The copper era., 1905-08-03
LOCAL MINES AND MINING.

The production and importation of refined copper during the first six months of 1905 is estimated at 461,- GOO, ,000 pounds. The exports from the United States are given officially as slightly over 286,OOO,OOO pounds and domestic consumption for the same period at 225O,OO,OOO pounds, total consumption of 511 ,OOO, ,OO0 pounds. These figures go to show reduction of about fifty million pounds since the first of this year in surplus stocks and valuable supplies.
 About two years ago outcroppings of coal were discovered near Morenci which attracted considerable amount of attention at that time. However, but little work was done on the property. not sufficient amount to determine whether or not coal ex- isted there in paying quantities. Re gently arrangements have been made with several local capitalists to ex- ploit the property, and work will be commenced at once. Should coal be developed in paying quantities it would be d big thing for the mining companies of the Clifton-Morenci district.
 The Crawford gold mining company last week purchased four mines and a water right from A. Lefave. The claims adjoin the property of the Crawford company, and upon which about S2000 worth of development work has been done, exposing a large tonnage of good ore. This pur- chase gives the Crawford company fifteen claims in a group, besides millsits controlling ample water for small milling plant. Doubtless an abundance of water can be devel- oped for all purposes. The Crawford company will proceed with the devel- opment of its newly acquired prop erty on an extensive scale. The won derful showing made by the company during the past few years is a guar antee that the company will soon be compelled to erect a plant for the treatment of their ore.
 Al Rosecrans, superintendent of the Standard mines, who has been ill for some weeks past, was able to be down from the mine this week. MT. Rosecrans has closed down the tram way for a few days while the towers are being strengthened and the tram way put in frst-class shape. MT. Rosecrans reports what he considers strike of much importance in the mine. In the deepest workings he has uncovered fve-foot lead which will average about 13 per cent. The vein stands nearly verticle and if it is continuous it will afford an inn mense tonnage. A sufficient amount of work has not yet been done on the vein to enable him to judge of the extent of the ore body. The first shipment is now being made from the Copper Center claims and another shipment is now ready from the San Jose group.
 About three years ago J. w. Ben nie, present manager of the Shannon Copper company, and H. S. Ander- son, at that time manager of the company, invented an electrical de- vice which prolonged the life ot the screens in the jigs, which the com pany has used to great advantage since that time. They decided to patent the idea, but had much trou- ble in getting it through the patent office, but finally succeeded. The idea has attracted much attention throughout the mining section, and the inventors have several offers for their patent. The importance of this device can best be understood by the simple statement that it will save to companies operating on a large scale, from SS,OO0 to $1O,OOO per year. The invention lengthens the life of the screen by ninety per cent. In its way it is one of the most important discoveries made in several years.
 J. O. Baylor, who left Clifton a few weeks ago for Maria, Texas, returned