Gilpin observer., 1907-05-23
NEWS FROM THE Mines and MILLS

Cripple Creek and Clear Creek Tunnels
The Idaho Springs Mining Gazette
says:
AT this time, when the attention of
the mining world Is drawn to tunnel
mining through the Inauguration of
work upon the Cripple Creek drainage
tunnel, the demonstrated economic
value of deep drainage and transporta-
tion tunneling Is an interesting theme.
1t is estimated that the Cripple Creek
tunnel not merely affords economy in
deeper operations in the mines of that
district by the removal of the heavy
cost of pumping water, but that it act
lually makes it possible to work the
mines several hundred feet deeper
than can be reached by any mechan-
ical equipment.
1t really almost doubles the possibly
workable depth of the mineral deposits
1t nearly doubles the available extent of
the veins and at the same time brings
20 the work such economies and facili-
ties than those otherwise inaccessible
stores of mineral will be mined more
cheaply and profitab,y than has been
the case in the production of the mil
lions which are credited to the super
fetal depths of the mines of Cripple
Creek. These economies relate not
alone to the removal of the cost of
pumping the water. but to the hosting
of ore and waste from the shafts and
the ventilation OF the workings of the
mines, each item of tremendous ex-
pense, which will in the case of trans
portation be largely reduced, and in
ventilation be entirely eliminated and
much improved over the best condi-
Itions that nave been attainable under
conditions now prevailing
The estimates of the cost of the tun-
mel are in the neighborhood of 81. .OOO,-
900. The returns will doubtless run
into tens or hundreds of millions
. The tunnel is projected to extend
$4,000 feet with laterals ultimately 49,
900 feet. stupendous undertaking,
yet with precedent existing and in
practical operation.
The Newnouse tunnel at this place is
completed distance of II 800 feet and
has laterals completed to the extent of
fully 10000 feet and being extended
many feet every day. The tunnel and
the several levels or laterals are delv-
ling in the earth at a depth that averages
about 1000 feet below the surface and
they are penetrating an area of much
greater acreage and immensely greater
recorded production than that for
which the Cripple Creek tunnel Is
planned. The mines along its course
have ceased to pump water and are
utilizing the tunnel in transportation
of ore to an extent that is affording
valuable business to the tunnel COM
'pany. Where connections have been
made with the old surface workings.
the ventilation is complete in every
part of the mines and is subject to
perfect control and direction To all
the theories of the projectors of deep
,tunneling. the Newhouse tunnel affords
practical corroboration.
There is no longer any speculation
as TO the advantages of the method
In lower Clear Creek county there
are a number of tunnels now being
driven with identically- the same pur-
poses as the Cripple Creek deep drain
age tunnel, each of them for the benefit
of distinct territory and based upon
the productivity of their tributary ter
'ritory near surface. These tunnels are
in active operation and are from 1000
TO 10000 feet in length and are project
ed to reach almost indefinite distances
under vast ranges of mineral-bearing
of this county the tunnels bear as
great Importance as does the Cripple
Greek tunnel to the mines OF It's sec
tion.
The tuncnl era of mining will be the
greatest era that mining ever knew.