Mine Stoping & Mine Timbering

As this district is so far distant from the other mining centres and its mode of
approach so circuitous, I am afraid that many residents of other portions of the
Commonwealth never think of paying this “ Australia’s Silver City” a visit, to learn
personally the many and various lessons everywhere available, and to become
familiar with the really wonderful and interesting features and deposits (which
nature has so lavishly bestowed in the mineralogical world, and yet seemed to
almost ignore or overlook when disposing of topographical beauties of landscape
and vegetation) unless professional or business duties require their presence here.
So it is to those whose life is necessarily spent in other parts of the States where
they answer their call of duty, and yet feel an interest, either for business or other
reasons, that my paper is specially addressed and prepared, and for that reason I
will endeavour to make my remarks more of an explanatory than a dictatorial
nature. I feel sure that there, are many members of our Institute who are much
more familiar, and have had many more years’ experience in the various methods
of timbering, filling, and ore extraction, etc., than myself, but I hope that over 16
years’ experience in connection with mines and engineering works, the last six of
which have been spent in Broken Hill, where I have been very closely connected
with all the details of mining and ore extraction as Mining Surveyor and Civil
Engineer to the Sulphide Corporation (the output of whose mine, “ The Central,” is
over 5000 tons of sulphide ore per week, and comes next to the Great Broken Hill
Proprietary Company) will merit the favour of your careful and, I hope, interested
attention ; and if my paper, with its accompanying drawings, etc., is of interest or
profit to any member of our Institute and in any way advances its interest and
influence, I shall feel amply repaid. As the majority of our members are unable to
attend this meeting and have not visited Broken Hill to inspect for themselves. I
hope this will be accepted as an explanation for my going into sundry details which,
many present may be quite familiar with. At the same time, as this gathering only
represents a very small quota of the members, I have not excised these details,
and hope that they maybe of interest and assistance to those who are unable to be
present with us to hear any explanation that may be deemed necessary given viva
voce by myself and other local members of the Institute.

I must confess that the impressions of a new arrival on coming to the Barrier are
anything but pleasant or reassuring, for when, after spending a whole night in
rattling over 300 miles of almost desert country, one seeing the line of lode, about
one and a half miles in length, with its long chain of chimney stacks, poppet heads,
engine houses, concentrating mills, and immense mullock and tailings dumps, etc.,
finds it hard to imagine that this is the now world-famed Barrier Range or Broken
Hill, from which almost countless fortunes have been extracted- and as many more
remain awaiting consummation-unless a mining man who has been on similar
fields. The original Broken Hill is now a thing of the past, having been entirely
removed by the large open cuts, from which the oxidised ore is being extracted
down to about 200 to 250-feet; but I have fortunately, secured a copy of a photo of
the original outcrop on Block 13, so that the nature or form of the wonderful outcrop
after which the city is named may be seen. I may here state that the original name
of this place was Willyama, a name which has recently been also given to a new
mineral found in the Consols mine. The name was given by Mr. PITTMAN,
Government Geologist of N.S.W., as Willyamite.
 Early-Mining

No doubt all of our members have read of the finding of silver by the stockman on
Mount Gipps Station and of Rasp’s shaft (Rasp himself being a station hand at the
time), and of the almost romantic mining of earlier years, when only the oxidised
ores of the upper levels of the lode were worked down to 300 or 400 feet and, as
on all new fields, the methods adopted were of the crudest description until, with
great advance of output and rush of population, more modern and advanced
systems were adopted; and the arrival of American mining managers and
engineers with the “square set ” system of timbering, as carried out in ore mines of
America and elsewhere. I think it would not be out of place for me to make this
system the first to which I will draw your attention.

