Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1888-07-20
Observation-Disclosures.
A New Process which Gives Value to
Our ZinclferOnS Ores.

The attention of all our mining
men in general, and those operating
properties yielding zinc bearing ores
in particular, is called to the following |
extracts from an article which recently
appeared in the Leadville Herald
Democrat. 1t will be seen that that
bughear of the galena mine-owners'
"black jack" is one no longer, as IT.
really increases the value OF the
product:
The inventor of the process Of
electro. COLONIZATION is Mr.. Henry b.
Slater. whose residence for the past
two years has been at Detroit. Mlohi-
gan. Last autumn he succeeded in
Interesting Mr.. William Fl. Stevens
of the Iron Silver Mining Co. in his
invention, and for the purpose Of Sc.
curing a practical test of its value Mr..
Stevens had shipped from the Iron
Silver mine to Detroit some two tons
of ore. In making the test nearly
the whole of that amount was used.
In order to ascertain, in the event
of success, what might be done with
class of ore which has heretofore
been practically valueless, a mineral
was selected containing 25 per cent.
of zinc, 20 per cent. OF iron, Is per
cent. of lead and y ounces of silver,
with (appro ximately) % per cent. Of
silica and II per cent. of sulphur.
Professor Afford Dubois, chemist
,of the Iron Silver mine, followed the
shipment of ore to Detroit, and gave
bis own personal scrutiny to the entire
operation. His reports to the com
pany concerning the same is given
herewith, and reads as follows:
DETROIT, Mich, March Is, 1888.
Mining Company;
At the suggestion OF Mr.. w. Stevens,
| make a statement relative to the en-
pertinent in treating zinciferous ores
by electro chlorination invented by
Mr.. Slater. During two months
have watched the process in operation
as conducted by the inventor, and
have myself verified every portion o.
the operation. During various brie
periods, and especially during the pas
. three days, l have alone conducted il
in all its parts, he being entirely ex
cluded therefrom, and not being
j; present at any part of tho time
= Although l was before convinced
there could be no deception, the la.
5 ter proceeding rendered it quit
# certain and beyond all question.
will now stats it as my conviction
,, that the process is simple, etfectiv
n and reasonably cheap, as compare
with other and older methods Of treat
ment for these ores.
J Recent Improvements in electro
q generating machines have rendered
the production of chlorine possible a
1t very small part of the former cost c
e this very powerful agent, and upo
ID this depends this process.
The ores to be treated require to b
:, roasted as preparation, but not
~ necessity, to what is technically tern
% ed "dead roast" If but PARTIAL
81 roasted point is reached at which a
y important proportion OF the zinc WI
be converted into sui phate, solubl
t. in water and precipitaole as is til
y. chloride, but it is also avallab
ey directly for electrolyptic deposition {
p, metallic zinc, thus avoldln
I'd the use of sulphuric acid for Il
,e preparation of the fluid by redissol
3 lug precipita,ed oxide for that purpos
II Or, if more desirable, the su! pha
solution may be precipitated as Il
chloride would be with satisfacto
results, except possibly trace of 8,
phate Of lime may remain in the oxl'
to produced.
If tho roasting is prolonged, t
70. proportion OF zinc also will follow
=, the approach to dead roast.
Ms If the separate use of the sulpha
ay OF zinc is desired, it may be filter
ext out with cold water and the resid
Of NAV then be chlorinated to compile
the extracting of the zinc from t
W ore. The quantity of chlorine &C
sumed will obviously be diminish
. by so muce as sui phate Of zinc lie for
9TH ed, since chlorine can no longer CO
H., bine Herewith.
na. am we'll satisfied with the proce
uld and believe fully it will prove ev
1t l better in larger practice than in
ad- small way tried here. If any diffic
ties present themselves they will
our of mechanical nature and will
op- overcome AS soen as their nature is
'in- veloped. Respectfully yours,
AFFORD Dubois
+. Colonel S. S. Robinson, mana
of the Iron Silver, was also in att
Hey dance, in person, upon this Det'
test and was SO thoroughly plea
, with the result as to recommend
o'o further and more thorough trial
10 Colorado.
far The nrarticaI res;,lt-or more Or