The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1900-05-01

pOfpuyTy IOImdtlOUS suOH huS
numerous exposures of copper
stained iron-outcrOps, rich cop
per float and springs of water
heavily impregnated with copper
In solution. Evidences of mineral
wealth, that should prove of fas-
cinating interest to that genius
of western enterprise, THE
strong armed, ravehearted ad-
vance agent of prosperity"-the
great American prospector-
The Copper Basin group of
mines are now being actively de-
veloped by Hon. A j. Crook for
a Portland company. This com
pany is employing a force of
about 80 men, and besides sys-
tematically developing the mines,
they are also building a small
smelter of about 40 tons capacity
with which to test the ore, and
if this should prove successful, a
much larger plant will be put in
at once. and copper production
commenced on an extensive scale
This great property has nearly
2OOO feet of shallow development
in the shape of shafts, cuts and
tunnels, and is said to make even
a more extensive surface showing
of ore than the White Knob
mines.
1t is well defined mineral
lode or zone over 300 feet wide.
and can be plainly traced for
several thousand feet in length
The enclosing formations are
lime and porphyry, and it also
carries some strong dykes of
gritty conglomerates, which may
themselves prove a valuable
source of copper in depth
Within this great zone are two
well defined pay-streaks or
courses of shoots of mixed carb-
onate and oxide ores, 10 to 40
feet wide, that carry average
values of from 5 to so per cent
copper, and s. to 800 in gold and
silver per ton
A carload lot was broken down
in mass, from one of these shoots
last summer, without sacking or
sorting, and shipped to a Kansas
City smelter, where it yielded a
net profit of 1900.
The ores of this mine are very
| free smelling and carry almost
enough lime, iron and silica to
make them self-fiuxing. and with
such a veteran smelter man as
Mr.. Crook in charge, the sue
cess of this important enterprise
is a foregone conclusion.
Adjoining the Copper Basin
properties the Rosencrans mine
is being actively developed at the
present time. This property has
a so ft. vein of low grade ore, and
one fine streak of rich ship
ping ore 2 feet wide, that carries
an average value of 40 per cent.
copper, 100 ozs. silver and $50 in
gold per ton
In the same vicinity the Ander-
son group has a large vein OF
low grade ore, and a 80 ft- shaft
sunk on a 4 # pay-streak of %
per cent copper ore, together
! with 50 in gold and Is ozs- silver
, per ton.
There are dozens of other rich
copper, gold, silver and lead
, bearing veins in this upper Lost
, river region, a detailed descrip
tion of which would fill a page
. as some of them are quite vel
developed and have large ton
mage of ore in sight
This region also abOunds In
very rich deposits of graphite,
, antimony and zinc ores, all OF
which viii have a good marke
value when cheap railroad trans
portation shall have been afford
! ed.
This much desired boon i:
,, liable to be realized at an early
: date, for there is very brigh
: prospect that the Idaho Midland
railway from Boise to Butte, i
: going TO be built right away. ant
branch put out from the mail
line at Challis to Lost river
With this connection establishes
!, freight could be handled TO an,
: from the East, via. Butte, over
, choice of four competing trans
continental lines, at very favor
able rates, and would unquestion
. ably result in placing Custe
= county in an enviable position a
! copper producer from her Biz
+ Lost River Copper Belt
= r. n. BELL