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Show 50 rection is north- northeast and south- southwest. The ore occurs in masses of different sizes, imbedded in the quartz ledge, whose position is nearly vertical between walls of crystalline limestone and calcareous conglomerate. The veins are well defined and large, and the walls are generally slickensided. The mass of the mountain range is granite. In many places in this there are dikes of intrusive rock, such as diorite, porphyry, and serpentine. In the vicinity of the mines, especially, the granite is accompanied by talcose schist, primitive limestone, primitive clay slate, hydraulic limestone, and calcareous conglomerate. No fossil shells are found in the higher portions of the range. In the lower portions occur more recent formations, such as the quaternary, which covers the Panamint Valley. In this valley there are also hot springs, and saline deposits from which salt is obtained for the roasting purposes of the mines. The products of these mines are partly free milling- ores and partly roasting- ores5 the latter are milled after the completion of the roasting process. Their average yield per ton is from $ 90 to $ 120. No gold is found. The silver ores are principally chloride of silver, stroineyerite, stetefeldtite, and argentiferous copper glance, with native silver, and, rarely, argeutiferous galena. Copper is the chief base metal. A little antimony accompanies the ore, aud, exceptionally, some iron pyrites and zinc- blende. The principal mine of this district is the Hemlock, whoso ledge has been traced for 1£ miles, appearing on the other side of the hill as the Alabama lode. The ledge dips 80° to the southeast, and varies in width from 1 to 6 feet. Though in some places barren, it is again very rich. It has been pierced by two tunnels, 75 feet and 229 feet in length, from which drifts and winzes have been pushed. Next in importance is the Wyoming lode. This ledge, running through limestone, varies in width from 2£ to 10 feet, with a branch vein from 2 to 6 feet wide, diverging from the main lode at an angle of 15°. Two drifts, 240 feet and 500 feet in length, and two tunnels, 160 feet and ISO feet long, have been run. The Surprise lode is large and well defined, 6 feet in width, and is apparently a continuation of the Wyoming. The World's Wonder and Stewart's Wonder are worthy of mention, and, in additioa to these, there are a dozen others, equally as good, which are not worked at present. No positive data can be given concerning the expenditures and receipts of this district, but the product of the furnace for one month was 40,000 ounces of silver. The Sunrise Compauy runs a 5- stainp mill, but, having no roasting furnace, works only free milling ore. The Surprise Valley Company has a stetefeldt furnace and a 20- stamp mill. Each stamp weighs 90O pounds, and makes 85 drops per minute. There are two crushers, working 25 tons of ore per day. There are ten amalgamating pans, each holding a ton of roasted ore. The amalgam is strained cold. It is generally composed of 1 part silver to 5 part mercury, with a little lead and copper. The furnace is constructed for working 40 tons of ore per day. It is discharged every 1J to 2 hours. From 3 per cent, to 10 per cent, of salt is added to the crushed ore in roasting. The cost of machinery is unusually high, owing to expensive transportation. The stetefeldt furnace cost $ 18,000. Other items of expense will average as follows: Mining labor per diem, $ 4; milling labor, $ 5.50; running a tunnel on main vein, $ 10 to $ 15. The present sources of grain supply are Los Angeles aud Galieute. Hay is brought from the northern portion of Inyo County. With an influx of settlers these commodities may become cheaper, as there is some good farmiug laud |
