The Elk Mountain pilot., 1881-07-14
THURSDAY, JULY II, 1881.
INTERESTING LWZERVZE "

practical mining and mill man, for
over twenty years on the Pacific coast,
but more recently of Leadville, has
been here for the past week examin-
ing the camp in most thorough
manner. A PILor reporter meeting
him at The hotel yesterday, subjected
him to the following interrogations
and elected from him the most valu-
able information in reference to this
mining district:
; Repor.er-What do you think Of
the ores ofthis camp?
Col. Kelley-The ores Of this camp
are very similar to those of Austin,
Nevada, which iyas always been since
its discovery one of the most perma-
nent and remarkable mining sections
Of the west. The ores here are mostly
sulphides, comprising the dark red
and light red silver ores known as
pyrargyite and prounstite, the dark red
containing about 60 per cent of silver
and the light red about 6S per cent.
Stephanite or brittle silver ore is also
found in appreciable quantities, most
ly in connection with the zinc sui
phide or black jack OF the miners.
1t is readily recognized by its iron
black appearance and brittleness. Ma
tive silver is largely met with in this
camp, usually in dendritic or ar
bourescent form, usually found imbed-
ded in thecrystals ofquartz Or blende.
Sternbergite, sulphide of silver, and
iron, a very rare ore Of silver, is also
found in several Of the mines I; it is
foliated, and when handled stains the
fingers like graphite or plumbago. It's
color is brown, but when cut with a
knife the streak powder is black it
can be distinguished in that way from
the zinc ores OF the camp, the streak
Of which is brown.
R-How does the formation here
compare with other rich mining sec
tions?
Col. k.-The formation is similar
to Guanajuato, Old Mexico, in many
respects in this, that they traverse the
intersection of shale and trachyte.
One vein alone, the Valenciana, of
Guanajuato, has furnished more than
two hundred millions Of dollars. The
Hopewell mine of this camp, is SINH
lar in appearance to the Valenciana,
naversing the same country rock and
furnishing ore of the same character.
The Hopewell is a strong vein and is
easily traced on the surface along the
whole line OF location, and shows a
width in cropping from ten to sixty
feet.
R.-What in your opinion is the
proper method for treating the ores Of
this camp?
Col. K.-Thc first great need oi
the camp is cheap concentrator, as
nearly every vein in the camp could
Be worked and made to pay. Specks
Of ruby silver are found permeating all
the veins OF the camp in quantities
which will surely average $50 per ton.
You can readily see that by concen-
trating eight or ten tons INTO one you
would have ore ready to ship. an
speaking now Of the whole vein +; ol
course there are many pay streaks tina,
will assay into the thousands of dol.
lars per ton.
R.-What do YOU think of the mill
now building here, and can the ore be
treated by it'
Col. K.-That is hard question to
answer. They apparently have all the
machinery that IS necessary for the
successful handling of the ore.
think it all rests with the managers.
The treatment of such ore as is fur.
nHhed here requires considerable
chemical knowledge and practical ex-
Rerience. The ores here are all diff
cult Of treatment, mostly on accoun,
Of the antimony which they contain.
Under certain circumstances during
the roasting process, the silver IS con.
essed into antmoniate Of silver, :
u sSs s tn IA IA III I'll ~ y. Nth ass