Mohave County miner., 1912-04-13
A Prospect and a Mine.

world between prospect ana mlne, the difference, ofttimes, being that the most promising prospect will require several years of systematic and intelli- gent development, and the expendi- ture of several thousand before it can take rank as even limited producer.
 There are many who know but little about mining affairs who labor under the impression that if they have pros- pect they are possessed of mine. To their conclusions, but it will be an un- developed mine that they own, and of no more present value, as far as the production of the precious metals is concerned, than would be so much va cant ground on the desert. It is true that good prospect has a certain in- trinsic value, and this value will bave a auctuating tendency, according as it's merits may impress intending buy CTS; but, it is not until the claim, or group of claims, has been developed by means of shafts, tunnels, drifts. cross, cuts, winzes and upraises, and the ore bodies exposed and blocked out for measurement, that prospect can right ly be classed as mine, and it's rela- tive actual value ascertalned and dem- onstrated.
 Good ground has value, but, unde veloped, it is far from having min } valuation. For this reason, one of the best avenues for legitimate mine oper- ation is to acquire a good prospect, de- velop it into regular producer, when it can be passed up to heavy mining syndicates at very handsome profit; and more money is often made by this method than could be acquired by the purchase of a mine with the expecta- tion that it can afterwards be sold at an advance over the purchase price. Every mine was once prospect, and it's development into paying proposi- ton, into mine worth it's many thou sands, and even it's millions, has invari ably been attended by many hardships, many discouragemerts and many set backs. Perchance, during its develop ment stage, it has changed hands a number of times, and it is quite possi- ble that it has lost money for some of its various owners. But this cannot be charged up against the mine, but to bad management, or lack of experience and ability. Every prospect will not make mine. This would be physi- cal impossibility, even if millions were spent in it's development, and for the reason that the mineral is not there; or if present, it is in such small quan- ity or it is so low in grade that it is commercially valueless.
 The Mining Review advocates the acquisition of prospect rather than the investment of heavy capital in a developed mine. But, before a pur- chase of a prospect is made, it should be subjected to most careful examin- ation and report by competent engi- neers and geologists. If these ndorse the proposition and advise its purchase the chances are that a few thousand dollars inteligently employed in it's de- velopment will work a transformation that will give to the mining industry regular and heavy producer and gilt-edge dividend-payer.
 It is really wonderful the large nun. Der of promising prospects there are in this western country that are only awaiting the advent of capital for their development into bonanza propositions. The mountains are full of them and hundreds more are yet to be discover ed. And yet, if man lacks patience, perseverance,, good sound judgment, and few thousands in the coin of the realm, he had better let the prospect alone and some occupation where his labor will bring him a regular income, as it is better that he should steer clear of mining than to engage in this fascinating and ultimately profitable pursuit, than he should make begin ming and not be able to follow the de- velopment of a prospect through it's various stages until money and labor expended is rewarded by the giving to the world of new wealth producer.-