Arizona silver belt., 1888-06-02
Mining in Arizona.
CAlex. Trippel, M. E., in Engineering and
 Mining Journal)

ing and Mining Journal.
 The general mining results of the Territory for the past year do not differ essentially from those of the preceding twelve months; in other words, there was no substantial in- crease of production either of the prec- ious metals or of copper and lead. The principal reason is attributable to the continued depreciatiox. in the price of metals, which mos or less crippled some mining Aes, re- duced profits in others, and discour- aged the investment of capital in new enterprises. The effect of this was naturally more severely feltin 8 coun- try where varied and cheap transpor- tation, extensive reduction facilities near the mines, and cheap fuel were needed but not obtainable, thus mak- ing it far more difficult to combat low prlces than could be done in localities more favored in these respects.
 Another important obstacle consis- ted in the fact that many mine owners having exhausted their means in com paratively cheap surface work, now needed capital for further develop ment of their properties, and this was not forthcoming. While these en- barrassments greatly retarded progress by causing so close margin between profit and loss, they at the same time acted as stimulant to the introduc- tion of better machinery and appli- ances, and to the general improvement of mining and metallurgical methods. Viewing the present status from this standpoint. Arizona has made rapid and important progress, and with a great number of new mines opened and others further developed (some of them upon a large scale), 1t is but reasonable to expect that the present year will show very material in crease of metal production, net only in copper but in the precious metals and lead as well.
 As a matter of course the copper output will be more than doubled. The workings of the ArlzC Ra Mining C6DPdny at efiaFttur,,-yFse,'a Ie--sas=s.4r Queen Mining Company Bisbee are upon large scale, the fe ger includ- ing railroad already bdilt and the latter a small railroad from Fairbanks, in contemplation. The Old Dominion Company, of Globe, has recently start ed two furnaces, although no new or larger plant is spoken of as yet. Be- sides, it is mere than probable that sundry other good properties in Gila and Pinal counties will be worked shortly. these counties being especial ly rich in cupriferous deposits. The plan of consolidating many properties under the same ownership and man. agenent is evidently the intention of the Bisbee and Clifton companies, it being the only one which permits talk ing advantage of the facilities offered by large plants.
 Argentiferous and aurIferous cop- per ores occur in YavapaI county the latter particularly in Yuma coun- | ty, where excellent copper ore Is found, asSaying from s60 to $500 per ton in gold, with some silver. The mines eff these counties, with the exception of the United Verde group, can hardly be said to be fairly prOspected.
 The silver industry, particularly, has made substantial progress. It is well understood now that permanent profits do not, as rule, originate from rich temporary strikes" but, on the contrary, generally from low grade ores, averaging between 20 and 35 ounces per ton in silver, extracted in large quantities from powerful velns or deposits, and cheaplE mined, han died, and meTaGie=s Icaily treated. Very rich ore IS found in nearly all the counties; but, as elsewhere, with few exceptions, such ore is not present in large CT lasting quantities.
 A material assistance to close mill work is the frequent use ot concen- trat9rs, without which, it can truth fully be said, many large mines that are now in operation could not work at all. Concentration applied directly to the ore, or indirectly te the tall ings, is to-day recognized as most important factor in success. The re- suits of milling without it would be waSteful and unsatisfactory.
 The introduction eff the Boss" mll- ling process has also proved of great value and benefit.
 Roasting is attempted in but few mills; but where it IS employed, as in the Silver King mill, it is done with great skill and economy. ArlzOna can be justly proud of the records made by several of her larger silver mills. wherein the work IS accomplished at