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McMillan Gold Mine Site
The McMillan Gold Mine is an abandoned gold mine located in Mongowin Township, Northeastern, Ontario, Canada. One of the very first discovers of gold in the area was known as a prospector by the name of E. J. McMillan. It was also this very discovery that was named after the prospector after agreements were made with Dr. John H. Banks, of New York. Dr. John H. Banks would shortly after incorporate the McMillan Gold Mines, Ltd., that resulted in him being the main company president. Most of the reasoning for establishing the company was mainly done in accordance with the Ontario Companies Act, and the company was officialised on December, 31, 1926. By this time the company had a total authorized capitalization of $2,000,000 that was divided into 2,000,000 share of $1 each. In addition to this incorporation, he would additionally hire G. A. Foote as the company's vice president, and Chas B. Goldsborough was the secretary treasurer of the company. The main directors of the company were Rufus L. Patterson, John H. Banks, Chas B. Goldsborough, J. W. Boardman-Milligan, J. G. Henry, G. A.. Foote, and E. J. McMillan.
It was in 1924, when the McMillan Development Company was incorporated to take options of a few properties. These properties at the time were owned by the Gold Nugget Mining and Development Company. The company had owned several properties, one being in Scadding Township, and the other one located in Mongowin Township. Most of the major amount of work at the time was focus on gold properties located in Scadding Township, near Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. Diamond drilling was additionally commenced on the McMillan Gold Property, and a total of five holes would intersect good gold values. A minor amount of trenching was also commenced at the Lake Pit, and the No. 2 pit, in which gold was observed in both pits. After encouraging results it was decided to incorporate a new company known as the McMillan Gold Mines to advance development and exploration on the property.
In 1926, it was widely reported that a total of 28 claims in Mongowin Township were secured by the newly incorporated McMillan Gold Mines, Ltd. Diamond drilling was additionally first commenced on the property at this time that resulted in drilling five holes, with the deepest having a vertical depth of 200-feet. Most of the drilling that was achieved at this time was being commenced by the McMillan Development Company. These results became so encouraging that the company was now planning to engineer one of the very first shafts on the property that would be started in 1927.
Development would additionally commence during March, 1927, and had reached a depth of 200 feet by June. One level was additionally station cut on the mines 125-foot horizon that became one of the very first levels. Other plans were being establish to sink the shaft to a depth of 550 feet and prosecution of lateral development work would be done on the 125-, 225-, 325-, 425, and 525-foot
By the end of 1927, it was reported that the main No. 1, two compartment, shaft was completed to a depth of 550-feet below the surface. Station cutting that was commenced within the underground workings was completed at various depths of 125-, 225-, 325-, 425-, and 525-feet. One of the very first mine superintendents of this project was E. J. McMillan, and a total of 32 men were employed to this project.
After establishing the main levels of the workings it was at this point that lateral development would be commenced in 1928. The total amount of lateral development that was completed to September, 1, 1928, had amounted to 2,200-feet of drifting and crosscutting. Lateral development that was completed had been confined to levels on the 325-, and -525-foot horizons of the McMillan No. 1 Shaft. It was this lateral development work that had proven commercial ore-grade for a length of the 300 feet approximately.
Construction and installation work was also progressing on the main plant that consisted of a 150-H.P. horizontal return tubular boiler, a single drum hoist, an Ingersoll Rand Drill Sharpener, and an oil burning forge. A new office building was also constructed, an additional bunk house was erected, and the old office building was converted to a Manager Residence. By the end of 1927, it was reported that the McMillan Gold Mines had increased it capitalization from $2,000,000 to $3,000,000 shares at 1 Par Value. Most of this increasing was aimed at providing financial for further development and the possibility of erecting a milling facility. A change had also been made to the company's officers, and directors, as John H. Banks was still the president, Chas. B. Goldsborough continued to be the secretary treasurer, and W. J. Galligan, R. L. Patterson, G. A. Foote, E. J. McMillan, and Jos Errington were made directors.
It was also during 1927, that the company's directors had called for additional diamond drilling, a continuation of the exploration of the 325-, and 525-foot levels, and tentatively for the sinking of a three compartment shaft. This would be done as time had warranted for the erection of a mill and the establishment of the property on a production basis.
Much of the greater amount of work in 1928, was mainly being focus within the area between the shaft, and the diabase intrusion, that was some 400 feet away. Ore within this section on the 325-foot had additionally given assay averages of $9.30 per ton for a total length of 282 feet. This also included a section on the 525-foot level that average $10.45 in gold per ton for a total length of 267, and over a width of 40.2-inches. Further diamond drilling was also done on the wider ore-body on the 525-foot level that needed more fallow up drilling. Other exploratory work had also been done on the No. 2 Pit vein that was not opened up yet.
Much of the work that was done outside of the above area was generally confined to drifting west on the shaft on the 325-foot level. It had also been followed by drifting to the east through the diabase intrusion on the 525-foot level. This considerable amount of drifting that was followed by comparatively little crosscutting, had mainly been aimed at providing a way for diamond drilling stations to the south, and was continued by a crosscut. Certain sections which were located to the west and east of the shaft were only partially explored in 1928. Lateral development done to the east of the shaft had amounted to 737 feet of drifting, and a total of 362 feet of drifting was done to the west.
A total amount of crosscutting done to the east of the shaft had amounted to 468 feet, and 68 feet of crosscutting was done to the west on the 325-foot level. The main crosscut on the 325-foot level was extended for a length of 28 feet in parts of lateral development work done. During 1928, the 525-foot level was also extended to the east of the shaft for a length of 1,278 feet by drifting, and 442 feet of crosscutting was done to the east. In total amount of lateral development work done it was reported that 1,300 feet of crosscutting, and 2,313 feet of drifting had been completed. The total amount of diamond drilling that was completed during the year had resulted in a total length of 2,350 feet. No much was done in regards to surface work as a new blacksmith shop, containing an oil forge, and a steel sharpener were erected.
An examination of the property made by Percy E. Hopkins on June, 1929, had reported that the main ore-zone on the 325-foot level have an average gold content of $7.33 per ton. A zone that was examined on the 525-foot level, having a length of 213 feet, and an average width of 43.9-inches, gave values averaging $7.93 per ton in gold. The property at this time was still being manage and operated by the main discover, known as E. J. McMillan.
Many different types of ore had also been assayed by Dr. Derry, who was a professor of Geology at the University of Toronto. He indicated that the abundant surface material of arsenopyrite had average 1.72 oz. Au per ton. The pyrrhotite ore would also assay an average of 1.12 oz. Au per ton, and the chalcopyrite ore had average 1.32 oz. Au per ton.
One of the best known geologists at this time was Mr. P. E. Hopkins, who had also examined the ore on the surface at the McMillan Gold Mine. Assays that were obtained from Pit No. 2 had indicated an average gold grade of 0.85 oz. over a true width of 8.8 feet, including 0.35 oz. Au per ton over 3.4 feet, and 0.72 oz. Au per ton over a width of 6.0 feet. The Lake Shore Pit veins had also been sampled at this time that resulted in commercial values for a strike length of 80 feet, and had been abundant in gold.
Lateral development had continued to take place throughout the operating year of 1929. It was at this time that development work was focus on continuing to expand the underground workings on the 325-, and 425-foot level. Drifting that was done west on the 325-foot level had amounted to 7 feet, and a total of 240 feet of drifting was done east. This would also follow by continuing a crosscut west of the shaft that amounted to 47 feet, and a total of 46 feet was done to the east of the shaft. Lateral development work was also confined to the 425-foot level that amounted to 345 feet of drifting to the east, and 38 feet of crosscutting. An internal winze shaft was additionally sunk from the 425-foot level to a depth of 560 feet. Diamond drilling at this time had amounted to four surface holes, totalling 1,260 feet, and 2 underground drill holes, totalling a length of 778 feet. The total lateral development work that was done to date had amounted to 3,480 feet of drifting, 1,740 feet of crosscutting, and 32 feet of raising for diamond drill set-up. Mining operations at the McMillan Gold Mine would be suspended on November, 1929, owing to the lack of financing for this gold project.
Upon completion of this work it was also stated that a new vein was discovered, and was commonly referred as the J Ore-Body on the 525-foot level. Assay which were done on this vein had returned results of 0.22 oz. Au per ton over a width of 3.7 feet, and a length of 180 feet. This area had also included an additional lens that was 276 feet in length, carrying an average of 0.51 oz. Au over 3.6 feet.
It was also on the 325-foot level that a total of 6 lens were noted for having a length of 314 feet. These lens had also average a grade of 0.45 oz. Au per ton over a true width of 3.4 feet on the 325-foot level. One lens was also noted on the 425-foot level that carried an average grade of 0.52 oz. Au per ton over a width of 4.3 feet.
Operations at the McMillan Gold Mine would shortly after resume on June, 15, 1933, after three years of shut down. The main process in dewatering the shaft had also started at this time, and work was being prepared to commence in September. By that time it was reported that the No. 1 shaft was sunk an additional 100 feet to a total depth of 650 feet below the surface. As this had taken place it, a new level was shortly after station cut on the mine's 625-foot level. Much of the total lateral development work completed had resulted in 302 feet of drifting, and 53 feet of crosscutting that was done on the 625-foot level. It was also within 1933, that a new drag theory was establish by consultant engineer Jas. G. McGregor. McGregor had also examined the 325- and 525-foot levels in which a total length of 272 feet was in ore, and had its own width of 4 feet, at an average grade of 0.49 oz. of Au per ton. An estimated indicated ore reserve calculation was also made from the 525-foot level to the surface of all lenses connected between levels. This had resulted in a non- N-43-101 compliance of 152,800 tonnes at various indicated average grades that could only be taken up by the Cyanide Mill. Swelling of the drag fold was also observed in depth that would enhance the length and width of gold bearing quartz veins at depth of 525-feet. The 525-foot level had also intersected a fairly large quartz vein being 24 feet in width, and ore grade values.
One of the main plants used in recent years was upgrade in 1933, and had now consisted of a 125- H.P. Boiler, a 9- by 12-inch Jenckes single drum hoist, and a 345-cubic-foot Sullivan steam-driven compressor. From the recommencement of mining operations, it was reported that a total of 13 men were employed. It was also at this time that much of the employment and work was being done by George Dunn. A change was also made to the officers and directors of the company, in which Dr. J. H. Banks was still the president, G. A. Foote was also the vice president, and F. C. Fraser was the company's secretary Treasurer. Some of the main directors of the company were D. P. Wood, F. Davidson, A. B. Bryson, C. A. Durkee, R. Martin, and G. M. Miller.
Most of the work in 1934, had been confined to the construction of a 235-ton cyanide mill, which was place into operation on August, 1934. It was also within that year when an electrical powerline was constructed from Espanola to the McMillan Gold Mine Site. Underground mining operations would once again be resumed as the mine was back into steady development and production of ore that was generally stockpiled. Most of the mining was largely being done by shrinkage stopeing which was started on the 225= and 625-foot levels. By confining mining operations to these stopes it was reported that the 225-foot level was laterally developed by 340 feet of drifting, and 32 feet of raising. The 625-foot level was also continued by lateral development that amounted to 412 feet of drifting, 108 feet of crosscutting, and 50 feet of raising. A minor amount of lateral development work was also done on the 425-foot level, which amounted to 30 feet of crosscutting, and 32 feet of raising. The total development completed would result in 752 feet of drifting, 138 feet of crosscutting, and 461 feet of raising. By the end of 1934, this had brought the total development footage to 4,430 feet of drifting, 1,381 feet of crosscutting, and 461 feet of raising.
Mining that was carried out from the 225-foot level had been confined to a lens with an average length of 300 feet, and a width of 3.9 feet, with a grade of 0.386 oz. Au per ton. The 626-foot level in 1934, was estimated to contain a total of three lenses of various widths. A total of 100 feet was observed in one section that also carried an average gold grade of 0.424 oz. per ton in ore. This also resulted in a zone that was 30 feet in length and had average 0.210 oz. Au per ton. Another examination was made on an ore zone that was 40 feet in length, and had average 0.550 oz. Au per ton. The 625-foot level also had a fairly wide gold bearing quartz vein system, that had an underminable length, averaging 0.35 oz. Au per ton.
Surface construction was also ongoing in 1934, that resulted in erecting a mill, refinery, assay office, dry house, managers residence, office, and cook house. A new plant was also upgraded to include a 1,00 cubic-foot electric compressor, and an Ingersoll Rand Double-Drum Hoist. Some of the main milling equipment had also included a 12- by 20-inch Jaw Crusher, Newhouse Crusher, 7- by 5 1/2- Foot ball mill, a 5- by 26-inch Dorr Classifier, two 30- by 12-foot Dorr Thickeners, three 16- by 16-foot Dorr Agitators, two 8- by 8-foot Oliver Filters, and a Merrill Crowe continuous precipitation unit. It was up to the end of 1934, that the mill would also treat a total of 12,313 tons of ore that came from the main stockpile. By this time it was reported that the mine had employed 84 men who were given a position with the company by L. H. Heidenreich, who was succeeded by J. G. McGregor as Manager. It was also during this time that George Dunn was promoted to mine superintendent, and W. R. Dennis was the Mill Superintendent. This had also been the very first year that the mill treated ore would recover a gold bullion of 1,959 ounces, and a silver recovery of 63 ounces. A major problem had also occurred as much of the coarse gold was locked up in the circuit that could additionally represent the discrepancy between difference in total ounces recovered. It was to the end of that year that the total recovery gold had amounted to 3,154 ozs. Au at an average grade of 0.256 oz. per ton.
By 1935, the McMillan Mine underground workings were being once again expanded by the sinking of the No. 3 Internal Winze shaft. The main No. 3 Internal Winze at this time was sunk 275 from the 625-foot level as it would reach a total depth of 900 feet below the surface. As sinking had progressed, it would result in station cutting two levels that were driven on the 750- and 875-foot levels. Much of the development work that was done on these levels had also amounted to 177 feet of drifting, and 14 feet of crosscutting on the 750-foot level. It would also result in completing 118 feet of drifting, and 45 feet of crosscutting on the 875-foot level of the No. 2 Internal Winze Shaft. By this time it was also reported that shrinkage stoping was being commenced on the 750- and 875-foot levels of the No. 3 Internal Winze shaft, which was sunk from the 625-foot level to a depth of 275 feet. The main No. 3 Internal Winze Shaft had also reached a total depth horizon of 900 feet below the surface.
As development continued it was also at this point in time that a minor amount of lateral work was being done on 225-foot level. All of this would development work would amount to 64 feet of drifting, 13 feet of crosscutting, and 260 feet of raising. Raising that was done had also amounted to 90 feet on the 325-foot level, a total of 100 feet was also done on the 425-foot level, and 310 feet of raising was completed on the 525-foot level. The total amount of development done on the McMillan Gold Mine to the end of 1935, would additionally amount to 359 feet of drifting, 72 feet of crosscutting, and 760 feet of raising. Upon completion of this work it would bring the total development footage to 4,789 feet of drifting, 1,453 feet of crosscutting, and 1,171 feet of raising. It was also reported that Shrinkage Stoping was done on all level except for the 750- and 875-foot levels of No. 3 Internal Winze. The No. 1 Shaft would also hoist a total of 33,814 tons of ore from stoping operations, and 633 tons had came from development. No additional attempts were made towards defining the down dip of the extension of ore-bodies on the upper levels.
Diamond drilling would also amount to completing 1,478 feet of surface drilling, and 2,407 feet of underground drilling. Drilling was confined to proving the continuity of the ore-body at various horizons starting from the 725- and ending at the 975-foot horizon. In addition to drilling done, the 725-foot level was noted to have a vein that was 17 feet in width, and carrying an average grade of 0.55 oz. Au per ton. At 800 feet, a vein which was 12 feet wide had also been intersected through drilling that carried low values of gold. It was also on the 825-foot horizon that a 6-foot wide vein was observed in the core, which also carried low values in gold. Further drilling that was done to a depth of 975 feet, would also intersect values ranging from 0.10 to 0.20 oz. Au per ton. Follow drilling had also been commenced in which a 50-foot core length had intersected ore grades of 0.31 oz. Au per ton.
Milling that was done in 1935, had resulted in treating 125-tons of ore a day in which a total of 40,213 tons was treated. Ore that was produce had largely came from stoping operations, development, and a minor amount was also taken from the stockpile. Some of the main additions which were added to the milling facility had included a concentrating jig, and amalgamation equipment. The main purpose for adding the concentration jig was aimed at providing ways to separate particles with the ore-body, which was largely based on their specific gravity. The major make of the ore, is largely known to contain gold, silver, copper, arsenic, and sulphur. Average results which were obtained from various laboratories indicate 0.50 oz. Au, 0.08 oz. Ag, 0.07% Cu, 0.65% As, and 3.51% S. From all production it was reported that a total of 7,823.63 ozs. Au, and 294 ozs. Of Ag were recovered.
Mining operations at the McMillan Gold Mine would be carried on for three months before a decision was made to suspend mining operations. The McMillan Gold Mines would shortly after close the mine down as a lack of funding, and maintaining ore reserves had caused the mine to shut down. Work in particular had largely consisted of underground diamond drilling, and 47 feet of drifting on the 874-foot level. Work was then suspended until July, when diamond drilling was once again resumed for three months. A minor amount of mining had also taken place on November 4, 1936, and it was for the balance of that year in which stopping was done on the 525-. 750-, and 875-foot levels. A total of 55 feet of raising was also accomplished on the 525-foot level of the McMillan No. 1 Shaft. It was also at this time that the on-site milling facility had operated until November 21, 1936, and would treat a total of 3,656 tonnes of ore. From all production during 1936, it was reported that a total of 89.47 ozs. Au, and 4 ozs. Of Ag were recovered from ore and mill clean up. From all production since the commencement of milling in 1934 to 1936, the McMillan Gold Mine was credited for producing 11,067.1 ozs. Au and 991 ozs. Ag, from 56,182 tons of ore.
By 1959, it was reported that the property was owned by McMillan Gold Mines, Limited, who had sold all of its assets to Sumac Exploration Limited for 200,000 Sumac Shares. The property was later reverted back to McMillan Gold Mines, Limited, who had owned 100% interest in the property. It was by 1979, when McMillan Gold Mines, Ltd., had decided to cancel its charter, and the mine was officially left abandoned.
The McMillan Gold Property was further explored by Dayjon Explorations and Holdings Company in 1962. It was this time that surface samples were taken in which resulted in gold being associated with late quartz veinlets in Arsenopyrite. Some of these veinlets were also reported to be filled with hairline fractures, and consequently, the gold was rather describe as being fine grained. Some of the assays which were obtained from surface sampling had resulted in 0.10 to 0.40 oz. Au per ton over widths of up to 5 feet. Most of these samples were taken from areas in vicinity to the mine workings. Additional assays that were taken from the pit to the east and west had ranged from 0.01 to 0.06 oz. Au per ton over 2- to 5-feet in width. A total of four diamond drill holes, totalling 1,300 feet on a claim at about ½ mile east of the mine had failed to disclose economically significant amounts of gold. A massive arsenopyrite same was also taken from the mine dump that resulted in assays of 0.57 oz. Au per ton from the mine dumps.
The property was also being explored in 1984, by Ingamar Exploration, Limited, who carried out a VLF/EM Survey on the McMillan Gold Property. The VLF. EM-16 Survey was carried out over the McMillan Gold Mine Prospect during the month of September, 1984. A portion of the property covered by water were surveyed during the month of January, 1985, when the lakes were ice covered. A total of 45 miles of lines were cut by Stringer Exploration Limited during the month of August, 1984. An east-west baseline was establish with two tielines, located 400 meters north of the baseline and south of House Lake on the east side of the property. This resulted in establishing north-south crosslines that were spaced at 100 meter intervals with closer spaced 50 meter lines covering the main mine area. Picket station would also be establish on the north-south crosslines every 25 meters.
The VLF-EM Method empoys as a source, one of the numerous submarine communications trasmitters in the 15 to 25 KH2 band located troughout the world. At the surface of the earth these radiowaves propagate predominantly in a single mode along the earth air interface. This method is largely considered as Surface wave. Over flat homogenous ground in the absence of vertical conductivite discontinuities of the magnetic feild component of this radio wave is horizontal and perpendicular to its direction of prepagation. It was the commercial VLF intruments enable detection of disturibing structures by measuring the tilt angle of the major axis of the polarization ellipse. On flat homogenous ground the tilt angle would generally be zero, but in the vicinity of conducting disturbances it would acquire a finite value.
Several conductive zones were found to exist on the McMillan Gold Mine Property, in which the main eleven conductors were describe in detail. Conductor A is located on L1420 W at 450 N and extends eastward to L1580E-720N. This conductor has strong in-phase values and is assumed that these responses are caused by the south branch of the Charlton Lake Fault known to exist on the northern portion of the property. It was determined that the Conductor A was clearly fault related, and was considered as a fair conductor.
Conductor B that's located on L 1420 W at 75N, in which this conductor bifurcates near 1200w-50 B. This conductor rather has much moderate in-phase reponses but poor quadrature values are indicative overburden. The southern branch of this conductor has a better quadrature respone and may warrent further investigation.
Conductor C is found L 1420 W at 3758 and extends eastward to L 1000W-350S. This conductor also has a moderate in-phase response on L 1420W which warrants further investigation. The rest of this conductor appears to be caused by conductive overburden.
Conductor D is known to extend eastward from L 1420 W-525S to L 600W-525S. Its also commonly referred as a moderate in-phase conductor with poor quadrature response which is generally indicative of conductive overburden.
Conductor E is found north of the mine area, and i known to extend eastward from L350-400S following the House Lkae to L 2970E-175S. Conductor E also has moderate to strong in-phase respones, and since its follows House Lake it is assumed that an east-west trending fault underlies the lake or the conductor that is caused by conductive clay. Since much of the gold at the mine is found in quartz veins that are associated with faults zone the E, portion of the conductor warrants further work.
Conductor F is found on the northern portion of the property and extends eastward from L 400W-325N to L 2080-525N. It also has a moderate in-phase respone with poor quadrature values, Its determined that conductive overburden or an edge of a swamp appears to be the cause of this conductor. Conductor F 2 may have also been an extension of Conductor A.
Conductor G is located on L 0 at 325N and extends east to L 550E-350N, in which this conductor has a moderate in-phase and poor quadrature respones indicative of conductive overburden.
Conductor H is located on L 250E at 25 N, in which this conductor bifurcates near L 600W-50S. The conductor rather has a poor in-phase and quadrature response and requires no further work.
Conductor I extends eastward from L 200E-5758 to L 600E-575S, in which a moderate in-phase response may be indicative of a weak bedrock conductor.
Conductor J may possibly be related to Conductor I mention above. This conductor extends from L200E-675S to L 800E-650S. The conductor also has a moderate in-phase response which may be indictative of weak bedrock source. Further work is warranted to find the source of this conductor.
Conductor K is probably an extension of conductor J, in which a moderate in-phase response may be indicative of weak bedrock source, although conductive overburden is also somewhat to this conductor. Several small conductors are also found to exist on the McMillan Gold Mine Property but these appear to be caused by conductive overburden and require no further mention.
The McMillan Gold Property was overtaken by Loki Resources Incorporated, who had initiated the dewatering of No. 1 Shaft to a depth of 625 feet in 1985. Sampling that was done had also indicated new insights for the mine as areas of economic interest were found within the old stope workings. After these encouraging results it was reported that the company would start Phase II of the exploration program. This at the time was largely aimed at dewatering the No. 3 Internal Winze Shaft. The main objective of this work was aimed at conducting underground sampling, and geological mapping to determine the presence of gold mineralization.
On January, 1986, Loki Resources had additionally initiated the dewatering of the No. 3 Internal winze to a depth of 875 feet. This resulted in carrying out an underground sampling, and geological mapping program of all seven levels. It was observed that the No. 2 Pit vein system had occurred on the 225-, 325-, 425-, 525-, and 625-foot levels of the No. 1 Shaft. The vein systems was regarded to have a strke of approximately 100 degrees, and had dipped steeply to the north. One of the best exposure of this vein system was found on the 325-foot level where it has a maximum width of 28 feet, and a length of 400 feet. This veins system is also largely associated with up to 10% Sulphides and varying amounts of chlorite, and tourmaline alteration products. Statements made on the hangingwall and footwall, had stated that the contacts were largely associated with a grey green to white massive quartzite. It was also on the 325-foot level, that the No. 2 pit vein system had appeared to apparently terminate against the Lakeshore Pit vein system. Gold assays taken from the 425-foot level had resulted in up to 0.08 oz. Au per ton over 2 feet, and grab samples taken were up to 0.076 oz. Au per ton on this level.
The Lakeshore Pit vein system is known to commonly occur on all underground levels, and represents the ore-bodies A, B, C, F, and H. It was also approximately 80% of the mines production that had came from this section of the vein systems on the McMillan Gold Mine Property. This vein system is also commonly known to have its own strike from 080 degrees, to 090 degrees, and generally dips from 45 degrees North to 80 degrees South. The vein largely averages 10 feet width with apparent swelling in excess of 35 feet, and a length of at least 250 feet is observed. Reports made on this vein system states that approximately 20% Sulphides and arsenopyrite is also present. Some of the main alteration by-products are also associated to chlorite, tourmaline, and ankerite. Much of the hangingwall contact of the vein system is largely characterized by a shearing-lineated, chloritized pelite. Within the footwall contact, its also known to be characterized by a much grey-green massive quartzite. In addition to this, the system rather appears to bend southwest from the H Zone-south arm on the 535-foot level. The hangingwall and footwall contacts of the south arm is also characterized by a grey-green to white, massive quartzite.
Chanel Samples that were taken from the 525-, and 625-foot levels, are known for representing the on-strike and down dip continuation of the "D" ore-body. Upon completion of the sampling program it was estimated that the "D" Ore-Zone had an average grade of 0.328 oz. Au per ton over 3.2 feet. Some other values that were obtained from this level had been a panel sample of 0.336 oz. Au per ton. Another sample that was taken from the muck piles had also average a grade of 0.200 oz. Au per ton,and the floor sludge had sampled 0.123 oz. Au per ton. Silver within the mine was rather produced as a by-product with the gold that had average low grades not exceeding more than 0.10 oz. Ag per ton.
Underground sampling had continued to prove the economical potential of mineralization that still had existed. This at the time was largely focus on the Lakeshore Pit Vein System or the "H/C" Zone. It would also include the Fox Lake Fault/Shear Zone System ("D" Zone), and the "J" Zone structure. Sampling that was done from the No. 2 Pit vein system would intersect no gold values of economic interest.
In 1986, Geological Mapping would also confirm that most of the gold bearing quartz vein systems are associated with the Fox Lake Fault/Shear Zone environments and at pelite/quartzite contacts. Observations had also indicated that the "J" Zone structure may be the fault extension of the "H/C" Zone. Further diamond drilling that was under plans would determine the vein continuity between, along strike, and below known gold bearing ore-bodies for the purpose of defining undeveloped gold bearing zones.
MBMI Resources, completed a total of seven surface diamond drill holes for a total length of 1,077 metres, at the McMillan Property. The drilling program was largely focus on extending known gold mineralization to the east and west on previously mined areas. Some of the best gold inersections had included Hole MM-1B-04, that returned 4.65 m grading 11.21 g/t Au, Hole MM-2-04 had also intersected 5.00 metres grading 9.89 g/t Au, and Hole MM-3-04 had included 10.85 metres grading 7.91 g/t Au.
Young Shannon had additionally acquired 50% option interest on the McMillan Gold Mine in 2004. This was secured from the present day, MBMI Resources, which had found mineralization below the old working extending to the east, and west, and at depth.
Young Shannon would also carry out a diamond drilling campaign, which resulted in drilling one hole that returned assay results of 4.29 g/t Au over 1.85 metres. This also included one section of 13.82 g/t Au over 0.3 metres, and a second section of 12.00 g/t Au over three metres. These assay results had rather shown that the gold zone continues at depth.
Further assay results had showed that the gold zone continues westward along strike from diamond drill hols MM-2-04, and MM-3-04. This work was completed by MBMI Resources during the summer of 2004, and diamond drill holes MM-05-3 and MM-05-04, were completed by Young Shannon Gold Mines, Ltd., in January and February, 2005. Diamond drill Hole MM-05-06 from the current campaign, collared 15 metres west of diamond drill holes MM-05-3 and MM-05-04, had intersected a zone averaging 7.30 g/t Au over 7.25 metres, including one section of 38.81 g/t Au over 1.00 metres, and a second section of 9.12 g/t over 1.00 metres.
Diamond Drill Hole MM-05-07 was selected to test the down dip and rake extension to the old McMillan Mine underground workings from 1930's. The hole that was collared had been terminated at 117 metres when it broke through the old drift. However, it was the final 0.50 metres of core that intersected quartz veined sheared argillites that assayed 13.78 g/t Au.
Diamond Drill Hole MM-05-08 was additionally collared at approximately 50 metres to the west along strike from the surface exposure of the old McMillan Mine Sub-economic "A" Zone. Assay results from this drilling had showed gold mineralization at the expected down dip projection, however, the best results were considered to be limited to 2.53 g/t Au over 0.30 metres and 1.73 g/t Au over 0.60 metres.
Diamond drill Hole MM-05-09 was collared approximately 335 metres west of the old McMillan Mine shaft, along the approximate strike. Drilling that was done had been aimed at testing the down dip of an 11 meter zone of intense quartz veining on surface. The Drilling Azimuth was to the south, sine all the known geology on the property dips steeply to the north. However, as this hole would progress, the dip of the host rock had ultimately began to parallel the drilling. This hole was there for terminated at 117 metres since it became clear that the zone of interest could not be tested unless drilling azimuth was reversed.
Diamond drill Hole MM-05-10, was collared to test a 40 metre down dip extension of high-grade gold in drill hole MM-05-04. This had additionally intersected zones of quartz-carbonate veining with true thicknesses ranging between 0.30 to 0,75 metres in width carrying gold grades from 1.19 to 5.59 g/t Au. This zone of veining had largely comprised of a down hole width of about 48 metres. It was also this zone of shearing and silica flooding that is hosted to the high-grade gold mineralization.
Regional Geology:
Much of the geology of the Whitefish Falls and Espanola area is known to commonly consist predominantly of Precambrian (Proterozoic) metasedimentary rocks that were later covered partially by unconsolidated Cenozoic deposits. The Precambrian rocks are also consider to represent a 29,000 foot thick series of metasediments known as the Huronian Supergroup. Its also this series of rocks that are divided into four groups based on their cyclic evolution. From oldest to youngest the four groups are known as the Elliot Lake Group, Hough Lake Group, Quirke Lake Group, and Cobalt Group. Each of these groups are commonly considered to also represent a cyclic repetition of conglomerates, argillite, and sandstone. The Huronian Supergroup metasedimentary units were then intruded by sill-like bodies of Nipissing Diabase, amphibolite dykes, ultramafic to granite plutons then finally post tectonic diabase intrusion.
Regionally the Gowganda Formation is known for hosting the environment for the accumulation of gold bearing fluids. Research also indicates that the gold is associated with structural and stratigraphically controlled environments.
Structural:
The Fox Lake Fault/Shear zone system is known to occur on the mines 325-, 525-, and 625-foot levels, and is reported to be associated with the "D" Ore-Body. This system is also generally considered to strike from 020 degrees to 030 degrees, and has its own dip from 85 degrees Southeast to 75 degrees Northwest. It was also indicated that the "D" ore zone was approximately 5 to 8 feet wide, and rather has an undermined length. They system is generally located between a sheared, crenulated, chloritized pelite to the east from a grey-green to white, massive quartzite to the west. The northeast trend of the Fox Lake Fault/shear system is known to commonly strike in close proximity to the apparent nose of the fold. Observation rather indicates that this drag folded appearance to be of the metasediments in the area that is the result of the northeast trending fault/shear zone system. It also observed that this produces a right handed offset of the metasediments, and possibly the "H/C" Ore Zone. From these observations its also believed that the "H" Zone to the south of the arm may have formed from secondary fractures that are parallel to the Fault/Shear Zone System.
The "J" Zone structure is located on the 525-foot level, and contains the known "J" Ore-Body. Reports on this structure had indicated that it also had an undermined width and length to be deemed economical. It also generally related to a major, crenulated, 6' to 8' wide fault zone that's a part of the Fox Lake Fault. The hangingwall contact to the fault zone is generally characterized by much shearing, chloritized pelite. Its also the footwall contact that is generally characterized by a sheared, chloritized, quartzite. The west trend of the "J" Zone structure would appear to have terminated against the northeast trending Fox Lake Fault/Shear Zone System. It was also observed that a 200' right hand displacement of the "J" Zone Structure is cut by the Fox Lake Fault/Shear Zone system that would coincide with the on strike continuation of the "H/C" Zone. Observation also indicated that the "J" Zone structure may also be on strike continuation of the "H/C" Zone
To the south of the "J" Ore-body, the footwall metasediments are known to intersect a 50" section grading 0.137 oz. Au per ton over a width of 4.1". This also includes a 25" length of this section that had also graded 0.203 oz. Au per ton over a width of 3.8". Some of the footwall panel samples taken had also assayed from a trace to 1.44 oz. Au per ton. A sample taken from the hanging wall metasediments had also assayed from a trace to 0.095 oz. Au per ton over a width of 5.0" and a panel sample samples from trace up to 0.92 oz. Au per ton.
Local Geology of the claims are known to be predominantly of the Gowganda and Lorrain Formation metasediments of the cobalt group with the Huronian Supergroup. Much of the north and central claims are also underlain by rocks of the Gowganda Formation. These rocks are considered to be steeply dipping east-west trending conglomerates and alternating bands of pelite and quartzite. The Southern portion of the claims is largely underlain by rocks of the Lorrain Formation. Its also these rocks that are observed to be steeply dipping, east-west trending impure quartzite that form the ridges south of House Lake.
Several diabase and amphibole intrusions are commonly known to cross-cut all rocks of the claim group. Structurally, the medasediments form the limb connecting the LaCloche Syncline to the south with the Fox Lake anticline to the north. Gold ore from the McMillan property had generally been accepted as originating from a major anticlinal fold, trending northeast and plunging 65 degrees. This mine fold can be observed east of the shaft, and under House Lake. Gold bearing quartz veins are apparently associated within and at the contacts of folded quartzite, and pelite units in close proximity to diabase sills and dykes. Gold also is generally known to occur in its native state and is largely associated with arsenopyrite, pyrite, and chalcopyrite.
The area also lies within the Penokean Fold Belt of the Southern Province within the Canadian Shield. At least three series of deformational metamorphic events had altered the rocks in the region. The first of these being a major east-west trending folds, moderate east-west to northeast trending folds. And minor northwest to northeast trending folds. Some of the locations of the fault zones are also considered to generally represent boundaries between structural domain. Faulting generally had taken place before, during, and after the deformational metamorphic events. A total of three fault systems are also known to occur in the region, with the first being a major east-west trending fault possibly related to a major east-west trending folds, northeast trending faults, and northwest trending faults.
Milnet Copper-Nickel-PGE-Gold Mine - Northbridge - Burton Showing - Wallbridge Mining
It was within 1940's, when the Milnet Property was being further explored by the means of diamond drilling that was done in the area. Further examinations of the main showing being carefully prospected had shown extensive mineralization in place that would warrant more exploration work. The Milnet Property was quickly staked for its potential when a block of claims in Lot 2 to 7, Concession 2, and 3, in Parkin Township were staked. Additionally it was also reported that these claims were staked by the newly formed Jonsmith Mines, Ltd., who overlook the economical potential of this site. Work at this time was generally being focused on further evaluating a quartz diorite dike which appeared to be apart of the Parkin Offset. The dike which was being overlooked at had additionally been traced southward across the property and to the adjacent Falconbridge Nickel Mines Limited, property. It was before this time when the adjacent property had additionally been place under leasing agreements with Falconbridge.
