The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1922-06-15
RESOURCES OF
sHoSHoNE COUNTY
lContinued from page .

while often when the conditions
are all wrong from a geological
standpoint the ore is found in abund-
ance 1t is this element. a combina-
ton of uncertainty as to finding the
ore and the certainty Of rich reward
if it is found. that explains the lure
of mining, that enthralls the pros
pector that inspires the promoter,
that attracts the capitalist. and that
fosters that fairest of all means of
mining development the assessable
company. which enables the man of
both small and large means to share
in the chance for large profits from
mining ventures.
But since l am addressing a gath
ering of representative business men
of the state of Idaho. some of whom
belong to the banking fraternity. IL
follows that in order to impress them
with the magnitude of the mining in
dustry in Shoshone county, its value
as a permanent asset of the state,
and the opportunities it offers in the
way of profits. something more speci-
fc must be given regarding it's
achievements. l shall not weary you
with a long array of figures, but here
are a few compiled from the reports
of the state mine inspector which are
impressive both in the value of the
mineral output of Shoshone county
and in the variety of minerals produc-
ed Beginning with 1902 and ending
with 1921 the value of the mineral
production of ShOshone county was:
Gold. $2.162.S26; silver, $40, 1859;
lead. $26S,111177; zinc, S47,S94,67O
copper $10,275, 800; tungsten, $751; $50
anthony. $4,000; total for that per-
iod, $685. 39,412. There is no official |
record of production prior to 1902 !
but careful estimate by the United |
States geological survey places the |
value of the output up to that year at |
$241. S4O,579, making the grand total |
mineral production of the county up
to the beginning of the present year
1851, S79, 991. OF special significance
to the man considering investment in
mines are the figures showing profits.
Under the Idaho law all productive
mining companies are required to file
annual statements under oath with
the county assessor showing details of
operation and net profits. This law
has been effective since 1902, and
since that year the mines of Shoshone
county, as shown by these statements
have earned net profits aggregating
$1O1, 2OS,1O9 Prior to that date there
are not figures available. but a con-
estimate would place the
net profits for that period at not less
than S25,0OO,OOO, making the grand to-
tai of net profits $126,20S. 100. With
out dwelling upon these figures. ii is
evident that an industry described in
such terms is a factor of tremendous
Importance to the state and presents
an inviting field for investment.
AS indicated in the beginning. there
are large areas in Shoshone county
which remain to be developed and
which give promise of mineral dis
covery that will rival those which
have already made tine district fam
Gus. Advances in metallurgical meth
DDS and the invention of new pro-
eesses have now made it possible to
treat low grade ores which
4 few years ago were worthless. This
has greatly enlarged the possibilities
Tor expansion, while the announced
purpose of the Bunker Hill company
20 establish an electrolytic zinc reduc-
ion plant promises to bring the zinc
output of the district eventually up
% a point comparable with that of
cad The slow process of recon
itructiOn has now reached a stage
which gives assurance that the min
ng industry in the Occur d'Alene dis
riot is entering upon a long period of
Mines closed down during
he depression of the past two years
will soon be active, and many devel-
,pment companies, the makers of
lew Mines are again taking up the
work. These companies operating
through assessments are generally in
lonest and capable hands and funds
aised are intelligently used for de-
'elopment and they present Oppor
unity for large returns on the
lers but in any event stockholders f
VIII as rule get falr run FOR their n
money. The wildcat has never thriv- A
d in the Occur d'Alenes. The indus n
ry is built on a firm and legitimate ]
oundation. Here the hazard of mining ]
s reduced to the minimum. During A
he past year at least three new mines s
rave been added to the list of pro- {
lucers and scores of others are in \
Of development. The marvel 1
nus record of mineral production and
Profits will be more than duplicated
n the future. The old producers are {
nlarging their operations, and most
# them have ore for many years in
light. A strong and assured metal
market and fixed price of silver at 81 J
N ounce have given a stimulus to F
mining in the Occur d'Alenes and evil n
Iently marks the beginning Of a long A