The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1915-07-15

mines, while the. Clear Creek Gilpil
region has produced slightly in exces
of the normal production. The Sum
NIT county dredgeS have maintained ;
production of about 100000 for tn,
half year.
Little change has been made in tn,
yield of silver Copper Is mainly
by-product in Colorado. but heavil,
increased shipments of copper or,
from Rico for the 6 months show ar
increase of about 100000 pounds OF
copper during that time.
Lead production will increase some.
what, due to an increase in yield OF
zinc concentrates from the concentra
tion of lead-zinc ores at Red Cliff and
Breckenridge.
Zinc ores from Colorado, during the
first six months of 1915 have shown a
small Increase in tonnage, but a de-
crease of 2 or 8 per cent in grade.
Good Outlook for Montana Mines.
Soon after August l, 1914, two OF
the three copper smelters IN Montana
closed, and another curtailed produa-
ton Of copper until metal prices i'm
proved. Mining and smelling were,
however, resumed, as the demand for
metal increased, until the production
at the end of June, as reported by V.
&. Heikes of the United States geofo-
gical survey, is about 81 per cent or
the normal output. The Anaconda
copper company announced in April
that the point had about been reached
where 80 per cent of the mineral val
ues in the ores are recovered, In
May the Pittsmont smelter was start
ed.
When the price of zinc advanced,
several mines began to ship beyond
the limit of their contracts, but the
small producers failed in selling their
product especially if 1t was sulphide
which is the predominating ore in
Montana. The Butte-Superior mill at
Butte was operated at full capacity,
and the Elm Orlu, after few adjust
ments. got under full swing. Zinc
prices increased to such an extent that
concentrate containing over so per
cent of zinc and bringing $2S.24 per
ton in December, brought $4S64 in
February and reached $6226 in May.
In February the Butte-S Superior re-
covered 8144 tons of concentrate, and
in April 1898 tons. Zinc production
will greatly increase over the 1914 out
put, which was over 100000
pounds.
The gold output of 1915 will be larg-
er, as increased shipments of gold ore
are made from the Georgetown and
districts. Silver has its
source in copper ores and its increase
is influenced by the production of cop
per.
Washington Mining Outlook.
The increase in metal prices will
affect principally the 1915 production
of copper in Washington, as reported
by c. N. Gerry of the Salt Lake office
of the U. S. geological survey. 1t has
resulted in greater activity in
several properties of the Chewelah
district of Stevens county. The Unit
ed Copper company, which has a con-
tract with the smelter at Trail, B. c.,
has made regular shipments and in
creased the capacity and saving of the
mill by additional stamps and flota-
ton machines. Other mines near Che
welah will probably make shipments
later in the year. The state has no
regular shippers of zinc ore, so the an
normal price Of that metal will not
make any great change Immediately
Republic has been dull as to produc-
ton and active in disputes and litiga-
ton. There was more work done in
the gold properties of Whatcom and
counties.
South Dakota.
c. w. Henderson of the United
States geological survey reports for
South Dakota that the Homestake
mines and mills, and the other small
Or mills In the Black Hills, South Da-
tota, have, with one exception, been
operated continuously, with produc-
ion In gold for the first six months of
1916, of approximately $3,600,00O
Texas Metal Production.
Texas has produced during the first
six months of 1915 approximately $780,
700 ouncesof silver, 10000 pounds of
cad, and 100000 pounds of zinc. This
an increase in silver. These
figures are included in the mid-year
statement of the u. S. geological sur
1ey and are based upon the report of
9. w. Henderson.