Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1864-12-27
wa.boc silver Mining in 1864.

Washoe Silver Mining in 1864.
The close of the year suggests review Of
the work Of the last twelve months in the
Washoe silver mines, and the reports sub
mitted at the annual meetings Of several
leading companies lately, furnish some in
teresting material for remark. The year be-
gan in the climax Of the excitement of
mining stock speculation which had COM
menced three years before, and had gradual
yrisen until it had effected nearly everybody
and absorbed nearly all the spare cash in
this city and vicinity, extending even to re-
mote parts OF the coast Gould & Curry
was in demand at $4,000 per foot, and other
valuable mines in proportion. These prices
were based on some kind of reason. but
thousand claims that were utterly worthless
were selling at high prices also. The de-
cline began about the first of the year, and
continued until May, when it burst into
panic, which reached its highest point in
August, when Gould & Curry went down to
$500. The wildcat stock was completely
destroyed, but the valuable mines survived
and revived, and confidence and prices have
been gradually advancing together for some
time past. The panic has not been without
its benefits, chief among which are the de-
careful scrutiny of all til work done, and
frequent visits by the offic rs to the mine.
So long as the price of sock continued to
rise, no questions were asked. Great sala-
ries we're paid, the work was badly done, no
full accounts were rendered, and money was
suuandered in matters which could be of no
benefit of the mine.
The Gould & Curry is the most productive
silver mine in the world. The yield for the
year ending on the first instant was $685.
000-in round numbers $5,000,000; which
sum was obtained from 66,600 tons of ore,
averaging about S75 per ton. About two
seventies of the $4,000, 900 were net profit,
and were distributed in dividends; one
seventh was spent in building and litigation,
and the remaining four-seyenthS went to the
ordinary expenses of mine and mill. The
Weld was only seventy per cent. of the assay
value; so the tailings of the Gould & Curry
of last year contained S2,000,000. The
waste of that mine is almost equal to the
entire production of any other. In the
previous year the yield Of the mine was
ST., 9S9, 456, making total of $S,9S7 900,
added to the commerce of the world in two
years. The mine is silver mine, but thirty
per cent. in value, though only two per cent.
in bulk, of the metal extracted is gold. The
cost of reduction now is about So per ton
in the company's mill.
During the last year, the Ophir reduced
1880 tons, in value. 100000. The total
yield was $76S,OO0, or eighty-four per cent.
Of the assay value. The ore was reduced at
4 cost of 1872 per ton in patio and barrel,
the price Of the two processes being about
the same.
The Empire, at Gold Hill, is the only prom
inent Washoe Company of which we have
any late and comprehensive information.
From March, 90, to December ga, period
of thirty-three month5, the company worked
25,60O tons, or about $50 tons per month, at
cost Of $l3 per ton for hauling and reduc-
ing. The total yield Of the $4,000 tons was
$40 per ton, making total of 81 100000; Of
which S3l2, 900 were distributed in dividends,
and the remainder was spent otherwise, in
Guiding about 100000 expended on two
mills, a new shaft and other improvements.
1t is a remarkable fact that the Gold Hill
mines, when first opened, yielded about three
times as much gold as silver, in value and
those which have reached 4 depth of 800 or
400 feet, produce now nearly three times rs
much silver as gold.
We have grouped these matters together
for the purpose of presenting briefly, and in
connection with one another, the main facts
now attainabe about few mines, which,
though not the first stock list, are still fair
representatives of the Virginia and Gold Hill
claims generally. We might find abundant
cause for complaint in the management Of
every wealthy mining company on the coast,
but the complaint comes too late. Much
money was wasted through ignorance and in
experience. 1t was necessary to make en-
periments with different processes, and the
appointment Of untried men was unavoidable.
The workmen, the Superintendent, the
Trustees, all lacked the information suitable
for their positions. It would have been
strange if they had not Numbered. Expert
enced and tried men have now been obtained
for many Of the responsible positions; expert
ments with different processes are nearly at
an end mills have been built; experience
has demonstrated the necessity Of opening
the mine we'll in advance Of the ore-Supply
for immediate use roads have been made, to
diminish the cost Of hauling; many Of the
! conflicting titles have been settled by the
courts, and the expense OF litigation has de-
creased. These are some of the advantages
OF the future over the past, as to mining at
| Washoe.
The Ophir Company, at its late annual
meeting, adopted certain rules which are
worthy OF the attention of all mining compa-
mics. These rules are, that every Trustee
shall visit the mine twice year; that maps
and plans shall be prepared, showing the sur
face of the claim, the vertical sections OF the
lode, with its spurs, tunnels, shafts, ETC., and
horizontal plans of the various levels; and
that the Superintendent shall render daily
report of the number Of men employed, Of
tons of ore extracted, of tons crushed the
quantity of bullion produced, and SO forth.
The universal adoption of these rules would
have an excellent influence in advancing the
silver mining interests of the coast. Careful
records and accounts are not only necessary
for the satisfaction of the Trustees, but also
for the instruction of the Superintendent
himself.-S. F. Alta, Dec. oath.