The Harrison times., 1915-11-20
The Zinc Production Is Greatly
Increased.
There Is Wonderful Output Of Mineral in
North Arkansas, Says Federal
Officials

kansas field will show gain in pro.
duction over last year of 400 per
cent, and would make the largest
gain in production this year over
last year of any zinc field in the Cen.
tral states.
Mr. Dunlop has been coming into
the held annually for many years
and has always predicted a big de-
velopment for it. While he was
greatly grati6ed by the increased ac,
tivity chat marks every camp, he
stated that be was not surprised, as
the ore bodies here warranted de-
velopment
"One of the greatest factors YOU
have in your favor down here over
some districts is the cheap cost OF
prospecting and mining" said Mr..
Dunlop. Owing to the fact that
| your upper ote.bearing stratas out.
crop on the hillSides you do not have
to do expensive drilling to locate
them, but can hud them by pick and
shovel prospecting, and iu many in
STANCES without even that, the ore
showing in the ledges that have
been left on the brim by the eroding
dirt. Tunnel mining is cheaper than
sinking deep shafts. Most of these
mines are dry also, which eliminates
pumping, which is another expense
"All classes of ores that are being
shipped from the north Arkansas
field now are high grade ores, and
find a ready market at top prices.
Your silicates and carbonates rank
right at the top with any that are
produced IN any field in the United
States, and are especially in strong
demand. While ! have not totaled
my figures for this year yet, think
that | can safely say that the north
Arkansas field will show a larger
production of this class OF ores than
any other field in the United States.
This class of ore can be mined cheap
" and at a good profit. Your
blende, too, sulphide, runs as high
as any that is produced, and is free
from impurities, such as iron, etc,
and brings top price"
In speaking of the method of de
velopment that is being used in the
field now. Mr.. Dunlop thinks it is
the best that could be used, He
says: MANY operators make the
mistake of building mills larger than
their ground development warrants
and almost invariably this spells
failure. Mill capacity should never
be greater than ground development
for if it is your mill is idle half the
time and eats up your profits, small
mills are best here, increasing their
capacity as development increases
There is little question but what
there will be many large deposits of
ore opened up here thai will war
rant mills of large tonnage within
the next few years, Already this has
been done in some instances.
On being questioned as to the con
dition of the zinc mining industry in
general, Mr.. Dunlop said: Every
zinc field in the United States is
showing increased activity. The
southwest Missouri field is booming,
and is showing big increase in pro-
duction over last year. The biggest
showing, however, that will be made
at the end of the year will be in the
increased value The price of ore
this year has been approximately
twice as high as it was last rear and
there is little doubt but what the
total value of zinc ore produced IN
the United States will be the great
est Of any years production on
record.
Not only the operators OF zinc
mines have shown increased activity
but the smeter owners as we'll The
zinc smelling capacity Of the United
States has increased forty per cent
over last year to keep pace with the
demand for spelter.
"Of course no one can tell how
long the price Of ore will continue at
the high figure which it is at the
present time. think, however, the
war is playing the most important
part in the high price and that when
the war closes it will come down
1t may be some time after that
though. 1t will take some time fo'
them to open foreign mines ant
smclters after the war finally ends