New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-05-16
THE MINERAL WEALTH or MEXICO

OPINIONS OF GENERAL FRISBIE.
SILVER DEPOSITS ABU NDANT- GREAT PROFITS pos
sIBLE DESPITE THE DEPRECIATION OF SILVER
TIE MINING LANDS.
lFRON A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT THE TRIBUsE.l
MEXICO, April 12.-General John b. Frisbe.
a resident of this city, was of the early settlers
in California. He went there an officer in the
United States Army, married the daughter of the
last Mexican Governor, Vallejo and was henceforth
actively associated with the general development
of the Golden state. He is interested in mining en-
terpuses in this country, and gives his opinions
upon points Of current interest from practical expe-
rence.
us there as positive evidence, General. of the ex
stence of large mineral deposits Mexico as, say in
California n
at is my belief that Mexico SURPRISES all other
countries in its mineral wealth. This is predicated
upon personal observation and trustworthy nforma-
ton"
There is much idle capital in the United States I;
suppose people wish to invest $1,000 and upward
in Mexican mining enterprises how should they
proceedT
"Ten thousand dollars would be inadequate for
the development of a mine. A person DESTROYS of
| restricting his investment TO that amount should
associate himself with other capitalists purchase
an interest in a developed mine. To illustrate In
June 1877, shares in the Santa Gertrudes Mine 20
in all were selling at - 0OO they now held at
100000 the mine being "a bonanza aud paying
$1,000 per month on each share. A capital Of from
S2j, 600 to $50, 900 would be as little az could
reasonably be depended upon for the exploration
of a new mine. With this amount a shaft could be
sunk from 500 to 500 feet or a tunnel be driven the
same distance
&" is it necessary, General, to sink deep shaftsp
Metal Is generally found, If at all. in paying
quantities at a depth of from 800 to 600 feet, and
sometimes at 200 feet"
" In what respects do the Mexican deposits differ
from those Of California ?"
" Metal is found nearer the surface than in Cali
fornia or Nevada. Most of the mines in Mexico are
worked IN primitive manner, machinery being en-
ployed only to a limited extent"
What is the annual production of the Mexican
mines1 Is there much American capital invested ~
The production can be stated only approximate
", but il is certainly not under $2j 600 900 per
annum. am not aware Of any shares in Mexican
mines being placed upon the market in the United
States If the mineral wealth of this country were
understood IL the United states mining enterprises
here would doubtless be regarded with favor by
Americans familiar with tins Industry
" Is not the lack of coal drawback u
I'm most Of the mining districts there is an
abundance of wood, and the lack of coal does not
reard operations. There extensive coal fields IN
the interior and on the coast, but they are not
worked
" How about the decline in the value of silver"
Z" The decline IN silver naturally affects the value
Of silver mines, but good one VIII yield enormous
profit az considerably lower rates than now rule
General FrlsbIe, what IS your opinion Of the
Mexican mining laws and miner5W
" The mining laws of the country are extremely
liberal. Any person. neither citizen or foreigner
NAV 'den0unce' a mine. There Is nothing to be
paid but moderate fees TO the Government Survey
or and ma gistTate who give possession. After a
mine is denounced work upon it must commence
within three months. II discontinued after the eX
plratIOn of the same period, 1t may be again de
nOunced' wheTeupOn the original locator loses MS
! right thereto. Mining Is much cheaper IN Mexico
! than in the United States Skilled miners (MeXl-
cans can be had at Oue-thiTd the wages paid there
They fully equal TO those of other countries but
/ are inferior mechanics They are, however exceed
! Ingy intelligent, and under proper instruction.
would soon be equal to any position III the mecAan-
| ical department of mines"
The right 20 "denOunce min" TO which General
Frisbe refers means, in this country, that person
| who discovers mineral deposits NAV claim
| possession of the land The law is based on the
! assumption that the development OF the mineral
/ wealth of the country is of more Importance than
private interests. The principal mining districts
General Erlsble says, are now IN Guerrero, HdalgO
/ Zacatecas. Michoacan Pinaloa, Sonora, Chihua-
hua, Durango, Lower California, GuanajuatO and
! the State of Mexico. American machinery Is used
only IN the Northern States, and Is supplied from
] san Francisco. English machinery Is good, but he
| considers American IS better for gold and silver
L