The Wadsworth dispatch. [volume] (Wadsworth, Nev.) 1892-1899, 1897-12-04
MINE DEVELOPMENT.
A Profitable Industry. A Sug.
gestion by J. W. Pinder,
Mining Engineer.

Those who have made intelligent OBJ
s~ervation of the possible mineral produc-
ton of Nevada cannot doubt that great
wealth and prosperity will some day
attend the efforts of legitimate enter
prise in the proper development OF the
numerous and promising deposits known
to exist within the state.
That Nevada is dilatory in this partl-
cular cannot be denied. Almost every
one has claims, more or less, but few
possess the means with which to develop
them. And there seems to be little real
interest manifested in procuring the
necessary assistance of those who have
such a But there is one feature
connected with the mining industry
which is apparently but little under
stood, and that is the matter OF mine
development, or to make it clearer, the
lack of mine development.
There are almost as many prospects
as there are claims; and there is one
very prominent idea in the minds OF
prospecting miners, and that is, if they
have a 90 foot shaft or a 100 foot tunnel
on a lode, they have a mine. But where
one good prospect has these there are a
hundred of less development. If the
people OF the mining districts doubt this
assertion let them cast their eyes over
the mining fields of their W section
and figure on the developed and unde-
veloped lodes, and they may realize what
they have within their grasp in the way
OF golden wealth with no one grasping for
it. And why? l will answer Because
the amount of development does not
justify the thousands of dollars generally
asked for the property. In. these later
days Of greater experience there must be
something to show for the demand, and
it must be so developed that it may be
estimated by measurement, as to width,
depth, length, quantity and value per
assays, less the probable cost of mining
and reduction and on this showing it is
very safe to determine whether the
demand is in excess Of the estimated
value. There are many other points to
be taken into consideration when pur-
c~lasers estimate values, where a ques-
tion of hard cash is concerned, that have
been taught by long experience. And
here let me say Tie period when holes
in the ground have II value is passed /;
there must be developed merit for coin.
The markets are flooded with so-called
''mines," and when an offer is critically
investigated even in the city before the
property itself is examined it too often
falls short. And il the prospect does
present acceptable features and enough
to induce the expenditure of time and
money to examine the property, in nine
cases out OF ten, there is something to be
discounted.
At the present time there is an active
demand for good developed properties,
and l will say right here that it is less
trouble to sell a fairly developed prop
erty than it is to find one. l know OF
five requests in one day. recently, from
English and American capital, all want
ing well developed, active producing
| properties, not 30 much the production
bullion as of ores, as a guarantee for a
milling or smelling proposition-with
sufficient development upon which some
safe computation as to value could be
made to justify the price asked. 1t is a
fact that it is almost impossible to meet
such demands.
A prospect having a shaft 80 feet deep
and a drift so feet on the lode having a
| .'nominal" value OF say $4,000 would
hardly be looked at by capital; while
the same property having a shaft 300
feet deep and 800 feet Drift on the lode,
would readily command a price of at
least $500, 900, with say $4,000 to $4,000
Tor development OF five or six months
work. THIS is an example OF the profit.
OF development.-Elko Independent.
OHM Dnuyor M 0fN0