Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1901-11-14
Quartz In Southern oreson

During the past year much greater
interest has been taken in Southern
Oregon quartz mining than ever before.
Many new claims have been located and
developed throughout the various dis
tricts, and new and rich properties have
been brought to light, and old and es-
tablished mines have added to their
plant and equipment. The success be-
ing met by those engaged has given
courage to others, and it now seems an
assured fact that the quartz mines OF
Southern Oregon have entered perms-
nent and profitable business era.
Since the early days OF so years ago
Southern Oregon has been noted as
placer mining region. The gravel Of
every stream was rich with the yellow
grains. and it required but crude
rocker and shovel for the pioneer to
cradle out the precious stuff in astonish-
ing quantities. Even after all the gold
was skinned from the surface, and il be-
came necessary TO introduce the monster
hydraulic giant, the big ledges in the
mountain depths were still ignored by
the miners. Hunting for quartz lodges,
opening them up, and lying by waiting
for purchaser was pursuit too full Of
embarrassments, ard entirely too slow
for the pioneer prospector. 'Pocket'
bunting" was the nearest approach he
made to quartz hunting in Southern
Oregon. The prospector OF today is con-
tent with color in any form tnat it
NAV show itself, but the pioneer miner
and pocket-hunter was not so easily
pleased; he ignored everything but free
eold and even that he wanted in as big
chunks and as close as possible. These
things led to Southern Oregon being
known as pocket" and placer mining
country.
Much more capital, mechanical skill
tand scientific experience is required in
the opening up Of a quartz property than
is necessary in placer mine. These
things, coupled with the excellent
natural facilities offered, made Southern
Oregon take leading place as a mining
field in the gold regions OF the coast.
In this district there are so many
ancient channels, bars stream beds and
gulches possessed Of deep, loose and rich
suriferous gravel, that it can do naught
else than take leading rank as by.
draulic mining region. The small
county Of Josephine contains at the
present time $50 hydraulic placer mines
more than any other section OF like
area in the West Considering the fact
that the great majority of these mines
could,not be worked out for the next
100 years, Southern Oregon, from the
placer point Of view, has brilliant
future before it.
But to the future output OF the hy-
drsulc mines OF this region, will be
added the yield OF the quartz bullion
producers, as every district Of late is
becoming possessed Of its rich quartz
mines. Stamp-mills are having their
batteries increased. crews are being
doubled, plants and equipment are
being added to, and the shafts are be-
ing fearlessly sunk deep down, for
mining men are being brought to the
realization that the Southern Oregon
quartz mines are not merely pockets, but
permanent, paying ledges.
The vein mater OF the Southern Ore
gon lodges varies but little throughout the
various districts, and, with a few ex-
ceptions, may be described as hard,
white and compact quartz, carrying
metallic sulphides and free gold in vary
ing quantity. The Southern Oregon ore
yields readily In the mortar OF the
stamp. mill, go readily, in fact, that the
earlier miners found ready money in a
hand mortar or an arrastre. So much
iree-milling or oxidzed ores existed on
the surface that 1t was not until late
years that any attempt was made TO
save the concentrates, the rich lodges OF
sulphides being left exposed in the
shafts and tunnels.
Aside from gold quartz mining the
discovery OF rich copper ledses has
added much TO this phase Of mining in
Southern Oregon during late years.
The recently discovered copper fields OF
south Josephine county are attracting
the attention Of capitalists and IN etal
lurgists from all parts OF the world.
State Metallurgist Asbury, OF California
states, after making thorough explora'
ton OF the new field, that he believes il
TO be an extension OF the famous Shasta
belt OF Northern California, whose
mines, with the aid OF capital, have 10
late years, made Shasta the ranking
county Of California as metal producer,
Experts who have visited the new field
are firm in their belief that this vast de-
post Of copper will, with proper de-
velopment produce as much metal at
the Anaconda district Of Montana, Of
the Jerome district Of Arizona. While
large area Of the new field is in siski
you county, California, the whole i,
practically in Southern Oregon al
mountain barriers and absence OF roads
make an approach from the south i'm
possible dennis Ii. Stoysll Ia Pacific
Miner.
Oregon Fruit at Buffalo.
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