RI 3941 Exploration for Zinc and Lead Ore, Phelps Lease, Jasper Co., Missouri

"The Phelps lease in Jasper County, Missouri, was first examined by the Bureau of Mines3/ in December 1943, at the request of Thomas Phelps of Joplin, the lessee. Owing to urgent war requirements for zinc and lead and evidence of favorable geological conditions and past productivity of adjoining properties, it,considered justifiable to explore for extensions of known ore deposits and possible undiscovered ones. In August 1944, funds were allotted for this work, which was started January 5, 1945, under the direction of the author.The provision of facilities and storage space on the property by the lessee during drilling operations is gratefully acknowledged.The Phelps lease is on land belonging to the Rex Mining & Smelting Co. It lies immediately southeast of the city limits of Joplin, Mo. It may be reached by going cast from Joplin on paved 20th street to half a mile beyond Range Line road. Twentieth street is the northern boundary line of the property, which consists of approximately 145 acres and includes the W 1/2, NE1/4, and all of the E ½. NW1/4 except 15 acres along the west side of that quarter section, of sec. 18, T. 27 N., R. 32 W., as shown on figure 1.The property is part of a 1,000-acre tract owned by the Rex Mining & Smelting Co., Paul D. Porter, president, Joplin, Mo. The lease was acquired by Thomas Phelps of Joplin, in 1937. At present the lease is controlled by a recently formed association known as the Eureka Products Co., Charles W. Madison, manager, Kansas City, Mo.Dependable skilled mine labor is scarce in the district at present, but there seems to be enough transient mine labor for small operations. The prevailing wages of the district run from 55 cents to 95 cents per hour for various types of mine labor.Living accommodations and markets to supply all domestic requirements are available in Joplin.In its program of exploration of mineral deposits, the Bureau of Mines has as its primary objective the more effective utilization of our mineral resources to the and that they make the greatest possible contribution to national security and economy. It is the policy of the Bureau to publish the facts developed by each exploratory project as soon as practicable after its conclusion. The Mining Branch, Lowell B. Moon, chief, conducts preliminary examinations, performs the actual exploratory work, and prepares the final report. The Metallurgical Branch, R. G. Knickerbocker, chief, analyzes samples and performs beneficiation tests. Both these branches are under the supervision of Dr. R. S. Dean, assistant director."