TO THE MINING PUBLIC.

Through ten years of service as State Mineralogist and executive head of the State Mining Bureau, I have endeavored to build up an institution that would be representative of the mining and oil industry of California, in order to create an organization of service to the industry and to the public at large which would aid in the development of the wonderful mineral resources of the State of California.

Work of this character can be accomplished only by the united effort and cooperation of those serving and the industry to be served. It is with some degree of satisfaction that I look back upon this period and note the marveling growth of the industry and the ability of this Bureau to grow and meet the ever-increasing demands made upon it. This growth has been made possible by the sympathetic cooperation and expression of the prospectors, engineers and owners of properties from all localities in the state, and it is my hope that in the years to come the Bureau's service to the public may increase many fold; I sincerely believe that it has a very important influence on the development of

our latent resources.

There comes a time when it is impossible to continue public service without a sacrifice which is greater than personal interests can withstand, and it has become necessary to submit my resignation, which is given herewith.

HON. FRIEND WM. RICHARDSON,

Governor of California,

Sacramento, California.

SAN FRANCISCO, January 27, 1923.

to be effective February fifteenth, nineteen hundred and twenty-three. DEAR SIR: I herewith submit my resignation as State Mineralogist of California, public service was at a sacrifice to my personal interests. State Mining Bureau. I have realized for some time, however, that a continuance in of the

mineral resources might be attained.

ishing total of two hundred and sixty-eight million dollars, and have endeavored so mineral production from an annual value of ninety-three million dollars to the astonDuring my administration of ten years, I have recorded the growth of California's to organize the State Mining Bureau that its service to the industry and the public would respond to this constantly growing production and the consequent demands because of it, in order that the greatest degree of aid to the development of our latent Mining is the basic industry upon which our industrial, and even our agricultural, encouragement and their sane conservation are surely problems second to none in advancement depends. The proper development of our vast mineral resources, wise Importance in the upbuilding of our great commonwealth. in the proper development and production of which the State Mining Bureau has We all know of the stupendous development of our oil resources in recent years, to two billions of dollars lies dormant in the unworked gravel deposits of California. taken no little part, but scant knowledge is had of the fact that a resource of close A report is now well under way which, it is hoped, will focus the attention of the solution of our reclamation, irrigation, power and navigation problems, with which State upon the possibilities of winning this wealth and at the same time aid in the which will produce many more, is also the subject of another report, now in course The Great Mother Lode Gold Belt of California, which has produced millions and commercial metal and mineral products, all of which are adding to the wealth and California produces, in addition to these two vital resources, over fifty different connected with the mineral industry, and I am appreciative of the cooperation they It has been my good fortune to have met and known personally a great many men, have given in the work of the Bureau. A number of the employees have been in the

we are all so familiar.

of preparation.

prosperity of the State.

department for many years, and I take this opportunity of expressing my acknowledgment of their loyal service.

My paramount aim has been to build a tradition of service which would bring to California a recognition of her vast mineral treasure and I trust that the greatest possible support will always be given by the State to this great industry.

Assuring you of my continued interest in the work of the Bureau and the development of the mineral resources of California, I remain,

Respectfully yours,

FLETCHER HAMILTON,

State Mineralogist of California.

It is with regret that I submit this farewell to the State Mining Bureau, as through it I have formed many pleasant associations; and I send greetings to all in the mining industry, assuring you that I shall always have your best interests at heart.

FLETCHER HAMILTON.

In 1919-1920 the Mining Department was organized into four main geographical divisions, with the field work delegated to a mining engineer in each division working out from a local branch office.

This move brought the Bureau into, close personal contact with operators, but did not materially shorten the time between the gathering of data in the field and their publication in the Report of the State Mineralogist at the end of an annual or biennial period.

Mining activities and development noted by district engineers in their respective fields are now embodied in monthly reports published in each issue of Mining in California,' thus making these data available within a maximum period of thirty days, and the Monthly Chapter as far as possible a compendium of current mining progress throughout the state.

The counties included in each field division and the location of the local offices are shown on the accompanying outline map of the state. (Frontispiece.)

