The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1923-03-15
IDAHO MINERAL OUTPUT
SHOWED INCREASE 1922
sHosHoNE CONTINUES PREMIER
MINING COUNTY OF STATE
CUSTER SECOND.

port of Stewart Campbell inspector
of mines for the state of Idaho)
The total value of all lead, silver
gold copper ana zinc mined and mar
keted in Idaho during 1922 was S19,-
1876. 4OS.71, an increase in value of 81, e.
632, 3S9.12 over the production of 1921
which was S16.56l.O14.59 The pro-
duction of copper and zinc had a de-
cided increase; gold decreased; lead
and silver remained about the same
although slightly less as the reopen
ing of the large mines. which We're
lie during 1921, and the increase in
production by those which continued
operations. was not sufficient to over
come the deficiency caused by the
curtailed output during the first six
months of the year.
The advances in the price of lead,
zinc and copper; the reduction in
freight rates and commodities; and
an improved labor situation were re-
sponsible for the resumption of op-
erations by all of the mines which
were idle during 1921 The Pittman
act greatly stimulated the production
of silver and was entirely responsible
for the continuous operation of many
large producers. Gold mining cOntin-
ued to be Improbable and unless some
relief is had in the near future the
only gold of any consequence produc-
ed in Idaho will be that contained in
the ores of lead and copper Sho-
shOne county maintained It's position
as the premier producing county in
the state with total production val
ned at $16.1S2.O1 or 1929 per cent
of the total state production Blaine
county which was the second largest |
producer in 1921 lost its position in
1922 to Custer county by a margin of |
S39, $500, so takes third place for this |
year Lemhi county. the fourth in /
rank in 1921. lost its position to Bon
ner county and went into fifth place |
with Boundary county as sixth The |
increase in Bonner county is attribut- |
ed principally to the operations of the |
Talache Mines Inc, and the increase |
i'm Boundary county to the resumption |
of the Idaho Continental company
Gold.
The 1922 output of gold totaled o.
1889 ounces valued at S45S.42IS2. In
1927 the output was 26. 1906 ounces
valued at $552 9SS2S; or a loss of S9l.-
1901 This is the least production
ever recorded in the history of the
state and is significant in emphasiz-
ing the lethargy in gold mining that
existed throughout the year Partic-
ularly so as large part of the pro-
duction was recovered as by-prO-
duct of other metals. Boise county
continued to hold first rank in gold
production with Shoshone county sec
ond. although both had a considerable
decrease while the operations of the
new dredges in Gilmore and Clear
water counties added two new sources
of production.
Silver
The 1922 production of silver was
6.l49, 10 ounces and in 1921 it was 4
6,1S4,9S9.7S ounces; decrease Of S.
654 ounces. The 1922 silver produc-
ton of Shoshone county was 1857 !
517.74 ounces 1853 per cent of the q
total for the state and a decrease of 3
lSAS02 ounces as compared with 1921 T,
Blaine was the only other county to t
show decrease while Bonner and IN
Custer recorded a marked increase
The principal silver producing coun- c
ties for the year mentioned in the S
order of their prominence are: Sho-
shone, Blaine. Bonner Custer Lemhi
and Boundary. The Pittman act.
which fixed the price of silver at 81 an IN
ounce, kept many mines in operation
throughout the year and at the ter
of its provisions during 1923 Il
4 large number of mines will be COM n
'elled to close unless some relief is h
given in the meantime C,
Lead. If
The value of the 1922 output of lead r
vas S11. 1852. SO2.6O and the 1921 output :
vas S9,55s,55SS5. The 1922 production 9,
vas POSSESSES pounds and the 1921 n
production was 2lO,1OO19l. a decrease $,
If 4.9676O6 pounds, but an increase in II
-alue of S22O2.74S.75 due to the in
.rease in the price of lead from an n
verage price per pound in 1921 of ass al
ents to 5.7S4 cents in 1922 C,
Zinc. ~,
The production of recoverable zinc in
from IS1S.S13 pounds in =,
921 to 5.596514 pounds i'm 1922 All n,
u the zinc produced throughout the
ear was marketed during November al
nd December so the average price OF oe
.052 cents for these months was used In
n valuing the output bs
The total value of the zinc produc- d,
d during 1922 was SS9i.66 or an ba
Increase of SS00.66O over that of 1921 es
hoshone was the only county pro- la
ucing zinc ore during the year ha
Copper. pc
The production of copper in 1922 at
fas s.225,762 pounds valued at slS1.- de
71.47 with an average price Of 1882 co
ents for the year Compared with re
g21 fhp total rrodroffoi, ,,ro. 9oo