The Elk Mountain pilot., 1903-09-01
WHAT is BEING DONE
in THE MINING WORLD
Advantages of the Leasing System.


That the leasing system in mining
camps. both old and new, is product
i've OF good results. is evidenced by
many districts where this system of
working mines is in vogue. Leadville,
Cripple Creek and many other mining
districts of Colorado and also of Ne
vada, Idaho and elsewhere are good
examples of the results of the leasing
system. By its means large territory
can be thoroughly and promptly proven
In many places individuals or compa-
MES own large tracts of land which
they are unable to operate except at
one or two points, owing to the great
extent of their holdings. By divid-
ing this land into blocks and leasing
the several blocks. the entire tract be-
comes quickly active and the various
veins and deposits are vigorously pros
pected and worked by men who usually
thoroughly understand the business of
mining and who operate at a minimum
of cost The result is often satisfactory
to all concerned and often to the COM
monwealth. The leasing system is
particularly applicable to regions or
districts producing high grade ores.
Low grade camps must be developed by
large capital, for there is not the in
centive to the small investor and leaser
1ound in those districts producing low
grade ores. There are many other
districts where the leasing system
would be beneficial and would quickly
open the mines now lying idle. because
the owners are unable or unwilling to
undertake the development of their
large holdings. Where the leasing
system is in vogue the custom mill or
smelter is almost necessity. as leas-
ers are usually practical miners and
prefer to leave the treatment OF their
ores to those who make a business of
IL.
The system of leasing has a further
advantage not to he overlooked. Not
only are the leasers usually expert
enced practical miners, but they are
not hampered in their operations by
expensive Office expenses. 1t is the
general expense at a mine that often
makes the difference between profit and
loss. Elegant city offices" maintained
at great expense with managing"
or resident director" under large sal
ary, add very materially to the expense
of operating. central general Office
may be a necessity. but the elaborate
and expensive equipment of some OF
these and the manner of conducting
this branch of the mines business are
things seldom If ever seen in connec-
ton with leasing proposition. The
resident director or manager is some
times u superfluous individual. II the
superintendent or manager is capable,
the resident director or manager does
not make him more so. and may be an
obstruction to the proper and most
economical administration of the bust
ness of the mine. entirely aside from
his salary and expenses.
nomically and iDtelliScntly. What the
mine requires in the way of equipment
ne provides If he can but manages in
some way to supply all that is actually
necessary. He generally builds sub
stantially II not deliberately. and every
dollar is made to go as far as expert
ence and good management can make
il go. Ii is not unusual for leasers to
work a mine successfully and profit
ably which failed to pay under corpo-
rate Mining and Scient-
fic Press.