CRANE. | Economy of Mining Operations. 359 
is not only possible but extremely practicable. In many 
cases it would require less work in handling to conduct such 
wastes back to the mine than to store on the surface ; further- 
more, there is a twofold advantage in such a disposition of 
the waste products, namely, unencumbered surface and sup- 
port for workings. 
PROSPECTING AND DEVELOPMENT. 
Little can be said in the nature of suggested improvements 
relative to prospecting, although a marked lack of system is 
noticeable in the work as usually conducted, which, consider- 
ing the character and occurrence of the deposits, is hardly to 
be wondered at. Nevertheless a systematic arrangement of 
holes over the locality prospected would be more indicative 
of the extent, if not, the actual value of the particular locality, 
than a haphazard arrangement or rather lack of arrange- 
ment. However, the employment of more care and system 
both in prospecting and development would eliminate much 
of the risk to which investment in the district is subject. 
A deposit should be thoroughly proven by drifts and levels 
run according to the indications present and the best judg- 
ment of the person in charge before any great expenditure is 
made on top work, concentrating plant, etc. Stock piles of 
the mineral removed while the work is being carried on can 
be formed which will pay the expense of building the con- 
centrating plant, if the mine develops well, or sold to custom 
mills if the deposit proves of small extent. 
HAND PICKING. 
Hand picking should be employed when the ore is quite 
rich. The objection to hand picking under ground is twofold, 
namely, too little light, and not sufficient room to store waste 
in. Usually the worked-out portion of the mine is sufh- 
ciently large to allow commodious quarters for hand picking 
and ‘‘cobbing,’’ while, by the employment of some improved 
form of artificial lighting apparatus, as the Wells light, suffi- 
cient light for hand picking, and in many cases mining, 
tramming, etc., could be had, and at small expense. In 
most mines there is a worked-out stope, ranging from 20 to 
40 feet high, and as wide and long or longer, which would 