Falconbridge would additionally acquire this property through it major company expansion that had taken place during the 1930's. It was at this time when Falcobridge would go onto acquiring the property which is commonly referred as the Northbridge Prospect. It was prior to 1932, when the main sulphide showing was yet to be further exposed by trenching operations that took place. It was rather reported that much of these showings had ran anywhere from 0.18% to 9.50% Cu, and a trace to 3.35% Ni. Much of the exploration work that was being continued on the Northbridge Showing was generally being conduct adjacent to the Milnet Prospect Site. Statements made by Falconbridge had reported that the ground on strike of the quartz-diorite dike was geologically mapped during this field work. This resulted in also putting one diamond drill hole down at an angle of nearly 0.45 degrees to a depth of 225 feet under the main sulphide showing. It was also within this hole that would intersect quartz-diorite containing some disseminate mineralization. Other parts of the area were also being explored by a magnetometer survey that covered a length of nearly 5,600 feet on strike of the dike which was completed. This survey would additionally outline four magnetic anomalies, two of which had coincided with the surface showings, and two that occurred in the most overburden areas. One of the most latter of these anomalies was reported to had extend beyond the north property boundary of the former Falconbridge Claim Claim S-21893 into unexplored ground. It was also in view of their alignment on strike that it was assumed that the anomalies occur on overburden reflect the same condition as those directly associated with sulphides. The magnetometer survey was also followed by an electro-magnetic survey covering a length of 2,200 feet on strike of the dike. Other plans at this time were aimed at deciding the extent of the showing that would involve more extensive drilling and development work to be carried out in terms of it be economical valuable as a mine.
Geological statements rather refer this ground as dikes of quartz diorite which extend into the footwall rocks of the Sudbury Basin and are similar to the Parkin Offset structurally and mineralogically. Some of these major structure of similarity are commonly known to include the Foy, Copper Cliff, and Worthington Offset Dikes. These primitive mining operations have long exceed the life of normal mining projects and continue to provide economically high-grade Cu-Ni ore. It also the Northbridge Group of claims that covers the indicated strike of the Parkin Offset for a length of approximately a mile. About one half of this strike length had rather been tested geophysically with encouraging results, and the remainder of the claims had virtually been unexplored. Development work that was undertaken at the Milnet Mine which was about three-quarters of a mile north of the Northbridge Claim Group had shown the same quartz-diorite quartz dike, to enhance the prospect of successful exploration of the Northbridge Ground.
Northbridge Mines, Ltd., would additionally come to agreements with Falconbridge in order to further evaluate the Northbridge Prospect which is located about two miles north of north-east corner of the Sudbury Basin. Northbridge during the early 1950's, was formed in order to further explore the ore-making possibilities of a mineralizaed dike of typical Sudbury Basin Offset Quartz Diorite which had been exposed at intervals on the claims by surface stripping and trenching. Estimates were also made on the strike of this dike that had appeared to strike at about N 0.40 degrees E, and would appear to traverse the claims from about the center of Parcel No. 42 in the Township of Norman to the north boundary of Claim S-57460 in the Township of Parkin, and also to extend to the north-east by at least as far as the exposures on the Milnet Mine Grounds. Access which was taken to this property was additionally taken by a gravel road which takes off from the Capreol-Milnet Highway five miles north of Capreol. Other expansions were also being done towards this main access road as it would become extended to service the mining operations being conducted by Milnet Mines, Limited. It was also this main roadway that had provide access into the Northbridge Claims that was being worked on by joint venture agreements with Northbridge and Falconbridge. Some of the main surface showings that were further explored had been done for nearly 1,100 feet strike of the dike, and would also be centered at approximately in line with the Norman-Parkin Township Line.
Within 1950 to 1952, when much of the old rock trenches on claim S-5265 and 542676, in the northern half of Lot 5, Concession 2, had revealed two zones of nickel bearing sulphides measuring 50 feet by 20 feet, and were 80 by 18 feet. These showings were additionally drilled by the main property holders known as Jonsmith Mines, Limited, which was also Jonsmith Gold Mines, Ltd. The company it self was never really an independent company but a subsidiary company to the Jonsmith Gold Mines, Ltd. Drilling on the property that was conducted by Jonsmith Mines, Ltd., would additionally show the presence and outline of two separate ore-bodies. To better define these major ore-bodies it was rather reported that Jonsmith Mines, Ltd., would lease out the property under joint venture condition to explore the quartz diorite dike. Agreements by this time were made with Milnet Mines, Ltd., in order to further evaluate the potential of this property. The company would additionally go onto leasing a block of ground surrounding these two ore-bodies from Jonsmith Mines in 1951. It was also at this time when the leased block had rather measured 1,000 feet by 500 feet to the depth of nearly 500 feet.
Statements which were made from the reports by Jonsmith Mines, Ltd., had rather reported that the grab sampling program was fairly satisfactory. It was commonly considered to have assayed well in nickel, copper, platinum, gold, and silver. Further exploration work was made under the hands of directors who undertook a diamond drilling campaign, and surface examination on their property in the Sudbury District. Exploration work was primarily aimed at corroborate the grab-sampling, and in order to provide data to estimate the extent and the nature of further work. A total of two areas were additionally being explored by means of diamond drilling as they were categorized as zones. These areas or zones were typically referred as Zone No. 1 and Zone No. 2.
Information on Zone No. 1 had rather consisted of two old rock trenches in the east central part of the patented claim S-5265. These were generally mineralized with heavy pyrite, pyrrhotite, pentlandite, and chalcopyrite mineralization that occurs in tongues of comparatively fresh diorite. The structure is very complex and it is apparent that the diorite is not a continuous dike, but rather occurs as a series of figures, which strikes in a generally northwesterly direction. It was also believe that the areas which were cut by diamond drill holes had been place at near vertical dips. These areas are largely intruded between the contaxct of a somewhat contorted band of limestones on the southwest, and a series of cherty quartzite to the northeast proximity. A zone that is nearly up to 30 feert thick of highly silicified breccia had been developed in the quartzite along the contact between it and the diorite, and locally, there are also inclusions of this breccia within the diorite. The breccias is also considered to be well mineralized with very finely disseminated, barren pyrite in places. It was also describe that the ore mineralization is rather known to occur in much solid masses and lacey networks in the massive, unsheared diorite, which is probably related in distribution to certain flat joining and two bands and irregularities in the form of the intrusives. In trench No. 1, the lenticular body of mineralization has a length of about 50 feet and a maximum width of about 20 feet. Three drill holes, some 30 feet vertical below this trench had given off the following results:
Hole No. 1 21.4 feet of core length assayed: Hole No. 2 – 24.2 feet of core length assayed
Nickel 1.76% Nickel 1.42%
Copper 1.68% Copper 1.44%
Platinum 0.13 oz./ton Platinum 0.12oz/ton
Gold 0.03 oz/ton. Gold 0.06 oz/ton
Trench No. 2 also had surface mineralization exposed in it that forms a tapering wedge which is some 80 feet long and 15 feet wide at the base of the wedge. The mineralization in certain holes had rather been concentrated with 3.2 feet of core and only low values were obtained by the necessity of including, in the composite sample, scattered mineraztion, which assay well in gold alone, in two place valued at $8.40 to $16.80 per ton. It was also at this time when Hole No. 6 had intersected with 7 ½ feet in length of mineralized diorite that was sampled with fairly good mineralization in the silicified breccias, separated by 10 feet of barren breccias. This whole section that was taken out from diamond drilling had given 32.2 feet of core length that assayed 0.78% Ni, 0.75% Cu, 0.06 ozs./Ton Pt, and 0.01 ozs./Ton in Au. It was also within all holes that the core which was taken would be fire assayed first for gold, and would also be resampled later in order to obtain accurate assays of the four metals taken, with composite samples that were made up from aliquot parts of each sample within the given zone.
There was also no attempt made towards channel sampling the area on the surface of this zone that was made since the surface oxidation would preclude the possibility of the representative sample. However, some grab samples were taken from the better looking material which gave values in nickel up to 1.40%, Copper 4.88%, Platinum 0.05 ozs./Ton, and 0.45 ozs Au per ton. Only a very minor amount of test pitting was also completed on the No. 3 trench located in historical claim S-42676, starting at about 100 feet southeast along the strike from the No. 2 Trench. Here the geology is entirely different as a number of barren quartz ladder veins out transversely across a highly carbonatized rock which lies between two horizons of limestone. A total of two diamond drill holes were put down under this trench and though one of them out nearly 30 feet of quartz carbonate, presumably a vein paralleling the hole with nothing of economical interest was found. Most areas that contain mineralized diorite are rather considered to be lacking an almost complete lack of quartz and carbonate. Its also on surface that this area rather consists of a small amount of old rock work and stripping in claim S-39838. An undulating contact is rather known to also strike west-northwesterly between the limestone on the northeast and highly silicified breccia on the southwest. Within the limestone and also near this contact, a very irregular strike vein of quartz is exposed for about 50 feet, with a maximum width of about 5 to 6 feet. Further off from the southeast end of two trenches, the showing of mineralization is either terminated or pinches to insignificant width. Its also on surface that the vein is rather opened to the northwest part of the property from where its observed. This also provides a large number of straight, parallel stringers which branch off the main vein in the southeasterly direction giving a half feathered pattern on the quartz. One of these is generally considered to be a little wider than the east, and apparently the trenching follows this, rather than the main leader vein. Some sections of this area are also considered to be associated with lenses of heavy galena sphalerite mineralization with minor amounts of pyrite and chalcopyrite are distributed within the quartz, and breccia, which is fairly well mineralized with finely disseminated pyrite with occasionally a little coarse pyrite, and arsenopyrite. The quantity of the galena and sphalerite present in the lenses is intriguing but not to the degree that mining of lead and zinc might be considered. Some of the grab sampling done had also yield as much as $8.05 worth of gold per ton with minor amount of silver as a substitute that was explored in hope of making this area economically worthy of mining.
A total of four diamond drill holes that were put down under the No. 2 Trench had met with discouraging results. Although it was however, reported that the quantity of quartz vein matter intersected corresponding with that on the surface, which the galena sphalerite mineralization was found in only two short sections. In hole No. 10 2.7 feet of quartz with galena, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, and pyrite assayed $3.50 in gold, and $2.30 ozs, in silver. Hole No. 11 cut 10 inches of quartz with other stringers containing a little arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, galena, and pyrrhotite which assayed $5.25 in gold over 2.0 feet. Casual Channel sampling in this vein had also given off the following assay in gold:
Value Width
Trace 8.0 ft
$0.70 8.0 ft
By going through this information and the information of the assays it quite evident that the greatest interest on this property lies within the No. 1 Zone, where two lenses of copper-nickel-platinum-gold mineralization are found. The surface exposure of these two lenses has a combined area which indicates roughly 100 tons per vertical foot. Of the six drill hole intended to intersect this one as nearly as possible at right angles to the strike, and dip, the four cut through mineralization of ore grade and width. Assays which were taken from this diamond drilling program had rather indicated encouraging results. Other exploratory work which was completed by Jonsmith Mines, Ltd., would include a magnetometer survey that rather pin pointed low to medium magnetic conductors which were possibly caused from iron. Almost all of this work that was undertaken by the company was officially completed by the end of 1947, and minor amount of grab sampling was done till about 1951.
Hole No. 1 had a mineralized core length of nearly 21.4 feet that assayed 1.76% Ni, 1,68% Cu, 0.13 ozs./Ton Pt, and 0.03 ozs. Ton Au.
Hole No. 2 had a mineralized core length of nearly 24.2 feet that assayed 1.42% Ni, 1.44% Cu, 0.12 ozs./Ton Pt, and 0.06 ozs./Ton Au.
Hole No. 6 had a mineralized core length of nearly 32.2 feet that assayed 0.78% Ni, 0.75% Cu, 0.06 Oz/Ton Pt, and 0.01 oz/Ton Au.
The Milnet Property would late be taken over by Milnet Mines, Ltd., under leasing agreements in 1952. This agreement at the time had additionally allowed the company to work with ground that was 1,000 by 500 feet, and had allowed them to develop it down to a depth 500 feet. Development work which was carried out had additionally been done on ground that had surrounded the two ore-bodies outlined by diamond drilling. At this point in time, Milnet Mines, was incorporated on November, 1951, with an authorized capitalization of 40,000 shares of no par value, all of which were issued. It was also at this time when the company was under its own direction by Dr. F. R. Burton as President, John Drybrough as Vice President, E. E Richie as Secretary Treasurer, A.W Burt, C. C. Calvin, and E. C. MacLeod as directors of the Milnet Mines, Ltd.
Milnet Mines, Ltd., had additionally prepared this site for development within the operating year of 1952. Almost all of this development work had been focus on the leased ground and to further understand the orebody within the quartz diorite rock. Property which was least to the Milnet Mines had included Lot 2, Concession V, of Parkin Township within the District of Sudbury. As predevelopment stages were progressing it was reported that much of equipment was already purchased for the operating year of 1952. Milnet Mines were nearly all set as sinking plants were being utilized for the preparation of a fairly deep shaft on the Jonsmith Ground.
Plans by the Milnet Mines were once again moving ahead as the company would sink a vertical three compartment shaft to a depth of 478 feet below the surface. As development of the shaft had moved forward this had called for the cutting and stationing of levels that was done by October, 30, 1952. Levels which were cut at this time had additionally been station as the 190-, 300, and the 465-foot horizon. All three of the shaft compartments used were also 5'0 x 6'0 feet, and compartment No. 1 which was the skip compartment was once serviced by a 2 ton automatic dumping slip. Compartment No. 2 was generally considered as the cage compartment in order to service the men and material going into the mine. Another Compartment known as No. 3 was mainly used as a manway compartment and as a power service way, with 6" compressed air, 2" water, two 3"pump discharges, two level drain lines, and the necessary power cables. Other underground stationing was also being designed for the loading pocket at the 465-foot level plus ore pass raises to the 190-foot level in order to service the broken ore. Mine water which had considerably entered the mine workings was pumped from the 465 pump station and average 100 gallons per minute. Most of this water was generally made from the top 100.00 feet of the main openings, with or no water made on the 465-foot horizon of the mine. This at the time would also result in establishing a spillway pocket which was stationed on the 428-foot level of the Milnet Mine. Lateral development which was completed at the time had included 152 feet of drifting, 209 feet of crosscutting, and 245 feet of raising was done in 1952. Diamond drilling during this time period had amounted to sixteen underground holes, totalling 1,414 feet in total length. The amount of ore that was hoisted during the year had also amounted to 1,917 tonnes.
Some of the major construction that was completed on surface had included a hoist and compressor house, a headframe and crusher house, a 600-ton ore bin, a machine shop, an office, and two residence. The main crusher which was attached to the shaft had also been used from December, 9, to December, 31, 1952. Contracts at this time had also been made with Falconbridge and their use of its massive Nickel Smelter for the treatment of ore. Contracts which were granted for treatment of the ore had additionally been commenced in mid December, in which 1,812 tonnes were shipped from the Milnet Mine Site. Some of the main equipment that became installed at this time would have also included a 1,000 cubic foot XVHE compressor unit and a used 48- by 36-inch PE-1 hoist, both which were made by Canadian Ingersoll Rand, and a used 36- by 24 inch Allis Chalmers crusher with a 24-inch belt conveyor, and a 750 kilovolt ampere transformer. Employment at this time had consisted of 7 men who were employed by R. C. Staveley the manager of Milnet Mines Ltd.
Mining operations had continued throughout the operating year of 1953, which was the second year that the Milnet Mine achieved production It was at this time when there was no changes made to the deepening of the vertical three compartment shaft as it had reached a depth of 478 feet below the surface. Other plans were also aimed at opening up a new level that was cut and stationed on the mines 465-foot horizon. Lateral development would also continue to progress as the 190-foot level had 205 feet of drifting done in accordance with 320 feet of crosscutting, and 220 feet of raising. From all lateral work done on the 190-foot level this had additionally expanded it by 299 feet of drifting, 437 feet of crosscutting, and 220 feet of raising. As development continued this would also bring the 300-foot level to further extending as 63 feet of drifting, 409 feet of crosscutting, and 57 feet of raising was done. It was also from all of this development work that drifting amount to 121 feet, while 495 feet of crosscutting, and 179 feet of raising was completed to date on the 300-foot level. Another level known as the 465-foot level was also laterally developed when 515 feet of crosscutting, and 100 feet of raising was accomplished. The Milnet Mine workings were become fairly extensive as mining progress in the opening of the new level and further extending levels on the 190- and 300-foot horizons. Diamond drilling which was also done had amounted to 57 underground holes, totalling a length of 2,383 feet. Hoisting during this time period was also achieving new records as 104,603 tonnes of ore had been taken out. It was also known as a mine without a smelter as contracts were granted between Falconbridge and Milnet Mines to conduct smelting operations at its Nickel Reduction Plant for treatment of the ore. Employment rates during the year of 1953, had amounted to nearly employing 60 men under the supervision of C. E. Bowker who was the mine manager.
Milnet Mines would continue it lease of a section of the Jonsmith Property that was located on Lot 5, concession II, in Parkin Township, District of Sudbury. Mining operations were additionally carried out by the company from October, 1952, to July, 18, 1954, when the lease was terminated. The main cause for terminating this lease was mainly because the company did not want to finically lease out more ground and its main area/footage was reported to have been mined out. With this becoming an issue it was deemed that the property would be reverted back to the present owners who were Jonsmith Mines, Ltd., which had also acquired a mining plant. It was during the company's period of development when it had additionally sunken a vertical tree compartment shaft to a depth of 478 feet below the surface. Other plans resulted in cutting and stationing of mining levels that were being establish at depths of 190, 300, and 465 feet below the surface. No changes were additionally done to the 190-foot level as minor amount of lateral development was completed on the 300, and 465-foot level of the Milnet Mine Project. A total of ten diamond drill holes were collared at this time, totalling 636 feet in length from underground. Milnet Mines, Ltd., would also mine 52,352 tonnes of ore during its operating year in 1954, all of which was shipped to the Falcobridge Nickel Reduction Plant for treatment. Before the closure was officially made it was also reported that 21 men were employed at this site under the supervision of C. E. Bowker who was the mine manager for the Milnet Mine.
In 1955, the Milnet Mine was taken over by the previous owners after the lease was dropped by Milnet Mines, Ltd., in 1954. It was from this time period when Jonsmith Mines, Ltd., had taken over the Milnet Mine Property with an authorized capitalization of nearly 3,500,000 shares of no par value, in which 2,667,457 shares were issued. It was at this time when the company had owned a total of 29 claims in Lot 5, Concession II in Parkin Township, Sudbury District. Other claim stakes were also made in regards to the optioning of 19 claims adjacent to the old Whistle Mine in Norman Township, District of Sudbury.
No additional changes at this time were done towards the No. 1 Shaft operation which was a vertical three compartment shaft reaching a depth of 478 feet below the surface. Extensive drifting and cross cutting was mainly achieved on the Mines 300-foot horizon that included 1,676 feet of drifting, 486 feet of crosscutting, and 196 feet of raising. Other levels that were developed by minimal lateral development had included the 190- foot level that was extended by 299 feet of drifting, 432 feet of crosscutting, and 220 feet of raising. Another level that was stationed on the 465 foot horizon was also developed by minimal lateral development that included 742 feet of drifting, 2,286 feet of cross crosscutting, and 559 feet of raising that was completed. Diamond drilling at this time had rather amounted to 74 surface holes, totalling 36,725 feet, and 103 underground diamond drill holes, totalling 38,581 feet in length. Employment at this time was additionally known for consisting of 19 men that had been employed by E. J. Gauvreau who was the mine manager at the time.
The No. 1 Ore-body which was mined by Milnet Mines Ltd., had generally extended from the surface to 350 feet below the surface. This surface outcrop was also measured at 60 feet in length with the longest stoping length being 240 feet, and the average stoping length being 120 feet. It was also revealed that the surface outcrop of the No. 2 Ore-body was 50 feet in length with an average stoping length of 55 feet. This vein structure had rather persisted below the 465-foot horizon, while stoping was completed from the 400-foot horizon to the surface. It was also stated that below this section the ground was far more lower in grade that average around 1.00% Ni and 1.00% Cu. Total production which was achieved by Milnet Mines, Ltd., had amounted to 157,755.70 tonnes of nickel-copper-and precious metal ore. Upon assaying of this ore it was reported that the assay results gave off 1.49% Ni, 1.54% Cu, 0.027 oz. Au, 0.066 oz. Pt, 0.087 oz. Pd, and a combined iridium, rhodium, and ruthenium of 0.0032 oz to the tonne. The mine it self is commonly known for producing higher ends of Nickel-Copper ore compare to precious metals Overall n recoveries which came from the mine had been treated in order to recover 4,711,119.0 lbs. of Ni, 4,846,847.0 lbs. of Cu, 3,834.5 oz Au, 9,299.6 oz Pt, 12,234.4 oz. Pd, and 457.7 oz. Ru.
t was on July 19, 1954, when Jonsmith Mines Ltd., would additionally purchase the surface and underground plant with equipment from Milnet Mines. It was also on the same date when Jonsmith Mines had once again resumed lateral development work to the Northeast on the 300-foot level and to the southwest on the 465-foot level. Work during this time period was mainly being focus on the much favourable diorite areas and to further explore these sections. Statements from reports indicate that Jonsmith Mines had additionally carried out diamond drilling to probe the area at 50-foot intervals for the full width. It was also during this time period when Jonsmith Mines had additionally completed a surface geological magnetic, electromagnetic, and geochemical survey. The completion of these surveys had resulted in follow up diamond drilling that was started on the Burton Showing. Some more favorable areas were also to be diamond drilled upon the completion of drilling that was done on the Burton Showing. Estimations were also made in 1954, in regards to throughly prospecting favorable diorite along its strike length and to 1,000 feet plus in depth which would require $850,850.00. Jonsmith Mines would shortly after run into some other problems when the company did not have the proper funding to do this kind of work for the time being. The company would later decide to take its financial struggles for monetary assistance that was done with the Materials Division of Emergency Procurement Services in Washington D.C, United States. It was later determined after a discussion with the officials from this division that a more comprehensive report was needed, and to also break the above exploration and development program into projects. This entire break down would include deepening the shaft to the 1,000-foot horizon, which would also be aimed at cutting three levels at 175 foot intervals each. Lateral development with a minimum of 2,000 feet would also have to be completed by drifting on the most favourable diorite areas within the mine, and including the new levels cut after sinking the shaft. This would also be followed by completing diamond drilling on the newly stationed levels that would potentially be located on the 640, 815, and 990-foot horizons. By doing this type of lateral development work it would additionally cost the company a total of $133,350.00 in order to complete the mandatory development work on the Milnet Mine .
Ore grades within the Milnet Mine ore zones were quite erratic which also allowed for an estimation to be made on the No. 1 and No. 2 ore-bodies. The first calculation was mark as proven ore reserves within the old workings from No. 1 Orebody that contained 158,097 tonnes of copper-nickel ore that grade in excess of 2.89% Cu, 1.58% Ni, and 0.120 oz. Pt per ton. The whole entire calculation made had rather indicated a metal recovery of 316,331 lbs. Of copper, 218,685.9 lbs. Nickel, and 17,476 oz. of Pt. On the other hand the No. 2 orebody was fairly smaller which contained 34,800 tonnes of copper-nickel ore at an average grade of 1.32% Cu, 1.27% Ni, and 0.120 oz. Pt per ton. With this indication it had also given a total metal recovery of 45,686.5 lbs. of Copper, and 43,780.7 lbs. Ni.
(Falconbridge Nickel1953) It's the foremost northern half of the claim which consists of massive greenstone, interbedded with a pure white quartzite. This is rather not possible to determine the dip or strike of the individual beds or flows of the greenstone, due to the scattered nature of the outcrops. Evidence of the quartzite mass, which is commonly very pure and contains fine pyrite cubes, that occurs as a ridge trending N. 30 degrees E across the claimed area. Its also the southern claims, that there is also one outcrop on the side of a high ridge, which also consists of a very basic looking rock, cut by a granite dyke. This basic type of rock may be of the greenstone, or may be a basic rim that surrounds the Algoma Granite, with the contact of which should pass through claims. However, more problems were encountered as this was not detected owing to the thick swamp, drift cover, and timber that place minimal means of accessing ground. Almost all the rock on this property are known to show a high degree of silicification, this being probably a consequence of the granite intrusion, and also displays a consistent, but very weak scattering or pyrite throughout. The Northbridge area was also described to have no extent of shearing or norite that's found within the claims, and the mineralization, apart from the pyrite is absent.
In 1953, Falconbridge Nickel Mines, had conducted a Magnetometer and Electrometer Survey on the Northbridge Claims. The Magnetometer Survey consisted of approximately 68,000 ft. of line that ran through this area taking readings at 50 ft. intervals on lines 400 ft. apart with additional lines 100 ft. apart over areas of that hold most interest. With the main instrument used that was carried out by a Davidson Super Dip Magnetometer, with a sensitivity of 30 gammas scale division in the normal range. Several small magnetic anomalies were located on the claims which would under go further surveying by the means of using a Electrometer Survey. Most of the objective in this type of work was conducted with a transmitter that was set up at the points marked for exploratory work of anomalous targets. These anomalies were generally considered to have been caused from rich iron formations within the greenstones rather than sulphides.
It was in 1978, when IKE Burns Exploration Corp had flown an airborne magnetometer survey over the south central part of Parkin Township. The main objective towards this survey was aimed at outlining pyrrhotite sulphide in and around the area of the former Jonsmith Mines. Other reasons were also aimed at aiding geological work as well as general prospecting around the former Milnet Mine Site. Statements made by IKE Burns had also reported heavy swamp and overburden south of the Jonsmith Mine which had made surface prospecting difficult. Surveying within the general area had also consisted of flight lines that were taken south to north and north to south. This system was mainly used in order to cross the general east-west strike of the rock in the area being prospected. Flight lines were also generally spaced at 330 feet in order to try and correlate the known readings over the Jonsmith Mine with others obtained. Sensor altitude was also 250 feet in which a total of 50 miles was flown over the claims staked. Main objectives in conducting this survey were mainly aimed at defining pyrrhotite sulphide occurrence known in this area from previous exploration work. Several check passes over the past producing Milnet Mine, indicate an increase of 300 to 600 gammas. These are quite similar increases that were also noted on lines 8, South Lake Section of the Surveyed area, or on claim #483795, patented claim 5029, patented claim 5409, 483794, 481957, and 481956.
Work in 2004, was conducted by Wallbridge Mining as metallurgical testing and scoping study had been place on the Parkin Nickel-Copper-PGE mineralization. The work which was performed by Wallbridge Mining was done in preparation for a future production decision.
By 2009, Wallbridge Mining had came to joint venture agreements with Impala Platinum Holdings Limited. Work which was done by these two companies under joint venture agrements had consisted of 8,000 m of diamond drilling program in September on Wallbridge's Parkin Offset Dike Properties. Predictions for this work were also made and scheduled to be completed by March 2009. Drilling was mainly being aimed at testing the down plunge extensions of both the past producing Milnet Mine, and the mineralization previously defined by Wallbridge on its Parkin Property.
Between 2008 and 2012, Wallbridge would go onto completing drilling on the Parkin Properties through the earlier joint venture funded largely by Impala Platinum. That work which had been done would also include drilling in 2008 and 2009 in the current target area which yielded significant mineralization to date. Drilling that was done from 2010 to 2012 was more directed towards the further north with a much deeper drilling beneath the Milnet Mine after the discovery in 2009 of the very high-grade Milnet 1500 Zone which remains open.
It was in 2012, when Wallbridge Continue it progressive exploration program on the Milnet Ni-Cu-PGE-Au Mine and area. This at the time would only result in expanding the area during an ongoing 5,000 m diamond drilling borehole geophysics program that was contracted. It was also at this time when Wallbridge Mining had continued its joint venture Parkin Projects with Impala Platinum. As exploration work had continued it was mainly being confined to the Parkin Offset Dike, which is a 9.4 km-area on the northeast margin of the Sudbury Basin. The unexplored area is rather known for hosting platinum, palladium, nickel, copper, and gold mineralization that quite similar to Vale's Copper Cliff North and South Mine, and It's Totten Mine Development. Drilling beneath the Milnet Mine in 2009, had achieved new zones being located that became referred as the Milnet 1500 Zone intersecting 14.24 m containing 0.78% Ni, 2.57% Cu, 1.50 g/t Pt, 2.52 g/t Pd and 3.99 g/t Au from 1,499 to 1,513.90 m down hole. More recent drilling that was undertaken had also intersect 4.11% Ni, 0.60% Cu, 1.40 g/t Pt, 2.68 g/t Pd, and 0.23 g/t Au from 1473.00 to 1481.00 m down hole.
Drilling which was conducted by Wallbridge in 2015, and early 2016, on the Parkin Properties had significantly expanded the extent of near surface mineralization. This was also mainly being done around the historic resource and aimed at identifying several area with significantly thicker mineralization than previously intersected. Other plans were made by Wallbridge Mining as in February, 2015, it would secure an option to re-purchase Impala Platinum Holdings Limited's 49.6% interest in the Parkin Properties from an earlier joint venture at substantial discount to Impala's 7.2 million prior expenditure. By doing this Wallbridge had attracted the current venture funding from Lomin in the fall of 2015, following the successful results of four drill holes, mechanical stripping, and channel sampling completed earlier in 2015.
On March 1, 2016, Wallbridge would go onto announcing positive results from thirteen drill holes that would also significantly expand the near surface mineralization below and adjacent to the historic resource at Parkin. Nine of the holes that were drilled had also intersected significant Ni-Cu-PGE mineralization with six of the holes intersecting semi-massive sulphides. It was also on April 4, 2016, when Wallbridge Mining had announced more positive results from drilling, including drill hole WMP-170 which intersected significantly thicker mineralization than was previously modelled including 24.25 m of 1.22% Ni, 1.50% Cu, 0.81 g/t Pt, 0.96 g/t Pd, and 0.38 g/t gold at very shallow depths from 35.60 to 59.85 m down hole. These indications would also expand the higher grade portions of the historic resource and demonstrates the potential for significant near surface tonnage. Another statement in regards to the Parkin Property was made on May 10, 2016, which indicated further positive results from drilling, including drill hole WMP-195, that indicated a new very shallow zone outside of the historic resource with 7.46 m of 1.36% Ni, 1.02% Cu, and 1.59 g/t TPM including 0.67 g/t Pl, 0.74 g/t Pd, and 0.18 g/t Au from 58.60 to 66.06 m down hole.
Crownbridge Prospect
Statements on the geology part of the claim block had rather stated that the characteristics of these dikes of quartz-diorite are known to extend into the foot-wall rock of the Sudbury Basin. These also include very similar geological appearance like the Parkin Dike structurally and mineralogically. Some of the similar formative dikes can include projects like the Foy, Copper Cliff, and Worthington Offsets, which are known to be hosts to rich Cu-Ni ore occurrences, and have supported producing mines.
The Northbridge Group of claims rather cover the indicated strike of the Parkin Offset for nearly a length of approximately a mile. Its also at about one-half of this strike length that has been tested geophysically with encouraging results, and the remain is considered to be virtually unexplored. When development was first started at the Milnet Mine Site it was reported that the Northbridge Prospect was in the same proximity to the quartz diorite dike being worked. Some of these indications had made Northbridge Mines Believe that its own prospect under joint venture with Falconbridge was of successful exploration. Most of the area which surrounds the Crownbridge Prospect is also believed to be underlain by the Parkin Offset Dike. Some evidence was mainly taken from a trenched area containing rich mineralization that was explored for nearly 1,100 feet in strike length. Its also commonly observed that the foremost quart-diorite dikes are considered to extend into the footwall rocks of the Sudbury Basin. For the most part, its also the Parkin Quartz Diorite Offset Dike that generally trends across the center of the property at 0.33 degrees. The dike is also considered to be continuous across the property, and has its own width of nearly 45 to 135 m. Dips which are associated with this area are generally subvertical to steep to either the southeast or northwest. Some of the main rock types which are distributed with the mineralized grounds are known for containing both massive quartz diorite as well as inclusion quartz diorite.
Mineralization is also commonly considered to range from massive sulphide Cu/Ni mineralization consisting of massive to patchy pyrrhotite, and pyrite with minor chalcopyrite blebs, disseminations and fracture fillings, to disseminated Cu/PGE mineralization consisting of small lenses of massive chalcopyrite, and fine stockworks of chalcopyrite in siliceous fragments.
Milnet Mine Geology
The Jonsmith Mines, Limited., property is located in Parkin Township which is approximately four miles north of the northeast corner of the Sudbury Basin. Work which was completed had taken place on a mineralized quartz diorite dyke, which is known as the Norman-Parkin Offset that intrudes the property for more than a mile, and it's along this dyke that ore deposits have been discovered. This Dyke rather provides similar geological and mineralogical features to several others which radiate outwar from the rim of the Sudbury Basin, and are mainly the host rocks for several producing mines. Some examples of these mines are the typical Nickel Offset on the north side of the Basin, the Copper Cliff No. 1 and No. 2, and the Evans Mines Offset. The Frood mine generally also occur along a quartz diorite dyke which is parallel to the rim of the Sudbury Basin. The Whistle Mine, which is two miles south of Jonsmith Mines is also considered a deposit along the Norman Parkin Offset and was formerly a producer of Nickel-Copper ores. The mine which once belong to another company is not formerly under the Ownership of Vale which was once known to be apart of properties owned by the International Nickel Company.
The Norman-Parkin Offset on the historical Jonsmith Mines property is rather distributed as a quartz diorite dyke from forty feet to nearly five hundred feet in width, and strikes in a northeasterly direction for about 4,000 feet where it bends to the northwest. Its also along this northwest limb that the two ore-bodies were discovered and had been developed by minimal amount of lateral development. At present times it was concluded that the surface survey taken had only extended a few hundred feet northwest of the main mine workings. Its also believe that there is a suggestion that the main dyke resumes its original course and continues for three claims to the northern boundary of the company's property. As in other mines within the Sudbury area the ore rather occurs in breccia zones which are the result of either faulting or folding in the area. Breccia zones which are typically found on the Jonsmith Mines Property are caused by northwest trending faults which shattered the quartz diorite host rock sufficiently to provide a much favourable receptacles for nickel bearing sulphides. The breccia is also generally found in the Burton Showing near the south boundary of the property where diamond drilling has revealed a narrow but high-grade nickel-copper zone by Jonsmith Mines, and further deeper drilling was done on this showing. Much of the area that's located north of the shaft also requires a complete investigation to determine whether the northwest trending faults intersect the intrusive along the assumed northerly extension and produce favourable breccia zones. One of the deepest levels of the mine which is the 465-foot horizon has a geological pattern that's quite similar to that found on surface, and its highly probable that this will continue with depth. Other possibilities of locating a new ore-body is considered to also be quite favourable below the 465-foot horizon that was left unexplored. From a much geological point of view it was deemed that the length of the dyke is prolific for prospecting ground for nickel-copper deposits. At present time since the mine was shut down in 1956, a length of 5,200 feet has also been mapped and there are further indications that its continues for another 5,000 feet to the north boundary of the property. Its also along the mapped portion of the area that the dyke has several undetermined anomalous zones that were indicated by a magnetic survey, and theses corresponded to an area which was outlined by a geochemical survey. These anomalies are probably caused by significant indications of sulphide zones which could be untested and had also warrant detailed investigation.
Sulphide bodies generally occur within a quartz diorite dyke which had been traced southward across the property, and the adjacent Falconbridge Nickel Mines Limited property towards the Sudbury Irruptive. This foremost dyke is rather commonly referred as the Parkin offset of the Sudbury irruptive. However, there is a considerable gap between the southern extremity of the Parkin Offset on Falconbridge ground, and the outer boundary of the Sudbury Irruptive. There has also been no current information available as to the possible extension of the Parkin Offset through this gap which may be faulted off or overlain by country rock. The Ni-Cu-PGE mineralization on the Wallbridge Parkin Properties is also considered to be typical of that which is hosted by quartz diorite offset dykes in the Sudbury Mining Camp.
The Huronian Rocks in the vicinity of the mine have also been greatly deformed and have been folded to an overturned position. In some cases formations of conglomerate and limestone dip at about 80 degrees to the southwest. Its also on the surface near the mine, that the quartzite beds near the base of the Huronian face northeast. Data from drilling below the 465-foot level indicates a fault which had displaced a conglomerate marker horizon by about 400 feet. Breccias are also developed in the vicinity of the faults and locally around the contacts between intrusions and older rocks.
