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Show Bonanza Mining Day Gone r r -v. . , ' v- M,rr- . -T VW- PORTA L 'jPRODUCTI E ; . J . aAg.a.tumaL'cJS VV1 ' I ORE BO'.V ,;. WASTE i - .X R.CCK 1 1 drift l f" Cross-section of a mine, which serves to illustrate why mines must turn to lower grade ore during times of high metal prices. If the low grade Is left In the mine when better grade ores are mined, it will probably remain there forever. Contrary to the Roneral belief, higher metal prices do not mean the return of bonanza ilayn for the metal mlnliiK industry. The bonanza bon-anza days are Kone as mines operating oper-ating low grade ores are looking toward the future, rather than gouK'mK a small high grade pocket tor a temporary pioflt. Since tho War Production Board announced that a premium price (17 cents for copper, 11 cents for zinc and 'J'A cents a pound for lead) In excess of quota produced in trill, many were of the opinion that the mints of Utah would reap a rich harvest. Looking at the situation patriotically, patriot-ically, the mines have seized the opportunity to produce lower grade ores that were not mineable under the old price, ores on which the profit is small or nil. They have taken the opportunity to "sand wich" in more low grade along with the higher grade. Under this policy they are serving serv-ing the nation to the best advantage, advan-tage, taking as much ore as possible pos-sible in the quickest possible way without regard for increasing the net profit. Moreover, this preserves the life of the mine and perpetuates perpet-uates an industry for the state and tho nation. Silver King Coalition at Park City immediately expanded the scope of its operations to include more of its lower grade ores and Park Utah Consolidated in the same district immediately reopened re-opened the old Ontario drain tunnel, tun-nel, a portion of the mine which had been closed down for years. The Tintic Standard began mining more of its marginal ores. Others have brought or are bringing low grade units into production. |