The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1922-03-09
STATE MINE INSPECTOR
ON OUTLOOK IN IDAHO
CONDITIONS MUCH IMPROVED
OVER LAST YEAR-REVlVAL
IN GOLD MINING.

(Stewart Caembell, Mine Inspector o
Idaho, in Northwestern Mining Truth.
What does 1922 offer? return o
prosperity in mining Why?
Mining, particularly gold mining, hai
suffered from the general depression
that has existed throughout the cOun-
try during the past year The causes
and effects we all know great
many operators have learned severe
lessons and all are DESTROYS of start
ing the new year with more hope and
brighter anticipations Increased op-
timism is surely justified, because the
principal factors adversely affecting
mining during 1921 have been elimina-
ted. The excess profit tax has been
repealed, a substantial reduction in
freight rates has been made, with the
possibility of still further reductions,
and the prices of metals have been
continually climbing. until at the close
Of 1921 they had reached a point that
made production profitable.
Three Controlling Factors.
Tax. freight rates and metal prices
being the paramount factors in a sus-
pension OF operations by three of the
largest lead producers and all of the
copper and zinc producers in the state,
relief in these directions is causing the
copper mines to open up. while an
early resumption of operations by the
large lead and zinc companies is an
tcipated. With the investing public
beginning to realize that gold mining
companies are exempt from the pro-
visions of the income tax law. gold
mine investments are coming into de-
mand and many new ventures viii re-
suit The stimulus will have its effect
on all other metals. particularly silver
which will remain at a dollar an ounce
for at least three years. SO. with gold
in an advantageous position. silver at
a dollar. the other metals sharing their
confidently looking forward to her
many new gold operations that are
now in embryo.
The decrease in the cost of commOd
tiles and wages together with the in
crease in the efficiency of labor is
acting as a direct stimulus upon the
mining industry The price of many
has reached prewal
basis and the price of others will soon
be greatly reduced.
History proves that after every
panic or depression there has been a
gold boom Idaho does not anticipate
a boom like that of the old days, be-
cause the state has been prospected
enough to prove that this
is a remote possibility. yet this pros
pecting and development has proven
that in a great many of Idaho's old
ramps are wonderful opportunities.
These opportunities are being investi-
gated and developed. and will result in
A strong. steady production of metal
without any of the excitement of by
gone years.
The mining spirit without which the |
industry can not prosper is constitu-
ed of dreams of great wealth derived |
rom small investments. This spirit |
ias al last returned 10 Idaho. and with /
{ has come realization of the posi-
'ilities in mining by the investing pub
ic. resulting in the easier acquisition
# money for development purposes
Gold Sure Barometer.
Gold is a good barometer upon
which to base predictions Every con
inued depression has been succeeded
" a decided rise There was tre-
nendous drop in production during the
principal war years. Although the
ther metals suffered about a so per
ent decline in 1921, gold had a slight
Increase in actual production. This
mall upward trend in the first year
f approaching normal conditions in
icates that we have now reached the
eriod of the rising barometer and
hat we may expect a steady increase ,
n the production of gold The fol-
)wing table gives comparison of this l
reduction with that of the other met
Is during the past few years and {
921: t