The Neihart herald. [volume] (Neihart, Mont.) 1890-1901, 1891-07-10
ELECTRICITY APPLIED TO MINING

The application Of electricity as a
motive power enlarging the capacity
Of man to subdue and utilize the
force of nature is marvellous and it's
progressive history Of the past twenty
years appals the intellect; from can
al boat transportation to the electric
car i'll one generation. Nothing in
history to compare to such record.
The mining world is notably slow
in the adoption Of new devices, but
when its conservatism approves
departure from old methods no busi-
ness in the world enters more ernest
ly into the work and, it is now apply
ing electricity wherever it can be
used in the diminishing Of expenses
in the extraction and reduction of
ores and conducting to the safety Of
the miner.
The Northern mining camp was
the first to use electric drills and the
Poorman Co. will be the first to use
1t as exclusive motive power and for
lighting mines and mills and it seems
from the following in the Denver
Republican that Colorado will prove
good second.
"The introduction of electricity
into mining promises to revolution
ize the old methods and briug into
profitable operation many properties
heretofore idle through lack of an
economical power for the transporta-
ton of ore for the operation Of stamp
mills and concentrators, or even for
drilling where large bodies and low
grades were to be found.
''ln nearly every camp there is an
abundance OF water power to be had,
but the trouble is to get the power
just where it was most needed, or
the ore to where the power could be
utilized. This problem seems near
to solution BY the combination of the
water and the electric motor and the
practical methods for transmission of
the power SO generated directly to
the mine.
"Recent experiments in the utiIiz-
alton Of electricity in this manner
have been watched with "a great deal
of interest by miners and mine own
ers, and the success of the one at
Telluride is of no small Importance.
'The Gold King stamp mill at that
point is now in successful operation
from electricity conveyed two and
one-half miles from an alternating
current dynamo, capable Of dcvcl-
oping 40 horse power, it in turn
operated by water power.
''I'he idea of utilizing the great
power of the mountain streams here
tofore wasted, originated with l.. /.
Num-, who is interested in and gen
eral manager of the Gold King prop
erty. He is the pioneer in the impor-
tant innovation, and he is entitled to
the thanks Of the world for this in
vention.
''Other mine owners in the Tellu-
ride District have been prompt to see
the great economy of the new scheme
and other plants will be put in at
once. The Belmont will convey pow
cr to its mills three miles and a half
from the valley below, and others will
follow as soon as possible.
''I'hc saving to the mine owners
and the increase in profits which will
accrue to the owners Of mines high
up in the mountains or away from
convenient water power can readily
be seen. Mills can now be built at
the mines, and the concentrates rath-
er than the ores conveyed to the val
ley below. Mills that have been
forced to burn timber or coal can
through this method operate more
economically, and the many low
grade properties to which the ex-
pense of power has been bar to op-
GRAFTON can be worked to profit. 1t
is a step forward in mining. and
when thoroughly understood and put
into common ,,ca will add milliouS