The Sun.
London, England, 1867-11-19 00:00:00

MINING INTELLIGENCE.

The San Francisco Mining and Scientific Press
says :—" Quartz appears to be the rage at present
in the vicinity of Auburn, Placer County. The
most exciting development is that of the "Pete
Walters." This ledge was located some two years
ago, but no free metal was discovered until the 4th
of July last, when, at the depth of 28 feet, it was
found to be exceedingly rich in free gold. Mr.
Walters has since sunk two more shafts, making
three in all—the first, 28 ; the second, 35 ;
and the third and last, 48 feet in depth. The
ore gradually becctnes richer, until, at the
bottom of the richest shaft, it is apparently
one-third gold ! A drift is being run to con-
nect the three shafts—the whole covering a line
of about 150 feet on the ledge. Mr. Walters has
taken out about po,coo up to August last. One
day's work yielded him as high as 450 ounces. his
labouring force consists of only four men, while his
mechanical and machine power is still less, viz., a
1-stamp battery, or, in other words, a hand mortar.
Said ledge is about eighteen inches in width, and
bids fair to continue rich. Colonel Holdredge,
backed by prominent Eastern capitalists, is pros-
pecting • a number of ledges, said to promise well.
The colonel is sanguine of success, feeling confi-
dent that Auburn and vicinity abounds in good pay
ore."

The following is from au Austin (Nevada) cor-
respondent of the IVall-Street Journal:—

The Reese River " bubble" has bursted, but
from some strange and wonderful cause the com-
position, instead of floating away, remains piled up
in view of all who wish to see ! Our mines have
never looked better than they do to day, and at the
present writing every available mill is running, and
still the ore increases instead of diminishing at the
dumps. One is fairly astounded to stroll among
the mines on Lander-hill at finding men on each
mound, and two or thre3 in each Ore-house,
assorting ore, that is knocking off the granite from
the quartz, while new and richer discoveries are
being daily made in the deeper mines, and those
who have but lately actually commenced to develope
their properties are flushed at their great success.
The South America has been operating but a
very short time, yet they have had several tons of
ore reduced, which returned nearly $2OO per ton,
and at present employ three men for assorting.
They have run their levels off until the breasts are
some 80ft. One of the miners, whose only interest
was his $4 per day, informed me that in a few days
this mine would be able to produce fifteen tons of
ore per day, which would average $2OO.
The Plymouth Company-have tapped a fine large
vein in their straight shaft containing ore which will
just about pay expenses for mining and milling.
The company are still carrying on their sinking,
but will soon start levels back for the vein, when,
having attained greater depth, richer ore will be
found.

The Savannah Company have purchased a don-
key engine, and will be in full blast again about the
4th inst. The spot has been selected for the com-
pany's shaft, which will be commenced in a few
days. I look for a fine return from this mine by
the latter part of this month.

The Great Eastern are extracting large quantities
of exceeding rich ore once more. Some of their first
clam is being culled out and piled away. This will
be worked separately, I presume, and will produce
at the mill very nearly, if not quite, $l,OOO per ton.
The Timoke Company find no difficulty in sup-
plying the Long Island mill. To be sure it is only
five stamps, but it is situated in town, and anything
getting out of order can be repaired immediately,
and thus the battery kept constantly at work.
There are a great many little conveniences about
this mill, and it is far in advance of any five-stamp
arrangement in the country. When the Timoke
get through with it, J. It. Murphy informs me he
will use it to manipulate his tailings from the Cali-
fornia mill.

The Savage Company have again found good ore,
and arc hauling to the California mill, which is at
present at work on Florida ore of a high grade.
The Troy Company are assorting their ore,
saving every pound that will pay for milling. It
is a " penny-wise-and-pound-foolish principle " to
assort too closely, as the mass being pay ore and no
more, reduces the whole so much that the com-
pany will realise little or nothing from it. I think
a miner would have no difficulty in making this a
paying mine in a very short time. It is on the N.
Y. S. M. Company's properties, and should be
bringing them in something handsome. However
they will see the point in time, and do better.
The Magnolia Company does not appear to be
doing much lately, owing no doubt to the trouble
between the Superintendent. and the officers, grow-
ing out of the application for a Government title,
which I hope will be quickly settled.
The Diana is filled to overflowing with rich ore.
They had a large lot at the Parrot Mill awaiting its
turn when that mill burned. They have kept a
team constantly hauling to the Metacom, still the
ore house is kept full, and no signs of failure below
in the mine. This is the showing Lander Hill
makes to-day, or rather a portion of it. There are