Square Set System

If you refer to Fig. I. you will there see an isometric drawing of the square set
system showing sizes of timbers and all joints. All timbers are 10 in. x 10 in., the
vertical ones called legs and the horizontal ones caps and struts ; they are all cut to
the required scantlings in the sawmills. Some of the mines have their own sawmills,
and buy their timbers in long lengths straight from the Port, and cut all timbers to
templates. They are then sent underground quite ready for the miners and
timbermen to frame up in the stopes. When the ore is hard and compact (and it is
hard sometimes, especially in the class of ore containing rhodonite) I have
frequently seen five drills blunted to bore a hole less than one inch; but when the
ore is friable, it is then timbered close up to the working face (as shown in Plate I.)
on the upper floors. You will notice that, in this system, the miners are always
working close to the face or back, which they can easily examine to make sure of
its safety. One disadvantage of keeping the timbers so close to the face is that
frequently a heavy shot will “ throw,” and thus knock down several sets and shake
others, thereby causing delay and rendering the working face unsafe until the
timbers are re-erected. You can readily imagine the difficulty in securing them all as
firmly as they were originally. Laths of 10 in. x 2 in. Oregon are laid on each floor as
the stope rises upwards to the next level, and chutes for conveying the broken ore
to the sills and thence to the trucks are provided at convenient intervals, and slides
placed to run the ore to the chutes from the working face. These may be seen on
the plan and section showing the stope on the square set system (Plate I.). It will
also be noticed that the end sets of each floor are wedged firmly to the foot and
hanging walls of the ore body, and frequently notches or hitches cut to secure a
solid bed. In theory, as a system by itself, these seem admirable, but in practice
(without being filled with mullock as they now are) they fail lamentably, for after the
ore has been extracted, any movement or pressure of the walls of the lode causes
an entire collapse of the sets, like a toy brick house. These have gained the weird
name of “ creeps,” and a more complete state of chaos can hardly be imagined
than a creep, i.e., broken and splintered timbers, and masses of ore and mullock in
one almost unapproachable mass, often rendering the further working of that
portion of the lode almost impossible, and thereby losing large quantities of ore in
the debris, but it is a noticeable fact that in those mines where the managers did
not rely on the timbers alone, but judiciously filled in the sets with mullock from wall
to wall (leaving only
the necessary openings for shutes and gangways, etc.,) when any movement came
in the walls of the lode the timbers and surrounding filling stood the burden, and the
mines were singularly free from “ creeps.” Some idea of the immense strain or
pressure imposed on these timbers may be imagined, when I state that I have seen
a piece of 10 in. x 10 in. Oregon timber compressed to barely 3 in., have also seen
a 10 in. x 10 in. vertical leg driven 4½- in. into the horizontal cap and sill at its ends,
without bending the leg, and have frequently noticed, when there has been any
lateral pressure, the huge 10 in. piece of Oregon splintered like a piece of willow on
the convex side, and on the concave side, though bent one foot, was still unbroken.

Life of Timbers

The life of timbers underground depends a great deal on location. In some mines I
have noticed Oregon that had been in for approximately 10 years almost sound,
whilst in others the same class of timbers, if put in a badly ventilated stope, in about
three or four years had completely decayed by a kind of mouldy dry rot. In the
upper portions of one mine I noticed a lot of joggled logs of blue gum, from six
inches to nine inches diameter (brought from the river in the early days), and they
were worm-eaten and quite rotten, whilst the mulga and black oak, both hard native
local timbers, were quite sound ; but as these latter are usually only about 4 in. to 8
in. diameter they are almost useless for underground timbering, except as laths, or
for latticing the sides of square sets and enclosing the mullock fillings, for which are
sometimes used. I omitted to mention when describing the mullock filling of the
square sets that 10 in. by 2 in. laths are used by some mines, but other mines,
having their own sawmills, rip the 10 in. by
2 in. lath in halves and use the 5 in. by 2 in. lath, thus effecting a small saying in the
amount of timber used; but I have noticed also that these lighter laths frequently
give way when any great pressure from the mullock is thrown on them.

Other great defractions to, the square set system are the great cost of timber and
the liability to fires.

Cost of Timber

When one comes to consider the great amount of timber required, to timber up a
lode the total of super feet is enormous, and at, approximately, 16/- per-100 super
feet, the cost greatly reduces the profits. We have in the “ Central ” a width of over
270 ft. from footwall to hanging well at the 600 ft. level, the greatest width on the
Barrier, taken out in blocks about 50ft. wide right across from one level to another,
viz., 100 ft.)

