The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1918-01-03
ACHIEVEMENTS ARE
CREDITED OLD YEAR
Bunker Hill Snelter
Is First Place in
Importance
PINE CREEK r. R. NEXT
Brief Reference to Mining
Operations in All
Sections
PINE CREEK r. R. NEXT

-,HE MINING INDUSTRY of the
Occur d'Alene district has pros
pered during the year just clos
ed. The operating companies
connection with all branches of min
ing has received high wages, no man
has been idle who wanted to work,
ard business has been good in all COM
mercial lines. But the influences of
the war which has forced metal prices
up as we'll as that of all other COM
modities has resulted disastrously to
another branch of mining which Is an
important factor in the prosperity OF
the district and which Is essential to
the life of the industry. High wages,
high cost of powder and high cost Of
all material and supplies required in
mining operations have to a great ey-
tent put the small development COM
pany out of business. Most of such
companies carry on development work
through assessment of stockholders,
and the ordinary assessment of from
to mills does not accomplish much
development at the prevailing prices.
Under these circumstances many of
these companies have suspended OPP
Grafton until the restoration of normal
conditions after the war. There is
probably less work of this class going
on now than ever before in the his
tory of the district, and yet it is equal
ly true that there were never more
properties partially opened up and
which justify further development
than now. 1t is therefore reasonable
to expect that when the war finally
ends and normal prices are restored,
there will be revival Of activity in
new development work in all parts OF
the district such as has never been
witnessed before.
Bunker Hill Smeter.
The most notable event during the
year just closed, and the one that Will
continue to extend it's benefits to the
mining industry throughout the years,
was the completion of the Bunker Hill
smelter at Kellogg, which was blown
ins about the middle of the year. Diff
ficulties due to the war and which
could not be. forestalled, especially in
the matter of obtaining coke, have
seriously interferred with the opera
tion of the plant and prevented it from
serving the district up to this time to
the extent expected but this Is mere
ly temporary difficulty and will be
or before. The building of this great
smelling plant and refinery is the
realization of hope that has existed
from the earliest days of the district,
and it was entirely fitting that this
enterprise should be carried out pr1-
marily for the treatment of the ores
from the mine which followed the
first discovery of lead in the Coeuf
d'Alene district The plant is bullt
with theS view to enlarging its capac-
ity to meet the growing demands OF
the district AS it stands today II
represents an initial investment OF
more than a million dollars. and IN lts
plan and construction embodies the
most approved ideas and modern
equipment. Not content with proVia'
ing for the reduction and refinement
OF the lead silver ores of the district
the Bunker Hill management has an
nounced that the plans of the company
also contemplate the erection OF
zinc plant also which will turn out
refined product.
Progress on Pine Creek.
The Pine creek section has been TIN
center OF much interest during TIL
past year and the remarkable minera
showings, coupled with the energeu
efforts Of the mine owners, resulted II
getting the long delayed railroao
Track had been laid almost half Tn
distance from the mouth of the creel
to the Douglas mine when the hlg'
water Of the last few days Washe'
away the grade in many places an
rendering it necessary to rebuild mucl
Of the line. Assuming that cold Wea
ther would bar further construction,
was planned to extend the track apou
a mile beyond Beeler and discontinu
work until spring However, the con
tinued mild weather may change IN
plans of the contractor and afte
repairing the damage by the fiood
is possible that work may be carrie
on not only to the point contempiatee
but ~ comnletion. In at least fou
properties large bodies of ore nay
been developed. leaving no questio
that there will be ample tonnage
justify fhe completion OF the pranc