Idaho Springs siftings., 1903-05-30
Native Copper ~
Showing DiscOv-
erred Up Fall ~
, River. ~ ~


H. up Fall River brought a specimen
of ore down the other day showing ma
tive copper. 1t has been placed in the
case of Assayer Darts's and attracts con-
siderable attention. Mr.. Dart states that
it is unquestionably a fine showing of
native copper and probably represents
from to per cent.
For the past ten years it has been
known that there must be quite for
1nidable copper deposit at some point on
Seaton or Belleview Mountain. The re-
ports that native copper had been uncov-
cred have been persistent but in each
case it has proven sulphate of copper or
so strong that it closely resembles the
real stuff. In this case there can be no
question for there is facing on the ore
that shows it to be of the purest kind.
In the Aduddell considerable copper
.sulphate has been discovered. AS a mat
ter of fact the water FROM the mine is so
strongly impreguated with the mineral
that it cannot be used for steaming pur.
poses as it practically incrusts the boil
-ers and makes them worthless. Where
an iron instrument like a hammer or
nail is dropped into the water it is soon
practically plated with the formation.
The same is true in the Crown Point.
In the level where the last work was
done the water was so prolific of copper
and the sulphates that it could not be
employed for steaming purposes. The
mine is on the apex of the mountain and
the task of hauling water for the boilers
was too expensive SO a gasoline holster
was installed.
Mr.. Moran states that he has had an
abundance of this mineral and that it
has been showing up in substantial guam
titles for some time. 1t practically faces
the veins in every crevice and the propo-
sition will be looked into thoroughly by
those familiar with copper.
If it will continue S per cent stuff, or
even per cent stuff, it will become a
wonderfully valuable proposition as the
great copper deposits on the lakes are
said to show about three or four per cent
and some of them even less than this.
At Brookvale, native copper has been
found in paying quantities and last year
a good proposition was uncovered near
Grand lake, in Middle park. While
these may soon peter out or the forma-
Hion may change, yet it is always inter
esting to know that there is every reason
to believe that the metal will be found
,r,Lara Il 10 MT a hi Dr0duct hut -, ;ts M
tive state. Some considerable amount
is realized in the district annually from
the copper as a bi-product and Prof.
Lakes while visiting here at one time,
made the statement that the showing
was so strong for copper as bi-product
that he believed it would pay to see
whether or not it could not be found at
some point in its native state.
Fall River has shown good copper val
ues in the past, or at least the mining
section tributary to Fall River. In some
instances ore that would otherwise have
been free-milling has been avoided on ac-
count of the copper values. Perhaps
this feature that has always been consid-
cred detrimental will become productive
of big results. The people who have
driven tunnels or shafts short distance
and then closed them down because the
copper showing was too strong may find
that it will pay to get little more depth
and mine the propositions for their cop.
per values alone.
Whatever may come out of Mr.. Nor
ans find, it is indeed interesting and
from it a new industry may develop in
the district. One thing is certain and
that is that there are none of the mining
men SO rapturously brilliant that they
cannot learn something.