The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1917-02-01

sach a state mining experiment STA
lion should be to make free determin-
atoms of Idaho ores for prospectors.
and, when called upon, to give infor.
nation to prospectors regarding the
nature and value OF their ores and to
ADVISE them concerning development
problems. This is not SO important
In the case of large mining companies
Which are usually well able to look
AFTER these things for themselves.
{. State Geological Surveys.
The object of state geological sur
Veys is tWo-fold: To call attention in
accurate and reliable terms to the
states mineral resources, and to rem
der all possible aid in the proper de-
yelopment of these resources. by fur
nishing the prospector, the miner and
the farmer with accurate information
concerning them. The investigations
conducted by state geological surveys,
generally include: (D Mineral re-
sources; (2) geologic and topographic
maps; (3) underground water re-
sources, and also include (D soils;
and 60 water power
"The results of the investigations
are published in the form of geologic
and topographic maps, and as reports
or bulletins describing the occurrence,
character, and value of the mineral
deposits of the state.
1.-THE United States geological sur
vey has followed a policy of coopera-
ting with the various states. 1t is the
custom of the federal survey to spend
in any state at least as much money
as the state itself appropriates for ge-
illogical work. Moreover, it spends
this money in cooperation with the
state survey which enables the state
to direct the investigations SO that the
work will be done where it is most
needed.
Recently a tentative agreement has
been reached between the geology de-
partment at the University of Idaho
and the United States geological sur
vey, providing for such a cooperative
scheme as soon as Idaho shall estab-
lish state geological survey.
Service to Prospectors.
"The most experienced prospectors
are constantly finding rock and min
erals which they can not identify. In
states where geological surveys are
may send rock and minerals to the
survey for free Identification and opin-
ion as to possible value.
Development Work.
Estate geological surveys should be
prompt to examine and accurately
map the geology of all new districts,
thus giving the operators the advan-
tage of the geological evidence while
the need for it is urgent.
There are undoubtedly in Idaho
many valuable mining properties that
are now idle because of a failure to
understand the geological conditions
The frequency with which faults
cause disappearance Of the ore is well
known. Detailed geological examina-
lions of mining districts, either new
or old, will, in many cases, bring tc
light new ore bodies and open up new
possibilities.
Non Metallic Resources.
- hn4s nfn11 f.7r nj
and her great phosphate fields, Idaho
contains commercial deposits of ex
cellent clays of all kinds, including
some Of the highest grade fire clay il
the United States, recently discovered
and developed at Moscow; building
stones, cement rock, limestone, mica
Asbestos, mari, volcanic ash and pre-
cious stones. other minerals which
may reasonably be expected to com
in Idaho in commercial quantities in
J lclude: Monazite sand, gypsum, salt
! barite, ochre, molding sand, glas
sand, infusorial earth, abrasives, nat
ural gas and petroleum. A state geo
, logical survey would issue bulletin
: describing in clear non-technical Ian
guage the occurrence, characters an
t uses of these substances, the places i
: which they are most likely to b
3 found, as we'll as all places fror
. which they have been reported. Thi
t would stimulate the search for then
4 Road Materials.
Y "In the construction of roads an
r state highways, the distribution an
1 properties of rock, sand and grave
. are of great Importance to the engir
GERS in charge. State geological SUI
: veys should work with the state high
: way commissions in determining an
: locating the best materials available
: Need for State Bureau.
o "All but five or six states in tt
d union maintain state geological sui
veys and this is perhaps the be-
: proof of their value. Idaho makes 7
II provision for the investigation. SUI
: veying and development of her mil
y eral resources through a geologic
10 survey, nor for metallurgical exper
l. ,aents to secure improvements
l. milling and treatment methods for h
n ores. through a mining experime
of station.
Is "That there is already great ne
t. for such service is shown by the ia
to that the mining and geology depar
-