The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1914-12-03
CUSTER COUNTY MINES
As SEEN BP INSPECTOR
MUCH DEVELOPMENT WORK BUT
SHIPMENTS AWAIT BET
TER PRICES.

State Mine Inpector r. N. Bell has
recently returned from Mackay, where
he visited the Empire Copper com
pany's operations. He reports that the
management is continuing the devel-
opment Of its ore resources through
the leasing system, a fact which is
gratifying to the Mackay community
in the face of the present dull times
ana low copper prices.
These leases are scattered over the
principal ore showings of the COM
pany's extensive group Of claims and
are giving employment at this time to
fully so men. It is unlikely that fur
Their ore shipments will be made from
the property until copper prices i'm
prove, but the mine is looking excep-
'tionally well and the prospects for a
successful shipping season next year
are bright If prices warrant. In addi-
ton the company is contemplating the
erection of Christensen process mill
which has demonstrated wonderful
ability in Utah to handle low grade
ores at profit.
Good Field in Sight.
The Empire mine has extensive re-
serves of per cent ore and better, and
It is anticipated that the installation
of a good size milling unit to employ
the Christensen method will make
available an extensive tonnage of min
eral now disclosed in the mine that is
too low grade to stand present ship
ping costs and smelling charges.
The long, deep tunnel on this prop
erty is being pushed ahead and has
already attained length Of over 5000
feet. 1t is expected that the ore zone
will be met at an additional depth of
1000 feet within a few months and
with an improvement in the market
for copper meta, the physical con-
dition Of the Empire company's prop
erty gives definite encouragement at
this time Of a prosperous future and
an expanding industrial advantage to
the Mackay community.
Other Mines Producing.
At Clayton a short run was recently
made with the smelter on Red Bird ore
resulting in the production of 200
bars of silver-lead bullion, but owing
to the low market for lead metal and
financial difficulties, the operation of
the smelter has been suspended.
A lease on the old Montana mine in
the Bonanza section, operated during
the summer by William T. Oster and
associates, has been successfully han
died as a result of the discovery of a
handsome shoot Of high grade silver
gold ore and the operation is to con-
tinue all winter. A choice shipment
amounting to Is tons, from this mine
was being loaded at Mackay during
the time of Mr.. Bells visit that gave
assay results Of about 5000 per ton in
gold and silver. This old property in
its present stage Of development, said
Mr. Bell, is giving eminent promise of
to produce ore of the bon
ANA character for which 1t was noted
in it's early history.
Small Demand for Lead.
At the Wilbert mine on Little Lost
river, the management has been run
ming the mill at half capacity but, by
reason Of the small demand for lead
ore at the smelters, expects to suspend
milling operations on December l, but
will continue the development of the
mine with a small force of men dur
Ing the winter.
This property carries rich lead ore
but so far it has been found exceed
ngly low in silver values, and the ex-
Densive wagon haul of 40 miles from
he mine to the shipping point at Arco
caves no profit on the operation at the
present metal prices. The company
las been highly gratified, however, in
he recent development Of the lowest
evel in finding a marked Increase in
he silver tenor of the ore. Some av-
rage samples recently taken, over
DOT thick, shows as RICH results as