Fires

Then again there is the liability to fires, of which the fire in Block 11, of about seven
years ago, and the fire in Block 12, of four years, both of which are still burning, are
examples. These cause great expense in extinguishing and greatly hamper the
working of the upper portions of the lode. It will be readily seen that so much timber
of an inflammable nature is a great menace, and especially when the stopes are
well ventilated by winzes from the upper workings. These winzes serve as vents or
chimneys, and spread the deadly gases throughout the mine, and the result is loss
of life, as it was on both occasions just referred to, when men went below to locate
and attempt to overcome the fire before it gained, too strong a hold.

I have endeavoured to explain at some length the advantages and disadvantages

of this square set system, and I hope, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, I
have been able to make, them dear to all. It will be seen that the deduction to be
drawn is that this system is an admirable one when combined with mullock filling;
but it is also an expensive one. I
desire to acknowledge my indebtedness to the Mines Department of N.S.W. for
data, etc., in reference to the square set system of timbering.

Later Systems

Owing to the sulphide ore requiring more costly and tedious treatment and
preparation before being suitable for smelting than oxidised ores, and the many
and varied expanses incidental to the mining, due to the hardness and the work of
extraction and handling, it was necessary that managers and others interested
should devise some safer and cheaper methods, which would also be more
suitable to the class of ore to be mined and treated, and thus, born of actual
experiment and necessity, these later methods have gradually evolved into their
present forms; and their almost universal adoption on several mines on the line of
lode—with sundry modification to suit individual cases—proves their efficiency. I
must mention that the square set system is far from annihilated, as it is still used
where applicable, especially on the sill floors where gangways are required, also
shutes, outlets, etc. Here the sets are on solid bottoms; being well wedged against
the hanging and foot walls or the sides of the stopes, they are firm and permanent,
and with the 10 in. by 3 in. planking to carry the mullock filling they form most
convenient passages about the workings. So you will see it is still used in
conjunction with these later systems, as a very valuable and necessary adjunct.

Underground Open Cut System

To many this term at first may seem a little erroneous or misleading, as the term
open cut is generally applied to excavations from the surface downwards, but the
above name is that generally given by the miners to the large stopes which are
worked under this system. I will now draw your attention to Plate II.—by
comparison with Plate I.—the great difference is soon evident,. The drives are first
put along the foot and hanging walls, and then through the ore body from the upper
levels winzes are sunk, and crosscuts are driven at convenient intervals. The
winzes serve several important purposes. Firstly, they ensure a complete and
lasting ventilation to the stopes during their upward way, by carrying off all noxious
gases as they form on the lower workings, or are given off by the sulphide ore, and
thus enable the miners to work with a greater degree of comfort, and also to do a
fair shift’s work, which could hardly be expected in a hot stope with a constant
atmosphere of about 90°, where a singlet and pants seem almost too much.
Secondly, the winzes serve as passes or shutes through which the mullock filling is
conveyed from the upper levels and, by a succession of shutes and winzes from
the surface, is deposited where desired. This system is entirely successful in the
Central Mine, for the mullock is broken in a large open cut on the surface, and
conveyed in side-tipping trucks of capacity of one cubic yard, drawn by horses
through a tunnel, then discharged into a shute, from, which, by a series of winzes
shutes, etc., it is distributed throughout the mine where required. Thirdly, the winze
is used as a starting place or face from which to work the stope, and, after the ore
is extracted, say the first 10 or 20 feet, it is timbered up closely into two
compartments, as shown on Plate II. One compartment serves as a shute or pass
for the ore to the sill floor, as the stope works upwards, and the other compartment
as a ladder way and means of ingress and exit for the miners and others to the
upper workings of the stope. The sides of the initial drives on the sill floor are
extended to the desired width along the lode, and thus the stope is formed on the
sill floor, the sill timbers placed in position, and then mullocked up. On top of these
timbers the bedding for the filling is placed, as will be noticed on the section, being
10 in. by 10 in. and 10 in. by 3 in. timbers, arranged as best to carry the great
burden imposed. Above these “sollars” (as they are called) the only timbering is
that of the shute and ladder way, all other spaces being filled in with mullock from
wall to wall as indi-

