The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1923-02-13
FIELDS
RICH IN COAL
REPORT SHOWS
Complete Survey of Ida
ho District Indicates
Reserve Supply of Ex-
cellent Quality.

uoscow.-With reports indicating
that development work is being pro-
oo<ed in the Teton coal fields, the
eat, bureau of mines and geology IS
making public some salient features
from the unpublished report on the
are, made by George Watkin Evans
Of Seattle, consulting mining engin-
.,r who Investigated the possihiii-
,;.s Of the field for the bureau For
s,veral wears Mr.. Evans was consult
ing coal mining engineer for the Unit
ID States bureau of mines in investi-
szting the Mantanuska & Controller
Bay fields in Alaska. Later he was
engaged to supervise the mining Of
,es, shipments from Alaska fields for
the navy department and is now con-
suI,ing engineer for various large rail-
road corporations in examining coal
supplies.
Investigation by Mr.. Evans and 9TH
er authorities on coal deposits have
proven that the Teton area deposits
are of a quality which equals If not
surpzsses that of any other field in
the west. its use, however, will be
confined largely to industrial purpos-
es, due to its extreme friability. The
low ash content is also an important
.-...xo of H. Taxoc h>1a
Eleven Million Tons.
Although no reliable estimate on
probably tonnage of the held can
be made, Mr.. Evans in his report sug-
ges,s that the total tonnage of the
three larger beds should reach ap-
proximately eleven million tons.
THE beds have been traced along
their strike for about two miles and
assuming that they continue along
the dip for half a mile there would be
a square mile of coal area in each
bed. No one is justified in assuming
that this amount of coal has been
proved in the district, but the eleven
million tons is given as the probable
tonnage. Future investigations may
result in the total tonnage proving to
be somewhat greater"
The production of the area SO far is
estimated at about $4,000 tons.
Quality Excellent.
Ar.f,,eoe &c A. -1~t - 49,, xbsf The
general quality is excellent, comparing
fayorably with the larger producing
sections of the country.
III might be found that the coal
contained within these beds is very
friabe and will not produce any guam
tty of the larger Sizes" says the re-
port of Mr.. Evans, and furthermore,
it is probable that the (domestic)
market tributary to this field will be
so exacting that only the larger sizes
can be marketed successfully"
Development Difficult
Successful development and opcr-
alton Of these fields will require care
tui management and thorough un-
ders,anding of the engineering pro-
ofems attending coal operations with
in field that has coal beds pitched
at high angles and in which the
coal is more or less friablc and the
formation disturbed by faulting."
III this field is properly developed
!, should produce fuel at less cost 10
the cities and towns OF that part OF
Idaho. and in this manner stimulate
further industrial development With
this increased development there
should be an increasing market pro-
vided for the coal. However. the
great problem at present is the mark
Ct Tor the smaller sizes at good prices"
Development and operating pro-
ofcms will no doubt have their origin
IN the almost vertical dip OF the coal
seams. the frnbility. and the possibility
OF excessive faulting at depth
Although the coal is OF excellent
quality and one OF the lowest ash
Goals in the eou,ry." says Dean Thorn
son. director OF the state bureau. in
supplementing the report. there is
little doub, but that It's friabili,y will
make Il prohibitivc for domestic use.
Many OF the larger chunks fall to
pieces when kicked and il is believed
mat this condition will extend
throughout; the depth.
The greatest use will probably
ee as dust or fine coal in industrial
processes. The ctoseness to The
Cousenued m 4s,< oass