Arizona weekly citizen., 1881-03-20
Arizona Copper Mines.

IUCSON. X M., March l.-1hc cop per interests of the Territory are dt- tracing great attention al present, and good copper mines and prospects are eagerly sought after by our resident capitalists as well as by the strangers Iu our gates. The famous Copper Qneeum mIne of Blsbee, the represent alive copper mine of the Territory, which bears she same relation to cop
 per mHcs that he Contention mine of Tombstone bears tO the silver mines, has paid its fortunate owners, Messrs. ". II. Martin & Co.,, Of San Francisco, the Weli-knOWn sea- wall contractors, the handsome dividend ot S10O, GOO per month for the past four months. \ recent careful ex- animation of the mine made by John R. James, of Tucson, a recognized authority on copper, shows that Sl. g2j. GOO are in sight, estimating copper at Iy cents per pound. The original cost of this mine was S3O,
 GOO. 4 furnace was erected gt cost of SIl, GOO, making the lolal cost oI Ol the mine and plant fall inside of $J0, GOO. The success or the Copper Quesl has stimulated the develop mel, of copper properties In other parts of the Territory, and scarcely a day passes without reports O. Hew strikes and big finds of thIs most val uable metal. The latest transfer of copper properties was made yester- day Co Mr. Christopher and other California capitalists, by NIT. o. \. Hyatt and others of the Apache, Midas and St. Nicholas mines, lylng on the casterly slope of the Santa Catalina Mountains, and situated about 5j miles from Tucson. The mines have an elevation of about 7500 feet, and the vein lies between lime stone and pOrphYry, limestone being the Cyerlying formation. The ores are found in the shape of carbOnates and sulphUrets, the carbonates pre- dominating. The average assays show 90 per cent copper and about S2O in silver per ton. On the Apache location a cross-cut has now pene- trated the vein for 15 feet in ore of the above description, and the hanging wall of the claim has uot yet been en- countered. The ledge has been un- covered on the surface for 60 feet, and has been traced the whole length of the claim, 1900 feet. Some speci- mens of copper ore taken from the cut assay as high as 70 per cent. The Midas and St. Nicholas claims are extensions of the Apache and show the same characteristics. Charcoal Is abundant, and can be furnished for l3 cents per bushel. Water rights have been secured, and the cost of smelling should not exceed Sl0 per ton. As 50-pcr cent. copper ore Is worth about SG0 per ton, there is a large margin of profit in smelling the ores on the ground. Yellow pine abOunds, and this variety of timber makes the best charcoal known Co the smelter. The climate is good all the year round. X good road can be constructed from the railroad tracks to the mines at an an expense not to exceed S3OO0. The ores are tree-Smelting, and there IS DO reason why the successes of BIsbee should not be repeated at an early day m the Santa Catalinas.
 There seems to be a disposition in son c quarters to discourage copper mining in ATlZOua, and mysterious hints are thrown out and circulated here m Tucson by some Boston gen llemcn to the effect that the Calumet and Hcca mines of the Lake Superior region can produce copper enough 10 supply the demand Of the United States. Of course, it Is perfectly natural that said company should de- sire Co Tetal1 the monopoly II has en- loved for years, ahd which has en- a5lcd 1t to pay SIS, ,O00, 0O0 in dIvi- dends, but the claim of it's friends and stockholders that it can supply the American market is preposterous and without foundation. The consump- ton of copper in the United States amounts 10 about 25, 600 tons per an mum, and the consumption Is increas- Ing, owing tO the new and various uses Co which the metal is applied. The Calumet and Hecla produces about 600 tons a month-not one third of the annual demand. Besides, is ore averages only three per cent. ID copper. and has to pass through the process of crushing, concentrating and smcluug before ready for the mar kct. In our Arizona mInes, where carbonaies abound, the rudest kind oi a furnace is sufficient Co work the ores and convert them into marketable cooper With the construction of the Ca-vmas railroad our producers will be auie to ship direct from Guaymas Co foreign ports, and will compete sue cessfuliy with Chile m supplying the English demand, which amounts to about 40, 000 tons per annum. The future ot Arizona copper mines IS bright and full promise, and now that avenues of transportation are open by which products can reach tidewater, we ought to be able to undersell every every other copper country.