The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1923-02-15

VIE fAN OfNAIl4E mining COnul
tions in the Occur d'Alene dis
trict which supplanted the Ions
period of depression during tn,
last half of the year 1922 continues
with every indication that this yeai
viii take rank among the most pros
porous in the history of the district
These conditions prevail generally in
the mining sections of the west, but il
is conceded that lead is in the most
favorable position. The price is high,
hut even this incentive to larger pro-
duction has not weakened the de-
mand, and the fact that Mexico is be-
lieved to have reached the limit of
production gives assurance of the pre-
lvailing high prices for many months.
Zinc remains around cents. Although
not expected to reach the high levels
attained by lead a material decline
from the present price is not antici-
pated, while there is a possibility that
it may go much higher The current
number of the Engineering and Min
ing Journal Press, February TO- has
an extended review Of mining condi-
tions throughout the country during
the month of January by Arthur B.
Parsons. assistant editor, from which
the following is taken and which is of
special interest to this great leadsil-
yer and zinc mining district:
Lead the Outstanding Feature.
"'Better and better every day in
every way aptly describes the metal
mining situation. This improvement.
moreover is the consequence of some
thing more tangible and more sub
stantial than the suggestion of
Monsieur Coue-by which we mean no
reflection on the theories of that esti-
mable gentleman T. is based in
large measure upon the stimulation of
Scent lead Is cent copper and 7-cent
zinc, in combination with an easily
discernible increase in the supply of
experienced miners in most districts.
AT this writing the outstanding
feature of the situation is the activity
in lead mining This is reflected in
the production figures, which have
been increasing steadily, and in the
speeding up of Development and pre-
paratOry work. After climbing grad
ually from 4.7c per pound in January,
1922 the market jumped almost a cent
during January, 1923. With close
students of the market predicting
nothing lower at least, than SC for
many months, it is natural that regu-
lar producers are exerting every eff
fort to increase output to the maxi
mum and other companies are getting
'eady to resume milling operations or
% start shipments smelterward.
In southeast Missouri, for example, |
some companies are considering the |
idvisability of increasing wages as |
he only means for obtaining an ade-
luate force to mine an increased ton
lage The steady producers have re-
Used their ore schedules upward, and /
lew operations require men. The An
lapolis Lead company plans to start
is new 5OO-ton concentration during
february.
an the lead-silver camps of Utah |
nd the Occur d'Alenes the incentive
or rapid production is double; the
ime Is approaching when silver will
ave to compete in the world market
instead of selling for 81 under the
erms of the Pittuan act, and lead is
t its highest point for more than
wo years. That these western pro-
ucers are fully alive to the situation
5 indicated by the increased ship
lents to the three lead smelters in
ALT Lake valley, where 10 lead fur
aces are running: to the Bunker Hill /
liant at Kellogg. Idaho, where two
lrge furnaces are in blast; and to the
/. S. & r. companys smelter at East
Ielena, Mont Here four furnaces are
eing run. most of the lead ore COM
lg from the Coem d'Alenes. Lead
liners assuredly are pleased with the
utlook for the year and it is hard to
iscern any clouds on the horizon to-
ay"
Demand for Lead Unabated.
Discussing. the metal market during
he past week, the Journal-Pre
avs: "Thn demand for lead is I'M
bated The market is in such a con-
ition that the price in the middle
est is higher than that in New York
his is entirely the result OF actual
no prospective shipments Of Mexican
I'd other foreign lead into the United
tates. which depresses the New York
larket but has only an indirect effect
n St Louis. In New York by far
he largest tonnage of lead was sold
t SC but a heavy tonnage was also
ought at SO75c and a moderate
mount at S10c. The metal is still
valuable at Sc to consumers. In St