Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1942-10-10
A.C. NJ. TRAINS
MANY AT BUTTE
COPPER MINES
ABOUT zoe MINERS GET SCHOOL
ING MONTHLY UNDER EXPERT
SUPERVISION

Foreseeing q manp0Wer ana coppS-
shortage because of the demand fol
war materials, the Anaconda Copper
Mining Co. two years ago started x
train miners in its Butte mines. 81
About two months ago. It was en-
IarQed and a large training program
was begun at the Anselmo mine and
an elaborate mine and safety exhibit
has been opened at the Pennsyl avants
mine yard, both being added TO the
training Slopes already in operation
during the last two years.
AT the present time about 100 miners
are being trained each month under
the carefully supervised plan. The
trainees are paid regular miners wages
while In training.
The program, the first in the metal
industry, aims to train men to mine
safely and efficiently. Many or the
men are raw beginners, the majority
having never been down a mine be-
fore.
Taught Macy Things
They are taught all the elements OF
mining with special emphasis being
placed ON safety precautions. Skilled
instructors and supervisors have charge
OF the trainees. When the individual
Is considered sufficiently skilled, he
is placed on production with more
experienced miner.
They learn how to timber, dr1n,
handle explosives, slush ore, I'LL slopes
with waste, drive drifts and cross cuts
run motor, load ore, build fan STANDS
string fan bags and pipe lines, care
for drainage, build bulkheads ana
other important mining jobs.
What is considered complete ex-
hfbit of mining equipment has been
installed at the Pennsylvania mine
yard
There trainees get their prelimi-
nary instructions. They are shown the
basic principles Of mining and by the
use of exhibits the operations OF
mine are explained in such manner
that they may be easily understood
and the reason for such procedures
readily grasped.
The exhibit In the old carpenter
shop at the Pennsylvania mine, IN
cludes a miniature, cut-away model
of a mine, fashioned after a Butte
mine. and complete even to head
frame. lights, hoists, cross cut, drift
and stone. The exhibit also includes
machines used in operations under
ground and contains way to drill and
break rock efficiently.
Proper Angle Shown
1t shows the proper angle for holes,
each carefully labeled, and the m
structors explain In detail the reason
for so drilling.
Emphasis also is placed on lubrica-
ton and care Of mechanical equip
ment.
Expert instructors explain and Illus
trate the proper methods 70 set up ana
operate drifter and stopper machines.
Similar instructions are given IN the
use of q mechanical loader and tne
double-drtm air hoist and scraper
Also. the men are shown how TO signal
FOR man cages and q number OF other
operations are explained.
In the yard, the company has IN
stalled additional equipment. The
trainees are shown how to handle
haulape motors and cars safely ana
how to load rock from the chute into
cars. similar to methods used upder-
ground.
The school offers an opportunity
for men, as advised by Col. z. M.
Birely. state seIective service director,
to learn and enter the copper
mining n dustry and he adj
vised registrants, particularly those
with wives and children, to take en-
in mining and other essent-
ial defense industries.
'Tt will be considered a patriotic
act for q married registrant now en-
gagged in q non-essential industry TO
seek employment in vital mining ac-
tiyity," his headquarters said.