R. I. 4150 DECEMBER 1947

UNITED STATES

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

J. A. KRUG, SECRETARY

BUREAU OF MINES

JAMES BOYD, DIRECTOR

REPORT OF INVESTIGATIONS

INVESTIGATION OF COAL DEPOSITS FOR LOCAL USE

IN THE ARCTIC REGIONS OF ALASKA AND

PROPOSED MINE DEVELOPMENT

BY

ALBERT L. TOENGES AND THEODORE R. JOLLEY
R. I. 4150,

December 1947.

REPORT OF. TNVESTIGATIONS ~~. . .. .. ..... . . .

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 'BUREAU OF MINES .~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

INVESTIGATION OF COAL ' OSITS FOR LOCAL WE IN WE ABCTIC REGIONS'

OF ALASKA AND PROPOSED MINE I)EVELO67ENT1 J

By Albort L. Toenges-' and Thoodoro<R. JllJoy3/<

CONTNTS

Ifltroduction ... . ..... . <2 . .

Acrnowled~nment8 .,......* 0 .:.5.l @ 'a@ . .......''

Description of' , 5

Deering, Fairhaven Mining District... '

Chicago Crook mine ....... 3

aGeorgeWallin min. 4

Conclusiorls. ... .. ...... 5

-., - . Point .......Lay ar6a. , ; j., ,,.,.,,, :88 

Kukpowruk River.6...........*... 8

; ' ~~~Tepsak6 River; ..4.-.... ''WW*v#**@****vP

Conclusions... O ........ 1 

Wainwright area. ........ ..... . .15

Kuk River .... .. .* . 15

Mine area 1 ............... 14

-'Mine aree' 2..... 14

Mine area 3-..... , ,,',, 16

Conclusions'.. . .. .. .16

General conclusions. . ..... 18

'TABLES

Page

1. Analyses of coal from depobsit on Kukpowruk River, approximately 45

miles upstroam from Point Lay . .. ........ O

2. Analysis of coal from de&position Tepsako Rivoi, about 15 miles east

* of Point Lay ......... ........................... 12

3. Analyses of coal from dodposit on Kuk River near Wainwright mine

*area No. 2.. ...............w..........^.. ......... 15

4. Analysis of coAl from ieposit on Kuk River near Wainwright mine

area No. 3 ......... '...-......................... 17

1/ The Bureau of Mines will welc'ome reprinting of this paper, provided the

following footnote acknowledgment is used: "Reprinted from Bureau of

Mines Report of Investigations 4150."

2/ Principal coal mining engineer, Fuels and Explosives Branch, Bureau of

Mines, Pittsburgh, Pa.

3/ Mining engineer, Coal Dlivision, Fuels and Explosives Branch; Bureau of

Mines, Pittsburgh, Pa.

1864
P.I. 4150

ILLUSTRATIONS.

.. . .. 'Following

Fig. page

.1. Frame hou6ea&--at -Deering ................ 2

2. Eskimo sod hut (igloo) ............. ...... .. .. ......... . 2

3. ':tocat:ioi:ma4 'i0owing'arease-'nive'stigated (marked by X} in '

the Arctic regions of Alasaas. 2

4. Plat.of'.'U. S. Survey No, l994, Chicago Creek mi ne........ 2

5. George Wallin mine..Kugruk River; Fairhaven District,

Alaska .................................... 4

6. Plan adaptable to .coal mining in the Arctic regicnsoV

Alaska .... ............ .... ..... .... ..... .. 6

7. Coal deposit on Kukpowruk Rivor, approximatoly 45 miles upstream from Point Lay.ay........ 8

8. Coal deposit on Kukpowruk.River, approximately 45 milos upstream. from Point.Lay.......... ................. 8

9. Coal storage, pile, .mine No..1, Kuk River, Wainwright area 14

10. Section of coal outcrop, mine No.;35, IKuk- River, Wainwright

area. .... .. .* .... ... .... ..*.. . .* .,. . ... 14 area~~~... ........ ... ev.... . !1;.4

* .. RINTRODUCTION.'* -

The construction-of.frame.houses.(fig. 1) in recent years instead of

the conventional sod hut.(.igloo)(fig. 2)-by'the Eskimos in the villages

along the Arctic Ocean-has increased the.domand for fuel in these villages.

The frame houses, which are not insulated.against extreme cold and are difficult to heat, are equipped-with coal stoves. The well-insulated sod huts

were heated comfortably with.whaleooil stoves. In some years whaling is

poor, consequently thero.is a-demand for solid fuel.

The Eskimo villages usually are on .the .sand spits at the mouths of

rivers and points of land nQar the .bQst .fishing and hunting grounds.

These narrow necks of land usually are sand bars that are not underlain

with coal, and coal must be transported to the villages. Lack of development-of coal deposits in the Arctic has made it necessary to import coal

from the 'States, generally from Washington,- to :supply these villages..

This coal is imported -by boat .and is received once a year. Its cost is

high, and development of coal deposits in the Arctic to supply these native

villages should result in a .considerable saving to the G.Qvernment-operated

schools and hospitals as well:as to the-nativds. .-

Early traders'attempted to establish coaling stations in the Arcti-cj,

and the Eskimos generally know .where the coal deposits are .situated.. A.-

reconnaissance of a ,umber of deposits in the Arctic was made in the summer

of 1946 by engineers of the'C al li'v sion, Fuels and Exp loaves Branch,

Bureau of Mines, and this report describes the areas investigated-and suggests plans for the development of so'me of these deposits.

1864 -2-
IN

Figure Eskimo sod hut (igloo).
170' 166' 162' 158, 154' 150- 146 142' 138-

VTI 0

Barrow

is, Wainwright xilvl VO

ICY Cape 2 S. 3 70- Lay .00

C. isiob C. Sabin, urne

DELONG G

V1

Noa R 0 j 68- S Chandler Lake

tak

Kotzebue

An, Ki r,Opt

t rin Tic CIRCLEiw ji 66- ndle

AO

Fairbu its

co

t 

154-

hael

Figure 3. Location map showing areas investigated (marked by x) in the Arctic regions of Alaska.
Keystone claim East 20 chs.

