The copper era., 1907-01-17

HE recent mining ueoi, IHS particulars of which will be found in another column, whereby Senator Dorsey, on behalf of European capi- talists, has secured more than one hundred and sixty claims in the heart of the mineral belt, confirms the statement frequently made in the ERA of late, that the Clifton-Mo- renci district was just entering upon a new era of prosperity. The pres ent price of copper, together with the magnificent showing made by the district for many years past, must attract the attention of capitalists seeking investment. With the sim gle exception of Clifton every copper camp of note has had its boom in the territory, and prices have gone sky ward. While it is generally known that Clifton is, and has for years past, been the second camp in output of copper in the territory, the fact re- mained that there was no urgent de- mand here for property by people who actually meant business. As a consequence prices remained the same as before the copper boom struck the country. This isn't be- cause the district is lacking in promising prospects and partially de- veloped mines, but rather because our day had not yet arrived. How ever, the closing of this deal with Senator Dorsey, who is prepared to spend several million dollars in the development and equipment of his properties, and in the building of mine railroads and plants, will give a new impetus to the district. The senator, who has an enviable reputa- tion as a mining man, will be followed by others who are looking for copper investments, and as the the ERA pre- terialize. As a matter of fact the Clifton-Morenci district presents a more favorable field for investment than any other camp in the United States. Unlike many other sections the ore here is found on the surface, and the properties can be opened by tunnels thds doing away with expen- sive hoisting machinery. The mines of the district are "dry," which is another advantage, as it saves the investment of large sums in pumping plants and the cost of their main tenance. There is no necessity of "blind" prospecting here, for the leads crop out on the surface of the ground, and can be easily traced by even a E'tenderfoot." Nature has done much for the district, which is generally recognized among mining men of prominence as the most ex- tensive copper belt in the world. The ores as a whole, are of low grade, requiring the investment of large sums before returns can be expected. To offset this apparent drawback is the fact that the ore is usually found in large bodies, which with economic management, insures permanent re- turns on large investments. These conditions do not apply to the entire district, for there are mines such as the Standard, New England and Gold Belt. properties, where the ore is of a grade that will permit shipping at profit. And now that the Shannon company is making a speciality of treating ores for local producers, no doubt the number and importance of this class of producers will increase rapidly in the immediate future. The outlook of the district was never as bright as at the present moment. All of the older companies have made a pronounced success, and are largely increasing their facilities for making copper, while the younger companies are shipping or preparing to ship, and others are developing their properties as rapidly as possi- ble. Conditions are most favorable for a genuine, old-time boom, and that is just what is needed to open up this immense district, where de- yelopment work as yet has hardly been commenced,