Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-01-21
HILLSBORO MINES.
Opinion of a Competent Mining Engineer
First Discoveries Made-Annual Out
put-Oapital and Systematic Work
Needed for Proper Develop
ment.

uenL,
Special correspondence New Mexican.
Hillsboro, N. NJ. Jan. 14.-One of the
most competent mining engineers who
has investigated the Hillsboro district
said to The New Mexican representa-
tive, relative to existing conditions:
THE mines of the Hillsboro district,
since their first discovery in 1878, have
produced several million dollars in gold,
silver and copper. From the sale of
their claims and from the profitable
working of others a considerable mum
Der of men have acquired a competence
or small fortune and for 20 years these
mines have furnished a living to a nu-
merous population. The mines are on
true fissure veins, the ore bodies are
fairly reliable and continuous, and the
history Of mining here should have been
one of steady progress and enlarge
ment. The Hillsboro district ought now
to be making an annual output of from
two to three million dollars. The rea-
sons for the failure of the district to
advance commensurately with it's re-
sources are obvious.
"Of the various companies hat have
acquired the most promising mines not
one has entered the field with sufficient
capital or with proper intelligence of
the requirements. With n exception
in the past, and one now operating, all
have made pronounced financial fail
ures. The mines have been mortgaged
and sold and re-sold and their reputa-
ton seriously damaged. And yet the
| mines are not at fault, for these same
| properties in the hands of the present
~leSSees pay a revenue to the owners and
profit to the operators. The principal
error has been in the treatment of the
ore, which is chiefly sulphide. The
former arrangements all made amalga-
nation the principal feature in treat
ment and made concentration a minor
feature, using only the inefficient bum
per tables and in some cases even ig-
noring the concentrates. Last summer
the first efficient concentrating machine
was introduced into the camp at the
Porter mill, with an immediate result
of saving over $40, 900 in the remaining
months of the year.
But this is not sufficient and the
present condition of reduction work is
only suited to the lighter ores, such as
can be concentrated from Is to 20 into
/. For the proper treatment of the bulk
of the ore which will only resolve 5, 6
or I into l, there is needed a complete
graduation of jig machines which will
first extract the coarse particles of iron
and copper sulphides. From these jigs
the remaining silicious pulp would pass
to the Huntington, where the amalga-
nation with mercury would be used to
advantage, the then highly comminuted
pulp then passing over the Whitley table
Where the final saving would be made.
The extraction of values would result
about SO per cent by the jigs, 20 by
amalgamation and 10 by the tables, a
total of 80 per cent, half again as much
as made in the best of times by the
companies. That difference in results
would have kept the same companies
on their feet and brought them out
ahead instead of in bankruptcy.
Such works as above described will
cost, with their full equipment, $25, 900
to $4,000. To put any one of the big
mines in shape to make and maintain
an output thai will justify such works
will need an investment of from $780,
900 to SIS, 900.
THAT is all that is the matter with
Hillsboro. The mines are good and
there are many of them. Some of them
are so far developed as to be certainties
and some are prospects with just as
good surface showings as the certain
ties had in their beginning. Unless
Hillsboro secures the capital, and in
telligence of mining with it, the mines
will poke along as they are now do
people. With capital and intelligence
the camp would soon blossom into the
greatness and Importance it deserves.
Mining men can be assured hat there
is at Hillsboro a comparatively un-
known field we'll worth their most care
full inspection. Good veins are found
with ore from the word go, and ore hat
run from n to ten ounces in gold per
ton. The present owners are as a rule
willing to let go at fair prices. They
are quite well aware of their own in
competency and how utterly out of their
own reach are the requirements for
making these mines pay" J. F. M.