The daily progressive-miner., 1916-07-07
GREATEST ACTIV. ITY IN WINNING
 IN YEARS
GEOLOGICAL SURVEYS MlD-YEAR REVIEW SHOWS GENERAL
 PROSPERITY.

complishment of the mining industry
 in the six-month period just complet- ed warrants the forecast that 1916 is to be the record breaking year" With this statement the Director of the United States Geological Survey sums up his official mid-year review of the mineral industry as reported to him by the government geologists and statisticians covering the different subjects.
 Active demands and good prices
 have furnished the mine operators with full opportunity for success in
 working developed properties, and this in turn has given added incentive and available funds for exploration. l prospecting, and experimentation with new processes. The mining man is having his innings"
 Summarizing the special reports which are now being made public, Director Smith continues his review
 Among the metals copper is contin- uing the steady increase in production which began early last year, and the forecast for 1916 indicates not only the largest output ever known but also the largest profits.
 Shipments of iron ore from Lake Superior points for five months of E 1916 exceeded by more than so per cent those for the same months in 1915, and the indications for the year are favorable for a new high record on iron-ore production, and of pig iron as we'll Higher prices with a steady demand are stimulating the mining of manganese, with the result that this years output of ore is expected to surpass the large production of last year.
 The lead and zine mines are pro- ducing ore at rate even exceeding that of last year and the prevailing prices have made possible the work ing of large quantities of lowgrade ore.
 Most precious-metal mines are op- eraing at full capacity. The gold pro duction will probably fall below the l high yield of last year. but silver, the one metal last to benefit by the gen eral domestic prosperity, is expected this year to break all previous records.
 In quicksilver the outlook is for a continuance of the output of 1915, which was the largest for several years Thus far in 1916 the average price has greatly exceeded the 1915 prices; and although the reaction in prices has come, conditions are fav orabe for steady and profitable op- eration of the quicksilver mines, some of which are newly opened.
 The reports from the Surveys vest ern offices are all optimistic. In Ari- zona mines and smelters are working at high pressure, and the production | of metals already shows an increase 1 that promises to make the value of 1 the output nearly double that of last year. Arizona will maintain first place as a copper producer. New Mexico is continuing it's rapid progress as q metal mining State, with increases in 1 it's output of lead, copper, zine, gold and silver. The mines of Colorado i in tho six months just past have shown some changes in output as com i pared with last year; an increase of | in, ia ind tC gether with small gains in lead and zinc, d 15 per cent decrease in gold, 1 and little change in silver. This out | put, however, represents a large gain in value of mine production. Mining l has also been stimulated in Montana, and the forecast indicates an increase 1 of 60 per cent in the value of the mine product over that of last year. Here also record outputs may be expected l for 1016 Idaho mines are increasing their shipments in all the metals, with higher wages and larger dividends as the result of better prices.
 Utah is experiencing an ore pro- duction in excess of shelter capacity. The value of the 1916 output of cop per is expected to be double that of last year. Throughout Nevada the old term bloom" best expresses the pres ent mining revival. Old mines are be- ing reopened and regular producers are working at full capacity. The chief gains in production will be in activity in the mining industry of Cal ifornia is finding expression largely in