The Arizona copper camp., 1916-02-04
BY William p. De Wolf

rich vein systems, as different from
each other as are the veins in Gold
field from those in Tonopah, vitalize
the mining industry of the Crown King
country, a highly productive section
of Yavapai county. South of Crown
King basin the ore bodies are for the
most part replicas of those which have
made the estates of the Tonopah Min
the most valuable silver-go mines in
the United States whereas the ore
bodies north of the basin are to
considerable degree similar to those
whose golden wealth has given fame to
the Goldfield Consolidated and Jumbo
Extension Mining companies.
In the bottom of Crown King basin
is the camp of Crown King, made
easily accessible by switch back rail-
road which is a marvel of engineering"
skill. The Bradshaw mountains form
the rim of the basin and give to it an
appearance not unlike a gigantic gold
pan that might have been fashioned
by the hand of Nature. Above and
surrounding the basin are mines hav-s
ing production record that dates back
to the early territorial days of Arizona.
From these mines a down hill haul is
afforded for the ores to the railroad
Cfo in Of
These facilities, in measure, supply
an outlet for the mine product. The
essential need, however, is large GUS
tom mill in the bottom of the basin.
A suitable reduction plant at that point
would afford a nearby market for the
ores and a lessened transportation
charge thereby encouraging the oper-
ators of the less thoroughly developed
properties to increased mining effort.
Such a plant would doubtless prove
very remunerative.
Reduction Problem Solved
The silver-lead zinc ores that are
being mined in the hills to the south of
Crown King basin present no reduction
problem that can not be solved by the
oil flotation process. These ores are,
in fact, now being successfully treated
there on a small scale by that process.
The same method is likewise being en-
ployed for the reduction of the gold
ores Of the Crown King field. Notably
in the Crown King mill and in the 20
stamp mill on the Tiger group of silver
claims. Neither Of the mills is, how
ever, large enough to take on any ap'
preciable tonnage of custom ore. New
ertheless, there is a large amount of
custom ore available in the Crown
King field. A much larger tonnage
will be available as soon as provision
size the truth of the foregoing the
following resume of past and present
mining activity there is given:
| South of the basin, on the old Tiger
group of claims, there is a large ton.
mage of silver ore blocked out on and
above the 40O-foot level. Some of this
ore carries 1000 ounces in silver to the
ton. The Orc Belle workings-Tiger
Gold-show a large tonnage of $1S ore.
The dump carries large tonnage of
from $45 to $40 ore. In the Savoy
mine there is an ore shoot having an
average gold value of $2S per ton. An
other ore shoot in the same workings
samples ESQ ounces in silver per ton.
The TuseUmbia group carries a large
tonnage of silver gold ore that samples
$500 per ton. The Eclipse mine
shows an ore body of large proportions
that has a general average value of
$50 per ton. Some of the ore samples
1000 ounces in silver in ton lots.
Value of Gold Belt
The hills to the north of Crown King
basin are girdled by the gold belt of
the Bradshaws. Many years have
passed since this gold belt was first
subjected to the acid test of develop
ment and found to be 20 karat fine.
Throughout subsequent years, further
tests have emphasized and corrobo-
rated the stamp of approval placed on
the belt by the pioneers. Men who
have been identified with Arizonas
mining industry since it's inception are
operating properties to the north of
Crown King basin. Prominent among
them is Frank M. Murphy of Prescott
owner of the famous Crown King mine
from which the basin derived it's name
Mr.. Murphy occupies the same proud
position in mining and general busi-
ness affairs in Arizona as did the late
David H. Moffatt in Colorado. He is
one of the builders of the Empire of