Fergus County Democrat., 1915-12-30
TOM HAMILTON
IN LEW|ST0WN

WELL-kNoWN MINING ENGINEER
SPENDS COUPLE OF DAYS
AT HIS HOME.
Tells Of MINING DOWN IN CHILE
The greatest copper deposits in the
world are being developed by Ameri-
can capital III the Andes mountains
ef Chile. American dollars by the
millions are being invested in that re-
gion, which is being rapidly developed.
| There is great opportunity for trade
expansion between Chile and the Uni
ted States. The friendly relations be-
| tween the two countries are daily be-
coming more cemented and trade
| growth Is sure to follow. The estab-
| lishment of subsidiary banks by the
National City bank of New York in
Chile is meeting with a hearty recep-
ton and is one of the most important
steps toward the development of COM
merce between the United States and
the South American republic, which
stretches along the Pacific coast for
distance of $500 miles.
These are some of the thoughts ex-
pressed by Thomas M Hamilton, the
prominent mining engineer, who is
general superintendent of the Andes
Exploration company, in Chile and Bo-
livia, and who was in Lewistown
Tuesday on brief visit with friends
and relatives.
Leaves for Butte.
Mr.. Hamilton came to the United
States on business, landing in New
York City a few days ago. But he is
a busy man and in few more days
he will be on the water again, bound
for the mines Of Chile, where he is
the man in command on the ground.
Yesterday he left Lewistown for
Butte and Anaconda, and on January
IA he will said from New York for
Colon. There he will cross the isthmus
via railroad, a distance of 40 miles, to
Panama, and thence to Valparaiso, the
trip is made by boat. From New
York City to the Chilean metropolis IA
days will be consumed in travelling.
Mr. Hamilton left Lewistown a num-
ber of years ago for the South Amei-
can copper fields. His last visit to
Lewistown was three years ago. He
has many friends here who are always
glad to have him call on the periodical
occasions when he comes to this
country. He has been visiting with
his parents, Mr.. and Mrs. R. S. Ham
ilton.
4 Great Copper Mines.
The company whose affairs Mr.. Ham
ilton is managing, has over 125, 100000
tons Of copper ore in sight at this
time, at it's mine known as "Potreril-
loas," located in the town of the same
name. The ore averages per cent
copper. One interesting feature is
that these mines were worked hun
dreds of years ago by the ancient in
habitants Of Chile-Indians and early
Spainards. However, they only work
ed the small high grade veins and en-
tirely overlooked the mountain of low
grade ores. The company is investing
$12,000,000 to $16,000,000 in explora.
tion work and in the erection of con
centrating and smelling plants. A
railroad 110 miles long is being built
from the mine to Chanaral. a small
seaport town. In six months machin
cry will be landed for the concentrator
which will have a capacity of 1000
tons daily A smelter will also be
built and it will be two years and a
half before the property will be pro
ducing. Vast expenditures are re
quired to bring the property to the
producing stage, but it's future is then
certainty. About 1000 men are now
81 cy,l II cyc
When the plants are in operation from
5000 to 1000 men will be employed
by the company.
Towns Will Grow.
. or course this will be big boost
to the population of these two towns
which will show great growth. The
mining town will probably have a pop
ulation of 10000. The number will
not be larger, owing to the fact thai
the class of men employed are gen
orally itinerants, and they do not set
, tie down. Nearly all of the men art
!, unmarried in such camps and only
about 12 per cent of the population
are women.
Other Properties.
This company has number of othel
great copper properties in the Andes
including one located in Bolivia, a
: Corocora, where the veins are in sand
', stone, and native copper abounds.
200-ton mill is in operation at thi
point. This will soon be increased t.
!. 1000 tons daily capacity. Another o
the company's properties is locate'
!, near Santiago, the capital city, wher'
:. the company has its main offices.
). Braden at Head.
William Bfaden, the well know
> American engineer, is managing en-
:, gineer of the Andes Exploration com
pany, and is heavily interested in tn
= big ventures. 1t was In 1902 that MI
Braden made his big start in cope
:, mining in South America. Mr.. Ham
!, ilton was the engineer who saw tn
). worth of deposits and in 1910 he an
;, Mr.. Braden disposed of their holding
, to the Guggenheim interests. Thes
9 mines now turn out 1000 tons of cor
= per per month. Mr.. Hamilton say
: that the copper mines of Chile ar
the greatest in the world. There ar