Zinc ores and zinc-lead ores.—In
1904 Colorado was the only State from which silver from zinc ores was
reported, but the quantity was almost 2,000,000 ounces. In 1905 the
total quantity was a little less, or about 1,700,000 ounces; but Utah,
Arizona, Idaho, Montana, and Nevada began shipping zinc ores. By far
the greatest quantity of silver from this source was, however,
contributed by Colorado, whose production decreased to about 1,500,000
ounces.
Practically
all of these ores are sulphides. Only New Mexico shipped oxidized ores,
but the small quantity of silver which they contained is, according to
reports, not recovered. In all, the zinc ores proper yielded 959,252
ounces, anil the lead-zinc ores 782,656 ounces.
GOLD AND SILVER IN 1905 BY STATES AND TERRITORIES.
ALASKA.
By Alfred H. Brooks.
Introduction.
In
1905 plans were formulated for collecting annually the statistics of
the precious metal production in the various mining districts of
Alaska. The remoteness of many of the mining districts of the Territory
and the ephemeral character of a part of the mining population in the
placer fields make it exceedingly difficult to obtain even an
approximately correct list of the mine operators, a difficulty
increased by the reluctance that placer miners often show toward
revealing any information regarding their gold production. It is
gratifying, however, to be able to report that many residents of the
Territory, quick to realize the importance of the undertaking, have
aided it by every means in their power.
In
those districts where the statistics obtained by schedule were
incomplete the writer has relied on general estimates, based on the
best data available. These estimates are in part figures furnished by
the field parties of the Geological Survey, in part those obtained from
residents of the Territory." Therefore, while the precious metal
production, as given in the following tables, can not be regarded as
absolutely accurate, it is believed to be near enough to the truth to
have value to the mining interests. The limit of error in the
statistics of gold production is believep to be less than $100,000. In
any event, the tables present the first attempt at a distribution of
the output according to districts. A preliminary statement of the
distribution of the gold output has already been published.b
Alaska
not being divided into counties, the production is referred to the
natural geographic subdivisions in common usage, such as southeastern
Alaska, Copper River basin, Cook Inlet region, Yukon basin, and Seward
peninsula. 'Where estimates are available, the production of the
individual mining districts '' as defined by local usage is given. In
the general tables southeastern Alaska and Prince William Sound are
combined under the name Pacific Coastal Belt.
The
gold production of Alaska in 1905 is estimated at $15,630,000, and the
silver at $80,165; the number of ounces of gold was 756,101.28 and of
silver 132,724. In 1904, according to the Director of the Mint, the
output of gold was valued at $9,160,458. This increase in gold output
of 312,924 ounces, valued at $6,469,542, must be credited in large
measure to the placer mines of the Fairbanks region; but practically
all the other districts showed some increase in production. The copper
output of Alaska for 1905 is estimated at 4,805,238 pounds, valued at
$749,617. The distribution of the mineral production is as follows:
