The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1910-02-12
MINT FIGURES INDICATE coNsIp
ERABLE DECREASE FROM
PREVIOUS YEAR.
STILL LEADER IN COLL
RANKS THIRD IN SILVER PRODUc.
TON WHILE LEAD AND
ZINC INCREASE.

In production of precious metals pre-
iiminary mint figures indicate material
decreases for Colorado in 1909 accord
ing to the governments bulletin. Not
withstanding this, Colorado remains
the heaviest producer of gold in the
United States and ranks at least third
in silver output. Under the stimulus
was a considerable increase in the
yield of those metals.
Generally, there was more activity
in mining circles of the state in 1909
than in 1908. At the close of 1908
most of the base-metal camps had be-
gun to recover from the low-metal
prices of 1907 and of the early part of
1908. and throughout 1909 there was
gradual resumption of operations
through the various districts. The in
crease in activity in the gold camps
during 1908. as the result of the in
flux of miners due to the closing of
mines in the less profitable base-metal
camps, suffered no decline when work
was resumed in those camps.
Cripple Creek showed falling off of
over half ! million dollars from the
output of the prosperous year of 1908.
Local cyanide plants were unusually
active in the district, however, and the
Roosevelt drainage tunnel was ad-
vanced steadily and by December 1.
1909, was in about 10000 feet, with
$500 feet yet to be completed. AS yet
no heavy flow of water has been en-
countered, one small water-course CIV
ing off about 100 gallons minute. In
December the United States Reduction
and Refining Company reduced
charges for freight and treatment on
$40 pre- to 81 ton. with the result
that more low-grade ore is being mar
keted.
Lower Clear Creek county showed q
decrease as compared with 1908, and
upper Clear creek produced about the
same amount as in 1908. There was.
however, considerable activity around
Georgetown, Silver Plume, and Argen-
tine in the way of developments and al
SO in unwatering some old properties.
Gilpin county enjoyed a prosperous
year. The breast of the Newhouse tun-
mel at the close of the year crossed
Nevada gulch and the tunnel should
reach competition within the next six
months. Many Of the old mines in
creased their output and many new
producers were added to the list. The
discovery of a successful method of
cyaniding the Gilpin county ores was
made early in 1909, and plans are on
foot to erect custom cyanide plant.
OF general interest In the operation of
Clear Creek county and Gilpin county
mines was the decision of the stock
holders of the Boston and Colorado
Smelling Company to close the his
toric Argo smelter at the close of the
year. During October the new Modern
smelter, at Utah junction, near Den
yer, was blown in. 1t is said that the
old Carpenter smelter, at Golden, will
be again in operation at the begin
ming of 1910 on ores from the Clear
Creek mines of the new company
which has purchased the smelter prop
erty.
Leadville took on a new lease Of
life in 1909. Some important discov-
cries were made in the gold belt"
district of Leadville. and the rise in
the price of spelter was sufficient to
advance greatly the shipments of zinc
ores. The Yak tunnel had passed the
Resurrection No. shaft at the close
ol the year, and is headed for the Dia-
mond property. The length of the main
drive is now about 1892 miles. At the
three-mile mark a lateral was driven
for 1000 feet to the New Monarch
mine.
Although Ouray county made an in
creased output in 1909, the San Juan
district was heavily handicapped by a
very severe spring and by washouts on
the railroads in the fall. Active ship
ping from Silverton, Ouray and Tellur-
ide was not possible until after March,
and Silverton was cut off from rail
road transportation by washouts for
forty-six days in July and August, and
again for nearly forty days in Septem
ber and October.
tween Telluride and Placerville was
washed out by the bursting of the dam
of the Trout Lake reservoir, which
supplies the Telluride Power Com
pany's electric plant. Transportation
by railroad was not resumed until late
in the year. The yield from the San
Juan region will necessarily be below
that of 1908.
The yield from Aspen was not great
er than in 1908. Boulder county |
mines were somewhat more active
than in 1908.
Summit county increased it's yield.
both from dredging and from zinc ores.
Four dredges were run steadily from
April until December, and one was op-
Grated throughout the year.
The preliminary estimates of the Di-
rector of the Mint indicate produc-
ton of 1854, 700 in gold in Colorado
In 1909, against $22,871 900 in 1908,