Gilpin observer., 1912-09-05
(sy Alfred skeets.)


ing It's own as shipper Of the prec-
ious metals, after So years Of steady
and consistant OUTPUT, and Is max
ing great gains, as will be seen by
a comparison OF the tonnage shipped
out OF the camp during the past
seven months as compared with the
same months of last year. This will
be a surprise to some who have been
mis!ed with the idea that the output
o: gold and its associate metals was
on the wane.
Eighty-six more cars of gold ore
were shipped out of Black Hawk for
the period ending July 31st. 1912,
than in 1911. The total amount was
1912 cars of 25 tons each. The first
seven months of 1911 gave total
of 1133 cars shipped, a gain Of 7h%
for this year. The total tonnage for
the first seven months of this year
Is BOATS tons. Seventy-five per cent
CT this tonnage is a finished product
in the form OF concentrates. The
free gold having been eliminated and
saved by amalgamation in the process
of milling. The gold l.. shipped direct
to the U. S. mint at Denver.
The average value of crude ore and
concentrates shipped to the smelters
is $3.50. This is a remarkable show
ing considering that the bulk Of the
ore is mined at great depth, approx
imating 1000 feet.
This fact substantiates the claim
that Gilpin county mines do not play
out with great depth. Mines are now
being work below 1000 feet. In cop
per production. which is associated
with the gold ores in the form OF
sulphides. the camp Is making great
strides, the year 1911 showing an in
crease Of 1876 over the previous year.
In gold, silver and lead. the present
production shows material increase
over previous years.
In addition to this. large tonnage
Of concentrates from the northern
part Of the county is shipped over
the Moffat road, being loaded at
Rollinsyille.
The greater percentage OF the
mines in the camp are operated by
leasers and home pools; thus keep
ing the profits Of mining at home for
the benefit OF the local community.
Very large monthly profits are being
made by some Of these pools, $1,000
to $4,000 pay days. per man, being
so common as to cause little COM
ment.
Many OF the larger mining proper
ties are operated by companies, pay
ing handsome profits to their share
holders. These are mostly close cor
porations, which make no public re-
port OF their earnings.
In the last few years foreign cap
itai has become largely interested in
the camp. notably the Frontenac
Consolidated Mines, Limited, Of Lon
don. England. This company acquired
the Aduddell and Frontenac proper
ties few years back; laid out and
followed q line Of development with
the result that these properties show
a larger tonnage OF payable ores.
blocked out and In sight today. than
any other like property in the state.
Al modern concentration plant Of $50
tons daily capacity was built after
proving the values, probable tonnage
and most economical method Of treat
ing the ores. with the result that the
property is furnishing the mill with
its maximum tonnage. blocking out
ore in excess Of It's daily shipment,
together with making maximum
saving on precious metal Of approx
imately 9ooo.
This has been accomplished under
the direction Of Manager Henry p.
Lowe. e. NJ, to whom ali credit is
due for the success Of the enter.
prise. What Mr.. Lowe has done, can
be duplicated with scores Of proper
ties in the county. now lying dormant
and which made the early operators
Of same rich. In fact the names OF
men in this and neighboring states,
which are a household word rs ex-
amples Of financial success; made
and acquired the bulk Of their for
tunues from early day mining in this
county. While this is an old story to
some. the younger generation seem
at times to forget that the corner
stone Of this Centennial state was
laid in the hills and gulches Of Gil
pin county.
As aforesaid. developments prove
that there is no known limit to the
amount Of wealth that can be taken
out Of proven mines and prospects
Of the camp. Men like the late Chas.