Reprinted from The Pacific Mineralogist, December 1937; semi-annual publication of the Los Angeles Mineralogical Society; Vol. IV, No. 2; p.18-19, 36-38, (40pp).
© 1937 Los Angeles Mineralogical Society, Huntington Park, Calif.

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SOME PROBLEMS OF MINING
By CLAUDE M. CHAPLIN

The Mining Industry is faced with a number of problems which should be given careful consideration now, so that the general public as well as members of the industry will be prepared to meet them at the proper time. These problems are of vital interest to the mining Industry and should be of equal interest to all mineral collectors for mining development and mineral collecting go hand in hand.

The problems of the Mining Industry are the problems created by a young and healthy, growing industry, rather than the problems created by age and decrepitude. In other words, they are constructive problems which always arise from progress and development. Since the revival of mining in about 1930, it has grown into practically a new industry with great development programs, constantly increasing employment, use of vast amounts of new machinery and equipment, new metallurgical and mineralogical services and a production which has grown by leaps and bounds for the past five years, with every indication that this growth is to continue for some years to come. Therefore the problems of mining are linked with the future development of the industry.

Some of these problems can be traced to our changing social system and the so-called social reforms which are widely proposed. In some instances certain radical changes are proposed under euphonious titles, which tend to obscure the real purpose underlying the proposal.

PUBLIC LAND WITHDRAWAL

The development of the south-western United States is based on mining. The gold rush of '49 raised California to statehood, the Comstock lode did the same for Nevada and Arizona can boast of equal development based directly on her mines. The present trend of the Department of the Interior is to withdraw from mineral entry enormous areas of mineralized land. This will hinder mining development and mineral collecting and in turn slow down the progress of the State.

The Joshua Tree National Monument has been created in southern California which prevents additional development of mineral lands in this area other than properties already under operation. This area includes the principal mining districts in Riverside county and much highly mineralized land in San Bernardino county. Dale, Gold Park, pinto Basin and Eagle Mountains are now "reserved from all forms of appropriation under the public-land laws". No longer can prospectors hope to find mines like the Gold Crown in the Dale district which has produced over $500,000, the Lost Horse mine in the Pinto Basin which produced over $350,000, or the O.K. mine and L.A. and Brooklyn mine which have each produced over $200,000. The gold production alone from the area now withdrawn totals several million dollars. The Eagle Mountains contain huge iron deposits which are idle awaiting the development of suitable methods of recovery. Miners have successfully recovered silver, lead, copper, within or near the boundaries of the Joshua Tree National Monument. This withdrawal might be justifiable if the joshua tree had some value and if the trees alone were protected. The joshua tree is not suitable for timber, shade or water conservation. It is not even good fire wood. The area includes millions of acres which are miles from a joshua tree. Mining does not harm the joshua tree in any way.

The Sheppard Bill, introduced in the last session of Congress, would liberalize the regulations so that mineral development may be carried on. This bill did not succeed in passage in the last session of Congress. Every effort should be made to secure its passage at the next session.

LOS PADRES WITHDRAWAL

Under the guise of protecting the water supply of Santa Barbara, Senator William G. McAdoo introduced a bill at the last session of Congress to withdrawal the Los Padres National Forest from mineral entry. This area covers approximately twenty townships in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. The Los Padres National Forest contains valuable quicksilver properties and has produced in commercial quantities chromite and barite. No mineral survey has been made of certain sections of this area and it may contain a great deal more rich land. Purity of water supply for cities most certainly should be protected, but it is generally believed that it is not necessary to withdraw twenty townships to accomplish this purpose. A considerable portion of the area proposed for withdrawal lies outside the watershed and could in no way effect the purity of Santa Barbara's water. An effort should be made to cut down the area to the amount actually required, leaving the remainder open for mineral development.

The Yuma, Arizona withdrawal for game refuge purposes was successfully defeated yet the game is adequately protected. An attempt was made to withdrawal several million acres of mineralized land for the protection of a few mountain goats but the miners protested. The game refuge has been established and the game protected. Water holes have been developed, the land mapped and feeder roads built. Mining is allowed as before but the miners are not allowed to carry firearms. Now prospectors are better able to enter the area due to the developed roads and trails and are sure of sources of water while the game is not endangered.

It is possible to successfully preserve joshua trees, protect Santa Barbara's water supply and operate mines on the withdrawn land. It is of extreme importance for all mineral collectors to guard against anything that would hinder the development of California's mineral resources.

