Show VALUE OF MINING REPORTS mining and scientific press the receipt of two inquiries one from colorado another from oregon asking if 50 would be a fair price for a mining report or a mine test indicates some mental haziness regarding some facts cheap and dear are relative terms cheapness is usually regulated not by what one pays but what he gets for what he pays A mining report may be worth or 50 cents much depends A mine test that would cost 50 would probably be worth that much on one th that atwould would ost cost might be the cheaper of the two it is impossible to give accurate reply to either of the questions A mine test involves so much the kind of a mine or prospect it is the cost of getting there the kind of ore its extent and value the amount ot of development assaying treatment of ore the fee of a competent mining engineer and his assistant the extent of the required report that is how much it shall include we have seen a mining report from a man claiming to be a mining engineer that cost in toto 25 we have also seen a min mining report that cost there are not a few mining engineers who will not take up anything r in the way of a mine examination for less than 1000 there are more who can be had for from 25 to 50 per day and expenses it is not however a matter that could be determined by competitive bids A valuable report is worth all it costs and in this as in other things true economy consists in judicious expenditure A report can be cheaper than one costing 50 the man making the 50 report would very probably have honestly I 1 earned his money and given value received but so much more value might be given for the report that it would be the cheaper A report upon which may be based the expenditure of considerable money can not ordinarily be secured for a tri trifling flina sum better employ a competent man of reputation and experience and pay what such experience and reputation is justified in charging it would be cheaper in the long run or the short run |