cated, which, it will be readily seen, is placed in layers of 7 ft. to 12 ft. As the broken
ore falls and the traffic also is all on the mullock filling, each succeeding layer gets
well rammed, and solidifies before the next one is placed on it. In the large open
stopes in the Central Mine almost all the boring is done by machine rock drills
driven by compressed air. These bring down the ore in large pieces, frequently
from 7 ft. to 8 ft. by about 2 ft. wide. These pieces are then bored by hammer and
drill and popped into smaller sizes, then spawled into suitable sizes (generally less
than about 1 ft. long) for throwing down the shutes and removal in the trucks, which
are all end-tipping and hold about 16 cwt. of broken ore. When the “ back ” or top
portion of the stope is “ heavy,” or seems dangerous and likely to come away, “
bulkheads ” are built under it. These consist of 10 in. by 10 in. timbers, placed at
right angles to each other, one above the other, and tightly wedged, as shown on
Plate II. When bulkheads are built on the mullock filling, a bed of 10 in. by 4 in.
sollars is first laid on the mullock to distribute the pressure over as large an area as
possible; then the first 10 in. by 10 in. timbers forming the bulkhead are laid
transversely across the sollars. These timbers are afterwards removed, the burden
shot down, and the same timbers used over and over again.

Sloping Stope System

I think it would be advisable before drawing your attention directly to the

advantages and disadvantages of this particular system of stoping to describe a
somewhat similar modification of the same system called the “ Sloping Stope
System” as shown on Plate III. This method is extensively used on the Broken Hill
Proprietary Mine, and I must here express my indebtedness to E. J. HORWOOD
Esq., C.E., mining manager, for his kindness and courtesy in granting me
permission to copy his drawings, showing this system. In many instances the same
description will apply as in the foregoing notes on underground open cut stoping,
viz., the levels on the sill floors are first formed, taking notice that the width of the
stope depends on the nature of the ore to be mined, or its ability to support itself by
leaving the back in the form of an arch, the whole stope when formed is somewhat
in shape like an isosceles triangle, of which the level or sill floor forms the base and
the winze the apex ; also the winze (as before) is stink from the level above, and
the stope is started from the winze as in the other open cut system, whilst the winze
serves the same purpose for ventilating, and as a pass for the mullock filling into
the stope, also shute for the ore to the sill floor. The great difference is that the
stope slopes laterally to each side instead of going up with a level or even floor,
and as these sides rise with the stope, provision must be made for preventing the
mullock filling from running into the adjoining stope when it rises ; this is done by
placing vertically at the sides of the stope, about five feet apart, 10 in. x 4 in.
stringers, which overlap at the ends, and are then covered with 10 in. x 2 in. laths
placed horizontally against the face of the ore. These may be removed and used
over and over again. When the adjoining stope is afterwards being worked, the
stoping advances forward from 5 ft. to 8 ft. at a time, and from 8 ft. to 12 ft.
upwards. The advantage of these sloping sides is that the broken ore falls on 10 in.
x 4 in. sollar boards placed on the incline plane of the mullock, and thus rolls to the
shutes at the sides without further handling excepting of course the large pieces,
which require hand boring, popping and spawling as before mentioned. It will be
noticed on referring to Drawing A, Plate III., that the stope is filled in with mullock to
within two feet or three feet of the back, and the stope is always worked
downwards, starting from the winze ; but if the back is heavy or faulty it is secured
by 10 in. x 10 in. legs resting on the sollars (or on bed logs left in the mullock), or at
right angles to the sollars and also to the back, as they are nearly parallel; these
are tightly wedged and blocked and only removed as the ground is taken out. When
the stope is about nine feet high the sollars are taken up and stored aside
for further use. The stope is mullocked up again to within two or three feet of the
back, when the shutes are again built up a proportional height and the sollars
replaced on the mullock, the sloping process as before taking another slice from
the back, also starting from the winze downwards. The Broken Hill Proprietary
Company has of late years been adopting a modification of the square set system
in working these “sloping stopes” by timbering up the middle of the stopes with
square sets which are filled with mullock as the work proceeds ; but as the back (or
working face in this instance) is sloping as in the last mentioned method, each
successive floor of sets stands back one or in such a manner that the outside faces
of the sets follow as nearly as possible the same angle of inclination or inclined
plane as the face of the ore body. In this way the miners are always within a safe
distance of working and examining the face and back of the workings, and all the
favourable points of the other adaptation of the sloping stope system apply to this
system, with the advantage that the miners have a good footing on the set timbers,
and the great convenience offered for the despatch of the ore through the shutes
constructed in the square sets.

