Gilpin observer., 1915-12-16
MINING BOOM is SUBSTANTIAL


ton OF precious metals continue to
improve and the coming year gives
promise of being the greatest in our
national history SO far as the mining
industry is concerned. The demand
for metals is ON the increase and
prices have scored steady advances.
The prediction is made that silver
Will reach rs cents per ounce and
many idle properties have resumed
operations.
AS an evidence of what great pros
perity tie mines are bringing to the
West, the case of Leadville, Colora-
do, might be cited. Leadville will
this year show the highest value in
output in the annals of the camp dat
ing back to the days of the rocker
and pan. The zinc ores of the Cloud
City camp are in great demand and
low grade ores of this character,
which a few years ago we're absolute.
~ without a market value, are bring
ing steady stream of wealth to
their owners under present market
conditions. This great Colorado camp
With its complex wealth of gold, sill
ver, lead and zinc ores, is closing
the year with a rush. Never was the
market brisker for Leadville ores.
For the first time this year, ore buy
ers are now competing and the ore
producer is getting concessions and
prices before undreamed of.
And Leadville is not alone in its
prosperity. There is not a mining
camp in the West that is not feeling
the effect of higher metal prices and
the growing demand for mining Sc
curities. Capital is seeking invest
m ant in mines. Only during the past
week one of the ultra-conservative
bond houses of Denver received a re-
quest from one Of its correspondents
in ,.he East asking that the Denver
hcnse make an effort to secure a Col
orado silver mine for the eastern cap
italists. This shows the trend of
investments and it also shows that
Tire big eastern bond houses are be-
ginning to realize that to get the
full measure Of profit on investment
funds. the mining industry offers ex-
ceptionar opportunities. Then again
it must be realized that improved
treatment methods now make It pos
sible to profitably handle low grade
ores which few years ago were with
out a market value. Silver at SO
cents under present day working con-
ditions. is more profitable to produc-
ers Of the white metal than was a
81 per ounce quotation when silver
was selling at that figure. Taken all
together. conditions are unprecedent-
ed and there is not one factor in the
entire situation unfavorable to the
miner. Mining stocks should show
marked advances about the present
substantial prices and there seems no
question but that only investment
placed now in good mining securities
will show substantial stock market
profits II not dividends before the
new year is well under way.
In the face of increased copper
production, copper prices are holding
firm around 20 cents per pound and
never in history have copper share
prices showed such substantial ad-
vances in the stock market and in
big dividend disbursements. During
the past week tire porphyry coppers
declared dividends way up in the mil
hons. setting new records for dis
bursements by this class Of mining
stocks. 1t is predicted that TIE por-
phyry coppers will be selling at
greatly increased prices in the very
near future. Information from New
York is to the effect that Utah Cop
per Is in line to sell at 500 share
and that other coprers will sell as
high proportionate'y.
We are to see the biggest mining
boom that has ever been known and
the year 1916 gives promise of being
the greatest from a prosperity stand
point in our national history