Gilpin observer., 1899-11-02
ELEcrRlclrY AT CRIPPLE CREEK
Being Used Extensively In Mining Opera
tlOus.

Few mining districts in the United
States, says the Engineering and Min
ing Journal, are SO well adapted to the
use of electric power as Cripple Greek.
The small area of the district and the
close proximity of the mines make the
transmission of electricity an easy
matter; while the fact that most Of
the mines are small in extent-whut-
ever their output may be-makes the
maintenance of separate steam plants
costly, and the pqrchase OF power from
others an economy as wefl as convent
ence. The pioneers in this district were
quick to recognize the facilities for
domestic life and mining operations
which electric transmission would af-
ford. Probably no other mining dis
trict is SO thoroughly supplied with
electricity, for the home of the miner
is lighted by incandescent lamps; he
goes to his work in an electric street
car; by an electric hoist he descends
into the mine; electric lamps furnish IL
Elimination for his work; electrically
driven pumps keep the mine dry; cleo
trio air compressors run drills; electric.
hoists raise the ore. and by electricity
the blasts are fired from switchboards
remote from the point of explosion.
Electric current is supplied to the
mines by the Colorado Electric Power
Company, which operates three West
inghouse alternating current, 40 XIV.
generators, 3-phase. 500 volts, capable
of supplying $3.50 III. L. This station
transmits current twenty-seven miles
to Cripple Greek. at 10000 volts.
plant has also recently been establish
ed by the La Bella Mill, Water and
Power Company for supplying power
| to its mills and mines.
,i.as- .Ix-tt lnnfr ri
power give every facility to lessees and
prospectors; they rent small hoists.
| worked with electric motors. from five
| to thirty horsepower. thereby enabling
| the lessee or prospector to use practi-
| cally the whole of his capital in devel-
| Opment work, avoiding the necessity of
purchasing and installing power
| plant. If they are successful, and ore
is found in paying quantities, making
1t desirable to purchase the electrical
power plant. an option of purchase Is
exercised which the company granted
in the first instance. the rent which has
been paid applying on the purchase
| price. The minimum charge for II five
horsepower electric hoist is $50 per
month, which includes the power used.
The plants from fifteen horse power to
| thirty horsepower range from 500 to
| $24o per month for rent of motor. etc,
and power supplied. depending on ton
mage and depth of shaft. The Electric
Power Company has upwards of $780,
100 worth of machinery rented out and
| Is continually making additions.
The principal uses of electric power
here are for hoisting and compressing
air for the operation of machine drills.
Air c0mpressing in the large mines con-
sumes about four times the amount of
power required in any other service,
for the reason that the compressor Is
/ worked almost continuously. while the
hoist. though it consumes a large
amount of power while in use. is in
active operation less than onc-fourth of
the time.
1t is estimated that in the Cripple
| Creek district the use of electric power
as compared with steam power effects
II saving of from IL to 30 per cent. ac-
cording to the position and circum-
stances of the mine. This saving is lr-
respective of reduced wage account
and also irrespective of its greater re-
liability and convenience. since 1t Is
unaffected by frosts. Drills operated
directly by electricity without the in
tervention OF an air compressor have
been in successful operation elsewhere
in Colorado. though no such drills are
as yet used in the Cripple Creek dis
trict.