Gilpin observer., 1910-09-01
NUMBER OF MINES WORK.
ING LIMITS POPULATION

way of extinction-literally wiped off
the map. The causes for this are as
various as the number that have gone
the way. Those that have remained
in the foreground since their advent
are really worth considering. They
form subject of interest not alone
to the scientist and miner, but the
fledgling and layman alike.
OF course metals are pretty well
scattered throughout the composition
of the earth's crust. Some sections
have more, some less, while others
can return not even trace of that
which may be abundant elsewhere.
The reason for this is not satisfact-
orily worked. Coal is here; and else
where, but not somewhere else. Oils
are the same; metals, generally, like
wise
But this may not be phenomena
Man has made it important simply
by reason of their utility. Their uses
established. reclamation is in order.
Calling forth the ingenuity of those
with inclinations in that direction. 1t
is an exhaustless subject and Of
greater interest than most, because
of the great value returned upon solv-
ing the mystery of the rocks.
This is called forth by the continu-
ed production of ores from sections
of Gilpin county. There are wonder
full indications of mineral in these
hills. The amount in value of ores
taken will never be known. The guam
tity to be mined must also remain
an unknown quantity. The mineral
zone is such large one, the ground
remaining untouched must ever call
the miner to try his fortune here.
sAll recognize that attention to this
sort of thing must have something
back of it in order to gain any sort
Of recognition. If it is all that is
claimed, the sceptical might ask, why
are not the hills overrun with
miners? Why is it that Central City
is not the liveliest place Of any min
ing town on earth? These thoughts
are common. There are many places
just as good as this. Admitted. Some
But 1t has ever been noticed that a
section will accommodate just so
many. Probably the most popular OF
all mining camps, Leadville has that
to draw crowd of say thirty thous-
and people. Why did it not go on up
TO the one hundred thousand? Be-
cause thirty thousand was about all
prevailing. Deadwood. South Dakota
drew fifteen thousand. 1t could sup
port no more. Aspen, Colorado, in
the neighborhood of ten thousand.
And SO on down or up the list.
Further, h e sceptic says:
But the mines are here and If as
good as claimed why are they not
working? AS to that, a thousand reas-
oHS Soulu Ue gwen Inc lulHeTdI Is
here, plenty Of it. The mines are
pretty well developed. The greater
the developments, the expenses of
working is correspondingly high. The
grade-the values are in excess Of
OF most mining districts and because
Of their various contents they are
hard to handle. This eats into the re-
turns and works against more extern
sive exploitation. The average values
or contents of the ores taken from
the Gilpin county mines are admitted
to be higher than that from ores Of
other mining districts. This is not
mere assertion. 1t can be proven.
1t Is that which causes the call TO
work here. To solve the question Of
reclaiMfng all the values would prove
the mines here to be Of high-grade
class, compared with what is mined
elsewhere. Do not doubt for a minute.
So long as this condition prevails
there will be continued experiment
ing in the hope that some one may
unlock the secret Of successfully
, treating Gilpin county ores.