Show ECONOMY IN MINING sometimes there is a difference of opinion as to what really constitutes economy in mining operations the difference exists not only in point of view but also in ultimate results there is the long way to economy and also the short way depending largely upon the magnitude and extent of the enterprise in hand if a shallow shaft is to be sunk in mine operation a hand windlass or horse whim might answer the purpose but if the shaft is to be sunk to a depth of a thousand feet or more it would surely be a saving in fil both time and money to equip the mine at once with adequate hoisting works the same reasoning holds good where extended undergo rund exploration is in bontemp contemplation lation if the mine is td id have a power plant machine drilla etc it would be economy to make the installation at the earliest possible date instead of going on with the slow method of hand drilling in the use of powder and fuse there is economy in laying in large supplies and in keep keeping a sufficient stock ahead of immediate demands at a mine well equipped no delays should be experienced ands andi there should be no waiting because this or that article is missing from the supplies on hand time is an important factor in mine development and if the desired end brid can be reached in six months where ordinarily it would take a year to attain the mine will reach a producing and paying basis this much sooner lp sometimes a mine superintendent will wili make a S splendid showing in ore production in the midst of his success he will suddenly resign his position and his successor will have difficulty in maintain maintaining ng even a small output the reason for the curtailment of the output is that the former superintendent gouged the mine and failed to keep development ahead of extraction this was why he quit when his standing was good for he knew that he would soon reach his limit As long as production continued all was well and yet this was not economical operation era tion the second man if he were able to find the ore again was able to keep up fair shipments and at the same time block out ore for future extraction was the most economical man for the company even at a higher rate of wages for under his management there is life and a future for the mine A management that is in good accord with the men under him means economy in mine operation some superintendents will be so exact with their men as to the length of a shaft and will be so insistent in getting the full pound of flesh that they will have all of the miners down on them another will trust so much to the honor of good men that he will get almost twice as much out of them as will the niggard superintendent and the company will find there is always economy in harmony there are many features in mine operation that conduce to io either economy or extravagance trava gance one cannot lay down ironclad rules the tendency of which are to bring about economy in in mine operation but this desirable end can be brought about in in many and various ways within the reach s of the manager or superintendent who is intelligent and who has the interest of his employers at heart |