N. 25° 27' W. 0.28 chs. unsurveyed

NW. loc. cor. 8.61 chs. S. 870 21' E. 4.70 chs.

11.39 chs. Pit

N. r Cor.2 Cor. 1 fp F U.S. Ioc. mon. \

S. 350 27' E. 2.05 chs. / NE. loc. cor. PLAT

/ I \ of

U. S. survey No. 194

E Chicago Creek Coal Claim

/ Q \O z 2 UnderactofJune6 1900

as amended by act approved

0OF /iS a April 28.1904

00 ~~~~~~~~of cv~ ~~~~~~1 T.S. Solomons

Situated

Fi/ 45° <\ \ X , On Chicago Creek, about

0 °/C. 1.25 miles eastward from

Cd the Kugruk River

/ \ Stable District of Alaska Hoist _ Variation 24° E.

area 157.860 acres

As surveyed by

Arthur G Blake U.S. Deputy Surveyor

April 16-17-18, 1907

AO / C 3 copied at U.S. land office

Juneau Alaska 11.27-45

> \ X <>, 8 >. 66 feet to 1 chain

0 cc~~~~~~~~'

8.49 chs.

\~ 11.511 / N. 73°40, E. 2.71' Shaft

00a 7 11.51 | o

Cor. 4 . W. 20 chs. Cor. 3

S. 2 38' E. 1.86 chs.

-ICY SE. Ioc. cor.

CFUC

Figure II.- Plat of U. S. Survey 194l, Chicago Creek mine.
R. I. 41o

AC NO WLEDGMENTS

The cooperation of Ludlow G. Anderson, engineer-in-charge, Health and.

Safety Branch, Bureau of Mines, Anchorage; Comander P. W. Roberts, U.S.1;.,

at Fairbanks; Mr. Saltzman' U.S.N., at Point Barrow; Col. N. J. Robinson,

U.S.A.;. Capt. Bernard Peters, U.S.A.; Capt.JByron Waldruft, U.JS.A.; W. J.'

Stillings, U.S.A2, all of Aachorage; Fred Geislin, Alaska Native Service,

Juneau; George A. Par-ks,, Office-of Land Management, Juneau, and Helen Bockman, Office of Land Management, homes B. D. Stewart, Terri-torial Commissioner of Mines, Juneau; G. 0. Gates, Jiedeeral Geological Survey, Fairbanks; Sig

Wein, Wein Alaska Air Lines; John Cross, Northern Cross Airline; Everitt -M.

Calhoun, Henry Coffin, GeQorge Wallin, Pinto Vestal, and Elmer Davis oi Deering; Messrs. Lundberg and Robbins Pf Candle; Archie Ferguson of Kotzebue;

Mr. and Mrs. 1.lexander, Point-' Hope; John Coonnary and Bob Tackfield of Point

Lay; Lester Minner, Wainwrioit; Ted Mathews and Ed Barnall, Point Barrow;

and the Eskimos of. all the villages, who greatly assisted the field party

during the investigation, is acknowledged.

DESCidPTI0N'0F AREASThe following areas were investigated: Chicago Creek and George Wallin

mines, Deering, Fairhaven Mining District; I.u'powruk River and Tepsako

1iver, Point Lay; and mines areas l, C, and 5, Kuk River, Wainwright.

The Meade River area was not studied. A description 6f this district

is given *in Repoirt of Investigations 59.34. -

DverjnE, FY.irhhaven Mining District

Two mines were examined. in this area - the Chicago Creek and George

Wallin mines. Their location is shown in 2igure 5. The George Wallin mine

is situated on the north bank of the Kugiuk River between Reindeer Cre~ek

and Montana Creek, approximately 20 miles S. 450 E. of Deering and. approximately 12 miles west of Candle. The Chicago Creek minie is about 4 miles

northwest of the: George Wallin mmine and is at tho appr'oxima-te latitude of

650 A55 north and approximate longitude oI 1620 24' west. This mine is on

Chicago Creek, 1-1/4 miles -ast of the Kugruk River and. about 16 miles S.

45°0 . of Deering and 14 miles.wets of Candle.

Chicago Creek Mine

The Chicago Creek claim was locateda in 1905 and surveyed for patent

April 16.18, 1907, U. S. Survey No. 194, but the application for patenat

later was rejected. Figure '4 shows Survuy 194 from U. S. L;-end Ofice Plat,

Book.

gf/ Sanford, Robert S. and Pierce, Harold C., Exploration of Coal Deposit

of the Point Barrow and Wainwright Areas, Northern Alaska, B-ureau of

Mines Report ofG Investigations 3934, 1946, 17 pp.

1864 ,,
R. I. 415o

The mine opening, which is approximately 75 feet above the elevation

of the Kugruk River, was caved, and no underground examination was possible.

However, reference to Plat 194 (jigs 4) shows the strike of the coal bod to

be N.. 90 W. and that the outcrop extends approximately 5,000 ;oeit across

the claim. The dip-of the bed is shown as 4 50 W. The portal of the mine

slope is in the approximato center ofl the claim, The Land Office rcordbo

state "that in WO97 the inclinc slope had been axik to a depth of 150 feet

with '700 feet of drifts and up raises at thc bottom of the incline.": It is

reported that the mine was gassy.

A sample of weathered slack coal from the o&ld coal pile wa, secured:

and ,Analyzed by the chief coal sampler and analyst of the Alapkv ,Railroad

at Anchoragu.../ This analysis, as-receivod basis, iollows:

Percent

Moisture .8....... 3.

Volatile matter .... 39.9

Fixcd carbon 19.2

Ash . -... 7 -1

B.t.u. ..... . 6,825

Developmen-t and production began in 1908 and continued until 1911.