Block System

I will now briefly describe another modification of this system as adopted in the
Central Mine (where I have the honour of being engaged) and a method which, up
to the present, is not used in the other mines as it is in the Central with the most
satisfactory results. I refer to the “block system,” which you will notice portrayed on
Plate IV. The lode for its entire length through M.L. No. 9 has been surveyed into
parallel blocks each 50 ft. in width (i.e., 10 sets, each 5 feet wide); each alternate
division is a block and the next a stope; the whole level is gradually developed by a
drive along the footwall and by crosscuts to the hanging wall, thereby determining
the width of the lode along its entire length, and the stopes are then carried from
the footwall to the hanging wall on the sill floor, and the whole space filled with
square sets, leaving every facility for forming the necessary gangways, shutes, etc.
These are then filled in with mullock (as before mentioned in the paragraph on
square set timbering) and the stope starts on its course upwards, being exactly 50
feet wide by the entire width of the lode at that point, thus leaving a pillar of ore 50
feet wide on each side of it from wall to wall, which will carry all pressure during the
mining of this stope. A run of square sets is put in each side of the stope as it goes
upwards, forming a gangway and ladderway, the sides of which are lathed or
paddocked off, thereby confining the mullock filling in the centre of the stope. The
ore is broken by machine drills (as formerly, driven by compressed air), and in the
same lifts and proportions as in the before mentioned open stope system; the ore
falling on the mullock filling in the centre of the stope is popped and spawled into
suitable size for handling and trucking to the shaft for haulage to the surface. One
great difference in this system from the others is that the winzes (6 ft. x 5 ft.) are
always sunk 100 feet apart at the side of each alternate stope (being half in the
stope and half in the adjoining block), thereby saving a second winze when the
block is being taken out at any future time. The ore from the adjoining stopes
having been all extracted, and the space filled with the mullock, this winze will then
be available, and serve the same purpose for the remaining block. The same
advantages re ventilation, mullocking, and stoping, all apply to these stopes, as in
the foregoing open cut and sloping stope systems, and they are mullocked up in
the same manner, excepting that the shutes for conveying the ore from the working
faces to the sill floor are placed in the runs of sets, placed on the sides of the
stopes for that purpose, and the shutes can be placed at any suitable intervals for
the workings.

Comparative Remarks

Having thus briefly described the various methods of underground stoping, I will
now venture to draw your
attention to the advantages and disadvantages of them. Firstly, the whole of the ore
body is, or at least eventually can be, extracted, and after extraction of lode
material, comparatively few, if any, large voids or openings are left, which also
leaves the surface areas for works, mills, and machinery, etc., almost free from risk
of subsidence. Secondly, the great advantage evident from the presence of mullock
filling—in lieu of a forest of timber—is the immunity from risk of fire. Thirdly, the
miner is always in reach of the “ back,” i.e., from 3 ft. to 9 ft., and can readily sound
and examine the back of the workings, and thereby make sure they are safe; and
this ensures a great freedom from accidents caused by masses of ore falling on
men whilst at work immediately under them, though unfortunately recent
experiences have shown that, as far as human knowledge or judgment can avail, a
place may be sounded and examined by miners with a life time experience and
reported as safe, when a few hours afterwards the back falls in and reveals a fault
or crack which the sounding did not make known, serious or fatal accidents
consequently resulting ; but even then this cannot in any way be compared to the
great risk incurred by men when re-erecting square sets that have been knocked
down by a heavy shot, when sometimes a charge will bring away more ground than
anticipated, for then a dozen or more sets will come down, and the men will have to
work under, probably, a dangerous back in re-erecting the sets or staging, before
they can actually examine it and assure themselves of its safety. Fourthly, another
advantage is the saving in the expense of timber. Of course against this must be
placed the cost of quarrying the mullock filling on the surface and conveying it to
the stopes, which, would however, be required in any case in filling the square sets
in the other systems. Fifthly, the great advantage of good air, as the mullock fills in
all spaces except the winzes and stope itself where it is being worked, this ensuring
always at the working face a current of air which also carries off the smoke after
firing and adds to the miners’ health and comfort, removing much that in former
days made the miner’s life a hazardous and unhealthy one.

