The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1923-05-04

(From Skillings' Mining Review.)
The iron mines of the Vermilion
range, one of the important Mime
sofa iron ranges, have had busy
winter and the coming shipping
season will see the usual quota of
high grade ore sent forth. The
range is unique in that its proper
ties operate very steadily, with
none of the periods of depression
that sometimes characterize the
other districts. In the winter full
crews are maintained and large
stockpiles accumulated.
Shipments Will Be Normal.
The ore in stock on the Ver-
million range at the opening Of the
present shipping season is approx
mately 100000 tons. This COM
pares with about 100000 tons a
year ago. There was less ore car
ried over in stockpile last fall and
the number of miners working in
the district the past winter was
slightly less than last year due to
increased work and demand for
men in other districts. 1t is ex-
pected that the ore in stock will be
cleaned up this season, if the pres
ent furnace activity continues
, throughout the year. In 1922 the
total shipments for the range were
approximately 100000 tons, and
present indications are that the
1928 figures will be fully as large.
This constitutes normal shipment
from this range. Shipping to the
dock began April 10Th when the
Zenith mine commenced loading
from pocket. This is the earliest
opening in several years. 1t is ex-
pected that stockpile loading will
start as soon as the boats can be-
gin operating.
Largest Underground Mine In State.
The mines at Ely, Mimi, where
is located the principal group of
mines on the Vermilon, are at the
present time employing about $50
men, slightly less than year ago.
The largest mine here is the
Pioneer, operated by the Oliver Iron
Mining Co. 1t is also the largest
underground property in the state,
and one of the most prominent OF
the entire Lake Superior district.
It's 1922 shipment is given as 634,-
OBS tons and while it's shipments
this season will not be as large due
to it's shortage of men, it promises
to total a very high figure. There
is no doubt but what the Pioneer
output will be larger than any
| other shaft producer in the state,
as has been the case for so many
years in the past.
The Pioneers production IS from
1900 to 1000 tons daily and is
hoisted from ga" Shaft on the
north footwall. No ore has been
hoisted through "B" Shaft the past
winter and there is no ore in stock
there. The production comes from
above the 18th and 18th levels.
The Pioneer management has made
extensive use the past year of the
double drum hoist and scraper, and
has obtained excellent results. AT
the present time large tonnage OF
ore is blocked out and there is no
development and exploration work
in progress. The mine is splendid
ly equipped both underground and
on surface, and is capable of q
large production. Recent improve
ments include new steel trestle
at "B" shaft. The Pioneer shipped
it's first ore 1889 and to date has
shipped a total of 12,903,021 cons
Its best year was 1907 with S30,70C
tons.
S;bIev OUTPUT Expected to Increase
:. The Oliver Iron Mining Company
also operate the Sibley mine at Ely
located on the eastern end OF the
trough. While the Sibley has {
large tonnage of ore developed Il
, has not been operated on large
; scale in recent years and It's snip
; ments have been comparatlvel!
light. It's present crew is large
than a year ago, as a night snl1
was added last fall. 1t hoists from
$50 to 800 tons daily. The Slble!
contains some of the highest grad
iron ore in the world, its average
being somewhat higher than tn
other mines of the district. 1t ha
a steel and concrete lined shaft, tn
most modern of the district, and it
surface layout is the best. New al
compressors were installed a yea
ago and are giving satisfaction.
these furnish air to both tn
Pioneer and Sibley. The Sible.
shipment in 1922 was 81, 050 ton
and it is expected that the presen
wears output will be larger yet
The Sibley began shipment in 189'
and to date is credited with 1928,
6SS tons. It's best year was 1912
when 3O9,076 tons went forward.
Going Good After Forty Years.
The third Oliver property on tn
! Vermilion range is the Soudan min
! at Tower, the oldest mine in tn
/ state. Since 1884 when the Sou
I dan, or old Minnesota mine, bega
! shipments it has never missed
wear. 1t is now in it's 10th yea
and is said to be looking very COCO
! II will probably ship approximate
1 the same as in 1922, when 131,47
/ tons went forward. The SCUBA
4 ore is a very hard, dense non-Bes
semer ore, running high in naturs
I iron, and is much in demand b
furnaces. Part of the product ma
3 recently been shipped regularly t
the Minnesota Steel Company
4 plant at Duluth. The output !
3 running at about 400 tons dali!
3 Recently the Soudan shaft was sun
3 from the 18th to the 18th level, an
the vein on the 10th is being opene
4 up at present. Sinking has bee
q resumed from the 10th to got
3 levels under a rock pentice and
4 now in progress. The Soudan min
q is worked by the back Stopping an
8 fling systems, and Stopping is no
& going on above the 18th level. Som
8 improvements at the Soudan whlc