The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-09-17
TALKS ABOUT THE
MINES OF AUSTRALIA
Former Salt Laker Who Has Cir.
cumnavigated the Globe
Visits Old Friends.

Ralph Nichols, an eminent civil and
mining engineer, we'll known in the
mining circles of the West, stopped
over here n couple Of days 10 renew old
acquaintances on his return from visit
to his various mining interests IN Idaho,
before proceeding to his old home in
Aurora, H. When seen at the knuts.
ford, he said he had not been in Salt
Lake to stop any length Of time during
the past three years IN ne early SO s
Mr.. Nichols was often IN Salt Lake. In
those days he WAS operating some Of
the great producing mines in Idaho.
The town Of Nicholia In LemhI county
was named after him. Mr., Nichols has
mining interests in Custer, Fremont.
Blame and Lemhi counties. At the
time Of his last trip TO Utah, three
wears ago, he made an examination of
Mr. Ncwhouse IS Cactus mine in Beaver
county, and at that time pronounced
the mine capable Of great possibilities
with development. The Cactus has since
justified the accuracy Of his judgment.
Exported Boston Con.
He also exported the Boston Con.
properties In Bingham, and his Judg-
ment was that the mines contained cop
per ore in unlimited quantities.
Mr. Nichols was with Capt. De La
mar during the three years that that
intrepid mlnc-onerator owned and oper-
ated the great De Lamar NINE in Ne
yada.
Mr.. Nichols has spent eight years in
Australia, and during that time was
general manager of the largest gold
mine in west Australia. The mine is
located at Kalgootie. There, he says, is
the largest crushing gold ore mill IN the
world. During the years lo9l-2-3 tins
mine was the largest gold dividend
paving mine IN the world, the dividends
declared during these wears being 81,
100000 yearly. 1t was q comparatively
low grade proposition, The expenses
were enormous, the single item OF
water alone being $50 per day. The
mill on this property treated lo,o0I
tons a month. 1t is the largest cyanide
and amalgamation in that or any other
country, and is the most successfully
run of any plant in west Australia
The machinery for this immense plant
most of it, was manufactured IN the
United States, in Milwaukee.
Mr.. Nichols at the present time rep
resents n London syndicate, operating
in Durango, Mexico, and engaged II
trying to revive copper property BY
systematic development. 1t is, he says
very large vein of low-erade copper
which in the course of time 1T Is hi:
purpose to develop along scientific lines
Mexico he looks upon as great min
ing country. 4 great deal of Ameri
can and English capital is being In
vested and he says there is plenty more
coming.
Fast Friend Of Dubois.
In Idaho. Mr., Nichols says, he me-
Senator Dubois; the two were close
friends in the early days, before ant
after Statehood. Senator Dubois, h'
believes, has the fight Of his life on hi'
hands, but Fred, he says, is Ienrles!
fighter, and he has known him TO VIII
out when the chances for victory were
far more discouraging than now. Tht
Senator is cheerful and conhdent ant
KNOWN" that his cause is Just, he hat
absolute faith that the people, OF Idaho
will rise to the emergency and do wha
is expected of them by all the Chrls
tian patriotic people of the country.
Mr.. Nichols saws he has circumnavl
gated the globe nine times In as many
years, but has not yet seen his way
clear to advocate Government owner
ship Of railroads in this country. o!
course, he had no reference to a Ger
tain distinguished gentleman who ha'
but recently returned from single trlI
around the world.
Mr.. Nichols notes many changes anc
much improvements being made IN Sal
Lake, a place, he says, which is des
tined to become one of the great centra
business points in this immense, bu
as vet undeyeloDed country.