The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-11-28
MICHIGAN
SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEsT"
Copper Market at a Low Point-Adven
ture Mill to Be OverfauIed.

"copper" MarkeS at a Low Point-Adven.
ture Mil to Be overhauIed.
HoUGHToN, MIcH.-with copper SELL
ing at II to IL cents, it is
a case Of the survival of the
fittest, for while the metal has sold as low
as 9 cents, within a decade, the added
cost Of production, due to increased wages
and higher prices for machinery and sup
plies, is not less than 20 and probably
about % per cent, making copper selling
at II cents no more profitable in produce
ton now than metal sold at 9 cents in
1894. A great many figures have been
made, some Of which have shown that the
Lake Superior mines would all have to
shut down because richer mines elsewhere
could make cheaper copper. Such figure,
of percentage Of metal returned by the
mines are most misleading, unless con-
sidered in connection with other facts Of
equal Importance. 80.
While the lake mines are the lowest in
grade of any active copper mines of the
world, they have the great advantage of
securing the rative metal, which merely
requires melting down in a furnace to
eliminate gangue rock adhering to the
particles of metal, and is then finished
copper commanding the highest price in
the worlds market.
The Adventure MILL which has not been
giving satisfaction, IS to be overhauled.
While 1t Is to be regretted that brand
new mill should work so poorly, it is bet
ter, to make it right now than to putter
along, with an equipment that is not CIV
ing satisfaction. The changes will not be
radical, the principal need seeming to be
a general readjustment and llarmonizing
of the various features from the rock
bins to the slime tables. Who is to sue
coed r. R. Roberts superintendent is
not known as yet.
Do1t: r,,s., b..
three great new mines of the south range,
are increasing their output, and are al
ready. factors of great importance in the
copper situation. Beginning with Janu-
airy the combined output Of these three
mines will be greater than the entire cop
per production of any country except Aus
tralia, Canada, Chile, Germany, Japan.
Mexico, Spain, Portugal and the United
States. and exceeding the total production
of any Of such well-known districts as
Bolivia, Cape Colony, Italy, Norway, Peru,
Russia and Tasmania. The south range
mines have been denounced as partial
humbugs, and their arrangements CEN
sured for making inflated claims. While
such criticism may not lie without effect
in the stock market, the final result de-
ponds on the mines themselves, and they
are beginning to speak in such a strong
voice that the critics must speedily turn
their attention elsewhere. These three
properties combined can be compared only
with the Calumet and Hecla, Rio Tinto
and Anaconda, among the giant copper
mines Of the globe.
The Phoenix is getting its new mill in
shape to start in the spring. While no
body expects 1t to make large producer,
there Is good reason to believe that a.
small output will be secured from assure
veins at a good profit a pound.
The Baltic and Champion mines have
assure veins of chalcocite cutting their
amygdaloid bed from which considerable
is secured. This Is sent to the mill and
stamped, dressed and smelted with the
native copper.
Recent developments on the Sibnsky
tract indicates that the lode now being
opened is the Kearsarge. The showing
in copper is excellent.
The Franklin will soon break ground
for a second shaft on the conglomera;te,
at the Junior mine. Tho Junior is now
making about IA or Is pounds ingot ton
from the conglomerate, and is producing
large scale.
There is more or less unrest among
the shareholders Of the Osceola, and con-
siderable matter has appeared in print re-
garding the situation. Eastern announce
ments that control of the stock Is now
held by Amalgamated interests are err
roneous.