Gilpin observer., 1904-12-22
NEWS FROM THE MINES AND MILLS
Precious Metal Production.

The rich Tonopah district, in Nye
county, made Nevada the leading state
of the Union in production of gold and
silver during the year 1908. The total
production of gold for the United
States was 3,560,000 fine ounces, val
ued at $73.591. 700, a decrease of So
408,300, or Sol per cent, as compared
with the production of 1902 OF the
twenty-One states and territories that
yielded gold in 1903, eleven showed an
increase in production, Nevada leading
with an increase Of 1892, 700, or 1902
per cent. An equal number of states
and territories produced silver in
1908, and the same number showed an
increase in production, with Nevada
the leading state in the production of
silver as we'll as of gold 1t held the
same proud position in 1902, but bet
tered its own record in 1903 by 1904
300 fine ounces, or 1882 per cent.
Kansas also is worthy of special
mention in the chronicle OF gold and
silver producers. Kansas and Ten
nessee, with products valued, respect
lively, at $1,000 and $500, Joined the
ranks Of gold producers for the first
time in 1908, and Kansas also. re-
ported silver for the first time. giving
a production of no less than 97,400
ounces.
Alaska, which led in the increase of
gold production in 1902, was second in
1903. with an increase OF $26S.900.
Arizona showed a gain Of $245,300;
Utah, $102,900; Idaho, $95, 400; Mon
tana, $3S,30O; Virginia, SIC, 400; Wash
ington, $7,700; and Alabama. $1,000.
The greatest decrease in the produc-
ton of gold in 1908 was in Colorado.
where the production fell off IS 1928, 500
or 20.82 per cent. California was sec
ond in amount of decrease in 1908,
falling off $6S7.60O.
Decreases were also noted in the
following states and territories: Ore
gon, $526.500; New Mexico. $2S6,500;
South Dakota, $138.700: Georgia, $685.
500; Wyoming. $35,200; South Caro-
lima, $21.200; North Carolina, $4,000,
and Maryland. $4,000.
The total silver yield of the United
States for 1903 amounted to 54.300,000
fine ounces. This had coming value
Of 0,206,06O and commercial value
Of $29. 1922 600, a decrease in quantity of
100000 fine ounces. or ZIG per cent.
Besides Nevada and Kansas. the fol-
lowing states and territories also
showed gains in production in 1903
over 1902: Idaho. 652.600 ounces;
Utah, 365, 100 ounces; Arizona, 344000
ounces; Alaska, $1,000 ounces; Cali
fornia, 30,7O0 ounces; Oregon. 24,700
ounces; Texas, 5000 ounces; Virginia.
5000 ounces; and Tennessee, 700
ounces The greatest decrease in the
production of silver in 1903 was In
Colorado and amounted to 2,6S5,S00
fine ounces. Alabama, which reported
100 fine ounces of silver in 1902, re-
ported no production in 1908. Other
decreases we're as follows: Montana,
COL, 500 ounces; Washington, 324, 500
ounces; New Mexico. 276.500 ounces;
South Dakota, 10000 ounces; Michi-
gan. 60.SO0 ounces; North Carolina,
$500 ounces, and Wyoming. 4.S00
ounces.
The total value Of the production
Of precious metals by the United
States in 1908. reckoning silver at its
commercial value. amounted to $102.-
913,7O0, a decrease of $6.501 300. or
5.94 per cent, from the yield of 1902.
The above figures are taken from a
report on the production of gold and
silver in 1908, which is published by
the United States Geological Survey
in its annual volume of mineral re-
sources.