Gilpin observer., 1906-06-14
Would Encourage Prospecting.

Colorado man writes to the Denver
Republican as follows:
Having had worldwide experience
for the past thirty years in prospect
ing and mining, l have read with in,
terest the articles in the Republican
on the subject of the discovery of new
mining districts in Colorado. While
strongly approving your idea in gen,
eral, think the plan you suggest for
carrying 1t out is open to criticism.
1t Is admitted by all men who have
had extended experience in prospect
Ing and mining that appearances geo.
logically count for nothing in a coua-
try, SO far as that particular country Is
| concerned. For instance, country
| may show the most favorable condi-
tions, geologically for the occurrence
of mineral-by mineral I mean gold,
| silver, copper and lead-and yet there
will not be any sign of mineral pres
ent. And then again, some section
where everything was apparently
wrong geologically will prove to be
rich when carefully prospected.
l have prospected in johannesburg
and Australia, and the records show
that both countries were condemned
by men supposed to be authorities on
geology. In the case of Australia, the
so-called expert claimed the pay ore
would not extend down 300 feet. They
are now mining at a profit ore taken
1000 feet from the surface.
Johannesburg is now producing at
the rate of $11O,000,0O0 year.
The diamond mines at Kimberly
were condemned by geologist sent
there by London capitalists for the ex-
press purpose of examining them for
their-the capitalists-benefit
Cripple Creek is another example OF
how little the experts know.
can cite you any number of in
stances similar to those l have men
toned.
Can you call to mind a single in
stance where the so-called great au-
thorities on geology, so far as 1t con-
cerned the occurrence of the metals 1
have mentioned, who ever located a
great mine? Do you know of one who
was ever smart enough to buy into
great mine while the mine was in the
prospect stage?
When / say appearances count for
nothing" ETC., l am speaking from
personal knowledge, and am supported
in nv statements by the best of au-
thorities on mining, the Mining and
Scientific Press of San Francisco.
Now, instead of the money being
expended by a committee, rs you have
mentioned, l would respectfully sus-
gest that the plan of the government
OF Australia be tried-of offerfng re-
ward for the discovery of new mining
districts. There has been standing
reward there for many years for new
discoveries and l was assured by min
ers and prospectors there that the re-
I,,d nf hpna6t tn the
mining industry. I've forgotten the
amount of the reward in Australia, but
/ think Colorado should offer at least
$4,000 and $4,000 would be better IL
seems to me the larger amount could
easily be raised from the smelling.
railroad and wealthy mine owners. The
reward, to be of any benefit, must be
large enough to attract widespread at
tention. The reward should be adver-
tised in the mining papers OF the
world. Possibly Mr. 7. A. Rickard or
the Mining and Scientific Press can
give you full details concerning the re-
ward offered by the government or
Australia. He lived in that country
for many years.
The law exempting mining property
from taxation for ten years had very
beneficial effect on the mining industry
III tnlS SldtC. IL wac cA eA'N -
reward.
would also advise the Offering OF
special reward for the discovery OF tin
ore, in paying quantities, within the
boundaries of this state. At the pres
ent time the consumption OF tin is
much in excess of the production. AS
the discovery of tin in paying quanti-
ties in this state would attract the at
tention of prospectors the world over,
the sum of $4,000 would be none too
much to offer as reward.
AS there are but few, ii any, pros
pectors In Colorado who are sufficient
ly familiar with tin ores to recognize
all varieties Of them. more particularly
the low grade oxidiZed surface ores,
think it would be well for the state to
secure quantities Of such ores as I've
mentioned and put them on exhibition
not only in Denver, but In the leading
mining camps of this state. What is
required is representative samples or
oxidized surface ores. also samples OF
sulphide ore and what Is known as
stream or placer tin. The securing or
the specimens should be left in the
hands of the minerologists at the State
School of Mines.
am under the impression that the
authorities at Washington would take
decided interest in the matter OF se-
curing the specimens were their at
tention called to the matter by our
senators.
There is a possibility OF tin ore be-
ing overlooked, as were for many years
the lead carbonates at Leadville and
the tungsten ores at Boulder.
Merely Offering the rewards I've
mentioned will obtain for Colorado
thousands OF dollars worth of free ad
vertising throughout the mining world
Knowing the prospector as well as
do, being one OF them, I can assure
you that any advice offered by n COM