Reuse of hoppers in copper mines

[jhugart]

I'm working on modelling the Keweenaw peninsula's copper mining region, and found myself with a question on operations.

These were deep tunnel mines, and needed coal to fuel the boilers that powered the huge hoists used to move men and rock between the surface and underground.

My question is, if a hopper full of coal was emptied at a mine, would it be turned around and reused immediately for poor rock, or copper-laden rock destined for a stamp mill? Or would these uses be kept separate so as not to contaminate the copper with the coal? I could see maybe using an empty coal hopper for poor rock, though.

Jacob

[joseph2]

Hi Jacob.Sorry,I can't answer your question.How ever I used to belong to the North Central Region of the NMRA which includes that part of Michigan.Its online magizine is called the hotbox and has some stories on mines and railroads in the upper peninsula.It also has a bulletin board where you could post your question.Their address is http://data.detnews.com/hotbox/

[Anonymous]

Jacob, I don't have the exact link, but try something like copperrange.org or copperrange.com or keewenawcentral.
A few months ago, I hit on a really detailed website all about the copper industry in the U.P.
Lots of other links there too.

Good luck!
Todd C.