Mineral Industry in Early America. (Reissued for Bureau of Mines 80thAnniversary)

摘要

The history of American mining is organized around three epochal events. Thefirst was the discovery of gold in California in 1848, the second was the discovery of the fabulous Comstock Lode in western Nevada in 1859, the third event was the building of a transcontinental railroad system after the Civil War, which brought about the consolidation of the industry from a large number of independent mines, mills, and smelters into integrated operations run by large corporations. Anniversaries have long been occasions to review and ponder the past. In keeping with the general review of our history that took place during the 200th anniversary of the Republic, the Bureau of Mines sponsored a review of the early history of American mining. In the study, mining is considered in its broadest sense; it includes not only the extraction of ores and minerals from the earth, but also the separation and refining of metals and mineral products to prepare them for use.