Report of the Bureau of Mines of the Department of Internal Affairs of ...

No. 10. EIGHTH BITUMINOUS DISTRICT. 445
mine, and circulated tlirougii the workings in two main currents and
three subsplits. Drainage was fair. Daniel Campbell, foreman.
Loraine.—This mine has been idle most of the year. On my first
three visits the mine had not been in operation a great deal, but on
July 23, on "D" seam opening, left drift, the furnace was not burning
and there was scarcely any circulation of air. I directed them to
light the furnace at once and on calling at the mine late in the afternoon,
they complied.
The '*E" seam drift had 11,200 cubic feet of air
passing out at furnace return, circulated in one current through the
mine. The roads were fairly dry, kept so by the old workings of the
seam, thirty feet below. George Gould, foreman and contractor.
Lane Nos. 1 and 2.—No. 1 "D" seam has been in operation very little
during the year, but No. 2, on the "E" seam, worked very fair and had
an average of 8,280 cubic feet of air per minute passing out the return
at furnace. Ventilation and drainage were in fair condition. One
objection to the system in vogue at this mine is that on the cross
headings they turn the rooms too near the main heading, having only
eleven feet of pillar between it and the main airway in places. This,
1 called the superintendent's attention to, but he still thinks it sufficient
owing to the light cover, which varies from forty-five to fifteen
feet. In this case, it may last for a time, but it is bad practice to see
how small the pillars can be left, when the same coal aids the output
on withdrawing the pillars. Drainage was fair. John McGowan,
foreman.
Lenore.—An average of 9,307 cubic feet of air per minute was passing
out at the furnace, which kept the headings in fair condition, but
at faces of rooms the air was deficient. To improve this condition a
substantial furnace is needed, having more power than the present
one. The roof in this mine is very soft and full of breaks, caused by
the caving in of the strata below, when the Moshannon coal was
taken out. The drainage was in fair condition. Charles Kodders,
foreman.
Mounty Mine —This mine has worked only a few men and did not
come under the provisions of the law during the year.
Mabel.—A considerable improvement has been made at this mine
during the year. I mentioned, in the 189G report, that the furnace
needed to be more substantial or a mechanical ventilator put in,
meaning a fan. The company built a new furnace, and, as it was
finished in the month of November and since ray last visit, I cannot
report as to its efficiency, except that the foreman said that it was all
that could be desired. A new traveling way has been opened and in
the inlet entrance the timbers are six feet wide, and five and one-half
feet high in the clear. If the furnace is as efficient as represented,
ventilation should be in good condition. Drainage was very fair.
Kichard Morris, foreman.