The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1915-01-07
IDAHO MINES ESTABLISH NEW RECORD
IN 1914 BOTH IN OUTPUT AND VALUE
INCREASE IN LEAD AND zlNc-EuRoPEAN WAR
CUTS COPPER OUTPUT
MINERAL PRODUCTION OF IDAHO, 1914

In spite of the low prices of the met
ais during the greater part Of the year
1914, and the generally unsettled con-
ditions in the domestic and foreign
markets. Idaho established a new rec
ord in mineral production advanced to
the second place as silver producing
state and actually increased the value
Of the output in the face of low prices,
an achievement hardly to be expected
considering the persistent low prices
of silver and lead, and that of zinc
also during much of the year,
The figures given above show a
heavy Increase in production of all the
metals over the year 1913, and if prices
had been normal during the year there
would have been corresponding in
crease in value. In fact, normal prices
would also have caused an enormous
increase in production over that shown
for then there would have been no
eurtallment of output. About 80 per
cent Of the mineral production of Ida
no comes from Shoshone county, there
fore 1t Is probable that Of the gross
value Of the mineral production Of the
state about $22, 2,184,151 should be cred
tied to Shoshone county or the Coeur
d'Alene district.
Following are extracts referring to
mining operations in this district taken
from the annual rep 1rt of Robert n.
Bell, state mine inspector, III the year
1914:
Effect Of War on Mining.
The effect Of the European war on
general business conditions and the
depression in metal prices has had a
serious effect on the past years pro-
gress Of the Idaho mining industry in
general, but Is not without its inter
esting features among which is an
astonishing increase in silver, lead and
zinc production, due to the efforts Of
the operators to keep going and main
tain their organization and while some
of the properties containing relatively
low silver values among the lead pro-
ducers were forced to curtail, concen-
tration of effort by the remaining Oper-
ators in Shoshone county on their
higher grade silver and lead values, as
on offset for low prices, has resulted in
a markedly increased yield in metal
but very small increase in total
value.
Zinc and the Interstate Callahan.
The astonishingly large increase in
zinc production from this state during
1914, which amounted to about 62 "
per cent over the previous year, is
largely accounted for by the magnif-
cent development of the splendid ore
shoot Of the Consolidated Interstate.
Callahan mine, near Wallace, which
in spite of the fact that large pro-
portion Of its yield came from actua
development work, made a production
of over $4,000 tons of high grade zint
concentrates and crude ore, making i
one of the ranking zinc producers o
the world and resulted in it's great or,
shoot, to 40 feet thick and over 10O'
feet in length being fully cxpor
ed, with intermediate levels ant
connecting raises. This and 9th
er important resources of the prop
erty are still in a comparatively pr
mary stage of development that war
rants the anticipation of continual,
expanding resources to very mucl
greater depth and the permanent es
tablishment of one of the most import
ant deposits of clean mineral zinc tha
the world affords.
Caledonia Establishes Record.
At Wardner the splendid years re
suits Of full operation at the Stew
Ivan and auxiliary companies unde
the same general management GOVERN
the two developed features of the Sierr
Nevada companys property, the on
company have proven big feature
the increased lead and silver yield TIL
Caledonia vein is proving the brigf
particular star, from a standpoint {
proilt per man employed, Of any OF
deposit encountered in the Coeu
dAlene district, by reason of Its ric
silver and lead values.
North and South Vein System.
The Stewart, Ontario Caledoni
Sierra Nevada end scva"al 9thcr lars
producing veins in Paakor Hi tcrr
tory belonging to hnrth and Sou'
system of fissures that were only ret
ognized as distinct and separate o.
channels from the Wsrdncr lode g