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Coalminer3 Much of what you have posted does not apply to western hardrock mines. When the EPA shut down the last of the smelters in 1982, the mines were mining up the stope and using gravity to move the ore to the underground haulage system (either rail or conveyor) to move it to the shaft pocket. From the pocket, the ore was hoisted to the surface. The last mine I worked was 5,2000 feet below existing ground surface and was using square set timbers to hold the works open until all the ore had been extracted. A neighboring mine was raising on a near verticle ore shoot and used no support timber at all. They had to place gob in the works to keep a base from which to work. I could go on and on, but see no purpose. I am a mining engineer by both training and experience and worked the hardrock mines of the west for nearly 25 years. The mining of the 1800's might be close to what you write, but I still feel you have some errors. I grant that the industry was not for the faint of heart. Most people could not work in a normal hardrock mine. The headaches you talk about? The nitroglycerine contained in the cotton gel of modern (late 1800's on) stick powder was noted for the pain handling it could cause. Continuous handling and the headaches ceased. I do not mean to rag on you, but I do not like the dissemination of misinformation about my industry. I have worked as both a timberman and machine miner in western lead/zinc mines. Today I am on the surface and have adapted to working as a civil engineer. I miss being underground, I miss the the challenge of beating the odds. I miss the creaking and groaning of the timbers as they take weight. I miss the total darkness of being deep underground and shutting off my cap lamp during dinner break. Most folks that get to know me think I should be put into an institution. I think I am the only one still marching in sequence, the rest of you are a half step off. Tom Tom
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