The Calumet News

LOOKS GOOD TO J. A. PERCIVAL

WELL KNOWN MINING MAN VISITS THE BUTTE-BALLAKLAVA VA AND INTERSTATE PROPERTIES

"Conditions at both the Butte-Ballaklava and the Interstate mines are most gratifying," said John A. Percival who is secretary of both companies. "We have a large body of 4 per cent copper ore on the 1600-foot level of the Ballaklava, and we expect to encounter in another 50 or 40 feet of drifting the same body of high-grade ore that we have opened up on the 100-foot level. The conditions are very good indeed, I refer to development entirely in undisputed ground.

As for the litigation which was begun by the Anaconda and which concerns other ore, the sooner the case comes to trial the better it will suit me. We have nothing to fear, and I believe that our defense is impregnable."

Mr. Percival has just returned from a visit to both the Ballaklava mine at Butte and the Interstate at Wallace, Idaho. Concerning the Interstate, which is now attracting public attention, he said:

We are getting good results at the Interstate. We have 500 feet of milling ore in the drift on the vein which we encountered with the tunnel 3000 feet from the portal, and on which we have been drifting for some time. That means a large tonnage, for the point where we developed the ore shoot is 1200 feet below the surface, which means very extensive stoping ground.

The indications are very bright for encountering the high grade ore at any round. This is the same vein that the Callahan people, whose property adjoins the Interstate on the west, have developed with such gratifying results. It is a rich vein and it is doing well by the Interstate. I spent several days at the mine and I am much pleased with the results.

The Interstate property is between the Hercules and the Callahan mines and sixty tons of ore was loaded in December, and the January yield will be greater. The drift along the vein of its principal mine, at the 500-ft. level has been extended 500 ft. with a pay streak 6 to 15 ft. wide showing along its entire length. The ore averages 10 per cent copper and from $50 to $150 per ton in gold and silver, according to Supt. James Neary.

The underground development work at present consists of running a raise from the 500 to the 600 ft. level, following the dip of the vein. It is believed that the raise will continue in ore of the same grade as in the lower workings, since assays have revealed the same grade on the 600 ft. level.

There are numerous veins which extend from Hercules to Interstate and from Callahan to Interstate. The formation is identical on all three of the properties.

I am convinced that the Interstate mine will prove one of the large and valuable properties of the Coeur d'Alenes."