Mining Methods At Mascot Mines, Tennessee

THE Mascot mines of the American Zinc. Co. of Tennessee are situated at Mascot, Tenn., 14 miles northeast of Knoxville, on the Southern Railway. The district is centrally located in the Great Valley, or Appalachian Valley Province. Prior to 1900, a small output of zinc was obtained from oxidized ore mined in open pits. In 1900, a shaft was sunk to sulfide ore, and in 1903, a second shaft was put down, neither being as deep as 200 ft. The American Zinc Co. of Tennessee began drilling in 1911, and outlined an ore body to which its No. 1 shaft was sunk, to a depth of 365 ft. Since that time, the American Zinc Co. of Tennessee has been the only operator in. the district. The Federal mining laws have never been in operation in Tennessee and mining lands are as irregular in boundary and area as farm lands. Ownerships are generally held in fee. In most cases the surface and mineral rights, are transferred together. Electric power is supplied at 66,000 volts by the Tennessee Power do, from a hydro-electric plant at Parksville, Polk County, Tenn., 100 miles from Mascot. No other power is used, but an emergency steam plant is held ready in case of interruption of service. Labor is all native and non-union. Negroes are employed for most of the shoveling, and for a few miscellaneous jobs, but for almost, no other work.