1900 - Coalmininghistorypa.org

No. 11. FOURTH BITUMINOUS DISTRICT. 443
Some parts of the mine needed closer attention regarding drainage.
Elk Run Shaft.—This shaft is L65 feet deep from the surface of
I lie ground, and was sunk during L899, and the workings developed to
some extenl during that year, but there were not many persons employed
inside
The opening is made principally for the purpose of drainage, and
is now utilized for thai purpose t mine being pumped therefrom.
Two headings are also being driven towards the Adrian No. 1
mine, but work has been delayed by a sand rock fault which seems
to be of considerable thickness, the idea being to drain the Adrian
mine water into this shaft, which will ultimately be done.
Explosive gas is generated in some parts of the mine, but an
ample volume of air is being produced, 78,000 cubic feet having
been measured on the inlet, which is conveyed in currents of 15,000,
30,000 and 36,000 cubic feet respectively per minute to face of headings.
Florence Mine.—This, comparatively speaking, is a new mine. It
was opened during ISO!), and promises to be a. very extensive
operation. Machinery is used exclusively in mining, and the mine
is being developed very rapidly. Hauling is now done by mule
power in the side headings to the slope, but I understand electric
motors are to be used on the side headings*, in the near future.
I measured 54,600 cubic feet of air per minute entering at the inlet,
which was being conducted in four splits into the mine, but was
defective at face of some headings owing to imperfect distribution.
The mine was very well drained throughout.
Helvetia Mine.—On my last visit I found a very good current of
air passing around the mine. Fifty-two thousand cubic feet of air
per minute was measured on the inlet
and was being conducted in
three splits.
Some defects were found in the drainage, owing to an increased
quantity of water from pillar workings broken to the surface.
Walston No. 3.—The dip workings of this mine are connected
to the Elk Run shaft mine for the purpose of drainage and as a
means of egress from the latter mine.
Tart of the mine has been overrun by a "creep," but it has become
settled now.
A volume of 7."). (1(10 cubic U'd of air per minute was found entering
tin'
mine and was reasonably well conducted to face of workings,
and the drainage was fairly good.
Walston No. 4.—This is not a very extensive mine, and is now on
Hie decline; 33,600 cubic feel of air per minute was being produced
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