Omaha daily bee., 1921-07-17
Mexico to Push
Development of
Its Silver Mines
to Begin Greater Elk.
ploitation Of Minerals
Than Any Since So
journ of Spaniards.
By HOLLAND.

BY HOLLAND.
Blamey Stevens is perhaps more
widely known as writer upon min.
ing and Associated subjects than he
is as practical mine operator. His
work appears in several of the text
books which are used in colleges
and institutes OF technology. He is
regarded as high authority upon
these subjects. But the operators
OF the great silver mines of the
world esteem Mr.. Stevens as one oil
the most successful of mine opera
Ytors.
He has been for 10 years the con-
sulting engineer of the very rich
".'"s"o silver mine in Mexico, south
west of Mexico City. He was in this
important post while several revolu-
tions were in progress. He became
familiar not only with the economic
possibilities of Mexico but also with
the political situation He is there
fore qualified to speak as one of high
authority upon conditions in Mexico.
Mexico At Peace.
Mr.. Stevens came to New York recently
expecting to make short sojourn there
then to return to Mexico. He said that
II is the belief of all who are familiar
with affairs in the Mexican republic that
the present government will be able to
maintain Internal peace. In fact for the
first, time since the administration of
Porfirio Diaz. there is so little for the
army to do that II can now be instantly
concentrated so as to suppress any out
break.
Mr.. Stevens says that President Alvaro
Obregon unquestionably inherits the strong
hand and the sincere purpose of Diaz 1t,
that he also possesses the tact and fore
pSight which were characteristic of Dlaz.
In the development. of the resources which
imagination to picture, Mexico will try to
overcome the fact that by reason Of revo.
luton the republic is 10 years behind the
United States has exploited the American
mines and there now remain few new
properties to be developed or old ones to
\ Not So with Mexico.
In these 10 years Mexico has rested. not
opment Of her very rich silver mines. To-
day. IL permanent internal peace can be
assured, and the probabilities are that
will soon begin a new and greater period
OF mineral exploitation than any other
since the spaniards worked the silver
to silver. 1t was silver which excited the
Spanish conquerors and led to the rapid
occupation OF the country
the development OF her silver mines will
be unparalleled since the days of the Span
iards, 1t Is not generally known that
country OF the world In the United States
silver is chiefly obtained as a by-product
from the copper mines But in Mexico
there are many real silver mines which |
are capable Of being exploited,
Up to the present TING Americans have
not taken the lead d. in the exploitation OF
terested in our western states where the
ores are complex and require heat metal |
lurgy. This has entailed large expense
completely absorbed by smelter charges.
Worlds Silver Storehouse.
But in the south and central parts of
Mexico. and especially, in the vicinity of
its cyanide mill or treatment plant con-
stitutes unit which is absolutely inds-
pendent. The ore is obtained from the |
gold bullion in the form of bars and these
are sold in Mexico City at the prices Of
sn market X aebcs Of
now American owned. being sub-com-
pany of the United States Smelling and
now Iowrrads sc camp Is Chiefly hsh IN the
ownership Of American companies. hut
the imp9rtant or gold and silver mining dis
possession N Of Of British and and French COM @
in the state Of Jalisco there are two
mines. The managers Of the companies
which are now operating s.lves mines in
Mexico recognize the unequalled. opportu-
vided only internal peace prevails
throughout Mexico. These managers are
confident that the quiet Of past five. or
new era OF peace and prosperity in Mex
leo.
What Government Doing.
The Mexican government, now realizing
ment Of prosperity in Mexico the opera
tion of the mines Is sure to be, is now Civ.
ing every announcement to the silver
sealing down OF taxes ana the remission
of all import duties upon mining supplies
and machinery
revolutions were in progress. Some OF
these are speedily to be opened and will
be when the necessary capital is found.
In some Of the mines very large guam
example the Rincon mine. in the state of
Mexico flourished until revolutionary
bands took possession Of It. These , ma,
the smelling plant. But in four years
previous the profits were nearly $500
and there was over TS,s slooOooo 1000 n ore
of the two or three richest in Mexico.
1t was able to produce silver at a cost
less than 30 cents an ounce. Its deepest
part Is only 600 feet below the surface.
When this mine is pumped out and the
refiner.es are again put In operation the
mine will probably yield 100000 ounces
a year. There are two or three other
mines Of which like reports could be made.
All that remains Is the demonstration that
permanent internei peace is secured and
friendly and cordial relations with the
United States established. II these condi-
tions are met with Mexico will within
five Years be adding to the worlds sup.
ply Of silver.