The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1914-11-12
REVIEW OF THE MINING SITUATION IN
THE COEUR D'ALENE DISTRICT
BENEFICIAL EFFECT FOLLOWED RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT b
PRESIDENT W. BRADLEY BUNKER HLL-MUsT
DEPEND UPON DOMESTIC MARKET FOR METALS

So far as the local mining situation
Is concerned, the most reassuring de-
velopment of the past few weeks was
the announcement of f. w. Bradley,
president of the Bunker Hill and Sui
livan company, that his great corpor-
alton had reached point at which 1t
was practically independent of the
lead market and that 1t would con-
tinue operation at full capacity re-
gardless of the price of lead. This
announcement coming at time when
some Of the mines of the district had
closed down and grave fears We're
generally felt that others would follow
on account of the continued low price
of lead, had a most stimulating effect
upon mining operations and business
generally throughout the district. The
beneficial influence of this announce
ment was not confined to Wardner
and Kellogg, although the direct and
immediate effect on local business
was most pronounced there. So great
a factor has the Bunker Hill and
Sullivan become that an announce
ment such as Mr.. Bradley made goes
far beyond the confines of the local
community, and. the entire district ex-
periences In a measure the sensations
OF restored confidence and a more
hopeful outlook for the mining indus
try in the Coeur d'Alenes. The Bun
ker Hill company, it Is assumed from
Mr.. Bradley's statement, has accumu-
lated a large surplus which enables it
to continue operations under the
present adverse conditions and at the
same time make it's regular monthly
disbursement to stockholders The
announcement was characteristic of
the policy long since adopted by the
Bunker Hill company in its dealing
with the people of this district, name
ly, a direct interest in their welfare
and a desire to give them the benefit
of such information that would alay
anxiety as to employment and restore
and maintain business confidence.
The Metal Outlook.
There is nothing in the lead situa-
tion that would indicate a change
for either the better or worse. The
market still remains weak at from
$3.50 to $3.50, although 1t showed con-
siderable improvement last week fol-
lowing the extensive curtailment OF
the output through the closing OF the
largest producers in Missouri Very
little lead is being exported and the
price is governed wholly by the dom
estic supply and demand. No great
Improvement can be expected until
there sa revival of building ana IN
dustrial operations throughout the
country.
Zinc.
Spelter has advanced to cents ano
according to some mining publications
there are some men in close toucf
with the industry who are predicting
that 1t will reach 5h by December l
AS there seems to be no immediate
prospect for large foreign demanC
that can be supplied, this optimistic
outlook for spelter must be based up
on the prospect for an increased do
nestle demand. A revival of the stee
industry would be the greatest bool
to the zinc miners that could com
about. for the manufacture Of galvan
ized iron is the greatest consumer o
zinc. The zinc production of Eur
ope is practically nothing now, bu
the war which has destroyed the IN
dustry has also effectually closed tn
market for American zinc
Copper.
The copper market has OF lat
shown Improvement based upon tn
reduced output which Is only abou
so per cent Of capacity. Owing to tn
embargo placed on copper by Eng
land, it is not likely that America
copper will be able to enter larger
into the European market. Engian
seems to be the only country avail
able in which there is large con
sumption of copper and this marK'
is now said to be greatly over SUP
piled. Like the producers of lead an
zinc, the copper miners seem TO
limited to the domestic marker.
Mining Situation.
While there has been one shutdoW
on account of the low prices of II
metals and considerable curtai
ment of output. the mining situate
in the Coeur d'Alene district mig
be much worse. In fact, when
compare conditions here with tho'
in other mining districts and In SCI
tlons dependent upon other than mii
ing resources, we are disposed 10 COZ
gratulate ourselves upon the prospe
ity the district is enjoying and u
favorable outlook for the future.
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