Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-08-11
REVIVAL OF MINING
FINDS MEN NEEDED
Shortage of Workers Feared
Big Increase Shown in
Gold Production.
BY j. &. ROYLE.
u W " W. II H8H@
Special Dispatch to The Star.

| NEW YORK, August 1.-THE re
vival of mining activity throughout
| the West has resulted in a shortage
Of experienced miners in some dis
tricts.
Receipts Of the precious metals al
| the Denver mint so far this year
show an increase over those of the
corresponding period of 1925 of more
than 80 per cent. Cripple Creek in
July broke all monthly production
records for the last eight years. Tellu
ride and other Colorado camps are ex
tremely active.
The California mines have also dis
played increased activity and the
trend has extended all the way from
Canada to Mexico.
In most districts, however, produc-
ton of the so.called precious metals
has been incidental rather than the
main object of the operators. Opera
ton of any but the highest grade gold
and silver mines no longer has the
glamour of old. Costs OF mining have
advanced while the price of gold has
remained stationary and that of sill
yer recently has fallen. Copper, lead
and zinc have been accounting for
the main profits of the mining com
panies.
Lead and Zinc Recover.
The lead and zinc markets have re-
covered practically all the price de
clines sustained earlier this year. AS
for lead, the position Of the market
Is such that holders are anticipating
further advances in many instances
Domestic consumption has caused
moderate reductions in the stocks OF
both lead ore and refined lead. Mines
are working at a much higher pace
than earlier in the year. Mexican
production has fallen off sharply.
This is due not only to disturbed con-
ditions but to the low price of silver
which is found in conjunction with
the Mexican lead ores.
The remarkable rate of steel pro
duction in the last few months has
been a big factor in maintaining the
strength of zinc, for there has been
a keen demand for galvanized sheets.
The consumption by brass manufac-
turers in the Connecticut valley and
other manufacturing Centers also con-
tinues strong. settlement of the
British coal strike unquestionably
would greatly increase the export re-
quirements for the non-ferrouS metals.
This is especially true of copper,
1 lie large low Cost copper IllIliIlS tOIil-
panies are reported making excellent
profits at present prices. but while re-
finers are well sold up. third-quarter
requirements remaining to be filled
are not particularly heavy.
Production Above Consumption.
In fact, while the situation of the
non ferrous metals has frightened, it
must be held In mind that world pro
ductive capacity of copper. lead and
zine mines Is larger than consumptive
capacity if all should be operated in
full.
AS to silver the outlook is not par
ticularly bright. The plan of the In
dian currency commission TO retire
large quantities of Indian rupees, If
finally put into effect, will curtail one
of the worlds great silver markets.
Mexican financiers are keenly wor-
ried over the silver situation. since
the exchange ratio Of silver for gold
has fallen. This will tend to induce
further sales of silver for gold and the
boarding and withdrawal from circu-
la ton IF the latter.