El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-07-05
1915 Bic YEAR
FORU. 6. MINES
Heavy Increase in Output
of First Six Months In
dictates Record Year.

J Washington, ID. c.. July 5.--The ac-
Z compIishme1t Of the mining industry
; iu the six month period just completed
warrants the forecast that 1916 is 10
2 he a record breaking year" With this
statement the director Of the United
/ states geological survey sums up his
official mid-year review of the min
,ral industry as reported TO him by
the government biologists and statisti-
clans covering the different subjects.
Active demands and good prices have
furnished the mine operators with fuU
opportunity for success in working
developed properties. and this IN turn
has given added incentive and avail
able funds for exploration. prospect
ing. and Pronunciation with new
processes The mining man is having
his innings"
Summarizing the special reports
which are now being made public. di-
rector Smith continues his reviews
1916 to Make New RecorE.
The returns Tor six months furnish
4 basis for the belief that 1916 viii set
uD a new record for the soft coal mines
Every coal miinn- state is sharing ia
ms prosperity and. Of course. this
demand for coal is 10 be traced back
o. the increased business Of the. rail-
roads and Of the steel and other large
Industries.
Drilling activity throughout the oil
producing states has brought about a
crude oil that promises TO make 1916
p record year for marketed Qetro-
leum.
The Portland cement industry has
had busy six months and the manu-
facturers are optimistic.
Among the metals. copper is coutfn-
ulng the steady Increase in nrOduc-
ton which began early last year. and
O. HHnns ngr#
only the largest output ever known I
but also the largest profits
shipments Of iron ore from Lake Su-
erior points for five months of 1916 !
exceeded by more than so percent those ]
Toy the same months in 1915.
Lead and Zinc Increase.
ne lead and zinc mines are pro- q
ducinE ore at rate even exceeding /
prices have made possible the working
r. large quantities OF low grade ore.
Most precious metal mines are Oner-
itins az fun capacity The gold produc-
ion viii probably fall below the high I
Weld OF last year. but silver. the one I
metal last 10 benefit by the general
ioneslc prosperity. is expected this
ear 10 break all previous records
IN quicksilver the outlook is for a
continuance of the output OF 1915
8 hich vas the largest for several years.
mus far in 1916 the average price has
realty exceeded the 1915 prices and
ONE. conditions are favora BE FOR
teady and profitable operation of the
uicksilver mines. some Of which are
ewly opened.
reports All Optimistic.
The repoT-s from the surveys west (
IN offices are all optimistic In Arf-
ona mines and shelters are working I
{ hlsh pressure and the produc- .
ION or metals already shows an in
-ease Thau promises TO make the value {
the outpus nearly double that Of las- I
ear Arizona viii maintain first place
$ copper producer. New Mexico
continuing its rapid progress as 4 {
fetal mining state, with increases in 2
s output OF lead. copper. zinc. gold /
nd silver. The mines of Colorado in ]
le SIX months Just past have shown 2
1me changes In output as compared I j
I'm last year an increase Of so per 3
mt IN copper is indicated together 5 Q
lth small gains n lead and zinc a Z
percent decrease in gold. and little
-er, represents large gain in vatue I q
mine production Mining has aIeo q
zen stimulated in Montana. and the / ?
'recaSt indicates an increase OF 60 I q
lct over that Of last year. Here also ( p
cord outputs may be expected for .
10 Idaho mines are increa sing their Z
-lpments IN all the metals with highe- / /
lit Of better prices
Exceeds shelter Capacity.
Utah IS experiencing an ore produc- G.
on IN excess OF smelter capacity. The .
llue OF the 1916 OUTPUT Of CONFER r. c
.pected 10 be double that Of last year q
throughout Nevada the old term %
BOOM best expresses the present ] e.
ming revival Old mines are being Z
opened and regular producers. are /
orkinE at fun capacity. The chief q
ans IN production viii be in COP 8
2, LEAD and zinc The increased ac- q
witty in the mining industry OF Cali q
rnia rs finding expression largely I'm I r.
he reopenine- Of mines that nave Ten 1 Il
ne idle and the opening OF new mines I q
II chrome, tungsten. manganese. an
mony and magnetic. rail SHIPMENTS { "a
these ores TO the east being made I !
lsSlble by prevailing high prices ] a
ashlrgtOn is another state which Z q
lows increased production. the mining s
dustry there being in better condi-
on than for seevral years past. r
-asEa q lso is beneftinC by the in
eased activity Of its mines Copper I
lining is showing great advances and