Sulphide mineralization is quite similar to that of the Sudbury Mining Camp, and consists of massive to disseminated pyrrhotite, pyrite, and chalcopyrite. In some cases Pink Nickeloan Pyrite has also been reported from the Jonsmith Mines, Ltd. A total of two sulphide ore-bodies were found in the quartz diorite dike, in which these had been mined in accordance to leasing, and not necessarily because of them being mined out. No. 1 Ore-Body is located at about 200 feet northwest of the No. 2 Ore-body. The No. 1 Ore-body rather occurs in a much brecciated and shattered zone in both the quartz diorite, and the adjoining sedimentary rocks. It also extends from the surface to a depth of 350 feet as indicated by historical diamond drilling done in the 1950's, and has now been traced down to nearly 1,500 m below the surface by Wallbridge Mining.
Frood-Stobie Mine
The Stobie Mine is rather one of the oldest mining operations within the Sudbury Mining Camp that was first place under development in 1890. This development which had occurred was mainly done by the personnel who had work for the Canadian Copper Company. A total of 18 to 20 men were employed during this time period as they were hired on by Mine Capt William Blewett. Most of the work in 1891 was being focus on the mouth of the main adit as a pit would become opened and had messured 60 by 100 feet and was 35 feet in depth. It was also at this depth that nearly 9,000 tons of ore had been taken out and had been carefully sorted prior to its haul over the railway track to the ore beds near the Copper Cliff Smelters. The main road which was used at the time had also been graded by the Canadian Copper Company, and the rails were laid by the C.P.R Company. All repairs at this time were also being done by the Canadian Copper Company. There was also nearly 25 to 30 tons of high-grade copper ore which had been sorted for sperate treatment. Nothing else was happening at this time prior to the company mainly shipping ore from a much low key operation at the Stobie Mine Project.
It was in 1892, when the Stobie Copper-Nickel Mine had a workforce of 36 men that were employed under Captain Bluett/ Development work within the main open pit was being continued onward at this time, which was now about 85 feet by 100 feet at the surface, and had reached a depth of 70 feet.This resulted in the pit becoming much more narrow as it had gotten deeper in places through progressive development work. Most of these workings had also continued within stoping operations and sinking in the pit, from which about 100 tons of ore are being lifted daily. From here, the Adit level thats 6 by 8 feet, had been driven 85 feet in a southwest direction, with a large stoping at the entrance. At this time it was also suggest that no timbering would be required as the rock formation was considered to have been quite firm. A total of two steam drills were also in use, one in the open cutting and the other in the drift of the adit level. In addition to this equipment, there was also three air compressor Ingersoll Drills that were being used at this time. Much of the hoisting was also being done by a steam derrick, with the bucket holding a capacity of 1,200 lb. of ore that was dumped into a car and run out on a tramway 120 feet to the rock house. From here the ore had passed through a Blake Jaw Crusher , which was capable of crushing 150 tons in ten hours. It then had became screened and the three grades, fine, raggins and coarse, taken to the roast beds at Copper Cliff for containing, a distance of nine miles. Ore was rather handled in six ore cars that were load on a daily basis, being about two thirds of the entire quantity of ore treated in the two smelters at the time. Almost all the workings of this mine at present time were considered to have been neat and safe appearance, with the exception of a projecting rock over the mouth of the adit.
It was also in addition to the much larger ore-body exposed, that the ore had been materially improved in the percentage of nickel. This deposit of ore had rather been traced along the rise and at the top of the hill in a southwest direction for a distance of 500 or 600 feet. Further so, several test openings were also made at this time in which had been made along the lead passing through the gossan rich ground, showing fine bodies of nickel ore. As development and mining had continued, this would also require a large quantity of wood that was being collected at this point and three cars, reported about 37 cords that were taken daily to the roast beds, and the Copper Cliff Copper-Nickel Mine. Construction at this time was mainly aimed a building a boarding house and several other buildings that were suitable for the mining operation, which also included a house for the mine captain and his family.
By the end of 1892, the workings at the Stobie Copper-Nickel Mine were extended within the open cut westward under the hill to a distance of 30 feet from the perpendicular wall and to the length of 70 feet. As development work had progress in this direction it would also be necessary to leave substantial pillars of ore in order to support the rock roof. To the east side of the much larger opening a skip roadway was being cut through the rock, over which the ore could be taken out of the mine and conveyed to the new rock house that was then being constructed by the side of the railway track. At this time, the southwest drift was also extended to the distance of 172 feet from the entrance and running in the direction to reach the ore-bodies as shown on surface, as described before. Apparently there was a fairly extensive amount of ore within the mine, and of much richer quantity than that obtained in the earlier working of the property. Construction had also followed with the development of a new engine house that had been built and two new boilers were set up of 75 H.P each, with the engines which are intended to give the motor power for all the machinery at the Stobie Copper-Nickel Mine Site. Drifting within the adit workings had continued to become extended further and a raise was shortly after made towards the opening of the ore-bodies on the hill.
By lade June, 1893, only a minor amount of work at been done on the Stobie Copper-Nickel Mine at the time. Most of the work was confined to trimming down the walls and some parts of the interior was fitted up under Captain John M. Jones, who had formerly been in charge of the Copper Cliff Mine. Development was rather escalating on the large size open pit operation which was partially filled with water, but could be quickly emptied when necessary to resuming lifting of the ore. By this time the newly constructed rock house was also officially completed, and had came with a substantial structure that was 40 by 50 feet and 70 feet in height. In order to operate this rock house, it had to also be supplied with a powerful Blake Crusher that was capable of breaking 125 tons of rock in ten hours, and had space provided on the floor for placing three others of equal capacity when required. Other designs were made towards the dump floor as it was to be covered with three quarters inch steel plate, which was on hand and ready to be put in place. Much of the whole was also fitted up with screens, chutes, etc., and a track underneath where the cars may receive the ore from the bins when sorted, crushed, and screened, to convey it to the roast yard at Copper Cliff. This was also equipped with a 30 H.P engine that was aimed at driving the crusher, screens, etc., while the steam was being supplied from the boilers placed in the adjoining engine house. This building which was situated at about fifty feet east of the rock house, had also been a fine structure in which two boilers were placed, each of 80 H.P. capacity, and a powerful engine had driven the large Ingersoll Air Compressor, capable of running seven three-inch drills. In addition to this, there was also two drums for hoisting the ore, which had engines attached of 40 H.P. each, capable of lifting with skip not less than four tons at each hoist. A large heater had also been added as it had heated the water before going into the boilers, and also an air receiver was added of large capacity. Other major construction at this time would also include the development of a good incline skip track that was being constructed from the dumping floor of the rock house to the open pit. It was also from the drums in the engine house that the strong steel cables had pass over pulleys and reach the upper apartment of the rock house and connected it with the skips, having a capacity of two tons each. Most of the machinery at this time had also not been started up, but was rather put up in a thoroughly workmanlike manner and of the most approved class. The whole outfit had presented a fine appearance, and the much larger outlay in the new plant had been warranted by the exposure of extensive bodies of ore.
Canadian Copper Company at this time had continued to operate its Stobie Copper-Nickel Mine Project in the Sudbury Area, of Ontario, Canada. The main open pit which was being developed and place into production was 130 feet west from the Rock House, which had a dimension of 47 by 90 feet, and had been sunk to the depth of 70 feet. This resulted in developing a bench westward from the open pit and near the tunnel of 30 by 47 feet, and from the floor to the surface was 30 feet. Development of a much smaller stope section had also been made under the hanging wall of the west side of the pit extending back by about 30 feet. A drift at this time was advanced westerly for 120 feet, with a stope at the entrance which was 26 by 36 feet with a raise of 25 feet. It was also at the west end of this drift where the stope had been raised to the surface, which had only left an open pit working that was 41 by 48 fet with a depth of 33 feet from the surface. In addition to this, there was also a skip trakc at an inclination of 30 degrees that ran from the top of the rock house down to the place of the workings in the open pit, which was a distance of 150 feet, and about 175 tons of ore were being trammed out daily. Machienry at this mine had consisted of two boilers, one hoist engine, compressor,Engine for the rock breaker, screens, and tables. A total of two skips had also operated while there was a small compressor and boiler idle at the time. Much of the rock house at this time was also considered to have been heavily laden with ore, and it had shown slight indications of spreading.
Water at this time was rather removed from the open pit and the skip track was now extended down to the bottom of the workings, at a depth of 85 feet from the surface. Development and production work at this time were aimed at extending the underhand stope down to 15 feet more during this time period. A total of three drills were rather being used at the time in which work was mainly being done on the side of the pit, taking out ore to the depth of the skip track. It was also from the open pit at the west end of the tunnel where another drift that was 8 b 9 feet had been driven to the west, and was advanced by 43 feet. This resulted in also using a total of two drills within the workings. and had shown on the register that 611 skips of ore of over a ton each had been taken out, and would include 66 skips of barren rock. During this time it was reported that the company's rock house had been staged and such care had been taken to not overload it with ore. As the ore becomes shipped, its previously considered to have been crushed before it had arrived at the roast beds in Copper Cliff. It was also at this time when the two boilers had rather been supplied with water gauges and safety valves that were being kept in good condition. There would also be a total of 80 lbs of steam that was carried, with a blow off at 88 to 90 lb. In order to this, cords of soft wood were also being consumed within 24 hours, and this resulted in gathering a large quantity of wood that was brought in and corded up at the railway track, before being convey to Copper Cliff on a daily basis. A total of 75 employees were employed to work 10 hour shifts per day, and about 180 tons of ore was being taken out daily and shipped to the roast yard. It was at this time when development would continue within the open pit operation as it now had reached a depth of 111 feet from the surface. This also included an additional length of 70 feet, which would make it have a total length of 116 feet, and an additional width of 7 feet was added, in which made it total 61 feet in width. The new drift that was driven from the other open pit had been worked at this time in which this would advance it by 7 feet to a total od 50 feet in length. Much of the main workings within the open pit were also considered to be quite safe at the time, in which a minor rock jutting had occurred near the skip track. Timber which was used at the skip track had also rather supported the roadway that was above, and had sprung and showed some signs of weakness, and new additional timbers were put down. Most of the work that was done on the Stobie Mine was suspended in December, which only had resulted in fitting it up for extensive operations that would be carried out in the spring. Other plans at this time were aimed at changing the skip track, as a shaft would be sunk from the bottom of the open pit, and levels would be driven in order to access high-grade ore that would be taken out. The powder house at this time was also situated at a distance of 200 yards from the main mining operation, and the main change room would also require lockers for the safe keeping of the clothes, This building was also being planned in order to be used for thawing operations of the explosives, but changes would be made towards this as it was fear to be unsafe.
By 1895, a total of eighty hands were employed within the mine workings and between 150 to 180 tons of ore was being taken out daily with day and night shifts. The Stobie Copper-Nickel Mine at this time was rather kept in safe operating condition as the pit walls were being thoroughly examined, which had not included the constant trimming by the men as development progressed. It was also at this time when a large ore-body was being opened up in the second level which was commonly intended to carry on the work throughout the season. Ore which was taken out at this time would also become crushed, and had been shipped by the railway to the roast beds at Copper Cliff. Some of the development work was aimed at additional stoping in the large open pit that was advanced by 17 feet, making it have a total length of 133 feet. This also included adding an additional stope that was 7 feet in width, making it have a total of 67 feet. There was no additions at this time made towards the open pit depth as it had remained the same as in 1894, which was down to 111 feet. From this point on, a winze had rather been sunk from the pit floor of level 1 or open pit, 60 feet, and had been 7 by 7 feet. This also resulted in a drift that was 7 by 7 feet and had been driven in a westerly direction under the tunnel of the open pit No. 2 for 65 feet. An incline shaft with an angle of 65 degrees was also sunk from the pit floor of level 1 to 75 feet of level 2. By this time, the shaft had rather also been changed above the floor of level 1 to an angle of 60 degrees for the distance of 81 feet, and would continue upwards to the further distance of 72 feet at an angle of 50 degrees. Much of the shaft from floor of level 1 and to the surface had rather been completely enclosed by substantial timbering as a protection to the mine, and for the safety of the workmen. Prior to this, it was also of sufficient width throughout its entire length for a convenient ladder-way which had been cased off from the skip track in the other part of the shaft. Other statements were also made on the good ladders that had extended from the collar of the shaft at surface down to the second level. It was within the second level that a stope had been made to measure 22 by 33 feet with a raise of 11 feet, and development work was also progressing towards the winze sunk from level 1. Most of this development work was rather aimed at providing good ventilation for the underground workings of that level and stoping would then commence from above. Some other machinery include a 3 inch discharge Cameron Pump that was being mainly used for lifting water to the surface from the workings. Generally, it was also stated that the Stobie Mine was also equipped with first class machinery, which was also being kept in good running order at the time
It was on July, 1896, when development when progressing towards stoping operations on level 2 that had been extended the extreme length of 100 feet, making an additional 67 feet, and a width of 16 feet, making the total 38 feet with a raise of 40 feet, which was an addition of 29 feet. It was at this time when the extreme distance had been measured, and as the stope has a slope upraise there had also remain underneath within the boundary a very large amount of ore to be removed. Development at this time when also progressing when the Winze had been sunk from the first level down to level 2 in which a connection was made, that would provide good ventilation and had shown a thickness of the roof of level 2 of 30 feet. Installations were also made on this level as a 4-inch discharge Cameron Pump was now being used as a way to keep the Level 2 workings free of water. A pump at this time was also place at a small lake that was three quarters of a mile distance and the pipe was laid therefrom to the mine to insure a full supply of water should the small stream near the rock house be insufficient to supply the much needed water supply. Shipments of wood has also taken place as cart loads of wood were being sent by railway line to Copper Cliff every day. Much of the daily output that came from this mine was also at 180 tons, and had its own total workforce of 80 men employed, 55 whom were on underground work. Work to the end of 1895, was mainly being confined to the bottom of the mine workings, in which it was north of the shaft on level 2 that an opening 150 feet long, with an average height of 42 feet, and a width of 31 feet was made. Another opening that was 51 feet long, 30 feet high, and 31 feet wide had also been developed at this time. In total length of these openings, it was reported that there was nearly 201 feet of development completed. To the south of the shaft, there was also another opening that was 40 feet long, 58 feet wide, and 20 feet high. Sinking at this time would also continue to progress as the main shaft and winze was being sunk together in order to achieve same mine depths between these two shafts as it was aimed a providing ventilation to the bottom of these working. Drifting to the north on the very first level was also ongoing at the time and the Stobie Copper-Nickel Mine continued to become further expanded under the tunnel previously made. Ore which came from the Stobie was considered to have been at a much lower grade than some ore obtained from other mines in the area. The main reason for developing this site was mainly caused due to the fact that it was the Canadian Copper Company's best mining operation at the time.
Production that was achieved at the Stobie Copper-Nickel Mine was producing nearly 180 tons of ore on a daily basis and had been sent over by cars to the roast beds near Copper Cliff after being crushed. Some additional work at this time had rather been done on level, or the open pit as a large stope had traverse near the floor at the north end and extended 69 feet in length, by 46 feet in width, and with a slope upwards to within 20 feet of the surface. It was at this point when an opening was made of six feet square that had been made to the surface and a ladder was placed leading down to the stope area. This opening had rather formed in a convenient way for going in and out of hte mine and had afforded free ventilation into the workings below. By this time the stope had rather extended down to the second level, and the stoped ore had fallen to the floor of this level, whence it is trammed to the shaft and raised to the rock house. Within the southern part of the open pit an understope had been made to open through to level 2 by a measurement of 53 by 54 feet. On level 2, to the north of the shaft, the stope rather extends 100 feet in length, which is 40 feet in width, and raised to 60 feet. To the south of this shaft, there was also a stope that was 84 feet in length, 45 feet in width, and had a raise of 60 feet, which made it have an additional 84 feet in length, nine in width, and 20 in raise. The total extent of this stope on this level had also been 184 feet in length, 45 feet in width, and 60 feet in raise. By this time, the shaft had rather been sunk by 65 feet to the third level opening at an angle of 65 degrees west. Prior to this, a winze had also been sunk between these two levels. in which a stope that was 23 feet by 66 feet with 23 feet raise and an incline of 69 by 25 feet had been made on this level. For the most part, stoping operations would continue onward as drifting for the time being was suspended, and the sinking of the shaft had reach 20 more feet with the winze being also sunk from Level 3. Hoisting of the ore for the time being was also discontinued on December, 24,1896. Construction at this time had also followed through as an addition was made to the changing house and a new cable was place on the hoisting system currently used in 1896.
By 1897, the main shaft at the Stobie Copper-Nickel Mine was expanded on a 60 degree angle to fourth level that was cut. It was also generally considered that the depth of the incline from the third to the fourth level was 65 feet, and had its own cross section of 7 by 17 feet. Further expanding was also made at this time when a double track for skips had rather extended down to the second level at the Stobie Copper-Nickel Mine. This at the time would also result in expanding the North Track that would end up reaching the lower level workings. The main shaft at this time had rather lied wholly within country rock on the most footwall side of the ore-body. All of the levels at this time were being reached by crosscuts in which some of these crosscuts were developed on curves. Its also on the fourth level where this occurs that opens directly as a large stope, measuring 51 feet long, 43 feet wide, and 60 feet in height. Work which was generally progressed at the time had been worked on two benches, or steps, with the upper step being 45 feet above the floor of the level. Further expanding would continue as the stope was being extended on ore towards the west and north parts of this mining operation. On the west side the ore face is rather being dressed at a point of 20 feet from the cross-cut preparatory to leaving a pillar to support the hanging wall. From here an uprasie, that seven by eight feet, extends from the most center part of the stope to the third mine level, being provided for ventilation purposes.
Development on the third level in 1897, was mainly aimed at opening it out as a stope section, that 78 feet long, 80 feet wide, and 70 feet in height. Work which was progressing on this stope was rather being worked on two benches and had its own upraise to the second mining level for air. No changes were made to towards the second level stop section, but some development was aimed at stripping the lower benches in order to access more ore, and the upper bench was being worked back by about 40 feet in a northerly direction, leaving a clean face which was to be cut around to form a pillar for the hanging wall. Access which was provide to this upper bench from below and from above through an upraise to the surface, which was approximately 50 feet vertically.
The Canadian Copper Company had progressed with its major mine development projects in 1898. It was at this time when exploratory work was being done and prepared for mining on the Frood portion of the mine. At this point in time, the mine was actually referred as the Six and Six Copper-Nickel Mine Project. Progress during this time was being made towards stripping the deposit, in preparatory to mining, which had been commenced West North West from the Stobie Copper-Nickel Mine, which is at distance of 2 miles. Exploratory work resulted in the sinking of two pits that were begun and it was at the most westerly point where a small trestle was built for 40 feet in length to a dump. Other plans at this time were being mainly aimed at building the much needed railroad from this new mine development project to the Stobie Mine Site.
Mining at this point in time was mainly progressing through the extensions of what they referred as stopes, which were really classified as chambers. These chamber had rather became created by the extraction of a large amount of ore masses that were taken out, hoist, crushed, and then shipped to the roasting beds. It was at this point in time when the second level stope now had a total length of 124 feet, a width of 45 feet,and a height of 75 feet. The third level stope at this point in time had a total length of 108 feet, a width of 80 feet, and a height of 70 feet. Another stope located on the fourth level had its own total length of 100 feet, with a width of 43 feet, and a height of 75 feet. Further observations were made towards the walls of the mine as they were not deem unsafe, and challenges were met with the stope out chamber sections in regards to safety. At this point in time, the main explosives magazine was also at a distance of 600 feet from the workings, and buildings, but the small magazine was so placed as to endanger the rock house and the upper stope of the mine in case of explosion. Some changes would shortly after become made as it was be removed 300 feet beyond a small rise of ground. Much of the system of ore winning was rather used but had began in steps, or brenches, but by irregular cutting back of a face of irregular shape, and considerable height, which leave no convenient means for access to the upper part of the workings. This had need to be done so that the men handling drills and carrying tools to and from are more or less danger of accidents.
It was about four miles northeast of the Lady Macdonald Mine, that a group belonging to a major built up of mines was in the mist of being explored and further opened. During this time period another ore deposit of importance is commonly known to occur at the Frood, or the new No. 3 Mine according to the later method of nomenclature It was less than 2 miles farther to the northeast that the Stobie MIne, at one point in time was the most productive mine in the district, but its ore was particularly low in grade. These two mine were rather predicted to have been connected by a band of gossan covered gabbro, which however has some breaks before the Stobie Mine is actually reached, and the two mines would be taken up together. Its also known for beginning at the southwest that the rusty surfaces of gabbro is first encountered at about 1,100 yards from the Frood as a band of indistinctly separated from the adjoining rock, which is graywacke and schist, that's often contains large pseudomorphs after staurolite. This band rather rises as a ridge of which is generally red-brown from the gossan, but is cut off by a narrow interruption of quartzite that's 600 yards southwest of the mine. The rusty gabbro from this point is known to quickly rise again and becomes widened greatly, until near the mine where it reaches its greatest width of about 200 yards. In this portion of its structural system it largely contains quartzite and graywacke to the southeast, striking about 40 degrees in the same direction as the norite itself. To the northwest the rocks adjoining it are more varied, but the rock immediate contact is generally diorite. Its beyond these rocks, which rise against each side of the gabbro, there are broad swamps. To the north of the mine the Gabbro hill typically dips down quickly into the swampy ground and is presently out of quartzite and green schist. Beyond the swamp to the northwest at about 200 yards distance a chian of granite runs parallel. This granite is rather describe as fine grained, flesh colored, and appear to be a part of the later granite mass observed near the Murray Mine two miles to the west.
At the Frood Mine (No. 3) the gabbro rise to about 90 feet above the low ground around, and showing an eruptive contact with the graywacke and quartzite on its flanks, but the hill is generally so covered with gossan that boundaries were not easily fixed. The large rock dump at this time had rather chiefly shown gabbro and greywacke, but also consists of some blocks of talc and actinolite. Ore is generally considered to be irregular, and greatly mixed with rock matter, and masses of the rock are enclosed in ore as a matrix. This is also among others that a pebble of white quartzite had been observed to be enclosed. The Frood Mine rather belongs to the International Nickel Company that is on the eastern edge of the gabbro and has been opened up by a large pit as well as underground workings. Opening at this point in time were made by another company on the northwestern side of the hill at the margin of the graywacke, but only on a small scale, and here the stakes were set at regular intervals over the ground to show that a magnetic survey has been carried out.
No additional changes were made to the Stobie Mine in 1899, in which only stoping was carried out. This at the time had rather largely consisted of working the back of the benches by the underhand method. The mine at this point in time was quite surveyed and the maps of its surface and underground workings were made. It was also the first time that this mine had revealed the true size and shape of the stopes and their relative positions more clearly. Work at the time being was rather suspended in the second level stope in which resulted in baring its access by a guard rail. Some other planning that was made at this time would result in opening up larger vents between the third and fourth level stopes, in order to improve ventilation to the lower workings.
During 1899, development was carried on as the No. 3 Mine (Frood) was changed from the previous Six and Six Mine. Development at this time was rather being carried on at the westerly deposit by means of a shaft that was 7 by 17 feet, and 40 feet deep, inclining at 62 degrees to the west. Development work on the shaft was rather provided with a man-way and a double skipway, with the skips being run in balance, operated by a drum in the power house. The shaft at this point in time would mainly become extended into an open pit that was 30 feet deep, 65 feet wide, and 80 feet long, which was open to the surface. Production at this time was coming from a stope located northwest from the pit, which was 30 feet wide, 20 feet high, and 15 feet long. Development from this stope had consisted of driving a raise to the surface, in order to facilitate underground work during the winter season. This was also the point in time when a rock house of oridinary type was being used by the Canadian Copper Company, and was once located to the east of the shaft area.The main rock house that was used at this time was 36 feet high, with a foundation being 45 by 26 feet. It was also on the ground where the floor was located that installation include that of an engine, that had driven the crusher, screens, and picking table on the second and third floors. Other construction include development on the trestle that was used for waste at this mine site and had extended for nearly 96 feet east of this building. Much of the power house at this time was of frame structure that was 80 feet north of the present rock house that was being used. The power house at this point in time had mainly consisted of one boiler room, and a hoist and air compressor room. Equipment that became added to this power house had included three boilers, and other appliances in this building were those formerly used at the Evans Mine. Another major building that became added for this time period was the use of a blacksmith shop that once had been situated 200 feet south of the rock house. Some other expansions at this time were being done on the standard gauge railroad of the Canadian Copper Company to the Stobie Mine that would become extended from the latter point to the rock house of the No. 3 Mine (Frood).
Figure: 1 Stobie Copper-Nickel Mine Maps of the underground workings in 1899.
By 1901, mining operations at the Stobie Mine were suspended by November, 1901, as the Canadian Copper Company was turned away at much newer ore that could be developed. These at the time had include some extremely rich deposits of ore that would overcome the need at present for the highly ferruginous deposit in order to form suitable fluxing mixtures with the ore from the other mines. It was at this time that pumping operations were continued onward as this would only provide a much more speedy recovery for the future of the Stobie Mine. Other problems had shortly rise at this site when high-iron content had deem a looking into, but it was rather considered to have not been in demand at present conditions at the smelters. This resulted in the continuation of idleness that had still prevailed at the Stobie Mine, and even the water pumps had come to a complete stop.
Within 1900, the original and main pit had now measured a depth of feet, being an increase of 10 feet, and has an area of 300 feet long by 50 to 125 feet wide at the Frood location. Its general course at this time was being southeast-northwest. It was near the southeast end where a much heavier arch and pillar had supported the roof of complete barren rock. Further problems came from the necessity for carefully scaling of all the walls in this section, as in the other mines, it had been apparent and formed part of the routine work. It was from the face of the adit at the southwest side of the pit into which ore at the time was being trammed for hoisting, with the shaft being continued down to 60 feet below and dips 62 degrees northeast under the floor of the pit, and from the bottom of a drift that had been driven north-east for 100 feet, with a crosscut at 15 feet from the shaft northwest 20 feet making for the ore body in the new west pit. Work at this time resulted in timbering the extension of the incline into three hoist compartments that one was designed for waste and the two others for ore and a man-way. Active development had also commenced on another outcrop of rich mineralization that was situated 50 feet from the west of the main opening. Development at this time resulted in blasting a pit that would measure 45 feet deep, 100 feet long, and 60 feet wide with very clean ore on the wall and floor. Hoisting that was done within the Frood location had been achieved by a swinging arm derrick, that had used steel rope and bucket, and a hoist in the rock house. This was rather considered as temporary work that would become abandoned when the underground connections of the two workings would allow for raising everything up through the shaft. Some of the other equipment that was added at this time would also go on to include a return tubular boiler and the equipment of all with automatic stockers that had given sufficient steaming capacity for the rest of this plant that was design.
It was since last August of 1900, when mining operations that were being conducted within the open pit came to a cease in development and production. Most of the work during 1900, was mainly confined to further opening up the lower level workings of the new underground mining operation at the No. 3 Mine (Frood). Development that was taken place from the underground workings was being done below the pit floors, in which the small amount of ore produced from this development had contributed to the total output during this period of operation. Extensive diamond drilling that was commenced on the Frood section had rather defined the ore-bodies sufficiently in order to allow of future ore extraction by a systematic underground plan applicable to all conditions. This new development was rather considered to be one of filling, which only ore would be hoisted, the waste would remain in the stopes to be added from the rock dumps on the surface in order to complete the fill. The main shaft at this time had rather reached a depth of approximately 150 feet vertically, and was now being sunk from the second to the third level. Additional work that was required had resulted in carrying the back of the pit faces from the floor level, leaving them vertical all around, without appreciable enlarging of the area on the surface. The second level which is situated at a depth of 100 feet was opened out from the shaft area, which was timbered down to this point with a double skip road and ladder-way. Development on this level include driving a northeast drift for 100 feet, and at about 25 feet in a cross drift northwest 50 feet as an inclined upraise holding through into the open pit floor. This resulted in developing another southeast drift that was driven for 60 feet and then had continued south for 75 feet. At about 75 feet in the northeast drift an 85-foot vertical winze was sunk, that was 6 by 6 feet in size, and from the bottom the 3rd level was opened out. The third level at this point in time had reach a depth of 185 feet vertically from the foot of the winze to the ore-body that had been undetermined by a series of connected drifts totalling a length of 517 feet. It was also the foot of the shaft that had rather upraised at about 20 feet at 25 feet southeast of the main winze used. Other development work at this time was being aimed at making a connection between the 2nd and 3rd level of this shaft. On surface, it was the large balanced double drum hoist that would become replaced by a smaller one that was taken from the Stobie Mine.
Shaft operations at the No. 3 Mine (Frood) were being carried out from the second down to the third level workings at a depth 165 feet. Some major completions were done at this time when the timbering, skip road, and ladder-way was completed. From this point on it was reported that all work from underground was temporarily suspended and the water was once again allowed to rise until time as the ore from this mine is needed. A small amount of lateral development at this time was also being done on the 165-foot level, but no stoping was carried out. Development at this time had rather no escalated at the Stobie Mine location as both the Frood and Stobie Mines were closed down for the time being.
By 1911, development work would once again restart at the Frood Mine Site (No. 3 Mine), which had been closed since 1902. During this time period the Canadian Copper Company had completed thousands of feet in diamond drilling during 1910, and 1911, and a large tonnage of ore was blocked out. These new workings were rather situated to the west of the old shaft and open cut that was developed in 1902. Work at this point in time was rather started on a 4-compartment shaft which had now reached a total depth of 200 feet, where a station was being cut. The company at this time had also used a much smaller plant for this work, but it was proposed to install a permanent plant during the present year. It was also at this time when the Canadian Copper Company was building a railway line from Copper Cliff to the mine, which would have a total distance of three miles in length. Employment at this time was rather being done under the supervision and direction of Mr. M. Pickard who was the superintend and employed 50 men to this site.
During 1912, development work was rather being carried out on the No. 3 (Frood) mine project by the Canadian Copper Company. At this time, the No. 1 four-compartment shaft was additional sunk on an incline of 77 degrees, in which had been carried to the fourth level and drifting was begun at a depth of 400 feet. Stations at this point in time were additionally cut on the second, third, and fourth levels of the Frood section of the No. 3 Mine. Another shaft known as the No. 2 vertical three compartment shaft was located 625 feet northeast of the present No. 1 Shaft that had been sunk to a depth of 200 feet. In addition to mining, there was a lot of construction going on that consisted of building a steel head-frame at the No. 1 Shaft, a brick power house, and a large number of houses for the employees of the mine. The power line that was taken from Copper Cliff to the mine site was completed, as was also the railway line that connected the mine to Copper Cliff. It would also result in the installation of a 3-drum electric hoist and a 20-drill compressor that was place into operation at this site.
Figure 2: Stobie Mine Workings prior to ceasing mining operations in 1902.
It was also in 1912, when the main shaft at the Frood Extension Mine was sunk during the year to a depth of 600 feet. A station at this point in time was cut and establish at a depth of 400 feet, and a cage was put in the central hoisting compartment to hoist and lower the men to this level of the mine. Work at this time was confined to further sinking the shaft, and plans at this time were aimed at reaching a depth of nearly 1,000 feet. Within this time period a transmission line from Victoria Mines was erected, with a power house built and preparations were made for its installation of a large size compressor.
The Frood Extension Mine shaft is rather situated on the northeast quarter of lot 7 in the sixth concession of McKim Township, which is a short distance from the No. 3 workings of the Canadian Copper Company. Shaft No. 1 is rather a vertical shaft operation with four compartments, that has a side of 21 x 7 feet, and had reach a depth of 900 feet below the surface in 1913. It was at this time when the first level station was cut at a depth of 400 feet, with a drift to the south for a length of 250 feet. From this point a raise was driven in order to connect with the No, 2 Shaft operation The second level of this shaft was rather stationed at a depth of 750 feet where a drift was driven southward for 200 feet. Timbering of the shaft at this time was completed to a depth of 850 feet, as the main bulkhead was being constructed at about 12 feet below the main ore-body that was first developed. During this time period it was also intention of the company management to continue this shaft down to a depth of 1,100 feet below the surface before mining is to be commenced in 1913. Shaft No. 2 at this point in time was a vertical shaft operation with a size of 5 by 9 feet, and was 208 feet deep at the time. At this point a connection was being made by a raise from the first level south drift, which was inclined at about 45 degrees.
By March, 1914, the Canadian Copper Company had began the installation of a new compressor and hoisting plant. Other expectations at this time were made to have this plant in operation by June, 1914, The hoist which would be installed for this plant is a Nordberg air-driven type, cylinders 23 by 23 inches by 48. A total of two drums were used which were 10 feet in diameter, and was constructed so that a third drum may be installed. Its speed at this time was 1,000 feet per minute, using a 1%-inch cable, and a 5 ton skip. The Nordberg compressor rather had a capacity of 2,800 cubic feet per minute. and was driven by a Westinghouse synchronous motor that was directly attached. This also resulted in placing two recievers, each being 30 feet long by 10 feet in diameter, and from these the air had passed into a re-heater before being delivered to the hoist, This also resulted in using any surplus air that was not required at the time within the mine site it self. In addition to the air plant there was also a Rand Compressor of 2,000 cubic feet capacity, that was belt driven from an Allis Chalmers Motor. Construction at the time would also take place on erecting several comfortable house for the miners, and a small village known as Frood Extension was incorporated. Other plans for the rock house, dry house, magazine, and thaw house were now ready, and these buildings would also be erected during the summer of 1914.
A total of two shafts were at this time in operation at the No. 3 Mine (Frood) site in which the No. 1 Shaft had reach a depth of 420 feet, and the No. 2 Shaft had its own depth of 350 feet. During this time period an ore storage pocket was additionally cut below the third level and near the main shaft. Other installations to the shaft had also equipped it with skips in two compartments and a two-deck men-cage was installed in the third. Stoping operation at this time were being carried on above the 200 and 300-foot levels. It was also above the 200-foot level that an open stope had extended to a height of 30 to 40 feet above this level at the time. By this time it was reported that this stope section was approximately 375 feet in length and 150 feet in total width at its most widest point. In order to assist in ventilation a 24-inch galvanized iron pipe had lead from the surface to the 300-foot level, which had a branch pipe at the 200-foot level. During this time period a fan was place on surface while a ventilatio raise was being driven from the 200-foot level to the surface when the shut down had occurred, and within 75 feet of the surface. Shipments during 1914, would also amount to a total of 87,688 tons that was taken out with the help of 125 men that were employed by Mr. Thomas P. McNamara, who was the superintendent.
In 1914, the Frood Extension Mine had rather operated until August, 15, 1914, before it was shut down due to the conditions of metal markets during the outbreak of World War I. By this time the vertical, four compartment shaft, that was 21 feet by 7 feet, had reached a total depth of 1,005 feet below the surface, and was timbered down to 917 feet. On the first level, or the 400-foot level a drift at this time had extended southeast for a length of 230 feet. From the end of this drift section a raise was then extended to the surface, and a winze had been sunk to a depth of 170 feet below the first level workings. It was on the second level at 750-feet where the drift rather had ran southeast for a length of 220 feet. By this time, it was at the end of this drift that a raise had also been extended in order to connect with the winze from the first level Another winze at this time had also been started near the end of the drift and was put down to a depth of 70 feet. On the third or 900-foot level, the station was only cut at this point in time and 210 feet of drifting was done to the southeast of the shaft operation. Other completions during this time period were made on the power house that consisted of one 23-inch and 23 inch by 48-inch Nordberg geared hoist with two drums, that were 10 feet in diameter with 78-inch faces. This was also equipped with air or steam, and provisions were made whereby a third clutched drum for hoisting men may be added when it was desired to. Much of this had also included one 2,800 cubic foot Nordberg air Compressor, one 1,750 cubic foot Rand air Compressor, belt driven, and the construction of the rock house and dry was being progressed when the shut-down had occurred.
The International Nickel Company of Canada, LImited was incorporated in the Dominion of Canada on July, 1916, withh an authorized capital of $5,000,000 which in March, 1918, was increased to $50,000,000. It was on August, 1918, when the Canadian Copper Company was absorbed by the International Nickel Company of Canada, Limited, and was now known as the mining and smelting division of that company. Almost all of the mine sites, and smelter that were owned by the Canadian Copper Company were under control of the International Nickel Company of Canada, Limited. This resulted in a major take over as the company had wanted to secure as many properties for exploration and development as it could in the Sudbury area, that would also go all over Canada and internationally. By this time, the company had also only operated two mines and a quartz quarry for flux that was used in smelting operations. These two mines that were being developed and place into production had included the famous Creighton Copper-Nickel Mine and The Crean Hill Mine Project. Almost all other operations during this time period were at a stand still and waiting to be further explored.
