Gilpin observer., 1918-11-21

Nhihhs INSNleWs III WuiSu pi cuiStS GIL
era of great awakening for the mining
industry following the war. and points
out where the demand for all kinds
of metals will be without precedent in
the worlds history. He says in part:
"Our American industries began to be
affected by war demands and war prices
late in the year 1914. Zinc. lead. cop
per, quicksilver, tungsten, manganese,
antmony. plumbago. tin, iron and plati-
mum at once advanced in price and by
the end of 1915 the values of the. above
metals stood higher than at any time
within fifty years, with a shortage in
the supply of each. Mining men of our
country having then well developed
mines of any of the above named met
ais. reaped harvests of profits surpass-
ing any period in the experience of Am
| erican miners. These conditions contin-
ued until the spring of 1917, when the
United States entered the war, at which
time the demand for metals became ev-
en- greater and prices for silver. copper
and platinum continued to advance un-
til silver reached 81 per ounce, copper
2S cents per pound and platinum ran up
from $50 to $1O5 per ounce. All other
metals continuing at high war figures
until we now find ourselves in the first
days of November. 1918.
| During the years 1915-1916 the prof
its of the American mining industries
were great. But just as soon as the
United States entered the war in April
1917, labor prices advanced, and as the
organization of our armies drew men
from every walk of life. six months af-
ter our entering the war game the costs
of mining increased to such degree as
to cut down profits and the scarcity Of
mine labor caused still greater advance
in wages and, as time went on, the
scarcity in the volume of mine labor
J available became still more and more
pronounced. To these features we may
add the increased costs for explosives,
timbering. iron. steel and all other mine
supplies, until now there is little used
around mine that does not cost the
mine owner twice or three times what
he had to pay for the same material in
the spring months Of 1914.
| During these war days, in pushing
: the work of every mine, the aim of the
owner has been to bring to the surface
as much ore as possible with the least
possible expense. Comparatively little
new development has been done, espec-
tally since we entered the war. Each
month has seen advanced costs for ev-
cry ton of ore produced until now it is
a question If the average mine. outside
of those producing antimony. silver, cop
per and platinum. returns as much real
profit to the owner with the same out
put of ore as in June. 1914.
For four years the strain has been
upon the industry of mining in every
part of the world. Fortunately for the
industry higher prices for the output of
most ores allowed for the increase and
cost of productions; save in the single
exception of gold. which has remained
at the old price of $20.67 per ounce: and
as a consequence gold mining suffered
until many of our greatest American
| gold mines are now at the point of
shutting down, and the same may be
said of gold mines in almost all other
parts of the world. AS war conditions
now are. it may be said that. at the
outside, this greatest of all wars ever
waged must close inside of fifteen
months, and so uncertain are the con-
dtions that 1t may close within fifteen
days, or even before this article goes to
press: in which event the mining indus
| try will be much affected. Some metals
will fall in value, but most OF them will
remain at high figures for several years.
| when this world war ends most
countries will take on new life, some
old nations that hitherto cut but small
figure in the world will enter the ways
and works of civilization as never before
In their history. Asia, South America.
and Africa. as well as the regions of
Oceanica. will become the scenes of ac-
tive commerce and cultured life and. as
all else advances, SO likewise is there
an advanced ratio in the volume of met
ais made use OF by each country.
at is absolutely certain that silver
is going to enter into greater demand
as metallic currency than 1t has at any
time within the last fifty years. China.
India. the Balkan states. Africa. and
the countries of even more advanced civ
ilization are already demanding 1t, so
that It is safe to say that In our own
time we may expect to see silver re-
main at not less than 81 per ounce;
which fact will greatly stimulate the
work of mining silver In our country as
well as In Mexico and South America.
1.-THE coming ten years will demand
more oil. coal. natural gas. wood. gold.
silver copper iron, steel. zinc, nickel.
antimony, tungsten. and manganese than
we ever made use Of In the same per-
iod Of time since our nation took birth.
And the greater part of these metals
and mine products must come from the
underground measures of the United