Gilpin observer., 1900-07-26
rHE COST OF TESTING A NINE.

THE COST OF TESTING A MINE.
Several inquiries have been received
from eastern persons regarding the
probable cost Of tho examination Of
mining properties ami leading brokers
report that they are constantly in re-
ceipt of letters, asking for Information
on this matter. In many Of these cases
the writer's exhibit remarkable ig-
norance Of what is required rf mining
engineer in the examination Of mine.
One broker was asked to employ a
competent man at an expense of not to
exceed $50 to examine n placer mine in
the western part Of Rouit county con-
tanning nearly 1900 acres. AS travel
ing expenses would amount to more
than twice thai sum, no one has yet
been found willing tU go, and in an ex-
animation of placer property recently
concluded, an expert was on the ground
nearly six weeks in arriving at au ap-
proximate conclusion regarding the val
tie Of tract of $50 acres.
The expense Of examining a mine or
prospect varies greatly, important fac
tors being the character of the proper
ty, the character and extent of the ore
body, the amount of development, the
distance to be Travelled, the modes Of
engineer, or prospects with trif1ing
development, the charges of engineers
are comparatively light, hut for mines
which have large bodies Of ore exposed
an examination frequently runs up
into thousands of dollars, as he
sides the fee of the engineer.
numerous assays must he made,
assistants are required to aid
the engineer, and frequently many
tons of ore must be run through a test
ing plant to determine the best meth
DDS of treatment. Less than two years
ago the examination Of large mine
in this state involved the making of
LOO assays at cost of more tllan
81 800, and the treatment of 800 tons
of ore. In addition to these expenses
must be taken into account travelling
expenses, hotel bills and incidentals,
such as the purchase of necessary
tools, the employment of extra labor,
etc.
Average engineers expect to receive
as fees not less than $25 day and ex-
penses. This is not extravagant, as
few even at that figure make more
than an ordinary professional income
during the year, while many are for
tunate If they net the average wage
of bookkeeper. Engineers of estab-
lished reputation make much higher
charges. There are several engineers
in this state who will not look at
mine for less than $1,000, and many
instances can bc cited in which the en-
gineer's fee, exclusive Of expenses,
was as high as $4,000. This class of
expert engineer as rule declines to
examine anything ',ut developed mines,
or make general re ,,orts covering large
areas of mineral territory, which in
clude geological and Typographical fea-
lures, water supply, engineering possi-
bilities and matters OF that kind. which
require exceptional skill and expert
ence. On the other hind. there are In
this city, not fewer than 100 good en-
gineers who will MAXI examinations
of small mines and prospects for from
500 to $500 and expenses, dependent
upon the distance from Denver and 9TH
er factors mentioned. Large mining
syndicates usually employ their engi-
neers by the year and pay large sal
aries Several Denver men receive $1O,-
600 year with the privilege Of inak-
ing outside examinations, and one Colo
RADIO man in the employ of London
syndicate receives an annual income
of about $4,000 as consulting engineer
for several companies. To make the
trip to Routt county. mentioned above,
would require 1000 for competent
engineer, 5000 for travelling expenses.
S125 for hotel bills, and the wages of
not less than two men at $3.50 to "
day for six weeks. The engineer could
probably be secured for $25 day, and
by increasing the force of laborers, so
as to cover the ground more rapidly, the
total expense would be materially re-
duced, but in that case it might be nee
essary to employ an assistant to the en-
gineer to enable him to keep his record
of extraction up to the work of the
men digging the its.-Republican.