Memoir of the Proposed Territory of Arizona | Page 8

not
always be within its reach."
Of the present mining operations in the Territory of Arizona, the most
considerable, in point of labor performed and results, is "The Arizona

Copper Mining Co." This company is incorporated by the California
Legislature, with a capital of one million of dollars. The President is
Major Robert Allen, U. S. A. The mines are old, and very celebrated in
Mexico under the name of El-Ajo. This company, at an expense of
$100,000, have supplied their mines with an abundance of water,
extracted several hundred tons of ore, and erected buildings, smelting
furnaces, and other appliances to facilitate their operations. They
employ about one hundred men, mostly Mexican miners. Their
supplies of breadstuffs and beef are obtained by contract from Sonora.
These mines are situated one hundred and thirty miles from the mouth
of the Gila River, and about sixty miles south of it. The ore varies in
richness from thirty to sixty per cent, and the proceeds of some sales in
London were quoted as being the highest prices ever paid for ore in that
market. A portion of this mine is owned by English capitalists, and it is
without doubt one of the most valuable in the world. The profits may
be easily calculated, when it is known that the ore costs delivered in
Swansea, England, not exceeding $125 per ton, and is worth from $200
to $375 per ton. Of course these profits will be greatly increased when
the company is in a position to smelt its ores at the mine. The Sonora
Exploring and Mining Company was organized in 1856, with a capital
of two million dollars ($2,000,000). Its principal office is in Cincinnati,
Ohio, and its seat of operations at Tubac, in the Santa Cruz valley. This
company is managed in its mining operations by Chas. D. Poston, Esq.,
a gentleman of much experience on the Pacific coast, and of great
energy of character.
The Rancho of Arivaca, containing several valuable silver mines, and
seventeen thousand acres of valuable land, has been purchased by this
company. It has also acquired the titles to a number ofother valuable
mines of galena ore, and copper containing silver and gold. Hitherto,
the exertions of the company have been directed principally to
explorations and cleaning out the old mines, but they have at present
above ground, ready for smelting, several thousand dollars worth of
their ores. Prof. Booth, U. S. Assayer, as well as other distinguished
authorities, have, after thorough experiment, given to the company
certificates of the great richness of the ores already shipped to the east.
The annual report of the Sonora Mining Co. is full of interest to the
general reader. The Sopori mine is another very valuable property. It is

owned by Messrs. Douglass, Aldrich, and another. Want of capital has
prevented the extensive development of this mine. It affords its
proprietors a handsome profit, worked in the smallest and cheapest
manner. The vein is of great size, has been traced several rods in length,
and pays about one dollar to the pound of ore. The writer has examined
specimens from the "Sopori," taken at random, and so rich is the ore
that the native silver can be cut out of it with a penknife, as out of a
Mexican dollar. Undoubtedly the Sopori mine is destined to yield
hundreds of millions. It is a peculiarity of the ores in this district that
they run near the surface, making mining of comparative small cost.
The Sopori mine is surrounded by a fine country, well watered and
wooded. The "Gadsonia Copper Mining Co.," after taking out a few
tons of exceedingly rich ore--averaging over eighty per cent.--was
obliged to suspend operations on account of the cost of transportation.
When the Territory shall be organized and capital protected by law,
these mines will be worked to advantage. "The Gila River Copper
Mines" are more favorably situated than any other yet opened, being
directly on the Gila River, only twenty-five miles from its mouth. The
ores can be taken from the mine, immediately shipped upon flat boats
or a light draft steamer, and transported down the Colorado River to the
head of the Gulf of California, when they can be transhipped to
England at small cost. Upwards of twenty veins of copper ore have
been opened, and the assays give results varying from 30 to 70 per cent.
These mines are owned by Messrs. Hooper, Hinton, Halstead, and
another. Several thousand dollars have been already expended in
prospecting and opening veins, and it was anticipated by the proprietors
that the first cargo would be shipped to Swansea, England, this year.
Smelting works will eventually be built at the mines, or at Colorado
City, opposite Fort Yuma, and the profits of this company must be very