Gilpin observer., 1907-11-21
Colorado Production.

Only those sections where copper is
an important metal in the ores was
there any falling Off In production. IN
fact, the gold and silver mines made
an increased output, as did those pro-
ducing lead and zinc ores. The slump
in copper appears to have reacted
favorably, inasmuch as gold and silver
mining showed an increase resultant
from new capital diverted to this class
of mining.
The Cripple Creek gold camp ac-
credited itself well during October as
the result of lower treatment rates
made effective on the goth inst by the
mill and smelter trusts, and by the
continued and successful operation of
local cyanidation plants. During the
last week of the month, SO marked was
the increase in output that the cam
pling works employed night shifts, and
the railroads were unable to handle the
tonnage. Since the first of the month
the tonnage has shown even a greater
increase, and late reports indicate tina.
a shortage of cars is imminent. The
camps output for October amounted to
69,158 tons, of value of $97S,066, as
compared with 62 $3.50 tons, valued at
$944,2 for September. At the pres
ent rate of production, the November
output should be in the neighborhood
of $1,250,000. Another factor that is
contributing to an increased produc-
ton is the financial crisis in the East,
as an increased output makes possible
the maintenance of the cash basis in
the camp. Announcement has already
been made that all bullion sent from
the Colorado Springs, Florence and
Cripple Creek reduction plants to the
| United States mint at Denver will be
returnable in currency. This anounce-
I ment of course, means that the miners
, will be paid in cash, rather than in
/ quasi currency. In other ways than
! production, Cripple Creek has shown
progress during the past five weeks;
/ several large mines imperative for
/ several months are now on the produc-
ing list; the drainage tunnel is now in
| about 975 feet, and the work of build
ing cyanide plants continues uninter
ruptedly.
/ Leadville's production for October
| amounted to II 500 tons, of which 5000
tons was zinc ore. While the tonnage
is normal in quantity, 1t is of little
lower grade than usual, the average
being lowered presumably by the in
creased amount Of milling grade ore
treated at local plants and to the very
noticeable increase in the output of
iron and manganiferous ores. A fea-
ture of the months operations was the
Inauguration of new developing enter
/ prises in comparatively little developed
sections of the camp, notably in Big
Evans, Buckeye, Empire and Iowa
gulches. An important matter was
the final settlement of the legal con-
troversy over the Archer properties,
inasmuch as the Ibex company will un-
doubtedly carry out developments
earlier announced, which will result in
a considerable increase of production.
The Creede camp made an output of
GALS tons during October, as compared
with $3.50 in Septe mber. An impor-
tant item chronicled was the reported
uncovering of a. large body of milling
ore in the Happy Thought mine Of the
Creede United Mines company, which
may result in the putting in commits
sion at full capacity of the Humphreys
mill.
In Gunnison. San Miguel San Juan
and Ouray counties. a normal output
was made, while at the same time the
operators were laying in supplies and
making other necessary preparations
incidental to the prosecution of An un-
usually large amount of winter work.
The shipments from the Silverton
station during October are estimated
at about $500 tons, which is an in
crease of about 500 tons over the out
put of September-Thes shutting down
of the Ross smelter was hard blow to
a number of operators in the district.
1t is given out, however, that arrange.
ments are being made whereby the
plant may be put in commission again
soon.-Among the important ore
CT IN ha Ipa
region were the uncovering of Il seven
foot body of milling ore in the Sultan
mountain property of the Silverton
Mining company. the opening up of a
smelting-grade ore at depth Of 500
fet in the Blizzard property in the Red
mountain section and several gold
strikes in the Poughkeepsie gulch dis
trict of the Ouray section. Telluride q
several mills ran uninterruptedly. aad
the remodeled Caribou plant at Ophlr
resumed successful operations.
Mill construction, both present aud
contemplated. were the news features
in Gilpin, Clear Creek and Summit
counties, particularly In the George
town and Argentine sections of Clear
Creek county and the Montezuma
region Of Summit county. Owing to the
recently inaugurated activities in the
Montezuma, Frisco and Lower Blue
river districts, Summit county is rela.
lively the most prosperous Of any in
the state. Upward of thirty companies
are carrying on development opera.
tions in the MonteZuma camp.
Gold mining operations in Boulder
county showed an increase. but there
was a falling eff In tungsten output.
though not in developments. The fall.
ing off I'm production was due mainiy
to the market conditions, but as these
have been righted. this months output
will be about normal.
With the exception of the closing
down of two or three copper ore pro
ducinr mines the condition of tine