The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1924-01-03
CAMPBELL REVIEWS
IDAHO MINING, 1928
RESTORED CONFIDENCE
Much Activity During Year
in Shoshone County -
Gold Coming Back

fRv stewart Campbell, State Inspect
OF of Mines)
~HE NUMBER of new mining
developments that We're started
in Idaho during 1928 exceeded
- those of 1922. Public confidence
in Idaho's mines is gradually being
restored. although the State is still
feeling the effect of illegitimate pro-
motions. as well as the reticence of
many companies in giving their stock
holders complete information. Many
nroperties in the State that are worthy
of development are lying dormant as
the owners refuse to resort to allur-
ing advertising as a means of rails
ing the necessary money These OWN
ers prefer to wait until public conf
dence is fully restored in order that
their properties may be promoted upon
their merits.
Metal Prices.
During the early months of the year
all the producing mines operated at
capacity output Silver was selling at
a dollar an ounce, and the principal
metals were demanding a good price;
but with the expiration of the Pitt
man act silver dropped to foreign
quotations and almost simultaneously
prices for the other metals began to
decrease, particularly copper and zinc.
This slump in prices resulted in pro-
duction being decreased, the closing
down of a few mines, and general
withdrawal of money for development
purposes.
As a result of these circumstances
and the Burke fire, which compelled
the Hecla mine to close, the total
metal output for Idaho in 1928 will be
much less than for the preceding
year
Gold Mining in Idaho.
Gold mining was not affected as
badly as The mining of The other met
ais and those operating continued
without interruption. At the close of
the year four mines, whose principal
product is gold, were milling ore;
three dredges in the State operated
continuously throughout the year; and
a number of enterprises based on
gold product were active. These oper-
atoms resulted in the largest amount
Of gold development that the State
has witnessed for a number of years.
The early day gold miners made
a handsome profit from ores that
averaged around $50 per ton, and they
exhausted practically all ores of this
grade or better However, there are
within the State many large deposits
that average from So to SIS per fon
in gold, and it was to the develop
ment of these deposits that most Of
the new operators turned their at
tention during 1928. Economic con
ditions that adversely effected goIo
mining during the past few years are
gradually disappearing. 1t is again
becoming possible to mine at profit
the lower grade ores. The investing
public is beginning to realize tins
fact, and as there are many gold
mines within the State considerable
activity is anticipated for 1924.
Lead Looks Gooo
Lead continues to be a strategic
metal. Prices maintained high
average throughout the year; all pro-
ducers operated without interruption;
and there were many inquiries ana
an exceedingly large amount Vi
scouting for new mines. A number
Of important operations were under
taken during 1923, and as Idaho offers
unequalled opportunities in prospect
i've lead mines there appears to De
no reason why 1924 should not exceed
many past years in prospecting and
developing lead properties.
Shoshone County.
The principal factor effecting the
entire county. and which will greauy
increase it's production and pros
perity, was the entry of the Anaconda
Copper Mining company. This COM
pany opened an office at Wallace tor
the purchase of zinc ore. A number
of contracts were made and market
established, particularly for PINE
creek.
The Occur dAlene Lead producers
installed a mines rescue station pur-
chased a safety car and maintained
special training throughout the year
under the direction of K. 7. Sparks
who was obtained from the United
States bureau of mines.
The Ajax Mining company con-
tinued it's long crosscut tunnel thru
out the year. This tunnel has now
been advanced to 500 feet.
Leasers operating the old Alice mine
discovered a large showing OF lead
silver ore. The Bunker Hill & sum
van company Immediately gained con-
troll, financed further exploration
work and made an initial shipment
The Amy Matchless Mining & MIL
CONTINUED on Page 81