it
is 150 feet, and from the centre of the syncline westerly to the
Energetic centre-country is 410 feet. From this centre-country
westward the country rocks dip westerly for 605 feet.
As
the Energetic line is the main axis of fold it is the most favorable
one on which to carry on mining. Along this axis the lowest beds in the
series approach nearest to the surface, so that in sinking a shaft to a
depth of 500 feet along this line of reefs the same beds would be cut
as at 750 feet on the eastern anticline, supposing each shaft to be
stink from the same level above the sea.
Along
the course of the Energetic and the eastern lines the beds have been
bent over and saddle-reefs occur between the beds at various distances
apart, as proved on the Energetic line to the south of this company's
leases, and on the eastern line as proved within the leases.
Several trough-reefs have been profitably worked along the syncline of the Russell's line.
The
pitch of the syncline is northerly, and the pitch of the trough-reefs
is in the same direction, though one reef differs from another as to
the amount of its pitch.
Both
anticlines are nearlv horizontal to the north of the No. 1 shaft, so
far as explored. To the south of the No. 1 shaft the eastern anticline
pitches slightly to the south. The saddle-reefs conform to this pitch.
Mining Operations. The
Russell's Reef Amalgamated Mine is worked by means of two shafts, the
No. 1 nearl the southern end of the leases, sunk to a depth of 1,034
feet, and the No. 2, 776 feet deep, at about 1,200 feet to the north of
No. 1. Both shafts are divided into three compartments and are not
large enough to meet the requirements for the great depths to which
they will ultimately be taken. Shafts in such country as this should
not have fewer than four compartments each. These compartments should
be 4 feet square, or better still, 4 feet by 5 feet each. The two
shafts are connected by levels and cross-cuts, and from each shaft a
considerable amount of exploratory work has been done. From the No. 1
shaft large quantities of auriferous ore have been won.
Anticlinal or Saddle Reefs.
From the No. 1 shaft, anticlinal or saddle-reefs have been worked as under: —
The 186 ft. 1 in. Level.—At
no feet to the east of the shaft, and 100 feet to the north of the
shaft, a, saddle-reef was cut and worked for a length of 34 feet on the
western leg. At 460 feet to the north of the shaft both the eastern and
the western legs were extensively worked, but the results were poor.
The 487 ft. g in. Level.—460 feet to the west of the shaft, a saddle reef was worked in a rise along an eastern leg from the saddle-reef.
The 588 ft. 1 in. Level.—In
a rise above the level, a saddle-reef (E. line) has been worked for 250
feet in length along the western leg, and on the eastern leg for 60
feet. The cap of the reef was not worked.
The 777 ft. 8 in. Level.—A
saddle-reef, on the eastern line, was worked for 1700 feet to the north
oft the shaft, and for 300 feet to the south of the shaft.
Synclinal or Trough Reefs.
The synclinal or trough-reefs worked or cut are as under : —
No. 1 Shaft.
The 70 ft. Level.—A
trough-reef was worked northward for 350 feet, and to the surface
southward of the shaft. This was one of the first reefs worked on the
mine, and it is supposed to have been very productive in gold.