During the operating year of 1919, the International Nickel Company of Canada had rather curtailed its output of their mine projects and smelters in January of that year. But it was rather closer to the end of 1919, when the company was once again operating at approximately pre-war capacity. Other important innovations were made during this time period, as the establishment of a pension fund, scholarship, and group insurance was made. Employees at this time who had become incapacitated after twenty years of continuous service with the company or its subsidiary would be pensioned. Pensioners at this point in time were paid monthly for the general funds at a figure based on the average full time earnings for the last year worked. After 20 years service, the pension was at 50% of the average earnings, after 30 years of service 62 1/2 %, and so fourth in proportion to the number of years employed by the company. Employees who had work for the new company were not required to contribute to the pension fund and pensions at this time were granted under the executive directors of the company. Pensions at this time were not given for the reason that an employee had completed 20 years of continuous service, or had reached any stated age, but after 20 years of continuous service, old age, sickness, injury, or incapacity from any other cause may be considered sufficient reasoning for granting a pension.
By 1920, the Frood or No. 3 Mine was once again being explored for the experimental reasoning that was conducted by the International Nickel Company of Canada. Most of this resulted in bailing out the workings in order to obtain a 100 ton ore sample for experimental purposes. This would also result in completing some diamond drilling on the surface until power had become scarce owing to the summer drought that took place in 1920.
It was within 1925, when extensive diamond drilling was being done on the No. 3 Mine of the Frood portion. Some mining at this time was also additionally done by the Intenational Nickel Company of Canada for the months of June to October, 1925. Most of this work that was done on the Frood, or No. 3 Mine was aimed at stoping operation on the 3rd mining level. Ore which had came from the workings at this time were also being shipped to Copper Cliff for milling and smelting. It was at this time when a total of 28 men were employed at this site which was done under the direction of J. Brown who was the mine foreman in charge of this work.
During the operating year of 1925, the Mond Nickel Company had place the Frood Extension Mine into operation. This was chiefly done towards the development work that was progressing in the mine and the construction of the much needed surface plant. Underground development which was aside from shaft sinking had been mainly confined to the newly establish 1,400-foot level or the 8th level at the Frood Extension Mine Site. It was on this level that 650 feet of drifting and 400 feet of crosscutting was completed at an angle of 45 degrees. Most of the section cutting that was taken place had been done for the purpose of further defining the ore-body, that was done in four stopes: 8.1, 8.3, 8.3, and 8.4. These stopes when fully section cut would have a total width of 75 feet and a length determined by width of the ore-body, and would also be seperated from adjacent stopes by a 25-foot rib pillar. At this time, the main No. 1 Shaft at the Frood Extension Mine was sunk from 1,267 feet to a depth of 1,736 feet, with stations being cut on the 1,300, 1400, 1,550, and 1,700-foot levels. In addition to this sinking and station cutting, work was also progressing towards timbering the upper portion of the main shaft that was officially completed at this time. The main shaft that was used at the Frood Extension Mine was fairly well timbered and had a total of four compartment which was later change to only three compartments. This at the time had allowed for two hoisting compartments that were 5 feet by 4 inches by 4 feet, in the clear.
Construction would also follow in 1925, which resulted in building the following building to service the Frood Extension Mine Project that was owned and operated by the Mond Nickel Company. The dry house which was generally used as a change house was designed to be 106 by 32 feet, and had been built. This building at the time also had a 12-foot lean to extend the entire length on one side, which had provided accommodation for the shift boss office, and change, engineer's room, first aid room, and showers and toilers that were added. It was also in the basement in one end housing that the heating boiler for the entire plant was located and situated in.
The Machine shop in 1925, was a building that was 121 by 32 feet, with a tool and foreman;s room at the end of it. Some of the main principal equipment that were used at this time had included lathe, pipe threading machine, and an Ingersoll Rand, type 550, drill sharpener. The office and warehouse building was additionally made to be 90 by 30 feet, in which one end was used as a warehouse, while the other end is partitioned off to accommodate the mine offices and draughting rooms for the engineering staff. Another building known as the power house was additionally engineered to be 22 by 18 feet, that was built to the power house to provide for switchboard equipment. All of these buildings that are mention had are of brick and steel construction with Robertson's process roofing and with the exception of the blacksmith shop, having concrete floors.
Figure 3: Frood Extension Mine Shaft in 1925.
During the summer months of 1926, a small amount of ore was rather mined on the 3rd mining level through the No. 1 Shaft at the Frood Mine (No. 3), and had been shipped to Copper Cliff for test purposes. Most of this work at the time had employed a crew of 16 m, that was place under the supervision of J.W. Brown. It was rather towards the end of September when preliminary work on the sinking of the new main shaft (No. 3 Shaft) was commenced. It was after sinking this shaft to about 40 feet with temporary rigging, that the concrete collar was placed and the sinking plant/head-frame was now installed. Work at the time was rather resumed at the face on December, 11, 1926, which was done using the regular sinking plant. The shaft that was rather vertical, had been sunk in the footwall of the deposit that was divided into four main compartments. One of these compartments had became subdivided in order to give a skip roadway in one corner, a pipe and cable compartment in the other corner, with a ladder-way between. At this point in time, the shaft was 16 feet by 28 feet, 2 inches, outside the timbers. All of the plate dividers and corner posts that were used had been 10 by 10-inches, the intermediate posts 6 by 10-inches, and all guides 4 by 8-inches.Hoisting which was done during the sinking operation had been completed by two 3-ton skips, that ran in balance, and were being used in addition to the man cage. All of these conveyances at the time had also been equipped with 30-foot extension runners, which had permitted them from being lowered directly to the face below the permanent timbering.Other changes would also be made when the shaft would be come equipped for pernament operation, that this would have allow the use of two man and supply cages with a deck area. It would also go on to include two ore skips, 5 by 5 feet in cross section, and a rock skip of the same section, which would operate in balance with a counterweight. All sinking operations during this time period were also being done under direction of J. P. Hussey.
Besides development of the Frood (No.3) Mine, the Mond Nickel Company had progress on their development of the Frood Extension Mine Site in 1926. It was during this time period when the shaft was sunk an additional 294 feet from 1,736 to 2,030 feet, with stations being cut at 1850, and 200 feet. On the 1,700-foot level the main crosscut that was advanced 150 feet to the footwall, and 1,050 feet of drifting was completed along the footwall contact. A total of ten crosscut series at an angle of 45 degree were made on the Nos. 1, 3, 5, 7, 2,4,6,8, and 12, which were driven from the footwall drift towards the hanging wall. During this time it was also the footage completed that would end up totalling approximately 1,200 feet in raising that was done. Further development had also continued on the 2,000-foot level that was advanced by 1,995 feet of drifting, and crosscutting. Some other construction at this time had included a brick powder magazine that was constructed on surface, and had measured 20 by 30 feet.
Development and expansion had continued onward at the Frood Mine location as the main shaft was continued to a depth of 2,500 feet. This resulted in completing preliminary work for the latter opening of cut stations from this shaft that was done at depths of 800, 1,200, 1,600, 2,000, and 2,400-foot horizons. During this time period a small shipment of ore was rather taken from the third level of the No. 1 Shaft, and was shipped to Copper Cliff for experimental purposes. No additional work was done at this time as the mine was only preparing to go under further development through much deeper levels that were establish in 1927.
It was in 1927, when development and shaft sinking was also progressing on the Frood Mine extension that was owned by the Mond Nickel Company. Within this time period the main shaft was continued from a depth of 2,025 feet to 2,167 feet below the surface. Aside from shaft sinking it was also reported that 3,989 feet of lateral development work was completed at the Frood Mine Extension during 1927. Most of this work at the time had comprised of 3,053 feet of drifting and crosscutting, and 936 feet of raising that was done. All lateral development work was also being performed on the 2,000-foot level, in addition to which a large amount of diamond drilling was done from the three exploration crosscuts driven into the hanging wall on this level. No additional construction was done at this time as work that was undertaken during the year was made towards many alterations to the shaft house, head-frame, and rock-house to facilitate shaft sinking. Many of the shops at this time were also considered to have been rearranged to allow for the installation of a timber framing plant for handling the shaft setts.
It was during 1928, when the surface plant at the Frood Mine was completed, with a head-frame erected and the rock house in operation. For the most part, hoists and compressors had also been installed within the power-house. At the time, these hoists were among of the largest in Canada, and the main hoist was designed to handle skips containing 10 tons of ore from the 2,000-foot level and 7-tons of ore from the 2,800-foot level, and the cage hoist with a capacity for raising or lowering 60 men. This resulted in upgrading at change house that would be able to take care of 1,300 men, together with mine and survey offices that were in use. It was during this time period that the drill sharpener house, warehouse, machine shop, electrical repair shop, and boiler shop had been erected and most of the necessary machinery had been installed at the time. Much of the yard that had occupied the mine area was also graded and service tracks for supplies and ore were provided.
During 1927, good progress was made towards the underground mine workings at the Frood Mine Site. By this time the main shaft that 28 by 16 feet was completed to a depth of 3,040 feet below the surface and a ventilation shaft was now being sunk, which would end up reaching a depth of 1,200 feet.Lateral development at this time would also consist of 9,922 linear feet of drifting and crosscutting that was completed during this time period. In total development footage it was strongly reported that the mine amounted to approximately 13,762 linear feet. In addition to this, there was approximately 220,589 cubic feet of excavated stations and ore and waste pockets. By doing this work it was also stated that a total of 166,443 tonnes of rock was also hoisted in order to accomplish this work to date. Ore reserve calculations were not being made at this time as development work had not progressed sufficiently to report the exact tonnage or average grade of the metal contents in the lower workings of the Frood Ore-Body. Many additional crosscuts were driven and reserves were of high-grade ore that was sufficient to run a smelter for many years to come. It was on the 1,200-foot level, that 100 feet of ore had been crosscut and channel sample, which resulted in 1.77% Cu, and 2.61% Ni, with rock making up 5% of the total mass. On the 1,600-foot level there was an additional 48 feet of ore that had been crosscut and channel sample that had show copper assays of 2.90% Cu and 2.15% Ni, with the rock mass making up 9.3%. It was on the 2,000-foot level that 39 feet of ore was encountered that had been crosscut, and channel sampled showing 2.09% Cu, and 1.93% Ni, with a rock mass of 5.9%. Exploratory work at this time was also focus on the 2,400-foot level that had show 64 feet of ore that was crosscut and channel sample. Channel sampling of this section of the mine had rather returned copper values of 3.60% Cu, and 1.50% Ni, with rock mass making up 28%. On the 2,800-foot level, there was 139 feet of ore that had been crosscut and channel sampled that showed 12.14% Cu, and 2.66% Ni, with a total rock mass of 19.2%. At this time it was reported that much of the rock mass that was taken from this mine was removed in order to recover higher metal content from the ore at the Frood Mine Site.
Within 1928, the Mont Nickel Company would go onto reopening this property in 1927, which resulted in replacing the Victoria Mine Complex. It was during this time period when diamond drilling had disclosed 70 feet of ore running 22% copper and 1 1/2% nickel, and it was decided to sink the Frood Extension Shaft to a depth of 4,000 feet to prove this discovery. The Frood portion of the deposit was also considered to have increased its copper values ten times between the 2,000 and 3,100-foot horizons. By this time, the Frood Extension Mine had used a four compartment shaft operation that had been sunk to a depth of 3,350 feet below the surface. Sinking at this time was rather started on December, 3, 1927, and was completed in the spring of 1929. This resulted in stationing and cutting levels on the mines 400, 750, 1,200, 1,400, 1,700, 2,000, 2,800, 3,100, and 3,300-foot horizons.
Prior to 1929, it was reported that the Frood Surface plant was officially completed and had been place into successful operation during that year. Employment at this point in time of the mines life had resulted in employing 2,000 men, and underground development was no progressing rapidly. It was during the year of 1929, when 48,877 linear feet of drifts, crosscuts, raises, winzes, and box holes were completed, and this resulted in raising the ventilation shaft by 1,583 feet. This vast amount of work that was completed had aggregated nearly ten miles, bring the total underground development, since work started in 1926, to 64,291 linear feet or over twelve miles of development. It was at this time when communication was establish between the Frood Mine and the Frood Extension Mine, in which the ore-body was continuous on the 2,000, 2,400, and 2,800-foot levels. This resulted in further development that was aimed at connecting the two mine sites on the 2,200 and 2,600-foot levels of the Frood Mine workings. The proven ore within this deposit had also amounted to 124,673,000 tons, of which 43,562,000 tons is high-grade ore below the 1,400-foot depth. Extension sampling that was carried out had shown that the ore-body increases in grade and become progressively richer in copper with depth. This was rather indicated by assaying of ore taken from crosscuts, which resulted in submitting a report on December, 31, 1928. The average ore grade that was proven below the 1,400-foot level runs 2.39% Ni, and 3.62% Cu. It was also noted that over 10,000,000 tonnes of high-grade ore was added to the Frood reserves that were taken from results that came from development work in the lower level workings. Exploratory work that was performed on the 2,800-foot level had shown much greater widths and evidence of extensions along the strike to the north and to the south, which promises further substantial additions to the Frood high-grade reserves. This had also included a total reserve estimation of 91,111,000 tonnes of low grade ore and 43,562,000 tonnes of high-grade ore within the Frood Mine workings. Results at this time were also returned on the Bessemer Matte made on the Frood ore mined below the 1,600-foot level that returned several precious metal values of approximately $50 per ton.
Production in 1930, had rather rise as the Frood Mine at this time had gone to produce 902,531 tons of ore that were mined from the underground workings. The Frood Mine during this time was the International Nickel Company of Canada's biggest mine project that resulted in sufficient mine production from its other mining operations. At this point in time, the International Nickel Company of Canada had only operated two other mine that included the Creighton Mine and the Garson Mine asides from the Frood Mine. It was at this time that lateral development that included embracing shafts, drifts, crosscuts, raises, winzes, and box holes, that amounted to 50,803 linear feet, or nearly 10 miles. It was also in the past four years, that development work which was taken upon the Frood Mine had shown a total of 21.8 miles of work completed to date. By, 1930, the Frood Mine was rather furnished to produce 5,000 tons of ore on a daily basis and mining continued to be efficient that mining was steadily increasing. The Frood Mine at this time had also contributed to additional ore-reserves that were calculated at 2,416,000 tonnes. Reports on this calculation had reported it to have been made below the 2,000-foot level and would grade in excess of 4.93% Cu, and 3.53% Ni. During this time period it was reported that the Frood Mine had one of the biggest employment rates in the Sudbury area, as it amounted to a total of 2,076 personnel.
All development and exploration work in 1931, was reduced to a minimum in order to keep up with general curtailments. It was during this time period when later development that included shafts, drifts, crosscuts, raises, winzes, and box holes had advanced 12,074 linear feet. Other reports on the total development footage had also stated that this advancement in lateral development had made the mine have a total development footage of 127,178 linear feet or 24 miles of underground workings. A total of 61 stope sections were also in production, in which each had prepared to yield an estimated production of 150 tons of ore per day. Stoping operations at this time were majorly confined to the ,2,400, 2,600, and 2,800-foot levels of the Frood Copper Nickel Mine. Much of the greater part of this ore at present being mined mined by square set and fill method, and the remainder by horizontal cut and fill method. As shaft sinking had continued, it was at this time when a new level was cut and station on the mines 2,950-foot horizon. By this time the No. 1 Shaft, which had extended from the surface to 15 feet below the 3,100-foot level, had been utilized as a ventilation and emergency escarpment shaft. During this time period, work was confined to concreting and equipping it that was actively prosecuted, and had been completed in early 1932. Other plans at this time were aimed at fire proofing the surface plant and an additional two ventilation fan units, each capable of handling 220,000 cubic feet of air per minute, were installed at the top of the shaft.
Another Shaft known as the No. 4 had extended from the surface down to a depth of 3,345 feet, had also been equipped with a new head-frame, surface plant, and rock house. By this time, the shaft it self was rather being reconditioned for much higher speed skip hoisting to increase production at its Frood Copper-Nickel Mine Site. It was also included in this of which work was progressing in timbering of the shaft from the surface to the 2,000-foot level. By the end of 1931, a total of 1,500 feet of timbering was also reported to have been completed within the No. 4 Shaft operation at the Frood Mine Site. Expectations at this time were predicting to have this newly developed shaft ready for operation purposes by June, 1932.
Another Shaft known as the No. 5 was started in 1930, which was also completed and put into operation during the year of 1931. The shaft was mainly designed to have a total of three compartments which was designed to be an internal shaft operation, that inclined at 65 degrees. It was also reported to have extended from the 2,600-foot level to 77 feet below the 3,100-foot level. Development of this new shaft was additionally made near the No. 4 Shaft Operation, and was mainly used for development purposes below the 2,800-foot level.
Production that came from the Frood Mine had resulted in hoisting 1,336,040 tonnes of ore that came from this mine in 1933. The Frood Mine during this time period was kept in operation through the operating year of 1933. Work at this point in time was mainly aimed at increasing the production requirements from the Frood Copper Nickel Mine workings. A total of ten new stopes, and eight pillar stopes were being brought to the production stage in the Frood Mine, making available for mining 72 stopes rated at 150 tons each daily and 8 pillar stopes rated at 50 tons each daily. Mining cost at this point in time were rather considered to have been satisfactory, and capital/maintenance expenditure was considered to have been very low during this time period.
Within 1934, the Frood Mine was in continuous operation when a total of 1,868,186 tonnes of ore was taken from this mine and shipped. During this time period the Frood Mine was being place under further exploratory phases that were restricted the lower level workings and ordinary development was regulated to conform the ore requirements. Lateral development during this time period had included advancement in shafts, drifts, crosscuts, raises, winzes, and box holes that amounted to 19,937 linear feet, in which had brought the total development footage to nearly 31.7 miles. Other openings were made on the production of twenty new stopes and 5 pillar stopes that were place under production requirements from the Frood Mine Site. With this it had also brought a portion of available production in the Frood Mine that amounted to working 83 stopes and 13 pillar stopes. By this time, the average output within the stope sections was producing 140 tonnes of ore on a daily basis and ore that came from pillar stopes would produce 60 tons daily.
Development work in the Frood Mine was carried onward at a rate to confirm to ore requirements in 1935. Lateral development at this time had included advancements to shafts, drifts, crosscuts, raises, winzes, and box holes that amounted to 16,021 linear feet. This at the time had rather brought the total development footage to 183,211 linear feet that was completed within the Frood Mine workings in 1935. Further so, it would result in available stope sections for production that now had totalled 103 stopes, and 16 pillar stopes. The Stope sections of the mine were also leading a total production of 125 tons of ore per day, and the pillar stopes had a daily production of 55 ton each. Production during this time period would also amount to furnishing a total of 2,875,599 tonnes of ore that was taken out from the underground workings. Other installations were being made towards replacing mild steel skips with much lighter skips made from nickel steel, which had increased the hoisting capacity by 15%.
Development within the Frood Mine was also being carried out in steps with production requirements in place during 1936. By this time, the total footage was rather advanced by 30,628 linear feet of lateral development. This resulted in bringing the total underground workings to approximately 50 miles of completed development at this site. Most of this had came from the advancements in shafts, drifts, crosscuts, raises, winzes, and box holes that were completed during this time period of operating. With the opening and increase in development, this had brought with it new sufficient stopes into operation, or in readiness, to yield a daily output of 13,000 tonnes of ore. During this time period it was reported that the ore requirements from the Frood Mine were increased to processing 3,408,956 tonnes of ore.
During 1937, it was the result of a comprehensive survey that it was decided to adapt open pit mining methods for the upper portion of the Frood Ore Body. This resulted in installing equipment for this purpose that would increase the expected production to 4,000 tons of ore per day. Almost all of this production was scheduled to be available for mining by the early months of 1939. Much of the grade of the ore within the pit was also some what lower than that now being mined through underground mining operations. One of the advantages of this would be the greater importance of the combination of surface mining and mining ore at depth that would assure an average grade of ore over the future life of the Frood Mine Site. During this time period, the Frood Mine operation had continued to dominate the production of all other mines in which 3,804,409 tonnes of ore was shipped to Copper Cliff. The Frood Mine was only starting to become a massive mining operation that would be developed through extensive underground working and the new open pit operation.
The Frood Mine continued to become a major contributor to the production of ore that would amount to 3,497,846 short tons in 1938. It was at this time that open pit mining development was officially started at the Frood Mine Site, in which mining was commenced in June, 1938. Development at the time had rather become well advanced at this time which had also allowed for the increase in production at this mine site.. This mine continued to be the main supplier of ore that was produced from any other mine operated in which there was three mines in operation. It was at the year end when the open pit operation would go onto producing a million tonnes of ore that was developed and shipped by January, 1939. Lateral development at the Frood Mine had consisted of advancements in shafts, drifts, crosscuts, raises, winzes, and box holes that amounted to 16,337 linear feet of development work, in which the total development footage was at 303,274 linear feet.
Open pit mining at this time had continued onward in the operating year of 1939, which resulted in extensive development. Production that was achieved through open pit mining at this time had resulted in hoisting 1,521,694 tonnes of ore from the open pit. Plans at this time were also being made to develop and extended production by increasing the output of ore taken from the Frood Mine Site. Most of this was being done in order to achieve daily production rates of 12,000 tonnes from the open pit operation on the Frood Portion of the ore body. Development at this time had also continued onward through the underground workings that amounted to 23,053 linear feet, in which the total development footage was at 326,327 linear feet. This would also result in a program of open pit mining that was underway on the Stobie portion of the ore-body. The Stobie Mine had rather contributed to the ore-reserves as there was a large body of low-grade ore that existed at this site. It was also stated that this further development of open pit mining would afford greater flexibility in the mining operations and would permit the maintenance of a uniform grade ore over a long period of time. Production during the operating year of 1939, would also result in a total amount of 3,200,869 tonnes of ore that was taken from open pit and underground mining operations. Employment rates at the Frood Mine site were rather increased during this time period to about 2,639 personnel that work at this mine site.
It was within 1951, when mining of the Stobie Pit was officially completed in the early part of August to the main depth planned. During this time period the Frood Open Pit was continued in production throughout the year at a rate of calculated to preserve a flow of ore from the source until the expanded underground mining facilities were completed. Most of these at the time were place under construction and had been shortly after ready to be operated at a much full capacity. During this time period the International Nickel Company had also commenced ore shipments to Copper Cliff from the Stobie section of the Frood-Stobie Mine. Prior to this, it was also reported that the mine was quite ready to handle its own production of 3,000 tonnes of ore on a daily basis. The large underground crusher installations at the 600- and 1,000-foot levels, along with the necessary ore passes, were completed and put into operation. Preparations were also made towards stope section that were underway to bring the area served by these installations into regular ore production as soon as possible. At the time, preliminary work was in progress on the 1,400-foot level crusher and ore pass system. Work at this time had rather continued on the sinking and equipping of the new No. 8 Shaft at the Stobie section of the ore-body. The new No. 8 Shaft would additionally require additional ore hoisting capacity and flexibility that was done within the Stobie Phase of the conversion programme. It was on the Frood section of the ore-body that alterations were completed, which allowed the increase of ore handling capacity at the main Frood Shaft. By doing this it would also go on to improving the much needed operating efficiency of the No. 3 Rock House that was used for crushing down the Frood-Stobie Ore. Major development at this time was largely focus on the Frood Section of the Frood-Stobie Mine, where mining, by low-cost blast hole methods of levels immediately below the open pit, had reached scheduled production. Another type of practice that was used included water-borne sand filling from the Copper Cliff Concentrator that continued to be used in the lower levels of the Frood Section of the Frood-Stobie Mine. Most of this was mainly done in order to stabalize much older working areas, as well as for filling of current working stopes on these levels.
It was more so in 1952, when a consequence from the heavy-war-time drain upon the open pits and their large post war output, it was anticipated that it would no longer be practicable to remove or from the Frood-Stobie ore-body through open pit surface operations. During 1952, the company was however, able to block out more ore that could be additionally mined from the surface. Open pit mining at this time was rather achieving ore production at lower end costs and had provided valuable flexibility to the company's mining operation, and production was still continuing. Production that came from the Stobie Section of the Frood-Stobie Mine was rather stepped up to 4,500 tonnes of ore daily, compared with 3,000 tons at the end of 1951. Plans at this time were also being made in regards to further increasing production by 1953, at the Stobie Section of the Frood-Stobie Mine project. Work during this time was also being largely continued on the 1,400-foot level crusher and the much needed ore pass installation. Development which was achieved on new areas of the mine had rather progressed rapidly in order to meet requirements of the conversion schedule. At this time, the new No. 8 Shaft at Stobie was rather completed to the depth as required for the present operations. By excavating this shaft from underground and working up from several different levels simultaneously, the project was finished some 20 months earlier than other-wise would have been possible with a saving of many man hours of labour. This would go onto resulting in the complete construction of the Head-frame, hoist, crushing plant, and change house addition required for the No. 8 Shaft project that were advanced sufficiently to ensure this shaft being available for regular hoisting operations by about mid year in 1953. At the Frood Section of the Frood Mine, another, low-cost bulk mining technique called blasthole method that was now used in principal mining methods. This had rather also differ from induced caving only in that explosives are used in order to break the ore. Development of the new mining block to the south end of the mine was also progressing above 1,000-foot level.
It was in 1930-31, when the Junior Frood Zone was discovered on Lot. 8 and on the N 1/2 of Lot 9, within the first concession of Blezard Township. The main zone at this time was rather being explored by the Junior Frood Mines, Limited. Most of this had resulted in minor trenching and diamond drilling work that was done on this property. From 1953-58, Falconbridge Nickel Mines, Limited, had optioned the property from Frood Deep Nickel Mines, Limited. Geological mapping and exploration work that had taken place disclosed two new zones containing nickel-copper sulphides with a strike length of 500 and 600 feet. A total of 17 surface diamond drill holes were made on these two zones that were intersected at a depth of 846 and 4,835 feet below the surface. The No. 1 Zone, which had only two surface holes done would go onto intersect 5-foot sections assaying 1.09 and 1.40% Ni. It was in zone No. 2, when 3 surface diamond drill holes had intersected 23 feet of 0.70% Ni, and 0.15% Ci, with a 1-foot intercept of 1.93% Ni and 0.15% Cu, and it had also included a 14-foot intercept of 1.29% Ni, and 0.25% Cu.
By 1955, the International Nickel Company had reported that the ventilation system of the Stobie section above the 1,000-foot level was near completion. During this time period reports were also made on the air intake system for the Frood section was extended. Most of this extending was mainly done in order to permit stoping operations that would be done on the 3,600-foot level of this mine project. It was also the increase in underground production over 1954, was partially cause due to higher outputs from the Frood-Stobie Mine and the Murray Mine Site. It was at this point in time when special steps were taken in order to make available of an additional 3,500,000 tonnes of ore for mining by low-cost open pit methods. In order to complete this phase, it had resulted in driving two ore-haulage tunnels with an aggregate length of 2,200 feet in the rock walls at the Frood-Stobie Open Pit. This at the time would additionally bypass a large portion of the main ramp road around the sides of the open pit. As a result, the ore in the ramp wound no be recovered from the surface rather than by underground mining methods.
Lateral development work had continued onward at the Frood-Stobie MIne Site that resulted in completing 5,683 feet of drifting and crosscutting, and 1,693 feet of raising. Development work at this time was continued through underground mining and open pit mining operations. Production during this time period would amount to 3,503,039 tonnes of ore that was hoisted from the workings. Open pit mining operation on the Frood Portion had continued to achieve production status by hoisted and trucking 593,674 tonnes of ore to the Rock House. Diamond drilling that was completed at this time would also result in 33 underground holes, totalling 9,315 feet in length. The Frood Mine at this time had rather employed 2,701 personnel that had work on surface and within the underground mining operations during 1958.
It was on September, 24, 1959, when a Strike had rose against the company that would be called by the union. This major strike would cause a shut down to all of the International Nickel Company's mining operations within the province of Ontario, Canada. It was considered to have been one of the most major strikes to have occurred in the Sudbury District since the discovery of the nickel ore-deposits. The strike at this point in time was also being settled and had taken the company up till December, 22, 1959, to end it. By this time, development was already progressing as the No. 8 Shaft was additional sunk down to a depth of 2,491 feet below the surface. As development and sinking progress it was decided to cut and station a new mining level that would be developed as the 2,000-foot horizon of the Frood ore-body. Lateral development that was also completed during this time period would result in 9,227 feet of drifting and crosscutting, and 2,783 feet of raising that was done. Mining during 1959, was rather escalating through open pit mining operations and underground mining that was taken place. Production that was achieved within the Open Pit of the Frood Ore-body would end up amounting to 1,518,021 tonnes of ore that was trucked to the on-site rock house from the open pit operation. In total production the mine would go onto shipping 4,850,615 tonnes of rich copper-nickel-PGE ore to the Copper Cliff Concentrator after crushing.
During 1960, the No. 8 Shaft was additionally sunk to greater depths of 2,624 feet below the surface at the Frood-Stobie Mine Sites. By this time it would result in stationing and cutting a new level to the underground workings that were done on the 2,600-foot horizon. Lateral development work which was completed during 1960, resulted in 13,616 feet of drifting and crosscutting, and 4,084 feet of raising. This at the time had brought the total development footage to 488,719 feet of drifting and crosscuts, and 189,811 feet of raising. Diamond drilling at this time had rather resulted in completing 88 diamond drill holes from underground that totalled 31,695 feet in length. Production at this time would also resulted in hoisting nearly 5,672,029 tonnes of ore from underground and open pit mining operations. Some of the newer equipment that was added had included a jaw crusher, a tipple unit, a 300 H.P motor, 2 controllers, and 2 silicon rectifiers. It was also at this time that a total of 732,681 tonnes of ore was also mined from the open pit and trucked to the rock house.
Lateral development during 1961, resulted in completing 14,840 feet of drifting and crosscutting, and 6,927 feet of raising. With this it had given the Frood Mine a total development footage of 503,599 feet of drifting and crosscutting, and 196,738 feet of raising. Diamond drilling during this time would also result in completing 35 underground diamond drill holes, totalling 6,739 feet in length. Work in the Frood Open Pit was officially terminated by the end of May, after being in operation for 23 years. During this time period it was advise to continue operating the service shops, but much of the equipment at this time was being transferred to the Clarabella Pit. Production from the open pit during this time period resulted in taking out 403,762 tonnes of ore that was trucked to the rock house for crushing. The total production which was achieved at the Frood-Stobie Mine site had resulted 5,614,371 tonnes of ore that was shipped to Copper Cliff.
Mining operation in 1963, had continued to progress as the Frood-Stobie Mine was being operated through underground mining operations. It was at this time that production was rather decreased due to the open pit closing in 1961. From all production during this time period it was reported that the mine would go onto achieving daily production rates of 3,609 tones, in which 921,997 tonnes were shipped to Copper Cliff. Lateral development had continued to become further achieved as it would amount to 7,014 feet of drifting and crosscutting, and 2,416 feet of raising. Diamond drilling during 1963, had amounted to completing 98 underground diamond drill holes, totalling 34,751 feet in length.
The Frood-Stobie Mine continued to be one of the largest mining operations to have operated in the Sudbury Mining Camp in 1964. It was at this time when world records were broken as an underground blast had occurred on the Stobie part of the Frood-Stobie Mine Site. This was rather a major blast for its time period that would end up breaking down 3 1/2 million tonnes of copper-nickel-PGE ore and 1 1/2 million tons of waste rock. During this time period it was reported that the blast that had occurred was well organized and contained that its impact was less noticeable than an ordinary open pit bench blast. To allow this to have happened it was stated that the blast was carefully prepared and supervised by the underground engineers, various service departments, and the men that were engaged in making this record underground blast happen. Development at this time had continued to take place that would amount to 13,268 feet of drifting and crosscutting, and 4,729 feet of raising. This at the time, had brought the mine to a total development footage of 546,292 feet of drifting and crosscutting, and 216,317 feet of raising. DIamond drilling consisting of eighty-one holes would end up totalling 9,008 feet in total length that was completed. Production at this time would also achieve an output 4,741,402 tonnes of ore which was taken out at a daily average of 18,307 tons. Employment that was done within the Frood-Stobie Mining operation had amounted to employing 2,588 personnel towards this copper-nickel mining operation.
Much normal mining operations would continue throughout the operating year of 1965, as expansions were once again being done at the Frood-Stobie Mine. It was during this time period when preparations were made towards the sinking of the No. 9 Shaft. The No. 9 Shaft was rather designed to be a vertical, three compartment shaft operation that was sunk to a depth of 43 feet below the surface. Preparations at this time were being made in order to use this new shaft for servicing the future mining operations at the Little Stobie Mine. This would also provide access to additional tonnage that could or would be produced from the Stobie Section of the Frood-Stobie Mine. Lateral development was also continued onward at this time which resulted in completing 25,536 feet of drifting and crosscutting, and 4,716 feet of raising that was done. Diamond drilling during this time period would also amount to 20 underground diamond drill holes, totalling 2,017 feet in length. The workings by this time would also have their own total development footage of 571,828 feet of drifting and crosscutting, and 221,033 feet of raising. Construction at this time was also followed through by erecting two new buildings that were used for the Frood Sewage Treatment Plant and the second one for the Stobie Sewage Treatment Plant. Production at this point in time would also amounted to shipping 6,020,460 tonnes of ore that was obtained at a daily average of 23,096 tonnes hoisted.
Development and further sinking of the shaft was rather progressing as the No. 9 Shaft had reached a depth of 1,100-feet below the surface in 1966. The vertical, three compartment shaft that was sunk at this time would additionally cut and station the 600- and 1,000-foot levels at depths of 578 and 977 feet below the collar. Further preparations were being made towards using this shaft to service future operations at the Little Stobie Mine Site. Other plans at this time were made in regards to taking out additional tonnage that would be produced from the Stobie Section of the Frood-Stobie Mine. Lateral development work at this point in time would additionally consist of 35,230 feet of drifting and crosscutting, and 6,094 feet of raising. This had brought the total development footage of the Frood-Stobie Mine to 607,058 feet of drifting and crosscutting, and 227,127 feet of raising. Diamond drilling had also continued at this time which resulted in completing 75 underground holes, totalling 7,196 feet in length. Upgrades would also be made as a considerable amount of new and replacement equipment that was similar to additions at Creighton Mine were installed underground and on surface at the Frood-Stobie Mine. Production during this time period of operating had amounted to shipping 4,964,399 tonnes of ore to the Copper Cliff Concentrator and Smelter. Most of this production was rather being achieved at a daily hoisting rate of 21,105 tonnes of ore that was taken out from the Frood-Stobie Mine. Ore which would be mined from the Little Stobie Mine would generally be crushed before falling into a 3,500 ton storage bin discharging the ore onto a 60-inch picking belt which feeds the nearly 1 mile long conveyor across to a 6,500 ton storage bin at the Frood-Stobie No. 9 Shaft.
Development and further expansions of the vertical, three-compartment No. 9 Shaft were additionally under way in 1967. Shaft sinking during this time period would result in establishing a depth of 2,679 feet below the surface. Lateral development at this point in time was mainly aimed at cutting and stationing the 1,400-foot, 1,800-foot, 2,200-foot, 2,400-foot, and the 2,600-foot levels. Each of these newly developed stations were additionally cut on the 1,376, 1,792, 2,193, 2,404, and 2,604-foot horizons of the No. 9 Shaft. Most of this development was aimed at servicing future operations at the Little Stobie Mine as well as additional tonnage that could be produced from the Stobie Section of the Frood-Stobie Mine Lateral development which was completed at this time would result in advancing this mine by completing 35,751 feet of drifting and crosscutting, and 10,130 feet of raising. This would additionally bring the total development footage at the Frood-Stobie Mine to 642,809 feet of drifting and crosscutting, and 237,257 feet of raising. A limited amount of diamond drilling was also done during 1967, which resulted in drilling 91 underground drill holes, totalling 9,003 feet in length. Upgrades at this time were ongoing as the mine was getting new replacement with suitable deep underground mining that was already in use at the Creighton Mine. From all production within that time period of operating, the Frood-Stobie Mine would onto shipping 5,230,803 tonnes of ore to Copper Cliff, at an average of 20,118 tonnes being hoisted daily.
