Awfully quiet lately...

[HardRockNM]

I worked for Tamrock from 1986 to 1992. In those years the company aquire Drilltech which made large DTH drills and then Eimco which I was the parts person for in Denver. Eimco still supported a fair amount of 12Bs and larger over shot muckers in those years. Later Sandvik bought every out and that's when I left the company and went to work for Brunner & Lay throughout most of the 90s covering COLO,.AZ, NM, UT & NEV. Those were very active years with small to large underground mines. In the last 23 years I've been with BTE which merged with Midwest rockdrills and F&H Mine Supply. I threw in my hat this month to retire, Though my old employer who owened BTE had a falling out with the Midwest bunch and has started a new company with ownership under his wife to avoid any agreeing terms with MW. He's wanting me to join in with that operation now. Who knows maybe I'll continue on. It's been a long road for me involved in the mining business which all began in 1977 where I started out as a miner when I was just 20 years old, hanging wire & bolts with a genuine GD-S83.

We know some of the same people then - our new consumables (those not acquired in trade or as payment) are largely purchased from F&H. The industry is ramping back up in a major way in Arizona, and indicators are that New Mexico may follow.

That's a genuine GD S83 in the third picture, though it's been refurbished with F&H components (new D-handle, NY head, and I believe pawls and a chuck liner at least) in the last year.

Puzzling through the EIMCO/EJC/Tamrock/Sandvik changeovers has been a bit confusing. To my eye at least, some machines stayed largely the same but received new model numbers. The 2-yard I'm primarily looking at is a 922, but I'm concerned about documentation, parts availability, and that funny center oscillation system. An old EIMCO engineer I know reported numerous tip-over incidents with 921s at Homestake during initial testing.

 

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[tamrock]

We know some of the same people then - our new consumables (those not acquired in trade or as payment) are largely purchased from F&H. The industry is ramping back up in a major way in Arizona, and indicators are that New Mexico may follow.

That's a genuine GD S83 in the third picture, though it's been refurbished with F&H components (new D-handle, NY head, and I believe pawls and a chuck liner at least) in the last year.

Puzzling through the EIMCO/EJC/Tamrock/Sandvik changeovers has been a bit confusing. To my eye at least, some machines stayed largely the same but received new model numbers. The 2-yard I'm primarily looking at is a 922, but I'm concerned about documentation, parts availability, and that funny center oscillation system. An old EIMCO engineer I know reported numerous tip-over incidents with 921s at Homestake during initial testing.

Who do you know that sells Eimco parts? I know Young might still be able to possibly source some items. Tamrock acquired Eimco-Jarvis Clark in the early 90s and I worked with some of the people that came from there. Homstake was still mining when I worked there, but I don't recall the issue with the 921. I'd put those 1yd. Wagner Scoopy's into some pretty hairy rocking and rolling situations on the steep inclines we had at the Climax Mine when I was there. Indeed Arizona is getting up and going pretty well. Are you around Lordsberg area.? I was really involved with Questa when they were going. I sure miss seeing the folks I delt with then. You probably know one I knew who's now with MSHA. Mr. Coats.

 

[HardRockNM]

Young's has helped us out before. My source for hydraulic components is Pillar Manufacturing up in Michigan, they're good people and expedited a new o-ring to get that machine up and running. The pumps and motor are off-the-shelf Sundstrand units. I've primarily thrown tires, hoses, an alternator, lift pump, some cylinder work, and electrical at that machine. The one hard-to-find consumable is the high-pressure transmission filter. It seems like a once-a-year limited run so I buy as found to keep one on the shelf.

Those little 1-yard Wagners seem to have been overshadowed by 911s and later the JCI machines. I've only seen one HST-1 in person and it was a core with the engine, pumps, and transmission ripped out. That same boneyard had half of an EHST-1 cable reel machine; I didn't even know those existed until I found it!

Don Laeding was the one talking about tippy 921s. I've wondered if it was an operator problem; those oscillate on the roll axis at the center articulation joint rather than using a rear axle bolster like almost every other machine. He was involved with the latest Ouray fiasco, too.

 

[tamrock]

Young's has helped us out before. My source for hydraulic components is Pillar Manufacturing up in Michigan, they're good people and expedited a new o-ring to get that machine up and running. The pumps and motor are off-the-shelf Sundstrand units. I've primarily thrown tires, hoses, an alternator, lift pump, some cylinder work, and electrical at that machine. The one hard-to-find consumable is the high-pressure transmission filter. It seems like a once-a-year limited run so I buy as found to keep one on the shelf.

