Gilpin observer., 1906-11-15
Colorado Mining conditions.

OCTOBER was reneCteu IN tne nlSH
price paid for that metal, and in the
fact that the Denver mint coined moth
ing but silver coins during the entire
month. The silver mines Of the state
helped this indication of prosperity,
and decided awakening was in evil
dence in the camps of Pitkin, Aspen
and others which have a record as sill
yer producers. In the Aspen camp an
nouncement was made that the wages
OF miners would be increased from
$3.50 to $2.75 per day, the latter wage
being paid for the first time in many
years. 1t is also understood that II sill
yer goes above 20 cents and is held at
that figure for any considerable time,
this wage will be increased.
In the San Juan region preparations
were made last month for winter work
by those companies that are in posi-
ton to do so. Among the mines which
made important strikes was the Gen
essee on Red mountain, where in the
latter part of October a body of high
grade copper ore was opened. At that
time it was believed that this would
Prove one of the most important
strikes ever made on the property.
Work on the Silver Lake mill was
well under way during the entire
month and is now being pushed as
rapidly as possible on account OF the
lateness of the season. The new mill
will be constructed in two units, one
OF 300 tons capacity for handling ore
from the Silver Lake mine, and an
other of $50 tons for handling ore
from the Aspen mine. A tramway
will be built to connect the mill with
the latter property.
In the Clear Creek district the usual
activity was noted and in addition
thereto the fact that the Evergreen
Gold and Copper Mining Company had
practically completed arrangements
with the Colorado Iron Works at Den
yer for the erection of a sixty-ton
matte smelter to be erected at Cen
tral City. The Evergreen property
has been developed for some time and
shows good copper ore carrying gold
and silver values. No effort has been
made at ore extracting and it is be
ilieved that the property Will be in
position to keep a smelter running by
next spring.
In Summit county the most import
ant item of news during October was
the sale of the American Dredging
,Ccmpany's properties on the Swan
and Blue rivers to the General Devel-
;opment Company of New York City.
This company will construct two new
'dredges to be put in operation next
season. The placer mining season
Just closed has been one of the most
successful in the history of the county
and the outlook for next year is even
more encouraging. great deal OF
coarse gold is recovered and devices
are installed to catch the fine gold as
well.
Summit county is also making an
excellent record in the production of
zinc. one of the largest properties
being under bond and lease to the
Lanyon Zinc Company. which Is min
ing each month about 500 tons of ore,
much of which runs fifty per cent.
zinc.
The situation in Boulder county last
month was reported to be the most
encouraging which the county has
yet experienced. Mill construction
has settled down to a more business
like basis. with the prospect that
there will be no failures in the pro-
jects now under way. A custom cy
anide mill Is being erected at Ward
and other large plants are under way
on South Boulder and North Boulder
,c!ceks. The plant of the Monarch
consolidated Company. for the oper
alton Of which mining men generally
have been waiting expectantly, will
shortly be in operation. The company
fVax Ice. tl.t
mace for which 1t has been waiting
had been shipped from the Union Iron
Works, San Francisco. and will arrive
Mt the property about November 1st.
liz will he remembered that the pro
cess which this company is to follow
was installed only after exhaustive
tests were made on the ore. including
the actual treatment of a l00-ton lot
at the Dorcas mill in Florence.
The production of the Cripple Creek
district In October showed gain in
value over that of September OF s11O.-
700. The record for the month would
have been heavier had not n severe
storm curtailed shipments materially.
The average value per ton for the
month, including the low grade dump
rock treated Mt the local cyanide
plants. was $36.6s. The total tonnage
treated was 42.s00 TONS having an ag.
gregate value of $1.570.000.
No progress was made last month
toward satisfactory basis on which
all OF the companies in the district
would agree to the driving of the
nuch.needed drainage tunnel. II is
not improbable that the matter will
drift along until 1t becomes subject
for legislation by the creation OF
mine drainage district At tho last
session OF the American Mining Con.
gress this matter was considered in
the greatest detail and n bill was
finally drafted for presentation to va
rious state Legislatures. providing for
the creation of mine drainage districts.
Announcement was made about the
i,iidlla xaf On4.xal,xa.. 4l,A