The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1915-07-15
Progress of Mining During First Half
of Year 1915

| Secretary Lane is in receipt of {
mid-year review of business condi.
tionsas reflected by the mining indus.
try. The geological survey has pre-.
pared a statement which covers the
first months of 1915 and shows the
trend that appears well established
The reports from the surveys special
lists on the different subjects and from
1t western offices are in general agree
ment that the mining revival which
was slow in getting under way Is now
in full swing.
This mid-year review is an inno-
vatlon," said Secretary Lane, but its
preparation Is in line with my policy
of prompt publicity for all authorita-
tive information that the government
can secure through its established
agencies for investigation. The min
ing industry Is basal In Its relation to
the general business of the nation and
these generally optimistic reports from
all parts of the country are significant
and assuring to all who desire the
industrial advancement of the United
States"
Good Mining Year In Alaska.
In the geological surveys mid-year
review for 1915, Alfred H. Brooks re-
ports that there Is every reason to be-
lieve that the mining industry of Alas
ka has begun a prosperous year. The
present high price of copper has en-
couraged the continuation of develop
ment work on many copper properties
on which operations were suspended
in mid summer Of 1914. 1t is probable
that about a dozen copper mines Will
be on a productive basis in 1915 COM
pared with 8 in 1914. A considerable
increase of copper production Will,
therefore, take place. The gold lode
from the southeastern
Alaska, Prince William sound, and
Willow creek districts will also be In
creased this year.
The outlook for an increased output
for placer gold is also encouraging.
There will be more dredges operated
on Seward peninsula this year than
last and 1t is also probable that sew
eral new dredges may be in operation
in other placer districts before the
close of the season. In addition to the
dredges there are a number of other
placer mining plants of considerable
size that will be operated this year for
the first time.
Copper Industry Highly Prosperous
The mid year review Of the copper
situation by B. S. Butler of the United
States geological survey records
general betterment in the six months
period.
At the beginning of the year 1915.
most of the large copper producing
of the United States had
for nearly five months been operating
on a so to so per cent basis and prob
ably none were producing at normal
A considerable proportion OF
the smaller producers had shut down
their plants, where this could be done
without great loss. Developments ana
had been generally sus-
pended. Copper was selling below IL
cents a pound and had been consider
ably lower Wages had been reduced
in most If the camps and many men
had been either laid off or were en-
ployed only part time.
Soon after the first of the year how
ever. there was noticeable Improve
ment in the demand for copper and the
price has rather steadily advanced
from below 10 cents to about 20 cents
a. pound, the highest price reached
since 1907. With the increase In de-
mand, and the advance in price, there
has been a corresponding steady in
crease in the production of the metal
and at the present time most of the
arger producers have brought their
,utput to normal while many of the
smaller producers have resumed oper-
atoms. The output Of copper has also
nearly or quite reached the
normal. Wages have been raised IN
he camps where reduction had taken
place and the industry in general Is In
highly prosperous condition.
coIorado's Mines Busy.
The output of Colorado mines dur
ng the first six months of 1915. ac-
,ording to Chas. w. Henderson of the
United States geological survey, will
how no increase in actual metal con-
ents except for gold. The increase in
lverage prices for lead, copper and
zinc, based on the normal production,
will, howevr, add greatly to the total
ralue of the output, and the undoubt-
d activity in mining promises at least
he normal production of metals for
he year 1915, which at the exceeding