The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1916-01-20

Uniteda States geological survey and
the bureau OF tae mint for 1915 indi-
cate an output of 67,4S5,6OO fine ounces
of silver valued at $34,417656. AL
though next to the record output OF
1914 in quantity, according to III. ID
McCaskey, of the survey, the value
based on the low average price OF
1851 per fine ounce for 1915--the low
est In the history of the industry
was considerably below the values for
1914 and many previous ye rs, when
production was smaller but prices rul-
ed higher.
Increase in the mine production OF
silver were especially notable in Mon
tana, Utah and ARIZONA end were con-
siderable in Idaho, Alaska, New Mex
leo, and Texas; but large decreases
were reported fiom Colorado and from
Nevada following similar decreases In
1914 Preliminary totals, based on
ore marketed as distinguished from
ore smelted, indicate a record output
OF nearly 100000 ounces Of silver
from all domestic mines for 1915; but
some of this was produced under
stimulation of better prices at the
close of the year and will not reach
metallic form at the smelters and re-
fneries until 1916,
Record Output in Nevada.
Final figures will probably show that
In mine output of silver Montana pass
ed Nevada and took first place in
1915 with record outputs the early
figures indicating an increase over the
production for 1914 of more than o.
100000 ounces, due chiefly to increas-
ed copper and zinc-lead mining at
Butte
Nevada silver mines showed a de-
crease of about $4,000 ounces follow
ing similar large decrease in 1914
due mainly to the low prices of silver
The Tonopah silver-gold mines were
the largest producers again in 1915,
and the Nevada Wonder and Nevada
Hills mines, In Churchill county, and
the mines of the Rochester district In
Humboldt county, were also active
Operations In the Rand district In
Mineral county and at the old camp
of Belmont in Nye county were also
of interest.
Increase in Idaho.
The mine production of silver In Ida
no increased about 100000 ounces in
1915. The output of Idaho is derived
mainly from the silver-lead ores of the
Occur dAlene district and the low
prices for both silver and lead in 1916
prevented large increases until the lat
ter part of the year when better prices
greatly stimulated production and in
creased the shipments of ore and con-
centrates.
The mines Of Utah increased their
silver output in ores sold or treated by
more than 100000 ounces in 1915.
Much of the silver comes from lead
ores and smaller quantities from cop
per and siliceous ores. The Tintic
Bingham and Park City districts con-
tinued active, especially in the latter
part of 1915 when better prices pre-
vailed for silver, copper and lead.
The production of silver from ores
produced in Colorado again decreased,
a net loss of over 100000 ounces be-
ing indicated for 1915 from early mine
returns. The output from Leadville
alone decreased over 10000 ounces,
and there were smaller decreases from
the San Juan region, Creole mineral
county, and other districts. An in
creased output of silver is noted from
Eagle county for 1915.
Upward Trend at Close of Year.
Low prices for copper and lead as
we'll as for silver in the early part of
1915 and the uncertain future of the
silver market, together with disorgan-
lied facilities for transportation by
sea and decreased demand from the
far east, continued the difficult con-
ditions of 1914 for silver producers in
to the early part of 1915. Not until the
last months of 1915, when London
stocks became lower and demands for
coinage increased among the allies, as
we'll as for supplies for India and
China, did the market improve An
upward trend, however Is finally In
Dictated at the close of the year The
production Of copper, lead and zinc
ores that yield large quantities of sill
Yer has for some months been at the
maximum and an increasing output of |
silver from siliceous ores is now en-
couraged. The Canadian output will
but the Mexican production. |
cut to low figures during the recent
revolution, can not resume its normal |
" high position for some months after
peace is restored In Mexico
Official average prices for fine silver
n New York in 1915, reflectlng condi-
ions above outlined, were abnormally
ow The monthly prices averaged
1915 cents per fine ounce In January,
1914 in February, 51.3 in March, 51.2 in
April. sos in May, and SOL in June. In
July the price dropped to 1879 and in
August to 49,, but rose to 49.7 in Sep
ember, to 504 in October, and to 52.8
n November, giving an average price
or the first ii months of only 50.2
anfc Nor fine ounce Tr non1,,ls- A.