Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-09
WEALTH AT
OUR DOORS
is GREAT
EASTERN COUNTIES AWAIT
READY MONEY
THEIR RESOURCES ARE WELL
KNOWN
Modern Methods for the Treatment of
Low Grade Ore viii Reveal Boz
nanzas as Years
Go BY
BY d. L. vANDERVooRT, e. M.


\ While the eyes of the mining and capi-
talistic world have been feasting upon
the bonanzas of our sister states, there
has been no lessening of the interest in
the wealth which lies at our own doors
in San Bernardino and Inyo counties.
Since the days of 40 this section has
been prospected and explored, and while
it was clearly established that gold ex-
listed and that the value bearing bodies
covered an immense area, there was but
little actual development done except
where the outcrops were exceptionally
rich and large. The reason was appar-
ent in the fact that facilities for the eco
nomical reduction of low grade ore were
not at hand, or even known, and as the
surface showings were in the majority
of cases very low grade they were passed
by and have remained epdisturbed,
awaiting the advent of modern methods
and appreciative capital.
The opening of Tonopah Goldheld,
Searchlight, Bullfrog and other famous
camps, where only the discovery claims
had rich surface showings, renewed the
interest in the old time California pros
poets, which, with even small develop
ment, showed a surprising increase of
values as depth was reached.
Between Ludlow and the Colorado
river from the north boundary of Inyo
county to the Mexican line lies heavily
mineralized section, of which the chief
values are geld, silver and copper, though
other commercial metals are produced in
quantity.
The geological character of this region
is complex and its classification would
fill volumes. Chief among the country
rocks are granite, diorite, syenite and
porphyry, while the ledge matter is quartz,
lime and spar. Evidences of early vol
can:c action are visible in the conglomer-
ate and volcanic ash met with on both
desert and mountain.
Water is scarce, but can be developed
in quantity in the Providence, Clipper
and Ship mountains.
That the. ore bodies of this section are
in place and of giant size is shown by the
accompanying pictures, taken at the Bell
Wood mine, five miles from Dandy, on
the Santa Fe railroad in San Bernar-
dino county. This section of ledge is
but fraction of two miles of groupings
on this property. At the point pictured
it is sixty feet wide and over forty feet
in height, and every pound of it is gold
bearing.
While of low surface showing. this
ledge on opening increased in value from
$3.50 to $3.50 in forty feet. Numerous
openings have been made along this giant
reef and in every case show increasing
values That these deposits or ledges
are common in this section is proved by
the renewed activity and the display of
interest by money people. The Bell-Wood
is In the center of the zone and is at
tracing the attention and the admiration
of biologists, engineers, miners and cap
italists, and 1t seems reasonable to pre-
dict that in the near future Southern
California mines will contribute to the
worlds wealth bountiful supply of the
precious metals and replace the state In
it's old coveted position as chief pre-
ducer.