The Frood-Stobie Mine project was becoming a fairly large mining operation that consisted of two separate ore-bodies, the Frood and the Stobie Sections. in 1968, the mine was further being expanded as the No. 9 Shaft would be sunk 95 feet to a depth of 2,774 feet below the collar. It was anticipated in using this shaft to facilitate mining operations at the Little Stobie Mine and to develop additional tonnage of ore in the future from the Stobie Section. Lateral development continued to be extensive when 51,554 feet of drifting and cross-cutting, and 12,001 feet of raising was completed. By completing this lateral development work it had brought the development footage of the mine to 694,363 feet of drifting and crosscutting, and 249,258 feet of raising. Ore production that was achieved had resulted in shipping out 6,806,431 tonnes of crushed ore to Copper Cliff. Some of the major surface construction that was done at this time had resulted in making extensions to the Change House, and Warehouse. This would also go on to include a hoist and compressor house extension, a prefabricated metal building, a substation at the No. 7 Shaft with tunnel and foundations of varying dimensions. Diamond drilling at this time would result in completing 89 underground drill holes, totalling 6,186 feet.
Normal operations were being carried out with some expanding being done besides for lost time due to a strike action from July 10 to November, 14, 1969. By this time the No. 9 Shaft was in full use as it was facilitating operations at the Little Stobie Mine and had additionally access tonnage that could be produced from the Stobie Section of the Frood-Stobie Mine. Development was rather becoming rapid at this time that resulted in advancing the workings by completing 40,608 feet of drifting and crosscutting, and 6,973 feet of raising. A minor amount of diamond drilling was done at this time when a total of 17 underground drill holes, totalling 6,434 feet were completed in total length. From all lateral development completed this would bring the Frood-Stobie Mine to have a total development footage of 734,971 feet of drifting, and crosscutting, and 256,231 feet of raising. The total production at this time had resulted in shipping out 4,947,765 tonnes of ore that was produced at the Frood-Stobie Mine Project.
No additional shaft sinking work was done within the Frood-Stobie Mine, and development had continued to progress on the Stobie Section of the ore-body in 1970. The mine at this time was becoming fairly large in size and had many branch networks of drifts and crosscuts that were made or advanced. Lateral development at this time would result in the completion of 53,885 feet of drifting and crosscutting, and 15,910 feet of raising. This would additionally bring the total development footage of the mine to 788,856 feet of drifting and crosscutting, and 272,141 feet of raising. Diamond drilling which had amounted to completing 113 drill holes, totalling 3,904 feet from underground at the time. Some of the major construction at this time was done towards the Supervision Office, ,mine ventilation structure, and renovations to a punch clock and lunch room area. The total production that was achieved and shipped from the Frood-Stobie Mine had amounted to 7,834,040 tonnes of ore that was taken to Copper Cliff.
In 2017, Vale had planned to shut its Frood-Stobie Mine operation down as it was approaching its mine life after being in operation for 100 years. Other problems were face with the much lower grade ore that was deemed not economical to mine at today's market prices in Copper-Nickel. Some other factors to this proposed shut down had included a decline in ore quality and the fact that miners were being prevented from working below the 3,000-foot level due to seismic activity. Plans at this time were aimed at bringing the Frood-Stobie mine under care and maintenance, which was aimed at starting this procedure immediately. This however did not mean that the mine would not re-open as it had contained a high-tonnage reserve of much lower grade ore that could be mined if Nickel prices were to go up. Another ore zone which is in close proximity to the Frood-Stobie Mine is the Junior Frood Prospect of much higher grade ore reaching depths of 4,835 feet.
Geology of the South Range Frood-Stobie Cu-Ni-PGE Sulphide Deposit
The Frood-Stobie Mine is rather apart of the south range deposits that includes massive inclusions of bearing sulphides that are overlain by contact sublayer quartz-diorite which contains 60% disseminated sulphide . These inclusions are rather exotic mafic and ultramafic rocks and footwall rocks. Generally, the sulphide content rather decreases upward in the quartz-diorite to about 20%. This large scale deposit is known for straddling the contact between the Sudbury Igneous Complex and the Footwall Rocks, which are supracrustal rocks of the Huronian Supergroup, and granite of the Murray Pluton. The Murray Pluton rather comes in connection with the Frood-Stobie Complex to the North-East of the property where the Little Stobie Mine is located. The surface of the gabbro-diorite rock is rather heavily gossan stained and contains diorite and schist in places.
Rocks of the South Range Deposits have largely been effect by a strong metamorphic overprint which established a low to medium pressure prograde event, that climaxed at medium grade immediately to the south of the Sudbury Igneous Complex. Its also the South Range Norite that is rather a medium to coarse grained, black rock consisting of cumulus plagioclase and hypersthene and inter cumulus quartz, augite, magnetite, and ilmenite. Primary hornblende mantels pyroxenes with some amphibole that is also metamorphic in origin are also present. This includes a rather faint igneous lamination that is rather defined by the orientation of Plagioclase crystals. The quartz rich norite is much finer grained than that of the South Range Norite, which contains up 20% quartz, and up to 25% biotite and exhibits no igneous lamination. The quartz-granophyre content is rather known to increase towards the lower contact.
The Contact that's between the South Range Norite, and the quartz gabbro of the Middle Zone is gradational with a decrease upwards in the content of hypersthene, and an increase in quartz, augite, magnetite, ilmenite, and apatite. Quartz and Granophyric intergrowth of feldspar and quartz rather increases upwards in the middle zone. The Granophyre of the South Range is rather deformed and altered, but where its slightly deformed it is very similar to the North Range Granophyre. The Frood-Stobie Mine is also apart of an offset dyke which is commonly referred as the Frood-Stobie Offset. Mineralization within the mine itself generally consists of pyrite, pyrrhotite, pentlandite, chalcopyrite, cubanite, silver, bismuth, galena, bornite, hessite, and schabachite. The main country rock on the surface is largely made up of diorite, gossan, iron, gabbro, schist, and quartz-diorite rock. Mineralization within the Sudbury area is widely associated with alterations in which have caused a few changes toward the precious metal content distribution in these large Copper-Nickel ore-orebodies.
Its also within the South Range Deposits that the basal member has been locally tectonically transposed or faulted in place within the Gray Member, in which it may appear to be much thicker. Fragments that are associated with the Basal Member include generally quartz arenite, with much lesser arkose, conglomerate, feldspar-sericite schist, and quartz. These distinct features can actually be observed within the swamp areas as the feldspar sericite schist dies out in these areas. Fault lines can also be notice in vicinity of the Frood-Stobie workings which probably either displaces the South Range Deposit or it becomes lower in grade.
Footwall Rocks that are generally in the South Range are rather Paleoproterozoic in age and consist of a thick sequence of mafic to felsic metavolacanic rock, coeval felsic to mafic subvolcanic intrusions, cyclic sequences of coarse to fine clastic metasedimentary rock, subsequently intruded by Nipissing Gabbro Intrusions . The metavolcanic and sedimentary rocks are widely apart of the Huronian Supergroup that dates between 2450 to 2300 Ma, and has been affected by the Penokean orogenic events including folding about east-northeast trending fold axes and by greenschist to amphibole grate metamorphism.
The South Range Breccia Belt is an arcuate, 45 km long zone of Sudbury Breccia in the South Range of the 1.85 Ga Sudbury Impact Structure. The belt generally is considered to vary in thickness between tens of meters to hundreds of meters which is composed of a polymictic assemblage of Huronian Supergroup, Nipissing Diabase, and Proterozoic Granitoid breccia fragments ranging in size from a few millimeters to tens of meters. The South Range Breccia Matrix is composed of a fine grained assemblage of biotite, quartz, and Ilmenite, with trace amounts of plagioclase, zircon, titanite, epidote, pyrite, chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite, and occasional chlorite. The Sudbury South Range Breccia Belt is rather considered to host the Frood-Stobie, Vermillion, and Kirkwood Quartz Diorite Offset Dykes, with the former being associated with one of the largest Ni-Cu-PGE sulphide deposits in the World.
The Elsie Mountain Formation rather outcrops across the map are from the Frood-Stobie Mine. This formation is about 1,000 m thick at its most widest point, along the Blezard-Garson Township line. Much of the base of this formation is rather considered to be quite intrusive contact with the norite of the Sudbury Igneous Complex except in the west where the Murray Granite intrudes it. Regionally, its also the upper contact with the Stobie Formation that's comfortable and gradational and is placed where metasedimentary rocks exceed 15% of the unit. Mafic metavolcanics are considered to comprise of 90% of the rock types that are found within the Elsie Mountain Formation. Majority of these rock types are also thick, with massive flows that occur with minor gabbro intrusion. Its also due to the high-grade metamorphism, that only major structures have survived such as pillows, pillow breccia, and hyaloclastite and amygdules. Rocks are generally considered to also be much darker green to black on fresh surface and are typically black on much weather surfaces. The Black colour is rather a stain resulting from smelting and refining operations and obscures which many of the diagnostic features are normally seen on outcrop surfaces at this metamorphic grade.
Its the much poorly reserve pillows, pillow breccias and hyaloclastite that are interbedded with massive, medium grained flows. Pillows that are seen in places, can be up to 40-cm long by 10 to 15-cm thick, occurring with a 4-5 meter thick horizon that's considered to represent bedding. Horizons of the pillows and pillow breccia-hyaloclastite are generally more strongly foliated than the massive flows. The top of this formation is rather characterized by quartz filled amygdaloidal flows, in which some of these flows have up to 85% amygdules and gas cavities
The Stobie Formation outcrops between the Frood-Stobie Mines Complex in Blezard Township and northwest of the towns of Garson, at a distance of 9,600 meters. Its also between the town of Garson and the eastern boundary with Falconbridge Township, that the formation is not exposed. The much thickest part within the general area is about 1,800 meters and it rather thins to the east. Reports made by Debicki had stated that a thickness of 1240 meters in Central Falconbridge Township had been observed, while thinning to the south. Other predict that the formation it self thickens to the west and comprises of interstratified mafic flows, tuffs, and intrusives, sulphide rich siltstone and wacke, quartz feldspar arenite and conglomerate. Most of the rock types that are found within the Stobie Formation included mafic and intermediate metavolcanic rocks. Most of the mafic metavolcanic rocks are predominately found as a narrow unit just beneath the Copper Cliff Formation in Garson Township and as isolated blocks in Blezard Township. Intermediate metavolcanic rocks are also found as isolated blocks within Blezard Township.
Frood-Stobie Mine Maps
Pictures of the Frood-Stobie Mine
Howland Open Pit - 1890 - Totten Copper-Nickel Mine - 1966 to 2018
General Information on the mine
Ownership: Vale
Mine or Prospect Status: Active Mine Site
Type of workings: Underground and Surface workings
Township Location: Drury Township
Closest City or Town: Sudbury, Ontario
Province and Country Ontario, Canada
Latitude: 46° 23' 2.32"
Longitude: 81° 26' 52.05"
District location: Sudbury District
Province: Southern
Subprovince: Sudbury Structure
Belt: Sudbury: Igneous Complex
Tectonic Assemblage: Worthington Offset
Formation type: Mafic Intrusive,
Chemical Compositions: Quartz- Diorite, Brecciated, gabbro, Argillite
Common names: Howland, Totten
Lot, Concession,
Deposit Status: Producing Mine
Primary Commodities: Copper-Nickel
Secondary Commodities: Gold, Cobalt, Platinum, Platinum Group Elements, Silver
Geological Events: Meteorite Impact Zone
Close Date: 1972
Re-Open Date: 2013
History of the Totten Copper-Nickel Mine
The Totten Copper-Nickel Mine was first discovered in 1885, by a prospector known as F. C. Crean who was the main discover of the Crean Hill Copper-Nickel Mine. It was in 1890, when the property had later received some attention when H. Totten had patent this property. A few hundred tonnes of samples were taken from this location in order to conduct experimental studies on ways to smelt the Sudbury Ore. No work at the time was done on this property till it was purchase by the Canadian Nickel Company somewhere in the early part of the 1900's.
Another portion of the property was also being place under exploration and development by A. D. Carmichael in 1915. The mine would once again become renamed as it was now being referred as the Howland Open Pit project. Most of this property was also leased to Mr. Carmichael by the Canadian Nickel Company who had a large land package with several claims in the Sudbury area. Production from the open pit had amounted to 375 tonnes of nickel ore that was taken from this location and shipped to the Coniston Smelter. Ore that was taken had been developed from an open cut that was reaching a total depth of 35 feet. It was at this time when a small head-frame and a boiler along with a hoist had became added to this property for the purpose of extracting the rich nickel content. This was commonly referred as the Howland Pit Operation and was officially closed down by 1917.
Mining operation at the Howland Open Pit had commenced from August, 1915 to April, 1916. Mining which was done on the property would end up producing 800 tonnes of nickel ore that became shipped of to the Coniston Smelter. Ore which was taken from this project was reported to have ran between 6 1/2 to 7 % Nickel and copper combined. From all the material mined it was reported that about 75% of this was picked out as rock that was taken from an open pit which at the time was 23 feet deep, 25 feet wide, and 40 feet long. All mining operations had cease shortly after due to financial reason in placing this site under development.
INCO had taken charge of this property in 1958, which resulted in an extensive exploration program that was officially completed by 1963. It was in 1964, when this had warranted for the development of the Totten Mine Zone that was contracted out. Development was undertaken by MacIsaac Mining and Tunneling Company, under contract, which resulted in sinking a vertical, three compartment shaft to a depth of 43 feet below the collar. Most of the work at the time was also taken in charge of J. McCreedy who was the manager of mines for INCO. The Totten Mine location is rather situated in Drury Township and is apart of the Sudbury Breccia Dikes.
It was by 1965, when the Vertical, Three Compartment, Shaft had reached a total depth of 824 feet below the collar. Development at the time progressed in cutting and stationing a level on the mines 428 and 659-foot levels. With the mine continuing to expand, INCO had decided to also sink another shaft known as the Vertical, three-compartment No. 2 Shaft operations. With this taking place the newly developed No. 2 Shaft was now reaching a total depth of 42 feet below the collar. Lateral development at the time had also amounted to 2,592 feet of drifting and crosscutting, and 1,276 feet of raising was done on the two levels by the years end. Diamond drilling was also undertaken that resulted in completing 32 underground diamond drill holes, totalling a length of 8,124 feet.
Shaft sinking was in progress during the operating year of 1966, which resulted in sinking the No. 2 Shaft to a depth of 1,383 feet below the collar. Levels were stationed and cut at depths of 252, 448, 651, 847,1,050, and 1,253 feet. Each of these levels were also referred as the 250, 450, 650, 850, 1,050 and 1,250-foot levels of the Totten No. 2 Shaft. Lateral development within the No. 2 Shaft had amounted to 3,870 feet of drifting and crosscutting, and 2,208 feet of raising. Underground diamond drilling had comprised of 23 holes, totalling a length of 25,568 feet at the time. From all production the mine would end up hoisting a total of 242,199 tonnes of ore that was shipped at a daily average of 850 tonnes per day. Major construction was also followed at this time that resulted in constructing a 130-foot head-frame, a collar house, and a 19.5 foot high steel ore-bin. Some of the equipment that also became installed at this time would include three compressors, three horizontal air receivers, three after cooler assemblies, one resistor, one mine transit, and one 750 Kva transformer.of 44,000/550 volts.
In 1967, Shaft Sinking was also continued within the No. 1 Shaft that would end up reaching a total depth of 1,057 feet below the collar. A level at the time was also station and cut on the mines 911 feet, which was commonly referred as the 900-foot level. Shaft sinking was also continued at the No. 2 Shaft that would end up reaching a total depth of 1,987 feet below the surface as it bottomed out. Far more levels were shortly after station and cut at depths of 1,464, 1,653, and 1,849-foot horizons. These levels were commonly referred as the 1,450, 1,650, and 1,850-foot levels Lateral development at this time would end up amounting to 6,194 feet of drifting and crosscutting, and 2,298 feet of raising. In total development footage the Totten Mine Projects had comprised of 12,659 feet of drifts and crosscuts, and 4,504 feet of raising that was completed. Diamond drilling was also done from underground that resulted in completing 19 holes, totalling 5,350 feet in length. Hositing and production from the Totten Mine underground workings had amounted to 217,813 tonnes of ore, in which 217,919 was shipped for processing. Some of the major construction that was done had also included a hoist and compressor building within the operating year of 1967. Some of the main components which were installed at this time included one 1,000 H.P. motor, five transformers, one battery and battery chargers, one heater, two scooptrams, thirdty mine cars, three skip over cage combinations, , one crane, nine hoists, one locomotive, four controllers, three pumps, one welder, four breakers, six fans, one ore car dumper, one tank, and one Jaw crusher.
No changes were made towards the Vertical, Three-Compartment Shaft operation in 1968, as it had bottom out at a depth of 1,057 feet. Lateral development at this time had also amounted to 10,846 feet of drifting and crosscutting, and 5,188 feet of raising. This at the time had given the mine a total development footage of 23,505 feet of drifting and crosscutting, and 9,694 feet of raising. Underground diamond drilling resulted in 88 holes, totalling 52, 267 feet and 37 surface holes, totalling 14,567 feet in total length. Hoist would also amount to a total of 351,564 tonnes of ore, in which 350,398 tonnes was shipped at a daily rate of 1,121 tonnes. Major construction at the time had also resulted in completing an office and change house, a warehouse and shops building and a fresh air fan-house some more equipment had also became added which included one boiler, two heaters, seven 1,500 KVA transformers, six hoists, two drills, one locomotive, two scooptram, one machine for radial drilling, one machine for pipe threading and cutting, one drill, one collector, two cars, two pumps, two fans, one reducer, and one saw.
It was in 1969, when Shaft Sinking was continued within the No. 2 Vertical, Three-Compratment Shaft that was sunk a further 347 feet to a depth of 2,334 feet. Another level at the time was also establish at a depth of 2,101 feet, which was referred as the 2,100-foot level. No additional changes were made to the No. 1 Shaft as it had still bottom out a depth of 1,056 feet below the surface. Lateral development at the time was concentrated within the No. 2 Shaft as 1,629 feet of drifting and crosscutting, and 312 feet of raising was done. This at the time had given the mine a total development footage of 25,314 feet of drifting and crosscutting, and 10,006 feet of raising. Underground diamond drilling had also amounted to nine holes, totalling 10,382 feet, and five surface holes, totalling 902 feet in length. A total of 143,208 tonnes of ore was also hoisted from the underground workings in which 143,484 tonnes was shipped at an average rate of 737 tonnes per day.
Deepening of the No. 2 Shaft was also continued in 1970, which resulted in sinking it another 1,679 feet to a depth of 4,013 feet below the surface. New stations were also cut on the mines 2,451, 2,801, 3,151, 3,501, 3,837, 3,914, and 4,005-foot horizons. Each of these levels were also determined as the 2,450, 2,800, 3,150, 3,500, 3,850, 3,900, and 4,000-foot levels. Lateral development that was completed within the No. 2 Shaft had resulted in995 feet of drifting and crosscutting, and 14 feet of raising. This at the time, had also given the mine a total development footage of 26,129 feet of drifts and crosscuts, and 10,020 feet of raises. A total of four diamond drill holes, totalling 2,350 feet were completed from underground and another 35 holes, totalling 24,264 feet were completed from the surface. Production from the mine was rather slow going which resulted in hoisting 14,995 tonnes of ore, in which 15,551 tonnes was shipped to the Clarabelle Mill.
In 1971, INCO had decided to close several of its mining operations that included the Totten Copper-Nickel Mine. Most of this closure had came when the company needed to focus on some of its bigger mining operations that required employees to make this happen. Almost all of INCO's mines were officially ceased besides the bigger operations which were kept running at the time and nearly a lot of capital was lost in developing these mine sites. INCO at the time could also not achieve development and production standards at its newly developed mining operations due to the amount of employees need for this task. However, the mine was place on care and maintenance till it was allowed to fully flood with water by 1976.
Vale had over taken INCO's properties that resulted in developing a new mining project in over 40 years within the Sudbury Mining Camp. Some of the main challenges in developing the new shaft were aimed a demolishing the old infrastructure and rebuilding a new shaft over the existing collar in 2007. The company had also contracted AMEC's Vancouver Office to build water treatment plant in order to pump out 105 million gallons of water from the existing shaft on the property. As pumping would start, the water treatment facility was aimed at treating the water in order to be used within the underground mining operations. Development had also resulted in designing and constructing a new 16.5-foot double drum Davey- Markham Hoist, that has a capacity to lift 3,900 tonnes per 10.5 hour shift. One of the drums would also have a 17-tonne skip, while the other one was designed to have a 15-tonne skip with an underslug cage.
Cementation Canada was also responsible for rehabilitating the shaft and to sink two fresh air raise from the surface. An 18-foot diameter raise was designed and constructed for this purpose that connect with the 1,850-foot level from the surface. It was also establish as one of the largest diameter raises to have been built within the Sudbury Mining Camp at the time. This would also result in sinking an eight-foot diameter raise from the 1,250-foot level to a depth of 2,170 feet, which is the longest borehole raise in the company's history. Borehole Raises were also conducted by the use of self-steering MICON Rotary Vertical Drilling that minimized deviation in very long drill holes. Some of the challenges in doing this borehole drilling was aimed at having the drill at vertical angles without breaking the thread which can snap pretty easily. In some cases, this type of borehole drilling can cost in excess of over $1 million to complete the work in designing this type of raise.
Most of the shaft rehabilitation work and loading pocket construction was also completed by October, 2009. Lateral development work on the Totten Copper-Nickel Mine had also commence prior to this completion that was also achieved by Cementation Canada. A schedule was also planned in order to complete 36,000 feet of lateral development work on the mine by May, 2011. One of the mine supplier known as ABB had also provided a mine wide standardized power and automation solution, which included a 69Kv surface substation, switch gear, and PLC system. So many new technologies were also adapted to the Totten Copper-Nickel Mine that included a ventilation on-demand, a rail-veyor material handling system, and a cutting edge through the earth voice, and data communication system.
The Totten Mine site is strongly known to be designed by using some of the latest technology developed and is currently owned by Vale. Some of the technology used in developing this mine had included Miner Operated Survey System and Wall Bar System for surveying the underground workings. In order to place this mine into development and eventually production, Vale face even more challenges when it came to dewartering the shaft, demolition, and constructing new structures. The total cost in getting the mine opened costed nearly $759 million in order to complete this project by 2014. It was expected that the total cost in bringing this project to production levels in 2011, would amount to over $300 million. Other problems that Vale face when trying to set an open date for 2011, was the economical crisis of 2008 and 2009. It was also the first mining operation to have re-opened and place under development within 40 years since the closure of the last mining operations in 1972. A wireless information system was also used in order to obtain the real-time geological information at the mine site. Some more challenges were also caused through geotechnical issues with some of the ventilation raises that were put up for providing way in eliminating dust conditions from the underground workings. Cementation Canada was among one of the most important contractors at the time which resulted in rehabilitating the existing shaft, building a new head-frame and hoist house, developing a new shaft, and sinking two fresh air raises. Production standards for the mine were also expected to be able to produce nearly 2,200 tonnes of copper-nickel ore from the workings. A distributed control system also known as DCS for short form, was used in order to connect all the fixed equipment such as head-frame, hoist, crusher, and forms a single unit. The design of this useful system had also provided better tracking of the operation and provided better maintained towards equipment repairs if needed. Computers are also place on surface which are connected with the control room in order to provide monitoring of the underground mining operations. A microseismic system is also capable of providing warning signals of any seismic events within the underground workings and conveys the information to the control room. Ore Reserves within the Totten Mine were also first concluded at containing 7.89 million tonnes of ore grading 2.07% Cu, 1.47% Ni, and 0.04% Co.
Vale had opened the Totten Mine in 2014, which resulted in mining the ore-body by the use of blast hole stoping. This is mainly adapted on the basis of the ore-body which typically is known to be vertically and horizontally dipping. Much of the mine is also commonly accessed by the use of drifts, ramps, and comprises of two different mining fronts, one at 3,150 and another at 3,850-foot level. Its also known to undergo a hydraulic fill that's transmitted via two six-inch boreholes to the 1,250-foot level first, across a 300-foot span, and finally to 3,625-foot level. Ore from the mine is commonly known to also be hoisted by the service shaft and two additional conveyance. Some of the mining machinery which is used within the underground workings is known to include Redbore 40-raise drills, two fully automatic Atlas Copco Simba Drills, and Caterpillar Machines for load-haul and dump activities. Major work was also undertaken in order to place this mine into production that had included dewatering the existing shaft, shaft rehabilitation, installation of equipment, and installing the back fill plant. Vale is also ongoing commitment within the Sudbury Mining Camp as it had provide a $200 million challenging ore recovery project at the Clarabelle Mill and its $1 billion clean air project that has also gone under some delays, but was finish in 2018. Safety had also been a priority in establishing the Totten Mine as over 1 million hours of no injury time was accomplish by the state of the are mine safety plan.
Geology of the Totten Copper-Nickel Mine
Mineralization: Pyrrhotite, pendlandite, Chalcopyrite, Gersdorffite, Niccolite, pyrite, millerite
Structural Geology:
Sudbury Breccias are know to occur peripheral to the Sudbury Igneous Complex within rocks of the Southern and Superior Provinces, and up to a distance of about 50 m from the Sudbury Igneous Complex. It was also previously referred as the Sudbury Ore Breccia, in which the rocks have been studied extensively from 1942 to 2018. For the most part, Sudbury Breccia Bodies are known to also occur within the footwall rocks that prentrade the Sudbury Event, and are known to be most abundant in zones of nearly 5 to 10 km wide at the contact of the Sudbury Igneous Complex. Field mapping has also defined the presence of 2 or more discontinuous zones of increased brecciation of about 20 to 25 km, and 80 km, from the Sudbury Igneous Complex. These foremost breccias are commonly considered to form irregularly and tubular bodies that range from a few milometers thick to breccia zones which are 0.5 to 11 km in size. These foremost breccias are also known to be exposed in rocks of the Huronian Supergroup south of the complex. Its also north of the complex where the breccias are also known to be less plentiful and have breccia bodies of 100 to 200 m by 30 to 50 m in areal extent. Most of the breccia dikes are known to also dip vertically or sometimes steeply and have no obvious preferred orientations with respect to the present shape of the Sudbury Structure. Sudbury Breccia Dikes are commonly known to cut other breccia dikes which have also been observed in the Sudbury Mining Camp.
The offset dikes of the sublayers are known to extend from the Sudbury Igneous Complex and are within the country rocks. Several dikes in the Sudbury Mining District are known to also have become injected into pre-existing dikes, just like the bodies of Sudbury Breccia. These consist of quartz-diorite which is the dominant rock type within the Sudbury Mining Camp and correlates with the Sudbury Contact Sublayers, which is formed through inclusion and sulphide mineralization. These offset dikes are known to subdivided the quartz-diorite offsets in three types, which the first of these types are radial offsets that extend from the embayment of Contact Sublayer, and extend to the surrounding footwall rocks. Some of these are known to be related to Copper Cliff, Whistle, Foy, Ministic, and Worthington offsets which are apart of the AER-KIdd Mine Property.
The second of these are known as Concentric DIkes that are typically associated with Frood-Stobie and Manchester Offsets, which strike parallel to the contact of the Sudbury Igneous Complex. A third dike known as Continous Dikes, are the third type of offsets, which are found in MacLennan and Creighton Townships. There is also three different types of quartz-diorite that occur within these dikes and are known to included the following:
The Hypersthene Quartz Diorite which is decomposed to a medium to coarse grained, and consists of acicular hypersthene, plagioclase laths, with intersitional quartz, potassium, feldspar, and granophyric intergrowth of feldspar, and quartz. Biotite, apatite, titanite, ilmenite, and leucoxene are known as accessory minerals, while hypersthene commonly has hornblende rims.
The two pyroxene quartz-diorite is much finer grained than the hypersthene quartz-diorite, and contains blocky clinopyroxene in addition to hypersthene.
The third kind is amthibolite-biotite quartz-diorite which is characturized by amphibole and biotite pseudomorphs after pyroxene. that suggests that it is an alteration product of the two other quartz-diorite types. The most common type of quartz-diorite is known to commonly also be the third type and also the principal one in radial dikes.
All three of these quartz-diorite are known to also contain inclusions which maybe similar to those within the Contact of the sublayer. There also several different phase of sublayers that are found within the Sudbury Mining Camp which have also been observed. In some cases, inclusion of footwall breccias and norite that derived from the main mass of the Sudbury Igneous Complex are also present in places across the area. Some footwall breccia are commonly known for filling the Foy Offset from margin to margin. Geochemistry is known to commonly contribute to the formation of deposits and land formations that are made up through a chemical process. Geology also plays an important roll in fully understanding these concepts that take place a chemical processes within the earth's atmosphere. Different chemical processes can also be correlated to the making of ore-deposits as scientifically and chemical base theories.
Norite commonly is known for overlying the footwall breccia body at the bottom of the Sudbury Igneous Complex, Gabbro, and granophyrete magmatic body. A clastic magmatic event known as granitic plutonium had rather effected the south of the Sudbury Basin at one point in time. This would have happen at around +1450 Ma, when the Sudbury Basin would have potentially underwent a south-east to north-west ductile thrust faulting, which resulted in the formation of the South Range Shear Zone. The Worthington Offset Dike commonly intrudes middle pre-Cambrian pelitic metasediments of the Huronian McKim Formation and post Huronian Metagabbraric rocks.
MacDonald Mine 1891-1892 - Denison Nickel Mine 1928-1939 - AER Nickel Mine -1955-1957- Kidd Copper Mine 1966 to 1969 - AER-KIDD Mines - 2004-2018
General Information on the AER-KIDD Copper Nickel Mine
Ownership: Sudbury Platinum and Transition Metals
Mine or Prospect Status: Abandoned Mine under Exploration
Township Location: Denison Township
Latitude: 46° 23' 51.34"
Subprovince: Huronian Supergroup
Belt: Sudbury Igneous Complex
Chemical Compositions: Quartz- Diorite, Brecciated, Norite, Metapelite
Production: 361,725 tonnes of ore milled.
Common names: MacDonald Open Pit, AER Mine, Robinson Mine, Kidd Copper
Lot, Concession, Lot. 12, Concession 3, Sudbury District
Re-Open Date: 1956-1958-1966-1969
Total Diamond Drilling: 87,870.69 feet in length
Geological Age: Paleoproterozoic
History and Exploration
Daniel O'Connor was commonly known as a prospector who had gained his interests in politics and became Sudbury's second mayor in 1894. Before this had happened he discovered a rich mineralization containing copper-nickel and PGE on what would become the AER-Kidd Nickel Project in 1891. It was also at this time when test pits were sunk on the ground before he had obtained a grant on the May, 1st, 1891. Most of the work was concentrated on an outcrop of ore that was discovered on the southeast part of Lot. 12, Concession, 3 of Denison Township. This development work had nearly costed between $500 to $600 to complete, and was situated 1 1/2 miles from Worthington Station, and three-quarters of a mile from the railway track. A vein was shortly opened on this section that would show 2-inches of ore at the surface, which would widen to two feet at a depth of four feet. From this development the project was also known to have found a new mineral in Canada, that became known as Gersdorffite, and had assayed 55% Nickel. Sampling at the time was on going which resulted in getting 20 European Samples analysed that gave off an average of 29.77% Ni, ranging from 19.59 to 40.97% Ni per ton. Test pits which were sunk on this vein would end up tracing it for a distance of 100 feet. The picture on the side shows an image of Dan O'Connor who was the second mayor of Sudbury, and the main developer of Temagami in 1898.
As the mine progress it was at this time when a name was officially made as it was called the MacDonald Nickel Property in 1892. Work had also been limited during this time period as a small pit was becoming developed and ore was being sent off to the smelters that were now in operation. Most of the mining was also done with a workforce of 12 men who became employed at this time period of operating the mine. It was by 1893, when the mine came to a close as the Nickel Markets had taken a tremendous down fall which resulted in the closure of several smaller nickel properties. The open-pit that was referred as the Howland Pit was actually apart of the Totten Mine and this pit was referred as the MacDonald Pit.
Denison Copper Mine, Limited. would end up taking over this property in 1928, which resulted in completing 12 diamond drill holes on the property. Results from this diamond drilling program had returned encouraging values to warrant further exploration on this site. Another change was made towards this property when a new name for this prospect was added and had now been referred as the AER Zone. A total of one mining zone had now been explored and the work was mainly commence on the AER Zone. Better results were taken on the new AER Zone, that resulted in extensive exploratory work at uncovering another zone known as the AER.. These were two zones that were being worked on Lot. 12, in the 3rd concession of Denison Township, Sudbury District, Ontario, Canada.
Further exploratory work was also being conducted throughout 1929 to 1935, when a decision was made to develop this property. Denison Copper Mine had also conducted further exploratory work that resulted in good ore grades. The company would additionally re-incorporate it self as the Denison Nickel Mines, Limited as it was about to work the Robinson and AER Zones. With this incorporation had came a total capitalization of 3,500,000 shares at $1 par value. Much of the new company was also place under direction of J. R. Rea as president, J. H. Greenberg as vice president, M. Campbell as Secretary Treasurer, H. L. Sheppard and L. B. Sheppard as directors. A company office at the time was also station at 217 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Operations at the Robinson-AER Zones was first commenced in January, 1937, which resulted in sinking a three compartment, vertical shaft, to a depth of 522 feet. Lateral development consisted of stationing and cutting levels on the mines 200, 350, and 500-foot horizons. Even extensive opening were made on each level that resulted in 468 feet of drifting, and 637 feet of crosscutting on the 200-foot level. Minor development was also progressing on the 350-foot level which resulted in 50 feet of drifting and 106 feet of crosscutting. The last level at 500-feet was also opened up by 348 feet of drifting, and 397 feet of crosscutting. Diamond drilling on the property was also carried out that resulted in completing 288 feet in two holes. Construction was also ongoing at the time which would end up constructing a plant to operate this project efficiently.
The mining plant which was built in 1937, had consisted of several machinery components to provide the much need power source of steam power. Some of these things that became added had consisted to the power plant consisted of a 437 cubic-foot Gardner-Denver Compressor driven by a 128- H.P. Caterpillar Diesel Engine, a 7 by 10-inch single drum steam hoist, a 24 H.P. Boiler, and a 27 H.P. Boiler. Some of the building which were erected at this time had included hoist compressor building, office, change house, and blacksmith shop. A total of 28 men were employed within the mine under the direction of W. Harmon and Carl. R. Bochm.
Mining operation were continued onward throughout 1938, which resulted in developing the much needed plant. Most of the work on this plant was started from January, 1st, to April, 16, and from July, 15th, to December, 24th, 1938. Even more construction was followed during 1938, that had consisted of erecting a power-house, and a power magazine. Power was also establish at this time when a transmission line was extended 6 3/4 miles, and was built to connect with the hydroelectrical plant at High-Falls.
In 1938, shaft development was also progressing when the No, 1 Shaft was sunk a further 358 feet, and had reached a depth of 880 feet below the surface. Openings were also made on the newly constructed levels that were cut and stationed on the 650, and 800-foot horizons. Lateral development was also confined to opening up the 650-foot level by 76 feet of drifting, and the 800-foot level 92 feet of drifting. Even further development had progress when the 350-foot level was extend by 351 feet of drifting, and 105 feet of crosscutting in total lateral complete. Lateral development was also confined to the 500-foot level that resulted in a total development footage of 725 feet of drifting and 397 feet of crosscutting. Diamond drilling had also commence at this time which resulted in completing 2 surface holes, totalling 328 feet, and 30 underground drill holes, totalling 2,446 feet in length.
With the new upgrades made a plant was also re-developed that resulted in installing the much needed machinery once again. This at the time had included a new 1,050 cubic-foot air compressor, that was directly connected to a 200 H.P. Canadian Westinghouse Motor, a 42 by 30-inch, double drum, Canadian Ingersoll Rand PE-1 electric hoist, driven by a 100-H.P. Canadian Westinghouse Motor. Employment within the mine had rather decreased at this time as their were 20 men employed by Carl. R. in 1938.
