The Clifton clarion., 1888-12-26
Electrical App.ieations to sEinin.


 Electrical Applications to Mining
 Reports frequently appear in
 the Eastern dailies setting forth
 the wonderful advantages of in
 vestments placed in certain new
 undiscovered mining properties in
 some remote district of the great
 West. Somo money is perhaps sent out and never heard of in the
 way of dividends afterwards. The
 investor and his friends form an
 opinion of the mining industry
 and mining men, stamping the en- tire craft as imposters and swird-
 lers. In the undue prominence which Is often given to such af-
 fairs, the real, solid, paying indus try is lost sight of. IL exists, ney- ertheless, and is one of the most important branches of business in the United States.
 Illustrating this, I have here the United States Geological Sur vey tables of mineral production during the past few years. In addition to the extent of this pro duction these tables also show its wonderful increase. Money judi ciously invested in mining is as safe and sure of return as though placed in register ed government bonds.
 mention tAcso facts to show (to any such unfortunate investors) that the mining business is not an uncertain, speculative industry; and that men engaged in its di- rection are well educated, practi- cal men; always on the lookout for real improvements and improv- ing their methods and practices by frequent interchange of ideas.
 The advantages of electric light for mining operations have alrea- dy been recognized very largely, both in inning proper and its at tendant industry, metaliurgy. At the Vermiliion mine, at Tower, Minn., which is 100 miles north of Duluth, and in a country where one is surprised to see any human habitation, the electric light shines forth as the one redeeming fea- ture in a desolate landscape.
 Electricity is entering more and more into the metallurgy of gold and silver iu amalgation processes. And the desirabillty of having an electric current lon tap" so to speak, for work of this kind may prove an additional argument in many cases for the establishment of lighting or power plant. One of the most prominent mining ma chimes using a current is the Wis well pulverizer and amalgamator, manufactured in Boston This consists essentially of a circular trough, lined with amalgamating troughs, in which four heavy wheels revolve, grinding the ore to fine pulp.
 An instance of electrical power already in use in minlng-and meeting the requirements and full filling the condition for such work is the installation of the enor- nous plant of the Sprague motor systems at Big Bend, on the Fea- ther river, Butte county, Cal. A water fail of 300 feet was obtained and at this point are placed pow erful PeltOn wheels, giving a very large horsepower. The electric generators put in here furnish current along circuit of eighteen miles, extending around the en- tire bend of the river. Motors are placed along the circuit at four teen different points and furnish power required for hoisting, pumping and running machinery. Another mining application by this company has been made at Aspen, Col, where an electric mo- tor is applied to hoisting purposes. The hoisting machine consists of | the usual drum mounted on a shaft carrying a friction wheel. | A parallel shaft carries a paper faced friction pulley, bearing against the iron face of the fric tion wheel. For reducing the