Those little 1-yard Wagners seem to have been overshadowed by 911s and later the JCI machines. I've only seen one HST-1 in person and it was a core with the engine, pumps, and transmission ripped out. That same boneyard had half of an EHST-1 cable reel machine; I didn't even know those existed until I found it!

Don Laeding was the one talking about tippy 921s. I've wondered if it was an operator problem; those oscillate on the roll axis at the center articulation joint rather than using a rear axle bolster like almost every other machine. He was involved with the latest Ouray fiasco, too.

I forgot about Pillar. I knew Greg Piller, but I think his son runs it now and I believe I met him at a mine expo some years ago. Harrison Western has a 911 and I'll give the shop manager a shout and see if he knows of any other parts sources, but for the most part they source hydraulic comments, make their own hoses as they are generally off the shelf components or something they can find interchangeable. They know how to keep that old gear up and running pretty well and I've delt with them for many years now. Yeah Ouray kinda put a hurt on quite a few people supporting that operation among a few others that I know of that failed within the last few years.

 

[HardRockNM]

I forgot about Pillar. I knew Greg Piller, but I think his son runs it now and I believe I met him at a mine expo some years ago. Harrison Western has a 911 and I'll give the shop manager a shout and see if he knows of any other parts sources, but for the most part they source hydraulic comments, make their own hoses as they are generally off the shelf components or something they can find interchangeable. They know how to keep that old gear up and running pretty well and I've delt with them for many years now. Yeah Ouray kinda put a hurt on quite a few people supporting that operation among a few others that I know of that failed within the last few years.

I guess his son would be Scott Pillar. I have nothing but good to say about that company. Young's is less responsive but has always done right by us; I may be in the market to buy another one of their trucks this year.

All the hydraulic hoses on them use JIC fittings which certainly simplifies things. I happen to live a few minutes from an equipment dealer that makes hoses; we use them since we aren't large enough to justify a crimper and fitting inventory yet.

 

[tamrock]

I guess his son would be Scott Pillar. I have nothing but good to say about that company. Young's is less responsive but has always done right by us; I may be in the market to buy another one of their trucks this year.

All the hydraulic hoses on them use JIC fittings which certainly simplifies things. I happen to live a few minutes from an equipment dealer that makes hoses; we use them since we aren't large enough to justify a crimper and fitting inventory yet.

When I worked for Tamrock in Rancho Cordova California I was the one who did all the purchasing. We bought a lot of hydraulic hose from Aeroquip. They had a deal going if you purchased so many dollars in hose and fittings they gave you a new hose crimper. We bought so much we were able to get two of the crimpers free of charge. We had a big need on the very first HS205 Jumbo built in Finland delivered to the US. No one thought to ask it be all hosed with JIC and it came with all BSP fittings, so we refitted the majority of the boom and feed hoses all with JIC fittings all back to the control panels. That jumbo went to Nevada Gold Fields Mining Co. in Kingston, Nevada. That was around 1987 and it wasn't long after that the mines in Northern, Nevada started ordering about one two boom jumbo a month. SMD was doing some work towards the end of that mine in Kingston and when the mines in northern NV all started going underground. That's when Small Mine Development went from basically what their name described to what they are today a major mining contractor they are today. They were definitely in the right place at the right time.

 

[HardRockNM]

We've finally hit mineralization - four veins, actually, right about where it was supposed to be. The initial assay came back to approximately $350/ton which isn't great but would be profitable. Now it's time to start drifting on vein and regularly drilling exploratory holes towards the hanging wall!

This nodular material is promising. A previous operator mined about $400,000 worth of this stuff from the upper levels of the mine.
As pretty as this iron-stained quartz is, it doesn't run. Values here are typically found in conjunction with pyrrhotite.

This stuff seems to be what runs. The clearly-defined vein is flanked by mineralized stockwork with a total width of about 3-4 feet. We'll be drifting on it.

 

[tamrock]

We've finally hit mineralization - four veins, actually, right about where it was supposed to be. The initial assay came back to approximately $350/ton which isn't great but would be profitable. Now it's time to start drifting on vein and regularly drilling exploratory holes towards the hanging wall!
View attachment 2157939
This nodular material is promising. A previous operator mined about $400,000 worth of this stuff from the upper levels of the mine.View attachment 2157941
As pretty as this iron-stained quartz is, it doesn't run. Values here are typically found in conjunction with pyrrhotite.
View attachment 2157940
This stuff seems to be what runs. The clearly-defined vein is flanked by mineralized stockwork with a total width of about 3-4 feet. We'll be drifting on it.