Conclusion of Underground Stoping

Having at this length described and compared the various systems of underground
stoping and ore extraction, I am afraid I would weary you if I were to attempt to
describe as fully—and go into detail—the one other important method employed,
and by which such a large amount of oxidised ore has been removed. I refer to the
“ open-cut system ” and “surface extraction,” but will briefly describe the operations,
and I hope you will form some idea of its methods and the extent of its workings,
which really have to be seen to be appreciated. In reference to the open-cut
system, which I purpose making the last one to describe in this paper, I shall
endeavour to be brief, yet explicit, and hope I have not already tired your interest. I
would here beg to tender my best thanks to J. J. SHAW, Esq., engineer in charge
and manager for Baxter and Saddler’s contracts in working their open excavations,
for his courtesy in supplying me with the necessary data, drawings, etc.

Open Excavations

Certainly the large excavations are one of the chief sights of Broken Hill, and
though descriptions may give a slight idea of their extent I really think they must be
seen to be understood or appreciated. Imagine a huge open cavern, three-quarters
of a mile long—for they extend from the north boundary of Block 10 to the south
boundary of Block 14—thus traversing the whole of the Broken Hill Proprietary
Company’s Blocks 11, 12 and 13, each of which is 20 chains along the line of lode
and 20 chains wide. The widths of these cuttings vary from 120 feet near the
viaduct in Block II (in what is known as Smith’s cut) to about 350 feet wide across
Baxter and Sadler’s immense cutting in Block 12. There is also a great width of 300
feet opposite McGregor’s shaft in the centre of Block II. The cuts are down about
250 feet, and they are recovering a large amount of timber that was used
underground in the square set system of stoping in the old 200 feet level workings,
the ore from which was then hauled up the various shafts before the open-cuts
reached their present depths. The great mass of over-burden, mullock, country-
rock, etc., that has been removed in the extraction of the ore, can be imagined by
the heaps on both sides of the line of lode, reaching (near the outer portions) a
height of 60 feet or more (the angle of repose being between 30° and 40°). The
areas covered by the base of these heaps (following the area described by the toe
of the various dumps) will almost equal the area of the adjoining bases of the lode;
in fact, supplementary leases have been taken up on which the mullock heaps and
debris have been deposited.

Incline Tramways

One of the most interesting features of the works is the system of “ incline
tramways,” by which the waste is removed from the cuts. The grade is 2 ft. to 1 ft.
approximately; they are always double lines, and two end-tipping trucks, called
“dobbins,” are used, being hauled by a ¾-inch wire rope attached to a hauling
engine or winch having a loose drum and 9 in. cylinders, approximately 15 horse-
power. The empty dobbin runs down the incline, while the full one is being drawn
up, thus aiding the traction of the loaded one. On arrival at the surface, near the
engine room, the full dobbin is stopped by placing a “ sprag ” on the wheel (this is a
piece of hardwood about 18 in. or 2 ft. long and 4 in. in diameter) ; the hauling rope
is detached, and a horse hitched to the dobbin, which is then drawn along a surface
line of 3 ft. 6 in. gauge, and being an end-tipping truck is run to the end of the bank,
where a “ cradle ” or tipping-trough of old sleepers is formed ; the sudden impact of
the front wheels in this cradle causes the dobbin to discharge its load over the end
of the dump ; of course, as the dump grows the cradle or tipping- trough is removed
to the outer edge, the invert being generally about 6 inches below the level of the
line.

Horses

It is remarkable the instinct the horses used in running out these dobbins possess.
The driver runs alongside and on nearing the end of the dump pulls a strap
fastened near the breeching, which releases the fastening attaching the horse to
the dobbin. The horse immediately runs off the line and allows the dobbin to pass
him, and then trots up behind and turns round, ready to be re-hitched to the empty
dobbin to draw it back to the cutting again, often needing nothing more than a word
from the driver. The horses used in this class of work are a splendid type of draught
animal; unfortunately those working in the bottom of the cuts (where the oxidised
ore is mined and dust frequently blows about) sometimes get leaded, and then
become the same type of wreck that the men do when they suffer from the same
malady, which, since the stopping of the smelters on the Barrier, I am pleased to
say, is not such a menace, or nearly so prevalent as in the early days. This, I think,
is largely due to the greater cleanliness of the workmen and the increased facilities
given by all the mining companies—for each and every mine has its own changing
house, where the men can indulge in a hot or cold plunge or shower bath. Yet it is
remarkable how many miners go home daily covered with black sulphide dust,
looking more like aboriginals than white men.
 Flying Fox

