The copper era and Morenci leader., 1912-01-19
COPPER-GAL ONE GOLD AND SILVER MINING IN
 THE UNITED STATES IN 1911
Preliminary Statement by the United States Geological Survey.
Decreased Gold Production

united states and Alaska slightly be- low the output of 1910. The most notable features of the industry in 1911, according to H. D. McCaskey, of the United States Geological Survey, conditions in the Black Hills of South Dakota, the increased dredge output in California, development of produc- tion in the new Innoko-Iditarod placer region of Alaska and the Republic dis trict of Washington, continued devel- opment and prosperity of the great Goldfield (Nevada) and Treadwell GAL aska) mines, normal conditions also on the Mother Lode, in Califronia, inn provement in metallurgical methods, and general increase in activity at many small deep and placer mines. Renewed interest in prospecting was shown in Colorado, although the gold output of the State decreased owing to the gradual exhaustion of several large ore bodies and to continued small decrease in production from the great Cripple Creek camp.
 In addition to the yields from plac- CTS and gold siliceous and pyritic ores, notable contributions to the gold production were made from copper, lead, and mixed ores, particularly in Utah and Arizona, the mining of which was also generally prosperous in 1911 Notwithstanding a decreased output of copper in some states, due in part as in Montana, to prearrang- ed curtailment, the total production of copper was greater in 1911 than in any previous year except 1909. The output of lead and of mixed ores was also notably heavy m 1911.
 Increases in output of gold are indi- cated by early figures published by the Director of the Mint as follows: Idaho, $133,361; Nevada, $94,S7S; New Mexi- co, $162,6 ,697; South Dakota, $2,05O,167; and Utah $397,047. Decreases are es- timated of $26S,S24 in Alaska, $458,- 40 in Arizona, $130,413 in California, S1, ,372, $40 in Colorado S550,560 in Mon- tana, $S2,165 in Oregon and s3O1,- 463 in Washington.
 Information from the mines, how ever, indicate that final figures of pro- duction and of exports of ore smelt ed in British Columbia and Mexico will show increases in gold output from Alaska, Arizona, and Washing ,on.
 The great bulk of the gold produc- ,ion from deep mines is derived from ore treated at gold and silver amalga- nation mills and cyanide plants, a much smaller quantity being produced by smelting crude ore and concen- trates. Nearly a quarter of the total output is still coming from gravels of placer mines, mainly by dredging in California and drifting in Alaska.
 Preliminary figures of the Director of the Mint indicates total domestic gold output of $96,233, ,52s. in 1911, against 96,269, 100 in 1910.
 According to estimates made by the Bureau of Statistics the imports in 1911 comprised gold valued at $11 ,150,- 900 in foreign ore $29, ,3OO,OO in foreign bullion, $5,750,O00 in United States coin and $10,O50,000 in foreign coin a total of $56, ,OJO. The gold ex- ported in 1911 was valued at $500,000 in domestic ores, $S,05O,000 in domes- tic bullion $30,OOO,O0O in United States coin, and s2,25O,OOO in foreign coin,- a total of $4O,SOO,OO0. The excess of imports over exports was about $15, 5OO,00O indicating a marked change from the conditions in 1910, when the excess of imports over exports was s447, ,696, and also from those in 1909, when the excess of exports was $8S,- 793,S55.
 The gold imported in 1911 was mainly in the form of ore and bullion, and came chiefly from Mexico, all though considerable gold is received from Canada every year and smaller from the Central and South American countries, and in 1911 a large quantity of gold was imported from Japan. The exports consisted largely of gold coin and went chief y to Canada, although smaller ship ments were also made to France, South America, the West Indies, and Japan.
 Increased Silver Production
 The silver-mining industry as such l is of relatively small importance in the United States, according to H. D. of the United States Geo. logical Survey, but the domestic silver production, depnding largely upon the output of gold, silver-gold, copper and
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