The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1888-03-17
THE LEAD OUTLOOK.

The steady upward tendency i,
the market price of lead for som
time past foreshadows very pros
porous season for the mining ant
production of this useful metal O
commerce. The prospects of
uniform demand and constant ad
vance in value are exceedingl,
bright, and no fears need be enter,
tanned of an over production il
such degree as to affect the price
OF ths metal for at least a Ions
time to come.
1t is reported that the OUTPUT
around Leadville, Colorado, which
has been the great lead producing
locality of the United States for
years past, is gradually declining
Such being the case, it may have a
bearing on the amount of produc-
ton, but on the other hand the de-
creased supply will enhance the
market price.
The continued and persistent
buying of lead by spectators is
causing no little alarm to consum-
ers, and while anxiety is felt by the
bona fide dealers in the metals in
the various industries, operators
have already arranged for future
deliveries. For instance, the deliv-
cries to be made during the mouths
OF May and June are quoted at
$5:25 per one hundred pounds !;
tor July, s., 80, and for the months
OF August and December, 1891
to $3.50. From these quotations
1t would seem that the price, al
though susceptible of fluctuations,
will not reach much below the pres
ent figures during the year, and
with every prospect Of advancement.
While there may be material
decrease in the production of lead
in Colorado there are hundreds of
monster lodes and deposits of lead
ore in Idaho that have scarcely
been touched, the ores of which
are unsurpassed in the large per-
centage of lead they carry. Such
properties have been lying dormant
in the past owing to isolated situa-
tons, high freight rates and the
comparatively low grade of silver
the ores contained, making the
working of them improbable to
their owners. But the present &C
tivity in thedemand for lead will
give renewed life to the operations
of all properties of this character,
and favorable results may be con-
tidently expected.
There is little probability of there
being any material change in the
prevailing prices during the year.
If there is any change, the natural
conclusion is that it will be for the
better. Besides the rich class of
silver-lead mines now being sue
,essfully operated in Central and
Northern Idaho, there are a great
many others of the class of mines
above referred to which are favora-
'ly located for economical work,
md the ores from which are of
such high grade in lead-even
hough they carry but small
of silver-that the lead
lone ought to return a profit in
excess of the incidental expenses
# production.
The extensive galena lodes of
4lttle Wood river, Lost river, Ger
mania and Washington Basins, on
he East Fork of Salmon river, the
numerous deposits of lead ores at
ne head of Fourth of July creek
tributary of Salmon river, and
many large low grade silver but
Ugh grade lead mines on Warm
springs creek, all being more par
in the category of lead
aines, must sooner or later become
eslrable properties, and under the
avorable auspices Of the times be
eckoned among the future produc-
ng mines of the country. All that
necessary to make these prop
rites that are now lying idle pro-
uctlve and remunerative, is to re-
ain the duty on imported lead ,
ullion and make a reduction of ,
eight rates. II there can be no ,
eneral reduction of rates on ores.
lere should be a discrimination ;
lade between the charges on high (
rade silver ores and the charges {
n the low grade ores, in proportion :
the difference in their value. !
he strong state Of the lead mar :
ct should encourage the owners of :
lis class of property to begin &C. :
We work upon their mines at an !
lrly day, as these mines which .
ave hitherto been considered of :
nall value may now yield a fair q
rofit. =