Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1886-05-15
All About the Eta.

The following information obtained
by a reporter for the Rapid City Repub-
lican, through an interview with Mr.. c.
d. Deshler, secretary of the Harvey
Peak Tin Mining Company, and which
can be relied upon as being entirely
trustworthy is copied for the ediication
of our readers:
"That the Eta has proved an unprece-
denied and unparalleled success is no
longer a question. But while this is
true the very best possible results have
not been obtained. 1t was for the pur-
pose of examining into every detail of
the mine and mill that Mr.. Deshler came
to the Hills, bringing with him Mr.. p. X.
Robert, of Pontiac, Michigan, a gentle
man Of many years experience in pract-
ical mining, and M whose opinion is
valuable. Mr.. Robert came for the sole
purpose of consultation regarding the
best course to be pursued at the Eta,
and after a most careful and intelligent
examination, the future course has been
decided upon. The developments Of
the mine has resulted in discovering
that in the lower levels the ore is con-
centrated into a single large pay zone
and not scattered all through the enor-
mou vein. The pay streak is from
eighteen To twenty feet in width in
places, and as far as determined is but
little less at any place. 1t has been
deemed advisable policy to explore the
vein below the level of the tunnel with
diamond drills, putting down holes in
all directions and discovering by the
core which is brought up not only
where the ore is to be found but where
1t is not. A shaft might be sunk at great
expense and determine by a thorough
system of cross cuts and drifts the
course and extent of the ore bodies, but
a number Of diamond drills will furnish
the same information at an expense of
q few thousands Of dollars what it would
take a fortune to determine by the
hiCdbo lhC OIo OOdlCS OtCI
head may also be explored in the same
way. The drills will be ordered ut once
from Chicago, Mr.. Deshler having Sc.
cured an option on several while on his
way to the Hills, he thinking hat in all
probability the drills could be used to
good advantage, took the option to avoid
any necessary delay. The drills will be
direct acting, operated by steam.
The operations at the mill have been
carried or under some disadvantage.
The capacity. of the mill is POO tons of
rock daily, and the equipment of cars is
capable of supplying but sixty. 1t costs
but little more to run full capacity, con-
sequently the best results as regards
economy have not been obtained.
The crushing rolls in use are made of
chilled iron, and experience has already
shown that in crushing the ore in
which quartz is a prominent constituent
the attrition of the rolls is considerable.
The ACCESSIBILITY of substituting steel
rolls for such ores will be considered by
the management.
In the concentrating machinery num-
erous minor defects have been noticed,
and while the mechanical loss of tin
stone is inconsiderable, it is known that
the faults can be remedied and it is their
purpose to rectify all errors.
M, ILL L., 49, T.:
ton for several weeks and they can
plainly see where changes can be made
which will not only produce more salts
factory results, but also reduce the ex-
pense of concentration, and further
more, it is deemed advisable to make
the necessary changes at once, not vast
ing another day, and in accordance with
this decision the mill was shut down
until the changes which have been de-
termined upon have been completed.
10 is considered that from two to three
months will be required to devise the
necessary improvements, have them
manufactured, shipped and placed in
position. This seems a long time, but
the Harvey Peak company have every
confidence in their property, have put
in a large sum of money and are ready |
to put in more. They do not propose, |
however, to make any mistakes, such as
mark the career of many mining com
panies.
The industry of tin mining and reduc-
ton is entirely new to the mining men
of the United States, yet we know we
have the mines, and feel confident our
natural perseverance and inventive
genius will solve every perplexing
problem.
There has been a question in the
minds of many regarding the successful
reductions Of the concentrates to metal.
lie tin. That which might have proved
a formidable barrier t. our future i'm
mediate progress in the industry has
been broken down by the successful
production Of a large amoun Of metallic
tin from casiterite taken from the ores
Of the Eta mine. The amount of metal
produced weighed nearly 1000 pounds,
and was cast into bars of convenient
shape and size. 1t was sold to a large