Gilpin observer., 1910-11-03
MINING KNOWLEDGE.

to- be worked out, the question arises
whether geologists, minerallogists and
the like were ever really helpful In
making new disclosures or ever aided
In the uncovering of values due to
their knowledge Of the situation. 1t
Is rather sweeping to thus character
ize the shortcomings Of those who
claim to be mining engineers.
Were property supposedly worked
out; were It possible for mining
expert to state positively that the
ore could again be found in greater
depth or in the neighborhood? con-
servative engineer would not be like
ly to commit himself to the extent
of saying he knew such would result
were certain things undertaken. The
deductions CT most are by analogy. 1t
Is not belittling the calling in stat
ing that they should know great
deal before undertaking any mining
venture for company or capital. 1t
is easy for an engineer to go into a
mine, inspect it and compute its near
worth by viewing the already exposed
ore bodies. But let these diminish or
work out; what will he do then? He
. can only experiment. or guess.
There are many good books IN mir
ing. But nc. one single book contains
1t all. One book was Of great value.
1t told how one rock changed to an
other. Why 1t did SO and how. 1t is
not possible that all engineers have
had that special book. Thoroughly
grounded in knowledge of what cor
stitutes rocks and how they origin
ated and afterwards changed into
something else, would aid materially
in determining whether ore would
likely be found after properly had
been seemingly worked out.
Once in while the mining eng.n-
approval on a property. An instance
in point was on property in Boul-
der county. Considerable free gold
was encountered and the mine was
fast making a record for its output
Of this class of ore. The quality was
not great but expectations were high
and company was organized. These
free gold specimens were SO frequent
large capital was desirous of handling
the property. An expert mining en-
gineer was sent to report. What he
said was to lay the proposition to
! buy out flat. 1t was not a true fis-
sure. was his report. A couple of
months after the property closed
down and nothing has occurred since
to cause anyone to take particle of
interest in the discredited mine.
Mining engineers said the same Of
many other sections. but in spite Of
their theories there was a revival due
to the persistence of thoughtful min
ers. or course they worked on theory
for II they really knew what would
transr.re 1t is likely others would
also. This is not meant that all dis
coveries are mere accident.
A mine in the San Juan had vein
cropping on the surface fifteen hun
dred feet above the valley or at a
point where a tunnel might be driven
to cut the vein fifteen hundred feet
from its apex and greater distance
than that into the mountain. 1t was
calculated SO nicely that the ore
came in at a point Just where it was
expected. and the property is pro-
ducer today.
Many a good camp has received ad-
verse reports, and ceased to attract
after time. Would that prove the
section Of no account? The mineral
was there but 1t did not pay. The
properties still exist and show we'll; {;
but the adverse report put damp
ner on the enthusiasm OF the own
ers.Still abundance Of ore would have
convinced the owners that they knew
better than the experts.
All this is merely to show the lin
tied knowledge Of all concerning the
successful working Of mining proper
ties. 1t need not be a haphazard af-
fair. First Is to possess the property.
II 1t shows well. study 1t thoroughly.
Watch every change and analyze
every phase Of its ramificat!ons.
Judgment Is good thing to possess.
With that on the side OF the miner
he cannot go far wrong II he has any
thing really worth while. And assays
and results will prove whether he
possess anything Of value in the min
ing way.