Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1913-01-16
THE GOLD OUTPUT.

precious and semi-precious metals, that
failed to hold it's own in this country
during the past year. Estimates pre-
pared by the director of the United
States mint would indicate loss of be-
tween four and five million dollars as
compared with the previous year,
though the output of the world as a
whole would seem to have made a
small gain, amounting to SIS, 100000.
No gold producing districts OF suffici-
ent Importance seriously to affect the
worlds output have been opened in re-
cent years, unless we except Porcupine,
now being placed upon large produc-
ing basis. AS a consequence fairly
even balance has been maintained for
several years past, the gain in output
in one part of the world being offset by
the loss in other parts.
During the past year war in Mexico
has seriously interfered with the out
put of the precious metals; while the
period of development that has been in
evidence at several of the we'll known
camps in the United States has brought
down the average output from this
country. Australasia seems also to
have suffered during the past year; the
loss in these three countries, as COM
pared with recent years, amounting to
$1,000, 000 Offsetting this loss has
been the increase shown in South
Africa, where the mines of the Trans
vaal and of Rhodesia have registered a
gain of 500, 600, 900; added to which is
an increase of $1,000, 900 shown by
Canada.
Figures at present in hand would in
dictate that among the gold producing
states of the west, Nevada has suffered
the most serious loss. No doubt this
is to be accounted for in the dropping
offing off in the sensational production
at the Goldfield Consolidated; and
further TO the fact that the past year
at Goldfield has been largely one of
deeper development, the effect of which
will probably be felt in a generally
larger output during the present year.
Nevada this year will also benefit from
the largely increased output from the
mines at Manhattan. camp that is
now getting into its stride as a gold
producer.
California has maintained it's lead
among the gold producing states. with
an output practically the same as last
year; Colorado, as in 1911. comes
second with an output apparently
somewhat under that of the previous
year; while Alaska has advanced to
third place with a gain of three-quar-
tiers of a million. South Dakota takes
fifth place, following Nevada. with an
output that shows an advance over
1911
In the relative position of these
states may be gagged the history of
the gold mining industry in this country
during the year 1912. Nevada, as
stated, has been passing through a
period of development, when produc-
ton has been subordinate to the work
of opening new bodies of ore.
In measure, too, this has been the
history of Colorado. Cripple Greek
has gradually been feeling the effects
of the drainage tunnel, with enlarged
operation that now show in a greater
output. Some of the smaller camps OF
the state have made marked advance,
while others have been putting greater
effort into development, with produc-
ton holding about even with the pre-
ceding year. Tn the final figures, il
will no doubt be found that the state
has been more than holding its own.
California has profited by the un
usual development along the old Mother
Lode, which has been going forward
with very little attention from the out
side world. Reports of large or,
bodies being opened at great depth il
the old mines along the Mother Lod,
have been passed over with hardly
thought, yet their effect is apparent il
the final figures for the year. TIL,
placer mines of the state have ais
been making good record; so that OF
tie whole the state has well maintaine,
it's place as a producer of gold.
Tho advance in Alaska ha- com