The copper era., 1903-12-24

-
 SOME remarkable changes have been made in the Clifton MOrenci dis trict during the year now drawing to a close. Last year this district lead all others in the output of copper, but owing tO the strike caused by theeight- hour law. it will probably not take first place this year. The strike was a hard blow to mining in this section as it dcmoraliZcd the labor of the
 camp, and cuTtailcd the output for many months. As result the old
 companies, the Arizona Copper com Pany and the Detroit Copper Mining company have not been able to hold their own. but the output of the Shan non company, Which is new pro- ducer, will most probably bring the output up tO something near that of last year. The two old companies have greatly improved their plants, and also their facilities for handling ore since last year. hence the new year will prove a record breaker i'll
 their output. The shannon company is now recognized as one of the sue cessful companies of Arizona. It is developing sits mines, reducing it's bonded debt, ana also increasing its milling capacity. Ever since the strike it has drawn on its ore reserves for about five hundred tons per day. yet it has developed new ore bodies and increased the tonnage of the old ones. The ERA is informed that the shannon now has ore reserves suf- iicient for five years run at the present capacity of the plant, which, however, will soon be increased by eighteen additional vanners, and later perhaps by a converting furnace. The Shan non has proved itself tO be one of the big mines of the country, but its ore is net all confined to one claim, as large bodies of good ore are now being opened up on several different proper ties. Th9 outlook for the shannon company for the coming year is very bright.
 Thc most remarkable success for tho year was made by the Stan dard Copper mines. which in addition tu paying three dividends have also made many improvements and added tO it's holdings besides conducting an expensive lawsuit. The Standard has this week completed its aerial tram way, which is nov in successful opera ton. This will enable the company to handle all additional tonnage and at a great saving in expenses. De- vcl0pment work in the mines is now being pushed with vigor, and a large amount of ore, for a new property is held in reserve. The company is fortunate in having the highest average grade of ore in the territory, which enabled them to shin their product direct to the smelters tor treatment. II is also most favorably situated as for transportation. the mines being located less than mile from the Coronado railroad, to which the ore is transferred by the new tram way at a nominal cost. The stan dard company will doubtless make a much better record next year than it did during the present year.
 Tho New England and Clifton Con- sUlldated companies were closed down for several months pending merger of the companies, which was finally effected. The holdings of each com panY is now under one management, with ample capital for development and equipment. Work has now been resumed on an extensive scale. and is being pushed by a large number of machines Development work by the old New England company uncovered for a depth of 500 feet the highest grade body of ore in Inc territory and now that the company has ample capital there can be no good reason why another producing company should not soon be added to the dis trict, though it is not probable that il will reach the producing stage before the end of next year.
 During the present year the Coro- nado company havc kept a force of from twenty-five to forty men steadily on development work, which has been satisfactory to the some high grade ore was shipped by the company during the year but regular shipments have not vet been commenced.
 The POiariS company was shut down during the greater portion of the year, bur recently operations have been resumed which, it is stated. will b. continued steadily. Recently some rich ore has been found uu one of the claims, from which the manager expects to make shipments in the near future. The company has some excellent property, and also millsitc on the river which it will utilize when it's mines arrive at the producing stage.
 The Sierra de Gro company recently has been pushing work steadily for some mouths past, and with most encouraging results, hay ing recently cut one vein of ore that runs high iu gold, silver and copper. The claims are ideally located for de- by tunnel. which will bring the ore out on the Frisco river where the company has millsite, and where It will erect it's milling plant during the coming year if develop meut work juStifieS it. The company has plenty of means in hand for all purpo ses, and will doubtless score a big success during the coming year.
 The Chase Creek company which owns a large number ef claims be- tween Longfeliow and the New Eng land company's property will resume work Monday next with quite a force Df men. Machines have been ordered for driving the development work as rapidly as possible. IL is expected hat during next year the Chase Creek 1 tunnel. which will open all the ! claims, will be driven a couple of ! thousand feet. The company have n group of valuable claims, but it was discouraged by the strike, and shut l Town operations until the present lime.
 The Stevens company have pushed |