That's great. Have you got most of what you'll need to get on with your production?

 

[HardRockNM]

That's great. Have you got most of what you'll need to get on with your production?

In the short term, yes. In the mid term, we'll need to pick up that 922 and a second haul truck to really get efficiencies dialed in.

 

[Mountaineer2020]

That is a beauty of a vein! Any idea how far the oreshoot runs or is the plan to drift till it runs out then stope? I'm impressed you can make a profit at $350/ton! Guess it comes from experience and the right equipment. You ever get up north Oregon way you could show me how it's done! Face of a 4 ft. vein on one of my drifts runs $1,000 for 2 feet and $240 for the other 2 feet all in free gold. Havent been able to do much with it though yet because of family problems. What kind of mill system you run to get the gold out from that pyrrhotite?

 

[Mountaineer2020]

In the short term, yes. In the mid term, we'll need to pick up that 922 and a second haul truck to really get efficiencies dialed in.

Got more questions. How many tons can you muck and haul in a day and how many on the crew? I'm trying to figure out what would be profitable ore for my mine. It was a producer back in the 1900's ran $1,000,000 when gold was $20/ounce. I know there's ore left they didn't even mine 2 of the veins just did alot of development work and burned through the stockholders money. Allegedly there's a 300 foot shoot of ore running 1/2 opt 5 feet thick and another 150 foot shoot next to it with backs of 300 feet that hasn't been touched other than drifting a tunnel through it. Haven't opened that tunnel yet though it's buried at the entrance. Where would a fella go to find some qualified miners?

 

[HardRockNM]

Ore will be shipped to a custom mill. There are several in varying states of readiness within shipping distance. The ore in this district is very conducive to conventional froth flotation that yields a gold/silver concentrate. Quite a few precious-metal smelters will buy that concentrate. The metallurgical angle isn't my area of expertise, but much of the sulfide gangue will still end up in the concentrate and is separated at the smelter. We've had cyanide solubility testing done with positive results, but it's not something I realistically expect to use operationally at this point.

Drill/blast and mechanized mucking is a game changer. Our mining costs are around $100/ton, which is primarily labor, explosives, and generator time. Jumping between an LHD and truck, I can muck about 12-15 tons of ore in an hour by myself. If I have a clear muckbay within 200' or so of the face, I can muck a 50-ton round in about two hours running load-and-carry. That way my business partner can get a drill back in the face ASAP, then I can go back and empty the muckbay later while he drills. We usually run a 2 or 3-man crew - driller/utility man, operator/mechanic, nipper/toplander. In a perfect world we'd shoot about every three man-shifts but various ancillary, preparatory, and maintenance tasks keep that from working out.

Truth be told, I believe that material handling is where a lot of guys lose the plot. Hand mucking is one thing if you're mucking into a proper ore car or maybe a small trailer, but so many guys on YouTube end up with these multi-step haulage processes involving ore bags, sleds, and five-gallon buckets. They'll never move significant amounts of rock that way in a reasonable amount of time. Labor is expensive, inuries from overexertion and bad body mechanics are even more expensive. Don't reinvent the wheel if you don't have to - if you have reasonably usable old rail, fix it up and use it. If your drifts are large enough, run small diesel equipment and install ventilation.

Good miners are the hard part, and they don't come cheap. We've all got prior experience so DIY-ing it was a logical decision. The closest big district to you is the Silver Valley up in Idaho; there's only one commercial hard rock operation in Oregon right now plus any number of smaller operators. Logically the first steps for you would be digging out that portal with a small excavator, backhoe, or MT85 Bobcat, barring down and putting in ground support as required, then doing some chip sampling. If you feel like lighting money on fire, bring in a mining contractor.

 

[Moesia]

Always interesting to see, read about these kind of hard rock mining operations.

 

[Mountaineer2020]

So I took HardRockNM's advice to heart and this happened! Walk behind skidsteer at the face. Couldn't fit a riding one in there without making the tunnel taller. Got a 12" airline at the face with a big fan pushing air in. Now to get the mini-ex in there working the face and skidsteering haul out and BAM! Finally after 3 years some small production mining.

 

[HardRockNM]

So I took HardRockNM's advice to heart and this happened! Walk behind skidsteer at the face. Couldn't fit a riding one in there without making the tunnel taller. Got a 12" airline at the face with a big fan pushing air in. Now to get the mini-ex in there working the face and skidsteering haul out and BAM! Finally after 3 years some small production mining.

Now that's what I'm talking about!