Mohave County miner and our mineral wealth., 1920-01-03
Mineral Wealth Of Persia

The natural resources of Persia are almost inestimable, and up to the present the great wealth of this an cient country has scarcely been touch ed. The now famous Anglo-Persian oil fields are vivid example of what can be done when the necessary en- terprise and capital are forthcoming. The large area over which this com pany possesses the rights of working contains and almost inexaustible sup ply of oil.
 There is at least one other field in Persia waiting to be exploited. A few Baku experts have known for some time of the existance of oil in the northeastern part of the country. This district is judged to be exceed ingly rich in oil bearing strata and is situated close to the southeastern shore of the Caspian Sea.
 Beyond any doubt the plateau of Persia is extremely rich in mineral wealth, but the question has been how to work it, owing to the diff culty of transportation. In the past reliance has had to be placed on mules and camels, whose loads cannot pos sibly exceed 400 or 800 pounds. This being so, the importation of the nec- essary heavy machinery has been all together out of the question, and as result the greater part of Persia's rich mineral wealth lies dormant.
 Precious Metals
 Seventy miles or so to the north of Isfahan is a disused gold mine that was originally worked by the Persians themselves. The ore was extracted in a crude and antiquated way and then carried to Teheran on the backs of mules, distance of over 200 miles. There the gold was extracted by some old-fashioned process, and as the pro- fits only covered the expenses the mine was ultimately closed down. With modern methods and up-to- date machinery on the spot such venture should prove very paying concern.
 Gold dust is found in various parts of Persia, principally in the river beds, but not in any great quantity, with perhaps one exception. It is regular ly brought in the Kermanshah baz- aar for sale, but from exactly where so far has been kept a secret.
 Lead and silver are both to be found in quantities that would pay for the working. The former mineral is at present being profitably worked by the Persians themselves. The mine is situated in the mountains not far from the Gavkhanch Lake, while some years ago there was a flourish ing silver mine in the southeastern part of Persia which had to close down owing to the hostile attitude of the local tribesmen.
 Copper and Gold
 In considering the mineral wealth of the country, copper undoubtedly takes the most important place. Persia is full of copper, but so far has not at tracted foreign capital, because of the import and export difficulties that have had to be contended with in the past. In spite of these many draw backs, at least one mine is being worked locally. This is situated not far from the Isfahan Yazd road. Re liance has to be placed on charcoal for smelting purposes, but the out put of copper si sufficient to justify the mine being worked.
 A little to the north of Isfahan, in the Natanz Mountains, is a large seam of copper. To mine such a rich deposit would assuredly pay.
 The Herman district abounds in copper, and in the judgement of a