289
Nickel sulphate and carbonate, pounds 159.183 133.732
I.ead. pig-, pounds 749,820 1.481,204
Copper sulphate, pounds 89,939
Copper, blister, pounds 2,918,153 3,080.492
Nickel in matte exported, tons 9,527 7,072
Copper in matte exported, tons 4.434 4.341
Iron ore exported, tons 2,189 5.804
Iron, pig, tons 28,771 24.095
During the half year 1445 tons of ore, 581 of concen-
trate, and 1185 tons of residue were treated in the
southern Ontario refineries situated at Thorold, Deloro,
and Welland for a recovery of 1,477,490 oz. of silver in
addition to arsenic, metallic nickel, metallic cobalt, and
compounds of these last mentioned metals. The com-
panies operating were the Coniagas Reduction Co., Del-
oro Smelting & Refining Co., and Metals Chemical. Ltd.
The last mentioned operated for the first three months of
the year only, alter which the plant was taken over by
Ontario Smelters & Refiners, Ltd. Alterations in plant
and process were made, which prevented production dur-
ing the second quarter of the year. This new company
also owus the plant at Chippawa formerly operated by
the Standard Smelting & Refining Co. Copper sulphate
was recovered from residues by one of the companies.
Only 203,713 lb. of metallic nickel and 15,384 lb. of
oxide were marketed.
During the half year 627,681 tons of nickel-copper ore
was raised and 520,705 tons smelted, the total output of
nickel-copper matte being 28,365 tons containing 15,030
tons of nickel and 7705 tons of copper. The British
America Nickel Corporation and the International Nickel
Co. of Canada worked the Murray and Creighton mines,
while the Mond Nickel Co. raised ore from the Garson,
Levack, Bruce, Worthington, and Victoria No. 1.
As regards shipments of matte, 7944 tons went to
Canadian refineries at Port Colborne, Ontario, and
Deschenes, Quebec, 16,323 tons to the United States, and
1123 tons to Wales. During the period the new electro-
lytic refinery at Deschenes commenced operations and
had 1185 tons of matte in process on June 30, although
no refined metal was ready for market at that date.
The new plant which permits recovery of metals, of the
platinum group in pure form is reported to be working
very satisfactorily as is also the smelter at Nickelton, one
mile from the Murray mine, where the ore is smelted
direct without preliminary roasting. In addition to
metallic nickel, nickel oxide, and blister-copper, there
was a by-product recovery at Port Colborne of the
precious metals gold, silver, platinum, palladium, rho-
dium, ruthenium, osmium, and iridium. There was also
a small recovery of copper in the United States from
Ontario silver ores.
The entire output of pig-lead came from the mine and
smelter near Galetta on the Ottawa river operated by the
Kingdon Mining, Smelting & Manufacturing Co. The
product was consigned to the James Robertson Co., Ltd.,
of Montreal, manufacturers of plumbing supplies. There
is a small recovery of lead from the silver ores of Cobalt
treated in the United States refineries, returns of which
are received only at the end of the calendar year.
Japan in 1918 imported ferro-manganese to the
amount of 1,697,280 lb., valued at $203,452, of which
Australia furnished 1,132,800 lb. and Great Britain 564,-
480 lb. The principal countries to which Japanese man-
ganese is exported are the United States, Great Britain,
France, and China. In 1918 Japan's exports to these
countries aggregated 5,229,864 lb„ valued at $176,120,
and in 1919 they amounted to 6,158,932, valued at
$237,365. The present price of ferro-manganese is $200
per ton for high-grade.
452
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 25, 1920
Notes on Routine Assaying at the Globe & Phoenix
Mine, Southern Rhodesia
By H. R. EDMANDS
•As some innovations in assay-praetiee have been made
here, a short description of the methods adopted may be
of interest.
The ore itself presents no particular difficulties; it
contains stibnite, averaging perhaps 2%, and although
much of the gold is fairly fine, coarse gold is also fre-
quently present. Some 1600 to 1800 assays are made
per month, and a day's run seldom much exceeds 100.
Preparation of Samples. In dealing with the samples
received, the chief difficulties in getting representative
portions for assay are as under :
Crushing Mine Samples Before Quartering. Just
how far crushing should be carried depends, of course,
on the even distribution, or otherwise, of the gold in the
ore. Bearing in mind that a piece of ore 1-in. cube on
being reduced to ^-in. cubes would be divided into 512
fragments, as against only 64 if reduced to ^-in. cubes,
the importance of fine crushing at this stage is evident.
Coarse rolls following a breaker would in many cases be
advisable.
Segregation of Values in Fine Crushing and
Screening. The more brittle or softer portions of the
ore, being the first to be crushed, will be separated from
the harder portions (carrying different values) by screen-
ing during crushing. A similar segregation occurs with
disc-pulverizers, and very thorough mixing of the ground
product is required to get accurate results.
Coarse gold will obviously cause discrepancies in
duplicate assays. Some consideration of the law of av-
erages affecting this is not without interest.
Assuming that 20-dwt. ore is dealt with, that two
assay-tons are taken, and that the gold and quartz exist
in spheres of equal size, then, if Poisson's law be applied
it will be seen that if these spheres be 1/60 in. diam.,
the maximum error will be 39 dwt., and the mean error
9.2 dwt.
If spheres be 1/100 in. diam., the maximum and mean
errors will be 16 dwt. and 4.5* dwt. ; if 1/200 in., the
errors will be 5.6 and 1.6 dwt., while 1/400-in. spheres
would give maximum and mean errors of 2 dwt. and 0.56
dwt. respectively.
Doubling the amount taken for assay does not halve
the error, which varies inversely as the square root of
the weight of sample taken.
Although on crushing a sample to pass, say, a 60-mesh
screen, the greater portion of the gold would be very
much smaller, yet if the crushing is effected with fre-
quent screening or by means of a dise-purverizer. which
•From 'The Journal of the Chemical, Metallurgical and
Mining Society of South Africa'. April 1920.
acts much as does a screen, the gold will not be so finely
divided as it would be if the sample were crushed, say,,
in a ball-mill without removing any portion until the-
whole had attained the required degree of fineness, la
the last case attrition of gold continues throughout the-
grinding, in the former, some of the coarser gold is re-
moved, when it will just pass the screen or escape be-
tween the plates of the pulverizer.
More concordant results would be expected from crush-
ing in ball-mills, and this is borne out by practice.
Ball-Mills for Sample Grinding. To eliminate as
far as possible some of the sources of error alluded to, T
designed a mill capable of taking the product of tie-
breaker and reducing it at one operation to practically
any degree of fineness required, this being regulated by
the time of grinding and the weight of balls used.
The mills are made of cast-iron with two compartments,
separated by a vertical partition through the centre, per-
pendicular to the axis. Each compartment takes a
sample of 600 or 800 gm. Its inside diameter is 11 in.,
each compartment being 3f in. wide. Two 3-in. balls;
are used in each compartment. The mill is driven at 70>
r.p.m. by lj-in. belting, direct from 2-in. counter-shaft,
without pulleys, and the belt runs over the centre of the
mill, which is slightly crowned.
Excluding the cost of the pattern, the mills were made,,
at the mine, for a little under £5 each.
A timber frame of simple construction holds the mills,
the bearings are of native hardwood, open at the top, so-
that the mills can be lifted in and out by two hooks.
Each compartment of the mill is opened by one nut, and'
its contents emptied into a pan. It is then cleaned by
compressed air. Eight such mills, taking 16 samples, are
in use.
The mills are cheap, readily accessible for cleaning,
and wear is inconsiderable, very much less than with
disc-pulverizers; also as the wear is even, it does not.
affect the efficiency of the mill, which is not the ease with
disc-pulverizers.
The final product is perfectly mixed, and, no screen-
ing being required, is ready for assay.
A 600 or 700-gm. sample that just passes a screen with
f-in. openings will, after If hours grinding, give a prod-
uct averaging
On 60-mesh Nil
Through 60-mesh " 100 " 0.5%
100 " "150 " 6.0 "
150 " 93.5 "
A reduction of native labor has been made sincp they-
have been used. Assays have cheeked better, arid, al-
though they are slower than disc-pulverizers, their ad-
September iv>. L920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESs
453
vantages outweigh t li is; drawback, at l<;ist with iliis ore.
nssT-DiscBABai (Scbbek Samples. Lime is
added to promote settlement, the clear water decanted,
and the thick pulp well mixed. The portion taken for
assay lias most of its remaining water removed by an
air-pressure filter, alter which it ean be quickly dried.
This type of filter is quicker than, and preferable to, a
vacuum-filter, ezcepl when the cake requires washing, for
which it is unsuitable, cracks being apt to form and cause
Channeling. The dried sample is ground for two hours
in the ball-mill, when all passes a 100-mesh sieve, and
,|v' , passes;: 150-mesh sieve. Fine grinding is essential
to get concordant results.
Reduction Samii.es. These do not require fine grind-
ing, all but the finest gold having been removed by
amalgamation.
Reduction samples, containing dissolved gold, are
both wholly and in part, has been tried, hill with unsiitis-
I'ai-tory results.
Mixing Orb an-d Flux. This is effected by shaking in
a large L'hi.ss w it 1 1 a metal cover, to which is cemented
soft, sheet rubber. Mixing is more thorough and quicker
than by the older method of rolling on glazed paper.
Assay-Furnace. The coke-fired Cornish furnaces, for-
merly in use, have been replaced by a reverberatory fur-
nace shown in the diagram.
This type of furnace I previously adopted in Western
Australia for burning wood, and it follows, I believe, the
general lines of those used on the Rand. Wood, wood
and coal, and coal alone have been used, the first being
much the cheapest in Western Australia, and the last,
the cheapest here.
Special features are the abrupt lowering of the top
arch just behind the firebridge, deflecting the flame onto
REVERBERATORY ASSAY-FURNACE
Scale: 1 in. = 4 ft.
treated as follows: The dissolved gold is precipitated,
usually by adding cuprous chloride dissolved in brine, to
the pulp, and acidifying with sulphuric acid. The pulp
is then filtered in the air-pressure filter and dried.
This is not only much quicker than drying without filtra-
tion, but gives more accurate results. If the excess of
barren solution be not removed by filtration, some of the
gold is apt to re-dissolve on heating, and to form an en-
riched hard scale adhering firmly to the dish. For richer
solutions I have found the error, presumably from this
cause, to be quite important. In cases where much sulpho-
cyanide is present, and precipitation by a cuprous salt is
imperfect, an emulsion of finely ground charcoal should
be substituted, or used in conjunction with the cuprous
salt, by which perfect precipitation is obtained.
Fluxing. The substitution of fluorspar for borax,
the front row of pots; the hearth is not level, but rises
gently from bridge to flue, obviating the danger of pots
falling backward ; the hearth is covered with a layer of
sand, or, preferably, of sifted earth, which absorbs any
slag spilled.
The furnace will take a charge of about 56 pots, usu-
ally 6 or 8 Js, and the remainder Gs and Fs ; the heat is
uniform, and the pots last considerably longer than
with Cornish furnaces. During fusion the damper is
nearly closed, and a somewhat reducing atmosphere is
maintained.
Two charges of pots generally complete the day 's work,
after which the same furnace, without a muffle, is used
for cupellation.
Cupellation is effected as follows: Bricks are placed
on the hearth of the furnace to support wrought-iron
454
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 25, 1920
plates, each carrying about 25 cupels. The cupels are
charged with lead buttons while they are cold. A good
fire is made, and the damper opened rather more than
when the pots are in. The atmosphere is reducing at
first, but soon becomes oxidizing and cupellation proceeds
steadily. Many checks have been made by re-cupelling
prills of parted gold, but no loss of weight could be de-
tected.
T. Kirke Rose has shown (Inst. M. & M. Bull. 174, March
13. 1919) that gold is not readily volatilized either in a
reducing or an oxidizing atmosphere, and that losses are
much greater when exposed to alternate reducing and
oxidizing conditions. Such alternations occur here, but
at an early stage when the gold is well protected by lead,
which probably accounts for the absence of appreciable
gold losses.
Over 100 cupels can be taken in one charge, and so far
as I know, this system of cupelling without a muffle is
unique in assaying. It, however, should be noted that all
assays here are parted ; whether it would answer as well
in cases where the gold prills are weighed direct I cannot
say from experience.
Cupels. For the past 12 months these have been made
from old used cupels, re-ground in a ball-mill. The
absorbent power of these cupels is excellent, and they
are in every way satisfactory.
Cement, and mixtures of cement and mabor, were pre-
viously tried, but were not altogether satisfactory. An
excellent cupel can, however, be made from a mixture of
mabor and bone ash.
Parting. Perforated sheet-iron trays, each carrying
24 parting cups, and fitting over an electric hot-plate are
used.
Failing an electric hot-plate, partings can be done over
the hot cupels, covering the latter with a sheet of ^-in.
copper to more evenly distribute the heat. Waste acid,
after precipitation of silver, is sent to the smelting house
and used in cleansing bullion. The recovered silver is
made into silver nitrate.
Annealing. The tray of parting-cups is allowed to
rest a few seconds on a red-hot cast-iron plate of the
same diameter as the hot-plate.
Solution Assays. The procedure is as follows to 20
A.T. of solution add 5 gm. of zinc-dust with vigorous
stirring, then enough silver nitrate to ensure parting,
and 40 ce. of 20% lead-acetate, solution, again with
thorough stirring. Finally add 30 cc. hydrochloric acid,
cautiously, and stirr until all action ceases. Filter and
scorify with a flux of 2 parts of litharge, 1 part of borax-
glass, and a suitable amount of powdered glass. Nearly
all the zinc is eliminated by the acid, and the remainder
by scorification.
Scorifieation is often troublesome in a muffle, where
the space is limited, but this does not apply to the hearth
of a reverberatory.
This method gives accurate results on all but the most
impure solutions.
Reduced Costs. Since the use, early in 1919, of a re-
verberatory furnace, ball-mills, air-pressure filter, etc.,
the total cost of assaying has shown a considerable de-
crease from the previous year, although more assays were
made, the cost of wages and supplies rose, and the cost of
new plant was included.
Note. Poisson's Law. Beringer, in the appendix to
his 'Assaying', treats this rather fully. It may be formu-
lated for the present purpose thus : Let x equal the num-
ber of gold spheres, y the quartz spheres, and z the com-
bined number of gold and quartz spheres ; then -\l 8 x ?
' z
equals limit of deviation by error in the number of gold
spheres present. To find the mean error the result so
obtained has been multiplied by 0.2786.
In the applications given I have calculated the number
of spheres of gold and quartz in a 2 A.T. of sample, as-
saying 20 dwt.
If the present price for silver is maintained to the end
of the current year, the total value of Cobalt's produc-
tion will scarcely reach that of last year, judging from
figures available at the present time. On the other hand,
should the market price go higher and reach anywhere
near the average for the first three or four months of
1920, there is a good chance of last year's figures being
passed. With the quotations for silver around 95c, and
adding to this the premium on New York funds, the price
obtained at present is over $1 per ounce, and the total
revenue for the Cobalt mines is in the vicinity of one
million dollars monthly. Last year the silver mines pro-
duced $12,747,621 worth of metal. This sum was ob-
tained from a little over 11,000,000 oz. For the first half
of 1920 the indicated output had a value of more than
six million dollars, but there is little likelihood of the
second half of the year being as productive unless there
is an early appreciation in the value of the metal. Con-
ditions at the mines are on the whole satisfactory. Where-
as a few months ago many miners were uneasy because
of the unsettled state of the market, workers at the pres-
ent time are more steady and less inclined to cast about
for work elsewhere.
The cost of field operations in producing crude oil in
California has increased 200% or possibly 300% during
the past five years, according to statistics recently pub-
lished by the State Mining Bureau. In 1915 the operat-
ing cost was generally less than 20c. per barrel while in
1919 the figure was in the neighborhood of 40c. or more.
Decrease in productiveness of wells coupled with ad-
vanced cost of labor and material are the underlying
reasons. The total capital invested in the oil industry is
about $320,000,000 upon which dividends of $35,418,851
were paid, or at a rate of about 11%. About two-thirds
of the total output of crude oil is refinable, or above a
gravity of 18° Baume. The total area of proved oil-land
is 91,792 acres or 143 square miles. Upon this land there
are 8928 producing wells, slightly more than 10 acres per
well. Future drilling will probably increase the number
of wells until the average amount of land drained by a
single well will be 7 or 8 acres.
September 25, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
455
The Application of the Bradford Flotation Process
to Mixed Sulphide Concentrates
By W. D. GREEN and WILLIAM FAGERGREN
History. From 1916 until April 1919 inclusive the
Midvale Minerals Co. was engaged in milling the stored
and current tailing from the United States Smelting
Co.'s custom concentrator at Midvale, Utah. The process
used was flotation, and the product made consisted of
a mixed sulphide-concentrate having an approximate
composition as follows: zinc 29.2%; lead 10.7%; copper
1.6% ; iron 12.5% ; insoluble 10.5% ; silver 6.42 oz. ; gold
0.08 oz. per ton. This product varied, in places contain-
ing more zinc or lead, and in places less iron. The concen-"
(rate was so low-grade that it was not possible to dispose
of it to retort-smelters. However the plant operated dur-
ing the War and little trouble was experienced in selling
the concentrate to an electrolytic zinc refinery. When
metals took their drop after the ending of the War the
electrolytic refinery cut off shipments. About this time
there was being tried a mechanical machine for effecting
a separation of the lead from the zinc, and while there
were periods when results seemed promising, operation on
a paying basis was never reached, so the plant was closed
down in April 1919, leaving a stock-pile of some 2000 tons
of concentrate that assayed approximately as mentioned
above.
Development op the Process. During the active life
of the Midvale Minerals Co., one of the present writers
had at various times conducted experiments in preferen-
tial flotation on the original feed to the mill, employing
the several processes developed in Australia, and while
results were sometimes successful there never was any
consistency in the separation of the lead from the zinc.
In fact, while in one experiment it was possible to effect
a beautiful separation, on another sample of the same
material the results could not be repeated. Results were
so unsatisfactory that there was never any attempt to
make use of a preferential process on a commercial scale,
but every now and then duplication of the Australian
work was tried in the laboratory.
About the time that the Midvale Minerals plant closed
down the metallurgists for the Stimpson Equipment Co.
were having some success in their laboratory in applying
the Bradford process to certain ores and at their sugges-
tion the owners of the stored concentrate authorized ex-
perimental work to be conducted on the mixed concen-
trates in an effort to convert them into a salable product.
Accordingly work was begun by one of the writers in the
Stimpson Equipment Co. 's laboratory in July 1919. The
bulk of information available at that time was contained
in two magazine articles, one by Edwin T. Henderson,
'The Bradford Process at Broken Hill', 'Mining and
Scientific Press', September 28, 1918, and the other by
Guy C. Riddell, 'Collective and Preferential Flotation',
'Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering', December 15,
1918. As the work progressed, private communications
from Mr. Bradford, Mr. Wilton Shellshear, and Mr. Rid-
dell were exceedingly helpful.
Numerous experiments were performed on the concen-
trates, following more or less closely the method of pro-
cedure outlined in the articles mentioned, with very
gratifying results. It was not only possible to effect a
clean separation, but the two concentrates produced were
as good as those resulting from Australian practice. It
was found that the iron followed the lead, which was con-
ducive to a high-grade zinc. A large portion of the in-
soluble, together with much of the lime contained in the
gangue, followed the lead, and while it was easy to clean
the lead product it was decided to abandon this procedure
since as a rule the iron was in excess of the silica and
would not be a detriment to its sale-value.
The stock of concentrate, referred to previously, which
constituted the feed for the experimental work and also
the feed to the commercial plant as finally adopted, not
only contained the small amount of necessary flotation-
oils but in addition there had been added pine-oil, in
varying amounts, to the concentrate as a froth-breaker.
Besides this large amount of pine-oil, much lime had also
been added to the Oliver filter for the purpose of assisting
the filtering qualities of the slimy material. While the
lime did not interfere with the Bradford work, the ex-
cessive amount of pine-oil caused trouble from the begin-
ning, because as soon as the dried concentrate was mixed
with water a voluminous froth was produced. In an
effort to counteract the effect of this excessive amount of
pine-oil, the feed was subjected first to a preliminary
treatment with caustic soda, by adding an amount equal
to about three pounds per ton, for three-quarters of an
hour, allowing to settle, and decanting the supernatant
liquor. Sometimes washing out the remaining soda was
resorted to, and at other times not. The pulp thus treat-
ed was then made slightly acid with sulphuric acid, satu-
rated with sulphur di-oxide gas, and then treated in the
testing machine with sufficient oil to float the lead and
iron. Usually when following this procedure the original
frothing was eliminated and an entire new froth pro-
duced which carried lead-iron and the very finest of the
insoluble. A comparatively small amount of oil was re-
quired and the froth produced increased in lead content
with the duration of the test. The final froth removed
consisted of a clean lead product. The whole of the lead-
iron and lead were mixed, however, forming one product,
which was cleaned afterward by adding a quantity of
fresh water and simply introducing it again into the test-
machine.
456
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 25, 1920
The tailing from the lead treatment was now highly
acidified, a small amount of pine-oil added, and the zinc
removed. This zinc was cleaned in the same manner as
the lead.
The following assays show the contents of the various
products resulting from this treatment :
Lead Zinc Silver Copper Iron Insol.
% % oz. % % %
Peed 20.2 29.2
Lead-concentrate 41.4 3.5 23.75 3.95 14.1 8.4
Lead-cleaner tailing ....24.4 6.4 16.00
Bradford tailinr 8.0 4.7 3.40
Zinc-concentrate 2.9 54.9 6.20 1.44 5.3 1.7
Zinc-cleaner tailing 11.4 20.3 8.20
Tests giving these results could be repeated at will.
Therefore it was decided to build a small plant of about
25 to 30 tons per 24 hours capacity to ascertain whether
or not it was possible to reproduce the laboratory work
in a commercial unit. The tests were all run in a Janney
test-machine.
Mill-Work. Because of the ease with which the sepa-
ration could be effected in the laboratory, the duplication
on a large scale appeared to be a simple matter. The
necessary tanks for preliminary treatment of the pulp
were at hand, and it only remained to build a Bradford
machine, arrange the whole into a continuous unit, and
proceed. Machines of the Bradford type were construct-
ed for the lead, using open-runner centrifugal pumps as
agitators. After every sort of an arrangement for in-
troducing S02 gas and air into the machines by way of
the pumps was tried they were discarded as a dismal
failure.
A sort of a Minerals Separation machine, having con-
nections between the spitzkasten instead of from spitz-
kasten to the succeeding mixer, had been built to float the
zinc from the lead tailing and this was finally used for
the lead as well, with satisfaction. Before deciding
finally upon this M. S. type of machine, several air and
mechanical-air machines were tried without favorable re-
sults. It was supposed for a time that introducing air in
place of a mixture of air and sulphur di-oxide gas into
the pulp would be a detriment to the process, which ac-
counts for the trials with the several types of machines.
The concentrates from the stock-pile were sluiced into a
pump-sump and delivered to six tanks 9 ft. diam. by 6 ft.
high. This pumping was watched closely in order to
obtain a pulp carrying about 25% solid. Whenever the
solid fell below 20%, the sediment in the tank was al-
lowed to settle, the clear water drawn off, and the tank
re-filled. In this manner the proper density was main-
tained. As soon as a tank was filled, caustic soda was
added in an amount equal to three pounds per ton, the
pulp agitated for one hour, then allowed to settle, and
the liquor drawn off. The tank was now filled with fresh
water and the pulp slightly acidified with sulphuric acid.
Then sulphur di-oxide gas was introduced from a sul-
phur-burner. These steps were all performed with great
care in order to duplicate exactly the laboratory practice,
but it was found that while the lead and zinc from one
tank would separate beautifully, that from another would
do nothing. Then we tried washing of the pulp with
fresh water after a bath of caustic soda. This gave the
same erratic results. Again the elimination of the caustic
soda altogether and slightly acidifying with sulphuric
acid was tried. This too gave both good and poor results.
The caustic-soda bath was simply to get rid of the
original flotation-oil, but when it was left out the process
became exactly a duplication of Australian practice.
In some instances sodium thio-sulphate was added pre-
vious to the addition of acid, the idea being to liberate
sulphur di-oxide within the pulp by the action of sul-
phuric acid on the 'hypo'. There did not seem to be any
merit in this procedure, although in Australia it is con-
sidered essential.
After experimenting for about five months along the
lines stated above there seemed to be no hope of trans-
forming the work of the laboratory into practice, and a
decision to discontinue the work was practically reached.
Up to this point the duplication of Australian work was
always in mind and any deviation therefrom to any ex-
tent had not been considered. Just at this time a labora-
tory test had shown that a separation could be made with-
out the use of 'hypo' or acid or a combination of the two,
and accordingly the use of sulphur di-oxide alone was
tried in the mill. The result was that the work could be
duplicated with each succeeding tank of pulp and the
prospect of a successful preferential plant suddenly
began to re-appear. The plant began to produce a lead-
concentrate day after day, and soon three shifts were put
on and the plant kept moving. Operations were inter-
mittent owing to the fact that the pulp was prepared in
each tank separately. The time required to gassify varied
greatly. Occasionally the time required was an hour and
a half ; at others three hours would be required. The rea-
son for this was attributed to the varying amount of lime
that had been added to the concentrate originally.
The tailing from the lead machines was stored in a
Dorr thickener and after allowing it to accumulate for a
week or so it was treated for zinc by adding acid and heat,
and re-floating.
The stock of concentrate began to disappear and it be-
came necessary to replenish the supply. To do this the
old Midvale Minerals mill was put in shape to run on
U. S. tailing.
Present Practice. There are two tailing-flumes that
leave the U. S. mill, each carrying approximately 4500
gal. of pulp per minute, containing \\ to 2% solid. These
flumes are run into a 90-ft. Dorr thickener built of con-
crete. The sides of the tank are four feet deep. The bot-
tom is conical, and at the apex of the bottom the depth of
the tank is ten feet. At the time of its erection this thick-
ener was unique, because the truss is made entirely of
concrete and was the longest concrete span in Utah. Be-
sides the current tailing discharged from the U. S. mill.
there is also a large tailing-pond. Because the tonnage
from the U. S. mill is not sufficient for our operations,
tailing from the pond is sluiced into the thickener to make
up the necessary tonnage of about 500 tons. The pulp
is thickened to 25% solid and pumped with a 4-in. Krogh
dredge-pump a distance of 500 ft. to a 36-in. three-section
trommel, dressed with 3-mm. punched screen, to remove
trash. The undersize from the trommel goes to a 30-ft.
ruber 25, L920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
4r,7
Dorr agitator, which serves as a supply-tank for the
selective mill-feed. The discharge from this agitator goes
t<> a bucket-elevator, which discharges directly into two
Janney emulsifiers. Flotation-oil is added to the elevator.
The enrahnfiers discharge to a bank of Janney mechan-
ical-flotation machines. These machines have been re-
modeled and fitted witli air-pans. Air at four pounds
pressure is supplied by a Sturtevant blower. There are
nine "*' these machines in series, the tailing from which
■goes to three Janney mechanical-air machines. The tail-
ing from these goes to waste and the concentrate from all
goes in air-cleaners, in which it is cleaned twice. The
tailing from the air-machines goes to a thickener, the
thickened pulp being discharged to the elevator feeding
the Janney emulsifiers. The concentrate from the air-
cleaner machines goes to a 30-ft. Dorr thickener, which
serves as a feed-supply tank for the lead plant.
Soon after starting operations in the selective mill, it
became apparent that a continuous feed to the lead plant
would give more satisfactory and uniform results than
preparing the pulp intermittently. So four of the lead-
pulp tanks were connected in series. The discharge from
the 30-ft. Dorr thickener last mentioned is conveyed by an
■elevator to the first of the lead-tanks, through all of which
it flows continuously. Sulphur di-oxide gas is introduced
into the first two tanks, proper gassing being regulated
by returning varying proportions of the feed going to the
lead-machines back to the first tank. The pulp is main-
tained at 20% solid and flows from the fourth tank to a
3-in. Ki-ogh sand-and-tailing pump, to be delivered to the
feed-box of the lead-machines.
The lead-machines consist of four 6-ft. Fagergren flota-
tion machines in series. These machines were invented
some three years ago and have been perfected to a high
degree of efficiency at this plant. The outstanding fea-
tures are that they maintain their efficiency throughout
the life of parts, while in any other tj7pe of machine the
■efficiency begins to decrease the moment that they are
started : the pulp is always in motion and the froth is still
except for its movement upward and over the lip ; it is
practically fool-proof, because there are no adjustments
■once the pulp-level has been established.
Oil is added to each of the' machines ; the amount, of
■course, being regulated as required. The lead-concen-
trate carries an excessive amount of fine silica, which
makes the subsequent filtering very difficult. This con-
centrate is sent to a 30-ft. Dorr thickener, and the thick-
ened concentrate to a 6 by 6-ft. Oliver filter. Live steam
is introduced directly into the pulp within the filter,
thereby hastening the filtering operation.
The tailing from the lead-machines goes to a 30-ft. Dorr
thickener from which it is drawn and pumped to two
8 by 10-ft. tanks. The time element is an important
factor in the treatment of the zinc. The SO, gas must be
eliminated : this is accomplished by the addition of sul-
phuric acid and heating to 130°F. The time required for
the action of the acid and heat varies so that up to this
writing it has not been possible to run the zinc plant con-
tinuously. By this is meant having a continuous flow
from the Dorr to the machines; the pulp being prepared
in flic tanks separately and treated as sunn as they are
ready, which is determined by trial. This makes the oper-
ation of the zinc section sluggish although satisfactory.
From these 8 by 10-ft. pulp-tanks the feed flows to
two 6-ft. Fagergren flotation-machines, where a very
small amount of oil is added and the zinc floated off.
These machines were a great surprise because practically
all the zinc is removed on the first machine; what little
does come off from the second machine is returned to the
air-machines of the selective plant. The first machine
makes a concentrate running as low as 2.5% insoluble,
the average being 3.8%. The tailing runs as low as 1.5%
in zinc and 1%, in sulphide lead. This zinc operation
amounts to the same thing as a cleaning operation in
other mills, and as far as we know from experience, or are
able to learn, there are no other cleaners in the country
doing like work on a whole series, let alone on one ma-
chine. The tailing is kept so poor that it is thrown away.
The concentrate is dry enough to be sent directly to an
8 by 8-ft. Oliver filter.
Since the operations have included the treatment of
U S. tailing, the iron has shown a decided inclination to
remain with the zinc, so that it has become impossible to
make better than a 42%-zine concentrate. It had been
noticed, however, that on warming the solution in prepa-
ration for the zinc-machines an iron froth formed on
the tank. Consequently, test -runs were made taking this
heated pulp and re-running it before adding acid and
sending it to the zinc-machines. These tests have shown
that it is practicable to remove an iron-lead product
which leaves a tailing from which it is possible to make a
50%-zinc concentrate. Accordingly, the mill is being
arranged to do this.
The following assays are taken from daily operations:
Selective Plant ^ir-
Mill-feed Janney-feed Mill-tailing: concentrate
Zinc Lead Zinc Lead Zinc Lead Zinc Lead
1920 % % % % % % % %
Aus. 7 4.9 3.4 5.4 3.6 2.4 9.7 31.2 19.9
8 5.3 3.2 6.0 3.7 2.5 1.0 34.7 21.4
9 4.4 2.5 4.9 2.7 2.4 0.7 29.8 17.5
" 10 5.2 1.5 5.5 1.9 2.5 0.5 30.0 17.7
" 11 4.7 1.8 5.7 2.1 2.5 0.7 32.5 18.9
" 12 3.2 1.7 5.5 2.6 2.1 0.3 26.4 17.1
" 13 3.9 3.0 4.9 3.8 2.2 0.4 26.1 17.9
" 14 3.4 1.9 4.2 2.8 1.6 0.4 29.7 16.1
" 15 4.2 3.0 4.7 3.6 2.1 0.4 33.6 81.0
" 20 4.5 1.0 6.1 3.3 1.8 0.3 32.4 17.2
" 21 4.5 1.0 R.2 3.0 2.1 0.4 32.1 18.6
" 22 4.8 2.9 7.8 3.3 2.8 0.3 35.0 20.0
" 23 5.1 2.5 6.0 3.3 1.9 0.2 27.1 14.7
" 24 4.3 0.8 5.1 1.9 1.6 ,0.3 28.7 12.5
" 25 4.8 3.0 6.6 4.1 2.3 0.3 31.8 14.3
Sept. 7 5.2 3.0 5.2 3.6 1.8 0.4 26.4 13.9
8 4.2 2.9 5.7 3.4 1.1 0.3 31.8 17.1
Lead Section
Lead-feed Lead-concentrate Lead-tailing:
Zinc Lead Zinc Lead Zinc Lead
1920 % % % % % %
Aug-- 7 27.9 14.0 16.2 44.4 31.3 7.5
8 27.1 13.9 17.3 39.0 28.6 8.2
9 27.7 15.1 ' 16.3 39.5 31.3 9.0
•• 10 24.6 13.9 15.9 43.9 27.6 7.2
" 11 24.0 18.2 15.9 30.6 27.7 8.7
" 12 22.7 14.7 14.5 36.9 25.7 8.4
" 13 21.8 13.6 9.9 44.9 24.2 8.6
" 14 22.3 12.4 11.9 39.1 25.3 6.7
" 15 26.0 16.4 14.1 41.9 29.2 6.5
" 20 30.4 13.1 15.7 41.7 31.8 5.4
" 21 26.8 . 14.5 17.7 40.0 29.7 6.6
■• 22 30.7 15.3 14.5 44.2 38.5 6.0
" 23 ... 15.8 41.0 36.5 4.6
" 24 28.7 12.7 13.9 39.1 30.8 4.9
" 25 25.8 12.0 15.3 40.9 30.1 6.0
Sept. 7 29.2 13.4 10.8 49.2 33.2 3.8
8 27.8 14.3 10.2 47.9 32.2 4.2
458
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 25, 1920
Zinc Section
Zinc-feed ZiiiG-coneentrate Zinc-tailing
Zinc Lead Zinc Lead Insol. Zinc Lead
1920 % % % % % % %
Aug. 7 33.4 5.6 43.5 6.4 5.2 2.7 6.9
•• 8 32.5 7.1 40.9 4.7 4.1 2.1 6.2
9 32.5 6.2 41.2 8.8 4.0 3.0 6.2
■■ 10 32.0 7.3 41.1 7.3 4.1 2.7 5.5
■' 11 32.3 9.0 41.5 8.7 4.0 3.6 4.9
•• 12 29.2 8.5 41.5 7.4 5.5 2.8 5.8
" 13 25.8 9.0 37.6 9.3 . 6.2 2.3 5.6
•' 14 26.2 8.0 37.6 9.1 5.4 2.1 4.9
" 15 23.8 7.7 36.9 8.8 5.0 2.5 5.6
■•20 27.3 7.9 40.0 8.4 4.5 2.3 4.7
" 21 31.1 7.5 39.7 6.8 5.1 4.2 5.3
'• 22 32.1 9.4 40.2 6.7 4.8 2.7 5.0
" 23 34.6 7.0 41.7 7.2 5.1 4.4 4.9
'• 24 35.0 7.2 40.0 8.4 4.6 2.9 5.3
" 25 32.0 7.4 40.8 7.9 4.0 2.2 5.2
Eighty per cent of the lead in the zinc-tailing consists
of oxidized lead, the other 20% being lead sulphide.
Blast-Furnaces at Copper Cliff
The following description of the blast-furnaces used at
the Copper Cliff plant of the International Nickel Co. ap-
peared in the August Bulletin of the C. I. of M. & M.
There are eight furnaces in this department. Five of
them are 17 ft. long, one is 21} ft. and two are 25| ft.,
giving a total furnace length of 157} ft. All have the
same width at the tuyeres, namely, 50 in., and are similar
in construction throughout except for such differences as
are due to the different lengths. The cast-iron hearth-
plates are supported by 12-in. I-beams laid transversely
to the furnace length. No cooling is provided for these
plates beyond that due to the air naturally circulating
under them. The crucible of the furnace is built of
chrome-bricks, which, at the sides, come up to within 6 in.
of the tuyeres and are stepped down to the centre in the
form of a 'V, the minimum thickness of brick being 18
in. The sides of the furnace are formed of sections 4 ft.
3 in. wide, containing six jackets for the full height of the
furnace. First there is a pair of cast-iron tuyere-jackets
(in which are embedded l}-in. water-pipes), each 2 ft.
1} in. wide and 4 ft. 7 in. high, resting on the hearth
plates. Each of the pair has, near the top, two tuyere-
openings 6 in. diam. Above the tuyere-jackets is another
pair of cast-iron jackets of the same width and of similar
construction, but only 3 ft. 11 in. high. Above these
is a steel water-jacket 3 ft. 6 in. high and 4 ft. 3 in. wide,
and finally another steel jacket 6 ft. high and 4 ft. 3 in.
wide.
The use of the small steel jacket was made necessary
when the height of the furnace was increased several
years ago. The cast-iron jackets are given a slope out-
ward to form the bosh of the furnace, the maximum in-
side width being 5 ft. 10 in., an increase from 2 ft. 10 in.
at the hearth-plates. The steel jackets are vertical. The
17-ft. furnace requires four of these sections to the side,
the 21}-ft. furnace, five, and the 25i-ft. furnace, six. At
the dead end of the furnace the lowest jacket is of cast-
iron with water-pipes imbedded in the same way as with
the cast-iron side-jackets. It is 3 ft. 9 in. high and above
it are three steel water-jackets, 4 ft. 9 in., 3 ft. 6 in., and
6 ft. high, respectively. At the front end the lowest
jacket is of copper 32 in. wide and 5 ft. long, with the
lower edge 1 ft. 11 in. above the hearth-plates. This
forms the trap of the furnace. The top of the copper
jacket is the same height above the hearth-plate as the
top of the east-iron jacket at the dead end, and hence the
remainder of the jackets at the front are the same as
those at the dead end. Each furnace is provided with a
small side tap-jacket fitted into a notched tuyere-jacket
and placed near the middle of the furnace.
The spout is of chrome-brick built against the copper
jacket. It is carried on a 4-in. cast-iron plate about 4 ft.
wide and 5 ft. long, which rests on the bottom plate of the
furnace and the side of the settler. Cast-iron water-
cooled side-plates retain and protect the brick. A water-
cooled cast-iron lip is placed where the mixed matte and
slag flow from the spout. Further protection to the
brick is given by another cast-iron cooler placed under
the lip. The effective depth of the trap formed by the
spout and the copper jacket is about 9 in. This type of
spout was developed at the plant to overcome trouble with
corrosive low-grade copper-nickel mattes, and has proved
very satisfactory. A cut-out of the spout is practically
unknown.
At the Creighton mine of the International Nickel Co.
the same rounds are drilled in all drifts and cross-cut
headings, varying only in the number of 'easers'. The
four-hole centre-pyramid cut is used, and from 17 to 22
holes, usually 19, are drilled in a round. Great care is
taken to bring the cut-holes near to the point of inter-
section, and to properly place the 'easers'. Guts are
blasted and enlarged separately, before the 'square-up'
is blasted. Rounds varying in length from 6| to 7^ ft.
are broken. Polar Foreite of 40% strength is used for
all classes of work. Experiments with different types and
lengths of rounds have been conducted. Rounds averag-
ing 10 ft. in length were broken during a period of 30
days with the same speed per machine-shift and less
powder per foot driven, but the large amount of broken
rock to be' handled interfered with the cycle of opera-
tions. Two Sullivan (DR6) drills are used in each head-
ing. The air-pressure is 100 lb. Hollow hexagonal steel
1^ in. diameter is used. Cross-bits, with 14° and 5° taper
and reaming edge, are gauged 2| in. on 2-ft. 'starters'
and decrease -J in. per foot to a length of 8 ft. ; there-
after the decrease is ^ in. per foot to 14 ft., and there is
a difference of £ in. between the gauge of 14-ft. steel and
that of 20-ft. As it is necessaiy to drill 16-ft. holes in
the stopes, and as the bits of 16-ft. steel are 1T\ in. diam.,
this bit-gauge is used throughout the mine in order to>
avoid confusion and to standardize shop-work. Experi-
ments are being made with small-gauge bits on develop-
ment work, commencing with 2-in. 'starter' bits and
finishing with lf-in. bit at 10 ft. A 7|-ft. round in
granite is drilled in one and one half shifts, or three
drill-shifts. During the period from July to December
1919 the advance per drill-shift in drifts and cross-cuts
was 2.3 ft., consumption of powder averaging 19.4 lb. per
foot driven. Drills are tested on a granite block in the
repair shop and must cut three inches per minute using
a 2i-in. bit.
September 25, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
159
Some Cornish Mining Terms
By T. A. R1CKARD
The origin of many terms now an integral part of the
miner's vocabulary is to be found in the glossary an-
nexed to a tine old book called 'Mineralogia Cornu-
hiensis'. by William Fryer, "of Redruth in Cornwall".
This volume, published in 1778, is a Cornish 'De Re
Metallica' and contains much of the same kind of shrewd
commonsense as distinguishes the more famous book by
Georgius Agricola, now known to the profession by
means of Herbert Hoover's translation. Indeed, Dr.
Pryce quotes his predecessor of 1556 more than once.
The learned Cornishman calls his glossary 'An Ex-
planation of the Cornu-Teclmical Terms and Idioms of
Tinners'. It is interesting because it gives us the origin
of many familiar words. For instance, 'winze'. This is
a corrupt form of 'winds', namely, a place where they
wind. The word 'wind' is Old English and means to
go in a curved or circular course, as around a windlass,
in which wincUll = winder and ass = beam. In the North
of England, says Pryce, a 'winds' is called 'the turn', re-
ferring to the axletree or cylinder on which as it turns
the rope is wound. 'Little-winds' is defined as "an un-
derground shaft, sunk from a horizontal drift, by which
the top of the winds communicates with the side or bot-
tom of the grass working-shaft". 'Grass', we are told,
"signifies on the surface of the earth". For example,
"Is Tom Treviscas underground? No; he is at grass".
"He is on top", as we would say.
'Costean' is Cornish; it comes from colhas, to find, and
stean, tin. Pryce also gives 'dropt-tin' as the equivalent,
suggesting that 'to find' is not the literal translation of
cothas. To costean is to dig a pit to bedrock in search
of ore.
'Gad' is Cornish for wedge, 'Cob' is "to break or
bruise ". ' Spal ' is " to break large solid blocks of ore with
sledges to a smaller size, in order to cull out the barren
stony parts". A 'gossan' is "a kind of imperfect iron
ore, commonly of a tender rotten substance, and red or
rusty iron color. It is an upper covering to the ore".
The German eiserner hut, or iron cap, is expressive.
'Jigging' is "a method of dressing the smaller copper
and lead ores by a peculiar motion of a wire sieve in a
kieve or vat of water, where the smallest particles pass
through the jigging-sieve, and those which are larger and
solid lie at the bottom of the jigging-sieve or jigger; so
that the uppermost light stony waste may be easily sep-
arated and skimmed off by a piece of semicircular board,
called a limp". 'Plat', as we use it, is a corrupt form
of 'plot'. Pryce says: " 'to cut a Plot' is to make room,
or square out a piece of ground by the side of the Lode
or Shaft, for holding broken work or deads before they
are brought to grass or for other convenient purposes".
Dr. Pryce 's definition of 'horse' is not a happy one; he
says: "A portion of dead ground in a Lode, which widens
like a horse's back from the spine". Surely it comes
from the fact that when the lode is split by a wedge of
rock, the lode rides it with a leg on each side. I am re-
minded of the story told of Clarence King, who was sent
to examine ;i mine in Utah in which a ■"horse' was re-
ported to have spoiled the prospects of com inued produc-
tivity. He found more than one horse, so he telegraphed
to the directors! "Tour mine is a regular livery-stable".
'Resue' Mas almost gone out of use, but the Cornish in
Gilpin county, Colorado, and those a1 Grass Valley, Cali-
fornia, will be found to retain it. It means the strip-
ping of veins in a stope, by removing the adjacent rock
first and then taking down the ore separately, and clean-
ly. Pry ee gives it as 'dizzue', and says: "To dizzue the
Lode is this : If it is very small and rich, they commonly
only break down the country or stratum on one side of it,
by which the Lode is laid bare, and may be afterwards
taken down clean and free from waste . . . The refuse
or deads of a Dyzhued Lode is called in some places the
Dyzha". Note how he says "dyzhued", not 'dizzued',
because 'dizzue' comes, he says, "from the Cornish 'dyz-
hue', to discover unto". In Cornwall they still use the
form 'desue'. It is possible that 'resue', as suggested
by Mr. R. Arthur Thomas, comes to us not from the
Cornish but from the Welsh, for the Welsh word 'resgyw'
means to liberate, to open, to make loose, or set at large.
Another interesting old word is 'vug', sometimes writ-
ten 'vuglr in order to indicate the hard sound of the 'g'.
Pryce says: " 'Vooga'. Smoak. We also call a hollow
cavern, either in the earth, or the Mines, or by the fret-
ting of the sea, a Vooga; in the Mines, a Vooga-hole."
So today the American miner speaks of a vug or vug-
hole, meaning any small cavity in the lode. It is com-
monly a place for finding crystalline growths and beau-
tiful specimens of minerals, which, owing to the space
becoming filled with clay or slime, have had an oppor-
tunity to develop without interference. 'Vug' used to
mean smoke or a place for smoke. The Welsh have ' fwg',
smoke. The 'w' in Welsh sounds like 'oo' in food, says
Mr. Thomas. Again we have the likeness between Cor-
nish and Welsh, both of which languages are descended
from the Armoric branch of Celtic. Welsh is a living
language today, whereas the last person to speak Cornish
died about forty years ago.
Many of the Cornish terms came from the miners of
Saxony, who preceded the Cornish themselves as the
professors of mining. Freiberg was a school of mining
before Redruth, and Dr. Pryce acknowledges the fact,
etymologieally, in his glossary. To the Saxons we owe
'stope', a step; 'stall', from stdllc, a prop; 'shaft', a
groove or pit, 'Sump' or 'sumph', says Dr. Pryce, is. "a
pit sunk in the very bottom of the mine; it serves as a
basin or reservoir, to collect the water of a Mine together,
that it may be drawn out by an engine or machine".
'Shode' is an old Cornish term of Teutonic origin.
Probably from shutten, to pour forth. "Shoding", says
Pryce, "is the method of finding veins of Tin by dig-
ging small pits in order to trade out the Lodes of Tin,
by the scattering loose stones and fragments that were
dispersed from them by the retiring waters of the deluge :
these loose stones thus dispersed are Shode stones". This
the American miner calls 'float', which also suggests a
"deluge", in other words, the sorting action of rainfall
460
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 25, 1920
and rivulet. Dr. Pryee spells 'deluge' with a small 'd',
but lie appears to be referring to the Noachian fable.
Another curious Cornish word is 'learies', which means
emptiness and refers to old stopes. Undoubtedly it is a
form of 'leeries' and comes from the German leer, mean-
ing 'empty'. From the French, probably through Brit-
tany, from which so many of the Cornish migrated, we
obtained 'van' and 'vanning' shovel. Dr. Pryce says:
"Van (From the French, Avant, foremost). To make
a Van is to take a handful of the Ore or Tin-stuff, and
bruise, wash, and cleanse it on a shovel, to shake and
throw forth upon the point of it almost all the Ore that
is freed from waste." . . "Quarrie. When a Lode or
Stratum breaks in large hard rocks, being jointed, as it
were, it is called a Quarey Lode or Stratum, for its joints
or Quires." The word comes from the Latin quadrare,
to square. Note how under the definition of 'Plot' or
'Plat'. Pryce says "to square out a piece of ground",
meaning to excavate a space square in plan. The French
word for 'quarry' is carriere, from carre, square or
quadratic. 'Huel' is another word that links Brittany
with Cornwall. It survives in both, although in the
English county it is often spelled 'wheal'. Pryce says:
"Huel. A Work, a Mine; as Huel Stean, a Tin Mine:
Huel Kalish, the hard work." Notwithstanding this, the
Cornish will say Huel Virgin Mine, which means 'mine
Virgin mine', showing how the original significance of
'huel' is ignored. There was a mine called the Great
Wheal Work, a name in which 'wheal' and 'work' are
synonyms. Pryce gives, "Core (i. e.. Corps; body, com-
pany, society). Corps is used among the military, and
pronounced Core. With the Tinners it has also a respect
of time, such as their proper change or turn of working.
Thus it is said, the first Core by night is eight o'clock,
for instance ; the second Core is four after midnight, and
the day Core commences perhaps at noon-day, according
as the labourers will settle among themselves. But in
difficult and hard working places, where water is too
troublesome, or air is very deficient, they divide their
Cores into four; that is, every six hours." Thus 'core' is
equivalent to 'shift'.
Let us conclude with some familiar Cornish words ; for
example, 'elvan'. Pryce says that it means "a very hard
close-grained stone, thought to be bastard limestone".
It comes from 'elven', in Cornish an element, a spark of
fire". Evidently a stone against which steel strikes fire.
Since Pryce 's time it has become synonymous with
igneous rock, especially granite, in dike form.
'Flookan'. says Pryce, is "an earth or clay of a slimy
glutinous condition". Again, "a small slide is also a
fissure filled with clay or Flookan". The form 'flucan'
is usual nowadays.
Last, there is our old friend 'quartz'. Pryce spells it
'quarts'. He says: "A hard, opaque, and sometimes
semi-transparent crystalline stony mass, vulgarly called
Spar, which it is not, being a chrystalline basis". The 'h'
in 'chrystalline' shows that typographic errors were
made a hundred years ago. as today. Pryce says nothing
about its derivation, which is from the German quarz.
without the 't'. The use of 'quarts' explains why some
old Cornish miners speak of " them quarts ". Many years
ago, at Melbourne, E. J. Dunn, the distinguished geolo-
gist, told me how when he was a small boy among a ship-
load of emigrants on their way to the gold diggings of
Ballarat and Bendigo, he heard the word 'quarts' used by
the unsophisticated as if it meant double pints. They ex-
pected to find gold in quarts !
The Mule Creek oil-field is in eastern Wyoming, only
4 miles from the South Dakota line, about 35 miles north-
east of the well-known Lance Creek field and 100 miles
east of the Salt Creek field. It is the most productive field
in Wyoming. The presence of petroleum in commercial
quantities in this region had long been suspected, and in
recent years considerable drilling had been done on a
prominent anticline there, but most of it was done to vali-
date claims, and, though many 'shows' of oil were re-
ported, the wells were not sunk deep enough to test the
anticline thoroughly. In 1919 the geologists of the Ohio
Oil Co. discovered a second anticline south-east of the
prominent anticline to which drilling had been confined,
and the company drilled on this south-eastern anticline a
test well which proved to be the discovery well of the field.
The production of this first well was small compared with
that of the wells in the near-by Lance Creek field, but its
success stimulated extensive drilling, and by the fall of
1919 about 10 wells on the south-eastern anticline were
each producing daily 125 to 150 barrels of oil of high
grade. Drilling was not confined to the south-eastern
anticline, however, and late in 1919 no large quantity of
oil had been found except in wells drilled near its axis.
The Mule Creek oil-field is described in a report by E. T.
Hancock just published by the U. S. Geological Survey
as Bulletin 716-C, which may be obtained free of charge.
Copper-nickel ore is roasted in beds at Copper Cliff,
Ontario. The only preparation required before begin-
ning to build a bed is to lay the wood necessary to start
the roasting. The wood for each bed covers a rectangular
area about 100 ft. long and 60 ft. wide. The width is
determined by the distance between the railroad tracks,
but the length is largely a matter of convenience in build-
ing and lighting. The fuel used is the usual 4-ft. cord-
wood, and it should be of good quality. The finished bed
contains about 5000 tons of ore. The beds are lighted as
soon as possible after the building is completed. As the
wood burns away, the ore settles down and cracks de-
velop in the surface of the bed. This is the critical time
of the process, and bed-trimmers are constantly on the
alert, during the first week or two of the burning, to
close these cracks as quickly as possible. After the
subsidence is completed no more openings are likely to
fonn, and the bed requires practically no further atten-
tion. It will probably burn for six or seven months, by
which time the sulphur will be reduced to about 10%.
The roasted ore is re-claimed from the beds by two At-
lantic steam-shovels having a dipper capacity of 2| cu.
yd. They load the roasted ore into the same 50-ton cars
that bring the green ore from the mine.
September 25, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
461
MING
-<T*P
FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS IN THE FIELD
™" "'" """" """" '"" ""' '"" '"""" ' "" '»»»■ mi ' mi mini i mumm i mini ,„ „„ mmm
last year. The amount of water to be pumped continues
to decrease. In June less than seven million gallons was
pumped as compared with over eleven million gallons last
June. On July 1 the company had a balance of cash and
cash assets of $145,727, not including ore in transit.
Tucson. — The annual convention of the Liga Pro-
teetora Latina, an association of the Spanish-speaking
population of the south-west, formed especially to com-
bat radical propaganda, and composed almost entirely
of American citizens, was held recently at Tucson. The
order has a membership of approximately 2500 members.
Mining conditions in general were discussed at length
at the quarterly meeting of the Arizona chapter of the
American Mining Congress, held at Tucson on Septem-
ber 13.
"Wabren District. — Recent strikes of copper ore in the
White Tail Deer section, the southern end of the Warren
district, are of great importance and indicate the future
extension of mining operations into this part of the dis-
trict. A big body of sulphide ore of good commercial
grade was recently opened up by the Boras Leasing Co.
on the 600-ft. level of the property belonging to the
Copper Queen Mining Co. Oxide and carbonate ores
had been mined on a small scale in the White Tail Deer
section for the last few years, but this is the first dis-
covery of sulphide ore that has been made there. The
orebody has not been fully developed. The Calumet &
Arizona Mining Co. has completed a ventilation-shaft,
sunk for the purpose of providing an outlet for smoke
and fume from a fire-area in the Briggs mine between
the 1300 and 1400-ft. levels. The total depth of the
shaft is 786 ft. and it is connected by drifts with the
fire-area, which is bulkheaded off from the rest of the
mine, the only outlet being through this shaft. It is
thought that there is no actual fire in the mine at the
present time, but the admission of air into the sulphide
stopes probably would fan the flames into action again.
Globe-Miami District. — Taking the output for the
eight months of the current year as a basis, the Miami
Copper Co. will produce the largest amount of copper
ever recorded by the company, with the possible excep-
tion of 1918, when, under the stimulus of a heavy war
demand, the output for the year totaled 58,500,000 lb.
More than 37,000,000 lb. has been reported up to the end
of August, indicating approximately 56,000,000 lb. for
the full year. This showing comes in the face of a stag-
nant copper market and is possible on account of low
producing costs at Miami.
Bisbee. — The North Tigre Leasing Co. 's mill, recently
ARIZONA
RESULTS AT THE SUPERIOR & BOSTON'.
Globe. — A strike was called at the Arizona Commercial
Mining Co.'s mine, the reason given being the discharge
of one of the shift-bosses, who was very popular with the
men. At the Miami Copper Co.'s plant the portal of the
lumber-yard tunnel is being concreted. The completion
of this tunnel will greatly facilitate the handling of all
timber as it will then be possible to take the timber from
the yards direct, on the same level, to the No. 5 shaft,
through which it will be lowered to the various working
levels. The timber is at present being hoisted up a long
incline to the collar of No. 4 shaft and then lowered to
its destination. Rapid progress is being made in the
underground connections between No. 5 and No. 4 shafts,
connections having been completed on the 570-ft. and
720-ft. levels. The 850-ft. drift from No. 5 has been
driven to a point below the bottom of No. 4 shaft and
raising from this point to make connection, with shaft No.
4 will be started at once. It is reported that the Atlantis
Mining Co. at Payson is making good progress in develop-
ing its silver and gold property. A force of men is now
engaged in sinking a shaft on the Atlantis claims. The
diamond-drilling at the Ray Boston Copper Co.'s prop-
erty near Kelvin is said to have reached a depth of 1440
ft. and is expected to cut the vein within the next 40 or
50 ft. Future development will, of course, depend largely
on the core-showings at this depth. In his recent report
for the third quarter of the fiscal year, 1919- '20, T. R.
Drummond, president of the Superior & Boston Copper
Co., states that during this period 2156 ft. of develop-
ment work was done, in addition to 2007 ft. of diamond-
drilling, as compared with 2211 ft. the previous quarter,
and 1301 ft. for the same quarter last year. From this
development work 9065 tons of waste has been hoisted,
in addition to 2254 dry tons of ore from development
work and stoping. This ore has averaged 5.56%, copper
and 13.35 oz. silver. The net smelter-returns were $44,-
455.65, an average of $19.73 per ton. This includes sev-
eral cars of low-grade silicious ore, which have been ship-
ped to local smelters and on which a favorable rate was
made as this class of ore is in demand. The replacement
of decayed timbers in the MeGraw shaft has been com-
pleted. The collar set has been concreted and the shaft
is now in good condition. Fuel-oil consumption in the
power-plant has continued to decrease, June consumption
being the lowest of any month in recent years. Against
this the price of fuel-oil is 17% greater than last year, so
that the saving by the decreased consumption amounts to
only $250 per month compared with the cost in June of
462
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 25, 1920
started up, is reported as running satisfactorily. Three
carloads3 of concentrate have been shipped to the smelter
at El Paso. The output has been curtailed owing to the
shortage of water, but it is expected that this difficulty
will be overcome within thirty days. It is reported that
a large body of 12% azurite copper ore has been opened
in the Night Hawk mine. The ore was cut in the 650-f t.
level, 250 ft. east of the shaft. One hundred feet of the
ore has been exposed by drifting and it is expected that
the orebody will extend to the Boras side-line and connect
with the sulphide ore recently opened on that property.
A raise which is being made from the Boras drift has
advanced 15 ft. and is still in ore. This work proves the
ore over the Boras drift, although when the drift was
first ran the ore was not found. James McKenna is su-
perintendent. The recent strike of sulphide ore in the
Boras lease has stimulated interest in the Don Luis region
and the Don Luis Development Co. has been formed to
take over the Finerty property, the litigation of which
has been adjusted.
Camp Verde. — W. P. Blake has briefly described the
deposits of glauberite, and associated minerals, a mile
and a half south-west of this place, in a report to the
Governor of Arizona. The deposits are 60 ft. thick in
places and cover a considerable area. The Western
Chemical Co., of Tonopah, W. B. Roberts, president, has
recently leased two sections of this area, one from the
State of Arizona and the other from private interests.
It is the intention of the Western Chemical Co. to mine
and ship for the present 100 tons of the natural salts to
the refinery at Los Angeles, California, It is said that the
resulting sodium sulphate is to be shipped to paper-pulp
manufacturers in Finland.
Jerome. — Rock to the extent of 50,000 cu. yd. was re-
cently blasted by ten tons of dynamite in the present
steam-shovel operations of the United Verde. The blast-
ing was carried out by means of four 110-ft. churn-drill
holes. The holes were sprung by 600 lb. of powder each.
Oatman. — It is announced by the directors of the Tom
Reed Mining Co. that the dividend rate is to be reduced
to one cent per share per month, payable quarterly. This
reduction is deemed necessary to provide funds for the
large amount of development and prospecting that is now
being done and at the same time build up a substantial
reserve. The gross production of the United Eastern
Mining Co. for the first seven months of 1920 was $1,213,-
657 and dividends paid out by the company in the same
period were $776,910. The gross production of the Tom
Reed for the same period was $452,628 and during that
time it paid about $111,000 in dividends. It is reported
that the United Eastern Mining Co. has installed a dia-
mond-drill to carry out extensive exploration at depth.
Tombstone. — The Solstice Mining & Milling Co.,
owned by Boyd, Hughart. and Bludworth. has made the
final payment for the purchase of the property. Engi-
neers have reported that silver ore to the value of
$120,000 is at present available in the mine. It is the
plan of the company to install a 50-ton mill, hoist, air-
compressor, and cyanide tanks.
COLORADO
NEW FIND IN THE VARXEY TUNNEL.
Aspen. — Large bodies of silver-lead-zinc ore have re-
cently been encountered in the Varney tunnel in the
Woody Creek-Porphyry Mountain district north of this
city. The ore is claimed to be 30 ft. wide, part running
50% zinc and the remainder 20 oz. silver, 40% lead, and
30% zinc. The principal owners are D. M. Hyman and
New York associates. The same interests are planning
another tunnel into the mountain facing Porphyry where
surface showings are reported better than at the Varney.
The Aspen Silver Lead Mines Co. has cut the main ore
contact on Porphyry mountain in its tunnel now 800 ft.
long. The property lies just north of the Varney, and it
is expected to cut the silver-lead ore-shoot in the next
100 ft. The Anaconda group north of the Aspen Silver
Lead group has also cut the contact and has an excellent
ore showing. This group is owned by Aspen miners who
have spent considerable money and many years in its
development. Rich ore has been uncovered in the May-
flower claim by the Park Tunnel company, operated by
Leadville and local men.
The Smuggler management is adding more powerful
pumps to unwater the mine and extract the lead-zinc ore
standing in the old fire-stopes. The Hope company own-
ing the Little Annie group 9 miles south of Aspen is in-
stalling electric power. The Hope tunnel has reached the
Weber limestone-porphyry contact and it is expected the
main ore-shoot will be cut soon.
Central City. — The Evergreen shaft has been sunk to
the 850-ft. level, a station cut, and drifting started. It is
reported that a Denver syndicate, operating the Annie B.,
is mining high-grade gold-silver-copper ore. The Barriek
tunnel of the Saco de Oro company has been driven 850
ft. and the heading is reported to be highly mineralized
with talc streaks containing fair amounts of gold. The
objective point under the Rochester shaft is still 170 ft.
distant, but it is expected that the vein which produced
rich silver-gold ore in the shaft at 250 ft. will be cut on
its dip within the next 100 ft. The tunnel will be 400 ft.
beneath the shaft.
MICHIGAN
SHIPMENTS INCREASING
Calumet. — Small lots of copper are being shipped
from the smelters to fill domestic orders. August refined-
copper shipments from all the mines totaled 16,860.000
lb., an increase of over 6,000.000 lb. compared with July.
August shipments greatly exceed those for any month of
this year. The figures include only lake shipments, a
small amount having been shipped by rail. Considering
the comparatively dull market, the August record is re-
freshing, for it is 5.000,000 lb. in excess of the combined
production of all mines.
The tonnage derived from the removal of pillars and
the cleaning up of arches and backs of old stopes at the
C. & H. will be less than in 1919 when 63 drills were em-
ployed exclusively in this work. In 1918, a battery of 80
mber 25, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
46:?
drills was in commission in the tiiuil clean-up and ;i half
million tons of 'rock1 was recovered, compared with less
than 350,000 t<ms last year. -The old workings yield an
immense amount of 'rook', particularly us the operations
approach the surface, Eor there the strips of conglomerate
run better than 80 lb. per ton. The removal of shaft-
pillars in the Hecla department alone will be an under-
taking thai will take years to complete, because solid
columns, nearly 100 t't. thick, extend from the surface to
the bottom. All these pillars will he removed eventually
and the shafts sealed, but not until operations extend
below the 80th level, after which hoisting will he done
through the haulage-way now nearing completion.
Arcadian Consolidated should reach the 600-ft. level
in tin New Baltic shaft within a few days. After cutting
the 'plat' a cross-cut will he made into the vein and
Cross-cutting on the Aim k fissure at the 16th level
of NO. -' shaft lias reached a point 300 ft. from the Kear-
sarge Conclomerate vein. <>n the llth and 18th levels
the tunnel is being driven toward the same formation.
The Sssure on the 16th level has reached a width of three
Or four feet and. as has been the case since it was first
opened west of the shaft, it is rich in 'mass' copper.
Drifting in the 'mass' fissure has been under way east-
ward from the 15th to the 22nd levels, except the 18th,
while openings from the 22nd to the 26th, including
the stopes. have developed ground that is entirely satis-
factory. No. 2 shaft continues to show the richest ground
and occasionally boosts the yield to more than 26 lb. per
ton. By the end of the year it is expected that No. 4
shaft will have attained a depth of 175 ft. below the 21st
level, nearly 3000 ft. On the hanging-wall side of this
No. 2 SHAFT OF THE ARIZONA COMMERCIAL, COPPER HILL, ARIZONA
drifting started north and south. As only 10 or 15 ft.
of cross-cutting is necessary before the lode is tapped, it
should be a matter of not more than fifteen days before
drifting is under way. Considerable interest is centred
in Arcadian developments, for the disclosures of each
succeeding level are important, not alone to the Arcadian
hut to properties on the north. The fourth level revealed
a splendid showing and on the fifth level even higher-
grade ore was reported. Accordingly there is a prospect
that heavier mineralization will be noted on the sixth
and downward. If this proves to be the case, the old
fallacy about the ore becoming leaner with depth will be
exploded. The only mine that opens leaner ground as it
becomes deeper is the Calumet Conglomerate, for even
■Quincy. which has paid dividends since 1862. still yields
nearly 22 lb. per ton. The ore developed by practically
all of the Kearsarge-lode shafts is as high-grade as when
the vein was first tapped and the Pewabic vein on Frank-
lin property shows far better ore on the 39th level than
1000 ft. nearer surface. The Copper Range mines like-
wise are producing better ground than ever. While
metallurgical developments account for some of the
greater recovery, increase in the metal content of the ore
is the rule as each shaft is deepened.
shaft, two feet of ore has been opened. There is no ma-
terial change in No. 3 shaft so far as the grade of 'rock'
is concerned. The most gratifying feature of Ahmeek's
operations is the fact that the ore in No. 4 shaft, the most
northerly, continues to improve in value with depth,
while to the south Ahmeek has territory that has great
possibilities. The fissure, however, is attracting the
greatest attention at present, for it will provide an oppor-
tunity to do extensive exploratory work on the Kearsarge
conglomerate at a place distant from the original open-
ings.
White Pine, with a force of about 70 men, is producing
a negligible quantity of refined copper, compared with
its peak-production, although operations are going for-
ward in preparation for the future. There is little prob-
ability that the force will be further reduced. With the
present number of men it will be possible to develop
ground that will yield a profit when market conditions be-
come normal. With this mine situated so far from more
thickly populated centres, the retention of the nucleus
of a working organization is desirable and necessary to
ensure an efficient crew later.
Power-lines are being erected between the Calumet &
Hecla mills and Ahmeek, connecting with intervening
464
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 25. 1920
subsidiary mines which will be supplied with electricity
and power by the parent company. Although it will be a
long time before the new turbines at the mill are in com-
mission the present supply may be sufficient to operate
the new electric pumps at Kearsarge. For some time
No. 1 Kearsarge shaft has been hoisting nothing but
water, and bailers are in constant operation to handle
water that seeps through from the surface as well as the
flow from the abandoned South Kearsarge shafts.
• Practically all the equipment of the old Tamarack mill
has been moved to Calumet, where parts of it will be pre-
pared for future use and the remainder scrapped. Ex-
cavating for the flotation and leaching units of the recla-
mation plant has begun. A large part of the steel to be
used in the buildings, or at least the super-structure, will
come from the old coal-storage structures at Hubbell,
which were dismantled a year or two ago. The hoist at
North Tamarack No. 3 shaft has been moved to Isle
Eoyale, where it will go into commission at No. 5 shaft.
Seneca's fifth level 'plat' will be cut within ten days
and before October 1 drifting will begin. In the mean-
time there will be no let-up in the work in the third and
fourth levels, north, and by the time the fifth is well
under way the shaft will be sunk to the sixth level. At
Gratiot, the 13th-level south drift is progressing, with
operations under way by two shifts. There is no change
in the condition or quality of the ground.
Mayflower-Old Colony is continuing the raise in the
west cross-cut, instead of abandoning this exploration as
originally planned. The south cross-cut has entered
trap after having been in 'rock' for 180 ft., but it will
be continued in the hope that copper-bearing ground will
be found again.
NEVADA
DESCRIPTION OF THE DAYTON DREDGE.
Dayton.— The new all-steel dredge, completed Sep-
tember 5, is now being operated steadily. It weighs 900
tons and has a nominal capacity of 7000 cu. yd. per day,
although it is expected that uneven ground and boulders
will limit its effective capacity to 5000 cu. yd. per day.
"While the dredge does not. approach in size or capacity
some of those operating in California, it is said to be the
perfection of dredge design. It is the first in Nevada
made of steel construction, and the first anywhere in
which all the deck-plates are electrically welded. It has
9-ft. draft and was built in four months working time at
a cost of $350,000. Some of the structural material was
taken from two old dredges of the company near Marys-
ville. The dredge floats in an artificial pond on a bench
30 ft. above the bed of Gold creek and within a few yards
of the spot where gold was first discovered in Nevada.
Placer-gold was found here by Mormons early in 1S50
and the creek-bed was worked in a primitive way, part of
the time by Chinamen, until 1859, when the placer miners
working farther up the canyon discovered the Comstock
lode. Placer mining was then discontinued, but in later
years some small-scale hydraulic mining was done. The
company has secured, under deed or lease, 700 acres, and
has tested them by drilling and sinking shafts over 200
acres. It is said that the tests show an average gold
content of 31ic. per cu. yd., and earlier tests and reports
show 50 to 60c. Hydraulic washing of 24,000 cu. yd.,
several years ago, yielded 58c. per yard. The gold is
coarse and many good nuggets have been found. Bed-
rock is from 14 to 40 ft. deep. Power is secured from
the Truckee River hydro-electric plants supplying this
region, and water from the Marlett Lake flume supplying
Virginia City. The water is taken from the reservoir at
the south of Mount Davidson and runs down American
canyon to Gold canyon, whence it is carried in a 6-in.
redwood pipe to the dredge.
Ely. — The first secondary-enrichment contact-deposit
of sulphides of economic value developed in the Nevada
Consolidated has been opened for a length of 60 ft. on
the 700-ft. level of the Ruth mine, according to C. B.
Lakenan, general manager. The ore contains 7% copper
and it is reported that since the official statement was
made the drift has been extended to 100 ft. and a cross-
cut has been started to determine the width of the ore-
body. This is the extension of the orebody on the 500
and 600-ft. levels, where the average copper content was
21%.
Pioche. — Shipments have been made from the district
recently at a rate of 11,000 to 14,000 tons monthly. Dur-
ing the past two weeks the Prince has shipped 3850 tons ;
Virginia Louise, 1150 ; Bristol, 350 ; Con. Nevada-Utah,
200 ; Black Metal, 200 ; Combined Metals, 200 ; Ida May,
40. Drifts have been driven to a total of 50 ft. from the
bottom of the 75-ft. shaft sunk by lessees on the Burke
mine of the Amalgamated Pioche. Ore was found in the
shaft at 65 ft. and the drifts are being driven in ore.
There is a rich seam 8 to 10 in. wide in both drifts that
assays 0.18 oz. gold, 72.5 oz. silver, and 52.6% lead. The
lessees have mined 25 tons of ore for shipment. The
shaft will be sunk deeper and the drifts continued. The
Bristol is making a production that last month reached
1000 tons from the Lloyd-Bent winze, at a depth of 800
ft. The contact of the ore, according to analyses made
in Salt Lake smelters, is 0.02 oz. gold, 23.2 oz. silver,
12.5% lead, 3.3% copper, 6.7% zinc, 10.5% iron, 1.7%
manganese, 1% sulphur, 23.5% insoluble.
Stonewall. — Because the Sterlag tunnel of the Tel-
low Tiger cost $30 per foot to drive, the company has
stopped work until the cost can be reduced. Gordon M.
Bettles, manager, says the cost can be reduced one-half
by using a heavier drill, storing oil in large quantity, and
other changes. The tunnel is being driven in monzonite-
porphyry that is extremely hard.
Divide. — The Gold Zone has mined 60 tons of ore show-
ing free gold from the vein cut recently on the 700-ft.
level. This vein was found on the surface a year ago
when holes were being dug for telephone poles. It was
barren at 500 ft, but some of the ore being extracted on
the 700-ft. level is reported to assay $150 per ton. The
vein strikes directly toward the Alto, or at right angles to
the main Tonopah Divide vein. "Work has been resumed
in the Alto and East Divide, ou the 400-ft, or bottom,
September 25, 1930
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
465
level in each. The Alto was in ore on the 400-ft. level
When work was stopped and a wide vein containing nar-
row seams of on was being prospected al the same depth
in the East I 'ivide.
QoLOFlEZiD. — Report of the finding of an orebody in the
Five to One tunnel, two miles south of the Florence, has
brought hundreds of people to Goldfiekl from nearby
inu ns in the last week. The report was untrue. A vein
that outcrops on the hill into which the tunnel is driven
was cut about 550 ft. from the portal. The foot-wall was
entered and the vein has now been cross-cut 10 ft. with-
out exposing the hanging wall. The formation is re-
garded as being promising and pannings of gold are said
to have been secured in the vein. As the tunnel is in a
part of the district where no work has been done at a
depth greater than 50 ft., the Five to One has become the
centre of interest. The Lone Star has given a permit for
the erection of a Gibson mill to treat ore from the Meuli
lease. The 3000-ft. shaft of the Deep Mines is to be three-
cross-cut is the junction of the extension of the South
AVest Comstock vein and a contact between limestone and
granite.
Arrowhead. — Negotiations have been started for the
consolidation of companies owning claims adjoining and
near the Arrowhead, Ely and Salt Lake City men to
finance the deal, according to officials of the companies
included in the plan. The Arrowhead has bought a
25-hp. hoist and steel head-frame, which will be in use by
October, according to present plans. The Arrowhead is
making regular- shipments to the MacNamara mill in
Tonopah, the ore coming from the 275-ft. level. The ore
in a winze, recently started from the 100-ft. level, is 6 ft.
wide and of this width 3 ft. is rich material that will be
sent to a smelter.
UTAH
DALY-WEST AND JUDGE COMPANIES DECLARE DIVIDENDS
Salt Lake City. — High honors were won by 'the
THE DAYTON. DREDGE
compartment, instead of four, as was at first planned.
Two of the compartments will be 4f by 5 ft. and the third
will be 5 by 7 ft. in the clear, so that a skip can be used
in it if found advisable. The collar of the old shaft, from
which sinking will be started after it has been enlarged,
is being concreted and concrete will be used to retain
caving ground in the shaft, but elsewhere timber will be
used. The company has enough timber on hand to start
work and the rate at which the work will continue will
depend on the arrival of more, acording to H. G. Mc-
Mahon, secretary.
Carson. — The Nevada Protective, A. J. Canavan,
superintendent, operating two miles north of Carson and
eight miles from Virginia City, has started cross-cutting
to the vein at a depth of 100 ft. The ore in the district
contains gold, silver, copper, and lead. The first find was
made in the South West Comstock, where a shaft has
been sunk 210 ft. in ore worth from $15 to $20 per ton
for a width of 4 to 6 ft., with assays of more than $400
from seams. The objective of the Nevada Protective
Bingham team, composed of employees of the Utah Cop-
per, Utah-Apex, and Utah Consolidated Mining com-
panies, at the International Mine-Rescue and First-Aid
Meet at Denver, September 9, 10, and 11, when the team
tied for first place on artificial respiration work. The
Bingham team lost in the drawing of lots and, conse-
quently, must be considered second. Seventy-six teams,
from all over the United States, Canada, and Mexico,
were present at the meet, and fully 5000 spectators wit-
nessed the events. The Spring Canyon Coal Co. 's team
won the local prize as first from the State of Utah, while
the United States Fuel Co. 's team was second. The meet
was a great success, and did much to emphasize the im-
portance of mine-rescue work in coal and metalliferous
mines, as well as around mills and smelters.
Park City. — The Ontario Silver Mining Co. has a
force of men engaged in sampling the old mill dump,. with
a view to ascertaining the average value. If the returns
are satisfactory, which it is confidently expected they will,
be, a method of working the dump will be decided upon.
466
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 25, 1920
There are several hundred thousand tons of material that
will be workable. Report from the Park-Utah Mining
Co. states that conditions in the mine are improving, but
the great handicap is shortage of labor. Miners and
shovelers are so scarce that it is becoming a serious prob-
lem how to continue operations. This is true not only at
the Park-Utah, but at all of the other big properties in
this district. Shipments from this district during the
week ending September 11 totaled 1722 tons, of which
the Silver King Coalition shipped 636 tons ; Judge M. &
S.. 429 ; Ontario. 333 ; Daly- West, 115 ; Daly, 111 ; Nail-
driver, 50 ; and J. B. Ireland, leaser, 38. During the pre-
vious week 2186 tons was shipped. During a severe elec-
trical storm on September 7 the transformer house of the
Three Kings Mining Co. was struck by lightning, which
set fire to it and completely destroyed the building and
its contents. The destroyed transformers belonged to the
Utah Power & Light Co. The Three Kings company was
compelled to suspend operations for a period of ten days
while new equipment was being installed.
Directors of the Daly- West Mining Co. and the Judge
Mining & Smelting Co. held their regular quarterly meet-
ing at Salt Lake City on September 15. A 25-c. per share
dividend will be paid to the stockholders of the Daly-
West company on September 30. This will call for the
payment of $62,500. and bring the grand total of such
disbursements up to $6,768,500. The directors Of the
Judge Mining & Smelting Co. declared a dividend of
124c. per share, payable September 30. This dividend
will total $60,000, and bring the grand total up to $2,550,-
000. George W. Lambourne, president and general man-
ager of both companies, reports conditions at the mines
as excellent. The electrolytic plant of the Judge com-
pany is producing premium spelter, assaying 99.94%
pure, and it is expected that during the coming month a
new high record for production will be established. It is
intended to operate two units of cells in the future, in-
stead of one unit, as heretofore.
Alta. — Mineralization of an important nature has been
found in the 'Baby McKee' fissure in the lower adit of
the Howell Mining Co.'s property, adjoining the Cardiff
mine. About 18 in. of mineralized matter, showing iron
sulphide, manganese, and low-grade lead ore has appear-
ed in the face of the adit, according to H. J. Deming,
secretary and treasurer. The lower tunnel is now in a
distance of 2000 ft. For most of the way the tunnel has
been in a hard quartzite. In several places, streaks and
stringers of good ore have been opened up, some of which
have assayed as high as 36 oz. silver, 10% zinc, $1.50 in
gold, and 28% lead. Recently conditions in the tunnel
have been peculiar. The formation is quartzite, and in
places the fissure, which takes an irregular course, is sev-
eral feet wide and at others only a few inches. At pres-
ent the face of this tunnel is about 300 ft. below the place
where high-grade ore was found in the early days.
Eureka. — Work is progressing satisfactorily at. the
Eureka-Lily mine, according to Grant H. Snyder, man-
ager. In the drift headed south on the 1840-ft. level to
tap the ore-shoot developed on the 1 640-ft. level, bunches
and stringers of ore have been continuous for a distance
of 150 ft. The ore-shoot on the 1640-ft. level was 250 ft.
long, and a winze disclosed that mineralization improved
with depth so the management decided to develop the
same shoot on the 1840-ft. level. At the Tintic-Pay-
master property, the work of cutting out a station pre-
paratory to sinking a winze from the 400-ft. level, is
nearly completed. The sinking of the main working-shaft
at this property was discontinued on account of the heavy
flow of water encountered, and a tunnel several hundred
feet long was run on the 400-ft. level. The point where
the winze is to be sunk is about 500 ft. from the shaft,
and is in a limestone formation, which should carry no
water.
During the week ending September 11, the Chief Con-
solidated shipped 29 ears of ore; Tintic Standard. 25;
Dragon, 17 ; Mammoth, 12 ; Eagle & Blue Bell, 11 ; Iron
Blossom, 10 ; Iron King, 6 ; Bullion-Beck, 6 ; Swansea, 6 ;
Grand Central. 4 ; Gemini, 4 ; Victoria, 3 ; CenteuniaJ-
Eureka, 2 ; Alaska, 2 ; Empire Mines, 2 ; Eureka-Hill, 1 ;
Ridge & Valley, 1 ; Griggs-Huish Leasing Co., 1 car of
concentrate : making a total of 142 cars.
H. G. Snyder, an official of the Tintic-Union company,
owning ground in the eastern part of the district, states
that work is to be taken up at an early date. The com-
pany recently levied a small assessment which will give
ample funds for immediate needs. Some work will be
needed in order to hold the claims for the present year,
and officials state that they intend to sink a. shaft in the
near future. Recently the Zuma Mining Co. commenced
drifting from the bottom of the winze which has been
sunk about 100 ft. below the 800-ft. level. For the greater
part of the distance the winze followed a small seam of
ore and the same ore is exposed in the drift. The com-
pany is also raising from the 800-ft. level, where con-
ditions equally as favorable exist. At the property of
the Utah Zinc Co., situated in the Erickson district,
west of this camp, ore is now being mined, accord-
ing to B. F. Fleiner. The deposit is not large, but it is
expected a larger vein will be found when the fissure is
followed to the east-west break, a distance of only 50 ft.
At present there is only a small force of men employed,
but it is the intention to increase the number to carry on
more extensive development during the winter. George
Wallace is in charge. Regular shipments are now being
made from the property of the Imperial Lead Co., and
about 10 tons of lead ore is being shipped daily. The ore
is transported by motor truck to the railway siding at
Sugarville, and its average content is about 45% lead,
with a small amount of silver.
Ophir. — J. W. Cairns, one of the large stockholders in
the Eureka-Ophir Mining Co., having valuable property .
in the Dry Canyon section of this district, announces that
work will be undertaken again on company account. Mr.
Cairns stated that the first work will be to clean out the
workings of the property, which are in a run-down con-
dition as a result of the leasing operations that have been
conducted during the past few years. It is the intention
to install a new hoist, compressor, and such other equip-
ment as is necessary for steady production.
September 35, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
4(m
ItRITISH COLUMBIA
DECISION \caiN-T (imsiiv COMPANT is CASSIDI OOL1 [ERE
LITIu LTION.
Victoria. — The Supreme Court has given judgment
for the plaintiffs iii the suit broughl by the Esquimau1 &
Nanaimo Railway Co. against the Qranby Consolidated
Mining ft Smelting Co. Eor the coal rights in the area
known as the Cassidy Collieries. The decision permits the
Qranby company to continue operations pending appeal
which lias been taken to the highest Dominion court and
will finally be referred to the Privy Council. Final de-
rision is expected next spring. The suit involves the
legality of the grant by the British Columbian govern-
ment under the Provincial Settlers' Rights Aet, which
was disallowed by the Dominion government after the
grant was made. The Granby- company has spent a mil-
lion and a half in the development of these coal deposits
which ill'- Government built recently to provide against
such a disaster. The Granby company is planning tin1
re-opening of its .Midas mine, on Valdez peninsula. The
mine contains fairly high-grade copper ore. hut. on ac-
count of the long haul, it is proposed to concentrate !»■-
lore shipping.
SiNDON. L. II. Biggar, a metallurgist of Montreal,
who recently purchased Pat McGuire's interest iu the
Ottawa mine lease, has started the construction of a 50-
lon concentrator. It is hoped to get the building finished
before the snow comes, and then the heavy machinery will
he hauled to the mine over the snow later. The Ottawa
mine, which is situated at Slocan City, used to he owned
and operated by the Consolidated M. & S. Co. Last year
the company leased the mine to Pat McGuire and A. L.
McPhee, who shipped 377 tons of ore to Trail. Much of
this was derived from picking over the old dumps. The
DOME MINES, LTD., ONTARIO
and in building the town of Cassidy. The suit, however,
does not involve the surface rights, and there will be no
diminution of output until final judgment is rendered.
This is important because of the decreased output of the
Vancouver Island collieries which was 117,194 tons for
August as compared with 140,512 tons for July.
Stewart. — At the meeting of the local branch of the
Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, held here
on September 1, E. E. Campbell, assistant manager for
the Granby company, in an interesting paper on mining
eost, stated that ore was being mined more cheaply at
Hidden Creek than at any other mine in Canada. P. E.
Petersen, manager of the concentrating department for
the Granby company, described a flotation cell of his own
invention that is giving good results on Hidden Creek
■ore. According to G. A. Young, road superintendent of
the Atlin district, the bridge over the Bear river, at
Stewart, is nearing completion and will be in operation
shortly. Two miles of the road to the Stewart-Premier
mine was washed out, and repairs are being pushed as
rapidly as possible. He attributes the comparatively
slight damage in the Alice Arm district to the wing-dam
Rambler mill has been re-started, after several months
of idleness caused by the activity of the ' One Big Union '.
The men now employed at both mill and mine are affili-
ated with the 'International Mine Worker's Union'. A
new tunnel is to be driven on the Last Chance claim.
The old Payne mine, which was one of the first mines to
be operated in the Slocan, has been abandoned to a
Seattle syndicate. It is understood that no cash has
passed, but that a stipulation has been made that a defi-
nite amount shall be expended each year for four years
and that 15% royalty is to be paid on all ore shipped.
The upper part of the mine has been worked out, but the
vein has been cut by a tunnel at a depth of 1500 ft. and
little exploration has been done at this point, so the new
syndicate will commence operations at that depth.
Trail. — The Consolidated Mining & Smelting Co. has
declared the usual quarterly dividend or 2i%, payable
October 1. The disbursement will amount to $261,936
and will bring the total disbursement to $7,121,083.
During the week ender September 7 a total of 7718 tons
of ore was received at the smelter, the Consolidated com-
pany's own mines contributing 6946 tons. The other
468
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 25, 1920
shippers were : Emerald, Salmo, 45 tons ; Josie, Rossland,
170 tons; Mandy, Le Pas, 371 tons; Nettie L., Gerrard,
18 tons; North Star, Kimberley, 125 tons; Payne, San-
don, 9 tons; Providence, Greenwood, 72 tons; Skylark,
Greenwood, 16 tons; Taltarpin, Taltarpin, 4 tons; and
Velvet, Rossland, 27 tons.
Dolly Varden. — On September 10 this mine had
shipped just over one million ounces of silver. In 1919
the production was 426,000 oz., the remainder having
been shipped since June 17 of the current year. About
20 tons of 1000-oz. ore is being produced each month, the
valuable minerals being native silver and argentite. Be-
sides this high-grade stuff, the mine is yielding 235 tons
daily of 37-oz. ore. It is hoped that there will be inter-
ruption to shipments until about December 15, when the
snow will render the railroad ineffective.
ONTARIO
DECREASED PRODUCTION" DUE TO SCARCITY OF LABOR:
Toronto. — The Ontario government announces that it
cannot at present see its way to build a branch railway
from Swastika to open up the mining territory lying be-
tween Kirkland Lake and Larder Lake. Some time ago
it promised to construct the line providing the companies
interested would submit their properties to examination
by government engineers and that the investigation show-
ed that the resources warranted the outlay. The Asso-
ciated Goldfields. the only company operating at Larder
Lake, did not accept this condition, so the project failed.
Now the Associated Goldfields declares its intention of
building its own railway over a shorter route from a
point at or near Boston Creek. The Kirkland Lake dis-
trict has been supplied with a motor-road at a cost of
$100,000, a means of transportation that many of the
mine-owners preferred to a railroad. A highway is now
being built in the eastern extension of the field.
Kirkland Lake. — The Kirkland Lake has cut its main
vein ■ on the 900-ft. level where it carries excellent ore
with a showing of free gold. This working is the deepest
in the district. The Buffalo-Kirkland has contracted for
1000 ft. of diamond-drilling to demonstrate the continua-
tion at depth of veins uncovered on the surface. At the
"Wright-Hargreaves rapid progress is being made with
the construction of the new 150-ton mill. Shaft No. 1 has
been sunk to the 400-ft. level and the work of enlarging
shaft No. 3 is in progress. Stopes»are being cut at several
levels in preparation for taking out ore. The "VVood-
Kirkland has brought in a boiler and hoist. The shaft
has been put down by hand-steel for 40 ft., the vein show-
ing improvement with depth. At the King-Kirkland
camp-buildings have been erected and a series of strong
and well-defined veins opened up on the surface.
Porcupine. — A new orebody, of excellent grade and
width, discovered by diamond-drilling on the McTntyre
about 1600 ft. below the surface, is thought to be an ex-
tension of vein 84 of the Hollinger, which last year
yielded 137.000 tons of ore. The output of the Hollinger
Consolidated lias lately been considerably curtailed by
reason of a shortage of labor. Owing to many men hav-
ing gone to help in harvesting, or to the lumber camps,
the working-force has been reduced to about 900 and the
mill is being operated at only half capacity treating 1600
to 1700 tons of ore per day as compared with the average
for 1919 of 1950 tons per day. At the North Davidson
where the construction of a steam-driven mining-plant
has been completed, a vein on which a shaft is being sunk
carries rich ore over a width of 4 to 5 ft. at a depth of 50
ft. The shaft will be put down to 150 ft. The main shaft
on the Porcupine-Keora is down 250 ft., where cross-cut-
ting has been begun to tap two veins indicated by dia-
mond-drilling. The exploration of the north-west part
of the North Crown property below the 1000-ft. level is
proceeding rapidly. One hole is now 1600 ft. below the
surface and has reached the Keewatin formation. The
mill, which has a capacity of 150 tons, is running only at
half speed owing to shortage of labor.
Cobalt. — Operators who, when the price of silver was
low, were storing" their bullion, "are now shipping large
quantities. The bullion shipments from the Nipissing
and the Mining Corporation of Canada last week totaled
550,715 oz. The Nipissing during August mined ore of
an estimated value of $238,959 and shipped bullion and
residue from Nipissing and customs ore, having an esti-
mated net value of $701,981. A new record was made for
the low-grade mill which treated 7691 tons. The Crown
Reserve is drilling a hole from the 500-ft. level that will
reach a depth of 1600 ft. below the diabase. On its claims
in the Gillies Limit the company has a shaft down 30 ft.
on a cobalt vein with encouraging showings.
Cyril Knight, Ontario Government Geologist, is re-
surveying the geology of the Cobalt field. "Work in
the south-eastern part of Coleman township, including
the Beaver and Temiskaming mines, has been completed
and also that in the south-eastern part of Bucke town-
ship. Examination of the main part of the silver-pro-
ducing area will be commenced immediately, but will
be suspended during the coming winter with a view
to resuming and completing the work in the summer
of 1921. Bullion shipments reported from the Nipissing
and the Mining Corporation for the two weeks ending
September 10, amount to 449 bars containing 550.715
fine ounces.
For the first six months of 1920, silver production from
Ontario decreased to $5,077,028, as compared with
$5,951,362 during the first half of 1919. A further
diminution is indicated by the present price of 94c. per
oz. of silver, as compared with $1.17 for the first half of
the year. The 'Beaver Lake' vein on the Keeley Silver
mines, in South Lorrain, has "been cut at a depth of 425
ft. The width and mineralization so far determined com-
pares favorably with the upper levels, where a large ton-
nage has been blocked out. There the vein has a width of
four feet and contains 40 oz. of silver per ton. Financial
arrangements have been made to operate the ( lane Silver
mines, comprising 120 acres situated on the Elk Lake
branch of the T. & N. O. railway. Spectacular patches
of silver occur in narrow veins at the surface and an
effort will be made to make a carload shipment.
Septomh.i- _>.">, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
469
ARIZONA
The Coronado mine of the Arizona Copper Co. at Met-
calf. in which a series of fires has occurred during the past
three years, is now operating successfully under mine-fire
conditions. One of the interesting features in connection
with the operation of this mine is that the crew of men are
working daily in safety some little distance beneath the
timbered mat which is on fire. The mine is a vein-deposit
of great length and is said to be one of the longest produc-
tive veins in the West. The main working tunnels are par-
allel to each other and to the vein. The method of mining
formerly employed was top-slicing and a continuous tim-
bered mat approximately a quarter of a mile long and 35 ft.
wide extended over the main workings. The numerous fires,
presumably of incendiary origin, by which this mine was
troubled, all occurred in the timbered mat. At first these
fires were extinguished, but new ones started faster than
the old ones could be put out, and the task of completely
extinguishing them became impossible. Some method of
operating the mine in safety under mine-fire conditions had
to be devised. When this decision was reached last fall,
the mine, which had been sealed temporarily, was re-opened
very gradually. Blowers were used to force the air through
iron pipe, past an air-lock of double doors, thus building up
a pressure of fresh air which forced back the smoke and
gases in the tunnels. After all the operating drifts and
tunnels were cleared the gases were forced through the
caved and broken ground to the surface, a distance of ap-
proximately 700 ft. An evidence of the strength of mine
gases upon reaching the surface, after passing through 700
ft. of caved and broken ground, is' that the miners on the
surface were driven from their work on top of Coronado
mountain and a burro grazing in the vicinity was killed.
After the mine had been entirely freed from gas a high-
pressure blower of 60,000 cu. ft. capacity was installed on
the 700-ft. level in the main working tunnel, the station,
of course, being placed so as to allow the passage of trains
with supplies, etc. As all raises immediately beneath the
fire were filled with ore and sealed, the air-pressure from the
mine fan reached the extreme end of the workings, where
it prevented the smoke and gases from entering the newer
stopes which were about to be opened. The system of
mining was changed from the timbered top-slice system to
the shrinkage method. The stopes were opened in the ex-
treme western part of the vein, which was a long distance
from the blower, and as this part of the vein became ex-
hausted, the old stopes were allowed to close and new ones
opened, gradually working toward the fresh air coming
from the blower placed at the eastern end of the vein.
Every safety precaution is used. Should the power go off
accidentally and the blower close down, a large air-valve
is opened immediately by the fan-tender, which allows a
large volume of fresh air to enter the workings and main-
tain the pressure for a sufficient length of time to permit
the men to reach a place of safety. Systems of signaling
by means of horns, and telephones are provided so that a
direct means of communication is always available. Aside
from the safety point of view, the provision of an abundant
supply of fresh air, as well as an immediate means of com-
munication with the men, is very desirable for efficiency.
CALIFORNIA
Amador County. — Under an agreement with the Argonaut
Mines Co., whereby the latter will bear all expenses, the
Kennedy has started unwatering its property. This work
will greatly aid the Argonaut company in clearing the bot-
tom levels of both mines and will facilitate resumption of
mining in the deep Argonaut levels much earlier than
scheduled. The Kennedy company recently suspended all
work at its property because of the expense attending un-
watering and the unfavorable position of the gold market.
The Argonaut company is anxious to clear all its workings
and resume mining on the 4800-ft. level, where high-grade
ore was disclosed shortly before the fire forced flooding of
the workings.
The extension of the main orebody of the Central Eureka,
recently opened from the 3900-ft. level, is reported to be
developing the same high-grade ore that was found on the
3750-ft. and other levels. The vein is several feet wide.
Twenty stamps are falling at the mill and other units will
be operated as soon as sufficient power can be obtained.
Nevada County. — It is estimated that the power restric-
tion is causing the Grass Valley mining district approximate
loss of $1000 per day in wages alone, as a result of the re-
duction in forces.
About 200 men were laid off. Their averatpe wage was
$5 per day. According to the district superintendent of the
Pacific Gas & Electric Co., no relief is yet in sight.
The North Star Mines Co. is engaged in re-timbering sev-
eral of the old shafts on its property, including the Massa-
chusetts Hill and New York Hill shafts. These shafts con-
nect with the Central mine and are .used for air and for
pumping. All represent former mines now consolidated
with the North Star properties.
The Sultana Gold Mining Co. has a crew of men engaged
in wrecking several old mills and hoists on its property,
including the old Sultana plant and the Prescott Hill plant.
These plants are largely obsolete and have been replaced
with a single modern plant.
At the Idaho-Maryland efforts are directed during the
shortage of power at holding the water, it being impossible
to make any gains. The water-level is now mid-way in the
old canyon shaft. The new plans of the company call for
unwatering the entire mine.
Shasta County. — Erection of the buildings at Winthrop
by the Shasta Zinc & Copper Co. is proceeding rapidly and
before winter sets in the management will have an excellent
camp firmly established. Most of the structures have to be
moved to the present site from Coram. The mine is being
actively developed and construction of a modern zinc-plant
is to start in the near future.
IDAHO
Coeur d'Alene. — The Federal Mining & Smelting Co., own-
ing several properties in the Coeur d'Alene, is removing
good ore from its Morning mine. The Gold Hunter is em-
ploying more men. Two shifts are employed on the Mid-
night property where ore is being followed by raise. The
Copper King is active. It raised 200 ft. from the tunnel-
level but ran out of ore toward the top. The ore was re-
covered in a drift from the top of the raise and its appear-
470
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 25, 1920
ance is as good as in the raise. The American Commander
is proceeding steadily with the exploration of its property.
Work is being done on the surface and in a shaft with en-
couraging results. The company will add a compressor to
its equipment in the near future.
That the rich ores of the Callahan-Zinc-Lead Co. in the
Coeur d'Alene will go to a great depth is confirmed by the
latest development, according to reports. The shaft is down
to the tenth level, which is 1250 ft. below the main working
tunnel. Cross-cutting to the vein is in progress and indica-
tions are that the same fine conditions will be found that
were opened on the ninth level 200 ft. higher. The shaft
is down to the level of Beaver creek and as the ore per-
sists in the same large orebodies and of the same high
quality, it is believed it will continue to much greater depth.
One of the most important developments in the last year has
been the building and equipment of the mill of the Nabob
Consolidated Mining Co. on Pine creek. The mine is now
operating with one shift, but will increase to full force in
the near future. James Carney, veteran prospector and mine
owner, who located the Carbonate Hill, Carney Copper, and
Elizane Carney Copper properties 30 years ago, is still work-
ing the Elizane and says the Carbonate Hill, which he re-
cently visited has a good showing for a big mine. He has
started a lower tunnel on the Elizane Carney Copper Mining
Co.'s property, which lies north of the Carbonate Hill.
Mullan. — "Highly encouraging conditions have been dis-
closed by the West Hunter Mining Co., one mile north of this
place, in developing on the No. 2 level," says T. B. Cosgrove,
manager. "The disclosure is contained in a streak of ore two
inches wide opened at a depth of 100 ft. The width of the
ore increased on drifting and at the face of the drift, 200 ft.
from the place of beginning, is 18 in. wide. The average
value is $31.70 to the ton, mainly in lead and silver but in-
cluding $2.50 in gold. The vein is 10 ft. wide. The section
of the vein containing ore should be reached in 200 ft. of
cross-cutting on the main-tunnel level which is 850 ft. below
the No. 1. Operations have been transferred to the cross-cut
which is being advanced at the rate of four feet per day."
Wallace. — The ore in the new find at the Bryan has been
cross-cut 15 ft., but the wall has not been reached. The
entire 15 ft. is in good milling-ore. The Federal Mining &
Smelting Co. has applied for a writ of certiorari, and if it
is granted the Supreme Court will review the entire case
of the Star Mining Co. against the Federal company. The
Sunset mine is being unwatered to the 800-ft. level so as to
permit access to the West Sunset. It is rumored that the
Days may buy the Sunset from W. A. Clark.
NEW MEXICO
Pinos Altos. — The Hecla Divide Mining Co., which recent-
ly acquired the interest in the Langston mine formerly held
by the Mexarco Mines Co., has a force of men at work repair-
ing the mine workings for operation. H. F. Davis is super-
intendent.
MEXICO-
Considerable interest is being evinced over the inter-
national exposition at El Paso, October 4. The principal
officials of Chihuahua are expected to be present and several
carloads of ore are to be shipped from the Chihuahua mines
for the mineral exhibit which will be one of the best of the
exposition. Parral, Torreon, and Durango will also be repre-
sented.
El Oro. — The Esperanza mine has recently cut the Descu-
bridora vein on the fifth level. The vein at this point is
four feet wide and assays 0.73 oz. gold and 38.48 oz. silver
per metric ton. The manager stated in June that there re-
mained about 1000 ft. on the course of this vein that had
not been explored. Until this ore was found the mine had
very little high-grade ore in sight and was depending on
low-grade ore and old fillings which can only be handled on
a large tonnage basis.
personalI
The Editor invites members of the profession to send particulars of their
work and appointments. The information is interesting to our readers.
George Alton has moved from Reno to Idaho Springs.
S. J. Lewis has returned from Zaeualpan to Mexico City.
W. H. Harrison, of Washington, is at Duluth, Minnesota.
Bond Coleman has moved from Mexico City to Mound City,
Kansas.
E. Wright Crow is now stationed at Metaquescuintla, in
Guatemala.
H. H. Schlapp, of Melbourne, has been on a visit to his
former home at Davenport, Iowa.
Otis D. Welsch is mill superintendent for the Saltchuck
Mining Co., at Ketchikan, Alaska.
Scott Turner, after a visit to New York, has gone to The
Pas district of northern Manitoba.
F. A. Dalburg, of New York, is now with the West India
Oil Co., at Caracas, Venezuela, South America.
Gustave A. Overstrom sailed by the 'Tenu Maru' fqr
Korea, in the interest of the Seoul Mining Company.
George Blagewitch, a Russian mining engineer from the
Ural region, is visiting mining and metallurgical plants in
Utah.
3. 1. McGeorge, for a number of years past assayer for the
Silver King Coalition Mines Co. at Park City, Utah, has re-
signed.
E. J. Itaddatz, president of the Tintic Standard Mining Co.
at Eureka, Utah, has been in southern California for a
vacation.
Morris B. Parker has resigned as consulting engineer to
the California Rand Silver Mining Co. and is now at Holly-
wood, California.
Francis B. Laney, of the U. S. Geological Survey, has been
appointed Professor of Geology in the School of Mines of
the University of Idaho.
Henry Leighton, professor in the University of Pittsburgh,
has been examining pyrite and iron-ore deposits in the
Algoma district, Ontario.
A. W. Beam, president and manager of the Benguet Con-
solidated Mining Co., sailed by the 'Tenu Maru' on Septem-
ber 18 for the Philippines.
H. G. Jenisen, of the U. S. Geological Survey, Washington,
is in San Francisco for a month to investigate the copper-
mining industry of the Pacific Coast.
Robert. D. Longyear, geologist for the E. J. Longyear Co.,
has just completed a geological examination for the Yellow
Pine Mining Co. at Goodsprings, Nevada.
Karl F. Hoffmann has severed his connection with the
General Development Co. to undertake independent work
with offices at 2 Rector street, New York.
S. F. Shaw has resigned as superintendent for the Ameri-
can Smelting & Refining Co.. to become manager for the
Compania Minera La Constancia at Sierra Mojada, Coahuila,
Mexico.
E. Harold Walker, safety engineer at the Utah Copper
mine, at Bingham, has resigned to accept a position with the
Union Miniere du Haut Katanga, at Elizabethville, in the
Belgian Congo.
Raymond .J. Poole, Professor of Botany in the University
of Nebraska, has completed investigations, begun in May.
of effects of smelter fume on plant life in the vicinity of the
smelter at Murray. Utah.
J. E. Healey, general manager for the Consolidated Main
Reef Mine & Estates, Ltd., Johannesburg, Transvaal, is at
Los Angeles. He will visit San Francisco, Denver, and
Chicago before returning to New York, whence he sails for
London by the middle of October.
September 25, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
•171
ARRET
f-
$nt%-m
METAL PRICES
San Francisco, September '.'1
Aluminum-duet, cents per pound 65
Antimony, cents per pound 050
Copper, electrolytic, cents per pound is!"5
Lewi, pig;, cents per pound 8 75 9 75
Platinum, pure, per ounce $115
Platinum. 10% iridium, per ounce f 165
Quicksilver, per flask of 75 lb 575
Bpelter. cents per pound 9.50
Zinc-dust, cents per pound 12.50 15^00
EASTERN METAL MARKET
(By wire from New York)
September 20. — Copper is ouiet and steady. Lead is inactive and weak.
Zinc is dull but firm.
SILVER
Below are given official or ticker quotations for 6ilver in the open market
as distinguished from the fixed price obtainable for metal produced. Bmelted,
and refined exclusively within the United States. Under the terms of the*
Pittman Act such silver will be purchased by the United States Mint at $1
per ounce, subject to certain small charges which vary slightly but amount
to approximately three-eighths of one cent. The equivalent of dollar silver
(1000 fine) in British currency is 46.65 pence per ounce (925 fine), calcu-
lated at the normal rate of exchange.
Date
Sept.
Jan.
Feb.
Men.
Apr.
May
June
New York
cents
14 94.25
15 95.00
16 94.75
17 94.00
18 93.75
19 Sunday
20 94.12
1918 1919
88.72 101.12
86.79 101.12
88.11 101.12
95.35 101.12
99.50 107.23
99.60 110.50
London
pence
60.25
60.75
60.50
60.00
59.50
59.50
Monthly
1920
132.77
131.27
126.70
119.56
102.69
90.84
Average week ending
Cents
Aug. 9 94.58
'. 16 95.39
" 23 99.12
" 30 96.61
Sept. 6 93.27
" 13 93.96
" 20 94.31
averages
1918 1919
July 99.62 106.36
Aug 100.31 111.35
Sept 101.12 113.92
Oct 101.12 119.10
Nov 101.12 127.57
Dec 101.12 131.92
Pence
58.39
69.05
61.60
60.70
58.90
59.15
60.08
1920
92.04
96.23
COPPER
Prices of electrolytic in New York, in cents per pound.
Date
Sept.
14 18.75
15 18.75
16 18.75
17 18.75
18 18.75
19 Sunday
20 18.75
Average week ending
Aug. 9 19.00
16 19.00
23 19.00
30 19.00
Sept. 6 19.00
13 18.75
20 18.75
1918
Jan 23.50
Feb 23.50
Mch 23.50
Apr 23.60
May 23.50
June 23.60
1919
20.43
17.34
16.05
15.23
16.91
17.63
Monthly averages
1920
19.25
19.05
18.49
19.23
19.05
19.00
1018
July 26.00
Aug 26.00
Sept 26.00
Oct 26.00
Nov 26.00
Dec 26.00
1919
20.82
22.51
22.10
21.66
20.46
18.55
1920
19.00
19.00
Lead Is quoted in cents per pound.
Date
Sept. 14 8.25
" 15 8.12
16 8.00
17 8.00
18 8.00
" 19 Sunday
20
Jan.
Feb.
Mch.
Apr.
May
June
1918
6.85
7.70
7.26
6.99
6.99
7.59
1919
6.60
6.13
6.24
6.05
5.04
6.32
. . 8.00
Monthly
1920
8.65
8.88
9.22
8.78
8.55
8.43
New York delivery.
Average week ending
Aug. 9
16
23
30
Sept. 6
13
20
July
Aug\
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
1918
8.03
8.05
8.05
8.05
8.05
6.90
TIN
Prices in New York, in cents per pound.
Monthly averages
1919 1920
71.50 62.74
72.44 69.87
72.50 61.92
72.50 62.12
72.50 64.99
71.83 48.33
1918
Jan 85.13
Feb 86.00
Mch 85.00
Apr 88.53
May 100.01
June 91.00
1918
July 93.00
Aug 91.33
Sept 80.40
Oct 78.82
Nov 73.67
Dec 71.52
1919
6.53
5.78
6.02
6.40
6.76
7.12
1919
70.11
62.20
55.79
54.82
54.17
54.94
. 9.00
. 9.06
. 9.19
. 8.85
, 8.55
. 8.29
. S.06
1920
8.63
9.03
1920
49.29
47.60
Sept.
Zinc is quoted aa
in cents per pound.
Date
14
1:.
18
17
18
19 Sunday
20
ZINC
spelter, standard Western brands, New York delivery.
7.80
7.80
7.85
7.85
7.85
Aug.
Sept.
Average week ending
16.
23.
30.
6.
13.
20.
8.12
8.27
8.42
8.45
8.29
7.78
7.83
Jan.
Feb.
Mch. ,
Apr. ,
May
June 7.92
1918
7.78
7.97
7.67
7.04
7.92
1919
7.44
6.71
6.63
6.49
6.43
6.91
Monthly averages
1920
9.56
9.15
8.93
8.76
8.07
7.92
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
1918
. 8.72
8.78
9.58
9.11
8.75
8.49
1919
7.78
7.81
7.57
7.8Z
8.12
8.69
1920
8.18
8.31
QUICKSILVER
The primary market for quicksilver is San Francisco. California being
the largest producer. The price is fixed in the open market, according to
quantity. Prices, in dollars per flask of 75 pounds.
Date 1 Sept. 7 76.00
Aug. 24 80.00 " 14 75.00
30 85.00 I " 21 75.00
Monthly averages
1918
Jan 128.06
Feb 118.00
Mch 112.00
Apr 115.00
May 110.00
June 112.00
1919
103.75
90.00
72.80
73.12
84.80
94.40
1920
89.00
81.00
87.00
100.00
87.00
85.00
1918
1919
1920
July .
...120.00
100.00
88.00
. . .120.00
103.00
85.00
...120.00
102.60
Oct. .
...120.00
86.00
Nov. ..
...120.00
78.00
95.00
GOLD AND SILVER
By F. T. Eddlngfleld and F. E. Wormser
•With the price of silver higher than it has been for some 45 years,
unusual interest arises regarding' the position of that metal and its re-
lationship to the present currency system. It is a well-known fact that a
silver dollar does not contain the equivalent of a dollar's value in silver,
and that the fluctuating value of the 374*4 grains of pure silver con-
tained in each piece causes that coin to vary in value. In 1915 its bul-
lion value amounted to 40.1 cents, and with the present price of silver
around 81.23 the actual value of the silver dollar iB 95 cents. Should the
price of silver reach $1.2929 per ounce, the gold parity point will have
been attained. An increase in silver value beyond that amount would
give a purchasing power to the silver dollar greater than its face value.
This might cause the stock of silver dollars to be melted into bullion and
sold, but as relatively few silver dollars circulate little detriment to circu-
lating currency would ensue.
The minor silver coins, such as dimes, quarters, and half-dollars, contain
a smaller proportion of silver than the silver dollar and until the price of
silver attains a value of SI. 3823 per ounce (the gold parity point) no dis-
turbance to that coinage is to be looked for.
The amount of silver in stock in the United States, on June 30, 1919,
amounted to 5552,214.591, against $745,747,094 on June 30. 1918. The
decrease is due to the melting of silver dollars under the Pittman Act and,
the shipments of silver bullion from this country to Great Britain.
The amount of silver exported during the first eight months of this year
is valued at $164,176,463, and of this amount the chief shipments were:
$108,877,478 to British India
24.969,886 " China
13,055,402 " England
6.588,197 " France
4,037.981 " Hongkong
and smaller amounts to other parts of the globe.
In August of a total of $13,808,877 in silver bullion exported, China's
share was $10,911,987 and India's $604,301.
A considerable amount of silver has been imported since January 1, 1919.
Of a total of $56,444,703 imported during the first eight months, $40,-
182,029 has come from Mexico. $5,465,971 from Peru, and $5,188,858
from Canada. The Central American States contributed $2,682,850 to the
total amount. Mexico's August exportation was $7,364,892 of a total of
$8,327,128 imported into the United States from various countries.
The exports and imports of gold exert a great influence over the foreign
exchange-rate, which in turn determines in some measure for all nations
where purchases of raw materials can be most advantageously made. Thus
Italy finds that its lire has a greater purchasing power in Germany than
in the United States.
MONET AND EXCHANGE
Foreign quotations on September 21 are as follows:
Sterling, dollars : Cable 3.51 %
Demand 3.52%
Francs, cents: Cable 6.92
Demand 6.93
Lire, cents: Demand 4.40
Marks, cents 1.77
•Issued by U. S. Bureau of Mines.
472
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 25, 1920
Eastern Metal Market
New York, September 15.
The markets are all generally featureless and quiet. The
tendency of prices is downward if any change is recorded.
Buying of copper is very light, but inquiries from large
consumers are increasing. Prices are easy.
The tin market has been quiet with buying only moderate
and prices but slightly changed. •
Lead imports continue to cause a softening tendency and
prices are lower.
The zinc market is uncertain as to the future because of
the improved situation. Values have declined.
Antimony is slightly higher but not active.
IROX AND STEEL
Business in general is very quiet. Traffic conditions are
improving very rapidly and this is considered as the main
reason why the Steel Corporation's unfilled orders as of
August 31 showed a decrease for the first time in several
months. The pig-iron market is stagnant. Buyers are not
ready to take hold for next year and sellers are contracted
for this year. It is believed that prices have marked their
peak for this movement. What buying there is appears to
be mostly in malleable iron in the Pittsburgh district. There
has been some lifting of embargoes, which has benefited the
Youngstown district, where pipe and wire products are most
in demand. Demand for plates and shapes is light but con-
sumers of nuts, bolts, and wire are active. The movement
of coal is better, which is a source of satisfaction. Prices
of coke remain stiff as output declines and car supply grows
less. There has been a wage reduction in sheet-mill opera-
tion for the first time in a long period, due largely to a
letting down in the automobile business.
COPPER
The market is lifeless as to actual business, but there are
indications that buying by large consumers must set in
soon. This is based on the fact that the latter are sounding
the market frequently and in large numbers. The predicted
buying movement is now set for the last of September or
the first part of October. In the meantime large producers
as a class do not have any set price. A few still adhere to
the 19c. level, while some are selling at IS. 75c, New York.
In the outside market there are small producers and dealers
who will take business at 18.75 to 18.50c, New York. In
the mixed situation we quote the market for both Lake and
electrolytic at 18.75c, New York, for September delivery,
with 19c asked for October and in some cases third quarter.
Export demand is said to be very good. The July exports
were 19,232 tons, excluding those to Canada, which should
bring the total to over 20,000 tons.
TIN
The market is still quiet. The tin importers, to whom
we referred a week ago, have continued to make some sales
of future shipments to dealers and consumers, principally
the latter, and the sellers are not reported as busy. In fact
the most encouraging feature of the market has been the
buying by consumers, among whom have been some large
tin-plate makers, and this is felt to be significant. The ton-
nage involved is reported to have been considerable. On
the New York Metal Exchange there have been further sales
under the rule. Total sales for the week on the exchange
have been about 250 tons. Spot Straits, New York, has
been steady around 45c and yesterday was quoted at 45c,
New York. Arrivals thus far this month have been 2700
tons with 4675 tons reported afloat.
LEAD
The market continues quiet. It is admitted even by some
producers that demand is not heavy and that consumption
is on the decline. The principal market even of the week
was the reduction on Monday of the leading interest's price
ic. per pound to 8.25c, St. Louis, or 8.50c, New York.
This was not unexpected by some, although declared unlikely
by others, principally producers. The step was merely re-
adjustment of the trust's price to the market-level, which
has been lowered still further by imported lead. This has
already amounted to at least 10,000 tons, it is stated, and
sales have been made as low as 8c, New York, duty paid.
In fact with exchange at $3.48 per pound sterling and the
London price at £3 5 per ton, actual import cost with duty
at 25% ad valorem figures at 7.40c per pound, New York,
which means a good profit. We quote the market as 8.25c,
St. Louis, or 8.37*c, New York, for early delivery under
present conditions.
ZINC
There are indications that the import situation is a factor
and will continue to be a lessening factor and is nearly at
an end. Re-sale metal from England is still available and at
a lower level than a week ago. It is quoted at 7.75c, sea-
board, for prime Western. The tone of the domestic market
is better. There are more inquiries from galvanizers and
some have resulted in sales at 7.85c, St. Louis, for early de-
livery. This would mean 8.30c, New York, with the cost
of freight added. It is, however, possible for imported zinc
to compete at Pittsburgh with prime Western at 7.80c, St.
Louis, which appears to be the present market. The New
York market may be quoted as 7.80c on the basis of the
import situation.
ANTIMONY
The market is quiet but strong. There are no features.
Quotations for -wholesale lots for early delivery are 7.12ic,
New York, duty paid. Jobbing lots are -J to }c. higher.
ALUMINUM
The feature of this market is the heavy offering of foreign
virgin metal, which can be had as low as 30c, New York.
The leading interest continues to quote the same brand at
34.90c f.o.b. producer's plant.
ORES
Tungsten: No new business is reported but the outlook is
said to be more promising. Prices are nominally unchanged
at $5.25 to $5.50 per unit in high-grade ore, with Chinese
ore at $5 per unit. For Bolivian, $6 to $7 per unit is asked.
Molybdenum: The situation is unchanged with regular
concentrate quoted at 7 5c per pound of MoS. contained.
Manganese. There are no developments. The market is
quiet and easy. Consumers are apparently well stocked and
are unwilling to pay more than 55c per unit, seaboard,
while sellers are asking 65c. Imports in July were 18,447
tons, or the lowest in several months.
Manganese-Iron Alloys: These markets are stale. There
is very little inquiry and very little selling. The recent cut
in ferro-manganese has caused consumers to wait, as usual.
Quotations are unchanged at $170, seaboard, for British
alloy, with American on the same basis. There are pre-
dictions that the domestic producer may cut the British
price. Spiegeleisen is quiet but strong at $80 to $82.50,
furnace, depending on the grade.
The Anaconda Copper Co. for the first time in its history
is preparing for the recovery of lead in its Montana smelting
plants. One of the old Boston & Montana reduction-works
stacks at Great Falls has been converted into a lead stack
for the treatment of the residue from the electrolytic-zinc
plant and the lead recovered from these residues will form
no small credit to operating expenses.
September •-!.">. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
47::
Book Reviews
Exporter's Gawttec-r of Foreign Markets. Compiled by
Lloyd R. Morris. Pp. 709, ill., index. Johnston Export
Publishing Co., New York.
While primarily Intended for the exporter, this book con-
tains so much interesting and useful statistical and miscel-
laneous information regarding the countries of the world as
to make it a valuable general book of reference.
A Spanish Mining Directory. By Adriano Contreras and
Ramon Oriol. mining engineers. Vol. XX, 1920. Pp. 1300,
■cloth. Revista Minera, Metalurgica y de Ingeneria, Villalar
I, Madrid.
This book (in Spanish) bears the title 'Anuario de Mineria,
Metalurgia. Electricidad y demas Industrias de Espana' and
-contains a classified list of all Spanish mines, mining and
metallurgical companies, scientific societies, mining and civil
•engineers, copies of the mining laws, and much other in-
formation interesting and useful to those engaged in the in-
dustry.
A Vocabulary of Russian-English, English-Russian Mining
Terms. By C. W. Purington and G. Toderovich. Pp. 126.
J. B. Lippincott Co., Philadelphia. For sale by 'Mining and
Scientific Press'. Price, $2.25.
This little book has been compiled largely as a result of
Mr. Purington's engineering experience in Siberia. Most of
the terms given apply to mining and geological subjects, but
in addition some from mechanical, electrical, and chemical
nomenclature are included as well as some relating to travel,
law, and finance. The book is 3 by 4 in. and can be used
•conveniently and practicably by engineers whose work car-
ries them to Russia.
Structural Steelwork. By E. G. Beck. Pp. 459, ill.,
Index. Longmans, Green & Co., London and New York.
For sale by 'Mining and Scientific Press'. Price, $7.50.
This is a bood book on structural-steel design and con-
struction from a British standpoint, and an excellent one
for a British engineer to buy. On the other hand, while
the points of difference between American and British prac-
tice are relatively unimportant, nevertheless, they do exist.
Consequently we do not believe, unless he wishes to inform
"himself of differences between practice in the two countries,
that the American engineer will have much use for the
"book, well written as it is.
The Ownership and Valuation of Mineral Property in the
United Kingdom. By Sir Richard Redmayne and Gilbert
"Stone. Pp. 256., ill. Published by Longmans, Green & Co.,
London. For sale by 'Mining and Scientific Press'. Price,
?4.50.
This is an elementary treatise on the nature of mineral
interests and royalties, and the correct method of valuing
■such property for the purposes of sale, probate, rating, and
taxation, together with a statement of the law relating to
Tating and taxation. Sir Richard Redmayne formerly was
Chief Inspector of Mines and is otherwise well qualified to
"write on the subject.
The Business Man and His Bank. By William H. Kniffin.
Fp. 273, ill., index. McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., New York.
For. sale by 'Mining and Scientific Press'. Price, $3.
Most books on banking are written for the banker or the
bank employee. This one is written for the depositor and
the borrower. Besides the ordinary commercial banks and
savings banks, other organizations performing some or all
of the functions of banking are discussed, although most of
the space is naturally devoted to the ordinary commercial
bank, or bank of discount. The important features of the
various kinds of business that may be done between a bank
and its depositors or borrowers are discussed In turn. The
book will be of interest to anyone having dealings with a
bank, and, particularly, to the man in business for himself.
The Oil Shale Industry. By Victor Clifton Alderson, Sc.D.,
President of the Colorado School of Mines. Pp. 175, ill.
Published by Frederick A. Stokes Co., New York. For sale
by 'Mining and Scientific Press'. Price, $4.
This is a timely volume on an interesting subject by a
competent writer. It contains many valuable statistical,
mining, and chemical data on the production and refining of
oil-bearing shale. Nobody interested in the subject can af-
ford to be without it. Although unduly optimistic in its ap-
praisal of the commercial outlook for this new phase of the
oil industry, the book is an extremely useful compendium of
information on oil-shale. It is criticized by the editor on an-
other page of this issue.
Tin, Sheet-Iron and Copper-Plate Worker. By Leroy J.
Blinn. Pp. 319, ill., index. Henry Carey Baird & Co., Inc.,
New York. For sale by 'Mining and Scientific Press'.
Price, $3.
About half of this book is devoted to practical directions
for cutting patterns for all kinds of sheet-metal work, and
to a summary of the principal propositions of plane geometry
of importance in such work. The rest of the book is a
curious hodge-podge of mathematical tables, directions for
tempering, receipts for varnishes, lacquers, cements, and
solders, and considerable other miscellaneous information.
There is a good index, however, which goes a long way to-
ward making up for the lack of arrangement of the book
itself. Furthermore, the material, although the arrange-
ment is disorderly, is almost without exception of such a
character as to be useful to the sheet-metal worker, who
will find the book, in spite of its defects, well worth while.
The Iron Ores of Lake Superior. By Crowell & Murray.
Pp. 300, maps and tables. The Penton Publishing Co.,
Cleveland, Ohio. For sale by 'Mining and Scientific Press'.
Price, $5.
This is the fourth revised edition of this standard refer-
ence book on the iron-mining industry of the Lake Superior
district. The material presented is a mixture of technical,
statistical, historical, and commercial information that gives
a comprehensive survey of the iron industry in all its
aspects. Too frequently mining companies are unwilling or
at least indifferent as regards the supplying of information
relative to their operations. Fortunately those in charge of
the mines on the iron-ranges appear to have co-operated
splendidly in furnishing the data necessary for the prepara-
tion of this volume. One chapter describes a method of
mixing ore for shipment, a process that requires increased
attention as the better grades of ore are being depleted.
This also involves systematic methods for recording analyses
and this phase is treated in a separate chapter. The book
contains maps of all the ranges, and it is further illustrated
with vertical sectional views showing the geological for-
mations of the principal ranges. The tables include the
record of ore-loading docks on the Great Lakes, shipments
from each range since its opening, prices of iron ore at lower-
lake ports since 1855, rail freight-rates from the mines to
lake shipping points, and cargo-rates since 185 5.
474
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
September 25. 1920
IMPRESS
INFORMATION FURNISHED BY MANUFACTURERS
niiiliiiliiiiiHiiiinimiMiHiiMiiiiiiiiiiniiiiniiiiiiiHinilMiiiiiiiMniiMtiiMiiiiiiiMniniiinirMniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiHiiiiiiiiMiiitiitiiiillllllllilliii!
IIIMIlllllllllllllllllllllllllll II Illllllllllll
THE DAYTON DREDGE
The Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, Ltd., builders
of the Dayton, Nevada, dredge, advise us that this dredge
which started operations on September 6 is all-steel through-
out, having a steel hull 108 ft. 5 in. long, 46 ft. wide, and
8 ft. deep; the buckets are 9 cu. ft. capacity and the dredge
is designed to dig 39 ft. below the water-level. The ma-
chinery was made from parts from Marysville No. 3 and No.
4 dredges, with slight alterations. The revolving-screen is
6 ft. diameter and 38 ft. long, of the usual construction.
The gold-saving table-area has been greatly increased over
that of Marysville No. 3 or No. 4 and the distributing-box is
of new construction, which will give better distribution of
fine material.
All framing, including the housing, is steel throughout,
and the covering is asbestos-protected metal so the dredge is
absolutely fire-proof, no fire-insurance being necessary.
All deck-plating is electrically welded, this being the first
dredge of the size, known to us, that has an electrically
welded deck. The gantries have Bethlehem I-beams and
girder-beams, which work in very nicely for this construc-
tion. The spuds are made of Bethlehem beams with cover
plates, all bolted together.
Great care was taken in designing this hull and super-
structure so as to give the maximum amount of strength
with the minimum amount of weight. A considerable sav-
ing in weight has been made over the steel hulls of previous
dredges of the same size.
'SURE SHOT' MINE-CAR COUPLER
The 'Sure-Shot' mine-car coupler is a new device manu-
factured by the Electric Steel Co. of Indianapolis. This
coupler is coupled instantly by bumping the cars together
after the outer link has been placed in position. The
coupler is made of electric steel which has been heat-treated
and is practically indestructible according to the claims of
the manufacturer. One of the features of the coupler is that
it will act on sharp curves and uneven tracks and with a
big saving of time. The safety feature of the coupler is also
one of importance because by its use accidents in car work
are reduced to the minimum. The design of the coupler is
quite simple as will be noted by reference to the illustration.
There is only one moving part and that is the drop-dog. The
links and pins are all refined iron. The couplers are fur-
nished complete with links and pins assembled and ready for
immediate use. Holes for attachment to draw-bars can be
cored or drilled to suit the requirements.
MINERS' SAFETY HAT
The miners' 'Hard Boiled' cap. which is being featured as
a safety device by E. D. Bullard, of 268 Market street, San
Francisco, has attracted the attention of the California In-
dustrial Accident Commission and is made the subject of an
article by H. M. Wolflin in a recent issue of the 'California
Safety News', a paper published by the Commission.
Wolflin calls attention to the number of head injuries in-
curred by miners, steel erectors, shipbuilders, and workers in
similar lines, and says that heretofore the only available
protective caps were too expensive, too heavy, and too un-
comfortable to be generally adopted. In the case of the
'Hard Boiled' cap, however, he points out that it weighs only
nine ounces, that it is comfortable and inexpensive, and that
it is a real safety device.
He cites a number of actual instances to prove that the
cap is a real protection to workers. One case was where a
twelve-pound joining-iron fell six feet, striking the head of
a shipyard worker who was wearing one of the caps. The
man was knocked to his hands and knees, but was not in-
jured, and the cap was not damaged. Another ease was at
the Moore shipyards, where a four-pound piece of angle-iron
fell twelve feet, striking a workman squarely on top of the
cap. In this case, also, the man was knocked to his knees,
but not injured.
COMMERCIAL PARAGRAPHS
AV. L. Chandler, purchasing agent for the Dodge Sales &
Engineering Co., is a candidate for the presidency of the
National Association of Purchasing Agents.
At a meeting of members of the welding trade in Chicago,
held in the rooms of the Western Society of Engineers, on
Tuesday, August 3, a Chicago section of the American Weld-
ing Society was organized. There were about 75 in attend-
ance, representing many railroads terminating in Chicago
and also many of the larger local industries. The following
officers were elected: chairman, M. B. Osburn; vice-chair-
man, O. T. Nelson; and secretary-treasurer, L. B. Mackenzie.
Meetings will be held on the second Tuesday of each month
in the rooms of the Western Society of Engineers and those
interested in the subject of autogenous welding, by all
methods, are invited to attend. The address of the secre-
tary-treasurer is 608 S. Dearborn street, Chicago.
The new 'Eveready' instruction book, put out recently by
the Oxweld Acetylene Co., 3640 Jasper place, Chicago, is
one of the best treatises on every-day oxy-acetylene welding
and cutting that has thus far been produced. Not since the
company issued its 'Oxweld Manual', which has gone through
two complete editions, has Oxweld experienced such spirited
demand for a trade publication. The little volume is a
compact and handy brochure (5 by 8 in.) containing 55
printed pages, inclusive of illustrations and drawings. It
covers the field of everyday applications in a remarkably
clear and concise treatment and in language that is easy for
the beginner to grasp, and it is at the same time invaluable
to the experienced welder and cutter. The booklet is dis-
tributed free.
iiilmhiliiiiii in
EDITORIAL STAFF
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. Parsons, associate editor
MmiM
m
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Member Associated Business Papers, Inc.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
EDITORIAL
NOTES
Page
. 475
MINING FINANCE 476
Comment on article by Robert S. Lewis. The ele-
ment of risk implicit in mining. The need for in-
tellectual honesty. How self-deception deludes
speculators. The sale of shares of small denomina-
tion is objectionable because it attracts people
who should put their money in savings banks.
The iniquity of Rand mining promotions.
THE DEEPEST MINE 477
The St. John del Rey in Brazil. The story of this
famous mine. Temperature in depth. Ventila-
tion. Misuse of technical terms. Character of the
orebody. How it has been opened up. Other
methods that might have been better. The plan
of development now to be adopted.
DISCUSSION
CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS
By Robert S. Lewis 479
Author's correction of errors in his article pub-
lished July 17 under the same title.
DREDGING IN NEW ZEALAND
By A. C. Ludlum
An overlooked naught.
479
A SUGGESTION
By Harry H. Townsend 479
That the total wages of workmen should consist
of the cost of living plus one-half of the profits of
the undertaking. The suggestor does not say what
is to be done with the losses.
Pacific Coast. Opportunity for intermittent elec-
tro-chemical industries. Pulverized coal will take
the place of crude oil, and perhaps gasoline.
ARTICLES
TESTING ORES FOR FLOTATION
By James M. Hyde 481
•
An interesting and valuable article on this sub-
ject. Gives details of methods for mill-control
tests, and for the construction and use of appar-
atus for elaborate studies of flotation problems.
Bottle tests satisfactory for control work. Ma-
chine for froth-agitation flotation. Procedure in
making tests. Pneumatic machine and method of
using it. Preparation of samples. Expensive appa-
ratus not required.
SOME PRINCIPLES OF FINANCE
By Robert S. Lewis 487
'Ponzied finance' a proof that sound principles of
finance are often neglected. 'Get-rich-quick'
methods certain to result in trouble. Mining en-
terprises require knowledge of business principles.
Methods of capitalization described. Manner of
determining the amount of capital. When divi-
dends should be declared. Form in which the
investment in an enterprise should be capitalized.
Kinds of stock. The promoter, his function and
reward.
MINING IN THE KETCHIKAN DISTRICT
By Joseph Ulmer 493
A brief history of the district. First locations by
a Russian in 1867. Location of Rush and Brown
claims in 1900. Later discoveries and present con-
dition of this district.
BAKING A GOLD ORE
By Paul T. Bruhl ■ 479
A confirmation of previous observations that a
moderate heat-treatment, not roasting, sometimes
increases the recovery of gold by cyanidation.
POWER RESOURCES
By Engineer 480
Large amount of water-power still available on the
DEPARTMENTS
REVIEW OF MINING 495
THE MINING SUMMARY 503
PERSONAL 504
THE METAL MARKET 505
EASTERN METAL MARKET 506
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS 507
Established May 24. 1860. as The Scientific Press: name changed October
SO of the same year to Mining and Scientific Press.
Entered at the San Francisco post-oflice as second-class matter. Cable
address: Pertusola.
Branch Offices — Chicago. 600 Fisher Bdg-.: New York. 31 Nassau St.:
London. 724 Salisbury House, E.C.
Price. 15 cents per copy. Annual subscription, payable in advance:
United States and Mexico, ¥4: Canada, $5: other countries, 56.
30
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 2, 1920
MARCY ROLLER MILL
THE Marcy Roller Mill represents a high development in grinding ma-
A chinery and in this respect is in the class with the Marcy Ball Mill.
The open end feature, through which the conditions within the mill may be observed
while running, brings about low cost of operation.
Rods or rollers can be used in a tube mill but for the best results, bent and broken
rods must be removed.
High efficiency in the roller mill is obtained by the low pulp line as in the Marcy
Ball Mill.
Thirty six large size Marcy Roller Mills are now being manufactured for one of the
large mining corporations of the Southwest.
We will be glad to advise on your crushing problems
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SALT LAKE CITY
NEW YOKK OFFICE: 42 Broadway
EL PASO
October 2, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
475
T. A. K.ICKARV. .... Editor
'""" ,llllll"< ■ WW • w t nwuwiWIW iirnmiii WWUIWIWII tit iiiiu limn urn i in i nm mil mini mil mini inliim inn
Tj1 YIDENTLY the Australian author of the article ap-
•*-' pearing in our issue of September 18 was misled,
by the position of a crane over the Marcy mills in the
Inspiration mill, into supposing that this mill has to be
moved from its bearings before it can be re-lined. This
is not the case, and we are glad to make the correction,
now that our attention has been drawn to the error. The
re-lining can be done in place and without difficulty.
/^kN August 17 the twenty-fourth anniversary of the dis-
^-' covery of gold on the Klondike was celebrated at
Dawson under the auspices of the Yukon Order of Pio-
neers. The occasion was rendered remarkable by the fact
that it coincided with the arrival of four aeroplanes on
their flight from New York to Nome. After all, there are
things more wonderful than finding gold, even in quan-
tity equal to a king's ransom. In 1896, when the squaw-
man, George Carmaek, stumbled upon the alluvial gold of
Bonanza creek, the automobile was just coming into use.
Flying ceased to be an eccentricity thirteen years later.
What a difference aviation would have made to the Klon-
dike rush of 1898 ! Undoubtedly if the discovery of rich
gold placers were to be announced today from any remote
or inaccessible corner of the earth, there would be none
of the painfully laborious pilgrimage of former times,
such as that which broke the heart and health of hun-
dreds among those who climbed the White Pass above
Skagway and trudged wearily to Dawson twenty-two
years ago ; instead there would be throbbing of engines
in the air and the determined flight of planes across the
waste of land and water separating the cities of civiliza-
tion from the new Eldorado. We hope to live to see it.
T^O the American miner it is almost annoying to read
■*• about the premium paid on the gold produced in
other countries. Here is the Australian Gold Producers
Association announcing that the total amount distributed
among its members on account of the premium "earned"
on gold exported from Australia since March last year is
£1,064,646, "of which the greater share was credited to
the Western Australian mines". "Earned" it, did they?
It was a gift that they owe to a combination of circum-
stances, and more particularly to the appreciation of our
good old dollar with that fine old bird, the American
eagle, upon it, whereby it commands a rate of exchange
that calls for 110 Australian shillings in lieu of the 84
that formerly sufficed. Pleasantry apart, we envy those
Australians; what a bully thing that premium is! It
sweetens the life of the gold-miner just at a time when
he needs, and deserves, a cheerful tonic. We read further
that "an interim dividend on the gold exported from
Australia during the first quarter of this year amounted
to £237,316 ' '. Whether the pound sterling be worth more
or less, that dividend looks good to us. Curiously enough
it is due entirely to the fact that the British pound is
worth only $3.50 just now. "It is an ill wind that blows
nobody good. ' '
TpLOTATION is not applicable to all ores. It is im-
■*■ portant therefore, particularly to those about to de-
vise a metallurgie scheme, to ascertain to what extent
the process of froth concentration is suitable. In this
issue we publish an article that will aid anyone so situ-
ated. The testing of ores, for the purpose of determining
their amenability to flotation, is discussed by Mr. James
M. Hyde, now professor of metallurgy in Stanford uni-
versity and formerly associated intimately with both
the introduction of flotation into this country and the
subsequent litigation over patent-rights. Professor Hyde
has the art of exposition ; he writes clearly ; we feel sure
that the suggestions he offers will be keenly appreciated.
SHAKES of the Alaska Treadwell Mining Company
have risen recently on the London market from 10
shillings to £2, a quadrupling of price since the slump
that followed the collapse of the workings, due to caving
and flooding, three years ago. As our readers are aware,
most of the stock is held in London, a reminder of the
time when the Exploration Company, under the leader-
ship of the late Hamilton Smith, controlled the enter-
prise. The recent rise, it is interesting to note, is due,
in part, to the buying of shares by people on the ground,
that is, at Treadwell and Juneau, these purchases being
stimulated by favorable news concerning the development
of the group of prospects that the company has under
option. This property consists of 31 mining claims on
Roundabout mountain on the Nixon fork of the Kuskok-
wim river, at a place 35 miles from the little settlement
of McGrath, which is a station on the Government wire-
less telegraph ; the mines are 12 miles from the Kuskok-
wim river, a broad stream and navigable from this point
to Bering Sea, which it enters below the little port of
Bethel. Another way of indicating the locality is to say
that the mines are 150 miles west of Mount McKinley.
They have been taken under option for periods ranging
476
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 2, 1920
from four to five years, the optionees including not only
the three Douglas island companies, namely, the Alaska
Treadwell, Alaska United, and Alaska Mexican, but also
the Bunker Hill & Sullivan company, which is under the
same general management — of Mr. F. W. Bradley — as
the three contiguous mines at Treadwell, on Douglas
island. The claims are located on a limestone-granite
contact for a length of two miles. Along this contact
there is a lode-channel in which lenticular bodies of ore
have been found. The ore is valuable chiefly for gold,
but it carries two or three ounces of silver, and some of it
contains from 2 to 8%, copper. The surface is covered
with moss and frozen mold — the tundra — as is usual in
the North, so that prospecting is confined mainly to ex-
ploration underground by means of drifts and cross-cuts.
Several lenses of ore have been disclosed ; they consist of
high-grade ore; for example, 38 feet assaying $56 and
32 feet assaying $65 per ton. A large proportion of the
ore assays between $30 and $35 per ton, for a full stoping-
width, but the orebodies are comparatively short, for ex-
ample, 40 to 60 feet. The workings are only 100 feet
deep as yet. The men employed are mostly the owners of
the claims themselves ; they constitute an excellent work-
ing force ; 19 of them are engaged in actual mining, but
this number is to be increased to 35. The latest letter
received in San Francisco is dated June 4, which gives an
idea of the comparative remoteness of the region. At
that time the ice on the river was just breaking and snow
was still on the ground. Mr. Livingston "Wernecke, a
competent geologist and engineer, is in charge of these
operations. It can be said that the rise in the shares dis-
counts the probabilities, but the venture is promising, and
it is much to be hoped that it may give the Treadwell
companies a new lease of industrial life.
TI/TORE than 20% of all the taxes paid in the State of
■"■*- Montana during the last three calendar years was
paid by the Anaconda Copper Mining Company, accord-
ing to a recent statement by its president, Mr. Cornelius
Kelley, to the Montana Bankers Association. There is
material for thought in this fact and in the additional
statement that the Anaconda company, the Montana
Power Company, and the five railroad corporations doing
business in the State, together pay 43.29% of all the
taxes. This does not include income-taxes or taxes paid
elsewhere. There are other corporations doing business
within the State; in fact, a recent dispatch announced
that the total assessment of the three big power companies
(including the Montana Power Company) has been
raised $4,000,000. It would seem that Montana is ap-
proximating that ideal socialist condition in which all the
expenses of government are paid by the large corpora-
tions. According to Mr. Kelley, the Anaconda company
has earned $494,317,000 within the confines of the State
during the last eight years and has expended in Mon-
tana, for supplies, wages, and miscellaneous items, more
than 80% of this total. He does not say how much of
the remainder went for similar expenditures outside the
State, and even socialists would have to pay for the use
of money derived from exterior sources. Information
like this is useful. We would like to see the Anaconda
company issue a statement showing what proportion of
the five hundred millions went to labor. We do not mean
that item of the operating expenses which reads 'salaries
and wages' and amounts to about 45% of the total, but
rather that item plus all the other items that go to make
up the real total, such as the item of wages in the freight
charges, which amounts to about 50% of the cost of haul-
ing the coal and coke, and the item of wages in the cost of
the materials consumed in the hauling of the freight ; and
the wages in the original cost of the coal, which is about
75%. As an additional statement we would like to see
the amount of dividends distributed to stockholders who
are wage-earners. On account of the diversified interests
and because it produces many of the raw materials used
in its operations, these statements concerning the business
of the Anaconda company should be instructive; they
would, we think, have more value in counteracting
I. W. W. talk than any dry argument based upon any
bare economic theory.
Mining Finance
In this issue Mr. Robert S. Lewis, Professor of Mining
in the University of Utah, discusses the principles under-
lying intelligent methods of finance, and their applica-
tion to the business of mining. For success in polities,
as we know, it is best to be born in Ohio, but to be suc-
cessful in finance it is desirable to 'come from Missouri'.
The sagacious citizen wants 'to be shown'; he eliminates
the factor of uncertainty as much as possible, and if there
be in his scheme or enterprise an element of doubt, as
usually there is, he expects a return in proportion to the
risk. In business, as in life generally, the first requisite
is intellectual honesty, that is, an avoidance of self-de-
ception. It is as sane to speculate as to invest, so long
as the probable gain is proportioned to the probable
hazard; that applies to mining, which usually is attrac-
tive to intelligent men because the danger of losing their
money is compensated by the chance of a big winning.
The same reasoning applies to the promoter. As Pro-
fessor Lewis says, it is not wrong to offer stock in a
gamble provided the conditions are stated truthfully.
Even the wild-cat is a legitimate form of enterprise
when its real character, as a risky venture, is set forth
frankly. Misrepresentation is the essence of fraud.
When a fiscal agent, as the shady promoter calls himself,
represents a gamble in oil-drilling as "a manufacturing
proposition" or a gold-mining prospect as "a gilt-edged
investment" suitable for a ten-year lock-up, he is lying.
Occasionally he believes his own lie because he has told
it so often in highly persuasive language, but more com-
monly he lies with an unwinking eye. Professor Lewis
gives avarice as the fourth cause of over-capitalization;
but it is much more than that ; it is the primal cause of
shady finance. If people were not greedy as well as
gullible there would be no need for blue-sky laws. These
do not succeed completely in preventing the perpetration
of fraud because no legislation will deter the fool from
October 2, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
477
parting from his money, particularly when be expects
something tor nothing, that is. a l»ijtr return for a small
risk, a potentiality of wealth tor a oar-fare. Indeed the
selling of stock at two or three cents per share is itself a
fairly trustworthy sign of something wrong. It is bait,
not fish. The issuance of low-priced shares is meant to
catch people of small means; it should be discouraged,
because people of smpll means should not risk their sav-
ings in ventures that are hazardous. They ought to put
their money in a savings bank. Mining is for grown men,
not widows and children ; it is an adventure involving a
risk that should be faced only by those not likely to be
broken by failure; its rewards are to be won only by
those able and willing to incur danger; it is profitable
largely in proportion to the financial peril inseparable
from an industry in which a factor of uncertainty is
implicit. The wise man expects a return proportioned
to the risk, the simple one ignores the risk and is con-
tent with a 'manufacturing profit'. For example, the
promoters of the big mining companies of the Band
risked their money on a 25% return and then boosted
their stocks until the dividends represented 6 or 7% on
the market valuation, by which time they recommended
them as trust investments for widows and orphans. The
result was that the public got the stock at an inflated
price, on which no real profit was possible, while the in-
siders retired into dignified opulence, solacing themselves
with slow horses and fast women, while their successors
endeavored vainly to justify expectations that were
founded on falsehood. Such performances are not pe-
culiar to Johannesburg, Hamburg, or London; we have
seen them duplicated in this country; wherever and by
whomever done, they are no part of legitimate mining,
but parasitic growths upon an honest industry. The
sooner they are recognized as thievery the better.
The Deepest Mine
The deepest mine in the world is the Morro Velho, a
gold mine in the province of Minas Geraes, in Brazil.
It has reached a depth of 6426 feet. This alone would
make it interesting; but it presents other notable fea-
tures, among which may be mentioned its continuous
management by Mr. Charles Chalmers and the curious
character of the mining methods by which it has been
developed. The St. John del Rey Company, which owns
this mine, was formed in 1830, ninety years ago. Mr.
Chalmers has been in charge since 1884. The yield to
the end of 1919 has been 6,940,000 tons from which
£13,350,000 worth of gold has been won. An average of
half an ounce is a sweet thing in gold mining. Last year
the output was 166,000 tons, yielding 105,537 ounces,
from which were paid dividends amounting to 10% on
546,265 ordinary shares of £1 each and 10% on 100,000
preferred shares of £1 each. The amount received as
premium on gold was £61,635, which, however, was al-
most wiped out by the rise in Brazilian exchange. Owing
to a war-time embargo upon exportation, the gold had to
be sold to the Brazilian government, instead of being
shipped direct to London. The increase of temperature
in depth has been a serious obstacle to efficient labor and
is rendered all the more serious by the indirect system
of openings underground, rendering it difficult to estab-
lish a satisfactory system of ventilation. The accom-
panying section shows the step-like series of shafts and
levels by which the bottom of the mine is reached. There
the temperature of the rock is 117°F., and of the air
110°. When first entered the temperature of the rock
at 6400 feet was 118°, as against a temperature of 65°
at the surface, showing an increment of 1° per 121 feet
of depth. The various efforts to mitigate the heat by
vigorous ventilation have been handicapped by the ex-
traordinary character of the development. The longi-
tudinal section, given herewith, looks like a cross-section
of a lode ; indeed, the terms used in the annual report
would readily mislead the casual reader, for we are told
that the "lode" has flattened in "dip" from 40° at
Horizon XVI to 19° at Horizon XXI. We have sub-
stituted the word 'orebody' on the section, which shows
not the dip of a lode but the pitch of an ore-shoot. The
dip of the lode that contains the ore-shoot is indicated
by the plan; evidently it is nearly vertical. The best
description of the Morro Velho lode is that prepared by
the late Orville A. Derby of the Brazilian Geological
Survey in 1901. He stated that the lode lies in cal-
careous schist and follows the almost vertical foliation,
whereas the orebody follows a fault-plane inclining east-
ward at an angle of 45°. He talks of 'lode' and 'dip',
and it is from him presumably that the mine officials
obtained their incorrect terminology. It would appear
that we have here an orebody lenticular in plan and
funicular in section. Probably it occupies an acute
torsional fold in the schist, where it has undergone such
slipping and shearing as to create a channel for the circu-
lation of mineralized waters. The ore is a massive mix-
ture of pyrrhotite, with arsenical and common pyrite.
Quartz is a subordinate constituent, as compared with
most gold veins. The orebody has become longer and
narrower in depth, being 1000 feet long and 12 to 15
feet wide on the lower levels, as compared with the
nearly uniform length of 600 feet and the width of 45
feet exposed in the upper workings. Thus the accom-
panying section shows not a thick lode dipping at a les-
sening angle but a short and well defined orebody pitch-
ing strongly within an almost vertical lode-channel. It
is an ore-shoot of a shape so well defined in length and
so persistent that it might be called a ' chimney '.
The mine was worked first by means of a large open-cut,
which eventually collapsed. Then two vertical shafts,
'C and 'D', were sunk to 2264 feet, which is the level
known as Horizon VIII. That was in 1892. Since then
the mine has been developed, as the section shows, by a
series of internal shafts, each 1200 feet deep, in step-like
succession, the first starting 610 feet east of the ' C ' and
'D' shafts, and each of the succeeding ones 1420 feet
farther east, connected in turn by a level parallel with
the orebody at a safe distance within the country-rock.
Between Horizon VIII, 2264 feet below the surface, and
Horizon XXII, at a vertical depth of 6426 feet, there are
478
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 2, 1920
four vertical shafts and four main levels, making a total
connection very nearly two miles long. This, of course,
is a most undesirable method of deep mining. It is ob-
vious that the management has not been sufficiently con-
fident of the persistence of the orebody to adopt a
courageous and economical plan of development. It is
proposed now to sink two shafts, parallel with each other
and inclined at an angle similar to that of the orebody.
These shafts will be 55 feet apart, centre to centre, and
will start at the western, or inner, end of the orebody.
The interval between levels will be, as heretofore, 300
feet vertically, which corresponds to 900 feet on an in-
least two other schemes of development. A vertical shaft
could have been sunk through the eastern ground, to cut
the orebody, say, at 5000 feet. Another plan would have
been to start an incline from Horizon VIII, connecting
with one of the vertical shafts, 'C and 'D'. Such an in-
cline could have been sunk at an angle equal to that of
the pitch of the ore, which down to that depth had been
remarkably regular. Lower down, owing to the flatten-
ing of the pitch, the inclined shaft would have passed out
of the ore and under it. inviting a change of angle in
conformity. It may be that owing to the character of
the lode, it might have been advisable to sink the incline
THE MORRO VELHO MINE OF THE ST. JOHN DEL REY MIXING COMPANY
cline of 19°. It is intended to use a single-track tram-
way in the downcast shaft, with a loop arrangement at
the point where the ascending and descending ears will
pass each other. The upcast shaft from level to level
will be used as one continuous shaft if it proves advan-
tageous. From Horizon XXII to Horizon XXVI the
length pf the inclined shaft will be 3600 feet, but it is
estimated that the cost of sinking will not be anything
like as great as that of a vertical shaft sunk from the
surface. At present the time lost by the men in walking
along the levels and in traveling down the shafts is fully
one hour per shift. This is a nice problem, and we sub-
mit it to our fellow engineers. Obviously it is easy to
write last year's almanac, that is, to see the blunder that
has been made. "When the mine was young, it invited at
outside it. in the wall-rock. That would depend upon
the relative hardness and character of the ground within
and without the lode. Perhaps, for the sake of ventila-
tion, it would have been desirable to sink an inclined
shaft and connect it witli a direct vertical opening. As
we have suggested, hindsight, is easier than foresight ; we
are disinclined to adopt a tone of patronizing criticism
toward such a man as Mr. Chalmers, whom we respect
greatly, but it is fair to say that the hand-to-mouth policy
of the management might have given way to something
better if one or more engineers with large experience in
such matters had been called into consultation at least
twenty years ago. In any event, the conditions at the St.
John del Rey are unusual, if not unique, and they invite
discussion.
October 2, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
479
D I 3
Centrifugal Pumps
The Editor:
Sir — I should like to correct two errors in my article on
'Centrifugal Pumps' in your issue of July 17. The fif-
teenth line from the bottom of page 86 should read
""gauge shows the static and friction heads in the . . .".
The word "velocity" should be omitted, as the suction-
gauge shows the velocity-head in the suction-pipe and this
is the same in the discharge-pipe unless the discharge-
pipe is of different diameter. In this case the correction
for the difference in velocity-heads is made as indicated
at the bottom of the page.
In line 5 on page 87 the words "per second" after 1.5
ft, should be omitted.
Kobert S. Lewis.
P;ilo Alto, September 10.
Dredging in New Zealand
The Editor:
Sir — We note in your issue of August 28 on page 324,
an account of an American-made gold-dredge for New
Zealand, which is now being built by us. In the second
paragraph of the account it mentions that the "dirt is
dropped on the conveyor-belt and is carried to the
screen". This would rather indicate that it is a freak
dredge, as such a method would -be impracticable. The
material is dumped directly into the screen and there is
no conveyor-belt that enters into this part of the dredge.
The last paragraph states that "418,745 cu. yd. has
been dug in a period of two years". This figure should
have a naught on the right-hand side so that it would
read 4,187,450 cubic yards.
We did not furnish these data to you, otherwise it
would not contain the errors. If you care to make these
corrections, we will be glad to have you do so.
New York, September 10. A. C. Ludlum.
A Suggestion
The Editor:
Sir — The 'Mining and Scientific Press' has always
taken a lively and progressive interest in the far too com-
mon disputes between capital and labor. This letter is
written to suggest a solution that is not claimed as orig-
inal, but that would be recognized as a distinctly mining
contribution applicable to all industry.
This solution will not satisfy the professional agitator
in the ranks of labor, who does not believe in the sacred
and necessary right of private property, and who would
abandon American ideals of liberty for Bolshevik ideas
of license. Nor will this solution satisfy the profiteer,
who believes that labor should only be paid as a com-
modity, governed by the law of supply and demand.
Consider a prospector as representing labor. He is
grubstaked and provided with tools to work by a capital-
ist. The profits of the partnership are divided 'fifty-
fifty', if the editor will permit me to use that expression.
My proposal is simply that wages be very low, just
enough to fill the dinner-pail, and that at the end of each
year two dividends be declared, stockholders and em-
ployees on a 'fifty-fifty' basis. I claim that production
would be increased enormously, and that this form of
profit-sharing is the real American square deal for both
capital and labor.
I can think of a number of objections, but believe none
of them are insurmountable. A bare living wage plus the
'fifty-fifty' division of dividends would be a happy end-
ing to our grave industrial troubles.
Seattle, September 7. Harry H. Townsend.
[Who is to define the "bare living wage"? Ideas on
that point have changed greatly since the common laborer
has begun to enjoy, or at least to buy, luxuries. — Editor.]
Baking a Gold Ore
The Editor:
Sir — I have read the article on this subject in your
issue of July 17, and write to say that while making some
cyanidation experiments recently I made observations
similar to those of Mr. B. L. Gardiner. The ore was
auriferous galena, with some pyrite, in a quartz gangue.
About 40% of the gold could be amalgamated; of the
remainder the galena carried three times as much as the
pyrite. The heads assayed $105 per ton. When all the
ore was crushed to minus 150 mesh with 75% of it passing
through a 200-mesh screen the extraction by cyanidation
in 96 hours was between 60 and 65%. If, however, the
sample used in the experiment was baked so that the
normal dove-gray color was changed to a light-brownish
tinge, the percentage of extraction rose to 95% and better
in a period of 48 hours, with no important increase in the
cyanide or lime consumption. The heat was not high
enough to roast the ore ; in fact, I found that baking for
two minutes was as long a period as was necessary. I
take it that the heat develops cracks in the ore and per-
mits a readier penetration of each particle by the cyanide
solution. I found that however prolonged the agitation,
within reasonable limits, the tailing could not be lowered
in value to less than $2 per ton. This insoluble portion
of the gold might have been contained as distinct entities
480
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 2, 1920
in such of the grains as were unaffected by the heat, but
I am inclined to believe that this residual gold is mainly
in solid solution in the galena, that is to say, it forms
with the galena so intimate a mixture that the solvent
action of the cyanide is practically impossible. The bak-
ing process is unlikely to be an economic one on low or
medium-grade ores containing, as mined, a large amount
of moisture. It seems most applicable to high-grade ores.
Crushing could be done in water, the slime could be filter-
pressed, and the discharge baked prior to cyanidation.
Paul T. Bruhl.
San Juancito, Honduras, August 24.
Power Resources
The Editor:
Sir — The editorial entitled 'A Grievance', in your
issue of September 18, calls attention to what is un-
doubtedly a just ground of complaint on the part of the
mining companies of this State, and one of the unpleas-
ant elements of the situation is the knowledge that com-
paratively a small part of the water-power available on
the Pacific Coast has been developed for industrial use.
Referring to the reports of the U. S. Geological Survey,
we find that in the New England states, where there is
1,951,000 hp. available, power-plants have been erected
with a total nominal capacity of 1,506,000 hp., whereas
on the Pacific Coast, out of 25,850,000 hp. available, or
13 times the amount on the Atlantic side, we have util-
ized but little more horse-power than the Atlantic states.
The figures reported show that the New England states
have developed 77.2% of the maximum (not minimum)
available, whereas the Pacific states have developed only
€.6%. It is generally assumed that one of the important
reasons is the great difference between the maximum and
minimum flow. The figures given by the U. S. Geological
Survey do not warrant any such conclusion, the minimum
quantities being 868,000 for the New England states and
1,504,000 for the Pacific states. One of the real reasons
is the character of the loading. It seems probable that
the peak-loads are much higher here than in the East.
It is not practicable, of course, to use storage batteries
when the regular load is at the minimum. Mme. Curie
and others have shown the enormous amount of energy
released by the disintegration of radium. If some other
physicist will show how this energy can be utilized and
at the same time how radium* can be regenerated the
power problem would be solved. Power-plants could
then always be operated at the point of maximum effi-
ciency, the manufacture of radium acting as a storage
battery.
In default of this, why would it not be advisable for
the large" power companies to construct, through sub-
sidiary or allied companies, large electro-chemical indus-
tries at favorable places, industries in which the expense
for power is a large proportion of the total, and operate
them in times of high water and minimum loading, the
product being stored for use, as demanded, throughout
the year ? As an example, take the production of oxygen.
Companies using oxygen in large quantities for welding
purposes, such as the manufacturers of mining-machin-
ery, shipbuilders, and fabricators of structural steel,
might, with advantage to themselves, build a plant for
the electrolytic dissociation of water, so arranged that it
would operate only at certain hours of the day or would
automatically be cut into the circuit when the amperage
was below a given quantity. In the use of welding and
cutting devices the greatest item of the expense for sup-
plies is the freight on the containers, if oxygen or acety-
lene, and on by-product (lime) if carbide.
The use of powdered coal is developing rapidly and if
more combination plants were built, greater advantage
could be taken of cheap electrical power. The power
companies give special rates to users whose load is uni-
form, and better ones to companies that can take their
power requirements at a time of the day when the regular
load is at or near the minimum. If the user should then
build his plant so that his requirements would conform to
this condition and the excess be taken up by steam-power
from powdered coal the greatest economy would be
obtained.
This is not all. The U. S. Geological Survey reports
that the petroleum resources of the country will be ex-
hausted in twenty years, but what real difference does it
make? The coal resources are supposed to be sufficient
for two thousand years and it seems probable that pul-
verized coal will be substituted for fuel-oil in many in-
dustries long before the twenty years has expired.
When fuel-oil is $2.50 per barrel a million British
thermal units cost about 38c., and in the case of coal
38c. per million British thermal units would correspond
to a price of $10.60 per ton (about). Gasoline at 30c.
per gallon means $2.25 per million British thermal units.
The use of pulverized coal is even more simple than oil,
except in oil-engines, and there is no apparent reason
why it cannot be adopted for automobiles. Of course
for this purpose the use of gasoline is simpler and the
small amount required causes difficulty in exact regula-
tion of the charge of a single cylinder, but these difficul-
ties undoubtedly can and will be overcome. Perhaps
there will be a reversion to the old steamer-type, but more
likely some kind of mixing-chamber will be used in which
the coal is kept in suspension in air by violent agitation,
the charge being drawn as a mixture of air and coal-dust,
or perhaps a small gas-producer will be placed under the
hood and the pulverized coal will be supplied by agencies
as is gasoline. Of course the ash is a difficulty, but not
necessarily an insuperable one, and at any rate the dif-
ference between 30 or 40c. and $2.25 is sufficient to war-
rant quite an amount of expense in development of some
arrangement that will permit the use of these resources.
The use of organic substitutes for gasoline on a large
scale is not practicable because the world will soon need
all the available soil for food supplies. The development
by the Government's engineers of the mixed oil and pul-
verized coal seems a long step in the direction indicated
and will probably soon be followed by others.
San Francisco, September 21. Engineer.
October 2, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
481
PlG. 1. PNEUMATIC TEST EQUIPMENT. FLOTATION MACHINE, REDUCTION VALVE, FILTERS, AND DRYING-OVEN
Testing Ores for Flotation
By JAMES M. HYDE
The factors involved in the concentration of ores by
flotation are so few in number and so readily applied in
a small way that it is possible to gain a fairly accurate
idea as to the character of the concentrate that may be
obtained by flotation, and even the total percentage of
recovery that may be made by this process, by means of
simple apparatus and small quantities of ore.
It may be the purpose of the testing to determine the
character and value per ton of the concentrate that will
be yielded if all the metalliferous constituents of the ore
are recovered as a single product ; to determine the per-
centage of recovery of the metals that may be won by the
concentration ; or to recover one or more of the metallifer-
ous constituents of the ore in a concentrate separate from
the others. This last — selective flotation — is capable of a
degree of development requiring very careful selection of
the flotative and modifying agents to be used, and will
not be discussed at this time.
The recovery of the metalliferous constituents of the
ore in a single concentrate is not a very difficult task if
the ore is amenable to treatment by flotation, and any
test by which the operator wishes to determine the gen-
eral characteristics of the concentrate to be produced or
the total recovery possible by floating all the floatable
contents of the ore together may be made with some kind
of standard mixture of oils and tars that will be generally
applicable. Various oil-mixtures have been used for this
purpose by different operators. I have found a mixture
of three parts Pensacola Tar & Turpentine Co. 's No. 400
pine-creosote or its equivalent, three parts of carbolic
creosote, and one part of crude coal-tar or pitch, makes
a satisfactory combination for general testing purposes.
For pyrite alone, the No. 400 pine-creosote is usually
satisfactory. Others have found crude pine-oil plus 10
to 25% of crude coal-tar satisfactory.
The simplest apparatus for testing ores by flotation is a
good-sized clear-glass bottle. A quart-bottle will do very
well for 100-gm. samples of ore. An ordinary acid-bottle,
such as those in which acids are sold, may be used on sam-
ples up to 500 grammes. To carry out the test, the bot-
tle should be washed clean and half -filled with the crush-
ed ore and water in the proportion of one part by weight
of ore to from two and a half to four parts of water;
using a quart bottle, a pint of water and 200 gm. of ore
may be used and the test may be started with five or six
drops of oil ; using an acid-bottle, half a bottle of water
and 500 gm. of ore make a good charge, and from six to
twelve drops of oil are used at the start. After the oil
is added to the pulp the bottle should be shaken violently
with an up-and-down or horizontal movement and
brought to a stop in a vertical position, using care to
leave pulp as free from rotary motion as possible. If the
ore is especially adapted to flotation and the correct
amount and kind of oil have been used, a considerable
portion of the metalliferous constituents should rise to
the top of the pulp as a froth. After the slime has set-
tled this froth may be removed by carefully raising the
water-level in the bottle by adding water through a fun-
nel, the lower end of which is below the water-level, or
by pouring water carefully down the neck of the bottle.
482
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 2, 1920
The sides of the interior of the bottle should be wetted oil-mixture to use in a mill or in more elaborate tests,
first by pouring clear water slowly into the neck of the It is also helpful in the field or in the mill, for arriving
bottle. After the froth has overflowed completely the quickly at a qualitative test which will indicate the
bottle may be permitted to stand until the pulp is settled nature of the concentrate that may be obtained from any
sufficiently so that the excess water may be siphoned off, particular ore.
Tin pan, painted
Fig. 2. details op machine foe agitation test
40 in.
Fig. 3. details op machine foe pneumatic imitation
LONGITUDINAL SECTION CROSS SECTION
Fig. 7. pneumatic machine for continuous testing
and the operation may be repeated with or without the
addition of further amounts of oil. This operation may
be repeated until it yields no more froth. The bottle-test
may be repeated upon an ore, using one oil after an-
other, until an oil or mixture is obtained that gives the
best results. This test is helpful in selecting the proper
As a qualitative test it may be of a great value in the
hands of the mill-foreman or shift-boss in testing the
tailings from flotation machines or from vanners and
tabh s, and in testing the overflow from de-watering de-
vices, to see how much fine sulphide they contain. I have
found this test very useful around plants. No equipment
October 2, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
483
is Deeded other than a clear-glass quart-bottle and a
bottle of the oil or oil-mixture that baa boon found suit-
able lor the ore, this bottle being equipped with a good
drop-stopper. The type of bottle used for Welch 's grape-
jnice, because of its shape and size, is particularly useful
for collecting samples to be tested and for overflowing
the concentrate most completely and quickly.
The bottle-test may be made to yield quick quantitative
results of fairly reliable kind if it is manipulated skil-
fully, repeated agitation being used until no further con-
centrate is produced. A simple method of expediting the
work is to take an india-rubber sack or 'baloon', such as
is made for the whistles that delight children. If one of
these, attached to the end of a glass tube, is introduced
Fig. 4. agitation machine at woke
into the bottle after the agitation has taken place, water
may be introduced into the sack through the tube and the
water-level raised so that the concentrate overflows with-
out the pulp being diluted. The rubber sack may then
be emptied by siphoning and the operation may be re-
peated with the minimum loss of time. If a rubber bag
is not available, a sheep's or pig's bladder might serve as
a satisfactory substitute.
On certain ores a modification of the bottle-test may
be carried out effectively where the desired result is not
a process to be used in practice but to get a quick idea of
what kind of concentrate the metalliferous constituents
of the ore will yield when separated from the gangue.
The manipulation is as follows :
To the pulp in the bottle may be added from 1 to 10%
of limestone, ground sufficiently to pass an 80-mesh
screen. The oiling and the agitation may be carried on
as before. A sufficient amount of sulphuric acid may
now be added to start the generation of carbon di-oxide
in the pulp, and the bottle may be filled with water so
that the froth as it rises will overflow into the pan in
which the bottle is set. By keeping the pulp stirred with
a long rod or tube the sulphides may be completely re-
moved by flotation; if the proper amount of the oil best
adapted to the work is used. This manipulation requires
some skill and is not recommended for general use ; but,
like the other bottle-test, it may be advantageous if no
other equipment is at hand than that with which the bot-
tle-test can be made. If the pulp is heated, or if the
amount of sulphuric acid added is too large, the gas may
be generated so rapidly as to expel the pulp from the
APPARATUS FOR PNEUMATIC FLOTATION. THE AUTHOR
AT WORK
bottle. For this reason, the acid should be added care-
fully, and with stirring, so that the generation of gas
will be kept within bounds. The acid may be added be-
fore the agitation takes place if sufficient care be used,
in which case the test may be completed more quickly
than by any other means, as it may be possible to raise the
concentrate completely at one time ; but this is not recom-
mended generally because the generation of gas may be so
rapid as to throw the acid pulp out of the bottle onto the
operator.
In carrying out any test in which acid is used in the
presence of a carbonate, the mouth of the bottle should
always be pointed away from the operator.
For making flotation tests by mechanical means, a sim-
ple apparatus will give reliable results with either the
agitation or the pneumatic process. Many types of appa-
484
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 2, 1920
ratus have been used and described in the technical press,
but the two described herein are so simple and have
yielded such satisfactory results that I have come to rely
upon them exclusively in my own work.
The machine for carrying out the froth-agitation flota-
tion process consists of a rectangular .box in which agita-
tion takes place, and a pointed box in which the froth
separates from the rest of the pulp. By reference to Fig.
2 the details of this machine will be apparent. The pulp
is kept in continuous agitation and continuous circulation
from the agitation chamber through an opening (1) into
the separation chamber or spitzkasten from which it re-
turns to the agitation chamber through the opening mark-
ed (2). The impeller has blades set at an angle of 45°
from the vertical, and is placed about half-way between
openings (1) and (2). The impeller is adjustable as to
height and may be raised so high that the agitation cham-
ber is completely open for inspection or cleaning. Ordi-
narily the impeller is adjusted until the best position is
found and then left at that position.
The method of procedure in making a test with this
machine is to close the opening (1) with a cork, introduce
water up to a point just below this opening, and start the
impeller. The dry ore is now added and mixed thor-
oughly with the water, water being added until the level
in the separation chamber is about half an inch below the
height of the overflow lip. The oil or oily mixture to be
tested is added in the proper amount. Where a 500-gm.
charge is used the initial addition of oil need not be more
than from six to ten drops, unless previous testing has
shown that as much as ten or fifteen drops are needed.
The oil is added most conveniently by means of a 1-cc.
pippette graduated to hundredths. After a sufficient
mixing of the oil and pulp has taken place, which should
be in about half a minute, the cork may be removed from
the opening and the pulp allowed to circulate ; from time
to time, the froth floating upon the surface of the water
in the separation chamber may be removed by a paddle
and further additions of oil may be made in small
amounts so long as they continue to produce more froth.
After the last concentrate is removed, the tailing may be
discharged through the opening indicated by (3). The
machine is washed out conveniently by means of a stream
of water from a hydrant or other source, carried through
a rubber tube and a piece of glass tube 13 to 14 inches
long, drawn to a tip at the bottom, and the tip inclined at
an angle to the body of the glass tube, thus permitting a
jet to be applied to the floor of the agitation chamber in
such a way as to wash the sand to the discharge opening
with the use of the minimum amount of water. After the
machine has been cleaned thoroughly the concentrate
may, if desirable, be returned to the machine and re-
floated in order to raise its grade, the tailing from this
operation forming a middling product, which normally
would go back into the tube-mill or other fine grinder, to
be re-ground and returned to the flotation machine with
the regular feed.
This machine is a slight modification of others that
have been described previously, its chief individual merit
being that it is driven from overhead, the height of the
impeller is adjustable, and the settling-chamber is ade-
quate, and is so arranged that the pulp circulates thor-
oughly without the use of any piping. The impeller in a
machine of this type should be driven at a speed of 800 to
1600 revolutions ; 1200 is usually about right.
The pneumatic machine shown in Fig. 3 is useful and
can be constructed cheaply. It consists essentially of a
wooden base into which is sunk a recess, to be used as an
air-pocket into which air is introduced from some simple
blower through a gas-cock and short nipple. Over the
air-pocket in this base is placed, first, a square rubber
gasket, then two thicknesses of 10-oz. duck or its equiva-
lent, then a square of ordinary metallic mosquito net-
ting, and a second rubber gasket, above which is mounted
a square metallic cylinder open at each end (having a
flange at the bottom as indicated and a basin at the top
to receive the concentrate as it overflows), this basin
being equipped with a spout by which the concentrate
as it overflows is directed into the collecting-basin. That
portion of the edge of the canvas which goes under the
flange may be saturated with asphalt, care being taken
that it does not permeate the portion of the canvas going
under the inner portion of the cylinder. The cylinder is
attached to the wooden base by a number of screws, and
is screwed down in place so tightly that no air or water
will escape through the edge of the canvas. The flange,
which is made by bending up pieces of the sides, should
be reinforced by a square with the centre cut out.
A test is performed in this apparatus as follows :
Five hundred grammes of ore is mixed with 1250 to
1500 ec. of water in an acid-bottle, which is shaken to wet
the ore and make a homogeneous pulp. To this is then
added from 6 to 15 drops of the oil or oil mixture to be
used in the test. The pulp is shaken vigorously until the
oil is well mixed with the whole of the charge, as pre-
viously described in the bottle test. The oiled pulp is
now poured into the cylinder, the air is turned on and
carefully regulated by the gas-eoek so that the overflow
of the concentrate will take place gently. This froth is
overflowed until all of the concentrate the sample will
yield has been produced. The tailing may be removed
from the machine by tipping it up on the end of the base
away from the air-intake while the air is still turned on,
and washing out the contents with a jet of water. The
concentrate may be returned to the machine and re-
floated as in the test with the agitation apparatus.
The pneumatic machine is dependent upon compressed
air from some source. A small mechanical blower, such as
the Crowell blower shown in Fig. 6, is useful for this pur-
pose. Such a blower should be equipped with a pop-
valve, which may be set for any desired pressure by ad-
ding or removing weights. Fig. 1, 4, and 5 show the ma-
chines described, as installed in a temporary laboratory
in the Bureau of Mines experiment station at the Uni-
versity of California while war mineral-investigations
were being conducted.
In preparing for flotation tests, a representative sam-
ple should be carefully crushed to such a size that even
the coarsest piece of sulphide mineral will float readily.
October '-'. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
485.
In some ores pyrite is of little or no value, and it is often
desirable to float other sulphides without floating the
pyrite. Ordinarily, pyrite is tougher than the other sul-
phides, and it may be possible to determine a degree of
crushing that will leave at least a portion of the pyrite
too coarse to float, while practically all of the chalcopyrite
or other sulphide that it is desired to save may be fine
enough for successful flotation. If it is desirable to leave
part of the pyrite unfloated, a test may be made upon
ore crushed so that it will all pass through a 30 to 50-
mesh screen. Ordinarily, where it is desirable to float
all the sulphide constituents of an ore, the whole sample
under the head of pine-creosotes and pine-tars; the-
creosotes and tars produced in the destructive distilla-
tion of hardwoods; the neutral and acid creosotes, and;
refined and crude tars produced in the destructive dis-
tillation of coal ; and certain crude oils and petroleum
distillation products. Qualitative tests may often be
made with salad-oil, if nothing better is at hand. Small
amounts of pine-creosotes and tars, hardwood-creosotes
and tars, coal-creosotes and tars, may at a pinch be made
by distilling pitch-pine, oak, maple, alder, etc., or coal-
tar, in some simple retort.
The simple mechanical apparatus described herein will
10 to IZ-in.
Stops to hold duck
at ends and sides f Z^EH
Fig. 8. details op air-cell construction for pneumatic testing
should be crushed so that it will pass through a 60-mesh
screen. Even 100-mesh or finer gives the best results in
most eases, especially for the bottle-tests.
In testing an ore for the purpose of working out the
Fig. 6. the crowell blower
details of milling practice, the tests should be made upon
samples crushed to different degrees of fineness in order
to determine how fine it is necessary to crush to get the
maximum recovery, and whether or not a finer degree
of crushing is necessary in order to get the highest grade
of concentrate possible.
The usual oils or oil mixtures used in flotation work
include turpentine, crude or refined ; steam-distilled pine-
oil, and the whole range of products recovered by the
destructive distillation of pine-wood, falling generally
give satisfactory and reliable tests, but much of impor-
tance can be learned by the bottle-tests, and they may be
constantly used to advantage around an operating mill.
The agitation and the pneumatic machines described
herein are entirely adequate for making elaborate studies
of flotation problems, changing all factors, such as kind
and amount of oil, dilution of pulp, fineness of ore, the
use of additional reagents, such as lime, ferrous sulphate,
copper sulphate, sodium hydroxide, sodium sulphide, and
sodium silicate. Where ore is to be ground dry and many
tests are tc be made, a quantity of the ore should be
mixed thoroughly after grinding and screening, and por-
tions of the pulp to be tested should be weighed out into
a number of paper sacks to facilitate rapid work. Some
ores do not float readily if they have been dried; so, in
checking mill-work, the drying of ores and the grinding
of them dry should be avoided.
Large Buechner filters, with filter-pumps attached,
may be used where many samples are being handled.
"Where few samples are being handled and assays do not
have to be made promptly a wick filter may be used satis-
factorily. A single paper towel folded to about an inch
wide and flattened with the end held by a wire paper-,
fastener may be wetted and one end put in the pan of
concentrate, the other end being folded over the edge of
the pan and brought down below the bottom of the pan.
48C
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 2, 1920
Capillarity will remove the water at a surprising rate.
With one paper towel I have taken off over 800 ce. of
water in 24 hours. If the pan is set on the edge of a sink,
the water may be allowed to go to waste as it is removed
or it can be caught in a pan. When the sample is air-
dry the concentrate on the wick filter may be brushed off.
I have found this simple device very useful in removing
water from samples of mill-pulp containing slime. Such
a sample may be decanted after a reasonable length of
time if a pinch of alum is added to it when it is collected.
After all the water that can be safely removed is poured
off, a further amount may be taken off with a wick filter
and the pulp brought to a thick consistence ready to go
into a steam-dryer or to be used for flotation tests. A
large lamp-wick or a piece of cotton cloth rolled into a
wick works well. The paper towel is particularly
effective.
A cheaply constructed continuous machine of the pneu-
matic type can be constructed with a tank of wood or gal-
vanized iron, the air-cells being carved out of a straight
grained piece of redwood or pine timber. I have con-
structed such a machine according to the measurements
shown in Fig 7 and 8 and have found it to be very
useful in testing under mill conditions. The measure-
ments given may be varied as desired. A machine 4 ft.
long and 6 in. wide with two square feet of canvas surface
was built some years ago for a total cost of less than $50.
This type of flotation machine was described in the
'Mining and Scientific Press' of August 5, 1916, and the
following description is quoted with modifications from
that article. See Fig. 7 and 8.
The body of the machine is a rectangular tank with a
sloping bottom or false bottom, and overflow sides. One
overflow side will do for testing. Pulp from the launder
(1) enters the feed-chamber (2) and flows into the
flotation-chamber, where it passes over the wooden air-
cells (4), through the upper canvas surface of which
compressed air is being forced. The air is supplied
through the hose (5) from the header-pipe (6). Each
air-cell is regulated independently by a valve (7). The
air rising through the previously oiled pulp builds up a
bed of mineral-bearing froth above the water-level; this
froth flows continuously over the lip (8) and is carried
away by the launder (9). The bed of fragile froth,
which readily breaks down unless air is constantly bub-
Wing up beneath it, is prevented from flowing over the
tailing-discharge, where no air is rising, by a partition
(10) that divides a dead-water space (11) from the
frothing-chamber. The bulk of the tailing is discharged
through the valve (12). The deflector (13) guides any
bubbles carried toward the tailing-valve by the flow of
the pulp back into the frothing-chamber. The deflector
(14) causes a counter-current of froth to flow toward the
feed-end of the machine. Slime-tailing flows through the
opening (15) and the swing-pipe (16) and through the
hose (17) and joins the sand-tailing in the main tailing-
launder (18). The swing-pipe (16) may be fastened at
any desired height by engaging the proper link of the
chain (20) over the nail (21). When the valve (12) is
set so that the valve does not permit quite all the tailing
to flow through it, the position of the swing-pipe fixes the
height of the water-level, which will not vary until the
pipe is re-set.
The details of this machine are covered by my patent
No. 1,296,190, but anyone who desires to build test-ma-
chines of this type for his own use has my permission to
do so.
Some kinds of dust are much more dangerous than
others, a notable example being the difference between the
effects of coal dust and silica particles. The silica par-
ticles, when they enter the lungs, set up a fibrosis, or
fibrous condition of the tissues, which lowers the re-
sistance to tuberculosis; hence it is that men in metal
mines are liable to contract the disease. But coal miners,
who live in about as dusty an environment as could be
imagined, seem to thrive on the air that they breathe.
Formerly it was explained that the minute particles of
silica or similar substances were hard and sharp, and
therefore more dangerous. But the coal dust is also often
hard and sharp. When silica dust is mixed with coal or
clay dust it becomes relatively harmless. Medical men,
seeking an explanation for this, have found that there is
a difference in the manner in which the lungs rid them-
selves of dusts of different kinds. Silica dusts are re-
tained by the lungs, while the coal dusts and soot seem to
have some stimulating effect on the lung cells, and are
promptly gotten rid of. In other words, when coal dust
is breathed, it is coughed out again or otherwise ejected
through the nasal or mouth passages; while silica dust
remains in the lungs and tends to render them less re-
sistant to infection by tubercle bacilli.
As a matter of fact, coal dust appears even to have a
somewhat beneficial effect ; coal miners as a class have a
low tuberculosis rate. It is not, known whether this 'good
dust' has some peculiar antiseptic property, or whether
it causes a biological reaction tending to aid him who
breathes it in his resistance against tuberculosis. The
practical application of these discoveries comes in the
fact that it now is suggested that in order to avoid the
bad effects of quartz dusts, the attempt be made — not to
get rid of the dust, but simply to mix with it a neutraliz-
ing dust of the coal or soot nature. Probably it will be
possible, by adding coal to the dust that cannot be dis-
posed of otherwise, to render it harmless; and just as
stonedusting is used in coal mines to prevent coal-dust
explosions, so coal-dusting will be used in quartz mines to
prevent miners' phthisis. — League of Red Cross Societies.
Recent experience of talc producers confirms the fact
that the fibrous variety of talc, contrary to popular be-
lief, is not always most desired by paint manufacturers.
It is true that in certain types of paint fibrous talc is an
advantage, but in other types it has the disadvantage of
being too bulky for its weight. 'Heavy' granular talcs
are often specified by paint manufacturers as distin-
guished from 'light' fibrous talcs. Practically all talcs
are fire-resistant and it seems probable that many of the
talcs on the market today could be used in paint.
October I'. l!>L''i
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
487
Some Principles of Finance
By ROBERT S. LEWIS
Introduction. All sound finance should be conducted
according to certain principles that are clearly defined,
and disaster is sure to follow, sooner or later, any de-
parture from these principles. The recent example of
'Ponzied finance', with his reported maximum assets of
$4,000,000 and minimum liabilities of $7,000,000 illus-
trates the truth of the saying that a fool is born every
minute. Ponzi's bait was the promise to pay something
like 50% return in 45 days through an unexplained use
of foreign exchange-rates. Just why the Government
officials should have let this fleecing of the public con-
tinue for six months or more before taking action is yet
to be learned.
A milder form of get-rieh-quiek scheme has been tried
by some Eastern banks which have charged 20% interest
or more for short-time loans. An interesting comment on
such business methods was made by J. S. Williams,
Comptroller of the Currency, who states in a report of
August 10 that these high rates "have been one of the
potential causes, rather than the result, of the unsettling
of values in -our securities market, and of the burden-
some rates which our railroads and industrial corpora-
tions and other concerns and individuals of the highest
credit have been requested to pay for new capital essen-
tially needed for the country's development and well-
"being. . . . Able and thinking business men know that
•exorbitant interest-rates mean destruction in the end, to
the detriment of all, and that stability and permanent
prosperity can be assured only by fair and reasonable
methods of the financial power."
The hope of getting rich all at once, of gambling and
•expecting always to win and let others lose, and, in some
•cases, the demanding of more interest than can be prop-
erly earned, have been potent factors in causing many
failures, which have created in the minds of the general
public- the impression that mining is a gamble and not a
business, and that, therefore, the recognized rules of
'finance cannot be applied in mining undertakings.
Intelligent investing in mining enterprises requires a
knowledge of business principles that many investors do
not possess and a careful investigation that very few
• seem willing to make. Just why a business man who .
would carefully investigate a new proposal in his own
line of business will shut his eyes and blindly throw his
money to the unscrupulous promoter of a flamboyant
mining advertisement is a question that psychologists
might find it interesting to discuss.
Capitalization. The methods of capitalizing business
enterprises may be divided into four classes. This is
only a rough grouping, and enterprises will be found
that will occupy intermediate positions.
(1) Capitalization not based on value; its amount is
consequently a matter of little importance. The nature
of the enterprise is such that a determination of its value
is impossible. An invention in its early stages is a good
example. The inventor estimates that a certain sum will
be needed to develop his idea and he tries to raise this
amount. The invention may be successful and may
prove highly profitable, or it may turn out to be of no
value and not even patentable. The inventor may give
a part interest for a lump sum of money. The capitaliza-
tion merely serves to apportion the holding of the inter-
ested parties and is temporary in its nature. Its chief
advantage lies in the fact that large incorporation ex-
penses are avoided until some definite value has been
demonstrated. Temporary organizations, when large
undertakings are to be incorporated, are often capital-
ized in this way. The United States Steel Corporation
was first organized with a capital of $3000. This tem-
porary company controlled all options, contracts, and
properties for about six weeks. Then the main company
was formed and the capital was raised to over a billion
dollars.
Close corporations, in which the capital stock is held
by a few persons, are frequently capitalized without re-
gard to value. One company doing a business of over
$12,000 per annum was capitalized for $6000. Each of
the three stockholders subscribed for $2000. The United
Verde Copper Company may be considered a close cor-
poration, as it has less than 20 stockholders. This com-
pany is capitalized for $3,000,000, and up to October
1917 had paid over $44,000,000 in dividends.
(2) Capitalization based upon present value. The
capitalization of a new enterprise, well within ordinary
lines of business, is a comparatively easy matter. A man
may buy a lot, build a store on it, and begin business.
The cash or other property put into the business con-
stitutes the entire value of the enterprise and measures
its capitalization. If a capable manager can be secured
only by the offer of some stock in addition to his salary,
this stock must be added to the capitalization. In the
case of a corporation formed to take over an existing
business, the purchase price plus a suitable working
capital and a necessary reserve make up the capitaliza-
tion. Promoters often take a business at one price and
sell it at another, the promoter's profit being included
in the new capitalization. If a promoter's share is not
excessive, such a method is legitimate.
What is known as 'goodwill' is a factor that enters into
the capitalization of going concerns. Goodwill may be
defined as the profit-producing power of an established
business in addition to interest and replacement returns
on the investment. It is intangible, but is an asset of the
business and should be included in any scheme of capi-
talization unless it is of such a nature that it will not re-
main with the business after a change of ownership. One
488
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 2, 1920
method of valuing goodwill is as follows : The net profits
are capitalized at a selected rate. If 10% is determined
upon, a business returning a profit of $6000 per annum
would be capitalized at $60,000. All property values
are deducted from this and the remainder is the capital-
ized value of the goodwill. Thus, if $40,000 constitutes
the value of the property the value of the goodwill is
$60,000 less $40,000, or $20,000.
In large corporations the issue of common stock is fre-
quently based on goodwill. Preferred stock is issued to
the full amount of the material assets. The dividend to
be paid on this stock is deducted from the total net earn-
ings, and the remainder, representing the earnings of
goodwill, is used as the basis of the issue of common stock.
For example, let the net earnings of a concern to be capi-
talized be $2,000,000 per annum. The value of the prop-
erty is $15,000,000. Then preferred stock is issued to
this amount. If 7% is paid on the stock, the amount of
the interest, or $1,050,000, is deducted from the annual
income of $2,000,000, leaving $950,000 as the basis for
the issue of common stock. Assuming that 5% will be
paid on this stock the issue would then be $950,000 at
5%, or $19,000,000. The total capitalization would be
the sum of the stock-issues, or $34,000,000.
(3) Capitalization based upon future profits. In this
ease the profits are estimated; they are not an accom-
plished fact. If kept within reasonable bounds, this
capitalization of profit probabilities is perfectly legiti-
mate. The stock of a business that pays 7% dividends
may sell at par or $100 per share, but a similar stock pay-
ing 14% will not necessarily sell for $200. It is more
likely to be priced at from $170 to $180 per share. If
the owners are considering a future sale of stock, and
believe that the increase in earnings will amount to 7%,
it would be legitimate for them to increase the capitaliza-
tion 100%.
"When inventions are capitalized it is customary to
anticipate their earning power. An accurate estimate,
of course, is impossible. The usual procedure is to esti-
mate the earnings as accurately as is possible and then
discount this figure by a safe margin, using the result as
the basis for capitalization. This capitalization must be
large enough to provide for all operating expenses, for
any required sinking-funds, for stock-reserves held to
meet future emergencies, and for such additional stock
for the inventor as will fairly represent the value of the
invention.
In enterprises that include a franchise among the
assets, it is as legitimate to capitalize the franchise as
any other property of the corporation. Assume that a
group of bankers secures a 25-year franchise to build and
operate a water-supply system. An engineering estimate
of the plant is $750,000. This covers both pumping-
station and the system of distribution. For safety the
amount is taken at $800,000. A study of the problem
indicates that 12% should be realized on this investment.
The project would therefore pay $96,000 per annum.
The bankers are entitled to 6% on their money, or
$48,000. If a sinking-fund of $24,000 is set aside to
amortize capital and to meet emergencies, the remain-
ing $24,000 of yearly income can be attributed to the
franchise. At 6%, this makes the franchise worth
$400,000 ; consequently the enterprise would be capital-
ized for $800,000 + $400,000, or $1,200,000. This is not
over-capitalization, since the amount is justified by the
earnings. Mining companies are nearly always capital-
ized on the bases of future profit.
(4) Capitalization when the value of the enterprise
can only be determined by development. In these cases
the capitalization is fixed by more or less intelligent
guesses. New processes, inventions outside the realm of
experience, and mining prospects would come under this
head. The actual value of the undertaking cannot be
determined, so the promoters issue and sell stock for
what they can get for it. It is not wrong to offer stock as
a gamble provided conditions are truthfully represented.
Misrepresentation of conditions constitutes the fraud in
this case. A few men buy an acre of land in or near a
well-known oil-field. The acre is divided into sixteenths.
At the point where four tracts meet a well is started.
Four companies may be formed, one for each tract, and
stock is sold to the public on the strength of the adver-
tisement that the X. T. Z. company is sinking a well in a
proved oil-field. The promoters reap a rich harvest and
the public pays for it. If no oil is found, the performance
may be repeated at some other point on the acre. The
newspapers are full of advertisements of this kind. It
is a safe rule never to buy because of newspaper adver-
tisements. The game is always one of heads I win, tails
you lose.
Over-capitalization. Capitalization that is in excess
of the proper needs of the enterprise has caused the
failure of many a meritorious promotion. The earnings
were never adequate to pay dividends on the huge capi-
tal involved. In some cases of improper management
dividends were paid that were never earned, the money
being taken from paid-in capital that had been held in
reserve. This point will be discussed more fully under
the head of dividends.
Over-capitalization is generally due to one of four
causes : First, fraudulent intent. Owing to the great risk
of capitalizing nothing at all, some tangible property
must be used as the basis of the promotion. Generally,
the property selected is in such a remote region that in-
vestigation is either difficult or impossible. In other
cases, the victims are swindled through property that
could easily be investigated, but such an investigation is
seldom made. The Eoyal Diamond Company operated
on Wall Street and reaped a rich harvest until the
authorities interfered. The company claimed to own
valuable diamond mines in South Africa. Stock was
sold for alleged development work. The board of direc-
tors, composed of titled Englishmen, banking references
in different parts of the world, maps, and reports were
pure fabrications. Nothing existed except the office fur-
niture, the swindlers, and their victims.
A second cause of over-capitalization is the method of
promotion. Showy offices, the payment of large com-
missions and salaries, and other concomitants of flashy
promotion, leave little of the large capital subscribed to
October 2, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
489
be used in the legitimate development of the enterprise.
Sum,' years ago the promotion of a certain copper com-
pany was undertaken in 'his way. A dinner at $•"> per
plate was given by company officials to brokers and
friends, expensive advertising literature was published,
and development was started on a large scale. Examina-
tion of the property by competent engineers proved the
existence of veins that contained good ore, but the fault-
ing of the orebody had been extensive, thereby making
the maintenance of a uniform daily output of ore a diffi-
cult matter. The enterprise dragged along for years and
not a cent in dividends was ever paid. No fraud was
intended, and the property had merit, but only the most
competent management could make such a mine pay, and
the margin of profit would be small in any ease. Cer-
tainly, dividends could never be paid on the excessive
capitalization. Spendthrift methods of promotion killed
this mining venture.
A third, and frequent cause of excessive capitalization
is over-sanguine estimates of value. The inventor of a
meritorious device receives a large sum for his invention.
Unusually large royalties are also paid him, and he may
be made general manager of the factory at a handsome
salary. In this way money put into the enterprise is
used up and business comes to a standstill until additional
subscriptions can be obtained. Under this head would
be included the eases in which the owner asks a fair price
for his property but tells the promoter that he can have
all the profit he can make above this price. The promoter
then tries to secure such a large profit that the load im-
posed on the enterprise is beyond the possibility of any
reasonable profit or dividend-paying possibility.
A fourth cause of over-capitalization is the avarice of
owners. This is similar to the preceding case. A price
beyond all reason is asked for the property, and there is
no possibility that any profit can be made on such a heavy
investment. Although not a cause of over-capitalization,
the avarice of owners of mining prospects is one of the
chief reasons why more prospects are not developed.
The owners ask such unreasonable prices that mining and
development companies that have ample capital to de-
velop such possibilities are not willing to make the in-
vestment.
Amount op Capital. The total capital required for
an enterprise may be divided into two kinds ; fixed capi-
tal, or that invested in plant, real estate, and equipment ;
and working capital in the form of raw materials, stocks
of partly finished goods, finished products not sold, ac-
counts receivable, salable securities, and cash. Fixed
capital is in forms that cannot be disposed of without
breaking up the business. The proportion of working
capital, in terms of total capital, that is required in some
lines of business is much greater than in other lines. Tele-
phone companies have large investments of fixed capital,
but after the equipment is in place, operating expenses
are light ^nd can be paid by the monthly receipts ; conse-
quently, little working capital is required. On the other
hand, a ^etail business in a rented store would have
nearly all of its capital in the form of goods or working
capital. Ample working capital is a necessity in any
business. A concern manufacturing a patented device
may have a large investment in plant and equipment.
Sufficient working capital may have been provided, but
later developments show that the device itself or the
method of manufacture must be changed and, therefore,
the tixed capital is wasted. A better procedure would
have been to have some company manufacture the device
under contract for a year or two and to devote the avail-
able capital to building up a strong selling organization
until the best method of manufacture had been found.
Then the additional capital needed for building the plant
could easily be obtained.
For mining companies, the necessary investment in
buildings and equipment can be quite satisfactorily de-
termined. The workin : capital must at least be sufficient
to meet the expense of development work, supplies, and
payroll, until the product can be marketed. If the prod-
uct of the mine can be sold within a short time, less
working capital is needed than if the product must be
carried for months before it can he marketed. Gold bul-
lion may be sold at any time, but stocks of copper, lead,
or zinc may have to be held for a long period of time in
order to secure favorable market conditions. In the case
of a company using a well-tried process of reduction,
such as cyaniding, gravity concentration, or smelting,
little is required beyond the fixed capital for the plant
and a reasonable allowance for working capital. The
method employed and the machinery used have been
proved by experience and can be depended upon, but for
new and untried processes ample working capital must
be provided for making the changes that will certainly
be required either in the process or in the plant and to
cover breakdowns that will inevitably occur. A good
example of the need for sufficient working capital is
found1 in the case of a plant in which a leaching process
was used for treating copper ore. The design of the
plant was original with the metallurgist in charge.
Nearly all the machinery was of special design and had
to be made to order. This meant a long delay in getting
the machinery on the ground. As soon as the plant was
put in operation, trouble developed at many points ; much
of the machinery had to be changed ; some was found to
be superfluous and some had to be re-designed. This
necessitated another long delay before operations could
be resumed. The plant has cost several times the original
estimate. Even in a plant using a well-tried process of
reduction, there is a period of 'tuning up', or working
the plant into smooth operation, that takes more time
than was estimated and requires the expenditure of con-
siderable money. More meritorious mining enterprises
have failed through lack of adequate working capital
than perhaps for any other reason.
A certain prospect has a promising appeai-ance and a
group of men organize a company to develop it. An
estimate is made of the cost of plant and development.
This capital is subscribed and work is started. The ore-
body had not been fully prospected, and the development
work shows that mining will be more difficult than ex-
pected because of extensive faulting of the orebody. An
expensive pumping-plant may be required to handle the
490
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 2, 1920
large flow af water developed on the lower levels. Dam-
age to plant through fire or other accident postpones the
period of production and calls for more capital to repair
the injury. Several months of operation may be re-
quired before full production is attained. As a result,
the owners have to pay assessments or become discour-
aged, and sell out at a loss. The property makes a suc-
cessful mine in the end, but only when sufficient capital
has been put into it.
Dividends. These are declared out of net profits by
the board of directors. Once a dividend has been de-
clared it becomes an obligation of the company and must
be paid. Stockholders have no voice in determining the
amount or time of dividends. The regular payment of
dividends is desirable, and is considered an important
principle of modern business finance. Most stockholders
know little or nothing about the inner working of their
company. They have bought stock as an investment and
a regular income is desired. For this reason well-man-
aged companies try to maintain uniform dividends.
Profits vary from year to year and regular dividends
can be maintained only by placing the rate at a conserva-
tive minimum. Whenever profits are great enough to
permit of increasing the dividend, an extra dividend is
usually declared. This dividend is often sent as a sep-
arate cheek, to indicate that it is an addition to the regu-
lar dividend and may not be paid again.
It is a serious mistake for a new company to declare
dividends too soon. Stockholders frequently become im-
patient for dividends. They have been known to bring
such pressure to bear on a board of directors as to force
the board to declare a dividend sooner than their best
judgment dictated. It takes time to develop a mine to a
dividend-paying basis, and no intelligent investor should
agree to a distribution of dividends until it is perfectly
safe for the company to pay them. This premature pay-
ment of dividends has been the cause of much financial
embarrassment. The payment of dividends should de-
pend not only upon the profits earned but upon the
financial position of the company as well. Working
capital is reduced by the payment of dividends, and until
a company is upon a well-established financial footing
any impairment of working capital is dangerous. A
satisfactory cash balance should be built up and this
cannot be done if profits are paid out as dividends the
moment they are earned. Fires, the caving of a part of
the mine, change in the grade of ore mined, strikes, and
other contingencies may arise. If no adequate cash-
reserve is maintained an assessment must be levied or
money must be borrowed to meet the emergency.
In some instances dividends have been paid from bor-
rowed money. Though this is most always done for
speculative purposes to keep up the price of stock, such
a method is legal and may be justifiable for a company
that faces wide seasonal fluctuations in earnings, but the
wisdom of such a policy is open to question. Fraudulent
payment of dividends out of capital has been known, but
the directors are legally liable for such dividends. The
payment of unearned dividends is due to ignorance on
the part of the directors, or to their belief in large future
profits, or to their desire to give the company a higher
standing either on the stock market or with creditors
than the earnings warrant.
Dividends from mining companies should be paid ac-
cording to these business principles, but the investor in
mining stocks should recognize the fact that his dividends
differ from those derived from other industrial com-
panies. A mine is a wasting asset. The orebody is not
unlimited in size and every ton mined lessens the ore-
reserve. When all the ore has been taken out of that
particular mine it has reached the end of its life. Divi-
dends from a manufacturing concern may be considered
wholly as income, but dividends from mining companies
should be considered as part income and part return of
capital. If a mine has a life of, say, 15 years, enough
of the dividend should be put into a sinking-fund so that
it would accumulate to a sum equal to the purchase price
of the shares at the end of the life of the mine. The re-
mainder may be used as income. Should the whole divi-
dend be spent as income, the investor would lose the pur-
chase price of the shares, as they would have no value
when the mine had been worked out.
In regard to the dividend-rate that should be expected
from the investments in mines, the principle to follow is
that the rate should be proportional to the risk involved.
The greater the risk, the higher should be the rate. Gov-
ernment bonds or money in the savings bank may receive
as low a rate as 3 or 4%, because of the safety of its
position. A well-established manufacturing concern may
pay 5 or 6%. Here, the element of risk is greater. A
panic or some unforeseen contingency may cause a fail-
ure, but the danger is remote. At best a mining invest-
ment has a large element of risk attached to it and there-
fore the return should be proportionately great. For a
proved mine that is well managed and has large ore-
reserves, the rate may be comparatively low, say, 8 to
10%. Many engineers state that 10% should be the
very least expected from a mine. Since this is not all
income, as part must be used to replace the investment,
12 to 15% would compare favorably with, say, 7 to 10%
in manufacturing or other industrial enterprises. For a
mine in a foreign country the rate should be much higher.
As high as 50% has been asked on investments in mines
in foreign countries, where the mines were not fully de-
veloped though they were of great promise.
Form of Capitalization. When the amount of capital
to be raised has been determined upon, it is necessary to
select the form in which it shall be raised. The common
forms are stocks and bonds. Bonds are really notes or
promises to pay a certain sum at a specified date. They
are usually secured both as to principal and interest by
a deed of trust or a mortgage on real or personal prop-
erty. Because of this safeguarding of the investment the
interest-rate on bonds is comparatively low; 5 or 6% is
a common rate for good bonds, though at the present
time the rate may be 1% higher. In exceptional cases,
where money must be raised on short notice, desirable
bonds may be placed on the market at a rate as high
as 8%.
To the promoter or organizer of an enterprise a bond
October 2, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
4!H
is the best method of raisins capital. The interest-rate
on the mi y borrowed is low, and large earnings can be
used tu pay dividends on the stork of which the promoter
holds a large block. The bond-buyer surrenders all
chances of a high return on his investment Eor the great
Bafety involved. It' necessary, he can Foreclose and take
over the properly to li is own advantage. It' the stock-
holder receives no dividends anil his stork drops to
almost nothing iu value, he is helpless unless he can
prove that the management has been dishonest. How-
ever, certain enterprises do not make a good basis for
bond-issues until they are well established, and even then
bonds could be issued for only a moderate percentage of
the value of the property. A mining company falls
under this head. The usual method of raising capital
for a mining company is by an issue of stock. The
speculative appeal of such an issue is attractive to the
public in that it offers a chance for large gains if the
venture is successful. Bond-issues have been put out by
mining companies. However, this is usually done by only
the largest companies, such as the New Cornelia Copper
Co., the Inspiration Consolidated Copper Co., the Ken-
necott Copper Corporation, and others that have ample
material assets to serve as security for the issue. The
tendency is for these companies to retire the bonds as
quickly as possible, either by paying them off or exchang-
ing them for stock. The New Cornelia Copper Co. is
capitalized for $8,000,000 in shares of a par value of $5 ;
bonds to the amount of $4,000,000 were issued to pay for
equipment and construction work; these bonds were to
run for 12 years and paid 6% interest.
The capital stock of a company is the total amount that
it can issue under the terms of its charter, and bears no
necessary relation to the amount of stock actually issued
or subscribed for. A company may have a total capital
stock of $1,000,000 and yet only half might be issued,
the remainder being kept for later use. The outstanding
stock is $500,000, but the capital stock is always $1,000,-
000. Dividends are paid only on issued stock. Unissued
stock represents nothing but the right to issue. If sold it
brings in cash but the stock carries with it an interest in
the company that should equal the price received for the
stock. Thus the increase in assets and liabilities is just
equal.
Formerly the law required that all the capital stock
must be issued and paid for, but now State statutes vary,
and usually only part of the capital stock has to be paid
up within a stated time. A share of stock represents an
interest in the company, and its true worth depends only
upon the earning power of the company. For this rea-
son the face or 'par' value of a share has in reality little
meaning, and speaking of stock as above or below par
simply means that the financial condition of the company
is considered to be either good or poor. A share is worth
only its proportional part of the whole corporation no
matter what the par value may be. There is a growing
tendency to issue stock having no par value. This is a
good plan as it would force an investor to investigate the
financial standing of the company before taking an inter-
est in it. The Minerals Separation North American Cor-
poration was chartered in li'17 to facilitate the conducl
of business in this country by the parrot English con-
cern) its capita] consists of 500,000 shares of no par
value, which were placed in a 5-year voting trust.
When capital is represented by only one kind of stock
it is called common stock. Often the common stock-
holder is uninformed regarding the financial condition of
his company, lie has the right to vote for directors who
are supposed to represent him, and his ownership of stork
entitles him to his proportionate share of any dividends
that may be paid. The company's reports may convey no
real information concerning the condition of affairs. Re-
cent court decisions make it possible for the stockholder
to inspect the stock-ledger and transfer-books of the com-
pany for the purpose of getting a list of the other stock-
holders so that he can communicate with them. He also
has a right to inspect the books of the concern when it is
consistent with the interests of the company, but so many
obstacles can be thrown in the way of such an inspection
that this right can seldom be realized.
The idea that unissued stock is the same as treasury
stock is prevalent, but incorrect. Unissued stock is
merely the privilege of creating a liability. In one State
the payment of $20 will charter a company and authorize
an issue of stock up to $20,000,000. Such a company
would have an over-supply of unissued stock, but no
assets at all. When stock has been issued and fully paid
for and then comes back into the treasury of the com-
pany, either through purchase or donation, it is rightly
called treasury-stock and can be sold to bring in cash, for
it has a definite value, yet it cannot be voted by the com-
pany nor can dividends be paid upon it.
Preferred stock is stock that is given some preference
over common stock in regard to profits and often in re-
gard to assets in case of liquidation of the company.
Usually it is guaranteed as to dividends, and these divi-
dends are cumulative, that is, if not paid when due the
amount remains as a liability of the company and all pre-
f erred-stoek dividends must be paid before a dividend can
be declared on the common stock. It is often arranged
that preferred stock is subject to redemption at a pre-
mium ranging from 5 to 20%. A common protection for
preferred stock is the requirement that the company must
maintain a certain ratio of current assets to liabilities,
of net surplus to capital, and of dividends to surplus.
In one concern, quick or easily realizable assets must be
maintained at a minimum of $140 per share of preferred
stock. Additional issues of preferred stock cannot be put
out at more than two-thirds the cost of improvements and
the increased capital. Preferred stockholders may have a
right to vote. In some cases they come into control of the
board of directors if dividends are not paid when due.
Public-service corporations and industrial companys are
more likely to issue preferred stock than mining com-
panies. Preferred stock is sometimes issued by large min-
ing companies, which control a number of mines or re-
duction plants, for the purpose of making extensions of
plant or acquiring new property. The American Smelt-
ing & Refining Co. has a total capitalization of $115,-
000,000, which is divided into $65,000,000 of common
492
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 2, 1920
stock and $50,000,000 of 7% cumulative preferred stock.
The shares are of $100 par value. The United States
Smelting, Refining & Mining Co. has a capitalization of
$75,000,000 in $50 shares ; of this, $37,000,000 is in 7%
cumulative preferred stock.
Should a company earn large profits there is a possi-
bility that the common stock might receive a larger divi-
dend than the preferred stock, since the preferred-stock
dividend is limited to a specified amount. For this reason,
a provision is sometimes made that after a dividend equal
to that paid on the preferred stock has been paid on the
common stock, all dividends above these requirements are
shared equally by the two issues. If preferred stock is
made cumulative as to assets it would prevent some out-
side interest from buying up the low-priced common stock
and electing their own directors and then selling the
property of the company. Unless cumulative as to assets,
the preferred stock would have to share equally with the
common stock, which might have little value because of
poor dividend prospects.
Promoters and Promotion. The promoter of stock
companies performs a necessary and useful function in
the business world. Taken in the proper sense of the
word, the promoter's field is to bring together capital
and an enterprise in which capital can be usefully and
profitably employed. He finds the opportunity and then
turns it into a reality. So many fake schemes and un-
fortunate promotions have been inflicted on the public
that the term 'promoter' is often regarded as one of re-
proach.
The work of the promoter may be divided into three
stages: investigation, assembling, and financing. When
a promising discovery has been made, the promoter must
make a thorough investigation of the enterprise to test its
possibilities. In large projects, engineers are employed
to make a detailed survey of conditions and to draw up
estimates of cost. No stone should be left unturned in
the effort to view the project from all angles and to weigh
carefully each disadvantage. Only in this way can cor-
rect judgment be passed on the enterprise. If the final
judgment is favorable, the next step is to assemble the
essential elements. This means securing all rights and
options, chartering the new company, forming the finan-
cial plan, and preparing to sell the securities. All this
takes time, and may require the spending of a large sum
of money. Capitalists cannot be interested unless the
project is in definite form. Then, for his own protection,
the promoter must be secured in his title to rights and
options. Instances have been known where the promoter
had outlined his plan to a financier who had listened care-
fully but refused to supply funds, only to secure the op-
tions for himself as soon as the promoter had gone. The
final step is the selling of the securities and getting the
enterprise under way. To carry his work to a successful
conclusion the promoter must understand his business
thoroughly ; he should possess tact and patience ; he must
have a good knowledge of men, as well as abundant en-
ergy and great perseverance. He runs large risks, and it
is only fair that he be properly compensated. His con-
tinued success as a promoter depends upon his making
money for his clients ; for this reason he cannot engage in
crooked work or be dishonest in his dealings. An honest
promoter is always willing to supply any desired informa-
tion to interested persons.
Although the mining promoter may interest himself in
the claims of a prospector who needs money to develop his
holding, most mining promotions are concerned with the
sale of developed mines or the re-opening of abandoned
properties because of improved market conditions or the
discovery of a more suitable process for treating the ore.
Owing to the element of speculation that is always in-
volved in mining, the general public has suffered severely
at the hands of unscrupulous mining promoters. Either
because of ignorance or of failure to investigate, the most
flashy advertisements and grossly exaggerated statements
are believed, and hard-earned money is foolishly wasted.
'Blue-sky' laws in many States and the activities of the
Federal postal authorities serve to curtail to some extent
the operations of these fakers, but nothing short of edu-
cating prospective victims can put an end to their nefar-
ious business. If the investor can determine the answer
to the following six questions, he will have practically all
the information he needs to pass intelligent judgment
upon the merit of the proposition.
1. Is the promoter honest and in good standing among
business men who know him ?
2. Has the company a clear title to the property it is
represented to own ?
3. Has the property been developed so that the actual
tonnage of ore and its mineral content are known, and
have these figures been determined by a reputable engi-
neer?
4. Has the proper treatment of the ore been worked
out by a competent metallurgist ?
5. Is the proposed capitalization ample to cover cost
of property, the proposed plant, and, in addition, to sup-
ply adequate working capital ?
6. Is the direction or management of the company in
the hands of capable men ?
An honest promoter is always willing to furnish trust-
worthy references. Information regarding men connect-
ed with the enterprise can be obtained from merchants,
bankers, and editors of the technical press or of the min-
ing department of newspapers. Many States maintain
mining bureaus, which can supply valuable information
to the investor. The technical press is often the source
of useful information. Reports by reputable engineers
on certain mining districts are available to those who are
sincerely interested. The U. S. Geological Survey has
published maps and reports on the mineral resources of
many parts of the country. These reports can be obtain-
ed free of charge by addressing the Director, U. S. Geo-
logical Survey, "Washington, D. C, or for a nominal s^
from the Superintendent of Documents, Washingtr
D. C. If much money is to be invested it is advisable'lo
employ a mining engineer to make an independent ex-
amination. Several prospective investors may club to-
gether to defray an expense of this kind. The true '
seeker for information will be able to learn much for,
"The Lord helps them who help themselves".
Oftolx-r 2, L920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
l";
Mining in the Ketchikan District
By JOSEPH ULMER
•The man who made the first mineral location in south-
eastexn Alaska was Charles Vincent Baranovich. He
came to Alaska in the early 'sixties and married the
daughter of Francois, cook for the garrison of Russian
soldiers stationed at Fort Wrangell. His wife was born
in the stockade, remnants of which are still visible.
Baranovich engaged in trading with the natives, and in
1865 was granted a concession at Karta bay; his being
one of the 21 concessions granted by the Russian gov-
ernment.
Baranovich established a trading-post at Karta bay,
to which natives from Tolstoy, Wrangell, and even as far
away at Sitka brought furs and skins. When the weather
was stormy, the natives took their goods overland from
Tolstoy bay to the entrance of the Salt Chuck, where
they built signal-fires which brought Baranovich to meet
them. On the point where so many of these signal-fires
were made, the land is to this day devoid of all timber
except second-growth and brush.
On one occasion, Baranovich planned to send the
schooner 'Kasol' on a trading-voyage to Kodiak. Cap-
tain Kane, afterward for many years the pilot of United
States revenue-cutters in Alaska, then a lad of nineteen,
was the super-cargo of the 'Kasol'. The vessel was fitted
out for this voyage at Victoria, B. C. While at Kodiak
the crew, all Russians, mutinied and went ashore. After
waiting three days in hopes that the mutineers would
return, Kane went ashore to hire a new crew, and while
he was gathering his recruits, the old crew went aboard
the schooner at night, took possession, and sailed her to
the westward, where they sold the cargo and bought five
thousand seal-skins, which they sold for $1.50 each.
Baranovich heard nothing of the 'Kasol' until he made
his way to Kodiak, where he found the schooner aban-
doned, the mutineers having stripped her of everything,
even the sails. The captain of the schooner was at
Kodiak in a dying condition. Baranovich repaired and
fitted up the 'Kasol' at Kodiak and then sailed her back
to Karta bay.
In 1867, Baranovich located the Copper Queen mining
i olaim, which was the first mineral location to be made in
south-eastern Alaska, near the present site of New
Kasaan. Years later, the claim was taken up by William
Bunard, who is still living at Kasaan — a pioneer of
nearly four score years and ten.
Tn 1900, U. S. Rush and George Brown, who had gone
erland from the States to the upper Stikine River
untry, went down the river from Telegraph creek to
Wrangell, where they got a rowboat and an outfit and
started out on a prospecting trip on Prince of Wales
island. They followed the shores of Kasaan bay into
the Salt Chuck, where they found mineralized float,
which they followed up and located the group of claims
known as the Rush & Brown mine. These claims have
been worked continuously since their location and have
produced many thousand tons of copper ore. This mine
is on two parallel shear-zones, and has chambers of mag-
netite carrying from 2 to 4%. copper. The workings are
now down to a depth of 400 ft., the ore maintaining its
former width and value.
About the same year, Sam Lichenstadter, on his way
Scale of Mites
O ZO 40 60 SO 100
' ■ I I 1 I i I I '
*From 'The Pathfinder', of August 1920.
PART OP ALASKA
out from Dawson, met a Captain Crooks, who told Lich-
enstadter that while he was hunting in the Kasaan hills
in the 'seventies he had found croppings of copper ore
on the trip out from Dawson. Captain Crooks died, and
Lichenstadter, who had come to Alaska as the repre-
sentative of some London financiers, came to Ketchikan,
where he got Ed Doolittle, F. F. Black, Harry Trimble,
and Joe Johnson to go with him to Kasaan bay, where
they made locations in behalf of their employer, naming
the mine Mt. Andrews, in honor of Lichenstadter 's
backer. This was the real beginning of the mining era
in the Ketchikan district. Work was started on the new
discovery, and news of the resources of the district went
broadcast.
i94
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 2, 1920
C. W. Fickert, who had come from- Wrangell in 1899,
and was hauling supplies to the Mt. Andrews in a sailing
sloop called the 'Mamie', had prospected in the States,
and decided to try his luck here, so he took a trip over the
hills and, although he had been discouraged by the men
working at the Mt. Andrews, he discovered the Mamie
•mine. Bob Allison, who had a half-interest in the sloop,
was 'located in' as a half -owner of the Mamie, which half-
interest he sold to James L. Freeburn, and Fickert sold
his half-interest to Sam Silverman of New York. Chris
Aus discovered the Stevenstown mine, which Silverman
later acquired.
To operate the Mamie and Stevenstown the smelter at
Hadley was built, and for several years Hadley was the
most active mining centre in this part of Alaska.
The Mt. Andrews mine, which has produced a large
tonnage of ore, was leased to E. W. Rogers, and is now
held by an estate in London. The Mamie mine and
Hadley smelter were purchased by the Granby Consoli-
dated company, which shipped the ore to the smelter at
Anyox, where it was used principally as a flux. Owing
to the decline in the price of copper and the high cost of
operation, the mine was shut down, although it produced
sufficient ore to make it a profitable speculation.
The Goldstream group is a gold-producing property,
located on the west arm of Tongass Narrows, Gravina
island. The original claims, Goldstone, Goldstream, and
Blue Bird, were discovered on December 15, 1902, and
located on January 2, 1903, by Otto Miller and L. G.
Phillips, and the Rose and Lilly on March 3, 1903.
Charles D. Lane took the first bond on the property on
October 13, 1903,' and did considerable work. This prop-
erty has been sold to several different parties, each work-
ing it for a time, and it is estimated by men who were in
close touch with the operations that nearly $200,000 has
been taken out. The mine is easily accessible, and if
economy is applied, can be put on a paying basis.
The Jumbo and Copper Mountain properties produced
a large tonnage up to 1919, but owing to the untimely
death of Charles A. Sulzer, who was manager for the
Alaska Industrial Company, the properties were closed,
awaiting the settlement of the Sulzer estate. New York
parties under the management of Captain Jones are now
negotiating for re-opening these mines.
The Niblack copper mine, at Moira sound, has shipped
about 400,000 tons of ore. The property is owned by the
"Wakefield estate. A. A. Wakefield, the pioneer mining
engineer of this section, is at present doing preliminary
work.
The Kasaan Gold Co. has purchased the Dunton gold
mines from J. H. Rodgers of St. Louis, Missouri. This
property, .which is known locally as the Harris Creek
mine, near Hollis, Prince of "Wales island, was discovered
by B. F. Redmond in 1908. Mr. Redmond, who is still
living at Hollis, is 73 years old. The new company, under
the management and supervision of M. M. Reese and
Sidney Drake, installed a ball-mill, extra sets of plates,
concentrating tables, and flotation plant, increasing the
capacity to 100 tons per day. It has also a newly-built
bunkhouse and messhouse. The mine connects with tide-
water by a 3000-f t. surface tram. The shaft is down 410
ft., and drifts and laterals are driven along the vein to
about 2000 ft. About 9000 tons of ore has been mined
and milled, giving a recovery of $106,140. Approximate-
ly 100,000 tons of ore is blocked out.
The It mine at Kasaan bay was discovered in 1906 by
William E. Taylor. J. C. Barber and H. C. Strong of
Ketchikan developed the mine and sold it to the Granby
Consolidated in 1913, which extracted over one and a half
million dollars worth of ore. It was mainly used as flux
at the company's smelter at Anyox. The property was.
shut down about a year ago.
The Saltchuck mine, formerly the Goodro mine, was
discovered by Young Walter Thomas on August 29, 1906,
while out prospecting with Si Goodro. The first five
claims were called the Joker group. The ore occurs in
gabbro, cut by diabase dikes in no denned vein system,
usually along fracture-zones. The principal ores are
bornite and chalcopyrite, containing gold and palladium.
The property is owned by the Saltchuck Mining Com-
pany. A 150-ton flotation plant, near the head of the
Saltchuck, on Karta bay, is connected with the mine by a
surface tram and a 1200-ft. adit.
There are a great number of undeveloped prospects in'
the Ketchikan mining district. None of the surrounding
country has been thoroughly prospected. Mention is
made here of Antone Denomie who won first place as the
pioneer prospector of this section. He was sent by Major
Baldwin, of Minnesota, to Valdez in 1898, then came to
this district and discovered ore in the Karta Lake dis-
trict. From Karta bay he went to the Portland Canal
in 1906 and discovered the Indian mine on the Salmon
river, thereby leading to the discovery of the famous
Premier mine by William (Scotty) Dillsworth.
Ketchikan was the centre of mining activity 15 years
ago, and bids fair in the near future again to be the hub
for south-eastern Alaska. Ketchikan, the nearest dis-
tributing point for Hyder, at the head of Portland Canal,,
is the gateway to the great mineral belt extending from
the head of Portland Canal to the north-west along the-
coast range, with its connecting avenues, the Unuk and
Chiekamin rivers. The Territorial Road Commission,
the U. S. Bureau of Public Roads, and the U. S. Forest
Service are co-operating to build trails and roads for
prospectors.
The first inspection of the shot that has misfired should
be to- determine whether or not the cause be outside of
the drill-hole. It may be that the fuse has not burned
to the mouth of the drill-hole, or that the legs of the
electric device (electric detonator or electric igniter), or
the leading-wire is short-circuited or open-circuited out-
side the drill-hole, or that the blasting-machine did not
provide adequate current. If the cause lies outside of
the drill-hole, it may be remedied without disturbing the
charge. When a misfire has occurred in a hole contain-
ing an electric device, the blasting-machine should first
be promptly disconnected and removed.
October 2. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
4!!.'.
I MING
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FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS IN THE FIELD
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ARIZONA
INSPIRATION SUES KuR REFUND OF TAXES.
Globe-Miami District. — What is probably the biggest
suit involving taxis ever instituted in the State of Ari-
zona has been started by the Inspiration Con. Copper Co.
and the International Smelter Co. for a refund of over
one inilion dollars paid in exeess taxes in the years 1917,
1918. and 1919. The Inspiration's suit alone ealls for a
refund of $1,264,406. and the suit is filed in two different
complaints calling for a refund of $694,224 for the year
1918, and $570,182 for the year 1919. The International
Smelter Co. has petitioned in three different suits for
about $165,000. In the petitions filed by their attorneys
the companies claim that the State Tax Commission, sit-
ting as a board of equalization, raised the valuations of
their properties unconstitutionally, after the rate had
been fixed by the county assessor and the Gila county
board of supervisors, sitting as a county board of equali-
zation. The Gibson Consolidated Copper Co. has tem-
porarily closed down and it is reported operations will
not be resumed until a better copper market develops.
The management re-timbered the shaft and workings so
that the property would not suffer during the enforced
idleness. A pumpman is being retained to keep the work-
ings from being flooded. At a meeting of the employees
of the Arizona Commercial at Copper Hill, who went on
strike last week, because of differences between the super-
intendent and the mine foreman, it was decided by a
vote of ten to one to return to work immediately. Joseph
Lord, Federal mediator connected with the Department
of Labor, met with the men and was influential in bring-
ing about an adjustment of the affair.
Superior District. — The Magma Copper Co. has cross-
cut on the 1800-ft. level to the west and is reported to
have found 11 ft. of ore averaging 13% copper. Cross-
cutting is still going on. The company has purchased
seven claims to the west of the property, known as Magma
Extension claims.
Phoenix. — With the excavation work completed and
eight carloads of material ready on the ground, the Ari-
zona Gypsum Co. announced that operations on the con-
struction of its $300,000 plant, six miles east of Phoenix,
will be under way within the next few days. It is ex-
pected that the plant will be completed and operating in
three months.
Superstition Mountain District. — It is reported that
a $25,000 mill is to be erected on East Pinto on a promis-
ing gold strike which was recently opened there. The
property is reached by a wagon-road from the Goldfield
side of Superstition mountains. The old Goldfield prop-
erty, at the base of the Superstition mountains on the
west side, is being revived. The property is controlled
by George U. Young, secretary of Arizona during its
last years as a Territory, and development is now under
way. The property has been a large producer of gold
in the past. The Silver King has been closed down on
account of financial difficulties.
Jerome. — The tunnel at the Shea mine has penetrated
the orebody that was opened on the 325-ft. level. The
ore in the tunnel carries ehalcopyrite which is replacing
tetrahedrite and is over 6 ft. wide, assaying 0.40 oz. gold,
20 to 30 oz. silver, and 9% copper. The shaft and raise
will be connected by the next round or two. It is re-
ported that a rich strike of ehalcopyrite ore has been
made on the 1600-ft. level of the Jerome-Central mine.
This property is one and a half miles south of Jerome.
Globe. — A 21-in. vein of full three-inch fibre-asbestos
has been developed on the property of the Globe Asbes-
tos Co., in the Chrysotile district. Seven tons of long-
fibre asbestos has been shipped in the last few months
and about 40 tons is blocked out. The mine is 64 miles
from Globe, and transportation difficulties have caused
serious consideration of some form of aerial transporta-
tion for the product of the three asbestos properties in
the district. On September 1 the Van Dyke Copper Co.
started the lateral development and exploration called
for in its original program. Operations have been con-
fined, until recently, to sinking the shaft, which has
reached a depth of 1692 ft., and is the deepest in the
Miami district. This great depth, compared with the
shafts of the Inspiration and Miami companies, was
necessitated by the fact that the eastern extension of the
orebodies of the district has been faulted downward sev-
eral hundred feet by the Miami fault. Shaft stations
were cut at 1212 and 1550 ft. below the collar of the
shaft, and the work is being carried on from these sta-
tions. Work on the 1212-ft. level is all in ore, in the ore-
body discovered by drilling and later penetrated by the
shaft, where it was found to be 40 ft. in depth. On the
1550-ft. level a drift is being driven in the zone of min-
eralization.
Tucson. — Facing the prospect of a. shut-down of their
enterprises, which they declare will result if the recent
increase in freight-rates authorized by the Interstate
Commerce Commission are put into effect, representa-
tives of mining and smelting interests in southern Ari-
zona and New Mexico met in conference last week with
496
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 2, 1920
representatives of the traffic departments of the railroads.
Railroad traffic managers admitted the seriousness of the
situation that confronts the mining men, but contended
that tlie advanced cost in moving ores should not be
blamed entirely upon the railroads. One railroad repre:
sentative pointed out that cost of labor, material, and
supplies for mines has advanced in many cases as much
as 100% during a period that freight-rates have advanced
only 50%. In the case of mines situated at points dis-
tant from railroads, he said, the cost of transporting the
ore to the railroads has also advanced.
Kingman. — The shaft of the McCracken mine has now
reached a depth of 600 ft. and has developed a large flow
of water, which necessitates the immediate installation
of pumping machinery. This water will prove of great
benefit to the mine, as there has not been sufficient for
milling-purposes and therefore the former operators
erected their mill.at Signal. J. C. Rankin announces that
the shaft of the Payroll mine is to be re-timbered to the
200-ft. level, the timbering below that point being in good
condition. The shaft is to be sunk to the 600-ft. level and
the upper levels developed further. Most of the milling-
machinery of the C. O. D. company's mill has arrived at
Kingman. The shaft is now down 430 ft. and prepara-
tions are being made to mine the ore opened between the
300 and 400-ft. levels. The mill of the Kingman Con-
solidated Mining Co. at Stockton Hill is now operating.
The machinery for the new power-plant at the tunnel-
site has arrived.
Nogales. — Two teams are steadily engaged in hauling
high-grade lead-silver ore from the Tom Gardner and
Lander Young lease at the Hardshell mine to Patagonia.
The present rate of production is two carloads per week.
It is said that there is 4 ft. of solid galena ore opened
on the 325-ft. level. The Consolidated Southern Arizona
Mining Co. is to unwater the old Mansfield properties, of
which they are owners, with a view to the examination
of the lower workings. The old shaft is down 360 ft. It
is probable that the Richardson property recently op-
tioned by the Consolidated will be developed from the old
shaft of the Mansfield.
Oatman. — The apex suit brought by the Tom Reed
Gold Mines Co., involving the Big Jim vein, has been
set for hearing before Judge Bollinger on October 4.
The basis of the suit is the contention that the Big Jim
vein apexes on the ground of the Tom Reed and that it
has been faulted into United Eastern ground. The Tom
Reed drift from the Aztec shaft on the 400-ft. level has
been driven eastward 150 ft. toward the United American
end-line. The United American has cut a station on the
170-ft. level, and cross-cutting on the 500-ft. level toward
the vein has commenced. It is expected the vein will be
cut about October 15.
Willcox. — The Central Copper Co. now has over 100
men upon its payroll and is rapidly completing the new
road across the Dos Cabezas mountains from the Mascot
to the Elma orebody. There remains 3000 ft. of the
18.000 ft. of road to be completed. It is expected that
operations will be commenced at the mine by October.
The Grand Reef mine, situated in the Aravaipa mining
district 60 miles north of Willcox, owned by R. V. Dey
of New York, is reported to have been purchased by the
Aravaipa Leasing Co., which is controlled by the Ameri-
can Lead & Zinc Company.
COLORADO
RAILROADS WILL NOT INCREASE LOCAL FREIGHT-RATES.
Cripple Creek. — A five year lease on the Pharmacist
mine, Bull Hill, has been given by the Pharmacist G. M.
Co. to L. F. Le Brun and associates operating the South
Burns mine of the Acacia G. M. Co., adjoining. Le Brun
is drifting into the Pharmacist from the 1200-ft. level, of
the Burns Enite. Cresson and Portland continue to be
the largest shippers of the district.
Leadville. — Railroad officials have announced that
freight-rates to Colorado points will not be increased and
that steps will be taken to nullify the interstate increase,
but that the subject must be referred to the Interstate
Commerce Commission before action is taken.
Weld County. — A potash deposit has been discovered
and located in Hunter's Lake, 34. miles west of Stoneham
in this countiy by the Mentgen brothers of Sterling, and
the Stoneham Potash Development Co. has been organ-
ized and incorporated for its development. Tests made
by Louis D. Gentzler show from 50 to 68% potash in the
crude material. The deposit covers more than 200 acres
and the company has secured a long-time lease on 30,000
acres of land in proximity to the lake, which is known to
contain coal.
Central City. — Gold ore assaying 13 oz. per ton has
been discovered in Travellers gulch, near this city, by
Peterson and Nearseter. The streak is reported to be 18
in. wide at the grass roots. Ore has been found in the
Jack Rabbit tunnel in Twelve Mile. It contains $23 in
gold, 30 oz. silver per ton, and some copper.
Alma. — Ore assaying 160 oz. silver, 25%. lead, and a
little gold has been found in the Red Lion. The Dolly
Varden, re-opened by the Louisiana-Colorado syndicate,
with A. E. Moynahan former district mine inspector as
superintendent, is the scene of a rich silver discovery.
The ore assays from 400 to 600 oz. silver per ton. The
May Queen is driving a tunnel from Buckskin gulch into
Mt. Bross. A big body of milling-ore has been opened on
the Hock Hocking on the Mosquito slope of Pennsylvania
mountain. It is reported that operations will be resumed
shortly in the Denver-Leadville tunnel on Mt. Loveland.
The Hill Top mine is producing silver-lead ore steadily.
MICHIGAN
DRAINAGE OF SWAMPS TO REDUCE PUMPING IN CALUMET
MINES.
Calumet. — Arcadian Consolidated 's New Baltic shaft
has a splendid showing at a depth of 600 ft. where the
vein was penetrated by the cross-cut 15 ft. from the
shaft. The vein is heavily mineralized, excepting one
foot, from the foot to the hanging wall and its width is
18 ft. The showing is considered the best ever opened in
October 2, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
497
the property, the ore being richer than thai found on the
400 and 500-ft levels. The 600-ft. level will uot be de-
veloped at present and sinking will be continued t» the
Too ft. level before explorations on tin- vein are resumed.
The objective is the 900-ft. level, from which a drift will
be started to connect with t lie New Arcadian shaft at a
corresponding depth. There is evidence that the vein is
approaching the shaft and in the event this proves to be
the ease no cross-cutting will be necessary. There is no
faulting anywhere in the shaft and no difficulties are
anticipated from such a source. As the 'rock' in the New
Arcadian shaft is similar to that in the Baltic, and the
ground in the latter has been proved to at least 600 ft.,
it is believed that the Arcadian has 3500 ft. of ground
containing an unusually rich vein. The discoveries at
New Baltic are considered the most important since the
Baltic lode was developed, because the operations are
far east of any producing mine. The shaft is more than
a mile north of the old Arcadian shaft. It is proposed
to continue development work through the winter if gen-
eral conditions improve.
To keep as much water out of the mines as possible,
numerous drainage-projects are under way in the north
end of the district. Practically all of the water that is
found in the mines comes from the surface and that which
is found in the lower levels, even far below the level of
Lake Superior, is negligible. The draining of the North
Tamarack reservoir and the tract of swamp land west of
the Hcela shafts by the Calumet & Hecla is a part of this
plan. Allouez and Wolverine are draining old ponds
also. As an indication of the size of the water problem,
it may he mentioned that bailers of 2000 gal. capacity are
operating in No. 5 Tamarack and Red Jacket shafts, in
addition to the 1,000.000 gal. pumped every day. No. 5
Tamarack is used for bailing and until the haulage-tun-
nel is completed far enough to permit the placing of
pumps in No. 12, it is impossible to resume mining in it.
Because of the flow of water at No. 5, no mining has been
done below the 40th level, but once the water is no longer
troublesome the ground in that territory will be de-
veloped through sub-shafts. Wolverine also has had con-
siderable trouble with water, but at present the flow is
being taken care of. Within one year the company has
been forced to spend nearly $15,000 to handle the ac-
cumulation of South Kearsarge water, for upward of
12,000,000 gal. had to be pumped to keep the lower levels
dry. The flow of water is so great that operations cannot
be carried on below the 38th level.
Mohawk maintains its daily tonnage of from 1700 to
2000 tons per day. The program of development now in
effect will be followed until there is material improve-
ment in conditions and there is a hope it will be broad-
ened later to include the development of new ground.
Copper Range is carrying a slightly larger metal sur-
plus than was reported 60 days ago and approximately
5,000,000 lb. of refined copper is on the docks and in
process of refining. This compares with about 4,000,000
lb. at the end of last year. There is comparatively little
change in operations at the three mines, Champion, Tri-
mountain, and Baltic, and the underground forces have
nut increased during the past month. At the same lime
development work continues slightly above the rate for
the corresponding period of 1919, and with the yield at
about the same high figures — 45 lb. per ton from Cham-
pion, 35 from Baltic, and 30 from Trimountain. During
the past year, Copper Range has been adding re-grinding
apparatus in connection with the effort to reduce the
already small losses. About 40 tables have been added
to the equipment of the Baltic and Champion mills. This
will increase the recovery considerably, but it is by no
means the final effort. There is a possibility that Copper
Range will add flotation units to its re-grinding equip-
MAP OF CENTRAL ARIZONA
ment just as soon as the cost of steel and other supplies
return to somewhere near normal figures.
Seneca is cross-cutting the plat for the 5th level and by
the middle of October it is expected that drifting will be
started. The north drifts on the third and fourth levels
are being pushed forward and the grade of the ore dur-
ing the past week was satisfactory. The south drift on
the fourth level is about 50 ft. from the Ahmeek boun-
dary. Although recently the ore has been low-grade, it
is not considered discouraging.
NEVADA
FLOTATION MILL AT GERLACH NEARLY COMPLETED.
Austin. — The Warner, in Washington canyon, 30
miles south of here, has been developed into an important
mine by the sole owner, Mrs. Rose Warner, who has fur-
nished all of the money for development. Mrs. Warner
owns 21 claims. The vein, averaging 13 ft. wide, after
being opened by several tunnels to a depth of 350 ft. on
the dip, was cut recently in a 95-ft. shaft 600 ft. from the
outcrop. The ore contains only a small proportion of
gold, is free-milling, and is found as a replacement of
limestone. The mine is 25 miles from Ledlie, on the
Nevada Central, the nearest shipping point. Some of the
drifts from the tunnels have opened rich ore. In a drift
from tunnel No. 3 from 2 to 4 ft. of ore assaying $250 per
ton is exposed. Other similar high-grade pockets have
498
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 2, 1920
been found, but the value of the mine is in the average-
grade of the ore. Work has been started on another vein,
1500 ft. from the 95-ft., or New Hope, shaft, and ore
assaying 500 oz. silver has been found near the surface.
The mine has been developed for two years, the work be-
ing in charge of William M. Thacher, manager for Mrs.
Warner.
Gold Park. — Most of the machinery for a 50-ton mill
has been hauled to the Star of the West at Gold Park, in
the south-western part of Lander county, and is being
erected. It is expected to have the plant operating in
two months. The Star of the West company, of which
Robert B. Todd of Reno is president, is operating an old
gold-silver-lead mine that has been re-opened. Amal-
gamation, concentration, and oil-flotation will be used in
the mill. A new gold-find is reported 10 miles west of
here, near Pilot, where an average of 84 samples taken
from a 70-ft. shaft gave an average assay return of $79.20
in gold, according to persons interested in the new dis-
trict. The formation is described as "a basic andesite,
with the vein making in a shear-zone 200 ft. from a rhy-
olite contact". The claims on which the find was made
are owned by Robert Burns and others, who started work
in a 16-ft. shaft several months ago and continued it to a
depth of 70 ft. A drift has been driven 65 ft. from the
bottom of the shaft and in it there is an 18-in. vein of
gold ore assaying $500 to $900 in gold and 50 to 100 oz.
silver.
Gerlach. — A 50-ton flotation-plant has been practi-
cally completed by the Leadville Mines 40 miles north of
here and it is expected the plant will be in operation be-
fore October 15, according to A. A. Codd of Reno, presi-
dent and manager of the company. The Leadville has
been treating silver-lead ore in a concentrator, which the
flotation-plant will replace. The new plant will contain
a Blake crusher, Marcy ball-mill, Dorr classifier, Colburn
flotation-machine, and an Oliver filter. The main func-
tion of the filter will be to save water. The machinery
will be driven by a 100-hp. engine.
Virginia City. — The miners have returned to work in
all but the Gold Hill mines, receiving the $1 increase to
$6 per day demanded. R. A. Hardy, manager for the
United Comstock at Gold Hill, in a statement, declared
that if the increase demanded were granted it would
"wipe out any possibility of profit from the ore in sight
and make the whole venture so precarious and unat-
tractive that it could not be continued at the present
time". He said the only solution appeared to be "some
system of group contracts under which the men would re-
ceive compensation in proportion to their efforts". The
'bonanza' winze from the 2150-ft. level of the Consoli-
dated Virginia has been sunk 40 ft. and during last
week there was produced from it 88 tons of ore assaying
$86. Some of the ore from this winze has assayed more
than $1000 per ton in mine carloads lots.
National.— A shipment of 18,634 lb. of ore from the
Bell-Prour lease on the Buckskin National gave a smelter
return of $134 in gold and $252 in silver per ton. The
ore was mined from a 6-ft. vein containing the thin seams
of almost solid metal for which the district is noted. The
lessees cut the vein at a depth of 350 ft. by driving an
800-ft. tunnel and a winze is being sunk in the ore.
Goldpield. — The Silver Pick is raising from a depth of
110 ft. in the leased Red Top mine of the Development
and indications are that shipments will be started to the
Development mill within 20 days, according to Mat
Murphy, superintendent for the Silver Pick. Miners that
worked for the Consolidated in 1913 reported that there
was ore in a stope extending to the surface when they
were driven from it by caving ground and these state-
ments were verified recently when Murphy entered the
caved area by climbing down the stope from the surface.
A 90-ft. drift was driven in the foot-wall of the vein near
the caved ground and it broke into an old drift which is
impassable near the Red Top shaft. The walls of the old
drift were found to be standing well near the stope, but
it was half filled with sand washed in by a storm. Tracks
were laid on the sand, the roof of the drift was shot away
and a raise that should enter the stope in 40 ft. has been
started. When he entered the stope from the surface
Murphy sampled two 5-ft. widths which gave assay re-
turns of $22 and $111 respectively. He says the hanging
wall of the stope is in good condition and that there will
be no trouble in exploring it. George Meuli. a lessee on
the Lone Star, has abandoned his plan to build a mill on
Lone Star ground and has secured a site in the southern
part of the town of Goldfield. He has ordered a Gibson
mill which will treat 10 to 12 tons of ore daily.
NEW MEXICO
MINING COMPANIES PAY MOST OF THE TAXES IN GRANT
COUNTY.
Pinos Altos. — Considerable development work is
being done on the Bald Back mine, situated a mile from
the famous Silver Cell mine in the Pinos Altos district.
Silver City. — The New Mexico Mining Association
was organized on September 9 and is preparing to make
formal application to the American Mining Congress for
a charter which will permit the temporary organization
to become the New Mexico Chapter of the American
Mining Congress. John M. Sully is chairman of the
executive committee.
Of the $35,476,000 assessed valuation in Grant county,
61.3%, or $21,733,551, represents property of three only
of the mining companies. The remaining 38.7% is made
up of all other property in the county, including live-
stock, farms, city property, personal property, railroads,
banks, and the smaller mines. The three companies re-
ferred to are the Chino, assessed at $18,333,946, including
real and personal property and net output: the Phelps
Dodge Corporation (Burro Mountain branch), assessed
at $2,973,545; and the Empire Zinc Co., assessed at
$436,042. A similar condition is reported to exist in
McKinley county. There the taxes on $7,700,000 of the
assessed valuation of $11,000,000 are paid by 12 leading
companies, including some mercantile establishments and
the railroads, leaving to all the rest of the county the pay-
ment of taxes on only a little more than $3,000,000.
CM..K r 2, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
499
UTAH
TJNTIC STANDARD PASSES [HVIIHM.
Frisco. -John Aiusilcn and Wm. Webb have aecured a
contracl Erom the Consolidated Nevada-Utah Corporation
for a considerable amount of development work on the
company's property near here known as the Imperial
group.
American Fork. — Goo. E. Hemphill, manager for the
American Consolidated Mines Co.. in American Fork
canyon, reports that the company is shipping a high-
grade silver-lead product, averaging from 40 to 50% lead
and 15 oz. in silver. The vein from which the product is
being mined is about 2 ft. wide.
Alta. — R. 0. Dobbs. general manager for the Louise
Mining Co.. reports that an important discovery has been
made in the drift west of the second raise in the Maggie
adit. The new find is a high-grade copper-silver-lead
carbonate, only about 15 ft. below the contact, where a
larger orebody should be developed. About 40 ft. of
drifting remains before reaching one of the objectives,
where development above has shown conditions indicating
an orebody at the intersection of the cross-fissure with the
main body. A contract has been let for hauling the ore
to the railway a mile away.
Big Cottonwood Canyon. — The Cardiff Mining Co. is
shipping approximately 65 tons of ore per day, according
to Lynn Thompson, engineer for the company. The ore
is coming from the 800-ft. level. Pumps were started re-
cently to unwater the mine below this level and it is ex-
pected that shipments will be made soon from the deeper
workings. The ore averages about $60 per ton. Thos.
Prichard, in charge of operations at the Big Cottonwood
Bonanza property, reports the cutting of the Bonanza
fissure, one of the present objectives. The fissure was cut
by a drift 275 ft. long. The vein-matter is principally
manganese and iron, with large seams of spar. The foot-
wall is quartzite and the hanging wall limestone. The
Bonanza fissure runs northeast-southwest, and it is stated
that the contact is similar to that in which the Cardiff
found its main orebodies. Small seams of iron carbonate
from the intersecting cross-fissure are beginning to ap-
pear, which is taken as an indication that the intersection
should be reached soon.
C. R. Green, president and manager of the Victor Min-
ing Co., states that driving west on a fissure found 1600
ft. in the Victor tunnel, has been started. Sufficient sur-
face work has been done on the contact to demonstrate
the desirability of undertaking development in depth.
This is reported to be the same contact in which the
Cardiff mine developed its large orebodies. From 150 to
200 ft. of work will be required to reach the objective.
It is stated that the American Consolidated Copper Co.,
which owns the ground immediately west of the Victor, is
negotiating for a right-of-way through the Victor tunnel.
Park City. — Operations have been resumed at the
property of the Three Kings Consolidated Mining Co.
The company has recently erected a new blacksmith and
carpenter shop. For several years exploration work has
been carried on at this property, ami the diamond-drill-
ing established the fact that the ore-bearing li Btone so
productive in the Silver King Coalition property, extends
into t he Three Kings formation through the Kentucky
claim. The cross-cut tunnel driven on the 700-ft. level
has cut seven ore-bearing fissures, traversing the forma-
tion in a northeast-southwest direction. Ore was found
in fissures 1, 2, and 4. In a winze and raise in fissure
No. 4 samples assayed as high as 100 oz. silver and 69%
lead, while the average for the entire exposure was 28 oz.
silver and 30% lead. J. R. Elliott, of Pittsburgh, who
ft^Pfcfe'
Western Pbeifit Roilrood
WESTERN BORDER OF THE GREAT SALT LAKE DESERT
represents the Eastern interests in the company, is ex-
pected at the property shortly.
Five mines in this district shipped a total of 1747 tons
during the week ending September 18, of which amount
the Silver King Coalition shipped 618 ; the Judge M. & S.
Co., 391 ; the Ontario, 392 ; Daly-West, 226 ; and the Nail-
driver, 120.
James B. Allen, manager of the Glenallen property, re-
ports that sufficient funds have been secured by the com-
pany to build a mill for treating the low-grade ores. An
assessment was recently levied by the company, but as
outside capital has been obtained, the assessment has been
cancelled. Preparations are under way for resumption
of work at the property of the New Quincy Mining Co.
500
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 2, 1920
Coal and supplies are being hauled to the mine, and the
hoist at the Little Bell, through which the New Quincy
will be developed, has been put into operation.
Eureka. — Several months ago, L. E. Riter and asso-
ciates of Salt Lake City, secured a lease on a large block
of ground in the Eureka Hill mine, and then made ar-
rangements to handle the work through the Centennial-
Eureka company's 900-ft. level. A drift 181 ft. long was
driven by the lessees when they found a high-grade silver-
lead orebody. The drift is following the ore on its strike
and at present is in ore assaying 40%. lead and several
hundred ounces silver per ton. Charles Baker, superin-
tendent, reports that there is a large area of virgin
5 round near this new strike, and he believes future de-
elopment will disclose orebodies of considerable value.
For several years not much development work has been
undertaken at the Eureka Hill, although at times sensa-
tionally rich ore has been struck in the property. At the
North Beck property, controlled by E. J. Baddatz and
associates, work is now confined to the 1600-ft. level. This
is the deepest point reached from the new working-shaft,
and a drift is being driven toward a break which, on the
level above, carried ore and it is believed that this shoot
extends to the 1600-ft. level. The North Beck people are
also working the adjoining claims of the Victoria Gold
Mining Co. After sinking the shaft at this property to
the 600-ft. level, drifting was commenced. Bunches and
streaks of good ore have been continuous for a distance
of more than 150 ft. on the 1840-ft. level of the Eureka-
Lilly mine, according to Grant H. Snyder, manager. This
drift is being driven toward the south to open up a shoot
struck on the 1640-ft. level ; this shoot being over 250 ft.
long on the latter level. Inasmuch as the stringers on the
1840-ft. level are appearing at a considerable distance
from the objective, officials believe that the Tintic Stand-
ard ore channel will be found.
During the week ending September 18, the Chief Con-
solidated shipped 41 cars of ore; Tintic Standard, 28;
Mammoth, 20; Dragon, 14; Eagle & Blue Bell, 8; Iron
Blossom, 7 : Iron King, 6 ; Gemini, 4 ; Swansea, 4 ; Gold
Chain, 3; Grand Central, 3; Bullion-Beck, 3; Victoria,
3; Centennial-Eureka, 1; Ridge & Valley, 1; Griggs-
Iluish, 1. making a total of 147 carloads, as compared
witli 142 for the previous week.
By a unanimous vote, the board of directors of the
Tintic Standard Mining Co. passed the quarterly divi-
dend at their meeting in Salt Lake City on September 20.
V. 1. Snyder, vice-president of the company, issued a
statement to the stockholders, stating that the principal
reason for passing the dividend was the large expendi-
tures made recently in connection with the construc-
tion of the mill and railroad ; the two items aggre-
gating $360,000. During the first eight months of the
current year, the net earnings of the company totalled
$624,062. Two dividends, aggregating $234,040, have
been paid out of current earnings, during that period.
Labor during the past few- months has been scarce, and
the mine has been running with less than 60%. of the
force that could be employed to advantage. E. J. Rad-
datz. president, says that never in the history of the mine
has there been a greater quantity of first-class ore in
sight than at the present time, and after the crops are
harvested and state-road work reduced, it is believed ad-
ditional labor will be available for the mines in this
disti-ict.
WISCONSIN
NEW DEVELOPMENTS NEAR CUBA CITY.
Livingston. — The Fearless Mining Co., Sam Alten-
berg, superintendent, has acquired the Squirrel mine for-
merly under the management of the B. M. & B. Mining
Co. The mine has been further developed, the surface
rig overhauled and put into service, and shipments of
zinc ore are now being made. J. B. Piquette, president
of the Fearless Mining Co., has secured the support of
Chicago capitalists, and has taken over the Nightingale
mine, south-east of Benton. The prospect has been thor-
oughly proved with drills and invites investment to make
it a producer of both zinc and lead ore. A two-compart-
ment shaft will be sunk at once but mill construction will
not be begun until the extent of the orebody is deter-
mined.
Cuba City. — At a meeting of the stockholders of the
Connecting Link Mining Co. held under special call at
Cuba City, September 15, an amendment was voted to the
charter increasing the capital stock from $100,000 to
$300,000. A new mill has just been put into commission
on shaft No. 1, the second of this style and type to be in-
stalled. Extensive exploration work on new leaseholds
recently acquired and further development and equip-
ment are the reasons for increasing the capital stock.
The Connecting Link produces both lead ore and zinc ore.
The Zinc Hill Mining Co. is following an active pro-
gram in this district. A two-compartment capacity shaft
is going down on the Susan Dean farm, to tap a lode of
zinc ore proved by drilling, and mill work is under way.
Drills on the Wm, Mueller farm are in the 57th boring.
It is proposed to carry this work of exploration up to
about 100 borings. The Mueller land shows extensive
deposits of lead ore in the blue rock strata a feature un-
common in this field. It is claimed by those in charge of
the work that one of the best lead mines known in the
field will be developed as a consequence of these dis-
coveries. Shipment of zinc ore is being made by the Zinc
Hill Mining Co., from the Big Dick mine, at the rate of
3 to 5 cars per week. Lead ore is mined in quantity and
new ground for lead-ore production is being opened up
on the range north-west of the Big Dick mill.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
INCREASED FREIGHT-RATES INJURING CANADIAN MINING
INDUSTRY.
Vancouver. — The Canadian Railway Commission has
granted an increase of 35% in the railway freight-rates
in British Columbia, and the change already has gone
into effect. This will work great hardship to a number
of mining properties, and in many instances will mean
October 2, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
501
tlmt the ores must be concentrated before shipping to
the amelter or the properties "ill have to close. It is
nut bo harmful to the mines situated on the coast, be-
cause they probably will ship to the Tacoma smelter,
and, having the advantage of water transportation for
the whole distance, will not be affected seriously. The
Granby Consolidated M. S. & P. Co., which has hereto-
fore shipped its blister-copper by the Canadian Northern,
has made arrangements with the Canadian Dollar Ship-
ping Co. to ship its blister by the Panama Canal.
Accounts concerning the Mayo district, the new silver
camp near Dawson, are being received from miners and
prospectors who are coming south for the winter. They
say that Mayo City, 150 miles south-east of Dawson, on
the Stewart river, bids fair to become a 'city of tents'
because of the rush to that point of miners intent on
gang of men lias been working recently on the property
of the Fish Creek Mining Co., situated on the Alaska
Bide of the boundary; a -J-t't. vein of galena has been un-
covered. Work on the Silver Tip, Salmon River, has
been closed down for the winter. The owners have had
a considerable force engaged in stripping and prelimi-
nary surface operations; stringers of high-grade silver
ore have been uncovered and it is planned to continue de-
velopment next year.
James McKay and Charles Bibean have extended the
option on their Lakeview prpperty, at Glacier creek. Pat
Welsh and associates, the optionees, have done a consid-
erable amount of surface-stripping during the summer,
and they felt that, although the result did not warrant
them in taking up the option, it did warrant further
exploration. Fitzgerald brothers have made arrange-
LAS DOS ESTRELLAS, EL ORO, MEXICO
making locations. The Guggenheim interests have taken
in large quantities of supplies and are engaged in opera-
tions on Keno hill. They plan to take out 3000 tons of
ore this winter. On Lookout mountain the Yukon Silver-
Lead Co. is down 450 ft. on the vein with a large body
of coneentrating-ore in sight.
Stewart. — That the Salmon River section of the Port-
land Canal mining division in northern British Colum-
bia has gone through its boom stage and there is now in
progress much development that promises good results
is the opinion credited to S. J. Schofield, who has re-
turned after spending a summer at the head of a geo-
logical survey party in that region. The results of Dr.
Schofield 's researches will be published by the Canadian
Department of Mines in the course of a few months.
The Premier mine was the only property being worked
at the time of Dr. Schofield 's departure and on it a mill
was being constructed to handle the low-grade ore.
Shipments will be made during the winter; about 150
men are employed. The New Alaska property will be
developed this winter. The group is situated in the Port-
land Canal district and the showing is good. A small
ments for the exploration of their property on the Alas-
kan side of the boundary with a diamond-drill.
Trail. — While drilling to what he believed would be a
deposit of salt, J. A. Allen, of the University of Alberta,
recently discovered a stratum of gypsum at a depth of
510 ft. The layer appeared to be of sufficient value to
make commercial use practical.
Prince Rupert. — While passing through this place a
few days ago, H. S. Munroe, general manager for the
Granby Consolidated Mining & Smelting Co., made the
statement that the company is shipping 15 cars of cop-
per per week. The output of Anyox will be increased, it
was asserted, as soon as the price of the metal is high
enough to make it profitable. The present low price has
resulted in a policy of producing just sufficient to keep
the plant in operation, the production being about 2,500,-
000 lb. per month. With better market conditions this
could be increased without difficulty to 3,500,000 lb. per
month. Referring to the Granby company's property,
the Midas near Valdez Peninsula, Alaska, Mr. Munroe
said that production would be commenced as soon as
there was a stronger demand for the metal. The ore is
502
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 2, 1920
high-grade but will be concent rated before being shipped
to the Tacoma smelter. He was reticent regarding the
company's mining policy in the Boundary district, leav-
ing the impression that not much could be expected while
the copper market remained weak.
Kaslo. — Working on No. 1 level of the Washington
mine, near the Rambler-Cariboo, lessees recently shipped
a carload of galena ore that they had taken out in three
weeks. It averaged more than 150 oz. of silver per ton
and 65% lead. At the same time lessees on the No. 3
level of the Rambler-Cariboo are said to be working in
rich ore. A part of the Whitewater mine also is being
worked under lease and it is authentically reported that
the operators have shipped two carloads of ore from a
newly uncovered orebody which has brought large re-
turns. This work is near the Wellington mine, where
No. 2 tunnel-level is being re-opened by the Standard
Silver-Lead Mining Co. Labor conditions are improving
in this district. The Payne mine, one of the first loca-
tions in the Slocan, is under bond and lease to a Seattle
mining syndicate. A long lower cross-tunnel opens the
property to a depth of 1500 ft., but little exploration of
the vein at that level has been attempted. Above the
fifth level the mine has been largely worked out, but be-
low there is a large area that is expected to contain ore.
Hope. — The re-opening of the Emancipation mine,
near Hope, is assured. Equipment to the value of
$20,000 has been installed and it is expected that the
first shipment of ore will be made next month. E. T.
Hodge, the manager, states that the ore is high-grade,
running as high as $303 per ton. The vein is from 5 to
25 ft. wide and proved over the length of two claims.
ONTARIO
NEW DISCOVERIES AT THE PORCUPINE CROWX.
Cobalt. — One of the most interesting pieces of ex-
ploration work ever undertaken in the Cobalt district,
is now under way at the Crown Reserve mine. A dia-
mond-drill hole is being put down 2000 ft. for the pur-
pose of learning whether there is another diabase sill at
that depth. One large diabase sill which passes through
and over the Cobalt mines is believed by geologists to
have been the source of the silver-bearing solutions which
passed into the crevices and fractures of the adjoining con-
glomerates and Keewatin formation, creating the veins of
silver ore. The veins have usually been found to extend
not more than 1000 ft. from the diabase sill, and for that
reason the deposits of silver ore are confined within defi-
nite limits. While excavating for the foundation of a
rock-crusher at the old dump on the Kerr Lake mine, a
narrow vein has been found, measuring less than one inch
wide and consisting of calcite containing smaltite and sil-
ver. The vein is believed to be the one which was previ-
ously cut on the 90-ft. level, but which contained no silver
at that depth. It lies beneath eight feet of sand over-
burden and will be opened from the surface. A silver dis-
covery has been made in the Gillies Limit on the Cobalt-53
property, at a depth of 60 ft. In the narrow part of the
vein there is high-grade silver ore and the prospects are
encouraging. Mining operations have been suspended on
the White Reserve mine at Maple Mountain in the Elk
Lake district, but exploration work will be done by dia-
mond-drilling. A deal is being negotiated with English
interests. A small steam-driven mining-plant has been
erected on the Silver Bullion property at Leroy Lake,
and sinking will be continued in an inclined shaft former-
ly put down 60 feet.
The Kerr Lake Mines, Ltd., has declared a dividend of
12|e. per share, payable October 15 to shareholders of
record October 1. The disbursement will amount to
$90,000 and is the first to be made since the company
made a capital reduction of $1 per share on September
13 last year. Total dividends paid by this company now
amount to $9,780,000 since October 4, 1905.
Porcupine. — Labor conditions are beginning to show
some improvement with the advance of the season. The
men who went west as harvesters are gradually return-
ing, and dullness of trade in some of the manufacturing
centres of the United States has resulted in an influx of
laborers from that quarter. There is still a shortage of
about 2000 and production is thereby limited. The main
shaft of the Hollinger Consolidated is being put down to
the 2000-ft. level, and has now reached a depth of be-
tween 1600 and 1700 ft. The annual report of the Mc-
Intyre for the year ended June 30 shows a net profit of
$818,020, as compared with $683,350 for the previous
year. Operating-cost increased from $825,998 to $900,-
495. The quantity of ore treated was 188,835 tons of an
average value of $11.52 per ton, showing a considerable
improvement over last year when the average value per
ton was $9.76. The total recovery of bullion was 99,461
oz. of gold and 21,140 oz. silver, valued at $2,080,178, or
$11.02 per ton treated. The ore-reserves were estimated
at 502,682 tons valued at $5,595,500. as against 433,057
tons valued at $4,777,324 last year. The exploration pro-
gram of the North Crown on its Porcupine Crown prop-
erty has resulted in a discovery which may be important
to the entire Porcupine field. The diamond-drill has
reached a depth of 2300 ft. and three other 1000-ft. holes
will be put down. It is found that the greenstone forma-
tion tends to increase in extent, and indications point to
the probability that much of the porphyry area found
on the surface is underlaid with greenstone. The exis-
tence of this formation in proximity to the porphyry is
specially favorable for gold deposits. Cross-cutting from
the workings of the Porcupine Crown toward the Thomp-
son-Krist property is actively progressing.
Kirkland Lake. — The Orr, formerly the Kirkland
Porphyry, has cut, on the 400-ft. level, what is thought to
be the continuation of the Lake Shore No. 1 vein. It is 5
ft. wide and well mineralized. David Elliott has begun
an action against the Orr Gold Mines, Ltd., and Hamil-
ton B. Wills to set aside the issue of 800,000 shares of
the company stock to Mr. Wills as a consideration for the
transfer of certain mining shares, and to restrain Wills
from dealing in the stock. The Lake Shore has begun
sinking its shaft from 400 ft. to the 800-ft. level and will
probably complete it by the end of the year.
Octob. r 2, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
503
"-■£•. ■"■'-■ .-?.'.:;r~r
THE INCREASE IX FREIGHT RATES
Salt Lake City. — More than a score of metal-mine oper-
ators from Nevada, Idaho, and California met with repre-
sentatives of western railways in this city on September 22
and 2S to discuss freight rates. A. S. Edmunds, freight
traffic-manager of the Salt Lake Route, presided at the meet-
ings. The concensus of opinion among the mining men pres-
ent was that unless some relief was granted from present
high operating-costs, many low-grade properties in the West
will be compelled to suspend operations. Utah mine oper-
ators were not active at the conference, as the State public
utilities commission refused to permit the railways operat-
ing in Utah to increase freight charges on coal and ore ship-
ments. A number of the mine operators present at the
meeting submitted figures showing the effect of the increase
of 25% in freight rates on their operating costs. Develop-
ment of mines in Plumas county, California, will be greatly
curtailed unless relief is granted was the assertion of repre-
sentatives of various mines in that district. E. E. Paxton,
of the Engels Copper Co., stated that his property is in the
development stage and that $2,500,000 had been expended
to date on the mine. He furnished figures to the conference,
showing the increases on mine supplies, such as steel,
powder, flotation-oil, etc., which have resulted since the
freight rate increase on August 26. Mr. Paxton further
stated that the crude ore at the Engels property averages
from 2.25 to 2.50% copper, with some silver; that a ten
years' supply of ore is blocked out in the mine, with a much
larger prospective supply. The Engels property is connected
with the Western Pacific Railway by a railway 28 miles long,
four-fifths of which is owned by. the mining company and
the remainder by the Western Pacific company. Mr. Paxton
concluded his arguments with the statement that since the
freight-rate increases on supplies and concentrates, opera-
tion of the property was a losing venture. A representative
of the Franklin Mining Co., in the same district, stated that
more than 20 mines in the development stage would be com-
pelled to close unless relief is granted that will lower their
operating costs. Officials of the Ward Leasing Co., near
Ely, Nevada, stated that they have 200,000 tons of low-
grade ore developed, averaging about 7% lead, 2 to 3 oz.
silver, with an excess of iron; that a favorable smelting
contract had been offered them, but that they would be un-
able to continue operations under present freight rates.
Morton Webber, representing the Empire copper mine at
Mackay, Idaho, stated that his company had a deficit since
the first of the year of over $40,000; that more than $20,000
per year is paid by the company in freight charges, and that
if the recent raise had been effective since January 1, the
deficit would have been more than $80 00 additional.
Carson, Nevada. — The Nevada public service commission
has denied the application of the railroads for a blanket in-
crease in freight and passenger rates, a decision that is
gratifying to the mining interests of the State. The decision
declares the present rates to be 'discriminatory' and ar-
raigns the railroads for the use of too-heavy equipment and
consequent "failure to take advantage of economic methods
of operation". The commission considered that "except as
to coal, oil, and ore shipment, the reasonable, economical,
all-the-year-round needs of traffic are best served by the use
of cars not in excess of 30 tons capacity". The mining inter-
ests were represented at the hearing by John G. Kirchen, S.
Herbert Williams, and George R. Ryan.
Pioche, Nevada. — The San Pedro, Los Angeles & Salt
Lake railroad will not advance the rate on ore valued at less
than $7.50 per ton and will haul ore of this grade from
Pioche to Salt Lake City at the old rate of $2.25 per ton.
From 12.000 to 15,000 tons of ore is shipped monthly from
the Pioche mines and the average profit is about 50c. per
ton, which would have been wipeu out had the railroad in-
creased the rate.
CALIFORNIA
Amador County. — Webb Smith who has been superin-
tendent of the Kennedy mine for 17 years is leaving. He
will be succeeded by James Spear.
Engelmine. — The Engels Copper Mining Co. has com-
menced work for an impounding-basin on the land formerly
known as the Stark ranch. A flume more than three miles
long will be built to deliver the tailing to the basin.
Grass Valley. — The Idaho-Maryland is adding an elec-
trically driven pump to its equipment in the Canyon shaft.
It is portable and has a capacity of 350 gal. per minute.
The Delhi Mining Co. is erecting a plant to use the available
water-power. The bulk of the power generated will be sold
to the P. G. & E. Co. George W. Root was elected president
of the Alcalde Gold Mines Co.
Porterville. — The Porterville Magnesite Co. has an-
nounced that it will resume operations at full capacity.
San Francisco. — J. H. Massen is arranging to begin ship-
ping fluorspar by motor-truck from his claims at Afton.
Sierra County. — Coarse gold with pieces worth a dollar
or more is being recovered at the Table Rock mine. Twenty
men are employed. The gold is in a layer of pipe-clay and
its recovery is difficult. Sinking the 200-ft. shaft at the
Kate Hardy is being continued in spite of the shortage of
power although the mill is hung up on that account. The
tailing at the Young America mine has been sold by J.
Bonnalli. Richard Phelan has bonded the Buttes Saddle
and Sacred Mount quartz mines on the Sierra Buttes.
IDAHO
A flat increase of 60 to 75c. per ton in smelting charges
on all ore received at the Bunker Hill smelter was announced
by F. M. Smith, director of the Spokane office of the com-
pany. The increase will take effect at once. The action was
taken following a general raise all over the country. "The
increase in the cost of coke, coal, and all general supplies,
because of the increase in freight-rates, is the reason for the
raise," said Mr. Smith. "The exact amount which we will
be compelled to assess the miners has not been determined,
but it has been decided to make it a blanket increase on all
ores. As near as I can state from observations the increase
will be from 60 to 75c. per ton." Operations at the North
Bunker Hill property in Wardner are progressing in a very
satisfactory manner, according to reports. A cross-cut is
now under way from the 500-ft. level of the main shaft,
which is to be extended westward some 200 ft. to cut the
vein exposed on the 500-ft. level. Good progress is being
made with the work.
504
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 2. 1920
TEXAS
O'Donnell. — Although practically all the briny lakes and
basins of this part of Texas have been under lease for potash
development for more than a year nothing has been done yet
toward actual production of potash. It is asserted that one
reason for the delay in constructing potash-extracting plants
is the fear that importation of the German product may be
resumed and it would then be unprofitable to work the do-
mestic deposits.
According to the reports of chemists who have tested the
water and earth material of the different deposits of the
south plains region of Texas they contain potash in great
abundance and the average content is more than 12%.
The tentative plans of the lessee call for the construction
of large plants at O'Donnell, Meadow, and Brownfield. It is
said to be feasible to pipe the potash-laden water from the
lakes to these railroad points.
MEXICO
Under date of September 13, a presidential decree was
issued at Mexico City, extending to November 1, 19 20. the
time in which back taxes might be paid on mining claims
which had fallen in arrears. This carries with it the proviso
that taxes levied on the properties for the year 19 20 shall
be paid also on or before that date. What is said to be one
of the most important mining deals in recent months was
concluded in El Paso last week, when a local syndicate, com-
posed of George A. Croff, Frank M. Pukli, R. H. Manning,
and associates, took over the Bernice mine at Comidor,
Chihuahua, having leased and bonded the property for a
term of 25 years. The mine is in the Ventana mountains,
an offshoot of the Pilares, just across the Rio Grande from
Presidio, Texas, and some 30 miles south of Valentine. The
ore is in veins and deposits in limestone and carries lead and
silver. One vein over 4 ft. wide outcrops boldly for over
900 metres along the top of the mountain. The ore is said
to run 75% lead and carries a few ounces of silver, and
according to assays will net, after paying hauling and freight
expenses, between $95 and $100 per ton. The lessees are
planning to begin operations at once and will drive a cross-
cut 100-ft. adit from the eastern side of the hill that will
cut the vein at a depth of 100 ft. The ore will be hauled to
Valentine or to Chispa, on the G. H. & S. A. railroad for
shipment to the El Paso smelter. Another important mining
deal is reported to be under way farther dawn the Rio
Grande on the Boca del Carmen property, a big lead-silver
property on the Mexican side of the Rio Grande, 90 miles
south of Marathon, Texas. In the Las Minas mountains
east of the station of Ojo Caliente, a mine of silver-lead is
being developed by a company of El Pasoans. The ore is
said to be high-grade silver and lead. Conditions in Chi-
huahua are considered as good or better than at any time
since the death of Madero.
Because of the clearer political atmosphere Greene-Can-
anea resumed dividends last month, paying 50c. per share.
The mine strike at Cananea, Sonora, has been called off, ac-
cording to a report made to Gov. Plavio A. Borquez at
Nogales, Sonora, by a commission appointed by President
de la Huerta to investigate threatened labor troubles in the
Cananea district. The commissioners reported to Governor
Borquez that the miners demanded more pay for less work.
Their recommendation to President de la Huerta will be a
compromise.. The Moctezuma Copper Co. is making great
improvements in its plants at Nacozari and Pilares, Sonora.
It has recently completed an addition to its power-house at
Nacozari that will house four new Diesel engines. The con-
centrating-mill is being remodeled so as to get improved
costs and increased efficiency. The capacity of the mill will
be increased from 2000 tons to 3000 tons. At Pilares, new
blacksmith, tool-sharpening, and machine shops are being
erected, as well as foundations and a building for new air-
compressors.
PERSO NTT]
The Editor invites members of the profession to send particulars or their
work and appointments. The information is interesting to oar readers.
C. B. Lake-nan is in San Francisco.
Morton Webber is at Salt Lake City.
Arthur DeW. Foote, of Grass Valley, is here.
J. W. Paul, of the U. S. Bureau of Mines, is in Utah.
Henry Krumb has returned to Salt Lake City from New-
York.
L. S. Cates has returned to Salt Lake City from Arizona,
and New Mexico.
W. O. Pray has moved from Des Moines, Iowa, to De
Beque. Colorado.
H. B. Tooker, traffic manager for the Jackling companies,
is at Salt Lake City.
Simon R. Guggenheim was at Pocatello, and is visiting
several mines in Idaho.
A. J. Beaudette, of Seattle, is visiting San Francisco, on
his way to South America.
Norman Carmichael, general manager for the Arizona
Copper Co., is in New York.
Rudolf Gahl, of New York, is now with the Cerro de Pasco
Copper Corporation, in Peru.
H. C. Carlisle, of the Nevada Wonder Co., at Tonopah,
was in San Francisco last week.
D. M. Pattison, of Los Angeles, formerly manager of the
Denn mine, is at Bisbee, Arizona.
A. W. Hahn, metallurgical engineer for the Metals Dis-
integrating Co. of New York, is in Utah.
T. M. Daulton, general manager for the Placer Gold Mines
Co., of Atlin, British Columbia, is at Seattle.
W. A. Green has left Palo Alto to go to La Paz, Bolivia,
where he will be with the Guggenheim Brothers.
Horace V. Winchell, on his return from Alaska, passed
through San Francisco on his way to Oatman, Arizona.
Ivirby Thomas, of New York, will be in Colorado several
weeks engaged on examination work in the San Juan dis-
trict.
Alliene Case has resigned as general superintendent of the
Tonopah Extension mine, and is now living at Oakland,
California.
Robert R. Pollok was in San Francisco on his way from
Webb, Arizona, where he has been making an examination
of vanadium deposits.
Charles R. Fettke, mining geologist with the Carnegie
Institute of Technology, has been visiting mining and metal-
lurgical centres in Utah.
E. M. Sawyer, manager of the Burro Mountain branch of
the Phelps Dodge Corporation, at Tyrone, New Mexico, is
spending a few weeks in California.
B. B. Xieding, formerly manager for the Carbon Hill Coal
Co., at Carbonado, Washington, is now with the Kennecott
Copper Corporation at Kennecott, Alaska.
Rienzi AV. Macfarlane, assistant superintendent of the
Longfellow division of the Arizona Copper Co. at Morenci,
has been spending the past month near Parral, Mexico.
Lester E. Grant has been promoted to the managership of
the Braden Copper Company, in succession to S. S. Sorensen,
who goes to the New York office in a consulting capacity.
C. V. Jenkins, formerly business manager for the Nevada
Con. Copper Co. at McGill, Nevada, and now connected with
the New York office of the Jackling companies, is at Salt
Lake City.
William R. Appleby, dean of the Minnesota State School
of Minos, and Edward W. Davis, superintendent of the Mines
Experiment Station at Minneapolis, are making a tour of
Western mining districts.
October 2, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
505
METAL TRICES
San Francisco. September 28
Aluminum-dust, cents per pound 65
Antimony, cents per pound 0.50
Copper, electrolytic, cents per pound 18.75
Lead. pig. cents per pound 8.75—9.76
Platinum, pure, per ounce $115
Platinum. 10% iridium, per ounce ¥165
Quicksilver, per flask of 75 lb $75
Spelter, cents per pound 0.50
Zinc-dust, cents per pound 12.50 — 15.00
EASTERN METAL MARKET
(By wire from New York)
. — Copper is inactive and easy. Lead is quiet and lower.
Monthly averages
Jan.
Feb.
Mch.
Apr.
May
September
Zinc is dull and weak
SILVER
Below are given official or ticker quotations for silver in the open market
as distinguished from the fixed price obtainable for metal produced, smelted,
and refined exclusively within the United States. Under the terms of the
Pittman Act such silver will be purchased by the United States Mint at SI
per ounce, subject to certain small charges which vary slightly but amount
to approximately three-eighths of one cent. The equivalent of dollar silver
(1000 fine) in British currency is 46.65 pence per ounce (925 fine), calcu-
lated at the normal rate of exchange.
Date
Sept.
New York
cents
21 94.12
22 94.00
23 94.00
24 93.00
25 93.00
26 Sunday
27 93.00
London
pence
59.87
60.00
59.87
59.37
59.50
59.37
Sept.
Average week ending
Cents
16 95.39
23 99.12
30 96.61
6 93.27
13 93.96
20 94.31
27 93.52
Monthly averages
1918
Jan 88.72
Feb 85.79
Mch 88.11
Apr 95.35
May 99.50
June 99.50
1919
101.12
101.12
101.12
101.12
107.23
110.50
1920
132.77
131.27
125.70
119.56
102.69
90.84
1918
July 99.62
Aug 100.31
Sept 101.12
Oct 101.12
Nov 101.12
Dee 101.12
11110
106.36
111.35
113.92
119.10
127.57
131.92
Pence
59.05
61.60
60.70
58.90
59.15
60.08
59.66
1920
92.04
96.23
COfFER
Prices of electrolytic in New York, in cents per pound.
Date
Sept.
21 18.75
22 18.75
23 18.75
24 18.75
25 18.62
26 Sunday
27 18.50
Average week ending
16 19.00
23 19.00
30 19.00
6 19.00
13 18.75
20 18.75
27 18.70
Monthly averages
1918
. 23.50
.23.50
.23.50
.23.50
.23.50
June 23.50
Jan.
Feb.
Mch.
Apr.
May
1919
20.43
17.34
15.05
15.23
15.91
17.53
1920
19.25
19.05
18.49
19.23
19.05
19.00
1918
July 26.00
Aug 26.00
Sept 26.00
Oct 26.00
Nov 26.00
Dec 20.00
1919
20.82
22.51
22.10
21.66
20.45
18.55
1920
19.00
19.00
LEAD
Lead is quoted in cents per pound. New York delivery.
Date
Sept.
21
8.00
. . 8.00
Ave
23..
age weel
c ending
. 9.19
. 8.85
24
25
26
Sunday
. . 7.75
. . 7.75
. 8.55
8.29
. 8.06
„
. 7.85
1918
. . 6.85
1919
5.60
5.13
5.24
5.05
5.04
5.32
Monthly
1920
8.65
8.88
9.22
8.78
8.65
8.43
averages
July
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
1918
8.03
8.05
8.05
. 8.05
8.05
. 6.90
1919
5.53
5.78
6.02
6.40
6.76
7.12
1920
8.63
. . 7.70
9.03
Mch
7.26
. . 6.99
May
June
. . 6.99
. . 7.59
Zinc is quoted as spelter, standard Western brands, New York delive
in cents per pound.
Date
Sept.
Aug.
Sept.
Average week ending
8.27
8.42
•;'
23
24
25
26 Sunday
7.75
7.70
7.70
30
6
13
20
8.45
8.29
7.78
7.83
. 7.73
1918 1919
7.78
7.97
7.67
7.04
7.92
June 7.92
7.44
6.71
6.53
6.49
6.43
6.91
1920
9.60
9.15
8.93
8.76
8.07
7.92
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
8.72
7.78
S.18
8.78
7.81
8.31
9.58
7.57
9.11
7.82
8.75
8.12
8.49
8.69
QUICKSILVER
The primary market for quicksilver is San Francisco. California being
the largest producer. The price is fixed in the open market, according to
quantity. Prices, in dollars per flask of 75 pounds.
Date
Aug. 30 85.00
Sept. 7 76.00
Sept.
14 75.00
21 75.00
28 75.00
Monthly averages
1918 1919
Jan 128.06 103.75
Feb. 118.00 90.00
Mch 112.00 72.80
Apr 115.00 73.12
May 110.00 84.80
June 112.00 94.40
1920
89.00
81.00
87.00
100.00
87.00
85.00
1918
July 120.00
Aug 120.00
Sept 120.00
Oct 120.00
Nov 120.00
Dec 115.00
1919
100.00
103.00
102.60
86.00
78.00
95.00
1920
88.00
85.00
THE WORLD'S STOCK OF GOLD
From its London information service the Bankers Trust Co. has just
received the following interesting study of the world's gold situation:
The table shows the gold holdings of the world's State banks and
Treasuries at the end of 1913. 1918. and 1919. and also at the end of
June last, and therefore gives a measure of the movement of gold money
during the War. It is necessary to include, at any rate, one doubtful item
— that of the Imperial Bank of Russia, for which no figures later than that
of October 1917 (£129,500,000, or. at par. S629.370.000) is available,
and the totals shown since that date are approximations much open to
question. The last two amounts of $315,900,000 are based on the state-
ment that the gold-reserve transferred to Omsk amounted on August 1.
1919, to 651.532.118 rubles. If the figures set down for Russia are too
high, they affect the calculations in this statement accordingly.
The table is not exhaustive, since Greece, Rumania. Brazil, Uruguay,
Peru, the Straits Settlements, and the banks of issue of Scotland. Ireland.
Victoria, and New Zealand are not included: but if these were added they
would probably account for £70.000,000 (at par. $340,200,000) at the end
of 1913. rising to £85,000,000 at the end of 1915, and thereafter probably
falling somewhat.
The addition of these further banks, however, would not materially affect
the total of the table. The figures include gold held abroad:
In Millions of Dollars
June
End of 1913 1918 1919 1920
France 681,9 1.064,8 1.084.3 1.086.2
England 170.1 527.3 582.2 711,5
Spain 93.3 433.0 475.3 476.8
Russia 736.8 (388.8) (315.9) (315.9)
Reichsbank 333.9 549.7 264.9 265.4
Netherlands 61,2 279.5 258.1 257,6
Italy 215.3 158.9 156.5 (156.5)
Swiss 33.0 80.7 100,6 103.5
Sweden 27.7 77.3 75.8 70,5
National Bank of Denmark.. 20.4 52,5 61.2 61.7
National Bank of Belgium . . 48.6 52.0 52.0 52,0
Austro-Hungary Bank 251.3 (57.8) 46.6 53,5
Norway 12.6 32.6 39.4 39.4
Total Europe 2.686.1 3.754.9 :i,512.8 3.650,5
U. S. Treasury 1,292,8 2,551,5 2.269.6 2.162,7
. Argentina 224.5 268,8 295.5 405.8
Total America 1.517.3 2.820.3 2.565.1 2.568.5
Japan 109,8 352.8 463.2 476.1
India 103.5 64.2 128.8 148.7
Total Asia 213.3 417.0 592.0 624.8
British Colonies 175.0 300.3 316.8 298.4
Grand total 4.591.7 7.292.5 6.986.7 7.142.2
MONEY AND EXCHANGE
Foreign quotations on September 28 are as follows:
Sterling, dollars: Cable 3.51
Demand 1.51 %
Francs, cents: Cable 6.76
Demand 6.77
Lire, cents: Demand *"7
Marks, cents 1'->
506
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 2, 1920
Eastern Metal Market
New York, September 22.
There is very little change in any of the markets, most ot
them being inactive. Prices have receded slightly in some
cases.
The copper situation does not improve but values are un-
changed.
The tin market continues quiet and easy.
Lead has declined further in the East, due to the import
situation.
There has been very little alteration in the zinc market.
Antimony is unchanged.
IRON AND STEEL
Developments both inside and outside of the steel industry
have encouraged buyers in their waiting attitude, says 'The
Iron Age'. The tendency toward an easier market is more
apparent. Output of pig-iron and of steel products is in-
creasing and October promises to figure again as a month of
records. Both in the Pittsburgh and Chicago districts the
Steel Corporation has added to the number of its active
blast-furnaces. At Chicago its steel-ingot output is 85% of
capacity. The railroad situation shows continued improve-
ment and stocks at mills have been cut down — those of the
American Sheet & Tin Plate Co. by 50%.
Price changes are not well defined. While the general
tendency is for the higher prices on finished products to
approach those of the Steel Corporation, one or two changes
in the other direction are reported.
An exception to the general run of cancellations from
automobile makers appears in several calls from such com-
panies in the past week for the shipment of strip steel they
had held up. However, the week has brought further re-
ports of reduced melt by foundries dependent on the auto-
mobile industry, also of the cancellation of machine tools
ordered for motor-car work.
COPPER
The fact that the copper market does not improve, as was
expected, is a cause of speculation by many. In fact the
moderate revival of inquiry which appeared recently has not
augmented but has fallen off. There is very little domestic
buying and the exchange situation is such that foreign busi-
ness, which has been fairly good, has received a check. The
volume of the latter is put at around 20,000 tons per month
for the next three months, as based on recent sales. In the
absence of sustained demand of any proportions prices de-
pend largely on the seller. Some of the leading producers of
both Lake and electrolytic copper still maintain their quota-
tion at 19c, New York, while others take some business at
18.75c. Small producers and dealers are doing a little busi-
ness at 18.25 to 18.50c, delivered. The tone of the market
is not as confident as recently; s6me producers are pessi-
mistic and are expecting curtailment in output, while others
are still predicting a buying movement soon. The London
market was easier early this week.
TIN
"While there was a moderate business done last week, on
the whole the market continues dull and featureless. The
transactions referred to were mostly with dealers and in-
volved September-October shipment, or metal for arrival this
year, at around 45.50c The week on the New York Metal
Exchange has been a quiet one, total sales, including yester-
day, amounting to only about 75 tons. The feature of this
was the continued sales of 25-ton lots under the hammer.
Business of this character has been heavy in recent weeks.
Most of this metal in the last three days went at 44.37* to
44.50c There is reported a better demand for 99% tin.
The weakness of the market on this side is explained as due
to an abundance of spot Straits, which yesterday was quoted
at 44c, New York, caused by heavy arrivals. Thus far this
month the tin arrivals have been 3680 tons, of which only
285 tons is credited to Pacific ports. The quantity afloat is
4260 tons. The London market yesterday was down, with
spot standard at £272 15c, future standard at £278, and
spot Straits at £274 15s. There is also an ample supply of
Straits tin in England and speculation is largely absent.
LEAD
The New York market is dull and there is little to say.
General conditions have not changed and the situation is
dominated by import metal, the arrivals being heavy. On
Monday last week two steamers brought in 3500 tons. De-
mand is light but consumption continues very heavy. The
imported metal has sold at 8c, New York, duty paid, which
establishes the outside-market quotation, that of the Trust
still standing at 8.50c, New York. No material change is
expected soon and the weakness in exchange, which fell to
$3.47 yesterday, does not help the situation. The Western
market is quiet and stable at the level of the leading inter-
est, or 8.25c, St. Louis.
ZINC
The market is marking time and there has been very little
change in values. The London and import market situations
are dominating factors. So mixed is the situation in the
East that it is difficult to quote values. A fair appraisal
seems to be 7.80c, New York, for imported metal, with some
domestic, possible re-sale, offered at 8.15c, New York. The
St. Louis market is 7.75 to 7.85c, with demand now fallen
to the hand-to-mouth order. The betterment in galvanizers'
needs has fallen off again and was evidently only for tem-
porary replenishment of stocks.
ANTIMONY
The market is inactive, with wholesale lots for early de-
livery quoted at 7.12A., New York, duty paid.
ALUMINUM
Wholesale lots of virgin metal, 98 to 99% pure, are avail-
able at 34.90c f.o.b. producer's plant, with foreign metal
offered at 31 to 32c, New York.
ORES
Tungsten: The week has been a quiet one, though there
has been some ore offered which did not result in buying.
Quotations are practically unchanged and nominal at $5
per unit up.
Ferro-tungsten is in quiet demand at 80c to $1.05 per
pound of contained tungsten.
Molybdenum: Conditions are unchanged in a very dull
market with quotations nominal around 70c per pound of
MoS,. in regular concentrates.
Manganese: There is no demand. High-grade foreign ore
is offered at around 65c. per unit, seaboard, but consumers
appear unwilling to pay more than 5 5c per unit and are
probably amply supplied.
Manganese-Iron Alloys: There is very little demand for
either ferro-manganese or spiegeleisen and prices are un-
changed. Both British and American ferro-manganese are
available on a basis of $170, seaboard. There has been a
sale of 500 tons at $170, seaboard, for early delivery, and
one of 300 tons of spiegeleisen at $82.50, furnace. Aside
from these, sales are confined to a few small lots and in-
quiry :s very light.
Perro-silicon : The market for 50% alloy is quiet at $75
to $85 per ton, delivered, while the electric 14 to 16% alloy
is in fair demand at $65 per ton.
October 2, l!>2<»
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
507
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INFORMATION FURNISHED BY MANUFACTURERS
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stkp ixnrcriox regulator for electric
FURNACE VOLTAGE CONTROL
For controlling the energy in-put for carborundum, graph-
ite, aluminum, zinc, and similar types of electric furnaces,
the Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Co., East Pitts-
burgh. Pa., is manufacturing a step-induction regulator
which gives a uniform voltage over a wide range. The
regulator consists of a furnace-transformer, an induction-
regulator, switches, and push-button control. This appa-
ratus utilizes the principle of varying the high-voltage tap
on the transformer for controlling the energy-input to the
furnace. The function of the induction-regulator is to vary
Step-Induction Regulator Complete with Transformer and Control-Pane!
the voltage between taps. After the voltage of the adjacent
tap is reached the selector and transfer-switches automatic-
ally transfer the induction-regulator so that it will function
between the next two taps. One of the main features of this
apparatus is that the entire voltage-range is controlled by
two push-buttons, one for boosting and one for bucking the
voltage.
The construction of the apparatus is as follows: On the
shaft of the regulator is geared a selector-switch, the joints
on this switch being connected directly to taps on the high-
voltage winding of the furnace-transformer. The selector-
switch arm moves from one contact to the next, automatic-
ally, as the induction regulator moves. The function of the
feeder-voltage regulator is to add to or subtract from the
normal voltage of a transformer-tap and is designed so that
at the position of maximum boost it will add exactly one-
half of the voltage between adjacent transformer-taps,
while at position of maximum buck it will subtract exactly
one-half the voltage between adjacent transformer-taps.
Considering, then, a single position of the selector-switch
arm, a single rotation of the moving coil of the induction-
regulator will vary the voltage impressed on the high-ten-
sion winding from a position one-half step below to a posi-
tion one-half step above the voltage point actually repre-
sented by the transformer-tap. The selector-switch arm is
moved from one tap to the next just as the voltage one-
half way between adjacent taps is reached, so that con-
tinued rotation of the regulator coil produces a continuous
Motor-Operated Regulator
variation, raising or lowering the voltage depending only on
the direction in which the regulator coil is being turned.
While the above is the fundamental operation of the
apparatus, in actual practice there are slight modifications.
The moving coil of the regulator makes but one-half revolu-
LOtVVOLTACC I
"WwTVwvvw
HICiH VOLTAi,C
CONTROL STATION
Diagram of Connections
tion to go from the position of maximum buck to the posi-
tion of maximum boost, at which latter point the selector-
switch moves to the next higher voltage-tap, and the regu-
lator must be brought at this point to maximum buck be-
fore it can, by continued operation, raise the voltage over
another step. That is, at this point, the direction of current
508
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 2, 1920
through the regulator coil must be reversed. Actually, the
result is obtained by a second coil of opposite polarity which
is cut in at the proper time by a transfer switch and the
regulator changes directly from maximum boost to maxi-
mum buck, so that continued rotation still acts to raise the
voltage. The two-coil arrangement also makes desirable
two-selector switches geared together for continuous varia-
tion of the voltage. With high incoming line-voltage a
series-transformer is interposed between the high-tension
line and the induction-regulator. This allows the use of a
less bulky low-voltage induction-regulator, and ensures
against trouble with insulating moving parts for high po-
tentials. In this case, two coils are incorporated with the
series-transformer instead of in the regulator itself, and ac-
complish the same current-reversing purposes. The opera-
tion of this regulator may be seen by references to the
schematic diagram.
THE MEBCO NORDSTROM PLUG VALVE
The taper plug-valve, when properly constructed, is un-
doubtedly the most efflcient form of valve for universal use
when it works. When, on the other hand, it sticks and binds
in its seat, it becomes one of the most 'onery' pieces of mech-
anism that it is possible to imagine, and has probably spoiled
the tempers of more good mechanics than any other one
cause.
S. J. Nordstrom, a mechanical engineer engaged at Mexico
City in the design, construction, and operation of cyanide
LUBRICATION
It/BBICAf/r
lUBflCJttl
plug exposed indicates the action of the grease. Considering
that the grease-chamber at the bottom, the grease-channels,
the grease-duct, and the cylindrical space underneath the
end of the lubrication-screw are entirely filled with lubri-
cant, and considering also a perfect fit between the plug and
its seat, it is evident that a slight turn of the lubrication-
screw will exert a tremendous hydraulic pressure upward on
the bottom of the valve-plug. It will be noted that the cap
which is held down by bolts at either side (not shown in the
illustration) forms a tight joint through an elastic packing
washer. The valve-plug is so machined that when seated in
the valve its faced shoulder is slightly lower than the facing
on the edge of the valve-cage. When, therefore, the cap is
clamped down tightly, it makes first a tight joint on the edge
of the valve cage and the elastic packing is lightly pressed
against the anti-friction washer on top of the plug facing,
leaving sufficient elasticity in the packing so that the hy-
draulic pressure mentioned above raises the plug by an in-
finitesimal (but sufficient) amount to allow clearance for a
film of grease between the plug and the seat. It is in this
hydraulic lifting action that this valve is differentiated
from all other lubricating plug-valves, and it is right here
that its success lies.
Iron valves of this type have been tried out in a sal-am-
moniac solution, closed for two months so that they were
practically rusted solid, and one turn of the lubrication
screw was sufficient to allow very easy turning of the plug.
A ninety degree stop is arranged between the shank of the
plug and the valve cap, and this stop has an extension above
the valve cap so that the operator can see at a glance just
how the valve should be turned and when it is open and
shut. This stop is so positioned that the grease channels on
the sides of the plug can never be open to the action of the
liquid which is being handled. The Merrill Co., which is
distributing this device, expects that it will be found espe-
cially useful in handling cyanide-solutions and in marine
work.
Phantom View of the Mereo Nordstrom Valve
plants, was impressed with the obvious defects and short-
comings of valves in handling cyanide solutions and slime
in the concentrating plants and mills of Mexican mining
centres. Mr. Nordstrom saw that the difficulty with all
forms of patent lubricated plug-valves was that, given a per-
fect fit between the valve and its seat, there was no possi-
bility of forcing grease into a space which did not exist,
namely, that there was no clearance between the valve and
its seat. He saw then that it was necessary to design a
valve in such a way that the lubricant itself could be used to
lift the valve from its seat so as to allow clearance and a
consequent spreading of the film of lubricant over the sur-
face of the valve-seat. Having arrived at this conclusion,
the present design of this valve soon worked itself out as a
closed plug-cock with chamber at the bottom of the valve-
seat, a receptacle for grease in the shank of the plug con-
nected by drilled ducts with channels in the taper sides of
the plug, which channels continued to the bottom of plug,
thereby connecting with the chamber when the plug was
seated in the valve.
References to the illustration will show clearly the work-
ing principles of this valve. The phantom-view showing the
COMMERCIAL PARAGRAPHS
The Main Belting Co., manufacturers of 'Leviathan' and
'Anaconda' belting, are issuing 'Conveyor Problems and their
Solution', which they describe as "a practical consideration
of accepted conveying-practice as developed by engineers of
authority, illustrated by notable examples of scientific belt-
conveying". The illustrations are good and the examples
of typical arrangement are plentiful. The booklet should
be both interesting and useful to those who have conveyor
problems requiring solution.
Ruggles-Coles Engineering Co., of 50 Church street, New
York, announces the temporary discontinuance of its
Chicago office, formerly at 33 2 South Michigan avenue. All
inquiries, orders, and other communications previously di-
rected to that branch will be attended to by the New York
office. It also announces the opening of new sales offices in
the Newhouse building, Salt Lake City, Utah, and in the
Old National Bank building, Spokane, Washington, where
inquiries and requests for information will be given prompt
attention.
Oliver Continuous Filter Co., manufacturer of the Oliver
continuous filter, dry vacuum pumps, air-compressors, etc.,
has appointed J. F. Mitchell-Roberts as its special repre-
sentative to better serve its constantly increasing clientele
in England and Europe. Offices have been established at
No. 2 Broad Street Place, London, E. C, 2, England. In con-
nection with its offices at 3 3 West 42nd street. New York,
and 503 Market street, San Francisco, California, this com-
pany maintains laboratories for investigation of filtration
problems, and similar arrangements will be made at its new
London office.
nil nun i ii ii until ii mi mn M I mi ii mii ii i iNiiiiiPINillIillil m mini mi mu iimiiiiiimiimiminimimimim
EDITORIAL STAFF
T. A. RlCKARD. EDITOR
. Parsons, associate editor
mmninif anna!
nattfills TO
Member Audit Bureau of Circulations
Member Associated Business Papers, Inc.
ESTABLISHED I860
Published at iS0 Markrt St., San Franci*™.
bv the Dewey Publishing Company
BUSINESS STAFF
C.T. HUTCHINSON. MANAGE*
E, H. LESLIE, 600 FI5HEK BOO., CHICAGO
F. A. WEIGLE. 31 NASSAU ST., NEW YORK
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SCIENCE HAS NO ENEMY SAVE THE IGNORANT
Issued Every Saturday
San Francisco, October 9, 1920
$4 per Year — 15 Cents per Copy
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
EDITORIAL
NOTES 509
CROSSING THE BAY 510
Proposals for improving the inter-urban service.
The existing methods of transportation. Admiral
Jayne's plan to make use of Goat island. Other
schemes, for a bridge and for a tunnel. The cost
of these proposed works of engineering. The need
for providing for automobile traffic.
Page
NOTES ON THE SALMON RIVER MINING DISTRICT
By Charles E. Prior 518
History of the district. Climate and physical con-
ditions. Geology. Quartz-porphyry is the prin-
cipal ore-rock. Orebodies are in lenses in the
shear-zones. Ores mostly sulphide. High-grade
ores are of secondary origin. Principal minerals.
Ores in the Premier mine.
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS 512
Remarks on the great steel strike by Charles Piez.
Criticism of the report by the Interchurch World
Movement. Statements made by W. Z. Foster in
his book. Garyism, and the harm it does. The
breaking of agreements by unions. Arbitrary ac-
tion on either side is out of date.
THE ORE DEPOSITS OP MEXICO — VI
By S. J. Lewis 521
The sixth article of this series. Ore deposits in
surficial flows of igneous rock. Igneous deposits in
rhyolite as at Mezquital del Oro. The greatest
silver-producers in the world at Pachuca are in the
intermediate andesites. Hostotipaquillo district.
The Cinco Minas igneous deposits in basic ande-
sites or basaltic rocks. The Amparo mine near
Etzatlan. Andesite is the ore-bearing rock. There
were three important stages in the fracturing as
exemplified by the San Juan lode, Dulces Nombres,
and a great fault cutting the San Juan vein. Or*.
is gold-silver. The Ameca district. Conclusion.
ARTICLES
MINING METHODS AT THE BUTTE & SUPERIOR
By A. B. Parsons 513
Describes the methods of mining wide veins in
heavy swelling ground. Cribbing adopted. Slight-
ly more expensive than square-sets but stronger.
Better than concrete because not so rigid. Con-
crete breaks under the strain but the cribbing
yields slightly without breaking. Construction of
skip-chutes. Use of the cement-gun to protect
timbering and trial as a substitute for timbering. l
Advantages of haulage by storage-battery loco-
motives instead of the trolley type.
DEPARTMENTS
REVIEW OF MINING S29
THE MINING SUMMARY 537
PERSONAL 538
THE METAL MARKETS 539
EASTERN METAL MARKET 540
Established May 24, I860, as The Scientific Press: name changed October
20 of the same year to Mining; and Scientific Press.
Entered at the San Francisco post-office as second-class matter. Cable
address: Pertusola.
Branch Offices — Chicago. 600 Fisher Bdg.i New York, 31 Nassau Ere.:
London, 724 Salisbury House, E.C.
Price, 15 cents per copy. Annual subscription, payable in advance":
United States and Mexico, $4; Canada, $5: other countries. S6.
30
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 9. 1920
like Mahomet and the
Mountain
IT was lots easier to bring Prest-O-Lite and the
oxy - acetylene flame to this mammoth wheel
than to haul the wheel five miles from a moun-
tain mine to a repair shop.
That's one of the advantages of Prest-O-Lite.
Its ready portability makes oxy-acetylene welding
possible and remarkably economical anywhere and
everywhere.
And a chain of forty plants and warehouses
assure a constant supply of Prest-O-Lite, the
Universal Gas with the Universal Service.
All of which means a Nation-Wide Service which
you will be interested in knowing all about.
THE PREST-O-LITE COMPANY, Inc.
General Offices, Carbide & Carbon BIdg., 30 E. 42nd St., New York City
KOHL BUILDING, SAN FRANCISCO
In Canada: PREST-O-LITE CO. OF CANADA, Limited
TORONTO
October 9, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
.Ml! I
T. A. H.ICKARD, .... Editor
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TVTINE HUNDRED miners, it is reported, are coming
*■ ' to the United States from Spain. They represent
t he orderly element among the men on strike at Rio
Tinto, as described in these columns on September 4.
Incidentally, we note that the Rio Tinto company has
passed its dividend.
