The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-03-12
THE MINES OF MONTANA.
Plans Of. the Boston & Montana for
Future Operations at
Great Falls.
New Bonds to be Issued for an
Immense ElectrOlytic
Plant.
The IRON Mountain S~trike-Oficial Re.
ports from the Elizabeth and
Hope Mines.

II is authoritively reported that the Bos-
ton 4 Montana company intends to make
n further issue of bonds for the enlargement
Of the smelling works under construction
at Great Falls. Mont. An issue of 100000
Is Is being considered, but it does not ap-
pear that the precise amount has been
irrevocably decided upon, nor is it true that
the full plan of construction has been
settled, says the Engineering and Mining
journal. One very important item, that OF
establishing and eleotrolytic plant, ID said
to be still under Amusement. The company
has purchased a large site at Great Falls
opposite the town, n has been preparing
the ground for the foundations and super
structure, so as to admit Of the handling OF
ores by the gravity plan. The grounds are
SO extensive that in time the company can
take the ore as it is delivered from the
mines at Butte and convert it into
manufactured copper by providing
the buildings and machinery. Pres
ent plans hardly reach SO far as
that. Captain Daniel, of the Tamarack
and other mines, gives the opinion that the
Boston and Montana mines can be made to
yield easily twice their present output.
The company. therefore, purposes to build
larger works than it originally contem-
plated for the production of casting copper.
Works of this description, with provisions
for enlargement. will cost from Sl.OOO,OOO
to 81, 100000. If the electrolytic plant Is
added, the cost will be materially higher;
lust how much is now being investigated.
According to the Boston Herald the COM
PAW finds a foreign market for all the cop
per matte which it can produce: The for
eipners manufacture this matte into electro
lytic copper, and are believed to be making
heavy protts of the process. The Montana
matte is sold so that the refners have all
the silver in matte where it runs less than
80 per cent, and it is calculated
that the silver thus saved will pay the cost
of applying the electrolytio process.
WHY may not the Boston and Montana
supply all of these processes and produce
the next best grade to Lake Superior lnGot,
and save all the cost of triple handling, as
we'll as the silver which it now loses? This
1t is estimated that the company lost $780,
coo a year for two years in this item of sill
yer, which the electrotytic process would
save. Call it $780, 600 and it equals five per
cent. on $4,000, 900. TIL company has sold
toward paying for the Great Falls plant
$500, 600 seven per cent. bonds due Feb. !,
1900, at 80. realizing $450,0OO, of which it is
believed that less than $4,000 has been
expended. The proposed 100000 sevens at
80 would yield $4,000 or $3.50, 600 for both
issues. This money and 4 moderate levy
upon current money would, it is estimated,
pay for the works, except the electrolytic
addition, which would have to be subse-
uuently provided for. There is talk of
selling the new bonds to shareholders, per-
haps at a price to give a value to the sub.
scription privilege.