Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1918-12-23
OLD HYDRAULIC
MINING PROCESS
AGAIN POPULAR
Use Of Cement for Dams
Solves the Problem of Debris
and Permits of Old Aban-
doned Workings,
teY noaNlsa IouEaAL srreIAl lrAsrD Nlsrl

Grass Valley, Ney, Dec 22.-EIy-
draulic mining is showing renewed
activity in the group Of counties
where once il flourishcd a quarter OF
10 century or more. The use of ce-
ment in the construction of dams
had, at least to a large extent, solved
the old and vexns problem of dis
posing of the resultant debris, thus
permitting the reopening of dozens of
old workings that once yielded good
profits to the owners and operators.
In Placer Nevada, Sierra and Yuba
counties, preparations steadily have
been going forward for two or three
years past
In the vicinity Of Dutch Flat, Plac-
or county, men are at work and num-
erous old workings at Liberty Hill,
You Bet Quaker Hin one and else
where have been or are soon to be
reopened. The old bitches and
fumes, in disuse for % years. have
been rebuilt, the brush grown dig
gings cleared. Storage reservoirs have
been constructed, for under state and
federal laws. none of the refuse is
permitted TO enter any natural wa
tercourse
In the La Porte district of Sierra
and Plumas counties there is much
activity. In order to reopen the old
properties there, dams have been con-
structed, tunnels driven and prepara-
tons made to convey water scores of
miles to the places of operation,
At other places in the mountains
and foothills of the counties named
hydraulicking projects are either
planned or under way, all based upon
the storage of the debris in conven-
lent ravines or canyons by the cXpedi-
ent of dams Work has been pro-
crossing steadily for many months.
From small experimental begin
ming in 1857, hydraulic mining in the
early seventies assumed large proper
tons in the group of counties includ-
ing Nevada, Placer, El Dorado. ST.
ezra. Plumas and Yuba. The~flood
and snow waters Of the Serras We're
utilized. Reservoirs were construct
ed wherein millions of gallons were
stored to be conveyed as needed
through hundreds Of miles of bitches
and fumes.
The United States Geological Sur
vey estimates that gold to the value
of S300,000,000 was extracted be-
tween the years 1860 and 1885. This
involved the tearing down of 1896
900 900 cubic yards of gravel accord
ing to the estimates. 1t has been cal
culated that had this been conveyed
by rail. it would have been sufficient
to load SOS average freight trains or
$500 flat cars daily.
This tremendous waste matter,
most of which ultimately found its
way to the valleys. involved the min
crs in difficulties with the farming
interests and two decades of htiga-
ton ensued. The Anti Debris Assoc
citation. composed of those who op-
posed the pollution of the streams,
was active against the practice. Court
decisions were obtained in 1884 which
rendered it virtually impossible for
the mines to operate and with few
exceptions they were abandoned
Then, and now authority to issue
permits for hydraulic mining invest
ed in a federal commission composed
of army engineers. These permits
are obtainahle upon the showing that
all debris is to be impounded. Cement
construction and greater engineering
skill now makes it practicable to meet
this condition. according to the view
of those engaging in the industry.
Despite the enormous operations
for some thirty years, involving in
vestments placed at $100,000,000 it is
estimated that only Approximately
one-fourth of the collaborating gravel
was worked.