Arizona citizen. [volume] (Tucson, Pima County, A.T. [i.e. Ariz.]) 1870-1880, 1871-01-07
MINING IN ARIZONA.

Of all the Territories of the United
States, Arizona has been, perhaps, the
most unfavorab oily situated as regards
the conditions Of immediate develop
ment. Difficulty and cost of trans
portation, the hostility of warlike and
cruel Indians, general ignorance on
the part of the public concerning the
great natural resources of the country,
and the lack of capital to assist indus
trial enterprises, have all combined to
hinder the progress of this territory
towards the wealth and prosperity
which it is destined to attain. 1t is
surprising, that in the face of such
obstacles the mining history of Arizo-
na should have survived at all. The
phenomenon is only to be explained
by the fact of extraordinary natural
advantages.
The evils to which we have referred
are but temporary in their nature, and
are already beginning to disappear.
The Indian question is the most press
ing; and that is not complicated in
Arizona with any doubts as to the pro-
per policy to be pursued. Whatever
may be said about keeping peace with
the tribes of other regions, all parties
are agreed that the only thing to be
done with the Apaches is: to fight
them. If this is done vigorously,
there can be but one result They
will be thoroughly subdued or COM
pletely exterminated.
Next to this in necessity is the &C
QUESTION of information concerning
the resources of Arizona. Recogniz-
ing the fundamental importance Of
this measure, the United States Com
missioner of Mining Statistics has de-
voted the greater part of the means at
his disposal during the present year to
an examination Of that Territory
The field-notes already received are in
many respects highly encouraging. 1t
appears that, buried il the depths Of
this remote region, there are mines
and mills, managed with economy
and success, Of which the general pub
lie hears but little. Though these en-
terprises are as yet but few in num-
bep, their very existence, under the
adverse circumstances to which we
have referred, is proof of remarka-
ble natural advantages, which must
afford a basis for extraordinary pros
perity hereafter.
For instance, the Big Bug Mining
Company is working mine about
twenty-five miles from Prescott, haul
ing the ore one OF two miles to the
stamp mill, and regularly reducing
the ore twelve tons daily, at profit,
in spite of imperfect machinery and
excessive transportation. The ore at
present extracted is decomposed and
easily treated and the supply in view,
of his quality OF materials, is sufficient
Iy for two years operation. Meanwhile,
in each of three shafts massive sui ph-
urets have been reached III depth,
promising permanent production for
5he future, though requiring change,
when the time comes, in the method
IF treatment. The business-ike regu-
Larity and economy Of the operations
of this company are worthy Of high
praise, and we do not see why its
should not be considered
Doth sound and brilliant.
The Vulture mine, no one needs to
De told, is one Of the most valuable in
jhe United States. When capital
comes to the aid of labor in Ar
zona, we expect to see many other
started into life, as healthy |
ind active as the two We have mem
Toned. There are many valua BILE
mining properties around Prescott,
out most of them are poorly develop
d; and the same is true of other
mining districts in Arizona.
We hear the English capital is be-
ng largely invested this year on the
Pacific coast, and that some of it has
urned to Arizona. Let US hope that
will be directed with skill, and pru-
lence, SO that no failures, due to the
or dishonesty of managers,
hall be unjustly charged against the
Territory, for which nature has done
o much, and man hitherto so little
=" Engineering 6 Mining Journal"
New York, Dec. 9th, 1870.