/^LAIMS aggregating $5,826,655 have been decided by
^ the War Minerals Relief Commission ; on these
31.64%, or $1,843,887, has been allowed. As 994 claims
have been decided and 769 have been rejected, there can
not be more than 200 remaining for consideration by the
Commission. We have heard of only one claim, from
Alaska, that has been paid in full.
T^IIE 23rd annual convention of the American Mining
•*- Congress, at Denver, during the week beginning
November 15, will be signalized by a conference on the
standardization of mining machinery, equipment, and
labor-saving devices. Other subjects to be discussed will
be taxation, the McPadden Bill, War Minerals Relief
Commission, the petroleum industry, and the commercial
and legal phases of the flotation process.
QUESTIONS concerning assessment work are becom-
ing frequent as the end of the year approaches.
Miners want to know whether they still can take advan-
tage of the abatements allowed during the War. The
answer is in the negative. All the joint resolutions re-
lieving the owners of mining locations from doing assess-
ment work as heretofore required by law are now in-
effective. There is only one possible exception and that
is the joint resolution approved by the President on July
17, 1917, whereby officers and enlisted men in the service
were relieved of the obligation to do assessment work on
their claims for a period of six months after being mus-
tered out of the Army or Navy.
A PROPOS of the interesting article in this issue by
■**• Mr. A. B. Parsons, it may be mentioned that at some
mines concrete is believed to be the only kind of support
capable of holding heavy ground. For example, a por-
tion of the Snake Creek tunnel, in the Park City district,
which will ultimately connect with the shaft of the Judge
mine at a point 5000 feet from the portal, is lined with
concrete. The cross-section is egg-shaped and the re-
inforcement is carefully designed to assume the tensional
strains, while the compression is provided for by the con-
crete. The arch of the adit is only one-third as wide as
the Butte &> Superior station, but, of course, the character
of the ground in the two localities is different.
T> EFERENCE to new methods of flotation, more par-
-*-*• ticularly patented discoveries that do not involve the
use of oil, are frequent in the daily and semi-technical
press. Such announcements, not unnaturally, are accom-
panied by the pious hope that the non-use of oil will per-
mit the owners of mines to escape the impositions and
exactions of the Minerals Separation people. This is too
optimistic. Besides patent No. 835,120, which covers the
use of less than 1% of oil, the Minerals Separation com-
pany owns patent No. . 962,678, covering the use of a
soluble f rothing-agent, which is one of the points involved
in the Miami lawsuit. It may be possible to find a
frothing-agent that is not soluble, but it is difficult to
conceive of any way of modifying the surface-tension of
water by means of an insoluble substance. Of course,
everything in nature under special conditions is more or
less soluble in water ; that exemplifies one of the iniquities
of the patent system, under which claims of a perfectly
absurd comprehensiveness are granted without any ap-
preciation of their meaning.
RICH ORE has been found at Ely under exceptionally
interesting conditions. A reference to the discovery
was made last August in the 'Boston News Bureau',
which quoted Mr. Louis Ross, a mining engineer of dis-
tinction. The Boston paper exaggerated the dimensions
of the orebody and thereby threw doubt upon the accu-
racy of the news. A local paper, the 'Ely Times', pub-
lished a brief article on the subject, and we made men-
tion of it in our news columns two weeks ago. As a mat-
ter of fact, we learn the discovery is both important and
significant. During the latter part of July, while the
700-foot level in the Ruth mine, of the Nevada Consoli-
dated, was being driven from the Star Pointer shaft, a
high-grade mass of sulphide ore was cut. The first assay
showed 8% copper, but after about 70 feet of advance^
ment the assays improved to 13%. This ore is in the
lime-shale, near the contact with the monzonite-porphyry ;
it is at a horizon below the zone of secondary enrichment
marked by the disseminated ehalcocite; it appears to be
an enrichment of the primary chaleopyrite. It is ore rich
enough to be smelted without previous concentration in
a mill. No estimates of tonnage are available, but we are
510
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 9, 1920
informed that the work so far done has exposed a large
body of rich ore. The event is encouraging to the so-
called porphyry copper group, for it points at the possi-
bility of bonanzas being found even in mines character-
ized by enormous tonnages of a uniformly low-grade ore.
men to do ; many of them are doing the work that women
can do ; it is well that there should be a proper distribu-
tion of talent and energy into suitable channels.
A T the recent congress of the European Socialists be-
-^*- longing to the so-called Second International, at
Geneva, a revision was made of the definition of the term
'Labor'. It was declared by the Congress that it in-
cluded not only the manual working wage-earners, but
also intellectual workers, independent handicraftsmen
and peasants, and "all those who personally co-operate
in the production of utilities of any sort". Therefore
the term excludes, it is declared, ' ' among healthy adults,
only those who idly live by owning". The French call
them 'rentiers'; we call them the 'idle rich', who toil not
neither do they spin. The British Labor party, two years
ago, adopted the phrase "workers by hand or by brain",
and we prefer it to the Genevan definition. In any event,
we are glad to be included in the category of the workers.
It is about time that the manual laborer understood that
the work of the world is done by many kinds of men, and
that the best work is that which is most intelligent.
OHORTAGE of the right kind of men, presumably, has
^ led the Canadian Geological Survey to engage women.
Two lady geologists are reported to be in the field. They
ought to be able to collect all the information necessary
for a useful report ; indeed, they are said to carry a gun
and a revolver as part of their outfit, so that if anybody
is slow in coming forward with the necessary data they
will be in a position to exercise persuasive powers of more
than usual feminine effectiveness. We shall expect sun-
dry distinctive touches in the writings of these ladies, and
the introduction of new descriptive terms. For instance,
they are likely to find pleats in the shale, ruching in the
rhyolite, and tucks in the trachyte. Stranger things
have happened. The 'selvage' of a vein is akin to the
'self -edge' of a piece of cloth. 'Seams' came into mining
by grace of the seamstress. Joking apart, geologizing by
women is no new thing. The oldest Geological Society,
namely the one in England founded by Lyell and Murchi-
son, includes a considerable number of the gentler sex.
Many of them have contributed valuable articles to the
proceedings. Geology used to be considered a polite
study, it was one that was untainted by commercialism,
it appealed to gentlemen and ladies, that is, to amateurs.
And that is why the geology of the Victorian period in
England contributed so little to the aid of mining. The
geologists of both sexes looked askance at any phase of
their su.bject that touched on money-making. They
delved in fossils, they delighted in glacial drift, they en-
thused over stratigraphic difficulties. All that is changed,
and the ladies too. Undoubtedly the new recruits to the
Canadian Survey will have an eye to the economics of
their subject; they will be in sympathy with the miner,
and they will collect the data helpful to him in his search
for metals. We welcome them with the grave courtesy
suitable to the occasion. There is plenty of work for
'T'HE average American who thinks he is fairly familiar
■"- with the geography of his own country may find that
some of his ideas regarding locality are gained from im-
pression rather than from precise observation. For in-
stance, a good many may be surprised to realize that the
Island of Cuba if transposed directly north would ex-
tend from New York City to central Indiana; and that
the town of Nome in Alaska is farther west than Hono-
lulu. Some will even be mildly astonished to learn that
part of Minnesota is more than 100 miles farther north
than the uppermost end of Maine, and that San Diego is
farther east than Spokane, in eastern Washington. The
explanation is that the meridians and parallels of latitude
on most of our maps are curved lines, whereas we un-
consciously imagine a set of rectilinear co-ordinates. The
Geological Survey recently has compiled numerous data
regarding the extent and area of the United States. The
extreme north and south dimension is 1598 miles, which
is the distance from the southernmost part of Texas due
north to the Canadian border; the maximum breadth is
2807 miles, from West Quoddy Head near Eastport,
Maine, to the Pacific. The shortest distance from the
Atlantic to the Pacific is between points near Charleston
and San Diego, a distance of 2152 miles. The length of
the Atlantic coastline is more than ■ twice that of the
Pacific, but this is, of course, due to the configuration of
our eastern shores. This does not, however, include the
Gulf of Mexico, which itself borders the United States for
3640 miles as compared with 2730 miles touching the
Pacific and 5560 the Atlantic. The gross area of the
United States is 3,026,789 square miles, of which 2,973,-
744 is land and 53,015 is occupied by rivers and lakes,
exclusive of the portion of the Great Lakes that is in-
cluded in our territory.
Crossing the Bay
During the past week the old problem of improving
transportation across the Bay of San Francisco has been
brought again into public notice by sundry suggestions
proffered by Rear-Admiral Joseph L. Jayne, who has
just retired as commandant of the Twelfth Naval Dis-
trict, which includes the station at Mare Island, near
San Francisco. The subject is one of more than local
interest ; San Francisco is the chief port of entry on the
Pacific coast of North America; it is a gateway on the
main line of travel to the Orient ; it is one of the most
interesting cities in the world and is situated on a bay
famous for its beauty. Every mining engineer has been
here or hopes to come here some day. We need not
apologize for discussing an engineering project the pur-
pose of which is to facilitate passenger traffic between the
mainland and the peninsula at the northern end of which
San Francisco stands, "the warder of two continents".
The metropolis of California has a population of 508,000 ;
on the opposite shore are the towns of Alameda, Oakland,
Octol>er 9. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
511
SAN
FRANCIS
SKETCH SHOWING ADMIRAL JATNE'S PROPOSAL
and Berkeley with a total population of 300,000. The
trans-bay cities, as they are called, are the bedrooms of
San Francisco ; most of their inhabitants come to San
Francisco to do their business. About 50,000 persons
cross the bay daily. These include others besides 'com-
muters', for the transcontinental railways have their
termini in Oakland. The chief problem is the handling
of the purely local traffic, more particularly in the morn-
ing and evening. At the present time the crossing is
effected by means of three ferry systems, linking the
suburban electric-railway terminals with the wharves that
extend beside the Ferry building at the foot of Market
street, which is the main artery of San Francisco. The
distance across the water is three miles and it is crossed
in 17 to 20 minutes. During the rush hours the ferry-
boats are crowded ; at other times there is an unnecessary
duplication of service ; moreover, automobiles are trans-
ported only by one slow, expensive, and indirect ferry
system, by way of the Oakland estuary, so that motor
traffic is subject to many unpleasant delays and exactions.
Admiral Jayne's proposal, briefly, is this: To erect a
steel trestle from the end of the Key Route pier to Goat
island, the real name of which is Yerba Buena. This
trestle is to be high enough to allow the passage of small
vessels. The island is to be pierced by a tunnel through
which trains will pass to a site to be graded on the western
side, where a union station will be placed. This terminal
will have facilities ample for the transcontinental rail-
roads as well as the suburban cars. Docks will be built
here, and from them the ferries will ply to the San Fran-
eisco landing, only a mile and a quarter distant, as against
the present ferriage of three miles. The island is the
property of the Federal government; as early as 1869
the Southern Pacific Railway company tried to obtain
the use of it for a terminus, but the railroad company at
;hat time was so associated with predatory politics that
strong opposition was offered to the proposal. To allow
the island to be used by a number of traction companies,
and for the general benefit of the community, is quite
another matter. We give a sketch showing the local
topography, including soundings, which are important.
It will be noted that a shoal extends as far as the present
Key Route terminus, which is separated from the island
by a narrow stretch of deep water. On the western side
the water is also fairly deep, shoaling in the approach to
San Francisco, the eastern part of which, as far as
Montgomery street, is built upon a fill. How this
system of transportation will be completed is another
question. A tunnel of the tube type would be imprac-
ticable on account of the contour of the bottom. Various
plans for a bridge have been proposed. In 1914 Mr.
Charles E. Fowler suggested a cantilever structure from
Goat island to Telegraph hill in three main spans of 2000
feet each, with a clearance of 150 feet at high tide. He
estimated the cost at $75,000,000. He proposed a canti-
lever bridge on the eastern side of the island, as Admiral
Jayne does, connecting with a causeway. Six years ago
it was estimated that 60,000,000 passengers would cross
the Bay in 1925 at a cost of 5 cents; today 43,000,000
passengers are crossing annually at a cost of 9 cents
apiece per trip, this being half the total cost of the
journey from the suburban cities to San Francisco.
Commuters pay $4.80 per month. The toll has under-
gone a series of increases from the 5 cents levied, for fer-
riage only, before the War, when commuters paid $3
per month. In 1916 a bridge 30,200 feet long, from
Oakland to San Francisco, was proposed by Mr. Wilbur
J. Watson, at a cost of $25,000,000. A double-tube tun-
nel from the Oakland mole of the Southern Pacific to the
Ferry building in San Francisco was estimated by Mr.
Taggart Aston to cost $15,000,000. The top of this tun-
nel was to be 45 feet below low water; it was to be
15,480 feet long, to which was added 11,370 feet for the
approaches. It would take, it was estimated, only 20
512
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 9. 1920
months to construct, and would be less subject to damage
by earthquakes than a bridge; but it includes no pro-
vision for motor traffic. This is becoming an increasingly
important factor. It might be solved by carrying the
cars on electric 'mules', or trucks, through the tunnel;
but this would be much less pleasant than a bridge-
crossing. No project can be undertaken without the con-
currence of the Federal government, through the War De-
partment, which exercises control over harbors. The inter-
ference with the tidal currents must be considered ; also
the effect of seismic disturbance. The Admiral's scheme
is estimated to entail an expenditure of about $15,000,000.
It should include an enlargement of the causeway to the
island, so as to provide for motor traffic. The tunnel
through the island proposed by the Admiral is unneces-
sary, the shoal at the northern end of the island affording
obvious opportunity for a fill ample for the purpose of a
terminal station and docks. Any increase in the number
of ferry-boats on such a short run as the mile separating
the island from the City would augment the danger of
collision, and for that reason among others it would be
desirable to use large boats rather than the small ones,
especially on the Key Route service, now running. In
that event three or four vessels might suffice, if they
made the journey in ten minutes, as seems likely. Thus
ten minutes would be saved, besides the present duplica-
tion of service, creating an expense that is being passed,
naturally, to the passengers. Whatever plan be adopted,
the automobile traffic must be considered. At present the
toll on automobiles is $1.22 per crossing, or $2.44 for the
round trip, to which the passenger rate of 8 cents per
person must be added. This is excessive, but the worst
feature is the loss of time; the crossing from Oakland
takes 45 minutes and the inadequacy of the space on the
boats causes long waits, especially on holidays. In all
schemes of inter-urban traffic nowadays it is necessary to
make provision for automobiles. In California there is
an average of one motor-car per seven persons. The sug-
gestions made by Admiral Jayne have been received most
favorably by the various municipal authorities and it is
to be hoped that they will co-operate for the purpose of
a consummation.
Industrial Relations
In a recent issue we discussed the book on ' The Great
Steel Strike', written by William Z. Foster, who was
largely responsible for that industrial conflict. We have
received a reprint of an article by Mr. Charles Piez on
the same subject. Mr. Piez was Director General of the
Emergency Fleet Corporation during the War and
proved himself a man of high character and remarkable
ability ; he is now president of the Link-Belt Company.
He criticizes the report of the commission appointed by
the Interchurch World Movement and says, quite fairly,
that the members of that commission made a fundamental
mistake in assuming or concluding that the strike "was
waged wholly in the cause of hours, wages, and control
of jobs, and over the manner in which all these matters
were determined". On the contrary, he insists, and we
agree with him, that "the steel strike was but one of a
series of broad industrial disturbances that were delib-
erately designed to wrest the control of industry from its
owners, and place it in the hands of the radical element
of organized labor". The statements made by Foster in
his book prove this inference unmistakably; to him "the
wage system is the most brazen and gigantic robbery ever
perpetrated since the world began". Mr. Piez refers to
the strike of the shipyard workers in January 1919 and
describes the conditions under which it was started ; how
the men broke their agreement with the Emergency Fleet
Corporation, which was a war-time Government agency ;
no question of hours or of working conditions was in-
volved ; the aim of the leaders, mostly aliens, was to secure
the control of industry in the Puget Sound district, just
as Foster and Fitzpatrick started the steel strike in order
to attack the 'open shop', and to aggrandize themselves
personally. We have to part company with Mr. Piez
when he compliments Judge Gary. He says: "We have
had many examples in the past two years of the effects of
unlimited power in the hands of arbitrary, unwise, and
selfish leadership". This, it seems to us, describes Mr.
Gary as well as Mr. Foster. If labor and capital are to
be reasonable in their demands, if they are to show a just
appreciation of each other's rights and privileges, it wTill
hardly be under the leadership of such opposing chief-
tains. We come back to the side of Mr. Piez when he
animadverts upon the breaking of agreements made by
the unions and the too frequent exhibition of a bolshevik
contempt upon their part for the sanctity of contractual
relations. If collective bargaining is to be honored in
observance, it must be by a scrupulous recognition of the
obligations incurred on both sides. An employer places
his property in jeopardy when he dishonors his written
word ; it is not fair that the employee collectively should
be able to ignore his own obligation with impunity. In-
deed, the failure 'to play the game', to give a square deal,
is at the bottom of most of our industrial troubles. When
a man accepts a job at a given wage he tacitly engages to
perform the day's work, and the honest workman does it ;
but the union, or the agitator who tries to control the
union, discourages the idea of carrying out the implied
agreement, encouraging the slacker, with the idea of de-
creasing the amount of work done for the w-age, thereby
thinking to leave more work to be done by others. This
is as dishonest as getting ten hours work from a man for
eight hours pay. In these matters fairness and honesty
go hand in hand. Arbitrary action on either side is out
of date. The public will support no side that deals un-
fairly, but unfortunately the public is rarely well in-
formed, and therefore is unable to react until too late.
The problem that faces the thoughtful student of eco-
nomics, as Mr. Piez says, is "to appreciate the relative
value of the three factors in industry, namely, capital,
labor, and management, and to find a way of determining
the compensation due to each". .Obviousty the com-
munity ought to compensate generously, in money and
in honor, the men by whose humane and intelligent man-
agement the proponents of capital and labor can be
brought into friendly harmony and joint efficiency.
October 9, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
513
THE BUTTE & SUPERIOR MINE, AT BUTTE, MONTANA
Mining Methods at the Butte & Superior
By A. B. PARSONS
This article will describe the methods of mining wide
veins of rich zinc-lead-silver .ore in heavy swelling
ground, and sundry other features of the underground
operations of the Butte & Superior Mining Co. in its
mines at Butte. The Black Rock, as it is known locally
because of the weathered outcrops of quartz-monzonite, is
the most northerly of the productive mines in the dis-
trict; in fact, it is situated beyond the line that was
thought less than fifteen years ago to mark the limit of
possible ore deposition; a belief on which certain well-
known geologists were prepared to stake their profes-
sional reputations. However, in spite of the theory then
prevailing, Capt. A. B. "Wolvin in 1906 persisted in sink-
ing on a rather hungry-looking lode with the hope of de-
veloping a copper mine. In this he was disappointed ;
but he did open a good vein of zinc ore. Like most mines
that have become big producers, the Black Rock had its
ups and downs until Capt. "Wolvin sold the property and
the present corporation was organized to work it in 1910.
After a series of tests in an old mill at Basin, 20 miles
south, on the Great Northern railroad, a eoncentrating-
plant at the mine was completed and production on a
reasonably large scale was commenced in the summer of
1912. The market for zinc at that time was dull and not
until toward the end of 1914 did prices advance suffi-
ciently to stimulate output. During 1915- '16- '17- '18 op-
erations were fully extended. So urgent was the demand
for production that some of the mining was hardly in
accord with the best practice, although it was entirely
justified by the condition of the zinc market. The miners
and foremen, as a matter of course, followed closely the
local practice that had been developed during 25 years
of mining the copper ore in the district, and while it was
recognized that the procedure was not always best adapt-
ed to the conditions it was also understood that any de-
parture therefrom would be attended by disruption of
the plan of operations. However, beginning with 1919
much attention has been devoted to establishing a more
efficient system of mining and methods conducive to
greater economy.
The Rainbow lode, which is the source of the bulk of
the ore, varies in width and grade ; in places it is divided
into distinct branches by numerous faults, so that indi-
vidual stopes vary in breadth from a single set to as much
as 15 sets, that is, from 6 to 110 ft. While there is a gen-
eral dip to the south, the irregularities are such that the
ore-shoots are virtually perpendicular in so far as mining
operations are concerned. The dip has changed ma-
terially in depth and shoots that were in No. 1 shaft at
1300 ft. are found near No. 2 on the 2200-ft. level. See
Fig. 1.
There are now three vertical shafts. No. 1, the oldest,
bottoms in a sump just below the 2050-ft. level; it has
four compartments, two for hoisting ore and handling
514
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 9, 1920
the regular work, one for the cage of the 'chippy', or
auxiliary hoist, and a fourth that serves as a manway and
contains pipes, electric-cables, and ladders. Work on this
shaft progressed steadily after 1907 ; it reached 1920 ft.
in 1915. being in ore from the 1300 to the bottom level.
It was through this shaft that all the ore was hoisted dur-
ing the active years, 1915 and 1916, the largest output for
a single month. 55.000 tons, having been recorded before
either of the other shafts came into use. In the latter
part of 1915 two new shafts were started at points indi-
cated on the accompanying map of the 1600-ft. level. Fig.
1, about 60 ft. apart and some 500 ft. from No. 1 shaft.
They were sunk vertically on what may be considered the
hanging-wall side of the Rainbow lode, and in ground
that was expected to be strong. Proximity to the new
coarse-crushing plant of the mill was one consideration
in selecting the site for the new shafts; facility in the
distribution of supplies was another.
Both shafts have three compartments, including two
for hoisting, and a manway. No. 2 is the largest, the
main compartment measuring 17 ft. 1 in. by 7 ft. over all,
as compared with 15 ft. 1 in. by 7 ft. for No. 3. No. 1
shaft has three hoisting compartments each 4 by 5 ft.
Much of the work, in both of the new shafts, was done by
raising from levels already established. At the present
time No. 2 shaft has been driven to the 2300-ft. level;
which is 300 ft. below the present sump of No. 3, to which
a connection will be made by cross-cutting and raising.
This procedure will reduce to the minimum any delay in
current operation through No. 3, which is now the main
working-shaft. No. 2 shaft has no skip-chutes and ac-
cordingly is not used for hoisting ore, all of this work
having been done through No. 3 since 1917. Men and
timbers are carried through No. 2 ; waste is transferred
between levels; the main electric cables, air-lines, fresh-
water lines, and the pump-column from the principal
underground pumping-station occupy the third compart-
ment. This shaft is up-cast and is equipped with a care-
fully designed system of fire-protection, including auto-
matic sprinkler-heads.
Unfortunately, the ground penetrated by No. 2 shaft
was not so good as had been hoped and a great deal of
repair work has been necessary to maintain it in operat-
ing condition. Even at a distance of 50 or 60 ft. from the
vein the ground, which is composed of soft granite, is
blocky and slakes readily on exposure to the air. It is
continually subject to movement. To facilitate the work
of maintenance the worst places in the shaft have been
protected with jacket or easing sets, following out the
plan adopted in No. 1, where several hundred feet have
been timbered in this way. The purpose is to enable
necessary alterations to accommodate the changing
ground, without disturbing the inner timbers. The
method is not a new one, but the need for it emphasizes
the exceptionally difficult ground that characterizes all
the Butte & Superior workings.
The standard shaft-timbering prior to 1917 had always
been regular rectangular sets, with wall and end-plates of
12 by 12-in. timbers, and dividers of 8 by 12-in. material.
These were spaced at four or five-foot centres, and lagged
with two-inch and three-inch plank. In an effort to de-
crease the excessive cost for repairs and maintenance,
considerable study was given to the question of develop-
ing a better method of shaft-timbering. The plan used
in the last 450 ft. of No. 2 shaft has proved so satisfactory
that the same method will be employed in the further ex-
tension of both the new shafts. It is similar to the crib-
bed timbering used in the old Comstock mines. This crib-
bing is of 12 by 12-in. timbers with a half-joint at the
corners; the timbers are laid skin-to-skin, but are not
drifted together. The result is a solid casing of 12-in. ma-
terial with the necessary dividers between compartments.
The comparative first cost is slightly in favor of the old
method as against the cribbed sets; the regular timber-
ing requires less material than the sink-to-skin methods
but more work in the framing-shop ; the hangers are ex-
pensive, whereas the item of labor for doing the actual
timbering underground is approximately the same either
way. "When each layer has been thoroughly blocked
against the walls there is practically no chance for local
movement in the rock, and the collective strength of the
entire structure is sufficient to withstand unusual pres-
sure even on considerable lengths of shaft. By filling
behind the timbers, the bad effects of slaking ground are
largely obviated. Continual repairs due to broken lag-
ging are avoided, and cracked end-plates or wall-plates
are improbable, since any strain is distributed over a con-
siderable number of large timbers. A shaft of this kind
has most of the good features of one lined with concrete,
and in exceptionally bad ground there is the added ad-
vantage of affording an extra degree of elasticity.
This last point has been illustrated in the timbering of
stations as well as in the constructing of fire-doors and
bulkheads at various points throughout the mine. The
accompanying drawing, Fig. 2, shows two methods used
for timber support at the regular shaft-stations. The
usual excavation is 18 ft. wide by 14 ft. high in the
centre ; it runs back from the shaft for six or seven sets,
spaced with 5-ft. centres, if the timbering is done as
shown in the right-hand sketch. This trussed-set con-
struction is the old standard station-set used largely in
the Butte mines. The principal members are all of 12 by
12-in. material with 5-in. lagging on top of double caps,
and 5-in. flooring as shown. This type of station did not
prove satisfactory in the Black Rock mine. Not only were
the double caps unable to withstand the excessive weight,
but swelling of the ground frequently caused the floor to
buckle to such an extent that expensive repairs became
necessary, particularly where there was no skip-chute
beneath the floor. The left-hand sketch shows part of a
station timbered according to a design developed upon
the same theory as that applying to the cribbed shaft-
timbering. A number of such stations have been con-
structed, with excellent results, where there is no reason
to believe that the conditions are less severe. Apparently,
the skin-to-skin arch-type has proved its superiority over
the other in bad ground. There was one particularly
doubtful station on the 1200-ft. level at No. 2 shaft,
where, as an experiment, a circular arch of solid concrete
was built surmounting concrete walls. Forms were con-
October 9, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
515
Fig. 1. plan op 1600-pt. level
strutted and concrete to a thickness, in places, of 5 ft.
was 'shot' into position with a large-sized cement-gun.
The walls and arch practically formed a well reinforced
monolith, tight against the rock of the excavation. Only
a few months later a large crack developed running the
full length of the station near the top of the arch. Later
other cracks started and a large section was about to fall
in when measures were taken to support the concrete with
timber. Whether the six-member timber-arch construc-
tion would have given better service at this particular
place is, of course, uncertain, but the chances are in its
favor. This illustrates the point that the extreme rigidity
of concrete may easily prove disadvantageous when sub-
jected to underground conditions. It is interesting to
note that most of the companies in the Lake Superior cop-
per region are abandoning the use of concrete for sup-
porting the workings after spending hundreds of thou-
sands of dollars in an effort to use it successfully. The
experience there has been that the shifting ground causes
the concrete to crack and crumble, thereby becoming not
only useless but dangerous. The valuable feature that
concrete is fireproof is largely offset by the use of gunite
applied with the smaller cement-gun, which will be de-
scribed later.
As stated before, there are skip-chutes at each of the
stations at No. 1 shaft, and at those below the 1200-ft.
level of No. 3. These vary in size from an actual work-
ing capacity of less than 100 tons up to 150 tons. The
regular chute has no unusual features. The front is one
set behind the timbers of the shaft and is lined with 4-in.
plank faced with steel plates half an inch thick. The
sloping bottom is of similar construction, whereas the
timbered sides are 'bricked' with 12 by 12-in. square
blocks, cut two feet long and placed so that the ends
rather than the sides get the wear. The station-floor rests
on 12 by 12-in. timbers spanning the chute, and the gates
Fig. 2. present (a) and former (b) types of timbering
516
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 9. 1920
are operated by compressed air. The labor charged to the
construction of one such chute, including miners, timber-
men, mechanics, and miscellaneous, amounted to 900
shifts. The chute at No. 3 station on the 1900-ft. level is
of special construction. On account of the bloeky ground
it was built of solid reinforced concrete, the stresses here
being somewhat different from those required in support-
ing ground. Active development work was in progress
on the 1900-ft. level at this time (early in 1919) and it
was essential that the chute be constructed so as to inter-
fere as little as possible with these operations. Accord-
ingly, a false floor was put in at the station and the rock
was broken from below until the bottom of the chute in
the middle had been reached. This excavation was tim-
bered to afford a new support for the station-floor, while
space was cut at the sides for the walls of the chute. Old
rail, pipe, and cables were used for reinforcement and the
concrete for these walls was poured and allowed to set,
after which they again assumed the burden of the false
floor, while concrete for the floor of the chute and the
bridge at the front was being poured. This bridge, six
feet behind the shaft-timbers, extended from a point
eight feet below the station-level to within two feet of the
bottom of the chute, the lower part of the front being of
6-in. plank. Forms for the concrete floor of the station,
which is also the top of the chute, were then built, the
bottom and front being lined with steel plate. This job
was completed without any appreciable delay in the
regular mine work.
In opening a new level the procedure follows the regu-
lar methods of square-eel stoping. A cross-cut is driven
to the ore, drifts are started each way to expose the lode.
Cross-cuts at irregular intervals determine the width of
the orebody or the presence of branches on either side of
the main vein. It may be remarked thai under system-
atized development these cross-cuts are being pit <] so as
to correspond with those on the level above, due refer-
ence being made to the size of the block to be mined. A
raise in waste-rock is usually started off the second or
third floor of a stope to provide, aside from ventilation, a
passage for waste-filling. As soon as the drift has reached
a point 300 or 400 ft. from the shaft a raise is started to
make connection with the level above, and thus establish
the circulation of air.
The first step jn mining an ore-shool is to remove the
sill-floor, thus defining the prafcable limits of the shoot as
ard. Sill set posts are placed
both girt-wise and cap-wise; these are 8 ft. 10 in. long;
for the regular floors are ? ft. in ;,,. long Round
timbers are used exclusively, the diameter varying from
1" to 36 in., although the usual size is 12 to 1 I. No sills
are laid,, the posts retting directly on the rook Recently
'* nM ,"1'' drive the sill floor only one set
wide, opening the vein on the second door, instead, This
makes easier th< work of keeping the sill ope,, for tram
mint' ore.
The next step u to build a chute-mouth and to start „
two-compartment ore chute and manwag, which is raised
as the stop.- advanci Two adjoining square
sets, properly situated with referenet to haulage on the
sill, are selected. The chute is "bricked' in a fashion
similar to the skip-chute mentioned previously. Blocks,
20 in. long, of round timber, are substituted for 12 by
12-in. square pieces, and layers of blocks are alternated
with round timbers. 6 to 8 in. diameter, spiked between
the posts. The wear is confined largely to the end of the
bricking-blocks. and a chute so constructed requires the
minimum of repair. The man way is lagged with plank.
As stated, this chute is advanced floor by floor as the
stope rises. A stope averaging four or five sets in width
will generally require chutes at intervals of 50 ft., while
a narrower one will not need as many in proportion to its
length. Normally, after the third floor is reached, oper-
ations will require two sets of miners and timber-men, one
at each end of the stope on the top floor, while shovelers
will be working on the floor beneath. At the same time
they will be filling the next lower floor with waste sup-
plied from the level above through the chute-compart-
ment of the original raise. Ordinarily temporary track is
laid and a regular mine-car is used for distributing this
waste. The character of the ground makes it imperative
that the filling be not. neglected ; waste cross-cuts on stops
floors must sometimes be driven to obtain filling material.
Especially on the lower levels, where the walls are not so
good and the orebodies are fractured and faulted to a
greater degree than above, particular attention is paid to
keeping the filling advanced as far as possible. If. as
sometimes happens, the pressure of a block of ground be-
comes too great and caving ensues, the recovery of the ore
is a slow and costly operation. Skilled miners catch up
the ground and subsequently remove the ore by under-
hand mining.
In spite of every precaution, there is continual diffi-
culty in handling large stopes. 20(1 In 300 ft. long, and 20
to In ft. wide, when the entire shoot is mined as ;, single
unit. The large horizontal area of open space frequently
gives too much chance for shifting ground, so that trouble
lie, | with difficulty — if at all. Even though no cava
there is extra expense in angle-bracing and doub-
ling-lip timbers, and in building waste and timber bulk*
1 In order to avoid this, the ore on the sill is blocked
out by means of drifts ami cross cuts, after which suoj
cessive sections of 50 or tin ft. along the strike of tin
an- mined Each 1,1,,,-k includes the full width of the \. in
and is mined exactly a.s a separate slope according 1" Hie
plan .just outlined, except that the sets next ground yet
io he sloped air lagged, before filling, so thai no troubls
perienced with the subsequent removal of the ad«
jacenl block. This can he started as soon as the first
stop,- has reached a height of six or seven sets. The great
advantage is that a slope of this size can he run through
from level to level rapidly, so that the overlying ground
has little time to settle, and the amount of open ground
on a horizontal plane is minimized. This pr< lure is in
accord will, the plan for the mor.- orderly ami delib,
m,o int.' that followed the rush of war time activity, and it
i VOrking out with notable success. Down to 1900 ft. i
the levels are inn ft. apart, but the next is at 2050 and
hereafter the interval is to be 150 ft. This will effect
economy by reducing by one. third the amount of drifting, 1
l'C'i
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRKSS
517
eroM-cutiiiiu. rod tilling either on the Brsfl or Meond
floors. However, it trill increase the period required to
mine a block of or*, end may prove disadvantaged
that account In addil ion there is the possibility oi
looking small masses of on between levels thai might be
by more fnquenl cross cutting Detailed geo-
maps an kepi up to date, however, so that tins
lit] Ik- a minor drawback.
.\i can be teen from the map of the 1600 ft I
lateral hen in the foot, bnl on other levels in the bang-
.•■rally driven as a permanenl baulage-
■ and from the itopes distant from the shaft It is
eonomical to carry the laterals in waste rock and
onnecting - at intervals, than to ma
i drifts through the ore. The expense involved in
nplacing and repairing timbers, and otherwise keeping
bpen the necessary workings, is indicated by the i ord
rkmen daily engaged in this work, which regularly
0 men. This, at the present wage rate, adds
approximately 60c, per ton to the cool of mining1, and, in
laet, it is an unusually expensive item as compared with
repairs in other districts or even other mines
at Butte. It is due solely to the exceptionally heavy
Character of the ground
The standard raise ia a regular six-post two compart-
hent combination of chute and manway. It may be ad-
lanced vertically, or by an angle-offset, which may In: in
pie direction either of the long or of the short dimen don
in which case the chute musl necessarily be beneath the
adder compartment The sets are the same size as the
ordinary iquare-set, so thai there is no difficulty, in any
■tse, in making the proper connection between the
ami stope timbers. A special cribbed raise, either vertical
or on an incline, has certain advantages in that it. is
slightly cheaper, and requires less work to maintain in
nod condition The timbers used are 5 by 10 in., laid
skin-to -km on the Sat side. This type of timbering is
Resirable when the raise is to be used only for ventila-
tion, as a passage for men, or for the tran ipplies
rorking rai e for a itope it lias the draw-
lack of being difficult to tap to draw waste for the sue-
floors, and, especially if inclined, it renders diffi-
cult the task of standing the adjacent tope I imbero.
A phase of underground operations that is rapidly be-
kning of more importance is the work of I he cement gun,
knmonly termed 'guniting'. Briefly, the process is this:
mi turc of poi i land '-.-in ■ ■ 1 1 1 and clean sand in the
portion of 1 :8 is fed into the hopper of a machine,
m which it is forced by pneumatic pressure through a
rge boee to the gun-nozzle where it is mixed with a regu-
Iream of water The resulting plaster is 'shot' in
i rapid stream against the wall or roof, where it, adheres
hi the surface that is to I"- coated. The
Bzzle is manipulated by hand after the fashion of a fire-
Bee and any desired thickness from ' to \ inch can be
mplied in a single or in several successive '-outs. The
may be a rough rocky wall from which any loose
labs havi- lu-i-n p-movd, or timbers or planks that have
Ben covered with some -oil ol' nmtal lathing. Ordinary
up' meshed wire poultry-netting serves well, although the
regular metal lath is better. One of the particular ad
vantagi site' is the protection to timbers against
finj it also preserves timber by excluding air. When
applied to the rock itself, a coal of gunite prevents slak-
ing and crumbling, and in so doing the looscn-
! slabbing off of large pieces of rock. As an experi-
ment, a 'Toss cut in waste, approximately 600 ft. long,
waagunited without timbering; the ■-, ;.">% greater
than the cost of timbering would have been, but th
pectation i.^ that the walls and back will require virtually
no attention whatever and thai the extra cost, will be
much more than ohVt, by saving in maintenance. In the
Black Bock mine all the stations at, the No. 2 and No. 3
are gunited, as well as the connect ions bet ween the
two stations on each level. All lire-doors, of which there
are several on each level, some of the motor-barns, Under-
ground pump-Stations, water reservoirs, and other mis-
cellaneous [daces are protected in similar fashion. The
and and Cement are put through a concrete mixer on the
mrface, and the dry material sacked for distribution
underground. The work of running the machine is not
agreeable and the operators are paid 50 Cents per day
above (he regular rale. A willing man, after some ex-
perience, generally becomes quite expert at the work and
it of a given job depends to a considerable extent
on the number of new men who have tried their hands at
the nozzle.
Haulage is done by electric loconiol ives of the storage-
battery type ; this style of motor was originally selected in
preference to the trolley system. It is significant that in
several Of the neighboring mines of the Anaconda com-
liere trolley locomotives have been in use, they arc,
being replaced by the other kind. Aside from avoiding a
constant source ol' danger the battery-motor system is
more imple more flexible, and more economical. Two
batteries arc provided for each motor and one is charg-
ing in the motor barn while the other is in service. On
the busy levels a re charged battery is required each shift.
The motor can handle a train of 10 to 1 -! loaded inine-
cai "ii a fairly sleep grade and with the assistance of a
little sand on the I rack performs vrry well under condi-
tions of severe service.
Tub placer camps throughout the Yukon valley, it is
estimated, will yield $4,485,000 for the season of L920.
The dry season caused a, decrease in the output of al-
most <-\'ryy camp. Hydraulic Operations, consequently,
have been much curtailed. Yields of the interior of
Alaska and the Yukon for the season drawing to a close
are estimated by competent authorities as follows: D&W-
,on. $1,500,000; kairbanks, .+750,000; Tolovana, +750,-
000; Idilarod, $.".00,000; Tacofna and Ophir. +500,000;
Hot Springs, +100,000; Ruby, +100,000; Koyukuk, $75,-
f)00 ; Circle, +70,000 ; Marshall, $50,000 ; Forty Mile, +50,-
ooo; Rampart, $20,000; chandler, $20,000; total, $4,485,-
000. In commenting on this situation the Dawson 'Daily
Mews' observes that, if the decrease in gold production
continues, it will be necessary to restore the purchasing
power of gold by bonus or otherwise as low-grade alluvial
gravel cannot he worked under- present conditions.
518
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 9, 1920
THE SALMON RIVER
THE PREMIER MINE
Notes on the Salmon River Mining District
By CHARLES E. PRIOR
The Salmon River mining district is in the Portland
Canal mining division of north-western British Columbia.
It is about 700 miles north of Vancouver and on the
southern edge of Alaska. The district is three to six miles
wide and 12 miles long, embracing an area of 60 square
miles. The centre of the district is 16 miles from the
dock at the town of Hyder, Alaska, situated at the head
of the Portland Canal. The Stewart, or Bear River, dis-
trict is immediately south.
The first mining activity in this region dates from 1898.
with the arrival of Burgess and his party of 60 ad-
venturers, at the head of the Portland Canal, in May of
that year.1 The purpose of this expedition was to locate
gold-placer claims on the upper Nass river. These men,
of whom only a few were bona-fide prospectors, lost heart
after a fruitless search of a few months and gradually
drifted back to civilization. However, some of the party,
in wandering through the Bear and Salmon valleys, ob-
served outcrops of quartz, containing metallic minerals.
The news of these discoveries spread and attracted the
attention of prospectors to this region, particularly to the
Bear River district.
In 1904 the Big Missouri claim was staked, but not
until 1910 was any real interest taken in the Salmon
River district. At that time derelicts from the mining
boom in the neighboring Bear River district wandered
over the dividing ridge and were attracted by outcrops
showing promising quantities of low-grade sulphide ore
with occasional streaks and bunches of high-grade silver
ore. A great part of the country was staked at this time,
including the groups of the Hercules, Cascade Falls (now
in the Premier group), the Indian, and the Bush.
^'Portland Canal News', July 4, 1920.
From 1910 to 1917 considerable development work was
done on these prospects, mainly in an effort to develop
enough of the low-grade complex sulphide ore to merit
exploitation on a larger scale. In 1917 R. K. Neill of
Spokane, and associates, optioned the group of claims be-
longing to the Salmon Bear River Mining Co., which had
been optioned and explored previously by several other
parties. Under the direction of Mr. Neill, the upper or
No. 1 adit-level on this property was advanced and in
eight feet entered high-grade silver-gold ore. This was in
September 1917. The subsequent shipment by Neill of
514 tons of ore, averaging $330 per ton, to the Tacoma
smelter attracted the immediate attention of the outside
mining world. In the fall of 1919 a working interest in
this property, now the Premier Gold Mining Co., was
acquired by the A. S. & R. Co. and associated interests.
Since then shipment of ore, development of the mine, and
the erection of a 100-ton flotation-cyanide mill have pro-
ceeded under the management of Dale L. Pitt.
The finding of a persistent shoot of high-grade ore in
the Premier mine quickened interest in the various pros-
pects, of the district. Development work was started on
the Big Missouri group by Sir Donald Mann and asso- .
eiates ; on the Northern Light and Spider groups by the
Alguniean Development Co., a Belgian Corporation ; on
the Forty-Nine group by the Forty-Nine Mining Co., Ltd.
of Vancouver ; on the Unicorn group by J. R. McDonald :
on the Indian group by the Indian Mining Co. of Prince
Rupert, B. C, — in fact, practically every showing in the
district was explored. This exploration work was done
by short adits, open-cuts, and, in depth, by the diamond-
drill.
The boom expected in the summer of 1920 did not ma-
October 9, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
519
terialize, principally because wide publicity was given,
and wisely so. to the fad thai it was oo1 a 'poor man's
country' and that practically all the ground had been
located. To the time of this writing, August L920, the
Premier is the only mine thai has shipped any ore.
The climate of this coastal region of British Columbia
is characterized by exceedingly heavy precipitation of
both rain and snow. long hut not severely cold winters,
ami short mild summers. Precipitation in the Salmon
River district, 1919- '20, at an elevation of 2600 it., aver-
aged as follows: snowfall. 55 ft., rainfall. 30 in., or a com-
bined precipitation for the year of approximately 100
inches of water.
The deep I'-shaped valleys and the rounded mountain
tops suggesl at once erosion by glaciation. The lower
valleys and slopes are densely timbered with spruce and
hemlock. The upper valleys are occupied by glaciers.
Elevations range from a few feet to 7000 ft. above sea-
level, i
Owing to the thick growth of timber and underbrush,
the comparatively few exposures of rock, and the short-
ness of the summer season, prospecting is arduous and
slow. Excessive transportation costs, adverse weather
conditions, and uncertain migratory labor, are some of
the hard conditions under which a pioneer operator in
this district must endeavor to accomplish results. How-
ever, costs should be reasonable at a going mine and mill
because an ample supply of water, plentiful and easily
accessible timber, and the facilities for working mines by
adit-levels are favorable to low costs.
Geologically, the Salmon River district is at the contact
of the great batholith of grano-diorite, which forms the
coast-range of British Columbia, and the volcanic and
sedimentary rocks of the interior. It is an interesting
fact that most of the important ore deposits of British
Columbia are closely associated with this batholith of
grano-diorite. The copper deposits of the Granby mine
and the Britannia mine, the silver deposit of the Dolly
Varden, and, in the interior, the gold deposit of the
Hedley (Nickel Plate) mine and the copper deposit of
the Canada Copper Coporation, are all in proximity to
this grano-diorite intrusive.
R. G. McConnell's diagram2 shows three principal for-
mations in the Salmon River area : first, granite, grano-
diorite, and quartz-porphyry ; second, the Bear River
formation, consisting of porphyrite, tuffs, breccias, and
agglomerates ; and third, the Nass River formation, con-
sisting of argillite and tuffaceous sandstone. J. J. O 'Neill"
believes that the oldest rock series, tuffs and tuffaceous
conglomerates, are overlain by the Nass series of gray
shale and sandstone in the north-western and north-
eastern parts, and have been intruded first, by the grano-
diorite of the coast batholith, and second, by numerous
dikes ranging from quartz-porphyry to augite-porphyry.
The tuffs and breccias are found in a variety of colors —
reds, grays, greens, and lavenders. This series pre-
=Canadian Geological Survey, Memoir 32.
'Summary Report 1919, Part B, Canadian Geological
Survey.
dominates in the district. The Nass series of shale and
sandstone occupies only a very small part of the district
and evidently has played no part in the distribution of
the ore. The porphyry and grano-porphyry dikes are
the principal dikes of the district and Vary from those of
very fine-grained texture, which are with difficulty dif-
ferentiated from some of the tuffs series, to the types
containing large feldspar crystals and hornblende,
The quartz-porphyry is the principal ore-rock of the
district. It is locally termed 'greenstone', by reason of
its distinct green color. Orebodics arc found in mineral-
ized shear-zones in the porphyry; generally they lie close
to the tuff. Regional shearing has developed these nu-
merous shear-zones, the making of which was accom-
panied by silicih'eation and pyritization of the green-
stone itself. In many places the porphyry has been
altered to gray and green schist. This schist greatly
resembles that of the Britannia copper mine, although
here usually the alteration has not been so complete as
there.
The orebodies are in the form of lenses within the min-
eralized shear-zones. They are irregular in shape, hav-
ing no well-defined walls or sharp limits between ore and
waste. The ores of these deposits can be divided roughly
into two classes : the high-grade quartz ore and the low-
grade sulphide ore. There are no important oxidized
ores in the district.
The sulphide ores are the more abundant. The metallic-
minerals in these ores are usually sphalerite, pyrite,
galena, and small amounts of chalcopyrite. argentite,
and native silver. The zinc-blende is usually the most
abundant of the sulphides. Galena, in this district, car-
ries little silver. A good example of these low-grade
complex sulphide ores is found in the orebodies of the
Big Missouri. The showing at this mine consists of
huge surfieial lenses of sulphide ore in altered green-
stone. According to J. J. O 'Neill,3 the ore averages from
$6 to $10 per ton. Three-fifths of this value is due to
the zinc content, one-fifth to the lead, and one-fifth to the
precious metals.
An analysis of typical high-grade ores of the district
is as follows: silver 148.6 oz., gold 6.18 oz., copper 0.5%,
lead 1.7%, zinc 3.3%, iron 7.6%, insoluble 75.1%, lime
1.3%, alumina 6.5%, and sulphur 8.6%,. The metallic
minerals usually present are argentite, pyrite, stephanite,
pyrargyrite, native silver, tetrahedrite, sphalerite, and
galena. Argentite is the chief silver mineral. The
gangue is quartz and silicified greenstone.
E. E. Campbell4 believes that the high-grade ores of
this district are entirely of secondary origin and that the
oxidized portions of the outcropping orebodies have been
removed by glaeiation. Mr. O'Neill believes that the
ores are of secondary origin and that the enrichment was
produced by secondary mineralizing solutions entering
re-opened fissures in the primary ore-zones. Victor Dol-
mageJ recently made a comprehensive study of micro-
photographs of specimens from the district. He con-
*'Mining and Engineering Record', Vol. XXV.
^'Journal Canadian Mining Institute', June 1920.
520
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 9, 1920
THE LANDING AT HTDER
eludes that ' ' the processes of secondary enrichment may
have played only a very subordinate role, if any, in the
formation of these rich silver deposits". Dr. Dolinage
here means secondary enrichment by descending solu-
tions. The principal high-grade ores of the district were
unquestionably produced by enrichment of the primary
ores by secondary mineralizing solutions, but not by de-
scending solutions containing metal dissolved from over-
lying ores. A description of the Premier ores and their
occurrence will explain this.
Quartz-porphyry dikes and bands of tuff are roughly
parallel in the Premier mine and vicinity and have a
general strike of S. 30° E. The individual porphyry
dikes are as much as 1000 ft. wide, the individual bands
of tuff up to 300 ft. in width. The tuffs are intruded by
dikes of fine-grained hornblende-porphyry, which is
probably the youngest rock in the district. Regional
shearing has cut across both the porphyry dikes and the
tuffs and has produced in the porphyry a mineralized
shear-zone. This mineralized shear-zone bears N. 80° E.,
dips from 70° to 85° north, and is from 40 to 100 ft.
wide.
The orebodies are found as irregular and ill-defined
shoots within this highly silicified shear-zone in the green-
stone. Pronounced cross-fissuring at an angle of 45° to
the main line of shearing has taken place. Masses of
high-grade silver-gold ore have been formed at the in-
tersections of these cross-fractures with the main shear-
zone. This high-grade ore follows the hanging-wall side.
The high-grade ore-shoots do not outcrop. Ore-shoots of
milling-grade are in the foot-wall side of this shear-zone.
In places, the ore follows the cross-fractures from the
ore on the foot to the ore on the hanging wall. No dis-
placement by faulting has been found.
The principal silver-bearing mineral is argentite, which
is found both crystalline and amorphous. Ruby silver,
native silver, and gray copper are the other silver-bearing
minerals. The chief gold-bearing mineral is pyrite, of
the yellow fine-grained closely-knitted variety ; the white
large-cubed variety is generally barren. The gangue is
quartz and silicified quartz-porphyry. "When the price
of silver is one dollar per ounce the ratio of the value of
the gold varies from 1:1 to 1:6; the average for the
shipping-ores is propably 1 : 2.5 ; the average for the
milling-ore will show a proportion more nearly equal.
The high-grade silver ore of the Premier mine was
formed by the cross-fissuring re-opening the primary ore,
and the subsequent entry of enriching solutions through
these fissures and the precipitation of secondary min-
erals from these solutions in the primary ore. The mill-
ing-ore is probably primary ore that has been enriched to
a small extent by the solutions that formed the high-
grade ore.
S. J. Schofield, of the Canadian Geological Survey, is,
at the time of writing, working out the structural geology
of this district. The report of his results will probably
be available within a year and will be of great assistance
to operators in this district.
Gold-bearing black sand, such as that found on the
beaches of Alaska, can be satisfactorily treated by amal-
gamation in a revolving barrel. Caustic soda should be
used as an aid in this amalgamation. The use of cyanide
during amalgamation or before amalgamation will result
in a loss of 5 to 10% of the gold through its solvent
action. If the quantity of sand is too great to amalga-
mate the entire amount, it may be concentrated by em-
ploying a classifier, whereby the bulk is reduced to ap-
proximately 40% of its original weight with very little
loss of gold. The coarser portions of the sand, which is
free from gold, should be removed from the classifier-feed.
The water-supply should be constant, so that the upward
stream in the sorting-column of the classifier does not
vary from 35 ft. per minute. If much of the gold is very
fine the classifier-overflow or tailing should be passed
over a screen to separate the finer portion which may
then be amalgamated in the revolving barrel. — U. S.
Bureau of Mines. Reports of Investigations.
October 9, L920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
521
The Ore Deposits of Mexico -VI
Ore Deposits in Surficial Flows of Igneous Rock
Bv S. J. LEWIS
We now pass to the second class of deposits in igneous
rocks, namely, those found in the thick and extensive
flows that have covered immense areas of southern
Mexico. These ore deposits are correspondingly larger
and more important commercially than those we have
studied in the Zacualpan area. On account of the nature
of the rock-masses and their chemical effect on ore depo-
sition, it will be convenient to subdivide them into ore-
bodies found in silicious rocks such as rhyolite ; those
found in rocks of an intermediate type, as andesite ; and
finally, those at the basic end of the series, as in basalt or
andesite closely approximating basalt.
1. Igneous deposits in rhyolite : Mezquital del Oro.
These gold mines in southern Zacatecas, close to the
Jalisco border, are good examples of Tertiary gold de-
posits, presenting many of the typical features. The
veins occur in an extensive flow of rhyolite, at least 500
m. thick. Later shale, similar to the Pleistocene shale of
the not distant Ameca valley, overlie the flanks of the
rhyolite sheet east of the deposits. Oxidation of the iron
minerals in the rock has dyed the whole surface a bright
red, which in the fresh rock is reduced to pale shades of
pink. The Mezquital river has cut a tortuous and pic-
turesque course through the flow, with canyon-walls as
much as 300 m. high, and drains into the Lerma, or
Santiago, river at the little village of San Cristobal, about
30 km. south of the mines. The river cuts squarely across
the gold-bearing veins. The latter have been worked
since before Spanish times in a crude way. As a whole,
the deposits are low-grade and have not been profitable
for many years.
The veins have been pretty well explored over a length
of 1000 m. on the strike and to a depth in the principal
shaft of 300 m. They are narrow quartz veins, parallel
and close together, forming a gold-quartz lode that is
typical of its class; it is irregular as to strike, dip, and
distribution of mineral. The valuable metal is gold ; the
typical ore carries from 5 to 50 gm. gold per metric ton,
with from 8 to 50 gm. in silver, which, of course, is
negligible. Lead occurs rarely, principally in upper
levels as fine silver-bearing galena, with a little copper as
oxide and carbonate. All the bullion ever made at the
mines, although of exceptional purity, shows a trace of
copper. Manganese occurs sparingly as black oxide in
dendritic crystals within minute fractures. The gold
itself is invariably either in the form of minute scales
scattered through the rhyolite, or in extremely beautiful
leaves and fern-shaped crystals, deposited on quartz sur-
faces in the vein, in minute cracks or openings. Some of
the specimens taken out of the quartz veins have been
strikingly fine, with the fresh fern-like gold crystals
powdering the surface of the quartz. The vein-filling is
clean sugary quartz, frequently showing banding and
comb-structure and sometimes quite high-grade ; how-
ever, the principal mineralization occurs in the rhyolite
wall-rock, due to an exceptionally thorough impregnation
of the latter by hot solutions working outward from the
channels, through the breeciated wall-rock and quartz
stringers between the veins, and into the rhyolite. The
quartz veins are from 30 cm. to a metre in width, but the
enrichment of the wall-rock has frequently been so thor-
ough as to make orebodies 8 to 12 m. wide and reaching
from the lowest level to the surface.
Three well-defined stages are distinguishable in the
SCALE OF MILES
SO so
PART OP MEXICO
deposits; first, the general fracturing of the rhyolite
sheet, due wholly to tension on cooling, and the formation
thereby of the lode of quartz stringers, connected by in-
numerable small fractures running from one vein to an-
other ; second, the entrance of alkaline gold-bearing solu-
tions into all the openings during a brief but intense re-
currence of volcanic action, which solutions came from
the heated depths of the mass and precipitated their gold
when they reached the higher and consequently cooler
portions of the fracture-zone. Lastly, the veins were
heavily faulted by later movements across the axis of the
lode, which faults have exercised an important influence
on oxidation and enrichment.
In the first stage, there seem to have been two slightly-
separated periods of tension, in the first of which the cool-
ing fractures occurred in the shape of three closely asso-
522
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 9, 1920
ciated and nearly parallel cracks, that is, as a typical
lode-fracture. A fourth crack followed approximately
the same line of weakness, but soon diverged from the
others, making a system in which the fourth fracture,
dipping south, intersects the other three, dipping north.
(Pig. 20. ) This condition is visible over a length of about
500 m. The intense cracking and shattering of the rhy-
olite, with the mutually intersecting channels of all sizes,
made a stockwork. peculiarly favorable for the formation
of orebodies. The more important fractures form the
sticks of a fan, opening out as the veins go toward the
surface. The gold-bearing solutions rising to this zone
filled the myriad cracks and channels, so that the rhyolite
in the shattered zone adjoining the fractures was satu-
rated with the hot solutions like a sponge. "When ehange
in chemical condition caused precipitation, the gold crys-
stallized in place in all the shattered area. At certain
points where conditions were especially favorable, pockets
of rich ore were formed, so that the deposits are a succes-
sion of such pockets connected by the narrow quartz
veins. There is no impoverishment on passing out of the
lenses into the veins. The latter are frequently even
richer ; the difference is merely in the thickness of the ore.
That the gold-bearing solutions were hot and not silicious
is shown by the much-softened wall-rock, which has been
highly altered, especially as regards the feldspars. Under
the microscope it shows abundant flow-lines arranged in
zones, with much intergrowth of quartz and feldspar.
The larger orthoelase crystals are much decomposed. All
the minute fractures and seams in the section are filled
with scales of hematite. The two stages of alteration are
therefore both indicated : the alteration of the feldspars
by hot alkaline solutions, and the oxidation of the original
iron sulphides that were doubtless associated with the
gold in the primary solutions.
In the third, or enrichment, stage, strong fault-frac-
tures cut across the lode at high angles, with a displace-
ment of several metres where known, and with high en-
r -nent on both sides of the faulting. There are three
pal sets of displacements, in all of which the upper
f- ;e of the movement seems to have received more enrich-
ment than the lower. The great east fault at one end of
the mines and the San Carlos fault at the other end have
practically cut off development at their respective places ;
the one between, near the middle^of the mine, was success-
fully passed, and systematic exploration would probably
pick up the veins beyond the other two. That oxidation
along the fault-planes has enriched the deposits seems
certain, especially in pockets near the surface. The great-
est poekets in the mine, however, seem to have been found
at about 100 m. below surface, whence they went down
on ore to the bottom, about 300 m. Below this level, the
fractures, reduced to two fissures, go down with spotty
mineralization, in which there is a tendency for the
silver to increase in ratio to the gold.
The marked affinity of gold for silica could hardly be
better illustrated than in this deposit. Rhyolite is the
most acidic or silicious of the rocks; and although the
magmatic solutions that saturated the ground doubtless
carried other metallic minerals, only the gold, to all in-
tents and purposes, came down from solution.
Even more interesting is the dissemination of the gold
all through the shattered rock ; we have here a fine illus-
tration of reactions in a solid medium. The thorough
shattering made the rhyolite an immense container hold-
ing vast quantities of the primary silicious mineral solu-
tions; the later alkaline gold-bearing solutions diffused
into the rock as they would into blotting-paper, reacting
with the existing silicious solutions and depositing the
gold in lenses or ore-shoots at irregular intervals in the
structure, but grouped along the lode and separated by
barren spaces. In a very definite way fcnd on a great
scale it is an example of the making of gold orebodies by
the reactions discussed in the introduction to this part of
our study.
2. Igneous ore deposits in intermediate andesites. The
Hostotipaquillo district in north-western Jalisco (Fig.
21). Up to the present, the greatest silver producers of
Mexico, and therefore of the world, have been in the
Paehuca deposits of this type. They differ from those
discussed principally in the extreme thickness of the
igneous formation, and consequently in the depth to
which fracturing and mineralization go down. The lodes
of Paehuca are well known and have been profusely de-
scribed. The veins of the 'Hosto' district, as, for brevity,
it is usually called, have become of great importance as
silver producers in the last ten years, and illustrate the
same conditions very well without being so highly de-
veloped or so well known as those of Paehuca.
The silver lodes of the Hostotipaquillo district are in
Tertiary lavas of intermediate chemical composition, be-
ing a series of andesite and rhyolite flows, bedded con-
formably on top of one another to a thickness of over a
thousand metres. The important deposits are in the
andesites. Considerable microscopic work has been done
to show that the andesite assumes a dacitic phase now and
then, but my own observations in the district have con-
vinced me that such differences or variations in the rock
have had little or no influence on the deposition of ore.
The cooling of these great masses, and the settling on
their beds, have induced great fracture-systems, which,
after mineralization have been extensively faulted. Such
cross-faulting, both in plan and in strike, is an important
feature of these deposits (Fig. 21). The effect of the
faulting has varied with the conditions: there are many
cases where the faulting has caused leaching of the silver
mineral, especially in connection with brecciation ; while
there are others where the effect has been to make heavy
enrichment.
Many of the mines were worked by the Spaniards, and,
of course, were not sold in modern times to the present
American owners until the orebodies were thought to be
exhausted. Exploration in depth and beyond faulted
areas has been fruitful ; probably the most conspicuous
example is Cinco Minas, the principal mine of the district.
Throughout this district the fractures are fairly regu-
lar in strike but show variation in dip, with a change of
mineralization sometimes accompanying the variation.
October 9, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
523
The fractures an Bimpler than the MezquitaJ example,
generally consisting of a principal channel and one or
two smaller veins in «ur or the other wall, usually well
mineralised. The fractures, however, are of immense size.
the orebodies varying from a metre in width. on the "all
stringers, to 8 or 10 m. wide on the principal channels.
The veins consist entirely of silk-ions replacements of the
brecciated andesite, cemented by massive quartz. The
gangue-minerals are quartz, calcite, and rhodochrosite,
the last being of considerable importance as an associate
dt' the silver minerals, which are almost wholly finely
divided argentite, with considerable native silver and
Tin- distinguishing feature of the district is the occur-
rence of large areas of enrichment, usually as lenses, in
veins of otherwise liaiTeii quart/.. There are. besides,
many large and well-marked veins in which no oreliodies
have ever licen found. The highly complex faulting to
which the veins were subjected after mineralization has
brecciated great areas, and it is possible that silver leach-
ed from these areas has found its way to effect enrichment
elsewhere. In Cinco Minas, a drift on the principal tun-
nel-level showed over 300 m. of shattered and leached
quartz, with practically no silver, intervening between the
greatest of the old orebodies and its San Juan neighbor.
rac/as Lerc?
Mezyu/fa/ de/ Ora
D/aqram C/vss-5ecf/o/?5
/7f 5ao Cor/05 J/raf/:
West end of //d/h
/Year 3r/one5 Jhoft
fast end of /?d//:
Fig. 20
occasional, rather rare antimonial combinations. The
gold contents in general are not important, being about
a gramme to the 'kilo' of silver. Lead, iron, copper, and
zinc are present as sulphides, but not to a significant de-
gree. That these base minerals were not precipitated at
the same period as the noble metals is shown by the oe- "
currence on the 200-ft. level of the Cinco Minas, in begin-
ning the modern exploration in 1909. of lead ores that
looked like rich silver-bearing lead ores found near the
surface, but proved to be almost barren of silver. This
condition was general for a zone intermediate between the
bottom of the old orebodies and the beginning in depth
of the new ones.
The manganese, frequently abundant as black oxide in
a form that does not interfere with eyaniding, is yet in
some of the mines a cause of metallurgical trouble, so
that a few of the large orebodies of the district have up
to date been unprofitable.
The orebodies at this and the other mines are chimneys
of comparatively short length that go down as lenses suc-
ceeding each other to a great depth. Up to the present,
profitable mineralization has been proved to 1600 ft.
below the outcrop, I am informed.
The three stages of fracturing, mineralizing, and oxi-
dizing, in these deposits, are strictly comparable to the
same stages in the Mezquital deposits, with local differ-
ences of special interest, suggesting a comparison with the
El Oro deposits. It seems likely that in the 'Hosto' de-
posits mineralization came in two separate periods : the
first of primary nature, in which metallic base sulphides
were deposited, with some silver, the gangue being pre-
dotninantly calcite, though with some quartz, pyrolusite,
and rhodochrosite; the second period came from wholly
silicious solutions and probably added materially to the
precious metal content of the ores. At a number of scat-
tered mines in the district I have found excellent pseudo-
524
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 9, 1920
niorphs of quartz after ealoite, generally in connection
with highly enriched ore. Perhaps a more interesting
point of difference is the fact, already alluded to, that
faulting in the district has destroyed ore deposits rather
than enriched them. At Cinco Minas, step-faulting of a
most interesting and complex character has in many
places caused displacements in the enriched vein, of from
three to six metres, shattered the quartz, and leached it.
Similar occurrences of a similar kind are visible in the
old San Domingo and Rayas veins on the Santiago river ;
in fact, it is a feature of the district. The effect in all
cases has been to make long stretches of shattered and un-
profitable vein-matter, separating important chimneys of
practically pure silica enriched with silver sulphides.
Surface agencies working on these chimneys under the
fiercely oxidizing conditions of the climate, where the
surface is alternately baked and chilled, or saturated and
then dried to dust, in the manner characteristic of arid
regions, have made oxidation an important factor in the
formation of rich orebodies at the surface ; in many cases
these bonanzas have been followed down to intermediate
depths with great profit. The limit of the very rich ore
seems to be about 200 m. below the outcrop. Below that
point the ore shows little secondary influence and is there-
fore lower in grade, although still profitable.
A curious feature of the extensive faulting and crush-
ing of the veins here, has been the formation, in at least
two cases that I have seen, of silver placer deposits from
the debris. The destroyed vein, instead of being leached
in place, as in other cases, has been rolled down into suit-
able hollows of the old surface, and pressed into vein-
like masses by the weight of the accumulated washings
from above. Such deposits, of course, have their value
strictly limited by the ore measurable.
The formation of silver-bearing lenses in the quartz
veins, in vertical or inclined zones having local constric-
tions and widenings, is strictly comparable with the for-
mation of the gold chimneys in the Mezquital rhyolite.
The fact that in the one case we have andesites of inter-
mediate composition giving rise to silver precipitations,
and in the other case we have acidic rocks giving rise to
gold aggregates, certainly supports the view that the
whole process is a chemical one, in which special condi-
tions of precipitation result from the chemical effects of
the wall-rock and the circulating solutions. The notable
feature is the selective action of pure quartz or silica for
gold, which will be seen to vary through the silver ore-
bodies of the intermediate rocks down to the deposition
of the baser metals in the rocks of the basaltic or basic
extreme.
3. Igneous deposits in basic andesites or basaltic rocks.
The Amparo mine.* two hours ride from Etzatlan, in the
State of Jalisco, is an excellent example of ore deposits
in the least silicious eruptives. The rock is an augite-
andesite, occurring in a mass of great thickness and
Recent age. Strictly speaking, there is little difference
in kind between this formation and those just discussed.
•By permission of the Amparo Mining Company, and with
acknowledgments to James H. Howard, general manager.
Etzatlan, Jalisco.
as the Amparo rock-mass, while not a thin surface flow
seems to be made up of a series of outpourings or thick
extrusions, which made their way through the older for-
mations and constitute the present surface. Flow-lines
and abundant glass in the ground-mass are easily seen in
thin sections of the rock, especially in the comparatively
undecomposed rock of the Mesa Colorada, just above the
mine and well away from the fracturing. " This shows im-
portant differences from the wall-rock in the mine, and
it thus seems possible that the mass was built up by suc-
cessive flows of the same or similar material. In the mine-
workings there is no evidence of stratification or separa-
tion of flows from the ..surface down to 1300 ft. in
depth.
Prom Etzatlan, where the rock is of more intermediate
character and where numerous occurrences of black obsid-
ian are found, over to the Ameca district on the other side
of the Amparo mine, is about 20 kilometres (Fig. 22).
Here the same rock occurs as on the Mesa Colorada and
it extends considerably to the west, its highest point be-
ing the mountain peak about 10 km. from the mine. The
thickness of the mass is certainly not less than 1000 m.
Its flanks are covered with recent rhyolite tuffs, deposited
after the topography had been carved nearly into its
present relations. There are no sediments nearer than
the Pleistocene shales of the Ameca and Ahualulco val-
leys, 20 km. west.
The andesite is the ore-bearing rock of the district. It
is generally greenish-gray where moderately oxidized ; the
rock of the near-by mesa is much darker, sometimes near-
ly black, and quite fresh in fracture. Where oxidation
has been more thorough, the mine-rock is stained a pur-
plish-red with iron oxides; epidote has developed spar-
ingly.
Microscopic stud}' of a series of Amparo rock specimens
collected at more or less regular intervals of depth and
at varying distances from the veins, has brought out some
interesting facts bearing on the origin of mineralization.
The dominant feldspar in most of the specimens is plagio-
clase, generally in well-shaped crystals, which show
roughening and decay only where the ground has been
much disturbed. With increase of depth, the prevailing
feldspar gradually becomes orthoclase, as is shown in a
series of sections beginning at the surface and going
down to the 1300-ft. level. Some of the intermediate
slides show the orthoclase crystals in process of zonary
alteration to plagioelase.
The ferro-magnesian constituent of the rock is nearly
always augite in a wide range of alteration from augite in
bright clean crystals, sometimes beautifully twinned,
through skeleton crystal boundaries with alteration to
chlorite almost complete, down to masses and stains of
chlorite with no trace of crystal forms. This is seen in
slides made from specimens taken from parts of the
ground where heavy movement and crushing have taken
place during the period of vein-formation. In such
ground, the iron is thoroughly oxidized to a red hematite,
staining all the fine cracks in the rock ; where there has
been less movement, there is notably less hematite.
The typical augite andesite assumes a trachytie phase
October 9, L920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
525
locally at depth, at a point well removed from fracturing,
tint it returns in a abort distance to the type rock, the
local change having apparently had no important effect
on the mineralization. At about the 700-ft. level the
original unaltered roek seems to have been an augite-
andesite with abundant large crystals of orthoclase and
rod-like crystals of plagioclase in the ground-mass. Oxi-
dation processes, whether working from the surface down-
D/ctGTctms of Step fat// f rip
C//?co /l/nas, Ja//5co.
Fau/t/ng on rfa/n Oreboc/y
f/evaf/on Section.
5on J(/a/p Pr/ft
fau/f/hy "7 P/an.
Fig. 21
orthoclase begins to appear in some quantity, increasing
unmistakably with depth both in crushed and uncrushed
rocks. The trachytic phase shows hornblende instead of
augite. In all there is much secondary magnetite in small
ward into the mass or working outward from a fracture
into the walls, have caused extensive alteration of the
large orthoclases to plagioclase at the same time that the
augite has altered to chlorite. The tension to which the
Ve/n-sysfem on 40o'/ere/.
Fig. 22
rounded grains ; secondary ealcite and chalcedony are also
plentiful in the minute seams.
The most significant alterations are noted in specimens
taken from the near neighborhood of fractures. The
rock has been subjected near the veins has crushed the
large feldspars so that the rock from such points looks
like tuff, with broken roughly-rounded grains of plagio-
clase and glass; a few metres away, in undisturbed
526
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 9, 1920
ground, it shows the crystals quite whole, though some-
times strained, and is easily recognizable as the typical
andesite. Such crushing is especially common in speci-
mens taken from levels which have been highly pro-
ductive ; that is, where movement of the ground has been
most violent, crushing of the rock most severe. Where
the vein suffers a local pinch and impoverishment, as on
the 600-ft. level, the brecciation is not noticeable in thin
section to any marked extent, and in general the rock
looks fairly fresh. The evidence indicates that mineral-
ization of the fractures and subsequent enrichment have
been directly dependent on the ease with which circula-
tion could take place; where fracturing has been heavy
and thorough, we have enrichment ; where the fracturing
has been light and the channel is narrower and tighter,
we have lack of enrichment.
There are few more interestingly complicated frac-
ture-systems in the mines of Mexico than that of the
Amparo mine ; and it is this very complexity that is re-
sponsible for the enrichment, making effective the favor-
able chemical condition due to the interchange between
the mineral solutions. One of the striking features is the
presence of abundant manganese oxide in the form that
does not interfere with cyanidation, from the surface
down to the very lowest levels. It is quite well dissemi-
nated through the veins, and appears to have had consid-
erable influence in carrying the gold down to the deep
workings.
Three important stages of fracturing are distinguished
in the mine :
A. The earliest movement is the San Juan lode, a
strong fracture which in some places shows three well-
defined parallel members. It cracked the ground in a
general north and south direction, the result being a
largely calcific mineralization, introducing lead, zinc,
iron, copper, etc., in small amounts, and abundant man-
ganese. The dip of this lode is about 70° west (Fig. 22).
B. The next movement in point of time was the Dulces
Nombres vein with its outlier, the Veta Verde, which
latter has never been of commercial importance. The
former cut through the San Juan cleanly in a northwest-
southeast direction, displacing the separated sections by
about 90 m. This stretch of nearly 300 ft. along the
Dulces Nombres vein, joining the two pieces of the San
Juan, became much enriched as a result of the dragging
of the ground and the re-opening of the channels. The
brecciated wall-rock and the gangue-minerals already ex-
isting in the fractures of the San Juan, became favorable
points for deposition, and the Dulces Nombres lens be-
came a short but deep chimney of well-mineralized
ground. A marked difference is noted in the character
of the second mineralization : whereas the first was mark-
edly calcific, the second is markedly silieious. This can
be observed in the Veta Verde, which on account of its
position on the extreme edge of the disturbed ground,
did not participate in the re-opening of the channels to
an equal extent with the other veins. Its mineralization
is notably strong in calcite, generally in fine crystals
formed in open cavities and based on the vein walls;
silica is not nearly so abundant as in the other veins, and
the vein has hot been profitable except in a few scattered
spots. In the San Juan veins, pseudomorphs of quartz
after calcite have been found down to the deep levels;
the calcite persists also, so that on the deepest level the
calcite and quartz are about equally represented. The
freshly circulating silieious solutions doubtless exercised
an enriching influence on the primary calcite deposition
as regards gaining in silver and gold ; in which respect
the mine is another example of the enrichment by later
silieious solutions, as at El Oro.
The dip of the Dulces Nombres fracture is about 70°
east, that is, directly opposite to that of the San Juan.
C. The great fault-movement that cut the San Juan
vein in the south was the latest and from an economic
standpoint was the most important of the whole series of
movements. The result apparently of settling of the
whole upper portion of the mountain, it cuts across the
southern half of the San Juan lode at a high angle, and
dips about 60° north, displacing the veins about 10 m.
to the east. The repeated up-and-down movement in-
cident to such an important fracture ground up the rock-
breccia into the finest particles of impalpable clay, and
the gouge thus formed in the fault zone, from 30 em. to a
metre thick, acted as a check to circulation across the
San Juan channels. The precipitation thus induced
caused heavy ore deposition on both sides of the fault.
The exploitation of the southern part of the mine has
therefore taken the form of mining two separate, exten-
sive, well-mineralized bodies; the first-known and lesser,
on the upper side of the fault, terminating against the
face of the displacement; the later-discovered and much
larger body on the lower side of the fault, beginning prac-
tically at the surface of the displacement and going down
practically without reduction of width or values about
1000 ft. Both bodies owe their commercial importance in
large part, if not wholly, to the accidental interruption
of the circulation and the resulting precipitation against
the dam.
The ore is a silver-gold mixture, with the value of the
minerals about evenly divided, the mill ore running about
8 gm. of gold with 300 gm. of silver.20 The latter occurs
principally as argentite with oxidation products. The
gold is seldom or never visible either to the eye or the
hand-glass. A good deal of brecciated and altered wall-
rock occurs in various stages of replacement. Manganese
has been already mentioned as very abundant from top
to bottom of the mine, both as the black oxide and as the
pink carbonate, rhodochrosite. The latter is probably
more in evidence at the deep levels than the oxide. In
depth the gold contents show no such sudden decrease as
would occur in a Tertiary deposit lacking the manganese.
They persist with great uniformity down to the deep
levels, suggesting that the reactions necessary to carry
gold down in iron solutions were undoubtedly greatly
assisted by the presence of the manganese.21
20With silver at 1912 prices. Of course, the ratio is
changed now.
21W. F. Emmons, 'The Influence of Manganese in the De-
position of Gold Ores', Trans. A. I. M. E., Vol. LVIII, p. 232.
October 9, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
527
I ii studying this important ore deposit, one is struck ;it
once by the great pari that 1ms been played in it by in-
tensity of fracturing; when, however, the nature of the
resulting mineralizations is compared with that of the
other deposits in eruptive Formations that we have been
discussing, like the Mezquital rhyolite and the Hostoti-
paquillo andesite, the must striking feature of the com-
parison becomes the difference iu mineralization as re-
late,1 to the difference in acidity of the wall-rocks. Mez-
quital, a mine showing thorough fracturing in a highly
silieious mass, is a gold mine pure and simple, with hard-
ly a trace of any other metal. Cinco Minas, in aadesite
of practically neutral composition but with a vein-system
showing almost as complex fracturing as the other ex-
amples, is distinctly a silver mine, with practically noth-
ing of other metals. Both classes of deposits show quartz
vein-till ings with but little replacement of the wall-rock
and with very small quantities of sulphides of the base
metals. At Amparo, on the other hand, we have mines
in andesite of the least silieious kind, carrying the most
feldspar and iron minerals. Here, the result of mineral-
ization is predominantly a deposit of sulphides of the base
metals, lead, iron, and manganese in abundance, zinc and
copper more sparingly, but the whole being emphatically
a base-metal mine, with the silver and gold as mere traces,
quantitatively speaking, although, of course, they are
what give value to the mine. Putting it in another way,
the deposits in rhyolite and neutral andesite present no
metallurgical problem, except, of course, in the case of
manganese silver ore. They are combinations of silver
or gold with a quartz and calcite gangue, and the separa-
tion is not difficult ; whereas in the Amparo the combina-
tion has been not only with the gangue-minerals, but with
sulphides of all the base metals, requiring a high order of
metallurgical skill for the separation.
The alkalinity of the wall-rocks clearly is a factor of
great importance in determining what minerals shall be
precipitated out of the circulating solutions. This is
supported by our review of deposits in sedimentary rocks,
which shows that mines in alkaline masses, like the lime-
stones, are predominantly base-metal mines; whereas
mines in the less alkaline rocks, like the eraptives, are
pre-eminently deposits of the noble metals. If we review
all our examples, we find that where the rock formation
is highly silieious, but the mineral solutions were un-
mistakably alkaline, we get gold deposits with hardly a
trace of other metals. Where the rock formation is inter-
mediate or neutral and the mineralizing solutions at the
most important stages were silieious, we get silver de-
posits, with the hase metals still insignificant, though of
more importance than in the former class; and finally,
where the rock formation is least silieious or fairly alka-
line, the general final result is the deposition of base
metals, with such gold and silver as may have been
brought in during periods of varying alkalinity in the
circulating solutions. This is true from the operating
point of view also, despite the fact that the few hundred
I grammes of silver accompanying lead deposits in lime-
stones may mean a considerable profit, or the fact that
many of the great silver minis carry very appreciable
quantities Of lead and zinc.
Further proof of this relation is afforded by a brief
glance at a typical copper camp in eruptives, like the
Ameca district not far from Amparo. The condition
there is complicated, however, by the presence of later
eruptives intruding the formation.
The predominating rock in the Ameca copper district
is a dark heavy basic andesite, even more alkaline than
t lie Amparo rock, and sometimes closely approaching the
basalts. Under the microscope it shows a dense ground-
mass of plagioclase feldspars, in brilliant clean-cut rod-
like crystals. The ferro-magnesian constituent is horn-
blende or hypersthene, and there is a great deal of pri-
FlG. 23. PHOTOGRAPH OF ESPERANZA VEIN, AT EL ORO*
mary pyrite in the rock, frequently visible to the naked
eye. There are two classes of copper deposits in the dis-
trict, owing their origin to the two kinds of rock intrud-
ing the andesites; first, the contact bodies, irregular in
shape and tenor, occurring on the contact of a monzonite-
granite intrusive with the andesite; and second, true
vein deposits, occurring near porphyritic dikes of small
thickness and nearly vertical in dip. The first class is
exemplified in the Almoloya deposit, a little higher up the
range than the similar Las Moras deposit. In both, the
*By courtesy of Charles Hoyle, manager for the Esperanza
Mining Co., EI Oro, and of T. A. Rickard. See also U. S.
Geol. Sur. Professional Paper No. 68, plate 3, for a fine
example of ribbon structure.
528
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 9, 1920
monzonite underlies the andesite and outcrops as a stock
near the former mine. The granite shows the character-
istic deep striations of the plagioclase crystals, visible
without a glass. The west slope of the stock is covered
by the andesite, and the contact has mineralized to an
interesting extent with copper sulphides, practically to
the exclusion of the other metals. It will be remembered
that similar monzonite intrusions into limestone in the
Coaleoman country have already been cited as producing
copper and iron.
The second class is best exemplified in the Magistral,
the most important mine of the district. Here the best
orebody occurred at the coming together of the two prin-
cipal fractures, near the porphyry dikes. In all the
known veins, the orebodies are of short length and go
down in chimneys to the depth so far explored, about
200 m. below the outcrop. In the contact deposits, the
usual secondary-silicate minerals are found abundantly,
with a great deal of replacement of the brecciated rock.
Three-cornered pieces of rock, completely altered to chal-
copyrite, are found in calcite gangue. The copper veins
ere similar, especially as regards replacement, which is
really the distinguishing feature of the district. In all
cases, copper is the sole recoverable mineral, the silver
being almost negligible and the gold wholly so. There is
the usual surface oxidation of the copper sulphides to
carbonates and oxides. The gangue is hard and silicious,
involving much sliming of the mineral.
The Santa Maria antimony deposits described in Part
II of these articles, in which a base metal has been pre-
cipitated on a contact of two quite basic rocks, without a
trace of the noble metals, will be recalled as another ex-
ample of the influence of the wall-rock in determining the
nature of ore deposition.
Conclusion. The practical object of the study of ore-
bodies, is to enable us to find ore ; and while chance cer-
tainly plays its part in the finding of precipitations that
were determined more or less by chance, a knowledge of
the habits of orebodies in a given district or in many dis-
tricts is the best possible equipment for the miner.
In all that part of Mexico which from Spanish times
has been known to possess silver-bearing veins, prospect-
ing has been so thorough that in the vast majority of
cases, the good mines of a district are well known, and the
proportion of good strikes in prospecting for new mines
is very small. This is not true of the lead districts of
northern Mexico, simply because the Spaniards had not
much use for the lead ; however, there are comparatively
few even of these lead mines that were not worked in
ancient times.
The idea has been advanced in the foregoing pages that
ore deposition is simply a record of a chemical inter-
change or series of interchanges, which has taken place in
huge containers formed by fracturing of the earth's
rocky crust. In searching for new orebodies, we search
for a place where chemical conditions were favorable for
precipitation ; the surest way to find such a place, at least
in Mexico, is to search in a locality where such precipita-
tion has already been known to take place. That is, there
is considerably more chance of finding ore in new bodies
in an old mine, than there is of developing profitable ore
in a new prospect.
It should go without saying, that this statement is limit-
ed by the geological structure in which a given ore de-
posit occurs; there are many Mexican antiguas where
only brief study is required to show that enrichment is
not likely to continue to any reasonable depth, and ex-
ploration on old orebodies would therefore not be justi-
fied ; in such a case, the winning of a profit would be de-
pendent on the finding of new shallow orebodies near the
surface. In the majority of eases, however, where the
veins occur in thick rock-masses under the conditions of
climate that we have in Mexico, exploration in depth, or
beyond fault-planes, in old mines, may be expected to
yield a high rate of success. In all cases, success depends
on a cultivated faculty of observation, in which no detail
is too insignificant, and which patiently and surely gath-
ers a multitude of facts for correlation and study. With
such a faculty, and with the intellectual honesty that
causes the observer to accept a fact the moment it is ob-
served, no matter how disturbing it may be to theories
already formed, the finding of new orebodies in Mexican
mines is accompanied by much less uncertainty than is
prospecting for new deposits.
From the minute local peculiarities with which the
miner has to deal and which mean for him either success
or failure, it is a far cry to the cosmic viewpoint of the
geologist who reviews the whole process of ore deposition
from its beginning to the present clay ; yet it may be of
interest to point out two facts that are often lost sight
of : the limits of time and place in ore deposition. First,
we note that nearly all the workable ore deposits of the
country were begun and brought to their present state in
a period that geologically is of the shortest ; for the
few hundred thousand years that make up Tertiary
time is as nothing compared to the millions of years of
which the globe shows a record. The whole process of
deposition of metallic minerals and their re-working into
pay-ore has been accomplished in a few geologic mo-
ments.*
Secondly, all the profitable ore deposits of Mexico are
found in a thin skin of surface material approximately
2000 ft. in depth ; less than half a mile or roughly one-
twenty-thousandth part of the earth "s diameter. Geolog-
ically speaking, therefore, ore deposition in Mexico is
most emphatically a surfieial operation ; and from a broad
point of view, the whole series of operations, primary
deposition, recurrent movement of the walls, re-deposi-
tion and enrichment, is made up of chemical processes,
chiefly oxidizing, which take place wholly in the extreme
outer skin of the earth, practically in permanent contact
with oxidation influences.
If we conceive of a ball 20,000 ft, in diameter : that is,
nearly as high as the highest mountain on earth; then
the thickness of one foot on the surface of this ball repre-
sents closely the relation of the thickness of the ore-
horizon to the whole mass of the globe.
•This point has been emphasized by T. A. Rickard, 'Per-
sistence of Ore in Depth'. Trans. Inst. M. & M., London.
Vol. XXIV, p. 3 6.
October 9, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
529
"IMING
FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS IN THE FIELD
iiiiHinniiiutiMiiniinniiiMUuniiiiiMMntinniuiiiiiiinnniniiiMiiiiiiiitiilillillllitiiiiiiiitiiMiiiiiiiiiiiliiliilltlililiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiMiiiitiiMiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiililiiiliiiiiiliiliiiitiiiniHMi
ARIZONA
FREIGHT ON" BULLION SHIPMENTS REDUCED.
Bullion rates on shipments from Arizona smelters have
dropped $2 per ton, it was announced last week by the
traffic departments of the Southern Pacific and Arizona
Eastern railroads. The rates apply only to shipments on
Morgan line ships to New York and Eastern ports, via
Galveston. The all-railroad rate is $22.10. By Morgan
Line Southern Pacific steamship the rate is $20 per ton.
Tucson. — The main orebody of the old Yuma mine, 14
miles north-west of Tucson, that had been lost on the
200-ft. level, has been re-discovered on the 300-ft. level in
a cross-cut into the foot-wall from the shaft. This cross-
cut is being continued ; the ore is exposed to a width of 5
ft., an average sample assaying in lead, copper, gold, and
silver, $82.50 per ton. The main lode is from 12 to 20 ft.
in width, and developed by open-cuts and shaft for a
distance of 4500 ft. The Yuma is a famous old mine,
located in 1872. Equipment consists of a 200-ton con-
centrating-mill, mining-machinery, electric-light system,
store, and dwelling-houses.
Miami. — Seven thousand five hundred pounds of 20%
T.N.T. was exploded on September 29 on the new Super-
ior highway, to dislodge about 8000 yd. of rock that
tumbled from the side of the mountain down into the
canyon. The old Cowboy property, known as the Mc-
Graw gold mine, has been sold to a syndicate of Michigan
men for $60,000 and one-half of the ore now on the dump.
Pearce. — The 150-ton mill on the Middlemarch prop-
erty, near Pearce, has been temporarily shut down on ac-
count of shortage of water. Work is now under way to
develop more water. After exhaustive tests, a method
has been perfected for separating zinc from copper con-
centrates by flotation.
Globe. — A suit for damages, amounting to $35,000, has
been filed in the superior court at Globe by Mrs. Clyde M.
Ney, widow of Clyde M. Ney, former employee of the Old
Dominion Copper Co. At the time of his death, Mr. Ney
was an engineer in the service of this company, and
while working on the 1800-ft. level was killed as the re-
sult of a blast in a working place which he had entered.
At a coroner's inquest the following day, no responsi-
bility for the death was fixed.
Bisbee- Warren District. — Thirty thousand dollars in
gold coin was paid out on September 21 by the Bank of
Bisbee to miners of the Copper Queen Co., this being the
first pay-day in three years that the miners received their
pay in the yellow metal instead of by a piece of paper.
A serious shortage of fuel threatens the Warren district
and has resulted in the shutting down of the Boras and
Nighthawk leasing companies, the Higgins Mining Co.,
and the Denn mill. All these companies are dependent
for power on the Bisbee Improvement Co. which has been
forced to cut their power to conserve fuel for the city
lights and gas plant. Relief of the shortage depends on
transportation. The bigger mining companies are not
worried by the shortage. Fuel-oil used in the Warren
district, at present, is being shipped by boat from Mexico
to Galveston, and it is feared the Gulf storms may fur-
ther delay shipments. All records for speed were broken
in sinking the new ventilation shaft in the Briggs division
of the Calumet & Arizona property. The total depth of
the shaft, to be known as the Oakland, is 827 ft. The
best advance was made during August when the shaft
was sunk 281.5 ft. The object of this new shaft is to re-
move all smoke and gases from the large sulphide area
in the Briggs division. During the latter part of March
of this year, a fire broke out in the stoping area, between
the 1300 and 1400-ft. levels. This was temporarily ex-
tinguished, but a month later broke out again, and the
management decided to sink the new ventilating shaft, to
avoid a repetition of these outbreaks. Operations of the
Western Ore Purchasing Co. of Utah and Nevada, pur-
chasers and samplers of ores direct from the prospectors,
will, it is said, be extended to Arizona within sixty days
by the erection of two plants of 4000 tons per month
capacity, one of which will be at Tucson and the other at
Douglas.
Patagonia. — The Blue Nose has just completed the de-
livery of a carload of carbonate ore. The Flux mine is
working at the 260-ft. level in a vein of milling-ore 25 ft.
wide.
Jerome District. — Recently an ore-chute between the
1350 and 1200-ft. levels at the United Verde mine caught
fire from the blast of an explosion. The fire was not of
great extent, but for a short time the smoke was op-
pressive and threatened to overcome the men who rushed
down from the change-room and extinguished the flames
before any considerable damage was done. The Western
Chemical Co. has commenced operations at the sodium
sulphide deposit. It is reported that dynamite has been
found unsatisfactory as an agency for loosening the sul-
phate and therefore all blasting will be done with black
powder. Haulage will probably be done by contract and
approximately ten 5-ton machines will be needed.
530
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 9, 1920
COLORADO
RICH ORE IN THE 1IAYBELLE.
Cripple Creek. — Drilling has been resumed at the
formation test in the north end of the district, the bit
having been recovered by reaming. The test is now below
the 2000-ft. point and important developments are ex-
pected in the next few days. The core showed nothing
but Pike's Peak granite to a depth of 1084 ft, at which
point the drill passed into heavily mineralized rock show-
ing pyrite and fluorite. This continued for 16 ft. At
1100 ft. granite was again found but pyrite was present.
At 1196 ft. the drill dropped 5 ft. into an open crevice.
Water used for drilling disappeared. The hole was
cemented back for 20 ft. and when drilling was resumed
the bit fitchered and this caused the long delay. The
Gold Bond property, on the south-eastern slope of Gold
hill, has been leased. An air-line has been connected to
the compressor at the Dig Gold company's shaft on the
Alpha & Omega nearby and development is progressing.
Tetrahedrite containing a large amount of silver is re-
ported by lessees at the Blue Flag mine. Bull hill, owned
by the Buckeye Mining Co.
Silverton. — Rich ore has been found at the Maybelle
mine in Poughkeepsie gulch, idle 20 years. The property,
owned by Mrs. Charles Carlstrom of Silverton, is under
lease to Fred Jacobs of Red Mountain, who last week
shipped a ear of gold-silver ore estimated at better than
$500 per ton. Mines are working short handed on ac-
count of claim owners, having unpatented properties,
leaving to perform assessment work.
Leadville. — A compressor and other equipment is be-
ing installed at the Bard, Wall Street, and Gnome prop-
erties for Fred Johnson and associate lessees. Both Wall
Street and Gnome already produce oxide ores, lead sul-
phates, and gold ore.
Camp Bird. — From quarterly reports of the Camp
Bird, Ltd., to June 30 it appears that the eastern work-
ings have not so far revealed other than short stretches
of commercial ore. Work in this direction has, there-
fore, been suspended and all activities transferred to the
west end, working from the tunnel-level. The vein car-
ries all the characteristics except that to date it has been
very lean.
MICHKiAX
POWDERED-COAL FIRING IS BEING ADOPTED AT CALUMET.
Calumet. — The Stanton mines, Wolverine and Mo-
hawk, are sold well ahead and a market could be found
readily for a greater output if the men were available.
In fact, were it possible to obtain miners and trammers
in sufficient numbers, the mines would be operated to
capacity. In this connection, the arrival of Italian immi-
grants at Mohawk is encouraging. More are expected.
The coal situation no longer appears to be troubling
these properties. Notwithstanding the oft predicted end
of Wolverine, the mine goes along producing copper and
while the yield and output become smaller each year the
actual end of the property is far distant, even if opera-
tions are conducted on no other than the Kearsarge amyg-
daloid. A number of the workings in the upper levels
will yield considerable quantities of metal before the shaft
pillars are removed for there are long stretches of ground
that have only been touched, so far as stoping is con-
cerned. On the 14th level there is a block of ground 700
ft. long, between No. 3 and No. 1 shafts, that has been
opened little more than by a drift. On other upper levels
there are similar stretches in reserve. Operations at
present are confined to lower levels, and a long time will
elapse before it will be necessary to begin removing the
ground in the upper openings. By that time it is ex-
pected that conditions will have improved sufficiently to
warrant the exploration of ground east and west of the
amygdaloid formation.
Mining men here attach considerable importance to the
mechanical tramming-devices and scrapers in Calumet &
Heela conglomerate-shafts and there is a hope that the
greater part of the difficulties that have arisen in past
years from the shortage of trammers will be eliminated.
Only three of the shovels are in use but there is a likeli-
hood that they will be installed throughout the mine. It
is stated unofficially that the device has measured up to
the most sanguine expectations and that a complete equip-
ment of them would enable the company to make a ma-
terial increase in production with the present force of
miners. Three men operating a shovel can do as much
work as eight men by hand shoveling.
Steel is expected to arrive for Calumet & Hecla's new
flotation-unit within two weeks, but uncertainties in de-
livery may prevent the completion of the work before
spring. At the Tamarack reclamation plant, preliminary
work is under way. The old structures have been dis-
mantled and the machinery removed. The concrete
foundations for the new buildings and machinery will be
put in this fall so it will be possible to erect the tanks,
tables, and grinding-machines by spring if the manu-
facturers can make delivery. This plant will be more
than half as large as that of the Calumet & Hecla.
The Michigan smelter has started driving piles for the
foundation of a new building. The new structure is to
house a coal-grinding plant and is being built to supply
the coal-dust burners at the smelter furnaces. The coal-
dust firing system is new to the Michigan copper country
although it has been used in Western smelters with much
success. The machinery for the plant has been ordered
but it is not likely that the new system, which will work a
considerable saving, can be completed and in working
order before spring. The 13th level drift at. Gratiot, 826
ft. from the shaft, is rapidly approaching the Mohawk
No. 1 shaft boundary. The ground is described as satis-
factory and stretches of it have revealed even higher
value than was opened in the Seneca. The showing
bears out predictions of mining men that have been in
touch with Mohawk, that the best ground would be open-
ed near the northern boundary of Mohawk. The fifth
level plat at Seneca is practically complete and prepara-
tions are being made to proceed with the concreting of the
shaft and the laying of the skip rails. When these pre-
October 9, L920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
531
liminaries are finished drifting will be begun. The best
Bhowing in the shaft al present is in the third level north,
which has reached a length of Tin ft. from the Bhaft.
The ore on the fourth level, 630 ft. from the shaft, is
fair. In the fourth level south about 10 ft. from the
Ahmeek boundary, the quality is poor. This drift is 37U
ft. from the shaft.
I huh. M-k is building a concrete reservoir on the 53rd
level tn prevent the water from overflowing into the new
openings. If the price of coal continues high it may be
decided to suspend pumping and the concrete dam will
take care of the water until operations are resumed. In
some quarters it is rumored that Hancock will dispose of
its holdings to Quiney. but there is no confirmation of the
report.
Superior reports a slight increase in tonnage for Sep-
tember, with a total of 1700 tons to date. This ore is com-
Viucinia City. — During last week 166 tons of ON
assaying $17.80 was mined in the winze being sunk Erom
the 2150-ft level of the Consolidated Virginia. The ore
has raked oul of the winze, but a drift from the bottom
lias entered the shoot. During the week 4ou tons of
$22.50 ore was produced from all parts of the mine. The
Gold Hill miners are still on strike.
Tule Canyon.- — A drift being driven west on the 200-
ft. level of the Silver Hills is expected to enter the ore-
shoot within 10 ft. The company has again changed
superintendents and Edward Orr, formerly with the
Goldfield Consolidated, is now in charge. This change
followed rumors of unnecessarily high operating-cost.
The Silver Hills and a company driving a tunnel several
miles north of the Ingalls are doing the only work in the
canyon.
Cactus. — A carload of ore assaying $75 to $100 has
SIMON SILVER-LEAD MINE, NEVADA
ing from exploratory openings in No. 1 shaft, chiefly
from the elevation of the 31st level. The best ground in
this shaft was opened 700 ft. south on the 31st level,
nearly a half mile from the shaft.
Ahmeek 's tonnage shows a steady improvement with
daily shipments of nearly 3000 tons. This is the best
that has been reported for nearly a year and if more
miners were available ■ it would be possible to make
further increases. Kearsarge reports a slightly smaller
daily average, 1500 tons, while Osceola's daily tonnage
has dropped to 250.
NEVADA
A SELECTIVE-FLOTATION MILL WILL BE BUILT AT THE SIMON
SILVER-LEAD MINE.
Divide. — It is reported that the vein cut recently on
the 700-ft. level of the Gold Zone assays $40 for a width
of 25 ft. and that 10 ft. of this width assays $150 in gold,
. according to mine-car samples. The station on the 1000-
ft. level of the Tonopah Divide has been timbered and
the sump is nearly completed. The Kernick shaft has
passed the 900-ft. point.
been shipped by the Cactus Nevada to the Development
mill at Goldfield. The force of miners has been reduced
due to difficulty the company is having in raising money.
Rand. — The Gold Pen company, which several months
ago started milling ore in a 20-ton plant, after statements
published in Nevada newspapers had announced impor-
tant high-grade orebodies in the mine, is now being sued
by machinery and mercantile companies. The district
boomed early in this year on the strength of reports from
the Gold Pen. Nevada Rand, and Minims. The first was
said at that time to contain, among other orebodies, one
in which there was 400 tons of $500 ore.
Tonopah. — The Tonopah Mining Co. has stopped work
in the Blue River placer field in Colorado and the project
has been abandoned. A five-sixths interest was acquired
eight years ago for $375,000, but the venture has proved
unprofitable since 1915.
Como. — A elean-up is being made at the 100-ton mill
of the Como and when this has been completed the mine
and mill will be closed for the winter. The Como is a
silver-gold mine that has been producing at a rate of
$200,000 yearly and the reason given by Gurney Gordon,
532
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 9, 1920
manager, for the closing is the high cost of supplies and
a scarcity of miners. The mill has been treating $12 ore
with a recovery of 98% of the gold and 90% of the silver.
Eureka. — The stockholders of the Eureka Croesus, at
the annual meeting held in Eureka, voted to increase the
capitalization from $1,500,000 to $3,000,000. The annual
report is to be issued in a few days.
Arrowhead. — The Arrowhead continues to ship to
Tonopah at a rate of 75 tons per month. The ore assays
$100 to $125 per ton. The company is planning to in-
crease the output to 100 tons monthly by using another
truck and improving the road to Tonopah.
Goldpield. — The Grandma has levied assessment No. 7,
at the rate of lc. per share, delinquent November 1. The
shaft, which is being sunk from 830 ft., is now 870 ft.
deep and it is expected that at 1000 ft. a cross-cut will be
driven to the east-dipping shaft, although the depth at
which the cross-cut will be driven will depend on the
depth at which favorable conditions are found in the
shaft. The company has arranged to secure a lease on
a part of the Kewamas, adjoining the Grandma on the
west, so that prospecting for the shale-latite contact may
be continued into the Kewanas if it is not found in the
Grandma claim. The winze sunk on the west-dipping
shale at 815 ft. exposed ore assaying as high as $17.50
and from a raise near the winze assays of $40 were se-
cured. The winze was sunk 75 ft. and at this depth the
company drifted 125 ft. west. All of this work showed
the latite and shale to be highly metamorphosed and the
ore was found erratic in width and value. The west-
dipping shale also will be explored at greater depth. The
winze from the 910-ft. level of the Spearhead has been
sunk 250 ft. The vein, 8 ft. wide at this depth, is low-
grade. The vein walls have been alaskite since sinking
was started and the winze may be continued to 750 or
1000 ft. The Development mill will be closed for the
winter and preparations are being made for the final
clean-up. The last shipment was made to the mill on
September 29. John P. Sweeney has secured in the dis-
trict court a judgment against the Conqueror Consoli-
dated Mining Co. for $5411.50, alleged to be due for
salary as manager and for money expended. The Con-
queror, owning ground in the northern part of the dis-
trict, has been inactive for years.
Mina. — Mill construction "will begin shortly at the
Simon Silver-Lead mine, 22 miles east of this town. The
mill-site selected lies on the west slope of a steep ridge,
across a deep gulch from the present 565-ft. incline shaft
and south of the site of the main three-compartment
shaft. Ore will be delivered by gravity from both shafts
to the mill storage-bins. The ore contains silver, lead,
and zinc; the process to be employed is selective flota-
tion ; by regulating the oil-feed in the cells, separate lead-
silver and zinc-silver concentrates will be produced.
After crushing, the oversize from a trommel passes
through rolls to a Hardinge ball-mill and then to a Dorr
classifier, the coarse going to a small ball-mill and then
returning to the classifier. The pulp then passes to a
series of 26 flotation-cells of the Minerals Separation
type. Here, by the use of cleaner-cells and re-floating the
product from certain cells, the separation of lead and
zinc is effected and the lead-silver and zine-silver concen-
trates pass to separate units of the filter plant. Semi-
Diesel engines, generating 250 hp., will supply power for
the mill. It is said that this process ensures a zinc re-
covery worth $3.50 per ton and that it will convert the
usual penalty on this metal into an important revenue.
Development in the mine has progressed to the seventh
level, at a vertical depth of 565 ft. Carbonate ore, some
of exceedingly high grade, was found on upper levels and
sulphide ore appeared at 200 ft., but the sulphide level is
placed at 230 ft., for purposes of estimating reserves.
Before ore had been found beyond the east and west
faults, the company's engineers estimated 400.000 tons
between 230 and 400 ft. depth, that would net $7 per ton.
Pioche. — The Nevada Horn Silver property, 23 miles
north-west from here, will shortly be equipped with a
30-ton cyanide plant. The property has recently been
taken over by a new company. John L. Whipple is presi-
dent. A. E. Place, secretary-treasurer, is connected with
the Zinc Chemical Co., Inc., a company now erecting a
plant at Los Angeles for the manufacture of zinc oxide.
The company owns six patented claims and an ample
water-supply. The ore is hard and contains no slime-
forming elements, such as clay, which facilitates the
treatment proposed in the preliminary 30-ton plant. It
is stated that about 150,000 tons of ore available for
treatment has been developed. During the week ending
September 23, the Prince Consolidated shipped 1330 tons
of ore ; the Virginia Louise, 780 ; the Combined Metals,
210 ; the Black Metals, 100 ; the Bristol Silver Mines, 95 ;
and the Magnolia mine, 40 ; making a total of 2555 tons.
The Belle Helen silver mine 50 miles east of Tonopah has
been sold by its owner, T. T. Cornforth, to Los Angeles
and Goldfield parties. A large cash payment was made.
NEW MEXICO
MEETING OP STATE CHAPTER OP THE AMERICAN MINING
CONGRESS.
Silver City. — Mining men of New Mexico met in Sil-
ver City, Monday, October 4, for the purpose of complet-
ing the organization of a State chapter of the American
Mining Congress. Assistance will be rendered the meet-
ing by Herbert Wilson Smith, Chief of the War Minerals
Division of the A. M. C. of Washington, D. C, and John
T. Burns, assistant secretary of the same organization.
Pinos Altos. — At the Silver Reef group, situated about
two miles east of the Silver Cell, the 65-ft. shaft is being
unwatered and deepened. The mine was worked more
than 30 years ago by a Mr. Bennett and it is said that
from this 65-ft. shaft 10 tons of ore were shipped that
averaged $508 per ton. The vein is narrow but the ore
is of high value and shows no lead or zinc.
Grant County. — It is reported that through the ef-
forts of C. W. Mitchell, manager for the Montclair Min-
ing Co., owning the Cora Miller mine on the Mangas, a
group of New York capitalists has become interested in
the mining possibilities of Grant county. One of the
Octobi p 9, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
533
properties being examined is the Long Hope, situated in
tlie Fleming district, loss than five miles north-west of
Silver City. The ore contains silver chloride and silver
sulphide and is reported to assay from 25 to 100 oz. per
ton.
Sierra CorjNTT. — Plans are under way for the installa-
tion of a chloride roasting and leaching-plant at the mines
of the Moffitt Mines Co., on North Percha, Kingston dis-
trict.
UTAH
DTJtB SGLPHDB CORPORATION S LEACHING-PLANT NEARLY
COMPLETED.
Salt Lake City — During the week ending September
25, the Utah Ore Sampling Co. released from its Murray
sampliug-mill 87 cars of ore from Utah mines, 13 from
Nevada, 3 from California, 3 from Montana, and 1 from
Idaho. At its Tintic mill the company released 35 cars
from Utah mines.
Alta. During September shipments from the South
Heela mine totaled about 25 cars, according to George H.
Watson, the manager. Development and production has
been retarded in recent months by a serious shortage of
labor. The Albion Consolidated drain and transporta-
tion tunnel, which is being driven to open in depth rich
ore-shoots mined in the upper levels, is going ahead at
the rate of 125 ft. per month.
The Columbus-Rexall property was never in better
shape than at present, according to M. R. Evans, presi-
dent of the company. From September 1 to 24 the com-
pany shipped 8 carloads of ore averaging more than $50
per ton. If men were available the output could be
doubled. The company has laid in sufficient stores to
continue operations throughout the winter. The first
snow of the season fell on September 24, but weather con-
ditions were probably such that shipments can be made
for several weeks yet.
Santaquint. — At the present time the Union Chief
Mining Co. is prospecting a mineralized limestone that is
cut by a number of ore-bearing fissures, according to the
general manager, G. L. Bemis. From this development
work five cars of good shipping lead-silver ore have been
taken and are now awaiting transportation. On account
of the large amount of road construction and work in the
Tintic district, men and teams are so scare that the com-
pany is unable to secure teams for hauling ore.
Eureka. — During the week ending September 25, the
Chief Consolidated shipped 32 cars of ore ; Tintic Stand-
ard, 28 ; Mammoth, 31 ; Dragon, 13 ; Eagle & Blue Bell,
11 ; Iron King, 5 ; Iron Blossom, 4 ; Grand Central, 4 ;
Sw msea, 3 ; Centennial-Eureka, 3 ; Bullion Beck, 3 ; Colo-
rado, 1 ; Victoria, 1 ; Gemini, 1 ; Griggs-Huish, 1 ; Yankee,
1 : a total of 143 cars. Fearing that the railroad com-
panies are preparing to appeal from the decision of the
State Public Utilities Commission prohibiting an advance
in freight-rates on intra-state shipments of ore and coal,
local mining men are not only preparing to oppose such
an act, but are advocating a movement to secure reduc-
tions in existing rates, which they contend are crippling
the mining industry. The mine owners are preparing
to meet the railroads in any fight which may be brought
about for the purpose of increasing freight-rates on ore.
It is a question of life or death for some of the mining
companies, and it does not seem reasonable to suppose
that the Interstate Commerce Commission will interfere.
It is claimed that the rates on ore from Utah mines are
now higher than those existing outside the State, and
the same may be said of the rates on coal.
Directors of the Lehi-Tintie property have decided to
sink a shaft, according to Charles Zabriskie, president of
the company. Orders have been placed for the necessary
hoisting and other equipment. The shaft will be sunk
from the lower level to a depth of 500 ft. No deep work
has been done ; the prospecting consists of adits.
Work has been resumed at the property of the Scran-
O I Z 34 S
ULCO
111 II III
hostotipaquillo district
ton Mining Co. after a shut-down of more than a month.
When the increased freight-rates went into effect an
August 26, shipments were suspended. The ore is a zinc-
lead product and is being shipped now to Colorado, the
burden of the increased freight-rate being borne by the
purchasers. For some time past this property has been
worked by James Wade and associates of Salt Lake City,
who, in turn, have sub-let parts of the mine to other
lessees. About two carloads per week are now being
shipped from the property.
Beaver County. — M. P. Morrissey, president of the
Utah Sulphur Corporation, says that the company 's new
leaching-plant, which will have a capacity of 250 tons per
day, will be completed and put in commission by Novem-
ber 1. In order that the work might be rushed on this
plant, the company stopped taking orders about mid-
summer, operating the retorts and sub-limer only to such
an extent as would care for orders already on the books.
With the leaching-plant in commission, the company ex-
pects its output of sulphur to be not less than 350 tons
per day. Mr. Morris3ey states that the leaching-plant
534
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 9, 1920
will enable the company to produce sulphur at a smaller
cost than the present methods. The sub-limer is used for
making 'flowers of sulphur'. While in Chicago recently
Mr. Morrissey made arrangements for entering an en-
tirely new line, that of making a fertilizer by combining
sulphur and phosphate rock. The Utah Sulphur Cor-
poration will erect a plant in Chicago with a capacity of
150 tons of fertilizer per day, and it is believed that it
will be in operation by midwinter.
Park City. — At the Keystone property, two levels are
being extended and three raises are being made. In the
face of the K-K-3 level, exceptionally good ore is being
mined ; assays showing from 35 to 40% lead and about
15 oz. silver. At the present time the property is ship-
ping only the ore taken out in development. Forty men
are now employed, and ample stores are being put in to
permit work throughout the winter. The company has
secured the old Keams-Keith mill, which is being put
into shape for handling the low-grade ore.
At the Ontario Silver Mining Co.'s property, which is
under the same management as the Keystone, it is stated
that some of the richest silver ore ever discovered has
been found on the 2000-ft. level, the deepest in the mine.
A break in the machinery prevented the handling of
water that came in at about the time the ore was found
and the company immediately ordered a new pump,
which has arrived at the property and is now being in-
stalled.
A rich showing has been developed north-east of the
O'Brien stope in the Silver King Coalition mine, ac-
cording to the manager, M. J. Dailey. The strike is on
the 1100-ft. level and is important because it was dis-
covered in virgin territory. The strike made some weeks
ago between the 1200 and 1250-ft. levels continues to
show improvement. These two developments are the
most important made in the Coalition property in recent
years.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
A POSSIBILITY THAT GOVERNMENT FUEL-CONTROL WILL BE
RESTORED.
Trail. — The ore receipts at the smelter for the week
ended September 21 amounted to 8810 tons, the Con-
solidated M. & S. Co. mines contributing 7846 tons to-
ward the total. The other shippers were : Bluebell. Bion-
del, 175 tons; Josie, Bossland. 223; Mandy, Le Pas, 65;
Monarch, Field. 45 ; North Star, Kimberley. 224 : Buth,
Cedar Creek, 108; Silver Bear, Zpicky, 28; Skyline,
Cedar Creek, 37 ; Velvet, Bossland, 31 ; and Texas Yankee
Girl, Ymir, 29.
Bube and Carl Laib, owners of the Spokane group in
the Bayonne district near Nelson, are seeking govern-
ment aid in the construction of a 150-mile pack-trail
down Canyon creek to Kootenay lake. Bube Laib states
that such a trail would provide means for shipping ore
from the mines economically and would put the proper-
ties on a working basis. Ore from the Spokane property
to Trail has been carried up a steep pass to the head-
waters of Sheep creek and out by way of Salmo. The cost
of transportation from the mine to Salmo has been $45
per ton.
Edgewood, Arrow Lakes. — Considerable activity is
reported in the Lightning Peak district, and undoubtedly
this district would attract a good deal more attention but
for the bad state of transportation. B. H. McDonald has
been examining a number of properties recently in the
interest of Billings, Montana, people. A one-foot vein,
said to carry gold and silver in paying quantities, has
been cut by the main tunnel on the Bampallo group at a
distance of 40 ft. from the portal. The tunnel is being
driven to cut a body of ore which down to a depth of 20
ft. gave average returns of $10 in gold and 250 oz. of
silver per ton. The tunnel should cut this orebody at a
depth of 150 ft. after it has been driven for another 260
ft. Bendels & Co. is sacking high-grade at its Waterloo
claim, and expects to have 800 sacks filled for transporta-
tion over the winter snow. W. J. Banting has struck a
foot stringer of solid galena in a six-foot vein of milling-
ore at the Killarney group.
Vancouver. — The Geological Survey men are return-
ing from their summer's field work. B. W. Brock, of the
University of British Columbia, reports promising in-
dications of silver-lead ores and some copper ores in the
inner flank of the Coast range, west of Burns lake. He
describes the country as exceedingly rugged and states
that little prospecting has been done. Victor Dolmage,
who has been on the west coast of Vancouver island dur-
ing the summer, reports the occurrence of mercury ores
at Sechart, Barclay sound, but doubts whether either
grade or quantity is commercial. He reports important
deposits of copper ores and magnetites at Nootka sound,
where considerable work is being done on them. Officials
of the Granby Consolidated M. S. & B. Co. state that by
sending the company's blister-copper through the Ban-
ama Canal, instead of by rail, not only is the cost reduced
by nearly half, but the time of transportation from
Anyox to Long Island, New York, will be reduced from
60 days to 45 days.
Nelson. — A galena property has been located at
Nakusp on the Arrow lakes. The claim is known as the
Lucky Hose and is especially interesting for the reason
that this section has not hitherto been considered as pos-
sessing mineral possibilities. Already a lode has been
uncovered for 300 ft. and assays of 49 oz. silver and $1.80
in gold are reported.
Kaslo. — John Keen, speaker for the Provincial legis-
lature, has just returned from a trip through the Lardeau
district. He visited the Lardo, Trout Lake. Ferguson,
and other points. Mining, he says, is rather quiet. The
Triune. True Fissure, and other claims look well, while
the lessees on the Silver Cup and Nettie L. have made
good progress and have ore ready to ship. The Gold
Cure is promising. He said that the labor situation was
showing marked improvement, men were going back to
the camps seeking employment and the indications are
that in a short time the trouble which has been experi-
enced during the past few months will be settled.
Greenwood. — The Lightning Peak mining section is
October !), 1020
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
535
being opened by the construction of a trail, under the
terms o! the Mineral Survey and Development Act. The
Provincial government has been busy on this for ;i large
part of the past season, and the work now is reported
to l"- practically completed. Lightning Peak lias an ele-
vation of about 7500 It. In that locality are situated
Zone where it crosses the Jordon river into the Gabbro
group. The open-cuts referred to have established a
width of 5 to "-.") ft. of mineralized material having a
length of between 300 and 400 ft. There is a consider-
able body averaging 3% copper or better, which is the
best surface showing yet found in the Jordon River sec-
a number of mining properties, among which is the
Waterloo, that give promise of developing into important
mines. On the completion of the trail it will be possible
to make the trip with pack-horses from Greenwood to the
peak in four days.
Victoria. — A small force of men has been employed
since last March on the Gahbro Copper Mines. Ltd.,
situated at Jordon Kiver, Vancouver island. Several
large open-cuts have been made to ascertain the grade
and size of the orebodies. Some good ore has been taken
from a tunnel driven on Sinn Fein creek, but the most
promising showings were found on the Sunloek Cave
tion. The orebodies on the Gabbro group are in basalts
of Eocene age, which have been intruded by a stock of
gabbro. There has been much shearing of the basalts,
due probably in part to the shrinkage of the gabbro
mass when cooling, and also to regional stresses. There
has also been some shearing and ore deposition in the
gabbro. Continuity of the ore at depth in these shear-
zones is shown by the tunnels on the adjoining Sunloek
property, which indicate a vertical depth of over 500 ft.
The Sunloek is one of the very few mines in this Province
that has had no serious set-back since the beginning of
mining operations on it in 1917.
536
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 9, 1920
It appears from Ottawa dispatches that there is a
probality that the fuel-control system in force during the
"War will be re-introduced shortly. Under this system
each Province had its own commission, whose duty it was
to see that there was a fair distribution of the available
supply of coal. The Railway Board, under whose juris-
diction the fuel control is placed, has not definitely de-
cided to restore the regulation as yet, but promises that
definite announcement will be made in a few days.
Whether this proposal will affect British Columbia is a
question.
ONTAKIO
OIL-FLOTATION OP TAILING IN COBALT LAKE IS A SUCCESS.
Porcupine. — While hitherto most of the development
on the Hollinger Consolidated has been done above the
425-ft. level, preparations are now being made for open-
ing up the lower levels on an extensive scale. A winze
was sunk to a depth of 1250 ft. some years ago to prove
the downward continuation of the ore, and this having
been done work was stopped. The lower workings are
now being dewatered and a raise will be made from the
1250-ft. level to the central shaft. The company has
declared another one per cent dividend, being the third
consecutive four-weekly payment. The Dome Mines is
treating about 1000 tons of ore per day, working under
the disadvantage of a shortage of labor. The ore taken
from the stopes is considerably richer than was estimated.
It is stated that large quantities, the gold content of
which was placed at about $4 per ton, are actually yield-
ing upward of $6. The Vipond-North Thompson is being
re-opened, operations being in charge of W. S. Gowans,
formerly of the Dome Mines staff. J. B. Mo Arthur, a
prominent British mining engineer, and Major J. Mc-
intosh Bell are acting in an advisory capacity.
Kibkland Lake. — Conrad E. Weltlaufer, president of
the Orr Gold Mines, has issued a statement to the share-
holders announcing that funds have been procured and
the debt of the company paid. J. C. Houston has been
engaged as engineer. A vei supposed to be No. 1 vein
of the Lake Shore, has been cut and is found to be 5 ft.
wide and well mineralized. Reference is made to the
proposed consolidation of the Orr with "two operating
companies" which will come up for consideration at the
annual meeting on September 30.
Skead Township. — There is considerable activity in
this district and many new properties are being develop-
ed. At the Fidelity, an 8-ft. vein showing free gold was
uncovered in stripping a sehisted porphyry dike. The
shaft on the originally discovered vein is being sunk to
the 100-f t. level. The Crawf ord-Skead is putting down a
shaft by hand-steel on a vein carrying gold over a width
of 8 ft. Several other veins have been found by stripping
and trenching. The Skead Gold Mining Co. has a group
of claims on the east shore of St. Anthony lake, which it
is preparing to develop having constructed four miles of
road to provide transportation. On the Meany claims in
north-east Skead, where an important find was made this
summer, camps are being erected. The Manley claims,
which attracted attention to this field a year ago on ac-
count of a spectacular discovery, are again being worked
by Walter Manley and associates.
Cobalt. — The mines in the Cobalt district are operat-
ing with a shortage of about 10%, of the labor required.
Great difficulty is being experienced in procuring shovel-
ers, and skilled men are being employed on this work.
The cost of producing silver is likely to increase during
the closing quarter of the year owing to the shortage of
labor as well as to an increase in freight-rates. Dis-
patches which carry the information that the price of cot-
ton, leather, and machinery has commenced to decrease
convey the hope that these favorable factors may offset
the adverse influences.
On October 30 the Coniagas Mines will finish a favor-
able fiscal year. An average of 500 tons of ore is being
treated daily, 100 tons of which is treated by cyanidation
in the Buffalo mill of the Mining corporation. The mill
heading averages from 8 to 10 oz. per ton, as compared
with 13.07 oz. during the preceding year. Arrangements
are being made to increase the amount treated to 600 tons
daily, and it is believed that output can be well main-
tained during the coming year.
Net earnings at the McKinley-Darragh are slightly
under dividend requirements at the rate of 3% quarterly.
The company has a surplus of about $365,000 and it is
understood the deficit in net earnings below dividend re-
quirements of $67,000 every three months may be drawn
from the surplus, and the current rate of disbursement
maintained for a considerable period. At a depth of
350 ft. on the Keeley Silver Mines, in South Lorrain,
vein No. 9 has been cut, and shows a width of 14 in. con-
taining from 200 to 400 oz. silver per ton. The cross-cut
is being driven toward the Beaver Lake vein, which is be-
lieved to lie 35 ft. farther north. The 20-stamp mill is
expected to be ready for operation by the end of Novem-
ber. Twelve sacks of ore containing 2000 oz. of silver
per ton has been cobbed from the dumps on the Silver
Bullion property at Leroy Lake in the Gowganda dis-
trict. The installation of a small mining plant has been
completed and tenders are being called for several hun-
dred feet of underground work.
The La Rose is working its different properties steadily.
On the University the ore-shoot has been followed up for
175 ft. and the drift is still in ore. It is for the most part
good milling-ore with patches of high-grade. The Prin-
cess property is the most important producer. Consider-
able ore is being taken out along the McKinley-Darragh
boundary. The original La Rose claim continues to yield
good milling-ore. A meeting of the shareholders of the
Temiskaming has been called for October 7 to consider
the proposal to purchase a half interest in the Blue Dia-
mond Coal Mines and the Canadian Coalfields. Ltd.. in
Alberta, lately secured by the Mclntyre of Poi-cupine.
Elk Lake. — The Reeves-Dobie has gone into the hands
of a receiver and 213 bags of concentrate in transit have
been seized to satisfy a judgment against, the company
for wages. Silver has been found on the Regent property
recently opened in James township.
October 9, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
537
CALIFORNIA
Amador County.— At the old Eureka mine (Hetty Green's
old property) development work under way on the 3500-£t.
level has uncovered rock of better character than any found
thus far on other levels since the re-opening of the property.
An ore strike of great importance to the Plymouth Con-
solidated Mining Co. has been made. A 12-ft. vein of rock
assaying from $10 to $15 per ton has been struck on the
2050-ft. level, and development work so far done on it indi-
cates its likelihood to yield well for some time to come. The
find is particularly encouraging at this time, when the mine's
ore-reserves have become limited.
Calaveras County. — Ray Lantson and A. S. Kingsberry,
employees of the California Mining Co., lost their lives in a
mine fire. The fire broke out in the main shaft September
30 and destroyed the surface equipment. Lantson volun-
teered to go into the mine by another shaft and turn on the
pumps. He did not return and A. L. Riggs and Kingsberry
went below to rescue him. Kingsberry was also overcome
but Riggs escaped. It is reported that the men wore army
masks which are not adapted for use against mine-fire gases.
The rescue trucks arrived too late.
Placer County. — For the third time in her history, Iowa
Hill, one of the old hydraulic mining camps of Superior, Cali-
fornia, has been swept by a disastrous fire, the loss being
estimated at between $35,000 and $40,000. Twenty-six
buildings were destroyed, including the school^house, a hotel,
and the Methodist Church. Not more than seven houses
escaped the flames.
Shasta County. — The Arps Mining Co., which has oper-
ated the Arps group of copper mines near Copper City for
four or five years, has deeded the mines back to the original
owners, R. M. Seltzer, Anton Jaegel, William Arps, and
Mrs. Mary Ruoff. The Mountain Copper Co.'s new roller
crushing-plant near the Hornet mine above Keswick will be
ready to begin crushing about October 15. This plant is
designed for the fine crushing of pyrite from the Hornet
mine and will have a capacity of 600 tons per day. Un-
fortunately the copper situation is still unfavorable and the
Mountain Copper Co.'s Iron Mountain copper mine, near the
Hornet, remains closed.
IDAHO
Coeur d'Alene — The Federal Mining & Smelting Co., own-
ing several claims in the Coeur d'Alene, has let a contract
for sinking an additional 200 ft. on the Morning mine, giving
it a depth of 1400 ft. below the main working tunnel. With
the completion of the contract a cross-cut will be run to the
main vein and the body of ore which has been opened on the
1200-ft. level will be developed on the 1400-ft. level. The
lower levels of the Morning mine are showing the best ore
found in the property for some time. Development of the
Idaho Northern property, five miles east of Murray, is to be
resumed after many months of idleness, and a compressor
has been delivered to the property for the purpose of run-
ning a 16 00-ft. cross-cut adit which will open the ore at a
depth of 13 00 to 1400 ft. An adit already has been run in
the property for a distance of 3 70 ft. and work has been
completed which opens two large veins at a depth of 300 or
400 ft. One of the veins carries lead, silver, gold, and cop-
per to a value of $50 per ton. Buildings have been started
on the property for men and equipment.
MONTANA
Butte. — The situation in the Butte camp continues un-
usually quiet, but the increase in the average of working
shifts from 33% to 45% of normal within the last month
would indicate a slight improvement. All officials are con-
fident that demand for copper will Increase after the fall
elections are out of the way. At the Davis-Daly an excellent
25-ft. orebody continues to hold up on the 2700-ft. level.
This is the same body which with a 14-ft. showing was drift-
ed on for several months. The ore is all first class 5 % or
better and the vein is the third distinct orebody encountered
on the 2700-ft. level. At the Hibernia of the Davis-Daly
cross-cutting is in progress on the 600-ft. level following
completion of a station at this level. At the Boston-Mon-
tana mine work will be started soon on erection of a
flotation plant. Drifting is in progress on several veins on
the 300-ft. level. Shipments from the Emma mine of the
Butte Copper & Zinc Co. for August amounted to 8000 tons
of manganese ore and 4000 tons of zinc ore, with the manga-
nese running 373% and the latter averaging 15% zinc, 6
oz. silver, and 5% lead, according to the 'Boston News
Bureau'. Of the manganese tonnage, two-thirds is being
shipped to the ferro-manganese plant of the Anaconda Cop-
per Mining Co. at Great Falls, which is operating the Emma
under a long-term lease on a 50-50 profit-sharing basis. The
balance of the manganese is being shipped to the Carnegie
steel plants in the Pittsburgh district.
Great Falls. — Petition of State Attorney General S. C.
Ford for an injunction restraining the Cascade Silver Mines
& Mills Co. from dumping the tailing from its Neihart mill
into Belt creek, in Cascade county, failed in the Great Falls
district court. In an order issued today by Judge H. H.
Ewing the injunction was denied. The company was award-
ed costs in connection with the suit and the attorney gen-
eral's action dismissed.
NEVADA
Virginia City. — The Gold Hill mine operators have issued
a statement to the effect that they do not consider the Gold
Hill Miners' Union responsible, and decline to recognize it
or consider its demands. The operators claim the union is
composed of only twenty men and that the notices branding
the camp and operators as unfair were posted by authority
of ten men. The operators further assert the United Com-
stock Co. alone employs 160 men normally, and has 70 men
at work at present. It is also charged that about twenty
men called the authorized strike and violated an agreement
providing for a notice of thirty days before a strike or lock-
out would be effective.
The Gold Hill Miners' Union has posted notices at Gold
Hill and Virginia City warning all union men to remain away
from Gold Hill. The camp is branded as unfair, as are all
men and contractors working on the Gold Hill properties,
excepting the Comstock Home mine. This action follows
the refusal of the Gold Hill companies to grant $6 per day
to miners. The old scale is $5. It is reported that oper-
ators have practically decided to close their properties until
next spring.
538
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 9, 1920
MEXICO
Sonora. — The Soyopa Silver Mining Co., a newly organ-
ized corporation of Nogales, Sonora, has purchased the
famous old Hidalgo mine from R. G. Piatt. Several thousand
tons of high-grade milling-ore are blocked out already, and
further active development will be undertaken at once. The
Soyopa is an ancient high-grade silver district.
Active mining operations on the Catalina property, near
Cananea, will be undertaken as soon as the new power-plant
is completed. A new turbine and boilers are being installed.
The shaft is being sunk an additional 1200 ft. A large part
of the American employees of the Democrata mine, which
recently closed down, are now with the Catalina.
Lack of a stable government in Mexico has had a dis-
astrous effect on many mining companies operating in the
more remote districts. The experience of the Batopilas
Mining Co. is typical. In a circular to the stockholders the
president says:
"In September 1913 our general manager and other Amer-
ican employees were called out of Mexico by the U. S. De-
partment of State through the U. S. Consul at Chihuahua.
In August 1914 an edict was issued from the office of the
Governor of the State of Chihuahua to the effect that all
mines not fully operated by their owners on September 1
would be declared open for denouncement. The general
manager with several American employees returned to
Batopilas and under great difficulties carried on some work
until they were again notified by the Department of State to
leave for the United States, having been in Batopilas about
one year. During the absence of the American employees it
was found necessary to allow the Mexican miners to work
the mines on shares as the people were starving and threat-
ened to enter and work the mines. These operations were
supervised by our Mexican employees who, as best they
might, safeguarded the company's interest. During the
years 1916, 1917, 1918, and part of 1919 the company's one-
third share of the product barely sufficed to cover the ex-
pense of supervision and guarding the properties of the com-
pany. In April 1919 the company commenced to take ad-
vantage of the increase in value of silver and shipped the
silver bullion obtained from its one-third of the sharework-
ers' product to the United States and introduced Mexican
gold to pay its employees. In December 1919 the general
manager, John R. Harbottle, returned alone to Batopilas and
has renewed and renovated the cyanide plant and has ship-
ped out monthly small amounts of silver, the result of work-
ing up the low-grade ores and concentrates that had ac-
cumulated, as well as the company's one-third of the ores
received from the shareworkers. . . . The attitude of the
Carranza government was inimical to the development of
foreign-owned properties. In the face of absolute lack of
protection for our employees and properties, the taxes on
our mining properties and the taxes on silver produced were
enormously increased. This course was directly opposite to
that of the former Mexican government which had encour-
aged the acquisition of large holdings of mining properties
by a reduction in taxes on large areas. As a result of the
various Carranza edicts, which are always accompanied by
threats of forfeiture, the company has been compelled to re-
linquish some of its holdings that had been acquired under
its contract, with the Mexican government, which specified
that 100 mining claims (of about 2* acres each) should be
taken up each year. As the mining taxes were increased
from three pesos per year on each claim to 18 pesos it be-
came necessary to give up the unproductive claims, reserving
only those properties that have produced silver in the past
or that gave indications of being of value, including most of
the original mines held, prior to the contract mentioned.
Mining taxes and taxes on water power have been paid to
date. Aside from the bond interest past due. the company
has funds to more than cover all current liabilities."
[PERSONAL]
The Editor invites members of the profession to send particulars ol their
work and appointments. The information is interesting to our readers.
D. M. Riordan is in New York.
W. J. Loring is at Lovelock, Nevada.
Charles Butters has gone to New York.
J. Power Hutchins is residing at Madrid, Spain.
W. W. Mein has returned to New York from California.
Eugene Dawson is on his way from New York to Iquito,
in Peru.
A. W. Newberry has removed his office to 2 Rector street.
New York.
John A. Rice has returned to San Francisco from Chihua-
hua, Mexico.
J. B. Stoddard, of the Stoddard Oil Co., New York, is at
the Palace.
C. T. Hutchinson, business manager of the 'M. & S. P.' is
in New York.
Francis M. Hartman, of Tucson, Arizona, is at the St.
Francis hotel.
E. T. Keller, of Winnemucca, Nevada, was in San Fran-
cisco this week.
C. W. Purington has been examining coalfields on the
island of Saghalin.
Olof Wenstrom has moved his offices from Boston to 60
Broadway, New York.
P. R. Weeks has returned to New York from the Salmon
River district, in Idaho.
Charles Janin has returned from the Malay States and is
now on his ranch near Santa Barbara.
Charles Smith, president of the Arizona Commercial Min-
ing Co., visited, the Globe district last week.
R. H. Page, general manager for the Truscon Steel Co., is
here on his way from New York to the Orient.
J. Parke Channing is at Miami. He will attend the meet-
ing of Engineering Council at Chicago on October 21.
Alfred H. Brooks, on his return from the North, stopped
at Ketchikan to examine the copper deposits of that district.
John Kiddie, superintendent, and J. G. Cooper, auditor for
the Arizona Copper Co., have been spending a few days at
Tyrone, New Mexico.
H. Y. Eagle, mining engineer connected with the New
York office of the Union Miniere du Haut Katanga, has been
visiting mining and metallurgical plants in Utah.
Ira B. Joralemon has been elected commander of the
American Legion post at Bisbee; he is assistant general man-
ager for the Calumet & Arizona Mining Co., at Bisbee.
Homer Guck, who was correspondent for the 'M. & S. P.'
at Houghton, Michigan, for many years, is now associated
with the Detroit Life Insurance Co. as assistant to the presi-
dent.
R. E. Tremoureux, formerly manager of the Champion
mines at Nevada City, has opened offices in the Hobart build-
ing, San Francisco, where he will specialize in machinery and
supplies for mines.
Henry N. Thomson, at one time head chemist for the Ana-
conda company and later superintendent of the International
smelter, at Tooele, Utah, has been appointed to the chair of
metallurgy in the University of British Columbia, Vancouver.
W. H. Webster, assistant general manager of the Copper
Queen branch of the Phelps Dodge Corporation, and H.
Kenyon Bureh, consulting construction engineer for the
Phelps Dodge Corporation, have been visiting various min-
ing districts in New Mexico.
October 9, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
539
THEMETAL MARKET
mSmP
METAL PRICKS
San Francisco. October 5
Aluminum-duet, cents per pound
Antimony, cents per pound .
Copper, electrolytic, cents per pound
Lead, pis, cents per pound 8.00-
Platinum. pure, per ounce
Platinum. 10% iridium, per ounce
Quicksilver, per flask of 75 lb
Spelter, cents per pound
Zinc-dust, cents per pound 12.50—
EASTERN METAL MARKET
(By wire from New York)
October 4. — Copper is inactive but easy. Lead is dull and weak,
is quiet and lower.
SILVER
Below are given official or ticker quotations for silver in the open market
as distinguished from the fixed price obtainable for metal produced, smelted,
and refined exclusively within the United States. Under the terms of the
Pittman Act such silver will be purchased by the United States Mint at SI
per ounce, subject to certain small charges which vary slightly but amount
to approximately three-eighths of one cent. The equivalent of dollar silver
(1000 fine) in British currency is 46.65 pence per ounce (925 fine), calcu-
lated at the normal rate of exchange.
Date
Sept.
Jan.
Feb.
Mch.
Apr.
May
June
New York
cents
28 93.00
29 92.25
30 92.00
1 91.50
2 91.00
3 Sunday
4 90.12
London
pence
59.37
59.12
59.37
59.00
58.75
58.25
Sept.
Average week ending
Cents
... 99.12
. . . 96.61
. . . 93.27
. . . 93.96
. . . 94.31
. . . 93.52
. . . 91.65
Monthly averages
1918
.88.72
. 85.79
.88.11
. 95.35
.99.50
.99.50
1919
101.12
101.12
101.12
101.12
107.23
110.50
1920
132.77
131.27
125.70
119.56
102.69
90.84
1918 1919
July 99.62 106.36
Aug 100.31 111.35
Sept 101.12
Oct 101.12
Nov 101.12
Dec 101.12
113.92
119.10
127.57
131.92
Pence
61.60
60.70
58.90
59.15
60.08
59.66
58.98
1920
92.04
96.23
93.66
Prices of electrolytic in New York, in cents per pound.
Date
Sept.
Jan.
Feb.
Mch.
Apr.
May
June
28 18.50
29 18.50
30 18.50
1 18.50
2 18.50
3 Sunday
4 18.50
Average week ending
23
30
(i
13
20
27
4
19.00
19.00
19.00
18.75
18.75
18.70
18.50
Monthly averages
1918
1919
1920
23.50
20.43
19.25
23.50
17.34
19.05
23.50
15.05
18.49
23.50
15.23
19.23
23.50
15.91
19.05
23.50
17.53
19.00
1918 1919
July 26.00 20.82
Aug 26.00 22.51
Sept 26.00 22.10
Oct 26.00 21.66
Nov 26.00 20.45
Dec 26.00 18.55
1920
19.00
19.00
18.75
LEAD
Lead is quoted in cents per pound, New York delivery.
Date
Sept.
28
Avera
Aug. 23 . . .
30...
Sept. 6...
?e we
k en
ding
9.19
8.85
30
1
3
4
7.50
7.50
8.55
8.29
8.06
Sunday
. . 7.50
27...
7.85
1918
1919
5.60
5.13
5.24
5.05
5.04
5.32
Monthly
1920
8.65
8.88
9.22
8.78
8.55
8.43
averages
July
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
1918
8.03
8.05
8.05
8.05
8.05
6.90
1
i:
5
6
6
f
)19 1920
53 8.63
Feb.
Mch.
Apr.
May
June
. . 7.70
7.26
. . 6.99
. . 6.99
. . 7.59
.78 9.03
.02 8.08
.40
.76
.12
Tl
N
Prices in New York, in cents per i
jound.
Jan.
Feb.
1918
85.13
. 85.00
1919
71.50
72.44
72.50
72.50
72.50
71.83
Monthly
1920
62.74
59.87
61.92
62.12
54.99
48.33
averages
July
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
1918
13.00
30.40
F8.82
r.3.67
ri.52
1
70
62
55
54
54
54
)19 1920
.11 49.29
.20 47.60
Mch.
Apr.
May
June
85.00
88.53
100.01
. 91.00
.79
.83
.17
.94
Zinc is quoted as spelter, standard Western brands. New York delivery,
in cents per pound.
9 50
Date
18.75
Sept.
-9.00
$115
S1j5
Oct.
S75
"
9.50
15.00
Jan.
Feb.
Apr.
May
28 7.70
29 7.65
30 7.65
1 7.65
2 7.65
3 Sunday
4 7.05
Sept.
Average week ending
23
30
«
13
20
27
4
Monthly averages
7.78
7.97
7.67
7.04
7.92
June 7.92
1918 1919 1920
7.44
6.71
6.53
6.49
643
6.91
9.56
9.15
8.93
8.76
8.07
7.92
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
1918
8.72
8.78
9.58
9.11
8.75
8.49
1919
7.78
7.81
7.57
7.82
8.12
8.69
8.42
8.45
8.29
7.78
7.83
7.73
7.66
1920
8.18
8.31
7.84
QUICKSILVER
The primary market for quicksilver is San Francisco, California being
the largest producer. The price is fixed in the open market, according to
quantity. Prices, in dollars per flask of 75 pounds.
Date , Sept. 21 75.00
Sept. 7 75.00 •' 28 75.00
14 75.00 | Oct.' 5 75.00
Monthly averages
1918
Jan 128.06
Feb 118.00
Mch 112.00
Apr 115.00
May 110.00
June 112.00
1919
103.75
90.00
72.80
73.12
84.80
94.40
1920
89.00
81.00
87.00
100.00
87.00
85.00
1918
July 120.00
Aug 120.00
Sept 120.00
Oct 120.00
Nov 120.00
Dec 115.00
1919
100.00
103.00
102.60
86.00
78.00
95.00
1920
88.00
85.00
75.00
FEDERAL TAXATION
William B. Colver. of the Federal Trade Commission, speaking before the
National Association of Cotton Manufacturers, described the procedure of
the Federal Trade Commission and urged modification of the anti-trust
laws that he believed would bear less harshly on business and yet more
fully serve the public interest than do the present laws. Taking up the
question of taxation he continued: "We must soon decide upon a taxation
policy which will distribute the burden equitably and bear with the least
possible weight upon the processes of industry and commerce and so bear,
as lightly as such a gigantic load can be made to bear, upon the ultimate
consumer, which is every single one of us. Unwise taxation must inevitably
act as a brake upon business, which will reduce production and hinder
distribution. The excess-profits tax and to a degree the higher schedules
of the income-tax are striking examples. It is quite easy and extremely
popular to say "tax the rich'. But what we are actually doing now is to
tax the capital of the rich out of productive enterprises and into non-pro-
ductive. As the law now stands, a man with a S20.000 income can invest
in state or municipal bonds, non-taxable at 4%% and with practically no
risk, while to net the same rate of income any investment in industry or
trade must yield him 5 3/3%. to say nothing of the element of risk. The
man with a 550,000 income must receive 6^% from his productive invest-
ment in order to be able to pay his tax and yet net the 4 V» % that the non-
taxable offers him. The 5100.000 income must earn 101;%. and the
S500.000 income must earn 15% in order to net the sure 4%% that the
non-taxable state and municipal bonds pay. Thus we see an outpouring of
all sorts of state, county, and municipal bonds and an orgy of public ex-
penditures for •public improvements' which, however desirable, are not pro-
ductive enterprises. We see hundreds of millions of dollars taxed out of
business and into tax-free bonds. The end of that road is business dis-
aster.
"The present Congress made a total appropriation of S5. 686. 005. 706 for
the fiscal year 1920. This sum will be added to through deficiency appro-
priations. The money to meet these appropriations must be raised by taxa-
tion. If the taxes continue to be laid, as at present, upon every effort at
production, upon every investment of capital in productive enterprise and
upon every productive effort of human beings, it will act as a drag upon and
an impediment to production. To the extent that production is slowed up
or diminished, supply will tend to decrease in proportion to demand and in
proportion to the public need. As supply tends to fail to meet demand
prices tend to go upward. So that a tax upon productive effort and pro-
ductive employment of labor, of capital, and of land, is immediately trans-
lated into higher prices, which means an increased cost of living.
"Believing, as I do. that the high cost of living rests directly on taxa-
tion, and believing that taxation cannot be materially reduced, it seems to
me that some method of taxation must be sought which will stimulate pro-
duction rather than impede it. so that as supply tends to catch up with
demand prices will tend, to fall. Therefore I would attack the high cost of
living by applying taxation to idleness, to non-production, and to specu-
lation."
MONEY AND EXCHANGE
Foreign quotations on October 5 are as follows:
Sterling, dollars: Cable 3.49%
Demand 3.50 %
Francs, cents: Cable 6.76
Demand 6.77
Lire, cents: Demand 4.13
Marks, cents 1.611
5 40
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 9, 1920
Eastern Metal Market
New York, September 29.
Depression in most of the markets is pronounced and
prices are lower. Low exchange values are a factor as well
as imported metals.
Demand for copper is lighter than in many weeks and
there is some weakness in values.
The tin market is exceedingly quiet with prices on the
decline.
In lead there have been further price reductions with im-
ported metal the large factor.
Buying of zinc is erratic and light and imports are an in-
fluence. Prices are lower.
There is no change in antimony.
IRON AND STEEL
The reductions in automobile and other prices in the past
week have caused further shrinkage in iron and steel buy-
ing, and in a number of directions the market has shown
weakness, says 'The Iron Age'. Accompanying the cut made
by the Ford Motor Co. is a determined effort to force down
the price of automobile steel. The Detroit company is ex-
pected shortly to buy steel on a large scale for 1921 and
already some makers of automobile parts have been urged to
make a downward revision of existing contracts. At the
same time, the periods within which the mills can make de-
liveries on new orders have been shortened in a number of
cases, pointing to a more rapid adjustment between supply
and demand than seemed likely two months ago.
Among steel products, billets, plates, and sheets have fur-
nished the chief tests on prices in the past week and all have
yielded. The general tendency of pig-iron prices is decidedly
toward lower levels.
COPPER
The unexpected has thus far developed in this market.
The buying movement which was predicted and to which all
signs pointed a few weeks ago has not developed and seems
farther away than ever. Both inquiry and demand have
fallen away and the apathy of buyers is hard to explain.
There is perplexity among some leading representatives of
the trade. While pessimism does not rule, the present situa-
tion is eminently unsatisfactory and the immediate future is
hard to prophesy. There is almost no business. What there
is is being satisfied by small producers and dealers at around
18.50c, New York, for both electrolytic and Lake copper.
We quote the market at this level. Prices of most leading
producers are nominal at 18.75c, New York, for October,
with 19c asked for forward positions, but they are booking
but little for any positions. Low exchange-rates and dis-
turbed political conditions abroad are unfavorable to export
business, which is not as good as it was. Arrivals of copper
from abroad are also a factor. They have totaled 6860 tons
thus far this month. Importations of scrap copper of good
quality from war material are also a factor in diminishing
the demand for domestic virgin-metal.
The British copper market reached the highest level in
four months on September 15 when it was £100 per ton, or
about 17.50c per pound. It has softened since, until yes-
terday it was £95 5s. per ton.
TIN
This market is extremely dull. Dealers are going slowly
in their purchases and consumers are not active. There are
no features. Sales of small lots under the hammer on the
New York Metal Exchange continue, those for the week
amounting to about 125 tons at prices ranging from 43.25
to 44.50c, depending on the position. On the 20th there was
a sale of 25 tons under the rule at 44.50c. and on the 21st
another sale of 25 tons of July-August shipment at 44.37*c
The London market yesterday was lower than a week
ago with spot standard quoted at £270 15s. per ton, future
standard at £276 15s., and spot Straits at £273 15s., the
week's decline being from £1 to £2. Arrivals thus far this
month have been 3910 tons with 4385 tons reported afloat.
LEAD
Imported metal continues the dominant factor. Prices
have again declined. The principal event of this nature was
the reduction late last Thursday of ic. per pound in the
quotations of the American Smelting & Refining Co. to
7.75c, St. Louis, or 8c, New York. This represents a re-
adjustment to the level of the outside market. Arrivals
from abroad continue with the feature consisting in lead
from Germany, the first in many years. German lead for
October shipment has been offered at 7.50c, New York, duty
paid. Spot foreign lead is available at 7.75c, New York,
which is quoted by the New York market. Domestic lead
is quoted at 7.75c, St. Louis. There is much interest by
buyers in either foreign or domestic metal, the buying ap-~
parently consisting of hand-to-mouth orders. Consumers
are evidently not buying for stocks. It is estimated that
close to 20,000 tons has been contracted for importation.
ZINC
Prime Western sold to England and re-shipped to this
country is the principal influence in the Eastern market. It
is available and sold at around 7.70c, seaboard, which estab-
lishes the New York market. Domestic prime Western is
quoted at around 7.70c, St. Louis, for early delivery and
there have been a few sales at 7.70 to 7.80c. Demand in
general is light from any quarter. Consumers are buying
only for immediate needs and producers are selling only
what they have to. For forward positions they are not
quoting if possible, nor are they forcing the nearby market.
ANTIMONY
The market is quiet and unchanged with wholesale lots
for early delivery quoted at 7.124c, New York, duty paid.
ALUMINCM
Quotations are unchanged, that of the leading producers
being 34.90c f.o.b. producer's plant for virgin metal, with
the same grade from foreign sources available at 31 to 32c
per pound, New York.
ORES
Tungsten: Business has been quiet. There have been
offerings without finding buyers. Spot Chinese ore is offered
at 54-75 per unit in regular concentrate and for higher-
grade ore $5 per unit is the asking price. The British price
is 26s. per unit with ferro-tungsten quoted at 3s. 3d. per
pound of contained tungsten. American ferro-tungsten is
quoted at 80c to $1.05 per pound of contained tungsten.
Molybdenum: The market is still quiet and devoid of
feature. . Quotations are nominal at 6 5 to 75c per pound
of MoS2 in regular concentrate.
Manganese: The market is very quiet with no interest
shown by consumers, who seem well stocked. Sellers ask
60 to 65c per unit, but buyers are willing to pay no more
than 55c
Manganese-Iron Alloys: The markets for both ferro-man-
ganese and spiegeleisen are extremely quiet. No sales of the
former are reported nor any demand. Quotations are un-
changed for both British and domestic alloy on a basis of
$170, seaboard. Some re-sale British alloy has been offered
at $160, seaboard, but not sold so far as known. Except for
the sale of 100 tons of spiegeleisen for Canada, demand is
very light. Quotations are unchanged at $82.50, furnace,
for the higher grade and $8 0 for the lower.
EDITORIAL STAFF
T. A. Rickaro, Editor
Parsons. associate editor
Member Audit Bure.m of Circulation*
Member Associated Dullness Papers, Inc.
ESTABLISHED I860
Published at U*0 Market St., San Francisco,
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$4 per Year — 15 Cents per Copy
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
KDITORIAL
NOTES 541
THE JAPANESE IN CALIFORNIA 543
The proposed legislation to prevent the Japanese
from owning agricultural land in California. Pre-
vious legislation against Asiatics. Naturalization.
Evasions o£ the law. Japanese immigration. Its
growth and its character. The gentlemen's agree-
ment. Evasion of it. Picture brides. The birth-
rate among Japanese immigrants. The ladies'
agreement. Local politics a factor in the fuss.
Incompatability of races. Is the proposed law
constitutional? Precedents. The need for diplo-
matic action.
DISCUSSION
ADVERTISING ETHICS
By P. B. McDonald 545
A reminiscence of customs preceding the introduc-
tion of the Australian ballot.
TWO SUGGESTIONS ON A NATIONAL PROBLEM
By M. W. von Bernewitz S45
A correction and a description of a typical pro-
ducer-gas system. Thermal efficiency of suction
producer-gas plants.
SALTING OF MINES
By Fred H. Lorenz 546
Three methods of deceiving the unwary buyer.
GAS-MASKS
By E. D. Bullard 546
The Army type of gas-mask is not suitable for
fighting mine-fires and its use for that purpose is
positively dangerous.
ARTICLES
Page
The classification of the available ores. Treat-
ment given the various kinds. Roaster plant.
Reverberatories and blast-furnaces and respective
operating costs. The use of pulverized coal. The
converter plant. Power-plant and electrical equip-
ment.
LABOR THE HOLDER OF THE NATION'S WEALTH
AND INCOME — I
By W. R. Ingalls 558
The first of a series of articles constituting a valu-
able study to determine the proportion of the na-
tion's wealth held by labor. No national inventory
or income statement available. Conclusions. Wage-
earners receive about 80% of the produce of
American industry. Basis of the calculations.
Wealth o£ the United States. Its amount and dis-
tribution.
PLATINUM 561
Data from publications of the U. S. Geological Sur-
very. Physical and chemical properties of plati-
num. Its alloys and substitutes. Platinum ores.
The placers of the Ural and Colombia. Sources
are in basic igneous rocks. Black sands disap-
pointing as to quantity and quality. Recovery and
refining. Hints for prospectors.
THE McFADDEN BILL .■ 564
A statement issued by Representative Louis T.
McFadden. The gold production of the world and
the effect of exchinge on it. The purchasing
power of the dollar. The French tax. Danger to
the gold-mining industry unless aided.
THE UNITED VERDE SMELTER
By L. A. Parsons
Work being done by present plant. Plans for
doubling the capacity. Clarkdale the 'company
town'. The Verde Tunnel & Smelter Railroad.
547
NOTES
RADIUM 563
DEPARTMENTS
REVIEW OF MINING 565
THE MINING SUMMARY 571
PERSONAL 572
THE METAL MARKET 573
EASTERN METAL MARKET 574
BOOK REVIEWS 575
RECENT PUBLICATIONS 576
Established May 24, 1860. as The Scientific Press: name changed October
20 of the same year to Mining: and Scientific Press.
Entered at the San Francisco post-office as second-class matter. Cable
address: Pertusola.
Branch Offices — Chicag-o. 600 Fisher Bdg\: New York. 31 Nassau &x.:
London, 724 Salisbury House. E.C.
Price. 15 cents per copy. Annual subscription, payable in advance:
United States and Mexico, $4: Canada, $5; other countries, $6.
28
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 16, 1920
Limited Floor Space?
Follow the Example of the 'Belmont Surf Inlet
Mines, Ltd.
They are using six No. 9 Double-Deck
Wilfleys with the excellent results so char-
acteristic of Wilfley concentra-
tion wherever practised.
Increased table capacity
is obtained per unit of floor
space with no loss in efficiency.
The lower deck is visible be-
cause of the wide space between
the two decks.
WILFLEY
Tf*E
If you have a concentrating problem —
write our engineers. There is a type of
Wilfley for every metallurgical
requirement.
Adaptations can be made to suit
the limitations of your plant and
the character of your ore.
Over 22,000 Wilfleys are now
in use.
V>he Mine and Smelter Supply Company
DENVER
Write for descriptive
boo%let today
A Service Station Within Reach of You
SALT LAKE CITY
New York Office: 42 Broadway
EL PASO
JVo. 9 Double-Deck Wilfley Table
October 16, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
">41
T. A. -KICKART). .... Editor
■— ■WMiii—MimimimimiiHiinnHiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiHiiHii mi uillia mi iimmiiimmuimm luiMiiiiiijiiiiiiiiimimiiiiiimimiiiiiiiiiiiiimimiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiimiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiwiiimmiiiiimiiiiiii miimimniiiiiimllu
TT is a pleasure to publish the article on the United
■*■ Verde smelter by Mr. Lewis A. Parsons. This article
represents a standard of technical writing that is rarely
attained by the members of the engineering profession.
Another pleasing feature is tile mental hospitality of the
management of the United Verde Copper Company.
without whose eourtesy and friendly eo-operatiou the
preparation of an article so rich in detail would have
been impossible.
/~iN page 564 we publish a statement issued by Mr.
^-' Louis T. McFadden on the subject of the Bill pre-
sented by him before Congress for the purpose of levying
an excise of $10 per ounce on all gold used for manu-
facturing. It is surprising that the chairman of the
< 'ommittee on Banking and Currency of the House of
Representatives should have made such a blunder as to
say that "since July 24, 1919. the British Empire has
been paying an exchange premium as high as 50% to the
gold producers of South Africa ' '. Any banker in touch
with foreign exchange could have told him that the
premium on gold in London was the direct result of the
removal of the embargo placed by the British govern-
ment, during the War on dealings in gold, that is, as
soon as the war-time restrictions were removed the
artificial value of sterling exchange dropped to its real
level as measured in gold. That the gold producers of
South Africa benefited from the premium was a minor
consequence of the re-establishment of a free market for
gold in London. Mr. McFadden has given currency to a
misunderstanding that he ought to have been the first to
correct.
STATISTICS of immigration are peculiarly interesting
^ at this time, for they bear upon our economics all the
way from the domestic kitchen to the largest industrial
establishment. We have been cheered recently with
statements from Federal officials that the tide of migra-
tion had turned strongly and that thousands were arriv-
ing daily at Ellis island, New York. Now come the
figures of immigration for the first fiscal year ended on
June 30. These show that 430,001 came to this country
during the twelve months, while 288,315 emigrated, so
that the net gain was only 141.686. Most of the new-
comers hail from Mexico and Canada; the European in-
flux was 246,295. and the efflux 256,433, so that we lost
10,000 to the trans-Atlantic countries. The total of
430,000 immigrants last year was only one-third that of
1!H4; moreover, of those who departed 80', were males,
while of those who arrived 4.!', wi-vv females. Latterly
there has been an improvement; during April, May. and
June the male element increased 6T/< among the arrivals
and decreased to 77'/ among the departures. It is esti-
mated that an immigration of a million persons will be
recorded in the current year, but we are sceptical as to
that. Another important fact is that the supply of un-
skilled labor is being drained by emigration. During
the year 183,280 laborers left our shores while only
81,734 came hither. Arrivals of skilled laborers and pro-
fessional men increased in the ratio of three to one, but
the supply of common labor, which is the foundation of
industrial activity, decreased considerably. A shortage
of at least three millions of ordinary workers was caused
by the check to immigration during the War, and the
exodus to Europe from this class of labor accentuated the
loss. A new set of conditions has been established by
the War and we shall feel their effects for many years,
if not permanently.
lV/JR. HOOVER's participation in the Presidential
■"-*- campaign, as a supporter of the Republican candi-
date, is in accord with his acceptance of Senator Hard-
ing's nomination. It has been rumored that Mr. Hoover
will be in the next President's cabinet, for we assume
that the Senator, not the Governor, from Ohio will be
elected. Indeed, one of the arguments used by Mr.
Harding's supporters is the expectation that he will
select a strong Cabinet. Mr. Hoover has been mentioned
as Secretary of the Treasury, with the idea that he will
organize a budget system; likewise he has been slated
for the Secretaryship of the Interior, for which he is
cpialified by his experience as an engineer. This would
anticipate the bill before Congress whereby the Secretary
of the Interior is to be an engineer and is to have in his
department — to be changed to that of Public Works — all
the engineering branches of the Federal administration.
Mr. Hoover's services are valuable to the nation in what-
ever capacity he exercises them, but we doubt whether
they can be exercised successfully under the conditions
that will exist at Washington if and when Mr. Harding
becomes President. He could, and would, work loyally
with Mr. Harding, of course, but could or would he work
harmoniously with the cabal by whom Mr. Harding will
have been hoisted into office? Mr.. Hoover is young: he
will find other opportunities of devoting himself to public
service; we hope that he will not jeopardize his remark-
:>42
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 16, 1920
able usefulness in this day and generation by becoming
entangled in backstairs politics, which he does not under-
stand simply because he despises it. He could serve the
incoming President as disinterestedly and as efficiently as
he served the outgoing President, but can he serve a
senatorial junta ?
A NEW method of flotation has been invented by M. B.
■** Luekenbach, who started his investigations in San
Francisco three years ago, but is now established at
Brooklyn, New York. Accurate information is difficult
to secure, but we learn that successful results have been
obtained on various ores, notably in Utah. One interest-
ing feature is the high recovery made in the treatment of
oxidized ores, in which respect the new process is said to
be superior to any heretofore known. The Canadian rights
are reported to have been sold to Sir William Mackenzie,
and a series of tests is now being made by the Ontario
Bureau of Mines, at Ottawa. No special machine is re-
quired ; both the Callow and Janney machines are quite
suited to this new process, which makes a froth that
functions well as a collector and is broken down more
readily than the froth made by the use of oil. The only
unfavorable feature of the story is the mystery in which
the composition of the reagent is shrouded. We are told
that it is not an oil, but everybody is not able to define,
what an 'oil' is, and in their enthusiasm to escape the
clutches of Minerals Separation they are likely to give
themselves the benefit of many scientific doubts. What
is the difference between 'grease' and 'oil'?
rPHAT the U. S. Army gas-mask is not suitable for com-
■■■ bating fires, in mines or elsewhere, is well known and
warnings of this fact have been spread broadcast, but
that the lesson has not been learned the fatalities at the
Calaveras mine seem to prove. These lives will have been
sacrificed in vain if attention is not directed to the fact,
according to newspaper reports, that they were due to an
attempt By men equipped only with masks of the Army
type to enter workings filled with gases from a mine-fire.
Mr. E. D. Bullard's letter, which we give on page 546, is
to- the point. He might have added two other sources of
danger to the wearer of this type of mask. The Army
mask is designed to absorb small amounts of poisonous
gases and cannot furnish oxygen where it is lacking, as
in combustion products. Gases from fires, as Mr. Bullard
points out, contain large amounts of odorless carbon mon-
oxide but they also contain small amounts of the pun-
gent products of combustion, which serve as a danger-
signal. The mask absorbs the latter but cannot absorb
the large .proportion of carbon monoxide; hence the
wearer is deprived of the warning he otherwise would
have had. The only value of the Army mask is as a pro-
tection against radiant heat.
than the one to which the Senator legitimately aspires.
Mr. William P. G. Harding, the financier, is a man of
perspicuous' utterance, and we read his statements with
much respect. He has been explaining that we have
passed through "a period of exhilaration or intoxica-
tion" and that "business generally is looking forward to
a bountiful harvest and better prospects for the rail-
roads". In this time of belated deflation the Federal
Reserve banking system of this country is playing the
part of an admirable regulator. It aims to promote and
assist the gradual and orderly marketing of the crops, so
as not to involve too great a strain upon our transporta-
tion facilities and our mechanism of credit. The high
discount rate prevailing at the Federal Reserve banks is
meant to check too large a volume of re-discounts and to
prevent an excessive reduction in the reserve of gold,
which is nearly at the legal minimum. The power placed
in the hands of the Federal Reserve Bank to moderate
the issue of loans and thereby to curb profiteering has
been used in salutary fashion. The fulminations of the
Attorney General have been ridiculously ineffective in
disciplining those who have made the most of the critical
conditions created by the aftermath of the War and it is
fortunate that the Government has another branch of ad-
ministration that has been able both to protect the public
and to regulate the use of capital for industrial activities.
pOVERNOR HARDING and Senator Harding are
^J likely to be confused in the mind of the careless
reader of a careless newspaper. The Governor of the
Federal Reserve Bank occupies a position more important
than that of the Senator from Ohio but less important
T? ROM London we have received a copy of the register
-*- of old students and history of the Royal School of
Mines. Although the graduates from this college of min-
ing are few in the United States, this volume is interest-
ing to Americans for several reasons. The School, called
'Royal' because the Prince Consort, Queen Victoria's
husband, was its sponsor, dates from 1851. It was the
child of the Geological Survey of Great Britain soon
after it was founded by De la Beche, who became presi-
dent of the School. The list of the first faculty is notable,
for it iaaluded Lyon Playfair, Edward Forbes, Robert
Hunt, John Percy, Andrew Ramsay, and Warington
Smyth. In 1855 Roderick Murchison succeeded De la
Beche. In 1854 Huxley joined the staff; and shortly
afterward, Tyndall. Huxley became dean of the faculty,
and remained the guiding mind of the institution until
he retired, in 1885. It must be conceded that the School
is rendered illustrious by its professorate; Victorian
science gave of its very best to the Royal School of Mines,
but the School never received the support that it deserved
from a country for which mining, at home and abroad,
has done so much. It was driven from pillar to post and
tied to various grandiose but inchoate schemes of tech-
nical education, so that its identity was swamped and its
usefulness crippled. Despite these unfavorable condi-
tions it has won a recognized position among British
colleges and has produced several generations of men
prominent in the mining exploration and development to
which the British empire owes its expansion. When the
War came, the School was true to its best traditions ; the
classrooms were denuded of their students. The Roll of
Honor includes 72 young men who gave their lives for
October 16. i:>2n
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
:a:\
liie cause of civilization. In war and in peace the Royal
School of Mines has made good.
TN this issue we publish the first of a series of three
■*■ articles that have appeared ill 'The Annalist' of New
York on the subject of 'Labor, the Holder of the Nation's
Wealth and Income'. The writer of them is Mr. Walter
R. Ingalls, for many years and until last year the editor
of the 'Engineering and Mining Journal', a technical
periodical of high standing. Mr. Ingalls is a keen student
and a careful observer; therefore we feel sure that his
conclusions on such an important subject will be read with
interest and respect. He sets out to prove that labor
now and for many years has won the lion's share of the
wealth produced in the United States. In view of the
facts brought out by him it will be well to note the data
prepared by the Monmouthshire and South Wales Coal
Owners Association, showing that since 1914 the item of
wages in the cost of producing a ton of coal in the United
Kingdom has risen from 6s. 2.92d. to 22s. 8.75d., while,
on the other hand, the production of coal has fallen from
230 tons per man per year to 190 tons. Whatever the
coal miner's wages, his share of the total wealth produced
in the country is measured by the amount he has con-
tributed toward increasing the country's wealth; in this
case he is not doing as much in 1920 by 17% as he did in
1914, and therefore he is only entitled, on this line of
reasoning, to 83% as much of food, clothes, comforts, and
luxuries. His increase in wages can only mean one of
two things : either he is obtaining, at the expense of work-
ers in other industries, more of the country's wealth than
that to which he is entitled, or the general rise in prices
has been greater than the increase in his wages, in which
event his bigger wages will do him no good. Obviously if
the same conditions obtain in other industries, and prob-
ably they do, then the only preventive of hard times is
greater efficiency of production. In the United States
likewise the workman generally is less efficient than he
was before the War and he is spending more. This means
a decrease in the pro rata stored wealth of our people, not
the store of dollars and cents represented by paper cur-
rency, bank credits, or shares of stock, but the wealth in
bushels of corn or wheat and pounds of cotton or steel.
During the War the loss of wealth due to under-produc-
tion was compensated by the sale of munitions and sup-
plies to Europe, but now no such compensating factor is
at work and sooner or later we shall have to pay the piper
unless our rate of efficiency in production is increased.
The Japanese in California
The question of Asiatic immigration to this State has be-
come a matter of lively controversy by reason of the fact
that the people of California at the election in November
will vote upon an initiative measure to make more stringent
the laws restricting the privileges of the Japanese to hold
agricultural land. The Japanese are not mentioned in
the Bill, but "aliens ineligible to citizenship" means
Asiatics, and the Chinese having been excluded for many
years, the intent of the proposed legislation is obvious.
By an act of 1913 the legislature of California prohibited
the owning of land by "aliens ineligible to citizenship",
that is. Asialies; and limited leases of agricultural land
by them to a period of three years. Citizenship by
naturalization is open, by Federal law, only to white per-
sons and persons of African descent. The Chinese have
been excluded from the United States by specific Federal
act since 1882; the Japanese had been excluded from
citizenship by judicial interpretation, until the Bureau
of Immigration in 1911 ruled that a Japanese is not "a
white person". It is claimed that the Act of 1913 has
been evaded by the Japanese through the organization of
corporations that acquire agricultural land, and by ac-
quiring rights in the names of children born in California,
and therefore both eligible to citizenship and entitled to
own land. The measure that goes before the voters in
California at the impending election prohibits the leasing
or owning of agricultural land by aliens ineligible to
citizenship ; it prohibits such aliens from owning stock in
corporations owning or leasing agricultural land ; it pro-
hibits such aliens from becoming guardians of that por-
tion of the estate of minors which is agricultural land.
This is not the first time that California has shown her
dislike of the Japanese. Until twenty years ago immigra-
tion from Japan was negligible ; in 1899 only 2844 Jap-
anese entered the United States ; in 1900 the number in-
creased to 12,635 ; in the year 1907 it reached 30,645. In
that year, President Roosevelt, responding to urgent de-
mands from California and other Pacific Coast States,
and empowered by Congress to do so, issued an executive
order denying entrance to Japanese laborers "who have
received passports to go to Mexico, Canada, or Hawaii,
and come therefrom". Concurrently the American and
Japanese governments entered into the famous 'gentle-
men's agreement' whereby the government of Japan
agreed to cease giving passports to "laborers", except
such as had been residents in the United States, or the
parents, wife, or children of residents, and "settled agri-
culturalists". This agreement was observed effectively
for a time ; in 1909 only 3925 Japanese entered this coun-
try ; after that a slight increase was recorded up to 1912,
when 8589 entered ; but since then the influx has gained in
volume slowly until in the year 1919 it had risen again to
16,075. From all these figures for 'arrivals' it is neces-
sary to deduct the 'departures'. Between 1902 and 1919
inclusive the grand total of 'arrivals' was 240,000, of
whom fully half were transients, visitors to this country,
and travelers to or from Europe. At the end of 1919
there were 87,279 Japanese in California, this being four-
fifths of all of that race in this country. In a decade the
total has doubled. These figures are issued by the State
Board of Control and are subject to correction, but they
are the only statistics available until the Census of 1920
is published. The people of our State have been told
officially that the birth-rate among the Japanese is an-
other menace ; in ten years there was as much increase by
birth as by immigration. Therefore they protested
against the shiploads of 'picture brides', that is, the
women selected by means of photographs and married by
proxy to Japanese men in California. In consequence of
544
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 16, 1920
protests the Japanese government in February of this
year made what may be called 'the ladies' agreement',
whereby it promised to issue no more passports to
'picture brides'. The former Chinese immigration against
which California protested so successfully was of men
only, chiefly of coolies; the early Japanese immigration
was likewise confined largely to male laborers; during
recent years there has been a marked influx of women. It
is complained that they and their children work in the
fields with the men. thereby introducing another differ-
ence in the standard of living. By reason of their thrifty
and industrious habits the Japanese are able to augment
their holdings, establishing colonies, especially on irri-
gated lands, and competing successfully with American
farmers. By subterfuge they evade the law that forbids
them, unless born in the United States, to own land ; they
combine and co-operate ; they are increasing in numbers
and in property so fast as to attract the unfriendly atten-
tion of politicians looking for a popular cry. The co-
incidence of the Japanese crisis and the November elec-
tion is significant. A good deal of the noise on the subject
arises from the desire of politicians to curry favor with
the elasses that suffer by competition with the Japanese.
However, there is real anxiety among thoughtful and fair-
minded men lest the increase of the Japanese in Cali-
fornia should prove injurious to this commonwealth, by
introducing a large racial element incompatible with the
American idea and prejudicial to our normal develop-
ment as a white people. The question of inferiority or
superiority of race does not arise ; it is one simply of
difference in traditions and ways of living. Politicians
in Japan naturally express resentment against the pro-
posal of the Californians to legislate against their emi-
grants. Twice a President of the United States has been
compelled to send a member of his Cabinet to San Fran-
cisco to beseech the Californians to abate their impetu-
osity lest international trouble be caused. It seems to us
that, as regards further Japanese immigration, the Japa-
nese government should stop it, since it has been made
clear that it is unwelcome. Of course, if the Japanese are
to be debarred from California, they will have to be shut
out elsewhere in this country, otherwise they will find
their way hither. Presumably one nation can inform an-
other that its nationals are not welcome. It is impolite,
but it is better than ill-treating them when they arrive.
All this refers, of course, only to the laboring class; it
does not refer to Japanese merchants coming here to
transact business or to Japanese students, scientists, and
others of the educated class. They come as visitors, not
as residents, and in any event it is not against them that
popular prejudice has been aroused. Such an embargo
on further Japanese immigration will be regrettable,
from the standpoint of international courtesy, but it will
be better than a recurrent squabble over the matter. As
to the Japanese already here, their rights must be re-
spected. To discriminate against them would be unjust
and would give the Japanese government valid cause for
serious complaint.
Whether some of the proposals in the initiative are
contrary to the provisions of the Constitution of the
United States is another question, which will be decided
in due course, if necessity arise. The decision of the
U. S. Supreme Court in the case of State of Missouri v.
Holland, banded down on April 19, 1920, has a bearing
upon the question of the power of the States in the matter
of excluding foreigners or regulating their right to own-
ership of land as against a possible negotiation of a treaty
by the Federal government on the subject. Some years
ago Congress passed an act for the protection of migra-
tory birds. That act was held by two Federal courts to
be unconstitutional on the ground that it was a usurpa-
tion by Congress of powers that had not been granted to
it and that had been reserved to the States. Subse-
quently a treaty was negotiated between this country and
Canada providing for such protection of migratory birds.
Congress thereupon, in order to enforce the provisions of
the treaty, passed an act protecting from destruction
these migratory birds. The power of Congress to do this
was challenged by the States and it was claimed that
Congress should be held to be without power in the mat-
ter and the act declared void for the same reason that the
former act was declared void. It was held by three local
Federal courts, however, and has now been held by the
Supreme Court, that even though an act of Congress
might be void if it attempted to deal with subjects belong-
ing to the States, nevertheless, if the subject in question
were a proper one for negotiation of a treaty with a for-
eign power and the treaty did not infringe any express
provisions of the Constitution, it would be valid, and a
law of Congress passed for the enforCemant of that treaty
would be valid, although the power to legislate upon the
subject would otherwise have been reserved to the State.
This was so held because of the provision of the Constitu-
tion that ' ' all treaties made or which shall be made under
the authority of the United States shall be the supreme
law of the land", and that the subject of the protection
of migratory birds was a national interest as to which the
United States was not forbidden by the Constitution to
act. Although the right to regulate or prohibit owner-
ship of land by aliens may rest ordinarily with the States,
it may well be held that this subject is a proper one for
international agreement by treaty, and that if regulated
thereby the treaty would control and the legislation of
the States would be superseded. So far as existing
treaties are concerned, they are expressly recognized in
the proposed initiative measure, which provides that
aliens ineligible to citizenship "may acquire, possess, en-
joy and convey real property, or any interest therein, in
this State, in the manner and to the extent and for the
purposes prescribed by any treaty now existing between
the Government of the United States and the nation or
country of which such alien is a citizen or subject, and not
otherwise". It is evident that the possible incidence of a
later treaty is not ignored. Diplomatic action is inevit-
able, and most desirable. The people of California are
fully entitled to express their opinion in a matter that
affei ts them most immediately and the Federal govern-
ment will undoubtedly give heed to their wishes in so far
as they do not conflict with the larger interests of the
Nation.
Oetoh p 16, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
545
D I 3 ©4f&<g
Advertising Ethics
The Editor:
sir — The letter, which you print in your issur of Sep-
tember 18, from the Pennsylvanian manufacturer who
implies thai he will discontinue advertising in your paper
unless you make your editorials politically Republican,
instead of independent as they now are. reminds me of
the good old-fashioned method formerly used in the min-
ing region of northern Michigan to elect mine officials to
local political service. The mine captain usually ran for
the principal office. In the school-house, or wherever the
they knew that business and capital are supporting the
Republicans.
P. B. McDonald.
New York. September 24.
Two Suggestions on a National Problem
The Editor:
Sir — Your friend J. II. Curie, the well-known British
mine-valuer, once said that it is safer to be on the pessi-
mistic side of a problem than otherwise. I am that way
inclined concerning the fuel problem for automobiles
SUCTION GAS-PRODUCER SYSTEM
A, Producer. B. Evaporator. C. Scrubber. D. Receiver. E. Pipe for Water-Vapor from B. F, Pan for Starting- Fire in A. G. Vent for Testing: Gas.
voting was done, all the men who voted for the captain
were lined up on one side of the room, and all who voted
against him were lined up on the other. This enabled the
captain to get a good look at those employees who opposed
"normalcy". In case the opposition was numerous, the
mine clerk could jot down the names. Either the captain
was elected, or there was a big time at the mine the next
day.
Evidently the Pennsylvanian manufacturer does not
advertise in the 'New York Times', for I have not noticed
that that prosperous paper has altered its editorials from
their customary Democratic bias, although the advertis-
ing department is so deluged with business that several
pages have to be refused each day because of lack of space.
Likewise 'The World', which is fiercely Democratic,
seems to attract all the advertising it can carry. The
'Evening Post', independent, apparently has not lost any
ground by choosing to support Cox and Roosevelt. How-
ever, these papers undoubtedly would change sides if
and stationary engines; evidently Mr. F. H. Mason,
judging by his letter in the 'Press' of September 11, is
not. I am quite aware of the intense search the world
over for new oilfields, some of the results from such, the
increase in American petroleum production, the possi-
bilities of oil-shales, and progress in by-product coke-
oven operation ; yet we must not forget the enormous
increase in the consumption of crude oil and its distil-
lates. I did not suggest "anything approaching panic",
as Mr. Mason says; nor did I hint at the "innate stu-
pidity on the part of the Briton", quoting him again
(that remark was quite uncalled for on his part, what
does he mean?), the words "an unsightly bag atop of
the machine" being Captain Brewer's phrase, or to that
effect. There is one point where Mr. Mason is entirely
incorrect : I did not suggest using producer-gas as a fuel
for raising steam, only in internal-combustion engines.
Carbon monoxide, the gas so produced, is made in a pro-
ducer from any class of coal, coke, charcoal, husks of
546
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 16, 1920
any kind, seeds, wood-waste, peat, sawdust, sugar-cane
refuse, firewood, and such like, there being enormous
quantities of waste in this country that could be so
utilized.
There are two gas-producer systems, the pressure and
suction. The former is more suitable for large power-
units, and occupies more space than the suction system.
In the pressure type, air required for generation of car-
bon-monoxide gas is used in the producer under pressure
from an auxiliary source ; but in the suction type, air is
drawn through the producer by the piston of the gas-
engine. Attention here will be paid to suction-gas power,
and the accompanying sketch is almost self-descriptive.
Any of the fuels mentioned are fed into A, which has
a feeder somewhat on the principle of the top of a blast-
furnace. The fuel is lighted, and the fire urged for a few
minutes by the fan F. The hot gas from A passes through
B, which is practically a small water-tube boiler, pro-
ducing steam for mixing with the air for making the gas
in the producer. The first gas made is of poor quality,
so until it is rich enough it is allowed to escape through
the vent G. As the final gas from A is hot and dirty, it
must be cooled and cleaned, so it passes through C. This
is a steel cylinder filled with coke, over which water is
sprayed, and as the gas passes through it, the heat and
rust are abstracted. D is a receiver, gas-holder, or regu-
lating tank between the scrubber and engine. If the
fuel contains any tarry matters, an extractor consisting
of a series of baffle-plates in a tank is placed in the cir-
cuit. When the engine is working, the piston sucks air
and steam through the fuel, then the gas as made to the
cylinder. After all is in order, the whole operation is
automatic, save feeding fuel at regular intervals.
Mr. Mason appears to try to condemn producer-gas
plants, and from his deductions engineers unacquainted
with their operation would not be impressed with them ;
also, according to him, British and European practice
has been inefficient for many years. (Crossley's in Eng-
land has led in producer-gas plants for 40 years.) The
thermal efficiency of suction-gas plants averages over
20%, up to 30%.; while that of steam-plants is less than
half of the higher figure. As for cost of operation, the
gas plant leaves the steam-plant far behind. Mr. Mason
must not forget that the very latest development in pro-
pulsion of motor vehicles, and adopted by the British
government for Army trucks,' is the Smith device that
makes and uses producer-gas on the ear itself.
M. "W. vox Bernewitz.
Sierra City, California. September 25.
Salting of Mines
The Editor:
Sir — Being a constant reader of your paper, I have
from time to time noticed the articles under the title above
given, and in the discussion column. I wish to mention
three methods to which, as I remember, I failed to see
any of your contributors refer. As all mining engineers
will agree, both hand and machine powder is folded over
carefully on each end. It follows that in the bulk-sam-
pling or in making mill-test runs of ore in large mines it
is possible for the ends of each stick of powder to be
raised and a lot of the good old salt of the earth to be in-
jected therein. Another way for hand-samples to be en-
riched is that in small mines or properties where limited
development obtains, it is possible for the quartz or ore
to be enriched in the following manner: The drilling of
minute holes all over the exposed faces where an examin-
ing engineer would be likely to take samples, some chlo-
ride or virgin gold to be put into the holes prior to ex-
amination. I was told of a happening in Baker county,
Oregon. Two engineers were to report at the same time.
The first payment of $5000 depended on the assay-returns
secured from the bottom of a forty-foot shaft. The engi-
neers insisted that the drillings be saved from a complete
round of holes. They stood and watched the miner all
the time, and the method used was that the miner had a
small bottle of virgin gold up one sleeve and would allow
the gold to run down into the drillings.
Fields, Oregon, September 28. Fred. H. Lorenz.
Gas-Masks
The Editor:
Sir — In the face of the Calaveras Copper disaster,
where two men lost their lives, because of the lack of
knowledge that the U. S. Army gas-mask is worse than
useless in fighting mine-fires, I think that your paper
could do a good deal of educational work along this line.
Since the Armistice, the U. S. Bureau of Mines, the
California Industrial Accident Commission, and the Cali-
fornia Metal Producers Association have tried to bring
to the attention of all mining men that in case of fire the
only means of entering the same should be with an ap-
proved self-contained breathing apparatus and that gas-
masks of the Army type should on no account be used.
Among the majority of ex-service men. who found the
gas-mask a wonderful protection against the German
gases, there arose a belief that the mask was the 'be all
and end all' in the way of gas protection. But this
tragedy at the Calaveras mine, sad though it is, should at
Iras! have the good effect of showing, once and for all,
that this is not true and a mask should never be used.
Tin- U. S. Army mask was made for protection against
war gases of which carbon monoxide could never be one,
as it is lighter than air and would not stay on the ground.
In the case of other gases, their density was quickly dis-
sipated by the open conditions in which the gases were
loosened and the percentage of gas was very small. In a
mine-fire, carbon monoxide is the deadliest of all gases,
and goes through the Army mask immediately, giving the
wearer no protection. If other gases are present, they
are so highly concentrated because of the confined condi-
tion of the mine that they would also go through the
mask and poison the wearer. Therefore the only solution
to the problem of fighting fires is to wear a self-contained
breathing apparatus of the approved type and this can-
not be too strongly borne in upon the mining world.
E. D. BuLLARD
San Francisco. October 5.
October 16, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
547
THE UNITED VERDE SMELTER AT CLARKDALE, ARIZONA
The United Verde Smelter
By L. A. PARSONS
Introduction. The smelter of the United Verde Cop-
per Co., at Clarkdale, Arizona, at the time of my visit in
February was producing nearly 7,000,000 lb. of copper
per month from 74,000 tons of ore, this, of course, being
much below its capacity. Although working under re-
strictions as to output, and suffering, as are all industries
nowadays, from excessive and rapidly shifting costs, the
results that are being obtained compare favorably with
the best that is being done in modern copper smelting.
In particular, the blast-furnaces, in smelting 8.5 tons of
charge per square foot of hearth-area, and in producing,
from a 5.87% ore, a 25.7% matte with a coke consump-
tion of 5.85%, are worthy of much more study than the
time at my disposal permitted me to make. Costs1 for
January, a representative month, were, without credits,
il cannot avoid commenting upon the extraordinarily
liberal policy of the management with regard to giving out
costs, charges, and other information that most companies
guard jealously, and I must express my appreciation of the
exceptional facilities extended to me. It is not practicable
here to thank in person all those who courteously assisted
me in my study of the plant and its operation, but I wish
especially to acknowledge my indebtedness to R. E. Tally,
the assistant general manager for the United Verde Copper
Co.; to Tom Taylor, the smelter superintendent; to C. R.
Kuzell, the assistant smelter superintendent; to C. M. Hoff-
man, the superintendent of machinery; and for many valu-
able statistics on ore production to H. DeWitt Smith, the
superintendent of mines.
$1.84 per ton of charge for blast-furnace operation ;
$2.13 for reverberatories ; $0.23 for Wedge furnaces ; and
$12 per ton of blister copper for converters. The total
recovery for the same month was 88.54%. Considerable
of this loss is in the stack-dust, and will be saved by a
large Cottrell treater now designed and authorized.
During this period of reduced production the manage-
ment is proceeding with the enlargement of the smelter.
The present plans call for a plant capable of producing
12,000,000 to 15,000,000 lb. of copper per month when
the market warrants, the ore for this to come from steam-
shovel work in the fire-zones of the mine. The increased
smelter capacity is to be obtained by doubling the number
of roasting and reverberatory furnaces, the blast-fur-
naces remaining the same. This will also double the
power to be obtained from waste-heat, giving a total of
8400 boiler horse-power from this source. The increased
ore-tonnage will require a new crushing-plant, which w£-
be erected at the smelter. This will supersede the present
one at the portal of the Hopewell tunnel. It will be of
the type used at the steel mills, that is, stock-piles and
gantry-cranes, and will have a storage capacity of 250,-
000 tons. Another innovation is coal-dust firing of the
reverberatories to supersede the present system of oil-
firing. The new plant for preparing the coal-duet is
nearly completed, and has many interesting features of
design. Mr. Tally informs me that one lack which for a
548
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 16, 1920
long time has been felt at the smelter is a suitably equip-
ped research department, and plans are now under way
to remedy this. One of the first problems of the new
department will be the recovery of the zinc in the flue-
dust.
Clarkdale, the site of the smelter, is a 'company' town
that shows, in its well-ordered streets, attractive dwell-
ings, and a modern hospital, a concern for the welfare and
contentment of the employees that is worthy of the best
traditions of the mining industry. It is situated in the
Verde valley at an elevation of 3560 ft., four miles north
and 1700 ft. below Jerome, the principal business centre
of the mining district and the operating headquarters of
the United Verde mine. Communication with the out-
side world is maintained by the Verde Valley branch of
United Verde Bit.
'Smelter
Scale of Miles
5
THE RAILROADS OF JEROME
the Santa Fe railroad, which connects with the Ash Fork-
Phoenix line at Cedar Glade. The ore is brought over
the Verde Tunnel & Smelter railroad, which connects
Jerome with Clarkdale. Limestone for flux is shipped
over the same road from a quarry close to the right-of-
way.
This railroad, which is new, is a subsidiary of the
United Verde Copper Co. The ore is loaded at Hope-
well, a erushing-plant and loading-station at the portal
of the main adit, which taps the United Verde mine at
the 1000-ft. level. From the station at Jerome to Clark-
dale is 10.7 miles by railroad, a drop of 1700 ft. ; from
Hopewell to Clarkdale is 6.7 miles and a drop of 940 ft.2
The road is of standard gauge and will eventually become
the main line to Jerome, superseding the present narrow-
gauge and tortuous tracks connecting Jerome with
Jerome Junction. Although a great improvement over
^Jerome is built on the side of a mountain, and different
parts of the town differ greatly in elevation. The surface
of the mine is several hundred feet higher.
the older road, the almost precipitous drop of the moun-
tains to the Verde valley rendered its construction no
simple problem, and it is essentially a mountain railroad.
The grade is compensated 4% for its entire length ; the
longest tangent is 800 ft., and the maximum curvature
24°. Ninety-pound rails were used. At the time of my
visit the ore-trains were being hauled by locomotives with
cylinders 21 by 26 in., 164,000 lb. on drivers ; but as these
could haul only 200 tons up the 4% grade, they were
being replaced by Mallet locomotives, which are expected
to haul 600 tons or 27 empties. These locomotives have
376,000 lb. on the drivers. The ore-cars are steel 60-ton
bottom-dump of 1228-cu. ft. capacity, built by the
Pressed Steel Car Company.
Classes of Ore. The ore as mined is divided into four
classes according to its chemical characteristics, which
dictate different methods of treatment or use at the
smelter. The mining of the ore has recently been covered
exhaustively by an able and comprehensive paper to be
presented at the Lake Superior meeting of the American
Institute of Mining Engineers in August,3 to which the
reader is referred for further details ; here only sufficient
. will be given to enable the metallurgist to understand
the problem that must be solved by the smelting depart-
ment. The names applied to these classes of ore — 'oxide',
'iron', 'silica', and 'converter' — have been in local use
for many years, and some of them are now misnomers, as
will be seen from the descriptions and analyses. The
bulk of the tonnage consists of the iron and silica ores.
Oxide Ore. This is a small tonnage, less than 3% of
the total, mined from the oxidized zone above the 160-ft.
level. A small amount of primary sulphides is present,
but in general the copper content is low.
Iron Ore. This comes from stopes within the massive
sulphide areas of the mine, and contains the highest cop-
per content of the four classes. Ore from these stopes
containing 15% or more of silica is classed as 'silica ore'
and is diverted to the silica ore-bins.
Silica Ore. The ore from all black-schist stopes and
from porphyry stopes assaying less than 50% total silica
is classed as silica ore, together with the ore from the
sulphide stopes containing more than 15% silica. It will
be noted that this name is particularly misleading, as the
iron is often in excess of the free silica and most of the
silica is combined with alumina.
Converter Ore. This is a high-silica low-copper ore
mined in the quartz-porphyry, and is used for flux in
converters and for fettling reverberatories. A small ton-
a'Mining Methods and Costs at the United Verde Mine'.
By H. DeWitt Smith and W. H. Sirdevan. Bulletin A. I. M.
E., May 1920.
Clasa Dry
ot ore tons
Oxide 22.269
Iron 122.928
Silica 324.249
Converter 91.479
Precipitate 32",
Total 861,250
Ore
Shipped to Smelter in 1918
"
Proportion
of total
shipments
Copper
Gold Silver Iron
Insoluble
Silica
Alumina
Sulphur
Zinc
%
%
Oz. Oz. %
%
%
%
%
%
2.59
1.42
0.225 S.37 30.9
39.2
34.1
5.7
2.6
0.1
49.10
6.14
0.025 1.94 31.6
13.61
8.8
3.3
34.9
2.3
37.6:>
5.05
0.025 2.06 24.1
26.9
19.3
10.4
19.4
1.1
10.82
2.06
0.061 2.32 9.1
73.7
67.0
9.9
4.6
0.3
0.04
67.45
... 4.3
1.8
1.3
2.9
1.0
0.6
October 16. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
549
THE OLD SMELTEE AT THE MINE
THE NEW SMELTER AT CLARKDALE
550
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 16, 1920
nage is mined from stopes near the contacts with the sedi-
mentary schist, but the main supply comes from a large
secondary-enrichment orebody situated some distance
from the main orebodies.
In addition to these four classes, a small amount of
precipitate is recovered from the mine-water. The table
on page 548 gives detailed assays and tonnages for each
class produced during 1918.
It has been calculated by the staff that these assays
correspond to the following mineralogical composition:
Mineralogical Composition of Ore Shipped to Smelter
Proportion contained in various ores
Oxide Iron Silica Converter
% % % %
Pyrite 5 69 28 5.75
Chalcopyrite 18 16 1.00
Sphalerite 4 2 0.50
Chalcocite 2 . . . . 1.50
Cuprite and carbonates, native copper. . .. .. .. 0.25
Cuprite 1 . . . . ....
Sulphates and carbonates of iron, cop-
per, and lime 3 . . . . ....
Iron oxides 46 2 2 11.00
Ferruginous chloHte . . 38 6.00
Quartz 28 6 5 54.00
Silicates (sericite. hornblende, kaolin.
etc.) , 15 10 9 20.00
Calcite and siderite 2 . . ....
Total 100 100 100 100.00
Distribution of the Ore. The oxide ore is usually wet
and sticky, and goes direct to the blast-furnaces without
preliminary crushing. The converter, silica, and iron
ore all go through the crushing-plant at Hopewell. This
is an old plant and at present is considered by the staff
to be more or less of a makeshift, pending the construc-
tion at the smelter of a new plant embodying modern
principles of design. At Hopewell all ore except the
oxide is crushed to 4 or 5 inches by a No. 9 gyratory and
screened over lj-in. square holes. The oversize of the
silica and iron ore is the main blast-furnace feed. The
oversize of the converter ore is re-crushed at the smelter
and is used for flux in the converters and reverberatories.
The size to which this is crushed varies from time to time
owing to the present inadequate crashing facilities. The
size that has been found by the smelter staff to be most
suitable is about that of ordinary marbles with the dust
removed, but this cannot always be obtained with the
present equipment. When the new plant is in operation
all the converter ore will be crushed to this size.
The converter, silica, and iron ore, after going through
the lj-in. square holes, is re-eru#hed at Hopewell by two
48-in. vertical Symons disc-crushers, one of which is kept
as a spare, and by four 54 by 24-in. rolls to pass a T^-in.
round hole, and thence goes to the roasting-furnaces.
This size also leaves much to be desired, but it it the best
that the present plant will do. The pyrite in the ore is
an extremely hard massive variety, and its physical
properties are such that, when as coarse as half an inch,
it will not roast well in the ordinary time of travel
through a roasting-furnace.
There are two bins for ore at the smelter, each with a
capacity of 14,000 tons, giving a total storage of 28,000
tons. The bins over which the entering tracks pass are
used principally for coarse, only two compartments being
reserved for fine. The other bins are used for the storage
of fine, which is transferred by belt-conveyor and elevator
from the two receiving compartments. The chutes under
the coarse bins discharge into weighing-hoppers, each of
which will hold approximately three tons of iron ore.
The charge, weighed and ready when the charge-train
runs under the bins, is thus quickly tripped into the ears.
The fine, however, is measured by a different method;
instead of discharging into weighing-hoppers, it is run
through calibrated gates onto 30-in. belt-conveyors. These
gates are opened to a width giving a fixed number of tons
per hour, so that mixtures containing the desired pro-
portions of different types of ore are made directly on the
belt. The charge is elevated to the roaster-bins by a 20-
in. belt-conveyor at an angle of 15°. All the charge goes
to the roasters on the day-shift, and in order to continue
this practice, when the heavy tonnages from steam-shovel
operations4 start to come in, the 20-in. belt will be re-
placed by one 30 in. wide. As soon as the roaster-charge
has been made up, an underground conveyor diverts the
fine to the elevator leading to the fine-storage bin.
Roaster Plant. The present roaster plant consists of
twelve 21$-ft. 6-hearth "Wedge furnaces with an addi-
tional drying-floor, driven by a 35-hp. motor. Twelve ad-
ditional roasters are being erected to handle the steam-
shovel tonnage, each 22| ft., with 7 hearths, an extra
hearth being substituted in place of the drying floor be-
cause the compact structure of the sulphides requires
more time in the furnace than the present type permits.
An unusual feature of all these furnaces is that they re-
volve on roller-bearings running in oil. Even with the
restricted production at the time of my visit the present
roaster plant was badly crowded, the figures for January
showing an average of 93.2 tons per furnace-day. against
a rated capacity of 75 tons. Forcing the roasters to such
an extent required the use of 1725 bbl. of fuel-oil, an aver-
age of 4.7 bbl. per furnace-day. This expense will be
obviated when the additional roasters are in operation.
The fume from the roasters discharges through a dust-
chamber 50 ft. wide, 21 ft. high above the top of the
hoppers, and 140 ft. long, into the central stack, which is
30 by 400 ft., made of self-supporting steel and lined
with Gallup brick. A 20-ft. section in the middle of the
dust-chamber has wires hung at three-inch centres, but
these are being superseded by an agglomerator type of
the Cottrell process, known as the Frisbie modification.
The calcine is hauled to the reverberatories in cars
holding 22 tons, by 10-ton electric locomotives, driven by
250-volt D.C. motor.
The statistics on roaster operation for January are as
follows :
Tons charged Copper. %
Converter ore 4.400 1.51
Silica ore 13.963 5.26
Iron ore 15.906 6.05
Total 34,269 5.15
Calcine recovered 28.649
Shrinkage, tons 5.620
Shrinkage, per cent 16.40
Furnace-days 367.66
Tons charge per furnace-day 93.2
■•These steam-shovel operations at the mine will be de-
scribed in a succeeding article.
October 16, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
551
MINE ORE
497. Iron ure P'=%
6.057. Cu \ ^
J% Oxide Ore
0.737. Cu
s: .. "% ^
^ Converter • ore ^
L5/7.Cu
£
HOPEWELL
CRUSHING -PLAN T
N9 9 GYRATORY CRUSHER
TO 3 IN.
Undersize
SCREEN WITH
li-IN.SQUARE HOLES
TWO 48 -IN. VERTICAL
SYMONS DISC CRUSHERS
AND TOUR 54 BY B4-IN. ROLLS
1
'
SCREEN WITH -fe- IN
ROUND HOLES
1
'
CLARKDALE BINS,
FINE
\
'
BELT -CONVEYOR
SYSTEM
'o
Qversi.
Iron and Silica Ore
li to 5 -in.
T
Re-crushed at Smelter
for flux for Converters
and Reverberatories.
*
■»
S1
<<j
'-ij
3
If W \ ' 1
? VJ
To EASTERN REFINERY '
FLOW-SHEET OF THE UNITED VERDE SMELTER
552
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 16, 1920
Costs for the same period are as follows :5
Per ton
of charge
Belt-conveyors $0.03
Fuel-oil (crowding roasters) 0.12
Operating 0.07
Unclassified 0.01
Total calcining- per ton of charge SO. 23
The reverberatory plant in present use consists of
three 19£ by 100-ft. oil-fired furnaces, with a rated ca-
pacity of 650 tons of solid charge plus 120 tons of con-
verter slag per day. Like the roaster plant, this depart-
ment is being enlarged by the construction of three more
furnaces, each 25 by 100 ft. The furnaces now in use
are ample to take care of all the calcine that can be put
through the present roasters. The lining is ordinary
silica brick, except around the tap-holes, where chrome
brick is used. The roofs are ribbed similarly to those at
Anaconda. The length of campaign with the 19-J-ft. fur-
naces is about 100,000 tons without patching the roof ; it
is expected that the new furnaces will handle 150,000
tons.
The gases from each furnace pass through two B. &
W. Sterling 700-hp. boilers, making six in present use
and six more to be constructed with the new furnaces.
In addition, two similar furnaces are direct-fired by oil-
burners. The steam is carried to the power-house in a
double 10-in. header.
The matte is tapped near the uptake or flue end of the
furnace and in order to avoid the use of long launders
to convey the matte to the converter-aisle a tunnel has
been constructed between each pair of furnaces and at
right angles to the aisle. The matte is tapped into a
ladle, which is carried on a small truck in the tunnel.
After delivery to the converter-aisle on this small truck
the 200-eu. ft. matte-ladle is carried by crane to the con-
verters. The slag from all the furnaces is hauled to the
dump in 225-cu. ft. electric-tilted slag-pots by an 18-ton
electric locomotive.
The statistics on reverberatory operation for January
are as follows :
Tons Copper. %
Converter ore (fettling) 504 1.51
Calcine , 28.649 6.40
Blast-furnace flue-dust 1.338 14.80
Roaster-dust 1.577 6.30
Total 32.068 6.67
Furnace-days 62
Tons per furnace-day 517
In addition to the ore-tonnage, approximately 120 tons
of liquid converter-slag is charged per day.
Bbl. per ton of
Bbl. solid charge
Fuel-oil 19.484 0.61
Credit waste heat 6.819 0.21
Balance charged to reverberatories 12,665 0.40
The matte ranges from 27 to 30% copper and the slag
averages 0.38% copper and 36% silica.
Costs for the same period are as follows :
Per ton charged
Tramming and weighing S0.09
Fuel-oil 1.54
Operating 0.39
=A11 costs given in this article, both for this and other de-
partments, are for operating and repairs; they include no
overhead nor supervision ahove the grade of shift-boss.
Per ton charged
Slag removal 0.07
Unclassified 0.04
S2.13
Waste-heat credit 0.54
Cost without calcining 1.59
Calcining per ton reverberatory charge 0.25
1.84
Credit smelting blast-furnace flue-dust 0.08
Net cost reverberatory smelting 1.76
Fuel-oil costs $2.53 per barrel f.o.b. smelter. All re-
verberatory furnaces are being equipped for pulverized
coal. The coal plant is described later in this paper.
Blast-Furnace Plant. There are four blast-furnaces,
each 48 in. by 26 ft., with 48 tuyeres of 4| in. diam-
eter. A feature of these furnaces that is rather a novelty
is the Giroux hot-blast top, by means of which the blast
is heated to 100° or 150° above the atmospheric tem-
perature. No research has been done to determine the
exact effect of this; it has been in use a long time,
and is considered by the smelter staff to be beneficial.
The blast-pressure varies from 22 to 40 oz., depending
on the capacity desired. No pulverized coal has yet been
blown through the tuyeres, but the management expects
to undertake experiments with this process. The fume
discharges into a dust-chamber 220 ft. long, 59 ft. 2 in.
wide, and 29 ft. 6 in. high above the hoppers, but when
the Cottrell plant is completed the fume will pass into it.
The matte is tapped directly into 200-cu. ft. ladles in
the converter-aisle, and the slag is hauled in 225-cu. ft.
slag-pots. Liquid converter-slag was formerly dumped
into the settlers, but with the exception of an occasional
ladle it now all goes to the reverberatory furnaces.
The statistics on operation for January are as follows :
Tons Copper. %
Silica ore 12.932 5.26
Iron ore 18.530 6.05
Converter ore 41 1.51
Oxide ore 2.472 0.73
Swansea lease 562 22.86
Total ore 34.537 5.64
Limestone 5.862
Smelter cleanings 4.988
Total charge without coke 45.387 5.39
Furnace-days 61.8
Tons per furnace-day 734
Tons per square foot of hearth-area 7.06
Coke 6.1%
The matte averages 25% in copper and the slag 0.4%.
Costs for the same period are as follows:
Per ton charged
Tramming and weighing charge SO. 09
Coke 0.93
Air 0.24
Operation; 0.30
Flux 0.10
Slag removal 0.07
Unclassified 0.05
SI. 78
Reverberatory charge for flue-dust 0.06
Total per ton of charge SI. 84
Coke cost $15.32 f.o.b. smelter during this period.
The smelter staff is engaged in increasing the efficiency
of the blast-furnaces. Considerable improvement has
been made in comparison with former practice, but it
has not yet been determined just what results can be
October Hi. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
55a
VACUUM HEADER IN COAL-PULVERIZING PLANT
GATES AND CONVEYOR UNDER COAL-STORAGE BUNKERS
554
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 16, 1920
obtained. The best result so far obtained was in March,
the record for which is as follows :
Tons per furnace-day 908.4
Tons per day per square foot of bearth-area 8.5
Coke per ton of charge 5.85%
Coke per ton of eupreoua material 6.48%
Copper in charge 5.87%
Copper in matte 25.7%
Although this record is gratifying, the smelter officials
have hopes of doing even better, particularly in cutting
down the proportion of fuel. Some runs have been made
with 4.5% coke, but so far not for a continuous month.
A study of the figures of cost will throw an interesting
side-light on the controversy over the relative merits of
the blast-furnace and the reverberatory. Giving credit
for waste-heat, the cost of reverberatory treatment, in-
cluding calcining, for the month under consideration is
$1.84 per ton of charge, exactly equal to that of the blast-
furnaces, which must pay for having their flue-dust
smelted. The blast-furnaces, however, were being oper-
ated at capacity and the reverberatories were not, which
throws this comparison somewhat in favor of the rever-
beratories, although the cost of the finer crushing neces-
sary before calcining is not included. As these costs are
so nearly the same, the attitude of the management is
significant. At present some ore of blast-furnace size is
being crushed in order to smelt it in the reverberatories,
and with the completion of the new reverberatories this
will be still more the practice. It is planned at that time
to make any necessary curtailment of output, as market
conditions fluctuate, by shutting down blast-furnaces and
smelting a larger proportion in the reverberatories.
Without the waste-heat credit, the reverberatory and
calcining cost is $2.38, a result that, at this plant, would
have thrown the argument strongly in favor of the blast-
furnace. Thus the waste-heat here, as in most of these
comparisons, is seen to be the critical factor. Water-
power in Arizona is scarce ; hydro-electric plants are few ;
a large part of the electric power used over the State must
be generated by steam, and this is expensive. The United
Verde pays from 1 to ljc. per kw-hour to the Arizona
Power Co. for the excess power it may require. This
high rate for power makes waste-heat exceedingly valu-
able ; practically the entire power-plant is run by it, and
a waste-heat credit of 54c. per ton of charge is the result,
an advantage that no blast-furnace could hope to over-
come on other than the most refractory ore. Although
somewhat of a digression, it may here be noted that at
the time of my visit to the United Verde Extension
smelter, which will be described in another article, only
the reverberatory was being operated, the same condition
of expensive power causing the management to meet a
necessary reduction of output by shutting-down the blast-
furnace.
This condition of expensive power, however, does not
exist where hydro-electric energy is available. Com-
panies owning their own hydro-electric plants and de-
livering ample power cheaply, find that the waste-heat
credit from their reverberatories dwindles to a few cents ;
the comparison is made almost purely on operating char-
acteristics, and at many places a preference for the blast-
furnace is the result. The Sudbury district is an example
of this kind, the greater part of the smelting there being
done in blast-furnaces, although even there the compari-
son is a close one, and much of the preference for the
blast-furnace is undoubtedly due to the momentum of
existing practice. Where waste-heat cannot be used
economically for power, its re-use in the reverberatory is
the only alternative. All methods so far developed for
doing this rely on some form of the regenerative checker
system, and metallurgists seem to have a strong aversion
for the cumbersome plant required and the operating
difficulties introduced by the necessary reversal of gases.
Converter Pliant. — There are six 12-ft. basic con-
verters of the Great Palls type, of which five were in
operation. Two more stands are under construction.
The lining is magnesite brick 15 in. thick. Each con-
verter has 16 tuyeres of 1^ in. diameter. These are
double, containing an inner pipe that can easily be re-
placed. The air-pressure averages 14 lb. The converters
are tilted by Allis-Chalmers 50-hp. motors, 440 volt, 65
amp., 60 cycle, acting through a steel worm turning a
70-in. brass gear. As the brass wears it is removed from
the spider and a new one substituted. Since power is on
tap from two sources, the United Verde power-plant and
the Arizona Power Co., and the converter air is furnished
by steam-operated units, there is no danger of freezing
the tuyeres.
As previously noted, the matte is transferred to the
converters, from both reverberatories and blast-furnaces,
by 200-cu. ft. ladles. Flux is fed by gravity through
spouts leading from overhead bins, which in turn are kept
supplied by a belt-conveyor. The matte is blown to 99.4%
blister, which is carried by ladles to two straight-line
casting-machines, and cast into 400-lb. bars, which are
shipped East to be refined. As much slag as the reverber-
atories can handle is treated by them, the excess going to
the blast-furnace settlers ; and this has been reduced to
only an occasional ladle.
The cost of converting in January was $12 per ton of
blister copper.
Pulverized-Coal Plant. In taking up the mechanical
equipment, those vital accessories on the smooth working
of which the very life of a smelter depends, perhaps the
most interesting department is the new plant, not yet
completed, for treating the coal to be used in firing the
reverberatories. This plant is particularly interesting,
not so much because this method of firing reverberatories
is comparatively new, but because it represents a most
recent decision of the management as to the apparatus
and arrangement best fitted to meet its needs. When this
plant is completed, coal-dust will displace the oil now
used for firing the reverberatories.
The coal as it comes into the smelter-yard will be stored
under water in two concrete open-top bins holding to-
gether 15,000 tons. An Alliance Machine Co. gantry-
crane with a 2|-yd. clam-shell bucket serves these bins,
filling them from the railroad cars, and transferring coal
as needed into smaller bins feeding a belt-conveyor sys-
tem. The first belt-conveyor is 36 in. wide ; at the end of
October 16, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
.-,;,;,
the bins it rises at an angle of l"i . dropping the coal into
the primary breaker, which is driven by a 50-hp. motor.
From tlic primary breaker the coal drops onto another
belt-conveyor, which carries it to the dryer-building.
This is equipped with two Ruggles-Coles A14 coal-dryers,
each driven by a 200-hp. motor. Space is provided for
the erection of a third dryer, it' it is found to be neces-
sary. From the dryer-building the coal passes to two
Jeffries coal-disintegrators, thence by bucket-elevator to
the bins in the pulverizing-building. Space is provided
for a third disintegrator. From the bins in the pulver-
izer department the fine coal drops into eight 5-roller
Raymond impact-pulverizing mills. The blowers main-
TOM TAYLOR, SMELTER SUPERINTENDENT, UNITED VERDE
COMPANY
tain a 16-oz. air-suction at the top of each mill, and the
coal stays in the mill until it is fine enough to be lifted by
this current of air. From the mills the suction carries
the coal-dust to a 16-in. screw-conveyor, by which it is
conveyed to a 60-ton bin in front of each reverberatory.
Firing will be done through five burners for each furnace.
In the general arrangement of the entire coal-plant,
and its relation to the reverberatories, every precaution
has been taken against fire and explosions. The dryer
and pulverizer buildings are built of brick and concrete
on a steel frame, and are conspicuous for the ample space
provided, the large windows, and the amount of ventila-
tion. There is no crowded machinery and there are no
awkward angles to catch coal-dust. The conveyors and
other necessary apparatus are so arranged that the floors
can In- flushed easily with water and the accumulation of
coal-dust reduced to a minimum.
Since the writing of this article the coal-plant has
started operations and has been found to be remarkably
Eree from dust.
The Povver-Plant. The factors influencing the design
of the power-plant were expensive power, the need for
auxiliary units for generating electric current when the
lines of the Arizona Power Co. failed, and a large supply
of steam from the waste-heat of the reverberatories.
With three reverberatories in operation this amounts to
4200 boiler horse-power; with the completion of the new
reverberatory plant this will be doubled. Most of the
blowers and compressors are driven by steam, but some
COAL-DUST COLLECTORS IN DRYER PLANT
are electrically driven, as will be noted in the list of
equipment, and one stand-by blast-furnace blower is
driven by Diesel engines. The high cost of power dic-
tated several refinements, for the controlling of waste,
that would not be worth while at a plant where power is
cheaper. Among these is the separation of the circuits
in all the important buildings into a day system and a
night system. In the day-time a few lights are always
needed for dark corners, and also outlets for extension
cords. These are all on a 'day' circuit. The great bulk
of the lights, which are required only at night, are on a
'night' circuit. These two circuits are separated at the
main junction-box for each building; when the foreman
for day-shift comes on duty he opens the 'night' circuit,
thus preventing useless waste of current irrespective of
what is done with the individual switches.
Another detail of design that has saved many operat-
556
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 16, 1920
ing delays and other more serious trouble is a system of
double power-lines. To all the individual important cir-
cuits in the plant, such as converters, cranes, and trans-
portation systems, two power-lines are run, one around
the north end of the plant and one around the south end.
These two lines are tied to the intake and the feeders by
double-throw switches, as indicated on the accompanying
sketch. In case of trouble on the operating line the man
in charge does not delay to discover the trouble ; he mere-
ly throws the two sets of double-throw switches, a matter
of a few minutes only, operation is resumed, and the
trouble is hunted down at leisure. H. A. Reutschi, chief
electrician, stated that this system has been found in-
valuable, and that it has saved many times the cost of the
double installation. When the Arizona Power Co. lines
go, the United Verde turbo-generator sets take the load.
To aid in obtaining quick attention to trouble, all sta-
tions for electricians are on an individual telephone sys-
tem direct to the electrical shop, where some one is always
on duty. The shop has a telephone switch-board and the
operator can act as 'central' to connect the electrician's
stations, either with each other or with an outside line.
Trouble is telephoned to the electrical shop by the shift-
boss or foreman, where the man in charge, who has a
chart showing the position of every electrician at that
moment, calls up the most available man and sends him
to attend to the work.
The switchboard in the power-house is of the 'remote
control' type. On the main floor is the polished slate
Intake
J
5-
<u Double-throw Switches <u
■3 to connect at 5 ■£
Feeders
ARRANGEMENT OF DUPLICATE POWER-LINES
board of 39 panels, wired for 2500 volts. The levers on
this board are mechanically connected to oil-switches on
concrete panels in the basement. As is customary the oil-
switches are protected by disconnecting knife-switches,
to safeguard doubly men working on the line, or in case
the oil-switches need repairing.
The air for the blast-furnaces is furnished by the fol-
lowing equipment, at an average pressure of 31 ounces :
Electric drive :
One No. 11 Root blower, 48 by 132, rated at 401 cu. ft.
per revolution to 1\ lb. Driven by one G. E. 500-hp. in-
duction motor, type 1-16-500, 2200 volt, 442-450 r.p.m.
Gear-connected.
One No. 11 Root blower 48 by 99, rated at 300 eu. ft.
per revolution. Driven by two motors, each Westing-
house 200-hp. induction, type CCL, 440 volt. 254 amp.,
495 r.p.m.
One No. 9* Root blower, 48 by 99, rated at 224 cu. ft.
per revolution. Driven by one Westinghouse slip-ring
induction motor, type CW, 2200 volt. 585 r.p.m.
One No. 11 Root blower, 48 by 132. rated at 400 cu. ft.
per revolution. Connected by rope-drive to one Westing-
house slip-ring induction motor, type SP, 2200 volt,
315 r.p.m.
Steam drive:
One No. 11 Root blower, 48 by 132. rated at 400 cu. ft.
per revolution. Direct-connected to an Allis-Chalmers
Corliss 16-32 by 36 cross-compound horizontal condens-
ing engine. Steam at 150 pounds.
Diesel-engine drive :
One No. 11 Root blower, 48 by 99. rated at 300 cu. ft.
per revolution, connected by rope drive to two vertical
Diesel engines, triple cylinder type, 16 by 24 in., 225 hp.
each. This blower is kept as a spare. Air for the Diesels
is furnished by two Ingersoll-Rand three-stage compress-
ors, 8-5-2f by 8, 185 r.p.m., compressing 86 cu. ft. of free
air per min. to 1200 lb. The starter and the compressor
drive is a Westinghouse 50-hp. slip-ring induction motor,
2200 volts.
The air for the converters is furnished by the following
equipment, at an average pressure of 16 lb. All are steam
driven.
Nordberg blowing-engine, horizontal cross-compound
condensing duplex. Steam end 60-28 by 48. Uses steam
at 175 hp. with 100° super-heat. Air end 60-60 by 48.
Capacity 24,000 cu. ft. of free air per min. at 81 r.p.m.
Fly-wheel 60,000 lb., 18 ft. diameter.
Nordberg blowing-engine, horizontal cross-compound
duplex. Steam end 32-64 by 54. Uses steam at 120 lb.
Air end 60-60 by 54. Capacity 20,000 cu. ft. of air per
min. at 56 r.p.m.
Southwark blowing-engine, horizontal cross-compound
duplex. Steam end 28-52 by 60. Steam at 125 lb. Air
end 60-60 by 60. Capacity 20,000 eu. ft. at 60 r.p.m.
Southwark turbo-blower, Rateau-Smoot type, water-
cooled. Steam at 125 lb. Capacity 25,000 cu. ft. at 2500
r.p.m.
General high-pressure air is furnished by :
Ingersoll-Rand two-stage compressor, Class PRE 2,
29-17* by 21. Capacity 2470 cu. ft. of free air to 100 lb.
at 180 r.p.m. Direct-connected to a G. E. self-starting
synchronous motor, 2200 volt, 180 r.p.m., 434 brake
horse-power.
Nordberg compressor, steam driven, two-stage cross-
October 16, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
557
compound condensing. Steam end 22-42 by 48, Corliss
type. Steain at 100 lb. Air end l!»-32 by 48. Capacity
2500 an. ft. of free air to 90 lb. at 57 r.p.m.
There are two generators, driven in parallel, to furnish
current for all purposes when the lines of the Arizona
Power Co. fail, namely :
One Allis-Chalmers 2000 k\v. turbo-generator. Parsons
type, condensing. Steam at 150 lb., 2300 volt.
One Allis-Chalmers 1500 k\v. turbo-generator, Parsons
type, condensing. Steam at 150 lb., 2300 volt, 3600 r.p.m.
All AC machine fields are excited by
One Allis-Chalmers turbo-exciter, 125 volt, 280 amp.,
3600 r.p.m.
One Westinghouse motor-generator. Generator 125
volt, 200 amp., 1120 r.p.m., 25 kw. Motor, induction, 440
volt. 40 hp., direct-connected.
In case of trouble with the transformers, a 440-volt
current can be furnished directly by a Westinghouse 500
kw. turbo-generator, 657 amp., 3600 r.p.m. Direct-con-
nected to a Parsons turbine.
Direct current for railway and general D. C. lines is
furnished by two Westinghouse motor-generator sets.
Each generator is 250 volt, 800 amp., 200 kw., 600 r.p.m.,
driven by a synchronous motor, 440 volt, 290 horse-power.
The crane has a span of 56 ft. 11| in., and a capacity of
20 tons with a factor of safety of five.
The machine-shop now handles not only all repair
work for the smelter, but all heavy repairs for the mine,
the present shops at Jerome being inadequate for more
than light work. This is only a temporary arrangement,
as with the completion of the new surface plant at
Jerome, the shops at the mine will be able to do all the
mine work, and the machine-shop at the smelter will be
used only for smelter work.
One of the first features noticed on entering the shop
is that most of the machines are driven by counter-shaft.
This is because almost all the present equipment has been
in use several years; at the time it was purchased, in-
dividual drives were just beginning to come into vogue,
and the management at that time decided in favor of the
older system. J. A. Magill, the foreman, who courteously
showed me through the shop, believes that individual
drives would be better, thus confirming my observation
as to the trend of recent practice.
There are two line-shafts, each driven by a 20-hp.
Westinghouse motor, type MS, 440 volt, 60 cycle, 845
r.p.m. One line-shaft drives the lathes ; the other drives
the milling-machines, drill-press, planers, etc. Two ma-
chines are recent installations and have individual drives,
namely, the boring-mill and the power-press. It has been
found that the line-shaft driving the milling-machine and
planers is a little short of power when the big planer is
run.
The equipment is as follows :
In general big work, an old model 72-in. lathe of un-
known make.
One 24-in. by 48-in. Le Blond heavy-duty gap lathe.
Bed : closed, 14 ft. ; open, 20 ft.
One 24-in. Hendey lathe, 14-ft. bed.
One 18-in. Prentice lathe.
One Detrick & Harvey Machine Co. open-side planer,
48-in. by 48-in. by 16-ft. bed.
One 28-in. Crank simper.
One 20-in. Qould & Eberhardt shaper
One Le Blond No. 4 Plane milling machini
One 6-ft. radial drill-press, full universal, made by
American Tool Works Co.
One Cincinnati drill-press, 24-in. table.
One 60-in. Gisholt boring-mill. This has an individual
drive, a Westinghouse CS 7|-hp. motor. 440 volt, 855
r.p.m.
One 400-ton power-press, used principally for forcing
car-wheels on axles. This also has an individual drive, a
G. E. type, 1 10-hp. motor, 440 volt, 865 r.p.m.
One Acme single-head bolt-cutter.
In addition to this major apparatus, there are the usual
auxiliary grinders, power hack-saws, and similar equip-
ment.
The tool-room is equipped with a No. 3 Cincinnati uni-
versal milling-machine; a B. & S. No. 2 Universal grind-
er; an 18-in. American tool lathe; and an 18-in. Aurora
Tool Works drill-press.
Mr. Magill, in commenting on the suitability of the
entire shop to the needs of the smelter, stated that in
general it performed its work well. He has found that
the lathe sizes are not sufficiently different, and believes
that a 16-ft. boring-mill, with a 72-in., a 48-in., and a
24-in. lathe, would give a better range. A slotting-ma-
chine, especially for key-ways, would be an improvement.
All internal key-ways must now be cut on a shaper or
planer ; external key-ways are cut on the milling-machine.
In the tool-room a simple device that has been much used
is a 'backing-off' attachment for automatically putting
the clearance on reamers and taps. This is attached to
the 18-in. lathe, and when once adjusted as desired re-
quires no further attention.
Monazite is essentially a phosphate of the cerium
earths, but its commercial value is due chiefly to the pres-
ence of a variable amount of thoria, the oxide of thorium,
according to a publication issued by the British govern-
ment. This is extracted from it by chemical treatment
and marketed in the form of thorium nitrate for use in
the manufacture of gas-mantles. The mineral is found in
the form of grains, usually of a honey-yellow color, in
beach and river sands. Commercial supplies of the sand
were first obtained from the beach sands of the Brazilian
coast ; but deposits of a closely similar character were
found some years ago on the coast of Travancore in
southern India, and they have since been found in Cey-
lon. Monazite sand can he easily identified as a rule by
its color, the well-rounded form of the grains, its high
specific-gravity (about 5.2), and weakly-magnetic char-
acter. In consequence of this magnetic character it can
usually be isolated from the other heavy minerals by
means of an electro-magnet. Monazite shows a character-
istic absorption spectrum, but is best identified by the
physical characters already enumerated, and by the fact
that it yields a phosphate reaction.
558
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 16, 1920
Labor the Holder of the Nation's Wealth and Income-I
By W. R. INGALLS
•This study was instituted with the intention of show-
ing the amount of the annual income of the American
people, its division between what are commonly classed
as capital and labor, and its further division among the
classes of labor. It proved impossible to carry out this
ambitious plan in its entirety owing to the absence of
essential data.
Dr. Arthur L. Bowley recently published a similar
analysis of the national income of Great Britain before
the War. Although he made a far better study for Brit-
ish conditions than I have been able to do for American,
he encountered similar difficulties, and remarked that
"material for such a task is of that unco-ordinated, in-
complete, and sporadic nature which is familiar to all
those who have tried to obtain general results from official
statistics". The same remark may be made with respect
to American official statistics. It is not satisfactory that
out of the great mass of statistics that are collected and
published in Washington there is nothing given that
ought to be a fundamental figure, namely, the amount of
the total national income, nor even sufficient data to
permit that figure to be deduced.
In the greatest economic disturbance of the world's
affairs that there has been since the Thirty Tears' War,
and possibly that there has ever been, nothing but imper-
fect statistical information respecting the wealth and in-
come and earning capacity of the countries of the world
exists. John Maynard Keynes in his book on the 'Eco-
nomic Consequences of the Peace', the most important
economic production reviewing the consequences of the
War to Europe, and we may say to the world, shows that
the conference in Paris did not posses adequate informa-
tion (and for that matter did not pay proper attention to
what it had).
In this paper I show that we do not have in this coun-
try any good inventory of its wealth, any satisfactory
computations of annual gross and net income, any regu-
lar enumerations of either the total number of workers
in the country or their classification according to indus-
tries and occupations, any comprehensive data as to their
earnings. I believe that this paper is the first to draw
attention to this, and offer even rough estimates for the
situation in recent years. Previous to this paper I do not
believe that there was ever any computation of the quan-
tity of all the basic commodities produced in the United
States, and even now there are no data of the quantity
of products exported, the only summaries of the elaborate
statistics of the Department of Commerce and Labor
being in terms of dollars, which, in view of the extraor-
dinary rise in prices since 1914, afford but little idea of
what has really happened.
•From The Annalist', of September 13, 1920.
Although the study, begun in March 1919, whereof the
results are summarized in this paper was side-tracked for
several months for the reasons stated above, it has seemed
to me advisable, in view of the great importance of the
subject and the bearing of certain revelations that can be
made with assurance, to publish the general outline in
spite of its fragmentary nature and unsatisfactoriness as
a whole. Let it be understood therefore that I am not
offering dogmatically everything that is to be found in
this paper, but am presenting it simply as a contribution
that will be indicative and suggestive. Nevertheless, I
feel a confidence that my conclusion, especially as to the
capitalistic share of the produce of industry is substan-
tially correct. It is not far out of line with what Bowley
has deduced for Great Britain, and is almost identical
with data for Australia.
In an editorial in 'The Age' of Melbourne, September
5, 1919, it was stated that "the figures of the Common-
wealth statist show that our total national income is
£240,000,000, and of this £159,000,000 is spent in wages
and salaries, and £81,000,000 is paid as a 5% income on
property. In the aggregate rewards of our Australian
production the wage-earners and income receivers under
£500 get four-fifths of the total, and the 'fat men' only
one-fifth". Compare these data with figures in my sum-
mary for the United States, which follows immediately.
The main conclusions of this paper are the following:
The fixed wealth of the United States in 1916 was about
$260,000,000,000, whereof about $30,000,000,000 was in
stocks of goods and all the rest in real estate, railways,
etc. The population of the country was about 102,500,-
000 souls, of whom about 41,000,000, men and women,
were workers, about 14,000,000 of them being farmers.
The total national produce was about 1,200,000,000 tons
of goods, worth from $45,000,000,000 to $50,000,000,000.
Out of that produce a group of people aggregating a little
more than 400,000, who received incomes in excess of
$3000 and paid income taxes, got about $7,900,000,000.
Less than one-half of that was derived from investments
and more than one-half came from the personal efforts of
this class. Persons enjoying income of less than $3000
received about 44% of the dividends paid by corpora-
tions and a much larger proportion, perhaps 75%, of the
Government, State, municipal, and corporate interest
payments. There remained from $23,000,000,000 to
$28,000,000,000 to be divided among 27,000,000 non-
agricultural workers, who received an average of some-
where between $855 and $1040 each. Among the great
classes of workers there is a wide difference in earnings.
The farm-hand in 1916 averaged about $400, the factory
worker $675, the steam-railway man $886, and the metal
miner $1250. Some classes probably averaged higher
wages than the metal miner.
October 16, 1320
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
559
The purely capitalistic return, that is, profits, interest,
and rent, upon the wealth of the country cannot be de-
termined, but apparently is only a small percentage, cer-
tainly less than 5% on the fixed wealth. If the non-agri-
eultural wage-earners in 1916 could have appropriated
all the income of the class of people receiving more than
$3000 they would have added less than $300 to each of
Iheir own incomes, but in fact they could have done no
such thing, for the large sum ascribable to the personal
efforts of business and professional men would not have
been available for division.
Since 1916 the population of the United States has
been increasing at the rate of about 1,700,000 per annum,
but the aggregate production of goods has increased
scarcely any. Out of the substantially stationary produc-
tion, much has been wasted in warfare and much has had
to be supplied to the people of Europe. The quantity
available per person in this country has therefore di-
minished. The talk about labor henceforth participating
to a greater extent in the produce of industry is mostly
nonsense, for labor already gets all that may be divided,
and the only way it can get any more is to produce more.
When labor thinks that it is getting more of the produce
of industry by extortionate strikes, as a whole it is doing
no such thing. The quantity of goods consumed by the
400,000 income-tax payers is relatively insignificant.
What really happens is that one class of labor, in order
selfishly to satisfy itself, diminishes the ability of other
classes of labor to obtain their needful share of goods.
Manifestly conditions that enable some wage earners to
bid shoes up to $12 per pair do not greatly trouble people
in the tax-paying class, but do prevent many other wage-
earners from having any shoes at all, or else having them
at the expense of something else.
Amid the idealism of the day in the preaching of indus-
trial democracy and the uplifting of the downtrodden
these conclusions may appear cold and sterile, but they
are not. If people can get into their heads the idea of
the division of goods instead of the division of dollars
they may become less extravagant in the use of goods and
more fruitful in the production of them. The evils of the
time and their corrective are condensed in this formula.
There is at present a worldwide unrest among the peo-
ple of the civilized world, which may be expressed in the
most temperate way as the desire of the wage-earner for
a larger share of the product of industry. This statement
implies that heretofore the wage-earner has not been get-
ting either a fair or a satisfactory share ; and that there
is a further portion of the product of industry that he
ought to get, can get, and proposes to get. Sociologists
have sanctioned this view and this program. Politicians
have bowed to it. Even industrial leaders, to a consid-
erable extent, have conceded it. There have been few to
deny it, except economists of the coolly calculating school,
who have pointed out that people cannot divide among
themselves more than they have got.
Illuminating object-lessons have passed with scant
attention. Among these have been the cases, like that of
the railways of Great Britain, where the workers in an
industry have demanded and have been granted more
than the industry produces, the deficit being paid out of
the national purse. Yet it should be obvious even to the
humblest intellect that if every industry should be put
upon such a basis there would be nothing in the public
purse out of which to pay deficits, which is simply to say
that all of the people cannot get any more than they
earn, although one class may do so temporarily at the
expense of other classes. There is, without doubt, a
theory that something more can be taken out of what are
called the capitalistic and employing classes, which in-
deed is the only possible meaning in the demand "for a
larger share of the produce of industry". No sensible
person will dissent from the idea that it will be useful
to examine how much there is in it for the wage-earner
before undertaking to disturb existing conditions.
I dwelt upon this subject in an address to the Mining
and Metallurgical Society of American in January 1919,
in which I asserted that in 1916 American wage-earners
received about 80% of the $50,000,000,000 produce of
American industry in that year, their earnings being di-
vided among 40,000,000 workers at the rate of about
$1000 each and that the sum of $10,000,000,000, which
was the share of capital, was only about 4% on the wealth
of the nation, estimated at about $250,000,000,000. I
stated that those estimates were very rough, but main-
tained that they were probably near enough to give a
reasonable idea respecting the division of the produce of
industry. Since then I have continued study of this sub-
ject and am now able to give some more accurate and
illuminating indications. I take the year 1916, that being
the latest for which sufficient figures are available.
Before entering upon any consideration of the gross
revenue and net earnings of the country it will mani-
festly be desirable to get some idea of what is the wealth
of the country, its capital, so to speak.
The wealth of the United States, chiefly in farms, fac-
tories, forests, railways, and other public improvements,
developed mines, houses, etc., has been commonly esti-
mated at $230,000,000,000 to $250,000,000,000 as of 1916.
It is obviously imposible to make anything like a com-
plete inventory and valuation of such property, but there
is more or less reason to believe that even the higher of
these figures is too low.
The basis for most calculations on this subject is the
bulletin of the Bureau of the Census on 'Estimated Valu-
ation of National Wealth', published in 1915 and giving
data for 1912. Estimates for later years are commonly
computed on the principle of proportionate increase.
Such results may be highly erroneous, especially when it
be considered that not only the multiplier may be wrong
but also the base that is multiplied. Figures once given
in a Government report are too often assumed to be
specific and accurate. Critical examination of the figures
givin the details of the national wealth in 1912 reveals
that they were in many cases mere estimates multiplied
from some previous base and should not be accepted upon
any other understanding. I have tried to make an esti-
mate of the national wealth in 1916 upon the principle
of an inventory. The census figures for 1912 are given
for comparison.
^60
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 16, 1920
My estimates for 1916 are very rough, are offered but
tentatively, and are freely open to criticism, suggestion,
and revision. They serve merely a purpose in showing
the forms in which national wealth exists, and about how
much there is in each form. This appears in the accom-
panying table.
Wealth of the United States
1912 1916
Real estate $110,676,333,071 S150. 000,000.000
Mines 8.000.000.000
Live-stock 6.238.338.985 7,235,000.000
Farm implements . 1,368.824.548 1 675 006.000
Manufacturing machinery and tools. 6.091.451,274 8.000.000,000
Gold 1 „„,«„,„„,. 13,000,000,000
Silver J ~.»ie.<*~ . Si ) 1,000.000,000
Railways 16.148.532.502 20.500.000,000
Trolley-lines 4,596.563,292 5,000,000,000
Telegraph and telephone 1.304,685.743 1,500,000.000
Pullman cars 123.362.701 130.000.000
SMD8 1 149H17193 f 1.000.000.000
Canals ) i.»»J..iXT,x»JJ \ 1,000,000,000
Irrigation enterprises 360,865,270 400,000,000
Water works, privately owned 290,000.000 300,000,000
Light and power, privately owned. . . 2.098.613,122 4,500.000,000
Gas plants 3.500.000.000
Furniture, carriages, etc 8,463,216,222 9.220,000.000
Clothing, jewelry, etc 4,295,008.593 5,120,000,000
Stocks ot goods 21,576.065,840 29.520,000,000
Totals 8187.739.021.090 S260.600.000.000
I am inclined to think that my estimate for 1916 is
still too low. For example, ships are reckoned at only
$100 per ton, while the United States Emergency Fleet
Corporation is now holding them at $200 per ton. The
conservative character of other estimates will appear
from the explanatory notes that follow.
No allowance is made for the foreign investments of
the United States, which even in 1916 were considerable.
However, the huge loans to foreign governments did not
begin until 1917, although the Anglo-French and other
issues had been taken previously.
American investments in mines, railways, and other
fixed property in Mexico and South America were, of
course, considerable.
The foregoing estimate of the wealth of the United
States pertains only to the fixed wealth of the country.
There is also a large intangible wealth, which represents
work done and stored up just as much as railways do.
Thus the publishing business of the country is worth
vastly more than the real estate, machines, etc., that are
used in connection with it. The mere organization for
the purpose of conducting all kinds of business is a form
of intangible wealth that has been acquired only by vast
expenditure of work and is immensely valuable. In some
respects such intangible wealth ranks among the strong-
est forms of property. A house may be destroyed by fire,
suddenly and within a few hours, but the fame of a news-
paper which maintains its circulation is apt to be a last-
ing thing. The value of intangible property is well recog-
nized among persons experienced in business, but is not
understood by the inexperienced.
Boron and its compounds find a use in the copper in-
dustry. They act as scouring agents in molten copper,
and copper castings of high electrical conductivity and
dense quality are obtained by their use. Boron is also
used in the manufacture of aluminum bronzes of great
strength, in hardening and strengthening aluminum
tastings, and in the manufacture of nickel castings.
Cobalt
•Cobalt minerals are uncommon except in the Cobalt
district, Ontario, Canada, where they occur in ores that
are worked for their silver content, the cobalt produced
being a by-product. The smelting and refining of this
ore has recently been described by Sydney B. Wright
('Mining and Scientific Press', January 25, 1919, p. 125).
As these ores are brought to various smelters, according
to changes in smelting contracts, the material comes on
the market from different places at different times. In
the main it is marketed as cobalt oxide ; the metal is pro-
duced from the oxide by reduction. The principal use of
the metal is in the patented alloy known as stellite (about
80% cobalt), which is used as a high-speed cutting-tool
in place of steel (Transactions A. I. M. E., Vol. 44, p.
573) . Cobalt is also used in a high-speed tool steel which
contains 4% cobalt and 16% tungsten. It is also claimed
that it can be used as a substitute for nickel in plating,
the rate of deposition being faster than with nickel and
a thinner coating giving equal protection. Cobalt com-
pounds are used for coloring pottery and glass, to which
they impart the shade known as delft blue, and also cer-
tain purple shades.
The cobalt output of Canada in 1916, according to
official statistics, was 841,859 lb. ; of which 215,215 lb.
was in the form of metal. The oxide produced amounted
to 670,760 lb., and there were smaller quantities of sul-
phate, carbonate, and hydroxide of cobalt. Up to the
present time the supply of cobalt available from the
Canadian ores has been abundant to meet all demands.
There are only two sources of cobalt in the United States
that are of any importance. A deposit at Blackbird,
Idaho, is owned by the Haynes Stellite Co., which has
erected a plant for the production of cobalt concentrate.
Cobalt, nickel, and copper sulphides occur in association
with lead ores at Fredericktown, Missouri, and some
cobalt oxide is now being produced by the Missouri
Cobalt Co. The price of cobalt metal has averaged about
$2 per pound in the United States.
The U. S. Bureau of Mines has issued a bulletin in
which it is said that numerous accidents are still being
reported that have resulted from the delayed explosions
in drill-holes. Some of these accidents have been due to
retarded burning of the fuse, causing the charge to ex-
plode after the miners had returned to the face, but the
majority have been caused by the miners drilling or
picking into unexploded explosives, either in unexploded
holes or in broken rock. Although the industry has been
cautioned by the Bureau of Mines, manufacturers of ex-
plosives, and other agencies regarding the care that is
necessary in the handling of explosives, yet reports of
these accidents are still being received and many of the
accidents are fatal. They occur in spite of the best
effi rts of the mine officials and men, but many of those
that have been reported could have been avoided.
U. S. Bureau of Mines.
OctoW 16. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
561
Platinum
•Tin- following statement regarding platinum is issued
in response to numerous inquiries. In preparing it a
number of authorities have been consulted, the publica-
tions of James M. Hill of the U. S. Geological Survey
having been especially drawn upon.
Physical Properties. Platinum is a white metal with
a grayish tinge, and takes a high polish but one less
brilliant than silver. It is malleable and ductile, and can
be rolled into thin sheets and drawn into fine wire.
These properties are impaired by the presence of im-
purities. It has a specific gravity of 21.3 and a hardness
of 4 to 5, being harder than copper, silver, or gold. It
melts at about 1710°C. The atomic weight is 195.2.
Chemical Properties. Platinum is not acted on by
dry or moist air even when heated to high temperature.
It is not attacked by hydrochloric, nitric, or sulphuric
acid, but when alloyed with silver, copper, lead, zinc,
and some other metals, it is partly dissolved by nitric
acid. At high temperature it is attacked by fused alka-
lies in the presence of air and by potassium and other
nitrates when air is excluded. It is also attacked at high
temperature by carbon and by silica in the presense of
carbon. Platinum vessels should, therefore, never be
heated in contact with solid fuel. Cyanides likewise
attack it.
Uses op Platinum. Owing to its resistance to the
action of acids and most chemical agents even at high
temperatures, and to its high melting point, it is in ex-
tensive use for the manufacture of crucibles, basins, foils,
wire, etc., and for chemical laboratory work. A large
quantity is also used in the construction of apparatus for
the catalytic manufacture of concentrated sulphuric acid.
A considerable amount is consumed in the electrical and
dental industries and in the preparation of salts, notably
the chloride for photographic work. There has been also
a large demand for it by jewellers.
Alloys and Substitutes. The making of alloys of
platinum and substitutes to take the place of platinum
has been seriously studied and to some extent platinum
has been replaced. There is no question that. other com-
binations or substitutes will be developed in the future,
but no substitutes to take the place of the platinum con-
tact points in high-grade magnetos and for numerous
other purposes has so far been found. Alloys of gold
and palladium which cannot be told from platinum by
ordinary physical properties, are now used in dentistry,
jewelry, and to a limited extent in chemical apparatus.
Ores of Platinum. Platinum occurs native in alluvial
deposits derived from the disintegration of primitive
rocks in the form of grains approximately spherical but
less often flattened. Nuggets of large size are rare, but a
number of small nuggets are found in the Ural region
and one weighing 270 oz. is recorded by Hautpick as
'Issued by U. S. Bureau of Mines.
having been found in the placers of Mt. Katchkonara, in
the northern portion of the platiniferous district of the
Ural, Russia. A still larger one, weighing 21.64 lb., is
in the Demidoff museum, at Petrograd. The most ex-
tensive deposits of platinum are the alluvial sands of the
Ural. They are contained within a length of about 80
miles along the central part of the chain in the province
of Perm, the principal centres of the placers being at
Blogodat on the eastern and Niji Tagilsk on the western
slopes. This field furnishes the main part of the world's
production of the metal. In Colombia, on the Condoto
and upper Atrato rivers, are important platinum de-
posits, which are attracting considerable attention at this
time. The production of platinum from Colombia is
steadily increasing. Platinum is associated in the placers
chiefly with gold, iridosmine, chromite, magnetite, zircon,
ilmenite, corundum, and quartz. The admixture of gold
is variable, ranging from 2 to 3% in some districts to as
much as 75% or more in others. Among the metals of
the platinum group are iridium, palladium, and rhodium,
which are intimateely combined with platinum and can
be separated or determined by careful chemical analysis.
Occurrence. The mother-rocks of platinum are of the
basic igneous type, such as peridotite, pyroxenite, and
dunite. The peridotites and pyroxenites are dark-gray
to black heavy rocks composed principally of black or
dark-green iron-magnesium silicates, pyroxene, augite,
and hornblende, olivine, plagioclase feldspar, chromite,
ilmenite, and magnetite. Dunites are composed princi-
pally of olivine with some chromite. There is every
gradation between these types of rocks and the less basic
rocks. A characteristic of the basic rocks is their ten-
dency to alter to serpentine, a soft greasy fibrous mineral
of olive-green to black color that once seen is readily re-
membered. Attempts to trace platinum to its source
have proved successful in Russia, Spain, and Canada, but
no deposit of platinum in the mother-rock has been found
of commercial grade under normal conditions. It is pos-
sible, but does not seem probable, that bodies of platin-
iferous rock may be found in the United States rich
enough in platinum to be worked under present condi-
tions. It should be recalled, however, by all persons
searching for platinum ores that the assay for platinum
is difficult and apparently cannot be successfully made
by all commercial assayeTS. It is therefore strongly
recommended that samples of supposed platiniferous ores
be sent only to the most reliable analysts.
Black Sand. Most of the platinum produced in the
United States is recovered as a secondary mineral from
placer operations and from the electrolytic refining of
gold bullion and blister copper. From time to time the
beach-sand of Oregon and northern California has been
exploited by promoters on the basis of the gold and
platinum content. A successful method of mining this
sand must be based upon a thorough prospecting of the
562
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 16, 1920
deposits. Investigation has shown that in general the
black-sand deposits are disappointing in both quantity
and quality, and while in a few places there has been
sufficient surface concentration to permit of small mining
operations, these deposits rarely contain enough gold and
platinum or occur in adequate extent to be operated at a
profit.
Metallurgy. In general, the crude platinum of the
Western placers is found in relatively small scales or
flakes, some larger than one-eighth inch in diameter, but
the majority less than one-sixteenth inch in size, many
being under one thirty-sixth inch. These flakes have a
tendency to elude capture in the ordinary miner's sluice
and probably a large part of the flake gold and platinum
has hitherto been carried in suspension to the tailing-
piles. Undercurrents in the sluice-lines have added to the
saving of the fine gold, but they are not entirely sntis-
factory as savers of gold and platinum. Burlap and
canvas tables have also been used with some success.
Many types of specially designed machines have been
tried and discarded, though undoubtedly some have
merit and a few are making a fairly satisfactory saving.
In the treatment of beaeh^sands concentrating tables are
also used.
The loss of fine gold and platinum in ordinary hy-
draulic operations is due to several causes, among which
may be mentioned running pulp too fast and agitating it
too much to permit settling, failure to clean up often
enough to prevent packing of riffles with consequent for-
mation of smooth slopes over which metals readily flow
under pressure, and failure to provide settling-boxes for
fine material carried in suspension. On some of the gold-
dredges various devices to effect a closer saving of the
fine gold and platinnum lost in the tailing have been
tried. The most successful has been the Neill jig and
the Hardinge mill, which are in operation on two of the
Natoma dredges in California. It was found on some of
the other dredges of this company and of other com-
panies in the State that the recovery effected by this
tailing-plant was not sufficient to justify the expense of
its installation. In other words, there was very little
platinum or fine gold in the tailing. In addition to the
platinum recovered from placer operations, some plat-
inum and palladium is recovered from the platiniferous
ores of the Boss mine in Nevada and the Rambler mine
in Wyoming. These ores are concentrated locally and
sent to refiners for final treatment. The United States
Smelting & Refining Co., and the Irvington Smelting
Works buy ores. The crude platinum is separated from
the sand and gravel, as already stated, by a series of
washing processes. If any gold is present it is obtained
in the concentrate together with the platinum. In Russia
the gold is removed by repeated amalgamation with mer-
cury in wood, iron, or porcelain bowls, about 10 to 30 lb.
being treated at a time. The crude platinum is then
almost all exported to be refined abroad, not more than
about 2% being refined in the country.
Repining. The crude platinum can be refined either
by dry or by wet methods. When dry methods are em-
ployed, any iridium and rhodium present will remain
with the platinum ; on the other hand, when wet methods
are used, the resulting platinum will be pure. A com-
bination of the two methods is also employed. The wet
method consists essentially in dissolving the crude plat-
inum in aqua regia, precipitating the platinum as am-
monium platinichloride, heating the precipitate to red-
ness, forming spongy platinum, and fusing the latter by
the oxyhydrogen blow-pipes in a furnace constructed of
blocks of lime. The refining of platinum ore is a com-
plicated matter.
The principal buyers of crude platinum in the United
States are the following firms :
American Platinum Works, Newark, New Jersey.
Baker & Company, Newark, New Jersey.
Belais & Cohn, 13 Dutch street, New York City.
Bishop & Company, Malvern, Pennsylvania.
Pacific Platinum Works, Los Angeles, California.
Shreve & Company, San Francisco, California.
H. A. Wilson Company, Newark, New Jersey.
S. S. White Dental Company, Philadelphia, Pennsyl-
vania.
Hints for Prospectors. The placer deposits contain-
ing platinum are all, so far as known, in the vicinity of
areas of basic igneous rocks, and in any search for new
deposits of platiniferous gravels the first step is to find
outcrops of peridotite, pyroxenite, dunite, or serpentine.
When these have been found, the gravel in streams flow-
ing out should be washed to ascertain if platinum is pres-
ent. The natural concentrate found in alluvium con-
taining platinum is usually rich in chromite and olivine.
The character of the rock particles often gives a clue to
the source from which the gravel was derived. Platinum,
as it occurs in a placer concentrate, is ordinarily a silvery
white metal that could be confused only with silver, and
possibly pieces of iron or steel. It can be distinguished
from both of these metals, as they are soluble in dilute
nitric acid ; crude platinum can be dissolved only in con-
centrated aqua regia, a mixture of three parts of hydro-
chloric (muriatic) acid and one part of nitric acid. In
some placer deposits the grains of platinum are coated
with a dark film and somewhat resemble the grains of the
dark minerals chromite, magnetite, or ilmenite, from
which they are separated by careful panning, as the
specific gravity of platinum is greater than that of any
of those minerals.
Platinum will not amalgamate with quicksilver alone,
but will amalgamate if sodium is added. In ordinary
quicksilver the flakes of platinum float on the surface
and can be removed. If sodium amalgam is used, the
platinum may be separated from gold by agitating the
amalgam with water until all the sodium is used up to
form sodium hydroxide ; then the platinum will come out
on the surface of the amalgam, provided, of course, the
amalgam is sufficiently liquid. Platinum can be scratched
with a knife. It is so malleable that it can be pounded,
without heating, into very thin sheets. It is practically
infusible; the grains cannot be melted together as par-
ticles of gold can.
October It'.. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
A relatively simple chemical teal can be made to de-
termine platinum; The metallic particles are dissolved
by boiling in concentrated aqua regia, allowing the re-
sulting solution to remain on the stove until dry. The
residue is dissolved in hydroehlorie aeid and evaporated
by boiling until the solution is thick bul not quite dry.
This mass is dissolved in distilled water and a tew drops
of sulphuric aeid and of potassium iodide solution are
added, which, in the presence of platinum, causes the so-
lution to turn a characteristic wine-red. if much of the
metal is present, or to a reddish pink in the presence of
small quantities of platinum. The test outlined above is
fairly delicate, hut it cannot he used to detect traces of
platinum in the presence of large quantities of iron or
other elements.
A second test may lie applied to the aqua regia solu-
tion after the re-solution in hydrochloric aeid outlined
above. In this test potassium chloride is added to the
solution, which precipitates yellow crystals of potassium
platinie' chloride, if platinum is present.
A third test may be applied: Add ammonium chloride
to the aqua regia solution ; this will precipitate yellow
crystals of ammonium platinie chloride, if platinum is
present.
The precipitates from the second and third tests are
insoluhle in alcohol, but are soluble in water, and may be
reduced to platinum sponge by heating.
All these tests are comparatively simple and positive
when made on single grains, but they cannot be relied
upon when various other elements are present in the
material tested. It is, therefore, recommended that their
use he restricted to grains of a single mineral picked
from the concentrate obtained by panning a sample of
either rock or gravel.
Radium
•The United States is the foremost radium-producing
country in the world. This ascendency has been gained
notwithstanding that 500 tons of American ore is re-
quired to produce the one gramme of radium that has
been obtained from five or six tons of European ore. A
gramme is about a thimbleful.
The first radium produced in the United States was
obtained in 1913 in the laboratory of the Standard Chem-
ical Co. Since then the production of this company has
been as follows :
Radium element
i913 ^r*
1914 9.6
1915 17
1916 5.0
1917 7.0
1918 13.0
1919 ll.s
Total 50.8
Up to the present time it has produced almost one-half
of the estimated supply in existence.
Radium preparations in the United States are spoken
•Abstract from an article by Hamilton Foley in the Chem-
ical Age'.
of and measured in terms of radium element. I'niil re-
cently European scientific men have adhered to the tprm
radium bromide. Crystalline radium bromide when pure
contains only 53.6 ?! of radium element. There was no
common standard. The original method of measuring
radium, consisted in comparing its activity with that of
uranium. During the 14 years this system of measure-
ment prevailed scientific men spoke of radium as ''two
million times more active than uranium". Trained
minds, of course, understood that what was no anl was
that the quantity of electrical energy emitted in the rays
of the radium, small though it was. was two million times
greater than that contained in tin- rays from uranium.
Such a ratio of comparison was entirely unsuitable for
use especially with small quantities, and about 1912, by
common consent. Madame Curie was asked to prepare
what would be an international radium standard. This is
deposited at Paris. Duplicates are in the leading capitals
of the world, and radium preparations are now measured
by comparing the electrical energy carried by the gamma
rays from the preparation to be measured with the en-
ergy carried by the gamma rays of the international
standard, or one of the certified duplicates of it. In
1914, the U. S. Bureau of Standards obtained a certified
duplicate of the international radium-standard and prac-
tically all quantities of radium in this country have been
measured by comparison with it.
In the industrial world interest in radium has always
been limited by the small amount available. This was
especially true of the ten years following its discovery.
During that period some attempt was made to use the
action of radium in causing a spontaneous and continuing
luminescence in substances such as zinc sulphide, to make
what is called luminous paint, but prior to 1913 this
effort was practically negligible. Radium and radium
minerals are not generally luminescent. Tubes contain-
ing radium glow from impurities present which the radi-
ations from the radium cause to give light. The War
created a most unexpected demand for radium. The
necessity of illumination that would not betray presence
to the enemy in the various branches of the fighting-ser-
vice made radium-luminous material the most satisfac-
tory and dependable light. The demand for the luminous
watch-dial alone raised one use for this material to a fair-
sized industry.
Therapeutically, there has been a gradual and steady
increase in the use of radium since 1912. The earlier
over-enthusiastic statements of the value of radium in
the treatment of cancer have not been wholly confirmed
and radium is far from being the panacea in the treat-
ment of diseases. Nevertheless surgeons throughout the
world are gradually admitting that radium is a necessary
adjunct to the treatment of cancer.
Those who are called upon to do blasting should be
familiar with the publications of the U. S. Bureau of
Mines dealing with explosives. One of the best papers
is Bulletin 80, ' A Primer on Explosives for Metal Miners
and Quarrymen'. — U. S. Bureau of Mines, Reports and
Investigations.
564
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 16, 1920
The McFadden Bill
*In an interview given out on October 7 by Representa-
tive Louis T. McFadden, Chairman of the Committee on
Banking and Currency of the House of Representatives,
he asked the following pertinent question with reference
to the gold situation : ' Ts the United States to continue
to ignore the problem of gold production, thus permitting
the British Empire to gain an unquestioned supremacy?"
An estimate of the gold production of the United States
based on the output for the first six months of this year
indicates that the production for 1920 will be less than
half the amount produced in 1915. In 1915 the United
States produced 21.5% of the total world's gold output,
and the British Empire 63.7%. In 1919 the United
States produced but 16.6% of the world's gold output,
while the British Empire produced in excess of two-
thirds. Since July 24, 1919. the British Empire has been
paying an exchange premium as high as 50% to the gold
producers of South Africa, where the bulk of the British
gold is produced, while in the United States no assistance
has been rendered the gold-mining industry. This year
the contribution of the United States to the gold produc-
tion of the world will probably be not more than 12%,
about half of that which it contributed in 1915, while the
stimulating effect of the exchange premium will probably
increase the quota which the British Empire will con-
tribute to 75%.
As compared to 1914, the purchasing power of the dol-
lar in terms of all commodities in 1919 was 47 cents. The
gold producers' ounce in 1914 had a purchasing power
of $20.67, whereas during 1919 the same ounce could
purchase in terms of all commodities but $9.70. Since the
price of gold is fixed by statute at $20.67 an ounce, the
gold producer is in the same position as a person who re-
ceived the same income in 1919 as in 1914 and finds that
a $2000 income has shrunken in purchasing power to
$970. "This is the principal reason for the decline of
the gold production of the United States from $101,000.-
000 in 1915 to less than $50,000,000 this year," said Mr.
McFadden.
The U. S. Mint sold for industrial consumption during
1919 nearly $22,000,000 more gold than was produced
from the mines of the United States, while this year the
drain on the monetary gold stock will probably be $40,-
000.000. The American Bankers Association passed a
resolution on October 2, 1919, urging upon the Govern-
ment the necessity for maintaining a domestic production
of new gold in sufficient volume to satisfy the industrial
requirements of the arts and trades. To comply with the
specifications of this resolution, the soundness of which
cannot, be.questioned, I introduced H. R. 13201 on March
22. 1920.
Since the industrial consumers of gold are the only
ones in the country receiving raw material at the pre-
war price, while the general increase in all commodities
was 112% in 1919 as compared with 1914. it is evident
that they are being heavily subsidized. Mr. McFadden
"Issued by Mr. McFadden himself.
emphasizes that the imposition of this excise tax merely
adjusts the cost and price equation between the producer
of new gold and the consumer of gold in the industrial
arts, and is free from all monetary entanglements. A
free gold market is maintained under the provisions of
this bill for the reason that the excise tax is collected on
the finished product as sold, and not upon the bullion
which is sold to the manufacturers. There is nothing in
the bill which in any wa}r alters the number of grains in
the standard dollar, the unit of our monetary system.
The bill creates the governmental machinery by which the
consumer of gold in the industrial arts may pay more
nearly the cost of production for his raw material. The
stimulus to the gold producer specified in this bill is equal
to the excise tax imposed, and is no greater than the ex-
change premium paid by Great Britain in the latter part
of 1919 to the South African producer, whose operating
conditions are more favorable than those in the United
States.
In addition to paying the exchange discount, which in
the case of the French industrial consumer of gold would
amount to 100% more in francs than the price paid be-
fore the War, the French government has imposed a
sumptuary tax for the use of gold in the fabrication of
articles (other than money) of 60 francs per hectogram
($3.73 per fine ounce) by law of June 25, 1920. Previous
to that date the guarantee tax was 37i francs per hecto-
gram. The French government justifies this tax in a
formal document transmitted by the U. S. Bureau of
Foreign and Domestic Commerce, as follows: "Moreover
this tax, striking as it does luxury goods, or unessential
articles, enters into the category of a sumptuary tax, the
levying of which is admitted by all economists as a legit-
imate procedure."
It is important that the gold-mining industry be kept
alive for fear that with greatly reduced production there
will be difficulty in retaining the gold standard during a
popular campaign for credit restriction accompanied by
declining prices. The continued depletion of the gold
stock by excess exportation and industrial use will seri-
ously impair the public confidence in the Nation's finance
and currency unless a normal gold output is insured.
The gold-mining industry will be completely shut-down
unless constructive aid is provided without delay, in
which event it will take years to develop a normal output
of gold at a very much greater expense. To allow the
gold mines of the United States to cave in and fill with
water entails a waste of developed gold resources, which
in a most critical hour of financial need will cause want.
No argument can be made in favor of waste. The time to
act is now before the industrj' is shut-down.
Misfires should not be approached even for the pur-
pose of inspection until three hours have elapsed, if fuse
was used, and ten minutes, if electric detonators or elec-
tric igniters were used. These are minimum recommen-
dations. It would be preferable to allow a longer time,
for fuses have been known to hang fire as long as twelve
hours.
- 16, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
565
5 MING
f- - I" -N«.
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FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS IN THE FIELD
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ARIZONA
HIGH-GRADE ORE FOUND IN THE LOST DUTCHMAN.
Patagonia District.- — The Three-R mine is reported to
be diamond-drilling with excellent results. R. R. Rich-
ardson has a large force of men also at work in Josephine
canyon 18 miles north-west of Patagonia. It is said that
the McDonald mine in the Santa Ritas is working a full
force on the 300-ft. level, cross-cutting north to intersect
a vein under the old workings.
Globe-Miami District. — It is reported that the In-
spiration-Needles property has been sold to the British
Inspiration Copper Co. News has just been received in
Globe that ore assaying in the neighborhood of $408
per ton has been found in the old and famous Lost Dutch-
man mine, situated near Fish Creek hill, on the road be-
tween Phoenix and Roosevelt. The assay is said to have
been taken from the face of a drift on the 100-ft. level,
and was not picked ore in any sense. The Lost Dutchman
mine, approximately forty years ago was the property of
Jacob Wolz. Prospecting for its re-discovery has been
carried on since 1913, and the present property located.
Hillside. — The Lawrence group of mines in the
Eureka district is reported to have been taken over by
W. J. Mayer and C. E. Barton, from C. C. Stukey of
Prescott. Development, it is said, will be undertaken by
a new corporation, known as the Bagdad-Hillside Mining
& Development Co.
Mayer. — The Arizona-Binghampton is repoi-ted to be
milling 200 tons per day, with a monthly production of
300,000 lb. of copper. The Shannon Copper Co. will
shortly resume operations on its Yeager Canyon prop-
erty. Reports are current that production has com-
menced at the Gillespie property of the Arizona Copper
& Mining Corporation and a twenty- ton mill will be
erected to handle a developed ore-reserve of approximate-
ly 20,000 tons.
Jerome. — Mining conditions around Prescott and
Jerome are reported as steadily improving. The present
stable condition of the silver market is creating a feeling
of confidence, and many of the old silver mines have been
re-opened and new ones located. The Verde Central Cop-
per Co. reports excellent showing in the face of the tun-
nel. Jack Hooper, formerly in charge of the Gadsden
property of the Calumet & Arizona Mining Co.. is now in
charge of operations at the Zonia mine, near Kirkland.
Two shafts are being sunk on this property and indica-
tions are promising.
Kingman.— The Gold Ore is reported to have struck a
four-foot vein sampling about $40 per ton in its east
drift. Ore also is said to have been struck in the west
drift.
Parker. — Announcement is made that development
will be resumed at the property of the Arizona Standard
Copper Co., 14 miles east of Parker. It is reported that
a leaching-plant and a four-unit ball-mill will be installed
at once. Each unit will be capable of milling 125 tons of
ore per day and the company expects to be operating
within four months.
Globe. — The Iron Cap Copper Co. has recently filed
suit in the Superior Court against the Arizona Commer-
cial Mining Co. to prove apex rights. The first action in
this matter was filed in the courts of Massachusetts, those
courts having denied jurisdiction, the company took it
into the equity court of the State of Maine. The suit
filed here on October 5 is expected to finally settle the
litigation and will probably be tried in the near future.
Pearce. — George Brown, general manager for the Mid-
dlemarch properties has reported that 20 men are em-
ployed developing more water for the mill. The shaft
has been sunk 130 ft. deeper and drifting is in progress.
Recent differential-flotation tests on the copper-zinc ore
are reported as successful and operations will commence
as soon as sufficient water is developed.
Oatman. — Judge Bollinger has not yet recovered from
injuries received in the wreck of Governor Cox's spejia.
and the case of the Tom Reed Mines Co. against the
United Eastern Mining Co. has therefore been postponed
from October 4 to November 8.
MICHIGAN
THE COPPER MARKET VERY DULL BUT OPTIMISTIC FOR
THE FUTURE.
Calumet. — Metal shipments from the Lake have been
negligible for the past several weeks and the c pper is
piling up on the docks, awaiting a turn in the pru'e. Even
domestic business seems to be at a standstill and in-
dustries that formerly consumed large quantities of cop-
per are entirely out of the market. Notwithstanding this
stagnation, production holds well to the normal of the
past six months. In fact, most of the companies report
an increase in their organizations. This will make for
greater production, even though there is no more demand
for metal than at present. The belief here is that the
worst has been experienced in spite of the fact that tha
566
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 16, 1920
past week has brought about a slight drop in the price of
the metal.
Arcadian Consolidated has resumed sinking in its New
Baltic shaft and has gone about 15 ft. below the 600-ft.
level. The south-east corner of the shaft is now in the
lode. The cross-cut to the vein from the 600-ft. level on
the south did not give quite as good a showing as was
obtained on the opposite side where the copper content
of the lode was exceptionally high. In the New Arcadian
shaft, the richest openings are near the northern bound-
ary or the Baltic line, while the lower levels revealed the
best mineralization. It will be three or four months be-
fore Ahmeek's cross-cut through the Ahmeek fissure pene-
trates the Kearsarge conglomerate for the work is pro-
ceeding slowly. The tunnel is only 6 ft. square, permit-
ting only limited mining operations. Cross-cuts on the
fissure are boring toward the conglomerate from the 15th
to the 22nd level and also on the 5th and 11th, so it is
obvious that each opening will permit a thorough explora-
tion of the Kearsarge. In fact, when Ahmeek completes
its openings on the conglomerate it will be pretty definite-
ly established whether the vein contains copper or is
barren. Ahmeek's tonnage for September was the best
since last winter. The rumor that Hancock Consolidated
is to sell its holdings to Quincy has been officially denied.
The fact that Hancock and Quincy are jointly installing
a concrete reservoir or retaining wall on the 53rd level of
Hancock gave rise to the rumor. Victoria is producing
between 60 and 75 tons of copper per month. The com-
pany has a considerable stock of copper on hand and is
selling only enough to meet current expenses. About 100
men are employed in sinking and drifting and the show-
ing at the 28th level is reported by the management as
very encouraging. The lode is yielding considerable
mass copper as well as good stamp 'rock'. Victoria's
cost is lower than the average for Lake Superior pro-
ducers because both its mine and mill are operated by
water-power.
NEVADA
RENO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ESTABLISHES BUREAU OP
MINING INFORMATION.
Copper Canyon. — There has been developed in the
mines of the Copper Canyon Mining Co., operating seven
miles from Battle Mountain, ^000,000 tons of ore with
an average copper content of 2.40%, according to F.
Sonimer Schmidt, general manager. The company owns,
or holds under option, a total of 3000 acres and a pat-
ented mill-site and water-rights. The greatest depth at-
tained in the mines is 310 ft. and most of the ore is ex-
posed, or partly so, through six shafts, the Copper Queen,
Contention, Chase, Sweet Marie, Widow, and Empire,
extending in a general direction, as named, south-east
along the mineralized area. The orebody as now de-
veloped in the Sweet Marie is 600 ft. long and 87 ft.
wide on the 120-ft. level, with an indicated thickness of
70 ft. This block is estimated to contain 417,600 tons of
partly developed 2.58% ore. The oi-ebody, as opened in
the Chase on the 130 and 185-ft. levels and by raises from
these levels, contains 256,400 tons of partly developed
1.82% ore. The orebody has been developed in the Con-
tention to a depth of 130 ft., above which it has been
opened for a length of 300, a width of 100, and a thick-
ness of 40 ft., giving an estimated 100,000 tons of 3%
ore. The Copper Queen orebody at a depth of 120 ft.
has been opened for a length of 120 ft., a width of 2| ft.,
and a thickness of 50 ft., giving an estimated 1500 tons of
12J% ore. The orebody has been opened on the 150-ft.
level of the "Widow by a 200-ft. drift, with raises driven,
at 50-ft. intervals, 40 ft. to the gossan. The average con-
tent of the ore in the raises is 7%, and in the drift 3%.
The width has been narrow, but the ore is widening
gradually, and at present the north face consists of a
20-ft. width of 4% material. Mr. Schmidt describes the
formation in the district as consisting of limestone, clay-
stone, and quartzite, intruded by monzonite dikes. The
ore-bearing sedimentaries dip east at 20 to 30° and they
are cut by dikes of varying thickness.
Goldfield. — From June 16, when the Development
mill started, to about six weeks ago there was 41 car-loads
of ore of a gross value of $22,000 shipped to the mill by
Florence lessees. This gives a value per ton of about $13,
according to unofficial figures. The shippers were the
Development, Hinds, Cracker Jack, and Boesch leases.
The largest tonnage came from the Reilly block. Few
shipments have been made in the last six weeks. The
south-east cross-cut being driven by the company on the
358-ft. level has been advanced 1200 ft., according to
E. A. Byler, engineer for the company, and the objective
is nearly reached. No work has been done west of the
shaft recently. The Development has bought the Gold
Hill group of nine claims, 26 miles south of Goldfield, on
which A. I. D'Arcy, manager for the Development, has
furnished the following information : The vein, 14 to 60
ft. wide, is exposed on the surface for 2200 ft. There
is 16,000 tons of $8.50 ore partly blocked out, according
to assays of 107 samples. The gold is found with limon-
ite, and at one place in the lower tunnel sulphide ore is
exposed. The vein is in an almost vertical fault-fissure,
of which one side has been faulted down 200 ft. The
walls consist of alternate layers of limestone and shale.
The vein-filling is porous quai-tz and limonite, the gold
being found in the latter. Cyanide-leaching tests of the
ore, crushed to 10-mesh, gave an extraction of 94% of
the gold in 72 hours.
Reno. — Development of the little-known minerals and
metals is contemplated by the Reno chamber of com-
merce through a recently established bureau of mining
information. The bureau purposes to bring together
buyers of these minerals and owners of deposits. Owners
have been invited to send in descriptions of their proper-
ties to the bureau and a file on inquiries and buyers is
kept so valuable services can be rendered both parties.
Cactus. — The Cactus Nevada Silver Mines Co. informs
us that the statement in our issue of October 9 was in-
correct, the fact being that the company has not laid off
any miners and is amply financed through the firm of
Fynney & Cutter. We are glad to make this correction.
October lti. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
567
I 1 Ml
Tin IKTERSTAT1 COMMEKCf COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE
FREIGHT-RATES IN UTAH.
Salt Lake City. — The shortage of railway cars is
affecting the output of coal in Utah. During one week
recently, the production was but 71/',' of normal. Of the
Other 2!)',' . 23 was due to lack of care, 5 to mine disabil-
ity, and loss than 1 to labor shortage. At this time of the
year, production should average 120.000 tons per week,
whereas recently it has been but 85.000 tons per week.
One railway serving the coal mines supplied but 50% of
the cars needed. The Interstate Commerce Commission
has ordered an investigation of the action of the Utah
Public Utilities Commission in refusing to permit in-
crease in intrastate rates on coal and ore, similar to the
advance in interstate rates. The hearing will begin in
this city on November 1.
American Fork Canyon. — John H. Wootton of the
South Park Mining Co. has a force of men engaged in
driving a tunnel opposite the Pacific mine. Mr. Wootton
feels confident of finding the Pacific fissure. At the
Belorophon property, the mill has been running steadily
for several weeks. Fred Leonard, of Salt Lake City, has
a surveying party at work at the Silver Bell property,
preparatory to active operations. At the Pacific mine the
company is accumulating a stock-pile of silver-lead ore of
milling-grade, which will be treated when a sufficient
■quantity has accumulated.
Gold Hill. — At the present time the Western Utah
■Copper Co. is shipping about 250 tons of low-grade flux-
ing ore daily. The company employs the 'finger raise'
system of caving, the same as used in the Ruth mine of
the Nevada Consolidated Copper Co. The orebody of this
•company is a replacement in marbelized limestone along
<i limestone-granodiorite contact. On the surface the ore-
shoot is 300 ft. long and from 10 to 80 ft. wide. On the
300-ft. level, the ore-shoot is 150 ft. long and from 60 to
80 ft. wide.
Ecreka. — As a result of development in the Chief Con-
solidated mine, commercial ore has been found in the new
zone at the easterly end of the company's holdings. Some
months ago, small bunches of ore were encountered which
were not of shipping-grade ; these small stringers were
followed with the result that the new orebody was dis-
covered. Recently shaft No. 2 at this property reached
the contact between the porphyry and limestone. Cecil
Fitch, manager, says the shaft now has a depth of 1600
ft., and that it is expected the water-level will be reached
1)y the end of the year. Mr. Fitch states the company is
preparing for the annual assessment work on the un-
patented claims. This work will include sinking two
shafts, one being 4000 ft. north-east of the Central Stand-
ard workings, and the other at the extreme north end of
the Chief's territory. Shipments from this district for
the week ending October 2 totaled 131 cars, of which the
Chief Consolidated shipped 30 ; Tintic Standard, 29 ;
Mammoth, 23 ; Dragon, 10 ; Iron Blossom, 8 ; Eagle &
Blue Bell, 8 ; Grand Central, 6 ; Iron King. 3 ; Gemini, 2 ;
Bullion Beck, 2; Swansea, 2; Centennial-Eureka, 2; Gold
< 'hain. 1 ; Alaska. 1.
Figures recently published by V. C. Heikesof the U. S.
Geological Survey show that the silver output of this
district during 1919 was considerably over one-half of the
output from the entire State ; the production being 6,815,-
608 oz. for the Tintic district and 11,649,961 oz. for the
State. The gold output of this district in 1919 was 25,900
oz. ; lead, 24,842,544 lb. ; copper, 2,254,848 lb. ; and zinc,
93.571 pounds.
The shaft being sunk at the property of the Pinion
Ash fbrh
Gtdur 6la*t
Hot <5pnngs.
MAP SHOWING JEROME, ARIZONA, AND BRANCH ROADS
CONNECTING IT TO THE MAIN LINES
Queen Mining Co. has reached a depth of over 800 ft.
The rock now being taken from the bottom of the shaft
contains some silver and resembles the formation which
lies just above the big ore deposits in the Tintic Standard.
The East Warm Creek Irrigation & Canal Co. has filed
suit in the District Court of Utah county against the
Tintic Standard. The plaintiff asks that the defendant
be enjoined from the use of the waters of Warm springs
and Warm creek, situated about three miles east of
Goshen, near the site of the mining company's new con-
centrator.
568
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 16, 1920
Big Cottonwood Canton. — At the property of the
Howell Mining Co. development work is being pushed
steadily. A deep tunnel was started to gain 325 ft. of
depth. Recently this tunnel encountered a fissure in the
quartzite in which a seam of galena occurs. It is not be-
lieved that the present find is connected with the deposits
in the upper workings, but a survey is being made to de-
termine the question. The Tar Baby Mining Co. is
steadily developing on property adjoining the Cardiff.
Some time ago the Tar Baby company drove an upper
tunnel, which was all in quartzite and a raise through the
quartzite encountered shale, as did a similar raise in the
Cardiff property. The lower tunnel was driven in lime-
stone, from whieh an incline raise has been made. This
raise is 30 ft. vertically above the tunnel floor and is in a
brecciated limestone with considerable mineralization.
At the Cardiff mine, production is being maintained at
65 or 70 tons per day, averaging $50 per ton. This ore is
being mined from the 600-ft. level workings, and from the
800 and 900-ft. level workings, which were recently un-
watered.
Park City. — Ore shipments from this district for the
week ending October 2 totaled 2153 tons, of which the
Ontario shipped 704; Silver King Coalition. 544; Judge
M. & S., 422; Daly- West, 230; Naildriver, 180; and Key-
stone, 60.
Alta. — An assessment of lc. per share has been levied
by the Woodlawn Copper Co. on all outstanding stock.
The assessment is delinquent November 16 and the sale
date will be November 30.
Washington County. — The right of escrow expiring
on June 1, 1921, held on the property of the Silver Reef
Consolidated Mines Co., was taken up on September 30
by the McQuatters Corporation of New York. The prop-
ery is about 20 miles from St. George, and the ore de-
position is unique in that it is in sandstone. According
to the U. S. Geological Survey, the value in the ore in
the upper workings is practically all in cerargyrite, or
hornsilver. Some parts of the vein contain copper car-
bonates in small amounts. The finding of a yellow
uranium-vanadium mineral resembling carnotite, has
been reported. In the shaft, about 250 ft. deep, officials
report that sulphides have not been found. The ore
occurs in beds from 2 to 17 ft. thick, and can be economi-
cally mined and transported to. the mill. Ore was first
discovered at this property in 1875, and by 1880, it is
stated that the value of the output was $3,243,740. Op-
erations ceased in 1897 and were resumed in 1902. In
1909 the property was closed down and has remained idle
until last summer, when the present owners resumed
operations.. Estimates vary as to the value of the pro-
duction to date, although V. C. Heikes of the Geological
Survey gives the output to the close of 1909 at 7,211,463
oz., valued at $7,987,112. The tailing dump on the
property is estimated to contain 150,000 tons, averaging
about 6 oz. in silver per ton. Officials of the new com-
pany are Frank C. Morehouse, of New York and Salt
Lake City, president; A. J. McQuatters, of New York,
viee-pri sident ; Richard F. Parker, of New York, secre-
tary-treasurer; Alex Coldbath, of Salt Lake City, gen-
eral manager. It is stated that a milling-plant will be
constructed in the near future. According to engineers'
reports, there is developed approximately two million
tons of ore, which will average 10 oz. silver and 1%
copper per ton.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
THE CONSOLIDATED M. & S. CO. ASKS FOR A HIGH TARIFF ON
METAL IMPORTS.
Princeton. — The West Kootenay Power & Light Co. 's
high-power line front Bonnington Falls, by way of Green-
wood to Copper Mountain, has been completed, tested
and proved satisfactory, and the power is now connected,
so in all probability the Canada Copper Corporation will
start operations at Copper Mountain and at Allenby
shortly. The line is 190 miles long, and is believed to be
the longest transmission in western Canada; it has a
capacity of 110,000 volts, but until more power is re-
quired will be operated at 60,000 volts.
Invermere. — An interesting piece of blasting was done
recently at the Bunyan mine, under supervision of E. J.
Fader, general manager for the Silver Ores, Inc.. which
ow7ns the property. The mine is situated on a hill-side,
about five miles from here ; the orebody being iu places
more than 100 ft. It was decided to change the mode of
operating it from underground working to open-cut, or
quarry work. With this end in view a cross-cut was
driven for 60 ft., a drift run 20 ft., at the end of which
a 20-ft. shaft was sunk. The shaft and drift were charged
with 60% dynamite, well tamped, and exploded. The
blast was a complete success, and an immense body of
ore broken, estimated at between five and ten thousand
tons. When this has been removed it will form a starting
place for quarrying operations.
Atlin. — The question of the ownership of the Engi-
neer group of mineral claims, Atlin district, will be
brought before the courts for decision. The property is
valued at more than $1,000,000.
Stewart. — The policy of the Provincial government
in grub-staking returned soldiers has not been without
result in the Portland Canal area. In the vicinity of
Tide Lake, about twelve miles from Long Lake, such
parties have uncovered a number of narrow high-grade
veins of silver-bearing minerals, some of the samples
from which assayed as high as $700 per ton. George
Clothier, government mining engineer, has recently re-
turned from an inspection of the Bear River region,
which suffered most from the heavy rains last summer.
Prince Rupert. — The Graham Island Oil Develop-
ment Co. has been organized for the exploration of lands
believed to he oil-bearing, situated on Graham island of
the Queen Charlotte group. The company claims to have
foui' sections, staked before the War, comprising 2560
acres.
Hazelton. — A contract has been awarded for the con-
tinuance of the tunnel of the Cascade group on mineral
claims on Hudson Bay mountain for an additional 100
feet.
October 16, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
56!)
One of the properties inspected by John 1>. Galloway,
resident mining engineer, is the mica property owned by
tin Mini Syndicate of Tete Jnane Cache and Calgary,
the holding* of which are situated on Mica mountain in
Eastern British Colombia. Tin-re are five claims. Some
adjoining orown-granted claims are owned by New York
interests. Work was started by S. E. Beveridge, in May
of this year. The dominating roek of Mica mountain is
described as a coarse-grained garnetiferous mica-sehist.
Tin- schists are intruded by granite varying from normal
granodiorite to pegmatite and these pegmatite dikes con-
tain the mica which is of Che muscovite variety. There
arc crystals or 'books' ranging from 4 by 4 in. to 12 by
12, and still larger are found.
TRAIL. — The attitude of the management of the < !on-
culty in competing with foreign countries.
Mr. Warren said thai the industries were overburdened
with taxes. The Province look 10', of their gross in-
come, less certain deductions which did not include de-
preciation of mine property or take into account money
borrowed by the company outside the Province. The
company had paid in 1919 $150,000 in taxes, over 16% of
its net income. Half a million of the 10% dividends had
been taken from reserve funds.
During the last nine days of the month of September,
1 -.744 tons of ore and concentrate was received at the
smelter, bringing the total for the first nine months of
this year to 257.774 tons. The Consolidated company's
mines provided 11.549 tons of the shipment, the other
contrihuters being: Emerald, Salmo. 33 tons; Florence,
HOLLINGER CONSOLIDATED GOLD MINES, LTD., ONTARIO
solidated Mining & Smelting Co. with respect to protec-
tion against metal imports has been presented to the
Canadian Tariff Commission. J. J. Warren, president of
the company, complained of the removal of the 1\%
war-tax, asserting that, in the confident belief that this
impost would remain in force, the company had made in-
vestments of a substantial character. Over $250,000 had
been expended in developing fluorspar deposits and com-
mitments of equal amount had been assumed in the con-
struction of a rod-mill and other additions to the plant
at Trail.
The company's output in lead was 100 tons, about
equal to the Canadian consumption. Until 1919 the
Canadian tariff was the normal 15% plus the 1\% war-
tax as against a United States rate of 25%. Last year
the whole was removed and a specific duty of lc. per
pound imposed. The lead producer in this country is
seriously menaeed by lead produced in Spain, offered
here as a British product. The United States has pro-
tection of 2c. per pound and notwithstanding was faced
with competition from Mexico, Germany, and Spain via
England. The exchange situation presented another diffi-
Princess Creek, 95 ; Iron Mask, Kamloops, 45 ; Josie,
Rossland, 448 ; Monarch, Field, 78 ; North Star, Kimber-
ley, 224 ; Paradise, Athalmer, 57 ; Providence, Green-
wood, 47 ; Queen Bess, Alamo, 40 ; Sally, Beaverdell, 37 ;
Twin, Princess Creek, 26 ; Velvet, Rossland, 28 ; and
Washington, Sandon, 37.
The Trail board of trade submitted to the Commission
a memorandum emphasizing the importance of adequate
protection to the Trail smelting industry. While there
were only between 2000 and 2500 men actually employed
at the smelter it was argued that at least 20,000 people
were dependent on the successful operation of the plant.
Silverton. — The statement of the Standard Silver-
Lead Mining Co., operating the Standard mine, near
Silverton, Slocan district, shows a cash surplus of $367,-
996 on July 31 last as compared with $341,825 on March
31, 1920, and $298,010 on December 31, 1919. Profit for
June of this year was $10,952.
Victoria. — Among the recently incorporated British
Columbian companies is the Lowox Steel Co., with an
authorized capital of $500,000 and head offices in Vic-
toria. Its business is described as steel makers, colliery
570
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 16, 1920
owners, and operators and along other lines of the iron
and steel manufacturing industry. Returned soldier
prospecting-parties. grub-staked by the Government, have
recorded promising copper prospects on Mount Diadem,
near Jervis inlet, lower mainland of British Columbia.
ONTARIO
COBALT AX IMPORTANT ITEM IX ONTARIO ORES.
Porcupine. — Shortage of labor continues to curtail the
output of the mines. Although large numbers of laborers
are returning only a small proportion of them go to the
mining camps; mine managers, however, expect that be-
fore winter sets in they will be able to obtain all the labor
they require. The Hollinger Consolidated and the Dome
Mines, after having each purchased a carload of the low-
grade cyanide for the purpose of testing it, continue to
use the imported high-grade cyanide.
Kirkland Lake. — The Lake Shore during August
treated 1281 tons of ore with a recovery of $35,261. the
falling off in tonnage being due to the breaking of a ball-
mill clutch and the re-lining of the mill. Production has
now passed the million-dollar mark, the total to the end
of August being $1,011,579. Station timbering has been
completed at the 400-ft. level and good progress is being
made with the sinking of the shaft to a depth of 800 ft.
Surface exploration on the Granby-Kirkland has been
completed and actual mining operations begun. A shaft
is being put down on vein No. 4, one of the most highly
mineralized of a series of eight veins. It is over 4f ft.
wide and gives encouraging assays. A mining plant will
shortly be installed.
Cobalt. — Three narrow high-grade veins have been
opened on the surface at the Kerr Lake mine. They range
in width from one to two inches and contain from 2000
to 6000 oz. silver per ton. The first vein was discovered
while excavating for the foundation of a crusher, the
second was found while extending the excavations so as to
provide clearance for a conveyor, and the third was found
while preparing a foundation for the motor which is to
drive the crusher and conveyor. The veins occur within
eight feet of each other, and are in the conglomerate
which is 100 ft. thick at this point. The find ranks among
the most important surface developments in recent years
in Cobalt.
Following the discovery of high-grade ore at the sur-
face of the Kerr Lake mine, the Crown Reserve has
placed two machines on an upper level cross-cutting the
line of strike of the veins which are about 90 ft. from the
( 'rown Reserve boundary and which run south-east into
Kerr Lake by north-west toward the Crown Reserve.
Nearly five tons of high-grade ore has been taken out
by open-cut work on veins of the Cane Silver Mines, in
Cane township, in the Elk Lake district. The ore will
average more than 500 oz. per ton.
The Nipissing Mines Co. has purchased the iron prop-
erty of the Magnetite Mines Co. situated about 60 miles
from New York, with ore-reserves estimated at many mil-
lions of tons. The price of the property and the cost of
erecting a plant will, it is understood, entail an outlay of
over $1 .000.0011. The ore is stated to run about 37% iron.
Peterson Lake is again coming to the front as a producer,
shipping about 20 tons of ore daily in addition to the re-
treatment of its tailing at the Dominion Reduction mill,
which yields a fair profit. An extensive underground
exploration program is being carried out. With the in-
crease in the price of cobalt metal to $6 per pound (from
$3 to $4 in the rough state) its recovery as a by-product
of the silver mines becomes an important source of rev-
enue. The cobalt content of shipments from the mines if
over 4% is paid for at the rate of 2 to 4 cents per unit
according to the grade of the ore. For instance, ship-
ments comprising 5% cobalt metal are paid for at the
rate of 10c. per pound, and the higher-grade cobalt of
10% is paid for at the rate of 20c. per pound. The smelt-
ers at Thorold and Deloro are equipped for its recovery,
which adds materially to their revenue. The rise in cobalt
is stimulating interest in the South Lorrain district where
the veins earrv a large amount of this metal.
YUKON"
GOLD PRODUCTION SMALL OWING TO THE DRY SEASON.
Dawson. — The last boat of the season left this city for
Fairbanks on September 26, which is a sign that the
season is rapidly drawing to a close. On the whole it has
been disappointing. The gold output will be markedly
less than that of last year; the reason for which is the
unusual dryness of the past summer, and consequent lack
of water for washing the ground that has been mined. At
many properties there are large dumps of earth that have
been mined, but will have to remain until next year be-
fore they can be washed. Consequently next year's out-
put will have the credit for much of this season's work.
An important gold strike has been reported from Chan-
dalar, near Fort Yukon, which the early enthusiasts de-
scribe as being likely to rival the Klondike. Such re-
ports are not infrequent, and until further details are
obtained no idea of the value of the new strike can be
given. A number of claims have been staked and a trail
is under construction. A wireless plant is being erected
at Fortymile. O. B. Perry, manager for the Yukon Gold
Mining Co., before leaving for the south, said that his
company intended to carry out development work at
Mayo and install machinery that would mean a capital
investment of half a million dollars. Ore is being moved
by tractors from the company's mines to Mayo Landing,
and it is expected that it will be transported to seaboard
before the winter stops navigation. The Yukon Silver
Mining Co. has decided to erect a eoncentrating-plant at
Keno Hill, and the heavy machinery for it will be hauled
in over the snow this winter. The Fortymile Power &
Dredging Co. has done a large amount of drifting on
Dennison fork, but has not had sufficient water to wash
the ground. The company is doing a lot of exploration,
which will be continued through the winter, and it ex-
pects to have enough ground for one or two dredges
blocked out by next spring. E. P. Burrall. of the
Canadian Klondyke company, states that his company
has enough ground to keep it busy for the next decade
16, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
THE MINING
-
CALIFORNIA
Amador County. — The best ore found In the Old Eureka
mine since its acquisition by the present owners is reported
on the 3500-ft. level of the property. A large vein of mill-
ing-ore has been opened on the 3050-ft. level of the Ply-
mouth Consolidated group at Plymouth, owned by the W. J.
Loring syndicate.
Nevada County. — The commissioner of the General Land
Office has granted the application of the Golden Center of
Grass Valley Mining Co. for the Roche Rock claim located
by it within the townsite limits. Good progress is being
made in re-opening the Red Ledge mine in the Washington
district, according to Lewis Hind, who was here recently. A
big shoot of milling-ore has been cut in the lower tunnel and
is being developed. Starting up the new mill at the Grass
Valley Boundary mine has been delayed a few days by the
decision to install a concentrator purchased from the Cham-
pion plant near Nevada City before beginning operations.
Litigation involving the Black Bear mine will end in No-
vember, and soon thereafter steps will be taken to re-open
the property. This is the announcement of William Bucholtz.
the principal owner, who has just returned from Oklahoma.
Bucholtz. as general manager, brought suit to recover money
advanced by him and for salary, and it is expected the title
will be confirmed to him within a short time.
Plumas County. — Representatives of the Guggenheim
company were in Johnsville last week negotiating for the
purchase of the Plumas Eureka mine. This mine was lo-
cated in 1850 and sold in 1871 to the Sierra Buttes Co. of
London. It was closed down in 189 7. In 1909 it was bought
by the Plumas Eureka Mining Co. The property, which is
situated on the east slope of Eureka peak, is 2500 acres in
area and includes timber rights. The mine is not being
worked at present.
Shasta County. — The United States Smelting. Mining &
Refining Co., owner of the Mammoth mine and smelter, has
bought the Holt & Gregg Co.'s lime quarry, lime kilns, elec-
tric railroad from works to quarry, and all buildings in Ken-
nett for $20,000 according to the revenue stamps on the
deed. An electric railroad 2* miles long connects the lime
quarry with the smelter. The purchase of the property is
taken to indicate an early resumption of smelter operations.
The Shasta Exploration Co. is contesting the issuance of
patents to the United States Smelting, Refining & Mining
Co. (Mammoth Copper Co.) for the Wren, Crow, Coon, Last
Chance, and Comstock mining claims in the Backbone dis-
trict near Kennett. The Shasta Exploration Co. holds that
all or a portion of these claims conflict with the boundaries
of its Eva Lode, Carrie Alice, Vernie, Diamond Fraction, and
Six Point mines. The action will be tried in the Superior
Court before patents can be issued to either company.
Sierra County. — Five hundred pounds of specimen gold
ore has been taken from the Tightner mine during the last
few days. This is according to the report reaching here.
The Tightner, at Alleghany, has long been noted for its rich
pockets. It is stated that the discovery was made in a tun-
nel at a point only IS ft. from where work was abandoned
by the former operators. The property was taken under
bond by a company of mining men several months ago and
Fred Searles is in charge as superintendent.
COLORADO
UrefkenridRe. — Mines and dredges in this district are
operating short handed. High-grade silver ore is coming
from the Gold Bond on Mount Guyot. operated under lease.
The Horn mine in the same section, long idle, has been
opened. The Brooks-Snider Schock Hill is again producing
high-grade ore; 14 sacks mined by lessee Ange contained
168 oz. gold per ton. Tne Morgan lease is shipping silver
ore of $45 to $70 grade from the same mine. Wellington
Mines paid its 19th dividend, amounting to $100,000, early
in the month.
Cripple Creek. — The Portland Gold Mining Co. will pay
the regular quarterly dividend of lJc. per share, amounting
to $45,000 on October 20 to stockholders of record of Octo-
ber 12. Lessees of the United Gold Mines Co., on the Hard-
wood claim of the Damon group, Ironclad hill, continue
production of high-grade ore.
Denver. — Manganese ore from California, Montana, Ne-
vada, and old Mexico is being received by the Ferro Alloy
WINTER HOOD OX STACKER OP YTKON DREDGE AT
MURRAY, IDAHO
company of this city and ferro-manganese is being manu-
factured to the extent of 200 tons monthly.
Georgetown. — Lessees on the Waldorf are mining and
shipping smelting-grade ore. Last week's shipment broughi
$75 per ton. The Backbone lessees are shipping milling-
grade ore to the Wasatch mill and Mount Helen mine lessees
are also shipping milling-ore. The force at the George-
town tunnel has been increased and a good grade of ore is
being sent to the concentrator.
Leadville. — Austrian lessees on the Little Jonny con-
tinue shipping high-grade from the Breece Hill mine, and
are now drifting into virgin ground. The estimated value
of the ore shipped to date by lessees exceeds $300,000.
Operations have been resumed on the Tucson claim of the
Iron Silver Mining Company.
Silverton. — The Hanson Peak Mining Co. has acquired
the Independence and Malone claims formerly owned by
the Finney Jones estate. The property adjoins the Sunny-
side mine, and Pete Holmgrain, the manager, is mining ore
averaging $40 per ton. Eastern interests, with G. H. Bibb
572
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 16, 1920
in charge, have taken over the Eastern Star. Equipment
and supplies have been sent in for operation during the
winter.
Telluride. — Shipments of concentrate during September
were 33 cars from the Smuggler and 31 from the Tomboy.
The Liberty Bell mill shipped 4 cars.
IDAHO
The Carbonate Mining Co. plans to start development
work in the near future. The company owns a group of
claims near Beeler in the Pine Creek district of the Coeur
d'Alene. The Jim Blaine and Bristol properties in the Pine
Creek district tributary to Kellogg have been merged into
the Jim Blaine Silver syndicate. The Jim Blaine property is
located a half-mile from the main works of the creek. Sur-
veys for the new tunnel which is to be driven from the creek
level to cut the Bristol and Jim Blaine veins have been com-
pleted. Contracts for 400 ft. of additional work in the cross-
cut on the Slavonian Mining Co.'s property in Wardner have
been let. The cross-cut is now 900 ft. long and is expected
to reach the vein at 1200 ft., leaving 300 ft. yet to run. The
present contract calls for a drift on the vein, should it be
reached before the 4 00 ft. is completed. The Nabob mine on
Pine creek, in the Coeur d'Alene, will join the regular
shippers according to reports. The raise connecting the
lower and upper workings has been completed and other de-
tails worked out for the economical handling of ore from
the mine to the mill. All the ore-bins at the mill are full
of ore and ore is broken in four stopes in the mine, ready
for movement to the mill. A station has been cut at the top
of the raise and a hoist installed. A crew of 6 0 to 7 5 men
will be employed underground and in the concentrator.
Plans for constructing a 100-ton mill for the Jack Waite
property near Wallace have been made and ore is being
transported by two motor-trucks from the mine to Prichard,
a distance of 13 miles. Shipments are averaging 55% lead.
NEW MEXICO
Pinos Altos. — The shaft-house of the United States Copper
Co. near here was destroyed by fire during the past week.
The origin of the fire is unknown. The contents of the office,
which was in the building, were destroyed, something that
will naturally cause a great deal of inconvenience as well as
loss, but it is believed that the machinery in the building
was not seriously injured. Several new claims have been
located in the south-eastern part of the district and assess-
ment work is being done, preparatory to further develop-
ment. One of these properties known as the Clint is an old-
time producer, but on account of the low price of silver was
abandoned several years ago. A new shaft is being sunk,
and the old shaft re-timbered so that operations may be
carried on through both shafts.
Silver City. — The New Mexico Mining Association met
Monday afternoon, October 4, for the purpose of perfecting
their organization as the New Mexico Chapter of the Amer-
ican Mining Congress. John M. Sully, manager for the
Chino Copper Co., acted as chairman of the meeting. About
seventy operators and mining men from all over the State
assembled and held an enthusiastic meeting.
White Signal. — Development work on the radium-bearing
ore deposits at White Signal has been discontinued. It is
understood that the trouble is due to the difficulty of per-
fecting a system of separation of the metals from the torber-
nite ores, which are said to differ considerably from any
being used for the production of commercial radium at this
time. The Radium Co. of Colorado, which was interested in
the deposits, has had an expert on the ground for several
weeks. During the progress of the development work the
mineral was found at a number of different points; most of
the work, however, was done through the Merry Widow
shaft, which had been sunk to considerably over 200 ft.
[personal!
The Editor invites members of the profession to send particulars of their
work and appointments. The information is interesting to our readers.
Henry Krumb is at Superior, Arizona.
J. B. Tyrrell writes from Newfoundland.
A. W. Allen has left Peru on his way to London.
I/. A. Butler left New York last week for West Africa.
Albert Turner has left London to go to Oatman. Arizona.
C. M. Weld has removed his offices to 2 Rector street. New
York.
Howard T>. Smith was in San Francisco last week; he is
now at Ely, Nevada.
Horace G. Nichols was here last week on his way from
Mexico to British Columbia.
W. Pellew-Harvey has left Vancouver on his return to
London by way of New York.
John E. Bergh, of the firm of Sturtevant & Bergh, of Salt
Lake City, is at Tobar, Nevada.
Ralph J. Baverstock, of Baverstock & Payne, Los Angeles,
has been to Calexico, Lower California.
H. Vincent Wallace, of Los Angeles, passed through San
Francisco on his way to Eureka, Nevada.
L. V. Waterhouse has been appointed general manager for
the Mount Hope company, in New South Wales.
E. T. McCarthy has arrived here on his way from London
to China. He sails from Vancouver on October 21.
R. C. Gemmell and D. D. Moffat, are making a tour of in-
spection of the Ray Consolidated and Chino Copper mines.
Frederic R. Weekes has returned to New York from the
Portland Canal and Alice Arm districts. British Columbia.
Solon Spiro, president of the Silver King Con. M. Co., at
Park City, Utah, has returned to Salt Lake City from New
York.
X. Fukihara, of the Mitsubishi Mining Co., Tokio, Japan,
was in San Francisco last week and has gone to Tonopah,
Nevada.
James K. Dickson, recently mining engineer to the Hon-
duras Rosario Mining Co., in Honduras, has arrived in San
Francisco.
H. S. Weigall has been transferred from the Seoul Mining
Co., in Korea, to become general manager for the Taio Gold
Mining Co., at Fukuoka-ken, in Japan.
A. J. Reef, who has been associated with the Salt Lake
City office of the United States Smelting Co., has been
transferred to the Boston office of the company.
Craig Sandusky, superintendent for the Zuma Mining Co.
at Eureka, Utah, has resigned and will go to Colorado. A.
C. Nebeker, of Milford, Utah, will succeed him at the Zuma.
W. M. Thayer, formerly professor of geology at the Ohio
Mechanics Institute, has resigned to devote himself to con-
sulting practice in oil and mining geology at Cincinnati,
Ohio.
R. E. McDonnell, of the firm of Burns & McDonnell Engi-
neering Co., Kansas City, was elected president of the South-
west Waterworks Association, at the ninth annual conven-
tion, in New Orleans, on September 24.
D. C. Jackling left San Francisco on October 1. He visited
the Butte & Superior and the Mesabi iron properties, and is
now at Hayden, Arizona, inspecting the Ray Consolidated
property. After a short visit to the Chino property in New
Mexico, he will go to New York.
David A. Herron, manager for the Tomboy Gold Mines Co.,
at Telluride, Colorado, died at Denver on September 24. He
was about to resign on account of ill health; nevertheless the
sad news comes as a shock to his many friends.
October 16, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
573
METAL PRICKS
San Francisco. October 11
Aluminum-dust, cents per pound 65
Antimony, cents per pound 9.50
Copper, electrolytic, cents per pound 18.75
Laid, pig. cents per pound 8.00 — 9.00
Platinum, pure, per ounce $ 105
Platinum. 10% iridium, per ounce $145
Quicksilver, per flask ol 75 lb $75
Spelter, cents per pound 9.50
Zinc-dust, cents per pound 12.50 — 15.00
EASTERN METAI. MARKET
(By wire from New York)
October 11- — Copper is stagnant and lower. Lead is quiet and easy.
7.in<- is inactive but easy.
SILVER
Below are given official or ticker quotations for silver in the open market
as distinguished from the fixed price obtainable for metal produced, smelted,
and refined exclusively within the United States. Dnder the terms of the
Pittman Act such silver will be purchased by the United States Mint at 51
per ounce, subject to certain small charges which vary slightly but amount
to approximately three-eighths of one cent. The equivalent of dollar silver
(1000 fine) in British currency is 46.65 pence per ounce (925 fine), calcu-
lated at the normal rate of exchange.
Date
Oct.
cents
5 89.12
6 88.62
7 87.00
8 87.50
9 85.37
10 Sunday
11. 83.00
New York London
pence
57.62
56.87
56.12
56.12
54.87
53.37
Aug.
Sept.
Average week ending
Cents
30 96.61
6 93.27
13 93.96
20 94.31
27 93.52
4 91.65
11 86.77
Monthly averages
1918 1919
88.72 101.1
Jan. .
Feb 85.79
Mch 88.11 101.1
Apr 95.35 101.1
May 99.50 "
June 99.50
1920
132.77
101.12 131.27
125.70
119.56
107.23 102.69
110.50 90.84
1918
July 99.62
Aug 100.31
Sept 101.12
Oct 101.12
Nov 101.12
Dec 101.12
1919
106.36
111.35
113.92
119.10
127.57
131.92
Pence
60.70
58.90
59.15
60.08
59.66
58.98
55.66
1920
92.04
96.23
93.66
COPPER
Prices of electrolytic in New York, in cents per pound.
Date
Oct.
5 18.25
6 18.12
7 18.00
8 17.75
9 17.50
10 Sunday
11 17.50
Aug.
Sept.
Average week ending
30
6
13
20
27
4
11
19.00
19.00
18.75
18.75
18.70
18.50
17.85
Monthly averages
Zinc is quoted as spelter, standard Western brands. New York deli'
in cents per pound.
1918
Jan 23.50
Feb 23.50
Mch 23.60
Apr 23.60
May 23.50
June 23.50
1919
1920
20.43
19.25
17.34
19.05
15.05
18.49
15.23
19.23
15.91
19.05
17.53
19.00
1918
July 26.00
Aug 26.00
Sept 26.00
Oct 26.00
Nov 26.00
Dec 26.00
1919
20.82
22.51
22.10
21.66
20.45
18.55
1920
19.00
19.00
18.75
Lead is quoted in cents per pound. New York delivery.
