Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-09-13
GOLD DISCOVERIES AND MINING.


ton of activity in the search for goi
mines. This has been particularly notice
able the past year. 1t is true that prior
to the opening of the present year there
had been some rich finds made in differ
ent parts of the world, but nothing tc
compare with the strikes that have been
made in the last IL months.
From South America reports have been
received of discoveries of rich gold bear
ing mines; the Klondike excitement does
not seem to abate, Notwithstanding the
difficulties to be encountered by the pros
pectors and miners, and the repeated
warnings not to come until next spring;
In Minnesota, in Alabama, in California,
IN Colorado, and other states, searchers
for the yellow metal have been rewarded
withwhat seem to be remarkably rich
claims; ard now the last locality to be
heard from as gold field is the old state
of New York, where the deposits of gold
are said to rival those of the famous
Alaska diggings. In fact, the search for
gold appears to be universal, and the
metal is being found in places where it
has always been thought impossible for
1t to exist. In mentioning the new dis
coveries those made in Santa Fe county,
N. M, must not be forgotten.
Some few years ago celebrated French
savant got himself very much laughed at
for predicting that just such a condition
would exist before the close of the niue
teenth century. He based his opinion
upon the theory that the greater part of
the earths surface, as it is now, was
formed by volcanic action and therefore
gold would be found in some very IN
expected places. That he knew whereof
he spoke, recent developments furnish
conclusive proof. From the fact that
such discoveries have been made it ia
within reason to suppose that they will
continue to be made, and before the
twentieth century has grown many years
old the worlds supply of gold will
undoubtedly be sufficient to meet every
demand made upon it for money purposes.
By some this may be looked upon as
wid-eyed statement, but, Judging from
the events OF the last year, there is moth
ing impossible or unreasonable about it.
What effect such an increase in the
amount of available gold will have upon
the monetary systems of the world, is be-
yond the ken of ordinary mortals, but no
special hardships will result to the pso-
more gold the better, and the
Easier it will be to get hold of part of
it.
In regard to gold mining in New Mex
loo the future is bright. The remarkable
strike made in the Golden district last
week, at depth of $50 feet, would in
llcate that deep mining is TO be the pay
ng manner of operating the gold mines
n the territory. 1t has long been the idea
hat the lower mine was worked the
more refractory the ores became, and that
was not profitable to handle ores pro.
ured at any great distance from the sur.
ace. The quartz found in the Golden
trike is free milling, and thus an enron
GUS idea is corrected. What the results
# further investigation will be no one
an foretell, but enough is already known |
o settle the refractory theory.
One of the great drawbacks to success
III gold mining in the territory heretofore
as been the manner in which the ores
ave been treated. A large per cent of
he values has been lost in the tailinps.
nd ores that would pay to treat, had the
roper method been employed, have been
lowed to lie on the dump because of the
aste, thus making them Improbable to
andle. This difficulty is in fair way to
g overcome by the introduction of more
erfect milling appliances and more
tellgent manner Of treatment. It re-
ulres experiments and experience to
axe success of any undertaking.
The experimental stage has been passed,
I'd with it the necessary experience
lined. In the future gold mining in
is territory will be conducted in q man
n which will yield large returns in the
,eoious metal and the miners will be the
liners, while the industry will receive
Nv impetus from the success attained
those already engaged in it. There is
world of gold ore in New Mexico, much
which is of a low grade, and with the
e of improved methods for saving it
3 output of the mines in the territory
II have preceptible effect on the sup
y of the world.
New Mexico has suffered materially
ON the low price of silver, but the evil
s not been unmixed with good. Re-
lting from that evil has been the de- !
lopment of the gold properties to such
extent that the possibilities of the
mes are known, and FROM this time on
attention of miners will be directed
systematic and intelligent extension
their operations, which will place the
ritorY in the front ranks of the gold
oduoing countries. /