The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-12-10
UTAH's MINERAL PRODUCTION.

The report OF B. Il. Taten1. assayer
In charge Of the United States assay
Office az Helena, published in full in
another part Of The Sunday Herald to-
day. on the metal production of Utah
during 1891 IS full o. interesting facts.
Mr.. Tatcn deals in larse figures, but
1t is necessary TO deal in large figures
TO tell the story as thoroughly as he
has told it. he shows, Tor example,
that the total value OF the mineral pro-
duced in Utah in 1904 was $50. $50. no.
as compared with n total OF $26, 500. 2S5
in 1903. a gain OF $S.5S9.S55.
The figures for 1905, which, Of course.
are not yet obtainable. viii. AIr. Tatem
believes. show a much heavier increase
over 1904 than 1904 shows over 1902
His exact language, after calling at
tentiou to the great yield Of 1904. is:
And wonderful as is the record of
the increase in 1894, the year 1895 prom
Uses still further and better achieve
ment." In every department of metal
mining an increase was shown in 1904
as compared with 1905. and in every
department the prospects for future
development were never better.
Mr.. Tatem's report is particularly
valuable because he covers the state
by counties and districts. showing the
additions made by each TO the mineral
wealth Of the nation. The one district
that showed great decrease was that
OF Mercur, where the gold production
fell off from Sl,255.3SS.SS in 1903 %
S,59,S2g.91 in 1891. Iu spite however.
Of this decrease of $f9J,55S. % and de-
ceeases in other districts aggregating
SlS3 023 80, the increases in the remain
ing districts We're large enough 10 off,
set the adverse figures by $2l4,605. "a.
The largest increase was recorded In
Juab and Utah counties, which, COM
hlned. gained $6f4193. II in 1908 over
1893. salt Lake county registered a
gain of $2iS990 In silver production,
in spite of a falling off amounting %
$L54S,NlI,14 in Summit county, where
the only decrease occurred, the net in
crease for the state was S5i1. 1851.
Juab and Utah counties showed the
great gain Of 1,256, 9lS.17, and salt
Lake stood second in this column with
Si2l ,Ol6.33. Smaller increases made up
the balance necessary to the net gain
indicated.
II was in the production Of copper.
however. that Utah made her most
notable strides in 1901, and she is max
ing the same sort of strides this year
In 1903 our copper production was 20
335652 fine pounds. In 1904 the produc-
ton jumped 20 44.012, 20S fine pounds
The value OF the product in 1903 was
SG.25Sl7f and in 1901 it was S5643, 6S5. a
gain Of s.. 290.5t1. When IL is under
stood that great new smeiters are be
ing built in Utah as rapidly as they
can be constructed. when it is remenl-
bared that the output OF the copper
mines is being steadily increased, the
public can have some knowledge OF
the magnitude OF the industry.
Lead production is also Increasing,
taking the comparison between 1904 and
1893 as a basis. In 1908 the mines yield
cd l0I, o5S. 900 pounds of the value OF ST.
poo sol. In 1904 the yield was 1lG,25oSIf
pounds. valued at S5,01S,56S, a gain oil
nearly three-quarters OF 4 million dol
lars.
Everything considered. Utah people
and those outside the state who have
mining investments here may well feel
satisfied with the outlook.