Gilpin observer., 1910-03-03
Many mining tunnels have been

TeSultS OIL lQeSe nave DeeQ most
beneficial in the economy OF extrac-
ton. The Sutro of Comstock mine
fame is an instance, but it Ia not of
much service now inasmuch as the
workings Of the big bonanzas are
pretty much below the tunnel level.
1t certainly must have served its pur-
pose and was Of incalculable benefit.
The history of that enterprise is
marked with interest to all mining in
clined. The aid rendered the geolo-
gist by its projection opened a new
field of endeavor until today the
West can find any number of mining
men who received their inspiration
from studying the formation exposed
by the Sutro tunnel.
Many enterprises Of the kind are
found in other mining sections. Lead
vile and Cripple Creek are doing
some work of that nature, but they
are limited in scope compared with
the Newhouse undertaking. This will
make possible the working of more
real mines than any other tunnel pro-
ject ever conceived. Starting as 1t
does in another district set, the re-
suits to be attained will be mostly
to the benefit Of the mines along its
course in Gilpin county.
| 1t means great deal to the min
| ing industry Of this district. The saw
| ing must be SO marked that 1t is a
wonder the enterprise was not begun
and finished years ago. The one item
Of drainage must be considered as
its most salient advantage
Probably the greater benefit deriv-
ed will be In the compulsory work
| needed to reach the tunnel Meaning,
| the mine owner will be forced to
sink his shaft deeper, thing not
likely to have been accomplished
under other circumstances. This new
work will disclose what is below and
prove the continuation Of the ore
bodies even below the 1900 foot level
Of the tunnel. This new development
will be entirely new virgin ground
and prove to the mine operator that
his ore is more abundant and of a
higher grade than in the ground
above.
The insight into the formation cut
will be a knowledge very much desir-
ed, and will be taken advantage of
by those who make geology a study
as well as a business. Those thus in
clined should post themselves on
every phase of the work of the tun-
not even guessed by even the most
expert Of mining men. To say that
there is a uniformity of rock is
meaningless. To say that the ores are
characteristic with the district does
not tell any thing new. There are
dozens of porphyries and kinds of
granite. Then there are QUARTS and
quartzites, and so on down the list
Then there are intrusive sheets,
dykes, faults, fissures and what not
These should be studied; in fact any
thing OF a nature to explain the many
things disclosed that may aid in
solving the mystery of the depths. All
this will evidently be worked out
upon the completion Of the work and
the physical formation disclosed so
that all who run may read.
| A remarkable feature of the enter
prise Is the numerous veins of min
eral encountered along its course. 1t
has proven the continuation of veins
on properties Of shallow depth, thus
assuring the owners revenue from
their mine while sinking to the tun-
mel level.
Although this section is one Of con-
tinuous development since 1859, there
are only a few properties that have
developments below 1900 feet. This
would either indicate that the source
Of ore above is SO extensive that
there was no need to gain depth, see
ing that the greater the depth the
more costly the extraction OF ore.
1t is most edifying to pass through
the tunnel and hear the management
say:
Nov. this is the California vein,
and this"-untl the face Of the tun.
mel is reached, proving the enterprise
one Of undreamed success. With all
the ore from the veins cut hauled
forth to the mill. old Gilpin is Ger.
tain to take first rank MS an ore pro-
ducer. There are more known and ex.
plotted veins in this district than to
be found in any mining camp in the
world.
The district through which the tun-