Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1936-02-08

The total number OF the different
mining districts in Montana is well
over 200, scattered over an area
nearly equal to that of the New
England states. These districts are
wen served by four railroad Eys-
TENS, but the delivery of ore to shipping
points is handicapped by poor roads,
many Of which are little better than
~cow-tratls." Some camps are located
In Isolated areas which have never had
adequate roads or such trails as were
used so years ago have long since been
abandoned.
It may be argued that II the mines
are of any value at all, their output
would find its way TO market with ex-
listing facilities for transportation what
ever they may be. II all a miner had to
do was to wash q few yards Of bon
ANA" gravel and fill his deerskin pouch
with gold dust, the question of roads
would not be such an important mat
ter, although mechanical equipment for
washing gravel would still require some
sort Of roads.
Then what is the mining situation
at the present timer
Placer gold mining is now being re-
ViVed by some thousands Of prospectors,
many Of whom are simply men out
Of job" Some OF these operations are
simply cleaning" Of former productive
locations, but the old-timers did their
work well with what equipment they
had. At the present time it is only
here and there that the simple sluice
box and pan can win a living In the
wake Of those keen and energetic min
erS. However, where drag lines, me-
chanical shovels and other devices for
moving dirt" can be brought on the
ground, a profit with gold at $35 an
ounce can be made in q large number
of placers from the vicinity Of Dillon |
on the south to Helena on the north, |
and to Libby on the west.
The situation In gold and silver lode
mining is somewhat more complicated.
In some cases development of the older
vein systems Is required. In new areas
shafts must be sunk, tunnels driven,
camps must be rebuilt, machinery must
be hauled in and set up, supplies must
be moved, ores and concentrates must
be transported to smelters and reduc-
ton plants.
1t Is obvious that packing everything
on muleback Is a slow, laborious and
expensive job. Bonanza" ores might
stand the expense, but our Montana
ores are, In general, of moderate grade
and complex In character. Local con-
centration plants are needed In many
Instances TO reduce transportation
costs 1t Is therefore clear that the
future Of both placer and lode mining
ln Montana is inSeparably connected ,
with the problem of roads. /.
One Of the main activities Of the min !
ing Association Of Montana, since its
in the spring OF 1888, has
been the repair and rehabilitation Of :
mining roads In Montana. At first the :
association appeared to be "a voice cry
ing in the wilderness" 1t seemed that !
he people Of Montana were unaware :
hat there were any mines In Montana
Jutside Of Butte. Even as late as last .
month one of our state officials asked :
IS TO point out where there had been =
Y was likely to be any mining acttv-
tyI However, our campaign of educa-
ion is bearing some fruit here Ia Mon
ana and in washington. The CCC has
luilt a number Of roads IN the national
oreSt, some OF which are Of benefit a
q the neighborfng mines. Among these
nay be mentioned Nine Mile in Mis- a
0uls county, Trout Greek In Mineral b
'ounty and EaSt-WeSt road between G
BOULDER creek and the Deer Lodge d
out Of As wPA county road projects G
bout nine may be classed as direct II
SSistance TO the local mines. Many of II
be general Improvement road projects n
hitch are now under way under WPA q
administration win facilitate the move II
rent OF mine supplies and OUTPUT to tk
nd from the adjacent camps. re
In addition to the CCC and WPA OF
bad building activities above men ~
oned, we are advised that several
Dads are being given more or less
scognition In number of counties by eli,
cards Of county commissioners who SC
ave been made mining road con- tn