Gilpin observer., 1914-05-21
STATE GEOL0G|ST
VISITS COUNTY
EXAMINES PITcHeLENDE MINES
AND MARvELs AT THE WON
DERFUL DEPOSITS OF RICH RA-
DIUM PRODUCING ORE.

Professor R. d. George, state geolo-
gist, made a visit to Central City
this week for the purpose of deter
mining pitchblende deposits on
Quartz hill and vicinity. His visit
was prolific in results since numer-
Gus tests showed radio-activity in the
ores of various mines on and sur
rounding this world-famed hill. Pro-
fessor George is strongly of the opin-
ion that pitchblende mining is not so
much of surface proposition as is
supposed. The ore has always been
found at slight depth, sometimes
at seventy-five feet and from that
depth on to several hundred. This
theory has been supported by lack
of further evidence to show that
pitchblende might be a deep mining
proposition since none of the pitch
blende producers have been, as yet,
mined deeply. The future will dem
onstrate the correctness of his theory
since a shaft will be sunk on one
of the claims adjoining the Wood
mine at an early date and it is the
this shaft to a great depth. The
Bezant, in Leavenworth gulch, will
soon be placed in the list of pitch
blende producers If indications count
10 aGfC
the ores of that mine showed up
well. The ore is similar to that which
led to the discovery of the Wood
mine, and although it was suppos-
ed to be outside the line of urani-
um deposition, II goes to show that
this rare mineral is not confined to
the restricted area, as was first sup
posed.
The Zimmerman group on Quartz
hill showed strongly in pitchblende.
although only surface ores were test
ed. The Blagdon claim of this group
has been pitchblende producer in
the past, and old timers are wont
to relate stories describing the pock-
cts found in sinking the discovery
shaft. This claim produced some very
good gold values in the early days,
as did the Effie and Ezra White of
the same group. The Wood vein pass
in this aristocratic neighborhood, con
.iguous to the mine that first attract
ed the scientists from all over the
world. it is with great interest that
we are watching the development of
this group of claims. Tie work is in
charge of VIM. Granville, who has
done splendidly in pushing the work
along as fast as the weather condi-
tions will permit. Mr.. Glanville is
one of the best posted mining men
in the district, and is a very effici-
ent superintendent. 1t was through
the efforts of Mrs. Zimmerman that
Professor George came here with his
electroscope and tested the various
ores and waters of our camp, and
since it devolved upon frail woman
to take the initiative in this in
stance, and blaze the trail to the
topmost realms of fame in the radi-
um field, we should give credit wher
credit belongs and assist IL we can,
in the enterprise of which she is
the head. Mrs. Zimmerman studied
uranium deposits while connected
with the DUPONT company, owning
the German and other groups Of
mines, and through knowledge CLEAN
ed while with these people. combin-
ed with hard study, she was prompt
ed to procure under bond and option
to purchase, that ground lying be-
tween the Wood and Kirk mines, and
we are confident that the ultimate
b outcome of this enterprise will re-
suit in satisfaction to all concerned.