The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1922-07-18
IDAHO MINING
FOR 1922. WELL .
D N ROAD AHEAD
Definite Recovery of In
dustry Noted; Demand
for Metals Increases the
Production.

WASHINGTON - Mining condi-
tons in Idaho have shown considerable |
improvement toward the end of the
first six months of 1922, according to
c. N. Gerry, of the United States Geo
logical survey, department of the in
terror. The value of the mine output
in 1921 was $15,776,8l9, which, because
of the low price of lead and the idle
ness of several of the large mines, is
less than that of any year since 1909.
Early an 1922 the Bunker Hill, Morn
ing, and Hecla mines were the main
producers, as they were in 1921, but
in June, 1922, when the price of lead
advanced to SIS cents pound, oper-
ators were more optimistic.
The Bunker Hill smelter and re-
finery, at Bradley, continued to oper-
ate thru the period of depression, treat
ing ore and concentrate principally
from the Bunker Hill and Hecla mines.
Two blast furnaces were active in 1922
The lead smelter at East iHecla also
continued to treat ore from Montana
and Idaho, largely from the Morning
and Bunker Hill mines. The lead
plant at Northport, Wash, which was
idle most of 1921, remained closed dur
ing the first half of 1922.
The gold produced>in Idaho in 1921
was valued at $545,73l, and most of
it came from Quartzburg, in Boise
county, and from dredges at Murray.
Though no great change was indicated
in the early part of 1922, new hydrau-
lie operations in Boundary county and
new dredges at Featherville and Cen
terville may add considerably to the
gold output later in the year.
The production of silver in Idaho
in 1921 was 6,0S0,528 ounces, valued
at ST an ounce, decrease from T.
326,7o4 ounces in 1920. The output in
1922 will probably be greater, as the
price of lead is, higher and several
of the old producers are preparing to
operate. The Hecla mine has in
creased its output and the Tamarack &
Custer, Hercules, and Gold Hunter will
probaly operate as mining conditions
improve. Freight rates are less and
labor conditions are more nearly nor
NAL At Talache in Bonner county
the new mill at the Armstead mine
was active and much silver concen-
trate was shipped. to East Helena
Mont.
4 The output Of copper in Idaho in
1921 was l,688,1o5 pounds, valued al
$e17,777, decrease from 1920. The
shipments of copper ore from Mackay
have increased somewhat in 1922, bu
copper mines in Shoshone county ar,
still idle. The Idaho Metals Co., a
Mackay, formerly the Empire Copper
Il Co., is shipping at the rate of abou
, 1000 tons a month, and the Harmon,
{ mine, near Salmon, is also an ACTIVE
though smaller producer. The Mon
, tona Idaho and Richmond mines, nea
Adair, are being opened at create
E depth.
e In 1921 the mines of Idaho produc
: ed 1873, 469,li9 pounds of lead, de
e crease from Gag, 60o,976 pounds in 1926
{ If conditions continue to improve a
: they have thus far in 1922 an increas
ed output of lead will be made dur
: ing the year, though the Hercules
n Tamarack & Custer, and Callaha
a Lead-Zinc have been idle half the veal
/ Crude ore is being shipped from tn
e Hunter mine, but the mill is idle
l. Smaller mines, such as the Wester
i Union, Big Creek, Sunshine, and Lool
If out new producer of the Pine Cree
section, have shipped steadily. TIL
development of the Independence Lea
n mine, near Mullan, has been mo:
promising. At Gilmore, in Leml
IT county, the production was small, b,
l. the Latest Out mine was shippin
is about 400 tons month. The II
( dependence mine, near Haley,
III Blaine county, increased its shipmen
S. and the Idaho Continental Mining &C
S. in Boundary county, was actively pr
l. ducing under lease.
er The zinc mines in Idaho were nj
lie operated in 1921 nor in the first pa
h of 1922. The Callahan Lead-Zinc c
IS continued development work but mat
err no shipments. Lead concentrate II
o. shipped from the Morning mine, b
Id no zinc concentrate was marketed. II
G.