Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1905-10-26
WORK OF CYANIDE.


cyanide process. In many sections
where production was not possible
with the old methods there is now
q large output. The process has
been employed very extensively in
South Africa for many years, and
is coming into more general use in
the United States and other coun-
tries where gold is mined. The use
Of the process in its original form
was limited, there being only q
few ores on which it could be sue
cessfully employed, but now it, use
has been widely extended through
improvements made in applying
the solvent and in preparing the
ores for the leach.
While gold mining has been ex-
banding everywhere and . large
increase in production would have
resulted had there been no such
process, the cyanide method has
added immeasurably to the posi-
bilities of profitable extraction and
is rapidly increasing the production
OF the precious metal.
There is no section that is des-
tined to be more benefited by this
process than Idaho, nor will any
other state increase its gold more
rapidly by means Of the process.
Throughout all central Idaho there
are great mining districts where the
process can be employed. Without
it the ores could not be worked
profitably. The mines are too far
away from railways to admit Of
transportation of concentrates,
while only small proportion Of
the values can be saved by amalga.
ton in most instances and none in
others. Even where concentration
is employed the saving is often very
low, the values going of with the
shines or being carried over the
tables in some other manner.
Under these circumstances q
method Of treatment like the eva.
hide is absolutely essential to the
success of great majority of the
properties, and from recent tests
made on ores from various locali-
ties it seems certain a very large
proportion, perhaps large major
ity, Of the ores will yield to this
method. 1t is being introduced at
q number Of mines after thorough
tests, and it gives promise Of being
highly successful. There is no rea-
son to doubt that, in a few years,
there will be hundreds Of plants Of
that character in operation in dis
tricts where profitable mining has
been impossible.
1t is not to be assumed that every
gold ore can be treated in that
manner, but the possible use of the
process has been greatly expanded.
In the Pearl district, for instance,
It was supposed there was no avail
able method Of treatment but ANAL
gamation and concentration. That
was not profitable. The total saw
ing effected on the plates and tables
was discouragingly low, while the
expense involved in shipping and
treating the concentrates was a.
discouragingly high. 1t has been
found those ores can be worked on
the ground, and two plants have
already been put in. 1t is too soon
yet to say what the exact results
will be, but there seems no doubt
that entire success will be attained.
II that prospect be borne out by re-
suits, the district will rapidly forge
into the list Of large producers.
In other districts also the process
is being employed. II lie going into
Atlanta, where the problems pecu-
liar to the district have been solved.
It is going into Thunder Mountain
and Big Creek. Further, it ia be-
ing employed in the Basin and in
Washington county, while it has
long been used in Owyhee county,
How far its use can be extended
can be determined only by thor.
ough experimenting, but ss these
tests can be made at comparatively
small cost, conservative, careful
mining men need not make serious
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