The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1919-01-02
E,timates Made by the Unit
ed States Geological Sur
vey for Year
PRODUCTION IN 1918.
$ss,14o,ooo
Total value

10HE VALUE of the gold, silver
u copper, lead and zinc mined in
idaho in 1918, according to the
estimate of C. N. Gerry, of the
United States geological survey, de-
partment of the Interior was about
$3S,14O, 900, a decided decrease of $16,-
100000 from the value in 1917. The
decrease was marked in all the met
ais but gold, as well as in the total
value of the output. Even the values
of the silver which increased in price
during the year, was less by more
than 100000. Many of the mines,
particularly the smaller ones, were
handicapped on account of the scar
city of labor, and even the larger
mines were at a great expense on ac-
count of the increases in cost OF
freight, treatment and supplies. One
OF the encouraging features of the
mining industry of Idaho was the sue
cessful operation of the Bunker Hill
& Sullivan smelter and refinery at
Kellogg. Toward the end of the year
preparations were being made for the
addition of two lead furnaces as well
as other improvements in the roast
ing and refining departments.
Gold.
The mine production of gold in Ida
no increased from $SO4,SO9 in 1917 to
about $S67,O0O in 1918. The most i'm
portant gold production came from
the Sherman and Corporal property.
in Idaho county. Close to this was the
output of the Gold Hill and Iowa
mines, in Boise county. A consider
able output of gold has it's source in
the copper ore from Mackay, in Custer
county. Although the Boston G. Ida
no dredge at Idaho City was operated
for a time during the year, the total
gold from dredging operations was
considerably decreased. The plant OF
the Kirtley Greek company, in Lemhi
county, made only small production
previous to being dismantled, and the
dredge at Pierce had only slight out
put.
Silver.
The mine output of silver decreased
from 12,O29,33s ounces In 1917 tt
about 1856, 900. ounces in 1918, an un'
usual decline of nearly 20 per cent
and the value decreased from $9,sl2,'
ITS to about s9,2S5,OOO Decreases
amounting to 100000 ounces or NOR
were shown by the Hercules, Morning
Green Hill-Cleveland, Caledonia, an'
Bunker Hill mines Fortunately tn
Hecla, Tamarack & Custer, and Goi'
Hunter made better records. I'M
largest silver producer of the stat
was the Hercules mine, at Burke 1oi
lowed by the Hecla mine, near ps
which took second place from Tn
Bunker Hill & Sullivan, the third i
rank. other important silver produc
ers were the Morning, Tamarack
Custer, Gold Hunter and Caledonia
The mines in the Occur dAlene dis
trict produced about S,6OO,OOo ounces
or about 80 per cent of the total OF tn
state.
Copper.
The mine output Of copper decreas
ed from 7,s27,574 pounds in 1917
about 5,195,000 pounds in 1913. III
value Of the output decreased fro
s2,13s,s2s to about s1.2s6.oo0. The En-
pire Copper company at Mackay' VIZ
the largest producer but did not ui
hold Ms record of the last few year
The National Copper mine. near Mu
Ian, produced considerable copp
from concentrate, and the Richmof
mine, farther east, made shipmen
of crude ore. There were also smal
shipments from mines near Salmo
in Lemhi county.
Lead.
The mine output Of lead, which
the most abundant metal in Idaho, q
creased from 393,559,521 pounds
1917 to about 3OO,274.O0o pounds
1873 The average price was som
what lower, and the value of the ou
put decreased from $33,S46,119 to W
100000. The Bunker Hill & Sulliv
was the largest lead producer, folio
ed by the Hercules, Hecla and Nor
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