The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1907-05-25
NEWS FROM THE MINES AND MILLS

Cripple Greek and Clear Creek Tunnels
The Idaho Springs Mining Gazette
says:
At this Tine 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 trans porta-
tion tunnelins Is an interesting theme.
IL is estimated that the Cripple Greek
tunnel not merely affords economy in
deeper operations in the mines OF that
district b. the removal OF the heavy
cost Of pumping water, but that 1t act
ually makes it possible TO work the
mines several hundred feet deeper
than can be reached by any mechan-
ical equipment.
IL really almost doubles the possibly
workable depth Of the mineral deposits.
II nearly doubles the available extent OF
the veins and at the same time brings
30 the work such economies and fac!li-
ties than those otherwise inaccessible
stores OF mineral viii be mined more
cheaply and profitab,y than has been
The case in the production of the NIL
lions which are credited TO the super
Creek. These economies relate not
alone to the removal Of the cost Of
pumping the water. but to the hoistine
Of ore and waste from the shafts and
the ventilation of the workings OF the
mines each item of tremendous eX-
pense. whicn will in the case of trans
portation be largely reduced, and in
ventilation be entirely eliminated and
much improved over the best condl-
'tions that nave been attainable under
conditions now prevailing.
The estimates of the cost of the tun-
mel are in the neighborhood OF 81 ooo,-
600. The returns will doubtless run
into tens or hundreds OF millions.
The tunnel is projected to extend
900 feet with laterals ultimately II,
900 feet. A stupendous undertaking.
yet with a precedent existing and in
practical operation.
The Newnouse tunnel at this place is
completed a distance of II 500 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-
ing in the earth at a depth that averages
about 2,000 feet below the surface ard
they are penetrating an area Of mrc h
greater acreage duu lllllll'HStIN 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 a
valuable business to the tunnel com
.pany. Where connections have been
made with the old surface workings.
the ventilation is complete in every
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 ot, the method.
In lower Clear Creek county there
are number of tunnels now being
driven with identicallv the same pur
poses as the Cripple Creek deep drain.
age tunnel. each of them for the benefit
of distinct territory and based upon
-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
mountains. To these several sections
of this county the tunnels bear as
great Importance as does the Cripple
Creek tunnel 10 the mines of its sec
ton
The tunCnl era of mining will be the
greatest era that mining ever knew