SOCIALIZATION OF MINING

It seems apparent that the Department of the Interior has established a fixed policy which may result in the nationalization of mining. The first step in this program is the withdrawal of Government mineral land from development and the proposed establishment of a leasing system instead of the present system of claim ownership. The leasing system for mining claims proposed by Secretary of the Interior Ickes has been generally opposed by mining men as it would tend to kill initiative of prospectors and private individuals in developing mining properties.

One of the bad features of the moratorium of assessment work which has been in effect for the past few years, is that it has permitted the holding of mining claims without the necessity for development work. As a result, thousands of acres of mineral lands have lain idle. We are assured that Congress will not again grant a moratorium on assessment work and as a result we should see much greater mineral activity next year.

The withdrawal of mineral lands and the substitution of the leasing system actually means the eventual nationalization of mining, which in effect, will require every mining man to work for a Government bureaucrat, rather than for himself.

STREAM POLLUTION

Another problem facing mining is that of stream pollution. In this particular instance the word "pollution" does not actually describe the situation. We have generally understood that the word "pollution" meant sewage pollution, but under our State law, pollution is defined as anything which adds more than fifty parts per million to a stream of water. Fifty parts per million is practically clear water. Therefore, there are many types of pollution.

But the real problem facing mining is the roiling of streams due to slightly discolored or muddy water flowing into these streams as a result of sniping, dredging or hydraulic operations either in the stream or on adjacent land. Sportsmen object to this condition because it does interfere with fly fishing. It does not have any detrimental effect upon the fish.

At the last session of the California Legislature, the Quinn bill was adopted, which closed the Trinity-Klamath river area of California to mining five months of each year during the fishing season. This bill was a compromise measure reached between sportsmen and miners. It was understood that miners would refrain from in any way roiling the waters of the Klamath and Trinity rivers during the closed period and that the new law would be given a fair trial during the next two years. Sportsmen generally agreed to this plan and during the closed season no miners will roil or discolor the waters of these rivers.

However, certain other sportsmen's groups do not seem to be willing to give the law a fair trial. An initiative petition has been placed in circulation which would permanently close these rivers to mining for six months out of each year. These petitions are now being circulated and miners or anyone interested in mining and in fair play should be careful that they do not sign the petition.

It would seem only fair play that a compromise measure agreed upon in good faith by both the representatives of the sportsmen and the representatives of the miners should be given a fair trial before initiative legislation is proposed.

HIGHGRADING

A third problem is that of highgrading. Highgrading is the stealing of gold ore from quartz and placer mines and from dredgers. It is estimated that the Mining Industry in California is losing between $500,000 and $1,000,000 annually through gold thefts.

Highgrading has been in existence as long as gold mining has been in existence. The public attitude toward highgrading in some of our mining districts is very peculiar. In one mining town a merchant was very much incensed at the secret service campaign against highgrading. This particular merchant declared that the highgrading campaign was killing the sale of luxuries. Highgrading is common thievery. The highgrader is just a common ordinary thief. Anyone who associates with him is the associate of a common thief. Once this idea has gotten to the general public it will have a beneficial effect in eliminating highgrading.

MINE ROADS

A fourth problem confronting mining development is the inadequacy of roads. Much of the new development now taking place in mining in California and in many other states is located in fairly inaccessible districts. While state highways are available into various mining districts, the need is for lateral roads which connect mining properties with these main highways.

A general movement is now underway to secure federal, state and county assistance in extending and improving mining roads so that present operations may be facilitated and new mining developments undertaken. In many instances, good mining properties can not be operated during the winter months because snow blocks the mining roads. In some instances, snow removal programs are being considered to aid mines to continue employing men throughout the entire year.

MINING AND WILD LIFE

Development of game preserves by State and Federal Governments can be made of real benefit to mineral development without in any way interfering with wild life.

Establishment of water holes for wild animals can also be made to supply the very limited needs of the prospectors. The problem of conducting a successful mining operation in a game preserve without interfering in any way with wild life is one to be worked out between authorities and the individual operator. Wild life should be protected but serious consideration should be given to the relative economic value of wild life and mineral production. The welfare of the whole people should be the first consideration and there seems to be no reason why satisfactory operating conditions can not be determined in advance of new development.

It is probably true that in case of a general restriction such as a game preserve that each individual operation and the restrictions surrounding it must be considered separately. With good will on both sides and a determination of each to protect the others interest, there seems to be no reason why mining can not be carried on successfully in these restricted areas.

The foregoing are only a few of the present problems confronting the Mining Industry. But it is well always to remember that most of these problems are problems of progress.

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