The copper era and Morenci leader., 1917-02-23
ARIZONA SUPREME
 COPPER PRODUCER

Q
 In 1907 Ariona forged ahead of Montana as the greatest copper pro- ducer. Since that time she has been sending out greater and greater quan- titles of copper until at present she is producing about 35 per cent of the cop
 per mined in the United States.
 The metal output from mines in
 Arizona in 1916 had a record total
 value of nearly $2O3,000,000 compared
 with $9O,S06,346 for 1915, according to the estimate of Victor c. Heikes, of Department of the Interior. The nota- ble output of copper and the high
 prices of metals both assisted in this
 increase of 1233 per cent.
 The predominant metal in Arizona | | is copper, the mine output of which |
 surpassed all previous records and es-
 inmates, as it increased from 59,972,- |
 295 pounds in 1915 to approximately | 693, 100000 pounds in 1916. The value
 of the output on account of the un-
 usual market, increased from ESQ.,
 495,152 to nearly s19O,000,000. The
 increase of 135 per cent in the value
 of copper alone in Arizona was there fore 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 full capacity and
 made much greater shipments of cop , per bullion.
 Associated with the red metal as
 by-products are gold and silver and as
 result of the increased copper out but the production of gold from cop lper ores in most counties was natur- - ally greater and increased from $4,- 9 166,025 in 1915 to approximately $4, f APT 900 in 1916, an increase of over Q lper cent. a The production of silver from the : mines increased from 5,649. .020 ounces r in 1915 to a record output of about !. 6,S23, 900 ounces in 1916. As the mar > ket prices was much higher the value i, increased from $2,864,053 to nearly . $4,490,00O, an increase of nearly 57 . per cent in value. There was no great v lchange in the production from the Q Commonwealth property, which is . principally a silver producer so the in- r crease is to be credited largely to the .t remarkable output of copper ore. a Arizona's nearest competitor was IF Montana with production of 353, ,547,- a 696 pounds of copper, while Michigan a is third with 269,SSs.71 pounds, con | sequently Arizona produced more cop Q per in 1916 than Montana and Michi-
 gan combined. which is taking quite a
 hike when it is remembered that tho D. latter states formerly each held the ,- lead.
 \ There was more new capital invest V ed, more mines developed and greater . general activity In Arizona than iT' n iany other copper producing section ot n the world during the year.
 if The number of men employed in n Arizona mining and ore reduction is ,- approximately 30,0O0. These men 3 draw in wages, $40, 100000 annually. 1t The valuation placed for taxation v purposes on mining property in 1915 " based on production, was $159, ,109, o- 2SS 80. .e -... o. The total dividends paid by Arizona 'e copper producers to date equals more ar than S225, ,O0O ,O00, while the profits A earned by small copper producers, ot vs which there is no complete record, is m estimated at $20,0O0,000. at In view of the fact that practical! m no attention was paid Arizona securi or ties by the investing public a fev he years ago, the forging record is al he the more remarkable.
 VI At the present time, however, tn ed eyes of the financial world are focuses nd on this copper giant and the mos , l" eminent mining men of the natiol of have recently been drawn to the state No and the capital of the leading financia nh nowers is now being rapidly poure re- into the development of it's untol be riches.
 Extending across the state is on
 of the most phenomenal mineral belt he in the country. On it are many ric mi mines Practically every county in tn on state is rich in mineral resources. bl H Cochise county leads all others with ars copper production which is about do aw bIe that of any other single county om he state. .. oc- Aside from the noted Copper Quee ink Calumet & Arizona and others equal
 a well known, an enormous amount iva money has been distributed in diN hle dends by the new mines in the sout the ern part of the state. Some of the ces copper mines have recently take ous thei- places among the leading copp hv producers of the world. and there a 2av others about ready to join them. en: The list of copper stocks that ha nov increased in value and paid for thel oW- selves almost a thousand-fold wou Iiss fill small volume.
 ,olo Thousands of smaller investors m MT. wbo lacked money to buy the S25. ght stocks but who did invest in f' ano shares of some good company that emf just opening up a mine. are maxi a fortunes from the junior coppers nch Arizona.,....-