Birmingham age-herald., 1895-09-10
THE SOUTHERN MINING CONVENTION.

MT. William M. Brewer informs the Age-Herald that the convention of own CTS of mineral lands, which is to meet at Auditorium hall in At lanta October 1 for two days session, will probably be presided over by Eugene A. Smith, state miner alogist, the committee having solicited his name to present to the conven- ton. No better or worther man could be selected to fill this important position.
 The secretary of the committee, MT. Robert A. DimmiCk, is securing reports from county officials and others from the various counties comprising the mineral region of the Appalachian range. and the various returns made are in most cases of extensive interest. It is expected the compilation of the statistics thus gained will be of value to many seeking informal tion. The scientific reports have never given the true status. or approXimated with reference to the number of shafts sunk; mines opened, whether active or inactive; the output; number of hands employed; average assay; value of ore or coal: the process used and general condition Reports of this character will be something new. Prof. George W. Hanna, United States assayer, has made report of thirty-one mines in Mecklen- burg N C., which indicate in nearly all cases they have gone down all the way from p to 400 feet. He says "in most cases where the pyrites have been struck at the water level there has been sus- pension of work, but as new processes are demonstrating the great value and ability to work those developments, which prove richer in the average than the top, it is only a question of time be- fore revived activity will take up these abandoned mines" This is by no means unreasonable, but as certain as the day. We have only to refer to the oil region, where work was done on a large scale until it was supposed that the wells were no longer profitable. It was then that new methods Sprang up and dynamite car tridges reopened up the old wells at tri1ing expense and a fresh flow of oil was the result. Who says that the new processes which are being presented shall not solve the problem of treating the low grade ores? Statistice go to show that in Africa but a few years ago only about 50 per cent of the gold was saved Now they realize about 90 per cent.
 There is hardly a question but that different processes may be employed with advantage to different classes of ore, and it is a matter that should be in quired into by the convention that meets in the Auditorium hall October l and Z and if an organization or combination should result, as proposed, 1t would be in order to give the important matter
 
 proper manner, and it would no doubt determine the best method of operating and would result most profitably, not only to individual mining companies, but to the great body of mine owners, and dividends would be oftener realized to in F vestors. This, in the opinion of the Age Herald, is the great matter which is now waiting solution. May this convention deal with it in a proper way.
 The Age-Herald has been shown list of the gentlemen engaged in this work and the names indicate they are men who by united effort will make the con vention grand success
 The following is a partial list of the main movers in this great work: Capt. John Wilkes of the Mecklenburg Iron works Charlotte, N. C.; T. H. Martin, who was the chief promoter of the En- gineers and National Manufacturers association and editor of Dixie at At lanta William M. Brewer, the mining engineer, whose abilities as an expert in this line are sought for north and south; Dr. Arthur Weld of Dalonega, Ga., vice president of the H. B. United Gold mines, and others of prominence are interested in making this grand meeting a success. In the north also it is receiving assist ance through such men as Hon. J. H. Bigley, ex-member of congress, who was often the acting speaker in the Forty eighth congress, and who will give the convention his views on capital in min ing, he being personally interested in this line. . There is no section of the United States that will derive more bene- fit from this convention than the Br- mingham district, and the Age-Herald hopes to see large and representative party from the district in attendance.