The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1916-03-02
A GREAT YEAR IN THE COEUR
D'ALENES.

Two months of 1916 have passed
and the unusual activity in mining
operations throughout the district
and the results that have followed de-
velopment work more than justifies
the prediction that this Is to be the
banner mining year in the Occur
d'Alenes. Never before did the pro-
ducing mines earn such profits, and
never was the incentive SO great to
discover new ore bodies. While lead
and zinc continue to be the big factors
in the mineral production of the dis
trict, the high price of copper has
given great encouragement to the
owners of copper property and all in
dications point to this branch of min
ing becoming one of great and grow
ing Importance. Without considering
the war demand the tremendous con-
sumption of copper for strictly dom
este purposes is such that there is no
probability of an over production, and
the best authorities on the subject
make the most optimistic predictions
for the future. 1t is altogether prob
able that the next few years will find
copper in the Occur d'Alenes occupy
ing position of equal Importance
with lead and zinc. As to lead and
zinc, barring the possibility of
stable government being restored in
Mexico, followed by a resumption of
mining in that Inflated country which
under the present tariff law would
turn large amount of zinc and lead
ores to this country, the outlook for
these metals could hardly be better
and the zinc and lead miners here are
not losing any sleep over the prospect
Of free Mexican ores First, because
there is no immediate prospect of
peaceful conditions being restored in
Mexico, and second, because it is rea-
sonably certain that before any evil |
effects could come from that quarter |
new administration will have the reins
of government at Washington which |
win enact a tariff law in the interest |
of our own people instead of the for
eigner
Important additions will be made to
the productive area of the Occur
d'Alene district this year. the most
important Of which will probably be
Pine creek Already ore shipments are
going out under difficult conditions a
and 1t is now confidently expected that
a railroad will soon supply adequate
transportation facilities Beaver creek
is also rapidly getting in shape to
make a substantial addition to the
mineral output and that section is al
so certain to have railroad this sum-
mer. This year seems destined to be
a good one for the lead and zinc min
ers on the North Side. The tonnage
from that section has assumed con-
siderable proportions at times in the
past, and the outlook for permanent
and extensive production is better
than ever before. At the same time a
new element has entered into the mni-
ing situation around Murray through :,
the discovery Of tungsten and the dis
appearance of the snow will see UNI
activity and tungsten
seems in line to become an important
mineral product.
The more one looks into the mining Il
situation in the Occur d'Alenes, the b
more he must be convinced that we D
have here a combination of mineral Lin
resources unequalled in any other dis a,
Lrict and which can be depended upon m
to bring prosperity to the people who ii
depend upon them under all conditions fl
Of supply and demand for base metals pi
Therefore while the high prices for the u
metals and consequent unprecedented f,
profits now being enjoyed by Occur fl