Approximately 60,000 to 100,000 tons of' coal aro reported to hxve been pro-'

ducmd. This output is said,to have been distributed during the winter

months from October 15 to May 15 to gold prospectors in the Fairhaven Mining District and in the vicinity of Candle by 65 to 100 teams of horses.

Thu mine was abandoned in 1911.

George Wallin Mine

This mine was not surveyed for patent and has operated under a free

mining and prospecting permit since about 1914.'

The present main opening of the. mine is a drift that intersects the

coal bed and a slope driven from the drift in the coal at an angle ranging

from 200 to 355 across the dip- of the bed. The length of this main opening

is approximately 10 feet of drift and 20C 'eet of slope. A gangway is

driven frrom the bottom of the slope on the strike of tae bed for a distance

of approximately 600 Lcot. No planned method of mining is followed. (See

fig.. 5.)

The strike of the bed is W. 150 W., and the dip ranges from 670 to 700

southwest. A measurod section ol the bed follows:

5/ John J. O'Shea, ChieM. 7

1864- 4
100 50 0 100 200

_- ,'Scale, fet

PLAN OF MINE

Surface - - -

1 yC Glac~~~~~~~~~~~~ial drift _

600,

SECTION OF MINE

Figure 5. - George Wallin mine, Kugruk River, Fairhaven District, Alaska.
R. i. 415o

Thickness

Feet Inches

LRooif, shaly claystone

: -.COAL ... .... .... 4 0

Haxd, sandy clay , 4 to 8

2 COICL ..................... 6 0

-, ' He:&nd~yoc .~~~~~E . .. ... . 4 o l a y 4 to 6

: COAL,., .3 8 0.

Bottom; clay shale

The anal, ses of coal benches 1, 2, and 3 on an as-recajved basis are

reported by O Shea/ as follows: ecn

'Percent

. . 1 ~ ~~~~~~~~2 3

Moisture . . 5 2.5 5&9 34.8

Volatile matter . . 29.2 28.5 26.4

Fixed. carbon .31.0 55.0 2.2

ash.... 7.5 .6 6.6

B.'t.-. - , 7T572. bG35 7,555

-The entire thIckness of the. bed. is mined. The lump coal is sacked,

and the slack (minue 1 inch) and paktings are 'wasted in the mine.

At the time of the investigation the mine owaer drilled. and blasted.

the coal, and. the broken coal was sold to the Eskimos and prospectors for

50 cents a sack (approximateIlY l 6&ihas) Of lump coal at the fact. The

purchasers sacked. -uhe coal and. th&sp ~d'i- in a mine car to the slope

bot-tom over steel and wood. track. The coal leas hoisted to the surface in

a sled by a hand. winch. The steam hoistat' thEJ portal wes not in operating condition.

Records of production are' not avlilable, blot -it is estimated. that

aPpfoxlmately 10,000 icons have been produc'eol from the- mine. The present annv.al production is about 2'5 to '0 tons. 2ea'st'E nual production is reported to have been several hundred tons. The decrease in demand for this

coal is said to be due to the increased use of f-del oil and to a decrease

in the population in the area.

Conclusions

The. investigation indicates. theat there is an area of coal adjacent to

* the Chicago Creek: mine. The oxtuent or the outcrop, dip, and thickness of

-the bed should be dct;rmined. by -Leenchin6 or ttst pitting northwest of the

original Chicago CreaGk mine.

' Se footnote 5/. . .

1864 5
R. I. ht15 0

This area appears-more favorable than the Gocorgo Wallin area because:

1. It is 4 miles nearer D6e61ing and NiZe-Mild Point than the Wallin

area. Nine-MilePoint is a lightdrag d-ock for Candle.,

2. The Alaska Road Comission his marked a tractor trail from NineMile Point by Chicago Creek to the Kuguk River.' Bridge material for two

bridges across intermittent streams wah available at the time of the investigation.

3. The arua is above flood level. The Geuoge Wallin mine is affected

by high water of the Kugruk River.

4. The dip of the coal bed. is roported'to be 45°, as compared with

700 at the Wallin mine.

5. A now mine can 'be properly planAed.*

6. The Chicago Creek area is iunleased G0irnmtont land.

The annual coal requirements for the territory adjacent to the Chicago

Creek area is estimated as follows:

Tons

Deering *......... )00

Candl e ......... ,00

Xotzbu...... 800

Other villa(es 400

2(000

This output could be obtained during the 6'winter months and could be

freighted to Deering and Nine-Mile Point ini the winter and. stored oil shipmont by boat to Kotz7ebue in tho sammur. Other points could. bo served during the winter months.

The mine should be scaled during the sumner months when tomporatutes

are above freczing. Particular attention must 'be given in mining to obtain

a maximum of lump coal, due to the slacking of the coal in storage during

the summer months.

A plan of mining adaptable' to the physical conditions reported at the

old. ChicaGo Creek mine is given in fiu.gure 6. This plan requires a minimum

ofl equipment necessary to develop a coal mine that could be opprated with

maximum safety for. approximately 2,000 tons annual production. Gas wad' rbported in the old Chicago Croek mine) and mechanical ventilation must be

provided. This coal mine should be developed. by using the double-entry

system.

In the Chicago Creek area, where the dip of the coal bed is indicated

to be 450, rooms can be driven up the rise of the bed, and then the coal

1864 -6-
Fan house

Exhaust air Surface

Strike oVnre Inwareas whearre 5 to Ur such as on the Kuk rnver and the tv *xKukpowruk z I _ river, rooms should be driven at an angle across the dip w ; o lb-t ; g so that cars ran be pushed manually to the fce for loading. Dip In- inareas where dips are 109 to 40' rooms should be driven up the rise. r---J - 8 ;1-Width of pillars to be increased when depth below surface exceeds '

rA 300 feet

,j LIJ F~~~~~~~~~- irst area mined 'r-- r--'l S t -nV

Second area mined L, r - I

I II I j +// Dp

rr . r ,L JIi i--i E ,,_rB# r~~~i~

16' 6 16' . 16F16' 16

1.J L-a ~L C 1 i L- I S Counter and return

Ii ii II- l - i 110|'° 60' i40 11'2210'22'0'C2'1'22't ;

rL L __ __ ____ ____ ____________-__n _ Gangway and haulage

L ...~~~~~~~~L

PLAN , SECTION A-A

nt / t Advance mining in lower bench of coal bed and retreat

mining in upper benches of coal in rooms.

