The Ketchum keystone. (Ketchum, Idaho) 1881-1884, 1883-06-08

BETTER METHODS.

As the industry of mining becomes
practical, it must also become scientific
Every step Of progress in the arts and
industry Of men, has been gained only
as better knowledge has been obtained
Of some established Law, under which the
forces Of Nature are kept in active op-
peration. The advancement Oh the nine
teenth century and the tokens Of inn
provefnent everywhere visible In the mn
numbered appliances ard advantages.
ale not from the discovery OF any new
Law or any change In the unaIterabIe
to-day gives MS the telegraph, the steam
car, the telephone and electric light.
came into being before the morning
stars sang together, in the dawn Of crea-
atoms morning.
The metalfareieal process Of the pres-
ent day are not up to the standard re-
quired by the position and importance
Of the mining industry; this condition is
doubtless, largely due to the fact that
scientific men have not given the sub
iect the attention which its inheritance
demands, and the business has been
conducted, to large extent, at remote
distances from business centers, and the
presence OF skilIfu1 and wen informed
men. Under present methods, the eIe-
ment OF loss is too great a factor-loss Of
time and valuable material. In many
localities the most primative methods
and agencies are in use in the reduction
Of ores; appliances that show no i'm
proyement in the whole history of min.
ing for centuries.
In almost any other department Of
the mining industry, especially in the
working Of mines, marked advance is
everywhere apparant. The compressed
air drills; the steam hoisting machinery;
the improved explosives, and all the ar
rangements for refining the ore, show
l.but slight resemblance to those in use ev-
en- a few years ago. As mining becomes
more and more productive industry,
and is operated in Iegimate manner,
for the development of mineral re-
sources, the condition of facilities and
the unsatisfactory results Of the pres
ent process for the reduction Of ore.
must demand attention and compel q
revolution u mems ss1d methods The
prndHct q she nasazez<<ssss ssssza c1Elflzry !
estimated from the portion OF naineaI
that appears in the channels of industrial
and commercial activity. Iffo this util-
/ lied portion could be added that which
has been lost between the mouth of the
/ shaft and the bullion mold. the result
would be surprisingly different. Esti-
| mates Of ffle Treasury Department. show
/ decrease of the gold produce in Cali
fornia, during the past year. amounting
to 81 s0e0, 600. We VIII venture 10 state
that it is more than probable that tie
/ tailings of mill and durns have borne
away more than five times that amount
within the year, and that the annual loss
| OF precious minerals. under present
methods of treatment would more than
i pay the cost Of all investments made.
Under the careful management. the
! waste dump, Stag pile and tailings. even
with prevalent means, have in many
instances, given better results than the
mine from which the ores were taken.
This ruinous factor Of waste must be
eliminated before tie problem OF sue
eessful mining caa be definitely solved
Mining, grand as is her present showing,
N
never can be truly estimated in the fuli
measure of her magnificent resources
until this vampire of loss, shall release
its paralyzing grasp. Chicago Mining
Review.