Tonopah daily bonanza. [volume] (Tonopah, Nev.) 1906-1929, 1913-03-22
Especial to the sonsnza)

MANHATTAN, MarCn 2Z.-EXten
sive experiments have recently been
in progress in behalf OF the manage
ment of the Manhattan Consolidated
to discover an economical method
for successfully treating the refrac-
tory ore that was opened in large
quantities several months ago in
the Steiner lease on that property,
and advices from officials of the
company Indicate that they are now
sanguine of satisfactory solution
of the problem within a very short
time. A roasting plant for burning
out the arsenic, antimony and iron
which in combination baffled at
tempts of the present milling meth
ods of the camp, had been proposed,
and much investigation has been
made along those lines as well as
others. Metallurgical tests have been
made by some of the best experts
in the United States, and it is now
understood that it is probable that
a purely chemical process will be
evolved to successfully recover the
values, and which will be less ex-
pensive than the standard cyanide
method
Further experiments are now being
made to definitely determine just
what can be accomplished in this
line, and when this problem is thor
oughly solved, it will at once open
the mine TO a large production There
is an immense body of ore averaging
about SIS per ton developed between
the 100 and 200-foot levels of the
Steiner lease, but its refractory
character has made it impossible
of treatment by standard cyanide
or other methods now in vogue in
this camp. Otherwise this lease
would have been one of the biggest
producers of the district.
The Consolidated and the Steffner
lease were the first in the camp to
go up against the problem of re-
fractory ore, but other mines in the
upper end of the camp will sooner
or later face the same difficulty as
they increase the depth of their de
velopment. The Consolidated inter
ests have been working earnestly
to solve the problem, and 1t is graft
4 flying that these efforts promise to
soon bring the desired results. It
means not only the rejuvenation OF
this valuable property as a big pro
ducer but has an equally important
bearing on the future Of others that
may be brought face to face with
the same difficulties Further de
tails of the progress of these expert
ments may be expected within the
(near future.
Big Four
Steadily the Big Four mill is in
creasing the tonnage handled as i
works more thoroughly into its stride
an average of 100 tons per day nov
going through the mill, and some
days showing as high as no There
is every evidence that the estimated
capacity of 120 to 125 tons will easil!
be attained by the time the new
ness" is worn off the equipment
Only ore of low and medium grad,
has yet been put through the mill
but all the possible places for vast,
or lodgment are being filled up AM
the grade of the ore can now be in
creased at pleasure without having
a lot of the gold use itself for fillinj
in crevices along the route from tn
stamps to amalgamating tables.
good recovery of values is heini
made, the tailings showing only
nominal gold content.
There is already so much or
broken and stored in the mine tha
but little increase has been mad
in the working force underground
Besides the broken ore, drifts hav
been driven for long distances in or
on various levels, and preparation
made for extensive stopping operation
at any time it may be necessary t
keep we'll ahead OF the demands Q
the mill. The double-drum hois
that has been ordered will be place
on the property as soon as it ca
be delivered, and this will greatl
facilitate operations along the broat
er lines which the mill will necess
tate
Present levels will then be extend
ed out into virgin territory for oper
ing additional ore reserves, but a
it is estimated that there is now de
veloped in the mine 100000 tons O
ore carrying an average value of 81
} per ton, there is no especial rus
about immediate extension of tn