The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1908-02-22
Colorado Mining Conditions.

1881, LONDON, England. OF NOflu-Wlcs
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 7 onge 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 ofthe 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 Miners-fnding grow
ing public sentiment against theI.l0p
Colorado, also left Colorado for\N
vada, with the result that they nave
there repeated the Iawlessness 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 scarcity of skilled miners in
most of the mining districts OF Colo
RADIO in 1906 and 1907, resulting i'll
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 $50
or s. per day in Nevada. Many min
ers who during the past two years left
Colorado. attracted by the illusive 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 10 Colorado for em-
ployment. practically insuring sur
plus of skilled miners.
This redundant supply of skilled
miners IS already showing it's 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. lea1, zinc and copper primarily
characterize the ores there is an in
creasing demand for leases. A greater
number OF leases, operated by SIX
miners, practically insures increa6
mineral output for 1905.
so also as to prospecting For sev-
eral years past this has been largely
neglected, high wages elsewhere PROV
ing a greater attraction. A very large
area in Colorado is practically unprCs-
pected, and a very considerable area
only partially so. Professor Haydens
map of Colorado shows the geological
formation of northwestern Colorado
tnow about to be reached for the first
time by railroad-the Denver, North
western 4 Pacific railroad. commonly
known as the Moffat road) 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' 1t 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 ~
represented in value more than ltlif
of the annual gross metalliferous pro-
duction OF the state.
In many cases Colorado ores carry
more or less, several of such five
metals and it is the aggregate value of
all the metals IN the ore which makes
for profitable production.
"Colorado's mining record for 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,OO00OO worth of the
precious and allied metals for many
years yet tc come.
To-day the mining districts of Colo
rado present better opportunities than