The next most important method of extraction and that by which the greater part of
the ore from the open cuts is raised to the surface is the “ Flying Fox,” which is the
name given to a large skip which is hauled up and conveyed along an aerial
ropeway, and thence discharged into large ore bins at the sides of the railway lines
on the surface, from which it is conveyed to the mill or else to the smelters. To the
new arrival (or one who has never seen an aerial ropeway before), these are
certainly one of the most notable and interesting features of the place. A mast is
erected on each side of the cut, and a cable stretched over an iron saddle near the
top; the cable is anchored securely on either side, while on the surface is located
the hauling engines, of the same type as used on the incline, having a loose pulley
and reversing gear ; an attachment called a bicycle runs along the main cable
across the cut, having on it four pulleys—the upper two travel along the cable,
whilst the lower two are used in hoisting the skip vertically from the cut, and the
same rope (called the “ travelling rope ”) then draws the bicycle, and, of course,
with it the skip along the cable; when it is over the bin on the surface a self-acting
catch holds it steady, whilst it is lowered and discharges its load into the bin. The
skip is again hoisted and is run out along the cable and again lowered into the
cutting; in the meantime, a second skip has been filled and it is attached and
hoisted and discharged as before.

Capacity of Skips

The skips are about 1 ft. 4 in. deep, 4 ft. wide and 5 ft. long, and hold about one
cubic yard ; they are suspended by four chains, one at each corner, the back two
being fixed to the skip, whilst the front ones are fastened by hooks, which are
undone to release the load. These skips are used for many purposes besides
hauling ore, for I have seen a workman with a broken leg hauled to the surface and
deposited safely, thus saving a steep climb up the banks; this was spoken of
appreciatively by the surgeon who attended the case. The sides of the cutting are
designed with a batter of a half to one and three-quarters to one and would meet at
a depth of about 250 ft.; but owing to the frequent slips of the sides, they are at
present very irregular. Some very heavy firing is done in these cuttings, which
shakes the ground for a great distance, and sends large clouds of dust up in the air,
but immense burdens and masses of the rock are removed.

Ore Body

The ore body in the centre of the cut is about 25 ft. to 50 ft. in width, and of a
distinctive colour from the surrounding country rock. The open cutting in Baxter and
Sadler’s contract, Block 12, and also in Smith’s Cutting, Block II, are now working
immediately above the fire area, and frequently pieces of burnt timber and molten
rock are found. These cuts were of great use in coping with fires underground by
pouring large quantities of water down the shafts right above the fire area.

Drive Sets

There is just one other feature, in closing, to which I will draw your attention, viz.,
the massive “ sets ” as used in the double track drives, where horses are used
underground. The application of these will be self-evident from the drawing, Plate
V. They are specially designed to withstand heavy vertical and lateral pressure, and
are placed at intervals according to the nature of the back or country they have to
hold, but generally about four feet or five feet centre to centre.

Stables Underground

It may be of interest to know that the horses used in underground traction are
stabled underground and seem to thrive well, for they are all in good condition and
take kindly to their work. The stables are lighted with electric light, and are quite as
sweet and clean as the average stable on top.

Conclusion

I am afraid that I have trespassed on your patience rather more than I at first
intended, but I hope I have been able to make my subject sufficiently interesting,
and have not wearied you by too exhaustive a paper. However, I have purposely

left this last portion, re open cuts, till the end, so that it could readily be excised
should the paper be found too long or take up more time than is usually allowed. I
will conclude by hoping that it may have given our members as much pleasure to
listen to, as it as given me to write this, I hope interesting, description of mining in “
Australia’s Silver City ” in this remote part of the State, which, being so far distant,
is I fear, frequently forgotten as really being a portion of the parent State of
Australia.

