Show mine development brief mention has already been made of the large amount of work performed in the early operation of the maxfield mine chief interest however is centered in the main working tunnel which was driven into the mountain just above the main canyon level this tunnel has a course almost due north for a distance of 1465 feet ore being encountered on its dip at a distance of 1200 feet prom from this point the tunnel was driven a distance of 1065 feet to the west for the purpose of cutting the fissures showing on the surface in the driving of this drift a distance of 1065 feet four fissures s were encountered which are known as the corkscrew corkscrew extension alligator and alligator extension t prom from the main tunnel level all of these fissures have been followed to the surface e and practically worked out however there still remains blocked out and in sight many thousands of tons of low grade ore which could not ibe be handled profitably toy by former owners but which now that more favorable conditions obtain can be mined to good advantage and with a satisfactory margin of profit present developments present developments will consist of driving a drift further west until a fissure is reached that has been opened on the surface by a foot shaft sunk thirty five years ago and known as the fairview fissure the ore taken from the foot shaft was as very rich according to smelter returns and by cutting the fairview fissure at this great depth an additional source of productiveness will be added to the resources of this noted property the main incline now known as the working shaft and which is now down a distance of feet will be continued on down to the contact gaining an additional depth of feet while the drift from the present bottom of the incline now in a distance of feet to the east will be continued to connect with the fissures exposed on the main tunnel level the nearest one of which should be encountered within a very few feet when connections are made the of ore will begin and the ore will ibe be drawn out through the incline and delivered to the bins at the portal of the main tunnel working on ore it is an old saying that hope long deferred mabeth the heart sick for years the owners of the maxfield have been aff afflicted lica with this heart trouble for it was all outgo with them and no income and this condition to their dismay exhibited every sign of permanency with the advent 0 of o mr vahrenkamp however in mine control and development a change has taken place that is cheering to everyone interested in the growth and progress of the Alt aBig cottonwood district for the maxfield is on the shipping list once again and this famous old time property now gives every assurance that ore production will not only be regular in the future but that it will also show a gradual increase in tonnage until it is classed among the big producers of the state at the present time mr vahrenkamp is working three 8 hour shifts in ore extraction on each of the following named fissures the alligator alligator extension the corkscrew corkscrew extension and on what is generally known as the 1200 foot shaft which is located on the main tunnel level while within the next few days the drift from the bottom of the foot A aj 4 r FF tv at Y Y t t k ar 4 maxfield mine entrance to main tunnel and tramway to ore bins photo by will C higgins working shaft will have reached the alligator I 1 extension fissure from below when will begin on ore of most excellent grade and at the same time the drift will be continued to connect with the other fissures in all of the fissures mentioned in the bottom of shallow dinzes solid bodies of ore are showing which range from six to seven feet in width from these shipments have already been begun and as progress is made the daily output outa ut will be materially increased character of ore above the tunnel level the pres ores of the maxfield are a silver lead car carbonate carn onate below the water level they lre are a heavy galena carrying values in gold silver lead and copper the range of values being beang 25 cents to 18 gold 25 to ounces silver 10 to 60 perk percent cent lead and 15 to 7 per peer cent copper the ore bodies range bange in wildth from six inches to twenty four feet but very little waste occurs with the ore deposits mine equipment the mine equipment of the maxfield under its present management is modern and up to date in every respect the power plant is equipped with two air compressors of special design manufactured manufacture Ll by the silver bros iron works company of salt lake city these have a capacity of cubic feet of free air per minute this air is conveyed into the mine a distance of 2600 feet through a 6 inch steel pipe line the plant is also equipped with two separate power units one being driven exclusively by power from the transmission line of the utah power light company antle the other is driven by power generated by water wheel on the companas comp anys property in the installation of these units manager vahrenkamp has due caution in caring for contingencies likely to arise in providing the mine with power for should a break or cutoff cut off ever occur in the line of tha utah power and light the regular mine unit or auxiliary plant could be switched in at a moments notice this unit is provided with a bom compressor with a capacity of 1500 cubic feet of tree rree air per minute and an electrical plant of 85 horse power which operates the pumps in the twinkling of an eye either of these units or both may ibe be switched on or off so that the water flow can be absolutely controlled at the will of the operator under present equipment provision has been made by mr vahrenkamp to control a flow of 1500 gallons of water kwater per minute as ample pumps have been installed ready to switch in instantly should such a volume be encountered e d at greater depth the pumps used are of the double stage type manufactured by the american well works the mine is electrically lighted throughout the hoist at the main incline is operated by air although it is the intention when feet more of depth is attained to replace it with an electrically operated hoist air operated hoists have been installed at other points where sinking is be being ing done machine drills are used in mining operations principally waugh and Ingers IngersolL argent Sargent with butterfly valves surface equipment the property of the maxfield mining power company is well provided with surface buildings and necessary improvements the main building a four story structure affords housing for power plant boarding house and sleeping quarters office and bath rooms on the basement floor which is underground is located the turbine water wheel which supplies power for the auxiliary unit the ground floor is occupied by the compressors generators motors and switchboard the boarding house is located on the third floor and also the lounging room for company amplo employees Y bes t to b gether aether with bath rooms and toilets on the fourth floor accommodations have been provided for sleeping quarters for thirty men employed on the day shift at a little distance from the mine the company has built a cottage for the use of the night shift this is designed to care for thirty men all buildings are electrically lighted located below the entrance of the main tunnel is the machine shop which is equipped with lathe pipe threading machine drill presses etc nearby is the blacksmith shop the ore bins with a storing capacity of tons are located along the wagon road from these the mine output is easily loaded into wagons through chutes the company at the present time is giving employment to a force of sixty men |