The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1923-07-23
SAYS PLATINUM
HERE
IDAHO BUREAU OF MINES RE-
PORTS ON EXHAUSTIVE STUDY
NOTHING TO REPORTED FINDS

C
The metals of the platinum groun
apparently do not exist in commercial
amounts in the several properties in
which they have been reported near
| Coeur d'Alene, is the conclusion of
pamphlet No. 6, entitled "a Prelim-
mary Study of Certain Reported
Platinum Occurrences near Occur
dAlene, Idaho" just issued by the
Idaho Bureau of Mines and Geology.
The study was undertaken as the
result of a sincere effort to confirm
II possible the reported finds, for such
a discovery would, of course. be of
great benefit to the state, is the au-
thorized statement of the secretary of
the Idaho mining bureau.
Cooperating with the Idaho bureau
OF mines and geology in the field and
laboratory Investigations connected
with the study, were the United
States geological survey, the United
States bureau of mines, and Colum-
bia section of the American Insti-
tute of Mining and Metallurgical En-
gineers. 1t is stated that ga de-
slgnated representative of each of
these organizations has carefully
studied this report and concurs fully
in all its statements and conclusions"
The party making the field study
and subsequent investigation was
made up of the following persons, re-
presenting the organizations indi-
Gated:
A.-The Idaho Bureau of Mines and
Geology, represented by it's admins
trative officer, DR.. Francis A. Thom-
son, mining engineer and metallur-
gist of wide experience
B.-The United States geological
survey, represented by one of its geo
ioglsts, Dr. Francis B. Lancy, who has
had some fifteen years experience in
the study of metalliferous ores.
C.-The United States bureau of
mines, which through DR.. S. C. Lind.
superintendent of the precious and
rare metals station at Reno, Nevada.
extended every possible cooperation.
and although Dr.. Lind was not pre
sent at the field investigation, the
party has had the advantage of his
counsel throughout the study and his
full concurrence and approval of the
procedure followed
D.-The American Institute of Min
ing and Metallurgical Engineers, re-
presented by Messrs Raymond Guyer.
l.. <. Armstrong, chairman and secre-
tary respectively of Columbia section
and by Mr.. Rush j. White, of Wal
lace, all of whom are mining en-
gineers of wide experience and estab-
lished reputation.
The report acknowledges also the
cooperation of the Coeur d'Alene
chamber of commerce and of the
owners of the properties examined
Brief but detailed geologic descrip-
ions are given of each of the pro-
oerties visited namely, the Home
Builder, Caribou, and Green or Will
son Mutual, and the statement is
made that large and representative
samples were taken at each property,
1t points indicated by the operators
Elaborate precautions were taken
o prevent sailing or tampering with
he samples in any way.
There are 128 different ASSAYS
quoted in the report; 126 return no
platinum. The United States geologi-
al survey states, concerning two of
he samples, " doubtful trace" adding
hat from a quantity 100 times as
,reat as is usually employed in test
ng "a color was finally obtained
With potassium iodide which was too
aint, however, to warrant the state
nent that it was certainly platinum"
Dr.. Ransome, the veteran survey geo.
ogiSt, to whom a detailed descrip-
ion of the properties and method of
ampling were submitted, along with
he samples adds, There is clearly
10 platinum present in sufficient
quantity in any of the samples as
ayed to justify mining operations"
Brief mention is also made of pla-
mum assays said to have been re-
ported by G. c. Titus and J. D. Maxey
10Th of Occur d'Alene.
In summary the report says:
The conclusions to be drawn from
his study are quite obvious.
In the first place sufficient evil
ence has been accumulated to satis-
y any reasonable man that platinum
S not present in any of the samples
collected from the three properties
listed, and since the samples were
taken, under standard condi-
ions and at points designated by
pproved representatives of the par
les in question, as those from which
PREVIOUS platinum assays had been
eturned, the conclusion seems clearly
scapable that the owners have been
with regard to the exist
nee in their properties of platinum
n commercial amounts.
So far as the local operators are
concerned there seems every reason
o believe that they have honestly be-
ieved in the existence of platinum
n their properties, and that the re-
possibility for the unjustified pla-
inum boom at Coeur d'Alene City
aust be placed upon certain so-called
rather than upon the good
itizens of Idaho, who are the owners
f the properties"
Copies of the complete report may
e had upon application to the Idaho
bureau of Mines and Geology, Mos
ow, Idaho.