Description:
In 1929, thirty-nine mines or prospects in which gold was the
element principally sought were listed by the State Mine Inspector
of which four actually produced some gold. In his report
for 1933, however, the official mentioned lists seventy-four such
properties and over half of them produced more or less gold
during the year. These facts prove that the depression, which has
thrown many men out of work, and the great increase in the
price of gold have created an interest in prospecting for and
mining gold such as has not existed for many years.
Over twenty-six hundred persons are now prospecting for
placer or lode deposits of gold or operating on such deposits in
Arizona, whereas less than four hundred persons were employed
in gold mines in the State in 1929 and only a few score prospectors
for gold were then in the field. This tremendously increased
interest in gold has created a great demand for information
about Arizona's gold resources, which this bulletin is intended
to supply. Because Arizona has for many years produced
more copper than any other state in the Union, it is not generally
recognized that gold ores are widely distributed throughout the
State, and it is the hope of the authors that the publication of the
facts will attract more capital to Arizona for the development of
her gold deposits. It is also hoped that the sections on working
small gold lodes, on the laws and regulations relating to the location
and retention of lode claims, and on prospecting for gold
will be helpful to inexperienced prospectors.