Figure 6. - Plan adaptable to coal mining in the Arctic regions of Alaska.
R. I. 4150

should flow by gravity from the face of the room to a chute in the room

neck on the haulage entry. Should the dip of the bed flatten to less than

35°, a double track can be laid in the room and a sheave wheel installed

at the face. In this sys-cem, a cable passes over the sheave and the loaded

car pulls the empty car to the face. If steel plates are available, a

lined chute can be constructed from the face to the haulage entry, and

where dips range from 18 to 35 degrees, the c6al should flow by gravity

down the room., The coal face should be either undercut or vertically cut

by hand with picks before the coal is drilled and blsted. 'When a room is

completed, all curtains should be replaced by permanent stoppings. During

sinking of the slopes that are in the coal bed, the daily roquirement of

coal should be obtained.

The minimum amount of equipment necessary to develop 6nd operate a

coal mine to produce 2,000 tons per year in 6 months' operation at Chicago

Creek, based upon. the physical conditions reported at thy old mine, is as

follows:

1 portable steam boiler, approximately 50 hp., complete with

injector., This type of boiler is suggested because of

its simplicity.

1 25-hp. steam hoist.

1 5-hp. steam engine for driving a 6,000 cu. ft. per min.

disk fan.

1 Cisk fan - 6,000 cu. ft. per minute minimum Bureau of

Mines safety codQ requirements.

1 )-kw. st&am-enginQ Penorator set, d.c., 119 volts. If

electric lights are us~e at the faces underground. no

electric cap lamps for minors will De necessary.

1 switchboard panel.

Miscollaaeous steam and water piping and fittings.

6oo feet oL'-/8-inch; steel, 7 x 9'haulage rope..

2 3-foot steel sheaves'.

2,000 feet of 16'lb. mine rail with switches and turnouts,

600 4" x 4" x 4' minl. tie* .

12 4 " x b" x 12' mine ties.

4 1-ton-capacity mine cars (probably obtainable in the Mata-

. nuoka fiuld). t

2,000 feet of 2-wire, waterproof; electric cable for Undorground

*work-nhs and surfaccelighting'.

) dozen 100-watt olcetri6-light bulbs.

25 weatherproof electric-light s&ckets.

25 electric-light bulb guards.

4 boeast cbal'auggrs in scCbions to make augers up to 10

fu'e;t long.

8 2-prong coal-auger bits.

12 coal shovels.

12 coal miners' picks with handles.

12 coal-pick handles (extra),

3,000 lb. pprmis'ible explosive (coal).

1,'500. elc'ctrio detonators..

g86l. - 7-
R. I. 4150

1 hand electric magneto for blasting.

2 permissible flame safety lamps.

500 feet electric blasting cable.

6 wood tamping sticks 1-1/4" x 7'.

250 yd. brattice cloth 96 inches wide.

1 boiler, hoist, and shop building.

1 powder magazine.

1 detonator storage magazine.

2 Diesel tractors, one with bulldozer attachment.

2 house sleds (Wannagi).

4 freight sleds.

1 blacksmith forge.

1 set ofblacksmith tools.

1 anvil.

- 1 hand winch.

1 set of mechanics tools.

Miscellandous electrical wiring supplies, including tape,

insulators, fuses, and switches.

1 set of carpenter's tools.

1 set of block and tackle with manila rope.

Assortment of bolts, nails, drift pins, and steel plates.

Framed timber for slope collars.

Lumber for storehouse and shelter.

Extra tracks for'tractor and spare parts.

200 barrels of Diesel fuel oil.

10 barrels of gasoline.'

2 barrels of tractor lubricants.

1 snow-and-ice melting tank for water supply.

500 mine props, 8 feet long.

1,000 wood wedges.

Trenching and test pitting at then outcrop should determine whether

conditions at the Chicago Creek mine continue to the northwest.

Poiht Lay Area

Kukpowruk River

The natives of Point Lay have used coal froma two soulrces, one on the

Tepsako River about 15 miles east! ol Point Lay and deposits on the Kukpowruk River. A deposit' on' this river 45 miles upstream. from Point Lay is of'

particular interest and importance.

A reconnaissance was'made in July 1946 of coal deposits on the Kukpowruk Liver. The party traveled up this river in a skin boat with mushers,

a four-dog team, and line to draw the boat upstream. It was necessary to

lift the boat oU'f the bottom of the river at rapids and shallow water, and

progress for the 45 miles was 27 hours, or about 1.7 miles per hour.

An outcrop of coal in the rivpr bank was observed at a point about 5

miles from the mouth or the river, . This bed is approximately 5 feot thick,

but little of this bed was above water level, as the river bank in low at

this point.

1864- 8
Figure 7. -Coal deposit on Kukpowruk River, approximately 45 miles upstream

from Point Lay.

Figure 8. - Coal deposit on Kukpowruk River, approximately 45 miles upstream

from Point Lay.
R. I. 4150

A thin bed from which 100 sacks of coal had b'een mined in the past

occurs at a point about 10 miles up the river from -the mouth. Mining conditions are not favorable here..

Coal outcrops were observed. along the banks of the Kukpowruk River at

intervals about a amile apart for a distance of about 2, miles, begmining

about 20 miles from the mouth of the rivcr. The beds were thin and dipped

steeply (400 to 800) at the outcrops first observed. At about 35 miles upstream, the dip of the beds was less, and in many places -the outcrops were

at water levul or slightly above water lcvel.- These beds- do not appear to

be favorable for mininr±, as they are 6ften under water or 'ubriuath overhanging snowbanks. A bed of highly weathered. subbituminous coal 3. feet thick,

which strikes N. 700 W. and dibs 50 west, was examined. A fresh sample of'

the coal could. not be obtained. At about 39 milos utstrecm, a .4-foot, 6-

inch bed of coal that was weathered, and showed evidunce of cracking and

slacking was observed. The stiikei of this bed. is IN. 500 E.', dip 50 E.

