Mining At The Sullivan

SUMPEARY OF CURRENT PRACTICES History The outcrop and surrounding area of Comincots Sullivan Mine was originally mined by small open cuts on surface and small open stopes underground to which shafts and adits were driven for access. When it was established that a commercial grade of ore was available, an adit was driven on the 4600 level (feet above sea level), and OM was extracted by larger scale open stoping leaving supporting pillars where necessary. After the depth of the ore body was proven to the 3900 level and an adit driven at this level, many miles of drifts, crosscuts, raises and sublevels were driven for the extraction of the ore above this level. Larger open stopea were extended from this development. The mining method was, and to a very limited degree still is, a benching method. Due to the strong hanging wall in this area of the mine, stopes with a width of 100 feet or more were opened. In 1931, because the orebody was proven to extend below the 3900 level, a winze was sunk from the 3900 level to the 3350 level. From this winze three intermediate levels were opened. Following a plan of development well in advance of production requirements, further sinking was done by winzes and eventually a large shaft was raised to surface. Prior to 1958 the 2850 level was bottom which since that time has been extended to the 2500 level. Open stopes were developed and mined as this area was opened up.