Mohave County miner., 1916-12-23
JOHNSON SAYS JOPLIN IS
 SLIPPING
(From Chloride HeraldO

district where numerous properties are finding increased zinc content in their ores as depth is attained. It is an admitted fact that the very reasons below outlined were responsible for the lack of interest shown prior to twelve months ago in this camp. A number of efforts were made in the past to bring the most favored prop critics to state of development where one or more of the metals in the ore, other than the zinc, could be made to yield a profit. Failure was a persis- tent visitor in each case until the de- mand for Western complex ores re- suited in most favorable terms being offered. That the district awaited only such a move to bring it into the first ranks as great gold-silver-lead- copper-zinc camp has been amply dem onstrated during the past year. Prior to the announced intention of the leading smelters of the country to deal less harshly with Chloride ores,
 
 the miracle: Forty properties are in active operation today and a dozen more will augment this number before the death-knell of the present year is sounded. This jump from nothing ness to a leading place among Kriz- ona's great camps is little short of marvellous. No condition could have brought this about other than the changed attitude of the smelters and the boundless ore-deposits of the dis trict.
 The future prospects of the camp may be gathered from the able article of MT. Johnson, which follows:
 Joplin is passing into history. The great and unique zinc de- posits of southwestern Missouri that have dominated the zinc mar kets for thirty years are nearing their end and, though they will produce for many years to come, the beginning of the decline is in sight. This fact, accutely ap- preciated by the leading zinc smelting companies has led them to cast about for other supplies of ore while there is yet time. The zinc ores of the west have hitherto received but scant at tention on the part of the zinc smelters because these are are ''bass", that is, complex in char acter and associated with other minerals whose separation, up to this time, has been difficult and imperfectly accomplished. Pure zinc ores are not only desirable on the part of the zinc smelters but necessary to the profitable operation of their plants. A low zinc content in the charge de- creases the capacity of the smelt- ting plant, decreases the net re- covery of the metal and increase the cost of treatment and labor. The pure and abundant ores of Joplin have spoiled the zinc smell ter and have coddled him into great expenditures for plants and organizations. He has looked with disdain upon the complex and impure ores of the west. But even the greatest deposits of ore are not inexhaustable when the draught of the nation is centered upon them. Time changes every thing and the zinc smelters are no exception to the rule. So prog ress never ceases. While it ob- scures one vista it opens up others and the zinc smelters are quick to take advantage of recent mark ed advances in the metallurgy of zinc that promise them relief from the impending scarcity of ores. They have purchased patents and are now engaged in perfecting new processes. They have met with such success that they now have agents afeld convassing the zinc situation of the west.
 The owners of mines producing or capable of producing the com plex ores have been troubled by the necessity of employing more or less extended ore dressing pro cesses required to make products that will be accepted by the lead, zinc and copper smelters and, at the same time, to cover freight, and penalties and leave profit.
 In order to assure himself of large and permanent supply of high grade zinc ore or product, the zinc smelter steps in at this point and proposes to cooperate with the mine owner and to help the latter to solve his problem. The zinc shelter proposes to es- tablish numerous small concen- trating smelters wherein the new