Arizona weekly citizen., 1890-01-11
MINING.
A Resume of Mining ard Smelling
 Operations in the Southwest.
(EI Paso Bullion.

The year 1889 it was thought by many would be one of unusual prosperity in the silver and gold mining regions of the United States. No special reason could be adduced why this should be so be- yond the fact that it was the lucky de- cade, as commencing from 1S49, every tenth year to the just expiring one had been characterized by important discov- cries and unusual prosperity in the min ing sections of the country. But in this case the cabalistic figure lost it's power and the past year will be known in the annals of mining in the southwe-t t as far from being satisfactory. At this moment | it would be impossible to venture an ap- proximation of the metallic product of the southwest. Whether there has been an increase in the gold and silver bullion production of the southwest can only be ascertained after most thorough in vestigation. It is probable, however, that the production of both metals will not reach the expectations of those VI ho have so energetically devoted years to the development of mining property. The production of lead, 1t is believed will not materially differ with the amount pro duced in 1888. The copper industry ex- perienced a revival, and copper claims have attracted more attention from pur- chasers than for several years past. A favorable sign that appeared during | the two last months of the expired year was the attention given to properties | containing zinc ores, ana it IS not inn probable that before 1890 merges into 1891, that plants will be erected near Santa FA, N. NJ. and Fl Paeo, tha. 5, Ill offer market to those possessing zinc mineral, of which there is an abundance in the southwest.
 But while the aggregate industry in the southwest has not experienced a boom during 1889, and a number of valuable districts have remained com paratively inactive or altogether so. Renewed activity has occurred at other points, as for instance at Cerrillos, San Pedro and Colder, Santa Fe county, N. M. In the Socorro mountains. N. M. in Pinos Altos, Hermosa and in the Or gan mountain, N. M, at Tombstone the Dragoon and Turquois mountains, Ariz ona. To the following causes are attri- buted to the lessened activity manifes- ted in 5he mines of the southwest dur Ing the past twelve months.
 The low market value of silver.
 The increase of treatment charges due to inadequate supplies of desirable lead ores for smelting purposes. The insufficient methods that have been adopted to advertise the p1ineral resour- ces of the southwest. But above all the nefarious agencies that have acted as obstacles to the progress of mining in New Mexico and Arizona, is the alien act that forbids the investment of for eign capital in those territories. We might, cite numerous cases wherein pen ding negotiations failed owing to this unjustifable and selfish law It is sufficient for our purpose to effer the following instance: Just before this enactment was passed by congress a wealthy Scotch syndicate, after spending several thousands of dollars in prelimi nary examination, etc., decided to pur- chase a group of mines in the Mazda lena mountains. All the details had been agreed upon; the price asked was satisfactory as was also the properties, after careful examination by English mining engineers. The amount involved in the transaction, the development that was to follow, and the erection of suit able plant, amounted to S1,000,000. At the last moment, when only the final papers remained to be signed and the money paid, the alien act passed con- gress, and the negotiations came to naught.
 The want of capital is the main ob- stacle in the way of activity in the many sections of the southwest, both to be employed in the opening up of numer- Al Drnl <lA -I4 .1 for the erection of suitable plants, in many cases imperatively necessary to prepare the material for market. The repeal of the alien act would at once open up Arizona and New Mexico to the of activity and prosperity would follow that would secure the respectful atten- tion of the mining world. The coal con- panies operating at Carthage, Cerillos, Gallup and elsewhere in New Mexico, have had a prosperous year, but the manufacture of coke will not reach tho volume it did in 1888. In Arizona coal of good quality has been discovered, and in the immediate vicinity of Fl Paso, over the line in Mexico, it is thought that the carboniferous product found in the early portion of the past year. upon the development of the field, will give this city and its industries supply of good fuel.
 Reports from reliable sources for some time past have been in circulation indicating that at an early date works that utilize the iron and coal of New Mexico, are to be erected near Santa Fe, and such enterprises in view of an al most certainty of reciprocity with Mex ico will he rendered possible and profita- ble in Fl Paso by the construction of the White Oaks railway.