Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1901-03-19
OPERATIONS AT THE DRUM LUM-
MON PROPERTY IN MARYS-
VILE DURING 1900.
VEIN DID NOT SHOW
UP WELL WITH DEPTH
Development Work Was Discouraging
and Mr.. Burrell Says New Pol
icy Must Be Decided Upon.


ing of the directors of the Montana Min
ing company Oimited) held in London.
March II, has been received The report
covers the half year ending December
81. 1900. The report says:
During the six months ending Decem-
her 81. 1900, 1901 tons of ore were ex-
tracted from the mine and passed
Through the mills, yielding in bullion
bars and concentrates Con realized and
estimated realizable values). $6b.2S9.'o or
an average production of $3.50 per ton.
The expenditure on mining and milling.
averaging 1851 per ton, amounted to $685.
S99.90. the net realized profit being S12.-
3S9.S5. On the other hand. the eXpen-
diture for prospecting. operating shafts
and general developments, amounted to
$51,4S2.23, the net result being loss of
$50, O92. SO on the entire mining opera
tions.
From July l to December 81. 1900. -
51S tons of tailngS We're brought under
treatment, and produced cyanide precipi-
tates realizing, as per smelters returns.
$195, 544.57, or an average realization of
$40 per ton.
The expenditure. embracing the trans
port and treatment of the tailings and
redemption of cost of the tailings plant.
per ton. and the net profit obtained was
$96. 269. 26, or an average of $1.33 per ton.
The developments in the mine during
the past half year consisted of shafts.
drifts, cross-cuts. uprases and WINES,
representing a total progress of 1876 lin
cal feet, involving an expenditure of $751;,
1929. The 1901 tons Of ore. however,
which We're extracted from the mine and
passed through the mill, realized profit
of $l2.3S9.S5, thereby minimizing the eX
penditure on exploratory work.
The operations of the tailings plant
were the longest on record, extending
from April II to December 81, when it
was shut down for the winter months.
The entire cost of the plant having been
refunded to capital and the royalty SUBJ
stantially reduced, the operating ex-
penses next season should compare IA
Vorably with the past.
1t will be within the recollection of the
shareholders that in Mr. Burrells report
presented at the last meeting. he stated
that the further supply of profitable ore
depended mainly upon the result of de-
velopment work in the 1000, 1900 and
1900 foot levels from No. shaft. In jan
uary last, Mr.. Burrell reported to the
directors that the result of these opera
that no continuous or payable ore-body
had been exposed by the development
work carried on in this portion Of the
mine The conclusion was therefore,
forced upon the directors that, in view
of the failure to develop fresh supplies
of ore. the closing of the mills and the
abandonment of the lower portion of the
mine was imminent ane that it would
be their duty to take the opinion of the
shareholders on this point at the FORTH
coming meeting.
In order that the shareholders. as we'll
as the directors might be fortified with
the fullest information when deciding
this question, the directors deemed 1t
advisable to summon Mr.. Burrell to
London in order that they might have
the benefit of his advice in arriving at
decision. Mr.. Burrell arrived in Lon
don on the 10th utmo, since when, the
directors have been in constant consul
tation with him. and, as result of these
deliberations. they have arrived at the
conclusion there is very little reason to
expect that further work in the lower
levels Of the mine will result in the dis
covery of any substantial ore body, and
for this reason it is in the interests of
the company that further work below
Burrell has, however suggested that, as
the south face of the 1900 foot level is
now only distant about 600 feet from the
projection of the No. 3 shaft ore body il
1t continues in depth, it would be as
we'll to drive the 1900 foot level until this
point is reached Mr.. Burrell shares the
opinion of the directors that it is i'm
probable the 1600-foot level will encounter
any substantial ore body, even if this
level is advanced, as he suggests; al
the same time he believes it desirable
that this work should be completed ir
order that the company may satisf.
itself that nothing has been left unex.
plored in this vicinity and that the low.
err levels We're not abandoned until ev.
cry possibility of discovering profita bic
ore had been exhausted.
In view of the opinion held by some
shareholders that the mine should be
still further explored in depth, the di