Discussion

Mr. JOHN WARREN said that to residents of the Barrier any further explanation of
this system was not necessary, but to visitors no doubt there were several points
which required explanation. No doubt other gentlemen would speak to the paper.
The reason why square sets were necessary in some stopes, and not in others,
was that where there were bands of hard ore mixed with friable it was almost
impossible to work the open-cut system, and he thought that square sets were
necessary. Where they had firm walls, as they happily had got in the deeper levels,
there was no difficulty in taking it out from wall to wall. The sloping stope was a very
old fashioned affair ; it was invented before he was at any rate. They all knew the
principle. There was plenty of room for explanations, and visitors would, no doubt,
be very pleased to be further enlightened in the matter.

Mr. HORWOOD said that there were one or two things he would like to refer to. As
to the square set system, he entirely agreed that it was an admirable one in the
ground where it was suitable. In hard ground it was almost impossible to use it for
where heavy shooting was required it was worse than useless, as it was no
protection to the men, but rather gave them a false sense of security as it was
necessary to keep the square sets so far from the working face when heavy
blasting was being done. Where the difficulty of the problem was in the keeping of a
large mass of friable ore in place rather than in the mere mining or breaking of the
ore the system was an admirable one. He did not agree with Mr. BEAUMONT that
it was an expensive system. Although the timber cost was heavy, the great
convenience in having stages to work on, and the additional security given, enabled
the men to do more work, and the extra cost of timber was more than made up by
these advantages. With regard to the system of taking out the ore in widths of 50
feet, as adopted in the Central Mine, he quite recognised that it was a system
which was calculated to keep the surface intact for a longer period than with other
systems, but he was inclined to think that the widths were unnecessarily small, and
that they might easily be twice the width, thereby saving largely on the whole of the
ring of timber around, and giving much freer work to the miners. In connection with
pillar work he thought they gave the idea of greater security in the meantime only;
for when these pillars had to be taken out, the number of difficult places to be
worked in was then increased unnecessarily, and in making unnecessary pillars the
work was rendered much more costly in the future than need be. In regard to the
Proprietary mine open cuts, in case the visitors might think that the open cuts were
very dangerous, he would say that this was not borne out by figures. The usual
batters were from half to one to three- quarters to one, and in no case a quarter to
one. Referring to stables underground, the method described by Mr. BEAUMONT
was in use up to a short time ago, but now they changed the horses every eight
hours, so that they had as much daylight as the men, and it was very beneficial to
the horses.

Mr. JOHN WARREN said that he thought in all cases there was never an
advantage without a disadvantage. In taking out the first cuts you had something to
watch, but when you came to take out the pillars you would have to watch against
the ring of sets, and when the pillar was once undercut at the bottom, the whole
weight of the pillars was on the mullock.

You were safe in taking out the first cuts, and as it had been stated that they had
ore there to last them as long as they lived, well, that was an easy position to be in.

Mr. HEBBARD said that as a representative of the Central he would like to defend
this system. The president, Mr. J. WARREN, was quite right in thinking that they did
not care much about the difficulties attending the taking out of the second blocks or
pillars, as by the time that became necessary most of them hoped to have been
gathered to Abraham’s bosom ; but, as far as their experience went, with the pillar
and block system, they found that the pillars even now could be taken out just as
readily and safely as the original stope, for the system adopted in connection with
this stope and block system was to put the filling in in horizontal layers. Then the
entire mass of the ore as it was broken down on the filling helped to compact it, and
after a time, with the help of a little water which leaked in, the mullock became so
hard that they could work through it as well as they could through the original ore
body. He thought experience had proved that the system was a good one and that
the pillars left would be just as readily worked as the original bodies of ore.

Mr. JOHN WARREN said that there was a gentleman named ARTHUR on the
Barrier some years ago who suggested taking out the ore in 10 feet blocks; but
these would be very awkward to handle. There were, however, advantages in this
block system. You must have something to support the overhanging bulk. It is a
great improvement on the former system of stoping.

Mr. E. K. BEAUMONT said that he was aware that the horses in the Proprietary
came to the surface each shift, but he was referring more particularly to the Central
Mine, where the system described by him was still in force. With reference to the
cost of timber, he never for a moment suggested that the block system should be
adopted in toto for the whole.