The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1900-01-25
MISTAKES OF THE PAST.


mistakes were made. As a result, ae-
cording to perusal Of the California
Mines and Minerals OF the Miners As
ISOLATION, many mines had to be aban-
doned, after more or less loss, and peo-
pie came to look upon gold quartz min
ing as a risky business. 1t was found,
ultimately, that the fault lay more with
the men themselves than with the
mines. Basing the entire yield oil lode
on few assays from rich specimens OF
ore from chimney" was found to be
fallacious; and experience taught the
lesson that good solid ledge OF aver
aoe ore was far more valuable than the
mere rich pocket mine bright with
specimens. It was found, too, that be-
cause a mine was a gold mine, it did not
follow that all sorts OF extravagant ex-
penditures could be INDUCED in; that its
operations must be conducted on a busi-
ness basis, and economy be practiced in
all departments, the same as in man
ufacturing or other enterprise. These
things are true of other States, as well
as California, and are here mentioned
simply that the changes and advances
may be noted, which have gradually
led to the present condition of the
quartz mining industry in California.
It may be confidently stated that the
quartz industry of the State is in bet
ter condition to-day than it has been
since its inception. The appliances for
saving gold which have been perfected
are applied intelligently and carefully,
and every effort is made to gain large
percentage of the gold that is in the
ores,
What are termed low-grade ores very
in value from 49, 80 to So per ton in gold;
and high grade ores are those yielding
from Sl5 to $50 per ton. The average
value OF the ore treated at present may
be stated at $40 to $12 per ton. In the
grade ores, the gold can seldom be
seen with the naked eye, but the high
grade ore often shows particles of free
gold. Internationally, the ore worked
consists generally of quartz gangue,
carrying free gold and iron pyrites.
Quartz is the characteristic matrix of
the veins, though other matrixes oe-
cur.
The milling of gold ores in California
has been greatly perfected of late years
and 1t is now possible to work ores pro-
htably that twenty years since were
practically worthless. This has come
about by the adoption of more econom-
ical methods in both mine and mill, and
greater care in tho handling of the ore,
as well as increased knowledge of the
proper way to treat the ores in the mill.
Improved appliances are also import
ant factors. The present form of stamp
mill combines durability of construction
with an automatic simplicity in the
manipulation of the ores. The import
ant object in the treatment is to secure
the largest yield consistent with the
least waste of the metals, by the adopt
ion Of the most rapid simple, and econ
omical method of reduction and ANAL
gamation. The cyanide process, chlor-
nation process, and canvas plants, play
an important part in the ultimate saw
ing Of all the gold
Although the ordinary stamp-mill
still continues to maintain its prestige
for the reduction OF ores in California,
1t Is proper TO state that, within the
past few years, various forms of roller
mills and other forms of pulverizers
have been largely put into use, especial
ly on small mines, where the owners
were unwilling, or unable, to go to the
expense of erecting stamp-mills. There
are several types of the pulverizers
varying more or less in principle, but
forming in themselves complete ready
built mills, simply needing foundation
to be ready for work. These cost less
than stamps, and have been found very
effective on certain classes of ores. In
fact, their use is increasing gradually,
as they are well adapted for prospect
ing mills and mines owned by individuals
or small companies. There are some
persons who advocate their use in pref
erence TO the stamp for crushing ore.
However, numbers are made, sold and
put into use, and, in certain instances,
their effectiveness cannot be doubted.
There have been many and costly
failures in quartz mining, and, from the
fact that all quartz veins cannot be pro-
life gold bearers, there will be failures
in the future; yet experience has been a
good teacher, and impaired knowledge
where ignorance once existed, and i'm
provements in machinery, and better
knowledge o. working ores, have done
much Of late in giving reliability to
quartz mining that it did not possess in
earlier years, when there was a general
inexperience as to the characteristics oil
mineral bearing veins, and woeful lack
of knowledge in properly manipulating
the ores. Early quartz mining was at.
tended with great expense, and only be-
cause OF the richness of many veins was
it possible to obtain profit when there
was such an absence OF skill and econ.
omy. Quartz miners have learned, how
ever, that collaborating veins are not
rich as rule, but are yet sufficiently
reliable, in majority of cases, to yield
profit II the same prudence and in