Date
Oct.
7.50
7.60
7.50
7.50
7.50
10 Sunday
11
r.so
Aug.
Sent.
Average week ending
30
6
13
20
8.85
8.55
8.29
8.06
7.85
7.54
7.50
Monthly averages
. . . 6.85
5.60
8.65
July
Feb. . . .
. . . 7.70
5.13
8.88
Aug.
Mch. . . .
. . . 7.26
5.24
9.22
Sept
. . . 6.99
5.05
8.78
Oct.
May ...
. . . 6.99
5.04
8.55
Nov.
. . . 7.59
5.32
8.43
Dec.
1918 1919
8.03
8.05
8.05
8.05
8.05
6.90
5.53
5.78
6.02
6.40
6.76
7.12
1920
8.63
9.03
8.08
Prices in New York, in cents per pound.
Monthly averages
Date
6
7
10
11
Average week ending
Aug. 30
7.60
7.55
13..
" 20..
27..
Oct. 4..
11..
• ■
. . 7.50
Sunday
1918
1919
7.44
6.71
6.53
6.49
6.43
6.91
7.50
Monthly
1920
9.56
9.15
8.93
8.76
8.07
7.82
7.66
averages
July
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
1918
. 8.72
8.78
8.58
9.11
8.75
. 8.49
1919
7.78
7.81
7.57
7.82
8.12
8 69
1920
Feb.
Mch
7.67
8.31
7.84
May
June
7.92
. . 7.92
QUICKSILVER
The primary market for quicksilver is San Francisco. California being
the largest producer. The price is fixed in the open market, according to
quantity. Prices, in dollars per flask of 75 pounds.
Date
SepU 14 75.00
21 75.00
Sept.
Oct.
28 75.00
5 75.00
11 75.00
Monthly averages
Jan
Feb 118.00
Mch 112.00
Apr 115.00
1918 1919
128.00 103.75
90.00
72.80
78.12
1920
89.00
81.00
87.00
100.00
May 110.00 84.80 87.00 Nov 120.00 7S.00
June 112.00 94.40 85.00 Dec 115.00 95 00
1918
July 120.00
Aug 120.00
Sept 120.00
Oct 120.00
1919
100.00
103.00
102.60
86.00
1920
88.00
85.00
75.00
METAL MINING IN SEPTEMBER
Stagnation in metal mining is reported by the Federal Reserve Board.
Because of the low purchasing power of the metal, the gold output in Cali-
fornia and Nevada continues to decline. Silver mines in Utah and Idaho,
however, are working on a basis which will probably be slightly ahead of
1919. Copper production in Arizona will probably exceed th3t of 1919.
but elsewhere there is no change. The lead output of Utah and Idaho has
been small, but some idle mines are resuming operation with prospects of
production exceeding 1919. Recent freight-rate increases have produced
discouragement, and greater costs of supplies may further lower produc-
tion. Zinc and lead have shown improvement in volume shipped and price
paid. In Missouri. Oklahoma, and Kansas, zinc-ore shipments increased
20% and lead 12% in August over July. Stocks, however, increased 2000
tons. Car shortage is a serious problem in ore shipments, while new
freight-rates will increase the cost of slab zinc by $4 per ton.
The Comptroller of the Treasury has ruled that the Director of the Mint
may purchase Alaskan silver at $1 per ounce under the Pittman law, as
Alaska is a part of the United States within the meaning of the law. Sil-
ver produced in the Philippine Islands, however, cannot be purchased under
the Act. the Islands not being a part of the United States within the mean-
ing of the Act. as United States lawB do not generally apply to the Philip-
pines. During the past week the Director purchased 432,000 oz. of silver,
a total to date of 17.342,371 ounces.
According to W. F. Bartholomew, of Tucker, Bartholomew & Co. and a
director of Seneca and North Butte mining companies, the copper situation
is not quite as bad as generally supposed. Surplus stocks have declined
since the first of the year and the next 30 or 60 days should see a re-
sumption of metal buying, in his opinion. He says: "There has been
abnormal delay in the purchase of copper by reason of the credit situation
and the general desire on the part of manufacturers to reduce inventories
to the minimum and this situation has been more pronounced because of the
absence of European buying. Now in the absence of buying and an in-
crease of stocks, prices have naturally been affected, especially in the face
of the recent re-sale of copper sold to Japan but not shipped. Copper has
been sold recently as low as 17 %c. per pound.
"Copper was the first commodity to be liquidated and is now down to a
price which causes mines to restrict rather than produce. Deliveries from
the last large sale of copper are just being concluded and new buying will
soon have to take place. Stocks of copper on January 1. 1920. were
733.000.000 lb. On September 1 total stocks in this country were 577.000.-
000. or 156.000.000 lb. reduction in stocks from January 1 figures. Total
sales in September were about 60.000,000 lb. Now Europe is bare of
copper and domestic consumers' stocks are at the minimum so that the
producers have the copper, and I maintain that under these conditions a
healthy buying movement is due and there is no just basis for pessimism.
In fact. I look for a pronounced change in the copper-metal outlook during
the next 30 or 60 days."
1920
1918
1919
1920
Jan
71.50
62.74
July . .
93.00
70.11
49.29
Sterling, dolls
Feb. ,
85.00
. . . 85.00
72.44
72.50
59.87
61.92
Aug. . .
Sept. . .
91.33
80.40
62.20
55.79
44.43
Francs, cents
Apr. . .
May . .
June . .
. . . 88.53
72.50
62.12
54.99
Oct. . .
Nov. . .
78.82
73.67
54.17
Lire, cents:
. . . 91.00
71.83
48.33
Dec. . .
71.52
54.94
Marks, cents
MONEY AND EXCHANGE
Foreign quotations on October 11 are as follows:
dollars: Cable 3.51
Demand 3.51 %
Cable 6.67 %
Demand 6.68 *,L-
Demand 4 05
."i74
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 16, 1920
Eastern Metal Market
New York, October 6.
All the markets are exceedingly inactive and in some the
situation is not satisfactory or bright. The general nation-
wide tendency to lower prices is having its effect in the metal
markets, which are all at low levels, in some cases down to
cost of production.
Copper buying is almost nothing and prices are largely
nominal.
The tin market is lower and very quiet.
Lead has again declined with imported metal the pre-
dominating influence.
The zinc market is unchanged and very dull.
Antimony is a little lower.
IRON AND STEEL
The iron and steel markets are but little changed since
last week. Buying is light and the tone is easy. Some see a
slight improvement. Pittsburgh prices are firm at last
week's levels. In general, however, the tendency is down-
ward, but gradually so. Pig-iron is lower, with foundry
even down $3 to $47. The key to the iron situation is the
price of coke, which is still very high. Makers cannot be
shown how pig-iron can come down with coke still very stiff.
Production of coke is steady. There is a belief that the steel
market will soon enter a more competitive condition with in-
dependents' prices nearer or close to those of the Steel Cor-
poration. Billets have declined to $50, as compared with
a recent level at $60. The sheet-bar market is off to $65
to $70. The steel-plate market is softening. All these refer
to the outside or independent market.
The September pig-iron output was 3,129,323 tons, or
104,310 tons per day compared with 3,147,402 tons in the
31 days of August, or 101,529 tons per day. The September
rate was the highest since February 1919, excepting March
of this year. October is likely to exceed September in pro-
duction. Eighteen furnaces were blown in during September
and 10 were shut-down; the estimated capacity of the 319
furnaces active on October 1 was 106.220 tons per day,
against 104,265 tons per day for 311 furnaces one month
previous.
ANTIMONY
The market is extremely quiet and lower with wholesale
lots for early delivery quoted at 7c, New York, duty paid.
Jobbing lots are quoted at 7.25c.
ALUMINUM
There is a wider divergence between the outside market
and the leading producers. Wholesale lots of virgin metal,
98 to 99% pure, for early delivery are quoted at 34.90c.
f.o.b. producers' plant, by the leading interest, but at 28 to
29c. per pound. New YorK, by ofner sellers, handling largely
foreign metal.
COPPER
There is no improvement in the situation. .Consumers are
still uninterested and buying is at low ebb. There has been
no discernible change in the price situation, quotations being
largely nominal in the absence of transactions in any volume.
Most of the leading producers still adhere to a quotation of
18.75c, New York, for both Lake and electrolytic copper for
October delivery, but are doing little if any business. There
is strong talk of further curtailment of production. Costs
are higher and prices weaker and it is argued that it is better
business to leave the metal in the ground. The outside
market is quotable around 18.50c, New York, as an average,
though there may be small lots available at less than this.
The British market was lower early last week but strength-
ened with more favorable strike news.
LEAD
The feature of the market was another reduction on Sep-
tember 29 of lc. per pound by the American Smelting & Re-
fining Co. This makes the third reduction since September
13, the total amounting to ljc. per pound. The new quota-
tion is 7.50c, St. Louis, or 7.75c, New York. The outside
market remains unchanged in conditions, being still ruled
by the imported metal, which is offered at 7.50c, seaboard,
for October delivery. In September the imports were 7630
tons, which is not heavy, relative to consumption, but which
is influential under present market conditions. Demand is
light, with buyers maintaining a waiting attitude, apparent-
ly expecting lower prices.
TIN
Up to the end of last week the market was almost at a
standstill, although prices had settled to an attractive level.
Consumers, however, were not interested and still show no
interest. In fact some were offering to sell tin in isolated
cases. There were really more sellers than buyers. Pessi-
mism has even been apparent, but it is now believed by
many that the worst is past. Early this week there has been
a little more interest, largely by dealers who seem to be
ready to pick up bargain lots, particularly for Eastern ship-
ment. On Monday on the New York Metal Exchange 60 tons
of October-November shipment was sold at 42.75c and more
could have been sold had there been sellers. Spot tin was
reported offered at 4 2.50c, but not confirmed.
ZINC
The situation is materially unchanged. In the Eastern
market imported metal is the dominant factor, while in the
West the situation is characterized by lack of demand and
lower output. Prime Western for October delivery in the
East, based on imported metal, is quoted at 7.65c, New
York, while the same grade at St. Louis is held at about
7.65c, or 8c, New York. There is very little buying except
to cover consumers' immediate needs, either in the East or
at St. Louis. Prices are therefore more or less nominal at
7.65c. for October delivery at New York or St. Louis.
ORES
Tungsten: Inactivity pervades the market. There has
been some inquiry but no business is recorded. Consumers
are apparently uninterested at least. Quotations are un-
changed at $4.50 per unit for some Chinese ore and high-
grade foreign ores are held at $5 to $6 per unit.
Perro-tungsten is unchanged at 80c to $1.05 per pound
of contained tungsten.
Molybdenum: The market is entirely dead with quota-
tions nominally unchanged at 65 to 75c per pound of MoS.
in regular concentrates.
Manganese: The general situation is unchanged. Con-
sumers are well stocked and are not buying. There have
been offerings of Indian and South American ores but no
sales. Quotations are 60 to 65c per unit, seaboard, but
buyers are not interested above 5 5c per unit. Imports in
August are returned as 99,601 gross tons, or the heaviest of
any month this year. The total to September 1 is now
334,590 tons, as compared with 249. S10 tons to September
1. 1919.
Manganese-Iron Alloys: The market is still inactive with
quotations for ferro-manganese unchanged at $170, basis
seaboard, for either foreign or domestic alloy and for spiegel-
eisen at $82.50, furnace, for the higher grade and $80 for
the tower. Some re-sale ferro-manganese is reported to
have changed hands at $160 to $165. Imports of ferro-
manganese in August ere 9804 tons, the heaviest in any
month this or last year.
October 1U. ll'L'o
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
Book Reviews
The Mining Laws of tin- Hriii>li Empire and <>f Foreign
Oonntrtea. Vol. I. Nigeria. By Gilbert Stone. L'.'.n pp.
Published for the Imperial Mineral Resources Bureau. For
sale by the Mining and Scientiflc Press'. Price. $4.
This is the first of a series of publications intended "to
provide an up-to-date and authoritative exposition of the
mining laws in force in different parts of the world, avail-
able both for the legal profession and for all those who are
in any way interested in mining and minerals". The next
volume will deal with the Gold Coast of West Africa and
the third with the Transvaal. We welcome these publica-
tions in behalf of the mining profession.
Hydraulic Tables. By Gardner S. Williams and Allen
Hazen. Third edition. Pp. 115, ill., index. John Wiley &
Sons, Inc., New York. For sale by 'Mining and Scientific
Press'. Price, $2.
The principal change as compared with the second edition
of this book is the inclusion of the chapter on 'Additional
Data', in which are discussed the results of the principal
experiments on the flow of water that have been made in
the 12 years since the appearance of the second edition.
Various tables and other data on the flow of water through
pipes and other passages, based on the Hazen-Williams for-
mula comprise most o£ the book. There is also a division
devoted to the flow of water over weirs. The book will be
useful to the hydraulic engineer.
Steam-Shovel Mining. By Robert Marsh. Jr. Pp. 258,
111., index. McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York. For sale
by 'Mining and Scientific Press'. Price, $3.50.
This book was apparently written for engineers and will
be found particularly useful by all of that profession who
are engaged on any work in which excavation of earth and
rock plays an important part and it will prove equally use-
ful for the manager and superintendent. Detailed descrip-
tions of the different types are compared; modern methods
of mining involving the use of power-excavators are de-
scribed and there is much information covering the costs of
operation. This, as everyone knows, is a particularly diffi-
cult task at the present but the author has tried to accom-
plish it by giving the unit factors at the time of writing and
also under pre-war conditions. It is a valuable book.
Ten-Minute Talks With Workers. Pp. 208. Doubleday,
Page & Co., New York. For sale by 'Mining and Scientific
Press'. Price, $1.
This is a series of 40 short articles from various issues of
the Trade Supplement of the London 'Times', the wording
being changed occasionally to suit American readers. Each
article is a brief discussion of some subject connected with
political economy, expressed in language suited to the man
in the street and in the shop, but without any atmosphere
of 'talking down' to the audience. In fact, the book might
be called an anti-Bolshevik tract, and, as far as the reading
matter is concerned, it is a good one. However, binding,
printing, and other mechanical features are of such quality
that the price is necessarily too high for a tract. The man
that really needs to read the book will not pay the dollar for
it, and employers and others can hardly afford to arrange
for free distribution.
Practical Chemistry. By N. Henry Black and James
Bryant Conant. Pp. 474, ill., index. The Macmillan Co.,
New York. For sale by 'Mining and Scientific Press'. Price,
$2.
This book does not require the author's preface to tell
6ne that it is intended as an elementary textbook for use in
the public schools. It is written In 'popular science' style
and therefore will doubtless be interesting to many young
people, a sugared pill of knowledge, but, for our own part,
when we have wanted information from textbooks we pre-
ferred it, like cascara, 'straight'. The book aims to include
industrial chemistry and chemical engineering in its field
but the difficulty of covering this field is indicated by the
illustration of 'A Stamping Mill' and the statement concern-
ing the ore of the Lake Superior region that "In order to
isolate 'native copper' it is necessary only to grind the rock
to powder and then to heat it until the metal runs together
and flows to the bottom of the mass".
Mine Bookkeeping. By Robert McGarraugh. Pp. 118.
ill., index. McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., New York. For
sale by the 'Mining and Scientific Press'. Price, $2.
It is a pleasure to see a book that, as the author states,
has been prepared to supply a real need. It is intended for
the engineers, superintendents, and operators of small
mines. The present courses of instruction for engineers
make little provision for education in business principles or
in office routine and the average engineer is apt to take the
returns from the office as gospel without appreciating the
necessity of having all data properly collected and arranged,
if trustworthy results are to be had, or to go to the other
extreme and discard the office-prepared data and make up
his own at a considerable loss of time, effort, and accuracy.
Although the book is small and the author does not go into
detail as much as is done in books intended for professional
accountants, the technical man who lacks office experience
and many others will find it useful.
Design of Highway Bridges. By Milo S. Ketchum. Second
edition. Pp. 538, ill., index. McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc.,
New York. For sale by 'Mining and Scientific Press'. Price,
$6.
Changes in highway-bridge practice during the 12 years
since the first edition of this book was published, particularly
the increase of live loads and the growing use of reinforced
concrete, have made necessary its revision and the almost
complete re-writing of some parts. The scope of the book
has also been extended so as to cover both concrete and
timber bridges as well as steel. Part I discusses the calcula-
tion of stresses in the various bridge members. Part II
covers the design of steel and of timber highway bridges,
while Part III covers reinforced concrete bridges and foun-
dations. In Part IV, various details of bridge design, con-
tracts, estimates and costs, and bridge erection are con-
sidered. There are three appendixes, the first covering
specifications for steel bridges, the second, specifications for
concrete bridges, and the third contains various structural
tables. The book will be indispensable to anyone engaged in
the design or the construction of highway bridges.
Personnel Administration. By Ordway Tead and Henry
C. Metcalf. Pp. 520, ill., index. McGraw-Hill Book Co.,
New York. For sale by 'Mining and Scientific Press'. Price,
$5.
The systematic study of industrial relations and the de-
velopment of the technique of personnel management are so
new that the literature of the subject is scanty, and much
information is only to be found scattered through period-
icals and official reports. The present volume is a fairly suc-
cessful attempt to collect the most important of these data
under one cover. That it is, in many places, too much color-
ed by the authors' personal preferences regarding matters
in dispute was, perhaps, unavoidable. Nevertheless, the
book will be of value to the employer, the personnel man-
ager, and to others interested in the subjects of which it
treats. The scope of the book is best indicated by the sec-
tion-headings, which are The Personnel Department; Em-
576
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 16, 1920
ployment Methods; Health and Safety; Education; Re-
search; Rewards; Administrative Correlation; and Joint
Relations (between employer and employee).
Recent Publications
The Safe Storage of Coal. By H. H. Stoek. Tech. Paper
235, Bureau of Mines, 1920. Pp. 9.
Potash Deposits in Spain. By H. S. Gale. Bull. 715-A,
U. S. Geological Survey, 1920. Pp. 18, ill.
The Potash Deposits of Alsace. By H. S. Gale. Bull.
715-B, U. S. Geological Survey, 1920. Pp. 41, ill.
Nickel. By F. L. Hess. Advance Chapter of Mineral Re-
sources of the United States, 1918 — Part 1:25, 1920. Pp. 9.
Perforated Casing and Screen Pipe in Oil Wells. By E. W.
Wagy. Tech. Paper 247, Bureau of Mines, 1920. Pp. 48,
ill.
Graphite. By Hugh S. Spence. No. 511, Canada Depart-
ment of Mines, Mines Branch, Ottawa, 1920.. Pp. 202, ill.,
maps.
Development of Liquid Oxygen Explosives During the War.
By G. S. Rice. Tech. Paper 243, Bureau of Mines, 1920.
Pp. 46. ill.
Feldspar. By L. M. Beach. Advance Chapter of Mineral
Resources of the United States, 1918 — Part 11:30, 1920.
Pp. 7, ill.
Cadmium. By C. E. Siebenthal. Advance Chapter of
Mineral Resources of the United States, 1919 — Part 1:1,
1920. Pp. 10.
Accident Prevention in the Mines of Butte, Montana. By
Daniel Harrington. Tech. Paper 229, Bureau of Mines,
1920. Pp. 59, ill.
Determination of Molybdenum. By J. P. Bonardi and
Edward P. Barrett. Technical Paper 230, U. S. Bureau of
Mines, 1920. Pp. 35.
The Properties of Some Stoneware Clays. By H. G.
Schurecht. Technical Paper 233, U. S. Bureau of Mines,
1920. Pp. 38. 1 plate.
Use of Stenches as a Warning in Mines. By S. H. Katz,
V. C. Allison, and W. L. Egy. Tech. Paper 244, Bureau of
Mines, 1920. Pp. 31, ill.
Barytes and Barium Products. By G. W. Stose. Advance
Chapter of Mineral Resources of the United States, 1918 —
Part 11:31, 1920. Pp. 18.
Mining and Preparing Domestic Graphite for Crucible
Use. By G. D. Dub and F. G. Moses. Bull. 112, Bureau of
Mines. 1920. Pp. 90, ill.
Effects of Gasoline Removal on the Heating Value of
Natural Gas. By Donald B. Dow. Tech. Paper 253, Bureau
of Mines. 1920. Pp. 23, ill.
Magnesium in 1919. By Ralph W. Stone. 1:4, U.S. Geo-
logical Survey, 1920. From Mineral Resources of the United
States, 1919 — Part I. Pp. 4.
Coal. Part A: Production. .By C. E. Lesher. Advance
Chapter of Mineral Resources of the United States, 1918 —
Part 11:27, 1920. Pp. 119, ill.
Casing Troubles and Fishing Methods in Oil Wells. . By
Thomas Curtin. Bull. 182. Petroleum Technology 57, U. S.
Bureau of Mines, 1920. Pp. 48, ill.
Lithium Minerals in 1919. By Herbert Insley. 11:3, U. S.
Geological Survey, 1920. From Mineral Resources of the
United States, 1919 — Part II. Pp. 4.
Fuel Briquetting in 1919. By F. G. Tryon. 11:2, U. S.
Geological Survey, 1920. From Mineral Resources of the
United States, 1919 — Part II. Pp. 4.
Manganese, Uses, Preparation, Mining Costs and the Pro-
duction of Ferro-Alloys. By C. M. Weld and others. Bull.
173. Bureau of Mines, 1920. Pp. 209.
The Origin of the Faults, Anticlines, and Buried 'Granite
Ridge' of the Northern Part of the Mid-Continent Oil and
Gas Field. By A. E. Fath. Professional Paper 128-C, U. S.
Geological Survey, 1920. From Shorter Contributions to
General Geology, 1920. Pp. 10.
Bauxite and Aluminum in 1919. By James M. Hill. U. S.
Geological Survey, 1:5, 1920. Pp. 8. From Mineral Re-
sources of the United States, 1919 — Part I.
Abrasive Materials in 1918. By Frank J. Katz. U. S.
Geological Survey, 11:33, 1920. Pp. 17. From Mineral Re-
sources of the United States, 1918 — Part II.
Platinum and Allied Metals in 1919. By James M. Hill. |
1:2, U. S. Geological Survey, 1920. From Mineral Resources
of the United States, 1919 — Part I. Pp. 10.
Gold and Silver in 1918 (General Report). By J. P. Dun-
lop. 1:24, U. S. Geological Survey, 1920. From Mineral
Resources of the United States, 1919 — Part I. Pp. 55.
The Mule Creek Oil Field, Wyoming. By E. T. Hancock.
Bull. 716-C, U. S. Geological Survey, 1920. From Contri-
butions to Economic Geology, 1920, Part II. Pp. 19, map.
Arsenic, Bismuth, Selenium, and Tellurium in 1919. By
James M. Hill. U. S. Geological Survey 1:3, 1920. Pp. 9.
From Mineral Resources of the United States, 1919 — Part I.
Indicators for Carbon Dioxide and Oxygen in Air and Flue
Gas. By L. H. Milligan, D. O. Crites, and W. S. Wilson.
Technical Paper 238, U. S. Bureau of Mines, 1920. Pp. 23, 3
plates.
Deposits of Iron Ore Near Stanford, Montana. By Lewis
G. Westgate. U. S. Geological Survey Bull. 715-F, 1920.,
Pp. 8. From Contributions to Economic Geology, 1920 —
Part I.
Geothermal Data of the United States, Including Many
Original Determinations of Underground Temperature. By
N. H. Darton. Bull. 701, U. S. Geological Survey, 1920.,
Pp. 96, ill.
Cobalt, Molybdenum, Tantalum, Titanium, Radium, Ura-
nium, and Vanadium. By F. L. Hess. Advance Chapter of
Mineral Resources of the United States, 1918 — Part 1:26,'
1920. Pp. 27, ill.
Mineral Resources of the United States in 1919 (Pre-
liminary Summary). Introduction by G. F. Loughlin, Sta-
tistics assembled by Martha B. Clark. U. S. Geological Sur-
vey, 1920. Pp. 128.
Thorium, Zirconium, and Rare-Earth Minerals in 1919.
By Waldemar T. Schaller. U. S. Geological Survey, 11:1,
1920. Pp. 32. From Mineral Resources of the United
States, 1919 — Part II.
Gold, Silver, Copper, Lead, and Zinc in Colorado in 1918.
Mines Report. By Charles W. Henderson. U. S. Geological
Survey, 1:27, 1920. Pp. 56. From Mineral Resources of
the United States, 1918 — Part I.
Mineral Production of the United States in 1917. Intro-
duction by H. D. McCaskey; Summary by M. B. Clark.
Advance Chapters of Mineral Resources of the United States,
1917 — Part I:C, 1920. Pp. 62, ill.
Geology of the Yellow Pine Cinnabar-Mining District,
Idaho. By E. S. Larsen and D. C. Livingston. U. S. Geo-
logical Survey Bull. 715-E, 1920. Pp. 11. From Contribu-
tions to Economic Geology, 1920 — Part I.
Cobalt, Molybdenum, Nickel, Titanium, Tungsten, Radium,
Uranium, and Vanadium in 1917. By Frank L. Hess. U. S.
Geological Survey, 1:29, 1920. Pp. 61. From Mineral Re-
sources of the United States, 1917 — Part I.
Clay- Working Industries, Silica Brick, and Building Oper-
ations in the Larger Cities in 1918. By Jefferson Middleton.
11:29, U. S. Geological Survey, 1920. From Mineral Re-
sources of the United States, 191S — Part II. Pp. 88.
The Ore Deposits of Utah. By B. S. Butler, G. F. Lough-
lin. V. C. Heikes. and Others. Professional Paper 111, U. S.
Geological Survey. 1920. Pp. 669, ill, insert. For sale by
Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, I
Washington, D. C. Price, $1.50.
iiuimmmi
l< illl'llllilliMIIIIIIIIIIMMIIII
EDITORIAL STAFF
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Issued Every Saturday
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
EDITORIAL
NOTES 577
THE ELECTION 579
Lack of public interest. The two candidates, un-
inspiring and unimpressive. The League of Na-
tions not the issue, but President Wilson's admin-
istration. Our war record good. Wilson's lone
hand. His blunders; the bitter criticism to which
he is subjected. Mr. Hoover's remarks. Governor
Cox burdened with his predecessor's unpopularity.
The election will be settled on a strictly party
basis.
A NEW MINERAL 580
A bit of humor concerning the alleged discovery of
a deposit of 'hootchite', containing a considerable
percentage of alcohol. How it was found and what
excitement it caused at Goldfleld and Tonopah.
DISCUSSION
THE GEOLOGY OF BRAZIL
By F. Lynwood Garrison 581
An appreciation of the work of John Casper Bran-
ner. His 'Outlines of the Geology of Brazil' a not-
able event. Minas Geraes. No petroleum or coal
in Brazil. Lack of fuel retards industrial devel-
opment. Possible utilization of oil-shale. The
Morro Velho mine. Branner's map is the founda-
tion for future work.
ARTICLES
GEOLOGY OF THE EL TIGRE DISTRICT, MEXICO
By R. T. Mishler 583
The Tigre mine; where situated; local geography.
Page
Geology of the district; general, descriptive, and
economic. The mine is a silver-gold property.
Record of production. Vein system. Relation of
ore deposits to stratification and their genesis.
Secondary enrichment and mineralogy.
LABOR THE HOLDER OF THE NATION'S WEALTH AND
INCOME— II
By W. R. Ingalls 592
The second of this series of valuable articles. The
proportion of the country's wealth that goes to the
high salaried and employing class. The propor-
tion earned by corporations. The distribution of
corporate earnings. Agriculture a special class.
Earnings of farmers. Factory workers. Division
of country's produce by industrial classes. Aver-
age earnings of miners. The mining industry.
Professional service.
SOXES
THE NEW CORNELIA CO-OPERATIVE STORE AT
AJO
What the employees of the New Cornelia have
accomplished.
591
DEPARTMENTS
REVIEW OF MINING 597
THE MINING SUMMARY 605
PERSONAL 606
THE METAL MARKET 607
EASTERN METAL MARKET 608
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS 609
Established May U4. 1860. as The Scientific Press; name changed October
?0 oi the fame year to Mining and Scientific Press.
Entered at the San Francisco post-office as second-claBs matter Cable
tddreBs: Pertueola.
Branch Offices — Chicago. fiOO Fisher Bdg.; New York. 81 Nassau St.:
London. 7'?4 Salisbury House. EC.
Price. 15 cents per copy. Annual subscription, payable in advance:
United States and Mexico. 54 ; Canada, $5: other countries. S6
30
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 23, 1920
"■539
rains in Overalls
OxWELD SERVICE ENGINEERS are ready at any time to apply up-to-the-
minute oxwelding and cutting experience to your production problems
wherever you are.
The Oxweld Service Engineer is no theorist — no experimenter — but a man
of thorough technical education and wide practical experience. He
embodies that happiest of combinations in industry — brains in overalls.
He will tell you how the oxwelding torch can benefit your business and he
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There is no charge for this Service.
Write, wire or telephone to any of the addresses below and an Oxweld
Service Engineer will go to your plant from the nearest of more than fifty
centrally situated cities.
OXWELD ACETYLENE COMPANY
Newark, N. J. Chicago San Francisco
World's Largest Maker of Equipment for Oxwelding and cutting Metals
October 23, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
.'.77
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T. A. -KICKARD. .... Editor
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TN our issue of September 11 a note on 'Lead Produe-
■*■ tion' was credited to the 'Metal Bulletin', whereas we
learn now that only the statistics originated with that
publication. The information, copied by us from a news-
paper, originated with 'The Magazine of Wall Street'
of August 21, 1920.
"TVOMESTIC exports of mining machinery during
■*-^ August, according to the Department of Commerce,
amounted to $1,071,845, of which $463,623 was for oil
exploitation and $608,222 for other kinds of mining. Of
the latter, Mexico took $233,477 and was by far the
largest buyer among foreign countries.
/"WXIDATION of a gold-bearing quartz vein at a depth
^-* of 2675 feet is announced from the Lonely Reef
mine, in Rhodesia. This condition, it is said, is "con-
nected with the existence of an extensive crushed zone
through which the two levels immediately above have
been passing". Do any of our readers know of a mine
in which oxidation has been found to extend as deeply,
or deeper ?
T> RAZIL is a great mining region ; therefore the geol-
ogy of the country is interesting to mining engineers.
As a subject it has gained greatly in human interest by
becoming associated with the life-work of John Casper
Branner of Stanford University. We are glad therefore
to publish an interesting letter in which our friend Mr.
F. Lynwood Garrison reviews Dr. Branner 's investiga-
tions as recorded on his geologic map of Brazil. Mr.
Garrison incidentally gives us a good deal of informa-
tion on the country, which, it will be remembered, can
boast, among other things, the deepest mine in the world.
T^HE New Modderfontein, the greatest gold mine in the
-*• world, is doing well. It is on the Rand, in South
Africa. We gave an account of its history and resources
two years ago and concluded that it was the ' ' greatest ' '
gold mine by reason of its output, profit, and assured
prospects. During the financial year ended on June 30
the total revenue of the New Modderfontein Gold Mining
Co., Ltd., was £2,555,467. The working cost was £1,061.-
622 and the working profit £1,493,845. The average yield
was 52s. 9d. per ton, which, at $4 to the pound, is equiva-
lent to $10.50 per ton. The working cost was 21s. lid.,
or about $4.40 per ton. Dividends for the year amounted
to £1,155,000, or 82£% on the capital. Since the com-
mencement of milling in May 1906 the mine has pro-
duced 8,681.480 tons of ore yielding 3,962,412 ounces of
fine gold, from which £6,033,750 has been paid in divi-
dends to the shareholders. The reserve of ore at the end
of June is estimated at 8,869,700 tons averaging 8.4 dwt.
per ton over a stoping-width of 67 inches, this being
sufficient to supply the mill for seven years. Last year
the company received £464,600 in extra revenue thanks
to the discount on sterling.
TVIEXICO is to the front again in a mining way, and
-L'-*- we are right well pleased that it should be so. We
have published recently several articles on the mining
districts of that country and in this issue we give a de-
scription of the El Tigre district, which is known chiefly
through the successful career of the El Tigre, or Lucky
Tiger, mine. The geology of this part of Sonora is rich
in variety and in suggestiveness to the student of ore
deposits. Mr. R. T. Mishler, the manager of the El Tigre
mine, is a technician whose methods are truly scientific in
their carefulness and consequent accuracy, so that we can
commend the article heartily to mining engineers inter-
ested in that part of Mexico.
T"\R. COTTRELL, it is announced, intends to retire as
*-* Director of the Bureau of Mines at an early date,
probably in December, in order to give his time to re-
search work as a member of the National Research Coun-
cil. When he accepted the appointment it was on the
understanding that he would serve temporarily, pending
the selection of a permanent chief. We understand that
Mr. H. Foster Bain, who is now in China, has been ap-
proached officially with a view to his appointment. We
hope he will accept it, for he is already familiar with the
work, having served as assistant to Dr. Manning, and he
is admirabl}' fitted in other ways for the directorship.
A T a time when hod-carriers are better paid than sehool-
*"• teachers, and when therefore first-rate men and
women naturally seek other vocations, it is well to recall
what Roger Ascham said in 1565, three and a half cen-
turies ago: "It is pity that commonly more care is had,
yea, and that among very wise men, to find out rather a
cunning man for their horses than a cunning man for
their children. They say nay in word, but they do so in
deed. For to the one they will gladly give a stipend of
200 crowns by the year and are loath to offer to the other
200 shillings. God that sitteth in heaven laugheth their
578
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRKSS
October 23, 1920
choice to scorn and rewardeth their liberality as it should.
For he suffereth them to have tame and well ordered
horses, but wild and unfortunate children, and therefore
in the end they find more pleasure in their horses than
comfort in their children." Doubtless the laughter in
the heavenly places finds a sardonic echo in complemen-
tary quarters supposed to be down below somewhere.
Hardly less anomalous is the spectacle of a State that
spends millions on a university where its young men and
women undergo instruction and some process of educa-
tion for three or four years only to be debauched intel-
lectually for thirty or forty years by the daily influence
of a contemptible press.
T AST week we quoted sundry statistics on immigration.
•*-' Several causes have joined to check migration from
Europe ; one of them is the cost of travel. The head-tax
in 1882 was 50 cents ; it is now $8. Every immigrant has
to pay $10 for an American consular vise of his passport.
In 1913 the total cost, for steamship ticket, consular fees,
and head-tax, ranged from $34 to $48, according to the
European port from which the immigrant sailed; now
the cost ranges from $98 to $125 per person, but owing
to the fall in foreign exchange, the immigrant has to pay
an amount equivalent to $200 if he comes from Helsing-
fors or Copenhagen, and not less than ten times as much
if he comes from Trieste. Moreover, he makes more
'money' at home than he did in 1913 and he has to pay
more for railroad travel if he comes from inland, besides
additional consular fees if he has to cross one or more
frontiers in order to reach his port of embarkation. The
literacy test, enacted in 1916, excludes many that would
otherwise come. Mr. Frank \Plachy, editor of the monthly
magazine issued by the National City Bank, estimates
that existing shipping facilities will not permit more than
750,000 immigrants to enter this country during the fiscal
year ending in April 1921. During August the heavy
immigration recorded in the three previous months
showed a slump, to a net gain of 12,249, as compared
with 21,373 in July. The net number of immigrant males
arriving at the present time is at the rate of only 80,000
per annum.
/"^ROPS are splendid, and they are being moved to
^ market without undue financial dislocation. For
this last we can thank the Federal Reserve system. The
assurance of a large supply of grain in the country and
in Canada has depressed prices naturally. Cotton is
down because the textile trade, all over the world, is
disorganized. The same applies to wool. Manufactured
product? have slumped in price. The era of fictitious
values is Hearing an end. Many are being hurt. It is
not pleasant. Somebody must pay the piper and the
tune sounds like a discord. That incorrigible ratio of
supply and demand has a nasty way of asserting itself at
inconvenient moments. Abundant harvests are as food
to one man and poison to another. Falling prices bring
tears here and smiles there. Even unemployment is not
an unmixed evil if it makes organized labor pause in its
excessive demands and realize that there must be an end
to profiteering of service as of commodities. We need
more homes for the people and cheaper food for those
living on a narrow margin. It is time the country settled
down from its orgy of price inflation. In any event,
whether we like it or not, the time has come. There is
suffering whenever economic changes come into effect
violently, but come they must if human greed uses eco-
nomic causes as an excuse for predatory business. Some
day we shall establish some agency that will cheek
profiteering as we now try, but not with much success,
to check combinations in restraint of trade. In the civil-
ization of a later day those who seize society by the
throat in order to force excessive prices will be dis-
ciplined, without, let us hope, stifling legitimate compe-
tition.
/~\UR New York correspondent, on the page devoted to
^-' the Eastern Metal Market, has referred more than
once to the fact that the lead market has been threatened
with shipments of metal from Europe. German lead has
been offered at 7 cents, duty paid. This prompts our
contemporary, 'The Wallace Miner', to appeal for a
tariff on lead in order to exclude the metal produced by
the cheap labor of Europe. With this plea we sympa-
thize, but we have reason to believe that our friend in
the Coeur d'Alene is weeping over the wrong tombstone.
It is not cheap labor, but cheap money — cheap as dirt —
that is the cause of the trouble. The German who sells
his lead for seven cents will convert the seven cents
United States currency into four marks or more, this
being 15 times the rate of exchange that obtained before
the War. Thus the price of his lead is multiplied fifteen
times, whereas the cost of the labor required to produce
it has not been more than quadrupled. In plain English,
the enhancement of the dollar has created a bridge for
European exports and a corresponding barrier to im-
ports from us. This is only one more of the annoying
economic consequences of the present abnormal state of
international affairs. Some of the dealings in foreign
lead may be due to speculation in exchange and the re-
selling of metal previously sold to brokers on the other
side. Last week we recorded the fact that the Consoli-
dated Mining & Smelting Company of Canada presented
a plea, to the Canadian Tariff Commission, for protec-
tion against imports and asked for an increase of the duty
on pig-lead from one cent per pound to two cents. We
may add that in 1913 the German production of lead was
181,100 tonnes (or metric tons), all of which and more
was consumed at home, the total German consumption in
that year being estimated at 246,000 tonnes. Just now
the Germans must have need for all their lead and it is
only the adverse credit position that excuses the exporta-
tion of it to us.
TN the 'El Paso Morning Times' we have read the
■*■ report of a speech made by General Ignacio Enriquez,
the Governor of the State of Chihuahua. He is a mem-
ber of the class of 1910 in the University of Illinois and
speaks English well, so that he is in a position to under-
stand the American point of view. The Governor gave
1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
579
utterance to many friendly BentimentB; among others
be said: "<)ur most ardent deaire, as Mexicans, is bo Bee
thai justice is accorded the foreigners who have aided so
materially in the development of our country, but we
are equally desirous of being treated fairly by other
nations. With the idea of equity in mind, all the diffi-
culties and misunderstandings could be easily solved."
We hope they will be solved, even if the task be more
difficult than it may seem on the occasion of an excellent
luncheon at the University Club of El Paso. Certainly,
goodwill and the desire to be fair will go a long way to-
ward the desired consummation. On the same occasion
General Alvaro Obregon, President-elect of Mexico, spoke
briefly, and in Spanish, although we understand he also
has an easy command of our language. He said: "We
invite to Mexico such men as wish to work unselfishly for
the well-being of all, both for themselves and the Mexi-
cans, but we don't want men prompted by the speculative
vice who seek only selfish self -profit". This is the trans-
lation by the interpreter present at the time and it may
be faulty. Vulgarly speaking, it is 'guff', hardly worthy
of a direct-acting soldierly leader. We fear that not
many of our people can claim to be so altruistic and we
shall forgive them if they are sceptical as to the actuation
of their Mexican friends by motives so nearly angelic.
Mining, we can say frankly, is usually actuated by "the
speculative vice of selfish self-profit", and not by Sunday-
school maxims or scientific idealism. We note 'The
Financial Times', of London, sent a cablegram to Gen-
eral Obregon asking "the probable attitude of himself
and his government toward foreign capital invested in
the country". He replied personally as follows. "I have
received your cable of the 8th September and can assure
you that the new Government of Mexico will give prefer-
ential attention to its commitments abroad, will treat
them with all seriousness, and will afford protection, in
accordance with our laws, to all foreign capital invested
in Mexico, or which may be so invested in the future."
The Election
The election of the next President takes place in a few
days. Of two things one can be certain, the first is that
he will come from Ohio, and the second that his election
will not be acclaimed with any great enthusiasm by the
more thoughtful even of his own party. In truth, there
has rarely been a presidential campaign so uninteresting
and unsatisfactory. Thanks largely to our method of
selection, by a mob in convention assembled, the two
standard-bearers are men of no intellectual power. Their
statesmanship appears to be on a par with their golf, and
their political poise seems no better than their pose at
the end of a drive. We have seen photographs of both
gentlemen taken in the act: head up, weight on the wrong
foot, club pointing skyward, and other sure evidence of a
foozle. The betting is that the little white ball has been
sliced into a bunker eighty yards on the right. Both owe
their nomination to what are called political bosses, for
the good reason that no assemblage of a thousand dele-
gates ..in hope to make a selection except through «
caucus of leaders. The attempt to split the parties mi
the issue of the League of Nations appears to have failed.
for although Mr. Harding has no use for the existing
League, he is being supported by Mr. Taft and Mr.
1 louver, who were at one time uncompromising sup-
porters of it, and by Senators Johnson and Borah, to
whom it is anathema. The issue is President Wilson's
administration,, not the League; in short, it is a choice
between the 'ins' and the 'outs'. As Mr. Hoover says,
"the solemn referendum is not on the League, it is on t he-
failure of the Democratic party". He and other pro-
gressive men prefer to support a reactionary Republican
rather than run the risk of keeping the Democrats in
power. As a matter of fact, the conduct of the War by
the Democratic administration was distinctly more cred-
itable than the performance of McKinley's administra-
tion during the Spanish war; that was marked by in-
efficiency and scandal of the grossest kinds, whereas the
record of the Wilson regime during the recent war is
comparatively free from the larger blemishes of stupidity
and corruption. The country has no reason to be
ashamed of its performance ; it compares well with the
records made by the European governments during the
same critical period. The chief fault of it was that it
was done with the apparent purpose of making it re-
dound to the fame of one man and to the prestige of one
party, instead of allowing the credit, like the effort, to be
national. President Wilson played a poor game because
he played a lone hand ; he made the further blunder of
estranging the best men in the Republican party by dis-
regarding their desire for co-operation during the War
and by ignoring their willingness to collaborate in the
making of peace. When he delivered his message de-
claring war he should have called such men as ex-Presi-
dents Roosevelt and Taft to his councils, possibly also
Messrs. Root and Hughes, forming a coalition cabinet
and thereby putting party considerations aside for the
sake of the bigger and vastly more urgent duty that he
had to perform as Chief Executive of the nation. He
failed to rise to the occasion ; he played small politics ; he
irritated his opponents ; he flouted the Republican party ;
hence the bitter and unjust criticism, and even vilifica-
tion, to which he has been subjected. History will do
justice to his lofty idealism and to the other fine qualities
of his statesmanship, but for the present he is the target
of obloquy, much of which he has brought obtusely upon
himself. He tried to claim all the renown and all the
credit for himself and his party ; to him and to his party
therefore all the mischances and all the mistakes are
being debited. The majority of the voters will agree
with Mr. Hoover when he says : " It is fundamental when
a party fails in statesmanship or fails to carry out its
promises, it must accept the penalties of that failure ; it
should be retired in order that its leadership may be re-
formed". To this it may be replied that Governor Cox
does represent a new leadership, but, unfortunately for
him, he has to carry the incubus of the unpopularity
of the President. Mr. Cox said to a heckler in Kansas :
580
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 23, 1920
"My friend, Wilson isn't running for President. Cox is
running for President." It is true Governor Cox was
nominated by the Democratic convention, but he is run-
ning on a platform that unreservedly endorsed President
Wilson's administration. He must share its unpopu-
larity. If the Democrats had nominated a man of real
distinction, one who could command the confidence of
the independent voters, they might have defeated Senator
Harding. They failed to do so. Mr. Cox is cleverer than
his rival ; he can make a better speech, but he is too glib,
he has promised too many things irresponsibly to be
trusted in the high office to which he aspires. Indeed, the
choice of candidates is lamentable. Moreover, there is no
third-party leader for whom the independent voter can
cast his ballot with any self-respect. That may be for-
tunate, for our theory of government is based upon a
two-party system, and we have no desire whatever to see
it degenerate into the welter of confusion that character-
izes the conflict of three or more political groups in the
legislatures of Europe. At the close of the campaign the
issue has narrowed down to a party basis; the larger
questions are in the discard; even the Republicans who
wanted to overthrow the unrepresentative system that
caused the nomination of Senator Harding are willing to
postpone an attack upon that system until their party is
safely in power ; even the Democrats who know Governor
Cox's wretched war record will vote for him in order to
endorse the Wilson administration. On that they will go
to defeat. For ourselves, we ought to be pleased to see
Mr. Harding elected because he and his friends un-
doubtedly will look after the welfare of the business in-
terests, including those of publishers, but, looking at the
Presidential election in a worthier way, we regret that he
could not be opposed, and defeated, by a man of keener
intelligence, of robuster character, and of more liberal
ideas.
A New Mineral
Queer things are found in nature, particularly where
chemical and physical forces have operated with abnor-
mal intensity, as in Nevada. From that great mineral
region there comes the news that an enterprise has been
launched of which it may be said, in the words of a South
Sea Bubble prospectus, that it is "a project the nature
of which will be later divulged". However, we would
deem it unkind to withhold even our present incomplete
information from a world eager for enlightenment. We
are told that a discovery has been made more important
in a truly economic sense than that which made the
Busted mountains famous in the early days, or the cele-
brated Hallelujah Consolidated, whose search for oil in
the obsidian of the Never-Never land has excited keen
interest among geologists. The enterprise to which we
refer is already the subject of excited conversation in
every mining community in Nevada ; it is called the Wet
Products Corporation and its promoters are said to con-
trol 25 claims covering an immense deposit of 'hootchite',
or 'hootchspar', a mineral containing a large percentage
of alcohol. The deposit is covered by a flow of lava, a
variety of dolerite, but its existence was disclosed by a
natural spring. It appears that Blinkey McGuire. the
well-known prospector, happened to see a coyote in hot
pursuit of a rabbit, which stopped and took a drink at the
spring. The chase was resumed, but, much to McGuire's
astonishment, the rabbit turned on the coyote and at-
tacked it savagely, compelling it to retreat. The rabbit
jumped, tumbled, and rolled, as if in an ecstaey, and then
started after the coyote with such speed that its tail was
extended horizontally. . McGuire, being of a scientific
turn of mind, was curious. He examined the spring, and,
being an experienced prospector, he had no difficulty in
detecting the familiar odor of a venerable com whiskey.
He took a sample with him for analysis at Goldfield,
where his surmise was confirmed. Returning to the spot
with several mining engineers, who were willing to assist
him in a scientific study of the deposit, it was ascertained
that in an earlier geologic period the valley and the sur-
rounding hills had been covered with vast corn-fields,
probably in the Carboniferous period, when vegetal
growth was so abundant. A flood had swept the corn
into the central part of the valley and a flow of lava had
buried it completely, as in a retort. Heat and pressure,
during long geologic time, had consolidated the decaying
corn into a soft yellowish mineral, now known at 'hootch-
ite , or 'hootchspar', which at one place, where the lava
is fractured, has been dissolved by the ground-water and
brought to the surface as a medicated spring. This
opening has been cemented already in order to prevent
further wastage. The deposit itself, judging from the
local stratigraphy, lies at a depth of about 2739 feet, and
a drill-hole is to he sunk to it, with suitable preparation
for closing it with a valve so as to regulate the flow of
precious liquid. Whether it will be advisable to sink a
shaft in order to mine the solid hootchite or whether the
deposit can be extracted by leaching it, as is done in salt
mines, or by admitting live steam and melting it, as is
done in the exploitation of sulphur, for example, is not
yet decided. We are informed that a market is assured
at $25 per quart of solution or $250 per pound of 65%
hootchite. Preferred stock has been placed on the market,
the immediate consequence being a big drop in the quota-
tions for Liberty bonds at Goldfield, Tonopah, and Vir-
ginia City. Government officials are on the ground al-
ready and the U. S. Bureau of Mines has sent a mine-
rescue team to the locality, with oxygen helmets, in case
the fume of the hootchite should overcome the force of
men now engaged in preliminary operations. Undoubt-
edly this will prove an important addition to the min-
eral resources of Nevada; it may prove as important as
the layer of soapstone discovered a few years ago near
Lovelock ; it was a kind of ozokerite and proved so useful
in removing the stains on the escutcheon of the State
that the State Treasurer, on the suggestion of George
Graham Rice, changed the motto of the commonwealth
to 'While there is life there is soap'. Since then wash-
sales of mining stock on Bush street have been conducted
with a success that has aroused the admiration of the
State Commissioner of Corporations.
October 23, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
:,si
D
The Geology of Brazil
The Editor:
Sir — In the bulletin of the Geological Society of
America of June 30, 1919, there was published a paper
entitled Outlines of the Geology of Brazil to Accom-
pany tlie Geological Map of Brazil', by John Casper
Brainier.
The appearance of this map and sketch is a notable
event worthy of more notice than it has received and its
title would connote, for it not only possesses great merit
as a contribution to geologic literature, but is also of the
utmost practical value to the mining engineer interested
and engaged in the economic development of this enor-
mous country. In a sense it may be regarded as the
culmination of the life work of one of our most dis-
tinguished, careful, and competent geologists, a sort of
magnum opus the result of years of hard work and study
for the mere love of it. It is true Branner was in the
service of the Brazilian government in various capacities
for a number of years, although he appears to have been
insufficiently sustained by the authorities. But to him,
with the possible exception of Orville Derby, we owe
more than to anyone else the only clear and comprehen-
sive conception it is possible to obtain of the general
geologic character of Brazil.
Save in a few localities, Branner 's work makes no
pretense of detailed accuracy, indeed it could not be
otherwise of so enormous a country not yet wholly ex-
plored even in a geographic sense. Some of the States, .
such as Minas Geraes and Bahia, are comparatively well
known and mapped with some degree of accuracy and
it is to such localities more than elsewhere I would like
in a few words to direct attention.
When the Portuguese made their first settlements in
Brazil, gold mining, or rather gold-washing, became one
of the occupations to which they devoted much attention
and from which they derived considerable wealth. As a
consequence the operations were large and the hinterland
back of Rio de Janeiro settled rather rapidly considering
those primitive times, the name Minas Geraes resulted
from this circumstance. The discovery of diamonds fol-
lowed later (about 1725) and Brazil became, for those
days, the second great diamond-producing country, India
being first.
In some respects Brazil reminds me of China as I
first knew that interesting country in the year 1900, and
Branner bears much the same relation to Brazil as
Richthofen does to China in making known to an ignorant
and then little interested world the mineral resources of
the three or four great untapped reservoirs of raw ma-
terial now so badly needed in this industrial-plagued
planet.
In Brazil, however, unlike China, two of the most im-
portant factors of our so-called modern civilization are
conspit nous by their absence, namely, coal and petroleum.
Of the first there is a modicum to be found in the Per-
mian rocks of Rio Grande do Sal. Very high in ash and
of low calorific power, these coals must be washed and
treated to be successfully made into coke. The Car-
boniferous formation is by no means wanting among the
rocks of this vast country, but so far no coal-bearing
measures belonging to them have been discovered nor
does it seem likely there ever will be.
Of petroleum there are few indications, but when one
considers the vast size of the country and how imper-
fectly many parts have been explored in a geographic
sense, not to say prospected in a mineral way, it is
obviously unwise to have any opinion regarding the mat-
ter. Curiously enough, however, petroleum 's first cousin,
oil-shale, is abundant along the cost of Brazil, being
found in the Eocene-Tertiary rocks that extend from the
Amazon on the north along the coast south nearly to Rio
de Janeiro, a distance of almost two thousand miles, with
but few breaks or intervals in their continuity. Almost
anywhere in this Tertiary area, oil-bearing shales might
be expected, but so far they have been located and defi-
nitely identified in but a few localities, probably for the
simple reason that no systematic search has been made
for them. In thickness these beds of shale vary from
six to twelve feet and yield as much as forty gallons of
oil per ton of rock.
The lack of fuel in Brazil is almost tragic in its serious-
ness. Here we have one of the largest countries of the
world with a stable government, vast natural resources
of many different kinds and iron-ore deposits unsur-
passed, if indeed equalled as to quality and quantity,
wholly dependent upon foreign sources of supply for
coal and coke, which inland is practically at a prohibitive
price. Such conditions preclude the establishment of
iron and steel industries, which must necessarily be the
basis of modern industrial progress and logically the re-
sult of such enormous local supplies of raw material other
than fuel. "What may be expected of electric smelting in
this connection is conjectural, of course, as the state of
the art is hardly sufficiently advanced to form any
definite conclusion ; such is certainly the case with iron,
however satisfactory the results may be in smelting other
metals. Brazil affords many opportunities for the in-
stallation of hydro-electric power plants, some of great
size and in fairly convenient localities. Doubtless the
582
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 23, 1920
solution of her difficulties in establishing a large metal-
lurgical industry is to be found in this direction.
One is impressed in studying Branner's map by the
immense area of Archean rocks that constitute the east-
ern part of Brazil. They are practically continuous
north and south from about latitude 2° S. to 32° S. and
in .places the belt is hundreds of miles wide from the
coast westward. These old rocks, especially when asso-
ciated with the early Paleozoic and Silurian formations,
are likely to be important depositories of metallic miner-
als. Thus, for example, in Minas Geraes we find rich
iron ores as well as manganese ores affiliated with early
Paleozoic sediments. The best and largest manganese
deposits appear, however, to favor the crystalline schists
and limestones of the Archean, and, naturally, one would
look for the chrome deposits in the serpentine and gneiss
of this comprehensive and welcoming group of rocks to
which is relegated everything in the way of formations
too old for positive identification. The famous Morro
Velho gold mine, belonging to the St. John del Key
company, is in the Archean, the lodes consisting of len-
ticular shoots of quartz intercalated in the country-rock.
The quartz contains, in addition to gold, varying amounts
of pyrite and pyrrhotite, together with carbonates of
lime, magnesia, and iron. The most extraordinary thing
about this mine is the persistence of the precious miner-
alization, it having now been proved, with relatively slight
change, to a depth of considerably over six thousand
feet, this being the deepest gold mining in the world.
It is a notable fact that not one of the other gold mines
of Brazil has approached the Morro Velho in magnitude
and importance ; undoubtedly the operation of the prop-
erty has been skilfully and determinedly conducted,
which may account for its predominance, for of all
classes of metal mining that of gold demands the highest
degree of skill and pertinacity.
A noted peculiarity of the Arehaen granites of Brazil
is the presence in many of them of a rare group of min-
erals containing cerium, lanthanum, zirconium, and
thorium, the last being the oxide from which incandescent
gaslight mantles are made.
In considering general mining conditions in South
America, the mind naturally turns to those countries
whose mines have achieved historic distinction, if not
fame. The world has long since heard of the gold of
Antioquia (Colombia) , the probable source of most of the
gold of the Incas, the silver of Potosi (Bolivia), and the
copper of Chile, to say nothing of the emeralds of Muzo
(on the Bogota plateau, Colombia) and the tin of Bo-
livia. But except for diamonds, an almost insignificant
industry as compared with that in South Africa, very
little is heard of the mines of Brazil, despite that today
this country contains the greatest reserves of iron ore
known to an extravagant and wasteful civilization. As
a producer of minerals Brazil is today a negligible factor,
for even its manganese, the only ore exported in quan-
tity, is not indispensable, for it is no better than the
Indian and not so good as the Caucasian.
Tlie publication of this splendid geologic map of
Branner's is therefore most opportune, giving as it does
to the mining engineer a welcome insight into the pos-
sibilities of this vast unexploited and undeveloped ter-
ritory, a country full of promise in meeting the demands
of an expectant industrial world, a Europe almost
drained of its mineral wealth, and a North America doing
its best to follow suit. On the whole, the mineral re-
sources of Brazil assure an enduring character. As we
know, the iron deposits are unsurpassed ; of copper, there
are indications of much ; and of manganese, chrome, and
gold there are positive proofs that extended explorations
and prospecting will result in the discovery of many new
deposits of a commercial character.
If the technical and practical difficulties in the eco-
nomic treatment of oil-shale can be overcome successfully,
as no doubt they will be, a domestic fuel-supply is as-
sured, not to mention the by-products as an indirect
source of wealth and an aid to agricultural industry by
reason of the production of ammonium sulphate. An
independent supply of fuel, gasoline, lubricants, and fer-
tilizers would thus be obtained as the result of the de-
velopment of one heretofore wholly neglected mineral
product whose value has until now been almost wholly
unsuspected, or at any rate never regarded of sufficient
importance to demand Government aid in its exploita-
tion.
The unselfish and devoted work of Branner in Brazil
is sure to be progressively appreciated as the years go on
and the virgin areas he so conscientiously sketched and
mapped, crude and rough though much of the work must
necessarily be, respond to the touch of development and
detailed study under the direction of the economic geolo-
gist and mining engineer. He has laid the foundations
in this geological map, something substantial to build on,
a thing no other South American country possesses, ex-
cept possibly British Guiana, where an enlightened pro-
gressive government and J. B. Harrison, a geologist of
the Branner stamp, have given us an excellent series of
•reports and maps of a country, although very much
smaller, yet quite as difficult to explore as the Amazonas
of Brazil. All honor to such men as these two, veritable
pioneers of science, blazing the way and making smoother
the path of those who follow after. Honor and satisfac-
tion for difficult work well done is probably all the re-
ward they can expect, and it is pretty certain it is all
they will get from a world that has ever thus recompensed
its greatest benefactors.
F. Lynwood Garrison.
Philadelphia, September 21.
mimiiint limn
The United States is still dependent on foreign coun-
tries for its supply of platinum. The total quantity of
refined platinum and allied metals recovered from for-
eign and domestic ores by domestic refiners decreased
from 59,753 oz. in 1918 to 45.109 oz. in 1919. Only 11,759
oz. of refined platinum was derived from domestic ores
in 1919. On the other hand, the imports of platinum and
allied metals increased from 56,753 oz. in 1918 to 68,051
oz. in 1919, nearlv half of which came from Colombia.
1020
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
Geology of the El Tigre District, Mexico
By R. T. MISHLER
i:\rnv. To Furnish a framework upon which to
bang the geology, a brief outline of the geography of the
surrounding country is necessary. The Tigre (or 'Lucky
Tiger' mine is situated in the north-eastern part of
Sonora, Mexico. The elevation is 5800 ft. Four miles
north of El Tigre is Pilares de Teras, where are the Cinco
de Mayo and Roy mines. Two miles north of El Tigre
ar«- the North Tigre and Santa Maria mines.
The district lies on the steep western slope of the Teras
range of mountains. It is traversed by several deep
canyons, all flowing west. The Bota is the deepest: it is
three miles north of El Tigre and separates the Pilares
and North Tigre distriets. A hraneh of the Bota canyon
has its source behind Tigre peak, the high mountain a
mil.- east of the town.
At the north edge of the towu is the Combination
canyon ; at the south edge is Espuelas canyon. The two
join at the mill to form the head-waters of the Chinosos
stream. A mile south of the town is the Tigre canyon.
This is a branch of the Otates arroyo, which drains the
west flank of the Teras range as far south as the Temblor
mine. On the east side of the range the Pita canyon is
the largest and deepest. The Pita stream flows east and
empties into the Bavispe river near the town of San
Miguel. Here the Bavispe flows north, between the Teras
and Sierra Nevada ranges. Thirty miles north of El
Tigre the river makes a loop around the north end of the
Teras range and flows south, receiving the waters of the
Bota, Chinosos, and Otates streams, before joining the
Aros to form the Yaqui river.
A rectangular area, including the principal claims of
the Tigre Mining Company, was selected for detailed
geological work. This area is roughly two miles long
(north to south) by one mile wide. It extends from
Palomitas canyon on the north to the South Tigre work-
ings on the south ; and from the mill on the west to the
charcoal kilns on the east.
General Geology. During Mesozoic time the region
about El Tigre was a rolling plain, covered with fluviatile
fans fed by the erosion of the granite and limestone.
Probably this surface was fairly close to sea-level, for
only 20 miles west are thick beds of calcareous shale,
which appear to have been deposited during the Mesozoic
era.
Portions of the old surface are found at several places.
The most conspicuous of these is the level bench above
the dark rock on the hill north of the mill. The mill itself
is on the granite, at a considerable distance below the
Mesozoic surface ; the old surface as well as all overlying
strata having been trenched during recent time by the
Chinosos stream. It is interesting to note that strati-
graphieally the mill is at the lowest point for miles
roundabout.
The Tertiary era was an age of intense volcanic activ-
ity. The old surface was covered with successive flows
of rhyolite and rhyolitc tuff; the whole series aggregating
4000 ft. in thickness. This volcanic rock constitutes the
main part of the mountains about El Tigre.
The lowest flow of lava, called locally the 'Nodular'
formation, was laid down early in Tertiary time. After
its formation, volcanic activities ceased for a while!
Minor drainage systems were formed and an extensive
lake was developed, with its centre where the town is
now. The bed of the lake became filled with shale and
thin layers of limestone. Later a new volcanic era was
NEW MEXICO
MAP OP PART OP MEXICO
ushered in by showers of volcanic 'ash'. These formed
beds of tuff, blotting out the inequalities caused by for-
mer erosion and covering the old lake-bed to a depth of
500 ft. Finally, a single flow of lava, 250 ft. thick, was
poured out upon the tuff and overspread the whole dis-
trict. The tuff and calcareous shale have received the
local name of 'Flat' formation. The massive lava-flow
is called the 'Cliff' formation. It constitutes the escarp-
ment just above the town.
Following the deposition of the Cliff lava, there was
another lull in volcanic activity, during which 50 ft. of
wind-stratified tuff was laid down. Then followed the
most intense period of volcanic activity. Flow followed
flow, until a mass of lava 2500 ft. thick had been piled
upon the tuff beds. The various flows have been differen-
tiated according to their physical characteristics and,
from bottom to top, have received the names of 'Tigre',
'Upper Tigre', 'Quartz-Rhyolite', 'Quartz-Mica Rhyo-
lite', and 'Glassy Rhyolite'. The last constitutes the last
584
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 23. 1920
, I. COMBlNACION HILL
2.. COMBINACIOM CANON
3 KPUELAS. 8HAFT -+. TIGRET CAMP
GEOLOGICAL SECTION OF
of the volcanic series and is found only on the mountain-
tops.
Near the close of the volcanic era, the district was
raised to approximately its present elevation, the sedi-
mentary strata and lower volcanic flows being tilted to
the south at an angle of 15°. The tilting, and possibly
the uplift, were completed before the end of the volcanic
period, for the upper flows are all thickest toward the
south, thus equalizing the effect of the dip in the lower
strata. At the close of the volcanic era, the region was
probably fairly flat, with the surface at the height of the
present mountain-peaks.
During the period of uplift the region about El Tigre
was subjected to minor fracturing and faulting. Through
the faults and fractures welled up metal-bearing solu-
tions, which altered the rock of the lower members of the
volcanic series and formed veins.
During and after the deposition of ore, the country was
dislocated by extensive north-south faults and minor east-
west faults. Andesite rose through the faults, forming
dikes and stocks, and overflowing in places to form minor
flows.
The general blocking out of the mountain ranges was
effected by the north-south faults. Erosion followed and
carved the mountains to their present shape.
Descriptive Geology. The oldest sedimentary rock
exposed in the district is limestone. From similarity iu
character and position to the Carboniferous limestone of
Arizona, it has been classified as belonging to that period.
It is fairly pure, of grayish blue color, and occurs in
thick beds with a general dip of 30° west. Outcrops of
limestone are found in the beds of Pita and Bota canyons,
at Pilares de Teras and at the lime-kilns a mile west of
El Tigre. Although the limestone does not outcrop with-
in the Tigre quadrangle, its occurrence on three sides
leads to the supposition that it underlies at least a part
of the quadrangle.
Outcropping at the same general horizon as the lime-
I, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
585
CIRCULAR SECTION
AT SKY UNE OP" PANO«AI<
MILL
THE EL TIGRE DISTRICT, IX SOXORA, MEXICO
stone is an intrusion of granite consisting mainly of
microline, sanidine, quartz, and phogophite mica, the last
now largely changed to serpentine and iron oxide. It is
probably late Paleozoic. The granite is exposed in the
•canyons near the Tigre mill and also in Palomitas and
Pita canyons. It probably underlies the greater part of
the Tigre quadrangle.
The Nodular formation is the lowest member of the
volcanic series. It was originally a glassy lava contain-
ing aggregates of spherules. The groundmass is now
much kaolinized. The spherules are remarkably well de-
veloped, occasionally reaching a diameter of 18 inches.
In places they are crowded so close together as to give the
rock the appearance of a conglomerate. They are usu-
ally separated from the kaolinized groundmass by films
of limonite or gypsum. Unaltered specimens contain
75% silica. The rock is classed as rhyolite.
Overlying the Nodular formation is a bed of rhyolite-
tuff and calcareous shale : localllv this is termed the Flat
formation. It is 500 ft. thick at El Tigre, but diminishes
in thickness in all directions from the mining camp. The
tuff is well stratified, indicating that it was deposited
under water. The binding material is secondary calcite
and quartz, the latter predominating. In many places
the deposition of secondary silica has been so intense as
to obscure the tufaceous character of the original rock,
only slight tabular parting remaining along the original
bedding-planes. Silicification is especially noticeable in
the bottom of the formation and along old fissures and
veins. Unchanged specimens of the tuff contain 71%
silica, indicating that it should be classed as rhyolite.
The Cliff formation consists of a massive flow of fine-
grained rhyolite, 250 ft. thick. It shows small pheno-
crysts of sanidine and quartz in a felsitic groundmass.
The most important mine-workings are now in this for-
mation. Near the vein-systems the formation is criss-
crossed by minute quartz veinlets. The silieified rock is
the hardest in the region and is being used with success
586
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 23, 1920
in the tube-mills. The Cliff formation contains 80%
siliea and is classed as rhyolite.
Overlying the Cliff formation are beds of rhyolite-tuff,
aggregating 60 ft. in thickness. It is always greatly
altered, is the softest rock in the region, and is character-
ized by containing large cubes of secondary pyrite. Some
of the best orebodiees have occurred in this formation.
The tuff contains 71% silica, indicating that it should be
classed as rhyolite.
The Tigre formation is a flow of rhyolite, 400 ft. thick,
in which occurred the principal orebodies of the upper
part of the mine. It is a medium-hard porphyritic rock
with abundant crystals of sanidine and quartz in a felsitic
groundmass. Pyrite, in small cubes, is abundant, espe-
cially near the veins. The Tigre formation contains
72% silica and is classed as rhyolite.
Overlying the Tigre formation are the Upper Tigre
formation, quartz-rhyolite, quartz-mica rhyolite. and
glassy rhyolite. All are porphyritic, containing crystals
of sanidine, quartz, and mica in a glassy groundmass.
The silica content ranges from 68% in the Upper Tigre
formation to 81 % in the quartz-rhyolite. No ore of com-
mercial importance has been found in any of these flows.
Cutting through all the rocks of the region are a num-
ber of andesite stocks and dikes. One dike was intruded
along the Sooy vein after ore deposition was complete.
The North Tigre deposit ocelli's in a sill of this andesite.
The wide distribution of andesite dikes along the whole
Teras range and the occurrence of large bodies of andesite
in the deeper canyons indicate that the andesite consti-
tutes the core of the range. It seems possible likewise
that the intrusion caused the faulting and general block-
ing out of the range, and may have been responsible for
the ore deposition. The rock consists of minute laths of
labradorite, interspersed with grains of augite. It con-
tains 52% silica and is classed as augite-andesite.
Faults are numerous and in places produce disloca-
tions of several hundred feet. All those observed are
normal, that is, when the fault-plane is inclined, the up-
per side (or hanging wall) has slipped downward. All
the major faults traverse the country in a general north-
west-southeast direction, parallel to the axis of the range.
Minor displacements cross the district in various direc-
tions.
The veins themselves are minor faults and represent
the first fracturing in the region. "While ore deposition
was in progress, the south end of the main vein was inter-
sected by a series of faults parallel to the vein, but dip-
ping at a steeper angle westward. The total throw aggre-
gates 200 ft. The best ore has been found near these
faults. During the same period the north half of the
vein was dislocated by three east-west faults, each with a
throw of 50 ft. south. The principal deposits in the north
half of the mine have occurred near these faults. In
general the ore occurs in fractures and faults dipping
west and is associated with fractures and faults dipping
west and south. Faults dipping east or north were later
than ore deposition and have no relation to it.
By far the greatest dislocations of the region have oc-
curred during comparatively recent time. Two great
fault-systems traverse the country in a northwest-south-
east direction. The larger cuts diagonally across the
south-west corner of the quadrangle, extending for miles
along the foot of the high mountains. The entire western
flank of the range has slid downward along this fault,
the displacement ranging from 1500 to 3000 ft. This
fault has been re-opened twice since 1880, both these re-
openings being accompanied by severe earthquakes. The
second largest fault traverses the centre of the quad-
rangle, passing between the mine and the mill. The east
side has been dropped 500 ft. The two great faults have
depressed both the central ridge and the western flank of
the mountain range, leaving an intermediate zone strati-
graphieally higher than the formations on either side.
The resulting inequality of the surface has been pared off
by erosion till the zone is lower than the depressed areas.
This explains why the oldest rocks of the region are found
in the eroded area surrounding the mill, whereas the dis-
tricts both east and west are composed of more recent
lava-flows.
Three late faults cut the main vein. They all dip
north. The throw is also to the north and ranges from
150 ft. for the two northernmost to 400 ft. for the most
southerly. All three have dislocated the vein and have
caused some confusion in the development of the mine.
All are normal, and the recognition of this fact has aided
materially in the solution of the fault problems.
A simple rule for locating the continuation of faulted
veins has been found to apply to normal faults: "If the
fault dips from you as you face the end of the drift, cross-
cut into the foot-wall of the vein ; otherwise cross-cut into
the hanging wall." The two words "from" and "foot-
wall", beginning with 'f, aid in remembering the rule.
The rule is not applicable to reverse faults and may not
be applicable where there has been a side movement along
the fault, or where the vein is nearly vertical and strikes
nearly parallel to the fault ; but it probably applies to
80% or more of the fault problems encountered in min-
ing. It is suggested as a convenient rule of thumb for
the practical miner.
Economic Geology. The Tigre mine is essentially a
silver-gold property. Silver constitutes 85% of the value
and gold 11%. Copper and lead are of secondary ii
portance, each contributing about 2% of the total val'ifc.
Since the beginning of operations in 1903, the total ore
extracted from the mine has amounted to 700.000 tens,
assaying gold 0.25 oz. ; silver. 39 oz. ; copper. 0.25 ,. . id.
1% ; and zinc, 1.5%. The various shipments to the
smelters have aggregated 15.000 tons of shipping ore.
34.000 tons of concentrate, and 290 tons of bullion. The
shipping ore and concentrate have averaged 2.7 oz. gold
and 390 oz. silver per ton. The bullion has ayeraged 700
fine in silver and gold.
There are four important veins on the property of the
Tigre Mining Company. Named from west to east, they
are : the Sooy vein, the Tigre or main vein, the Palo ^'tas-
Protectora. and the Seitz-Kelley vein.
All the veins have heen deposited along fissures,
filling is composed of kaolinized or party silieified ecu
try-rock, usually with deposition of quartz along ..
Ootobrr 23, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
587
588
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 23, 1920
fissure-planes and in the interstices between the frag-
ments of country-rock. The ore consists of mixed sul-
phides of zinc, iron, lead, copper, and silver, with their
decomposition products. Gold is associated with the cop-
per. The ore occurs in discontinuous lenses of high-grade
sulphides, and as low-grade impregnations in the vein-
matter. The wall-rock is rhyolite and rhyolite-tuff ; it is
silieified at points where the veins are highly silicious,
and kaolinized where silica is scant or lacking in the
veins.
All the veins strike nearly north-south. The Tigre or
main vein strikes N. 10° W. The Sooy, Palomitas-Pro-
teetora, and the Seitz-Kelley veins are parallel to each
other, striking N. 5° E. The dip of all the veins is to
the west, averaging 60°.
The Tigre. Sooy, and Seitz-Kelley veins are the ouly
ones in the district that have been worked at a consider-
able profit. The Tigre has been the most productive,
having yielded 90%. of the ore so far produced. It ex-
tends from a point 300 ft. east of camp to the south slope
of Gold Hill, a distance of a mile and a half.
The eroppings are insignificant. Sulphide ore appears
at one spot only, namely, in the south fork of Espuelas
canyon, near the entrance to No. 2 level. Here the out-
crop is 200 ft. long and six inches wide. A half-mile
south, near the Brown shaft, a rich poeket of gold ore
was found at surface. Again on Gold Hill, south of
Tigre canyon, low-grade ore outcrops for a distace of 100
ft. Aside from these three insignificant showings, the
eroppings are scant and practically barren.
The development on the Tigre vein consists of ten
levels, driven at 100-ft. intervals. Six only of these are
adits.
The ore-channel so far developed on the Tigre vein is a
mile long by approximately 700 ft. along the dip. It
extends from Espuelas canyon on the north to the centre
of Gold Hill on the south. The upper limit of the ore-
body coincides with Level A. The bottom limit roughly
follows the contact between the Cliff and Plat forma-
tions, dipping south in conformity with the volcanic beds.
Thus at the north end of the mine, the ore terminates on
Level 5, while at the south end good ore continues below
Level 8. Within the limits outlined two-thirds of the
vein has been ore.
The average width of the vein is three feet. In places
it narrows to a mere cleft, elsewhere it widens to 10 or
20 feet.
The Sooy vein outcrops strongly in the Espuelas
canyon, just south of camp, the sulphide ore coming to
surface: It was at this outcrop that the first discovery
was made. The vein is worked in conjunction with the
Tigre. The orebody has the shape of an inverted equi-
lateral triangle, 500 ft. on a side. The apex of the tri-
angle rests on Level 8. the base on Level 3J. The ore
occurs between the walls of the Tuff, Cliff, and Plat for-
mations. The vein is much shattered, showing evidence
of movement subsequent to ore deposition. The shattered
condition has permitted surface-waters to come in con-
tact with the sulphides, decomposing them. Much of the
ore in the upper levels consists of oxides and carbonates.
Irregular dikes of andesite have intruded into the
Sooy vein since its deposition.
The Seitz and Kelley deposits are on the same vein
system. The Kelley deposit joins the Main vein just
north of Tigre canyon. The junction of the two is poor.
The Kelley deposit is disc shaped, 500 ft. in diameter
and three feet in average width. The deposits on the
Seitz vein are 1000 ft. north of the Kelley deposit. They
consist of small lenses, separated by extensive areas of
barren vein-matter. The largest lens lies in the north
end of the mine at the horizon of No. 2 level. It is
elliptical, 600 by 100 ft., the longer axis being horizontal.
The vein seldom exceeds six inches in width.
The Palomitas-Protectora vein extends from Combina-
tion hill to within a mile of the Bota canyon. From its
position, dip. and strike it can be considered as the north
extension of the Sooy vein. The deposit exposed in the
Palomitas mine is roughly 150 by 50 by Si ft., and con-
sists of oxidized ore assaying 0.11 oz. gold and 50 oz.
silver per ton. The Protectora (North Tigre) deposit,
as developed to date, is 1000 ft. long by 350 ft. deep by
2 ft. in average width. The ore consists of sulphides of
zinc, lead, iron, and copper in a gangue of quartz and
decomposed country-rock. The silver is associated with
gray copper and chalcopyrite. Galena and sphalerite
are the predominating sulphides. They assay much
lower than at Tigre.
Relation op Ore Deposits to Stratification. Ore
has been found at El Tigre only in the Tigre. Tuff. Cliff,
and Flat formations. The deposit at North Tigre occurs
in the Flat formation and in andesite. The character of
the wall-rock has affected the shape of the ore deposits.
In the Tigre formation, the veins are of fairly uniform
width, varying from one to five feet, and increasing to
greater width only near the intersections with cross-veins.
The deposits are continuous for long distances. Branch
veins, with the exception of the Kelley vein, are short
in extent.
In the Tuff formation the vein is extremely variable in
width. In most places it consists only of a talc seam
with no ore. At cross-fractures or branch veins the width
is sometimes 20 ft. In all eases the deposits are irregular
and difficult to follow.
In the Cliff formation the brittle character of the rock
has been especially favorable for fracturing. The ore
characteristically occurs in two or more veins. t'sually
both the veins and the walls are hard and firm.
Ore has been found in the Flat formation only in the
Sooy vein. Here the deposit was lenticular. 200 ft. in
diameter and 20 ft. in maximum thickness. The ore con-
sisted of sulphides of copper, zinc, and lead, in a quartz
gangue. The silver was associated with the copper min-
erals (as is the case at North Tigre) and not with the
zinc and lead, as in other Tigre deposits. It is possible
that the lower Sooy orebody was deposited at the same
time as the North Tigre ore.
There appears to be little relation between wall-rock
and the character of the ore. This is especially true as
regards the silver and lead minerals. There is perhaps
a slightly increased proportion of chalcopyrite and gold
1!)20
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
580
AMDE si-re
ICA RN roLi TE
Quartz rhyouite
ISO - 3oo .
ACIO GLASS, MOST
THE Ol STRICT.
RECENT FLOW in
AUGITE ANOESITE, CUTTING ALL Of
THE Ur-J D E i=?i-Yi NG FORMATIONS.
HOMOfiENlOuS MA3S, SHOWING ABUNOAN1
PHENOCRfSTS OF 8UART! AKO BlOTITC.
DEl/ITRlflEO RHYOLITE, HICROCRY ST ALLlNE
GROUND MASS, PROMINENT PHCNOCRY5T3
OF QUARTZ.
UPPER TlSRE FORMATION, loo -.300'.
SOOIC RHYOLITE, CHARACTERIZED BY
TABULAR WEATHERING ANO A TENDENCY
TO FORM CLIFFS.
TlGRE FORMATION 350' - 700'.
OEVITRIFIE D RnYOUITt, CMARACTEBUED
BY ABUNDANCE OF ALKALINE FELDSPARS.
Tuff
60 - 100
rhyouite tuff.
■I
CLIFF FORMATION 2 5o'
FINE GRAINED RHYOLITE , CHARACTE R12 E O
BY TENDENCY TO FORM BOLD CLIFFS.
FLAT FORMATION ioo-3oo.
RHYOLITE TUFF WITH OCCASIONAL BEDS OF
LIMESTONE ANO ARGILLACEOUS SEDIMENTS
DISTINCTLY STRATIFIED.
SlLlCIFIED FLAT FORMATION.
Z o o' - 3oo'
SHOWS INTENSE SIL1CIF ICATI ON AND TABULAR
PARTING. PARALLEL TO FORMER BEDDING
PLANES.
MODULAR FORMATION, S"Oo'-7oO.'
FORMERLY GLASSY RHYOLITE, CHARACTERIZED
BY AGGREGATES OF SPHERULES.
SflANITE AND LIMESTONE
£UT BY ANDESITE DYKES.
COARSE GRAINED MICA GRANITE.
COMPARATIVELY PURE LIMESTONE
OCCURRING IN THICK BEDS.
COLUMNAR SECTION OF LOCAL GEOLOGY
590
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 23, 19ffl
in the Clint' and Flat formations. Zine-blende also is
more noticeable in the bottom of the mine, but this may
be due to its susceptibility to the agencies of secondary
enrichment.
Genesis of Ore Deposits. There are two possible ex-
planations of the genesis of the ore deposits.
The first is that the ore deposition was associated with
deep-seated granitic intrusions from which the rhyolite
flows were derived. Such intrusions have been clearly
recognized in the Chitahueea mountain 25 miles to the
east. It is possible also that the granite of Pita canyon
was of this age. for it is much fresher than the Pre-
Tertiary granite at the Tigre mill. The possibility of an
extensive intrusion of Tertiary granite beneath El Tigre
is indicated by the tilting of the lower volcanies before
the extrusion of rhyolite was complete. The tilting of the
volcanies could have caused the minor fracturing and
faulting associated with the vein formation. The vein-
filling could have been dissolved from the cooling intru-
sion and contiguous rocks. The granitic intrusion un-
questionably contained silver, for the rhyolites, derived
from it. average 0.1 oz. silver per ton.
The second theory is that the ore deposition was asso-
ciated with the great post-volcanic intrusion of andesite
which underlies the region. The presence of extensive
dikes and stocks of andesite near all the large ore deposits
is a strong argument in favor of this theory. The oc-
currence of the North Tigre deposit in andesite proves
that ore deposition followed at least the first manifesta-
tion of the andesitic intrusion. On the other hand,
andesite dikes which traverse the Sooy vein prove that ore
deposition preceded at least the last manifestation of the
andesitic intrusion. Conceivably the dikes cutting the
Sooy vein were derived from the molten core of the main
intrusion, after the cooling exterior had caused the for-
mation of the orebodies. The Sooy and North Tigre ores
are sufficiently similar to each other and to the ores of
the other veins to indicate the same source for all the ores
of the region. It can therefore be argued consistently
that the ores of the Tigre district were deposited while
the andesite intrusion was solidifying and cooling. Thus
the andesitic intrusion fills the modern requirement of a
cooling igneous intrusion (preferably basic) as the source
of the ore-bearing solutions.
The andesite assays 0.06 oz. silver per ton, and the
rhyolite, lying between the andesite and the ore deposits,
assays 0.10 oz. per ton. The ground-water at Tigre is
noticeably charged with alkaline sulphides.
It is not unreasonable to suppose that the veins were
formed by hot alkaline-sulphide solutions, which derived
their heat and part of their mineral content from the cool-
ing intrusion. Part of the minerals may have been de-
rived from the rhyolite and other rocks overlying the
andesite intrusion.
In connection with the above theor.y it is interesting to
note that the volcanic rock beneath the ore deposits have
been greatly altered for a distance of 100 yards or more
on each side of the veins. The alterations in the Nodular
formation take the form of kaolinization and loss of silica
in the groundmass. The Plat formation is intenselv silici-
fied. In the Cliff, Tuff, and Tigre formations there is .-x-
tensive deposition of secondary pyrite. The altered rocks
assay less in silver than unaltered specimens of the same
rock. A possible explanation is that the ascending min-
eral-bearing solutions were partly confined beneath the
shale in the bottom of the Flat formation, and spread
laterally through the Nodular formation, following the
lines of weakness between nodules and groundmass. The
groundmass has been much leached, analysis showing a
marked reduction in silica, iron, and silver. After the
solution had finally forced diffusion through the shale of
the Flat formation, the pressure was reduced sufficient®
to permit the deposition of silica, which is so marked in
this formation. On diffusing still higher into the Cliff,
Tuff, and Tigre formations, the solutions dissolved mori
metals. Iron, being the predominating metal in the roeks,j
saturated the solutions and was precipitated as pyrite
the rock itself. The other metallic sulphides, togethj
with the remaining iron and silica, entered the veins in
manner analogous to lateral secretion, being precipitatj
on encountering the reduced pressure and temperatun
of the open fissures.
The above theory is suggested because it appears
explain the relation existing between the veins and t
pyritization and silicification of the wall-rock. This re-
lation has been so repeatedly verified by- development
work that it has come to be an axiom that the ore is to bi
sought at the horizon where pyrite occurs in the wall
rock, and just above the horizon of intense silieificatio?
Secondary Enrichment. Secondary enrichment has ^
only slightly affected the orebodies. Most of the ore L
primary. This is especially true in the north end of th<
mine, where the sulphide grains are completely eneastw jtjj
in quartzose vein-matter. Here sulphide ore outcro]
and shows little evidence of leaching or enrichment.
Farther south the vein is less silicious, and hence mi
pervious to water. The upper part of the deposit
been leached to a depth of 200 ft. or more. In the leachei
zone silver ore usually occurs as chloride ; only occasii
all}' as sulphide, where the denser portions of the vi
lent some protection to the sulphide grains. In the ea:
days of the district a rich gold deposit was found jus
south of the Brown shaft. The deposit consisted of nativi
gold in an iron-clay gangue. Little silver was present
On the strength of this discovery the company was eallei
the Lucky Tiger Combination Gold Mining Company
Development in depth has shown the silver to be ten timetj
as valuable as the gold. Only the name of the company!
remains to show that the discoverers thought they hatji
found a gold mine. Undoubtedly, the original silve
minerals of the Brown shaft deposit had been removed bj£
the leaching action of surface-waters.
Beneath the leached zone is an ill-defined zone of see
ondary enrichment. Vejnlets of stromeyerite traverse tli 1*
wall-rock and the original silicious-sulphide -ore. In on
case a seam of native silver, a quarter inch in thickness
was observed traversing low-grade galena.
Mineralogy. The Tigre ore consists of metallic sul
phides (or their decomposition products) in a gangue o
quartz and decomposed or silicified rhyolite. Named i
Rod
'
fctober L':i. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
59]
■tier .of their preponderance the sulphide minerals are:
■halerite, galena, pyrite, chalcopyrite, stromeyerite. and
nibergite. The sulphides are invariably much inter-
jrown. Crystals, apparently pure, show traces of other
letals <m analysis. The rich ore of the Tigre mine is
Ereibergite or stromeyerite containing lead and iron as
npnrities. The finely crystallized sphalerite and galena
ire usually intergrown with minute particles of stromey-
jrite. Hence snch ore is generally high in silver. When
soarsely crystalline, sphalerite and galena are much
!o«cr in silver. Sphalerite generally assays higher than
galena. Pyrite is practically barren of silver.
In the oxidized portions of the veins, the important
minerals are native gold, native silver, and cerargyrite
(hornsilverl. A unique occurrence of gold was found in
the upper part of Gold hill ; it consisted of a druse of fine
gold deposited upon a crystal of hornsilver.
Gold is usually associated with ehalcopyrite. There is
no fixed ratio between gold and silver. One of the sam-
ples richest in gold (900 oz. per ton) contained only 100
nz. of silver. Likewise the high-grade stromeyerite ore is
practically barren of gold. Only by averaging the pro-
duction over long periods can any definite relation be
found between the gold and silver. For each ounce of
gold produced since the inception of operations, the mine
ias yielded 162 ounces of silver.
Conclusion. The knowledge gained by geologic study
ias proved of much value in the development of the
nine. The study of the stratigraphy of the lava-flows has
Biped in the solution of fault problems and has served to
ndicate the horizons at which ore may be encountered.
The knowledge of the characteristics of the veins in the
arious voleanics has made possible more intelligent sys-
ems of development and mining. The relation between
re deposits and faults dipping south and west has been
nother aid in the discovery of ore. Likewise the relation
etween ore deposits and pyrite in the wall-rock has
elped in the search for new orebodies — especially by
iamond-drilling. Finally, the fact that the zone of ore
eposition lies immediately above the zone of intense
licification, has aided in following the trend of the ore-
odies and in avoiding unprofitable development work.
In conclusion I wish to acknowledge the participation
E C. M. Heron in the preparation of this article. He did
:ueh of the field-work and prepared the original maps
[id sections. The petrographic work was done by Pre-
ssors George D. Louderback and G. H. Cox. I desire
pecially to thank L. R. Budrow, general manager for
he Lucky Tiger Combination Gold Mining Company for
ithorization of the work and for constant suggestions
id criticisms throughout its progress.
trical devices whose utility depends on Ihis peculiarity.
It has been used in telephoning along a ray of light and
in transmitting sounds and photographs from one place
to another over a wire.
Selenium is a rare and little-known element prin-
nally used to give a red color to glass, such as that used
railroads for signal-lights, and in coloring enameled
ire. It is also used to overcome the natural green color
ordinary glass. Selenium is peculiar in being a very
or conductor of electricity in the dark and a fairly
od conductor in the light and is used in several elec-
The New Cornelia Co-Operative
Store at Ajo
•The town of Ajo is built in the desert and consisted
of but a few houses when the New Cornelia Copper Co.
started operations. Since there were no stores at Ajo or
vicinity the New Cornelia Co-operative Mercantile Co.
was established to serve the needs of the employees of the
New Cornelia and allied companies. The company ad-
vanced the money to erect the store-building and to buy
the stock, and assumes all risks. In all, $85,000 has beea
advanced, representing the capital stock of the cuter-
prise.
The store is run by a store manager, appointed by the
company, who reports only to the general superintendent.
A committee of seven workmen, representing the various
departments, meet with the manager monthly and make
suggestions for the betterment of the service and pre-
sent complaints which have been brought to their atten-
tion. The store is well managed, carries a large and well
assorted stock, and is modern in every respect. Prices
are at the same level as in the other South-Western min-
ing towns. The mining company does not participate in
the profits of the store, but does receive 6% interest on
the capital advanced. At the end of the year, after
making proper deductions for interest on capital account,
depreciation of store equipment and fixtures, and for a
proper sum to the surplus account, the rest of the profit
is distributed among the employees of the company in
proportion to the amount of their purchases.
To participate in the store profits employees must be
in the company's employ at Christmas, when the divi-
dend or rebate is paid, and must have worked four
months previous to December 20, when the books are
made up. When a man quits he forfeits any interest in
the dividend-fund that he may have acquired, and it has
been found that this rule promotes the stability of the
working force besides reducing the cost of living of the
regular employees. The following profits have been dis-
tributed by the store to date :
1917 (9 months) 512.052 to 472 employees
1918 32.777 to 773
1019 40.825 to 01S
The average discount has been 15% and about 70% of
the men have benefited. Employees, to receive the re-
bate, must make purchases on credit and all store-
accounts are deducted from pay-checks; accordingly no
bad debts are accumulated. The store does considerable
cash business with others than employees and the profit
from these purchases as well as from the business by the
men who have quit the company's service, all goes into the
general dividend fund.
♦Report of investigations, U. S. Bureau of Mines.
5C2
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 23. 19ffl
Labor the Holder of the Nation's Wealth and Income— II
By W. R. INGALLS
*The report of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue
gives some specific figures for 1916 as compiled from the
income-tax returns by persons who had incomes in excess
of the statutory exemption of $3000. We may assume
that roughly as the dividing line between the wage-earn-
ing and the high-salaried and employing classes. There
were some wage-earners who overstepped this line, but
their number was only 2304, and their net income of
about $16,000,000 may be disregarded. Besides the cor-
porations reporting, there were 437,036 individuals, com-
prising investors and speculators, corporation officials
and superintendents, manufacturers and merchants,
bankers and brokers, engineers, lawyers, physicians, and
other professional men, public officials, etc. Here is a
distinct grouping of capital and mind as distinct from the
mere manual workers. Let us see what they got.
The corporations that made any profit reported an
aggregate net income of $8,765,908,984, but the unsuc-
cessful corporations had a deficit of $656,904,411, where-
fore the real net income of all corporations was $8,109,-
004,573.
Individuals engaged in business, trade, and commerce
earned $2,637,474,520, salaried and professional men got
$1,851,276,776, while the income from property (such as
rents, interest, etc.) not including dividends, was $1,724,-
682,062, making a total of $6,213,433,358, from which
there is to be deducted $461,243,258 for exemptions that
could not be classified, leaving a net individual income in
the aggregate of $5,752,190,100, not including dividends.
The dividends received by these classes were $2,136,468,-
625. and bring their direct income up to $7,900,000,000.
The corporations of the country, although reporting a
net income of $8,765,908,984, did not distribute anything
like that in dividends. We lack a precise figure for the
actual distribution of dividends. Neither the Bureau of
Internal Revenue nor the Federal Trade Commission has
computed this essential figure. However, David Friday,
in a study on 'The War and the Supply of Capital' in the
'American Economic Review' for March 1919, gives this
figure as $3,784,000,000. Professor Friday compared the
net earnings and the dividends of a large number of cor-
porations, and applied the factor to the $8,765,908,984
total net earnings of corporations as reported by the
Bureau of Internal Revenue. The number of corporate
accounts summarized laboriously by Professor Friday
in arriving at his factor was so large that his estimate for
the total dividends made in this way may be accepted as
highly probable.
I must digress here to point out a fundamental differ-
ence in thought between Professor Friday and myself.
He assumes that the surplus of net income above divi-
*From 'The Annalist', of September 20, 1920.
dends is retained by the corporations for the improve-
ment and extension of their properties, and consequently
is an annual addition to the wealth of the country, ac-
cording to which theory it would be a capitalistic deduc-
tion from the produce of industry. I dissent from this,
and hold that the apparent surplus is used largely for
maintenance of property. Every student of corporate
finance knows that neither a railway nor a mining nor an
industrial company is ever safely able to distribute
dividends more than a percentage of its 'net income'. If itj
does, sooner or later it comes to grief. Professor Friday;
shows that in 1911-'14 the corporations paid only 67%
of their net income in dividends, and presumably thai
was an approximate representation of their true earnings.
It is, of course, undeniable that corporate surplus goes
to a considerable extent toward the increase of capital.
The finances of the United States Steel Corporation ai
an illuminating example of the upbuilding of a business
in this way. But whether such increase of capital bi
shown in the displacement of 'water' in an original stoi
issue, in the cancellation of bonds or in stock dividem
the only thing that counts in the division of income is tl
distribution of cash dividends. The only deranging con-
dition is that the actual new capitalization of 1915, let
say, may not have fructified in cash dividends until 191'
or 1918.
It was in 1915 that American industry began to ex
perienee great profits accruing from the war in Europe
In that year of large earnings our corporations, accord
ing to Professor Friday, distributed dividends only
trifle larger than in 1914, but the distribution was onl>
49.1% of the total net income, instead of the pre-wai
average of 67%. In 1916 and 1917 there were large in
creases in the distribution and further declines in tin
ratio. This shows clearly the point that I have made as
to delayed benefit. I think it may be deduced, moreover
from Professor Friday's figures that the dividends ir
1916, 1917, and 1918 were no larger than they were owini
to the fact that large parts of the surplus were put int<
plants that became useless and into inventories tha
shrank with declining prices. Many companies know
sorrowfully how their noble surpluses of 1918 shrivelec
in 1919. I feel, therefore, that what concerns us in (
study of the division of income is simply what was actu
ally paid in dividends.
But these statistics indicate another interesting and ini
portant thing. If the dividends of corporations in 191f
were $3,784,000,000, the capitalistic and directing classe:
got only about 56% of that sum. Whither went the re
mainder? Manifestly it could have gone nowhere excep
to those classes whose net income was less than $3000 ; i)
other words, to the mass of the people. This leads to th>
oil
i
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»
torta
lhL.li
r 23, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
593
nought of elderly people who have invested their savings
ami to the wage-earners themselves, and there springs
into the mind the knowledge that many workers have in-
vested in the stoek of companies, like the United States
Siirl Corporation, for which they work.
The corporate net income in 1916 was $8,109,004,573,
■hereof ahout $3, 784.000,000 was distributed in divi-
dends, leaving a surplus of $4,325,004,573. If it be as-
sumed that one-half of that surplus was preserved in such
a way as ultimately to accrue to the stockholders, which is
a liberal estimate, I think, and that the other half went
into maintenance (or was destined eventually to be writ-
ten off i, and if we add in the dividends received by per-
sons of less than $3000 per year income, we have the fol-
lowing summary :
■calved by -f S3000 class $7,900,000,000
Rc.tiycI by — S3000 class 1, 647.500.000
Rctainctl by corporations 2.162.500.000
SU. 710,000,000
Consequently, it appears as clearly as figures can show
that in 1916, out of a national produce estimated at $45,-
000.000,000 to $50,000,000,000 the deduction by persons
receiving incomes of $3000 and upward was about
$7,900,000,000, much of which was ascribable to their own
efforts, and by corporations was about $2,162,500,000,
nearly one-half of which was destined to go to persons of
less than $3000 annual income, giving a total of about
$10,000,000,000. Everything else, that is, from $35,000,-
000,000 to $40,000,000,000 or 78 to 80%, was the divi-
dend of the people possessing incomes of less than $3000,
and especially was it the dividend of the wage-earners.
They could hope to get the remainder only if they ac-
quired possession of all the capital of the country and had
ill the talented persons working for them as slaves with
he same efficiency that they exhibited in working for
hemselves, which is a preposterous idea. In such an
rent, however, the people of the country receiving in-
;omes of less than $3000 per annum to whom went nearly
lalf of the corporate dividends in 1916, and a larger pro-
nation of the interest on bonds and notes, would simply
le deprived of that income which is derived in large meas-
ure from their own savings.
Thus we see that out of the nation 's produce of about
150,000,000,000 in 1916 the representatives of capital and
lind received only about $7,900,000,000, of which about
3,775.000,000 was from dividends ($2,136,468,625), in-
erest, rents, etc., and about $4,100,000,000 was the result
f personal effort in business, trade, commerce, and pro-
essional practice. This income by personal effort in-
olves the use of capital to a more or less extent. The
tanufacturer and trader may use a good deal. The
iwyer, physician, and engineer use very little, although
leir ability to earn is largely based on prolonged and
istly education and professional training.
I have made a distinction between the income from
?riculture and all other income, for I shall make it clear
lat radically different conditions exist. According to
le income-tax returns for 1916 there were only 14,407
inners, stock-raisers, orchardists, etc., who made re-
iriis ; they showed aggregate net income of $129,642,432.
Agricultural corporations reported $69,862,431. These
returns constituted so small a percentage of the total that
they may be disregarded, and it may be assumed that
agriculture, engaging the labor of about 14,000,000 men,
stands apart from the previous considerations in this
paper. The produce of agriculture in 1916, according to
the United States Department of Agriculture, was
$9,054,000,000 for crops and $4,352,000,000 for animals
and animal products, a total of $13,406,000,000, but in
these figures there is a large duplication, for a great deal
of the product of the fields is fed to animals. According
to the census of 1899 about 33 % of the crop-value was fed
to animals. Professor Friday, in the paper to which I
have previously referred, estimates about 30%. I am
content to adopt his figure, and assume a net gross value
of $10,725,000,000 for farm products in 1916. The value
of pasturage, estimated at about $1,000,000,000 by the
U. S. Department of Agriculture, appears, of course, in
the animal products.
From the gross income of the farms must be deducted,
in order to arrive at the labor return, the cost of supplies
and materials (such as machinery, vehicles, harnesses,
tools, fertilizers, binding twine, etc.) that are the prod-
ucts of other industries. There is no way of determining
this, and I am here forced to resort to conjecture, using a
certain rough basis. An estimate of $2,725,000,000 for
such costs will not outrage probabilities, and will leave
$8,000,000,000 as the reward for the labor of 14,000,000
farmers and farm laborers in 1916. According to these
figures, the yield per person was only about $571, includ-
ing not only the remuneration for labor, but also the
interest on invested capital. Of the 14,000,000 persons
engaged in agriculture about 7,000,000 were farmers in
their own right, and about 7,000,000 were hired men.
Without any doubt the former received more than the
latter.
It will be perceived immediately that there is some-
thing wrong with these figures. The quotient is mani-
festly too small. The statistical evidence in favor of the
substantial accuracy of the divisor is preponderating.
Clearly the dividend is in error, and it is no stretch of
the imagination to conjecture that it does not include the
produce that the farmer uses for himself and his hired
men. Indeed, anybody who is acquainted with the ac-
counting practices of farmers knows that not one in a
thousand of them keeps track of this, or could report it.
Therefore, it is clear that the farmer is not really so
badly off as the figures indicate ; that the actual produce
of agriculture in the country is greater than the figures
indicate ; that in considering the position of the country
as a whole agriculture and its returns must be segregated,
and that having done so we have to deal with a total pro-
duce of about $42,000,000,000 instead of $50,000,000,000.
Out of the $42,000,000,000 we have previously seen that
about $7,900,000,000 was taken out by the persons receiv-
ing more than $3000 net income per annum, and about
$2,100,000,000 was retained by corporations. So far our
feet have kept on pretty firm ground.
I am now obliged to enter a rather shadowy vale. The
594
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 23. 1920
wage-earners will probably disclaim the men earning
$3000 per annum as being any of them,, and we have seen
from the income-tax returns that the number of wage-
earners who appeared in the tax-gatherer's list was in-
significant. Where, then, shall we draw the line between
salaried men and wage-earners, pure and simple ? There
can be no sharp line. I shall not, however, violate com-
mon sense if I draw an arbitrary line at $2000. Even in
1916 there were many classes of mechanics, railway-men,
printers, and others who received $6 per day, and could
work 300 days per year if they wanted to. Accepting this
dividing line, it remains to segregate the share of persons
earning from $2000 to $3000, and I am bound to say that
I know of no good method for doing this. The Bankers
Trust Company, in a pamphlet published in 1918, esti-
mated 1.247,000 families receiving an aggregate of
$3,077,425,000 at the rate of $2000 to $3000 per year.
Assuming this estimate to be carefully made, it is mani-
festly too large for my present purpose for it is com-
puted on the basis of the family rather than the person,
and undoubtedly includes farmers whom I have segre-
gated. Moreover, this class of persons undoubtedly par-
ticipated largely in the rents, interest, and dividends that
were not received by the capitalistic class. This is, in-
deed, a zone of great uncertainty ; one whereof the condi-
tions cannot be deciphered with the aid of any existing
data. In this zone the number of families and workers is
probably more nearly coincident than in the class receiv-
ing incomes below $2000. I am going to assume that the
number of workers in the $2000-$3000 class was 1,250,-
000, and that they received $3,000,000,000 in 1916 with-
out duplicating anything else in these calculations.f In
fact, the number of workers duplicates what will appear
in a subsequent list aggregating 41,000,000, and the de-
duction of $3,000,000,000 will duplicate to a more or less
extent the deductions for agriculture, dividends, and in-
terest in the next following table.
I may now usefully summarize this line of reasoning
and deduction in a table as follows :
Total produce of the United States. 1916 $50,000,000,000
Deduct net produce of agriculture 8.000.000.000
Total of all other produce $42,000,000,000
. Deduct share of persons receiving- plus $3000 7.900.000.000
Total remaining- $34,100,000,000
Deduct retention by corporations 2,100.000.000
Total remaining $32,000,000,000
Deduct share of $2000-$3000 class. . .*. 3.000.000.000
Total remaining $29,000,000,000
Deduct dividends, etc.. received by $3000 class 1,000,000.000
Total for non-agricultural wage-earners $28,000,000,000
As previously pointed out, the sum retained by cor-
porations will eventually go, to the extent of 44%, to the
$3000 class. My last deduction, $1,000,000,000, is purely
one of conjecture.
The foregoing computation is by no means to be ac-
cepted as precise. There was a considerable evasion of
tThis estimate, rough though it be, rinds strong support as
to number in the income-tax returns for 1917, which show
that 1,832,132 persons reported net income of $2000 and
over.
income tax by persons just over the line, which has been
established rather conclusively in a paper by Professor
Friday on 'Statistics of Income' in the 'American Eco-
nomic Review' of September 1919. Certain governmental
officials were exempt from making returns. Finally, the
interest on some Federal, State, and municipal bond
issues was exempt in behalf of everybody. I believe, how-
ever, that my rough deductions for the $3000 classes are
sufficiently liberal to allow for all unreturned capitalistic
income.
In this connection Professor Friday makes a significant
statement that is in line with what has been pointed out
heiein respecting the division of dividends. He says:
"I estimate that the total interest paid by corporations
alone during 1916 was $1,700,000,000. The total amount
reported by people with incomes of $3000 and over is
$667,566,376. "We do not know how much of this interest
comes from sources other than corporate securities, such
as real estate mortgages, but after making some reason-
able allowance for these it seems pretty evident that not
more than 30 to 35% of the interest-bearing obligations
of corporations are held by persons having incomes of
$3000, who reported to the Department of Internal Rev-
enue in 1916."
It seems to me that this information is far more por-
tentous than the above conclusion would indicate. If the
interest paid by corporations was $1,700,000,000, the
total interest, including that on notes, mortgages, and
Federal, State, and municipal bonds must have been far
greater, and if what the people of plus $3000 incomes rer
ceived was only about 39% of the corporate interest it
must have been a far smaller proportion of the total
interest.
Let us now examine the number of workers, other than
agriculturists, among whom $28,000,000,000 was shared.
With respect to the number of wage-earners in the United
States in 1916, a year that is about midway between two
census years, there are some conflicting estimates, all of
them official. We have the U. S. Census of Manufactures
in 1914 giving the number of factory workers in that
year. Other governmental bureaus have given estimates
for particular industries, year by year. The Public Ser-
vice Reserve of the Department of Labor estimated the
total labor-power (men and women) in the United States
in 1917 at 40,100,000. The Provost Marshal General, on
the basis of the figures of the first Selective Draft in 1917,
estimated the total industrial population in 1917 at 43,-
282,911. In February 1919, a total of 43,206,912 was
estimated.
An examination of the estimates for 1917, with the aid
of collateral data, leads me to adopt the following figures
as the most probable approximation of the labor power
and its distribution among major occupations :
Farmers 7,000.000
Farm laborers 7,000,000
Lumbermen 200.000
Coal miners 750.000
Metal miners and quarrymen 200.000
Petroleum producers 50.000
General laborers 4.000,000
Builders 2.800.000
Factories 7.200.000
Transportation 2.800,000
23 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
595
4 000 000
4,000.000
where UK-lutlrU 101
1 1 000.000
This is iin industrial classification rather than an oecu-
lal. Thus, the clerical class is distributed among
tlii- industries in which employed instead of being segre-
gated as a class. Socially and economically, however, the
m of the clerk is substantially the same, irrespective
of the industry in which occupied. It will be noted, more-
over, that throughout this study my thought has been
directed to the division of the national income first be-
tarei ii the directing and directed classes and next among
the directed classes, that is. the great body of workers.
My dividing line is purely the arbitrary line of a certain
income. This makes no discrimination among those who
work alone (for their own account) those who hire one or
more helpers, and those who are hired (the proletariat |.
According to my view there is no economic difference be-
twrei: conditions of how work is done, but there may be
distinct social difference. According to the socialistic
view the proprietor of a boot-blacking chair, deriving a
net annual revenue of $800 from his business and employ-
ing a helper, is a member of the capitalistic class. I do
lot so regard him.
The total number of persons engaged in clerical work
s given at 2.000.000 in one estimate, but that figure
vould manifestly duplicate persons entered under other
■lassifieations in the above table, and I have used the
tgure of 500,000 as a conjectural allowance for those not
Isewhere included, arriving at an estimate of the total
number of workers that is a little larger than that of the
Ipepartment of Labor and a little smaller than that of the
i Provost Marshal General.
1 From the total of 41,000,000 workers I deduct the 14,-
WO.OOO agriculturists, whose position is considered sepa-
rately. I might with some reason also exclude the persons
in public service who do not produce and the domestic
ervants who are direct producers to only a partial ex-
lent and whose remuneration comes largely out of the in-
ome of persons receiving upward of $3000 per annum,
i However, the service classes, public and private, have to
larticipate in the division of national income, and, except
lose who minister solely to purposes of vicious and
asteful pleasure, they are indirectly producers through
romoting the efficiency of the direct. Consequently it
lay be said that the non-agricultural dividend of $28.-
» 00.000,000 in 1916 was shared by 27,000,000 wage-
lirners, the quotient being about $1040 per person.
I The actual average receipt may have been even larger
iian that for two major reasons, namely: (1) A signifi-
nt part of what is enumerated as the industrial popula-
on is habitually idle, from choice, either a part of the
me or all of it. (2) The large class of men, amounting
nearly 10% of the whole, that is engaged in domestic
id manual service, and a much larger proportion of the
omen, receive a large part of their remuneration in the
mi of board and lodging, which is paid mainly, if not
holly, by the classes enjoying incomes in excess of $2000.
It would be an extraordinarily valuable thing if we
COUld analyze the receipts of labor at rding to major
groups. Unfortunately, there does not exist sufficient
data to permit that to be done with anything like com-
pleteness. Nevertheless, with the aid of such figures as
are available, plus some imagination and conjecture, we
may he able to discern the broad outlines of the Structure,
According to the U. S. Department of Agriculture,
61.9% of the farm labor is hired "with board" and
38.1% ''without board". The average wage in the whole
country "with board" in 1916 was $23.25 per month;
"without board" it was $32.83. These are arithmetic
averages by States, uot weighted averages taking into ac-
count the relative number of men employed in the several
Stalis; nor is there any cognizance taken of the lost time
by the laborers employed by the day. However, we may
deduce the rough idea that the average income of the
farm laborer in 1916 was something like 12 by $32.83, or
$394, say, $400, approximately, which by the majority
was received partly in money and partly in goods
(board). The actual income of this class of workers,
which is subject to a great deal of lost time, owing to the
seasonal character of its occupation, was probably ma-
terially less than that. This is the largest class of work-
ers, numbering about 7.000,000, and is the most poorly
paid. If this class received $2,800,000,000 in the aggre-
gate, the 7,000,000 farmers must have got about $5,200,-
000,000, or an average of about $743 each.
Coal mining is divided into anthracite and bituminous,
in which important differences of conditions exist. Un-
fortunately, I have been unable to find comprehensive
statistics of wages in either of these industries in 1916.
In connection with the settlement of the bituminous strike
in the latter part of 1919 the following statement was
issued officially from Washington :
The table below, compiled from data furnished by the
Federal Trade Commission, shows the average earnings
of mine-workers in the central competitive fields during
1918. This table covers a tonnage for the year of 148.-
393,227, or 56% of the total production of the central
competitive fields and nearly one-third of the total normal
production of the entire country.
Tonnage 148:388.227
Labor cost S197. 160.499
Average number of operators 385.8
Average days worked 250.8
Average days worked per month 20.3
Average number of miners per month 08. 599. 4
Average number of other employees per month 58.554.8
Average number of all employees per month 127.154.2
Total days worked, miners 17.204,729.5
Total days worked, all employees Ul.890.273.4
Average tons per day worked, miners 8.63
Average tons per day worked, all employees 4.05
Average pay per day. all employees SO. 18
Average pay per period, all employees $1550.56
Average labor cost per ton 81.33
It is to be noted clearly that the above data are for
1918, not 1916. Dr. Garfield computed the advance in
wages from 1914 to 1919 as having been in the ratio of
100 : 157.6. This would indicate that the average earn-
ings of a great group of the bituminous coal miners, ap-
proximately one-third of the total number, were at least
$1000 in 1916.
Metal mining, which employed 200.000 men in 1916
(including quarrymen). is a well-paid vocation. In 1916
596
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 23, 1920
miners received $3 to $5 per day and were able to work
full time. Metal mining is a well-organized industry, in
which operations are conducted on a large scale, continu-
ity of work being one of the elements of success. Mines
and mills are commonly operated from 300 to 310 days of
the year. There are no statistics available respecting the
total earnings of metal miners in 1916, but there is much
illuminating data.
The most highly paid among the metal miners are those
engaged in copper mining in the Rocky Mountain region.
In 1916-'17 the Anaconda Copper Mining Co. paid $17,-
027,720 to 11,442 miners, an average of $1488 per man.
The Butte scale determines not only the wages throughout
Montana, but also those in the Coeur d'Alene silver-lead
district, while throughout the copper districts of Arizona
the rates conform closely to it. About the lowest rate of
wages in metal mining obtains in the lead mines of south-
western Missouri, where the base rate in 1916 was $2.80
per day in February, rising to $3.10 in November. There
can be no doubt about metal mining being one of the more
lucrative of the major industries, and I conjecture that
the average per man in 1916 was fully $1250.
This is one of the most illuminating revelations of this
statistical study. If we exclude quarrymen and miners
of miscellaneous substances, we should find that the great
metal-mining industry of the United States is conducted
by about 150,000 men, producing about 150,000.000 tons
of crude ore per annum. Such a performance has been
rendered possible only by the mind of engineers and the
resources of capital backing them, which have reduced the
requirements for manual labor. That the men working in
the mines have participated in the benefits is seen from
the fact that in 1916 they received an average wage of
$1250 (probably), while the railway-man got only $886,
the factory worker $675, and the agricultural laborer
$400. If the farm could be so mechanicalized as the mine,
and if fanning could be conducted by great corporations,
able to employ talent, there can be no doubt that the num-
ber of agrieultural workers would be reduced and the
average earnings per man would be increased.
Smelters also are well-paid workmen. The Anaconda
Copper Mining Co. in 1916- '17 paid its 4793 men at Ana-
conda and Great Falls a total of $8,558,793.57, an aver-
age of about $1800 per man. The American Smelting &
Refining Co., however, whose operations are mainly in
manufacturing districts rftther than mining, paid its
21,073 employees in 1916 an average of only $809.
In the iron and steel industry we find precise figures
of earnings in the reports of the big companies. The
United States Steel Corporation, Midvale, Republic, and
Bethlehem in 1916 paid $359,185,642 in wages to 343,785
persons, an average of $1045 per person. This is not ex-
actly an indication of the earnings of iron and steel work-
ers, for the employees of these companies include miners,
coke makers, railwaymen, etc.
Respecting the position of the factor}' workers we may
get some indices from the United States Census of Manu-
factures in 1914. For that year there was reported a
total of 7.036,337 wage-earners, male and female, em-
ployed on the average, who received an aggregate of
$4,078,332,000 in wages, or about $580 per person. The
highest paid were the machinists — the makers of vehicles
— who got about $750. Railway shopmen got about $700
and persons engaged in the iron and steel industry re-
ceived about the same figure. The lowest paid were the
textile workers, clothing makers, and tobacco workers,
who got only $440 to $450. These lowly paid industries
employed the largest proportion of women. In the more
highly paid industries, involving heavy work, the per-
centage of women was least.
These figures do not agree very well with those of the
United States Steel Corporation, which, in 1914. em-
ployed 179.353 persons and paid them an average of $905.
This company's average payment increased to $1042 in
1916. If the wages of all the factory workers of the
country increased in the same ratio, a not unreasonable
assumption, considering its moderate character, their
average earning in 1916 was something like $668 com-
pared with the average of $580 in 1914. The Department
of Labor of the State of New York, which obtains direct
reports of wages paid, number of employees, etc., in a
large number of factories in that State, estimates ( in a
private communication to me by L. W. Hatch, chief statis-
tician) that total wages of $826,665,000 were paid in 1916'
to 1,206,000 employees, an average of about $685 per
person. This agrees closely with my estimate of $668
based on the census figures for 1914. It is rational to
estimate that the factory workers of the United States
received an average of $675 in 1916.
According to the statistics of the Interstate Commerce
Commission 1,700,814 railway employees in 1916 received
$1,506,960,995, giving them an average of $886 per
person.
Professional service, according to the Provost Marshal,
occupied about 2,200,000 men. Figures issued by the
same authority in February 1919, put professional service
at 1,912,093 and clerical occupation at 1,938.906. It is
uncertain just what these groups do or do not include,
According to the income tax returns for 1916 the number
of purely professional men who received taxable incomes
was about 70,000. I cannot make any sure deductions
from the figures that are available. It looks as though
there might be somewhere from 2,000,000 to 3,800,000
men engaged in clerical work and the lower ranks of pro-
fessional service. These men receive incomes ranging
from $3000 per annum down to $500, with an average,
that is probably higher than those of any of the major
classes of manual workers.
Borax is a valuable flux for chemical and metallurgical
purposes. It is used in the manufacture of pottery-glazes
and enamels, and as a glaze for paper and linen. It is
also used in tanning and glue manufacture. Its property *
of adhering closely to clean surfaces of metal under high
temperature and preventing oxidation causes it to be
largely employed in brazing and as a flux in brass manu-
facture. It is also used in the manufacture of soap and
glass, and in numerous other ways. As an antiseptic it
is used as medicine, and as a food preservative. Borate
of chromium is used as v. pigment in calico printing.
¥
October 23, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
597
RE VIE
=*t*
. -CO-
INING
JH
ntimiitiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiMiiiniii
ilMiiiiiiiin.iuinr.il
AKIZOXA
FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS IN THE FIELD
iiimiiiiiiiiimiltiiiiiinmiiiiiliiimmiii I iniitminii m iiimiimiiminmilliii nimni
FIRST SHIPMENT FROM THE NEW MILL AT THE KINGMAN
CONSOLIDATED.
Prescott-Jerome District. — Ben Rybon, president of
the Silver Belt Consolidated Mining Co., has announced
that financial arrangements are complete and operations
at the mine which is located half way between Humboldt
and McCabe, will be commenced immediately. Twenty-
five years ago this mine produced over $1,000,000 in sil-
ver. It is said that there are 17,000 tons of ore on the
dump and 25,000 tons in the stopes that will average 20
oz. to the ton in silver. It is planned to build a mill and
sink the shaft to the 300-ft. level. It is reported that the
Shannon Copper Co. is still carrying on development at
the Yeager Canyon property and that some ore is being
shipped from the company's mine at Gleeson.
Sinking of the Dundee-Arizona shaft, it is reported,
will probably be resumed in the near future. Through
the efforts of the pumps the water has finally been lower-
ed to the bottom of the shaft, approximately 820 ft. below
the collar. Plans are under way to put on three shifts in
the shaft and continue sinking to the 900 or 950-ft. level
before cutting another station. The new reverberatory
furnaces at the United Verde Extension were tried out
during the month of August ; with the operation of both
the reverberatory and blast-furnaces, the total production
for this month was approximately 5,000,000 lb. of copper.
The average tenor of the ore was 14%.
Kingman. — The Walnut Creek Mining Co. has taken
over the Harrison group of claims in the Secret Pass
district. Grading for the shaft site, head-frame, and
hoist is completed. The Harrison group of mines has had
some development which has exposed several veins of
high-grade silver ore. It is the intention of the new com-
pany to sink the shaft several hundred feet. Jack Zwinge
lis in charge of the work. Contractors are now at work
in the shaft of the Old Dad Mining Co. which is being re-
financed. The shaft has reached a depth of 10 ft. and
(exposed a 3-ft. vein. The new electrical machinery has
been installed at the I. X. L. mine and sinking below the
265-ft. level is under way. It is the intention to sink to
the 500-ft. level at which point lateral development will
be commenced. The first carload of concentrate from
the new mill of the Kingman Consolidated Mining Co.
has been shipped. The company is also shipping high-
grade ore obtained from leases. The main tunnel is being
driven rapidly, all new machinery now being in place.
William Halloran is in charge. The Cyclopie mine has
just made an $800 gold-bullion clean-up from the first
run of the new mill. Recent development to the north-
west, it is reported, has opened a large body of $12 ore.
F. Humphrey is superintendent.
Bisbee- Warren District. — Smelter production of the
Phelps Dodge Corporation in September was 7,998,000
lb. of copper, compared with 15,500,623 lb. in September
1918. Copper production by Calumet & Arizona in Sep-
tember was 3,038,000 lb., compared with 4,868,000 lb. in
1918. The Shattuck-Arizona company's output for Sep-
tember was 166,513 lb. copper, 921,912 lb. lead, 57,008 oz.
silver, and 524 oz. gold.
According to the Arizona State mine inspector, Ari-
zona mines are now employing about 60% of the normal
number of men. There are now engaged in and around
the mines and mills approximately 20,000 men as com-
pared with more than 30,000 during normal times. One
of the large copper-producing companies is reported to
be now handling about 130,000 tons of ore per month
through its reduction plant as compared to 300,000 tons
per month during the peak of production during the
War. Other large companies are said to be handling
from 40 to 75% of their normal capacities. The U. S.
Geological Survey in co-operation with the Arizona State
Bureau of Mines, under the direction of G. M. Butler of
Tucson, director of the State bureau, has recently pre-
pared a detailed map of the State of Arizona. The map
is on a scale of eight miles to the inch and gives valuable
geographical as well as geological and mineral data.
Verde Valley. — One of the interesting engineering
projects which will be undertaken in Arizona in the near
future is the construction of an impounding dam at the
Box Canyon, nine miles below Camp Verde, and which it
is said may be started as early as next January. The
proposed dam will impound water for the irrigation of
90,000 acres of fertile land in the Paradise valley, north-
east of Phoenix. It is estimated that the dam will take
from two to three years to complete, and next to Lake
Roosevelt the reservoir will be the largest artificial lake
in Arizona.
Ajo. — The September output of the New Cornelia
Copper Co. was 3,314,000 lb. Through a judgment of the
U. S. court of appeals at San Francisco, reversing a ver-
dict of the federal court at Tucson, the New Cornelia
Copper Co. is finally victor in one of the oddest lawsuits
known in mining litigation. On November 27, 1918, a
number of Mexican employees of the corporation built a
fire to warm themselves while waiting for the time to go
598
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 23. 1920
to work. The fire was lighted against an old boiler, prop-
erty of the company, but for some time unused. In the
boiler was a quantity of dynamite stolen from the com-
pany, and hidden there by the thieves. There was an ex-
plosion of the powder with injury to some of the men.
The widow of Jesus Maria Ochoa, killed, sued for dam-
ages, after refusing an offer of settlement by the com-
pany, which, however, at no time assumed any degree of
responsibility. She was given $10,000 in the lower court,
but the appellate court failed to find that responsibility
attached to the defendant, and reversed the decision.
Globe. — The disseminated orebody on the Castle Dome
has been prospected by diamond-drill borings for a
length of more than 3000 ft., and shows an average cop-
per content of 1.4%. A capping, 20 ft. thick, is esti-
mated to contain 1,000,000 tons of ore of the same char-
acter carrying 2^% copper. At the Superior and Boston
a force of 125 men is employed on development and ex-
traction of ore, which is shipped to the El Paso smelter,
and the International at Miami.
Cltpton-Morenci District. — The Morenci branch of
the Phelps Dodge Corporation is still further curtailing
its prospect and development work. It is over a year
since this company ceased production and was put on a
purely development basis. During this period the mill
and smelter have both been closed down. Incidentally,
plans have been under way regarding a consolidation of
this company's property with that of the Arizona Copper
Co., which has extensive ore-reserves, but as yet nothing
definite has materialized. The working force of the
Morenci branch of the Phelps Dodge Corporation has
been cut to about one-third of its former number.
COLORADO
THE COLORADO CONSOLIDATED INCREASES THE CAPACITY
OP ITS MILL.
Cripple Creek. — Drilling has reached 1300 ft. depth
in the formation test, the core showing granite with slight
fracture. The drillers are making about 20 ft. daily.
The district mines report serious labor shortage with
more miners leaving the district than returning, a con-
dition not expected after the harvest season.
Idaho Springs. — The unwatering of the Little Mattie
shaft by the recently organized Commonwealth Silver
Mines, Inc., is progressing. The mine and mill are being
electrically equipped and heavy production will follow.
The Golden Edge property, controlled by this new com-
pany, has ore of smelting and milling-grade exposed in
both shaft and tunnel workings. The mill at the Reynolds
property at Alice is to be enlarged to handle ores from
the Reynolds and Meteor mines.
Silverton. — Albert Kolz, former superintendent, has
leased the Hamlet and is adding a flotation-unit to the
mill and erecting a tram for the transportation of ore
from the tunnel mouth to the mill. The ore carries silver.
lead, and copper ranging in value from $20 to $100 per
ton. The property lias been idle a long time. Magnet
lessees are mining ore containing gold, silver, and lead
and are preparing a shipment for the smelter. During
September, 76 ears of ore were shipped from Silverton
mines, the Sunnyside leading with 42 cars.
Lake City. — The Home Mining Co. is constructing an
ore-house and blacksmith shop at the Little Chief, ad-
joining the Pelican, a steady producer of the Lake City
district.
The Colorado Consolidated Mines & Power Co. is in-
creasing the capacity of its plant at Sherman; the mill
is being changed from chlorination to concentration with
a flotation-unit.
MICHIGAN
COAL SUPPLIES AMPLE POR THE WINTER.
Houghton. — Superior Copper is about to suspend,
temporarily at least, until costs get to lower levels. High
freight-rates are largely responsible for the suspension,
because all material must be transported over the Mineral
Range railroad. For the past four or five months, Su-',
perior has been shipping about 2000 tons per month,
practically all of which came from the 31st level, north
and south of the shaft, and cross-cuts across the forma-
tion where copper-bearing 'rock' was sought, both in the
Superior and West lodes. It had been proposed also to
extend the 33rd level drift both north and south from the
31st level winze in the hope of opening ground that
would yield a profit.
Prevailing high prices for supplies and labor, coupled
with scarcity of labor, has resulted in temporary suspen-
sion of operations at the Michigan mine. There is little
likelihood that the property will be re-opened until there
is a decided change in conditions. Physically the mine
is in splendid shape. The openings on the 4th, 5th. 6th,
and 7th levels have disclosed encouraging ground on the
Butler vein, while the openings on the Omega and Ever-
green lodes are promising. An important feature is the
unusual width of the Butler, which is 30 to 80 ft. Or-
dinarily a lode rarely exceeds 40 ft. at the outside and
there are mines on the Lake that consider 20 ft. wholly
sufficient. With the small force that has been employed
for the last six months, Michigan has been producing
from 110,000 to 180,000 lb. per month. Under favorable
conditions it is believed the output could be easily
doubled.
The Lake copper mines now have coal enough on hand
for about 60% of their needs for the winter on the pres-
ent operating basis, which is about 60% of normal. Coal
shipments have been coming in at the rate of approxi-
mately 140,000 tons per month for the last two months,
and if this rate is continued until December 1 the coal
supplies for the mines, mills, and smelters will be ample.
The advance in freight-rates has been a serious proposi-
tion for local mines that do not own their, own railroads
and it is one that is far from solved. Calumet & Hecla,
owning its own line, is not affected, but some of its sub-
sidiaries, including Ahmeek, Osceola, and Superior, are
hard hit. Under existing rates it is costing Ahmeek
$14.50 for each car of 'rock' that is hauled over the
Mineral Range railroad, or approximately $700 per day.
October 23, L920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
599
The freight on coal is $22 per ear and this item alone
represents upward of $2500 per month. The rate on
Alloa.'/ rock is the Bame as Ahmeek's, and as soon as the
mini- resumes work on the old schedule of operations its
or hauling rork will be about $400 per day. North
arge No. 4 shaft is in the same class, while the
shafts to the south are in a different one and accordingly
their rate is slightly lower. Centennial, when operating
at capacity, also will have to pax- a large Freight bill,
both for ore haulage and coal transportation. The Calu-
met & Hecla has had under consideration the building of
a r.ulroad between Lake Linden and the Ahmeek mine
to Berve its snbsidaries. but no definite conclusion lias yet
been reached. A preliminary survey of the 7-mile route
was made several years ago.
September shipments of copper, by boat, including
conglomerate, one has been Bent to Ahmeek, where it is
operating with splendid results. Unlike some of the
models that were introduced two or three years ago, the
new scrapers are i iparatively light in construction and
can be employed in any stope. The principal drawback
of the shovels used in some of tin- other mines was the
size and weight.
Mayflower-Old Colony has encountered some highly
mineralized ground about 200 ft. from the shaft in the
south drift. It is regular amygdaloid material, contain-
ing small bits of copper not unlike that in the vein when
it was first opened on the 1700-ft. level. The most en-
couraging feature of the operations in the south drift,
however, is the indication that the formation is becoming
regular. There is a likelihood that the disturbed zone
has disappeared. "Wolverine soon will begin to blast out
LEAD SMELTER OP THE CIA. METALl'RGICA, SAN LUIS POTOSI, MEXICO
aboul 1000 tons that went from the Calumet & Hecla
smelters to France, totaled 7.274,000 lb. This compares
with 16.860.000 lb. in August and slightly over 10,000,000
lb. in July. The shipments this summer, exclusive of
small quantities that went out by rail, totaled 44,834,000
lb., considerably less than was produced during the
same period. Tonnage records for the Calumet & Heela
subsidaries reflect a decrease in the output of the old
Osceola, which reported 4650 tons for the month. This
is due to the recent reduction in the working forces, in-
cident to the operation of the mine on the one-shift basis.
The North Kearsarge branch of Osceola, however, is
holding well up to the normal of the year with 37.500
tons for the month. Ahmeek's production for the month
was the most promising of any of the Calumet group, for
72,050 tons was shipped. On a yield of 22 lb. per ton
this means a refined copper product of 1.607.000 lb., the
equal of the August record.
It will be late spring before the Calumet & Hecla has a
sufficient number of underground scrapers in operation
to make any material difference in output, but the work
of constructing them will be started at once. In addition
to three or four models in use in the parent mine, in the
the concrete dividers and stringers from the 32nd to the
35th level, because of the fact that the pillars have been
moving and crushing, just as occurred from the 27th to
the 29th level in No. 4 shaft. Operations at Wolverine
still consist in widening out stopes and drifts, cutting
out vein-matter along the foot-wall in recent and older
workings, and regular stoping north and south of both
shafts. The cutting-out process netted more than 30%
of the ore shipped to the mill last year and this work
promises to yield equally as much during the present
year. Like Mohawk, "Wolverine could use many more
miners and trammers. The production of each is 50%
of normal. Ultimately Mohawk will have mastered the
trammer problem by the use of the stope scraper, me-
chanical and rope haulage, and a level-scraper. It is pro-
posed to install stope scrapers in Mohawk as soon as the
price of material drops. As long as the metal market
holds around present levels, there will be no special effort
to increase the output of either mine. Mohawk's open-
ings are as extensive, if not greater, than a year ago at
this time, while "Wolverine during the past six months
has prepared to cut out the vein from surface to the 19th
level.
600
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 23, 1920
NEVADA
CONSOLIDATED VIRGINIA WILL RE-OPEN THE 2250-PT. LEVEL.
Divide. — The presence of Jackling-Hayden, Stone &
Co. engineers lends color to the report that Easterners are
heavily interested in the Tonopah Divide and that the
mine will be re sampled for them. H. C. Brougher, presi-
dent of the company, also is at Tonopah. The Tonopah
Divide will stop shipping to the MacNamara mill on No-
vember 1 and from that date the ore will be sent to the
Belmont mill, where it will be treated at a lower rate
than is charged at the MacNamara. After November 1
shipments will be made at a rate of 50 tons daily, or 15
tons more than the present rate. The cross-cuts on the
800 and 1000-ft. levels are now within 50 ft. of the vein.
Toltcha. — The Loring interests have taken an option
on the Landmark group of three claims, owned by
Thomas A. Harney, Edward S. Harney, Edward Yeiser,
Nick Ableman, Edward Ashton, and others. Neither the
terms of the option nor the purchase price have been an-
nounced. The closing of the deal ends negotiations of
several months and it is reported that the holders of the
option have secured full control, with the right to do
whatever work is considered advisable. Charles D. Wil-
kinson, engineer for Loring. has completed a second sam-
pling of the claims. Tolicha is 45 miles south-east of
Goldfield, the nearest important town, and is 12 miles
from the Tonopah & Tidewater railroad. The claims con-
tain seven veins, three of which have been prospected at
a depth of 50 ft. by a tunnel. Reports of remarkable
widths of high-grade gold ore in the Landmark group
frequently have come from the district.
Virginia City. — Driving of the tunnel of the United
Comstock has been started from the portal on American
Flat and it will be continued by three shifts. The com-
pany is reaching through several shafts other places from
which the tunnel will be driven. The Consolidated Vir-
ginia has started to re-open the 2250-ft. level to prospect
for the extension of the ore-shoot now being mined
through a winze from the 2150-ft. level. A drift from
this winze continues to open ore.
. Barcelona. — In the fourth annual report of the com-
pany, Jules V. Barnd, president of the Spanish Belt, says
that the building and the foundations for the machinery
for the 50-ton mill have been completed and that the
machinery will be moved to the mine in the very near
future. The plant will have 10 stamps and concentra-
tion and notation will be used. The ore contains silver
and lead and it is estimated that the extraction will be
90%. There is 75,000 tons of 'probable ore' in the
mine, assaying $20 to $30 per ton, according to the re-
port. The company plans to ship the concentrate by auto
60 miles to the Tybo smelter.
Montezuma, Esmeralda County. — Edwin S. Giles of
Goldfield has been employed as manager for the Monte-
zuma Silver Mines Corporation, succeeding Arthur H.
Cooper. The mine has been practically closed but the
240-ft. Caracas shaft, in which no work had been done
for 45 years, is being re-timbered as the first work under
the new management. Work at the Arizona shaft will
not be resumed for several months. The Montezuma is
an old silver-lead producer. The 305-ft. Arizona shaft
was sunk in recent years, but all of the late work has
failed to open an orebody. Several months ago the com-
pany shipped a carload of ore, but the return was much
lower than had been expected.
Hawthorne. — Work in the Lucky Boy, west of here,
is to be resumed. This will be the first real effort in 10
years to develop the mine. Little, except the re-timber-
ing for 350 ft. of the 6500-ft. drainage tunnel, has been
done by the company since 1915. This tunnel is con-
nected by a raise with the 700-ft. Hubbard lease shaft
and it will be in the vicinity of this shaft that the first
mining will be done. The Hubbard was a bonanza lease
in the early days, but sinking of the shaft was stopped
when the water-level was reached at 700 ft. The drain-
age tunnel reaches a depth of more than 1000 feet.
Reno. — Complete electric equipment is being put in
place at the Black Panther, a copper-silver-gold mine
three miles north of here, and when this has been com-
pleted the shaft, now 200 ft. deep, will be continued to
500, with stations for lateral work at 100-ft. intervals. A
four-mile electric-power line is being constructed to the
mine.
Arrowhead. — A 35-hp. gasoline hoist and a 40-ft. steel
head-frame have been bought by the Arrowhead for use
in sinking the shaft 100 or 200 ft. from the present depth
of 265 ft. Shipments of $150 to $200 ore continue to be
made to Tonopah. There is in the bottom of the shaft 18
in. of $170 ore. Mark G. Bradshaw is now consulting
engineer.
Round Mountain. — Shortage of water again retarded
the operations of the Round Mountain in the placer field
during the season this year and lode mining has been dis-
continued by the company because of the high cost of
supplies. However, the lode mine is being developed on a
good scale by lessees and to September 1 it had produced
$40,000. The placer mine produced $53,000 to Septem-
ber 1. The Fairview mill produced $99,500 gross, $34,-
000 net, to September 1.
Rochester,- — On application of a Lovelock mercantile
company, a receiver has been appointed for the Nevada
Packard Mines Co. The indebtedness is $53,000. The
application for a receiver, a friendly proceeding, was
made after the mine and mill had been closed for two
months because of lack of power due to low water in the
Lahontan dam at Fallon. During this period the capac-
ity of the mill was increased from 150 to 225 tons daily
and improvements were made in the mine. The receiver,
Herman Davis, formerly superintendent, expects to re-
sume work before November 1.
Pioche. — A meeting of mining men in this district was
called on October 9 to discuss the effect of the increase in
freight-rates on the mineral industry of this district.
The meeting was largely attended. For a number of
years past, the Pioche district has supplied the Salt Lake
Route with approximately 400 to 500 tons of ore per day
October 23, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
601
for shipment to Utah smelters, and unless a lower frcight-
rotr is granted, there will be a continuation of the de-
hnaae in shipments, which is already noticeable. A num.
ber of constructive suggestions and inquiries were
brought np at the meeting, among which was the building
of a sampling-mill at Pioche and the mechanical mixing
of the ores to take every possible advantage of the exist -
ing rates, and also the pooling of ore tonnage on con-
tracts. Shipments are nearly 50% below normal as a
result of the increased freight-rates. During the week
ending October 9, the Prince Consolidated shipped 950
tons; Virginia Louise, 400; Bristol Silver Mines, 150;
Black Metals, 110; Emerick-Deerfoot Lease, 85; Com-
bined Metals, 50 ; S. T. Campbell, 50 ; making a total of
1795 tons.
Marble. — The Rural Mines, Inc., which has been oper-
ating extensively in Mohave county, Arizona, is now
opining up the old Lodi mine. The mill has been over-
ITUI
NEW HOISTING EQUIPMENT AT THE l.KIM-TIM'lc \ n n
TOJTIC PAYMASTER.
Salt Lake City. — About two months ago, fire broke
out in Sunnyaide mine No. 2 of the Utah Fuel Co. at
Sunnyside, and rescue-car No. 11 of the D. S. Bureau of
Mines has been there continuously to assist in fighting
the fire. The mine is now being opened, and G. C. Mc-
Elroy, the engineer in charge of the car, is on the ground
to take personal charge of the work and make investiga-
tions for the Bureau. During the week ending October
9, the Murray sampler of the Utah Ore Sampling Co.
released 73 cars of ore from Utah mines, 11 from Nevada,
2 from California, 1 from Colorado, and 1 from Mon-
tana. The Tintic sampler of the same company released
35 cars of ore from Utah mines.
Logan. — A large body of magnesite ore is being de-
9
1
KENNEDY MINE, AMADOR COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
hauled, and necessary changes made, under the direction
of G. E. Bateman and T. D. Walsh. It is the intention of
the management to start milling operations before No-
vember 1. At present the ore-reserves are sufficient to
supply the mill for two years, but development will
nevertheless be continued actively. The present mill
has a capacity of 25 tons per day ; as soon as the proper
flow-sheet has been determined, another milling unit,
doubling the present capacity will be added.
Eureka. — For the week ending October 9, the follow-
ing shipments of ore and speiss, in transit to the Utah
smelters, for reduction, went out over the Eureka-Nevada
railway to Palisade, the cars carrying approximately ten
tons each : from Eureka-Holly mine, 13 cars of ore ; Cya-
nide mine, 3 ; Eureka-Croesus, 6 ; Eureka Prince, 5 ;
from the old Silver West smelter dump, 3 cars of speiss ;
Eureka Consolidated smelter dump, 29 cars.
Adams Hill. — The Fraser brothers have finished sev-
eral hundred dollars worth of work, cleaning out adits,
drifts, etc., in advance of more important work planned
for . development in the near future, on the Altoona,
Mohawk, and Loudown mines on Adams Hill, which have
yielded large quantities of highly silicious ores that have
assayed in carload lots up to and beyond $100 per ton.
veloped in the Wasatch mountains, about 6 miles north-
east of this city, according to Otto Hudson, who is operat-
ing the property. The initial shipment was made re-
cently. This is the first magnesium carbonate to be dis-
covered in Utah, and only two other States — California
and Washington — are producing this kind of ore. It is
reported that the deposit is 250 ft. thick and 1500 ft.
long, and Mr. Hudson states that extensive operations
are contemplated.
Alta. — The Prince Alta Mining Co. has begun suit in
the Third District Court at Salt Lake City against the
Alta Consolidated Mining Co. to recover for 6000 tons
of ore, valued at $360,000, alleged to have been unlaw-
fully and secretly extracted from the property of the
plaintiff company. It is alleged that secret extraction of
ore from the Christina Johnson claim began January 1,
1917, and that the ore was taken out through the work-
ings of the defendant company. The plaintiff asks that
judgment for damages in three times the amount of the
actual value of the ore be allowed and that an injunction
be issued against further working of the property in
litigation.
Bingham. — The directors of the Utah-Apex Mining Co.
have declared a dividend of 25c. per share, payable No-
602
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 23, 1920
vember 1. This will call for the payment of $132,050 and
will bring the grand total up to $1,254,475. This is the
first dividend disbursement in two years. Federal Judge
Tillman D. Johnson has not yet announced a decision in
the case of the Utah Apex Co. v. the Utah Consolidated
Co., which was heard in Salt Lake City last spring. The
company is now sinking a shaft to the 2000-ft. level,
where the downward extension of the orebody now being
mined on the 1800-ft. level will be opened. In addition
to straight smelting-ore, the company is producing a
quantity of low-grade ore, which is being handled in its
mill, and the silver-lead concentrate is shipped to the
Murray smelter. Like all other mining companies in this
district, the Utah-Apex is short of skilled miners and
could use 100 additional men. About 250 men are now
employed by the company. During the first seven months
of the current year, the Bingham Mines Co. and its sub-
sidiaries earned $238,149 after taxes, depletion, and de-
preciation, or the equivalent of $1.59 per share. Net
quick assets on August 7 were $446,959, or approximately
$3 per share, most of which was cash and demand
loans.
Eureka. — During the week ended October 9, the mines
in this district shipped a total of 142 cars of ore. The
Chief Consolidated shipped 37 ; Tintic Standard, 27 ;
Mammoth, 26 ; Dragon, 11 ; Eagle & Blue Bell, 8 ; Iron.
Blossom, 6 ; Victoria, 5 ; Iron King, 5 ; Swansea, 3 ; Gold
Chain, 3; Gemini, 2; Blue Bell, 2; Grand Central, 2;
Eureka Hill, 1 ; Centennial-Eureka, 1 ; Yankee, 1 ;
Griggs-Huish, 1 ; and Ridge & Valley, 1. A contract for
100 ft. of sinking in the shaft at the Central Standard
property has been awarded, according to John W. Taylor,
who is in charge of the property. The shaft now has a
depth of 575 ft. and the sinking is costing the company
about $30 per foot. During the last 100 ft. the shaft has
been in solid limestone, which now shows considerable
iron. J. Will Knight and Thomas Pierpont, of Provo,
and their associates, control this property. At the Cop-
per Leaf property, which is also under Mr. Taylor's su-
pervision, several hundred feet of drifting has been done
on the 100-ft. level. The drift is now being pushed to the
north-west, and the face is about 1100 ft. from the shaft.
"Work is to be resumed at the property of the Tintic-
Delaware Mining Co. in the western part of this district,
according to John F. Rawson, former secretary -treasurer
of the company. About two years ago, disagreement
among the directors resulted in the suspension of opera-
tions. The company is one of the promising and well-
known properties in the western part of the camp, and it
is reported that there is a considerable quantity of ore
averaging 12J% lead developed in the mine. Streaks of
ore averaging from 30 to 70% lead, with 5 to 70 oz. in
silver per ton, have been found in various winzes. The
company is planning to resume both sinking and drifting.
The new hoisting equipment at the property of the Lehi-
Tintic Mining Co. has been received and erected. It is
capable of handling shaft-work for a depth of 1000 ft.
Charles Zabriskie, who is in charge of the property, stated
that a shaft will be sunk 400 or 500 ft. from the lower
tunnel-level. H. G. Snyder, manager for the Tintic-Pay-
master Mining Co., reports that an electric hoist, with a
capacity of 1200 ft., has been installed and sinking com-
menced. About October 1, the work of cutting a station
on the 375-ft. level was completed, and vigorous develop-
ment will be carried on during the coming winter. At a
meeting of the directors of the Chief Consolidated Mining
Co. on October 15, a quarterly dividend of 10c. per share
was declared, payable November 1. This will call for the
payment of $88,423, and will bring the grand total of
such disbursements up to $1,871,517.
Park City. — Seven mines in this district shipped a
total of 1707 tons of ore during the week ending October
8, of which the Judge M. & S. Co. produced 554 ; Silver
King Coalition, 541 ; Ontario, 259 ; Daly-West, 117 ; Key-
stone, 83 ; and Naildriver, 60. A shipment of 40 tons of
premium spelter was made by the Judge smelter. Work
has been resumed on the 2000-ft. level at the Ontario
mine, the deepest in the property. About a month ago,
the breaking of a crank-shaft on the compressor caused
suspension of work, with the result that the lower levels
were flooded. A new pump has been installed, and the
water has been pumped out. An exceptionally promising
strike was reported to have been made on the 2000-ft.
level at the time of the accident.
Big Cottonwood Canton. — Development work at the
Big Cottonwood Coalition Mines Co. is approaching an
interesting stage, according to C. E. Robertson, secretary-
treasurer. The main working-adit, now in the formation
over 3200 ft., is rapidly nearing its objective. The face,
which is about 600 ft. from the Copper King fissure, is
showing increasing mineralization. This company owns
a total of 74 claims, adjoining the Woodlawn and Prince
of Wales mines. Recently a survey of the property, both
underground and surface, has been completed by Robert
Gorlinski, the company's engineer, and all the claims re-
located. During the past year the company acquired the
old Copper King property, consisting of 23 claims. Con-
ditions at the Cottonwood King property are promising,
according to S. A. Parry. The Sunnyside fissure, which
has been reached, shows several inches of lead-silver ore
on the hanging-wall side and on the foot-wall side about
8 in. of the same kind of ore, which is in a decomposed
blue limestone. The fissure, which is about 8 ft. wide and
striking north-west, should intercept the Congor fissure in
20 to 25 ft. The working-face is a blue limestone and
lime spar, showing seams of lead and silver with copper
stain, and is considered favorable to the finding of ore.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
DEPLETION OP ORE-RESERVES MAT BE RECOGNIZED IN
TAXATION OP MINES.
Hazelton. — The 1000-f t. tunnel at the Babine Bonanza
has cut a 34-in. lode, 17 in. of which is high-grade, an
average of 10 assays running $236 per ton. The assays
ranged from $2 to $20 in gold and 132 to 358 oz. in silver
per ton, and from 3 to 7% copper, 3 to 19% lead, and 2
to 22% zinc. The remainder of the lode is milling-ore.
October 23, l"2n
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
60S
Another tunnel is to be started at a lower level, and ar-
pngements bave been made to continue the development
throughout the winter. The Steamship Mining Co. has
bonded tin- Paddy Higgings property, on Babine un-
tain, and has started to develop ii by a tunnel. There is
a good surface showing.
Prince Rupert.— Diamond-drill exploration a1 the
Spider group. Salmon River district, has hern so satis-
faetory that the Algunican Development Co., which has a
bond on the property, lias established a permanent camp,
anil will continue development through the winter. Work
at the Forty-Nine group, in the same district, has been
suspended indefinitely. Officers of the company st.-it <■
that work will be re-started as soon as suitable roads
have been made, but that under present conditions trans-
portation charges are too high for profitable work. R. G.
Leckie has let a contract for a tunnel and a shaft at the
Hercules group, Salmon river, and work will be started
at once. Assays from a new discovery on Glacier creek.
Bear river, have given returns running between $320 and
$400 per ton. A small consignment of high-grade ore
from the Esperanza group, Alice Arm district, is await-
ing shipment to the Tacoma smelter. The Moose mine
and the Silver Tip Extension, in the same district, are
said to be developing well. What is required at the pres-
ent time for the development of the numerous small
properties in the mining districts within easy reach of
this city is a sampling works, where trial shipments of a
few tons could be sent and accurate returns obtained.
Grand Forks. — The shaft at the Molly Gibson, at
Paulson, is being deepened, and is being sunk on a 7-ft.
vein, which assays $80 per ton in gold and silver. A tun-
nel also has been started to connect with the deepened
shaft. Philip B. Freeland, district mining engineer.
visited the Gloucester group recently, where the govern-
ment diamond-drill is in operation, and reports that
satisfactory progress is being made. The drill is being
used to explore a pyroxenite belt carrying chalcopyrite in
bunches and veinlets, and in places the chalcopyrite has
been found to contain from a trace up to 0.38 oz. of
platinum.
Cranbrook. — The Consolidated Mining & Smelting
Co. has started preliminary work for a concentrating
plant to treat its Sullivan mine ore on the site of the old
smelter, at Marysville. It is understood that the experi-
ji Imental work that has been undertaken at Trail has been
(practically completed, and a satisfactory concentration
[process has been devised for the treatment of the ore.
[The first unit of the plant is to have a capacity of 2500
jtons of ore per day. Up to now only grading work has
Ibeen done.
Slocan City. — The long-lost vein at the Evening Star
mine at last has been recovered. On the advice of F. J.
Parker, formerly manager of the North Star mine, at.
Kimberley, who now is acting as consulting engineer to
Hugh Sutherland, owner of the Evening Star, a cross-cut
was driven from about the middle of the tunnel that had
been driven in an effort to re-locate the lode, and in this
cross-cut the vein was found. The vein where cut con-
tains the same rich streak that characterised it in the
upper workings of the mine.
Victor] \. Representatives of the mining operators of
British Columbia are anxious to induce the Provincial
government to amend the Taxation Act in order that
allowance may In- made for the depletion of ore-reserves
in mining property, As it now stands, anything that is
allowed comes as a concession from the Minister of
Finance after an investigation. The opinion among
mining men is that the principle of allowance for de-
pletion of ore-reserves should be recognized in arriving at
Scale of Miles
THE COBALT DISTRICT
the basis for the taxation of a producing mine. A dele-
gation from mining companies interested in this Province
recently met the Premier to discuss this and other phases
of the Act. The hearing given them was sympathetic
and they are confident that the desired amendments will
be made at the next session of the legislature.
Instructions have been given the Provincial Mining
Engineers to prepare to deliver a series of lectures at
the different centres of their several districts during the
winter, the idea being to give prospectors an opportunity
to obtain the knowledge necessary to guide them in select-
ing prospecting-ground and to enable them to recognize
valuable minerals. This policy follows a suggestion from
the Prospectors' Protective Association. "W. E. Cockfield
604
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 23, 1920
of the Geological Survey has returned from the Keno
Hill district. He says that much development is being
carried on by the Yukon Gold Co., one of the Guggen-
heim enterprises. The company expects to ship 3000 tons
of ore this winter. The ore was high-grade silver-lead,
running 200 oz. silver per ton and from 50 to 60% lead.
The principal minerals were galena, siderite manganese,
and occasionally f reibergite. The gold content was small,
not exceeding, as a rule, $4 per ton. On the upper Stewart
river there were some stamp-mills in operation, but little
placer mining was being done. A gold-dredge had been
in operation on Highett creek during the summer. A
shipment of ore from the Nettie L. ran $290 in silver per
ton, while othe shipments have given returns of 21 oz.
gold, 230 oz. silver, a considerable amount of lead, and a
small amount of zinc.
A local syndicate has been developing a talc property
on the Port Albemi line of the Canadian National rail-
way. At the present time it is producing about two cars
of talc per week.
Trail. — During the last nine days of September ore
receipts at the Trail smelter, of the Consolidated Mining,
Smelting & Power Co., aggregated 12,744 tons, bringing
the total for the year at 251,735 tons. The Washington
mine, of Sandon, is added to the list of shippers. Mines
of the smelter company contributed 11,549 tons of the
total, leaving 1195 to the credit of independent operators.
Stewart. — W. R. Tonkin, president of the Fish Creek
Mining Co., is quoted as stating that seven years work
on its property, west of Salmon river and on the Ameri-
can side of the Portland Canal area, has justified a con-
tinuance of work and that shipment of ore will commence
as soon as transportation facilities are secured. The
lodes are quartz fissures carrying silver and gold and it
is proposed to build a concentrator. Mr. Tonkin declares
that as large a tonnage of ore will be developed on the
American side of Salmon river as within Canadian terri-
tory, affirming that it has been only because of the re-
markable showing of the Premier mine that the adjoin-
ing section has not received the attention its merit de-
serves. About 600 ft. of diamond-drilling is to be done
on the Titan group of claims on Fisher creek. This prop-
erty possesses a well-defined quartz vein. The Riverside
group also has been under development, 350 ft. of tun-
neling having been done wjth satisfactory results. At
the Premier mine the concentrating-mill, which will have
a capacity of 100 tons per day, is making good progress.
ONTARIO
m'inttre-porcupine and temiskaming purchase
coal mines.
Toronto. — Notwithstanding the issue of an Order in
Council by the Ontario government on December 18,
1919, relieving the claims staked by returned soldiers
from forfeiture for non-performance of assessment work
until January 1, 1921, such claims have in several cases
been thrown open by mining recorders and re-staked and
assessment work done by other parties. The attention of
the Minister of Mines having been drawn to the matter,
instructions have been issued to protect such claims and
reinstate the original holders.
Porcupine. — An interim report issued l>y the Hol-
linger Consolidated for the period between January 1
and September 8 shows that, with fewer employees and
a lower tonnage than last year, the profits of the company
have nevertheless increased. The net profits were $2,581,-
373 from the treatment of 1838 tons of ore, as compared
with $2,408,209 from 1902 tons of ore during the corre-
sponding period of 1919. The average number of men
employed was 1838, as against 1902. At the annual
meeting of the Mclntyre on October 7, R. J. Bnnis, gen-
eral manager, said that exploration of vein No. 7 had re-
sulted in the discovery of an extensive orebody between
the 1375-ft. and 1600-ft. levels, which had been pene-
trated at two points 900 ft. apart and was found to con-
tain ore yielding from $13 to $14 per ton. It was de-
scribed as being richer than vein No. 5, so far the chief
source of Mclntyre ore, which has yielded 900,000 tons
averaging about $10 per ton. The work of de-watering
the Vipond-North Thompson property has been com-
menced. As soon as it has been effected it is planned to
put down the shaft from the 600-ft. level to a depth of.
1100 ft. and open up levels at every 100 ft. In the mean-
time there is sufficient ore on the 600-ft. and upper levels
to keep the mill working at capacity. On the Miracle
property, controlled by the Miller Independence interests
of Boston Creek, the diamond-drill is reported to have
passed through a 40-ft. body of $11 ore.
Cobalt. — Adolph Lewisohn, president of the Kerr
Lake, stated in his report that, due to the gradual ex-
haustion of the ore-reserves, production had been con-
siderably less than in the preceding year and the cost
higher. The mine is now producing a relatively small
amount of silver and no definite estimate can be made as
to how long this will continue. The Mining Corporation,
which holds a lease on the old Foster property and is get-
ting out good ore, is undertaking further exploration
work by diamond-drilling. The Penn-Canadian, formerly
a producing mine, which has been closed since last sum-
mer, has been taken over on option by F. C. Sutherland
& Co., of Toronto. It has a pile of about 200,000 tons of
slime and sand and about 8000 tons of low-grade ore
underground. The shareholders of the Temiskaming Min-
ing Co. have approved of the company's joining the Mc-
Intyre-Porcupine Mines in the purchase of two coal
properties in Alberta, one of which is to cost $600,000
and the other $1,500,000. The Temiskaming has a treas-
ury surplus of about $1,000,000, while the Mclntyre 's
surplus amounts to $1,500,000. The decision to enter the
coal business on a big scale is an expression on the part
of the stockholders of a bid for the perpetuation of the
Temiskaming at the expense of present dividends.
A fourth vein has been found on the Kerr Lake mine,
running parallel to the three high-grade veins reported
last week. During the fiscal year ended August 31 the
Kerr Lake produced 956,049 oz. of silver at an average
cost of 56.04 cents.
October 23, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
605
CALIFORNIA
Amador County. — Unwatering of the Kennedy mine at
Jackson is progressing rapidly. The water has been lower-
ed below the 2800-ft. level. There was some delay during
the past week, caused when one of the large water skips got
caught in the shaft and tore out some of the timbers. The
broken sets have been replaced and smaller skips are being
used for bailing and will continue to be used until the large
skip is altered to make its use safe. The shaft is reported
to be in first-class condition.
Mono County. — Application has been filed by C. F. Wil-
dasin of Bishop for 1 cu. ft. per second from the drainage
water from the Mammoth mining tunnel for power purposes.
Total amount of power to be developed is 73.8 hp.
Nevada Connty. — The Empire Co. is re-opening its Penn-
sylvania unit, the closing of which was brought about by the
power shortage. Between thirty and fourty men have been
placed on shift during the last few days. According to the
management, the allowance of power has not been increased,
but it has been found practicable to utilize compressed air
from the Empire, the two mines being united underground.
The Idaho-Maryland mine has now been unwatered to the
1200-ft. level, a gain of 100 ft. having been made during the
last few days despite the power shortage. The installation
of an electric pump in the incline shaft branching from the
1000-ft. vertical shaft has been completed, and rapid ad-
vance in unwatering is anticipated.
Plumas County. — The Seneca Eureka mine, in the Seneca
district, about five miles from Lake Almano in one direction
and an equal distance from Butte Valley in another, is now
being actively developed by its owner, C. D. Hazzard of
Quincy. The property, which has been in the possession of
Hazzard for over 28 years, and has already cost him about
$45,000 for development work, covers an area of ground
approximately two miles in length and one mile in width.
San Bernardino County. — The Giant Ledge property at
Ivanpah has been examined by the California & Arizona
Copper Co. This is one of the old properties of the district.
High-grade silver ore has been found in the Don Longo,
shipments containing as much as 300 oz. per ton. The
Nevada-California company has also found rich ore in its
Carbonate mine.
Shasta County. — The Original Quartz Hill Mining Co. has
brought suit in the United States Court in Sacramento
against the Mammoth Copper Co. and its parent corporation,
the United States Smelting, Refining & Mining Co., to re-
cover $150,000 on account of an alleged breach of contract.
The Mammoth, which had for eight years treated ore at the
Kennett smelter from the Quartz Hill, as flux principally,
shut down its work in the Quartz Hill in March 1914. The
Quartz Hill claims the contract did not expire until October
15, 1916. The suit was brought Tuesday, October 12, or
just three days before the claim would have been outlawed
by the statute of limitation. The Estabrook gold dredges
near Trinity Center has shut down on account of the high
cost of material and labor.
Sierra County. — Application has been filed by G. W. Peer
and H. L. Berkey of Scales, for 60 cu. ft. per second from
Canyon creek, for hydraulic placer-mining purposes. The
amount of water to be stored is 8212 cu. ft. Diversion
works: Main canal 8.12 miles long. The project consists
of seven storage reservoirs, final diversion to be from the
lower reservoir of this group. Thomas and Leo Bessler are
preparing to build a five-stamp mill on their property in
Downieville. Power will be furnished by water from the
Downieville Water Co.'s ditch. The pay-shoot at the Oro
mine has widened and a tunnel has been driven to cut it at
a lower level.
IDAHO
Coeur d'Alene. — The Sterling Silver Mining Co. reports
that five men are employed at the mine. The lower tunnel
has been extended 400 ft. and a drift on the No. 1 vein has
been driven for 100 ft. showing gray copper. This will
reach a point beneath the surface-showing in another 200
ft. The holdings of the company cover two silver-vein sys-
tems and both are to be explored during the winter. Lessees
operating the Yankee Boy mine are shipping high-grade ore,
some running 300 oz. silver per ton. The management of
the Silver Dale and Big Hill, operating on the west fork of
Big creek, states that development work will be resumed. A
cross-cut tunnel is being driven to reach the orebody 700 ft.
beneath the upper workings where 5 ft. of concentrating-ore
was uncovered. The Liston property, now known as the
First National, will soon be under active development. The
lower cross-cut tunnel has been extended over 3000 ft. to
reach the vein at a depth of 1000 feet.
Mullan. — Consolidation of three groups of mining claims
located in the Mullan district, including the Lucky Boy, the
Silver Star, and the Goldbar is to be effected, according to
M. D. Needham of Wallace, one of the owners of the Lucky
Boy. A crew will be put to work extending a tunnel to the
Lucky Boy vein. Surveys are said to indicate that it will re-
quire 170 ft. of additional work to reach the Lucky Boy
vein. This will give the workings a depth of 40 ft. "New
faces of ore have been disclosed at several places near here,"
said Harry W. Ingalls, manager for the Copper King Mining
& Smelting Co. "The Copper King has struck a body of ore
4 ft. wide. It was found on the new level, which is 200 ft.
above the tunnel-level, and was reached by a cross-cut from
the raise. No assay has been made, but the appearance of
the ore suggests a content of 12% lead and 10 oz. silver per
ton, and no zinc. The ground is not broken, as in places on
the main tunnel-level. It is away from the fault and so
solid that it is not necessary to use timber. About 200 ft.
of work has been done on this level, the depth of which is
1500 ft." A contract has been awarded for sinking an addi-
tional 200 ft. of shaft in the Morning mine.
Wardner. — A find of large promise has been made on the
property of the North Bunker Hill Mining Co., near here.
The ore has been entered for 15 ft. without determining its
extent. Its grade is low, running 6 % lead and an ounce of
silver per ton. According to reports the strike was made on
the 500-ft. level. A cross-cut from the shaft was driven 300
ft. west, where it entered the vein, and the vein was followed
by a drift for 130 ft. Neither wall is in sight at the face of
the drift. The property i3 composed of three patented claims
and two fractions lying between the Caledonia and the
East Caledonia and not far from the property of the Bunker
Hill & Sullivan Mining & Concentrating Co.
606
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
1920
A large body o£ ore has been reported on the west hill of
the Intermountain Mining Co.'s properties. The report to
the company said that there are "three distinct and well-
defined chimneys on the west hill, all connected by an ore-
shoot of considerable dimensions". It is also stated that
these bodies contain large amounts of silver-lead ore. The
Caledonia Mining Co. is disbursing the regular quarterly
dividend of $26,050. This is at the rate of a cent per share.
The company has IS 00 stockholders. The current disburse-
ment will increase the total dividend payments to $4,141,-
950.
Wallace. — The shaft being sunk jointly by the Federal
Mining & Smelting Co. and the Marsh Mines Consolidated
from the Russell claim of the Marsh has attained a depth of
3 50 ft. from the tunnel-level. The shaft is following a vein
which, it is averred, is the same as the Hecla east orebody.
The Russell shaft has reached a horizon to which the Hecla
is said to have raised on ore at the western part of the shoot.
The shaft and the raise are reported to be 280 ft. apart.
Whether the course of the orebody follows the horizon or
parallels the fault-line is not known. If it parallels the
fault-line it should be reached in 280 ft. of sinking, the
angle of the fault being 45°, but if it follows the horizon it
may be reached with any round of shots. The orebody is
said to be 800 ft. long and to be rich in lead and silver. The
Russell vein is nearly vertical at the bottom of the shaft, and
its walls are well defined. The shaft is proceeding at the
rate of 5 ft. per day.
The Nabob Consolidated Mining Co., in the Pine Creek
district, is operating two shifts daily and expects to operate
three in a few days. Four stopes are yielding ore and more
are being prepared. The mill is producing a concentrate
containing an average of 53% lead, but the tables produce
54% and the jigs 60%.
NEW MEXICO
Lordsburg. — The main shaft of the 85 mine, in the Vir-
ginia mining district, some three miles south-west of Lords-
burg, is being sunk an additional 300 feet.
Red Rock. — It is reported that a deal has just been closed
by which capitalists from Battle Creek, Michigan, will take
over the fluorspar and plant holdings of the Great Eagle
Mining Co., at Red Rock, about 30 miles north of Lordsburg.
The purchasers will form a new company under the name of
the Great Eagle Fluorspar Co. The consideration of the sale
is said to have been $200,000, of which a considerable por-
tion was cash. This property is believed to be one of the
largest fluorspar mines in the entire South-West, having
opened up a vein which, on the surface, was 5 ft. wide and
has increased in depth to approximately 30 ft. wide. The
development, mostly by tunnels and stopes, is reported to
show, blocked out, 60,000 tons of ore valued at $30 per ton,
or $1,800,000 total, above the lower tunnel-level. New
equipment is being purchased amd shipments are reported
daily. It is announced that Mr. Wentworth, president of the
Battle Creek Sanitarium, is president of the new company.
Boston Hill. — Rich gold and silver ore is reported at the
Silver Spot mine. Assays show over an ounce of gold per
ton and 13 oz. of silver, with 25% manganese. Efforts
have been made, which it is reported have recently met with
success, to secure adjustments in freight-rates on manganese
ores which would permit resumption of shipping of manga-
nese from Boston Hill.
Silver City. — The American Fluorspar Co., composed of
Silver City business men, is reported to have started de-
velopment work on a deposit of fluorspar situated near
Derry, about 18 miles north of Hatch station on the Rincon
branch of the Santa Fe railroad. J. W. Bible is the engineer
in charge. The deposit is said to be a large one, and to con-
tain high-grade spar.
personalI
The Editor invites members of the profession to send particulars of their
work and appointments. The information is interestinr to our readers.
Scott Turner is in New York.
C. M. Eye has gone to Los Angeles.
C. Erb Wuensch is here from Colorado.
Thomas Cochran was at Salt Lake City recently.
Charles A. Mitke has been at Tyrone, New Mexico.
A. T. Thomson, of New York, is at Douglas, Arizona.
C. Colcock Jones has returned to Los Angeles from Mexico.
William D. Grannis, of Kingman, Arizona, was here last
week.
Otto N. Ruger has left Sonora, Mexico, and will reside at
Bisbee, Arizona.
Fred. E. Wood, of Denver, is examining shale deposits
near Elko, Nevada.
Edwin T. Hodge is general manager of the Liberator mine
in British Columbia.
Downie D. Muir, Jr., has returned to Salt Lake City from
British Columbia.
S. M. SoupcoiT has returned to Salt Lake City from British
Columbia and Montana.
Harold Cogswell is with the Idaho Maryland Mines Co., at
Grass Valley, California.
Stanley N. Graham is now professor of mining in Queens
University, Kingston, Ontario.
William Wraith, of New York, was at Salt Lake City re-
cently on his way to California.
Samuel W. Cohen, of Montreal, sailed on the 'Empress of
France' on October 6 for Europe.
Robert D'Eichthal and Albert Dellanger, of Paris, France,
have been visiting the mining districts of Utah.
Lloyd C. White has resigned as consulting engineer to the
Simon Silver Lead Mines Co., of Mina, Nevada.
Edwin L. Forbes has accepted a position as auditor for the
La Fe Mining Co. at Guadalupe, Zacatecas, Mexico.
William W. Adams, superintendent for the U. S. Smelting,
Refining & Mining Co., at Grantsville, is in San Francisco.
J. I. McGeorge, formerly with the Silver King Coalition
Mines, at Park City, Utah, has moved to Florence, Colorado.
Arthur B. Foote, manager for the North Star Gold Mines
Co., at Grass Valley, is taking a short holiday in San Fran-
cisco.
Walter R. Vidler, superintendent for the Vanadium Cor-
poration of America, at Page, Oklahoma, is at Long Beach,
California.
L. Ibanez Velasco, assayer for the American Tin Corpora-
tion at Hill City, South Dakota, has moved to Sabinas, Coa-
huila, Mexico.
W. B. Plank has resigned from the U. S. Bureau of Mines
to become instructor of mining engineering at Lafayette
College, Easton, Pennsylvania.
G. C. McElroy has been assigned as engineer in charge of
U. S. Bureau of Mines rescue car No. 11, succeeding R. V.
Ageton, who went to a similar position in Michigan.
Frederick Lyon, former managing director of the Mam-
moth Copper Co., and A. P. Anderson, mining engineer for
the U. S. Smelting, Refining & Mining Co., visited the prop-
erty at Kennett last week.
John Smeddle, recently at Guanajuato for the Cubo com-
pany, is on his way to New York by way of Zacatecas, and
will then return to Mexico for the La Fe Mining Co., at
Guadalupe, Zacatecas.
George L. Kaeding, having finished a complete plant for
the driving of a long development tunnel for the Consoli-
dated Cortez Silver Mines Co., in Nevada, has resigned as
general superintendent and is leaving for Mexico.
ttober 23, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
607
THE) METAL MARKET
Wit n
im
.). f
MKT.VL I- nil I -
San Francisco. October 19
II Aluminum-dust, cents per pound
U Antimony, cents per pound.
Copper, electrolytic, cents per pound.
Lead. pig-, cents per pound
Platinum, pure, per ounce
Platinum. 10% Iridium, per ounce.
Quicksilver, per flask of 75 lb
Spelter, cents per pound
65
9.50
18.75
7.50 — 8.50
$95
MSB
$70
9.00
line-dust, cents tier pound 12.60 — 15.00
EASTERN METAL MARKET
(By wire from New York)
October 18. — Copper is inactive and weak. Lead is quiet and steady.
Zinc is lifeless but easy.
SILVER
Below are given official or ticker quotations for silver in the open market
as distinfruished from the fixed price obtainable for metal produced, smelted.
an,] refined exclusively within the United States. Under the terms of the
Putm.ui Act such silver will be purchased by the United States Mint at $1
per ounce, subject to certain small charges which vary slightly but amount
to approximately three-eighths of one cent. The equivalent of dollar silver
(1000 fine) in British currency is 48.65 pence per ounce (925 fine), calcu-
lated at the normal rate of exchange.
Date
Oct.
Jan.
Peb.
Mch.
Apr.
May
June
cents
12 Holiday
13 87.00
14 85.62
15 82.37
16 81.25
17 Sunday
18 79.25
New York London
pence
68.26
55.25
53.62
53.00
Sept.
Average week ending
Cents
6 93.27
13 93 96
20 94.31
27 93.52
4 91.65
11 86.77
18 83.10
Monthly averages
1918
.88.72
.85.79
.88.11
.95.35
.99.50
.99.50
1919
101.12
101.12
101.12
101.12
107.23
110.50
1920
132.77
131 27
125.70
119.58
102.69
90.84
1918
July 99.62
Aug 100.31
Sept 101.12
Oct 101.12
Nov 101.12
Dec 101.12
1919
106.36
111.35
113.92
119.10
127.57
131.92
Pence
58.90
59.15
60.08
59.66
58.98
55.68
54.05
1920
92.04
96.23
93.86
Prices of electrolytic in New York, in cents per pound.
Date
Oct.
12 Holiday
13 17.50
14 17.25
15 17.00
16 17.00
17 Sunday
18 17.00
Sept.
Average week ending
6
13
20
27
4
11
18
19.00
18.75
18.75
18.70
18.50
17.85
17.15
Monthly averages
1918
Jan 23.60
Peb 23.50
Mch 23.50
Apr 23.50
May 23.50
June 23.50
1919
20.43
17.34
15.05
15.23
15.91
17.53
1920
19.25
19.05
18.49
19.23
19.05
19.00
1918
July 26.00
Aug 28.00
Sept 26.00
Oct 26.00
Nov 26.00
Dec 26.00
1919
20.82
22.51
22.10
21.66
20.45
18.55
1920
19.00
1900
18.75
LEAD
Lead is quoted in cents per pound. New York delivery.
Date
Oct.
Jan.
Peb.
I Mch.
| Apr.
May
June
12 Holiday
13
14
15
16
17 Sunday
18
7.50
7.50
7.50
7.50
7.50
Sept.
Average week ending
13.
20.
27.
4.
11.
18.
Monthly averages
1918 1919 1920
6.85
7.70
7.26
6.99
6.99
7.59
5.60
5.13
5.24
5.05
5.04
5.32
8.65
8.88
9.22
8.78
8.55
8.43
1918
July 8.03
Aug 8.05
Sept 8.05
Oct 8.05
Nov 8.05
Dec 6.90
Prices in New York.
1918
| Jan 85.13
! Peb 85.00
Mch. 85.00
Apr 88.53
May 100.01
June 91.00
TIN
in cents per pound.
Monthly averages
1920
62.74
59.87
61.92
82.12
54.99
48.33
1919
71.50
72.44
72.50
72.50
72.50
71.83
1918
July 93.00
Aug 91.33
Sept 80.40
Oct 78.82
Nov 73.67
Dec 71.52
1919
5.53
5.78
6.02
6.40
6.76
7.12
1919
70.11
62.20
55.79
54.82'
54.17
54.94
8.55
8.29
8.08
7.85
7.54
7.50
7.50
1920
8.63
9.03
8.08
1920
49.29
47.60
44.43
Zinc is quoted i- spelter,
in cents per pound.
Date
Oct. 12 Holiday
13
14
16
16
17 Sunday
18
ZINC
standard Western brands. New York delivery.
7.50
7.36
7 86
Oct.
Jan.
Peb.
Mch.
Apr.
May
1918
7.78
7.97
7.67
7.04
7.92
June 7.92
1919
7.44
6.71
6.53
6.49
6.43
6.91
. . 7.35
Monthly averages
1920
Average week ending
6
18
20
27
4
11
18
9.58
8.15
8.93
8.70
8.07
7.92
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
1918
8.72
8.78
9.58
9.11
8.75
8.49
1919
7.7K
7.81
7.67
7.82
8.12
8.69
8.28
7.7K
7.83
7.73
7.66
7.55
7.41
1920
8.18
8.31
7.84
QUICKSILVER
The primary .narket for quickeilver is San PranciBeo. California being
the largest producer. The price is fixed in the open market, according to
quantity. Prices, in dollars per flask of 75 pounds.
Date i Oct. 5 75.00
Sept. 21 75.00 " 11 75.00
28 75.00 | " 19 70.00
Monthly averages
1918
Jan 128.06
Feb 118.00
Mch 112.00
Apr 115.00
May 110.00
June 112.00
1919
103.75
90.00
72.80
73.12
84.80
94.40
1920
89.00
81.00
87.00
100.00
87.00
85.011
1918
July 120.00
Aug 120.00
Sent 120.00
Oct 120.00
Nov 120.00
Dec 115.00
1919
100.00
103.00
102.00
86.01)
78.00
95.00
1920
88.00
85.00
75.00
COLD SHIPMENTS
'The Boston News Bureau' publishes the following from London: "There
is to be no change in the policy of the British government regarding export
of gold to New York, and large shipments of yellow metal will continue
indefinitely. Volume will be limited only by the output of the mines, aa it
is understood the major part of all gold arriving in London will be sold for
American account. Reports of gold arrivals in New York appearing in the
financial columns of the London newspapers are now taken as a matter of
course.
"None of the gold recently shipped has been on the Government's account.
Shipments to cover the British share of the Anglo-French loan were com-
pleted long ago. All the gold now going is on private account, and the
export is not merely permitted, hut promoted by the British as tending to
restore healthy financial relations. Every shipment of gold means that
bills are being paid in that metal in New York as the easiest and cheapest
way of settlement. A large part of the commodities represented by those
payments are goods of British manufacture. The British Treasury sees no
advantage in having the gold held in Great Britain. The reserves in the
Bank of England cannot be augmented. The English banks are amply pro-
tected. With London as the world's immediate gold reservoir, the British
government is always in a position to regulate its outflow.
"Just now its interest is in having a good deal of gold flow into the vaults
of the Federal Reserve Board. British and American finance is so closely
interwoven that the British treasury takeB almost as great an interest in
our financial structure and transactions as it does in the Bank of England.
The theory iB that the supply of British gold to the Federal Reserve Board
is a sustaining influence that will react favorably, not merely to British in-
terests but will help to keep our Federal hanking system in a favorable
position as regards world finance.
"Mention has been made recently of the decrease in the world's supply of
gold, which it is estimated will this year fall below £70.000,000. a 27%
decrease from the world output five years ago, when it was over £96.000,-
000." and Samuel Montagu & Co. state that the gold imports and exports
.of the United Kingdom for August were:
Imports
RHSsia £ 715.530
Sweden 40.400
Netherlands 6.636
France 4.200
Switzerland
West Africa 55.941
United States of America
Egypt
Rhodesia 195.488
Transvaal 2.624.354
British India 48.500
Straits Settlements 8.732
New Zealand 2.741
Other countries 541
Exports
£ 530
1.320
137.500
3.443
3.346.000
89.250
1.118.548
Total £3.703.063
12.596
£4.709.187
MONEY AND EXCHANGE
Foreign quotations on October 19 are as follows:
Sterling, dollars: Cable 3.43%
Demand 3.44 %
Francs, cents: Cable 6.44
Demand 6.45
Lire, cents: Demand 3.85
Marks, cents 1-51
60S
mining and scientific press
October 23. 1920
Eastern Metal Market
New York, October 13.
Extreme dullness characterizes all the markets. That the
worst has passed is a quite general belief, particularly in
some well-informed quarters. The observance of Tuesday,
October 12, Columbus Day, as a holiday was a damper on
business.
Copper buying is exceedingly light, though it has increased
a little with a further fall in values.
The tin market is very quiet with consumers uninterested
and dealers only spasmodic buyers.
The lead market is the firmest of all, but is without ani-
mation. Prices are stationary.
Quotations for zinc are lower and demand is insignificant.
Antimony is quiet and unchanged.
IRON AND STEEL
The expectation of lower prices still controls the steel
market, but the readjustment is slow-paced, irregular, and
confused, says 'The Iron Age'. This week signs of changed
conditions have appeared in wire-products, tin-plate, and
some other lines which previously had escaped the effects of
the business reaction. Buyers of nails who have readily paid
independent makers' prices are now holding off and some
cancellations are reported. The weaker tendency in tin-
plate comes with the passing of demand from makers of
perishable-food containers. The largest independent pro-
ducers, with three months business on their books, are gen-
erally maintaining their position.
Steel-ingot production in September was substantially the
same as in August — 2,999,551 tons by 30 companies, which
made 85% of the total in 1919, as against 3,000,432 tons in
August. For the entire country the September output was
thus about 3,524,000 tons, or at a yearly rate of over
42,000,000 tons.
The re-selling of pig-iron has increased to such an extent
as to dominate the market in leading centres, with almost
no buying from furnaces. Some blast-furnaces may stop in
the event of lower pig-iron prices with no accompanying de-
cline in coke. The persistently high market for coke, $17 to
$18 being paid on spot shipment, makes a serious problem
for merchant blast-furnaces.
COPPER
Conditions in this market are by no means improved.
Prices, forced down by dealers and some small producers
and perhaps even by some large ones, have fallen to lower
levels. Just what the market is, it is difficult to definitely
say. One representative of a large producer placed the
range for electrolytic copper at 17 to 18c, New York. It
can definitely he said that small lots of electrolytic have
changed hands at 17.50c, which we quote as the market for
both Lake and electrolytic It'is possible that as low as 17
to 17.371c could be done, but there has been no fair test
on a large scale in the absence of demand by large consum-
ers. They are evidently waiting to see what the bottom will
be as a result of a nati .n-wide lowering of commodities in
general. There is a note of optimism, however, as to the
future and the belief of a radical change for the better by
November 15.
TIN
The week has again been a quiet and featureless one.
There is almost no demand. Consumers are uninterested
and buying by dealers has again fallen off owing to the
unsuccessful attempt of one dealer a week ago to revive the
market. This was referred to last week. Even on the New
York Metal Exchange business has been light. There was a
sale on October 5 of 25 tons of spot Straits under the ham-
mer at 42c On October 7 there were sales of 7 5 tons of
Straits for October-November shipment in three lots of 25
tons each at 43.25, 43.374, and 43.50c, respectively. The
quotation for spot Straits on Monday was 41.50c, New
York, and in London it was £265 15s. and future standard
£269, all declines from a week ago. Because of the holiday
on Tuesday, yesterday, and the lower London market, no
business was expected until today. Arrivals thus far this
month have been 1130 tons with 5065 tons afloat.
LEAD
There is very little to be said about the market, which
has undergone few changes. More metal is being offered,
both foreign and domestic, with sellers seeking orders hut
buyers very scarce. Imported lead is available at around
7.50c, New York, or seaboard, which establishes the Eastern
market; the quotation of the leading interest remains at
7.75c, New York, but it is not selling. Domestic lead has
sold for prompt shipment from the West at a slight conces-
sion from the price of the American Smelting & Refining Co.,
or equivalent to 7.70c, delivered at some Eastern points.
The outside market is quoted at 7.35c, St. Louis, while that
of the Trust is unchanged at 7.50c, St. Louis.
ZINC
There is very little demand and producers are not quoting
and are selling only to favored consumers for hand-to-mouth
needs. Prime Western, as established by imported metal
re-shipped from Europe, is quoted at 7.50c, New York, while
domestic zinc is quoted at 7.35 to 7.40c, St. Louis. An in-
quiry for a substantial amount for delivery in the first quar-
ter at 7.40c offered, St. Louis, was frowned upon by sellers.
A feeling of optimism is current, however, that the bottom
has been reached and that some will sell higher inside of two
months. While imported metal is a factor in this market it
is not expected to increase. Estimates place the total
amount contracted for for importation at about 7000 to
7500 tons.
ANTIMONY
The market is quiet and unchanged at 7c, New York,
duty paid, for wholesale lots for early delivery.
ALUMINUM
The market is unchanged. Virgin metal, 98 to 99% pure,
is held by the leading producer at 34.90c, producer's plant,
while other sellers handling foreign metal largely ask 29 to
30c, New York.
ORES
Tungsten: The market is without developments of any
significance and demand is very small. Quotations are
largely nominal and unchanged at $4.50 up per unit, de-
pending on the ore, its quality, source, and delivery. Prices
for ferro-tungsten are unchanged. High-speed steel is down
to $1.10 per pound.
Molybdenum: Quotations are unchanged in a very dull
market at around 70c per pound of MoS, in regular con-
centrates.
Manganese: About 2000 tons of Indian high-grade ore
has been sold at around 55c per unit, seaboard, the lowest
in some months.
Manganese-Iron Alloys: There is no demand for ferro-
manganese and prices are unchanged on a basis of $170,
seaboard, for foreign and domestic alloy. Production con-
tinues heavy, having been 27,686 tons in September, accord-
ing to the blast-furnace reports of 'The Iron Age'. Re-sale
alloy, at least, could be purchased at a concession, it is be-
lieved. The spiegeleisen market is quiet but steady at $80
and $82.50, furnace, for the low and high-grade product, re-
spectively.
letober 23, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
609
PROGRESS
Zfljj;
.
IIIMimilllllllllMllllllllIltllllllllll! I II II II II II 1 1
INFORMATION FIRNISHED BY MANVFACTURERS
1,11 ' ™« iiraimnmai mumam i muDmiui m n m m
•SONIC TRANSMISSION OF POWER
There are at present five methods in commercial use for
the transmission of power, namely, steam, direct mechanical.
electric, compressed air, and hydraulic. 'Wave-transmission'
and 'sonic transmission' are alternative names used to de-
niiiimiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiimini mum mm iimtiiiinn
scribe a sixth method in which are employed wave-motions
or pulsations set up in an enclosed column o£ liquid. The
liquid (usually water) is contained in a pipe connecting the
apparatus generating the wave-motions to the machinery
which applies them to useful work. Although apparently
similar to hydraulic transmission, the underlying principle
of 'wave-transmission' is totally and absolutely distinct. In
hydraulics a continuous flow of liquid or motion of the
MP *JI fill
■^LH^Lk^H - B^ ^^^^^UtE-^*?**^.
"MP * 8b J-
J
1^0£££^m*:
There is no continuous flow, the fluid progressively moves
forward and backward about mean positions. The wave
thus travels through the column of liquid and gives up its
energy to the motor at the far end. The motor is a simple
mechanism for converting the waves of energy into any de-
sired mechanical action.
Taking the simplest form of 'wave-transmission', imagine
two cylinders fitted with plungers, the cylinders on the un-
derside of the plungers being connected together by a long
pipe completely filled with water. If one of the plungers is
moved rapidly up and down it will set up at each downward
stroke waves of compressed water, which traveling along the
pipe at the speed of sound (about 4800 ft. per second) will
exert their energy on the plunger at the far end, and if this
be suitably loaded, a simple reciprocating motion will be
produced in exact synchronism with the reciprocations of
the first plunger.
Wave-transmission equipments are inexpensive to manu-
Wave-Generator, Electrically Driven
Wave-Power Drill
liquid column as a whole invariably occurs, whereas in
'wave-transmission' there need be no direct or continuous
flow, the particles of the liquid merely pulsating backward
and forward about a mean position.
Water is compressible. Owing to the degree of its com-
pressibility being very small compared to many materials in
daily use, the idea that water was incompressible came to be
accepted even by engineers. For the first time in the history
of mechanics advantage is taken in 'wave-transmission' of
the elasticity of water (and also of oil and other fluids) to
transmit energy.
What occurs in 'wave-transmission' can be illustrated by
simple analogy. In the ordinary speaking-tube, pulsations
set up in the contained air by the vibration of the speaker's
vocal cords travel in the form of sound waves to the far end,
where their energy is utilized in reproducing the vibrations
In the ear of the listener. The column of air in the tube
does not flow through the tube, hut the particles merely sub-
jected to small movements to and fro as the sound-waves
pass along. Similarly in 'wave-power transmission' the pres-
sure impulses set up by the wave-power generator travel
through the column of fluid contained in a metal pipe which
connects the wave-power generator to the wave-power motor.
facure, simple in construction, and practically 'fool-proof
in operation. They consist of:
Wave Generator: One or more metal cylinders each fitted
with a piston connected by a crank-shaft to any type of
high-speed prime mover such as an ordinary steam or in-
ternal-combustion engine or electric motor.
Wave Motor: One or more metal cylinders each fitted with
a piston, designed to receive the power-wave at the intake
end. The other end of the piston is suitably connected to
the tool or other mechanism desired to be operated. The
simplest application is found in such appliances as rock-
drills and riveting-hammers in which the piston is used as a
floating hammer and strikes directly on the shank-end of
the drill-steel or rivet-snap.
'Wave-Transmission' Pipe-Line: Ordinary rigid or suit-
able flexible piping is used to contain the liquid which ex-
tends from the wave generator to the motor, and is referred
to as 'the liquid column'. Various kinds of fluid may be
used, from water to heavy oil. The highest transmission
efficiency is, however, obtained through water.
In many ways electricity offers an excellent analogy to
explain both 'wave-transmission' and hydraulics, ordinary
hydraulics being represented by the continuous current and
610
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 23, 1920
'wave-transmission' by the alternating current systems.
From the scientific and practical point of view one of the
most interesting facts about 'wave-transmission' is this simi-
larity in many features to alternating-current electrical trans-
mission. The points of resemblance are not mere coinci-
dences. They go to prove the important fact that this purely
physical method of transmitting energy is closely allied and
is for all practical purposes a sister method, to the alternat-
ing-current electrical system. Anyone with a knowledge of
electricity will find it easy to understand 'wave-transmis-
sion'. The laws and formulae of wave and of electrical
transmission coincide to the extent that they are nearly in-
terchangeable. Most of the phenomena of electricity have
their parallel in 'wave-transmission'. For instance there are
direct equivalents for volts, amperes, frequencies, angle of
phase, induction, capacity, resistance, condensers, trans-
formers, and single-phase or poly-phase systems. In both
systems there are used generators, rotary and reciprocating
motors, and transmission lines.
G. Constantinesco is the inventor and W. H. Dorman &
Co., Ltd., Stafford, England, is manufacturing a complete
line of tools to take the place of compressed-air systems.
The Dorman company claims simplicity, portability, low
initial cost, and safety as leading features of their equip-
ment and estimate the comparative efficiency as follows:
Compressed Wave-power
air transmission
Mechanical efficiency over all 10% 50%
Cost of maintenance per annum in proportion to
the original cost of tools 100% 33%
Capital cost of plant, including prime mover 100% 50%
Power required to be put into the system to pro-
cure 1 hp. at the working-face 10 hp. 2 hp.
This method of transmission was used during the War
for 'C. C. gears' for automatic firing of aeroplane guns and
more than 30,000 equipments were made. Generators are
constructed in sizes from 10 hp. up and for frequencies up
to 50 cycles per second.
vertical swedging-die down against the steel and holds it in
this position in the same manner as the hand blacksmith, or
his assistant, holds the flatter or swage in hand forging.
The vertical hammer then strikes against the die, drawing
out the corners of the steel to proper gauge and thickness.
In making or re-sharpening bits the steel is shifted from
one hammer to the other, being alternately upset and
SULLIVAN LIGHT MODEL DRILL SHARPENING
MACHINE
The success attained by the adaptation of the air-hammer
process in sharpening and shanking drill-steel as incor-
porated in the Sullivan drill-sharpening machine, has re-
cently induced the manufacturers to design a new-model
sharpener, embodying the same principles but of smaller and
lighter construction, suitable for making and sharpening bits
on the steel used in the standard sizes of hammer drills.
This machine, which is shown in the accompanying illustra-
tion, is known as the Sullivan Class B sharpener, and is
designed for handling solid or hollow steel of any section up
to li in. diameter, and to make bits up to a maximum gauge
of 2i in.
The Class B sharpener weighs 1500 lb. as compared with
4000 lb. for the larger machine, occupies a floor area of
4 by 2J ft., and stands 5 ft. high. The essential features' of
the Class B sharpener consist of a horizontal hammer cyl-
inder and piston, operating a dolly for upsetting, and a
vertical cylinder and piston operating dies for swedging the
drill-bits or shanks. For upsetting, the steel is clamped in
steel dies mounted in the lower, or stationary, and upper, or
movable, jaws of a yoke or vise operated by a horizontal air-
cylinder situated in the base of the machine. The two ham-
mer cylinders are modified Sullivan DB.-6 drills, equipped
with floating hammer-pistons, and a valve motion which im-
parts a blow of great strength and liveliness to the dies and
dollies. Air is admitted to the horizontal hammers by the
same valve mechanism which controls the vise. In order to
secure the advantages of the floating hammer-piston in the
vertical member of the sharpener a novel construction has
been employed. When air is admitted to the vertical ham-
mer-cylinder, the pressure acts on top of an annular piston
fitted in the lower cylinder-head, which forces the upper
swedged until of the proper gauge and shape and the wings,
corners, and the cutting edge is properly drawn out to be'
uniform, and of the right thickness and angle. With a little
practice perfect bits of the usual shape are made in one heat,
in a minute or less, on either solid or hollow steel. Ordi-
nary dull bits may be sharpened in from 20 to 25 seconds.
In making shanks one heat is sufficient to forge those that
require upsetting only, or swedging only, and two heats are
necessary for shanks requiring both upsetting and swedg-
ing, such as the lugged or ear shanks used on Sullivan DX-61
and DR-6 drills. The Class B sharpener is fitted with a
number of improved devices, which enable ordinary and
special operations on the drill-steel to be performed with a-
greater measure of economy and time, and convenience for
the operator. As it has been found that a drill-steel punch
for opening the hole in hollow-steel bits and shanks is a
practical necessity, such a punch has been built into the
new machine. The double-taper bits which are doing so
much to reduce the cost of mining can be accurately formed
on the new Sullivan sharpener by means of an adjustable
gauge-plate and dies, which are operated by action of the
clamping-yoke or vise. Sixteen different gauges can be pro-
vided by means of the gauge-plate which is controlled by a.
key.
Mnmninif aM
EDITORIAL STAFF
T. A. RlCKARO. COITON
A. B. PARSONS. AMOCUTC EOl
Ifember Audit Bureau of Circulation*
Member A«»oclBlod Builnen* Pipers. Inc.
ESTABLISHED I860
PuUMed at UO Market St.. San Francuco,
bv the Dewv PuUithinff Company
BUSINESS STAFF
C.T. HUTCHINSON, Mana«C «
. H. LESLIE. 600 fisher bdi„ Cmicaio
. A. WEICLE, 31 NASSAU ST., NEW YORK
SCIENCE HAS NO ENEMY SAVE TMK IGNORANT
Ireued Every Saturday
San Francisco, October 30, 1920
$4 per Year — 45 Cents per Copy
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
EDITORIAL
NOTES
Page
. 611
OUR NATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY 613
Mr. Root on the League of Nations. The con-
fusion caused by partisan politics. Blame on both
sides. The reaction from the War. Pacifism and
the dread of entanglements. How conditions have
changed since Washington's day. Developments
of warfare. Playing a lone hand. The need for
some surrender of freedom of action for the sake
of the common good. Our debt to the dead.
THE OWNERSHIP OF MINE-WATER 614
A suit in Utah over the water cut in a tunnel.
What is 'percolating' water. Arguments in the
case. Litigation in Nevada. A similar issue.
Complications that would arise if the scope of the
term 'percolating' is not restricted.
DISCUSSION
INGINEERING EDUCATION
By Paul T. Bruhl 615
A four-year course for engineering students should
be sufficient. Advocates a longer working-day
rather than a longer course.
TMPIRE ASSAYS
By C. A. Grabill 615
The need for 'corrected' assays in current practice.
The umpire needs a definite standard on which to
base his work.
DIL-SHALE AND SHALE-OIL
By Hector McRae 616
Cost of mining oil-shale depends on the nature of
the deposit. Oil content of Uintah shale. Re-
fining losses.
IE PRICE OF GOLD
By W. B. Chomley 617
Gold is gold whether it has a government stamp
or not. Gold bullion and native gold are not neces-
sarily fine gold.
IE JAPANESE IN CALIFORNIA
By C. A. Grabill 617
Our standard of living dependent on land avail-
able for production of raw material. Japanese not
a servile nation hence competes not only with the
laborer but with those in all ranks of society.
Laws against immigration should be general.
ARTICLES
THE MINE AND MILL OF THE BELMONT SHAWMUT
MINING COMPANY — I, THE MINE
By Arthur B. Parsons 619
The property; where and what it is. Geology of
the deposit. Description of the mine. Mining
methods. Formerly square-set and fill-methods
were used, now shrinkage stoping adopted. Oper-
ating costs.
FIGHTING MINE-FIRES
By H. J. Rahilly 625
Practice at Anaconda. Causes of mine-fires. Gas-
eous products; carbon monoxide, carbon di-oxide,
and sulphur di-oxide. Isolation of the fire-zone.
The use of tailing as an extinguisher.
LABOR THE HOLDER OF THE NATION'S WEALTH AND
INCOME — III
By W. R. Ingalls 628
Last article of the series. The part of mind in the
production of wealth. Three elements in the pro-
duction of wealth; Labor, Capital, and Mind.
Quantitative production of principal commodities.
Methods of treating great profits.
NOTES
SODIUM SULPHATE 624
THE FLOTATION OF GRAPHITE 624
ORE-RESERVES OF THE RAND 627
DEPARTMENTS
REVIEW OF MINING 633
THE MINING SUMMARY 641
PERSONAL 642
THE METAL MARKET 643
EASTERN METAL MARKET 644
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS 645
Established May 24, 1860. as The Scientific Press: name changed October
I ol the same year to Murine and Scientific Press.
Entered at the San Francisco post-office as second-clasB matter. Cable
"T6B8: Pertusola.
Branch Offices — Chieaero. 600 Fisher Bdgr. ; New York, 31 Nassau St.;
London, 724 Salisbury House, E.C.
Price, 15 cents per copy. Annual subscription, payable in advance:
United States and Mexico, $4: Canada, $5: other countries. 56.
23
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 30, 1920
ONE EASY.
STEP
This Marcy 'BalUMill Will take
coarse feed and reduce it to
any fineness
With the ordinary ores there is no crushing advantage
in running two mills in tandem. Coarse ore mixed with
balls of many sizes results in an economy over the tan-
dem arrangement. The coarse ore assists in crushing
the fines. The ultimate fineness is determined by the
classifier or screen, with a 300% circulating load — this
represents three stages and the very action of the balls
and the migration through the mill is graded crushing.
Literature describing the Marcy Mill best
suited to your requirements will be sent
if you will write an outline of conditions.
The Mine and Smelter Supply Co.
DenVer
Salt La%e City
Neb) York Office: 42 "Broadway
El Paso
October 30, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
i>ll
T. A. K1CKARV. -
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Editor
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rP II ERE are aids more urgent than the lwnus on gold
•*• that the Californian miner ought to have. As soon
as the reeent rains started to swell the mountain streams
the State Railroad Commission gave permission to the
'movies' to run longer hours and to the merchants to light
their show-windows and electric' signs more freely, but
left the mining industry 20% short of its normal power.
STATISTICS prepared by the C. S. Bureau of Immi-
k-' gration indicate a net decrease, during the year
ended June 30, 1920, in the number of aliens working in
the mines of this country, of more than 2000 as a result
of emigration. While 3080 immigrants entered the
mining industry, 5279 miners departed for their native
lands. The iron and steel mills, on the other hand, gained
1515 alien recruits and lost only 174.
"FIGHTING FIRES in mines is the subject of an article
■*■ in this issue by Mr. H. J. Rahilly. He holds the ap-
pointment of mine-fire superintendent to the Anaconda
Copper Mining Company and is therefore in a position to
write with authority. We take the opportunity to com-
pliment Mr. John L. Boardman. the editor of 'The
Anode', which is the organ of the Bureau of Safety of
that company, on his publication, in which we often find
something to interest us.
T DAHO has reason to be proud of the fact that both the
•*■ candidates for the State Mine Inspectorship are fully
qualified engineers, and not, as has happened heretofore,
farmers, sheep-herders, or cheap politicians. The Re-
publican candidate, Mr. Stewart Campbell, is a graduate
of the mining school in the University of Idaho and
served with the engineer corps of the Army in the War.
The Democratic candidate, Mr. William M. Snow, is like-
wise a mining engineer and a graduate of the State
School of Mines; he has practised successfully in the
Coeur dAlene. Both are good men, and whichever is
elected the State of Idaho will have an excellent In-
spector of Mines.
T^IVERSION of the traffic in copper from the rail-
road to the steamship is one result of the increased
transcontinental freight-rates. It is announced that the
Anaconda company henceforth will transport its copper
from Great Falls by way of Seattle, thence by sea,
through the Panama Canal, to New York. Overland the
railroad tariff is $22 per ton ; the freight by rail to Seattle
is $7.75 and from there to New York by steamship it is
$8, making a total of $15.75, or a saving by the sea-route
of $6.25 per ton. The first shipment of 1000 tons was
loaded on the 'Hannawa' of the Luckenbach Steamship
Company at Seattle on October 16. Other smelting com-
panies are likely to follow suit.
TJTE note that the San Francisco Chamber of Com-
*" merce advises the people of California to vote
against the initiative measure to amend the Alien Land
Law of 1913. as against the Japanese, because it believes
that the real problem is "in the last analysis, one of
immigration ' ' and it considers that the measure contains
' ' unnecessarily harsh provisions concerning the guardian-
ship of the children of residents not eligible to citizen-
ship". The immigration of those "politically ineligible
to citizenship" should be forbidden by the Federal gov-
ernment, either by treaty or legislation, and preferably
by treaty. The initiative measure is considered likely
"to stir a spirit of irritation and hostility", calculated to
prove "a hindrance to the Federal government in the
attainment of a final solution of the question of immi-
gration". We concur.
T\ECTSION in the litigation between the Utah Apex
■*"' and the Utah Consolidated companies over lead-
silver deposits at Bingham has been made by Judge
Tillman D. Johnson of the U. S. District Court of Utah.
The opinion sustains the contentions of the Utah Apex
Mining Company. Briefly, it determines that the ore
deposits are associated with fissure-veins in the lime-
stone and that the limestone beds themselves do not con-
stitute 'lodes' within the meaning of the Federal mining
law. We shall give the text of the decision in a later
issue. The chief bearing of the decision upon contro-
versies in other districts arises from the fact that the
Court refuses to recognize the outcrop of the mineralized
limestone as the apex of a lode in a locality where the
distribution of the ore is associated with fissures that
cross the beds at a high angle.
%V7E note the organization of a Mining and Metal-
™ lurgical Society on the Kolar goldfield. in India.
The first president is Mr. C. F. Heathcote, the resident
manager of the Champion Reef mine and an engineer
well fitted to preside over a gathering of technicians. At
612
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 30, 1920
the first meeting he said: "We do not want to flood the
profession with papers on Kolar practice, but we do want
it to be known that we are leading in deep mining, in the
treatment of our ore, and in measures for the health,
safety, and welfare of our workmen." Among the local
problems on which information would be welcome is the
mitigation of the effects of 'rock-bursts' or 'air-blasts',
the consequence of stopes so extensive as to cause exces-
sive pressure on the hanging wall, as in the Lake Superior
copper region. Another is the alleviation of the heat in-
cidental to deep mining, that is, the technique of ventila-
tion. As to the mining of the ore and the treatment of it,
we believe our American engineers have not much to
learn from their friends in India, but concerning "the
health, safety, and welfare" of workmen there is much
yet to be said and done. We hope the new society will be
a means for stimulating improvements in this branch of
mine management.
A LTHOUGH so many of our people fight shy of the
-^*- League of Nations, they approve of plans for pro-
moting international co-operation in finance and com-
merce. At Brussels an International Chamber of Com-
merce is now firmly established. We are told that "for
years, enlightened business men everywhere looked for-
ward to the day when there would be set up in the world
an institution which would serve to bring the nations
together, and facilitate settlements of foreign trade prob-
lems. They had recognized that personal friendships be-
tween business men and bankers of the different nations
go a long way toward minimizing misunderstandings and
prejudices." So says the bulletin of the Chamber of
Commerce of the United States. It is true, and it is
pleasant to record, that business brings men together and
establishes mutual good feeling ; but is it not sad to recog-
nize that the interest in money affairs will promote co-
operation and lead to the organization of leagues for
expediting business, whereas the bigger and vastly more
important purpose of promoting international peace in
political affairs is relegated to one side. "The necessity
for co-operation in matters of world trade", says the
bulletin we quote, "is realized as never before". One
need not be a cynic to note that there is more care to
protect the money of the worthy bankers and their friends
than to safeguard the lives and happiness of the helpless
millions whose fate it is to be sacrificed in war.
T IQUID OXYGEN is of growing importance as an
■*-* explosive. Not long ago Mr. George S. Rice, of the
U. S. Bureau of Mines, discussed the subject in San
Francisco before the local section of the Institute. He
has published sundry data recently. Among other facts,
he states that one company, the Deutsche Oxhydrie, of
Surth, near Cologne, has furnished, since the Armistice,
64 plants for making liquid oxygen on the German coal-
fields. These plants have a total capacity of 1820 litres
of liquid oxygen per hour. At the metal mines of Ger-
many there have been added, since the Armistice, 46
plants with a total capacity of 1407 litres, and at the
.potash and salt mines there have been added 14 plants
with a total capacity of 450 litres per hour. Assuming
that only 25% of this aggregate capacity is utilized and
that the plants are operated for only nine hours daily
for 300 days in the year, this additional production of
liquid oxygen would be equivalent to 8,000,000 pounds
of dynamite per annum. Another interesting develop-
ment is the design and construction of small portable
plants for making three to five litres of liquid oxygen
per hour ; such plants are placed on trucks and are made
easily available for various engineering activities. Liquid
oxygen is an explosive that generates no injurious gases;
on the contrary, it improves the air of mine-workings.
For this reason we expect its use to expand in this
country.
TN this issue we publish the third and last of the articles
*■ by Mr. Ingalls. We feel certain that they will have been
read with keen interest. He brings into relief the gain
that has come to brawn from the successful use of brain.
The story of copper mining during the last decade is a
case in point. If it were not for the ingenuity and in-
ventiveness of the mining engineer and the metallurgist
many of the biggest mines would not exist as a source of
wages to thousands of laborers. During recent years
their wages were scaled in proportion to the selling price
of copper, which, in turn, was supposed to measure the
profit won by the employing companies. For a time, in
1915 and 1916, the efficiency of labor did not suffer.; we
remember being told cheerfully that the increase in
wages in Arizona, from $3.50 to $5.00, did not cause an
increase in the cost of producing the copper. Everybody
was happy. This did not last long. The workers slacked ;
some of them took a holiday and thereby caused dis-
organization ; others felt the relaxing effect of prosperity ;
it is certain that higher wages and shorter hours dimin-
ished the output per man per shift. Various classes of
workers fared unequally during the period of expansion
due to the exigencies of war ; the metal miner fared best.
Theoretically it might be desirable, as Mr. Ingalls sug-
gests, if corporations earning an excessive profit would
pay a bonus to their employees, but would the employees
of the successful corporation deserve more than those em-
ployed by its competitors? One may say also that the
stockholders in one corporation are not as individuals
more deserving than the holders of stock in the less suc-
cessful enterprises. Even if one conclude, with Mr.
Ingalls, that the profit is due to managerial excellence,
that is, to the superior intelligence of a few directing
minds, one must face the fact that much of the success
of mining is due to luck. Who is to decide how much is
due to luck and how much to skill? Any scheme of
economics that tries to correct the irregularities of life
on the basis of desert, of what various people deserve, is
stultified at the start. The greatly successful industrial
enterprises of this country are due first to natural re-
sources, next to the development of technicians competent
to exploit them efficiently, and last to an adequate supply
of labor. Each is essential. The technician, or the en-
gineer, using the word in its broadest sense, is the con-
necting link ; his is the mind that applies muscle to mat-
October 30, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
613
tt-r. labor to material, for the purpose of turning the
Batter and material to fruitful use for the benefit of
mankind. Only one man in sixteen is capable of direct-
ing liis own labor.
Our National Responsibility
As Mr. Klilm Root says: "A large majority of the
American people earnestly wish for an organization
among civilized nations, through which the nations shall
co-operate to prevent future wars, and that the United
States shall do her full share in that organization".
The wishes of this majority have been frustrated by
throwing the issue into party polities and thereby creat-
ing a prejudice that now makes it difficult to consider
the subject judiciously. Most of us will place the blame
on both sides, on the President for disregarding the
treaty-making power of the Senate and on the group of
Senators who so obviously determined to disregard the
welfare of humanity in their keen desire to humiliate the
President. The consequence has been an entire failure
in constructive legislation looking toward a League of
Nations and a perversion of the co-operative spirit that
marked our effort in the War. The fine emotions of that
heroic period have been allowed to subside and an
Americanism has been invented that has "no foundation
whatever in any of the authentic traditions of the Govern-
ment". We who went forth nobly to keep the world free
for democracy are now bidden to let the world, the old
world of Europe, stew in its own acrid juice. It is none of
our business, say the politicians ; we have done enough, let
us attend to our own affairs ; if we allow ourselves to be
tied by this Covenant we shall have to send our young
men to fight in quarrels that do not concern us, we shall
become entangled in all sorts of wars for which we are
not in the least responsible.
At the bottom of much of the opposition to our under-
writing the Covenant is an earnest feeling of pacifism
and a desire to keep out of more wars. The people of the
United States desire peace intensely and they hate the
idea of becoming mixed in the traditional enmities that
are still disturbing Europe. If we could avoid war by
political detachment from the rest of the world, we would
be justified from the point of view of enlightened self-
interest in keeping aloof. A man 's duty to his own house-
hold comes first; a Government's fundamental duty is to
protect the welfare of the people it represents. The pose
of minding one's own business is not heroic, but it may
be called shrewd. Unfortunately the conditions of the
world in which we live render any such detachment or
isolation entirely impracticable. We are not living in the
days of Washington and Hamilton ; they would smile at
those who quote them in regard to ' ' European entangle-
ments" because they would be the first to recognize the
I changes that have taken place in political geography.
! There is more intercourse today between America and
! Europe than there was a hundred years ago between
j North Carolina and South Carolina. The Atlantic is less
! of a barrier today than the English Channel in
I Napoleon's time. It should not be necessary to empha-
size this point ; the incidents of the late war have proved
in most dramatic fashion to what extent time and Space
have 1"' 'ii contracted in consequence of modern inven-
tions, and they suggest how much the development of
aerial attack may further shrivel the intervals of space
Upon which in "Washington's day it was possible to count
as a factor of political separation and national detach-
ment. Since the Republic was founded we have been
drawn into both of the two general European wars, de-
spite every effort to keep out of them. The opponents
of Mr. Wilson say rightly that he spoiled the national
purpose, as Mr. Root says, of co-operating for the pre-
vention of future wars, by playing a lone hand, in despite
of the Senate; but are not Mr. Wilson's opponents doing
their best to drive our country into exactly the same kind
of blunder, by urging the Nation to play a lone hand in
world affairs and to ignore the partners with whom but
lately we played a winning game against our common
enemy in the common interest, as we believe, of man-
kind? Shall we wash our hands of the War with our
purpose half-fulfilled? Today we are economically the
richest and most resourceful nation in the world ; shall
we shirk our responsibility as a trustee of the common
civilization to which we belong ? Humanity is in travail,
it is making a painful effort to emerge from the barbarism
of war, the inheritance of the jungle ; shall we stand by
as a selfish spectator? Would Washington or Lincoln
approve it? No answer is needed; we dishonor their
names by the mere supposition. All this talk of surren-
dering sovereignty to the League supposes that an asso-
ciation is possible without restriction of individual free-
dom; it is the freedom to make war and the liberty to
plunge millions into death and destruction that we want
to limit. We have entered into numerous arbitration
treaties, each one of which has meant some parting with
our liberty of action. Sovereignty is lost only when
liberty of action is taken from a country against its will.
The State cannot function without limiting the liberty of
the individual citizen, yet he is not conscious of losing
his essential freedom to do what is right and proper.
The whole structure of civilized life is based upon the
surrender of self-assertion for the sake of the common
good. We have taken from the individual man the right,
which he brought with him from savagery, to attack his
fellow. We must take from a nation the similar right,
also a belated barbarism, to attack its neighbor. For
nations as for individuals we substitute a court of appeal,
with power to arbitrate, adjudicate, and if all else fail
then to outlaw the offender. The swashbuckler and the
bandit among nations must be suppressed ; the double
standard of conduct as between individuals and as be-
tween nations must be rendered obsolete. That is the
purpose of the League of Nations. Surely it is a noble
purpose and worthy of our support as the chief exponent
of the democratic idea. For that we fought but lately
with no inconsiderable enthusiasm. We esteemed our
young men to have died for a noble cause. We talk now
about erecting memorials to them in the shape of mono-
liths, towers, and sacred fanes all over our broad land.
The sentiment is excellent, but somewhat hollow. To
614
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 30, 1920
those who have stood on the desolate battlefields of Eu-
rope and seen with their own eyes the sacred ground
upon which millions of men died for the sake, as they
believed, of putting an end to wars, it seems but a
mockery to erect structures of granite and marble. The
only memorial worthy of the unreturning brave is the
consummation of the idea for which they died: a league
of the nations for the enforcement of peace.
The Ownership of Mine- Water
The hearing of the suit of the Snake Creek Mining &
Tunnel Company v. the Midway Irrigation Company, on
appeal from the decision of Judge Tillman D. Johnson
of the U. S. Federal Court for the District of Utah has
been set for December next, when the case will be argued
before the U. S. Circuit Court of Appeals at St. Louis.
To the mining industry the final outcome of the suit is
sufficiently important to warrant discussion at this time.
The Snake Creek tunnel, which, by the way, is really an
adit, was projected jointly by the Judge Mining & Smelt-
ing Company, owner of various mines and of a large area
of mining property in the Park City district, and by the
group associated with Mr. Jesse Knight of Provo; but
the Judge company is now sole owner by deed of con-
veyance of all property, water, power contracts, and
other assets formerly owned by the Snake Creek Mining
& Tunnel Company. The tunnel has been driven 14,500
feet from the portal on Snake creek toward the Daly
Judge mine, the purpose being threefold : to afford drain-
age of the Park City properties at a lower level, to ex-
plore the territory traversed, and ultimately to provide
a means for cheaper haulage. Two 18-inch tracks or a
single track of 36-inch gauge can be accommodated. The
feature of the project that is the cause of controversy is
the development of an unexpectedly large flow of water,
the present stream being 20 second-feet with a probable
increase to 30 feet by the time the tunnel has been com-
pleted. The ownership of this water is an important
asset to the mining company, on account of its value as
a source of hydro-electric energy; in fact, one of the
factors determining the construction of the Judge electro-
lytic-zinc plant near Park City was the possession of
favorable power-contracts, which could not have been
obtained except for the title, to the Snake Creek tunnel-
water. The Midway Irrigation Company had certain
water-rights that it believed were affected detrimentally
by the driving of the tunnel ; the purpose of the suit is
to quiet title to any interest in the water developed by
the tunnel. There is an established principle of common
law providing that percolating water belongs to the soil :
the crux of the question is the meaning of the word 'per-
colating'. The interpretation for which the plaintiff
contends presumes that water issuing from a tunnel or
adit belongs to the owner of the ground through which
it is driven, regardless of its draining any spring or
other water-ehannel, unless the owner of the ground in
which such channel exists can prove beyond reasonable
doubt that the water claimed to have been diverted comes
from known channels with a definite direction of flow
leading to streams whose water is owned by the adverse
claimant. When the suit was originally tried, the Judge
company merely presented evidence to establish owner-
ship of the ground traversed by the tunnel and rested its
case there. The defendant company thereupon presented
evidence to establish its ownership to the water, the con-
duct of the trial being similar to suits involving apex
controversies in that elaborate exhibits and expert testi-
mony pla3red a prominent part. One of the plaintiff's
exhibits was a hydrograph of the flow from the tunnel
showing the periodic fluctuation during successive years.
However, it appeared that the periods of maximum flow
post-dated the peak-flow of the surficial streams by from
two to three months. This, it was argued, proved that in
reaching the tunnel the water from the surface must have
passed through minute cracks or capillary and sub-capil-
lary openings in the rock rather than through open chan-
nels of definite direction. Otherwise a much briefer period
must have elapsed between the time of greatest surficial
flow and the maximum flow in the tunnel. Sundry other
arguments based on the technical testimony of scientists
were advanced and the Court held in its decision that
the plaintiff had proved the water to be 'percolating'.
Litigation of a similar character was discussed in our
columns by Messrs. G. A. Duncan and R. T. Walker two
years ago. The dispute was between two mining com-
panies operating in the Eldorado Canyon district in Ne-
vada. It appears that the defendant company, after a
particularly dry season, sank a shaft at a point where
one of the strongest faults in the district crossed a deep
gulch. Water in considerable quantity was found and
was pumped to the company's mill a mile and a half
distant. The plaintiff, whose property was situated far-
ther down the same gulch, found that its supply of water
began to dwindle at about this time, although at the trial
it was established that this decrease was noticed some
weeks before the other company began to pump from its
'water shaft', or well. At any rate, operations at the
plaintiff's property had to be suspended entirely owing
to the inability of its mine to supply sufficient water
to keep the cyanide plant in operation. At the trial it
was shown that the total amount of water pumped by
the defendant was only a small proportion of the decrease
noted by the plaintiff, and the plaintiff was unable to
establish any significant relationship between the lessen-
ing of its own water-supply and the pumping from the
defendant's new water-shaft. The decision of the Court,
however, did not undertake to pass upon the question as
to whether water "flowing along a fault-plane entirely
enclosed in rock, is or is not 'percolating' water". Mr.
Walker pertinently suggested the complications that
might follow an attempt to narrow the scope of the term
'percolating water', that is, to recognize a fault, fracture-
zone, bedding-plane, or other vague passage-way as con-
stituting a 'well-defined channel'. It is evident that there
is enough scope for mining litigation without recognizing
obscure passage-ways as definite water-channels. Were
such a precedent established a company would risk some
legal entanglement every time it started to sink a shaft
or drive an adit._
October 30, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
615
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Engineering Education
The Editor:
Sir — In your issue of August 14 you discuss engineer-
ing education and invite farther discussion. I believe
that a four-year course ought to be considered ample.
for only a small percentage of students would be able
to afford six years in college. A mining engineer once
told me that the schools which insisted on a course longer
than the usual one of three or four years (I presume he
had in mind one of the German centres of learning)
frequently turned out men who, to borrow an expressive
term, were "meticulously precise". It sometimes hap-
pens that certain data are required quickly and not
altogether accurately. The man who has had a long
scientific training has had inculcated in him a reverence
for the greatest possible accuracy. For doing relatively
precise work a highly trained man is liable to prove
annoyingly slow. I give my friend's argument, for one
must acknowledge that there is a little substance in it.
Yet it is open to attack from so many points of view that
I find myself unwilling to make the argument mine. An
engineer who must have certain information right away
has been asleep somwhere along the line. I believe a
man would benefit far more from liis attendance at col-
lege if he were to precede it with a year's practical ex-
perience. It is usual, of course, to spend a few weeks
of each college year in a mine or mill. However, I do
not think that these spasmodic efforts are of full value,
II because the average young man, and to meet the problem
I squarely we must bear in mind the average young man,
Wlooks on this period of work rather in the light of a
^pleasant change from the lecture-hall. As you point out,
the medical student rightly serves a long apprenticeship.
You perhaps remember the story of the viva voce ex-
amination at which the examining doctor after giving
the details of a ease asked, "How many grains of
(would you administer?" "Twenty", replied the stu-
dent, and then on further reflection said, "No, sir, five
grains". "Too late", was the rejoinder, "your patient
is already dead". After I had left the university I
realized how short a time was actually devoted to in-
struction. Three sessions annually, each one of 10 to 12
weeks. Subtract Sundays and half-holidays and there
is not much left. While recognizing that the university
is an institution where character ought to be molded and
strengthened and where one should be taught how to
think, I feel that more hours of each day should be spent
in the lecture-room or the laboratory. Five or six hours
Saily are inadequate. I am therefore of the opinion that
instead of lengthening the college period, from four
years to six, the extra time necessary to embrace courses
in economics, etc., could be made easily enough by calling
for a seven-hour day. That would leave ample oppor-
tunity for social intercourse and evening study. I am
glad you stand for an all-round rather than a special-
ized training. A mining engineer ought not to be dumb
on every subject but mining. The university attempts
to cover too much ground, so that the knowledge re-
posing in the brain of the graduate is a criss-cross of im-
pressions rather superficially received and written in a
species of short-hand which he himself cannot always
decipher. I plead for the teaching of principles without
an attendant mass of useless trimmings.
Paul T. Bruhl.
San Juancito, Honduras, September 14.
Umpire Assays
The Editor:
Sir — A few days ago. during the course of conversa-
tion, an assayer of this city complained rather bitterly of
the lack of a definite standard for umpire assays of gold
and silver ores, and it seems to me that the time has
arrived for making 'corrected assays' in determining the
precious-metal content of these ores. By 'corrected'
assay I mean adding to the ordinary fire-assay a correc-
tion, properly determined, for the loss in cupellation and
when necessary for the loss in the assay slag. At present
ore-contracts are made on the basis of payment for 95%
(usually) of the silver content, which in turn is based on
the theory that smelter losses average 5%. The fact of
the matter is that while the apparent loss of silver may
be 5%, the real loss varies with the ore treated and its
true amount is obscured by the metallurgical gains made
on the silver not paid for because of the cupellation and
kindred losses.
The harm from this practice is due, not so much to the
actual quantities involved, which are comparatively
small, but to the lax work and uncertainties resulting,
especially the uncertainties involving the umpire
assayers.
W. J. Sharwood, at the conclusion of his experiments,
says that the percentage of cupellation loss varies in-
versely with the cube root of the weight and is 1 % for a
1000-mg. button of silver and 10% for a one-milligramme
button. Contracts usually specify that silver is to be de-
termined by the scorification assay and 0.2 A.T. is the
amount usually taken for assay, so one milligramme
616
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 30, 1920
would represent 5 oz. per ton or $5 at the present price,
and 10% would be 50c. per ton, a not insignificant item
to large shippers. To this is to be added the uncertainty
due to changes of heat and draft in the muffle, the pres-
ence of impurities, and the assay-slag loss. In the case
of ores containing 100 oz. per ton the cupellation loss
would be 3.7 oz. per ton, and if the ore contains zinc and
tellurium in appreciable quantities it would be more. If
the sample is referred to an umpire without statement as
to the method of assay, he will have to decide whether to
use crucible or scorifier and if the latter whether to use
0.1 or 0.25 A.T. for a charge, which of itself will cause
a variation in the result obtained. Of course, he is sup-
posed to act "in accordance with good practice", but
does good practice demand that he should cupel three or
four buttons together to reduce the loss, or does it not?
It cannot be said that he should get the maximum amount
possible because this might even be more than the silver
in the ore. There is no definite answer to the question,
but there should be, because this alone accounts for many
discrepancies between shipper and buyer. Has the ship-
per the right to run three or four assays and scorify the
buttons before cupelling so as to reduce the cupellation
loss and if two why not eight ? The practice seems to be
that the shipper can run any number or combination, on
which by umpiring he can win enough to pay for the
assay bill. This is passing the buck to the umpire and is
just the thing that was being complained about. Why
let such a condition exist? Why not run proof -assays, as
is done in bullion work, and if the amount be too small to
pay for the work of a proof -assay then make a correction
to bring the result to the 'proof in accordance with the
figure shown by practice to be necessary. The more ac-
curate knowledge of the true precious-metal losses result-
ing from this practice would result in better recoveries in
many cases. The only way to get the practice adopted is
for the shippers to insist on its use, because naturally the
buyer will not. In selling zinc-precipitate it is quite
important.
C. A. Gbabill.
San Francisco, October 16.
Oil-Shale and Shale-Oil
The Editor:
Sir — To answer your question off-hand, "What does it
actually cost to mine a ton of shale?" is like answering
similar conundrums, "How old is Ann?" How long is
a piece of string? Where does Senator Harding stand
on the League question?
Almost every group of shale-lands is a law unto itself.
For instance, it is definitely known that at the Catlin
property in Elko, Nevada, a 5-ft. vein of shale is now
being mined at a cost of $1.25 per ton, and this figure is
expected to be scaled down to $1 under steady opera-
tions, but this means nothing to operators in the adjoin-
ing States of Utah and Colorado, where conditions are
quite different.
When I first became interested in the shale deposits of
Utah, and after having sampled several of the beds that
were practically free from overburden, it was evident
that these deposits, ranging from 10 to 100 ft. in thick- '
ness, would have to be handled by up-to-date means and
under the direction of an efficient mining engineer.
Fortified with photographic views of these workable
deposits, I interviewed Daniel C. Jackling, of Salt Lake
City, and laid the matter before him. Mr. Jackling ad-
vised the employment of the Stimpson Equipment Co.,
of Salt Lake City, and Mr. Paul T. Boise, of that firm,
made an examination of the property and laid out plans
for mining equipment, handling material to the crushing |
plant, and conveying same to the bins, estimating cost of
same at less than 40c. per ton.
Last month I wrote to Mr. Jackling, asking for his
estimate of mining cost on another group of shale-lands
located in Rio Blanco county, Colorado, where there is a
bluff of workable shale about 50 ft. thick, practically free
from overburden, and at an elevation of 300 ft. above the
proposed plant-site. In his reply, received a few days
ago, Mr. Jackling estimates a figure of 50c. per ton as
being safe for present calculations, comparing costs with
those obtaining at the Chino and Nevada copper proper-
ties.
Underground mining of shale will present many diffi-
culties, as shale is a stubborn product to deal with. 1 1
think, however, that James Doyle, of Denver, who has i
located and validated large tracts of land in both the i
States referred to, could throw light on this subject, as j
he is a practical mining man and the work done by |
him shows intelligent direction. I do not think, however,
that much underground work, if any, will be undertaken
so long as there are so many attractive quarrying pros-
pects available.
The oil-content in the shale of the Uintah basin ranges
from a trace to 60 gallons of oil per ton of shale with i
plenty of tonnage available that will average about one
barrel of oil. These higher-grade shales will average in
by-products about 27 lb. ammonium sulphate, 2% wax,
and 5% asphalt Some thin strata ranging from two to
four inches in thickness, show as high as 76 gallons of
oil to the ton of shale, but no practical man would give
serious attention to these small deposits.
The commercial success of the shale-oil industry will
depend largely on the process adopted for destructive
distillation, and we have now 57 varieties to choose from.
One Denver 'scientist' claims to recover all the oil at a
trifling cost, and then from the residue he extracts gold,
silver, platinum, portland cement, fertilizers, and Liberty
Bonds.
About three years ago, my attention was drawn to the
Wallace process, at the St. Louis Gas Co.'s plant at East'
St. Louis, and after witnessing several tests, it not only
appealed to me, but also to others. Acting on the advice
of Dr. David T. Day, the Ute Oil Co. subsequently en-
tered into a contract for the installation of a 250-ton
plant, which is now nearing completion, and will be in
operation the latter end of this year.
Through a friend of mine in New Brunswick, Mathew
Lodge, who with his associate Sir William MacKenzie
1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
617
■pus the principal shale deposits of that Provina
Wallace process was recommended to the Anglo-Persian
Oil Co. of London, as being worthy of investigation j and
after a year's study their subsidiary company, the
P'Arcy Exploration Co., decided to install an initial
plant at Moncton, N. B., and their representative, John
Henderson, is now on this side to close a contract with
the Wallace company.
Taking a 5000-ton mining and retorting plant, and
basing the cost of mining at 50c. per ton, crude oil should
be produced at a cost not to exceed 80c. per barrel. A
refining plant of like capacity would cost considerably
more than the retorting-plant. Tests in refining have
been made by the Wells Oil Refining Process Co., of
Columbus, Ohio, and show a loss in refining of about
3%. The Standard Oil Co. at its research department,
in New York, on recent tests shows a loss in refining
of 2%. The loss in retorting will vary from 5 to 7%.
The quality of the gasoline, lubricating oil, and wax is as
good and possibly better than that refined from pe-
troleum. The wax especially is far superior to any pro-
duced up to date and has been so admitted by the trade.
0. T -,-.., n Hector McRae.
St. Louis. October 9.
The Price of Gold
The Editor:
Sir — Writing upon this subject in your issue of June
21, ilr. A. Moline stated, among other things, that no
[matter what the premium might be on gold as regards its
lvalue in paper money, its price in terms of itself, that is,
[in sovereigns, is still £4.25 per fine ounce (neglecting the
[fraction) and he showed by example how it could not be
(otherwise. This is tantamount to saying that one piece
lof gold can only be worth as much as another of the same
[weight and composition. Of course, if it were pure there
could be no variation in its value.
One might think that such an obvious fact would be
pelf-evident to everyone, but, on the contrary, it is one
that is by no means universally recognized. The ignor-
ance and misconception that exists regarding this once
sommon medium of exchange is really quite extraor-
iinary. This applies not only to its economic functions,
but also to its physical qualities. The superstition and
belief in its miraculous powers that so obsessed the minds
jf all throughout the Middle Ages is dying hard. Even
many of those who are closely associated with its pro-
duction have very vague ideas as to what is actually
meant by the term 'fineness' of gold and the relation
:his bears to its value.
While engaged in running a custom mill I have often
]:ried, with indifferent success, to explain to a prospector
tfhy his gold was worth, say, only £3 15s. per ounce when
lis ore had assayed so many pennyweights per ton, worth
Is. 3d. per dwt. And anyone who has had anything to do
vith a public treatment plant knows that these people
ire not wanting in acumen. A good many years ago I
vas in charge of a plant ou a gold mine managed by one
)f the 'old school' mine captains. On one occasion it
became neceaBary to rc-sm<lt and refine s bar <>f cyanide
gold that had previously been handed into the office.
When the output was finally made op this individual was
muoh perturbed to find that in spite of this particular
bar being worth several shillings more per ounce, its total
value was no more than before; it was slightly less, in
fact. He remarked in an insinuating manner that he had
observed a similar phenomenon on a certain occasion
when my predecessor was in charge. I could only answer
that although the coincidence was remarkable there was
really no evidence of collusion. This does not profess to
be a verbatim report of the conversation, which was
chiefly a monologue consisting of "Where's it to, where 's
it to".
Even in better informed circles, and among those who,
nominally at least, control the policy of some of our gold
mines, one can see indications of the idea that the value
of gold bullion depends upon some virtue, either peculiar
to a certain mine, or that can be instilled into it by a
metallurgical process, much in the way in which the
quality of steel can be altered by tempering or annealing.
It is probably this general failure to understand that the
relative values of gold coin and bullion depend upon
their respective contents in that element, and not upon
some internal change, or even the impress of a ruler's
head or other device, that enables quack political econ-
omists to foist upon the public those fantastic schemes for
balancing the national ledger by diluting the gold con-
tents, or reducing the size of coins.
W. B. Chomley.
Broken Hill, Australia, September 13.
The Japanese in California
The Editor:
Your resume of the Japanese question as it affects
California is complete and you have called attention to
its importance, but I do not think that you have ade-
quately stated the problem or the conditions governing it.
The standard of living in the United States is the
highest in the world today. This is not because of our
natural pre-eminence in brain power and physical ability,
much as we would like to believe it. We are the direct
descendants of the people inhabiting European countries,
and in many cases only one generation removed, so there
can be little difference in natural mental and physical
equipment. Our sandard of living is high because of
natural resources, such as a favorable climate, and more
acres of fertile land per capita than there are in any
European or Asiatic country. This may hurt our pride,
but it is true. We had the natural resources, ambition,
and strength because of a suitable climate and proper
food and so we devised the machinery to avail ourselves
of the wealth at hand and thus became a nation of doers ;
but our standard of living has reached or nearly reached
its maximum unless we take radical steps to preserve the
conditions that permit its increase.
Before the War it was estimated that our standard of
living required the produce of 15 acres of land per per-
618
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 30, 1920
son to maintain it. This does not mean that the produce
of 15 acres of land had a value in dollars and cents that
would pay for the material needed by one person under
the present standard, but it means that, throughout the
country, the corn, apples, cotton, barley, hay, and sugar-
cane, used direct or as raw material, necessary for the
average person, required 15 acres of land to produce
them. Our standard of living has not been lowered since
the beginning of the "War, so the estimate of 15 acres per
person made prior to that time is, to say the least, a
moderate one. Now there are in the United States only
a little over 18 acres per person and some of that is
sterile. In other words, the country is at the present
time approximately self-sustaining, but there is little or
no margin. It is true, we are exporting raw materials
such as meats and grains, but we are also importing an
equivalent amount of coffee, sugar, rubber, tobacco, and
wool. To obtain the raw materials cheaper than anyone
else we must depend on South American and African
products, and the amounts available are becoming in-
sufficient for the whole world, consequently we must
compete with European and Asiatic countries, which,
because of their lower standard, are able to offer more
labor in return than we can. In other words, there is
no market large enough in which we can dispose of our
manufactured products for raw products at a return
that will enable us to maintain our standard. We can,
of course, exchange manufactures with Europe and live,
as the old phrase has it, by taking in each other's wash-
ing, but this is limited by the fact that in most cases
Europeans or Asiatics can better afford to spend ten
hours of lower-standard life than we can spend ten hours
of higher-standard, so the market will be limited to a few
things in which our conditions permit us to excel. The
country with the lower standard can outbid the one with
a higher as long as other conditions are equal, because
in reality the bidding is in hours of labor, not in dollars.
The time has come therefore to restrict foreign immi-
gration, Japanese or otherwise, if we are utilizing all
our available land in producing raw material. We are
not quite doing it yet, and California is one of the most
' favored States in the amount yet available, but we have
already reached the point at which the law of diminish-
ing returns applies, and the next decade will see the
condition reached when it will be seriously felt.
We have the example before us, or at least those who
live on the Pacific Coast have. The Chinese came here
as a coolie class to work in the fields at a low wage. They
came in direct competition with the white laborers in
the early days and their further coming was stopped.
The Japanese came in much the same guise, but only
met a half-hearted opposition from the unions because
it was said that they would not cut the ruling schedule
of wages; besides, at that time there was a shortage of
labor, or there were more opportunities than there were
men, and the Japanese were content to take the places
that the white man did not want. They are, however,
not a servile race by nature and now they have come into
direct competition, not only with day-laborer but also
with the small storekeeper, the orchardist, and gardener,
and even the large rancher and big merchant. By their
willingness to cut prices and work longer hours they are
forcing down the standard of living of the white race on
the Coast ; that is, they bid more hours of work for the
best opportunities and there are not enough opportuni-
ties to go around. The Atlantic Coast has not felt this
competition directly and hence regards their presence
here with equanimity.
There are only two classes that desire the presence of
the Japanese: The first is the employer of labor on a
large scale. He needs more laborers than are available
at the moment and besides he needs them to keep the mis-
guided efforts and arbitrary actions (and sometimes not
misguided ones only) of the labor-unions in check. Nu-
merically this group is small but influential. The other
class consists of those with a militant belief in the Uni-
versal Brotherhood of Man and therefore necessarily one
great race of black and tans. Because the physical effect
of Japanese immigration has been felt so far only on the
West Coast this latter class is mainly in the East. When
it comes down to bedrock facts very few people of any
race, white, black, or brown, really believe in the one
big race idea, but there is a large class of people who
think they do, until brought face to face with the results.
I think the question is answered. I have seen it stated
that California cannot prohibit the ownership of land by
Japanese because the treaty between the United States
and Japan permits such ownership, and the present law
is therefore a violation of the treaty. The treaty pro-
vides that citizens of both countries may rent and own
warehouses, buildings, etc., for residence and commerce
and lease land for such purposes, but no provision is
made for the purchase of land. Japan itself has a law
prohibiting the ownership of land for foreigners, and
this law applies to Americans. Furthermore, the treaty
says "It is however understood that the stipulations in
this and the preceding Article do not in any way affect the
laws and ordinances with regard to trade, the immigra-
tion of laborers, . . . which are in force or may be
hereafter enacted in either of the two countries". This
is a provision that seems to cover amply any reasonable
exclusion act that may be desired.
Then why all this outcry by Japan ? Apparently it is
a smoke-screen sent out to cover up their doings in the
Orient, something to distract our attention while they
repsat the Korean episode just as the cry for racial
equality was raised at Versailles to furnish a quid pro
quo for the Shantung (let us call it) appropriation.
Japan's trade with the United States amounts to one-
third of that country's foreign commerce. She cannot
afford to have real trouble with us unless we have so far
relaxed our vigilance that a victory in a clash of arms
would be almost certain, but she is driven by the same
force that will drive us in a few years if we do not put a
stop to foreign immigration, and it is best to begin with
the non-assimilable races.
C. A. Grabill.
San Francisco, October 20.
October 30, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
619
THE SHAWMUT MINE AND MILL
The Mine and Mill of the Belmont Shawmut
Mining Company — I, The Mine
By ARTHUR B. PARSONS
Introduction. The operations of the Belmont Shaw-
Imut company are interesting for several reasons. The
Imine. formerly known as the Eagle Shawmut, is one of
Ithe oldest on California's Mother Lode; likewise, it is
lone of the most developed mines and it ranks among the
first in the value of its past production. The Belmont
Shawmut company is a subsidiary of the Tonopah Bel-
jmont Development Co., which owns virtually all of its
jeapital stock, acquired at the time the Belmont Shawmut
jwas organized in 1916. This is one of three promising
•properties that the Tonopah company purchased pur-
suant to its policy of utilizing its financial resources, as
[well as its excellent administrative and technical organi-
sations, for the development of new mines, to supplement
Ithe profit derived from the remarkable bodies of gold-
jsilver ore at Tonopah that first made the success of the
parent enterprise. Although handicapped by the preva-
' lent high prices for labor, material, and power, and by
fche additional burden that confronts any company whose
; output is gold alone, namely, the fixed price for its bul-
lion, creditable results have, been obtained. In order to
minimize the cost of mining comparatively low-grade ore
averaging less than $5 per ton, it was necessary to select
the most economical methods of mining applicable to the
>rebodies, and to equip the mine mechanically for effi-
cient operation. Of particular interest also is the de-
velopment of a scheme for metallurgical treatment where-
)y bullion rather than concentrate is marketed. This
reatment includes the cyaniding of raw flotation con-
centrate.
The mine lies somewhat south of the centre of the
Mother Lode, about five miles east of Chinese station, in
Tuolumne county (see map). It is near the site of the
letch Hetchy reservoir, which is to supply water and
power to San Francisco, and is on the main road to the
Yosemite valley. The adjacent country is remarkable
for its natural beauty, being rugged and not too thickly
covered with timber.
Geology. The Shawmut vein is distinguished by the
characteristic outcrop of massive quartz; it strikes N.
MONO
40° "W. and the dip is approximately 70° in a north-
easterly direction. The rock on the hanging wall is a
schist, resulting from intense metamorphism of sedimen-
tary rocks and is readily distinguished by its dark color
from the lighter brown slate of the foot-wall. The width
of the vein varies from 12 to 35 ft., the average being
about 18 ft. Just beneath the vein proper is a layer of
impure dolomite that varies considerably in thickness;
this separates the vein from a band of gouge, which, be-
cause of its unusual character, has a peculiar bearing on
the methods of mining. There are three fairly distinct
620
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 30, 1920
kinds of ore, although sundry intermediate types grade
into them. The ore styled 'sulphide' contains little free
gold, but about 9% of gold-bearing sulphides including
pyrite, marcasite, and mispickel. In general, the sul-
phide orebodies are composed of a series of well-defined
lenses, with their long axes horizontal; one shoot, south
of the shaft, averages 25 ft. in width and is 500 ft. long.
The north, or 'quartz', orebody contains a larger pro-
portion of free gold and is more nearly a true-fissure de-
posit. A third kind of ore called 'schist' is found at
different points throughout the mine; it contains a
smaller proportion of sulphides.
The Mine. At the present time the working entrance
to the mine is a long cross-cut adit, untimbered for the
most part and about 8 by 10 ft. in dimensions. At a
point 1800 ft. from the portal the adit meets the old
inclined shaft that formerly was used for hoisting ore
to the surface 400 ft. above the adit-level. Some years
ago the shaft-pillars above the adit were robbed to such
an extent that the shaft was lost in spite of belated
efforts to save it; a huge 'glory hole' on the surface,
looking as though a good many thousand tons of ore had
been taken from it, marks the site of the caved workings.
It was finally decided to utilize the adit for hauling
the ore to the mill and to cut a large underground sta-
tion in the hanging-wall side of the vein for the erection
of the electric hoist and auxiliary equipment that had
been at the collar of the shaft. Below the adit, the shaft
was in fair condition, although in need of some repairs ;
there were two hoisting-compartments, 5 by 5 ft., and a
manway, 5 ft. by 4 ft. 6 in. ; and by swinging a short
distance into the hanging wall, as further sinking was
done, it has been possible to maintain the shaft at a
reasonable cost. The hoist-room is 45 ft. long by 33 ft.
wide and is timbered with five-member arches of 18 by
18-in. sawed timber spaced 6 ft. centre to centre. Smaller
timbers would serve to hold the ground ; the larger were
used to ensure durability and avoid replacement. The
important factor in first cost is not the expenditure for
material, but for labor ; and this is little more for 18-in.
timbers than for the smaller ones.
The entire floor is concreted. A two-compartment raise
was driven at an angle of 27° with the horizontal to ac-
commodate the 14-in. round hoisting-cables running over
7-ft. sheaves, set on concrete pillars at a point 100 ft.
above the level of the adit. This is shown in the accom-
panying sectional drawing of the underground crushing-
plant. The hoist, set on substantial concrete foundations,
was built by the Union Iron Works of San Francisco ; it
is actuated by a 400-hp. General Electric induction motor,
which is connected through a flexible steel coupling and
a large 16-in. herringbone gear to the hoist-shaft. The
brakes and clutches are operated by compressed air and
a set of C. R. Welch safety devices automatically applies
the brakes in case of over-wind or excess speed. A small
Giant duplex compressor independently supplies air for
operating the hoist-brakes if the main compressor-plant
at the portal is not running. Should the electric current
fail at any time, the brakes on the hoist would operate
automatically under the influence of heavy counter-
weights. The centre of the 7-ft. drum of the hoist is 127
ft. from the sheave and 120 ft. behind the shaft-timbers.
Power is brought to the vicinity of the hoist at 2200 volts
and a bank of 125-kw. General Electric and another of
three 75^kw. Wagner transformers step the current down
to 440, all the underground motors, including those in
the crushing-plant and in the various pumping-stations,
requiring this voltage.
Haulage. In conjunction with the placing of the
hoist underground, it was also determined to erect the
coarse-crushing plant at the same point. Among the
considerations that weighed, a few may be mentioned.
The ore originally had been lowered from the hill above
in a gravity tram. The portal of the adit, on the other
Fig. 3. side-dump ore-car
hand, was somewhat lower than the head of the mill, so
that, if the coarse crushing were done outside the mine,
elevating and conveying-machinery would be necessary.
As it is, the mine-cars, by running on a slight up-grade
after leaving the adit, can be dumped directly into the
mill-bins. The hoist does the elevating and the amount
of handling is reduced to the minimum. Another saving
is the decreased time required to load crushed ore as com-
pared with run-of-mine material; this has resulted in a
considerable economy in equipment as well as labor. The
capacity of the 450-ton storage-bins affords desirable elas-
ticity in hoisting operations, with resultant saving. The
design of the bins and the arrangement of the crushers
is shown in the accompanying illustration. Fig. 1. The
construction throughout is strong and substantial, and
should require little expense for maintenance. Concrete
is used generously, with reinforcement where needed,
for example under the crushers and the floor of the
coarse-ore bin. Above the bins are 33-ft. arches similar
to those that support the roof of the hoist-station.
Three-ton steel skips made by the Angels Iron Works
dump directly into the bin, which holds 300 tons. The
gates of this bin are of the finger type, seven individually
counter-weighted fingers constituting each gate. One
October 30, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
621
man operates the two No. 5-D Gates gyratory crushers
set to crush through a two-inch ring; they are driven by
a 75-lip. General Electric induction motor connected to
the line-shafting through a flexible leather coupling. A
10-in. double leather belt with short-centre drive runs
one crusher, while for the other a 12-in. six-ply Good-
was discarded as being troublesome and unnecessary.
Loading from the crushed-ore bin is done through four
are-type gates, the details of which are shown in the
sketch, Fig. 2. A novel feature is the operation of these
gates by compressed air in a pivoted cylinder to which
the air is brought through short flexible hose conn«*tions.
'•m»*>>mmf!mxmP
FlG. 1 UNDERGROUND CRUSHING-PLANT
rich Blue-streak is used. One crusher is equipped with a
manganese-steel mantle, which has crushed 75,000 tons
and is expected to crush 250,000 more, while a solid head
of chilled steel on the second was discarded after crush-
ing 75,000 tons. The concaves are made in two sections,
the upper, 13 in. long, being made of chilled iron, and the
lower six-inch section being of manganese-steel. A travel-
ing grizzley was planned to precede the crusher, but this
The loader operates the gates while standing on a plat-
form on the side of the car opposite the chute. A hinged
lip balanced by a counter-weight is available in an
emergency to catch possible runs. • •
The pumps underground are operated by electricity,
although several air-pumps are placed at critical points
to serve in the event of the failure of electric power. It
may be mentioned that the company has some water-
622
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 30, 1920
power available as an alternative, so that compressed air
may be supplied independently of electric current. On
the sixth level, 450 ft. below the adit, a Deming horizontal
6 by 8-in. triplex pump run by a 25-hp. General Electric
induction motor raises 150 gal. per minute through a
4-in. column. The mine does not make a great quantity
of water and an old drift in which has been built a con-
crete bulkhead has a capacity sufficient to store the ac-
cumulation of 48 hours. A Snow steam-pump, connected
with the air-line, can be used if required. From the 16th
level, 1834 ft. below the adit, an Aldrich 4 by 10-in. ver-
tical triplex pump relays 100 gal. per minute to the
reservoirs on the sixth level, while a smaller pump, of
circulation and improve ventilation. The company's
policy is to make conditions comfortable for its men, but
at the same time it appreciates thoroughly the good in-
fluence of desirable conditions on operating account as a
result of increased efficiency of its employees.
Mining Methods. The stations on the lower levels are
10 ft. high, 20 ft. wide, and run back 45 ft. Except for
a brow-set there is no timbering ; this speaks well for the
character of the rock of the hanging wall. The ore-
chutes, or skip-pockets, with a capacity of 225 tons, are.
made by raising in solid rock from a point 50 ft. below,
the floor of the station. The front of the pocket is 28 in.
behind the shaft-timbers at the bottom, and is vertical.
Fig. 2. arc-gate operated by compressed air
similar manufacture and type, provides for the water
made between the 16th and 18th levels.
On the 18th level at the shaft-station there is installed
a Sirocco fan, or blower, witi a capacity of 30,000 cu. ft.
per minute, run by a 50-hp. Westinghouse induction
motor. The mine had always been warm, and when the
lower levels were opened this condition became more
marked. The blower was placed at the back of the sta-
tion and a light wall was built to separate the station
from the hanging-wall drifts, north and south. The
intake of the fan is on the station side of the wall, where
fresh air from the down-cast shaft prevails; the outlet
enters the drifts on the opposite side of the wall. The
machine therefore acts both as a suction-fan and as a
blower, the result being a decided improvement in the
atmosphere of all the workings. A raise at the north
end of the mine, now partly completed, is to be equipped,
when finished, with another fan, to further stimulate
The steel gates are operated by compressed air and the
chute-lips are folded up each time a skip is loaded. Just
above the pocket for ore, and separated from it by a ■
pillar of solid rock, is a smaller one for waste. The griz-
zley over the ore-chute is novel. It is 12 by 10 ft. in area
and is composed of old stamp-stems, spaced 8 in. apart
and laid 3 ft. below the level of the track. The large size
permits as many as eight or ten cars to be dumped at
once, so that tramming need not be obstructed, while the
ear-men are breaking the large pieces. One-ton side-
dump cars of the cradle-type, manufactured by the
Angels Iron "Works, run on tracks on either side of the
grizzley. This ear, shown in Fig. 3, is highly esteemed
at the Shawmut. It is simple in construction and easily
and safely operated. Large rocks cannot jam in it and
there are no gates, hooks, or levers to get out of order.
It is substantially built, has roller-bearings, and seems
to be an ideal ear for the requirements at this mine.
October 30, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
For drilling in development work and in shrinkage
Itopee the [ngersoll 148 and 248 machines and a few
'Dreadnoughts' arc used, [ngersoll Btopers,
C-ll, are preferred for raising and for stoping in
the Bchist ore, while [ngersoll 'Jackhamers' are used for
Bogging and similar work. A central shop near the
station on the 16th level has been established, where
crippled drills arc brought for repair and adjustment.
Judging from several thousand holes that have been
punched in solid roek. a drill does not leave this shop
until its efficiency has been demonstrated by actual test.
Saws, axes, and hammers also come here for repair.
During the latter part of 1919 a number of changes
were made in the methods of miniug. Formerly, when
the heavy sulphide orebodies were worked by the ordinary
square-set and fill methods, huge blocks of ore, often in-
cluding lenticular masses, broke away and crushed the
timbers beneath them. Bulk-heading of every alternate
set was tried, but even then the pressure was so great as
to completely close the working-floor, breaking or driving
the timber down into the filling, so that if recovered at
all the ore was obtained slowly and at great expense.
Accordingly a system of top-slicing first was tried ex-
perimentally and then applied successfully in places
where the level above had been mined and the old fill lay
above the block to be stoped. Untimbered chute-raises, 4
by 7 ft., at 50-ft. intervals, in the hanging-wall side of
the vein, were run through the ore to be removed.
Mining was commenced at the point nearest the shaft
just beneath the old fill on the upper level. A cut was
taken immediately on the hanging wall and run to the
opposite end of the shoot, being timbered with light sets
sufficiently strong to hold for a short time. The next
Step was to retreat from the extreme end, taking the re-
mainder of the vein as far as the foot-wall, the only sup-
port being occasional stulls with a large head-board to
protect the miners. As soon as the timbers in the com-
pleted slice begin to take weight they are blasted, thus
allowing the mat of old timber and overlying 'gob' to
come down to the floor-level. Having reached the start-
ing point, the next slice below is taken in exactly the
same way. As the stope is carried down, a manway,
above the chute-raise, is lagged and kept open to afford
communication with the upper level. This system proved
to be much less expensive, less dangerous, and more
rapid than the old square-set procedure.
For work in the lower levels also a method of shrink-
age stoping has been adopted, some features of which are
of interest. Chute-mouths are inserted at intervals of
10 ft., centre to centre; they are 3 by 4 ft. in the clear,
constructed of 3 by 12-in. plank. The purpose of this
close spacing of the chutes is to maintain an approxi-
mately level, rather than a wave-like, top when drawing
the stope, so that wall-rock and waste will follow uni-
formly with the minimum amount of mixing with the ore.
Cribbed manways, at intervals, are advanced with the
stope, which when once started must be pushed rapidly
to prevent loosening of the ore overhead. This is one of
the essential points on which the success of the scheme
; depends. When the stope has advanced to within 30 ft.
of the upper levels, raises are driven through at intervals
It. and the pillars are blasted in 0, be-
ginning at the cud of the stope farthesl removed from
the shaft, thus allowing the old tilling from above to run
down and follow the ore as drawing proceeds.
Stupes arc worked so that the unniincd portion of the
vein tonus an arch, which lessens the possibility of falling
ground; where the stope is more than 100 ft. long a
double arch may be established. The middle pillar rests
upon broken ore until the crown on each side is advanced
20 ft., after which the pillar is blasted and new arches
are started. The distance between levels is 200 ft, but
below the 19th this interval is to be increased to 300 feet.
In the quartz orebodies, on the north side of the shaft,
a shrinkage method with some modification has been in-
troduced. A series of grizzley chambers 25 ft. above the
sill, lagged on the hanging-wall side of the vein for the
protection of the workmen, enables the breaking of the
ore to shoveling size before it enters the adjacent chute.
Above the chambers the work is done as in the stopes
just described.
In the most recent development work, on the lower
levels, laterals or hanging-wall drifts are driven 15 ft.
from, and parallel to, the vein instead of following the
ore. Cross-cuts at irregular intervals are then driven to
the lode itself. Experience has shown that timbering in
a drift on the vein will be replaced at least twice and
frequently three times before the ore is mined ; and since
this kind of work is particularly slow and expensive there
is obvious economy in placing the laterals at a reason-
able distance in the wall, where any timbers that may be
required will last as long as the ground must be kept
open.
The hanging wall is invariably good, but the foot-wall
generally gives trouble on account of a layer of gouge
material, underlying the talc and dolomite that forms
the immediate foot-wall. As soon as the wall is exposed,
the gouge swells, cracks the dolomite where it is less than
15 or 20 ft. thick, and exerts such a pressure within a
short time that no timber, apparently, is able to with-
stand it, although it seems that after proceeding to a
certain point this swelling ceases and the excessive pres-
sure is abated. Fortunately the swelling is not sufficient
to close up a stope, so that there is always a passage for
the ore in shrinkage operations, even after a considerable
period has elapsed. The appreciation of this fact ob-
viously was fundamental in the development of the min-
ing practice.
The ore from the underground crushing-plant is hauled
through the adit in trains of two 6^-ton side-dump cars
with 30-in. gauge, 300 tons being delivered in an eight-
hour shift. The locomotive was built by the Moore &
Scott Iron Works of San Francisco and is propelled by
two 30-hp. General Electric direct-current motors, one of
which is geared to each axle. Current, supplied from an
overhead trolley-wire, is converted from alternating to
direct by a General Electric motor-generator set at the
portal of the adit. The motor is 60 hp., induction type,
and the generator operates at 1200 r.p.m., producing
145 amperes at 250 volts.
624
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 30, 1920
Costs. The following figures include the operations
during 1919 and indicate the results obtained. It should
be remembered that at that time the efficiency of mine
labor everywhere, as indicated by the output per man,
was low; the miner was not producing at the rate of a
few years before.
Per man in stopes
Per man on development
Per man underground
Per mine employee (includinir surface-men) .
Per drill-shift in stopes
Per drill-shift on development
Per drill-shift (total)
Tons of ore
4.60
3.19
3.84
3.25
28.09
5.49
21.18
Tons ore and waste
3.30
Per mine employee (ineludingr surface-men)
An analysis of the mining cost for the operating
period of 1919, during which time the average monthly
tonnage was 12,759, is shown below, the details being
given for the purpose of interesting comparison.
Tabulated Costs
Development, direct Labor
Miners 80.094
Muckers and trammers 0.033
Timbermen and helpers 0.013
Stoping. direct
Miners 0.164
Shovelers 0.316
Trammers 0.275
Filling 0.004
Timbermen and helpers 0.092
Piston drills, repairs, and maintenance... 0.002
Stoping drills, repairs, and maintenance. . 0.004
Steel and sharpening 0.018
Explosives 0.007
Hoisting underground 0.075
Auxiliary hoisting 0.010
Pumping and ventilating 0.019
Sampling and assaying 0.007
Surveying 0.016
Superintendent and shift-bosses 0.072
Surface and plant 0.015
Lighting 0.003
Tram to mill 0.012
Drayage 0.001
Maintenance and repairs of buildings.... 0.001
M. & K. tools 0.003
M. & R. pipe-lines 0.003
Supplies Power
$0,005 $0,014
0.001
0.007
Total cost direct mining $1,258
Administration
Mine office 0.027
Taxes and insurance
Legal and traveling expenses
General expense 0.001
0.011
0.007
0.006
0.067
0.019
0.014
0.013
0.193
0.016
0.006
0.006
0.018
0.010
0.004
0.003
0.001
0.002
0.008
$0,415
0.035
0.010
0.086
0.001
0.019
0.031
0.020
0,008
0.032
0.001
0.003
0.002
Total
$0,113
0.034
0.019
0.206
0.333
0.281
0.004
0.162
0.031
0.018
0.031
0.200
0,111
0018
0.057
0.014
0.016
0.072
0.031
0.016
0.018
0.004
0.002
0.005
0.011
$1,787
0.035
0.037
0.086
0.001
0.020
Total cost indirect mining $0,028 $0,151 .... $0,179
Cost per ton 1286 $0,566 $0,114 $1,966
Sodium Sulphate
There is a demand in Sweden for sodium sulphate, the
paper manufacturers generally being in need of supplies.
If American manufacturers of chemicals can promptly
satisfy the present demand'at reasonable prices a steady
market will be assured, according to the U. S. Department
of Commerce. The Swedish Paper Mills Association of
Stockholm uses on an average 40,000 tons of sodium sul-
phate per year, and the manufacturing director states
that orders will undoubtedly be forthcoming as soon as
sure sources of supplies are found.
Wood-pulp for paper manufacture is likewise an
important and flourishing Swedish industry, its future
being assured by the vast timber supply of the country.
In 1919 there were 807,761 tons of wood-pulp exported
from Sweden, the value of which was $13,649,000. The
wood-pulp industry is likewise in need of a steady supply
of sodium sulphate, the home manufacture being by no
means sufficient to meet the demand.
The Flotation of Graphite
Much interest has been shown in the last year or two
in the possibilities of oil-flotation for the concentration
of graphite ores, and it has been demonstrated that by
this system flake graphite can be treated both cheaply
and efficiently, says the ' Canadian Mining Journal'. The
avoidance of the preliminary drying of the ore, necessary
in all methods of dry concentration and in surface-ten-
sion or film flotation, is an important consideration from
the standpoints of expense and mill-capacity. Additional
features are, that a much smaller mill building, involving
less initial expenditure, is required to treat an equal ton-
nage of ore as compared with dry concentration; that
there are fewer machines and appliances requiring con-
stant attention and repairs, and that a smaller force of
men is required for operation of the plant. A number of
graphite mills in Alabama are employing oil-flotation
machines of one type or another at the present time, and
the system has also been applied successfully to Pennsyl-
vanian ore. In both cases, the ore treated is of relatively
low grade, carrying only 3 to 5%; of graphite. Oil-flota-
tion has also been adopted by the American Graphite Co.,
in New York, and is reported to be giving satisfaction.
The New York ore is similar in its general characteristics
— hardness, texture, and associated minerals — to the
Canadian graphitic-gneiss ore. A number of tests with
oil-flotation have lately been made on Canadian ores, and
a Callow plant was installed in August 1914 at one of
the mines in the Buckingham district. Unfortunately,
however, the mill was destroyed by fire before the system
had had an opportunity of being properly tried out.
Three Canadian mills have since been equipped with this
system of oil-flotation.
The engineer of today who wants the latest thing in
surveying instruments at a thousand of the company's
dollars per transit often fails to realize what really good
work can often be done with inferior instruments, or
even with no instruments at all of modern design. The
ancient Egyptians certainly did not have the modern
transit and spirit-level, nor even the science of trigo-
nometry, yet as a record of their achievement it is stated
"the highest pitch of accuracy on the large scale was
reached under Khufu in the IVth dynasty ; his pyramid
had an error of less than 0.6 of an inch on its side of
9069 inches, or 1 in 15,000, and its corners were square
to 12 seconds. A change of temperature during a day
would make larger errors than this in a measuring-rod.
The accuracy of levelling and of finish of the stone is on
a par with this ; joints over six feet long are straight to a
hundredth of an inch. ... In smaller work, a beauti-
ful sarcophagus of Senuser II, which is ground flat on
the sides with a mat finish like ground glass, has only
about a two-hundredth of an inch error of flatness and
parallelism of the sides. ' ' This degree of accuracy would
not be expected today in works of the same type and we
can only speculate as to how it was accomplished with the
inferior tools of that time.
■• 30, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
Fighting Mine -Fires
By H. J. RAHILLY
625
•The mining industry, like all other industries, has to
guard against the possibility of fire, which, in the case of
a fire underground, is apt to be more serious than a sur-
face fire, both as to personal injury and financial loss.
In combating a mine-fire the handling of the gas is gen-
erally a much bigger problem than the actual putting out
of the fire.
Butte, like most mining districts, has had several mine-
fires in the past, and today there are several mines fight-
ing fire in districts that are walled off by concrete stop-
pings (bulkheads).
The chief causes of such fires are :
1. Defective electrical equipment.
2. Incendiarism or carelessness.
3. Spontaneous combustion.
The use of electricity in the mines for running pumps,
fans, motors, electric lights, shaft and signal bells has
made it necessary to use wire covered with a good grade
of insulation and cables insulated with a lead or asbestos
covering. Care must be taken to see that these wires are
placed where they will not be hit or injured, and in the
case of trolley-wires, to see that the hangers are well in-
sulated. On account of the acid water in most of our
Butte mines, ordinary insulation is soon eaten away if the
wires are in a wet place and frequent inspection is neces-
sary, so that a hare wire will not come in contact with
some inflammable material.
Incendiarism or carelessness has heen the cause of
numerous small fires, but these have been discovered be-
fore they became serious and were extinguished.
The other cause of mine-fires, spontaneous combustion,
has heen the origin of most of our large fires. Inflam-
mable materials, such as tarry ropes, canvas, dry timber,
manure, and hay have been left in the gob some years
ago, and, owing to ground movement and decomposition,
heat has heen generated sufficient to start a fire, also the
heat resulting from the oxidation of the fine sulphide ore
is sometimes sufficient to set fire to the timber. These
fires are serious hecause they generally occur in parts of
the mine that have been mined out, caved, and are in-
accessible.
At the present time, the places that are most suscep-
tible to fire, such as working shafts, stations, cross-cuts
and drifts having high-tension wires in them, motor, fan,
land transformer stations, oil-houses, and powder-mag-
azines are covered with 'gunite', or cement mortar, so as
to make it difficult for a fire to start.
Concrete stoppings (bulkheads) with iron doors are
I placed near the shafts on each level throughout the dif-
ferent mines so that should a fire start it can be isolated
to some extent.
•From 'The Anode', the monthly publication of the Ana-
Iconda Copper Mining Co.
When a fire is discovered, inspection trips are made
with oxygen apparatus, if necessary, to locate, if possible,
the extent and exact location of the fire. This is not al-
ways possible hecause sometimes the fire is in old worked-
out stopes that are inaccessible. At the same time that
inspection trips are being made to locate the fire, the
directions of the air-currents are noted and steps are
taken to control the air, so as to keep the gas from travel-
ing to other parts of the mine. All operating shafts are
down-east, and the ventilation underground is so con-
trolled that the gas from the known fire areas is disposed
of, through up-cast shafts without passing through the
active working-places.
If the territory affected is small and easily accessible,
hose-lines are played upon the fire until it is put out ; if,
on the other hand, it is impossible to get to the active fire,
concrete stoppings are started so as to completely isolate
the territory affected, and to keep as much air from the
burning country as possible. After this has been done
cross-cuts or diamond-drill holes are put in from different
places, on levels above where the fire exists, and water is
then turned into the burning country through these cross-
cuts or drill-holes.
In handling a fire in a Butte mine, three principal
gases are encountered.
1. Carbon Monoxide. This gas is produced by the fire
burning in an atmosphere where there is insufficient
oxygen for complete combustion. This gas is lighter than
air, is colorless and odorless, and has no effect on a lighted
candle or carbide lamp. Carbon monoxide- is the gas that
forms a blue flame above a coal-fire, and in the impure
state, as found in the mines, it has a characteristic odor
and is known locally as 'sweet gas'. Carbon monoxide,
even in small quantities, is very poisonous to the human
system. Its presence underground can easily be detected
by the use of small birds or mice, these animals being
more susceptible to the gas than is a person.
In Technical Paper No. 11, George A. Burrell, of the
U. S. Bureau of Mines, gives the following table showing
the relative susceptibilities of mice and canaries to carbon
monoxide poisoning :
Effect of CO on Mice and Canaries
Mice Canaries
CO. % Effect CO. % Effect
0.16 Very slight distress at end of 0.09 Very slight distress at end of
hour. hour.
0.3 Distress in 8 minutes: partial 0.12 Weaker at end of hour than
collapse in 15 minutes. after exposure to 0.09%.
0.31 Distress in 4 minutes: col- 0.15 Distress in 3 minutes: fell
lapse in 7% minutes; lost from perch in 18 minutes,
muscular power in 35 min-p 0.20 Distress in 1% minutes; fell
utes. from perch in 5 minutes.
0.46 Distress in 2 minutes; col- 0.29 Fell from perch in 2% min-
lapse in 4 minutes. utes.
0.57 Distress in 1 minute: col-
lapse in 2 minutes: muscular
power lost in 7 minutes:
death in 16 minutes.
0.77 Distress in 1 minute; mus-
cular power lost in 6Vj min-
utes; death in 12^ minutes.
62C
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 30, 1920
Also the following giving the 'Relative Susceptibilities
of Men and Birds'.
"In order to determine for himself the relative suscep-
tibility of men and birds to the action of carbon monox-
ide, the author performed the following experiment :
"A gas-tight chamber, having a capacity of 80 cubic
feet, was constructed. Into this chamber sufficient carbon
monoxide was introduced to produce an atmosphere con-
taining 0.25% of the latter. The author entered this
atmosphere, taking with him canary birds and pigeons.
The canary birds evinced distress in one minute and fell
These drifts and cross-cuts wTere opened up sufficiently
to allow pipe-lines to be put to the tops of the different
raises or, if this necessitated considerable labor, diamond-
drill holes were run to the raises that were inaccessible.
Six-inch extra-heavy cast-iron pipe conveys the tailing
down the shafts to the various levels where 4-in. lateral
pipes run off to the stopes. "Where diamond-drilling has
been resorted to, the holes are 'fanned out' to cover the
entire stope. These drill-holes are 2J inches in diameter
and are cased with 2-in. extra-heavy pipe, these casing-
pipes being connected by means of short pieces of fire
hose on the 4-in. lateral lines.
On the level below, as shown on Map
No. 2, the concrete stoppings have been re-
inforced so that they are about five feet
thick, and are provided with two 2-in. cop-
per drain-pipes in each stopping. Valves
are put on these 2-in. pipes and the water
from the tailing that is put in on the level
above is drained off. This water carries
copper in the form of copper sulphate and
is pumped to the surface, where the copper
is recovered at the precipitating plant.
The tailing, which is the finely-ground
waste material from the flotation process,
averages about 600 gal. of water per ton of
solid. Before entering the mine it passes
over a weir that is equipped with a hydro-
from their perches in three minutes. The
pigeons only showed slight signs of distress
in 11 minutes. The author remained in the
atmosphere for 20 minutes, and at the end
of that time only suffered a slight headache,
although later he became ill. The illness
lasted several hours and was accompanied
by nausea and' headache.
"The experiment show's that small birds
are much more susceptible to the action of
carbon monoxide than are men, and demon-
strates the desirability of using small birds,
such as canaries, rather than larger ones,
such as pigeons. ' '
2. Carbon Di-oxide. This gas is color-
less and odorless and will extinguish a
lighted candle or carbide lamp. It is
formed by the burning of the timber and
is dangerous in that it replaces the oxygen in the air,
but it has no poisonous effect on the human system.
3. Sulphur Di-oxide. This gas has a very character-
istic odor, like that of smelter smoke and when breathed
causes a very disagreeable and irritating feeling in the
throat. This gas is formed from the burning sulphur in
the broken ore.
For the past two years mil'l-tailing has been used to
reclaim one of the fire-zones, which had been sealed with
concrete stoppings at the time of the fire. Map No. 1
shows a level, the shaded portion representing the coun-
try that was sealed off and which subsequently has been
filled.
chronograph, which mechanically records the volume of
water and solid passing; samples are taken every half-
hour and from these, calculations are made as to the
amount of solid and water entering the mine. Several
stopes are kept available for filling at all times and an
account is kept of the amount of tailing going to each.
All water pumped from the mine passes over a weir also
equipped with a hydro-chronograph and, by means of
this, account is kept of the water that is drained from
the stoppings. In this way no large reservoirs of water
are allowed to accumulate in the stopes.
In opening up a level so as to introduce the tailing,
either new cross-cuts are driven around the old workings
October 30, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
627
from which drill-holes or short a are run to the
ipes, <t the old workings are repaired. In ease the
latt.r metiiod is pursued, air-locks are built in front of
the concrete stoppings, consisting of two brattices built
about 15 tn 2n ft. apart and provided with tight doors.
These brattices are made of inch boards covered with
metal lath and coated with gunite or they are made of
burlap over which chicken-wire, with inch openings, has
been stretched, and then gunited. A small Sirocco fan,
either No. 21. No. 3J, or No. 4 is placed outside these two
brattices in a place that has free access to fresh air. The
fan-pipe, which is 12 or 16 inches in diameter, is a canvas
pipe and is carried through the two brattices above the
doors. The concrete stopping inside is then blasted open
and the work of repairing or putting pipe through the
drift or cross-cut to the stopes is started.
The fan is thus used to hold back the gases that are in
the tire-area and make it possible for the men to work in
fresh air. Much of the preliminary work of repairing
drifts, guniting stoppings, and opening up new places is
performed with oxygen apparatus. In some places, where
the ground is badly fractured and broken, considerable
[difficulty is experienced in keeping the tailing from leak-
ing through the rock. In these places the loose ground is
(removed and several coats of gunite applied.
The tailing was first put into the lowest levels of the
Hire-zone and built up from this foundation. From 2500
p 3000 tons is introduced each week, the process being a
jeontinuous one. Up to the present time nearly 300,000
ions of tailing has been used.
Ore-Reserves of the Rand
"With the publication of the last of the annual bal-
ance-sheets and reports it becomes possible to give a com-
plete table of the ore-reserves of the whole Witwaters-
rand — the stock-in-trade of the industry upon which pro-
ductive operations are dependent," says 'The South
African Mining and Engineering Journal'. "The fea-
tures of the year's activities on the Rand in regard to
productive operations — that is to say, the incidence of the
gold premium and of rising costs — are reflected in the de-
velopment figures. It is to be noted that some companies
phow the additional tonnage which is represented in the
|>re-reserves with gold at a definite premium (in the at-
tached schedule the General Mining & Finance Corpora-
tion shows additional reserves in respect of a premium of
f0% ) , whilst other companies take no cognizance of the
l-xtra price.
1 "At the end of 1918 the payable ore-reserves of Wit-
vatersrand mines were estimated at ninety million tons,
Iriiich was approximately a decline of six million tons
jompared with the estimates of a year previously. The
■utstanding feature of the year's work on the Witwaters-
and in regard to ore-reserves during 1918 was that, al-
jhough development was 'speeded up' on the Far East
tand, the increase in working expenditure compelled the
limination of millions of tons of low-grade ore from the
' stimates of payable reserves. Since the outbreak of
hostilities in Europe and up to the end of 1918, the costs
of operation on the Band increased by th [uivalenl of
1 j dwt. per ton, and in consequence large areas formerly
oed profitable were ruled below the pay-limit, whilst
at the same time there was a general increase in the value
of 'pay' ore on account of the rise in costs, In December
1918, working costs were 21s. 7d. per ton, and by Decem-
ber 1919 they had risen to 25s. 6d. This is a very sub-
stantial advance in the costs of operation, and under nor-
mal circumstances there would have had to be a further
large shrinkage in the payable reserves of the mines as at
the end of last year due to the raising of the pay-limit.
The gold premium, however, luckily came to the rescue.
But for this fortunate circumstance the payable ore-
reserves of the Main Reef series would have contracted to
a figure which would have greatly impaired the credit
and stability of the industry. For ore-reserves are the
stock-in-trade of the Rand, and a marked diminution
would have been highly detrimental to the prosperity of
the whole Union. On the old basis of gold-values an aver-
age working cost of 25s. 6d. per ton meant that the mines
had to recover not less than 6 dwt. per ton milled in order
to pay expenses. Leaving aside any question of profit or
dividend to shareholders, 6 dwt. per ton had to be yielded
in order to meet the routine of normal expenditure. At
the end of 1918 there were 13 companies with 'payable'
ore-reserves of a lesser value than 6 dwt. per ton.
"With costs at their present level an average value of
64. dwt. in the blocks is required to yield profits. It is to
be observed that 25 companies with ore-reserves amount-
ing in the aggregate to 384, million tons, give values of
64. dwt. or less per ton.
"The total payable tonnage in the mines of the Rand
at the end of last year was approximately 91,500,000 tons,
or an increase of about 24. million tons on the figures for
a year ago."
A recent visitor to Colombia says: "The extremely
liberal mining-laws render it possible to select and hold
enormous concessions at a nominal cost, but at the same
time this facility has the effect of enabling the owners to
hold on to their mines until they believe that they are
fair if not generous terms. Many large concessions have
been held for years, and, in some cases, for generations.
A thorough knowledge of dealing with the natives is as
important as technical judgment in acquiring Colombian
mines; above all, any expedition sent out to investigate
Colombian properties, whether mines or otherwise, must
show no signs of haste ; neither must any anxiety be ex-
hibited to close a deal. These are the two principal points
that have often been neglected and their neglect has held
back the development of Colombian mines."
When a hole has misfired an effort should be mad'- as
soon as possible to have it fired. Holes loaded with ex-
plosives are dangerous. If it is not practical to fire the
hole at once, it is better to place a plug in the hole or
mark it in some way so that the miners will be notified
of the danger.
628
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 30, 1920
Labor the Holder of the Nation's Wealth and Income— III
By W. R. INGALLS
*I have not in this or previous essays on the same sub-
ject propounded any new theory, but rather have I
merely illustrated the practical working of things accord-
ing to the theories of such economists as Jevons and Gen-
eral Walker. Even my statistical reasoning simply fol-
lows what has previously been done by Malloek, although,
with the benefit of recent and more detailed statistics
for the United States, I have been able to make a more
minute analysis of the division of income.
One of the outstanding features in all of these studies
is the tremendous part that mind has played in the in-
crement of national income, with the constant reversion
of the major part of that increment to the multitude of
wage-earners. I may usefully cite some homely illus-
trations of this from the metal-mining industry, one of
the great basic industries, with which I am especially
familiar and in which I have played some part.
One of the greatest and most profitable branches of
metal-mining is copper mining. The gross income of the
profitable mines (nearly all were profitable) in 1916 was
about $555,000,000 and their net income (but not their
dividends or their earnings really applicable to divi-
dends) was about $271,000,000. It was a year of phe-
nomenally high prices and extraordinary earnings. How-
ever, the bulk of this great production was derived from
mines that would not have existed in 1916 as mines at all
had it not been for improvements in the arts of mining
and metallurgy effected within the previous ten years.
As recently as 1906 so astute and distinguished an au-
thority as J. B. Finlay viewed the Anaconda mines as
decadent owing to the impoverishment of their ores, yet
since then we have seen them ascend to greater produc-
tion and profit than ever before. This was due distinctly
and entirely to the most brilliant exhibition of mind that
has ever been witnessed in any industry in modern times.
In 1906 the vast deposits of copper ore that are now
the source of a major part of the American production,
classed generieally as the '.porphyry' mines, were useless
to anybody. They had been known for decades, they
were practically free to acquisition by anybody, but their
copper contents were too small to be extractable. Some
engineers who were then poor men conceived their ex-
ploitation by new methods. In order to carry them out
they had to tempt investors to supply fabulous sums of
money, as much as $10,000,000, for the equipment of a
single mine. These investors had to wait years for any
return, during which it was uncertain whether they
might not lose all the money they had risked, for they
were adventuring in an untried field.
These great increases in the national income were made
by mind, with the aid of capital, without which the mines
•From 'The Annalist', of September 27, 1920.
of Butte would today have been nearly dead and the
'porphyries' would not have been born. They were in
no wise at the expense of wage-earners, nor have the
latter any claim upon them beyond that which economic
law gives them, and what it does give they have received.
Their ability to work has been greatly increased and
they have got higher wages for their work. Thirty years
ago the common rate of wages for miners in the Rocky
Mountains was 30c. an hour. During the '90s it rose
to 37c. in Butte. During the next decade it rose to 47c.
In 1916 it was 60 and 65c. During the last ten years
wages have been paid largely on a sliding scale, accord-
ing to the price of copper, whereby the wage-earner has
participated in the increased profits of the employing
companies. The Butte scale governs, to a more or less
extent, the wages .in other districts, with modifications
according to living conditions, character of work, etc.
Labor's great gain in mining has been due to mind, aided
by capital, enabling it to produce more. Without mind
and capital it would not have had any gain. With mind
and capital both of them profited greatly, but labor
profited most.
Probably the full working power of the nation is never
employed at any one time. According to the U. S.
Census of Manufacturers the average number of wage-
earners in the factories in 1914 was 7,036,337, and the
general computations are made upon that basis. The
maximum number in any one month was 7,242,752 and
the minimum 6,640,284. The minimum was 91.7% of
the maximum. The average was about 97%. The figures
for 1914 show a high degree of uniformity of employ-
ment. However, the maximum does not necessarily rep-
resent the total number of factory workers. At any time
there is a certain number who are idle from choice, from
physical incapacity, or from inability to obtain work in
their own trade and habitat. The amount of this sur-
plus, which, of course, must derive support from its sev-
eral industries, is necessarily conjectural. If I assume
that 90% of the factory workers are employed on the
average I shall not perhaps be very far out of the way.
Similar conditions prevail in other districts. The
builders suffer from a good deal of lost time. Coal min-
ers, according to the statistics of the U. S. Geological
Survey, work habitually only from 200 to 235 days out
of the 305 to 310 possible in the year. Manifestly coal
mining is a badly organized- industry.* In 1917 the
♦This was written in the early part of 1919. On Novem-
ber 1 began the general coal strike for a 30-hour week, and
the public attention was drawn to the badly functioning
nature of the bituminous coal mining industry. The prime
trouble is deficiency in railway service, which perhaps results
from antecedent economic evils. However, as conditions are
now, and for many years have been, there are either more
Btober 30, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
ge number of railroad employees, according to the
I of the Railway Wage Commission, was 1,740,479,
but in December of that year the number was 1,939,399.
Unemployment is a dreadful thing. There arv some
lecupations that are necessarily seasonal, in which the
earner is expected to safeguard himself'. There are
others in which idleness results from industrial causes
quite beyond his control, from causes beyond his em-
ployers' control. Some of our industries function badly,
the mining of bituminous coal, for example. On the
whole, however, manufacturing in the United States, if
we may judge from the latest complete statistics (those
of five years ago), shows no great variation in the number
of persons employed month by month. But even so there
is need for greater steadiness. The means for attaining
it are not what the wage-earners think. They are not
Bncessions to be wrested from the employing class, and
yet it is just that class that is responsible, owing to its
being the directing class. The wage-earners should not
(say: "Give us what you are keeping from us", but
rather: "You are poor leaders: think how to direct us
better." The means are purely economic and consist
mainly in improving the transparency of industry, which
will have the certain effect of minimizing ups and downs
land maintaining a steadier course.
In comparing the incomes received by different classes
of people it is obviously essential to consider the differ-
ence in living conditions, not only among occupations,
but also among groups of people engaged in the same
occupation. Thus the farm laborer neither requires so
many things, nor do those that he does require cost him so
much as the urban laborer. Consequently he is by no
means so badly off as the statistics indicate. I computed
in 1918 that a hired farm foreman who was receiving a
icash wage of $50 per month and house rent and supplies
tthat made his real wage $80 per month would have been
obliged to earn at least $94 in the near-by city to be equal-
ly well off, and more likely would have had to earn $100.
[Miners are paid less in the copper mines of Michigan than
pn those of Montana, for it costs less to live there. Michi-
gan miners attracted to Montana by the higher wages
pave found that they suffered diminution of net income
land have returned to Michigan.
There are three elements in the production of wealth,
namely, Labor, Capital, and Mind. In the controversy
lover the division of produce the latter two are commonly
(associated as the antagonist of Labor. The interests of
Capital and Mind are, no doubt, the same, or about the
same. However, there is a great difference in their posi-
tion. Capital is to a considerable extent the accumula-
tion of previous generations, inherited by the present
;oal miners than are needed or else the production o£ coal
:ou!d be greatly increased if the railways could carry it.
rhere is manifestly a bad industrial situation here that
should be corrected in some way, and probably could be cor-
•ected by leaders capable o£ thinking in terms of the industry
is a whole. The coal miners themselves are the victims of
jad leadership. Nothing that they can do by regulation of
lours or rates of wages will improve their situation. The
rouble is in the high command, not in the lower ranks.
possessors. Mind, on the other hand, springs directly
From the ranks of Labor to a considerable extent. Espe-
cially in the United States is it always t In- ease that a
large proportion of the great directing minds are men
of humble origin who have become capitalists by their
own efforts.
Grouping Capital and Mind as the employing class,
however, there is nobody who is averse from the promo-
tion of the welfare of labor. It is merely a question of
how much Labor, with the aid of Capital and .Mind, can
produce. There are certain demands of labor that the
employing class should recognize in the common interest,
and if it has been inattentive to them in the past that is
ascribable to its own blindness. Working-places should
be made safe and sanitary, representations of the work-
ers respecting conditions should be considered, education
should be encouraged, friendly attention should be given
to the improvement of living conditions, including the
checking of rapacity by landlords and tradesmen. All
of these things should be done in the interest of enhanc-
ing efficiency and increasing production. Old-age pen-
sions, insurance and maintenance during sickness are
desirable, but can, of course, be paid for in no way except
out of production, that is, by the wage-earner himself,
and when done through the medium of taxation there is
the assumption that the wage-earner's own thrift cannot
be relied upon.
There are two specific demands of labor (other than
the general demand for a larger share of the produce of
industry) that are distinctly economic rather than soci-
ological. One of these is for more considerate treatment
as human beings, as for example in the shops of half a
century ago, when the boss worked with his few men ;
even as squads of carpenters work in the country today.
The realization of that desire would put the world back
to the scale of living of fifty years ago. Men would not
earn so much and they would not have so much. The old
relationship has been sacrificed to Directing Mind, for
the sake of the benefit of organization, and Labor has
been paid for the sacrifice. It cannot eat its cake and,
have it too. Any such idea spells Bolshevism.
The other demand is expressed in two ways, namely,
the right to work and the right to a wage commensurate
with a decent standard of living. It may be flippantly
represented that no man is deprived of the right to work,
that any man may go into the fields and forests and find
work to do, but practically he cannot, and the right to
work means really the right of a man to work at his own
trade. Associated with this is the minimum wage, which
results from the confusion between money-wages and
goods-wages. Neither the State nor the employing class
can guarantee any standard of living. That depends
solely upon what the wage-earners themselves produce.
The real gauge of the production of a country is not
what is measured by dollars, but rather is what is meas-
ured by quantities. Unfortunately, reference is com-
monly made to the former owing to its being easier. The
accompanying table shows the production of the principal
commodities in the United States in 1916-1918 and en-
ables some quantitative comparisons to be made.
630
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 30, 1920
Quantitative Comparison of Product ion of Principal Commodities in the
United States in 1916-'17-'18
This table is compiled from the reports of the U. S. Department ut
Agriculture and the TJ. S. Geological Survey, the figures being- reduced 'o
the uniform basis of the ton of 2000 lb. and the following- factors being-
used for conversions: Lumber. 1000 ft. b.m. = 2000 lb. Cotton, one
bale = 500 lb. Corn 1 bu. = 56 lb. Wheat. 1 bu. z= 60 lb. Oats, 1
bu. = 32 lb. Barley, 1 bu. =: 45 lb. Rye. 1 bu. = 56 lb. Potatoes, 1
bu. = 60 lb. Apples. 1 bu. = 50 lb. Milk. 1 g-al. = 8 lb. Poultry,
averag-e 4 lb. per hf-ad. Eg-g"9. 1 doz. = 1.2 lb. Cement. 1 bbl. = 376 lb.
Petroleum. 1 bbl. = 280 lb. While these factors may introduce some errors,
the resulting- flgmres are near enoug-h.
Building Material
1916
79.614.502
1918
65.520.000
91.831.000
80.000.000
Fibres
Total
Cereals
3.328,545
3.065.960
Rye
4.070.857
1,326.724
5.768.437
2.494,884
Other Agricultural
Poultry
1.134.000
1.178.000
Metals
39.434.797
38.820.000
Total
Fuels
41,678,444
87.578.493
502.519.682
42.107.402
40,830.826
98.826.084
585.883.000
49.018.340
Total
Other Minerals
632.205.577
733,727,424
2.220.271
2.789.651
14,894,857
Summary
281.816.652
223.714,046
64.436.529
41.678.444
632.205,577
70.234.090
40,830,826
733.727.424
14.894,857
Grand total
1.154.691.425
1.219.176.015
110.992.000
89.833.000
The table embraces the principal basic commodities.
The chief omissions are beans, fish, vegetables used green
or canned, fruits other than apples, flax, hops, hides, and
sundry ■ mineral products. However, the grand total
comes pretty near to being the grand total of all the raw
products of the United States.
These production figures agree closely with those of the
Interstate Commerce Commission for the total tonnage of
freight originating on the railways of the country, as
follows :
Tear Tons
1916 1.202.000.000
1917 1.264,018.725
1918 1,229,116,759
Previous to 1916 the railway figures were given for
fiscal years, which are not truly comparative. However,
the figure for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1914, repre-
senting the twelve months immediately preceding the
War, may be viewed instructively. In that year the total
tonnage of freight originating on the railways was 1,000,-
460,330.
The railway figures should not correspond exactly with
the production figures. Considerable freight is moved
over rivers, canals, and highways. Many products, for
example hay, are never moved off the property where
raised. On the other hand, the railway statistics to some
extent count the same products twice, for example, iron
ore first and then the pig-iron made from it. Neverthe-
less, it appears that they are a fairly reliable index.
Returning to the production figures, it is manifest that
they also must be viewed with qualifications. Here also
there is duplication. Thus much of the hay and not a
little of the cereal crops reappear in meat, poultry, milk,
and eggs. Some products may be adulterated.
With such discriminating consideration, therefore, it
may be safely deduced that during the three years 1916-
'18 the production of building material decreased, the
reasons for which are so well known that no further ex-
planation is necessary. Fibres decreased a little. Cereals
increased largely, for which again no explanation is
necessary. There was also an increase in "other agri-
cultural products", but in the production of hay there
was a progressive and large decrease, which was a serious
matter. Metals decreased a little, in spite of the strenu-
ous efforts to maintain production. "Other minerals"
increased a little, the increase in this case being due
especially to salt and to phosphate rock (which may be
connected with the agricultural increase). The most
noteworthy increase of all was in the fuels.
Now in both cases — agricultural products and fuels —
special conditions obtain. In agriculture there is far
more elasticity in the capacity of labor than in mining,
manufacturing, and other industries. The farmer who
with his helper harvests ordinarily twenty tons of hay
during the month of July finds no difficulty in mowing
and storing thirty tons if an exceptionally good season
gives it to him. In 1916 the yield of agricultural prod-
ucts according to my total (including hay) was about
twenty-one tons per worker. The increase in the cereals
and the decrease in hay in the following years probably
occurred without there being any material change in the
number of workers, and the tons per man probably varied
a great deal.
It is important to note that whereas the agricultural
produce in 1916 was only about 21 tons per worker the
output of minerals was nearly 1100 tons per worker.
This reflects the difference between a slightly mechanical-
ized and a highly mechanicalized industry.
The increased production of cereals and fuels was chief-
ly, perhaps wholly, demanded by conditions of the War
— cereals to feed Europe, the fuels for extraordinary war-
time movements.
It is sufficiently clear from this reasoning, rough
though it be, that the increase in American commodities
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October 30, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
6:11
from 1916 t.> r.'l> was wholly attributable to those in the
Production of which there had previously I n much l«>si
■fane. If these be deducted from the grand total it will
appear that in all others output was either at a standstill
or diminished. In other words, there was a smaller sup
ply of goods to be divided among the people, although the
number of people increased, the population of the United
Itates being estimated at 99,027,000 in 1914. 100.725,000
in 1915, 102.431,000 in 1916. and 104,145,000 in 1917.
.An estimate for 1918 would be about 106,000,000. In
spite of the draft of men into the Army and the Navy,
the increase in population, together with the employment
of women in increasing numbers and the impressment of
previous idlers, which probably maintained and possibly
increased the working population, the latter was either
unable or did not choose to increase production after
1916.
There is thus a good deal of reason to believe that the
output of minerals, metals, and manufactures in tons per
man declined from 1916 to 1918. and that high wages,
instead of being a stimulus to increased production were
a direct inspiration toward increased loafing. Many men
who previously had to work 48 hours per week in order
to get their living worked only 32 hours when they be-
came able to obtain sufficient in that time. It may be
conjectured that production would have declined more
seriously during this period if managerial efficiency,
strained to its utmost, had not offset the slacking by the
workers. Even as between the 10-hour day and the 8-hour
day in normal times, it is doubtful whether the assertion
that workers can (or will) produce as much in eight
hours as in ten be not a fallacy. Anyhow, it is a debat-
able question. All of these conditions deserve more study
by the methods of a broad survey than has yet been given
to them.
This study, incomplete as it is, reveals certain things
that, are positive. The workers of the country in 1916
could have added but slightly to their income if they had
confiscated the entire share of Capital and Mind in the
national produce. Since 1916 Labor as a whole has not
benefited, for the national produce has not increased in
quantity, on the whole, and a large part of it has been
wasted for warfare. "We have got along as well as we
have only by the use of previous accumulations of goods
and failing to do things that are necessary for the com-
fort of the people, such as improving transportation
facilities, adding to housing capacity, etc. Instead of the
American people as a whole having risen to a higher
ilane of living than before the War, they have descended
jo a lower.
Some classes of labor have profited, to be sure, but that
las been wholly at the expense of other classes of labor.
The taxpaying .classes suffer diminution of net income,
ut, even so, they retain enough to satisfy all material
cants in shelter, clothing, and food. Not so with the less
ortunate among the working classes. They are deprived
f the full measure of shelter, clothing, and food that is
i.ecessary to maintain a high standard of living. The
axpaying class is deprived, in the main, only of the
jormer ability to save, and that in itself is to the disad-
vantage of the working classes, for it was just those sav-
ings thai used to build railways, bouses, eto.
It has been shown in this Study how wide are the vari-
ations in the average income of the working classes. The
agricultural worker iti 1H16 got only $400. The factory
worker, $675. The railway man. (886. The metal miner,
$1250. It is impossible to ascertain the average earnings
of builders, clerks, and shopkeepers, but probably they
were in the superior ranks.
Among the major classes themselves there are wide
variations. Thus railway conductors and locomotive-
drivers receive high wages, while the track hand gets low
wages. Similarly, in the steel industry the metal roller
is relatively a plutocrat, while the yard laborer receives
only a pittance.
I think that it has been made clear that when a group
of workers, like the railway workers, whose uninter-
rupted service is indispensable to the life of the people,
band together, take the people by the throat and exact
higher wages, which means the right to command more
goods, they do so at the expense of all other workers.
When the steel workers say that they demand wages that
will afford them a high standard of living, they say in
effect that they want to get that for themselves, and do
not care what happens to the clerks and factory workers.
It will be the realization of this, I think, that will event-
ually disrupt the American Federation of Labor, just as
the Knights of Labor disintegrated in the 'eighties.
That America will become Bolshevist is not to be fear-
ed. If any such fear be entertained, the thought that the
corporations of the United States are mainly owned by
people of moderate incomes, and that about one-third of
all our workers are agriculturists will dispel it. A fault
in most discussions of this whole subject is the absence of
perspective, the appreciation of the huge number of our
workers, and how what seems to be only a few dollars for
the individual means billions in the aggregate. It has
been the purpose of this study to furnish a perspective.
The economic lesson is, of course, simply that there
must be more production and less extravagance. In no
other way can the standard of living be improved. The
idea of increased production cannot be reconciled with
the idea of the six-hour day and the five-day week. In-
creased production can only be expected as the result of
more work and harder work ; and by improved organiza-
tion by the captains of industry.
It may be asked : If the return on the capital of the
country is relatively so small as has been indicated herein,
why is it that some corporations realized such phenom-
enal profits in 1916? It is precisely those profits upon
which the attention of the dissatisfied is focussed and
prompt the question why should profits in some cases be
as large as the total payroll and the outcry that there is
something manifestly unfair in that.
The answer is that such corporations are relatively few
and the aggregate of their swollen earnings is relatively
small in comparison with the grand total. This may be
grasped when it be considered that the dividends of all
corporations in 1916 were less than $4,000,000,000.
But how are the few excessively profitable corpora-
632
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 30, 1920
tions to be treated? Suppose there be an industry em-
ploying 10,000 men who earn an average of $1000 per
annum. Suppose there be one company in that industry
that employs 100 men by virtue of superior manage-
ment, location, the possession of rich raw material, etc.,
earns a profit of $1,000,000, which is 50% on its capital,
while all the other concerns in the industry earn from
10% at the maximum down to nothing at all. The rich
concern could afford to pay higher wages, but if it did so
what would be the situation in the rest of the industry 1
How would participation in profits work out in such a
case and why should participation in profits be granted
to persons to whom they were not due, the assumption
here being that they were due to managerial excellence ?
Tf the men working in the no-profit factories should by the
exercise of increased diligence and intelligence produce a
profit, the management remaining the same, a participa-
tion in it would be reasonable, but that idea is not com-
monly expressed.
The matter of very great profits is capable of several
developments that are more or less sound economically.
1. They may be commandeered by the State as excess
profits taxes, the burden of taxation upon the bulk of the
people being correspondingly reduced. There is always
the danger that such a levy will be made so severe as to
destroy incentive, in other words, kill the goose that lays
the golden egg. However, within limits, such an equal-
ization of profits may be effected.
2. Increase the transparency of industry, so that com-
petition will tend to reduce excessive profits. Manifestly,
if the profits of the industry that I have cited were more
equally divided, labor could demand and would get
higher wages. I believe that this is the true economic
solution of the great problem of the time. Labor would
gain and capital would not lose.
3. Exterminate the less efficient concerns in an in-
dustry and concentrate production in the big economical
corporations, which can afford to pay increased wages.
Some of the thoughtful among the labor leaders are sup-
posed to have indorsed such a program, although it means
practically nullification of the anti-trust laws. This may
be economically defensible, but the idea of putting great
industries absolutely into the hands of big corporations
co-operating with big labor unions is abhorrent.
I think it is obvious that the second of these thoughts is
inherently the soundest, but owing to its abstractness it
may not readily be grasped. Yet reflection upon it will
show that it holds forth the real remedy for many eco-
nomic and social evils. It may be suggested that a com-
bination of the first and second would be wise, but I do
not think so. Taxation upon consumption is more ra-
tional than taxation upon production.
However, any program may lead nowhere if there be
absence of understanding of what is to be divided. That
which is to be divided is not money, but goods. Taking
the industry that I have suggested, and let it be sup-
posed that it was engaged in the manufacture of shoes,
elevation of the industrial plane might result in three
ways.
1. The 10,000 men engaged in the industry might make
all the shoes necessary by the labor of six hours per day
instead of eight and decide to work only six. Then they
would have more leisure, but if the time gained were
idled away nobody would be any further ahead than he
was previously. There would be no increase in the stand-
ard of living for anybody.
2. It might be found that instead of 10,000 men being
required, 8000 could make all the shoes needed, and 2000
could be diverted to the manufacture of something else
that was wanted.
3. The output of shoes might be increased and the sur-
plus sold to some other community in exchange for some
of its goods. The second and third are the only ways
whereby labor can participate in the profits of industry
and benefit therefrom.
According to Edwin N. Gunsaulus, U. S. Consul at
Singapore, the imports of tin and tin ore into the Straits
Settlements during 1918 were 85,000 and 1,059,000 piculs
(1 picul = 133$ pounds), respectively, and the exports
of tin 925,000 piculs of a value of $81,546,038, of which
the United States took 578,000 piculs of a value of $51,-
070,145. For 1917 the imports into the colony of tin and
tin ore were 107,000 and 1,240,000 piculs, respectively,
and the exports of the refined product 1,076,000 piculs,
worth $66,898,601, of which 392,000 piculs, worth $24,-
607,162, was exported to the United States. Although
the total exports of tin in 1917 exceeded in quantity those
of 1918 by about 151,000 piculs, the value of the 1917
exports was less by $14,647,437 owing to the exceedingly
high prices received for the metal in 1918. The imports
of tin into the Straits Settlements, as distinguished from
tin ore, represent the output of small smelting plants
operated by the Chinese in the Malay States, also ship-
ments from European smelters at Penang, which are al-
most exclusively for transshipment at Singapore. In
addition to the above a small quantity of slab-tin (un-
refined) is received from Siam, for transshipment to
China. The relative quantity of refined tin imported,
compared with tin ore, is small, this being accounted for
by the fact that the tin-smelting concerns in Singapore
and Penang are in position to handle the ore more ad-
vantageously than the average mining company.
■:
I
t
The borax or tincal deposits occurring in Tibet were
probably the first borates ever utilized. About 220 tons ,
is exported annually from India, and this, which is
practically all obtained from Tibet and Ladakh, is im-
ported across the frontier into the Punjab and United
Provinces. Herds of sheep and goats may be met in the
Himalayan passes coming down from Tibet in the spring,
each carrying two small bags of borax or salt to be bar-
tered for Indian and foreign stores. The material ex-
ported from Tibet is obtained from salt lakes which have
possibly obtained their borax from volcanic sources. The
borax obtained from the Puga valley of Ladakh, Kashmir,
is deposited from hot springs associated with sulphur de-
posits, which are regarded as evidence of waning volcanic
action.
I.
Dctolxr :i'. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
DEVIE
'\T--Sip
INJNG
ti '
<JH
FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS IN THE FIELD
iiiiiiiiiittmiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiimiHiuiiliiiiiiiiiiiiiriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiti iiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiimiiuiHiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiimii
ARIZONA
PHELPS DODGE STOPS OPERATIONS i>\ SACRAMENTO nil. I..
Kingman. — Development work is iu progress mi the
property of the New Comstock Minium Co. The main
sliat't is to be continued to a depth of 700 ft., ami the
win thoroughly explored to that depth. The mine is
being developed at present mi the 300 ami 400-ft. Levels
■here good bodies of mill-ore have been developed. Op-
erations at the Swansea mine, which were stopped a few
months ago by a strike, are again in progress, with 120
nun at work. The property is under lease to the opera-
tor- of the Humboldt smelter, and the ores are being
Bressed and shipped to that plant. The company is re-
I ported to be interested in a project to develop water-
I power by the construction of a dam at the Bill Williams
fork. An important strike of ore is reported on the
Tom Reed property, in the cast drift of the Aztec mine,
■bout 200 ft. from the west end-line of the American.
I The drift lias been in the orebody for a distance of 60 ft.,
Jsamples averaging about $40 in gold, with some higher.
Tucson. — F. L. Ransome, who is in immediate charge
»f geological work in the metal-mining districts, under
[the U. S. Geological Survey, will be at Tucson next month
[to confer with mining men about a survey of the Papago
(mining district. He probably will make a preliminary
[study of the Pima and Papago districts.
Tombstone. — The Solstice Mining & Milling Co., with
Sees in Bisbee, has made a contract for machinery total-
Qg more than $10,000 and will begin active development
vork as soon as it can be erected. The company has been
naneed for $50,000 by a Chicago bonding company.