During the wintcr, considerable coil had. been -d.-ag from sev(ral outcrops T.or a distance of 5 miles 30 to 55 mi'es from the mouth of the river.

The openings are near the sum(r watcer line of the river. It is assumed

that the rivor level is lowcr 'in the fall and winte;r aftcr the vcarly summer

snow run-off and that co4a outcropa at or below water levol in July would

be accessible for mining in thu latc fall and win-ter.

A deposiX of Frcat interost is about 45 milos from the mouth of the

Kukpowruk River. (See tigs. 7 and 8.). This deposit is approxima`ely 55

air milos S. 200 !. from Point Lay and approximately 15 t-r miles oast of.

the Arctic Ocoan coast line. The coal bcd, which is exposed on the northcast bank of' the river, is herd and aorms cliff 'in tho river bank. Tho

bed is exposed for about 500 feet alon6 the bxik. Thc strike of tho bedd,

which is approximatQly at right anglos to tht irivor at --his poin-t, Is S.

850 W., and the dip is 70 to 120 N. A suction of the outcrop f-ollows:

Thickncs-3

;Fpct Ir che:

Ovcrlylng glacial drift ........ :80 0

Roof, ohhaly claystone ......... 2C+

Shaly co. .- , 4

1, ony coaii'.. . .. O 0-5/81 Analysis C-61130

COAL . ,

2. COAL ... ,4 0 Analysis C-61131

3. COAL .... . . ) 0 Analysis C-61132

1/ El;ccluded. from sample.

Analyses of samples are given in table 1.

Thec total bed thickness is about 15 foot, but approximately 2 fect of

thu bed was under water.

1864 9-
R. I. 4150

TABLE 1. - Analyses of coal from deposit on Kukpowruk River, approximately 45 miles upstream from Point Lay- /

_ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Proximate percent ' Ultimate percent Calorific fusion tAgglomCondi- Volatile; Fixed1 Hydro- - Nitro- value, temp., erating

Lab. No. tion2/ Moisture matter Icarbon Ash!Sulfuri Len teCarbon zen n 0xj~en B.t.u. oF.3/ index

C-6ll3o ....... 1 8.6~Y 29.1 58.0 .5 0.1 5.3 f 72.5 1.2 16.6 12,560 2,230 IDT CP

2 _ 51.9 63.4 4.7 .1 4. 79- | 1.5 9.9 13,740 2,330 ST

3 _5.334 o6.6 j - .2 4.9 83.2 1.3 14410 2 610 FT

C-61131 ..... j 1 .4.6 - 54. .8 .2 2 757 1. : 13.9 12,820 2,470 IDT CF - ,7.5 31-3 56.6 6.1 .2 4.9 77.2 1.3 1G.3 15,440 2,520 ST

3 39-7 60.3 - .2 15.2 82.2 1.3 11.1 14,310 I2,62O FT

C-61132 1 4.6 37-0 54.8 3.6 .1 5.5 1.5 14.2 1 00 3

1 58.8 >y.4 ~~~~~.) 75.) I- 15,90 12,350 IDT UF 1 2 _ 3i. 9.43-81 -.1 5-2 79.0 1.3 10.6 40 1420 ST o40.3 59.7 - I .1 5.4 82.1 1.4 11.0 t 14 480 2,780 FT

1/ knalyses by Coal Anialysis Section, Central Experiment Station, Bureau of Mines, Pittsburgh, Pa.

g/ 1, Smple as received; 2, dried at 1050 C; 3, moisture- and ash-free.

3/ IDT = initial delorma-ion temperature; ST = softening temperature; FT fluid temperature.

4/ Saaple moisc.

1864 -o
RI. . 415o

Natives report that this bed was observed several miles 'east of the

outcrop, and few if any white men have seen it.

The coal is very hard, and it was necessary tP:.use. g heavy pick to

obtain a channel sample. About 50 sacks of this coal (the remain-der of 400

sacks that had been mined 4 years ago) were piled on the.river bank. The

coal in these sacks comprised lumps approximately 6 inches in size, and

there had been no disintegration of the lumps 'dua to woathering. As this

coal had been subjected to the elements ior 4 years -and.Ao deGradation had

taken place, the coal should not slack in transportation and stor'age.

Tepsako River

Bob Tuckfield, a native of Point Lay, roporteId a coal b6d approximately

10 fees thick situated about 15 miles east of Point Lay on the Tepsako River.

A sample of this coal was taken Carom 1,000 pounds of mine-run coal stored

-in sacks in the basement of the Point Laui school housO,'And the analysis of

the coal is given in table 2, analysis c-6jl39.

The natives report that an offensive odor is. £iven'off by the burning

coal and that they do not like it for domestic use.i The are& was not

visited. Thc deposit is probably in the low coastal plains, and the natives

state that it is not extonsivu.

Conclusions

The Kukpow-uk River deposit is 45 milos upstream frmn Point Lay.

The estimated annual demand, for coal in villaqe -nOt woo distant from

the Kakpowruk deposit is as Follows:

T .ns .., Point Hope ............ ...

Point Lay ....... . 200

Wainwrifht . . ........ . '00 

Other Villages . ...... - 0........ 

. ,200:;

A mine capable of satisfying these requirements would. be small. As

the quality of this coal is such that there is-little or no degradation, the

coal could be transported greater distances to all villages from Kotzobue

north. The annual demand would then be approximately 3,20Q tons, exclusive

of Barrow.

