Gilpin observer., 1906-09-13
NEWS FROM THE MINES and MILLS
Growth Of Gold Dredging.


Probably no phase of mining is at
growing more rapidly than is gold
dredging. 1t is becoming most conspi-
cuous in the recovery of gold in lands
and places where other forms of min
ing are not extensively practiced and
were comparatively little gold would
otherwise be produced. This is no.
table in the northern latitudes of both
continents, where these seem to be de-
posits of earth amendable to dredging
Two localities in particular are just
now of Importance in this connection
viz. Alaska and the Klondike, and
Russia and China.
The modern dredge is the refine
ment OF means for the recovery of fine
placer gold and one of the features of
It's present use in one of the regions
mentioned, Alaska and the Klondike,
will be in operation on some of early
discovered rich creeks which are
quickly worked over by crude and
wasteful methods. In this region there
are now in operation about dozen
dredges of American make and more
are being put in, for the industry has
been proved successful. The Klondike
is expected to be the greatest gamer
from the operations of these gold
ships.
Since 1900 the output of this region
has been falling off, while that of
Alaska has been increasing; but the
operations of a score of gold ships
should lend a decided impetus to the
declining yield of the Klondike and
also add to the increasing prosperity
of Alaska. Naturally enough the oper-
alton of these ships has given rise to
some speculations of an economic sort,
for the very nature of their work is
such that it takes nothing from the
other phases of mining, while it does
very materially add to the total output
of the worlds gold.
There are many advantages about
gold dredging that cannot be said to
apply to other forms of mining. First,
it is quite possible to SO carefully
prospect the ground as to eliminate a
great proportion of the element of
chance which is inherent in under
ground mining. Second, the ground
once proved and the dredge con-
structed and put in commission, the
return on the investment commences
at once. Third, the ship produces an
article which is marketable in the
form in which it is recovered, with the
minimum of expense for treatment,
etc, and the maximum return for the
labor and capital expended. Fourth,
the original outlay is not so large as is
often required to commence work on
an underground proposition of equal
magnitude and promise. Fifth, the
labor cost is much less than would be
required on an underground mine pro-
ject equally remunerative. Sixth, the
&c ion, ic ttrch ~
extensive areas of low grade ground
can be handled which have been lying
idle because under other methods of
mining the cost of recovering the
values has exceeded the returns.
Seventh the risk of accident ana
death is almost wholly removed, at
least in so far as pertains to under
ground accidents, there remaining OF
course, the usual likelihood of boiler
explosions, deadly electric shocks,
etc.
There is, furthermore, something
about dredge mining that removes IL
from the category of underground
mining with its CRIME, dust, noise and
attendant discomforts. Consequently
dredging attracts certain investors
who would otherwise not be inclined
to put their money into mining. The
growth of the industry is, therefore,
among men who have money at their
command and who enter mining on
less speculative basis than do those
who delve underground This fact OF
itself guarantees the stability of dredg-
ing operations and means that 1t is
bound 10 grow in magnitude. This in
turn means Il large contribution to the
sum total of the worlds gold and
general improvement in economic CON
ditions.-Mining Reporter.