Other plans at the time were being made by Denison Nickel Mines, Limited, when it had decided to continue mining operations from March to August, 1939. The results of this had end up ceasing mining operations as the company was working on further exploring uranium occurrences in what became the Elliot Lake area. It was a new area that was progressing steadly as a copper-uranium area that was considered very economical. Denison Nickel Mines, had later became Denison Uranium Mines, Limited. The new discovery had also attracted a lot of attention to this area as it was just becoming explored. An investor by the name of Roman would later take the opportunity to develop this economical mine site by forming what would become Rio Algom Uranium Mines, Limited. At first these uranium occurrences were only grade 0.15% U3O8 per ton but as deeper drilling was commenced this gave of nearly over 2.00 pounds of uranium per ton after processing.
Nevertheless, the Vertical, three-compartment shaft was continued onward as it would reach a depth of 972 feet below the surface. With this came a new level that was shortly after cut and stationed on the mines 950-foot level. An opening at this time was started which resulted in completing 106 feet of drifting and crosscutting during this time period. A total of 4 underground holes, totalling a length of 437 feet were also completed before the mine was place for Acquistion and optioning. Only 8 men at this time were also employed within the Robinson Mine project under the direction of Carl. R.
During 1955, the AER Nickel Corporation, Limited. was formed under a joint venture merge that was made between Pacoloud Mines, Limited, and the Arcadia Nickel Corporation, Limited. The assests of Pacolound Mines would also increase from this merge as the capitalization had went up from 3,000,000 shares to 5,000,000 shares. Stocks at the time were also distributed as it was known that this company had issued 4,000,015 shares. The AER Nickel Corporation was also under the direction of A. E. Rosen as president, Andrew Robertson as Vice President, J. M. Anderson as Secretary Treasurer, W. L. Hogarth, Jr. assistant secretary treasurer, V. H. Smith, J. D. Smith, and A. B. Shore as directors. A purchase deal at the time was also officialised by Arcadian Nickel Corporation, Limited, and Denison Nickel Mines, Limited.
Exploratory work in 1955, resulted in finding new zones that were adjacent to the AER Zone that became known as the Robinson and Rosen Zones. These foremost zones were rather known to have been named after the companies president and vice president of the AER Nickel Corporation, Limited. Most of the work was confined to sinking the No. 2 Shaft on these newly discovered zones that were adjacent to the AER Zone. Sinking of the new shaft was mainly done on what was known as the MacDonald Zone that was discovered in 1891. The new No. 2, Vertical, three-compartment shaft was only sunk to 47 feet, as the company progressed towards dewatering the No. 1 Shaft to a depth of 972 in 1956. Lateral development was then commenced on this section of the mining project as samples were collected from the workings. Extensive development on the workings had progressed towards further developing the 350, 500, 650, 800, and 950-foot levels of the No. 1 Shaft. Lateral development at the time continued to expand the 350-foot level by 1,815 feet of drifting, 226 feet of crosscutting, and 197 feet of raising. It was also at this time when the 650-foot level was continued for a total development footage of 1,436 feet of drifting, 60 feet of crosscutting, and 169 feet of raising. As development progressed the 800-foot level was also extend to a total development footage of 401 feet of drifting, 155 feet of crosscutting, and 62 feet of raising. The last level which was opened up at this time had consisted of 123 feet of drifting, and 112 feet of crosscutting. Further diamond drilling was done that consisted of 71 underground holes, totalling, 9,425 feet, and 63 surface drill holes, totalling 29,389 feet in length. Ore that was hoisted from the underground workings had amounted to 4,363 tonnes of nickel ore that was taken. Development at the time had also progress when a new head-frame and rock bin, hoist-house, combination dry-house, and machine shop, blacksmith shop, warehouse addition, office, assay office, three bunk-houses, cook-house, six 6-room houses, and a 10-room house was completed. Employment at the time had consisted of 48 men that were employed under the direction of J. H. Douglas as the mine manager. Other work was confined to developing an exploration adit that would be driven 66 feet by a crosscut section, and 55 feet of raising was done in order to conduct sampling.
Development in 1957. was continued on sinking the No. 2 Vertical, Three-Compartment Shaft on the Robinson and Rosen Zones. Shaft sinking was extensively continued onward as the No. 2 Shaft would reach a total depth of 1,078 feet below the surface. Station cutting was also done on the 200, 350, 500, 650, 800, and 950-foot horizons. At the same time it was lateral development that would end up making connections between the No. 1 and No. 2 Shaft Operations at the AER Nickel Mine Site. Lateral development at the time was concentrated on further progressing with the main connections between the two shaft operations. Almost all levels at this time had received further development that was undertaken in order to complete this major expansion. The 200-foot level at the time had a total development footage of 804 feet of drifting, 455 feet of crosscutting, and 427 feet of raising. Development at this time had also continued onward by contributing a total development footage of 2,463 feet of drifting, 281 feet of crosscutting, and 560 feet of raising on the 350-foot level. This was also followed by completing a total development footage of 988 feet of drifting, 369 feet of crosscutting, and 519 feet of raising on the 500-foot level. As development progress the 650-foot level would end up having a total development footage of 2,250 feet of drifting, 234 feet of crosscutting, and 843 feet of raising done. Expansions were also undertaken on the 800-foot level that amounted to a total development footage of 548 feet of drifting, 167 feet of crosscutting, and 385 feet of raising The last level to be worked at the time was the 950-foot level that consisted of a total development footage of 1,824 feet of drifting, 444 feet of crosscutting, and 513 feet of raising. A diamond drilling compaign was also undertaken that consisted of 104 underground holes, totalling 13,937 feet in length. Construction at the time had also progressed onward as a 100-foot timber headframe was place at the No. 2 Shaft, and a hoist room, crusher house, concentrator building, two warehouses, and a 75,000 gallon steel water tank was added.
It was at this time when the complete mill building from the Mindamer Metals Corporation's property in Nova Scotia was bought and had been nearly all installed the AER Property. Mining operations at the time were also suspended on November, 1957, and the equipment bought had consisted of two dryers, a 4- by 20-foot cone crusher, and two 5 by 12-foot screen compressor that were the Canadian Ingersoll Rand type, and a Jaw Crusher was added. From all production the mine site had produce a total of 30,609 tonnes of nickel ore that was stockpiled at the time. Employment at the time would also amount to 76 men who were employed under the direction of J. H. Douglas.
In 1964, Kidd Copper Mines, Limited was officially incorporated and in 1966, had a total capitalization of nearly 10,000,000 shares of $1 par value, in which 2,100,009 shares were issued. The company was also under the direction of J.P. Sheridan as president and director, C. S. Espeler, M. Juby, and J. Bruce as directors, and B. M. Young as the secretary Treasurer. Mining operations at the newly formed Kidd Copper Mine had progressed from September, to December, 1966, and was leased to the company by the Arcadia Nickel Corporation, Limited. It was at this time when the No. 1 Shaft was dewatered to a depth of 972 feet, and milling was undertaken from November, to December, 31, 1966. Lateral development at the time had consisted of 32 feet of drifting, 52 feet of crosscutting, and 45 feet of raising. This at the time had also given the mine a total development footage of 8,939 feet of drifting, 2,071 feet of crosscutting, and 3,446 feet of raising. Diamond drilling that was done had resulted in completing 43 underground holes, totalling 4,437 feet in length. It wads also at this time when equipment was brought in which included a hoist, jaw crusher, a secondary cone crusher, a short head- crusher, a rod mill, two ball mills, classifiers, flotation cells, a disk filter, a standby compressor, 10 conveyors of various sizes, and ore-bins. Production that was taken from the mine had amounted to hoisting 11,732 tonnes of ore, in which 11,047 tonnes was milled at a daily average of 828 tonnes of ore per day. Employment within the mining operation resulted in 40 employees that were under the management of W. Griffin.
Development in 1967, was progressing towards establishing the 200, 500, and 800-foot levels at depths of 197, 498, and 798 feet below the surface of the No. 2 Shaft. Lateral development which became completed at the time had amounted to 251 feet of drifting, 358 feet of crosscutting, and 517 feet of raising. This at the time had given the mine a total development footage of 9,190 feet of drifting, 2,429 feet of crosscutting, and 3,861 feet of raising. Underground diamond drilling totalling 41 holes, had comprised of a total length of 10,161 feet during the operating year of 1967. Surface drilling at the time was done in between the AER-KIDD and Totten Mine projects that amounted to 10 surface holes, totalling 451 feet in length. Production which was achieved during that year had amounted to far more nickel bearing ore than previous years as 218,547 tonnes was hoisted, and 350,678 tonnes was milled at a daily average of 687 tonnes. Employment within the mine had also rapidly increased to 121 men which were under the direction of W. Griffin within 1967.
Mining operations in 1968, would progress from January, 1st to December, 21, 1968, before the mine was closed down. Milling was also done from January, 1st to December, 21, as a decision was made to completely close the AER_KIDD Project. Explorations however, were still continued onward as the AER_KIDD Project was becoming re-evaluated, and the concentrator was being contract to process the ore from another mining operation. Development at the time was also confined to expanding the 950-foot level when 2,606 feet of drifting, 118 feet of crosscutting, and 217 feet of raising was done. A minor amount of raising was also done on the 800-foot level that would amount to 138 feet, and the 200-foot level had also been place in production when 224 feet of raising was completed.
in 2004, Crownflight Minerals had control nearly 2km of Worthington Offset Dike, which had a land position covering 280 ha. It had also included the AER-KIDD Property and the first diamond hole drilled had intersected sulphide mineralization on the Worthington Offset Dike. The whole was additionally drilled between the AER-KIDD and Totten Boundary Lines, which was aimed at targeting previous known mineralization in the 1960's. The bore-hole that was done had intersected the Worthington Offset Dike and 40 m of mineralized quartz-diorite. Almost all the mineralization that was intersected had mainly occurred within the quartz-diorite zone, which is a massive lens of rich Nickel-Sulphide that's surrounded by copper rich stringers within a wider sulphide zone. Much of the program had consisted of a 13,000 m diamond drilling program, geophysical survey, and geological mapping. Geological mapping on that was done had also revealed heavy chalcopyrite that was adjacent to INCO's Totten Property. The best intersections from this exploration program returned values of 1.46% Ni, 0.56% Cu, and 1.30 G/T PGE over 8.8 m in IQD
In 2014, Sudbury Platinum had completed a $2,000,000 private placement deal on further commencing drilling on their 100% owned AER-KIDD Property. Target programing and planning was aimed at completing 4,500 m diamond drilling program in order to test high-conductance Electromagnetic targets that are located within the AER-KIDD Property. These targets were aimed at defining the ore-body below the 700m and 1,200 m depth at the AER-KIDD Property. Other plans which were done between Sudbury Platinum and Transistion Metals were aimed at hole cleaning and resurveying of three historic bore-holes in order to evaluate the down plundge of the Past Producing Rosen and Robinson Mine Zones.
Sudbury Platinum and Transition Metals Corp had continued to conduct explorations on the AER-KIDD Mine Site in 2015. DIamond drilling was rather ongoing by the two companies that resulted in discovering sulfide base mineralization. It was hole AK-14-1A that intersected 8.1 meters containing results of 1.04% Ni, 0.75% Cu, 0.69 G/T Pt, 1.52 G/T Pd. 0.19 G/T Au, 3.81 G/T Ag and 2.40 G/T PGE. These intersections were made at a depth ranging between 900.8 m to 908.9 m, which included higher grade sections of 2.47% Ni, 2.47% Cu, and 10.18 G/T PGE. Another hole known as AK-14-001 had returned 1.75 m zone of 1.37% Ni, 0.50% Cu, 0.32 G/T Pl, 1.21 G/T Pd, 0.11 G/T Au, 2.37 G/T Ag, and 1.64 G/T PGE. These assays were intersect at depths ranging between 960.1 to 961.85 meters, which included a high-grade zone of 2.34% Ni, 0.50% Cu, and 2.43 G/T PGE. It had also included an intersection of 1.39% Ni, 0.43% Cu, 0.35 G/T Pt, 0.25 G/T Pd, 0.05 G/T Au, 2.88 G/T Ag, and 2.65 G/T PGM for a length of 3.00 m.
Gersdorffite
Millerite
Niccolite
Pentlandite
Polydymite
Violarite
Geology of the AER-KIDD Property
Mount Nickel Mine
General Information on the Mount Nickel Property
Ownership: Xstrata
Mine or Prospect Status: Abandoned Mine Site
Township Location: Blezard Township
Longitude: -80° 59' 30.7"
Tectonic Assemblage: South Range/Murray Granite
Formation type: Mafic Intrusive, Ultramafic, intrusive igneous
Chemical Compositions: Quartz, Diorite, Argillite, Gabbro, Granite,
Common names: Mount Nickel
Secondary Commodities: Cobalt, Gold, iridium, palladium, platinum, iron, Rhodium, Ruthenium, Silver,
Re-Open Date: 1915-1915 - 1952 -1959
History of the Mount Copper-Nickel Mine Property
Another copper-nickel property known as the Mount Nickel Mine was first discovered within the mid 1890's. Most of this resulted in further exploring this area when copper staining was discovered on the surface of the future Mount Nickel Mine Project. This had additionally led to further stripping the ground that had exposed this copper staining further. Grab samples that were taken by two prospectors had also returned 1.52% Cu and 2.05% Nickel with minor PGE. Upon taking grab samples and further stripping the land it was also reported that a prospect shaft was sunk to a depth of 76 feet below the surface before exploration work was discontinued in 1900.
It was from March to December, 1915, when another company took possession of this property by leasing its from the Mond Nickel Company. Agreements at the time were also made towards mining this area with the ore being purchased by the Mond Nickel Mining Company. The Mount Nickel Property at the time had also been taken up for further exploration work by the Sudbury Leasing and Development Company. Most of the whole entire property was also known to be situated on Lot. , within concession 6, of Blezard Township. Most of the work at the time was mainly being aimed at dewatering the No. 1 Shaft to a depth of 76 feet below the surface.
Prior to dewatering the shaft, the Sudbury Leasing and Development Company had also rehabilitated it. Work at the time was focus on straightening the main shaft and also further sinking it to a depth of 158 feet at an angle of 40 degrees. Lateral development had also followed when levels had become cut and station on the mines 78 and 142 foot horizons. Much of the ore that was located on the first mining level had become stoped out to the east and west side of the main No. 1 Shaft Operation. Stoping on the second level at 142 feet had also just commenced during this time period of opening up this newly developed level. Most the work that was done by the Leasees would only continue till the end of December, when the Mond Nickel Company had decided not to purchase the ore. Other statements reported that the section of the ore-body within the Mount Nickel Mine was anywhere between 30 to 40 feet wide and had assayed 1.04% Cu and 1.99% Ni. Diamond drilling that was done at the time had proven the continuity of the main ore-body that had calculated a reserve estimation of 270,000 tonnes grading 1.02% Cu and 1.80% Ni. Production for the time period resulted in hoisting a total of 13,000 tonnes of ore that was transported to the Stobie Branch Line by horses and sent to the Coniston Smelter. Much of the need mining machinery at the time had also consisted of a Lombert 125-H.P boiler, a 5-drill compressor and a 7-inch by 10-inch hoist. Not much capitalization at the time was also gained by the company as it had only been worth $40,000, with the president being J. A Holmes and Vice President and Manage being Thos Travers.
Falconbridge Nickel Mines Limited had once again resumed exploratory work that confirmed the downward plunge of the ore-body to a depth of 700 feet in 1950. It was by 1952 when the company had progressed towards dewatering the Mount Nickel Mine Shaft in 1952. With dewatering complete the company had rehabilitated the shaft and started on deepening it to a depth of 372 feet below the surface. This resulted in opening up another level at 240 feet as lateral development would continue to define the ore-body. Production was first achieved in 1953, when ore was taken out from the stope sections on the 142 and 240 -foot horizons of the Mount Nickel Mine. Hoisting was also being done as the ore became hoisted from the underground workings and would additionally be shipped to the smelter owned by the Falconbridge Nickel Mines Limited. It was also at this point in time when production was rather on going and the mine would officially close down by 1959. Most of this closure was mainly due to not being able to find good mining lengths in order to keep production going at the Mount Nickel Mine Site. Much of the mineralization is know to be mainly made up of pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, pentlandite, granite, and gabbro and is apart of the South Range Deposits. 46° 33' 3.71"
Much of these deposits are strongly known to straddle the contact between the Sudbury Igneous Complex and the footwall rocks, which are supracrustal rocks of the Huronian Supergroup and granite from the Murray Pluton Contacts between the footwall rocks and the norite of the Main Mass of the complex are also well defined and sharp. Sudbury Ore bodies are quite unique in characturistics and are among the largest Copper-Nickel Sulphides on Earth with over a net-worth of 1 billion produce in the Sudbury Mining Camp. Most of these deposits are known to commonly occur along the lower contact of the Sudbury Igneous Complex, that is, in the contact Sublayer, the footwall Breccia, and/or the footwall rocks themselves, and in offset dikes. Some of them are known to also be formed within the Murray Granite which produce quartz-diorite deposits that are similar to most deposits in the Sudbury Igneous Complex and Sudbury Structure. Offset Dike deposits are formerly known to host some of the biggest and deepest mines in the Sudbury Mining Camp, which included Copper-Cliff, Frood-Stobie, Totten-Howland Mine, Whistle Mine, Foy, Blue Lake Sulphide Prospect, etc. South Range Deposits are mainly known to be underlain by a sublayer and contacts between the Norite bodies. For the most part, these are rather related to contact sublayer deposits that have minimal extent as mining operations to be deemed economical.
Mineralization info:
Base Metal deposits which are formed within the Sudbury Structure are known to be derived from rich molten magmas. With this had also accumulated a flow rich Copper-Nickel Deposits that carried other metals with it to the near surface. Massive inclusion bearing-sulphides are known to also be overlain by a contact sublayer quartz-diorite which contains up to 60% disseminated sulphide. The inclusions which are observed are known to also be exotic mafic and ultramafic rocks, and even footwall rocks. Most sulphide content is also known to decrease upward within the quartz-diorite to about 20% in the South Range. Some of the common metals that are found included nickel, platinum, palladium, rhodium, niccolite, chalcopyrite, silver, gold, lead, zinc, cobalt. Ore Bodies which are formed within the Mount Nickel Property are quite small inside due to the fact that they are near norite contacts to east and west. Most of the work was done towards the west and had been; laterally developed to about 500-feet on two levels. Ore lengths within this section of the property could not be obtained in order to keep the mine going from 1952 to 1959, before it had closed down.
Little Stobie Copper-Nickel Mine
General Information on the Little Stobie Copper-Nickel Mine
Ownership: Vale
Longitude: -81° 0' 21.54"
Tectonic Assemblage: Sublayer Contact
Formation type: Mafic Intrusive, Ultramafic
Chemical Compositions: Quartz- Diorite, Granite, gabbro, Argillite
Common names: Little Stobie Mine
History and Exploration of the mine
The Little Stobie Mine is rather known as a Cu-Ni deposit that's located near a fault zone of the historical Frood-Stobie Mine Site. In 1893, the Sudbury area of Upper Canada was being widely prospected as many mine projects came to being establish. Prospecting was also carried out before that time as the projects were first place under minor development and prospecting phases in 1885. During the time period, the Little Stobie Mine was first being uncovered by a famous prospector of the area known as James Stobie. James Stobie was one of Sudbury's first ever prospectors to come across a massive deposit of Cu- Base Metals within the PGE that became known as the Stobie Mine. Now not to get mix up between the two, the Frood-Stobie was rather a whole different operation from the Little Stobie Mine Project. Within 1893, the Little Stobie Mine was be extensively prospected within the region and was situated not to far from the Frood-Stobie Mine. It was at a point of half a mile west when Little Stobie was being further prospect by James Stobie in 1891. Much of the development at the time resulted in sinking three test pits in order to prospect the area further. Most of the work that was done had mainly been place under further follow up when three test pits were sunk at various depths of 15, 18, and 20 feet. These pits can also be seen today on what became known as the Little Stobie Mine Project that was apart of the Elise Mountain Formation, the Murray Granite, and another sublayer granite. A total of 1,584 tonnes of ore was additionally mined during the prospecting stage of the Little Stobie Mine.
A new shaft at the time was also constructed and would be designed as a concrete head-frame operation that was once 185 feet in height. Most of the operational side of the shaft was additionally operated by four rope friction hoist that operates a double-deck cage and a 12-ton bottom dump skip. Power that was obtained had also been taken from a 900 H.P Motor, in which had a hoisting speed of 1,500 feet per minute. Another shaft known as the No. 2 Shaft was mainly being used for development, and had bottomed at 1,994 feet below the surface in April, 1967. Prior to the completion of the underground development, it was also being turned into a fresh air raise. The Mine ventilation system was also designed extensively in order to supply 625,000 cubic feet of fresh air per minute. Mining of the ore-bodies at the time was principally done by sub-level caving, that was done by sub levels, in a series of vertical slices, and had removed the broken ore in assistance with controlled caving in the hanging wall rock. Pillars of ore at the time were also being left in order to support the hanging-wall rock within the Little Stobie Mine Project.
After many years of knowing that an ore-body did exist in this area, the project would not be place under further development till 1966. Much of the projects at the time which included the Little Stobie Mine was taken up by the International Nickel Company of Canada, Limited. It was at this point in time when extensive drilling had started to disclose the Cu-base metal ore-body further. As drilling comfirmed the presence of an ore-body at a depth of 400 to 500 feet, it was suggested to sink two shafts. Shaft sinking was eventually done on two separate ore-bodies which were faulted off from each other. These two ore-bodies were apart of a subsequent deposits that was formed in parts by the Elise Mountain Formation, the Murray Granite, and another sublayer granite within a norite sublayer.
The No. 1 Shaft was eventually sunk to a depth of 777 feet below the surface, in which the 400- and 600-foot levels were establish at depths of 453 and 652 feet. Another shaft known as the No. 2 Shaft was eventually sunk on a separate ore-body that had reach a depth of 1,230 feet below the surface. Several levels had eventually become developed when the 200, 400, 600, 800, 1,000, and 1,223-foot levels were cut. Each of these ore-producing levels were being engineered at depths of 231, 427, 628, 826. 1,025, and 1,223-foot horizons. Lateral development footage that was completed on these levels alone had consisted of 497 feet of drifting and crosscutting, and 177 feet of raising. A total of 90 diamond drill holes were then place to explore this area further and to do follow ups, in which totalled 85,834 feet from the surface.
Some major equipment at the time had also became establish in which resulted in installing four transformers, two being 1,500 KVA and the other two being 600 KVA. Other major equipment would also be place when the company added two Aerofoil Fans, which were 24 inches in diameter. Even more equipment would be place on this site when one mine transit and 1 transformer of 2,000 KVA 44,000/2,300 V, were installed in a temporary substation. Most of the work which was being done had also been completed under the management of MacIsaac Mining and Tunneling Company, which L. McGreedy was the Manager of the mine.
Further shaft sinking would take place when the No. 1 Shaft was now reaching a depth of 2,650 feet below the surface. This was also followed by establishing new levels that were known as the 800, 1,000, 1,200, 1,400, 1,600, 1,800, 2,000, 2,200, and 2,400-foot levels. Each of these newly cut and station levels were also being developed on the mines 852, 1,051, 1,245, 1,450, 1,650, 1,849, 2,049, 2,248, and 2,451- foot horizons. Engineering at the time had also continued onward when the No. 2 Shaft was also sunk to a depth of 1,994 feet below the surface. Much of the development work in sinking the shaft resulted in opening up the 1,400, 1,600, and 1,800-foot levels. Each of these newly cut and station levels were also opened up on the 1,425, 1,624, and 1,825-foot horizons of the Little Stobie Mine. The total development footage between the two shaft operations had consisted of 13,024 feet of drifting and crosscutting, and 618 feet of raising. It was also to the end of that year when the total development footage was now at 13.701 feet of drifting and crosscutting, and 795 feet of raising. Diamond drilling had also taken place when 15 underground holes were drill, and had a total length of 4,446 feet. It was also at this point in time when 900 tonnes of ore was taken from the mine and hoisted from the No. 1 Shaft. Equipment at the time was also added as 2 scooptrams, 44 mine cars, 4 hoists, 2 controllers, 3 transformers, 2 fans, 1 drill, 1 saw, and 6 pumps were added.
No additional sinking of the two vertical shafts was done during the operating year of 1968. Most of the work during that time period was focus on further developing the Little Stobie Mine Project. Lateral development during 1968, was also increased when 26,257 feet of drifting and crosscutting, and 5,564 feet of raising was done. A crusher station, along with an ore-bin were also excavated below the 2,200-foot level. Other contracts towards lateral development were issued to Dravo of Canada, Limited. In order to start a service ramp, which would be extended from the surface to the 600-foot level. Most of this pre-engineering plan was aimed at developing the upper portion of the mine in order to increase production and to provide access for diesel equipment. It was also at this point in time when major construction had also occurred in further developing the much needed mine buildings. Equipment at the time was also added which included 8 batteries, 1 charger, 2 compressors, 1 crane, 5 fans of 35 H.P, two dumpers, 1 feeder, 3 heaters, 17 hoists, 4 motors, 1 machine, shotcrete, 1 loader for ore, 6 pumps, 3 reducers, 1 scooptram, 1 drill, and 1 cooling tower. Ore which was hoisted during that time period of operating the Little Stobie Mine had amounted to 35.017 tonnes of hoisted and stockpiled ore.
In 1969, Level development was further continued from the No. 1 and No. 2 vertical shaft operations at the Little Stobie Mine. A minor delay during the year had rise when a strike action had occurred from July, 10 to November, 14, 1969. It was within that time period of operating when the No. 1 Shaft head-frame and hoist was dismantled in May of that year, and construction of a permanent head-frame was commenced. Much of the development work within the No. 1 shaft was continued with the use of a temporary hoist and cage installed on the 400-foot level. A service ramp which was extended from the surface down to the 600-foot level, had reach the 500-foot level by the end of 1969. The service ramp was also In use for developing a portion of the mine for initial production and would also provide access for diesel mine equipment. Lateral development footage in 1969, had consisted of 18,037 feet of drifting, and crosscutting and 2,755 feet of raising was done. Diamond drilling that was completed at the time had also amounted to 51 underground holes, totalling 18,921 feet were done, and an additional six holes, totalling 5,694 feet were completed from the surface. Major construction that was done in 1969, included concrete tunneling below grade 7 x 8 feet, and had also been extended for a length of 198 feet. This would also include a concrete block cap and the development of a fuse and compressor house. Total development footage between both shaft operations had also totalled 57,995 feet of drifting and crosscutting, and 9,114 feet of raising.
It was during this time period when the Little Stobie Mine had rather differed from other INCO mining projects in the Sudbury area. Most of the ore that was being produce through stoping and underground development was not being hoisted to the surface. As the ore was extracted it became transported underground by 4,676, 42 inch belt conveyor on the 2,400-foot elvel of the mine to the Frood-Stobie No. 9 Shaft, where a huge level 20-ton skip brings it to the surface and had dump it directly into the Frood-Stobie Mill Storage Bin. The mine is actually located at distance of mile north of the Frood-Stobie Mine and was mainly named as an enterprise that was started on the same site by the Mond Nickel Company in 1902.
Geology of the Little Stobie Mine
The Little Stobie Mine is known to be apart of the main mass of norite in the East-Central portion of the South Range within the Sudbury Irruptive. Much of the geology within the Little Stobie Mine is considered to be quite similar in distribution to the Murray and parts of the Creighton Mine. It was also during the exploratory work by INCO when two ore-bodies were discovered in order for the company to initiate a development plan for this project. The No. 1 Ore-Body is also known to commonly lie between the footwall rocks, which includes metavolcanic and metasedimentary units, granites, and Sudbury breccias, similar to the Richardson VMS Deposit in Eldorado, Canada. Most of the hanging wall rocks of the LIttle Stobie Mine are known to include polkilitic norite that are apart of the main Sudbury Irruptive. The main ore-body known as the No. 1 is commonly known to strike N 60 degrees E, and dips NW at 55 degrees and extends for approximately 610 m, with an average of 30 m. Diamond drilling at the time had also confirmed the extend of the mineralization from the surface to a depth of 792 m below the surface.
The other Ore-Body Known as the No. 2 Deposit, strikes S 45 degrees E for approximately 273 m into the footwall rocks and is emplaced metabasalts and a boss of footwall granite. This ore-body is known to also lie between 91 m and 366 m and reaches an average width of 52 m. Most of the ore-forming deposits within the No. 2 Ore-body are known to be a similar environment towards the other offset deposits such as the Copper Cliff Offset. Most of the principal ore that make up the sublayer ore are known to also be in association with pyrrhotite, pentlandite, and chalcopyrite, with lesser amounts of pyrite, magnetite, and ilmenite.
A total of six ore types have also been observed at the Little Stobie Mine that include the following distributions:
- gabbro-peridotite with inclusions of sulfide, that included mafic and ultramafic inclusions In abundant matrix of sulfides and minor noritic material.
-Ragged disseminated sulfides with small closely packed gabbro inclusions in a scanty matrix of sulphide and subordinate nortic material.
-Disseminated sulfides blabs of sulfide that are dispersed in an inclusion bearing matrix sublayer norite.
- Interstitial Sulfide that come in association with norite that contain sulfides interstitials to euhedral silicates.
- Inclusion Massive Sulfides with varying portions of pyrrhotite, pentlandite, and chalcopyrite containing occasional rock inclusions.
- Contorted Schist inclusion sulfide, characterized by twisted fragments of schist and inclusions of quartz in a sulfide matrix. This typical sequence from the hanging wall to the footwall would be interstitial sulfide, ragged disseminated sulfide, gabbro-pentlandite inclusion sulfide, and inclusion massive sulfide. From all production it was also reported that the No. 2 ore-body had much more higher concentrations than that of the No, 1 Ore-body that's adjacent to it. There is also significant enrichment of Rh, Pd, Ir, Os. and Ru within the No. 2 Ore-body at the Little Stobie Mine. Its also reported that there is no significant differences between the two ore-bodies in relation to Cu and Ni values, nor significant and systemic variation for all the noble metals between the two different ore types. The geological environments of the No. 1 and 2 ore-bodies are also quite different in appearance as gravitational settling liquids from a silicate magma, is present in the No. 1 Deposit. The No. 2 Deposit generally resembles other offset ore-bodies of sulfides in the Sudbury area, that represents an injection of silicate magma carrying magmatic sulfides. These are also commonly considered to be concentrated in zones at the time of the intrusion in parts with the orogeny process in forming rich sulphides deposits. It also considered that the PGE enrichment in the No. 2 Ore-body is related to differing process that gave rise to the offset deposits as opposed to the sublayer deposits in the South Range.
Mineralogy Associations with the Little Stobie Mine
Platinum (Native Element) within the Lit Stobie Mine is commonly know to also be in association with iron and magnesium rich igneous rocks of the Sudbury Basin. Its also considered to have underwent a second deposition through quartz veins that become distributed through hematite, chlorine, and pyrolusite. Platinum that is also found at the Lit Stobie Mine is known to be in association with other metals such as , iridium, rhodium. Iridium and Rhodium are also commonly known to be deposits through PGE with association of Nickel Ore and Copper Ores.
Copper that is deposited within the Little Stobie Mine is commonly known to be distributed through secondary minerals. This rather known to occur as a result of interaction between copper-bearing solutions such as chalcopyrite, Azurite, and Chalcocite. Another phase how copper is distributed within the Sudbury Basin is known to be commonly through iron bearing minerals that are formed through the orogeny process.
Silver that's known to be associated with the Lil Stobie Mine is known to come as a by-product of refining. Its also commonly considered to be associated with the refining of Pb, Zn, and Cu ore that comes as a by-product. Silver that is distributed within the Lil Stobie Mine and the Sudbury Basin is also known to be formed through altercations of other silver minerals such as quartz, gold, copper and sulphides.
Pyrrhotite - (Sulphide) Is rather known to be distributed in three phases as its commonly formed through silica poor igneous rock and under metamorphic conditions. Pyrrhotite also occurs as a product that is deposited through magmatic separations, the settling of heavy minerals to the bottom of a crystallizing magma. The third of these phases is known to produce pyrrhotite in association with pentlandite that becomes the chief ore of nickel, cobalt and silver.
Pentlandite - (Sulphide) is commonly as sulphide mineral that known to also be formed through deposition and possibly the enrichment of ore from an ancient meteorite. Its also commonly known to be in association with Pyrrhotite, Chaclopyrite, and pyrite, and arsenides that constitute the ore. Pentlandite is normally known to also be formed through silica poor, intrusive igneous rocks that are widely present in the Sudbury Basin. This is also known to be one of the most important ores in forming nickel, silver, and cobalt bearing metals.
Millerite (Sulphide) is known to also be deposited within the LIl Stobie Mine as an altercation process of nickel bearing minerals such as arsenickel, Nickel, Iron-Nickel, and Pentlandite. Its typically also known as an important ore of nickel, which is widely used in metal alloys. Millerite might have also came in deposition through an ancient meteorite that had once hit the Sudbury, Basin and caused a metamorphic altercation in forming large sulphide deposits at depth. During this phase it had rather replace the silver values within the Sudbury Basin as a process of altercation.
Chalcopyrite - (Sulphide) is commonly known to be associated with the Lil Stobie Mine Site that is mainly formed under extreme conditions Chalcopyrite is also commonly considered to have undergone depositions through medium to high temperature that had been distributed within the Sudbury Basin. The other way it has also been deposited was through grain size that had become associated with igneous rocks of the Sudbury Basin. Chalcopyrite is also one of the most important sources of Copper Ore that is known to deposit low to high-grade ore in the Sudbury Basin. Chalcopyrite is also commonly known to constitute the deposition of Rhodium and Irhodium that's associated with nickel, and PGE. Its also known to be deposited through replacements of pyrite and iron that makes up the orogeny process in distributing chalcopyrite within the Sudbury Basin.
Thayer-Lindsley Copper-Nickel Mine
General Information on Blezard Copper-Nickel Mine
Ownership: Xstrata Canada (Glencore)
Mine or Prospect Status: Abandoned Mine
Common names: Blezard
History and past explorations
It was within 1941, when further exploratory work had continued to take place on a separate ore-body discovered by the Blezard Copper-Nickel Mine. Progression at the time was undertaken when the newly discovered ore-body was being rapidly explored by Falconbridge Nickel Mines, Limited. Much of the deposit at the time was intersected from INCO's TSE Outcropping of the Blezard Mine Site. INCO at the time had focus much of its progressive exploration work on the Blezard Mine as well but had only came across low grade copper-nickel and base metals. Plans at the time had also been aimed at acquiring the Blezard Copper-Nickel Mine that was adjoining Falconbridges TL ore-bodies. The TL ore-bodies lies below the contact of productive lower intrusive, norite contact zone of the Sudbury Basin. Not much at the time was done prior to abandoning this exploration project due to the limited reserves, and moderate grades of the three-known ore-bodies.
Another progressive exploration program would take place in 1956, when Falconbridge Nickel Mines, LImited was back at this project again. During this time period it was diamond drilling that soon discovered the first ore zone within the T.L Cu-Ni Project.
Additional work on Falconbridges T.L Mine would once again resume for further explorations on this deep copper-nickel deposit in 1970. Most of this was aimed at further evaluating the mines potential to a depth of 4500 m below the surface. Another curtailment would end up stopping this operation from being further developed that was unknown at the time. Explorations on the T.L Ore Bodies was also continued onward as further information was needed in order to provide the much knowledge in knowing this deposit better in 1974 Within 1974, another zone known as the No. 2 was officially discovered from this exploratory diamond drilling campaign that took place.
Falconbridge Nickel Mines, Limited would once again continued exploring the TL Ore-bodies by a rapid exploration program in 1986. Results of this exploration program were officially announced on July, 1987, when an ore-body deemed high-grade was intersected between 4,000 to 4,500 feet below the surface. Some of the best intersections from this exploration program had assayed 2.3% Ni, 4.4% Cu, 0.12% Co, 0.44 ounces of Ag, 0.07 ounces of Au, 0.08 ounces platinum, and 0.27 ounces of palladium per tonne. With these intersections confirmed, Falconbridge had immediately added five machines to the program, and increased the capital from $2.35 million to $6 million in November, 1987. Much attention at the time was also directed towards a drilling contract for $10 million to Longyear who was ahead of drilling for Falconbridge. Further statements had stated that this was difficult target to evaluate from the surface, and that eventually it would have to be explored from underground.