1864 -11-
P. I. 415o

TABLE 2. - Analysis of coal from deposit on Topsako Plvor, about 15.miles cast of Point Layl/ -

I ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

' Proximate percent Ultimate porcnt - Calorific fusion -AglomjCondi- IiVolatile Fixed' >dro- | Nitro-I valuu. temp -erating

Lab. No. ition_ 2 Moisture' matter carbon n Carbon n _____ B.t.u. _ F. i-ndex

C-61139 .-- 1 10.5 } 3753 49.4 0 I.4 1 .6 1.2 22.5 11,800, 2,500 IDT C

2 _____ 

-

_______ | 45.0 41.6 57.0 55.5 .i .4 5.4 5.1 7 j o 1, 12 450F 78.6 1 4 14.5 13,180 2,450 ST

, . ...... 1._3 - 43-0 ~~57 °.0 } 4 t 5.1 78.:1 1-.4 15.15.0 13,610 ........................

2,470 FT'

Analysis by Coal Analysis Section,- Central. xporiinezt Station, B1hQu-- of Mines, Pittsburgh, Pa.

/ 1, Sample as-ruceivcd; 2, dried at 1050 C., 3,.moisturc- and ash-firec.

:/ IDT = initial deformation termppratArc; ST - softening tcmperatur_;:FT_ fluid temperature.

1864 12
R. E. 4150

Winter transportation is facilitated by freezing, and. the distancbs to

vtllabgs are less circuitous than during mor ~i-olr travel. It is doubtful if the Kukpowruk Rivcr could- be zaviaited, by barges in sumier becgupo

of the manzy 'oars and rapids. Therefore, coal shouald be transported ini winter. Dog sleds or tractors with slQds can travel over the tundra and frozen

streams by divect routes 'in winter. Reconnaissance may showt a moru direct

route west tGo the Ahctic-Ocean than thc ustimatbd 15 miles Coal could. be

stock-piled in winter- at 6 point ont thc shore and loadod into barges irben

the ico breaks and the passago tO oast toiwn is opcn. Pr6bably rcasc*abl6.

bargei ratos could be obtaizned fr-C private ovmcrs aof tuG's and bargos at

Kotzcbue or Nomo. Th6i fe asibility of supplying bituminous coal to all

Arctic villages frc. a mine on the Kukp r-uk Rivd5' can b& determined only

by a thorough study of all factors involved.

Overburdoa at the point where tho bed was saamplod s about 100 foet

thick - 80 feet of glacial d4rit and 20 oeat of shalo. As the dip of the. 0 bed is 70 to 12 north, the outcrop, which: may bo buried undet the tundra,

would be to the south. The outicrop should be investigated by trenching and

test pitting to detarmint- the uxtent and thicniesqs of the bed. A mine can

then be opened, in the bed at the 6iotcro'p h barrior pillar of coal should

be left between the area to be miied' and tho riv-r. Mining should. be done

in winter, when the overbi\rden is froz&n. Winter op~r~ation in frozen

ground has been successful in the 0orS' 0Walin minc on the Kugruk River'.

The mine should be sealod in su r to orcun-tthawir.g of the strata overlying tho coal. Thus, ro&k falls w~oueld bninimfized.

The plsa of mining, as shown in figure 6, with somc plight modifZication, would be adaptablQ to conditions at thy I6kpow.jrk d4pposit' As tli:

dip of the bed is 70 to 120, rooms snould bcdrivwn c¢cross the dip, which

will permit miners to push cars to the face. The slopes, ontrios, and

rooms should be driven 7 or {3 feoo 'high, and roof coal in roome can then be

extracted on retreat after the roo=6 have boon drivcn full length.. Production of the mine can be gageGd by thc numbc i of workin6 placoe and. numbor of

men amploye&. The minivitiin roquirements o&t' 'a mixie plant and uquipment for

the mino shovn in :igurc 6 would givc an ou-put in cxcess of tha- neude,

but such supplies as o~plosivQs, dftonators,' aid Vrw~tice cloth should be

decreased or increased proportionately'ac~crd.ing to the annual demand.

' Wainwrireht Arba'

Kuk River

Coal deposits on tho Kuk River wcrc rtconnoitorcd in July 1946. Throe

areas wero eeamined on tho east bcank of the Kuk Rivcr. Coal in those doposits has been miiled by thQ natives from openings in the outcrop alon6 the

river bank. The beds are at wator level and arc accessible for mining in

winter, when the Kuk River, adjacent lagoons, and tundra are frozon. Thcse

deposits are also accessiblo by boat in sur=Qr bu, .are not workable at that

time because of thawing of the ovorlying strata.

1864 - 1-
,R I. 4150

,,; The topo~raphy's iroll ii to flat; and. the river bSinke, which acomrise

coalJ;: hale,. san~dtone, and 'ac J drift:, are approximately 50 feet hih.

A Jescription Qf the a C fea, ollvws:

, Mine.area-1 -rThe eo si. rferred, to by the native«; of Wagn

_____ n~.t~ve~ oh W 4gwh~t as

4Miii6l is a prowiately 7,air miles S. 4 R,°. of Wainwright on the eat.

~baiik of the MXuk ?iv Yei. .Phe owpscrrop wa. covered wi th snow, and. the adit

jdriven throughthe tsnow theo ,ec-oat.wassfilled:awith, ate;. so,that a, sec-

''ti 'o1 "tin o te. ed.cold. rot the SuJ asfle, ih~ 'of th~e.bed c~ould be zupeasured., Coal ha4qbeen mine theprevious

winter,'and app x imately. 1,. tons, of slack coaol 'r pile4,9. the, ground,.

(S~ee''i T ig. .T1e stAke ,f thO: tratappve tie bp. is. S.Q50,E;, adtqhe

dip'is 70W. It' is reported that, the outcrop extends about, 1,000 feet

along the shore line at water level.

A sample of the. 4aak co4 frq -he pags-twint 's) mining was obtaine.,

a44 -the aialysls on an-as-xroeivet, basis £ollows.: '.

Percent,

Moisture .

VolatiJc' matter ..... ,, 28.8

.: ixed. carbon.! *-.,

Ash .2 , 0

sulfur ......

