The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1917-02-01
MINING IN THE COEUR D'ALENE DISTRICT
To HAVE A RECORD YEAR Of PROSPERITY
REASONS THAT JUSTIFY THIS PREDlcTioN-HIGH
METAL PRICES, NEW SHELTER, RAILROAD ExTEN-
sIoNs


seems favorable and will contribute
to the general prosperity. The Sec
ond month of the year finds the price
of lead still soaring, silver command
ing a price that 1t has hardly reached
at any time since it was demonetized,
spelter remains strong at around 10
cents in spite of pessimistfc predic-
tions, and copper continues firm at
record level. All authorities agree
that the outlook could hardly be more
favorable for a continuation of high
prices for all these metals and some
even predict that silver will go to 81
per ounce before the end of the year.
These prices spell prosperity for the
people of the Coeur d'Alene district
They mean a continuation Of the large
payrolls and high wages the great
profits to the mining companies and
the stimulation of development of new
mines, impressing capital with the
certainty of large returns and with
the security of mining investments as
compared with industrial and other
So called conservative enterprises. AL
| together the outlook is one that makes
! every citizen of this favored district
feel glad that he is here to share in
the prosperity and take advantage of
the opportunities open to ALL
Bunker Hill g. Sullivan SmeIter.
The one institution that will prob
ably exert the most far-reaching and
beneficial effect upon the district is
the great Bunker Hill & Sullivan
smelter, which will be completed dur
ing the first half of the year. Lead
and silver producers, big and little,
will share the advantages offered by
this modern reduction plant. 1t will
be the policy of the company, as well
as its natural inclination, to make the
most favorable terms possible to ore
producers, enabling much ore to be
marketed at profit which now finds
freight rates to distant smelters pro-
hibitive. The small companies with
few tons of ore on the dump will be
able to convert it into cash and make
it help pay for further development,
while the large shipper will find the
treatment rates at the local smelter
fully as favorable as those of outside
plants with the advantage of saving
the heavy freight rates involved in q
long haul. The initial capacity of the
Bunker Hill & Sullivan smelter will
not be sufficient to handle all the
business here suggested, but it is the
announced purpose of the manage
ment to enlarge it's facilities as rap
idly as increased business requires,
with the expectation of eventually
treating the bulk of the lead-silver
ores of the district. In carrying out
this plan the new smelter means a
large and ever increasing payroll.
New Productive Areas.
At least two distinct sections of the
Coeur d'Alene district will assums po-
sitions of Importance as mineral pro-
ducers during the year. One Of these,
the Beaver Sunset section, has just
now been given the long delayed rail-
road connection and one great min
eral producer is now for the first time
enabled to market it's product. 1t Is a
wonderful mineral section, and the
present year, with the impetus of di-
rect railroad transportation, will wit
ness the greatest activity in develop
ment, much of 1t on scale that con-
templates opening mines that may
rival the largest in the district.
The other section which will prove
most important producer during the
year is Pine creek, the output of which
even under adverse conditions has al
ready reached a surprising degree of
Importance A railroad up Pine creek
this spring is now assured, if closing
a contract for it's construction may be
regarded as assurance. There are
three regular shippers on Pine creek,
and the completion of the railroad will
not only enable them to increase their
shipments, but it will result in others
being added during the year. Pine
creek is now a proved section, with
unlimited possibilities of future min
eral development The prospect of
the railroad at an early date has al
ready infused new life into the dis
trict, and this year will witness it
advance to a position of first import
ance as mineral producer.
New Mills in 1917.
AS a tangible indication of the in
crease of mining activity and mineral
production that may be expected this
year, the number of mills that will be
in operation for the first time is i'm
pressive when taken in connection
with the old plants which will as
rule increase their output.
The Ray-Jefferson, on Beaver creek.
with a capacity of 400 tons, is now
beginning steady operation.
The Constitution mill, on Pine creek.
with capacity of $50 tons, is nearing
completion and will probably be rum
(Cnnfinmad On PaUa Sl