Tonopah bonanza. [volume] (Butler City [i.e. Butler], Nev.) 1901-1909, 1907-03-16
CONSTRUCTING
STAMP MILLS

ing camps is often impressed with the
inadequate arrangements of reduc-
ton works-particularly of stamp ]
mills. There is often evident lack
Of foresight in selection of site, as
well as the constructive details of
the mill. After half a century Of ex- {
.perience it would be supposed that
mill arrangements, construction, and
position would have reached a point
nearing perfection, but such seems 20
be far from the fact. To just what
cause to attribute this condition is
difficult, but undoubtedly the per-
sonal equation is a large factor in 1t.
Usually each man who has the de-
signing of a mill wishes to introduce
features which are of his W con
ception, and whether in common use
or not he is willing to make an ex-
pertinent, and not infrequently his
innovation is found to be no improve
ment over existing mills. Mill found
ers occasionally admit with evident
reluctance that they have constructed
quartz mills-not after the most dp-
proved methods, the result of their
own wide experience as well as that
OF others, but after the plans and ex-
plieit specifications of those who ie-
sire the mill built. Competition
among mill founders is so keen that
they have not yet reached that indie
pendent position in trade where they
feel that they can afford to refuse a
good contract merely because the de-
sign OF the proposed plant does not
meet their fullest approval. I'M
questionably reputable manufactur.
ers of mill machinery will advise
their customers to the extent of their
ability and knowledge, with a view
to employing the best material in its
construction as well as planning IN
arrangement of machinery, which
will operate with the greatest con
omy under existing conditions. while
automatically performing the various
processes as far as possible, and also
with a view to increased capacity in
the future, as well as the installation
Of such additional machinery as may
be required should the character of
the r change materially with in
creasing depth of the mine.
Often these practical suggestions
of the mill founder are utterly dis
regarded. to give place to a new idea,
% some one in authority in the COM
J pany owning the mine. 1t is safe TO
say these blunders are made by MOI
: who lack practical experience and
= knowledge. The management Of q
! good property not infrequently falls
/. into inexperienced hands, with re-
( suits far from satisfactory TO all wh1
s rlay be directly or otherwise ~
/, cerned. Merely because a mar les
made a success as a tanner, or as
/ the proprietor of a restaurant, 1t does
not follow that his business expert
1 ence in either of these lines fits him
! for the management of mining al
r fairs. even when they are conducted
e on a modest scale, to say nothing OF
: large operations. So foreign to sucf
s men is a comprehension of the re
y quirements of mine equipment anC
a management that they do not realizt
t how little they really know. On thu
= other hand, they turn a deaf a tt
all suggestions and proceed alont
a the lines of their own theories. hast
ening to financial disaster. A ricl
e mine will usually take care of itself
G but where economy, experience ant
exact business methods are required
" failure is most likely to result.
a Mills are found built on flats will
e suitable sites on all surrounding hill
sides; roek-breakers are placed II
IS the top of mill buildings when the
could have been set to far better ad
d vantage at the shaft, or at some othe
1t intermediate between mine and mill
Is excessive power or too little is ofte.
1t provided. One is nearly as bad a
n the other-the first thing being met
e. f%ective, the other too costly in opera
x ton; the important feature of gray
s. ity is too often overlooked, and uI
lie necessary expense thereby entailed i
lie working costs. No storage eapacit
D. is provided in either mine or mil
" and as a result any temporary stoI
Id page of mining necessitates a shu'
as down in the mill as well, while tn
ly fixed expenses pile up and can onl
be averted by the discharge of ever
ne man on the payroll.
he 1t is time that mining eompanit
ee realized the value of technical an
a practical advice, and that mimi
lr men of experience be employed
manage the affairs of mines, mil
e. and smelters rather than that the'
on important offices be turned over
&C. the inexperienced mar whose chi,