- B' *t...*-. ..... , 9 f 50 . .,,

Mine .area 2. - This area is reifrred lto locally as Mine 2 and is

approximatoly' 12 air miles S. 20 'EF of V pd4vih tn the east bank of the

Kuk Riiver. A moaaurtd section of. the outcd p tOllows: '

- - ., .',.': B~~Fewt lrnches'- . .

",; oft shal roof ........ '. ;T,4.. 

.,;1., ,,,,,, i. ,,) *,.,-..-p 2 ;,.,Analysis C-6115

2' ''.' -' -** -'?-. 5 . - .

5 QC0AT@ 3 0 Analy sis C-61 34. ,;

4, Clay parting!. .... . 1.

5. COAL'. 0 Analysis C-61134A

The bottom of the bed is at riyer level.

1/ Excluded from sanple.

2/ Coal samples of benches 3 and 5 were combined. -

/ Clay parting varies in thickness and extent.

'The leavvage I hte bed is.1both horizontal' and. vertical. The,.,byd.

"strikes , W and,.di5p o, away ,XXom the riv r.. The analyses of. the

coal are eivon in t ,3 . ,:.

7/ Analysis by Coal Analysis Section, Ccntral Experiment Station, Bureau

of Mines, Pittsburgh, Pa.

1864 -
f

Figure 9. - Coal storage pile, mine 1, Kuk River, Wainwright area.

Figure 1O. -Section of coal outcrop, mine 3, Kuk River, Wainwright area.
R. I. 4150

TABlE 5. - Analyses of coal from deposit on. Kuk Eiver, near Wainwriget, mine area No. 21/

- iish

Proximate percent Ultimate percent iCalorific! fusion AgglomLCondi- IVolatile Fixed _ . HydLro-; Nitro-I value, temp., erating

Lab Lab. No No. tion.2/ ton~:jMoisturel M matteperer ois-ture|mat-ter carbon Ash Sulfur Ren Carbon gen ____

Oxygen B.t.u. oF.5/ index

C-61133 ... 1 25.'7 50.0 42.3 2.0 0.) 6.6 4 .6 1.1 7J 7° 2,520 IDT NAb

2 _ 40.4 57.0 2.6 .4 5.0 75.> 1.5 17.0 12,750 2.420 ST

.3 _ 41.5 58.5 - .4 5.1 : 7>. 1.5 17.5 15,100 2,810 iT

c- oll34 . . . 1 24 . 9 30.8 4c.5- 2. 4 .2 6.5 55.1 1.2 _34.6 9,510 2,570 ID NAb

2 - 40.6 56.3 5.1 . 5.0 72.9 1.6 17.1 : 1 2,56 0 2,710 ST

3_____ 541.9 | 58.1 - .3 5.2 75.2 1.6 17.7. 12,970 2,7>0 FT

1/ Analyses by Coal Analysis Section, Central Experimen-t Station, bureau o Mines, Pittsburgh, Pa.

g/ 1, Sample as-received; 2, dried at 105> C.; 5, moisture- and ash-free.

5/ IDT = initial deformation temperature; ST =.softening temperature; FT _ fluid temperature.

1864 -15-
E. I. 415o

Mine area 3. - This deposit is about 16 air miles S. 50 E. of' Wainwright

on the east bank of the Kuk River, and is referred to by the natives as Mine

3. The outcrop extendis for appro:zimately a mile along the river. The strike

of the bed is S. 400 E. end the dip is 50 T.d, which is toward the river. A

section of the bed, showln in tigure 10, is as follows:

*hickness

Feet Inches

Shaleroof. ............... 0 8

Ras .............. ................. 0 5

COAL ........... ..................... v5 2

Shale and bonel ............... : 6 C-61135

COOL. 5 9

Bottom of bed a-' river level.-

1/ Excluded from-sample.

The analysis ofthe coal is given in %table 4.

Conclusions

The outcrops of coal at- the three deposits investigated show minable

coal beds in these areas. These beds axe under comparatively shallow cover,

about 50 feet, and moasared dips range from 5` ti 70. Except at Mine 2, the

dip is toward the river, and if the ips to the west continue, the extefnt of

thi_ area of coal to the east-1, inland, may be very limited. However, at Mine

2 the dip is to the east., or inland, andl if the bed continues on this dip

the arua of coal a6 this deposit may be.Ilre.

The Native Service advises that the ex-servicemen at Wainwright are iniccrested in opening a coal mine in the vicinity of' Wahxwright. The cxtcnt

of the coal bed should be determined before a minu sitr is selected. The

Native Service owns a small churn drill. Although churn drilling is not

recomncndvd ior determining the thickness- and physical characteristics of

coal beds, the expense o-i transporting a diamond drill and equipment into

the area andr the cost of' this type of drilling is. not warranted btcauusu of

the limited annual demand for coal in this area. Tt is reported that the

depth to which this churn drill-oen drill is limited to 40 feet. No doubt,

by increasing the length of cable this depth can be mncreased materially.

Ch-un-driLl holes will detarmine the lateral extent of the bed and the

approximate thickness but will not show the thickness or characteristics o0

theupaaltings. The physical characteristics may not differ. much from those

observed at the outcrop.

If drilling proves the existence of an area oI, coal, the deposit can be

opened either by two shafts or two slopes driven through tho overburden.

Drilling may determine the location of the outcrop on the shore side, and

then the slopes can be driven in coal. A barrier pillar of coal at least

100 feet thick should be left between the river and the limit o± the area

toward the river in which mining is planned. A plan of mining similar to

figure 6 can be used with some modifications.

