Arizona weekly citizen. [volume] (Tucson, Ariz) 1880-1901, 1891-10-17
LOW GRADE GOLD ORES.

We yield space to the following art
icle from the Mining and Scientific
Review on,,the working Of low grade gold
ores and the enormous profits derived
from su ch class Of minerals:
The experience of miners and mill men
in Deadwood, South Dakota, IN Alaska
and at certain points 10 California IN
the treatment of low grade gold ores or
quartz, serves as a valuable lesson to
those who may be operating similar
class il Colorado. We ind a recent
statement Of facts in the Deadwood
Pioneer from the managers OF the
Homestal.e and Deedwood Terra COM
panIes that is eminently worthy the
careful attention of the operators IN
Telluride District, San Miguel county,
where, undoubtedly, the most extensive
gold quartz mines of the state are locat-
ed. These show that during the past
twelve months Homestake ore has yield
ed only $500 per ton average, and the
Deadwood- Terra only Sl.40 per ton, yet
the former has paid ten per cent, dlvld-
ends every month, and has surplus OF
SI2O.OO0. while the latter has surplus
of S3O0OO0 and is paying five per cent,
dividends monthly. These results afford
the highest encouragement to the min
ers of the San Miguel where the average
Yields are infinitely greater. But, to
continue the exhibit of Dakota, there is
a district called Belle Fourche which
has q considerable belt of low grade
mines, containing immense bodies Of
quartz IN vertical assures. Careful ex-
animation and assas give an average Of
sI.9O per ton. The cost of mining,
milling and transportation Is estimated
at one dollar per ton. But to make 1t
pay immense quantities must be crush
ed, therefore it is planned TO set 200
stamps at work crushing 5000 tons
daily. The profit will probably be 90
TO 70 cents per ton and by the reduc-
ton of 5000 tons per day, this method
of operation should pay large dividends
upon the capital invested.
In Alaska, on Douglas Islaed, there
are very great deposits, or veins of low
grade gold ore. One Of these mines, the
Treadwell, owned by California parties,
is yielding over million dollars per
year, 1t has a mill of go stamps. The
crushed ore is mixed with water and
passes over long copper plates covered
with quicksilver in the usual form. The
ore yields about seven dollars per ton.
The supply, however, is practically IN
exhaUstible land is etsily and cheaply
mined. Here, again, the profit Is very
large,
We have stated in a recent number Of
the Review, that the average value OF
1900 tons OF quartz crushed IN Tellurid
district last year was $3.50 per ton,
But much of it ran as high as $40, and
there were lots that yielded $50 per ton.
Now it costs only about one dollar ton
to mine and put this product into the
mills located conveniently near, by au-
Somatic tramways. The cost of reduct-
ION is scarcely more than 10 cents per
ton as the nill in question 40 stamps)
isspropelled by electricity, the motive
power being turbine wheel run by wa
ter, One can easily see that under these
conditions twelve dollar .ore will return
very large profits, and with mill OF
100 or 300 stamps three or four dollar
ore would pay gratifying dIvl-
dends. There are illimitable squan-
titles of such quartz on the
mountain sides at Telluride and Vi
cinity; great veins and lodges OF it, ali OF
which can be made immensely profit
able under proper economic working.
But as already indicated they must
be furnished with rapid mills, so stu
aied With reference to the mines that no
hauling will be required and but little
manual labor in handling. Since steam
power has been superseded by the
cheaper electric applian ces AL the mills
of that country are conducted at less ez-
pense than those of any other district IN
Colorado. They are just at the begin
ming of development there, but the ad-
vantages are seen to be Of the most IN
vitiug character to capitalists. The
Door man: however, stand shut Little
chance of securing a fortune. These
mines can only be made successful by
combinations which can furnish great
reduction works, employing large num-
besS of men, and providing all needed Ia
cilities for cheap and rapid extraction
and manipulation. Such combinations,
have been created and next year will be
in shape TO turn cut some millions OF
gold bullion. 1t Is not eZtravagant to
20 predict that three years hence Tel
luride wall be much the largest gold
producing field in the state. Taking
pattern from what has been accomplish
ed at Deadwood and in the Alaska mines
there is the greatest encouragement in
the prospect there unfolding. If div
idends of ten per cent monthly can be
paid on ore that contains only. $3.50
q ton in Deadwood, even greater profits
can be realized on Telluride ore that
runs from SD to $50. Some of our
northern quartz mines should see what
Telluride is doing. 1t would be revela-
70 fhara