Gilpin observer., 1900-08-09
DEEP MINING.
Great Possibilities Yet in Store for Colo
rado EnterDrises


Speaking without accurate data, it is
assumed that there are only one or
two, if any shafts in Cripple Creek dis
trict that have penetrated below 1000
feet. There are quite number rang
ing between 800 and 1000 feet. One
cause of the lighter output for July
lies in the preparation of some of the
principal owners to sink 800 or 1000
feet by the installation of improved
machinery, calculated to handle ore
and water ut those depths. The eXper-
iment of deep mining is no longer con-
jectural. There was Il period in the
early history of mining in this state
when it became Il subject of public de-
bate, the majority of disputants argu-
ing against the permanency of our
mineral veins Many doubted their
holding out to 1000 feet. DR.. Richard
Pearce and Professor \. II. Hill did
much to restore confidence by declaring
their belief. supported by experience in
other mining countries. that they would
endure to all depths.
The deepest shaft in Colorado at the
present time is that of the Geyser near
Silver Cliff. which is down something
over 1900 feet. The next is that of
the California. on Quartz hill. Gilpin
county. 1920 feet vertical. The next
deepest mine of which we have trust
worthy information is the Nirginius, on
Mount SneffelS nine miles from Ouray.
which is operated through the great
Revenue tunnel driven at the base of
the mountain. which intersected the
vein mt Il depth of 1900 feet, from
which level the miners are stopping and
upraising to connect with the old work
ings from the surface. This is one of
the finest and most complete mining en-
terprises thus far cOnsummated in our
state. Sam Newhouse is driving big
tunnel through Seaton mountain. be-
ginning some years ago at Idaho
Springs. Some months ago this tunnel
on its way to tap the big gold mines OF
Gilpin county. crossed vein hfty rect
wide at IL depth of about 2.30O feet.
which is now being worked and the
product shipped to market. The Attain
tic and Pacific tunnel. begun by Brick
Pomeroy in the eighties. designed to
cut through Kelso mountain above
Georgetown. has been driven about tvAo
miles. we believe. and has crossed sew
eral veins at great depths. Figures as
to the length of the Nelson tunnel at
Creede are not at hand. but it Is prov
ing to be another of the very great fac
tors in the drainage and development
of the principal mines of that section.
Then there's the Cowenhoven tunnel. II
very large and extensive bore at Aspen.
which has measurably effected the
purposes of its projectors. The Bobtail
tunnel mt Black Hawk. begun and COM
pleted by Hon. j. b. Chaffee in the
later years of his life. is another high
ly important accessory to the working
of the principal great mines on Bobtail
and Gregory hills. The Quartz tunnel,
above Central City. is another of the
earlier and better projects for intersecf-
ing and draining important mines.
1t may be said that all these enter
prises. constructed ut great cost. and
under former imperfect methods. con
suming years of time. constitute some
of the larger and more useful auXiliar-
les toward the solution of the major
problems in the general system of deep
mining. In every instance they have
proven the continuity of the veins. and
i'm several greater width with increased
values.
Cripple Creek is just now entering
upon the work of demonstrating the
continuity of the great veins OF that
district. All precedents are in IT'S IA
vor The deepest shaft in California,
following the incline of the vein. is =
so feet deep. or 2,16O below the out
crop. Many others range between 900
and 2.lOO feet. The deepest shaft on
the Comstock lode in Nevada Is 3,3OS
feet. but only prospecting work was
done below 2.IO0 feet.
The Bendigo is the deepest shaft in
Australia. $500 feet, still in good ore
and still going down. In various parts
of Europe there are many shafts down
5000 feet deep. In Hungary there is
| one shaft 3.6i2 feet, another 3.IoD rect
At Schladenback, Germany, diamond
drills have been put down 1900 to 5,I4O
feet, boring for coal. The Red Jacket
of the Calumet and Hecla has attained
n vertical depth of nearly 5000 feet.
and 1t is so hot down there that the
miners find great difficulty In breath
| ing. The Tamarnck in the same vicin-
| ity. is down 4. 800 feet. There are eight
| SHIFTS in the Calumet and Hecla each
| over 1000 feet In the Red Jacket the
| wire rope used To hoist ten tons from
| the ! 900 foot level Is of the best quail
| lty of steel two and Onc-half inches
| I'm diameter What they will do when
| they get down 5000 to 5000 feet Is II
question to be solved 10y mechanical en-
| gineers.
In South Africa. several shafts are
down 5000 feet. and when work Is re-
sumcd attempts will be made to reach
| 5000 feet.
1t lsa necessity for the Cripple Greek
miners to explore the well established
ana well defined veins ai greater
depths. say 2.O0o feet, and then. II con
dtlons favor. n mighty swing to 5000,
Hence this compilation of precedehls,
all of them good
MINE RECORDS.