Bisbee. — Notices have been posted by the Copper
Been Branch of the Phelps Dodge Corporation in Bisbee
the effect that a number of men will be laid off at the
eramento Hill property on November 1. The reasons
veh are that materials for carrying on construction of
new mill are delayed and that the company has not
>ld any copper since March 1. The management fur-
er stated that $13,000,000 had been expended since
first of the year in construction and operation and it
necessary to stop all unnecessary expenditure. The
ilstice Mining & Milling Co. w-as recently financed by a
licago bonding company for $50,000, thus making pos-
|e the order just placed for $10,000 worth of ma-
aery to carry out sinking and other exploration work.
Juring the past week the major portion of the business
iction of the town of Lowell was destroyed by fire, which
also threatened the mine office of the Calumel & Arizona
Mining Co., at the Junction shaft. Estimates have plan. I
the total loss at over $750,000. In the early part of this
year an electric mechanical shoveler was tried mo in the
Junction mine of tin- Calumet & Arizona Milling Co.
This machine was used only in bladings in the driving
of drifts. During the first trials there was naturally con-
siderable loss of time due to numerous mechanical de-
fects which had to be overcome. In the late spring an-
other type of shovel, operated by compressed air. was ex-
perimented with; in general it was found much easier to
keep in continuous operation than the electric shoveler.
A large type of shovel has been used at Inspiration for
several years, the wink being entirely in large headings.
Recently, these have been replaced by smaller shovels
operating with compressed air. The smaller shovel is
much more convenient, is mure easily moved, and has not
the large amount of complicated machinery to be taken
care of, which forms a part of the other machine.
Ajo. — From a concession recently given the New Cor-
nelia Copper Co. to build a railroad from the interna-
tional line to the Gulf of California, thorugb north-
western Sonora and north-eastern Lower California,
Bahia de Roca (Rocky Bay) appears to have been de-
termined upon as the tide-water terminus for the pro-
posed Ajo-Gulf of California railroad. This indicates
that a bridge will be built across the mouth of the Colo-
rado river, well within Mexican territory, for the bay is
an indentation of the western gulf shore. It is now pro-
posed also to build a direct automobile road from Ajo to
one of the two eastern ports named, and a survey of the
route now is in progress. There is assurance that the
Mexican end of the road will be built through the famous
Altar mining district by the Mexican government.
Mayer. — The Arizona Binghampton, one of the largest
mines in the Mayer district, has closed down temporarily
owing to the present condition of the copper market.
Jerome. — Steam-shovel operations west of the former
office building of the United Verde mine have opened up
an orebody 75 to 100 ft. wide in the black schist. It is
said that the ore runs more than -P; copper and that
some of the ore contains as much as l.V, copper. This
body of ore was exposed in an old drift and has been
known for some time but has never been developed or
worked. Present exposures do not show bow large the
orebody is. Two of the three shifts employed in sinking
the Jerome-Superior shaft have been laid off. The reason
for the reduction in force has not been given.
634
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 30, 1920
Miami.— J. Klinfelter, G. J. Berthold, P. Sullivan, B.
Flood, and S. Sutton, claim owners in Lost Gulch, have
filed suit for $500,000 against the Inspiration-Miami
Copper Co., Inspiration -Miami Extension Copper Co.,
and the Globe Copper Co. The plaintiffs claim that the
defendants, under the name of the Inspiration-Miami
Copper Co., agreed to pay $400,000 to them for a group
of claims, which sum has never been paid. They further
allege that the personnel of the three companies is the
same and that the three companies were used to transfer
stock and properties back and forth in such a manner as
to defraud the defendants.
COLORADO
VANADIUM POUND NEAR TELLURIDE.
Aspen. — A power-line has been extended to the Hope
tunnel and a full force is again working in the heading.
Supplies have been laid in for continuous winter opera-
tion. The Turley tunnel in the old Ashcroft district, 15
miles south of Aspen, projected to cut the rich Tarn
O'Shanter vein, has been financed by Aspen operators.
The tunnel will intersect the Tarn O'Shanter approxi-
mately 2500 ft. below the surface. Six other veins, one
the Michigan, and an immense fault, believed to be the
centre of rich mineral deposits, is in due line with the
survey course of the tunnel. The Aspen Silver Lead
Mines has started construction on a power-line from
Meredith to its property on Porphyry mountain.
Breckenridge. — Increased freight-rates have resulted
in curtailment of mill and mine operations by the Wel-
lington Mines Co. The increase, amounting to $2.50 to
$3.75 per ton, would cause loss, and one of the biggest
zinc-producing mines in the State and the largest em-
ployer of labor in Summit county is expected to cease
production soon. The pumps, however, will be kept in
operation and a small force kept at work on development.
Efforts of the management to secure a fair rate on con-
centrate and ore shipments to date have failed. Bulkeley
Wells and associates have ceased operations on the Iron
Mask and pumps have been pulled, development in the
lower workings failing to warrant continuation. The
upper level has been leased. Remaining equipment for
the Laurium mill of the Blue Flag company has been
shipped and as every preparation has been made for im-
mediate installation, it is expected the plant will be in
operation early in November.
Cripple Creek. — October production of the Modoc
Consolidated Mines Co. will approximate 2700 tons of ore
with an average value of $30 per ton. This increased
output, which brings the company into the front rank of
district producers, is the direct result of the discovery
about 7 weeks ago at the 1300-ft. level. Here the south-
eastern extension of the Orpha May-Ruby-Last Dollar-
Modoc system has been proved and an orebody averaging
between 25 and 27 ft. wide, in places 42 ft. between walls,
has been opened up for 120 ft. in length. Stoping has
started and ore shipped to date has averaged $30 per ton.
More powerful machinery is under construction for the
No. 2 or Last Dollar shaft of the company and with the
new plant in commission and miners available 3000 tons
monthly can be mined and shipped. The No. 2 shaft of
the Portland Gold Mining Co., on Battle mountain, has
attained a depth of 2450 ft. and a station is now being
cut at an elevation of 7794 ft., the deepest working in the
entire district. Ore mined at the level above continues
high-grade. Settlement on a carload shipment from the
Hardwood, Ironclad hill, property of the United Gold
Mines Co. made last week was at the rate of $155 per ton.
The lessees shipped another 40-ton lot this week esti-
mated at between 8 and 10 oz. gold per ton.
Drilling has commenced on a second diamond-drill
hole at a site selected on Galena hill, about three-quarters
of a mile north-east of Cameron. The new hole will be
drilled at an angle of 45°. The Bolivia and other phono-
lite dikes have been opened in shallow workings in this
section and it is expected mineralization will be found iH
the drill-core that will warrant development. The first
test drilled to 1386 ft. showed mineralization below the
granite capping.
Leadville. — Not only has the authorized increase in i
freight-rates been cancelled through the efforts at' the
Leadville Chamber of Commerce, but in addition the
American Smelting & Refining Co. has been induced to
cancel its recently announced increase in treatment
charges on certain low-grade ores and to reduce charges
on all ores with less than $10 net smelter return that
contain less than 35% excess insoluble, and similar ores
with more than 35% insoluble if the content does not
exceed 2|% sulphur. The announced reduction ma-
terially benefits the smaller operator and lessee. Sinking
is in progress under contract at the Blain shaft and pro-
duction is maintained at 25 tons daily of 25% zinc ore.
A more powerful electric hoist has been put in place and
with the shaft at the 350-ft. level, increased production
is expected.
A promising zinc orebody has been opened up by
lessees on the Lilian in Iowa gulch. Ore-bins are being
constructed. Lessees on the A. V. within the city limits
have several hundred tons of a good-grade manganese-ore
ready for shipment and awaiting cars.
Telluride. — The Valley View Leasing & Mining Co.
is mining good ore at Matterhorn and the mill is run-
ning steadily. A three-car shipment of concentrate was
consigned to the Durango smelter last week. Vanadium-
bearing rock has been found in the white cliffs less than
half a mile from the city limits. A test made by the
Colorado Vanadium Co. showed high vanadium content,
and the company's engineer is on the ground making
locations. Many claims have been staked.
..-
It
It
HI
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MICHIGAN-
LABOR situation improving.
Calumet. — Geological research work which the Calu
met & Heela began a year ago is progressing, but becausf J
of the volume of work necessary it may be a year oi
two before anv definite conclusions are drawn. An effor 1
r 10, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
635
will 1k> made to determine, if possible, the origin of
festive copper and the processes by which it was de-
It' this result can be attained it will greatly
simplify the work of finding new copper deposits. Sam-
bee are being taken from various veins of the Keweena-
■u formation and the results of the analyses will be
i id in the hope of evolving dependable rules for
u.v iii exploratory work. The survey is of interest to
trery mine in the district, for if it is successful the in-
formation will be available to all.
.\n improvement in the labor situation, reported by
Mohawk, is one of the most encouraging developments
koorded in tin- Lake region in many weeks. While not
larg.-. it is sufficient to indicate that the labor problem
is disappearing. Mohawk has a market for its copper
and if it can get men enough it will proceed with the
development of the fissure which appeared most promis-
ing on the 22nd and 23rd levels of No. 4 shaft. Because
the entire force is needed for regular operations, it has
been necessary to temporarily suspend the opening up
of this vein. The fissure was first encountered about
1400 ft. south of No. 4, on the 22nd level, and openings
in the foot and hanging wall revealed it to be well
charged with heavy copper. The same showing was
noted on the 23rd, where the fissure was about 100 ft.
closer to the shaft, and in addition to heavy copper,
'mass' was found. Contiguous to this fissure the main
vein has widened out to the abnormal depth of 40 ft. in
some places, and this so-ealled 'wide spot' has been opened
down to the 24th Mohawk's No. 1 shaft, temporarily
idle, which will come into its own again with the restora-
tion of normal conditions. Much ground remains to be
mined by this shaft, which has approximately 900 ft.
more to go before it reaches the property limits.
Seneca has completed the concreting of its shaft and
by the end of the week will have removed the forms, per-
mitting the completion of the cross-cut to the vein on the
5th level. Drifting then will be pushed and the level
Jopened north and south. On the 4th level the south drift
jhas reached the boundary, while the north drift is 725 ft.
{long. The north drift on the 3rd level is 790 ft. long
and, like the 4th, is breasted in ground that compares
favorably with any opened heretofore. Seneca is making
irregular shipments to the Baltic mill instead of letting
the 'rock' accumulate on the ground. For the present
the management will content itself with development
work instead of production.
Figures revealed in the annual report of the Houghton
Bounty inspector of mines are somewhat startling, for
they show that during the past year the combined forces
af all of the mines in the county numbered only 6083.
This compares with 7865 in 1919 and 16,423 in 1917.
The fact that a marked improvement has been noted
luring the past four weeks, however, is reassuring. The
Calumet group alone reports a net gain of 60 men per
week. . The county figures do not include Ahmeek, Mo-
iawk, Allouez, or the mines south of Champion. A cur-
;ailment of operations in the automotive centres accounts
or the betterment in the labor situation here.
Mayflower's south drift still continues in good vein
matter, though the mineralization is not as heavy as a
week ago. It is the plan to continue the explorations on
the 1700-ft. level so that portion of the mine will be thor-
oughly opened before attempting any work of an ex-
tensive nature on the 1400-ft. level. It was ii the latter
that the Mayflower lode was originally uncovered.
NEVADA
THE NIVLOC NORTHERN MINES en. ORGANIZED.
Como. — Gurney Gordon, general manager of the Como,
in giving his reasons for closing the mines, says in a state-
ment to stockholders: "We feel that it is not profitable
to operate a producing mine under present conditions.
The miners are not satisfied with the present wage-scale
and we cannot pay more because or the general low
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MICHIGAN COPPER DISTRICT
efficiency of labor. We have hoped for a reduction in the
price of supplies for the last two years, also for improved
labor conditions, but they have grown worse every month.
We feel that it is not good policy to deplete our ore-
reserves further under these conditions, for, using as a
basis the purchasing power of money five years ago, we
can only figure the value of our gold at $8 per ounce
and silver at 40c. per ounce at the present time." The
Como was paying the Virginia City wage-scale. The
statement says the increased price of powder, lumber,
and lime since January 1, 1920, has added $1500 monthly
to the operating costs. There is $2,500,000 wortli of $10
to $12 ore blocked out in the mine, according to the
statement. This is being treated in a 100-ton mill.
Title Canyon. — The Silver Hill company, operating
the Ingalls under option, has stopped all work that was
being done by contractors. This was the result of a tele-
636
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 30, 1920
gram from W. J. Loring. ordering the work stopped until
"after election ", according to one of the contractors.
The mill is not working on ore, but tailing is being re-
treated with cyanide.
Virginia City. — Miners employed in the North End
mines have been notified by Alex Wise, superintendent,
that the $5 wage-scale paid before the strike early in
September will become effective again on January 1.
Since the strike the scale has been $6. This will be done,
according to the manager, so that other companies, un-
able to operate under the advanced scale, can resume.
He says that in view of general declining prices the $5
scale "will work a hardship on no one and will create
at least four or five times the present opportunity for
employment".
West Divide. — A two-drill compressor is in use at the
West Divide. L. L. Patrick, manager, an ore-bin has been
built and is being filled, and new buildings have been com-
pleted. A drift is being driven north on the main-tunnel
level in a vein parallel to that in the shaft and short cross-
cuts are being driven as the drift is advanced. The north
drift on the 65-ft, or shaft-level, also is being continued.
The ore-shoot, after having been only a few inches wide
for a distance of 12 ft. at this depth, is widening. Assays
of as high as $1900 in silver and lead have been secured
recently from two and three-inch widths. Then men are
employed.
Silver Pick. — The Nivloc Northern Mines Co. has been
organized to further develop 15 claims formerly owned
by the Nivloc Mines Co., eight miles south-west of here.
Officials of the company say a 100-ton mill is to be built
to treat $10.50 ore. A. G. Cummings. formerly in charge
of the Nivloc, is the organizer and manager of the new
company, and associated with him are Fred Remick, for-
merly superintendent for the Montezuma Silver, Henry
C. Schmidt, John M. Cotton, and John R. Cunningham.
The ore, in quartz veins with limestone walls, is said to be
free-milling. The main work is done through a 420-ft.
shaft, from the bottom of which a cross-cut penetrates
four veins of a total width of more than 100 ft. Prac-
. tically all of the work is on the bottom level. About 300
ft. of cross-cuts and an equal amount of di'ifting have
been done on that level and one raise has been driven a
short distance. More than $300,000 has been spent in
development.
Goldfield. — George Meuli, a Lone Star lessee, has
completed in a Gibson mill a trial run of 25 tons of $200
ore. Practically all of the free gold was saved by amal-
gamation, but the loss in telluride is estimated to have
been $25 per ton. The tailing may be treated with cya-
nide at the mill or it may be shipped.
Montezuma. — The Washington Montezuma, after
being idle since 1914, has resumed work. An 18-hp.
hoist. 32-ft. head-frame, and five buildings have been
erected. Montezuma is a silver-lead district, but the
Washington ore contains gold only. Assays as follows
have been obtained in a 200-ft. shaft: 4 ft.. $11: 10 ft.,
$22.40 ; 10. ft.. $12.20. A drift has been driven 140 ft.
from the bottom of the shaft and this is now being ex-
tended. Later it is planned to sink the shaft deeper.
The company owns two claims. The vein, quartz with
limestone walls, is 45 ft. wide at the bottom of the shaft.
The officers, all Chicago men, are R. H. Kiehm. presi-
dent ; John J. Sullivan, vice-president and manager ;
Gustav Schulz, treasurer; John M. Zamecnek, secretary.
Sullivan is a police sergeant making his first venture
into mining as a manager and, without assistance, he has
done well so far.
Pioche. — No action has been taken as yet by the
officials of the Salt Lake Route toward reducing freight-
rates on ore shipments, although promises and assur-
ances have been made to the larger producers. During
the week ending October 16, the Prince Consolidated
shipped 1510 tons; Virginia-Louise, 515; Bristol Silver
Mines, 150; Black Metals, 100; Combined Metals. 55;
Currency Lease, 40 ; Zero Lease, 40 ; making a total of
2410 tons.
UTAH
SPECIAL CONTRACTS DECLARED DISCRIMINATORY.
Salt Lake City. — The TJ. S. Bureau of Mines has al-
lotted $27,000 for co-operative experimental work at
various institutions in Utah, and has allotted $7500 to the
Idaho Bureau of Mines and Geology. These sums must
be matched by State contributions. On October 19. the
Public Utilities Commission of Utah handed down a de-
cision in the so-called 'special contract' cases, involv-
ing the Utah Power & Light Co. 's schedules for power
service in this State. These special contracts allowed 56
of the largest customers a rate for current considerably
lower than that paid by other customers receiving similar
service. The investigation was begun on September 27,
1919, when an order was issued by the Commission, stat-
ing that the special contracts were "discriminatory and
preferential". The initial hearing was begun on De-
cember 8. The metal-mining companies involved include
the United States Smelting Co., American Smelting
Refining Co., Silver King Consolidated Mining Co.. Utah
Copper Co., and other prominent coal and metal-mining
companies. These companies are placed, for the time
being, on standard schedules. During 1919, the total
earnings of the Power company were $4,431,846, of which
amount the special contract holders contributed $1,781,-
434. Under the decision, the special contract holders will I
be called upon to pay approximately a million dollars
additional per annum for their current. The Utah Cop-
per Co. alone, in some years, has consumed more than one-
half of the Power company's output. The contract rate
per kilowatt hour is 4.8 mills, and the standard schedule ■
for such service is 8.2 mills. The Power company con-
tended that it was furnishing power to the Utah Copper
at about 40% of the actual cost of such power. T
special-contract holders contended that a contract, law-
ful when made, should, under the constitution of both the
State and nation, be held inviolable from interference by
legal authority. On October 21. attorneys for several of
the mining companies filed petitions asking fur a re-hear-
ing of the case.
October 30, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
637
tin. i.. — Exploration work al the Success mine,
al"'ut four miles from here, is meeting with conditions
prhich promise well for the future of the property as B
produci r. according to S. M. Fleming, who is in charge
of tin- property. <>n the 200-ft. level, for a distance of
along the Btrike of the vein, an average of two
• silver-load ore. valued at $30 per ton, lias been
opened up. This ore, it is stated, extends to the surface.
A carload of carbonate ore, mined on the surface, is ready
for shipment. The vein, which traverses the granite-
limestone in a north-south direction, has been developed
by an inclined shaft sunk on the dip of the fissure. The
min. has been equipped with modern machinery by the
owners of the property. George Peters & Sons of New
York City.
BlNGHAM. — On October 20. Federal Judge Tillman D.
Johnson handed down three decisions in the six cases
i struction of a new power-line to Big Cottonwood
canyon, which should ensure continuous power through-
out the winter. A new ami shorter road i" the property
has I n finished, which will expedite the handling of
material !•> ami from the mine.
Park City. — A body of iron sulphide, in which bunches
of good copper-silver ore occur, has been found in a drift
from the Spiii. tunnel in the Silver King Consolidated
mine, about seven feet from the tunnel. S e of the ore
assayed 9% copper and 13 oz. silver. Samples of gray
copper from one of the other Hssures encountered by the
Spiro tunnel gave assays of 128 oz. silver and $32 gold
per ton. A feature of tile iron-sulphide development is
tlie fact that all of the approaches to the Parsons stope
in the upper workings of the mine, from which approxi-
mately $1,500,000 worth of ore was taken, passed through
heavy iron sulphides. Present operations are being
OFFICE OF THE PHELPS DODGE CORPORATION AT TYRONE, NEW MEXICO
pending between the Utah-Apex Mining Co. and the
Utah Consolidated Mining Co., whereby five of the suits
were decided in favor of the Utah-Apex and one in favor
of the Utah Consolidated. R. H. Channing, Jr., presi-
dent of the Utah Consolidated, states that his company
will at once move to take the cases decided against it to
the United States Circuit Court of Appeals.
Alta. — An assessment of lc. per share has been levied
on the stock of the Howell Mining Co. The levy is de-
linquent November 16. Recently the company was grant-
ed permission by the State Securities Commission to sell
a block of treasury stock at 10c. per share. The Alta
Tunnel & Transportation Co. has awarded a contract for
200 ft. of work in the east drift from the Alta tunnel,
according to F. V. Bodfish, manager. The drift is fol-
lowing one of the Prince of "Wales fissures through a
broad zone of the brecciation of the type in which have
been found the orebodies of the Emma and other Alta
mines. The drift is now 600 ft below the bottom of the
1 Prince of Wales shaft. The company has completed the
financed by the sale of short-term convertible 7% notes.
The notes are convertible into stock on a basis of $2 per
share. The company's last annual report showed that
receipts from the sale of these notes during 1919 totaled
$128,200. Shipments of ore from six mines in this dis-
trict for the week ending October 16 totaled 1832 tons,
of which the Silver King Coalition shipped 519 ; Judge
M. & S., 401; Daly West. 353; Ontario, 376; Keystone,
83 ; Naildriver, 60. The Judge smelter shipped 40 tons
of premium spelter.
Operations at the electrolytic smelter of the Judge Min-
ing & Smelting Co. were suspended on October 22, as a
result of the decision of the Public Utilities Commission
to allow the Utah Power & Light Co. to increase power-
rates. The Judge company is one of the holders of
'special contracts' for power service. The low price of
spelter and increased mining and refining costs make
operations of the smelter inadvisable and unprofitable,
according to G. W. Lambourne. general manager.
The new milling-plant of the Keystone Mining Co. is
638
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 30, 1920
about 80% complete. A crushing-plant of 100 tons daily
capacity will be erected. Officials of the company believe
the new plant will be ready for operation soon after the
first of the year. By an agreement with the Silver King
Coalition, the Keystone company has been using the
Hanauer tunnel for the purpose of developing its prop-
erty, and several ore showings have been opened up dur-
ing the past year. By using this tunnel, the Keystone
company was able to do development work at a depth of
800 ft. below the deepest of the old workings.
Eureka. — Preparations are being made to resume
work at the property of the Diamond Queen Mining Co.,
about 3£ miles south of Silver City. Buildings have been
erected and the necessary equipment purchased. A con-
nection was recently made with the Silver City water
system to supply the necessary water. The shaft will be
deepened ; a hoisting equipment good for a depth of 1000
ft. is now being installed. An assessment was recently
levied on the outstanding stock of the company, the pro-
ceeds of which will be used for the development.
Shipments of ore from this district for the week end-
ing October 16 totaled 123 cars, of which the Chief Con-
solidated shipped 37 ; Tintic Standard, 27 ; Mammoth, 14 ;
Dragon, 13 ; Iron Blossom, 7 ; Grand Central, 6 ; Iron
King, 4; Centennial-Bureka, 3; Eagle & Blue Bell, 3;
Swansea, 2 ; Victoria, 2 ; Gemini, 2 ; Bullion Beck, 2 ;
Colorado, 1.
A contract has been let by the East Crown Point Min-
ing Co. for sinking a main working-shaft, according to
Charles Zabriskie, manager. The shaft is being sunk for
assessment work. George Adams, who is in charge of the
development at the property of the Dagmar-Northwest
Mining Co., reports that the sinking of the shaft will be
resumed. It is now 190 ft. deep and it is the intention to
continue sinking until the 500-ft. level is reached, when
drifting will be commenced.
High-grade streaks and bunches of ore are appearing in
the face of the drift on the lowest level of the Eureka-
Lilly mine, which is 1600 ft. below the surface, according
to Grant Snyder, manager. '"Work is progressing in a
.satisfactory manner on the foundations for the machinery
at the South Standard property, according to E. J. Rad-
datz, president. The shaft at this property will be one
of the largest in this district, having four compartments ;
one compartment being used solely for ventilation pur-
poses. A power-line has been erected between Tintic
Standard and the South Standard properties. While
most of the work at the old Centennial-Eureka mine is
being handled by lessees, the company is also doing con-
siderable prospecting and shipping some ore. The com-
pany owns a few claims adjoining the Mammoth mine,
and a drift is being driven for the purpose of prospecting
this ground.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
HIGH-GRADE ORE BELOW PRESENT WORKINGS IN THE
DOLLY VARDEN.
Usk. — Considerable activity in prospecting continues
to be shown in this district, although the season is rapidly
drawing to a close, snow already having appeared on the
hills. A promising 10-ft. belt of ore is being developed
at the Silver Horde group, at the head of Chiminess
creek. The orebody contains numerous stringers of gray
copper, varying from the thickness of a sheet of paper
to a foot in width. Recent assays of culled ore have run
15 to 20% copper and 200 to 300 oz. silver per ton. The
Kleanza Mining Co. has been finding some rich gold ore
on its No. 5 claim ; assays have given as much as 4 oz. in
gold and 15% copper.
On Bornite mountain, three miles from Usk, the Hazel
group is being developed with promise of a successful
outcome. The ore is chalcopyrite and bornite. with a
small quantity of gray copper. Specimens have been
assayed with returns of 28 oz. silver, 24% copper, and
0.10 oz. gold. Tunnel operations are to be started on at
vein about five feet wide of mixed high-grade and mill-
ing-ore. There is a large mineralized dike in this section
which has been cut Vy Emma creek and by the action of
the water the ore was exposed. From the Peerless claims
of the same locality was taken a specimen that weighed
over 100 lb. and is estimated to contain 50% copper.
Epidote and hornblende form the matrix of the vein!
from which this was taken. It has been stripped for over
100 ft. and several deep cuts made, the result being the 1
uncovering of 26 in. of high-class ore, the remainder for I
a width of 7 ft. being milling-ore. There is one hun-
dred tons on the dump for shipping and plans are being
made for the resumption of operations next season on a
large scale. There is a force of fifteen men at work on
the Kitselas Mountain Copper Co. 's property, also near
Usk. North and south drifts respectively are being
driven on No. 1 and No. 2A veins and a foundation of
concrete is being laid under the mill and so extended as :.
to provide for an addition when one is required. The I
concentrates coming from the chalcocite and bornite ore
are high-grade, giving returns of 48% copper. 40 oz. i
silver, and 2.20 oz. gold per ton.
Trail. — Despite the fact that little ore is reaching the
smelter from the Sandon and other Slocan camps, the I
total received each day has been mounting gradually, and ;
recently has averaged well over 1000 tons. During the
first 14 days of October. 16.033 tons was received, the
Consolidated M. & S. Co. mines contributing 13,669 tons.
The other shippers were : Bell, Beaverdell, 41 tons ; Blue-
bell, Riondel, 157 ; Emerald, Salmo, 33 ; Florence,
Princess Creek, 133 ; Granby, Grand Forks, 107 ; Iron
Mask, Kamloops, 53 ; Josie, Rossland, 627 ; Monarch,
Field, 42; North Star, Kimberley, 343; Ottawa. Slocan
City, 30 ; Paradise, Lake "Windermere, 47 ; Rambler,
Cariboo, 43; Ruth, Cedar Creek, 118; Silver Bell,
Zwichy, 44 ; Spokane-Trinklet, Ainsworth, 39 ; Sau Poil,
Republic, Washington, 228 ; Skyline, Cedar Creek, 53 ;
Venus, Yukon, 54; and Wellington, Beaverdell, 80 tons.
Hazelton. — James Cronin, manager of the Babine
Bonanza, has announced that the cross-cut has reached
its objective and has penetrated a 12-ft. orebody, but j
that until proper machinery to facilitate mining has
been erected no further work will be done on the vein. '
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October 30, L920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
689
From now on the whole tone will be occupied in getting
ready for and erecting machinery. J. S. Kelley, who is
developing a 3-ft vein at the Judge group, Babine range,
lms been taking out ore recently thai assayed up to 100
oz. in silver. It also contains some copper.
1'kinck Kii-ekt. — High-grade ore, similar iu character
to that obtained in the present workings, has been pene-
trated 500 ft. below the present workings by a diamond-
drill at the Dolly Varden mine. This has greatly en-
couraged the owners of the property, as it fairly well
establishes persistence to that depth, at any rate. No
assay of the ore found has been announced, and even had
the ore been assayed the result would have been of little
value, as the high-grade found at the Dolly Varden is
decidedly spotty. About 20 tons of it is being shipped
each month to Tacoma, and brings average return of
about 1000 oz. per ton, but the assays of individual pieces
of this class of ore will give anything from 100 to 5000 oz.
The main thing is the finding of this class of ore in depth.
as many were of the opinion that it was entirely a near-
surface product. Some high-grade gold ore has been dis-
covered up the George river, which runs into the Port-
land Canal 17 miles below Stewart. Some of the big
paper interests have been examining the Eestall iron-
pyrite property, with a view to utilizing the mineral for
the manufacture of sulphuric acid. The Granby com-
pany had tliis property under option for some time, and
explored it thoroughly with a diamond-drill. H. S.
Munro, manager for the Granby, stated recently that the
property contains an immense body of iron pyrite, and
undoubtedly some day would be worked for that mineral,
but that the copper content was appreciably less than
that of the Hidden Creek ore.
Stewart. — The Algunican Development Co. has de-
cided to postpone further development of the George
group, situated on the south side of Bear river, Portland
Canal mining division, until next season. Considerable
progress has been made in opening up the property of
the Indian Mines Ltd., situated on the west side of Cas-
cade creek, between the Salmon River glacier and Cas-
cade creek. The claims are at an elevation of 2400 ft.
and fourteen miles from tidewater. Development con-
sists of three open-cuts on the croppings and two tunnels.
The former expose a vein from 12 to 20. ft. wide, which
can be followed on the surface for about 2000 feet.
Alice Arm. — For some weeks there has been a force
of about 200 men employed at the Dolly Varden mine.
The railway from the mine to the Alice Arm townsite
will have to be closed down during the winter. It is
understood that some 65 men will be kept on the payroll
for development in the mine during the closed season.
Slocan. — The lost vein of the Evening Star mine is
reported to have been found from the old tunnel, and
there are indications that the old property will be in the
shipping class again before long.
Grand Forks. — A. M. Johnson, who is interested in
the Molly Gibson mine at Paulson, states that there are
good prospects of the property being a regular shipper,
seven feet of high-class ore having been uncovered in the
old shaft. The intention is to sink to the tunnel, which
has been driven into the mountain a distance of 200 feet.
M \ia>\ ii.i.f. The Canadian Consolidated (fining &.
Smelting Co. is about to commence the construction of a
concentrating mill on the old site of the Marysville
smelter. Preliminary work is in hand.
MANITOBA
OREBODY OF THE KLIN FLON ESTIMATED TO CONTAIN
24.000,000 TONS.
Flin Flon. — Excellent progress is being made in test-
ing the Flin Flon copper property in north-western Mani-
toba, which is under option to Col. W. B. Thompson of
HEAD-FRAME OF THE MANDALAY MINK, JTNGO, NEVADA
New York and associates. The originally planned ex-
penditure of $200,000 for exploration will be consider-
ably exceeded, as operations now in progress will call for
an outlay of about $350,000 as transportation difficulties
render working costs very high. It has been ascertained
that the orebody formerly estimated to contain 20,000,-
000 tons will probably run to about 24,000,000 tons. An
examination was recently made by Henry Krumm and
Andrew J. McNab, chief engineers for Col. Thompson
and associates. No. 1 shaft was down 200 ft., the ore was
cross-cut disclosing 300 ft. of ore and No. 2 shaft had
reached the same depth exposing 185 ft. of ore. From
No. 1 shaft drifting was extended 500 ft. south. It was
planned to sink each shaft an additional 100 ft. and
undertake other development to prove the orebody to a
640
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 30, 1920
depth of 300 ft. The option expires March 31, but the
Thompson interests must announce their decision by
January 1 to the Manitoba government, to allow the lat-
ter time to consider the building of the Pas railroad.
ONTARIO
PRESENT WAGE-SCALE WILL NOT BE CHANGED.
Cobalt. — The wage-scale at the mines in the Cobalt
district is the subject of discussion among the Workmen's
Councils. With silver below 80c. per ounce, a flat wage
has been paid, with a bonus of 25c. daily for each ten
points which silver may advance above that price. Early
in the year, on $1.37 silver, the bonus amounted to $1.50
daily. In May, last, the companies announced their in-
tention to pay a bonus based on silver at $1.20, regardless
of the lower price. This has meant a daily bonus of
$1.50, although silver has declined to under 90c, which
entitles the workers to a bonus of 25c. only. This bonus
of $1.50 was assured until November 1, and with that
date approaching, the workers are endeavoring to obtain
from the operators the assurance that this rate will be
continued.
Official advice from the Mining Corporation of Canada
shows that this company will produce as much silver
during 1920 as in the previous year. The achievement is
remarkable because the output promises to exceed the
amount of silver estimated to be in the reserves at the
beginning of the year. The company is opening up the
Buffalo mine, which was purchased early in the year, but
has not yet commenced to draw ore from this source. It
is also unofficially reported that negotiations have been
opened with a view to purchasing the Hudson Bay mines,
or at least that part of the property lying west of the
Townsite mine.
Bullion shipments during the third week of October
from the Nipissing amounted to 152 bars containing
200,411 oz. of silver, while in the corresponding period
the Mining Corporation sent out 98 bars containing
99,950 oz. This is about 50% above the average.
On October 16 high-grade ore was found at a depth of
100 ft. in the Ruby Silver mines. Including the narrow
high-grade streak and the silver-impregnated wall-rock,
the silver-bearing material has a width of three feet.
Business men of Cobalt have a lease on the property.
The Anvil Lake Silver mines, in the Maple Mountain
section of the Elk Lake district, is being re-opened.
Meantime, British interests, represented by J. B. Tyrell,
are negotiating for the control of the White Reserve mine
which lies within a mile of Anvil Lake.
Dr. W. G. Miller, Provincial Geologist for Ontario, and
Thomas W. Gibson, Deputy Minister of Mines, are mak-
ing an official tour of inspection through the mining dis-
tricts of Northern Ontario.
The Casey-Cobalt, which has produced about 2,500,000
oz. of silver, has gone into voluntary liquidation.
Porcupine. — The diamond-drilling on the Porcupine-
Miracle south of Night Hawk lake has been completed
comprising about 1200 ft. which has disclosed a wide zone
of mineralization. Further diamond-drilling is being
considered. A two-ton shipment of ore from the Clifton-
Porcupine when milled gave a return of $66 per ton.
Kirkland Lake. — In the Bidgood a drift on the 300-ft.
level has cut what is believed to be the vein on which the
shaft was sunk at a distance from the shaft of 86 ft. The
drift is being continued to tap a vein, which showed up
on the surface. A new mineralized body has been en-
countered east of the shaft.
Boston Creek. — Work has been resumed at the Mon-
deau which was closed down recently on account of un-
satisfactory labor conditions. The Kennedy-Boston is
planning to resume underground operations shortly. The
force is at present engaged in surface work.
Lightning River. — Active mining operations will be
carried on throughout the winter by the Lightning River
Mining Co. A force of men has been sent in with a full
supply of provisions and material.
Bourke's Station. — The four Wickstead-Oleson claims
at Lion Lake have been taken over on option by a syndi-
cate representing Toronto and American capital.
Matachewan. — The Matachewan Gold Mines has com-
pleted an extensive diamond-drilling compaign compris-
ing 15,000 ft. of drilling, the results of which are stated
to be satisfactory. The greatest depth reached was 600
ft. In addition two shafts have been put down by hand-
steel from the first of which 1000 ft. of lateral work has
been accomplished on the 200-ft. level. Further develop-
ment has been deferred until a supply of electric power
can be obtained from Indian Chutes on the Montreal
river.
Toronto. — The Imperial Oil Co. of this city has re-
ceived confirmation of the report that oil had been found
on its claims at Fort Norman on the Mackenzie river near
the Arctic circle. The first statement was to the effect
that the flow of oil was from 1000 to 1500 barrels per day,
but a message from the company's geological party, which
has returned to Edmonton, while corroborating the news
of the strike gives no details as to the flow.
Fort Norman occupies a commanding position on the
east bank of the Mackenzie river in the southern angle
formed by the entrance of the Great Bear river. It is
situated 65° north and 126° west. For long it has been
a point of interest on account of the immense beds of
lignite which have been burning for the last 130 years, the
fires being first noted by Alexander Mackenzie in 1789.
Fort Norman is 900 miles from the nearest calling-
point of a river boat, and 1200 miles from the nearest
railroad. The only means of access at the present time is
down the northern rivers, and these will float boats of
only four or five feet draught, and several rapids necessi-
tate the unloading and reloading of cargoes. This pre-
cludes bringing oil up the river in quantity until ade-
quate transportation conditions are provided. Added to
these disadvantages, the severe cold reduces the period of
navigation to three or four months in the year.
The Imperial Oil Co. has staked nine miles along one
side of the river and eight miles along the other. This
includes the islands in the river. The oil is of excellent
quality, running about 40° Baume.
r 10, 1!»20
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
till
COPPKR PRODUCTION'
1920 1919
September 9 months 12 months
Ahm.ok 1.61S.300 14,975.138 17,023,111
AlL.uez 2,499.239 3,749.984
Anaconda 11,100,000 127.850,000 148.872,000
Arizona 3,000,000 36,500,000 32,900,000
Calumet & Hecla. . 4.169.78S 44,049,625 53,859.146
Centennial 561,284 765,196
Calumet & Arizona 3.038,000 31,846,000 46,450,000
Chino 5,161,894 35,734,999 42,325,449
Chile 9,496,000 81.406.000 77,953,084
East Butte 1,634,260 13,647,760 20,382.560
Cranby 2.239,174 19,676,932 28,213,552
Greene-Cananea . . 3,500,000 32,650,000 41,300,000
Inspiration 6,500,000 61,900.000 78,500,000
Isle Royale 727,864 8,175,017 13,007,647
Kennecott 8,878,000 84,755,660 SI, 914. 520
Miami 4,600,000 41,711.500 53,520,091
New Cornelia 3,314,000 32,040,000 42.049,000
| North Butte 1,434,159 12,276,060 14,351,067
Nevada Con 4,650,000 38,821.938 43,971,899
Osceola 643,200 6.401,220 10,825,S41
1 Phelps Dodge .... 7.99S.000 71,450,500 109,155,944
Bay 4,502,000 38,616,073 47.471,322
Shaltuck-Arizona . 166,513 2,161,313 2,113,922
Superior 46,893 281,393 555,660
United Verde Ex. , 3,327,644 32,388,644 28,985.588
Utah 8,420,000" 81;757,999 110,591,608
I White Pine 82,169 1,743,387 1,979,268
Total 100,247,858 955,877,6811,152,787,459
CALIFORNIA
Butte County. — Power restrictions which compelled the
I Feather River dredge No. 3 of the Natomas Co. to close
(down, have been lifted and orders have been received in
lOroville that the big gold boat shall begin operations again.
(The removal of the power restrictions on gold dredging
| followed the recent rains.
Nevada County. — The Idaho-Maryland 15-stamp mill is
Inearly ready but the lower workings of the mine are still
(filled with water. The hoist for the winze at the Alcalde
|mine has arrived and will be put in place immediately.
Plumas County. — Work is being pushed on the property of
jof the Reinmuller Copper Mining Co. in the Lights Canyon
district. The company holds about 50 claims by locations,
jbond. and option joining the Engels mine on the north. A
tunnel is being driven to cut the ore about 275 ft. below
lie surface. John Reinmuller is president. John F. Cowan
one of the directors. The main working and drainage
unnel at the Walker mine has been driven over 4800 ft.
gaining a depth of 1000 ft. on the dip of the orebody. A
raise from this tunnel is being completed to No. 4 level.
|an approximate distance of 450 ft. The raise is said to have
exposed rich ore. It is understood that the capacity of the
Ifiotation mill will be materially enlarged early in the corn-
ling year.
Sierra County. — The Kate Hardy mine is showing some
good prospects. The drift from the 100-ft. level has opened
up a pay-shoot with ore that will run very high. Decision
has been reached to begin work this fall on a 300-ft. tunnel
to tap the channel in the Bella Union-Poor Boy mine. It is
planned to continue the work all winter. The property lies
on what is known as the Port Wine ridge and has been ex-
tensively prospected by drilling-machines during the past
summer. L. A. Thatcher, of San Francisco, who has pur-
chased the machinery at the Gold Point mine, is shipping
the machinery to his holdings in other parts of the State.
Yuba County. — The lifting of the power-restrictions in
effect since early summer, has permitted the resumption of
gold-dredge operations on the Yuba river. Two or three of
the eight boats operated by the Yuba Consolidated Gold-
fields Co. wer.e shut-down, but these boats have been again
placed in commission. The other boats, which were working
but part time each day, are now operating continuously.
IDAHO
Burke. — The Imperial Mining Co. will make a 700-ft.
raise from its lower tunnel to the winze sunk from the upper
workings. It will be started 3000 ft. from the portal of the
lower tunnel. Homer Brown, secretary, says arrangements
are being made to secure a small sawmill with which to cut
the lagging and stulls for the raise. About 85,000 ft. of
timber will be required. Several streaks of quartz have been
found in the face of the lower tunnel of the Washington
Mining Co.'s property, according to reports. Assays give a
return of several ounces of silver per ton. In the upper
tunnel of the property a stringer of galena ore more than a
foot in width has been found.
Wallace. — The Callahan Zinc-Lead Co. shipped 4.230,000
lb. of zinc concentrate in September. In the sam; period it
shipped 2, ISO, 000 lb. of lead concentrate and 21.800 oz. of
silver. At the time of the dividend disbursement. Septem-
ber 30 last, it was announced that development was pro-
ceeding on the Nipsic and Interstate veins. The Hope Min-
ing & Milling Co. has obtained title from the State of Idaho
to its property on the east side of Pend Oreille lake, 11 miles
from Hope, where the State recently sold a total of 3 240
acres. This property was formerly known as the Morning
Star group, for a long time supposed to be on Government
land and was so located. Directors of the company say that,
now that title has been secured, work will be resumed in a
short time and a 1500-ft. tunnel driven to cross-cut six or
seven veins. The new tunnel will be 600 ft. below the pres-
ent main tunnel. In the upper tunnel 14 in. of high-grade
ore was uncovered. A 4 5-ton car of silver-lead concentrate
was shipped recently by the Big Creek Mining Co. in the
Coeur d'Alene. The new mill of the company is running
full time and treating 75 tons per day. Important in the
plans of development of the company is the raise which will
soon be commenced in the lower tunnel to reach the next
tunnel above which is 550 ft. higher. From this raise levels
will be opened for the extraction of ore for the mill. The
Columbia section of the American Institute of Mining and
Metallurgical Engineers will hold its annual meeting in
Kellogg and Wallace. October 29 and 30, according to an-
nouncement issued by L. K. Armstrong of Spokane, chair-
man of the section. One session will be held at Kellogg and
642
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 30. 1920
the Bunker Hill works and smelter will be inspected. An-
other session will take place at Wallace and various mines
and mills adjacent to Wallace will be visited.
NEW MEXICO
Lordsburg. — It is reported that the diamond-drill work
in progress at the 85 mine, recently purchased by the Calu-
met & Arizona Mining Co., is resulting favorably.
Mount Franklin. — Alfred Roos and associates are reported
to have purchased what is said to be, from surface indica-
tions, one of the largest fluorspar deposits in the country,
situated in the extreme northern part of the Franklin
Mountain range, just north of the line between New Mexico
and Texas, and about 25 miles north of El Paso. The two
vein-systems are said to be more than a mile long, and the
quality is believed to be excellent, containing no other im-
purity than silica.
WASHINGTON
Spokane. — The Bead Lake Mining Co., seven miles from
Newport, in Pend Oreille county, owned largely by Spokane
capital, is building a 100-ton concentrator to be completed
by the first of the year. Two separate properties are owned
by the company. One is copper and the other silver-lead.
Both are developed to the stage where they are capable of
steady production. The galena lode has been- developed on
four levels to a depth of 500 ft., showing a vein from 8 to
14 ft. wide, most of the vein being a high-grade milling-ore
with much first-class ore. Copper holdings of the company
adjoin the silver-lead property and have been developed to
a depth of 750 ft. The vein is two to four feet wide, the ore
being chalcopyrite. From the bottom of the shaft the vein
has been followed 700 ft., the ore being low-grade most of
the distance.
MEXICO
Coahuila. — Approximately 6000 coal miners in the State
of Coahuila are reported to be out on strike, and several
men have been killed in encounters between workers and
soldiers protecting the coal mines at Agujita.
Sonora. — The construction of a railroad from Agua Prieta
on the international border over the Sierra Madre mountains
to Casas Grandes on the east side of the mountain range, is
reported to have been authorized by the Mexican govern-
ment. The route of the road will be over the Pulpito Pass
on the Sierra Madre mountains and north-west to Agua
Prieta. An extension will connect, it is said, with the
Southern Pacific of Mexico, south of Nogales. The total
length of the proposed road will be nearly 200 miles. After
a ten day trip in Sonora, T. B. Johnson and J. E. Meyers of
El Paso, are reported to have discovered and denounced the
Klondyke placer. Fifty pertenencias or 125 acres covering
about two and a half miles up and down the gulch, including
dam-site for storage of water for hydraulic purposes, have
been denounced. The property is located about 90 miles
south of Nacozari, and about five miles from the Monte
Cristo mine, owned by a syndicate of prominent business
men. The Monte Cristo mine is reported to be in operation
and extracting high-grade silver ore from the mines as well
as working over the old dumps. This mine has a record of
having yielded approximately $1,000,000, and 10 carloads
of concentrate shipped to the El Paso smelter yielded
$150,000.
Mose Sevey, an American citizen, superintendent of the
Cananea-Duluth mine of the Cananea Consolidated Copper
Co., was fatally injured on October 20, due to a gunshot
wound inflicted by a Mexican employee.
Hidalgo. — The Compania de Real del Monte y Pachuca,
Mexican subsidiary of the U. S. Smelting & Refining Co.,
and situated at Pachuca, has recently purchased the Arevalo
properties about six miles from Pachuca for $1,250,00C.
IpersonalI
The Editor invites members of the profession to send particulars of their
work and appointments. The information is interesting to our readers.
F. W. Bradley is at Kellogg.
R. A. F. Penrose, Jr., passed through San Francisco last
week.
W. C. Minsch is with the Minas del Tajo, at Rosario,
Mexico.
Philip Wiseman is in New York, on his way home to Los
Angeles.
H. R. Bischoff is with the Crown Reserve Mining Co., at
Cobalt, Ontario.
Gibnour E. Brown is visiting the Chino Copper Co., at
Hurley, New Mexico.
F. F. Friant, recently at Dos Cabezas, Arizona, is now at
Port Orford, Oregon.
M. G. F. Sohnlein is in Holland. He expects to return to
Chile early next year.
H. C. Goodrich, chief engineer for the Utah Copper Co.,
was in San Francisco recently.
P. K. Lucke has gone to Europe, from Mexico, and will
return at the end of December.
Harvey S. Mudd left New York on October 22, on his re-
turn from London to Los Angeles.
Robert D. Longyear, of the E. J. Longyear Co., of Min-
neapolis, was in San Francisco this week.
David White, Chief Geologist, TJ. Si Geological Survey, is
visiting the branch office in San Francisco.
S. F. Hunt, lately superintendent for the Tybo Lead Co., at
Lucin, Utah, has moved to Tecoma, Nevada.
Charles P. Richardson, manager of the Slim Jim mine, at
Sawyer's Bar, California, is in San Francisco.
Thomas M. Bains, Jr., is now at the Missouri School of
Mines, at Rolla, having left Mariposa, California.
Fred B. Ely is making a geologic survey for oil and gas
in Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, arfd Tamaulipas. in Mexico.
John D. Hoffmann is consulting engineer to the Mawchi
Mines Ltd. and Yuanmi Gold Mines Ltd., with headquarters
in London.
George E. Collins, of Denver, has been in New York. He
is chairman of the Flotation Conference to be held at Den-
ver as a part of the meeting of the American Mining Con-
gress.
Garret Mott, president of the Castle Dome Mining Co.. and
chairman of the executive committee of the Superior &
Boston Copper Co., together with John Kasser, is at Globe,
Arizona.
Walter Harvey Weed announces that he has severed all
connection with Harris & Co., of 25 Broad street, New York.
His addresses are 29 Broadway, New York, and Tuckahoe,
New York.
J. G. Flynn has resigned his position with the Miami
Copper Mining Co., at Miami, Arizona, to accept a position
as mine superintendent with the El Oro Mining & Railroad
Co., at El Oro, Mexico.
G. F. Loughlin, Chief of the Division of Mineral Re-
sources, U. S. Geological Survey, and Charles G. Yale, in
charge of the San Francisco office of the Survey, will be at
Salt Lake City early in November.
Gerald R. Simpson, recently superintendent for the Stand-
ard Minerals Co., at Kingman, Arizona, has opened an office
in the Haas building, at Los Angeles, as manufacturer of
his invention, a pneumatic flotation-cell.
F. H. Curry, formerly with the Inspiration Consolidated
Copper Co., sailed on October 22 from New York on his way
to the Belgian Congo, where he is to be mill superintendent
for the Union Miniere du Haut Katanga.
October 10, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
643
MKTAI. PRICES
Son Francisco, October 26
Aluminum dust, cents per pound 65
Antimony, cents per pound 9 .50
Copper, electrolytic, cents per pound 17.50
ad, pir, cents per pound 7.50 — 8.50
Platinum, pure, per ounce 905
Platinum. 10<£ iridium, per ounce $135
Quicksilver, per flask of 75 lb $65
Spelter, cents per pound 0.50
Kinc-dusi. cents per pound 13.50 — 15.00
EASTERN METAL MARKET
(By wire from New York)
Lead is quiet and weaker.
October 25. — Copper is inactive and nominal.
Zinc is dull and easy.
SILVER
Below are given official or ticker quotations for silver in the open market
• distinguished from the fixed price obtainable for metal produced, smelted.
and refined exclusively within the United States. Under the terms of the
Pittm.ui Act such silver will be purchased by the United States Mint at $1
per ounce, subject to certain small charges which vary slightly but amount
to approximately three-eighths of one cent. The equivalent of dollar silver
(1000 fine) in British currency is 46.65 pence per ounce (925 fine), calcu-
lated at the normal rate of exchange.
D;de
OI
Jnn
Fclv
M.-h
A[ir
May
June
Pri
Date
Oil.
N
19
20
21
22
23
24 Sunday
25
1918
88 72
;w York London
centR pence
76.26 51.50
78.12 51.87
81.37 53.25
80.60 52.62
80.00 52.12
80.87 62.50
Monthly
1919 1920
101.12 132.77
101.12 131.27
101.12 125.70
101.12 119.56
107.23 102.89
110.50 90.84
COPl
jtic in New York.
Sept.
Oct.
averag
July
Aug.
Sept
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
>EB
in cen
Sept.
Oct.
averag
July
Oct.
Dec.
AD
New "5
Sept.
Oct.
averag
July
Aug.
Sept
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Av
13
20..
27..
4. .
11. .
18, .
s
ts per
Avt
4.
es
rage week ending
Cents
93.96
94.31
93.52
91.65
86.77
. . 83.10
70.52
1918 1919
99.62 106.36
100.31 111.35
101.12 113.92
101.12 119.10
101.12 127.57
101.12 131.92
pound,
rage week ending
Pence
60.15
60.08
59.86
58.98
55.66
54.05
52.31
1920
92.04
96.23
88.11
95.35
03.66
90.50
cee of electro
.18.75
20.
23.
24
25
16.00
.18.75
.18.70
.18.50
Sunday
1918
15.50
15.50
Monthly
1919 1920
20.43 19.25
17.34 19.05
15.05 18.49
15.23 19.23
15.91 19.05
17.53 19.00
LE
n cents per pound.
7.25
7.26
.17.85
.17.15
.15.75
1918
26.00
26.00
26.00
..26.00
1919
20.82
22.51
22.10
21.66
20.45
18.55
ek ending
1020
19.00
'Feb.
. .23.50
19.00
18.75
Apr.
May
. .23.60
26.00
I June
Le
| Date
Oct ,
ad is
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
23.50
quoted i
rork (
Av
es
elivery.
srage we
. 8.29
. 8.08
.,
. 7.85
,.
. 7.54
.,
Sunday
7.00
. 7.50
. 7.50
1
1918
1919
5.60
5.13
5.24
5.05
5.04
6.32
Monthly
1920
8.65
8.88
9.22
8.78
8.55
8.43
1918
8.03
1919
5.53
5.78
6.02
6.40
6.76
7.12
1920
8.63
9.03
Men.
Apr.
May
June
7.26
8.08
6.09
. . 7.59
. . 8.05
. . 6.90
Zinc is quoted as spelter, standard Western brands. New York delivery,
in cents per pound.
Prices in New York, in cents per pound.
Monthly averages
1918
1919
1920
. . . 85.13
71.50
62.74
Feb. . .
. . . 85.00
72.44
60.87
Mch. ..
. . . 85.00
72.50
61.02
... 88.53
72.50
62.12
May ..
.. .100.01
72.50
54.09
June . .
. . . 91.00
71.83
48.33
1918
July 93.00
Aug 91.33
Sept 80.40
Oct 78.82
Nov 73.67
Dec 71.52
1919
1920
70.11
49.29
62.20
47.60
55.79
44.43
54.82
64.17
64.94
Date
Oct.
20.
Av
Sept. 13
20.
27.
Oct. 4
11
18
25
averages
July
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dee
?rage week
ending
7.60
. 7.83
7.68
»i
2.1
24
Sunday
1018
7.67
. , 7.02
.. 7.P2
1910
7.44
6.71
6.63
6.49
6.43
6.91
7.50
Monthly
1920
9.66
9.15
8.93
8.76
8.07
7.92
ii
• •
J .in.
Feb.
Mch.
Apr.
May
June
1018
. . 8.72
8.78
9.58
9.11
8.75
. . 8.49
1919
7.78
7.81
7.57
7.82
8 12
8.69
1920
S.1S
8.31
7.84
QUICKSILVER
The primary market for quicksilver is San Francisco. California being
the largest producer. The price is fixed in the open market, according to
quantity. Prices, in dollars per flask of 75 pounds.
Date . Oct. 11 75.00
Sept. 28 75.00 " 19 70.00
Oct. 5 75.00 I " 26 65.00
Monthly averages
1918
Jan 128.06
Feb 118.00
Mch 112.00
Apr 115.00
May 110.00
June 112.00
1919
103.75
90.00
72.80
73.12
84.80
94.40
1920
89.00
81.00
87.00
100.00
87.00
86.00
1918
July 120.00
Aug 120.00
Sept 120.00
Oct 120.00
Nov 120.00
Dec. 115.00
1919
100.00
10.3.00
102.60
86.00
78.00
95 00
1920
88.00
85.00
75.00
JAPANESE COPPER SPECULATION
"Exportation of American copper to Japan has ceased." says 'The Boston
News Bureau". "Since January 1. 1920, there has been shipped to the
Orient 80.000.000 lb. of copper, of which a large proportion, it is believed
among domestic producers, has been re-sold and shipped to Europe in com-
petition with American agencies abroad.
"During the three years ended June 30 last, there had been exported to
Japan 146.349.518 lb. of copper, of which 139,980,773 went out in the last
period, indicating the extraordinary movement which was getting under
way during the first half of 1920.
"The movement had apparently been completed last June, with shipments
in that month of 4.417.980 lb. July saw the exportation of but 940 lb.
to that country, while in August not a single pound was sent over.
"That the movement was almoBt entirely speculative producers admit,
while further confirmation appears in the actual shipments, which have
been as follows (pounds) :
Year to June 30. 1920 139.980,773
1919 6.287.620
1918 81,125
Three years 146.349.518
July 1920 940
August 1920 Done
"A decade ago there was a somewhat similar movement of copper to the
Far East, although at that time shipments were sent to China, where, it
was said at the time, heavy minting was to be undertaken. It was later
developed, however, that the buying of many millions of pounds of copper
for Chinese account covered an extraordinary speculative operation,"
SILVER
Samuel Montagu & Co. says: "It has been rumored that there have been
sales of bar silver from India to China. The last named country is now in
the remarkable position of sustaining, like a modern Atlas, the silver
market of the world — less the 45.000,000 oz. per year absorbable under
the Pittman Act. It is important to notice that, if the report be true, the
markets have had two sources of supply besides production, namely, de-
monetized silver from the Continent, and an overflow from India, which
might almost be described as demonetization in that quarter. There is no
doubt that it was the probability of the export of silver rupees becoming
feasible as a result of the position of exchange that impelled the Bazaar
price downward to about 106 rupees the 100 tolas — that is to say. 2%
rupees per 100 tolas below the Indian intrinsic value of full-weight rupees.
"We remarked long since that the extremely large remittances of silver
to China the last year or so. were not only owing to the replacement of the
silver shipments made during the War from that quarter to India for coin-
age, but also to the ill odor into which paper money had fallen as a conse-
quence of the Russian debacle. This distrust of notes still continues in
the interior of Asia, and it may be taken for granted that China is for a
while in a position to import and retain, or to consign into the interior,
more silver than in the past — perhaps even 50.000.000 or 60.000.000 oz.
per annum. This accounts for the ease with which China has continued
to take the metal. It ib stated that the imports of silver into China have
amounted to nearly 52.000.000 oz. between the beginning of January and
the end of August this year."
MONEY AND EXCHANGE
Foreign quotations on October 26 are as follows:
Sterling, dollars: Cable 3.47%
Demand 3.48ya
Francs, cents : Cable 6.40
Demand 6.41
Lire, cents: Demand 3.80
Marks, cents 149
644
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 30, 1920
Eastern Metal Market
New York, October 20.
There is no life in any of the markets and the tendency in
most of them is downward.
Copper values have touched new low levels on this move-
ment on free offerings. Sales have been very light.
The tin market continues quiet and featureless. Prices
have again declined.
The lead market is the most stable of all, but demand is
very light.
The buying of zinc is of small proportions with the ten-
dency easy.
Antimony is lower.
IRON AND STEEL
The movement toward lower prices for pig-iron and the
products of independent steel mills is more rapid and there
are more shut-downs and curtailments of production, says
'The Iron Age'. Signs now point to a decline in both pig-
iron and steel-ingot output in October, though an increase
was indicated as the month came in.
The most significant development of the week is a break
in coke, which apparently marks the end of the extreme
prices that have ruled for months. With a decline of $2
per ton in the week and both blast-furnace and foundry op-
erations on a diminishing scale, considerable contract coke
is being released meanwhile, buyers once more have some-
thing to say in that market. The efforts of the Ford Motor
Co. for a revision of its contracts on cold-finished steel bars
have met with fair success.
The belief that activity will succeed the present hesitation
early in the new year is prompting the policy in some cases
of adjusting operations for the time being to the limited de-
mand, without pressing for new business. Meanwhile con-
cessions are largely confined to the smaller mills.
Two large consumers of tin plate on the Pacific Coast, one
at Seattle and the other at Vancouver, have been covered for
their first half of 1921 needs by the American Sheet & Tin
Plate Co. at that company's maintained $7 basis.
COPPER
The copper market has continued to decline and new low
levels have been reached on this movement. There is no
question but that the outside producer, so called, and the
dealers have cut values decidedly. In some cases these re-
ductions are being met and sales have been made at the
lower values by some large producers. But the amount of
buying is light and not a fair test of the market. Neverthe-
less there has been some business. The market for both
Lake and electrolytic copper may be quoted at 16 to 16.50c,
New York, for early delivery. Sales have been made at
16.25 and 16.37Jc There has been some business done in
the last week for export at prices considerably above the
foregoing values. Consumption continues good and pro-
duction is decreasing. Sentiment is not pessimistic in all
quarters and the worst is believed to have passed.
TIN
Quietness continues to characterize this market and there
are no features. It is reported that a moderate business
was done during the last week by dealers and consumers on
future-shipment metal, but as a whole the market is devoid
of life or animation. It is partly disheartened. There are
reports also of financial difficulties in the Far East and in
Holland which have resulted in failures on a large scale in
some places and may end in others. The effect of the British
coal strike is being watched. As a result there have been
bear raids on the London market which have depressed
prices some £20 per ton. This has had its sympathetic effect
here and values have declined. Spot Straits tin was quoted
yesterday at 38.25c, New York, though it was 37.75c. on
Monday. In London spot Straits fell to £240 10s. on Mon-i
day, but recovered to £243 15s. yesterday. There was a
recovery also yesterday of £2 to £3 in spot and future stand-,
ard tin to £241 15s. and £247 10s., respectively. Arrivals
thus far this month have been 1565 tons with 5075 tons
afloat.
LEAD
This market has been the least affected of all recently.
Demand is exceedingly light. The only feature was another
reduction in the price of the leading interest on Monday of
Jo. per pound to 7c, St. Louis, and 7.25c, New York, which
was a readjustment to the outside market. We quote the
market 7c, St. Louis, or 7.25c, New York, with imported
metal at about the same as the New York market or 7.25c,
seaboard, duty paid. The domestic market is very close to
being lower than, or as low as, it is possible to import lead.
ZINC
This market is quiet, fairly steady, and devoid of features.
Prices have eased slightly and prime Western for early de-
livery is quoted at 7.25c, St. Louis, with the imported metal,
re-shipped from England, available at 7.50c, New York, or
seaboard. The effect of the British strike may be to reduce
the quantity from this source. Producers are cutting pro-
duction and declining to sell except where necessary, con-
fident of the future market's strength.
ANTIMONY
The market is quiet and easier with wholesale lots for
early delivery quoted at 6.50 to 6.75c, New York, duty paid.
ALUMINUM
There has been a revision of prices by the leading pro-
ducers. Virgin metal, 98 to 99%, is quoted now at 32.90c
f.o.b. producer's plant. The outside market is quoted at
28.50 to 29.50c, New York.
ORES
Tungsten: Off-grade Chinese ore has sold in moderate
sized lots at $4.50 per unit. Other grades are in poor de-
mand and nominally unchanged. Bolivian ore is quoted at
$5 to $5.50 and 60% scheelite at $6 per unit. Ferro-tung-
sten is unchanged.
Molybdenum: The market continues quiet with prices
nominal at 75c per pound of MoS, in regular concentrates.
Manganese: Demand is light. One consumer has offered
4 2c per unit for several thousand tons but was unsuccess-
ful. The last sale was at 53c
Manganese-Iron Alloys: Re-sale ferro-manganese has sold
in small lots on a basis of $155, seaboard. The regular quo-
tation is $170. seaboard. Demand is very light. The spiegel-
eiseh market is inactive but strong at $80 to $82.50, fur-
nace, for the low and high-grade, respectively.
h
6:
kit
AMERICAN METAL TO SELL CERRO DE PASCO OUTPUT
The Cerro de Pasco Copper Co., at the expiration of its
present contract with the American Smelting & Refining Co.
the last of this year, will switch the refining and sale of its
product to the American Metal Co. The production under
capacity operation will run above 100,000,000 lb. of copper
per annum. This constitutes the largest and most important
change among the copper-selling agencies in the past few
years, one of the most recent having been the withdrawal of
the Copper Range Co. from the United Metals Selling Co.
group and the subsequent establishment of its own sales de-
partment,
■■'..:
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Oetober 30, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
INDUSTBLM^ROGRESS
• -
'V,
INFORMATION FURNISHED BY MAM K A( Tl KfKS
iiitiiMMiimiiriiiiiiiiiitiHii iiiiiiiitiiiiii miiiiiiimiiini iiiiiiiiiiihiiii iimiiimmimiiiiimimiiiiiiiiutiiimiiiiii
AI,MS-< H.X1.MKKS BALL-GRAM I.ATOKS
The ball-granulator, as developed by the Allis-Chalmers
Manufacturing Co.. was originally designed to crush 2 or
J-in. ore down to a fineness of 10 to SO-mesh. Actual ex-
perience has shown it to be equally efficient as a fine grinder
when reducing 8 to 20-mesh feed to anywhere from 100 to
200-mesh. The company claims that after careful study of
Variable-Discharge Diaphragm
khe principles of ball-mill grinding and the troubles en-
countered with the earlier designs constructed for this work,
it has succeeded in producing a mill that eliminates the
Difficulties heretofore encountered, and added several special
features, which are hereinafter described more fully.
I Recent experimental work on the crushing of coarse ma-
terial in ball-mills shows that the most efficient crushing
pffect is obtained by direct impact of the falling balls. While
t is true that a large amount of grinding is done by attri-
ion, or by the rubbing of the balls upon each other, it is
relieved the crushing of coarse material is effected mainly
>y impact and that attrition acts principally on fine material.
r practical purposes, we may assume that the pulp in a
)all or tube-mill remains level and that this level is fixed
>y the height of discharge and is not affected laterally by
lentrifugal force at the speeds obtaining in ball-mill prac-
ice. In the open trunnion-discharge type of mill, half full
if pulp, a great deal of useful energy is wasted by the balls
ailing through a thick pulp, thereby reducing the force of
heir impact. On the other hand, in a peripheral-discharge
type of mill, when crushing coarse material the ore receives
the force of the impact of the balls and all this energy is
utilized in crushing. When reducing 3-in. feed, the large
feed acts as a cushion for the balls, but with fine feed, say
one-half inch or less, the pulp does not offer sufficient re-
sistance to give a cushioning effect, with the result that the
balls strike on the shell-lining, causing excessive wear of
both lining and balls. By maintaining the pulp-
level at a point sufficiently high to interpose a bed
of pulp to partly cushion the impact of the balls,
the maximum crushing effect with the minimum
wear of steel is obtained.
In no other ball-mill except the Allis-Chalmers
ball-granulator is there any means for controlling
the pulp-level except by regulating the feed of ore
and water. It i3 impossible to maintain such regu-
lation at a fixed rate and ratio, hence the pulp-level
cannot be regulated accurately by this means. The
idea has been to design a mill in which the pulp-
level can be positively controlled to suit the varying
conditions arising in practice and to maintain a
high crushing efficiency and a low ball and lining-
consumption. The pulp-level in the Allis-Chalmers
ball-granulator may be varied from the periphery
to a point approximately half way between the
trunnion and the periphery. This variation is ob-
tained by the patented G-H diaphragm. This divice
consists of a diaphragm with radial ribs cast on the
back and with round openings between the ribs
opposite the screen or grating. On the inner face
of this diaphragm is mounted a grating or screen
made up of high-varbon tool-steel bars, disposed
radially and tapered to obviate blinding. The
spaces beween the grates are covered with liners
held in place by through-bolts; with the apertures
in the diaphragm left open the mill will discharge
to within 3 or 4 in. of the periphery, but by closing
the outer ring of openings with wooden plugs the
discharge is raised accordingly and by this means
the pulp-level in the mill can be accurately regulated to
suit the material crushed. Thus, without any change what-
evere in construction the mill can be adtpetd to almost
any ration of crushing and also for varying tonnages. The
radial ribs act as elevators lifting the pulp and discharging
it at the trunnion level. Access to the wooden plugs may
be had through the hand-holes on the outside of the mill.
The grates can be replaced without removing the mill from
the foundation or dismantling it.
The capacity of the Allis-Chalmers ball-granulator with
variable-discharge diaphragm is from 30 to 40% greater
than the trunnion-discharge type mill with an increased
power-consumption of about 20% when discharging at the
periphery. As the height of discharge is raised the capacity
and power decrease proportionately until the maximum
height of discharge is reached (a point about half way be-
tween the trunnion and periphery), when the increase in
capacity is 15 to 20% and the power 10% over the open
trunnion discharge.
The ball-granulators are designed for using hard iron or
646
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
October 30, 1920
steel balls as a crushing medium. A mill loaded with balls
has a capacity about 2* times greater than when loaded with
pebbles. Balls increase the capacity in direct proportion to
the increase in weight. The weight ot balls and height of
fall determine the maximum size of feed that can be crushed.
This explains why ball-mills loaded with 3 and 4-in. balls
take a coarser feed than tube-mills loaded wih pebbles of
the same size. The capacity and power increase directly
with the ball load until it reaches a level slightly below the
axis. Further loading does not increase the capacity, where-
as the power increases proportionately. Although in tube-
mill practice the pebble load is carried up to or in some
cases above the axis of the mill, it is not necessary or ad-
4| *jt ■
'J j
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i
COMMERCIAL PARAGRAPHS
The Mine & Smelter Supply Co. announces the appoint-
ment of Harry J. Gundlach as sales manager of its Denver
branch.
The Henry E. Wood Ore Testing Co. has removed its assay
office and chemical laboratory to 1750 Arapahoe street, Den-
ver, Colorado. Hereafter this branch of the business will
be known as The Henry E. Wood Assaying Co.
The Cement-Gun Co., Inc., of Allentown, Pa., has recently
issued a small booklet showing the results of tests made on
reinforced gunite floor-slabs together with working and
safe-load tables, established by the tests, for this type of
construction. The data therefore are both
new and useful.
AlHs-Chalmers Ball-Grannlator Crashing Quartz Ore
visable to carry the ball load up to the axis in an Allis-
Chalmers granulator, in fact, experience would show that on
some ores the greater efficiency is obtained by carrying the
ball load as much as 8 or 10 in. below the axis.
BOILING-POINTS OF WATER UNDER REDUCED
PRESSURES
The following table is found useful by the engineers of
the Oliver Continuous Filter Co. and we give it for the
benefit of those engaged in similar lines of industry.
Vacuum Boiling-point Altitude
Inches Millimetres Degr. F. Deg. C. Feet Metres
30 761 32 0 0 0
29 736 79 26.1 800 244
28 711 101 38.3 1.800 549
27 685 115 46.1 2.700 824
26 660 125 51.6 3.700 1,128
25 635 133 56.1 4.700 1.434
24 609 141 60.5 5.700 1.738
23 584 147 63.9 6.700 2,043
22 558 150 , 65.5 7,700 2,348
21 533 155 68.3 8,700 2,653
20 508 160 71.1 9.600 2.928
19 483 165 73.9 10.500 3.202
18 457 169 76.1 11.400 3.477
17 432 172 77.7 12.300 3.751
16 406 176 80.0 13.200 4.026
15 381 179 81.6 14,100 4.300
14 355 182 83.3 15.000 4.575
12 305 186 85.5 15.900 4.849
10, 254 191 88.3 16.800 5.124
8 203 196 91.1
i! 152 201 93.6
4 101 205 96.1
2 50 208 98.0
0 0 212 100.0
The Holt Manufacturing Co., Inc., of Peoria, 111., is issuing
a small bulletin with illustrations of its 'caterpillar' tractors
pulling road-making machinery and engaged in the actual
work of road-making. With the illustrations is given a de-
tailed statement of the cost of operation compared with
animal haulage on the same job.
Dwight P. Robinson & Co., Inc., engi-
neers and constructors, consolidated with
Westinghouse, Church, Kerr & Co., has
appointed Carl C. Thomas as its Western
representative, with offices in the Electric
Equipment building, 1240 South Hope
street, Los Angeles.
The Walworth Manufacturing Co., Bos-
ton, Mass., has recently issued Export
Catalogue No. 35 for pipe-fittings and sim-
ilar material. This catalogue is printed in i
English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese i
with conversion tables and index. Every-
one with foreign experience realizes the
difficulty in translating technical terms and
extra attention has been given to making
this as correct as possible. The catalogue !
is intended for use only in those countries i
using British standard thread.
R. D. Nuttall Co., manufacturers of gears, pinions, and
flexible couplings, has equipped new and permanent quarters
at 429 Title & Trust building, Philadelphia, Pa., to handle
direct, all business other than electric-railway and mine-
haulage supplies. This office will be a direct Nuttall office
and will be in charge of R. F. Fiske.
The Nordberg Manufacturing Co., at Milwaukee, Wis-
consin, has just completed an extension of its main machine
shop and bays. The new addition, which is 200 by 180 ft.,
will facilitate the erection of large engines and hoists, such
as the 2000-hp. Diesel oil-engine and several large hoists
now on order. One of the latter, known as the Mitsue hoist
in Japan, will be the largest hoist ever exported.
Dwight P. Robinson & Co., Inc., (with which Westing-
house, Church, Kerr & Co., Inc., has recently consolidated),
engineers and constructors of New York, has established a
new branch office in Youngstown, Ohio, in the Home Savings
& Loan building, in charge of C. I. Crippen. The company
recently moved its Cleveland office from the Leader News
building to the Citizens building, and H. P. Clawson, who
was for several years a member of the Chicago staff, has
been transferred to Cleveland to take charge of this office.
The company now maintains branch offices in Pittsburgh,
Youngstown, Cleveland, Chicago, Dallas, and Los Angeles,
and Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Co. is dis-
tributing Motor Application Circular No. 7132, entitled
'Electrification of Excavating Shovels', which describes and
illustrates the various uses to which electric shovels may be
put, such as railway work, coal-mining, and drag-line ex-
cavating. The method of electrifying is discussed, together
with an outline of the choice of equipment. Advantages of
electric shovels are fully considered and results of recent
tests are given, that show the cost per cubic yard of material
removed by means of these shovels. Tables are produced
which show the approximate energy-consumption of electric
shovels and drag-line excavators.
EDITORIAL STAFF
T. A. RlCKARO. Koitor
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SCIENCE HAS NO ENEMY SAVE THE IGNORANT
issued Every Saturday
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ARTICLES
Page
EDITORIAL
NOTES 047
THE RISING TIDE OF COLOR 648
The book by Lothrop Stoddard and its bearing
upon the Japanese problem in California. This im-
migration only a part of a larger movement, where-
by the colored races, especially in Asia, are press-
ing outward into the countries of the white peoples
and establishing colonies, as the white people
have done among the dark races. The migration
of the poorer racial stocks of Europe and their
effect on the people of the United States.
STORES IN MINING COMMUNITIES 649
The establishment of a company store or employees
commissary by the Nevada Consolidated Copper
Co., and the reasons therefor. Why the Judge Min-
ing & Smelting Co. went into the merchandising
business for the benefit of its employees.
DISCUSSION
THE HUMAN FACTOR IN MINE MANAGEMENT
By Sam A. Lewisohn 651
The manager of mining enterprises usually has a
technical education and is not trained in handling
human beings, hence does not realize its impor-
tance. Mining engineer liable to become de-
humanized unless he pays special attention to his
'human contacts'. Labor-unions usually pass
through two phases. Second stage is reached when
unions endeavor to safeguard interest of their em-
ployer as well as their own.
WAR MINERALS RELIEF
By W. J. Loring 653
An appreciation of the work of the War Minerals
Relief Commission,
claimant.
Personal experience of a
IRON AND STEEL IN INDIA
By E. F. O. Murray 654
Iron and steel industry of India assuming larger
. proportions. New deposits of ore. Miscellaneous
mineral production.
METAL PRICES AND MINING IN MEXICO
By H. G. Nichols 655
The effect of changing metal prices on the grade
i of ore minable at a profit with reference to a spe-
cial case.
THE MINE AND MILL OF THE BELMONT SHAW-
MUT MINING COMPANY — II, THE MILL
By Arthur B. Parsons 659
Description of the stamp-mill. Flow-sheet. Grav-
ity concentration. Re-grinding in tube-mill. Flo-
tation unit. Fuel-oil, wood-creosote, and sodium
sulphide. Treatment of concentrate by cyanida-
tion. Edwards roasters. A mixture of raw and
roasted concentrate better than either alone.
A JUDGE ON EXPERTS 665
The judge is 'peeved at' expert testimony but
seems to think the experts do the best they can.
GEOLOGISTS AS EXPERT WITNESSES
By F. L. Ransome 666
Difference between the scientific and legal attitude
of mind. Apparently believes that expert witnesses
should be appointed by the court as amici curiae.
INTERVIEWS WITH GOVERNORS OF ZACATECAS
AND DURANGO
By Our Representative, Alberto Terrones Benitez.
The Governors of Zacatecas and Durango tell their
opinions of and plans for the mining industry in
their respective States.
667
NOTES
WHAT SHE THOUGHT 658
USE FOR BLAST-FURNACE SLAG 664
GOLD AND SILVER PRODUCTION OF ONTARIO 664
MINERAL PRODUCTION OF ARIZONA IN 1919
By Victor C. Heikes 664
DEPARTMENTS
REVIEW OF MINING 669
THE MINING SUMMARY 677
PERSONAL 678
THE METAL MARKET 679
EASTERN METAL MARKET 680
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS 681
Established May 24. I860, as The Scientific PresB: name chanred October
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38
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 6, 1920
That You
May Be Served Promptly
LINDE Oxygen must reach Linde customers on time,
1 Neither tie-ups nor storms, floods nor fires shall interrupt
Linde Service and to that end every means of transportation is
called into use.
When the regular channels of commerce are closed, when
man or nature keep the wheels from turning — Linde finds a
way. By trolley, motor, mule-train or sled through ice-
jammed waters, or over burning sands — Linde must live up
to its promises — must deliver wherever it is humanly pos-
sible.
Because of this super-service, oxygen users throughout America de-
pend upon Linde delivery with as much confidence as they depend upon
the uniform purity of Linde Oxygen.
That is why Linde must produce more oxygen than any other maker
in the world.
The Linde Air Products Co.
THE
L515
30 East 42nd St., N. y.
LARGEST PRODUCERS OF
Kohl Bldg., San Francisco
oxygen in the world
November G, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PR! SS
Ml
r. A. KICKARt). .... Editor
IHUUiiillliliumimtiutilililiiimrimiiiiiiiiiiiiiillltl iiiimiimimrimiiriiiii tmilllliliiltillillillllliliiiil jlliuimillllullllllllllllllllllllllltlill iMimiimiiiiiiiimiilllllllfimillllimmiiimiimiillillllflllllilimillllllltlliiilimilliiitiinimimii.
D ECOGNITK >X of the new Mexican government seems
*■*• assured at an early date, and we are glad of it. We
should aim to maintain as friendly relations with Our
southern neighbor as with our northern. Senor Obregon
lias given every evidence of a desire to establish an
tuti nit i-Di-iliah .
OlL\ 'ER production of the world will fall short of the
k-' pre-war rate by fully 29,000,000 ounces, according to
estimates submitted at the International Financial Con-
gress at Brussels. The production for 1920 is placed at
195.000,000 ounces, as against 223,900,000 ounces in 1913.
This ought to strengthen the silver market.
/~kUR London contemporary, 'The Financial Times',
^-' talks about the boom in Mexican shares in a most
cheerful way. The favorable turn in political affairs has
synchronized with the cutting of a rich orebody in the
Esperanza mine at El Oro and generally favorable de-
velopments in British-owned mines in other districts,
notably Pachuca. Esperanza shares rose within a month
from 18 shillings to 50 shillings, so that somebody made
some money. The shares of the old Exploration Com-
pany have risen considerably, and, in general, there is a
sentiment highly favorable to Mexican mining. Several
new ventures are said to be on the eve of flotation.
TV7E sympathize with the Judge whose colloquy with
*^ Mr. "William E. Colby we quote on another page.
He started to make some criticisms on expert testimony
in general and found that he had hurt the feelings of
several gentlemen whom he knew to be honorable men ; so
he returned to the subject and disclaimed any personal
attack. The colloquy is interesting and that is why we
quote it. So is the contribution on the same subject from
Mr. F. L. Ransome, who writes as the editor of ' Economic
Geology', and as one wholly detached from the delicate
situation created by the adaptation of scientific testi-
mony to mining litigation.
A T the forthcoming convention of the American Mining
■*"*- Congress, at Denver, on November 15 and following
days, there will be public conferences on a number of
timely topics. The use of the flotation process and the
terms of licensing will be the subject of one meeting, to
which representatives of the Minerals Separation com-
pany have accepted an invitation. A report on the Fed
era! Trade Commission's investigation of the Minerals
Separation company's methods will he presented. A
National Gold Conference is to dismiss the gold problem
in relation to mining, and Representative McFadden will
be present, to explain the advantages of the Bill he has
introduced for the levy of an excise tax on the gold used
in manufacture. On the same occasion Mr. H. N. Lawrie,
statistician for the Mining Congress, will review the legis-
lative campaign for the relief of the gold-mining in-
dustry.
TVTEXT Thursday we celebrate the second Anniversary
^ ' of the Armistice, yet we are still technically at war
with Germany. Four days later the League of Nations
assembles at its new headquarters in Geneva, whereas we
have not yet made up our minds whether to join or stay
out. Meanwhile the League has succeeded in arranging
the dispute between Poland and Lithuania, and has inter-
vened successfully between Sweden and Finland, which
otherwise might have gone to war over the Aland islands.
Furthermore, the moral pressure of the League has
caused the Russians and the Poles to cease hostilities.
All this is of good augury. When are we going to give
a hand in the good work?
IT' ROM a recent official bulletin, issued in the City of
*■ Mexico, we note that out of 1261 mercantile estab-
lishments in the State of Souora, four were American
company mine-stores, 430 belonged to Mexican, Ameri-
can, German, and other owners, and 827 were Chinese.
In capital, 5p*755,000 represented mining-company stores,
1*1,080,000 was American and European, 1*978,540 was
Mexican, and 1*2,186,935 was Chinese. Of the 827
Chinese stores, 740 had a capital of less than 1*5000 and
only 11 had a capital of more than 1*10,000. The in-
crease in Chinese is given: from 850 in 1900, to 4000 in
1910, and 12,500 in 1919. As a class, the bulletin says,
they are healthy, honest, and industrious ; however, they
are addicted to drugs, have low standards, and work as
single men, so that they compete on favorable terms with
other nationals having families.
T ITIGATION over the Minerals Separation patents is
-*-J making slow progress. The Nevada Consolidated
Copper Company and the Magma Copper Company are
the two latest defendants. They have answered the
648
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 6, 1920
plaintiff's bill of complaint with a general denial of the
charges of infringement. The Nevada company in its
reply alleges that the Minerals Separation people at va-
rious times asserted that their process "could not be
adapted to ores such as those of the defendants". It
also avers that "things alleged to be patented had been
abandoned to the public", and that the Minerals Sep-
aration people are not the original inventors of the
process, citing the names of patentees of earlier pro-
cesses. The Magma company follows its general denial
by questioning the plaintiff's statement of a readiness to
grant licenses; it avers that Minerals Separation insists
on restrictive terms and conditions of license. Mean-
while the suit against the Miami Copper Company is
dragging along, the Master's hearing on alleged profits
not having been finished as yet.
TJ7TE take keen pleasure in publishing a contribution
** from Mr. Sam A. Lewisohn. of Adolph Lewisohn
& Sons, a firm identified with large and successful cop-
per enterprises. His subject is the human factor in mine
management, concerning which he is able to write con-
vincingly not only by reason of his intimate connection
with mining but also on account of a liberal and humane
spirit, without which any discussion of the subject would
be sterile. Indeed, we shall not progress far in the im-
provement of industrial relations until men of character
and authority show themselves willing to come forward
and discuss delicate points frankly and fairly, as Mr.
Lewisohn does. We shall be glad if others will continue
the discussion.
A S truth is stranger than fiction, so actual mine reports
^* are weirder than any that one could concoct. Among
recent examples of the delirious trimmings of geology
we quote from a report on the Carmen Creek district,
in Idaho. The author, who calls himself a "consulting,
mining and metallurgical engineer", says: "The forma-
tion consists of Alkonkian Shist, which through the
Igneous Magma forming the Dyke as a Bysmalith break-
ing through the older formation. In its action of rising
the meshing and grinding force, produced by the force
below, ground the Shist to a Clayey Calcarrious Argil-
lareous mess to the West and North, and to the East and
South to a Sbistose Shale or Shist. The Magma itself
carrying some mineralization with it, which, and being
encast through the period of crystaiization, the most of
the minerals staying below in molten state was carried in
the state of vapor aided by the action of water as an
Aquallarious Igneous fume through the crevices of the
slowly cooling Magma." It is evident that the typist
contributed to this appalling result, but not sufficiently
to spoil the style of the original. Indeed it is a "clayey
calcarrious argillareous mess", and it seems astounding
that such a document could lie given forth seriously.
The author estimates the property to contain 2,920,909
tons — note the meticulous precision — of ore that he calls
"probable ore in the developed area, blocked out", leav-
ing his client to choose between the three terms, 'prob-
able', 'developed', and 'blocked out'. This supposed ore
contains $5.50 in gold and silver, and the cost of mining
it "under economical conditions should not exceed 20 ,'
cents per ton, leaving a big margin over the cost of metal-
lurgical treatment". But the question arises, what
process under the sun could treat successfully such a
"clayey, calcarrious argillareous mess"? It sounds a
bit sticky.
HPHE BUREAU OF MINES has announced the pro-
-*- gram of investigations to be undertaken at the newly
created Mississippi Valley experiment station, together
with several appointments of members of the staff. Ap-t
parently headquarters for the Station will be at St. Louis,
where Mr. J. J. Rutledge is to be acting-superintendent,
whereas the actual research on ore-dressing and milling,
and on the electro-thermic metallurgy of zinc, will be
done at Rolla, in conjunction with the Missouri School
of Mines. Mr. John Goss will be in charge of milling and
Professor Charles H. Pulton, director of the School oi
Mines, will supervise the work on smelting, in the capac-
ity of consulting metallurgist to the Bureau. The in-
vestigation of the best methods of sharpening, tempering,
and using drill-steel is to be undertaken in collaborator
with the North-Central station of the Bureau, which is at
Minneapolis. The question suggests itself, why is the1
administering to be done in one place and the actual work,
in another? If Rolla is the most desirable place for th^
station, should not the offices also be there ? We wonder
too, why it is necessary to select for investigation a prob<
lem that has already been assigned to another stationi
This must mean either duplication or dissipation ol
energy, neither of which is conducive to efficiency. Then j
must be some valid reason for these things that does nol t
appear on the surface. It is to be hoped that the taint ol ^
politics has not touched the Bureau.
This is the title of a remarkable book by Mr. LothrcJ y,
Stoddard. We shall discuss its main thesis apropos o: et
the Japanese question in California, to which we turnfl jt
in our issue of October 16, and to which Mr. C. A. Grabil },
contributed in our issue of October 30. The immigratioi (,,
of Japanese into California may be considered as a par (i
of the tide of color that menaces white civilization. Ac| ,[
cording to Mr. Stoddard the white race at a time oj^
weakness, consequent upon the European war and th< ,.
ensuing disintegration, is menaced by "a definite move
ment half-conscious and half-instinctive against the whit ,...
world-supremacy", which has been established by fou;r.
centuries of domination. Before that, in the fifteentl ,
century, the tide of colored invasion nearly submerges.
Europe; the Turks captured Constantinople, the Tartar I
swept over the plains of Russia; the Moors occupied hal
of Spain ; the brown men dominated the shores of tli
Mediterranean. Thereupon the people of Northern Bw
l'ope took to the sea and colonized distant lands wit »
their virile stock; the dark invaders were driven bacj
The Rising Tide of Color
November 6, L920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
649
into Asm ami Africa; the wlutr race laid the foundations
for a new supremacy, typified by the United States.
(inuips of white people migrated to t !><• countries <>i' the
dark peoples and established outposts, which within the
last tour hundred years have won dominion over a large
part lit' the world inhabited by the dark peoples. Aus-
tralia and Africa are entirely subject to white control;
marly all of North America; a small part of South
America; and a large part of Asia, of the dark races,
those of Asia are asserting themselves; the Chinese, the
Japanese, 1U1'' the Hindoos have progressed in intelli-
(ence, in material wealth, and in population. The pressure
>f population has set loose the tones of racial rivalry;
lie Asiatic hordes look hungrily toward foreign areas of
oloni/.ation and begin to reverse the tide of migration.
The movement is unorganized; it is largely instinctive
md individual: it is not prompted by official suggestion
yet; it is an ethnic phenomenon that in time may de-
elop into a conscious racial demand for self-determi-
ative freedom from "the white man's burden" and for
ossession of the productive regions of the earth. Mr.
Itoddard makes no effort to excite prejudice against the
olored race, but he emphasizes the fact that the white
nd the colored cannot live side by side without injury
the former; in the ensuing competition the white race
ecomi's sterile, while the dark one breeds rapidly. As
e says: "A generation ago relatively few persons re-
lized that low-standard men would drive out high-stand-
d men as inevitably as bad money drives out good, no
atter what the results to society and the future of man-
ind. These are but two instances of that shallow cock-
ire nineteenth-century optimism, based upon ignorance
id destined to be so simply and. tragically disillu-
oned." Mr. Stoddard's remedy, in brief, is to leave the
hole of Asia to the Asiatics, while barring them from
merica, Canada, and Australia. A reviewer in 'The
eetator' demurs to this proposal, fearing that the re-
It will be to turn Asia into "a seething pot of an-
chy", but the question may well be asked, if the races
Asia are to continue to multiply, whither is the sur-
us to go if not to the Asiatic hinterland ? In conclusion,
r. Stoddard extends the problem of racial incompata-
Mity to the lesser breeds of the white race; he says:
■Sven within the white world, migrations of lower
Itman types like those which have worked such havoc in
ile United States must be rigorously curtailed. Such
tBgrations upset standards, sterilize better stocks, in-
Bease low types, and compromise national futures more
Inn war, revolutions, or native deteriorations." Here
ft enlarge the problem bewilderingly.
(Undoubtedly the incursion of the Japanese is part of
Imuch larger problem, namely, the submergence of the
cl racial stock of the American people by alien breeds,
ilt only from Asia but also from Europe. Immigration
fim south-eastern Europe has replaced that which for-
rly came from the races akin to the founders of the
ited States. It is true, the European assimilates bet-
with our stock, but as the immigration comes now
efly from countries not in a condition of healthy
vitality and from peoples in a backward stage of develop
riK- tit . these late additions to nor native stuck have a low
genetic value. The Japanese thai come to California
W e do not speak of the higher classes arc superior to the
lower type of European and they arc incompatible genet
ically with our people, so that there is less miscegenation,
The birth-rate among the descendants of those who
founded this republic is declining to a deplorable degree.
whereas the incoming foreigner is prolific. We must fi
the fact that the American type developed before the
Civil War is being degraded by an influx of uncongenial
aliens; the original stork is hcing overwhelmed by immi-
gration from both directions, from across the Atlantic as
well as from over the Pacific. The destiny of the United
States is overshadowed by the possibility of a tragic
catastrophe. The Anglo-Saxon and Anglo-Celtic ele-
ments, which it is the fashion now to term Nordic, hut
which to us are typified by the Virginians and the New
Englandcrs, the original settlers of America, men of the
idealistic and energetic Elizabethan type, are hcing
swamped hy the incoming tide of alien and lower breeds,
bringing customs, traditions, and standards ' of living
discordant with the aims and ideals of this republic.
Stores in Mining Communities
Small events may be interesting on account of their
significance. For instance, within the last few weeks tin-
two general mercantile stores at Ruth. Nevada, have been
closed, permanently, after a number of years of flourish-
ing business that proved highly profitable to their pro-
prietors. The underground and open-pit mines of the
Nevada Consolidated Copper company are at Ruth and
until a few months ago the employees of the company
purchased a large proportion of their food-supplies as
well as some shoes, clothing, hardware, and drygoods,
from these two local merchants, the next nearest market
being at Ely, ten miles down the canyon. Neither the
mining company nor any of its officials were even in-
directly interested in either of these stores; nor was there
any desire on the part of the company to influence its
employees to patronize any one store or market in prefer-
ence to another. The miners were absolutely free to buy
what they needed where they could get the best price,
and, in the face of what competition existed, the two stoics
at Ruth were prosperous. The employees, however, felt
the increasing pressure of rising prices, and accordingly
the company last summer started an 'Employees Com-
missary' to distribute at cost some of the staple provi-
sions. While the plan was an experiment at first it was
supported so enthusiastically by the employees that the
variety of the stock was increased to include practically
every kind of food, in addition to sundry other household
supplies, shoes, and some kinds of clothing. There are
now two stock-rooms, one at Ruth for the benefit of the
community about the mines, and the other at McOill.
where the mill and smelter employees are supplied. The
saving to the average man with a family amounts to fully
25% of what he formerly paid. The employees them-
650
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 6, 1920
selves have a voice in the administration of the commis-
sary in that they select the directors, subject to the ap-
proval of Mr. C. B. Lakenan, the general manager for the
company. The business is financed by the company but
is conducted with the sole aim of supplying the employees
with the things that they require at cost; they get the
advantage of efficient buying in large quantities, and in
large markets, by competent men. A novel feature, and
one that reduces the cost to the consumer, is the method
of distribution at the mine. On the first and fifteenth of
each month an 'order-blank and price-list' effective for
the ensuing two weeks is printed, and several thousand
copies are distributed at the various time-offices. The
prices for each article are figured from the net cost of the
material, plus freight, and the actual expense of distri-
bution. Tt has been found advisable to establish and pub-
lish a definite price beforehand rather than to oblige the
housewife to do her ordering and then wait several weeks
to know exactly how much she has spent. The practical
result is virtually the same and it is much more comfort-
ing to the purchaser, who is usually a woman. Completed
orders must be turned in at the time-office or at the com-
missary en or before the 8th or 23rd of the month and
deliveries are made on the 10th and 25th. We venture
to suggest that the need for anticipating one's require-
ments for a fortnight in advance has stimulated efficiency
in household economy ; perhaps it has helped to develop
more than one household-engineer; it is the beginning of
a budget system, such as Uncle Sam needs. There are no
losses due to bad accounts because payment is made
through the time-office by deduction from the employee's
pay-check. ( 'oupon-books are sold to enable small pur-
chases at any time between delivery-days, but the cus-
tomer must carry home her own merchandise, so only a
small proportion of the business is done in this way. The
commissary has been in operation about four months, but
its success is attested by the promptness with which the
two merchants found it advisable to discontinue their
business.
This is but typical of the prevailing conditions in min-
ing as well as other industrial communiti s today. The
Judge Mining & Smelting Company has just moved a
stock of goods that it lately has carried for the benefit of
its employees to a larger and more conveniently situated
store-room in the business portion of Park City, in Utah.
Here coupon-hooks are to be used exclusively. Only em-
ployees of the Judge company and its subsidiaries are to
he served : in the event of a man leaving the company his
hook is cancelled and the remaining coupons redeemed.
Mr 0. N. Friendly, the general superintendent, has re-
eently added coal to the list of things that can be pur-
chased. He is confident that lie will deliver coal 'n two-
ton lots to the homes of his employees at a saving of $4
per ton over the retail price of the local dealers. This is
a considerable item in a country with a winter climate
like that of Park City. Mr. Friendly emphasizes the ad-
vantages of systematic buying in larger quantity: also he
believes that the employees are influenced, perhaps un-
consciously, to improve the character of their bill of fare
by being offered good grades of substantial and whole-
some food. Shoes are sold at prices 35% below those
prevailing in most places. The store is conducted by the
company, with no co-operative features, but the prices are
only 5% above the wholesale cost and there is no inten-
tion on the part of the management to derive profit from
the business. In the mining towns of Arizona co-oper-
ative stores are numerous. An idea that seems to be
popular there is the 'dividend' plan. At intervals of
three or six months the accumulated profits are distrib-
uted among the employees who are still on the company
payroll. Some of this 'dividend' money has come from
non-employees who trade at the store, and from former
employees who have left the service of the company dur-
ing the last dividend period and thereby lose their inter-
est in the profits; but most of it is the profit resulting
from the purchases that they themselves have made. It
would, of course, be possible to price the merchandise so
that no appreciable surplus would accumulate, but there
is doubtless a satisfaction, psychologically akin to the
trading-stamp mania, in getting $50 or $100 in a lump
sum, even if it is your own money. The deferred rebate.
for that is what it amounts to, serves to hold an employee
on the job, and from the company point of view, it is de-
sirable on that account. Whatever may be the details of
the scheme, the object is always the same, namely to
assist the employee by affording him an opportunity to
buy many of the things he needs at the price for which
the company can purchase at wholesale. Looking back
ten or fifteen years, one recalls the company store as a
decidedly profitable part of many mining enterprises;
indeed, concerning some we may safely say that the net
earning from the store, with a monopoly of the trade,
even exceeded the profit accruing from the output of ore.
We recall a camp in Nevada where there were several
independent merchants ; the new employee was always
advised by his foreman to start an account at the com-
pany store. He might be discharged for good reasons, but
he was sure to be discharged, if he patronized one of the
competing establishments. However, a policy such as this
antagonized the men; it was contrary to their ideas of
independence. The more progressive managers began to
realize that the ill-will created had a bad influence on the
employees and that the result wi.s a low morale. Grad-
ually the company store began to be replaced by inde-
pendent merchants; mining companies frequently en-
couraged two outsiders to start stores so that there might
be competition, with consequent benefit to the employee.
Then came the War, with its era of inflated prices, and
the contest to keep wages from falling too far behind the
cost of eating, sleeping, and clothing oneself. The logic
of the situation called the company back into the store
business, but on a different basis from that of former
years. A bona-fide reduction in the cost of living is
equivalent to higher pay; the mining company, by intro-
ducing a scheme of organized purchasing and efficient
distribution, has avoided the necessity for further in-
creases in wages. A successful commissary i-epresents the
application of engineering principles.
mber t!. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
651
D I 3 C**J-« >S I
~i
i f>
mill iiiuiiiilN o
Tin- Human Factor in Mine Management
The Editor:
sir — Recently* I had occasion to comment mi th< im-
Dortant role played by the resident manager in determin-
ing labor policies in our industrial establishments and the
importance of his acquiring a proper background. The
net was emphasized that more and more such managers
will be recruited from the ranks of graduates of technical
schools who hare the responsibility of furnishing that
background. This is, of course, conspicuously true in the
mining industry. There are some important exceptions
where laymen have been put in charge of large mining
federations, but this is merely evidence of the defects in
tin- training of engineers to which I alluded.
In the discriminating review of my article that appears
in the editorial columns of your September 25 issue, you
mention that "the manager of a mine discovers only too
often that his directors, even engineers who have de-
veloped into successful financiers, are out of touch with
working conditions, because these have changed since
they themselves were in charge of operations. By living
in large cities, by associating with a different class, by
lack of contact with working-men the head official of a
company lose the ability to understand labor conditions ;
so that the manager may find himself sometimes out of
sympathy with them. They should realize their detach-
ment from the work and give him a free hand."
The very point I wish to make, however, is that the
technical manager himself when given such a free hand
is only too apt, because of the defects in his training, to
prove unprogressive and unskilful in the handling of
human beings. There are some directors and executives
in large cities, it is true, who, by lack of contact with the
working-men "lose the ability to understand labor con-
ditions". On the other hand, however, residents of large
sities do have the advantage of contact, with what is
?oing on in the world at large, with modern economic and
sociological tendencies, and with innovations that have
proven successful elsewhere. The resident manager, on
the contrary, is isolated and does not have the advantages
)f such contacts. Unless he has had his broadening train-
ng while at a technical school, he may he less liberal in
lis general outlook, less open-minded in his willingness
o try out new methods in personnel management than
he financier or head official in the home office. A min-
ng camp is particularly apt to be cut off from the com-
nunity and this immunity of the resident manager to
*'The Atlantic Monthly', September 1920.
outside influences is therefore exaggerated in minim; ad-
ministration.
This very isolation of the mine manager causes him
usually to be given more latitude than is given managers
in other industries. Tims if he be liberal in his ideas he
is apt to be free to institute any progressive policies, he
may decide are wise, no matter what the temperament of
his head officials. On the other hand, the most liberal
board of directors is powerless to initiate a modern pro-
gram in the handling of labor if it cannot obtain a man-
ager who combines technical qualifications with a grasp
of modern methods of getting the co-operation of em-
ployees. A certain engineer with an international repu-
tation, both professionally and as a liberal thinker, re-
lated to a number of us his experience and that of his
associate directors in having to dismiss two or three man-
agers in a certain manufacturing establishment, because
of their inability to find one man who combined both these
qualities. In conversation with a well-known labor ex-
pert who served as labor manager with a large mining
company, I was interested to hear him relate the diffi-
culties he encountered in getting the superintendents
and general managers of the several plants of that organ-
ization to co-operate with him or to adopt the modern
methods it was his duty to install.
Let us take a concrete example : Suppose the directors
have decided to adopt a modern employee representation
scheme. Unless the resident manager is sympathetic and
has studied such plans elsewhere, unless he affirmatively
wants it and knows how to guide it, it will be futile to
introduce it over his head. If, however, the manager
desires to adopt such a plan, there is a reasonable chance
that the executives at home will not interfere with him.
It is true that the whole tone of an organization is largely
colored, as is commonly said, by the temperament and
attitude of the 'old man on top', but the administrators
in the field can exercise considerable independence of
action if they have the ability and background to act on
their own initiative.
Aside from the relative responsibility of the staff men
at home and the manager in the field, mining administra-
tion from the top down, perhaps more than any other in-
dustrial administration, is in the hands of the engineering
profession. As Mr. Hoover with his usual penetration
has said in his 'Principles of Mining', written more than
ten years ago :
"In these days of largely corporate proprietorship, the
owners of mines are guided in their relations with labor
by engineers occupying executive positions. On them
falls the responsibility in such matters, and the engineer
652
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 6, 1920
becomes thus a buffer between labor and capital."
It is indisputable therefore that engineers should not
be graduated, as they too often have been in the past,
with a rigid notion of the universe. A thorough back-
ground in physics, chemistry, mathematics, in mechanics,
metallurgy and mining, does not equip a man to act as a
"buffer between labor and capital". Some training in
psychological conditions and the mental attitudes of men.
particularly of unsophisticated men, some knowledge of
modern sociological tendencies, some grasp of the in-
centives that make men act, some acquaintance with the
history of trade-unions, and some understanding of the
technical side of liuman engineering would seem to be
requisite in the future administrator. Engineering edu-
cators must be made to adapt themselves to the new con-
ditions.
It is not only a question of intellectual processes ; it is
also a question of the "psychological conditions" not in
this case of the workmen, but of the engineer himself.
As I have previously stated elsewhere, he is apt to become
dehumanized by the very intensity of his application to
routine study, unless there have been some counter-
acting influences, such as working with the men he will
handle in his future career, or teaching English to for-
eigners under the auspices of the Industrial Service
Movement of the Y. M. C. A. If necessary, a certain
portion of his summer vacation, now utilized solely for
geological expeditions, civil engineering, and other prac-
tice-work, should be devoted to this purpose.
The disadvantage of a mining engineer becoming de-
humanized is not confined solely to his relations toward
his future employees. It affects his qualifications in
other respects. We must remember that only a very
small percentage of men graduated as mining engineers
become research specialists. A large proportion become
administrators or field consultants. It is therefore most
important that his intuitive processes and imagination be
not paralyzed. A good mining engineer in making a field
examination will necessarily use a certain amount of
imagination. I am, of course, not here referring to the
extravagant dreams of a promoter. It is a commonplace
that all too often this quality of imagination is lacking
in mining consultants. It is also important that he retain
the qualities of a 'good mixer'. The very nature of the
work that he is called updh to do means that his human
contacts are of great importance. Very often the value
of his observations in the field depends on his ability to
get the confidence of certain individuals in a locality.
When it comes to administration, a man certainly cannot
expect to be successful in his relations with his staff if
his emotional processes are inhibited.
To return to the personnel question. If an employee
representation system or a shop committee be installed,
it takes personal leadership to make it an entire success.
If theiv are relations with trade-unions to be faced, a
manager with good human understanding and tact can
prevent much friction. If it is important to overcome the
objections of drill-men to use 'one-man' in place of 'two-
men' drills, only a persuasive manager can do so. Lead-
ership after all is a pre-requisite in securing esprit de
corps in a mining organization, just as in any other or-
ganization, industrial, military, social, or political; and
leadership is difficult in the absence of imagination and
capacity for emotional interchange. Let me here quote
from the statement of a well-known engineering edu-
cator, Professor Walter Rautenstraueh. He says, in de-
scribing a new course in Industrial Engineering at
Columbia University of which he is in charge :
"Within the last few years there have been a great
many schemes advanced under the heading of industrial
democracy, welfare work, and employment management.
While attention will be given to the influence of these
movements, care will be taken to point out that no plan
. . . can ever take the place of the human basis, upon
which industrial enterprises must be successfully man-
aged.
"If the spirit existing between the management and
the men is not properly founded, no scheme or method
can overcome this defect. The manager must be in-
tensely human . . . "
Of course, there is a great deal in a native capacity, but
a native capacity can be spoiled or developed. On the
other hand, even taking it for granted that a manager re-
tains a pleasing personality, which equips him for leader-
ship, he is apt to ignore the personnel problem if his pro-
fessional interest and enthusiasm have been mainly
focused upon the physical problems. I know of a case
where an engineer-manager with a naturally fine person-
ality for leadership balked at making certain useful ex-
periments along personnel lines because, as he frankly
put it, he considered the physical problems of greater
importance and did not wish to waste his time on the
human ones. Nor could he be persuaded to delegate them
to others.
After all, it is not merely a question of a personal
success or the advantage of the particular establishment.
Engineers, as well as laymen, have a serious responsibility
toward society in assisting in the solution of our vexing
industrial problem, which many astute thinkers regard
as the gravest problem that faces our social system. It is
of the utmost importance that the engineer retain his
perspective, and, with his traditional objectivity of ap-
proach, do not allow himself to be swayed by class in-
tolerance. In his relation to the question of collective
bargaining or trade-unions, he should judge the particu-
lar situation and decide for himself, undisturbed by any
preconceptions, whether the union leaders will assist or
retard the welfare of his organization. I cannot here do
better than again quote from Mr. Hoover :
"As corporations have grown, so likewise have the
labor-unions. In general, they are normal and proper
antidotes for unlimited capitalistic organization.
"Labor-unions usually pass through two phases. First,
the inertia of the unorganized labor is too often stirred
only by demagogic means. After organization through
these and other agencies, the lack of balance in the lead-
ers often makes for injustice in demands, and for violence
to obtain them and disregard of agreements entered upon.
■
■
ruber ti. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
As time goes on. men become educated in regard to the
rights of their employers, and to the reflection of then
lights in ultimate benefit to labor itself. Then the men,
ms the intelligent employer, endeavor to safeguard
boili interests. When this stage arrives, violence dis-
appears in favor nt' negotiations on economic principles,
anil the unions achieve their greatest real gains. Given
a union with leaders who can control the members, and
who ar.- disposed to approach differences in a business
spirit, there are few sounder positions for the employer,
for agreements honorably carried out dismiss the con-
stant harassments of possible strikes. Such unions exist
in dozens of trades in this country, and they are entitled
to gr< ater recognition. The time when the employer
could ride roughshod over his labor is disappearing with
the doctrine of laissez faire, on which it was founded.
Tlie sooner the fact is recognized, the better for the em-
ployer. The sooner some miners' unions develop from
the first into the second stage, the more speedily will
their organizations secure general respect and influence."
It would be presumptuous to make too definite any
Suggestions to educators as to how the purely technical
ttucation of a mining-man's training should he supple-
mented. Developing qualities of human leadership and
arousing the imagination of students is a subtle process
and must be left to individual ingenuity. It is here a
matter of stimulating innate qualities. If the student is
wholly deficient in capacity for leadership perhaps it
would be best to frankly advise him not to follow an ad-
ministrative career. In any event his interest in human
nychology should be aroused by both theoretical work
and practice-courses. The Industrial Service Movement
of the Y. M. C. A. is furnishing opportunities for students
to gain direct contact with industrial workers through
teaching English and citizenship to foreigners, and lead-
ing technical classes of workmen. It is probably largely
a question, however, of the spirit and general approach
wliieli permeates the entire course. As suggested in your
editorial review, it may be well to have among the in-
structors men who have had experience in handling work-
men successfully.
One concrete suggestion that. I would like to emphasize
is that the curricula should be revised so that even at the
lacrifiee of a certain amount of instruction in purely
[technical subjects an adequate number of hours be de-
moted to psychology, social economics, welfare work, and
phe modern technique of handling labor. There is an im-
posing literature to which mining engineering students
should be given an adequate approach. To enumerate at
random a few of the more technical subjects which this
iterature includes: there are the employment, placement,
raining, and proper 'upgrading' of the worker, indi-
vidual production records and other methods of arousing
nterest in work, job-analyses, motion-studies, study of
abor turn-over, payment-methods, foremen-meetings,
raining for foremanship, health, safety, housing, and
•ommunity-work programs, and shop-committee organiza-
ion. The main purpose in this connection should be to
ndicate to the student that such a literature exists, teach
him when I an find the authorities, and. what is most
important of all, awaken ins professional interest, Tims
"hen he Im ins a mine-manager he will take a similar
interest in them that he does in technical matters and
will be anxious to make sane experiments along these
lines. If he has not the tuna to devote to every aspeel
of the personnel problems of his organization, lie will
delegate those which he cannot personally handle to spe-
cialists realizing the importance of having no phase
neglected.
And last, but not least, the mining engineer should be
taught to approach such controversial subjects as col-
lective bargaining and trade-unionism in the scientific
and liberal spirit of Mr. Hoover, so that lie may not be
swayed by mere shibboleths and catchwords.
New York, October 18. Sam A. Lewtsohn.
War Minerals Relief
The Editor:
Sir — As the founder of the Pacific Tungsten Company,
whose operations were of sufficient magnitude to justify
the expenditure of a large sum of money during the late
war, which expenditure was a matter for consideration
by the War Minerals Relief Commission, I have pleasure
in stating that the claim for relief under the War Min-
erals Relief Act was settled in double-quick time, once the
Commission had all the information before it and was in
a position to decide the many points of detail with myself,
which under no other circumstances would have been
settled.
I found the Commission willing to meet my company's
claim fairly and squarely, once, as I said before, all the
information available was before it. I wish to say here
that I found the Commission not only willing but eager
to settle the claims. The courteous treatment by this
Commission is indeed commendable, and I feel it my duty
as president and general manager of the Pacific Tungsten
Company to express myself in the above terms publicly.
After understanding the magnitude of the work before
the Commission, it is my candid belief that the so-called
alleged delays in the settlement of claims are mainly due
to the Commission not having before it all of the facts
surrounding each individual case, and I do believe that
the Commission deserves commendation by the claimant,
because the Commission itself is restricted from dealing
with certain items included in the claims, thereby creat-
ing considerable dissatisfaction to some claimants who
have not received what they consider is due them.
My contention is that the purchase of property and
leases should not have been eliminated from the claims,
neither do I think that the full amount in all cases should
have been returned to the claimant through the War Min-
erals Relief Commission; but I do think that this matter
should have been left to the Commission to be dealt with
as each case warranted, because it is impossible to pro-
duce war mineral unless the lease or property purchase
was at some time made, upon which property so pur-
chased, milling and other reduction plants were eon-
654
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 6, 1920
strueted at considerable cost to the claimant, which plant,
etc., comes within the range of the Commission for settle-
ment. However, the War Minerals Belief Commission
has had all of this eliminated from any consideration by
them, no matter what we may claim is our just reward.
The War Minerals Relief Commission cannot be blamed
for not having the power to consider property purchases
and leases out of their jurisdiction.
San Francisco, October 22. W. J. Loring.
Iron and Steel in India
The Editor:
Sir — Recent discoveries of iron ore in the south of the
Singhbhum district would point to the iron-smelting in-
dustry of India assuming far larger proportions than at
one time seemed likely. At the present only two works
of any size are in operation, the Tata Iron & Steel Co., at
Jamshedpur, and the Bengal Iron Co., at Eulti. The
former now draws its ore from the Gurmaisini hill in
Mourbhanj State where the average quality is Fe 61%,
P 0.08%, S 0.03%, SiO, 4%, but has further deposits at
Okampad, Badampahar, and other places, some of which
are of higher grade but require railway connection be-
fore they can be worked. The plant at Jamshedpur con-
sists of three blast-furnaces, open-hearth furnaces, bloom-
ing, rolling and bar-mills, sulphuric-acid plant, and coke-
ovens, but various extensions to the present plant are
now being carried out and subsidiary industries that re-
quire iron and steel are springing up around the works.
The sulphuric acid used is made from imported sulphur,
but the Burma Corporation is erecting works in the
neighborhood to treat its zinc concentrate, and so supply
India with the acid and spelter she requires for the fur-
ther development of her industries.
The Bengal Iron Co. after an abortive attempt at mak-
ing steel from the ironstone of the Barakar and Raniganj
series and the magnetites of Singhbhum now confines
itself to pig-iron and castings. For this purpose it uses
hematite from Pansira and Buda hills near Manharpur
in the Eolhan estate and magnetite-apatite ore from
Dhalbhum. Some ten million tons, averaging Fe 64%,
P 0.05%, Mn 0.06%, Si02 3%, are estimated to be avail-
able in the first two deposits, but the quantity of the lat-
ter is small.
The discovery of the newer deposits has led to the for-
mation of the Indian Iron & Steel Co. with a capital of
Rs. 3 crores, which is now erecting works at Asansol on
the East Indian Railway close to the coalfields. Various
Calcutta firms have taken up portions and the Working-
ton Iron & Steel Co. is also interested in this ore-field.
This has led to the Bengal-Nagpur Railway building a
branch line 70 miles long from Amda on the main Cal-
cutta-Nagpur line to Jamda in the south of the Eolhan,
which should be open to traffic about the end of next year.
According to recent reports, very large quantities of
ore, running possibly into thousands of millions of tons,
are available, and these deposits have been followed into
the neighboring States of Bonai and Eeonjhar, where ex-
tensive orebodies were previously known to exist, but
have not yet been worked owing to lack of communica-
tions. These occurrences are similar to others found in
Singhbhum and Mourbhanj, all being associated with the
Archean quartzites, phyllites, and slates of the Dharwar
series, the iron ore capping the highest hills and ridges
of the area and existing as float on the flanks. The aver-
age iron content seems to be about 64%, but samples from
the better parts of the deposits contained as much as
68% Fe with phosphorus about 0.06% and sulphur
0.02%. Large quantities of both limestone and dolomite
are obtainable for flux from the Eaddapah series in the
State of Gangpur some 40 miles to the west. These are
situated close to the main line of the Bengal-Nagpur Rail-
way and are already being worked by the Bisra Stone
Lime Co. and the Tata Iron & Steel Co., while coking-
coal, though somewhat high in phosphorus, is obtainable
from the Raniganj, Jliaria, and Giridih fields.
Firebrick and silica brick are manufactured locally
from the Gondwana fireclay and Dharwar quartzites,
while chromite and bauxite are both available within
reasonable distances. All magnesite, however, has to be
imported from the Salem district of Mysore, which also
supplies some of the chromite used. The only necessities
not indigenous to the country are sulphur and fluorspar,
and, though the Burma Corporation will supply the
former need, no workable deposit of the latter has yet
been found in India. Small quantities are known to
exist in Rajputana, Central India, and Burma, but the
supply is insufficient even for present needs which
amount annually to about 300 tons.
E. P. O. Murray.
Asanboni, Singhbhum, India, September 9.
itiiiiiiiiMiiiMiiiiiiiiiinitiiiiniiiiiitiiillllliitiitiiiliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiilllllliiliiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiMiiiiiiiliMiiiiiniiiiiiiiiniiiilllillB
Only a large deposit of mica favorably situated with
regard to transportation and a grinding-mill can be
probably worked solely as a source of scrap mica for
grinding. Most mica mines must also yield good sheet
mica to make the mining profitable, according to the
U. S. Geological Survey. Mica to be of value as sheet
must yield rectangles at least one and a half by two
inches, which must split easily and evenly, be free from
cracks, markings, and other fracture lines, and be reas-
onably free from specks or foreign mineral matter. The
size stated is the smallest rectangular size which is salable
as uncut sheet and the rough-trimmed mica sheet must
be nearly twice as large to yield the rectangle stated. In
order to be profitable most deposits must also contain
some mica larger than this. If mica did not usually con-
tain much foreign matter and did not have so many
fissures and imperfections — cracks, markings, and holes
— there would be no difficulty in obtaining all the mica
needed. But there is only a very small percentage of
sheet mica which when finally prepared is of the proper
quality to be used in the industries. Good sheet mica
should be so flexible that a sheet a thousandth of an inch
thick can readily be bent into a cylinder one-quarter of
an inch in diameter. The production of mica in the
United States ranges from 3000 to 5000 tons per year.
1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
655
THE SALTILLO LEAD SMELTER
Metal Prices and Mining in Mexico
By H. G. NICHOLS
When the world went to war, the extent to which the
influence of relativity was to make itself felt upon such
time-honored questions as 'What is Ore', was possibly
not considered, but to the mining engineer, cherishing
Utopian dreams in which technical considerations might
pertain, unassailed by the demands of sordid finance,
the resultant fluctuations in the metal market have
brought home the realization of his dependence upon
prices, to give a satisfactory and all-embracing answer to
this question.
I have been engaged in a Mexican district where I
was simply asked to produce ore in sufficient quantity
and of a grade in copper, lead, silver, gold, and zinc,
that was 'ore' in an accurately economic sense. The
mineral products from the various mines were in the
form of carbonates and sulphides of copper with a gangue
high in lime, carbonates and sulphides of lead and zinc,
cupriferous sulphide of iron, and a silicious silver com-
pound. The problem was faced from the dual stand-
point of lead and copper smelting, with a side issue in
THE COPPER SMELTER AT CONCEPCION DEL ORO
656
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 6. 1920
the shipment of zinc ore. The lead-smelting question
was not unduly involved, given the necessity for outside
purchase of limestone for flux, and apart from the ever
troublous consideration of fine. The copper-smelting
side of the operations should have been simpler, as with
an abundant supply of pyrite the general mine-product '
was self-fluxing, and the furnace charge was made up
approximately as follows :
%
From A group. Copper mines 73.0
B group. Lead mines (eilieious silver ore) 4.3
C gTOUP, Pyrite mines 22.5
The approximate analysis of the run-of-mine from A
group was as follows:
%
Insoluble 32.5
PeO 13.0
CaC03 51.0
and by a process of screening, crushing through a Gates
crusher, and sorting on a picking-belt, a shipping prod-
uct, amounting to about 60% of the original tonnage,
was obtained having approximately a composition of
%
Insoluble 32
FeO 13
CaC03 50
in which the grade of copper was increased about 54%.
The run-of-mine from B group had an approximate
gangue composition of
%
Insoluble 30
FeO 16
from which could be separated:
1. A zinc product sufficiently clean for shipment.
2. A lead product with approximate gangue composition
of insoluble 25%, FeO 16%, CaO 3%, with from 1
to 2% sulphur, and containing zinc and silver, with
some copper.
3. A silicious silver ore with 48% insoluble, 20% FeO,
and 2 to 3% CaO.
From C group a pyritic product was produced with a
composition of approximately
%
Insoluble * 18.5
FeO 39.0
CaC03 9.0
Sulphur 33.0
and an iron ore containing 8% insoluble, 2% CaC03,
and 74% FeO.
The disposition of the several mine-products was as
follows :
From A group; entirely to the copper smelter.
B group; lead ore to the lead smelter,
Zine ore shipped.
Silicious silver ore to the copper smelter.
C group; as required, to both smelters.
The products treated at the copper smelter were there-
fore :
Insol.
FeO
CaC03 Sulphur
% % % % %
73. averaging 32 13 50
With moBtly oxidized copper minerals containing gold and silver.
4.5, averaging 48 20 5
Containing silver and gold.
22.5, averaging 18 39 9 33
With some copper, silver, and gold.
And the average composition of the mixture at this
smelter was
%
Insoluble 29
CaCOa 39
FeO 19
Sulphur 8
with copper, gold, and silver contents.
The word 'ore' has been avoided so far.
In order to keep in touch with requirements for profit-
able working, the following equation was made use of:
_(X X (C + C") -E) X 100
p=y
XY
T
"Where P = percentage of copper in the ore from A
group, required to offset expenditure.
X = tonnage of ore from A group shipped.
G = operating mining-cost per ton shipped, that
is, cost capable of being regulated by the
mining department.
C'= all other costs per ton shipped.
£ = value of all outside ores (from B and C
groups) smelted = tons of copper contained
"3
-c to
TnS>
k.
C;CT)
<<
■as;
£
So
r
Is
■3
Tag
:s_
I
1§
SIT)
4 7.
3 7.
Z7.
17.
Fig. 1
X 82% extraction X current price less.
$0,036 per lb. freight and treatment charges
on matte + oz. silver contained X 95% ex-
traction - 2% X current price + oz. gold
contained X 95% extraction X current
price.
Y = value of A group ore shipped (as above).
T = tons of copper in A group ore shipped.
The object being to ascertain whether the grade of ore
being shipped was coming up to the standard require-
ments based on fluctuating conditions. If anyone cares
to take the trouble to work out this equation, taking con-
stants for every factor except the price of metals, he will
see to what extent the problem of satisfying the demands
of profit-earning has been affected by this bugbear.
Assuming that considerations of mining economy have
pointed to a 3% product as being desirable and that a
monthly output of 10,000 tons shipping ore is required,
and that this ore will contain
2.5 oz. per ton silver
0.025 oz. per ton gold
November 6, 1021)
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
6fi7
CELEBRATING TUB 16tH OP SEPTEMBER
The metal-content of outside ore smelted with the
abeve tonnage might be taken as above, at
Copper 40 tone
Silver 7000 oz.
Gold 55 oz.
and the operating mining cost at $4 per ton, the smelting
and all overhead charges at $9 per ton.
With these figures the value of P in the equation will
be represented by the dotted line in the diagram (Fig. 1)
for the half-yearly periods named during the years 1916
to 1920, and it will be seen that what was profitable 'ore'
at one time was not so at another.
Add to this criterion the difficulty of increasing grade
by reason of unsuitability to concentration of the oxidized
ore, of limitations to sorting imposed by dessemination
of the copper minerals, and percentage of fine material
not amenable to picking, in the run-of-mine, and it will
be seen how vitally the problem is complicated by any
reduction in output such as results from the recurring
demands of a country prone to excitement and fiestas, not
all of which are so peaceably conducted as the one shown
in the accompanying photograph. This is a picture of
Aranzazu celebrating on the 16th September the anni-
versary of the day when liberty was assured to Mexico
to be — well — Mexico.
Returning to the subject of the copper-smelting opera-
tions, two points are clear from the figures of percentages,
namely, first, that there is a large excess of sulphur con-
sumed, this being due to the friable character of the
pyrite from group C. By agglomeration in the cement
type of rotary kiln, it is hoped to obviate a great part of
this loss, which is of the greater consequence in that there
is a notable quantity of copper contained in this fine
product. As at present, the method adopted is to bed-
down this fine pyrite with fine from group A and flue-
dust, and run a low-grade matte from this charge, re-
smelting the mixture with coarse ore from the shipping
product. The second point is that there is evidently a
constant demand for the silicious silver ore from group
B, for fluxing purposes, but to the extent, dependent
upon the value of the silver content, that a higher pro-
portion of silica would be desirable. So that here again
the question of price of metal comes in, and the smelter-
man has to temper his technical aspirations to the possi-
bilities extended by a capricious metal market.
The iron ore from group C is not figured in the charge
percentages. Smelters have need of tonics as much as
human beings. It has been seen that, the sorted lead ore
from the company's mines delivered to the lead smelter
lias an approximate composition of 25% insoluble, 16%
FeO, and 3% CaO. With the pyrite and iron from C
group, this ore comprises from 70 to 80%. of all the ores
smelted. Limestone, of which there is an abundant local
supply, is purchased outside, and the slag has an approxi-
mate composition of
%
Insoluble 32
FeO 32
CaO 20
The introduction of the pyrite is in relation to the
saving of the copper content of the B group ores, the
ultimate products from this smelter being a lead-silver
bullion carrying from 3 to 3.5 kilo, silver per ton and a
copper-lead-zinc matte of an average composition of
%
Copper 15
Lead 20
Zinc 10
which is shipped to refineries. This matte also carries
about one-third of the per-tonnage content in silver of
that carried by the lead bullion.
All ores are bedded and damped before charging, and
the fine, which is shipped as such to the smelter, is ag-
glomerated in a rotary kiln, as above mentioned, without
previous damping. In this connection, an interesting in-
cident comes to my mind from years ago. Casting about
for adaptations of the principle of dewatering by means
of assisted slime-settlement, I was attracted by the possi-
bility of cutting down the cost of cement-making by re-
ducing the percentage of moisture in the slurry before
658
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 6, 1920
passing it through these same rotary kilns, and the Port-
land Cement Manufacturers afforded me facilities for the
erection of an experimental plant for this purpose at their
works in England. The reduction of the moisture was
easy enough with this ideal material, but it transpired
that the satisfactory agglomeration of the cement-form-
ing slurry was unfavorably affected by introducing it
into the kilns in a state of too high consistence. It is
hardly probable, however, that the demands of agglom-
eration of ore would run on parallel lines to those obtain-
ing in the process of cement-making.
In the B group ore, treated at this smelter, the zinc
content is often as high as 10% and is sometimes higher,
resulting in matte-forming difficulties and other troubles.
The use of the Darby tube type of hood with an annular
charge-space of 20 inches is found beneficial as a deter-
rent to the formation of wall accretions in the furnaces,
by keeping the coarse material toward the centre. It may
be gathered, from the foregoing that this smelter is run
for the purpose of producing lead bullion as such, and
not as a producer of silver-lead bullion, in which the lead
would act more particularly as a carrier, and the extent
to which this principle is followed is dependent upon
many factors, not the least of which is, again, the price
of silver. It has been seen that high-grade silver ore at
present is diverted from the B group of mines to the
copper smelter, the reason for which is that the high
silica-content of this ore is a desideratum at this smelter,
while in. the lead smelter it would only entail the loss of
lead. If there were no copper smelter available, then
this silieious silver product would be a drug on the mar-
ket, because its silica content would entail a greater loss
of lead in smelting than the value of the silver would
compensate. With a higher silver-value, it is conceivable
that the lead might be relegated to the status of a carrier
and a certain loss in that metal might be justified.
The point is still further emphasized by the possibility
of change in the character of the ore as further depth is
attained in the mines of this district. Already a mixture
of lead, zinc, and copper sulphides has been found in the
mines of A group, and the question of what can be con-
sidered as 'ore', profitably to be treated, in either lead or
copper furnaces, may depend largely upon the results to
be obtained by water concentration and the relative mar-
ket-value of the metal constituents of each product. In
such a case, who can say to what extent the price of
metals might determine the distribution of the mine-prod-
ucts and the principles upon which the schemes of treat-
ment would be affected to the end that the definition of
profitable ore be established.
ley, and it is thought to be a result of the lagoon state
of the region during the Oligocene period. The potash
layers are in the centre of a salt formation in two paral-
lel layers, the upper one being 1 ft. 3 in. to 3 ft. 9 in.
thick, averaging 25% potassium oxide and the other
one. 65 ft. deeper, 11.4 to 13 ft. thick, averaging from 17
to 25% of potassium oxide.
The Alsatian potash deposits extend between Mul-
house, Cernay, Soultz, and Bnsisheim, with a total area
of 124 square miles and an average thickness estimated
at about 14 ft. 9 in., with an estimated tonnage of 1,472,-
000,000 metric tons of salts containing 300.000.000 metric
tons of potassium oxide (K20). The deposits are 14
miles long and 6 miles wide, east to west. The basin
has been affected by the formation of the Rhine val-
What She Thought
Lawrence F. Sherman writes in 'Forbes Magazine':
John (a bricklayer) and Mary, his wife, were seated at
the breakfast table in their cozy home on Berger avenue
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
John had attended a meeting of the Bricklayers' Union
Local No. 0964 the evening before, and as he swallowed
the last drop of Java he remarked to Mary :
"Did you ever hear such nonsense? Up at the hall
last night Delegate Brown told us the 'Big Four' of the
Farmers' Organizations, with some 5,000,000 farmer
members, have declared against strikes and are only going
to raise enough food to eat themselves. Why, Mary, if
they should only grow enough for themselves — the people
in the cities like us would starve !
"When Brown stopped talking almost everybody in the
hall wanted to speak. In the end they passed a vote that
'the farmers had no such right to cut down their produc-
tion of food products and refuse to supply the wants and
needs of us people'. That is what we did, and every local
throughout the country will do the same. ' '
Mary's eyes were flashing as she spoke : "Maybe you're
right, John, but I don't see why the farmer hasn't as
much right to refuse to work from dawn to dark as yon
have. When we first came here a few years ago and be-
fore you joined the union you used to lay 1500 to 1600
bricks a day and got $3.50, and everybody had a place to
live in. After you joined the union it didn't allow you
to lay so many bricks, and every little while you were
home on strike for shorter and shorter hours, and now
you can work eight hours in a day and the union will fine
you if you lay more than 400 bricks a day. Just think of
it, John, and all the people that can't get houses to live
in because you and all the other union men are not build-
ing as many houses as you ought to.
"Of course, you get $9 a day now, but it costs so much
more to live we can't save any more than we used to do.
"No, John, the trouble is not with the farmers. All
you union men have gone plumb crazy. You won't work
yourselves or allow other men to work as you ought to do,
and the farmer can't get help to raise food. The trouble
is with yourselves, and, take it from me, if you and all
your friends up at the hall don't get busy and change
your tune from: 'Strike, strike, STRIKE!' to 'Work!
work! WORK!' in mighty quick order we sure will
starve. ' '
John looked kind of puzzled as he rose to go.
"Good-bye, John, and don't forget to bring home some
seeds tonight so I can have a garden to keep the children
and me on. ' '
1 920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
659
THE MINE, THE MILL, AND THE CYANIDE PLANT AT THE EXTREME BIGHT
The Mine and Mill of the Belmont Shawmut
Mining Company— II, The Mill
By ARTHUR B. PARSONS
When the Belmont Shawmut company acquired the
property two treatment plants already existed. The first
was equipped with 100 stamps, amalgamating plates, and
vanners for gravity concentration, while on the opposite
side of the canyon was a chlorination plant where a
limited quantity of concentrate had been treated with
some success. The new company decided to remodel the
concentrator to produce a high-grade product for ship-
ment to the smelter without local treatment. However,
the remodeled plant had not been in operation long when
freight and treatment charges began to climb, and certain
penalties were imposed by the smelting company, so that
the cost of marketing became prohibitive. Taking into
consideration the discounted price at which the gold was
paid for, it cost practically $16 per ton to realize on a
$60 concentrate; and since the concentrating ratio was
I 9 : 1. this added $1.55 per ton of ore to the cost of opera-
tion. Accordingly it was decided to utilize the roasters
in the old chlorination plant in the furtherance of a
I scheme for cyaniding the concentrate. Exhaustive tests
made by the metallurgical staff demonstrated the practic-
ability of such a treatment, and determined the details of
I the process. The chlorination plant was remodeled, and
cyanidation was commenced early in 1920. The result
has been satisfactory in that bullion has been produced at
a gross cost of approximately $4 per ton of concentrate
as compared with the $16 required under the former plan.
Of this gross deduction one-fourth, roughly, is the cost of
treatment and three-fourths is the unrecovered gold in
the tailing.
The combined gravity and flotation concentration will
be described first. The average ore as it comes from the
mine contains approximately 1% sulphides, mostly py-
rite, with which is associated gold to the value of $5 per
ton. The small proportion of free gold follows the sul-
phide in milling so that the problem is essentially to sepa-
rate the pyrite from the gangue, which, besides silicious
constituents, contains dolomite and a considerable pro-
portion of talcose minerals.
Under normal conditions, 400 tons of ore crushed to
pass a 2-in. ring is delivered daily, directly from the
mine-cars, into a 2800-ton flat-bottomed bin behind the
stamp-batteries. See the accompanying flow-sheet. There
are twenty 1250-lb. and fifty 1050-lb. stamps, the lighter
being fed by suspended Challenge feeders, while platform
feeders of Challenge type supply the 1250-lb. stamps.
The mortars were manufactured by the Union Iron
Works and are placed on massive concrete mortar-blocks
with a i-in. rubber pad intervening. The mortar-block
for the entire 70 stamps constitutes a monolith. The
liners of the mortar-boxes are of cast-iron ; the front
liners are one inch thick and last four months; the back
ones, 1\ in. thick, last six months ; while the one-inch end-
liners also have a life of six months. Dies are likewise
made of cast-iron, whereas the shoes are of hammered
steel. The stamps drop a height of six inches, 112 drops
per minute, and crush seven tons per stamp through a
Tyler 10-mesh steel-wire screen. The screen is 14 by 52
in. and the height of discharge is two to three inches, the
product being almost entirely 14-mesh and under, with
a pulp-ratio ranging between 44 and 5 parts of water to
one part of ore. The stamps, in batteries of ten, are
belted with 16-in. six-ply rubber belts to a line-shaft that
may be run alternatively by a 7-ft. Pelton water-wheel or
by a 200-hp. General Electric induction-motor operating
under 440 volts at 450 r.p.m. Power from the water-
660
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 6, 1920
wheel is transmitted to the line-shaft by means of a con-
tinuous hemp-rope drive, 40 strands of H-in. rope con-
necting the two grooved pulleys. Water, of course, is
much cheaper, as will be mentioned again. The stamps
were already in the mill ; had they not been, some other
form of tine crushing would probably have been adopted,
although the batteries do good work on the soft ore.
The pulp from the batteries is distributed over seven
Buchart tables for rough concentration, and 18 tons of
concentrate, on the basis of 400 tons per day, assaying
about $63 per ton, is removed. This concentrate is clean,
and the performance of the tables is highly satisfactory.
They have a throw of 1£ in. and make 245 strokes per
minute.
The concentrate from these seven tables is joined by
that from an eighth Buchart, to be mentioned later, and
together they flow to one of three 28 by 7-ft. dewatering
pumped to a standard Dorr duplex classifier by means
of a 6-in. Campbell & Kelley centrifugal sand-pump runs
ning at 900 r.p.m. The lining as well as the runner of
this pump is made of bard white cast-iron, the average
life of both being 90 days. An ingenious scheme for
lengthening the service of these liners was original at
this plant. Before assembling, the pump-casing and
liners are given a thin coat of grease and the space be-
tween is filled with concrete made of cement and sand.
When the liners wear through in one or two spots it is
unnecessary to replace them until the concrete also wears
sufficiently to expose the pump-casing. The purpose of
the oil is to prevent the concrete from freezing to the
metal parts as it sets. For gritty material these Camp-
bell & Kelley pumps are entirely satisfactory; they are
simple in construction, easily re-lined, and handle the
table-tailing at the minimum cost per ton.
■4-/M
BUTTERS
PUMP
TWO 26 BY 7-FT.
DOPR
THICKENERS
DORR
DUPLEX
CLASSIFIER
I Sand
S-/N.
CENTRIFUGAL
PUMP
Sand
SEVENTY IOSO-LB. STAMPS
DORR
DUPLEX
CLASSIFIER
Flotation- toncenjratt
**l
2 -IN.
CENTRIFUGAL
PUMP
m
e jones Belmont
1 1 1
FLOTATION-CELLS
CLEANER -
CELL
6-IN.
BUCKET -
ELEVA TOR
THREE 23 BY 7-FT.
TANKS WITH
BLAISDELL
EXCAVATOR
Concentrate- ^
50-TON 1
conveyor
BIN \
Ml
1
FlG. 1. FLOW-SHEET OF MILL
tanks that are filled in rotation. They are fitted wTith a
filter-bottom composed of a two-inch layer of rock crushed
to \-m. mesh above one thickness of cocoa-matting. When
one tank is charged the flow is diverted to another, while
the first is allowed to drain for 12 hours, after which
further drying is accomplished by a 14 by 14-in. Goulds
duplex vacuum-pump, belt-driven by a 10-hp. Westing-
house motor at 900 r.p.m. The moisture content is re-
duced to 3%. This seems low, but it must be remembered
that there is an exceedingly small amount of slime mixed
with the granular concentrate. After drying, a tank is
discharged by means of a 27-ft. Blaisdell excavator, which
delivers the concentrate through a hole at the centre onto
a 16-in. belt-conveyor. This, in turn, empties its load
onto a similar conveyor at right angles to it, delivering
the concentrate to an eight-ton bin from which, formerly,
it was loaded on motor-trucks for haulage to the railroad.
Now this bin is the loading-station for an aerial-rope
tramway that carries the material 500 ft. across the
canyon to the cyanide plant for re-treatment.
Reverting to the tailing from the Buchart table: it
flows to a concrete sump 8 by 8 by 6 ft., from which it is
The slime-overflow from this first classifier is divided
between two 28 by 7-ft. Dorr thickener-tanks, the rakes
making one-eighth revolution per minute. The overflow
from the thickeners is returned by a 4-in. Butters centrif-
ugal pump, manufactured by Meese & Gottfried of San
Francisco, to the 12 by 14-ft. wood-stave storage-tank
for battery water, situated on the hill above the mill.
The thickened slime, with a consistence of three parts
water to one of ore, goes to a second Dorr duplex classi-
fier which is in closed circuit with a 5 by 18-ft. tube-mill
made by the Union Iron Works. This mill is driven at
29 r.p.m. from the main line-shaft to which the stamps
are belted. A 36-in. Imperial clutch on the belt-driven
pinion-shaft transmits power to the tube. Belmont liners
are used and to date the original set has not been re-
placed ; they have not, in fact, worn sufficiently to give a
basis for an accurate estimate of their life. The best
Danish flint pebbles are used, the consumption being 0.3
lb. per ton of ore stamped, when the pebble-load is carried
at a point between 10 and 12 in. below the centre line of
the mill. The experience that caused the maintenance of
the charge of pebbles at this particular height is interest-
November 6, 1920 MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS 661
■g. The attempt was Oral made to keep the pebble-load pulp, to which sulphide in the proportion ol 0.50 lb. per
at the centre of the tube; to do this it was found accessary !.>■■ of on has been added, can readily be impoverished
d new pebbles at a rate of approximately 1.3 lb. per to 0.01 oz. gold, with the production of a decidedly
ho of ore. Considering the softness of the ore, this seem- cleaner concentrate. At the preaenl time0.25 lb of 60?(
.,1 to be high. Accordingly, the su ' the pcbhle-.harg,- sllllillII1 sulphkk, is „,,,,.,,. ,,„., ,„ ,,„. ,„,,,, ,,„,,,„,, „„.
gradually w;,s decreased and U was found thai as it di- deanei^cell and pan to the tube-mill. A1 the rtarl I 5
biniahed the quantity oi new pebbles needed to maintain „, Wils introduced, along with the oil, at the tube-milL
a given load also diminished. There was no impairment However, when the coat of the reagent jumped from 3c.
»• the results, although the consumption of power in- t0 10c per pound some way „r decreasing t|,is ,„„„„„
kreased. Apparently several hundred pounds of pebbles was ^.g^. The thporv 011 which ,,„. ilcMil]1„, is made
were being worn out daily by useless grinding on eael, a, thl. deaner-cell instead of at the tube-mai is tins: One
other and on the lining when the null was more heavily function 0f the sodium sulphide is to flocculate the sul-
Iharged. A constant load earned 10 m. below the centre phide parti,les. at the same time that it defloceulates the
was decided upon as being the most economical with re- ganglK.; the proportion of gangue in the pulp entering
feed to all factors. The slime overflow from the second the cieaner-cell is small compared with that in the tube-
Dorr classifier already mentioned is the feed for the fiota- mill circuit; accordingly, a greatly reduced quantity of
tion machines. It has a dilution of five parts of water to sodium suiphide will have an equivalent opportunity to
one of solid, a typical screen analysis being as follows : come ^ contact with su]phlde pal.tieles to form nuclei for
0n M4|h *0 floatable flocks. Since the tailing from the cleaner-cell is
Th™u«:h ■ • • *5 " ° returned to the tube-mill a certain proportion of these
ioo 8.5 nuclei enter that circuit and in due course perform their
.....'.'.'..'.'.'.'.'.'.\.'.'.\'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'. ^mo le% function in the four-cell series. The idea is that a
There are nine (standard Jones-Belmont flotation cells nucleus once formed builds UP without further aid' but
built in a single unit of reinforced concrete. Four cells. that the s^1""1 ™\Phrie initiates the structure. Whether
arranged in series, form two parallel step-like rows, while or not thls ls the real explanation, or part of thereal ex-
the ninth, at the bottom of the flight and at the centre, is Potion, the fact remains that a saving of more than one
a cleaner-cell. The Jones-Belmont machine combines Pound Per ton of ore has been effected. The sodium sul-
the mechanical and low-pressure air principles of pro- Phlde "^ has a souring effect on the valuable mineral
ducing froth. The impellers are revolved at a speed of W*6f» that stimulates the selective action of flotation.
350 r.p.m. by means of a belt-driven mitre gear running Air for the Jones-Belmont cells is supplied by a Gen-
in oil ; the air, with a pressure of three pounds per square eral Electric centrifugal compressor, type T, form A,
inch, is introduced through special woven blankets made w"th a speed of 3450 r.p.m. ; a 30-hp. direct-connected in-
hy the Filter Fabrics Co. of Salt Lake City. The blanket duction-motor operating at 220 volts, drives the corn-
is reinforced on the under side by a^-in. mesh iron screen pressor. This machine has a capacity of 1000 cu. ft. per
fastened with copper rivets. It seems strange that the minute at a pressure of three pounds and could supply 12
screen backing is not placed above, rather than below, the cells, instead of nine, if required.
mat, since the greater pressure is from the air-chamber. The flotation concentrate amounts to 13 tens of $25
The froth from the first cell of each series and that from grade, still based on a daily mill-run of 400 tons per day.
the cleaner flows to the pit of a 54-in. Frenier sand-pump As mentioned before, this product is elevated by a
and is thence raised to the extra Buchart table for clean- Frenier sand-pump, which, incidentally, has performed
ing while the concentrate from the six intermediate cells its work to date with no repairs other than re-packing,
flows by gravity to the cleaner, which, in addition to a to a Buchart table, for an additional separation. This
froth-concentrate, produces a middling that is returned step is necessary principally because of the taleose min-
to the second Dorr classifier from which the coarser erals, which naturally are inclined to float mechanically
particles are sent to the tube-mill for re-grinding. Tail- with the flotation concentrate. Three products are made.
ing from all but the cleaner-cell gravitates to waste. namely: two tons of sand assaying $60 per ton ; two tons
The oil used is a mixture of three parts by weight of of intermediate product, chiefly tale, which contains $2.50
No. 2 Cleveland Cliffs wood-creosote and four parts of per ton and is discarded ; and nine tons of slime worth
Californian fuel-oil from the same tank that supplies about $25 per ton. The first concentrate joins the regular
fuel for the roasting-furnaces. For each ton of ore table-concentrate and goes with it to the three collecting-
stamped, If lb. of this mixture is added to the tube-mill tanks and thence by way of the aerial tram to the roast-
circuit. Pine-oils and other more expensive oils were ex- ing-plant. The slime-concentrate flows by gravity to the
perimented with, but results were not materially im- bottom of the canyon and is then relayed by motor-driven
proved. centrifugal pumps up the hill, where it is cyanided. The
The use of sodium sulphide, however, is vital to the flotation tailing averages $0.52 per ton, making a net
success of the flotation. The cleanest tailing that can be recovery by concentration of nearly 90%. The power
obtained from an ore assaying 3 oz. per ton without the consumed in the entire concentrator amounts to 19 kw-hr.
use of sodium sulphide contains approximately 0.045 oz. per ton of ore milled and is distributed approximately
of gold, even when given a double treatment. The same according to the following table :
662
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 6, 1920
Department %
Crushing and conveying 6.8
Stamping 49.8
Tube-milling 17.1
Concentrating-tables 2.6
Elevating and separating 6.0
Dewatering and excavating 1.7
Flotation 14.9
Lighting 1.1
The mill crew consists of 14 men, including :
1 superintendent,
2 repairmen (general),
2 repairmen (on stamps),
3 battery-men (on shifts),
3 eoncentrator-men (on shifts),
3 flotation-mtn (on shifts).
Although the mill was remodeled it does not have the
incongruities of some old plants; the arrangement of the
equipment is convenient and compact. The concrete
foundations are exceptionally good and the mechanical '
condition of the equipment is first-class, as is evidenced
by the small number of operators and repairmen re-
quired.
The concentrate-treatment plant was remodeled in a
hurry and is a make-shift in some respects. Roasting is
done in two old Edwards No. 2 simplex roasters, 56 ft.
long, run by small individual Pelton water-wheels. Each
has 15 rabbles, the three near the discharge end being
cooled by water circulating within them. Fuel-oil is
used for firing, the present burners being of home-made
construction, although it is planned to change to a low-
pressure burner of the style made by the Denver Fire
Clay Co. for use in assay-offices and refineries. The con-
centrate is fed at the rate of 6 to 7 tons per furnace per
day by means of an improvised Challenge feeder. The
sulphur content of the feed is 30%, while the roasted ma-
terial, or 'calcine', as it is called, contains, on an average,
4.3% total sulphur, 1.2% of which is combined in the
form of soluble sulphates.
The calcine is discharged into a steel car and is
trammed to a bin that feeds an inclined plow-conveyor,
which performs the double function of cooling and ele-
vating the hot material. The bed is a plane inclined
about 35% from the horizontal, 6 ft. wide and 75 ft. long.
It is surfaced with bricks that are grouted with cement.
Four sets of plows are dragged up the incline by means
of two endless chains, one on either side ; on the return,
the inverted plows travel about three feet above the
plane. This arrangement is a relic of days when chlor-
ination was employed, but nevertheless it serves usefully
in the present plant. If it is attempted to wet the calcine
when hot, steam is formed and dust rises in dense clouds,
whereas after cooling there is a rather remarkable absence
of dustin,g when the calcine meets the stream of raw
slime-concentrate at the top of the incline. After being
pumped to the treatment-plant this slime is partly de-
watered in a Dorr thickener before being elevated to join
the roasted material as it flows to the Devereux agitator-
vats. There are six of these, each 14 ft. high by 14 ft.
in diameter. The Devereux agitator consists of a blade
exactly like an ordinary boat-propeller, about 30 inches
in diameter, on the lower end of a suspended vertical
shaft revolving at 125 r.p.m. The propeller, or more
properly the impeller, clears the floor of the vat by 2i ft.,
but, except for some accumulation of heavy sand at the
periphery and a small cone just beneath the blade itself,
the revolving pulp sweeps the floor clean. A single di-
ametrical baffle, consisting of a 2 by 10-in. plank with its
low edge two inches below the surface of the pulp, when
not in motion, prevents the pulp from overflowing the
vat by deflecting the vortex caused by the rotation of the
impeller. The result is a thorough aeration of the pulp
by the air sucked in.
The Devereux agitators are equipped with a hinged-
pipe decanter by means of which water or solution can be
removed from above the settled pulp. The operation is
intermittent, by charges, a typical cycle being as fol-
lows: The pulp, comprising the mixed raw and roasted
concentrates, is run into a vat serving as a collector.
After the excess water is decanted, sufficient lime is added
to make the charge distinctly alkaline; strong barren
cyanide solution is then introduced and agitation com-
menced. This is continued for 16 hours with the addi-
tion at intervals of the necessary sodium cyanide and lime
to maintain a solution strength corresponding to one
pound of cyanide and 1.5 lb. protective alkalinity per ton.
At the end of the 16-hour period the charge is allowed to
settle and 35 to 40 tons of solution is decanted to the gold-
vats. This requires three or four hours. Following this
come five 4-hour periods of agitation alternating with
settling and decantation, and if the quantity of stock
solution is low, a water wash may follow. The following
table, showing the results of a typical charge, indicates
a rapid dissolving of the gold in the early part of the
treatment.
Decanted Period of Solution Pulp assay
solution. agitation, assay, gold gold,
tons hours (heading) 560.28
39 16 $9.16
38 4 • 2.79
40 4 1.03
35 4 0.43
40 4 0.21
(Tailing washed 1 .... 3.12
(Tailing unwashed) .... ' 3.50
Lead acetate is added to the agitators, the average
amount being £ lb. per ton of concentrate, while the eon-
sumption of cyanide is approximately 1.4 lb. per ton of
concentrate.
Before starting a new charge, a strong solution of fer-
rous sulphate is used to 'kill' any cyanide in the residual
solution or pulp. This precaution is necessary because
the gold in the roasted concentrate is attacked almost in-
stantly even by an extremely weak solution of cyanide
and an appreciable amount of gold might be carried away
with the decanted wash-water. Tailing from the agitator-
vats gravitates to the slime-tailing pond.
This successful treatment by cyanide of unroasted raw
flotation concentrate mixed with an equal quantity of
roasted table-concentrate is noteworthy. An extraction
of only 60%. with an increased consumption of cyanide
is obtained on raw slime-concentrate alone. Calcined
material cyanided alone yields 90 to 92%, whereas the
treatment of the two combined results in a recovery of
91 to 94%. The improved extraction as compared with
that obtained from treating straight calcine is easily
November 6, 15*20
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
Recounted for by the mechanical advantage of having an
Intermixture of slim.' with the granular concentrate.
This simply promotes better contacl of the solution by
tending to keep the sand particles in suspension. Just
why il ombination treatment affects the additional re-
covery of iIh gold in the flotation concentrate has not
RELA Y- TANK
FOR SLIME-
CONCENTRATE
'
r^
CAMPBELL-
KELLEY
PUMP
,
i
BIN FOR
SAND-CONCENTRA TE
\t
TRAM-CAR
'
'
SMALL BIN
CHALLENGE
FEEDER
2 EDWARDS N9. 2
SIMPLEX ROASTERS
I -TON
CAR
INCLINED COOLING
AND ELEVATING-
CONVEYOR
Barren Solution
Wash-water to waste
Tailing to waste
ZINC- DUST
FEEDER
SIX 14 BY 14 FT.
TANKS WITH
DEVEREAUX
AGITATORS
&
THREE\I0 BY\I4\FT.
GOLD -TANKS
2- IN. KROGH
CENTRIFUGAL
PUMP
12-FRAME
MERRILL
PRECIPITATING
PRESS
Precipitate
MELTING-
FURNACE
BARREN-
SOLUTION
SUMP
FlG. 2. FLOW-SHEET OF CYANIDE PLANT
been entirely explained as yet, but experimental work on
the problem is being done. The part played by the oil
is interesting, but it is apparent that some combination
bf conditions renders it harmless in this particular plant.
' The decanted pregnant solution runs to the first of
Ithree 10 by 14-ft. gold vats, connected in series in order
i" afford .-is much time as possible for the settling of any
suspended solid matter. At presenl there is do other
provision for clarifying, but this is to be remedied, with
an anticipated improvement in the behavior of tl
cipitating press. This is a 12-frame 52-in. Merrill press
through which the solution is forced by a two-inch Krogh
enclosed-type centrifugal pump instead of by the usual
plunger-pump. Merrillite, a combination of dusts of zinc
;uitl load, is fed to the precipitating line by means of ;i
traveling belt actuated by an ingenious contrivance in
which an old vanner-head is used to gel an appropriate
reduction in speed. The cloths become choked rapidly
and the pressure goes to 15 or 20 lb. before the leaves
have barely started to fill. If proper clarificati loes
not remedy the difficulty an explanation will be sought
elsewhere. This Krogh pump is direct-connected to a
7£-hp. General Electric induction motor, while a similar
pump that lifts the barren solution from a 10 by 14-ft.
tank is connected to a 5-hp. Westinghouse induction
motor.
Refining is done in a melting-furnace made by the
Denver Fire Clay Co. and fitted with that company's
low-pressure burner. A small centrifugal fan. driven by
a 1-J-hp. motor, supplies the air required and comes as
part of the regular equipment. The furnace takes a
No. 125 graphite crucible and is tilted with the i-i-in-ilile
when pouring is to be done. Bullion less than 600 fine
is made at present, but this may be improved when the
faulty precipitation is corrected.
Until two years ago operations depended entirely upon
water power. For ten months in the year an adequate
supply, with a head of 1100 ft., was obtainable. How-
ever, work was practically at a standstill for two months
during the dry season in September and October, and
this interruption was costly. Electric motors were ac-
cordingly installed, although many of the water-wl Is
were retained as alternative sources of mothe power.
Since then the shortage of water has made the use of
electricity increasingly important, so that the installation
of the motors was fortunate. Electric power costs .$6.95
per hp. month, as compared with $2.06 for that developed
by the wheels, so water is used whenever available. As
mentioned before, the line-shaft in the mill may be run
by water ; likewise the main mine-compressor in the mill-
building is alternatively belted by a 26-in. endless double-
leather belt to a 200-hp. General Electric motor, or con-
nected directly through a flexible leather coupling to a
7-ft. Pelton water-wheel. This compressor is an Inger-
soll-Rand Imperial Type 10, two-stage machine, having
cylinder dimensions of 22 by 16 in. and 13 by 16 in. A
duplex Giant air-compressor made by the Compressed
Air Machinery Co. is used as an auxiliary. It has no
motor, but is driven by a 1^-in. endless manila-rope from
a 6-ft. Pelton wheel.
The present predicament of the producer of gold is
indicated by the following figures, which show the actual
unit increases in the various elements comprising the
cost of operation, both mining and milling, in 1920 as
compared with 1917. The cost in 1917 was, of course,
664
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 6, 1920
far in excess of that in 1914, which we consider as
normal . Proportion of Increase 1920
total cost over 1917
% %
All labor 60 55
Principal supplies 33 34
Power 7 57
Total 100 48.21
The superintendent at the mine, to whom I am in-
debted for the data presented in this article, is 0. Mc-
Craney. C. W. Wark is mill-superintendent and Byron
E. Eowe has charge of the mine. Albert Silver, consult-
ing metallurgist, supervised the experimental metal-
lurgical work, while the general direction of the enter-
prise devolves upon Frederick Bradshaw, general man-
ager for all of the Belmont companies, whose office is in
San Francisco.
Use for Blast-Furnace Slag
The Germans during the War, when materials were
scarce, gave a great deal of attention to the utilization of
blast-furnace slags. 'Nature' states that a new use for
slag is foreshadowed in Germany, that is, for the manu-
facture of light bricks for building purposes. By pass-
ing molten slag horizontally through water, the steam
generated blows out or extrudes the slag-jet, and forms
what the Germans term 'spume' slag or artificial pumice-
stone. This material has been patented under the name
of 'thermosite', owing to its excellent heat-insulating
properties.
The patentee has also invented a press for pressing
bricks formed of small pieces of this artificial pumice and
a mixture of slag, sand, and slaked lime which is used as
a binder. The bricks thus formed are strong and light,
and resemble in their properties the tuff obtained in the
neighborhood of Andernach. As in addition they can be
pressed to large dimensions, less mortar will be required
in building operations. The German authorities have ap-
proved of the new type of brick for house-building.
Gold and Silver Production of Ontario
'Ontario's position as a producer of gold is becoming
increasingly important. For the first half of 1920 the
output was nearly 22% greater than the 1919 production.
Production of gold by individual mines is presented here-
with:
Porcupine
Hollinser J2.928.079
Mclntyre 1.085,298
Dome 989.586
Porcupine Crown 70,017
Dome Lake 46.809
Northcrown 31.019
Davidson 13.489
Eirkland Lake
Lake Shore 243.977
Kirkland Lake 137.676
Teck-Huehes 125.137
From miscellaneous mines the output was $17,138, of
which the Argonaut in Gauthier township contributed
$13,938. There was also a recovery of gold worth $2498
from nickel-copper refining operations. In addition gold
mines produced 49,156 oz. of silver worth $56,364. Dur-
ing the period 673,694 tons of ore was milled — the mill-
ing capacity at Porcupine at the end of June was 5296
tons and at Kirkland Lake 330 tons daily.
During the period a total of 4,474,322 oz. of silver
worth $5,077,028 was marketed. Of this total 225,513
oz. came from the Miller Lake, 0 'Brien, and Castle prop-
erties at Gowganda, 23,414 oz. from nickel-copper refin-
ing operations and 49,156 oz. from gold ores. Some pro-
ducers of silver were paid for the cobalt content of ores,
concentrates, and residues marketed. In all $138,317 was
received for 296.116 pounds.
♦Ontario Bureau of Mines.
Mineral Production of Arizona in 1919
Advance Figures by VICTOR C. HEIKES, U. S. Geological Survey
Number of
County producers
Cochise .... 43
Coconino ... 2
Gila 46
Graham ... 4
Greenlee ... 14
Maricopa . . 6
Mohave .... 40
Pima 29
Pinal 28
Santa Cruz. . 23
Yavapai ... 79
Yuma 25
Ore
short tons
1,377,207
103
6,374,240
2,456
1,301,199
157
201,040
1,652,324
2,029,526
24,801
738,221
26,129
Total:
1919
1918
339
469
13,727,403
19,038,486
Gold'
fine ounces
45,498.53
0.43
7,900.17
2.80
3,386.35
36.18
124,920.26
70.00
5,422.50
168.20
29,749.08
843.22
217,997.72
262,919.43
Silver-
fine ounces
2,421,905
664
439,647
16,320
106,241
379
164,517
40,655
592,531
223,241
1,252,894
7,611
5,266.605
6,686,152
Copper, pounds
126,483,923
32,507
176,527,981
46,385
44,867,643
19,924
302,667
43,808,491
63,676,619
1.192,656
80,227,549
914,499
538,100,844
764,S55,S74
Recoverable
Lead, pounds Zinc, pounds
4,851,238
94,526
670,814
1,294
65,060
916,818
489,886
1,314,836
1,078,228
237,605 1,717,000
482,773
10,203,078
12,503,689
1,717,000
2,269,643
Total value
$27,436,198
6,799
33,494,930
62,517
8,534,443
8,326
2,871,477
8,221,324
12,689,265
532,487
17,078,467
221,639
till, 157, 872
t202,134,880
♦Includes placer production.
tAverage value of metals: Gold, $20.6718 per ounce; silver, $1.12 per ounce; copper, 18.6c. per pound; lead, 5.3c.
per pound; zinc, 7.3c. per pound.
tAverage value of metals: Gold, $20.6718 per ounce; silver, $1 per ounce; copper, 24.7c. per pound; lead, 7.1c. per
pound; zinc. 9.1c. per pound.
mber 6, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
665
A Judge on Experts
(in August 27, in an apex suit between the Northporl
(melting & Refining Co. and the Lone Pine-Surprise
.lidated Mining Co., involving extra-lateral rights
in the Republic mining district, the Federal Court
(.lodge Rudkin] engaged in a colloquy with counsel,
William E. Colby, of San Francisco, on the subject of
geological experts. We take the report from the official
Stenographic record.
Mi;. I 'OLBY : Our eon tent ion is that when a vein crosses
a siil. -line the burden is immeasurably increased to prove
that a faulted vein of this sort turns at an angle and
femes across the end-line.
The COURT: According to your own conception, all
this expert testimony is valueless and largely speculative.
Mr. Colby: No. I think we could not get along with-
out it. We could not have had a trial without it.
The Court: But it proves nothing substantial.
Mr. Colby: I don't understand Your Honor.
The Court: As to where the Black Tail vein begins or
ends, or whether it intersects the other line, or stops be-
fore it gets there, all of this is a matter of speculation,
notwithstanding four days have been spent in taking
testimony.
Mr. Colby: In all of these eases there is, we have to
admit, a great deal of speculation ou both sides, and it is
really a ease in which speculation is unavoidable. I
would be the last person in the world to say that experts
were not of value to us.
The Court: I did not mean to imply that, but I say,
so far as the question of whether or not these veins go
on through, or whether they stop at the fault, or so-
called fault, it is largely speculative.
Mr. Colby: We have to take the testimony. If we
BOuld look into the ground, and have the insight of a
Erophet, of course, we might tell where these veins were,
ut the best we can do is to take what the experts tell us
ind judge from that. They agree on most facts, but
when we get into the realm of dispute —
The Court : They agree on facts that are not ma-
ftrial ; but when they are material, they differ.
Mr. Colby : I think there is something to that, and yet
do not think it quite fair to the experts, because I don't
hi iik any of these experts would —
The Court: I didn't accuse any of them of lying.
lit I do know that they testify for the man that brings
hem. They may be brought for that reason, or they
nay testify that way because they are brought. I don't
now what the reason is, but I am discussing only the
iltimate facts.
Mr. Colby: They have the liberty of refusing the
ervice, and I believe that these experts here, most of
hem. would refuse to testify in a case that they did not
elieve in.
The' Court : I have no information on that at all.
[In the afternoon of the same day, at the close of Mr.
'olby's argument, the Court reverted to the subject, as
allows. 1
The ( 'hi ut : I might say by way of explanation, Mr
Colby, you apparently misunderstood my reference to
expert testimony. I had referen xclusively to condir
tin ns that existed at the agr 1 point of intersection be-
tween these two veins, and it was entirely a matter of
Opinion with all the experts as U) what transpired at
that place. They were in doubt as to whether there was
an intersection at all. whether the Black Tail vein even
extended to that point; and, of course, if they were in
il.Hil.t as to that, they must necessarily he in doubt as to
whether it extended beyond. I consider the testimony
very unsatisfactory on that point on both sides, and I
think it is largely a matter of opinion. The experts in
this case were extremely candid and very truthful, so
far as it related to the physical facts. I never saw less
conflict in a case in my life. I will say that much in their
behalf.
Mb, Colby: I am very glad to hear that, because I may
say that all the experts on both sides felt very sorry to
hear Your Honor's comments, because they took them as
a personal matter.
The Court: Well, it was not personal at all. 1 had
reference solely to the point you were discussing. You
were expressing a doubt as to whether the Black Tail
ever reached that point or not, and I think the testimony
will substantiate that doubt; and then I said that their
opinion as to whether it went beyond there was a mere
matter of speculation.
Mr. Colby: I appreciate that, as I feel that they in-
terpreted Your Honor's actions as an endeavor to point
out to them —
The Court: Well, if you will recall, you were dis-
cussing the question as to whether the Black Tail ever
extended up there at all or not.
Mr. Colby-. Yes, that is very true.
The Court: And that is entirely in conflict with the
idea that it extends beyond.
Mr. Colby: That is true, I agree to that. That is, we
are in a state of uncertainty there because there is some
vein that extends up. It has some of the characteristics
of the Black Tail ; it is in a location somewhat near where
we would expect to find the Black Tail. The Black Tail
goes on in another direction, we don't know where, and it
has not been disclosed.
The Court : Yes, I realize that.
Mr. Colby: I feel that in such eases as this experts
are the only means by which we can understand a situa-
tion of that sort. Your Honor can appreciate that if
you and I and other counsel should go in there and try to
determine what occurred there, we would be at sea. And
while the common miner is given high praise, and justly
so, in many cases, of course, they are at variance with the
scientific facts ; and it is only through the experts that
we can reach an understanding of these things. As I
pointed out in a series of articles which I wrote, this is a
defect that is inhereut in the law, in the manner in which
we try these cases. When you hire men on opposing
sides, who are supposed to go underground and ascertain
the truth, and they are employed to find the truth, they
666
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 6, 1920
naturally and usually lean toward their employers. They
could not do otherwise and remain human beings. And
when they get into court they have their conflicts, which
come about between all opposing witnesses, or witnesses
on opposing sides. And yet they do, with entire fairness,
try to be impartial. I would not believe of Mr. Simpkins
or Mr. Searls that they would stultify themselves in any
way. And so I am very glad to hear Your Honor express
that view, because all of us misinterpreted your remarks.
The Court : I am very sorry they did, because I had
an entirely different thought in view.
Mr. Colby : I was sure that you did, because I remem-
ber reading in one of your decisions — I think it was
Judge Hawley's — Who expressed the very highest regard
for experts (after practically a life of litigation) that
had been called before him in mining litigation. He was
referring to mining experts, and he said according to his
lifetime experience he had never met with men whom he
felt were more zealous to get at the truth, knowing of
course that they were handicapped by being employed on
opposing sides, but he never, with one or two exceptions,
knew of that class of men who would knowingly and wil-
fully tell an untruth in his court-room. And I felt Your
Honor had the same belief.
The Court : Certainly.
Geologists as Expert Witnesses
By F. L. RANSOME
*The fundamental, difficulty as regards the present
system of taking expert testimony appears to lie in the
antithetical relation that exists between the scientific and
the legal attitude of mind. The life of a scientific man is
or should be devoted to the search for truth and, what is
just as important, to the promulgation of truth. He
should subject all evidence to the most critical and im-
partial scrutiny and be constantly on his guard against
becoming an advocate, even for his own conclusions.
Tradition and precedent have no weight with him, and
authority, although entitled to respect when founded on
observance and mastery of the principles of scientific
method, does not bind him. The lawyer, on the other
hand, while his intellectual integrity may be unimpeach-
able and while he may employ the methods of science in
certain branches of his profession, is, in ordinary prac-
tice, an advocate. It is his business to win the case for
his client and his efforts toward that end consist largely
in a search for precedent in the form of prior decisions.
He is confessedly and properly a partisan and searches
for those facts that will help his ease. He may also seek
for those facts that are opposed to his client's conten-
tion, not, like the scientific man, to make them known,
but to arm himself against their possible introduction as
evidence by opposing counsel. In other words, he may
earnestly seek the truth but it is not necessarily his pur-
pose to speak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth. His endeavors in every way possible to
•Abstracted from 'Economic Geology', of June 1920.
create an atmosphere favorable to the contention of his
client and to play upon the feelings as well as the reason
of the jury. These two attitudes of mind are so dia-
metrically opposed that it is rather remarkable that prac-
tising lawyers, when raised to the bench, should be able
to adjust their mental processes to the judicial attitude.
In view of the fact that many eminent and honorable
men of science have accepted positions as expert wit-
nesses, it is not justifiable to assert roundly and without
qualification that such acceptance was morally wrong.
Certainly the intent of wrong-doing has usually been
absent and many such witnesses may have been thor-
oughly convinced of the inherent righteousness of the
cause espoused. Nevertheless, I believe that it must be
admitted that the geologist who becomes an expert wit-
ness for one side in mining litigation places himself in a
scientifically false position.
Recently, in an interesting paper, Augustus Locke has
suggested! that mining geologists so-called, might be di-
vided into two professional groups — 'court geologists'
and 'ore-hunting geologists'. He points out that the
mental qualifications for the two branches of the profes-
sion are not the same — that the court geologist must have
the mind of an advocate, whereas the ore-hunting geol-
ogist should have the judicial temperament. He cites the
Elm Orlu v. Butte & Superior lawsuit of 1915, in which
five eminent geologists on one side were unanimous
against five equally eminent and unanimous geologists on
the other side, both as to matters of fact and to inference
or opinion. He puts the case as favorably as possible for
the expert witnesses when he maintains that this unanim-
ity in difference, so little creditable to science, involves
no personal dishonesty. He explains it by unconscious
prejudice.
Perhaps there was no dishonesty in the ordinary moral
sense : perjury is a harsh word. But if it be considered
that the difference sprang from unconscious prejudice,
is there not a more subtle intellectual honesty that is
violated when a scientific man, with the example of this
and other cases before him, permits himself to be placed
in a position wherein he knows he may have to be con-
sciously dishonest or is at best likely to interpret facts
through the spectacles of prejudice ? It is admitted that
such work is not only profitable but is often intensely
interesting, and may give opportunity for scientific ob
servations of value. The temptation to engage in it may
be. very strong. Can a man who cherishes the highest
ideals of scientific work afford to yield to it, under the
existing practice of employing expert witnesses? Opin-
ions on this question will differ, but my own belief is that
in general he cannot. It has been said that a witness be-
fore he undertakes a case may be sure of his ground,
As a rule no geologist can tell in advance what all the
developments in a suit will be, and it is doubtful whether
a geological expert witness can escape being a partisan
witness when he is employed by one of the litigants with
the obvious intent that he shall help to win the case.
t'M. & S. P.', January 31, 1920.
1920
MIXING AND SCII.NI1IIC PRESS
Interviews With Governors of Zaeateeas and Dnrango
By Our Representative, Alberto Terrones Benitez
I. Interview with the Qovebnob of Zacatecas,
Dk. Don uro Moreno
"What is .'/"«/■ idea of tht Statt of Zaeateeas in tin way
of mining f
Zacatecas is one of the richest mining States in the
Republic, developed for years only in its northern part,
and operations were carried to a maximum scale at a
time when old treatment processes were still in osej the
low silver price made possible the extraction of only
high-grade ores, and as these were not found in depth,
operations had to be shut-down. Laek of transportation
facilities and high freight-rates also contributed to the
suspension of work in the mines; but now that mining
and treatment processes have evolved to a great extent.
some plans have been outlined for the resumption of
operations in properties where an enormous tonnage of
low-grade ores is found ; under this scheme the old dumps
could be worked and treated. Following this general
plan, operations have been already started at Fresnillo.
Ojoealieute. Zaeateeas, Sombrerete, Finns. Nfieves, and
Mazapil. Zaeateeas will thus become one of the first
mining States in the Republic, as its resources are un-
limited.
What steps arc you disposed In tak( in ordi r In < n-
couragc mining operations in fin Sttiti .'
First, I will grant the mining companies the maximum
facilities falling within the jurisdiction of the State, and
the same time I will take up with the Federal govern-
ent all matters bringing a benefit to the mining in-
dustry ; this would be easy to accomplish in view of the
political solidarity already existing between the States
and the Federal government. Furthermore, I am dis-
cussing right now with the Geological Institute of Mexico
City and with the Department of Industry and Com-
merce, the creation of a permanent Geological Survey
Commission in the State, which wall supply both the min-
ing companies already operating and the prospective
mining investors with important information at no cost ;
this Commission shall start working on the exploration
of southern Zacatecas.
Are all the miming companies operating in the State
right nowt
Few of them are working now, but they are all of
importance ; the reason is that the country has just gone
into a period of peace so indispensable for the prosperity
)f the Republic. I can see that some well-known mining
investors in the State are feeling enthusiastic about the
situation, and this government has reason to hope that
within a year mining operations will reach their maxi-
nnm activity..
What trill I*, thi policy of tht Statt government in re-
gard In tames ml mini nil i j trail inn .'
This government, nut only in regard to taxes nil min-
nal extraction, but also referring to taxation in general,
intends to follow a scheme of proportionate rates; in this
manner tin- small and large producers will hear taxes iii
just proportion to their output, and tin- exploring outfits
would not have to pay any taxes until they enter into a
stage of production.
Is tin Executive of the Slah disposed t» facilitate the
Study, location, and construction of mining rail-
roads?
Certainly I will, and furthermore necessary influence
will lie exercised before the Federal government for such
a purpose ; something about it is already discussed by
the Representatives of Zacatecas in the Congress, who
support our project and who arc assisted by the attorneys
for the State in Mexico City. Both in regard to this
matter and to mining operations, this government in-
tends to give a fair assistance to all concerned with a
view to securing the general prosperity of the State and
nothing else.
What is the program of tin Government in order to in-
1 1 nsify mining opt rations, principally in cases where
the paralysation of works is due In internal difficul-
ties af tin corporationst
If I understand this question well, I might say that
referring to shut-downs caused by troubles between
Capital and Labor, this government has just enacted pro-
visions creating the Labor Department with delegations
in all the mining districts of the State. This Department
will conduct an intense propaganda against the nefarious
activity of agitators, and at the same time will harmonize
the tendencies of all parties following a program out-
lined by this government. So far, we have been success-
ful, and I am sure that mining operations will not be
hindered by conflicts between Labor and Capital ; due to
the importance of this matter it has deserved our pre-
ferred attention.
Is the State government disposed to use all its influence
so that the railroad companies would grant all neces-
sary transportation facilities to the Zacatecas min-
ers t
Yes, and this matter is of such capital importance that
it has already been taken up with the President of the
Republic. Also the President-elect, Sefior Alvaro Obre-
gon, knows about it, and I presume that all effort is being
made in order to supply the National railroads with
necessary rolling-stock, the lack of which is causing a
crisis in the country and has been a decisive factor in
the increasing high cost of living.
668
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 6, 1920
Would the State government encourage the organisation
of a Mining Chamber in Zacatecas?
The organization of Chambers, either of Commerce, of
Agriculture, or of Mining, is considered by us as of
essential significance, provided they accomplish their
end, namely, the regulation of production, of imports
and exports, the supply of working capital and imple-
ments, and even the regulation of minimum salaries in
all centres of production.
Would you be disposed to advise the foreign corporations
through the 'Mining and Scientific Press' to resume
mining operations in Zacatecas at the earliest pos-
sible date?
As already stated, this government could not be more
liberal, nor could there be any better intention on the
part of the Executive of the State, to facilitate all pro-
moting business men the necessary assistance for mining
operations, and the 'Mining and Scientific Press' should
play an important role by initiating a well-intentioned
propaganda with a view toward making American miners
acquainted with our true situation. Should the 'Mining
and Scientific Press' need any more data or statistical
information in regard to mining in the State of Zacatecas,
I will gladly furnish it upon application.
II. Interview with the Governor of Dirango,
General Jesus Agustin Castro
What is your idea of the State of Durango in the way of
mining?
The mineralized part of the State already under de-
velopment— not counting the unexplored country — could
not be worked out by 500,000 laborers working continu-
ously during 100 years.
Whe7i taking possession of your office as Governor of the
State, what policy loould yon follow in order to
encourage mining operations?
My policy will be to facilitate the installation of as
many smelters in the State as may be necessary for the
miners to sell their products under non-prohibitive terms.
Have you any special program, to carry out in order in.
intensify mining production in the Stati .'
This question has the same answer as the former.
As the country really laeks national capital to go into the
large mining ventures, are you of the opinion of
calling on the foreign investors, with the under-
standing, of course, that all the investments made
here shall be subject to the laws of this country?
I believe that an active propaganda should be started
in order to evidence the unlimited mineral resources of
the State of Durango practically undeveloped up to the
present time. My idea is to establish a Statistical Mining
Department in the State, to work either alone or in con-
junction with the Industry Department of Mexico City;
mining and geological explorations will be thus con-
ducted all over the State, the results to be published for
the sake of information to all mining investors.
In case of calling on the foreign investor, would you be
willing to use the 'Mining and Scientific Press' as
a means of communication, so that those already
operating in the State would resume work in the
mints, and so that prospective investors should take
a)i interest in Durango.
I think it advisable to use the paper mentioned by you
as a means of communication to foreign investors, and to
this effect I might as well say that the Government of the
State of Durango is entirely disposed to grant all neces-
sary protection and facilities for mining exploration and
exploitation within the statutory provisions.
Is your program to encourage and support all the pro-
jeets for the construction of railroads to mining
camps?
The Government of the State should never hesitate to
co-operate in the reorganization of all railroad schemes
already existing or that may be proposed in the future.
What do you intend to do in regard to mining taxes
corresponding to the State?
I have no definite plan as regards the tax on mineral
extraction ; but referring to taxation, in general, my idea
is to try better distribution of the burden among the
tax-payers, so as to be able to diminish the taxes to a
just amount.
Are you disposed to encourage and support the organiza-
tion of a Mining Chamber in the State?
As I understand that a Mining Chamber would have
for its object to promite, safeguard, and harmonize all
mining interests, it would thus co-operate with the Gov-
ernment, and, of course, I should support it.
Do you think advisable the establishment of a practical
mining schools in the State of Durango?
As Durango is essentially a mining State, I would cer-
tainly advocate for the establishment of one technical and
several practical mining schools in the State.
Have you decided to use all your influence to facilitate
the railroad transportation of machinery, materials^
and supplies to the mining districts?
I have decided it, and for such a purpose I have al-
ready taken this matter under my care. I have called
the attention of the Federal government to the resump-
tion of traffic between the State of Durango and the
United States by way of the old International Railroad,
thus getting through-communication from here to San
Antonio, if necessary, without the long and tiresome de-
tour by Saltillo and Monterrey.
Do you think that conditions in the State are such that
no further delay in resuming operations is justified?
All the State of Durango is in perfect condition of
safety, and therefore any delay in operating the mines .
is not justified.
November 6, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
669
MINING
-\T*
FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS IN THE FIELD
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ARIZONA
t'ROIlisin AERO-ROUTE BETWEEN JEROME AND TONOPAH,
NEVADA. — NEW CONSOLIDATION IN TOMBSTONE DISTRICT.
Jerome. — The aeroplane may become an important
t'aitor of transportation between the mining districts of
■evada and Arizona if plans now under consideration
air carried out. A test flight will he made between Tono-
cross-cut from the main shaft. Shipments have netted
$100 per ton from silver-lead ore. It is planned to sub-
stitute electric power at the mine in place of the fuel-oil
now in use.
Tombstone. — The Mellgren group of 55 claims has
been taken over by New York capitalists represented by
Bisbee interests. The new company will be known as the
THE ROOSEVELT DAM. ON THE ROAD FROM GLOBE TO PHOENIX, ARIZONA
pah, Nevada, and Jerome, Arizona, in an attempt to
lover the distance of 320 miles without a stop. Since the
liscontinuation of the Tonopah & Tidewater railroad, the
raickest route by rail is from Tonopah to San Francisco,
md from there into Arizona by way of Los Angeles, a
rip of at least three days. The journey by air can be
iccomplished in less than four hours.
Patagonia. — An important find of rich sulphide ore is
'•eported at the Hardshell mine, nine miles from Pata-
gonia, near Harshaw. The new ore was opened by a
Tombstone Silver Fields Co., Inc. The same company
has also taken over the Old Guard mine, on the property
of which is situated a 10-stamp mill that will be used for
the test-mill. The Merrimac group of seven claims is also
included in the transaction, and negotiations are under
way for the purchase of the Argenta group, thereby tak-
ing in practically all of the western end of the Tombstone
mining district. The company plans to begin the con-
struction of a 250-ton mill at once. Machinery for the
Solstice Mining & Milling Co. has arrived and is being
670
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 6, 1920
set up. A compressor, hoist, and accompanying ma-
chinery, all new, are included in the equipment, which
totals more than $10,000 in value.
Jerome- Verde. — The newly installed engine and com-
pressor of the Verde Central are in operation, and air-
drills have replaced hand-steel in driving the main tun-
nel. A few days should see the face of the tunnel reach
the intersection of the contact, which the tunnel is fol-
lowing, with the main dike that cuts the country.
Nogales. — Three leaders among the Yaqui Indians,
Antonio Bacasegua, Jose Matus, and Luis Buitimea, who
were at Nogales last week on their return from Mag-
dalena, gave glowing reports of the mineral wealth in the
mountainous country which the government of Mexico
has given to them. Bacasegua said: "In the Sierra
Bacatete, the ancient stronghold of the tribe, where we
held out so long, we know of many good mineral deposits
that we would like to work ; and we know them to be very
rich, well worth development and exploitation, with gold
in abundance. Some of these mines were worked many
years ago, as there are old workings and traces of habita-
tions. We desire to be permitted to prospect and develop
those mines ; but we need the aid of the Government in
supplying the equipment necessary for doing so. If we
cannot obtain that assistance we shall turn to American
capital for aid."
Phoenix. — The Arizona Corporation Commission has
denied the application of railroads operating in Arizona
for permission to raise intra-state freight-rates 25%. It
was alleged that costs of operating railroads had ad-
vanced in Arizona the same as elsewhere and that intra-
state rates should be advanced to conform with the inter-
state tariffs. What the immediate result of the com-
mission's refusal will be is not known, but it is believed
that the railroads will immediately order the printing of
supplementary tariffs, embodying the increases and will
apply to the courts for an injunction restraining the cor-
poration commissioners from taking any steps to pre-
vent the advances becoming effective. The advances, if
made, will be a severe blow to the mining companies that
ship ore to smelters and receive timber from mills in the
northern part of the State.
Bisbee.— The Junction shaft of the Calumet & Arizona
Mining Co. is being sunk 500 ft. from the 1800 to 2300-
ft. level. Work has progressed approximately 225 ft., at
the rate of about 3J ft. per day. Two compartments are
being sunk to the lower level. The work of concreting
the Campbell shaft of the Calumet & Arizona Mining Co.
is progressing satisfactorily, and is completed from the
687-ft. level up to about the 550. The work was started
from a depth of 687 ft. and it is expected that it will be
completed from that point to the collar of the shaft about
November 10. The shaft was originally sunk 562 ft.,
then raised from the 1300-ft. level and holed-through. It
was then stripped to three-compartment size, to a depth
of 687 ft., and concreting was started. When this section
is completed, the lower part of the shaft will be stripped
and concreted. The area of the completed shaft will be
170 sq. ft. Eventually this shaft will in all probability
become the main hoisting shaft of the company and
should thereby reduce the cost of production.
Globe. — News has been received that a suit for $500,-
000 for the foreclosure of a lien against the Inspiration-
Miami Copper Co. has been filed in the Superior Court
by attorneys representing Jacob Kleinfelder and asso-
ciates. It is alleged that Kleinfelder and his associates
pooled their holdings in order that the company might
be formed, and that the company agreed to do a certain
amount of development work, and pay them $400,000.
Plaintiffs claim that these contracts have not been ful-
filled and they are therefore suing for the amount in-
volved.
COLORADO
ACTIVITY AT CRIPPLE CREEK IS REVIVING. BELL MINK NEAS
MONTEZUMA IS OPTIONED.
Cripple Creek. — Two shifts are again employed at the
Portland mine, the return of old miners and influx of I
new men having made the increased force possible. The
production at the Portland has already shown an in-
crease and the Battle Mountain property and Cresson
mine are now the heaviest shippers of the district with
the Modoc third. Development by the Dig Gold Co. on
the Caledonia spur of Gold hill at the 375-ft. level is re-
ported to have opened a strong vein of low-grade ore
which is improving as the drift nears the Gold Bond
vein-system. Sinking is; under way at the Forest Queen
mine, owned by California and Colorado people, and
operated under lease by the Forest Queen Mines Co.
Georgetown. — A tramway from the Snowdrift mine
to the Hudson mill at Idaho Springs has been completed
and shipments of low-grade dump-ore have commenced.
The Silver Plume Consolidated Mining Co., operating
this property, is also doing work on the Buxton mine on
Hanna mountain. The Dives-Pelican dumps have been
sampled and a test-run is in progress at the Wasatch-
Colorado mill.
Leadville. — Machinery and supplies have been hauled
to the property of the Gold Leaf Mining Co. in the Ten-
nessee Park section, where deep development is planned.
A camp has been established and work will continue
through the winter months. The property to be devel-
oped adjoins the Jenny June and Louis L. mines. A
'home' mining company is proposed for Leadville and a
referendum will be taken by the Chamber of Commerce
as to the advisability of the plan.
Montezuma. — An option on the Bell mine in this dis-
trict has been given to G. H. Short, a mining engineer of
Salt Lake City, representing Utah operators. The Bell
has been inactive for more than twenty years, but is re-
puted to have produced high-grade lead-silver ore. Mine j
records are said to show shipments of 16 cars averaging ...
116 oz. silver and 37% lead. A shipment of sacked ore,
not figured in the average, yielded 8000 oz. of silver per
ton. Mr. Short is said to have measured a good tonnage
of ore blocked out with the value estimated at $90 per ton
in addition to low-grade milling ore.
Rosita. — Ore assaying around 100 oz. silver per ton
ft
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Rovemlxr ti. 1 920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
671
has been opened up at a depth of 25 ft. on the Humboldt-
Pocahontas vein by owners of the Stevens and v7ee1
Leviathan group. Machinery will be installed. Ore as-
saying 75 to 100 oz. silver per ton lias also been opened
on the Annie recently purchased by the Fowler M. & D.
Co. The Brittle Silver, an old producer, is under bond
and lease to J. B. Putman, a Rosita merchant and mine-
operator.
Ouray. — If weather conditions permit a power-line
will be extended to the Mickey Breen property in Pough-
pepsie gulch by the Loyal Mining & Milling Co., which
is operating the property. A new milling-plant will be
■instructed next spring. The Gem City Mining & Mill-
ing Co. will continue development during the winter of
its Wehawken property comprising 14 claims. A camp
has been established and buildings erected for the miners.
Ore outcropping at surface is reported to assay $16 to
$50 per ton in gold, with some silver.
AViiSTCLiFFE. — The Plaza Flora Mining Co.. operating
on Bend "Wert hill in the Wet Mountain Valley district.
one mile north-west of Westeliffe, reports finding high
grade copper ore in its 50-ft. shaft. Samples assay..!
from 7 to 30% copper.
MICHIGAN
STOPK-SCRAPERS ABE BEING BUILT BY CALUMET & HECLA.
DEVELOPMENT WORK MAY BE RESUMED BY FRANKLIN.
Calumet. — The importation of scrap-copper from
abroad is seriously affecting sales of Lake copper and
unless there is an unexpected turn for the better, the
lull in the market is expected to continue for some time.
Shipments for October have been unusually light, and
there have been no outgoing cargoes, of any consequence.
The result is that copper is piling up and. with the ex-
ception of Calumet & Heela, practically all producers
are carrying larger surpluses than at the first of the year.
Calumet's supply is estimated at more than 22,250,000
including 13,000,000 on the docks of the old Union
elting plant. The Stanton mines — Mohawk and Wol-
ine — are among the few that are caught up on pro-
ction and these properties would produce more copper
men were available. The Copper Eange mines have
,hout the same amount of metal on hand as six months
bgo, while Quincy makes only occasional shipments.
According to present indications the mines will not
suffer from a shortage of labor this winter, for large
groups of former employees are returning from the auto-
mobile factories. The Calumet & Heela mines are gain-
ing about 25 men per week, with the majority of the new
Employees being given places in the conglomerate de-
partment. Isle Royale is well supplied with labor, main-
taining a force sufficient to keep its own milling plant
operating to capacity, and Ahmeek's force is as large as
:onditions warrant. Notwithstanding the fact that pro-
tection is barely more than 50% of normal, there is no
unemployment in the Lake region. Some of the smaller
nines are idle, but whenever an underground man seeks
I |i job he has no difficulty in finding one. It required
I Irears to build up organizations to the standard of effi-
ciency that ruled in the Lake district and every effort is
being made to keep the forces as nearly intact as possible.
Calumet & Heela has begun to make stopc-serapers in
its shops and by spring it will have a Fairly large supply
for oae in its own shafts. The subsidiaries in all likeli-
hood "ill be supplied as soon as possible, but it may take
more than a year before the scrapers are in general use.
RAILROAD
COUNTY BOUNDARY ELEC POWER LINE
MAP OF CENTRAL COLORADO
A scraper, operated by two men, can perform the same
work that six to eight do by hand in the same length of
time. Not only will this device help to reduce costs, but
it no longer will be necessary to seek trammers as in the
past, once the scrapers are available in sufficient numbers.
Tramming is the hardest work in a mine and the intro-
duction of these machines will do away with much of the
drudgery. When labor has been scarce the first depart-
ment to suffer has been tramming and a shortage in this
particular immediately affects production.
672
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 6, 1920
Calumet & Hecla's haulage-level is proceeding south-
ward slowly, with the drift breasted about 1000 ft. south
of the Hecla No. 7 shaft. The terminal still is close to
2000 ft. distant, so it probably will be the end of 1921
before the project is complete. The tunnel is 12 ft. wide
and at the end of each 700-ft. section drilling is stopped
to permit the application of a coat of gunite on the walls
and top. The haulage-way will connect all of the Calu-
met & Helca and Tamarack conglomerate shafts. It is
8100 ft. from the surface and will be 1J miles long. No.
12 shaft, C. & H. will be the supply and pumping-shaft,
while the Red Jacket will be used for hoisting. All of
the surface equipment of the other shafts will be dis-
pensed with, once the new haulage-way is in operation.
The project will require the construction of a sump with
a capacity of 3,000,000 gal. and the installation of more
powerful pumps. To operate these pumps two large
high-pressure steam turbines will be installed at the
mills, increasing the capacity of the power-plant to a
point where it can meet any emergency.
An announcement is expected shortly as to the future
course of Franklin. The company may determine to
resume development at once so that it will be able to
produce on a quantity basis more quickly than if addi-
tional opening work was deferred. Franklin's first opera-
tions, when production is resumed, doubtless will be on
the 39th level, north, where splendid disclosures were
made on the Pewabic lode. For a distance of 600 ft.
ground that should yield 25 lb., refined, has been proved
and it is believed that the same mineralization will ex-
tend up to the 30th level. Since development work
ceased some months ago only the pumps have run.
The Copper Range mines report a slight decrease in
output during the past month, but the yield holds up
well, with Champion averaging 45 lb., refined, Baltic
varying from 30 to 35, and Trimountain, 27. Mass enters
into this, however, particularly at Champion, though the
shipments of native copper are not as large as when the
mine was operating at the peak. Development work at
Champion practically has stopped and few new openings
are being made at Baltic. On the other hand, Trimoun-
tain is in the midst of extensive development of the
bottom of the mine.
There is a likelihood that one of the first tests with
flotation on amygdaloid 'mak' will be made by the Cop-
per Range company. If an additional pound of copper
per ton can be recovered by means of this process it will
increase the output, based on the average production for
10 years, by 1,000,000 lb. per year. If Copper Range
can successfully and profitably apply flotation, Mohawk
likewise- could increase its yield, though the latter plans
to direct its first efforts toward reducing losses by finer
grinding.
NEVADA
NEVADA SECTION OF A. I. M. & M. E. MEETS AT TONOPAH.
LESSEES AT PIOCHE DISCONTINUE ON ACCOUNT OP
FREIGHT-RATES.
Divide.— The cross-cuts on the 800 and 1000-ft. levels
of the Tonopah Divide have entered the vein and drifting
has been started. That on the 800-ft. level entered the
vein at 180 ft. from the shaft and that on the 1000 en-
tered it at 200 ft. from the shaft, the latter having been
driven farther south-east. The Victory has cut the vein
at 500 ft. and ore assaying $35 to $40 for a width of 6 ft.,
the width of the vein, has been found. A drift is now
being driven. The vein was entered 110 ft. from the
winze from the 200-ft. level. The south-east drift on the
400-ft. level of the East Divide, being driven in a vein
30 to 40 ft. wide, continues to expose narrow seams of ore.
The vein is narrowing, giving the management hope that
a good width of ore that can be shipped will be found.
This drift is being driven toward the extension of the
vein recently found in the Gold Zone and the so-called
Julian vein of the Tonopah Divide. Ore 3£ ft. wide and
assaying $15 to $20 has been found in the south-east
drift on the 400-ft. level of the Alto. This drift also is
being driven toward the extension of the veins striking
into the Alto from the Gold Zone and Tonopah Divide.
The Kernick, at a depth of 900 ft., has started work to
prospect a large territory in the western part of the dis-
trict, including the Hasbrouck, Western, Revert, and
Annex. The Brougher is sinking from the 500-ft. level
a winze that, at 1000 ft., will be connected with the
Tonopah Divide workings. The Gold Zone has started
shipping from the vein found recently on the 700-ft.
level and it is estimated that 1000 tons is available. The
shoot is 45 ft. long. It is the frequently expressed
opinion of engineers in charge of work in nearby ground
that the Zone will have to sink farther before the best
results can be obtained near the Tonopah Divide line.
Tolicha. — It is reported that the deal for the sale of
the Landmark group has fallen through, the holders of
the option having relinquished it for an unknown reason.
W. J. Loring has denied that he is connected with any
deal involving the claims.
Leadville. — The 50-ton concentrator of the Leadville
Mines Co. has been started and it is expected that within
two weeks it will be operating at capacity. There is esti-
mated to be blocked out in the mine 5000 tons of ore con-
taining 30 oz. silver and 5% lead. The earning capacity
over all mine and mill expense will be $10,000 monthly,
according to A. A. Codd, general manager, who says the
production of the plant will be 150 tons of $200 material
monthly. The vein, 3 to 4 ft. wide, is in a fissure in lime-
stone. The mine is worked through a 1500-ft. tunnel,
from which a 300-ft. winze has been sunk. Most of the
ore is in workings from the bottom of the winze, 500 ft.
from the surface. The Grandma shaft is now 870 ft.
deep. Since sinking was resumed it has passed through
a tongue of alaskite, then shale, and it is now in alaskite,
a reversal of the order in which these formations are usu-
ally found in the district. The flow of water is heavy
and this has retarded sinking.
Virginia City. — During the last week 67 tons of ore
of a gross value of $35,000 was mined in the drift from
the bonanza winze from the 2150-ft. level of the Con-
solidated Virginia. This drift is 80 ft. long. The east
')!
November 6, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
drift on the 2250-ft level has been re-opened and a raifle
is in be driven from it to the wince from the 2150 I ire
also is being broken on the L950 and 2050 ft. levels. 1 lur-
ing the week 341 tons of ore of ■ gross vain.- ..i $15,000
na treated at the Mexican mill.
Tonopah.— The annual meeting of the Nevada section
of the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical
Engineers was held in Tonopah on October '-'n and -7.
with 4n present. The following officers were elected:
John G. Kirehen of Tonopah. chairman; J. C. Jones,
professor of geology. University of Nevada, vice-chair-
man; II. M. Hives of Reno, secretary-treasurer. The
executive committee is composed of John G. Kirehen.
shipments t0 Salt Lake valley smelters. Ore having ii
value of -*-!1 per ton now takes a rate of $7, as eompared
with the former rate of $4-60 per ton. This is a heavy
burden on the industry, particularly in view of the de
dining market for the metals produced. During the
week ending October 2:i, the Prince Consolidated shipped
L925 ions; Virginia-Louise, 505; Combined Metals, 150;
Bristol Silver Mines, 90; Columbia Trust, 40; making a
grand total of 2710 tons. Negotiations are pending for
the sale of the Silver King mine, 38 miles north-west of
here, by Vernon Jeffcott and C. M. West of Pioche. The
property comprises four claims, and in 1902 some bo-
nanza silver ore was found. Several tons of ore running
GLORY-HOLE AT COMBINATION SHAFT, GOLDFIELD, NEVADA
J. C. Jones, R. A. Hardy, Virginia City; W. S. Larsh,
Ruth ; F. Dean Bradley, Goldfield ; Governor Emmet D.
Boyle ; J. L. Dynan, Tonopah ; Alex Wise, Virginia City ;
W. H. Blackburn, Tonopah. The following papers were
read: 'Surface Plant at Victor Shaft, Tonopah Exten-
sion Mine', J.- P. Hart; 'Operating Conditions at Tono-
pah Extension', John L. Dynan; 'Mine Pumping in
Tonopah District', Homer L. Willams; 'Crashing and
Agitating Practice at Tonopah Extension Mill', H. A.
3urk; 'Precipitation and Refining of Gold Concentrates
at West End Mill', Fred Ninnis and Walter Anderson;
' Tonopah Extension Assay Office ', George L. Christian ;
'Mine Accounting', F. Dean Bradley.
Pioche. — A number of lessees in this vicinity have
ceased operations, as a result of the increase in freight-
rates on ore-shipments and incoming supplies. It is esti-
aated that the operators here paid an additional $7000
luring September by reason of the higher rafps on ore
as high as 10,000 oz. per ton was shipped, which resulted
in a rush to the district, the ground being staked for miles
around. It is stated that 400 tons of material has been
sorted from the old dumps, which averages 11.5 oz. silver
and 4.3% lead. In the early days, when the property
was 150 miles from a railway, a 50-ton smelter was built.
The Salt Lake Route now passes within 23 miles of the
property and there is a good road connecting the mine
with Jackrabbit station.
UTAH
SMELTING COMPANIES ARE SUED BY RAILROADS. REGULAR
SHIPMENTS ARE BEING MADE FROM AMERICAN FORK
CANYON.
Salt Lake City. — The University of Utah will give
extension-courses in mining, milling, smelting, and
Americanization in the various mining districts of the
674
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 6. 1920
State, according to F. W. Reynolds, in charge of the ex-
tension division. The mining and metallurgical courses
will be under the direction of Robert S. Lewis, professor
of mining, while the Americanization work will be under
the supervision of A. M. Thurman. During the week
ending October 23, the Utah Ore Sampling Co. at Mur-
ray released 68 cars of ore from Utah mines ; 8 from Ne-
vada ; 5 from California ; and 2 from Idaho. At the Tin-
tic plant of the company, 34 cars from Utah mines were
released. The Oregon Short Line Railroad Co., acting
on behalf of itself, the Denver & Rio Grande, and Los
Angeles & Salt Lake railroads filed suit on October 26 in
the U. S. District Court against the American Smelting
& Refining Co., seeking to collect $23,830, with interest
from date of filing. The money is alleged to be due to
the railroad companies for the building of a switching
system at the Murray plant of the company, seven miles
south of this city, and for the handling of railway cars
used in making shipments. The Denver & Rio Grande
and Los Angeles & Salt Lake companies participated in
the expense, and conveyed their claims to the Oregon
Short Line for collection. On October 28 the same com-
panies also filed suit ag;ainst the United States Smelting
Co., for $23,006, alleged to be due for switching per-
formed at the Midvale smleter of the company from
November 1916 to December 31, 1917.
Ophik. — At the property of the Ophir Silver Mines
Co. the adit is now in a distance of 110 ft., and it is ex-
pected that within an additional 50 ft. the Buekhorn
vein, said to be the productive lode in the Ophir Hill
Consolidated mine, will be cut. Drifting to the north
and south will follow. At about 200 ft. south a promising
east-west vein, developed near the surface by an inclined
shaft, should be cut. In this tunnel three feet of ore was
opened containing 2 to 4% copper and from 50 to 100 oz.
silver per ton. This vein had to be abandoned in the
upper workings because of caving ground.
American Fork. — An examination of the Pittsburgh
mine in American Pork canyon has recently been made,
and it is reported that the property will be taken over
by Eastern interests. The mine is owned by the Alex-
ander T. Tarbett estate of Salt Lake City. In 1916 Mr.
Tarbett was actively engaged in deep development of the
property, which is situated on the divide between Ameri-
can Pork and Little Cottonwood canyons. In the early
days, the mine was one of the largest producers of silver-
lead ore in this district. It is stated that there is about
16,000 tons of milling ore in sight. Two mines in the
canyon are making regular shipments. The Silver Dip-
per property, under lease to George Hemphill and asso-
ciates, is making steady shipments of silver-lead ore.
Shipments of sulphide ore containing lead-silver-gold
are being made by the Belorophan property, of which
Carl Perlin is manager. The Globe Consolidated prop-
erty has been closed for the winter, according to John
Cleghorn, president. Shipping ore has been found in
several places, and if it were not for the lateness of the
season, shipments could be made. There is more than a
foot of snow, which is umisual for October.
Park City. — Exploration of the O'Brien vein-system
by the Silver King Coalition and Three Kings Consoli-
dated Mining companies is giving important disclosures.
Work already done in the Coalition property proves that
the O'Brien chanel is a third large ore-zone in the dis-
trict, and engineers predict that it will equal the Silver
King zone as a producer of rich ore. The O'Brien sys-
tem is a series of fissures and faults which strike north-
east approximately 1200 ft. north-west of the Silver King
zone. The Park City limestone, which is regarded as
the formation in which the best bedded ore deposits have
been found, is traversed by the system of fractures. The
fractured zone is about 800 ft. wide. In the Three
Kings property, a cross-cut was driven from the shaft a
distance of 1000 ft. to the south-east, on the 500-ft. level,
to cut the strata that dip north-west. A zone of intense
fracturing was developed by this work. Some of the
ore assays 100 oz. silver and 60% lead. The Three Kings
property owns 156 acres of patented ground and is be-
lieved to have several thousand feet on the strike of the
O'Brien channel.
Conditions at the Naildriver mine are promising, ac-
cording to J. D. Fisher, superintendent. Recently a vein
was cut on the 500-ft. level, which is thought to be a con-
tinuation of the orebody opened on the 700 and 900-ft.
levels. Steady shipments are now being made. During
the week ending October 23, the Silver King Coalition
Mines shipped 646 tons of ore; Ontario. 497: Judge,
289 ; Daly-West, 168 ; Naildriver, 60 ; Keystone, 55 ; and
New Quiney, 3 ; making a total of 1718 tons. The ma-
chinery for the new milling plant at the Glenallen prop-
erty is being placed, according to J. B. Allen, manager.
Inasmuch as it has to be hauled from Heber over poor
roads, there has been more or less delay, but it is ex-
pected that the plant will be ready for operation by the
first of the year. It is stated that there is a large ton-
nage of milling ore developed in the mine merely wait-
ing the completion of the mill.
Eureka. — Shipments of ore from this district during
the week ending October 23 totaled 169 cars, an increase
of 46 cars over the previous week's shipments. The
Chief Consolidated shipped 41 cars; Tintic Standard,
34 ; Mammoth, 23 ; Dragon, 15 ; Iron Blossom, 12 ; Eagle
& Blue Bell, 8; Centennial-Eureka, 6; Iron King, 6;
Grand Central, 6; Victoria, 4; Swansea, 4; Bullion-Beck,
3 ; Gemini, 3 ; Gold Chain, 2 ; Eureka Hill and Yankee,
each 1. A contract has been signed between the Dragon
Consolidated Mining Co. and the United States Smelting
Co., whereby the former will ship about 100 tons of iron
ore per day to the Midvale plant of the smelting com-
pany. The north end of the Dragon property is under
lease to the Tintic Milling Co. and approximately 50 tons
per day of mill-grade ore is being extracted. The Tintic
Delaware Mining Co. has filed an amendment with the
county clerk of Utah, seeking permission to make the
capital assessable. For some time past, this property
lias been idle, but recently a decision was reached to re-
sume operations and for this purpose it is necessary to
levy an assessment.
November •;. 193)
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
675
BKIT1SH COLl'MBU
PRODUCTION w COPPER HOI MilN OOHKKXTOBS,
Princeton. After a l"iiu' series of delays, the Canada
Copper Corporation started actual mining operations al
pper Mountain property on < October 19, and on thai
day the tirst trainload of ore went to the mill, al Allenby,
four miles away. Numerous strikes have delayed opera-
Ions at mine, mill, and railway; and other difficulties
have appeared. The undertaking represents an invest-
ment of $7,000,000, which, owing to the many delays and
tin- rise in cost of labor ami supplies is .+500.(100 more
tluui the original estimate. At the present time the com-
pany has 300 men on the payroll, this number to be in-
■reased gradually to 500. Before the end of the year it
is hoped to bring the output of the mine up to 2000 tons
per day which is the present capacity of the mill. The
hmpany has developed 12.000.000 tons of ore. and this.
it is believed, can be mined and milled at a low figure.
Tin- concentrate will be sintered and smelted at Trail.
Edwin T. Hodge, general manager for the Liberator Min-
ing Co., which owns the Emancipation mine, near Hope.
states that the development tunnel is being driven at the
rate of 10 ft. per day and that the upper tunnel has pene-
trated five ore-shoots and has entered the sixth. During
the last two months a compressor and a power-plant have
been erected and an assay -office has been built. A quan-
tity of mill-ore has been taken out during the course of
development.
Anyox. — The Granby Consolidated M. S. & P. Co. pro-
duced 2,239,174 lb. of copper during September, against
2,439.200 lb. in August. The company made a net profit
I of $443,586 during the first half of the present year;
from this, however, taxes and interest on bond issue have
not been deducted. The profit for- the last half of last
year was $599,386, and taxes and interest amounted to
$539,487. leaving only $49,899. The smelter town ex-
pressed its wishes emphatically at the plebiscite, on Octo-
ber 20. giving a vote of practically 10 to 1 against prohi-
bition.
Prince Rupert. — The net earnings of the Belmont-
Surf Inlet Mines, Ltd., a subsidiary of the Tonopah-Bel-
mont Development Co., for the quarter ended June 30.
1920, amounted to $77,535. Last year this company did
5550 ft. of development, and this year it has kept develop-
ment work well ahead. The company produces a high-
grade gold-silver-copper concentrate, which is shipped to
I [the Tacoma smelter.
Stewart. — S. G. Benson, an operator in the Portland
Canal district, refers optimistically to the Blue Bird and
! Nest Egg claims on the Salmon river. Several veins have
i been uncovered from which samples have been taken that
?ive good assays. Mr. Benson and his partner have been
prospecting this particular country for years, but it was
not until last year that they found anything worth while,
lue to the fact that a glacier, which has been receding
about -200 ft. each year, formerly covered the outcrops.
It is the intention to begin tunneling next season. On
:he Lucky Boy group in the same locality a vein has been
jfound about 60 ft. wide, the average value of the ore being
estimated at $100 per ton. It is stated thai the galena
from this property is the cleanest Been in the country so
far, there being no sine, Considerable development has
i ii done but nexl year permanent camps will l stab
lished. This property is situated between the Premier
mine and the town of Stewart. Much is .\| ted. too, of
the New York group. The results of r nl work is re.
ported to have been satisfactory. Owners of the White
Mouse, also, arc understood to be planning the erection
of a mine plant.
Alios Abu. The Bsperanza group of mineral claims
lias been taken over by a syndicate of Vancouver business-
men. The consideration is said to have been $75,000
which nets the owner. Petro Salina. a comfortable profit
which will be appreciated when it is stated that he ac-
quired the property some years ago at a sheriff's sale for
$200. Recent development work has been encouraging,
KIRKLAND LAKE DISTRICT, ONTARIO
with a considerable body of high-grade silver ore un-
covered.
Prince George. — There is a possibility that one or
more of the same type of giant gold-dredges that have
been operating in the State of California will he con-
structed for digging the gold-bearing gravels of the
Fraser river and of the creeks and gulches of the Cariboo
district. A party of operators from the United States,
one of whom represents the Yuba Manufacturing Co., of
Marysville, California, has been visiting Prince George
for the purpose of investigating conditions and forming
an estimate of the prospects of success attending the
venture. Years ago, as an aftermath of the Cariboo gold
excitement, several small dredges were built on the
Fraser river and elsewhere. The remains of these still
may be seen in the river and on the banks just below the
town of Quesnelle. There is a dredge on the Quesnelle
river and one was taken up-stream beyond Fort George to
the Little Smoky river, where it lies a derelict today.
Victoria. — With reference to the policy of the Pro-
vincial government of assisting in the exploration and
development of such mining properties as seem to merit
the expenditure, where the owners are unable to do their
own financing, William Sloan, Minister of Mines, has
made an interesting statement concerning the past year's
work. He says that diamond-drilling and other develop-
ment has been in progress for some months on the Snow-
storm group in the Highland valley and that drilling
lias been undertaken by the Government in the Franklin
camp, the results in both eases being satisfactory. R. W.
676
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 6, 1920
Thomson, engineer, who is in charge at the Snowstorm,
says that it is expected that it will take another year to
complete the work in hand. A large amount of ore has
already been developed. The minister says in conclu-
sion : " On work of this character the Government has a
bonus-charge against the property equal to the cost of
the work, that is to say, for every dollar spent in de-
velopment the property will owe the Government two
dollars. Although it is not expected that all diamond-
drilling operations will prove remunerative, the policy of
the department is to place this drilling and development
of mineral claims, as far as possible, on a profitable
basis."
ONTARIO
FLAT WAGE OP $5.25 ANNOUNCED BY TEMISKAMING MINE
OPERATORS. MORE MINERS REQUIRED AT PORCUPINE.
Cobalt.— The Temiskaming Mine Managers' Associa-
tion has notified the Central Council of workmen in the
silver mines in the district that after November 1 a flat
wage will be paid instead of the former base wage plus a
bonus determined by the price of silver. Formerly ma-
chine-runners were paid $4 daily, when silver was under
80c. per ounce, with a bonus of 25c. when the price was
80c. and an additional 25c. for each ten points above 80c.
per ounce. Accordingly the bonus amounted to $1.50 per
day when the price of silver rose to over $1.30 early this
year. On the other hand, when the decline in quotations
carried the price down, the companies announced that
they would continue the bonus of $1.25 until November
1. The schedule now announced gives to machine-run-
ners a flat wage of $5.25 per day, the highest ever
paid in Cobalt. Low water on the Montreal river has
caused a serious shortage of power, causing the mines to
curtail operations to some extent. Arrangements have
been made to work certain of the mines alternately pend-
ing rainfall. On November 1 the Coniagas will disburse
a dividend of 2J%, amounting to $100,000. This makes
a total of $500,000 paid this year, and a grand total to
date from this company of $10,040,000.
The Keeley Mines in South Lorrain has completed the
erection of a 20-stamp mill. The plant is being tried out
this week. The equipment was purchased early last
spring from the Coniagas Mines, this being a part of the
machinery on the Trethewey mine the property and plant
of which was purchased for $100,000 by the Coniagas
early this year. The development work on the Keeley has
been favorable during recent months. A shipment of 11
tons of high-grade ore has been made from the Castle
property at Gowganda. The brokerage firm of F. C.
Sutherland & Co., of Toronto, has acquired an option on
the tailing from the Penn-Canadian mill and hopes to
make arrangements for the recovery of the contained
metal.
At the Lumsden property of the Camburn Mining Co.
the Croft vein has been opened up more than 50 ft. with
high-grade silver veins appearing at intervals. A winze
is being put down on the Horseshoe vein from the 300-ft.
level to the diabase-Keewatin contact estimated to be 175
ft. below. Several other properties are being prospeeted
in the vicinity of the Lumsden, all of which are sinking
to reach the contact, influenced by the success of the
Beaver and Temiskaming at that depth.
Porcupine. — The need for additional mine workers at
this camp is receiving the attention of the Provincial gov-
ernment. H. C. Hudson, general superintendent of the
Employment Service branch, has made an official visit to
the mining districts of Northern Ontario. The labor re-
quirements of Porcupine, Kirkland Lake, and Cobalt are
estimated at 2000 men. By far the most serious shortage
is at Porcupine, where the Hollinger Consolidated is pre-
pared to take on 800 additional men, while the Dome,
Mclntyre, Porcupine Crown, and Vipond-North Thomp-
son are anxious to increase their working forces. The
Dome is endeavoring to secure labor from England. Mine
operators are hopeful now that the urgency of the situa-
tion has been made the subject of an official enquiry that
the Ontario government may take some action for their
relief.
Kuskland Lake. — The Kirkland Lake Proprietary,
Ltd., has completed the taking over of the assets of the
English Tough Oakes, the old Kirkland Lake company,
the English Aladdin-Cobalt, and the Sudbury Syndicate.
The new company is also arranging to acquire the assets
of the Ontario-Tough Oakes Gold Mines, the Burnside,
and the Sylvanite.
Gowganda. — A vein intersected in a cross-cut at the
S5-ft. level of the Castle property of the Trethewey shows
a width of six inches of high-grade silver ore, and wall-
rock heavily impregnated with silver. Another important
find has been made at the Miller Lake-0 'Brien, the vein
several inches in width, carrying heavy leaf silver. A
narrow vein of this character of ore can be worked with
a good margin of profit.
Toronto. — Reports were recently received by the Im-
perial Oil Co. of an important strike in the well at Fort
Norman on the Mackenzie river, near the Arctic circle,
where the flow was stated to be at the rate of from 1000 to
1500 barrels per day. C. O. Stillman, president of the
Imperial company, states that he has received confirma-
tion of the news. The 'strike' was made August 25 at a
depth of 783 ft., oil flowing out of the 6-in. pipe for 30
minutes before the well was capped. Any estimate, how-
ever, as to the amount of oil this well could produce is
only a guess as there was no tankage available, and an ac-
curate test could not be made. "While he considered it of
scientific value, from a comercial point of view it is not
of immediate value, as it would probably be years before
it could be made available in quantities for the use of the
Canadian market on account of its remoteness. The well
is situated 45 miles below Fort Norman, 900 miles from
the nearest sailing point of a river boat, 1200 miles from
the nearest railroad, and 1500 miles north of Edmonton,
the nearest city by the present route. The only means of
access is down the northern rivers, which will only float
boats of shallow draught and several rapids necessitate
the unloading and transporting of cargoes overland and
loading on barges again. The cost of laying a pipe-line
would be approximately $50,000,000.
November 6, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
.,77
ARIZONA
Bisbee. — It is reported that the new sulphide orebody on
the 600-ft. level of the Boras Leasing Co.'s mine is now 60
ft. long and 30 ft. wide averaging about 7% copper. The
fourth monthly disbursement of 10c. per share was recently
made. Production is being maintained at approximately
1250 tons of 8% copper ore per month.
Gunsight. — Seven men are at work constructing founda-
tions for a cyanide plant that is to be erected at the New
Gunsight mine.
Ray. — The new mill of the White Metals Co., erected by
Kennard and Pierce, engineers of Los Angeles, is completed.
The mill is a 50-ton flotation plant designed to treat the ore
from the Pioneer mine. J. C. Devine is manager.
Oatman. — The east drift on the 400-ft. level of the Aztec
vein of the Tom Reed has now penetrated the orebody about
100 ft. and is nearly 300 ft. west of the United American
end line. It is reported that ore opened in the face of the
tunnel contains $70 in gold per ton, and the vein is 3 to 5
ft. wide. The United American is cross-cutting 175 ft. above
the level of the Tom Reed and should reach the same vein in
10 to 15 days. The Telluride Mining Co. is now drifting
on the vein on the 516-ft. level. It is reported that on this
level a well defined vein has been opened which is about 25
ft. wide. Fifteen feet of this vein is quartz, one stringer of
which assays $76 per ton in gold.
CALIFORNIA
Amador County. — An important strike has been made in
the Plymouth Consolidated. On the 3050-ft. level a new ore-
shoot has been cut at a point 100 ft. north of the main cross-
cut. So far, for 140 ft. of drift, the ore averages an ounce
of gold per ton for an average width of 10 feet.
Grass Valley. — The winze from the 400-ft. level of the
Alcalde mine has been in milling ore all the way, according
to a late report from the property, with considerable high-
grade quartz in evidence. Ore containing free gold in a
vein three feet thick has been found. As soon as the winze
has gained the desired depth, cross-cuts and drifts will be
driven out to develop the orebody. An electric hoist has
been received and will soon be installed in the winze. The
mill is being overhauled. Mining operations are rapidly be-
coming normal throughout the Grass Valley district as a
result of withdrawal of restrictions regulating the use of
electric power. The Empire company has resumed full oper-
ations at the Pennsylvania and Empire properties, and the
Empire mill is running at capacity. The Idaho-Maryland is
speeding up the work of unwatering its workings, and activ-
ity has been increased at the North Star, Boundary, Allison
Ranch, and other properties. The shortage of labor is less
acute and the general situation is encouraging.
Plumas County. — Persistent reports are current that the
Plumas-Eureka gold mine, near Johnsville, has passed to the
control of the Guggenheim interests. The property is situ-
ated near the Plumas copper-belt, but for many years was
one of the greatest of Californian gold producers.
Work is being pushed rapidly at the property of the Rein-
miller Copper Mining Co., situated in the Lights Canyon dis-
trict. The company owns by location, bond, and option, ap-
proximately 50 claims, joining the Engela mine on the north.
The main development work done so far consists of one
shaft 65 ft. deep, two tunnels approximately 70 ft. long, and
Ave open-cuts. All of this work has developed copper ore
containing some gold and silver.
Shasta County. — The Mountain Copper Co. has increased
operations at the Hornet mine and the new crushing plant is
handling 400 to 500 tons of ore dally. The plant is equipped
with two sets of rolls and has a rated capacity of 600 tons
per day. The ore contains pyrite and the product is shipped
to San Francisco for conversion into chemicals and fertilizing
agents. The company is erecting additional cottages near
the mine for its employees. A large reserve of copper ore
has been blocked out in the Hornet and Iron Mountain prop-
erties, but this product will not be mined until the market
for copper improves.
Siskiyou County. — The Davis Consolidated, now that the
Lagrange mine in Trinity county is shut-down, is the largest
hydraulic mine in the State. Three giants are kept going
and 16 men are employed. Five thousand inches of water is
diverted from Indian creek and Girder creek through ditches
that unite and deliver water at the giants through 32-in.
pipe. Reeves Davis of San Francisco owns the mine.
The old Washington mine near French Gulch is being oper-
ated by George E. C. Rousseau of San Francisco. Eight men
are employed. This is one of the oldest mines in the French
Gulch district.
Trinity County. — Operations have been resumed at the
Bonanza King gold property, near Trinity Center, after an
idleness of three months because of water shortage. The
property is one of the largest producers in the county, and
was formerly held by the Treadwell interests of Alaska and
San Francisco. Scarcity of skilled miners is hampering
activities.
IDAHO
Coeur d'Alene. — Better ore than found heretofore in the
Hecla mine is reported on the 2000-ft. level. On this level
the company is mining five feet of clean galena, without a
trace of zinc. Besides this in the same shoot there is from
five to six feet of good milling ore. This shoot has per-
sisted for a long distance and on the 1600-ft. level proved
1800 ft. long. The Bullion Mining Co. is proceeding
steadily with development. The main tunnel has followed
ore for 300 ft. This is at a point in the tunnel 4000 ft. from
its portal and at a depth of 1000 ft. The orebody is wider
than the tunnel. The ore contains $50 to $60 in copper and
$7 to $8 in silver per ton. The tunnel has passed a point
vertically under the No. 2 tunnel. The quantity of ore dis-
closed warrants the building of a concentrating mill. The
blower to be used in the new zinc unit of the Nabob Con-
solidated plant has reached the property. It is expected to
increase the grade of zinc to 42%. Ore-hauling has been in
progress between the mill and the railroad for some time.
A contract has been let for the performance of several
hundred feet of tunnel work in the Slavonian mine owning
three claims east of the Last Chance and adjoining the
Bunker Hill & Sullivan on the north. The work, which will
advance the tunnel into promising ground, will be done with
machine drills.
678
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 6, 1920
MONTANA
Butte. — It is declared that the market tor zinc must rise
to 9c. per pound before independent producers can operate
at a profit. This estimate takes into consideration the
amount of silver found in zinc ores of the Butte district.
With increased freight rates, together with the greater cost
of smelting, mining, and supplies, a ton of zinc concentrate
is costing $30 more than the 10-year pre-war average, while
only $4 more per ton is realized, due to the enhanced price
of silver. An additional $16 per ton of concentrate can be
included on account of increased price of zinc which theo-
retically leaves the producer with $10 less profit on each ton
of zinc concentrate produced, than hitherto. The Anaconda
company is making some profit on its zinc operations and
there have been calls for increased deliveries of concentrate
made to independent producers of the Butte district, but the
market is so variable that from one month to the other zinc
producers have no definite idea as to the outlook. Ana-
conda's operations on custom concentrate are more profit-
able than those on its own ores, which carry about 30%
zinc as compared with 50% or more in the custom product.
Butte & Superior had been shipping to Anaconda, but the
bulk of its concentrate is now going to the plants of the
American Metal Co. The Timber Butte Co. is shipping con-
siderable to Anaconda. Anaconda is producing from 6000
to 70 00 tons of zinc concentrate monthly from its own ores.
The sentiment prevails here that the Joplin and Miami pro-
ducers are smothering the spelter market through a disin-
clination to reduce their output sufficiently to stiffen quota-
tions, and that if such a step were taken by those producers
a betterment of spelter quotations would be had within a
comparatively brief period.
UTAH
Salt Lake City. — A complete and authoritative map of the
Tintic mining district, showing the property lines of all of
the mining companies in the district, with groups of un-
patented as well as patented claims, has been prepared by
J. B. Ireland, whose office is in the Dooly block. The map
is printed on sheets 17 by 2 8 in. A feature is the revision
of the boundaries of the groups in the East Tintic section
where the Tintic Standard property is situated.
WASHINGTON
Spokane. — A brief on blue-sky legislation has been pre-
pared by the mining bureau of the Spokane Chamber of
Commerce, of which F. W. Smith, smelter director for the
Bunker Hill & Sullivan Mining & Concentrating Co., is chair-
man. The brief analyzes the Frawley bill and opposes its
endorsement by the Chamber of Commerce as requested by
the Better Business Bureau, an adjunct of the Spokane Ad-
vertising Club. It will be considered at a joint meeting of
the committees and if adopted at that time will go before the
trustees of the Chamber for consideration. While opposing
the State blue-sky legislation, (he brief advocates the enact-
ment of a Federal law providing that full information shall
be filed in the originating State of the corporation and at
Washington, D. C. Also, it favors the automatic opening of
all States to a promotion when it has been passed on by
Federal authoritites at Washington. It is reported that
the Anaconda Copper Mining Co. may establish a mining
and metallurgical department in this State. It seeks a
source of aluminum and to this -end has been engaged in the
investigation of clay deposits near Mica, a few miles south-
east of here.
[PERSONAL]
The Editor invites members of the profession to send particulars of their
work and appointments. The information is interesting to our readers.
Henry F. Collins is at La Espina, in Spain.
L. D. Kicketts is in New York, convalescing from an oper-
ation.
G. Allen Crane has opened an office as consulting mining
engineer at Vancouver, B. C.
F. Lynwood Garrison is at Miami, Oklahoma, and will
remain there until Christmas.
Herbert Hoover was at Salt Lake City last week on his
way from New York to his home at Palo Alto.
K. L. Chase will be engaged on oil-shale examination work
in western Colorado during the month of November.
John M. Hayes, treasurer for the Utah Copper Co. at Salt
Lake City, has resigned, and will become a resident of Los
Angeles.
L. R. Perry, of Forest City, Iowa, president of the Iowa
Copper Co. at Park City, Utah, has been visiting the com-
pany's property.
Fred S. Stephen, president of the Dundee Arizona Copper
Co., and George Scott, both of Dundee, Scotland, are visiting
Jerome, Arizona.
Jack Flynn, formerly superintendent for the Jerome Cop-
per Co., has been appointed general superintendent for the
El Oro Railroad & Mining Co., at El Oro, Mexico.
Pierce & Skogmark, Inc., metallurgical and chemical engi-
neers, formerly at 35 Nassau street, New York, are now asso-
ciated in the practice of engineering work with L. L. Sum-
mers & Co., at 140 Nassau street.
Olaf P. Jenkins has returned to Pullman, Washington, as
professor of economic geology in the State College of Wash-
ington, having spent the last year with the Sinclair Ex-
ploration Co. as chief geologist in Alabama.
Obituary
HOOVER TO ADDRESS MEETING OF SAN FRANCISCO
SECTION, A. I. M. & M. E.
Herbert C. Hoover, President of the American Institute of
Mining and Metallurgical Engineers, will address the mem-
bers of the local section at a meeting to be held at the En-
gineers Club on Tuesday evening, November 9. Dinner will
be served promptly at 6 p.m.
Rutherford B. Sumner, mechanical superintendent of the
International Smelting & Refining Co. at Tooele, Utah, died
on October 2 5, of pneumonia. He was born at Northfield,
Minnesota, 42 years ago, and after graduating from the
University of Michigan, came West, accepting a position with
the City Engineer's office at Salt Lake City. He became asso-
ciated with the Tooele smelter in 1909 as chief draftsman,
holding that position until 1917, when he was promoted to
mechanical superintendent. He is survived by his wife,
mother, and several brothers and sisters. He leaves a large
circle of friends and business associates who mourn his un-
timely death.
Alexander J. McCone, president of the Fulton Engine
Works, died in Los Angeles on October 27. He was born at
Placerville, California, in 1860. He was educated at Santa
Clara College and later took a business course at Heald's
Business College. He became manager for his father at the
Fulton Foundry in Virginia City, where he remained from
1876 to 1900; he founded the Fulton Engine Works of Los
Angeles in 1890, moving the shop from Tucson, Arizona; in
1900 he established the firm of Harron, Rickard & McCone,
which took over the business of Parke & Lacy, in San
Francisco. He was interested in mining in Nevada, Cali-
fornia, and Arizona, and a pioneer in the cyanide processes
in Nevada, working the tailings from the Comstock mines.
He moved the Fulton Foundry from Virginia City to Reno
and established the Nevada Engineering Works in 1900,
which built machinery for mines at Goldfield and Tonopah.
He leaves his widow and four children.
Novi'iiilitr b'. I vi'ii
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
METAL 1-1=1. I -
San Prancuwo, November 1
Aluminum du-t. .-.ins per pound
Antimony, cents iht pound
Capper electrolytic, cents per pound
L*-.td. pur, .-.--ills per pound
Platinum, pure, per ounce
Platinum. 10 : nullum, per ounce
Quicksilver, per Mask of 75 lb
Spelter, cents per pound .
B5
11.5(1
16.50
7 50*— 8.50
*05
$135
S60
- 9.50
Zinc-dust, cents per pound 12.50 — 15. 00
EASTKBX MKTAI. MARKET
(By wire from New York)
November 1. — Copper is Inactive but eaay. Lend is dull and lower.
Ziik- u. (Hint and steadier.
SILVER
Below are given official or ticker quotations lor silver in the open market
as distinguished from the fixed price obtainable for metal produced, smelted,
and refined exclusively within the United States. Under the terms of the
PHtm.m Act such silver will be purchased by the United States Mint at $1
per ounce, subject to certain small charges which vary slightly but amount
to approximately three-eighths of one cent. The equivalent of dollar silver
(1000 fine) in British currency is 46.65 pence per ounce (925 fine), calcu-
lated at the normal rate of exchange.
Date
Oct.
New York London
cents
36 80.37
27 80.37
28 70.87
•:ii mi 50
30 80.00
31 Sunday
1 80.75
pence
52.26
52.12
:,•: no
52 :i7
52.50
52 87
Sent.
Average week ending
Cents
20 84.31
27 0:i 52
4 91.65
11 811,77
18 83.10
25 70.52
1 80.S1
Monthly averages
1018
Jan 88.72
Feb 85.79
Mch 88.11
Apr 95.35
May 99.50
June 99.50
1910
101.12
101.12
nil 12
101.12
107.23
110 50
1920
182.77
131.27
125.711
119.56
102.110
90.84
Uls
July 90.62
Aug 100.31
Sept 101.12
Oct 101.12
Nov 111112
Dec 101.12
1010
106.31)
111.35
113.02
110.10
127.57
131.02
Pence
60.08
50.60
58.08
55.66
54.05
52.81
52.85
1020
92.04
06.23
0360
83.48
Prices of electrolytic in New York, in cents per pound.
Date
Oct.
26 16.25
27 15.12
28 15.12
20 15.00
30 15.00
31 Sunday
1 15.00
Average week ending
Sept. 20 18.75
27 18.70
Oct. 4 18.50
11 17.85
18 17.15
25 15.75
Nov. 1 15.08
Monthly averages
1918
Jan 23.50
Feb 23.50
Mch 23.50
Apr 23.50
May 23.50
June 23.50
20.43
19.25
17.34
19.05
15.05
18.49
15.23
19.23
15.91
19.05
17.53
19.00
1918
July 26.00
Aug. 26.00
Sent 26.00
Oct 26.00
Nov 26.00
Dec 26.00
1919
20.82
22.51
22.10
21.66
20.45
18.55
1020
19.00
19.00
18.75
16.53
LEAD
Lead is quoted in cents per pound. New York delivery.
I Date
I Oct.
28
29
30
31 Sunday
1
7.00
6.90
6.90
6.90
6.90
6.90
Sept.
Average week ending
20
27
4
11
18
8.06
7.85
7.54
7.50
7.50
7.08
6.92
1918
. 6.85
. 7.70
. 7.26
. 6.99
. 6.99
I June 7.5©
Jan.
Feb.
Mch.
Apr.
May
1919
5.60
5.13
5.24
5.05
5.04
5.32
Monthly averages
1920
8.65
July
8.88
Aug.
9.22
Sept
8.78
Oct.
8.55
Nov.
8.43
Dec.
1918
8.03
8.06
8.05
8.05
8.05
6.90
1919
5.53
5.78
6.02
6.40
6.76
7.12
1920
8.63
9.03
8.08
7.28
Prices in New York, in cents per pound.
Monthly averages
1918
I Jan 85.13
I Ben 85.00
Mch 85.00
Apr 88.53
May 100.01
June 91.00
1919
71.50
72.44
72.50
72.50
72.50
71.83
1920
62.74
59.87
61.92
62.12
54.99
48.33
1918
July 93.00
Aug 91.33
Sent 80.40
Oct 78.82
Nov 73.67
Dec 71.52
1919
1920
70.11
49.29
62.20
47.60
55.79
44.43
54.82
40.47
54.17
54.94
Zinc is quoted tu ipelter,
in it-Mr* i>er pound.
Date
/IM
tttundard Western
26
Sept.
Oct.
Nov
Average week ending
30
31 . Sunday
is
New York delivery,
7.88
7.73
7 011
7.66
7.41
7.50
7.54
Jan.
Feb.
Mch.
Apr.
May
1018
7.78
7.97
7.07
7.04
792
June 7.92
1910
7.44
6.71
0.53
6.49
(1 43
6.91
Monthly averages
192(1
56
9.15
8.93
8.76
8.07
7.92
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
1018
8.72
8.78
:i :.s
0.11
e ?.-.
8.40
1010
7.78
7 SI
7 :,-
7 82
8.12
8.69
1020
8.18
8.31
7 S4
7.50
QUICKSILVER
The primary market for quicksilver is San Francisco. California being
the largest producer. The price is fixed in the open market, according to
quantity. Prices, in dollars per flask of 75 pounds.
Date , Oct. 10 70.00
Oct. 5 75.00 •• 20 65.00
11 75.00 I Nov. 1 60.00
Monthly averages
1018
Jan 128.06
Feb 118.00
Meh 112.H0
Apr 115.00
May 110.00
June 112.00
1910
103.75
90.00
72.80
78.12
S4 Ml
84.40
102(1
89.00
81.00
ST (Hi
100 Oil
87 00
85.011
1018
July 120.00
Aug 120.00
Sept 12(1.00
Oct 120.00
Nov 120 00
Dec 115.00
1010
100 00
103 Oil
102 00
80.1111
78.00
95.00
10211
88.00
s.-, mi
7500
ZINC 1'ROntCTION
At present the world's chief source of zinc is the United States, which
gained supremacy in the zinc industry when the War eliminated Germany
and Belgium from this field, says 'Commerce Monthly'. The United Stated
had little export trade in this metal until the War forced foreign con-
sumers to turn to American markets, but its trade is now in excess of that
of any other nation and probably will remain so because of the continuing
incapacity of the former producing countries to supply the market. The
United States exported 100.232 tons of zinc in the first eight months of
this year, or nearly ten times the annual amount exported before the War.
Belgium and Germany used to supply most of the international demand,
but these countries are not uow able to produce zinc to compete with the
American product. In 1013 Belgium exported 194.513 tons of spelter, or
more than nine times as much as did the United States. Although many
of the zinc plants escaped destruction during the occupation of Belgium,
others were completely dismantled. There has been a loss, moreover,
through the disorganization of the skilled laboring force as a consequence
of the War. At the same time there is a serious shortage of fuel and of
zinc ore.
Unlike the Belgians, the Germans smelted principally from domestic ore.
Present fuel and labor conditions, however, are not favorable for extensive
zinc production in Germany. Although the ore is found in nearly every
country in the world, the deposits in the United States and Germany alone
of the chief smelting countries are sufficient for domestic requirements.
Australia, the third largest producer of zinc ore and concentrate, has but a
small smelter capacity and consequently has been Europe's chief source lor
foreign ore.
The attached table shows the exportation of zinc slabs and sheets from
the United States:
•1910-'14 -11920
Country (5-yr. aver.) tl918 T1019 (first 8 mo.)
Belgium 20 3.725 3.965
Denmark 311 908 692
France 85.618 34.493 24.768
Italy 7.667 12,091 1.384
Norway 41 342 869 149
United Kingdom 5.682 35.274 59.489 68.253
Canada 4.601 R.04R 3.746 1.618
Mexico 71 1.762 1,013 503
Argentina 8 583 735 861
Brazil 6 682 625 591
Japan 485 5.29S 20.043 3.461
British South Africa 2.097 1.297 11
Portuguese Africa 659 . 222 3
Other Countries 262 2.077 2.508 2.973
Total 11.176 100.313 141.764 109.232
•Fiscal year ending June 30. tCalendar years.
The table shows how greatly Europe has come to rely upon American
production for its zinc. The United Kingdom has regularly been the chief
customer for American zinc, but the increase from an average of 5682 tons
before the War to 59,489 tons in 1919 and 68,253 tons in the first eight
months of 1920 is very striking.
MONEY AND EXCHANGE
Foreign quotations on November 1 are as follows:
Sterling, dollars: Cable 3.44 >.;
Demand 3.4;i 'n
Francs, cents : Cable 6.38
Demand 6.36
Lire, cents : Demand 3.68
Marks, cents 1-28
680
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 6. 1920
Eastern Metal Market
New York, October 27.
Lack o£ demand still characterizes all the markets, and
prices have fallen in all metals except tin.
Further offerings of copper have lowered values, and con-
sumers continue out of the market.
The tin market has strengthened to some extent, but buy-
ing is on a small scale.
Conditions in the lead market are unchanged, but prices
have fallen.
The zinc market is stagnant and values are a little lower
for the domestic metal.
Antimony is stationary.
BRON AND STEEL
With no increase in new business, the downward tendency
of iron and steel prices has been more pronounced. In coke,
which has been the key to high pig-iron prices for months,
the week has brought a further decline of $4 per ton, making
a total of $ 6 in two weeks.
More mills have reduced output. Some of the lesser steel
plants in the Pittsburgh and eastern Ohio districts have been
more than 50% idle and six blast-furnaces in those districts
have blown-out. The Youngstown plant of the Carnegie
Steel Co. is operating but half its open-hearth furnaces. No
change has been made in the Steel Corporation's price policy
and any expectations of an advance by the corporation still
centre in rails, concerning which an announcement is looked
for before the end of the year.
Export sales have fallen off in a marked degree this
month, the unfavorable credit situation creating an embargo
against a growing list of countries. However, figures for
September and October are expected to show shipments up
to the average of more than 400,000 tons for each of the
previous four months. Europe's markets remain in line
with events here. Stagnation and plant shut-downs mark
the situation in Great Britain and prices are weaker.
COPPER
The market has continued to decline until now either
Lake or electrolytic copper can be bought at 15.25 to
15.50c, New York. This has been brought about by fur-
ther offerings by various sellers, some of them large pro-
ducers but the buying power is absent. Consumption has
also declined and there is no denial that the stocks, or
surplus, are large. How large they are it is difficult to say
■or ascertain. Certain press reports place it as 600,000,000
lb. In any event copper is below the cost of production for
at least many companies and it is certain that the output
will be curtailed further if it has not already been. Some
companies are liquidating their surplus, or part of it, while
others will not. The price is now down close to the low
mark of 1919 and by many it is thought to have dropped too
far. Whether the bottom has been reached it is difficult to
say. About a week ago there was some spasmodic buying
around 16c. but this has vanished. Better times are con-
fidently predicted within a few weeks.
TIN
A moderate business was done the latter part of last week
with dealers the principal buyers, but the British coal strike
has put a further damper on business and this activity has
disappeared. Those who did the buying considered tin cheap
under 40c. and are looking ahead to higher markets or
covering short speculative accounts. There were tempo-
rarily more buyers than sellers. On the New York Metal
Exchange dealings are more numerous and totaled in the
last week more than 150 tons. Of this two lots of 25 tons
each of spot Straits tin were sold under the rule at 3 9.5 5c.
and 39.30c, respectively. There were sales of future ship-
ment of December-January at 40.3 73c, of November-Decem-
ber at 39.75c, and of October-November Straits tin at
40.50c A favorable outcome of the British coal strike is
expected to send tin higher. Yesterday London prices took
a decided jump, ending about £7 per ton higher than a week
ago. Spot standard was quoted at £258 10s. per ton, future
standard at £263 10s., and spot Straits at £260. These are
all about £17 per ton higher than a week ago or on October
19. Arrivals thus far this month have been 1700 tons, with
the quantity afloat 5025 tons.
LEAD
Demand continues light and the market is dull and easy.
Domestic lead is lower and can be bought on a basis of
6.75c, St. Louis, or 7c, New York. Sales have been made
at these levels. We quote the outside market at 6.75c, St.
Louis, and 7c, New York. The leading interest continues to
maintain its quotations at 7c, St. Louis, or 7.25c, New
York. Imported lead is still available at 7c. on dock, duty
paid, but the cost of importing is now less than this and
therefore it is less of a factor than formerly. Importations
on contract still continue.
ZINC
Prime Western for early delivery is easier and is obtain-
able at 7.10c, St. Louis, at which level small lots have been
sold. Business is very light and producers continue their
uninterested and waiting attitude, selling only what they
must to cover immediate needs of regular customers. They
refrain from quoting future positions. The same grade of
zinc, sold for export and re-shipped to this country, is still
available at 7.50c, New York, which we quote as the New
York or Eastern market, but the quantity available is less
than formerly, actual sales having disappeared some three
weeks ago, but shipments are still being received.
ANTIMONY
Wholesale lots for early delivery are unchanged at 6.50c,
New York, duty paid, with demand light.
ALUMINUM
The leading producer continues to maintain its quotation
for virgin metal, 98 to 99% pure, at 32.90c, New York, for
wholesale lots for early delivery. Other sellers are offering
the same grade, mostly imported, at 28.50 to 29.50c, New
York.
ORES
Tungsten: The market is stagnant and prices are nominal
with Chinese ore quoted at $4.50 and Bolivian at $5 to $5.50
per unit in regular concentrate.
Ferro-tungsten is quoted at 90c per lb. of contained
tungsten guaranteed with 70c asked for the unguaranteed
while the powdered product is held at 78 to 85 cents.
Molybdenum: There have been offerings but no buyers
and quotations are nominal at 75c. per lb. of MoS. in regular
concentrate.
Manganese: There have been further sales of several
thousand tons of foreign ore shipped to the United States at
concessions from the previous prices realized. It is not
possible now to state the consideration. The market is,
however, generally weaker.
Manganese-Iron Alloys: There has been no change in the
ferro-manganese market, the standard product being quoted
on a basis of $170, seaboard, for either the domestic or
foreign product. Re-sale alloy is still available in limited
amounts at $155 to $160. The spiegeleisen market is lower
and the high-grade product available and sold at consider-
able concessions below the hitherto prevailing price of
$82.50, furnace.
'■■■■■
Nov. inl.r 6, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PHI SS
681
industrial;
lUIHIIIIIIIIIMIIINMIIIMIIIIII
INFORMATION FIBNISUED BY MANIFACTIRF.RS
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiini
mil iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinii
mi nun i inn
THE LUDLUM DYXAMOBLLE
This new mobile power unit was designed and built by the
Now York Engineering Co., 2 Rector street, New York, for
driving the small portable conveyors used in certain classes
of mining in South Africa. Previously, power for this pur-
pose was furnished by the old-fashioned reciprocating en-
gine and portable boiler, with belt and pulley transmission
to the conveyor. The object of the Ludlum dynamobile is
to realize the utmost economy in generating power, and high
economy and great flexibility in delivering that power to the
driven mechanism.
The dynamobile consists of a special type of Ludlum
Ludlum Dynamobile
water-tube marine-boiler, a steam turbo-generator unit,
switchboard, boiler feed-pump, feed-water heater, condenser,
and, where the highest economy is sought, a superheater —
all mounted on a steel frame carried on wheels. It is ex-
tremely simple in construction and in operation, is free from
vibration, and is practically 'fool-proof in construction. In
the dynamobile illustrated, the boiler was designed for
burning wood, the combustion-chamber being unusually
large, but the outfit can be furnished for burning any kind
of fuel. The combustion-chamber is entirely surrounded
by the water-filled steam-generating parts of the boiler —
this not only assuring high economy but also doing away
with all fire-brick lining. The latter feature is of special
value in a portable plant like this, as transportation over
rough roads would break or dislodge a fire-brick furnace-
lining.
The high efficiency of the boiler and turbo-generator set,
and its compactness and light weight, makes the dynamobile
a most economical and desirable unit for portable-power
purposes, as it can be placed near Its source of fuel and its
power electrically transmitted to any reasonable distance
with minimum loss. It Is expected by the builders that this
new high-duty portable plant will supplant the European
outfits known as locomobiles and extensively used in foreign
countries. The latter consists of an internally fired boiler
of high efficiency with a reciprocating steam-engine, and
contains many refinements making for economy; and in
spite of the fact that it is very heavy and costly, it has
found extensive use abroad because of its economy. The
weight of the Ludlum dynamobile is only about one-third
that of the locomobile and its price is much lower, while its
efficiency is even higher than that of the European unit.
The outfit illustrated is of 10 kw. capacity. Larger units
up to 200 kw. are furnished, either A. C. or D. C.
TESTING OLL-SHALE
The Denver Fire Clay Co. gives the following method for
preliminary or field distillation of oil-shales.
Before proceeding with the analysis the operator should
understand that oil-shales do not contain oil as such. The
oil is present in a substance known as 'kerogen' and can be
removed by heating, without the presence of air, or destruc-
tive distillation, as the process is called. The method and
rate of heating is very important, and upon this factor de-
pends largely the type of oil that is produced from the shale.
To determine the oil-content of shale, first take a repre-
sentative sample of the ledge and crush the shale so that it
will pass through a J-in. mesh sieve. Thoroughly mix the
crushed shale and weigh out exactly Si oz. Place this unit
of 8} oz. in a one-pint or a one-quart (the latter is prefer-
able) iron retort. Seal the cover with our special cement,
or with an asbestos gasket. If the distillation is to be con-
ducted in the field, place the retort containing the charge of
shale in a fire-clay furnace body. Connect a lj-in. iron con-
denser to the outlet from the retort, and have it slope about
40° from the horizontal. A two to five-gallon water-reser-
voir should be mounted at a somewhat higher level than the
condenser. This may be connected to the condenser by
means of rubber tubing and then, whenever the water In the
condenser becomes warm, it can be replaced by cool water
from the reservoir simply by opening a pinch-cock. Place
a 100-cc. graduated cylinder at the discharge end of the con-
denser, set the burner in place, and the apparatus is ready
to use.
The best source of heat for field or laboratory use where
gas is not available, is the li-in. DFC hydrocarbon burner,
using gasoline for fuel. After one is familiar with the use
of the apparatus a distillation can be made with from one
to one and one-half pints of gasoline. Be sure that all joints
are tight, then begin the distillation, turn the burner on full
force, and leave the flame on full until the first drop of
682
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November b V.&l
water or oil appears in the graduate, then turn the burner
as low as it will burn. The best results with the DFC
burner will be obtained it the pressure tank is kept within
the range of 45 to 55 lb. Keep the oil dropping from the
condenser at regular intervals, but do not run it out too
fast or the oil will be 'burned'. As the flow becomes slug-
gish, slightly increase the fire under the retort. Be sure to
watch the condenser at all times and not let it become too
warm, or part of the oil will pass out as a gas and not con-
dense. After the oil has stopped flowing and the bottom of
the retort is a bright red hue, shut off the heat, for nothing
is to be gained by heating beyond this point.
The number of gallons of water and oil contained in a ton
of the shale retorted, can be read directly from the graduate,
for, if 8} oz. is taken from the charge, then each cubic
centimetre of oil which collects in the graduate is equivalent
to one gallon per ton. The line of separation between the
oil and water can usually be seen at once. If not, stir the
contents and let the graduate stand for a short time and
the division will become quite sharp.
The gravity of the oil may best be determined by pouring
about 30 cc. of the oil into a glass cylinder, and then measur-
ing the gravity directly by the use of a small hydrometer.
It is desirable to use hydrometers which contain a tempera-
ture correction scale-, especially when working outside dur-
ing the hot summer months.
CUTTING A 44-INCH RISER
Heavy cutting with the oxy-acetylene flame has become
so common that today nothing short of a super-cut attracts
particular notice. A real super-cut was made recently in
the plant of the National Car Coupler Co., at Attica, Indiana,
when a cutter operating an Oxweld blow-pipe tackled a 44-in.
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(square) steel riser. The cut was rendered more difficult
because of the upright position of the riser, which necessi-
tated a horizontal cut. If the riser had been horizontal and
the cut vertical the operation would have been much simpli-
fied. To offset this difficulty the operator resorted to first
cutting the corners of the riser so as to reduce the uncut
cross-section to a smaller square. This operation was re-
peated until the remaining stem could be easily cut through.
The equipment consisted of the Oxweld cutting blow-pipe,
Linde oxygen, and Prest-O-Lite dissolved acetylene. In
this manner it would appear that there is no limit to the
thickness of steel that can be cut with the oxy-acetylene
torch, as the operation of slicing off angles can be carried
to any desired extent so long as access to the metal with the
cutting-flame is provided. With the injector type of blow-
pipe the 'reach' of the flame enabled the operator in this
instance to carry out the work by simply directing the jet
through the initial kerf.
COMMERCIAL PARAGRAPHS
The Pennsylvania Pump & Compressor Co. has recently
issued a number of bulletins describing its air-compressors
and centrifugal pumps with details of their construction.
'Troy Trailers' is the title of a comprehensive publication .
issued by the Troy Wagon Works Co., of Troy, Ohio. It 1
points out that trailers should be specifically designed for 1
the use desired, and detailed specifications are given of a
number of typical designs, especially of contractor's sider
dump ore-wagons. The publication is well and freely illus-
trated.
'Forged Fluid End Pump' is a 36-page bulletin (D-1302)
distributed by the Worthington Pump & Machinery Co.,
New York. It refers especially to heavy-duty pumps and to
those working under pressures up to 10,000 lb. Pumps for 1
oil pipe-lines and deep mines are standard equipment in this i
line, as also are high-pressure pumps for hydraulic in-
stallations.
The Pelton Water Wheel Co., of San Francisco, his issued
a 48-page 'album' of views portraying typical installations 1
of Pelton equipment of various sizes, from small units, driv-
ing exciters, up to the Drum plant of the Pacific Gas & i
Electric Co. with two 20,000-hp. turbines operating under 1
a 1400-ft. head.
The present interest in oil-shale has moved the Denver 1
Fire Clay Co. to issue a nifty bulletin (No. 25) on 'Oil-Shale
Equipment'. The title is somewhat misleading in that it
really gives interesting reference to information on the test-
ing of oil-shale, the 'equipment', which is, of course, the
Denver Fire Clay Co.'s apparatus, occupying but a small
part of the bulletin.
Engineers and architects who are concerned with heating
and ventilating-problems will be interested in a recent pub-
lication (68 pages) of the Buffalo Forge Co., called 'Stand-
ard Pipe-Coil Heaters'. This publication, although called
catalogue No. 460, has been filled with curves and tables to
make it really useful, commencing with 'How to Figure
Heater Requirements' to 'Final Temperatures and Condensa-
tions', and 'Properties of Air'.
Barber-Greene Co., Aurora, Illinois, has recently published
its catalogue No. 4 of standardized material-handling ma-
chines, more particularly self-feeding bucket-loaders and
portable belt-conveyors. The catalogue is filled with good
illustrations of typical arrangements, and anyone interested
in handling ore to or from stock-piles, cars, and storage-
beds, or in excavating for foundations or building roads, will
find much to interest him in the 32 pages of this publication.
The introduction of pulverized coal as a fuel has attracted
attention to the difficulty of accomplishing the necessary
drying of this inflammable material in an economical man-
ner. Ruggles-Coles has issued its 'Catalogue Sixteen',
which, although dealing with dryers for everything from
aluminum hydrate to pitch and residuum ore, includes one
class intended for drying combustible materials by direct
heat, which obviously ought to be the most economical
method.
EDITORIAL STAFF
T. A. RlCKARO, EDITOR
Parsons, akociati eoiton
Mfinannaf ami
M. n IhlsfnMi I'upcrv too.
ESTABLISHED I860
PuUithfd at HO Market St.. Soil Francuco,
bv the l/evev l*\iU\*hino Company
BUSINESS STAFF
C.T. Hutchinson, man a« Kit
E . H. LESLIE, SOOFlSMER BOI., Chicaio
F. A. WE16LC. 31 NASSAU ST.. NIWYohk
hi i i inn niiiiii.ii.ini ma
-i I KM I HAS NO KNK.MV SAVE TIIK KiNORANT
Ipsued Every Saturday
San Francisco, November 13, 1920 »•» per Year— is cents per copy
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
EDITORIAL
NOTES 6S3
THE ELECTION 684
An overwhelming victory for the Republican party
A great opportunity for Senator Harding. Sym-
pathy for President Wilson.
THE BOUNTY ON GOLD 684
The report to the Secretary of the Treasury by the
committee of which Albert Strauss was chairman.
Mr. McFadden's evidence before the Committee on
Ways and Means. The movement of gold. Will
our domestic output be available as a monetary
reserve or will it go abroad? Hoarding of gold in
the Orient. The premium on gold in London and
the misunderstandings growing therefrom. The
so-called British gold supremacy.
FROM LEADVILLE TO CYPRUS 6S5
An appreciation of Seeley W. Mudd. His career as
related in the interview published in same issue.
As manager of the Small Hopes at Leadville. Leas-
ing operations. Ray Consolidated. United East-
ern. His service during the War. His character
and attainments.
DISCUSSION
MR. HOOVER'S BIOGRAPHY
By Charles K. Field. . . .
687
Exception taken to some statements made by Max
von Bernewitz apropos of the 'Making of Herbert
Hoover'. Comment of George B. Wilson.
DISTRIBUTION OF POWER IN CALIFORNIA
By H. G. Butler 6SS
How restrictions on electric power were regulated
by the State Power Administrator.
1 1 ROASTING AND CHLORIDIZING OF BOLIVIAN SIL-
VER-TIN ORES
By M. G. F. Sohnlein 6SS
Reference to an abstract of Mr. Sohnlein's article.
A new departure in chloridizing-roasting.
Page
ARTICLES
SEELEY W. MUDD. AND COPPER MINING IN CYPRUS
An Interview, by T. A. Rickard 689
The early career of a young mining-school gradu-
ate in Missouri and Colorado. The Small Hopes
mine. A lessee at Leadville. Mr. Mudd as consult-
ing engineer to the Guggenheims. The launching
of Ray Consolidated. The United Eastern: a
beneficent wild-cat. Mining sulphur in Texas;
also in Cyprus. Mr. Mudd's service as Colonel
during the War. The mining industry today.
ANACONDA ENTERPRISE IN CHILE 698
Andes Copper Co. Economic features of the en-
terprise. Development of the mines.
THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM
By Edward Elliott 699
The failure of the national-bank system and the
subsequent organization of the Federal Reserve
banks. The machinery of organization. How it
operates. The question of paying interest on Re-
• serve deposits. Financing the War. Growth of the
Federal Reserve banks. Their success.
ENGINEERING COUNCIL
By E. H. Leslie 704
A meeting at Chicago. A National Department of
Public Works. Engineer's licenses.
REPORT OF SPECIAL GOLD COMMITTEE TO THE
SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY 705
Banking credit independent of gold reserves. No
need for artificial stimulation of production. This
opinion concurs with that of a committee of the
British Treasury.
NOTES
OPENING KEGS OF BLASTING-POWDER 69S
OIL-PIPE LINES 706
DEPARTMENTS
REVIEW OF MINING 707
THE MINING SUMMARY 715
PERSONAL 716
THE METAL MARKET 717
EASTERN METAL MARKET 71S
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address: Pertusola
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28
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 13. 1020
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Stocks run from standard grades, suitable for ordinary service, to the high-
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We stand squarely behind every Massco Belt, Massco Hose or piece of
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Send for Bulletin 60 — pictured above
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SvLpphj Co.*
NEW YORK
November 13, 1920
MIXING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
T. A. KICKARV
iiiimiimiimiiii
- • Editor
iiiiiiiuimiiiiiiimi Minium I mi mm mil mmimmm mmiim I mnmmmiii mmiimm
TTOW ignorant even well-informed persons can be eon
-*•-*- cerning simple facts of industrial geography is sug-
gested by a paragraph in the 'Boston News Bureau' ex-
pressing the hope that "the average Cornwall pit hoy"
will get hold of the idea thai "the coal peace referendum
is of rather more importance than a game of cricket".
Cornwall is a land of granite and gneiss, in which veins
lit' tin and copper may flourish, but not beds of coal.
T~\1SMISSAL of the eases against all the remaining de-
*-* fendants held in connection with the Bisbee deporta-
tions of July 12, 1017. is announced from Tombstone.
Arizona, where several of the cases arising out of that
deplorable affair have been tried abortively. We are glad
that the scandal has been quieted, for while we recognize
that there was great provocation arid some excuse for the
exercise of violence against the alleged agitators and
I. "W. W., there can be, among good citizens, nothing
but regret that any group of reputable men should take
the law into their own hands.
■FINANCIAL affairs in the United States cannot he
■*- understood without some knowledge of our Federal
Reserve system of banking. It gives us much pleasure
therefore to give our readers, in this issue, an article on
this important subject by Mr. Edward Elliott, a director
of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. Opinions
may differ as to the complete success of the present bank-
ing structure and we are well aware that there he those
who are critically disposed in this matter, but for our-
selves we are inclined to give the Federal Reserve system
credit for the stabilization of financial conditions in re-
cent years, more particularly for the absence of panic
during the crisis of the War and for the wonderful re-
sults obtained from the issuance of Liberty bonds.
A NNOUNCEMENT is made that the British govern-
■'*■ ment has lifted the embargo upon American exploita-
tion of oilfields in British territory. This is a friendly
and a wise step ; as we have insisted more than once, it
does not matter who exploits a country's mineral re-
sources so long as the product goes into the home market :
for example, it is not in accord with the national welfare
to allow a British company to take oil from California to
London, but any winning of oil in California by a foreign
operator is unobjectionable, if not, indeed, desirable, so
long as the product remains here for use by our o^"n
people. If foreign capital can be employed to develop a
domestic mineral deposit, it is to our gain, provided the
capital of our own people is remuneratively employed in
other enterprises. If. however, we wish to guard against
the exhaustion of a specific mineral resource, it matters
little whether it is due to the operations of our nun na-
tionals or of foreigners. Our supply of oil being pre-
carious, we ought to restrict exportation.
/"^OPPER SHARES are in the dumps; on October 2s
^ twenty of them averaged $29.51 as against an aver-
age of $72.14 in November 1916, when the artificial stim-
ulus of war speculation sent them heavenward. Liquida-
tion has been persistent and steady of late. The an-
nouncement by the Government that 574,000,000 pounds
of copper has been reclaimed from new and old scrap
during the past year was a shock to the market. This is
a time to buy copper shares. The depression cannot last.
A demand for metal on the part of the traction and tele-
phone companies will make itself felt as soon as the public
utility companies raise the fresh capital needed for the
purpose. Now that the election is past and the move-
ment of crops is nearly completed there should be signs
of activity in this direction. The country is growing and
its activities are expanding continually. These consume
an increasing quantity of copper. And then there is the
European market, which, so far, has been a cruel dis-
appointment to the producers of copper, simply because
we are still technically at war with some of our best
customers.
T TNDER 'Discussion' we publish a courteous demurrer
*--' from Mr. Charles K. Field, the editor of the 'Sunset
Magazine', in reply to sundry criticisms, particularly
from M r. von Bernewitz, on his biography of Mr. Hoover.
He makes so good a case that there is not much that we
care to say, except that Mr. Wilson, whom he quotes as
his authority for the details of Mr. Hoover's career in
Australia, makes the blunder of assuming that Mr. von
Bernewitz is a German. Names are unsafe indicators of
nationality. Sometimes we think that people of obvious-
ly alien name ought to change it when they become
naturalized as American citizens, but that, of course, is a
matter of taste, and therefore not disputable. Mr. von
Bernewitz, as our readers know, was formerly a member
of our staff and before that he was our correspondent at
Coolgardie, so he is likely to be well informed concerning
684
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 13, 1920
the matters on which he wrote. The present writer was
at Coolgardie in 1897 and appreciates as well as anyone
what Mr. Hoover accomplished in the way of improving
the management of the mines under the control of Be-
wick, Moreing & Co. We know that Mr. Field had access
to authentic data, and we do not doubt that Mr. Wilson
proved helpful in technical matters. The 'life' appear-
ing in the ' Sunset Magazine ' was incomparably the best
published during the period when it seemed likely, and
we hoped, that Mr. Hoover would be nominated for the
Presidency.
The Election
The result confirms the anticipations of most unpreju-
diced observers; it is an overwhelming victory for the
Republican party. It is as well that the new President
should have the backing of a Congress in which his own
side is dominant. This will promote effective legislative
action and place the responsibility squarely where it be-
longs. One of the anomalies of our political system is the
possibility of a President being in office when the ma-
jority in either or both houses of Congress is in opposi-
tion to him and to the party that elected him. The result
of the election is not related to the character or ability
of either candidate ; it hinged upon the personality and
performance of the outgoing President. His position at
this time has the elements of a Greek tragedy; only a
mean man can fail to appreciate its intense pathos. He
has had the solemn referendum for which he asked, and
the American people, whom he represented with so great
an authority and impressiveness before the world only a
short time ago, has cast an unprecedented vote against his
administration and his policy. He has been the victim of
an extraordinary reversal of sentiment ; he has been sub-
jected to the most vicious personal attack and the most
bitter condemnation at the hands even of his own friends.
We deplore the vendetta that the senatorial camarilla
waged against him, and the effrontery with which the
President of the United States has been labeled un-
American. With most of his policies we were never in
sympathy ; for his irresolution before we went to war
we had a feeling of resentment ; we did not respond to his
idealism and we did not admire his obstinacy, but he has
played a great part in human affairs and he has devoted
himself with intense sincerity to the service of his coun-
try; therefore at this moment he seems to us a nobler
figure than any of his detractors. He is a wreck, a piti-
able wreck physically and almost broken mentally. Sev-
eral of those who have seen him recently have recorded
their impressions. He is stricken, aged, worn ; his face
is drawn and haggard; his eyes are dull and his voice is
weak. A little over a year ago many of us saw him
splendidly alert and vigorous, mentally and physically,
a fine figure of a man. He sacrificed his health and his
political career for the sake of the idea that was nearest
to his heart. Today he is broken, humiliated, all his hopes
shattered, all his policies frustrated, all his dreams ridi-
culed. We salute him with the deepest respect and the
profoundest regret.
The Bounty on Gold
This is to be a special topic of discussion at the meet-
ing of the American Mining Congress. As part of the
record in the case we publish the report presented to the
Secretary of the Treasury by the committee appointed
to investigate conditions in the gold-mining industry ; it
seems to have been overlooked in the current discussion
of this interesting subject. On that committee were two
mining engineers, Mr. Emmet D. Boyle, the Governor of
Nevada, and Mr. Pope Yeatman, a leader of the pro-
fession. The chairman was Mr. Albert Strauss, formerly
a member of the Federal Reserve Board. Another mem-
ber was Mr. Edwin F. Gay, formerly Dean of the Gradu-
ate School of Business Administration at Harvard, and
now editor of the New York 'Evening Post'. To these
was added Mr. Raj'mond T. Baker, the Director of the
Mint. Evidently the committee was one well fitted to
advise the Secretary of the Treasury. It will be noted
that the report discusses the relation between the amount
of gold available in a country and its credit during time
of war. The structure of credit is bound to be high if
the community — and the Government, we may add — is
extravagant. Even the least observant will concur with
this dictum, especially if the truth of it be impressed
upon him through his pocket nerve. In time of peace,
however, no impairment of confidence is threatened by
a decrease in our gold production, says the committee.
The question arises, are we at peace? Technically, we
are not. Even if we were, would the conditions be those
normal to a time of peace? Again, the answer is in the
negative, although we agree that "in due time" there
will ensue a restoration of all industry, including gold
mining, to "a normal basis". It is the judgment of the
committee that no steps should be taken by the Govern-
ment to stimulate the production of gold. We are not
surprised at this conclusion, for any interference with
the buying and selling of gold, anything that affects our
free market for gold, is not to be risked except under
stress of acute necessity. This view, of course, is opposed
by Mr. Louis T. McFadden, Chairman of the Committee
on Banking and Currency in the House of Representa-
tives, and the author of the Bill for paying a bounty on
newly mined gold out of the proceeds of an excise-tax on
the metal used in manufacture. In a hearing before the
Committee of Ways and Means, he argued that the gold-
mining industry would soon be "completely shut-down"
unless assistance were forthcoming from the Government,
and that the national credit was being impaired "by
excess exportation and industrial use". Between May
1919 and May 1920 the monetary gold stock of the United
States suffered a loss of $443,000,000. During 1919 the
gold sold by the Mint for consumption in the arts
amounted to $76,837,600. The output of gold in this
country before economic conditions were changed by the
War was $100,000,000 ; now it is half that. Suppose we
restore production to the ante-bellum basis, that is, add
$50,000,000 to our present output. What does that
mean ? As much as $50,000,000 of gold has been received
at New York from Europe in one month ; a single ship
November 1 t, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
has lauded $17,000,000 in day. Our foreign com-
merce amounts to $14,000,000,000 per annum. One must
have a sense of proportion in matters of this kind.
Will the gold produced in the United States he avail-
able as a monetary reserve? Not necessarily ; the amount
of gold remaining in a country hears no relation to its
production. The metal mined in South Africa is coming
here ; it does not remain there, nor does it stick in Lon-
don. We question whether the gold reserve of the United
States would be better protected by the McFadden bill,
because our domestic output of gold, like that of Smith
Africa, follows the tide of international trade. Suppose
we do increase our production by $50,000,000 ; it will be
affective only in so far as it increases the world's total
stock of gold, which amounts to nine billion dollars
worth. The ratio is $50 to $9000. At the end of last
year just about half the visible supply of gold was in the
United States. The world's total production up to 1919
is estimated at 19 billions, so that ten billion dollars
worth has gone into the arts, has been hidden, or is lost.
What has played havoc with the gold standard is not so
much the decreased production as the enormous absorp-
tion of gold for hoarding and other non-monetary pur-
poses in India and the Orient generally. Between 1914
and 1919 India absorbed half the world's production of
gold during those five years. In the Malay States an
American $5 gold-piece is at 25% premium over a five-
dollar bill, because the natives want it to put away and
to use for jewelry, the latter being a form of hoarding.
A $20 gold-piece is at a premium of 5% only, because it
is a unit too large for the average native. As Mr. Henry
Strakosch has pointed out, the cheapening of gold in
terms of commodities has enabled the Eastern peoples
to pay more for it than the Western peoples are willing
to give in order to secure it for monetary purposes.
A good deal of nonsense has been talked about Great
Britain paying a premium on the gold mined in South
Afriea. Great Britain is paying no premium on gold.
What has happened is that the British government re-
moved the war-time restrictions upon free trading in
gold and thereby bared the artificial status of the paper
pound sterling, which at once was found to be at a dis-
ebunt in terms of gold or in terms of the dollar, which
remained at a parity. The pound, the franc, the mark,
and the lira have lost their purchasing power more than
even gold has done, while the American dollar has be-
come the standard monetary unit. When the miner at
Johannesburg can sell his metal in London for 122 shil-
lings, for example, as compared with the normal pre-war
price of 84 shillings, he gets a premium of 45J%, and as
he pays for his labor and supplies in shillings, his profit is
increased in proportion to the premium, which exactly
measures the discount at which the pound stands in rela-
tion to the dollar, that is to say, the percentage of dis-
j -count on British currency in terms of gold bullion is
equal to the percentage of discount on sterling exchange
in terms of American dollars. When gold sells for 122
shillings in London, the pound is worth only $3.38 in
New York. If he buys machinery in the United States,
the Smith Africi perator Buds that his money brings
him just as much less in dollars as his gold fetches more
in shillings. If u ( nlit'oniiiin sills his gold in London he
is paid in paper pounds iiiid when 1 onverts them into
dollars, he finds thai he has r ived (20.67 per ounce,
less the cost of shipment and insurance, that is. he has re-
ceived the price that the ['. S. Mint is ready to pay him
any day. if he buys machinery or supplies in England,
he gets the benefit of the premium on the dollar or on
gold, as you like to look at it. In regard to the ao-called
British gold supremacy, that also is a misleading phrase.
In 1919. it is true, the United States produced only
16.6% of the world's output, whereas the British do-
minions produced 67% ; but even that largely preponder-
ant portion of the total production did not suffice to keep
the pound sterling on a par with the dollar: in short, the
supremacy of the dollar is a fact and "British gold su-
premacy" is a fancy.
It is asserted by our friends that our gold is needed to
maintain the national monetary reserve. The bankers
demur to this. A special committee of the Bankers Asso-
ciation has reported itself as "unalterably opposed" to
the McFadden bill. It seems obvious that our domestic
production of gold is no more likely to fortify our mone-
tary reserve than the gold we import, on trade balances,
from South Africa. The real thought behind the Mc-
Fadden bill is to assist a worthy industry that is suffering
from the abnormal economic conditions created by the
War. We have more than a friendly interest in the gold-
mining industry and we desire heartily to see it assisted
in any way possible, short of doing anything injurious to
the country as a whole. The best way to help gold min-
ing, and copper mining, is to make peace with the coun-
tries with which we are still technically at war and to
take steps that will stabilize peaceful relations between
the others, and between them and ourselves. In short, the
cure for the decadence of gold mining is normal economic-
conditions.
From Leadville to Cyprus
The mining engineer makes the whole world his patri-
mony; the American members of the profession have
lived up to this tradition in recent years, although pre-
viously they were more stay-at-home than their English
friends, for the good reason that our country happens to
be continental in its extent and mineral resources. Lat-
terly the American has been directing mining operations
in the remotest corners of the earth, from Okhotsk to
Tanganyika, from Suan to Chuquicamata. He has also
investigated the ancient mining districts of that cradle
of civilization, the Mediterranean. Not long ago we re-
ferred to the exploratory work done by engineers of the
General Electric Company on the Sinai peninsula; this
week we give sundry particulars concerning prospecting
in old workings on the island of Cyprus. The informa-
tion comes in the course of an interview with one of the
leaders of our profession, Mr. Seeley W. Mudd, now a
resident of Los Angeles. As a man is more interesting
than a mine, so Mr. Mudd is more engaging than a
686
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 13, 1920
( y 1 1 ric it prospect; or if you like to look upon a man as a
' plus] .irt ' in another sense, then you will find that the
sample we have taken pans well; it shows the pure gold
of good citizenship. Mr. Mudd is evidence for the effi-
eieney of the American melting-pot; his forbears came
from several racial stocks, which have been so roasted,
smelted, and refined in the laboratory of American life
and tradition that the product, after two or three cen-
turies, is an unmistakable type, the civis Americanus.
Mr. Mudd had the best education available in his youth,
but he recognizes how much the technical training of
today is better than that of forty years ago. Later he
underwent an apprenticeship that an intelligent member
of the younger generation might well envy. In the first
place, he had a chance to do all kinds of work in a smelter
immediately after leaving college, and then, when he
went to Leadville, he engaged in the leasing of mines on
his own account. We regard leasing as an invaluable
experience, because it helps a young engineer to acquire
judgment and initiative, besides teaching him unforget-
ably that the purpose of mining is to make money. It is
not given to every young man to engage in mining on his
own account, for to do that he must have some capital,
but if he can obtain the experience it is likely to make
him a reliable consultant in after years, provided the
pursuit of wealth does not make him a wild optimist,
which is the result of the sacra fames auri, as, indeed, of
the hunger for baser metals. In our published interviews
with successful engineers it will have been noted how
often a successful turn in a man's career is due appar-
ently to an accident. Mr. Donaldson chose to go to the
mine in Oregon, thereby resigning the management of
the Small Hopes to Mr. Mudd. On his connection with
that famous mine he laid the foundation of his career.
First he had the experience of managing the Small Hopes
in its bonanza stage and later as a depository of low-
grade ore. He was given charge of other mines dis-
tinguished by a variety of geologic structure and operated
under diverse economic conditions. His leasing opera-
tions, as we have said, were particularly valuable in de-
veloping the qualities of discrimination and sagacity that
became personal characteristics as he advanced in his
career. In the end he became connected professionally
with the biggest mining ventures in the West. The Bay
laid the basis of his personal fortune. It is interesting
to note his confident foresight in contrast with the nar-
row vision of the former British owners; when worked
on a small scale as a high-grade deposit, the mine was a
failure, but when exploited as an immense deposit of
low-grade ore it was made enormously profitable, thanks
to the constructive imagination of an alert and experi-
enced engineer. An English mining engineer of recog-
nized ability and high character, the late Alexander Hill,
opened up the Ray in the first instance, unfortunately
too soon to take advantage of the improvements in tech-
nical practice, in mine and mill, that made it possible to
exploit copper ores with a cheapness now no longer
remarkable. Mr. Mudd's adventure in the United East-
ern was a smaller affair, but likewise extremely profit-
able. We have heard it said that the United Eastern,
in plan and execution, was one of the neatest mining
enterprises ever started and brought to fruition by one
man or a group of men, for in all his operations, of course,
Mr. Mudd has had the loyal assistance and intelligent
co-operation of several friends, also mining engineers.
That points at another characteristic invaluable in all
kinds of large endeavor: he aroused loyalty and won
whole-hearted assistance in his work. He does not play
that miserable game called 'the lone hand'; he likes to
have partners and he does not forget them in the hour of
success. Moreover, the younger men tell us that he
goes out of his way to help them and that he remembers
his obligations beyond the letter of the contract ; in conse-
quence, he has what is too often denied to the rich and
successful : he has the respect and affection that no money
can buy. In his engineering work, when appraising a
mine or in planning a scheme of operations for a new
mine, he shows the care and caution that the circum-
stances require; he has no use for hearsay or guessing;
he anchors his plans to the facts as determined by thor-
ough investigation. He is not an optimist, nor a pessi-
mist; he has a sense of the value of proportion. He can
see the other man's point of view; and that makes him
tolerant. A quiet philosophic appreciation of things as
they are renders him fair in his judgment of the issues
arising between capital and labor. His remarks on this
subject indicate humaneness; they suggest that some
men can acquire the privileges of wealth without for-
getting their obligations as employers of labor. Enter-
prising always, in the later years of his life he has en-
gaged in a romantic mining venture in Cyprus, where he,
Mr. Philip Wiseman, and other friends have uncovered
and explored sundry ancient copper diggings. He gives
an interesting account of them. During the War this
enterprise had troubles of its own, as might have been
expected, but he forgot them in his devotion to the na-
tional service. As early as August 1916 he applied for a
commission in the Engineer Officers Reserve Corps, and
on February 12, 1917, he received his comission as a
Major. In 1918 he was made a Colonel in the U. S.
Army. He was assistant to Mr. D. C. Jackling, the
Director of the Government Explosive plants, who had
supervision of the building of the big Nitro works in
West Virginia, a part of which only could be shown in
the photograph that we print with the interview. In his
concluding remarks Mr. Mudd exhibits the essential
sanity and the cheery outlook that have marked him
during the whole of his career. He believes in mining
and has a worthy son to follow in his footsteps ; he recog-
nizes the broadening of the mining industry and the
enlarged scope for engineering on a big scale; he is of
the opinion that the code of conduct among members of
the profession has improved. He has helped to improve
them. He can look back and be grateful for unusual
opportunities and remarkable good fortune, but most of
all he is happy in having found work and opportunity
for others, and for the many friends he has made. Hi
has more than he knows.
November i:t. 1!>20
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
D I 3 Q-Lfe>S 3 J O NJ
in iiiiiiiijim »
Mr. Hoover's Biography
The Editor:
Sir — Some time ago you printed a communication sign-
ed Max von Bernewitz in which your correspondent com-
plained at the "rubbish" contained in the biography of
Herbert Hoover, published in the 'Sunset Magazine'. As
examples of this rubbish your correspondent quoted our
statement that Bewick, Moreing & Co. had an office at
Coolgardie, whereas they had no office there and we
should have said Kalgoorlie; also our statement that Mr.
Hoover found that the miners were using the old 'double-
jack' and that he introduced the single-jack into the
mines and faced a rebellion of the miners.
In an editorial you commented very kindly on the
quality of the biography we published, but you said, "Of
course, the suggestion that Mr. Hoover or anybody else
from the United States introduced the single-hand drill-
ing practice into Australia is ridiculous. It was intro-
duced into Australia, and into California, by the Cornish
miners before Mr. Hoover was born," and further, "The
pity is that these writers did not submit their manuscript,
if not to their victim, at least to some competent mining
engineer and one acquainted with Mr. Hoover's career
in foreign lands."
I desire to say first that it was not intended to suggest
that Mr. Hoover did more than introduce single-hand
drilling into the mines immediately under his manage-
ment ; and, secondly, that it was not feasible to submit
the text of this biography to Mr. Hoover himself because
the author's method was personal and intimate in the
extreme and it would have been a presumption to attempt
to make Mr. Hoover in any way a party to any portions
of the text as that might imply responsibility on his part
for a variety of other details. But really, we did the
next best thing in the interest of accuracy. In the case
of the Australian chapter, regarding which your corre-
spondent complained, the material was in the first place
obtained almost entirely from George B. Wilson, a min-
ing engineer, who was a college mate of Herbert Hoover
at Stanford University and who was with him during
practically the entire period of his residence in Australia,
and in China as well. Not only did Mr. Wilson furnish
the material, but he carefully read the galley-proofs.
These proofs were also read by Theodore Hoover, Herbert
Hoover's brother, and himself a mining engineer.
Mr. Wilson has made the following comment upon the
communication and editorial in your journal to which I
have referred :
"I read with interest the criticism in the 'Mining and
Scientific Press' of August 28 of your biography of
Herbert Hoover. Such contributions add nothing to the
facts and belong to that class of criticism which discour-
ages the publication of much valuable information.
"I am inclined to disregard all of Max von Bernewitz 's
statements, as his suggestion that Bewick, Moreing & Co.
did not have an office in Coolgardie during the period in
question proves quite conclusively that he does not know
what he is talking about. Not only did they have large
offices, assay-offices, and an engineering department in
Coolgardie but they had no office in Kalgoorlie during
1897, if you except the office of the Hannan 's Brownhill
mine, which they managed.
"Plainly Mr. Max is guessing, but I am surprised at
the editorial suggestion that single-jack drilling was uni-
versal in the mines of West Australia in 1897. I use the
word suggestion advisedly because the editorial refers
only to the introduction of single-handed drilling into
Australia by the Cornishmen, which is cheerfully grant-
ed. However, the Kalgoorlie mines at the time in ques-
tion contained as many aeroplanes as they did single-
jack hammers. Mr. Hoover first introduced the single-
hand hammer in the East Murchison United mine at
Lawlers and it was here that the miners regularly buried
them in the 'mullock' left in the stopes.
"I do not regard your article as in any way criticizing
the Australian miner. The mining camps of West
Australia were comparatively young in 1897 and their
rich ores had rendered unnecessary a high degree of re-
finement in operation. In 1897 depth was being obtained
in the development of the mines and the values were
diminishing as the surface enrichments were being de-
pleted. This rendered necessary the improvements in
method and economies of operation which Mr. Hoover
vigorously introduced. Nearly every mining camp in the
United States has a similar history of early profligacy
succeeded by sound methods and close economy as the ore
values declined, and it is no reflection on the early man-
agement to relate this history.
"I note the editor's suggestion that you should have
submitted your manuscript to some competent mining
engineer acquainted with Mr. Hoover's career in foreign
lands. As I am responsible for many of the facts con-
tained in your description of Mr. Hoover's Australian
and Chinese careers, including the facts previously com-
mented upon herein, and because I carefully read your
galley-proofs, I think you may claim to have forestalled
Mr. Rickard's suggestion unless he takes issue regarding
that word 'competent'."
We have been very appreciative of your commendation
688
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 13, 1920
of 'The Making of Herbert Hoover' and I hope your
interest in the biography may be enhanced by this illus-
tration of the pains we took to ensure its accuracy.
San Francisco, November 3. Charles K. Field.
[Mr. Wilson prefixed 'Herr' to Mr. von Bernewitz's
name, and we deleted it, knowing that Mr. von Berne-
witz is a native of New Zealand. We refer to Mr. Field's
courteous letter on the editorial page. — Editor.]
Distribution of Power in California
The Editor:
Sir — In the issue of your journal of October 30 ap-
peared an editorial reading in part as follows :
"As soon as the recent rains started to swell the moun-
tain streams the State Railroad Commission gave permis-
sion to the 'movies' to run longer hours and to the mer-
chants to light their show windows and electric signs
more freely, but left the mining industry 20% short of
its normal power. ' '
To those unfamiliar with the facts this might be taken
to indicate that the mining industry was being discrim-
inated against and that the restrictions were still in force,
although elsewhere in the same issue two separate items
stated that the removal of power restrictions had per-
mitted two mining companies to resume their normal
method of operation.
During the summer restrictions affected the use of
power during twenty-four hours of the day. Rains prior
to October 11 made it possible on that date for us to re-
move restrictions from five P.M. to seven A.M. This
applied to mining and all other industries, as well as the
'movies' and sign and window lighting. Two days later
further rains enabled us to remove all restrictions except
skip stops on the street railroads, and these were removed
on October 17. Since that date no restrictions whatever
have been in force.
The California Metal and Mineral Producers Associa-
tion, which was in close touch with the power situation
throughout the summer and actively co-operated with us
to the end that the restrictions might fall as lightly as
possible on the mining industry, feels, I believe, that no
discrimination was intended or practised against that
industry.
H. O. Butler,
Power Administrator.
San Francisco, November 3.
Roasting and Chloridizing of Bolivian
Silver-Tin Ores
The Editor:
Sir — I hope you will allow me some comment on the
way in which my paper on the above subject has been
abstracted in your issue of September 11. That part
of my paper which deals with the unsuccessful methods
of roasting is published nearly in full. However, the
solution of the problem by feeding charges intermittently
into a straight-line reverberatory furnace where the
rabbles do not overlap, and where the state of oxidation
of each charge is under positive control by keeping it
separate from the others in its own section, is not em-
phasized at all, although I believe this to be an entirely
new departure in roasting.
Chloridizing-roasting of silver ore has always been a
bugbear to metallurgists on account of heavy losses of
metal by volatilization. In the furnace which has been
developed at Machacamarca silver losses are negligible.
When drawings of this new furnace were submitted to
one of the largest builders of machinery in the United
States, the chief engineer in charge of the mining-ma-
chinery department, who himself had considerable ex-
perience in roasting, did not believe that the furnace
would work. He thought that there would be no advance
of ore in the furnace from feed to discharge-end, because
the rabbles did not overlap, and that the ore would bank
up against the walls, causing breakage of rabbles, etc.
The two furnaces now working at Machacamarca prove
the contrary: another furnace with six spindles running
on step bearings has been in operation since April and
roasts and chloridizes seven metric tons per 24 hours.
This is about the capacity that I predicted for a properly
constructed six-spindle furnace, in my paper, which was
written in December 1919. Several of these furnaces are
now being installed at Machacamarca and at the mill of
the Cia. Minera y Agricola Oploca de Bolivia, at Chocaya,
and I expect that before long they will come into general
use in Bolivia for chloridizing and roasting, although
their field is not at all limited to that kind of work.
M. Q. F. Sohnlein.
Hilversum, Holland, October 3.
illiliiilillliililllillilllitlliiilMlilllllilltlltiliilliilliliiiiiiiiiiinitininiiiiiiniriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiKiiiiiiiiiiiiiiHiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
Monazite is mainly employed for the production of
thorium nitrate, which yields thoria on ignition. The
mixture of oxides in gas-mantles is derived from a mix-
ture containing about 99% of thorium nitrate and 1% of
cerium nitrate. Large residues of cerium compounds are
obtained as by-products. The cerium required for the
manufacture of the alloy ferro-cerium is obtained mainly
from the residues in the manufacture of thorium nitrate
for gas-mantles. This alloy typically contains about 30%
of iron, and is used in the manufacture of sparking de-
vices. Air-friction causes ferro-cerium to ignite when it
is attached to a moving projectile, and for that reason
it has been used to illuminate the path of shells. Among
other uses of cerium compounds, mention may be made
of their use for illuminating purposes in naval search-
lights, their application in the manufacture of certain
electrodes, and also of their use in medicine to a small ex-
tent. A special variety of optical glass containing cerium
is made into spectacles for use by glass-furnace oper-
ators to avoid injury to their eyes. Monazite is the chief
source of mesothorium, which closely resembles radium in
its properties, and is obtained from the monazite as a
by-product in making thorium nitrate. The amount pres-
ent is only a few milligrammes per ton of the monzonite,
and would be too small to make it worth while to work the
monazite for the mesothorium alone. The mesothorium
is sold on the basis of its radio-activity compared with
radium bromide, and is at present (June 1920) worth
from £6 to £8 per milligramme.
NovvmlM-r l:{. lui'd
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
689
CYPRIOTE BAKING BREAD
KHAN, SHUT-BOSS HOUSE, LND COFFEE-SHOP
Seeley W. Mudd, and Copper Mining in Cyprus
An Interview, by T. A. RICKARD
7ou were bom in the West, Mr. Mudd?
I was born at Kirkwood, a suburb of St. Louis, in
lissouri, on August 16, 1861.
Tew co-me of English stock?
Of a complex mixture of English, Dutch, Polish,
'rench, Irish, and Scotch. From my mother's side I
an claim French Huguenot blood. My paternal an-
estors originally came from Poland. On account of
eligious persecutions they went to England, where they
emained for three centuries. When Lord Baltimore
ame to this country and founded the settlement in
laryland, two brothers of the name of Mudd were in
he party, one or both acting in some secretarial capacity.
>ur family is descended from one of these brothers. A
ortion of an original grant of land near Baltimore
from Lord Baltimore to one of the brothers is now held
by my cousins.
You were educated at St. Louis?
At the Washington University of St. Louis, receiving
the degree of Engineer of Mines in the year 1883.
What notable members of the profession were at this
college in your time?
William B. Potter was at the head of the mining school.
Arthur Thatcher and George C. Stone were assisting
Professor Potter. Pope Yeatman, Joseph P. Gazzam,
and Edmund B. Kirby were my classmates.
Looking back on this period of preparation, do you feel
that the instruction you obtained at that time ivar
suited to the making of your career?
ONE OP THE EXPLOSIVES PLANTS BUILT DURING THE WAR
690
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRES
November 13,. 1920
The course we had at the Washington University was
quite similar to and of quite as high a grade as that
given in other schools at that period. I owe much to the
opportunities I enjoyed there. As compared with the
courses now given at the better mining schools it seems,
of course, rather crude and decidedly incomplete.
What was your first job after graduating?
Immediately after graduation a half-dozen of us went
to Ste. Genevieve, in Missouri, where there was a small
copper mining and smelting enterprise under the super-
intendeney of Frank Nicolson. Primarily we learned
what we could, but all of us took shifts at the smelter; for
some weeks we dumped slag-pots, fired furnaces, and
helped generally around the plant. The shaft-furnace
made a matte of 20 to 30% copper. This was re-charged
into a reverberatory furnace, to be brought up to a black
copper through the series of tedious operations then in
vogue. The black copper was charged into a furnace
like those in the Lake Superior region, and then slowly
refined by poling. Occasionally we stayed on shift for
24 hours at a time watching these tedious operations.
You did not stay there long?
No. After leaving there I obtained a job as assayer
under Samuel A. Barron, then superintendent for the
St. Louis Smelting & Refining Co. at a lead-smelting
plant five miles out of St. Louis. At this plant they were
just completing some furnaces for reverberatory copper-
smelting and there was in process of erection an electro-
lytic refining plant, one of the first in the country.
In what year was that?
1883.
What pay did you receive?
+60 ner month as assayer. My experience at Ste.
Genevieve proved valuable, for shortly after the copper
plant was started I was able to help with the furnace
work and without much delay was put in charge of the
copper department of the smelter. From that time for-
ward, while continuing to act as assayer. I was in direct
charge of the reverberatory smelting and electrolytic
refining under Mr. Barron.
How much was your pay raised on account of perform-
ing these additional duties?
At the end of two years I was receiving $125 a month.
You evidently made a good start and attained a position
of responsibility in a short time. You must have
enjoyed your work?
I did enjoy it. It was no eight-hour day ; all the time
was full of interest as well as work. Samuel A. Barron,
who was then superintendent of the plant, has retired
and is living now in Los Angeles. George D. Barron,
his brother, was book-keeper at the plant and left for
Mexico shortly before I went to Leadville. He is now
living near New York City and is one of the directors of
the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical
Engineers.
How long were you at this smelter?
About two years and a half.
Why did you leave?
Because of an opening at Leadville, Colorado. In De-
cember 1885, I went to Leadville with Charles M. Donald-
son, who had just been made manager of the Small Hopes
mine, then in bonanza and one of the great mines of the
district. My first duties were those of ore-sampler. All
the ore from the mine was shipped to the local smelters
or to those at Pueblo and Denver. The sampling was
done in Leadville. There I got into numerous discussions
as to the accuracy of the sampling, which was rotten.
Improvements were gradually introduced. The Small
Hopes was then in rich ore, in places almost massive
silver chloride. Some of the most beautiful specimens I
ever saw came from this property at a depth of 200 feet.
These were tempting to the ore-thieves, and after a few
months investigation it became clear that there was a well
organized system of stealing. A number of the thieves
were sent to the penitentiary and many more werei
driven out of the district.
You must have become manager of the mine soon, be-
cause I remember meeting you at the Small Hopes
and being taken underground by you, in September!
or October of 1886, I think.
I remember very pleasantly our numerous meetings in
Colorado. I may have been temporarily in charge at the
date you fix, but I was not made manager of the property)
until the summer of 1887. Mr. Donaldson left to take
charge of the Eureka & Excelsior property near Baker
City, Oregon. The financial group that controlled the
Small Hopes, namely, R. C. Kerens, James G. Blaine,
Senator Elkins, Senator P. B. Plumb, H. B. Denman. and
Major Hood, most of whom were then active in politics,
had purchased the Eureka & Excelsior ; and Mr. Donald-
son had received a letter saying that they wanted him to
take charge of one mine and me to take charge of the
other. Being a very young man, I told Mr. Donaldson
that I would be glad to accept either one, and he chose to
go to Oregon.
Well, Mr. Mudd, you were extremely fortunate, for 1
happen to know the career of the 'E. & E.', as it is
called in Oregon, as well as of the Small Hopes.
How long were you manager of the latter?
I was on the payroll of the Small Hopes for 25 years.
When did the mine cease operations?
The bonanza ore was exhausted in 1887. Thereafter
more complete exploration followed and the old stopes
were worked over and over as decreasing smelting charges
and improved economic conditions generally made possi-
ble the shipment of low-grade ores. To bolster up th(
declining profits of the company, leases on other territorj
were secured, and for many years the exploitation ol
leased ground was by far the more important part of oui
work. The Small Hopes Consolidated Mining Companj
sold its property in 1912 to a local syndicate, which oper
ated it for a time and then sold it to the Empire Zim
Company.
Then the Small Hopes became more important as a pro
ducer of zinc than of silver?
IT
<
13, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
691
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, ST. LOUIS
Tin- production of zinc has not been large.
How much had and silver did the Small Hopes produce?
It was not a large producer of lead, most of the ore
being 'dry*. The net profits of the company were be-
tween three and four million dollars. The gross yield
from the smelters was between six and seven million
dollars. During the bonanza period the total cost at the
mine, exclusive of smelting, amounted to less than 15% of
the amount received in settlement with the smelter.
What was the grade of ore during the bonanza period?
From 60 to 80 oz. per ton, as an average.
How would you compare the type of miner you employed
at Leadville 35 years ago with tlwse that you find
nine, for instance, at Oatman or even at Leadville?
When I went to Leadville. the miners at the Small
Hopes were over three-quarters Cornish, with mining in
their blood for generations. No better miners have ever
existed. Gradually the percentage of the Cornishmen
decreased and we got an increasing number of Americans
and Irishmen. They too were excellent men after they
had obtained the requisite experience. In Leadville most
of the mining is done now by Austrians and Scandi-
navians, who usually are hard workers, but are not the
equals of their predecessors in skill. I got so I could
understand the Cornishmen fairly well, but with the
Austrians and Finns the difficulty of language was in-
surmountable at times.
Will you say something about what is called the labor
question?
The specific demands and immediate aims of labor to-
day differ from those of the past, but human nature
. tj.-.i
<y.'
' Vjfc-s Sf'jU'j |i , vVyy\'VT^>f -; •/JJ777 ,r ,$0$®
£ ■
O 3
- 'Mm
LONGITUDINAL SECTION OF THE UTAH COPPER MINE
692
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 13, 1920
changes slowly and the present feelings of the laborer
and capitalist are quite similar to those of the days gone
by. Daniel Webster in 1833 described with remarkable
accuracy the labor agitator and the feeling of unrest as
they exist today. Labor has become dominant during
recent years ; it has grown so arrogant and unreasonable
that the sympathy of the mass of the people is swinging
away from the unions. Great power is dangerous and
few have self-control, sanity, and tolerance enough to use
it discreetly and well. Capital is apparently more sym-
pathetic and just than ever before, partly at least because
of necessity, and if the agitator who is disloyal to his
country and intolerant of all difference of opinion can be
deprived of his influence a speedy readjustment to a
reasonable degree of harmony should take place notwith-
standing the slackening industrial activity that is ahead
of us. Intolerance of different races, of the followers of
various religions, of the ambitions of different peoples
and factions have caused most of the wars in history.
Intelligent and sympathetic toleration of the viewpoint of
the other side would soon draw labor and capital to-
gether, and would bring to our people a wonderful period
of happiness and prosperity.
With what other properties were you connected at Lead-
villef
I was manager of the Leadville Consolidated Mining
Co. and of the Boreel Mining Company for many years,
and for a few years I was manager of the Ibex Mining
Company, controlled by John F. Campion, A. V. Hunter,
George F. Trimble, Eben E. Smith, and others. The Ibex
mine was not only very rich, having produced more than
any other Leadville property, but the ore occurrence was
unusual and extremely interesting. I started leasing in
a small way a few years after going to Leadville, and
thereby became familiar with various parts of the Lead-
ville district.
To engage in leasing is a good ivay of acquiring knowl-
edge concerning a mining district.
Francis T. Freeland, whom you remember, used to say
that Robert B. Estey and I started the plan, which has
since become very common in the Leadville district, of
leasing numerous tracts of contiguous ground and oper-
ating them as a unit. My first venture of this sort with
Mr. Estey was started in 1893, when, after long negotia-
tions, leases were secured from various owners on a num-
ber of pieces of ground at the east end of Fryer Hill.
There was some question as to the title of parts of this
ground and in one instance it was arranged between the
two contestants that the royalty from any ore shipped
should be held in trust until eventually through litiga-
tion it could be determined to whom it belonged. This
operation was carried on under the name of the Union
Leasing & Mining Company. Shipments were quite large
for several years, up to 1897 or 1898. Without co-opera-
tion it was impracticable for any of the owners of small
acreages to operate in that locality because of the amount
of pumping that was necessary, but with control of a con-
siderable area the operation became feasible.
What caused you to leave Colorado?
In 1887 I was married to Delia Mulock. In 1901 we left
Colorado on account of the health of one of our children,
moving to Los Angeles, California. For two or three
years thereafter I spent a good deal of time in Colorado,
but gradually drew away from that State to the Pacific
Coast.
What new mining ventures or professional work engaged
your attention on this Coast?
For several years after moving to Los Angeles, I spent
more than half my time in Colorado, in connection with
the mining operations at Leadville, and also in connection
with the work of the Empire Zinc Company, for which I
acted as consulting engineer from 1902 to 1904. This
branch of the New Jersey Zinc Company was under the
local control of W. C. Wetherill, one of the finest and
most charming of the older generation of engineers, and
J. H. Troutman, who had been with the company for
many years. This was to me a very pleasant association.
The late W. C. Wilkens was in charge of the mining
work for the company at that time and I got to know him
intimately, to my great pleasure and advantage.
You got your first capital, I presume, by saving your
salary and then by small participations u-ith your
principals?
No, not exactly. I saved from my salary and com-
menced to lease with Mr. Estey and others in Colorado.
Before leaving Colorado I had acquired enough so that
when I was offered the position of consulting engineer on
the Pacific Coast for the Guggenheim Exploration Com-
pany I chose to have no salary but a rather larger com-
pensation for anything that might be found.
Mow long were you consulting engineer for the Guggen-
heims?
Only two or three years, during which time I brought
to their attention at least two properties in which they
became interested, first, the Dairy Farm in California,
and second, the Utah Copper at Bingham, Utah.
Yes, I had the pleasure of reading the report you made
on the Utah Copper in 1905 and I remember par-
ticularly your diagnosis of the economic phase of the
proposed operation. Why did the Guggenheims
drop this business?
They did not drop it ; they took up the first convertible
bond issue at that time. The common stock was already
in the hands of the MacNeill and Penrose group.
// I remember correctly, you were consulted with regard
to th-e drainage system of Cripple Creek?
Yes, I spent a few weeks studying the drainage of the
Cripple Creek district in 1902. The situation was an
extremely interesting one. Over a large portiou of the
district, the watercourses were so intimately connected
that at a distance of half a mile the water-level would
vary only a few feet. One shaft would have no water to
pump while another shaft a half-mile away might be
pumping one or two thousand gallons per minute at a
depth only five or ten feet greater, and when the first
mb. ■ 13, L920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
693
THE RAT CONSOLIDATED COPFER MINE
shaft was sunk twenty feet the burden of the pumping
would pass from the second to the first. In this basin at
certain horizons it was necessary to remove over a hun-
dred million gallons of water for each foot vertical that
was drained. There was very little influx and when once
drained the water gave little trouble. The old Standard
tunnel discharged 17,000 or 18,000 gallons a minute for
a few months and for almost two and a half years dis-
charged an average of over 10,000 gal. per minute. The
obvious solution of the problem was a drainage-adit. This
plan was adopted and the Eoosevelt adit was the first of
the drainage-levels driven. David W. Brunton and A. E.
Carlton contributed much to the success of the drainage
scheme.
As you gradually withdrew from mining affairs in Colo-
rado with ivhat new enterprises did you become con-
nected?
For the first few years much of my work was in con-
nection with the Guggenheim Exploration Company on
the Pacific Coast. I resigned in 1905. Early in 1907
the deal for the property now owned by the Ray Consoli-
dated Copper Company came up. Philip Wiseman had
seen this property some years before and was enthusiastic
with regard to it. We tried for a number of months to
get in touch with the right people. John Annan was the
controlling spirit among the English group that con-
trolled the Ray at that time, and William Young Wester-
velt was their American representative. The connection
was finally made through Charles H. Cutting, then living
in New England, and through Mr. Cutting an under-
standing was reached with Mr. Annan, then in England.
This property had been worked for some time by the
English company, but the enterprise had not been profit-
able and the company was being financed by a small
group of stockholders led by John Annan and J. G.
Gordon. The earlier attempts to work the mine had been
made with the idea that the ore was of rather a high
grade. These attempts were initiated before a railroad
was built to the mine. Much development work had been
done, part of it under the supervision and direction of
Alexander Hill. A concentrator had been constructed
and operated, and probably some concentrate had been
shipped. This concentrator worked only the richer ore,
but the development work had exposed two or three mil-
lion tons of 2% disseminated ore and the various scat-
tered shafts gave strong indications that the property was
to become one of the great copper mines of the world.
Of course, by that time you had the benefit and experi-
ence of the Nevada Consolidated and the Utah
Copper?
Yes, and it was that experience that made the property
seem particularly attractive.
Will you not say something about the acquisition of the
Ray property?
When I first saw the Ray, Mr. Cutting and Thomas
Kavanaugh had exchanged letters with Mr. Annan in
regard to an option. Mr. Kavanaugh was on the prop-
erty and showed me on my arrival a telegram from a
mining operator offering him a cash payment of $5000
if he would go back on the understanding that he then
had with Mr. Wiseman and me. This did not tempt Mr.
Kavanaugh for a moment. A complete agreement was
finally made with Mr. Annan, and the Ray Consolidated
Copper Company was organized with a capital of 600,000
shares of $10 each and an authorized issue of $3,000,000
of 6% bonds convertible into stock at $10. The share-
holders of the English company that owned the property
took $400,000 of bonds, 122,500 shares of stock, and
$100,000 in cash for the property, which was deeded to
the Ray Consolidated Copper Company. The purchasing
syndicate paid $100,000 in cash to the English company,
put $100,000 into the treasury of the Ray Consolidated
Copper Company, and received in consideration thereof
$200,000 par value of bonds and 127,500 shares of stock.
