Clara-Swansea Mining Company stock certificate 1926 (Nevada)

Rare NV-AZ mining cert. Stunning vignette of miners with ore cart and using pick axes. Nice orange border and underprint.  Unissued and pen cancelled (Void - not issued) in the president's signature block (unsigned).  Dated 1926. Measures approximately 11.5 x 8.5 inches.

The Clara-Swansea Mining operations refer to the historic copper mining district in Swansea, Arizona (estab 1909 in northern Yuma County (now La Paz County)), centered around the Clara Consolidated Gold and Copper Mining Company, which operated mines like the Swansea Mine, producing significant copper but ultimately failing due to high costs, leading to the ghost town of Swansea. 1909 brought prosperity to the town. A post office under the name of Swansea was established. The population boomed to 500.

The Clara-Swansea Mining Company was incorporated 1926 in the state of Nevada. This was a consolidation of previous mining companies including the Clara Consolidated which failed 15 years earlier.

George Mitchell had incorporated the Clara Consolidated Mining Company. Unfortunately, George Mitchell put more money into promotions rather than into improving the mining. The investors were there but producing copper at 3 cents per pound higher than the selling rate was not the key to success. This was a financial nightmare and forcing Mitchell & his company to declare bankruptcy in 1911. The mine was opened and closed on-and-off for the next few years.

The American Smelting and Refining Company bought the mines in 1914. After rebuilding much of the town and opening the mines once again, they managed to make a profit for a just a couple of years after Mitchell left Swansea in 1916.

The end of World War I brought a massive drop in the need of copper. The final blow to Swansea was the great Depression. With its last reported milling in 1944, Swansea had become a true ghost town.

Arizona's Clara-Swansea Mining District included 2636 nearby claims—93 active and 2533 closed—and 41 nearby mines—9 occurrences, 1 prospect, and 31 producers.

Location:
Swansea, La Paz County, Arizona, near the Buckskin Mountains.

Main Company:
The Clara Consolidated Gold and Copper Mining Company, later associated with the Clara-Swansea Mining Company

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