Although the petroleum industry is but little affiliated with other branches of mining, oil and gas are among the most valuable mineral products of California, and a report by the State Oil and Gas Supervisor on the current development and general conditions in the state's oil fields is included under this heading.

REDDING FIELD DIVISION.

W. BURLING TUCKER, Mining Engineer.
REVIEW OF MINING DURING 1922.

The principal minerals mined in this district are copper, gold, iron, platinum, silver, zinc and pyrites. Asbestos, cadmiuia, chrome, clay, coal, diatomaceous earth, limestone, manganese, mineral water, quicksilver, volcanic ash, and pumice have all been produced to a lesser extent, but the industry is dependent mainly upon the first group, each mineral of which is considered separately.

ASBESTOS.

An increased demand for asbestos on the Pacific Coast has led to the discovery and development of promising deposits of this mineral in Shasta County near Sims, Siskiyou County near Edgewood, and in Trinity County in the vicinity of the Strode mine, near Carrville. In the above mentioned localities both amphibole and chrysotile have been developed and during the coming year some of these deposits may be

established on a producing basis.

BARYTES.

During the year the barite deposit at Barium, near Copper City, Shasta County, was operated by H. C. Austin and a large tonnage of

ore was shipped to Oakland and San Francisco.

CHROMITE.

Chromite is widely distributed throughout Del Norte, Shasta, and Siskiyou counties. There were no producers during the year, owing to

importations of foreign ore which can be landed at consuming centers cheaper.

COAL

Deposits of coal occur in Humboldt, Shasta, Siskiyou, and Trinity counties, but the majority of these deposits are low grade lignites, usually occurring in rather thin beds. Coal is found in Humboldt County near Gerberville, near Hydesville, on Mad River, and on Maple Creek. In Shasta County beds of lignite coal are found on Cow Creek, in the Ingot district, also on Clover Creek. A vein of semi-bituminous coal is found. on Beegum Creek. Deposits of coal occur in Siskiyou County at the headwaters of Kosh Creek, seven miles southeast of Glazier, on the Sisson and Fall River Mills road, also on Willow Creek, about four miles east of Henley. Coal is found in Trinity County in Hayfork Valley, Hyampom Valley, and near Poison Camp.

During the year only a small amount of development work has been attempted on the various deposits mentioned. The coal is used locally for blacksmithing.

COPPER.

There has been little change in the copper situation during the year and practically all the large copper properties with the exception of the Mountain Copper Company, and the Shasta Zine and Copper Company, remained idle. The former shipped about 500 tons per day of pyrite ore, containing a small percentage of copper, to chemical plants near San Francisco. Their aerial tramway extending from the Hornet mine to Mathewson, a station on the Southern Pacific Railroad, was completed and placed in commission. It is 23 miles in length, has a capacity of 100 tons per hour, and replaces the Iron Mountain Railroad, used by the company for ore shipments for many years.

The Shasta Zine and Copper Company completed their new refining plant early in June. The Rising Star mine was operated from June 1st until December 1st furnishing ore for the zinc-oxide plant, but on the latter date both mine and smelter were shut down. It is reported that the company plans to increase the capacity of the present plant, and resume operations early in the spring. The company produced about 12 to 15 tons of copper matte per day, as a by-product from their zinc-oxide plant.

At the Little Nellie mine, owned by the Pittsburg and Mount Shasta Mining Company of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, a number of men have been employed on development work. The producing mines of Shasta County during previous years were:

The United States Smelting, Refining and Mining Company (Mammoth smelter, and Mammoth, Keystone and Sutro mines); First National Copper Company (Balaklala mines); Mountain Copper Company. Limited (Iron Mountain and Hornet mines); Pittsburg and Mount Shasta Mining Company (Little Nellie mine); and the Atascadero Mining Company (Greenhorn mine), all on the West copper belt. On the East copper belt they were: The Shasta Zine and Copper Company (Bully Hill and Rising Star mines); and the Afterthought Mining Company (Afterthought, Donkey and Copper Hill mines), at Ingot. In Siskiyou County there was no activity in copper mining during the year, and the Blue Ledge and Grey Eagle, the two most important mines in the county, remained idle.