The English shareholders gave to the purchasing syndi-
cate an option on 61.250 shares, being half of their hold-
694
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 13, 1920
ings, at $10 per share, this option being valid until Febru-
ary 1, 1909. Mr. Annan laughed at the request for an
option on a portion of their stock at $10 and readily
granted it, but before the option period expired the de-
velopment amply justified the purchase of this stock at
that price.
When did Mr. Jackling get into the business?
The original financing was accomplished in February
1907 through Sherwood Aldrich, Eugene P. Shove,
Charles L. MacNeill, and Spencer Penrose, all of Colo-
rado Springs. I am not quite sure whether Mr. Jackling
was interested in the beginning or not, but shortly after-
ward he did become interested and soon became chairman
of the executive committee and managing director of the
company.
Did you and Mr. Wiseman have any interest in the enter-
prise and do you still retain that interest?
Mr. Wiseman, Mr. Cutting, Mr. Kavanaugh, Robert
msmrngs
THE UNITED EASTERN MINE AND MILL
D. Grant, and I obtained an interest in the stock of the
company and all the survivors of our little group are still
interested in it.
To what figure did the shares that you bought rise?
■ I think $37 per share is the maximum price that has
been paid for the stock on a capitalization of 1,600,000
shares. The shares that we bought from the English
holders at $10 were on the basis of six million dollars for
the property, the issue at that time being 600,000 shares.
At $37 per share for 1,600,000 the property was valued
at close to sixty million dollars. The stock prices for the
last few years have usually represented a value of 35,000,-
000 to 40,000,000 dollars for the mine.
What are' the prospects at the present time?
According to the annual report for 1919, the mine had
84,736,384 tons of ore averaging 2.063% copper, with
possibilities for increased tonnage through extension of
the orebody laterally and to a greater depth in certain
portions of the property.
That must have been a most pleasant operation, both
technically and financially. What did you do next?
Several smaller ventures followed. A very fortunate
opportunity came in 1914 when Frank A. Keith got in
touch with George A. Long and John L. Melver, who
then held options on what is now the property of the
United Eastern Mining Company. Mr. Long and Mr.
Melver had worked underground in the adjoining Tom
Reed property and had become convinced that the United
Eastern ground would hold the continuation of the o»e-
body. The data they had secured were not altogether
convincing and it was only after several months of
desultory discussion that an option was obtained from
them at $25,000 for 51% of the stock issued. The shaft
that they had started was pushed vigorously. All of the
money paid for the stock was spent in exploratory work.
/ suppose you would call this a beneficent tvild-cat?
Yes, indeed, it was. We were very doubtful about the
outcome, quite as doubtful as we have been with regard
to many wild-eats that have long since been forgotten. It
was one of the fortunate ventures that go to make up for
the long years when one seeks and works and spends
without any reward whatever.
Who were associated with you in this deal?
Frank A. Keith, Philip Wiseman, C. H. Palmer Jr.,
George D. Nordenholt, R. I. Rogers, J. E. Fishburu, and
W. D. Woolwine.
How did the prospect pan out?
The shaft cut the vein at about 200 ft., but on that
level only a few scattering assays were obtained. 250 ft.
deeper a cross-cut to the vein went into bonanza, the vein
showing from 20 to 25 ft. in width of $20 to $25 gold ore.
This proved to be the top of a very rich and large ore-
shoot. A mill was erected and started in January 1917,
and since that time has been running continuously, the
tonnage having been gradually increased from about 200
to 300 tons per day.
How much has the mine produced altogether?
About 325,000 tons yielding over $7,000,000 gross,
yielding a profit in excess of $4,000,000.
Hoiv deep is the mine now?
About 1300 feet.
Does the vein look healthy in the bottom?
The vein is of fair size in the bottom, but the ore has
become poor. Further development will be done in depth
in the hope that the ore may improve, and additional
development work is in progress laterally. One of the
greatest difficulties for the past two or three years has
been the lack of men for work underground.
Speaking of the increased cost of gold mining. I would
like to ask you what you think of the proposal to levy
an excise of $10 per ounce on gold, as proposed in
the McFadden bill now before Congress.'
It impresses me as an extremely ingenuous and plaus-
ible proposal, but if passed, it will be because of the back-
ing of the financiers, for there seems to he absolutely no
chance of its passage in the interest of the producers of
gold. The passage of this bill would increase the produc-
tion in this country somewhat and the cost of it would be
borne not by the Government but by the jewelers and
other manufacturers in such a way that the people at
November 13, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
695
large would feel it very slightly. As to the soundness of
it from a financial standpoint. I hardly know what to saj
What is your opinion on that 1
/ think it a form of class legislation to which wt ought
to resort only in case of extreme national necessity,
which I believe does not t.rist. hi any event, unless
I am much mistaken, tin prospects of tfo bill pass-
ing Congress arc and havi been extremely small.
You hare been interested in a sulphur enterprisi I
believe in Texas, havi you nott
Yes, about 1910 I was in charge of an examination of a
sulphur property in Texas for a group of New Fork
capitalists led by Bernard M. Baruch. At that time i
asked my chief assistant, Spencer C. Browne, to look
This is won by ,-i pr ss quite similar to t h;it developed
by Herman Frasch in Louisiana. The sulphur is melted
underground by water heated to a temperature of 300 to
350 ; after melting, it is pumped to the Burfi by an
ordinary air-lifl and is stored in vats made of planking.
These vats are as much as 200 ft. wide, 300 to 1000 ft.
long, and 30 to 50 ft. high. The sulphur is pumped from
underground with little, if any. admixture with water
and after being pumped into the vat it cools gradually,
and solidities. When the vat is full and the planking re-
moved one sees an enormous block of solid sulphur lying
on tin- ground. The sulphur is blasted and then loaded
by a Brown hoist into railroad-ears.
For what purpost is most of it used!
PUMPS -\XD PIPING IN THE BOILER-HOUSE OP THE TEXAS GULF SULPHUR CO.
ver Texas carefully for other possible sulphur-produc-
lg territory. This investigation indicated that the prop-
rty of the Gulf Sulphur Company, near Matagorda, in
exas, was very promising. Shortly afterward negotia-
ons were started and a stock interest was acquired. By
917 nearly all the stock of this company, which owned
xrat four hundred acres of ground, had been acquired,
oday between two and three thousand acres are con-
•olled. The name of the company has been changed
id it is now known as the Texas Gulf Sulphur Coni-
■ wry. During 1917 systematic development of the
round was begun, by drilling.
What kind of drilling?
l) "With the rotary oil-rig, which is so commonly used in
lalifomia. The overlying eight or nine hundred feet of
Baterial is made up of occasional layers of limestone in
umbo', which is a partly consolidated marine mud.
lie ordinary rotary drill was especially suited to pene-
ate such material.
ow do you, win the sulphur?
Much of it is used in the paper trade, much is used in
making high-grade acid and also acid for the fertilizer
industry, and a considerable tonnage is ground and re-
fined for use in orchards and vineyards.
Can you tell me anything about the financial side of this
enterprise, that is to say, how much capital was re-
quired and how fruitful it became?
The investment was over six million dollars. The re-
sult has been satisfactory, assuring an ample reward for
the risk and expenditure involved.
Have you done any mining in foreign countries?
I have done more or less in Mexico, of course, but have
never been connected with large operations there. I
have been interested in ventures in other foreign coun-
tries, but none of them have come to fruition except one
in the island of Cyprus. About ten years ago, Mr. Wise-
man and I, together with three others who have since died
or dropped out of the enterprise, engaged Charles God-
frey Gunther to look for likely property in this country
and Mexico. After searching fruitlessly for several
696
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 13, 1920
years, it was decided that there was an opportunity
around the shores of the Mediterranean. Under Mr.
Gunther. search was made in the libraries of this country
and Paris and London for information that would guide
him to promising districts. On his first trip, after going
to the Mediterranean, he started from the Red Sea with
a dozen camels and as many cut-throats of the polyglot
population and went to Mt. Sinai. There was copper
there, but the conditions were not favorable.
Did Mr. Gunther find evidence of any large-scale copper
mining operations?
No, not in that district. Apparently some copper had
been mined on the Sinai peninsula and the evidences of
turquoise mines were numerous. Mr. Gunther then visit-
ed a number of places around the Mediterranean, North-
ern Africa, Spain, Sardinia, Asia Minor, and adjacent
regions, but he found nothing of exceptional interest
until he went to Cyprus. That island shows the evidences
of Roman and Phoenician mining at a number of points,
but there are only a few where the slag-heaps indicate
that the operations were large. The conditions existing
at the place where the largest accumulation of Roman
and Phoenician slags was found were so favorable that
Mr. Gunther was confident that a mine could be uncov-
dered. This was at Skouriotissa, five or six miles from
Morphou Bay and about twenty miles west or south-west
of Nicosia, the capital of the island of Cyprus. A pros-
pecting permit covering a square mile was obtained from
the English governor of the island. Mr. Gunther then
returned to this country and about a year later took back
with him a drill such as has been used to develop the
'porphyry' coppers. Drilling was started in the latter
part of 1913 or the early part of 1914, and the present
orebody was being developed when the War started be-
tween Germany and the Allies. Operations were ham-
pered and finally drilling discontinued on account of a
lack of supplies and it was not until about a year ago that
our drilling was resumed. During the interval, however,
Mr. Gunther did a large amount of underground work
and built a railroad to the shore at Morphou Ba}r.
What is the character of the orebody?
The ore is a massive iron pyrite containing about 2\%
copper, something less than $1 in silver and gold, 47 to
48% sulphur, and is very free from arsenic and other
elements deleterious to acid-making. The orebody now
developed covers about twenty acres and has an average
thickness in excess of 60 feet with a maximum thickness
of 130 feet or more.
What evidences have you found of the work done by the
ancients?
There is approximately one million tons of slag on the
property, perhaps half of it having been made by the
Phoenicians and half by the Romans.
What does the slag assay?
The Phoenician slag contains a little less than 1|% of
copper: the Roman slag about f%.
Do you think there is any chance of beneficiating any of
this slag, especially that left by the Phoenicians?
Yes, there is a possibility of developing very consider-
able bodies of the concentrated ore as well as additional
tonnages of massive sulphides. A smelting operation
would probably bring the Phoenician slag into use. There
are several depressions in the surface indicating caved
stopes below. Some old openings appear on the surface
and large areas are covered with dumps from the ancient
mining operations. Underground we have cleaned out
two or three thousand feet of ancient drifts. These are
small, about four feet high, rather less than three feet
wide, narrow at the bottom, widening where a man's
shoulders would have to pass through, and arched on top.
The character of much of the ground was such that these
drifts still stand perfectly, except at the intersections,
or where the openings were unusually large.
Have you found any ancient implements?
A few lamps, which were made about the time of
Christ. Sticks and fragments of pottery have been found,
but no implements. Occasionally in the slag-dumps a
little metallic copper is detected and one blacksmith's
dollie was picked up, fashioned to put a blunt point on
copper rods of four different diameters. Several spiral
raises with a diameter of about 45 ft. have been opened'
up. These evidently were used for ingress and egress..
At one point there is about an acre of fragments of
ancient earthenware pots, which may represent the waste-
heap of an ancient sulphur refinery, for in one of the
caves the floor was covered to a depth of two feet with
material that resembles the ash remaining after distilling
sulphur, and in one corner of this ancient cave there was
a broken pot partly filled with fine sulphur. Possibly
water troubled the ancients and these earthenware pots
were used by slaves in carrying water from underground.
You ought to find some implements in the old dumps?
The copper dollie referred to is the only one I know of.
Colonel Mudd, you did a good deal of work for the Gov-
ernment during the War, 1 believe. Will you please
state the nature of it and the impressions that you
obtained from it?
I was one of the assistant-directors of the U. S. Gov-
ernment Explosive Plants, a separate administrative
unit, set up by the Secretary of War. D. C. Jackling was
director of this unit, whose principal work was the erec-
tion of the smokeless-powder plant at Nitro, in West
Virginia, which was designed to produce 800,000 pounds
of cannon powder per day.
The site selected was a cornfield; it was necessary
forthwith not only to build wagon-roads and railroada
and erect the plant itself, but to provide dwellings, bunk-
houses, restaurants, stores, Y. M. C. A., church, movies,
hospital, electric lights, waterworks, and everything else
to accommodate 20,000 people. By August, or withii
eight months, some powder was being pi'oduced in this
plant. When the Armistice was signed, a plant with i
rated capacity of 800,000 lb. of smokeless powder per da}
was 90% completed and the daily output had alreadj
reached an important figure. The plant included build
ings and apparatus for making siilphuric and nitric acids
November 13, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
691
br the purification and nitrating of tn tton; for
poaching, boiling, diss. Lving, and transforming it into a
jelly.- for passing this jelly through the dies and drying,
testing, pat-king, and shipping this powder finished and
ready for use.
Finished powder varies in size of grain depending on
its use. Small-anna powder has over 300.000 grains to
thi* pound. 14-in. cannon powder has aeven or eight
grains to the pound, each grain being 3 j inch in diameter
and l'i in. long. It looks more like brownish molasses
candy than like a violent explosive.
The Nitro plant is located in a bend of the Kanawha
river and .overs an elliptical area about 3A miles long
and It miles wide. There were in all between 3300
and {.300 buildings constructed. The total expense was
$60,000,000. From first to last 90.000 men were em-
ployed at this place, but at no time did the total number
of employees exceed 19.000. excluding a military guard
of about 500. The usual difficulties prevalent during that
period were encountered in securing labor, supplies, and
prompt transportation. Privately owned powder-plants
grew like mushrooms between 1914 and 1917. and it is a
satisfaction to know that America was able to supply not
only her own needs but to furnish the Allies with large
quantities of smokeless powder from a time shortly after
Germany attacked France until the Armistice was
signed.
There has been and will be much criticism of war work ;
but considering the lack of comprehensive general and
detailed plans of all that was necessary to carry on a war.
the urgency of the need, and the consequent sacrifice of
everything to speed, the multitude of new things to be
done, and the lack of training for these new duties, I
consider the accomplishment of the nation and of nearly
all the men with whom I was brought in contact was ex-
tremely creditable. The spirit of unselfish service was
dominant in Washington and self-interest rarely ob-
truded itself. Mistakes and inefficiency were common
enough, but this was inevitable in anything that had
s^.ch a marvelously rapid expansion as the war activities
of this country. It appears that the personnel of an army-
can be secured and given some training more rapidly
than proper equipment and supplies can be provided.
Military training of our young men is extremely de-
sirable, but our people will make a greater mistake if
they fail to force Congress to pass such laws and provide
such funds as will ensure ample equipment and supplies
for any possible future war.
Mr. Mudd, are your sons to become mining engineers?
One of them was graduated from Columbia college as
a mining engineer in 1912. The other is studying medi-
cine at the University of California.
How would you compare the condition of the mining
industry as you knew it when you started with its
status today?
"When I started a trained engineer was subject to the
.sneers and contempt of many of the practical men. That
is rapidly disappearing ; the engineer is coming into his
(.own. The spectacular development of the past few years
in some of the enormous porphyry coppers has given us a
larger perspective ; it is not unusual now to look tor a
property having a life of ten or twenty years instead of
as many months.
In other ivords, the industry has been stabilized/
Yes, decidedly. It is certainly much more satisfactory
to have to do with an industry that is stabilized rather
than one on which you cannot count from year to year.
II, m- u-oi/1,1 you compare the standard of conduct obi, lin-
ing in mining affairs 35 years ago with the present
standard?
The standard has been raised very greatly. Collusion
and dishonesty between the sellers of machinery and sup-
plies and those in control of mining operations was fre-
quent then, whereas now it is practically unknown. The
standard with regard to the selling of stock to the public
has also been raised considerably, but it needs further
improvement.
How do you regard the opportunities offered to a mining
engineer with those that were offered in your time?
They are better. His opportunity to obtain an excel-
lent training with many of the larger corporations and
better established engineers is larger and better than it
was 35 years ago. The chances for stable and satisfactory
employment are much more numerous. The openings for
making money, while of a different type, are, I think,
greater than they were.
Of course, the salaries paid today to a successful mining
engineer and even to a young man are much higher
than in your time and mine, and therefore a young
man obtains the necessary capital with which to par-
ticipate in mining operations much sooner than he
used to?
Salaries are not only higher, but higher in proportion
to the cost of living ; opportunities for saving are greater,
and the tendency to allow the young men to participate is
also increasing.
You believe then that it is a good thing for the members
of the profession to participate with their prin-
cipals?
Yes, I do, but when this is done there must be absolute
frankness, and even with this frankness, if the results
are not satisfactory, one takes risk of criticism. It is
good to risk one's own money on just the same basis as
that of the other investors, or one's clients, showing good
faith and confidence as completely as possible.
If it were all to do again, would you prefer to be in some
other profession?
No, I know of none in which I think I could have got-
ten as much enjoyment, made as many good friends, and
in which I would have had an opportunity to participate
in the initiation of work that has meant opportunity and
livelihood to so many.
Exports of silver from San Francisco to China in
August totaled 1,943,000 oz. The total export of silver
into China for 1920 up to the end of August was 51.858,-
764 ounces.
698
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 13, 1920
Anaconda Enterprise in Chile
Although retarded by war conditions and great irreg-
ularity in receipt of supplies in South America, the de-
velopment of the Andes Copper Co. has steadily pro-
gressed in the last three years. This company is owned
by the Anaconda Copper Co. and part of the proceeds of
the two $25,000,000 bond sales made by Anaconda in the
last two years has gone into the development of its sub-
sidiary.
The Andes property is situated about in central Chile,
at an elevation of 10,500 ft., 100 miles from the sea-coast.
The ore occurs in blanket formation and 120,000,000 tons
of ore has been developed. There is still a considerable
area to be drilled, in which there is every promise of
adding to the ore-reserves.
Sixty miles of railroad connecting with the State rail-
road at Pueblo Hundido have been constructed and is at
the present time in full operation.
The ore will be mined by the caving system, and will
require no hoisting, everything being dropped through a
system of raises to an adit to be completed within the next
three or four months. When finished it will be more
than two miles long. The ore will be transported by
electric trains to the mill, six miles distant.
A town has been established at the mill-site, modern
and up-to-date. An ample supply of water for the prop-
erty will be brought from the higher points in the Andes,
requiring three tunnels, work upon which is being push-
ed. A supply of water for camp purposes has already
been brought into the property.
A great amount of research and experimental work has
been done in the laboratory at Anaconda, and a process
for the successful treatment of the ore has been definitely
selected. Electric power is in use at the mine, generated
at the coast in a plant capable of taking care of present
needs. A larger power-plant has been fully designed and
specifications for the same have been drawn. The whole
enterprise has reached a stage where only delay in de-
liveries, excessive cost of materials and transportation
are holding it back, and it is thought unwise to construct
such a large plant under present conditions, as the treat-
ment of from 12,500 tons to J5,000 tons of ore per day is
contemplated. In the meantime development upon the
property is being carried on, the heaviest portion of this
work having been almost completed.
The Lo Aguirre and Africana mines, the property of
the Santiago Mining Co., another subsidiary of Ana-
conda, are situated about 20 miles west of Santiago, Chile.
The two mines are absolutely different in character. In
the Lo Aguirre mine the ore occurs as a blanket deposit
of oxidized ore, although recent development on the main
haulage-level has shown a body of sulphide ore, averaging
approximately 3%, the extent of which is as yet un-
known. Winzes are being sunk at the present time to de-
termine its depth. The greatest portion of the develop-
ment work has been completed at this property, as it will
be mined by the caving system.
The Africana mine, some six miles distant, has been
developed through two vertical shafts, the main shaft be-
ing 700 ft. deep, from which levels upon the vein have
been extended both north and south. The shafts are 2000
ft. apart. The ore in the Africana property occurs in
vein formation.
Of course, the speed with which Anaconda brings its
South American mines to the producing point depends
on the copper market. There is no hurry now for an in-
creased production of metal. But when the market shows
some semblance of sustained business, these South Amer-
ican mines are confidently expected by the Anaconda
management to be able to lay their metal down in New
York as cheaply as, and in many cases more cheaply than,
the majority of the mines of North America.
Opening Kegs of Blasting-Powder
It would seem as if opening kegs of black blasting-
powder with wooden tools would be a perfectly safe pro-
ceeding, but according to a recent bulletin of the Bureau
of Mines it is not. Among other things, it says: ''Black
powder may be ignited by direct impact, and the writer
believes that this may occur without presupposing a pre-
liminary spark. It is well known, however, that black
blasting-powder is very sensitive to ignition by spark
flame, or heated materials, and these may be produced by
an electric current, by an open light, by incandescent
particles from a pipe, cigar, or cigarette, by the tearing
of metal sheets or scraping of metal against metal, and
possibly by other means. The above statement will serve
to introduce a newly recognized hazard — the ignition of
black blasting-powder by the forcible opening of kegs
with wooden tools. It has not been definitely established
just how opening a keg with a wooden moil, wooden
sprag, or a wooden mallet causes explosions, since it ap-
pears to be very difficult to strike a spark with wood
against metal, but it may be that in breaking the keg, the
sharp points of the sheet-iron would be driven inside the
keg; that two or more of these points have been made;
and that in rubbing over one another, these points or
the edges of the strips have caused a spark; or it may
be that the strips or points have been driven forcibly
against the side of the keg and produced sparks, or it
may be that the wooden tool was covered with a gritty
substance, thus facilitating sparking, or it may be, and
this has been demonstrated at the Explosive Experiment
Station of the Bureau of Mines, that the fine particles of
black blasting-powder remaining in the angular groove
of the chime received the impact from the wooden tool
and this ignited the particles.
"Regardless, however, of just how a spark may be pro-
duced, the evidence presented clearly condemns the
method of opening kegs of black blasting-powder with
wooden tools by punching a hole through the top of the
keg. The usual 25-lb. black blasting-powder keg is pro-
vided with a bunghole and a cap for closing it, and in all
cases, the powder should be poured from the keg through
this bunghole. In view of the menace of other methods
of opening the kegs, excuses for their use cannot be given
serious consideration. ' '
November 13. 192(1
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
6!)!l
The Federal Reserve System
By EDWARD ELLIOTT
At its inauguration the Federal Reserve system was
looked upon with disfavor and distrust by the majority of
hankers, who resented what they regarded as Government
interference. Its inestimable service in facilitating war
finance through the mobilization of a large part of the
linancial resources of the country won for it almost uni-
versal appreciation, but the general reaction from war-
lime enthusiasms, the admitted inflation of credit, the
ligli prices and the readjustments attendant upon the
nost-war period have combined to bring upon the system
i variety of criticisms. It is. therefore, important that
he organization and principles of the Federal Reserve
lystem should be better understood, and some acquain-
tance with the events that preceded the enactment of the
Federal Reserve Act will aid in a proper appreciation
both of the changes in our financial system which it
i nought about and of the merit of the present plan.
Following the Civil War there was a period of high
prices and credit expansion, which ended in the panic of
1 873. Over-expansion resulted in a crash; deflation was
• brupt and destructive. There was no machinery to
heck inflation or to bring about gradual deflation.
| ' Recovery was slow, but the growth of population and
I fie development of our natural resources were factors
hat greatly aided in the re-establishment of business
Irosperity. Yet, twenty years later,' in 1893, came an-
ither panic of great severity. Again in 1907 the country
isperienced a panic, which differed from the previous
ncs in that it was primarily a financial as distinguished
rom a commercial panic. Business was booming — in
tot, it was too prosperous, or rather it had expanded
I pyond the ability of the banking system of the country
I b take care of it — and so the panic of 1907 is often
i boken of as a banker 's panic.
What was then the banking system ? In order to aid
\ i financing the Civil War by securing a market for Gov-
Ipment bonds, the National Bank Act was passed, by
Ithich national banks could he established in the various
liates of the Union under the supervision of the Comp-
f (oiler of the Currency. His functions were limited to
| lose of oversight — seeing to it that the National banks
f ere properly organized and operated — or that the final
1 psequies of those which passed into the pale realm of
solvency were performed with due solemnity.
National banks were authorized to issue currency based
■ |. U. S.. government bonds. This bond-secured currency
is fairly profitable for the banks, but it was not elastic
volume ; it could not he readily increased or diminished
I \ keep pace with the increase or decrease in the volume
! \ business. In addition to the National banking sys-
1 n, each State had its own banking system. By reason
i the tax imposed by national law upon currency issued
1 State banks, they have ceased to be banks of issue.
The currency of the United stairs then consisted of
national-bank notes, gold and gold certificates, silver and
silver certificates, 'greenbacks' or U. S. notes, and frac-
tional currency, none of which could be issued by the
Government or by the banks in response to the n Is of
business.
With respect to both the National and State systems, it
is tn be observed that each was composed of separate and
distinct units, in no way co-ordinated save in the matter
of administrative supervision.
An important feature in any banking system is its
reserve. It seems to be universally agreed that every
bank should be required to hold a certain sum. which is
fixed at a definite percentage of its deposits, as a reserve
to meet the demands of its depositors: what this percent-
age should be varies from State to State, and in the na-
tional banking system and the Federal Reserve system.
as well as in the State systems, it varies with the popula-
tion of the locality and with the character of the deposit,
whether commercial or savings. California State banks
must maintain a 12% reserve against commercial de-
posits in a town or city, the population of which does not
exceed 50,000; 15% when the population does not exceed
100,000, and 18% when above 100,000, and a 5% reserve
against savings deposits. But only half of the reserve
must be cash in vault; the other half may be deposited
with another bank. While the States vary greatly in the
percentage required, California will serve as an example.
The same principle held good also for the old National
Bank system. The cities under the National system were
and still are divided into reserve and central-reserve
cities.
For the clearing of checks and other purposes, country
banks carry balances with banks in reserve cities and
these in turn with banks in central-reserve cities, the bal-
ances formerly being composed in part of the reserves
permitted by law to be carried in other banks. The prac-
tice became general among the city banks to pay interest
on the balances carried with them by their correspond-
ents. Against the deposit of the correspondent bank, the
city bank was compelled to carry a reserve, half as cash in
vault and half with another bank if desired. In order not
to lose money by reason of the interest it was paying on
bank-balances, the depositary bank was compelled to lend
a certain amount of these bank-balances above the reserve
requirement, and desire for profit led it to lend as much
as it could. The result, then, was a succession of de-
posits, beginning with the country bank and continuing
up to the New York banks. This was known as the
pyramiding of deposits. Accompanying this was the
lending of the deposits above the reserve up to the limit
deemed advisable by each hank.
So long as times were quiet and there were no unusual
700
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 13, 192'
demands, the system worked fairly well, but when the
country banks had a strong demand for funds and began
to withdraw their balances, the city banks found them-
selves in an awkward position, for they, too, were doubt-
less having heavy demands from their customers, and to
meet the calls of the country banks they began to call
upon the banks with which they had made deposits.
Finally, the demands converged upon the big New York
banks. Having loaned by far the larger part of their
deposits, their only resource was to call in their loans.
The effect is obvious. The borrowers were called upon to
pay at the very time it was most difficult to pay. There
was first tight money and if the demands from the coun-
try and city banks outside New York continued, then a
panic such as that of 1907 might ensue. If New York
could not pay. nobody could pay.
Following the panic of 1907 and the discussion it pro-
voked regarding a reform of our banking and currency
system. Congress in 1908 appointed a National Monetary
Commission, which undertook an exhaustive study of the
banking and currency systems of all the important coun-
tries of the world. Its report, commonly called the
Aldrich report, was made in 1912.
In every important European- country there was a cen-
tral bank, holding the reserves of the banks, serving as a
discount market and having the power to issue currency.
The report led to the introduction of the Aldrich bill in
the Senate. This sought to give to the United States a
similar central bank, but the closing months of the Taft
administration were not auspicious for the passage of con-
structive legislation, and nothing was accomplished.
President "Wilson, upon his inauguration in 1913. called
a special session of Congress for the purpose of revising
the tariff. After months of effort, the Underwood Tariff
Bill was passed late in the summer and Congress had
hoped to be allowed to quit the heat of "Washington and
return home to rest and quiet, but the President ad-
dressed the Congress upon the need of banking and cur-
rency reform as a necessary complement to tariff revision
in order that business might have the advantage of the
aid that would come from needed reforms. Weary as it
was from the tariff struggle, Congress took up the work
of revising our banking legislation, and on December 23,
1913. the Federal Reserve Act was approved by the
President.
The purpose of the new legislation was to remedy the
evils of the old system by providing a central-reserve
system, a steady discount market and a currency elastic in
volume. The Aldrich plan had contemplated a central
bank controlled by bankers. The Federal Reserve Act
provided for a maximum of 12 Regional Reserve Banks,
each under its own board of directors and all under the
Federal Reserve Board. This Board is composed of
seven members, of whom two, the Secretary of the Treas-
ury and the Comptroller of the Currency, are members
ex-officio, and five are appointed by the President for a
term of ten years. The Federal Reserve Board is the
agency through which the administrative centralization
of the 12 Federal Reserve banks is achieved, but the
powers of the board are not limited to mere matters of
. 1
i
administration for the centralization, or rather unific;;
tion of operation of the 12 banks, is likewise in its hand;
since the Board may compel one Federal Reserve ban
to re-discount for another.
The 12 Federal Reserve banks have been likened
twelve reservoirs of credit; each member bank has
own pipe-line running to the reservoir and the twehfl
reservoirs are connected by pipe-lines to a central sta-
tion, the Federal Reserve Board, which can direct tl
flow from one bank to another and thus adjust the credii
level in all — or, putting it in other terms, the Board
adjust the reserves of the different banks and main'
an average reserve percentage for the system.
Each Federal Reserve bank is governed by a board
nine directors, six of whom are elected by the memb
banks while three are appointed by the Federal Resei
Board. There are three classes of directors, called A,
and C. composed of three each. Class C consists of
appointed members, one each year to serve for a term
three years. Class A are elected by the member b:
they are representative of the banks and are gene:
bankers. Class B are likewise elected by the memb
banks but are business men. The member banks are c
vided into three groups according to capitalization so th
the capital represented in each group shall be as near
equal as possible. This results in the few large city bani
composing one group, the more numerous medium-siz<
banks of the larger towns composing another, and
very large number of small country banks the
Each group elects one Class A and one Class B dir©
once every three years.
This seemingly complicated procedure leads to t
choice of three directors, one from each class, each yei
The directors choose the Governor, Deputy Goverm
and other officers who carry on the active banking ope
tions. The Federal Reserve Board names one of
Class C directors as Federal Reserve Agent and Chal
man of the Board. As Federal Reserve Agent he mi
tains a local office of the Federal Reserve Board in t|
Federal Reserve bank and serves as the connecting lil
between the Board and the bank. He also has custo
of the Federal Reserve notes which he issues to the ba|
in return for gold or gold and re-discounted paper,
The growth of the Federal Reserve banks has be
extraordinary. "When the Federal Reserve Bank of S
Francisco was opened for business on November 16, 19
the entire staff, including janitor and watchman, nui
bered 22, and occupied a small space at the rear of f»
Merchants National Bank. Today it overflows a s|
story building of its own and is beginning the erection
a permanent building, with more than double the pre*
floor-space. In addition to the head office in San Frj1
cisco, there are five branches, at Spokane, Seattle, Pt
land, Salt Lake City, and Los Angeles; and the staff d
numbers more than 1000. The territory embraced wit a
this, the Twelfth Federal Reserve District, includes *
States of Arizona (except the five south-eastern CO' s
ties) . California. Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Oregon, 1 1
"Washington. It is greater in extent, and more diversil 1
in activities than anv other district.
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November 13, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
701
A Federal Reserve bank is often called a bank for
banks. All National banks must be members, and eligible
State banks may become members if they wish. A bank
becomes a member by subscribing to the stock of the
Federal Reserve bank of its district in an amount equal
to 6% of its capital and surplus, half of which is paid in
gold or gold certificates, and the other half is subject to
•all. Out of the net earnings of a Federal Reserve bank,
its member banks are entitled to a cumulative 6% divi-
dend upon the paid-up capital stock. The rest of the
profits go into surplus until the surplus equals the sub-
scribed capital stock; thereafter 10% of the net earnings
ifter payment of dividends goes to surplus and the bal-
ance to the Government as a franchise-tax.
There are three fundamental principles of the Federal
Reserve system : the centralization of reserves, the ability
>f member banks to borrow and re-discount, and the note-
ssue privilege. These three principles are so closely re-
ated that the absence of any one of them would render
he operation of the system of comparatively little value,
jet us consider them in the order named.
Every member bank now carries all its legal reserve
fith the Federal Reserve bank of which it is a member,
"he only cash in vault that a member bank need carry is
he amount necessary to transact its daily business, or
phat may be called 'till' money ; there is no legal require-
lent for vault cash. In view of the centralization of re-
erves and the re-discount facilities furnished by the
"ederal Reserve banks, the percentage of deposits that
lust be carried as reserve has been materially lessened.
Before the Federal Reserve system went into operation,
jountry National banks carried a 15% reserve against de-
pand deposits; reserve city banks a 25% reserve, part
ash and part deposits with other banks, and central-
teserve city banks a 25% reserve, all cash. These per-
tentages have been reduced to 7, 10, and 13, respectively,
|11 with the Federal Reserve banks, thereby releasing for
investment a large amount of funds previously tied up in
jile reserves. The Federal Reserve banks pay no interest
In the reserve carried with them. In view of the very
jirge earnings of the Federal Reserve banks, the member
|anks have begun to urge that they should be paid inter-
est on their reserve.
I One of the bad features of the old system was the pay-
ment of interest on reserves, for it made it necessary for
|ie depositary bank to lend out a large part of these
;inds. The Federal Reserve banks ought never to be re-
hired to pay interest on the reserves. They are essen-
lally reserve institutions and they ought to be free to
pep their funds in hand to meet any emergency and not
i put under the pressure of earning interest on reserve
hposits. Moreover, they are not money-making institu-
|ons, paradoxical as that may sound in view of their
jrge earnings. They should never be regarded as money-
akers for their members, lest a spirit should grow up
Ihieh would lead to their control for the purpose of mak-
I g money for the members instead of for the purpose of
|eeting the unexpected or unusual financial strain and
J stabilizing business and financial conditions.
So much has been said on this subject, and bankers are
sometimes so insistent that a larger share of the profits
should go to them, that it is worth while seeing what
justice there is in their position. The average banker
thinks that the profits of the Federal Reserve banks have
been made with his money and therefore he should share
in them, and that if there were no Federal Reserve bank
he would be getting interest from some other bank. Aside
from any other advantages that have accrued from the
Federal Reserve system, the percentage of reserve has
been lowered and the average bank makes rather than
loses. The question may be put in this way : Is a high
reserve percentage, with low interest on half of it, more
profitable than a low percentage with current rate on the
amount represented by the difference in percentage?
Let us take an example from a bank in a reserve city
with $40,000,000 demand deposits. Under the old sys-
tem its reserve would be 25%, or $10,000,000, half cash
in vault, earning nothing, and half, or $5,000,000, with
other banks at 2 to 2J%. At the latter rate, the interest
per annum would be $125,000. This the banker thinks
he has lost through receiving no interest on his reserve
with the Federal Reserve bank. How does the matter
stand in reality? As a member, the Reserve city bank
with $40,000,000 demand deposits carries a 10% reserve,
or $4,000,000, with the Federal Reserve bank without
interest. But this is $6,000,000 less than formerly. At
6% the yield would be $360,000. Assuming that the bank
might need $3,000,000 of this $6,000,000 as cash on hand
or 'till' money, its income from this reserve released
would still be $180,000, o- $55,000 more than under the
old scheme. In addition, it has the benefits of the Fed-
eral Reserve system. Moreover, the profits of the Fed-
eral Reserve banks have been made only through the use
of them by the members. Every time a Federal Reserve
bank makes a dollar, it is due to the fact that a member
bank has borrowed or re-discounted, thereby securing
additional funds to lend at a rate higher than the dis-
count rate ; or the Federal Reserve bank has bought ac-
ceptances in the open market that banks would otherwise
have had to carry, and, as acceptances bear a low rate,
bank funds are thereby released for more profitable use.
As a practical proposition the payment of interest on
deposits by the Federal Reserve banks would make them
competitors of the city banks to the latter 's detriment.
The centralization of reserves would be of little value
unless accompanied by the ability on the part of the
member banks to borrow from or re-discount with the
Federal Reserve banks, since in this way alone can they
draw upon the credit reservoir created by pooling re-
serves. A member bank may borrow from its Federal
Reserve bank for a period not to exceed 15 days on its
own note, secured either by U. S. government bonds and
certificates of indebtedness or by paper eligible for re-
discount or purchase. Banks ordinarily do not borrow
money, although there may come times in the life of
every bank when it is both necessary and proper to bor-
row, but it is supposed that the occasions will be rare
and due to some temporary condition, hence the limit of
15 days put upon the time.
The Federal Reserve system has been subjected to
702
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 13, 192i
severe criticism from certain quarters because during the
War it. permitted the banks to borrow on their notes,
secured by U. S. government obligations, and renewed
these notes again and again, at the rate of interest borne
by the bonds or certificates, sometimes even at a lower
rate. This is really a criticism leveled at the method
adopted by the Government in financing the War and
raises a question that will be debated for years to come.
The opposing views may be stated briefly. The critics
say that the bonds should have been issued at a going, or
investment, rate, in which ease the investors of the coun-
try would have bought the bonds and that the policy
adopted of issuing the bonds at a 'patriotic' rate led to
purchase on credit by people who were patriotic or who
thought it desirable to appear so. Credit was thereby
expanded and prices rose accordingly. The Federal Re-
serve banks, by making a low rate on loans secured by
Government obligations, contributed to the inflation and
filled their portfolios with non-liquid assets while at the
same time they lessened their ability to meet the normal
commercial needs of the post-war period.
It must be admitted that the credit expansion of the
country has been a matter for the most serious considera-
tion for more than six months and that as far back as the
first of January the Federal Reserve Board and the Fed-
eral Reserve banks have given the matter their most
earnest consideration, but they are unwilling to admit the
justice of much of the criticism.
When the Government adopted the policy of market-
ing the bonds at a patriotic rate, the Federal Reserve
system moved by the same spirit of patriotism which
stirred us all, put itself and its resources at the disposal
of the Government. Recognizing that Government obli-
gations under normal conditions ought not to find a place
in Federal Reserve bank portfolios, it was also recognized
that the conditions were not normal and that to carry on
the War successfully, the bonds must be sold ; and no one
can establish that the bonds could have been sold in any
other manner.
In reply to the criticism that the rate should have
been an 'investment' rather than a 'patriotic' rate, the
view is expressed by some that no reasonable rate would
have sufficed to find an investment market for the bonds
because there was not surplus capital of 15 or 16 bil-
lions in the country. Others take the view that even
if present, it would have been disastrous to offer a rate
sufficient to attract it, since it would have been drawn
away from enterprises necessary to the successful con-
duet of the War. Moreover, let us recall the psychology
of the war days, remembering that at the outbreak of
the War money was cheap, and it will be evident that
the Government could with difficulty have carried
through a program of war finance on any other than a
'patriotic' rate. There were enough slackers and mal-
contents without adding to their number by giving them
opportunity to prate of the War as a rich man's war for
the enrichment of Wall Street plutocrats. Moreover,
the psychological effect of the patriotic appeal of the
Liberty Loan campaigns would have been lost. In con-
clusion of the argument, it is maintained that the in
flation, if an evil, was an unavoidable aecompanimen
of war finance, unless one were willing to strike out oi
•a new and untried course and finance the war entire!
by taxation or Government control and operation, at
fixed price for labor and materials, of all industries re
motely touching the conduct of the War, which wouh
have meant practically all industries.
In respect to discount operations, the Federal Reserv
Act provides that notes, drafts, and bills of exchang
made for an industrial, commercial, or agricultural put
pose or the proceeds of which have been or are to be s
used, are eligible for re-discount under regulations to b
provided by the Federal Reserve Board. Industrial o
commercial paper must have not more than 90 days t
run, and agricultural — which includes livestock paper-
not more than six months when presented for discoun
No loan that has been made for investment purposes c
for the purpose of carrying or trading in stocks or bone
is eligible. In addition to being eligible, paper presente
for re-discount must also be acceptable. There must be
reasonable expectation that the paper will be paid i
maturity, and to satisfy itself on this score the Feden
Reserve banks may require every note presented for r>
discount, unless secured by warehouse receipt, bill (
lading, etc., to be accompanied by a financial statemei
of the maker, which must show an excess of quick asse
over current liabilities sufficient to warrant the expect;
tion of payment at maturity.
Let us see how the matter works out in practice. ~V\
will suppose my credit at my bank is good for $501
and I borrow this amount on my unsecured note to bv
stock or to build a house. If my bank wished to re-diB
count this note with the Federal Reserve bank, it won
ask me to make out a financial statement, if it did n
already possess one, and the note, together with a eoi t
of my statement, would be sent to the Federal Reser
bank. There, upon examination of my statement,
would be seen that I was not engaged in business at
was not a farmer and that the note had not been mai
for any one of the purposes allowed by law, and it wou »
not be accepted. If, however, I were a manufaetur'
buying material with the proceeds, or a merchant buyii
goods, or a farmer buying hay or fertilizer or cattle,
harvesting my crop, the note would be re-discounted
my statement proved satisfactory.
In the face of the enormous re-discounts of today,
is hard to believe that six years ago, when the systf
was put into operation, banks were very unwilling
show re-discounts on their statements. The proble >:■»
then, was to get the banks to use the system; now, it aid as
to find a way to limit them in the amount they may :
discount.
The Federal Reserve Act provides that there shall
no discrimination among member banks but that in i
commodating one bank due regard shall be had to t tiiiu.
interest of all other banks. When the credit expansi t*
began to cause alarm last spring, Congress amended t» m.
Act. granting to the Federal Reserve banks the rightlj^ijtj
ks
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November 13, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
703
put into effect a progressive discount rate in accordance
with which a basic line of credit for a particular hank
would be determined and any accommodation beyond
this would be subject to a higher discount rate, which is
subject to a progressive increase as the amount borrowed
increases. Pour of the Federal Reserve banks have ap-
plied the progressive rate, but its influence in checking
expansion is problematical.
The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco has not
adopted the progressive rate, but has required additional
collateral, which serves to reduce the paper of the mem-
ber bank eligible for re-discount with the Federal Re-
serve Bank and also to limit its borrowing capacity with
other banks. The discount rates are determined by the
boards of directors of the Federal Reserve banks, subject
to the approval of the Federal Reserve Board.
The third fundamental principle is that of note-issue.
Federal Reserve banks may issue Federal Reserve bank-
notes and Federal Reserve notes. The former is a cur-
rency similar to National Bank notes in that it is based
on bonds and has been used chiefly to supply bills of small
denominations. The latter constitute a currency in-
tended to expand and contract in volume as the volume
of business expands and contracts — an elastic currency.
Federal Reserve notes may be issued against gold, or
against gold and re-discounted paper. They are in the
custody of the Federal Reserve agent and are issued by
him to the bank. Under normal circumstances there
must lie at least 40% of gold back of every Federal Re-
serve note issued, the rest being re-discounted paper ; but
this limit of 40% may be lowered by the Federal Re-
serve Board.
Those who have followed the reports of condition of
the Federal Reserve banks will have seen that the average
reserve of the system has been for months in the low
forties and there has been much discussion of what would
happen should it fall below that amount. As a matter
of fact, the reserve of individual Federal Reserve banks
has fallen far below 40%, but by the ability of Federal
Reserve banks to re-discount for each other, banks having
higher reserves come to the help of the banks faced with
demands beyond their means, and in this manner the
average reserve of the system has been maintained above
40%. But nothing would happen if the reserves of the
system should fall below 40%, that is, nothing in the
nature of bankruptcy of the system. The Federal Re-
serve Board would simply lower the required reserve
percentage. There is nothing sacred about the 40%, and
it is possible that maeh of the discussion about the dan-
gerously low point reached has been welcomed by the
Board as a valuable adjunct to its general compaign to
impress upon the bankers and the public the extent of
credit expansion and the need for curtailment.
The credit-lending power of the Federal Reserve banks
lies in their power to issue Federal Reserve notes. A
dollar in gold in the vault of a bank is worth a dollar and
no more. By no possible means can the bank make it
worth more, but in the vault of the Federal Reserve
banks it is worth two dollars and a half in credit, or
Federal Reserve notes, if there is re-discounted paper in
the hands of the bank.
Let us look at the transaction from another angle.
John Smith is engaged in business and needs money to
buy goods. He goes to his bank for a loan ; his credit
and his business are good, but his bank has reached the
limit of its available funds, but if Smith's note is eligible
for re-discount with the Federal Reserve bank, his bank,
if a member, can make the loan for it, can immediately
re-diseount with the Federal Reserve bank and again be
in funds. It gets from the Federal Reserve bank, Fed-
eral Reserve notes. John Smith's note may in this
fashion be converted into currency up to 60% of its
amount. John Smith's note would not circulate as cur-
rency but the Federal Reserve note will.
The ability of the Federal Reserve note currency to
expand has been completely demonstrated, since there
are now outstanding some $3,000,000,000 of such cur-
rency. It lias yet to be determined whether it has the
ability to contract with equal facility as the volume of
business contracts.
During the post-war period of readjustment, the Fed-
eral Reserve system has had many serious problems to
face, but none more serious than that touching its policy
toward inflation and high prices. "With respect to the
latter, the position has been consistently maintained that
it was not the function of the system to attempt to regu-
late prices. Its duty pertained solely to dealing with the
credit situation and if in its action in relation to credit,
prices were affected, this must be regarded as incidental
merely.
As long as a year ago the expansion of bank credit was
a cause of concern to the Federal Reserve banks and to
the Board, and in November 1919 the discount rates were
raised. It was supposed that following the crop-moving
season, liquidation would set in, credit would be con-
tracted, and the reserves would be increased ; but instead
of liquidation, there was continued expansion, with the
result that in January rates were again raised. The
normal effect of a raise of rates is to discourage re-dis-
counts and to cause the banks to restrict their loans, but
the conditions of the early part of 1920 were not normal.
There was a spirit of extravagance and of speculation ;
production had fallen off and distribution was seriously
curtailed by deficient transportation ; goods and farm
products were stored in warehouses and terminals and
could not be moved; they were being financed in large
part on credit and until they could be moved to the point
of distribution and consumption, these credits were
'frozen'. Moreover, it was a seller's market; the public
was insistent upon buying and price seemed a small con-
sideration. In these circumstances a raise in the discount
rate could not have its normal effect. But the action of
the Federal Reserve banks in raising rates and the
warnings of the Federal Reserve Board that the credit
situation was becoming acute, focussed the attention of
the country upon the need of conserving credit. Through
the Federal Reserve banks and the member banks the
borrowing public was impressed with the necessity of
704
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 13. 1920
curtailing its loans and of limiting credit to the essential
industries. In a remarkably short time the psychology
of the general public underwent a marked change. It
was no longer recklessly extravagant and regardless of
price. The public demanded lower prices; it became a
buyer's instead of a seller's market. Merchants reduced
their stocks and liquidated a part of their indebtedness.
The bankers sought to eliminate all unnecessary and
speculative loans, transportation improved, and some
'frozen' credit was thawed out.
The fear in the spring had been that the seasonal de-
mands of the crop-moving season could not be met with-
out a reduction of the reserves of the Federal Reserve
banks below 40%. That danger seems past. Liquida-
tion has, in some directions, taken place, though the total
volume of loans has increased; legitimate and necessary
business has been financed; inflation has been checked
without panic; price readjustments have been taking
place. In the process some individuals and some indus-
tries have been hurt. There has been no market for
wool; financing of the cotton crop, wheat, and the live-
stock industry has been difficult, but the policy of the
Federal Reserve Board, aimed at the checking of ex-
pansion, and at the stabilizing of conditions to prevent a
sudden crash, has met with marked success and approval.
Engineering Council
By E. H. LESLIE
A Department of Public Works of the Federal govern-
ment as advocated by the Engineering Council of the
National Engineering Societies was the subject of an in-
teresting discussion at the recent meeting of the Council
at Chicago.
For a great many years past it has been the practice of
administrative offices to dump into the Department of
Interior all matters of public welfare that did not fit in
well with other branches of the Government. As a result
the Department of Interior embodies so many different
and unallied activities that efficiency and the best results
have not been possible. The house-cleaning that is pro-
posed is to establish a Department of Public Works,
which will have within its scope all the engineering
branches of the Government and, in a large measure, take
on the present work of the Department of the Interior.
It will, of course, have no relationship with Indian
affairs, public health, and numerous other matters that
at present come within the scope of the Department of
the Interior. There has been considerable opposition to
this movement on the part of the Army engineers by
reason of the fact that such a department might super-
sede their present authority. It is hoped and expected
that all the difficulties attendant upon the establishment
of a Department of Public Works will be overcome, and
new suggestions toward this end will be offered.
The report of the Patents committee was also of im-
portance. It is hoped that the bill providing for in-
creased pay to employees of the Patent Office will event-
ually pass Congress. There was a day when Government
departmental employees could exist on the governmental
honorarium. However, that day is long past and a salary
commensurate with the value of services rendered is very
much in order, or the whole work of the Patent Office will
be impeded. The work of this office is of real importance
to engineers and the public at large, and as it has never
functioned on a par with similar departments of some of
the other nations, there is lots of room for- improvement.
To provide salaries for the employees, compatible with
what similar services outside the Office would command,
will be a step in the right direction and tend toward a
stronger and more efficient organization. The Council is
in favor of such a bill and is giving it the full support of
the Societies.
The report of the License Committee was another im-
portant matter that came before the Council and was the
subject of considerable discussion and diversity of opin-
ion. There were those present who believed that if a
referendum to the engineers was made on the subject,
there would be a large majority opposed to a license bill.
The majority of the members of the Council believed,
however, that such would not be the case. It was gen-
erally agreed that a license bill for engineers is something
that all engineers must anticipate whether they want it
or not. Such bills are now in force in a number of the
States and other countries and are almost inevitable for
this country. It is, therefore, germane to the work of the
Societies to take cognizance of this movement and give
direction to it. If engineers are going to be licensed, it
is well that, among themselves, a program or bill be
worked out that will have their approval. Just what
defines an engineer under the proposed license bill was a
matter of discussion. The fact that the term has been so
widely and so wrongfully used, makes definition im
portant. There are men in charge of one horse-power
gasoline engines who term themselves 'engineers' as well
as men who design and take charge of important engi-
neering projects. In the wording of the bill, the phrase
"professional engineers hereinafter called engineers"
was adopted. The proposed bill will apply to architects,
engineers, and land-surveyors. The report of the Com
mittee on the proposed bill was accepted. Edwin Ludlow
voiced the opinion that a license bill would prove ex-
ceedingly awkward to the consulting mining engineers,
as it would necessitate holding license in numerous States
as well as countries. Philip N. Moore was of the opinion
that a referendum to the mining engineers would show
them not in favor of a license bill of any kind. J. Parke
Channing differed with Mr. Moore in this, which seemed
to be the consensus of opinion of the Council.
The work being done by the Council is of no little im-
portance to the professions represented and it is to be
hoped that the present organization can be continued
a permanent body and its field of activities enlarged
upon. The numerous public problems having a direct
bearing upon the engineer, require authoritative consid-
eration at the bands of men qualified to speak and as such
a representative Council is a real asset to the professions
represented and a help to the Federal government.
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November 13, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
70.)
Report of Special Gold Committee to the Secretary
of the Treasury
February 11, 1919.
To the honorable the Secretary of the Treasury.
Sir: On November 2, 1918, your predecessor ap-
pointed the undersigned a coniruittee to investigate
present conditions in the gold-mining industry and to
study the problem carefully and thoroughly with a view
:o definitely ascertaining all the difficulties confronting
jold production and submitting suggestions of sane and
grand methods of relief.
The nature of the problem submitted to the committee
tas well stated in the letter of Secretary MeAdoo to
delegate Sulzer of Alaska, under date of June 10, 1918,
which reference has been made in almost all resolu-
ions or discussions of the subject since that time. That
iter is reproduced herewith.
At that time the War was at its height and there was
very prospect of a prolonged war. Contrary to the be-
B! apparently entertained in many quarters, the struc-
G of banking credit in any country during war times
oes not depend very much, if at all, on the amount of
old that can be made available as a reserve for that
tructure. Undoubtedly the rise in prices in this coun-
ry since 1914 is to a great extent due to the heavy im-
ortations of gold during 1915 and 1916, but it does not
allow that the export of a corresponding amount of gold
t the present time would operate to 'bring down prices.
l8 a matter of fact, it is the judgment of this committee
lat it would not so operate until we have reached or
pproached normal peace conditions. In time of peace
>e gold reserve is undoubtedly an important factor in
introlling the credit structure, but in time of war that
ructure is determined by other causes. This distinction
sometimes overlooked and much inaccurate thinking
; due to this oversight. Under war conditions the im-
erative necessity of the Government for the production
f war essentials determines Government expenditures.
ad this expenditure cannot be modified to meet the
anking needs of the country ; on the contrary, the bank-
ig policies of the country must conform to the fiscal
aliey of the Government. Under these circumstances,
le only way in which the expansion of banking credits
in be checked is by a reduction of civil demands to eor-
spond with the expanding needs for Government ex-
nditure. The credit saved through this reduction of
vil demands becomes available to the Government
rough the purchase of Government securities, or
rough the payment of taxes. To the extent to which
eh saying and resulting investment does not take place,
ovemment obligations must be taken by the banks,
Iving rise to credits to the Government which create
IditionaJ purchasing power for the use of the Govern-
pnt. This additional purchasing power, in turn, com-
petes with the demands of private individuals, driving
up prices against the Government and against the civil
consumer and ultimately impairs the individual's pur-
chasing power to an amount roughly equivalent to the
impairment that might better have been brought about
through voluntary saving. The credit structure thus
erected depends inevitably upon Government needs and
upon the willingness and ability of the community to
impose upon itself voluntary restraint in expenditure.
In other words, the structure will be high if the com-
munity fails to save.
The results in saving achieved in the United States
were remarkable, but no program of saving can be in-
stantly put into effect, and the expansion of the credit
structure that took place under these circumstances was
inevitable and could not have been controlled through
any reduction in the gold reserve.
This being so and a long war being beliieved in pros-
pect, it was important to maintain a strong gold reserve
in order that there might be no impairment of confidence
in the convertibility of our currency and in our ability
ultimately to settle any international indebtedness in
gold.
The cessation of hostilities has radically changed this
situation, and, with the change in the situation, any need
of particular effort to promote or stimulate our gold
production which may have existed has ceased. There is
now no danger of an impairment of confidence. The
dimensions of our financial problems are becoming clear,
and we know that we can without permanent strain meet
any financial requirement the Government will l>e willing
to assume. Some further expansion of credit may result
from our expenditures for demobilization and readjust-
ment, but we can look forward to a comparatively early
contraction of our credit structure with the attending
circumstances of a free gold market and a. gold reserve
that shall once more perform its normal function of regu-
lating credit conditions. That movement will, we be-
lieve, be both preceded and accompanied by lower com-
modity prices.
Under these circumstances there is, in our opinion, no
need for artificial stimulation of gold production. Not
only has any need therefor passed, but there have come
into operation causes that will in due time restore all in-
dustry, including the mining of gold, to a normal basis.
Gold mining will then become again normally profitable
and respond automatically to normal stimuli.
It is therefore the judgment of this committee that no
steps should be taken by the Government to stimulate or
promote the production of gold.
The representatives of the gold-mining interests very
properly based their suggestions for relief jqm the public
706
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 13. 1920
necessity for a larger production of gold and not on the
hardships suffered by them as parties interested in an
industry in which the margin of profit had been turned
into a loss. They recognized that such diminishing profits
and such losses were inevitable under the shifting condi-
tions of war. and that merely as producers they had no
better claim to relief than any other section of the com-
munity suffering a reduction of profits or incurring losses
under the changing incidence of war conditions.
In the course of its consideration of the subject re-
ferred to it this committee has conferred with a com-
mittee appointed by the American Gold Conference held
at Reno in August 1918, under the presidency of Gov.
Emmet D. Boyle, of Nevada ; it has had the benefit of the
very complete survey of the conditions of the gold-mining
industry contained in the report dated October 30. 1918,
of the committee appointed by the Secretary of the In-
terior to study the gold situation, of which Hennen Jen-
nings, Esq., was chairman, and of the report dated No-
vember 29, 1918, of the gold production committee ap-
pointed by the commissioners of the British treasury
under the chairmanship of Lord Inchcape ; they have
conferred with or secured the views of Prof. Irving
Fisher and other eminent economists, besides which they
have had referred to them a considerable volume of cor-
respondence expressing widely varying views which had
been received by the Secretary of the Treasury and the
Director of the Mint.
It is interesting to note that the British treasury com-
mittee arrived at the same conclusion as that which we
have reached.
We can not refrain from expressing gratification at the
substantial unanimity of opinion among those whose
position or experience entitled their views to respectful
consideration against suggested measures of relief that
would have had a tendency to undermine or upset our
standards of value.
Respectfully submitted. Albert Strauss.
Edwin F. Gay.
Raymond T. Baker.
Emmet D. Boyle.
Pope Yeatman.
Oil-Pipe Lines
*The pipes for conveying oil are laid on the surface
of the ground, or at a depth varying from 18 in. to 3 ft.
beneath the surface, and the main lines are generally 8
in. diameter. The oil is forced through the pipes by
means of pumps operated either by steam or by internal-
combustion engines. The pump stations are situated
from H to 90 miles apart, varying with the condition of
the country through which the pipe-lines extend, and the
viscosity of the oil to be handled. As stated, the size of
pipe generally used is 8 in. diameter. The specifications
require that it be of a uniform quality, and of steel, that
the threads be carefully made so as to make as perfect a
•Abstracted from a bulletin of the U. S. Bureau of Mines
by C. P. Bowie.
union between joints as possible, and that it be capable
of safely withstanding an internal pressure of 2000 1)>.
per square inch. It is estimated by the U. S. Geological
Survey that the total mileage of oil trunk lines in the
United States today is approximately 34,000, and that'
the gathering systems, which are a fundamental part of
the trunk systems, aggregate about 11,500 miles in length,:
making a total of 45,500 miles. At the time most of the
lines were constructed, the average cost per mile based'
on 8-in. pipe was about $6500. The cost of the average
pump station at that time varied from $130,000 to $250,-
000. The cost at the present time would be much iD
excess of these figures on account of the increased cost of
equipment and the labor of installing.
The difference between the published pipe-line tariff
rates and the railroad rates for shipping crude oil liavi
always been so large that refiners and producers, everi
though they have no pipe-line systems of their own, cant
not afford to ship by rail, except for comparatively shor
distances. The pipe-line rates, although greatly in
creased in recent years, are still much lower than thi
charged by the railroads for tank-car shipments. It
evident, therefore, that because of this relative cheapnes.'
in transportation, so long as the oil industry endures thi
pipe-line systems of the country will be a very importan
adjunct to it.
The viscosity of the oil to be transported, and thi.
topography of the country through which pipe-lines pass
are the governing factors determining the distance be
tween pumping-stations. The average distance betweei
pumping-stations in the Midwestern and Eastern State
is about 35 miles, while the average distance betweei
stations in California, where a relatively thick viscou
oil is handled, is about 12 miles, although, as pointed ou
above, stations are sometimes not more than a mile ani
a half apart, and in extreme cases are placed as muc
as 90 miles apart. The equipment of a pumping-statio
depends primarily upon the quality and quantity of th
oil to be handled. It depends also, to a certain extern
upon the fuel and water supply. Equipment is usuall
provided in excess of ordinary demands, so that there i
always in reserve extra pump-power to meet unusual dt
mands, thereby avoiding shut-downs where repairs ar
needed to pumps and boilers. As has been pointed ou
the usual form of motive power are steam-engines an
internal-combustion engines. The pumps are designe
to deliver through an 8-in. pipe-line approximately 30,00
bbl. of oil in 24 hours, working under a line pressure c
700 to 900 lb. per square inch.
a)
k
n
J.
I*
k\
The average monthly production of copper in Mexii >m\
has reached 4,681,020 lb., according to reports of tf *%;
Department of Industry, Commerce, and Labor of th;
country. The average monthly production of gold, a
cording to the same authority, is now 1965 oz. and <
silver 170,824 oz. At the present time there are i
Mexico 60,569 denounced mining claims, 2017 of whi(j ^|,
were denounced prior to 1892. Taxes are being paid c
30,990 claims, while 3867 claims are reported as beii
actively worked.
':•)
lubt'i- 13, ID20
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
707
R E3£IE
-xT^m
IMING
FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS IN THE FIELD
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ARIZONA
B1SBKE MINES ARE CURTAILING FURTHER. MINERS ARE
LAID-OFF.
Bisbee. — The Denn-Arizona Mining Co. ceased opera-
tions on October 30. except for pumping, and laid-off ap-
proximately 100 men ; this action being taken on account
of the condition of the copper market. The Shattuck-
Arizona company and the Shattuek mill, which are under
the same management, will continue to operate for the
time being at least, on the same basis as heretofore. This
announcement, in conjunction with that of the curtail-
ment of work on Sacramento hill, by the Phelps Dodge
interests, causing a lay-off of about 350 men on November
1, comes as a decided blow to the district. That it is a
temporary condition that will change as soon as there is
an improvement in the copper market, is agreed gen-
erally among local mining men.
The crisis in the copper market is only temporary, ac-
cording to G. H. Dowell, general manager of the Copper
Queen branch of the Phelps Dodge Corporation at Bis-
bee. "The Copper Queen has at this time more than
seven months production on hand, ' '. said Dowell, ' ' which
aggregates about 35,000,000 lb. of copper. Wages and
supplies have been high and it has cost about 18c. per
pound to produce the copper. The present prices of cop-
per are in my mind artificial. They have not been gov-
erned by the law of supply and demand." Mr. Dowell
said that it is imposible to close down, but that operations
must be curtailed to a minimum — probably less than 50%
of normal. He declared that with the present cost of
supplies and wages, and the present price of copper, it is
impossible to operate at a profit. With an improvement
in the situation Dowell said that the company plans the
expenditure of three or four million dollars on its reduc-
tion works at Douglas. Experiments with this in view
have been carried on there by H. H. Stout.
Jerome. — The United Verde Mining Co. of Jerome
laid-off 30% of its men on November 1. H. Dewitt Smith,
superintendent of mines, said : ' ' Our action in laying off
practically one-third of our men, is due simply to the fact
that we cannot sell our copper. No men with dependent
families are being laid-off. We are laying-off only single
men, or men whose families are not living with them in
Jerome. I should say that about 75% of our single men
will be laid-off." The United Verde Extension Mining
Co. has declared a quarterly dividend of 50c. per share,
payable November 1, to stockholders of record at the close
of business October 5. A statement to stockholders by the
board of directors is as follows: Development work on
the lower levels has been slow, but on the 1500-ft. level a
notable increase of higher-grade ore has resulted. On the
1600-ft. level we have drifted in ore for 100 ft., but the
indications for as large a body of ore as we have on the
1500-ft. level are not so good. The 1700-ft. development
in favorable ground will be delayed until further work is
done on the 1600-ft. level. In the upper levels of the
ftft/Sictfovntain Mint-
(bid Bonn Mine*
I .mihrnn. *'*"*>*»«*.££%
' v ! •Copper Mn
A
■> « Mmrafftr*/,;*. #„& „,,*. ' •
U •Uorc»ht}ntm/ne \<8r •&•" M'KuaonMiM
•7 °Bl - ^ Golcwda/tine %stocklon Httls «//wS^ ^/ ij,fVAVL.
/ m Tyn'!">ej Cerbot/rl/ne • s ^~~Z " mttolKovf ft"*
Stxtptrml xuk At S .nil"
Skingman • g,KrtrlKmm,
KINGMAN-OATMAN DISTRICT, ARIZONA
mine development has been satisfactory- The following
figures are from the financial statement :
Cash on hand October 1, 1920 $1,069,442
Liberty bonds, par value $3,364,400, market. . . . 2,946,581
Copper on hand October 1, 1920, pounds 27,014,614
Wickenburg. — The advertisement for sale at sacrifice
prices, by a Los Angeles firm of the entire equipment of
the famous Vulture mine at Wickenburg. recalls the fact
that for many years this mine was one of the best pro-
ducing gold properties in Arizona. It is reported that
several million dollars worth of ore was removed from
this property. The mine was shut-down about three
708
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 13. 1920
years ago and it was recently decided to sell the equip-
ment while it was in good condition. This is said to be
worth considerably over a quarter of a million dollars
and to include modern equipment of all kinds.
Cave Creek. — The old Go John mine in the Cave
Creek district, 30 miles north of Phoenix, is again ship-
ping ore after years of inaction. Samples from the face
of new workings show nearly 30 oz. silver, 0.5 oz. gold,
and some copper. A long tunnel is being run to cut the
vein from which the rich ore is being taken at a depth of
50 feet.
Oatman District. — A shoot of $24 ore is reported in
the United American mine at Oatman. Following the
recent discoveries in the Tom Reed, this strike is of par-
ticular interest to the Oatman district.
Globe. — The Old Dominion company has announced
that four contests for prizes in first-aid work, open to all
employees, will be held on or about December 1, 1920,
February 1, April 1, and June 1, 1921. Three teams of
six men each must take part in the contests, and the
prizes will be in the form of a payment of $5 per month
to each member of the winning team for the number of
months remaining in the year from date of contest. The
contests will be held under the auspices of the Globe-
Miami Mine Rescue and First Aid Association.
Superior. — In a drilling contest held recently an
American mine-drilling team won a victory over a Mex-
ican team in a 15-minute contest, winning a prize of
$1000. The winners drilled 36^ inches in the 15-minute
period, as compared to 24J in. by the Mexicans. Drop-
ping of a hammer, however, badly handicapped the lat-
ter team.
COLORADO
gacsche process in successful operation. — LESSEES at
LEADVTLLE are active.
Cripple Creek. — The new mill and concentrating plant
of the Lincoln Mines & Eeduction Co. on Ironclad hill,
using the Gausche process, is in operation, and reported
to be handling 100 tons of low-grade gold ore from the
company's property daily. The initial run and clean-up
will be of interest to local operators. Miners are steadily
returning and operating forces are steadily getting back
to normal.
October production, curtailed by the labor shortage in
the first half of the month, totaled 35,256 tons with an
average value of $12 per ton and gross bullion value of
$425,298. The Golden Cycle mill at Colorado Springs re-
ported the treatment of 16,000 tons of $19 ore and the
Portland company's Independence mill handled 18.556
tons of $3.70 grade. The remaining 790 tons shipped
direct to the smelter at Pueblo had an estimated value
of $75 per ton.
Idaho Springs. — The holdings of the Argo Reduction
& Ore Purchasing Co., including the old Gunnel mine
and the Argo mill and tunnel, have been taken over by
the Gem Mining Co. This company recently acquired the
properties of the Idaho Mining, Tunnel & Transportation
Co. which it is operating. The Gem stockholders are New
York capitalists.
Durango. — The Co-operative Mining & Milling Co.,
owning and operating properties in the La Platas, has
recently made the discovery of a four-foot vein of good
silver-gold shipping ore. Lessees at the Idaho mine are
reported mining $50 ore and have a shipment out ; May-
day lessees are cleaning out No. 2 tunnel preparatory to
development. Heavy snow has fallen.
Leadville. — Lessees of the Fanny Rawlins have open-
ed a new body of zinc sulphate at the first level and have
commenced production at the rate of one ear per week.
This ore is shipped to the Western Zinc Co.'s plant at
Leadville. Sub-lessees on the third and fourth levels are
mining and shipping silver ore averaging $50 per ton at
the rate of 50 tons weekly to the A. V. smelter. The ore
also carries some gold and copper. The Helen Gould
mine in Tennessee gulch is producing low-grade gold-
silver-copper ore. The mine is operated under lease.
The National Mining Co., operating the Chicago in Iowa
gulch, has cut minor veins in the course of development
but is continuing its tunnel to a point 200 ft. ahead where
a junction of veins is looked for, and where it is expected
an orebody of good size will be found.
MICHIGAN
MOHAWK. ARCADIAN CONSOLIDATED. SENECA.
Calumet. — "With some producing properties in the
Lake district closed and others operating far below the
rate of 1918, surplus metal stocks are steadily growing
and the mines can do little else than mark time. With
the recent drop in metal prices, the Lake mines are in a
position not unlike that which prevailed at the beginning
of 1919 when copper dropped from 26 to 14i<:\ per
pound. Efforts have centred throughout the lean
months' on a reduction in costs and there are hopes that
the mines will be able to survive the dull condition of the
metal market.
Ahmeek's production is holding close to that of Sep-
tember, with an average of 2750 tons of 'rock-' daily.
The October yield is estimated at about 1,600,000 lb. Nffl
2 shaft continues to be the biggest producer. The fissure-
vein in this shaft still plays an important role and con-
siderable 'mass' copper is coming from the fissare drifts.
The openings are going westward on seven levels and. in
the event mineralization continues, all of the drifts will
reach the Kearsarge conglomerate, which is about 1250
ft. west of the Kearsarge amygdaloid. From time to
time some of the drifts widen out to two feet, making the
operations highly profitable. The fissure openings will
permit the first extensive exploration of the conglomerate
formation since it was opened by the old Ahmeek. .
The Kearsarge lode on the 25th level of No. 4 shaft,
Mohawk, has begun to widen and there are indications it
again will reach the abnormal width of 35 or 40 ft. The
continuation of this 'wide spot' is a decidedly favorably
factor in Mohawk's life. In addition to increasing the
yield per ton it is adding more years to its period if
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Novembt-r 13, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
709
productiveness. The same characteristics that were
iioTii) in the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th levels are visible in the
2.~>th urul it is believed the wide section "ill continue at
least for 400 ft. just as it has in the levels immediately
above. Operations continue in the levels between the
■2nd and 24th. inclusive, and the ground is being re-
moved ius close to the hanging wall as possible, leaving
only sufficient ground to ensure safety and prevent cav-
ing. The workings also are kept reasonably safe by the
use of poor 'rock' from the upper levels for filling pur-
poses. The yield of Mohawk varies from 23 to 24 lb., or
slightly above the normal for the past sis months, and
'mass' totals about 7% of the entire production in re-
fined copper. Mohawk and Wolverine continue to mill
their rock in the Mohawk plant and this arrangement
will continue as long as the lull in the market holds out
and the price of fuel and labor remains at
present levels. Both mines will have a suffi-
cient supply of coal until the re-opening of
navigation in the spring, providing operations
•continue on the present basis of 60% of
normal. The prevailing price of bituminous
•coal, $11 per ton delivered at the mine, makes
it improbable that any of the Lake properties
will lay in stocks to provide for a possible
increase in the metal demand. Most of the
•companies, in fact, consider themselves for-
tunate to secure enough eoal for the winter
on the curtailed basis. Mohawk is construct-
ing a number of stope-scrapers, modeled on
the lines of one in service for 60 days. Mo-
hawk also is building a level-scraper, pat-
terned after its zinc-field model. Less steel
will be used in its construction-, however,
making it possible to move it from level to
level with greater facility.
Franklin's future course, so far as resumption of op-
I •erations is concerned, will not be announced until De-
I 'Cember 1, though a decision was expected at the end of
October. Pumps in No. 1 shaft will continue in commis-
sion so that the mine will be dry and ready to re-open on
short notice. A small force of men has been kept at
"work since suspension, and the openings are in condition
for immediate use, providing instructions to resume are
forthcoming.
Arcadian Consolidated will cut the 7th level in its
New Baltic shaft shortly and by the time the vein is
opened by drifting a decision will have been reached as
to winter plans. In the event the management decides to
•continue operations through the winter, the immediate
•objective will be the 9th level. At the rate the shaft has
been sunk from the 4th, the 900-ft. station should be cut
during late winter or early spring. The principal opera-
tion thereafter — the driving of a drift to connect with
"the Arcadian shaft — will be one of great importance to
the property, for it will determine the extent southward
of mineralization. Inasmuch as the showing in the
Arcadian shaft is satisfactory there is hope for the ex-
tension of the rich ore opened in the Baltic shaft. This
would ensure long levels of commercial 'rock' that could
1m- tapped from both ends, making possible a large pro-
duction.
In collection with the sharp rise in Seneca slock there
have been rumors of the finding of a new lode. There is
no confirmation. The only manner in which a new vein
would be opened would be by cross-cutting, and for the
past year or more, save for diamond-drill operations,
Seneca's work has consisted entirely of developing the
Kearsarge amygdaloid. Among reports that have been
circulated is a story that the Douglass lode has been
opened on Seneca property. Little credence is given this
rumor, for the Douglass vein, which incidentally has
been opened only on the old Arcadian property, is situ-
ated far to the east of the Kearsarge amygdaloid and
nearer the zone explored by Mayflower. It is not im-
possible that the Douglass could be tapped by Seneca,
FAGAN CONSOLIDATED MINE, SIMON DISTRICT, NEVADA
at great depth. The showing in development work con-
tinues satisfactory.
NEVADA
J. H. FARRELL REPORTS ON THE DIVIDE MINE. ORE-RESERVES
ARE $1,500,000 WITH ONLY FAIR PROSPECTS FOR
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT.
Divide. — In his report submitted July 1, 1919, A. I.
D 'Arcy, then consulting engineer to the Tonopah Divide
company, said that "as a matter of speculation," figuring
silver at $1 per ounce, the mine "could be expected to
produce $9,108,000 gross from the present workings."
On December 31, 1919, B. A. Julian, then consulting en-
gineer, made a report that was not made public until
nearly four months later. Julian, figuring silver at $1.25
per ounce, estimated the gross value of the ore at $1,385,-
000. Now J. H. Farrell, reported to have examined the
mine for the Hayden-Stone-Jackling interests, says in
his report that the "assured and probable ore" is worth
$1,558,733, figuring silver at $1 per ounce. "New ore
opened in recent development work is, of course, only
partly blocked-out, but liberal allowance has been made,
both as to continuity of shoots and average value of the
ore", the report says. The D'Arcy report was optimistic
710
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 13, 1920
as to the future of the mine, the Julian report was less
so. and the Farrell report is still less so. D'Arcy said:
"The appearance and size of the vein surely indicate that
the orebodies will persist to great depth", whereas Far-
rel says :" Oxidation, kaolinization. and leaching have ex-
tended from the surface to the 1000-ft. level, but primary
sulphides have been left in most of the ore-shoots as close
to the surface as the 165-ft. level. When the water-level
is as deep as it is here it is often not well-defined and
does not produce a distinct zone of enrichment. Under
such circumstances, while metals are re-distributed to a
considerable extent, they are not necessarily concen-
trated. Another consideration is that an important part
of the original silver content of the upper vein-zone has
been stabilized as the relatively insoluble silver chloride. ' '
However, he says : ' ' There is always the mining chance
that the rather weak primary mineralization of the upper
levels may, as its source is approached, give place to a
much more important occurrence of ore minerals, and
this chance is worth investigating, not only on the 1000-ft.
level, but possibly at greater depth, though this will de-
pend largely on the condition on this level." He con-
siders that "good ore occurring at or near the water-
level, due to metals leached from the upper or oxidized
zone", is a "possibility". But, he says: "Owing to the
rather erratic character of the fractures and the fact
that they developed into clay seams rather than open
fissures, the primary mineralization probably was corre-
spondingly spotty or erratic, as was also the concentra-
tion due to downward-leaching surficial waters. It is
accordingly impossible to determine with any certainty
whether the apparent, weakness of the primary stage is
due to structural conditions unfavorable to ore deposi-
tion or to a brief and inffeetual period of mineralization.
The bulk of the evidence rather favors the latter hy-
pothesis. This point is important ; otherwise the deposits
might be expected to become more extensive with depth
and mere concentrated, especially if a favorable forma-
tion underlies the Divide breccia." Farrell makes sev-
eral statements regarding the possibility of secondary en-
richment and in the most definite he says in referring to
a report made by George H. Garrey: "The writer has
read this report and has derived much valuable informa-
tion from it, though, differing with Mr. Garrey, he be-
lieves that secondary enrichirfent will be of minor im-
portance." Two ore-shoots have been mined for widths
of 8 to 30 and lengths of 50 to 75 ft., according to the
report. "The more important parts of these shoots are
above the fourth level. The orebodies occur at intersec-
tions of eross-fractures with the main vein-zone and other
smaller shoots doubtless will be found within the devel-
oped parts of the vein. It is thought that important, ad-
ditions to the ore-reserves will be made by prospecting
now being done above the 165-ft., or first level. The
showing on the fourth and fifth levels is rather disap-
pointing, but there are still some development chances to
be tried." ( D'Arcy reported of the fourth level that the
south-east drift, for 110 ft., "sampled across the width of
the drift at 5 -'ft. intervals, give average assay values of
$148 per ton." The report is regarded as definitely set-
tling the uncertainty that followed the issuance of the
Julian report, which it cheeks closely as to ore-reserves.
Noting the work being done on the 800 and 1000-ft.
levels, Farrell says: "The early results of this work may
not fulfill expectations, but there is a chance of rinding
by consistent development orebodies similar to those of
the upper levels, but possibly not of such high grade, as
the upper ores are formed by silver-chloride enrichment.
However, the prospecting chance on the 1000-ft. level, as
well as below water-level, is one that should be thor-
oughly tried out." Practically all of the ore in the mine
is in the rhyolite breccia and the report points to the
possibility of finding gold ore in the rhyolite. Farrell
says of this: "Earlier mining operations proved the ex-
istence of several small veins in the rhyolite and later
work in the same formation has suggested the possibility
of extensive low-grade deposits. The possibility is worthy
of detailed investigation."
Goodspeings. — The Christmas Consolidated is to spend
$4000 in development of the seven vanadium claims own-
ed by the company. Another $1000 will be spent in
building roads and sinking a shaft a short distance to
find water. Little work has been done on the claims.
West Divide. — Zeb Kendall has completed payments
on the McCoy and Cook stock in the West Divide that he
held under option. A cross-cut has been driven to the
vein 25 ft. below the tunnel-level and 3^ to 4 ft. of "rich
ore" has been found, according to L. L. Patrick, manager.
Battle Mountain.— The 400-ft. shaft of the Betty
O'Neal, an old silver producer at Lewis, 12 miles south
of here, has been unwatered and the first mining since
1883 has been started, with 20 men employed. The water
had been at the 250-ft. level for 38 years, but the sliaft-
timbers were found in good condition. It is said that
several good widths of ore have been found and Noble
Getchell, general manager, whose father worked the mine
until 1883, plans to build a mill in the spring.
Mina. — It is reported that engineers of the Dome
Mines, Ltd., have been retained to supervise the construc-
tion of the reduction plant of the Simon Silver-Lead Co.
and are now at the property. The capacity of the initial
unit is to be 150 tons per 24 hours, constructed so that
additional units may be added. The milling ore devel-
oped in the mine to date together' with the additional
tonnage exposed as development work is carried forward
on the lower levels is sufficient to keep the mill in opera-
tion for several years.
Pioche. — John R. Cook, manager for the Mascot Silver
Mining Co., which owns the Yuba East mine, near here,
is at Salt Lake City making arrangements for the early
resumption of work at the property. A large tonnage of
milling ore is available for treatment. About two years
ago, several care of high-grade silver-lead ore were ship-
ped from the property, since which time it has been idle.
The Salt Lake Route has taken no action as yet regard-
ing a reduction in freight-rates on shipments of ore from
this district. During the week ending October 30. the
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MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
711
Prince Consolidated shipped 1750 tonsj Virginia-Louise,
t,:.i>. Consolidated Nevada-Utah, 200; Bristol Silver
Mines. 160; Black Metals, 105; Bristol-Battles lease, 45;
Campbell lease, 45; total, 2955 tons.
IT AH
BRONZE TABLET nil; UTAH COPPED EX-SERVICE MEN. —
REPORT OP PROGRESS AT TINTIC standard MINE.
Salt Lake City. — On November 3 a magnificient
bronze tablet, the gift of the Utah Copper Co. and the
Bingham & Garfield Railway Co.. was dedicated in the
(Bee of R. C. Gemmell, general manager, in the presence
of the Salt Lake City office employees of the two com-
panies. The dedication address was by Reverend Elmer
I. Goshen. The tablet bears the inscription at the top
"This tablet is Dedicated in Honor of Those Employees
Who Answered the Call of Our Country and Enrolled
for Service. 1917-1918" followed by the names of the
employees. About 775 employees of the two
companies entered Government service during
the world war, 17 of whom made the supreme
sacrifice.
The Grasselli Chemical Co.. which has been
in the zinc-ore purchasing business in this
State for twenty years, has decided to close
its offices in this city. George H. Short, local
manager, states that this action has been taken
tin account of the increase in freight-rates, as
well as the unsatisfactory market conditions.
The hearing before representatives of the In-
terstate Commerce Commission regarding in-
:reases in intrastate freight-rates on ore and
was begun on November 1. Walter
tch, president of the Chief Consolidated
ing Co., the largest shipper in the Tintic
rict and one of the leading silver pro-
bers in the United States, introduced ex-
libits to show the high earning power of the
railroads on existing rates on ores. He stated that they
nust be the source of substantial profit to the railroads,
ind characterized the plea of the carriers as "a blind
msiness proposition ". Jackson McChrystal, represent-
ng the Gemini, Godiva, Ridge & Valley, and Eureka
Vlines companies, introduced testimony to show the
iffect the proposed increase in rates would have on the
iroperties he represented. A. G. Mackenzie, secretary
if the Utah Chapter of the American Mining Congress,
ind H. W. Prickett, of the Traffic Service Bureau, gave
heir views on the proposed increases, and expressed the
ipinion that many of the low-grade metal and coal mines
>f the State would be compelled to suspend operations.
Bingham. — The contract labor system at the Utah-
^.pex property, under which miners and other laborers
ire paid according to the amount of work accomplished,
s resulting in an increased efficiency of 50% over the
vage-scale system. Sinking of the four-compartment
haft from the 2000-ft. level to the 2400 is proceeding
atisfactorily, although somewhat handicapped by-short-
ige of labor. It is expected that an extension of the rich
orebody out on the 2000-l't. level will be opened at this
depth. On the 1300 and 1400-ft. levels, where the down-
ward extension of the Parvenu orebody — one of the rich-
est deposits in the property — has been found, conditions
are interesting. About 300 tons of ore per day is being
treated in the mill, where an oil-flotation unit was re-
cently installed with excellent results. Prom 200 to 300
tons per day of straight smelting ore is also being pro-
duced. When the condition of the market for lead war-
rants, production can be substantially increased. No
action has been taken as yet by the Utah Consolidated
Mining Co. to appeal the decision of Judge Johnson in
the recent litigation to the Circuit Court of Appeals.
Within 30 days after the official entry of the decree, the
Utah Consolidated must file with the court a statement
of all ore extracted from ground now held to belong to
the Utah-Apex Co. The latter then has the right to take
exceptions to the findings. Since the court's decision, the
THE ROCHESTER MILL, AT ROCHESTER, NEVADA
Utah Consolidated has ceased mining in the workings
wherein it was found to be trespassing.
A special meeting of the stockholders of the Bingham.
Mines Co. was held at the head office of the company in
Portland, Maine, on November 10. to vote on recom-
mendations of directors that the company purchase 50,-
000 shares of its stock at $10 per share and hold same as
unissued capital stock, thereby reducing the outstanding
capital from $1,500,000 to $1,000,000. .,
Eureka. — The directors of the North Standard Mining
Co. have levied an assessment of one cent per share on
the outstanding stock. The levy was delinquent Novem-
ber 2 and the sales-date is November 22,, Shipments of
ore from this district for the week ending October , 30
dropped back to the normal output, totaling 129 cars, of
which the Chief Consolidated shipped" 35 •;. Tintic Stand-
ard, 34; Dragon, 12; Mammoth, 1,1; Eagle & Blue Bell,
7 ; Iron King, 6 ; Grand Central, 6 ; Victoria,- 4 ; Swansea,
3 ; Iron Blossom, 3 ; Sunbeam, 3 ; Bitllio-n^Beek-, 2 : Ridge
& Valley, 1 ; Gold Chain, 1 ; Alaska. 1.- ; The power-line to
the South Standard property has been completed and the
712
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 13, 1020
transformers installed. It is stated that the shaft at this
property will be sunk to a depth of several hundred feet
during the winter. Work has been suspended at the
Copper Leaf property, in the eastern part of the district.
During the past few years, considerable exploration work
has been done by this company in the hope of finding an
extension of the Tintic Standard orebody. A deep work-
ing shaft was sunk and extensive drifting has been done
on two levels. Many small bunches of ore were found
but no large deposits. The property is well equipped,
amply financed, and it is not expected that it will remain
inactive for any considerable period.
During the month of October, the Tintic Standard
Mining Co. shipped 150 carloads of ore, containing 50 to
55 tons per car, which netted the company from $25 to
$30 per ton, or a total net profit of approximately $200,-
000. Shipments could be increased if the railway com-
pany could supply additional cars. The present produc-
tion is coming from the 1100, 1250, and 1350-ft. levels.
The reserves of mill-ore are estimated at between 700,000
and 800,000 tons, with additional tonnage being devel-
oped all the time. More miners have been secured and
the employees as a whole are rendering more efficient
service, according to E. -J. Raddatz, president. The area
in which operations are being conducted constitutes about
600 or 700 ft. on the strike of the mineralized zone, which
runs through the property for a distance of nearly three
miles. Mr. Raddatz believes it will take five years to
open the mine to permit maximum pi'oduction.
Park City. — One of the most important pieces of de-
velopment work now under way is the driving of a drift
from the 600-ft. level of the Ontario to prospect at depth
the Naildriver property. This drift will enter the latter
property at a depth of 2300 ft., or 400 ft. below the deep-
est workings at present, and will also serve to prospect
virgin territory of the Ontario. The Judge Mining &
Smelting Co. is retaining its technical staff at the zinc
smelter, which was closed on October 22, for the purpose
of conducting experiments and to have the plant in con-
dition for resumption of operations when conditions war-
rant. Practically all of the workmen at the smelter have
been given employment in the mines of the district.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
ENGINEER MINE INVOLVED IN LEGAL CONTROVERSY. PLAT-
INUM IN TULAMEEN RIVER COUNTRY.
Vancouver. — The Federal government has instructed
the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to turn back pros-
pectors going to Fort Norman, at the junction of the
Great Bear and Mackenzie rivers, unless they are com-
pletely equipped to withstand the rigors of the northern
winter. This order is similar to one in effect during the
rush to the Yukon, when gold was first discovered, and,
like that one, has been issued purely to prevent useless
loss of life and privation among unequipped people rush-
ing to the northern regions to stake claims. A number
of properly equipped parties have arranged to make the
trip within the next few weeks. By a decision recently
handed down by the Supreme Court, Chief Justice
Hunter has dismissed the action of Stewart et al v. the
Molybdenum Mining & Reduction Co., Ltd. The case
has been dragging through the courts for some time. It
involved the title to the Conundrum claim, at Alice Arm,
on which both silver and molybdenum have been develop-
ed in commercial quantities. The amendment to the
Semi-monthly Payment of Wages Aet, passed at the last
session of the local legislutare and providing for 26 pay-
days annually, each falling on a Saturday, has become
effective. The new law affects the coal mines, but not the
lumber and fishing industries, to which the original act
also applied.
The suits predicted with reference to the Engineer
mine, at Atlin, one of the best known gold properties in
the Province, are before the courts. W. L. Goodwin and
eleven other prospectors have taken out a Us pendens
to prevent the sale of the property until their claims can
be brought before a grand jury. It is suggested that a
sale for $3,000,000 to Cobalt interests is in negotiation,
Mr. Goodwin and his associates assert that they, and not
the estate of the late Captain Alexander, are the lawful
owners of the mine. Twenty years ago, it is declared,
they staked the claims now known as the Engineer group
and Capt. Alexander, it is alleged, staked over them,
altering the lines and making the eleven claims which
afterward were known as the Engineer claims. It is
claimed that their property was fraudently 'jumped' and
recorded, and that crown grants were wrongfully issued
to the Alexander party. The second action against the
Alexander estate is brought by W. Pollard Grant, of
Vancouver, who claims a one-fifth interest in the mjne
and affirms that documents in his possession will prove
that Capt. Alexander was his trustee for the one-fifth
interest in the mine.
The Canadian Advisory Council for Scientific and In-
dustrial Research has made an appropriation to finance
experiments in the treatment of the silver-lead-zinc ores
of British Columbia, Horace Freeman, chemical and
metallurgical engineer, and secretary of the British
Columbia branch of the Council, states that the grant is
sufficient to cover the first twelve months work. Mr.
Freeman will begin his research immediately and is hope-
ful of finding an economic method for the handling of the
complex sulphide ores. Mr. Freeman is responsible for a
formula, now in use at Niagara Falls, for the making of
cyanide from atmospheric nitrogen. The product is iu
use in gold and silver milling plants in the United States
and Canada.
Hazelton. — J. D. Galloway, resident mining engineer
for the district, recently visited the Babine Bonanza, and
reports an excellent showing of ore where the tunnel cut
the orebody. Several directors from Spokane also visited
the property, and as a result of their visit it has been
decided to use hand-steel to drift on the lode rather than
wait for the erection of machinery. This change of plan
has been reached because of the bad state of the roads,
after the continuous rains. They are in places little bet-
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MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
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t.i- th.oi quagmires, and the passage of heavy machinery
nv.r them is impossible.
Akk<>\\ Lakes.— The Millie Mack mine, near Burton,
US 50 tons of high-grade awaiting the raw-hiding season
in get it to the road. The Millie Mack was located more
than 20 years ago by George McDonnald. It has changed
hands several times, ami at present is owned and oper-
ated by H. E. Foster. The ore carries both gold and
silver, the latter predominating.
Qrano Forks. — The diamond-drilling at the Franklin
Camp, which was being done under the supervision of
Philip B. Freeland for the Provincial government, has
been stopped for- the season, the contractor realizing that
he could not continue operation profitably through the
winter. A total of 2888 ft. has been drilled during the
season, most of the work having been done on the
Gloucester claim.
Princeton. — H. R. Van Wagenen, general manager
for the Canada Copper Corporation, recently made the
following announcement with regard to the starting of
operations at Copper Mountain and at Allenby: "Only
the first. 1000-ton unit is in operation, nor is it as yet up to
capacity, but the tonnage treated is constantly being in-
creased. The recovery at the mill has been satisfactory
right from the beginning. Power from the West Koote-
nay Power Co. was made available at the mine on October
17: the first train of 10 cars over the Copper Mountain
branch of the Kettle Valley railway was moved from the
mine to the mill on October 19."
That a vein of platinum, 4 in. wide and 30 ft. long, in a
7-ft. lode of serpentine rock, exists near the headwaters
of the Tulameen river, is the assertion of Robert Steven-
son, a pioneer prospector, who is one of the few still liv-
ing who took part in the gold stampede of the '60 's into
the Cariboo. This find was made, Mr. Stevenson states,
in 1877 and ever since he has kept the claim alive. With
platinum at 50c. per ounce he did not pay special atten-
tion to the development of the property. He has taken a
force of men with him to open the vein, which he expects
to be profitable with platinum selling at $100 per ounce.
MANITOBA
THE FLIN FLON PROPERTY. RICE LAKE DISTRICT.
The Pas. — Five years ago four prospectors discovered
indications of copper at a point some 60 miles north-
west of The Pas and staked numerous claims. Today
this deposit is known at the Flin Flon and 16,000,000
tons of a mixed sulphide ore, valued at $9.50 per ton,
has been proved above a depth of 900 ft. The property
is at present under option to New York and Toronto
capitalists, the price being given at $3,000,000. Diamond-
drill holes were put down 900 ft., at which depth the ore-
body was showing no sign of becoming leaner. Now, this
last summer, a large force of workmen has been busy
sinking shafts and drifting. Two shafts, 400 ft. apart,
have been sunk 200 ft., and are being connected by a
drift, which should be completed by January. At pres-
ent 150 men are employed, although the force would have
been larger had laborers I u obtainable, The Flin Flon
property is on the border line of the Province, in fact
several of the claims arc in Saskatchewan, and to reach
it a railway 85 miles long must be built. This the Fed-
eral and Provincial governments seem inclined to do,
providing guarantees are given by those operating the
property that a certain tonnage will be smelted. It is esti-
mated that to develop the property to a producing point,
build the smelter, and harness the water-power now run-
ning to waste on the Sturgeon river will cost not less
PART OF MANITOBA
than $5,000,000. The ore is a mixture of copper, iron,
and zinc sulphides, containing some gold.
It is reported that the Bingo Mines company has com-
pleted the sinking of its shaft to the 50-ft. level. Another
contract has been let to continue the shaft to 200 ft. and
also to cross-cut at the 100-ft. level. The object of the
cruss-cutting is to determine the value of the four veins
which appear on the surface, all of which are within 60
ft. of the main vein. Sampling in the shaft gives returns
ranging from $23.60 to more than $100.
Rice Lake. — This district, which lies on the east side
of Lake Winnipeg and within 100 miles of the city of
Winnipeg, is passing through a crisis. The public has
lost interest in the field, owing to the reputation it earned
for being more renowned for samples than for steady
production, but it is probable that better times are in
714
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 13, 1920
store for it. Many competent judges believe that there
is more than one property that would make a mine if
given a fair chance. Unfortunately the number of ex-
perienced prospectors is small, snow-stakings many, and
capital scarce. Man}' heard with regret that the Gabriel
had proved disappointing under the careful sampling of
J. B. Tyrrell : but the directors would probably have a
following in subsequent work, as it is recognized they
acted for the best interests of all concerned when they
decided to suspend operations and accept personal losses.
OXTARIO
ARE
.MIXERS ARRIVE FROM CORNWALL. PATENTED CLAIMS
FORFEITED FOR DELINQUENT TAXES.
Cobalt. — Cornish miners are beginning to arrive in
Northern Ontario, seeking employment in the gold and
silver mines. They have been imported on account of a
shortage of labor, and have been assured steady employ-
ment at wages above the rate in England. Close to two
hundred have already crossed the Atlantic, and more will
follow. An exceptionally dry season has caused low
water in the rivers and has left the mines short of hydro-
electric power. As a consequence, the silver mines of
Cobalt were obliged to work at considerably reduced
capacity during the last half of October. Fall rains are
now starting and the next few weeks is expected to bring
relief. The Ontario Department of Mines passed an
Order-in-Council on October 13 declaring all patented
mining claims forfeited and open for re-staking, on and
after noon of October 28, on which the owners have failed
to pay a certain Provincial mining tax of five cents per
acre. Various property owners, including the Teck-
Hughes, Hudson-Kirkland, and Ontario Solid Silver
mines appear to have been unaware of such a tax and
were included in the list of delinquents. By special
Orders-in-Council the Government has since recalled
these properties from forfeiture, but has not taken action
in regard to scores of others forfeited for similar reason.
In the meantime, many such properties to which former
owners are carrying deeds have been re-staked. The
situation has caused a sensation in Ontario mining circles.
A general request for re-instatement is being made.
On October 31, the Coniagas Mines closed a successful
fiscal year. Net earnings exceeded half a million dollars.
The annual statement is being prepared and will be
issued in December. Ore developed on the Keeley Sil-
ver Mines since work was resumed early this year is
estimated to contain 400,000 oz. of silver. The newly
installed 20-stamp mill is now in operation. The Cham-
bers-Ferland has made arrangements to explore part of
its property through a shaft on the Right of Way Mines
Co. Cross-cutting is under way at a depth of 385 ft..
and it is planned to explore thoroughly that part of the
property lying between the Nipissing and the La Rose.
Fire recently destroyed the first shaft-house to be con-
structed in Cobalt, on the La Rose property. The miners
were removed without injury or loss through another
shaft, but operations were delayed- some days on account
of the damage done to machinery and equipment.
Porcupine. — The Dome Mines, for the five months end-
ed August 31, reports a surplus after charges and taxes oj
$198,467. equivalent to 49c. per share on its capital stoci
of $4,000,000. The report that the Dome had purchased
26 additional machines for underground work to- he
ready for an influx of mine-workers from England is
officially confirmed.
At the annual meeting of the shareholders of the North
Davidson the financial statement submitted showed that
$73,256 had been expended in development. R. T.
Jeffrey, president, stated that the results from diamonds
drilling were beyond expectations, assay from three drill-
holes giving an average gold content of about $25 pel
ton. A 4-ft vein, stated to be very rich, has been. cut at
a depth of 52 ft. in the shaft.
Kirkland Lake. — The Lake Shore during September
produced $40,150 from the treatment of 1480 tons of ore,
the average recovery being $27.12 per ton. Sinking was
done to the extent of 54 ft. The Ontario-Kirkland has
decided to delay the construction of its mill until spring
in the expectation of lower prices for material. At the
Kirkland Lake the 900-ft. level, the deepest in the camp,
is being opened. The mill is. treating 125 tons of ore pea
day. A drift started on the 400-ft. level has been halted
owing to labor shortage.
MEXICO
government to build roads,
Sonora. — It is reported that the Government will aid
mining interests of Sonora. The first help to he ex-
tended will be received by the Puertocito mine, situated
south of Naeo and Cananea. This mine is being operated
under serious difficulties for the reason that the road
leading from the camp to highways running into Cana-
nea. Naco, and Agua Prieta are practically impassable.
In addition the road, which is really a trail, is dangerous
to travel. Engineers sent into the district reported that
it was possible to construct a good road, and plans for
such a highway have been forwarded to Mexico City. It
is understood that a sum of $20,000 has been made im-
mediately available in order to make the roads passable.
Chihuahua. — Announcement is made that the Bernice
mining company expects to begin shipments of high-
grade silver-lead ore from its properties in Mexico to the
smelter at El Paso. The properties are situated' near
Comidor. within a mile of the Rio Grande, in the State
of Chihuahua, and about 30 miles south-west of Valen-
tine, Texas.
Robert Rae, formerly chief auditor for the Phelps
Dodge Corporation at Douglas, Arizona, has recently-re-
turned from a visit of several weeks to the State of Chi-
huahua. He reports industry to be reviving and peace-
ful conditions everywhere. The American Smelting &
Refining Co. is active in getting its properties back into
operation, and the same can be said of the Alvarado Min-
ing Co. of Parral. The opinion prevails that within the
present, year many important mining operations in the
State of Chihuahua will return to normal.
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ALASKA
Juneau. — A property which gives promise of developing
Into an important producer of gold now is being opened up
on Chichagoff island. Work is being continued throughout
the winter by the Falcon Mining Co. A tunnel has been
driven for 220 ft. and it is said that the showings are so en-
couraging that the owners plan to commence shipping in a
short time.
CALIFORNIA
Amador County. — The Central Eureka company has in-
creased mine development and will shortly start another
unit of the mill. Excellent ore continues to be drawn from
the 3900-ft.. with the orebody on that level developing well.
—With the pumping plants in the Argonaut and Kennedy
shafts operating with a full head, unwatering of the Argo-
naut workings is making rapid progress. Withdrawal of re-
strictions regulating use of electric power has materially
aided rapid clearance of the shaft. The workings have been
found in good condition as the water is lowered and com-
paratively little repair work will be necessary before actual
mining is resumed.
Plumas County. — The high cost of power, coupled with
high wages and freight-rates and the declining price of cop-
per, are reasons assigned by the Walker Copper Co. for lay-
ing-off the majority of its miners and suspending copper
production. Only a sufficient number of the crew is to be
retained to maintain development and construction work.
The mine has been employing 170 men. The Gruss Cop-
per Co. reports the intersection of the main east-west vein
on the 200-ft. level. The discovery was made 350 ft. north
of the shaft and a large body of rich ore is said to be exposed.
A raise is advancing on the vein to connect with the old
Kalfus workings. Plans are under consideration for erection
of a mill with a capacity of 200 tons of ore per day. The
Engels Copper Co. is preparing to increase development
work, despite the unfavorable copper market, in order that
the company may be in a position to take full advantage of
more favorable conditions. At present 450 men are em-
ployed with development of new territory receiving prime
attention. The flotation-plant is running steadily.
Redding. — The work of tearing down the Balaklala Cop-
jPer Co.'s smelter at Coram has been completed and most of
I the structural steel has been delivered at Bully Hill, or
1 jWinthrop; where it will be used in erecting works for the
I Shasta Zinc & Copper Co. The foundations for the Bully
'Hill buildings are complete.
COLORADO
Breckenridge. — Contrary to a recent report the Tonopah
'Placers Co. has not ceased operations in this district.
Silver Plume. — Donald H. Fairchild has completed an ex-
amination of the Dives, Pelican, and Seven-Thirty mines and
j k series of mill-tests on ore collected from the mine dumps,
jrhe Wasatch-Colorado mill was used for the test-run while
:he jig and table tailings were taken to Denver for further
j:ests by flotation. . A net recovery of 94% of the silver, was
pbtained. It is probable that the present mill will be re-
{ Modeled and operation of the mines resumed.
IDAHO
Coeur d'AIene. — Frank Murphy, of Spokane, has received
$100,000 for two claims which the Coeur d'AIene syndicate
has purchased in acquiring the Flynn claims. In addition
he retains 50,000 shares of stock in the Senator Mining Co.,
the property which was included in the purchase. This is
one of the first cash payments in this transaction, which is
one of the most important in many years in the district.
Good ore has been found in the Nevada-Stewart property
adjoining the Highland-Surprise on Pine creek. Seven feet
of vein is filled with stringers of lead-zinc ore and in one
place there is one foot of almost clean ore.
H. W. Steadman, manager of the Paragon mine, states
that he is working two small forces, one on the Black Horse
property and the other on the Chicago. "Good ore is being
uncovered, especially in the Chicago," said Mr. Steadman.
"The zinc in the ore is being replaced by galena. The ore is
improving, which indicates we may have large orebodies
with depth. The company intends to continue its shaft 400
ft. which will give a depth of almost 900 ft. on the vein."
Ore from Alaska is coming to the smelter at Kellogg,
but until freight-rates are adjusted no great tonnage is ex-
pected from outside of the Coeur d'AIene district, according
to F. W. Bradley, president of the Bunker Hill & Sullivan
company.
"We must find one," was his reply when asked if the
Bunker Hill & Sullivan company will find a method of treat-
ment of the zinc-lead ores of the Coeur d'AIene. "It is most
important to the district that such a solution be found and
we are continually carrying on experiments. We will find it
if possible." Work at the American Commander mine is
progressing. The company is fixing up winter quarters for
its men and will resume development work. It is reported
that a vein 10 ft. wide, containing considerable galena, Avas
found in cross-cutting from the bottom of the shaft.
Wallace. — C. W. Newton, manager for the Consolidated
Interstate-Callahan Co. confirms the report that his property
will suspend operations early in November. This will result
in the discharge of about 350 men employed in the mine and
mill. During the suspension of shipments, underground de-
velopment will be carried on, but Mr. Newton was unable to
say how many men will be retained for this work. It is
stated that the principal reason for the suspension of opera-
tions is due to a strike of the smelter employees of the
Grasselli Chemical Co., which strike was begun in Septem-
ber. The October production of ore was the largest in any
recent month. No statement has been made as to the prob-
able length of the period of inactivity.
MISSOURI
Joplin. — The shutdown that had been in effect through-
out the district for two weeks ended the first of November
and a number of mines resumed operations the following
morning. A number of other mines that observed the shut-
down started several days later. The managers were of the
opinion that it would be better to wait two days longer and
start work with a complete force than to try to operate with
an insufficient number of men. The continued curtailment
of ore production will be carried out as effectively as possi-
ble. The demands on the district are for about 7000 tons
716
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 13, 1920
per week and production will be held to this amount if possi-
ble. Operators are agreed that further curtailment is neces-
sary and are showing a spirit of co-operation that is en-
couraging, as it is felt that in this way only can the best in-
terests of the industry be served. The Richardson mines,
at Quapaw, have started and will run on two shifts. The
company has been reorganized since the mill shut-down sev-
eral months ago, and now is under the direction of a strong
company composed of Texas and Oklahoma men. The mill
has a capacity of 500 tons in 20 hours, and the endeavor
will be to run at full capacity. An assay shows 5.41% lead
and 13.06% 'jack', secured from an 18-ft. face of ore. An
electric pump has been installed and will have capacity suffi-
cient to handle the heavy flow of water. The mill will be
run with a modern gas engine, while the hoist is operated
by steam. W. E. Sheatham is the superintendent in charge.
The new shaft being sunk at the Vantage mine in Picher
is down about 125 ft. and will be continued as rapidly
as possible until the orebody is reached. The shaft is on
Netta street, near the edge of the lease adjoining the St. Joe
property. As soon as the shaft is ready for operation a
dummy line will be built to the mill at Third and Treece
streets. The mill has undergone extensive repair in the last
few weeks. The Dorothy Bill mine is working on ore ob-
tained from a new shaft recently sunk north-east of the
mill. The ore is rich in both lead and zinc and is expected to
prove one of the richest lead producers in the district. The
ore is being transported to the tramway in cars pulled by
mules.
NEVADA
Eureka. — During the past two weeks 33 cars of ore and
speiss have been shipped out over the Eureka-Nevada rail-
way, consigned to the Utah smelters, for treatment. At
Ruby Hill, the water in the Locan shaft has been giving less
trouble, only 600 gallons per minute being made. It has
been held down to the 1200-ft. level, where a station is being
cut. A second station-pump will be installed. Ore is being
blocked out on the Locan 900-ft. level. At the Eureka-
Croesus mine the No. 8 winze is down 50 ft., the last 27 ft.
being in good shipping ore. The 'shale' winze is yielding
ore of good quality, and some of the old workings of the
Dunderberg mine are producing a little good shipping ore.
The Holly mine is a steady producer of good shipping ore.
The drift from the shaft, at a depth of 430 ft., broke into the
Williamsburgh workings about 10 days ago, and a track has
been laid from the point of connection to the Bullwhacker
ground. A connection is thus established with the Holly
shaft at the 500-ft. level, which admits of the removal of
Bullwhacker ore through that thoroughfare. Four car-
loads of materials for the construction of the Holly milling
plant arrived a few days ago. Eureka appears dull at
present to the casual observer, but there is more prospecting
under way in the Prospect Mountain and other outlying
small mines than was ever before known in the district. All
of the old-time miners in the district are impressed with the
belief that ore will be found either in the Locan shaft, at
an additional depth of 500 ft., or by drifting therefrom.
There is reason, from a geological standpoint, to believe that
ore will be found in the lower Ruby Hill wedge of brecciated
limestone.
YUKON TERRITORY
Dawson. — With reference to the Mayo Silver camp, some
200 miles from here, Alfred Thompson, M. P. for the dis-
trict, states that he will ask the Dominion government to
build a road to the district, provide either wireless or tele-
graphic communication, and build an assay-office. He antici-
pates that the development of the silver deposits will bring
the Yukon into prominence again as a mining centre and will
assure Dawson a permanence which the placer industry has
failed to do.
[personal!
The Editor invites members of the profession to send particulars of their
work and appointments. The information is interesting to our readers.
J. M. Callow is in New York.
Maurice W. Summerhayes is in San Francisco.
William Burns is going to the copper mines of Michigan.
Walter Fitch Jr., mining contractor of Eureka, Utah, is in
Alaska.
Errol MacBoyle, of San Francisco, is examining mines in
Mexico.
Donald M. Liddell has moved his office to 2 Rector street.
New York.
E. B. Lighthill has closed his office in London and is now
established in Paris.
F. W. Collins expects to return to Oakland from Peru in
time for Thanksgiving.
Spencer C. Browne has opened an office as consulting en-
gineer at 2 Rector street, New York.
A. H. Jones is in New York, in consultation regarding the
erection of a large mill in New Mexico.
Donald H. Falrchild has been examining the old Pelican
and Dives mines at Silver Plume, Colorado.
W. J. Loring and John F. Davis are attending the meeting
of the American Mining Congress at Denver next week.
Norman C. Stines was in San Francisco this week on his
return from Nome. He is now on his way to New York.
George Kingdon, general manager for the United Verde
Extension Mining Co., has recently returned from a trip to
Europe.
H. B. Tooker, traffic manager of the Jackling interests,
has returned to San Francisco after a trip to New York and
Washington.
H. V. Burgard, secretary of the Mineral Metal & By-
products Co., of Denver, has returned to Denver from the
Pacific Coast.
Edward H. Benjamin has moved his office from the Ne-
vada Bank building to the Balboa building, at 593 Market
street, San Francisco.
Frank T. Eddlngfleld has been appointed Valuation En-
gineer in the Metals Division of the Income Tax Unit, In-
ternal Revenue Bureau.
O. C. Ralston, of the U. S. Bureau of Mines, has returned
from Alaska, where he inspected the practicability of the
establishment of a smelter.
R. D. Maxfleld and E. M. Tripp, of Salt Lake City, are
making an investigation of a placer-mining property in
White Pine county, Nevada.
J. Fred Johnson, superintendent of the Chief Con. Mining
Co. at Eureka, Utah, has been making an examination of a
gold property in California.
L. D. Jenssen, superintendent of the Lokken iron mines in
Norway, is visiting mining districts in this country, and
spent several days in Utah.
Alan M. Bateman, mining geologist, has been engaged in
professional work in Alaska and British Columbia, and has
returned to New Haven, Connecticut.
Charles Butters and H. N. Lawrie addressed the New York
section of the Institute on November 3, the first on the sub-
ject of silver, the second on the gold problem.
J. O. Lewis, chief petroleum technologist of the Bureau of
Mines, has tendered his resignation to Dr. F. G. Cottrell,
Director, to become effective November 15. Mr. Lewis will
be succeeded by A. W. Ambrose, who has for some time
occupied the position of superintendent of the Bureau of
Mines petroleum experiment station at Bartlesville. Okla-
homa.
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
METAL PRICES
San Francisco. November 9
Aluminum-duet, cents per pound 05
Antimony, coats per pound 9.50
Copi*t. electrolytic, cents per pound 16.50 — 17.00
bud. pig. eeats per pound 7.50 — 8.50
Platinum, pure, per ounce $95
Platinum. 10% iridium, per ounce $135
Quick oilvcr, per flask of 75 lb $55
Spelter, cents per pound 9.50
Sine-dust. centB per pound 12.50 — 15.00
EASTERN METAL MARKET
(By wire from New York)
Lead is dull but easy. Zinc
November 8. — Copper is quiet and firmer.
to inactive but steady.
SILVER
Below are given official or ticker quotations for silver in the open market
distinguished from the fixed price obtainable for metal produced, smelted.
I tod refined exclusively within the United States. Under the terms of the
jPittman Act such silver will be purchased by the United States Mint at $1
per ounce, subject to certain small charges which vary slightly but amount
to approximately three-eighths of one cent. The equivalent of dollar silver
(1000 fine) in British currency is 46.65 pence per ounce (925 fine), calcu-
lated at the normal rate of exchange.
Date
Kov.
New York London
cents
2 Boliday
3 82.12
4 JB2.62
5 82.00
6 82.00
7. Sunday
'8 80.75
pence
53.75
54.12
53.87
54.37
53.87
Average week ending
Cents
Sept. 27 93.52
Oct. 4 91.65
" 11 86.77
" 18 83.10
" 25 79.52
Nov. 1 80.31
8 81.90
Jin
Feb.
Meb 88.11
Apr. .'. . . . .95.35
May
Monthly averages
1918 1919
98.72 101.12
85.79 101.12
101.12
.99.50 107.23
1920
1918
1919
132.77
July .
. . . 99.62
106.36
131.27
. ..100.31
111.35
125.70
113.92
119.56
Oct. .
. . .101.12
119.10
102.69
. . .101.12
127.57
90.84
...101.12
131.92
Pence
59.66
58.98
65.66
54.05
52.31
52.35
54.00
1920
92.04
96.23
93.86
83.48
lone 99.50 110.50
Prices of electrolytic in New York, in cents per pound.
Date
Nov
2 Holiday
.3. 15.00
4 15.00
-r) 15.00
rt 15.00
7 Sunday "
8 15.00
Average week ending
Sept. 27 18.70
Oct. 4 18.50
11 .17.85
18 17.15
25 15.76
Not. 1 16.08
8 15.00
Monthly averages
1918
1919
1920
1918
1919
1920
Ian; . ,
23.50
20.43
19.25
July . .
26.00
20.82
19.00
23.50
17.34
19.05
Aug. . .
26.00
22.61
19.00
Ifch. . :
;. . .23.50'
15.05
18.49
Sept. . .
26.00
22.10
18.75
23.50
15.23
19.23
Oct. . .
26.00
21.66
16.53
Hay ..
23.60
15.91
19.05
Nov. . .
. . .26.00
20.45
June . .
23.50
17.53
19.00
.. .26.00
18.55
LEAD
Lead is quoted in cents per pound. New York delivery.
Date
Nov
Holiday
7 9unday
8:
Sept.
27
6.90
Oct.
4
6.75
11
6.85
"
IK
6.85
25
Nov.
1
6.85
8
Average week ending
7.54
7.50
7.50
7.08
6.92
6.84
1918
1919
1920
an. . . .
. . . 6.85
5.60
8.65
feb. . . .
. . . 7.70
5.13
8.88
Ich. . . .
. . . 7.26
5.24
9.22
ipr. . . .
... 6.99
5.05
8.78
lay . .
. . . 6.99
5.04
8.55
. . 7.59
5.32
8.43
Monthly averages
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
1918
1919
1920
8.03
5.53
8.63
8.05
6.78
9.03
8.05
6.02
8.08
8.05
6.40
7.28
8.05
6.76
6.90
7.12
in New York, in cents per pound.
Monthly averages
Ian.
keb.
ken.
Apr.
!«ay
1918
1919
1920
85.13
71.50
62.74
85.00
72.44
59.87
85.00
72.50
61.92
88.53
72.50
62.12
100.01
72.50
54.99
91 00
71.83
48.33
1918
July 93.00
Aug 91.33
Sept 80.40
Oct 78.82
Nov 73.67
Dec 71.52
1919
70.11
62.20
55.79
54.82
54.17
54.94
1920
49.29
47.60
44.43
40.47
Zinc is quoted a
in cents per pound.
Date
2 Holiday
3
4
5
ZINC
spelter, standard Western brands. New York delivery,
Nov.
7 Sunday
8
7.35
7.30
7.30
7.30
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Jan.
Feb.
Mch.
Apr.
May
June
1918
7.78
7.97
7.67
7.04
7.92
7.92
1919
7.44
6.71
6.53
6.49
6.43
6.91
. . 7.30
Monthly averages
1920
Average week ending
27 7.7:5
4 7.66
11 7.55
18 7.41
25 7.50
1 7.54
8 7.31
9.56
9.15
8.93
8.76
8.07
7.92
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
1918
8.72
8.78
9.58
9.11
8.75
8.49
1919
7.7S
7.81
7.57
7.82
8.12
8.69
1920
8.18
831
7.84
7.50
QUICKSILVER
The primary market for quicksilver is San Francisco. California being
the largest producer. The price is fixed in the open market, according to
quantity. Prices, in dollars per flask of 75 pounds.
Date . Oct. 26 65.00
Oct. 11 75.00 Nov. 1 60.00
19 70.00 | " 9 55.00
Monthly averages
1918
Jan 128.06
Feb 118.00
Mch 112.00
Apr 115.00
May 110.00
Juno 112.00
1919
1920
1918
1919
1920
103.75
89.00
July .
. . .120.00
100.00
88.00
90.00
81.00
Aug .
. ..120.00
103.00
85.00
72.80
87.00
. . . 120.00
102.60
75.00
73.12
100.00
Oct. . .
. . .120.00
86.00
84.80
87.00
. . .120.00
78.00
94.40
85.00
Dec . .
115.00
95.00
RAILROAD FINANCING
Now that the Transportation Act, giving the Commerce Commission con-
trol over issuance of securities, and also, to a certain degree, over appli-
cation of proceeds, is in force, it is becoming apparent that railroad
financing methods will undergo- some modification.
Banking firms, particularly the primary houses which are first pur-
chasers of most larger security issues, have realized some of the implica-
tions of the new order, not with unmixed satisfaction. They are aware
that plants for security issues and for reorganization must be submitted
to the Commission's division of finance, which is required to hold a public
hearing on each application. This means some delay, and that involves
the delicate and troublesome task of timing a public security offering to
the capricious appetite of the investment market.
With a haunting memory of weary months through which rate cases
used to drag, some Wall Street bankers have been apprehensive that time
consumed in obtaining Federal authority to sell securities would mean the
railroads might fall into the chronic condition of 'missing their market'.
Such apprehensions, if one may judge from events to date, are groundless,
for at least two reasons. One is that the division of finance, under Director
Colston, a man of long experience in railroad law and finance, has been
quick to see the need of expedition in affording a railroad needed capital.
The other is that such applications, on forms prepared by the division of
finance, are submitted in such detail that little time is required in the
hearing to bring out all pertinent facts. As a rule, no opposition develops.
The mere fact that Federal control of securities has actually supplanted
that of the dozen or more States which formerly exercised such powers, is
admittedly a great offset to any possible disadvantage. That was the pur-
pose of the law. and to all intents it has been achieved. In one case a
State in which the applicant carrier operates made a formal effort to save
its jurisdiction of securities, but apparently nothing has come of it. at
least not yet.
In official circles it is doubted whether the banking community fully
realizes the willingness of the Commerce Commission to facilitate necessary
and legitimate work of financing railroads. In a-pproving a certain issue
of bonds, the Commission commented that the bonds had been sold by the
railroad, subject to approval of the Commission. In some Wall Street
quarters the comment was interpreted as disapproval of such a. practice.
It should not be supposed that a sale of bonds in advance of the Com-
mision's action could ever be regarded as a successful means of bringing
pressure to bear on the Commission to approve an issue it would not have
approved otherwise, and in advance of the sale. No s,uch ease has arisen,
and the Commision has no idea that any will. But this is a new function
of the Commission, and precedents to govern it in future are in the making.
Probably the most important effect of Federal securities regulation will
be that railroads will make financial plans further in advance than hereto-
fore considered necessary, and may even adopt the practice of obtaining
Commission approval of financial plans long before intended execution.
The secrecy which bankers and railroad executives have habitually re-
garded as an essential part of their negotiations, up to moment of ;i public
offering, may become a less binding rule.
MONEY AND EXCHANGE
Foreign quotations on November 9 are as follows:
Sterling, dollars: Cable 3.37 '
Demand :;,-!S
Francs, cents: Cable 5.K4
Demand .~>.sr>
Lire, cents: Demand 3.45
Marks, cents J '.'1
(18
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
Eastern Metal Market
November 13, 1920
New York, November 3.
Buying initiative is largely absent from all the markets.
While the price movement is still downward, it is less strong-
ly so.
Copper has reached the 15c. level with little response by
consumers, though they recognize its cheapness.
The tin market is firmer but buying by consumers is light;
it is also speculative.
There is little demand lor lead and prices are a little
lower.
Quotations for prime Western zinc have receded slightly
with light offerings and little demand.
Antimony is lower.
IRON AND STEEL
Pig-ir«n producers have made a quick response to the
falling off in consumption, says 'The Iron Age'. Thirty-two
fewer furnaces were in blast November 1 than one month
previous — a falling off that has few parallels. October pro-
duction of pig-iron held up well, the total being 3,278,104
gross tons, or 105,745 tons per day, as against 3,129,323
tons in the 30 days of September, or 104,310 tons per day.
Thus October was the record month of the year, apart from
March, and only January showed a larger total in 1919.
Thirty-five furnaces blew-out last month and only three
blew-in, and 287 furnaces were active November 1, against
319 one month previous.
In pig-iron as in steel the Steel Corporation's production
has been nearer capacity than that of other makers, in view
of the considerably larger tonages on its books in all lines.
With furnaces blowing-out, coke is more plentiful and
another $2 has come off the price, making a decline of about
50% in three weeks. From $9 to $10 has been paid for
furnace-coke, with a downward trend still indicated.
COPPER
Copper, both electrolytic and Lake, can be bought from
most of the large producers as well as in the outside market
as low as 15 c. for delivery in the next two months and at
15.25c. for delivery in the first two months of 1921. The
entire situation is not spoken of by large producers as en-
couraging or satisfactory and whether the bottom has been
reached they have no opinion. The market has been slashed
and they know it and are trying to make the best of it.
Perhaps small lots could be obtained down to 14.75c, but
not yet from large producers. Buying is a little better than
a week or two ago, but it is inconsequential. Stocks are ad-
mittedly heavy and production is being curtailed further.
There is one ray of hope in that it is recognized that some
day Europe must buy, for she needs copper in vast quantities
and can get it nowhere else. There was a sale of 400 tons
on the New York Metal Exchange Monday at 14.82*, 14.77,
and 14.70c, all under the rule, in lots of 200 tons, 100 tons,
and 100 tons respectively.
TIN
An explanation of the present unsatisfactory market and
low prices is offered in the opinion that there are few buy-
ers, too many sellers, and bad financial conditions. Rela-
tively tin is very low in this market. Consumers here are
probably using invisible supplies. The orders that have
been afloat lately have been taken mostly by one large com-
pany, it is said. As a result the market is stale and dull
and, despite the advance in London since early in the coal
strike and especially since its apparent settlement, buyers
still hold off. In the past week there have been still more
sales under the rule on the New York Metal Exchange
amounting to about 150 tons of both spot and future-ship-
ment metal at prices ranging from 39.30 to 41.25c On
Monday last spot Straits tin was quoted at 39.50c, New
York, yesterday having been a holiday. The price has hov-
ered around 40c. for a week or so. In London the metal
has advanced and on Monday spot standard stood at £266
per ton, future standard at £267, and spot Straits at £270,
the latter £10 above the price on October 26, a week ago.
Deliveries into consumption in October were 3415 tons, of
which about only 315 tons is credited to Pacific ports.
Stocks and landing on October 31 were 3191 tons.
LEAD
This market is flat and dull — featureless in the extreme.
The only Item of interest is the fact that the domestic mar-
ket is now below the cost of importation which will remove
that competitive factor perhaps for some time. The cost of
importation is not less than 7.50c, duty paid, seaboard,
while spot and shipment-lead as well as metal in transit is
offered and sold at 6.90c, New York, with liberal offerings
at 6.65c, St. Louis. Demand, however, is not equal to the
supply, and consumption is on the decline. The leading in-
terest has not yet changed its quotation of 7c, St. Louis, or
7.25c, New York.
ZINC
The market has a better tone than in some weeks and may
be pronounced as considerably steadier. Prices for prime
Western have, however, receded again to 6.90c, St. Louis,
or 7.40c, New York, which we quote as the domestic market
for early delivery. There is still some imported zinc re-
shipped from foreign ports, available at around 7.25 to
7.35c, seaboard or New York, but the quantity is not large
and this material is less and less a factor.
ANTIMONY
There is no animation to the market and quotations for
wholesale lots are nominally lower at 6.374c, duty paid,
New York, for spot and early delivery. Jobbing lots are
quoted at 6.62J to 6.87»c, New York.
ALUMINUM
No changes have developed. The leading producer's quo-
tation for virgin metal, 98 to 99% pure, is still 32.90c. per
pound, producer's plant, while in the outside market the
same grade is quoted at 28 to 29c, New York.
ORES
Tungsten: There is no business and prices are nominal
at $4.50 per unit for Chinese ore and $5 to $5.50 per unit
for Bolivian ore. There is some inquiry from Europe, but
direct shipments to Europe are reported cheaper from coun-
tries of origin than American shipments.
Perro-tungsten is quoted at 90c per pound of contained
tungsten in guaranteed lump form and at 70c, not guaran-
teed, while the powdered variety is quoted at 78 to 85c per
pound.
Molybdenum: The market is flat and nominal at 75c per
pound of MoS. in regular concentrate.
Manganese: The quotation for high-grade ore is 45 to
50c. per unit with demand light. Importations continue
very heavy, those for September having been 88,422 gross
tons against 99,601 tons in August.
Manganese-Iron Alloys: Re-sale material dominates the
market for both ferro-manganese and spiegeleisen. The for-
mer is obtainable in small quantities at $155, basis seaboard,
and some sales have been made at this level. The regular
quotation of producers is on a basis of $170, seaboard, for
both foreign and domestic alloy. The nominal quotation for
spiegeleisen is $75 to $80, furnace, with re-sale material
available as low as $60. Sales have been made as low as
$58.75. Importations of ferro-manganese in September were
6 5 24 gross tons with the exports reported as 29 7 tons.
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EDITORIAL STAFF
T. A. RlCKARD, EOITOR
. Parsons, associate editor
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Mfinufiiiii<
Member Audit Bureau of Circulations
Member Associated Business Papers, Inc.
ESTABLISHED I860
Published at iffl Market St., San Francisco,
bv the Dcu'ev Publishing Company
BUSINESS STAFF
C. T. HUTCHINSON, MANAGE*
E. H. LESLIE, 600 fish eis bog., Chicago
F. A. WEIGLE, 31 NASSAU ST., NEW YORK
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SCIENCE HAS NO ENEMY SAVE THE IGNORANT
Ifeued Every Saturday
San Francisco, November 20, 1920 m per Year— 1 5 cents per copy
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
EDITORIAL
NOTES 719
THE BINGHAM DECISION 721
The Utah Apex v. Utah Consolidated suit. The
definition of 'lode'. Contentions o£ the defendant.
Precedents. Utah Apex company maintained that
the limestone beds are not lodes. Judge Johnson's
findings. The Yampa case. Utah Consolidated has
stopped mining the orebodies involved.
THE DIVINING ROD 721
Buried treasure near Vallejo. William Pryce on
'various methods of discovering mines'. Success
depends upon the operator. Charles Latimer and
his divining rod. More modern disciples of the
divining art. Diviners are unwilling to impart
their secret. They all seem, strangely, to die poor.
DISCUSSION
IINERALS SEPARATION IN CHILE
By Ingeniero 723
Action of the Sociedad Nacional de Mineria rela-
tive to a request on the part of Minerals Separa-
tion that its patents in Chile be extended for 20
years. Reasons for opposition.
Page
Highland Boy limestone is not altered and min-
eralized so as to distinguish it from the neighbor-
ing rock. Judgment in favor of the Utah Apex
company.
THE DIVINING ROD
By William Pryce 733
Virgula Divinatoria and its early history. Its
virtues. The methods of making and using the
divining rod. How to distinguish between gold,
copper, iron, coal, and limestone. Excellent for
determining the presence of water. The effect of
the mental attitude of the operator.
THE COPPEROPOLIS FIRE 737
A letter from B. O. Pickard, district engineer for
the Bureau of Mines, detailing the creditable part
taken by Bureau men in the recent fire in the mine
of the Calaveras Consolidated Copper Company.
THE FOOD-DRAFT SYSTEM OF THE AMERICAN
RELIEF ADMINISTRATION
By Edgar Rickard 739
How the administration was organized. Problems
that had to be solved,
worth of food distributed.
More than $5,000,000
NOTES
/O SUGGESTIONS ON A NATIONAL PROBLEM
By F. H. Mason 724
M. W. von Bernewitz under a misapprehension.
Increased use of internal-combustion engines.
THE MEXICAN PEON 736
MILLING TALC 738
CHROMIFEROUS IRON ORE 738
ARTICLES
lOTAH APEX V. UTAH CONSOLIDATED; ABSTRACT
OF THE COURT'S OPINION 725
Geologic questions involved. The Leadville ore-
bodies. What constitutes a lode within the mean-
ing of the statute. The Eureka and Lawson de-
cisions and their bearing on the case at bar. Th«
DEPARTMENTS
REVIEW OF MINING 741
THE MINING SUMMARY 747
PERSONAL 748
THE METAL MARKET 749
EASTERN METAL MARKET 750
Established May 24. 1860. as The Scientific Press: name changed October
0 of the same year to Mining; and Scientific Press.
Entered at the San Francisco post-office as eeeond-claes matter. Cable
ddreBs: Pertusola.
Branch Offices — Chicago. 600 Fisher Bdg\ : New York, 31 Nassau St.:
London. 724 Salisbury House, E.C.
Entered at the San Francisco post-office as second-class matter. Cable
address: PertuBola.
30
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 20, 1920
N
u
o Bigger Than A PENCIL POINT
*Yet Irresistible
The Tiny Flame of the Oxweld torch has given man complete control
over Nature's most stubborn elements.
Man's inventive genius improved metals to meet his growing demands
— toughened, hardened and strengthened them. And then, in order that
he might fashion these super-elements to meet his needs, he called
into being the oxwelding process.
The hardest of steels offers no difficulty to Oxweld — it is built up or
joined as occasion demands or is cut by the Oxweld cutting flame
as a knife slices butter.
Laborious and costly production processes are being replaced, every-
where, by Oxweld with speedier, less expensive and more satisfactory
methods.
It prevents profit-eating delays by repairing breaks on the spot in
short order and it forestalls break-downs by building up worn parts.
Oxweld Service Engineers are ready to tackle your problems. Write,
wire or telephone to any of the addresses below for immediate attention.
OXWELD ACETYLENE COMPANY
NEWARK, N. J.
CHICAGO
SAN FRANCISCO
0-S26
November 20, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
710
llirillllllllrlllllllltllllii INIIIIIIIIIMIIIIIIIIIIIIimillHIIIimmill
T. A. ■R.ICKARO. .... Editor
MiiiiriiiMiiiMiiiiMiitiiiiiiMiiMiiiinniirMiiiinthiiiuiMMUiiiiiiiMuniiiiriitinMiiuiininiiMriiMMMiinriiiiMiiMiitMiiMiiMMiiiiniMMMiiiinMiiiiiiinniliiiiiiliililiiliiitlllllllllllllllillliiliMillliiiiiMMMiiiii
A CCORDING tn official statistics received from Mexico
■**■ City, the production of silver in Mexico during the
year 1919 was 65,900,1 onces, as against 62,500,000
ounces in 1918 and 42,000,000 in 1017. In 1915 the pro-
motion was only 22,000,000 ounces.
AT the end of the first week in November the United
*■• States Mint had purchased 21.644.231 ounces of sil-
ver under the terms of the Pittman Act. Coinage during
Bctober included a million half-dollar pieces, 4j million
barters, and 6i million dimes, in addition to 70 million
nickel and copper coins. Gold coinage was suspended
throughout the month.
F X this issue we publish a short account of the food-
■*■ draft scheme as put into successful operation by the
American Relief Administration. The writer of the
article, Mr. Edgar Rickard, needs no introduction to our
readers. We learn from him that California ranks fifth
in the purchase of food-drafts, having purchased 9212
(drafts, equivalent to $151,950 worth of food delivered in
I Europe. Altogether $5,239,000 worth of food has been
I distributed by this method. Any profit is turned over to
the European Children's Fund.
/~VN November 16 the Calumet & Heela Mining Com-
^-' pany, together with its subsidiary enterprises, put
into effect a cut of 15% in the wages and salaries of all
its employees. At the same time a number of mines in
the Michigan copper region, including Osceola Consoli-
dated, White Pine, and La Salle, discontinued produc-
tion entirely, and the forces at other properties were re-
duced, thereby throwing 1500 men out of work. There
(has been no profit in the copper-mining industry of
Michigan for two years ; some metal was being marketed,
however, and most of the mines were kept in operation.
Stocks of unsold copper, the limited market, and the cur-
rent low price have combined to compel this recent
drastic move. Similar action is reported from Bisbee
and Jerome, except that the wages of the employees re-
tained on the payroll have not been cut. Whenever there
is any considerable reduction in the number employed the
output per man automatically increases, so that direct
mining costs are lowered. Apparently the operators in
Arizona are content with this improvement without re-
sorting to reductions in the wage-scale, at least until
rach time as a definite decline in the cost of living is
lemonstrable. It seems certain that prices will go down
and that reduced wages will be the logical consequence.
The action taken in Michigan is predictive of the general
readjustment.
TTOW much should a gold mine pay to be an attractive
-*--*- speculation? We find the suggestion of an answer
to this query in a tabulated statement of the capital, divi-
dends, and yield of the principal mines of the Witwaters-
rand. Our contemporary, 'The Mining World', of Lon-
don, gives the data for 27 mining companies, of which we
set aside three, because their mines are approaching ex-
haustion and therefore are expected to pay dividends that
represent amortization rather than current interest. The
remaining 24 show a yield of 14% per annum on the cur-
rent market, valuation of their properties. This indicates
that the British public has learned from bitter experience
to realize the essentially speculative character of all gold
mining and now demands a rate of return commensurate
with the inescapable risk. The greatest gold mine in the
world, the New Modderfontein, pays 12% on its market
price. We remember the days when the promoters and
financiers of the Rand used to talk about 6% and 7% as
sufficient interest and recommended their shares as fit
investments for the trustees of widows and orphans. Most
of the promoters liquidated their own holdings at top
prices, leaving the public with an impoverished pocket
and an enriched experience. The realization of the specu-
lative character of gold mining on the Rand, or else-
where, will not hurt the mining industry; it will serve
chiefly to distribute the profits more fairly between the
insiders and the public.
T> UTTE is one place where the local issues decided at
*-* the election easily eclipsed in importance and inter-
est" the question of President Wilson and the League or
any other national issue. It was the old fight of the
radical labor element against the Anaconda Copper com-
pany; fortunately the business people of Butte and the
more conservative miners and craftsmen decided in favor
of the mining company. Incidentally the Republican
ticket won in a city that always has been the stronghold
of the Democratic party in a habitually Democratic
State. At the primaries held some months ago Mr. Wil-
liam F. Dunn, publisher of a radical newspaper, the
'Butte Daily Bulletin', and eight or ten others whose
sympathies were known to be with the more radical mine-
workers, won nominations on the Democratic ticket for
several important offices, including those of Sheriff and
720
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 20, 1920
District Attorney. Thereupon the charge was made that
the Democratic party had been "stolen" and the Ana-
conda company, largely through the medium of the 'Ana-
conda Standard', a newspaper that has always been
Democratic, started a bitter fight to defeat the 'wobblies'
on the Democratic ticket. The Anaconda company pro-
fesses to take no part in politics, but mining is the only
productive industry in or near Butte and the Anaconda
enterprise is so much bigger than all the other mining
operations combined that it is conceded leadership.
Without imputing any sinister motives, it may reason-
ably be said that the company cannot help being vitally
interested in politics, and, while the new city and county
officials will not, as the 'Bulletin' charges, take their
orders directly from the "sixth floor" (alluding to the
Hennessy building, where are the offices of the Anaconda
company), we venture that the wishes of the company
officials regarding the conduct of municipal and county
affairs will be given respectful consideration. Any other
view would necessarily attribute to the successful candi-
date a type of independence that is seldom displayed by
astute politicians in Butte or elsewhere. During the
campaign the threat was made unofficially that operation
of the mines would be suspended indefinitely in the event
that the objectionable Democratic candidates were
elected. On the day before election the 'Bulletin' said
on its front page, "If the Republican ticket is elected
the wages of the miners and the craftsmen will be cut
and those who object will be baptized with shrapnel and
machine-guns"; while the 'Standard', on Tuesday, de-
clared in a seven-column head, "The Destiny of Butte
will be decided at the Polls today", and on the day fol-
lowing said, "It was a sweeping victory, not for the Re-
publican party, but for law and order, for honesty, de-
cency, and good citizenship". The officials of the Ana-
conda Copper company doubtless have made blunders at
times in their dealings with the miners, and with the
unions, but the crowd of which Mr. Dunn is a leader has
repeatedly avowed allegiance to the principles of an-
archy, to sabotage, and to violence. Nothing good could
possibly come from their election to office, and Butte is
' to be congratulated on the result of the balloting. To
what extent the local issue helped the Republican na-
tional ticket, and how much the sentiment for Senator
Harding favorably affected the vote for the candidates
on the Republican county ticket, can only be guessed ; at
any rate, the Hardinge-Coolidge electors received a sub-
stantial majority in Silver Bow county, of which Butte
is the county-seat.
W/'E went to press last week too soon to be able to
record the meeting of the San Francisco section of
the Institute at which Mr. Hoover was present in his
official capacity as president of the Institute. A large
attendance graced this special occasion and Mr. Hoover
made it memorable by a speech crowded with interesting
information. He referred to the increase of membership
this year, an increase that, we venture to suggest, is due
largely to the fact that our president is a man who him-
self illustrates supremely the chief function of the en-
gineer as one who converts the resources of nature to
the use and benefit of man. In his own career during
recent years Mr. Hoover has provoked a comparison be-
tween the destructive performances of the diplomat and
the constructive activities of the engineer. He told his
audience something about the proposed Federation of
Engineers, the organization of which is to be perfected at
a meeting in Washington on the 17th instant. He
touched upon the intermittency of labor in the coal
regions, giving 180 shifts per annum as the coal-workers
average portion, and emphasized the economic necessity
for systematizing the extraction, storage, and distribu-
tion of coal so as to prevent the waste of time, energy,
and money. Speaking of the defective distribution of
power in the industrial region of the Atlantic seaboard,
lie mentioned a project for building an electric trunk-line
from Washington to Maine to be used as a means for con-
ducting power and distributing it over branch-lines to
industrial centres. In response to a question, he de-
scribed the work being done by the American Relief
Administration, and in response to another question, he
dwelt upon the utter failure of communism in Russia,
suggesting a warning to our radicals and dreamers. He
urged all present to bring pressure upon their representa-
tives in Congress to support the bill for a Federal De-
partment of Public Works ; in short, h» gave us a crowded
hour of live information and stimulating thought.
A RECENT discovery in Canada affords a nice illus-
-^"*- tration of the incidence of economic considerations
on the technical distinction between a 'mineral deposit'
and a deposit of 'ore'. The former, of course, is the
more comprehensive term. It is reported that on August
25 oil was found at a depth of 783 feet in a drill-hole near
Fort Norman, which is situated on the Mackenzie river
and near the Arctic circle. The six-inch easing was
capped after flowing for half an hour at a rate estimated
at 1500 barrels per day. Whether this estimate be
accurate or not is immaterial ; there seems to be evidence
of the existence of a good supply of oil. However, even if
a hundred wells of this size were 'brought in' near Fort
Norman, they would have no economic value as an im-
mediate source of petroleum products for southern Can-
ada and the United States. From Fort Norman to the
nearest railroad is 1200 miles and to the nearest navi-
gable river the distance is approximately 900 miles.
Numerous streams capable of floating boats of shallow
draught appear on the map to afford a route, but sundry
rapids necessitate frequent portage, thereby precluding
the shipment of a bulky cargo. Moreover, on account of
the Arctic cold the rivers are open to navigation for only
a few months during the year. The construction of a
pipe-line, according to the engineers of the Imperial Oil
Company, would involve an expenditure of some $50,-
000,000, so that there is little likelihood of such a project
being undertaken until various other sources of supply
have been exhausted. Obviously, if enough productive
districts were discovered in the region and if the de- I
maud, and consequently the price, were increased sum- i
ciently, the difficulties of exploiting the oil would be i
November 20, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
72]
own ie. We venture to say that the shale of Colorado
mill Utah will have been made to yield the tremendous
Quantities of oil that they contain before we turn to the
Arctic region as a source of crude petroleum.
The Bingham Decision
In this issue we publish the larger part of the opinion
landed down by Judge Tillman 1). Johnson, of the U. S.
District Court for Utah, on October 20, in the first of a
pries of suits between the Utah Apex Mining Co. and
the Utah Consolidated Mining Co. arising from disputes
over the ownership of ore in sundry beds of limestone at
feingham, Utah. The trial was completed last .January,
at which time Judge Johnson took the cases under ad-
visement. In the two principal controversies no vital
question of apex or extra-lateral rights arose. The ex-
pert witnesses on both sides agreed so closely as to the
position and physical characteristics of the beds and
lodes that the Utah Apex company agreed to accept the
maps and other exhibits of its opponents as correctly
representing the conditions existing in the two mines;
the two geologic sections given elsewhere in this issue
are adapted from the exhibits of the Utah Consolidated
company. They present the salient points clearly. The
section on page 727 shows the issue in the first case,
wherein the Utah Consolidated was the defendant. The
Utah Apex company sought to recover $1,750,000 for
ore that, it alleged, had been wrongfully mined by the
Utah Consolidated from the Leadville orebodies. The
defendant contended that the Highland Boy limestone
Stratum was a continuous broad lode, and so designated
it on its exhibit. In our drawing we have substituted the
words 'limestone bed' for 'lode', to conform with the
iecision of the Court. The geologists who testified for
I ;he Utah Consolidated defined a lode as "mineralized
:ock or rocks which contain such indications of valuable
I ninerals as to justify development with the expectation
: )f finding ore. As soon as quartzite over a considerable
i listance becomes mineralized, then it becomes a lode,
jlust as soon as either of the other rocks can produce and
| jlo produce ore, or contain indications which lead the
xperienced miner or prospector of judgment to develop
t in expectation of finding ore, then it becomes a lode."
Ground this definition of the statutory meaning of ' lode '
he argument of the defendant was built. The cases of
Richmond Co. v. Eureka Co. and U. S. Mining Co. v.
Iiawson were cited by the defendant, who urged that the
onditions were so nearly parallel that those decisions,
herein the courts had held that particular limestone
eds fulfilled the requirements of the definition of 'lode',
lould be accepted as a valid precedent. The Utah Apex
ttorneys contended that the Highland Boy ore deposit
a broad lode limited by the porphyry dike, shown im-
ediately to the right of the principal stopes, and offered
ddence to prove that for a distance of a quarter of a
ile between the Highland Boy and Leadville orebodies
le limestone is unaltered, and that the adjacent quartz-
s contains more lead than does the limestone; they
gued that the two orebodies were entirely independent
of each other. In his findings Judge Johnson points out
that the limestone strata in the eases cited were go
broken, crushed, and fissured, and so impregnated with
metalliferous minerals as to be clearly distinguished as
lodes; but that this does not appear to be true with re-
spect to the limestone in the present controversy. He
declares that he cannot escape the conviction that, in the
course of twenty years of profitable mining, the de-
fendant would have explored the long stretch of lime-
stone between the two orebodies. bad there been "reason-
able expectation of finding ore." The decision sustains
the contention of the Utah Apex company that the lime-
stone is not a lode, and that the orebodies are identified
with sundry steeply pitching fissures, variously called
faults, fault-fissures, fissure-zones, and fissure-veins by
the geologists who testified at the trial. A slightly dif-
ferent question is involved in the second suit as illus-
trated in the sectional drawing on page 729. Here the
positions are reversed in that the Utah Consolidated com-
pany alleges wrongful extraction by the Utah Apex of
ore in the Yampa limestone bed, the orebodies in con-
troversy being indicated by the stopes above and below
the Apex 1300-foot level. The plaintiff had mined a
foot-wall vein which follows the contact between the
limestone and the underlying quartzite ; the contention
was again made that the limestone forms a thick lode ; it
was argued that any orebodies within its limits are part
of the lode. The Utah Apex conceded the ownership of
the Yampa foot-wall vein, but denied any geologic con-
nection between this vein and detached orebodies in the
overlying limestone. We have not printed the decision
of the Court in this case, since the conclusions are reached
by much the same line of reasoning. The Utah Con-
solidated company, since the announcement of the de-
cision, has voluntarily discontinued mining the Lead-
ville orebodies, and its engineers are now engaged in
calculating the value of the ore wrongfully removed.
This estimate will be subject to exception by the Utah
Apex company, in which event the Court will be called
upon to determine the amount of damage.
The Divining Rod
By way of introduction, we may say that a few days
ago a man called at this office to ascertain where he could
buy a divining rod, which he wanted for use in finding
some buried gold near Vallejo, at the northern end of
the Bay of San Francisco. He was shown the proof of
the article by William Pryce, appearing m this issue,
and he asked particularly for the drawing given by the
old Cornishman because he intended to make a divining
rod for himself.
On another page we publish an excerpt from that re-
markable old book, 'Mineralogia Cornubiensis', by Wil-
liam Pryce, of Redruth. This book, which is the ' Agricola'
of Cornwall, was published in 1778 and is full of genu-
ine information on mining affairs. Among other sub-
jects discussed by Dr. Pryce is the divining rod, to which
he gives the larger part of a chapter headed, 'Of the
various Methods of discovering Mines'. His remarks on
720
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 20, 1920
District Attorney. Thereupon the charge was made that
the Democratic party had been "stolen" and the Ana-
conda company, largely through the medium of the 'Ana-
conda Standard', a newspaper that has always been
Democratic, started a bitter fight to defeat the 'wobblies'
on the Democratic ticket. The Anaconda company pro-
fesses to take no part in politics, but mining is the only
productive industry in or near Butte and the Anaconda
enterprise is so much bigger than all the other mining
operations combined that it is conceded leadership.
Without imputing any sinister motives, it may reason-
ably be said that the company cannot help being vitally
interested in politics, and, while the new city and county
officials will not, as the 'Bulletin' charges, take their
orders directly from the "sixth floor" (alluding to the
Hennessy building, where are the offices of the Anaconda
company), we venture that the wishes of the company
officials regarding the conduct of municipal and county
affairs will be given respectful consideration. Any other
view would necessarily attribute to the successful candi-
date a type of independence that is seldom displayed by
astute politicians in Butte or elsewhere. During the
campaign the threat was made unofficially that operation
of the mines would be suspended indefinitely in the event
that the objectionable Democratic candidates were
elected. On the day before election the 'Bulletin' said
on its front page, "If the Republican ticket is elected
the wages of the miners and the craftsmen will be cut
and those who object will be baptized with shrapnel and
machine-guns"; while the 'Standard', on Tuesday, de-
clared in a seven-column head, "The Destiny of Butte
will be decided at the Polls today", and on the day fol-
lowing said, "It was a sweeping victory, not for the Re-
publican party, but for law and order, for honesty, de-
cency, and good citizenship". The officials of the Ana-
conda Copper company doubtless have made blunders at
times in their dealings with the miners, and with the
unions, but the crowd of which Mr. Dunn is a leader has
repeatedly avowed allegiance to the principles of an-
archy, to sabotage, and to violence. Nothing good could
possibly come from their election to office, and Butte is
to be congratulated on the result of the balloting. To
what extent the local issue helped the Republican na-
tional ticket, and how much the sentiment for Senator
Harding favorably affected the vote for the candidates
on the Republican county ticket, can only be guessed ; at
any rate, the Hardinge-Coolidge electors received a sub-
stantial majority in Silver Bow county, of which Butte
is the countv-seat.
W7E -went to press last week too soon to be able to
record the meeting of the San Francisco section of
the Institute at which Mr. Hoover was present in his
official capacity as president of the Institute. A large
attendance graced this special occasion and Mr. Hoover
made it memorable by a speech crowded with interesting
information. He referred to the increase of membership
this year, an increase that, we venture to suggest, is due
largely to the fact that our president is a man who him-
self illustrates supremely the chief function of the en-
gineer as one who converts the resources of nature to
the use and benefit of man. In his own career during
recent years Mr. Hoover has provoked a comparison be-
tween the destructive performances of the diplomat and
the constructive activities of the engineer. He told his
audience something about the proposed Federation of
Engineers, the organization of which is to he perfected at
a meeting in Washington on the 17th instant. He
touched upon the intermittency of labor in the coal
regions, giving 180 shifts per annum as the coal-workers
average portion, and emphasized the economic necessity
for systematizing the extraction, storage, and distribu-
tion of coal so as to prevent the waste of time, energy,
and money. Speaking of the defective distribution of
power in the industrial region of the Atlantic seaboard,
he mentioned a project for building an electric trunk-line
from Washington to Maine to be used as a means for con-
ducting power and distributing it over branch-lines to
industrial centres. In response to a question, he de-
scribed the work being done by the American Relief
Administration, and in response to another question, he
dwelt upon the utter failure of communism in Russia,
suggesting a warning to our radicals and dreamers. He
urged all present to bring pressure upon their representa-
tives in Congress to support the bill for a Federal De-
partment of Public Works ; in short, h» gave us a crowded
hour of live information and stimulating thought.
\ RECENT discovery in Canada affords a nice illus-
-^*- tration of the incidence of economic considerations
on the technical distinction between a 'mineral deposit'
and a deposit of 'ore'. The former, of course, is the
more comprehensive term. It is reported that on August
25 oil was found at a depth of 783 feet in a drill-hole near
Fort Norman, which is situated on the Mackenzie river
and near the Arctic circle. The six-inch casing was
capped after flowing for half an hour at a rate estimated
at 1500 barrels per day. Whether this estimate be
accurate or not is immaterial ; there seems to be evidence
of the existence of a good supply of oil. However, even if
a hundred wells of this size were ' brought in ' near Fort
Norman, they would have no economic value as an im-
mediate source of petroleum products for southern Can-
ada and the United States. From Fort Norman to the
nearest railroad is 1200 miles and to the nearest navi-
gable river the distance is approximately 900 miles.
Numerous streams capable of floating boats of shallow i :
draught appear on the map to afford a route, but sundry
rapids necessitate frequent portage, thereby precluding
the shipment of a bulky cargo. Moreover, on account of
the Arctic cold the rivers are open to navigation for only
a few months during the year. The construction of a
pipe-line, according to the engineers of the Imperial Oil
Company, would involve an expenditure of some $50,-
000,000, so that there is little likelihood of such a project
being undertaken until various other sources of supply
have been exhausted. Obviously, if enough productive
districts were discovered in the region and if the de-
mand, and consequently the price, were increased suffi-
ciently, the difficulties of exploiting the oil would be
■'a
sii
•ill
November 20, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
721
Overcome. We venture to say thai the Bhale of Colorado
and Utah will have been made to yield the tremendous
Quantities of oil that they contain before we turn to the
Arctic region as a source of crude petroleum.
The Bingham Decision
In this issue we publish the lai-^i'i- part of the opinion
Banded down by Judge Tillman I). Johnson, of the I'. S.
District Court for Utah, on October 20, in the first of a
of suits between the Utah Apex Mining Co. and
tin- Utah Consolidated Mining Co. arising from disputes
over the ownership of ore in sundry beds of limestone at
Bingham, Ctah. The trial was completed last January,
at which time Judge Johnson took the cases under ad-
vis, -in' nt. In the two principal controversies no vital
question of apex or extra-lateral rights arose. The ex-
pert witnesses on both sides agreed so closely as to the
losition and physical characteristics of the beds and
lodes that the Utah Apex company agreed to accept the
maps and other exhibits of its opponents as correctly
representing the conditions existing in the two mines:
the two geologic sections given elsewhere in this issue
are adapted from the exhibits of the Utah Consolidated
company. They present the salient points clearly. The
section on page 727 shows the issue in the first case,
wherein the Utah Consolidated was the defendant. The
Utah Apex company sought to recover $1,750,000 for
ore that, it alleged, had been wrongfully mined by the
Utah Consolidated from the Leadville orebodies. The
defendant contended that the Highland Boy limestone
stratum was a continuous broad lode, and so designated
it on its exhibit. In our drawing we have substituted the
words 'limestone bed' for 'lode', to conform with the
decision of the Court. The geologists who testified for
the Utah Consolidated defined a lode as "mineralized
rock or rocks which contain such indications of valuable
minerals as to justify development with the expectation
of finding ore. As soon as quartzite over a considerable
distance becomes mineralized, then it becomes a lode.
Just as soon as either of the other rocks can produce and
io produce ore, or contain indications which lead the
xperieneed miner or prospector of judgment to develop
it in expectation of finding ore, then it becomes a lode."
Around this definition of the statutory meaning of 'lode'
'.he argument of the defendant was built. The cases of
1 Richmond Co. v. Eureka Co. and U. S. Mining Co. v.
jawson were cited by the defendant, who urged that the
conditions were so nearly parallel that those decisions,
vherein the courts had held that particular limestone
>eds fulfilled the requirements of the definition of 'lode',
I jhould be accepted as a valid precedent. The Utah Apex
i jttorneys contended that the Highland Boy ore deposit
I 3 a broad lode limited by the porphyry dike, shown im-
; liediately to the right of the principal stopes, and offered
I jvidence to prove that for a distance of a quarter of a
I file between the Highland Boy and Leadville orebodies
le limestone is unaltered, and that the adjacent quartz-
re contains more lead than does the limestone ; they
• rgued that the two orebodies were entirely independent
of each other. In bis findings Judge Johnson points out
thai the limestone strata in the cases cited were so
broken, crushed, and fissured, and so impregnated with
metalliferous minerals as to be clearly distinguished as
lodes; bill that this does not appear to be true with re-
spect to the limestone in the present controversy. He
declares that he cannot escape the conviction that, in the
course of twenty years of profitable mining, the de-
fendant would have explored the long stretch of lime-
stone between the two orebodies. had there been "reason-
able expectation of finding ore." The decision sustains
the contention of the Utah Apex company that the lime-
stone is not a lode, and that the orebodies are identified
with sundry steeply pitching fissures, variously called
faults, fault-fissures, fissure-zones, and fissure-veins by
the geologists who testified at the trial. A slightly dif-
ferent question is involved in the second suit as illus-
trated in the sectional drawing on page 729. Here the
positions are reversed in that the Utah Consolidated com-
pany alleges wrongful extraction by the Utah Apex of
ore in the Yampa limestone bed, the orebodies in con-
troversy being indicated by the stopes above and below
the Apex 1300-foot level. The plaintiff had mined a
foot-wall vein which follows the contact between the
limestone and the underlying quartzite; the contention
was again made that the limestone forms a thick lode ; it
was argued that any orebodies within its limits are part
of the lode. The Utah Apex conceded the ownership of
the Yampa foot-wall vein, but denied any geologic con-
nection between this vein and detached orebodies in the
overlying limestone. We have not printed the decision
of the Court in this case, since the conclusions are reached
by much the same line of reasoning. The Utah Con-
solidated company, since the announcement of the de-
cision, has voluntarily discontinued mining the Lead-
ville orebodies, and its engineers are now engaged in
calculating the value of the ore wrongfully removed.
This estimate will be subject to exception by the Utah
Apex company, in which event the Court will be called
upon to determine the amount of damage.
The Divining Rod
By way of introduction, we may say that a few days
ago a man called at this office to ascertain where he could
buy a divining rod, which he wanted for use in finding
some buried gold near Vallejo, at the northern end of
the Bay of San Francisco. He was shown the proof of
the article by "William Pryce, appearing m this issue,
and he asked particularly for the drawing given by the
old Cornishman because he intended to make a divining
rod for himself.
On another page we publish an excerpt from that re-
markable old book, 'Mineralogia Cornubiensis', by Wil-
liam Pryce, of Redruth. This book, which is the ' Agricola'
of Cornwall, was published in 1778 and is full of genu-
ine information on mining affairs. Among other sub-
jects discussed by Dr. Pryce is the divining rod, to which
he gives the larger part of a chapter headed, 'Of the
various Methods of discovering Mines'. His remarks on
722
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESh
November 20. 1920
the virgida divinatoria are full of good sense. He is
"well convinced of its absolute and improveable virtues",
but he does not undertake to decide upon the properties
attributed to it, especially as he has found by trial that
it does not work when in his own hands. However, it
does extraordinary things when in the hands of friends
whom he knows to be men of integrity, and not at all
likely to deceive either themselves or others, so he is pre-
pared to take it seriously. He finds that it works with
some and not with others; it gives qualitative results
but not quantitative ; "it has been found to dip equally to
a poor lode and to a rich one". The old Doctor tells us
how his friend Mr. Cookworthy "satisfied the curiosity
of some gentlemen" by finding "a lode that had been
wrought" and by tracing another lode from a sea-cliff
inland. Thirty years ago we had such a friend, who
wielded the divining rod or forked stick of enchantment :
lie was Charles Latimer, the president of a Cleveland
mining company, an old gentleman without guile. The
Foxhall tunnel in Seaton mountain near Idaho Springs
had cut a number of veins; we took Mr. Latimer into the
tunnel, or adit, and arranged that he should walk ahead
with the rod in the dark along the track and indicate
the various veins as he came to them. He did. Later we
hid a bunch of keys, a piece of copper, and a lump of
galena in different parts of a room ; he found them and
labeled them iron, copper, and lead. Like Pryce, he had
no explanation to offer. The various theories pro-
pounded by the old Cornish worthy are just about as in-
telligible as those advanced in these later days. We
moderns talk about electric currents instead of effluvia,
we use the modern jargon in place of the medieval, but
we are no nearer the secret. Authentic accounts of the
finding of water by 'dowsers', as the wielders of the rod
are sometimes called, are numerous, and that the rod
in the hands of some people will perform strange antics,
there is no doubt. Like Hamlet, we conclude that there
are more strange things in this world than are dreamt of
in our philosophy.
The occult survives in contraptions even more dubious
. than the divining rod. We read recently of a gentleman
at Haileybury, in Ontario, who owns an instrument "for
locating the presence of the precious metals". He was
being backed by a New York syndicate for the purpose
of finding the treasures hidden by Captain Kidd on the
Cocos islands. Mr. Andrew B. Cullen, this new diviner,
had made demonstrations at Cobalt that had aroused "a
moderate amount of curiosity" and there were "those
among the prospecting fraternity who appear to believe
that the instrument has some merit". It works "on the
principle that affinities attract each other, and that by
the proper use of a small piece of gold the instrument
will point out the location of an ore deposit or hidden
treasure containing gold". Another diviner appeared
three months ago at San Antonio, Texas. His name is
Professor L. V. J. Kimball. We read in the 'San An-
tonio Express' that his method likewise is based on "the
principle of affinity". Orebodies containing gold and
silver can be located, says he, "by use of magnetic needles
of the proper affinity to within a few inches of their posi-
tion in the earth". In searching for "the chemical that
would respond to gold" he has discovered the affinities
that answer to 75 other substances. The Professor work-
ed in the mines of California and "became disgusted with
geology", because its methods were so uncertain. So he
set to work and made the discovery that led to the inven-
tion of his 'finder'. It is a battery, which is "purely
magnetic and not electric". All mineral substances, he
says, are magnetic. They throw off magnetism. He lias
learned how to insulate magnetism. That is the secret.
Of course, he will not divulge his method. It will not
work with everybody, "because some people are electric
while others are magnetic". He has said something, has
he not '! His instrument will detect oil at 25 miles and
gold at 8 to 10 miles "at the farthest". Even that is a
considerable achievement. He can operate "while riding
along in a railroad coach or an automobile". What a
grand way of scouting for possible mines in the wide and
expansive regions of our West ! Professor Kimball will
not sell his services to AVall Street. No, Sir! His ryes
blazed with indignation as he told the highly intelligent
reporter "of an offer of a fabulous fortune for his instru-
ment. with a big annual salary attached, made by a big
corporation which proposed to use him and his instru-
ment solely for their own purposes and to deny the rest
of mankind the benefit of it". Damned greedy of them,
say we. However, the attachment of that "big annual
salary" seems rather to spoil the story, for the "fabulous
fortune" appears almost to suffice. Even in the Antipodes
they have their little fakes. We read that "a consider-
able amount of local interest has been aroused by reports
that a 'diviner' had located two large gold-bearing quartz
reefs at Little Plains" in New South Wales. He traced
them for six miles ; but Mr. L. J. Jones, of the Geological
Survey, was unable to find anything "in the nature of a
quartz reef in the various outcrops examined". Mining
operations failed to confirm the divination and local ex-
citement has subsided, we are informed. The miners
have returned to the dreary drudgery of digging as a
means of search for the precious metal.
The alchemy of one age is the chemistry of another, so
the divining rod of a former century may prove to be the
forerunner of a scientific device for detecting the pre-
cious things hidden in the crust of the earth. For the
present, however, we remain sceptical. Indeed if ever
somebody does discover some 'Open Sesame' in the pros-
pecting way. he will, we presume, keep his secret to him-
self or at most share it with one or two trusted friends.
We suspect the owner of an ore-finding device just as
soon as he advertises his willingness to find ore for other
people, even at a price. As yet all these queer instru- fiit
ments, whether a forked twig or an electric apparatus
at their best are merely qualitative, they fail to dis-
tinguish between poor rock and rich mineral, that is. they
show no economic sense, they confuse 'waste' with 'ore .
The inventors and exploiters of these devices remind us
of an advertisement we saw long ago in a Cripple Creek
newspaper; it offered the services of spiritism to find an
orebody. Yet the advertiser's address was Poverty
Gulch. That is where most of these gentry remain.
•ill., r 211. 1!»20
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
72:i
D I 3
£3
>S M,cA
m> CJh
mm
Minerals Separation in Chile
The Editor:
Sir — 1 have just read with great pleasure the testi-
mony given by you before the Federal Trade Commission
during the hearing of the complaint against the Min-
erals Separation companies. Let me. therefore, congratu-
late you for your admirable evidence and at the same
time assure you that all the "sinister imputations" of
Minerals Separation against your well-established repu-
tation for straight and fair dealings or against your
ftver-questioned honesty will not shake in the slightest
Itlie faith and regard that the subscribers of the 'Mining
and Scientific Press' have for you. As one of them, I
■Potest strongly against such insinuations; though they
are only degrading to those who make use of them.*
I have always followed with great interest your long,
courageous, and praiseworthy campaign in the 'Press'
against the mean and underhand methods of Minerals
Separation, by which they have mainly endeavored to
•stifle and suppress the dissemination of all knowledge
(relating to flotation and to obtain an absolute monopoly
over everything that relates to a process to the discovery
and improvement of which they were, as you justly be-
lieve, only contributors.
I am sure it will be of interest to you to know what
Chilean mining men think of Minerals Separation.
I Seiior Gandarillas Matta, the president of the society.
In his address said that he wished to call attention to a
mbject of great importance to the mining industry, about
Which he had received several protests from responsible
mining men. He referred to a notice published lately,
iibout a petition which the Minerals Separation company
liad made to the Government asking for an extension of
|inother 20 years to exploit in Chile their patents cover-
ing the concentration of ores by flotation.
"The Sociedad Nacional de Mineria," he said, "must
lake notice of the danger which such a petition entails to
he copper-mining industry."
I I All the members of the committee were in accord in
i he necessity of preventing "by all the means at their
pmmand" the continuance of such a state of things in
!hile for another twenty years.
The sending of a resolution to the Minister for Indus-
ries was approved, explaining the situation, accom-
anied by the complete vote of the American Mining
longress, and asking the Minister to refuse to grant the
< Intension asked for by Minerals Separation.
'Allowance must be made for the charming exaggerations
Spanish custom. The 'caballero' makes us blush. — Editor.
The text of the resolution sent to the Minister for In-
dustries was published, together with the vote of the
American Mining Congress, by the 'La Union' of San-
tiago and the 'La Nacion' of Valparaiso, as follows:
"The committee in their last meeting approved the
calling of your attention to a notice published lately in
the press of this capital which, if it were true, entails
very grave danger to the copper industry of the country.
"According to this notice the Minerals Separation
company has asked the Government to extend for 20
years more the right to exploit in this country their
patent-rights covering their systems of concentrating ores
by flotation.
' ' This notice, which may pass unperceived by the pub-
lic, is, however, of enormous importance, which is the
duty of the Sociedad Nacional de Mineria to bring for-
ward.
"The Minerals Separation company owns the patent-
rights of concentration by flotation, which is the only
one commercially applicable to the majority of Chilean
copper deposits.
"The large low-grade deposits would yield a small
profit per ton if treated by this system, and their owners
could work them upon a more or less sure basis, by treat-
ing large masses that today have only a relative value.
"The Minerals Separation company has received for
many years the benefit of their patents and in Chile itself
has been receiving by their use about £50,000 per annum.
In this the company has been protected by their patents,
from the legal point of view, but has used objectionable
methods in the giving out of licenses. The license agree-
ments to which the licensees are subjected are truly
despotic and one-sided (leoninos) not only on account of
the high dues demanded but also because of all kinds of
obstacles and severe conditions imposed.
"We will not allow the truth of these assertions to rest
solely on ourselves, but will quote in our behalf an au-
thority of world-wide reputation in this matter.
"The American Mining Congress is an institution that
meets annually in the United States with the assistance
of delegates from all the mining States, together with
the most distinguished mining engineers and business
men connected with mining enterprises. This Congress,
in its meeting of the 21st of November 1919, at St. Louis,
unanimously approved the following vote. [The transla-
tion into Spanish of the vote follows.]
"If such has been the conduct of the Minerals Sep-
aration company in the United States, you will under-
stand that there has been no reason to make it more
gentle in Chile.
724
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 20, 1920
"And if such has been the condemnation that its
monopolistic policy has merited, we can see no reason
why we should allow it legally to continue to exercise it
here for another 20 years.
"The rights of the inventor have already been well
paid for and what up to now has been a legal reward to
the discoverer of the process would become an irritating
monopoly that no legislation can sanction.
"The royalty of six pence per ton which up to now
Minerals Separation has been charging is without a doubt
very high, but has been accepted as a tribute to the in-
telligence of the discoverer, under the protection of the
law.
"But there must be a limit to this. In so essentially a
mining country as Chile, where the future of the copper-
mining industry is so closely connected to the exploita-
tion of low-grade deposits, flotation is absolutely indis-
pensable and must be declared a public utility.
"For these reasons we ask, that when the opportune
moment arrives, your high influence be used so that the
original patents of Minerals Separation be declared ex-
pired and that under no pretext will new privileges be
conceded to this company in this country."
Let us hope that the Chilean Minister for Industries
takes the advice of the Soeiedad Nacional de Mineria
and refuses to extend for another 20-year period the
patent-rights of Minerals Separation in Chile. If so, the
first complete victory against the soulless patent-exploit-
ing combination may be said to have been won ; and no
small credit for it will be due to you, Mr. Editor.
Santiago, Chile, September 23.
Ingeniero.
Two Suggestions on a National Problem
The Editor:
Sir — In reply to the letter by M. W. von Bernewitz
in your issue of October 16, he seems to take the stand
that he may draw inferences from my letter, but that I
must not do so from his. He appears to be under the
impression, too, that my letter was antagonistic to his,
whereas, of course, it was not intended to be anything
of the kind. His letter simply formed an incentive to
air my own views on the subject.
I freely admit that I did infer from his letter in your
issue of August 14 that Mr.»von Bernewitz considered
the method of storing gas on automobiles in England
during the War was a stupid method, and admittedly it
would have been a stupid method had there not been an
excellent reason for it, as I stated in my letter of Sep-
tember 11. Mr. von Bernewitz said: "According to
Captain Brewer, who addressed the engineering societies
in San Francisco a couple of years ago, during the "War,
some automobiles in England used city gas, which was
stored in an unsightly bag atop of the machine. This
gas was at low pressure, supplied by gas-works. My
suggestion is to compress the gas to several hundred
pounds, store it in a receiver on the machine, and pass it
through a reducing- valve before use." The storage of
gas at high pressures (often several thousand pounds)
for many purposes has been such a common practice in
England for so many years that Mr. von Bernewitz by
his suggestion did seem to me to imply stupidity that it
was not done, and I think it probable that many others
made the same inference. Once again, I did not intend
to convey the impression that Mr. von Bernewitz thought
the fuel situation cause for panic. I simply said that I
did not, though I considered it serious.
Mr. von Bernewitz was justified, perhaps, in making
the inference that I thought he was advocating the use
of producer-gas for raising steam, though I did not say
so. I should have worded the sentence a little differently,
and then would have avoided the ambiguity. Producer-
gas has been, and is, used in Europe for raising steam,
and there was justification for such use before the fixation
of nitrogen from atmospheric air had been accomplished,
and before the improvement in methods of burning finely
pulverized fuels. More ammonia is obtained from the
fuel when converted into producer-gas than by any other
method, and this to some extent relieved the immense
drain that was being made on the nitrate deposits of the
Tarapaca and Tacoma valleys, in Chile and Peru. With
improved methods of burning pulverized fuel, allowing
many low-grade fuels to be used, there does not seem to
be the same justification for the use of producer-gas for
raising steam.
Notwithstanding its use in Europe, the employment of
a gas containing 60% of inert matter as an internal-com-
bustion-engine fuel does not appeal to me as good prac-
tice, especially when we consider that for every volume of
oxygen used for its combustion four volumes of nitrogen
has to be introduced, making the total amount of inert
material rather appalling. Some day, if Dr. Cottrell's
dream of the use of oxygen materializes, and there seems
to be no reason why it should not, this may not be neces-
sary.
In
■■■.
h
1 bo
The increased use of the internal-combustion engine i,,
has been so rapid that it entirely has overtaken the pro-
duction of suitable fuels for its operation. These, I be- ,
lieve, will come in time. In the meantime, anything that ,,. I;
will help to solve the problem is of national importance, j^
and I have no desire to decry the use of producer-gas, or ,, .■
anything else, that is likely to bring relief. We see things
from different angles, however, and thoughtful discussion ^m
should produce good. As an illustration of how widely
sometimes those angles diverge, I was interested to read i
in an industrial chemical journal recently condemnation
of attempts to make alcohol for motor-fuel synthetically
from acetylene, on the ground that if, instead of eonvertS-"
ing the calcium carbide into acetylene, it were converted
into nitrolime, or calcium cyanamide, and utilized as a T »:.jv
fertilizer the increase in the production of grain would j . ,
be capable of making four times the amount of alcohol | < ..
that could be made directly from the carbide. As to the ,
accuracy of this, I know nothing. The agricultural part , ..
is outside my line of thought. There is, however, a great j ,
field open to the industrial chemist in the manufacture! -r
of alcohol from waste products.
Victoria, B. C, October 23. F. H. Mason. I ,„ ,, ."
November 20, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
72.".
Utah Apex v. Utah Consolidated; Abstract of the
Court's Opinion
The parties to this action are corporations engaged in
he business of mining. They own adjoining properties
in Bingham, a mining camp situated a few miles south-
jresl of Salt Lake City, in this State. Certain of the min-
ing claims of the plaintiff lie north of and adjacent to cer-
tain of the mining claims of the defendant. Prior to the
commencement of this action the defendant had entered
beneath the surface of the adjacent claims of the plaintiff
and began to remove and appropriate valuable ores and
mineral found therein. By this action the plaintiff seeks
to enjoin further entry by the defendant within the
premises of the plaintiff and the removal of the ores and
mineral therein, and for an accounting.
The defendant in its answer admits that it has entered
beneath the surface of the mining claims owned by the
plaintiff, and that it has removed, and will continue to
remove, the ores and mineral found therein, and justifies
its action in so doing on the ground that the ores and
mineral beneath the surface of the plaintiff's property
are within a broad lode apexing within the boundaries
jpf the mining property of the defendant, and that the
said ores and mineral found within said lode beneath the
surface of the mining property of the plaintiff belong to
and are the property of the defendant by virtue of the
extra-lateral rights conferred by the laws of the United
States in such cases.
Geologically the country involved in this litigation
consists of an underlying quartzite bed or stratum of
unknown extent and thickness. Upon this quartzite there
a limestone bed, called the Highland Boy limestone, of
Ian average thickness of about 250 ft., but varying in
jthiekness from about 100 to 400 ft. Above the Highland
JBoy limestone there is a bed of quartzite having an av-
jrage thickness of about 250 ft., and above this quartzite
bed there is another limestone bed, called the Yampa
imestone, with an average thickness of about 200 ft., but
trying in thickness from a few feet at or near the sur-
aee to 400 or 500 ft. at depth in the neighborhood of the
deepening of the dip of the limestone. Above the Yampa
imestone there is a quartzite stratum having a thickness
If about 700 ft., and above this stratum of quartzite a
imestone bed, called the Parnell, of about 30 ft. in thick-
ess. Upon the Parnell limestone rests a quartzite bed
ontaining within it here and there thin lenses of lime-
tone. This bed of quartzite has a thickness of about
80 ft. Above this quartzite there is a thin bed of lime-
;one called the Petro, and above the Petro an indefinite
lickness of quartzite in which are found here and there
lin lenses of limestone.
The limestone and quartzite beds above mentioned are
dimentary rocks and, as laid down in the bottom of the
'.ean, were originally level. Later and in the mountain-
making of this region these sedimentary beds were up-
lifted and more or less tilted and bent so that now they
have a dip northerly at the surface and for some con-
siderable distance below the surface of about 30°, and an
easterly and westerly strike across the country.
Subsequent to the mountain-building which resulted
in the tilting of these sedimentary beds of limestone and
quartzite there was an intrusion of porphyry — an igneous
rock coming up from the depths, apparently from the
south and east — which cut through, absorbed or threw
aside portions of the sedimentary beds of limestone and
quartzite lying above. After this intrusion of porphyry
the ores and mineral contained in the mining properties
of the parties to this action were deposited.
The ores and mineral in controversy in this action are
found beneath the surface of the mining claims of the
plaintiff in the Highland Boy limestone and only to a
limited extent in the quartzite above or below it. The
outcrop or apex of the Highland Boy limestone is within
the boundaries of mining claims owned by the defendant.
On its dip to the north the Highland Boy limestone passes
beneath the surface of the mining claims of the plaintiff
where, as already stated, the disputed ores and mineral
are located which in the testimony are called the Lead-
ville orebody and the locality spoken of as the Leadville
country.
The Leadville orebody is a relatively narrow (as com-
pared with the various other orebodies involved in this
series of litigation) and practically continuous body of
ore extending about 2000 ft. in a north-easterly and
south-westerly direction along the course of what has
been variously spoken of by the witnesses as a fault, a
fault-fissure, a fissure, a fissure-zone, a fissure-vein. The
ore is a lead ore found east of the fissure making out
into the limestone.
Up the dip of the Highland Boy limestone about one-
fourth of a mile from the Leadville orebody there has
been developed and mined an immense deposit of ore.
This deposit was made up of a great number of closely
associated and related orebodies almost entirely in the
limestone and extending in length for a distance of ap-
proximately 3000 ft. in a north-easterly direction, rough-
ly paralleling the Leadville orebody, and from 200 to as
much as 1000 ft. in width. All of these orebodies were
copper ore except a few found near the surface, which
were lead.
The maps and models introduced in evidence by the
parties show more clearly than words can describe a
great mass of porphyry adjacent to and lying south of
and below the outcrop of the Highland Boy limestone in
the mining claims of the defendant.
There is also shown upon the maps and models down
726
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 20. 1920
the dip of the Highland Boy limestone a comparatively
narrow sheet and fingers of porphyry extending up and
cutting through the Highland Boy limestone above and
north of the orebodies above described, with one or tw-o
exceptions, and inclosing between this sheet and fingers
of porphyry and the great mass of porphyry lying south
of and below the apex of the limestone the segment of
the Highland Boy limestone in which these orebodies
were deposited.
This great deposit, lying south of and below the sheet
and fingers of porphyry, is admitted by the plaintiff to be
a broad lode.
At this time I will say I do not think the admission of
counsel for plaintiff, made in his opening statement, that
plaintiff conceded the orebody bounded on the foot-wall
side by quartzite and porphyry, and on the hanging-wall
side by the sheet and fingers of porphyry above men-
tioned, was a broad lode, or the testimony of plaintiff's
witnesses to the same effect, shifted the burden of
proof.
Lying between this admitted broad lode and the Lead-
ville orebody is a body of the Highland Boy limestone of
about 250 ft. in thickness and extending north-easterly
about 2000 ft. and north-westerly about 1-100 or 1500 ft.
This intervening limestone has been explored only to a
very limited extent. Five or six years ago the defendant
ran a drift on the 1300 level westerly from the vicinity
of the main shaft of its upper mine through the High-
land Boy limestone, a distance of about 1800 ft., to an
intersection with the Leadville fissure. This drift was
continued westerly and north-westerly several hundred
feet through the limestone and overlying quartzite to the
Yampa limestone. It was at this time that the Leadville
ores were discovered by the defendant. The subsequent
mining and removal of these ores have occasioned this
lawsuit.
After the discovery of the Leadville orebodies the de-
fendant ran a cross-cut from the 900 level of its upper
mine through the limestone westerly down and into the
Leadville country. More recently it has run a drift on
its 1600 level, from the vicinity of the main shaft of the
upper mine, through the limestone to the Leadville
country. There is also a cross-cut from the 700 level of
the upper orebody through the Highland Boy limestone
and the overlying quartzite tp the Tampa limestone. In
addition to these drifts and cross-cuts run into and
through the limestone intervening between the upper
and Leadville orebodies, there are numerous drifts and
cross-cuts from the main workings of the upper mine,
and a few drifts and cross-cuts from the main workings
of the Leadville orebody extending a comparatively short
distance into this intervening limestone.
A glance only at the maps and models of the parties
makes it manifest that this intervening country is un-
developed and unprospeeted. The drifts and cross-cuts
into and through the intervening limestone above the
drift on the 1300 level show the limestone to be unmin-
eralized. in the main unaltered, and but slightly fissured
or broken as compared with the limestone found in the
upper or the Leadville orebodies. Indeed this is admitted
by the defendant in its brief. It is stated :
"In this area of little development, its upper portion
is correctly described as unaltered barren limestone.
In the drift upon the 1300 level there is a slight show-
ing of mineral at two or three places, and also some
Assuring along the drift. In the drift upon the 1600
level there are more evidences of mineralization and the
rock is more extensively altered and fissured. There is
mineralization found in this drift in the neighborhood of
the Leadville fissure which may be, and probably is. con-
nected with the Leadville orebody. There is also min-
eralization and a little ore found further to the east in
this drift and referred to in the evidence as Litigation
stope. This mineralization has not been developed suffi-
ciently to determine its value or its connection, if any,
with either the upper orebody or the Leadvillr ore!
body.
It is the contention of the defendant, based upon nu-
merous considerations, that this undeveloped body of the
Highland Boy limestone is good prospecting ground in
which the miner may work with reasonable expectation of
finding ore anywhere, and that it is a part of the broad
lode as conceded by the plaintiff. In other words, it is
the contention of the defendant that the Highland Boy
limestone, outcropping upon the mining claims of the
defendant and extending on its dip beneath the surface
of the claims of the plaintiff, is one broad lode. The
plaintiff controverts these contentions of the defendant
and asserts that this undeveloped limestone is a body of
barren limestone breaking the continuity of the upper
orebodies and clearly constituting an area of separation
between the two orebodies, and, in addition, maintains
that the porphyry sheet and fingers above and overlying
the orebodies, admitted by it to be a broad lode, consti-
tute the north boundary of the lode.
Our first consideration, then, is: "What constitutes a
lode within the meaning of the statute? What are its
characteristics and nature? What its extent, its limits,
and boundaries?
"The locators of all mining locations heretofore made
or which shall hereafter be made, on any mineral vein,
lode, or ledge, situated on the public domain, their heirs
and assigns, where no adverse claim exists on the tentli
day of May, eighteen hundred and seventy-two, so long
as they comply with the laws of the United States,
and with state, territorial, and local regulations, not in
conflict with the laws of the United States governing
their possessory title, shall have the exclusive right of
possession and enjoyment of all the surface included ,
within the lines of their locations, and of all veins, lodes,
and ledges throughout their entire depth, the top or,
apex of which lies inside of such surface lines extended
downward vertically, although such veins, lodes, or 1
may so far depart from a perpendicular in their course
downward as to extend outside the vertical side-lines of
such surface locations. But their right of possession to
such outside parts of such veins or ledges shall be eon-
fined to such portions thereof as lie between vertical
ended
ledges
;ourse
November 20, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
7-JT
planes drawn downward, as above described, through the
end-lines of their locations, so continued in tlu>ir own
direction that such plain's will intersect such exterior
parts of such veins or ledges. And nothing in this section
shall authorize the locator or possessor of a vein or lode
which extends iu its downward course beyond the vert icaJ
lines of his claim to enter upon the surface of a claim
owned or possessed by another."
The defendant cites the Eureka ease, 4 Sawyer 302,
.'ill. 8 Federal Cases (No. 4548), and urges with great
earnestness that the facts of that case are so nearly
analogous to the facts in the case at bar that no other
(•(inclusion is possible than that the Highland Boy lime-
stone constitutes the lode, as the zone of limestone was
found to be the lode in that case.
The defendant not only urges the similarity of con-
eral miles in length, running in a northerly and south-
erly course. Adjoining its northerly end is this spur
called Ruby Hill, which extends thence westerly, or in a
south-westerly direction. Along and through this hill,
for a distance slightly exceeding a mile, is a zone of lime-
stone, in which, at different places throughout its length,
and in various forms, mineral is found, this mineral ap-
pearing sometimes in a series of succession of orebodies
more or less closely connected, sometimes in apparently
isolated chambers, and at other times in what would seem
to be scattered grains."
Alter discussing at some length the statute and the
definition of a lode within the meaning of the statute, he
proceeds :
"Examining, now, with this definition in mind, the
features of the zone which separate and distinguish it
Scale of Feet
soo
Fig. 1. GEOLOGIC SECTION showing leadville orebodies
ditions as deduced from the statement of facts found in
the opinion, but relied upon testimony of witnesses called
by it who testified that the conditions existing in the two
mines were similar, one of whom had recently been in a
portion of the Eureka mine and who testified to his
observations. Inasmuch as this testimony was received
during the progress of the trial and is commented upon
by counsel for the defendant in argument, it is only fair
to say that the weight which I shall give to the Eureka
ease as an authority will be based upon the facts stated
in the opinion. The testimony of witnesses conflicting
with the facts stated in an opinion cannot, in my judg-
ment, either enlarge or limit the authority of the opinion
in another case before another court. Upon the facts
stated in the opinion, the Eureka case is a most valuable
one for our consideration in this case, and requires more
than passing notice. Judge Field, who wrote the
opinion, in respect to the facts said :
"The mining ground which forms the subject of eon-
;roversy is situated in a hill known as Ruby Hill, a spur
)f Prospect mountain, distant about two miles from the
own of Eureka, in Nevada. Prospect mountain is sev-
from the surrounding country, we experience little diffi-
culty in determining its character. We find that it is
contained within clearly defined limits, and that it bears
unmistakable marks of originating, in all its parts, under
the influence of the same creative forces. It is bounded
on the south side for its whole length, at least so far as
explorations have been made, by a wall of quartzite of
several hundred feet in thickness; and on its north side,
for a like extent, by a belt of clay, or shale, ranging in
thickness from less than an inch to 70 or 80 ft. At the
east end of the zone, in the Jackson mine, the quartzite
and shale approach so closely as to be separated by a
bare seam, less than an inch in width. From that point
they diverge, until, on the surface in the Eureka mine,
they are about 500 ft. apart, and on the surface in the
Richmond mine, about 800 ft. The quartzite has a gen-
eral dip to the north, at an angle of about 45°,' subject
to some local variations, as the course changes. The clay
or shale is more perpendicular, having a dip at an angle
of about 80°. At some depth under the surface, these two
boundaries of the limestone, descending at their respec-
tive angles, may come together. In some of the levels '
728
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 20, 1920
worked, they are now only from two to three hundred
feet apart.
"The limestone found between these two limits — the
wall of quartzite and the seam of elay or shale — has, at
some period of the world's history, been subjected to
some dynamic force of nature, by which it has been
broken up, crushed, disintegrated, and fissured in all
directions, so as to destroy, except in places of a few
feet each, so far as explorations show, all traces of
stratification; thus specially fitting it, according to the
testimony of the men of science, to whom we have
listened, for the reception of the mineral which, in ages
past, came up from the depths below in solution, and was
deposited in it. Evidence that the whole mass of lime-
stone has been, at some period, lifted up and moved along
the quartzite, is found in the marks of attrition engraved
on the rock. This broken, crushed, and fissured condi-
tion pervades, to a greater or less extent, the whole body,
showing that the same forces which operated upon a
part, operated upon the whole, and at the same time.
"Wherever the quartzite is exposed, the marks of attri-
tion appear. Below the quartzite no one has penetrated.
Above the shale the rock has not been thus broken and
crushed. Stratification exists there. If in some isolated
places there is found evidence of disturbance, that dis-
turbance has not been sufficient to affect the stratifica-
tion. The broken, crushed, and fissured condition of the
limestone gives it a specific individual character, by
which it can be identified and separated from all other
limestone in the vicinity.
"In this zone of limestone numerous caves or cham-
bers are found, further distinguishing it from the
neighboring rock. The limestone being broken and
crushed up as stated, the water from above readily pene-
trated into it, and, operating as a solvent, formed these
caves and chambers. No similar cavities are found in the
rock beyond the shale, its hard and unbroken character
not permitting, or at least opposing such action from
the water above.
"Oxide of iron is also found in numerous places
throughout the zone, giving to the miner assurance that
the metal he seeks is in its vicinity.
"This broken, crushed, and fissured condition of the
limestone, the presence of the oxides of iron, the caves
or chambers we have mentioned, with the wall of quartz-
ite and seam of clay bounding it, give to the zone, in the
eyes of the practical miner, an individuality, a oneness
as complete as that which the most perfect lode in a
geological sense ever possessed. Each of the character-
istics named, though produced at a different period from
the others, was undoubtedly caused by the same forces
operating at the same time upon the whole body of the
limestone.
"Throughout this zone of limestone, as we have al-
ready stated, mineral is found in the numerous fissures
of the rock. ' '
Then after discussing the opinions of the expert wit-
nesses, he concludes:
"Our .-judgment being that the limestone zone in Ruby
Hill, in Eureka district, lying between the quartzite and
the shale, constitutes, within the meaning of the acts of
Congress, one lode of rock-bearing metal, we proceed to
consider the rights conveyed to the parties by their re-
spective patents from the United States."
# # * » •
It is evident that the Eureka company claimed that
the limestone constituted one lode, upon facts substan-
tially as the court states them to be in the opinion. On
the other hand, it is evident the Richmond company
maintained that the ores found in the limestone consti-
tuted several lodes. It is stated in the opinion that :
"According to the opinions of all the scientific men
who have been examined, this mineral was brought up
in solution from the depths of the earth below, and
would therefore naturally be very irregularly deposited
in the fissures of the crushed matter, as these fissures are
in every variety of form and size, and would also find its
way in minute particles in the loose material of the
rock."
It is stated that the expert witnesses called by the
Eureka company all gave it as their opinion that the
limestone constituted a vein or lode in the sense in which
those terms are used by miners, and the language of Dr.
Hunt, one of the witnesses for plaintiff, is quoted with
evident approval in the opinion:
"That this whole mass of rock is impregnated with
ore; that although the great mass of ore stretches for a
long distance above horizontally and along an incline
down the foot-wall, as I have traced it, from this deposit
you can also trace the ore into a succession of great
cavities or bonanzas lying irregularly across the lime-
stone and into smaller caverns or chasms of the same
sort ; and that the whole mass of the limestone is irregu-
largly impregnated with the ore. I use the word 'im-
pregnation' in the sense that it has penetrated here and
there ; little patches and stains, ore- vugs and caverns and
spaces of all sizes and all shapes, irregularly dissemi-
nated through the mass. I conclude, therefore, that this
great mass of ore is, in the proper sense of the word, a
great 'lode', or a great 'vein', in the sense in which the
word is used by miners; and that practically the only
way of utilizing this deposit, is to treat the whole of it
as one great ore-bearing lode or mass of rock. ' '
• * # # •
Summarizing the facts found by the Court in the
Eureka case: There was a wedge-shaped zone of lime-
stone dipping into the mountain for a distance slightly
exceeding a mile lying between quartzite and shale beds
which at the east end of the zone approach so closely as
to be separated by a bare seam less than an inch in width.
From that point they diverged until on the surface in the
Eureka mine they were about 500 ft. apart, and on the
surface in the Richmond mine about 800 ft. In this lime-
stone zone at different places throughout its length and
in various forms, mineral was found, sometimes in a
series or succession of orebodies more or less closely con-
nected, sometimes in what would seem to be scattered
grains. This limestone zone was broken up, crushed,
disintegrated, and fissured in all directions so as to de-
«
I
Mi
i
4
November i'ii. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
72! I
Broy, excepl in places of a few feet each, so far as ex-
ploration showed, all traces of stratification.
Evidence that the whole mass of limestone had been at
■ome period lifted up ami moved along the quartzite was
found in the marks of attrition engraved on the roek.
This broken, crushed, and fissured condition pervaded,
to a greater or less extent, the whole body, showing that
the same forces which operated upon a part operated
upon the whole at the same time.
The broken, crushed. a"d fissured condition of the
limestone gave it a specific, individual character by which
it could be identified and separated from all other lime-
stone in the vicinity. In the zone of limestone numerous
eaves or chambers were found, further distinguishing it
from the neighboring roek. The limestone being broken
lip and crushed, as stated, the water from above readily
penetrated into it and, operating as a solvent, formed
these caves and chambers. No similar cavities were found
in this ease. In the Eureka case there were not two ore-
bodies separated by a quarter of a mile of comparatively
unbroken, unchanged, and unmineralized limestone, one
of them upon a fissure, if not a true fissure-vein, as in the
Leadville orebody in this case. Nor was there an in-
trusion of porphyry from below practically inclosing one
of the orebodies on the hanging-wall side, as in this ease.
In view of the facts in the Eureka case and the issues
made by the parties, it is not astonishing that Judge
Sawyer, who sat in the Eureka case with Justice Field, in
the Mount Diablo case, 17 Fed. Cas. (No. 9886) 918,
said:
"It never was intended in that case (the Eureka case)
to hold that every metalliferous zone of country, to which
boundaries could be found, must be regarded as one vein
or lode, for this would be to reduce all mining districts
to one lode."
I conclude, therefore, that the Eureka ease is authority
2^
aim
Scale of Feet
390
FlG. 2. GEOLOGIC SECTION SHOWING YAMPA OREBODIES
in the rock beyond the shale, its hard and unbroken
character not permitting, or at least opposing such
action from the water above.
Oxide of iron was also found in numerous places
throughout the zone, giving to the miner assurance that
the metal he sought was in its vicinity.
This broken, crushed, and fissured condition of the
limestone, the presence of the oxides of iron, the caves
or chambers, the wall of quartzite and seam of clay
bounding it, gave to the zone, in the eyes of the practical
miner, an individuality, a oneness as complete as that
which the most perfect lode, in a geological sense, ever
possessed. Each of the characteristics named, though
produced at a different period from the others, was un-
doubtedly caused by the same forces operating at the
same time upon the whole body of the limestone. ■
Throughout this zone of limestone mineral was found
lin the numerous fissures of the rock.
j The. facts which distinguish the case at bar from the
Eureka case are so numerous and distinctive that I have
10 hesitancy in saying that the decision of the Court in
he Eureka case upon the facts there found to exist can-
iot be held to be controlling under the facts as they exist
for finding that the upper orebody found in the High-
land Boy limestone, developed on its plunge and rake in
the limestone, is a lode or vein within the meaning of
the statute. Authority requiring the inclusion of the
Leadville orebody and the intervening limestone in this
upper lode, or justifying the calling of the entire High-
land Boy limestone a lode, must be found in some other
case.
The case of United States Mining Company v. Lawson,
134 Federal, 769, decided by the Circuit Court of Ap-
peals of this circuit, is confidently relied upon by counsel
for the defendant as such a case.
The orebodies which were the subject of litigation in
the Lawson case were found in a body of limestone called
the Jordan limestone, separated only a few thousand
feet from the Highland Boy limestone, and as the Jordan
limestone and the Highland Boy limestone are undoubt-
edly a part of the same sedimentary bed, uplifted at the
same time, and possibly mineralized from the same mass
or similar masses of porphyry lying below, it is encum-
bent upon me to give the decision of the case by the
Circuit Court of Appeals most thoughtful consideration.
Counsel for the defendant have urged tkat I should
730
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 20, 1920
read and consider the record in that ease in connection
with the opinion of the Court. I have read the briefs in
the Lawson case, tiled in the Supreme Court of the
United States, which contain more or less extended ex-
cerpts of the testimony of various witnesses of the parties.
It is only fair to say. however, that I did not read the
briefs for the purpose of forming an opinion upon the
merits of the case but to learn the theoiy held by the re-
spective parties as to the law applicable to the case, and
to learn what each claimed the evidence proved.
Justice Van Dervanter has admirably stated the con-
tentions of the parties in his statement of the case in the
following language :
"The evidence was chiefly directed to the question
whether or not the stratum of limestone constitutes a
single broad vein or lode of mineral-bearing rock. Com-
plainant insisted, and its evidence tended to show, that
this stratum is such a single vein or lode, while the de-
fendants insisted, and their evidence tended to show, that
the stratum embraces several distinct and independent
veins or lodes; that one such vein or lode, called a 'bed-
ded vein', has its apex within the surface lines of the
Kempton, extends on its strike in the direction of the
Kempton end-lines, passes on its dip beneath the surface
beyond the northerly side-line of that claim, and through
the Jordan Extension, Ashland, Northern Light. Grizzly,
and Fairview; that another distinct and independent
vein or lode, called the 'Ashland cross- fissure', and of
which the bedded vein is claimed to be a lateral con-
tinuation or appendage, has its apex in the Ashland,
passes on its dip beneath the surface beyond the north-
westerly side-line of that claim, and through the North-
ern Light, Grizzly, and Fairview, and that the orebodies
in controversy are parts of the two veins or lodes, the
apices of which are within the Kempton and Ash-
land."
From the foregoing statement it is seen that the evi-
dence introduced by the defendants tended to show that
the limestone embraced two distinct veins or lodes,
namely, the Kempton vein and the Ashland cross-fissure,
while in the Eureka ease the evidence of the defendant,
the Richmond company, did not tend to show the ex-
istence of one or more distinct or independent veins or
lodes, but was directed to what the defendant and its wit-
nesses defined to be or not to be a vein or lode. The
decision of the Eureka case upon the admitted facts, was
a question of law ; the decision in the Lawson case one of
fact.
The Court in the body of the opinion in the Lawson
ease says:
"A careful examination and consideration of the evi-
dence clearly convinces us that the stratum of limestone
constitutes a single broad vein or lode of mineral-bearing
rock extending from the quartzite on one side to the
quartzite on the other. The limestone has been pro-
foundly broken, altered, and mineralized, and has there-
by obtained an individuality, which, apart from other
differences, clearly distinguishes it from the neighboring
rock. There is a local absence of ore in places, a con-
tinuous occurrence of it in others, and a seeming local
occurrence of it in still others, but the orebodies are not
separated, one from another, by any definite boundaries.
As in Eureka Consolidated Mining Co. v. Richmond
Mining Co., S Fed. Cas. 819, 825 (No. 4548), they are
parts of one greater deposit, which permeates, in a
greater or less degree, with occasional intervening spaces
of barren rock, the whole mass of limestone. As shown
by extensive exploration and actual mining, the miner-
alization has been so general that its only defined limits
are the quartzite walls which bound the limestone and
within it one may reasonable expect to encounter ore by
driving or cross-cutting in any direction.
' ' In addition to the many small fissures which exist only
in the limestone and extend in every direction, other ore-
bearing fissures of approximately a northerly and south-
erly direction are found in the quartzite, and it is the
contention of the defendants that these extend through
the limestone, and that its mineralization is due to them
and occurred at the same time and in the same manner
as did the deposition of the ore in them, and that the
orebodies in the limestone are lateral continuations or
appendages of these cross-fissure veins. Of this it is
sufficient to say that, whatever may have been the min-
eralizing process, the alteration and mineralization of
the limestone were so general and extensive as to convert
it into a single broad vein or lode within which the cross-
fissure veins are without defined boundaries, and so far
lose their identity that they cannot be distinguished
from the larger orebodies therein. The ore in the quartz-
ite is inconsiderable in amount, and is confined to these
fissure-veins, but it is not so in the limestone. In the
evidence for the defendants it is conceded that there are
no walls separating the cross-fissures from the bodies of
ore in the limestone; but it is attempted to be shown
that the ore in the fissures, and especially in the Ash-
land fissure, is distinguishable because its lamination
conforms to the strike and dip of the fissure, while the
lamination of the ore on either side conforms to the
strike and dip of the limestone. We think the evidence
for the defendants, as well as that for the complainant,
shows that the difference in the lamination is not always
discernible, and is an uncertain and unreliable test of
the extent and boundaries of the cross-fissures. To illus-
trate, Mr. Wall, one of the defendants, says the plating
of the ore in the limestone is similar in appearance to
that of the ore in the fissure where the orebodies are large
and wide, but a considerable distance from the fissure
the structural lines become distinct and parallel to the
bedding of the limestone. Mr. Legg, a witness for the
defendants, says there is no sharp line of division, and
the fissure structure and the influence of the fissure ex-
tend for considerable distances from the original fissure.
Mr. Neill. another of the defendant's witnesses, says the
fissure is entirely destroyed in places within the ore-
bodies in the limestone. Mr. Moorehouse, also a witness
for the defendants, says the Ashland fissure has a width
in the quartzite of not exceeding three feet, and, when
measured by the difference in the lamination of the ore,
:-:
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November 20. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
73]
lias a wiiltli in the limestone of 180 i't. The defendants
lny much Btress upon the testimony of Mr. Bolden, a
witness for the complainant, who says: 'The Ashland
vein can be followed for quite a distance into the Big
.Ionian (limestone) lode, and can be traced. It is like
all of these fissures; it is somewhat difficult to follow
■■rough, but the way we do trace them we get a line from
tin' quartzite on either side, or from one quartzite wall,
and follow that line out, but we can't always find the
limits of the fissure, which we take to be one of the cross-
Bssures.'
"This is far short of a statement that the boundaries of
th<- Ashland, or of any other fissure, are well defined
within the orebodies in the limestone. Particularly is
this true when the entire testimony of the witness is con-
sidered, hreanse he also says much of the limestone has
been mechanically and chemically altered until the entire
original stratification or bed structure has disappeared.
Our conclusion upon this controverted question of fact
is that the orebodies within the claimed spaces of inter-
section created by the cross-fissures, including the Ash-
land, are not susceptible of identification and separation
from those in the stratum of limestone, and must be held
to he parts of the single broad vein or lode and not parts
of distinct and independent cross-fissure veins."
It is readily seen that the facts stated by the Court as
above quoted do not run parallel to the facts in the case
at liar. Here we have two orebodies, one a broad lode
practically inclosed by a sheet and fingers of intruded
porphyry, separated from the second orebody located
upon a fissure as much as a fourth of a mile distant, with
a mass of comparatively unbroken, unchanged, and un-
inineralized limestone intervening between them. Here
there is no question of the ore found in one body extend-
ing into, overlapping, or joining with the ore of the
B>er. While the ore extends for a considerable distance
pt places away from the Leadville fissure, the great mass
pf intervening limestone separates it from any of the
orebodies of the broad lode above.
I In the Lawrson case the Court concludes its statement
If the facts in the following language :
"Our conclusion upon this controverted question of
!act is that the orebodies within the claimed spaces of
Intersection created by the cross-fissures, including the
!Vshland, are not susceptible of identification and separa-
ion from those in the stratum of limestone, and must be
■ eld to be parts of the single broad vein or lode, and not
jarts of distinct and independent cross-fissure veins."
In the case at bar there is no question of spaces of
itersection between the broad lode above and the Lead-
ille orebody below, created by cross-fissures or other-
ise, and hence there is no question of identification and
■paration of the ores or orebodies found in the upper
de from the ore or orebodies found in the Leadville, and
nee in this case the reason given in the quoted para-
'aph above does not exist upon which it was held in the
awson case that all the ores found in the limestone were
irts of a single broad vein or lode and not parts of
stinct and independent cross-fissure veins.
In the case at bar we cannot say that the whole of the
Highland Hoy limestone has I n profoundly broken,
altered, and mineralized, and has thereby obtained an
individuality which, apart from other differences, clearly
distinguishes it from the neighboring rock.
On the contrary, in this case we have a large body of
limestone lying between the two orebodies, comparatively
unbroken, unaltered, and unmineralized.
In this case we cannot say, as was found by the Court
in the Lawson case, that the orebodies are not separated,
one from another, by any defined boundaries. On the
contrary, in this case the orebodies are separated by the
inclosing porphyry sheet and fingers and by the barren,
unmineralized, and comparatively unbroken and unalter-
ed limestone.
It has not been shown by extensive exploration or
actual mining in the Highland Boy limestone that the
mineralization has been so general that its only defined
limits are the quartzite wralls which bound the limestone,
or that within it one may reasonably expect to encounter
ore by driving or cross-cutting in any direction, as was
found by the Court in the Lawson case. There has been
only a limited exploration and no actual mining in the
great mass of limestone lying between the two orebodies
in the Highland Boy limestone. This limited exploration
shows no mineralization above, and but slight mineraliza-
tion below. If this condition of the limestone continues
throughout its mass, the miner would not encounter ore
by driving or cross-cutting in any part of it, whatever
his expectations might be.
*****
It cannot be said in this ease that the ores of the Lead-
ville orebody lose their identity, or that they cannot be
distinguished from the orebodies found in the Highland
Boy limestone above, as was found by the Court in the
Lawson case to be the condition with respect to ores
claimed by the defendants to belong to the Ashland
fissure.
It was conceded in the Lawson case that there were no
walls separating the cross-fissures from the bodies of ore
in the limestone. In this case it is insisted with great
earnestness that the porphyry sheet and fingers and inter-
vening limestone constituted a definite, certain, and well-
defined boundary separating the two orebodies.
On the other hand, in the Lawson case many of the
facts are the same as, or similar to, the facts in this case.
The orebodies which were the subject of litigation in the
Lawson case were located only a few thousand feet from
the orebodies which are the subject of litigation in this
ease. The Jordan limestone and the Highland Boy lime-
stone are parts of the same sedimentary bed, and each lies
between the same underlying and overlying quartzite.
The sedimentary beds were subjected to the same forces
by which they were uplifted and more or less tilted and
bent as we now find them. In both, the sedimentary beds
have been more or less broken and penetrated by masses
of porphyry ascending from the deep. In both, the pre-
dominating minerals are copper and lead, found mainly
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 20, 1920
in the limestone, deposited there by replacement from
solutions coming up from the masses of porphyry be-
neath. In the Lawson case the Court found the whole of
the Jordan limestone to constitute one broad lode. In
this case it is admitted that the upper segment of the
Highland Boy limestone constitutes one broad lode. In
both the Jordan and the Highland Boy limestones and
the quartzite and other limestone beds lying above, are
found numerous faults and fissures, some of them, as the
Ashland in the Jordan and the Leadville in the Highland
Boy, containing mineral. Except as heretofore noted,
in both the limestone is similarly broken, altered, and
mineralized.
The expert witnesses called by the defendant gave it
as their opinion that the Highland Boy limestone inter-
vening between the upper orebodies and the Leadville
orebody may be prospected by the miner with reasonable
expectation of finding ore by cross-cutting in any direc-
tion. It is the opinion of these witnesses that the High-
land Boy limestone is one broad lode.
The expert witnesses for the plaintiff gave it as their
opinion that the upper orebody below and south of the
intruded sheet and fingers of porphyry is a broad lode,
and that these porphyry intrusions constitute its north-
ern boundary. It is the opinion of these witnesses that
the Leadville orebody is a distinct entity, and that the
intervening limestone is unmineralized and barren, and
constitutes no part of either the upper lode or the Lead-
ville orebody.
The experts called by the respective parties and who
have testified in this case are men of great learning as
geologists and of wide experience as mining engineers.
I do not question the sincerity of any one of them. The
opinion of each group commands attention and respectful
consideration. So evenly are they balanced in learning
and in experience that it would be difficult to determine
on which side is the greater weight of the evidence, if it
was not for the existence of an undisputed fact in the
case confirming the opinion of the expert witnesses called
by the plaintiff.
The witnesses for the defendant testified that this in-
tervening limestone was ground in which the miner might
reasonably expect to encounter ore by driving or cross-
cutting in any direction. As stated by counsel of the de-
fendant in their brief, for more than twenty years this
property has been operated by the defendant and its
predecessors, during which time there has been taken
from the mine ore of the approximate value of forty
million dollars. Notwithstanding such immense resources
the defendant has failed, except to the limited extent
heretofore indicated, to prospect this limestone or develop
it.
I cannot escape the conviction that if there was reason-
able expectation of finding ore by driving or cross-cutting
in any direction in this limestone, the defendant, as a
practical miner, at the time it ran tunnels and drifts
through this intervening limestone, or since, would have
cross-cut the limestone, and that it would have extended
some of the many short drifts and cross-cuts now termi-
nating along the upper and lower edges of this unde-
veloped country.
The barren limestone lying' between the upper lode and
the Leadville orebody breaks the continuity of the lode,
and the question of the exact identity of wall or boundary
is unimportant. "In the existence of such body and to
the extent of it", as stated by Judge Hallett in the Chees-
man case, 116 U. S. 536, language approved by the
Supreme Court of the United States, "boundaries are
implied".
I am of opinion that the broad lode apexing within the
mining claims of the defendant does not include within
it the intervening barren limestone or the Leadville ore-
body.
Judgment will be entered for the plaintiff.
'Missed Holes' is the subject of a recent pamphlet
from the U. S. Bureau of Mines. The following is a sum-
mary of measures recommended for the purpose of mini-
mizing this danger.
1. Only unfrozen explosives should be used. Explo-
sives should be inspected to observe that they have not
deteriorated by improper storage or age.
2. As a means of making more sure the detonation of
explosives, a high-grade detonator, never less than num-
ber six, should be used.
3. After a hole has been prepared to receive the charge,
it should be left until it is time to blast. Then, and only
then, should the hole be loaded and fired.
4. In tamping, care should be taken not to injure the
fuse or electric wires. If an electric detonator is used,
precaution should be taken to prevent permanent short-
circuiting or open-circuiting of the firing circuit.
5. Only wooden tamping-bars should be used. Metal
tamping-bars injure the fuse and legs of detonators more
readily than wooden ones. Metal tamping-bars are more
likely to cause premature explosions from friction or
sparks.
6. In firing a series of holes electrically, the circuit
should be tested with a galvanometer before connecting
to the blasting-machine. Such testing should be made at
a safe distance from the explosive charge.
7. Leading-wires with broken insulation should not be
used.
8. A blasting-machine of adequate capacity should be
used.
9. Only good-quality fuse should be used. The de-
tonator should be attached to the fuse with a cap-crimper.
The cap-crimper should be in first-class condition.
10. In the preparation of primers, the electric de-
tonator should be imbedded in the cartridge and secured
firmly in place so that it cannot become separated from
the explosive. If fuse is used with a detonator, the fuse
should not be imbedded in the cartridge, but secured
firmly in place.
11. Misfires occur in wet holes by reason of the lack
of water-proofing between the fuse and detonator. It is
customary to waterproof by means of yellow soap or
such patented composition as Cap-Seal or Sealakap.
b
k
*
wber 20, l'.<2<>
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
733
The Divining Rod
By WILLIAM PRYCE
•Hooson says, that "the first inventor of the Virgula
■fvinatoria \v;is hanged in Germany as a cheat and iru-
pstor:" on the other hand. Dr. Diederiek Wessel Linden
says, in answer to him, that "Dr. Stahl, when he was
■president of a chemical society in his country, published
"a reward of twenty-five ducats for anybody that could
"prove who was the inventor of the Virgula Divina-
"toria." It is impossible to ascertain the date or per-
sonality of this discovery, which appears to me of very
little consequence to posterity: but perhaps we may not
be far off from the truth, if we incline to the opinion of
Georgius Agricola, in his excellent Latin treatise 'De Re
Metallica', that "the application of the inchanted or
"divining rod to metalliek matters, took its rise from
"magicians, and the impure fountains of inchantment. "
Now the ancients not only endeavoured to procure the
necessaries of life by a divining or inchanted rod, but
also to change the form of things by the same instrument :
for the magicians of Egypt, as we learn from the Hebrew
writings, changed their rods into serpents; and, in
Homer, Minerva turned Ulysses when old into the like-
ness of a young man, and again to his former appear-
ance : Circe also changed the companions of Ulysses into
beasts, and again restored them to the human shape ; and
Mercury, with his rod called Caduceus, gave sleep to the
wakeful, and awakened those that were asleep. And
hence, in all probability, arose the application of the
forked rod to the discovery of hidden treasure.
Nevertheless we find no mention made of this Virgula
before the eleventh century, since which it has been in
frequent use. It was much talked of in France towards
the end of the seventeenth century ; and the corpuscular
ihilosophy was called in to account for it. The corpuscles,
t was said, that rise from the Minerals, entering the rod,
determine it to bow down, in order to render it parallel
the vertical lines which the effluvia describe in their
ise. In effect the Mineral particles seem to be emitted
rom the earth : now the Virgula being of a light porous
ood, gives an easy passage to those particles, which are
ery fine and subtle ; the effluvia then driven forwards
y those that follow them, and pressed at the same time
the atmosphere incumbent on them, are forced to
er the little interstices between the fibres of the wood,
d by that effort they oblige it to incline, or dip down
■pendicularly, to become parallel with the little col-
s which those vapours form in their rise,
ow there are, first, many bodies, that in diverse cases
not, unless they be acted on ! and some of them act,
er solely or chiefly as they are acted on by common
unheeded agents. Secondly, there are certain subtle
I *From 'Mineralogia Cornubiensis', published in 1778. The
Id style and spelling have been retained.
bodies that are ready to insinuate themselves into the
pores of any body disposed to admit their action, or by
some other way effect it. Thirdly, there are bodies,
which, by a mechanical change of texture, may acquire
or lose a fitness to be wrought upon by such unnoticed
agents, and also to diversify their operations on it, upon
the force of its varying texture. All these propositions
are proved from the most common, though unheeded
affairs and occurrencies of human life; as easily as the
polarity and magnetism of an old Iron bar taken from a
church window, where it has stood upright for many
centuries, is proved to derive its virtue from the mag-
netick effluvia of the earth.
As many deny, or at least doubt, the attributed proper-
ties of the divining rod, I shall not take upon me, singly
to oppose the general opinion, although I am well con-
vinced of its absolute and improveable virtues. It does
not become me to decide upon so controvertible a point ;
particularly, as from my natural constitution of mind
and body, I am almost incapable of co-operating with its
influence; and, therefore, cannot, of my own knowledge
and experience, produce satisfactory proofs of its value
and excellence. I shall, however, give those accurate
observations on the virtues of the Virgula Divinatoria,
which I have been favoured with by my worthy friend
Mr. William Cookworthy, of Plymouth, a man, not less
esteemed for his refined sense and unimpeachable
veracity, than for his chemical abilities.
His first knowledge of the rod, he says, was from a
captain Kibeira, who deserted the Spanish service in
Queen Ann 's reign, and became the capt. commandant in
the garrison of Plymouth ; in which town he satisfied sev-
eral intelligent persons of the virtues of the rod by many
experiments on pieces of Metal hid in the earth, and by
the actual discovery of a Copper Mine near Oakhampton,
which was wrought for some years. The captain made no
difficulty to let people see him use the rod, but he was
absolutely tenacious of the secret how to distinguish the
different Metals by it, without which, the knowledge of
its attraction is of little use : but by a close attention to
his practice, the writer has discovered this, and made
many other discoveries of its properties, which he is
willing should be published, being fully persuaded of the
great utility of this instrument in Mineral undertakings ;
and the reader may be assured, that he is fully convinced
of the truth of what he communicates from abundant
and very clear experience.
Captain Bibeira held, that rods cut from the nut or
other fruit-bearing trees, were the only proper ones for
this use ; and that the virtue was confined to certain per-
sons, and those comparatively few. Agricola says, "If
"the attractive power of veins does not turn the rod,
734
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 20, 1920
"when in the hands of some particular nietallists or
"others, it is owing to some singular occult quality in
"the holder, which impedes and restrains the attractive
"power; for since that power moves and turns the rod.
"in the same manner as the Lodestone invites and at-
." tracts Iron, it is debilitated and destroyed by the occult
"quality in the holder, just as garlick weakens and ex-
" eludes the attractive quality of the magnet, for a mag-
"net rubbed over with juice of garlick does not draw
Iron." But this proves to be a mistake of captain
Ribeira ; for the virtue, as he calls it, resides in all per-
sons, and in all rods, under the circumstances hereafter
described.
The rod is attracted by all the Metals, by Coals. Bones,
Limestone, and Springs of Water, with different degrees
of strength in the following order: 1 Gold, 2 Copper,
3 Iron, 4 Silver, 5 Tin, 6 Lead, 7 Coals, 8 Limestone and
Springs of Water. One method to determine the differ-
ent attractions of the rod. is this: Stand, holding the rod,
with one foot advanced : put a guinea under that foot,
and a halfpenny under the other, and the rod will be
drawn down ; shift the pieces of money, and the rod will
then be drawn towards the face or backwards to the
Gold, which proves the Gold to have the stronger attrac-
tion. By trying all the subjects of the rod in the same
manner, their respective attractions in point of strength
will be found to correspond with the order in which I
have already placed them.
The rods formerly used, were shoots of one year's
growth that grew forked, as figures 1 and 2, plate 1 ; but
it is found, that two separate shoots tied together with
some vegetable substance, as packthread, will answer
rather better than those which are grown forked, as their
shoots being seldom of equal length or bigness they do
not handle so well as the others, which may be chosen of
exactly the same size. The shape of the rod thus pre-
pared, will be between 1\ and 3 feet long, like fig. 3, plate
1. They must be tied together at their great or root ends,
the smaller being to be held in the hands. Hazle rods
cut in the winter, such as are used for fishing rods, and
kept till they are dry, do best; though where these are
not at hand, apple-tree suckers, rods, from peach-trees,
currants, or the oak, though green, will answer tolerably
well.
It is very difficult to describe the manner of holding
and using the rod: it ought to be held in the hands, in
the position fig. 4, plate 1, the smaller ends lying flat or
parallel to the horizon, and the upper part in an eleva-
tion not perpendicular to it, but 70 degrees.
The Tod being properly held by those with whom it
will answer, when the toe of the right foot is within the
semi-diameter of the piece of Metal or other subject of
the rod. it will be repelled towards the face, and continue
to be so, while the foot is kept from touching or being
directly over the subject ; in which case, it will be sensibly
and strongly attracted, and be drawn quite down. The
rod should be firmly and steadily grapsed ; for if, when
it hath begun to be attracted there be the least imaginable
jerk, or opposition to its attraction, it will not move any
more, till the hands are opened and a fresh grasp taken.
The stronger the grasp the livelier the rod moves, pro-
vided the grasp be steady, and of an equal strength.
This observation is very necessary, as the operation of
the rod in many hands is defeated purely by a jerk or
counter action : and it is from thence concluded, there is
no real efficacy in the rod, or that the person who hold
it wants the virtue ; whereas by a proper attention to this
circumstance in using it, five persons in six have the
virtue as it is called : that is. the nut or fruit bearing rod
will answer in their hands. When the rod is drawn
down, the hands must be opened, the rod raised by the
middle fingers, a fresh grasp taken, and the rod held
again in the direction described.
A little practice by a person in earnest about it. will
soon give him the necessary adroitness in the use of this
instrument : but it must be particularly observed, that as
our animal spirits are necessary to this process, so a man
ought to hold the rod, with the same indifference and in-
attention to, or reasoning about it or its effects, as he
holds a fishing rod or a walking stick; for if the mind be
occupied by doubts, reasoning, or any other operation
that engages the animal spirits, it will divert their powers
from being exerted in this process, in which their instru-
mentality is absolutely necessary; from hence it is, that
the rod constantly answers in the hands of peasants,
women, and children, who hold it simply without puzzling
their minds with doubts or reasonings. Whatever may be
thought of this observation, it is a very just one, and of
great consequence in the practice of the rod.
All rods, in all hands, answer to springs of water.
A piece of Gold held in the hand, and touching the rod,
will not only hinder its being attracted by this Metal ; but.
on the contrary, the rod will be repelled towards the face.
It is the same in regard to Copper as well as Gold, if the
latter is held in the hand.
On these properties of the rod. depends the practice of
distinguishing one Metal or subject from another. There
is, however, another way of distinguishing, drawn from
the same principles, but much more certain and ready
than the former; and that is by preparing rods, that
will only operate on Gold and Copper, Iron, the white
Metals, Coals, Bones, and Limestone.
Thus, if a rod is wanted for distinguishing Copper or
Gold, procure filings of Iron, Lead, and Tin, some leaf
Silver, Chalk in powder, Coal in powder, and rasped
bones : let a hole be bored with a small gimlet in the tup
of the rod ; then mix the least imaginable quantity of the
above ingredients, and put it in the gimlet hole witli a
peg of the same wood with the rod, when it will only be
attracted by what is left out, viz. Gold and Copper.
In preparing a rod for distinguishing the white Metals,
leave out the Lead, Tin, and leaf Silver, and add Copper
filings to the other ingredients; and so of every subject
by which you would have the rod attracted, the respective
filings, or powder, must be left out of the mixture, which
is to be put into the hole, at the top of the rod. As for
Coal and Bones, they may be omitted in the distinguish-
ing rods that are used in Cornwall, for obvious reasons
November 20. 1!)20
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
T:;.-,
bin it is necessary to put in the Chalk or Lime; for though
there is no Limestone in the Mining part of the county,
yet there are abundance of strata thai draw the rod as
Limestone; for the distinction of a dead or a live course,
holds as well in regard to Limestone, as to the Metals.
This, however paradoxical it may appear, is a truth easily
to be proved: and it is one axiom in the science of the
rod. that it makes no distinction between the living and
dead parts of a course. Like the Lodestone. it only shews
the course, leaving the success of the undertaking, to the
fortune, skill, and management of the Miner; as the
lodestone doth that of the voyage, to the fortune, ability,
and prudence of the mariner and merchant.
It is advisable for young beginners to make no experi-
ments but about actual Lodes, where the backs of them
are known by the Miners: or else nigh the sea, where a
Lode being discovered, they may trace it to the cliffs, and
will be sure to find it.
In the course of tracing a Lode, all the circumstances
The discovery of the Metal a Lode is naturally dis-
posed to contain, is very easy: try it with a distinguish-
ing rod: if it attracts it. il contains the .Metal that is left
out of the mixture at the top of thai rod ; if it draws more
than one rod. the Lode is compounded of those Metals.
Copper Lodes generally draw the rod distinguishing
Iron, because of the ferruginous Gossan contained in
them: but Tin Lodes frequently draw none but their
proper rod, unless Gal, which is a kind of Iron Ore, is
intermixed.
If the Lode is alive to its top, or as it is usually phrased
by the Tinners, To Grass; more work may be done in the
way of discovery with the rod in a quarter of an hour,
than by the usual methods in months, as a person has
nothing to do, but to open the Lode immediately at grass,
and discover its size and underlie, which may be done at
a trifling expence.
The discovery of Cross-Gossans by the rod, is a prop-
erty which may be usefully employed in Mining, par-
v / v v v v v v
\AAAAV\AAAf\Aiv
Plate 1
of it, so far as they relate to its back, will be discovered ;
its breadth at different places, its being squeezed to-
ether by hard strata, its being cut off and thrown aside
rom its regular course by a Cross-Gossan, &c.
j In order to determine this, it will he necessary, that
fome one present should either cut up a turf, or place a
tone at the places where the rod began, and on the other
ide where it ceased to be attracted.
The draughts, in plate 1, of Veins parted and proved
Recording to the above directions, may make this suffi-
iently clear. The dots represent the turf or stone ; and
he zig zag, the line in which the operator moves in pur-
ging the Vein. Fig. 5, is a Lode going on east and west
egularly, with the repulsion expressed by the lines north
nd south on each side. Fig. 6, is a Lode squeezed by a
ard strata in some places almost to a string.
If the rod is well held, its motion is surprisingly quick
nd lively : nothing is necessary, but to keep the mind
idifferent, to grasp the rod pretty strongly, and steadily ;
pening the hands, and raising the rod with the middle
ngers, every time it is drawn down. If the rod is raised
ad replaced without opening the hands, it will not work.
ticularly in driving adits, as the driving an adit through
a Cross-Gossan is much easier than through the country.
In seeking for water by the rod, no notice is to be
taken of those single attractions of the rod which are
occasioned by the commissures or crevices (called Cases
of Water by the Tinners) between the courses or distinct
runs of Killas ; but a vein must be found, which answers
to the rod as a Metal, and if this is sunk unto a proper
depth, a good quantity of water will be discovered.
It may not be amiss to close this little essay on the
Virgula Divinatoria, with some few striking instances of
courses, that have been cut by means of it in Cornwall.
A quantity of grain Tin having been found in the pond
at Heligan, the seat of the reverend Mr. Henry Hawkins
Tremayne ; and it being a question, whether this Tin
might not come from some neighbouring Lode, it was dis-
covered by the rod and sunk upon ; but it proved a barren
Vein for Metal in any quantity. A shaft was sunk at
St. Germains, near the house of Francis Fox, to discover
water ; it drew the rod as Iron, and contained Mundick :
another shaft was sunk between Penzance and Newlyn,
according to the direction of the rod ; the fast lay deep.
736
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 20, 1920
beneath the surface, but a Lode containing much Mun-
dick was discovered. In a close just by St. Austle, to
satisfy the curiosity of some gentlemen, Mr. Cookworthy
discovered by the rod the back of a Lode that had been
wrought, but not turning to advantage the undertaking
had been dropped, and the ground levelled. This Lode
was traced just as the Miners informed the gentlemen it
ran; and the Lode appearing by the rod at a certain
place to be squeezed to nothing, the Miners declared this
also to be true ; for at this very spot where the Lode was
thus squeezed, they lost it. Being required to discover a
Lode that had been tried in the cliff under St. Austle
Down, he found it in the country by the rod, and traced
it to the cliff. It was a large Gossan-Lode ; and as the
attraction was found to stop, and after passing on a foot
or two to begin again, he declared this was a cleft Lode,
and had what the Miners call a Horse in it, which the
Miners present who had wrought in it declared to be true.
Hence it is very obvious, how useful the rod may be for
discovery of Lodes, in the hands of an adept in that
science ; but it is remarkable, that although it inclines to
all Metals in the hands of unskilful persons, and to some
more quick and lively than to others, yet it has been
found to dip equally to a poor Lode, and to a rich one.
I know that a grain of Metal attracts the Virgula, as '
strongly as a pound ; nor is this any disadvantage in its
use in Mining: for if it discovered only rich Mines, or
the richer parts of a Mine, the great prizes in the Mining
Lottery would be soon drawn, and future adventurers
would be discouraged from trying their fortune. But
indeed, we are so plentifully stored with Tin and Copper
Lodes, that some accident every week discovers to us a
fresh Vein; rich Mines having been several times dis-
covered by children playing, and digging pits in imita-
tion of shafts, whereby profits have arisen to their
parents and others ; and these puerile discoveries have in
sundry places borne the name of Huel-Boys to this day.
The Mexican Peon
*In the annual report of the Mexican Petroleum Com-
pany it is stated: The commencement of development
gave us our first introduction to the Mexican laborer,
generally known as the peon; and let me say here, in
contradiction of all that has heretofore been said or may
be said hereafter, that the Mexican peon is, and has been
from the beginning, for us, a most satisfactory em-
ployee. He performs his task whether in the cold drizzly
weather of the northern season, or under the full glare
of the tropical noonday sun, with as much fortitude and
more good humor than the average laborer of any class
known 'to the American employer. Even in the latter
part of April and during the first half of May of the
present year, when the feeling against Americans ran
high in all parts of Mexico, and especially near Tampico,
and in the State of Vera Cruz, when it was deemed neces-
sary that all Americans should withdraw from that part
of Mexico (on account of the Mayo-Huerta incident at
Tampico), which they did, and left the property of the
oil companies of great value scattered throughout a wide
region entirely at the mercy of a people with whom it
seemed probable our people might soon be at war, the
natural fidelity of the Mexican employee and his friend-
liness toward your company which had been a friend to
him, was amply demonstrated by the care with which he
conserved the property left in his charge. Except for the
appropriation of horses, mules, automobiles, auto-trucks,
cattle, etc., as necessary war measures by both armies, no
damage was done or permitted to be done to any of your
company's properties. The provisions of every sort,
store supplies, small hardware supplies, and many other
valuable and easily removable articles were entirely un-
molested. No act of vandalism was perpetrated against
the oil-reservoirs, pipe-lines, pumping machinery, or re-
fineries. The product of your continuously flowing wells
was so faithfully conserved by the Mexican employees in
charge that your General Manager was able to report that
not more than 5000 barrels of oil were lost during the
thirty days absence of your American employees from
the properties.
Upon their return to the property, they were welcomed
by the Mexicans in charge as returning friends, not as
whilom enemies. The business of the company was re-
sumed as before the hegira of the Americans and your
company's offices recognize that the company and its
stockholders owe a debt of gratitude to. these particular
individual employees, and that the Mexican working
people are entitled to more respect and confidence than
had heretofore been positively known.
A statement was also made by one of the officers con-
nected with the United States Smelting, Refining &
Mining Company: "It has been by privilege to be con-
nected with a mining company operating in Mexico.
About ten years ago we went there. We have tried to
treat the Mexicans as human beings. This attitude
brought out the best there was in those people and the
best there was in us. For eight and a half years of revo-
lution under those southern stars the roar of our mills
has never stopped. Today 7000 men operate them
whom 57 only are Americans (less than 1%). After
Vera Cruz we insisted that all our Americans leave
Mexico. The properties were left in absolute charge of
Mexicans for eight months. They stole nothing; they
allowed no one else to steal anything; they operated the
plants successfully, and returned them to us in as good
condition as when the Americans went out.
"On another occasion $250,000 in bullion was stolen
from the company. Our 6000 miners of their own notion
when they heard of this, saw to it that the bullion w
returned within 24 hours, and within 48 hours it was on
a Ward liner bound for Liverpool. Do you wonder that:
I trust them?"
•From the 'Stanford Illustrated Review', October 1920.
During the first nine months of 1920 domestic produ
tion of crude oil increased 50,000.000 bbl. compared witl
the first nine months of 1919, while imports increased
30.000,000 bbl. This record indicates that production
plus imports in 1920 will exceed 525,000.000 barrels.
J
November 20, 1020
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRES"
?:;7
The Copperopolis Fire
We have received a letter from the Director of t he I '. S.
bureau of Mini's, enclosing a Letter from B. O. Pickard,
district mining engineer of the Bureau, with headquar-
ters at Berkeley, in which he demurs to our statement, in
our news columns, that "the rescue-trucks arrived too
tat. ■" at the scene of the fire in the mine of the Calaveras
Consolidated Copper Co., at Copperopolis. California.
We publish a letter from Mr. Piekard to D. J. Parker,
Mini- Safety Engineer of the Bureau; this letter carries
i viction on the face of it, and also shows how prompt
he and other members of the Bureau staff were in furnish-
ing aid to the management at the mine. Dr. Cottrell, the
Director of the Bureau, also sends us copies of warnings
issued by the Bureau early last year in regard to the in-
sufficiency of the Army mask as a protector against gases.
"We quote:
"The Army Gas Mask never should be used in mines,
because of the uncertainty there is of the kinds and
amounts of gases in the atmosphere. ' '
Again, "The Army Gas Mask is by no means the un-
usual protective appliance that it is popularly believed.
It does NOT afford universal protection against all gases,
nor can it ever be used safely in low oxygen atmos-
pheres."
Mr. Piekard's letter follows.
Copperopolis, California,
,r , ,T „ , October 6, 1920.
My dear Mr. Parker:
You will no doubt be interested in a short preliminary
report of Bureau of Mines' activities at the Calaveras
Copper Mine fire. Mr. Gardner is making a complete
investigation of the fire and will report at a later date.
Gardner and I were at Reno in the late P.M. of Sep-
tember 30, waiting for a train to go to Tonopah, Nevada,
when we received a long-distance call from Hecox on Car
One at Tonopah, advising the receipt of a wire from
Wolflin to me of a fire at Copperopolis. We ordered the
car and crew to take the first train out of Tonopah and
left on the first train going west to Sacramento ; arrived
at Sacramento at 3 : 00 A.M., where we were met by a
(previously engaged automobile and drove some 96 miles
to Copperopolis, arriving at the mine 8 : 00 P.M. Friday,
October 1st. "We found that Cooke had broken down with
the Berkeley truck eight miles out of Copperopolis and
pad walked to the mine, beating us there.
The underground fire was caused by a fire on surface,
till of the buildings in the vicinity of the downcast air
haft were burned down and the fire was transmitted to
he head frame, which burned and fell into the shaft,
gniting the shaft timbers. The smoke and gases were
rawn into the mine. The fire started about midnight,
September 29th, and the night shift was immediately
rawn out of the mine. The next forenoon the foreman
semed anxious to have a certain air valve turned on in
rder that the air from the compressor would clear out
ie gases from the main up-cast shaft, so that the pumps
suld be operated. A miner by the name of Lamson was
standing near by and remarked that be bail a gas mask
which be bad used in the army, and I bat it was good for
any kind of gas. and be would wear it and go down and
turn on this valve. The foreman tried to persuade him
not to go down, but Lamson was allowed to go down in
the skip. As he did not return within the 15 minutes
agreed upon, the foreman became alarmed, put on a dust
respirator, and with another man (Kingsberry) who also
put on a respirator, went down in the skip to rescue
Lamson. After reaching the lower level they started
down the ladder into the sump in search of Lamson, the
foreman being last on the ladder. The foreman felt that
he was being affected with the gas and called to Kings-
berry to come up ; he did not reply ; immediately after the
foreman heard a crash, and decided that Kingsberry had
fallen down the ladder. The foreman had just enough
strength in reserve to climb the ladder to the skip, and
give the hoisting signal. Upon reaching the surface he
was completely unconscious and was revived by rubbing
and artificial respiration. The mine breathing apparatus
had been burned in the fire and there had been no mine
training in apparatus for a couple of years.
As soon as Mr. Gardner and I arrived we tried to ascer-
tain the number of apparatus men available and found
that there were three who might be competent in case of
an emergency. Mr. Kelsey, Manager of the Argonaut
Mine, was present and volunteered to do his part. We
therefore organized a crew with Gardner as Captain,
Cooke, Kelsey, Gregory, Chief Mining Engineer of the
property, and Post, one of the Company men, who went
down to the bottom of the mine to ascertain if there was
any chance of the two men in the mine being alive, al-
though no hope was held out for them. This crew went
down at 4 : 50 P.M. October 1st, and thoroughly satisfied
themselves that both men had been gassed and fallen off
the ladders into the sump. Other explorations were made
to start and repair pumps.
On Saturday October 2nd, at 4 : 30 P.M., Hecox, Don-
ovan, and McLaughlin arrived with car apparatus and
oxygen pump. At 6 : 20, two four-men crews went into
the mine to recover the bodies. Gardner was captain of
number one crew and Cooke captain of number two crew.
I took charge of surface and reserve crew. McLaughlin
and Hecox were on crew number one and Donovan was on
crew number two, the balance of the crews' personnel
were company men. Grappling hooks were used to pull
the. two bodies out of seven feet of water at the bottom of
the 1300 foot shaft. When found Lamson had his gas
mask in place and Kingsberry his respirator over his
mouth. Both had fallen off the ladders and their necks
were broken. At 7 : 33, the two bodies were brought to
the surface and delivered to the coroner.
The principal purpose of this description is to call your
attention to the splendid work which was done by your
men. I cannot say enough for the work of Gardner,
Cooke, Hecox, Donovan and McLaughlin. They proved
themselves to be real Bureau of Mines' Rescue men, and
you need never have any doubt about their actions in an
emergency. Cooke drove the truck all night and broke
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 20, 1920
down about 8 miles away from the mine. He walked in
to the mine, took an automobile back to the truck and
brought in the apparatus and supplies, and then wanted
to know what else there was for him to do. This was
about 11 : 00 A.M. We sent him to bed to get a little
sleep before going underground. His actions under-
ground warranted us in making him captain of the second
recovery crew. If he out-shined the other Bureau men. it
was because they did not have the opportunities.
Gardner was always on the job "using his head", and
he proved himself to be the right man in an emergency.
Hecox is a natural leader of apparatus men. and demon-
strated his thorough knowledge of the apparatus. Dono-
van and McLaughlin kept cool and worked hard and
faithfully. In fact, I am very proud of the way all the
men handled themselves at this fire, as it was the first
fire for most of them.
My recent telegrams will give you an idea of future
plans. Fighting the fire is going to be quite a problem,
and I have insisted that the mine company furnish crews
for the job. As the present time Hecox is training some
10 to 12 men of questionable ability, and I have suggested
that the mining company hire apparatus men from the
Grass Valley and other neighboring companies.
Car One will leave tomorrow for the Globe Safety Meet,
leaving Hecox and Cooke to train the men, and to keep an
eye on the fire. Daily trips down the main shaft to start
the pumps will be necessary. This will be done with
Bureau of Mines' apparatus, with Cooke and Hecox alter-
nating as captains. I am leaving for Berkeley today, to
take care of some urgent work, but will return to the
property within a week.
If this information does not suffice, until Gardner turns
in his final report, please wire me at Berkeley.
Very truly yours,
B. O. Pickard.
Milling Talc
A brief description of the mill of the Uniform Fibrous
Tale Co. of Taleville, New York, appears in a recent re-
port issued by the IT. S. Bureau of Mines. The ore-skip is
dumped automatically in a chute leading to a picking-
floor at the top of the 'rock-house'. Here waste is sorted
out, thrown into a chute leading to a waste-ear and tram-
med to the dump. The ore is,shoveled into a chute lead-
ing to a 150-ton rock-bin. At the bottom of the bin large
lumps are broken down with sledges and the ore is fed
by shovel into a 10 by 16-in. jaw-crusher. A set of 14
by 24-in. rolls, set at i in., followed by a trommel, which
returns the pieces that will not pass a f-in. hole, and two
8-ft. pebble-mills in series comprise the crushing equip-
ment.
This plant is perhaps typical of the talc-plants, using
intermittent dump cylinders, or short pebble-mills. The
cylinders are of steel, 6 ft. in diameter by 8 ft. long, and
are lined with porcelain brick. A charge consisting of
one ton of talc and three tons of flint pebbles is revolved
at 22A to 23 r.p.m. for a period of four to seven hours.
The finishing point is determined by visual inspection
of the product. When the grinding is completed the
charging door is removed, a grating to hold back the
pebbles placed over the opening, and the mill revolved
until the talc all flows out into a hopper beneath. At
the bottom of each hopper, which serves two mills in
parallel, is a screw-conveyor which transfers the talc to
an elevator, and thence to a 16-mesh revolving screen^
This screen is intended to remove broken pebbles, sticks,
and coarse impurities. It is estimated that 80% of the
finished product is packed in 50-lb. paper sacks.
Chromiferous Iron Ore
Extensive deposits of chromiferous iron ore occur neai
the north coast of Cuba in Oriente and Camaguey
provinces. The principal areas in which they are found
are the Mayari district, 12 miles south of Nipe bay. the
Moa district, about 50 miles east of Nipe bay, both in
Oriente province, and the Cubitas district, 15 miles north
of the Camaguey, in the Province of the same name.
The deposits occur as lateritic mantles overlying serpen-
tine and are spread over many square miles of plateaus,
flat -topped ridges, and gentle mountain slopes, according
to E. F. Burchard in 'Mineral Resources'. The ore is
hydrous iron oxide, chiefly in the form of ferruginous
yellow clay, with a top layer of spongy limonite and
small hard pellets of limonite. The thickness of the de-
posits varies, the pellet, or 'shot', ore generally not ex-
ceeding a few feet, but the ferruginous clay is in places
more than 50 ft. deep. The percentage of chromi-un
present is generally small, but fairly constant, and serves
to distinguish the ore as chromiferous as compared with
the bulk of the brown iron ore mined in the southern
Appalachian region of the United States. Locally, de-
posits contain abnormal percentages of chromium, such
portions probably representing residual accumulations
from broken-down bodies of chromite. Nickel is present
also in the ore, but to a less extent than chromium. The
Mayari district is the only one in which mining opera-
tions are carried on. Here, after careful study, success-
ful large-scale methods were developed for mining, han-
dling, and transporting the raw ore from the plateau
down to Nipe bay, where it is subjected to treatment
which not only dries the clay-like material but produces
incipient fusion, or nodulization. The ore lies on a
plateau about 1700 ft. above sea-level. It is mined from
open-pits by drag-line excavators. The roasting and
nodulizing are carried on in large rotary kilns, heated by
pulverized eoal and identical with those used in the
manufacture of Portland cement. The raw ore as mined
in 1918 carried about 1.5% chromium and between 0.5
and 1% of nickel. In nodulizing the greater part of the
water is driven off and the proportions of the metallic
constituents are increased so that the chromium rises to
about 2%,. Both the chromium and nickel contents are ■ .
utilized in making 'Mayari' steel, in which 1.3 to 1.5% K^,
of nickel and 0.3 to 0.5% of chromium are present. The
ore is used chiefly in the Sparrows Point. Maryland, and
Steelton, Pennsylvania, plants of the Bethlehem Steel
Company.
• nix ■■• JO. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
739
The Food -Draft System of the American Relief
Administration
By EDGAR RICKARD
When the American Belief Administration came to an
end as a government-sustained organization and the
American Relief Administration European Children's
Fund was formed, we decided to limit our appeals for
funds in the United States to the nationals of those
countries where the after-war suffering demanded relief.
We felt that to the residents of America who had emi-
grated here from Central and Eastern Europe must
have heen coming by every mail and passenger steamer
such poignant stories of the mother-land's need for food
that response would prove automatic.
Our first effort, therefore, was to organize among the
affected nationals definite collecting agencies. We
learned immediately that the appeals from Europe, on
which we had counted to inspire giving, caused one other
unmistakable reaction. There developed from the be-
ginning coldness toward and even opposition to the idea
of bulk-feeding. The Teuton or the Slav or the Jew in
the United States was not primarily stirred by mass
sympathy for his country or his race. The call was
more delicately keyed than that. On his heart lay, in-
variably, the needs and suffering of a particular family
or a group of friends and former business associates.
From these persons, warmly real and near through
memories of love or companionship, had come accounts
of individual want.
Needless to say, the unorganized effort to relieve from
I this side the destitution of individuals and families in
I Europe met with disappointment. The kindly disposed
J European in the United States who went to his corner
I grocery store, bought haphazard articles of food, packed
Ithem unskilfully, and started them hopefully toward the
jinterior of the Old World continent, will ever remain a
(tragic figure. There were thousands of them. But
'transportation in Europe was so chaotic, morals and
the sentiment against petty thievery so lax, that the
food-consignees rarely received more than notice of ship-
ment, or perhaps an empty box from which the contents
had been looted.
I am going to pass over lightly (for it is a story in
itself) the period between April 21 and June 30, 1919,
luring which, on a vast scale, for the first time in modern
listory, the American Relief Administration substituted
bod for gold as the vehicle of foreign exchange. In
hose ten weeks we negotiated food-credits totalling
18,500,000, keeping the gold of the needy governments
n this side, where it could do them the most good, and
ccepting for the delivered food the currencies of Eu-
ope. By an order of the Federal Reserve Board, we
ere the exclusive agency empowered to exchange dol-
lars into the currency of the newly-created governments.
The break-down of relations between bankers in this
country and Central and Eastern Europe had been utter;
yet we were able to rehabilitate international banking
relationships through the all-powerful medium of food.
The decision to institute the plan of Food Drafts that
is now. in operation was reached in November of 1919.
In the three months following that decision not a wheel
was turned on the task itself. Day by day, week by
week, the directors met soberly, formulating the "how' of
the system and seeking to guarantee against failure when
the machinery should be put in motion and endeavoring
to make it simple and fool-proof.
Mr. Hoover's name and ability to present a great ap-
peal secured the services of nearly 5000 banks as sales-
agencies. The eo-operation of the American Bankers'
Association in the handling of Food Drafts should be
triple-starred in the list of American charities. The very
number of the co-operating banks, however, made cer-
tain limitations manifest. It would be impossible to issue
frequent revisions of instructions to such an army of
representatives. The packages of food for which the
drafts were to be cashed in Europe would have to be
simple and unvarying in content, although five nations
and two classes of consumers, Christian and Jew, had to
be served. And the price of the packages would have to
remain unchanged for at least a year.
That necessity for stability of price presented a prob-
lem in economics that no theoretical process could have
solved. Fortunately, Mr. Hoover had superintended the
transportation of two billion dollars worth of food to
Europe since the beginning of the War. It was pos-
sible from the practical starting-point of that per-
formance to arrive at a definite overhead charge to cover
expenses and risks involved. The only variable item
was the fluctuating cost of the commodities, which was
protected by an additional margin to be returned to the
Children's Fund if not required to meet unexpected
increase in food prices. At the end of our three months
of machinery-building, we purchased in the open market,
largely on credit, $6,000,000 worth of food, enough to
protect the maximum number of Food Drafts, which at
best could only be roughly approximated.
The perplexities and difficulties that beset us in those
three preparatory months were almost infinite. For in-
stance, about so unromantic a factor as the outer sacking
of flour were centred vital questions. With flour, as
with all our staples, we found it necessary to deal in the
accepted commercial units of measurement. Something
more was necessary than a dietician's word that the
740
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 20, 1920
food packages were made up in proper pro portions of
milk, flour, rice, beans, or bacon. We had to be sure
that the packages could be made up readily from com-
mercial units. In the case of the flour, it was to come in
large sacks, each containing smaller 24|-lb. bags. To
bring those large sacks back from Europe to America
empty would have been costly. To pay for them and
throw them away meant thousands of dollars loss in
operations as large as we planned. To sell them for the
depreciated currency of Europe would also mean loss.
In the end, we had the outer sacking made of extra heavy
quality, and once emptied of its smaller bags, used it as
a container for the made-up Food Draft packages of
food.
Another consideration that weighed heavily on every
man who helped plan the Food Drafts was the tremen-
dous impetus or setback that the quality of the food
would inevitably give America's reputation in Europe.
"We shuddered lest some slip add to the European's fond-
ness for the story about the Connecticut Yankee who sold
wooden nutmegs. Incalculable harm had just been done
the American manufacturer in the minds of the Ger-
mans, for example, by the flooding of Germany with
bacon containing an excessive amount of preservative.
This meat, treated according to Great Britain's orders
for supplies when the English feared that submarine
warfare might isolate them completely, was intended to
remain edible at least three years. Consequently, it was
barely edible when packed. The wide sale of this meat,
marked 'American bacon', in Germany after the War,
almost defeated the Food Draft plan in that country.
With the determination that every Food Draft pack-
age should be an international evidence of America's
good faith and an advertisement of America's modern
methods, we put our own inspectors into even the proud-
est packing houses in the country. And every form of
foodstuff purchased had to undergo the same sort of
uncompromising inspection. In our allowance for cost,
we made provision for buying, in every instance, the
highest quality of food obtainable on the market, and for
inspecting even the Grade A product.
In order to protect ourselves against sharp changes in
the food-market, it was necessary to put the Food Drafts
on sale at a price that would leave a contingency margin.
This we did, with the advertised provision that any un-
used portion of this margin, which would be called profit
in a commercial enterprise, would be used to feed the
needy children of the countries into which the Food
Drafts went. In spite of the contingency allowance, the
difference between the food-value purchased by the indi-
vidual under our plan and what he can buy in any other
way in the world, has become proverbial. We early had
to institute the most stringent precautions to avoid the
purchase of the Food Drafts for speculative purposes.
The putting of the plan into operation, its endorse-
ment by the United States and European governments
and scores of organizations, the actual sale of 180,000
drafts, and the delivery in Europe of $5,000,000 worth
of food are virtually current history. It was no little
satisfaction that the excess margin accruing under the
plan up to August 1, 1920, a total of $605,191 was
turned over to the governments of Austria, Hungary,
Czecho-Slovakia, Poland, and Germany, for use by theiij
branches of the European Children's Fund.
I believe that this winter will see a new figure set for
Food Draft sales. Certainly the need is great. In the
meantime, it can be said for all the men who planned the
venture that no one in the world is more surprised than
they at the scarcity of weak points that have come to
light in the eye of eight months operation. The urge
of the appalling suffering that the plan has helped and
is helping to alleviate must have caused some Power to
endow our scheming and working with success beyond
our mental deserts. There was no chart in the sea of
international finance and economics by which we could
steer. We are more than happy, in plain language, to
have 'got somewhere'.
Chromium does not occur native but appears in about
a dozen minerals in the form of oxides, chromates, sul-
phates, and silicates. Chromite, an oxide of chromium
and iron, is practically the only commercial s»urce of
chromium. It is composed when pure of 68% of chromic
oxide and 32% of ferrous oxide. In nature, however,
some of the chromium in chromite is replaced by alum-
inum or iron. Much of the rich imported ore contains
50% or more of chromic oxide, but the average American
ore contains only about 40%. Chromite is a common
constituent of basic igneous rocks, especially of perido-
tite, which is composed largely or wholly of olivine or
pyroxene. As rocks composed of olivine and pyroxene
readily alter to serpentine and the chromite in them re
mains unchanged, the most common occurrence of chro-
mite is in crystalline grains widely distributed in serpen-
tine. Chromite is used for making alloys, chemical com
pounds, and refractory materials. The most important
alloy is with iron in ferro-chromium used in making
chrome steel, which is remarkable for its hardness in re-
sisting wear and penetration. Its principal application
is in armor plates and shells for piercing them, as well
as in special parts of aeroplanes, automobiles, and en-
gines, and in stellite for high-speed cutting tools and
parts of other machinery. Chrome-steel is extremely
hard, tough, and dense. It possesses great tensile strength'
and is superior to any other metal known for the wearing'
parts of mills used in crushing. Chrome-steel, though
hard, bends well cold if the operation is slow enough. It
can be welded to iron and rolled out and finds use in
sheet metal and rod metal, especially as material for
burglar-proof safes, wire, magnet-steel, cutlery, bridge
steel, tires, axles, springs, stamp-mill shoes and dies,1
crusher-jaws, knuckles for ear-couplings, lathe tools
drills, and chisels. The steel for shoes and dies fot
stamp-mills if compressed hot in a hydraulic forging ■-.
press removes internal porosity and renders the steel of
equal density and wear-resistance throughout.
Op 170 of State Public Service Commissions only si:
are members of a National Engineering Society.
November 20. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
741
I MING
'^f
PROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS IN THE FIELD
tiunHMuiiiitiiiniiiiiiiiiiaiiiiiMiinniMMMMUHniMinnniioiMiiiiiiiMiiiniinnniMMiiiiiiiuiuiiniioiMiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiii
imimmiiiiimiM
COLORADO
RICH LEAD ORE FOUND IN THE ARIADNE MINE AT SAN .KAN.
tral City. — A new body of rich eopper-silver-gold
ore is reported opened in the Evergreen mine at Apex. A
large tonnage of milling ore is broken and awaits im-
provement in copper prices. The mill in the meantime
is not operating. Development work continues at the
Saco De Oro property at Apex where the Barriek tunnel
vein lias recently been opened by the shaft.
Durango. — Operations will be continued this winter
on the Ten Broeck, Lewis mountain, by the Lewis Mining
Milling Co. as a result of the recent discovery of a new
five-foot orebody assaying from $12 to $25 per ton in
gold and silver. The property is situated seven miles
from La Plata city. Operations at the Esmeralda on the
south fork of the Lightner and at the Jumbo mine near
Mayday have been discontinued for the winter. Heavy
ow storms have begun already.
(Ji.uRGETOWN. — The Sunburst company, financed by
Eastern capital will continue operations on its Democrat
Mountain property this winter. A large compressor has
)een ordered and development on Astor-Stewart mines
vill be pushed as soon as the plant is in operation. The
■eorgetown Tunnel Co. has shut-down its mill and is
Iriving the big 'bore' to its objective under the old pro-
lucing mines of Democrat mountain.
Idaho Springs. — The Walder group adjoining the
Reynolds at Alice has been taken over by the Roosevelt
ompany. There are eight claims in the Walder group
at with little development have produced ore of good
de. Additional equipment including another battery
|f stamps is being added to the mill and a compressor is
ing installed. The Shafter mine is again to be operated.
force is now engaged cleaning up and re-timbering old
jorkings. The Shafter has a record for production of
igh-grade gold ore worth several millions. A bond and
ase on the Gum Tree, presumed to have the extension of
lie Freeland vein, has been secured by Lee Gibson and
bsociates of Idaho Springs. The mine has excellent
pspeets. Lead-silver-gold ore assaying as high as 186
;. silver, 0.5 oz. gold, and 4% lead has been opened by
local leasing pool on the Ship Ahoy. The Silver Age
pees are producing and shipping a good grade of ore.
Uicago capital has become interested in the Specie Pay-
ent and preparations are being made to start develop-
snt.
jLeadville. — The proposed 'Home' mining company
is reported to be eliciting the support of citizens and a
meeting is scheduled to name an executive committee to
select a desirable property for operation. Increased
production will result from the increased operating force
secued for the L. & M. lease on the A. Y. and Minnie.
The Bartell lease on this property is mining and ship-
ping silver-lead ore at the rate of about a car per week.
The ore nets close to $1000 per car. Chrysolite lessees
have opened up a rich silver-lead vein averaging 40%
lead and 11 to 16 oz. silver and are shipping steadily.
A local company has been organized to operate the Gold
Leaf adjoining the Emma and Mabel mine. Machinery
is being installed preparatory to sinking a deep shaft.
Silverton. — A 14-in. streak of lead-copper ore assay-
ing better than $100 per ton has been opened up at the
650-ft. level of the Ariadne mine, in San Juan district,
and with a week's development the ore has widened to
two feet. The same vein is producing for the Ariadne
Mining Co. in three levels above and the shaft is also in
ore. Development will continue and ore will be stored
during the winter. The construction of an aerial tram
is planned for next spring. Work is continuing on the
Eastern Star, where development in the tunnel is re-
ported to be encouraging.
MICHIGAN
SHIPMENTS OP COPPER DURING OCTOBER. DEVELOPMENTS
AT ARCADIAN CONSOLIDATED.
Houghton. — October copper shipments by water to-
taled 8,322,000 lb. This is an increase of 1,648,000 lb.
over September, but it is far below the normal for Octo-
ber, practically the last month of the year that shipping
is without hazards. November tonnages usually are
small. The total shipment down the lakes this year is
53,156,000 lb., compared with 49,596,000 in 1919. Heavy
rail shipments in the late spring months bring the 1920
total considerably over that of last year and with a num-
ber of small mines closed, the end of 1920 should leave
the producers with smaller stocks on hand than at the
close of 1919.
Coal shipments this year have not fallen so far below
the 1919 figures that any of the larger mines are in
danger of a shortage. The combined cargoes shipped
since May total 498,454 tons. A year ago, 621,686 tons
of soft coal was shipped into the district, so ^n. view of
the general shortage during the summer the Lake Su-
perior region has fared well. With the mines on a basis
742
MIXING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 2
varying from 50 to 60 5c of normal, these stocks of fuel
should tide them over until the opening of navigation.
October "rock' production figures reveal an improve-
ment for Osceola, which reports 7000 tons for the month.
This is an increase of 1325 over September. The Kear-
sarge branch also shows a betterment, with a tonnage of
37.700. against 35.550 in the preceding month. Ahmeek.
on the other hand, dropped slightly from September,
reporting 69.300 tons, compared with 73,050. On an
estimated yield of 22.5 lb. to the ton. Ahmeek's refined
copper output for October is 1.559.000 lb., or 50.000 be-
low the total for September. Superior made no ship-
ments during the month and no tonnage is reported by
LaSalle.
Copper Range Consolidated this week started using a
mechanical shovel that promises well. It is operated by
one man. whose average is 24 tons of rock per day,
whereas one shoveler removes but 10 or 12 tons of rock
in an 8-hour shift. The Copper Range also is devising a
shovel with a belt-conveyor for the purpose of sorting
underground. Various mines in the district are experi-
menting with mechanical shovels and stope-scrapers. with
some success. Owing to differences in size of openings,
however, it is necessary for each mine to work out its
own individual problems. A device that will work satis-
factorily in one mine will not work in another and the
difficulties peculiar to each property will result in a
variety of devices.
Arcadian Consolidated, at a depth of 700 ft. in its New
Baltic shaft, is in the vein and the showing is described
as good. The characteristics are identical with those on
the 400. 500. and 600-ft. levels and from appearances the
mineralization is as good at the present depth as nearer
surface. Instead of cutting a station at 700 ft. it is plan-
ned to continue to the 750-ft. point before a level is put
in and there will be no intervening level between that and
the 900-ft. station. While it has not been definitely an-
nounced whether operations will continue through the
winter, in all probability there will be no delay in push-
ing the shaft down to the 900-ft. level. The identity of
the New Baltic vein, as regards correlating it with lodes
opened on other mines, has not been established and it
may be that this particular orebody never was opened
elsewhere for the reason that it is far to the east of Kear-
sarge amygdaloid. It is for this reason that the Arcadian
developments are of interest to the mines to the north for
it may be that the same lode will be found all along the
range into Keweenaw. The fact that the New Baltic-
lode was not discovered by the early explorers is ex-
plained by the overburden of 60 ft. which was penetrated
before the vein was tapped.
Hancock Consolidated has completed the construction
of a concrete wall on its 53rd level and operations in the
property have temporarily ceased. The wall, built to
take care of surface-water flowing through drifts and in
addition to protect Hancock's new openings, will prevent
the water from flooding Quincy's openings in No. 7 shaft.
Hancock does not plan to resume operations until the
market is stabilized and the demand for copper is such
that full-time operations are warranted. The territory
east of the main Pewabic lode, chiefly on the 49th and I
53rd levels, has been thoroughly developed. "With pres- I
ent high costs for fuel, wages, and mining supplies. Han- 1
cock's management concluded to conserve resources I
rather than dip into the treasury to pay development I
expenses. Among the new openings that are regarded as |
highly favorable are those on No. 12 amygdaloid, which '<
was opened in a cross-cut from the 44th level. No. 3 lode I
also disclosed fair ground, When Hancock decides to
resume, the mine will be in fair condition to produce at
once, save for minor repairs in the milling plant at Point |
Mills in which it holds an interest.
NEVADA
EXTENSION GRANTED ON INGALLS OPTION".
Tuxe Canton.— "W. A. Ingalls and "VT. B. Mercer,
owners of the Ingalls mine, have extended six mom
the time for the second payment to be made by the Silvi
Hills, holder of the option, and have agreed to grant a
further extension of six months if the Silver Hills re-
quests it. It is understood that work is to be resumed
immediately under this agreement, the entire effort of the
company in the mine to be devoted to exploring the 200-
ft. level. The mill, which the company started to dis-
mantle, will be left standing and will be used for re-
treating the tailing made before cyanidation was started.
Mercer says it is his opinion that the shaft passed far
out of the vein between the 100 and 200-ft. levels and
that the recent work has been done 70 ft. from the main
ore-channel. It is understood there will be a complete
change of management and Mercer is confident the work
now planned will result in ore being found on the 200-ft.
or bottom, level. The Silver Hills took over the Ingalb
on February 12 of this year for $125,000, the payments
to extend over two years. The option was signed aftei
\Y. J. Loring had inspected the workings. The adjoin
ing Jaeggers group of six claims was optioned fttl
#20.000 at the same time. Ingalls has been owner oi
part owner of the mine for 30 years and what is reported
to have been some of the richest silver-lead ore sent iron
the State was shipped over the Nevada & Califorina raH
road to San Francisco 20 to 25 years ago. The prodoe
tion to date is estimated at $225,000 gross, made ahnos'
entirely by lessees.
Reno. — Work is to be resumed in the Standard Metals
a copper-silver-lead mine north of Reno, on November 1
according to A. L. Chappel, manager. No attempt wD
be made to operate the 60-ton concentration and flotatioi
plant until spring and the winter will be devoted to fur,
ther development of the mine on and below the third, o
215-ft.. level, which is 500 ft. from the surface on the cfi'
of the vein. There has been exposed on the upper level
an ore-shoots 150 ft. long and 10 to 50 ft. wide. This Or
can be treated in the mill at a good profit, according t
reports. The mill concentrates on Wilfley tables 60-mes
material, which is re-ground to 100-mesh and then mate
in an 8-ft. K & K flotation machine. In test-runs mad
last summer with a concentration ratio of 11 : 1 by tl
combined processes the tables gave a $75 product and ti
b
November 20, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
74:!
flotation machine a $200 product. The Standard Metals
■ three milea west of the Black Panther.
PlOCHE. — In a report to stockholders the directors of
tlit- Black Metal, operating a eopper-silver-lead mine in
tin Jackrabbit district. 14 miles from Pioche, give the
production as 17,602 tons of flux ore of a net value of
1111.074. The report says: •'Considering the large
amount of ore shipped it would seem that a reasonable
profit should have been realized instead of a loss. To
those familiar with conditions in connection with the
operation of a mine during the last year little explanation
is necessary." Referring to the mining of a low-grade
oicliorly under present conditions, the report continues:
"Railroad tie-ups. car shortages, inefficient labor, and
inability to get sufficient men to operate the mine at more
than half capacity are the principal items that wiped out
the profit of your company." Ma-
chinery cost $18,000 and the report,
which says a financial statement is
being prepared, indicates that there
was a heavy expense for other equip-
ment. An assessment of two cents
per share has been levied.
It is stated that the Virginia Louise
Mining Co. will increase its output
immediately ; a contract having been
entered into with the American Smelt-
ing & Refining Co. for 50 tons of
fluxing ore per day. in addition to the
I contract for 75 tons per day entered
I into some time ago with the United
I I States Smelting Co. The shipments
I being made at present come from the
■ 2nd. 3rd. and 5th level stopes. There
Ii are three principal beds of iron maii-
■ ganese in the mine. The upper, or
■ Davidson, averages from 40 to 55 ft.
I in thickness and lies at the bottom of
lithe limestone, where it comes in con-
.11 tact with a bed of shale about 100 ft. thick. Below this
IJahale is the 'big bed', from 80 to 100 ft. thick. Under
llthis is a paring of limestone, 15 to 20 ft. thick, below
I which is a 20-ft. bed of manganese. The Virginia Louise
I I also has had a considerable amount of high-grade silver-
[ jlead ore, mixed with the fluxing ore, in the lower work-
i ings of the mine. During the week ending November 6,
| the Prince Consolidated shipped 1250 tons ; Virginia
I jLouise, 510 ; Bristol Silver, 100 ; Consolidated Nevada
1 jUtah. 175 ; and Ida-May property, 45 ; making a total
'of 2080 tons. Michael Kinsella and Owen Walker, who
[ recently secured a lease on the Great Eastern mine,
I lowned by the Bristol Silver Mines Co., have found ore
I averaging 12% copper and 50 oz. silver. A number of
; leases have recently been given by the Bristol company,
and shipments are increasing in spite of the high freight-
j rates.
Ely. — The orebody recently opened on the 700-ft. level
pf the Nevada Consolidated proved to be 150 ft. long, 50
I ft. wfde, and it extends 60 ft. above the level, with an
average copper content of 7%, according to C. B. Lake-
nan, general manager. "The body is at a contact of lime
and porphyry, and a 10-ft. width next to the porphyry
assays 12 to 18%. The orebody is a secondary enrich-
ment of the pyritic mass on the limestone side of the con-
tact, brought about by the precipitation of copper from
migrating copper sulphate solutions," Mr. Lakenan says.
He adds that the deposit "indicates other similar ore-
bodies might be found around the lime-porphyry con-
tact", and drilling has been been started from the sur-
face in search for such ores. A drill also will be used on
the 700-ft. level to explore the downward extension of
the orebody recently found.
Virginia City. — The Northern Light Comstoek, incor-
porated last month to develop a claim adjoining the Con-
cordia, will work through the 300-ft. level of the Con-
CAMP AT STONEWALL, NEVADA
cordia shaft, according to an announcement made after a
meeting of the incorporators, R. L. Colburn, N. R. Har-
ris, T. J. Pearce, A. D. Cunningham, and L. P. G-rimstad,
all of San Francisco.
UTAH
MINERS ARE MORE PLENTIFUL IN PARK CITY AND EUREKA.
SILVER KING COALITION STARTS COMMISSARY FOR EM-
PLOYEES.
Salt Lake City. — Carl A. Allen, State Inspector of
Mines, has submitted to the Industrial Commission of
Utah statistics covering the employees in metalliferous
mines, mills, and smelters of this State during the past
three years. During 1919, 4599 men were employed for
an average of 325 days at underground and surface
mines, as compared with 6901 in 1918 and 7937 in 1917.
The concentrating mills employed an average of 1382
men during 1919, as compared with 1942 in 1918 and
4103 in 1917. The smelters employed an average of 1832
men in 1919, as against 3173 in 1918 and 2658 in 1917.
744
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 20. 1920
Auxiliary works employed an average of 709 men in
1919, 1885 in 1918, and 1811 in 1917. This makes the
total number of men employed in the mining and treat-
ment of ores 8522 during 1919, 13,901 during 1918, and
16,509 during 1917.
Alta. — Considerable anxiety is being caused the offi-
cials of the Alta-Superior Mining Co. as to the where-
abouts of Frank Tyler and Herbert "Waterworth, who
were doing work under contract at the property of the
company, five miles from here. N. A. Nelson, secretary
of the company, was at the property on October 6, and
the men asked for a month's supply of provisions, which
were sent to them on October 11. As no word had been
received for a month, a party of three made the trip to
the mine on skiis on November 10. No sign of the men
was found, and not more than a two weeks supply of the
food had been used. About 575 ft. from the mouth of the
tunnel and about 50 ft. from the face, the searching party
encountered a big cave of talc from the roof. It is feared
^hat the men were entombed, or that they may have been
caught in a snowslide, which for years has been the terror
of this camp during the winter season. The snow at the
Alta-Superior is about eight feet deep. "Work was im-
mediately started clearing the tunnel to ascertain if the
men were entrapped by the cave.
Park City. — The labor situation shows a marked im-
provement over the conditions obtaining during the past
summer, and the larger mines are now gradually getting
their forces up to normal, as well as increasing efficiency.
During the week ending November 6, a total of 1843 tons
was shipped, of which the Daly-West and Judge con-
tributed 692 ; Silver King Coalition, 601 ; Ontario, 490 ;
and Naildriver, 60. At the Keystone the management is
directing its energies toward the development of ore and
is making no attempts to stope. At present, two drifts
and three raises are being run. In the face of K-K 3
tunnel, which is all in ore, assays indicate returns of 35%
lead with 15 oz. silver. Sufficient supplies have been
taken to the property to permit development throughout
the winter. The Silver King Coalition Mines Co. is the
latest mining company in Utah to supply groceries, fuel,
and clothing to its employees at cost plus a small per-
centage for handling the goods. The company has pur-
chased a coal-yard and other buildings necessary to carry
out this plan. The company #now has a larger payroll
than it has had for the past six months. As fast as men
are obtainable, they are being put on development work.
On the 1100-ft. level the 'quartz' drift is being run to
the south-west and the Blood drift to the north-east.
Both drifts are coming through a lime formation, close
to the contact.
Bingham. — A promising find was made recently at the
Silver Shield property, according to F. L. Block, mining
engineer of Salt Lake City. In a stope about 200 ft.
from the present orebodies, 18 in. of ore averaging 30%
lead, 10% iron, and 7 oz. silver has been uncovered.
Mr. Block is of the opinion that the lime bed in which
this ore occurs is the Jordan lime strata, which is one of
the productive beds in the United States mine, adjoining
the Silver Shield. During the early part of the year,
mining men familiar with the district were of the opinion
that the work being done by the Silver Shield company
was too far into the mountain, whereupon efforts were
directed toward the locality where the recent find was
made.
Eureka. — All of the mines in this district report an
improvement in the labor situation, which is reflected in
the heavier output during the week ending November 6,
when 166 ears of ore were shipped. Of this number, the
Chief Consolidated shipped 43 ; Tintic Standard, 45 ;
Mammoth, 17 ; Dragon, 14 ; Eagle & Blue Bell, 13 ; Iron
Blossom, 7 ; Iron King, 6 ; Grand Central, 4 ; Centennial-
Eureka, 4 ; Gemini, 4 ; Victoria, 4 ; Swansea, 3 ; Eureka-
Hill, 1 ; and Bullion Beck, 1. Shaft No. 2 at the Chief
Consolidated property has passed the 1750-ft. level; the
total footage sunk during October being 132. It is
planned to sink the shaft to a depth of 1900 ft. For some
time past, the shaft has been in a solid shale formation
and the concreting of the last few hundred feet will be
deferred until the sinking is finished, which it is expected
will be accomplished by the end of the year.
As a result of the drop in price of copper and the ex-
piration of its smelting contract, the Mammoth Mining
Co. has suspended ore shipments, according to Earl Mc-
Intyre, manager. The mine force is being kept together
and is engaged in development work. Shipments from
the dump are being made, and Mr. Mclntyre hopes that
a new contract can be negotiated which will permit of
shipments from the mine.
WISCONSIN-
REVIEW FOR OCTOBER.
Depression in the zinc-mining and smelting industry,
further accentuated during the month of October, was
mainly responsible for a curtailed production at mines in
the "Wisconsin field, and a relative drop in the amount of
high-grade blende marketed. The shutting-down of the
American Metal Co.'s smelters in Arkansas narrowed the
outlet for zinc ore; the buyer representing this concern
locally withdrew at a time when the buying was the most
constricted ever known to the field. The Mineral Point
Zinc Co. had the field to itself almost entirely during the
month, the only other smelter to be represented being the
Illinois Zinc Co., at Peru, Illinois. However, the Mineral
Point Zinc Co. did not turn the situation to its advan-
tage, as offerings on zinc ore remained steady most of the
month.
Lead ore received bad treatment at the hands of buy-
ers, declines being rapid and sharp until the price
dropped to $65 per ton, at which figure lead-ore pro-
ducers no longer cared to market and shipments for the
month were the lightest reported at any time during the
year. The beginning of the decline found sellers ex-
pectant and much ore held in bin was carried along in
the belief that a recovery in price would be a matter of a
short period at most. These declines have been steady
and at present there are about 2000 tons of lead ore in
the field unmarketed. Producers of carbonate-zinc ore
withdrew from the market some time ago.
Mai
U
»
it
m
November 20, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
74.">
The manufacture of sulphuric acid, which has become
important in the Wisconsin field, has been carried on
successfully at the National Separators at Cuba City,
the production amounting to 40 tons per day. This
product was for a time marketed in Chicago and Mil-
waukee, but recently it is claimed that the demand has
not been so good and that a more determined effort to
market became imperative. Shipments continue at the
rate of one 25-ton tank-car daily with the acid depart-
ment of the Mineral Point Zinc Co. shipping three or
four such cars weekly.
Deliveries of zinc ore and lead ore from mines to re-
fineries were made for October by districts as here
shown.
District Zinc, lb. Lead, lb.
Benton 8,954,000 140,000
Livingston 6,736,000 160,000
Cuba City 2,108,000 60,000
Galena 1,828,000
Day Siding 1,666,000
Platteville 948.000
Shullsburg 736.000
Hazel Green 586,000
Highland 150,000
Total 23,712,000
360,000
Shipments of high-grade blende from refiners to smelt -
| er were made by the following concerns :
District Lb.
lineral Point Zinc Co 5,204,000
National Zinc Separators 4,080,000
I Wisconsin Zinc Roasters 1,260,000
| Linden Zinc Separators 478,000
31ock-House Mining Co 468,000
Total 11,490,000
The gross recovery of milled ore for the month aggre-
gated 11,566 tons, net to smelters, 5745 ; carbonate-zinc
lore 45. The high-grade blende went to the Prime West-
lern Smelters, 416 tons; Illinois Zinc Co., 726; American
IMetal Co., 498 ; Mineral Point Zinc Co., 4105 tons.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
INICKEL PLATE MINE SUSPENDS OPERATIONS. REPORTS PROM
THE PREMIER PROPERTY.
Hedley. — The Hedley Gold Mining Co. has closed the
Nickel Plate mine, throwing 150 men out of employment.
So far as the men are concerned, they hardly are deserv-
ing of sympathy, as, notwithstanding that they have been
warned time and time again that it would be impossible
to continue operations and pay increased wages, they
have been insistent in their demands for increases. J. P.
Jones, the general manager of the mine, has made the
following announcement: "During the World War we
ontinued operations at Hedley as we felt it to be our
fluty not only to British Columbia and to the Allies, as
»old was needed, but also a moral obligation to the town
)f Hedley. After the Armistice we continued to operate,
rhinking all costs would come down and allow us to make
i fair profit. We have been disappointed in this eon-
'lusion, and find that we cannot earn reasonable divi-
dends under existing circumstances and maintain our
ore-reserve. We have accordingly recommended to the
board of directors that the property be closed down until
conditions change. This will probably mean a shut-down
of a year. The mine, mill, and other plant should be in
good condition to start-up when conditions justify it."
There has been a persistent rumor that the Consolidated
M. & S. Co. had been negotiating for the purchase of the
mine, but it is difficult to see what its object would be,
unless it proposes to start the manufacture of germicides
and needs the arsenic. Latterly the Nickel Plate has been
producing $20,000 worth of arsenic yearly. There is
another rumor that the Hedley company proposed to
combine with a strong United States smelting company
in the exploration of the Bradshaw and Nick-of-Time
INTERIOR OF A ZINC-MILL IN THE PLATTEVILLE DISTRICT,
WISCONSIN
claims, north of Hedley. These claims are said to con-
tain ore similar to the Nickel Plate, but with a higher
arsenic content ; the gold running about the same.
Trail. — During the last ten days of October, 12,125
tons of ore and concentrate was received at the smelter,
the Consolidated company's mines contributing 11,230
tons. The other shippers were: Bluebell, Riondel, 185
tons ; Emerald, Salnio, 38 ; Granby, Grand Forks, 91 ;
Josie, Rossland, 228 ; Monarch, Field, 33 ; North Star,
Kimberley, 159 ; Paradise, Athalmer, 35 ; Ruth, Ains-
worth, 63 ; Skyline, Ainsworth, 55 ; and Waterloo, Edge-
wood, 8. The total ore received for the ten months ended
October 31 was 296,662 tons. This is only about 30,000
tons less than was received during the whole of last year,
so, if this rate of shipping keeps up until the end of the
year, the total quantity of ore handled at the smelter
should be considerably more than last year. Most of the
ore during the present year has come from the Sullivan
mine, consequently more zinc ore has been treated than
any other kind.
Stewart. — H. A. Guess, of the American Smelting &
Refining Co., spent the first few days of the month at the
Premier mine, and he stated that he was entirely satis-
fied with the development of the mine, which fully has
come up to expectations. An attempt has been made to
start shipping before the snow covered the whole of the
746
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 20, 1920
road, but it was found to be unsatisfactory. One con-
signment of 50 tons went to Taeoma. It is expected that
the snow will enable regular shipping to commence soon
after the middle of November, and an attempt will be
made to get at least 3000 tons of high-grade to the
Taeoma smelter this winter. This will have a gold and
silver content worth between $800,000 and $1,000,000.
Two snow-tractors are now on their way to Stewart, and
will be used in shipping ore this winter. These are said
to have been thoroughly tested ; the one tried last winter
was an experiment and a failure. The new water-power
plant is nearly finished, and will be in operation early in
December. The concentrating and cyanide-plant should
be finished early in the spring. It was expected that the
plant would have been finished by the end of the year, but
the severe rains that fell during last summer completely
ruined the road from Stewart to the mine, and made the
hauling of heavy machinery impossible. Much of the ma-
chinery for the plant is still on the wharf at Stewart.
Bert F. Smith, of Hazelton, has been appointed assistant
to Dale L. Pitt, manager of the mine.
W. A. Meloche, managing engineer for the Algunican
Development Co., states that ore will be shipped this
winter from the Spider mine, and that if the development
planned shows a tonnage equal to three times what is in
sight, a mill will be working on the property by next
July.
Vancouver. — A clean-up of 50 gold bars valued at
more than half a million dollars was made at the Domin-
ion Government assay office and shipped to the mint at
Ottawa. The staff at the mint report that the season, so
far as gold mining is concerned, has been very unsatis-
factory, both as regards British Columbia and the Yukon.
The water-shortage interfered with placer operations at
both places, and the closing of the Bossland mines, which
essentially are gold mines, for a large part of the year has
reduced the gold output of British Columbia markedly.
The closing of the Nickel Plate mine will be a great blow
to the lode-gold mining of the Province.
Antox. — The Hidden Creek mine of the Granby Con-
solidated Mining & Smelting Co. has 11,000,000 tons of
ore designated as No. 1, containing 2.4% copper, and
14,000,000 tons designated as No. 2, containing about
1.25% copper, according to a recently published report.
Direct smelting is said to be applicable to the No. 1 ore,
but the No. 2 will become available after concentration.
Nelson. — The Ottawa mine is rapidly being put in
shape for operation and shipment of ore. Machinery,
including a tube-mill, is on the ground, and the cable for
the tram is at the upper terminal, which has been fin-
ished. The latter will be about 2000 ft. long. L. H.
Biggar, the mine manager, is satisfied with the progress
made.
ONTARIO
MINESS MORE PLENTIFUL AT COBALT.
Cobalt. — The labor supply at Cobalt is becoming more
plentiful and efficiency has increased considerably during
the few weeks. Operators believe it will be possible to
reduce the per-ounce cost of producing silver and thereby
make up for the reduced income caused by the lower quo-
tations for the metal. The McKinley-Darragh has closed
down its oil-flotation plant for the winter. The equip-
ment will again be employed following the spring break-
up. Ore in the Keeley silver mine is estimated to contain
400,000 oz. of silver. This has been placed in sight as a
result of less than one year's development work. Other
properties in the South Lorrain area, in the vicinity of
the Keeley, are now attracting attention.
The Ontario Bureau of Mines has issued a detailed re-
port on the geology and the output of silver from the
Gowganda district. The report declares the rocks in
Gowganda to resemble in a general way those at Cobalt.
Production reached the highest point in 1917, amounting
to 1,064,639 oz. The second highest record was in 1919
when 722.564 oz. was produced. In the ten years from
1910 to 1919, both years inclusive, the district produced
5,430,152 oz. In view of operations having continued
steadily throughout the current year, the production to
the end of 1920 is estimated as likely to reach 6,200.000
oz. Cobalt mine-operators believe the price of silver is
going up. A large quantity of bullion is being held in
store at the mines. The opening of the new year is ex-
pected to find quotations around $1 per ounce, or equal to
the price being paid American producers under the terms
of the Pittman Act.
Sudbury. — It is officially announced that the output of
the International Nickel Co. will be reduced from 4000
to 3000 tons of nickel matte per month, bringing produc-
tion down to the pre-war basis. One furnace is being
shut-down and the working force reduced by about 250
men. The cause assigned is business depression in the
United States.
Porcupine. — The development of a large orebody on
the Mcln-tyre below the 1000-ft. level, paralleling the No.
5 vein, is regarded as of importance not only to the Mc-
Intyre but to the Hollinger Consolidated, as the deposit is
ascertained to be a continuation of vein No. 84 of the
Hollinger. So far as this deposit has been opened in the
latter mine it is estimated to contain ore to the value of
$6,282,620, this amount being chiefly above the 800-ft.
level, and its continuance to the depth now reached on
the Mclntyre will greatly increase the ore-reserves of the
Hollinger. Up to the present the Hollinger has developed
38 veins, and has 39 veins, which have not yet been
opened for mining, outcropping on the surface.
The ore in sight on the Porcupine Vipond-North
Thompson, including development work down to the
600-ft. level, is estimated at approximately 130,000 tons
valued at $1,250,000. The company is planning to sink
to the 900 or 1000-ft. level and open up main haulage
levels, and to remodel and extend the 100-ton mill.
Kirkland Lake. — The Moffatt-Hall which has 12
claims on Crystal Lake, Lebel township, has put up build-
ings and done preliminary work in stripping and test-
pitting. Some of the orebodies have been proved to be
large and to yield good assays. Funds have been raised
for the resumption of operations.
nilxT 20, 1 :>'_'"
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
747
ARIZONA
Ajo. — A ten-ton hoist has been installed at the Copper
Ridge mine preparatory to sinking the present 30-ft. shaft
to the 100-ft. level. From this point cross-cuts are to be
run to several known veins from which 40% ore has been
taken near the surface. Several shipments of high-grade
ore have been made in the past. This property was formerly
known as the Ajo Cornelia and adjoins the Ajo Consolidated
claims of the New Cornelia on the east and south. Nearly
all the stock of the company is held locally.
Kingman. — A larger force of men is being put to work at
the Antler mine of the Newby Mines Co. A carload of ore
is being shipped to the railroad at Yucca, two more cars
being on the dump. It is reported that there is a consider-
able tonnage of 8 % copper ore now developed which when
dressed will yield a 20% concentrate. The lease was ob-
tained on the property a year ago. The mine produced a
large tonnage of ore years ago. It is reported that a
strike of high-grade silver ore has been made at the O'Fallon
mine west of Cerbat. The ore is said to be 30 in. wide and
assays 2 50 oz. per ton in silver. The mine is owned by the
Jones brothers and is under option to Percy Allwyn, who is
developing on the old levels. The mine has produced some
high-grade silver-lead ore in the past. The Big Four
Metals Co. is making preparations for extensive development
at the mine in the Wallapai mountains. A hoist and com-
pressor have been ordered and the old road is to be repaired.
The ore carries gold, silver, lead, and vanadium, the last
running high. J. S. Garrison is in charge of the property.
Kayser brothers and Jackman, who are operating the
(Neptune mine, have driven a drift along the vein opening
plendid ore. A carload of the ore is on the dump and is
aid to average 200 oz. per ton in silver. Grading and the
ement foundations for the mill at the C. O. D. mine have
been completed. The machinery for the mill is expected any
lay. The drift on the 400-ft. level has opened ore, speci-
mens of which are very rich. Each foot of development
work opens more ore. It is said that there is a year's supply
)f mill-ore now developed. C. P. Sherman is in Charge of
levelopment work.
CALIFORNIA
Shasta County. — On the petition of the United States
Smelting, Refining & Mining Co., the suit brought against it
ly the Shasta Copper Exploration Co. has been transferred
>y the Superior Court to the United States courts. Both
ompanies are claiming the same mining ground in the
ceighborhood of Kennett. In the Little Nellie mine near
ron Mountain a body of copper ore has been found in the
ew drift run from the bottom of the 500-ft. winze sunk
ecently, thus proving the contention of the company that
hat has always been a gold mine would prove to be a cop-
er mine when developed in the direction of the Iron Moun-
lin mine. E. K. Kirkland of Weaverville and Sim Mack
an Francisco have taken a two-year option on the Wash-
ton mine near French Gulch and have set a crew of eight
at work.
evada County. — An aeroplane has made a test of the
ibility of serving a circuit of mines in this region with
ght supplies and mail. The plane made a circuit of ap-
proximately 60 miles over the mining region, landing just
51 minutes from the time of starting. The route included
Morning Star, Iowa Hill, Birds' Flat, Little York, You Bet.
Red Dog, Nevada City, and the Grass Valley district. Most
of these places are off the railroad and on poor roads and
it is estimated that it would require eight hours to reach
them by automobile.
San Benito County. — The New Idria Quicksilver Mining
Co. has announced that its mine will be closed down tem-
porarily, owing to the stagnation of the metal market.
COLORADO
Denver. — The twenty-third annual convention of the
American Mining Congress opened in this city on November
15, with delegates in attendance from all sections of the
United States. Questions of importance to the mining in-
dustry were considered under nine general divisions, as
follows:
1. Present-day relations between operator and employee;
increased efficiency in production; wages, hours, working
conditions, and contracts.
2. Tariffs pertaining to mine products and the uniformity
of national and state mining laws.
3. The feasibility of holding a national conference on the
standardization of mining machinery, and labor and life-
saving devices.
4. The existing excess-profits tax law declared to be un-
fair to the mining industry.
5. The problem of the decline of the nation's gold pro-
duction, and means of preventing further depletion of the
nation's monetary reserve.
6. War-minerals.
7. Relief of claimants for compensation who, under ex-
isting technicalities of the law, are often denied relief.
8. The petroleum industry and the development of the
vast oil-shale deposits in Colorado and other States.
9. National and local problems of the coal-mining in-
dustry.
IDAHO
Coeur d'Alene. — Activity is increasing in the silver belt
lying along Big creek. The Yankee Boy mine, a steady con-
tributor of high-grade ore, has shipped another carload said
to assay $100 per ton. The Big Creek company is running
dump-ore through the mill, producing a high-grade silver
concentrate. The development of the mine is proceeding.
The Sterling Silver Mountain company has purchased 10
claims adjoining the property on Big creek. The new claims
are on the line of the vein being developed. The Western
is engaged in assessment work. The First National will
cross-cut the vein in the lower tunnel. The Big Hill &
Silverdale company is driving a cross-cut that has attained
the 700-ft. point. High-grade tungsten ore has been
found in the property of the Kennon Mining Co. in the
North Fork district. The ore was assayed to determine its
gold content and the presence of tungsten was discovered.
The tungsten ore is eight inches wide in a vein five feet
wide. The ore contains $5 to $6 in gold. The best ore
yet found in the Ajax mine was cut recently, according to
A. C. Bixby, manager. It is a full face of good milling ore
in the east drift. The company some time ago sunk a shaft
748
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 20, 1920 I
200 ft. from the Moonlight vein and sunk a winze 120 ft. on
the vein. From the bottom of the winze it drifted 150 ft.
Most of this distance the tunnel followed a vein of good
milling. ore about a foot wide. As this vein did not change,
the work was turned to an east drift where the full face of
ore was found. An assay certificate received recently by
the Nabob Consolidated mine shows that the last carload of
lead concentrate shipped contained 54% lead, 7% zinc, and
21 oz. of silver per ton. This is the highest recovery made in
the mill. The car contained 40 tons and was produced since
new equipment was installed.
Talache. — The Armstead Mines Co., whose property is on
Lake Pend Oreille, is engaged in the development of a body
of milling ore, according to H. H. Armstead, president. The
principal content is silver.
MONTANA
Butte. — The Davis-Daly Copper Co. is producing approxi-
mately 1,000,000 lb. of copper per month. The company
has just finished installing a new hoist and erecting new
and modern buildings. This construction is being paid for
from earnings, and costs at present are averaging between
13 and 14c. per pound. Shipping its ore to the East Butte
smelter, which settles on receipts of shipment, Davis-Daly
is not tying up cash in unsold copper. There is a discussion
now going on between Anaconda and Davis-Daly relative to
the apex rights to one of the latter's main veins. The for-
mer company intimated that it had ownership through apex
rights to this particular vein and is now endeavoring to
prove its allegations. Davis-Daly is awaiting the results of
its big neighbor's findings. The zinc-producing mines
are curtailing production. Butte & Superior has reduced its
output by 30%, and at Senator Clark's Elm Orlu mine a
similar reduction has been made. A number of the Ana-
conda company's zinc mines have discontinued production
entirely pending improvement in the market for zinc.
MANITOBA
The Pas. — The syndicate headed by W. B. Thompson, of
New York, which holds an option on the Flin Flon copper
deposit, has completed an arrangement with the Manitoba
government under which a survey will be made for a railway
to the mine. The Government did not feel inclined to under-
take the cost involved until it had assurance that the syndi-
cate would exercise its option. Not being able to give such
assurance the syndicate proposed that the Government
should proceed with the survey on its undertaking to pay
the cost, including an estimate of the cost of constructing
the railway, in case it failed to take up the option and de-
velop the mine. This proposition was accepted, the cost
being fixed at $15,000. The survey work will be done by
the engineering department of the Canadian National Rail-
ways, and a report with reference to the cost of construction
will be made for the Provincial government to present to
the next session of the Manitoba legislature. The syndicate
has spent $200,000 on the Flin Flon property and if the
option is exercised must pay $1,000,000 on March 1.
Obituary
Chester A. Thomas, formerly manager for the American
Smelters Securities Co., and a mining engineer of wide repu-
tation, died at Dawson, Alaska, on November 11. He was in
Alaska, re-visiting the scene of his early engineering career
at the time of his death. For years he was in charge of the
Guggenheim interests in Alaska, and later in California and
Arizona. He left San Francisco last August. Shortly after
his arrival at Dawson he suffered a breakdown in health.
He is survived by a widow and three children, all of whom
are residents of Berkeley.
PERSONALl
The Editor invites members of the profession to send particulars of their I
work and appointments. The information is interesting; to our readers.
Edwin E. Cnase is at Butte on professional work.
O. Hondrnm has left Cananea, Mexico, and is at Jerome,
Arizona.
George D. Blood has moved from Salt Lake City to San
Francisco.
Bond Coleman has moved from Mound City, Kansas, to
Pachuca, Mexico.
T. A. Kickard is in Denver attending the meeting of the
American Mining Congress.
Walter Fitch Jr., mining contractor of Eureka, Utah, has
returned from a trip to Juneau, Alaska.
Duncan MacVichie, president of the Western Utah Copper
Co. at Gold Hill, Utah, is at Los Angeles.
E. W. Engelmann, consulting research engineer for the
Jackling porphyry interests, is in New York.
A. H. Lawrence has just returned to Santiago after spend-
ing several months in the wilds of Bolivia and Peru.
Henry N. Thomson has accepted the chair of metallurgy
in the University of British Columbia at Vancouver.
T. M. Hamilton arrived on the 'Huron' on November 4,
from Buenos Aires, and will reside at Lewistown, Montana.
Arthur H. Carpenter has become assistant professor of
metallurgy at the Armour Institute of Technology, Chicago.
Frederick Lyon, formerly vice-president of the U. S. Smelt-
ing Co., has been visiting the company's properties in Utah.
August Grunert, mining engineer of Butte, has been mak-
ing an examination of the Tungsten Comet mine, near
Pioche, Nevada.
H. Foster Bain, Marshall D. Draper, and T. K. Li, having
finished their work in Yunnan, China, are returning to the
United States.
George E. Drewitt has concluded his mining report for the
financial house of Jose I. Lazama, Havana, Cuba, and will
sail for Spain and England.
G. A. Overstrom is visiting the properties of the Seoul
Mining Co., in Japan and Korea. He will not return to this
country until the first of the year.
M. W. von Bernewitz has re-joined W. H. Weed in compil-
ing the 'Mines Handbook', whose office is now at Tuckahoe,
16 miles north of New York city.
Walter Hovey Hill has been in the East for the past
month, and is now at Stanley, Idaho, as consulting engineer
to the United Metals & Power Corporation.
George Crerar has joined the working force of the El
Fuerte Mining & Smelting Co., at Choix, Sinaloa, Mexico,
and will have charge of the installation and operation of the
copper blast-furnace.
Arthur W. Burgren, assistant superintendent of the Do-
lores mine at Matehuala, Mexico, is at Knights Ferry, Cali-
fornia, convalescing from a recent illness. He expects to re-
turn to Mexico in a month.
Jerome A. Hilbert has resigned his position as superin-
tendent of the Blue Ledge mine, at Copper, California, to
become superintendent of the Cia. Metalurgica Mexicana, at
Sierro Mojada, Coahuila, Mexico.
Herbert Hoover, Theodore Hoover, James M. Hyde, David
McClure, and H. W. Turner will, after December 1, have
offices in the new Balfour building. Herbert Hoover will
retain an office in the Mills building as well.
Albert L. Waters, having just finished a two years en-
gagement, is continuing as mining engineer and general
superintendent for all the mining interests of Charles E.
Richardson & Co. in the province of Kwangtun, south China,
with headquarters at Swatow.
November 20, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
749
THE
ARRET
I p
METAL PRICES
San Francisco. November 16
Ainminum-dusl. cents per pound 65
Antimony, cents per pound 9.60
Copper, electrolytic, cents per pound 111.50 — 17 00
Uy, cents per pound 7.25 — 8.25
Platinum, pure, per ounce S85
Platinum. 1(K. iridium, per ounce S125
Quicksilver, per flask of 75 lb S55
Spelter, cents per pound 9.50
■inc-dust. cents per pound 1*2.50 — 15.00
EASTERN METAL MARKET
(By wire Irom New York)
November 15. — Copper is quiet and steadier. Lead is dull and lower.
SILVER
Below are given official or ticker quotations lor silver in the open market
diBtimjoiahed. from the fixed price obtainable for metal produced, smelted,
and refined exclusively within the United States. Under the terms of the
Pittman Act such silver will be purchased by the United States Mint at $1
per ounce, subject to certain small charges which vary slightly but amount
to approximately three-eights of -one cent. The equivalent of dollar silver
DOO0 line) in British currency is 46.65 pence per ounce (925 fine), calcu-
lated at the normal rate of exchange.
Zinc is in;t. live but easy.
Dale
N(.v
New York
cents
9 80.75
10 82.25
11 80.87
12 80.37
13 79.37
14 Sunday
15 76.50
London
pence
53.75
54.62
54.12
53.87
53.25
51.37
Average week ending
Cents
4 91.65
11 8(1.77
18 83.10
25 79.52
1 80.31
8 81.90
15 80.02
Monthly averages
1918
Jan 88.72
Feb 85.79
Hch 88.11
Apr. .
May .
June .
1919 1920
101.12 132.77
101.12
101.15
95,35 101.15
99.50 107.23 102.69
99.50 110.50 90.84
131.27
125.70
119.56
1918
July 99.62
Aug 100.31
Sept 101.12
Oct 101.12
Nov 101.12
Dec 101.12
1919
106.36
111.35
113.92
119.10
127.57
131.92
Pence
58.98
55.66
54.05
52.31
52.35
54.00
53.50
1920
92.04
96.23
93.66
83.48
COITER
Prices of electrolytic in New York, in centB per pound.
9 15.00
10 15.00
11 14.75
12 14.75
13 14.75
14 Sunday
15 15.00
Average week ending
11.
18.
25.
1.
18.50
17.85
17.15
15.76
15.08
15.00
14.87
Monthly averages
101R
Ian 23.50
M> 23.50
tch 23.50
Lir 23.50
tay 23.50
tune 23.50
1919
1920
20.43
19.25
17.34
19.05
15.05
18.49
15.23
19.23
15.91
19.05
17.53
19.00
1918
July 26.00
Aug 26.00
Sept 26.00
Oct 26.00
Nov 26.00
Dec 26.00
1919
20.82
22.51
22.10
21.66
20.45
18.55
1920
19.00
19.00
18.75
16.53
Lead is quoted in cents per pound. New York delivery.
)ate
NOV.
9 6.70.
10 6.70
11 6.70
12 6.55
13 6.50
14 Sunday
15 6.50
Oct.
Average week ending
4
11
18
Monthly averages
1918
1919
1920
6.85
5.60
8.65
July
7.70
5.13
8.88
7.26
5.24
9.22
Sept
6.99
5.05
8.78
Oct.
6.99
5.04
8.55
Nov.
7.59
6.32
8.43
Dec.
1918
8.03
8.05
8.05
8.05
. 8,05
6.90
1919
5.53
5.78
602
6.40
6.76
7.12
7.54
7.50
7.60
7.08
6.92
6.84
6.61
9.03
8. OR
7.28
rices in New York, in cents per pound.
Monthly averages
1919
1920
1918
1919
1920
71.50
62.74
70.11
. . 85.00
72.44
59.87
Aug. . .
91.33
62.20
47.60
72.50
61.92
Sept. . .
80.40
55.79
. . 88 53
72.60
62.12
Oct. . .
78.82
54.82
40.47
100 01
72.50
54.99
Nov. . .
73.67
54 17
91.00
71.83
48.33
Dec. . .
71.52
Zinc is quoted as spelter, standard Western brands. New York delivery.
in cents per pound.
Date
Nov.
10
11
14 Sunday
15.
0.80
Average week ending
4 7.66
11 7.55
18 7.41
25 7.50
1 7.54
8 7.31
15 6.86
1918
Jan 7.78
Feb 7.97
Mch 7.67
Apr. ...... 7.04
May 7.92
June 7.92
1919
7.44
6.71
6.53
6.49
6.43
6.91
Monthly averages
1920
9.56
9,15
8.93
8.76
8.07
7.92
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dee.
1918
8.72
8.78
9.58
9.11
8.75
8.49
1919
7.7S
7.81
1920
8.18
8,31
7,84
7.50
QUICKSILVER
The primary market for quicksilver is San Francisco. California being
the largest producer. The price is fixed in the open market, according to
quantity. Prices, in dollars per flask of 75 pounds.
Date | Nov. 1 60.00
Oct. 19 70.00 -" 9 55.00
26 65.00 I " 16 55.00
Monthly averages
1918
Jan 128.06
Feb 118.00
Mch 112.00
Apr 115.00
May 110.00
June 112.00
1919
103.75
90.00
72.80
73.12
84.80
94.40
1920
89.00
81.00
87.00
100.00
87.00
85.00
1918
July 120.00
Aug 120.00
Sept 120.00
Oct 120.00
Nov 120.00
Dee 115.00
1919
100.00
103 00
102.60
86.00
78.00
95.00
192(1
88.00
85 00
75 00
FOREIGN EXCHANGE
Premium on New York exchange is a virtual tariff on European imports.
Each decline of 5% in sterling, for example, adds just that much to cost
of our commodities. How badly Europe is in need of our products can be
seen from the high premium the various countries are obliged to pay for
American funds.
Recent weakness in exchange carried many to new low records. The
following table shows the discount in New York of the principal ex-
changes, compared with low records previous to the present downward
movement which started on offerings of grain and cotton bills:
'Low' previous
to present Discount, 'Low' Discount.
Exchange Par movement % Nov. 8 %
Sterling 4.86 3.18 34.7 3.33H 31.5
FraneB 0.193 0.0579 70.0 0.0574 70.3
Lire 0.193 0.0373 81.7 0.0338 82.5
Mark 0.238 0.0101 95.8 0.0109 95.3
Guilders 0.402 0.3125 22.0 0.2940 26.9
Swiss 0.193 0.1628 15.3 0.1507 21.9
Sweden 0.268 0.1630 29.2 0.1848 31.0
Norway 0.168 0.1380 48.1 0.1302 51.4
Denmark 0.268 0.1375 48.1 0.1303 51.4
Pesetas 0.193 0.1470 23.6 0.1270 34.2
England pays one-third premium. France pays more than three times
normal, Italy more than five times normal, and Germany more than 20
times. Certain bankers maintain that an adverse exchange-rate is a blessing"
in disguise. They point out that it discourages imports and encourages in-
creased home production and exports. One prominent international banker
says that, in his opinion. England could fix her rate well above S4 if she-.
would withdraw her support from the Continentals. He states, however,
that there are certain advantages of a low rate at present and it is doubtful
whether she really desires a higher exchange-rate.
RAILROAD OPERATION
The statement that six months of private railroad operation since March
1 cost the taxpayers approximately S650.000.000 while 26 months of gov-
ernment operation cost only S900.000.000 is characterized as unfair.
The Labor Board's wage-award increased by over S600.000.000 the
annual payroll, and approximately one-third of this advance was covered
in the period between May 1 and September 1. In the six months period
ending September 1. S175.000.000 more was spent for maintenance of way
and S220.000.000 more for maintenance of equipment than in the cor-
responding period of the preceding year. These increased expenditures for
wages and upkeep practically offset the entire S650.000.000 government
deficit for the first six months. , .
