The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-05-01
VERM|L|ON RANCE
MINES ACTIVE.
(From Skilhng's Mining Review.

(From Skilling's Mining Review.
The iron mines of the Vcrmilion
range, located at Ely and Tower,
Minnesota, have been active the
past winter, ard indications are
l,,at TINS activity will continue
throughout the 1925 shipping sea-
sen. The properties on TINS range
are large ones and they are operat-
ed by strong companies whose fur-
naces demand the ore year after
year. For this reason the Yer
million range mines work very stead
lily and production varies less than
it does IN other districts.
Larger crews than usual were en-
ployeu on the range last winter and
che amount of ore in stock at the
opening of the present shipping
season shoul be approximately i25,-
900 tons, which is about 100000
tons more than last year. Some
ore was carried over in stock last
year, while the previous year the
stock plies were pretty well cleaned
up. Production from the range was
l,140,S49 tons in 1924, shipments
were 97S,164 tons. Production may
be said to have been normal, with
shipments somewhat below normal.
Increased shipments are looked for
this coming summer. Loading from
pocket or stockpile on the range has
not commenced at this writing but
pocket loading is expected to start
by April goth or Whereabouts
The active mines at Ely include
the Pioneer, Sibley, Zenith and
Chandler. These mines employed
over 1000 men the past winter, the
largest crew in a number of years.
The underground crews are some
what smaller now and will be dur
ing the summer months, for many
of the miners seek outdoor employ
ment and open pit work when it rs
available.
Pioneer Largest Mine on Range.
The Pioneer mine, operated by
the Oliver Iron Mining Company is
the largest property on the range,
and the largest underground mine
in. the state. It's shipments last
year were 473,552 tons, production
was considerably higher with quite
a tonnage carried over in stock.
The Pioneer works over 500 men
and hoists daily in excess of 1000
tons. The bulk of the ore is high
grade Bessemer with a smaller tom
mage of non-Bessemer ore. "a"
shaft on the north footwall is used
principally for hosting and it is
here that most of the winters ore
is stockpiled. The stocking space
being filed, hosting began recently
at "B" shaft, 70 degree incline
shaft on the south footwall. Pro-
duction comes from above the 18th
and 18th levels, and double drum
hoists and scrapers are extensively
used. The top-slicing system of
mining is employed
The Pioneer mine extends over
parts of two forties and large ton
mage of ore is blocked out and
ready for mining. No development
or exploration work is, in progress
at present. Mine is well equipped
underground and surface. The
hoists at both "a" and "B" shafts
are steam driven. They are very
efficient and handle the ore from a
depth of 1900 feet rapidly. A
modern shop near "a" shaft serves
the Pioneer and Sibley mines.
Highest Shaft Mine Output.
The Pioneers record for produc-
ton has surpassed that of any other
shaft mine in Minnesota. Since ii
was opened in 1889 it has shipped
a total of 13,901,733 tons. Its
best shipment in recent years was
634,141 tons in 1922, while de-
cade ago this record was surpassed
a number of times. Shipments in
1925 are expected to be larger than
last seasons.
Sibley May Increase Production.
The Sibley mine at Ely is located
on the eastern end of the trough,
and is also operated by the Oliver
Iron Mining Company. While a
large tonnage of ore is available the
property has not been worked
heavily in recent years. Last years
shipments were 98,874 tons, with a
somewhat larger production. The
underground force has been larger
the past winter than for some time
past and the shipments for 1925 are
expected to show quite an increase
over recent years. The Sibley mine
first shipped in 1899 and has shipped
3,482,439 tons to date. In 1912 it
forwarded 309,076 tons, its best re-
cord. The Sibley ore is the highest
grade on the range. The mine is
equipped with a modern steel and
concrete shaft and a splendid sur
face layout. New air compressors
were installed in 1922 which serve
both the Pioneer and Sibley mines.
No development or exploration work
is in progress in the Sibley at the
present time.
Soudan Producing This Year.
The Soudan mine at Tower is an