The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1918-04-25
BIG COPPER PROJECT.
POWER development
PLANT AT HORSESHOE BENZ OF
SALMON RlvER-NoTED EN-
GiNEER IN CHARGE.

The services of Mr.. Dan Van Wag
enen. a noted mining engineer, ha,
been secured for the next six months
by Mr. F. S. Rice, manager of the
Union Copper Mining & Smelling
company, to act in the capacity of con-
sulting engineer, and also as the com
pany's fiscal agent. says the Lewis
ton Tribune.
Mr.. Van Wagenen Is a man Of wide
experience, having taken charge Of the
Old Dominion mine In Arizona, which
for years before his assuming the
management had its balance on the
wrong side of the ledger, but which
under his guidance was placed on the
list Of first line producers, having paid
to date over $19,000,000 in dividends.
Mr.. Van Wagenen and Mr.. Rice are
old time Arizona copper miners, hav-
ing both been at Globe, Clifton and
Morenci, at the latter place Mr.. Van
Wagenen acting as consulting engin-
eer.
Mr.. Rice considers himself and his
company very fortunate in securing a
time, when the work requires one Of
unusual experience, especially as it Is
impossible for Mr.. Rice to get over
some of the extremely rough country
covered by their property.
Project a Big One.
The project being handled by the
Union Copper Mining & Smelling
company is one of the most important
ever launched in the central Idaho re-
gion. involving as it does not only the
development and operation of large
group of copper claims but the INSTALL
alton OF an immense power plant, the
latter to utilize, the well known
Horseshoe bend of the Salmon river.
The company's mining claims are To-
Gated on the Snake river, about three
and one-half miles above the mouth
Of the Imnaha mines. The group
comprises II claims. The first plans
In the great development scheme in
on Divide creek, located short dis
lance from the mines, and which viii
develop $40 actual working horse
power 1t is the plan to have this
plant installed by July Is. OF the
power developed 20 horse will be
used in the operation of machinery at
the mine while 800 horse will be car
ried to Horseshoe bend, four miles
distant, for use in driving the big
tunnel through which the flow of the
Salmon will be diverted.
Favorable Natural Conditions.
This latter project is one that has
been recognized for years as afford
In rare natural conditions for the de-
velopment Of a big power. The river
at that point forms a complete horse
shoe. with the result that the distance
across the ridge, between the heels of
the shoe is but three quarters of a
mile, while the course of the stream In
making the curve is five and one
half miles. The tunnel. diverting the
flow of the river, gives therefore,
through natural fall in the stream,
drop of 143 feet. With the tunnel re-
ceiving the flow at it's natural level,
$4,000 working horse power becomes
available. while careful engineering
calculations show that by the erection |
of a 2S0-foot dam. 10000 horse pow
or cnp ha davalnpab
Power for Other Purposes.
The plans for the tunnel provide |
for width of AZ feet, with walls 10 |
feet high, the crown reaching 20 feet. /
Estimate is made that from begin
ming of the work. this tunnel can be I
driven within IA months time. At
present high prices. the cost would be .
81, 10000
capacity, its location is such that il
the field for a nitrate plant did not
become available 1t could be utilized
for electrifying the railways covering
A wide area. while also supplying the
mines of the Snake and Salmon river
districts.
Mr.. Rice. who formerly was treas
irer of Idaho county, has been de-
ioting months of time to the big pro-
ect, and the initial plans have been
'arrled forward in most gratifying
manner The association of Engineer
Van Wagenen with the work now
means the carrying out of the initial
tut specific construction plans in
with a complete permanent
Ian.