As a result of operating economies and efficiency efforts inaugurated since
cessation of government control the roads have raised car mileage from
22 3 to 27.4 miles per day. Averaging loading per ear was 29.8 tons on
September 1. an increase in six months of 1.5 tons. Result of this in-
creased movement and heavier loading has been to add the equivalent of
600,000 ears to freight service.
MONEY AND EXCHANGE
Foreign quotations on November 16 are as follows:
Sterling, dollars : Cable
Demand
Francs, cents: Cable
Demand
Lire, cents : Demand
Marks, cents
3.42%
3.43%
5.30
5.31
3.55
1.48
750
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 20, 1920
Eastern Metal Market
New York, November 10.
All the markets are quiet and buying power is small.
They are all fairly steady as to prices except tin, which has
declined more than the others.
The copper market is steadier and quotations are firmer at
the recent low levels.
Tin has declined and there is almost no buying.
The lead market is a little easier but fairly steady and
buying is very light.
The zinc market is almost lifeless and prices have eased
slightly.
Antimony is dull and a little lower.
IRON AND STEEL
Current steel-trade activities have to do mainly with can-
cellations of orders, further restriction of output of pig-iron
and steel, and continued efforts by manufacturing consumers
to reduce inventories and contract obligations before the end
of the year. There are few new orders and more and more
reminders of the aftermaths of some well-remembered
booms.
It develops that here and there an independent producer
would accept some business at the Steel Corporation prices,
but in the main diminishing demand is met by cutting down
output and by such an orderly retreat from the higher price-
levels as will protect unfilled orders now on the books. As
has been the case for some weeks. Steel Corporation mills
are running nearer to capacity than the average independent
plant, the percentage being about 80 for the former and 50
to 60 for the latter. The corporation's statement of unfilled
orders on October 31 (not published at this writing) is ex-
pected to show a falling off of several hundred thousand
tons.
Companies whose business is largely with motor-car
makers have slackened further. The turning point in the
latter industry is not in sight, little response being made to
the first price-reductions.
COPPER
This market is steady but quiet. It is felt by some that
the bottom has been reached. At least the continued de-
cline has stopped at the 15c. level and rested there for over a
"week. On small lots for prompt delivery there has been a
little shading of this price but it has been largely where
cash needs were imperative. Buying by domestic consumers
has improved but the betterment is slight. One bright spot
is the continued sale to foreign buyers. This is not of large
proportions, but it is steady at prices above domestic levels.
We quote the market for both electrolytic and Lake copper
at 15c, New York, for delivery the rest of this year and at
15.25c. for the first quarter.
TIN
This market has grown weaker and prices have again de-
clined to levels obtaining about three weeks ago. Two
factors are largely responsible: The speculative London
market and the fall in exchange, though large supplies and
poor buying power are also powerful influences. The London
market in the last two days has had severe declines from
the high points reached in the speculation following the
favorable turn in the British coal strike and has nearly ap-
proached the level following the actual strike. Yesterday
spot standard tin was quoted at £245 15s. and future stand-
ard at £251 15s. with spot Straits at £248, all recessions of
£11 to £22 per ton below the values on November 1. The
New York market is also lower with 3 7c, New York, quoted
for spot Straits yesterday. The market here is stagnant with
consumers uninterested and with dealers neither buying for
the long pull nor trading in the other way. There has been
no activity on the New York Metal Exchange the past week.
In the general market there were offerings last Friday of
spot Straits at 37.50c, New York, and of tin for November-
December shipment at 40c with a little business. London is
reported to have tried to buy but when its bids arrived sell-
ers at those levels had withdrawn. They were really few at
the best. Arrivals thus far this month have been 2150 tons
with 3640 tons reported afloat. Imports to November 1 this
year have been 44.923 tons against 25,89 6 tons to November
1, 1919. Of this year's imports 32,340 tons was from the
Straits Settlements.
LEAD
There have been few developments in the last week.
Quotations are nearly nominal, so little is the actual business
transacted. The outside market has declined a little further
to 6.75c, New York, or 6.50c, St. Louis, for early delivery
at which levels, slightly above or below, some small business
has been done. One dealer described the market as a catch-
as-catch-can affair. Imports of 1000 tons of lead from
France arrived on Monday but all sold in advance. The im-
ported metal has practically vanished as a market price-
factor. Late on Monday the leading interest reduced its
quotation Jc per pound to 6.75c, St. Louis, or 7c, New
York, for early delivery, another adjustment to meet the
outside marke*.
ZINC
Conditions are but slightly changed. Prime Western for
early delivery is a little lower at 6.80c, St. Louis, or 7.25c,
New York, but demand is of small proportions. The only
buying consists of hand-to-mouth needs by galvanizers.
Brass-makers are not active as to operations and their needs
are less. Producers are not forcing sales and are still dis-
inclined to sell for future delivery. Stocks are declining as
well as production and the technical position of the market
is regarded as sounder. Large operators are reported to
have reduced the price of galvanized sheets one cent per
pound which is something of a surprise.
ANTIMONY
There is almost no activity and prices have declined slight-
ly. Wholesale lots for early delivery are held at 6.25c New
York, duty paid. Jobbing lots are ic. to Jc. per pound
higher.
ALUMINUM
Virgin metal, 98 to 99% pure, is quoted by the leading
producers at 32.90c f.o.b. producer's plant in wholesale lots
for early delivery, while from other sources it is quoted at
28 to 29c. per pound, New York.
ORES
Tungsten: Quotations are nominal at $4.50 for Chinese
ore and $5 per unit for Bolivian in regular concentrate and
there is almost no business.
Ferro-tungsten is unchanged from the quotations reported
last week.
Molybdenum: There is no demand and quotations are
nominal at 75c per lb. of MoS, in regular concentrate.
Manganese: There have been no developments and quota-
tions are nominally unchanged at 45 to 50c per unit, sea-
board. Imports have been very heavy to October 1, this
year, or at the rate of 47.001 tons per month which has been
exceeded only once — in 1918 at 52,490 tons per month.
Manganese-Iron Alloys: There is no demand for ferro-
manganese or spiegeleisen and quotations are unchanged.
The former is quoted at $155, basis seaboard, for re-sale,
and $170 for domestic and foreign alloy from producers,
the latter at $75. furnace, with re-sale material available at
substantial concessions.
ill I minim iniiiiii nit Hill it I limn nniji muni iiiiiiniiiiiiimiiimiiiiiL
EDITORIAL STAFF
T. A. RlCKARO, EDITOR
PARSONS, ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Member Audit Bureau of Circulations
Member Associated Business Papers, Inc.
ESTABLISHED I860
Published at HO Market St., San Francisco,
by the Dewey Publishing Company
BUSINESS STAFF
C.T. HUTCHINSON, MANAQER
E. H, LESLIE, 600 FISHCR BDS., CHICAGO
F. A, WEI«LE, 3 1 Nassau St., new York
• *qa1^^lql■l■1L4I3L■l■1 3l<EIII4l4IJIillllLI1IIiai9hlll^lLI^I^I«lllllI^ltlll«lllCllltllll Jiaill3IJI]l1MIJ I^IAIllLIJI1lll1KILlllll1l]L4t3t 1 llllllll3lltlLl^irilllkllllMI3IIIIEItlflElllll1l]llllllVltlXIIEJI1Illli]ll^l1l4l1l1iarillTI1l3ElllliriliniaiLPIIItlflll1lllllll|l|*llltlTI<lllltlllllll1IIIIIILirlll3tl^~
SCIENCE HAS NO ENEMY SAVE THE IGNORANT
Issued Every Saturday
San Francisco, November 27, 1920 9* per Year— 15 cents per copy
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EDITORIAL
NOTES
Page
. 751
CONCERNING SHIFT-BOSSES 752
The important role o£ the shift-boss in a mine
organization. Sundry qualifications of the success-
ful boss. Personal example to his men. Must
know how to mine. Judgment of men. Square
dealing. Miners are temperamental. College men
as shift-bosses. The school of practical experience.
Results of having too few bosses.
THE BRASS CHECK 753
Mr. Upton Sinclair's book sub-titled. 'A Study in
American Journalism'. Not 'polite' but has a flavor
of authenticity. Our newspapers, he says, are un-
reliable, subservient, and corrupt. He was placed
under the ban because of the 'Jungle'. Methods of
modern dailies. The Associated Press. Futility
of corrections. Newspapers should be licensed.
A prostituted press is a menace to our develop-
ment.
ARTICLES
Page
A RESUME OF LITERATURE ON THE THEORY OF
FLOTATION, WITH CRITICAL NOTES
By H. R. Adam 765
Conditions for equilibrium when a solid is in con-
tact with two fluids. The contact-angle. Adsorp-
tion of gases at the surfaces of minerals. Froths
and the effect of oil. Bibliography.
RECOVERY OF GOLD FROM BLACK SAND
By John Gross 770
Hand-jigging and canvas-table concentration are
effective.
RE-OPENING OF THE PLYMOUTH MINE AND THE
RESULTS
By W. J. Loring 771
Examination by the California Exploration Co.
Disappointments followed by opening of rich ore
in the lower levels.
CANADIAN INSTITUTE OF MINING AND METAL-
LURGY
By R. C. Wallace 773
Meeting at Winnipeg. The papers presented.
THE BUSINESS OUTLOOK
By Charles T. Hutchinson 755
Deflation; it is under way. The joy-ride is over.
The plight of the automobile manufacturers. Still
optimistic. Building is being resumed. Mining
has reached 'low water small'. The world is get-
ting down to business again.
NOTES
RHODESIA BROKEN HILL
THE FRESNILLO MINE AND MILL
STEAM-ELECTRIC PROJECT IN SOUTH AFRICA. . ,
757
764
774
NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS 758
There will probably be some kind of centralized
control of public work. Shall it be under army or
civilian engineers?
THE ZINC-OXIDE PLANT OF THE UTAH ZINC CO.
By Arthur B. Parsons 759
New industry for Salt Lake valley. Uses of zinc
oxide. Description of the plant and furnaces.
Method of operation. The bag-house; preparation
of the product for market.
DEPARTMENTS
REVIEW OF MINING 775
THE MINING SUMMARY 783
PERSONAL 784
OBITUARY 784
THE METAL MARKET 785
EASTERN METAL MARKET 786
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS 787
Established May 24, 1860, as The Scientific Press: name changed October
20 of the same year to Mining- and Scientific Press.
Entered at the San Francisco post-office as second-class matter. Cable
address: Pertusola.
Branch Offices — Chicago, 600 Pieher Bdg\; New York, 31 Nassau St.:
London, 724 Salisbury House, E.C.
Entered at the San Francisco post-office as second-class matter. Cable
address: Pertusola.
28
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 27, 1920
MARCY ROLLER MILL
THE Marcy Roller Mill represents a high development in grinding ma-
•*• chinery and in this respect is in the class with the Marcy Ball Mill.
The open end feature, through which the conditions within the mill may be observed
while running, brings about low cost of operation.
Rods or rollers can be used in a tube mill but for the best results, bent and broken
rods must be removed.
High efficiency in the roller mill is obtained by the low pulp line as in the Marcy
Ball Mill
Thirty six large size Marcy Roller Mills are now being manufactured for one of the
large mining corporations of the Southwest.
We will be glad to advise on your crushing problems
Uhe Mine & Smelter Supply Company
DENVER
SALT LAKE CITY
NEW YOKK OFFICE: 42 "Broadway
EL PASO
November 27, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
751
T. A. "K1CKARV, .... Editor
MMMMMIIIIIlllMlllllllllllllHIIMIIIIIIIIIlllllllllllllllllllllllllH
T? LSEWHERE in this issue we publish an article de-
*-* scribing the custom plant for manufacturing zinc
oxide, recently built by the Utah Zinc Company at Mur-
ray, Utah. The important item of freight frequently
defines the grade of ore that can be stoped profitably
when it must be shipped away from the mine for treat-
ment. There are in Nevada and Utah a number of small
mines that have been unable to profit from considerable
deposits of medium-grade lead-free zinc ore because of
the distance to the nearest market. The terms on which
' the Utah Zinc Company will purchase ore may be worth
investigation by owners of prospective zinc properties in
neighboring States.
PRODUCERS of copper and zinc are not alone in
their difficulties. The International Nickel Com-
pany has curtailed its production of nickel matte from
.4000 to 3000 tons per month, owing, it is said, to "gen-
eral business depression throughout the United States".
The slump in automobile manufacturing is doubtless an
important factor. An antidote for this disagreeable
announcement may be found in the decision of the com-
'pany to construct a $3,000,000 plant for the rolling of
monel metal at Huntington, West Virginia. Monel
metal combines structural strength with the quality of
resisting corrosion and is being used in an increasingly
large number of industries. Some of our friends in
Canada are disappointed that the plant could not have
been built as an adjunct to the refinery at Port Colborne,
but the availability of cheap fuel and consequent addi-
tional profit seem to have had greater weight with the
'directors of the Nickel company than an international
boundary-f— which, on the whole, is desirable.
THE zinc-mining industry in the West is comatose.
On- November 1 the Interstate Callahan company in
the Coeur d'Alene suspended production, officially as-
signing as the reason the labor troubles at the plants of
the Grasselli Chemical Company, to which the Interstate
Callahan ships its zinc concentrate. While the Grasselli
company did request that shipments be suspended, we
suspect that the operating deficit of $28,372 for the third
quarter was the controlling factor in determining the
action. At Butte the Anaconda company has shut-down
three of its zinc mines, the Alice, West Gray Rock, and
Poulin, and the Butte & Superior company stopped pro-
duction entirely at the middle of the month. Butte &
Superior recorded an operating loss of $147,000 during
the second, and $102,000 during the third quarter of
1919. The average selling-price used in estimating in-
come for the two periods was 7.64 and 7.53 cents re-
spectively, but the price during October and November
was considerably lower, so that the deficit for the last
quarter threatened to be still greater. The heavy char-
acter of the ground in the Butte & Superior workings
makes an unusual amount of current mine-repair neces-
sary, so that the 'shut-down' expense will be approxi-
mately $75,000 per month. However, the ore-reserves
are not being depleted when production is suspended.
Operating costs, including charges for depreciation, but
making no allowance for taxes and depletion, were
$11.45 per ton for the third quarter, as against $11.52
for the quarter ended June 30. This last figure is the
maximum in the history of the company, even exceeding
the period of low labor-efficiency during the War. We
hope that it will be but a short time before the present
adverse margin between production-costs and selling-
prices is converted into a favorable one, and our friends
in Montana and Idaho are able to resume mining.
"ll/TR. HOOVER, on November 18, was chosen to be
■•■"■*• the first president of the newly created American
Engineering Council. This is to be the governing body
of the Federated American Engineering Societies or-
ganized, as declared in the constitution, for the purpose
of "furthering the public welfare wherever technical
knowledge and engineering experience are involved, and
to consider and act upon matters of common concern to
the engineering and allied technical professions". En-
gineers have long been handicapped by the absence of
any organization by means of which their individual
ideas might be co-ordinated ; there has been no machinery
for concerted action. The new federation is to be com-
posed not of individual engineers but of a large number
of engineering societies, both local and national. These
member societies do not resign any of their present
functions, nor is their individual identity submerged in
any degree ; they simply agree to co-operate with the hope
that united effort will be effective where unorganized
energy would be wasted. Some 70 organizations repre-
senting 100,000 engineers have already signified their in-
tention of affiliating with the Federation. It is urged
752
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 27, 1920
that every society of engineers in the country become a
member, in order that the weight of its influence may be
behind Mr. Hoover and the other representatives on the
Council. The beginning is auspicious.
directors and the secretary did what was right, and in a
manner that left nothing to be desired.
MR. W. J. LORING- has been elected president of the
American Mining Congress in succession to Mr.
Bulkeley Wells, as announced at the banquet of the Con-
gress at Denver on November 18. The news of Mr.
Loring's election to this honorable and important posi-
tion will give keen pleasure to his friends in California
and to the mining profession in many parts of the world.
As Governor Boyle of Nevada said, the selection of Mr.
Loring as president indicates a recognition by the di-
rectors of the Congress of the larger responsibilities and
interests growing out of the present period of reconstruc-
tion in which the international phases of industry and
commerce are insistently engaging the attention of
thoughtful men. Mr. Loring has been engaged profes-
sionally in many lands and under divers flags, notably
the flag that has flown closest beside our own in the
Great War; therefore he brings to the activities of the
Mining Congress an amplitude of economic vision, in re-
gard to mining particularly, such as should prove of
great value to its further capacity for public service. He
follows a gentleman who endeared himself to the mem-
bers of the Congress by his personal charm and public
spirit ; to Mr. Wells the Congress owes a debt that it is
glad to acknowledge. He remains as a director and will
support his successor in office. We wish Mr. Loring
every success in his new departure.
A GOOD example has been set by the Esperanza, Ltd.,
■**■ an English company operating at El Oro, Mexico.
We refer to the prompt publication of telegraphic news
from the mine. This apparently decadent mining enter-
prise came suddenly into prominence by reason of the
cutting of a rich vein on the fifth level; it opened out
handsomely, the assays of the ore running into hundreds
of dollars per ton in gold and silver ; then almost as sud-
denly the orebody petered out in both drifts, north and
south. The share-quotations, of course, reflected these
vicissitudes of fortune and opportunities were offered
for some tall gambling. Now, in former days, and with
other companies, it was not uncommon for such news to
be kept secret pending an opportunity for the directors
and their friends to buy or sell stock in accordance with
the good or bad news ; indeed, one of the supposed com-
pensations for serving as a director was this access to
inside information, that is, instead of considering them-
selves as trustees for the shareholders such directors re-
garded themselves as privileged speculators. Some deals
that were pitiful ethically but handsome financially were
perpetrated in this way. Shareholders had reason to sus-
pect the chicane, and protested feebly, but it was diffi-
cult to prove and the scandal would blow over. No bet-
ter opportunity for ways that are dark has been offered
than by the Esperanza affair and we note with pleasure
that it was respectfully declined. In other words, the
/^ O-OPERATION is the solution of our industrial de-
^* velopment, according to Mr. Hoover. The projects
of the future are too big and too complicated to be car-
ried out successfully by individual effort. Problems of
finance, politics, and engineering are involved. There
are ahead of us enterprises so large that private capital-
ists cannot finance them without guarantees from the
Government; so extensive that Federal as well as State
governments must co-operate ; and so complex technically
as to tax the resourcefulness of engineers of every kind.
An example is the plan to construct an immense system
for electric-power distribution to include eleven of the
North Atlantic States. With this end in view engineers
of the United States Geological Survey are making a
survey of the territory to allocate and appraise the waste
incident to the present production and distribution and
to devise means for its correction. It is proposed to con-
struct a huge trunk transmission-line which will be fed
from large steam-power plants situated at the coal mines,
supplemented by the central stations now operating in
New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Boston,
Providence, and the other large cities, and sundry hydro-
electric plants, which it is interesting to note will supply
but 15% of the total. In the area of 60,000 square miles
comprehended in the district there is required now ap-
proximately 17,000,000 horse-power, of which 7,000,000
is for railroads. By supplying a large part of this power
from a main distributing system $300,000,000 per year is
to be saved, according to the estimates so far made. Half
of this economy will be in the saving of 30,000,000 tons of
coal ; half in the lesser cost of operation and maintenance
of electrical machinery as against the large number of
small steam-units that now supply the power. The av-
erage load-factor in the area being surveyed is 15% ; it
is believed that this can be increased to 50%, and that the
consumption of coal can be reduced to half. The cost of
the project has not been calculated, but if $300,000,000
is to be saved it is apparent that a capital investment of
tremendous size would be warranted.
Concerning Shift-Bosses
The superintendent of a mine employing about 600
miners recently remarked that, if he could find twelve
men whom he knew to be as good shift-bosses as the
twelve he already had, he would put them to work at
once with confidence that he could thereby reduce the
cost of mining at least 10%. He added that any mem-
ber of the staff, including himself, could be replaced
more readily than some of the shift-bosses. Doubtless he
exaggerated, for the sake of emphasis; nevertheless the
remark expresses a fact that is not always appreciated.
The shift-boss serves as a buffer between those who direct
the work and those whose manual labor must accomplish
it. A good boss must be loyal to the company, but at
the same time he must not lose sight of the fact that the
men under him expect him to look out for their welfare.
Htli
k :.
November 27, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
753
Hi ■ must be a diplomat if he is to avoid trouble. The
category of the successful shift-boss's qualifications in-
duilis many characteristics. In the first place, he must
know exactly how the work should be done. While an
exceptionally good miner frequently fails as a shift-boss,
a man who has no more than average ability as a miner
rarely fills the part. He cannot retain the respect of his
men unless they believe that his knowledge and judgment
of the best way to do a thing are, as a rule, better than
their own. This, obviously, applies to any kind of super-
vision, but in underground operations it is especially im-
portant, first, because there are no rule-of-thumb methods
that will fit all conditions, and second, because in a large
mine it is impossible to consult with the foreman or
superintendent whenever unusual situations arise. It is
here that the young college graduate is likely to find the
greatest difficulty. Unless he has had sufficient experi-
ence in 'handling' ground as a miner or timber-man he
is at a serious disadvantage, for the men soon discover
his shortcomings. The shift-boss must set a personal ex-
ample to his men ; unless he is diligent, energetic, and
careful, unless he co-operates with others, the men under
him are likely to be similarly deficient. Nothing is more
detrimental than a lack of co-operation between the
miners as well as between the shift-bosses themselves,
whose activities are, in varying degree, dependent on
each other. The tendency too frequently is to consider
one's individual record, without regard to the welfare of
the mine as a whole. The most important qualification is
doubtless that intuitive quality, the ability to handle
men; this requires sound judgment, tact, a habit of
square-dealing, the ability to discipline strictly yet fairly,
a large stock of common-sense, and the personality of a
leader among men. A boss's judgment must enable him
to measure his men and deal with them according to
their individual peculiarities. The day of the boss who
rules by virtue of his prowess with a pick-handle has
passed; the time when the Western miner wants to be
addressed as 'Mister' has not yet arrived. Methods that
may secure good results from one man may simply an-
tagonize another. It is for the shift-boss to fit the treat-
ment to the individual; to do this he must have tact.
Tact also is essential for maintaining discipline ; like-
wise fairness. Few men will complain of strict rules if
they are uniformly enforced. Miners, like the rest of us,
are indignant if they see another man favored with spe-
cial privileges ; it is also true that they resent any action
I on the part of the shift-boss that imposes unnecessary
I hardship on a fellow miner. A strict but impartial boss
I who has no favorites and pays-off no grudges, but is abso-
j lutely 'on the square', succeeds where the lenient one,
who lets his personal feelings influence his treatment of
the men, fails utterly. The measure of a shift-boss's suc-
1 1 cess is, of course, the amount of profitable work that the
;jt men under him accomplish in a year, rather than in a
day, or in a month. Personality is an important factor.
' I Some men can give a peremptory order, a casual direc-
.f] tion, a, suggestion, or a request — and the man who is told
to do the work does it as a matter of course. Others, who
try to boss, antagonize a man by their very attitude; the
miner resents their instructions no matter how they arc
given. Many of these qualifications are needed in any
man in a position of authority, but to a varying degree;
they are perhaps more necessary in a shift-boss under-
ground because of the conditions amid which the work is
done, that is to say, in the dark and in places where con-
stant supervision is impracticable. Moreover, the average
miner is 'temperamental' ; he is continually complaining,
sometimes in earnest, more often from habit ; and he is
always on the point of "calling it deep enough". It is
little wonder that shift-bosses who really measure up to
their job are hard to find, and that the superintendent
whom we quoted at the start uses fewer bosses than he
would like to have because he cannot find men properly
qualified. Apparently young college-men are not in de-
mand as shift-bosses. As one manager says, "unless a
graduate is prepared to put in several years of hard
work as a miner he had better get his underground edu-
cation while serving as a surveyor, sampler, or engineer.
If he is observant and intelligent he can learn enough
about the manual operations of mining to become a super-
intendent or executive, but the chances are not in favor
of his becoming a good shift-boss." This may seem
strange; but it is the deliberate opinion of more than
one successful executive. What then is the best material
for a shift-boss? Apparently the best are the men who
have had enough elementary schooling to be able to read
intelligently, write readily, and figure fairly well, and
who started to mine as soon as they were big enough to
do a day's work. If the college-boy is to become the shift-
boss of the future he must go through a similar, though
shorter, course of practical instruction. Meanwhile we
feel warranted in saying, with confidence, that a great
deal of bad work is done in mines and much ore is over-
looked on account of the attempt to run a mine with too
few shift-bosses.
The Brass Check
A friend has sent us a copy of Mr. Upton Sinclair's
book, the title of which will be cryptic to most people, for
it signifies the symbol of prostitution. The sub-title is 'A
Study of American Journalism'. It is a book of 450
pages and is crowded with first-hand information. We
found it intensely interesting and recommend our readers
to get a copy of it from the author, whose address is
Pasadena, California. The price of a single paper-cover-
ed copy is 60 cents post-paid. Like most of Mr. Sinclair's
writings — like his 'The Jungle', for example — this book
cannot be included in what is called 'polite' literature;
there is no mincing of words or softening of rough places
with euphemisms ; he hits out roughly and viciously. The
book is marked by bad taste in its first part, in which he
tells about his personal affairs, his conjugal troubles, and
other matters that most people would consider intimate ;
he is crudely egotistic and egoistic ; but the general effect
is to give authenticity to this revelation of newspaper
corruption and to heighten the disgust, if not dismay,
evoked by the recital. In the latter half of the book he
754
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 27, 1920 I
discusses his subject less violently and apart from his
own vendetta, so that he becomes more convincing. As
our criticism will have indicated, the book is not pleasant
reading, any more than his exposure of the Chicago
stockyards, but it is written with marked literary skill
and it is one that every serious man ought to read, be-
cause it bares a condition of affairs that undoubtedly
undermines the very roots of democratic institutions in
the United States.
Mr. Sinclair presents a mass of evidence to prove that
our newspapers and magazines are unreliable, subservi-
ent, and corrupt. When he touches upon matters about
which we happen to know, we find him correct, so that we
infer that in the main his testimony is trustworthy. "We
make this reservation however: that he singles out the
"capitalistic" press for special attack, whereas we have
no reason to believe that the radical press as a whole is
any better as regards perversion of news and the subordi-
nation of editorial opinion, and the frankly anarchist
press, with which Mr. Sinclair has evident sympathy, is
open to the charge of vicious disloyalty to our institu-
tions. Early in his career he fell foul of the editors of
the metropolitan press, because he attacked the 'trusts';
and he found himself balked by the brick wall of fortified
capitalism. That made him bitter. Then he discovered
that the papers cared less for honest information than for
sensational claptrap. When he attacked the Beef Trust
in 'The Jungle' and in newspaper articles, his so-called
muck-raking placed him under the ban; everything he
did was misrepresented in the newspapers ; his socialistic
ventures were smothered with organized ridicule. He be-
came angry. He went on the warpath. Hence this book.
It is an ex parte statement, of course, but he speaks from
the inside, and with detailed knowledge of his subject.
He quotes the personal experiences of sundry friends, as
well as his own. All this is done not in vague terms, but
with names and dates ; it is specific. He shows how ficti-
tious telegrams are concocted and published ; how lies are
printed, and how they remain uncorrected when protest
is made ; how editors play the lackey to rich patrons ; how
headlines are made to misrepresent the news below them ;
how the yellow papers lie and cheat ; how wholesale false-
hoods are foisted on the public either for cheap sensa-
tionalism or for a private interest. For example, a news-
paper publishes its own views and labels it a "special
dispatch" from Washington. Another publishes tele-
grams, day after day, signed by imaginary correspon-
dents in London, Paris, or Berlin, all of them simply a re-
hash of items appearing in the London papers. The
whole system of news-giving and current comment is in
the hands of predatory exploiters, who either own the
papers themselves or own the editors or get what they
want by means of subsidies and bribery. By aid of the
press a small group of clever and unscrupulous men exer-
cises an industrial and political power that stultifies our
whole system of republican government and renders
ridiculous the democratic ideal. Most of us know, by per-
sonal observation, how Senator La Follette was killed
politically by an organized campaign of silence concern-
ing him in the newspapers, and how that was clinched by
publishing one big lie. We hold no brief for him nor for
Mr. Sinclair ; we quote them as part of the record in the
case against the press. Next come the news agencies,
which poison the news at its source. Nine hundred daily
papers receive and print the news dispatches of the Asso-
ciated Press. Think what a power that represents; it
means that a sensational telegram from a reporter is
printed about fifteen million times and read by thirty
million people. The reporter may be honest and intelli-
gent ; he may be controlled or bought by somebody. The
Associated Press may use the reporter of a local paper as
its correspondent, and he may be in the employ of one
side in a big controversy ; it may publish a lie sent by an
agent in the interest of an individual or a corporation.
Such lies or mis-statements appear in thousands of news-
papers ; and correction is futile, even if attempted. Great
wrongs are perpetrated and bitter feelings are generated
by the controlled press, which confines its argument not
to the editorial columns but uses the news columns for
propaganda and either fails to print the news, or tampers
with it, or invents lies. All of these things are done, and
one of the results is to cause social unrest, to provoke
hatred against organized wealth, to incite a destructive
type of radicalism. Obviously the big news agencies
should be treated as public utilities and be subjected to
discipline instead of being run as a piece of private prop-
erty. The tampering with a news dispatch, the publica-
tion of a concocted telegram, or the placing of a lying
headline should be rendered punishable as fraud. Every
paper should be licensed, and the license should be with-
drawn when proof is furnished that the newspaper is
guilty of gross misdemeanors; in short, the public and
the nation should not be at the mercy of a predatory press
or be debauched daily by yellow journalism. We in San
Francisco know what that means : two in the morning and
two in the evening. Mr. Sinclair pays his compliments to
our local press, but he expresses admiration for Mr.
Fremont Older, formerly of the 'Bulletin', whose recent
cynical avowal of his own performances suggests the low
state of press morality in this city. Mr. Sinclair has a
good deal to say about the press of Denver, with which
also we are well acquainted ; it can be said of Denver and
of San Francisco that if a community gets the kind of
press it deserves then it is about time for the people of
Denver and San Francisco to become severely intro-
spective and ask themselves what they have done to de-
serve it. Here we may add that we take no stock in the
suggestion that American papers are exceptionally bad;
the same kind of prostitution degrades the press of
Europe, and no city has such a numerous and varied gut-
ter press as London. However, that is no consolation.
They have Northeliffe and we have Hearst; let the con-
trast suffice. Both are a menace to democratic ideals.
Indeed, the healthful development of our institutions is
incompatible with controlled news agencies and a prosti-
tuted press. We recommend our readers to get a copy
of Mr. Sinclair's book, examine the evidence, and arrive
at their own opinion on the subject.
:;
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N,>\ ember 27, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
755
The Business Outlook
By Charles T. Hutchinson
Deflation, nearly two years overdue, is under way.
The artificial abnormal boom that affected every branch
of industry on account of the War is subsiding fast, and
now "normalcy" is upon us. Industry is experiencing
the pangs incident to a gorged stomach full of rich food,
and the purging process is painful but necessary, -while
the chances for a better and bigger constructive develop-
ment of Nature's resources are brighter than ever.
War's demands threw all of the considerations under
which business is ordinarily conducted into the discard.
Price or cost was relegated into a secondary place. De-
livery became the prime consideration. Time was the
essence, and as everything had to be produced at ab-
normal speed in spite of the reduced productive capacity
consequent to the withdrawal of millions of labor-units
for military service, an artificial shortage of labor ensued
that brought the cost up to an unheard of figure.
The result was the 'silk shirt' period. The three-
dollar-a-day man, finding himself in the possession of
ten dollars, fifteen dollars, and even twenty dollars for
one day's time, rather than one day's labor, went on a
joy-ride. So did his boss. They bought lavishly of
totally unaccustomed things. The vendor of fancy
clothing, the purveyor of pleasure cars, the real-estate
man, and the rest of the crowd experienced a boom the
I like of which they will probably never experience again.
1 Our Uncle Sam himself took part in the fray, and devised
I a fearful and wonderful system of taxation designed to
( skim most of the cream off the War profits, in order that
the inevitable headache of the morning after might be
assuaged by some money in the treasury with which to
pay the bill.
Now that the fog of battle is clearing, stock-taking is
under way. Prices, securities, and all sorts of commodi-
ties are passing slowly and tortuously through the clothes-
wringer of readjustment, and the water is slowly trick-
ling out. It hurts. There is no doubt about that, but, as
the conscientious mother said to her fractious child when
administering corporal punishment, with vigor and the
aid of a slipper, "Johnny, this is altogether for your own
|ood."
It is not surprising that the labor unions are restive at
the realization that the old easy-going slackness in fac-
tory discipline is about over. Bad habits are easy to
acquire, but difficult to overcome. The artificial limita-
tion of output, which has been encouraged by many labor
leaders, and was tolerated during the War period by
employers because they could not help themselves, must
go. The temporary, hiatus in general business is the
factory managers opportunity, and he is taking a deep
eath and sailing into his house-cleaning with a gust of
thusiasm that is good to see.
In the factories of the country, the era of hiring and
firing has returned. Unfilled orders in every field are
diminishing, and, as a result, men are being weighed in
the balance of performance. The loafer, the slacker, the
unskilled, are being weeded out with vigor, and the effect
upon the real mechanic and trained man is salutary.
Many thousands of unskilled workers from the so-called
non-essential industries, who, attracted by the high wages
and slack discipline maintained in the shipyards and
other branches of the metal trades, found their way to a
place on the payrolls as mechanics, are out of a job. As
a consequence, the ranks of the waiters in hotels and res-
taurants are again becoming preponderatingly male. Ele-
vator-boys and bell-hops are again masculine, while real
machinists are once more operating the tools in the work-
shops.
Throughout the country, the chief topic of conversa-
tion is the condition of the automobile industry, and its
allied trades. Here is where the blow has hit hardest,
with the possible exception of textiles, and here, may it
be remarked, was where inflation was greatest. . At-
tracted by the lure of enormous profits, automobiles and
tires have been badly overdone. Sassy Sixes and Snappy
Eights, even Nobby Fours sprang into existence over-
night. Anybody who could dig up a few thousands and
lease a little factory space, could assemble some sort of
car, and, aided by bright attractive paint, launch it
upon the market and, apparently, get by. It was the
same with tires. Akron, the home of the rubber factories,
became a great hive of industry. Hardly a week went by
that did not herald one or two new brands of cars and
tires.
Even the great established concerns responded to
the psychological effect of the boom. It was in the air.
They took their profits, or what was left of them after
the tax-gatherers got through, borrowed more money,
built more factory capacity without stint, and so on, ad
lib, until the bubble was pricked. Now they are facing
a ruthless pruning process with the prospect of operating
for some time at fifty, or even forty, per cent capacity,
to which must be added the necessity of marketing a
large overstock of high-cost perishable goods under con-
ditions of a forced sale.
The automobile 'game' was one of the big factors in
the wrecking of the labor market for other branches of
industry. The Lake Superior copper district was almost
depopulated by the insistent demand on the part of the
Detroit factories for any old kind of men at fancy prices.
The 1920 census, taken during a period that might be
called the apex of the boom, shows clearly the migration
from the rural districts to the congested manufacturing
districts. Now the factories are disgorging the un-
756
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 27, 1920
digested mass of 'outside' labor, which is going back to
the farm or the mine, as the ease may be.
The automobile industry has been a vast consumer of
steel in many of its manufactured forms, and, conse-
quently, of all other metals. The deflation process from
that angle is going to add to the already large stock of
metals, so no great appreciation in the demand for the
produce of our mines may be expected until building
operations are well under way.
Building construction, during the War, stopped alto-
gether. It was regarded as a non-essential industry, and
priority orders placed materials of all kinds for building
purposes way down the line, so that it was practically
abandoned altogether. The enormous rents now being
paid for office and factory space as well as for dwellings
in all of our cities and towns are a consequence of the
growth in population with no increase in housing facili-
ties for nearly four years.
Building is beginning, timidly in some places, but
nevertheless it is well started, and will gather impetus
from day to day until it may even generate into a race
to see who will be ready first. The wave is well under
way in New York city, more so there than anywhere
else in the United States, and is working its way west-
ward slowly but surely. Here, then, is the substitute for
the outlet of metal products formerly consumed in such
large volume by the automobile industry.
Even building construction, as well as nearly every-
thing else, is being retarded as much as possible, by the
hope of investors and buyers for lower prices. The Na-
tional Association of Purchasing Agents, at their annual
convention only a few weeks ago, passed a resolution to
notify all of their members that in their judgment, all
requisitions should be withheld from action until the
last minute, in order to take advantage of the general
downward tendency of all markets. Copper is in the
doldrums, the greatest producers of quicksilver in Cali-
fornia have shut-down, the troubles of the gold miner
have been discussed fully in these columns, other metals
are in sympathetic accord with these same conditions,
while the fact that we are still technically at war with
a considerable portion of Europe, together with the
chaotic conditions still obtaining there, have kept the
door to one of the greatest markets for our metals reso-
lutely closed.
In fact, the miner has reached low water small, but the
tide is due to turn, and soon. First there is the labor
situation, which is improving slowly but surely, for
reasons that have already been cited. Then, there is the
market, , which also is improving by reason of the re-
sumption of building operations, and last, but not least,
there is the most encouraging symptom of all, that is the
result of the presidential election.
The sweeping victory of the Republican party shows
one thing above all artificial issues, and that is a com-
plete repudiation of the Wilson regime and the Wilsonian
policies, domestic and foreign. The Republican majority
in both houses of Congress is overwhelming, and. at last,
after years of chaos, we will have the legislative and
executive branches of Government in accord. Progress
is assured. Constructive legislation will follow as a
matter of course. We may at least hope for a reasonable
economy in the administration of Government affairs,
and the disbandment of the numerous War Bureaus with
their hordes of clerks and petty officials. The Wilson-
McAdoo tendency toward Government ownership and
Government interference with business also goes into the
scrap-heap, we hope forever.
The iniquitous excess-profits tax, with its destructive
effect upon initiative and enterprise, will certainly go,
and in its stead will be substituted some form of general
sales-tax that will enable the Government to meet its
obligations without destroying the source from which
taxes flow. And then, Mr. Burleson will no longer be
Postmaster-General. But enough of this panegyric.
"Normalcy" is in sight. The world is at last getting
down to business. Goods must be manufactured and
then sold. The old machinery for selling is being brought
out of cold storage, brushed up, cleaned, and manicured
ready for the fray. Expense accounts are again subject
to scrutiny, and the dollar is not being thrown to the
birds as a thing of no consequence. Caution, study, and
careful examination is once more being devoted to bet-
terments. The leaders of industry have not been idle
during the last year, and much quiet unostentatious
preparation has been under way toward the perfecting
of sales organizations, methods of distribution, and the
other machinery for selling, in order that the commercial
machine might be ready and able to function when the
time came. Underlying the surface, dowu-in-the-dumps
condition of the stock and security market is the real,
solid, sub-stratum of common sense that discerns in
present conditions a necessary and beneficial purging of
the whole business structure, whereby the artificial un-
healthy extravagance of war profiteering has been
brought to a head, lanced, and finally cured.
During a trip through Eastern and Middle- Western
centres, I did not succeed in isolating one single pessimist.
Even those hardest hit, the automobile crowd, for in-
stance, regarded the drastic remedy now being applied
as a good thing in the long run, and the real leaders
of that industry are satisfied with the survival-of-the-
fittest test that is now being applied with ruthless vigor.
Money is tight, not scarce, and hard to get even at 8%
for preferred short-time commercial loans. The cold
blue eye and icy stare of the banker is the portion of
those who ask for help for any doubtful enterprise. The
custodians of the people's money are sitting tight, wait-
ing to see the inexorable sorting process weed out the
lame, the halt, and the blind, and even the best of the
industrial leaders are paying fancy prices for money.
What a chance for the investor ! The late J. Pierpont
Morgan once said that any man who was a bear on the
United States would go broke. Investment bankers are
issuing charts showing the market tendency of munici-
pal, railroad, and industrial securities and their relative
return for the last five or sis years. Seven and even
eight per cent for first-class securities is the rule at
<•
in
iiiIht 27. 1020
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
757
it prices. With mosl of us. the situation is one to
pake us lick our chops hungrily, and think of the story
of the num. who, when riding by a great factory re-
Barked, "I could have bought that site for .+5000 ten
ago, and now it is worth a million". His hearer
asked. "Did you have the five thousand at the time'.'"
The man did not reply.
In the meantime, watch Mexico. Since Don Porfirio,
Bed and worn, had the reigns of government wrested
from his shaking hands, prospects for development of the
resources of our oft-times troublesome neighbor on the
South have never been brighter. In fact, the makings of
a boom are not lacking. President-elect Obregon is
known to be a strong man, a constructive thinker, and is
anything but the Gringo-phobe that either Carranza or
Villa were. Already many of the mines, idle for years,
are making preparations for re-commencing operations,
while much quiet unostentatious exploration work is un-
der way looking toward the development of new proper-
ties. A number of enterprising manufacturers of mining
machinery already have their scouts on the ground ex-
amining the field and making reports to their principals.
Unless the outgoing administration shall take action
before, recognition of the Obregon regime and the res-
toration of diplomatic and consular relations will be one
of the first acts of the Harding administration. A re-
turn of business confidence will quickly follow, and then
the rush will be on. Europe will follow suit, unless it
accords recognition to Obregon before we do, and there
will be a merry scrap for Mexico's trade. Fortunately,
the United States leads the world in the manufacture of
mining machinery and appliances, and it will be years,
if ever, before Europe will be able to compete from the
standpoint of either efficiency, delivery, or design. Let
us hope that our own people will cinch their advantage
md maintain it for all time to come. Before the War,
rmany was our chief competitor in that field; she
coded the market with cheap machinery that was at-
ractive in price only, and spoiled many a legitimate sale
trough her price-cutting policy. Many of our adver-
sers can remember vividly the time when hammered-
eel battery-shoes and dies were sold for as little as 2Jc.
>er pound delivered at west-coast Mexican ports by the
frupp works, and other staple articles such as stamp-
aills, centrifugal pumps, and steel tanks for cyanide-
ilants iu the same proportion. There should be no re-
am to this condition, and probably there never will be
: our own people get themselves properly organized to
btain and hold the business.
Nineteen-twenty-one will be a most interesting year.
he whole industrial fabric of the Nation will throw off
s wartime shackles and go to work, with the intelligent
let us hope, of the Washington government. The
mservation policy that lets our natural resources go to
aste will be packed away in moth-balls together with its
roponents, and we will see electrical development under
ay on an unprecedented scale. Hydro-electric power
the United States is still in its infancy, and its future
ivelopment will go a long way toward solving the coal
and fuel-oil problem. With the removal of the excess-
profits tax. and of the consequent stifling of individual
enterprise, and at least the substantial modification of the
postal-zone system for second-class mail matter, all of
those who are helping to build and construct will take
fresh heart and tackle the work with renewed vigor.
11
Rhodesia Broken Hill
Operations of the Rhodesia Broken Hill Development
Co. are discussed in a recent issue of the 'South African
Mining and Engineering Journal'. Edmund Davis is
quoted as saying :
"We have, as you know, various deposits, some rich in
zinc and others containing lead and zinc ores of about
similar percentage, but our principal work has been de-
voted to the production of lead, which is the easiest and
earliest profit-earning part of our enterprise. We have
not only the two smelters taken over from the Rhodesian
Lead & Zinc Syndicate, but we are also erecting two more,
one of which we think it may be necessary to keep in re-
serve, in the event of anything unforeseen happening in
the operating of the plant. Our present work consists in
the first instance of the development and production of
lead ores at No. 1 kopje, and secondly, the general
prospecting of our mineral area, and in particular the
proving of reserves of zinciferous ores. The result of the
work so far carried out on No. 1 kopje has been the
proving of a main orebody of very high-grade lead ore,
increasing in area and maintaining its richness to 150 ft.
below the surface. Below this depth the deposit appears
to be split by a ridge of dolomite and at least two ore-
bodies exist below the central part of the workings to a
considerable depth. It is satisfactory to note that boring
has not yet shown any limitation in depth in the ore-
bodies, the prospects of further continuance beyond the
depths so far reached being good. In addition, the bore-
holes have shown that a large body of zinc ore exists in
the vicinity of this kopje, a marked tendency being shown
for the replacement of lead by zinc, which should simplify
treatment. As far as depth is concerned, ore has already
been struck at two points at a depth of 300 ft., these
points being 250 ft. apart. In the course of development
it became necessary to keep not only the present plant,
but the additional furnaces supplied, to make provision
for draining the mine at a faster rate than previously,
and sufficient additional pumping-plant is being supplied.
Summarizing the estimate of ore from the main bodies
so far proved, shows about 210,000 tons, averaging 24%
zinc, 2|% lead, and \°/o vanadie acid, and about 305,000
tons averaging 27% zinc, 10% lead, and between \ and
1% vanadie acid, these estimates being in no case based
on anything below a depth of 100 ft. It is well known
now that the main ore. deposits are not of a superficial
nature, and we are advised that, owing to probable bulges
in orebodies, the known existence of ore below the depth
used for basing the estimates referred to, and the prob-
able existence of large quantities below this depth, this
estimate does not approach the total available ore. ' '
758
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 27, 1920
National Department of Public
Works
•Two outstanding facts which were not anticipated
when the public-works movement took shape in April
1919 are (1) that the engineers of the country in good
faith started something which they do not now seem in-
clined to finish, and (2) that the scope of the movement
and its ramifications extend beyond all limits written or
spoken of at the time.
I am unable to suggest any adequate reason why the
original enthusiasm of so many engineers has apparently
been reduced to a passing interest. Engineers responded
warmly to it in the first instance and it therefore may
safely be assumed that they had original and genuine
regard for it. No doubt the enthusiasm of many en-
gineers has been cooled, and in some cases their active
opposition has been brought about by the very skilful
campaign carried on by members of the Corps of En-
gineers, U. S. Army. We do not complain of such activi-
ties of the Army engineers. Their opposition to a public-
works department was expected, and we must not be
surprised if in the conduct of that opposition they do not
neglect to do the very obvious things which we would do
if the situation were reversed. Suffice it to say that many
of the civilian engineers on whom we counted for sup-
port have been won over to the cause of the Army engi-
neers, and as magnanimous opponents we must congratu-
late the Corps on its achievements.
To summarize as to the prospects for a department
of public works: It is my belief that the principle is
thoroughly settled in the minds of the public and of a
majority of the members of Congress. The important
question remaining is the kind of department that we
shall have. This involves a discussion of the matter of
engineering control of Government operations. Shall it
be civil or military ?
It is easy enough for the thousands of engineers of the
United States to assert that engineering work of the
Government shall be under civilian control, but it is
quite another thing to establish that control. It is not
difficult for the civilian engineers of the country to set
up the claim that our military engineers are not well-
rounded engineers ; that they -are inbred ; that the greater
part of their meritorious performance is done by their
civilian assistants who secure no credit therefor; that
the Corps of Engineers is an autocracy and therefore un-
suited to the control of public operations in a democracy.
Even if we assume for the moment that this is true the
fact would not dislodge the military engineers from their
present commanding position in the civil work of the
Government. By constant application and attention to
detail these military engineers have, during past years,
created in Congress the habit of providing that the U. S.
Engineer Corps shall do thus and so, and whenever a
civilian engineering organization is designated the first
process is to overcome the aforesaid habit.
•Abstract of a report by M. O. Leighton.
The engineers of the country must decide speedily
whether it be their desire to have military engineers in
control of the public-works of the Nation. If the civilian
engineers do not bestir themselves and take a sustained
and active interest in this matter they will suddenly find
that the die has been cast. When government reorgani-
zation takes place the provisions made for engineering
control will crystallize and will not become mobile again
for at least a generation. It all comes down to a question
of what the civilian engineers want and what they will
work for. They are strong enough numerically and
powerful enough in influence to guide the decision if they
choose to do so, but they must not entertain the notion
that their adversary is asleep.
What is an Army engineer, and what do civilian en-
gineers wish to do with him ? He is first of all a gentle-
man; has high mental qualifications, is schooled in dis-
cipline, is well-poised, and is deliberate in his judgments.
He is an excellent friend, an astonishingly attractive
companion, and a man whose acquaintance is always pro-
ductive of benefit. He carries himself well and begets
confidence especially in legislative halls.
If the testimony of some of the line-officers, some of
the engineer-officers, and many of the reserve-officers, be
correct, the Corps of Engineers exhibited in the late war
the not wholly commendable results of their high state of
specialization. This ought not to be so. Our corps of
military engineers should be given responsibility and ex-
perience in every line of engineering laid open by gov-
ernment activity. They should take their place in the
engineering work of the arid lands and the swamps, the
highways and the forests, the mines and the laboratory.
They should be given the financial and the commercial
training necessary to the proper conduct of operations,
so that in war exigency they shall be entirely competent
to perform all the engineering functions that present
themselves. These facts, which it is believed no thought-
ful person will deny, bring us to the forks in the road.
Shall, by reason of this necessity for broad engineering
training, the corps of military engineers be in command
of all the Government's public- works function, to the
perpetual subordination of the civilian engineers? Or
shall they constitute, as was originally intended, a mili-
tary arm of the Government and be given their training
and experience by temporary assignment to positions in tin
civil work; by transfer therein according to plans most i%
advantageous for the acquirement of such diversified
experience 1
The civilian engineers of the country must decide, and
if they are defeated in the forthcoming contest the fad
will, in my opinion, be an evidence that the military en-
gineers deserve their success, for it will show that what
ever may be their engineering qualifications and how-
ever severely their ideals may depart from those whicl ¥i\
are supposed to constitute the corner-stone of democracy r«b,
these men do, nevertheless, possess an essential charac
teristic which the great body of civilian engineers doe:
not, namely, that they know men and are ever vigilan
in the exercise of that knowledge.
ilei
1,5,1
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November 27, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
To!)
The Zinc -Oxide Plant of the Utah Zinc Company
By Arthur B. Parsons
INTRODUCTION. Heretofore the nearest market for
oxidized zinc ore mined in Utah, Nevada, and the ad-
jacent States, lias been at Canon City. Colorado, where
the plants of the Ohio Zinc Co. and the Empire Zinc Co.
are situated. Both these companies make zinc oxide by
volatilizing the metal directly from the ore by means of
the Wetherill process. Increased freight-rates in 1918,
with the prospect of still further increases, promised to
make the marketing of ores of this character still more
costly, and it was with the aim of reducing the railroad
haul of zinc ore from far Western mines that the Utah
Zinc Company undertook the construction of a plant at
Murray, six miles south of Salt Lake City. James W.
stopes are caved. This will make the mining of the zinc
ore more difficult, but a slicing system is being used that
will supply clean ore at a reasonable cost.
The ore from Tecoma is to be the nucleus for the opera-
tion of the new plant, which has just been started. The
company, however, will purchase-suitable ore on a custom
basis to serve as a supplementary source of supply. Ship-
ments are being received regularly from various lessees
in the neighborhood of Ely, Nevada, and from several
districts in Utah. While sulphide ore can be treated by
the Wetherill process after a preliminary roast, the Mur-
ray plant has no roasters and is not prepared to receive
raw sulphide, although by-products' from other plaints
Cooling -
Chamfer
Cooling-flue
- Combustion-Chamber
VOL
furnace bu.id,nq <0'bvl9l'
Wired- ore bin
' iObyie-
□
Store -house
CruihedVo'-e Bm~]
Crusfur,g\pt*nt\
Transformer
D
Bag-House
\Fans
Packing
and
Storage
56-byS-r
Cooperage Shop
\60'byJCT\
FlG. 1. PLAN SHOWING ARRANGEMENT OF THE BUILDINGS
Wade and associates, who organized the company, were
interested in a lease on the property of the Tecoma Con-
solidated Mining Co. situated 24 miles south-easterly
from Tuttle, Nevada, a station on the Tecoma branch of
the Southern Pacific railroad, where 30,000 tons of oxi-
dized ore containing 20% zinc and 60,000 tons averaging
16% have already been blocked out. This ore has an
unusually low lead content and accordingly is suitable for
the making of a lead-free zinc oxide of the kind required
in the rubber industry.
The ore deposit originates from the replacement of a
stratum of limestone underlain by granite. At the con-
tact the feldspars, in the granite have been completely
kaolinized, thereby forming an impervious layer along
the foot-wall of the zinc deposit. The zinc was originally
associated with a body of lead-silver ore that lies im-
mediately above ; it was dissolved, however, and re-pre-
ipitated in the brecciated limestone, where the impervi-
ous kaolin served to concentrate it into a deposit of high-
grade ore. There is no well-defined hanging wall; the
tenor of the ore gradually increases until at a distance
of 100 ft. there is little zinc present.
The overlying lead-silver ore has been mined and the
mi
ci]
where the roasting has been done are acceptable. The
zinc in the ore may be in the form of carbonate, silicate,
or oxide, but it should not contain more than approxi-
mately 1% of lead.
Uses op Zinc Oxide. Zinc oxide is used for two prin-
cipal purposes, namely, for the manufacture of paint, and
as an important constituent in finished rubber goods. In
recent years, owing to the rapid expansion of the auto-
mobile trade and the increased demand for tires, the
rubber industry has outdistanced the paint industry in
its demand for zinc oxide. The process for making oxide
for either purpose is practically the same. The lead con-
tent of the ore is the principal factor in determining the
use to which the resulting oxide shall be put. Lead, if
present, volatilizes at a lower temperature than does zinc,
so that whatever lead is in the pre will he found in the
product. In the manufacture of pigments an admixture
of lead is not only permissible but desirable ; the only
requirement is that the lead be entirely converted to the
basic sulphate, which is nearly white, and accordingly
does not have the effect of discoloring the pigment as
would any of the oxides of lead. To effect this reaction
it is necessary to provide a combustion-chamber for the
■760
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 27..1920 I
THE ZINC-OXIDE PLANT
hot fume before it enters the cooling-flues. As may be
seen from the accompanying drawing, Fig. 3, the fur-
naces at Murray are provided with such a chamber, so
that leady oxide may be made without material alterations
in the plant, if at any time it becomes desirable to do so.
However, the present intention is to confine the operation
of the plant to the manufacture of lead-free zinc oxide
for supplying the rubber industry. When added to the
mixture of pure rubber and sulphur in the vulcanizing
process, zinc oxide acts as a pigment and gives the prod-
uct its white color. However, the essential function
of the oxide is not the whitening effect, but the fact that
it has the unique property of increasing the tensile
strength of the finished material. George C. Stone gives
the following figures, which show the effect on the tensile
strength, and the simultaneous diminution in the elonga-
tion, produced by introducing varying amounts of oxide.
Zinc oxide Tensile .strength Elongation,
added, % lb. per sq. in. %
25 2400 720
35 2400 700
45 2700 680
55 2500 620
65 2000 540
75 1300 400
In the vulcanizing process lead reacts with sulphur to
form lead sulphide; the latter is brittle and translates
this property to the rubber. The admixture of more than
0.25% of lead is prohibitive.
The Zinc Plant. The Utah Zinc Company selected
Salt Lake valley as the site for its plant because of its
convenience for transportation. Railroads from all parts
of Nevada and Utah converge there. The Denver & Rio
Grande right-of-way cuts through the property and a
short spur-track grades onto a trestle 400 ft. long, which
passes immediately over the ore-bins and stock-piles,
while a branch spur serves the packing and storage house
for the convenient shipment of the finished, product. The
accompanying illustration, Fig. 1, shows the general
arrangement of the tracks, flues, and buildings.
The crushing department is equipped to crush 150 tons
of ore during an eight-hour shift. A 20-in. belt-conveyor
carries the ore from under the railroad-trestle to a 10 by
20-in. Allis-Chalmers Blake crusher preceded by a griz-
zley spaced J in. A 16-in. bucket-elevator lifts the crush-
ed product to a }-in. square-mesh trommel, the oversize
from which gravitates to a set of 14 by 30-in. rolls, of
Denver Engineering Works manufacture, and thence to
the foot of the same elevator. The product that passes
the trommel goes to a 365-ton crushed-ore storage-bin
into which it is distributed by an 18-in. belt-conveyor
feeding a 50-ft. shuttle-conveyor at right-angles to it
The course of the ore is shown on the accompanying flow-
sheet, Fig. 2.
Hand-trammed ore-cars are filled from the bin and
weighed on a Fairbanks platform-scale ready for mixing
with coke-breeze that is likewise trammed from storage.
A charge composed of the proper proportions of ore and
coke, with sufficient water to moisten to a dampness
equivalent to that of foundryman 's sand, is fed to a 40-ft
Oshkosh concrete-mixer, where it is given five minutes of
thorough mixing.
In the Pennsylvanian plants anthracite coal is used for
fuel. The characteristics required are high-carbon and
low-volatile content, and the fuel should produce the
minimum amount of smoke. Bituminous coal is unsatis-
factory, but coke, especially if low in sulphur, serves
well. Coke-breeze of suitable fineness for use without
crushing is obtained at a reasonable cost by the Utah
Zinc Company and will be used exclusively.
The mixed product is elevated by means of a second
60-ft. bucket-elevator to the 150-ton mixed-ore bin. A
portion of this bin is reserved for coke to be used in
forming the bed on the grates of the furnaces. The plan
is to do all crushing and mixing during the day-shift, so
that night-work will be confined to operating the fur-
naces and shaking bags in the bag-house. The charge-
cars are low and wide with a hinged lip that can be turn-
ed down to form a shelf flush with the bottom. The ob-
ject is to facilitate shoveling from the car. The fur-
nace-building is constructed of concrete and structural
steel, with roof and sides of corrugated iron, while the
operating-floor is of reinforced concrete.
Description op the Furnace. The general scheme of
the furnace is shown in Fig. 3. A good view of the in-
terior of the furnace, taken from the combustion-cham-
ber, shown in Fig. 5. The gates had not been put in
place when this photograph was taken. The furnace con-
sists of two sections flanking a central combustion-cham-
ber. Either can be cut-off from the combustion-chamber
if required. The concrete foundation beneath each sec-
It
h
il.
M
m
mlii-r 27. t!>20
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
761
1
- - - - 4-
- ^3HlUtat. ■infill 1
iBR, "" "-v*. ■i^r^.*-~^'.-f'&j:'^fy^k.
AT MURRAY, UTAH
tion forms eight individual chambers 9 ft. 2 in. deep and
6 ft. 6 in. by 13 ft. in area. These chambers are filled
with water in which any ashes that pass the Wetherill
grates accumulate. A j-in. feed-pipe, controlled by a
valve operated from the charging-floor, supplies cool
water just beneath the grate, while the overflow is im-
mediately below the blast-inlet and 14 in. below the
grates. The function of the water is to keep the grates
cool, thereby preventing warping and buckling, which
otherwise would be a continuous source of difficulty.
• A water-tight door near the bottom can be removed to
clean out the accumulation of ashes, which in time will
become sufficient to be troublesome. The grates rest on
I-beams, supported by the concrete; an 8-in. blast-pipe
enters each chamber just below the grate-level. The
arches are lined with fire-brick throughout, while common
brick forms the outside walls. The top of the main arch
is 8 ft. 6 in. above the top of the grates, while the small
arches are 40 in. high and extend' 3J ft. into the fur-
nace. These can be seen clearly in Fig. 5. The series of
'cracks' in the bridge- walls and in the roof of the arch
indicate the allowance that is made for expansion when
the furnace is heated. The furnace is substantially built
and reinforced with buck-stays, of channel and I-beams
and $-in. rods. A firing or feeding-door is provided for
each of the short arches, making 16 doors for each section
of the furnace.
The early furnaces using the Wetherill process had
doors along one side only, rather than two rows of doors
opposite each other. While the present design has the
disadvantage that the furnace cools more rapidly, this
is probably more than offset by the greater ease with
iwhich the accretions can be removed when re-charging is
|being done. There is, of course, no back-wall and the
[absence of any obstruction makes the cleaning of the
sides and of the grate itself more easy of accomplishment.
The grates are cast-iron plates with tapering perfora-
tions -J in. diameter on the top surface, spaced one inch
in both directions. The combustion-chamber is a large
brick chamber connected on either side by brick pass-
ages to the volatilizing sections of the furnace. In the
sides of these passages are small arched openings like
windows. These are checkered with brick masonry, and
removable bricks are provided to permit the regulation
of the flow of fresh air into the chamber.
Operation op the Furnace. The operation of the fur-
nace, after once being blown-in, consists of drawing and
re-charging in rotation at the individual doors. The
procedure is as follows: The blast is cut off from the
particular division that is to be cleaned and the door
opened. The loose part of the last charge is raked off by
hand and deposited on the floor to be re-charged later.
\bre-bins \
I 10-in. Belt-conveyor\
\ %in. Grizzley \
Blake Crusher
10 by 20 in.
I Coke Storage -bin\
I Bucket Elevator I
1
| Ij-in. Trommel \
1 .
1 365 - ton Storage -bin |
I
\l4byjqin.ffo/ls\
| Platform-scale |
i
I 40-ft. Concrete -mixer I
1 T —
I Bucket ClevatorX
— x —
Sturtevant
Blower
Storage-bin
for mixed ore
| Volatilizing- furnace |
I Combustion-chamber
| Cooling -flues |
\Bag-house\
I Screw-conveyor I
I
I Filling -machine |
Fig. 2. plow-sheet
The semi-fused clinker is removed in a fashion similar to
the cleaning of the fires under a coal-fired boiler, a slice-
bar and rake being used for the purpose. The clinker is
dropped through a hole in the floor to a car beneath, in
which it is trammed to the dump. A layer of fresh coke-
breeze is charged on the clean grate and the blast-gate is
partly opened. The heat from the hot brick of the arch
ignites the fuel and when it is burning briskly the ma-
762
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 27, 1920
Fig. 3. ZINC-OXIDE furnace, showing two op the eight small arches on each side of THE COMBUSTION-CHAMBER '
...
terial saved from the former charge, with a quantity of
mixed ore and coke from the charge-car, is shoveled into
the furnace and spread evenly over the bed of fuel'. The1
door is closed and the full blast turned on. The fur-
nace-men then proceed to repeat the operation in the next
division, and so continue around the furnace, working
the 16 divisions in succession. In the presence of the
coke the zinc is first reduced and volatilized ; it is then
oxidized on coming in contact with the excess of air in
the large arch and in the combustion-chamber. A brick
downtake conveys the fume-laden gas to a rec-
tangular cooling-flue, also made of brick.
Cooling-Flue. The blast is supplied by a No.
10 Sturtevant multivane fan with a capacity of
40,000 cu. ft. per minute at a speed of 460 revo-
lutions. The pressure beneath the grate is
equivalent to four inches of water. The cooling-
flue is a circular sheet-iron pipe 45 in. diameter
and 1000 ft. long. It is supported by low bents
about five feet above the ground. A shorter flue
is undesirable because it does not give the gases
sufficient time to cool. Elbows and sharp turns
are to be avoided because they offer unnecessary
resistance to the flow of the gas. Expansion
joints are provided each 30 ft., while at intervals
of 8 ft. along the bottom of* the pipe are small
openings fitted with sliding gates where the oxide
that settles may be withdrawn when necessary.
The draft, however, is such that this accumula-
tion does not amount to much.
The flow of the mixed fume and gas through the cool-
ing-flue is effected by a 140-in. Sturtevant exhaust-fan
situated at the end of the flue near the bag-house. This
fan has a capacity of 70,000 cu. ft. per minute at 300
r.p.m. and ereates a pressure of 1£ oz. per square foot in
the effluent gas. The high temperature of the gas makes
it necessary to have the bearings of the fan water-cooled.
Bag-House. The bag-house is 100 by 70 ft. The floor
is of concrete and the foundation is a brick wall 22 ft.
high. Surmounting this is the structural steel that forms
the upper 19 ft. of the wall, and the trusses of the roof.
At the top is- a monitor running' the entire length of the
structure ; it is 9 ft. high with extended' eaves to prevent
rain from entering the building. The monitor has no
sides, and thus provides an outlet for the escaping gasess
The' accompanying photograph of the plant was taken
before the" bag-house had been covered.
Ventilation is1 one- of the factors that govern the ratio
of bag-area to grate-area; other things being equal, good
ventilation will permit a considerably lower ratio.
There are 528 seamless cotton bags, 22 in. diameter
fSRj^iW
Fig. 4. section through combustion-chamber
and 28 ft, high. The fume-laden gas enters the bags
from below, the distributing system being the same series'
of rectangular sheet-iron pipes that serve as collectors for ; .,,,
the oxide. The principal header from the exhaust-fan :. ,,
runs along one side of the room ; from it, at right-angles, .„;
run the distributing pipes, each of which serves a double
row of bags. The open ends of the bags fit around cireu- i; „;
lar collars on the distributing pipe while the upper ends j,
are supported by short ropes suspended from a grill-
work below the roof-trusses. There are two suspended
walks between each two double rows of bags, one at the >ir
November 27, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
.763
lev. 1 of the distributing-pipe system and the other near
Be top of the bags. The latter are used by the oper-
ators wlio shake the bags; under normal conditions this
is done at intervals of 1 to 1$ hours. The bags are shaken
by hand; a mechanical shaker would save labor, but, on
the other hand, an experienced man will regulate the
amount of shaking of individual bags, and can thereby
pBep them in more nearly uniform condition.
Satisfactory operation of a bag-house requires that the
condition will in a short time detrimentally affect the
furnaces themselves. If the gases cannot escape, the
volume and velocity of gas flowing through the cooling-
flue decrease, and in a short time the draught to the fur-
naces will be reduced automatically. This slows the fur-
nace and decreases the capacity with the coincidental
poor recovery due to incomplete volatilization of the zinc
in the ore. Too little protection also increases the possi-
bility of fire, although in this plant the length of the
a
it
1 ;1 i
,4fc m * -Ha!,:
Bl ' H
■ ' 1
■H. - —
^H- - •
1 '"^
t if; ^ "a - r0mammmm*w "
bW* '
■ i wk - Wbmwb? '
.. fa^-^wa^ «%
im. i'W. »J. "".^t »*» -J*.. i- »"
\
Xp.'- L/'_ .Jt- i—ii..*.!.-... inf.'krJ
By" i' .
■■MIT ' 1 _ 1 —Vfl.
:
Fig. 5. interior view op one wing of the zinc-oxide furnace
inc-oxide fume be separated from the hot gases, the
imperature of which fluctuates around 200°C, without
Ecessive deterioration of the cotton cloth of which the
ags are composed. To do this it is necessary to permit a
)at of. oxide to accumulate on the'inside surface of the
)tton tubing as a protection against the heat. If this
>at is too thin the bags suffer ; if too thick the obstrue-
on to the passage of the gas is excessive and the amount
' fume-laden gas that can be filtered is decreased. This
cooling-flue is sufficient to preclude serious danger from
this source. Careful regulation of the shaking, both as
to frequency and thoroughness, is necessary to obtain the
most satisfactory coating in the bags. A middle course
must be taken, there being as much harm if the bags are
shaken too frequently and too thoroughly, as if the inter-
val is too long and work too hasty. Regularity is essen-
tial; the best operating conditions require that the re-
sistance be uniform at all times.
764
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 27, 1920
Dampers are provided to divert the flow of gas from
the individual distributing pipes; they are closed in
preparation for shaking. The ideal system is to have
one set of bags in the process of shaking at all times.
The oxide falls into the distributing pipe, the bottom of
which is a series of steel hoppers shaped like inverted
pyramids, there being one hopper for each four bags.
Attached to the hopper is a collecting-sack made of duck,
which rests on the floor with its mouth tied around a
circular flange at the bottom of the hopper. These bags
are detached daily, and with their contents are wheeled to
a 9-in. extra-heavy screw-conveyor, which carries the pre-
cipitated oxide 70 ft. horizontally to the building where
the packing is done. Here the finished product is ele-
vated by means of an 8-in. bucket-elevator to a small
storage-bin, from which it is drawn to the packing-ma-
chine. This device is borrowed from the flour-mill in-
dustry. It is known as the Nardyke & Marmon automatic
power packer, capable of filling either 50-lb. paper bags
or 300-lb. barrels. The packing-house also serves as a
warehouse where several thousand barrels may be stored.
Railroad-cars are switched on a spur-track alongside this
building for convenience in loading.
A cooper-shop where barrels will be made is erected
but not equipped as yet. An office-building, a machine-
shop, and a store-house for operating supplies, an oil-
house, and a transformer-station comprise the other
buildings that are completed. I am indebted to James
W. Wade, general manager for the company, for his
courtesy in permitting these notes regarding the plant to
be published.
The Fresnillo Mine and Mill
The following statement regarding the Fresnillo min-
ing property in Zacatecas, Mexico, belonging to the Mex-
ican Corporation is abstracted from a letter by William
J. Cox to the directors of the Santa Gertrudis Co. : The
estimate of 4,000,000 available tons within an area 1000
ft. by 300 ft. and of maximum depth of 200 ft. at the
centre of the cone-shaped deposit, does not seem to me to
cover a probable tonnage both below the line of estimate
and laterally to the south. E. B. Kirby estimates 2,000,-
000 tons of additional probable ore in further depth, and,
knowing him as I do, I have'great respect for his judg-
ment. The 'glory-hole' method of extraction of the sur-
face orebody has been planned in every detail, and bears
the stamp of approval of engineers eminent in this line of
work. Then, too, the character of ground to be broken,
the climate, and situation with reference to the point of
delivery all appeal to me as naturally adapted to this
method. While the mill-site is not ideal, it has advantages
of convenient location to the mine, easy excavation, with
good base for foundations, and ample area below for
storage of tailing, on ground owned by the company.
There will be considerable elevating due to little slope of
the site, but the arrangement exhibits simplicity.
The foundations are practically finished, except as to
the crushing-plant, which is well under way. A brief
description of the ore-flow follows: The broken ore will
be drawn from chutes into 10-ton steel cars, and hauled
in trains by electric locomotives to the car-tipple at the
crushing-plant. In the crushing-plant the ore will be re-
duced in three passes to f-in. maximum size, using one
30-in. gyratory crusher, two 48-in. horizontal and two
48-in. vertical Symon's disc-crushers for this purpose.
Thereafter, wet fine grinding to 75% through 200-mesh,
will be done in six Marcy-type rod-mills, space being left
for the addition of auxiliary tube-mills and for concen-
tration equipment, if found desirable later on, especially
in the treatment of sulphide ores. The finely ground
pulp will flow to six Dorr-type thickeners, 60 ft. diam.
by 10 ft. deep, and thence to 13 agitators of a modified
Dorr type, 40 ft. diam. by 25 ft. deep. All these tanks
are of redwood, and the great saving in room and cost of
construction in the adoption of this type of agitator as
against steel Pachuca tanks 15 ft. diameter by 45 ft. high,
is to me an outstanding feature. After agitation, the
pulp will pass to a Butters-type vacuum-filter plant, the
tailing therefrom being pumped to the impounding
dams. Precipitation will be accomplished by Merrill
zinc-dust method with the recent Crowe vacuum improv'
ment, in an enlargement of the present plant situatei
safely within the patio walls. Lime will be burned nea
the mill-site, the stone being hauled about three miles
over a good road-bed to the oil-fired kiln. Water is ob-
tained from the deep mine from which it is believed the
supply will be ample. Power will be generated in a thor-
oughly up-to-date steam-plant consisting of oil-fired
Stirling boilers, Westinghouse steam turbines direct con-
nected to 60 cycle, 2300-volt alternating-current gener-
ators, having a total normal capacity of 6000 kw., with
50% continuous overload rating. This plant should sup-
ply ample reliable service for contemplated scale of oper-
ations and for future deep mining. The present cyanide
plant is treating 400 tons of ore, but the recovery is only
fair because of inadequate grinding and agitating equip-
ment. The tailing-plant is yielding a moderate profit
from 500,000 tons of residues from the old patio treat-
ment.
ill
=
ar i
Shale-oil was formerly produced in southern Ger-
many, but production was killed by American competi-
tion. Today the high price of oil and the low exchange
make resumption practicable. The production of lubri-
cating oil from brown coal has attained great dimensions.
It was begun in 1916 by the German Mineral Oil Co. at
the suggestion of Mackensen at a time when the shortage
of lubricants threatened to bring the whole war-niachine
to a standstill. Brown-coal lubricating-oil was first pro-
duced on a commercially profitable basis in 1918. The
company mentioned has bought up several Central Ger
man brown-coal mines and has put up a plant. Particu-
larly good oil is being_ extracted from the so-called ' resin
brown coal' of Thuringia, which yields 32% of tar. In
Upper Silesia several companies are making brown-coal
oils, and the prohibition against the import of benzine has
encouraged production of brown-coal benzine.
November 21. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
765
A Resume of Literature on the Theory of Flotation,
With Critical Notes
By H. R. Adam
•In the following paper I propose to give a summar-
ized version of the theoretical information that has ac-
cumulated within the last five or six years in connection
with flotation processes for the concentration of ores.
Papers on this subject have appeared chiefly in the scien-
tific and technical journals devoted to mining and metal-
lurgy, although it is noteworthy that physicists are now
becoming more directly interested. Naturally the writ-
ten information obtainable on both the practical and
theoretical aspects of flotation is still very much scat-
tered and as several important contributions to theory
have been published without discussion or criticism it is
by no means an easy matter to compare the data avail-
able or the statements founded thereon. The matter in
this paper is classified not according to dates on which
publications have appeared, but according to what have
seemed to the writer to be the different phases of the
subject, and in adding critical notes he is giving in a
general way the results of his own observations and ex-
perimental work. For the sake of clearness it was
thought advisable to include a good deal of what may
be considered by many to be rather elementary and out
of date information.
Conditions for Equilibrium when a Solid is in Con-
tact with Two Fluids. These are the apparent condi-
tions in a mixture of ore particles and water during the
application of the various methods of flotation ; the ore
particles represent the solid, while the fluids are water,
more or less modified by the addition of various 're-
agents' and gas or gases, the latter in the form of minute
bubbles. Before examining the statements of writers on
flotation theory under this heading the equation repre-
senting the equilibrium as given by Clerk Maxwell1
should be studied. "The equilibrium of the tensions
concerned depends only on that of their components
parallel to the surface because the surface-tension nor-
mal to the solid surfaces are balanced by the resistance
of the solid. Hence for equilibrium. f
Tsg-Tsl-Tls cos (9 = 0
T. -T„i "
whence cos 8 = — ££s — ~
Poynting and Thomson2 deduce a similar equation.
Edser3 arrives at a similar result, although in a some-
*From the Journal of the Chemical, Metallurgical and
Mining Society of South Africa.
tin order to avoid confusion the symbols used by various
writers, which naturally vary, have been put in the one form.
T = surface-tension solid-gas.
T , = surface-tension solid-liquid.
T == surface-tension liquid-gas.
Q = the contact-angle.
what different manner. His reasoning is especially in-
teresting, since he assumes that the tension T„i is a
residual tension. "When the liquid comes in contact
with the solid the surface of the solid will be partly re-
lieved of its strain by the attraction of the liquid mole-
cules and similarly with the liquid molecules. There-
fore when wetting takes place Ts] =0, e.g., water/glass.
When there is absolutely no wetting TB[ = Tsg + Tig
and 6 = 180°, cos 8 in this case being -1; such a condi-
tion is approached by the contact of mercury and clean
glass. ' '
Edser, therefore, assumes that Tsi simply depends on
Tsg and Tig; this is doubtful, since new conditions may
arise on account of chemical or electromagnetic action at
the solid-liquid surface or interface.4 According to
Hatschek5 there is no proof that in suspensions Tsl can
be reduced to zero.
It will be seen from Clerk Maxwell's equation that an
increase in the angle of contact means that Tsi increases
relatively to Tsg. If we look at the matter from the
aspect of the principle of minimum potential energy it
becomes clearer. The greater TBl the greater will be the
tendency to reduction in the area of contact of solid and
liquid, and it follows that 8 will increase ; conversely, if
Tsg is large the tendency will be toward a reduction of
the interface solid-gas, which can be done by the spread-
ing of the liquid with consequent decrease of 8.
The following applications of this theory to flotation
have been made:
0. C. Ralston6 and Corliss and Perkins7 state the re-
lationships in the form used by Freundlieh8 for the dis-
tribution of collodial particles in two liquid phases.
Since Ralston confines his statement to two liquid
phases, oil and water, and since in modern flotation it
is probably more correct to consider only the two fluid
phases "contaminated water" and gas — only the state-
ment according to Corliss and Perkins need be repeated.
These writers state that either
(1) Tsl>Tsg + Tlg
or (2) No one interfacial tension is greater than the
sum of the other two.
They further state that the condition (3) Tlg > T5g +
Ts, is imposible and that case (2) is the actual one in
flotation. For complete wetting of gangue, for example,
the condition is Tsg > T„i + Tlg; while conditions (1)
and (3) would imply complete non-wetting.
This argument is in accordance with the Clerk Max-
well equation, but it must be pointed out that condition
(2) implies that a triangle could theoretically be con-
structed with sides proportional to the three tensions.
According to Clerk Maxwell, both experimental work
766
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 27, 1920
and theoretical reasoning support the view that this con-
dition is imaginary and where it apparently occurs, one
or more of the surfaces is contaminated; that is, where
spreading of the liquid does not occur we are not dealing
with true contact of the surfaces. It is, however, prob-
ably quite justifiable to consider the case in the manner
of Corliss and Perkins, since in flotation the surfaces
almost certainly are contaminated, but due considera-
tion of the matter is important in view of the discrepan-
cies in the results obtained for contact-angles, to be
mentioned later.
Taggart and Beach9 state the equilibrium equation as
T8l = Tsg + TiB cos 6 from which
T — T
CosO=^V-^
This means that a large contact-angle will be the result
of a low Ts, and relatively high Tss, that is, a tendency
for the liquid to wet the solid, which is obviously incor-
rect. Sulman10 gives the relationship in the manner of
Edser,3 and evidently regards the tension at the solid-
liquid interface as a residual tension greater or less ac-
cording as wetting is partial or complete. Sulman 's ex-
planation of the matter is made the more lucid since he
discusses the various possibilities according to the varia-
tion of the contact-angle between 180° and zero.
In a paper on the theory of wetting, Cooper and Nut-
all11 state the equilibrium equation and give a clear ex-
planation of the conditions that may obtain. As these
writers have approached the matter from an entirely
different standpoint from that of flotation, it is of inter-
est to summarize their article even at the risk of con-
siderable repetition. They quote Quincke as being the
first to state the conditions for wetting which, using the
same symbols, are :
(a) That Tlg should be low.
(b) '" T8g " ' " high.
(e) " Tsl " " low.
Cooper and Nutall emphasize that in regard to wetting
it is not sufficient to regard only the surface-tension of
the liquid, since even though T,s be high, wetting may
occur if Tsi is low. The factors influencing Tsl are:
1 1 I The chemical or solvent action of the liquid on the
surface layer of the solid; (2) adsorption of dissolved
substances at the liquid surface, which occurs when such
a concentration causes a decrease in the surface-tension
of the liquid. The point made with regard to this ad-
sorption is that it is accompanied by increased viscosity
at the surface, and that there appears to be a close con-
nection between superficial viscosity of liquids and their
wetting- power for solids; further reference to this will be
made in a later paragraph. From the point of view of
flotation the value of the work of Cooper and Nutall lies
chiefly in the emphasis laid on the interfacial tension Tsl.
In the cases which they are considering, namely, the wet-
ting power of dips and insecticides, the possibility of
chemical or solvent action at the solid-liquid interface is
obvious. In flotation the complexity increases, and we
have to consider possible factors influencing Tsg and Tlg,
while the work of Langmuir and Harkins already re-
ferred to indicates that new conditions may arise at the
solid-liquid interface affecting T„i.s
The Contact-Angle. From the foregoing discussion
of the equilibrium equation it is clear that the contact-
angle is practically the only quantitative guide to the
relative tensions. It may be remarked at once that from
the practical point of view, measurements of contact-
angles are probably of little value in flotation. Even with
the utmost precaution against contamination physicists
are unable to arrive at close agreement, and it is evident
that the most minute alterations in the conditions obtain-
ing at the surfaces of the three phases may affect the
angle considerably.
Freundlich8 expresses considerable doubt on the ques-
tion of contact-angles and states that where a positive
angle is obtained it may be due only to contamination of
the surfaces/ He further states that it is generally con-
cluded that complete wetting means a zero contact-angle.
In the ease of metals, however, the evidence is in favor of
a positive angle though the results are in such poor agree-
ment that they can hardly be relied on quantitatively. In
the case of glass and water it appears almost certain that
if a clean surface is dealt with the angle is zero; for
metals Kaye and Laby12 give the angle as varying be-
tween 3° and 11°.
To the writer's knowledge the only two papers on flota-
tion theory giving data on contact-angles are those of
Corliss and Perkins7 and Sulman10. The former con-
tributors do not attempt direct measurement of the
angles but give the related values of the rise of the menis-
cus of the liquid against the mineral surface.
For pure water, taking the rise against the surface of
the silicate (which silicate is not mentioned) as unity, the
rise against chalcocite is 0.5, and for chaleopyrite 0.8;
for 0.1% H2S04 the ratios are, silicate 1, chalcocite 0.6,
chaleopyrite 0.8, and for 0.1% NaOH, silicate 1, chalco-
cite 0.9, and chaleopyrite 0.9. Corliss and Perkins also
found that when the second fluid was an oil-mixture such
as is used in flotation, instead of air, the contact-angle of
the mineral with the water was over 90°.
The most recent figures for the contact-angles of min-
erals and water are given by Sulman.10 It is stated that
minerals have a maximum and minimum angle with
water and the difference between the maximum and mini-
mum is called the 'hysteresis'. Sulman states that the
hysteresis has important effects in flotation. The most
noteworthy points in Sulman 's investigation are (1) The
magnitude of the angles, for example :
Minimum Maximum
Stibnite 24.0° 62.8°
Calcite 39.6° 85.5°
Glass 33.0° 39.5°
Quartz 19.5° 58.5°
Chaleopyrite 37.0° 87.0°
Galena 35.0° 73.0°
(2) The small differences between two such minerals
as quartz and stibnite (stibnite is one of the most ensily
floated sulphides).
(3) The hysteresis — Corliss and Perkins7 also refer to
this hysteresis and suggest an explanation on the basis of
■
November 27. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
767
the smoothness of the mineral surface. Sulman refers to
a "molecular interlocking of the liquid and the solid".
In view of the doubt regarding contact-angles, Sul-
man's figures are distinctly surprising and ean hardly be
Inepted as final, although it is stated that the figures
have been confirmed by two different methods. The
writer has made several attempts to arrive at satisfactory
conclusions for the contact-angles of a few minerals with
water. The results obtained were somewhat varied, but,
on the whole, indicated that when examination is made
immediately after immersion in water the contact-angle
is either zero or very small in the cases of chalcopyrite,
galena, niarcasite, stibnite, quartz, and caleite. The faces
examined were, however, not natural cleavage-planesbut
surfaces obtained by polishing with a fine jeweller's file.
There is, however, a distinct difference in the behavior of
these minerals. The sulphides only give the zero angle
if examined directly after being immersed in water; if
the surfaces are merely touched with a piece of filter-
paper and then examined again, positive contact-angles
tip to 90° or more are easily obtained. The inferences is
that sulphides 'adsorb' films of air or oxygen with ex-
treme rapidity and in this condition resist the spreading
of the water to a greater or lesser extent. It is hoped to
give the method of procedure and more detailed results
of these investigations at a later date, at present the re-
sults are hardly conclusive.
Adsorption of Gases at the Surfaces of Minerals.
Although several writers on flotation — Rickard13, Sul-
man10— have stated that the adsorption of gases on min-
eral and metallic surfaces is of minor importance in flota-
tion, the evidence in experimental investigations is to the
contrary, at least as far as theoretical explanations are
concerned. The probabilities are that the tendency which
nearly all solids show to condense or adsorb gas on their
surfaces is closely connected with the variability of the
contact-angle and consequently with the interfacial ten-
sions of solids witb liquids and gases. It is true that oil
is used in nearly all recent flotation methods, but there is
no reason to suppose that this involves great changes in
principle since the essential features can easily be mani-
fested without oil. The fact that oil or oils are necessary
in practice has tended to obscure the main problem,
which is the cause of the preferential adhesion of gas
bubbles to sulphides and metals. Unfortunately the
knowledge of the causes and effects of gas adsorption on
solid surfaces is very limited. Sulman states that "Bdser
has disproved the air-film theory since such a conden-
sation must involve a considerable quantity of gas . . .
readily appreciable by chemical and physical means."
He further states that
" (1) Pure air is not condensed to any appreciable ex-
tent on blende, quartz, or galena.
" (2) That C02 is minutely adsorbed.
> "(3) That a gas-free mineral floats at an air-free
I water surface, that is, in vacuo, with the same ease as at
I a water /air surface. ' '
These statements are of a controversial nature. It is
well known that solid surfaces, particularly metals, do
adsorb or condense appreciable quantities of gases and
although this property is not commonly referred to in the
specific case of minerals, it is not likely that the latter are
peculiar in this respect. In any case there is abundant
evidence of a less exact nature that sulphides especially,
do adsorb gases readily and that the gaseous films are
extremely difficult to remove.
Whetham14 remarks on "the film of condensed gas
which seems to exist on all solid surfaces and to be so
difficult to remove". He further refers to the work of
Brown, Spiers, and Erskine-Murray, on the effect of such
films on the potential difference at the surfaces of metals
and electrolytes. "Erskine-Murray has shown that the
potential is increased by polishing and reduced by oxida-
tion." Whetham concludes "that there would certainly
be less affinity between a gas and a partially oxidized
metal than between a gas and a clean metal".
Harkins4 states ' ' Since the flotation process depends on
the preferential wetting and adhesion of gas films to
metals and sulphides on the one hand and silica and
similar substances on the other . . . "
Langmuir4 refers to the adsorption of gases on solids
in connection with the theory that such adsorbed dims
are in a form of chemical combination with the atoms of
the solid surfaces.
Taggart and Beach9 refer to the density of gas layers
adhering to solids.
In view of such statements as these and many others,
it is impossible to dismiss the phenomena as being of
minor importance in flotation.
There are several empirical facts of more direct inter-
est to be recorded with reference to this question.
Mickle15 noted the remarkable pertinacity with which
gas adheres to certain minerals. He recorded how zinc
and lead sulphides conld be made to continue to float by
simply heating in water. He assumes that the gas in this
case is air and that at each boiling fresh air films are ob-
tained at the surface. Mickle also records similar ob-
servations in the case of C02 derived from the action of
dilute acid solutions on ore particles containing car-
bonates. He notes particularly the effect of heat on the
flotation of sulphide particles by means of C02 bubbles.
Mickle 's work was carried out on zinc and lead sulphides;
I have confirmed his results frequently on ore-samples
from the Murchison Range district, of the Transvaal, and
on Rhodesian gold ores containing antimony sulphide and
arsenical pyrite. These investigations, of course, are
based on the well-known Potter-Delprat flotation process.
If the slightly acid solution in which a mass or froth of
sulphide particles has been floated, is allowed to cool,
much of the froth will break up and the particles will
sink ; on heating again the froth will be reformed. In the
case of CO., bubbles, this can be repeated almost in-
definitely although at each heating one notices a tendency
for the froth to become less stable. In the case of air, the
froth formation is not nearly so permanent, and usually
with two or three boilings, wetting appears to be com-
plete. It is difficult to interpret such observations unless
we assume that even after repeated boiling there are still
adherent films of CO, gas. It is possible that after heat-
768
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 27, 1920
ing and cooling several times, the bubbles which attach
themselves to the sulphide particles consist chiefly of
water-vapor. As a result of numerous observations on
antimonial ores, however, I am inclined to think that the
efficacy of the Potter-Delprat method is chiefly due to the
fact that, at or near boiling-point, the gas bubbles are
given off in just the right condition for successful flota-
tion— that is — as a continuous stream of innumerable
bubbles of minute size, providing a relatively enormous
surface and not rising too quickly through the liquid.
Henderson17, in a paper on flotation at Broken Hill,
refers to some recent methods of differential flotation de-
vised by Bradford. These methods have a direct bearing
on the question of gas adsorption at sulphide surfaces.
It is claimed that by generating such soluble gases as
hydrogen sulphide and sulphur di-oxide at the mineral
surfaces, air films, which are assumed to be adhering, are
selectively removed so that, by small alterations in the
acidity and temperature of the liquid, selective flotation
can be carried out. It is stated that these methods are
commercially successful and they serve to emphasize the
importance of gas films in the theory of flotation. In
some experiments on the flotation of stibnite ores by CO.,
bubbles, I have found that by passing large air bubbles
into the mixture the floating mass of sulphide particles is
broken up and the particles readily sink; on heating
again the flotation takes place as before, so it is assumed
that the effect of the air is chiefly mechanical. According
to Freundlich8 the nature of the gas is of more importance
in determining the amount of adsorption which will take
place than the nature of the solid. This is not altogether
in agreement with such evidence as is available in flota-
tion investigations, but it may be remarked that Freund-
lich 's statement is apparently based on experimental re-
sults on such porous solids as charcoal, meerschaum, etc.
The fact that carbon di-oxide is more difficult to remove
than air is however in accordance with Freundlich 's
statement that the more easily liquefied gases are more
strongly adsorbed.
Froths and the Effect of Oil. This phase of the
subject has been dealt with very fully by several writers
on flotation theory including Rickard15, Hildebrand18,
Taggart and Beach9, and notably Sulman10. The condi-
tions for a stable froth are clearly set out in works on
colloidal chemistry. Lord Rayleigh19 has shown that
frothing is always associated with contamination ; in fact,
in comparison with other features of flotation the stabil-
izing of the froths is thoroughly well understood. It is
of special interest to note, as has been done by Sulman
and others, that the mineral particles themselves may
provide the stabilizing conditions ; this is what is meant
by the term 'armoring' of the bubbles. Thus it may be
shown in many cases that when only a small proportion of
sulphides is present in an ore these may float but be un-
able to form a coherent froth since there is insufficient
armoring. "With an ore-sample containing exactly the
same constituents, but a larger proportion of sulphides,
a comparatively stable froth may be obtained. Sulman
states that the surface-tension of water is considerably
lowered by the presence of mineral particles. If this is
correct it may partly explain the fact mentioned by
Mickle15, Henderson17, and Hoover20, also confirmed by
the writer on stibnite ores16, that the presence of much
slime in flotation without oil gives uniformly unsatis-
factory results.
It is well known that it is easy to overdo the addition of
what are called 'frothers' in flotation and to obtain a
'barren' froth (Sulman, Rickard, Corliss, and Perkins).
The reason generally given is that the surface-tension
liquid-gas has thereby been so greatly lowered that the
wetting tendency is increased. In the discussion on the
equilibrium equation, however, it was shown that wetting
power depends on other factors than the surface-tension
of the liquid, notably the viscosity.
In most of the papers on flotation theory already re-
ferred to, the effects of the oil additions are fully dis-
cussed. The main effect, although there is no definite
evidence on the point, is that the oil spreading rapidly
over the sulphide surfaces forms films of extreme tenuity,
with the result that the characteristic properties of the
sulphide surfaces, as far as the adhesion of gas bubbles is
concerned, are so greatly enhanced that practical flota-
tion depends chiefly on these small additions of suitable
oils. Sulman gives figures showing greatly increased con-
tact-angles for oil-filmed minerals in 0.7% sulphuric acid.
Additional Bibliography. Owing to the method on
which this summary of flotation literature has been pre-
pared the references on the subject cannot claim to be
complete.
For much useful information, both on the theory and
practice of flotation, the columns of the 'Mining and
Scientific Press' for the the last five or six years should
be consulted. Most of the articles which have appeared
in that journal are collected in a convenient volume
edited by T. A. Rickard.21 The books on flotation by
Hoover20 and Megraw22 also contain chapters on the
theory of the subject. The effort required to follow the
voluminous reports of legal proceedings over flotation
patents is not likely to yield sufficient reward to make it
advisable. For a non-mathematical treatment of surface-
tension the reader is referred to 'Surface Tension and
Surface Energy' by R. S. Willows and E. Hatschek. The
most noteworthy contribution to flotation theory which
has recently appeared is that by H. L. Sulman, which has
been several times referred to. His paper contains a vast
amount of valuable information and several portions of it
are criticized in the discussion which followed.
Truscott23 questions the application of the term 'ad-
sorption ' to the adhesion of sulphide particles to gas bub-
bles and the use of the term 'suspensoids' for a mixture
of ore particles and water. He questions if there is any
fundamental difference between film and froth flotation.
Porter24 criticizes Sulman 's idea that a zero contact-
angle is not accompanied by complete wetting and ques-
tions the extremely high value for the contact-angle
water/glass.
Hatschek5 criticizes Sulman's statement that complete
wetting means a reduction of interfacial tension to zero
p
ltd
ft
mber 27. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
769
ami points out that far-reaching conclusions are based on
very meagre experimental evidence.
It is impossible to summarize satisfactorily this im-
portant paper, but there are portions not already re-
ferred to which should be mentioned. Sulinan insists on
the importance of 'flocculation' in flotation, and states
that in order to be floated the mineral must tirst be ' floc-
culated*. Flocculation has been considerably studied in
connection with the settlement of slime — Free25 — but in
articles on flotation I have found the term used only in
the paper by Corliss and Perkins. The latter, although
not very lucid on the matter, apparently conclude that
flocculation is harmful in flotation since the aggregates
formed may consist of silicious gangue particles which
may float with the sulphides. If Sulman 's statements are
interpreted correctly, however, the trend in flotation
practice is to float preferentially almost any desired min-
eral by causing it to flocculate ; this is to be done by vari-
ous modifying physical and chemical factors. These ideas
are in all probability the result of the wide application of
flotation to the treatment of 'slime', which is commonly
classed as a colloidal solution. The natural inference to
be drawn from Sulman 's paper is that there are consid-
erable differences in principle between the methods of
flotation he chiefly refers to, and what may be called the
film-flotation of comparatively large particles which, as
has already been mentioned, is best accomplished in the
absence of slime. Possibly this theory of flocculation ac-
counts for the fact that the concentrate obtained by the
Minerals Separation methods seem generally to contain
a high proportion of gangue.20 A further important
feature of this paper is the reported effect of acidifying
the liquid. It is stated that the contact-angles are gen-
erally lower in acid solutions; from this it would prob-
ably follow that the surface-tension of water is decreased
*by the addition of acids. Taggart and Beach confirm this
to some extent, but according to Taylor27, also Kaye and
Laby,12 the effect of the acid is to slightly increase the
surface-tension of water. The most obvious effects of
adding acid, in the writer's experience, are that the sul-
phide surfaces may be freed from oxide films (this is
particularly noticeable in the case of banket ore contain-
ing pyrite), and that an additional supply of gas bubbles
may be provided in cases where carbonates are present.
Concluding Remarks. As a result of the commercial
success of flotation, many new facts have been learned
empirically regarding the physical and chemical proper-
ties of surfaces. Exact experimental data are however
required before sound generalities can be established. It
seems to the writer that a statement such as the following
is, at present, as much as is justifiable. A tendency for
such surfaces as those of metals and mineral sulphides to
adsorb and retain films of gas or grease to a greater
degree than the surfaces of substances such as quartz and
silicates is generally indicated. Such adsorption, accord-
ing to the theory of adsorption in liquids, must be a mani-
festation of greater surface energy in the case of the
former substances. Having obtained such films, the
solids must be regarded as contaminated, and we no
longer have true contact between the solid and the two
fluids; the energy of the solid surface being reduced to a
minimum by such adsorption, the surface energy liquid/
gas is manifested by a decreased adhesion of the liquid to
the solid, with the result that the gas bubbles cling more
or less tenaciously to the solid surface. The aggregations
or 'floccules' of gas and solid particles thus formed may
in certain circumstances sink, but in most cases will rise,
owing to the great volume of adhering gas.
If it is true that such metallic surfaces have this great-
er surface energy, such a fact suggests a connection with
the fact that metals and sulphides more readily undergo
chemical transformation than quartz, silicates, and oxides
generally.
It is somewhat disheartening to the metallurgist on tak-
ing up the study of flotation theory to find that the ob-
taining of experimental data is really a matter for the
physical laboratory and that the interpretation of results
is by no means easy. Hatschek, in discussing Sulman 's
work, speaks rather sarcastically of the mass of empirical
information imparted and the explanations given of the
facts. The assembling and reporting of observations of a
purely empirical nature must, however, be of great im-
portance in the construction of a general theory. In
actual fact the litigation that has taken place over flota-
tion has, among other things, demonstrated that even
among physicists, there is almost complete ignorance as
to the real meaning of the phenomena that attend the
wetting of a solid by a liquid. Hatschek himself admits
this,5 and suggests it may be due to "a lack of any im-
portant problems involving a closer knowledge of these
factors". The fact is, however, that the importance of a
theoretical study of the phenomena concerned, is not by
any means confined to flotation. The references to
Whetham's 'Theory of Solution', and to the article by
Cooper and Nutall on 'The Theory of Wetting' in con-
nection with dips and insecticides should make this clear.
There are similar problems involved, in the soldering
and welding of metals, in the amalgamation and cyanid-
ing of gold, and of even more direct interest on the Rand
they have an intimate bearing on the difficult questions
concerned in the settlement of fine floating dust particles
underground.28
JClerk Maxwell, 'Capillary Action', Encyclopedia Britan-
nica, 11th edition, Vol. 5, pp. 261-263.
zPoynting and Thomson, 'Properties of Matter', p. 140.
3E. Edser, 'General Physics'.
<Langmuir, Jour. Am. Chem. Soc, 1916, and 'Met. &
Chem. Eng.', Oct. 15, 1916; also McLewis, 'The Chem.
Theory and Capillarity', 'Science Progress', April 1918.
Harkins, Proc. Nat. Acad, of Sciences, December 1919.
oE. Hatschek in discussion on Sulman's 'Contribution to
the Theory of Flotation', Bulletin, I. M. M., January 1920.
«0. C. Ralston, 'M. & S. P.', October 23, 1915.
?H. P. Corliss and C. L. Perkins, Jour. Ind. and Eng.
Chem., May 1919.
sFreundlich, 'Kapillarchemie'.
»A. F. Taggart and F. E. Beach, 'Bulletin', A. I. M. E.,
September 1916.
i°H. L. Sulman, Bulletins, I. M. M., Nov. and Dec. 1919,
and Jan. 1920.
770
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 27, 1920
"W. F. Cooper and W. H. Nutall, 'Jour. Agri. Sci.', Vol.
VIII. 1915-'16.
i=Kaye and Laby, 'Physical and Chemical Constants'.
i»T. A. Rickard, 'M. & S. P.', July 14, 1917.
"Whetham, 'Theory of Solution:, pp. 269-272.
i=K. Mickle, 'E. & M. J.', Aug. 1911 and July 1912.
J«H. R. Adam, Jour. C. M. and M. S. of S. A., June 1915.
i'E. Henderson, 'M. & S. P.', Sept. 21 and 28, 191S.
"Hildebrand, 'M. & S. P.', July 29, 1916.
"Lord Rayleigh, 'Lecture on Foam', Proc. Royal Inst.,
March 1890.
^"Hoover, 'Concentrating Ores by Flotation'.
=iT. A. Rickard, 'The Flotation Process'.
==Megraw, 'The Flotation Process'.
23J. A. Truscott, Bulletin, I. M. M., Dec. 1919.
=<A. W. Porter, Bulletin, I. M. M., Jan. 1920.
25E. E. Free, 'E. & M. J.', Feb. 5, 1916.
^Report on legal proceedings over flotation, 'M...& S. P.',
Sept. 29, 1917.
i-W. W. Taylor, 'The Chemistry of Colloids', p. 237.
=«J. Moir, 'Recent Investigations on Dust in Mine Air,'
Jour. C. M. and M. S. of S. A.', July 1915.
Recovery 0f Gold From Black Sand
By JOHN GROSS
•Introduction. The Alaska Station of the Bureau of
Mines has recently conducted tests on two tailings from
black sand which had been treated previously at the Sta-
tion. The results of this previous treatment have been
given in a paper entitled 'Recovery of Gold from Black
Sand by Classifier Concentration'.
The gold in these tailings was intimately united with
quartz, and was so finely divided that it could not be de-
tected with the naked eye, nor even by panning unless the
material was ground. Its fineness is further shown by the
assay result, which reported only 12% of the gold con-
tent as metallic, whereas the assay of the original sand re-
ported 36% of the gold as 'metallics'. The fact that the
gold was in such fine particles, closely united with quartz,
precluded further recovery by amalgamation without
grinding. On the other hand, the small content present,
as well as the lack of grinding appliances at the placer
mines of Alaska, made it necessary that the material be
cheaply handled if at all. "With these facts in mind the
experiments described below were undertaken.
Coarse Tailing. This tailing had been obtained by
amalgamating the concentrate* produced by classifier con-
centration. The tailing was screened on a 28-mesh
screen : the oversize was hand-jigged on a six by six-inch
screen, resulting in a concentrate and a tailing; the
undersize was passed over a. canvas table, resulting in a
concentrate and a tailing. The results of this experiment
■were as 'follows:
Assay gold Contents Contents
Weight Weight oz. gold gold
in. r!. r>°- ton <
Jig concentrate 6.2 5.6 26.25 0.0813 36 4
Jig tailing 67.5 61.4 3.46 0.1168 52.3
Canvas? ,'oncentrate 4.7 4.3 2.13 0.0050 2.3
■Canvas tailing 31.6 28.7 1.27 0.0201 9.0
110.0 100.0 4.058 0.2232 100.0
From these results, evidently a fair degree of concen-
*The author is metallurgist for the U. S. Bureau of Mines,
which issues this information.
tration may be obtained in the coarser portion but not in
the finer. A test showed that the gold in the jig concen-
trate can be recovered by amalgamation if the concen-
trate is previously ground, but without grinding, the re-
covery is negligible.
Fine Tailing. This tailing had been obtained from the
concentration of minus 30-mesh material on a canvas
table. The tailing was again passed over a canvas table,
the aim being to produce a small amount of concentrate.
The results obtained are as follows:
Assay gold Contents Contents
Weight Weight oz. gold gold
lb. % per ton oz. %
Canvas concentrate 11.4 5.4 9.89 0.0564 46.6
Canvas tailing 198.6 94.6 0.B6 0.0646 53.4
210.0- 100.0 1.15 0.1210 100.0
'These results show that an additional recovery can be
obtained on this material by a second treatment on a
canvas table, or probably by the use of a long canvas
table. A test showed that an excellent recovery can be
Obtained on this concentrate by amalgamation in a re-
volving barrel, but whether barrel-amalgamation would
pay on such low-grade material is doubtful.
Conclusions. These experiments de'iuonstrate that on
material of this nature an enriched product may' tie ob-
tained by hand-jigging the coarser sand and by canvas-
table concentration of the finer sand. The enriched prod-
uct of the coarser sand is worthless unless ground and
amalgamated. If produced in sufficient quantity, how-
ever, it could be profitably shipped to a smelter. In the
placer mines of Alaska the amount of black sand.' pro-
duced by each operator generally is small. Treatment for
recovery of any gold not ordinarily obtained by classifier
and canvas-table concentration followed by barrel-amal-
gamation of the resulting concentrates, would be profit-
able only when handling large amounts of black sand.
The gold in the enriched product of the finer sand can be,
recovered by barrel-amalgamation.
About 600 tons of cadmium accumulates annually in
this country as dusts and residues, by-products of the
lead and zinc industries, and about 100 tons of metallic
cadmium is recovered from these by-products. If all the
cadmium dusts and residues were treated, the output of
metallic cadmium would be small in comparison to the
19,000 or 20,000 tons of tin annually used in this country
in solder, even if due allowance is made for the fact that
one pound of cadmium can replace from three to five
pounds of tin. Various formulas proposing the substitu-
tion of cadmium for tin in solders are given. On the
whole. American experience with cadmium solders is
promising, and their use for certain purposes seems fair-
ly established. It is known that solders with 10% cad-
mium and 10% of tin can be used, and that the cadmium
content has frequently ranged as high as 30% with 2%
of tin.
Asbestos from Rhodesia is of high quality and is much
in demand by American consumers. Production in
Rhodesia was first reported in" 1909 when 272.5 tons was fai,
produced while in 1919 the output was 9799 tons.
5
I
pe
si
n
hi
III
Bli
November 27, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
771
Re-Opening of the Plymouth Mine and the Results
By W. J. Loring
In 1911 the above property was re-opened by the Cali-
fornia Exploration Company, Ltd., which was organized
for this special purpose.
During a visit to this country from London in 1911, I
was asked by Mrs. Charles D. Lane if I would look into
the matter of acquiring a property then optioned to
Albert Burch. Subsequently, I took over the option from
Mr. Burch, and Messrs. Bewick, Moreing & C'o., mining
engineers of London, through me as their partner formed
the California Exploration Company, Ltd., to which the
option was assigned, and work commenced under the able
supervision of Mr. Burch, who for several years repre-
sented Messrs. Bewick, Moreing & Co. in California.
James F. Parks was appointed superintendent, which
position he held, with distinction to himself and satisfac-
was feared not many months ago that the mill could not
be kept supplied with sufficient ore.
A word about what was found when the water was first
taken from the mine. The vertical shaft, known in the
early days as the Pacific shaft, was 1600 ft. vertical, and
when the California Exploration Company began to un-
water the mine, the water was running from the collar
of the shaft ; therefore, all of the workings were under
water. The mine had not been operated for 24 years, hup
even after this long period of idleness, and taking intjp
consideration, the fact that the main vein of the Mother
Lode passed through the shaft just below the 1200-ft.
level, no considerable, amount of repairing was necessary
to reach the 1600-ft. level, which was the bottom of the
shaft at that time. About fifty sets of timber in the
THE PLYMOUTH STAMP-MILL
tion to his company, up to the time of his death last June.
Unwatering and equipping were commenced late in
1911 and completed on July 30, 1914, at which date the
new 30-stamp mill began operations, after an expenditure
of $960,000. It will be remembered that war was de-
clared by Great Britain on August 4, 1914, less than one
week after the new mill started; therefore, the mine was
operated for about three years before the United States
entered the War. .
BThe first two years working, cost averaged $2.90 per
ton. This first figure has grown steadily until for the
first eight months of 1920, the cost, excluding develop-
ment, has averaged $4.97 per ton, but, including .develop-
ment, $5.99 per ton. The total tonnage treated for six
pears and one month to August 31, 1920, totaled 732,745,
I from which $4,035,932 has been recovered. The profit
aver all expenditure has been $1,119,581. This latter
3gure would have been greatly increased if it had not
■ been for war conditions, which increased the cost of oper-
1 jiting and retarded development to such a point that it
shaft had to be renewed, which cannot be considered ex-
cessive under the circumstances.
Examination of the 1600-ft. level disclosed the fact
that an eastern cross-cut,. 140 ft. long, had intersected the
main vein, which had been driven upon 160 ft., without
finding any ore. An old winze was discovered below the
1600 level, 75 ft. deep, and the bottom of this winze, upon
being cleaned out and sampled, disclosed 28 inches of
quartz assaying $17 per ton. This winze was continued
to the 2000-ft. level, all in ore, at which point 160 ft. .of
drift was completed, all in ore, and at the same time a
drift .south on the 1600 disclosed 260 ft. of ore similar
to that uncovered in the winze, averaging about $6.35 per
ton. In all, about 110,000 tons of ore was reasonably in
sight with good bottoms and fairly good ends, on the
1600 and 2000-ft. levels, with an intermediate level at
the 1850, all of which averaged around $6.35 per ton.
It was evident that a zone of enrichment or recurrence
of ore had been encountered below the 1600 in the new
workings, this being a repetition of the results obtained
772
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 27f 1920 I
in other mines along the Mother Lode, all of which had
been sunk to greater depth than the old Plymouth had
reached, and all of which had encountered zones of im-
poverishment and enrichment, and upon this experience
I recommended the purchase of this property.
It was considered by some prominent engineers at the
time, especially in London, that it was not good policy to
purchase a mine with barely 110,000 tons of ore in sight,
having a gross value of no more than $6.35 per ton, and
at best not over $2 profit per ton, but having regard to
the records of the other large mines on the Mother Lode,
which had encountered, mine after mine, better ground
by deeper sinking, it was my opinion that the purchase
would be profitable to the shareholders.
The result was that the mine has gone on producing
ore profitably until early 1920, when several disappoint-
ments were encountered in the nature of several orebodies
in the mine giving out at depth ; and owing to the fact
that labor has been scarce, due to war conditions, the
development of the mine was retarded to such an extent
that shaft-sinking was slow and for a time it looked as if
the mill would have to stop operations about the end of
1920.
By making a special effort to get the shaft down below
a poor zone encountered at the 2450-ft. level on the main
vein, the shaft was extended from level to level until it
reached 3050 ft., but before reaching this point, lateral
developments disclosed the fact that one or two of the
big ore-shoots had given out, or at least they did not ex-
tend to the levels immediately below ; and as labor was
scarce, it was considered advisable to get the shaft down
with all possible speed with the hope of a recurrence of
ore on the main vein, which, after all, on the Mother Lode
is the one that produces the ore in large quantities when
found, and the one vein that is to be relied upon more
than the foot-wall veins.
The main vein at the 2450 was poor, at the 2600 un-
payable, at the 2750 unpayable, then the shaft was sunk
300 ft. to the 3050, and when the last shot was fired in
the sump a small vein across the north-east corner of the
shaft was uncovered ; it assayed $52 per ton. The shaft
was deepened another ten feet, making it 60 ft. below the
3050 level, which was subsequently opened, from which
point a preliminary cross-cut east was driven, and a vein
ten feet wide, assaying $10 per ton was intersected. Then
the 2900 level was opened and afterward the 3050 level.
The 2900 encountered the main vein, which has been
driven upon for some considerable distance, without find-
ing any well-defined ore-shoot, although encouraging
assays have been obtained in one or two places.
The 8050 level was opened and the distance between a
foot-wall gouge and a hanging-wall gouge represents
about 35 ft. Half this distance was veined with quartz,
assaying considerably over $10 per ton. Drifting upon
this vein was commenced, going south ; it gave out at 40
ft. without being faulted, and it is believed that a shoot
of ore will be found southward, in which direction the
drift is now being advanced.
Drifting northward, the vein narrowed until it was
only two feet wide, but the assays continued to improve
and at 103 ft. the vein is over 12 ft. wide, and the car-
samples average considerably over $20 per ton. Often
the daily assays from car-samples will run over $40 per
ton, and face-samples as high as $80 per ton.
The vein is well-defined, hard, and just as it should be
to produce a big orebody, and from its appearance at the
present moment the ore is expected to continue for some
distance. It must be remembered that this development
is proving an orebody of considerably greater value and
of somewhat different appearance to anything found on
the main vein heretofore, in that it is hard, whereas the
main vein has invariably been soft ; the gold-contents are
considerably higher, and it is anticipated as this vein
continues northward it will produce a large tonnage of
ore of high grade.
It is intended to sink the shaft 600 ft. during the year
1921, opening up four levels if possible during that time.
In order to expedite the opening of additional levels, a
winze is being extended below the 3050 level; this wi
be continued downward, anticipating the various levels
when shaft-sinking has reached these various points, as
the sinking of the shaft will proceed simultaneously with
the sinking of the winze, and for the reason that the ore-
body is directly east of the shaft, it will be easy to de-
velop because there will be required no long cross-cuts or
drifts ; therefore, the discovery of this ore-shoot has not
only been important to the company, but it has surely
been important to the town of Plymouth, which is sup-
ported entirely by the operations at this mine, and it also
proves the persistence in depth of orebodies on the
Mother Lode when geologic conditions are favorable.
No mine on earth could have looked poorer during the
first few months of 1920 than the Plymouth Consoli-
dated, and without making an effort to reach the deeper
ground in this property it would have closed down and
probably have lain idle for a number of years, until some-
body with courage came along to re-open the mine on the
supposition that prompted the Plymouth Consolidated
people to re-open this property in 1911.
The main idea of this article is not for the purpose al-
together of eulogizing those connected with the prop-
erty, or the results obtained for them, but to place on
record publicly the results obtained, so that other oper-
ators on the Mother Lode may know what has been
achieved at the Plymouth Consolidated, thus giving en-
couragement to those who have encountered poor zones
in their mines, and, at the same time, trusting that the
encouragement obtained at Plymouth will stimulate other t
operators to further exertion and deeper sinking.
The Plymouth Consolidated mine has been geologically |sti
examined by Oscar H. Hershey, also by F. C. Merritt,
both geologists of considerable experience, to say nothing
of Malcolm Maclaren, an English geologist of world-wide -
fame, all of whom pronounce the geologic conditions
favorable for the deposition of ore in depth. This advice,
together with persistence on the part of the owners, has
resulted in the giving of new life to an abandoned min-
ing property.
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caber 27, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
773
Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy
The Meeting at Winnipeg
By R. C. Wallace
A year ago there was adopted by the Canadian Insti-
tute of Mining and Metallurgy the policy of holding an
annual meeting in Western Canada as well as the regular
annual meeting in the East. Last November the first
Western meeting was held at Vancouver and the second
meeting was held at Winnipeg during the last week of
October. The papers and discussions were grouped round
two central themes, namely, the mining and marketing of
Western coal and the extent and development of the
metallic resources of northern and eastern Manitoba.
As was natural, therefore, Alberta and Manitoba were
particularly strongly represented at the convention, but
the other provinces of the Dominion, with the exception
of the maritime provinces, were also represented by
delegates.
Speaking for the province of Manitoba at the opening
of the convention in the Fort Garry hotel, the Attorney-
General, T. H. Johnson, emphasized the fact that the
meeting was being held in a province that had no control
over its resources, and invited the members to give serious
consideration to the question of the representations now
being made by the Province for the control of its mineral
and other resources. The same theme was vigorously
dealt with by Edward Brown, the Provincial Treasurer,
at the closing banquet of the meeting while speaking on
'Provincial Policy and Mining Development'. He stated
that no Provincial policy could be inaugurated until the
question of the disposal of the resources in the provinces
of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta was finally set-
tled by the Federal government and that the Province
would continue to insist on settlement until such settle-
ment were satisfactorily concluded. With the initiation
of large undertakings in the development of the copper
industry in the North the representatives of the Province
are keenly alive to the necessity of the control of the
resources being handed over to the Province before any
clear-cut policy of action can be adopted by the Province
itself.
In his thoughtful presidential address, 0. E. S. White-
side emphasized particularly the call for service on the
part of the Institute and its members individually in the
furtherance of the interests of the mining industry in
Canada. He suggested various plans whereby the Insti-
tute could prove itself a still more valuable ally to the
»"";nmg industry by educational propaganda in connec-
n with the industry and its national import to Canada,
rticularly to business men, who, in the Middle West,
• look askance at mining investments, the members of the
Institute could serve as authoritative sources of informa-
tion with reference to the mining industry in any area.
His words were specially applicable to Winnipeg audi-
ences, to whom mining has meant investment in stocks the
value of which they were unable to appreciate and who
had not been made aware of other and more important
aspects of mining investment.
Among the papers relating to Western coal and its
utilization, special reference can only be made to a few
outstanding features. F. W. Gray, editor of the ' Cana-
dian Mining Journal', in dealing with the part played by
Western coalfields in Canadian development, made a
forceful appeal to the coal-consumers of Western Canada
to view the situation from its national and international
aspects. He pointed out that the possession by Western
Canada of 15% of the world's coal will inevitably mean
the gradual predominance of Western Canada in Cana-
dian political and industrial life and the maintaining of
Canada as a whole free from economic, and therefore po-
litical, subservience. First-aid work was dealt with by
D. Macdonald, who discussed and demonstrated safety
apparatus used in the mines of Alberta. The question of
the advisability of having a uniform type of safety appa-
ratus throughout the Provinces was taken up and a com-
mittee appointed to collect data and make recommenda-
tions. H. A. Mackay described the powdered-coal open-
hearth furnaces at the Selkirk rolling-mills, in which
Western coal is used, and stated that the only difficulty
yet to be solved was the protection of the acid lining,
which in present practice was to some extent attacked,
presumably by the fused dust from the coal. Some ques-
tions in connection with the marketing of Western coal
were taken up by D. King, while the resources of Alberta
in general were exhaustively treated by J. A. Allen, who
made some interesting references to the discovery of oil
at Fort Norman in the Mackenzie basin, in connection
with the possibilities of the province of Alberta and the
Northwest Territories as a last great oil-producer of the
continent.
With the exception of a paper on the non-metallic min-
eral deposits of Manitoba by D. C. McArthur, in which he
dealt more particularly with the valuable gypsum de-
posits of the Gypsumville area, the papers and discussion
on the Manitoba field dealt exclusively with the copper
and gold areas of the Province. F. J. Alcock, who has
recently issued, for the Geological Survey of Canada, a
map of the Herb Lake district in which is situated the
Rex, Bingo, Northern Manitoba, and other developed or
partly developed properties, dealt with the gold deposits
of that area from the point of view of their relationship
to the country-rock and in particular to the parent gran-
ite. The Copper Lake area was discussed by J. P. Gordon
774
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 27, li>20 I
who was responsible for the important discovery of last
summer. R. C. "Wallace described the Flin Flon orebody,
its shape and extent, its relationship to the surrounding
country-rock and its origin, and took up some questions
connected with the future development of this important
copper deposit. The Rice Lake district was fully de-
scribed by J. S. DeLury, who is engaged in the prepara-
tion of a bulletin for the Provincial government on that
field. A paper had been prepared by R. J. Colony of
Columbia University on the interesting area in the vicin-
ity of Bear river in which the petrologieal similarity to
the. Sudbury rock-types was fully investigated. G. R.
Bancroft, under whose direction the ore from the Mandy
mine has been transported to Trail, discussed the mining
and the transportation of that ore and gave interesting
details of costs in connection with this unusually difficult
method of transportation.
Apart from the trip on the last afternoon of the. meet-
ing to the Selkirk rolling-mills and steel foundry, by
courtesy of the respective managers, Messrs. Deacon and
Davies, who afforded an opportunity to see powdered-coal
open-hearth and electric-furnace smelting practice, the
iron. and. steel, industry was dealt with in two papers:
H. E. Knobel discussed fully the utilization of Ontario
iron ores for Canadian furnaces and more particularly
the policy of establishing an iron and steel industry at
the head of the Great Lakes. F. A. Fahrenwald of Cleve-
land dealt with alloys and more particularly non-cor-
rosive steels, a subject in which he himself is responsible
for important discoveries and advances.
The business sessions were well attended throughout, as
were also the more popular evening sessions. At the
Smoker, interesting- moving pictures were shown of water-
power resources and scenes in central British Columbia
and on the Pacific Coast by R. C. W. Lett and C. F. Att-
wood; At 'the second evening session an illustrated talk
was given by R. G. Wallace on the history, settlement, and
development of Northern Manitoba, while at the banquet.
which concluded the proceedings, the speakers included
Edward Brown, the Provincial Treasurer, Mayor Gray
of Winnipeg, President Lovatt of the British America
Coal Co., J. A. Campbell, and T. R. Deacon. Local busi-
ness men came most closely in touch with the Institute
meeting and with the members at a largely attended
luncheon given by the Canadian Club at which the main
topics of the meeting and their importance to the busi-
ness men of the city were especially emphasized.
From time to time the question of the regulations deal-
ing with royalty on Federal lands has been up for dis-
cussion before the Manitoba branch of the Institute and
the parent body. According to Federal regulations, no
royalty is to be imposed on copper and allied metals
mined on Federal lands until 1921. After that date the
amount of royalty to be imposed will be at the discretion
of the Governor-General in Council. It has been foreseen
for some time that with the development of an important
copper-mining industry in Northern Manitoba, the in-
definiteness of the clauses relating to royalty would pre-
sent a difficulty to investors who proposed to embark on
large development projects in northern areas. With the
impending development of the Flin Flon orebody this
matter has become acute, and a committee was formed at
the meeting to discuss the whole question and to formu-
late a resolution. This resolution, which was passed
unanimously, requested that for a further period of teD
years, that is, until the beginning of 1931, no royalty be
imposed on copper or allied metals produced from Fed-
eral lands and that it be now decided on what basis and
as far as possible to what degree royalties be imposed
after that date. It was felt by the committee and the
Institute that the period of time suggested was sufficient
to make possible the establishing of a copper industry on
a large scale such as at the Flin Flon property and the
solving of the metallurgical difficulties therein involved
before the State tax became incident, and, moreover, that
the declaration of the policy with reference to royalty at
an early date would make explicit an item of cost that at
the present time is indefinite.
Steam-Electric Project in So.uth Africa
Kimberley and its surrounding mines have long at-
tracted the interest of engineers as a centre for the con-
sumption of cheap power, and the Government Inspector
of Machinery for the district in his last annual report
says he believes that a scheme is on the tapis to erect a
power-station at the Kroonstad colliery, and transmit the
electric power generated there through the Orange Free
State, by way of Boshof. Koffiefontein, and Jagersfon-
tein, says a recent- issue of 'The South African Mining
& Engineering Journal'. A line, either direct or branch,
will come to Kiniberle}-. Over a year ago a Kroonstad
colliery electric-power scheme was suggested, but was
then ridiculed by the man who is now doing his utmost
to have it carried out. Such a scheme is of first impor-
tance to the Kroonstad Colliery Co., whose product, as a
steam coal, is of low quality, and therefore cannot hope
to compete with the higher-class coal of the country ex-
cept at points close to the mine. The scheme is capable
of expansion, and would, it is thought, be a strong factor,
if developed to its full capacity, in liberating much of
the latent wealth' of this district. There is a plentiful
supply of good water available within five miles of the
mine, a weir across the Vaal being all that is necessary
to ensure the supply of that essential commodity. De
Beers Consolidated Mines, Ltd., even on that company's
present electric requirements, would consume approxi-
mately 8000 kw. New Jagersfontein would require al-
most as much, as cheap power would be a strong incen-
tive to that company to centralize on a direct-treatment ■.
plant to deal with the whole of the ground mined.
Koffiefontein Diamond Mine, Blaauwbosch Diamonds, :
New Eland Diamonds, Roberts Victor Diamonds, all on c
the route, would, it is thought, require approximately
2000 kw. to satisfy their requirements. An electric rail-
way from Koffiefontein to Fourteen Streams or Vierfon-' tj
tein would be brought within the range of possibility
were such a scheme as that under consideration an accom-
plished fact.
''
Novrmli.T '-'7. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
REVIE\# OP MINING
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FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS IN THE FIELD
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ALASKA
HIGH COSTS AT NOME.
Cape Prince of Wales. The Lost Eiver Tin Mining
Co. has undertaken work on rather a large scale. While
the property has been under development for some 17
years, only recently have considerable operations been
initiated for the opening of the deposits. The shaft now
is down 300 ft. In sinking it was necessary first to pene-
R. Roper, of Nome, states that the production has fallen
off chiefly owing to the high cost of transportation.
Freight is $19 per ton, lighterage $13 per ton. and
wharfage $1.50 per ton. Coal in the yard is $46 per ton,
which makes gold mining practically prohibitive. Mr.
Roper, who is interested in dredging, says that operations
of this character are going ahead on a large scale where
conditions are suitable. Among the miners and pros-
JUNEAU, ALASKA. ACROSS GASTINEAU CHANNEL IS DOUGLAS ISLAND
trate the tundra and afterward the glacial ice, which is
some feet thick. The Eskimo laborers are not satisfac-
tory. Those employed in the mine work spasmodically
land lately have been becoming more than ever inde-
pendent because of the high prices to be obtained for
jthe skins of fur-bearing animals. As a fox-skin brings
Jthe Eskimo from $35 to $40 and as some of them trap
las many as from 75 to 80 in a season it is not hard to
understand their disinclination to work as miners.
1 Nome. — Referring to placer mining in Alaska, Milton
pectors interest is being manifested in the possibilities
of placer mining on the Siberian coast.
ARIZONA
DEVELOPMENT WORK AT THE IRON CAP PROPERTY. ARIZONA
STANDARD IS BUILDING NEW LEACHING-PLANT.
Globe. — The Inspiration Copper Co. has posted notices,
effective at onee, concerning four contests for prizes in
first-aid work, open to all employees of the company, and
to be held on or about the following dates : December 1,
776
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 27, 1920
1920. February 1, April 1, and June 1, 1921. In each
contest there must be at least three contesting teams of
six men each, and the prize will go to the team making
the best record, providing that a reasonable standard of
skill is reached. The prizes will be in the form of a pay-
ment of .$5 per month to each member of the winning
teams for periods of from twelve to six months. The con-
tests also include the Old Dominion Copper Co. and the
International Smelter Co. The shaft at the Iron Cap
mine has been sunk to a depth of 1552 ft., with stations
cut at the 1400 and 1500-ft. levels. On the 1500-ft. level
the Old Dominion vein was found to be 30 ft. wide. The
company has not developed the 1400 and 1500-ft. levels
yet, as it is the policy to keep ore requirements about two
years ahead of mining operations, and that much ore is
blocked out already. The concentrator at the Iron Cap
is handling about 300 tons per day, the mill not running
Sundays.
The International smelter is handling about the same
tonnages as in the last few months, its production being
dependent on the output of the various mines in the dis-
trict. New work at the Miami mine is confined to equip-
ping and deepening No. 5 shaft. Mining in the district
continues on the same basis as in the past month, and
there has been no further curtailment. All operating
mines are in good physical condition, and the various
managements are following a conservative policy of de-
velopment and equipment.
Kopa. — The King of Arizona, one of the famous old
gold mines of the State, has been taken over by New York
interests and re-named the New Bang of Arizona. Dur-
ing the last few months active development work has been
in progress, a good tonnage of ore has been blocked out.
and the construction of a mill is being undertaken.
Prescott. — The Philadelphia Mining Co. has taken
over the "War Eagle Gladiator property at Crown King,
on a five-year lease. As the Philadelphia mine is ad-
jacent to this property, it is planned to run a cross-cut
tunnel from the Philadelphia into the War Eagle Gladi-
ator vein that will tap the vein at a level several hundred
feet below the present deepest workings. The ore con-
tains gold and silver with some copper.
The Arizona Standard Co., whose property is situated
about 14 miles north-east of Preseott, is bringing in ma-
chinery for a 125-ton leaching-plant and power and other
machinery for a 250-ton crushing-plant. T. J. Carrigan,
general manager for the company, said that leaching is
coming to be recognized as the best method for handling
carbonate and oxide ores. There is a large tonnage of
such ore on the property, containing from 3% to 7%
copper.
Bisbee. — Small hope for improvement next year in the
present copper market, was expressed by Walter Douglas,
president of the Phelps Dodge Corporation, on his ar-
rival here from New York. Mr. Douglas said that the
Phelps Dodge Corporation will undertake no expansion
or construction work under present conditions, and that
it will be compelled to economize at every possible point
in order to continue production.
colorado
'new' process to be tried in leadville district mill. —
several lessees will work during the winter at
ROSITA.
Aspen. — The Etcetera mine on Castle creek operated
by the Hurricane Leasing Co. is producing high-grade
ore from a flat vein opened by an inclined shaft and
tunnel. A 20-ton shipment recently was settled for at
$175 per ton silver-lead content. The property lies west
of the main lime contact.
Breckenridge. — The Blue Flag Gold Mining Co. is in-
stalling new equipment in its Laurium mill. The mill-
bins are filled and the plant will commence treatment
very shortly. Development continues at the mine and a
recent examination by the company's engineer resulted
in a favorable report as to ore conditions. Work on the
placer holdings has included reinforcement of the dam
for protection against spring floods. Many companies
and lease-operators are laying in supplies for winter
operations.
Cripple Creek. — The new drill-hole in the east end of
the district, driven at a 45° incline, is down about 265
ft. in badly fractured ground. Progress is slow. Inter-
esting developments are looked for in the next 500 ft. as
the Blovia phonolite dike-system and spurs should be
cross-cut by the drill. Important development is in
progress at the Vindicator, in virgin territory south and
east of the shaft. Small pockets of rich ore have been
found and prospects for the opening up of extensive ore-
bodies are considered excellent.
The Granite company and its lessees are producing and
shipping a good grade of ore to the Golden Cycle mill
from the Dillon, Dead Pine, and Upper Granite proper-
ties on Battle mountain. Drifting east toward the Cres-
son, the Blue Flag Gold Mining Co. is prospecting
toward the Cresson with promise of soon entering a
richer zone. The vein as now broken is a low-grade mill
product. The Blue Flag is equipped with a milling plant
not in operation at this time. Owing to poor ventilation
during the recent heavy snow storms, work in the 1400
and 1200-ft. levels has been temporarily discontinued
and is confined to the 800-ft. level.
Leadville. — A new process, controlled by Joseph T.
Terry, for treatment of low-grade and complex ores will
be tried at the Leadville District mill. Tests made on
ores from the Yak tunnel are reported to have resulted
satisfactorily. Mr. Terry has, it is claimed, secured right
and title to the mill. Recent, shipments of silver-gold ore
from the Dinero tunnel, in the Sugar Loaf section, have
brought settlement at the rate of 150 oz. silver and 0.31
oz. gold for two cars; two care settled at 37 oz. silver,
0.21 oz. gold, and one car 55 oz. silver, 0.19 oz. gold.
Work continues at the Gertrude at Sugar Loaf, but pro-
duction and shipments to date have been light,
PiOsita. — Work will be continued during the winter by
the Palonia Leasing Co. on the Palonia. Twenty Six M. &
M. Co. on the '26", Fowler M. & D. Co. on the Annie,
and by lessees on the Leavenworth and Pioneer group.
mber 27. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
777
All are former producers of high-grade silver ore.
Among the newer properties now operating are the
Stevens, Little Jonuy. and Sunset. The Palonia was
nipping last week. Work is scheduled to continue dur-
ing the winter months on the properties named.
su.ida. — The Ohio smelter at this point has been taken
over by Eastern interests represented by Everly M.
Davis, of New York, who is also identified with the
Rawley mine at Bonanza. A tramway will be construct-
ed connecting the Rawley with the D. & R. G. railway at
Shirley about 12 miles from Salida. from which point
train service will facilitate the delivery of ore at the
smelter. Large reserves of silver-eopper-lead ore have
been developed, assuring a supply to keep the Ohio
smelter in operation for a long period.
MICHIGAX
FURTHER WAGE-REDUCTIONS. WOLVERINE AND MOHAWK
INCREASE OUTPUT.
Calumet. — Following the announcement of the Calu-
met & Heela and subsidiary companies of a 15%. cut in
wages and the closing of the Osceola Consolidated,
Osceola branch of the C. & H., White Pine, and La Salle.
the management of Mohawk and Wolverine has posted
notices of a 15% wage-cut, effective in all departments.
The Stanton mines, however, will not reduce their work-
ing forces. Instead they will build up their underground
department to the pre-war basis. This will absorb some
of the several hundred men laid off by the Calumet &
Hecla. No announcement of a wage-cut or curtailment
has been made by any of the other mines, although it
would not be surprising, in view of the stagnant condi-
tion of the copper market, if wages were reduced. A
reduction of working forces, however, is scarcely looked
for by men conversant with the situation. Most of the
mines have curtailed as much as possible and further
reductions would cause disorganization.
Mohawk and Wolverine are practically the only mines
that have no copper at the smelters and prospective busi-
ness, it is stated, is sufficient to take the output for the
next 60 days. If these orders materialize, Mohawk and
Wolverine will close the year with no surplus and even
on the low market that has prevailed during the past
month both mines have at least been 'breaking even'.
The Copper Range mines are carrying about the same
surplus as was reported at the end of 1919 and Quincy's
shipments have been far below normal. It is estimated
that Calumet & Heela will close the year with 30,000,000
lb. of copper or very close to the surplus reported at the
end of last year. Calumet & Heela has filled most of its
current orders and but little business is in sight for the
remainder of November, a month in which shipments are
ordinarily heavy, for the close of the lake-shipping means
that the higher rates for rail-delivery add to the cost of
the metal. The company has just shipped 150 tons of
ingot bars for export and 350 tons of metal for New
England customers, completing its largest orders for the
present.
Wolverine and Mohawk 'rock' tonnage has been in-
creasing to such an extent during the past two weeks
that the operation of one stamp in the Wolverine mill
has become necessary. For the past six months, the com-
bined production of the two properties has been stamped
in the Mohawk mill, with one head allotted to Wolverine
'rock'. With the improvement in the labor situation, an
increase of about 15% in output has resulted and Mo-
hawk 'rock' now will require slightly more than three
heads. Both mines now are operating at about 80% of
normal and unless unforeseen events occur, it will be pos-
sible to return to normal before the first of the year.
Normal production for Mohawk is about 2400 tons of
rock daily and for Wolverine, 1200 tons. Mohawk has
been down as low as 1800 and Wolverine to 600 tons
during the slump in the metal market. It now is the in-
tention to take on more underground men until produc-
tion is back on the pre-war basis. As soon as the men
are taken on and the output warrants it, a second head
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in the Wolverine mill will be started. It is likely that
many of the men let out by the Calumet & Hecla will find
places at Wolverine or Mohawk.
Wolverine has started the use of a level-scraper ia
one of its shafts and it is measuring up to the fullest ex-
pectations. In fact it is operating so satisfactorily that
it is planned to build others. As soon as the underground
force is built up to normal, it is the intention to explore
several veins, other than the Kearsarge, running through
the property. Lodes on the 13th level, west, and the 28th,
east, will be opened by drifting. The first is the Kear-
sarge conglomerate, which revealed traces of copper in a
cross-cut. There is no assurance that the vein will be
foimd to have commercial value, but the appearance of
it at a point of contact warrants exploration, and the
only manner in which the vein can be thoroughly tested
is by drifting. On the 28th level two or three lodes were
penetrated by a cross-cut. Ten or fifteen feet of drifts
were put in each one and one of the veins is believed to
have possibilities. The introduction of mechanical scrap-
ers may be a factor in the development of new lodes on
Wolverine lands, for it will result in a material reduction
in costs and make it possible to mine leaner lodes profit-
ably. There is little hope that either Mohawk or Wol-
verine ever will be able to use an automatic shovel of
large dimensions, for the lode is too flat. Accordingly,
778
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 27, 1920
"Wolverine at least will confine its efforts to the further
perfection of the scrapers only.
Mayflower-Old Colony has completed its west cross-cut,
driven from the south drift. It has penetrated the foot-
wall trap and a cross-cut now has been started to the
east, with the hanging wall as the objective. At a dis-
tance of 13 ft. from the drift, the showing is described as
very good. The south drift is proceeding intermittently
and at a distance of 310 ft. from the shaft exceptionally
encouraging mineralization has been disclosed. The raise
being put through the conglomerate lode in the cross-cut
east from the north drift is still in the formation at a
height of 15 ft. The showing thus far on the 1700-ft.
level is better in the south drift than elsewhere. If it is
finally determined that the ground south of the shaft is
commercial, Mayflower will have a long stretch or terri-
tory to mine, for the property limits are about a mile
south of the shaft and the western boundary is nearly a
mile distant.
A test of Gratiot rock is about to be made by the
Seneca Mining Co. An initial shipment of 533 tons has
been sent to the Baltic mill of the Copper Range Con-
solidated, where Seneca rock is occasionally stamped.
The result of the test will be awaited with considerable
interest. Seneca makes a shipment of a few cars now and
then during the course of development work and the rock
is said to be yielding a satisfactory return.
NEVADA
THE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY RETURNS MILL TO
CONSOLIDATED.
Eureka. — Work in the Locan shaft, on Ruby hill, has
been suspended for more than a week, owing to the break-
ing of one of the cylinders of the big air-compressor. It
has been replaced with a new one. At. the Eureka-Holly
mine ore is being stoped, while the shaft is being sunk
deeper. High-grade ore is being shipped to the smelter.
The excavation for the new mill has been started 120 ft.
north from the main shaft, and the machinery has nearly
all been delivered. Four cars of fuel-oil for the semi-
Deisel engine at the hoisting-plant have likewise arrived.
H. R. Layng, of San Francisco, has arrived in Eureka
and has taken charge of the building of the mill at the
Holly mine. The ore will be treated by a volatilization
method. The company's teams have been hauling ore
from the Eureka-Croesus mine to the Eureka-Nevada
railroad during the week and will probably continue as
long as the weather will permit. The management re-
ports good shipping-ore in the No. 7 and 8 winzes and in
the raise, on the shale and also good results from pros-
pecting in the adjacent limestone. In the Uncle Sam
mine, work is progressing satisfactorily along the main
fissure, except that the night shift has been suspended
because of bad air. This will be remedied by the instal-
lation of air-pipes and the night shift will go on again
as usual. The fissure has one wall heavily stained with
iron oxide, and at one point on the surface shows some
ore, raking toward the face of the drift.
Goldfield. — The Goldfield Development Co. has turned
back to the Goldfield Consolidated Mines Co. the Con-
solidated mill, which had been held under lease for more
•than a year, and it is reported that the Development
has abandoned all of the big plans for mining and mill-
ing that were announced in March 1919 by A. I. D'Arcy,
general manager. It appears to be the general opinion
in well-informed mining circles on the coast that the
Development enterprise has failed and it is said that
only enough of the 1000-ton mill will be left standing for
possible treatment of the tailing by the Consolidated.
The Development has had a short and checkered career,
during which it has passed from the heights of promised
success to the depth of generally recognized failure. On 1
February 1, 1919, H. G. McMahon, as trustee for a cor-
poration then being organized and later known as the
Goldfield Development Co., acquired the properties in
Goldfield of the Consolidated, with the exception of the
mill, which was taken over later. The company for a
short time gave the mines over to sub-lessees and early
in March the plans for 'glory-holing' the Combination
were announced. The block to be mined was said to be
1000 ft. long, 40 ft. wide, and to extend to the 380-ft.
level. The average value of the ore, practically all stope-
filling, was estimated at $5.60 per ton. Later in March
an estimate of 1,500,000 tons of ore in this block was
made. The cost of putting the mine and mill in condition
was given as $75,000 and the profit to be derived from the
1,500,000 tons of ore was placed at $3,000,000. The sale
of stock was then commenced, a special appeal being
made to shareholders in the Consolidated. In June it
was reported that L. E. Whicher, of New York, had
formed a syndicate and had taken a large interest in the
company, which was said to have $100,000 in the treas-
ury. Many publications, quoting officials of the com-
pany, gave optimistic news, and the mill was to have
been started on July 1. On June 13 it was announced
that Whicher had bought the Florence and had leased
the Reilly block to the Development, the officials of
which said the block contained 500,000 tons of ore that
could be milled with that in the Combination, according
to reports published at that time. About this time two
blasts were fired in the Red Top in ore that was said to
be 300 ft. long, 60 ft. wide, and 165 ft. thick. The av-
erage value of 3000 tons said to have been broken in the
first blast was made public as $22.40 and the second was
reported to have broken 6000 tons of $23.80 ore. On
August 15 the first ore for the mill was to have left the
Laguna shaft. It was in August that D'Arcy, after
issuing the report that has since been made the subject
of much controversy, resigned as consulting engineer for
the Tonopah Divide to give all of his time to the manage-
ment of the Development. The first apparent difficulty
came in September, when the working force was cut
during the Tonopah-Divide strike because of "poor
financial conditions". This, coming at a time when the
company was thought by the public to be well financed,
caused wonder, which was entirely relieved when
D'Arcy, after a trip to New York with McMahon,
announced in November that they had arranged for re-
November 27. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
779
financing the company. The details of the plan by which
the company was to be iv -financed were never announced,
but it became generally known in the East and on the
Pacific Coast that about this time Whicher severed what-
ever connection he may have had or had planned to have
with McMahon and D'Arcy. This he is understood to
have done on advice of his engineer, F. Sommer Schmidt.
D'Arcy said in a detailed report issued at this time:
'"Work on mill repair and construction has already com-
menced. It is 85% complete at the present time for a
tonnage output of 650 tons daily. Completion of the
other 15% requires only 30 days. Naturally enough, we
shall lose no time in reaching a 2000-ton daily output
after the mill begins to operate." The "development and
construction" expense to October 28, 1919, was given as
$100,000. The cost of increasing the capacity of the
mill from 1000 to 2000 tons was estimated at $205,000.
"The management has found it necessary to re-finance
the company and it will be able to report to stockholders
within a few days that it has arranged the necessary new
financing which will permit the carrying out of the full
program as outlined." D'Arcy was quoted early in
February as saying the mill would start treating 500 tons
daily on April 1, but before that date a 3c. assessment
was levied because of "adverse financial conditions". A
financial statement issued with the notice of assessment,
which was delinquent on April 3, gave as $127,000 the
cost of construction, equipment, and mining. Finally the
mill was started on June 16 of this year and, after it had
operated for less than two months, assessment No. 2 was
levied "for the purpose of creating a surplus to meet
operating costs up to September 15, at which time re-
turns should well exceed expenses and the operation show
■a tangible profit". A statement issued with the notice
of assessment said that to July 30 there had been de-
livered to the mill 4800 tons of ore of a gross value of
$9.50 per ton. The net profit was given as $12,000, but
"the major portion of the values now in solution will not
he produced in the form of bullion until the final clean-
up". Continuing, the statement said : "Promising mine
developments continue and I trust that the shareholders
approve of our policy of starting milling operations on
this small but profitable scale, gradually working up to
the fulfilment of our original plans of a large tonnage
daily of lower grade ore. ' ' This was the last report made
by the company. The Deep Mines has suspended opera-
tions following labor trouble, but it is said work will be
resumed in the spring. Nothing has been heard recently
from the Yellow Tiger, which suspended operations
| shortly after levying an assessment. The present status
llof the operations may be the end of an interesting
chapter of Nevada mining. The Development company,
after riding on the crest of good reports, now apparently
has passed away without even a eulogy.
Pioche. — The Black Metals Mining Co. has opened a
body of high-grade carbonate on the 300-ft. level of the
Day mine. Grab-samples of the ore show 30 oz. silver
and 15.7% lead. Ore shipments from this district for
the week ending November 13 totaled 2760 tons.
UTAH
UTAH COPPER CO.'S REPORT FOR THffiD QUARTER. — NEW ORB
FOUND IN EUREKA HILL MINE.
Salt Lake City. — At a meeting of the Utah section
of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers on
November 16, L. B. Fuller and J. B. Ambler were ap-
pointed to draft the proposed State license law for all
engineers engaged in public work. The proposed law
will be presented to the State Legislature, when it con-
venes in January, for consideration.
Articles of incorporation have been filed with the
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Secretary of State by the Minerals Salt Corporation, the
capitalization of which is $500,000, divided into 5000
shares of a par value of $100 each. The company owns
deposits of sodium sulphate on the south shore of the
Great Salt Lake, and a preliminary plant is now being
constructed. The products of the plant will be Glaubers
salt and salt-cake. The officers of the new company are :
R. F. Geoghegan, president ; R. H. Jones, vice-president ;
Lawrence Clayton, secretary; N. "W. Clayton, treasurer;
E. L. Sheets, A. C. Danie, and Oscar "W. Moyle, addi-
tional directors.
The Utah Copper Co. has released its fiftieth quarterly
report, covering the third quarter of 1920. During that
period there was treated at the Arthur plant 1,497,900
dry tons, an increase of 69,300 tons as compared with the
second quarter. The ore averaged 1.079% copper and
the extraction was 7.6.57%, as compared with 1.213%
copper and 82.8%, respectively, for the preceding quar-
780
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 27, I960
ter. The decrease in heading was due to the large quan-
tity of low-grade ore shipped from the upper steam-
shovel levels. The total production of copper for the
quarter was 25,331,217 lb., as compared with 29,004,381
lb. for the second quarter. The average cost per pound
of net copper produced was 17.156c, as compared with
13.697c. for the second quarter; these costs being ex-
clusive of credits for gold, silver, and miscellaneous in-
come. The value of the gold and silver was $178,683,
and the miscellaneous income amounted to $153,332.
These items combined are equal to 1.377c. per pound of
copper produced. The net profit for the quarter was
$502,953, and after the payment ef a dividend on Sep-
tember 30. the deficit was $1,933,781, as compared with
a deficit of $196,265 for the second quarter. The earn-
ings are computed on a basis of 15.791e. for copper ; this
low carrying price being due to the small sales during
the quarter and the increase in copper on hand carried
at 13.5c. per pound.
Alta. — Operations on the Little Cottonwood Trans-
portation Co. "s railroad were suspended on November 15,
according to Shand Smith, manager. The railroad runs
from Wasatch to Alta. The last three miles of the track
to the mines is covered with four or five feet of snow, and
the expense of keeping the line open was not justified.
During the season, approximately 7000 tons of ore was
shipped over the road, practically all of which came from
the South Heela. Michigan-Utah. Emma Silver. Colum-
bus-Rexall, and Sells properties. Owing to weather con-
ditions, the Columbus-Bexall property was able to haul
ore only 14 days during October, and none at all during
November. The mine force has been kept busy on ex-
ploratory work in the meantime. M. R. Evans, general
manager for the company, states that ore awaiting ship-
ment at the mine averaged 52 oz. silver, 21% lead, and
4.4% copper, or a net value of about $70 per ton. Mr.
Evans reports that the mine is in excellent physical con-
dition, and that there are a half dozen stopes from which
ore of commercial grade can be extracted.
Park City. — At the old Daly mine, now under the con-
trol of the Judge Mining & Smelting Co., Oscar Friendly,
superintendent, is now mapping out a system of develop-
ment to explore virgin territory. A clean-up shipment,
consisting of 50 tons of spelter, was made by the Judge
smelter, after which the employees were transferred to
other work. It is reported that the smelter will resume
operations in the spring. Shipments from this district
for the week ending November 13 totaled 1818 tons, of
which the Silver King Coalition shipped 584; Ontario,
519; Judge properties. 500; Keystone, 165; Judge
smelter, 50 tons of premium spelter.
Recently a seam of high-grade ore was uncovered in a
new portion of the workings at the Park-Utah property,
which has been opened to a width of about 30 in. This
makes four shoots of ore at this property, ranging in
width from one to four feet, all averaging better than
50 oz. silver. The company has an efficient crew of work-
men, and will continue development during the winter.
At the Ontario property, the new orebody discovered on
the 1700-ft. level has been opened for a length of 80 ft.
The ore is understood to be of high grade.
Eureka. — Recently a new orebody was opened by
lessees in the Eureka Hill mine after considerable devel-
opment work had been done through the workings of the
Centennial-Eureka company, which adjoins the Eureka
Hill. Four cars of silver-lead ore have been shipped,
averaging about $40 per ton. This ore was found on the
900-ft. level, in close proximity to the New Year channel,
which was a heavy producer of high-grade ore in the
early days. In the Gemini mine, also adjoining the
Eureka Hill, an orebody is being developed at a point
40 ft. below the 900-ft. level, close to the boundary line
between the two properties.
During the week ending November 13, the Tintic
Standard shipped 46 cars of ore ; Chief Consolidated, 37 ;
Dragon. 16; Eagle & Blue Bell. 13; Iron Blossom, 6;
Iron King, 5 ; Victoria. 4 ; Grand Central, 4 ; Gemini, 3 ;
Swansea. 3 ; Centennial-Eureka. 3 ; Bullion Beck, 1 ;
Ridge & Valley, 1 ; Tintic Mill, 1 ear of bullion, making
a total of 145 cars.
For some months past, work has been under vray in the
east drift on the 900-ft. level at the Apex Standard Min-
ing Co., and the face is now in dolomitie lime. The drift
is now about 400 ft. from the shaft, and previous to tak-
ing up this .work, a drift was sent toward the north,
where several bunches of ore were cut. An effort was
made to drive a raise from the north drift, but after it
had reached a point 40 ft. above the level, work was.
stopped, owing to the excessive heat.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
INFLUX OF MINERS TO THE SLOCAN AND WINDERMERE
DISTRICTS.
Stewart. — H. A. Guess, of the American Smelting
& Refining Co., is quoted as saying that the develop-
ment of the Premier property has disclosed actual ore,
and the possibility of a greater tonnage than has yet
been proved. Development meets optimistic expectations.
He refers to the plans being made to ship over the snow
during the winter and stated that the muddy condition
of the road during the summer made the transport of
ore to the Coast impracticable. Two caterpillar tractors-
and sleds will be provided as soon as the trail hardens.
The water-power plant at the Premier will be in opera-
tion in less than a month, permitting the utilization of
larger compressors and more rapid progress in the de-
velopment and exploratory work now under way. The-
cyanide mill will be completed and in operation early
next year.
Windermere. — There has been a considerable revival
of mining in this district. E. J. Fader has completed a
600-ft. tramway, connecting the new ore-bunkers with
the working tunnel at the Bunyan mine. New bunk-
houses that will accommodate 150 men are in course of
erection, but, owing to the difficulty of getting supplies
during the winter these will not be finished until spring.
The ore is taken by 6-ton auto-trucks from the bunkers;
to the railway at Windermere. About 30 men are em-
November 21. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
781
ployed at the mine, which is all that can be accommo-
dated at the present time. Australian interests are open-
ing the Isaac mine, at Briseo, and are re-opening the
Nip-and-Tuck. From the latter property a considerable
amount of ore has been taken, and is being packed to the
road for shipment to Trail. The ore is said to assay $50
per ton. Thomas Masterman is in charge of both proper-
ties. The Paradise, at Athalmer, which is the 'stand-by'
of the district, has been shipping steadily to Trail for
pome time past.
Moyte. — A rich ore-shoot has been opened at thi Si -
ciety Girl mine, and ore is being- mined for shipment to
the smelter. This property was re-opened only last
August, after a prolonged period of idleness. Work will
be continued through the winter.
NELSON. — The strike instigated by the One Big Union
in the Sloean district last spring has been definitely-
broken by a flood of unskilled labor pouring into the dis-
trict from the Canadian prairies. The Noble Five mine,
which has been scratching along with between 20 and 30
men now has a full crew of 70 men. Fortunately the com-
pany has recently completed its new bunk-bouse, which,
incidentally, is by far the best of its kind in the interior.
It is electrically lighted, steam -heated, and contains
shower-baths supplied with hot and cold water and an
excellent reading-room, so now the company' is able to
house the new men in a way that is likely to keep them
contented. The Rambler-Cariboo. McAllister, Roseberry-
Surprise, and Bosun all have full crews, so during the
remaining six weeks of the year the Sloean is likely to
give a good account of itself. The output of the district
this year will be only one-third of what it has been
during the last few years. It is unfortunate for the
mine-owners of the district that they have not been able
to take advantage of the high metal prices, especially
that of silver, that has ruled of late. The Associated
Boards of Trade of Eastern British Columbia has wired
to the Canadian premier to ask the reason for the recent
advance in coal and coke prices, and has requested a sus-
pension of the Coal Commissioner's order pending an in-
quiry. It is stated that the increase in the price of fuels
has caused an increase of 50c. per ton in the ore-smelting
charge at Trail.
Trail. — The feature of recent operations at the smelter
has been the increase in the production of the Consoli-
dated M. & S. Co. mines. Out of a total amount of
11,149 tons, received during the first week in November,
the company's mines contributed 10,350 tons. The other
shippers were : Florence, Princess Creek, 104 tons ; Horn
Silver, Similkameen, 48 ; Iron Mask, Kamloops, 46 ; Josie,
Rossland, 286 ; Knob Hill, Republic, 41 ; tons ; North
Star, Kimberley, 173; Sally, Beaverdell, 40; and White
Bear, Rossland, 61.
Fatrview. — High-grade ore has been found at the
Submarine Extension. The Submarine mine, formerly
the Lone Pine mine, is Just south of the international
boundary. The lode strikes north-east and south-west,
and the new discovery has been made on the British
Columbia side of the international boundary. Although
details of the new find are not yet to hand, it is said to
!«■ tin- most important discovery that has been made in
tin- district for a long time.
Barkeipville. — Representatives of New York capital-
ists have made an examination of the ground around Wil-
liams creek, with a view to testing its dredging possibili-
ties. A thorough test of the ground is to be made by
drilling, and if this should give as promising results as
surrii-ial tests indicate, a dredge is to be put on the creek
next year. Thomas Blair, brother of the well-known
merchant, has been prospecting quartz lodes at Proser-
pine mountain ; a recent assay of ore taken from the bot-
tom of a 17-ft. shaft gave a return of $17 per ton in gold
and silver. It is generally believed here that if a branch
line were built to connect with the Pacific Great Eastern
WAREHOUSE AT VICTORIA MINE, SAN LUIS POTOSI
at Quesnel, a distance of only 60 miles, there would be a
revival of alluvial-gold mining in this district, as it is
generally conceded that there is a considerable amount of
ground that could be worked profitably with a dredge,
and the branch railroad would enable heavy machinery
to be brought in easily.
Vancouver. — A matter of scientific, rather than com-
mercial, interest has been the discovery of an 18-in. seam
of coal in the heart of the city. While driving a tunnel
underneath one of the main traffic arteries the seam was
cut, and some workmen have filled sacks and taken the
coal home. It is said to burn brightly and give a good
heat.
ONTARIO
REPORT OP KIRKLAND LAKE DEVELOPMENTS. GOVERNMENT
TO TEACH PROSPECTORS.
Porcupine. — The Dome Mines Co. has increased its
working forces by the arrival of 109 Cornish miners
brought from England under a four-months contract,
which has enabled the company considerably to increase
the scope of its underground operations.
Owing to the order-in-council of the Provincial govern-
ment declaring mining claims on which the tax of five
cents per acre had not been paid to be forfeited, a number
of claim holders have lost their properties. The most
762
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 27, 1920
valuable of these was known as the Little Pet, situated
within half a mile of the Dome, on which $100,000 had
been spent in development and the installation of a small
mill, which was thrown open and re-staked. It is stated
that the owners were unaware of the tax. The action of
the Government is strongly condemned in mining circles
as likely to discourage investments.
Kirkland Lake. — A special report by Frank L.
Culver, president of the Kirkland Lake mine, states that
cross-cutting for 110 ft. on the 900-ft. level has picked up
an ore-zone 35 ft. in width. Drifting in this zone, on the
hanging-wall side, they found ore with assay-gold con-
tent in sulphides, running from $15 to $42, and in drift-
ing on the foot-wall side free-gold ore, special assays of
which yielded $37 and $122. Channel assays for 5 ft.
across the face of the drift averaged $52. Ore from this
level is now being treated at the mill. The finding of this
ore on the 900-ft. level proves the orebody to persist from
the 200-ft. level downward for 700 feet.
West Shining Tree. — The management of the Atlas
has decided to install a four-drill compressor and under-
take development on a more comprehensive scale, includ-
ing the sinking of the main shaft several hundred feet.
The proved mineralized zone has been considerably ex-
tended since spring.
Cobalt. — By curtailing certain branches of work, the
supply of power in the Cobalt district is believed to be
adequate to assure operation of the mines throughout the
winter. At the time of writing, only one producing mine,
the Beaver Consolidated, has closed down. This was due
in part to a break in the crusher that, combined with
power-shortage, led to a decision to curtail work until
repairs are made and to resume at such time as power-
supply becomes more satisfactory. The National Min-
■■ ing Corporation (1920), Ltd., has purchased an interest
in the White Reserve mine at Maple Mountain in the
Elk Lake district. J. B. Tyrrell is consulting engineer
in Canada for this corporation, which was incorporated
less than two years ago with £2,500,000 paid-up capital.
The White Reserve is the first venture of the new eom-
. pany in Northern Ontario. The property will be ex-
plored by core-drilling.
During October the Nipissing mine produced $184,578.
This compares with $225,100 in September, the reduction
.being attributed to 'power interruptions'. An average
of 30 tons of ore is being shipped daily from the Peterson
Lake mine. The revenue from this, as well as the re-
treatment of tailing, is said to be adequate to finance a
•■scheme of underground exploration and development in
the company's undeveloped areas. H. Mills, Minister of
, Mines, announces the intention of the Department to
_ start prospectors' classes at strategic points in Northern
Ontario. W. L. Goodwin of Queen's University will be
„in charge of the work. Instructors will be placed at
each point selected,, competent to give an outline course
tin. geology. At the mining schools of Haileybury and
. Sudbury a beginning will be made early in the new year,
, and the course will consist of instructions over a period
of about two. .weeks. .In, centres where high-schools or
collegiate institutes are situated and laboratories are
available, blow-pipe instructions will be included. A
minimum attendance of ten persons will be necessary in
order to justify the holding of a class.
Owing to the Mining Corporation of Canada being in-
volved in the development of the Flin-Flon property in
Northern Manitoba, mining interests in Northern Ontario
have endeavored to obtain an official statement as to
progress. Mr. Ayer, one of the Flin-Flon operators, has
made this statement: "We can say that the results ob-
tained from development to date are fully up to our
expectations. Considering this fact, the statement of
our engineers that the diamond-drilling, on which the
original ore-estimate was made, has been very carefully
done, lead us to believe that the grade and tonnage of
ore on the property will be as high as anticipated."
MEXICO
IMPROVEMENT IN MINING CONDITIONS.
Monterrey. — Not only have mining operations in
Mexico been stimulated by the restoration of peace
throughout the country, but the changed attitude of the
Government toward the industry is encouraging to the
owners of various properties, it is stated here. Several
objectionable and oppressive provisions were contained
in the decree relating to the operation of mines which
was issued by the Carranza government on June 27 of the
present year. These provisions, which especially affected
foreign mining investments, have been repealed by the
De la Huerta government. Americans and other for-
eigners can now file on mining claims and procure titles
to them without jeapordizing their nationality. Another
important ruling issued by the new Government is to the
effect that taxes on mines that may be delinquent may
be paid in installments instead of all at one time. The
Government has also recognized as valid tax payments
which mine-owners may have paid to different revolu-
tionary factions. In many instances taxes were paid to
two or three different political factions in the course of a
year. Where this was done the Government has given
credit for all such taxes paid. It is expected that com-
paratively few titles to mines will be declared forfeited
for non-payment of taxes during the long revolutionary
period. Many American mine-owners have returned re-
cently to their properties after an enforced absence of
several years.
While the strike of coal miners in the State of Coahuila
is having a serious effect upon the operation of smelters
and reduction plants the Government is making every
effort to relieve the situation. It has taken over several
of the coal mines where striking operatives had prevented
the owners from getting out coal, and is shipping con-
siderable quantities of fuel to smelters and other indus-
trial plants. The large smelter of the American Smelt-
ing & Refining Co. at Velardena, State of Durango, which
was closed during much of the time the different revolu-
tionary and banditry forces were in control of that part
of the country, is now running full blast, and has on hand
a supply of coke to run it for some time to come.
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
HOOVER BECOMES PRESIDENT OP FEDERATED
ENGINEERING SOCIETIES
The American Engineering Council of the Federated
American Engineering Societies was organized at a meeting
held in Washington on November 18. Measures will be
taken to promote the establishment of a Department of
Public Works, creation of a Federal budget system, solution
of the transportation problem, and conservation of the
country's resources. Washington was tentatively selected as
headquarters of the Council which will represent more than
thirty engineering societies with a combined membership of
more than 100,000. Herbert Hoover, president of the
American Institute of Mining Engineers, was elected presi-
dent. He addressed the convention on the following even-
ing. He said that intermittent employment, unemployment
that arises in shifting industrial currents, and strikes and
lock-outs were three sources of waste in production.
Intermittent employment might be eliminated at least in
part by co-ordination of economic groups, the various in-
dustries working together to aid each other. Using the
bituminous coal industry as an example, he said the bad
economic functioning could be remedied through a concerted
effort of the coal-operators, the coal-miners, the railways,
and the great consumers to prevent alternate oversupply and
shortage.
Present necessary legislation against combinations, he
added, makes co-ordination impossible, but he suggested
that there be developed "some method of governmental in-
terest, not in governmental ownership, but in stimulation to
co-operation in better organization".
Loss of production incident to shifting of workers because
of seasonal and short period operations in industry Mr.
Hoover said, could be lessened by the expansion and better
organization of local and Federal labor-exchanges. Unless
such machinery is provided, the individual worker, he said,
"is helpless to find the contacts necessary to make this
shift".
Strikes and lock-outs would be materially lessened by
the universal acceptance and use of collective bargaining,
Mr. Hoover declared, adding that he was confident that this
principle could be worked out along the lines laid down by
the President's second industrial conference, of which he
was a member.
ARIZONA
Oatman. — -It is reported that a two-foot vein of very rich
gold ore has been found on the 600-ft. level of the United
American mine. The vein is presumed to be a continuation
of that in the Ben Harrison claim of the Tom Reed com-
pany, despite the fact that the Big Jim fault was thought to
have displaced the vein. The Tom Reed owners could have
purchased the United American property for $2500 some
years ago. The high-grade ore has been followed for 10 ft.
with no diminution in richness.
CAMFORNIA
, Amador County. — Thirty stamps are dropping regularly
at the- Central Eureka mill and some of the richest ore ex-
tracted from the property is being mined on the 3900-ft.
level. Mine operations are rapidly approaching normal,
following the withdrawal of power restrictions and an im-
proved labor situation. Prospecting in the upper levels has
been resumed.
Calaveras County. — The construction of a new ten-stamp
unit at the mill of the Carson Hill Gold Mining Co. has been
practically completed and the battery will start in about two
weeks. The addition will increase the capacity of the mill
to approximately 15,000 tons per month. In October the
mill treated 10,500 tons of ore, and operations for the month
are said to have netted the company about $65,000. The
ore sent to the plant is averaging more than $11 per ton,
with total operating costs approximating $5 per ton. At
the Morgan mine development has been carried to a depth
of 1750 ft. with new reserves of ore exposed. The deeper
work is proving satisfactory. In addition to the large bodies
of milling ore, considerable high-grade quartz ore is reported
to be in sight.
IDAHO
Coeur d'Alene. — Miners are more plentiful and many of
the smaller properties are doing assessment work. The
Alma Mining Co. reports that the company intends to resume
development. The Jumbo Mining Co. is working on its
property in the Murray district and may continue this work
in the spring. The Square Deal mine is doing assessment
work and has an 800-ft. tunnel. The Tucker Mining Co.
has a small force extending the main drift on its property
near Mullan. Ten men, working two shifts, are driving a
cross-cut in the property of the Brady Development Co. on
Nine Mile. They expect to reach the vein in the next 30 feet.
The assessment work on the Big Elk, in the St. Joe dis-
trict, last summer uncovered a big vein of iron-oxide ore
containing some silver.
Lessees on the Western Union mine have opened an ex-
cellent body of ore. One car that returned $4000 has been
shipped and another is ready. There is no zinc in the ore,
which assays 60% lead and 52 oz. silver. While the vein
from which the lessees are mining is a rich one, the manage-
ment of the company does not think it is the main vein and
is said to be planning diamond-drill work to cut the main
vein at a point 200 ft. north. Shipments of the Consoli-
dated Interstate-Callahan Mining Co. in October were great-
er than those of September by about 20%. The figures are
as follows: Zinc concentrate, 5,000,000 lb. in October as
compared with 4,230,000 in September; lead concentrate,
2,600.000 lb. as compared with 2,180,000, and silver, 26,-
000 oz. as compared with 21,800 in September. The
Progress Gold Mining Co. in the Murray district of the Coeur
d'Alene will continue hand-drilling this winter and in the
spring hopes to put in a compressor. A lower tunnel has
been started to cut the vein at a distance of 400 ft. At
this point on the surface the vein is 8 to 10 ft. wide, with
gold content ranging from $9 to $76 per ton. The average
is more than $30 per ton. The ore also carries silver and
copper. F. W. Bradley, president of the Bunker Hill
& Sullivan Mining & Concentrating Co., after spending con-
siderable time at the smelter and mines at Kellogg, Idaho,
says:
"The efficiency of the property is being increased all the
time. The smelter has settled down to steady business. The
78-1
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 27, 1920
only addition that will be made is probably a Cottrell treater.
This will be used to protect the properties about us and to
make greater recovery of lead and silver. Otherwise the
plant is as efficient as any plant. We are pushing right
along in our experimental work on zinc and are making
decided progress, which, we hope, will result, within a
reasonable time, in the installation of a zinc-plant annex to
our smelter. This is all the more necessary for our district
now because other smelters are beginning to refuse to take
any zinc ore at all under the present market conditions.
The bottom level of the mine is the best we have opened.
This level is 1200 ft. below the Kellogg tunnel and 3400 ft.
from the surface." The suit of the Federal Mining &
Smelting Co. against the Hecla Mining Co. for $6,000,000
has been settled, according to Frederick Burbidge, general
manager for the Federal company. Mr. Burbidge states that
an effort will be made to settle such claims as the Marsh
Mines Consolidated may have. The Marsh is the lessee of
the ground containing the vein on which an apex claim was
made and is an intervenor in the $6,000,000 suit. The Hecla
company is to pay $450,000 for title to the Russell and Mono
fraction claims and a release of all claims for trespass and
wrongful extraction of ore.
MONTANA
Deer Lodge. — The new plant of the Champion Mining Co.
is nearing completion; it is a 150-ton stamp-mill. Silver is
the chief metal, samples having assayed in excess of 100 oz.
per ton.
Basin. — The Obelisk Mining Co. recently opened a rich
silver vein at its property. The vein has a width of more
than six feet and assays 44 oz. silver and 3% lead. It is the
intention of the company to install new machinery and work
the property on a larger scale than at present.
Butte. — During the month of October the Anaconda com-
pany produced 11,000,000 lb. of copper, 100,000 lb. less than
in September. The Butte & Superior Mining Co. has
suspended operations on account of the unsatisfactory metal
market. Some development work in the lower levels of the
mine is being done, however, and the organization, except
for miners, will be kept intact.
UTAH
Salt Lake City. — A conference of those in charge of the
Western offices of the Division of Mineral Resources of the
U. S. Geological Survey was held here from November 3 to 8,
inclusive. Those present were the geologists in charge of
the divisions; G. F. Loughlin, of Washington; Charles G.
Yale, of San Francisco; Charles W. Henderson, of Denver;
and Victor C. Heikes and C. N. Gerry, of Salt Lake City.
James M. Hill, the geologist now attached to the San Fran-
cisco office, was also in attendance. The discussions covered
the preparation of reports, revision of Western Office blanks,
and classification of ores, etc. Questions concerning the
proper classification of ores, simple and complex, occupied
much of the time, the object being to decide on uniform
percentages, fixing certain ores in certain classes, the same
practice to be followed in all the offices of the Survey. This
will result in more uniform tabular statistics relating to
ores in all the States, the questions in doubt having been
settled at the conference. The party visited the Utah copper
mine at Bingham Canyon and other points of interest in the
vicinity.
WASHINGTON
Chelan County. — The Royal Development Co. has begun
work on its mining claims on Red mountain, 25 miles north
of Leavenworth. Plans of the company are reported to in-
clude the building of a railroad from the Great Northern to
the property and the construction of a smelter and power-
plant.
[PERSONAL]
The Editor invites members of the profession to send particulars of their
work and appointments. The information ie interesting to our readers.
H. Hardy Smith is in London.
Ernest G. Ashby, auditor for the Algunican Development
Co., is here from Montreal.
H. G. Nichols is with the Canada Copper Corporation, at
Copper Mountain. British Columbia.
George W. Nicolson has resigned as general superinten-
dent of the United Verde Extension mine.
A. G. Cadogan, who has been in a hospital in San Fran-
cisco for a month, has recovered and has returned to Cuba.
A. J. Burritt, geologist of Salt Lake City, has been making
an examination in the Uintah Basin district in eastern Utah.
Lyman F. Barber has charge of the construction of the
milling plant for the C. O. D. Mining Co., at Kingman,
Arizona.
W. A. Barnes, general manager for the Eureka-Holly and
Bullwhacker mining companies, is at Eureka, Nevada, from
San Francisco.
Charles P. Richardson with F. Rolandi, the contractor, is
constructing a two-mile tunnel from Hat creek to Pit river
at Fall River Mills, Shasta county.
H. S. MuUiken, of Lexington, Massachusetts, has been
appointed metallurgical engineer for the Bureau of Mines,
and will act as assistant to F. G. Cottrell.
Charles \V. Henderson, in charge of the Denver office of
the U. S. Geological Survey, is visiting the San Francisco
office, where he was formerly employed, on his way to his
family home in Oregon, while on his annual vacation.
Obituary
Curtis H. Lindley, accounted one of America's foremost
authorities on mining law, died on November 20 at his home
in San Francisco. He was stricken ill at the conclusion of
the trial of an important mining case in Arizona and had
returned only two days before. During the War he attained
international prominence as the legal adviser of Herbert
Hoover; he was an active member of the board of directors
of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. Born in
Marysville in 1850, his early life was spent in the mining
communities of California and as a boy he developed an
interest in mines and miners that was later reflected in his
legal practice. His book, 'Mines and Mining', is regarded
as the best legal authority on those subjects and has given
him prominence throughout the mining world. He was
educated at the College of Santa Clara and the University
of California, later studying abroad and winning degrees
from several universities. He was admitted to the bar in
May 1872. A month later he married Lizzie Mendenhall of
Santa Clara, who, with one son, Curtis Lindley Jr., and one
daughter, Mrs. Vernon S. Rood, survives him. He was ap-
pointed secretary of the California Code Commission in the
same year. In 1883 he was city attorney of Stockton, and
a year later became superior judge of Amador county.
After leaving the bench he began the practice of law in SaB
Francisco, where he was associated with Henry Eickhoff.
Throughout his career he has frequently been given places
of honor by the legal profession. In 1909 he was made
president of the State Bar Association. During recent years
he has appeared as counsel in mining litigation in many
States of the West. He held honorary professorships in the
departments of jurisprudence at the University of California
and Stanford University and membership in numerous
scientific societies.
METAL PRICES
San Francisco. November 23
Aluminum dust, cents per pound 05
Antimony cent* per pound 9.50
electrolytic, cents per pound in 50 — 17.00
cents per found 6.-5 — 7.25
Platinum, pun p< i ce $85
Platinum, 10', indium, per ounce .' S125
Quicksilver, per flask of 75 lb S55
Bpelter. cents per pound 9.50
Einc-dust. cents per pound 12.50 — 15 oo
EASTERN METAL MARKET
I By wire from New York)
November 22. — Copper is inactive and weak. Lead is roiiet and easy.
£inc is dull and lower.
SILVER
Below are given official or ticker quotations for silver in the open market
s distinguished from the fixed price obtainable for metal produced, smelted,
and refined exclusively within the United States. Under the terms of the
HUman Ail such silver will be purchased b.v the United States Mint at SI
per ounce subject to certain small charges which vary slightly but amount
to approximately three-eights of one cent. The equivalent of dollar silver
iloiiii fine) in British currency is 40.65 pence per ounce (025 fine), calcu-
li the normal rate of exchange.
Dale
Nov.
16
17
18
19
20
21 Sunday
New York
cents
. 76.62
78.00
76.12
75.00
London
pence
51.00
51.87
50 75
49.87
49.00
47.75
Average week ending
Cents
11 86.77
IS 83.10
25 79.52
1 80.31
S 81.00
15 80.02
22 76.41
Monthly averages
1918
Jan 88.72
Peb 85.79
Mch 88.11
Apr 95.35
Mav 99 50
June 99.50
1919
101,12
101 12
101.12
101.12
107.23
110.50
1920
132.77
131.27
125.70
119.56
102.69
90.84
1918
July 99.62
Aug 100.31
Sept 101.12
Oct 101.12
Nov 101.12
Dec 101.12
1919
106.36
111.35
113.92
119.10
127.57
131.92
Pence
55.66
54.05
52.31
52.35
54 .00
53.50
49.96
1920
92.04
96.23
93.66
83.48
Prices of electrolytic in New York, in cents per pound.
Date
Nov.
16 14.75
17 14.75
18 14.75
19 14.50
20 14.50
21 Sunday
22 14.50
Average week ending
18.
25.
1.
8.
15.
22.
.17.85
.17.15
.16.76
.16.08
.16.00
.14.87
.14.62
Monthly averages
1918
Jan 23.50
Feb 23.60
Mch 23.50
Apr 23.50
May . . 23.50
June 23.50
1919
20.43
17.34
15.05
15.23
15.91
17.53
1920
19.25
19.05
18.49
19.23
19.05
19.00
1918
July 26.00
Aug 26.00
Sept 26.00
Oct 26.00
Nov 26.00
Dec 26.00
1919
20.82
22.51
22.10
21.66
20.45
18.55
1920
19.00
19.00
18.75
16.63
Lead is quoted in cents per pound. New York delivery.
Date
Nov.
16
17
18
19
20
21 Sunday
6.50
6.50
6.45
6.40
6.40
6.40
Average week ending
11
18
25
1
8
15
7.50
7.50
7.08
6.92
6.84
6.61
6.44
Monthly averages
1918
1919
1920
1918
1919
1920
Jan. . . .
. . . 6.85
5.60
8.65
July . . .
. . . 8 03
5.53
8.63
5.13
8.88
. . . 8.05
5.78
9.03
Mch. . . .
. . . 7.26
5.24
9.22
Sept. . . .
. . . 8.06
6.02
8.08
. . . 6.99
5.05
8.78
Oct. . . .
. . . 8.05
6.40
7.128
May . . .
. . . 6.99
5.04
8.55
Nov. . . .
. . . 8.05
6.76
6.32
8.43
. . . 6.90
7.12
TIN
Prices
in New York, in cents per pound.
Monthly averages
1918
1919
1920
1918
1919
1920
. . 85.13
71.60
62.74
July . . .
...93.00
70.11
49.29
Peb. . .
. . 85.00
72.44
59.87
. . .91.33
62.20
47.60
Mch. . .
. . 85.00
72.50
61.92
. . . 80.40
66.79
44.43
. . 88.63
72.50
62.12
Oct. . . .
. . .78.82
54.82
40.47
Vn^
innnt
-n -n
- 1 oo
Nov. . . .
. . .73.67
54.17
.. 91.00
71.83
48.33
...71.62
64.94
ZINC
Zinc is quoted as spelter, standard Western brands. New York delivery.
in cents per pound.
Date
Nov.
10.
18
19
20
21 Sunday
8.80
0 711
6 66
8 oo
ti 00
Average week ending
11
Jan.
Feb.
Meh.
Apr.
May
June
0.60
Monthly averages
1918 1919 1920
7.78 7.44 9.58 July . .
7.97 6.71 9.15 Aug. . .
7.67 6.53 8.93 Sept. . .
7.04 6.40 8.76 Oct. . .
7 92 6.43 8.07 Nov. . .
7.92 6.91 7.92 Dec. . .
QUICKSILVER
1.
s.
15.
1918
8.72
8.78
9.58
9.11
8.75
8.49
1919
7.78
7.81
7.57
7.82
8.12
8.69
7.55
7.41
7.50
7.54
7.31
6.8B
6.66
1920
8.18
8.31
7.84
7.50
The primary market for quicksilver is San Francisco. California being
the largest producer. The price is fixed in the open market, according to
quantity. Prices, in dollars per flask of 75 pounds.
Date | Nov. 9 55.00
Oct. 26 65.00 " 16 55.00
Nov. 1 60.00 | " 33 55.00
Monthly averages
1018
Jan 128.06
Feb 118.00
Mch 112.00
Apr 115.00
May 110.00
June 112.00
1.010
103.75
90.00
72.80
73.12
84.80
94.40
1920
89.00
81.00
87.00
100.00
87.00
85.00
1918
July 120.00
Aug 120.00
Sept 120.00
Oct 120.00
Nov 120.00
Dec 115.00
1919
100.00
103.00
102.60
86.00
78.00
95.00
1920
88.00
85.00
75.00
CO-OPERATION AND RECIPROCITY
The whole social order is founded upon the principle of co-operation
and reciprocity. If each person will comprehend that the market for his
own products or services is dependent upon the ability of others to buy
them, he will understand that the largest degree of prosperity for any
group or class is obtainable in a state of general prosperity, when pro-
duction and the exchanges everywhere are well-balanced, says the National
City Bank.
It is a reasonable expectation that a readjustment of wages and prices
must follow the war period, and it is apparent that this readjustment has
begun. The farmers have already taken a heavy shrinkage in the prices of
their products. They think it hard that their turn should come among
the first, but although the farmer is not a plutocrat, he is a proprietor, an
operator upon his own account, and people who have capital enough to
be proprietors, be they large or small, are in better position to take the
brunt of a readjustment than the wage-earners of the towns. It is im-
possible to ask the latter to accept wage-reductions until a reduction in
living costs has taken place, and farm-products are the leading factor in
the cost of living.
On the other hand, the price of farm-products having declined, it be-
comes a matter of common justice and also an essential factor in the
maintenance of employment for the wage-earning class that the prices of
what the farmer must buy shall come down in like proportion. Are they
going to do so? That is the critical question at this time.
Every one is entitled to have his own opinion of the present industrial
situation. A very influential labor leader has declared that labor must
"resist, resist, and resist to the last" every attempt to reduce wages, and
this is the position which organized labor is understood to occupy. The
idea doubtless is that having won the advanced position represented by the
present wage-level they intend to hold it at all hazards. It is, however,
a mistaken idea, for if prices generally are falling and other people in the
industrial circle are taking smaller pay for their services or products the
workers who refuse to accept any wage reductions are really asking for
more pay. Instead of being on the defensive, trying to hold their own,
they are attempting to improve their position at the expense of other
workers.
Furthermore, they will be attempting the impossible. They overlook the
interdependence of industry. Consider the relations between manufactured
products and farm-products. The market for farm-products is largely in
the towns and the market for the town industries is largely on the farms.
About one-third of the people of this country live on the farm. The
exchanges are made by means of money payments, but unless farm-
products are going to buy about as many town products in the future as
heretofore, it does not require a professor of political economy to see
that there will be a falling off in the consumption of town products and
in the demand for labor to make them. And if 25% of the labor so em-
ployed should find itself walking the streets because trade had fallen off,
it will be up to the labor leader to explain the advantages of that situa-
tion over a moderate reduction of wages which would have kept the farm
and factory in balance, with better living conditions for everybody. Goods
are not going to be made unless they can be distributed, and distribution
cannot occur except upon a fair basis of exchange for all products.
MONEY AND EXCHANGE
Foreign quotations on November 23 are as follows:
Sterling, dollars: Cable 3.52%
Demand 3.63 ^jj
Francs, cents: Cable 6.32
Demand 6.33
Lire, cents : Demand 3.96
Marks, cents 1-58
786
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 27, 1920
Eastern Metal Market
New York, November 17.
Liquidation o£ sales of relatively small lots of various
metals by some companies or producers in need of cash is
the predominating factor in several of the markets. Rather
than carry stocks some interests are converting at least a
portion of them into cash where prompt or early delivery is
involved. This situation has prevailed for some weeks and
some markets which had not scraped bottom are lower, such
as lead, tin, and zinc.
Copper is a little lower in a dormant market.
Tin has suffered further declines with London prices still
falling.
Lead is again lower with consumption showing a decided
decline.
Zinc is easier on offerings by interests anxious to sell small
lots.
Antimony is lower.
IRON AND STEEL
With buying almost at a standstill, independent steel-
company prices are still declining, in a few cases getting to
the Steel Corporation level; most blast-furnace and steel-
works capacity in all districts is idle, says 'The Iron Age'.
Steel Corporation operations hold up to 80% or more, while
independent plants are gradually running out of business.
In northern Ohio some shut-downs are nearly complete.
There is no thought of getting this year an adjustment of
prices that will cause free buying and the period of quiet
may run some weeks into the new year. To get stocks down
to their lowest before January 1 is the aim of all users.
Interest is centring in the prices that the Steel Corpora-
tion will announce early in December on sheets and tin
plates for the first half of 1921 and on rails for the year.
COPPER
There is a strong belief that the copper market is scraping
bottom. Prices have gone a little lower since last week
until now electrolytic copper is quoted at 14.75c, New York,
for early delivery or delivery this year, with 15c. asked for
first quarter. Some sales have been made at these levels,
but demand continues small and there is not much life to
the market. The lower prices are due to the forces which
are referred to above — necessary liquidation by some sellers
who do not care or cannot carry heavy stocks. Production
is declining and so is consumption, but the cutting down of
production at the mines is not as simple a problem as some
imagine. While the entire situation is somewhat chaotic
there are those who think the copper market has been
liquidated. The same authorities hold a similar opinion as
to tin and zinc.
TIN
Consumers are still out of the market and so are dealers,
and on most days the past week there has been no business.
On Monday last week, however, there was a fair volume
done in spot and nearby or steamer-at-dock for which
around 3 7.25c, New York, was realized. There was con-
siderable inquiry but it developed that there were few sellers
for this position. There has been some activity on the New
York Metal Exchange, where about 150 tons was sold, most-
ly first-quarter shipment, at 38.50 to 38.75c, with one let
of spot Straits, in Pittsburgh, sold under the rule at 37.37*c
Banca tin is scarce and held at about the same level as spot
Straits, which yesterday was quoted at 3 7c, New York,
although it fell to 36c on Monday. The London market was
lower yesterday at £238 10s. for spot standard, £240 12*s.
.for future standard, and £242 for spot Straits, all much
lower than a week ago. Arrivals thus far this month have
tieen 2405 tons with 3675 tons reported afloat.
LEAD
This market has gone still lower, the recession being
gradual. On Monday the outside market was around 6.40c,
St. Louis, or 6.621c, New York, with the leading interest at
7c, both New York and St. Louis, but very late Monday
the latter reduced its price Jc. per pound to 6.50c, both St.
Louis and New York. The fact that the official prices are at
the same level in both localities is explained on the basis
that import lead is still a factor in the New York market.
The outside market is now 6.50c, New York, and 6.37Jc,
St. Louis. On the whole the market is dull and dormant,
There has been an increase in supplies with more sellers
active for orders. In fact one seller described the market
as more of a buyers' market than "in an age". This is due
to a falling-off in consumption with almost no improvement
in production. Some say liquidation of this market is at an
end, while others do not agree.
ZINC
Prime Western for early delivery is quoted today at
6.35c, St. Louis, or about 6.80c, New York, at which levels
some sales are recorded. The market is not active but is
. confined to the immediate needs of some consumers. There
have been sales at 6.50c, St. Louis, by some large pro-
ducers who are not willing to shade this. There are, how-
ever, some 'weak sisters' who need the cash and are hence
taking such business as is offered, even at a loss. There
has been a decided curtailment in production with such com-
panies as Anaconda, Butte & Superior, and others shutting-
down their zinc operations. One large seller believes that,
when nominal markets again rule, prime Western will sell
around an 8 to 9c level.
ANTIMONY
Spot or early-delivery antimony is again lower, the quota-
tion having fallen to 6c, New York, duty paid, for whole-
sale lots. Jobbing parcels are J to *c higher.
ALUMINUM
The market is inactive and unchanged. Virgin metal, 98
to 99% pure, in wholesale lots for early delivery, is quoted
at 32.90c f.o.b. producer's plant by the leading interest and
at 28 to 29c, New York, by other sellers, representing for-
eign metal largely.
ORES
Tungsten: There is no interest on the part of consumers
and no business. Quotations are largely nominal at $4 per
unit for Chinese ore and $5 for Bolivian. The lower ex-
change-value is restraining foreign inquiries.
Ferro-tungsten is quoted at 90c per pound of contained
tungsten in guaranteed lump form, and 70c in unguaran-
teed. In powdered form the quotation is 78 to 85c.
Molybdenum: Business is at a standstill with quotations
nominal at around 75c per pound of MoS5 in regular con-
centrate.
Manganese: The market for high-grade ore is quoted
unchanged at 45 to 50c per unit, seaboard. There is no
demand.
Manganese-Iron Alloys: The domestic and foreign pro-
ducers' quotations for ferro-manganese are unchanged at
$170, seaboard, as a basis, but there is no inquiry to test
the market. Re-sale alloy is obtainable at $150 and it is
believed that some British producers would sell direct at
$150, seaboard, if the opportunity should present itself.
Spiegeleisen is nominally unchanged at $75, furnace, for the
19 to 21% grade, with re-sale alloy obtainable at a con-
cession. ,
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November 27. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
787
INDtfSTm
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THE THORNLEY COALOMETER
Coal in storage has the property of spontaneously heat-
ing in certain spots and at varying depths. This heating
does not always cause actual combustion, in the sense that
coal burns with the presence of flame, though this condition
is also often found. There does exist almost universally,
however, in stored coal of this character a slow combustion,
which is even more destructive than combustion by flame,
owing to the fact that it cannot be so readily detected, and
thus accomplishes its destructive heating, quietly and un-
noticed, throughout an ever-increasing zone, beneath the
surface of stored coal. This slower escape of the valuable
INFORMATION FURNISHED BY MANUFACTURERS
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ture is at once detected, and should it become excessive the
consumer at once removes this particular portion of fuel,
thus saving the heating value of the coal which had started
to dissipate.
Tests have shown that one unit at 50-ft. intervals in both
directions will efficiently indicate conditions of temperature
below the surface. Thus the installation of one triple unit
will protect a volume of coal 50 by 50 ft. at its base and of
any depth. The cut shows a triple unit Thornley coalometer
for use in coal piles from 15 to 20 ft. deep. A galvanized
steel tube, having a hardened point at its lower end, carries
three bulbs at depths of 5, 10, and 15 ft., respectively.
These three bulbs register temperatures in Fahrenheit de-
grees upon three dials. The scale on each dial starts at
32°F., and is colored black. At and above 120° the scale
is red, indicating excessive heat at any point in this zone,
and warning the coal man to remove this portion of the
coal. The depth of the hot spot is determined at a glance,
for the dials are plainly marked 5, 10, and 15 ft., respec-
tively. The dial showing the hottest temperature thus in-
dicates the depth at which the heat is generating.
These instruments are enclosed in weather-tight metal
cases with thick crystal faces and the set is mounted in a
cast metal case, thus forming one unit. The unit head is
shipped separate from its steel stem. Thus, the steel stems
are forced into the coal at proper intervals until the surface
lugs (so marked) are flush with the surface of the coal pile.
After these stems are properly placed, the unit heads are
easily attached, and the system is at once ready to show
actual temperatures of the coal beneath the surface. Should
any unit have to be removed, owing to the indication of
excessive temperatures at that point, it is a simple matter to
detach the instrument head from the steel stem, and then
pull the stem from the coal.
With each set of equipment is furnished a leather-bound
loose-leaf record book, each page of which covers seven
readings of the indicated temperatures of each coalometer.
These records furnish a complete knowledge of the condi-
tions beneath the surface of the coal and enable the manager
of such storage equipment readily to determine what por-
tion of his coal is losing its heating value and at what rate.
A column on this record sheet shows the exact date at which
any unit was removed and the temperature of that portion
of the coal at that time. It is easy to figure what losses will
occur in dollars in your storage piles, at ever-increasing tem-
peratures and through long periods of time, unless you are
constantly posted as to existing temperatures beneath the
surface of your coal. The Thornley coalometer was de-
signed to furnish these data at all times with great accuracy.
Head of Thornley Coalometer
t.u's., for which the consumer has paid his money, is
iquivalent to the actual loss of that amount of heating value
rom fire or other cause. Could the consumer look beneath
he surface of his coal pile and definitely acquaint himself
vith conditions existing there, he could save himself enor-
nous losses by using that part of his coal supply first which
ihowed a tendency to become even slightly heated. In other
vords, he could burn the heat units wThich had started to
iscape before they had done so.
It is for the purpose of indicating these conditions be-
leath the surface that the Thornley coalometer was de-
igned. It consists of a set of temperature indicators en-
ased in a long pointed steel tube, carrying at varying
lepths metal bulbs (corresponding to the bulbs of ther-
aometers), and at its upper end a set of indicating dials
fhich show the exact temperatures of the bulbs which
ctuate them. These units are forced down in the coal pile
I o definite depths and at various points, and collectively
J urnish definite data as to the exact temperature existing
*t ieneath the surface. If an accurate record of these instru-
aents be kept, periodically, the slightest rise in tempera-
GREAT THINGS EXPECTED OF NEW TYPE OF
ATR-DRTLL
The development of pneumatic mining and quarrying
tools has been so rapid, and their performance latterly so
efficient, that it is but natural they should now be regarded
as having reached such a state of perfection that radical
changes or improvements are, generally speaking, no longer
expected. And yet, notwithstanding this popular notion, the
Denver Rock Drill Manufacturing Co. has recently developed
788
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
November 27, 1920
a new type of light mining and quarrying drill which, it is
claimed, marks an important advance in the progress of air-
drill manufacture. This new drill is built in three models,
known respectively as models NA-90, NRW-93, and NRD-95;
the first named being a 'dry' auger-drill, especially designed
for work in coal, iron, and other soft formations; the second,
a combination 'wet' and 'dry' rock-drill efficiently service-
able in all kinds of rock and under all conditions either
above or below ground; and the last named, a 'dry' rock-
drill particularly adapted to work in wet shafts or where
out-of-door conditions prevail.
All three drills are extremely light, so that they can be
easily carried about, and each is operated by one man.
They are built throughout of the best steels compounded and
with the utmost precision. While most Waugh drills are of
the valveless type the 'Nineties' are equipped with an en-
New Model Lisht Air-Drill
tirely new type of spool-valve, having a positive action,
which is said to be the last word in simplicity, and efficiency
as well. The rotation mechanism is of exceptionally strong
design in which stresses in both teeth and pawls are reduced
to a minimum.
Lubrication is effected by pulsations of air which gradu-
ally feed the oil from a reservoir at the side of the cylinder
into all parts of the machine. The manufacturers claim
that comparative tests conclusively prove these 'Ninety'
drills to be much superior, more powerful, and more efficient,
at all pressures, than other drills of their general type and
weight, and express themselves as feeling gratified at being
able to make contribution to cost reduction in mining and
quarrying at a time when the country stands in greatest
need of labor-saving improvements in machinery.
COMMERCIAL PARAGRAPHS
L. M. Dozier has become salesman for the Barber-Greene
Company; his headquarters being at the St. Louis office of
the company.
'G-E Insulating Compounds' is a recent bulletin of the
General Electric Co., Schenectady, New York. It is an illus-
trated description of the many kinds and grades of these
compounds, with much general information for their use
and handling.
'General Fireproofing' is the title of a periodical publica-
tion distributed by the advertising department of the Gen-
eral Fireproofing Co. of Youngstown, Ohio. The August
number discusses metal lathe from a number of aspects and
is well worth reading by those who are engaged in any build-
ing occupation.
Two attractive bulletins recently published by the Penn-
sylvania Pump & Compressor Co. of Easton, Pa., are en-
titled 'Pennsylvania Centrifugal Pumps' and 'Pennsylvania
Air Compressors'. The features of the design and construc-
tion of the machines made by the company are outlined,
while a number of illustrations add to the value of the
bulletins.
At a meeting of the directors of the Empire Tube & Steel
Corporation, a resolution was passed to have Carl M. Beat-
tie, president, open negotiations to secure a site which he has
had under observation in Buffalo for the purpose of erecting
a new plant. It is the purpose of the corporation to install
in the Buffalo plant a number of machines that they have
in storage, and at the present time have no space to utilize.
In this way their business will not be interrupted by the
moving of the plant from Long Island to Buffalo.
The new 'Eveready' catalogue, issued by the Oxweld
Acetylene Co., of Chicago, Illinois, is now ready for the
public. This catalogue is issued in sections, each devoted
to a particular phase of 'Eveready' equipment — welding and
cutting blow-pipes, regulators, accessories, etc. The
'Eveready' line was formerly manufactured under the name
of 'Prest-O-Lite' apparatus by the Prest-O-Lite company,
and was extensively used in the metal trades. The Oxweld
company took over the production and sales under the pres-
ent name — 'Eveready' — early in 1920, incorporating certain
improvements in design lately developed in oxy-acetylene
engineering.
It has been the constant endeavor of Holt Manufacturing
Co. to build into its 'Caterpillar' tractors those features
which will enable the purchaser to realize the greatest pos-
sible profit on his investment. Several years ago in studying
the needs of the logging industry it was clearly shown that
a tractor, to be truly successful, must have incorporated in
its design an auxiliary winding-drum or winch-attachment.
In the oil-fields this attachment is necessary to pull and run
back-rods, tubing, and casings, as well as move equipment
from practically inaccessible places. Realizing these re-
quirements. Holt engineers began a study of the application
of various commercial winch attachments to 'Caterpillar'
tractors, but found them all entirely inadequate. Profiting
from experience with these attachments the engineers began
the design of a new type of winch attachment embodying
those features which are found to be essential to practical
operation in the various fields where 'Caterpillar' tractors
were used. After several years a 'Caterpillar' winch was
developed that met fully the most rigid requirements of
oil-field and industrial service. Bulletin C-151 illustrates
the application of this winch to various industries and con-
tains a resume of the various specifications that have made
it a real success.
Bulletin No. 40017A, issued by the General Electric
Co., describes belted, direct-current, continuous-rated gen-
erators and exciters, type ML, standardized from 1 to 35
kw., both compound and shunt-wound. When used as
exciters they are flat-compounded at 125 volts; otherwise,
they are compounded from 115 volts no load to 125 volts
full load, unless a shunt-wound machine is desired. Up to
and including 9 kw. they are also standard, shunt-wound for
3 5 volts, for storage-battery service. The armature core,
clamped by bolts, is built up of thin steel laminations, care-
fully annealed, and given a special insulating coating which
practically eliminates eddy currents. The coils, form-wound
and thoroughly insulated, are protected by end cylindrical
flanges. The commutator, of punched rolled copper bars of
high conductivity and insulated with selected soft mica,
affords commutation without injurious sparking at all guar-
anteed loads. The pole-pieces are built up of steel lamina-
tions slotted parallel to the shaft to minimize eddy-current
losses and prevent undue distortion of the magnetic field
under load. They are cast-welded to the yoke to minimize
field magnetic reluctance. The brush mechanism is the ad-
justable rocker-arm type. Bearings are ring-oiling. Two
slip-rings with brush-rigging and a single-phase auto-trans-
former constitute three-wire parts.
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Illlmllllllllllllll
EDITORIAL STAFF
T. A. RICKAHO, Editor
A. B. Parsons, associate editor
iiiiiiiitiiiiiiiuiiiinmg
nmnnftg
Ucmber Audit Bureau of Circulations
Member Associated Business Papers, Inc.
ESTABLISHED 1860
Published at uto Market St., San Francisco,
bv the Dewey Publishing Company
BUSINESS STAFF
C.T. HUTCHINSON, MANAGER
E. H. LESLIE, 600 FISHER Bos.. CHICAGO
F. A. WEIGLE, 31 NASSAU ST., NEW YORK
liminilliitill I miiiiHinii minium nun I iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiii nun in I mi mil ilimim Mime
SCIENCE HAS NO ENEMY SAVE THE IGNORANT
Issued Every Saturday
San Francisco, December 4, 1920
?4 per Year — 15 Cents per Copy
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EDITORIAL
NOTES
Page
. 789
Page
THE PRICE OP GOLD
By P. A. Robbins 794
The value of the British sovereign as bullion and
as coin.
THE FLOTATION CONFERENCE 790
The meeting of users of the flotation process at
Denver as part of the meeting of the American
Mining Congress. The Minerals Separation com-
pany was represented. Attacks on the patent-
exploiting concern. Mr. Cook's defence. Lively
discussions. Mr. Nye, Mr. Montague, and Mr.
Rickard speak. Mr. Nutter's reply. Suggestion
for settling the controversy.
CURTIS H. LINDLEY 791
An appreciation of a distinguished lawyer and a
good citizen of San Francisco.
ELECTROLYTIC ZINC 792
An introduction to the article on this subject by
Herbert R. Hanley. The conditions essential to
successful electrolysis. Roasting and leaching.
Methods of filtering. Need for a pure electrolyte;
how to remove impurities. Other conditions neces-
sary to efficient metallurgy.
DISCUSSION
THE BELMONT SHAWMUT MILL
By Henry Hanson 793
Comment on an article by A. B. Parsons. Sundry
interesting questions raised.
THE ROD-MILL
By R. L. Parker
Description of a mill in successful operation.
IE ORE DEPOSITS OF MEXICO
By F. L. Sizer
Commendation of S. J. Lewis' articles
editor call attention
articles?
793
793
to
Will the
particularly valuable
Established May 24, 1860. as The Scientific Press: name changed October
20 ol the same year to Mining; and Scientific Press.
Entered at the San Francisco post-office as second-class matter. oaDle
address: Pertusola.
MR. HOOVER'S BIOGRAPHY
By Max von Bernewitz 794
Still grieved at the reflection on Australian min-
ing methods.
ARTICLES
ELECTROLYTIC ZINC METHODS
By Herbert R. Hanley
795
Preparation of ore; roasting. Smelter by-products
from which zinc may be recovered. Leaching
methods. Filtration and the difficulties. Removal
of iron from solution. Purification; copper and
cadmium. The electrolytic process; current, vol-
tage, temperature. Power consumption.
MILLING PRACTICE AT THE BENGUET CONSOLIDATED
MINE — I
By C. M. Eye and M. F. Dodd 805
Early, history of the property. Metallurgical ex-
periments. Two early plants partly destroyed by
flood. Re-financed in 1914. Modern plant con-
structed. Character of the ore. Flow-sheet of the
plant. Long period of contact with solution re-
quired. Problem a difficult one.
NOTES
VANADIUM CORPORATION 810
DEPARTMENTS
REVIEW OF MINING 811
THE MINING SUMMARY 819
PERSONAL 820
THE METAL MARKET 821
EASTERN METAL MARKET 822
BOOK REVIEWS 823
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS 824
Branch Offices — Chicago, 600 Fisher Bdg.: New York, 31 Nassau, fit.:
London. 724 Salisbury House. E.C.
Entered at the San Francisco post-office as second-class matter. Cable
address: Pertusola.
28
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 4, 1920
A Portable Repair Shop
T
HAT'S what Prest-O-Lite makes of the oxy-
acetylene process.
A shop ideally equipped to remake all worn out machine
parts — to repair broken castings — to weld practically all
metals — and to cut, most economically, all grades of
steel and wrought iron.
Thus Prest-O-Lite is of vital importance to the remark-
able oxy-acetylene process — the process that has saved
millions of dollars in the metal working industries.
Remember — it matters little where the job is, Prest-O-Lite
is available — in one cylinder or one thousand.
And our forty plants and warehouses assure practically
instant service.
You, will be interested in learning more about Prest-O-
Lite — the Universal Gas with the Universal Service.
The Prest-O-Lite Company, Inc.
General Offices Carbide and Carbon Building
30 East 42ND Street, New York
Kohl Building, San Francisco
In Canada
Prest-O-Lite Co. of Canada, Limited, TorontcS
PW. 517
December A. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
789
T. A. H.ICKARV. .... Editor
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"DROKEN HILL is at work again, the strike having
*-* ended on November 10. This strike began early in
May of last year, so that it lasted more than 18 months,
making a most unenviable record. The loss in profits to
the mining companies and in wages to the employees is
estimated at $60,000,000. A settlement was effected
finally by Judge Edmunds, who was appointed for the
purpose by the governments of Australia and New
South Wales, the State to which the Broken Hill mining
district belongs. The whole affair was as stupid as it
was deplorable.
TI/TONEY is tight everywhere. We note that in London
■"■'- the Mexican Corporation offers five-year notes to the
amount of £400,000 at 8% and redeemable at a premium
of 15%. This corporation is an 'exploration' company
.organized to acquire and develop mines in Mexico. We
note also that the shares of the National Mining Corpora-
tion are at a discount of 50%, the quotation being at 5
shillings for the £1 shares on which only 10 shillings has
been paid. Presumably the liability of 10 shillings per
share is a deterrent to purchase, most people being averse
from holding stock carrying an obligation of this kind.
The National Mining Corporation was launched a year
ago as a consolidation of the most important mine-pro-
moting agencies in London and among its directors are a
number of the most influential mining men in the City.
It has a capital of £3,000,000 in £1 shares, of which 2,500,-
000 shares were taken by the directors and their friends,
leaving 500,000 shares for subscription by the public.
These shares were issued with five shillings paid on
allotment and an understanding that calls for five shil-
lings each would be made at intervals of not less than
two months. Since then the second call has been made.
It is stated that important business is in hand, for which
the Corporation will need all the money it can command.
I We believe that it is looking to Mexico for its principal
field of operations.
/"\N December 1 General Obregon assumed office as
^-' President of Mexico. We wish him every success in
his greatly important duties as Chief Executive of our
neighbor republic and hope that either on the day of his
inauguration or soon afterward his government will re-
ceive formal and friendly recognition from our govern-
ment. As a sign of the times, favorable to President
Obregon 's administration, we note that the striking coal
miners in Coahuila have turned the mines back to their
owners, doing this at the order of the Mexican govern-
ment. The strike began on October 11 and was followed
by an entirely unsuccessful attempt on the part of the
recalcitrant miners to run the mines themselves. Like-
wise we note that the workers at the metal mines of
northern Mexico are refusing to accept the 'infalsifiable'
paper money in payment of wages, asking instead that
they be paid in silver pesos. We hope that the Obregon
government will accept this as another reason for coining
the silver produced in Mexico, which step has been urged
by Mr. Charles Butters and is to be recommended for the
further reason that it will compel the owners of silver
mines to export products other than silver, thereby stimu-
lating the general restoration of industry in Mexico.
To the new President we wish good luck. He starts
well; he has intelligence, courage, and the intention to
do right; he realizes the danger of militarism and the
difficulty of creating an honest bureaucracy ; he is a
soldier and a statesman ; he ought to succeed.
Tj1 URTHER fall in the quotation of copper shares has
'*■ followed the continued decrease in the price of
metal ; in many cases the share quotations are now below
the low figures reached on the day after the outbreak of
war in Europe, and they are from one-half to one-quarter
of what they were at their highest in 1916. Unfortu-
nately some of the American copper sold abroad, in
Japan and Europe, early this year, was re-sold later or
still remains undelivered. In the first eight months of
the current year our exports of copper amounted to
438,875,000 pounds, this being at the rate of 658 million
pounds, or 43.8% of the production, which is estimated
at 1500 million pounds, or 300 million pounds less than
in 1919. Although the copper mines of the United States
are operating today at about half -capacity, their output
is close to that of the three years preceding the War.
What has ruined the market is the lack of big European
purchases such as those in the years just before the War
when Germany was preparing for the great struggle by
accumulating a large stock of metal. At that time ex-
ports represented over half of our domestic production ;
in 1919 exports took only 28.2% of- the production.
Meanwhile during the War the output was enormously
stimulated, so that in 1918 it reached 2432 million
pounds, this being an increase of 50% over 1913, the year
before the War. In that year we exported 53% of the
790
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 4, 1920
copper we produced; last year only 28.2%; this year
probably 43%. No real change in the market can be
expected until peace is ratified with Germany and eco-
nomic conditions in Europe are restored to some measure
of normality.
Tj1 ASTERN SIBERIA is a land of fabulous wealth, on
-*-J the principle of the proverb that says, "The oxen
farthest from home have the biggest horns". We know
something about that part of the world and therefore
were not overwhelmed mentally by the highly colored
description of the concession said to have been obtained
by the Mr. Vanderlip who was not the Mr. Frank A.
Vanderlip of New York but an adventurer from Los
Angeles. It appears now that an opportunity of sharing
in potentialities of wealth beyond the dreams of avarice
was offered to that sagacious old sailor, Capt. Robert
Dollar, of San Francisco, a man of keen intelligence and
wide experience in business affairs — indeed, one of the
merchant princes of the Golden Gate. He declined Mr.
Washington D. Vanderlip 's offer because he believed
that the concession would not be validated in behalf of
its American holders, and because any attempt to vali-
date it would lead to war with Japan; moreover, the
Soviet government insisted that the widest publicity
should be given to the affair in order to swing American
sentiment to their side, upon which Capt. Dollar re-
marked, "There's too much brass band in this". So he
relinquished his chance to exploit Kamchatka, a beauti-
ful peninsula delightfully described in Mr. George Ken-
nan's 'Tent Life in Siberia', one of the best books of
travel ever written. It seems to us that Capt. Dollar
showed characteristic good sense. Meanwhile it is in-
teresting to note, according to recent dispatches from
London, that the government of Lenin and Trotzky in-
vites foreign capitalists to assist them in exploiting the
resources of Russia, that is, they acknowledge the failure
of communism to produce the raw materials needed for
domestic manufactures and actually welcome the in-
vasion of foreign capitalism to correct the deficiency.
The Flotation Conference
The recent successful convention of the American
Mining Congress at Denver was rendered particularly
memorable by a special conference on the present status
of flotation, not the state of the art but the conditions
created by the tactics pursued by the Minerals Separa-
tion company and the unpleasantness ensuing therefrom.
Mr. George E. Collins presided, efficiently and grace-
fully. The proceedings were given point by the presence
of three official representatives of Minerals Separation,
namely, Mr. Alfred D. Cook, attorney and director, Mr.
E. H. Nutter, chief engineer, and Mr. Chester B. Allen,
secretary to the Minerals Separation North American
Corporation. At the opening session Mr. Collins de-
livered an interesting address, reviewing the history of
the process, with special reference to the Everson episode
in Colorado and recording his own early participation
in experimental work. Then followed several indict-
ments of Minerals Separation, which was placed in
the position of a defendant while gentlemen on the other
side fired broadsides loaded chiefly with testimony elic-
ited in the hearings before the Federal Trade Commis-
sion; indeed, the 'conference' had the air of a court-
room while two of the lawyers representing the American
Mining Congress before the Commission, Mr. George L.
Nye, of Denver, and Mr. Gilbert H. Montague, of New
York, arraigned the patent-exploiting company. We
shall publish their addresses in due course. Mr. T. A.
Rickard was asked to speak, but waived the privilege,
suggesting that the interest of the proceedings would be
heightened if one of the gentlemen on the other side were
to reply. Even an opponent could appreciate the un-
pleasant position of Messrs. Cook, Nutter, and Allen,
who had been invited to attend, and who had shown
courtesy in coming to the conference, only to find them-
selves excoriated for their misdemeanors. The chairman
invited Mr. Nutter to reply, but Mr. Cook rose to state
that they preferred to postpone a response until later,
when the attack had been concluded. The afternoon
session was marked by an eloquent speech from Mr. Cook,
who endeavored skilfully to rebut the evidence adduced
against his clients. His statement was interrupted by
Mr. Montague, who insisted upon a categorical reply to
the question as to whether on the expiration of No.
835,120 the Minerals Separation company would cease
collecting royalty from their licensees on the process
(less than 1% oil) covered by that patent. Mr. Cook
replied that he was not a patent attorney and disclaimed
authority to reply to Mr. Montague's question, under-
taking, however, to telegraph to Mr. John Ballot, the
president of the company, in New York, for an official
statement. At the following session, next morning, Mr.
Cook read his telegram to Mr. Ballot and the reply there-
to. They were as follows :
" Do we claim that if a licensee uses first patent in suit
after its expiration in 1923 and operation thereafter does
not come under other patents that he must continue to
pay royalties to us?"
"The answer to your question is 'No' we do not claim
payment of royalty in suit or on any other patent at
time of expiration, but we do claim royalty for any other
unexpired patents."
Mr. Montague expressed great gratification at Mr.
Ballot's telegram, characterizing it as "magnificent" and
more than justifying all the efforts made by the Ameri-
can Mining Congress in behalf of flotation users. Mr.
Oscar Rohn also expressed satisfaction and remarked
that he had no animosity against Minerals Separation.
The next speaker was Mr. Nutter, who placed stress on
the valuable service performed for the mining industry
by his company's testing laboratory in San Francisco
and described how he and his associates had persuaded
the Anaconda and Inspiration mining companies to adopt
flotation, thereby introducing the successful application
of the process in this country. A further altercation be-
tween the lawyers was checked by the chairman, who
called upon Mr. Rickard to speak. He began by saying
December 4. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
791
that he had not been in any hurry to join in the attack
because he had had ample opportunities for doing so
elsewhere, and he had availed himself of them freely.
Be made a plea for intellectual honesty, insisting that
without it the conference would get nowhere. He de-
murred to Mr. Rolin's disclaimer of animosity, insisting
that there was plenty of animosity against Minerals Sep-
aration, and for good reason. Personally he was much
prejudiced against them, but the recognition of his own
prejudice did not prevent — it probably helped — him in
being fair. As to the "magnificence" of Mr. Ballot's
telegram, he thought that interpretation ridiculous; it
needed no lawyer to see "that the Minerals Separation
company could not collect royalty on a patent after it
expired and that the expiration of No. 835,120 promised
no particular relief because 67 other patents were owned
by Minerals Separation. The complexities created by
the effort to interpret No. 835,120 were as nothing to the
confusion worse confounded that would follow from the
impending litigations over the patent for a soluble f roth-
ing-agent. As to Mr. Nutter's research laboratory and
its usefulness to the industry, it was to laugh. In regard
to the first application of flotation to chalcocite ore, it
was a fact indeed that the Minerals Separation people
had been the first to demonstrate the amenability of this
class of ore to flotation, and credit was due to Mr. Nutter
personally for this particular achievement, but it was
to be remembered that he did this in 1915, that is, nine
years after the grant of the patent. The delay in the
successful use of flotation in this country was due in
large measure to the Minerals Separation company, whose
metallurgists had stated in print that the froth-agitation
process was not suitable for chalcocite ores. However,
he did not desire to belabor the point; it seemed to be
about time to recognize the impasse into which the flota-
tion contest had drifted and to endeavor to lift the quar-
rel out of the morass of litigation. As one wholly de-
tached from personal interest in the matter, he ventured
to place a proposal before the conference, namely, that
all the patent-rights of the Minerals Separation company
be purchased by a syndicate, composed preferably of
those representing the principal so-called infringers.
Whatever the sum required to make the purchase, a
large part of it would be met by a royalty levied on the
tonnages already treated ; the remainder would be amor-
tized by the collection of royalty for a period of years
long enough to permit the purchase to be redeemed, with
current interest on the capital involved. Thus in five or
ten years the industry would be relieved from the burden
of litigation, and the greater incubus of inquisition and
interference by the patent-exploiting agency, while the
present litigants would find a reasonable solution of their
troubles. In order to lift the settlement above a merely
commercial and litigious level he suggested that the
royalty, to be levied until the cost of purchase had been
redeemed, include one cent per ton for the purpose of
endowing a research fund, and the establishment of a
central laboratory for progressive experimentation in
flotation. Mr. Cook rose to thank the Congress for its
courtesy to him and to his associates. The meeting closed
by the reading by Mr. Philip Argall of a paper on recent
improvements in the treatment of ores by flotation. The
contentious phase of the meeting was over and it re-
mained only for the directors of the American Mining
Congress to take action on Mr. Riekard's suggestion.
This, we understand, was done in due course, the new
president, Mr. W. J. Loring, being authorized to nomi-
nate a committee for the purpose.
Curtis H. Lindley
The death of Judge Lindley is more than a personal
loss to his many friends, it marks the close of a career
of great public usefulness. The Bar Association of San
Francisco has expressed its respect for him as a lawyer.
The president of that Association stated : " In his passing
the Nation lost one of its most patriotic citizens, the
State of California one of its most useful sons, the city
of San Francisco one of its most trusted advisers in
matters of great public concern, and this organization
one of its hardest workers and its brightest ornaments. ' '
On the front page of his treatise on ' The American Law
Relating to Mines and Mineral Lands' Judge Lindley
quoted Bacon 's admonition : " I hold every man a debtor
to his profession ; from the which, as men of course do
seek to receive countenance and profit, so ought they of
duty to endeavor themselves, by way of amends, to be a
help and ornament thereto." He lived up to this pre-
cept; most assuredly he proved himself a help to his
colleagues and an ornament to the profession itself. His
treatise, usually known as 'Lindley on Mines', will re-
main an enduring monument to his industry, intelli-
gence, and intellectual power. The first edition was pub-
lished in 1897, and the second in 1903. The earthquake-
fire of 1906 destroyed the plates of the second edition
and the much more valuable notes already gathered for
the publication of a third edition. It was a hard blow
to our friend, but his courage rose superior to adverse
circumstances and he proceeded indomitably to re-assem-
ble the material for the third edition, which appeared in
1914. He was president of the San Francisco Bar Asso-
ciation for four years, president of the California Bar
Association for two years, director of the Panama-Pacific
Exposition of 1915, and a Park Commissioner; he was
always ready to give the benefit of his advice in public
matters and he was constantly consulted privately on
affairs of great moment. In 1917 he became legal adviser
to the Food Administration and drafted the bill creating
the U. S. Grain Corporation. He assisted Mr. Hoover
with his characteristic loyalty and sincerity, working so
hard during the hot summer at "Washington that he re-
turned home an invalid. From this illness he never
quite recovered ; he was as truly a casualty of the War
as if he had advanced with our troops in the Argonne ;
he was a faithful soldier and answered the call of duty
as truly as if he had fought in the trenches, and with
scarcely less danger to his life. On his return to Wash-
ington, after an absence of a year, he was crippled by
ill health and yet would not abate his devotion to pro-
792
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 4, 1920
fessional duties. He continued to engage in sundry im-
portant litigations, the two latest mining suits in which
he participated as senior counsel being the Bingham and
Oatman cases. It gratified him greatly to win the for-
mer, for he had become impressed by the apparently
fortuitous character of judicial opinions. He bad just
finished his part in the Oatman case, a cross-examination
of the principal expert on the other side, when he was
stricken with an internal hemorrhage, an hour after
returning from the court-room to the hotel at Kingman,
Arizona. He died as he wished, in harness. To mining
engineers he was known as the most distinguished of the
lawyers engaged in unraveling the complexities created
by the effort to reconcile the apex law with geologic
structure; in 1917 he was retained as an adviser in a
famous British suit arising out of an apex litigation in
Rhodesia; he was counsel for a number of important
mining companies, among which we may mention the
Bunker Hill, Alaska Treadwell, Alaska Juneau, Ken-
nedy, Argonaut, North Star, Nevada Consolidated, and
Inspiration. To others it has been permitted to achieve
distinction in the law; Judge Lindley won a finer fame
and a rarer record as a good citizen. In a republic, that
is the supreme achievement. In days when cheap poli-
ticians slapped their chests and proclaimed themselves
American, it was a relief, and is now a stimulating
memory, to think of the Judge as the exponent of the
American ideal of unremitting industry, undeviating in-
tegrity, alert intelligence, and devoted public service.
Electrolytic Zinc
Those who have tried to obtain trustworthy informa-
tion concerning the technology of the electrolytic method
of extracting zinc from its ores will have discovered to
their chagrin that the superintendent or manager is
usually quite willing to talk about his roasting and leach-
ing processes, about his cathodes and his anodes, but when
questions are asked concerning the purification of the
electrolyte and the means employed for correcting the
fouling of that metallurgical medium, he becomes evasive
if not silent; in short, it is almost impossible to obtain
detailed information concerning the critical part of the
refining process. Therefore we take especial pleasure in
publishing a comprehensive article on the subject by Mr.
Herbert R. Hanley, who has been directing metallurgical
operations, and the research incidental thereto, at the
Bully Hill smelter in Shasta county, California. He de-
scribes the technique of the process whereby zinc is ob-
tained electrolytically from ores and from smelter by-
products.- The successful application of electrolysis to
the precipitation of zinc from a sulphuric-acid solution
on a large scale is comparatively new, and, while much
has been written regarding special features of the opera-
tion and numerous plants have been described in a gen-
eral way, there was need of a comprehensive discussion
of the problems that are presented and the methods by
which difficulties may be overcome, such as Mr. Hanley
gives our readers. He speaks with the confidence of one
who has actually applied his technical skill to commercial
operations and his conclusions therefore may be accepted
as authoritative, at least in the light of our present
knowledge ; it is imprudent, of course, to imply that any
metallurgical process has been perfected. The recovery
of zinc from a sulphide ore includes a series of pre-
liminary operations each of which has a direct bearing
on successful electrolysis. These are roasting, leaching,
filtering, purification, and a second filtration just before
the electrolyte enters the cells. The best roasting is ac-
complished when the zinc sulphate in the calcine is just
sufficient to balance the acid-losses in the subsequent
steps of the process, provided, of course, that there is
produced a maximum amount of zinc soluble in acid.
The technique of efficient roasting is discussed briefly.
Leaching is done in a Pachuca vat. Cyanide operators
might be inclined to take exception to the practice of
calling this operation leaching; leaching rather implies
percolation, whereas this process is one of agitation and
filtration entirely analogous from a mechanical stand-
point to the slime-treatment of gold and silver ores, ex-
cept that the time required is short. Some of the con-
taminating compounds of iron and antimony are precipi-
tated at this stage of the process by the addition of sundry
oxidizing reagents. The first filtration is commonly done
by means of a continuous vacuum-filter ; silica, alumina,
and some salts of iron, if present, retard the filtering
and it is accordingly desirable to remove them as com-
pletely as possible in the leaching process, which, if prop-
erly regulated, does this satisfactorily. The next step,
the purification of the solution, is the critical phase of
the whole process. It is easy to precipitate zinc from a
solution of nearly pure zinc sulphate by means of an
electric current ; but exceedingly small amounts of con-
taminating salts of copper, cadmium, and some other
metals can spoil the result. Not only do they produce
a spongy impure deposit on the cathodes, but they pro-
mote the re-solution of the deposited zinc, and may re-
duce the current efficiency to a prohibitive extent. Mr.
Hanley goes into detail regarding this vexing problem
and describes the chemical precipitation with zinc-dust
as the standard method used at present. An electrolytic
precipitation is technically possible, but the expense of
erecting and operating the necessary equipment would
not be justified under ordinary conditions. Purification
is done by agitating the filtrate with zinc-dust in a
Pachuca vat, while a pressure-filter serves to remove the
small quantity of precipitate formed, leaving the neutral
filtrate ready for the electrolytic cells. The regulation
of current density, acidity, temperature, and electro-
motive force has been the subject of considerable re-
search, the results of which are shown in a series of eleven
typical curves that indicate clearly the effect of varying
the different factors. "We believe that Mr. Hanley 's article
will be of value to the engineer who must have a general
knowledge of the electrolytic metallurgy of zinc, no less
than to the metallurgist who is engaged in the operation
of an electrolytic plant. It is a rare combination of
practical and technical information, presented with care
and precision.
December 4, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
7!):!
D I «
The Belmont Shawmut Mill
The Editor:
Sir — In your issue of November 6 appears an inter-
esting article on the operation of the mill of the Belmont
Shawmut Mining Co., by A. B. Parsons. In the article
several points are brought out that especially appeal
to the engineer, perhaps on account of the difficulty
of explaining the why's and wherefore's: First, the
statement that the pebble-eonsumption was 1.3 lb. per
ton of ore when the pebble-load was maintained at a
point 10 in. below the centre of the tube, and the pebble
consumption was only 0.3 lb. per ton of ore. This
wide difference in pebble wear is unusual and the only
plausible explanation is that the grinding capacity of
the tube-mill, when charged with pebbles to the centre
line, was too great for the feed introduced, the pulp
circulating through the mill not being sufficient to prop-
erly cushion the pebbles, and thereby causing an undue
contact of pebble against pebble.
A second point brought out was the importance of
using sodium sulphide in the flotation-circuit; that the
nse of this reagent might serve to improve the grade of
the flotation-concentrate by deflocculating the gangue
is apparent, but just why the recoveries should also show
marked improvement is more difficult of explanation
because gold when associated with sulphide or when free
and liberated from the gangue in a fine state of division
usually yields itself readily to the ordinary flotative re-
agents.
Thirdly, the statement is made that mixing the fine
raw flotation-concentrate with granular roasted concen-
trate has three important results ; first the cyanide con-
sumption is reduced, secondly, the recovery on the
roasted product is slightly improved and, thirdly, that
m increase of over 30% is effected in the recovery on
the raw flotation-concentrate as compared with the recov-
iries made when treating the calcined and flotation-con-
3entrate separately. The slightly improved recovery on
;he calcined concentrate when agitated with the fine
3otation-concentrate may be explained by a lesser ten-
lency of the combined product to stratify and becoming
)f too great a density in the lower part of the agitator
'or efficient dissolution of the precious metal. The great
mprovement in the extraction on the raw flotation-con-
entrate is more difficult of satisfactory explanation. Mr.
. /"arsons mentions that before putting a fresh charge into
he agitator an excess of ferrous sulphate is used to kill
U free cyanide. It is possible that this and other similar
oluble salts present in the calcined ore, alone or com-
bined with the scouring effect of agitating the coarser
and finer material together, may have a tendency to
free the raw concentrate from adhering oil-films, which
would make the raw concentrate amenable to the action
of cyanide solution. The rejection of oil from the cir-
cuit in the agitator-overflow would normally reduce the
consumption of cyanide. It may also be that insufficient
oxygen is taken into the pulp when agitating the raw
flotation-concentrate alone. Mixing the two products,
one being reducing and the other oxidizing, may set up
an electro-chemical action that would accelerate the solu-
tion of the gold. The calcined product is delivered to
the agitator at a temperature much above that of the
raw concentrate. The temperature of the combined
product would therefore be considerably above that of
the flotation-concentrate drawn from the thickener. This
change in temperature would no doubt result in im-
proved recovery, but would hardly account for the full
increase in extraction.
Henry Hanson.
San Francisco, November 18.
The Rod-Mill
The Editor:
Sir — In a recent issue you mentioned the possibility
of an improved rod-mill that might supercede the ball
and tube-mills of the present day. You gave no details,
and as our company, the Mineral Creek Copper Co., with
mines in the Cascade mountains, within three hours ride
from here, has installed such a mill which is doing ex-
cellent work, it may be of interest to your readers to
know something about it.
It was patented four or five years ago and is a bal-
anced-rod grinding-mill made at Tacoma, Washington,
at Provo, Utah, and at Vancouver, B. C. It occupies a
floor space of six by eight feet and is six feet high, set in a
dust and water-tight case so that it can be operated wet or
dry without any inconvenience to the workmen. There
are two bearings outside this case easy to oil and get at.
The main shaft is 7 ft. 6 in. long and 4-J in. diameter.
There are two heavy steel castings keyed near the centre
of the shaft, two feet apart and having circular openings
60° apart, 16 in. diameter, in which are placed 25 to 40
1 and 14/-in. rods four feet long. The entire lot of rods
weighs from 2J to 3J tons. The circles are 4 or 5 in.
wide and 1 and 1J in. thick, which form tracks or rings
for the rods to roll and tumble in as the mill revolves.
The construction is such that the mill is nearly bal-
anced and requires only two horse-power to operate.
794
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 4, 1920 ;
Between each set of rods is a 6-in. strip of f-in. boiler-
plate extending from end to end of the mill, which acts
like elevator buckets to carry the overside up and feed it
through the rods. There are twelve sets of screens 8 in.
by 3| ft. and as soon as the material is crushed to size it
leaves the mill.
We run the mill at a speed of 25 r.p.m. and have 28 ft.
of 40-mesh steel battery-screen in use. We can easily
mill from 2 to 3 tons per hour from the crushers which
are set to f-in. mill-feed. There is little wear on the
rods, screen, or mill, and it makes an exceedingly simple
construction, as it avoids the use of elevators, conveyors,
screens, classifiers, de-waterers, and thickeners.
R. L. Parker.
Tacoma, Washington, November 17.
The Ore Deposits of Mexico
The Editor:
Sir — Having had occasion to review a mining report
on a mine in Zacualpan district, Mexico, in which ref-
ence was made to the articles on the 'Ore Deposits of
Mexico' by S. J. Lewis that you published recently, I
searched my files and read with much profit the article
describing the above named district. Finding it un-
usually instructive I was led to go back and read all of
the contributions in sequence.
My purpose in this communication is to ask if you will
not, in future, by short editorial paragraph, draw atten-
tion of your readers to matter of this kind, paticularly
where it appears as in this case, over a period of eight
months, interrupted between numbers II and III by
fully three months.
Articles as deserving of attention as Mr. Lewis's are
worthy of more than one editorial reference, and busy
men among your subscribers will thank you for a re-
minder which will lead to picking up some desirable
reading matter that otherwise may be overlooked.
At the present time Mexican mining is surely coming
into its own, unless all signs fail, and stimulation on
your part to further contributions from those who are
competent to write about Mexico is one of your duties to
your readers.
F. L. Sizer.
San Francisco, November 12.
The Price of Gold
The Editor:
Sir-^In the 'Press' of October 30, Mr. W. B. Chomley
has a note on 'The Price of Gold' in which he fails to
note the dual features of gold, namely, price and value.
Price is the mask which hides the value. To illustrate,
I quote from your editorial column of March 20 :
' ' Evidence introduced in a London police court against
seven persons, one of whom is described as a gold miner,
shows that 110,000 sovereigns were withdrawn from the
Bank of England and melted into bullion, which was then
sold at a premium."
These persons didn't melt up the sovereigns as a metal-
lurgical experiment, nor was the destruction of King
George's likeness only a matter of vandalism. These
persons were after a profit. They knew what many close
students of the subject know, that gold has a price and
also a value, the price being stamped upon coins as a
mask to hide the value. The culprits in this case merely
melted the mask and exposed the value.
The price of gold today is $20.67 per ounce ; the value
is more nearly $45 per ounce. „ , _
P. A. Robbins.
San Francisco, November 6.
[The British sovereign, in London, is worth more dead
than alive, that is, its bullion value is greater than its
coinage value. This is not true of an American gold-
piece, which remains at a price proportionate to the
amount of bullion in it, at $20.67 per ounce. The British
paper sovereign is at a discount commensurate with the
premium on gold, in Great Britain. The U. S. $5 paper
bill remains at parity. — Editor.]
Mr. Hoover's Biography
The Editor:
Sir — A few lines in reply to Mr. Field's letter in your
issue of November 13. Apart from my error in saying
that there was no office operated by Bewick, Moreing &
Co. at Coolgardie, I do not feel inclined to retract what
I wrote in your issue of August 28. Mr. Field spoke gen-
erally in his biography in the ' Sunset Magazine ' ; now he
specifies where the single-jack drilling method was adopt-
ed in Western Australia. I have sent copies of the
'Sunset' for July to friends in Australia, and they con-
sidered the matter in the same light as myself. An
Australian in British Columbia first drew my attention
to the article discussed, so apparently I am not the only
one who regarded the matter as a slight on Australian
methods. What riles me is such passages as: "A man
over thirty can't stand Australian climate and living
conditions, they say, and it takes a man of seventy-five to
handle their problems down there." .... "Mining
there was in the kindergarten stage of sixty years ago in
California. It fairly made an American engineer weep."
. . . "They refused to use the new tools; they flung
them into the machinery of the stamp-mills . . ,
I wish it to be remembered that in this discussion I am
not trying to depreciate Mr. Hoover in any way, far from
it; I simply want Australians to get fair pla}'. And as
I was one of the very few metallurgists that wrote or
Australian practice from 1906 to 1913, as you will con ^
firm, I feel it a duty to continue to do so in America. jj
Max von Berxevhtz.
New York, November 17.
H
k
hat
ilium miimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiimmriimiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiitiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiimmiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiimvw
During the War 83% of the platinum consumed ill
this country was used in essential industries (chemical
electrical, and dental), but in 1919 only 40% was s|
used, and the quantity used for jewelry increased fror 1
12 to 56%. The remaining small percentage was divide |
among several minor uses.
iiiiti
htl
Bit
December 4. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
795
Electrolytic Zinc Methods
By Herbert R. Hanley
Introduction. The development of processes that
have had practical application in the production of
electrolytic zinc have received a great stimulus during
the past five years. The subject had received consider-
able attention two or three decades ago by man}7 investi-
gators, and most processes evolved at this early date
were based upon principles which are followed, to a con-
siderable extent, in current practice. The study of these
principles has given a better understanding of them and
has led to the formulation of a few new ones and also
to the deduction of a few corollaries. The development
of methods that have economic application, however, has
been the greatest factor in the growth of the industry.
The technique of electrolytic zinc has received consid-
erable attention in the literature of the profession dur-
ing the past few years, and anyone attempting to write
on the subject is likely to indulge in considerable repeti-
tion, but to the extent that this appears necessary for
illustration, I shall make no attempt to avoid it.
The economic electrolytic deposition of zinc from solu-
tion is an operation that must be performed in the elec-
trolyte containing this metal as a sulphate, in the absence
of certain other substances or with a limited amount of
them. This is an essential fundamental condition. It is
now generally recognized that the earlier processes for
the production of electrolytic zinc did not have depend-
able and economic methods for the purification of the
solution. There are man}7 other factors of vital impor-
tance, but they are secondary to those involving purifi-
cation, which if not effectual will cause a defeat of the
purpose in hand. With this idea as a premise for the
economic production of electrolytic zinc, the various
steps of the work will now be considered.
The principal source of raw material is the zinc sul-
phide or oxidized zinc ores. A minor source at present,
but which may become an important one, is represented
by condensation products from smelters collected in bag-
houses or by means of the Cottrell precipitator.
Preparation of Zinc-Sulphide Ores, Boasting. A
better understanding of the conditions required in the
roasting of zinc ores has led to the production of a cal-
cine that has a smaller percentage of' zinc insoluble in
dilute sulphuric acid than was formerly the case. The
extent to which this insoluble form of zinc is present in a
calcine varies with the composition of the ore and the
condition of the roast.
In the purification department there are certain losses
solution containing zinc. Incidental to these losses
ere is also a loss of potential sulphuric acid represented
Iby the sulphate radical of the zinc-sulphate solution. To
the extent this potential sulphuric acid is lost, new acid
jnmst be introduced, either in the form of purchased acid
th.
or by the formation of potential acid in the calcine, which
is represented by the formation of zinc sulphate. All
zinc plants strive to obtain a balanced system in regard
to sulphuric acid; that is, efforts are made to form, by
sulphate roasting, sufficient sulphate of zinc to balance
the acid losses taking place in other departments.
There are several factors governing the amount of zinc
sulphate formed in the roasting-furnace. These factors
include the quantity of air that can come in contact with
the particles of ore, the percentage of iron in the ore, the
character of the iron-sulphide crystallization, and the
temperature at which the operation is performed. C. A.
Hansen has done some valuable work on the roasting of
ores and has made important contributions to the litera-
ture on the subject.* He has pointed out the role played
by iron in the formation of sulphate, and particularly the
effect of isomorphous crystallization of iron and zinc, as
well as many other important factors. This subject em-
braces a field too large for discussion in this article.
The subject of rabbling is one that operators regard
with great importance because it is responsible for the
oxidation of the ore particles. The roasting of a given
type of ore containing approximately 25% zinc, 15%
iron, and an amount of sulphur that would indicate the
absence of isomorphic crystallization of these two metals,
when carried out under uniform conditions except for
the degree of rabbling, will yield a calcine with a wide
variation in the proportion of zinc sulphate formed. An
increase of rabbling in the zone where the first atom of
sulphur is being volatilized, including the subsequent
area where there is considerable exothermic action, in a
measure minimizes the amount of acid-insoluble zinc
compounds. This method of rabbling saves a certain
amount of zinc that can be converted into soluble oxide
and sulphate where conditions are favorable for their
formation. The admission of a large amount of air is
directly reflected in the low sulphur di-oxide content of
the roaster gases, and this condition is necessary for the
formation of zinc sulphate.
The calcine produced from ores containing above 16%
lead usually has a lower percentage of total soluble zinc.
This condition may be due to the influence of the lead or
to the crystalline condition of the iron, or a combination
of both.
Smelter-Fume. The condensation products from bag-
houses or Cottrell precipitators, when operated in con-
junction with blast-furnaces treating copper or lead ores,
frequently have a high zinc content. If this product,
which may be termed 'fume', contains some of the more
valuable metals that are recoverable as by-products, then
the treatment of this oxidized material for the recovery
•Bulletin A. I. M. E., August 1919.
796
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 4, 1926
of zinc electrolytically becomes an important matter.
Bag-houses in general produce a fume containing a
larger amount of arsenic than is usually present in the
zinc ores offered for treatment in an electrolytic zinc
plant. The treatment of the fume in this kind of plant
involves first the separation of the arsenic. The selection
or development of methods to carry out this step will be
influenced by the oxidation state of the arsenic. If this
element is uncombined with other metallic bases and is
in the lower or trivalent state of oxidation, it can be
volatilized by heat alone. If combined with other bases,
however, then more involved methods must be employed
for separating it, inasmuch as simple heat-treatment will
not then be found effective.
In this article the fire method only will be considered
for the separation of arsenic from the fume.
It is well known that if sulphuric acid is mixed with
an arsenical zinc fume in proper proportion to unite with
the bases that are in combination with the arsenic as arse-
nites and arsenates, there is a volatilization of a certain
amount of the arsenic during the roasting of this mix-
ture, and the zinc is converted into sulphate. The amount
of sulphuric acid required for such work will vary with
different kinds of fume, but it will be represented usually
by a quantity calculated to combine with the valuable
metallic bases that can enter into solution. In this case
zinc is desired in solution, and the sulphuric acid is mixed
with the fume in an amount corresponding to its equiva-
lent combining weight with this metallic base. A slight
excess of 10 to 15% sulphuric acid is usually added to
make up for acid losses incurred by its combination with
other inherent bases.
The mixing of the fume with dilute acid is an opera-
tion that is by no means simple. There is a tendency to
form cement-like solids during the mixing of these sub-
stances, and this troublesome condition must be largely
overcome to conduct the operation economically.
Roasting of the Acid-Treated Fume. There is a
progressive conversion of iron compounds to sulphate as
the roasting proceeds during the first half of this opera-
tion, after which there is a gradual oxidation of the fer-
rous sulphate to ferric oxide. The copper compound is
converted progressively into sulphate throughout the
entire roasting period, and becomes maximum at the
time of discharge. There is only a slow volatilization of
the water-soluble arsenic during the first quarter of the
period, then it becomes eliminated quite rapidly. Table
I shows the changes taking place during roasting.
The elevation of the temperature is made progressively
and care, must be taken to avoid sintering near the zone
of heat introduction. Low temperatures are maintained
during the roast to avoid crusts, which would be readily
formed if abnormal rises of temperature were permitted.
The initial temperature of 330°C. is present on the sec-
ond hearth and approximately 510°C. on the seventh or
lowest hearth. When the seventh hearth is cooler than
the sixth, there is an increase in the water-soluble iron
noted on the former ; in other words, there is a consistent
reduction of iron from the water-insoluble form on the
sixth to a water-soluble condition on the seventh hearth
when the temperature is as above stated. This is over-
come by maintaining the two lower hearths at approxi-
mately the same temperature.
Leaching. The treatment of the calcined zinc-bearing
material, whether obtained from ore or as a bag-house
product, is an operation that is devised to meet the re-
quirement of separating the soluble zinc compounds from
the solids. The method of performing the operation will
vary with the character of the calcine.
The so-called Paehuca tanks (or Brown agitators) are
generally used for this purpose ; they are more simple,
they are of larger capacity, and require less repairs than
other vats of the kind. Under certain conditions agita-
tors of the paddle type are indicated; these treat a
smaller quantity of material and require more repairs.
The length of the leaching operation is governed by
the rate of solubility of the zinc in the solution. If this
rate is slow, then a long leaching time is implied. In
some plants this is done by more or less continuous leach-
ing in a series of vats, thus giving a prolonged contact
between the calcine and the solution. The complete leach-
ing of water-soluble zinc salts from a calcine is accom-
plished in a few minutes, and any prolonged period of
leaching does not accomplish further solution.
The zinc that has gone into solution from the calcine
represents the percentage solubility referred to the total
zinc and should not be termed 'recovery', because this
term, when used in an unqualified manner, signifies the
amount of metal produced in marketable form referred to
the total zinc in the raw material entering the plant.
The leaching of calcined ores is performed by agita-
tion in an acid electrolyte obtained as an effluent from
the electrolytic zinc cells. The leaching of the acid roast
fume calcine is performed by adding it to water or a
neutral weak solution, obtained as wash-water, during
suitable agitation provided by Pachucas or paddles. The
zinc content of the primary solution obtained from the
leaching is usually regulated to approximately 90 to 100
grammes of zinc per litre, this figure, however, is subject
to variation, depending upon the rate at which the resi-
due settles, the filterability, and the degree of solution
purification required.
Leaching of Raw Arsenical Zinc Fume. The raw
fume contains elements as oxides or oxygen-carrying
compounds, which are, to a large extent, soluble in dilute
sulphuric acid. The leaching of this material usually re-
quires a different procedure common to general practice.
The fume that has been collected and stored as a mud
contains arsenates of the metal due to the oxidation of
the original arsenites previously mentioned. The princi-
pal arsenical compounds present during the leaching of
this class of fume are the arsenate and the arsenite of
zinc. The arsenate becomes a gelatinous translucent pre-
cipitate when the solution containing it is neutralized.
This compound is difficult to filter and practically im-
possible to wash. A fume containing 2 or 3% arsenic
as arsenate forms such a thick gelatinous mass upon
neutralization in the leaching-vat that the agitation is
December 4, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
797
Practically annulled and the tank content cannot be dis-
charged through a pipe-line. Arsenites do not cause this
condition.
In leaching the former class of fume, with dilute sul-
phuric acid, care must be exercised to the end that the
pulp does not become neutral during this operation.
Under certain conditions it becomes necessary to limit
the amount of acid used for leaching because of an in-
sufficient plant production of this reagent to balance the
acid system. In this ease sulphur di-oxide gas, 6 to 10%
by volume, may be used to balance the acid deficiency.
To carry out this method of leaching, the fume is slimed,
delivered to an agitating-vat containing neutral solution,
and the sulphurous gas delivered to cause a solution of
the excess portion of the acid-consuming constituents.
This procedure permits the completion of the leaching
with the reduced available supply of sulphuric acid.
TABLE I
Changes occurring In the composition of acid-mixed fume during: cal-
dnation in a Wedge roaster. 25 ft. diameter, seven hearths, of which six
| were healed.
7th
feed hearth hearth hearth hearth hearth hearth.
Roaster 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th discharge
nple 1 2 3 4 6 6 7
iHours in furnace 0 12 3 4 5 6
%
otal Zn 18.00
ater Sol. Zn.. 15.97
otal Cu 1.08
ater Sol. Cu. . 0.03
ital Fe 6.93
ater Sol. Fe. . 0.60
[Total As 8.0
'ater Sol. As. . 3.0
nperature C . . .
%
18.20
17.36
1.15
0.23
6.98
0.68
7.8
3.0
330"
18.8
17.8
1.18
0.40
7.20
0.80
6.0
2.0
385'
19.4
18.4
1.20
0.55
7.35
1.12
5.5
1.0
405"
19.7
18.6
1.22
0.67
7.54
0.80
5.0
0.5
410"
19.8
18.6
1.22
0.75
7.58
0.50
4.6
0.2
455"
19.8
18.6
1.22
0.79
7.60
0.20
3.5
0.01
510"
Solubility of pure SO. gas in zinc-sulphate solution at various temper-
atures. Sp. gr. of solution, 1.22
Weight of SO. dissolved
one litre
SO, gas
gtn.
. . 2.68
. . 2.54
. . 2.59
. . 2.43
. . 2.32
. . 2.28
. . 2.22
in one litre
of sol.
gm.
47.5
32.5
22.5
17.0
12.5
9.0
6.5
TABLE III
SO. in
solution
%
3.89
2.66
1.84
1.40
1.02
0.73
0.53
Volume of SO.
dissolved per
litre of 90l.
17.7
12.5
9.0
7.0
5.4
3.9
2.9
Separation of copper and sodium from zinc solutions by electrolysis
■ea of cathode 8.59 sq. ft.
•ea of anode 8.59 " "
lions electrolyte per square foot of cathode 2
•pner per litre of solution 5 grammes
nium per litre of solution 0.5
nc per litre of solution 90.0 "
•ent-density at start, per square foot 5.0 amperes
■ent-density from 0 to 50% copper depletion 5 to 11
Tent-density from 50 to 75% copper depletion 11 to 5
ent-density from 75 to 80% copper depletion 5 to 1.5
ent-density from 80 to 100% copper depletion 1.5 to 1.0
irage current-density over-all with respect to time. ... 4.5
|irrent-effieiency 82%
of zinc per 100 lb. copper 1.0
ng of anode to cathode 1 5/16
agitation
•rage temperature 55°C.
2.45
TABLE IV
osion rates of cathode zinc, melted zinc, rolled zinc, rolled aluminum
Corroding solution {^If^,^
Area exposed IS in. by 6 in. Loss per sq. ft.
per 24 hr.
le zinc 0.3 lb.
cathode zinc 12.0 "
sheet-zinc 10.0 "
aluminum 0.003 "
During this part of the leaching there is sufficient re-
duction of arsenate to arsenite to permit the addition of
sulphuric acid to the pulp without the arsenate gelatini-
zation of the mass in the vat. Without this incomplete
reduction to arsenite, however, the addition of acid to
the pulp induces an objectionable semi-solid condition
of the pulp. It will be understood that the mere sus-
pension of the fume in neutral solution does not cause
gelatinization because no arsenates are dissovled until
acid has been added.
Effectiveness of SO, in Zinc-Sulphate Solution.
The solubilities of pure sulphur di-oxide in the zinc-sul-
phate solution at various temperatures are as follows
(see Table II) :
If the preliminary leaching is made by a 7% S02 gas,
-^Perfect Reolac
ement Cur
.?
<
1
£s
s»
j£
\
h
a. z
\-
z £
\
i*. uj
%
k
it
\
5°=
w
GALLONS OF WASH-WATEfi USEr*
Fig. 1. General Washing Curve.
IO 20 30 ao SO oO 70 SO 90 'OO
GPAMME5 Of 50; DISSOLVED PER LITRE OF SOLUTION
Fig. 2. Curve Showing Solubility of SO. in Zinc-Sulphate
Solution Interpolated Beyond A. and B.
then the SO, present in the gas mixture can only exert
7% of the pressure, which permits a given volume of
pure SO, being dissolved in one volume of solution at a
given temperature. If the temperature of the solution
absorbing the gas is 60 °C, it will be seen, in Table II,
that 5.4 volumes of SO, are dissolved in one volume of
zinc-sulphate solution, if 100% S02 gas is used. The
7% S02 gas 7foo 4 =0-378 volume.
This is equivalent to 100 ec. solution dissolving 0.0378
litre S02 and the weight of this gas at 60 °C. is 2.32 X
0.0378 = 0.0876 gm. If the weight of 100 ce. zinc-sul-
phate solution is 122 gm-, the percentage of S02 in the
0.0876 x 100
solution amounts to
0.122
' = 0.071 of 1%, or 0.87
gm. SO, per litre of solution. It will thus be seen that
0.071 or 0.87 gm. of SO, per litre is approximately the
maximum of absorption when using 7% of S02 gas.
"While this percentage of SO, dissolved is low, the re-
798
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 4, 1920
suits are materially augmented in the presence of sul-
phites or bi-sulphites of the heavier metals. Thus when
S02 is combined with CaO or ZnO, it can be present to
the extent of several percentages. In such cases the solu-
tion acts first as a carrier between the S02 and the heavy
metallic bases, and second as a better solvent for the zinc
salts by virtue of its newly acquired property.
Inasmuch as there are arsenates present in the pulp in
suspension, there is a fairly rapid oxidation of the SO=
to H=S04, which dissolves more zinc and arsenic from the
fume, and the continual presence of SO, prevents arse-
nates being formed in the solution. A solution of zinc
as sulphite can be quite rapidly changed into the sulphate
by the means of air agitation.
Filtration. The great irregularity in the filtering
rates for different classes of materials in connection with
the degree of filter-cake washing required and the dis-
position of the residual solids make the selection of a
filter best suited for the work a matter of considerable
circumspection.
Filtration of suspensions of ealcine-residue is always
performed where economically possible, on thickened
pulp by a continuous vacuum type of filter. Some kinds
of fume, however, do not settle, well ; in fact, under cer-
tain conditions no perceptible settlement occurs with this
class of material. The filtration is usually performed by
delivering the material in an unthickened condition to a
pressure type of filter, whereby higher pressures can be
applied than can be obtained in vacuum-filter. It is true
generally that a suspension of solids that cannot be thick-
ened has a slow filtering rate, and if this unthickened
pulp were delivered to a continuous-vacuum filter, the
cake formed would be extremely thin, and as such cannot
be efficiently washed nor effectively discharged from the
filter- cloth.
To maintain a workable condition of the cloth in a
mechanical filter it is quite important that the cake
formed be of sufficient thickness to possess a coherent
property, so that it can be dislodged in mass from the
cloth by air-pressure from within. The imprint of the
cloth-fabric is present on the inner face of the cake when
removed properly. The scrapers employed to remove the
cake after it has been separated from the filter-cloth by
air-pressure, cannot be used effectively to separate the
cake from the cloth, inasmuch as this action forces the
fine solid into the pores of the cloth, resulting in pre-
mature clogging of the filtering medium.
For obvious reasons, the washing of filter-cakes to re-
move soluble zinc salts cannot be done with perfect re-
placement by the wash-water. Such an operation would
imply only the use of a volume of wash-water equal to
the volume of the liquid entrained in the cake to accom-
plish the desired end. Perfect replacement, however,
only occurs during the first part of the washing cycle,
and soon becomes inoperative owing to the diffusion of
weaker solution into the stronger liquid in the cake. The
amount of soluble salt removed per unit-volume of wash-
water then becomes approximately uniform for a short
time, after the soluble salts are greatly reduced in the
cake, then a relatively less amount of these salts is re-
moved per unit-volume of wash-water.
By plotting the volumes of the wash-water used per
unit of zinc dilution along the abscissa, and the zinc con-
tents of the filter-effluents along the ordinate, the follow-
ing curve results; a short horizontal line representing
perfect replacement, then this is bent to an inclined posi-
tion coinciding with diffusion, and later, after a certain
amount of soluble salts has be?n removed, the inclined
portion is bent back somovhat. again approaching the
horizontal, coinciding with that part of the wash which
requires an enormous quantity of wash-water to remove a
small amount of soluble zinc. This is shown diagram-
matically in Fig. 1. The extent of filter-cake washing in
practice is limited to an amount which will cause only
permissible dilution of solution, as there is no material
concentration of liquid in other parts of the plant.
There are many substances that exert a retarding in-
fluence on the rate of filtration and on the rate of ef-
fective washing. It is the physical condition of these
substances rather than the substances themselves that is
responsible for this influence. Generally speaking, col
loidal matter in the mixtures to be filtered exerts this re
tarding influence. It is known that most of the elements
can be caused to exist in the colloidal state, in which con-
dition the extremely minute particles of the solids ill
suspension in the liquid remain apparently in perfect
equilibrium with reference to their positions in the
liquid ; the influence of gravity tending to cause the
suspended particles to settle is less than the forces which
maintain the perfect suspension. These forces also exert
an effective resistance to the separation of the suspended
solids from the liquid when filtration is attempted.
Among the principal substances that have a retarding
influence on filtration and the washing of cakes are silica;
ferrous and ferric iron, alumina, and the arsenates oi
metals. The problem of overcoming the effects of these
or similar substances is one that must receive first atten-
tion.
The leaching of calcined ore producing a solutior
which is slightly acid, presents a mixture that can bi
easily filtered and washed. The precipitation of silics
and iron from this filtrate, obtained as above, may be ac
complished by the addition of a base such as powdera
lime-rock or calcined ore in the presence of an oxidizinj
influence. When this is performed by the addition o
calcined ore, the gelatinous silica and floceulent iron com
pound become mixed with the incompletely leached resij
due of this calcine. The filtration of these solids fr<
the solution, which is now neutral, is done fairly ea:
but the solids are quite voluminous and floceulent
by virtue of this property, a large quantity of solutior
entrained in the filter-cake, from which it is not onl;
difficult to remove by washing, but the volume of wea
solution resulting from this wash would be in excesi
that which could be economically used in the solutio
system.
This filter-cake obtained from the filtration of the soli
tion that has been treated a second time with calcine coi
1 •■■■■ember 4, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
799
taining a large amount of entrained water-soluble zinc
together with the residual unleached zinc oxide of the
residue, in addition to the gelatinous silica and flocculent
iron compound, is given a heat-treatment at 150°C. to
1
>■'
mi
\
\
\
I
\
\
.■
a t.
-.
one
j«erf^f
\
\
\
\
\
\
-■■'
-
i/a
i added
\
-----
ei
\
fet
?4
—
4
1
■
i
'
i
Fig. 3.
Precipitation o£ Iron by Air-Bubblea Without the
Use of Limestone. 400 Gal. of Solution.
u Copper Cadmium
\
X
\c
\-^-
\
Vs
\o-
Y?>
N*s
\%
V*
TIME UN HOURS
Fig.
4. Showing Relative Rates of Precipitation of Copper
and Cadmium by Zinc Generalized.
s Copper removed
\
Copp
er c
ont
>nrj
n$'
-i.pe
r lit
~e
£400
D
5
\
~opp
r cc
nten
*&&
m.p
er ll\
re
I
Copper conte
it 2.
4 gr
T. p
er lit
«s
^1
Original solution copper
5.0 gm. per //^re-xL—
)
1
s
4
5
J
3
3 l
3
< \t
Fig.
AMPERE5 PER SQUARE FOOT
5. Curve Shows Maximum Amperes per Square Foot
Available with 2.4 5 Volts when Precipitating Copper
by Electrolysis in ZnSO, Solution. Practically no Pre-
cipitation of Zinc.
Cathode 23 in. wide, 2 71 in. long
AncJe 22 " " 26* " "
substances that have the deleterious effect of entraining
soluble zinc salts in filter-cakes, and in all cases these
methods have to be adapted to the particular class of ore
and the local conditions. Some of them do not involve
9r— I 1 1 1 1 1 1 T-^P
. -fy
::____p
;£
6S°C,
73°C.
O 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 SO* lOO '
CATHODE CURRENT DENSITV, AMPERE5 PER SQUARE FOOT
- Fig. 6. Voltage-Current Characteristics ,
ZnSO. Sol., 107 gm./L Zn, neutral. Cathode-area, 5.0 sq. ft.
Anode-area, 4.2 sq. ft. Anode-cathode spaping, 2 in.
45.5°C.
54.0°C.
63.0°C.
73.0°C.
7
/,
i
6
4
'#,
7
'*
'/
O
^
>
4
3
/
so 6o 70 ao
CATHODE CURRENT DENSITY, AMPERE5 PER SQUARE FOOT
Fig. 7. Voltage-Current Characteristics.
ZnSo, Sol., 92 gm./L Zn, 22 gm./L H2SCv Cathode-area,
5.0 sq. ft. Anode-area, 4.2 sq. ft. Anode-cathode
spacing, 2 in.
Hehydrate the silica and iron. This treatment renders
:hese two substances insoluble in dilute sulphuric acid,
Which is used to dissolve the zinc compounds following
|he dehydrating operation.
There are other effective methods for separating the
'
heat -treatment for the separation of silica and iron from
the soluble zinc.
The ores sent to the electrolytic zinc plant for treat-
ment seldom contain soluble arsenic in excess of one-
hundredth of the soluble zinc. The amount of arsenic
800
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 4, 1920
indicated by this ratio is too small to exert a serious
effect on filtration or zinc recovery regardless of the form
in which this element is present.
There are bag-house condensation products, however,
that contain soluble arsenic to the extent of a quarter of
the soluble zinc. When this class of raw fume is leached
direct with dilute sulphuric acid, the treatment of this
arsenical zinc solution presents a problem more complex
than that presented in an electrolytic zinc plant treating
ores. The arsenites of the metals in solution form a
granular precipitate upon neutralization and therefore
offer no serious filtration nor initial zinc-recovery prob-
lem. The arsenates, however, form a translucent jelly-
like mass upon neutralization and would not only defeat
the economic filtration but would change the entire eon-
tents of the leaehing-vat to a gelatinous mass that would
not flow through a pipe-line. Consequently, in the pres-
ence of considerable arsenate, the solution obtained in the
leach must not become neutral and is filtered in the
slightly acid condition such as 6 to 8 gm. H„S04 per litre.
Removal op Iron From Zinc-Sulphate Solution.
Some mention was made of the precipitation of iron in
the foregoing paragraphs, but it was done only for the
consideration of the inherent effect of the iron precipi-
tate on the filtration of the residue. The precipitation
of iron from zinc solutions will now be considered in a
chemical sense.
It is a matter of common knowledge that iron cannot
be completely precipitated by a base, such as zinc oxide,
hydrated lime, or lime-rock, unless it is in the ferric state
of oxidation. Practically all the soluble iron contained in
solution obtained by leaching a roasted zinc-concentrate
or fume is in the ferrous condition. When this solution
is treated by a base without oxidation, the iron compound
formed is not completely insoluble, and during subse-
quent filtering operations, part of this compound passes
through the filtering medium, and part remains with the
cake. The effective removal of the iron from the solution
is therefore defeated by this treatment.
The oxidation of iron in neutral solution, when present
in the usual amounts, namely, 0.1 to 3 gm. iron per litre,
may be done economically by the use of oxidizing agents,
such as manganese di-oxide, or other di-oxides when low
in price, or by means of air agitation. The last is not
effective if the solution is acid.
Manganese di-oxide is more rapid in its action than air
agitation. The latter alone can be made to do the work
effectively if the air-bubbles are in a fine state of division ;
if those bubbles are large, the oxidation of the iron is ex-
tremely slow, and therefore the operation is not per-
formed economically.
Proper conditions for agitation by air are obtained by
forcing compressed air into felt-covered boxes set above
the bottom of the vat containing the solution to be treat-
ed. The vat used for this purpose has a conical bottom
and is fitted with a Pachuea air-lift, to keep the entire
contents in perfect suspension. The felt boxes set above
the bottom of the vat suffer less interference from solid
matter than would be the case if placed on the bottom.
The oxidation of iron by air is very greatly retarded if
the solution has not been separated from the leached
residue. This metal, if present in large amount, there-
fore, should be oxidized in solutions that have been
filtered from the main leached residue, that is, if air
alone is used for such oxidation.
The precipitation of iron is accomplished by the addi-
tion of the most economical base in presence of an oxidiz-
ing influence. The bases generally used are powdered
lime-rock or calcine containing zinc oxide. The lime,
falling to the bottom of the vat, is continuously elevated
to the surface of the liquid by means of the Pachuea,
which ensures effective circulation of the solution into the
active oxidation zone caused by the passage of air
through the felt boxes.
The complete precipitation of iron by powdered lime-
rock in presence of minute air-bubbles is more economical
when applied to a solution that is free from copper and
cadmium. The precipitation of the iron following the
removal of copper and cadmium from solution, implies a
condition of operation seldom encountered in the treat-
ment of roasted ore. The acid leaching of the latter
yields a solution that must be subsequently neutralized
by calcine, or by calcine in conjunction with a small
amount of powdered lime-rock. This neutralization starts
the precipitation of the iron, and having started, it should
be completed at this stage of the work. Therefore in the
treatment of ores, the iron is generally removed prior to
copper and cadmium.
The water-leaching of fume that has been given an
acid roast yields a solution of sulphates that is practically
neutral with all the soluble metals in equilibrium, and
therefore the order of removing the impurities from solu-
tion is guided by expedience. Under this condition the
iron can be precipitated most advantageously by a non-
zinky base, such as powdered lime-rock. The precipita-
tion of iron with this reagent, instead of a zinc compound,
renders the subsequent work simple, in that there is no
material amount of residual zinc to recover. If a calcine
containing zinc oxide were used for this purpose then an
additional step of recovering the unleaehed oxide would
have to be provided.
The precipitation of the iron in presence of two to si
grammes of cadmium per litre in solution is accomplish
slowly. The presence of cadmium in the above prop<
tion retards the action between the powdered lime-roi
and the solution to a considerable degree, necessitat:
the addition of a large amount of this reagent and p:
longed air agitation to cause the precipitation of the iron.
The operation under these conditions produces a large
weight of precipitate, which carries a proportionally
larger amount of entrained zinc as hydrate and sulphate,
Cadmium sulphate is not only irresponsive to powdered
lime-rock, but it exerts an influence preventing the action
of this reagent on other salts in solution ; if it be present
to the extent of 20 grammes per litre the action of the
lime-rock as a purifier of the solution is nullified.
Copper does not have any marked effect on the precipi-
tation of iron except to promote the consumption of a
"Deot-mbor 4. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
801
V
£
/
^
^
^
^
rs.
^
£
^
>■
36* C.
bO TO eo so IOO
CATHODE CURRENT DENSITY, AMPERES PER SQUARE FOOT
Fig. 11. Voltage-Current Characteristics.
ZnSCVSol., 40 gm./L Zn, 101 gm./L H2SO,. Cathode-area,
5.0 sq. ft. Anode-area, 4.2 sq. ' ft. Anode-cathode
spacing, 2 in.
to eo so
CATHODE CURRENT DENSITY, AMPERES PER SQUARE FOOT
Fig. 8. voItage-Current Characteristics.
ZnSO« Sol., 80 gm./L Zn, 41 gm./L H2SO«. Cathode-area,
5.0 sq. ft. Anode-area, 4.2 sq. ft. Anode-cathode
spacing, 2 in.
S4°C.
/,
^
£
/£
#
J
p*
^
^
^
^
^
X
40 60 CO : IOO
GRAMME 5 OF HZ SO4 PER LITRE OF SOLUTION
Fig. 12. Voltage-Acid Characteristic.
ZnSO, Sol., 107 gm./L Zn, neutral. Cathode-area, 5.0 sq. ft.
Anode-area, 4.2 sq. ft. Anode-cathode spacing, 2 in.
eo so
CATHODE CURRENT DENSITY, AMPERES PER SQUARE FOOT
Fig. 9. Voltage-Current Characteristics.
ZnSO, Sel., 66 gm./L Zn, 61 gm./L H:SO,. Cathode-area,
5.0 sq. ft. Anode-area, 4.2 sq. ft. Anode-cathode
spacing, 2 in.
Oq, 1-
20^ l-
*so4 --^
40g t-
6O0 M
aoq H
IOO 9 H
f50d- »_
;SO„
;50v ,
O 3
O 4
O 5
O 6
0
70 ac
ie=c
64° C
76° C
DEGREES CENTIGRADE
Fig. 13. Voltage Temperature Characteristics, ZnSO, Solu-
tion 107 gm./L Zn (Neutral). .25 Amperes per Square
Foot.
GRAMMES OF H2 SO* PER LITRE
TO eo
CATHODE CURRENT DENSITY, AMPERES PER SQUARE FOOT
£60
Id
40
30^
Fig. 10. Voltage-Current Characteristics.
ZnSO, Sol., 53 gm./L Zn, 81 gm./L H.SO,. Cathode-area,
5.0 sq. ft. Anode-area, 4.2 sq. ft. Anode-cathode Fig. 14
spacing, 2 in.
130
HO
10
/
/
/
/
/
/
GRAMMES OF ZINC PER LITRE OF SOLUTION
Curve Showing Current-Efficiencies for Solution
Containing Small Amount of Zinc.
802
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 4, 1920
larger amount of the lime-rock used in precipitating a
part of the copper, and thereby increasing the weight of
precipitate and the incidental loss of zinc. The removal
of soluble iron from a solution that is free from copper
and cadmium is accomplished by the addition of a small
amount of powdered lime-rock, in a short period of air
agitation. For example, a solution containing two
grammes of ferrous iron per litre in the presence of six
grammes of copper and five grammes of cadmium per
litre occasions the use of approximately 80 lb. of pow-
dered lime-rock per 1000 gal. and requires about eight
hours of agitation, whereas a solution of the same iron
content and free from copper and cadmium will only re-
quire 10 to 16 pounds of the lime-rock per 1000 gal. of
solution and require from one to two hours.
The area of felt to be used for producing minute air-
bubbles will amount to 20 sq. ft. per 16,000 gal. of solu-
tion. The weight of the dry solid in the precipitate
usually amounts to 1.7 times the weight of the lime-rock
used.
It has been proved that iron can be precipitated in a
zinc solution free from copper and cadmium by small-
bubble agitation without the use of powdered lime-rock
or any other base. Curves showing the rate of iron pre-
cipitation for these experiments are shown in Pig. 3.
Pour hundred gallons of solution were used for each ex-
periment. Curve No. 1 shows the results obtained with-
out the addition of powdered lime-rock until the ninth
hour of agitation, when half-pound was added. This
caused the complete precipitation of the iron. Curve No.
2 shows that 14| hours of agitation with air removed the
iron, without the addition of lime-rock. There is a cer-
tain amount of zinc precipitated along with the iron, and
both metals as precipitated were in the form of basic
sulphates. This fact has an important bearing on the re-
moval of iron from solution and although it would be im-
practicable to carry 'this out on a large scale, under cer-
tain conditions this method of. operation may be available
in part.
It is to be understood that the phrase ' ' complete pre-
cipitation of iron" will be liberally interpreted, as there
is a trace of iron present in all metallurgical solutions
subjected to treatment for its precipitation.
Copper-Cadmium Precipitation. It is a matter of
common knowledge that coppe» and cadmium are gal-
vanically precipitated from solutions by means of metal-
lic zinc. Zinc-dust, made by a blast of air through a
stream of molten zinc, is the most satisfactory form of
this metal for use in the precipitation of the above metals,
under usual conditions. The method of application con-
sists in circulating the impure solution and a proper
quantity of zinc-dust through a Paehuea air-lift placed
in a cone-bottomed tank. This simple method is quite
effective, and causes a rapid precipitation of copper.
Cadmium, on the other hand, is not so rapidly pre-
cipitated and there is a slight re-solution of the com-
pound precipitated. These facts make the complete re-
moval of cadmium a difficult operation unless special
precautions are taken. The difficulty varies with the
amount of cadmium present. The zinc ores that are
usually treated in an electrolytic plant seldom contain
more than a trace of cadmium, and therefore the problem
of removing it from solution is a minor one. and no addi-
tional step in the process is necessary. Bag-house prod-
ucts, on the other hand, are likely to contain a notable
quantity of this metal. The treatment of these products
in an electrolytic plant is planned in order to avoid the
difficulty, the discussion of which follows:
A slight re-solution of cadmium takes place" when a
mixture of the copper and cadmium precipitates remain
in contact with the zinc solution from which they were
precipitated. This re-solution also occurs during filtra-
tion of the precipitated metals, unless the filter-cloths
have been washed free from solids collected during a
previous cycle.
The immediate filtration of a purified solution contain-
ing precipitated metals in suspension occasionally gives a
filtrate sufficiently low in cadmium to send to the electro-
lytic cells. This simple procedure cannot be depended
upon to give consistent purity of solution because of the
uncertainties inherent in any method dependent' upon
operations that are restricted to narrow limits. The solu-
tion containing three or four grammes of cadmium per
litre is given two treatments with zinc ; the first one pre-
cipitates practically all the cadmium, which is separated
from the solution by filtration, while the second zinc
treatment precipitates the re-dissolved metal from a solu-
tion that is nearly pure. The solution containing a small
amount of cadmium in suspension from the second treat-
ment is immediately pumped through a clarifying filter-
press, the effluent flowing to the cell-room.
A comparison of the rates of precipitation of copper
and cadmium is shown in Pig. 4. Copper is precipi-
tated quite rapidly from the start ; a retardation in the
rate is observed as the metal approaches depletion. Cad-
mium is precipitated slowly at the start, then gains a rate
nearly equal to the copper precipitation. The general
results show that the cadmium lags behind the copper in
this work.
Separation of Copper and Cadmium From Zinc Solu-
tions. Electrolytic removal of copper and cadmium
from the zinc solution is not of commercial importance
at the present time, but it may receive attention under
changed conditions. In 1914 some work in this direction
was done; the copper and cadmium were removed at a
voltage that would not cause precipitation of the zinc.
The experimental work was performed in a cell con-
taining two anodes and one cathode. The cathode was
made of sheet-lead, 23 in. wide and 27i in. long. The
anode was of the multiple-pipe type, and consisted of a
horizontal pipe from which fourteen half-inch lead pipes
descended into the solution. The quarter-inch pipes form
the active part of the anode, as well as provide uniform
air agitation in the cell. A complete description of this
anode will be found in my patent No. C 1,241,967 on
electrolytic apparatus.
The great difficulty of this operation is to maintain
sufficient conductivity of solution to avoid extreme low-
December 4, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
803
VOLTAGE
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
The conductivity of a solution con
804
current densities,
taining
Zinc 1 ■ 90 em. per litre
Copper 5 " " "
Cadmium 0.5 " " "
increases rapidly from the start until approximately 50%
of the copper is precipitated, when it falls with equal
rapidity until about 90% of this metal is removed from
solution ; then there is only a very gradual reduction of
the low conductivity of the solution until the copper is
finally precipitated. Note: the cell was operated as an
accumulating acid-cell, without feed or overflow. The
curves shown in Fig. 5 represent the current-density with
reference to time and copper. The copper deposit is
coherent until it has been depleted, to 50 or 60%, when
it becomes spongy and contains some copper oxide. The
oxide is soluble in dilute sulphuric acid, which accounts
for the vacillating action near the end of the electrolysis.
The expense involved in erecting and operating this
type of plant would not be justified when compared with
the more simple methods of copper-cadmium precipita-
tion ; the apparent lower cost of electric power compared
with zinc-dust would be annulled by complicated opera-
tions.
Zinc Electrolysis. Considerable study has been
given to the electrolytic deposition of zinc during the past
seven years, and it has led to the recognition of sundry
essential operating characteristics. Cathode zinc made
from properly purified solution resists the attack of
dilute sulphuric acid to a very great extent. This acid-
resisting property of the deposited metal is one of the
fundamental requisites, otherwise the economic applica-
tion of electrolysis to zinc solutions would be defeated.
After cathode zinc has been melted and solidified it be-
comes readily soluble in dilute sulphuric acid. Electro-
lytic zinc deposition is confined to solutions high in acid,
namely, 50 to 90 gm. of H2SO, per litre; therefore the
acid-resisting property of the zinc is essential. If this
were not the case this metallic deposit would be dissolved
at a prohibitive rate.
A general idea of the corrosion of cathode zinc, melted
cathode zinc (iron or graphite pots), rolled zinc, and
rolled aluminum may be seen in Table IV.
Current, Voltage, Temphrature. The drop in the
electro-motive force (E. M. F.) of an electrolytic-zinc
cell, for a current that is practically zero, is approxi-
mately 2.6 volts at the ordinary room temperature. The
aproximate average voltage for economic operation is
3.6. It will be seen then that about 72% of the E. M. F.
is represented by electro-chemical resistance and 18% by
ohmic resistance. "With a given current-density, the acid-
ity of the electrolyte has the greatest influence upon the
voltage of a cell.
The temperature of the electrolyte has only a moderate
influence upon the voltage. The rise of temperature in
electrolytes that are nearly neutral will cause a much
greater percentage reduction in the voltage than for
highly acid solutions. The voltage, current, tempera-
December 4, 1920
ture, characteristics for electrolytes between neutrality
and 101 gm. of acid per litre, from 36°C to 73°C, and
from zero to 100 amperes per square fcjot aTe shown on
Fig. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11. Fig.:i2 slhowijs the influence of
the acid upon the voltage for various temperatures at 25
amperes per square foot. Fig. 13 shows1 the influence of
temperature upon the voltage for 25 amperes. The ex-
perimental work for the collection of tHese data was ex-
tended over sufficient time to ensure constant conditions,
in each test.
For regular operations the current density is usually,
controlled between 25 and 30 amperes per square foot, the
acidity between the limits of 30 and l00 gm. per litre, the
average voltage is usually 3.6, and the cell-electrolyte is
cooled by water-pipes to 30 or 40 °C. Unless cooling ■
water-coils are placed in the cells the temperature will
rise above 60°C, when the cathode zinc is energetically
attacked by the acid electrolyte.
Current-Efficiency. In electrolytic zinc work the
efficiency of the current is very close to the difference be-:
tween the theoretical ampere yield and the losses sustain-
ed by chemical corrosion. The over-all current-efficiency
in cell plants that operate on properly purified solution,
the overflow Of which contains about 20 gm. zinc per
litre and 96 gm. acid per litre should be approximately
80%. The electrolyte becomes more corrosive to cathode
zinc as the zinc content of the solution becomes less than
20 gm. per litre.
The curve shown in Fig. 14 represents the ampere effi-
ciency in depositing zinc from attenuated zinc-sulphate
solution under good conditions. There is a decided break
in the efficiency when the zinc in solution is depleted
below 10 gm. per litre, after which there is nearly a hori-
zontal decrease in efficiency as the metallic content ap-
proaches exhaustion.
The solution containing 20 gm. Zn/L also contained
100 gm. H„S04/L, while the solution containing 5 gm.
Zn/L contained 121 gm. H:S04/L. It is readily seen
that operation much below 20 zinc/litre is not economical.
Kilowatt-Hours. The curves shown in Fig. 15 may
be useful in quickly determining the kilowatt-hours per
ton of cathode without calculation. These curves cover
the range of current-efficiency from 100% to 50% and at
E. M. F. values between 3 and 5 volts. The lower set of
curves show kw-hours per ton of cathode without refer-
ence to motor-generator efficiency. The middle set shows
the kw-hours per ton including an 84% motor-generator
efficiency. The upper set of curves shows the cost per ton
of cathode for various power-rates (all line losses and
transformer losses being excluded).
Example: assume voltage at 3.6, current-efficiency at
82, power-cost at 0.45 cent per kw-hour. The lower set
of curves opposite 3.6 volts intersects the incline at 82%
on 3200 kw-hour value. The middle set opposite 3.6 volts
intersects the incline at 0.84 X 0.82 vertically above 3850
kw-hours. The vertical extended upward from 3850 cuts
the incline cost-curves of 0.45 kw-hour at a point that,
when extended over to the left margin of the paper, indi-
cates $17.30 per ton of cathode for power.
that
.
Ml,
pit
ill
Km
December 4, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
si i:>
Milling Practice at the Benguet Consolidated Mine — I
Historic Notes and Development of Methods
By C. M. Eye and M. F. Dodd
The first milling of ores from this mine, situated in the
Benguet district of the Philippine Islands, was in a small
plant ordered in 1905, and placed in operation late in the
following year. This, the first plant in the Islands to in-
clude cyanidation as a part of the treatment, consisted
essentially of the following equipment: One 7 by 10-in.
rock-breaker, one Hendy three-stamp individual mortar
in a quadruple-discharge battery, with apron and table
plates for outside amalgamation, one bucket-and-belt ele-
vator, one upward-current inverted-pyramid type of
wooden classifier (made on the ground), a Butters &
Mein distributor, six Oregon pine leaching-vats, each of
50 tons sand capacity, the usual vats for strong and weak
solutions, zinc-boxes of the individual bucket type, one
centrifugal pump for returning solutions, and a four-foot
Pelton water-wheel, from which the whole plant was
driven. It was what may be termed a ready-made plant
of the simplest description.
The treatment as first practised was equally simple:
Crushing to two-inch maximum, reduction in water in
the battery through a diagonal-slot screen with openings
corresponding to 24-mesh, passage of the pulp over the
amalgamating tables and through a trap at the foot,
thence elevating about 25 ft. and discharging into the
classifier, running the overflow to waste and the under-
flow to the distributor (by means of which the vats were
in succession charged with sand), treatment by leaching
for 10 days or more, followed by solution and water
washes, and final sluicing out. It would be a waste of
time and space to describe in further detail the treatment
that followed, as it was the familiar round in use at the
time in most of the small cyanide plants of the world.
The fact that owing to scarcity of lime, caustic soda was
used for counteracting acidity, may be worth mention-
ing. Another reason for this was that when lime was
fed to the battery, gypsum was formed by combination
with the sulphates in the ore, clogging the screens and
building up on any exposed iron or steel surface. Caustic
soda was easily obtained in the Manila market, at a rea-
sonable figure, and proved fairly satisfactory, except that
whenever the alkalinity became low in the leaching treat-
ment, gelatinous precipitates of iron and aluminous hy-
drates would form and enter the extractors, thereby caus-
ing much trouble. Later on, when lime became plentiful,
it was substituted for caustic soda, being added mostly in
the treatment-vats, after amalgamation and classification.
The initial recovery made by this plant, working on
fairly well oxidized ores from near the surface, was poor,
but even at that it was better than anything that had
been done in the Islands up to that time. About one-
third of the gold was caught by amalgamation, and of the
gold in the sand about 70% was recovered by leaching.
It soon developed, however, that the slime overflowing the
classifier, arid amounting to nearly 40% of the ore, was of
better grade than the sand (even at times exceeding in
value per ton the original ore). This naturally led to the
introduction of slime treatment, with an attempt, in the
meantime, to impound the slime until the necessary
equipment could be provided. This effort was unsuccess-
ful, because the climate and topography were unfavor-
able, but a plant consisting of a pair of vats with stirring
mechanisms that could he raised and lowered was put
into operation as soon as possible, and gave very satis-
factory results in spite of its small capacity. The vats
were alternately charged, settled, and decanted, solution
added, charge agitated from 12 to 14 hours, settled, solu-
tion decanted to precipitation, fresh solution added,
charge stirred and allowed to settle, solution decanted,
and so forth, there being from three to four additions of
solution followed by one of wash-water and final dis-
charge through a door at the bottom. This represented
a round of treatment quite fashionable at the time. It is
to be noted that no fresh cyanide was used in the slime
treatment, the strength of the solution from the weak
circuit of the mill, containing about 14 pounds of cya-
nide per ton, being sufficient. The recovery was from
80% to 90% of the gold in the slime, which added ma-
terially to the percentage recovery of the plant. The
principal difficulty arose from the slow settling of the
pulp, and low final density, thus limiting the capacity
and holding back the rest of the operations. In the mean-
time, better precipitation facilities had been furnished by
building regular double-line compartment wooden zinc-
boxes, using imported redwood. The buildings, at first
covered by grass thatch, were roofed with galvanized
corrugated iron.
Concentration experiments on the material leaving the
plates, and on the treated sand, yielded a product of
about $100 per ton from the former, and of about $30
from the latter. These results led to the addition of a
Wilfley table over which the classified sand passed on the
way to the leaching-vats. By this means, a small amount
of high-grade concentrate was recovered, the recovery in
the leachers improved, and the time of treatment short-
ened. The concentrate was stored and shipped to the
Selby smelter, at San Francisco, for treatment. It
assayed somewhat over $100 per ton, and contained some
amalgam and quicksilver that had escaped the trap. An
806
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 4, 1929
incomplete recovery of these was made later by passing
the stream of concentrate through a riffled launder over
amalgamated plates.
The plant, as thus constituted, worked steadily for sev-
eral years. A second battery of three stamps, identical
with the first, was added in 1908, but, owing to lack of
capacity in the cyanide plant, was operated mainly on
old stope-filling and other fairly well oxidized material,
inexpensively mined, and yielding more than 50% by
amalgamation only. The average grade of ore sent to the
first battery was from $16 to $18 per ton, and of that to
the second, from $8 to $10. It is apparent that the loss
in the tailing from the mill was high, but in view of the
situation and limitations of the enterprise, working 'on a
shoe-string' and necessarily self-supporting, the results,
bad as they were, kept things going and yielded a profit.
The major portion of the ore treated was from develop-
ment, and the mill served a useful purpose in furnishing
data on the proper metallurgical practice. Its destruc-
tion by flood in 1910, while apparently a great calamity,
and indeed a sad and serious affair to those interested,
was probably a blessing in disguise.
With a view to increasing the capacity and saving of
the mill, a Ridgeway filter of the 'spider' type, with ac-
cessory apparatus, was purchased, but it had just been
put into operation when the flood occurred. Therefore
no data on vacuum filtration were obtained that would
serve in planning for future work beyond demonstrating
that a cake of satisfactory thickness and dryness could
be made. The filter worked smoothly during the ex-
tremely short time it was in operation, and probably
would have justified its use by increased output and sav-
ing. It was fed from a receiving-vat above, of the same
capacity as one agitator-vat, the agitators discharging
alternately into this after several decantations of solu-
tion. After continued settling, additional solution was
removed by decantation from this receiving-vat.
The flood destroyed most of the cyanide plant, but left
the stamps and plates and water-wheel. During 1911
and 1912 these were operated fairly steadily on an ac-
cumulation of low-grade dump-material that had become
partly oxidized, and therefore yielded fairly well to
amalgamation. Mixed with this was more or less old
stope-filling (from primitive workings near the surface)
and a certain amount of high-grade ore stoped from the
mine and added as 'sweetening'. This period was ended
by a second flood in the fall of 1912, which not only re-
moved the remainder of the plant, but the site as well.
In 1914 the property was re-financed, plans were made
for building a new plant (after experimentation in the
States, conducted on a shipment of ore), and the work of
erection started late in that year, on an entirely new site,
well above, and protected from, the stream. This plant,
to be operated by a hydro-electric plant, included in the
plans for rehabilitation, was designed to treat 60 tons per
day by fine grinding and cyaniding, without amalgama-
tion. It included the following equipment : One Hercules
Blake rock-breaker, 8 by 12 in., preceded by a grizzley,
3 by 8 ft.; one ore-bin of 100 tons capacity, carrying the
grizzley and breaker, and preceding the stamps; two
suspended Challenge feeders; one unit of 10 stamps of
1050 lb. each, with two single-discharge mortars, set on
concrete blocks; one tube-mill, 6 by 10 ft.; one Don-
duplex classifier ; one belt-and-bucket elevator ; one 10 by
8 in. two-cylinder single-acting vertical air-compressor;
one 6 by 8 in. horizontal wet-vacuum pump ; two 4 by 6
in. Goulds all-iron triplex pumps; one steel clarifying-
vat with 18 canvas leaves, each about 5.5 by 8 ft. ; three
steel zinc-boxes of two lines of seven (2-ft. square) com-
partments each ; full equipment of vats for continuous
counter-current decantation, comprising one primary,
and four secondary thickeners with tanks 25 by 12 ft.,
three Dorr agitators with tanks 14 by 10 ft., one sump-
tank, 12 by 10 ft., and one storage-tank 25 by 12 ft. (all
of corrugated galvanized steel), and one Goulds No. 4
diaphragm-pump for each thickener except the last of
the series ; one wooden tank, 5 by 5 ft., fitted with a noz-
zle-outlet and a Bristol recording gauge; one automatic-
tipping tailing-sampler, one Hampton improved zinc-
lathe; one emery-wheel; and a clean-up and melting
equipment consisting of one small wooden receiving-vat,
one small vacuum-tank, drying-pans, etc., and one No.
125 Case melting-furnace. The crusher was driven by
belt from a 10-hp. motor; the stamps, all on one shaft,
from a 25-hp. back-geared motor; the tube-mill by belt
and friction-clutch pulley from one of 50 hp. (with the
elevator and classifier on a shaft driven by quarter-turn
belt from the counter-shaft of the tube-mill), the com-
pressor driven direct by belt from a 15-hp. motor; the
primary thickener, agitators, wet-vacuum pump, zinc-
lathe, emery-wheel, and triplex pumps all from another
motor of 15 hp. ; and the secondary thickeners with their
diaphragm-pumps from one of 3 hp. The entire plant
was roofed with corrugated galvanized iron, and the re-
duction, precipitation, and refining departments enclosed
in plain galvanized iron, the rest being left unenclosed.
The galvanized corrugated vats (the bottoms of which
were of smooth galvanized steel) were all riveted, sol-
dered, and carefully painted. This plant began opera-
tions in September 1915, and, with the additions and
alterations herein noted, has been in steady operation
ever since.
The plan of operation was as follows : The ore, brought
from the mine through a new cross-cut, was dumped,
without weighing or sampling, over the grizzley, the
oversize going through the rock-breaker, set to a two-inch
opening, thence dropping into the 100-ton bin back of the
stamps. From the bin it passed to the feeders through
chutes with regulating wooden gates, thence to the stamps,
the stock cyanide solution being added in the battery in
the proportion of 5 : 1. Rectangular steel screens of from
one-eighth to one-fourth inch net width of opening were
used, the coarseness being varied to balance the work of
the stamps and the tube-mill as nearly as possible. ( Ex-
perience soon showed that a considerably coarser screen
could be used to advantage.) The pulp was carried from
the stamps by launder to the Dorr classifier, in closed
circuit with the tube-mill, wherein grinding was carried
December 4. 1*20
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
807
to minus 100-meah. The pulp, with about 6:1 dilution,
was elevated and discharged into the primary thickener,
the overflow from which went to precipitation after clari-
fication, while the underflow, lifted a few feet by the
diaphragm-pump, entered the first of the three agitators,
thence through the second to the third, and thence to the
first of the secondary thickeners, the overflow of which
was returned by one of the triplex pumps to storage. The
pulp passed progressively through the secondary thick-
eners, meeting in the first three the counter-current of
wash solution, and in the last, a water wash. The barren
solution from precipitation, handled by the second triplex
pump, joined the pulp as it went to the third of the
secondary thickeners, being augmented in volume by the
overflow from the last thickener. After sampling, the
stream of pulp was run to waste.
A continuous record of the flow through the zinc-boxes
was obtained by means of the small receiving-vat and
Bristol gauge, the latter recording the head at all times
during the day on the centre of the discharge-nozzle.
From this was figured the average head for the day, and
by using a chart showing the flow for various heads
through the nozzle in use, the total tonnage passing was
easily and accurately determined. Frequent pulp and
solution samples were taken throughout the mill, the
tonnage of ore treated being calculated, with occasional
weighing of cars as a rough check.
At first the cyanide strength in the agitators was main-
tained at about 1J lb. per ton of solution, by the addition
of cyanide to the pulp as it entered the series, but it was
found soon that this strength could be reduced to one
pound or less, with equally good results and lower cya-
nide consumption, and that the best point to add fresh
cyanide was at the head of the tube-mill, in which, owing
to the working in closed circuit with the classifier, a con-
centration of the precious metals occurred ; by maintain-
ing the cyanide strength at from 1.5 to 1.8 lb. at the dis-
charge end of the mill, a very effective selective treat-
ment of the sulphide and other heavier and higher grade
constituents of the ore was obtained, while the strength
of solution from this point onward was sufficient without
further additions of cyanide, to secure maximum dissolv-
ing and ensure good precipitation.
Lime for maintaining protective alkalinity was at first
scattered by hand on the dry ore going to the feeders, but
this method proving unsatisfactory, a mixer of the
Chilean mill type was built on the ground, and installed
above the battery-floor. From it a thick emulsion of lime
in cyanide solution is fed to the batteries, the quantity of
lime being regulated by the flow of cyanide solution.
In order to reduce the loss of dissolved metal and of
cyanide in the tailing, as well as to increase the time of
contact with the cyanide solution, a Trent replacer was
installed below the last thickener of the series. The
stream of barren solution was then added to the pulp as
it entered the last thickener, and the underflow from this
thickener, going to the replacer before being discharged,
received therein a wash by replacement with water. This
change reduced the tailing loss.
In tin' reduction end of the plant, the need was soon
felt for preliminary classification in advance of the Dorr
classifier, to relieve it of handling such a range of
product, by removing the bulk of solution with the
lighter slime, and, as coarser battery-screens were used,
of the coarser portion direct for tube-milling. Upward-
current pyramidal classifiers, using cyanide solution,
were first tried for slime elimination, but proved rather
unsatisfactory on account of excessive dilution and diffi-
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NATIVES AT WORK UNDERGROUND
culty of regulation, and a drag-classifier of the Esperanza
type, built on the ground (as were the pyramid classi-
fiers) was installed to accomplish the second result. The
changes made later and herein described relegated the
upward-current classifiers to the scrap-heap, by pro-
viding sufficient capacity in mechanical classification.
The plant was originally designed to handle 60 tons
per day; it was soon shown in practice that this could
easily be exceeded in the reduction end, but the capacity
of the treatment plant was less, owing to the high grade
of the material, the slow settling of the slime, and the
protracted dissolving of a portion of the precious metals.
In order to secure greater capacity with longer contact
and better results, a second line of treatment-vats was
added. This series consisted of a 30-ft. Dorr thickener,
supplied by a belt-and-bucket elevator and served by a
No. 4 Goulds diaphragm-pump ; a 25 by 18 ft. Trent
agitator with 5-in. centrifugal slime-pump, and two
Trent replacers, each 24 ft. in diameter at the top, 20 ft.
808
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 4, 1920
at the bottom, and 14 ft. deep, with 4-in. centrifugal
circulating pumps. One 6 by 8-in. Goulds triplex pump
and an additional sump and storage-vat were added.
Three more double-line zinc-boxes more than doubled the
precipitation capacity, while the facilities for handling
the product had previously been increased by the in-
stallation of a filter-press, served by a rotary pump. In
the refinery the furnace equipment was duplicated and a
laboratory crusher, grinder, and baby Wilfley table
added to reduce and concentrate the slag.
It was planned to use the new series in parallel with
the old, with the old replaeer in common, for washing,
either by splitting the pulp between them in the propor-
tion of their demonstrated relative capacities, or by giv-
ing to each the product best suited to it. Practice soon
demonstrated, however, that better results could be ob-
tained by working the various units in series, as shown
in the flow-sheet of the present practice. It would have
been interesting to have been able to obtain, over long
periods, comparative figures on the working of counter-
current and replacement, working side by side in the
same plant, had economic conditions permitted.
The final addition to the treatment, made in 1919, con-
sisted of an Oliver filter, 12 ft. diam. by 18 ft. long, with
the usual accessory apparatus, and a 25-ft. Dorr thick-
ener in advance of the filter. These additions brought
the capacity of the treatment plant up to a point where
further additions and improvements were needed at the
reduction end, so, last year, another tube-mill, 6 by 8 ft.,
was added, together with a washing, screening, and classi-
fying system, whereby the coarse ore was separated from
the fine previous to stamping, the slime carried directly
to treatment, and the work of classification much facili-
tated and improved. The units comprising it are de-
scribed in the summary of present practice, which fol-
lows:
The ore is a mixture of quartz, iron oxide, and sul-
phide, altered diorite, and clay; quartz predominates
over the other gangue-minerals, and the iron sulphide
now greatly exceeds the oxide in quantity. There is
some free gold, but none is visible. Some of the sulphide
may be of primary origin, but it is likely that the greater
part of it is secondary, even though much of the ore
appears to be unaltered. The. kaolinization apparent in
much of the ore is evidence of strong secondary action.
The clay in the ore comes mostly, however, from the gouge
on the walls of the vein. Most of this is discarded in
mining, but in places it is highly mineralized, and in
others mining conditions makes it impossible to eliminate
it. The' partly altered diorite, considerably silicified,
alongside the ore-shoots, is often sufficiently mineralized
with gold-bearing pyrite to warrant its inclusion with
the run of mine. Some silver is associated with the gold,
the bullion returns showing a recovery of about 1 : 3 by
weight. The ore shows slight traces of copper at times,
and possibly of lead, the former as a silicate or carbonate
and the latter as galena, but not enough to affect the
treatment in any way. The supply of ore now comes en-
tirely from the levels below the mill-level, through a
vertical shaft, directly back of the mill. It is weighed
underground, hoisted, and dumped on a grizzley, 8 ft.
long by 7.5 ft. wide, set at an angle of 50° from the hori-
zontal, over a receiving-bin, which also carries the rock-
breaker, moved back to this position. The combined
product from the grizzley and breaker is fed by a recip-
rocating plunger-feeder from the bin to an inclined ele-
vator, of the close-connected bucket type, which lifts it
about 25 ft. and discharges it into a revolving trommel
4 ft. in diameter by 6.5 ft. long, set at an inclination of
1.5 in. per foot, and driven by bevel gear. Spray-pipes
near the top on each side furnish weak solution for wash-
ing the fine and clay from the coarse. The oversize, well-
drained and quite free from clay except such chunks as
ball up, falls directly from the washer into the bin be-
hind the stamps, and thence is fed through the chutes
and feeders into the batteries. The product that passes
the screen of the trommel drops directly to a Dorr duplex
classifier, one of a battery of three, set sufficiently high to
allow the slime to overflow by gravity to the primary
thickeners. The one classifier first mentioned, however, is
set higher than the other two, in order to enable the over-
flow to be divided between the other two if desired. It
is to be noted that a second trommel, of dimensions
smaller than the one mentioned, and furnished with a
finer screen, was included in the system, with the idea
of providing a direct tube-mill product by screening, but
this is not being used, the classifiers evidently accom-
plishing the work sufficiently well. It is also to be noted
that lime is added at the washer in an emulsion supplied
by a mixer identical in construction with the one already
mentioned in connection with stamping. The screen
covering of the trommel is of punched sheet-steel, with
elliptical holes, 0.25 by 0.75 in. (the original plan con-
templated using screens of five-eighths inch net openings
on this trommel and of five-sixteenths on the second
one).
The discharge from the stamps, through screens hav-
ing openings ranging from 0.5 to 0.75 inch, goes to the
drag-classifier, which sends a coarse product to the head
of the longer tube-mill, while the slime-overflow joins
the discharge from this mill, to be elevated and divided
between the two secondary Dorr classifiers, or delivered
to either of them. (One of these classifiers is the one for-
merly used in closed circuit with the 10-ft. mill, but
moved up.) The coarse product of the primary Duplex
classifier, mentioned as receiving the undersize from the
trommel, goes by gravity to the head of the shorter tube-
mill, the discharge from which flows to the foot of an-
other elevator, delivering to either or both of the secon-
dary classifiers. The arrangement of the elevators is such
that either can receive the flow from either or both mills
and from the drag-classifier overflow, and discharge to
either or both of the secondary classifiers, the head
product of which can go by gravity to either or both of
the tube-mills, thus constituting an elastic system in
closed circuit.
The combined overflow from the classifiers is carried
by gravitv to the 30-ft. thickener, from which a clear
D tember -». 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
809
Overflow of pregnant solution is taken for precipitation
after further clarification, while the pulp, thickened to
L2S : 1 is drawn and lifted to a launder from which after
dilution to 2:1, with fresh barren solution, delivery is
made to the Trent agitator through the suction of the
5-in. circulating pump of that machine, the suction-pipe
being carried vertically alongside the tank, and to the
level of the top. Thus the static head is utilized, and a
W Replacer
25* ffepleeer
35? Replacer
A n-3
1 low-grade
I solution)
Oliver n/te<
Wash_ (Jowjnj:^anide_and_^qlo_ )_ _
FLOW-SHEET OP MILL
lixture of atmospheric air, essential to the operation, is
.rawn in with the pulp. The suction stand-pipe is con-
leeted by a branch through the side of the tank, about
wo feet from the top, whereby pulp from the charge is
rawn into it, mixing intimately in the stand-pipe and
map with the incoming pulp and air. Delivery is made
rom the pump through the bottom of the vat to the dis-
puting arms and mechanism. The volume thus circu-
ited every hour is approximately equal to the volume of
le contents of the vat, while the volume entering is about
ae-twentieth of this, thus securing about 20 complete
rcuits of the tank before passing on to the 25-ft. pri-
ory thickener. (If more air is desired in the agitation,
is admitted through a pet-cock in the pump-suction.)
he discharge from the agitator is through an open pipe
trough the side of the vat at six inches from the top, no
trouj
additional solution being added before it roaches the
thickener, unless more is required to furnish the desired
amount for precipitation than the normal overflow from
the two primary thickeners.
The underflow of pulp from the 25-ft. thickener is lift-
ed by a diaphragm-pump, diluted with low-grade solution
to a 3 : 1 ratio and run to the first of the Trent replacers,
which it enters over an umbrella-shaped device for pre-
venting undue disturbance of the surface of the charge.
This distributor is set in the centre of the vat, with its
edge flush with the surface, so that the pulp particles
begin settling at once, while the incoming solution, min-
gling with the clear solution on top of the charge, over-
flows into an annular launder. The pulp thickens in the
bottom of the vat, where it is kept in circulation by the
centrifugal pump, connected like the one serving the agi-
tator, except that the return connection from the vat to
the pump-suction is situated about two feet above the
bottom of the vat. Fresh solution is introduced into the
pump-suction and intimately mixed by the pump without
disturbing the upper or settling-zone, and a steady with-
drawal of pulp from the pump-discharge, at a ratio of
2 : 1, is made to the first of the Dorr agitators, the volume
being regulated by a valve in the 2-in. line. The passage
of the pulp through the Dorr agitators, with a thickening
before the final agitation, has already been described.
The progress through the thickeners is as herein indi-
cated, but it has been found advantageous to vary the
flow of solution therein as shown on the flow-sheet, there-
by getting better washing and quicker settling.
From the last of the secondary thickeners, the pulp is
discharged by static pressure to either one or both of two
Trent replacers. These usually are operated in series,
but they can be operated separately or in parallel. In
them the pulp is further washed by replacement with
fresh barren solution, and finally discharged at a ratio of
2 : 1 to the thickener preceding the filter. No further
dilution is made to the pulp entering this thickener, as its
principal function is to furnish a supply of properly
thickened pulp to the filter. The solution overflowing
from this thickener joins the combined overflow from the
last two replacers. A portion of this mixture of low-
grade solution is used on the first replaeer, while the re-
mainder goes to storage.
On the filter, a barren solution is used on the upcoming
side, and a water-wash on the downgoing side, the cake
discharged containing about 25% moisture. It has not
been in steady operation long enough to enable exact
figures to be quoted in this article, but those available
indicate a capacity of about 140 tons of dry pulp per
day, with low losses in cyanide and dissolved precious
metals.
The plant now handles from 110 to 120 tons of ore per
day, assaying $20 per ton. The total recovery is about
90%, the percentage increasing with an increase in the
value of the ore, as a rule, and within certain limits, de-
pendent on the character of the ore. If this contains
most of the uneombined metal, a very slight rise in the
residue of undissolved metal follows a rise in the value of
the heads, but if there is much telluride present, the rise
810
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 4, 1920
is very marked. It is apparent from the foregoing de-
scription of the treatment that an unusually long contact
with cyanide is secured and many additions of fresh solu-
tion made during its course, with the result that there is
very little loss in dissolved gold or silver, but the loss in
undissolved metal has always been and is still rather
high. The justification for such long-continued treat-
Kent lies in the fact that whereas about 80%. of the assay-
value is dissolved readily in the first stages of treatment,
there is a residue that resists stubbornly the action of
cyanide, the result being a slow but continued dissolving
that lasts throughout the treatment. From the time the
ore enters the mill until it is discharged is about seven
days, which should be ample for almost complete dissolu-
tion of the precious metals were it not for the fact, well-
established by experimentation, that there is a definite
amount of gold and silver in combination with tellurium.
Repeated experiments on the tailing disclose the facts
that the slime portion (finer than 200 mesh) contains the
major part of the undissolved metals, and that, whereas
the concentrate from the tailing stream has a value of
about $30 per ton, the percentage represented by this is
so small as to account for considerably less than half the
loss. It is evident, therefore, that it is mainly due to the
presence of very finely disseminated high-grade mineral,
with the gold and silver in combination ; so that concen-
tration offers no remedy. Experiments have been made
on the tailing by flotation with indifferent results (the
pneumatic method being used), and laboratory experi-
ments on the concentrate recovered from the tailing by
panning or table-work, including re-grinding and re-
treatment with stronger solution, have invariably shown
poor dissolving action with heavy loss of cyanide. A
recent series of experiments conducted in the United
States on a lot of concentrate recovered from the tailing
upon a small "Wilfley table gave no better results, but a
re-concentration of the concentrate yielded a product,
cut from the extreme upper edge of the table-flow, that
represented 0.638% of the total; this assayed 41 times as
high in gold, and analyzed 0.5% in tellurium. It repre-
sented but a very small fraction of the loss in the tailing,
but its segregation is of great interest as showing in a
magnified way the undoubted presence of tellurium,
which, by the way, was present in this product in a much
greater proportion to the gold than called for in any min-
eral combination of the two. This is explained on the
assumption that a considerable proportion of the gold
originally combined with this tellurium had been dis-
solved during the course of treatment.
