The Sun.
London, England, 1866-03-27 00:00:00

NEVADA.

A correspondent of the Missouri Democrat gives the fol-
lowing account of the history of the Reese River mines :
In the latter part of the year 1862 the silver mines at Reese
River were discovered, and the Reese river mining district,
in which the town of Austin is located, was formed. This
district, the mining belt of which is about six miles long
by three wide, contains at least 3,000 claims.
The veins are small in comparison to the Comstock at
Virginia, but what they lack in size is more than made up
in richness.

According to the returns of the assessor for the year
1864, the average yield of all the ores worked in the dis-
trict was two hundred and four dollars per ton, a yield
which has no precedent in the mining history of the world.
All we lack now for the purpose of taking out a hundred
millions yearly is the Pacific Railroad. Let that be com-
pleted, and we can with ease increase the productions of
silver at least ten-fold. Austin is on the overland mail
route and telegraph line, 180 miles east from Virginia City,
and 420 miles west from the Salt Lake. Besides the Reese
River district, there are a number of mining districts extend-
ing 70 miles north and 130 miles south from Austin, all of
which contain valuable quartz veins of gold, silver, and
copper, and, in fact, nearly all of the different kinds of
minerals known. To persons wishing to invest capital I
know of no better inducements than are offered at Austin.
Claims which can now be bought for a small price will in
three or four years be worth fortunes. The cost of work-
ing the ores at present, owing to the great distance ma-
chinery has to be hauled, and the high price of labour, is
about forty dollars per ton. Add to this the cost of mining
the ore from the veins, and it will ba seen that it has to be
rich to pair for working. There are thousands of tons of
oro in the Reese River district, which will yield from $5()
to $6O a ton ; but which, until the railroad is completed,
enabling us to reduce them for a reasonable sum, will have
to lie perfectly worthless.
COLORADO.

The Nems of Feb. 14 says:—A little fact as to the value
of Colorado mines is to-day on exhibition at the National
Bank in this city. This fact is a piece of bullion weighing
1571 b., consisting of gold, one third ; of silver, two thirds ;
and is worth, in currency, about $16,000. This bullion
goes cast to-morrow, and is the first shipped from Lyon's
works, which are now in successful operation, and have
demonstrated the truth that that operation of separating
the precious metals from their ores is best which is founded
upon time and experience. Many people have an idea that
this smelting of pyrites is something new, whereas It has
been the German method of treating pyritous ores ever
since the ninth century. Mr. Johnson, foreman, of Lyon's
works, states that this class of ores in this country are
much easier smelted than anticipated.
The American Mining Index says :—The friends of Colo-
rado must be abundantly gratified with the turn things
have taken within the past few months. Everything con-
spires to a satisfactory solution of all questions respecting
both the richness of Colorado ores and the success of the
processes now in operation for their reduction. The effect
upon the stock market, growing out of the success of the
Kieth process, is very satisfactory. The World quotes the
stock of the Mammoth Company at $1,500, which is 50 per
cent. above par. This company was the first to adopt the
Kieth Desulphurizer.