340 University Geological Survey of Kansas. 
ECONOMY OF MINING OPERATIONS. 
In the following pages an attempt has been made to esti- 
mate the cost of the various operations connected with the 
different phases of mining and milling as carried on in this 
district. 
Due to the great range of cost of the various operations, 
even in the same locality, as at two mines on adjoining lots, 
to say nothing of the district, it has been found difficult to 
obtain figures which, though averaging, will not more than 
approximate the cost for the whole district. The figures ob- 
tained are, therefore, high for some and low for other locali- 
ties, while they come very near to actual costs in still other 
cases. 
The operations are taken up in the usual order of occur- 
rence as followed in opening up mining properties, namely, 
drilling (prospecting and mining), shaft sinking and drift- 
ing, stoping, blasting, timbering, pumping, hoisting, and 
concentrating. 
Cost of Drilling. 
PROSPECT DRILLING. 
The usual cost of drilling is about $1.25 per foot for the 
first 200 to 250 feet. This is the contract price, although as 
low as $1 has been paid where the ground was known to be 
good drilling. The $1.25 may, however, be raised to $1.50 
or $1.75 if the ground is difficult to work, or if the indica- 
tions point that way. If, however, a number of holes are to 
be drilled in the same locality, the price may be, at the high- 
est, not more than $1.50. This includes cost of labor, water, 
and fuel. As a rule the driller will not set the price below 
200 or 250 feet. In good ground the price usually increases 
25 cents per foot for every 100 feet advanced. 
The cost of a prospect drilling outfit, complete with all 
tools, is between $2000 and $3000. The drilling crew con- 
sists of two men per shift, paid $3.50 and $4.50, respectively, 
making labor cost for twenty-four hours $16. 
The average rate of drilling is 15 to 20 feet per day in 
limestone, and 6 to 7 feet per day in flint. In ordinary 
