OCR Text |
Show Utah's Silver Outlook An Enviable One There is a strong probability the Utah production of silver for the year 1923 will exceed that of 1922, which totaled 16,800,000 ounces, and overtopped the output out-put of any previous years. Should Utah's 1923 production touch a figure between 17,500,-000 17,500,-000 and 18,000,000 ounces, of which well-informed mining men are confident, the state for the second year in succession would be the leading silver producer in the United States. So far as past records are concerned, con-cerned, it is doubtful if this record rec-ord has been eclipsed at any time during the history of the United States. Neither Montana nor Nevada have ever produced as much silver even when famous fa-mous camps were producing their maximum. Certainly, even if Utah's 1923 record has been excelled, no other state can boast producing more silver after af-ter fifty years of steady activity activ-ity than ever before. That Utah's production of silver sil-ver should increase this year is somewhat in the nature of a surprise, sur-prise, for, although output was held at a maximum until June, when the Pittman act expired, it was thought the production for the last seven months of the year would not be large enough to make an aggregate equal last year's total. The high price for lead and the splendid physical condition of leading Utah silver-lead silver-lead producers are the factors responsible for the . wonderful record being made by Utah mines. Utah Copper maintenance of production at or near capacity levels gives the state an enviable position as a red metal producer. Arizona generally leads in copper cop-per production, with' Montana and Utah holding the second and third positions. This year, as a result of the remarkable record established by Utah Copper Cop-per and the low price handicap imposed on Montana producers, local mining men predict Utah i3 likely to climb into second position. po-sition. Since silver production in the state has been so heavy it is reasonable to believe that Utah's 1923 total lead output will be a big surprise. From the point of revenue and dividends, the present year has been one of the most impressive in the history of Utah mining. |