It is apparent, therefore, that the treatment of this ore
presents difficulties that are hard to overcome, and that
while they have received careful consideration from those
in charge, with improved results, there yet remains the
problem of increasing the dissolving action without too
greatly increasing the cost or prolonging the treatment
beyond the point of economy. No re-treatment scheme
suggested so far appears to be practicable or profitable.
No doubt, if the topography and climatic conditions per-
mitted the impounding of the tailing, nature would soon
break up whatever combinations may exist, but it would
result in so many oxidation products harmful to cyanide
that it is doubtful if re-treatment would be profitable. It
is likely that if a method of increasing the recovery be
found, it will be within the limits of the present treat-
ment, rather than in the addition of other methods pre-
ceding or following.
Vanadium Corporation
The Vanadium Corporation of America announces that
its total income after all charges, taxes, etc., amounted
to $1,319,513 for the six months ended June 30, 1920.
The gross sales during this period amounted to $5,966,-
046. The first of the year it took over the Primos Chemi-
cal Co., a producer of tungsten, molybdenum, and vana-
dium with mines in Colorado and a treatment plant at
Primos, Pennsylvania.
The vanadium properties are situated at Minasragra,
Peru, in the Andes mountains at an altitude of 15,800
ft. They are reputed to be the richest and most produc-
tive deposits in the world and produce 80% of the world's
supply. The roasted ore was formerly carried on the
backs of llamas to the railway, but at the present time the
Foundation Co. is constructing a 6-mile 30-in. gauge
railway from the mines at Minasragra to Lake Pun Run.
From this point the ore will be ferried 9 miles across the
lake on 25-ton barges and loaded on motor-trucks for
transportation to the railway at Rincran, a distance of
15 miles. The present production will be greatly in-
creased when this railway is completed. The vanadium
occurs in the form of patronite and is mined by open-cut
workings. This ore is roasted and packed in 125-lb. sacks I-
and shipped to America. The ore-reserves are estimated I'-
to amount to about 38,000,000 lb. of vanadium or a 20 1-
years supply, the amount being approximately 100,000 ti<
tons and the grade 19% vanadium.
It is proposed to erect a treatment plant at Jumasha
on the shore of Lake Pun Run to concentrate the ore and
ship a product running 80% vanadium oxide.
The smelter at Bridgeville, Pennsylvania, is equipped
with two electric furnaces capable of producing 75,000
lb. of vanadium from the re-treatment of the slag am-
cumulation of many years, besides an aluminum reduc-
tion process for the roasted ore. At Vanadium, Colo-
rado, the Primos company operates a vanadium mine and
reduction plant, another vanadium mine at Placerville
and a third mine at San Pete. A molybdenum mine and
mill are situated near Empire, Colorado, and in Bouldei
county, Colorado, it operates a number of tungster
mines and a large concentrator. The concentrates froir
all these properties are shipped to the treatment planl
at Primos near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Vanadium finds its chief use in the manufacture o.'
alloy steels, where it has met with great success evei
smce its introduction in 1905. Molybdenum is also usee
for alloying with steel. Tungsten is used for steel
making, in the manufacture of lamps, and other indus
tries.
hi
*
I
I
December 4, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
811
REV
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FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS IN THE FIELD
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ARIZONA
SHATTUCK ARIZONA COPPEB REPORT. UNITED VERDE WILL
NOT CURTAIL FURTHER.
Bisbee- Warren. — The report of the Shattuek Arizona
Copper Co. for the quarter ending September 30, 1920,
shows a loss for the quarter, exclusive of depletion, of
$19,109. The report says in part: "Lead mining and
milling operations have been conducted at nearly full
capacity of the concentration plant. The production of
copper, and of gold and silver from copper ores for the
quarter, was less than previous quarters due to less cop-
per ore mined. The production of lead, and of gold and
silver from lead ores, was considerably more than in the
previous three months due to more tons milled and to
better grade." During the quarter the company pro-
duced a total of 2,405,250 lb. of lead, 527,454 lb. of cop-
per,' 137,164 oz. silver, and 1436 oz. gold. A total of
2150 ft. of new development work was done during the
quarter. The company laid off about 100 men on No-
vember 24, and will shut-down completely as far as min-
ing operations are concerned, on January 1. At that
time the entire force, with the exception of about 40 men
who will be retained to carry on development work, will
be laid-off. The Denn Arizona Copper Co., which is
under the same management, has been shut-down since
November 1.
The Calumet & Arizona Mining Co. is maintaining its
force and contemplates no reduction that will effect un-
derground operations. The company is employing a few
men but is making no effort to increase its present work-
ing force. The Capper Queen branch of the Phelps
Dodge Corporation will continue operations on the pres-
ent basis, and does not at present contemplate making
any reduction in its working force.
Jerome. — The recent visit of Charles W. Clark, general
manager for the United Verde, to the company's mines in
Jerome, has set at ease the minds of those who were ap-
prehensive of a complete shut-down of the mines and
smelter. Mr. Clark is reported as being decidedly opti-
mistic as to the future and as expressing the opinion that
a general improvement in conditions will probably take
place early next year. In the course of an interview, Mr.
Clark is quoted as having said : ' ' The United Verde com-
pany has a splendid organization and we would break it
up only with the greatest reluctance. We would much
prefer to run along as at present for several months, even
at a loss. Today we are employing approximately 60%
as many men as we did at the peak of war production,
and are turning out about 40% as much copper. We will
cut down the force only a very little bit more here at
Jerome. It is possible that we will suspend steam-shovel
operations entirely for a short time. At Clarkdale there
will be no further curtailment ; two furnaces will be kept
going. Positively there will be no shut-down. We have
no intention whatever of closing our mine and smelter.
On the contrary we have high hopes that in a month or
so we can begin gradually to put on men." Mr: Clark
Verde District
Yavapai County
Arizona.
also expressed optimistic views anent the labor situation,
and in regard to the likelihood of an early wage-cut in
the copper industry is reported to have said: "Such a
thing has never been discussed by Arizona copper pro-
ducers. I read that Michigan companies have reduced
wages 15% but no such step is contemplated here. Of
course, in the general readjustment 'wages will probably
have to come down along with the products of the
country. ' '
Some speculation as to whether the Jerome-Verde was
considering the resumption of active operations was
created by the presence in Jerome of I. Mabbett Sutton,
secretary of the company. Mr. Sutton, however, gave it
as his impression that development work would not be
resumed for at least a year, adding by way of explanation
that "wages and materials are so high that we cannot
consider resuming development at this time, though we
would like to do so in preparation for the time when cop-
per will be back to normal prices".
Steam-shovel operations at the United Verde Copper
Co. are reported to have uncovered an orebody approxi-
mately 75 to 100 ft. wide, lying west of the former office
building. The size of the orebody has not yet been ascer-
tained, but the contents are said to assay over 4% copper.
Important changes are said to be contemplated by the
812
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 4, 1929
Western Chemical Co. in regard to the development and
operation of its sodium-sulphate deposit south-west of
Camp Verde. It is probable that, instead of shipping the
sulphate as extracted, the company will set up a washing-
plant on the ground. This equipment is expected to
arrive shortly after the first of the year. The necessary
water will be piped from Copper canyon or pumped from
the Verde river. The process in general will consist of
grinding the sulphate to powder, washing out the dirt,
allowing the remaining sulphate to crystallize and then
sawing it into blocks for shipping. Considerable develop-
ment work has been done, and the results indicate a large
reserve of sulphate.
COLORADO
VANADIUM ORE DISCOVERED NEAR TELLURIDE. — STEEL FOR
SMUGGLER UNION MILL ARRIVES.
Central City. — The Coeur d'Alene property was re-
cently visited by T. H. Jenks, consulting engineer for the
National Finance & Holding Co., of Toledo, Ohio, who
completed arrangements for resumption of work. This
property is an early-day producer with a record of better
than $155,000 mined from shallow workings. The deep-
est shaft is but 400 ft deep. G. E. Bolander, of Black
Hawk, has been engaged as superintendent and a force
has been put to work re-timbering the shaft, repairing
mine buildings, and overhauling machinery.
J. Larsen, of Denver, and associates are unwatering
the Ridgewood mine. The property has been long idle,
but the shaft-timbers to the water-level were found in
good condition. '
Cripple Creek. — The new station at the 2450-f t. level
of the N6. 2 shaft of the Portland Gold Mining Co., on
Battle mountain, is nearing completion, and cross-cut-
ting will shortly commence, to prove the continuation
of the rich ore now under development on the two levels
above the 21st, corresponding with the Roosevelt tunnel-
level. Foundation for the hoist, formerly in operation
at the Gold Coin shaft of the Granite company at Victor,
has been completed. A new screening plant is also being
installed. The Independence mill continues operating on
low-grade ores, the higher grades being shipped to the
Golden Cycle mill at Colorado Springs.
. Idaho Springs. — The Denver tunnel at Empire is
being re-timbered preparatory to the resumption of work.
The bore has been driven 1800 ft. and ore of a milling
grade is reported in the breast. The vein will be opened
by drift and shipments will commence the first of the
next year. The Gem mine is producing mill-ore in ton-
nage sufficient to keep the Newton mill operating on two
shifts.
The Elliott-Robinson company has a force of miners
employed cleaning out and re-timbering the Silver Age
tunnel. The tunnel, a former producer of high-grade
ore, but long idle, was found badly caved ; it will be made
safe before operations are resumed. The shaft at the
French Flag mine is being unwatered preparatory to
resumption. The Columbia mine at Empire is again
active and a promising ore-shoot is reported by F. E.
Birdsall, operating the property, as having recently been
opened by a drift. Ore is now being saved for shipment.
Lake City. — The Standard Mines Development Co.
reports a rich discovery of gold-silver ore in one of the
old tunnels on the Little Chief ; samples assay as high as
22 oz. gold and 1200 oz. silver per ton. A camp has been
established at the mouth of this tunnel, two miles from
Lake City, and ore is being saved for shipments to start
December 1. The Little Chief is owned by the Thatcher
estate and is operated under lease and bond. Christie
and Atkins, of Lake City, operating the Ute mine under
lease from Samuel D. Nicholson, of Leadville, have
opened up high-grade ore and have made two shipments.
The ore now being mined is reported the richest mined
in the San Juan for the past 20 years. No figures, how-
ever, are available.
The Goldona Mines Co. has acquired the Dewey No. 2
lode, the Bob Ingersoll, and other claims adjacent to the
Golconda group, and will continue operating this winter
through the Dewey No. 2, situated on the Hurricane basin
side, which is more accessible. Rich ore has recently been
found. Plans for development by a long cross-cut' tun-
nel have been perfected and will be started while blocking
out of ore-reserves for spring shipment is continued.
Leadville. — A 'grass-root' discovery is reported from
the Sugar Loaf district on the Fanehon placer. Ore as-
saying as high as $200 per ton in gold has been opened
by lessees on the Fugan section of the placer. The extent
of the orebody has not yet been determined.
Silverton. — The rich ore recently opened on the
Ariadne persists with additional drifting; the force oi
miners will be increased when stoping ground is opened
The Iowa Tiger continues steady production for its mil
and a good grade of concentrate is made. Operations wil
be resumed by December 1 by the Gold King Extensioi
Mines Co. with a larger force than when the propertj
closed temporarily last month. Good orebodies have beei
opened on the Gold King and other properties and re
serves available will keep the Gold King mill in con
tinuous operation for a long time ahead. Rich ore
reported exposed in the tunnel on the Eastern Star mine
although details of the discovery are not yet obtainablf
Telluride. — The Colorado Vanadium Co., followin
discovery of vanadium-bearing ore in the White Cliff
near this city, has had its geologist and surveyor in th
field and has made several locations. Henry William;
who made the original discovery, appears to have locate
the ground carrying the strongest visible vein and ma
realize ample funds to keep him in comfort the remainde
of his life. He is 70 years old and has for many yea)
searched for a phantom 'lost lode' of gold ore. Scori
of locations have also been made by citizens, business me.j
and miners in Telluride. Structural steel for the
flotation plant of the Smuggler Union company,
tained in nine railroad care, has been unloaded here
hauled to the mill-site. Other material and machine:
has been sent forward and the contractors expect to ha
the building completed and machinery installed early
the spring.
Is<
December 4. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
813
MICHIGAN
COPPER RANGE MINK- Will. NOT CURTAIL. — PRODUCTION AT
Mohawk ami WOLVERINE 1'I.ANTS is BEING INCREASED.
Calumet. — The extent of the curtailment at the Calu-
met & lleola mines and the readjustment in all surface
departments, including mills and smelters, indicate that
production of these properties will continue at an un-
usually low figure for the next six months. The Heela
mill has been closed and all "rock' will be stamped in the
Calumet mill. That plant will operate at capacity on
conglomerate 'rock'. The reclamation plant has not cur-
tailed and the output from this department will continue
around 1,000,000 lb. of copper per month. The reduction
by the parent mine will be about 600,000 lb. per month,
representing the output from the Osceola lode branches.
Surface forces are being reduced about 50%. In some of
September and was exceeded during the past six months
only in June. The output of Calumet & Heela 's con-
glomerate department was 2.753,891 lb. ; the reclamation
plant recovery was 1,057,735 lb. ; and the Osceola amyg-
daloid branch produced 735,333 lb. This is an improve-
ment of 332,535 lb. for the reclamation plant over Sep-
tember but it is 300,000 lb. below the figures for May and
June. Isle Royale's October production was 831,700 lb.,
compared with 727,864 for September, while LaSalle re-
ported 14,413 lb. for October. Superior's October opera-
tions yielded 38,066 lb. and White Pine produced 76,000
lb., a decrease of about 5000 lb. from September. The
total output for the Calumet & Heela group was 7,943,-
502 lb., compared with 7,288,214 in September.
The Copper Range mines will not curtail forces. On
the other hand a small number of men are being taken on
at Champion and Trimountain. Production is now but
INTERIOR OP A MICHIGAN CONCENTRATOR
the shops, at the employees' initiative, a half-time sched-
ule is to be put into effect rather than curtail to a great
extent in forces, with the men working three instead of
six days per week.
The drastic curtailment by Calumet & Heela reflects
the demoralized condition of the metal market and the
only hope for the restoration of normal conditions ap-
pears to depend on the absorption of the existing surplus.
It is estimated that Calumet & Heela has $12,000,000 tied
up in unsold metal. With the navigation season prac-
tically at an end there does not appear to be any likeli-
hood that rail shipments in large volume will go forward
inasmuch as high freight-rates add so much more to the
cost of production.
The extent of the curtailment at Ahmeek and Isle
Royale, the only other two mines of the Calumet & Heela
group now operating, has not been announced, but it is
understood that Ahmeek 's output will be such as to keep
all stamping units at the mill in operation.
Ahmeek's October production in refined copper, 1,759,-
100 lb., is an increase of approximately 150,000 lb. over
little better than 50%, of normal, but it is expected that
this will be increased somewhat. Quiney also does not
propose to curtail and is employing some additional un-
derground men. Some of the Calumet & Heela men have
been taken by Mohawk, Wolverine, Quiney, and Cop-
per Range. Seneca also has increased its force during the
past ten days.
Wolverine has begun to. return to normal production,
with the pre-war peak as the basis, and within three
weeks or a month, another head in the Wolverine mill
likely will be started. Production of 'rock' is steadily
climbing as the result of increasing the force of miners,
trammers, and laborers. Wolverine has begun to take out
the shaft-pillars, beginning at the 38th level, from which
all bodies of profitable ore have been mined, and as
other levels are completely stripped of commercial 'rock'
the work will proceed upward. The removal of the pillars
does not necessarily mean that the shaft will come to-
gether, yet if the explorations on other veins reveal ore
it is not likely the pillars will be removed at present above
the 28th level. The pillars, it is estimated, will bring
814
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 4, 1920
Wolverine's yield up to between 17 and 18 lb. per ton
and this recovery likely will be maintained for the re-
mainder of the mine's life, so far as the Kearsarge amyg-
daloid is concerned. There likely will be stretches of
ground in the pillars that will be found remarkably rich
and an immense amount of copper will be extracted from
them, for the pillars are about 90 ft. square and extend
from the surface to the bottom.
Mohawk is taking on fairly large numbers of miners,
trammers, and laborers, including many former Calumet
& Hecla underground men. As soon as the force is built
up to completely man No. 4, 5, and 6 shafts, it is proposed
,to open No. 1, as well as push the development of the
fissure vein between No. 4 and 5 shafts. The fissure has
been opened for a distance of about 700 ft. south of No.
4 on the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th levels, and it has been
found to be mineralized for a width of from two to three
feet, chiefly in the hanging wall. There also is copper in
the foot-wall in certain spots but the hanging-side yields
the larger amount of mineral. The main walls of the
fissure vary from a few inches to eight and twelve feet
in thickness and in places the vein is found to be exceed-
ingly rich. No. 1 shaft is bottomed on the 26th level but
there are large tracts of ground on the upper levels that
will be removed in widening out drifts and extending the
stopes to the foot and hanging walls.
Instead of curtailing operations, as has been done by
Calumet & Hecla, the Mohawk and Wolverine plants are
to materially increase their forces in the hope of earning
money by quantity production on a low market. Mo-
hawk's output, accordingly, will be pushed to 2400 tons
or more per day from Wolverine and it is proposed to
maintain shipments at a rate of 1200 tons per day from
Wolverine. This will necessitate the operation of prac-
tically all the stamps in the two mills, whereas, prior to
two weeks ago, only the Mohawk mill was operating to
crush all the 'rock' that could be mined from the two
plants.
Arcadian Consolidated is still operating and the man-
agement expects to continue through the winter. The
vein continues to appear in the shaft at intervals and
wherever it is exposed as the shaft deepens there is a
splendid showing of mineralization. The station at the
750-ft. level will be cut about the middle part of the com-
ing week and a small drift, north and south, may be put
in at that point. This level will be the only one to be put
in on the sixth level to collect water that flows from the
upper levels and as fast as it fills the water will be per-
mitted to run into the bailers.
NEVADA
ORIZABA PROPERTY IS SOLD. GOOD ORE FOUND ON THE 1100-
FT. LEVEL OF THE RESCUE EULA.
Orizaba. — The property of the Orizaba Mining & De-
velopment Co., 36 miles north of Millers, the shipping
point, has been sold to a syndicate of New York men
headed by A. M. Page. Bartlett Smith, and George B.
Hutchins. The Diamondfield Black Butte at Goldfield
also was sold as part of the deal. The Orizaba consists
of nine claims. The main vein is on a contact between
highly metamorphosed limestone and an altered granite
intrusive, according to a report made by J. K. Turner
of Goldfield. A fault-fissure near the contact cuts and
interrupts the ore-bearing vein, and where the drifts
have followed the fault-gouge and breccia only low-
grade ore has been found. The ore on the upper or 65-
ft. level is stained quartz containing silver chloride and a
little gold. On the lower level the ore consists of fine-
grained quartz, some calcite, zinc sulphide, small quanti-
ties of galena, and silver sulphide. Two veins join with
the main vein, but little work has been done in them.
The development work totals 1300 ft. The main shaft,
120 ft. deep, contains water to 95 ft. from the surface.
The shaft, sunk in or near the foot-wall of the vein, dips
at 70°, about the same as the vein. Drifts on the 65-ft.
level are 550 ft. long, 150 of which is east of the shaft
and 400 west. Drifts have been driven 130 ft. east and
220 ft. west on the 85-ft. level. The west drift is caved
from the 170-ft. point. An average of all samples assay-
ing more than $9, which is estimated to be the minimum
for mill-grade ore, showed an average width of 3A, ft.
and a value of $19.32 in silver. The gold content is un-
important. Mr. Turner estimates that the dumps con-
tain 300 tons of $21.30, 3000 tons of $11.80, and 300 tons
of $9.80 ore, a total value of $44,730. Ore of a gross
value of $22,980 and a net value of $16,155 has been
shipped. The shipment contained 42.3 oz. silver per ton
at 91£c. per oz. Mr. Turner advises that the use of
steam-power be discontinued and that a new shaft be
sunk in the hanging wall of the vein in order to avoid
the water.
Tonopah. — Ore in a vein five to six feet wide, assay-
ing $40 to $60 for this width, has been found at a depth
of 1100 ft. in the Eula claim of the Rescue Eula. The
ore was found in a drift driven east on the foot-wall side
of a flat-dipping vein 20 ft. wide. The vein is broken
west of where ore was found, but the condition in the
ore-shoot is good.
Virginia City. — The tunnel of the United Comstock
has been driven 100 ft. from the portal and three shifts
of miners are continuing it at a rate of 15 ft. daily. The
tunnel will be double-tracked and two 6-ton electric loco-
motives using storage batteries will be used for hauling.
It is also planned to use a shoveling machine. The com-
pany is preparing to drive the tunnel from the Imperial,
Belcher, Knickerbocker, and Jacket shafts. The surface
plant at the Knickerbocker is practically complete, cross-
cuts from the Belcher and Jacket are nearing points
from which the tunnel will be started, and sinking of the
Imperial shaft will be resumed in a few days. Zeb Ken-
dall has been elected president of the Consolidated Vir-
ginia, Mexican, Ophir, and Union companies in place of
Alex Wise, who hereafter will devote his entire attention
to his position as superintendent for these companies.
Pioche. — The Salt Lake Route has announced a pro-
posed reduction in rates as follows : $6.50 ore, from $2.75
to $2.20 ; $8.50 ore, from $3.50 to $2.80. Lower rates on
this grade of ore are of great importance to the Pioche
December 4. 192(.
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
815
companies, as t hey will permit shipment to Salt Lake
smelters of much ore thai otherwise could not be profit-
ably mined.
lLdale. — The Darms Coal Mining Co. will unwater
©-ft. shaft and will use a diamond-drill at the bot-
tom to prospect two veins that should be cut 50 and 150
ft. below the shaft. II. A. Danns has the largest interest
in the company and Tonopah people are reported to have
invested heavily to furnish funds for resuming work.
Divide. — Drifts are being driven south-east on the 800
and 1000-ft. levels of the Tonopah Divide and the cross-
cut on the latter is being continued through the vein.
Important work also is being done on and above the 1000-
ft. level.
Goodsprings. — The employees of the Yellow Pine mine
and mill have accepted unanimously a 50c. reduction in
wages. Board was reduced 10c. when the wages were cut
and prices will be reduced in a store operated by the
company. The cause of the cut in wages is the low price
of zinc ore.
Las Vegas. — The Tiffany mine near Crescent, a pro-
ducer of turquoise, is being worked by the owners, J. B.
Home and Mrs. G. Jordan, who plan to eliminate the
middleman in marketing the stones by employing a cut-
ter. Crescent is on the Nevada-California line 15 miles
west of Searchlight. Some of the stones when cut are
said to be worth $15 to $35.
Tybo. — The smelter and mill of the Louisiana Consoli-
dated have been closed because of a shortage of ore, ac-
cording to reports, but development work in the mines
is being continued.
Eureka.— The following shipments over the local rail-
way during the past week were consigned to the Utah
smelters: by the Richmond-Eureka Mining Co., 21 ears
of speiss; by the Eureka-Croesus Mining Co., 3 cars of
ore, and the Eureka-Holly Mining Co., 8 cars of ore.
The Eureka-Holly Mining Co. is timbering its shaft
down to the 500-ft. level and is cutting out a station on
that level and sinking its shaft deeper. Carpenters
are progressing with the construction of the company's
mill building. A new pump has been ordered by the
Eureka-Croesus Mining Co., to be substituted for one
hitherto used for pumping water from the bed of New
York canyon. Ore is being extracted from four different
places. Sinking continues in No. 8 winze, and a drift
has been started on the ore-shoot. The management re-
ports that these workings have furnished most of the 100
tons of ore that was shipped during the past week, and
good ore is still showing at the bottom of the winze. Of
the 100 tons, 50 tons was shipped last week and 50 tons
this week. Ore continues in the 'shale' raise which
is adding its quota to the shipments. The ore in No. 7
winze is reported to be holding out well, and five mine-
cars are the average of the daily production. A raise has
been started in the foot-wall of the old Dunderberg work-
ings, and is said to be in good ore. It is expected to ship
50 tons of ore from the mine next week and make a start
for still another shipment. The winter's supply of
powder and distillate for the mine has been received.
NEW MEXICO
NEW MILL AT KED ROCK.
Silver City. — The Silver Spot Mines Co., organised in
1919 by Silver City capitalists, started operations in
January 1920 on Boston Hill in search of the extension
of the silver-bearing orebodies of Chloride Flat which
made Silver City famous as an early producer of silver
ores. Work has been discontinued owing to large quan-
tities of water developed at about 150 ft. This made
difficult the original intention of the company to sink to
300 ft. Development succeeded in disclosing the pres-
ence of silver-bearing ores, associated with manganese
ores. Several carloads of the latter were shipped. The
SOUTH-WESTERN NEW MEXICO
company plans early resumption of work when arrange-
ments are completed for handling the water.
White Signal. — Operations have been suspended on
the radium-bearing ground at White Signal, where for
several months the Radium Company of Colorado has
been actively engaged in determining the extent and con-
tent of the torbernite ores. Development operations are
understood to have been unsuccessful, owing to the
fact that the torbernite ores were of low grade and pre-
sented difficulties in extraction which could not be suc-
cessfully met by present metallurgical practice. The
Co-Operative Mining Co. of Lordsburg has purchased all
of the equipment used by the Radium Company of
Colorado.
Lordsburg. — A 200-ton mill is to be erected at the
Great Eagle mine at Red Rock, which was recently ac-
quired by Eastern capital. Frank Groh is in charge of
construction.
816
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 4, 1920
Steeplerock. — The Duncan Mining & Milling Co.,
which completed its new cyanide mill in July of this year
and ran for some time on the ores of the district, has
gone into the hands of a receiver.
Columbus. — The Metals Exploration Co., of which 0.
"Wiser is president, has purchased the Manning group of
claims in the Tres Hermanas mountains, as well as ad-
joining claims owned by T. G. Lockland and others.
Houses have been erected, an engine, hoist, and com-
pressor are on the ground, and development has been
started.
Pinos Altos. — The Calumet-New Mexico concentrator
south of Pinos Altos is again operating on ores from the
Manhattan mine. Ore shipments from Lordsburg for
October were 80 ears of an approximate gross value of
$70,000.
UTAH
FRK1GHT-RATES REDUCED. NEW WORK PLANNED AT SILVER
KING CONSOLIDATED.
Salt Lake City. — Freight-tariffs will be published
during December by the Salt Lake Route and Western
Pacific railroads announcing reductions in rates on cer-
tain classes of ores. The Salt Lake Route will reduce the
rate on ores up to $15 per ton and the Western Pacific
will reduce rates on ore valued at more than $60 per ton.
The reduction announced by the Salt Lake Route will
benefit sundry shippers in Nevada who produce low-grade
ore. The Western Pacific Railroad reductions will benefit
Nevadan and Californian mines, served by its lines.
Application has been filed with the State Land Board for
the lease of 640 acres of land for the development of
potash, alunite, and associate minerals. The section in-
volved is in the mineral district just east of Marysvale,
in Piute county. The application was filed by Chicago
and Indiana capitalists. The directors of the Cardiff
Mining Co. have declared a dividend of 15c. per share,
payable November 29. This is the only dividend de-
clared this year and totals $75,000. The grand total to
date is $875,000.
' Park City. — During the week ending November 20,
the Judge properties shipped 590 tons of ore; Ontario,
511 ; Silver King Coalition, 334 ; and the Keystone, 110.
The milling plant of the Glenallen Mining Co. is neai-ing
completion and it is expected to be in operation by De-
cember 15. At the present time only development is
going on in the mine, but as soon as the mill is finished
a full force will be put on to supply the required tonnage
of low-grade ore. At the Park-Utah property, the '15-4'
fissure, which has been followed for more than 1000 ft.,
producing considerable second-grade ore. with occasional
pockets of high-grade material, has recently opened a
full face of first-class ore which has indications of de-
veloping into a large body.
Solon Spiro, president of the Silver King Consolidated
Mining Co.. recently returned from New York. When
asked regarding conditions at the property, he stated
that arrangements are being perfected to start two raises.
A three-compartment raise will be put up on a series of
fissures just north of the large dike recently cut by Spiro
tunnel, to the overlying limestone. Another raise will'
be put up on the bodj' of iron ore, containing some gray
copper, silver, and gold, opened up last month for a dis-
tance of 40 ft. at the side of the tunnel. Operations were
suspended for a week at the Naildriver property, owing
to trouble with the boiler-plant. Work in the mine is
being done on the 500, 600, 700, and 900-ft. levels, ac-
cording to J. D. Fisher, superintendent.
Eureka. — T. H. Heal, president of the Greeley Mining
Co., in the northern part of the district, visited the prop-
erty recently with Charles Zabriskie, mining engineer of
Salt Lake City. Mr. Heal states that the visit was for
the purpose of selecting a shaft-site and that it is the in-
tention of the company to commence sinking at once.
There has been little activity in the northern part of
this district for some time, and mining men familiar with
the ground believe the Greeley to be a property of ex-
ceptional promise. Shipments from this district for the
week ending November 19 totaled 153 ears, of which the
Tintie Standard shipped 38; Chief Consolidated, 37;
Dragon, 17 ; Eagle & Blue Bell, 13 ; Grand Central, 8 ;
Mammoth, 7 ; Iron Blossom, 6 ; Victoria, 5 ; Iron King,
5; Gemini, 4; Swansea, 4; Centennial Eureka, 2; Bullion
Beck. 2; Eureka Hill, 1; Gold Chain, 1; Sunbeam, 1;
and Colorado, 1.
At the Zuma property, work is being carried on in two
places. A drift to the south-east from the bottom of a
75-ft. winze was started recently, and a streak of high-
grade ore has been cut. On the 800-ft. level, a drift is
being sent to the south. Recently the main shaft has
been re-timbered. An assessment of one cent per share,
for the purpose of carrying on development, has been
levied, delinquent December 20, with sales-date January
11. At the Little May property, adjoining the South
Standard, a 4-in. streak of gray copper has been opened
on the 190-ft. level. Within five feet it has widened to
14 in. An average sample gave returns of 13% copper
and 4 oz. silver per ton, according to John Matson, the
president of the company.
The Tintie Standard Mining Co. has awarded a con-
tract for the erection of additional dwellings and lodg-
ing-houses at its mine in the eastern part of the district.
Excellent progress is being made on the concentrating
plant being erected on Warm creek : it will be ready for
operation soon after the first of the year. The Mammoth
Mining Co. has entered into a temporary arrangement
with the A. S. & R. Co., which will permit the resump-
tion of mining copper ores. It is expected that a similar
arrangement will be made that will enable the company
to resume shipping from its mill-dump.
Ogden. — Encouraging developments are reported from
the property of the Southern Pacifice Gold & Copper
Mining Co.. in the Sierra Madre district, 10 miles north
of here, according to H. A. Strauss, manager. The floor
of the shaft now shows about six feet of excellent miner-
alization, averaging $3 in gold, 1.2 oz. in silver, and
17.58% copper. Within another 20 ft. of drifting, it is
thought the contact will be reached.
December 4. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
Ml 7
BRITISH COLUMBIA
BLVEH STANDARD MINI 1> SHUT-DOWN. — BRITANNIA TEM-
P0RABIL7 SUSPENDS PRODUCTION.
Vancoi ver. — The Const Range Steel, Ltd., has been
incorporated with a capital of $15,000,000 for the pur-
pose of erecting an iron ;i 1 1 . 1 steel plant iii British Colum-
bia. Arrangement has been made with the government
of British Columbia for a bounty of $3 per ton of iron
produced from British Columbia ore during the first
three years of the plant's operation. An effort is being
made to induce the Federal government to permit ma-
chinery for the plant to be imported duty-free. The pro-
visional directors are: H. J. Landahl. F. T. Congdon,
: J. D. Kearns, and Montague Moore, of Vancouver, and
lAist year, the Britannia was the only copper mine in the
Province to show an increased production, the output for
tin year being greater than in any previous year. Dur-
ing the year 1140,001) tons of ore was mined, 615,000 tons
milled, 17,250,000 lb. of copper, 98,600 oz. of silver, and
4200 oz. of gold were produced. Development work will
be continued, but unless production is re-started by the
beginning of the year it is probable that more men will
have to be removed from the payroll.
Prince Rupert. — Owing to the marked decline in
prices of lead and zinc, the Silver Standard mine, at
New Hazelton, is to be closed entirely. It had been in-
tended to continue the development of the mine and shut-
down only the mill. Recent discoveries of gold-silver-
SOUTH HECLA MINE AT ALTA, UTAH
John Steta, of New York. Other mining companies that
have been incorporated recently are: The Soda Mining
& Products, Ltd., $75,000; Alice Arm Holdings, Ltd.,
$1,000,000 ; Crescent Oil Holding Co., Ltd., $175,000.
The Britannia Mining & Smelting Co. has discontinued
production and will not ship any concentrate to the
Tacoma smelter until either the price' of copper advances
or working conditions allow of the production of copper
at a reasonable profit at present prices. Under ordinary
conditions the Britannia employs between 600 and 700
men. About 250 men have been discharged, and these
have come into the city, where already- there are many
unemployed men. notwithstanding approaching election
time, when it is the custom for the party in power to
'make' temporary jobs with the view to gaining votes.
copper ore, with gold predominating, on Princess Royal
island, have caused considerable local excitement, and it
is likely that much development work will be done on
the island next year. The formation is said to resemble
that found at the Surf Inlet mine.
Trail. — F. H. Jackson, of Rossland, and Denver asso-
ciates have purchased the White Swan group, at Burnt
Basin. Development of the property will be started next
spring. The ore received during the second week in
November at the smelter totaled 8187 tons, of which the
Consolidated M. & S. Co. mines were responsible for
7527 tons. The United mine, at Ainsworth, appeared on
the list for the first time this season. The Associated
Eastern B. C. Boards of Trade have petitioned the Fed-
eral government for an investigation into the prices of..
818
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 4, 1920
coal and coke and have asked for a revision in the freight-
rate for coke. It was decided, too, to hold the next an-
imal mining convention at Grand Forks.
Ainswokth. — Thomas and Joseph Haws, George Mc-
Pherson, Glen McLeod, and E. and D. McLennan have
taken a lease of the No. 1 mine from the Consolidated
M. & S. Co. The mine has been a good producer and is
well equipped. Last year it produced 235 tons and this
year, to date, it has produced 336 tons of high-grade ore.
There is a tramway from the mine to the landing at
Cedar Creek and a wagon-road to Ainsworth, eight miles
away.
ONTARIO
CHAJIBERS-FERLAND FINDS HIGH-GRADE ORE. HOLLINGER
HAS INCREASED WORKING FORCE.
Cobalt. — The Mining Corporation, which is the largest
individual power consumer in the Cobalt field, has re-
duced its consumption to the extent of about 700 hp.
This step, together with somewhat similar action as some
of the other mines, including complete curtailment at
the Beaver Consolidated, has relieved the power shortage.
Working under a leasing arrangement through a shaft
on the Right of Way Mines, the Chambers-Perland has
extended a cross-cut 150 ft. into its own property and has
made an important discovery of silver ore. At the point
where the find has been made, the cross-cut lies in a layer
of slate. Over a width of 4£ ft. the average silver con-
tent is 28$ oz. per ton, while the lowest assay across 22
ft. is 5$ oz. The conglomerate formation is estimated to
lie about ten feet below the cross-cut, and with such silver
minerals shot up into the usually unproductive slate, the
conglomerate is likely to contain a high-grade deposit.
This is the official declaration based upon former results
in the Chambers-Perland.
Press dispatches convey the intimation that the On-
tario government is considering a plan to relieve any
hardship which may have been caused by the application
of an Order-in-Couneil of October 13 which declared all
patented mining claims in Ontario forfeited to the
Crown, on which a certain Provincial tax of $2 per claim
had not been paid. Various holders declare they received
no notice, and knew nothing concerning the tax until
informed that their ground had been re-located.
Dividends paid during the current year by silver and
gold mining companies in the district of Temiskaming
exceed $7,000,000. This represents an increase of over
$600,000 over the 1919 record. The increase was due to
the Dome Mines at Porcupine having resumed interim
disbursements at the rate of 2% at intervals of every
three months, as well as to the Hollinger having paid two
extra dividends of 1% each.
T. B. Godson, mining commissioner, heard the case this
week in which prospectors who re-staked the Kirkland-
Hudson mine entered claim for $20,000. The defence was
based upon the special Order-in-Council passed by the
Ontario government which relieved the property from
forfeiture prior to the hour set for such a penalty. It
was considered this Order precluded any right the pros^
pector might have had to re-stake the mine. Decision has-
been reserved.
Porcupine. — Labor conditions having considerably im-
proved, the Hollinger Consolidated has latterly been able
to increase the scope of its operations. The company has
declared another dividend of 1% payable December 1
bringing its total disbursements for the year up to
$1,968,000, as compared with $1,722,000 in 1919. The
favorable outlook indicated has resulted in an upward
movement on the stock exchange. Development work at
the Dome Mines has also been greatly stimulated by the
recent addition to its working forces, but the break-down
of a large underground crusher, which it will take some-
time to repair, is causing serious inconvenience. J. P.
Bickell, president of the Mclntyre-Porcupine, which, in
conjunction with the Temiskaming, of Cobalt, recently
purchased the Blue Diamond and Canadian Coalfields
coal mines of Alberta, has returned from' a visit to these
properties and states that excellent progress is being
made with their development. New machinery is being
installed as rapidly as possible and the output has already
been increased 50% now amounting to 700 tons daily.
Operations have been put upon a profitable basis much
earlier than was expected.
MEXICO
DENOUNCEMENT OF MINERAL LANDS IN CHIHUAHUA AND
DURANGO IS ACTIVE.
Torreon. — Something like the pre-revolution activity
in filing upon mining claims in the States of Chihuahua'
and Durango is being resumed. Many of the denounce-
ments, as these applications are called, are by Americans.
Prospectors who were kept out of the mineral district of
Mexico for several years on account of the revolution and
bandit troubles are now returning in large numbers.
Advices have reached here that a group of twenty-nine
claims has been filed upon in the Velardena district dur-
ing the last few days. These claims are to be developed
extensively, it is stated, and if ore is discovered it will
be sent to the smelter of the American Smelting & Re-
fining Co. at Velardena. In the San Dimas district of
Durango, B. H. Townsend has taken up several claims,
from which he expects to produce soon. There are sev-
eral rich mining districts in Durango that are remotely
situated from railroad transportation, San Dimas being
one of these. Another district that promises to undergo
rapid mining development, now that the era of dis-
turbances has passed, is Santiago Papasquiaro, which is
rich in gold, silver,, and lead ores. Joseph E. Trumbley
has just filed on 22 claims in that district and will start
development as soon as machinery and equipment can be
installed. Ore-shipments from the various districts show
a gradual increase, due to the improvement in railroad
transportation. Much new machinery is now coming into
the country for installation in mines. Special attention
is being given to re-timbering many of the mines, and the
timbers for this purpose are shipped from the United
States.
December 4. 1020
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
819
ARIZONA
Globe. — It is reported that drilling to a depth of. 3000 ft.
on the Castle Dome property has indicated a deposit of 1.4%
copper sulphide ore that is capped with 20 ft. of 2J% ox-
idized copper ore. Work has been suspended till spring.
Drilling of 6 00 acres is to be started on the Warrior Copper
Co.'s property in Lost gulch with three drills. This area ad-
joins the Louis D'Or property. Considerable ore has already
been developed by tunnels. Last year the Superior & Boston
Copper Co. shipped ore to the value of $200,000 to the
smelters at Miami and El Paso. Three copper-silver veins
are being developed. T. R. Drummond is in charge of the
work.
Grand Canyon. — The Northern Arizona Lead & Zinc Co. is
working a small force of men at its mine near Catarack
canyon. A considerable amount of vanadium ore, as descli-
ozite and vanadinite, was developed in the mine a few years
ago.
Kingman. — The shaft of the I.X.L. mine at Stockton hill
is nearing the 3 50-ft. level at which point a station is to be
■cut and drifting on the vein commenced. The orebody at
the 250-ft. level has proved to be high-grade shipping ore.
The shaft will be sunk to the 500-ft. level. Complete plant
lor carrying on this work was recently installed and at
present a large camp is under construction. G. D. Atlee is
in charge of operations. Regular shipments are now
"being made from the Golden Sfar property at Mineral Park.
It is announced that a car of ore will.be shipped every week
<or 10 days, the first car recently shipped having proved so
satisfactory. The ore is high-grade silver-gold ore. Devel-
opment work is being pushed and a large tonnage of milling
ore is being opened apart from that which is being shipped.
The drift on the 185-ft. level of the new shaft has proved
the vein to be large. George Willeston is superintendent.
— The main shaft of the C. O. D. mine is nearing the
•600-ft. level. Recent reports state that both drifts on the
400-ft. level are in high-grade shipping ore. Construction
•of the mill is progressing rapidly. The new road to the top
of the hill has been completed and is stated to be an ex-
cellent road.
Miami. — It is reported that the American Asbestos Asso-
ciation, whose property is situated at Chrysotile, 40 miles
"north of Globe on Ash creek, is producing 1* to 2 tons of
sorted crude asbestos daily which is transported to Rice on
•motor-trucks and shipped to the mills in the East.
CALIFORNIA
Nevada County. — Announcement of the discovery of a rich
"vein in the South Star mine, in the Deadman's Flat district,
is made by A. W. Johnson, manager for the company. A
3ode from three to four feet wide and running high in gold
"has been uncovered at a depth of 105 ft. and the prospects
of developing a large ore-shoot are good.
Shasta County. — The Mammoth Copper Co., a subsidiary
of the United States Smelting, Refining & Mining Co., has
increased its holdings on the Shasta copper-belt by acquisi-
tion of the Crystal group of 24 claims under a two-year
option. The Crystal property lies north of the Balaklala
mines and west of the Vulcan property, and has been under-
going development for several years. The transaction is in
line with the policy of the Mammoth company to gather in
copper properties adjacent to its holdings in the Kennett
district to ensue a steady supply of ore for its smelter.
Stanislaus County. — The big dredge which was launched a
few weeks ago by the Yankee Hill Gold Mining Co. has com-
menced operations in the Stanislaus river between Oakdale
and Knight's Ferry. The Pacific Gas & Electric Co. has con-
nected the 200-hp. motor which will drive the machinery,
and within a few weeks it will be known whether or not the
investment of nearly $200,000 will be repaid from the gold
in the channel of the Stanislaus river. The company has
under lease about ten miles of the river-channel.
Tuolumne. — The Harvard mine, together with a large
number of outlying claims, has been sold to John Ferguson
and associates of Berkeley. The transaction includes the
ten-stamp mill on the Capp-Mussel group and equipment
owned by the Harvard company. While no formal announce-
ment has been made, it is understood the new owners plan to
develop the property in 1921. The Harvard long ranked
among the premier producers of the Mother Lode, but has
been idle several years.
IDAHO
Coeur d'Alene. — -Ivan de Laschmutt, manager of the
Standard Silver-Lead company's mine at Silverton, B. C, was
elected chairman of the Columbia Section of the A. I. M.
& M. E. at the session held at Kellogg on November 19 and
20. The following papers were presented at the meeting
attended by 147 members: 'The Federal Income Tax and
Mine Valuation', by W. Earl Greenough; 'Precipitation of
Smelter-Fumes in Series-Treatment at the Bunker Hill
Smelter', by J. P. Schuttenhelm; 'Hydraulic Classification
and Table-RifHing at the Bunker Hill Concentrator', by C.
Y. Garber; 'Considerations in Relation to Flotation', by
Thomas M. Owens; 'Mechanical Shoveling in the Bunker
Hill Mine', by William McDougall; 'Electrical Drying of Flo-
tation Concentrates', by W. C. Clark; 'Treatment of Com-
plex Zinc-Lead-Silver Ores of the Coeur d'Alene District', by
W. G. Woolf. The papers by Mr. Schuttenhelm, Mr. Garber,
Mr. McDougall, and Mr. Clark were amplified by slide views
which added much to their value. Following the formal
papers J. B. Parker, formerly in charge of the flotation plant
at the Interstate-Callahan mill, but now at the Bunker Hill,
discussed selective flotation as applied to zinc and lead, using
a blackboard to illustrate the process.
The Western Union mine, situated two miles from Wallace,
has 50 tons of high-grade ore ready to be sent to the Bunker
Hill smelter. A new stope was opened recently which show-
ed a foot of lead-silver ore. Ben L. Collins, of Spokane, is
manager of the property. The Hecla Mining Co. will
disburse its regular quarterly dividend of $150,000 Decem-
ber 28. The payment will be at the rate of 15c. per share.
It will increase the disbursements for the year to $650,000
and the grand total of $8,505,000. An extra dividend of
$50,000 was disbursed in the second quarter. Ore has been
developed to a depth of 2000 ft. in the main vein. The body
is 16 ft. wide and has been followed by drift for 500 ft. or
more. This body has a length of 1600 ft.' on the 1600-ft.
level. A streak of high-grade lead-silver ore five feet wide
820
MINING ANB SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 4, 1920
is being developed at the face. The company recently ac-
quired the Russell and Mono claims and the Tiger-Poorman
group from the Federal Mining & Smelting Co. for $750,000.
Idaho County. — The Orogrande Gold Mining Co., owner
of mining propertv near here, has completed the erection of
a building and will equip a mill with a capacity of 500 tons
daily, according to M. A. Sherman, vice-president. A roaster
and tanks are in process of construction. The parts to be
bought will be installed in time to begin operations in the
spring. The plant was equipped several years ago to dress
oxidized ore. The equipment being installed is designed to
recover the gold in the sulphide ore. It includes leaching
tanks, roaster, ball-mill, and Wilfley tables. The mine is
developed and ready to yield ore.
MISSOURI
Joplin. — While the present low price for zinc ore has re-
sulted in a curtailment of output in practically all of the
mines of the district, the mines of the Eagle-Picher Lead Co.
are doing all the reconstruction and repair work possible in
order to give jobs to their employees oldest in point of
service. Out of seven properties owned by the company,
normally employing about 1500 miners, four mills are oper-
ating, namely, the Netta, Bingham, Crawfish, and Swift.
The Perrin mill is being dismantled and removed to shafts
No. 25 and 26 in Kansas, about 1* miles north of the former
site, where it will be known as the Bendelari mill. A drift
is being made to connect shaft No. 24, near the south-west
terminal station with shaft No. 20 at the Whitebird mill,
where the 'dirt' will be milled. On November 20 the wages
of shovelers were cut from 12* to lie. per can. The wages
of other underground workers were unchanged.
Otis White has opened a body of zinc ore at the Buffalo
mine north-west of Picher. The cave is several hundred feet
long and many feet in width and is filled with the finest of
'resin jack' in chunks varying from a foot to four or five
feet in diameter. The chunks will run from 45 to 50% zinc
sulphide. The first day's mill-work on stuff from the cave
resulted in the making of 59 cars of zinc and 4 cars of lead
concentrate. The opening of the cave created something of
a sensation in the neighborhood and hundreds of visitors
have viewed the underground wonder, among them being
many mining men of the district. The Sullivan mine at
Commerce, owned by White, suffered the loss of its mill by
fire one day last week. The loss was considerable, but White
has not been worrying about that since he has made the big
find at the Buffalo mine.
WASHINGTON
Spokane. — The American Refractories Co., operating a
magnesite mine, near Valley, 50 miles north of here, has
more than doubled the capacity of its truck-lines hauling the
calcined product to the railroad. Eleven heavy trucks are
being worked 24 hours per day. Considerable time and
money has been spent in putting the roads into condition
for hauling, so that trucks may run as late as possible into
the season.
Obituary
Alex Shields, a prominent mining man of Hamilton mining
district. White Pine county. Nevada, died on November 24
in San Francisco. He had resided at Hamilton for about 40
years. He was manager of the Ne Plus Ultra mine, which
position he had held for 15 years.
Isaac E. Hadley, 69 years of age, for the past 25 years
being general foreman of the American Smelting & Refining
Co.'s silver-lead smelter at Murray, Utah, died on November
21. He had been a resident of Utah for 28 years, and had
been connected with the smelting industry throughout that
period. He is survived by his wife and four children.
PERSONALl
The Bditor invites members of the profession to send particulars ol their
work and appointments. The information is interesting to our readers.
R. C. Genrmell was in San Francisco last week.
James E. Babcock, of Los Angeles, has been at Marysville,
Utah.
Ira B. Joralenion has returned from Mexico to Bisbee,
Arizona.
H. R. Chartran, of Paris, is in San Fsancisco on his return
from Siberia.
J. Morgan Clements, on his return from Mongolia, has
gone to Hinan, near Canton.
D. J. Argall, of Thane, Alaska, is spending the month of
December at San Diego, California.
W. J. Loring, after attending the American Mining Con-
gress at Denver, went to Washington.
Edwin Mills and 3. F. Manning have been examining the
Mongolor mine, near Urga, in Mongolia.
E. A. Cappelen Smith has been awarded the gold medal
of the Mining and Metallurgical Society of America.
H. Hardy Smith is expected in San Francisco before the
end of the year on his return from London to Australia.
Robert Linton, president of the North Butte Mining Co.,
was in San Francisco on his way from Montana to New York.
J. Malcolm Maclaren has been appointed a member of the
technical committee of the National Mining Corporation in
London.
A. G. Burritt, of Salt Lake City, has been making an ex-
amination of the Eureka-Nevada mine, in New York canyon,
Nevada.
F. Leslie Ransome attended the convention of the Ameri-
can Mining Congress at Denver, on his way to Oatman,
Arizona.
Marshall D. Draper is now chief engineer to the Kotchiou
Tin Trading Co. in Yunnan, China. T. K. Li is acting as his
assistant.
Forest Rutherford has returned to New York, after spend-
ing several months in Colorado on mine examinations and
milling problems.
A. W. Newberry, accompanied by C. A. Newton, sailed on
November 27 from New York for Nicaragua, to examine the
San Albino mine.
W. H. J. Brown, F. B. Keever, and Wallace Macgregor, of
San Francisco, have been examining mining claims at
Eureka, Nevada.
Rush T. Sill and Harley A. Sill have left for Arizona and
New Mexico, where they will examine several properties,
returning to Los Angeles about the first of the year.
C. S. T. Farish has resigned his position as general fore-
man for Backus & Johnston to accept the position of assist-
ant mine superintendent with the Amparo Mining Co. at
Etzatlan, Jalisco, Mexico.
A. W. Tucker, after sixteen months field-work for the-
Bureau of Mines in connection with War Minerals Relief
claims, has resumed private practice in the Southern Ap-
palachians, with an office at Salisbury, North Carolina.
H. Foster Bain was in San Francisco this week on his re-
turn from Shanghai to Washington. On November 3 0 he-
delivered an interesting address on his experiences in China
before the Engineers Club.
C. M. Weld, mining engineer, D. M. Liddell, chemical en-
gineer and metallurgist, and P. H. Lazenby, civil engineer
with wide experience in public utilities, have formed a part-
nership for practice as consulting engineers and economists
under the firm name of Weld, Liddell & Lazenby, with offices
at 2 Rector street, New York.
December 4. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
821
METAL PRICES
San FnadBCO, November 30
Aluminum-dust, cents per pound 65
Antimony, cents per pound 7.50
Copper electrolytic, cents per pound 14.75
Lead. pig. cents per pound 6.00 — 7.00
Platinum, pure, per ounce S85
Platinum. 101 indium, per ounce fl25
Quicksilver, per flask of 75 lb $55
Spelter, cents per pound 8.00
Zinc-dust, cents per pound 12.50 — 15.00
EASTERN METAL MARKET
(By wire from New York)
November 20. — Copper is inactive and weak. Lead is stagnant and
grwer. Zinc is dull and declining
SILVER
Below are given official or ticker quotations for silver in the open market
h- distinguished from the fixed price obtainable for metal produced, smelted.
and refined exclusively within the United States. Under the terms of the
Pitt man Act such silver will be purchased by the United States Mint at SI
per ounce, subject to certain small charges which van' slightly but amount
to approximately three-eights of one cent. The equivalent of dollar silver
(1000 fine) in British currency is 46.65 pence per ounce (925 fine), calcu-
lated at the normal rate of exchange.
New Vork London
Date
Nov.
cento
23 73.37
24 72.00
25 Holiday
26 75.50
27 70.00
28 Sunday
29 71.75
47.13
46.25
47.50
48.75
49.13
Average week ending
18 83.10
25 79.52
1 80.31
S 81.90
15 80.03
23 76.41
29 73.73
Monthly averages
1918
Jan 88.72
Feb 85.79
Mch 88.11
Apr 95.35
Mav 99.50
June 99.50
1919
101.12
101.12
1H1.13
101.13
107.23
110.50
1930
133.77
131.27
125.70
119.56
102.69
90.84
1918
July 99.62
Aug 100.31
Sept 101.12
Oct 101.12
Nov 101.12
Dec. .' 101.12
1919
106.36
111.35
113.92
119.10
127.57
131.92
54.05
52.31
52.35
54.00
53.50
40 OR
48.97
1920
92.04
96.33
93.66
83.48
COPPER
Prices of electrolytic in New York, in cents per pound.
Average week ending
23 14.50 Oct.
24 14.2
25 Holiday Nov.
26 14.00
27 14.00
28 Sunday
29 14.00
18.
l!
s.
15.
39!
17.15
15 08
15 on
14.87
14.62
.14.15
Monthly averages
1918
1919
1920
20.43
19.25
Feb. . .
23.50
17.34
19.05
23.50
15.05
18.49
15.23
19.23
Mar ..
23.50
15.91
19.05
23.50
17.53
19 00
1918
July 26.00
Aug 26.00
Sept 26.00
Oct 26.00
Nov 26.00
Dec 26.00
1919
20.82
22.51
22.10
21.66
20.45
18.55
1920
19.00
19.00
18.75
16.63
Lead is quoted in cents per pound. New York delivery.
Average week
Nov.
23
34
25
2(i
27
28
29
Oct. 18.
Holiday
Nov. 1 .
. 6.92
. R SJ
„
. . 5.50
" on
29.
averages
July
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
N
pound.
averages
July
Aug
Sunday
Jan.
191 R
6.85
Monthly
]91Q 19"0
5.60 8.65
5.13 8.88
5.24 9.22
5.05 8.78
5.04 8.55
5.32 8.43
Tl
>rk, in cents per
Monthly
1919 1920
71.50 62.74
72.44 59.87
72.50 61.93
73.50 54.99
71.83 48.33
1918
. . 8.03
. . 8.05
. . 8.05
. . 8.05
. . 8.05
. . 6.90
1018
. .93.00
. .91.33
. .80.40
1919
5.53
5.78
6.02
6.40
6.76
7.12
1919
70.11
62.20
55.79
54.82
54.17
54.94
1930
8.63
9.03
Mch.
Apr.
May
7.26
. . 6.99
. . 7.59
7.28
Prices
n New Y<
1918
85.13
. 85 00
. 85.00
.100.01
1920
49.29
Feb.
Mch.
44 43
Oct
Nov
Dec
..78.82
..73.67
..71.52
40.47
June
. 91.00
Zinc is quoted as
in cents per pound.
Date
Nov. 23
24
25 Holiday
speller, standard Western brands. New York delivery.
26.
27.
38 Sunday
29
6.40
6.30
6.25
6.20
Jan.
Feb.
Mch.
Apr.
May
1918
7.78
7.97
7.67
7.04
7.92
June 7.92
. . 6.10
Monthly averages
1919 1920
9.56
9.15
8.93
8.76
8.07
7.92
•eragp week endine
7.44
6.71
6.63
6.49
6.43
6.91
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
1918
8.72
8.78
9.58
9.11
8.75
8.49
1919
7.78
7.81
7.57
7.82
8.12
8.69
7.41
7.M
7.54
7 31
6.80
6.66
6.25
1920
8.18
8.31
7.84
7.50
QUICKSILVER
The primary market for quicksilver is San Francisco, California being
the largest producer. The price is fixed in the open market, according to
quantity. Prices, in dollars per flask of 75 pounds.
Date I Nov. 16 65.00
Nov. 1 60.00 •• 23 55.00
9 55.00 I " 30 55.00
Monthly averages
1918
1918
Jan 128.06
Feb 118.00
Mch 112.00
Apr 115.00
May 110.00
June 112.00
1919
103.75
90.00
72.80
73.12
84.80
94.40
89.00
81.00
87 0(1
loo.oo
87.00
85.00
July 120.00
Aug 130.00
Sept 120.00
Oct 120.00
Nov 120.00
Dec 115.00
1919
100.00
103.00
102.60
86.00
78.00
95.00
1920
88.00
85.00
75.00
IMPORTING GOLD FROM LONDON
Kuhn. Loeb & Co. have imported nearly 565.000,000 gold this year,
bought in the London open market. This is 'brand new' gold — not like
that brought over recently by reserve banks, which was 'ear-marked' to
their credit in Bank of England and which they already counted in re-
serves. Although this S65.000.000 is a private importation, most of it has
gone to the New York Federal Reserve bank. and. through it, into the
reserve system, because Kuhn. Loeb & Co. have been selling the metal
directly to the reserve institution. The importers have found this a more
advantageous way of handling incoming gold. It has often meant dollars
and cents to them. Both parties profit, since the reserve bank is placed in
immediate position to expand credit.
"While importers can get immediate credit under certain conditions by
turning their gold into the Assay Office, the Government institution is not
in position to render the same facilities as the reserve bank. For instance,
Kuhn. Loeb & Co. have found that if a consignment of gold comes into
their possession after 2:30 p.m., the Assay Office will not give them credit
for the amount until the following day. Federal Reserve Bank will give
them credit therefor up to a late hour in the day. On gold consignments
involving several millions, the saving of a day's interest is no small con-
sideration.
In this way the more up-to-date management of the Federal Reserve
Bank, as compared with the red tape of the Government institution, is
enabling the former to accumulate the yellow metal more rapidly than it
would in ordinary course. The $65,000,000 gold obtained by Kuhn. Loeb
& Co. this year has been a pure exchange operation, based on position of
sterling in this market. The gold is product of the mines sold in the open
market. Bankers cannot get gold from the Bank of England, and there is
an embargo on British gold exports. But the British government has made
special exemption in ease of gold from the mines currently offered in the
open market. This may be taken by the highest bidder, and because of
the low position of New York exchange and the exchanges at certain other
centres, a high premium on the market gold has ruled. At present bar-gold
in London is quoted at about 118s. per ounce, compared with about 85s.
normal. Formerly India and the Far East were active competitors with
New York, but now New York appears to be the only bidder, after Govern-
ment requirements are filled. The British Indian treasuries are always
given precedent.
It is commented upon that Kuhn. Loeb & Co. should be the only New
York banking house importing gold from London at present. The dis-
tinction lies less with Kuhn. Loeb & Co. than with Rothschild & Co.,
London, who do the actual buying and who appear especially favored in
this respect. Kuhn. Loeb & Co. are merely consignees of the metal sent by
Rothschild & Co. Initial deposit of the gold at reserve bank, on basis of
40% reserve, would allow for note expansion of about S160.000.000; but
through ramifications of banking credit, potential credit expansion is in
proportion of at least 10 to I. Therefore Kuhn. Loeb & Co. importations
have provided for a possible credit expansion of between $600,000,000 and
$700,000,000.
MONEY AND EXCHANGE
Foreign quotations on November 30 are as follows:
Sterling, dollars : Cable 3.50
Demand 3.50 %
Francs, cents: Cable 6.13
Demand 6.14
Lire, cents: Demand 3.70
Marks, cents • 1.50
822
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 4, 1920
Eastern Metal Market
New York, November 24.
Liquidation in pra tically all the markets continues and
quotations are lower.
Demand for copper has not improved. Further offerings
have depressed values to new low levels.
There is no animation in the tin market, the tone of which
is easy with prices lower.
Lead is freely offered in quantity and quotations are con-
siderably lower.
Stagnation features the zinc market, with buying and pro-
duction curtailed.
Antimony joins the procession and is also lower.
IRON AND STEEL
The Steel Corporation's announcement that it would not
advance its prices unless "altered conditions" made ad-
vances necessary has had no measurable effect on the steel
market, and its precise intent is not yet clear, according to
'The Iron Age'. It has been understood that the corporation
seriously considered advancing rail-prices, and the fact
that it made large contracts for 1921 into which the price
was to be written later pointed to a higher level than $47,
which it has maintained since March 1919. Several inde-
pendent mills that for more than a year have charged $55
and higher for rails have refused to book orders for 1921
with the proviso that the Steel Corporation prices govern,
and some of these mills could not meet the Steel Corpora-
tion's price without a drastic readjustment of wages.
Current export trade in iron and steel is about one-third
the volume of a few months ago. One sale of the week was
of 5000 tons of structural steel to the Dutch government,
made by the Steel Corporation, the price being close to
2.65c, Pittsburgh, or about $4 per ton higher than the basis
for domestic business.
COPPER
The market does not improve; it goes from bad to worse,
if anything, so far as prices are concerned. Consumers are
still apathetic so far as large purchases are involved. There
continue to be offerings by small producers and second-hands
which have further depressed prices, caused by the necessity
to convert metal into cash. It is understood that one or two
large interests are willing to shade the 14.75c. price of the
leading producers who have not thus far changed their ask-
ing price. The result of these conditions has been a reces-
sion in values to not higher than 14.50c, New York, for
electrolytic copper at which level it is believed nothing less
than sizable tonnages can now be obtained. For small lots
from second-hands and small producers it is stated that
14.2 5c can be done. We quote the market at 14.50c for
this year and 14.75 to 15c for first quarter. When the
market had receded to around 15c a short time ago, fairly
large sales were made at 15c and 15.25c for early and first-
quarter delivery. Sales for foreign account are about the
same, that is, light.
TIN
In a dull and uninteresting market the sharp slump in
London on Monday of this week has been the only feature.
Despite the fact that it was big, it was not followed by sellers
on this side, because they regarded it as overdone or far-
fetched. As a result the market here was not affected much
but remained on Monday at 36c, New York, nominal, for
spot Straits, or where it closed last Friday. On Monday,
prices broke to £231 for spot standard, to £234 for future
standard, and to £231 10s. for spot Straits, remaining
yesterday, Tuesday, at practically those levels or £230 15s.,
£234 15s., and £231 5s., respectively. Yesterday spot
Straits, New York, was again nominal but a little higher at
37c Last week Thursday, November 18, was the only day
of any trading and it was small. A little spot Straits changed
hands at 37.25c and some metal ex-steamer in the harbor
at 37c More was offered but there was no buying and
competition was active for the business offered. Sales on
the New York Metal Exchange in the week totaled about
75 tons, some October-November shipment going at 37.50 to
37.75c, and one 25-ton lot of Straits under the rule at
37.25c Arrivals thus far this month have been 2 580 tons
with 3500 tons reported afloat.
LEAD
Late Monday another cut was made by the American
Smelting & Refining Co. of Jc, reducing its price to 6c both
New York and St. Louis. Just previous to this the outside
market had reached the 6c level. The market may be
termed as very weak, bordering on demoralization. While
6c is the quotation it is hinted that inquiries involving large
quantities could bring a lower price. These are free offer-
ings of the metal in large quantities and the falling off in
consumption is drastic and pointed to as the cause of the
present tendency of the market. Because the low price in
London and the possibility of imports, the New York price
of the leading interest is the same as at St. Louis. At pres-
ent value of exchange, the metal in London has a value of
around 4.55c per pound.
ZINC
The market has not improved but quotations have de-
clined. Prime Western for early delivery is quoted at 6c,
St. Louis, or 6.40 to 6.50c, New York, but demand is almost
nothing. Galvanizers seem well supplied in relation to their
orders for sheets and are buying only what they need here
and there. There has been a slump in brass operations.
The offerings of zinc come from interests needing the cash
and from those operators who are working off ore piles or
old stocks. The tendency to curtail output is marked. It is
intimated that the industry as a whole is operating well
under 50% of capacity with some producers down to a basis
of 25% capacity.
ANTIMONY
Demand is light and unsatisfactory and carload or whole-
sale lots for spot or early delivery can be obtained at 5.8 7*c,
New York, duty paid.
ALUMINUM
Virgin metal, 98 to 99%, is unchanged at 32.90c f.o.b.
producer's plant from the leading interest, but other sellers
are quoting 27.50 to 28.50c, New York, for wholesale lots
for early delivery.
ORES
Tungsten: There has been no test of the market. Prices
are therefore nominal at $4 per unit for Chinese ore and $5
per unit for Bolivian.
Ferro-tungsten is quoted unchanged at 90c per pound of
contained tungsten in guaranteed lump and at 70c not
guaranteed. The powdered form is quoted at 78 to 85 cents.
Molybdenum: Quotations continue normal with sellers'
ideas at 60c per pound of MoSs in regular concentrate and
buyers' ideas of values at 50 cents.
Manganese: The market for high-grade ore is dead with
quotations nominal at 45 to 50c per unit, seaboard.
Manganese-Iron Alloys: American makers of ferro-man-
ganese have reduced their asking price to $150, freight
allowed, which compares with $170, basis, seaboard, former-
ly. The British price is still $170, seaboard, but the devel-
opment of any business could probably bring down this
price. Spiegeleisen, 20%, is easier at $62.50, furnace, but
there is no demand.
December I. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
823
Book Reviews
Elements of Descriptive Geometry. By George F. Blessing
and Lewis F. Darling. 200 pp., ill., index. John Wiley &
Sons. Inc., New York. For sale by 'Mining and Scientific
Press'. Price, $2.50.
The material for this book was prepared in the main while
the authors were teaching machine design at Cornell Uni-
versity, and the book is designed for, and arranged as, a
class textbook. No human power could make the subject
of descriptive geometry anything but difficult for the average
student to grasp, but the authors appear to have done as
well as possible under the circumstances.
Gold. Its Place in the Economy of Mankind. By Ben-
jamin White. 12S pp., ill., index. Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons,
Ltd., New York and London. For sale by 'Mining and
Scientific Press'. Price, $1.
This is one of fifty small books that describe the manu-
facture and use of every-day commodities, including, for in-
stance, soap, tobacco, copper, and automobiles. The first
chapter is captioned. 'Its Appreciation, Ancient and Modern',
Then come several chapters on production, use in coinage,
and movement of gold over the world. A final chapter,
'Gold and the Great War', gives an excellent resume of the
financial difficulties brought about by the War and clearly
states some of the problems of 'gold currency-reserves'. It
Is a good popular book.
Geology of the Non-Metallic Deposits Other Than Silicates.
Vol. I. Principles of Salt Deposition. By Amadeus W.
Grabau. 435 pp., ill. Published by the McGraw-Hill Book
Co., New York. For sale by the 'Mining and Scientific
Press'. Price, $5.
'This book," says the author in his preface, "is essentially
a treatise on applied stratigraphy." It is a handbook on the
geology of salts, using the term in its broad sense, to in-
clude nitrates, phosphates, borates,, and similar deposits,
that is, non-metallic minerals used in human industry. It
starts with a chapter on the chemical principles underlying
the methods by which such deposits are formed, and classi-
fies them. Then follows the characterization of minerals
and an account of their distribution in nature. The author
is recognized as an authority on the subject; he is a scholar
and writes clearly. The book should prove useful and wel-
come.
Political and Commercial Geology and the World's Mineral
Resources. By J. E. Spurr. 544 pp., ill., index. McGraw-
Hill Book Co., Inc., New York. For sale by 'Mining and
Scientific Press'. Price, $5.
The purpose of this book is "to shed light upon the vast
importance of commercial control of raw material" to gov-
ernments. Commencing with petroleum, coal, and iron, the
useful minerals are considered in successive chapters from
the following points of view: uses, geological and geograph-
ical distribution, political control, and commercial control.
One group includes the metals used as alloys for hardening
and toughening steel; a second group includes the major
metals other than iron, as well as some important non-
metallic minerals such as magnesite, graphite, and asbestos;
the third is that of the fertilizer minerals; and the last deals
with precious metals, which in the final analyses are not so
important as the others from the standpoint of national
safety: — which is in fact the motive for a careful study of
mineral resources of the world. Each chapter is handled
by a specialist and each summarizes the present-day knowl-
edge regarding the distribution and utility of a particular
mineral. Mr. Spurr concludes the book with a chapter, 'Who
Owns the Earth?' which gives the salient features of the
separate chapters. The book is interesting; it is instructive.
Laboratory Manual of Testing Materials. By William
Kendrick Hatt and H. H. Scofield. Second edition. 169 pp.,
ill., index. McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., New York. For sale
by 'Mining and Scientific Press'. Price, $2.
The first edition of this book appeared seven years ago.
The principal changes in the second edition are in bringing
the material up to date, particularly the division relating
to cement and concrete. The authors are both professors of
civil engineering, one at Purdue, and the other at Cornell
University. The book includes a general discussion of test-
ing-methods, a description of the various types of testing-
machines, and directions for performing the principal kinds
of physical tests on the more important engineering ma-
terials. There is also an appendix containing skeleton speci-
fications for various materials, and directions for making
metallographic examinations.
American Lubricants. By L. B. Lockhart. 330 pp., ill.,
index. The Chemical Publishing Co., Easton, Pennsylvania.
For sale by 'Mining and Scientific Press'. Price, ?4.
As the title-page states, this book is written from the
standpoint of the consumer and deals with the use and the
analysis of lubricants, and only incidentally with their
manufacture. After a brief discussion of the production and
refining of petroleum, the subject of friction and lubrication
is considered. Then come several chapters each dealing with
the lubrication of some particular kind of machinery.
Physical and chemical tests for lubricating oils and greases
are then discussed. The next two chapters are devoted to
animal and vegetal oils and the testing of the same. Then
come several chapters each dealing with specifications for
some particular kind of lubricating oil or grease. The last
forty pages of the book are devoted to specifications and
tests for other petroleum products than lubricants. The
purchaser or the user of lubricating oils will find much that
is useful in the book.
The Mineral Industry, 1919. Vol. XXVIII. Edited by
G. A. Roush. 902 pp., index. McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc.,
New York. For sale by 'Mining and Scientific Press'.
Price, $10.
This twenty-eighth volume of 'Mineral Industry' lives up
to the standard established by its predecessors. The book is
designed as a permanent and compact record of the year's
progress in mining and metallurgy; it comprehends three
distinct phases of the industry, namely, statistics of produc-
tion, progress in technology, and the market or commercial
features. The statistics are important but they are not the
only valuable part of the work. Each section is in charge
of an editor who is a specialist in the production of the par-
ticular commodity being discussed, so that the material pre-
sented is verified as far as possible by one who is an au-
thority on the subject. The scope of the book is inter-
national, yet it is primarily an American product and most
of the data deals with American production. Sources of
information are the U. S. Geological Survey, the U. S. Bu-
reau of Mines, and the Department of Commerce; the
technical journals of this country and others; and to some
extent private communications. No attempt has been made
to include all minerals; indeed it may be that, in the
opinion of some, the space devoted to some of the less im-
portant products could to advantage be used in greater
elaboration of the technical discussion of the more prominent
metals. The book is full of information that cannot be
found elsewhere without an amount of searching dispro-
portionate to the cost of this volume; it is an invaluable
book of reference with the rare merit of being as nearly
up to date as is reasonably possible.
824
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 4, 1920
INFORMATION FUBNISHED BY MANCFACTCBERS
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MOTOR-TRUCKS V. HORSES
In discussing the question of horse-haulage v. motor-
truck, W. A. Carpenter, of the Acme Motor Truck Co., Cadil-
lac, Michigan, says: While much has been said upon this
subject, the following comparison will illustrate in a striking
way the difference between the two methods, and may pre-
sent the matter in a different light from that in which you
have seen it before.
The average two-horse team will haul two tons over the
average road, at a speed not greater than three miles per
hour. Allowing one hour for the noonday stop, and another
hour for loading, unloading, resting on grades, and miscel-
laneous delays, it is safe to say that the team will in a ten-
hour day cover not more than 24 miles.
Now for the truck's side: No preliminary work in the
morning is necessary, with the exception of a few moments
inspection every morning, desirable in any piece of ma-
chinery. Allow the same two hours lost time each day for
truck as allowed for team, though the hour allowed for such
delays will be confined to .loading and the greater part of
this time eliminated. At the close of the first day the truck
will be 136 miles from place of starting (remember the team
has made but 24 miles). At the close of 300 days, truck
will be 40,800 miles from the starting point, though during
the 300 days the team has covered only 7200 miles. In
other words the truck has carried two tons 33,600 miles
farther than the team did in the same length of time. Keep
this up for say five years, if the horses are able to work
steadily 300 days per year for five years, and we find the
truck 168,000 miles ahead of the team. Counting feed,
care and up-keep of team, harness and wagon, the cost of
operation and maintenance is about the same for truck as
for team, at least not much more. The investment, of
course, is much greater with the truck than with team, but
as will be seen from above, the results do not compare favor-
ably to the horse.
ANNUAL DRILLING CONTEST AT BAXTER SPRINGS
Down in Baxter Springs, Kansas, in the Joplin district,
the feature of the annual fall festival is a rock-drilling con-
test. The contest was held this year on October 20. Teams
are required by the rules of »his contest to set up tripods;
connect hose to drill; drill hole clear through rock; tear
down drill; disconnect hose; loosen bolts; and place hose,
steel, drill, and tripod back in position where found.
The rock used last year was a block of Carthage marble
five feet square, marked off into 12 square spaces, one space
being reserved for each drilling team, while this year a block
of concrete six feet thick and filled with boulders, was used.
Miles and Vickery, who carried off the first prize last year
with the Waugh turbo drill, were just one second behind
Abbott and Mitchell, the team that won the first prize this
year. Both teams operated the Waugh turbo drill, as did
also Santon and Cox, winners of the third prize in this year's
contest.
The drilling time for the first three teams including set-
ting-up, tearing-down, etc, was as follows: first, 4 min.
26A sec; second, 4 min. 27* sec; third, 5 min. 4J sec. The
nearest competitor of the three winning teams, operating
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another make of drill, completed their hole in 7 min. 4 J sec-
onds. Last year the winning time in this contest was 5
min. 16 seconds.
COMMERCIAL PARAGRAPHS
Henry F. Pratt has been appointed mid-western sales-
manager of the Taylor-Wharton Iron & Steel Co. and its
subsidiaries, with offices at 502 Denham Bdg., Denver, Colo-
rado.
A handsome new catalogue has just been issued by the
Worthington Pump & Machinery Corporation illustrating
and describing Worthington marine pumps and auxiliaries.
The catalogue, No. BK-3000, consists of 125 pages of de-
scriptive matter and illustrations, and those engaged in
marine work generally will find it a comprehensive and use-
ful publication. A copy can be obtained from the com-
pany's nearest branch office.
Bulletin No. 4S704A, 'G-E Insulating Compounds', issued
by the General Electric Company, presents the principal
characteristics and effective adaptations of the wide field of
electric insulating and coating materials. Imperative factors
in selection are: electrical properties, dielectric strength,
insulation resistance, breakdown resistance under high fre-
quency or oscillatory discharge and temperature-change re-
sistance; also physical properties, tensile or compressive
strength, rigidity or flexibility and high or low heat-con-
ductivity; and finaly chemical properties, form and compo-
sition of the material. This is essentially a work of research (
and experience for which the extensive Research Labora-;
tories and magnitude of activities of the company combine
to perfect such products and their methods of utilization.'
The Dodge Sales & Engineering Co., of Mishawaka, Indi-
ana, announces the publication of a catalogue on 'Dodge
Standardized Elevators and Conveyors'. The catalogue is
one of the most comprehensive that has ever been issued
covering the above subjects and should constitute a text-
book. The complete tables of data incorporated in the cata-
logue represents an immense amount of work on the part
of the Dodge Sales & Engineering Co. The tables used in
this catalogue are based on maximum conditions for th£
different carrying parts, rather than on the assumption ol
conditions and the working out of a design for those particu-
lar conditions. An interesting feature is the simple mannei
in which designs involving gearing are developed, wherebj
almost any drive whether for a conveyor, elevator, or othei
speed reduction can be picked out of tables; pitches, num
bers of teeth, and shaft sizes are likewise given. All detail!
are thus solved without any complicated calculations. Thi
catalogue is standard Dodge size, 6 by 9 in., and is printei
on fine enamel stock paper, the whole containing 160 page
and about 150 illustrations. The catalogue has bee:
preparation for more than a year and a half and no pai
expense has been spared to make it comprehensive in e
detail. The catalogue was prepared under the directio;
A. O. Gates, of the Dodge Sales & Engineering Co., wh<
method of design of bucket-elevators has resulted in greatl
improved elevator practice in plants in all parts of the work
According to present plans the new catalogue will be read
for distribution on or about December 1.
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EDITORIAL STAFF
T. A. Richard, editor
3. Parsons, associate editor
wmm sum
Member Audit Bureau of Circulations
Member Associated Business Papers, Inc.
ESTABLISHED I860
BUSI N ESS STAFF
C.T. HUTCHINSON, MANAtEH
E. H. LESLIE, 600 FISHES BOO.. Chicago
F. A. WEI«L-E, 31 NASSAU ST., NEW YORK
Published at HO Market St.. San Francisco,
bv the Dercey PuUUhina Companv |
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SCIENCE HAS NO ENEMY SAVE THE IGNORANT
Issued Every Saturday
San Francisco, December 11, 1920 ** per Year— is cents Per coPy
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Page
EDITORIAL
NOTES v 825
SPEAKERS AND SPEECHES 826
How to curb excessive speaking at conventions.
The kinds of people guilty of talking too much.
Devices for stopping the nuisance. The ineffective-
ness of chairman. Speeches at banquets and the
effect of prohibition in checking exuberance.
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS 827
Comment on the letter by Dr. Corless and the
articles by W. R. Ingalls. The book by Whiting
Williams and the first-hand testimony that it gives
upon the conditions under which men work in the
steel and iron plants, as well as shops and foun-
dries. The need for explaining a man's job to him.
Comment on the letter from F. J. Bourne and
deprecation of a warlike attitude on industrial
relations.
DISCUSSION
LABOR THE HOLDER OF THE NATION'S WEALTH
By C. V. Corless 829
Mr. Corless dissents from some of the conclusions
of W. R. Ingalls. The harsh attitude of superior-
ity is dangerous. Division of income. The value
of the directing mind. What capital really is.
The responsibility of the engineer.
THE HUMAN FACTOR IN MINE MANAGEMENT
By F. J. Bourne 831
Mr. Lewisohn loses sight of the complexity of
human nature. Trade-unionism must rebuild on
a common-sense basis. The 'human-factor' plan
has been tried and found wanting.
ARTICLES
MINERALS SEPARATION'S POSITION UNDER THE
PATENT LAWS AND THE ANTI-TRUST LAWS
By Gilbert H. Montague 833
Constitutional provisions regarding patents. They
must 'promote the progress of science and useful
arts'. Precise limits of patent No. 835,120, and of
the two subsequent patents under litigation. Occu-
pied zone soon to be vacated. Stretching 17 years
into eternity. Royalties, discriminatory and eter-
nal. What the Trade Commission can accomplish.
A seeming concession on the part of Minerals Sep-
aration is illusory because of the provision of the
license preventing the licensee from disputing or
objecting to any interpretation placed upon the
patents by Minerals Separation.
PLATINUM
By S. Skowronski
840
Sources of platinum. Use in science and for
jewelry. A by-product from the electrolytic re-
fining of blister copper.
MILLING PRACTICE AT THE BENGUET CONSOLIDATED
MINE — II
By C. M. Eye and M. F. Dodd 841
Details of the operation of the mill. Stamping
and classification. Details of tube-mill practice.
Agitation and replacing in the Trent machine.
Precipitation on zinc shavings. Cleaning-up and
refining.
MOVING SACRAMENTO HILL 847
The project of moving an entire hill at Bisbee,
Arizona, to recover copper ore. What the final re-
sult will be.
NOTES
WASHING COAL 848
DEPARTMENTS
REVIEW OF MINING 849
THE MINING SUMMARY 855
PERSONAL 856
THE METAL MARKET 857
EASTERN METAL MARKET 858
Established May 24, 1860. as The Scientific Press: name changed October
20 ot the same year to Mining and Scientific Press.
Entered at the San Francisco post-office as second-clasa matter, cable
address: Pertusola.
Branch Offices — Chicago, 600 Fisher Bdg.: New York, 31 Nassau St.:
London. 724 Salisbury House. E.C.
Entered at the San Francisco post-office as second-class matter. Cable
address: Pertusola.
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
THE JdARCY ROLLER MILL
jin Engineering "Product
This mill carries 18 tons of rods or rollers, 3*4-'m. diameter and
smaller. All crushing is done by rolling action.
In order to carry this rod mass effectively and economically, the best
material and engineering design enters into the construction of the
Marcy Roller Mill.
The particular MARCY ROLLER MILL illustrated above is
designed for large and important installations. We recommend
personal investigation as to its operation. Salesman's talk is one thing
— personal investigation is another.
Write us and we will tell you where you or your
representative will see these mills in operation.
THE MINE & SMELTER SUPPLY COMPANY
■DENVER
A Service Station Within Reach of You
SALT LAKE CITY
NeU! York Office: 42 "Broadway
EL PASO
BsUMi
■mber 11. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
825
T. A. R.ICKARV. .... Editor
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A NYBODY who has traveled recently across country
■^*- will appreciate the remark of the man who was
asked, "How's the railroad situation?", and answered,
"About the same. Congestion in the freight-cars and
indigestion in the dining-cars". And what is worse, the
price of the indigestion is piratically excessive.
Tj1 XTRAVAGANCE is indicated unmistakably by the
■" fact that during the fiscal year 1920 the importa-
tion of diamonds into the United States was nearly
double in value that of the previous year and more than
three times the total in 1918. More than 90% of the
imports came from South Africa, from the mines of
Kimberley and the adjacent region.
T> EFERRING to the stimulation of gold mining, we
■*-*- note that the Governor of Western Australia speaks
favorably of the prospecting done by returned soldiers.
They have been aided by the Mines Department and the
Repatriation Department, the result being an "unpre-
cedented activity in prospecting throughout the eastern
goldfields". Here is an obvious method for assisting our
demobilized soldiers, if out of work. We suggested the
Bplan more than a year ago.
MONG recent statements that one may call "impor-
tant, if true" is the announcement of an invention
ty Mr. William L. Emmet of the General Electric Com-
pany whereby he is enabled by means of a mercury-vapor
fooiler and turbine ' ' to cut the cost of producing electric
power and light in half". This invention is said to have
been "perfected". The only change that need be made
in existing plants is in boilers. It looks like a body-blow
at H. C. L., for if the cost of power can be halved, the
Bost of manufacturing will be reduced greatly. We look
forward to further information on the subject.
"PHE 'Financial Times', of London, remarks that
*■ there is nothing to justify the high premium at which
minerals Separation shares are quoted, namely, £10J for
;he £1 shares. For the fiscal year just ended a dividend
)f 5 shillings has been distributed, as compared with 10
shillings in 1918 and 1917. However, our British con-
;emporary says that "the market attaches much specu-
ative interest to the company's new process". This is
i process "for combining pulverized coal and oil in a
litabilized form, which produces a valuable liquid fuel".
Minerals Separation owns the patent rights to this pro-
cess all over the world except in Japan and the American
continent. Japan does not grant patents, and the rights
on the American continent, presumably, have been trans-
ferred to the Minerals Separation North American Cor-
poration in New York.
\ DISPATCH from Cananea states that the Cananea
■**- Consolidated Copper Company has posted notices
announcing the suspension of all operations at its mines
and smelter in Northern Sonora. This action will throw
2000 men out of work and will indirectly affect many
more ; indeed, an extremely large territory is dependent
directly on the Cananea Consolidated enterprise. The
reasons assigned are the long-standing threat of labor
troubles and the burdensome taxes imposed by the Mexi-
can government on the production of copper. The under-
lying reason obviously is the condition of the world's
market for copper. It is stated that Sefior Adolfo De
la Huerta, former provisional President, has been desig-
nated by the Mexican government to undertake an ad-
justment of the difficulty. He has the reputation of being
a fair man, and quick-witted ; therefore we feel assured
that he will recognize the importance at this time of bring-
ing about a settlement that will be just to all concerned.
/"\UR friends in London are nothing if not consistent;
^-' despite the protests made from this side against the
bestowal of the gold medal of the Institution of Mining
and Metallurgy on Mr. H. L. Sulman, the same engi-
neering society has gone out of its way to award to the
same gentleman the gold medal and premium of the
Consolidated Gold Fields of South Africa, namely, the
medal and premium given annually by that well known
company for bestowal by the Council of the Institution.
We need not repeat the objection to this selection of Mr.
Sulman for such honors at this time, when to the mining
profession in the United States he is known only as the
patentee and metallurgist identified with Minerals Sep-
aration, a corporation that has made itself extremely un-
pleasant to so many engaged in our mining industry.
The award of this second medal, like the first, is ' ' for his
paper, 'A Contribution to the Study of Flotation' ". In
his letter to 'The Mining Magazine' of May last, Mr.
Sulman stated that his partner, Mr. Hugh F. K. Picard,
"had no part in the preparation of the paper nor in the
research which led to its publication. Neither was he
826
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 11, 1920
co-author with me of the original notes referred to, for
the sufficient fact of his absence from England during
a large part of the time that the research was being
conducted. It is true that during part of this time I
had the benefit of his help, but he disclaims entirely co-
authorship of the notes". Then Mr. Picard is unusually
Belf-extinguishing, for we have before us as we write a
copy, duly attested by a notary public, of the treatise
mentioned, as submitted in the Miami litigation with
Minerals Separation. On the cover it bears the following
title: " 'The Theory of Concentration Processes In-
volving Surface-Tension', by H. Livingstone Sulman,
F.I.C., M.I.M.M., and Hugh Kirkpatriek Picard,
A.R.S.M., M.I.M.M." Of course, those who award
medals have a right to give them to whosoever they
please, but in this case the second medal might, it seems
to us, have been bestowed upon Mr. Picard. He is a
good fellow and a first-class metallurgist, anyhow.
TP7E note a small item in an English paper, in which
" the writer condoles with the Cornish miners who
have been discharged from their work in the tin mines;
it is estimated that in all some 1300 men have been re-
leased from Dolcoath, Grenville, and Tincroft. That
they were hard-working citizens and splendid miners
there is no question, but that they require sympathy, at
least the younger of them, is doubtful. For some of
them the cloud has acquired a silver lining, since we
learn from a recent dispatch that 200 miners from Corn-
wall have arrived and gone to work in the silver mines
of Cobalt where the shortage of competent men has been
felt for many months. They will earn higher wages and
probably in a few years will be better off in every way
than if they had stayed at home. Cobalt and Canada
will benefit by the acquisition of miners who inherited
their mining sense through generations, and men who
will he a credit to their adopted country. There is room
here in the United States for many times what Cornwall
can spare.
44DARIS has struck gold", says a sensational dispatch
-"■ in a recent morning paper. The discovery is said
to have been made at Gief, ten miles from the eity of
pleasure. It is not a placer deposit but a two-foot vein
of gold-bearing quartz, which was cut 80 feet below the
surface. It is not clear what the diggers were seeking
so far underground when they found gold, but it is stated
that the news attracted so large a crowd of amateur pros-
pectors that a large force of police had to be sent to the
locality. Gold was found recently in South San Fran-
cisco, according to the local newspapers, and no more was
heard of it. The later story from Paris is probably a
canard, like many others of the same kind. Gold is widely
distributed in nature and has been found in every kind
of rock; France used to have a number of productive
gold mines years ago, notably the La Belliere, Chatelet,
La Lucette, Salsigne, and Villaniere. In 1909 the La
Belliere made a profit of two million francs. In 1910
the output was 8500 tons of ore yielding 38,733 ounces of
gold. 'The Mining Magazine' of March 1911 contained
an article by Mr. Thomas T. Eead on this enterprise.
The mine is near Nantes on the Loire, in La Vendee, a
region in which the Romans mined extensively for gold
during their occupation of Gaul. Augustus derived a
large tribute in precious metals from the Gauls and it is
related that in 15 B.C. the Roman procurator Licinus
took the man who was president of the republic and the
adopted son of Julius Caesar to a large room full of gold
and silver that had been extorted from the natives for
the support of the government on the Tiber. At Bourg
d'Oisans, in the Isere, is an old gold mine that was
worked by the Greeks, the Romans, and the Saracens. It
is called La Gardette and was operated by the Count of
Provence in 1783 and by two Englishmen in 1862. These
notes suggest that a gold mine in France is nothing un-
usual, but a profitable gold mine close to Paris would be
a phenomenon indeed, and altogether subversive of ac-
cepted ideas.
Speakers and Speeches
Fluency is a danger, loquacity is a bore, garrulity is a
pestilence. Anybody familiar with the proceedings of
a convention, such as the recent meeting of the Ameri-
can Mining Congress, is likely to ask why the speaking
is not under better control. So many sessions are spoiled
by the egoism of some individual wholly oblivious of the
fact that there are others on the program. The worst
type, of course, is the person having an easy flow of
speech and a paucity of ideas ; the few real thoughts he
has can be seen floating about in his mind, like carp in a
pond. There is the man who undertakes to discuss a sub-
ject needing scientific precision and brings to bear upon
it a large command of inaccurate language, by the use
of which he involves his hearers in a mental dust-storm.
There are those with the gift of speaking far beyond
anything worth while that they have to say. There are
others who deliver their opinions like Milton's angels,
whose didactic speeches were received with respect and
concluded with gratification — to all concerned. All this
we write not with malice but with a quiet smile. At
Denver we were not victimized to any acute degree, but
some incidents of that convention provoke the discussion
of a subject that is of real importance to gatherings of
the same kind. For instance, a session begins a quarter
of an hour late, so that, as between 10 o 'clock and noon,
there remains an hour and three-quarters. Three, or
perhaps four, speakers are listed. One of them reads a
paper that consumes an hour, leaving only 45 minutes
for the others. The first paper may be a good one, so
good indeed that the whole session might better have
been devoted to the reading and discussion of it, but the
knowledge that others are to come makes one impatient,
with the consciousness that the speaker is exceeding his
limit ; indeed, only a trained speaker and one discoursing! I;
on an unusually interesting subject can hold an audience
for an hour. Usually the effort tires his hearers and
spoils them for subsequent papers. Papers that are read,'
of course, are less easy to follow than speeches, because
the latter are couched in shorter, and more natural sen-
t'.!l
■'
December 11, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
827
tenees. Obviously if a session of two hours, or more, is
10 be devoted to one subject and to be divided among a
number of speakers or readers of papers, it would be
best to tell each one how much time is allotted to him.
thereby compelling each one to omit or curtail parts of
his paper beforehand, so that it might comply with this
necessarily drastic method for saving time and patience.
Much, of course, depends upon the chairman, but most
chairmen are either too inexperienced or too amiable to
exercise their legitimate authority, especially when it
ought to be directed against the more verbose speakers,
who, not infrequently, are persons of some consequence,
so accustomed to speaking in public that they find it
easy to do so and in the exercise of their facility forget
to curb it. At the Mining Congress banquet the toast-
master had a traffic signal, showing 'GO' on one side and
'STOP' on the other, and he used it in fun once or twice,
ineffectually. An hour-glass signal, adjusted to the
exact time given to each speaker, might be placed in
front of him in full view of the audience. That might
be an effective reminder, but it would be useless as a
cheek unless applied strictly. Another means for abating
a public nuisance might be borrowed from the vaude-
ville theatre. Once in a while it is the custom to have
an 'amateur night', when almost anybody having his-
trionic or dithyrambic ambitions is given a chance to
show what he can do. Under such circumstances, natu-
rally, some device for checking the exuberance of virtu-
osity is imperative; so the manager employs the 'hook'.
When the audience becomes tired of any individual per-
formance, there are cries, sometimes concerted, of "Get
the hook". Thereupon a wire hook or loop is extended
from the wings so as to drop securely around the body
of the victim and hale him hence, amid the jeers and
laughter of the audience. Joking apart, it is obvious to
anyone familiar with conventions and their antics that
some method of assisting the chairman in regulating the
proceedings would be a boon and a blessing. As to the
speechifying at dinners and banquets, that is being dis-
ciplined already, in this country, by the prevailing
aridity. Prohibition is a veritable Procrustes for abbre-
viating speeches. In days when stimulating liquors
assuaged the pain inflicted by bores it was possible to
listen to long speeches with some approach to resigna-
tion, if not oblivion, but now that we are denied any
solace but soup and soda-water it is absolutely necessary
to make speeches that are crisp and short, and not too
many even of them. The idea of talking solemnly on a
serious subject is entirely foreign to the spirit that brings
men together at dinner, yet attempts at elaborate dis-
courses are still made occasionally by pachydermatous
persons. A dinner must be eupeptic, and to be that the
things that are said should be as easily ~ assimilated as
those that are eaten are comfortably digested. In these
days the lack of wine makes us sensitive to the gastro-
nomic imperfections of public dinners, therefore all the
greater is the need for utterances that do not provoke
mental dyspepsia. The standard of the speeches on such
occasions is going to be much more exacting, and the
verbal meanderings of self-complacent pseudo-orators are
going to be taboo. At least we hope so. If prohibition
induces saner ideas on these matters we shall have reason
to be grateful to the 18th Amendment ; if not. we shall
have two reasons for being bad-tempered. In conclusion
we quote the suggestion of a distinguished Judge that
most people are so fond of talking that they lavish much
praise on silence in others, as poverty is lauded as a
virtue because every one wants to be rich.
Industrial Relations
We are glad that we published the three articles by
Mr. W. R. Ingalls, on the labor question, because, among
other reasons, they have elicited discussion by Mr. C. V.
Corless, whose thoughtful contribution we publish on
another page of this issue. Dr. Corless is well known for
his interest in the subject of industrial relations ; he has
contributed several valuable essays to the transactions of
the Canadian Mining Institute ; he is an earnest student
of the question, as his latest utterance proves. It is well
that the other side of the controversy — for unfortunately
it is that — should be presented. Mr. Ingalls represents
what is called the reactionary view ; his sympathies are
capitalistic ; in economics he is a Tory. On the other
hand, Dr. Corless represents the progressive view; his
sympathies are with the workers; in economics he is a
Liberal, if not a Radical. Men of both types are needed
for the purpose of establishing a sane balance of ideas,
although, of course, we hope and believe that the liberal
view will prevail. This view takes for granted that, as
Dr. Corless says, "we are dealing not with materials and
machines but with men". To make it more precise we
would place an 'only' after "machines". In order to
produce the maximum of useful effect it is necessary that
the men as well as the machines become the object of
economic solicitude, which means that as we recognize the
machines to be made of metal, so we shall recognize con-
tinually that the men are human beings like ourselves,
with feelings, as well as hopes and ambitions, that are at
least as delicate as the fine edges or the intricate wheels
of the machines they use. Undoubtedly it is desirable to
develop a sense of personal achievement among the work-
ers, that is, to stimulate an interest in their task, lifting
it thereby from drudgery to accomplishment. We have
been reading the book by Mr. Whiting Williams entitled,
'What's on the Worker's Mind'. The author went to
work as a laborer in a number of plants successively, in-
cluding a rolling-mill, a foundry, a railroad shop, a coal
mine, an iron mine, and a dockyard. He came into in-
timate contact with many classes of workmen under con-
ditions that enabled him to find out how they were
treated, how they felt, and what they wanted. This book
ought to be read by everyone interested in human eco-
nomics ; it gives genuine first-hand information. In many
instances he found that no arrangement existed for giv-
ing proper instruction to the greenhorn ; hence, of course,
much discomfort to him, and with it a loss of self-respect,
besides the inevitable loss of efficiency. A few words of
instruction concerning the work to be done would elimin-
828
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 11, 1920
ate the need for the foreman whose only word is an oath.
Such instruction would save the money now spent in
having a boss on hand every minute to prevent blunders.
"Most of the workers", says Mr. Williams, "are sur-
prisingly anxious to feel their job important and re-
spectable". It is rarely that the men understand the
meaning of the work they are doing or the specific part it
plays in the operations as a whole. One reason why they
remain ignorant is because a large proportion of the
bosses are aliens unable to speak our language. A knowl-
edge of the Slavic tongue is needed by a young American
working in the rolling-mills of Pennsylvania ! The force
consists of a weird mixture of intensely foreign foreign-
ers, who have learned but little English beyond the coars-
est expletives. To many men it is a greater satisfaction
to do their work in their own way, for later inspection,
than to have a foreign boss cursing them every time they
make a false move. Evidently these people ought to be
taught our language or we ought to learn theirs, instead
of both sides being limited to the use of profanity. The
tonnage-men in the coal mines, that is, those working on
contract, seem to have the best of it, in that they are on
their own initiative and are paid the immediate value of
their own efforts. In short, a man must feel the dignity
of his job if he is to do well, instead of having an ignorant
foreman who assumes that the entire dignity of the job
resides in himself. So we come again to the conclusion
that much of the inefficiency and unhappiness of manual
labor is due to the bad selection of foremen, who, of
course, serve as the connecting link between the manage-
ment and the men. By the treatment a man gets from his
immediate boss he judges the 'higher ups'.
Another remark by Dr. Corless appeals to us, namely,
the tendency to ascribe too large a part of any great
economic success to one person. It is easier to envisage
the success of an individual than that of a group of men
or an organization ; besides it is more romantic to have a
hero, on whose head the chaplet of palm-leaves can be
placed gracefully. Moreover, the irresponsible journal-
ism of the day likes to dwell upon the sensational aspect
of any industrial enterprise, and it becomes more sensa-
tional when ascribed to an individual whose portrait can
be presented in garish verbal colors than when credited
to a combination either of favorable circumstances or of
capable co-workers. Such men as Messrs. Rockefeller,
Carnegie, and Schwab, the types of successful captains of
industry, are poor things if examined closely and criti-
cally, but they serve to epitomize the highly organized
activities of a cohort of clever and resourceful men, most
of whom were willing to accept their leader as the ex-
pression of their own aggregate endeavor. In their
willingness to subordinate their own prominence or dis-
tinction in achieving the purpose of their work they ex-
hibited the highest form of what we call civilization,
which is based upon the subordination of self-assertion
for the sake of the community. Dr. Corless says a true
thing when lie asserts that similar co-operation is needed
between all those engaged in industry. "The most pro-
found problem in industry arises from the search for a
method of organization that will result in enlisting in its
service the highest degree of brain-power, that is, intelli-
gence, good-will, and will-power, of all those engaged in
it. ' ' Capital includes many things besides money, as for
example, the trained technique of an engineer or the
trained muscles of a good workman. So long as we recog-
nize the right and the desirability of transmitting prop-
erty from father to son, or to whomever the possessor of
it may see fit, we shall have to realize that the employer
brings to industry something more than either his own
brains or the muscles of his workmen, or the muscles and
brains of both. The accumulated effort of a man or of
his predecessors is turned into a reservoir of capital, and
unless he can have the last word in the disposal of it, sub-
ject to taxation by the State under the protection of
which it was accumulated, he will be deterred from extra
effort. In short, so long as the reward of industrial ini-
tiative is to be recognized in the form of accumulated
profit, it will be impracticable to divide the control of
enterprise on any basis of equality with the workers who
do not contribute to the monetary capital without the aid
of which the enterprise could not have come into being.
The Soviet system is based on the fallacy that capital can
be rendered unfruitful without killing industrial develop-
ment ; on the contrary, it is the reservoir of stored energy
from which comes the power to start and to develop the
beneficent activities of our industrial civilization.
Another letter on a different phase of the same subject
comes to us also from Canada. Mr. P. J. Bourne has the
courage of his convictions and gives one the impression
of sincerity, without which any discussion of this kind is
a mere tinkling of cymbals. His contribution is prompted
by the thoughtful letter from Mr. Sam Lewisohn appear-
ing in our issue of November 6, but he takes a less cheer-
ful view, emphasizing the recalcitrancy of organized
labor. Much that he says is true, although unpleasant;
for instance, that labor-unionism is a trust to raise wages
just as combinations of corporations, despite the law, con-
tinue to operate as trusts to raise the prices of commodi-
ties. The story of sugar, shoes, and paper during the last
two or three years is eloquent on that score. Of course,
as he says, it is easy when prices are rising to give em-
ployees a share of the profit, but when the economic pen-
dulum swings the other way there is no suggestion of de-
creasing wages with a view to assisting the employer.
The sliding scale refuses to operate both ways. The sense
of fair play is undeveloped for one thing ; another is that
wage-earners live in such a hand-to-mouth way that they
cannot reciprocate the action of their capitalistic em-
ployers. Mr. Bourne asserts that the humane method in
dealing with labor has failed; he thinks that industrial
relations must be placed on a purely warlike basis ; both
sides becoming so organized that they can deal with each
other collectively. We commend the book by Mr. Wil-
liams, in which he will find many proofs of the fact that
the human factor continues to operate in many curious
ways. In the recognition of it, plus fair play, lies the
best hope of solving the complex problem of industrial
relations.
If
-/
December 11, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
829
Labor the Holder of the Nation's Wealth
The Editor:
Sir — In recent issues of your paper you have repeated,
from 'The Annalist', a lengthy discussion by W. R.
Ingalls which, though it contains few conclusions that are
new, indicates that his riper studies have served to con-
firm his economic views already expressed through vari-
ous mediums widely read by mining engineers. His care-
fully compiled data and the precisely expressed conclu-
sions drawn from them make this essay, as well as the
author's former papers on kindred subjects, valuable con-
tributions to current economic and social literature. The
accuracy, clearness, and precision of statement of the
trained and scholarly editor, shown in his lucid discussion
of the difficult and complex subject of the division of the
national income, add to the pleasure and profit of the
reader.
If, therefore, criticism is offered expressing disapproval
of some of the views expressed or implied in his essay,
such unfavorable comment does not arise from lack of
appreciation of it as a discussion of economic facts and
conclusions. It is rather his implied attitude toward the
most burning social and economic question of the day,
the problem of industrial relations, that appears to me to
be regrettable. And this strained situation between labor
and capital can never be bettered by adopting the harsh
tone of superiority which appears to be displayed in such
statements as the following : " If people can get into their
heads the idea of the division of goods instead of the
division of dollars they may become less extravagant in
the use of goods and more fruitful in the production of
them. The evils of the time and their corrective are con-
densed in this formula." Regarding the latter general-
ization, few will be prepared to accept so sweeping a
statement. Some of the evils of the time may be "con-
densed in this formula", but undoubtedly many are not.
It is this tactless air of arrogance and finality which, I
fear, may quite unintentionally do harm by intensifying
the feeling of antagonism already existing.
Let us grant, for purposes of argument, that his esti-
mate as to the distribution of the national income is sub-
stantially correct and that he is correct in ascribing the
cause of the worldwide unrest to "the desire of the wage-
earner for a larger share of the product of industry";
and let us grant further the inevitable corollary of these
two admissions, namely, that this desire can be fulfilled
and the unrest lessened only by increasing the divisible
national income of economic goods and services, which
implies increasing the efficiency of the workers. The
question then instantly resolves itself into one not of
facts but of ways and means. In modern large-scale in-
dustry these ways and means are largely, if not mainly,
questions of organization. We are dealing not with ma-
terials and machines but with men. These men have like
feelings and intelligence to ourselves; they will con-
tribute their best to industry only when this fact is fully
recognized in the method of organization and the spirit
underlying it. If the method and spirit of industrial
organization is such as fully to recognize their feelings
and intelligence, if the organization is so designed as to
allow them to share reasonably in such responsibilities
and information as intimately concern their own welfare,
if it is so thought out as to cause them to be personally
interested in what they are doing, to yield them a reason-
able sense of personal achievement, and to convince them
that they will share fairly in any increase of product re-
sulting from their increased effort, there will be the
strongest possible incentive by increase of effort to fulfil
their natural desire for a larger share of the product.
But intelligent workmen have a right to see for them-
selves whether the division is just or not. In future they
will no more be inclined to accept statements as to the
proper and just division of income, whether national or
of any given industry, without having such knowledge as
will be convincing, than are other classes of men. This
does not mean that every workman will understand every
detail any more than it implies similar knowledge on the
part of every shareholder in a business enterprise. But
it does mean that the workmen's representatives, equally
with the shareholder's representatives, will be fully in-
formed, will share in the responsibility of shaping the
conditions under which the industry is carried on, and
will have a say in the division of the product. State-
ments and arguments regarding the division of either
national or corporation income, made with the apparent
purpose of those given by Mr. Ingalls, will almost cer-
tainly not tend to lessen the existing suspicion. The
reason is that workmen's representatives under existing
industrial conditions have not such access to the necessary
original facts and data as would really convince them.
Though I recognize the difficulties to be surmounted,
perhaps as fully as any other person in a responsible posi-
tion in industry, I can see no ultimate way out of the
present difficulty other than by fully and frankly sharing
the responsibilities and information with labor.
Those who are making a close study of the evolution
of modern industry can see the movement in this direc-
tion going on under their eyes. Scarcely a month goes
by in which we do not learn of one or more firms adopting
830
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 11, 1920
the representative principle in whole or in part. It is,
of course, generally advisable to adopt it progressively.
This gradual increase in responsibility is the only known
successful method of educating men to bear their share
of it. The carrying of responsibility will prove here, as
experience shows it always to have proven in other
aspects of life, to have a very sobering effect.
"The economists of the coolly calculating school", who
pride themselves on their want of idealism and who view
their coolly calculated conclusions in the "cold and
sterile" light of pure intellectuality, are not more fully
aware of the truth of such axioms as that ' ' people cannot
divide among themselves more than they have got" and
sundry other gems of wisdom, than are other students of
economics, engaged in industry, who recognize also the
bearing on the industrial problem of a number of other
sciences equally relevant to its solution. The latter
group probably differ from the former not so much in
belief in, or attempt to reach, the economically impossi-
ble (as Mr. Ingalls appears to believe) as in their prac-
tical idealism leading to the belief that, if all the elements
of the problem, including the psychological and ethical
as well as the economic, are properly considered, a way
out of the present industrial deadlock can be found.
They believe too that the presentation of economic dis-
cussions in the manner and with the apparent purpose of
his essay is likely rather to increase than to lessen the
difficulty of solving the present deadlock ; in other words,
that such manner and apparent purpose are psychological
and tactical blunders, in view of the difficult and delicate
situation already existing.
Mr. Ingalls makes large assumptions as to the share
of the product of unusually successful industries due to
"Capital" and "Mind". The "directing mind" that
conceives and initiates a successful enterprise is, aside
from heredity, merely the end-product of educational and
other social influences and opportunities, tracing their
roots to the very beginning of civilization. The good
fortune (in the form of environment for which the in-
dustrial leader can in no way claim credit) which has
made it possible for him to develop his ability effectively,
is in itself a social obligation for which his successful
personal efforts should be considered in a large part a
return. Aside from this personal effectiveness, it is
worth while to consider briefly Eis merit in relation to the
enterprise. Let us illustrate this, as does Mr. Ingalls, by
reference to the successful exploitation of any one of the
large Western 'porphyries'. Here again, necessary types
of machinery, methods of concentration, technique of
construction, and operation of cheap and large-scale
reverberatory smelting and converting plants, were ready
to hand, the end-products of the technical contributions
of large numbers of mechanical, metallurgical, and other
technical ancestors. And even when the conception that
mentally pieced all these factors together began to be
realized, the actual bringing of them together was due to
the loyal co-operation of many who were willing to bring
to bear on the problem their ability and training both in
brain and brawn. No one knows better than Mr. Ingalls
that not only conception is needed but also daring, and
that sometimes the daring wins — and, alas, sometimes it
does not. But our tendency to hero-worship causes us
generally to ascribe far too large a part of any great
success to some one person.
No, mind or brain-power, in relation to any large en-
terprise, is not concentrated in one, or even in a few,
individuals, as Mr. Ingalls would lead us to believe. It is
widely distributed. Labor and mind in industry are not
separable in fact, though they may abstractedly be sepa-
rated in thought. They are united, in variable propor-
tion, in every individual engaged in industry. Prob-
ably the most profound problem in industry arises from
the search for a method of organization that will result
in enlisting in its service the highest degree of brain-
power— intelligence, good-will, and will-power — of all
those engaged in it. I can find nothing in any of Mr.
Ingalls' discussions looking in this direction. He ap-
pears to me to have a quite unwarrantable view of the
relative importance of the "directing mind" of the in-
dustrial leader as compared with that of the many minds
who in varying degrees, directly and indirectly, con-
tribute equally essentially to the success of any large
enterprise. There is nothing in leadership that should
cause arrogance ; quite the contrary ; leadership is largely
the result of accident.
Again, the author appears at times to confuse the ideas
'Capital' and 'Capitalist'. Capital remains, and will
always remain, no matter how wide or how equal the
distribution. If every worker should tomorrow by his
own energy and thrift become an industrial share-owner
or capitalist, the world's capital, its means of production,
would not be altered by the change in ownership. But it
would have a steadying effect on industry and society in
general, and it would result in greatly increasing produc-
tion and consumption, that is, the more widely dis-
tributed ownership would advance human welfare in so
far as this is measurable in material things. It should
therefore be one of the aims of industrial leaders, that is,
of those who understand the aim of true leadership
to increase human betterment, both to increase the quan-
tity and to widen the distribution of wealth, using, of
course, only such means as are just to all who are engaged
in industry. The chief objection to the accumulation of
too great amounts of capital in the hands of individuals
is similar to that arising from entrusting to one man too
great power of any kind. Even a Marxian socialist or a
Russian bolshevist cannot deny the necessity of capital.
Its accumulation in too great pools, giving great power
and superabundance to a few individuals, is the greatest
of the underlying causes of both movements.
Capital is stored labor, whether such labor was the
effort of brain or brawn. But it is well not to take too
material a view of capital. Much of it is stored in the
disciplined mind and trained muscles, as well as in the
effective organization, of those engaged in industry. It
is unsafe to place too great reliance on such statistical
figures as Mr. Ingalls compiles. The most important
part of the capital of civilization is intangible. It cannot
December 11. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
831
be estimated and tabulated. Many of us have worked
and saved most of our lives, but have accumulated very
little tangible capital. The tangible capital of civiliza-
tion is easily destroyed and easily replaced, because of the
intangible capital, which is latent and potential, and
wliiih brings into existence tangible capital as needed or
desired. This intangible capital, which is the summation
of civilization itself, is of inestimable, but almost infinite,
value.
As a contribution to economic discussion, pure and
simple, the articles by Mr. Ingalls are well worthy of
critical study; but, if viewed from the standpoint of the
problem of the misunderstanding of labor and capital, as
here and there throughout his essay would appear to be
his purpose, his discussion may increase the already ex-
isting strain. I am optimistic enough to believe that a
way out of the present industrial impasse can be found,
in fact, that a start in the right direction has already been
made.
The invention of the steam-engine marked the begin-
ning, and the world war will probably come to be looked
upon as marking the end, of the period or epoch of more
purely mechanical development of industry. During this
period the development and practical applications of
mathematical, physical, chemical, and other material
sciences were in the ascendant. The dazzling successes
achieved concentrated almost every energy on the ma-
terial aspects of wealth production and tended to divert
attention from the only end that could make increase in
material wealth worth while, the highest average of
human welfare.
In the industrial epoch on which we are entering, the
development and application of the sciences that deal
with human beings and their organization into industrial
and other social groups — economics, civics, ethics, sociol-
ogy, psychology, industrial organization, history, and the
like — will receive steadily increasing attention. Thus
will the evils of an unbalanced industrial development
come to be eliminated, a better balance be. struck, and the
highest benefits from the further development and ap-
plication of the material sciences be achieved.
Because of his position in the development of industry,
much of this new responsibility will rest on the engineer.
But great discretion is needed on the part of those whose
profession places them thus in the position of "a buffer
between labor and capital". I am entirely in agreement
with Mr. Sam Lewisohn that special training and ex-
perience are badly needed by engineering students as a
preparation for this most important function in industry.
Coniston, Ontario, November 11.
The Human Factor in Mine Management
he Editor:
Sir — I have read with much interest the letter by Mr.
Lewisohn on this subject. He speaks of the difficulty
lof getting the mine manager to adopt modern methods in
handling men. The question is, axe modern methods
jeffective ? I was connected some years ago with a concern
that started out to run its mine on the principle of the
Y. M. C. A. We established a gymnasium, reading-room,
held dances, etc., and made an honest effort to promote
good feeling between the management and the men. The
experiment (like hundreds of others) was a failure. A
few of the more intelligent men appreciated our efforts.
The majority looked upon it as a sign of weakness, and
we finished up with a most disastrous strike, which nearly
ruined the company.
There are no doubt cases where companies have been
successful in building up an organization that had the
interests of the company at heart, but these cases are
rare, due largely to a rabid press and the work of radical
labor leaders.
Mr. Lewisohn, I think, rather loses sight of the fact
that human nature is complex, and very selfish. The
director of a company expects a manager to handle his
job and produce results, or his place is taken by another
man. He has no union to protect him, and he is handi-
capped by handling men that can demand practically
what they like (and get it) if their organization is strong
enough. "We have an example of this in the action of the
railroad men of the United States and Canada. They say
to the vast majority of brother-workers in these countries,
""We know that although most of our railroads are bank-
rupt, and have to raise their rates to enable them to pay
our present high wages, we are making life much harder
for thousands of our fellow-workers, but we have decreed
that our wages shall be such, and the public must pay the
bill." And then they gather together and solemnly dis-
cuss The Brotherhood of Man.
"We have another example of this among the coal-
miners of "Wales. Lloyd George, a "Welshman himself,
has for the last twenty years, showered benefits of every
description on the miners of "Wales. Minimum wages,
old-age pensions, shorter hours, etc., are all the results of
his untiring efforts to introduce the human factor into
the mining industry. And the pity of it all is, he is the
most hated man in Wales today.
Mr. Lewisohn says the day has passed when employers
can ride roughshod over their employees. He is right,
although for the last five years the shoe has been on the
other foot, and the employees have ridden roughshod over
the employer, and have not in many cases considered the
human factor, as regards the employer. As regards the
unions, I agree with Mr. Lewisohn that a union well run
is a benefit to any industry, although I do not believe that
trade-unionists will ever solve industrial unrest and dis-
content, because their principle is wrong. We have in
Canada, roughly speaking, 400,000 union workers who
dictate to the other seven million inhabitants of Canada
the price they shall pay for the essentials of life. No one
with any sense denies the right of any man by organizing
to force the public to pay him the highest he can get for
his commodity, which is labor, when the Government
allows large corporations to form trusts and force the
people to pay the highest prices for the common neces-
saries of life. Labor-unions also are trusts formed with
a view to making all they can out of their fellow-men.
832
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 11, 1920
In my opinion if trade-unionism is going to be a suc-
cess, it must come down to a common-sense basis, and
teach its members to share the responsibilities of the
management. Collective bargaining in the past has been
a joke. As from a labor standpoint it only means, "I
want a standard wage whether your business is paying
or not." If, on the other hand, the labor leaders would
set a wage based on the profits earned by a company, and
accept a reduction when there was no profit, I can see a
solution of the question.
We are, Sir, living in a sentimental age. You can
hardly pick up a paper but what you read of the woes and
sorrows of the man that works. As a matter of fact, there
are no countries in the world in which workers are better
off and more discontented than in Great Britain, the
United States, and Canada. The manufacturers and em-
ployers of labor in Great Britain have worked the ' human
factor' to such a pitch that before the War it was notori-
ous that the output of a British workman was only one-
half that of the mechanic in the United States or Canada.
As regards the failure to find mine managers that con-
sider the human factor, I think Mr. Lewisohn is mistaken.
I have been associated for many years with mine man-
agers, and my experiences have been the reverse. Far
too many are prone to take the easy road and go with the
tide, and s'ettle everything in favor of peace. This atti-
tude is largely responsible for the present conditions of
the mining' iirdustry. Prospecting is almost at a stand-
'still-. 'Many small companies (with, in some cases, poor
stockholders)' cannot afford to operate because costs are
too high. This imposes a great hardship on the miner,
as we have winter'upon us and many will be out of work,
and for this they cannot blame the small operator who
is trying to develop his property. The miner usually
calls your attention to the few large mines that are pay-
ing dividends. He seldom thinks, or will he discuss the
hundreds of thousands of dollars that has been spent on
"unproductive prospects.
In handling men we must never lose sight of the fact
that there must be mutual respect, which can never be
bought through gifts.
We all know that Australia has gone through a system
of modern innovations that was the admiration of the
labor world. It has proved a failure. When any govern-
ment takes a man by the hand and legislates his life for
him, you kill ambition and thrift. Why should a man
provide for the future when his life is cut and dried for
him?
In talking about modern ideas, it is well to remember
that although the world has seen some great advances in
the arts'and sciences, human nature has changed but little.
We still have our ambitions, we love, and we hate, and
in fact act very much as did our ancestors hundreds of
years ago. Over all is thrown a thin veil of civilization.
Before 1914 many of the leading statesmen of the Anglo-
Saxon world said war was a thing of the past, but this
theory did not materialize. The War came, with all its
attendant horrors, and the thinking men of the world are
forced to admit that human passions are much the same
today as yesterday. I am convinced that what we need
in the world today is more plain speaking, an honest
press, and last of all, less greed and more courage on the
part of directors of companies. Many a manager has put
up a good fight against most unjust claims, and lost out,
because his directors would not back him up. I am sure
if every manager would pay the men he has in his employ
the best wages he can, and if the company is prosperous,
give a bonus in addition, it would stimulate ambition,
and do more good than all the theories. The men are not
children, and the great majority of them distrust the
good intentions of the manager unless they are accom-
panied by a rise in wages.
I fear I have wandered away from my subject, but I
am sure Mr. Lewisohn will admit that the managers of
most of the large railroads and many of the industries of
North America have not failed in their duty to their em-
ployees. They have recognized the human factor to a
great extent, and the very industries (notably the rail-
road workers) in which they are engaged have the most
discontented employees. Trade-unionists have hot solved
the problem of social unrest, and they never can until
they educate their members up to a higher standard than
(like Oliver Twist) to be eternally wanting more.
The fact is, employers of labor in America have been
asleep at the switch. The labor-unions by good organiza-
tion (and practical control of the press) are more or
less masters of the situation, and the employers have done
little or nothing to put their case before the public.
My conclusions are as follows: The human factor in
dealing with labor has been tried and found wanting.
The same can be said of the labor-unions. The solution
is for all the employers to organize and meet organized
labor on its own ground. It is only by doing this that we
can hope to succeed.
The human factor must remain in business, but it must
not be one-sided, or collective bargaining will count for
naught.
■■
L
K
F. J. Bourne.
Cobalt, Ontario, November 17.
iiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiitiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiifniiiiiiiiiniiiiiMiiHiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
Radium is the most valuable element in the world ; one
gramme of radium, which is about a thimbleful, costs
$120,000, as opposed to $150 for an ounce of platinum.
So powerful is it when mixed with other materials that
even a minute particle is effective in making surfaces
self-luminous for years. It is this quality which makes
radium-luminous material commercially possible. The
great value of radium is due to its scarcity, and to the
great difficulty in isolating it after it has been found.
Much of the radium of the world now comes from the
carnotite ores of the United States. A great portion of
this comes from the Undark radium mines in the Para-
dox valley of Colorado. The ore is found in narrow
seams. It is sorted and packed in 100-lb. sacks and
transported 60 miles to the nearest railroad station on
the backs of burros and mules. Thence it is shipped in
carload lots across the continent to an extraction plant in
Orange, New Jersey. 250 tons of ore yields one gramme
of radium.
i'-
ft]
December 11, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
833
Minerals Separation's Position Under the Patent Laws
and the Anti -Trust Laws
By Gilbert H. Montague
•Minerals Separation owns, controls, and is interested
in 68 United States patents. Of these, three only have
been litigated: No. 835,120 (fraction of 1% oil), No.
152,678 (soluble f rothing-agents) , and No. 1,099,699
(phenol or cresol, cold, without acid). None of the re-
maining process patents, most of which cover merely
some variant or alleged improvement of one of the above
processes, and none of the apparatus patents, all of which
together admittedly cover only a few of the many types
of machines capable of use in flotation, have ever been
litigated or invoked by Minerals Separation in any court
against any alleged infringer.
Taking up these three patents, which alone have been
litigated by Minerals Separation :
' No. 835,120 (fraction of 1% oil) was patented in the
United States on November 6, 1906, by three British sub-
jects, Messrs. Sulman, Picard, and Ballot. N.ow 962,678
(soluble frothing-agents) was patented in the United
States on June 26, 1910, by the same Mr. Sulman and
two other British subjects, Messrs. Greenway and Hig-
gins. No. 1,099,699 (phenol or cresol, cold, without
acid) was patented in the United States on June 9, 1914,
by the same Mr. Greenway. Considerable mystery has
been thrown by Minerals Separation around the present
ownership of these patents, but so far as can be ascer-
tained (see testimony in Federal Trade Commission v.
Minerals Separation, Ltd., et al., pp. 40-41, 324-325, 1015-
1016) such ownership is somehow suspended between the
parent company, Minerals Separation, Ltd., a British
corporation, and its subsidiary, Minerals Separation
North American Corporation, which the British parent
company caused to be organized under the Maryland
law in the midst of the Great War.
"To Promote the Progress of Science"
The Constitution of the United States (Art. I, Sec. 8,
Clause 8) provides that Congress shall have power
'to promote the progress of science and useful arts, by
lecuring for limited times to authors and inventors the
exclusive right to their respective writings and discov-
eries". That Congress was empowered simply "to pro-
mote the progress of science and useful arts", and was
authorized to secure "for limited times" to "inventors
jthe exclusive right" to their "discoveries" only in so
[far as this would "promote the progress of science and
lseful arts" and that the patent-owner's rights under
j *The author is of counsel for the American Mining Con-
gress in the proceedings against the Minerals Separation
pompany before the Federal Trade Commission. This paper
yas rear! at the meeting of the American Mining Congress
it Denver on November 17, 1920.
the Constitution are thus conditioned by the Constitu-
tional purpose "to promote the progress of science and
useful arts" must always be remembered, and if my
reference to this almost forgotten Constitutional pro-
vision, and to some often overlooked duties and obliga-
tions of patentees arising thereunder, seems sometimes
too frequent, it is only because the arrogance of patentees
in general, and Minerals Separation in particular, makes
it constantly necessary to recall that, by the very words
of the Constitution, Congress had no power to secure
"for limited times" to "inventors the exclusive right"
to their "discoveries" excepting in so far as such "se-
curing" should "promote the progress of science and
useful arts".
"With this single Constitutional purpose in view, Con-
gress has enacted that after filing in the Patent-Office a
"written description" of his "invention or discovery",
and "of the manner and process of making, constructing,
compounding, and using it, in such full, clear, concise,
and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the
art or science to which it appertains, or with which it is
most nearly connected, to make, construct, compound,
and use the same", and "particularly point out and dis-
tinctly claim the part, improvement, or combination
which he claims as his invention or discovery" (U. S.
Revised Statutes, Sec. 4888, as amended, Act March 3,
1915, c. 94, Sec. 1), and after establishing, to the satis-
faction of the Patent-Office, the fact of his "invention
or discovery", the inventor shall then receive "a grant
to the patentee, his heirs or assigns, for the term of
seventeen years, of the exclusive right to make, use, and
vend the invention or discovery throughout the United
States, and the Territories thereof, referring to the
specifications for the particulars thereof" (U. S. Revised
Statutes, Sec. 4884). This grant, be it always remem-
bered, is conditioned by the Constitutional purpose "to
promote the progress of science and useful arts". Many
times the courts have held that only in so far as the
patentee has fulfilled this Constitutional purpose, and
through his specifications and claims on file in the Patent-
Office disclosed his "invention or discovery in such full,
clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person
skilled in the art . . . to make, construct, compound,
and use the same" is the patentee entitled to a patent,
and that for conduct tending to frustrate this Constitu-
tional purpose, such as fraud, or intent to deceive, or ex-
cessive claims, the patentee must forfeit his patent.
Litigated Patents Soon Expire
Returning to the three patents that alone have been
litigated by Minerals Separation :
834
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 11, 1920
No. 835,120 by assignment grants to the British parent
company and to its controlled American subsidiary, Min-
erals Separation North American Corporation (or to the
latter alone, according as may appear when the mystery
of ownership is cleared up), "for the term of seventeen
years", that is, until November 6, 1923, "the exclusive
right to make, use, and vend . . . throughout the
United States, and the Territories thereof" such "inven-
tion or discovery" as the patentees "particularly point
out and distinctly claim" in respect of their so-called
"fraction of 1%" oil process. Similarly, No. 962,678
grants to the same companies, until June 26, 1927, similar
rights in respect of the so-called "soluble frothing-
agents" process, and No. 1,099,699 grants to the same
companies, until June 9, 1931, similar rights in respect
of the so-called "phenol or cresol, cold, without acid"
process. By their own terms, therefore, and by the ex-
press language of the statute, these companies must cease
exercising these rights on November 6, 1923, June 26,
1927, and June 9, 1931, respectively ; and by the precise
words of the Constitution these rights are conditioned
by the Constitutional purpose "to promote the progress
of science and useful arts".
"What are these rights, which, by the Constitution, the
statute, and the patents themselves, must expire anyway
in a few years, and by the language of the Constitution
are conditioned "to promote the progress of science and
useful arts", which now are so aggressively asserted
against the entire mining industry by Minerals Sep-
aration ?
Precise Limits op Patent No. 835,120
No. 835,120 has been litigated in the so-called Hyde
case (Minerals Separation, Ltd., v Hyde, 207 Fed. 956,
D. C. Montana, July 28, 1913; Hyde v. Minerals Sep-
aration, Ltd., 214 Fed. 100, C. C. A. Ninth C, May 4,
1914 ; Minerals Separation, Ltd., v. Hyde, 242 U. S. 261,
U. S. Supreme Court, December 11, 1916) and in the
so-called Miami case (Minerals Separation, Ltd., v.
Miami Copper Co., 237 Fed. 609, D. C. Delaware, Sep-
tember 29, 1916 ; Miami Copper Co. v. Minerals Separa-
tion, 244 Fed. 752, C. C. A. Third C, May 24, 1917)
and in the so-called Butte & Superior case (Minerals Sep-
aration, Ltd., v. Butte & Superior Mining Co., 245 Fed.
577, D. C. Montana, August 25, 1917 ; Butte & Superior
Mining Co. v. Minerals Separation, 250 Fed. 241, C. C. A.
Ninth C, May 13, 1918; Minerals Separation, Ltd., v.
Butte & Superior Mining Co., 250 U. S. 336, U. S. Su-
preme Court, June 2, 1919).
In the Hyde case, after varying fortunes in the U. S.
District Court for Montana and in the U. S. Circuit
Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, No. 835,120
(fraction of 1% oil) was sustained by the United States
Supreme Court as regards the claims specifying "the
use of an amount of oil which is 'critical', and minute as
compared with the amount used in prior processes
'amounting to a fraction of one per cent, on the ore',
amd in so impregnating with air the mass of ore and
water used, by agitation — 'by beating the air into the
mass' — as to cause to rise it the surface of the mass, or
pulp, a froth, peculiarly coherent and persistent in char-
acter, which is composed of air bubbles with only a trace
of oil in them, which carry in mechanical suspension a
very high percentage of the metal and metalliferous
particles of ore whieh were contained in the mass of
crushed ore subjected to treatment" (Minerals Separa-
tion, Ltd., v. Hyde, 242 U. S., 261, 265), and was re-
jected as indefinite as regards the claims specifying a
"small quantity of oil" (p. 271).
In the Miami case, the Circuit Court of Appeals for
the Third Circuit started from the point settled by the
Supreme Court decision in the Hyde case, that is, "that
invention resides not alone in critical proportion of oil
but also in air and agitation" (Miami Copper Co. v.
United States, 244 Fed. 752, 758). "It is to be noted,"
said the Circuit Court of Appeals, by Judge "Woolley
writing for the Court, "that the Supreme Court did not
construe the patent or determine its scope, for it had no
occasion to do so" (p. 758). Accordingly, the Circuit
Court of Appeals proceeded "to construe the patent in
the light of that finding and determine whether the de-
fendant's practices of aeration and agitation in connec-
tion with its admitted use of the critical proportion of
oil, are within or beyond the scope of the patent" (p.
758). The Circuit Court of Appeals then considered the
contention of Minerals Separation, Ltd., that "whenever
the modifying agent of the patent [oil] is used, a person
infringes who gets air into the pulp in any fashion and
agitates the mixture by any means to a sufficient extent
to cause the mineral particles to attach themselves to air
bubbles and to rise therewith above the top of the mix-
ture in a collection of bubbles and metal particles, to wit,
froth" (p. 758). This obviously was an attempt by Min-
erals Separation to shift from the narrow ground that it
previously had assumed, and that the Supreme Court in
the Hyde case had adopted, and to place the patent upon
another, and quite different, ground, which would be
free from the inconvenient limitations implied in the
position that Minerals Separation had assumed, and that
the Supreme Court had sustained, in the Hyde case. The
Circuit Court of Appeals rejected this contention and
said : ' ' The contention of the plaintiff at least omits the
very definite limitation of the patent to the results ob-
tained by the use of oil within the described proportions,
and also the equally definite disclosure of an agitation in
violence and duration greater than before employed
(p. 758). Construing No. 835,120, the Circuit Court ol
Appeals declared that the patentees "first told the art
that a maximum metal recovery could be had from s
minimum oil content", whieh "disclosure alone, inter-
esting as it was, would have been valueless to the art l
and would not have entitled the discoverers to a patent '
until they told how and by what medium that phenome
non could be brought into practical use" and that aci
eordingly the patentees "proceeded by further disclo
sures to tell the art that the way to produce the desirec
fomentation is by . . . agitation 'greater than am
different from that which had been resorted to before'
. . . Agitation was thus made the practical element o.
:;
:
mber 11. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
835
thar patented process, and by their patent disclosures
thcv told the art that agitation was the secret by which
the principle of their discovery could I"' unlocked and
\p. 765). The Circuit Court of Appeals held that
the first, second, and third flotation processes installed
by the Miami company included agitation equivalent to
that described in No. 835,120 and therefore infringed the
Btent, but refused to pass upon the so-called "fourth
process" then being used by the Miami company. Dis-
cussing the Miami company's second process, the Circuit
Court of Appeals said: "If the only agitation to which
the pulp was subjected . . . was the agitation of the
Callow cells, we would not say that that agitation . . .
constituted infringement" (p. 76S). One of the judges,
it should be noted, dissented, and held that neither the
second nor the third process of the Miami company in-
Buded the agitation of the patent (pp. 775-792). That
the Circuit Court of Appeals has no intention of hastily
declaring the so-called "fourth process" used by the
Miami company, or the different variants of this process,
used since 1917, to be infringements of No. S35,120 ap-
pears from the Court's refusal, in June 1920, to hold at
this time that the Miami company is violating the
Court's decree in using any of these variants or substi-
tutes.
In the Butte & Superior case, after varying rulings
by the U. S. District Court for Montana and the U. S.
Circuit Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, the U. S.
upreme Court on June 2, 1919, held that the "essence
jE the discovery" covered by No. 835,120 was the re-
faction of the total amount of "oily substance" used in
;he process to any "fraction of one per cent on the ore",
kjlus "vigorous agitation", resulting in "flotation mainly
pom the inclusion of air bubbles introduced into the
pass by agitation. (Minerals Separation v. Butte &
[Superior Mining Co., 250 U. S. 336, 346-347, see also
B41-2, 344-7).
| Minerals Separation, Ltd., the British parent com-
pany, and its controlled American subsidiary, Minerals
Reparation North American Corporation, began suit upon
No. 835,120 against the Nevada Consolidated Copper Co.
In September 1919, and against the Magma Copper Co.
In January 1920, both in the U. S. District Court for
Maine. Both mining companies have filed elaborate
tnswers, which foreshadow their defence that the pro-
fesses they are using are wholly different processes, lying
lutside No. 835,120, because they depend upon air hub-
lies introduced or generated not by "agitation" but
ilolely by Callow or pneumatic cells, and do not depend
iipon, nor in any way involve, the "vigorous agitation"
jrhieh the Supreme Court in the Hyde case and in the
Butte & Superior ease, and the Circuit Court of Appeals
or the Third Circuit in the Miami case, held to be essen-
• ially characteristic of No. 835,120 (fraction of 1% oil).
Precise Limits of Patent No. 962,678
j No. 962,678 (soluble frothing-agents) has been liti-
ated only in the so-called Miami case (Minerals Separa-
ion v. Miami Copper Co., 237 Fed. 609, D. C. Delaware,
eptember 29, 1916; Miami Copper Co. v. United States,
244 Fed. 752, C. C. A. Third C, May 24, 1917), where
the Circuit Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit sus-
tained the patent, as to four of its claims, in which the
fiotliiug-agent is "a small percentage" of one or more
specified soluble "organic substances" (instead of oil as
in No. 835,120) and the "mixture is thoroughly agi-
tated" or "vigorously agitated" by "beating air into
it" (Miami Copper Co. v. Minerals Separation, 244 Fed.
752, 771-774). "Here [in No. 962,678] as well as there
[No. 835,120]", said the Circuit Court of Appeals, by
Judge Woolley writing for the Court, "the decision
turns upon the kind and degree of agitation employed by
the defendants . . . what has been said about infring-
ing agitation in the oil process [No. 835,120] must also
apply to the same agitation when considered in reference
to the second process [No. 962,678]" (p. 774).
Minerals Separation and its American subsidiary be-
gan suit upon No. 962,678 (soluble frothing-agents)
against the Nevada Consolidated Copper Co. in Febru-
ary 1920, and against the Magma Copper Co. in January
1920, both in the U. S. District Court for Maine. Both
mining companies have filed elaborate answers which
foreshadow their defence that the processes which they
are using are wholly different processes which lie outside
No. 962,678 because they depend upon air bubbles intro-
duced or generated not by "agitation" but solely by
Callow or pneumatic cells, and do not depend upon, or,
in any way involve the "vigorous agitation" which the
Circuit Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in the
Miami case held to be essentially characteristic of No.
962,678.
Precise Limits op Patent No. 1,099,699
No. 1,099,699 (phenol or cresol, cold, without acid)
has been litigated only in the so-called Miami case (Min-
erals Separation, Ltd., v. Miami Copper Co., 237 Fed.
609, D. C. Delaware, September 29, 1916; Miami Cop-
per Co. v. Minerals Separation, Ltd., 244 Fed. 752, C. C.
A. Third C, May 24, 1917), where the District Court
held the patent invalid, but the Circuit Court of Appeals
for the Third Circuit sustained it. The process covered
by this patent consists "in mixing a powdered ore . . .
with neutral water containing in solution a minute
quantity" of hydroxy compounds and "agitating the
mixture in the cold to form a froth and separating the
froth" (Miami Copper Co. v. Minerals Separation, 244
Fed. 752, 774). The Circuit Court of Appeals held that
by dispensing with heat and acid by using "a minute
quantity" of hydroxy compounds (that is, phenol, cresol,
etc.) the patentee disclosed an original and novel plant
which has broadened and made more simple the agitation
process of air flotation" (p. 775). Neither Minerals
Separation, Ltd., the British parent company, nor any
of its subsidiaries, has ever sued anyone else upon this
patent.
Occupied Zone op Minerals Separation
Summarizing the rights that Minerals Separation,
Ltd., the British parent company, and its controlled
American subsidiary, Minerals Separation North Ameri-
836
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 11, 1920
can Corporation, have under the only patents that it has
litigated.
Under No. 835,120, conditioned always upon the Con-
stitutional purpose "to promote the progress of science
and useful arts," the patentees have the "exclusive
right", expiring in any event on November 6, 1923,
merely to the process of reducing the total amount of
"oily substances" to any "fraction of one per cent on
the ore" and adding "vigorous agitation.", "greater
than and different from that which had been resorted to
before" — "by beating the air into the mass" — so as to
produce "flotation mainly from the inclusion of air
bubbles introduced into the mass by agitation", which
right the Court has expressly held does not cover any
process in which the total amount of "oily substances"
exceeds "one per cent on the ore", nor any process in
which air gets "into the pulp in any fashion", or "by
any means" (such as "the agitation of the Callow
cells"), different from the "vigorous agitation" men-
tioned in the patent.
Under No. 962,678, conditioned always upon the Con-
stitutional purpose "to promote the progress of science
and useful arts", the patentees have the "exclusive
right", expiring in any event on June 26, 1927, merely
to the process of using "a small percentage" of one or
more specified soluble "organic substances" and agi-
tating the mixture "thoroughly", or "vigorously",
"beating the air into it", which right, by well-settled
law, does not cover any process in which the total amount
of such "organic substances" exceeds the "small per-
centage" referred to in No. 962,678 (.soluble frothing-
agents), nor any process in which air gets "into the pulp
in any fashion", or "by any means", different from
agitating it "thoroughly", or "vigorously", or "beating
the air into it".
Under No. 1,099,699, conditioned always upon the
Constitutional purpose "to promote the progress of
science and useful arts", the patentees have the "ex-
clusive right", expiring in any event on June 9, 1931,
merely to the process of using "a minute quantity of
hydroxy compounds" without acid and "agitating the
mixture in the cold to form a froth", which right, by
well-settled law, does not cover any process in which the
total amount of hydroxy compound exceeds the "small
percentage" referred to in No. 1,099,699 (phenol or
cresol, cold, 'without acid), nor any process in which air
gets "into the pulp in any fashion", or "by any means",
different from the agitation described in the patent.
These precise limits of Minerals Separation's three
litigated patents define the entire zone which, so far as
the courts have decided, Minerals Separation today has
any legal right to occupy in the field of flotation.
Occupied Zone Soon to be Vacated
By the express conditions of this occupation, pre-
scribed by the Constitution, the statute, and the patents
themselves, Minerals Separation On November 6, 1923,
must evacuate the first sector of this occupied zone,
which it now holds upder No. 835,120 ; and on June 26,
1927, must evacuate the second sector, which it now
holds under No. 962,678; and on June 9, 1931, must
evacuate the third and last sector which it now holds
under No. 1,099,699.
The plain emphatic intention of the Constitution, the
statute, and the patents themselves is that on November
9, 1931, Minerals Separation's evacuation from this
occupied zone shall be complete, and that Minerals Sep-
aration's present servitude over this occupied zone shall
then cease, and that this entire occupied zone shall then
be wholly free to everyone.
The "exclusive right" for which the patentees bar-
gained when they "disclosed" their processes and ob-
tained their patents was, as they then well knew, by the
Constitution, the statute, and the patents themselves,
absolutely and strictly limited to this. After the 17-
year period for each patent has expired, freedom to
everyone to use these processes, without paying royalty
or incurring any obligation of any kind to Minerals Sep-
aration was, as the patentees then well knew, one of the
absolute essentials of this bargain, because if this essen-
tial should fail, then the sole Constitutional justification
for this "exclusive right", namely "to promote the
progress of science and useful arts", would also fail, and
the entire Constitutional purpose would be utterly frus-
trated. I say, advisedly, "one of the absolute essentials
of this bargain" because there is another essential equally
necessary to the Constitutional purpose "to promote the
progress of science and useful arts". Inventors, engi-
neers, manufacturers, and others, independent of, and
competitive with, the patentees, must be permitted and
encouraged, at every moment throughout these 17-year
patent-periods, to utilize every suggestion which the pat-
ents themselves afford to make every independent and
competing "invention or discovery" possible in the area
outside the occupied zone of the patents. Suppression,
intimidation, molestation, or harassment by the patentees
of such investigations of such independent and competing
inventors, engineers, manufacturers, and others thwarts
the Constitutional purpose "to promote the progress of
science and the useful arts", and destroys the sole Con-
stitutional justification for the patentees' "exclusive
right". To abstain from these practices is just as much
the patentees' duty, under the Constitution and the pat-
ents themselves, as is their duty to cease to exercise their
"exclusive right" at the expiration of the 17-year patent-
periods.
How defiantly Minerals Separation, throughout its
career in the United States, has evaded these two duties,
appears in the standard license agreements that Minerals
Separation has executed with dozens of American mine-
operators who have never contested Minerals Separa-
tion's patents, who at great cost to themselves have
quarterly paid to Minerals Separation the exorbitant
royalties exacted under these agreements, and who are
now discovering from the Federal Trade Commission's
evidence that the royalites which Minerals Separation is
exacting from them in some cases several times exceed
the royalties paid by their more favored rivals and com-
k
•'■
D.vember 11, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
837
petitors, and that having executed these agreements they
must continue forever to pay these royalties, always
handicapped by the lower royalties enjoyed by their more
favored rivals and competitors, and after November 6,
B33, June 26, 1927, and June 9, 1931, still further
handicapped by competition from rivals and competitors,
who, not having executed any agreements with Minerals
Separation, will after these dates be free to use the re-
spective processes covered by Minerals Separation's three
litigated patents without paying any royalty or incurring
any obligation of any kind to Minerals Separation.
Stretching Seventeen Years Into Eternity
Minerals Separation's first duty, under the Constitu-
tion, the statute, and its patents themselves, is to evacu-
ate, sector by sector, on November 6, 1923, June 26, 1927,
and June 9, 1931, the occupied zone of Minerals Separa-
tion 's three litigated patents.
To evade this duty, Minerals Separation annexes to its
standard license agreement a "schedule" setting forth
these three litigated patents, and also all its other United
States patents, 65 in number, none of which have been
litigated, and most of which cover merely some variant
or alleged improvement of processes or apparatus de-
scribed in earlier patents, and all of which Minerals
Separation has succeeded in obtaining from the Patent-
Office at the rate of from one to ten new patents each
year. The American mine-operator, as a rule, desires to
use only one, or at most two or three, of the processes and
apparatus described in these 68 Minerals Separation
patents. Minerals Separation invariably refuses, how-
ever, to give him this permission unless he executes a
license agreement, in the standard. form of which Min-
erals Separation recites that "the licensors [Minerals
Separation] hereby grant unto the licensees [the Amer-
ican mine-operator] full license power and authority to
make, use and exercise any or all of the inventions de-
scribed and claimed in the letters patent within this
license" at such mine as the license agreement specifies,
during the terms of the letters patent within this license
or any of them and any extension thereof". Elsewhere
in the license agreement, Minerals Separation recites that
the "letters patent within this license" mean "all or any
of the inventions, processes or apparatus described and
claimed in the said letters patent and any letters patent
for the concentration of ores that are or may become the
property of the licensors [Minerals Separation] ". This
effectively brings within the phrase "letters patent with-
in this license" all patents which Minerals Separation
may thereafter succeed in getting patented, which, judg-
ing from past experience, will aggregate from one to ten
new patents each year until the end of time. The life of
the license agreement, therefore, which runs until seven-
teen years after the date of the latest patent among the
"letters patent -within this license" will be, until the end
of time, extended each year by the addition of new pat-
3nts, and the license agreement will thus become per-
petual, • unless Minerals Separation's plans are upset by
;he Federal Trade Commission.
Royalties, Discriminatory and Eternal
Several Minerals Separation licensees, as I have stated,
pay royalties which are only a fraction of those charged
by Minerals Separation to other licensees similarly situ-
ated, whom Minerals Separation has required to execute
standard license agreements. Such discrimination handi-
caps each such standard licensee in competing with his
more favored rivals, and its correction is one of the ob-
jectives of the Federal Trade Commission's proceeding
against Minerals Separation.
The eternal duration of Minerals Separation 's licensee
agreements presents a situation which insistently calls for
relief from the Federal Trade Commission. How it oper-
ates upon Minerals Separation's licensees may be illus-
trated by their plight upon the expiration of the patents
covering the only Minerals Separation processes which
they may happen to be using.
Assume that a Minerals Separation licensee is using
only No. 835,120. On November 6, 1923, this patent
expires. The plain emphatic intention of the Constitu-
tion, the statute, and the patent itself is that on that
date Minerals Separation shall completely forfeit its
present "exclusive right" to the process covered by this
patent, that Minerals Separation's present servitude on
the art through its ownership of this patent shall then
cease, and that this process shall then be wholly free to
everyone. Mindful of this, the licensee, let us assume,
who several years before, in order to obtain permission to
use merely this "fraction of 1%" oil process, executed
with Minerals Separation a standard license agreement,
and who has never contested with Minerals Separation
this or any other patent, and who at great cost to him-
self, has paid quarterly to Minerals Separation the ex-
orbitant royalty exacted by this license agreement, and
who has never used any process or apparatus belonging
to Minerals Separation excepting only the process cov-
ered by this patent now expired, takes out this license
agreement and reads it over in the expectation of finding
that all his obligations to Minerals Separation have now
been fully discharged, and that now he may freely use
this process without paying any royalty or incurring any
obligations to Minerals Separation or anyone else. His
license agreement, and thus his obligation to pay royal-
ties, he now discovers, do not end when the patent ex-
pires, but continue as long as he uses the process, con-
tinue even while his rivals who executed no agreements
with Minerals Separation are absolutely free to use the
process without paying any royalty to Minerals Separa-
tion, continue even while his competitors who defied Min-
erals Separation and contested its patent are using the
process without incurring any obligation of any kind to
Minerals Separation or anyone else, and will so continue
until the end of time, with the requirement that he ac-
count quarterly and settle promptly with Minerals Sepa-
ration in the same exorbitant figures, so long as he con-
tinues to use the process of this now expired patent.
Other Conditions of Servitude
Article 3 of Minerals Separation's standard license !
83§ ■ r
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS'
December 11, 1920
agreements provides that throughout the eternal life of
these agreements, all licensees must disclose and turn
ovei* to Minerals Separation the ownership of "every in-
vention or discovery made or used by them which may be
an improvement, modification, or addition to any of the
inventions specified in the letters patent within this
license or may be useful in carrying out any of the proc-
esses" above-mentioned, and that all licensees must, so
far as practicable, "bind their employees" to turn over to
Minerals Separation all such inventions made by such
employees, and that no licensee may use "any improve-
ment, modification, or addition to any of the inventions
specified in the letters patent within this license ' ' except
upon request to, and consent by, Minerals Separation.
Articles 6 and 9 provide that throughout the eternal life
of these license agreements the licensee "shall not in any
way directly or indirectly support or assist third or
hostile parties" such, for instance, as the Federal Trade
Commission, "in any litigation against licensors", and
"shall not without the written consent of the licensors
communicate any detail connected with the working of
any of said inventions, modifications, additions, or im-
provements to any third party".
If, as Minerals Separation claims (erroneously, as I
believe), these license agreements ought to be executed by
every mine-operator practising the art of flotation, it
would follow that every mine-operator who by any possi-
bility could interest himself in inventing any improve-
ment in the art, now or at any time in the future, would
be perpetually subject to the bondage of Minerals Separa-
tion.
Nothing approaching the duration, extent, and burden-
someness of the Servitude imposed by Minerals Separa-
tion has ever been presented in any reported decision in
the State or Federal courts. This intolerable and per-
petual servitude Minerals Separation seeks to impose
upon the entire mining industry of the United States,
and upon all present and future inventive genius which
in this or any future generation can by any possibility
advance the art of flotation. Compared with Minerals
Separation, every other trust that the Government has
dissolved under the anti-trust laws pales into insignifi-
cance, for Minerals Separation seeks to bring within its
combination and monopoly not only all processes and
apparatus that its own employees may develop, but also
all processes and apparatus that any mine-operator any-
where, who now or at any future time uses flotation, may
now or at any future time by any possibility invent or
discover. To curb this extravagance of monopoly, and to
place limits upon these eternal license agreements, are
among the objectives of the Federal Trade Commission's
proceeding against Minerals Separation.
Obstructing the Progress op Science
Minerals Separation's second duty, under the Consti-
tution, the statute, and its patents themselves by which
Minerals Separation's "exclusive right" under these
patents is conditioned, is not to thwart the Constitutional
purpose "to promote the progress of science and useful
arts". This Constitutional purpose requires that inde-
pendent and competing inventors, engineers, manufac-
turers, and others should be permitted and encouraged to
utilize every suggestion that Minerals Separation 's pat-
ents afford to develop and exploit every independent and
competing "invention or discovery" possible in the area
outside the occupied zone of Minerals Separation's pat-
ents, and that Minerals Separation should abstain from
suppressing, intimidating, molesting, or harassing inde-
pendent and competing inventors, engineers, manufac-
turers, and others engaged in such development and ex-,
ploitation.
In defiance of this duty, the Federal Trade Commission
charges, Minerals Separation has tried to prevent inde-
pendent and competing inventors, engineers, manufac-
turers, and others from exploiting independent and com-
peting processes and apparatus, has tried to prevent
American mine-operators from using such independent
and competing processes and apparatus, has falsely and
maliciously disparaged such independent and competing
processes and apparatus, has falsely and maliciously
claimed patent-rights in excess of those actually possessed
by Minerals Separation, has maliciously threatened to.
prosecute American mine-operators who were using such
independent and competing processes and apparatus, has
seduced, corrupted, and bribed employees of American
mine-operators to give Minerals Separation confidential,
information regarding their employers' operations, and
in various ways has tended to suppress, intimidate,
molest, and harass the development and exploitation of
independent and competing "inventions or discoveries"
in the area outside the occupied zone of Minerals Separa-
tion's patents, and has thus tended to frustrate the Con-
stitutional purpose "to promote the progress of science
and useful arts" by which Minerals Separation's "ex-.
elusive right" under its patents is wholly conditioned.
These practices attributed to Minerals Separation, which
properly belong under another topic announced for this
Convention, the Federal Trade Commission proposes to
stop.
All these practices, according to the Commission's
complaint, Minerals Separation has been committing for
many years, with such success that by means of them
Minerals Separation has stifled and suppressed the de-
velopment and exploitation of independent and compet-
ing processes and apparatus, and has prevented actual
and potential competition from independent and com-
peting inventors, engineers, manufacturers, and others,
and has thus obtained that position of power and domi-
nance which now enables Minerals Separation to charge
exorbitant and discriminatory royalties
What the Commission can Accomplish
The Commission's purpose is not to dislodge Minerals
Separation from the occupied zone which Minerals Sepa-
ration succeeded in capturing in its first legal onset upon
the American mining industry. That task is being at-
tempted only by the American mine-operators who are
now defending themselves against Minerals Separation
Ii.vmber 11, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
839
suits above described. The Commission's object is to
ensure that Minerals -Separation shall fulfill its plain
emphatic duty under the Constitution, the Statute, and its
patents themselves, to evacuate, sector by aector, on
November 6, 1923, June 26, 1927, and June 9, 1931, the
occupied zone of Minerals Separation's three litigated
patents, and meanwhile not to suppress, intimidate,
molest, or harass independent and competing inventors,
engineers, manufacturers, and others now working out-
side this occupied zone, and that Minerals Separation
shall not utilize its ingenious entrenchments, its skilfully
planned attacks, its enormous exactions of tribute from
the occupied zone under its servitude, its awe-inspiring
preparations for extorting colossal indemnities from the
outside realm of flotation, and its campaign of com-
mercial schrcckHihkc.it generally, for the purpose of
evading this plain emphatic duty.
The Federal Trade Commission, in most of the pro-
ceedings which it has heretofore brought, has found, like
the Supreme Court in the Standard Oil case (Standard
Oil Co. v. United States 221, U. S. 1, 77) "that ordinarily
where it was found that acts had been done in violation
of the statute adequate measure of relief would result
from restraining the doing of such acts in the future".
But in the present proceeding, the Federal Trade Com-
mission will find as the Supreme Court of the United
States found in the Standard Oil case, that "in a case
like this, where the condition which has been brought
about in violation of the statute, in and of itself, is not
only a continued attempt to monopolize, but also a mo-
nopolization, the duty to enforce the statute requires the
application of broader and more controlling remedies"
(p. 77).
The Federal Trade Commission's authority for devis-
ing and applying these remedies is ample under the Fed-
eral Trade Commission Act and the Clayton Anti-Trust
Act. Adequate remedy in the present situation will
never be obtained until the Commission, by explicit di-
rections in respect of the amount of royalties to be
charged by Minerals Separation ensures that such royal-
ties are not in excess of what they would have been had
not actual and potential competition from rival processes
and rival apparatus, and from rival inventors, engineers,
manufacturer's, and others, been stifled and suppressed by
Minerals Separation over a period of years. Merely to
enjoin at this late day, the continued practice by Min-
erals Separation of the particular methods of unfair
competition set forth in the Commission's complaint will
not immediately revive the actual and potential competi-
tion which Minerals Separation has for years been stifling
and suppressing. Not for several years, perhaps not for
many years, can this competition be revived, nor the min-
ing industry be made safe for rival processes and rival
apparatus and rival inventors, engineers, manufacturers,
and others to compete with Minerals Separation. Until
that time arrives, therefore, the Federal Trade Commis-
sion, "re-creating, out of the elements now composing it,
a new condition which shall be honestly in harmony with
and not repugnant to the law" (United States v. Amer-
ican Tobacco Co., 221 U. S. 106, 187), should make ex-
plicit directions as to the amount of royalties to be
charged, to the end that the exorbitant and discrimina-
tory royalties, which are the purpose and crowning ac-
complishment of years of unfair methods of competition
on the part of Minerals Separation, may not be perpetu-
ated after the mere practice of such methods has been
discontinued.
Following the reading of this paper at the American
Mining Congress, Alfred A. Cook, legal counsel and one
of the directors of Minerals Separation North American
Corporation, speaking as he stated "subject to correc-
tion" by the Corporation's officials in New York, ques-
tioned my statement above that after November 6, 1923,
a Minerals Separation standard licensee "who has never
used any process or apparatus belonging to Minerals
Separation, excepting only the process" covered by No.
835,120, then expired, would still be obligated to con-
tinue to pay royalties to Minerals Separation.
To clear up this difference regarding the plain mean-
ing of Article 1 of Minerals Separation's standard license
agreement, which unequivocally provides, without any
time limitation whatsoever (in this respect unlike Min-
erals Separation's agreements with certain favored
licensees which by their terms expressly expire Novem-
ber 6, 1923), that "the licensees shall pay royalties to
the licensors for the use of all processes and appliances
embodying all or any of the inventions described and
claimed in the letters patent within this license" at the
rate specified by the agreement, Mr. Cook, at my sugges-
tion, telegraphed to New York, and on the following day
received from the president of Minerals Separation
North American Corporation a reply to the effect that
such a licensee would not be obligated to continue to pay
royalties to Minerals Separation.
Since this same official, in a letter read by Mr. Cook on
the previous day, had stated that the obligation to pay
royalties continued so long as the process was used, and
since the vice-president of Minerals Separation North
American Corporation had similarly testified in the Fed-
eral Trade Commission proceeding (record p. 580), I
promptly expressed to Mr. Cook my grateful apprecia-
tion of this apparently magnificient concession by Min-
erals Separation.
Further discussion of the same point, however, prompt-
ly developed the fact that while so modifying Article 1,
Minerals Separation was by no means ready to modify
Article 5, which provides that "the licensees shall not
directly or indirectly during the continuance of this
license nor at any time after the termination thereof
dispute or object to the validity of the letters patent
within this license or the novelty or utility of the inven-
tions specified therein"; and that therefore any licensee
using the process now covered by No. 835,120, then ex-
pired, would be obliged to accept Minerals Separation's
opinion as to whether such process was covered by any
of the scores of other "letters patent within this license",
and would be prevented by Article 5 above quoted from
ever' "disputing or objecting" to Minerals Separation's
840
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 11, 1920
opinion on this subject. The record in the Federal Trade
Commission proceeding abounds in expressions of Min-
erals Separation's opinion to the effect that every con-
ceivable process of notation is covered by one or another
of its scores of patents, so that so long as Article 5 stands,
any licensee who after November 6, 1923, ventures to dis-
continue paying to Minerals Separation full quarterly
royalties upon the basis specified in his license agreement
may be sued by Minerals Separation for alleged infringe-
ment of any of its scores of other patents, and by the
provisions of Article 5 will be estopped from ever disput-
ing or objecting to the validity of such patent or the
novelty or utility of the alleged invention specified
therein.
This apparently magnificent concession by Minerals
Separation, with which Mr. Cook, by his gallant and
chivalrous manner, succeeded in raising high hopes
among his listeners at the Convention, thus proved to be
entirely illusory.
That every other restraint above described, imposed
by Minerals Separation's standard license agreement,
was in effect eternal because of the ingenious provisions
above described for extending the life of the agreement
was not disputed by Mr. Cook.
Platinum
By S. Skowronski
•The most valuable of the industrial metals in the
world today are those comprising what is known as the
platinum group. These metals, all of which are allied
with platinum in their chemical and physical properties,
are associated with platinum in native ores or deposits
found principally in Eussia and in the Republic of
Colombia. On September 18 the quotations for these
metals per troy ounce, were as follows : platinum, $115 ;
palladium, $105; iridium, $375; ruthenium, $210; and
osmium, $62. In the electrolytic refining of copper and
nickel, platinum and palladium have been found in large
enough quantities to warrant the recovery of these
metals. Platinum was first discovered in Colombia, in
about 1735, and on account of its white silvery appear-
ance, was called 'platina', the diminutive form of the
Spanish 'plata' meaning 'silver'. Owing to the high
specific gravity of platinum, it "being a little higher than
gold, it was first used in the adulteration of gold, and on
this account, the Spanish government at one time ordered
all of the metal on hand thrown into the sea, and would
not allow the exportation of the metal from South
America. , In 1819 the great deposits of the platinum
metals in the "Ural mountains of Russia were discovered,
and since that time Eussia has been the great exporter of
platinum metals.
Platinum was formerly extensively used for the evap-
oration of sulphuric acid in sulphuric acid works, large
pans of platinum being used for that purpose. Finely
divided platinum possesses the remarkable property of
promoting or hastening .chemical changes without under-
•From 'The Ingot'.
going any decomposition, acting, as what is known to
chemists, as a catalizer.
Owing to its high melting point and resistance to cor-
rosion and fumes, platinum was formerly used in the
construction of small electric-resistance furnaces and
heating elements for laboratory work ; also for the manu-
facture of contact points, in various types of ignition
systems, magnetos, and spark coils, but owing to the con-
tinued increase in the price of the metal, substitutes are
now being used. The most important use for platinum is
in dental work and formerly fully one-third of the total
production of the metal was used for that purpose. Plat-
inum being non-corrosive and not affected by the acids of
the mouth, is an ideal metal for the construction of pins,
pivots, and anchors of artificial teeth and other dental
work.
Platinum is indispensable for scientific purposes, and
the increasing use of the metals in jewelry has, at times,
been sharply criticized by scientific men, a quotation from
one of the scientific journals being as follows: "From
the scientific point of view, much regret is felt that plat-
inum has found employment in the jewelry trade. Silver
or gold is much better adapted to the production of at-
tractive ornaments and is more beautiful than the gray-
ish-white of platinum, while, of course, neither metal has
the high fusing point and the resistance to acids which
makes platinum indispensable in science and the in-
dustrial arts. The scientific and technical world needs
all the platinum that can be obtained. ' '
The jewelry trade in turn attempts to justify the use
of platinum in jewelry in the following article copied
from a trade paper: "Platinum is the metal par ex-
cellence for fine and delicate jewelry. First, because its
brilliant white color enables the jeweler to obtain beau-
tiful effects in the setting of diamonds, which cannot be
obtained with gold, owing to its yellow color. Secondly,
on account of its malleability, ductility, rigidity, and
tenacity, the most delicate and intricate designs are possi-
ble with a surprisingly small amount of metal. Lastly,
because jewelry made of platinum will retain stones in
its settings without the heavy beading required in gold
settings and will not tarnish or oxidize from exposure to
air, fumes, or acids, or when worn on the body. This
combination of qualities does not exist in any other
known precious metal and has made possible most of the
great advance in the jewelry art of recent years."
In the electrolytic refining of copper, the platinum and
palladium present in the original crude or blister copper,
concentrate to the very end of the process and are re-
covered from the electrolyte of the "Wohlwill process used
in the electrolysis of gold. It is only within the past ten
years that the copper refineries have been recovering the
platinum and palladium present in the copper. Formerly
it accumulated and was shipped in the gold bars and was .
lost to the plants. While the total amount of platinum
metals recovered in the refineries is small, it is practically
the only source of these important metals which this coun-
try has, as the native ores or platinum sands furnish only
700 oz. of crude metals yearly.
December 11, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
841
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THE MINE, THE MILL, AND THE OFFICES
Milling Practice at the Benguet Consolidated Mine— II
Details of Practice
By C. M. Eye and M. F. Dodd
Breaking. As most of the ore when it comes from the
mine is sufficiently fine to pass the grizzley-bars, it is
only necessary to operate the crusher at intervals, the
total running time amounting to but a few hours daily.
It is now driven from the 10-hp. motor, at a speed of
280 r.p.m. through the medium of a short-centre drive,
which is more satisfactory than the former long drive.
Dry Elevating and Washing. The feeder, elevator,
and trommel, operated as a unit from a line-shaft driven
by a 5-hp. motor, work efficiently except when the ore
comes from the mine wet and sticky. Then trouble is
experienced through its hanging up over the feeder,
packing in the buckets of the elevator, and (when much
clay is present) balling up in the washer and passing in
chunks to the bin. Ordinarily, however, the service is
satisfactory. The 12-in. rubber belt of the elevator is
protected by the backs of the buckets, which form a con-
tinuous line. The buckets, 10 in. wide, fabricated of No.
12 gauge steel, show little wear after long usage. The
principal wear occurs on the screen covering of the trom-
mel, after the addition of solution, and especially toward
the lower end, after the removal of the most of the fine.
Steel-wire screens with rectangular openings were first
tried, but a set lasted only from four to five weeks.
Punehed-steel screens with elliptical openings, 4, by J in.,
were substituted with better results. The longer dimen-
sion of the holes is at right angles to the axis of the
trommel.
Stamping. , As previously noted, the ten stamps are
driven by a back-geared motor. The drive, through the
medium of a 14-in. belt, is nearly horizontal, with a
tightener pulley on the upper side. A spare 25-hp. motor
of the same kind is set directly back of the one ordinarily
used, so that, in case of necessity, the change to it can
be made quickly. This ensures practically continuous
stamp-operation, which was more important when all the
material had to pass the stamps than now, when they
have to crush the coarse material only. The drop is now
7.5 in., 106 times per minute. This is a greater drop
than was formerly necessary. Then the indicated horse-
power at the motor was about 17.5 ; it is somewhat greater
now. Excessive splash is prevented by hanging a light
steel plate from the top of each screen-frame. Goldfield
guides with removable split shells are used satisfactorily.
Classification. The drag-classifier, receiving the
stamped product, consists of a five-ply balata belt 8 in.
wide with flights of 2-in. angle-iron bolted to it at 12-in.
intervals, working over a head pulley of 16 in. diameter
and a tail pulley of 26 in., in a wooden tank, 26 in. wide,
24 in. deep at the lower end, and 14 ft. long. It is driven
at the head end, by belt and spur-gear, giving a belt-
travel of 28 ft. per minute. As none of the bearings are
submerged, no stuffing-boxes are necessary. Every fourth
flight is 22 in. long, the rest are 18 in., giving a head
product of less moisture than if the flights were of equal
length. This machine, built on the ground, has given
good service over a period of years, one belt having lasted
three years. It may be termed a roughing-classifier, for
removing the bulk of the coarse product for direct de-
livery to the tube-mill.
842
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS'
December 11, 1920
The primary Dorr classifier performs a somewhat simi-
lar function on the portion of the pulp by-passing the
stamps, by removing a coarse product for tube-milling,
and passing the finer to the two secondary classifiers,
working in closed circuit with the grinding-mills, and
furnishing the final finished product for treatment. This
product, on which frequent screen-tests are made, usually
has about 5% coarser than 100, and only 10% coarser
than 200-mesh. Assays on the pulp at this point show
that about 60% of the precious metals is dissolved. The
degree of dilution is usually about six of solution to one
of solid.
Fine Grinding. This is done in two Deweo tube-mills
identical in every respect, except as to length ; the newer
one being two feet shorter than the other. It was thought
that the new mill, working on the softer material coming
directly from the washing system, would finish it as
effectively as the longer mill, working on the stamped
material. This does not appear to be the ease, as there
is a greater proportion of oversize in its discharge. There
is a direct saving in power, of course, as this mill operates
with_a 40-hp. motor instead of a 50, but it is the opinion
that 10 ft. is the proper length for a 6-ft. mill on this
ore. The new mill is driven by a 14-in. belt without a
friction-clutch, from a motor of high starting-torque.
This has not proved so satisfactory in practice as the
drive on the older mill from an ordinary motor by a
friction-clutch, as this enables full speed to be attained
on the motor before the mill is engaged. Both drives are
nearly horizontal. A so-called boltless type of shell-liner
is used, requiring no bolting through the shell of the mill.
Each circle, 6 in. long, is complete in itself, and consists
of six segments, four with plain radial ends, and two
with plain ends at one extremity and a lug arrangement
at the other, whereby, after a circle is in place, it can
be expanded tightly against the inside of the shell, by
means of a 1-in. steel bolt. Steel shims of various thick-
ness are placed in the plain joints to give better bearings
and to adjust the circle. On the circles that include the
man-hole frame, which is 18 in. long, one of the plain
segments is shorter than the others by the width of the
frame. When the liners are in place, there is presented
a series of pockets on the inner surface of the mill, which
fill quickly with pebbles and thus form a superior wear-
ing-surface. These pockets just about take a No. 5 flint
pebble nicely. The total depth of the liners, with the
back of one inch, is six inches, so the effective diameter
of the mill when lined is five feet. The total weight of
shell-liners sufficient to line both mills is ten tons. A set
of ordinary hard white-iron lasts from five to seven
months, the weight of the discarded liners being about
55% of that at the beginning. The greater part of the
wear is in the pebble-filling, and when the liners wear
down to the point where the filling does not hold well, it
proceeds more rapidly. When it has reached the bolts
and lugs and these are worn off, the lining is held only
by the 'set' of the pebbles and fine ore that has cemented
every crevice. Usually this is sufficient to hold the circles
in place until the back is nearly reached, when the liners
may go out entirely. If one particular ring happens to
wear faster than the rest, it is possible to replace worn
segments with others recovered from former linings, but
the point is soon reached where the whole set must be re-
placed. This is done quickly, the entire change usually
requiring not to exceed ten hours, the removal of the old
segments taking more time than the placing of the new
ones. An effort is being made to increase the life of the
liners without too great increase of cost by using liners
of higher-grade material than white-iron. No figures are
as yet available on this, however.
The heads of the mills are lined with two circles of seg-
ments constituting 'inner' and 'outer' head-liners, any
segment of either circle being removable independent of
the others or of the shell-liners. As a rule, however, an
entire circle is replaced at one time. These are held by
bolts through the heads in the usual way. Only hard
white-iron has been used for this as yet. The first mill
was equipped with a scoop-feeder with a 5-ft. radial
sweep, rendered necessary by reason of the classifier
working alongside in closed circuit, but since the classi-
fiers have been raised to the floor above, enclosed spiral
feeders are used to great advantage. The long-sweep
scoop-feeder never was satisfactory. The speed of the
mills is maintained at about 27 r.p.m. for the best results.
Pebbles are fed as a rule through the head end, since the
spiral feeders are used ; formerly the bulk of the pebbles
was fed through the discharge end, being carried into the
mill by the reverse spiral liner at that end. The larger
pebbles and mine-rock were charged at intervals through
the man-hole, and any large rock is still so charged. The
present practice is to charge No. 5 flint pebbles in this
manner, after a new lining has been put in, sufficient in
quantity to fill the pockets of the lining, and then to add
smaller flint pebbles (No. 3 and 4) in excess of the mine-
rock until a good grinding charge is secured ; thereafter,
a mixture of mine-rock and flint pebbles in the proportion
of 3 : 1 is added daily as needed. The pebble charge is
maintained at about two inches above the centre line of
the mill, to give the best grinding with the lowest power
consumption. If at any time the ammeter on the motor
shows a rapid drop in power consumed, with an increase
of coarse at the discharge of the mill, the proportion of
flint pebbles to mine-rock is at once increased.
By using rock, selected from the harder portions of the
ore, and costing very little to prepare, a considerable
economy in pebbles is effected, without excessive liner
wear or decrease in grinding efficiency. Imported pebbles
cost about $75, delivered at the mill, while mine-rock
costs but $2 or $3 per ton to prepare, and has the added
advantage that it contains gold and silver, and therefore
adds to the yield of bullion. Were the rock harder, it
might be possible to eliminate the use of flint entirely,
but experience gained during the War, when flint pebbles
were very hard to obtain, showed that a good grinding
charge could not be maintained with mine-rock alone and
that under these conditions, the wear of the liners was
abnormally great.
No gratings are used at the discharge end of the mills,
December 11. 1020
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
843
BETWEEN THE MINE AND THE MILL
as no trouble is experienced with pebbles or coarse rock
working out; the reverse-spiral liner evidently prevents
this. As has been mentioned, practically all the cyanide
is introduced at the head of the mills, where a constant
drip of saturated solution is maintained. At times it is
necessary to add some lime also at this point, but only in
case of an unusual decrease in alkalinity.
Wet Elevating. The two elevators handling pulp to
the classifiers are practically identical in construction
and operation. Since they replaced the two formerly in
use, the material in these was used in their construction.
They consist essentially of 12-in. eight-ply Silverton rub-
ber belts working over 26-in. head pulleys and 24-in. boot
pulleys, at a speed of 350 ft. per minute, the drive being
from the top, as usual. The boot shaft, of 2.5 in. diam-
eter, is carried in take-up bearings, and has stuffing-
boxes to prevent leakage. The head shaft, 3.5 in. diam.
and carried in plain boxes, carries an overhang pulley,
by means of which the elevator is driven without the use
of gearing. The pressed-steel buckets, spaced at 12-in.
centres, are 4.5 by 5.5 by 8 in. No trouble is experienced
with the packing of material in the buckets, which clear
themselves beautifully at the discharge. The lift is about
25 ft. vertical, and either elevator has sufficient capacity
to handle, if necessary, all the material to be lifted. The
wear and tear is not great, but, naturally, some shut-
downs for repairs are unavoidable. Taken all in all, ele-
vators of this type would seem to offer the best means of
elevating finely ground pulp of the character handled at
this plant.
Primary Thickening. As has been noted, this is done
in two thickeners, one preceding and one following the
first agitator. The overflow from the first, or 30-ft.
thickener, furnishes about 75% of the flow for precipita-
tion during normal operations. As noted, there is no
dilution of the flow to the second, or 25-ft. thickener;
so the grade of the off -coming solution is about the same
as that from the first thickener. In both, there is a sheet-
iron baffle-ring projecting a foot or so above the surface
of the charge at about 6 in. from the edge, which holds
back the froth resulting from the use of lime. The over-
flow from both goes by gravity to the clarifier, but on
occasion it can be sent by gravity direct to the zinc-boxes.
As a rule, however, it has to be clarified to remove very
fine slime held in suspension.
Agitation. The detail of the first agitation has already
been described; it may be well, however, to refer more
fully to the action in the Trent machine. The pulp and
solution, with an admixture of atmospheric air, entering
the arms through the central opening and distributing
head at the bottom, is forced out through the nozzles,
pointing downward and backward at an angle of 50°
from the horizontal, the pressure causing the machinism
to revolve. The pulp discharging over the bottom of the
vat in annular circles of equal area, mixes thoroughly
with the pulp in the vat, and through the circulation
maintained as heretofore described, is slowly and gently
carried toward the top of the charge, at all times inti-
mately in contact with air. There is no violent or boiling
action ; simply a slow upward movement, with ebullition
of small air-bubbles on the surface. When in action, the
charge has the appearance of simmering. When the ratio
of solution to pulp is kept at about 2 : 1, there is prac-
tically no settling of the larger or heavier particles; in
other words, there is practically no accumulation at the
bottom of the vat. The revolving unit is carried on a
ball-bearing placed above the vat; and the whole can be
lifted bodily in ease it is necessary for repairs. The main
difficulty in the internal operation arises from accumula-
tion of wood-pulp, etc., in the nozzles, but when the in-
coming pulp is carefully screened, as it usually is, this is
not so pronounced. The wear of the distributing mech-
anism is not great. As is usual with this class of machine,
the greatest trouble comes from the centrifugal pump.
As the pump used is one specially designed for the work,
with hard-iron replaceable liners, extra-long gland and
boxes, etc., the trouble is minimized. The greatest wear
takes place on the runner and shaft, but the latter is
made extra long and reversible, end for end. A shaft
and runner last about eight months. The pump, driven
844
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 11, 1920
at 600 r.p.m. from a 5-hp. motor by a horizontal belt-
drive, actually consumes about 4.2 hp. normally. Care
must be taken to keep the pump well packed to prevent
undue leakage.
After protracted shut-downs, no trouble is experienced
in getting the agitator under way. "When it becomes
necessary to lift the mechanism, the charge is pumped
out to about one-half, the mechanism lifted above the
surface, and lowered again over the upward projection
of the inlet pipe, which serves as a guide in operation.
Altogether, this agitator has given very satisfactory
service.
The second and third agitation operations are con-
ducted as noted, in Dorr combined mechanical and air
machines. The air for the central lift is furnished by
the 10 by 8-in. compressor mentioned, at a pressure of
about 18 lb. The machine is too well known to require
detailed description here. The distinctive feature at
this plant is the device for obtaining pulp transfer; it
consists of a shallow pan, several feet long, with the top
set just above the surface of the charge and connecting
with a pipe leading through the side of the vat. The
ends of the distributing-arms pass above this pan and
discharge into it during the period of passage of what-
ever pulp may be flowing from them. It is obvious that
the flow of pulp must be regulated so that the amount
leaving the ends of the arms during such period is equal
to the amount coming in. It has not been found difficult
in practice to so regulate the discharge, and the arrange-
ment has the advantage of ensuring at least one com-
plete circuit for any given particle of ore before leaving
the vat.
Secondary Thickening and Decantation. The four
secondary thickeners are set in the form of a square, with
the three diaphragm-pumps near the centre, side by side.
From the pumps, launders run to the last agitator and
the last two thickeners respectively, while they are con-
nected in the same order with the discharges of the first,
second, and third of the thickener series. The diluting
solution, of course, is added in the launders and thor-
oughly mixed with the pulp before entering the vats in-
dicated. The thickeners and pumps are driven from one
line-shaft, in turn driven by a 3-hp. motor. The pumps
are furnished with long connecting-rods and adjustable
eccentrics, and each has a pet-cock below the diaphragm
for the admission of air in regulating the amount of pulp
lifted. Considerable trouble has at times been experi-
enced by reason of diaphragms of poor quality, but with
good ones, the normal life is from two weeks to a month.
There is little wear or expense aside from this. The
actual lift- is short (probably not more than six feet), as
the static head of the charge in the thickener is sufficient
to life the pulp to within a few feet of the top of the vat,
as is shown by the discharge from the last thickener of the
series. In fact, where conditions permit it, better dis-
charge can be had from a thickener by means of the
static head alone than where lifting is necessary. Where
counter-current washing is used, it is not practicable,
however, as it is of greater importance to secure gravity
flow of the counter-current solution by arranging the
vats as they are here arranged, with a two-foot drop be-
tween vats from the last to the first, or six feet of drop
in all. The arrangement here used permits of varying
the application of the washing solutions to fit the needs
of the case.
The pulp as it leaves the last thickener has a specific
gravity of from 1.3 to 1.4, the thickening in the other
tanks being carried as nearly as possible to the same
degree.
Replacement. The three Trent replaeers in use are
identical in size and equipment, and the action in each is
the same. This action has been already described with
reference to the first, interposed in the treatment in ad-
vance of the second agitation. Receiving as it does the
pulp that has been diluted with a low-grade gold solution
from the overflow of the others, the overflow from it is of
sufficient grade to be returned to storage. Since all three
take barren solution in the pump-suctions, the cyanide
content is practically the same in the overflows from them
all. The amount of solution introduced at the bottom is
kept slightly in excess of the amount drawn off from the
pump-discharge for passing onward with the pulp, which
results in a slight upward movement of solution in the
charge ; not enough to hinder the ore particles from set-
tling, but sufficient to prevent any downward move-
ment of the solution coming in with the pulp at the top
and to secure an overflow slightly in excess of the amount
of such solution. Of course, it is impossible to prevent
diffiusion to a certain extent, and the slight upward
movement in the charge results in the fine slime rising
to near the top of the charge. The line of demarkation
between slime and clear solution is usually within an
inch or two of the top. There seems to be no advantage
in attempting to carry it lower, and there may be less
diffusion in this case.
The use of a tapered vat is of decided advantage, as
it gives increased settling-area, with decrease of the up-
ward movement as the top is approached, with decreased
power consumption, owing to a smaller machine being
used than would be necessary in a straight vat, and with
more concentrated and cleaner work at the bottom. Such
a vat is just as easy to build as a regular straight-sided
vat, and has been just as easy to maintain.
The remarks anent pump operation under the heading
of agitation, apply with equal force to the circulation
maintained in replacement, except that in this case, the
pumps are smaller and are operated at considerably less
speed. They are of the same type and make, with solu-
tion-protected glands, etc., and are driven individually
from motors by belt. While the motors are each of five
horse-power to provide extra power in case of emergency,
the actual indicated power delivered is considerably less
than four horse-power as a rule, for each one. As regards
relative position, the three replaeers are set in a row, the
top of the first being two feet higher than that of the
other two, which, as remarked, can be used in series, in
parallel, or separately, as occasion may require.
Filtering. Under this head is included the final thick-
mber 11. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
845
ruins;, as this is but a preliminary operation in preparing
tlie pulp to? the filter, removing at the same time a por-
tion of the incoming solution from the last replaeer. This
thickener, like the last of the regular series, discharges
by static head. It serves for storage and as a means of
obtaining a steady feed to the Oliver filter, on which the
final solution-wash and the only wash-water is applied.
The effluent solution from these washes, low in gold and
cyanide, is raised by a centrifugal pump to a separate
storage at the head of the mill for use in the washing-
plant. The amount of water-wash here applied is regu-
lated by the amount that the entire solution-circuit will
stand without running solution to waste. As this is quite
limited, it is essential to apply the water-wash in the most
efficient manner, to obtain the maximum of washing with
the minimum amount of water.
Since lime is used, it is necessary to give the filter an
acid wash at times. This is done by emptying the tank
of the filter and then running on dilute hydrochloric acid
through the spray-pipes with the vacuum maintained,
whereby the acid is drawn through the filter and re-
turned to the tank above the filter, where the required
strength of acid is maintained by further additions. This
practice has eliminated much of the scrubbing, has kept
the pipes clear of lime incrustations, and has saved much
of the wear on the filter.
The use of this filter, which is of the latest type and an
unusally large single unit, is apparently justified by the
resultant saving in dissolved metal otherwise unobtain-
able as the plant stood, as well as by the increased treat-
ment made possible in the preceding units. Its operation
has been considerably hindered by shortage of power,
but it is hoped that data based on more extended and
steady operation may soon be available.
Precipitation. The pregnant solution from the pri-
mary thickening is divided as equally as possible among
•the 12 lines of compartments, the head ones being filled
with excelsior and the others with zinc-shaving. It has
been found that by the use of excelsior in this way, a
final clarification is obtained, and if there is any tendency
for lime-salts to precipitate, they deposit on the filaments
■of the excelsior instead of on the zinc. Several times
each month the excelsior is shaken up and washed thor-
oughly, the compartments containing it washed out, and
the excelsior replaced.
Lead acetate to the extent of a few pounds per day is
added to the zinc-boxes to ensure good work. Formerly
this was added entirely in the first compartments con-
taining zinc, but now it is added all down the line, a little
to each compartment. This has resulted in a decided
improvement in the precipitation. It may be remarked
here that there is no addition of lead-salts at any other
point in the treatment, except that the used cupels from
the assay-office are fed in the tube-mills from time to time.
There seems to be practically no formation of soluble
sulphides at any stage of the treatment.
The zinc is prepared in the usual way by cutting from
sheets on a lathe, but it is not added daily, nor are the
compartments, once' packed after a clean-up, disturbed
until the next, unless there should be some special reason
for it. The zinc filaments, cut one eight-hundredths of
an inch in thickness, drop into a box one by two feet, and
one foot deep, until it is filled; they are then pressed
down into a pad about two inches thick, and removed and
stored until needed. When used, these pads of filament
are laid in the boxes in pairs, alternately lengthwise and
crosswise, until the compartment is filled.
Normally, something over 400 tons of solution under-
goes precipitation in 24 hours. The effective space of the
compartments containing zinc is about 430 cubic feet,
which gives practically one ton of flow per cubic foot
per 24 hours, as established by Alfred James. The grade
at the head is usually between $3 and $4 per ton and
often more, while that at the foot is reduced to a few
cents. The actual value precipitated per day is quite
accurately determined by means of the method of solu-
tion measurement previously described, in conjunction
with the daily assays of head and foot solution. The
method mentioned was developed at the Tom Reed mill
by Mr. Jones, superintendent.
Clean-up. These are made bi-monthly on the first and
fifteenth. The procedure is as follows: The solution is
shut-off from a line of compartments and an iron box, two
by four feet, and one foot deep is placed crosswise of the
line and is half-filled with clear solution. Two wooden
trays, each 22 by 20 in., and 9 in. deep, with a 20-mesh
steel screen on the bottom, are suspended in this box.
The zinc in the first compartment is first shaken thor-
oughly in the solution filling the compartment and then
transferred to the trays for final washing. The trays are
given a jigging motion, which separates the precipitate
and 'shorts' from the longer zinc. These accumulate in
the box, below the trays. The contents of the compart-
ment are washed out through a plug in the side into a
launder leading to the refining-room, the compartment
being then thoroughly washed with fresh solution and
the supporting screen replaced. The coarse zinc remain-
ing in the trays is then replaced, and the second compart-
ment handled similarly, except that the zinc remaining
in the trays from this one is added to that in the first
compartment until it is filled. Any left-over is placed
on the screen of the second. In the following compart-
ments, the zinc is washed in the compartment and moved
up. Each compartment when empty of zinc is discharged
into the launder and washed thoroughly before replacing
the supporting screen and introducing the zinc. After
all the old zinc has been moved forward, the space re-
maining is filled with pads of new zinc, placed as noted.
This procedure was adopted after trying many other
methods, and has resulted in the production of a mini-
mum of 'shorts' and a great saving of time and labor.
All the material carried by launder to the refinery
passes onto a 30-mesh steel screen. Any too coarse to
pass is added to that remaining in the iron box mention-
ed, after the latter has been washed by decantation into
the launder. This accumulation of 'shorts' is placed in
successive charges in a barrel for cleaning. This barrel,
made on the ground from a 60-gal. oil-drum, is lined with
846
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 11, 1920
steel plate and has a man-hole and cover, and on the ends
it has flanges into which are screwed 2-in. pipes serving
as trunnion-bearings. By means of a small pipe the solu-
tion is introduced through one of these trunnions in a
steady stream during grinding, and flows out through the
same trunnion, the other trunnion being closed. Grind-
ing is carried to the point where this solution comes off
practically clear, when the remaining zinc is returned to
the upper compartments. "With the product so treated at
the principal clean-up in the first of the month, a charge
of about 75 lb. of small flint pebbles is carried in the
barrel, in order to get as close a clean-up as possible. At
the mid-monthly clean-up, this pebble charge is omitted.
It seldom happens that there is sufficient accumulation of
'shorts' to require acid treatment to get rid of it, because
the boxes will take a considerable amount of the cleaned
short zinc without becoming clogged.
Refining. From the accumulating tank, the product
is drawn by a rotary pump into a 20-frame clean-up
press, the pump moving the clear solution back to the
head of one line of zinc-boxes. That first drawn off from
the top of the tank is practically free from zinc, but is
low-grade. After being dried as nearly as possible by
means of compressed air, this is discharged and placed in
pans and dried in an oven to a point short of dusting ; it
is then pulverized and held for mixing with the higher-
grade product to follow. This product is handled in
much the same way, except that it is heated to redness in
the oven. After cooling, it is carefully pulverized to
minimize dusting and thoroughly mixed with the some-
what damp low-grade product. After putting through a
£-in. screen this mixture is weighed, mixed with flux, and
melted in successive charges in two Case oil-burning fur-
naces, in No. 125 graphite pots. When fusion is com-
plete, each charge is poured by tipping the furnace, the
first 80% discharging into a pit filled with water and
containing a suspended wire basket, and the remaining
20% into a conical mold. The granulated slag from the
pit is collected, dried, crushed, and ground, and later
concentrated on a small table for removal of fine gold and
matte, then sealed in 5-gal. oil-cans and held for subse-
quent shipment to a smelter. When sufficiently cool to
handle, the cones from the molds are dumped, the button
of metal, and any matte there may be, is removed, and the
remaining slag crushed and .added (while still hot, if
possible) to the succeeding charges. The metal is held
until the run is finished and then re-melted into bars of
about 200 oz. Troy. It assays ordinarily about 600 fine
in gold and 250 in silver.
When sufficient matte has accumulated to make a
charge, it is reduced in one of the Case furnaces, using
for this purpose a crucible nearing the end of its service,
thin at the top, but still having a good bottom. The
charge is made up of finely divided matte, assay-slag, and
flux, well mixed, and is brought to a high degree of heat ;
then scrap-iron is stirred in until no more will be ab-
sorbed. The heat is raised as high as possible and the
charge poured into a conical mold. After cooling, the
matte, greatly reduced in value, is broken off, crushed,
and packed separately for shipment while the resultant
bullion is melted into bars for separate shipment. This
bullion usually assays about 250 fine in gold and 450 in
silver and contains considerable lead, the proportion de-
pending, of course, on the quantity and character of the
assay-slag used. By weight this low-grade bullion is
about 15% of that of the regular bullion. All the bullion
goes by mail to the Mint at San Francisco, unless there
is a demand for it at a premium in the local market.
Preparation op Lime. Burned lime is furnished from
local sources at about $20 per metric ton delivered at the
head of the tram. Owing to climatic conditions, it is not
practicable to burn and handle lime except in the dry
season, so a supply adequate for the year is received dur-
ing these months, transferred over the tramway to the
mill in sacks, slaked, and run into open pits as hydrated
lime. When a pit is filled the surface is covered with a
layer of sand, which maintains the lime in the form of a
thick paste until needed. When a pit is opened, the con-
tents are removed as required by cutting from the edge
of the bed, usually about four feet deep, so as to expose
as little surface as possible to the air. It is added to the
mixers in the form mentioned, and in them emulsifies
quickly and thoroughly, while any particles of unburned
lime or foreign matter are ground by the rollers of the
mixers, leaving no accumulation in the pans. The mixers,
built on the ground, consist essentially of steel pans, four
feet in diameter by two feet high, with a 2-in. discharge-
pipe set 10 in. above the bottom, and two rollers, each 6
by 10 in. on radiating arms from a central upright shaft,
driven from overhead by bevel-gearing. They take very
little power to operate and have proved satisfactory.
About ten pounds of lime per ton of ore is required to
maintain proper protective alkalinity, which tests at
about 0.28 in the zinc-boxes.
Sampling. As previously noted, no sampling is done
on the ore as it enters the mill except to determine the
moisture. At the period when all the ore was stamped,
numerous trials were made on sampling the stream of ore
through the feeders, but the results were always so erratic
as to be of no value, and the method involved a great deal
of labor. Sampling the discharge from the mortars was
also tried, with a correction for the estimated amount of
value dissolved in stamping. The results from this, while
not so erratic as from the former method, were not close
enough to be dependable. With the introduction of wash-
ing with weak solution, the problem was further compli-
cated, so the present practice is to take frequent pulp
and solution samples at various points of the treatment,
measure the flow of the solution and estimate the incom-
ing value as closely as possible. The tipping automatic
sampler mentioned was soon discarded as being unre-
liable, and careful tailing-sampling by hand was substi-
tuted. Careful testing is done on ,each shift in the mill
for cyanide and protective alkali at various points.
The total consumption of cyanide (99.5% NaCN) in
the treatment is about one pound per ton of ore treated.
The major portion of the chemical loss appears to be in
the tube-milling.
December 11. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
M7
Moving Sacramento Hill
One of the most important milling projects in progress
in tlu' South-West today is the razing of Sacramento Hill
at Bisbee, by the Copper Queen branch of the Phelps
Dodge Corporation, to recover approximately 25,000,000
tons of low-grade copper ore that is under the mountain.
Within 20 years this sentinel of the Warren district will
have been entirely obliterated and the bulk of its contents
sent to the smelter or mill. About a billion pounds of
ewpper will have been recovered in the process.
Since work was started in 1917, more than 5,500,000
SACRAMENTO HILL, AT BISBEE, IN OCTOBER 1917
SAME VIEW AS ABOVE, PHOTOGRAPH IN OCTOBER 1920
848
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 11, 1920
cu. yd. of material has been moved. When the work is
finished there will be, in place of the hill, two pits, one
about 1500 ft. diam. and 420 ft. deep, and the other about
2200 by 1500 ft., and 440 ft. deep. These data were
obtained from exploration by churn-drilling.
The total amount of material to be removed is about
40,000,000 cu. yd., slightly less than one-third of which
by volume will be ore. It is estimated that it will take 16
years to fully complete the work. Seven steam-shovels
are employed in the operation, and are served by 15
'dinkey' locomotives, hauling trains of four to six dump-
cars. Until the recent reduction in operations was put
into effect, the company was handling about 225,000 cu.
yd. per month. The hill is being reduced by means of
horizontal benches which are 60, 45, and 35 ft. in height;
About 16 miles of railroad track was laid to connect these
benches with the waste dumps and the concentrator.
The ore from the hill will be divided into three classes.
All above 3£% copper will be sent directly to the smelter;
ore averaging between 1% and 3i% will be sent to the
concentrator; and all ore below 1% copper will be treated
by the heap-leaching process. The concentrator and
crushing plant are now under construction. The ratio of
concentration will be about 4 : 1, and the concentrate will
average between 7 and 8% copper.
The razing of Sacramento hill necessitated demolishing
the former power plant of the Copper Queen, which was
situated at one side of the hill. The company has com-
pleted the construction of a power-line from the smelter
at Douglas to the mines at Bisbee, carrying 4000 kw. An
auxiliary plant of Diesel engines, two of 1000 hp. and
two of 2000 hp., have been installed for emergency use.
The work will necessitate also the abandonment of the
Sacramento shaft, the present main hoisting shaft for all
underground operations, and the substitution of the
Dallas shaft for this purpose.
The Quinct Mining Co. recently placpd in operation
its new Nordberg hoist at No. 2 shaft. It is the largest
hoist in the world. It has a winding capacity of 10,000
ft. of lf-in. rope reaching down an inclined shaft to a
vertical depth of 6600 ft. When winding the rope down
the second cone of the drum, it has a capacity of 13,300
ft. reaching to a vertical depth of 8600 ft. The hoist
operates in balance, raising a Toad of 20,000 lb. per trip,
and is designed for a rope-speed of 3200 ft. per minute.
The drum is of the clindo-conical type which is so fa.mil.
iar in the Lake Superior copper district. There are eight
impulses per revolution and together with the great mass
of the drum, which weighs 516,000 lb. without the shaft,
practically all pulsation in the rope is eliminated. The
drum is built up of 48 sections securely bolted together
and thoroughly trussed within. This arrangement pre-
vents any deflection of the drum-shaft. The hoist is fully
protected by an improved safety stop, whereby the throt-
tle-valve is automatically closed as the skip approaches
the landing. In case of overwinding, the engine is also
reversed and the brakes are applied automatically. The
hoist cannot be started in the wrong direction. Over-
speed is prevented by a speed governor which controls the
cut-off cams of the valve-gear. The total weight of the
engine with condensing equipment is 1,765,000 lb. The
engine covers a floor space of 60 by 54 ft. and stands
60 ft. high from the bottom of the foundation to the top
of the drum. The foundation under the hoist and con-
densing equipment contains 3000 yards of concrete. The
weight of the skip is 10,000 lb. The weight of the 10,000
ft. of rope is 41,500 lb. The time required for one trip
of 10,000 ft. is 4 min. 8 sec. The hoist is housed in a
concrete and steel reinforced structure.
Washing Coal
The benefits that may be derived from coal-washers
is illustrated by the following instances cited by the
U. S. Bureau of Mines. A coal-mining company in the
State of Washington for many years has been discharg-
ing sludge into a pile near the mine, which the company's
engineer recently estimated at 150,000 tons. Engineers
for the Bureau took large samples of this material and
made washing experiments on a coal-washing table. It
was found that the ash content could be reduced from
approximately 30 down to 17%, with a recovery of about
75% of the coal. As a result of these tests and the rec-
ommendations made by the engineers, the owners of the
mine are erecting a washing-plant equipped with five
tables for treating the entire pile of sludge. The ma-
terial in this pile now has a recoverable value of $2 per
ton, or a total value of $225,000. As a further example,
it was found in a study just concluded at the plant of
another coal company that the raw nut-coal contained
24% ash. After washing in a jig, the washed coal was
found to contain 23% ash, and 15%, of the feed was dis-
charged as a washery refuse. It was decided to study
the action of the jig, using the improved float-and-sink
test as a control. Float-and-sink tests, using 1.55 specific
gravity zinc-chloride solution, showed that 81% of the
feed to the jig floated with an ash content of 14% ; 82%
of the washed coal floated with an ash content of 14.9%;
and 62% of the refuse floated with an ash content of
16%. These results indicate that the washed coal was
improved by only 1% decrease in ash, and the good coal
lost in the refuse amountel to over 9% of the feed or 11%
of the total good coal in the feed. After several days
experimenting with the jig in which the length of stroke
was gradually increased from 2f in. up to 3| in. and the
rate of feed and refuse discharge properly determined
and adjusted, the following improvements were observed:
The ash in the washed coal was reduced to 16%, with a
recovery of 86%; 92% of the washed coal and 25% of
the refuse floated on a 1.55 solution, the loss of good coal
in the refuse being reduced from 9.3% to 3.5% of the
feed. Since approximately 250 tons per day is washed on
this jig, the saving effected amounts to about 17 tons per
day, which, at $4 per ton, is worth $68. Services of two
men formerly employed to pick the rock out of the
washed coal were also dispensed with, thereby affecting
a further saving of $13.60 per day, or at the rate of 6
cents per ton of coal treated.
mber 11. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
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ARIZONA
EXPLOSIVES PLANT UNDER CONSTRUCTION. NEW VEIN
FOUND AT PIONEER.
Bisbee. — A large plant for the manufacture of dyna-
mite is being constructed in the San Pedro valley, about
seven miles south of Benson, and will be ready for oper-
ation early next summer at the present rate of progress.
The organization that is back of the project is known as
the Apache Powder Co., and is reported to include many
of the mining companies of the State. Practically all
Phoenix. — Vigorous efforts will be made by members
of Congress from Arizona to secure the enactment of a
measure exempting patented mining claims from assess-
ment work during the year 1921. It is asserted that
many owners of mining claims, under present conditions,
find it impossible to secure the necessary funds for assess-
ment work, and that for that reason such action by
Congress would be justified.
Bay. — A new vein of rich silver ore, reported to aver-
age 100 oz. per ton at the surface, has been discovered on
JACKSON, AMADOR COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
of the powder manufactured will be used by mining com-
panies of Arizona. The plant will occupy a tract of 500
acres.
Hoisting through the Briggs shaft of the Calumet &
Arizona Mining Co. was discontinued on Sunday, Decem-
ber 5. Operations in the mine itself will be continued,
but only during the day shift, the ore being taken out
through the Junction shaft. This action was taken to
consolidate the work and reduce unnecessary expendi-
ture, and will not result in the laying-off of any men. A
few men will be transferred to the Junction mine. The
installation of a new Sturtevant blower, capable of han-
dling 100,000 cu. ft. of air per minute at 4-in. pressure,
has been completed on the 1400-ft. level of the Briggs
and it is in operation, being used partly in connection
with the new ventilation system of the Briggs, and partly
to supply more air to the Junction and other mines of
the C. & A. company.
the property of the White Metal Mining Co. at Pioneer.
The new vein parallels the famous Pioneer vein. It is to
be tapped as soon as possible by a tunnel, work on which
has been started from a point across the creek from the
company's new mill.
CALIFORNIA
DEVELOPMENT AT ARROWHEAD RICO MINE.
Ubehebe. — Statements made by Sol Camp, manager of
the Arrowhead Rico's mine, and also disinterested per-
sons, make it evident that the company has claims hold-
ing great possibilities and the fact that ore is being
broken for shipment through Bonnie Clare, Nevada, 50
miles distant, is attracting wide attention. The Rico
owns nine claims that were bought from Archie Farring-
ton of Big Pine. A drift tunnel entered the ore-shoot
at the 50-ft. point and it has been continued 25 ft. more
in ore 7 ft. wide and assaying $86 to $100 for this width.
850
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 11, 1920
The average metallic content is 45% lead and 40 oz.
silver. Two men in the tunnel, without stoping, have
broken 80 tons of ore and there is no indication that the
end of the shoot is near. This tunnel is now 80 ft. from
the surface and another, which should cut the vein at a
depth of 300 ft., has been driven 170 of a total of 500 ft.
to the vein. An air-compressor has been bought for use
in this work. The orebody is a replacement of soft
readily soluble lime that is considered ideal for the ex-
istence of silver and lead. The lead is in both sulphide
and carbonate form and the silver is found with both,
the galena in places containing as high as 100 oz. Two
men shovel four tons daily and the 80 tons has been
broken with 50 lb. of powder. Fifty tons has been sacked
and at the present rate of hauling three carloads can be
sent to Salt Lake City monthly. It is planned to con-
tinue shipping at this rate at least until the lower tunnel
can be completed. The cost of hauling to Bonnie Clare
is $15 per ton and the railroad rate will be about $12.
The company has 'ample funds for all purposes, accord-
ing to Mr. Camp, having been financed in the East. He
says the first payment on the purchase price has been
made and he is confident the money for the other pay-
ments can be derived from shipments.
COLORADO .
RICH ORE FOUND AT ASPEN. MODOC CONSOLIDATED HAS
NEW HOIST.
Aspen. — Confirmation of the reported find in the Park
tunnel on the Celeste claim has been secured from
officials. The tunnel on November 28 exposed ore in the
breast assaying 11 oz. silver and, two days later, samples
taken across a 36-in. streak assayed 442 oz., 419 oz., and
51 oz. An average for the entire vein gave 150 oz. silver
per ton. The vein lies in brown lime, east of the por-
phyry and 200 ft. deeper than the old Tourtelotte park
workings and at a point 2900 ft. from the tunnel portal,
in virgin territory.
Cripple Creek. — The Reva Gold Mining Co., operat-
ing the Rose Nicol company's Battle Mountain property
under a long-time lease, recently extended for a 2J-year
term, has found rich gold-silver ore at the tenth or
1000-ft. level. The Roosevelt tunnel traverses the Rose
Nicol from west to east at an approximate depth of 2000
ft., and the Reva management plans to operate from the
tunnel-level. The working force, at present about 12
men, will be increased by adding a second shift.
United Gold Mines company lessees, operating the
Hardwood, are accredited with producing close to $150,-
000 in the past 90 days. Settlement on the last three 30-
ton ears, was as follows: $175, $170, and $150 per ton,
while the average net mill-return has been around $5000
per ear. This ore has been mined from a shaft 40 ft.
deep with winze 21 ft. The orebody is 5 ft. between walls
and not more than a couple of wagon-loads of waste has
been dumped. The ore has been hoisted by windlass.
The most powerful electric hoist in this district is being
installed at the No. 2 or Last Dollar shaft of the Modoc
Consolidated Mines Co. It was manufactured by a Cleve-
land firm and has a hoisting capacity for 2500 ft. The
estimated cost installed exceeds $35,000.
The former plant at the Gold Coin shaft, believed the
most costly in this district, constructed at a cost of $260,-
000, is now being dismantled and the building, a steel
and pressed-brick structure in the city of Victor, will be
wrecked. The hoist and compressor have been sold, it
is understood, to the Portland company. The Granite
Gold Mining Co. has centralized operations at the Dillon
shaft, on Battle mountain. Directors of the Golden
Cycle Mining & Reduction Co. have declared a two-cent
dividend, $30,000, payable December 10 to stock of rec-
ord November 30. With this payment the total paid will
be $9,513,330. Cresson directors met and passed the
December dividend.
Zinc ore assaying from 30 to 45% has been found and
is now under development at the Riley-Murray lease on
the Lilian, in Iowa gulch. Ore-bins have been erected
and shipments to the Canon City plant started. A raise
carried 40 ft. is reported to be in ore all the way. Key-
stone lessees, operating in the Sugar Loaf district, are
shipping steadily to the smelter a good grade of gold-
silver-lead ore.
Silverton. — A rich find is reported at the "White Cloud
mine, above Ironton. Five feet of ore exposed, with no
foot-wall in sight, samples $75 to $108 per ton with bor-
nite showing in the ore. Development is expected to open
a strong and rich ore-shoot.
Breckenridge. — Lessees on the Brooks-Snider, Shock
hill, are shipping gold and silver ore to the A. V. smelter
at Leadville. One-half ton of high-grade gold ore was
shipped last week and a carload of 70-oz. ore was shipped
by another set of lessees.
Horn Tunnel lessees shipped a car of silver ore to the
A. V. smelter last week. The tunnel is located on a spur
of Mount Guyet, near Georgia Pass. The majority of
the dredging boats have suspended operations for the
winter, but the boats on the Blue river below Dillon will
continue.
Central City. — Pitchblende, the uranium ore, is re-
ported found on the Gold Rock in the Russel district
Sinking will shortly be started for a 125-ft. lift on the
Hampton mine. Operations will be continued during
winter by the Rich Charter Oak company on the Jack
Rabbit group in the Twelve Mile district, Gilpin county.
The Buell property is shortly to become active under a
bond and lease negotiated by Denver parties.
Ouray. — The Hidden Treasure Mining Co. recently
organized in Washington, headed by Benedict Crowell,
has acquired machinery and equipment formerly used by
the Silver Mountain Mining Co., and is installing it. The
property was purchased from Mrs. Evelyn Walsh who
acquired it from the estate of her father, the late Thomas
F. Walsh. The consideration paid has not been made
public.
Telluride. — A good grade of gold-silver-lead concen-
trate is turned out at the Matterhom mill of the Valley
View Leasing & Mining Co., and a two-car shipment to
the Durango smelter was loaded this week.
December 11, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
851
i u ks un COPPER IM'i 8TRT.
MINI' REMOVED PROM OSCEOLA LEVELS.
Houghton.— Bradley Stoughton, of New York,
tmrj of the A. 1. M. & M. E., stated in an interview here
that lio was nut ;is pessimistic over ilu pper situation
as many men seem to be. "There is a good deal <>t' cop-
per in storage, it is true, but I hear of any number of big
| electrical projects now getting under way or planned for
the immediate future which will require huge amounts
■of copper", said Mr. Stoughton. "The exchange rate is
against us and Europe cannot buy our copper now, but I
see many factors entering into the situation which point to
better times ahead." Mr. Stoughton stated that Sweden
is considering the electrification of its railroads and now
has a representative in this country looking into the
project. He believes that Sweden will soon be in the
market for a large amount of copper. Instead of export-
ing money, Mr. Stoughton believes that the Government
should establish or encourage large loans in this country
to be spent here in behalf of foreign countries for raw
materials and manufactured products. This would elim-
inate the inequality of exchange which is now a detri-
ment and a brake to industry. "The trouble with the
United States today is that we have too much money,"
Mr. Stoughton said. "We are too rich and the other
nations so poor that they cannot buy our surplus pro-
duction."
The Quincy Mining company has announced a reduc-
tion of 15% in all wages and salaries at the mines, mill,
■and smelter, effective December 1. It is stated, however,
that there will be no further curtailment of the present
small operating force.
Wolverine's production is gradually increasing, with
the yield 17 lb. per ton. Accordingly, another head will
go into commission in the Wolverine mill in two weeks.
Repairs in No. 4 shaft are' practically complete and the
resumption of hoisting there will permit a greater ' rock '
■output from the mine than at any time in recent years.
With operations on the Osceola lode of Calumet &
Hecla at a standstill, all efforts are being directed toward
the conglomerate. From appearances, it will be a long
time before the Osceola shafts are re-opened. The tram-
cars, motors, pumps, drills, and even piping below the
24th level of at least one of the shafts are being taken out.
•On a low market, with the comparatively low yield of
Osceola lode 'rock', the operation of this department is
■expensive. A recovery of 16 or 17 lb. of copper is final
and there is no hope of re-treatment of tailing as has
proved so profitable on conglomerate 'rock'. The con-
•struction of the underground haulage-way in the con-
glomerate branch will not be delayed, though this project
for some months has been moving along slowly. The tun-
nel in itself is small, permitting the employment of only
a small force at a time and, as it extends, time must be
given to line the walls and roof with cement. The tracks
are laid quite close to the terminal and in one or two
places cross-cuts have been driven through the amyg-
daloid vein which the tunnel is penetrating and the Calu-
met conglomerate lode. At No. 12 shaft, raising is going
forward and the connection will have 1 n made long be-
fore the tonne! is driven to the ultimate terminal. The
haulage-way will connect all of the conglomerate shafts
and will permit deep mining at a minimum cost. All
'rock' will be hoisted, upon completion of the tunnel,
through the Red Jacket shaft. Construction at the Tarn-
arack reclamation plant is proceeding and steel work will
lie started early in the spring, according to present plans.
The steel is now being shaped and all preliminaries are
receiving attention so there will be no delay once actual
construction and installation of equipment gets under
way. Ahmeek's daily 'rock' tonnage is sufficient to keep
five of the eight stamps in the Ahmeek mill in operation.
Under the curtailment plan, Ahmeek is settling with as
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SOUTH-WESTERN COLORADO
many men without dependents as possible and on the
other hand is absorbing a number of married men from
other Calumet & Hecla mines. As a result there will be
no reduction in the production of the mine. The output,
it is expected, will be kept within present figures and not
less than five heads in the mill will be operated.
NEVADA
FLORENCE STOPS WORK ON COMPANY ACCOUNT. ALLIED
MINING & MILLING CO. HAS COMPLETED 50-TON MILL.
Goldpield. — The Florence has stopped work on com-
pany account. The only work being done was in the
south-east cross-cut on the 258-ft. level, which had reach-
ed a point 1350 ft. from the shaft. This is 300 to 400 ft.
from the objective, a vein that may be the southern ex-
tension of the main ore-channel of the district. The leas-
ing policy of the company will be continued. F. Sommer
Schmidt, general manager, says: "The controlling inter-
ests in general are willing to raise money to continue the
plan of development until it has been brought to a point
where it will be either a success or a failure, but all of
the interests are not in a position to help support the
work at this particular time, and the result is, some other
852
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 11, 1920
financial arrangement will have to be made. ' ' The Con-
solidated will resume the leasing policy next year.
Montezuma. — The Montezuma Silver Mines Corpora-
tion has stopped work because of adverse financial condi-
tions, according to Edwin S. Giles, manager. Three men
were employed in re-timbering the Caracas shaft.
Silver Peak. — The plant of the Silver Peak Chemical
Co., designed to produce 25 tons of potash alum and an
equal quantity of flour of sulphur daily, has been started.
It cost $200,000. The company plans to employ 40 men
in the mine and mill. It is reported to have contracts
for the output for 18 months. Potash alum is used
largely in the motion-picture industry for drying film
and in the manufacture of dye and paper. The main use
for flour of sulphur is in mixtures for spraying fruit
trees.
Railroad Springs. — The Allied Mining & Milling Co.
has completed a 50-ton concentrator and tests have given
a product containing 50% lead and 10 to 20 oz. silver,
according to David Trepp, manager. The Allied is in
the Railroad Springs district, 33 miles south of Gold-
field, the supply point. The plant consists of a crusher,
coarse and fine grinders, and a Universal table. "Water
for the mill is pumped 2000 ft. in an exposed pipe and
freezing prevents continuous operation during the win-
ter. A classifier and another table will be added in the
spring, according to Mr. Trepp, who says he will employ
15 or 20 miners as soon as the concentrator can be oper-
ated at capacity. There is 10,000 to 12,000 tons of ore
blocked-out in the mine that should be treated at a fair
profit.
Klondtke. — A body of silver-lead ore 70 ft. long, 10
ft. wide, and assaying $30 is reported to have been open-
ed at a depth of 60 ft. by the Knox Divide, which recently
bought the MacNamara mine for a price said to have been
$40,000. Men who have talked with officials at the mine
say the company is preparing to ship 100 tons of ore
daily to Millers through Klondyke station on the Tono-
pah & Goldfield railroad, to which a road is to be built.
These men say a compressor has been bought for use in
sinking a new shaft and that the company plans develop-
ment on a good scale. The ore contains equal quantities
of gold and silver. Edwards and Maloney, who have a
lease on the Original Klondyke, have been shipping for
several months and the present rate is 30 tons daily. It
is reported that they have pending a deal for the sale of
their lease and the mine.
Spruce Mountain. — The Spruce Monarch has shipped
in the last year 7464 tons of ore with a content of 21.95
oz. silver and 17.7% lead per ton, according to A. H.
Elftman, a consulting engineer of Tonopah who visited
the mine recently. The gross value of the ore was $250,-
000 and the net value was $112,000. There is blocked
out in the mine 20,000 tons of ore assaying 20 oz. silver
and 17% lead and 30,000 to 40,000 tons assaying 10 to
15% lead, according to Mr. Elftman. Shipments are
being made to Salt Lake. City at a rate of 30 to 50 tons
daily. The Ada H. is preparing to start shipping.
UTAH
UTAH COPPER COMPANY APPEALS DECISION IN SUIT WITH
POWER COMPANY.
Salt Lake City. — Judge Joshua Greenwood, president
of the State Public Utilities Commission of Utah, will
attend the hearing at Washington, D. C, December 13,
when the railroads of this State will make their final ap-
peal before the Interstate Commerce Commission for per-
mission to increase freight rates on coal and low-grade
ores, which the Public Utilities Commission refused to
grant. The case was partly heard at Salt Lake City dur-
ing the early part of November, and the remainder of the
hearing will consist of oral arguments.
The U. S. Bureau of Mines at the University of Utah
has been designated as the 'Intermountain Experiment
Station' by the Department of the Interior, according to
Thomas Varley, superintendent of the local bureau. The
bureau will have under its jurisdiction Montana, "Wy-
oming, Colorado, Utah, and parts of Nevada and New
Mexico. The work at the local station is principally in
connection with the metallurgy and ore-dressing of lead,
copper, silver, and zinc.
At a meeting of the directors of the Utah Copper Co.
in New York on December 3, the regular quarterly divi-
dend of $1.50 per share was declared, payable December
31. This will call for the payment of $2,436,735, and
bring the year's disbursements up to $9,746,940. On
December 2 the company appealed to the Supreme Court
of Utah for a review of the power contract decision made
in October by the Public Utilities Commission, as a re-
sult of which the company was placed on a schedule rat-
ing for power service. This almost doubled the amount
previously paid by the company to the Utah Power &
Light Co. The writ has been set for hearing December 16,
and other large consumers, holding special contracts, are
expected to file similar petitions. It is thought that the
Supreme Court will amalgamate all such hearings and set
a later date for the hearing of arguments.
Gold Hill. — Tke "Western Utah Copper Co. is now
shipping 200 tons of low-grade lead-silver-iron ore per
day, according to S. M. Soupcoff, engineer for the com-
pany. A drift is being driven to the south-west on the
700-ft. level, which is expected to open additional ore in
that part of the company's holdings. A cross-cut being
driven on one of the upper levels is expected to reach the
ore soon, and shipments will then be started from that
point.
Park City. — The new office building of the Judge Min-
ing & Smelting Co., and the new bunk-house, are nearing
completion and will be ready for occupancy by Christ-
mas. The bunk-house is equipped with change-rooms and
shower-baths. Conditions at the allied properties — which
includes the Judge, the Daly- West, the Park Utah, and
the Daly — are reported as satisfactory. For the first
time in years there is a surplus of labor. More than
thirty lessees are working in the mines under the super-
vision of W. J. Wallace, formerly in charge of opera-
tions at the company's smelter.
December 11, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
S53
During the week ending November 27, the Judge com-
panies shipped 829 tons of ore and 50 tons of premium
spelter; Silver King Coalition, 453; Ontario, 580; Key-
stone, 365; Naildriver, 60; making a total of 2137 tons.
During the month of November the total output of all
mines in this district was 7694 tons.
Clarence Bamberger, assistant manager for the On-
tario Silver Mining Co., reports that the property is hav-
ing trouble with water. On the 2000-ft. level, while de-
velopment work is gratifying and ore is being uncovered,
progress is handicapped by a constantly increasing flow
of water. A short time ago additional pumps were in-
stalled to handle the water from this level, but the
capacity of the pumps is practically exhausted and larger
pumps are now being contracted for that will solve the
water problem.
Eureka. — Development work has been resumed on the
1800 and the 2000-ft. levels of the Eagle & Blue Bell
property, according to William Owen, superintendent.
This work was stopped several months ago, owing to labor
now has a depth of 110 ft., and with the new equipment,
a depth of 1200 to 1500 ft. can be attained.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
ORE-RECEIPTS AT TRAIL. NEWS PROM GOLDEN.
Vancouver. — Through the Department of Industries,
the Provincial government has granted a loan at 6% in-
terest to finance the amalgamation of the Port Moody
Rolling Mills and two small electric iron-fumaces, that
at present are re-melting scrap metal. The amount of
the loan is $250,000 and the amalgamation is to be known
as the B. C. Steel Works, Ltd.
Stewart. — Scott Benson, who is interested in the Ton-
kin group, on Pish creek, states that in an interview with
R. J. Summers, Surveyor General and Acting Governor
of Alaska, Mr. Summers stated that the territorial gov-
ernment had decided to appropriate $15,000 for the con-
struction of a branch road from Pish creek, following the
present trail to the Lucky Boy group, and thence to tke
DOME MILL, AT PORCUPINE, ONTARIO
shortage, but there is now an ample supply of good
miners. Within a few months it is expected that these
levels — the lowest in the mine — will be producing. The
ore recently struck on the 1350 and 1550-ft. levels at the
Victoria mine, owned by the same interests, is being
developed. This gives four levels in the Victoria from
which ore is being extracted, the other two being the 1000
and the 1200-f t. levels.
The Centennial-Eureka company has let a contract for
driving a drift on the 1800-ft. level. This drift will be
sent entirely through the Grand Central holdings for the
purpose of reaching some of the Centennial Eureka's
ground which is too far from the old workings to permit
of profitable working. Two shifts will be employed in
driving the drift.
Preparations are being made to re-open the deepest
workings in the Bullion-Beck mine. Some 12 or 14 years
ago considerable work was done on the 1300-ft. level,
which is the deepest point reached by the shaft, and also
on the 1500-ft. level which is reached by a winze from the
1300. John Enlund, superintendent, reports that recent
developments lead him to believe that there is ore at this
depth. There is some water in these deep workings,
which the company is arranging to pump out.
At the Lehi Tintic property the small hoist, utilized
in sinking the shaft, has been replaced by heavier
equipment, and sinking has been resumed. The shaft
Tonkin group, which is its objective. Work is to be con-
tinued at the Lucky Boy group during the winter.
Trail. — During the week ended November 21, 10,664
tons of ore and concentrate was received at the smelter.
The Consolidated M. & S. Co. mines provided 9733 tons,
and the other shippers were : Bluebell, Riondel, 179 tons ;
Bunyan, Lake Windermere, 39 ; Canada Copper Corpora-
tion, Allenby, 107 ; Emerald, Salmo, 33 ; Helldiver, Lake
Windermere, 36 ; Horn Silver, Similkameen, 93 ; Josie,
Rossland, 164; Club Hill, Republic, 54; North Star, Kim-
berley, 150; Providence, Greenwood, 40; Ptarmagan,
Athalmer, 4; Rambler-Cariboo, Rambler, 42; Velvet,
Rossland, 23 ; and Whitewater, Retallack, 30. During
the week the first consignment of concentrate was re-
ceived from the Canada Copper. Corporation; Helldiver
and Bunyan appeared on the list for the first time. The
Bunyan consignment was in the nature of a trial ship-
ment ; there is a large quantity of this grade of ore at the
mine, and it is said to be questionable whether direct
shipment can be made profitably, or whether it will be
necessary to concentrate in order to work the mine. The
tunnel at the Morning Star mine, near Nelson, has cut
the main vein, which is 10 ft. wide and well mineralized
with pyrite and chalcopyrite and carries a little gold and
silver. The vein has been traced for 500 ft. on the sur-
face.
Alice Arm. — The Moose Group Mining Co., Ltd., Van-
854
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 11, 1920
eouver, has done much work in the opening up of its
properties and in the construction of a permanent camp.
During the summer a trail has been constructed, winter
quarters built, and exploration and development pushed
forward, the latter being by means of open-cuts and tun-
nels. There are two veins so far proved, one intersecting
the other. The main vein has a width of 20 ft. The
upper tunnel is in 40 ft. with the face in ore averaging
about 25 oz. silver per ton. By extending the tunnel 80
ft. farther the two veins will be opened at the point of
intersection. On November 1 the lower tunnel was in
21 ft. and the vein now is being cross-cut, with a show-
ing of from 8 to 10 ft. on ore on the downward extension
of the orebody. The veins occur in the so-called andesite
breccia characteristic of the upper Kitsault section of
Alice Arm. Gray copper ore is found with high silver
content, a little galena, and a considerable amount of
manganese.
Moyie. — The Society Girl mine is among the shipping
mines of the Interior. Lessees have uncovered some very
rich ore and intend to continue work all winter. After
working a little over three months they have taken out
$3000 worth of ore. The news of this development has
been received with enthusiasm by people of the district,
who have of late been more or less gloomy owing to the
common report that the mines of Moyie have 'plajred out'
never again to figure as producers.
Golden. — Much is expected of the Bunyan silver-lead
property situated on Bunyan mountain, near Lake "Win-
dermere. A crew of from 100 to 150 men is to be em-
ployed as soon as weather conditions permit next spring.
This property recently was taken over from the owners
on lease and bond, after having remained dormant for 19
years. The showings having satisfied the new operators,
a 600-ft. tram was installed, connecting the working tun-
nel and the new ore-bins. Motor-trucks have been im-
ported to transport the ore from the bins to the nearest
rail point and an early shipment is to be made to the
Trail smelter. Mining continues active in the Winder-
mere district. Australian interests have opened the Isaac
mine at Briscoe and the same people have re-opened the
Nip-and-Tuck. From the latter a considerable tonnage
of high-grade ore has been packed down for shipment.
It is expected to return about $150 per ton. The Para-
dise mine still is producing. Jt is the most consistent
producer of the district.
ONTARIO
employee's sick benefit fund at cobalt
Cobalt. — Co-operation between the mining companies
operating-in the Cobalt silver area with the members of
the Workmen's Central Council has resulted in a scheme
to establish an Employees' Sick Benefit Fund. A char-
ter has been applied for and the Fund will be placed in
operation as quickly as possible. Workmen are to pay
75e. monthly, this amount being deducted from their
pay. Companies are to pay an amount equal to the total
contributed by the employees. The benefits consist of
$2.75 daily for not more than 13 weeks, with half that
amount for a second period of not more than 13 weeks.
Upon death, the dependents shall be paid $250. Com-
plete returns of a vote of the workmen show a majority
of 84% in favor of the scheme.
Operations are to be resumed within a few days on the
Beaver Consolidated. Repairs to the mill are almost
completed. The supply of hydro-electric power is still
below normal, and the outlook is uncertain. Without
rain or a general thaw before the arrival of winter, op-
erations as a whole may not exceed half capacity through-
out the winter in Cobalt. Rain and a few warm days
would quickly release large volumes of water lying in
the swamps and small streams. The zone of mineraliza-
tion at the 385-ft. level of the Chambers-Ferland mine is
broadening out as work proceeds. Officials declare the
find to be one of the most important in the company's his-
tory. Work is still confined to the slate formation, but
a winze is to be put down into the underlying conglom-
erate, which is believed to be the source of the silver min-
eralization found in the slate.
Porcupine. — Production at the Hollinger Consoli-
dated is being speeded up. To relieve the situation caused
by shortage of power several carloads of coal have been
received, which will be used to operate the air-compress-
ing plant. The staff is being steadily increased and a
larger tonnage of ore treated, some days reaching as high
as 1900 tons. The Dome Mines is also preparing to use
its auxiliary steam-plant.
The M:Intyre has done considerable drifting on the
new vein recently found on the 1375-ft. level with en-
couraging results, the gold content maintaining a good
average though unevenly distributed. One section, 60 ft.
long, gives high assays, the vein being much leaner in
other places. The vein will be known as No. 7. Drifting
is also being done on No. 5 vein at the 1375-ft. level, and
the 1500-ft. level is being opened showing gold content
that confirms the results of diamond-drill exploration.
The dividend of 5%, declared by the Mclntyre payable
January 1 brings the total returns to shareholders up to
$2,166,169, being 60% on the capitalization.
The Schumacher is planning to resume operations in
the early spring, providing the necessary funds by the
sale of 100,000 treasury shares. Development has been
carried to the depth of 700 ft. with considerable ore
blocked out and the property is equipped with a 200-ton
mill.
Kirkland Lake. — The Lake Shore during October
treated 1570 tons of ore with a production of $47,077, an
average of $29.98 per ton. This is a new high record.
Since the beginning of production in March 1918 the
Lake Shore has maintained an average of about $25 per
ton for a total output to the end of October of $1,098,-
808, which is the highest average recovery ever made by a
steadily producing Canadian gold mine.
Development work on the property of the Thackery
Gold Mines, which includes 250 acres in Lebel township,
has been discontinued owing to labor shortage. The re-
sults so far have been of an encouraging character and
more work is planned for the spring.
December 11. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
855
ARIZONA
\j<>. — The copper production of the New Cornelia Copper
Co. will be kept below 2,500,000 lb. per month until condi-
tions in the copper market improve. This is a reduction of
approximately 25% and is accompanied by a corresponding
reduction in the force. A find of rich sulphide ore in the
bottom of a 36-ft. shaft immediately south-east of Ajo, and
not far from the New Cornelia property, is reported. The
property in question was at one time known as the Ajo-
Cornelia. There are said to be several stringers of ore in
plant, are under consideration. On account of the recent
decrease in the demand for copper all construction work will
be deferred until a little later.
CALIFORNIA
Calaveras County. — At the Victor gravel mine, formerly
called the Rainier, situated near Angels Camp, the work of
unwatering is proceeding. The big tank-skips are kept run-
ning incessantly and the water in the shaft is lowering much
faster than was first anticipated. It is the opinion of the
management that it will take constant hoisting for at least
ELECTRIC HOISTS AT THE INSPIRATION MINE
the bottom of the shaft, specimens of which have assayed as
high as 45% copper.
Globe. — Curtailment of forces is taking place here as in
the other districts throughout Arizona. The Old Dominion
company has found it necessary to lay off approximately 200
men, as well as a number of shift-bosses, while the three
shifts still employed at the Inspiration Copper Co have been
reduced by a total of approximately 100 men. No material
reductions are reported in the forces at the mills and
smelters.
Superior. — A general program of improvement and ex-
pansion is planned by the Magma Copper Co. It is reported
on good authority that plans covering the widening of the
narrow-gauge railroad line, and the erection of a smelting
three weeks more to free the mine of the accumulated water.
Development of new territory from the recently deepened
shaft of the Morgan mine is proceeding with good results.
In the new levels the veins are said to be showing the same
high-grade quartz as in the upper workings, with all indi-
cations favoring persistence of the orebodies to greater
depth. The Morgan is one of the premier gold yielders of
California and is controlled by W. J. Loring of San Fran-
cisco.
Shasta County. — The Globe and Chloride-Bailey mines,
near Dedrick, have been sold to J. N. Kilner of New York
and Charles Farmer of Hayfork by the Bulkeley Wells inter-
ests. Wells retains ownership of the large cyanide plant
and plans to dismantle and ship it to his properties near
856
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 11, 1920
Gold Hill, Nevada. The Globe is equipped with a large mill
and for several years ranked among the foremost gold pro-
ducers of Trinity county. New orebodies were recently un-
covered in the lower tunnel and a considerable tonnage of
profitable ore is reported in sight. The new owners plan to
operate the two groups and will probably continue develop-
ment throughout the winter months.
IDAHO
Coeur d'Alene. — The International Mining & Metal Cor-
poration has put miners to work at the Inland property
where 600 ft. of development work has been done. The
lower working, a 300-ft. adit 250 ft. below the outcrop and
an 11-ft. winze, exposed an 8-ft. vein of zinc-lead-silver ore.
Assay of ore from the lowest workings gave 27% zinc, 24%
lead, and 9 oz. silver. The high-grade lead-silver went 60%
lead and 25 oz. in silver. Men have been put to work on
the Silverado mine, near Osborn. The company has a mill,
including flotation, and expects to commence production
soon. The vein has been drifted on, exposing a good ore-
body one to four feet wide.
The tunnel of the Pine Creek Mining & Milling Co. is in
250 ft. The tunnel is following the foot-wall, the vein in
the face of the tunnel being eight feet wide. The quartzite
is freely impregnated with galena and there is a small streak
of lead-silver ore carrying little zinc.
Leona. — After years of preparation and construction
water has been turned into the canal to supply the giants
of the Idaho Gold & Ruby Co.'s placer enterprise. No min-
ing enterprise in the north-west has elicited more favorable
and unfavorable opinions than Idaho Gold & Ruby. Those
who have confidence in the project, believe it will be the
producer of millions.
NEVADA
Arrowhead. — The Arrowhead company has erected a
3 6-ft. steel head-frame and a 2 5-hp. gasoline-engine for
continuing sinking of the shaft, which is now 325 ft. deep.
It will be continued to 350 ft., or 183 ft. below the 167-ft.
level, the deepest on which lateral work has been done.
When 3 50 ft. is reached drifts will be driven at this depth.
Divide. — The hanging-wall drift on the 800-ft. level of the
Tonopah Divide is in ore assaying $100 and more for the
width of the drift, according to an official statement. The
drift on the 1000-ft. level is in low-grade ore.
Manhattan. — The west orebody of the 300-ft. level of the
White Caps has been entered on the 500-ft. level. The ore
Is free-milling, as on the upper level, and the value is $20 to
$25 per ton. This orebody is distinct from that in the east-
ern part of the mine, which has a heavy sulphur and arsenic
content.
Virginia City. — The Gold Hill labor trouble has been set-
tled as a result of conferences between Governor Boyle,
Bulkeley Wells, president of th£ United Comstock, and the
Gold Hill miners' union. Miners are to receive $5.50 until
May 31, 1921, and $5 from then until November 30, 1921.
Top-men will be paid $5 and $4.25 in the same periods, as
will laborers in the mill, and after November 30, 1921, the
wage for them is to be $4. The Virginia City mine oper-
ators will pay this new Gold Hill scale when their present
agreement with the miners ends on January 1, 1921.
Regis Chauvenet, president emeritus of the Colorado
School of Mines, died at Denver on December 6, at the age
of 78. Born in Philadelphia, he graduated from Washing-
ton University, St. Louis, and obtained a post-graduate de-
gree at Harvard. He started his career as a chemist at St.
Louis; in 1883 he became professor of chemistry and presi-
dent of the Colorado School of Mines, retaining this appoint-
ment for nine years, during which time he contributed
largely toward the growth and improvement of the School.
jPERSONALl
The Editor invites members of the profession to send particulars of their
work and appointments. The information is interesting to our readers.
R. K. Neill has returned to Spokane from New York.
Dwight E. Woodbrldge, of Duluth, is at Portland, Oregon.
Charles Butters has returned from New York to Oakland.
Lloyd C. White has returned from a month spent at Kel-
logg, Idaho.
Solon Spiro, president of the Silver King Con. M. Co. of
Utah, is in New York.
George E. Hyde has been appointed vulcanologist to the
Mexican Geological Survey.
Oscar Lachmund has returned to Spokane from China,
after an absence of six months.
J. D. Shilling, general superintendent of the Utah Copper
mine at Bingham, is In Florida.
Walter E. Gaby has been appointed geologist for the
Santa Gertrudis company, at Pachuca, Mexico.
M. G. F. Sohnlein is visiting Western mining camps, on
his way to Chile after an extended trip to Europe.
N. J. Martin, mining engineer associated with the New
Idria Quicksilver Mining Co., was in Utah recently.
Stanly A. Easton, manager for the Bunker Hill & Sullivan
company, has returned to Kellogg from Washington.
A. J. Taylor, of the Dolly Varden Mining Co., Vancouver,
passed through San Francisco on his way to Los Angeles.
J. Parke Channing, vice-president of the Miami Copper
Co., has been elected president of the Seneca Copper Co. of
Michigan.
L. W. Kemp has been appointed general superintendent
of the reduction works of the Chile Copper Co., at Chu-
quicamata.
Glenn D. Cook, general manager, and F. M. Cook, treas-
urer for the Pershing County Mines Co., are in San Fran-
cisco from Oreana, Nevada.
C. W. Botsford has been spending two weeks at Magda-
lena, New Mexico, making geological examination of prop-
erties owned by S. S. Lang.
J. L. Oldright, superintendent of the leaching division of
the Chile Copper Co.'s plant at Chuquicamata, is visiting
metallurgical plants in Utah.
Robeson T. White, for several years general manager for
the Braden Copper Co. at Rancagua, Chile, is spending his
vacation in southern California.
J. M. Callow, president of the General Engineering Co.,
spent the month of November at his New York office, and
has now returned to Salt Lake City.
C. W. Whitley, vice-president of the A. S. & R. Co., is.
making a trip of inspection to the Western properties of the
company. He is now at Salt Lake City.
Hiram W. Clark, consulting engineer for the U. S. Bureau
of Mines at the University of Utah, has accepted the position
of deputy smoke inspector of Salt Lake City.
Mototaro Ogino, vice-president of the Furukawa interests
in Japan, sailed from San Francisco on December 3 for
Yokohama. He spent four months in Europe, Canada, and
the United States.
T. H. Jenks is at Denver, having completed the work he
has been engaged upon in Colorado all summer. Before re-
turning to Los Angeles he will examine properties in New
Mexico and Arizona.
Huston Thompson, of Denver, became chairman of the
Federal Trade Commission on December 1 for a term of one
year. Mr. Thompson, who was vice-chairman during the
past year, succeeds to the chairmanship under the rule of the
Commission that provides for rotation in the office of chair-
man among the several commissioners.
Dwember 11, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
857
the metal, Market
ill
METAL PRICES
San Francisco, December 7
Aluminum-dust, cents per pound . . .
Antimony, cents per pound
Copper, electrolytic, cents per pound
Lead, pig, cents per pound
Platinum, pure, per ounce
Platinum. 10% Iridium, per ounce. . .
Quicksilver, per flask of 75 lb
Spelter, cents per pound
66
14
5.25 — 6.26
$85
$125
¥55
8
Zinc is quoted as spelter, standard Western brands. New York delivery,
in cents per pound.
Date
Nov.
Dec.
Zinc-dust, cents per pound 12.50 — 15.00
EASTERN METAL MARKET
(By wire from New York)
December 6. — Copper is quiet and steadier. Lead is inactive and lower.
Zinc is quiet and stronger.
SILVER
Below are given official or ticker quotations for silver in the open market
as distinguished from the fixed price obtainable for metal produced, smelted.
and refined exclusively within the United States. Under the terms of the
Pittman Act such silver will be purchased by the United States Mint at SI
per ounce subject to certain small charges which vary slightly but amount
to approximately three-eights of one cent. The equivalent of dollar silver
(1000 fine) in British currency is 46.65 pence per ounce (925 fine), calcu-
lated at the normal rate of exchange.
Averaee week ending
Pence
52.31
52.35
54.00
53.50
49.96
48.97
44.29
Date
Nov.
Dec.
30
1
4
5
N
Sunday
1918
...88.72
.. .85.79
ew York
cents
68.12
69.78
69.62
70.00
69.00
68.00
1919
101.12
101.12
101.12
101.13
107.23
110.50
London
pence
43.87
.-..-, 62
44.37
44.7.">
44.25
43.87
Monthly
1920
132.77
131.27
125.70
119.56
102.69
90.84
Oct.
Not.
Dec.
averag
July
Aug.
Sept
Oct.
Dec.
Ay
25.
1
8
15
es
erage week ending
Cents
79.52
80.31
81.90
80.02
76.41
Jan.
1918 1919
. 99.62 106.36
.100.31 111.35
. . .88.11
.101.12 113.92
Apr.
Hay
June
.101.12 119.10
99.50
. . .99.50
101.12 127.57
.191.12 131.92
1920
93.04
96.23
93.68
83.48
77.73
COPPER
Prices el electrolytic in New York, in cents per pound
Date
Not. 30 13.50
Dec. 1 13.50
2 13.50
3 13.50
4 13.75
5 Sunday
6... 14.00
Average week ending
Oct. 25 1575
Not. 1 1508
8 15.00
■• 15. 14-87
»» 14.63
•• 29! 1416
Dec. 6 13.63
Monthly averages
1918
Jan 23.50
Feb 23.50
Men 23.50
Apr 23.60
May 23.50
June 23.50
1919
20.43
17.34
15.05
16.23
15.91
17.53
1920
19.25
19.05
18.49
19.23
19.05
19.00
1918
July 26.00
Aug 26.00
Sept 26.00
Oct 26.00
Nov 26.00
Dec 26.00
1919
20.82
22.51
22.10
21.66
20.45
18.55
1920
19.00
19.00
18.75
16.53
14.63
LEAD
Lead is auoted in cents per pound. New York delivery
Date
Not.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Men.
Apr.
May
June
30.
1.
2.
3.
4.
6
6
Sunday
5.25
5.00
5.00
5.00
5.00
5.00
Oct.
Not.
ATerage week ending
25
1
8
15
22
29
6
Monthly ayerages
1918
6.85
. 7.70
, 7.26
, 6.99
. 6.99
. 7.69
1919
6.60
5.13
6.24
5.05
6.04
5.32
1920
8.65
8.88
9.22
8.78
8.55
8.43
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Not.
Dec.
8.03
5.63
8.05
5.78
8.05
6.02
8.05
6.40
8.05
6.76
6.90
7.12
7.08
6.92
6.84
6.61
fl.44
6.67
6.24
1920
8.63
9.03
8.08
7.28
6.37
Prices in New York, in cents per pound.
Monthly aTerages
1918
Jan 85.13
Feb 85.00
Hr-h. . 85 00
Apr." 88.53
May 100.01
June 91.00
1919
1920
71.50
62.74
72.44
59.87
7250
61 92
72.50
62.17
72.60
54.99
71.83
48.33
1918
July 93.00
Aug 91.33
Sept 80.40
Oct 78.82
Not 73.67
Dec 71.62
1919
1920
70.11
49.29
62.20
47.60
65.79
44 43
64 82
40.47
64.17
36.97
54.94
30 6.00
1 6.00
2 6.10
3 6.25
4 6.25
5 Sunday
6 6.25
Oct.
Not.
Average week ending
25
1
8
15
23
29
Jan.
Feb.
1918
. . 7.78
. . 7.97
Mch 7.67
Apr. 7.04
May 7.92
June 7.92
1919
7.44
6.71
6.53
6.49
6.43
6.91
Monthly averages
1920
9.56
July
9.15
Aug.
8.93
Sept
8.76
Oct.
8.07
Not
7.93
Dec.
1918
. 8.72
. 8.78
. 9.58
. 9.11
, 8.75
, 8.49
1919
7.78
7.81
7.57
7.82
8.12
8.69
7.50
7.64
7.31
8.86
6.66
6.25
6.14
1920
8.18
8.31
7.84
7.50
6.78
The primary market for
the largest producer. The
quantity. Prices, in dollars
Date
Not. 9
" 16
QUICKSILVER
quicksilver is San Francisco, California being
price is fixed in the open market, according to
per flask of 75 pounds.
I Nov. 23 55.00
..65.00 " 30 66.00
..56.00 I Dee. 7 66.00
Monthly averages
1918
1919
1920
1918
1919
1920
...128.06
103.75
89.00
July . .
. . .120.00
100.00
88.00
90.00
81.00
. . .120.00
103.00
85.00
Mch. . .
.. .112.00
72.80
87.00
Sept. . .
...120.00
103.60
75.00
73.12
100.00
Oct. .
.. .120.00
86.00
71.00
May .
...110 00
84.80
87.00
.. .120.00
78.00
66.00
112.00
94.40
85.00
115.00
95.00
REPEAL OF EXCESS-PROFITS TAX
Speaking before the Economic Club, Jules S. Bache declared the excess-
profits tax must be repealed and an adequate, practical, and honest tax
enacted in its place. The latter tax is' the gross-sales, or turnover tax. he
says, The other substitute favored by many is the retail-sales tax, which
Mr. Bache opposes because of the element of personal judgment that will
come into play as to what a retail sale is and probability of a 3% rate in
order that the tax may yield as much as a 1% gross-sales tax.
Mr. Bache expressed belief that the Republican Secretary of the Treasury
will "promptly take such measures as will restore prices of Government
obligations to prices paid by patriotic citizens.
"It would be a most Bimple financial scheme that would restore these
bonds to vicinity of par, and permit of funding "Victory bonds when due.
at that price, and, with that done, the largest budget, including service of
the debt, that we need contemplate, would be under 3*A billions, instead of
the large amount fixed by the Secretary of the Treasury in his report."
"Freeing of capitalists from excessive burdens of taxation." according to
Mr. Bache. "would take the advantages out of the municipal-bond invest-
ments, and release capital for constructive enterprises to an extent almost
incalculable.
"We would not have witnessed the recent debacle in securities markets
if large investors were still functioning in our money market. I believe
■ the absurdly low prices of investment securities recently are due almost
entirely to surtaxes on income."
He summarized advantages of tbe sales tax in this way: "It is simple
where the present system is distressingly complicated; it will produce ample
revenue, whereas taxes now imposed, as profits and incomes decline, must
fall far below amounts required; under the sales tax. Government revenue is
based on something tangible, namely, expenditures of the people which go
on unceasingly and do not vary in hard times or good times to such an
extent as seriously to affect revenue; it will stop capital from hiding in tax-
exempt securities; it allows the country to save funds for future industrial
expansion; it will restore competition, enterprise, and individual initiative,
now smothered to death by pursuit of the tax gatherer; it will encourage
business thrift, stopping waste of high salaries and extravagances, which,
can no longer be charged off against taxes; its collection is simple and
automatic for both Government and tax -payer; it is fair in distribution, as
the one who consumes most and spends most, pays most in taxes.
"It will not increase the price of commodities beyond an average of
2}&%, whereas now taxes increase prices nearly 25%; consequently, it will
tend to reduce present prices to marked degree; it has been in successful
operation in the Philippines for years and has proved in every way satis-
factory; it has recently been put into operation in France and is thus far
strikingly successful; some forms of it are in operation in Canada, and it
is so satisfactory that leading interests there are urging that it be adopted
as a complete substitute for all other taxes.
"It is based on sound democratic principles, and by reaching out into new
sources of revenue spreads the tax load equitably and in a way moat easily
borne by all; as it will be passed along to the consumer, millions will pay
the tax, but nobody will know or feel it; it enables every taxpayer to know
his tax liability." .
MONEY AND EXCHANGE
Foreign quotations on December 7 are as follows:
Sterling, dollars: Cable 24? $
Demand ■ ■ • • 3.44%
Francs, cents: Cable ■ fo?#
Demand • 5-85 ri
Lire, cents: Demand 3-g*|
Marks, cents - 1JU
■858
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 11, 1920
Eastern Metal Market
New York, December 1.
The downward tendency continues in all the markets with-
out-exception; prices have touched new low levels in all
metals on this movement. This is also true in London
which has a marked effect here.
Copper has sold in moderate quantities down to 14c. and
the market is weak.
Tin has touched still lower levels and there is little anima-
tion in the market.
Lead has continued to decline on offerings with no buyers.
Demand for zinc is very small and forced offerings by
weak interests have sent down the price.
Antimony is again lower.
IRON AND STEEL
The outstanding feature of the week's developments has
been the announcement of a recession to the Steel Corpora-
tion's prices on bars, shapes, and plates by two leading
independents, followed by practically all of the rest. This
also is understood to apply as well to sheets and wire by
most of the independents. Just how this will affect com-
panies having fair orders on their books is problematical
and is to be decided in individual cases. The net result
means keener competition for such new business as develops,
both domestic and foreign. The only major product which
may be said to remain firm is pipe in which there continues
a marked divergence between independent and corporation
prices. Nails are down a dollar per keg at Pittsburgh.
The pig-iron market is stagnant and more furnaces are
closing down. There is a tendency to limit the piling of
stocks and production is falling to around 50% of capacity.
It is really a buyer's market.
COPPER
Of paramont interest is the fact that the United States
Steel Corporation yesterday, Tuesday, bought 500 tons of
electrolytic copper at 13.50c. Further details are lacking.
This purchase, taken together with the reported sale last
week of 500 tons at 14c, by the American Metal Co. would
seem to indicate that the decline in the copper market, which
has been in process for some weeks, was somewhere close
to the bottom. Offerings by small producers or dealers on a
small scale have progressed daily and been a cause of con-
tinued weakness. Several of the large producers are not
quoting but are willing to consider desirable business at
14c, New York. The London market is also much lower,
spot standard yesterday having been quoted at £75 5s. and
futures at £75 15s. On November 18 the former was £83
per ton. Buying except in the cases noted is light and con-
fined to small lots by small producers and dealers. Lake
copper is nominal at 14c, New Y,ork. We quote electrolytic
at 13.50c, New York, for December and first quarter.
TIN
The market is dull and without much activity so far as
buying is concerned. Prices continue to decline but the
unsatisfactory New York market commences to show signs
of correction from the fact that large dealers and importers
are refusing to sacrifice metal or to sell at less than cost of
import. This tendency, if persisted in, is expected to make
for a better market. There have as a consequence been only
a few sellers all the week unless they could secure import
cost at least. There have been some buyers of cheap tin but
not much of this has been available. As a result there have
been few sellers and not many buyers. The feature has
been the low prices in London — lower than in many years.
Yesterday spot standard fell to £207 10s., future standard to
£212, and spot Straits to £208 per ton. Last week these
quotations were respectively £230 15s., £234 15s., and £231
5s. At one time this year spot Straits.sold at over £400 per
ton. The quotation for spot Straits yesterday was 33.50c,
New York, the same as on Monday. Arrivals thus far this
month have been 3170 tons with the quantity afloat 3180
tons.
LEAD
New low levels have appeared in this market in common
with all others. London prices have been an influence here
too. Yesterday spot lead was quoted at £25 with futures at
£26 per ton. The former means an import price here of
around 5.40c, New York, duty paid. On November 18 this
price was £32 per ton in London. The outside market here
has fallen to 5.25c, New York, and St. Louis, at which offer-
ings have been made. The leading interest has not yet
changed its quotation of 6c, New York and St. Louis, but
is expected to lower it any day. In general it may be said
that most independent producers are offering lead liberally,
but whether this is done because of a desire for orders or in
order to realize as high prices as possible during the decline
is a matter of argument. One opinion is that neither sup-
position is right but that the London decline is the main
factor.
ZINC
Offerings continue to be made at concessions for the little
business going and prices show no tendency to 'firm up'.
New low levels have been realized in the week. Prime
Western for early delivery has been offered and sold at
5.60c, St. Louis, or about 6c, New York, but the tonnages
involved are small. Cash necessities have been the deciding
influence in most cases and have been participated in by
small interests. Large producers are meeting present prices
only when necessary and in limited tonnages and all are
curtailing output. It is estimated that the present rate ot
production of prime Western is about 275,000 tons per
month, and that it will decline to about 225,000 tons for
the December rate. London has declined decidedly, re-
cently. Yesterday spot zinc was quoted at £29 7s. 6d. with
future shipment at £35 2s. 6d. On November 18 the former
was £35 2s. 6d.
ANTIMONY
This market is slightly lower. Wholesale lots for early
delivery are now quoted at 5.75c, New York, duty paid, with
demand light. Jobbing lots are about }c higher.
ALUMINUM
Virgin metal, 98 to 99% pure, is lower in the outside
market at 25 to 26c per pound, for wholesale lots for early
delivery. The leading interest's quotation is unchanged at
32.90c, f.o.b. producer's plant.
ORES
Tungsten: The absence of demand continues sharply to
characterize the market. Buyers will not consider any offer-
ings. Quotations continue nominal at $4 per unit for
Chinese ore and at $5 per unit for Bolivian.
Ferro-tungsten is being offered by Washington, D. C,
producers at 59c per pound of contained tungsten, but the
market is quiet.
Molybdenum: The nominal quotation of 60c per pound of
MoS2 in regular concentrate continues.
Manganese: The market is devoid of demand and quota-
tions are nominal at 45 to 50c per unit, seaboard, with some
sellers asking 50 to 55c for future positions. Stocks are
believed to be heavy.
Manganese-Iron Alloys: There is no interest from con-
sumers and quotations are largely nominal at $150, deliver-
ed, for domestic ferro-manganese and $72.50 for 20%
spiegeleisen.
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EDITORIAL STAFF
T. A. RICKARO. Editoi*
Parsons, associate editor
mnnaf aunts
mMtei m
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ESTABLISHED I860
Published at UO Market St.. San Francisco,
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ARTICLES
Page
EDITORIAL
NOTES 859
IMPRESSIONS OF THE MINING CONGRESS 861
Salient features of the Denver convention of the
American Mining Congress. The McFadden bill.
The Open Shop. General character of those in
attendance. Mr. Callbreath and his good work.
What the Mining Congress does, its membership,
and its future usefulness.
THE IMPENDING LABOR CRISIS S62
Cutting of wages in Arizona and elsewhere. What
it portends. Opinion of the 'New Republic'. Is
there to be another fight against trade-unionism?
The 'profiteering' of labor during the War. Ex-
tremists on both sides. The need for reliable in-
formation as a preparation for an enlightened
public opinion.
DISCUSSION
THE DIVINING ROD
By Forbes Rickard 863
An early record of the use of the witch-hazel or
divining rod.
By Grant H. Smith 863
Reference to the article by William Pryce. A
superstition that should be discredited at every
opportunity.
By W. A. Middleton 863
A successful 'location' of water; and an utter fail-
ure to find some stolen gold bullion for which a
reward of 525,000 was offered.
AN INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SILVER
PRODUCERS
By Blarney Stevens 864
A plan to stabilize the market for silver by con-
certed action on the part of producers.
METHODS OF ORE-SAMPLING IN MONTANA— I
By H. B. Pulsifer S66
Underlying principles of the problem of sampling.
Precision, cost, method, and equipment. An in-
vestigation of comparative work in four Montana
sampling-plants. Cost of sampling. Methods used.
Some suggestions for improving practice.
THE SINKING OF THE ALPHA NO. 2 SHAFT AT
KIMBERLY, NEVADA
By H. S. Munroe 871
. Rapid sinking of 400 ft. of shaft. Preparations.
Method of doing the work. Statistical data.
OBJECTIONABLE PRACTICES OF MINERALS
SEPARATION
By George L. Nye 873
What the Constitution provides regarding patents.
Minerals Separation's objectionable practices list-
ed. Suppression; indiscriminate charges of in-
fringement; ill treatment of inventors; royalty
discriminations. Coercion of operators; iniquitous
personal contracts; violation of criminal laws.
AMERICAN OPERATIONS OF THE CONSOLIDATED
GOLD FIELDS OF SOUTH AFRICA 881
American Trona. South American Gold & Plat-
inum Co. Yuba Consolidated. Power projects.
»
MR. HOOVER'S BIOGRAPHY
By H. E. West 864
Further comment on the matter of Bewick-More-
ing's office and single-jacking in Australia. The
latter did not emanate from Cambourne.
NOTES
SAN FRANCISCO MINT ADOPTS ELECTRIC FURNACE
FOR MELTING COPPER AND NICKEL 865
"ODUCTION OF QUICKSILVER S80
THE NEW AIR-SHAFT OF THE DAVIS-DALY
COMPANY 880
DEPARTMENTS
REVIEW OF MINING 883
THE MINING SUMMARY 891
PERSONAL 892
THE METAL MARKET S93
EASTERN METAL MARKET 894
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS 895
Established May 24. I860, as The Scientific Press: name changed October
of the same year to Mining and Scientific Press.
Entered at the San Francisco post-offlce as Becond-class matter. Cable
address: Pertusola.
Branch Offices — Chicago, 600 Fisher Bdff.: New York, -31 . Nassau St.:
London. 724 Salisbury House, E.C.
Entered at the San Francisco post-office as second-class matter. Cable
address: Pertusola.
36
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 18, 1920
0-532
Heat
that can't be measured
THANKS to Oxweld — the tremendous energy of the
Oxy-acetylene flame — limitless, to all intents and
purposes — is ready to work your will at a twist of the
fingers.
The oxwelder's torch has shortened production time in
many hundreds of plants ; and as a saver of time, labor and
expense in factory repairs it pays for itself many times
over annually.
In fostering and developing the oxy-acetylene process
from its inception, Oxweld has taken a big part in the
Nation's manufacturing development, for there is scarcely
a branch of industry to which oxwelding and cutting is
not applied to great advantage.
There are Oxweld Service Engineers in more than fifty
important cities, ready to investigate the Oxweld possi-
bilities of your plant.
Write, wire or telephone to any of the addresses below
for immediate attention.
Oxweld Acetylene Company
World's Largest Maker of Equipment for
Oxwelding and cutting Metals
Chicago
Newark, N. J.
San Francisco
December 18, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
859
T. /<. K.ICKARV.
iiilliiliilltilltlllitltillilllltlllllilllitlflllitiri
pvNLY $2,500,000 out of the $8,000,000 appropriated
^-' by Congress for the relief of claimants under the
War Minerals Relief Act has been awarded by the com-
mission appointed for that purpose. Either the legiti-
mate claims were few or the Commission has failed to
perform its proper function.
A SSESSMENT WORK on mining claims is likely to
■*"*■ be affected favorably by Congressional legislation
now pending. The bill extending the time for such an-
nual work has been reported favorably by the mines
committees of both the Senate and House. The Senate
bill asks six months relief, the House bill twelve months.
Some measure of relief seems assured.
¥ N our issue of December 4, under ' The Flotation Con-
*■ ference', we quoted the telegram from Mr. Ballot
concerning Minerals Separation claims to royalty. The
text of the telegram we took from a report of the pro-
ceedings, but it was not quite correct. We are informed
now that it should have read as follows: "The answer
to your question is No, we do not claim payment of
royalty for* use of first patent in suit or any other patent
after its legal expiration. But we do claim payment of
royalty for the use of any other of our unexpired
patents."
J3R0DUCTI0N of gold on the Rand for the current
■*■ year will be ahout 250,000 ounces less than in 1919,
but the money received for it will he nearly $40,000,000
more, owing to the so-called premium on gold. Up to
the end of October the normal value of the output, at
85 shillings per ounce, was £29,272,604, whereas the de-
clared value was £37,281,979. Scarcity of labor has re-
stricted production during the last quarter of the year,
the decrease in the supply of Kaffirs being in excess of
the customary seasonal variation. In April the total of
native laborers on the gold mines was 189,446 ; at the end
of October it was only 159,426.
SPEAKING of Mr. Vanderlip's Russian schemes — not
Mr. Frank A. Vanderlip of New York but Mr. Wash-
ington D. of California — the 'New York Times' says that
he may believe what he says, "but he comes from Los
Angeles, a city where long contemplation of the climate
has developed the lens of the human eye into a high-
power magnifying instrument, and close association with
motion-picture press-agents has induced a carelessness in
arithmetic". That is 'one on Los Angeles', but we take
the opportunity to express admiration for the enterprise
of the people in the southern metropolis and congratu-
late them, among other things, on their freedom from
the tyranny of the labor-unions, which has crippled the
growth of San Francisco.
A SUM of $170,000 has been asked by the U. S. Bureau
■'*- of Mines for investigation of the possibilities of ob-
taining oil from shale. An official bulletin says that
"notwithstanding the considerable amount of moneys
which have been expended up to the present time, there
is not an oil-shale plant producing oil in commercial
quantities in the United States". What is needed, we
are told, is "essential and fundamental information"; as
if Dr. Alderson and his friends had been giving some
other kinds of information ! We venture to suggest that
the Standard Oil Company, and other oil companies,
could furnish all the data needed on the subject for the
purpose of correcting the misinformation circulated by
enthusiasts and wild-cat promoters; but probably they
prefer to keep their information in cold storage.
J3R0DUCERS of silver at Cobalt, who last January
-*- were getting $1.37 per ounce for their bullion im
New York, wonder if they will wake up and find that the
present 60-cent market is only a melancholy dream.
There is still a good profit for most of the companies, but
a drop to 46J cents, the quotation on September 1, 1915,
would leave only one or two survivors. Nipissing pro-
duced silver during 1919 for 37 cents per ounce, while
the Coniagas, Kerr Lake, and O 'Brien companies all held
their cost helow 50 cents. A number of others, however,
were unable to do better than 65 cents, and since it is
generally conceded that costs have increased slightly since
1919 it is easy to account for the recent passing of divi-
dends and the suspension of operations at some of the
properties. The scale of wages paid is the highest in the
history of mining in Ontario and there has been little
recession in the price of supplies. Economy and efficiency
will succeed the effort for high production at any cost
that prevailed a year ago. Miners and other employees
realize that the only way to maintain their present wages
is to do enough work each shift to keep the cost per ounce
within a fixed limit. The output per man is said to
have been increased 30% without any urging on the part
860
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 18, 1920
of managers and superintendents, thereby demonstrating
the efficiency that results from voluntary concerted effort.
The fact that some of the other companies have released
their men has had an important influence on improved
production at the mines that continue to operate. Inci-
dentally, the Nipissing company produced 260,865 ounces
of bullion during the first week of December.
T AST week our community went through an orgy of
•'-' crime and newspaper sensationalism, the latter being
not unrelated to the former. Three men were arrested
for mistreating two young women ; when arrested, the}'
shot and killed three members of the police ; a few days
later they were lynched by a mob. Photographs galore
have been published of the criminals, of the girls them-
selves, whom one would expect to seek retirement, and of
the lynching. During the period of these happenings
the front pages, and others besides, of our local papers
have been devoted to this hideous affair, and the atmos-
phere of a cheap cinema has prevailed. The Chief of
Police threatened to arrest every idler, thereby menacing
many politicians. The Mayor ordered the remains of
the murdered policemen to lie in state in the City Hall.
The one dignified note was that sounded by the Governor
in a statement gravely reprobating the lynching. Of
course, to try to cure crime by breaking the law is bad
citizenship. It cannot be done in that way; it merely
disgraces our commonwealth by acknowledging to the
world that justice is not promptly or certainly enforcible
among us. Much of the crime in our city, as in others,
is due to the low character of our police judges, who are
elected, and who, by being corruptible, hinder the efforts
of the police to bring criminals to account. It is due in
part also to the low character of such of the policemen as
indulge habitually in graft, that is, the collection of
tribute from the vicious element in our city population.
A correction of this state of affairs must come through
the awakening of public opinion and the introduction of
reform in the departments affected, but this cannot be
done so long as we are dominated by an irresponsible and
meretricious press. The perpetration of crime is stimu-
lated by the notoriety given to criminal acts; moreover,
a morbid love of publicity will incite some perverted
young men and women to the breaking of the law. The
yellow newspaper is assisted by the depiction of criminal
acts by the cinema. "We note with satisfaction that the
legislature of Pennsylvania has passed a law forbidding
the exhibition of 'movies' devoted to crimes of violence.
It were well if the newspapers could be restrained simi-
larly.
"W7"HEN a carload of ore is sold it becomes necessary,
" " in order to fix the price, to know how much gold,
silver, lead, copper, zinc, or other metal it contains. If
it were practicable to treat the particular lot separately
and reduce and refine the metal content to bullion with-
out mixing with other ores or other products, settlement
might be delayed until the process was completed. There
are obvious and insurmountable objections to such a pro-
cedure even aside from the difficulty that would be ex-
perienced in selecting a suitable metallurgical treatment
unless the composition of the ore were known definitely.
Moreover, the grasping smelter manager would be un-
able to adjust his penalties with his accustomed cunning.
To overcome these difficulties our metallurgical prede-
cessors devised two processes, namely, sampling and an-
alysis. The object of sampling is to obtain a small por-
tion, say, a gramme or an assay-ton, the composition of
which, for practical purposes, is identical with that of
the entire lot it represents. The object of such analysis
is to determine quickly and conveniently how much of a
metal or other element resides in the small sample. A
simple calculation then determines the quantity of that
particular element in the original carload of ore. Sam-,
pling and analysis are interdependent; either is useless
without the other, and a degree of precision in either in
excess of that attained in the other is worthless. It is
impossible to weigh, to titrate, and to perform other
laboratory manipulation with absolute accuracy, so that
there is an allowable limit of error in all such determina-
tions, the degree depending upon the element being de-
termined and the amount of it that is present. The aim,
then, is to obtain a sample that is not less accurate, at
least, than the subsequent chemical analysis will be. An
important consideration in determining the degree of re-
finement of sampling is the practical factor of cost. Here
common sense is the guide. In this issue Mr. H. B. Pulsi-
fer, formerly of the Montana State School of Mines at
Butte, and now Professor of Metallurgy in Lehigh Uni-
versity, at South Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, contributes a
valuable article on ' Sampling Methods in Montana '. The
first part of this article, which deals with the general
principles of sampling and suggests directions of pos-
sible improvement, will be followed next week by a sec-
ond, dealing in detail with the methods used at Butte,
Anaconda, and East Helena. Professor Pulsifer was
given every opportunity to test the different plants, and
the results of his work and his observations are carefully
recorded. We believe that every seller or purchaser of
ore, as well as every operator of a mill or smelter, will
find the article well worth careful reading.
TVTEWS comes to us that Mr. Gelasio Caetani has been
•^ ' elected Mayor of the City of Rome. His many
friends in the profession will be keenly interested to hear
about this and will join us in cordial congratulations.
As on many other good engineers the War had the effect
on him of engaging his interest in civic affairs, with a
determination to do his part in the work of reconstruc-
tion that faced each of the countries lately belligerent.
Our readers know that Mr. Caetani played his part finely
as a soldier, rising to the rank of Colonel in the Italian
army and making himself famous by the affair of the
Col di Lana, in which as an officer of engineers he under-
mined and destroyed a strong Austrian position, killing
or capturing all its defenders. In these days when all
sorts of miserable tales and sordid relationships are
dubbed 'romantic', it is pleasant to recall Mr. Caetani 's
career as a mining engineer in our West. He graduated
mber 18, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
861
from the Colombia School of Minis when he had barely
d to speak our language, about sixteen years ago.
After graduation he worked ;is a miner, trammer, timber-
man, and mill-hand at the Stratton's Independence mine
in Colorado, at the Treadwell in Alaska, and at the
Bunker Hill in Idaho, thereby Learning the rudiments of
his profession in a thorough manner. Se asked qo favors
hut 'went through the mill' with a keen determination to
prove himself a capable technician and render himself
fit for positions of responsibility. Only his personal
friends knew that he was Don Gelasio Caetani, tin1 son
of the Duke of Sermoneta and a scion of a historic Italian
house of great wealth and influenee ever since A.D. 981.
By his antecedents, as by his personal charm, he reminds
us of Anthony Hope's Prince of Ruritania, and also of
one of Marion Crawford's most attractive characters.
Indeed, in 'Saracinesca' several members of the Caetani
family are supposed to be portrayed. Be that as it may,
our mining engineer is no fiction, but a virile person-
ality, who promised to be one of the leaders of the Ameri-
can mining profession until the "War and its after-effects
diverted his energies to new activities in his own country.
Mr. Caetani, to give him his American title, designed the
newest of the big mills of the Bunker Hill & Sullivan
company; he won recognition on his own merits as a
metallurgist, and demonstrated that a pedigree is no bar
to a capacity for doing hard work among hard workers.
We feel sure that the cpualities of mind and person that
distinguished him when among us will aid him in achiev-
ing success in the splendid task of directing the munici-
pal administration of the Eternal City.
Impressions of the Mining Congress
In a recent issue we gave an account of the flotation
conference, which was one of the features of the recent
convention of the American Mining Congress. Other
phases of the meeting are worthy of reminiscent remark.
The sessions unfortunately were held in a Baptist church
and at first, particularly at the opening ceremonies, the
ecclesiastical environment exercised an unduly sobering
effect, checking applause and chilling humor, but the
gentlemen of the convention soon threw off this unwonted
restraint and enlivened the proceedings in a normal
manner. The discussion on the deplorable state of gold
mining assumed a pessimistic character, thereby evoking
support of the McPadden bill. Mr. H. N. Lawrie, eco-
nomist to the Congress, read an excellent resume of the
argument therefor, and sundry mining engineers por-
trayed the adverse conditions under which gold mining
is being conducted today, in order to prove the need for
relief, but when a paper was read on 'Oregon and the
Gold Problem' it became evident that a sense of economic
perspective is needed in this matter as in others that
have world-wide implications. Oregon produced $1,071,-
000 worth of gold in 1919. Mr. E. P. Mathewson took
the chair, after having confessed that he had been con-
verted since last year, the" change of conviction in favor
of the MeFadden bill having been brought about by his
.
observation of the effectiveness of the I'ittman Act. As
to thai favorable legislation, the less said the better just
now. Governor Boyle of Nevada, the chief protagonist
for the Western movement in favor of a bounty on new
gold, did not seem as confident as of yore, for instance,
hist March at Seattle. He appeared to show the effects
of his recent contact with hankers and economists at
Washington, and, we venture to suggest, has begun to
appreciate the misgiving with which thoughtful men
view anything in the nature of a double standard. How-
ever, the McPadden hill was duly endorsed, although
another resolution advocating the increased circulation
of gold by means of a bank to be run in behalf of the
gold miners was shelved. The 'open shop' has received
vigorous support from the Mining Congress and it
formed the subject of a special session, at which Mr.
Arthur Notman described the conditions of labor em-
ployment at Bisbee and Mr. Charles A. Chase the opera-
tion of the open shop in Colorado, these two papers being
followed by an excellent speech on labor conditions in
Denver by Mr. L. Ward Bannister, who insisted that
the unions must be made amenable to judicial process.
Such discussions are interesting, but one cannot but feel
their unreality in the absence of any representative of
labor ; how much more useful the}7 would be if they took
the form of a friendly debate ! Too many statements
pass unchallenged when only one phase of a controver-
sial problem is presented. There were other conferences
on the tariff, standardization, taxation, and education,
but we were not present at these. As usual, several per-
sons on the program failed to appear, it being a common
practice on the part of the promoters of these conventions
to announce addresses from prominent individuals for
the sake, naturally, of exciting public attention ; never-
theless the attendance was large and representative, the
various Government bureaus sending officials competent
to speak for them. Among these were many men well
known and much liked by the mining fraternity. Sev-
eral mining schools were represented at the conference
on education. The editors of the two leading mining
papers attended, and took part in the discussions.
The annual meeting was sparsely attended, for, truth
to tell, these conventions attract many who are not mem-
bers, and, after all, the total membership of the Mining
Congress is small, only 2500. The Secretary, Mr. J. P.
Callbreath, read his annual report ; indeed he is the man
behind the gun ; an institution is usually the lengthened
shadow of some one man, and to Mr. Callbreath 's initia-
tive, persistence, and singleness of purpose the Mining
Congress owes its continued existence and its present
character. He deprecates the use of the word 'lobby',
but, as we have said before, using that word in no sin-
ister sense, the Mining Congress is a valuable lobby
established at Washington in the interest of those en-
gaged in the mining industry. That is one function it
performs; another is to serve by its conventions as a
parliament of mining men, affording an opportunity for
the ventilation of current ideas and the discussion of
fundamental problems. It ought to have a larger mem-
862
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 18, 1920
berskip, for if it is to be supported financially not by its
members but by the doles of a relatively few large min-
ing companies it will become the spokesman of only a
small part of the industry. That is its danger, as we
see it. Personally we find its meetings interesting be-
cause the politics of mining and the humanistic phases
of the industry are more absorbing mentally than the
technology of the mine and mill. There is need for such
conventions and we hope that the Mining Congress will
develop its activities to ever-increasing usefulness. The
usual banquet marked the close of the meeting. Mr.
Thomas B. Stearns, a mining engineer by education and
a citizen whom the people of Denver evidently hold in
the highest regard, was an agreeable and efficient toast-
master. The outgoing president, Mr. Bulkeley "Wells,
received an ovation ; the incoming president, Mr. W. J.
Loring, was accepted with enthusiasm. The chief speech
of the banquet was delivered by Senator Charles S.
Thomas, whose sardonic humor was brought to bear upon
the 18th Amendment, and the disregard of it; for this
evidence was not lacking, much to the satisfaction ap-
parently of many of those present, who probably would
agree with us that the air of Colorado is dry, but stimu-
lating. In any event, Denver is a first-rate place for a
convention, for is not the climate invigorating, are not
the people hospitable, and is not the golf-course a good
test of the game ? We seem to hear many voices in sup-
port of the motion ; it is so ordered.
The Impending Labor Crisis
Notice has been given of a reduction of $1 per shift in
wages paid at the copper mines of Arizona, this reduc-
tion to go into effect on January 1. Similar steps have
been taken in other mining districts. It was inevitable.
Wages were advanced when the price of copper was high
and the cost of living was advancing by leaps and
bounds ; wages must come down when the price of copper
is low and the prices of staple commodities are tumbling.
The question is whether this unpleasant readjustment
and others of the same character will be made fairly and
in an orderly manner. The 'New Bepublic' anticipates
a concerted attack on labor-unionism under cover of a
crusade for the 'open shop'. Union labor undoubtedly
is on the defensive, as a short time ago it was on the
aggressive. Unfortunately organized labor is grasping
and greedy when it gets the chance, and unfortunately
organized capital is equally so when it gets the chance.
The fair-minded and conservative elements on both sides
■ are in a minority. The 'New Bepublic' says that the
trade-union is "capable of control by popular refer-
endum of its personnel". It might be capable of it if all
the members voted, but, as a matter of fact, the unions,
like the groups of corporations, are led and controlled
by a small number of extremists. What the mass of
workers want is not the 'closed shop', but steady em-
ployment at a reasonable wage. The uncertainty of em-
ployment is the curse of the workingman, and that un-
certainty no union can correct ; but it may be corrected
by systematic co-operation between the corporations and
the unions looking toward the benefit of industry, and of
the community, as a whole. Just now the public outside
the laboring class will view any recession in wages as in-
evitable and even desirable, for without it the readjust-
ment to the after-the-War conditions cannot be com-
pleted. Moreover, there is a feeling that the laboring
class has used the War and the 'high cost of living' as a
lever for excessive demands in wages. All of us have
been the victims of extortionate charges, made by all
sorts of workers, from carpenters to cooks. There has
been 'profiteering' at both ends, by the manufacturer
and by his workmen, while the rest of us, the public at
large, has had to pay extortionate tribute to both. The
War and the conditions it created were accountable for
only a part of the rise in commodity and labor prices ; at
least half was factitious and fundamentally dishonest.
Mr. Samuel Gompers and his Labor bureau at Washing-
ton are said to have made ' ' a sweeping investigation of
living costs throughout the United States" and they are
now ready to present Congress with "a complete pro-
gram of anti-profiteering proposals", aimed against "the
big corporations". The pot calls the kettle black. The
heroes of our back line of defence collected $8, $10, and
$12 per diem for three or four hours work, or less, in our
dockyards and factories during the days of national
stress; they 'profiteered' to the limit, and beyond; the
men in the building trades extorted all kinds of fanciful
wages ; in California domestic servants more than doubled
their scale of pay, although the fact of their being given
board and lodging protected them from the impact of the
high cost of living. Now Mr. Gompers and his friends
plan to stop immigration in order that "the reactionary
element" may not "re-establish autocracy in industry".
They would like to so curtail the supply of labor as to
place the employer class at their mercy, and thereby es-
tablish their own ' ' autocracy ' '. Well, it is not unnatural
that they should seek to protect themselves, even at the
expense of the country as a whole, for, whether it be a '
leader of labor or of capital, it is yet too early to expect
from either any reasonable unselfishness, or even social
justice. Judge Gary will offset Mr. Gompers. Mean-
while we have a government of the people and for the
people, by the representatives of the people. It seems
as if our Department of Labor, if it were competent, that
is, just and thoroughly informed, could shed light on
some of these difficulties, and perhaps even help to
straighten them out. Or must we go through another
series of lock-outs, strikes, and general turmoil to reach
another temporary armistice between capital and labor?
What is needed — and we say it again and again — is the
enlightenment of the public, not by specious propaganda
from both sides, but by an unprejudiced statement of the
case, after competent and impartial investigation, so that
the full force of the good sense and justice of the nation
may be arrayed against the greed of either side and in
behalf of an economic peace that shall do justice to all
concerned, including that teriium quid, the mass of the
people outside the vendetta.
Di embi r 18, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
863
D I 3
The Divining Rod
The Editor:
Sir — Apropos of your editorial on this subject in a re-
cent issue. I am impelled to contribute a reference testify-
ing to the prevailing practice and wide use of the witch-
hazel or divining rod in the 'forties and for many years
previous. This reference 1 find in the introductory pages
of a school-book on geology published more than half a
century ago. Its quaintness of language recommends it
to the notice of your readers.
It is recorded that this book was entered according to
Act of Congress in the year 1845, Eastern District of
Pennsylvania, and published under the title 'Elements
of Geology', J. B. Lippincott & Co., Philadelphia, 1856.
The author, W. S. W. Rusehenberger, M.D., attached to
tin- I". s. Naval Hospital, New York, in his preface
writes:
'A competent knowledge of Geology better enables the
architect to select materials for buildings, as well as sites
for their erection ; the engineer learns from it where he
may run a railroad or canal with the greatest facility,
and least cost; the miner is guided in the pursuit of
mineral wealth, metals or coal, with greater certainty of
eess when assisted by this noble science, which is more
unerring than witch-hazel or divining rod ; it facilitates
the physician in the study of climate, and opens up a
wide field to the divine for pointing out the wonders of
feation and the goodness of God."
Denver. November 2o.
Forbes Rickard.
The Editor:
Sir — I was somewhat disappointed at your manner of
landling the question of divining rods and water-witch-
ng in your last issue. Probably, because I am as intoler-
mt of a superstition as a bull of a red flag. There is such
widespread belief in this particular ancient hocus-pocus,
tnd so many credulous persons are yearly gulled by
neans of it, that I think the subject merited more serious
md critical treatment at your hands. You may be
ihagrined hereafter to see parts of your editorial quoted
n the prospectuses of charlatans in support of their
.laims.
The article by William Pryce is interesting to antiquar-
ans, but if you had reprinted Rossiter W. Raymond's
listorieal review of the subject, published in 'Mineral
lesourees' for 1882, and in Vol. II of the Transactions
f the American Institute of Mining Engineers, you
rould have contributed far more to our knowledge, and,
at the same time, would have dealt some smashing blows
at a childish and costly superstition. Raymond says in
conclusion :
"To this, then, the rod of Moses, of Jacob, of Mercury,
of Circe, of Valentin, of Beausoleil, of Vallemont, of
Aymar, of Bleton, of Pennet, of Campetti — even of Mr.
Latimer — has come at last. In itself it is nothing. Its
claim to virtues derived from Deity, from Satan, from
affinities and sympathies, from corpuscular effluvia, from
electrical currents, from passive perturbatory qualities
of organo-electric force are hopelessly collapsed and dis-
carded. A whole library of learned rubbish about it
which remains to us furnishes jargon for charlatans,
marvelous tales for fools, and amusement for antiquar-
ians; otherwise it is only fit to constitute part of Mr.
Caxton's "History of human error". And the sphere
of divining rod has shrunk with its authority. In one
department after another it has been found useless.
Even in the one application left to it with any show of
reason it is nothing unless held in skillful hands, and
whoever has the skill may dispense with the rod. It be-
longs, with "the magic pendulum" and "planchette",
among the toys of children. Or, if it be worthy the atten-
tion of scientific students, it is the students of psychology
and biology, not of geology and hydroscopy and the
science of ore deposits, who can profitably consider it."
The U. S. Geological Survey, in 1917, published a
pamphlet entitled 'The Divining Rod', reviewing its
history, and concluding, "It is difficult to see how for
practical purposes the entire matter could be more thor-
oughly discredited."
Grant H. Smith.
San Francisco, November 20.
The Editor:
Sir — Several years ago a cattle-man living near Mari-
posa, California, at an elevation of about 600 ft., was
puzzled as to how he could find water. He made the fact
known to those in his employ. One of the men said, "I
can locate water for you and will be glad to do so." The
cattle-man said to him, "This is your opportunity to
make $50, providing you find sufficient water for. do-
mestic purposes." The man proceeded to look for water
at once after cutting a forked branch from a sapling oak.
Passing a certain point near the house the divining rod
bent downward, crossing this point the rod rose to a
vertical position, and then bent downward again over the
man's back. Being satisfied that he had located the right
spot, he took a straight branch about 2 ft. long and hold-
ing it over the spot he had marked, the branch bent up
861
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 18, 1920
and down 26 times indicating the depth at which water
should be found. The well was dug; at a depth of 32
ft., a flow of water came into the well, rising to a depth
of 5 ft. The water was fine and there was an abundance
of it.
The gentleman who called at your office to ascertain
where he could buy a divining rod to use in finding some
gold buried near Vallejo probably is under the impres-
sion that the gold Winters stole from the Selby smelter
several years ago was not entirely recovered and still lies
buried near Vallejo. If this is his opinion, I can assure
him that every ounce of gold bullion and four bars of
refined gold were entirely recovered. I was assistant to
the head refiner at the time of the robbery.
Two days after the robbery three divining-rod men ap-
peared upon the scene at Selby and operated with their
rods for several days between the Selby plant and Vallejo
Junction. They stood upon the bank within 30 ft. of
where Winters threw the gold into the bay. Although
there was $25,000 reward offered by the Selby company
for the recovery of the gold, not one of these divining-rod
men was fortunate enough to lay claim to any of the
reward. There was $283,000 in gold bullion and refined
gold lying within 30 ft. of them under about 15 ft. of
water. They disappeared as mysteriously as they ap-
peared. The gold was not recovered until Winters con-
fessed to the authorities and pointed out to them the
exact spot where he threw the gold into the bay. Three
detectives (who accompanied Winters, along with others)
immediately stripped and recovered most of the gold by
diving, in three hours. Three days later the detectives
had recovered all the gold except the four bars of refined
gold and a small bar of gold bullion weighing 18 oz.
These were recovered by a professional diver.
W. A. Middleton.
Martinez, California, November 21.
An International Association of Silver
Producers
The Editor:
Sir — The severe fluctuation in the price of silver, in
the open market, during the last year, is the very strong-
est argument to the governments of the world that silver
is no longer a suitable metai to be used as money. Some
of these governments will not look favorably upon the
loss in value of their reserves, due to an abnormal drop
in the price of silver. Others will lose confidence if they
have to be repeatedly switching currency laws to follow
an unstable market. Those individuals accustomed to
hoard it will also lose confidence in its pre-eminence as an
article of permament value. In fewer words, a fluctuat-
ing price for silver means a continued reduction of de-
mand, and consequently a serious and permanent factor
in the reduction of average silver prices.
The great bulk of silver mining is done by fairly large
companies who put their product on the market with
little regard to the prices obtained. As far as possible,
they work their mines at an even grade and tonnage of
ore, the principal exceptions being those mining silver as
an auxiliary to copper. The policy of steady production
may be logical from the point of view of economy in
mining and treatment, but it fails to take into account
the peculiar position of silver among the metals.
All silver passes through a refinery, but the refiner
simply acts as middleman and has little concern about
the market. When fluctuations become violent he pro-
tects himself by liquidating with the producer on the
basis of the price at the date of sale of refined product.
The buyers of silver are mainly the governments, for the
middlemen do not speculate to any extent, and it is de-
sirable that speculators should stay out of the market.
The burden of the proper regulation of market prices
therefore rests between the governments and the pro-
ducers. The governments can hardly be expected to buy
steadily, because the demand is not steady ; for example,
it fluctuates with the conditions of crops and trade in
the Oriental countries. Steady buying on the part of the i
governments of these countries would entail the storage
of large amounts of silver over a considerable time, and
such investment would draw no interest.
The producers, acting in concert, would be in a much
better position to regulate prices, because they would be
able to leave silver stored in the ground. In doing so,
their investment in plant would not necessarily be lying
idle, because with a reasonable market price for their
product they could be mining and milling low-grade ores,
and their expenses could be correspondingly cut, by a
reduction of development and improvement.
If such an association as is here advocated were firmly
established, and so properly and reputably maintained
as to gain the confidence of the governments concerned,
these would no doubt be willing to enter into contracts
for the delivery of silver over a term of months at an
agreed price, participation being distributed among the
members of the association willing and able to comply
with the terms of the contract. This would secure for
the producers a security of market over that period, so
that improvement in the mine and plant could be under-
taken with entire assurance.
Blamey Stevens.
Triunfo, Lower California, Mexico, November 20.
Mr. Hoover's Biography
The Editor:
Sir — Perhaps it may be permitted to other actors in
the field to enter this amiable little discussion regarding
Mr. Hoover and early days on the goldfields of Western
Australia.
My own entry into Coolgardie was in January 1895, in
the employ of Bewick, Moreing & Co., and I well remem-
ber (owing to the ravages of enteric fever) being the sole
representative of Bewick, Moreing & Co., and of Alex-
ander Mathieson, an allied mercantile company, and
having our office in a contractor's hut in the middle of
Bayley street.
The first permanent office was at the Coolgardie Cham- j
hers, 1895, and afterward extensive private offices of our |
!>,,■, ml., r 18, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
St;:.
own in 1896. From 1894 to 1898— when I left— Cool-
gnrdie was the oentral office of Bewick, Moreing & Co. in
Westeni Australia. As Mr. Wilson states, outside Han-
nan's Brownhill mine, the firm had no office at Kal-
goorlie.
Now, as to single-jacking. At Kalgoorlie I was famil-
iar with every hole in the ground, and the practice at
every mine, yet I never remember seeing anything but
double-hand drilling. On the other hand, I remember
when Mr. Hoover came to Kalgoorlie, in 1897, showing
him around the mines there, and when he went almost
immediately to Lawlers, hearing of his introduction of
single-hand drilling, from which a considerable economy
was claimed. The 'Barrier', or Broken Hill, supplied
almost all the men who became the operators on the Gold-
fields, and practice there followed the 'Barrier'. Now,
if single-jacking was prevalent at the 'Barrier', then it
would doubtless have been followed in Western Aus-
tralia.
Be that as it may, never in my experience did I see, at
Menzies, Coolgardie, or Kalgoorlie, anything but double-
hand drilling.
Now, as to Cornislimen teaching the world single-jack-
ing. I have worked underground in Cornwall at Dol-
coath, and spent my early days amid the mines there, but
I never remember seeing an instance of single-hand drill-
ing. The miners always worked in pairs. The hard tin
'capel' of the district necessitated a heavy 'mallet', with
one man 'beating the boyer', and the other 'turning'. In
my student days underground in Cornwall, I should
much have appreciated the gentle art of single-jacking,
and so have escaped the penalized inaccuracies of my
fellow-students. In Dolcoath 's wide stopes it was not an
uncommon sight to see three or four lusty men swinging
sledges the full 'St. Andrew's swing', and beating a drill
with rythmic and accurate precision.
So, whatever Cornishmen have taught the world in
mining, the practice of single-jacking would not seem to
have emanated from the Camborne district.
Santa Barbara, November 18. H. E. West.
[Has Mr. West ever heard of St. Just? — Editor.]
wherever a vein shows it is followed, even for years, and
once a productive formation is found it is worked night
and day until exhausted, sometimes over a period of
years, as at Muzo.
MIIIIIMMIII millllliimimiiijiiiiiimmiiiiimi
milium i mi
Emerald mixing is a Government monopoly in Colom-
bia. The best-known mines — the Muzo and Cosquez —
are situated in Boyaca about 90 miles north-west of
Bogota; a third, the Somondoco mine, is about 35 miles
east of Bogota ; and a fourth deposit, the Cuincha, across
the Minero river from the Muzo mines. The two last
named deposits are said to be as rich as the more famous
mines of Muzo and Cosquez, but are not easily accessible.
The Muzo deposits lie in a valley on a spur of the eastern
Cordillera, two or three days' journey on muleback from
Bogota over bad trails through rough country. The
emeralds occur in veins of calcite traversing black Car-
boniferous limestone. To follow the veins steel bars and
shovels are used to cut down banks, great care being ex-
ercised not to injure the emeralds as the veins are ap-
proached. No engineering skill can determine before-
hand the approximate value of any vein or deposit, but
San Francisco Mint Adopts Electric Furnace
for Melting Copper and Nickel
The U. S. Mint placed in operation on November 9 a
i-ton Kennerfelt electric furnace. This furnace super-
sedes several gas-heated crucible-furnaces, and is being
employed for melting cupro-niekel and bronze mixtures
used, respectively, for the five-cent and one-cent coins.
The furnace is not being used for melting gold or silver.
The furnace operates on two-phase, 60-cycle current,
supplied at 2200 volts by the power company, and
stepped down to approximately 110 volts at the furnace.
The amperage during a heat ranges between 650 and
800. There are three carbon electrodes. The holders
are water-cooled and the arc is regulated by hand. It
is probable, however, that this will be superseded by
automatic regulation. The furnace has an acid lining
and bottom, silica brick and sand being used. It is
charged with pigs of copper, nickel, etc., together with
crop-ends from the ingots, punchings from the sheets of
metal from which the blanks for coins are cut, and other
scrap from the coinage operations. On account of the
method of operation, however, this scrap is practically
as free from impurities as the original metal. No flux
is used, but a layer of charcoal is shaken on the surface
of the metal in the pouring-ladle to protect it from
oxidation.
At the present time the metal is poured into a hand-
ladle holding about 100 lb. of metal, and from the ladle
into the ingot-molds, which are of steel and are arranged
in a sort of circular rack. The molds are made in two
halves, which are clamped together. The inside of the
mold is swabbed with crude oil to prevent the molten
metal from adhering to it. Each ingot is approximately
J by 3 by 24 in. and weighs about 10 lb. A few minutes
after pouring, the ingots are cool enough to permit
opening the molds. The ingots are removed and
quenched in water, the interior of the molds is swabbed
again with oil, and the molds are re-clamped ready for
pouring again. After cooling, the ingots pass to the
cropping machine where the upper part of the ingot is
sheared off. The ingots then go to the rolling-room.
This procedure is soon to be modified by the installation
of a slow-moving conveyor upon which the ingot-molds
will travel. Operations will be timed so that, at the
proper interval, the molds will be opened, the ingots
quenched, and the molds returned to the pouring-position.
A conveyor will also take the ingots from the quenching-
tank to the cropping machine. In the rolling-room the
ingots are rolled into sheets the thickness of the coins,
22 passes through various-sized rolls being required. The
coin-blanks are then punched from these sheets, after
which the blanks pass through a machine that turns up
the edge. They are then annealed and polished before
the final operation of stamping.
866
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 18, 1920
Methods of Ore -Sampling in Montana — I
By H. B. Pulsifer
Introduction. The mechanical sampling of ores has
reached a stage of great practical utility, yet, like all
other industrial practices, it is subject to change with
general progress, as well as from the hints arising in the
course of daily work. The following notes will serve to
describe certain advanced practices and present condi-
tions, and to suggest directions along which improvement
appears promising.
Almost any study of sampling may be resolved into a
critical consideration of four phases comprising the basic
features of the work. These are precision, cost, method,
and equipment. Precision and cost have been placed first
in the list because they determine the method and equip-
ment to be used.
Precision of Sampling. The degree of precision that
is needed or desirable in any one sampling operation de-
pends greatly on the material to be treated and the pur-
pose in view. A combination of good grab-samplings in
the mine, at the hoist, and at the furnaces will sometimes
suffice if all the operations are under one management
and the chemical control is not rigid. This sort of grab-
sampling frequently meets the requirements for iron ores,
limestone, and coal ; it may cost only a fraction of a cent
per ton or, at the most, only a very few cents per ton.
At the other extreme are the samplings of gold, silver,
lead, and zinc ores, which are mined, sold, and treated
under the most rigid chemical control and which can well
stand a sampling-cost of over a dollar per ton. In the
first and most las type of sampling any one result may
not represent the lot to a greater precision than one part
in twenty or thirty, yet, because of repetitions and nu-
merous averagings a satisfactory working figure is finally
obtained. In contrast with grab-sampling, the more elab-
orate sampling of the rich metal ores may demand a pre-
cision of one part in a hundred at one single operation.
There is, of course, much sampling of intermediate pre-
cision requiring results to abqut one part in forty or fifty.
The matter of precision in sampling may be a balancing
of sampling effort against uniformity of material ; at one
extreme comes practically uniform stock requiring very
little equalization to secure a representative sample, at
the other extreme are materials like high-grade gold and
silver ores, which may well require fine grinding and
thousands of cuttings to yield a suitable sample. Nearly
all the custom sampling-mills in the West handle the ores
to give a sample good to one part in forty or fifty by
crushing four-fifths of the lot no finer than to two or three
inch size and at a cost of from ten to fifty cents per ton.
Rational sampling work demands recognition of two
auxiliary operations that are tied in series with the
sampling proper as establishing the money-value of a lot
of ore. The two operations are the determination of
moisture and the chemical analysis. If the moisture sam-
ple is uncertain to one part in fifty or sixty, or if the
chemical analysis is uncertain to one part in thirty or
forty, or if both are uncertain to about this degree, then
it is only a waste of effort to ..push the sampling precision
to greater than about one part in sixty or seventy. It is
common to find figures for ore and metal production, ex-
traction, and cost expressed to a refinement of one part
in ten thousand, or a million, when neither net weights,
samplings, nor analyses are better than one part in sev-
enty-five. Such sequences of figures are impressive only
in their absurdity.
A silver-lead ore may be chosen to illustrate the sig-
nificance of the relationship between the relative pre-
cisions in sampling and analysis as affecting the final re-
sult. Assume a commercial ore containing about 40%
lead and 20 oz. silver per ton. Buyer and seller would
like to know the lead and silver contents to within 10c.
per ton ; neither would care to quibble over an amount
smaller than this. It follows that a 10c. fluctuation in the
lead means 1.25 pounds, and 10c. difference in the silver
means 0.1 oz. ; if lead is reckoned at 8c. per pound and
silver at $1 per ounce. One and a quarter pounds is
about 0.16% on a 40% lead ore, or approximately one
part in 630 parts. A tenth-ounce of silver is 0.5% on a
20-oz. ore, or one part in 200 when stated in whole num-
bers. It is obvious that only extraordinarily good sam-
pling could hope to approach this refinement and it is even
more certain that such a degree of precision is entirely
outside the range of commercial analyses. Analysts com-
monly differ by from 0.5% to 0.8% on a lead determina-
tion of a 40% ore when using the same homogeneous sam-
ple ; they may differ by from 0.2 to 0.5 oz. on a 20-oz.
silver ore. A silver determination may reasonably be ex-
pected to be trustworthy to one part in forty parts and
the lead determination to one part in fifty parts; when
put into dollars and cents these limits amount to 50c. per
ton on the silver and $1.25 per ton on the lead. Buyer
and seller would, then, be foolish to expect to agree to
within 10c. per ton on silver and lead and might with
good reason decide to split any differences not greater
than $1.50 per ton on lead and 50c. per ton on silver.
It is here that the ancient bogey of high results by the
agents of the seller and low results by the agent of the
buyer enters to upset many otherwise good understand-
ings. The trouble will persist until standardized analyses
are established. Standardizing of analyses is a difficult
matter and is delayed by shortsighted business interests.
It is bound to come in due time, however. At present
one may affirm that the personal factor is far better
eliminated from mechanical sampling than from analy-
tical practice.
December 18, L920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
867
No. 1 SAMPLING-MILL AT EAST HELENA
One of the first investigations of the recently estab-
lished Montana State Bureau of Mines and Metallurgy
was a study of the custom ore-sampling plants in Mon-
tana. Possibly the most important part of the work as
published in Bulletin No. 3 (March 1920) of the Bureau
is a test of the precision of sampling as demonstrated by
the three most important custom sampling-mills in Mon-
tana. These often make repeat samplings on the same
lot of ore in the same mill, and once in a while a lot of
ore gets sampled in two of the mills, but no lot of ore
had ever been sampled in as many mills and as many
times as this particular lot. The State Bureau borrowed
a 50-ton lot of silver-lead ore containing also commercial
amounts of gold and copper. The carload weighed a
little over 50 tons and consisted of run-of-mine ore from
a mine within the State. The material was not wholly
ideal for the test, but it was the most suitable at that
time available and was well adapted to demonstrate the
degree of precision to be expected from the mills. The
lot contained rather too much fine, yet fully a quarter of
it was in chunks over two inches in diameter.
The minerals in the test lot consisted mainly of sul-
phides in a quartz gangue. The texture varied from large
pure grains and sulphide lumps to intimate sulphide
mixtures and black earthy powder. The composition was
estimated from the analyses to be approximately :
Quartz 30
Pyrite 25
Galena 15
Arsenical tetrahedrite 15
Zinc-blende 5
Other g-an^ue-minerals 10
FlG. 1. ELEVATION OP A SAMPLING-MILL DESIGNED BY THE TRAYLOR ENGINEERING CO.
868
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 18, 1920
I quote from my article in the Bulletin :
"The lot typified Montana ore of the better sort, with
commercial values in gold, silver, copper, and lead ; an
ore suitable for demonstrating the precision of sampling
on customary and average materials.
"The lot of ore was sampled twice at the Washoe
sampler, resulting in two independent final pulps. The
lot was sampled in the No. 1 mill at East Helena, using
the coarse by-pass; it was tenth-shovel sampled at East
Helena, and then finally ground to pass the 2-mesh
screens and again sampled in the No. 1 mill, this time in
the ordinary way. The lot was sampled once at the East
Butte mill while in the coarse condition, but duplicate
portions were taken from the mill-product before fine
grinding.
"Six different samplings were thus made, giving seven
pulps; three different types of mechanical cutters were
used and once the lot was hand-sampled. The hand-
sampling was first by the tenth-shovel method, and it was
then coned and quartered until the final splitting for
packets was made with a table-riffle.
"The actual sampling time at the different mills
varied ; at the Washoe sampler the lot required 20 and 30
minutes at each respective sampling; at the East Butte
mill 50 minutes was required for the sampling; at East
Helena fully two hours was taken each time the lot was
run through the mill.
"The final sampling at East Helena, after crushing to
half-inch size, afforded a good standard test, since the
material was then all in small sizes, had undergone re-
peated dispersions and retardations in the mills, and
was cut at least 3500 times by each of the mill samplers.
' ' The lot was sampled in the presence of the author in
each instance ; no particular arrangements were made at
the mills, nor was the sampling carried out in any way
different]}' from the routine procedure which the author ,
has repeatedly observed when he has happened into the
mills.
' ' The seven final pulps were analyzed under as nearly
identical conditions as possible in the State School of
.Mines laboratories. Lest too few results might involve
deviations in the chemical work instead of in the sam-
pling, the analyses were checked over from sis to eight"
times so as to furnish average figures for each component.
Pulp inequalities, chemical influences, and manipulations
all introduce deviations, which repeated analyses alone
can eliminate so as to show the precision or lack of pre-
cision in the sampling.
"The results of the analytical work follow :
Silver. Gold. Lead. Copper. Iron. Insoluble,
Sample ' oz. oz. % % %
A 37.8 0.21 12.73 1.74 l-i'in 32.58
B 37.3 0.22 12.46 1.60 14.43 33.07
C 37.0 0.23 12.50 1.74 14.46 32.87
D 37.0 0.21 12.64 1.78 14.77 32.01
E 37.3 0.21 12.64 1.76 14.52 32.83
F 37.4 0.21 12.72 1.70 14.35 32.50
G 37.5 0.22 12.91 1.73 14.72 32.22
"One conclusion, only, can be drawn from the results
in the table : namely, that the sampling was well done in
each instance. The difference between the several pulps
is less than excellent analysts might report on one and
the same pulp.
"The individual items and gross values of the lot may
be calculated for each sampling, reckoning silver at $1.25
per ounce, gold at $20.67 per ounce, lead at 8 cents per
pound, and copper at 18 cents per pound.
Deviation
Sample Silver Gold Lead Copper Total irom mean
A $47.25 $4.34 $20.37 $6.26 $78.22 +$0.44
B 46.62 4.55 19.04 6.08 77.20 — 0.58
C 46.25 4.75 20.00 6.26 77.26 — 0.52
D 47.38 4.34 20.22 6.41 78.35 +0.57
E 46.63 4.34 20.22 6.34 77.52 — 0.26
P 46.75 4.34 20.35 6.12 77.56 — 0.22
G 46.88 4.55 20.66 6.23 78.32 +0.54
"The total values range from $77.20 to $78.35, an ex-
treme difference of $1.15 ; the average deviation from the
mean of all the totals is $0.45. Ore-producers should cer-
Isl Cut
• 400 Lb. Sample
From 3 Too
TVo, 1 Sampler
£0% ^SomplO
Coarse
Crushing f?olls
16*36 ft otls
'o.S Sampler
20% Sample
end Cut
m SO- Lb Sample
From 7 Ton
Fine
Crushing Rolls
■I1XZ7 Polls
3rd Cut
- 16-Lb. Sample*
From 7 Ton
~/V© J Sampler
£OX Sample
Sample Rolls
-SZ*20 Polls
\.Line Shaft
\ -4ln Cut
'}', - 3.2 '-Lb- Sample
From 1 Ton
~^~~C 64 Z, Discord
^•Sample Sofe
OJ6Jt Sample
\7Vo. "f Sampler
?0% Sample
'<• Delivery Tracff
Fig. 2. taylor and brunton system of sampling as ■
used at the washoe sampler at butte
tainly be well satisfied with custom sampling which shows
this degree of precision."
Mechanical sampling of the degree of precision indi-
cated will generally be considered excellent work for the
sort of material used. The results also bring out an im-
portant fact often overlooked, namely, that the degree of
precision is a function of the amount of the element de-
termined. In the above table the precision is least on the
gold, amounting to one part in 20 on the 0.2 oz. of gold
present. If there had been only 0.02 oz. of gold present,
the precision might have been no greater than one part
December 18, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESa
869
in three. The precision on the silver figures to about
one part in forty; the results on the lead, eopper, iron,
anil 'insoluble' are intermediate between those on gold
and those on silver.
