The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-11-20
vERM|L|ON RANGE
WINTER PROSPECTS.
THE MINES OF THE vERMILION
STEADIEST IN LAKE
SUPERIOR DISTRICT.

The mines of the Vermilion iron
range of Minnesota are finishing up
a very active shipping season ana
starting winter SuocKplhng with
large underground crews, which
forecasts a tusy winter, says Skill
ling's Mining Review. When the
total shipments for the year are
compiled it is expected that the
1929 figures will show a 80 per cent
to 40 per cent increase over those,
of 1924, probably even exceeding
the large 1928 total. The Vermil-
ton of beng the steadiest district
in the entire Lake Superior region.
The important center of mines on
the range is Ely where is located
the Chandler mne, at the extreme
western end of the trough, the
Pioneer to the east, the Zenith east
of the Pioneer and the Sibley at the
extreme east of the Group.
The Chandler mine is operated by
the Chandler Mining Co. and ships
its product regularly to the Zenith
Furnace Co. at Duluth. Last years
shipments were 44,542 tons, which
figure will he considerably surpassed
this year. The mine works a small
crew but it is a consistent and
steady producer with a splendid re-
cord behind it. A small stockpile is
carried over this fall.
The South Chandler mine, occupy
ing the south forty of the old
Chandler mine, is idle and will likely
remain so for some time. A small
stockplle, accumulated some years
ago, was shipped out this summer.
B. M. Pattison, lessee, holds the
lease on this property.
Pioneer Largest Underground Mine
The Pioneer mine is operated by
the Oliver Iron Mining Co. and en-
joys the distinction of being the
largest underground mire in the
state. 1t is working one IF the
largest forces in years and its 1925
shipments will probably be its larg-
est since 1907. The stockpile at
"a" shaft is completely cleaned up,
"B" shaft. The winter will be an
active one with indications that full
crews will be maintained. The
Pioneer mine shipped its first ore
in 1889 and has forwarded approx
imately 14,500,0 600 IONS to date.
At this property improvements dur
ing the past year include electric
cation of the laboratory and crush
er house. At the present time the
stockphe ground at "a" shaft is be-
ing improved.
\ The Zenith mine is operated by
the Vermillion Mining Co., a Pick
ands, Mather & Co. subsidiary.
Shipments Iof 1925 will overtop
those of 1924, although mining OPP
erations since spring have been car
ried on with only a single shift en-
ployed. The ~stockpiles were near
ly cleaned up, only a small balance
remaining. The Zenith mine has
been a very consistent producer and
has a record of over 1000, 600 tons
The Sibley mine is an Oliver Iron
Mining Go. operation. The force m
ployed1 here the past season has
been the largest in years and the
seasons shipment will be consider
ably larger than that of 1924. The
stockpile of last winter was COM
pleCeIy cleaned up. The stockpile
ground here is also being improved.
The Soudar mine at Tower is the
only active mine OUTSIDE, the Ely
group and it is another Oliver prop
erty. The recent improvements at
the Soudan have been quite gener-
ally described in previous issues of
Skillings' Mining Review. A new
miners dry house has just been
completed. The plant at this prop
erty is one of the most modern and
up-to-date of the Lake Superior dis
trict. The mine is employing a nor
NAL crew and the output is normal.
The 1925 shipments will be heavier