By July, 1988, Falconbridge had announced further exploration work by sinking the newly engineered T.L Exploration Shaft on the Thayer-Lindsley Copper-Nickel Deposit. The whole entire project was rather aimed at further exploring the four ore-bodies within the T.L Deposit Zone. Drilling at the time would also confirm that these newly discovered deposits were situated below 4,000 feet. Plans in engineering this shaft had been made to make it to be 16 feet in diameter, 4,500 feet deep, and would have exploration drifts on the 4,300-foot level. This would also come with heavy costs at the time, which would result in capital of $32.6 million to complete in four years. Falconbridge alone had also made a profit margin over $200 million per year of operating several of its mines world-wide. The main ore-body that would be further explored at the time had been confined to the No. 4B Zone that was much higher in grade.
Most of the work within 1990, was confined to the T.L Exploration Shaft that would additionally reach the 1,450 m level. It was proposed on completion that the newly developed T.L Exploration Shaft would additionally reach a depth of 1,660 m level. Shaft sinking at the time was also progressed when Falconbridge had wanted to complete this work by 1991. This would further result in adding drill stations on the newly cut and station levels at 1,310 and 1,585 m levels.
In 1991, Falconbridge Nickel Mines, Limited had officially completed the newly engineered T. L Exploration Shaft. This newly developed shaft had reach a depth of 1,638 m below the surface in order to explore the No. 4B ore-body. It would also result in cutting and station levels at depths of 1,310 and 1,558 m. Further work on these levels was also aimed at crosscutting in order to establish drill stations in order to further obtain information on this deposit. A minor amount of drilling would also take place once the shaft was well fitted, and drills could be place in order to obtain this valuable information. Much of the development work had resulted in engineering a crosscut that would continue to provide promising results. Assay which were taken from this section of the crosscuts would also become very encouraging as this resulted in grades of 2.4% Ni, 5.3% Cu, 0.13% Co, and 14 grams of platinum group metals per tonne over a length of 56 m. Exploratory work on this section would also result in a four-year mining life with a production of 500 tonnes per day, and nearly 500,000 tons of ore in reserves.
In 1992, the Thayer-Lindsley Copper-Nickel Mine went in production for the first time after successful explorations. It was during that time period when much of the mining was done at a rapid rate of 500 tonnes of ore per day. Much of the copper-nickel ore produce had rather been taken from the newly constructed 1,310 and 1,558 m levels. Production during this time period of operating had rather reached 181,500 tonnes of ore that was trucked to the Stratcona Mill. Most of the mine had rather eliminated waste and was entirely in ore that had become produce from the two deep levels.
Advanced exploration work would also be continued on the Thayer-Lindsley Mine in 1993. Most of the work that was completed had also been aimed at further exploring the deposit of nickel-copper ore. A little amount of development work was completed during the year as the extensions to the ore-body were being made from the underground workings. Most of this was done on the newly cut and station drill stations on the mines 1,310 m and 1,558 m levels of the Thayer-Lindsley Mine Site. Estimation on ore-reserves had also remained the same as usual without any changes and would amount to 6.3 million tonnes. Mining at the time was also progressing forward when drifts and crosscuts were being extended on the two producing levels. A total of 182,163 tonnes of ore was also produced from the underground workings at the Thayer Lindsley Copper-Nickel Mine.
By 2001, the Thayer-Lindsley Mine had rather experienced production delays as a result of the ore-pass wall sloughing, and impact related damage in and around the 1,490 m level grizzly. Much of this at the time would additionally result in further delay in two to three days of work shifts and personnel had thought that this could rather escalate into a much bigger concern. After further assessing the cost in developing an alternative ore pass system, Xstrata and it's engineering team would decide to rehabilitate the old one and provide a corrosion resistance. It would also result in making a major decision to place AF-D Armour Guard as the Ore Pass liner that was previously used in many mine sites. The AF-D Armour Guard was rather useful in providing a resistance to abrasion caused by rolling muck and the addition of steel fibres would add resistance to impact. Much of the down fall at the time would start this rehabilitation on December, 2001 and would confined to the 1,490 m level ore pass that was completed at this time. The Mine was also approaching its production life as no new ore-reserves were being encounter within the operation.
It was rather on July, 2002, when a camera was lowered into the ore-pass in order to verify the condition of the walls and the extend of liner material loss. It was also during this time period when a camera survey was done, and no cable bolt strands had become exposed beyond the 100-150 mm layer of impact/abrasion resistance shotcrete. This down fall at the time had also resulted in recommissioning the ore-pass system at the beginning of January.
In 2008, Xstrata Nickel also known as Glencore had continued major expansion in extending the mine life of the Thayer Lindsley Copper-Nickel Mine. Much of this at the time was mainly aimed at competing with the lower copper-nickel markets that had affected the closure for several mine sites. It was rather a very critical moment as the prices of nickel were well below the actual cost of mining it. This resulted in placing a budget of $8.7 Million towards extending the mine life in 2012. Much of the budget was aimed at covering 1,200 meters of lateral development, improving the ore-pass design, a new truck chute, and new mining equipment. The major phase in expanding the mine life would also improve the productivity of the mine and mining by the much-needed workforce and equipment. However, the Thayer-Lindsley Mine was hauled from further production in 2009, as the mine was deemed to expensive to operate at lower nickel market value.
The Thayer-Lindsley Mine was rather named after the Great Thayer-Lindsley who had been the president of Forbishers, before going onto Ventures, and later Falconbridge. He was rather known as one of the greatest mine finder of all time in which he has become one of the Hall of Famers of mining. He was not only one of the greatest mine finder, company developer, but was also the founder of major mining projects owned by Sherrit Gordon, Giant Yellowknife Mine, Canadian Malartic, United Keno Hill, Lake Dufault and Opemiska Copper, and Connemara. His main description at the time had stated "in order to be successful miner, one must have determination, knowledge, tenacity, a rugged constitution to withstand the rigors of outdoor life and enjoy overcoming obstacles of every description. Also, a little dash of imagination and enthusiasm is helpful. He was a geological genius, he had an astonishing ability to look a geological map in three dimensions and quickly circle the location of probable ore with a big red crayon. Two of his secrets was the success in reading habits and a true photographic memory enabling him to discuss in great detail, even down to assays, of little known ore deposits across the world.
Geology of the Blezard Copper-Nickel Mine by OntarioExplorations101
The contact sublayer (Thayer-Lindsley MIne - Blezard Mine) is rather a fine to medium grained quartz dioritic to noritic unit which forms discontinuous, sheet like, bodies, more or less parallel to the lower contact of the Sudbury Igneous Complex. This foremost layer rather provides protrusions and embayment's into the footwall rocks at the base of the complex. Its rather known to also be in a sharp contact with the overlying norites, and in sharp to grandational contact with the Footwall Breccia which locally underlies the sublayer.
The gabbaroic quartz dioritic matrix of the contact sublayers phases commonly in fine to medium grained, and consists of hypersthene and augite in a ratio of 2:1 to 1:2 making up to 40 to 60% of the rock. This can largely be notice all along East Valley from the many outcrops that are observed in this area. Lath-shaped plagioclase, minor quartz, and potassic feldspar make up the remainder of the matrix that's associated with this contact sublayer.
Field evidence rather indicates that the sublayer consists of at least 3 units subunits, defined by xenolith type and intrusive relationships. The foremost oldest subunit is the main, sulphide-bearing, sublayer subunit. The youngest being subunits containing little or no sulphide mineralization. Its also the sulphide-bearing, oldest sublayer subunit that is characterized by sub-rounded to rounded, mafic, ultramafic, sulphide and, in places, country rock inclusions. Sulphides are also formed from disseminations or a massive matrix to the Igneous Eenoliths. The younger subunits of the sublayer are characterized by inclusions of footwall rocks and in places, contain xenoliths derived from the lower zone of the Sudbury Igneous Complex and the older, sulphide-rich sublayer. These units for the most part are rather post-norite in age and contain no ultramafic fragments, in which 50 to 90% of these inclusions are fined grained metavolcanic rock, that are possibly derived from the lower Huronian Supergroup.
Murray Copper-Nickel Mine
1883 - Thomas Flanagan Discovery Copper Ore while working for the Canadian Pacific Railway
Murray Mine was rather Sudbury'z first ever Cu-Ni Mine that was first discovered during the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1883, and was reported by Alexander Murray in 1881. This discovery was revised when a blacksmith named Thomas Flanagan had discovered what to be copper along an outcrop that was blast during the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Much attention was gradually look upon this area when the first ever copper-nickel deposits were being prospect rapidly and place into development. These foremost operation that had been developed at the time of the Murray Mine were known to included the Copper Cliff, Evans Mine, Stobie, Blezard, Worthington, Chicago, and the Dury copper-nickel Mines.
1889 - Vivian Mining Co takes over the property in order to develop it.
It was in 1889, when the Vivian Mining Company had leasted these claims from the Government that would become extensively prospect and explored by the means of shallow prospect shafts. Nickel at the time was in very high demand as the U.S Government had purchase nickel matte that amount to 4,536 tonnes that had roughly produce 900 tonnes of nickel alloy used in providing an armour for Carrier Ships. Most of this Matte was supplied by the newly active Sudbury Semlters from various operations in the area in 1890. The copper-nickel deposits of Sudbury were becoming a huge market at the time and would mainly be purchase by the U.S Navy that deemed it very high quality Nickel Alloy.
1891 - Vivian Mining Company - outlines the ore-body and further develops it.
By 1891, the Murray Mine sit was extensively developed by the Vivian Mining Company that had taken rapid control of this property by further prospecting the land and sinking 6 prospect shaft to depths ranging from 50 to 10 0 feet.Most of all development was taking place on the Vivian Shaft that was known as the No. 6 shaft operation, and was sunk to a depth of 100 feet below the surface. Lateral development was now being place towards cutting and stationing the 60-foot level that was extended 94 feet, which the the length had been 184 feet. This resulted in extensive stoping that took place on the mine as an opening of 50 feet long, 40 feet wide and 20 feet high was made in order to obtain ore that was mines within the Cu-Ni ore-body. It would also result in driving a southwest drift on this level that now had it's own total distance length of 100 feet. As development continued a stope section at the time was being advanced that had 40 feet in length, 45 feet in width and 20 feet in height.
At the North section of this stope, a drift was then extended to 20 feet in order to sink a prospect winze to explore the ore-body further at the time. Further development would take place at the bottom of this shaft when a westward drift had been driven, before another drift was driven southward towards the ore-body for 8 feet in which followed it southward. From the most southerly point it was aimed at intersection the winze mentioned on the 60-foot level ventilation purposes. Besides mine development, prospecting was also being carried out extensively at the time which had been carried out in a northeast and southwest direction, from which 4,000 tonnes of ore had been removed at the time. A smelter at the time had also been developed and was undergoing extensive changes within 1891. Much of the matte produce from this had reach a total of 8% Nicke, and would be even reach 35% Ni by the use of converters that had been adapted at the time. Production from the mine had rather produce a few thousand tonnes of ore that were stockpiled at the time for further processing in furnaces and heap roasting in order to produce a matte. Other buildings would also be constructed that included a new residence for the managers, and a few house for the mines that had an employment rate of 200 men at the Murray Mine Site.
1892 - Vivian Mining Company - Continues to expand its operations at the Murray Mine Site
The Vivian Company was once again in production with its Murray Mine project when development was focus on the No. 6 Vivian Shaft within the operating year of 1892. Much attention was aimed at continuing the southwest drift on the 60-foot level that had ran 165 feet and provided access to large stope sections on this portion of the mine workings. Most of the west section of the shaft had rather been also undergoing development when an internal winze shaft was sunk at a distance of 35 feet from the shaft to a depth of 20 feet. Further development work was also taken place on the northeast drift that was now reaching a total development foot of 250 feet, which extensive stoping was done. Even more development continued on the North drift at the bottom of this shaft that was driven for a distance of 35 feet on the 100-foot horizon of the Murray Mine project. Minor development at the time had also taken place on the central drift that had followed the ore-body southward and was 35 feet in length by the end of that year.
Other development plans were not underway when the another shaft at the time was sunk on the opposite side of railway line in 1892, and was 400 feet northwest from the No. 6 Vivian Shaft that had a depth of 25 feet. A smelter at the time was also in operation that had two furnaces of 50 tonnes each in 24 hours were processing a fairly good tonnage of 45 tonnes of ore daily that came from the workings. Much of the coarse matte that was produce from the ore was bessemerized, and shipped to Swansea, Wales, in which the Nickel content was raised to have a percentage of 40% Ni and 20% Cu per tonne of matte. About four cardboard of 50 tonnes each of Pennsylvania Coke was being used used on a weekly basis or 8 tonnes daily within that time period. The reasoning for this was because it was a lot more cheaper in freight compared to the Nova Scotia Coke that was far more costly. Cars at the time would also be loaded with coke in Pennsylvania, and unloaded at the coke house of the mine site. A total of three boilers and three engines aggregating 100 H.P were in used, and one of 60 H.P and others of less. The largest boiler at the time was mainly used for injecting the air through the metal in bassemertizing it, in which was a process that requires 1 1/2 hours of time for 2 tonnes. From here it becomes emptied into pots where the Nickel had settled to the bottom and had left the slag on top, in which resulted in easily taking out the slag once the metal had cooled. Capacity of these pots had contained one quarter tonne of fine matte containing Nickel and Copper. Ore supplies were also in good shape as there was a considerable amount of tonnage that had provided ore for at least 3 months within that year. Smelting at the time would require 5,000 cords of wood annually, and an are of 500 acres of woodland was being cleared in order to supply the smelter to produce matter from processing.
Work prior to the end of that year was also carried on extensively within the No. 6 Vivian Shaft, and a small force of 30 men were working on an excellent ore-body containing Cu-Ni ore. The mine at the time had produce roughly 75 tonnes of ore that was taken outcdaily from the mine workings, and when sorted a total of 60 tonnes was fitted for roast heaps and the remaining 15 tonnes was declared as waste. Other development at the time had also included a new rock house, and 10 H.P engine was being used in the hoisting operations of the ore that came from the mine workings. The Murray Mine workings were also fairly timbered and a ladder way was made in conjunction to the entering the workings from the top of the surface to the bottom of the No. 6 Vivian Shaft.
As development continued a new smelter was place in operation that was engineered by Mr. Edwards in order to meet the need of ore and processing work of 140 tonnes capacity was put up and was place into operation. Smelting at the time had also ran at 60 tonnes of ore in 24 hours, and a suspension in smelting would rather be effected by a shortage of water source, but furnaces were still kept running. Bassemertizing was satisfactory process that would continue to raise the standard of matter shipped to 40% Ni and between 20 to 25% Cu per tonne of matte. Other buildings at the time had also included a new office at the smelter and a shop for repairing the equipment of lathe and drill that were used in this mine.
Other important improvements were made in towards the Tramway Line that had lead from the mine to the roasting yard, and provide automatic dumping of ore into the roast heap. One turntable was also used within two roast heaps, in which the beds were on both sides of the railway line at the time. A total of thirteen turntables were in use, which supplied 26 roast beds at the Smelter.
1893 - Vivian Mining Company - Development work and exploratory work
Work at the time was also progressing in 1893, when much of the underground development was continued to massive size ore-bodies that were being developed on the 60- and 100-foot levels of the Murray Mine Project. Changes at the time were also being made during the year in which resulted in further sinking the No. 6 Vivian Shaft to further depths of 50 feet, in which the shaft had only reach a depth of 100 feet. Drilling that was done within the Murray Mine workings had mainly been done by compressed air drills as power drills weren't quite invented at this time due to low technology levels. Reports on the ore-body had stated that it had possessed a thickness of 70 feet, and had strike in the direction North-east and South-West, and dips westerly for 045° on the horizontal, which is entirely true about the ore strike at this mine site that was observed by OntarioExplorarions101. The ore-body is described as an agglomerate mass of nickeliferous pyrrhotite, and diorite is contained by diorite walls. The footwall at certain points was also stated that it had resembled a true appearance to a fissured plane, upon which the ore-body has moved, as evidence by coarse flucan or attired matter, which separates the ore from the wall. In some places it had also appeared in large inclusions of intrusions of the diorite containing fragments of granite.
1890 - Vivian Mining Company - Development and exploration work
The shaft at the time was vertically sunk in 1890, on the occurrence, and development on the levels extended along the footwall side of the ore-body within that time period. Some of the drifts on the 100 foot level were also connected by winze to the upper level at the 60-foot horizon of the Murray Mine Workings. Crosscut stope were later advanced from the footwall side to the hanging wall that had left large blocks of pillars between levels and from wall to wall. The pillars had also been cut through at intervals, forming much arched excavations, and suffient material that had remained in the pillars in order to support the roof and footwall. Further expanding would also continue on the North-East drift that had been extended for 90 feet, and the drift in the No. 6 Vivian Shaft had now totalled 125 feet in length. At about 30 feet from the mouth of the drift, a raise had been put up to the first level, and stoping on its sides was not being done. Other plans were aimed at continuing the raise to the first level where it would be holed, and additionally provide more stoping ground to produce ore from the mine workings. On the other side of the Vivian Shaft, a S.E drift was continued on the 100-foot level that had become extended for 88 feet at the time.
1894 - Vivian Mining Company - Development, exploration, and Production work
In 1894, the Vivian Shaft or the No. 6 Shaft operations at the Murray Mine was also known as the main hoisting and pumping shaft that had been largely used in the production stage of the ore that came from this mine, and to keep the workings dry. Another shaft known as the No. 4 is rather 112 feet N.E from the No. 6 Vivian Shaft and was sunk to a depth of 56 feet, in which was used for ventilation purposes. Another stoped shaft appears N.E of the No. 4 shaft which was once used as prospect shaft to determined if the this large scale deposit was minable, and an open pit was sunk to 26 feet in ore. Stoping within the No. 6 Shaft was carried out N.E and S.W, and had extended along the strike for 200 feet in the N.E direction. At intervals from 35 to 45 feet, stopes 20 feet high were opened up towards the hanging boundary zone. Other statements reported that from the footwall the average width of the ore body mines in 1894 was 60 feet in total width. Ore on the S.W side had also existed but the development done on that portion was far more less developed, and had extended along the strike for a distance length of 160 feet. The No. 2 level at 100 feet had also started to expanded when the N.E drift on this level had become extended further by 160 feet of the total development footage completed. Two stopes within this section were noted to have been 30 feet in height which opened up towards the hanging wall, leaving w width of 30 feet of development ore. Mining operations had rather shortly after ceased due to the low market prices in Cu-Ni which had effect operations for many small scale mines that weren't developed like other projects in the area
1913 - British American Nickel Company - Property taken over for development and production
Ownership of the Murray Mine Site would once again change when the British American Nickel Company had succeeded Dominion Nickel-Copper Company and Holmes and Wilson in 1913. Much of the work at the time was confined to further prospecting the Whistle Cu-Ni Mine site, and further sinking the Murray Shaft, while developing a smelter at Nickelton that was 4 miles west of Sudbury. It was during that year when exploratory work was being done by diamond drilling on the Elsie and Murray Mine Sites, which a large deposit was located in the Murray Mine project. This would result in even more changes when the company had rather bough out even more properties that included the Gertrude, Elsie, and Victor Mines from Lake Superior Corporation. It would also allow the company to control 21 properties that were estimated to have a fairly large tonnage of ore blocked out. Plans were also made towards bringing in electrical power and continuing the building of the Smelter in 1914.
The dewstering of the Murray Mine shaft was also completed in 1913, in which resulted in making it have three compartments, and was sunk to a greater depths of 400 feet below the surface. A first station at the time had been recut and timbered within this time period, and was made into a flat shaft operation in which a stairwat was built for walking up and down on. Even more intrusions had flared when the company was in preparation to sink the shaft to a depth of 1,200 feet at the time. The newly designed shaft was rather located to the east of the ore-body and was mainly built on solid rock that had went through it in providing good support for the mine workings.
1914 - British American Nickel Company - Development work, shaft sinking, exploration work
By 1914, the three compartment incline shaft had now been sunk to a depth of 70p feet below the surface that resulted in extensive development of the ore-body that was being followed at the time. Most of this development at the time was confined to cutting and stationing many mining levels at depths of 150, 300, and 400 feet with a pocket cut between the two later level before mining ceased on August,31, and wouldn't become resumed till 1916.
1916 - British American Nickel Company - Development, exploration work, installations made
Dewstering of the Murray Shaft had confined for most of the balance part of 1916, in which was still being operated by the British American Nickel Corporation. Most of the work was aimed at retimbering the old workings and further station cutting within the Murray Copper-Nickel Mine Project in 1916. Other changes were made during the year that resulted in removing a 1,700 cu. Ft. Electrically driven compressor from the Whistle Property, and had been set up a the Murray Mine Site. Power at the time was also place under contract to run this compressor and expectations were made towards rapidly developing this project further
.By 1914, the three compartment incline shaft had now been sunk to a depth of 70p feet below the surface that resulted in extensive development of the ore-body that was being followed at the time. Most of this development at the time was confined to cutting and stationing many mining levels at depths of 150, 300, and 400 feet with a pocket cut between the two later level before mining ceased on August,31, and wouldn't become resumed till 1916.
1917 - British American Nickel Company, lateral development work, shaft sinking, exploration work, station cutting, and surface construction.
Far more development would continue on this project in 1917, when the main shaft at the Murray Mine Site was further deepened to 900 feet below the surface. Extensive cutting and stationing was also done when level were engineered at depths of 150, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800 feet, which ore pockets were being stoped on the 300, 500, and 700-foot level. It was also at this point in time when a shaft house was being constructed, and the ore was now being conveyed by 30-inch belt to the Rock House at a distance of 279 feet. The Rock House at the time was also 88 by 126 feet of steel and gunite construction on a concrete foundation. The equipment within the Rock House had also consisted of 36 by 18 inch Jaw Crusher, No. 6 Gyrotary Crusher, picking belts and screens, etc. A one story Brick Change House, 97 by 57 feet was in coarse of construction at the time, and the power house was 107 by 134 feet. A smelter site at the time was being constructed at a distance of 1 1/4 miles away from the mine site, and an 8 mile gauge railway was built in order to connect the mine with the Smelter workings. Much of the tracks at the time were also connected by the Algoma Eastern and Canadian Pacific Railway.
1918 - British American Nickel Company - Lateral development work, exploration work, production, shaft sinking
Construction work at the mine and smelter had continued onward through out the productive year of 1918, in which plans were aimed to have the Smelter running by the Autumn of 1919. Further sinking during the year had also continued to escalate when the Murray Main Shaft was down to a depth of 1,036 feet below the surface at the time. Preparations at the time were also made towards cutting stations on the seventh and eighth levels at depth of 800 and 900 feet below the surface and extended towards the ore-body. Much of the stationing within the mine was being developed by a crosscut that was driven in the foot-wall and drifts would be carried on in ore in both directions, and chutes were out in a 35-foot intervals. This also resulted in unhindered raises that were 20 by 10 feet had also been completed between the third levels and the third and second levels of the Murray Mine Project. Raising at the time was also being completed between the fourth and sixth levels of the mine workings at the time. Lateral development at the time had resulted in 350 feet of drifting on the first six levels of the Murray Mine Project. A minor amount of ore was also hoisted during this time period of operating that would result in obtaining 19,000 tonnes of ore from the mine workings of the Murray Mine. Development had continued on the Shaft House, and Rock house, and the brick power House, smoke stack, blacksmith shop was completed. A total of three 500-H.P Babcock, and Wilcox boilers were installed, along with the primary crusher, which was 36 by 40-inches. Prior to this installations a new steam hoisting engine was rather in operation at the time period of further providing the necessary machinery to operate this project. The cylinders were rather 28 inches by 40 inches, and the drums were 7 ft in diameter and 5 to 6 inches between flanges, with groves for 2,180 feet of 1 1/2 inch rope in two layers. One of these drums was keyed into the shaft, and the other is loose, being driven by means of double disks, multi arm, friction clutch. The break was rather of parallel motion post type with a break wheel 101 inch in diameter, and a 13 inch face. An overwinding device that had entirely closed the throttle in case of an overwind, and had applied the brakes for emergency reason so no damage is done. This device had also made it necessary to reverse the engine after each trip before the throttle valve can be reopened. By means of a Reeves Variable speed changing device, the speed of the device engine was also varied in regards to hoisting of the ore from the underground workings. The capacity of the ore hoisted on one rope could contain a maximum of 19,550, and the other rope had a a maximum of 12,450 Lbs.
Conditions at the Murray Cu-Ni Mine had also been quite maintained in which made it possible for supplying a large amount of ore when it is required to do so in order to feed the mill. A minor amount of shaft sinking was done at the end of 1918, in which the No. 1 Main Shaft was now exceeding depths of 1,076 feet below the surface workings at the mine site. Most of the development of ore had taken places on levels that were stationed at 150, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900 and 1000-foot levels. During the year, stations on the 800, 900, and 1000-foot levels were cut which resulted in minor drift to the Soutwest portion of the property at the time. Drifting that was done on the upper levels of the workings had rapidly also expanded to the Soutwest and Northeast at the time.
1919 - British American Nickel Company - Lateral development work, production, acquisition of the mine by INCO
The British American Nickel Corporation had continued to extended the workings further but no sinking at the time was done by this company as most of the mining operations were confined to blocking out ore from the stopes. It was also in 1919, when the Rock House had been in continuous operation at the time before the Murray Cu-Ni Mine came to a closure in 1920. Most of the closure of this mine was mainly caused due to the International Nickel Company acquiring all assets of the British American Nickel Corporation as it now controlled the title to 21 mines/prospect sites at this time. This was mainly how INCO had first started out as being a fairly large company owning several properties of past producing mines and new prospect site. This eventually led to even bigger expansions as INCO was now operating all around the world and controlled several smelters in different countries including Norway, China, England and Austrialia.
It was in 1941, when INCO had once again reopened the British-nickel Shaft and would fully dewater it as exploratory work that was done indicated a large tonnage or Cu-Ni Ore that still remained from this partially developed mine. Development work at the time had resulted in sinking another shaft known as the No. 2 British American Shaft that had reach a depth of 576 feet below the surface to serve as a ventilation shaft for the No. 1 British American Shaft. A connection was also made with this shaft on the 500-foot level that acted as purpose to clear out much of the dust and floating debris from the mine workings. In order to do this INCO had developed a wooden ventilation cover that had housed a huge fan that was powered by a 3000 H.P motor and had a massive capacity of 24,000. Most of this was done upon further expanding the towards the South-West as the ore-body was being followed and traced for a fairly long distance at the time. Most of the work within 1941 was confined to the South-West Drifts that had also been crosscutted extensively at the time which resulted in increasing tonnage of over 28 million tonnes of ore in a very small area at the time. Most of this was also being traced downwards from the 1000-foot level of the No. British American Shaft that was being explored very extensively at the time. Lateral development within the mine was also progressing when 8781 feet of drifting and Crosscutting was done and about 10000 feet of raising had been accomplish. The newly designed shaft that had a head-frame of pure cement was extensively slashed out and the levels with in the mine were stablelize in order to accommodate slashing in order to make ore widths of 60 feet in each level. The Head-frame at the Murray Mine was also the only one build out of concrete foundation that had been the first for everything. This would also result in the construction of the dry, office, and engineering building that was all built next to the head-frame at the time. Other building would also become developed that included a rock House, warehouse, a metal framed butler building, a hoist room and compressor room and a gaurd house.
It was in 1963, when the Internal Winze Shaft known as the Snub Shaft was continued to greater depths as it was now reaching a depth of 3,899 feet below the surface of the Murray Mine. Even more levels would also become further cut and station which included the 3,600, and 3,800-foot level that were being further developed to gain access to the ore-body that was previously indicated by drilling. Most of the work at the time was confined to sinking the Internal No. 3 Snub Shaft winze that would provided access to the lower workings of the Murray Mine Site. As this continued the levels previously mentioned were now being opened up as drill stations by 213 feet of drifting and Crosscutting, and 59 feet of raising that was completed. Production at the time was also fairly low when the mine would only produce 848,912 tonnes of ore at a daily average of 3,342 tonnes of ore per day.
Even more changes towards underground development were now progressing when the Internal No. 3 Winze shaft had been continued to even greater depths when it was now reaching the 4,163-foot horizon of the Murray Mine working. This development at the time had rather slowed down mining operations at the Murray Mine Site in the operating year of 1964. Much of this sinking resulted in cutting a station on the newly expanded 4000-foot level that was rapidly being developed prior to indications of the ore-body being discovered at depth by diamond drilling. The total development footage within that time period would also result in completing 2,330 feet of drifting and crosscutting, and 565 feet of raising at the time of expanding this mining operations. Production at the time would also result in hoisting a total of 1,459,504 tonnes of ore that was taken from the workings at a daily capacity of 5,701 tonnes of Cu-Ni ore per day.
New construction at the Murray Mine was taking place during the operating year of 1965, in which a sewage plant and a concrete water tank was constructed. Equipment that became added to the mine within that time period would result in mine cars, pumps, diamond drills, loaders, weighters, a compressor, and a motor that was place within the mine. Even more preparations were being made at this time when an open pit was being prepared for mining as the result of INCO's expansion projects. Before the pit was made this had resulted in a huge task in order to cause no interference when the railway and highway was relocated in order to conduct mining operations at a fairly large scale. This would result in closing the road down as blasting of more than 10,000 tonnes of dynamite caps were blown to make way for the development of the Murray Mine Pit. Development would also taking place within the underground workings that resulted in 9,459 feet of drifting and Crosscutting and 1,712 feet of raising was done below the 2000 foot level. Diamond drilling that had taken place resulted in 16 underground holes, totaling 15,210 feet in length that was completed at the Murray Mine Site within that year. Production that was achieved within 1965, would also amount to hoisting and shipping 1,937,605 tonnes of Cu-Ni ore that was taken out at a daily average of 7,284 tonnes per day.
The Murray Open Pit was well advancing in 1966, when the pit had become developed to the first bench and access ramps were built on the west side and the South-East side to provided trucking and machinery access. The open pit was rather being engineered in an oval shape that consistuted a near surface ore body on the place where the original Murray Cu-Ni Mine was discovered. Most of the pit had only reach the 150 foot mark where one bench was currently being developed and prepared for mining by the following year of 1967. Underground development at this time had also taken place when most of the development work was confined to levels below the 1000 foot horizon of the Murray Mine Project. It was also at this time when another ventilation was needed as the workings had gotten deeper, and this would resulted in boring a raise which was the first method adapted at a mine in Canada. The Murray Mine was also credited for being the first project to adapt a scoptrams in a mine site and the first ever to conduct experimental tests on borehole raising methods within any mine sites in Sudbury. Lateral development within 1966, resulted in 12,664 feet of drifting and Crosscutting and 1,749 feet of raising was completed at time. Diamond drilling had also taken place that amounted to 24 underground holes, totalling 25,226 feet in total length that had become completed within the underground workings. The total production that had came from the Murray Mine Site would end up amounting to 1,324,120 tonnes of ore taken from the No. 2 main Shaft operation at a daily rate of 5,659 tonnes per day.
Production in 1967, was rather continuing onward when the Murray Cu-Ni Mine had been in continuous development at the time of operating this site in further blocking out ore from the underground workings and the open pit operation. The Murray Open Pit was well advanced at this time having reach a total depth of 250 feet as the first bench was becoming developed at a rapid pace and would continue to progress. This resulted in starting up development on the second bench that was designed and engineered on the 250 foot level of the Murray Open Pit Operation. It was at this time when the open pit had well advanced in width that now had been 2567 feet in total width and the length was also advanced northward for 1300 feet. Underground development at the Murray Cu-Ni Mine was also being developed to the Northwest and Southeast that had followed the ore-body for a distance of more than 16,000 feet on different levels by drifting. Crosscutting was also advanced within these drifts in order to continue to expands the widths of the ore-body as in some places they were known to exceed 3000 feet. Lateral development for the operating year of 1967, had amounted to 10,525 feet of drifting and Crosscutting, and 2,674 feet of raising was done within the mine workings.
It was in 1968, when development had continued to take place at the Murray Cu-Ni Mine Site, and resulted in extensive development and production from underground and open pit mining operations. The Murray Open Pit Mine project was mainly aimed at developing the ore within the first original discovery of site of deposit by Thomas Flanagan. This would included diminishing the original shafts sunk by Vivian Company in 1890, and would turn this discovery site into a massive open pit operation. Work within the open pit was confined to the developing the first and second bench within this section of the mining project. Most of this work was mainly taking place in connection to the workings that were done in the olden days by the Vivian Company and had made it possible to mine this section by open pit methods. The portal that was started within this time period was also advanced towards North in order to connect with the South-East workings at a depth of 500-feet. Most of the development on the S.E section was mainly being done at a total depth of 2000 feet below the surface through the No. 3 Internal Winze Shaft that was collared from the 2,994-foot horizon to a depth of 4,163 feet know as the Snub Shaft. Developed from underground at the time was also advanced northward within the No. 2 Shaft operation of the Murray Cu-Ni Mine Project within this time period. This had resulted in continuing the borehole raise that was started from the surface to a depth of 1233 feet below the surface at the time, in which would reach a depth of 2,381 feet by the end of 1968. Lateral development on the mine workings was also proceeding when a total of 21,969 feet of drifting and Crosscutting was done, and 2,351 feet of raising that was partially done on the Borehole Ventilation Raise. Diamond drilling at this point in time resulted in 13 underground holes, totalling 15,393 feet in total length that was competed at the mine site. The total amount of production that was achieved at the mine had rather amounted to 1,850,110 tonnes of ore from the underground and open pit mine workings. All the ore that was achieved during this time period had mainly been taken out at a daily average of 7,061 tonnes between the two mining projects that were operated by INCO.
Production and development on the Murray Cu-Ni Mine had also continued to take place when the mine was further expanded at the time. It was within that time period when the company had continued its development work from underground in in 1969. Lateral development that was completed on the mine would end up totalling 23,728 feet of drifting and Crosscutting on the ore-body and 50,430 feet of raising. Diamond drilling that was done at the time had also amounted to 8 underground holes, totalling 9,280 feet in length at the time. Work that was done on the Murray Mine Open Pit had rather been confined to the second bench as the production was taken, and the pit was continued onward for quite some distance that resulted in using explosives. A massive tonnage of ore was produce from this work that would supply Cu-Ni ore to the smelters owned by the International Nickel Company of Canada, Limited in 1969. New equipment at the time was add in order to speed up production that included 7 trucks, 1 grader, tractor, and pump. The total amount of ore that was produce from both mining operations at the time would also end up amounting to 1,250,733 tonnes of copper-nickel ore, which 1,244,266 tonnes was shipped at a daily rate of 7,406 tonnes per day.
Much of the development work in 1970 had amounted to 27,867 feet of drifting and Crosscutting and 4,655 feet of raising was done within that time period operating the Murray Mine Site. Diamond drilling had also taken within that time period of operating the Murray Cu-Ni Mine Site that amounted 73 diamond drill holes, totalling 33,751 feet in length from underground. Production that was rapidly taking had been achieved on 10 ore producing levels down to a depth of 3,298 feet below the surface. This resulted in sinking a winze shaft that was collared on the 2,994 foot horizon and sunk to a depth of 4,163 feet that was opened up by levels that had connect with the Shaft or had extend towards new ore sections on the 4000-foot level and was known as the Snub Shaft.. The Murray Mine Pit was also rapidly expanding at the time which was now 6000 feet in length by 3000 feet wide, and had been sunk to a depth of 350 feet. A portal was developed at the bottom of the pit in 1967, which had connect up with the 500-foot level on the SouthEast Drift. Production at the Murray Underground Mine was fairly large that amount to 1.2 million tonnes of ore hoisted, and the Murray Pit produce 754,911 tonnes from the third working bench. The total development footage from all work completed on the mine had now amounted to 280,321 feet of drifting and Crosscutting, and 55,085 feet of raising was accomplish.
