and gold. Hitherto, the exertions of the company have been
directed principally to explorations and cleaning out the old
mines, but they have at present above ground, ready for smelting,
several thousand dollars worth of their ores. Prof. Booth, U. S.
Assayer, as well as other distinguished authorities, have, after
thorough experiment, given to the company certificates of the
great richness of the ores already shipped to the east. The
annual report of the Sonora Mining Co. is full of interest to the
general reader. The Sopori mine is another very valuable
property. It is owned by Messrs. Douglass, Aldrich, and another.
Want of capital has prevented the extensive development of this
mine. It affords its proprietors a handsome profit, worked in the
smallest and cheapest manner. The vein is of great size, has been
traced several rods in length, and pays about one dollar to the
pound of ore. The writer has examined specimens from the
"Sopori," taken at random, and so rich is the ore that the native
silver can be cut out of it with a penknife, as out of a Mexican
dollar. Undoubtedly the Sopori mine is destined to yield hundreds
of millions. It is a peculiarity of the ores in this district
that they run near the surface, making mining of comparative
small cost. The Sopori mine is surrounded by a fine country, well
watered and wooded. The "Gadsonia Copper Mining Co.," after
taking out a few tons of exceedingly rich ore--averaging over
eighty per cent.--was obliged to suspend operations on account of
the cost of transportation. When the Territory shall be organized
and capital protected by law, these mines will be worked to
advantage. "The Gila River Copper Mines" are more favorably
situated than any other yet opened, being directly on the Gila
River, only twenty-five miles from its mouth. The ores can be
taken from the mine, immediately shipped upon flat boats or a