Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1935-08-03
State Planning Board Issues
Report on Mineral Situation

| scriptinn OF many mines In western
Montana which have produced an org
high In iron which has been valuable
chiefly because 1t was Of use as a fun
| in lead and copper smeiters. These
ores, usually containing small values
in gold and silver have been mined in
large amounts and have contributed
largely to the precious metal output Of
Montana. They are still being mined
to q considerable extent. Many local.
tiles noted in which this can be profit
ably done.
The following areas have also been
covered IN the same manner:
Jefferson county-A short geologic
description Of the nine most important
districts in the county with production
Of each.
Madison county-Summary Of mining
districts. A brief account Of the lOca-
ton, history, geol0gy, and production Of
eight organized and eight unorganized
mining districts in Madison county.
Madison county. Rabbit Rochegter)
mining district--An account Of the his
tory and geology of the district with
short history of each Of the principal
producers and list Of mines which have
been operated.
Madison county. Mineral hill mining
district-History and geology Of the
district with detailed account Of each
of the producing mines giving history
and geology Of each.
Madison county. Alder glIlch district
Short history OF Alder gulch placer
mining and recent placer activities. Ac-
count Of quartz mines In the district.
Much progress has been made on
other metals and minerals especially
gold. silver, copper, lead, zinc and man.
ganese This inventory viii finally in
clude all the known mineral resources.
1t is intended to supplement these
reports by information secured from
corporate and private sources and when
and if funds are available to add in
formation secured by field parties.
For practical and immediate help to |
small mining operators, the committee |
S collecting information, including |
,osts, relative to improved roads to the |
'ariouS mining districts where such op-
,ratorS are now working. Most Of these |
districts are in mountainous country /
md inside the national forests. The
Expense to the counties Of building
hese roads would be prohibitive, but 1t
S a type of work ideally adapted to
york relief. An improved road not only
Increases the production and employ
nent nthe district but also makes pos
ible all year operation of the mines
through providing means of transporta-
lon.
The precious metal areas are main
? in the southwestern part Of the
tate with Quilting tracts in the north
7estern and central counties.
Overlapping these areas In part Is
he base metal group. copper, lead and
inc which in practically all cases carry
recious metal values, generally large.
The coal and Ignite areas are In the
aStern counties with isolated areas to
he west. These are generally of recent
rigtn and at the eastern border are
gnite with gradual and regular in
reases In quality as the mountains are
pproached. The grade up to q high ,
uality Of bituminouS coal near the =
ocl1y mountains. :
The oil and gas areas, as developed
re In a belt crossing central Montana {
ON north to south with an outlying I
rs district in Wibaux and Fallon 4
,unties. LIP
The largest known deposit of chrom- c
e is In Carbon, Saltwater and Sweet
rass counties. It is undeveloped, but
as the promise Of being valuable as
{ 10 the nation. @
Phosphate rock exists In commercial =
lantities and is being mined In Gran I
: and Powell counties. d
Gem sapphires are mined in Judith ! t
asin county and commercial sapphires e
e mined in Granite county and are L
lown to occur in quantity along the +
issouri river In Lewis and Clark coun- 4