Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-08
GETTING OUR TIN.
How English syndicates Are GObbIIng Up
the Richest Mineral Lands of the Black
HtII.-Ora nf MANY Thousaud Tona

How English Syndicates Are GObbling Up
the Richest Mineral Lands of the Black
HiIIs-Ore of Many Thousand Tons
Virtually In Sight Above the Surface
How the Metal is Worked.
The Iron creek and Battle creek tin mining
districts are in the Southern Black hills, Da-
kota, about "a miles from Rapid City, and II
miles from Hermosa, the nearest railroad
point. They are without doubt the richest
sections SO far known Veins of ore from 10 20
20 feet in width can be traced mile after mile,
the lodges stand from to 800 feet above creek
levels, and, says the StoUes and RdrdtOare Re-
porter, the tin can be found as well on the top,
showing even on one claim of ,5OOx30O feet ore,
virtually in sight. of many thousand tons. Field
assays made of ores from different lodges in
this district showed average of over per cent
tin to ton of ore, and in numerous instances
specimens that assayed over 80 per cent.
The vein system throughout the tin belt is
plainly defined. The tin oxide, or cassiterite,
is found in greison rock which has been forced
up through the slate walls from depths below.
The metal-bearing quartz differs more or less
in the different sections. The metal of the
Eastern portion is found mostly in albite with
more or less mica, the latter sometimes in large
books, but as depth is obtained the mica seems
to become finer and the metal finely distrib-
uted through the quartz. Other sections show
hard, CLASSY quartz, with punches of almost
pure cassiterite, and in some instances pieces
Of cassiterite from five to ten pounds in weight
have been found that assayed 20 per cent tin.
The tin-bearing veins west of the Harney
Peak lie in q belt running generally in
northerly and southerly direction. The width
OF the belt is from three to five miles. The
vein matter is quartz, with more or less mica,
but with hardly any albite. Here the cassit-
erite Is found in coarse crystals. The
veins are true dssures. cutting the formation
at various angles. The distinction between
vein and wall rock is clear and marked; the fis-
sures of the deep veins have been made by sub
terranean action or movement, and their walls
frequently bear indications of the movements
from mutual abrasion. The geological condi-
tions are similar to those of foreign countries.
AS to Dakota tin, there is no possible doubt
but that the tin oxide contained in the ore is
of greater purity than any known mines in the
world. Without any refining of the bullion as
it comes from the laboratory it is as pure as the
English commercial refined product. There
are thousands of tons of such tin ore practically
in sight in the Black Hills, standing far above
water level.
In noting the question of profit in this tin
mining industry it might be well to explain
the method of working the ores. The Chicago
Company have adopted the prlnciple of the old
Cornish style OF machinery, with American
improvements. The ore is first passed through
granulated to sizes from 30 to so mesh, then
passed through screens, separating the different
sizes, thence the coarser sizes are concentrated
with the Hartz jig. and the finest sizes by con-
free from all silica and are ready for the
furnace After drying, the concentrates are
mixed with the charcoal and the charge run
through an ordinary water jacket furnace or
cupola, the charcoal taking up the oxygen and
freeing the metallic tin. The whole process Is
very simple and inexpensive. The oxides are
readily separated from the quartz, the former
having specific gravity of from to 8, and the
latter 25 to 3. An entire plant to concentrate
and smelt daily output of 100 tons can be
completed for less than $4,000.
A great deal has been said as to why tin has
not been sent to the market, since such vast
quantities of ore have been found. To those
practically unacquainted with mining enter
Prises It. perhaps, is not surprising question.
To build a mill for working ore before the
mine is developed sufficiently to supply the
same would be q poor business transaction; it
takes time to develop any mine. The character
of the ore must be taken into consideration,
the quantity that can be gotten out per diem,
and many other points must be noted before the
question of milling. A great deal of develop
ment work must be done before the tin can be
made commercially valuable.
The Harney Peak Tin Company Of English
notoriety, are, no doubt, trying to discourage
American capital from seeking investment in
the tin districts Of the Black Hills, and their
methods are apparently not understood by the
majority. They, however, are pushing the
purchase of property wherever experts in their
employ hear of a new find. The amount of
work done by them is and has been, confined
entirely to assessment work or representation
the Government requiring 500 worth of work
done on each claim each year-or doing work
for patents, which they are securing as fast as
possible. At Hill City, where the company
have made their headquarters, a great many
permanent buildings have been put up for va
rious purposes, offices, boarding houses. etc.
The machinery set up so far has simply been
for hoiating and rock drilling. They have not
built reduction or concentrating works, and 1t
is understood that they do not intend to for
some time to come.
The English company, or the Harney Peak
Tin Company, owns some 400 claims, as well as
placer grounds making some 5000 acres all
the law allows any one company or individual,
in the mining territory-hence the organization
of new company, so-called French syndicate
the latter having already bonded and pur-
chased nearly as many more acres.
The apparent object is to control, If possible,
the tin output of America, and another SEEM
ing reason why they do not care to commence
actual milling operations is the fact that as
long as the English part of the company can
continue to place English tin in this market,
there is no occasion for the operation of their
possessions in this country. Hence the advant-
age of keeping Americon mines in the back
ground, for the cheapness of mining, the guam
tity and the purity of the ores, would soon
obiige the Cornwall mines to cease operations
entirely, as they could not compete with us.
The original Eta Company, composed of New
FORK men, built mill of some 100 tons capac-
ity at the time the tin discoveries were first |
made. and run long enough to satisfy them
The mill was then shut down and has not been
run since.