1900 - Coalmininghistorypa.org

400 REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF MINES. Off. Doc.
Description of New Mines Opened During the Year 1900.
Mines Situated in
Armstrong County.
Brady's Bend.—This is
a drift mine opened on the Lower Kittanning
coal seam; the coal is about 3 feet 4 inches thick., This opening
is situated on the west side of the Allegheny river, while the
tipples and railroad are located on the east side. The product is
conveyed from the mine to the tipple in buckets holding 5 cwt. of
coal each, by a gravity rope system. The coal seam is being worked
on the gob, double entry system. The coal is being mined by three
Jeffrey mining machines (chain cutter type). The electricity for
these machines is conveyed by bare wires but the machines are
operated only at night. The tail rope system of haulage has been
introduced here. A six foot furnace has been built for the purpose
of producing ventilation for the mine. I measured 10,600 cubic feet
of air per minute circulating throughout the different parts of the
mine; it was fairly well drained.
Johnetta.—Is a drift mine opened on the Upper Freeport coal
seam, which is about 2 feet 8 inches in thickness. In connection
with the mining the slate roof in the rooms is being blown down
sent out and made into bricks; the fire clay flood in the entries
is also being excavated and sent out to the brick works and manufactured
into fire brick. Large brick works have been built by
this coal company to be run in connection with the coal operations.
The whole plant is to be operated on an extensive scale. Ten coke
ovens have been built here. An electric motor has been put into
the mine for hauling coal. The three entry system of working the
coal and for ventilating the mine has been adopted. They have
constructed a small ventilating furnace to produce the ventilation
as a temporary means, but the company contemplates erecting a large
fan for the purpose in the near future. I measured 8,000 cubic feet
of air in circulation in the mine. I found the mine in very good
condition.
Oak Kidge No. 3.—This is a drift mine, opened on the Upper Freeport
coal seam, which is about 3 feet 8 inches in height. The coal
is mined by eight Sullivan mining machines. The power used is
compressed air. The mine is being worked on the double entry plan.
The ventilation is produced by a six foot diameter Clark fan. The
coal is hauled outside of the mine by an endless rope. I measured
14,800 cubic feet of air in circulation, which was being well distributed
to the face of the workings. The mine was well drained.
Cowansville.—This is a drift mine operated on the double entry
plan; the mine is opened on the Upper Freeport coal seam, which is