The Coconino sun. (Flagstaff, Ariz.) 1898-1978, 1917-01-12
ARIZONA MINES BREAK
ALL PREVIOUS RECORDS


in 1916 had a record total value Of
nearly s2O3, 100000, compared with
800, O06, 349 foro 1916, according to the
estimate of Victor C. Heikes, of the
United States Geological Survey, De-
partment Of the Interior. The notable
output Of copper and the high prices
Of metal both assisted in this increase
of 1873 per cent. There were record
productions, also, of gold, silver, cop
per, lead, and zinc.
The production Of gold from Ari-
iona mines increased from $4,166, 025
in 1915 to approximately A,427 900 in
1916, an increase Of over s per cent.
The production of gold from copper
ores in most counties was naturally
greater than in 1915, but there was
marked decrease in the output OF
bullion from amalgamation and cya-
hide mills, particularly in Mohave and
Maricopa counties Several new gold
mines were added to the list during
the year, especially in the Oatman
camp, Mohave county, but the pro-
duction was not sufficient to offset the
decline in the output Of the older
properties. A new 200-ton mill was
being completed for the United East
ern property, and considerable ore
was opened at he Big Jim and Gold
Ore mines. ....
The production of silver from the
mines increased from 5,649,020 ounces
in 1915 to record output Of about
1928 900 in 1916. As the market
price was much higher, the value in
creased from $2,S64,O53 to nearly s4,-
400 900, an increase Of nearly 81 per
cent in value. There was no great
change in the production from the
Commonwealth property, which is
principally a silver producer, so the
increase is to be credited largely to
the remarkable output of copper ore.
The mine output of copper sur
passed all records and estimates, as
it increased from ASS, 972, 295 pounds
to approximately 693,00O,OOO pounds
in 1916. The value of the output, on
account of the unusual market, in
creased from $sO,495,152 to nearly
81 80, 100000. The increase OF l35 per
cent in the value Of copper alone IN
Arizona was therefore more than the
value of the total output Of the State
in the previous year. All the smelling
plants Of the State were worked at
fun capacity and made much greater
shipments of copper bullion. The
plant at Sasco, in Pima county, was
again operated and made q large con-
tribution. The Inspiration mine was
milling nearly 500, 900 tons in August
and was producing 100000 pounds
of copper, an output that made it one
of the largest producers in the state.
The Ray Consolidated, Miami, United
Verde, and United Verde Extension
made great increases. The Swansea
| property, in Yuma county, made a
larger output, and large teaching
plant was being constructed at Alo'
| in Pima county.
The mine production Of lead increas-
ed from q 1888 1863 pounds in 1915 to a
record production Of over $4,000, OOO
pounds in 1916. The value OF this
output increased from s1,021,732 to
81 ,76s, 900, or 10 per cent. The Cop
per Queen and Shattuck- Arizona
mines, in the Warren district, and the
Tennessee mine, in Mohaye county
continue to contribute the largest par
of the lead output.
The production Of zinc from the
mines increased from 1S,220,S6s
hounds, valued at $2,259,387, in 1915
to about e, $50 900 pounds, valued q,
80 STA ,260, in 1916, an increase o.
nearly q per cent in value. Th'
greater part Of the zinc ore and con
centrates was shipped from the Col
conda and Tennessee properties, II
Mohave county. There were, however
two new and important shippers o.
zinc ore-the Mama Copper Go. II
Pinal county, which opened up zin'
ore and constructed q concentratol
late in the year, and the Duuquesn'
property, in Santa Cruz county. Ship
ments were also made from the King
man Zinc Co. near Kinman, the SAL
Xavier mine, in Pima county, and tn'
Gemmill- Randolph tailings at Crown
king. Possibly $4,000 tons OF cruz
zinc ore and concentrates were ship
ned from the state during the year.
Dividends paid to December 10
amounted to nearly $34,0O0,OOO. In
contributors were the Copper Queen
inspiration, Calument & Arizona
United Verde, Ray Consolidated, Mia
mi, shattuck-Arizona, United Globe