1864 -16-
E. I. 4150

TABLL 4. - Analysis of coal from doposit on Kuk Rlvcr, ncar Wainwright, mino arca No. 31/

i~ . i -- -- Assh

Proximate percent I Ultimatc porcont iCalorific fusion Ag6lomCrndi-t Vola-ilcl Fixed. Hydro- Nitro- alue, tomp., crating

_Lab. No. _ionr_ ialoistu _o tcicarbFnejshJSuliu ro jCarbonu on. 0xy-gon B.t.u. OF.3 indcx C- 61135 1 2 29.1 41.9 21O 0. 2 6.6 55.4 0.9 b.b 2,80 PD 1Ab

2 _539.7 57.2 3.1 '3 49 72.8 1. 1 12,90 2,200 ST

___ 3 _ _ _ _- _ ____ 9 _5.1 5.1 15 8-.2 13,000 2 ,d0 FT |

1 Analysis by Coal 1Analysis Section, Central Exporimen-C Station, Burcau oi Minos, Pittsburgh, Pa.'

c/ 1, Sompl, as-recsivod; 2, driod. at 105° C.; 3, mois7Lumro- and ash-reou.

3/ IDT initial deeformation temperaturo; ST = socftn-in5 tompcraturc; FT = fluid temperaturu.

1864 - 17 -
R. I. 14150

As -the dip of the bed ranges from 5° to 7°, rooms should be driven

across the dip, which wil; prrmit mincrs to push cars to the face. The

thiclaiess of the bed averages about 8 foet, and the full thiclmress of the

bed can be mined on -tho advance.

Mining operations should be conductcd in.winter,:as advantage can be

taken of frozen ground. Thu mine opvrnings should be sealed in su=mmr to

prevent circulation of -warm air, which might ca-lse thawing oI thc frozen

roof and coal with resultant falls of roof. The minc. plant and equipment

listed. for a mine similair to that shown in figuro 6 is the minimum necessary

to open a mine to supply Wainwri1it with coal. Mining supplies such as uxplosives and detonators should be dctscroaacd proportiopatoly, unless it is

planned. to ship the coal to other villages.

Transportativn~of the coal to Wain'rright in winter would.be by dog sled

or tractor sleds. If degradation of the coal is of little importance, the

coal can be stock-piled at tho mine in winter and transported to Wainwright

in summer by barzges.

GEAERIL CODNCLUSIONS

Plans for mining coal in the Arctic REgions of Alaska for native villages

should be based upon natural conditions of the ,oal bods, climatic conditions

(that is, freezin3g andthavitg), short winter hauls by land,. long 'summcr hauls

by water, rcduction of present cost oi coal, native ability, native economy,

shortage of timber, and proper supervision. Two plans can be: followed. Plan

one is the dtvelopxacnt of local sources of c'alat points nearest each village

or group of villages. Plan two is the developmont of OnIt sou~rce of coal, the

transportc.tiih of coal to a stock pilc on the Arctic'coast, and transportation

of this coal by barge to the various villages ,vwhn the AfcLic Ocean is free

of ice along the shore.

Plan one (local sources of coal) requires the d(evulopMnnt of a mine at

each local source of supply. This plan would necessitate the purchase of

mine plant, equipment, and supplies for o,-.ch small local mine. This would

be a villagu participation and require t! greater cost' for development and

equipment. Suporvision would be increased but- transportation cost would

be decreased. .

Plan two (one sourco of fuel) would require only onc mine, equipment and

supplies, but more transportation equipment, including tugs and barges. The

quality of the coal at this source n's t be suuch that there is little or no

dogradation in transportation and storar'e.

Both plans are workable and are based upon undorground mining in frozen

ground in winter and sealing; oJ the mine" openings in summer to prevent circulation of wanr air in the mine. This warm air may cause tho roof to thaw

and fall. A barrier pillar should be lofit between mine workings and nearby

rivers or streams. One disadvantage of d-pending on one source of' coal for

all villages is the possibility that shore passages in the Arctic Ocean

1864 -18-
R. I. 4150

might be blocked with ice during some summers. Ln this event, shipment of

coal by. barges to the villages would not be possible.

The Native Service owns a small churn drill. Although churn drilling

is not recommended for determining the thickness and physical characteristics or coal beds, the expense of transporting a diamorid drill and equipment

into an area in the Arctic and the cost of this type of.drilling are not

warranted because oI the small annual demand for coal. If the length of the

cable on `he churn drill is increased, this drill should be satisfactory for

determining the lateral extent of the coal beds and the approximate thickness. However, little information regarding partings in the bed can be ob-

,ained,_.

The extent of the outcrop, dip, and thickness of' the coal bed, in the

Deering, F'airhaven District can be determined by trenching or test pitting

along the outcrop northwest of the original Chicago Creek mine.

Bituminous coal in a deposit on the Kukpowruk River approximately 45

miles upstream Myrom Point Lay (about 35 air miles S. 200 B.) does not show

degradation after long exposure to the weather. This coal could be tranisported long distances with little or- no degradation. This area can be considersd ulder plan 2. The outcrop and the lateral extent of the bed can be

determined by churn drilling, trenching, or test pitting.

Three areas of coal near Wainwrioht were investigated. T1wo of the

areas, which are approximatoly 12 nd, 15§ miles, respectively, south of Wainwright, appear favorable for dev-velopmenU. The lateral extent and the approximate thicknoss of the bed can be determined by churn drilling.

Thore is always the danger of gas ipnitioros in coal mines; thereLfore,

all coal mines must be adeQuately ventilate--d.. All slopes, drifts, and entries should be driven in pairs so that one opening ix always the intake and

the other the exhaust in the vestilatin Sy-U.m, At mines openied by shafts,

there should be both a hoisting shaft end an air shaft. Where the mine openings arG in coal, as in a slope mine, the dcvelopmun-'n, of the slopes produces

coal and this coal will partially pay ior the developmentrc.

uany coal-mining operations undcrtaken should be supervised by an experienced coal-raining engineer, preferably one familiar with coal mining in the

States. The mining plan suggested is simple, and when the Eskimos are propurly suporvised by a mining engineer with coal-mining experience they should

C become proficient in mining coal. The mine plant, equipment, and supplies

are estimated to be the minimum necessary to develop a mine in the Arctic.

1864 -19-