Mine Area Geology
The Murray Cu-Ni geology is commonly consider to be associated with magmatic sources that are largely made up of norite surfaces, and gossan stained zones. it can be evident that some of the ore at the Murray Cu-Ni might be associated by the crystalization of sulphide through fluids in parts with the Murray Granite. Ore at the Murray Cu-Ni site contains chalcopyrie that's mixed in with millerite, and contains good percentages in nickel and copper associated with gossanous areas,and Norite.. Much of the area is largely covered by norite with gossan in place and contains spectacular granite that belongs to the Murray Granite complex. Ore is generally recovered between the granite mass or within the rich gossanous showings at this site which are mixed in with diorite. Mineralization within the general area also includes pyrite, millerite, nickel, copper, bornite, pyrrhotite, PGE, chloritic masses, and volcanic glass known as Obsidian. Fairly large sulphide base mineralogy has been observed at this site through extensive examination of the fairly large tonnages of sulphide bearing gossanous stained rock.
The Murray Mine workings are rather very extensive as many shafts were put down on the property which was followed by ventilation raises. Generally saying, the Murray Mine rather connects with the North Mine which is located diagonally across from the main INCO Shaft. Its also covered by three very deep ventilation shafts that extend to even greater depths being nearly over 3,000 feet in order to provide air and debris transport. Other shafts on the property are located further back away from the main INCO open pit shaft and ventilation raise that's located on the south side of the open pit. The area is also covered by fairly large size material/waste pile that was taken out from development of the open pit operation in late 1960's and early 1970's. This mine features some fairly large stockpiled ore that stretches for quite a distance, and is fairly expanded with a number of areas designed. Some of the main chief minerals that were mined from these workings had included copper, nickel, PGE, Cobalt, Lead, Zinc, Lead, minor gold and silver.
Jerome Gold Mine - Osway Township
The main vein zone of the Jerome Gold Mine was first discovered by a prospective known as Bert Jerome who was conducting exploratory work for the Consolidatef Mining Corporation of Canada. Prior to this discovery the property at the time had additionally been called the Jerome Property that was named after Bert Jerome who had discovered golď on the shoreline of Opeepeesways Lake in 1938. The Opeepeesways Lake is additionally located on Sulton Industrial Road, and is mid point between Sultan and Highway 144 in the Sudbury District, Ontario, Canada.
Changes to the ownership of the property were made in 1939, in which Jerome Gold Mines, Limited had acquired 2,180 acres of prospect land from the Consolidated Mining Corporation of Canada, Limited who was heavily into silver-cobalt ores. This take over had rather resulted in further exploratory work when diamond drilling was carried out and a plant for sinking the shaft was constructed on the Jerome Gold Property. As preparations were being made towards the plant the company would also sink the first exploration shaft on the main vein zone that was vertically sunk by hand steel and was made into three compartments on historical claim S32070. This would later change when the much needed power source was adapted to the property that made sinking the shaft much more easier as it had already made it's way to the 550 foot level by August, 1939. Some of the most productive levels at the time were establish on the mines 200, 350, and 500-foot horizons. Diamond drilling that was done had rather amounted to 29 surface holes, totalling 7,906 feet, and 62 underground drill holes totaling, 3,430 feet in length on the main vein zone of the Jerome Gold Mine Project. Most drilling at the time was very low in technology and could only reach a certain depths so this why prospect shafts were put down on veins to explore the geological vein structure and characturistic further.
Development work carried out on each level in 1939
200-foot level- 551 feet of drifting, and 205 feet of crosscutting
500-foot level- 1,169 feet of drifting, and 183 feet of crosscutting.
Even the demand for buildings was now being place under construction when the hoist-house, head-frame, powerhouse, power magazine, cap-house, office and warehouse, staff house, bunk-house, and cookery was being built. In addition to This, the mining plant at the time had consisted of 300 H.P Ruston and Hornsby 6 cylinder desiel engine, that was directly connected to a 1,450 cubic foot Belliss and Morcom Air Compresor. This would also included a 30 H.P Ruston and Hornsby, 4 cylinder diesel engine, driving 230 Volt generator for pumping, and lighting purposes, and Ingersoll Rand 9 by 8 inch, double drum air hoist.
No additional shaft sinking at the time was done as the No. 1 Veertical Three Compartment Shaft was down to the 550-foot levels as mining and exploratory would commence at a much larger scale in 1940. Development work at the time was mainly confined to the three ore producing levels at depths of 200, 350, and 500 feet below the surface. Other majors plans were made prior to the end of 1940, which had been aimed at further sinking the Jerome No. 1, vertical three compartment shaft operation to greater depths. The total amount of underground diamond drilling had also amounted to 407 holes, totalling 12,063 feet in length. Some more changes would be made when the Jerome Gold Mines, Limited had made preparations for ordering the necessary equipment for the 500-tonne cyanide milling facility, and much of the deliveries of this material were made by at the beginning of December.
The total development footage on all levels in 1940
200-foot level -3,104 feet of drifting, 569 feet of crosscutting, and 145 feet of raising.
300-foot level- 3,619 feet of drifting, 704 feet of crosscutting, and 413 feet of raising.
n 1941, 16 additional claims were bought and 9 claims were staked prior to expanding much of the land owned by the Jerome Gold Mines, Limited at the time. Most of the land that was staked by the company was mainly situated in two different Townships known as Osway and Huffman Townships, within the District of Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. The Jerome Gold Mine at this point in time was fairly isolated and most the employees of the mine were mainly being flown by a water plane on Opeepeesways Lake, and the same method was used for obtaining supplies. Most of the fly in method was adapted when the the company had made arrangements for this service from Biscotasing to the Mine site at Opeepeesways Lake. With this costly method of transportation the Jerome Gold Mines, Limited had started their own truck road from the Mine Site to Ramsey Station on the Canadian Pacific Railway, in which was 18 miles long. Electrical power at the time was also obtained for the Jerome Gold Mine Site that was obtained from the Ontario Hydro-electric Power Commision's Plant in Shining Tree, Ontario, Canada, which was another gold district being fairywell explored.
Mining operations at the time were continuous throughout the operating year of 1941, in which the No. 1 Vertical, Three Compartment Shaft was sunk from the 550-foot horizon to a depth of 835 feet below the surface. The Jerome Gold Mine Property was rather becoming a big project that would expand the life of the mine when two new levels would be constructed at depths of 650 and 800 feet. Prior to this development, a loading pocket at the time was cut at a depth of 725 feet, in which ore and waste passes were being now driven to the new 650-foot level. Other major development that was completed included branching ore passes in order to serve each side of the mine workings, in which connections were made 200, 350, and 500-foot levels. It was at this time when the company was making preparations for production during the months of July and August, that consisted of backstoping all the known ore-shoots in order to gather 20,000 tonnes of broken ore that was stockpiled. The total broken ore reserves which was in the mine had rather totalled 28,653 tonnes, in which stoking to date had indicated a great deal of stope development would be required in order to extract the ore along the flat fault planes. Plans which were used within the mine had mainly been adapted to shrinkage stope methods that had rather paid off rapidly for the company in first administering them on the workings. Most of all the development in the mine was reported to have been low due to the major proportions in obtaining ore from the stope sections to feet the newly set up mill. Major development at the time had concentrated on the 600-foot level that had additionally developed 12,602 tonnes of ore in two shoots, averaging 0.20 ounces per tonne in cut grade before delusion. Prior to development of the 600-foot level, several narrow shoots with very limited tonnage had been indicated as the new level was further driven. Not much information at the time was rather obtained on the 800-foot level as lateral development was very minimal within this section of the Jerome Gold Mine in 1941. At the beginning of the year, the mine rather had an ore reserve of 663,910 tonnes before decreasing to 618,948 tonnes after 13,863 tonnes was taken from development ore that average 0.172 ounces of gold (Au) per ton. Diamond drilling at the time had also totalled 7 surface holes, totalling 473 feet, and 123 underground holes, totalling 4,589 feet in length. Development at the time had also progressed on all five levels that were establish on the mines 200, 359, 500, 600, and 800-foot horizons.
Development plans were rather continuous when the erection of a mill had begun within the operating year of 1941, and would be in full production by August of that very same year. Some of the major plant equipment that were add to the mill during the year had included a 1,580 cubic foot Canadian Ingersoll Rand Compressor that was driven by a 300 H.P Canadian General Electric Motor, a Canadian Ingersoll Rand 48 by 36 inch, Double Drum Hoist, driven by a 200 H.P Westinghouse Motor, a Blake type, 40 by 42 inch Allis Chalmers Jaw Crusher, a Gate Type, Allis Chalmers 7 1/2 Gyratory Crushers, and a 4-foot short handed Symons Cone Crusher. This equipment at the time had also included a Marcy-type, Canadian Vickers Ball Mill, 7-foot by 27 foot agitators, with Dorr Mechanisms, two 14 by 14-foot drum filters, and Merril Crowe Precipitation Equipment, which included a Perron Gold Press. By the end of September, 1941, the newly designed mill had rather proven to be capable of handling over the tonnage additionally planned by the company, but the tonnage was classified as to be poor if handled over 550-tonnes of ore. Milling that was done during the year was mainly aimed at test milling that had milled 58,824 tonnes of ore in which the first gold obtained had produce 8,756.888 ounces of gold (Au), at a recovery grade of 0.182 ounces per tonne. This also resulted in a recovery of silver (Ag) that had totalled 2,439 ounces in association with the gold ore obtained from mining it. There was also a tailing loss that amounted to 0.0169 ounces of gold (Au) per tonne of ore that was milled at a rate of 550-tonnes on a daily basis. Much of the circuit had also recovered a total of 967.902 ounces of gold that was taken during clean up of the milling circuit
Total development footage on all underground levels in 1942.
725 foot- loading station - 205 feet of raising
800-foot level- 209 feet of drifting, and 193 feet of crosscutting.
The Truck Road that was started in 1941, was officially completed by November, 1942, and had reach Ramsey Station on the Canadian Pacific Railway. No additional shaft sinking was done at this time period prior to expanding mining operations on six levels within that operating year of 1942. Development at the time had rather been entirely behind schedule and would become very minimal near the end of 1942, due to a shortage labour issues. It was also during this time period of operating when a minimal amount of development work was done on the 800-foot level that had developed 10,900 tonnes of ore in two shoots averaging 0.18 ounces of gold (Au) over 5.2 feet. Development at the time had also indicated favorable smaller shoot of ore that were still being in the process of examination to determine their full outline. Production at the time however was maintained throughout the operating year of 1942, in which the Jerome Gold Mine provided 167,936 tonnes of ore that was hoisted. It was also at this point in time when a major exploration program was undertaken at the mine that consisted diamond drilling and test sampling. Diamond drilling was also used for a wide range of reason that was aimed at expanding the working further prior to using explosives, and for exploratory purpose in defining the geological structure source of ore. In total drilling that was done on the Jerome Gold Mine from exploratory drilling, development drilling, and surface drilling had amounted to 6,993 feet in total combined length that resulted in a completion of 53,417.8 feet of drilling on this property. The total broken and unbroken reserves within this project had amounted to 328,422 tonnes, grading 0.175 ounces that had a total gold potential of 57,455.7 ounces.
Processing within the on-site cyanide mill had rather operated 92.7% of full time for the year. Most of this factor was mainly met by the curtailment in milling due to the quality of wartime material and replacement in the markets that caused gold to go down. The grade of the large tonnage mill during the operating year of 1942 was also great in consistency towards the material that was fairly well graded on average of 0.175 ounces per tonne. Other changes were being done when the removal of wet fine had used th requirement of a finer secondary screening, which resulted in improving the tonnage capacity greatly. This had also included the need for slowing down the classifier in regards to improving the recovery by 1.5% of gold tailings being lost. Major improvements kept on being made as it was also found that discarding about 100 tonnes of daily solution had gradually improved the precipitation, and reduce solidable gold tailing loss. Even more experimental work was being conducted in regards to improving the recovery of gold (Au) by flotation of mill tailings, and cyanide the concentrate further. Changes at the time had not been done as the company wanted to also recover molybdenite that was found to be in association with the ore that was mined from the Jerome Gold Mine workings. Upon examining this experimental run it was found that the Molybdenite had rather become low in recovery, and to expensive in solution that cause the company to abandon it's idea. Prior to this, the Jerome Gold Mines, Limited had also adapted new experimental run in regards to recovering the molybdenite by flotation methods. The total amount of ore that was treated through the cyanide mill would also amount to 168,628 tonnes that had an average of 0.189 ounces of Gold (Au) per tonne, and recovered 29,480.65 ounces of gold(Au), and 7,744.27 ounces of silver (Ag).
725-foot loading pocket- 205 feet of raising.
Major curtailment towards development and stopkng had continued onward due to the shortage in labour that had become a major factor towards this mine project for at least 8 months in 1943. Other plans at the time were being made towards continuing the shaft from the 835-foot horizon to a depth of 1,100 feet below the surface was done in September, and had reach a depth of 1,016 feet. Even more changes were now taking place when a new level of the 950-foot horizon was cut and stationed in order to be further explored during the operating year of 1943. Most of the major development work for that time period was done in relation to ceasing milling operations that had become suspended for the time being. No additional development work had been done on the new cut and stationed 950-foot level as the shaft had only reach 1,016 feet, but was still continuing to be sunk further. Development at the time was mainly confined to 200, 350, 500, and the 650-foot level at the time of hoisting much of the ore from the workings that amounted to 106,846 tonnes. Diamond drilling that was done during 1943, had amounted to one surface hole, totalling 2,065 feet in length, and one hole, 30 feet in length from underground. Much of the problem in developing new ore for that year was mainly due to the labour shortage that had place a curtailment in disclosing new ore to be mined from the Jerome Gold Mine. Total ore reserve figure for the end of 1943 had rather stood at 213,442"tonnes of ore that had average 0.166 ounces of gold (Au) per tonne that was still to be mined from this project.
Most of the milling during that time period was mainly being achieved from the beginning of 1943 to August, 1943, when the mill was suspended due to huge curtailment in labour being an issue at the mine site. From all ore milled the mill had process 107,608 tonnes of ore that mainly came from the underground workings and a small percentage had been taken from the stock pile. The total ore that was milled at a rate of 550 tonnes of ore had recovered 18,640.89 ounces of gold (Au), and 4,920.80 ounces of silver from this gold mine project. Prior to Production, the company had undergone a mill clean up in September, which resulted in 343.32 ounces of gold (Au) and 112.93 ounces of silver (Ag).
No milling was done in 1944, when the mine was being rapidly explored due to the curtailment that prevented the mine from gaining ore reserves within the underground workings at the time. Much of the exploratory work resulted in further diamond drilling and continuing the shaft to a depth of 1,136 feet, in which a new level was cut and stationed on the 1,100-foot horizon. Ore development at the time was also considered very favourable as new shoots of ore were discovered on the mines 800-foot level at the time. It's was also reported that good lengths and widths were associated with these new ore-shoots that had better grade ore than previously mined within the Jerome Gold Mine workings. At this point in time, the ore reserves within the Jerome Gold Project were increases to a total of 295,373 tonnes in which had an average head grade of 0.199 ounces of gold (Au) per tonne of ore mined. Diamond drilling at the time had amounted to 7 surface holes, totalling 1,495 feet, and 143 underground holes totalling 10,400 feet in length. Development at the time was also concentrated on five levels that were to included the 350, 500, 650, 800, and 1,100 foot sections of the Jerome Gold Mine Project.
Total development footage on all levels in 1944.
650-foot level - 3,150 feet of drifting, 214 feet of crosscutting, and 544 feet of raising.
950-foot station- No development completed.
1,100-foot level- 2,018 feet of drifting, and 647 feet of crosscutting.
Mining operations by the Jerome Gold Mines would continue from January, until June,30, 1945. Most of the development and exploration work had also disclosed new favourable ore locations within the mine working that needed more follow up and development work but could not be done due the necessary workforce need in order to complete this. These new ore-locations did not seem to have any importants to being economical at the time which resulted in suspending mining operations at the Jerome Gold Mine Property for the time being. Other plans were also aimed at restarting mining operations once the much needed labour was succeeded to commence underground development work and underground explorations at a much larger scale, in which would start milling operations back up at full capacity. All the machinery was rather taken out at this point in time as the underground workings were allowed to flood, but the buildings were still being maintained and a watchmen was place on site.
The total development footage on each level after the site was closed down in 1945.
500-foot level- 4,489 feet of drifting, 447 feet of crosscutting, and 895 feet of raising
725-foot loading pocket - 205 feet of raising.
800-foot level- 2,521 feet of drifting, and 193 feet of crosscutting
The mining town of Ramsey that was also a railway Station on the Canadian Pacific Railway Line was first establish within the operating year of 1942, when the main truck road from the Mine to this Station was completed. A great amount of effort went into building the company's own town as the Jerome Gold Mines place a lot of contributions towards this town that's now a ghost town. The Town of Ramsey was rather a thriving community in the northern part of Ontario as it had a lot of different accommodations that were build by the Jerome Gold Mines, Limited. Some of the things that had become build during that very year had included a community club house with a theater, a 2 storey bunk-house with chlorinating equipment, and Three dwelling houses were also altered and modernized for the use of mine foremans.
In 1986, the Jerome Gold Mining Corporation and Muscocho Exploration, Limited had rather made an agreement with the E. B Eddy Forest products, Limited, An option to purchase the Jerome Gold Mine. it was at this time that theJerome Gold Mining
Corporation had paid $100,000 towards optioning the property and placing $25,000 monthly that would be detucted from the acquisition price of $2,500,000. It was at this time when Muscocho Exploration, Limited had earned 50% of the interest in Jerom Mining Corporations interest in this option, and was currently the exploration operator. Later within 1987, the Jerome Gold Mining Corporation had announced to start a major development exploration program on the past producing Jerome Gold Mine. Previous development and exploratory work had rather become active from 1938 to 1945, and mill was done from 1941 to 1943, at a rate of 550 tonnes of ore per day. Within three years of operating the mill had rather process 303,906.9 tonnes of ore that recovered 56,878 ounces of gold (Au) and 15,104 ounces of (Ag). The current state ore reserves at this time were now marked at 335,000 tonnes of ore that had an average recovery grade of 0.19 ounces of gold (Au) per tonne of minable ore above the 200 m level.
Major construction at the time was also ongoing at the mine site when the two companies had started developing at camp for accommodation purposes at the Jerome Gold Mine Site in 1987. The two companies rather had also made joint partnership agreements of equal basis. It was also at this point in time when dewatering the shaft to the 347 m horizon was started, and Surface diamond drilling on the Main and South Zones would also take places that included bulk sampling of the already defined ore blocks in the main zone, and developing assess to the South Zone from existing workings were planned for 1988. Much of the objection of this three phase program was also mainly being aimed at increasing the known ore reserves within the mine working of 680,388.5 tonnes, grading 6.5 g/t gold.(Au).
Further exploratory development was now commencing when the dewatering of the shaft was taking place in the later part of 1987, and was aimed to be dewatered down to the third mining level at 500-feet below the surface. This second wave of development work was clearly about to start when the Warehouse-garage was refurbished, a head-frame, hoist-house, dry-house and the rehabilitation of the underground workings were started. It was within the later part of January, 1988, when the first level at 61 m of the Jerome Gold Mine had been accessed for further assessment work. Most of the dewatering had rather continued up until May, 1988, when a blockage was encountered at 125 m below the collar of the Jerome Mine Shaft. Much of the evolution of the second level at 106.7 m, and clearing the shaft was mainly delayed up until August of that very year. Plans at the were mainly aimed a removing the obstruction that had caused a stop to dewatering of the Jerome Gold Mine Shaft, and had proceeded to the third level at 152.4 m, which water levels had been maintained to a depth of 167.6 m.
Exploratory development work had rather continued onward when the East Drift on the 152.4 level was slashed out 2.5 m wide by 2.75 m high for a distance of 298.7 m Plans were also being made towards driving a southward crosscut for 130 m on the same level at a distance of 305 m to the east of the shaft in order to access the South Zone. Mostly the development planing on the 152.4 m level was aimed at continuing a rapid exploration program that would consist of 460 m of exploratory lateral development. Other machinery was also being used in part of the aggressive exploration plan by the Jerome Mining Corporation, and Muscocho Exploration, Limited, and had included a 5 ton truck that was currently in use on the 152.r m level. Access at the time was gained to the 61 m and 106.7 m levels that was undergoing further exploratory work, geological mapping, and surveying was completed at the time. On the 106.7 m level, the company had encountered open stopes and poor ground conditions that rather had made the second level inaccessible at the time. Much of the east drift on the 61 m level was reported to had been in fairly good conditions for further exploratory work that was to be completed on this level. This drift at the time, was also cleaned out, washed, and geologically mapped in regards to better understanding the nature of this ore deposit.
Early in 1988, the two companies had rather progress with this project when a surface diamond drilling program was started at the Jerome Gold Mine Site. Phase one of this drilling program had rather been carried out between late 1987, and the early part of July, 1988, including 65 holes, plus 3 extension holes, totalling 14,020.5 m. Much of the program was aimed at testing the South Zone that's situated 125 m from the main ore zone, to a vertical depth of 160 m over a 305 m strike length. Several holes were extended northward, and had intersected the main zone below the 160 m level. Preliminary drilling that was done on the South Zone had indicated ore reserves of 114,595.6 at an average grade of 6.0 g/t gold. For the most part, The south zone is rather described to be open to the west and below the 160 m level of the historical Jerome Gold Mine Site. Phase 2 of the drilling program had rather totalled 1,767.8 m in three deep holes, and was mainly carried out to test the downplunge continuity of the main zone. Other plans were also made to continue this exploration program from underground drill stations on the 152 m level South Zone Drift. Later in 198i, the company also would start phase 3 of the drilling program that totalled 6,111 m from the surface in order to test different areas of the main zone workings. The program within this time was designed to confirm existing reserves, define and upgrade areas of possible ore reserves, and to better understand the Jerome Gold Mine structure. By the earlier part of December, 14 holes, totalling 2,725 m had been completed, and was expected to confirm new mineralized areas in 1989.
At about 150 m east of the shaft, drilling had intersected a well developed mineralized zone that was approximately 25 m north of the existing development drifts, between the fourth level at 198.1 m and the fifth level at 243.8 m. The geologist of the company had also suggested that the new zone is actually the main zone at depth, and development drifting on fourth and fifth levels may had actually followed a splay of the main zone. If this is the case, then the main zone was reported to have been dipping more steeply at depth. Recently the company would also initiate under ground diamond drilling program from the 152.4 m level that was continuing to define this zone
Much of the exploration program at the time was rather consisted through 1987 to 1989, when had become discontinued for the time being and the mine was place on care and maintenance by the end of 1989, and the workings were allowed to flood. Underground development on the 152 m level was also officially completed in 1989, in which the East Drift was slashed out 305 m from the shaft to accommodate the much needed reckless equipment. From that point, a crosscut was then driven south for 107 m to access the South Zone. The total amount of drifting on the South Zone workings at the time had rather totalled 146, of which 133 m was in mineralization. On both, the east and west ends mineralization was truncated by faults, and a chip sample of drift faces on the West Drift average 9.1 g/t gold (Au) across 1.8 m for the 75 m long exposure. Much samples for the same 72 m length had also average 4.1 g/t gold (Au) across the development drift for a width of 2.5 m.
An underground diamond drilling program totalling 4000 m in 24 holes was completed in 1989, in which drilling from the South Zone on setups on the main zone drift totalled 1121 m in seven holes. Two holes totalling 64m were also drilled from the main zone in order to conduct exploratory work on the North Main Zone which was first intersected in the drilling program. A total of 2512 m in twelve holes was completed from setups on the South Zone drift to test the down dip and downplunge of the main zone Three exploratory holes, totalling 305 m were also drilled from various setups on the 153 m level, and in addition to This, 40 short holes, totalling 885 m were completed with the use of a Bazoka Drill to test mineralization in the walls of the Main Zone.
A three phase surface diamond drilling program carried out between 1987 to 1989, totalled 23,889 m in 93 holes. The surface drilling program on the South Zone had consisted of 64 holes, and the Main Zone and the East and West extensions of the main zone structures had been traced by diamond drilling for 2750 m along a trend in 29 holes. Ord reserves that were calculated from this massive exploration program had rather indicated estimations of 523,894 tonnes at an average grade of 6.5 g/t gold (Au).
it was in 2008, when Augen Gold Corp had taken over the property that was previously staked by management of the company, and had raised 16 million towards conducting further exploratory work on the Jerome Gold Mine Property. Augen Gold at the time had rather directed a portion of this capital towards conducting an aggressive exploration program on the Jerome Gold Property that includes drilling and modeling in order to extend the mineralized zone and to increase reserves.
Exploratory work was rather being done at much rapid pace as Augen Gold Corp was on route with exploratory work at the historical Jerome Gold Mine and other veins in the area that were reportedly opened along strike and at depth. Much of the geological series were also closely related to the prolific gold camps of Timmins-Kirkland Lake within the Abitibi Greenstone Belt that hosts many productive mines. The company had rather conducted plans in searching for three types of deposits on the Jerome Gold Mine Property that includes Quartz Archean Carbonated Lode Gold, information hosted gold, and vocanogenic massive sulphides. Augen Gold had rather completed a major diamond drilling program of 10,500 M in 21 holes in order to obtain test mineralization down dip and along strike. The first two holes that were done had mainly been aimed at proving historical grades. Hole No. 2 rather returned 8.35 m of 15 grams of gold per tonne, and 0.08% Molybdenum from 134 m depth, including 3.6 m of 31 grams gold and 0.14% Molybdenum. The same hole had also returned 4 m 7.9 grams gold per tonne and 0.076% Molybdenum from 165 m, including 1 m of 23 grams gold tonne and 0.078% Molybdenum over 168 m. Hole No. 1 had also returned 0.42 m of 71 grams gold per tonne and 17% Molybdenum from 165 m. other exploratory work was aimed at testing the mineralization at depth which had proved to continue at depth but was fairly low in grade. Historical data also indicates that there are numerous lower grade gold values at depth, but the east portion of the mine workings cotains some of the higher grade gold assays that indicated a new zone of 0.19 ounces of gold (Au) from the east. (Conclusions made by OntarioExplorations101). Most of the mining at the time of closing down due to labour shortage issues had rather stop on the eastern section of the mine workings when the mine was allowed to flood in with water. Much of the drilling by Augen Gold Corp had additionally traced the mineralization of the main zone for a length of 1km west of the Jerome Mine Shaft. Exploratory work on this section had also revealed a new gold bearing sulphide zone that was discovered south of the Southern zone of the mine. Gold at lower depths rather indicated 1.4 grams of gold, and 0.047% Molybdenum down to 600 m.
Jerome Gold Mine Geology and Economic Potential
For the most part the regional rock within the area is made up of greywack with some conglomerates, which the latter is very prominent in the Southern part of the Jerome Gold Mine Property. The sediments that are related to this property have also been extensively intruded by dike and bodies of porphyry, in which contain feldspar porphyry, and is less altered that's largely found southwest of the shaft in outcrops. The feldspar porphyry is also determined to be highly carbonitized and altered so that it weather into a grey color. Much of the sediments in vicinity of this intrusion have also been altered, and porpyritized so much that the distinction between them, and the porphyry is rather difficult to make. A small amount of lamprophyre also occurs in outcrops, with the best exposure being on a small island just north of what is commonly known as Jerome Point by many who know the history of this project. Some diabase dikes in relationship to the Cobalt Embayment are known to also occur at the southeastern part of the property near the Osway and Huffman Boundary, and had also been intersection in diamond drilling from historical intersections on other part of the property. A study performed by OntarioExplorations101 on the map of previous working indicates that the vein zone rather lies near the contact of the sediments, and along the porphyry. Much of the porphyry rather lies near the surface of the West end of the workings, but had been determined to have pitched irregularly east to a depth of more than 1,000 feet near the east end, that's judge from the map of the workings. The eastern end of this mine it was also determined that the vein had rather strike N 050° W, and curved gradually to strike N. 080° W. On the West end, with an average dip of 072° N. For the most part, there was also a gradual arc in the shear zone that maybe importance in the structural control of the emplacement of the ore that appears to be faulted by Feldspar Porphyry. Some of the fractures and stringer zones were also noted to diverge tangentially towards the east and west of the center of the arc in the main-vein zone. During development of the mine their was a number of faults encountered that have a resemblance of the Kirkland Abitibi Greenstone Belt that's apart of the Timiskaming Assemblage. One of these faults was reported to have strike N. 010° to 025° W, and had dip east at angles of 020° to 040°. These are rather known as frustfaults that hace a predominant vertical movement, which is shown by striae and mullion structure, and right hand horizontal displacements from 1 to 50 feet. The faults on the second set apparently strike N. 065° to 075° W, usually at small angles to the strike of the vein zone, and had dip nearly vertical. These rather intersect the thrustplane that i have already describe, and have their own displacement from 1 to 30 feet. The horizontal shift of these faults is right handed, I.e. north side west, in which tension fractures associated with these faults strike N. 045° to 065° E and dip at 075° W. Much of the tension fractures probably cut across earlier vein material and also thrust faults, which are filled with milky quartz carrying course Pyrite, tetrahedrite, and native gold. It's quite obvious that the least one stage of gold mineralization is later than the post vein thrust faults. This was rather a further borne out by the assay plans, which show a concentration of higher grade gold under the east dipping faults. These foremost hydrothermal solutions had probably been active along the thrust fault planes is shown by the bleached wall rock and the development of sericite and tourmaline for 3 feet or more on either side. The mineralized zone is rather very complex in structure as those of the Kirkland Lake Mines that are also associated with a number of faults planes that displace the veins by up to 100 feet in some cases.
The Jerome Gold Mine rather comprises of a cherty zone of bluish-grey quartz from 3 to 4 feet wide on the northwall, in which a central section of classy quartz and white carbonates appears, and on the south wall a discontinuous vein in place consisting of stringers and blushish quartz. The main vein was very persistent but had also varied in width and became locally interrupted, in which there are local thick sections, some of which are wider portions of the main vein, while other appear to be more ore less isolated pods. In addition to the lenticular nature, which is a primary future of the vein structure, the mineralized zone is further broken up by fault sections which make it a complex geology structure to work with. The vein is rather well exposed on the surface but only in one place, a small pit to the northeast of an open cut, which is located at about 250 feet northeast of the shaft. On the southeast wall of this pit, a detailed section from the northeast to southwest included to feet of schist with pods of solidified mineral, a 2 1/2 foot lens of silicifide country rock, 8 inches of schist, a horizontsl lens of bluish-grey, cherty quartz with carbonates, 12 inches of schist with lens of quartz, 20 to 30 inches of cherty bue-grey quartz, which contain inclusions of country rock, and cut by carbonated veinlets, both quartz and carbonte being intersected by more glassy quartz. The total wide of the mineralization exposed is rather 30 feet wide within this pit and the surface. Between this and the open cut southeast, the mineralized zone is presented by silicified, carbonatize, greywacke. The sediments and feldspar porphyry is rather red in colour due to alterations, which are widely distributed in the area. Much of the glassy quartz are rather formerly mineralized with metalics, which can not be determined upon visual examination, and is known for carrying most of the value. Examinations done on the surface had also disclosed Pyrite with very little gold values, and exceeding fine grained silvery metallic, cobalt. The blue color is also caused by the metamorphism that is widely distributed by these metallics. Chalcopyrite, tetrahedrite, Galena, sphalerite, and molybdenite are also distributed, in which visible gold is fairly rare on this property. The feldspar porphyry quartz had rather also been formed by the silicification of the country rock, which chalcopyrite and tourmaline were noted in the glassy quartz. Gold values within the glassy quartz are also said to give off more lower grade assays than that obtained in the more darker coloured quartz. According to Brown the vein material is rather known to also extend for widths of 15 to 75 feet in places, and continuous ore shoots had been for lengths of 3,000 feet, in which not all mineralization constitutes ore. Most of the ore shoots in this zone had shown a steep rake to the west and are found to bottom in a zone of quartz and carbonate, which carries no values. It's also stated that the values rather extend at depth at the eastern portion that are associated with the feldspar porphyry that acts as a fault plane in the mine workings, as values don't seem to extend extend below the bottom of the porphyry.
Ore reserves from the Mine were also officially estimated in 1945, to contain 335,000 tonnes of ore, averaging 0.19 ounces of gold (Au) per tonne of ore mined after dilution. Milling at the Jerome Gold Mine began on August, 28, 1941, and had become suspended in 1945, due to a labour shortage that the company was face with in developing this mine a much larger scale. Within three years of being active the mill had rather process a lot of ore that amounted to 335,000 tonnes and would obtained a bullion values of $2,189,822 in gold and $5,829 in silver recovery. Other exploratory work had also indicated another mineralized zone to about 400 feet south of the main vein by surface work and diamond drilling. It was also determined that this mineralization was located along the feldspar porphyry sediments, and had been indicated by drilling for a length of 1,400 feet, and has a maximum width of 60 feet. More so the north wall of this zone is strongly known to be only exposed, in which is highly carbonated, silicified, sheared, and locally brecciated. Stringers of glassy quartz and tourmaline, along with chalcopyrite cut this zone where carbonate stringers are also present. This prospect at the time was commonly known as the Skye Prospect which extends for more a mile south of the main ore-body at Peepeesways Lakes, and for about a mile west of Ramsey Road. This mineralized contact is mainly found to the east of the main zone where the Jerome Gold Mine was developed, and the south wall mainly consists of massive amphibolite and Greenstone. The shear zone on the Skye Prospect mainly extends for half a mile to the west and east. Grab samples of silicified, well mineralized material from this zone gave of 0.02 to 0.08 ounces of GOLD (Au) per tonne. Two chip samples were also taken from the east of the workings that gave off 0.03 ounces over 6 feet and 0.40 ounces of gold (Au) for over 2 feet.
The Jerome Gold Mine is rather underlain by an meta-arkose, and meta conglomerate that have been intruded by the Jerome Porphyre. The Porphyre portion includes trondhjemite, Granodiorite, and also syenite varieties, with quartz and feldspar-phenocryst. The Contact between the Jerome Porphyry and metasediments is also strongly sheared and very altered over width of some 120 m. Two mineralized veins, known as the Main Zone and the South Zone, occur along the edge of the shear zone and are separated by it.
Orogeny and Time Period of the Swayze Series Rocks.
The orogeny time period is rather put together by OntarioExplorations101, and is provided towards exploratory work in the region in knowing what much of the rocks and minerals associated with formations constitute in the general area. In relation, the Jerome Gold Mine is largely apart of this economic belt that resembles to the prolific gold area known as the Kirkland Lake, and the Abitibi Greenstone Belt. Many of the fault planes are related to this area that makes up a much complex geological setting to work in determining gold potential Targets. Most of the work by Augen Gold Corp was mainly aimed at exploring Quartz Carbonated Archean Gold, Iron Formation Lode Gold, and Volcanogenic Massive Sulphides, but had left out the prolific shear zone that extends for quite a distance.
The Swayze Series rather forms the southern part of the Raney-newton Assemblage and consists of conglomerate, iron formation, turbiditic wacke, arkose, and chert in associations of feldspar porphyry that in many cases acts as a fault plane, and interlayered by felsic Metalvolcanic rocks. The main minerals that are associated with the Swayze Series is known to consist of Au, Ag, Co, Cu, REE, Ni, and Mo. There is also the possibly for Basemetal and polymetalic deposits that maybe be associated within this geological Subprovince that hosts some of Ontario Gold Occurence like the Cote Gold Project, the Herrick Mine, the Ronda Gold Mine, The Jerome Gold Mine, the Shining Tree Gold Mine, and many of there gold properties that acted as prospect sites from 1900 to the 1960's. Many of them are also currently under explorations by various companies who find the potential in economical gold discoveries. The area is also largely made up of many different assemblages that characterize the geological structure in hosting many different type of formation mentioned below, and the mineral potential this area has.
In the western central part of the Raney-newton Newton Assamlage, the metasedimentary rocks face south, but are overturned and dip steeply from 060° to 080° to the north. Conglomerate Pebbles consist of felsic, porphyrs, chert, and mafic volcanic rocks, along with Granodiorite. The Swayze Series is rather interlayered with metavolcanic rocks along the Southern part of the Raney-Newton Assemblage. These metavolcanics fragment types rather dominate in the metasedimentary rocks. It's also observed that these are consistent with a volcanic and clastic origin for the Swayze Series, which appears to be stratigraphically equivalent to the felsic metavolcanic rocks of the Raney-Newton Assemblage. The age of these rocks are known to be determined to range in two different ways, the first is related to U-Pb that dates to 2697 million years ago, and the second is related to tholeiitic and Komatitite flows that are 2826 million years old.