At Butte, eopper ores are considered easy to sample.
The eopper minerals are fairly well disseminated and, of
course, highly brittle. The low grade of the eopper ores,
from _' , to rarely as high a-s 10' ; . is also in favor of both
sampling and analysis. Two or three per cent of copper
in an ore is low enough to avoid the pitfalls of mechanical
is not considered excessive. After the degree of pre-
cision and approximate cost of sampling are established
for any given material, one can select the method and
equipment besl suited for the work. It would be far
from true to say that this logical sequence is commonly
followed in practice; numerous and unexpected excep-
tions occur because of customs, habits, available equip-
ment, workmen trained in certain ways only, or from
lack of knowledge of better ways.
In the "Western States there are probably fifty sam-
FlG. 3. THIRD CUTTER AND THIRD SET OF ROLLS IN
WASHOE SAMPLER AT BUTTE
Fig. 4. brunton cutter above crusher at
anaconda sampler
sampling and yet large enough for good precision in the
chemical results. The chemical determination of copper
is, furthermore, one of the most precise commonly made.
The experience of the Butte district is that lead, zinc,
and silver ores are less easy to sample than copper ores,
and that gold ores are the most difficult of all to sample.
A Butte copper ore would have afforded a too easy, and
thus inconclusive, test of the sampling-mill practice,
whereas a gold ore would have been entirely too difficult
for a practical test.
Cost of Sampling. There are some ores, like iron ores,
that . are cheap, fairly uniform, and satisfactorily sam-
pled at an outlay of only a fraction of a cent per ton ;
there are other ores and metallurgical products of such
value that an expenditure of a dollar, or more, per ton
plirig-mills built to sample copper, lead, and precious-
metal ores; these mills were built to displace the hand-
sampling by shovel and cone-and-quarter methods as first
used or to accommodate the large-scale operations more
recently established. They have a decidedly stereotyped
design as forced upon them by conditions now more or
less obsolete.
The "Western ores that needed sampling have usually
been of sufficient value to stand a charge of from 10c. to
$1 per ton and justify the construction of permanent and
substantial mills. The prevailing blast-furnace smelting
of past decades demanded as coarse stock as possible and
favored the crush-and-cut method now almost exclusively
used in the mills. A further determination of present
mill-design came from the former necessity of elevating
870
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 18, 1920
stock by bucket-elevators exclusively, and the impracti-
cability of putting more than one crush-and-cut couple
on any one floor of a mill. The general result has been
that the mills are built very tall, the entire lot is lifted
to the very top of the mill, and then loses its elevation by
falling from floor to floor, a large part of the fall being
wholly lost in simply getting from machine to machine or
from floor to floor. Further disadvantage comes from
having to distribute power, attendance, and machinery
over five or six superimposed floors.
The reasons given may account for the present design
of sampling-mills, yet offer no excuse for their not being
more efficient, operating at less cost, and being built on
more recent patterns. A manufacturer will tell you that
there are not enough sampling-mills built to warrant ex-
tensive study or the planning of special machinery. He
will say that sampling-mills are built only rarely, that
the average mill handles only a small tonnage with
a scanty treatment, that all the sampling-mills in the
country do not amount to as much as one big concen-
trating plant. There also appears to be something secret
about sampling costs and operating data, thus excluding
from effectiveness that most stimulating factor in indus-
trial progress, namely, publicity. When a sample-mill
has been built and put in service it is then left to wear
itself out; they are seldom altered and improved as are
concentrating mills. Plans have always called for stand-
ard design and standard equipment of the most conserva-
tive type.
It is now common for sampling-mills to use belt-con-
veyors, but largely as adapted to the old idea of numerous
superimposed floors. The East Helena plant of the
American Smelting & Refining Co. has five floor-levels,
although it is a mill elevating solely by conveyors, "Why
should not the units in a sampling-mill be served by belt-
conveyors with all the machinery in line and on one
level ? The sample-cutters can be placed close under each
crushing-unit and deliver the sample to a conveyor ele-
vating to the next rolls. All the rejects can be collected
on one and the same conveyor and loaded into cars at the
far end of the mill. A mill with the crushing equipment
on one floor should be excellent from the construction,
mechanical, and power distribution points of view. One
crane could serve all the units and greatly facilitate re-
pairs. Supervision and attendance would be greatly
facilitated by a one-floor design.
An incomplete fulfilment of the one-floor design is
illustrated in Fig. 1, which is supplied by the Traylor
Engineering Co., and is an elevation of a mill designed
for the Northport Smelting & Refining Co. In com-
parison with the Northport mill, whose total elevation
covers some 54 ft., may be offered the older scheme of
the Washoe sampler, whose total height from lowest ele-
vator-pit to point of roof is 96 ft. One might conclude
from Fig. 2, which is the sampling scheme of the Washoe
sampler, that the machinery is quite closely spaced and
that little elevation is lost; Fig. 3, however, shows the
actual spacing of two of the units and demonstrates how
75% of the fall on one of the floors is so much lost ele-
vation. Fig. 4 is a picture of one of the oscillating cut-
ters over its crusher in the Anaconda sampler ; there is no
lost elevation in this instance.
The ungainly large size of sample-cutters theoretically
adequate to handle the first selections in a mill has pre-
vented their use. This source of possible criticism can be
closed by placing the cutters immediately below the
crushing units in the basement where their large size and
awkwardness would not be so conspicuous. There are
strong reasons for the insertion of storing and equalizing
devices between a cutter and its next following crushing
unit. Devices of this sort need occupy only little head-
room and would fit in with horizontally arranged ma-
chinery as well as the present vertical arrangement.
Straight-line single-bay sampling-mill design ought to
decrease the original construction cost by from 25 to
40%, as well as decrease all subsequent operating and
maintenance costs by an equal amount. Many mills
suffer seriously in capacity, and consequently in the cost
of sampling, from delay in unloading cars, especially be-
cause of ore in solid bottoms or box-cars, from frozen
ore, from muddy ore, from mill-chokes and break-downs ;
with such sources of expense eliminated one looks to de-
sign and economy for the next most feasible improve-
ment. The straight-line design is offered as one sug-
gestion worthy of trial.
The cost of sampling is usually considered an unpro-
ductive expense to be held at the lowest possible limit.
However, in industrial operations, sampling is as neces-
sary as mining, weighing, or extracting a metal. The
cost of sampling is fortunately a minor expense, yet, be-
cause in the aggregate it amounts to a large sum, it de-
serves to be studied as any other cost-factor.
If two men working for 75c. per hour can pipe-sample
a 50-ton car of concentrate in 30 minutes, the cost ob-
viously is 1.5c. per ton for the uncorrected item. The
cost of pipe-sampling will be greater than 1.5c. per ton
because of unproductive time, bucking-room charges, and
overhead expense ; 5c per ton is probably a closer figure
for the actual expense. Pipe-sampling affords good pre-
cision and low cost when the material is suitable. The
tendency toward greater production of concentrates in-
stead of marketing raw ores unites with the low cost and
precision of pipe-sampling to assure it increasing useful-
ness in the future.
Crush-and-cut methods of sampling will continue to be
used. Probably most Western mills now sample at from
20c. to 60c. per ton, but with better mills and more
efficient operation the work should be done at about half
the present cost.
(To be Concluded)
Travelers reaching Chihuahua will now be able to
secure comfortable and modern hotel accommodations.
Electric lights and all other modern conveniences have
recently been installed, according to the American Vice-
Consul. Rooms can be had for from $2 to $5 per day.
Table d'hote meals are served in an up-to-date dining-
room at a charge of $1.50 per meal.
p. lember 18, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
s71
The Sinking of the Alpha No. 2 Shaft at Kimberly,
Nevada
Bv H. S. Munroe
After a diamond-drilling campaign, by the Consoli-
dated Copper ilims Co., conducted from the 1300 and
1400-ft. levels of the Alpha mine, it was decided to sink
the main or No. 2 shaft from the 1400 to the 1800-ft.
level.
On account of the extraordinary overhead expense in-
volved in sinking from an underground station, and the
delay such sinking would occasion to the normal opera-
tion of the mine, it was planned to get all possible speed
on the job once the work was actually started : first, by
providing and maintaining the best available equipment,
and, second, by making the wage attractive on a sliding-
scale contract so that the good men we hoped to provide
would not only stay on the job but would take a lively
interest in it, and, third, by making provision against
delays that might be caused by the rather heavy flow of
water in ease of ordinary pump difficulties.
The rock in which this shaft is sunk is limestone, vary-
ing from a dense hard blocky phase to more shattered
comparatively soft rock. In its shattered phases there is
more or less silicification.
The water-level of the mine is at the 1000-ft. level and
the normal flow from the 1400-ft. level is approximately
800 gal. per minute. Of this amount all but 100 gal. per
minute originates in the altered ore-bearing zone, which
is at an average distance of 500 ft. north of the shaft.
The mine is kept free of water by compound-condensing
steam-pumps, which are not over-capacity and are subject
to occasional stoppage. To provide against delays occa-
sioned by pump-stoppages, a concrete bulkhead with reg-
ulating-valves was established on the 1400-ft. level. This
installation was utilized on five occasions during the four
months of sinking.
On account of the position of the pumps and sump on
1400 LEVEL STATION
ALPHA MINE
ARRANGEMENT OF
PUMPING AND SINKIN6 EQUIPMENT.
872
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 18, 1920
the skip side of the shaft on the 1400-ft. level, it was im-
possible to cut a loading-pocket on that side. Similarly,
on account of the sinking-compartment (designated on
the sketch as 'manway') and the pipe- way intervening
between the sinking-station and the skip-ways, it was
equally impossible to provide a pocket for direct loading
into the skips from the sinking-station. It was necessary
therefore to revert to the time-favored Butte custom of
installing hinged doors at the collar of the sinking-com-
partment. The buckets were dumped directly into cars
run onto these doors.
A 10 by 14-in. air-operated geared hoist with two 300-
ni
19-3 1
it
SKIP
IB
'<r>
*_l
PIPES -1
— 5-0"-
**l
17-2 |
SKIP
if
^
T"
MANWAY
5-0"
SO-
CAGE
o
ALPHA NO. 2 SHAFT. ACTUAL DIMENSIONS ; TIMBERS SIZED
cu. ft. air-receivers was installed at the sinking-station.
A specially designed light-weight sinking-cage with 12-
ft. extension-shoes was provided. A 20-eu. ft. bucket, of
which three were provided, was suitably suspended from
the deck of the cage.
For drilling, Denver Rock Drill Co.'s No. 59 'Clippers'
were provided. These drills were new at the start of the
sinking and were taken on top and completely overhauled
after each round. At least one spare drill was kept on
the sinking-station during the drilling shifts to ensure
against delays. No delay on account of drill failure was
recorded.
Water from the bottom of the shaft increased from 40
gal. per minute at the start, to about 140 gal. per minute
at the finish; it was pumped by No. 7 and 9B Cameron
sinking-pumps, of which a spare was kept available on
the sinking-station at all times. To provide for the
settling out of the worst of the solids in the water from
the shaft, the diamond-drill station shown as 1402 in the
sketch, was converted into a sump by the construction of
a bulkhead ; from behind this bulkhead the water over-
flowed into the main pump-sump. The auxiliary sump
filled with mud several times during the period of sink-
ing and this mud was sluiced directly into the skips as
provided for in the construction of the bulkhead.
The matter of personnel was given careful attention.
A crew of 18 experienced shaft-men was picked for this
work. It is an interesting fact that only two men
changed during the entire period. These men worked
on a sliding-scale contract and made attractive wages.
The crew, per shift, consisted of six men in the bottom,
one of whom was rated as a shift-boss and received one
dollar per shift in addition to his contract wages. In
addition, there were one pump-man, two bucket-dumpers,
and one hoist-engineer per shift, all of whom worked on
day's pay. It is believed
that the men in the bottom
augmented, from their
earnings, the pay of the
others. There was excel-
lent co-ordination of effort
between the men on a given
shift and keen, though
friendly, competition be-
tween the three shifts. It
would be hard to imagine
more harmonious working
conditions.
Sinking started on No-
vember 12, 1919, and was
finished on March 5, 1920,
the operation having pro-
ceeded without any delay
"worthy of mention and
without any serious acci-
dent. Much credit for the
net result is due R. B.
Brown, mine foreman in
charge of operations at the
Alpha mine.
A statistical table covering this operation follows :
Feet advanced 400
Mine-shifts worked 312
Man-shifts worked {in bottom) 1,812
Total time: %
Drilling 18.9
Blasting- 7.3
Mucking' 49.6
Timbering: ' 16.2
Special 8.0
Holes drilled 3.354 ,
Per foot of shaft 8:4
Per mine-shift 10.7
Per man-shift 1.85
Average depth 6.1
Maximum in any one shift 50-0
Feet of hole drilled 20,445
Per foot of shaft 51.1
Per mine-shift 65.4
Per man-shift 11.2
Maximum in any one shift 315.0
Buckets mucked 12.067
Per foot of shaft 30.2
Per mine-shift 38.7
Per man-shift 6.7
Maximum in any one shift ' 121
Feet timbered 400
Per mine-shift 1-28
Per man-shift 0-22
Sticks of Powder (1 by 8 in.: 40%) used 25.450
Per foot of shaft 63.6
Per hole 7.6
Per foot of hole 1-2
Blasting-caps (No. 8) used 6380
Per foot 'of shaft 16
Feet of fuse used 48.005
Per foot of shaft 120
Board feet of timber per foot of shaft 423
5-8
Hi
*'- l".
ibi r 18,
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
873
Objectionable Practices of Minerals Separation
By George L. Nye
•The day of the bonanza is gone. The mining of the
metals has developed into an industry in which economi-
cal treatment of large tonnages of low-grade material
and the elimination of waste are the important features.
The evolution of mining has produced a corresponding
change in the manner of ore-dressing and ore-concentra-
tion.
Experimenters and investigators have been steadily in
the field, and as far back as 1884, they were seeking to
take advantage of the well-known affinity between metal-
lic particles and oily substances, plus the buoyancy of
oil in water, as a means of separating metal from gangue.
Experiments and investigations were constant and wide-
spread, but no satisfactory process, that is, none that was
at the same time both efficient and economical, had de-
veloped until fifteen or sixteen years ago, when four
processes came into commercial use, at practically the
same time, in the Broken Hill district of Australia. They
were known as the Potter-Delprat, the De Bavay, the
Minerals Separation, and the Elmore vacuum processes.
The Potter-Delprat process, since acquired by Minerals
Separation, consisted, in a general way, of the introduc-
tion of a fine ore-pulp into a pointed box containing hot
sulphuric acid or hot salt-cake solution. There was a
resulting reaction on the calcium carbonate in the ma-
terial, producing a great quantity of bubbles, which at-
tached themselves to the sulphide particles and raised
them to the surface in a thick coherent froth.
The De Bavay process made use of the 'floating greased
needle' idea, but, instead of making a coherent froth,
there was a thin film of mineral particles floated off the
top of the vessel.
In the Elmore vacuum process, the material to be
treated was thoroughly mixed with water, oil, and acid,
the combination being then drawn into the apparatus by
a suction-pump. The suction released the pressure of
the pulp, with the result that nearly all the oil dissolved
in the water escaped the solution in the form of bubbles,
which attached themselves to the sulphide particles and
raised them to the surface in the form of a thick co-
herent froth. In some instances, calcium carbonate was
added to the material.
In 1905 the Sulman, Pieard, and Ballot patent, which
formed the basis of the process being operated by Min-
erals Separation, was taken out in England. The same
process was patented in the United States in 1906, and
l| is known as patent 835,120, being the patent litigated in
the now celebrated Hyde case.
*A paper read before the American Mining Congress at
Denver on November 17, 1920. The author is of counsel
for the Mining Congress in the proceedings against Minerals
Separation before the Federal Trade Commission. The foot-
notes have been added by the Editor.
Iu 1905, 1906, and 1907, although the processes men-
tioned were commercially operating in Australia, but
little was known about them in the United States, and it
was not until after the patent application of Sulman,
Pieard, and Ballot, which later became patent 835,120,
was applied for, that the use of oil-flotation as a com-
mercial method of ore-concentration was introduced into
the United States.1 The interest aroused was immediate
and wide-spread, but the development of the art and its
application to commercial uses was not at all in accord
with either its possibilities or its opportunities.
Mining-men, the country over, have been free to criti-
cize the policy and practices of those controlling the
fundamental patents, who apparently have been desirous
of commercializing their ownership, while preserving
their knowledge and information as trade secrets.
In taking this attitude, the patent-owners have entirely
lost sight of the fundamental basis for patent laws of the
United States, found in the constitutional grant of legis-
lative power to Congress, in the following language :
"To promote the progress of science and the useful
arts by securing for limited terms to authors and in-
ventors the exclusive right to their respective writings
and discoveries."
Referring to this constitutional provision, the Circuit
Court of Appeals of the Third Circuit in National Har-
row Company v. Hench, 83 Fed. 36, said :
"It is no part of the constitutional scheme or of the
patent laws to secure to inventors a profit from the sup-
pression of their creations."
In proceeding contrary to the spirit and intent of the
constitutional and statutory provisions as interpreted by
our courts, Minerals Separation has resorted to many
practices criticized and condemned by the mining fra-
ternity.
These practices may be summed up as follows :
It has suppressed technical information, thus retard-
ing the development of the art.
It has made indiscriminate charges of infringement
and has failed at the same time in many instances to
point out any infringement.
It has required independent inventors and manufac-
turers to pay commissions on sales of their own ap-
paratus.
It has discriminated unfairly in royalty charges, has
charged and is charging excessive royalties and seeking
to fasten such royalties upon the operator beyond the
life of its patents.
It has made excessive claims to flotation rights, falsely
'The process of patent 835,120 was not applied in this
country by Minerals Separation until 1915.
874
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 18, 1920
disparaged independent apparatus and threatens law-
suits to coerce operators to sign a license contract.
It compels engineers in its employ to sign illegal and
iniquitous contracts, and requires licensees and their em-
ployees to assign their inventions to it.
It has injected spies and hirelings into the plants of
operators refusing to take out a license ; and it has vio-
lated the criminal laws by breaking and entering the
premises of another and threatens to continue such prac-
tices, justifying its actions by its alleged necessities.
Suppression op Technical Information and Retarding
the Art
In 1909 and 1910, there was a great scarcity of in-
formation concerning flotation, even in London where
the process was supposed to have been invented some
four or five years earlier (R 1624-40).
At the office of Minerals Separation it was stated that
they did not care to give out information. There were
no books on the subject and the practice of the art was
shrouded in secrecy.
When Theodore J. Hoover sought to publish his book,
he was violently opposed by Minerals Separation, which,
however, later gave a reluctant consent, and the book
finally came out, minus certain excisions insisted on by
Minerals Separation (R 1642-3). The excisions, accord-
ing to Mr. Ballot, were considered necessary in the com-
pany's commercial interests (R 563). Private profit
had even then begun to outweigh public interest in the
prosecution of science and the useful arts.
Dr. Gregory sugar-coats the pill by calling it "self-
protection". He says (R 621-2-3) :
"I am looking at it purely from a moral standpoint —
I would say it was an absolute dereliction of duty on my
part if I allowed any employee of ours to go and ruin
the prospects of a company just because he wanted to
air his views."
He adds, however, that in some instances:
"Where we have been able to satisfy ourselves that it
would be innocuous we have allowed it (the publication
of information), but it has done us harm nevertheless."
John Ballot, president of Minerals Separation (R
561-565), says:
"Our policy is this: with a company developing and
exploiting patented processes, we have licensees using
these processes, and we are' obligated to pass improve-
ments and inventions on to licensees for use. We are not
satisfied with the finality of our process as an invention ;
apart from exploiting the processes commercially we also
try to improve them to make them still more useful.
Our business, therefore, is of a secret nature. If we per-
mitted our staff members to write papers and discuss
things publicly, what possible chance would there be for
us to develop our patents."
In other words, for the sole purpose of facilitating
private commercial exploitation of a patent right. Min-
erals Separation suppresses all information which might
be used as a starting point for further development of
the art by any one of a thousand brains outside its
employ.
All this in the face of the fact that it has been the
settled law of this country ever since the decision of the
Supreme Court of the United States in Pennock v.
Dialogue (2 Peters 1) :
"That the primary purpose of our patent laws is not
the creation of private fortunes for the owners of pat-
ents, but is to promote the progress of science and the
useful arts. ' '
Dr. Gregory admits (R 624-5) that:
"There is no authoritative work on flotation, either in
America, England, or Australia, no book on flotation
that I would consider an authority. ' '
If any further proof of the desire and effort of Min-
erals Separation to suppress information be required, it
is found in the fact that some years ago when a pub-
lisher2 was about to print an interview with a prominent
metallurgist, formerly a licensee of Minerals Separation,
the latter 's chief engineer threatened "to raise a red
flag" if such publication was not suppressed. When
crowded for a reason for his attitude, his only answer
was that the author said something about the treatment
of concentrates by chloridizing roasting and leaching,
and he was thinking of taking out a combination patent
for that, himself.
Of course, every one at all familiar with the industry
knows that such methods of treatment had been almost
in common use for more than a quarter of a century.
That this attitude of Minerals Separation has un-
questionably retarded the advancement of the art is
affirmed and asserted by practically every mining-man
and mill-man who has come at all in contact with the
situation.
A well-known San Francisco editor,3 himself an en-
gineer of wide experience, says (R 1650-51), referring to
the advancement of the art in this country :
"It has been extremely slow considering the impor-
tance of it. The progress of the art in this country has
been retarded by the attempt to impose secrecy upon the
experiments and the operations of those using the process
by means, of course, of these license agreements and other
methods, but more particularly by the effort to tie indi-
vidual metallurgists to the chariot-wheels of this patent
exploiting agency."
Government officials4 connected with the Bureau of
Mines express it as their opinion (R 2067 and R 2395-6),
after years of experience and careful observation, that
the attitude of Minerals Separation has been to retard
the development of the flotation art.
One Bureau of Mines man5 (R 2053-65) has observed
and noted a number of instances where mining com-
panies have refused to consider an additional saving by
the installation of flotation because of the repressive
tactics practised and the license agreement tendered by
Minerals Separation.
=T. A. Rickard, of the 'Mining and Scientific Press',
sibid.
••Thomas Varley, superintendent Salt Lake Station, Bu-
reau of Mines, and others,
slbid.
I>. . . ml., r 1\ 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
875
[nfrdtoement
In one thing at least. Minerals Separation baa at all
limes dealt with lavish hand, that is. in its indiscriminate
wholesale charges of infringement. The company's own
records show that it has carried in its "infringement
file" hundreds of operators, individual and company.
who have never used flotation at all, and in some in-
stances, concerns that have not even had a. mill on their
property.
Their chief engineer0 admits that they get most of
their information concerning infringement from the
technical press and casual information (R 1240, 647).
This information is passed on to patent attorneys who
send out notices of infringement and threats of suit with-
out further proof of the fact (R 1248). This same en-
gineer admits that not nearly all of those listed as in-
fringers are actually operating flotation (R 1268-9,
1275-78).
Apparently the plan was not only to reach the actual
operator, but to throw a fear into the prospective op-
erator at the same time.
The 'holier than thou' attitude of Minerals Separa-
tion is well disclosed by the statement of its engineer
(R 1212-13-14) ; in referring to the action of the man-
ager7 of a certain company, who, he says :
"Came and said that they wanted to take a license with
us and settle up for their sins."
and adds:
"He was sinning against the law of using flotation
illegally. His statement was the result of a letter which
Mr. Henry D. Williams sent around generally to those
on the list. They were our list of infringers. "
These threatening letters from Henry D. Williams
were sent to experimenters (Westcott R 1860), to those
using the Callow process (R 1894 Lambourne) and to
those operating outside the limits of patent-right awarded
in the Hyde case (Hollister R 2330-31 ) . Similar threats
were made by representatives in personal interviews
(R 1894-2396), yet so far as we have been able to ascer-
tain, the threats were all based upon the broad and all
inclusive proposition that Minerals Separation controls
flotation.
The chief engineer says (R 1152) :
"The scope of our patent has been discussed by me
with infringers in a general way in that I told them that
our patents covered the commercial use of flotation, and
that we proposed to enforce our patents . . . Advice
to field men has been in a general way that people using
flotation are probably infringers."
He also says (R 1247) :
"Our investigators went to the operators and obtained
information. They did not report what patent was being
infringed. They haven't any idea of patents. We have
I these operators down on our infringing list . . . The
elements entering into flotation process which in general
infringe our patents are agitation and aeration, and the
6E. H. Nutter.
'J. W. Hutchinson, of the Goldfield Consolidated Mines Co.
use of oil and other reagents with the formation and sep-
eratdon of froth, all in an ore pulp containing mineral
values."
One of Minerals Separation's field representatives ad-
mits that in many instances (R 1828-35) neither the ap-
paratus nor the reagents used were disclosed and yet the
operators were classed as infringers.
The former manager8 of the Midvale Minerals Co. in
Utah reports (R 1877) that the representative of Min-
erals Separation who called on him "got into the subject
of infringement immediately".
"He did not state or point out in any way whatever
the manner in which we were infringing, but claimed in-
fringement merely by use of flotation. He (R 1885)
talked about suits that Minerals Separation had brought
against other parties, and was careful to state that all
of them had been decided in favor of Minerals Separa-
tion."
Another mine manager0 was informed (R 1897) that
the company was going to give the smaller operators
"their due ', later on.
Still a third10 (R 1954) was told that suits were being
brought on other points than the amount of oil used, and
that after the decision of the Supreme Court, Minerals
Separation was "going after the protection of their
rights".
Another manager,11 using more than 1% of oil on the
ore (R 2326) was told that he was infringing. The repre-
sentative did not say how, but insisted that flotation
could not be used without infringing Minerals Separa-
tion patents.
I have given a few of the instances where wholesale
charges of infringement without specification, and
threats of litigation without actual suits, have been used
apparently to intimidate and frighten the small operator.
Independent Inventors and Manufacturers
Another branch of the "exploiting" business upon
which Minerals Separation embarked originally, with
great eclat, was that of requiring independent inventors
and manufacturers to pay commissions on sales of their
own apparatus. True it is that this practice has now, in
the main, been abandoned, but the facts concerning its
pursuit while it lasted are interesting and extremely
illuminating in a consideration of the acts and doings
upon which this patent exploiting agency is thriving.
In December 1916 (R 1358-78-Exhibits 249-259, inc.),
the Stimpson Equipment Co., handling the Janney ma-
chine, designed to be operated in flotation concentration,
was advised by a prospective purchaser12 that Minerals
Separation was threatening trouble if the purchaser put
Janney machines into operation. This naturally caused
the Stimpson Equipment Co. to investigate the matter,
sGeorge T. Hansen.
"George W. Lambourne, general manager tor the Judge
Mining & Smelting Co.
i°C\ J. Salisbury, of Salt Lake City.
"William C. Hollister.
"Engels Copper Co., of San Francisco.
876
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 18, 1920
and to request that the attitude of Minerals Separation
be disclosed.
Later Minerals Separation was advised that the pros-
pective purchaser was one of their licensees, so that the
sale could in no manner contribute to infringement.
Stimpson13 was informed, however, that the chief en-
gineer14 would see him on his way West, and later was
requested to meet the engineer at Ogden, Utah. The
meeting occurred, and the engineer then tendered to Mr.
Stimpson a memorandum of a proposed contract that
might be entered into between the Stimpson Equipment
Co. and Minerals Separation regarding the sale of Jan-
ney machines. The memorandum was handed to Mr.
Stimpson (Ex. 250).
This memorandum is one of the most astounding docu-
ments that has ever found its way into print. It pro-
vides that Stimpson shall have the right to sell the Jan-
ney machine to Minerals Separation's licensees, but re-
quires that he agree not to sell, rent, or lease any flota-
tion machine except to such licensees. It stipulates that
Minerals Separation must have a contract enforceable by
injunction, and that it (Minerals Separation) shall be-
come sole licensee to sell the Janney machines, but that
it will, in turn, appoint the Stimpson company selling-
agent. It stipulates that orders for Janney machines
must be O.K.'d by Minerals Separation before machines
are shipped, and requires that it receive 25% of the gross
profit made between net manufacturing cost and selling
price.
Naturally such a contract was not acceptable to the
Stimpson Equipment Co. ; after objection and consider-
able correspondence, a new form of contract was sub-
mitted, which Minerals Separation's chief engineer de-
elared would not violate the anti-trust laws, but this con-
tract contained a provision for a heavy penalty in the
event that any machines manufactured by the Stimpson
company were used in infringement of Minerals Sep-
aration's process-patents. In other words, the effect of
the penalty was to close the door to any customers for
the Stimpson Equipment Co. except licensees of Minerals
Separation. The proposed contract was not signed.
Jackson Pearce,15 another machine manufacturer, was
told by Chief Engineer Nutter that anyone who used
one of his machines and infringed, would make him
(Pearce) liable (R 2296)." Pearce refused to sign the
contract submitted, objecting to the clause requiring
payment of 10% of the selling price to Minerals Sep-
aration and fixing a liability of $10,000 in the event that
any Pearce machine was used in infringing operations.
A similar contract was offered to Mr. Ruth,10 another
manufacturer. It was stated at the time by the chief en-
gineer that the contract was the standard form (R 2410)
and that he, Ruth (R 2414), was not only an infringer,
but worse than an infringer, for he was "furnishing the
"Charles Stimpson, of Salt Lake City.
"Mr. Nutter.
"Jackson A. Pearce, of the Argo mill, at Idaho Springs,
Colorado.
"Joseph P. Ruth Jr., o£ Denver, Colorado.
brains for other men to infringe with". Ruth was also
told that he was making a living illegitimately (R 2417).
Royalty Charges
In February 1915 the assignor of Minerals Separation
North American Corporation entered into a special con-
tract with the Anaconda-Inspiration group, and in June
1916 special royalty terms were given to the Colusa Par-
rot Mining & Smelting Co., because the quality of its
dumps, the low recovery, and the narrow margin of profit
to the company, made such terms equitable in the opinion
of the assignor (R 501).
A special agreement was also made with the St. Joseph
Lead Co., the Doe Run Lead Co., and the Desloge Con-
solidated Lead Co. (R 905).
Dr. Gregory explains (R 908) that the licenses issued
to these particular companies were special because con-
taining a condition that they would pay a certain sum
whether they treated ores or not.
President John Ballot (R 513) explains that in the
instance of the Colusa Parrot company the contract pro-
vided for a royalty of 6c. for twenty pounds of copper
recovered and that his company rebated 3c. He says
(R 515) :
"We merely agreed to leave the license as it was, the
license taken up at a certain rate of royalty. As the
royalty was paid and payable we refunded half of it to
the owner. The agreement was probably oral, at most an
exchange of letters."
It is stated (R 537) that Minerals Separation, in
settling with infringers, has adopted the policy of charg-
ing the infringer who comes to the office and confesses
infringement, double the amount he would have paid if
he had taken out a license; then after he had paid for
past infringements he is treated and put on the same
basis as everybody else who has a standard form of
license — he cannot, however, get the Anaconda agree-
ment.
This was the attitude and stand upon which Minerals
Separation, in August 1915, tried to avoid a previous
agreement with Utah Leasing Co., saying (Ex. 303, Ex.
p. 2242) :
"The London Board refuse to agree to the 6c. mini-
mum royalty . . . and insist that this material pays a
flat royalty of 12c. per ton. This on account of the fact
that to grant you this 6c. minimum would jeopardize
our contract with the Anaconda Company. ' '
and yet in November 1915 a special contract was granted
the St. Joseph Lead Co., the Doe Run Lead Co., and the
Desloge Consolidated Lead Co. "with the consent of
London", which had "the identical terms accorded Ana-
conda in their license and private agreement. ' '
It also appears that for several years Minerals Sep-
aration was charging one company 50c. per ounce of gold
recovered by flotation concentration and another com-
pany using substantially the same methods and treating
substantially the same character of material during the
same interval was charged 25c. per ounce.
It must have been punishment or special privilege, one
or the other.
December 18, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
Excessive Roy mi
There can be do question but that the royalties charged
by Minerals Separation an excessive. They are in prac-
tically every instance based upon metallic recovery; in
other words, upon gross recovery from ores treated.
In one instance a company during its operations in
1!H7 made a handsome profit, about $.">;>( 1.01 in. ami paid
Minerals Separation a royalty of $18,652. The following
year the same company made a profit of $50,000 and
paid Minerals Separation $30,000 in royalties. The
third year the same company made a loss of $70,000, but
nevertheless paid Minerals Separation $32,800.
If the fees paid for the use of a process bore some re-
lation to the net amount of profit made by the operator,
tiny might show some elements of fairness, but when
charges are made upon a basis such that Minerals Sep-
aration gets its profit when the use of its process con-
tributes to a loss upon the part of the operator, as well
as when he makes a profit, there is something unfair and
inequitable if not illegal and illegitimate in the royalty
charges.
Field engineers for Minerals Separation have repeated-
ly reported (R 1766-1832-3) that operators protested
royalties as excessive.
Mine-operators all over the West (R 1917-1952-2062-
2063 and Ex. 352-2064 2290-2293-2312-2455-2471) pro-
test the excessive royalty charges, characterizing them as
prohibitive, and in many instances refrain from using
the process because of such charges.
In one instance, after holding out the prospect if not
actually promising, a royalty of 4c. per ton of tailing
treated. Minerals Separation demanded 6c. per ton, and
after tendering a contract upon that basis and selling, to
the prospective licensee,17 Minerals Separation flotation
machines, which the licensee fully paid for, later de-
manded a flat royalty of 12c. per ton upon the statement
that a minimum of 6c. would jeopardize their contract
with the Anaconda company. The licensee refusing to
be boosted a second time, Minerals Separation took the
high-handed procedure of refusing to deliver to the
licensee the machines which it had bought and paid for,
as a coercive measure to produce an acquiescence in an
extortionate royalty. In this they were entirely un-
successful (R 2097, et seq. Witness Strange and Ex.
275 to 345).
The matter finally wound up with the most astounding
suggestion from the representatives of Minerals Sep-
aration, namely, that the licensee should sign both the
6c. and the 12c. agreement, submit them both to Min-
erals Separation for a decision, and entrust themselves
and their contract to a concern which was then, in viola-
tion of decency and fair dealing, withholding the ma-
chinery which the prospective licensee had bought and
paid for.
Is it any wonder that the licensee brought a replevin
proceeding to obtain possession of its own, and that
Minerals Separation ultimately failed in its attempted
hold-up ?
"The Utah Leasing Co., at Newhouse, Utah.
Under the terms of the license contract put out by Min-
erals Separation, every licensee is bound not only to give
every invention or discovery made during operations
under the license to Minerals Separation, but to bind its
employees to assign and transfer any sueli discovery or
invention. The licensee also agrees that he will not with-
out the written consent of Minerals Separation during
the continuance of the license use or employ any improve-
ment, modification, or addition to any of the inventions
specified in the letters patent within the license which is
not the property of Minerals Separation.
Dr. Gregory, referring to the contract of the licensees,
says (R 580) :
"Now coming back to the contract as I said before, one
had difficulty in that direction because it was considered
that this contract never terminated, but when I explained
to them that this was merely an option, and if you used
the process you paid, and if you did not use the process
you were as good as not having a contract at all, there
was no objection of any kind. We simply made the eon-
tract, and said, 'Now go ahead, if you find it convenient
for you to use the process you pay us a royalty.' The
agreement terminates upon their ceasing to use flotation
and it commences again when they start to use it. ' '
In other words, when once signed, the contract is per-
petual, and extends the payment of royalties beyond the
life of the patent right.
The charge of exacting excessive royalties was con-
fessed by Chief Engineer Nutter when he wrote to Min-
erals Separation in March 1917 :
"I am becoming more and more convinced that our
royalties are too high and am getting together data which
I think will show that we are losing out financially
through charging a royalty which is considered too high.
The only argument that I can see is that hy maintaining
our present position we can hold the Butte and Superior
Company up for more than we otherwise might."
Excessive Claims op Flotation Rights
The chief engineer of Minerals Separation thinks
(R 1156) that "any use of oil infringes Minerals Separa-
tion patents". "All users of flotation (R 1160) are in-
fringers", or, (R 1144) "probable infringers".
He told Manager Martin18 of the Ozark company
(R 1178) that Minerals Separation patents covered "flo-
tation process", that is, all manner of flotation concen-
tration. He keeps all those using flotation on the in-
fringers list (R 1129) upon the general theory that they
could not be using flotation in a commercial way without
infringing, and says, (R 1267) that it is practically im-
possible to use oil in flotation concentration without in-
fringement. Furthermore (R 1230) he regards all manu-
facturers of machines as contributory infringers.
In talking with Jackson Pearce, who was himself the
manufacturer of a machine for use of flotation, Chief
Engineer Nutter said :
"You are furnishing the brains for other men to in-
fringe with. If they hadn't the flotation machine they
couldn't infringe and that would eliminate them. I sup-
isGeorge A. Martin.
878
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 18, 1920
pose you are aware of the fact that our patents control
any number of them. Our patents carry us up into the
year 1935, and for fellows like you who are making flota-
tion machines, we have a contract whereby you can manu-
facture without infringing."
He then offered Mr. Pearce a contract similar to that
proposed to the Stimpson Equipment Co. requiring that
he only sell his machines to Minerals Separation licensees
and pay them 10 or 20% of the selling price for the
privilege of being thus restricted in his market.
Falsely Disparaging Independent Apparatus
One of the methods formerly in use by Minerals Sepa-
ration to coerce the manufacturer of independent flota-
tion machines and compel them to come in and transfer
all their rights to Minerals Separation and take in return
a mere selling-agent's contract, was to use an ordinary
expression, to 'knock' such apparatus and in every way
to disparage the same, in the minds of prospective pur-
chasers.
"When the Bngels Copper Co., late in 1916 and early in
1917, (R 1416) was thinking of installing Janney ma-
chines, the representative of Minerals Separation advised
the president of the Engels company that before he in-
stalled Janney machines he must procure the consent of
Minerals Separation, frankly stating, however, that he
did not think that the operator could get such consent.
When asked what would happen if the operator went
ahead without the consent, the reply was that very possi-
bly his license would be revoked.
In another instance, one of Minerals Separation's own
representatives in the field, in calling upon an operator
engaged in installing independent apparatus, had "in-
stilled doubt in his mind that the Hyde machine which he
is installing in one of his mills would do the work ". (Ex.
157, Ex. page 1476.)
In yet another instance, the Ohio Copper Co. in Utah
was using flotation. They had installed a Janney ma-
chine and had had the same in operation for about 60
days before a Minerals Separation machine was installed.
The mill was treating copper ores which in solution
naturally corroded any metallic iron with which they
came in contact. The Janney machine was of metallic
construction, and at the end of 60 days was naturally less
efficient in operation than when new. After the Minerals
Separation machine was installed, the two machines were
operated concurrently and of course a record of the re-
sults was kept. Alfred Frank, manager for the Ohio
Copper Co., (B 2557) states: "I did not consider there
was any definite period during which there was a test."
Notwithstanding this situation, Minerals Separation at-
tempted to make capital and to disparage the work of the
Janney machine by circulating unfair comparative re-
sults in operation (R 1691 and 4) and this in the face of
the fact that the manager for the Ohio Copper Co. states
that "the Janney machines did slightly better metal-
lurgical work".
Minerals Separation representatives have repeatedly
proclaimed the desire to be of assistance to operators, and
always use that as an introductory statement in ap-
proaching anyone thought to be infringing, but their
ardor to be of assistance cools rapidly after a license is
taien out and actual help is often entirely missing.
One notable instance was the experience of the Chi-
chagoff company, where, after repeated effort (R 1399,
1402) to get help from Minerals Separation, they gave
up in despair and went to independent experimenters,
who quickly gave them a solution that raised their sav-
ings 16%.
Threatening Law-Suits to Coerce Operators
Dr. Gregory says very plainly (R 601) that a licensee
is ensured against law-suits. The inference is perfectly
obvious. Anyone using flotation who is not a licensee is
manifestly in danger of litigation. This is particularly
emphasized in a letter sent out by Minerals Separation's
patent attorney in which he stated :
"You are hereby notified of infringement of my
client's patents . . . Tou are hereby directed to send
me a full statement of your infringing operations . . . i
In default whereof I am instructed to bring suit against
you for an injunction, profits and damages, including a
preliminary injunction at the commencement of the suit
to immediately stop your operations."
According to the statement of Minerals Separation's
chief engineer, such a letter was sent out to 250 or 300
operators, when confessedly not more than one-third of
them were actually infringing.
One of the field representatives on one occasion called
upon the Idaho Mining, Reduction & Transportation Co.
at Idaho Springs, Colorado, (R 1740). This enterpris-
ing and energetic young man stated to the superin-
tendent :
"We are checking up the infringers, trying to keep
them out of metallurgical difficulties and endeavoring to
get them to come in and take out a license to avoid any
disagreeable business that might follow. ' '
This representative thereafter very naively stated :
"He understood that meant litigation."
Another instance, that of the East Butte Copper Min-
ing Co., after receiving the threat of litigation from pat-
ent counsel already referred to, took the matter up (R
2371-3) with their own counsel, and reached the conclu-
sion that they could not afford to get into a fight with
Minerals Separation "not because we felt they were in
the right — but simply as a matter of expediency".
Then there was the case of the Evergreen Mines Co.
(R 2332), absolutely deterred from operation by threats
of litigation by Minerals Separation. Their property
today is lying idle under a resolution by the stockholders
of the company to the effect that they will not re-open
the property and commence active operations until they
can receive fair and decent treatment from the patent-
exploiting agency.
Compelling Engineers in Its Employ to Sign Illegal
and Iniquitous Contracts
Theodore J. Hoover, one-time general manager for
Minerals Separation, who signed one of their engineer
employee's contracts, by the terms of which Minerals
D mber 18, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
879
Separation seek to bind the engineers to them not only
during the period of their employment, but for all time,
characterized the perpetual obligation contract (R 1585)
as unjust, immoral, and illegal.
The clause of the contract in question, reads: (R 1589,
Hoover, Respondent's Ex. 9).
''He shall also pledge himself to keep in absolute con-
fidence all information acquired regarding the company's
business and processes during the time of his engagement,
and also afterwards."
The words "and also afterwards" constitute the par-
ticularly objectionable features of the contract.
Hoover says (R 1584) that his career has been ham-
pered and rendered difficult for years by those words and
by the attempts of Minerals Separation to enforce them.
Mr. Hoover finally sought and obtained the opinion of
eminent legal counsel to the effect that such a contract
was unjust, immoral, and illegal (R 1582).
Minerals Separation also seek to stop the mouths and
hamper the efforts of every metallurgist who enters the
employ of a licensee, by forcing upon them a contract
similar to that which they enforce upon their immediate
employees. (R 1652 et seq.).
Compelling Licensees to Assign Their Own Inven-
tions to Minerals Separation
Clause 3 of the license contract, is the clause requiring
licensees to assign their own inventions and improve-
ments and the inventions and improvements of their
employees to Minerals Separation.
Dr. Gregory very lucidly (?) explains (R 616 to 19)
the intention of this clause of the contract. He says in
effect that it is intended merely to procure for all their
licensees the benefit of new inventions without extra
charge. He fails, however, to make mention of the fact
that each time a new invention is made by a licensee and
turned over to Minerals Separation for inclusion within
the list of patents under its control, that the chains of
the licensees are forged anew and the period of their
slavery extended for the life of such patent.
Many licensees and prospective licensees complain bit-
terly of this clause of the contract. One of them19 char-
acterizes it as "giving a warranty deed (R 1917) on the
brains of our organization", and all object to being
obliged to release the results of their own investigations
and efforts to Minerals Separation for its sole benefit.
In 1917, after writing to the company suggesting that
royalty charges were too high, Chief Engineer Nutter
said:
"Another matter which is in my mind now and which
I will mention here — although it does not properly belong
in this letter — is this : that it would be better policy for
'us to delete from our license those clauses which always
ause irritation to our licensees and in practise are not
■bserved. I refer more particularly to the embargo on
formation and to the binding of employees to turn over
ventions to us. ' '
"George W. Lambourne. of the Judge Mining & Smelting
Company.
This statement of Mr. Nutter is important for two rea-
sons, first, as a confession that the company has an em-
bargo on information and requires its employees to turn
over inventions; and, second, because he recognizes and
asserts that as a matter of business policy the company is
making a mistake.
Using Spies and Detectives in Plants of Operators
Dr. Gregory tells (R 653) how Chief Engineer Nutter
went right into the plant of the Butte & Superior com-
pany. He says they had the doors locked, but Nutter
broke in — it was "absolute robbery" — and took some of
the stuff (concentrate), and put it into a bottle. "If you
get some of the froth you know what they are doing,"
and then added with the utmost sangfroid :
"You have to get a thief to catch a thief."
This characterization of their chief engineer may or
may not be entirely acceptable to him, but up to date he
has been sufficiently mindful of his complete ownership
by Minerals Separation, so that he has made no com-
plaint.
President John Ballot says that they have had occa-
sion, and, unless they are ordered to the contrary, they
niay have occasion in the future to employ men who will
use their ingenuity and skill to get into places and find
out what people are doing. "We have to use all the
modern methods that everybody uses — detectives. "We
employ a man to go into the works, anyone that we can
get hold of to do the business. We employ a man to go
into the works and pay him. Detectives were sort of
workmen. ' '
In other words, they employ men outright in the first
instance as spies, put them under salary, induce them to
go to various operating companies and misrepresent
themselves as honest men seeking employment, and there-
by worm themselves into the works of an operator, taking
their money from such operator as regularly as they get
their pay from Minerals Separation for the sole purpose
of spying out and reporting the operations in that par-
ticular mill.
It is brazenly admitted (R 779) that they had a chief
spy located in Salt Lake City, who recommended other
spies (R 769), who were employed in at least two in-
stances, and who were characterized as the "northern
observer" and the "southern observer". He says, how-
ever, (R 773) that they were employed to ferret out in-
stances of stealing, and adds :
"By stealing we mean that they were suspected of il-
legally using our process patents."
These observers were employed at a total cost of a little
less than $10,000.
The arch conspirator, reporting to president Ballot,
(Ex. 83, Ex. R. page 1161), says:
"I just want to inform you that I have secured, by
devious and most unethical means, a sample of X-eake
which I am sending by registered mail to Mr. Higgins
today."
When we consider the suppression of information, the
indiscriminate charges of infringement, the demands
880
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 18, 1920
upon independent inventors and manufacturers, the ex-
cessive claims to flotation rights, the disparagement of
independent apparatus, the threats of coercion, the
strangle-hold contracts imposed upon licensees and em-
ployees, and the excessive and discriminatory royalties
which are being charged, to say nothing of the outrageous
methods employed by this patent-exploiting monopoly
to obtain the evidence with which to club non-licensees
into submission, is it any wonder that practically the
whole mining fraternity has been aroused to that spirit
of self-defence which years ago found expression in the
words, "Millions for defense, but not one cent for
tribute"?
Production of Quicksilver
From April 1 to June 30, 1920, inclusive, 3685 flasks
of quicksilver of 75 lb. was produced in the United
States, according to F. L. Ransome, of the U. S. Geo-
logical Survey. This is 1214 flasks less than was pro-
duced in the first quarter of 1920 and 255 flasks less
than was produced in the second quarter of 1919. Only
13 mines were reported as productive — 8 in California,
1 in Nevada, 1 in Oregon, and 3 in Texas. California
produced 2704 flasks, Texas 952 flasks, and Nevada and
Oregon together 29 flasks. The average monthly price
of quicksilver per flask in San Francisco for the quarter
was $100 in April, $87 in May, and $85 in June. The
average price for the quarter was therefore about $91
as compared with about $86 for the first quarter. The
chief cause of the decrease in production during the
second quarter was the destruction by fire, on June 20,
of the reduction plant of the New Idria mine, in Cali-
fornia, and the consequent loss of quicksilver already
reduced during the earlier part of that month. Because
of this misfortune the production for the third quarter
of 1920 will probably be still smaller than that for the
second quarter. Reconstruction is in progress, and it is
expected that the plant will be in partial operation in
August or September of this year. Other causes that
contributed to the decrease in production were a short-
age of efficient labor and a reduction in the average grade
of the ore. At a time when initiative in the quicksilver-
mining industry is at a low ebb and the tendency is
rather to abandon enterprises already begun than to
embark on new ones it is of interest to note that the
formerly productive Klau mine, in San Luis Obispo
county, California, has been re-opened under the same
management as the Carson mine, and that its 50-ton fur-
nace has been put in repair.
Laege deposits of iron ore are uncommon in the north-
ern Rocky Mountains, so that considerable interest is
attached to some deposits near Stanford, Montana. The
deposits are lens-shaped bodies of rather pure hematite
that form a belt along the contact of limestone and an in-
trusive porphyry. The belt has been traced seven miles,
and although the length of the lenses is not accurately
known, the widths range from 5 to 60 ft., and one lens
is explored 125 ft. below the outcrop.
The New Air-Shaft of the Davis-Daly
Copper Company
•Since the Colorado mine became one of the deep
mines of the Butte district, that is, after the workings
reached a depth exceeding 1900 ft., the problem of effi-
cient ventilation has been difficult. This problem has
been met in several ways with varying degrees of success
during the past three years. The first step toward ob-
taining efficient ventilation of the lower workings of the
mine was the installation of an electrically-driven fan on
the 2500-ft. level. This fan produced a slight, but notice-
able, change in the air of the mine. It was not entirely
successful, however, because of the fact that the Colorado
shaft had to be used to carry both the descending and the
ascending currents of air. In other words, it was both
the 'downcast' and the 'upcast' shaft. The two hoisting
compartments were downcast, and the pump and chippy
compartments were upcast. The air was drawn to the
2500-ft. level by the fan and circulated upward through
the stopes and upper levels of the mine to the 1400-ft.
level, and thence upward through the pump-compartment.
As the workings of the lower levels of the mine be-
came more extensive this system of ventilation ceased to
produce the desired effect. A new source of fresh air
became a necessity, and it was decided to connect with
the Belmont mine of the Anaconda Copper Mining Co.
To make this connection, a cross-cut 1000 ft. long was
driven east from the Colorado 2500-ft. station and a simi-
lar cross-cut, approximately the same length, was driven
west from the 2800-ft. level of the Belmont mine; the
two cross-cuts being connected by the Colorado-Belmont
raise, 185 ft. in height. This connection was made at a
cost of approximately $60,000. The ventilation problem
of the Colorado mine was once more solved, and an ample
supply of fresh air was obtained from the Belmont con-
nection. The effect of this new supply of air upon the
atmospheric condition of the mine was gratifying. Stopes
which were previously devoid of ventilation now had a
good supply of fresh air coursing through them. Since
the 'holing' of the Belmont raise, however, the mine grad-
ually grew until this source of supply was no longer ade-
quate. The question now arose: What shall be the next
step toward efficient ventilation and a new source of fresh
air ? It was then decided that the Colorado mine should
have its own downcast and upcast shafts, and thus an
adequate, efficient, and flexible ventilation system. At
the present time a new shaft has been started which,
when completed, will extend from the surface to the 1700-
ft. level, a distance of 1800 ft. The shaft is to be octa-
gonal in shape, six feet six inches in diameter inside of
timbers, and timbered with solid cribbing. The shaft is
now being raised for nine separate places ; cross-cuts have
been run and connecting raises are now being driven. A
No. 14 centrifugal fan will be installed at the collar of
this new air-shaft. The Colorado shaft will be made
downcast. The supply of fresh air traveling downward
through it will return through the new air-shaft.
♦From the 'Bornite Sentinel'.
I > ember 18, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
881
American Operations of the Consolidated Gold Fields
of South Africa
In the recent annual report of the Consolidated Gold
Fields of South Africa, Limited, an important holding
and promoting corporation in London, we find the fol-
lowing account of its activities in this country :
American Trona Corporation
The results of operations for the year 1919 were as
follows :
Gross earnings $1,116,949.09
Potash and borax salts in stock on December
31, 1919, at cost 180,572.58
$1, 297, 521. 67
Operating expenses (excluding depreciation and
interest charges) 1,532,153.49
Operating loss $ 234,631.82
For the eight months ending August 31, 1920. during
which time the new management has been in charge of
operations, the results have been as follows :
Gross earnings $1,187,296.96
Potash and borax salts in stock on August 31,
1920, at cost 138,480.55
$1,325, 777. 51
Operating expenses (excluding depreciation and
interest charges) 1,012,137.67
Operating profit $ 313,639.84
There was produced 13,296 tons of potash and borax
J during the year 1919, and 8511 tons during the first eight
I months of this year. The potash and borax produced
i| have gradually been brought up to a higher and superior
j grade and are now readily marketable.
Satisfactory progress is being made toward the solution
J of the various chemical and mechanical problems. The
plant has been considerably simplified and the amount of
I labor appreciably reduced. Further improvements con-
I templated should result in increased production and re-
j duced costs.
The plant is being adapted to new operating conditions
J to as great an extent as possible and the changes required
■ have so far involved comparatively little new capital ex-
penditures, which latter have been paid out of income
from operations.
California Trona Company during 1919 marketed 482
tons of crude trona and 777 tons common salt, and during
the first eight months of 1920, 440 tons of crude trona
and 3193 tons of common salt.
During 1919 the Trona railway, of which the American
Trona Corporation owns the entire stock and bonds,
showed an operating revenue of $162,457 ajid operating
expenses of $96,054. Interest on bonds and miscellaneous
deductions from income amounted to $35,718, leaving
$30,685 net profit for the year. During the first eight
months of 1920 the net operating profits were $31,493.
South American Gold & Platinum Company
Efforts of the management have been directed largely
toward the equipment of the various properties and the
operating results have not been representative of what
shortly may be expected. Now that war-time conditions
are being overcome and both labor and materials are in
more plentiful supply, it is confidently anticipated that
this work will proceed much more rapidly in the future
than it has in the past.
During the year 1919 the operations of No. 1 dredge
yielded 6349.2 oz. platinum and 972 oz. gold of an ap-
proximate value of $700,000. This is a satisfactory re-
covery in comparison with the previous year's results in
view of the fact that the dredge was closed down for ex-
tensive repairs during two months of last year. It is of
interest to report that, despite a complete shut-down for
repairs in January, the production for the first eight
months of 1920 has shown a substantial increase over the
same period of 1919.
Dredge No. 2 was completed and began digging on
August 16 of this year. It is now digging its way out of
the pond in which it was constructed, and toward the
ground which it is intended to operate. This dredge has
a capacity very much larger than No. 1 dredge. A third
dredge, of even larger rated capacity than the No. 2, is
now being fabricated in the United States, and it is ex-
pected that this will be erected in time to commence oper-
ations by the middle of next year.
This company is amply financed to carry out its equip-
ment program, inasmuch as it now has in its treasury in
excess of $650,000 in cash and United States government
securities, in addition to which there are considerable
sums in the treasuries of its operating subsidiaries, and
substantial payments have also been made on dredge
No. 3.
Yuba Consolidated Gold Fields
Dredging operations for the fiscal year ending Febru-
ary 28, 1920, are as follows :
Per cu. yd.
Total returns $3,213,213 13.66c.
Expenses 1,567,665 6.67c.
Profits $1,645,548 6.99c.
The 12 months ending February 28, 1920, have been
the record year in point of operating output and the
number of cubic yards dredged, but owing to the decrease
in values the net profit is $316,878 less than the previous
year. There was much ground dredged during the year
that yielded little, due to considerable channel dredging
882
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 18,.. 1920
in accordance with an agreement with the War Depart-
ment.
For the four months ending June 30, 1920, the net
operating profit was $416,713.' The average yield per
cubic yard was 11.22c, with expenses averaging 6.16
cents.
Mississippi River Power Company
The results of operations for the year 1919 were as
follows :
Gross earnings $2,321,954.21
Operating expenses and taxes 522,629.71
Net earnings . ; . $1,799,324.50
; The gross earnings increased $108,562 as compared
with the previous year, and notwithstanding the fact that
taxes increased $39,282, and a charge of $53,842 was
made for depreciation, the net earnings showed an in-
crease of $32,918. The decrease in operating expenses
was due largely to very favorable river-flow conditions
which made it unnecessary to buy any steam-relay during
the year. It is interesting to note that 80% of the earn-
ings of the company came from public-utility customers,
three of them having made new high records for con-
sumption, and initial service having been furnished dur-
ing the year to several new customers.
For the six months ending June 30, 1920, the results
of operations were as follows :
Gross earnings $1,282,569.42
Operating expenses and taxes 294,572.17
Net earnings $ 987,997.25
The adjustment of rates under the St. Louis contract
referred to in last year's report gives the company addi-
tional revenue at the rate of $277,777 per annum from
August 1, 1919, to July 31, 1928, inclusive.
This company's power-station development, which
spans the Mississippi river at Keokuk, Iowa, has a gen-
erating capacity of approximately 150,000 hp., with flow-
age-land, dam, and station foundations for an ultimate
capacity of approxmiately 200,000 hp. The company is
furnishing at present 100,000 hp. to the city of St. Louis,
neighboring cities, and adjacent territory.
Sierra Pacific Electric Company
The results of operations for the year 1919 were as
follows :
Gross earnings $681,891.38
Operating expenses and taxes 379,752.18
Net earnings $302,139.20
The decrease in gross earnings of 5-J% as compared
with the previous year was due principally to the closing
down of the copper mines and smelter in the Reno dis-
trict on account of the unsatisfactory condition of the
copper market which followed the close of the "War.
Prosperous conditions, however, prevailed in Reno, al-
though the shortage of labor and prevailing high prices
discouraged building. The electric-light and water busi-
ness showed a small increase over the previous year, and
in the gas business there was a gain of about 4.3% due
to increased rates. An increase in power-rates was se-
cured, effective October 1, 1919, for the territory outside
of Reno. The combined operating expenses show, a slight
increase over those of the previous year, due largely to an
increase in the price of oil for gas manufacture, and taxes
increased 31%.
For the six months ending June 30, 1920, the results of
operations were as follows :
Gross earnings $388,043.97
Operating expenses and taxes 203,349.7$
Net earnings $184,694.21
The gross earnings for these six months were $76,056
more than for the same six months of 1919, operating ex-
penses and taxes $19,770 more, and the net earnings show
an increase of $56,286.
The company has recently closed contracts for the sale
of additional power to the Southern Pacific Company far
its shops at Sparks and to an affiliated company, the Pa-
cific Fruit Express Co., for refrigerating plant. It is ex-
pected that the gross revenue from these contracts unde'r
which power will begin to be taken early in 1921 will
amount to about $35,000 per annum.
Norman On, Exploration Syndicate
This Syndicate was formed the early part of this year
with the small capitalization of $100,000, of which your
company owns a 51% interest. The purpose of the syndi-
cate is to purchase oil leases on good geological structure
in the State of Oklahoma and adjoining States, with a
view to selling these leases later at a profit. Considerable
acreage has so far been acquired, the greater part of
which has already appreciated in value. Consideration
is being given at the present time to an extension of this
business.
New Business
During the past year many mining propositions have
been submitted to us and considered, but until recently
the prices asked have been too high. There is every pros-
pect that we shall in due time be able to acquire interests
in new and profitable mining ventures.
It is reported that Hilaro Lazoya, recognized as the
leader of mining in the Guanaeevi mining district, has
formed a syndicate with a capitalization of ¥=8,000,000
for the construction of a smelting plant in the centre of
the Guanaeevi district, one of the leading silver-produc-
ing sections of Durango, Mexico. According to official
statistics there are over 300 mining properties in this
vicinity which produce silver ore in paying quantities.
The records of some of these mines show them to have
produced extremely rich ore. Many of the old-time
American mining men are returning to this district to
resume operations. Senor Lazoya is a friend of them all.
He is well known in El Paso and other border cities and
one of the most prominent citizens of the State of
Durango. He was at one time governor of the State and
has often been offered responsible government positions
in Mexico City but his mining interests would not permit
of his absence.
iuh«T 18, 192n
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
RE VIE
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FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS IN THE FIELD
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ARIZONA
WAGES REDUCED TWENTY PER CENT. — PLACER MINKS NEAR
KINGMAN TO BE OPERATED.
Bisbee. — A reduction of wages, averaging 20%, by all
the mining companies of Arizona, including the Bisbee,
Verde, Globe, and Miami districts, has been announced.
The copper companies of the Globe-Miami district have
posted notices on their properties announcing a flat re-
duction of wages of one dollar per shift in all depart-
ments, effective January 21, 1921. The adjusted wage
for miners will be $5.15, which, according to the scale
agreement adopted prior to the War, is the wage based
on 22c. per pound as the selling price of copper. Em-
ployees of the following companies will be subject to the
reduction : Inspiration Consolidated Copper Co., Miami
Copper Co., Arizona Commercial Co., and the Iron Cap
Copper Co. No further reduction of working forces is
anticipated by the larger producing companies of the
Globe-Miami district. A meeting of the Arizona chapter
of the American Mining Congress was held on December
6 at Phoenix, and was attended by presidents, general
managers, or other chief officials of the principal mining
companies operating in the State. It is understood that
the question of wages was taken up at this meeting, and
that an agreement with regard to the reduction was
reached by the various companies represented. No labor
trouble is anticipated as a result of reductions, as such
action is generally expected by miners throughout the
State.
Directors of the Calumet & Arizona Mining Co. arrived
at Bisbee on December 8, on a tour of inspection of the
company's properties at Bisbee, Douglas, A jo, Jerome,
and Lordsburg, New Mexico. Included in the party were
Charles Briggs, president; Thomas Hoatson and G. R.
Campbell, of Calumet, Michigan; George A. Newett, of
Ishpeming, Michigan; T. F. Cole, of New York; T. H.
Collins, of Princeton, Massachusetts; and W. B. Mershon,
of Saginaw, Michigan. George A. Newett, who is also
the editor of the 'Iron Ore', and one of the best informed
men in the country on copper, expressed the opinion that
it will not be as long as many think before the copper
market shows signs of revival. In this connection he
spoke of the possibilities of a great advertising campaign
| to bring before the consumer the many possibilities and
advantages in the use of copper in certain products where
■| other metals are now used. He declared that advertising
is a field that has been much neglected by producers of
copper.
GoLDFiELD. — A new record in shaft-sinking is aimed
at by Willis Lawrence, superintendent of the George
Young mine. The work will be done by a crew of five
men, all members of the team that beat the world's record
last February at the Van Dyke Copper Co.'s property at
Miami, where they sank a shaft to a depth of 308 ft. in 31,
working days. This beat the record that was established
by a crew in the mines at Johannesburg, South Africa,
where 279 ft. was made in 31 days. Work on the shaft
at the George Young mine has started.
Jerome. — -Discovery is reported of a whole mountain
of mineral paint, on the Verde river, about 16 miles by
air-line north of Jerome. Claims on the property have
been staked, and the locators expect to place their propo-
sition before paint manufacturers in the near future.
The best quality of paint lies in two veins, one four feet
wide and the other 14 in., but it appears that the entire
hill is a paint mine and a steam-shovel proposition. At
the annual stockholders meeting of the Shea Copper Co.,
all the old directors were re-elected without opposition.
These are: D. J. Shea, R. E. Moore, 0. G. Engelder, John
Goodwin, all of Jerome, and E. G. Bush, of Tucson. Of
838,542 shares of stock outstanding, 635,152 were repre-
sented; 428,946 in person, and 206,206 by proxy.
Kingman. — It is said that good orebodies have been
opened on the tunnel-level of the Dean mine. About 40
men are now being employed in carrying on development
and installing new machinery. Rapid progress is being
made in the preparations for sluicing at the Harris
placers, 80 miles north-west of Kingman in Jumbo wash
in the Black Canyon district. A large pumping-plant
is being installed by Shaw & Harris at the river from
which water for sluicing is to be obtained. These placers
have been known for many years; they are found in
a district in which there are a number of important
gold veins, among which is the Jumbo. J. W. Prisk,
owner of the Home Pastime mine in Mineral Park, has
shipped a carload of high-grade gold-silver ore. De-
velopment work is to be commenced immediately on the
300-ft. level. Due to faulting, the former owners failed
to piek up the ore on this level. Henry Lovin has been
appointed receiver by the Hackberry Consolidated Mines
Co. by Judge Bollinger of the Superior Court upon the
application by the creditors for such procedure. A lease
on the mine has also been given to William Neagle on a
royalty basis. The receivership resulted from the failure
of various interests to agree upon a consolidation scheme
and to finance further work. It is reported that a large
884
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 18, 1920
tonnage of ore has been developed in the upper levels of
the mine. T. Hill and M. Kari have taken a bond and
lease on the Rawhide mine close to Bill Williams fork in
the Owen's mining district. This property is reported to
be one of the oldest mines in the State having been
worked in the 'sixties. Thousands of dollars of high-
grade copper ore has been taken out by lessees in the past.
COLORADO
REDUCED FREIGHT-RATE ON LOW-GRADE ORE PROM IDAHO
SPRINGS IS OBTAINED. URANIUM DISCOVERY APPEARS
IMPORTANT.
Aspen. — Supplies have been hauled into the Leadville
mine, Vamey Tunnel, and Camp Yeckel of the Aspen
Silver-Lead company on Porphyry mountain, and opera-
tion will be maintained during the winter. The Lead-
ville and Varney Tunnel are shipping ore — a heavy zinc
carbonate — by motor-truck for consignment to the A. S.
& R. smelter at Pueblo. The high-grade carries 60%
zinc, but the bulk of the ore runs 30% zinc, 25 to 35%
lead, and 30 to 40 oz. silver per ton. The Aspen Silver-
Lead company is drifting from the Deane tunnel on the
main Silver fault, and will shortly intersect the East &
West fault where a rich orebody is indicated by corre-
lation of geological data.
Rico. — The Mt. Pleasant Mining Co. has sent supplies
to the Smuggler-Almont property at Denton and will
continue developing orebodies already exposed and ex-
ploration of new territory during the winter. The mine
was a good producer in the past but of late years has not
been actively operated.
Rollinsville. — Trinidad capitalists have become in-
terested in the Moody group near the old town of Gilpin
in the Central district. A one-half interest has been
purchased in the Baxter, Gold Crown, and Swear-Off
claims, Moody retaining the remaining half. Gold-silver
ore running as high as $240 per ton has been mined from
shallow workings and a tunnel to undercut the vein at
depth is projected. The Moody group is about one-half
mile south-east of the Perigo, now closed through litiga-
tion but with a record of production exceeding $3,000,-
000.
Central City. — The discovery of uranium ore in the
Gold Rock mine in the Russell district is proving-up with
development and the streak according to late reports
measures 8 in. of solid ore, stripped for more than 20 ft.
Tests have shown as high as 50%, uranium but a con-
servative estimate places value of the ore at close to $10,-
000 per ton. The ore is closely sorted and sacked and
the lessees McCampbell and McLain of Colorado Springs
will shortly make a shipment to a Denver plant when the
actual value will be determined. The same operators
recently shipped a five-ton lot to the smelter that re-
turned 20 oz. gold in addition to some silver and copper.
A carload shipment of second-grade ore netted $120 per
ton. The Rialto mine is being unwatered by a syndicate
of Denver and Wyoming operators. The shaft is 700 ft.
deep and the water has been lowered 200 ft. The prop-
erty, when operated some 30 years ago, produced good!
ore.
The Rara Avis has been drained by St. Louis people
and production from this mine in Eureka gulch will
shortly be resumed. Samples taken have shown as high
as 25 oz. silver, 1.90 oz. gold, and 48%, lead. A heavy
sulphide ore assaying as high as 25 oz. gold, 36 oz. silver,
and 10% lead has been opened by contractors sinking on
the Claire Marie. The property is well equipped with
machinery and is being operated by Boston capital. Sul-
phide ore has been opened up in the Barrick tunnel of the
Saco de Oro company at Apex and development work on
the vein is planned.
Idaho Springs. — Close to 50 tons daily of mill-ore is
handled at the concentrating plant of the Gem company
and is resulting in about six cars monthly of concentrate
of a good grade. The company is doing extensive de-
velopment and has opened an ore-shoot at the 6th level
of the Freighter's Friend 100 ft. in length. The ore is
of good milling-grade. The Idaho Springs Chamber of
Commerce has successfully negotiated a low rate of 75c.
per ton on ore shipments valued at less than $30 per ton.
Most of the ore shipped from the district comes under
this classification.
Leadville. — The Blaine shaft has been sunk to the
350-ft. level, a station cut and drift started to a point
under the orebody opened in levels above. The mine
continues production of 50 tons daily and with the new
level opened production will be doubled. The ore is
shipped to the A. V. smelter. Lessees of the Emma &
Mabel placer adjoining the Gold Leaf are extending the
tunnel to the quartzite-lime contact, where they are con-
fident an orebody will be found.
Zinc-oxide ore has been opened on the first level of the
Fanny Rawlins. The vein on the third level carries only
silver, although the mine is in the gold belt. From the
second, third, and fourth levels lessees are shipping gold,
silver, and copper ore, the highest grade from the deepest
level averaging $50 per ton, at the rate of 50 tons weekly.
One car weekly of the zinc oxide is shipped to the West-
ern Oxide smelter and the production will shortly be
increased.
Lessees at the Chrysolite mine, on Fryer hill, are ship-
ping lead-silver ore running 40% lead with about 11 oz.
silver per ton. Other Fryer Hill mines active and pro-
ducing are the Climax, Dunkin, Amy, May Queen, Little
Chief, Ponsardin, Little Pittsburg, Robert E. Lee, and
Venture.
Telluride. — Shipments of concentrate during Novem-
ber totaled 102 cars and were distributed as follows:
Tomboy 50 cars; Smuggler-Union 40; and Liberty Bell
12. The Vanadium Corporation of America has shut-
down, discharged all employees, and sold or removed all
stores. Vanadium is practically deserted as about 100
men formerly on the company payroll have or will seek
employment elsewhere. The Matterhorn mill of the
Valley View Leasing & Mining Co. is reported treating
successfully in excess of 100 tons of ore from the San
Bernardo property.
Deoember 18, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
885
MICHIGAN-
CM. IMKT t HKCI.i BMELTKB WILL PBODDOB 1 .000,000 LB.
PER MONTH. — DEVELOPMENT AT ARCADIAN I JON.
Hooghton. — Copper Range Consolidated is now on a
■wage and salary basis thai will permil it to keep i's mini's
in operation, although there is little hope of making a
profit on the present price of copper. Daring the War.
Copper Range, as well as other mining companies in this
district, was compelled to bid high for unskilled labor
until the quest for workers reached a point where the
pay of an unskilled man was about on a level with that
of the skilled worker. In the readjustment of wage-
scales this situation has hern taken into account and the
experienced skilled man is the one who suffers the least.
The biggest cut has been in the wage of the unskilled
while the remainder of the force is employed full time.
Quinoy has taken on a few former Calumet miners, but
its force is far from normal, and production for 1920
will 1h nsi.lcrably below that of 1919. Costs, on the
other bund, should compare favorably with those of last
3 ear. The re-grinding equipment at the mills was started
during the summer, making for an additional recovery of
copper. The full benefit of the improvements at the
smelter will not be reflected to a great extent this year,
but operating at capacity there will be a material saving
in smelting and refining costs.
Mohawk's daily tonnage has been increased to prac-
tically 2200 tons of 'rock' per day. It is expected that
this will be up to 2400 by the middle of the month. In
No. 1 shaft, just re-opened, a force of miners is employed
STEAM-STAMP IN A MICHIGAN STAMP-MILL
■worker, the Copper Range reduction in some cases being
22%.. The average reduction by Copper Range, how-
ever, is 17%. Every effort has been made to relieve the
Durden of the married man as much as possible. In
selling coal to him for $7 per ton and returning $2 to him
if he has already paid $9 for it, the company takes an
actual loss of $4 per ton, the fuel costing $11. The coal
item alone represents a loss of $16,000. In reducing the
rent of houses 50c. per room per month, making the rate
$1, the company also takes a considerable loss. There
"will be no curtailment of forces at Champion, Trimoun-
tain, or Baltic or at mills or smelter. A few married men
from other mines have been given employment at Cham-
pion and Trimountain.
At the Calumet & Hecla smelters six furnaces have
suspended and two or three more will draw their fires.
This will leave in operation 12 furnaces, including two
•of large type, the capacity of which is 1,000,000 lb. per
-month. About 150 smelter employees have been let out,
in drifting and stoping from the 23rd to the 25th levels.
This increases the operating shafts to four, No. 1, 4, 5,
and 6, with the largest tonnage coming from No. 4 and 6.
No. 1 will contribute materially to production, once the
force becomes normal, and it is expected that the ton-
nage from this shaft will be as great as that from No. 6.
In No. 4, 5, and 6 a full program of drifting, sinking, and
stoping is under way.
Arcadian Consolidated is down 765 ft. in its New Bal-
tic shaft. It is sinking 75 to 80 ft. per month and at the
depth of 940 ft. connection will be made with the 900-ft.
level of the New Arcadian shaft, 3500 ft. distant. The
shaft is being timbered, piped, laddered, and railed as
sinking proceeds, and the objective, it is expected, wiU
be reached about March 1. New Arcadian at 900 ft. has
a drift in 700 ft. toward the New Baltic and drifting will
proceed from both shafts when New Baltic is bottomed
at 940 ft. One station has been cut in the New Baltic
shaft at the 600-ft. level and the next one will be put in
,886
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 18, 1920
at a depth of 790 ft. It also is planned to connect the
two shafts at that depth, which in the New Arcadian is
equivalent to 750 ft. The lode was tapped in New Baltic
. at 250, 400, 500, and 600 ft. and from 600 down the shaft
has been in the vein. According to the management, the
lode, which is known as the New Arcadian amygdaloid,
is uniformly mineralized, with considerable small 'mass'
and 'barrel' copper as well. The showing in the New
Arcadian shaft is considered equally encouraging. Only
3, small amount of drifting has been done at points of
contact with the lode in both shafts, but enough to demon-
strate the uniformity of the mineralization and commer-
cial value of the vein as far as it has been opened. With
| the connections at the 900 and 750-ft. levels, a large area
will be available for mining. The Franklin mill, which
is convenient and adequate, probably will be used when
sufficient openings are made to warrant actual produc-
tion.
Mayflower's cross-cuts, east, from the south drift, have
stopped after finding the hanging-wall trap and the prin-
cipal operation now in this section of the 1700-ft. level is
a continuation of the drift. At present it is breasted in
spotty trap matter. In the raise in the north cross-cut,
now about 50 ft. high, the conglomerate vein still appears,
with bunches of copper, yet not in commercial quantities,
exposed from time to time.
NEVADA
PRODUCTION AT THE WARD MINE IS INCREASED. GOLDPIELD
CONSOLIDATED WILL LEASE BLOCKS AFTER JANUARY 1.
Ely. — Shipments through East Ely from the Ward
mine, 12 miles south of Ely, have been increased to 1500
tons monthly and in a short time will be increased again
to 3000 tons monthly, according to S. B. Elbert, manager.
The company is using five 7|-ton motor-trucks in haul-
ing. Regular shipments to Utah smelters have been
made for nearly four years. The decision to increase the
output is said to have been due to the recent decision of
the Interstate Commerce Commission giving the Nevada
Northern railroad permission to reduce rates on low-
grade 'ore.
Taylor. — Four suits, two for a total of $2832 and the
others for smaller sums, have been filed against the
Wyoming Mining & Milling Co., which in 1918 took an
option oh. the old Argus mine for $90,000. The $2800
suits were brought by the Ely National Bank and they
are actions to recover on promissory notes. The Wy-
oming company has built a mill and has done much de-
velopment work. There has been paid $27,000 on the
purchase price of $90,000. The filing of the suits fol-
lowed the failure of the company to make a $30,000 pay-
ment on December 1.
,,, Montezuma. — The Harmill company has erected a
hoist, head-frame, and five buildings at the 100-ft. shaft
I sunk by Moon and Whitaker, from whom the company
I bought the claims. The shaft is to be sunk to 500 ft. and
the. first lateral work below the 100-ft. level will be done
at 150 to 200 ft. from the surface, or when the junction
is reached with the No. 4 vein, in which the shaft is sunk,
and vein No. 1, which is thought to dip into No. 4. When
the Harmill bought the claims silver-lead ore 3 to 4 ft.
wide and assaying $90 to $125 for this width had been
opened on the 50 and 100-ft. levels and since then this
ore has been found for a length of 35 ft. without reaching
the end of the shoot. There are seven veins in the eight
claims and three of these can be explored near the shaft.
It is reported that $75,000 worth of ore was produced in
the early days from vein No. 1 and stopes in the vein
indicate that this figure probably is correct. The veins
are replacements of limestone. The ore contains lead
sulphide and carbonate, copper, and silver, the last mak-
ing one-tenth of the value of the lead. The ore also con-
tains quartz, calcite, and fluorite. The shipping point is
Klondyke on the Tonopah & Goldfield railroad, 15 miles
distant.
Tonopah. — Bullion shipments from the district in the
last half of November were heavier than usual, reaching
a total of 222,657 oz., exclusive of the Tonopah Mining.
The Belmont shipped 99,407 oz.; Tonopah Ex., 51,905;
West End, 50,700 ; and MaeNamara, 20,645.
Goldfield. — Sampling of the Meuli lease workings of
the Lone Star that were taken over by the company after
the richest part of the shoot had been mined shows that
there is $30 to $40 ore in the drift faces on the 20 and
60-ft. levels and in a stope from the 60-ft. level. The
north drift on the 250-ft. level of the Nelligan shaft has
been driven 250 of 280 ft. necessary to reach under the
lease workings. The south drift on the 150-ft. level also
is being driven for prospecting under the Meuli block.
A. H. Lawry, general superintendent for the Consoli-
dated, has announced the following royalties on net re-
turns to be paid by lessees: 10% on ore of a gross value
of not more than $20; 15% on $20 to $40 ore, and 20%
on ore assaying more than $40. The mines will be opened
for lessees about January 1. Ore will be shipped to the
Millers plant of the Tonopah Mining and the Tonopah
& Goldfield railroad has granted reduced rates between
Goldfield and Millers. The Deep Mines has resumed
work. The Grandma has added a second shift of miners
in sinking the shaft, which is now 910 ft. deep. The
flow of water is much less than heretofore and from now
on good progress should be made, according to J. K.
Turner, general superintendent.
Goodsprings. — It is reported that the Yellow Pine
mine and mill are to be closed because of the low price
of lead and zinc. The production of the mine is 1600
tons monthly and the company has paid more than
$3,000,000 in dividends.
Stonewall. — The Yellow Tiger is hauling supplies
from Goldfield and will resume driving of the Sterlag
tunnel.
Rochester. — The Nevada Packard will not be re-
opened until spring, according to Herman Davis, receiver
for the company. The mine was closed last August when
the electric power failed at Rochester and surrounding
districts because of low water in the Lahontan reservoir
1>. • mber 18, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
887
at Fallon. High costs, shortage ol labor, and inadequate
power are given by the receiver aa the reasons Eor his
decision not to resume work daring the winter.
Quarts Mountain. — The Qoldfleld Quartz Mountain
Mining Corporation is preparing to atari work at Quarts
Mountain, a gold district 1- mile's cast of Qoldfield, The
starting of work by t his company is regarded as of im-
portance because of numerous favorable opinions that
have been expressed regarding the claims and because of
the highly favorable report made by Corrin Barnes, a
Qoldfield engineer. No work has been done in the vein
except on the surface, where the assays secured by Mr.
Barnes were as follows: 8 ft. width. $8; 18 ft., $17; 24
ft.. $5.20. The value of the ore is entirely in gold in the
form of crystalline flakes in quartz. A tunnel now 160
ft. long will be continued an additional 65 ft. to cut the
vein. The company has bought a 25-hp. gasoline-engine
and an air-compressor.
Pioche. — Ore shipments for the week ending Decem-
ber 3 show a large increase over those made during the
preceding week. The Prince Consolidated shipped 1865
tons; Virginia-Louise, 950; Combined Metals, 305; Bris-
tol Silver Mines, 240 ; Black Metals, 50 ; Hamburg Mines,
45 ; Fairview lease, 40, making a grand total of 3495 tons.
Additional men have been employed at the milling plant
of the Southern Nevada Mining Co., and it is expected by
early spring it will be treating ores. The mill was de-
signed by the late Oscar A. Knox. A contract has been
let for additional buildings to be constructed near the
milling plant.
UTAH
VALUATION OP NON-METALLIC MINERAL PROPERTIES IN
UTAH. REPORT OF BINGHAM MINES CO.
Salt Lake City. — Non-metalliferous mining deposits
in Utah have an assessed valuation, for taxation pur-
poses, of $22,686,748 for the current year, which is prac-
tically double the assessed valuation for 1917. The coal
lands of the State are assessed at $19,091,647; asphalt
deposits, $1,062,764; alunite deposits, $274,477; salt and
potash deposits, $644,447; cement deposits, $1,372,755;
phosphate deposits, $186,195; lime quarries, $31,943;
sulphur deposits, $22,530.
During the week ending December 4, the Murray plant
of the Utah Ore Sampling Co. released 70 cars of ore
from Utah mines, 4 from Nevada mines, and 1 from Cali-
fornia, while at its Tintie plant, 42 cars of Utah ore were
handled.
A patent has been granted to the Utah Salduro Co.
for an area of 30,658 acres of land in the Great Salt Lake
desert, title to which was established under placer-mining
locations made prior to the date of the leasing law. The
company paid an entry fee of $76,645. This entry cov-
ered probably the largest area ever patented under one
mineral application. The company extracts the potash
salts from brine collected by means of an extensive sys-
tem of dikes, ditches, and canals.
Park City. — Ore shipments from this district for the
week ending December 4 totaled 2105 tons, of which the
Judge allied companies shipped 866; silver King Coali-
tion. 596; Ontario, 506 j Naildriver, 60; Keystone, 55.
The Judge smelter shipped 25 tons of premium spelter.
Installation of the new electrically operated compressor
and hoist by the New Quinoy company at the Little Bell
property was completed on December 8, according to A.
L. Thomas Sr., manager for the company. The New
Quincy company has a five-year lease on the Little Bell
shaft and equipment. Work of cleaning out the shaft has
been started. Heretofore all work done in the New
Quincy property was from either the Ontario drain-level
or from the Daly-West company's 900-ft. level. Under
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the new arrangement, ore will be taken out through the
Daly- West or Ontario properties, and waste through the
Little Bell shaft.
Eureka. — During November the Tintie Standard Min-
ing Co. shipped 181 cars of ore, approximately 9000 tons,
which is the largest monthly output so far reported by
the company. It is expected that December shipments
will total 200 cars, and possibly 215 cars. The present
output is excellent ore. E. J. Raddatz, president, an-
nounces that the new milling plant, with an initial capac-
ity of 150 tons per day, will be ready for operation Jan-
uary 1. The company is earning substantial profits,- in
spite of the present market quotation of five cents per
pound for lead.
During the week ending December 4, ore shipments
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 18, 1920
from this district were the heaviest of the year, a total of
199 carloads being shipped. Tintic Standard shipped 62
cars ; Chief Consolidated, 40 ; Mammoth, 20 ; Dragon, 17 ;
Eagle & Blue Bell, 15 ; Iron Blossom, 9 ; Victoria, 8 ; Iron
King, 6 ; Grand Central, 6 ; Centennial Eureka, 6 ; Swan-
sea, 4 ; Gemini, 3 ; Bullion Beck, 2 ; Alaska, 1.
At a meeting of the directors of the Eureka-Bullion
Mining Co. on December 4, an assessment of one-half cent
per share was levied, payable January 5, sales date Jan-
uary 26. The last 60 ft. of work on the 925-ft. level has
cut a brecciated limestone, with stringers of quartz, some
of which have been rich. One of the veins cut recently
was followed several feet and opened up 18 in. of good
ore. A north-south fault-Assure filled with sand car-
bonates and lead boulders has also been entered. One
boulder, with an estimated weight of five tons, averaged
58 oz. silver, 54% lead, and $2.40 in gold per ton. An-
other boulder averaged 107 oz. silver, 40%, lead, and
$4.40 gold per ton.
At the North Standard property, the shaft has passed
the 900-ft. level, according to John Manson, manager.
An average of four feet per day is being accomplished.
The bottom of the shaft is now in a white limestone,
similar to that found in the Tintic Standard. The shaft
will reach the 1000-ft. level before the close of the year.
Gold Hill. — At the Western Utah Copper property,
gratifying results are being obtained from the develop-
ment under way on the 300-ft. level. At a distance of
300 ft. from the shaft, 25 ft. of ore, which contains an
excess of iron, 5 oz. silver, and 5% lead, has been opened
up for a distance of 150 ft. From 150 to 200 tons of
low-grade ore is being shipped daily. Up to the present
time no sulphide ore has been found. The company's
engineers believe that the sulphide zone will not be enter-
ed until a point below the bed of the old lake is reached,
which will be about the 1400-ft. level.
Bingham. — Operations during the current year by the
Bingham Mines Co. and its subsidiary, the Eagle & Blue
Bell Mining Co. at Eureka, Utah, have been successful
and profitable, according to Imer Pett, general manager.
During the first four months of the year, when high
prices for silver and lead prevailed and the supply of
labor was ample, the companies enjoyed large production
and high earnings. The following six months were mark-
ed by an extreme shortage and inefficient supply of labor,
which curtailed output. However, during November,
with an adequate supply of labor and increased efficiency,
production has been greatly increased. Development at
the Eagle & Blue Bell indicates that the mine will have a
long productive career. In the Bingham properties,
recent work at depth demonstrates that the ore deposits
are as large and their extraction as profitable as was
found on the upper levels.
WISCONSIN
REVIEW FOR NOVEMBER.
The serious predicament of the zinc-mining industry
of this region through the early autumn was further in-
tensified during November, through declining markets,
inclement weather, and bad roads. The mines of the
New Jersey Zinc Co., and those of the Steel & Tube Co.
of America, have succeeded in maintaining full working
crews, notwithstanding the reduction of wages for all
classes of mine help. Shovelers' wages were reduced
15%. Millmen, hoistmen, workers on grizzleys, and other
mine help came in for a cut of $1 per day. More mine
help, apparently, was obtainable in spite of these reduc-
tions, as shift-crews held to their jobs all month and the
complaints heard relative to a scarcity of men vanished
completely.
The offerings on zinc ore at the beginning of the
month held firmly, on a base price of $45 per ton, for
high-grade refinery blende. This price was declared not
satisfactory and furnished the principal reason for trim-
ming miner's wages. A drop in the price was registered
about the middle of the month, the base price receding to
$43.50 per ton for high-grade blende. In the third week
of the month the official sources from which quotations
have been obtainable made the disconcerting announce-
ment that no official market figures would be given out.
Following this proceeding the Wisconsin Zinc Co., op-
erating a group of zinc mines in the Benton district, sus-
pended operations at its large magnetic-separating plant
at New Diggings.
Deliveries of zinc ore for November from mines to
separating-plants, in the field, were made by districts as
here shown :
District Zinc, lb.
Benton 7,920,560
Livingston 6,166,800
Cuba City 1,885,840
Galena 1,414,960
Day Siding 842,400
Shullsburg 760,240
Hazel Green 663,120
Platteville 374,800
Highland 60,000
Total 20,088,720
Shipments of finished blende to smelters from refineries
were made as follows:
Company • Lb.
National Zinc Separators 2,826,000
Mineral Point Zinc Co 744,000
Block-House Mining Co 234,000
Total 3,804,000
No concerted movement designed toward a complete
shutting down of zinc producers was heard, although re-
ports were frequent that certain mines would suspend
production and discharge working forces. No single in-
stances were recorded to indicate that such a course was
intended, and all active producers continued mining and
milling.
Lead ore was in poor demand all month. A sharp de-
cline in offerings came about the middle of the month,
the price receding from $65 per ton, 80% metal con-
tent, to $55 per ton. Producers refrained from consult-
ing the market, with the result that only 45 tons was
marketed for the entire month, this negligible quantity
December 18, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
889
going to the Federal Lead Co. Production was fair and
with ore long held in bin brought the reserve at the olose
of November to more than 1000 tons.
HKITISH COLUMBIA
TIIK PRESENT STATUS OF TIIK (,'OIM'KK-M IN im; IMU'STHV
Victoria. — The slump in the price of copper has hit
the mining industry of this Province badly. Two wee! a
ago cessation of production at the Britannia mine was re-
ported; recently the Grnnhy Consolidated M. S. & P. Co.
has laid off 400 men. This means, of course, a curtail-
ment of production, and at a time when money is needed
to meet interest on bond issues and taxes. The Granby
company has outstanding at the present time two bond-
issues, totaling $4,003,300, upon which the annual inter-
est amounts to $290,198. These bond issues were made
necessary mainly to pay for the purchase and equipment
of the Cassidy colliery, the company's title to which is
being disputed at the present time by the Esquimalt &
Nanaimo Railway Co., and the coke-ovens, at Anyox.
From a metallurgical point the colliery has not been an
unmixed success. The coal gives a high-ash coke, neces-
sitating additional fluxes in the blast-furnace. At the
present time the colliery is turning out upward of 20,000
tons of coal per month, a large proportion of which is
being sold in the open market, and, with coal at present
price, should bring a good return, but unfortunately for
the Granby company this rate of output cannot be con-
tinued for long, as the court limited the total output to
100,000 tons, pending the result of the appeal. During
the last fiscal year, ended June 30, the Granby company
produced 23,127,847 lb. copper, 938,292 oz. silver, and
14,616 oz. gold ; the bulk of the silver, however, came from
the Dolly Varden ore, and 95% of the proceeds from it
had to be paid to that company. During the second half
of this year up to the present time the rate of output has
been increased, the September and October output being
close to 2,300,000 lb. each. It is claimed that the Granby
company can produce copper for about 11 cents per
pound, but this does not include payment of interest on
bonded indebtedness or taxes, and these two items must
add at least another three cents, bringing the total cost
so close to the present market price of the metal that it
is evident there is little, if any, profit in its production.
The only other copper producer of importance is the
Canada Copper Corporation. This concern has again re-
organized, the second time within a few months, and this
time has obtained a Dominion government charter, au-
thorizing it to take over the existing properties as a going
concern.
The authorized capital is $10,000,000; the company's
head office has been moved to Toronto. The plant was
started in the latter part of October, but evidently no
effort is being made to bring it up to full capacity with
the price of copper where it now stands. The plant is
treating 800 tons daily and producing 50 tons of concen-
rate. It is too early as yet to say whether this is being
one at a profit, but considering the grade of ore that is
eing treated, the railroad haul to Trail, and the smelting
charges, it seems doubtful. Considering the ore-reserve
is only 12.000,000 tonsof about 2% ore, the capitalization
Beams excessive. The only other producer of copper is
the Consolidated Mining & Smelting Co., which owns
considerable copper areas on Vancouver Island as well as
ils gold-copper properties at Rossland. The values in the
latter ore are in the gold rather than in the copper. Dur-
ing the unsatisfactory condition of the copper market
since the Armistice the company has confined its copper
operations to the development of the mines, and concen-
trated its energies on the more profitable enterprise of
producing zinc ; lead and silver coming largely as a by-
product to the operation.
Kasi.o. — There is a revival of mining at Slocan, the
richest silver-lead district in British Columbia. For
months all the large producers have been closed down,
with the exception of the Silversmith Mines, Ltd. (old
Slocan Star), because of the refusal of the operators to
part op chihuahua and sonora
meet the demands of the men with respect to wages, ac-
commodations, etc. They regarded the requirements of
their employees, as expressed through an organization
known as the 'One Big Union', as extravagant, and re-
fused to take them seriously. A strike was called. There
is no doubt that it was effective, for the mines were forced
to inactivity. "When the strike was first declared work
was plentiful, as the lumber camps were able to absorb
practically all able-bodied men who wanted employment.
These camps now, in many instances, are closed down.
There also is an influx of labor from the prairie prov-
inces. The mines, therefore, are well provided with men
and the old-established properties again are being put on
a producing basis. The Noble Five mine at Cody has
taken on a crew of between 65 and 70 men ; the Mc-
Allister has obtained all the men required to carry on
work planned ; the Rambler-Cariboo has a full crew ; the
Rosebery-Surprise Mining Co. has re-opened the Surprise
mine at Sandon as well as the Bosun at New Denver.
The concentrators of the Rambler-Cariboo and the Noble
890
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 18, 1920
Five are in operation. It seems, therefore, that the
strike is definitely broken and that the output of this
section of the Province from this date on will begin to
climb.
Nelson. — At the International Mining Convention
held at Nelson during the summer it was resolved that
the Dominion government should be asked to make pro-
vision for the prospecting and mining of base minerals
on Indian reservations in this Province. As a result of
the joint action of the Federal and the Provincial gov-
ernments it is permissible at present to mine the precious
metals on such reservations. This privilege is considered
of little value in British Columbia.
ONTARIO
SUNDRY COMPANIES PASS DIVIDENDS.
Cobalt. — Low quotations for silver and a shortage of
electric power has caused considerable curtailment of
work in the district. The Mining Corporation has an-
nounced that the company will not disburse the regular
12|c. dividend for the current quarter. The McKinley-
Darragh has also announced that the regular 3% divi-
dend, formerly payable January 1, will not be paid. The
Temiskaming Mining Co. has ceased operations until next
spring, and is disposing of its stock of supplies. The
Kerr Lake is considering the question of curtailing work
somewhat, while other mines are hesitant as to future
policy. "Wages are now the highest in Cobalt's history,
in spite of silver being quoted at about one-half the high
figure reached last January. A surplus of men exists
and it is considered likely these men may volunteer to
work at lower pay in order to induce the mining com-
panies to continue operation. The Nipissing and the
0 'Brien are still able to produce silver at a cost of under
50c. per ounce.
A station is being cut at the 385-ft. level of the Cham-
bers-Ferland mine preparatory to sinking a winze
through the layer of slate to the underlying conglomer-
ate. The high silver content of the stringers in the slate
are believed to indicate the presence of a high-grade vein
in the conglomerate. Sinking operations are under way
on the Regent property, in the Elk Lake district. The
shaft is down 35 ft. and silver occurs in a narrow vein
all the way down. A small mill-test run of ore is being
. made this week.
Kirkland Lake. — "With the completion of the new mill
of the Wright-Hargreaves, which will be finished at the
end of the year, an important producer will be added to
the list in. the district. The Wright-Hargreaves prop-
erty, about three-quarters of a mile in length on the main
belt of mineralization, lies between the Lake Shore which
has an annual production of over $500,000, and the
Tough-Oakes which, before it became involved in litiga-
tion, yielded nearly $750,000 annually. The opening of
the mill will depend entirely on the ability to obtain
power. The Lake Shore has been able to keep its tonnage
up to normal by the use of an auxiliary steam-plant. At
the Ontario-Kirkland a good orebody is being opened up
on the 450-ft. level, the vein improving with development.
Ore is being mined that is soft and easily milled.
West Shining Tree. — The main vein on the Herrick
has been traced for 1000 ft. Diamond-drilling has proved
up the orebody to a depth of 800 ft., at which point the
vein was 20 ft. wide with an average gold content of $15
per ton. A shaft has been put down to a depth of 108
ft., a cross-cut from which has cut the main vein, which
is reported as being rich.
Boston Creek. — At the Miller Independence, A. G.
Burrows and Percy E. Hopkins, Ontario government
geologists, have been making a close examination of the
formations on the lower levels. They devoted special
attention to the faulting at the 500-ft. level which is
probably a continuation of the fracture found in the 'D'
shaft, where rich showings of gold tellurides were found.
Matachewan. — A report by H. C. Cooke of the
Canadian Department of Mines on the Matachewan gold
district noted the occurrence of peridotite in consider-
able quantities. This formation is favorable for the
presence of asbestos, as well as garnets, platinum, and
diamonds. Asbestos is known to occur in the district and
in the hope of finding it in commercial quantities English
interests have engaged J. B. Tyrrell, mining engineer of
Toronto, to examine the deposits. The peridotites of
Matachewan are stated to be similar to those of the
diamond fields of South Africa, which are also associated
with garnets, magnetite, and limonite, so that a close ex-
ploration may possibly lead to important discoveries.
MEXICO
SITUATION IN CHIHUAHUA.
Chihuahua. — Mining companies in Mexico are begin-
ning to feel the effects of the fall in the price of silver,
copper, and zinc. The depressing effects of a drop in
prices came just at a time when a big revival of mining
operations was beginning to be manifest. While the
larger companies will continue to mine ore there are
many smaller concerns that are dependent upon immedi-
ate shipments to continue development work which will
have to shut-down soon. The Government has signified
its intention of affording all possible relief to the mine-
owners in the present situation. Taxes on low-grade
ores have been materially reduced in order that mines of
this character may continue operations. The fuel situa-
tion is also working a hardship upon the mines and
smelters. The protracted strike of the coal miners and
coke burners in the State of Coahuila has caused a severe
shortage of fuel in some of the mining districts. An
exoeption to this rule, so far as the working of the mines
is concerned, is in the districts where electric power is
available. In the Guanajuato district, where the mines
and mills have for several yeais been supplied with elec-
tric power, these industries are flourishing. The districts
in the State of Chihuahua, which obtain their electric
power from the great hydro-electric plant of the Mexico
Northern Power Co. at Boquillas on the Conchos river,
also are suffering no ill effects of the fuel shortage.
Di • mber IS, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
891
ARIZONA
Miami. — Drilling has commenced on the Warrior Copper
Co.'s ground in Lost gulch north of the Globe-Miami Cop-
per Co.'s property. One diamond-drill has been installed.
Other drills have been arranged for and will be placed as
soon as drill No. 1 is well under way.
Prescott. — The Lucky Strike Mining Co., which was in-
corporated in August of this year and which acquired the
Lucky Strike mine and 16 claims in the Hassayampa dis-
trict, is pushing development work rapidly. Buildings have
been completed and the cross-cut adit is in about 80 ft., two
shifts of men being employed in this work. The surface
shows ore that assays well in gold and silver. This ore, it
is expected, will be cut by the tunnel at a depth of 150 to
250 ft. Plans are now being made for the construction of
a 50-ton mill to be erected in the spring. Ore running as
high as $30 per ton is reported to have been opened by
recent work on the Queen claim. The Philadelphia Min-
ing Co. has taken over the War Eagle-Gladiator property at
Crown King on a five year lease. A cross-cut from the
Philadelphia mine, which is adjacent to the acquired prop-
erty, is to be run to the Gladiator vein. The ore is gold-
silver-copper. The Arizona Standard Copper mine, 14
miles north-east of Prescott, is hauling machinery for the
12 5-ton leaching plant. The crushing plant has been de-
signed to crush double this tonnage. It is claimed that
there is a large tonnage of 3 to 7% oxidized copper ore
available. T. J. Carrigan is general manager. Ore assay-
ing over $22 per ton in gold and silver has been opened at
the Black Horse mine of the Peak Silver Mining Co. in the
Senator district. A new shaft which was started a month
ago 600 ft. to the north of the old shaft, has opened a four-
foot vein containing high-grade shipping ore.
CALIFORNIA
Alpine County. — The gold-quartz mill used at the Her-
cules mine at Loope is being dismantled and the materials
shipped to Reno. This property is owned by the Moffat-
Humphrey Co., which operated the mine and mill for a
time, but later decided to abandon plans for its develop-
ment. The Curtz mine is being re-opened and the old
workings cleared out by the new owners, E. Farrell and
associates of San Francisco. It is stated that this work is
preliminary to development next season when a large crew
of miners will be employed.
Nevada County. — A complete fire-fighting system has been
installed at the Idaho-Maryland mine, and the first fire-drill
has been held. The system makes it possible to use ten
streams of water at one time, and by the aid of powerful
monitors the entire plant can be swept. This mine is under
the pipe-line which conveys water to the Empire and North
Star mines and has a strong water-pressure. The stamp-
mill of the Idaho-Maryland has been started up and ore
from the old Eureka mine, worked out and closed more
than 40 years ago, is being reduced. The ore is being mined
by lessees and is of good grade. The present operations are
between the 300 and 400-ft. levels of the old mine, that sec-
tion having been re-opened and explored through the Idaho-
Maryland shaft. It is stated that no large bodies of ore
have been discovered so far. The work of unwatering the
canyon shaft in the Idaho-Maryland mine continues, the
water-level now being at the 1300-ft. station. It is under-
stood that while no extensive explorations have yet been
found practicable, a shoot of ore indicated by the old maps
on the 1000-ft. level has been found and appears highly
promising.
Ubehebc. — A representative of the United States Smelting
& Refining Co. has agreed to treat ore from the Arrowhead
Rico mine free of charge and to pay a premium to be agreed
upon later, according to Sol Camp, manager for the Rico.
The ore is now 9 ft. wide and it is being broken and sacked
for shipment over this width. More than 100 tons of ore
assaying $100 has been broken at a depth of 80 ft., much of
it containing as high as 60% lead.
IDAHO
Coeur d'Alene. — Three new claims have been taken over
by the Gold Hunter company, giving the company consider-
fmKT^
ft
H ■ 1
.4
ENTRANCE TO KELLOGG ADIT
able additional ground that will be of much value. The
properties are secured from the Greenough estate. The
claims are the Clear Grit, the Paymaster, and the Lost
Wonder. Activity prevails throughout the Mullan dis-
trict. The Morning mine is opening its old upper workings.
Good work is being done by the American Commander,
which is now working a double shift. It is driving a tunnel
under the shaft toward the Gold Hunter lines.- The first
car of ore from the Yankee Boy and Yankee Girl mines, on
Big creek, has been shipped and will be followed by a second
in a few days. It is gray copper and assays 100 oz. per ton
in silver. These properties were taken over recently by the
Sunshine Mining Co., organized in Spokane by E. C. Tousley,
mining engineer. W. F. Newton is manager at the prop-
erty. John Stout, who owns a property 24 miles above
Prichard on the north fork of the Coeur d'Alene river, will
892
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 18, 1920
attempt to bring out by boat enough ore to make a car-
shipment. His boat will hold 12 to 15 tons. The ore is a
copper sulphate assaying 30% copper.
Forty-five tons of ore, the first shipment by lessees of the
Western Union mine, gave a gross return of $5151 and a
net return of $3716. It went to the Bunker Hill smelter.
MONTANA
Butte. — The North Butte Mining Co. has announced a
curtailment of its production by about one-third. Some 450
men were laid off and it is expected to bring the production
to between 400,000 and 500,000 lb. per month. The men
retained are all married; they will be placed on development
work. Howard Martin, who is leasing the Hibernia from
the Davis-Daly Co., reports pay ore in sight and intends to
continue producing lead-zinc and silver ore. The Colo-
rado, owned and operated by the Davis-Daly Co., while hav-
ing practically discontinued development work, is still keep-
ing two shifts on the 'air-shaft' which is being driven from
the 1700-ft. level to the surface. The closing of the
Leonard, one of the largest producers of the A. C. M., has
been reported. This means the laying off of around 400
men. The Timber-Butte mill is also shut-down.
Cedar Creek. — The old Cedar Creek placer diggings, lo-
cated about 18 miles from Iron Mountain, produced more
than $40,000 in the season just closed. The deposits have
been worked every year for the last 40 years, and during
that period have produced many thousands of dollars. The
claims are owned and worked by the Lacasse brothers of
Missoula who are recovering the gold by ground sluicing.
Clancy. — Sinking operations are progressing at the Little
Nell mine. At the Pay-Streak mine near the King
Solomon group, sinking is also being done and it is an-
nounced that the Free Coinage mine of the Amalgamated
Silver is to sink further at once. At the Mammoth mine,
new equipment is being installed.
Cooke City. — The Republic, Glengarry, and Irma mines
are producing some good ore. It is intended to continue
operations throughout the winter; the ore is being hauled
to the railroad at Gardiner, a distance of 5 7 miles, by large
trucks.
Jardine. — The Jardine Mining Co. has closed its mine at
Jardine, according to a report by H. C. Bacorn. About 40
men were employed.
NEVADA
Eureka. — A streak of galena has been cut in the face of
the lower adit, about 850 ft. from the portal, in the Eureka-
Nevada mine. When this adit is connected with the upper
workings, which can probably be done by raising on ore from
the lower to the upper level, this property will have made
a good start for a permanent mine, and the haulage distance
between the Eureka-Nevada and the railway at the lower
end of the town will have been shortened. The Eureka-
Croesus Mining Co. shipped four cars of ore during the week
ended December 4. From January 1 to November 3 0, in-
clusive, the total shipments of ore from the Eureka-Croesus
mine averaged 1.44 oz. or $29.71 gold per ton, besides the
silver content. At the Eureka-Holly the cutting of the
station at the 500-ft. level has been finished, and the shaft
is now down nearly 40 ft. below that level. The company
has been shipping gold ore. The mill is expected to be ready
to operate by about the middle of January.
MEXICO
Oananea. — The Cananea Consolidated Copper Co., that
announced a complete suspension of operations to take
place on December 15, has announced that the shut-down
will be delayed until January 15. The extension of time is
reported to be due to the success of General P. Elias Calles,
acting for the Mexican government, in securing for the com-
pany a rebate of $50,000 in taxes.
IpersonalI
The Editor invites members of the profession to send particulars of their
work and appointments. The information is interesting to our readers.
Gilbert Rigg is in Burma.
Marshall D. Draper is here.
P. K. Lucke has returned to Mexico City from Europe.
F. Castanier has returned from Korea to Besseges, in
France.
Roy N. Ferguson has returned from Poland to San Jose,
California.
H. B. Tooker, traffic manager for the Jackling interests,
is in New York.
1j. S. Cates has returned to Salt Lake City after a trip to
Boston and New York.
Charles Butters has gone to Copala, Mexico, and expects
to go from there to Peru.
Walter Fitch, president of the Chief Consolidated Mining
Co. at Eureka, Utah, is at Washington.
J. E. Bloom, Major U. S. Army, retired, has arrived iB
San Francisco from Brooklyn, New York.
P. B. McDonald, of New York University, is editing a book
on steam-heating for Warren Webster & Co.
H. R. Bobbins is at Minneapolis, supervising some ore-
tests at the State Mine's Experiment Station.
J. D. Shilling, general superintendent of the Utah Copper
mine at Bingham, has returned home after a trip to Florida.
B. V. Barton has been appointed assistant general man-
ager for the Bendigo Amalgamated Goldfields at Bendigo,
Victoria.
L. V. Waterhouse, formerly mill superintendent at Mount
Lyell, has been appointed manager for the Mount Hope, Ltd.,
in Tasmania.
Louis D. Huntoon and G. D. Van Arsdale have formed a
partnership, as consulting engineers, with offices at New
York and Los Angeles.
W. A. Prichard, manager for the Pato and Nechi dredging
companies in Colombia, is on his way to New York, whence
he returns to the mines.
G. A. Joslin, managing engineer for the Ramshorn Mines
Co., has spent the summer at the mines and mill of the com-
pany at Bayhorse, Idaho, and is returning to his office at
Salt Lake City.
William Loeb Jr., a director of the A. S. & R. Co., is in
Utah visiting the company's smelting plants. R. W. Strauss,
assistant to Simon Guggenheim, the president of the same
corporation, accompanies Mr. Loeb.
li. W. Hope, who has been superintendent for the Eureka-
Holly Mining Co. at Eureka, Nevada, for the past three
years, is now holding a similar position with the Ocoee
Copper Co. at Ducktown, Tennessee.
N. C. Sheridan, general manager for the Snake & Oppor-
tunity Mines Co., Hillsboro, New Mexico, will have charge
of the Midnight property at Mullan, Idaho, operations hav-
ing been suspended at the Snake & Opportunity.
OBITUARY
George O. Kelsey, age 59, a mining man of Cherry Creek,
Nevada, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Adrienne
Reeves, at Salt Lake City, on December 10. He was a
native of Utah, but spent the greater portion of his life in
California and Nevada in the mining business. He is sur-
vived by two daughters.
!
Deoemher Is, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
THE) METAL MARKET
■ *■ -~-
METAL PRICES
San Francisco. December 14
Alnmlnnm-dnjt. cents per pound 06
Antimony. cents per pound 9.50
Copper, electrolytic, cents per pound 15.00 — 15.50
Lead. pig. cents per pound 6.25 — 6.26
Platinum, pure, per ounce $85
Platinum. 10% Iridium, per ounce 9126
Quicksilver, per flask of 76 lb (66
Spelter, cents per pound It. 50
Zinc-dust, cents per pound 12.50 — 16.00
EASTERN METAL MARKET
(By wire from New York)
Lead is inactive and firm.
December 13. — Copper is quiet and steady.
Zinc is dull and easy.
SILVER
Below are given official or ticker quotations for silver In the open market
as distinguished from the fixed price obtainable for metal produced, smelted,
and refined exclusively within the United States. Under the terms of the
Pittman Act such silver will be purchased by the United StatCB Mint at 91
per ounce, subject to certain small charges which vary slightly but amount
to approximately three-eights of one cent. The equivalent of dollar silver
(1000 fine) in British currency is 46.65 pence per ounce (925 fine), calcu-
lated at the normal rate of exchange.
Date
Dec.
New York
cents
7 65.87
8 65.62
9 60.37
10 59.25
11 61.75
12 Sunday
13 62.37
London
pence
43.37
43.00
39.75
38.87
40.50
40.87
Average week ending
Cents
1 80.31
8 81.90
15 80.02
22 76.41
29 73.72
6 69.08
13 62.54
Monthly averages
1918
Jan 88.72
Feb 86.79
I Men 88.11
Apr 95.35
| May 99.50
June 99.50
1919
101.12
101.12
101.12
101.12
107.23
110.50
1920
132.77
131.27
125.70
119.56
102.69
90.84
1918
July 99.62
Aug 100.31
Sept 101.12
Oct 101.12
Nov 101.12
Dec 101.12
1919
106.36
111.36
113.92
119.10
127.67
131.92
Pence
62.35
54.00
53.50
49.96
48.97
44.29
41.06
1920
92.04
96.23
93.(16
83.48
77.73
COPPER
Prices ef electrolytic in New York, in cents per pound.
Date
| Dec. 7 14.00
8 14.00
9 14.00
10 14.00
11 14.00
12 Sunday
13 14.00
Nov.
Average week ending
1.
8.
15.
22.
29.
6.
13.
16.08
16.00
14.87
14.62
14.16
13.63
14.00
Monthly averages
1918
, Jan 23.50
IFeb 23.50
Men 23.50
1 Apr 23.50
, May 23.50
I June 23.60
1919
20.43
17.34
16.05
16.23
16.91
17.63
1920
19.25
19.05
18.49
19.23
19.05
19.00
1918
July 26.00
Aug 26.00
Sept 26.00
Oct 26.00
Nov 26.00
Dec 26.00
1919
20.82
22.61
22.10
21.66
20 45
18.55
LEAD
Lead is quoted in cents per pound. New York delivery.
Date
Dec.
7
8
9
10
11
12 Sunday
13
5.00
5.00
6.00
5.00
5.00
5.00
Nov.
Average week ending
1
8
15
22
29
6
13
1920
19.00
19.00
18.75
16.53
14.63
6.92
6.84
6.61
6.44
6.67
5.24
5.00
Monthly averages
I Jan 6.85
IFeb 7.70
iMch 7.26
■Apr 6.99
JMay 6.99
iJune 7.59
1918 1919 1920
5.60
5.13
5.24
5.05
6.04
6.32
8.65
8.88
9.22
8.78
8.55
8.43
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
1918
8.03
8.05
8.05
8.05
8.05
6.90
1919
5.63
5.78
6.02
6.40
6.76
7.12
1920
8.63
9.03
8.08
7.28
6.37
TTN
Prices in New York, in cents per pound.
Monthly averages
1919 1920
71.50 62.74
72.44 59.87
72.50 61.92
72.50 62.17
72.60 54.99
71.83 48.33
1918
iJan 85.13
Feb 85.00
Mch 85.00
Apr 88.53
May 100.01
:June 91.00
1918
July 93.00
Aug 91.33
Sept 80.40
Oct 78.82
Nov 73.67
Dec 71.62
1919
1920
70.11
49.29
62.20
47.60
65.79
4443
54.82
40 47
54.17
36.97
54.94
Zinc is quoted aa
in cents per pound.
Date
Dec. 7
ZINC
spelter, standard Western brands. New York delivery.
0
10
11
12 Sunday
13
6.60
6.60
6.80
6.25
6.25
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Mch.
Apr.
May
1918
7.78
7.97
7.67
7.04
7.92
June 7.92
. . 6.25
Monthly averages
1919 1920
9.56
9.15
8.93
8.76
8.07
7.92
Average week ending
1
8
15
22
29
6
13
7.44
6.71
6.63
6.49
6.43
6.91
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
1918
8.72
8.78
9.58
9.11
8.75
8.49
1919
7.78
7.81
7,57
7.82
812
8.69
7.54
7.31
6.86
6.66
8.26
6.14
6.42
1920
8.18
8.31
7.84
7.50
6.78
QUICKSILVER
The primary market for quicksilver is San Francisco. California being
the largest producer. The price is fixed in the open market, according to
quantity. Prices, In dollars per flask of 76 pounds.
Date I Nov. 30 55.00
Nov. 16 65.00 Dec. 7 66.00
23 55.00 1 " 14 65.00
Monthly averages
1918
Jan 128.06
Feb 118.00
Mch 112.00
Apr 116.00
May 110.00
June 112.00
1919
103.75
90.00
72.80
73.12
84.80
94.40
1920
89.00
81.00
87.00
100.00
87.00
85.00
1918
July 120.00
Aug 120.00
Sept 120.00
Oct 120.00
Nov 120.00
Dec 116.00
1919
100 00
103.00
10260
86.00
78.00
95.00
1920
88.00
85.00
75.00
71.00
66.00
A NATIONAL BUDGET
Why governmental economy and efficiency, tax revision, and a budget
system are essentials preached both at and by Congress, and why It is
highly desirable that Congress and the departments should practise them.
is again made evident by the preliminary estimates just submitted by the
Secretary of the Treasury. He is in this respect simply a messenger, trans-
mitting the department estimates to congressional judgment. Even with
all possible paring later, the result will weigh heavily on the American
taxpayer, says the 'BoBton News Bureau'.
The forecast for the fiscal year 1921-22 is given as 54,068,000.000. ex-
clusive of postal service. This compares with a similar request for
$4,473,000,000 for 1920-21. or a retrenchment of 9405.000.000. After
the supplemental estimates for the current year were in, the total asked
rose to 94.672.000,000, Congress pruned this down to an appropriated
total of 93.213,000,000. Can Congress again cut off a billion and a half?
The announced intention toward allowances and payrolls is emphatic
enough: but the power to act is limited by two obvious factors. One is
the degree to which the great bulk of Government expense is a fixed 'over-
head' obligation. It has been figured that in tinkering with Federal pay-
roll, considerably leas than a dime out of each Government-spent dollar is
at stake. The other element Is the need to include certain items of assured
obligation yet undetermined.
Thus the Government will eventually have to make payment, now delayed
and under litigation, of over 9400.000.000 to the railroads as guaranty of
earnings for the first half-year after return to private ownership. All hut
a few roads accepted the guaranty. Only a few in the past six months
have shown net profits to the Government above the guaranty. Then
there are strong political prospectB for some further wage-advances sought
by needy Federal employees, particularly in the Postoffiee. Also there is
the question of naval expansion. The President-elect has just declared that
we should have the largest navy.
It will not be the simplest among the many vexing problems ahead of
CongresB to trim down the appropriation totals. How these have grown
in- recent fiscal years may be illustrated as follows:
1921 93,213.042.484 1016 5678.677.858
1920 4.850.169.029 1915 674.497.625
I'll!! 2.->„-><l8.!lll7.517 1014 684.757.276
1.018 18.144.861.745 1913 617.382.178
1917 1.178.908.962 1912 634.549.561
How large is the fixed quantity of expense is evident from the fact that
of the four billions suggested, almost 91. 900.000.000 must go for debt
service in interest and sinking-fund, while 9265.000.000 is allocated to
pensions, to say nothing of army and navy.
Heavy sale by the Bank of France has been an important factor In
the decline in silver, the decrease in the Bank's silver-reserves amounted to
5,644,000 gold francs for the week ended December 2.
MONEY AND EXCHANGE
Foreign quotations on December 14 are as follows:
Sterling, dollars : Cable 3.45 %
Demand 3.46 %
Francs, cents : Cable 5.89
Demand 5.93
Lire, cents : Demand 3.55
Marks, cents 1.41
894
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 18, 1920
Eastern Metal Market
New York, December 8.
There is a better tone to nearly all the markets, especially
zinc and copper. While prices are not generally higher, ex-
cept in one case, they are all firmer.
The tone of the copper market is distinctly better. Prices
are firmer.
The tin market is still stagnant but prices are a little
higher.
Lead has gone to new low levels but it is felt the bottom
has been reached.
Prices lor zinc are considerably higher, a better demand
not being met by sellers.
Antimony is a little lower.
IRON AND STEEL
The steel trade had expected to drift through December
with buying at the lowest rate of the year and the dropping
of prices in practically all lines to the Steel Corporation
level makes scarcely a ripple. One effect has been to check
cancellations and suspensions through a revision of some
contracts with independent mills to the new basis. Adjust-
ment of operations to the curtailed demand goes on both at
blast-furnaces and steel-works. Pig-iron output in Novem-
ber was 2,934,908 tons, or 97,830 tons per day, as against
3,292,597 tons in October, or 106,212 tons per day.
At 452,000 tons, iron and steel exports in October were the
largest for the year, save in July; but current export orders
are less than one-fifth of the year's average, with exchange
conditions growing worse rather than better.
COPPER
Copper sold last week at 13.50c, New York, but since
then the tendency has been upward. There is less desire to
cut prices and more stability is in evidence. Dealers are
turning buyers rather than sellers and it is almost impossi-
ble to purchase electrolytic copper in the outside market
under 14c, New York, for early delivery. All asking prices
are 14c, which we quote as the market for early delivery
with first quarter at 14.25c, New York. Buying demand
has not increased perceptibly but it is expected to develop,
as the belief is now general that the bottom of the market
has been reached. Production is being or has been curtailed
quite decidedly.
TIN
The course of the market continues dull with consumers
and even dealers indifferent. There have been no important
developments. The only news item of special market interest
is the cabled press report to a New York newspaper, but
unconfirmed in the trade as yet, that the Malay government
has fixed a minimum price on Straits tin equivalent to £226
per ton c.i.f. New York. The meaning of this is variously
regarded, some stating it to be a bearish rather than a bull
argument or factor. There is almost no trading except the
picking of cheap lots when offered. The only sale on the
New York Metal Exchange in the last week was 2 5 tons of
Straits tin for February shipment at 34.75c on Monday,
December. 6. The New York quotation for spot Straits in
the last week has been generally higher, due to speculative
operations in London. Yesterday the quotation was 3 5c,
New York, against 33.50c a week ago. In London yesterday
spot standard tin was quoted at £223 10s. against £207 10s.
a week ago, future standard at £227 15s. as contrasted with
£212 a week ago and spot Straits at £224 5s. against £208
a week ago, which shows the extent of the speculative rise
there. Total imports to December 1 this year have been
48,093 tons, against 29,956 tons to December 1, 1919. Ar-
rivals thus far in December have been 1495 tons with 2530
tons reported afloat.
LEAD
The feature of this market has been the announcement of
two reductions in the past week of |c. per pound each in the
price of the American Smelting & Refining Co. Late on
November 30 the reduction was from 6c to 5.50c and late
December 3 from 5.50c. to 5c, both New York and St. Louis.
It may be said that both the trust and the independent
markets are now on the' 5c, New York and St. Louis, level.
Since this has occurred there has sprung up a good demand
which is attracting buyers and there is a feeling that the
bottom has been touched. Many inquiries are developing
which are spread over the first quarter. Independent pro-
ducers are hot generally 'selling .at the present- level, espe-
cially for first quarter. There is an evident resistance to any
further decline and the tone of the market is better and
firmer than in some time.
ZING
A complete change has come over this market. Demand
has improved and prices have risen quite sharply. From a
low of 5.60c, St. Louis, last week prime Western is now
6.25c, St. Louis, for early delivery. This sudden change is
explained, not by any advance in London, but by a disinclina-
tion of producers in general to sell at profitless prices and
hence not to meet the better demand that has appeared.
This has come largely from galyanizers but, relative to nor-
mal times, it is not large. Production has been heavily
curtailed. So far as forward deliveries are concerned there
is still less of a disposition to sell owing to the belief that
the market must advance as well as to no desire on the part
of producers to commit themselves to a losing business.
ANTIMONY
The market is a little weaker with wholesale lots for early
delivery quoted at 5.65c, New York, duty paid.
ALUMINUM
The leading interest has reduced its price to 26 to 27c
f.o.b. producer's plant for wholesale lots of virgin metal, 98
to 99% pure, for early delivery, while from other sellers the
same grade is quoted at 24 to 25c per pound, New York.
ORES
Tungsten: The absence of business continues. Now that
Congress is again in session interest in the tariff bill on
tungsten has been revived and there are hopes of its early
attention. Quotations continue nominal at $4 per unit for
Chinese ore and $5 for Bolivian. In England the ore quota-
tion is 24 shillings per unit.
Ferro-tungsten can now be bought at 59c per pound of
contained tungsten.
Molybdenum: There is no demand and prices are nominal
at 50 to 60c per pound of MoS2 in regular concentrate.
Manganese: Business is at a standstill with quotations
nominal at 42 to 50c. per unit, seaboard. Imports continue
high, those for October having been 44,700 gross tons,
bringing the total to November 1 to 467,712 tons against
2S5.274 tons to November 1, 1919.
Manganese-Iron Alloys: There is a distinct absence of
business in ferro-manganese and spiegeleisen. American
producers of the former are quoting $150, delivered, while
the British asking price stands at $170, seaboard, in the
absence of any test of the market. Production and imports
continue heavy. According to blast-furnace reports in 'The
Iron Age' for November the output of ferro-manganese was
23,153 tons or fully equal to former records for the year.
Imports in October were 6700 tons, bringing the total to
November 1 to 46,739 tons or over twice the imports a year
ago of 22,674 tons. Spiegeleisen is inactive at $72.50, fur-;
nace, for the 21% alloy.
I>.. . ruber IS, l''iM
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
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DODGE ELECTRIC GENERATING APPARATUS
One of the latest and most notable developments of the
Dodge Sales & Engineering Co. of Mishawaka. Indiana, con-
sists of complete power-units for electric generating. The
units as made by this organization involve no freak ideas
or pet hobbies. Every test made on the complete unit is
made in strict accordance with the rules adopted by the
American Institute of Electrical Engineers.
The generating units are made up either direct connected
or belted in all standard voltages using Dodge heavy-oil
engines as motive power. The sizes manufactured at pres-
fuel-cost chart Illustrated herewith, however, are based on
0.5 lb. per b.hp.-hr.
The engine illustrated herewith has a brake-output of 50
hp., and is direct connected to a 30-kw., 220-volt, D. C.
generator, running at a normal speed of 425 r.p.m. It would
therefore use 10,000 gallons of fuel-oil per year, if operated
10 hours per day under full load for 300 days. This fuel
costs on the average 5c. per gallon and would mean a total
of $500 for* annual fuel-cost. This reduces the fuel-cost of
current to $0,005 per kw.-hr. The comparative cost-table
clearly indicates the economy of the operation of the Dodge
Dodge Oil-Engine Generator Unit
ent range from 12* hp. to and including 75 hp. The wide
range of sizes makes the fact evident that the power units
are equally adaptable to either marine or stationary power-
plant service.
The Dodge heavy-oil engine used is sufficient guarantee
of low-cost operation which, of course, results in a great
saving in the cost of current generation. The Dodge heavy-
oil engine is sold under a standard guarantee which specifies
a consumption of fuel-oil of 0.5 lb. per b.hp.-hr., using fuel
as low as 0.28°B., containing not less than 18,500 B.t.u.
per pound. In fact every Dodge heavy-oil engine turned out
must use less than the amount guaranteed on actual brake
test; otherwise such a guarantee could not be made with
any degree of safety. The figures used in the comparative
heavy-oil engine in direct comparison with coal, kerosene,
or gasoline engine-fuel.
Some interesting conclusions are definitely and accurately
arrived at in this table. For example, it is found that
operating under the same period with a simple steam engine
would increase the fuel-cost to $175 5, with a resultant fuel-
cost of $0.0157 per kw.-hr. The table also contains figures
relating to the operating cost of internal-combustion engines
of the same horse-power rating and using both kerosene and
gasoline as fuel.
The generator used has been developed especially for this
particular service by the Engberg Electrical & Mechanical
Works at St. Joseph, Michigan. The armature is of the ironr
clad ventilated type, with laminated core, being built of
896
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 18, 1920
; 5 : <
■ *. * e
t£££
Fuel Cost Comparison Based on a 50 HP. Engine Damns a30K.W.6uoktd]
• n hunter mm*
O.l Eh.
HP K
■ c Stcam Emrme Kcaos
W KP KW. H
CRE Emoime Sasolime Dmik
R KW, HP KW.
®® ®«
2sis
Ci£i2£
uuuw
■ M
<5«k.s.5
.
^ *
i
>■
a ass
a.
»
J
,
2; ■
5 **
010
1
1
Fuel-Cost Chart
electrical sheet-steel, thoroughly japanned before assem-
bling. The drum and core are provided with air-ducts, per-
mitting a thorough circulation of air through same.
Nothing but the best double-covered magnet wire of the
highest conductivity is used, and the insulation is thorough-
ly waterproof. A desirable feature in connection with the
armature is that it has been so designed as to eliminate a
coupling on the armature-shaft, the crankshaft coupling is
direct connected to the armature-drum, by such construction
Fuci. Cocr ran SO H.P
Doooc Heavy On. Lr6>ne
Direct CooMcc-res to
30 K.W. 6CNCMATOR
Heavy On.
LWGIK4C Poet.
©.OS PM 6al
.5 Le. Pen
B.H.P. HR.
Coal IS 5.50
Per Ton
1190 B.TU
Per Le.
<cr.or-.c~t Emsimc
Fuel ®.20PtR
Sal. 1.3 La.
Per BKP Hr.
5AE0LJNE LIMINE
=i,rL@30 Per
Sal 1.3 Lb.
=1* B.H.PHr
1 Year or 300 Days
10 Hr per Day
•soo.oo
1775.00
5101.00
8863.50
1 Lay OF 10 HR6
1.66
5.88
19.61
21.S4
1 Hr
.16
.56
1.96
Z.1S
I Year or 300 Days
1 H.P.
1 K.W
10.00
16.66
35.10
4-7.10
118.16
196.96
I77.Z7
295.45
IUay or 10 Hrs
1 HP
1 K.W.
.035
.055
.117
.157
39
.63
.59
.18
1 H.P Hr.
1 K W Hr.
.003
.005
.0117
.0157
.031
.065
.059
.018
Comparative-Cost Table
that the engine drives through the armature and not on the
armature-shaft. This method of construction is substantial
and makes it easy to remove the armature; in fact this can
be done without disturbing the engine in any manner what-
ever. Close regulation is assured by having the flywheel
of the engine placed close-up to the armature and on the
same end of the crankshaft.
The commutator is made of copper bars, insulated with
the best grade of mica plate and is very heavy, thus en-
suring years of continuous operation without need of re-
newal. It is built up on a separate sleeve and bolted to the
armature drum, so that the shaft can be removed without
disturbing the windings. The bars are collected in a steel
chuck, especially designed for this particular purpose, which
is provided with large steel screws. The chuck is heated
and allowed to expand, at which time screws are tightened
to the extreme. When the chuck cools and shrinks, the
commutator is drawn into a perfect and lasting position.
Every part of both the Dodge heavy-oil engine and the
generator is of the highest possible grade in regard to ma-
terial, workmanship, and design. All bearings are extremely
large and accurately fitted, thus assuring smooth and con-
stant operation with comparatively little attention.
Both engine and generator are carefully tested and in-
spected at frequent intervals during the course of construc-
tion. Both are mounted on a heavy cast-iron sub-base and
doweled in place, after which they are subjected to a final
operating-test under load.
An indication that concerns requiring electric-generating
apparatus have not been slow in appreciating the great
economy effected in the use of oil-driven generating-sets is
evidenced by the number of orders that have been placed
for the units illustrated.
COMMERCIAL PARAGRAPHS
The Chicago Pneumatic Tool Co. announces the removal
of its rock-drill manufacturing plant from 864 East 72nd
St., Cleveland, Ohio, to the company's Boyer pneumatic-
hammer plant at 1301 Second Blvd., Detroit, Michigan. The
location of the company's Little Giant air-drill plant at 1241
East 49th St., Cleveland, remains unchanged.
The Thornley coalometer, for detecting excessive tem-
peratures in piles of stored coal and informing the owner
of the condition of his stock of fuel, is manufactured and
sold by P. C. Thornley & Co., Inc., whose office is at 31 W.
43rd street, New York. The methods of using the instru-
ment were detailed in the 'Industrial Progress' section of
the 'Press' of November 27, 1920.
The Falls Rivet Co., of Kent, Ohio, has just purchased
from the Ohio Wire Manufacturing Co. of Akron, all the ma-
chinery, patents, and patterns relating to the manufacturing
of cotter-pins and flat-spring keys. The machinery has been
moved from Akron to Kent and is now in operation. The
Ohio Wire Goods Co. will discontinue the manufacturing of
these articles. The event marks an era of expansion in the
business of the Falls Rivet Co., which will add to its estab-
lished product of rivets, bolts, and nuts. The cotter-pins in
question have two well-known points of merit; the pointed
feature which permits the pin to enter the hole readily, and
the self-spreading feature. Some users have made a saving
of 40% in the time required to insert and open a cotter-pin
of the old type.
E. A. Williams Jr., president of the Garford Motor Truck
Co., of Lima, Ohio, who has been conspicuous in agitating
good-roads issues during the incumbency of President Wil-
son and the last Congress, expresses the hope that the new
order of affairs under Republican control also will include
a broad constructive policy of road building. Mr. Williams
pointed out that figures available at the Garford general
offices show that of approximately 2,000,000 miles of high-
ways in this country, less than one-tenth are improved.
"This is a condition that should be remedied," he said.
"The business of this nation depends upon its distribution
facilities and the success or failure of business lies in the
intelligent utilization of these facilities. If business is to
expand it must have highway development. A nation can
reap more profit from a thoroughly-connected properly-con-
structed system of good roads than from anything else. It
is imperative that we have such a system to handle the con-
stantly increasing need for cheap and efficient transportation
of foodstuffs and manufactured articles."
iiimiiiiiinmiiH
EDITORIAL STAFF
T. A. RlCKARO. EDITOR
A. B. PARSONS. AssOCIATC EDITOR
Member Audit Bureau of Circulation!
Member Associated Business Papers, Inc.
ESTABLISHED I860
Pubtithrd at i£0 Market St., San Frandtco.
by the Dncey PubtWiing Company
BUSINESS STAFF
C.T. HUTCHINSON, MANARCR
E. H. LESLIE. 600 Fisher bos., chicaro
F. A. WEISLE, 31 NASSAU ST., NEW YORK
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BOUNCE HAS SO DIH1 SAVK TIIK IGNORANT
Issued Every Saturday
San Francisco, December 25, 1920 a per Year— 15 cents per copy
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
EDITORIAL
NOTES S97
A YANKEE ENGINEER S99
An appreciation of the career and character of
Arthur DeW. Foote of the North Star Mines, at
Grass Valley. His early work at this mine, espe-
cially in compressed-air machinery. Tributes to
his skill and kindness from former associates. A
side-light from one of Mrs. Foote's books. Civil
engineering and mining engineering, and their re-
actions. The humane factor in mine management.
IMMIGRATION 900
Statistics for the fiscal year. Small net increase.
Sources of the present flow of immigration. The
attempt to restrict it by Congressional act.
Page
The use of the riffle-cutter. Probability in sam-
pling. Equipment used in the sampling-mills of
Montana; Washoe and East Butte plants at Butte;
No. 1 plant of the A. S. & R. Co. at Helena; Ana-
conda Copper company's sampler at Anaconda.
THE MECHANISM OF THE SURFACE PHENOMENA
OF FLOTATION
By Irving Langmuir 913
Little progress in the development of a satisfactory
scientific explanation. The theory of adsorption
and of surface-tension. Surface phenomena.
Films. Measurement of molecules. Experiments
with 'clean' and oiled glass surfaces. Measure-
ment of contact-angles of drops of water on oiled
surfaces. Experimental results discussed. Ap-
plication to the theory of flotation as a metallur-
gical process.
ARTICLES
PUMP FOR ELEVATING TAILING 918
An automatic device for protecting a tailing-pump
in emergencies.
ARTHUR DEWINT FOOTE, OF GRASS VALLEY
An Interview, By T. A. Rickard 901
A native of Connecticut at the age of 24 seeks ad-
venture in San Francisco. Goes to work as engi-
neer on the Sutro tunnel in 18 73. Experience on
the Comstock; at New Almaden; at the Homestake
in South Dakota; at Leadville. James D. Hague
and the opening of the North Star mine at Grass
Valley. Unwatering and developing the property.
Sundry mechanical problems in equipping the
mine. Some ideas on industrial relations. The
North Star today.
METHODS OF ORE-SAMPLING IN MONTANA — II
By H. B. Pulsifler 907
Pipe-sampling on suitable material is cheap and
accurate. Reducing lot samples to laboratory size.
NOTES
PUMPING ON THE RAND
912
DEPARTMENTS
REVIEW OF MINING 919
THE MINING SUMMARY 925
PERSONAL 926
THE METAL MARKET 927
EASTERN METAL MARKET 928
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS 929
Established May 24, 1860. as The Scientific Press: name changed October
20 of the same year to Miningr and Scientific Press.
Entered at the 9an Francisco post-oflice as second-class matter. Gable
address: Pertusola.
Branch Offices — Chicago. 600 Fisher Bdff.: New York, 31 Nassau St •
London. 724 Salisbury House. E.C. '
Entered at the San Francisco post-office as second-class matter Cable
address: Pertusola.
28
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 25, 1920
Experimental Work commenced in January 1917
Mill has been in operation since June 1, 1919
The MARCY ROLLER MILL is particularly
adapted for table concentration. It makes a
uniform product sized to any desired mesh —
with a minimum amount of slimes.
In connection with a mechanical classifier the
MARCY ROLLER MILL gives a flotation
product of any degree of fineness.
Our latest Marcy Booklet is ready
for mailing. Send for it.
The Mine and Smelter Supply Company
Denver
Jl Service Station Within Reach of Yon
Salt La-ke City
NeV York Office: 42 "Broadway
El Paso
December 25, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
-'•7
_j : ■ ' ■ ■ ■ -•■■ '■ '-■'•-'■
T. A. 1K.ICKARV.
/~\N February 2S and succeeding six days the North-
^-' west Mining Convention will be in session at Spo-
kane, Washington. This is a regional gathering of min-
im; men. especially of prospectors and small operators in
the districts tributary to Spokane. A good program has
been arranged by Mr. L. K. Armstrong, chairman of the
executive committee.
SECRETARY PAYNE, of the Department of the In-
terior, has issued a statement concerning the work of
the War Minerals Relief Commission. Up to November
27, he says, the Commission had examined 1203 cases and
made recommendations in 1124 cases; it had awarded
$2,357,491 upon claims aggregating $15,827,479, that is,
less than 15%. Evidently the percentage of disappoint-
ment will be large.
THE time for doing assessment work on mining loca-
tions on account of the year 1920 has been extended
until July 1, 1921. in accordance with the bill introduced
in the Senate and recommended by the Mines Committee
of the House on December 15. This bill was passed on
December 20. in preference to pressing the one introduced
in the House, which would have dispensed entirely with
the performance of assessment work on account of 1920.
as was done during the years of the War. It was deemed
wise not to press the House bill, to which there was con-
siderable opposition ; instead, all the friends of the miner
joined in asking for the six-months extension. This has
been granted.
AT this season of goodwill it is timely to quote from a
letter just received from a Californian mining en-
gineer residing in London and practising his profession
there. We asked him to what extent the sentiments
evoked by the War have restricted the scope for Ameri-
can mining engineers among British operators abroad.
He replies that he has "met with only the best of treat-
ment, most courteous in every respect". He had been
elected a director of a company and later he had been
appointed consulting engineer, the latter being the more
profitable, and more important, appointment, of course.
There is no "anti-American feeling" in mining circles
in London; indeed, he adds, an Englishman has asked
him to enter into partnership with him, and that, he
suggests, the other man would not have done if there had
been any prejudice against Americans. We mention this
to correct an impression to the contrary that seems to
obtain among some of our friends in the profession.
Whatever little fusses may arise between the newspapers
— not the governments — on opposite sides of the Atlantic.
and however much pro-German and Sinn Fein propa-
ganda may unite in striving to make trouble between the
English-speaking peoples, we are glad to believe, and to
know, that the English-speaking mining engineers are
comrades all, pleased to work with one another, and
willing always to extend the band of good-fellowship,
whether it be done under one or the other of the two
flags that have led the way in exploring and developing
the mining regions of the world from Cape Nome to Cape
Leeuwin, from the Gila to the Vaal, from Chuquieamata
tn ( iisibuiriachic, from Pike's Peak to Mount Morgan.
\X/ ' 'RKMEJN generally will have to choose between a
" reduction of wages and a loss of employment, just
as their employers generally have to face a decrease in
profit or a loss of their market. It is a question of de-
scending the ladder or of having it kicked from under-
neath. One condition that complicates the general and
inevitable effort to meet altered economic conditions is
the delay on the part of middlemen and retailers to eul
their prices in accord with the reduction made by manu-
facturers and wholesalers. The cost of living would be
scaled down in logical consequence of the recession in
wholesale prices if only there were not a tacit conspiracy
among retailers to postpone their own compliance with
the new conditions of business. Sometimes we wish that
a Food Adminstrator still functioned, so that his just
but heavy hand might fall upon some of these recalci-
trant profiteers, but in default of such a disciplinarian
it behooves the press to bring the force of public opinion
to bear upon these economic misdemeanants.
TT'OR several years the Alaska Gold Mines Company
■"- has continued to mine and mill gold-bearing rock at
Juneau in spite of a considerable operating loss ; more-
over, it is evident that the enterprise is a failure as a
mining venture and that there is no expectation of profit-
able operations even under improved economic condi-
tions; in fact, an official in New York is quoted recently
as explaining the continued running of the plant by the
assertion that the company expects to dispose of its
power-plant and sundry equipment for use in other in-
dustries, the number and diversity of which are con-
898
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 25, 1920
stantly increasing in the Territory. The making of
paper-pulp is one of them. This statement should serve
definitely to establish the status of Alaska Gold; the
question arises, if the mine is dead, why is it not aban-
doned ? Because it is cheaper to meet the operating loss
than to maintain the equipment after a complete shut-
down. Generally when buildings are deserted and ma-
chinery is idle, they deteriorate more rapidly than when
in use, unless money is continually being spent in caring
for and repairing them. The fact that the Alaska Gold
Mines Company believes it more economical to operate
pending the disposal of its plant offers an interesting
side-light on the present dilemma of numerous com-
panies in the United States. Their problem is compli-
cated by sundry other factors. To the producers of cop-
per, zinc, and lead, an argument for suspending opera-
tions is that, otherwise, ore-reserves are being depleted,
whereas Alaska Gold in reality has no reserves of profit-
able ore and accordingly can ignore this phase of the
question. On the other hand, Alaska Gold has no object
in keeping its underground workings in condition for
future mining. The current work of maintaining shafts,
drifts, and stopes, with the attendant replacement of tim-
bers, is expensive ; in a large mine it may amount to hun-
dreds of dollars per day and the work must go on whether
ore is being produced or not. Probably the most im-
portant reason for continuing to mine in spite of an
operating deficit is the desire to keep intact as far as
possible the essential parts of the working organization.
The wise manager realizes that he has an invaluable asset
in a group of men, each of whom is trained to perform a
definite part in the delicately adjusted human machine.
A good many Western mines working on a curtailed scale
seemingly are losing more than Alaska Gold ; however, as
a matter of fact, they have doubtless calculated as accu-
rately as possible the money value of that intangible
asset, their organization, and it apparently has been the
determining factor in deciding them to continue pro-
duction pending an improvement in economic conditions.
T7 OR the first time in history, gold rather than silver, is
-*- wanted in India ; that country is actually exporting
silver to purchase gold. Sundry events that have a bear-
ing on this condition are discussed in a recent article in
'The Annalist' by Mr. C. C.'Latour. In 1893, there was
established in India a gold-exchange standard in order
to avoid the fluctuation of exchange-rates such as exists in
China today. British gold sovereigns and Indian silver
rupees were made legal tender in unlimited amount ; the
ratio of 1 : 15 was arbitrarily established, that being
equivalent to fixing the value of the rupee at 16 pence or
32.44 cents. It should be remembered that it is 'sterling'
exchange, not the value of the British sovereign, that
fluctuates. When in 1917 the price of silver began to
increase, the bullion value of the rupee so far exceeded
the exchange-value that the Indian government was com-
pelled, in order to prevent wholesale melting of coins,
gradually to increase the official rate of exchange until,
toward the end of 1919, the rate stood at 28 pence or
56.77 cents. In order, among other things, to divorce the
rupee from depreciated sterling it was decided, after
mature consideration, to fix again an arbitrary ratio be-
tween the sovereign and the rupee, this time at 1 : 10, or
on the basis of 48.66 cents per rupee. This went into
efEect at the time when sterling exchange was at its lowest
level in New York, and the consequence was a large in-
crease in remittances to London, by means of reverse
councils, a form of government draft. The issue of these
drafts artificially supported the rate of exchange for the
time being, but it could not be continued for the reason
that about this time India's export trade began to dwin-
dle ; indeed, during recent months Indian imports have
exceeded exports, the gross value of imports in August
being 300 million rupees as compared with 200 million
rupees of exports. This condition was without prece-
dent. India's system of finance, currency, and exchange
is exceedingly complicated, and it is no wonder that eco-
nomists often disagree as to causes and effects. However,
India is now exporting silver, whereas a year ago there
was an almost insatiable demand for it, the Pittman Act
being the direct outcome of this absorption. In the early
months of this year India obtained practically all the
gold produced in South Africa, because of the fact that
the depreciation in sterling in Calcutta was greater than
in New York. Now the exchange position of Japan is
such that she can draw gold both from the United States
and from India. Since October more than $21,000,000
worth of gold bullion has been shipped from India to
Japan, this too in spite of the new preference of the
Hindoo inhabitants for gold and the consequent demand
for it in the bazaars. If this demand becomes great
enough, there will be an artificial premium on gold in
India that will make shipments unprofitable, despite the
existing unfavorable exchange-rate. The discussion is
pertinent to our own gold problem in that it demon-
strates clearly the fluidity of the world's stock of gold.
This is a fact not sufficiently appreciated. International
balances of trade and rates of exchange govern the chan-
nel and the direction in which gold will flow, and the
production of new gold in the United States or elsewhere
must be considered only in relation to the entire world's
supply.
T ITIGATION between Minerals Separation and the
-*-* Miami Copper Company has been advanced one I
stage further. On December 9 Judge Woolley in the ■
Circuit Court of Appeals pronounced his decision, on j
appeal by Minerals Separation from the District Court,
affirming- the orders of the District Court and holding
that the modifications or changes made by the defendant '.
in its milling practice since September 1915 were not
plainly mere colorable equivalents of procedures found
to infringe. He held further that the practice of issuing
supplementary injunctions is not to be adopted in the
Third Circuit and that "the remedies against infringe-
ment after decree are those which now prevail, namely,
damages and profits on accounting, attachment for con-
tempt, and original bill. In the last the patentee 's right
]>. • • mix r .':.. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
899
to injunctive relief is tally preserved to him". The Court
stated: "We have read and carefully studied tl utile
record. . . . We shall uol re-state the law of the case,
bul shall address ourselves solely to the new facts. These
embody at least eleven new procedures or modifications
nt' procedures i-hnrgcd to be infringements because equiv-
alents of the infringements found by this Court in its
decree. The processes decreed to be infringements were
made up of several steps in which it was found, speaking
generally, that infringements were completed before the
pulp had reached the Callow cells. In none of the eleven
modified processes, again speaking generally, is there a
centrifugal pump or a break in the circuit or a pachuca,
means or steps held potential in infringements found.
In the later modified procedures Callow cells are em-
ployed exclusive of and inclusive with other means, in
some instances with no prior agitation, in other instances
with prior agitation without aeration, in still other in-
stances with prior agitation and aeration, indicating agi-
tation in degrees varying as greatly as the adjectives used
in describing it ; but whether in any of them there is agi-
tation of the kind, in the degree, and for the duration
contemplated by the patent is not so clear and unclouded
as to make the newly alleged infringing procedures free
from doubt and to warrant the extraordinary remedy of
supplementary injunctive relief. . . To avoid the ap-
pearance of affirming the Court's decree upon the nega-
tive quality of a finding that we discern no error in its
order, we go further and say, that, having made the law
of the case we are presumed to know what it is. and that,
applying the law to the facts, which, in defendant's mo-
tion to dismiss are regarded most favorable to the plain-
tiffs, we would have made the same disposition of the
case had we been sitting in the District Court when the
application for a supplementary injunction was made.
We are of opinion therefore that the order or orders of
the District Court should be affirmed and the case be
proceeded with expeditiously and in a manner consistent
with the law." The accounting is now before a Master.
having been referred to him, by order of the District
Court, late in 1917. We expect shortly to publish an
analysis of the present status of flotation litigation.
A Yankee Engineer
Among the pine-clad slopes of the Sierra Nevada, on
the Pacific side and overlooking the central valley of
California, is a pretty settlement called Grass Valley.
It is a community devoted, to gold mining and is dis-
tinguished among other Californian mining centres as
the locality where was started the first digging into hard
rock for gold-bearing quartz in veins or lodes, following
the early washing of the gravel in the river-beds from
which the miners of '49 drew their riches. In 1851 the
first shaft was sunk on Massachusetts hill ; now the Em-
pire mine has a vertical depth of 2705 feet and the North
Star is 2500 feet deep ; but these figures fail to measure
the extent of the mining operations, because the North
Star shaft, for example, follows the dip of a fiat vein so
that it is 6300 feet long from top to bottom, where, by
the way. it is just a hundred feel below sea-level. The
North Star has had its vicissitudes, like most miles, but
it has been yielding gold almost continuously for 25
years. Moreover, it has been a mining sol I i" a num-
ber of engineers now playing a useful part in the world.
Originally it was an undertaking launched by that fine
old gentleman. James D. Hague, and it was opened lip
under the technical direction of another engineer of the
old school, the school of scholars and gentlemen. We
publish an interview with the veteran manager. Mr.
Arthur DcW. Poote, now partly retired and succeeded by
his son. The story of the big men connected with the
big mines is more interesting, we venture to suggest, than
the statistics of production or than even the evolution of
technical processes. Mr. Poote is a representative Ameri-
can, in his ancestry, his early environment, his schooling,
and the venturesome beginnings of his professional
career. The interview shows that he is direct and out-
spoken, eschewing periphrasis. He speaks of men as he
found them, and he had to deal with many kinds, but in
all his dealings he asserted the essential manhood and
self-respect that we like to consider peculiarly American.
He could look any man in the face, and, if necessary, tell
him to go to hell ; but he did not say it too often, and he
never said it without cause. He was always kindly and
polite to those with whom he worked, either as subordi-
nate or chief. Mr. William Hood, the veteran railroad
engineer, to whom Mr. Foote was assistant 45 years ago,
tells us that he was "exceedingly competent in his work
and a most agreeable gentleman, with whom it was a
pleasure and privilege to be associated". Another vet-
eran engineer, Mr. Edward A. Rix, says that Mr. Poote
impressed him always as "singularly fair and just in his
dealings". He is a civil mining engineer in a double
sense; beginning with tunnel and railroad work, he
turned to hydraulic engineering on a large scale and then
drifted into mining and metallurgy. His early training
made him keen in the selection of the machinery em-
ployed in mining and more particularly the use of com-
pressed air, for pumping and hoisting, as well as drilling.
In this branch of mechanical engineering he was a pio-
neer, and. as the interview records, he found keen plea-
sure in planning and devising (with Mr. Rix. a specialist)
new types of compressed-air machines, which were then.
25 years ago, in their infancy of development. He had
the courage of his convictions, reinforced by a thorough
knowledge of the principles involved. For example, the
ordering of the 18-ft. direct-connected Pelton water-
wheel, which actuated the first compressor at the North
Star, required some nerve, for it was of much larger
diameter than any previously constructed and was built
with spokes in tension like a bicycle-wheel. Mr. Rix says :
"The usual knockers lined the fences to see her blow up
when started, but they were disappointed." Mr. Foote
has decided ideas on education, more particularly the
need for teaching English to engineering students. He
becomes explosive in talking of the jargon that is the
accepted medium of literary communication among mem-
bers of the profession. He has an understanding sym-
pathy for the toilers underground and recognizes that.
900
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 25, 1920
the entire morale of a working force depends upon the
personality of the manager, superintendent, and foreman.
He places his finger on the weak spot of industrial man-
agement, namely, the increase in the size of the opera-
tions and the number of men employed to such an extent
that personal influence becomes extinguished and the re-
lation of a manager toward his employees becomes de-
humanized. That is repellant to him, for his traditions
and his education alike have given him a feeling of keen
responsibility to the men whose work he directs and an
appreciation of their troubles and distempers. He is like
the type of Colonel who is a father to his regiment. Which
reminds lis that he appears disguised by literary art in
a book called 'The Ground Swell', written by his wife,
who. as Mary Halloek Foote, is known to many of our
readers as the author of 'The Led Horse Claim', 'The
Valley Road', 'The Chosen Valley', and a number of
other books in which the refined imagination and the
tender feeling of a New England gentlewoman give
charm and reality to divers phases of Western life. In
the retired General of 'The Ground Swell' we catch
glimpses of our mining engineer at Grass Valley. "When
he's happy he drops into Uncle Remus talk; when he is
very happy he becomes nautical. In his far-off boyhood
he had played with boats." Again : "My husband could
do foolish things with money, but he had a long-distance
wisdom at times that money cannot buy." When things
did not go quite right he would describe them humor-
ously, "not being a bitter person". As for example, in
his disagreement with Adolf Sutro. It is a great help to
one's philosophy of life to be able to see a joke against
oneself ; indeed it is the supreme test of humor. Looking
at Mr. Foote 's career as a whole, it may be remarked that
a good training in any branch of engineering is a prep-
aration for any other branch of the profession; un-
doubtedly mining engineering benefits from the incursion
of ideas brought to it by competent civil engineers, and
there is something in Mr. Foote 's remark that the civil
engineer or the hydraulic engineer has "a broader educa-
tion and a broader scope" than the mining engineer; in
short, much that the members of our profession are called
upon to do is only slightly related to their technical
training, but, for that reason, there is more opportunity,
we believe, for the play of personal character in mining
than in other phases of "the art of directing the great
sources of power in Nature for the use and convenience
of man". In the exercise of that art it is necessary not
only to direct natural sources of power but to direct the
energies of human beings, and therein lies its chief in-
terest, difficulty, and importance. Modern industry has
developed an ugly aspect, largely because, with all the
improvements in mechanics and chemistry, we have not
produced a sufficient number of men competent in char-
acter to be given the charge of large numbers of their
fellow-men. That is the main problem facing our indus-
trial democracy. We need more engineers like Mr. Foote,
alert and sagacious, but also humane and sympathetic to
those who work with him rather than for him; in short,
the democratic ideal of industry is not serfdom but co-
operation.
Immigration
Restriction of immigration is the subject of Congres-
sional legislation just now. In the annual report issued a
few days ago by the Department of Labor will be found
a set of statistics that are worthy of study. During the
last fiscal year, 633,371 aliens arrived in this country, as
compared with 237,021 the year before, but 428,062 de-
parted, reducing the net increase to 193,514. This is a
much smaller figure than had been anticipated from
periodic statements on the subject. Before the War the
annual increase due to immigration was about four times
as large. In 1914, immigrant aliens numbered 1,218,480
and emigrant aliens 303,338. Of the 2762 ordered de-
ported during the year, 469 were classed as anarchists
and criminals. Of the total arrivals 11,795 were sent
back. During the past fiscal year 16,174 Japanese ar-
rived and 15,653 departed, leaving 521 as the net in-
crease. It would be well if Federal officials compared
their statistical statements and thereby inspire greater
confidence in them. For instance, Mr. Anthony Cami-
netti, Commissioner General of Immigration, says that
last year Japanese immigration increased 13%, but he
does not say whether that was a net increase. He men-
tions the interesting fact that there was a net increase of
82,357 from Canada and a net increase of 45,755 from
Mexico, these two items making together 66% of the
total net gain in our immigrant population. During the
year, 519,003 aliens took out either their first or their
final papers of naturalization ; first papers were filed by
300,106 aliens, while final naturalization was claimed by
166,925 aliens in civil life and 51,972 soldiers. Mr.
William B. Wilson, the Secretary for Labor, suggests the
establishment of Federal agencies overseas, in co-opera-
tion with foreign governments, for the giving of informa-
tion to expectant emigrants in order that they may know
the restrictions to which they will be subject and the
conditions that they will face on arrival here, thereby
presumably checking the attempt of those who are in-
admissible or otherwise unwelcome to our shores. It is
obvious, from the official statistics, that the influx of
aliens is much smaller than was generally supposed; it
is considerably less than is required by the normal ex-
pansion of industry in this country. We are informed
that there is a considerable influx of Russian Jews of the
small-trader class, and also of Italians. The latter make
good citizens, especially if they come from northern Italy,
but the Russian-Jew peddler type is most undesirable,
because he is non-productive, becoming merely a minor
middleman, and bringing with him notions of living and
of government that are intensely foreign to the American
idea. If the attempts to restrict immigration are intel-
ligent, in excluding undesirables, not on account of pov-
erty or race, if white, but on account of incompatability
with our American ideas of life and government, they
deserve to be supported; if they are meant merely to
strengthen the control of organized labor in this country,
they deserve to be opposed, as probably they will, by our
representatives in Congress. We hope the bill now be-
fore Congress will fail to pass.
ml* r I'".. 1020
MINING ANO SCIENTIFIC PRESS
901
THE NORTH STAR MINE AND MILL
Arthur DeWint Foote, of Grass Valley
An Interview, by T. A. Rickard
Mr. Foote, you come of old American stock?
Yes. for eight generations; my ancestors came from
Yorkshire in 1630.
Where were you born?
At Guilford, Connecticut, in 1849.
Was your fatlier interested in mining?
No. my people were farmers and soldiers for genera-
tions.
That explains your interest in irrigation, and in engi-
neering as applied to the improvement of farms.
I suppose it does ; I was interested as a boy in a drain-
age scheme we had at home.
What was your early education?
Private school and high-school and a short time at the
Sheffield Scientific School at Yale in the class of '69,
which I left in 1868. My eyes gave out, so I had to stop
studying. Then I went to Florida to grow oranges.
After a year or two I went back to New York and got my
eyes back. The next winter I was in the West Indies.
Then I returned to New York and worked in the Atlantic
Dock iron-works, in Brooklyn. Later, I was over a year
at "Washington, laying asphaltum pavements. During
this time I was studying more or less on engineering
lines. In the fall of 1873 I came to San Francisco.
What brought you here?
I was looking for something to do, and at that time
San Francisco was lively.
Did you get a job soon?
Yes; I went up to Virginia City, Nevada, as assistant
engineer on the Sutro tunnel.
Under Adolf Sutro?
Yes. Wederkind was chief engineer. He was a Dane
who had run the lines for the Hoosac tunnel and came
out to the Sutro tunnel as engineer several months after
I got there.
Do you recall your impressions of the Comstock and
Virginia City ?
I had a letter of introduction from James D. Hague to
Isaac Requa, the father of Mark L. Requa. He was very
civil to me and showed me around. I remember being
much impressed by the Cornish pump in the old Chollar-
Potosi shaft. I met Ross E. Browne there at that time.
Which impressed you most, Boss Browne or the Cornish
pump'
I think Mr. Browne made the most lasting impression.
He worked with me on the tunnel some of the time before
Wederkind came out. He has been a good friend of mine
ever since. I left there in 1874. Sutro fired me. We
had struck a flood of water in shaft No. 2 of the tunnel
and were drowned out.
Why were your drowned out?
We had to run the pumps so fast that the steam-pipe
heated the shaft until it became impossible for men to
work. Sutro came to the office, fuming and swearing,
902
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 25, 1920
whereupon I told him that we had not been 'drowned
out' but we had been 'burned out'. He did not like it,
so we parted company. I did not then know that he had
put in the steam-pumps against the advice of everybody
who understood the subject, because he could buy them
for stock in the tunnel company. At that time the only
kind of pump that would have served our purpose was
the Cornish pump. Today, of course, under similar cir-
cumstances, we would use electric pumps. It might be
worth while, as a matter of record, to mention that while
at the tunnel I helped J. B. Pitchford, who was master
mechanic, put up the first air-compressor installed in the
West. In fact, there had been but two in the whole
country before that : one at the Hoosac tunnel and one at
a Delaware & Lackawanna railroad tunnel.
What did you do next?
I went up on the Eldorado canal under F. A. Bishop,
on the south fork of the American river. It supplied
water to the hydraulic mines around Placerville. I re-
mained there only a matter of eight months. Then I
went down on the Southern Pacific railroad to Tehachapi,
where I was under William Hood, chief engineer of the
Southern Pacific. He was very kind to me and we have
been friends ever since. I got tired of the desert country
and got back to underground work at New Almaden.
Who ivas in charge of the New Almaden at that time?
J. B. Randol.
Who was in charge of the engineering staff?
No one but myself. Hamilton Smith came down to look
over my work on a difficult piece of surveying, and there-
by I became pleasantly acquainted with him, and through
him with Henry C. Perkins. I stayed there some three
years, and while there, in 1876, I was married to Mary
HaUock.
Did you live in the old 'casa'?
No, we lived on the hill ; I fixed up a little cabin there.
Both of us enjoyed it. My work was absorbing ; some of
it was quite difficult, and the Mexican element was ex-
tremely interesting to my wife. Our son was born there.
He is now general manager of the North Star mines, at
Grass Valley.
Why did you leave?
Randol and I did not agree.
On technical matters?
No, on general principles. I resigned and went up to
Deadwood, South Dakota, where I worked as engineer
under Sam McMaster, superintendent of the Homestake.
I opened an office on my own account, but most of my
work was done for the Homestake Mining Company.
The owner, George Hearst, who was in partnership with
Haggin and Tevis, was living there at that time.
Was Hearst a good miner?
His principal business was lawsuits. He always claim-
ed he did not know anything about mining, and refused
to act on his own judgment. He said, if he went to a
dump he would be sure to pick up the only piece of good
ore that was on it. He employed Henry Janin, Louis
Janin, and James D. Hague. He himself was dirty,
slovenly, and extremely vulgar.
Was there anything in your work at the Homestake of
special technical interest?
Well, there was only one point of particular technical
interest; that was whether the Homestake and the Old
Abe veins came together in depth; but the mines were
not opened sufficiently to warrant an opinion. It was
thought finally that they would come together, so Hearst
bought out the other parties, after trying to beat them
in a lawsuit. I was not sorry to leave Deadwood, in '78,
to go to Leadville.
Yes, I know you were at Leadville, because I read 'The
Led Horse Claim', Mrs. Foote's book, about 35 years
ago, and I still recall the charm of it. WJwt took
you to Leadville?
My first job was on the Iron Silver suit, as an expert.
That used up several months. I established an office
there and was afterward in charge of the Adelaide and
several other small mines.
What was the mine that figures in 'The Led Horse
Claim'? As I recall, the story dealt wath a law-U
suit and trespassing that culminated in fighting
underground at the boundaries of two conflicting
mining properties.
The foundation of the story was the suit between the
Adelaide and the Argentine.
It is generally supposed that the hero ivas typified by
Ferdinand Van Zant.
No, he was a friend of ours and he was my clerk at that
time, but a great many incidents in the story were
imaginary. It was a picturesque case. When the fel-
lows on the other side broke through below, they drove
our men out. Steve Fleming grabbed his Winchester,
threw his leg around the rope — a wire rope — and went!
down, hand over hand. He got to the bottom and ordered
them out. The)' could not see him, of course, but they
could hear the click of his rifle — not to mention the
language that he used, suitable to the occasion — they
went.
Who, among mining engineers, were at Leadville at that
time?
Most of them used to come around to us: Clarence
King, Rossiter Raymond, S. F. Emmons, James D.
Hague, R. E. Booraem, R. W. Emmerson, and many
others. Tom Walsh, of Camp Bird fame, was keeping a
hotel in Leadville. When I first arrived, I could not get
a room, so he took me in most kindly. I had known him
at Deadwood.
Was he a carpenter at Deadwood?
No, I think he kept a restaurant there. It was a very
pleasant summer in many ways, because Emmons had
his camp near our cabin on the outskirts of the town,
and we used to have delightful meetings with him and
Clarence King, Hague, Raymond, and other men of high
character, coming and going. Dr. Raymond wrote a
poem on the cabin and sent it back to us. I remember
1' ember 25, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
903
- - • ... : :-.
33KS^naHBEIERBHH9HKflBllHHH
CANAL OF THE IDAHO MINING & IRRIGATION CO.
twenty years afterward going to his office in New York,
and as soon as he saw me enter the room he started to
quote this poem of his, 'The Little Log Cabin by the
Ditch'.
Can you mention some technical recollections?
Yes, I would mention the fact that at this time James
B. Grant, afterward of the Omaha & Grant Smelting
Company, and Governor of Colorado, did the first direct
smelting of galena without roasting in a blast-furnace —
a water-jacketed furnace. Those of us who were in
Leadville at that time took a keen interest in the experi-
ment.
How long were you at Leadville?
I was there over two years. Mrs. Foote enjoyed it
more than I did, because it was such a contrast to her
previous life on the Hudson river and in New York City.
She began to write while at Leadville, and her first story
was the one that you have already mentioned. It en-
couraged her to keep on. Before that she had been an
illustrator for magazines in New York. My health broke
down, owing to the high altitude, which affected my
nerves, and I went East for a while. That winter I went
to Mexico and stayed down there for several months.
Where?
For a time I was at Morelia in the State of Michoacan.
The trip did me lots of good, and on my return I went
into the Wood River country, Idaho.
What mines f
I examined several mines, and finally opened up a
prospect called the Wolftone.
Did you name it after the mine at Leadville?
No, it was probably named after the Irish leader. I
stayed there until the beginning of the next winter, and
while there I became interested in an irrigation project
on the Boise river in the Snake River valley. The land
lies between the Boise and the Snake, forming a penin-
'sula. I took up water-rights on the Boise river and made
the surveys for a canal to serve some 300,000 acres of
land.
On your own, account?
I was doing it on behalf of myself and some friends.
We organized a company later and called it the Idaho
Mining & Irrigation Company. My habits as a miner
led me to prospect the bars on the Snake river and to add
the word 'mining' to the name of our company.
Did you find anything?
Yes, I found a large area of ground that would pan
from 50 cents to a dollar per yard. Eventually, when
we got a small canal built and the water on the ground,
we washed it as they do on the Snake river, by means
of sluices, screens, and blankets. Our blankets we washed
in a tub. That was my first experience with cj'anide.
We put a little cyanide into the tub to brighten the gold,
and it immediately dissolved most of the gold, which was
very fine and very pure. The clean-ups were disappoint-
ing. We did not work long. That was just a year or
two before the discovery made by MacArthur and
Forrest.
But if the gravel contained from 50 cents to a dollar per
yard, surely it will pay to work today?
I presume it would ; but at that time we gave our chief
attention to the irrigation work. I was there some twelve
years and had great difficulty in getting money to build
the canal, but finally built a portion of it. Our directors
had trouble among themselves, and the enterprise was
abandoned. The canal has since been built by the Gov-
ernment. There was never much publicity about it,
though it is the largest irrigation canal in America or
Europe, having a capacity of over 4000 cubic feet per
second ; and the Arrow Rock dam, which forms a huge
storage reservoir for it, is the highest dam in the world.
During that time I was engaged for a couple of years or
more on Government work — the first Government irriga-
tion survey in the United States. I had charge of the
Snake River division under Major Powell, director of the
904
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 25, 1920
U. S. Geological Survey. Those years were extremely
interesting with two or three parties running canal-lines
on the Snake River desert, preliminary surveys for the
irrigation of several million acres, hunting the Grand
Teton range for reservoir sites on both forks of the Snake
river, through Jackson's Hole, up to the Yellowstone and
Henry's lakes.
So then you had to abandon this Boise project, and you
returned to mining f
Mining or quarrying. In 1893 I went to Lower Cali-
fornia to open up an onyx deposit, in which Emmons
was much interested. In fact, I went down there with
him. There was a big mass there of the most beautiful
rock you can imagine, but it was 75 miles from the coast.
I built the wagon-roads and arranged for putting the
material on board ship. Then the panic came on and the
enterprise was abandoned. From there, I came up to
San Diego, and Hague telegraphed to me to come to
Grass Valley. On my arrival he told me of some of his
plans for the North Star mine. He told me that he was
going to open up the Kocky Bar mine on Massachusetts
hill — I mean the one in which the Watts made their
money. It was rumored that there was a good deal of
water to be encountered, and Hague wanted me to go
and see what few electric plants there were then in the
West, so I went to the Fremont mine at Amador City
and saw their electric pumping equipment. I was to
have gone to Bodie, but I did not go. It was just after
the Bodie electric line had been completed. But I went
to the Calumet & Hecla in Michigan. They had just put
1 in two sets of pumps having a 1600-f t. lift each. I stayed
there for a week and learned all I could about them. In
January 1895 I came to Grass Valley to open up the
group of mines for Hague, who represented what is now
the North Star Mines Company.
This company has an interesting proprietary.
Yes, we had a fine lot of shareholders. The Agnews
and Blisses of New York, the Phelps Dodge people, in-
cluding James Douglas. J. P. Morgan was one of the
stockholders, also Balfour & Guthrie. Hague himself had
a large interest.
, The first time tliat I visited the North Star mine, Emile
Hector Abadie was the superintendent. That must
have been in 1886, because I remember being inter-
ested in comparing the methods of milling with those
used in Gilpin county, Colorado. The next time I
was at Grass Valley was on the eve of George Starr's
departure from the Empire mine to go to South
Africa. That was in 1S93. I remember that my
first meeting with you was on my return from Aus-
tralia in 1898, when, like most intelligent mining
engineers, I took the opportunity to visit Grass Val-
ley, more particularly the North Star mine. Yo'u
must have had an enormous number of visitors dur-
ing your residence at Grass Valley.
Yes, it has been a great deal of pleasure to us to have
them come there.
IT"/// you say something about your experience at the
North Star mine, more particularly with reference to
its vicissitudes and its success?
I did not agree with Hague about using electric power
for pumping. The mechanical application of the power
was not sufficiently developed to constitute good engineer-
ing; so I put in a compressed-air plant to do our pump-
ing, hoisting, and drilling.
What sort of a plant did you erect ?
We were getting our power from water. We bought
water, delivered to us at the top of the hill over 2J miles
away, and we let that water down in a pipe to the lowest
point of our land and applied it to Pelton water-wheels.
Our ditch gave us an 800-ft. head of water, and that, by
the use of large water-wheels, enabled us to employ direct-
acting compressors.
Of wJiat make were they?
The first two were designed by Edward A. Rix of San
Francisco and were very successful. Later we put in
two others of our own design.
How long did it take to unwater the old mine?
The mine did not make a great amount of water : four
to five hundred gallons a minute. It took us about four
months, after we started the pumps, to get to the bottom.
That was late in 1896.
Then you began to explore the old workings and open up
new ground? Were you put in charge?
After I got the machinery all in, I was appointed
superintendent. That was in June 1896. We began sink-
ing, and found that the old shaft was vertical for about
240 ft. ; then it went off askew at a flat angle.
So that it was not usable?
Well, I made it work by putting in a vertical curve, as
well as a horizontal curve to get into the old incline and
then I was obliged to put another horizontal curve info
that shaft to get down at right-angles to the vein. It was
about as straight as a dog's hind leg. We found a nice
body of ore on the 1300 level. We also found a good body
of ore up above where the Watts had taken out their
bonanza.
What level?
That was above the old workings, probably 200 to 250
ft. from the surface. As we went down, the vein became
larger but very poor, and it continued to flatten, so that
the conditions became most discouraging. We stopped
and abandoned the mine.
That was in?
In 1899.
Mad you made any profit over the cost of equipment?.
Yes, we had taken out enough to pay for all our trouble
and a little more. We took out about $800,000 worth of (
gold. In the meantime we started a new vertical shaft to
tap the North Star vein at the forty level — that is, as';
measured on the dip of the vein. The shaft cut the vein
at 1600 ft. below the surface in April 1902.
Did you find good ore?
Yes; we found, right at the bottom of the shaft, a
m
I
:
ruber 25, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
in if,
Pouch of fair ore. The quartz from the first blast, as it
came up, showed little bits of gold in almost every piece.
It probably assayed about $20 — an ounce — per ton. Then
we cut our station and commenced drifting and put op a
; to reach the bottom of the old shaft. I If course, we
■icountered a great deal of water. In driving at the 40
level and putting up this raise we often had to plug up
the holes to keep the water from drowning the pumps.
Bui I presume tlxal the pressure was greatly relaxed as
tin water-plane was lowered}
I presume so. After a year or so this flow of water
almost ceased. We extended the 40th level, and then the
37th, and then others in succession. The 37th was the
richest level in the mine.
By "rich" what do you mean in terms of feet and
dollars?
There was over 2000 ft. on that level that would aver-
age $15 for a width of 2i ft. in the mill. Near the shaft
there was one bunch from which we took out $16,000 from
ore that was so rich that none of it went to the mill. "We
crushed it up in the assay-office and put it into the cru-
cible to be melted. It was great stuff, I tell you.
The mine has lwd no set-back since then?
Not until the War raised the prices of everything that
we had to buy, and did not raise the price of our product,
namely, the gold.
"What has been the output of the North Star since you
have been connected with it?
I will have to refer to the records for that. They show
about 1,600,000 tons averaging $11.35 per ton, making a
gross value of $18,000,000, from which about five millions
have been paid in dividends.
"How is the bottom of the mine?
On the 6300 level the North Star meets what we call
the 'X' vein, that is to say, a vein coming down from the
east at a dip of about 40 degrees. Whether the North
Star vein goes through, we don't know yet. Apparently
it does not on the south side of the shaft. Meanwhile, the
X' vein is going down strongly, dipping west, and shows
a good width of milling ore scattered in a wide lode.
WJiat is the vertical depth of the 6300-ft. level?
The dip averages 24°, so that level is 2500 ft. below the
surface or 100 ft. below sea-level.
Are you doing any work below the 6300?
No. When we shut-down last winter, we stopped all
ihe work on the 63, and now are doing development work
md a little stoping on what we call the 'A' vein on the
54, 40, and 47 levels. This 'A' vein connects with the
North Star vein between the 40 and 47 levels.
You say that you shut-down last winter. Why?
The mine was not paying owing to the fact that about
)ne- third of the men would not do a fair day's work and
would not allow the others to do so. Therefore, we dis-
charged 250 men, retaining 110, doing just stoping
fmough to pay our overhead expenses and taxes, and
i large amount of development work on the 'A' vein.
110 men are doing more than two-thirds of t lie
work done previously by the crew of 360.
• n that you have retained, I presume, have homes
in Grass Valley?
Yea : they are old men who have been with us for years.
They are mostly the sons of Cornishmen who came to
Grass Valley in the early days. All the old fellows are
pretty well gone.
What do yrni think of the proposal to levy a tax on manu-
factured gold under the McFadden Bill? Do yni
think it will help gold mining in California?
I think it might help gold mining, but I object to it as
being special legislation and thus giving an excuse for
other special legislation that would injure us about as
much as the proposed law might help us.
Are you using flotation in your mill?
No. We made a pretty careful investigation to ascer-
tain if it would be advantageous to us, but we found that
the amount we might save would be very nearly eaten up
by the royalty and would require a considerable invest-
ment. It was a question whether the profit would be suffi-
cient to pay for the investment. The terms of the con-
tract we could get from the Minerals Separation Com-
pany disgusted us so much that we told them to go to hell.
Mr. Foote, your son has followed in your footsteps?
Yes; he graduated as civil engineer from the 'Tech.'
at Boston in '99 and came as my assistant at the mine in
1904. In 1912 we made him general superintendent, and
in 1915 he was made general manager. Meanwhile, I
was semi-retired as consulting engineer for the company.
By the way, you lwd an interesting experience in the
Tightner mine, did you not?
We had an experience that was delightful for a time.
It was rather interesting. Driving north on the vein, we
struck a bunch of quartz about 30 ft. wide and perhaps
100 ft. long. We stoped up on the foot-wall, getting in-
dications of gold ; in fact, we milled about 5000 tons,
which went $2.49 per ton. Then, in putting up a raise
from the stope, we ran into coarse gold, and worked to
the hanging over the former stope of poor quartz, taking
out $750,000 in gold in a space less than 100 ft. square.
Some of it was so rich that we had to cut it up with
chisels to get it to the mill.
Did you send it to a stamp-mill?
Yes, we put it under the stamps in order to remove the
barren quartz, and then milled it.
That is, you used the stamp-mill as a crusher and not as
an amalgamator?
Exactly.
I presume that the so-called barren quartz was good
enough to be re-treated?
It went right on over the amalgamating-plates in the
regular way.
Well, that must have been delightful, but did it happen
again?
Not in such a large amount, but we found numerous
906
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 25, 1920
bodies that yielded from $75,000 to $100,000 in the course
of three years.
Did this gold occur above the water-level, or the limit of
oxidation?
That is pretty hard to answer, because the apex of the
vein is covered by 1000 ft. of lava. The Middle Yuba
river near-by is at a level 2000 ft. below the horizon at
which we found this gold.
Did you find the outcrop of the vein in the bedrock of
the old alluvial channel f
That was where the old miners discovered it and told
H. L. Johnson about it, and he opened the old tunnel and
found it. That was the origin of the Tightner mine.
How much has the Tightner produced?
Under our management, it has produced about $1,700,-
000, and about $400,000 more for others.
Do you consider mining engineering a good profession
for the young men of this generation?
Yes, it is a fine occupation. The mining engineer's life
is as interesting as that of a civil engineer, and there is
probably more money in it, but the civil engineer or the
railroad engineer or the hydraulic engineer has a broader
education and a broader scope than the mining engineer.
Have you any suggestion for improving mining educa-
tion?
Professional education, I suppose you mean. Prof.
Christy used to ask me that question and when I sug-
gested reading and writing he seemed disappointed until
I explained that by 'reading' I meant reading good liter-
ature, historical mining, and geology until the student
acquired something of a vocabulary and the proper forms
of language, and by 'writing' I meant a cultivated hand-
writing, and using words intelligently so as, to convey
ideas clearly with fine distinctions. When a man can do
that he has advanced far in his profession.
Have you any particular ideas for tlie betterment of in-
dustrial relations, that is to say, for improving the
relations of employer to employee in mining enter-
prises?
My idea is that the personal equation is everything.
The great difficulty is that when you get a large number
of men under one management you obliterate that per-
sonal equation and so render the relations unhuman. I
think the remedy is coming by means of the shop com-
mittees, as they call them in England, or grievance com-
mittees^— an unfortunate name — more properly welfare
committees, composed of one man from each gang of
workmen to meet with a special representative of the man-
agement freely and without prejudice at any and all
times. Any serious matter that cannot be arranged by
him is brought to the superintendent, and if not then
fixed up, is brought before a Board of Conciliation com-
posed of employees and officers in a proper proportion.
This welfare man must have the special talent for spread-
ing his personal equation of kindliness and reasonable-
ness through all the working force. This man will be
difficult to find, but the position is next in importance to
that of the manager and should be treated accordingly.
What do you think about the proposed Department of
Public Works to include all the engineering func-
tions of the Federal government?
I think such a Department would save millions of dol-
lars every year and get more, much more, useful work
done than is done now. Such a Department organized by
and under the direction of Herbert Hoover, taking the
place of the Interior Department, would prove so eco-
nomical and efficient that soon the people would be de-
manding that all engineering work should be done under
it.
What do you consider the prospects of further gold dis-
coveries in the United States?
If you mean absolutely new discoveries, like Cripple
Creek, I imagine few are to be made. If you mean new
discoveries in small mines and prospect-holes now lying
idle or being held by annual assessment work, I think-
there are great numbers to be made. "When gold again
reaches its normal value, gold mining will revive and
our production will increase and continue for manyi
years beyond our ken. It probably will not be as spec-
tacular as in the past, neither will it be as uncertain.
Much has been learned about gold mining, even in the'i
last 25 years, and it seems to me that the future mining ;
will become more and more a manufacturing business:
managed by trained men, who will take only reasonable
risks and will be satisfied with reasonable profits.
What do you consider the most satisfactory experience
of your career?
That is a somewhat difficult question. Probably my
twenty-odd years at the North Star mine have been the
most satisfactory. There were several quite interesting:
engineering problems to work out: a good hard fight at
times, when men had to be held to their work with moral
suasion and profanity properly blended. There were
times of discouragement, of course. I remember Hague
saying to me very pleasantly, "Do you know, Arthur,
you have spent over a million dollars since giving us a
cent". Mr. Hague was a most delightful man to work
for. His sense of humor would dominate any occasion
and cover all trouble. He never bothered me with de-
tails. His only specification for a stamp-mill that wasi
to cost $80,000 was, "Build it to last thirty years". So
I built the mill of stone and iron, and it was satisfactory.!
Hague died in 1908, just at the beginning of our reward
for ten long years of preparation. That year the mine
produced over a million dollars and continued at that
rate until war prices shut us down. After James D.
Hague died, his son William, or 'Billy' as everyone
called him, came out as managing director. He built a
house and brought his charming wife out, and his chil-
dren were born here. As I had turned over the active
charge of the properties to my son, I had the pleasure
of watching the second generation carrying on the work
of their fathers until the War came. Yes. I think I may
say that the years from 1895 to 1916 were the most satis-
factory or the least unsatisfactory of my life.
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December 25, 1020
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
907
Methods of Ore -Sampling in Montana— II
By H. B. Pulsifer
Methods op Sampling. Methods for sampling may be
Divided into those carried out by hand and those done
by power on a larger scale, commonly called mechanical.
The hand methods are mainly eone-and-quarter. lit'th-
and-tenth shovel, split-shovel, pipe-sampling, and riffle-
sampling. Mechanical samplers cut out the sample by
si.mii' device like a slot, or blade, which separates the
stream of ore as it falls past the rotating, oscillating, or
vibrating part of the mechanism. The ultimate analysis
of nearly all mechanical cutters reveals them as of the
intersecting cone, or saucer type. Prom another angle
they can be regarded as the hand-riffle rotating about a
vertical axis and with the number of slots reduced to
only two, four, or eight.
From the theoretical point of view, all the methods of
sampling are mere applications of the probability prin-
ciple. At one extreme, a lot of substance may be thor-
oughly mixed, after which any one small selection will
correctly represent the original lot ; the other extreme is
presented by material that is heterogeneous, but by tak-
ing enough cuttings, often thousands, the sample will
represent the entire lot. In practical work we commonly
use the extreme methods or a suitable intermediate proc-
ess. Cone-and-quarter sampling involves thorough mix-
ing and a limited number of cuts, to which is added an
attempt at diagonal compensation afforded by a spread
cone ; as a working method it is now generally replaced
by the use of the stand and table slotted cutters. The
riffle-cutter will mix a sample, or divide a sample, with a
facility never approached by cone-and-quarter work.
Pipe-sampling is probability sampling depending upon
from 30 to 100 cuts, on comparatively uniform material.
In the Montana bulletin I described the practice of
pipe-sampling at Butte in the following paragraphs.
Pipe-Sampling. Pipe-samplers have long been used
in Montana and in other sections of the country, notably
at the zinc mines in Missouri and Oklahoma, where the
cars of concentrate are sampled with a 'gun', as the pipe-
sampler is there called, immediately after loading for the
smelters. Since the advent of flotation concentrates,
•which are notoriously sticky and difficult to handle, the
use of pipe-samplers has increased greatly in the Butte
district.
Ore suitable for pipe-sampling may be concentrate or
ther fine material that has been produced in a regular
and uniform manner, or has been mixed in handling.
Flotation concentrates may vary in moisture from a thin
ud to a dry powder. When sampling carloads of the
uddy concentrate men are sometimes barely able to
and on the drying crust. Cars that have traveled long
distances may have the load so firmly packed that an
auger, rather than a pipe, is required to cut the samples.
"According to the Montana practice, lots of concen-
trate are sampled at the mill by the shipper and later at
the custom sampling-plant, or smelter. Data as to agree-
ment of assays are not available, but results are said to bo
wholly satisfactory.
"Pipe-sampling of a carload of concentrate usually
begins at one end of the ear, where a row of holes two
feet apart and two feet from the end-wall is made; a
parallel row is then punched two feet nearer the centre
and this is repeated until samples are taken systematic-
ally over the entire length of the ear from points about
two feet apart. Hopper-bottomed cars have the two deep
pits, which are hard to penetrate, but the pipes are long
enough to touch the steel bottoms, as in the shallower
portions of the car.
"Pipes are commonly four to five feet long, three
inches diameter at the top and two inches at the cutting
edge. For firm materials, easily cleared, circular tubes
are used ; for sticky loads the pipe is slotted and provided
with a scraper with which the sample-man quickly forces
the core out into the sample-pan. A sample of 250 lb. is
usually obtained by from 40 to 75 insertions of the pipe.
Fig. 7 shows three men sampling a car of flotation con-
centrate at the Washoe sampler.
"Pipe-sampling of fine concentrate may continue in
the bucking-room until the final samples for moisture and
assay are taken. The sample-man merely goes over the
pans containing the first sample with a smaller pipe, a
foot long and an inch in diameter, and punches enough
cores to give a sample of the required weight.
"The accuracy of pipe-sampling clearly depends on
the uniformity of the lot of ore as it is spread in the bin
or car. To test the uniformity of concentrate in a rail-
road ear, the author took 40 four-ounce grab-samples
from the pipes as a car of flotation concentrate was being
sampled at a custom-plant. Bach of the samples was
dried, ground, mixed, and analyzed for iron with the
following results:
Sample
1 ..
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Iron, Iron,
% Sample %
14.7 21 13.4
14.2 22 15.5
13.8 23 13.1
14.5 24 13.1
14.0 25 13.1
14.2 26 18.3
14.3 27 13.8
. 14.1 28 14.5
15.0 29 14.8
13.0 30 15.0
14.1 31 14.8
14.8 32 16.2
14.5 33 16.7
13.8 34 16.3
, 14.5 35 17.2
14.1 36 15.4
. 13.2 37 14.8
13.6 38 15.3
12.8 39 17.4
15.0 40 14.3
"The average of all is 14.7%, and the average devia-
908
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 25, 1920
tion of a single analysis is only 0.9% from 14.7%. In
other words, the average deviation from the mean is ap-
proximately one part in fifteen. From the sampling
point of view it means that one could take a grab-sample
anywhere in the car and the probable analysis of that
sample would be accurate to closer than one part in
fifteen.
"The main pipe-samples, from which the little sam-
ples just discussed were taken, weighed 25 to 30 times as
much and were piled and again piped before drying, mix-
ing, and grinding for the regular sample. The main
sampling work might, reasonably be expected to be 10
times as accurate as the author's grab-sampling, which
would make the main pipe sampling accurate to more
than one part in 150, a precision considerably greater
than ordinary assaying or wet chemical analysis.
"Pipe-sampling of fine mixed materials is rapid and
cheap ; the test confirms the prevalent opinion that it is
also accurate."
The use of the stand-riffle as an instrument for mixing
and cutting samples is justified by the large number of
cuts which can be made with slight effort. Thousands of
cuts are made when fine ore or pulp is shaken across the
top of the row of riffles ; every condition thus favors the
free play of the law of probability, namely, that the
greater the number of cuts the more nearly the compo-
sition of the sample will approach the composition of the
entire lot. In the Montana bulletin the subject of riffles
was discussed under the heading of 'Mixing the Sample'.
"The mixing of a large lot of ore consisting of large
and small pieces is almost impossible and, besides, is
wholly useless. When you try to do this you find that
any method of handling assorted sizes allows segregation
if the material is dropped, or let roll, or even moved by
ordinary implements. The material cannot be properly
sampled by small selections of single pieces, because the
larger pieces exceed the proportionate composition in all
components.
"The mixing of large lots of fine ore or mill-products
is not as difficult an operation as the preceding, but is
seldom practicable unless done incidentally in the produc-
tion or transfer of the material. Even if a lot of fine ore
appears to be uniformly mixed there is no easy demon-
stration of the fact, and it is much safer to depend on a
considerable number of cuttings. The frequent division
of a fairly uniform material is carried out in practice
when mill-streams are sampled, either mechanically or by
hand, when cars and bins of concentrate are pipe-sam-
pled, and in shovel-sampling by the tenth or fifth
shovel method. The three methods last mentioned are
really applications of probability sampling where the
material is known to be nearly uniform, and where from
50 to 500 selections suffice to establish the required pre-
cision in the sample.
"A thorough mixing of the final portion of pulp previ-
ous to its division into several samples to be placed in
separate packets is indispensable. A large number of
rollings on a suitable cloth or paper is the almost uni-
versal way to do the final mixing. Rolling, when skil-
fully done, accomplishes the purpose, but the great ob-
jection to rolling is that it is tedious and requires both
time and patience. If cloth is used it may well have a
pebble-grained surface ; a paper should have a matte sur-
face. The surface of either cloth or paper is commonly
colored black to show the sample more clearly.
"Substitutes for rolling the pulp on cloth or paper
have been proposed ; the Anaconda sample-mills use cube-
mixers and at the School of Mines a small table-riffle
answers the purpose. At Anaconda both mills are equip-
ped with eight-inch cube-mixers which are rotated by
power slowly enough for the contents to undergo prac-
tically the same sort of tumbling which a pulp gets when
rolled on a sheet. Cube-mixers have not proved satis-
factory in all plants and their use in the State is limited
to the Anaconda mills. Students in assaying at the
School of Mines have recently mixed their final pulps by
pouring them, with shaking to and fro, at least ten times
through a table-riffle. As far as can be determined in the
course of the regular assaying, the riffle mixing is ade-
quate. It will be explained in considerable detail.
"A riffle-cutter may be used to make either a few or an
almost unlimited number of cuts during the division of
a sample. Fig. 5 shows an operator pouring a sample
through a riffle-cutter which has 26 slots. When the con-
tainer rests on the edge of the cutter, and the material is
merely allowed to flow through the 12 slots which include
the width of the stream of ore, there will be six streams
flowing into the sample, and the lot may be said to be cut
six times for sample. When the operator moves the con-
tainer across the top of the riffle, say 20 times during the
pouring, all of the slots are brought into play and the lot
may be cut 20 by 13, or 260, times for sample. The oper-
ator might, however, take the ore from the container in a
scoop and then pour it through in small portions, shaking
each scoopful 20 times across the riffle. If the operator
takes a lot of ore in 10 scoopfuls, and pours each across
the 26 slots, with 20 to-and-fro motions, he makes, alto-
gether, 10 by 13 by 20, or 2600 cuts, for the sample.
"It is thus seen that a lot of ore is easily cut into a
larger number of portions by merely shaking the ore-
stream across the riffle. When the two halves of the
divided sample have been united the lot of ore has been
thoroughly mixed. Both gross and minute inequalities
are dispersed throughout the sample by cutting and unit-
ing several times; in other words, the lot has become
unusually well mixed.
"I am of the opinion, that, if a sample is shaken 10
times across a riffle, which makes 1000 cuts for sample
each time, the pulp will be as well mixed as by rolling
1000 times on a cloth. The riffle-mixing can be done in
less than 5 minutes, while the rolling will rarely require
less than 15 minutes.
' ' In order to make an exact test of the mixing that can
be done with a riffle I prepared 500 gm. of quartz and
500 gm. of iron ore by grinding each and passing them
through a 100-mesh sieve. Each lot was, of course, dry
and thoroughly mixed. The iron ore was poured over the
quartz in a pan and then the whole was poured through a
Di i mber 25, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
'.in' i
12-slot riffle. It was given nearly 100 shakes during the
30 seconds required for the powder to flow from the pan.
T«o grab-samples of about half-gramme size wen- taken
on a spatula tram each half. The two portions were
united and the operation repeated. This was done seven
t inns and each time two grab-samples from each halt' were
taken for analysis. The results were as follows:
Quartz. 3.17% iron; iron ore, 43.78% iron; average,
23.48',; iron.
Average
KuiiiUt , Analysis (or iron ., deviation
of Averasro Jrom '-l.i 4S
mlxinm % % K %
1 18.78 88.78 0.04 30.80 21.32 10 44
2 20.24 20.12 10.24 21.12 20.18 3.30
3 20.12 21.40 23.40 22 88 21 .05 1.81
4 23.28 23.50 23.40 23.20 23.34 0.16
5 23.1)4 23.04 23.44 23.04 23.01 0.13
6 23.56 23.84 23.44 23.04 23.57 0.11
7 23.30 23.44 23.62 23.04 23.40 0.00
"The chemical analyses show that the first mixing had
intermixed the iron ore and quartz to a considerable ex-
tent, while the second mixing made a nearly uniform
product. The third mixing brought practically perfect
— — ^JS B B i p B-.
if-kK
ANACONDA SAMPLING-MILL
average composition in streaks, while the fourth mixing
doubtless rendered the entire lot homogeneous to within
one part in one hundred, which is the accuracy of the
chemical analyses, themselves. The 5th, 6th, and 7th
mixings changed the composition in an almost inappreci-
able degree. The chemical determination of iron was
chosen because it could be done more easily and with
greater precision than almost any other determination or
assay.
".Material which yields identical composition on hap-
I samples. I'ullills the test of uniformity; this test
is one of mixing rather than anything else."
It is needless to add that, when a lot of ore of the re-
quired lineness is passed over a riffle so as to make many
hundred or a few thousand divisions, it splits the lot into
two halves which are duplicates of each other. The re-
peated splitting of one of the halves thus quickly reduces
Fig. 5. stand riffle-cutter used at Montana school
of mines
the size of the lot to any smaller quantity that may be
desired for a sample. Quoting further:
"Whenever the riffle-cutter has been tested under
proper conditions it has given admirable results; it is,
accordingly, strongly recommended wherever it can be
used. The prospector and miner will find riffles both
cheap and handy. Riffles can be used wherever eone-
and-quarter sampling or split-shovel sampling is now
used. The utmost use of riffles will tend toward uni-
formity, low cost, rapidity, and the greatest possible pre-
cision in sampling.
"Probability Sampling With Mechanical Cutters.
There is no doubt but that the results of sampling must
follow some probability curve, mathematically determin-
able from the factors involved; the engineer makes cer-
tain that the curve shall be of the shape indicated in
Fig. 6. The curve means that, depending on the number
910
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 25. 1920
of divisions or cuttings for sample, the probable result
will lie within the extremely narrow vertical portion of
the blackened area. On this basis, if the ore is repeatedly
crushed between divisions so as to circumvent the in-
fluence of large single particles, the degree of accuracy is
not obtained, although the crushing and dividing is re-
peated as many times as necessary to sufficiently reduce
the size of the sample.
"The law of averages and the theory of probability
demonstrate that if either single pieces or small portions
of a large lot are chosen at random the composition of the
selected portion finally will approach, as a limiting
condition, the composition of the entire lot. Obviously.
if one selects the entire lot, the sample and lot become
identical. However, it is not necessary to take the
entire lot, for by mixing and taking a sufficient num-
ber of single particles, or by making enough cuttings,
or by a combination of mixing and dividing, it is pos- •£
sible to take not more than one-fifth, one-tenth, or |
even one-twentieth of the lot and still get a truly M
representative sample. Shovel-sampling, split-shovel £
sampling, rifiie-sampling, and the use ot :iil ry >es or &
mechanical cutters involve more or less of the proba- s
bility principle. O
"To make the probability overwhelmingly on the "g
side of precision, a questionable number of divisions is S
not made, but thousands of divisions, each portion j=
containing thousands of particles, are made. Fur- g
thermore, the possibility of large pieces influencing the
results is precluded, and any influence that can inter-
fere with absolutely random division is avoided. Thus
any influence which tends to select according to size,
weight, density, color, hardness, porosity, or any other
imaginable property is eliminated.
"In actual sampling the sequence of crushing and
cutting is commonly performed from six to ten times.
Each portion of the thousand or more selections made
by one machine contains millions of particles and the
final result has every assurance of correctness. The
proof of this consists, not in analyzing the entire lot,
which, as already stated, is impossible, but in repeat-
ing the process, in getting duplicate samples, or by
sampling by an entirely different method.
" If a lot of ore weighing 50 tons requires 60 minutes
to go through a mill whose mechanical cutters are taking
out one-fifth at the rate of 60 cuts per minute and are in
series of four, the first cutter will make 3600 selections
and take out 10 tons containing millions of particles.
After crushing, the second cutter will make its 3600
selections, from the first sample and take out its two tons
containing again millions of particles. Then the third
cutter will divide the two-ton lot, making its 3600 selec-
tions and taking out 800 lb. containing again some mil-
lions of particles. The last cutter will divide the 800 lb.
and with its 3600 selections take out 160 lb. in another
sample likewise containing millions of particles. The
process of crushing and dividing is then continued with
suitable machines, usually in the bucking-room, until the
final analysts' packets, each containing millions of par-
ticles, represents the original lot with the same precision
as that of any previous larger selection or sample."
Probability sampling depends on certain other factors
besides the number of cuts for accurate sampling; three
of the most important are : (1) that the cutter-openings
shall be large enough to pass the largest pieces without
discrimination ; (2) that none of the pieces shall be large
enough to alter the results by falling individually in
either sample or reject ; and (3) that no valuable mineral
shall be in such single rich aggregates as to affect the re-
sults when the piece containing the aggregate falls in
0 10 20 30 40 EO 60 70
Percentage of Lead in Sample Selected
Fig. 6. probability curve for distribution of sampling-
results
either sample or reject. These conditions have been con-
sidered at length- in the more important articles on
sampling.
Equipment of Montana Sampling-Mills. The Mon-
tana sampling-mills use the customary machinery for
transferring ore from the railroad-cars or receiving-bins
to the various places in the mill, and for finally disposing
of it. Steel-pan conveyors, shaking-grizzley feeders, shak-
ing troughs, bucket-elevators, belt-conveyors, and trolley-
buckets are in use at the several mills. Crushing and
grinding is done by gyratory breakers, jaw-crushers,
rolls, bell-grinders, disc-grinders, and on bucking-boards.
Sample-cutting is done with the Brunton vibratory cut-
ter, the Brunton oscillatory cutter, the Vezin cutter, the
East Butte cutter, and the Snyder cutter (at the State
School of Mines) for mechanical work, and with split
shovels, pipes, and stand and table-riffles for hand-
sampling.
The Washoe sampler at Butte cost $150,000 ; it is con-
structed of steel and concrete and is capable of sampling
December 25, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
911
ANACONDA SAMPLING-MILL
500 tons in eight hours. Sample-cutting is done by Brun-
ton oscillatory cutters. The mill will sample the usual
lot of 50 tons of ore in about 25 minutes, and can then be
thoroughly cleaned and blown out with compressed air
during the few minutes required to dump the next car-
load of ore into the receiving bin. The facilities for shift-
ing cars, weighing, storing lot and reserve-samples, and
doing the bucking-room work promptly and accurately
are superior to those of any other mill in the district.
Crushing is done with a 20 by 10-in. jaw-crusher and 16
by 36, 14 by 30, and 12 by 24-in. rolls. The Brunton
oscillatory sample-cutters have sample openings 7 by
10.5, 6 by 8, 4.5 by 6.75, and 3.5 by 5 in. and make 40,
28, 63, and 68 cuts, respectively, per minute. The buck-
ing-room is equipped with split shovels, pipe-samplers,
stand and table-riffles, bell and disc-grinders, bucking-
board, and electric cabinet-dryer.
The East Butte sample-mill is a frame structure equip-
ped with 12 by 24-in. crusher and 16 by 36, 10 by 24, and
9 by 9-in. rolls. The East Butte type of sample-cutter is
used ; the sample-openings are 8 by 12, 6 by 7.75, and 4.5
by 5.5 in., respectively. The rates of cutting are 28, 26,
and 16 per minute. The mill has an unusually large
stand-riffle cutter. In the bucking-room are individual
units comprising steam-table and cabinet, small crusher,
grinder, disc-grinder, and bucking-board. Samples are
H\
A \~
FlG. 7. PIPE-SAMPLING OF FLOTATION CONCENTRATE
912
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 25, 1920
split with riffles and pulps are mixed by hand-rolling on a
cloth. The most noteworthy feature of the mill is the use
of drum-mixers above the second and third sample-cut-
ters; they work smoothly and give their respective cut-
ters better mixed and more uniform feed than is usual in
the other mills.
The No. 1 mill at the American Smelting & Refining
Co. 's plant at East Helena is served entirely by belt-con-
veyors. It is a steel and concrete mill capable of sam-
pling 400 to 500 tons in an eight-hour shift. The precision
of sampling at this mill should excell that of any other
Montana plant since all material is customarily ground
to pass a f-mesh screen before going to the sample-cutters.
The fine grinding also assures time enough in sampling
so that a 50-ton lot of ore almost inevitably gets 3000
sample-cuts by each of the four Vezins. The mill is
equipped with No. 5 and No. 4 McCully gyratory crush-
ers and two 16 by 36, and 12 by 12-in. rolls. The sample-
openings in the Vezin cutters are 14 by 20 and 3 by 20
inches in the first, and 7 by 10 and 1.5 by 10 inches in the
three succeeding cutters, while the samples are cut at the
rate of 30, 34, 40, and 40 per- minute. The bucking-room
has ample equipment. Cone-and-quarter sampling is ex-
tensively used both on a large steel floor and in the buck-
ing-room.
The Anaconda sampling-mill has a capacity of 2000
tons in eight hours. It is a frame structure piped for
automatic sprinkling in case of fire. Most of the ore
sampled is the low-grade copper from the company's
mines at Butte. The mill is built and operated as two
duplicate, but wholly independent, twin units ; the equip-
ment of one half only is described. Crushing is done by
a 12 by 24 and an 8 by 18-in. crusher, and by 15 by 40 and
14 by 26-in. rolls. Sample-cutting is done by Brunton
oscillatory cutters whose sample openings are 11 by 15,
7 by 11, 5.5 by 8, and 3.5 by 5 in., respectively. The num-
ber of cuts for sample are 24, 36, 44, and 76, in the same
order.
The bucking-room at the Anaconda sampler is divided
into twin units. It has steam-cabinet dryer, bell-grinders,
disc-grinders, power-sieves, bucking-boards, cube pulp-
mixers, and stand and table-riffles.
The sampling-mills in Montana do excellent work on
low and medium grade ores.. It is customary to clean the
mills with compressed air between lots and all of the
sample-cutting devices are capable of doing work of the
required precision. Roll practice has not yet advanced
to the recent idea of full and uniform feed, while corru-
gation of the shells sometimes exists to an undesirable
extent. The mills are doubtless clean enough for sam-
pling but are not sufficiently free from dust to meet ap-
proved hygienic standards. The precision of moisture-
sampling appears to be capable of improvement; when
equipment for handling dust is more generally used, it
may be that 'air-conditioning' will come into vogue and
there will be maintained inside the mill a ' climate ' which
will neither take nor give moisture to the sample as it is
being cut and crushed during its progress through the
mill.
Pumping on the Rand
G. H. Beatty describes the general arrangement of a
pump-station on the 2500-ft. level at the North Deep
shaft of the Randfontein mines on the Rand. The plant
consists of four units of the well-known Sulzer type, each
designed to deliver 84,000 gal. per hour against a head
of 2500 ft. Each pumping-set consists of one five-stage
right-hand suction-pump and one eight-stage left-hand
pressure-pump. The pumps are coupled in series, and
driven by an electric motor arranged between the pumps
on a east-iron base-plate common to pumps and motors.
The motors are 1750 hp., and rotate at 1470 r.p.m. De-
livery is through three 10-in. rising mains taken from the
pump-station to the shaft at an angle of 50°, and thence
to the surface. The mains are supported by ducks' feet
on box-girders placed across bearers in the shaft, and are
further supported at intervals in the shaft. Each main
is provided with an expansion-joint placed half way up
the column.
It does not seem to be the usual practice to have ex-
pansion-joints in water-columns, but they have some ad-
vantages. In this case the weight of metal in the columns
is 270 tons, and the expansion- joints permit of two per-
manent points of support unaffected by expansion and
contraction. There is little or no variation in the tem-
perature of the mine-water, and under running condi-
tions there is no expansion or contraction, provided the
columns are always in use. But the water temperature is
72°F., and the shaft temperature averages about 52°P.,
so that when pumping through a column ceases, contrac-
tion commences. Loss in temperature of a column full of
water is slow under the prevailing conditions, but if the
column is drained the drop is rapid, and contraction cor-
respondingly so. If it is necessary to put a column out of
commission it is advisable to slack off the intermediate
supports and allow its full weight to bear on the duck's
foot and expansion-joint supports, otherwise strains are
set up and trouble in the column follows. The North
Deep shaft was commenced in September 1917. The per-
manent headgear was erected at once, and good progress
made in the shaft. The high angle of dip of the strata
was not conducive to record-breaking, and the 18th level-
station (2500 ft. below the collar) was cut in March 1919.
Shaft-sinking was stopped for two months owing to a
delay in timber coming forward, and advantage was
taken of the delay to install the rising-mains and cables,
and lower the pumps and fittings to the chamber. All
the pump-gear, motors, pipe-fittings, etc., were lowered
to the pump-station in less than 49 hours by means of a
specially designed cage slung below the skip. The cage
was fitted with rails to take trolley loaded with the ma-
terial. •
The trolleys were run out of the cage over a drop-set
and directly into the chamber, and unloaded by means
of a traveling-crane which runs the full length of the
chamber. The pumping-plant has now been in operation
for five months. The water pumped during July and
August amounted to 215,300,000 gallons.
]>, i mber 25, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
913
The Mechanism of the Surface Phenomena of Flotation
By Irving Langmuir
•Notwithstanding the importance that the flotation
process has assumed in the separation of ores, there has
been comparatively little progress in the development of
the underlying theory. It is recognized that the process
depends on the formation of thin oil-films on the particles
of ore and that owing to the difficulty with which these
particles are then wet by water they become readily
attached to the air-bubbles and are thus carried to the
surface. As far as I know, however, no really satisfac-
tory theory' of these phenomena has been proposed. The
remarkably selective action of some oils on certain ores
and the effects produced by small amounts of acids and
other substances are very imperfectly understood.
The object of this paper is not to offer a new theory of
flotation, but rather to call attention to a theory of
adsorption and surface-tension that greatly aids in un-
derstanding these phenomena and that therefore should
prove useful in developing any comprehensive theory.
Some simple experiments will be described showing that
the new viewpoint is applicable to flotation processes.
The surface phenomena of flotation may be divided
roughly into three classes: the formation and properties
of the froth ; the oiling of the solid particles ; and the
adhesion of the oiled particles to the bubbles of the froth.
The formation of the froth depends on the existence of a
film of oil or other substance at the boundary between
the air and water phases. The oiling of the solid par-
ticles involves the formation of a similar film at the sur-
face of the solid. The adhesion of the particles to the
bubbles depends primarily on the ease with which oily
water wets the oily solid and this in turn is measured by
the angle of contact between these oiled liquid and solid
surfaces. The formation of the oil-films on the surfaces
of the water and the solid particles is a typical ease of
adsorption, so that an understanding of the fundamental
phenomena of flotation requires a knowledge of the
nature of adsorption.
For several years I have been engaged in a study of
high-vacuum phenomena, especially the effects produced
when various metals are heated in gases at very low
pressures. In some cases the rate of disappearance of
the gas was measured, while in others the electron emis-
sion from the heated metal was observed. In the course
of this work it was frequently found that adsorbed films
of extraordinary stability were formed on the surface
of the metal. The evidence from a large number of such
experiments indicated clearly that these stable films con-
sisted of a single layer of atoms chemically combined
with the underlying atoms of the solid. The adsorbed
atoms were chemically saturated, but the atoms in the
surface of the metal were not saturated by their com-
* Abstract of a paper read before the Faraday Society on
July 14, 1919.
bination with the adsorbed atoms and therefore remained
firmly held by the next underlying layer of metal atoms.
This viewpoint was based to a large extent on the work
of Braggs on crystal structure.
The atoms in the stable films are clearly held to
the surface by direct chemical union of the primary
valence type, like that holding oxygen to carbon in
carbon di-oxide. Further investigation showed that in
some other cases of adsorption, such as that of nitrogen
or argon by charcoal, etc., the forces involved, although
no less chemical than the others, were of the type repre-
sented by secondary valence such as that holding water
of crystallization, or ammonia in complex ammonia de-
rivatives.
A further extension of this theory led to the view that
no fundamental distinctions should be drawn between the
so-called physical phenomena and those recognized as
chemical. Thus condensation of vapors, crystallization,
surface-tension, adsorption, etc., are manifestations of
forces of the same kind as those involved in the formation
of chemical compounds.1
From this viewpoint, the forces involved in the adsorp-
tion of organic substances with large molecules do not
originate from the molecule as a whole, but rather films
in general should be one molecule in thickness. Lord
Kayleigh in 1899 (Phil. Mag. 48, 331 (1899)) observed
that a film of olive-oil just thick enough to lower appre-
ciably the surface-tension of water had a thickness of
1.0 X 10"7 cm. He stated: "Now this is only a moderate
multiple of the supposed diameter of the gaseous mole-
cule, and perhaps scarcely exceeds at all the diameter to
be attributed to a molecule of oil. It is obvious, there-
fore, that the present phenomena lie entirely outside the
scope of a theory such as Laplace 's in which matter is re-
garded as continuous and that an explanation requires a
direct consideration of molecules. If we begin by suppos-
ing the number of molecules of oil upon a water surface
to be small enough, not only will every molecule be able
to approach the water as closely as it desires, but any re-
pulsion between molecules will have exhausted itself.
Under these conditions there is nothing to oppose the eon-
traction of the surface — the tension is the same as that of
pure water. ' '
If the molecules "behave like smooth rigid spheres of
iThe evidence for these conclusions is given in the fol-
lowing papers by the writer: 'Chemical Reactions at Low
Pressures', Jour. Amer. Chem. Soc, 37, 1139 (1915); 'The
Constitution and Fundamental Properties of Solids', Jour.
Amer. Chem. Soc, 38, 2221 (1916); and 'The Adsorption of
Gases on Plane Surfaces of Glass, Mica, and Platinum', Jour.
Amer. Chem. Soc, 40, 1361 (1918). A review of this work
is given by Wm. C. McC. Lewis in his recent 'System of
Physical Chemistry', Longmans, Green & Co., 1918, Vol. I,
pp. 461-474.
914
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 25, 1920
gaseous theory, no forces will be called into Table I
play until they are closely packed. According Cross-section a, and length t of molecules
to this view the tension would remain constant Cross-section Va Length t
up to the point where a double layer com- Substance sq.^m. cm.
mences to form. The actual course of the curve Palmitic acid, C,,H3lCOOH 22xl0-io 4.7x10-8 21.4X10-8
of tension deviates somewhat widely from the Stearic acid, CnHjjCOOH 22 4.7 23.8
above description, but perhaps not more than Arachidic acid, C,0H,„COOH 22 4.7 25.9
could be explained by heterogeneity of the oil, Cerotic acid' c=hsicooh 22 4.7 33.0
r , . ., Cetyl alcohol, CH^OH 21 4.6 21.9
whereby some molecules would mount more Tristearine, (C,sH3-0.,)3C,H5 69 8.3 23.7
easily than others, or by reference to -he Cetyl, palmitate, c\sH3,COOC,,H33! . . 21 4.6 44.0
molecular motions which cannot be entirely Oleic acid, C„H,3CO.OH 48 6.9 10.8
ignored. If we accept this view as substantially Erucic acid, C3,H„COOH 44 6.6 14.2
true we conclude that the first drop in tension Triolein, (ClgHM03),CsH5 145 12.0 11.2
j . , . , ... , , Linoleic acid. C,TH„COOH 47 6.9 10.7
corresponds to a layer one molecule thick, and Linolenic acid] Ci7h.„iCOOH 70 8.4 7.1
that the diameter of the molecule of oil is about Ricinoieic acid, c„H82(OH)COOH . . 100 10.0 5.2
1.0 X 10"' cm." Castor oil, [C17H3=(OH)COO]sC3H5. .290 17.0 5.5
By a similar method Devaux (Ann. Report
Smithsonian Inst., Washington (1913), 261) concludes width. The results show that these differences of shape
that the diameter of the molecule of triolein is 11.3 X 10"8 are strictly in accordance with the theory of the chemical
cm. if the molecule be assumed spherical in shape. nature of the phenomena.2
According to the present theory, however, molecules The same theory has ^en applied to surface-tension
should not be regarded as spheres, since such a supposi- phenomena in general. According to this theory the
tion is not consistent with the chemical nature of the molecules of organic liquids arrange themselves in the
forces. The spreading of an oil on the surface of water ^ ace layer m such a waF that thelr actlve portions are
is therefore due to an attraction between the water and drawn inward, leaving the least active portion of the
some active group in the oil molecule. If the molecule molecule to form the surface. Surface-tension is a
as a whole had an affinity for water it would render it measure of the potential energy of the stray field extend-
soluble in water. It is known that the presence of inS out from the surface layer of atoms- The molecules
- COOH, = CO, or - OH groups in an organic molecule in the surface layer arrange themselves so that this
increases the solubility in water while the hydrocarbon Potential energy is a minimum. The surface-energy of
chain decreases it. On the other hand, hydrocarbons are a licLuid is thus not a Property of the molecule as a whole,
soluble in each other. When an oil containing the but depends only on the least active portions of the
carboxyl group is placed on water these active groups molecules and on the manner in which these are able to
combine with the water, while the hydrocarbon chains re- arrange themselves in the surface layer,
main combined with each other by secondary valence In liquid hydrocarbons of the paraffin series the methyl
forces. On an unlimited surface the oil thus spreads Sr0UPs at the ends of the hydrocarbon chains form the
until all the - COO - groups have come into contact with surface layer- The surface is thus the same n0 matter
the water, forming a mono-molecular film. A pure paraf- how lonS the chain mW be- As a matter of f **» the
fin-oil, since it contains no active groups, does not spread surface-energy3 of all the hydrocarbons from hexane to
on water molten paraffin is substantially constant, namely 46 to
-r, ., „ ., , , 50 ergs per square centimetre, although the molecular
By measuring the greatest area of water that can be .,.;._
... , , .. . , , „ ., . weights differ very greatly,
completely covered by a small weighed amount ot oil, it ° . , ° , ... _,T, „„ „ _ „,-, .
... * . M • ,-. .. -, i _n c If now we consider the alcohols, CH.OH, C2H,0H, etc.,
is possible to determine the cross-sections and lengths ot „ , , ,, . „ . ,. „ . ,
,, , . m, ., . , . .. .. „. . .. we find that their surface energies are practically lden-
the molecules. The thickness of the oil-film gives the _ ,.,.,. . ,, , . ? „, . ,, ,
,_.,.., , , , , . ,, , ., ., tieal with those of the hydrocarbons. The reason is that
length or the molecule measured vertically, while the area , , . . . * . _„
, . , , . ' . t, u the surface layer in both cases consists or CH, groups,
covered by each molecule gives its cross-section. Results Trr.,, , * , „„.,. ._. ,, .
. , . , ",. , .-,.., i i ■ ., », With such substances as CH,NO„, CH.I the surface
obtained this way show that the molecules in oil-films are . , ,, , " ' ,, , .
± , ,.,„,,.., . ^ energy is much greater than that ot the hydrocarbons,
not even approximately spherical. This is shown by the _,. . . ,, . , ,, . , ,, , ,, ,
rl t f T w T ls Part'v due to the tact that the large volume of
Thus the -molecules of the fatty acids from palmitic to 2The experimental and theoretical work underlying the
cerotic are all of the same section, but their length in- above statements has been published in the following papers
., , . . . , , . , , by the writer: 'Surface Tension Phenomena', Met. Chem.
creases m proportion to the length of the hydrocarbon Eng _ lg_ 4g8 (m6). ,The ghapes of GrQup MoIecules
chain. Tristearine has a cross-section three times that Forming the Surfaces of Liquids', Proc. Nat. Acad. Sciences,
of stearic acid, but the length of the molecule is the 3, 251 (1917); 'The Constitution and Fundamental Proper-
same. The areas covered by the oils or fats are thus pro- ties of Liquids', Jour. Amer. Chem. Soc, 39, 1848 (1917).
portional to the number of active groups present. The A short summary of some °£ this work has >>een siven *>?
. , „ . . . .. . . , . ., , Wm. C. McC. Lewis, 'Physical Chemistry', Vol. I, p. 474.
molecule of cetyl palmitate is nearly ten times as long as 3The tota, surface energy y u re]ated t0 t}je surface.
it is wide (V), while the molecule of tnnemolem tension « by the equation «o =° a - T (d«/dT) where T is
(castor oil) has a length only about one-third of its the absolute temperature.
December 2"), 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
915
the NO, or I fonts the CH groups apart and increases
the surl'in nervy. It is apparent that considerations of
this kind must he of fundamental importance in connec-
tion with the tlioiv of the flotation process. Before much
progress in this direction can be made, however, it is
necessary to develop experimental methods for the in-
vestigation of oil-films on solid bodies. With this end in
view I have undertaken some simple experiments.
Experiments
A study was first made of the properties of cleaned
and oiled glass surfaces. It was especially desired to
find how much oil must be present on a glass surface to
alter materially its properties.
Microscope slides were washed with soap and water,
were heated in a mixture of concentrated sulphuric acid
and chromic oxide, and were finally washed in running
tap water and dried over a Bunsen-burner flame. Dur-
ing this whole treatment they were held in a pair of
forceps. This method of cleaning proved to be much
more thorough than any other method tried.
When a drop of clean water is placed on a slide cleaned
in this way the water wets the glass readily, and when
the slide is inclined the surplus water runs to one end,
leaving a thin film of water over the whole surface of
the glass. Another indication of the cleanliness of the
surface is obtained by dipping the slide into a clean sur-
face of water onto which a small amount of talc powder
has been dusted. The tale particles are not repelled
from the glass surface if it is clean, but very small
amounts of grease can be detected by the motion of the
talc particles produced by the spreading of an oil-film
on the surface of the water. This test for the cleanliness
of a surface will be referred to as the talc test.
Another characteristic of a thoroughly cleaned glass
surface is the extraordinary friction observed when the
glass is rubbed with another clean piece of glass or
platinum. Lord Rayleigh4 has recently called attention
to this fact and pointed out its significance in connection
with the theory of lubrication. It is also interesting to
note that Faraday in his 'Experimental Researches'
(paragraph 369) mentions the "peculiar friction" ob-
served when a platinum rod was rubbed over a surface
of a platinum plate which had been thoroughly cleaned
by making it cathode in electrolysis or by heating it in
concentrated sulphuric acid.
In order to study this effect quantitatively, some small
glass sliders ranging from 0.2 to 1.0 gramme in weight
were made by bending glass rods in the form of a horse-
shoe and well rounding the ends. The two arms of the
horseshoe were then arched in a plane perpendicular to
the original plane of the horseshoe, so that when the
slider was laid on a flat surface it touched in three defi-
nite points. If one of these sliders was placed on a clean
slide, it was found that the slide could be tilted usually
to an angle of 70° from the horizontal, often 75°, and in
some cases 90° or even 92°, before it would begin to slide.
Of course, before beginning this test it is essential to
4'Phil. Mag.', 35, 157 (1918).
dean the slider by the method already given. If the
slider was forced over the surface of the slide a squeaking
noise was always heard if the glass was clean and the
surface of the glass was scratched perceptibly in tin-
process. It was found that much more consistent results
were obtained by means of a pair of forceps. The angle
was measured at which the slider would just stop moving
after being set in motion by the forceps. The sliding-
angle thus found varied between 50° and 60° for dif-
ferent samples of glass cleaned by the method described.
On standing in the air for a short time the surface be-
comes slightly contaminated, so that the sliding-angle
decreases. Thus, after three minutes the angle is 45°,
after 20 minutes 40°, after two hours 22°. This con-
tamination is also shown by the talc test. The actual
size of the slider used seemed to be without effect on the
results.
In order to put a mono-molecular film of oil on a glass
surface the following method was adopted. The surface
of water in a long narrow tray was cleaned by scraping
with a strip of paper extending across the tray. A very
small quantity of oleic acid was placed on the water at
one end of the tray and the spreading of the film was
made visible by traces of talc powder. By adding the
oil in very small portions the surface was finally satu-
rated with oil without leaving any globules of oleic acid
except at the end of the tray at which they had been
added. Previous work had shown that an oleie-acid film
formed in this way has a thickness of 22 X 10"8 cm. and
consists of a single layer of molecules each occupying an
area about 24 X 10"10 sq. cm., the spacing thus being the
same as that of stearic acid and the other saturated fatty
acids. The cleaned slide was then dipped edgewise into
the water covered by this film and slowly withdrawn. As
the slide was raised it remained at first wetted by the
water and the film of oil spread itself over the newly
formed water surface. The motion of small particles of
tale showed that the oil-film moved upward at the same
rate as the slide was raised, so that there was no concen-
tration of oil on to the surface of the glass. When a
clean slide is originally dipped into the water the talc
particles close to the surface do not move either toward
or away from the slide. This indicates that no oil goes
on to the glass surface while this is being lowered into the
water. This remarkable fact is confirmed by removing
the oil-film from the surface of the water by scraping
and blowing before withdrawing the slide from the
water. If the slide is then dried at ordinaiy tempera-
ture it is found both by the talc test and the friction
test that the surface is still entirely free from oil. If, on
the other hand, the slide has been raised from the sur-
face saturated with oil and is held in a vertical position
the water-film gradually moves down and the oil-film on
it comes into contact with the glass. The same result
may also be obtained by holding the slide in a horizontal
position and allowing the water to evaporate. In this
way the glass surface is covered with a film of oil of the
same thickness as that originally present on the surface
of the water.
916
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 25, 1920
A slide treated in this way appears just as clean as
before, but if dipped in clean water it is found that the
water no longer adheres to it but gradually runs off, as
from a greasy surface. The talc test gives a rather slight
indication of contamination, but if the slide is raised and
lowered repeatedly in pure water, or is passed several
times through a gentle stream of running water, it soon
loses its ability to contaminate water. The friction test
gives a sliding-angle of about 60° to 10°, whether or not
the surface has been washed by clean water before
drying.
In other experiments the film of oleic acid was allowed
to expand on the water surface until the surface-tension
was nearly that of pure water. The thickness of such a
film (see Table I) is 11 X 10"s cm., and the area covered
per molecule is 48 X 10"16 sq. cm. A glass slide oiled by
dipping and slowly withdrawing from this oiled water
and drying in a horizontal position gave sliding-angles
ranging from 6° to 20°. The results were rather erratic
and indicated that the oil was not uniformly distributed
over the slide, but was concentrated somewhat on those
portions which were the last to dry. If the slide was
allowed to dry in a vertical position, the upper part of
the slide was found entirely free from oil, while the rest
of the slide was uniformly covered.
Freshly split mica (biotite) is very readily wetted by
water and by paraffin-oil, but oleic acid and molten
stearic acid form globules. These acids, however, leave
the surface greasy even after the globules have been re-
moved.
A smooth piece of platinum foil (1-J by 3 inches) was
polished with sea-sand and ignited to a red heat. It was
readily wet by water. As in the case of glass and mica,
platinum does not become contaminated when dipped
into oiled water, but only when it is drawn out and dried.
Clean platinum gives a sliding angle of 35° with a plati-
num slider, and 30° with a glass slider. After dipping
once in water saturated with oleic acid and drying, the
sliding-angle with both glass and platinum sliders
was 14°.
.Fresh cleavage-surfaces or fractures of calcite, sphal-
erite, galena, pyrite, and magnetite were all readily wet-
ted by water or paraffin-oil, and in each case the paraf-
fin-oil was readily displaceable by water. The clean
surfaces all became greasy by dipping into water satu-
rated by oleic acid, and in every case it was impossible to
remove the greasiness by repeatedly passing through a
stream of water. On cleavage-surfaces of calcite and
galena rough qualitative observations showed that there
was a peculiar friction, as in the case of glass.
Measurement op Contact-Angles of Drops op Water
on Oiled Surfaces
Simple observation showed that drops of water be-
haved rather differently on various solid surfaces that
had been dipped into water saturated by oleic acid.
Drops of water placed on oiled glass flattened out to
a layer about 2 mm. thick. By tilting the glass the drop
would advance over the surface at the lower edge, form-
ing a rather large angle of contact, while at the rear
edge the water would recede from the glass rather slowly,
and the angle of contact was much less than at the ad-
vancing edge. The moving drop was usually rather
irregular in outline. On mica the depth of the drop is
less than on glass, and the drops are more irregular in
shape after moving over the surface. "With platinum the
drops of water become thicker and more symmetrical in
shape, while on galena they show a still greater thickness
and regularity.
To obtain more definite information, drops of water
ranging from 0.7 to about 1.22 cc. in volume were placed
on oiled surfaces and their heights measured by a ver-
nier attached to a fine point brought into contact with
the drop and subsequently with the solid surface on
which the drop had rested. The results are given in
Table III. The figures in the colums marked h represent
the depths of the drops in millimetres, while 6 is the
average contact-angle as calculated from the equation
(1) 7i = 2V2 sin (|0)
where a is given by
(2) 'a = 2VS/(<7")
Here 8 is the surface-tension ; g the acceleration of
gravity, and p the density of water. This equation is
accurate only for large drops. Those actually used
ranged from 1.4 to 2.5 cm. in diameter, and a further in-
crease in the size of the drop did not appreciably alter
the value of h.
In each case the oily surface was prepared by dipping
a very small amount of cleaned (or cleavage) surface into
water saturated with oleic acid, and drying at low tem-
perature. The water drop was then placed on the sur-
face and this was shaken and sometimes tilted slightly,
so that the drop reached a stable shape. The results
given are the averages of several observations. In most
cases the individual observations on different drops
agreed within about 0.1 mm. in the value of h.
The measurements of the column marked I were made
with drops of clean water. In many cases the drops are
slightly contaminated by oil from the solid surface. In
every case a very small amount of talc was dusted on to
the drop after measuring it, and by gently blowing on it
the contaminated surface was forced to one side where its
Table HI
Height and Contact-Angles o£ Water Drops on Surfaces
Covered by Mono-molecular Films of Oleic Acid
II. Water saturated
I. Clean water with oleic acid
h $ h e
Solid mm.
Mica 0.9 18° 0.9 24°
Quartz .. 1.2± 31°±
Glass 2.1 45° 1.5 42°
Platinum 2.9 65° 2.45 72°
Calcite 3.1 70° 2.75 82°
Sphalerite 3.6 82° 3.0 92°
Galena 3.7 86° 3.35 106°
area could be estimated. The areas were always less than
about 60 or 70% of the whole surface, so that the surface-
tension of the drop could not have been appreciably af-
fected. This conclusion was checked in some cases by re-
mber 25, '
MIXING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
917
p.-atiiifr the measurements after the surface bad been
washed by passing through a stream of running water
until drops placed on the surf a no longer oon-
taminated. In each case except mica) the results re-
mained unaltered. In calculating the angles of contact,
b" in the above equation 2 was placed equal to 72. S. so
that equation (1) became
(3) h = 0.456 sin («)
The measurements given in the second column of Table
III were made after the drops of water had been touched
by a wire dipped in oleic acid. In this ease 8 of equation
(2) was taken to be 42.8. so that the coefficient of equa-
tion (3) was 0.418 instead of 0.456.
Discussion of Experimental Results
The experiments have shown clearly that oil-films of
molecular thickness are sufficient to alter radically the
surfaces of solids. This is shown not only by the lubri-
cating properties of these films but also by the contact-
angles made by drops of water.
The properties of these mono-molecular films as meas-
ured by the contact-angles depends apparently as much
on the character of the underlying solid as upon the
nature of the oil. Thus the minerals galena and sphaler-
ite give much larger contact-angles when contaminated
by oleic acid than those obtained with glass or quartz
under similar conditions. This result seems to be incon-
sistent with the theory of surface-tension discussed in the
early part of this paper, according to which the surface-
tension depends only on the nature of and arrangement
of the atoms forming the actual surface. From this view-
point, we would be led to believe that the upper surface
of oil-films on solid bodies should in every case consist of
CH„ or CH3 groups, and thus the properties of all the
films should be similar. However, there is an important
distinction between the case of an oil-film covered by a
water drop and the surface layer of a pure organic liquid.
The water drop on the film tends to draw the active
groups to itself. In the case of oleic acid there are two
active groups in the molecule, namely, the carboxyl and
the double bond. It is probable that in some cases both
of these are rather firmly held by the underlying solid,
while in others only the carboxyl group is so held and the
double bond is free to come in contact with water. Thus
on galena we may assume that both active groups are
held by the solid so that the water has only a little more
tendency to spread on the oiled surface than on solid
paraffin. With glass, on the other hand, some of the
active groups may be brought to the upper surface by
contact with water so that the water spreads much more
easily than over paraffin. This theory readily explains
the marked difference between the contact-angle of an ad-
vancing and receding surface on glass contaminated by
oleic acid.
Another factor which must be taken into account is
that the spacing of the molecules in oil-films on solids must
be determined primarily by the surface lattice of the
solid, whereas with films on liquids the molecules are able
to arrange themselves largely without reference to the
underlying liquid. As a result the films on solids are
ordinarily not in stable equilibrium ; many molecules are
crowded into spaces too small tor them, while others may
upj urn issarily large areas. As a matter of fact, in
all the experimental work with films on the solids the
results "ere much more irregular and depended much
more on slight differences in the previous history of the
film than was the ease with films on liquids.
The peculiar property of mica in giving such a small
sliding-angle even when cleaned indicates that the sur-
face is covered with water molecules with their hydrogen
atoms thoroughly saturated and turned outward to form
the surface layer. The great ease with which mica
cleaves and the readiness with which oil-films can be
washed off and water can spread on these oil-films is also
a result of the small residual field of force extending out
from these surface hydrogen atoms.
Application to the Theory op Flotation
The formation of froth depends on the presence of
substances that can form a stable mono-molecular film
over the surface of each bubble. In order that froth may
readily form it seems to be desirable to have present a
soluble substance having a strong tendency to be ad-
sorbed on the surface of the liquid. For example, a small
amount of acetic acid added to water produces a rather
unstable froth. As we go to the higher fatty acids, for
example, valeric acid, the tendency to form a froth is
much increased. On the other hand, oleic acid does not
readily produce a froth unless it is rendered soluble in
water, as, for example, by forming soap by the addition
of sodium hydroxide. Oil of pine-tar, so often used as a
frothing-agent, contains soluble substances that probably
act in this way. The presence of alkalies in flotation is
to be avoided probably because the hydroxyl ion tends to
draw the carboxyl group of the fatty acid to itself rather
than to allow it to attach itself to the solid particles.
The particular properties of different kinds of oils
must be made the subject of further careful study. The
presence of small amounts of acid and substances that
become adsorbed on the solid surfaces or attach them-
selves to the oil-films would be expected to alter the re-
sults materially. This subject is, of course, a very large
one, and will necessitate much experimental work before
it becomes well understood.
The tendency of the particles to attach themselves to
the bubbles of the froth is measured by the contact-angle
formed between the oily surface of the bubble and the
contaminated surface of the solid. For the case where
oleic acid forms both films the data given in the second
column of Table III are applicable. The results indicate
that the selective action by which substances like galena
are separated from quartz and calcite is dependent upon
the contact-angle formed by the oiled surfaces rather
than by any selective tendency for the oil to be taken up
by some minerals more than by others.
Three dredges formerly operated in Alaska by the
Yukon Gold Co. have been moved to the Malay peninsula
where they are now ready to commence dredging for tin.
918
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 25, 1920
Pump for Elevating Tailing
This device was put into use in June 1916 for the pur-
pose of elevating the tailing from the jigs for distribution
on the tailing-dump at the West mill of the Bunker Hill
& Sullivan company at Kellogg, Idaho.
It consists of a 12 by 24-in. Byron Jackson centrif-
fastened, so that when the fountain of water from the
pump lowers to a dangerous point, these contacts rest
upon the carbon blocks, completing the circuit through
the trip at the motor, and stop the motor.
Provision is made for automatically taking care of the
feed to the pump by gravity flow when the pump is not
To Motor -trip
Brass Contacts
^Carbon blocks
'To Motor-trip
Steel
\IE" Pipe
J Pump - discharge
ugal pump of the 1915 design, direct-connected to a
75-hp. Westinghouse motor running 500 r.p.m. and con-
suming 61.6 hp. under full load. The pump handles 600
tons of tailing per 24 hours, ranging in size from \\ in.
to 20-mesh. It also handles 4500 gal. of water per minute
and discharges at an elevation of 25 ft. from the centre
of the intake.
The pump discharges vertically into a sump, 6 by 6
by 6 ft., the pulp flowing out of this sump over a weir
into the tailing-flume, which is 32 in. wide and three feet
high. The flume has white-iron riffles six inches high set
on edge across the flume every two feet for a distance of
200 ft., forming a bed of tailing in the bottom for a
wearing-surface. The remainder of the flume is pro-
tected in the same manner with 6 by 6-in. blocks for
riffles.
A white-iron runner in the pump lasts about 30 days,
a white-iron follower about six months, and a liner made
of car -wheel iron lasts a little over a year. One easing
has been used in three years.
In order to protect the pump when, for any cause, such
as the runner wearing out, the volume of water dis-
charged is insufficient to carry the tailing away, thus fill-
ing the discharge-pipe with tailing, a device shown in the
accompanying sketch was invented by Edward Hearing,
the mill-foreman. It consists of a steel 'umbrella' upon
which the stream from the pump impinges. To this
umbrella a rod is attached which extends upward through
a box in which are placed two carbon blocks forming the
electrodes of a current passing through a no-voltage re-
lease, or trip, on the motor connected to the pump. At
a proper place upon the rod, two brass contact -points are
1
1
vimtm
i hP
HBP'
iky'* 4*S
!_• « t —a •
5 ■ • n
running and also during the five-hour period required
change the runner in the pump.
to
December 25, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
919
REV
OF
-^
FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS IN THE FIELD
MlllllHIIMIIilln i u:;:i,
COLORADO
CBIPrLE CREEK MINES PASS DrVIDENDS.
Cripple Creek. — The Portland Gold Mining Co. has
announced temporary discontinuance of dividends, "un-
til mining conditions improve and the efficiency of miners
increases". The statement to the stockholders says
that the mine and mill are in splendid condition "but
mining costs are high and $2 ore with a profit of $1 is
not worth while". The company has paid dividends for
26 years; 17 of these were regular distributions, and the
total to date is $11,692,080. The last dividend of two
cents per share was paid on October 20. No mining com-
pany in the district is now on a dividend-paying basis.
Georgetown. — Operations have been resumed on the
Josephine in Grizzly gulch, where a new shaft is being
sunk near the tunnel portal to prove-up the vein. If
ore is proved continuous a new tunnel will be started to
open the shoot at much greater depth. The Denbigh
corporation has installed a compressor, and winter opera-
tions will be carried on by machine-drills.
The Georgetown tunnel is reported showing porphyry
and quartz in the heading with low silver value and a
trace of gold. The tunnel is making water, indicating
the proximity of a vein.
Hot Sulphur Springs. — The Electro Copper Co..
owning 160 acres in the Harmony Creek district in Routt
and Eagle counties, 44 miles from here, is developing a
good copper prospect. Samples from the blanket forma-
tion opened by tunnel and shafts, all in ore, range from
5J to as high as 37% copper. The company has pur-
chased machinery and will install an electrolytic plant.
The Moffat road traverses the property, a townsite has
been surveyed, and camp established.
Lake City. — The Standard Mines Development Co.
has awarded a contract for the extension of the lower
tunnel on the Little Chief to cut at depth an ore-shoot
in an upper tunnel that is producing silver-lead ore run-
ning as high as $100 per ton. Machinery and equipment
for the Colorado Consolidated property at Sherman has
been delivered. A new power-plant is under construc-
tion and a mill is planned for the spring of next year.
Leadville. — John Cortellini, president of the Park
Tunnel company of Aspen, has returned from an ex-
amination of the property and reports the orebody 10
ft. thick. A streak 4 to 10 in. wide sampled 90 to 150
oz. per ton. Shipments cannot commence until the new
road is completed.
Telluride. — Late shipments were as follows : Valley
View Leasing Co., 6 cars concentrate from the Matter-
horn mill ; Belmont-Wagner, 3 cars; Favorite, 1 car crude
ore. A find of rich ore has been made by the Valley
View Leasing Co. on the Matterhorn, where 12 in. of
tetrahedrite with high silver content has been opened.
MICHIGAN
NO SHIPMENT OP COPPER EXPECTED DURING WINTER.
RECLAMATION PLANT IN STEADY OPERATION.
Houghton. — It is unlikely that any copper will be
shipped East by rail this winter. Not only are freight-
rates high, but there is limited demand for the metal
and there are enormous quantities in storage in the
Eastern centres. Lake shipments were heavy in No-
vember, amounting to 16,468,000 lb., which was much
more than was produced that month. Most of this metal
went into storage. Total shipments by water for the
year were 69,624.000 lb., also far above the production
basis for the six months of the season of navigation.
Although the curtailment program is in full operation
at Calumet & Hecla, production from the conglomerate
shafts should measure up to that of October. There has
been little reduction of forces in this department and the
operation of additional stope-scrapers in the various
shafts will contribute considerably to the output. The
scrapers that were in use in the Osceola branch have been
transferred to the conglomerate. Under favorable con-
ditions, one scraper has turned out 67 cars of 'rock' of a
capacity of slightly over two tons each on a shift, while
the ordinary record by hand-tramming has been from 12
to 14 cars. The use of the scrapers will materially de-
crease the cost. The 81st level haulage-way in the eon-
glomerate department is progressing, although no great
speed is being made. The rails have been laid prac-
tically up to the present terminal. Not only will the
tunnel permit of deeper mining by means of sub-shafts,
but it will enable the company to realize an immense
production from its shaft pillars, once the haulage-way
proceeds far enough to permit the closing of the shafts
between No. 12 and the Red Jacket shaft, which is the
ultimate aim. The time when the shafts will be aban-
doned, however, is still far in the future. It is estimated
that it will be at least a quarter of a century before tin-
solid strip of conglomerate 'rock' constituting the pillars
is entirely removed, for there is a wall 8000 ft. long and
200 ft. wide paralleling each shaft at the Hecla and South
Hecla branches. It was the original practice in mining
to sink the shafts right into the lode, and to prevent the
920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 25, 1920
shafts from caving there is a conglomerate wall 100 ft.
on either side of each shaft. In the upper levels the walls
contain as much as 75 or 80 lb. of copper per ton, and
all the way down the pillars are just as rich as the
arches and backs of stopes that now contribute consider-
able quantities of copper to Calumet's output. The re-
moval of the pillars is done upward, a method that per-
mits the 'rock' to drop by gravity through chutes. The
closing eventually of all the conglomerate shafts except
No. 12 and the Bed Jacket will result in a considerable
decrease in costs, inasmuch as all hoisting will be done
through the Red Jacket branch. No. 12 will be used as
a supply shaft. The haulage-way will be approximately
a mile and a half long. The output of the Calumet &
Hecla reclamation plant continues at better than 1,000,-
000 lb. monthly. It is estimated that the production
of the plant for the year will be 15,000,000 lb., an in-
crease of approximately 6,000,000 lb. over 1919 or 1918.
Fixing the output for the year at 15,000,000 lb., the
total recovery since the reclamation project started is
close to 50,000,000 lb. and the huge sand pile in Torch
Lake still contains millions of pounds of copper. There
are prospects of even a higher recovery in 1921, for the
reason that two additional flotation units will then be in
operation. Work on the extension to the plant is pro-
gressing, the steel work having been completed. It is
expected that the new units will start in the spring. They
will permit the application of oil-treatment to all of the
reclamation sand, 25% of which is now returned to the
lake without being subjected to oil-treatment. Six fur-
naces are now 'down' at the Calumet & Hecla smelter.
Two furnaces, each with a capacity of 1,000.000 lb. of
refined copper per month, remain in operation.
Seneca's 5th level, north, has passed through a stretch
of unusually rich ground in which barrel or mass copper
predominates and the south level also is breasted in a
good grade of 'rock'. The showing on this level is con-
sidered good, and mineralization apparently is heavier
than on the levels above. The 3rd and 4th levels are still
going forward in fairly good ground and will be con-
tinued. Sinking is under way, with the bottom slightly
below the elevation of the 6th level. Both the north and
south drifts on the 5th level are approximately 150 ft.
long, and good progress is being made in extending them.
In its development work, Seneca is making occasional
shipments to the Baltic mill. During the early part of
November, Gratiot, owned by Seneca, made a mill-test
from its stock-pile at the mine. A total of 446 tons of
'rock' was stamped, yielding 33,704 lb. or 75.56 lb. per
ton. This tonnage was taken from the stock-pile after
the usual discard had been made from the run-of-mine.
All of the 'rock' came from the development of the 13th
level, south, of No. 2 shaft, which level, from the shaft
southward to the Mohawk boundary, has shown good
mineralization. Two raises are being made on the 13th
to the 11th level and these have reached a height of 100
ft., showing good mineralization. The mill-tests indicate
a copper content in both the Seneca and Gratiot higher
than the most sanguine estimates.
NEVADA
FREIGHT-KATES ON ORE CONSIGNED TO WABUSKA SMELTER
ARE REDUCED.
Reno. — The railroad-rate hearing before an examiner
for the Interstate Commerce Commission has been con-i
eluded and each side has been given 30 days in which to ,
file briefs. The mining interests of the State, through;
Henry M. Rives, secretary for the Nevada Mine Opera-,
tors' Association, and others, made a strong protest
against further increases, pointing out that the industry
in Nevada in its present condition would be hit hard by
another increase. K. K. Gartney, an examiner for the
Interstate Commerce Commission, in the Wabuska
smelter ease, has ordered the Western Pacific railroad to
establish a rate of $3.53 per ton on ore shipped to
Wabuska, This is taken to mean that the Wabuska
smelter of the Mason Valley Mines Co. will be re-opened
and enlarged, which would provide a market for copper
producers over a large area in Nevada and California.
The Wabuska smelter was closed because of a rate of
$9.10 per ton from Plumas county points and correspond-
ing rates from Nevada districts as against $8.80 to the
smelter at Garfield, Utah, a condition that gave the Utah
plants all of the ore that formerly went to Wabuska.
The Mason Valley asked for a rate of $3.50. The de-
cision is considered of great importance to Nevada min-
ing, and there is little probability that it 'will be reversed,
according to S. W. Belford, attorney for the smelting
company.
Divide. — The south-east drift on the 800-ft. level of the
Tonopah Divide is being driven in a shoot of ore that is
believed to have been entered too far north-west to be
the extension of any ore found on the fifth level and, par-
ticularly as the ore is sulphide, the find is considered to
be of great importance. The ore has been of shipping
grade for nearly 100 ft., according to reports, mine-car
samples giving assay returns of as high as $400 per ton.
The average value is about $35, according to rough sam-
pling. The drift on the 1000-ft. level, also being driven
south-east, the direction of the rake of the ore-shoots, is
in low-grade material and it is close to where the exten-
sion of the ore on the 800-ft. level should be entered.
Tonopah. — A station is being cut at the 1880-ft., or
bottom, level of the Victor shaft of the Tonopah Exten-
sion. From this point the western part of the company's
territory will be explored. The McKane shaft, from
which connection will be made with the 1540-ft. level of
the Victor, is now 1350 ft. deep and sinking is being con-
tinued.
No work has been done to determine the width of the
ore on the 800-ft. level and it is only known that it is
wider than the drift. The shoot entered 300 ft. south-
east of the shaft on the first, or 165-ft., level proved to
be 125 ft. long and a drift is being continued beyond it
in a search for another shoot. The drift on the second
level will be extended to prospect that on the first. Ship-
ments to the Belmont mill at Tonopah continue at a rate
of 50 tons of $30 ore daily. A pipe-line is to be laid from
mber 25, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
921
the Gold Reef shaft to the Tonopah Divide, which will
eliminate the heavy expense of hauling water from Tono-
pah. The Gold Zone has shipped 15 to 20 tons of $15 to
$20 ore from the 700- ft . level and the 150-ft. winze from
the 500. The net return to the company was more than
$ln per ton. This ore. thought to be in a vein distinct
from the main ore-channel in the Tonopah Divide, is now
believed to be the main Tonopah Divide vein, faulted
The Brongher has opened what is considered to be the
most important ore-shoot found thus far. This find was
made in a drift driven south-east, or toward the Tonopah
Divide, from the 100-ft. point in a winze from the 500-ft.
level. The ore has now been opened for nearly 50 ft. and
the average value is reported to be $20 to $25. The winze
I'ua.iN. — The Lynn Big Six. operating a low-grade gold
mine at Goldvillc, 20 miles north of here, is building a
100-ton amalgamating-concentrating mill. The company
has opened, through an 800-ft. cross-cut tunnel at a depth
of 100 ft., five veins 5 to 35 ft. wide, two of which have
been prospected with drifts. There also is a 370-ft. in-
clined shaft with several hundred feet of drifts from it.
Two 100-ton test-runs gave an extraction of 70% of the
gold. At one point a winze has been sunk 110 ft. in low-
grade ore. The formation consists of bedded rhyolite,
intersected by dikes of rhyolite and porphyry. The gold
is in a vein-filling of broken quartz and rhyolite striking
parallel to the dikes. The Lynn Big Six is controlled by
Utah men.
SIMON SILVER-LEAD MINE, NEAR MINA, NEVADA
is being continued to 1000 ft., where connection will be
made with the Tonopah Divide.
Ely. — It is reported that a drill-hole being sunk 900
ft. east of the Star Pointer shaft of the Ruth mine of the
Nevada Consolidated has been in 1 to 3% copper ore for
260 ft. below a depth of 710 ft. This is said to be a new
find 200 ft. below the level of the bottom of the main
working shaft.
Goldpield. — The Florence has resumed work, the order
coming at a time when it was expected the company
would be idle much longer. It is understood the Eastern
interests have furnished funds to complete the south-east
cross-cut on the seventh level and prospect the vein. It
is said there is now ample money available to do enough
work to determine definitely whether there is ore in this
vein. S. J. Connelly, representing the Portland company
of Cripple Creek, is inspecting the air-compressors of the
Consolidated with a view to purchasing one or more for
his company, which is said to be preparing to sink to
3500 ft. from the present depth of 2500. The Consoli-
dated has two of the largest electrically operated com-
pressors in the country.
Stonewall. — A 32,000-gal. tank has been bought by
the Yellow Tiger for the storage of oil in an effort to re-
duce costs. A new Waugh turbo drill using lj-in. round
steel will be used when work is resumed in the tunnel and
a steel-sharpening plant has been completed. The pres-
ent work is confined to surface prospecting, but plans for
raising additional money through the sale of treasury
stock are "progressing nicely", according to Gordon M.
Bettles, manager, and it is expected that work in the tun-
nel will be resumed in a short time. Mr. Bettles esti-
mates that the tunnel will be in extremely hard porphyry
for 200 or 300 ft. more.
Carson. — Only eight men were killed underground and
two on the surface in the Nevada mining industry during
1920, as against 16 last year and 26 in 1918, according
to a report to be issued by Andrew J. Stinson, State Mine
Inspector. The report will recommend more rigid ex-
aminations for hoist engineers and the issuance of
licenses in three grades, according to the applicant's
knowledge of hoisting-machinery. Physical examinations
also will be recommended as compulsory for hoist en-
gineers in the State.
922
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 25, 1920
UTAH
WAGES AKE REDUCED BY UTAH MINING COMPANIES.
Salt Lake City. — On December 14, the metal-mine
operators of Utah announced that on January 1, wages
of employees in all of the underground mines in the
State would be reduced 75e. per shift. At present miners
are receiving $5.25 and muckers $4.75 per shift, so the
new rates will be $4.50 and $4.00, respectively. On De-
cember 17, R. C. Gemmell, general manager for the Utah
Copper Co., announced that all skilled labor employed
by the company would be reduced $1 per shift and un-
skilled labor 85e. About 2000 employees will be affected
by this reduction at the Utah Copper properties alone.
At the same time, Gemmell announced that operations
would be suspended at the leaching-plant at Garfield,
and that all construction work would be discontinued.
This will result in several hundred men being laid off.
During November the Utah Copper sold only 2,800,000
lb. of copper, as against a production of 9,120,000 lb. ;
during the first 11 days of December copper sales were
but 900,000 lb. The average price obtained for the No-
vember sales was 14.85c. per pound, and for the Decem-
ber sales, 14c. per pound, whereas during the third quar-
ter of the year it cost the company 17.156c. per pound
to produce its copper ; for several months past, the Utah
Copper has been operating at a loss. Kecent develop-
ments have rendered it necessary to make a still further
curtailment in production, and the management feels
that, so far as the employees are concerned, it is better to
make a reduction in wages than to suspend operations
entirely. There is now a surplus of labor in every mining
camp in the State.
Eueeka. — The Tintic Standard Mining Co. on Decem-
ber 11 declared a dividend of 20c. per share, which was
paid on December 23. This disbursement totaled $234,-
940, and brings the grand total up to $1,429,962. E. J.
Eaddatz, president of the company, has announced that
a new shaft, to be known as No. 3, will be sunk at a point
about 1600 ft. to the north-east of the No. 2 shaft and
within 100 ft. of the company's new railroad. It will be
the largest shaft of the three, containing four compart-
ments, being 6 by 18 ft. Machinery has already been
purchased and the work will be rushed. Most of the com-
pany's output of ore is coming through the No. 2 shaft,
and when the milling plant is in operation early in the
new year, this shaft will be taxed to its capacity. About
450 mine-cars are now being hoisted daily through this
shaft ; the equipment is capable of handling 600 cars.
The United States Smelting Co., of Midvale, has taken
a lease on part of the Dragon Consolidated mine. About
50 tons of iron ore is now being extracted by the smelting
'company daily, and this amount, will shortly be increased
to 100 tons. The Dragon company will receive a royalty
of from 50 to 75c. per ton.
The Eagle & Blue Bell Mining Co. has posted a divi-
dend of 10c. per share, to be paid out of earnings, and a
dividend of 15c. per share, to be paid out of reserve for
depletion, as return of capital, both payable on December
23. As there are 893,146 shares outstanding, this will
call for the payment of $222,286, and bring this year's
disbursements up to $311,605, a dividend of 10c. per
share having been paid in April. The grand total to
date of such disbursements is $1,562,009. The company
is controlled by the Bingham Mines Co., and is one of
the principal lead-silver producers in this district. A re-
cent statement by Imer Pett, general manager, was to the
effect that the property was never in better physical con-
dition, and shipments could be greatly increased if it
were not for the unsatisfactory condition of the lead
market.
From present indications, the Chief Consolidated mine
will break all records for metal output during the present
year. During the first nine months the output of silver
was 1,950,585 oz. ; of gold, about 4000 oz. ; and of lead,
9,499,119 lb. It is expected that the current quarter will
result in the production of about 3,000,000 lb. of lead,
whereas the total lead output for 1919 was 5,979,588
pounds.
Park City. — At a meeting of the directors of the Daly
"West Mining Co. on December 13 the regular quarterly
dividend of 25c. per share was declared, payable De-
cember 24. This called for the payment of $62,500, and
brings the grand total of such disbursements up to
$6,831,000. At the same meeting, the directors of the
Judge Mining & Smelting Co. voted to pass the dividend
for the current quarter. S. G. Taylor, treasurer, issued
a letter to the stockholders, stating that this action had
been taken owing to the low market prices of metals, in-
creased freight and smelter-rates, and excessive extrac-
tion costs. It was further stated that labor conditions
show a decided improvement of late, but owing princi-
pally to metal-market conditions, the directors deemed it
advisable to retain a substantial balance in the treasury.
The milling plant at the Glenallen property was corn-*
pleted on December 10 and operations were started on
December 13. Within 30 days the flotation department,
consisting of five Jones-Belmont machines, will be inl
operation. The mill has a capacity of 100 tons per day,
although it is expected this tonnage can be built up to
225 tons per day. Tests indicate that a 90% extrac-
tion can be made on ore averaging 60c. in gold, 9 oz. sil-
ver, 9% lead, 16% zinc, 2% copper, and 14%- iron. A
lead-silver concentrate will be produced, while the zine
recovered will be stored until more favorable market con-
ditions prevail. Originally the greater part of the Glen-
allen property was known as the Glencoe group. In 1893
the property was closed, and operated spasmodically
without results until three years ago when the present
company was organized. Some months ago J. S. Weeks
of New York examined the mine, and it was on his recom-
mendation that the milling plant was constructed. JameS:
B. Allen is general manager for the company.
Additional ore has been developed during the past few
weeks at the Silver King Coalition, according to M. J.
Dailey. mine manager. On the 1300-ft. level, a drift to
the north-west from a cross-cut to the O'Brien zone, has
opened a good face of ore in the same bedding in which
the ore on the 1100-ft. lev'el is found.
mber 25, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
923
BRITISH COLUMBIA
DECISION IN UTIQATION ..Ml; nil ENGINEER MINK. — CAN-
vi> v COPPED CORPORATION SUSPENDS OPERATIONS LT
vl.I.i NHV.
\vncouver. — Justice Morrison rendered judgment on
December 8, dismissing the claim of W. Pollard Grant, a
lawyer of this city, for a one-fourth interest in the En-
gineer mine, at Atlin. The Engineer probably contains
richer gold ore than any other mine in the Province. In
tin- fall df 1918 the Mining Corporation of Canada sent
tw.i engineers to make an examination of the mine, but
in returning from the property with James Alexander
and his wife, the owners, they shared the fate of all the
other passengers on the ill-fated 'Princess Sophia', which
Prinoi ton.— After running ii lot 52 days, the Canada
Copper Corporation closed its plant at Allenby on i>(-
eeinlier 11: the mine was closed two days earlier. The
corporation has made the following announcement:
"Owing to the low price of copper, which has been gradu-
ally dropping, it has l accessary to close down the
mine and plant at Copper .Mountain and Allenby."
Some time before closing, the company asked the men
to accept a reduction of 50c. per shift iii the wage-scale.
After holding a number of meetings the majority re-
fused this offer, and the directors ordered the closing of
the plant. Some 400 men have been thrown out of work,
about GO of whom are married and have families. The
single men have left for other places, but with the Britan-
nia closed and Gran by and Trail reducing their staffs,
TOOELE PLANT OF THE INTERNATIONAL SMELTER COMPANY
:sank in the Lynn Canal in October of that year. Prior
to this time Capt. Alexander had worked the mine in a
desultory way for ten years, and from time to time had
taken out some fabulously rich ore. The first-grade ore
was crushed in a small jaw-crusher and pulverized in
quantities of 600 to 1000 lb. in a five-foot ball-mill. Two
or three flasks of mercury were then added, and the mill
revolved slowly for 20 minutes. The amalgam was sep-
arated from the pulp by washing, and was treated in the
usual way. On one occasion 160 lb. of ore yielded 296 oz.
•of gold. A great deal of open-cutting and surface strip-
ping has been done, exposing altogether 25 veins, ranging
in width from a few inches up to 275 ft. Tunnels have
been driven on the more promising of these, but unless
really rich ore was found the work was dropped. One
bonanza shoot, 30 ft. long and varying from the thickness
of a knife-blade to 18 in., has been stoped from the sur-
fact to 275 ft. In some of the pinched places the ore in
this shoot contained more gold than quartz. At least
two of the big Ontario silver mining concerns have their
eyes on this mine, and it is likely that negotiations will
be concluded this winter. Ben Niehol, who owns the
claims adjoining the Engineer, has gone to Atlin to pre-
pare for the development of his claims next spring.
it is difficult to see where they will find work in this
Province. Already about 1200 men have been laid off
within the last two months by the copper companies of
the Province.
Trail. — Despite the downward trend of metal prices,
the Consolidated M. & S. Co. is holding up the output of
its mines. The closing of the Canada Copper, it is
feared, may mean the closing of the copper-smelting and
refining department at the smelter. The company has
made large expenditures to take care of Canada Copper's
concentrate. These include the erection of three sinter-
ing furnaces, and the practical doubling of the capacity
of the whole copper-treating plant. The power-line, too,
to Copper Mountain was erected by a subsidiary com-
pany. Rossland Velvet Mines, Ltd., has been incorpor-
ated at Rossland with a capital of ^300,000 to take over
and operate the Velvet mine. The Velvet was re-opened
this year and has shipped 310 tons to the smelter. The
Exchequer and Athabasca groups, on Toad mountain,
two and a half miles from Nelson, have been purchased
by the owners of the California group, in the same dis-
trict. There is a 10-stamp mill, cyanide plant, compres-
sor, and power-plant on the Athabasca.
Alice Arm. — A good body of ore assaying 300 oz.
924
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 25, 1920
silver per ton has been found at the North Star mine.
Ten horses have been taken to the mine, and will be
employed during the winter in hauling- ore to the Dolly
Yarden railway, where it will be stored until the spring.
It is expected that 15,000 to 20,000 tons of ore will be
taken out during the winter. A full force of men will be
employed throughout the winter. E. W. MeQuade, su-
perintendent of the Moose mine, reports that develop-
ment work is progressing well. During the last month
the lower tunnel has been advanced 45 ft. and the upper
one 36 ft. ; the latter is being driven on a six-foot lode of
good ore. The new owner of the Alice Arm hotel has
made arrangements to commence enlargements and im-
provements to the hostlery at the beginning of the year.
This will be a great boon to the many mining men who
visit the district.
ONTAJRIO
WRIGHT-HABGREAVES MILL-CONSTRUCTION IS PROGRESSING.
Cobalt. — Labor is abundant but wages remain un-
changed. The McKinley-Darragh and the Mining Cor-
poration have reduced their staffs, but are still producing
at about two-thirds capacity. During November the
Nipissing mine produced $190,219, as compared with
$184,578 in October. The November output is valued on
a basis of silver at 69c. per ounce, as compared with 82c.
in the preceding month. In his report to the president
and directors, Hugh Park, manager, states: "No new
veins were opened during the month. Production was
obtained from the older stopes, assisted to some extent
by development work being done on several small veins
on both sides of the lake. The low-grade mill treated
6000 tons. The high-grade plant treated 192 tons. The
refinery shipped 250,067 fine ounces of silver. ' ' On Janu-
ary 20 the Nipissing will disburse a dividend of 5%, as
well as a bonus of 5%, making a total distribution of
$600,000. A statement just issued by the Ontario Bu-
beau of Mines, covering the first nine months of 1920,
shows a silver output of 7,831,143 oz., valued at $8,435,-
088, in 1920, as compared with 7,475,396 oz., valued at
$7,898,220, in the corresponding period of 1919, the in-
crease amounting to $536,868. The Nipissing continues
to be the heaviest producer, with the Mining Corporation
holding second place.
Porcupine. — A dividend of 1%, declared by the Hol-
linger Consolidated, payable December 31, is the ninth
to be paid this year, making total disbursements of
$2,214,000. Coal is being rushed to the mine so as to
keep the auxiliary steam-plant in full operation. Produc-
tion for the current year with the mill working at an
average of about two-thirds capacity, will approximate
six million dollars.
At the Mclntyre the ore-reserves are being rapidly
increased by the development of the new vein-system,
lying about 400 ft. south of No. 5 shaft, where results
have exceeded expectations. On the 1375-ft. level the
new vein shows a width of about 20 ft. with high gold
content. The mill is running at capacity with an im-
provement in the grade of ore being treated.
Kirkland Lake. — Preparations are being made at the
Wright-Hargreaves for the opening of the new mill early
in the new year. The mine is in good condition to keep
the mill steadily supplied with ore. Most of the ore de-
veloped is on the 400-ft. level and is high in grade. The
workings of the central shaft are being connected with
those of the North shaft, through which the ore will be
handled. Stations are being opened up at the 100, 200,
and 300-ft. levels preparatory to undertaking lateral
work. The main ore-shoot, which has been followed up
for 400 ft., has a width of 20 feet.
Larder Lake. — Diamond-drilling has been carried on
by the Associated Goldfields. About 40 holes have been
sunk, many of them between 700 and 1000 ft. in depth.
The majority have been directed to explore the broad
gold-bearing belt extending through the Kerr-Addison
and Reddick properties. Ten thousand feet more of
diamond-drilling remains to be done on the present con-
tract. The work has been stopped, to be resumed in the
spring.
MEXICO
EXPORT DUTIES ON COPPER WAIVED.
Agua Prieta. — Material for the construction of a rail-
road from Naeo, Sonora, by way of Agua Prieta, to
Guzman, Chihuahua, connecting there with the Mexico
Northwestern, is arriving at Agua Prieta. The material
assembled here is shipped from Eagle Pass, Texas, is all
new, and is sufficient to equip 1000 men. J. J. Slade, an
American engineer, is in charge of construction.
Until the price of copper goes to more than 15c. on the
New York stock market, export duties on shipments of
ore and copper from Mexico into the United States have
been removed by the Mexican government. The order is
retroactive to December 1, and indicates that duties paid
subsequent to that date will be returned to the companies.
This action is taken as an effort to cope with the general
depression in the copper market, in the hope that cop-
per companies operating in Mexico will not be forced to
suspend operations.
Nacozari. — The Moctezuma Copper Co., a branch of
the Phelps Dodge Corporation, will not close-down but
will continue operations on a restricted scale, according
to P. G. Beckett, general manager for the Phelps Dodge
Corporation. Mr. Beckett said that the waiving by the
Mexican government of the export duty on copper would
help, but that it will not result in an immediate increase
in the scale of operations.
Cananea. — The Cananea Consolidated Copper Co.
will suspend operations on January 15. 1921, as was an-
nounced a few weeks ago, in spite of the removal of the
export duty on copper and copper ores, according to re-
ports. Adolfo de la Huerta, minister of the treasury, and
General P. Elias Calles will arrive at Nogales before
January 15 to use their offices in an effort to adjust the
difficulties of the company and to avert the shut-down.
It is estimated that suspension of operations by the com-
pany would affect about 20,000 persons, directly or in-
directly.
December 25, L920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
925
THEU^IINING SJ3
ARIZONA
Kingman. — The Tennessee and Schuylkill mines of Chlo-
ride have gone into receivership, George N. MacBean, of
Holbrook, Arizona, having been appointed receiver. Frank
A. Garbutt, of Los Angeles, California, it is reported, holds a
mortgage of $300,000 on the property. The drift from
the 420-ft. level of the Diamond Joe mine is said to have
cut ore 30 in. wide, which will run as high. as 100 oz. in
silver per ton besides some lead. Connection has been
made in the drifts being run by the Tom Reed and the
United American at Oatman. This connection is on the
400-ft. level of the Tom Reed. The Tom Reed drift was run
in ore for 300 ft. prior to holing through. This ore carries
visible free gold and is reported to be of high grade. In all,
the ore-shoot is said to be over 500 ft. long, 200 ft. being in
United American ground.
CALEFORNIA
Amador County. — Unwatering of the Argonaut and Ken-
nedy mines is proceeding rapidly. The pumps on the lower
levels that were flooded by the advancing waters have been
recovered and found in excellent condition, and are aiding
the main pumping plant in clearing the deeper workings.
The shafts and drifts thus far unwatered have been found
in excellent shape, and will require little in the way of re-
pairs. The work is being carried on at both properties at
the expense of the Argonaut company, which is anxious to
reach an approximate depth of 4800 ft. where a large body
of rich ore is exposed.
Conditions at Sutter Creek show steady improvement
despite the many handicaps affecting gold mining. The
Central Eureka continues to develop excellent ore on the
3 900-ft. level, and is maintaining heavy shipments of profit-
able ore to the mill. In the Old Eureka recent work has ex-
posed promising ore in new territory.
Operations have been resumed at the Fremont Consoli-
dated, near Amador City, after an idleness of two years.
The Gover shaft has been completely unwatered and large
areas of the Fremont shaft also cleared, with good ore re-
ported in sight at several points. The property is now con-
trolled by a new coterie of owners, with Edwin Higgins man-
ager. A few years ago the property ranked high among the
leading dividend-disbursers of the Mother Lode region.
Nevada Comity. — According to reports new rich ore-shoots
have been uncovered in the bottom levels of the Empire and
Pennsylvania mines of the Empire Mines Co. The company
is operating its SO-stamp mill at full capacity and its month-
ly output is estimated at close to $100,000. Within the past
six weeks the company has materially increased its working
force and started development of new territory.
IDAHO
Bonners Ferry. — Twenty-four men are working for the
Cyanide Gold Mining Co., 25 miles north-east of here. Each
man is paid $1 per day and takes the rest of his wages in
stock in the company. "All the men are doing this and are
glad to do so, in fact, some of them put the dollar they re-
ceive back in additional stock," said J. B. Ellis, president of
the company. "We are installing a mill, tram, and power-
plant, and as soon as the tram is completed we will com-
mence operation of the mill."
Ooeur d'AIene. — C. A. Gray, secretary of the International
Mining & .Metal Co., says that the drift now being driven
to the west of the vein is 30 ft. from the end of the 3 00-ft.
tunnel. The property is developed to a depth of 260 ft. by
a 300-ft. tunnel and an 11-ft. winze. Ore from this winze
and tunnel assayed 2% copper, 27% zinc, 24% lead, and 9
oz. silver. The U. S. Silver-Lead Mining Co. reports that
a seven-foot vein has been cut with 1» ft. of high-grade ship-
ping ore. Drifting is being done to determine the extent.
In the tunnel, 125 ft. above, the ore-shoot was 350 ft. long.
Better zinc-lead ore is found on the No. 10 level of the
Callahan Zinc-Lead mine than was found on the No. 9 level,
200 ft. above. This seems to disprove the fear that the zinc
ores of the district would not persist with depth. Although
the mill of the company is closed and no ore is being mined,
development work continues. The vein on the No. 10 level
is four feet wide. When the extent of the orebody is de-
termined the shaft will be sunk 200 ft. farther. Accord-
ing to reports, the United States Supreme Court has denied
the application for a writ of certiorari asked by the Federal
Mining & Smelting Co. against the Star Mining Co., involv-
ing title to the Star-Morning vein at Mullan. This means
that the Star mine obtains title to the valuable vein west of
the Morning end-lines. In addition, there is an accounting
to be made of ore extracted by the Federal company from
that part of the vein. This is expected to bring the Star
owners between $500,000 and $1,000,000. The Star mine
is now under option to the Bunker Hill & Sullivan Mining &
Smelting Co. for approximately three-quarters of a million
dollars, subject to the decision of the Supreme Court.
Awaiting the decision, no work has been done recently.
NEVADA
Good Springs. — The Yellow Pine Mining Co. closed its
mines and mills, owing to the low prices of lead and zinc.
Some weeks ago, the company considered such action, and
the miners and millmen accepted a cut in wages in order to
keep things going, but as metal prices continued to decline,
there was no alternative but to suspend operations.
OREGON
Gold Hill. — Charles A. Knight, who three years ago ac-
quired the Millionaire gold mine, an old-time producer, situ-
ated three miles east of Gold Hill in the Blackwell Hill dis-
trict, is preparing to resume operations. He has spent a
large sum of money in re-opening the old works, re-building
the shaft-houses, remodeling the mill, and re-building the
electric power-line to the mine, which was dismantled early
in the war period. The mill has two 1500-lb. Nissen stamps
with circular discharge and two 10-ft. amalgamating plates;
it has a rock-crusher and a Standard concentrating table.
Among the large hydraulic placer properties which con-
trol large flows of water and are not affected by dry seasons
is the Sterling mine, in the Jacksonville district, controlled
by R. S. Bullis, of Medford. A large electric-power pump
has recently been added to the equipment, by means of which
pressure at the nozzle has been increased to the equivalent
of a head of 200 ft. The gravel is so thoroughly cemented
that much of it must be broken with powder before using
the giants. The deposit is 20 to 40 ft. thick and about 400
ft. wide. The slope of the bed is about 2 ft. in 100. The
926
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 25, 1920
value of the gravel is about 40c. per cu. yd., and the total
production of the mine is said to exceed $3,000,000. The
length of the working season varies from 7 to 10 months.
Waldo. — The Esterly mine, generally known as the
Logan placer, is owned and operated by George M. Esterly
and associates of Seattle. Forty miles of ditches carry water
from the higher portions of the east and west branches of
the Illinois river to supply the mine. The head is 325 ft.
The gold is generally fine, running about 15c. per cubic yard;
it is accompanied by some platinum, as well as a little
osmium and iridium. The output of this mine is about
$60,000 annually. The area mined varies greatly in width,
averaging an eight of a mile. Formerly a hydraulic elevator
was used to remove the tailing from the pit, with a lift of
a maximum of 15 ft., but recently a tail-race tunneled
through solid rock at a cost of $60,000 has been completed
which will double the output of the mine. The other im-
portant hydraulic placer mines in the Waldo district are the
Deep Gravel or Wimer mine, and the High Gravel or Osgood
mine.
WASHINGTON
Pullman. — A 12-weeks special course in mining, geology,
assaying, ore-testing, metallurgy, mineralogy, and mine-sur-
veying, offered by the School of Mines and Geology of the
Washington State College, is to begin January 3, 1921.
The course is designed for men interested in mining but who
have not had the advantage of special college training and
is open to all over 21 who can read and write and who are
able to do ordinary arithmetical problems. In the assaying
course a deposit of $2 5 is required of each student, partly
to defray the cost of fuel, fluxes, and chemicals. Otherwise
the expense to the student is the cost of a few books and
his living. The instruction is of a laboratory character, the
student being taught by doing or observing the things he is
learning. The use of the lecture-room is largely confined to
the description and illustration of the best methods and prac-
tices in mining and metallurgy. In addition to an excellent
corps of instructors the school equipment gives the student
the best facilities for work. In the mining building is ma-
chinery for sampling, amalgamating, concentration, cyanid-
ing, smelting, and a complete flotation-testing laboratory.
WYOMING
Cokeville. — Several years ago W. A. McKinney of Salt
Lake City and associates acquired some mining property 30
miles north-east of here, consisting of 2 5 claims, now in the
process of patenting, and a mill-site on Smith's fork of Bear
river. This property was discovered nearly 30 years ago,
but- on account of its inaccessibility, practically no work has
been done. Recently high-grade ore has been found in No.
4 tunnel level, which has been driven 600 ft. for the purpose
of cutting the main lode at a vertical depth of 400 ft. below
the tunnel above.
MANITOBA
Flin Flon. — The Federal government has agreed to waive
all royalties on copper for five years. It is believed that
this will have an important effect on the operations of the
Flin Flon syndicate. The initial payment of $1,000,000 will
fall due on March 1, 1921. and provided those now explor-
ing the property receive an assurance that a railway will
follow the present surveys within a reasonable time, in all
likelihood the purchase will be made. The mineral resources
of the three prairie provinces. Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and
Alberta, belong, as yet, to the Federal government, and this
has complicated matters. There may be a change before
many months, and then the negotiations with the Flin Flon
interests will come under the sole purview of the Manitoba
government, which is understood to be most anxious to
assist in the building of a smelting centre north of the
Saskatchewan.
personalI
The Editor invitea members ol the profession to send particulars of their
work and appointments. The information is interesting to our readers.
S. M. Parker, of Nicaragua, is in San Francisco.
D. M. Riordan has returned from New York to San Fran-
cisco.
Frank M. Smith has returned from Los Angeles to
Spokane.
Ellsworth Daggett, of Salt Lake City, is sojourning in
San Francisco during the winter.
C. C. Broadwater, of the Merrill Company, San Francisco,
has returned from London and Paris.
li. S. Gates, general manager for the Ray Consolidated
Copper Co., was in San Francisco last week.
C. W. Purington expected to leave Shanghai on December
10, on his return from Eastern Siberia to London.
G. E. Drewitt has accepted the position of manager for
the Federal Coals, Ltd., at Lethbridge, in Alberta, Canada.
L. D. Ricketts is a visitor in the Warren district attending
to matters connected with the Calumet & Arizona Mining Co.
Walter R. Vidler has returned to Los Angeles, having
completed a month's examination work near Culiacan,
Mexico.
Morton Webber is at the Empire mine, at Mackay, Idaho.
He spent several days in Salt Lake City on his way from
New York.
C. B. Lakenan, general manager for the Nevada Consoli-
dated Copper Co. at McGill, Nevada, spent a few days at
Salt Lake City recently.
D. C. Jackling left New York on December 17 for the
West. He spent two days at Salt Lake City and arrived in
San Francisco on the 23rd.
Alexander Mackay, president, and F. S. Stephen, director,
of the Dundee-Arizona, are visiting the company's property
at Jerome, from their home in Scotland.
Frank P. Knight, president of the Iron Cap Copper Co.,
and J. Judson Dean, vice-president, are visiting the proper-
ties of the company in the Globe district.
B. Shutts and H. E. Hecker, officials of the American Ores
& Asbestos Co., have recently inspected the properties of
the Shaff-Regelman properties at Crysotile, Arizona.
F. A. Malins has been appointed consulting metallurgist
to the Dos Estrellas Mining Co., El Oro, Mexico. W. B.
Rhodes succeeds him as superintendent of the El Cedro mill.
Russell G. Lucas, of the legal firm of Dickson. Ellis, Lucas
& Adamson, Salt Lake City, has accepted a position with
the Utah Copper Co. in charge of the industrial relations
department.
Arthur H. P. Moline, general manager for the Bendigo
Amalgamated Goldfields, at Bendigo, Victoria, is visiting
representative mines in California, Utah, and Colorado. He
is at Salt Lake City now.
Arthur C. James and William C. Osborn, directors of the
Phelps Dodge Corporation, in company with Walter Douglas
and P. G. Beckett, have been visiting the properties of the
Phelps Dodge in the South-West.
R. S. Lewis, head of the Department of Mining and Metal-
lurgy in the University of Utah, has been granted a year's
leave of absence. He will spend that period in field study
of mining and in preparing a course of lectures on coal
mining.
A. G. Mackenzie, secretary of the LTtah chapter of the
American Mining Congress, is at Chicago attending the
hearing before the Western Trunk committee, regarding a
reduction in freight-rate on bullion from Western smelters
to the Atlantic seaboard. George E. Collins, governor of the
Colorado chapter of the Congress, is also in attendance.
December :!."«. 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
:>-j7
MKTAI. PRII I -
San Francisco. December 21
Aluminum (hint, centa per pound
Antimony, «vnt* jmt pound 0 50
Copper, electrolytic. centa per pound 14.00 — 14.5Q
Lead. pir, cents per pound 5 — 8
Platinum, pun-, per ounce ?s">
Platinum. 1091 Iridium per tunce H2fi
Qnlckattver. per flask of 75 lb WO
Speller, centa per pound 9.50
Zinc-dust, cents per pound 12.50 — 15.00
EASTERN METAI, SIARKET
(By wire Irom New York)
December 20. — Copper is inactive but easy. Lead is dull and lower.
Zinc is quiet and declining.
SILVER
Below arc (riven official or ticker quotations for silver In the open market
as distinguished from the fixed price obtainable for metal produced, smelted.
and refined exclusively within the United StateB. Under the terms of the
Pittman Act such silver will be purchased by the United States Mint at $1
per ouDce. subject to certain small charges which vary slightly but amount
to approximately three-eights of one cent. The equivalent of dollar silver
(1000 fine) in British currency is 48.85 pence per ounce (925 fine), calcu-
lated at the normal rate of exchange.
ZINC
Zinc is quoted as spelter, standard Western brands. New York delivery.
In cents per pound.
Date
Dec.
New York
centa
14 62.26
16 86.00
lfi 64.75
17 84.00
18 83.62
10 Sunday
20 62.00 •
London
pence
40.62
42.112
41.87
41.00
41 "il
Average week ending
Cents
8 81.00
15 80.02
22 78.41
Dec.
29.
Jan.
Feb.
1918
...88.72
...85.79
Men 88.11
Apr 95.35
May 99.50
June 99.50
1919
101.12
101.13
101.12
101.12
107.23
110.50
40.00
Monthly averages
1920
13. .
20. .
132.77
131.27
125.70
119.56
102.69
90.84
1918
July 99.62
Aug 100.31
Sent 101.12
Oct 101.12
Nov 101.12
Dec 101.12
73.72
69.08
62.54
63.77
1919
106.36
111.35
113.92
119.10
127.57
131.92
Pence
54.00
63.50
49.96
48.97
44.29
41.06
41.18
1920
92.04
96.23
93.68
83.48
77.73
Prices ef electrolytic in New York.
Date
Dec. 14 14.00
15 14.00
16 13.75
17 13.50
18 13.50
19 Sunday
20 13.50
Monthly
1919 1920
20.43 19.25
17.34 19.05
15.05 18.49
15.23 19.23
15.91 19.05
17.53 19.00
in cents per pound.
Average week ending
14.62
14.00
1918
Jan 23.50
Feb 23.50
Men 23.50
Apr 23.50
May 23.50
June 23.50
averages
1918
July 26.00
Aug 26.00
Sept 26.00
Oct 26.00
Nov 26.00
Dec 26.00
1919
1920
20.82
19.00
22.51
19.00
22.10
18.75
21.68
18.5.1
20 45
14.63
18.55
LEAD
Date
Dec.
14.
15.
Lead is quoted in cents per pound. New York delivery.
Average week i
,00 Nov. 8.
4.90 " 15.
4.75
17 4.75
18 4.7,6
19 Sunday
20 4.75
Monthly averages
Dec.
22
29
6
13
20
6.84
6.61
6.44
6.67
6.24
5.00
4.82
Jan. .
Feb. .
Mch. .
Apr. .
May .
June 7.59
1918
1919
1920
6.85
5.60
8.65
July
7.70
6.13
8.88
Aug.
7.26
5.24
9.22
Sept.
6.99
6.05
8.78
Oct.
6.99
6.04
8.55
Nov.
7.59
6.32
8.43
Dec.
1918
1919
1920
8.03
5.53
8.63
8.05
5.78
9.03
8.05
8.02
8.08
8.05
6.40
7.28
8.05
6.76
6.37
6.90
7.12
, Prices in New York, in cents per pound.
Monthly averages
1918
Jan 85.13
Feb. 85.00
Mch 85.00
Apr 88.53
May 100.01
June 91.00
1919
1920
71.50
62.74
July
72.44
59.87
Aug.
72.50
61.92
Sept
72.50
62.17
Oct.
72.60
54.99
Nov
71.83
48.33
Dec.
1918
1919
1920
93.00
70.11
49.29
91.33
62.20
47.60
65.79
4443
78.82
54.82
40.47
73.67
64.17
36.97
71.52
64.94
Date.
15
l..
17
18
19
20
Nov.
Doc.
average
July
Aug.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
II.M.B
Ave
age weel
ending
Sunday
1918
7.78
7.67
. . 7.92
1919
7.44
6.71
6.53
8.49
6.43
6.91
5.90
5 00
:, '.in
5 86
5.80
Monthly
1920
9.56
9.15
8.93
8.76
8.07
7.92
QUICK!
15. .
:;
22. .
29..
6..
tl 88
13. .
..
Jan.
Feb.
Mch
Apr.
May
June
■
1918
. 8.72
8.78
. 9.58
9.11
. 8.76
. 8.49
1919
7.78
7.81
7.57
7.82
8.12
8.89
1920
8.18
8.31
7.84
7 50
6.78
The primary market for quicksilver Is San Francisco. California being
the largest producer. The price is fixed in the open market, according to
quantity. Prieee, in dollars per flask of 75 pounds.
Date I Dec. 7 65.00
Nov. 23 55,00 " 14 56.00
30 55.00 I " 21 50 ".)
Monthly average*
1918
Jan 128.06
Feb 118.00
Mch 112.00
Apr 116.00
May 110.00
June 112.00
1919
103.75
90.00
72.80
73.12
84.80
94.40
1920
89.00
81.00
87.00
100.00
87.00
86.00
1918
July 120.00
Aug 120.00
9ept 120.00
Oct 120.00
Nov 120.00
Dec 115.00
1919
100.00
10300
101 60
86.00
78.00
Vb.00
1030
88 00
85 nn
7S on
71.00
60.00
CHARLES M. SCHWAB ON ECONOMIC CONDITIONS
Speaking1 as president of the Pennsylvania Society of New York, at the
annual dinner of the society, at the Waldorf-Astoria, Charles M. Schwab
paid, in part:
"The existing moment is full of difficulties and complexities. Here and
there you find prophets of despair. But I want to go on record here as
saying that nothing could be healthier for American business than the very
condition through which we are now passing. It had to come. I only wish
it had come sooner. The severer the storm is now, the quicker it will be
over and the sooner we can emerge into Wear weather and shape our course
upon the sea of prosperity. Business in the United Slates ever since the
War started had been, until very recently, upon a false basis. The ilisp.i-i-
tion of many manufacturers had been to say not: 'Let me see your costs
sheet.' but "Let me see your statement of profits'.
"The result of this experience through which we have passed is that
our costs have been inflated and we have had in America both our business
institutions and American individuals generally indulging in wasteful and
extravagant methods. The supreme virtue of the existing situation is thai
it is compelling every business man in America, in fact, every individual in
America to examine thoroughly his costs of doing business and his costs of
living:. The result of it all is to force business and to force individuals to
start to economize and to save.
"The great need of the world today is to work hard and save. This
applies not alone to the laboring man. but to the man of great means.
There is no place in America today for the loafer, I hear men say that
the greatest need of the hour is the liquidation of labor. In saying this
many have in mind the high wages now being paid to tabor and industry,
and mean that labor must adjust itself to a new Btandard of living. Now
the laboring man is primarily interested not in the amount of money paid
to him. but what his money will buy. If the cost of Living cornea down
there is no question that r.nr American laboring man can maintain hifl
present standard of living even though his wages as stated in dollars
amount to a lesser sum than before.
■In the steel industry one-half the total cost of making steel is tin ... i
of labor, You can. therefore, Bee how Important efficiency and labor co ts
are in all items of manufacture. The laboring man is entitled to his full
share for the contribution he makes to the value of an article. The labor-
ing man should be taken into the fullest confidence ol bis employers. He
should be so sure of celling his fair share of the wealth he prodttcee thai
he will work with zeal and enthusiasm.
"Certain it is that unless the great body of men throughout the world
work with might and main to restore that which has been lost l.y the de-
Btructiveness of war. this world will sink to a lower level of civilization
than we have been accustomed to enjoy. Certain it is. too. that labor mil >t
work as it has never worked before if it is to produce a aufflcienl Quantity
of goods to make possible the standard of wau-.-s which have luni ei .-.-.]
during these years of inflation and of supreme prosperity. Not merely
incn ised production, but increased efficiency in production is essential. We
are getting relieved of the impurities in our business life. The process is
not complete yet. It may take some little time longer. But the patient
will in time be cured jiml when be is cured the great body of American
business will emerge with a vigor and an energy the world has never known
before "
MONEY AND EXCHANGE
Foreign quotations on December 21 are as follows: »KoJ
Sterlinir. dollars: Cable il -', ,
Demand ] ■•>? ;«
Francs, cents: Cable '• ■_'
Demand n.yo
Lire, cents: Demand "•Jg
Marks, cents - ±-*°
928
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 25, 1920
Eastern Metal Market
New York, December 15.
There is no animation to any of the markets, the price
tendency in most cases being steady.
The copper market is very quiet and prices are steady.
Buying of tin is very light. Prices generally follow the
ups and downs of the London market.
The lead market is steady with a fair amount of buying.
The zinc market has lost some of its recent strength and
is lower.
Antimony has declined with the silver market.
IRON AND STEEL
The slowing down of business is more pronounced at many
steel plants and the problems of cost reduction are upper-
most, says 'The Iron Age'. Work is being rearranged to
save the overtime resulting from the basic 8-hour day.
Reductions in wages amounting to 15% and in some cases
more will be made on January 1 by some important inde-
pendent companies. Eight-hour turns are being introduced
in some cases in order to give more men work, but because
of scant orders there are only two shifts instead of three.
There are some reports of wage-reductions already made
at some plants and one case of an offer by employees to co-
operate in plans for reducing labor-cost.
There is sharper contrast between the Steel Corporation's
rate of operations and the average rate at independent mills.
The Steel Corporation increased this week to 90% of steel-
works capacity and added a blast-furnace at Edgar Thomson
and another at Gary. At the same time a further curtail-
ment of output has been made at various Ohio and Pennsyl-
vania independent works and more merchant blast-furnaces
are stopping, especially in Virginia and eastern Pennsyl-
vania.
Taking the country's steel capacity in its entirety, prob-
ably 6 5 to 70% is active this week. This is expected to be
reduced next week and through the holidays more mills will
be idle than at any time since the holidays of 1914-'15.
The world-wide recession is accented by further shipyard
cancellations in Great Britain, including four 10,000-ton
boats for Belgium. Due partly to the coal strike, November
pig-iron production in Great Britain was 403,000 tons, com-
pared with 692,200 tons average for the other 10 months
of 1920, and the steel output for the month at 403,800 tons
compares with a 10-months average of 780,500 tons.
COPPER
The market is quite steady but without feature or anima-
tion. Buying by domestic consumers is at a standstill and
quotations are largely nominal at 14c, New York, for early
delivery and 14.25c. for first quarter. There is a fair busi-
ness being done in foreign sales, all for early delivery, indi-
cating low stocks in Europe and other countries. No im-
provement in the domestic situation is expected this year,
but some revival of buying is looked for in January.
TIN
Press and' private advices yesterday were that the Malay
government had advanced its minimum price from an equiv-
alent of £226 per ton, c.i.f. New York, to £243 and this has,
for the time being, upset the market. Spot Straits yesterday
was variously quoted at 32.50 to 33.50c, New York, against
3 3.50c on Monday. There was considerable activity on the
New York Metal Exchange yesterday when 100 tons was
sold. Of this 75 tons for future shipment went at 34.25 to
35c, while one lot of 25 tons was sold under the rule at
30c, a ridiculously low price. On the Sth a 25-ton lot was
sold under the rule at 35.621c. There was a fairly active
business on December 8 when dealers bought quite freely of
future shipments, December-January, at 37c. Aside from
these developments the market has been quiet. The decline
in silver has led to the appearance of some Chinese tin which
sold on December 8 at 34.50c. for December shipment.
Arrivals thus far this month have been 1575 tons with 2450*
tons afloat. The London market is lower with spot standard
at £212 10s., future standard at £216, and spot Straits at
£213 10s., all about £11 lower than a week ago yesterday.
LEAD
Since the market settled to the 5c. level, both New York
and St. Louis, there has been some good buying but it has
not been animated. There has lately developed a weakness
in London which has again foreshadowed the possibility of
further imports which has put a damper on the market. It
is now exceedingly quiet and a little lower at St. Louis. We
quote the market for early delivery at 5c, New York, or
4.75c, St. Louis. The London market yesterday declined
£23 per ton for prompt delivery and any further recession is
likely to cause weakness here and lower prices, because of
importing competition possible at 5c
ZINC
After a brief period of animation and higher prices the
market for prime Western has again declined, due largely
to a weaker London market and the consequent possibility
of imports. Prime Western for early delivery is now quoted
at 5.90c, St. Louis, or 6 to 6.10c, New York, the latter being
influenced by imported metal still available. There is al-
most no demand. Stocks in the hands of producers have
slightly increased according to the November' statistics, but
the recent buying has brought out the fact that consumers'
stocks are very low. The technical position of the market is
considered favorable.
ANTIMONY
Largely in sympathy with the lower values for silver,
antimony is easy with wholesale lots for early delivery-
quoted at 5.50c, New York, duty paid.
ALUMINUM
The leading interest's quotation for virgin metal, 98 to
99% pure, has not been lowered as reported, but continues
at 32.90c f.o.b. producer's plant. Other sellers are quoting
the same grade at 23 to 25c, New York.
ORES
Tungsten: The market is stagnant and prices are nominal
at $4 per unit for Chinese ore and $5 for Bolivian.
Ferro-tungsten is quoted at 59c per pound of contained
tungsten in a quiet market.
Molybdenum : There are no developments nor demand and
quotations are nominal at about 65c per pound of MoS. in
regular concentrates.
Manganese: High-grade ore is unchanged at a nominal
quotation of 42 to 50c per unit, seaboard, in the absence of
any demand. Imports are heavy and stocks are larger.
Manganese-Iron Alloys: There is a complete absence of
any demand for ferro-manganese and it is difficult to state
at what price it can be bought. As low as $140, seaboard
basis, can certainly be done and perhaps lower. Spiegeleisen,
19 to 22%, is down to $60, furnace, at which 100 tons has
been sold. Inquiries are limited to one or two carload lots.
Continued offerings by the Bank of Prance, combined
with extremely poor trade conditions in China and India,
as well as speculative activity, have been responsible for a
further decline in silver.
mber 25, 1920
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
929
INDUSTRI
PROGRESS
IMIIUMATION FURNISHED BY MAM TACTCKfcRS
n i'ii i immiiitiiimillimiilliiimiimmi n niii in ii i inn in iimmiiiiiimiiitiiimiiiiiiiiHiiitiniiiiiiiiiiiiriHiiiiiiiiMiiiii i
NORTH ST.XU MINI: HAS INTERESTING DEVICE FOR
FILLING OIL-CADGKKS
By K. O. Duncan
One of the chief causes for the deterioration of rock-
drills, causing unnecessary losses of both time and oil, is
the indifference of mine managers to the methods employed
for lubrication of the drills. In many mines where this im-
portant matter is left to the judgment of the miner, we find
underground, tomato-cans, beer-bottles, whiskey-flasks, and
other equally disreputable rock-drill oil-containers; none of
them being well adapted to either filling or emptying with-
8^p=K\
/"/// tant thraugt
this fui **»/
simple but Ingenious device shown in the accompanying
sketch was constructed.
The air-pressure on the oil of course, speeds the filling.
In practice two racks or boxes, each holding about fifty
cadgers, are found convenient. For gauging the desired
quantity of oil for the container, the operator has two
cadgers, one filled for the needs of the larger drills and the
other suited exactly to the lighter machines, these con-
stituting the counter-weights that exactly apportion to each
drill, a sufficient quantity of oil. The racks containing the
filled cadgers are placed at the collar of the shaft, and each
miner going to work takes one, returning the empty flask to
the rack when coming off shift. This scheme at the North
Star mine has effected a considerable saving in oil consump-
tion and drill maintenance.
Device for Filling Oil-Cndgers
out waste of oil and time; all inviting contamination from
grit because of the inevitable uncovered condition of such
containers; and all subject to destruction early in the shift
because of their careless distribution about the place of
action.
These common evils have been overcome to a large extent
in the North Star mine at Grass Valley, California, by the
use of the Donnelley oil-cadgers, a seemingly indestructible
pocket oil-container of one pint capacity. It has a screw top
and fits comfortably into the hip pocket of the miner.
Having adopted these containers, the management found
that the filling of one hundred of them for each shift with
the slow-moving castor machine-oil, was a tedious process.
It was also found that there was wise economy in putting in
each cadger only the amount of oil required for one drill
during a shift. For the Waugh turbro drills it was found
desirable nearly to fill the cadger, while for the Clippers,
less oil was required for the shift's work.
To quickly and accurately place in the cadgers the precise
quantity of lubricant for the particular drill in service, the
FLOTATION OILS
One of the vital factors on which the successful operation
of a flotation plant depends, is the oils. If, for any reason,
the correct oils are not being employed unsatisfactory re-
sults are bound to be obtained. Many adjustments and
slight changes in operation can be made to take care of
many of the minor troubles that are encountered from time
to time in the plant. Unfortunately, however, such pro-
cedure will not correct unsatisfactory results that are caused
by the use of incorrect or inferior oils. Since the inception
of flotation in the United States, the Barrett Co. has been
directing the efforts of its highly trained technical staff to
produce high-grade uniform flotation oils. With this end
in view, the company has spared neither time nor money to
keep its flotation oils uniform and of such a character as
will ensure the consumer's obtaining the highest metal-
lurgical results.
The Barrett Co. is in an excellent position to carry on this
important work for the mining industry. As is well known,
the crude tars from the different tar-producing plants vary
in characteristics to a greater or lesser extent. The varia-
tions are due to the conditions under which the tars them-
selves are produced, such as speed and temperature of
coking, type of retort used, kind of coal employed, etc. All
finished Barrett products are required to conform to rigid
specifications. In order that these finished products can be
made to do this, it is necessary that all of the raw materials
be so blended as to give a uniform material before manu-
facturing is commenced.
This preliminary blending before manufacture requires
large storage capacity and, also, many and constant sources
of supply of raw tars. In all plants that produce blended
flotation oils, both storage capacity and source of supply are
necessarily provided in order to maintain flotation oils
or products at the required grade and composition at all
times, regardless of any slight variations that may be en-
countered in the raw tars that are employed. The metal-
lurgical engineer, or flotation-plant operator, readily under-
stands and appreciates the importance of this feature. The
many causes of variation in flotation, other than the oils
themselves, encountered in the daily plant operation, are so
numerous and often so difficult of location, that the elimi-
930
MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS
December 25, 1920
nation of as many as possible of these variations in results
due to the oils should have a great attraction for the user.
At the present time the Barrett Co. is supplying various
flotation reagents, including coal tars, coal-tar oils, fractions,
and combinations of fractions of coal tar, as well as coal-
tar chemicals, such as alpha napthylamine, xylidine, ortho-
toluidine, etc. All of these materials have proved of ex-
ceptional merit under specific conditions to which they are
adapted.
A number of mines have used crude coal tar and have
had varying results, due, of course, to the great differences
between tar from sundry sources and even between tars
from the same sources at different times. Crude tar varies
in viscosity and other physical properties, and in order that
a mine may duplicate the results obtained from an initial
lot of tar, a specially refined flotation tar should be em-
ployed.
A great advantage from the use of so-called 'specification'
oils is the fact that each shipment is as nearly like every
other lot as it is possible for science and care to make them.
This fact tends to eliminate entirely all irregularities in
plant operation due to oils, and is bound to make possible
more even results than can be obtained with the less re-
fined products. Recently great interest has been aroused
among flotation engineers and operators by the success that
has been obtained by the use of X-cake mixture (a mixture
of 60% alpha napthylamine and 40% xylidine) in the plants
of various large mining companies. The Barrett Co. is
equipped to produce and furnish either crude or refined
alpha napthylamine and xylidine separately, and small par-
cels of the different grades can be shipped for experimental
investigation. Most mining companies, however, prefer to
purchase alpha napthylamine and xylidine already mixed in
portions of 60% and 40% respectively, thus eliminating the
trouble of mixing them on the ground.
Many engineers and operators are of the opinion that
there are certain fields and conditions where coal-tar oils
and products cannot be used. Very thorough investigations
have demonstrated, however, that this is seldom the case,
and that coal-tar oils and products can replace other oils in
most cases. The only manner in which this point can be
practically demonstrated is by commercial tests in the op-
erating plant. Barrel samples of flotation oils should be
obtained and used, under operating conditions, before a
question of this importance should be considered closed by
the plant management.
In order to get in closer touch with the users of flotation
oils and products, the Barrett Co. has a flotation-oil depart-
ment. This department is in charge of a thoroughly com-
petent flotation engineer. It is the function of the depart-
ment to co-operate with the mining and metallurgical fra-
ternity in any way consistent with an established and con-
servative manufacturing and selling policy. This depart-
ment will be glad to discuss the flotation-oil problems of the
individual operators and it invites correspondence along
these lines at all times. All such inquiries will receive care-
ful consideration and will be discussed in a conservative
technical manner.
The New Jersey Concentrating Co. in order to cope with
increasing business and to offer greater facilities to its
clients, has acquired spacious water-front property in Eliza-
bethport. New Jersey. The company is ready to grind, con-
centrate, separate, and store all kinds of metals and min-
erals, such as manganese, chrome, etc. A 300-ft. private
dock allows vessels to berth right alongside the plant. Rail-
road-siding along the whole length of the dock affords un-
loading from steamer into cars for bulk shipments. Addi-
tional railroad siding allows the simultaneous handling of
15 to 20 cars. Crushers, rolls, and sampling floors afford
correct and expeditious sampling while loading or unload-
ing steamers or cars.
BARBER-GREENE BUCKET-LOADER
The accompanying illustration shows a bucket-loader
manufactured by the Barber-Greene Co., of Aurora, Illinois.
Barber-Greene machines are standardized. They do not
undergo much change from year to year, although the ex-
perimental department is continually after refinements. The
newest self-feeding bucket-loader "has the revolving-disc
feeder which distinguishes all B-G loaders. The crawler
type of traction has been adopted as standard. Crawlers
make it possible to turn a machine around in its own length,
one crawler can be stopped while all the power is given to
the other to furnish the turning force. Of course, crawlers
permit a machine to be operated on soft ground where a
machine on wheels could not 'navigate'. Continuous treads,
58 by 8 in., make a bearing pressure of only seven pounds
per square inch on the ground. No change has been made
in the power-units used to drive the machine. The four-
Buvket-Loader
cylinder truck-type 'Buda' gasoline engine is used as before.
It possesses ample power for every operating possibility.
A somewhat radical departure from the general Barber-
Greene design of standardized conveyors has been made in
the new universal conveyor recently put on the market.
Type 'U', instead of having trussed sectional construction,
has a channel frame 4 in. by 2 2 ft. Twenty-two feet has
been adopted as the only length, since this machine is de-
signed only for unloading cars and loading wagons or trucks
and other jobs where length and height of discharge are not
needed. This is called the conveyor with the digging end
because of the new method of belt and hopper construction.
The lower end of the machine is built with belt exposed.
Cupped flights across the belt furnish the digging parts, so
that the machine may be pushed into a pile of loose material
where it will burrow its way under as long as the pushing
is kept up. The standard belt width is 12 in., and every
inch is made available by overlapping steel side-plates
attached on the edges of the belt. They form a trough as
wide as the belt, and prevent any wear on the belt edges.
Skirt-boards the full length of the machine, set at an angle,
make' it possible to carry lumps much larger than twelve
inches.
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