Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1910-11-10
Mistakes in Mill Building.

1t is a common occurrence, in the his
tory of the mining industry of the west
for mining companies to spend several
years in mine development before real
production begins; before reduction
works are built for ore treatment. 1t
is often the case that some who are in
terested in these enterprises complain,
and wonder why profit taking is so long
deferred. In the end, however, these
see the wisdom of the management in
insisting upon these long periods of
seeming inactivity, for when produc-
ton finally begins, when mills are in
stalled and in commission, the fact is
revealed that many years of ore are
blocked out in the mine workings, and
that operations can De maintained con-
tinuously, and indefinitely; they will
see that the ore supply was fully as
sured before the actual work of pro-
duction was begun, and they know that
they will have a steady income for
many years to come.
IL is IuOIS COtulIO', llOWSNSI, W NC
gin ore production, to erect big reduc-
ton plants, before the mining proper
ties of the companies are fully develop
ed and the ore measures proven. 1t is
often that mills are built before pros
pecting has been advanced a hundred
feet, the builders basing their assump-
ton of success upon splendid indica-
lions which, as development work pro-
crosses, prove to have been surface
showings only, or that with depth, the
values pinch out. Short runs are made
heavy Indebtedness is incurred, and
finally failure nails it's sign at the mill
door, the mine is closed down, and an
other black eye is given to the district.
An instance of such failure has re-
Gently been chronicled in the public
press. The property in question pre-
scented one of the best surface showings
ever seen in the west. The property
was acquired by men most prominent
; in the business and financial world
Almost before a mill-run of year was
assured the company constructed a
plant costing in the neighborhood of
/ $780, 900. At that time the stock of
{ the company was selling at 500 share
t and the outlook was most promising.
The affairs of the company were most
, ably managed. The mining and
milling costs were reduced to the
: lowest point obtainable; but the
/ indebtedness of the company has
e never been liquidated, and operat-
t ing costs have invariably been above
S returns from bullion shipments. AS g
: matter of fact, notwithstanding extern
f sive development and exploitation, the
S metallic values of the ore have steadily
n decreased as depth was attained, anC
recovery at the mill hardly justified
Il operation A close-down seems i'm
It minent, while the stock of the compan.
II is inactive at 25 cents share.
e All over this western country man.
o new and splendid mills are idle. SOM
% selling, and many were installed unde
IS the impression that their building wa
e justified. In either case their failur
n had been serious handicap to the dis
n tricts in which they were erected an
is heavy loss to stockholders, many o
st whom, no doubt, were impatient, an
clamored for ore shipments and reduc
re ton works long before the propertie
a. in which they were interested were i
lie physical shape to warrant either pre-
D, duction or mill equipment.
n In mining operations it is well
j. make haste slowly, and especially s
IN when it comes to the question of heav
E. expenditure in mill building and equiv
,e ment. Salt Lake Mining Review.