Gilpin observer., 1908-02-20
Colorado Mining Conditions.

AoocJ, i<cAuOllJ VI Wluo
circulation, in its issue of Jan. 25, pub
fishes a three-column article on "The
Colorado Mining Industry for 1907"
from its Colorado correspondent, Mr..
Thomas 1onge of Denver.
The article covers the whole subject.
dealing with the estimates Of the 1907
production, the operations of the Colo
RADIO smelters, the bullion receipts at
| the Denver mint, the temporary effect
of the lower market prices of silver,
lead, copper and zinc, and briefly re-
/ views the local conditions of each min
ing county of the state.
The following are extracts from Mr..
Tonge's article:
Since the commencement of the min
| ing excitement in Nevada, some two
or three years ago, many Colorado min
ers, attracted by the possibilities of
| stalking a claim for themselves which
might prove bonanza left Colorado to
| go prospecting in Nevada. Others
| left Colorado attracted by the high
wages paid in Nevada. Others, again
| obnoxious members of the Western
Federation of Understanding a grow
| ing public sentiment against them in
| Colorado. also left Colorado for Ne
vada, with the result that they have
there repeated the lawlessness which
has characterized the federation in
Idaho, Colorado and other states, and
has necessitated the sending of federal
| troops to Goldfield, New.
| For the above reasons there has
been a scarcity of skilled miners in
most of the mining districts of Colo
RADIO in 1906 and 1907, resulting in
somewhat curtailed output.
THE cost of living in the mining dis
| tricts of Colorado is considerably less
than in most of the mining districts of
other states, particularly Nevada. In
other words, $3.50 and SO per day in
Colorado. with steady employment,
| buys more and leaves more margin
than intermittent employment at $3.50
or s. per day in Nevada. Many min
ers who during the past two years left
Colorado. attracted by the Elusive and
elusive higher wages elsewhere, are
steadily drifting back. realizing that,
all things considered, there is no bet
ter place than Colorado. In addition,
| following the curtailing of copper pro
duction in Arizona. Montana, Utah and
elsewhere, resulting from the drop in
| the price of copper, miners from those
states are drifting to Colorado for EN-
ployment, practically insuring sur
plus of skilled miners.
This redundant supply of skilled
miners is already showing its results
in the greater demand for leases. This
is particularly noticeable in those min
ing districts where gold is the leading
metal. Even in the districts where sill
yer, leal. zinc and copper primarily
| n ~ ata fva ha hnE ig, in
creasing demand for leases. A greater
number OF leases, operated by skilled
miners. practically insures increased
mineral output for 1908.
so also as to prospecting For sew
eral years past this has been largely
neglected. high wages elsewhere prov
ing a greater attraction. A very large
area in Colorado is practically unproS
pected, and a very considerable area
only partially so. Professor Hayden's
map of Colorado shows the geological
formation of northwestern Colorado
tnow about to be reached for the frat
time by railroad-the Denver, North
western II Pacific railroad, commonly
known as the 'Moffat roadO as favor
able to the existence of mineral re-
sources. Such prospecting as has al
ready been done reveals very encour-
aging indications of gold silver. lead
zinc and copper veins, capable of prof
liable exploitation, with the advent OF
railroad facilities. Samples of ore car
rying uranium, copper cobalt, nickel
vanadium, manganese, etc, have been
found, but these are not ores likely to
be recognized on sight by the ordinary
prospector' Ii is very probable that
systematic prospecting during 1908
along the present and proposed ex-
tended route of the Moffat road, and in
other sections of the state. may lead TO
important mineral discoveries. No one
can say at this time that no more
Aspens Creedes and Cripple Creeks
will be found in Colorado.
Colorado is especially fortunate in
being five metal state, inasmuch as
in case of temporary depreciation in
the market prices of any one or more
of the four other metals. increased at
tention is given to the production of
gold, and that metal has for years past
represented in value more than half
of the annual gross metalliferous pro-
duction of the state.
I'm many cases Colorado ores carry
more or less. several of such five
metals and 1t is the aggregate value of
all the metals in the ore which makes
for profitable production.
ColoradoB mining record Tor nearly
fifty years illustrates her ability to live
through temporary adverse conditions,
to adapt herself to new requirements.
and to keep up, IL not increase. her
annual output of new wealth from her
mineral resources.
"All present indications are that
Colorado will continue annually to pro
duce at least $40,000000 worth of the
| precious and allied metals for many
years yet to come.
To-day the mining districts of Colo
rado present better opportunities than