IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) A 1.0 :^i^ vi s lit ^ 12.2 II l'^tS& I • « u ^ 4^ ofroMl :— ibnildin^ of tliroe floors, measuring sixty feet by sixt The work of devolopmenk havisg b«ott curried oaneet. This building hoe been erected, a at. am L>oiK ! all summer, tb«re 1« no#,an opportunity to recb^ ,ud cugine of thirty-horse power by Menses. David) the l>^io« which has beenofliected in the iuterv«u-. sort and Doran, of the Kingston Foundry, has bee »ttS»«r|od. .,., putup, a brick chimney stack sixty feet high ka«' This mine is situated in the township of Lough- been built, two smelting hearths have been put ui\ Iwrough, and located on the Rouseborn lot; someiwid the place is being rapidly got rebdy for th twenty miles distant from Kingston by way of Rail ton, but the distance is shorter by the Perth road, though the latter road, fn cotffequencc of its bad state of repiiir, is not followed at the prostmt season when the rains and fall weatlier Ijave made its con- dition more than usually lAd: In eqiit)»ping the mine with suitable buildings, fatattces and machi- n«^ry,a vast amount of teaming has had to be done cfusinng and washing machinery and the blowin, fan Intended to urge the heat of the sulelting fu ni^;o8. The engine has alreadv '^een started, ai gave every satiaAictioa on tj Massive spii! gearing and sliaftiiig inteude ' to move ♦he criishl. j rollern is also in place, and the entire apparati| might be soon in working order ; but tho seasou fc washing i'S fast approaching its close, and tli o u n Most of the supplies have had to bo conveyed from ' g(;ncy for completing the machinery immediately Kingston ; and theueoessity forgood roi^ds in get- , paiising nWay. By spring, however, everything wi 'ting in heavy ttiachioety ha* fully inpresMd itsidf ^ !).• in readiness, though the company had hopeil to b ^|Hi>n those who have had this important mattorisHS able to smelt the ore on hand this fall. In spria vbarge. We make this remark iu order to add thAf! the work of stoping out the ore can be carried the County Council, in the view of meeting tho " •• •• wiahesof the mining proprietors, arid to aid in tho prosperity of tlio township, have voted a sum of money to put the Perth roaer8istd in. Tho gallery has now been more than doubled in length, and in penetrating the till side, has carried operations to a greater (fepih underground. All the ore tliat is got out is stored { plunger about two feet in diameter is made to wa in the shed, awaiting the operation of the crushing ' up and down as if it were'fe force-*pump. The strol and dressing machinery and the smelting process. In carrying on the preliminary operations thus far, it is computed that ore to the value of twenty thou.iand dollars has been got out. The work of tunnelling baa more fully revealed tho width f^nd cWacter of the Vein, The fluted and columnar appearances on i\\» wan rock, denoting a perpcndicula?- imdvement and attrition, are hold to be indivations of great depth aad perraanence. Tho spar has proved richer iu ^lena tm the work has proceeded, and altogether the |Uoprletors have met the encouragements to fortify tnomselves In incurring the heavy eziMmlibtire h«- ;«e8sairy to equip tho work* before they can expect io obtttiD iiny return. in the mine, when it will be procured in hirge quaij tity and at a rate adt^quate to keep tho machine regularly employed. In laying out the reduction works udvantugc h been tjvk»^n of the sloping ground to move the oro its d tho Company all their rights in the property (including buildings, supplies and plant, as well as all the ore upon the ground) as it stood on the first of June of this year ; and undertake to procure the incorporation of tho Company free of expense. All outlay incurred after that date in con- tinuing the development of the mine, and in the erection of tho works still required, (not, however, to exceed X 2,000 stg.) will be advanced by the proprietors on account of tlie Company, and charged to the first earnings of the mine. Arrangements are being entered into, for the erection of a steam engine, together with the most modern and improved crushing, dressing and smelthig apparatus. It is proposed to commence smelting operations with American hearths, which have been found by experience, under similar circumstances, to work very satisfactorily. As illustrating what may be accomplished by using ordinary diligence, it may be mentioned that four small hearths will produce four tons of lead per day, and if work were carried on for only 200 days in the year, on a scale no larger than this, a very handsome profit would bo realized. J m KimiSTON, Canada, Ist June, 1868. REPORT, BY E. J. CHAPMAN, Ph.D., LL.D., *Con8uUing Mining Engineer, and Prof essor of Gcologif and IWinerahgy Univet'sity College, Toronto. fm it* k In association with Professor Bell of Kingston, whose intimate know- ledge of the location rendered his co-operation most valuable, I have visited and carefully examined the mineral property of the Frontenac Lead Mining Company. This property comprises the south half of Lot 16 in the 9th Concession of the Township of Loughboro', County of Frontena(!, and contains about eighty acres. . > In its surface aspect th^ location presents very favorable conditions for mining purposes. The southern portion consists of high ground, inter- sected by narrow valleys running in u general north ;ind south direction, or parallel with the strike of the strata; whilst towards the north the high ground terminates in a more or less abrupt e3cari>men(;, the general trend of which is not far removed from east and west, its course being thus nearly at right angles to the direction of the valleys. North of the es- carpment, the ground slopes gently towards a small sheet of water known t.s Indian Lake. By this outlet, water communication might be established, if thought desirable, with the Kideau Canal ; but a more direct communica- tion with the front is afforded by several roads, the dista.ucc from Kingston by one of these being under sixteen miles. This lake is not the only water supply upon the property. A small but unfailing stream flows through the principal valley of Lot 16, and empties itself into the lake. It can be made available at a very tritliug expense, for washing and dressing the ore derived from the mine. It runs in close proximity to the mouth of an adit, , now behig driven on the property, and is within a few hundred feet of the principal shaft. , A farther important feature as regards surface con(K- tions, is the abundance of good timber present on the location. An inex- haustible supply for timbering the underground works is thus provided ; and an abundant stock of fuel for smelting purposes can be obtained, at little cost, from the surrounding district. The country rock of the location belongs essentially to the Laurentiftn or gneissoid series. It consists of alternate bands oj; strata of gray and red- dieh gneiss, interstratified with crystalline limestone. Oa one portiOQ 0f iHi ' 6 the property there is also an outcrop of sandstone, apparently belonging to- the Potsdam division, which would answer, if necessary, for the outer por- tions and casings of furnace work, and for other building purposes. The Laurentian strata dip at an angle of from 80 "^ to 85 ® , in a westerly di- rection, their strike being N. 20 "^ E. The valleys or depressions, referred to above, have been excavated by denudation and atmospheric agencies in the surface of the limestone beds, and are usually marked by swampy laud. These various beds are cut transversely, or almost at right angles, by a , series of parallel veins, running N. 65® W. The principal vein occurs just below the foot of the escarpment described above, and runs roughly parallel with this throughout the entire location. It appears, indeed, to ex- tend far beyond these limits, but probably presents at no other part of its course so strikuig a development. It averages on Lot 16 at least 12 feet in width, and cuts the strata almost vertically, or with only a slight under- lie towards the north. It consists, at this part of its course, of very pure and crystalline carbonate of lime, carrying workable quantities of galena, but without the slightest admixture of quartz, zinc blende, or other mir.erals which so frequently impair the quality of galena veins. The mineral ga- lena is the ordinary ore from which almost all the lead of commerce is obtained. When pure and freed from gangue, it contains 86.6 per cent, of lead, and 13.4 per cent, of sulphur ; but a portion of the lead is very generally replaced by a small amount of silver. A shaft has been sunk and timbered on this vein to a depth of between six and seven fathoms, or nearly forty feet, and an adit level is being driven on the course of the lode from near the stream on Lot 16, to inter- sect the shaft. It will cut the latter at a vertical depth (from the mouth of the shaft) of about fifty feet. The present length of this adit is about twenty-five fathoms or 150 feet, but it is being rapidly increased. The adit is at too high a level to effect much beyond a surface drainage of the mine, but the nature of the ground renders this unavoidable. It will serve, however, effectually to intercept the flood water, resulting from the melting of snow, or from heavy rains, on the high ground : and it will also form a convenient channel for the outHow of the water pumped from the workings as the shaft progresses in depth, and stoping becomes regularly carried on. The present y/orkings show no diminution in the width, richness or quality of the lode ; and it may reasonably be in- ferred, from the great strength and continuous run of the vein, that these favorable conditions will hold good, if indeed they do not become more favor- able, at greatly increased depths. The extreme width of the vein makes the latter appear at first sight to be less rich in galena than is really the case. Here and there comparatively {KkMT pieees of veinstone wiU of course oeoor ; and, as pointed ont to me by ^ ^ ft Bell, tiie vein appears to be less rich where it cuts tl r ^ ]- ■*s gneiss, than where it traverses the grey rock : but in places some very rich stones of ore have been taken out of both the shafl and adit* Without operating on several tons of material, it would be difficult to form a correct estimate of the average amount of galena hi the ore ; but careful examination of the heaps upon tlie ground, will warrant, I think, the asser- tion that at least one-tenth in b\ilk consists of galena. The miners on the spot, estimated the bulk of galena as varying from one-fifth to one-ninth of tlie mass. On the assumption that one-tenth, in volume, consists of galena, the latter would amount in weight to one-fourth of the ore, or 25 p^r cent. ; and the percentage of metallic lead would be ef^ual to 21.65, The amount of ore obtained at the time of my visit (April 28th of this year) amounted to about 1300 tons. Allowing for the usual loss of lead in the mechanical apd furnace treatment of the ore, and deducting the cost of the treatment by modern processes, the value of the ore (if reduced upon the ground) would i mount to aboiit flli per ton, giving a value of nearly $15,000 for that already brought to surface at the above period. The vein possesses several conditions which add much to its value . Ii» the first place it is composed of comparatively soil material, and is thus easily and cheaply worked. Secondly, its great width enables the miner to leave the hard wall-rock altogether untouched, more than sufficient space for working being found within the vein itself. Thirdly, the vein- stone contains neither quartz, xinc blende ("blackjack"), or other mine- rals, which so frequently interfere with the successful, or at ieast economic treatment of galena veins ; and, fourthly, the lead extracted from this ore, Jis found by my experiments, is of exceedingly good and pure quality. I have made several assays of the galena, in order to determine the amount of silver contained in it. These assays show a mean amount of 4 oz. 12 dwts. 11 grs. per ton (2000 lbs) of reduced lead. This amount is scarcely sufficient to defray the cost of extraction in Canada, at least under existing circumstances ; but it will add to the value of the lead in the British market. Being also much in excess of the amount usually present in Canadian galenas, it may be found to increase at greater depths, or where the vein traverses the beds of crystalline limestone. The following statement may serve to convey a more definite idea of the value of the Frontenac lode. Confining our estimate to that portion of Lot 16 on which the works are now being pushed forward, and to which > in all probability, they will be for some years restricted, we may regard the length of the lode within this area as equal to about lo6 fathoms. The average width of the vein throughout this length is at least a couple of fathoms or twelve feet. Placing the drifls or ' galleries at ten fathonui apart, and assuming the specific gravity of the mixed ore to eque.1 3.7 only, ihe sloping, ground between two drifts would give, on an average, 82,678 'tons of ore. This amoant, allowing folly for loss in treatment, should jield at least 10,530 Urns of load. Putting tho coat of obtaining thia at $7 per ton of ore (an cstimato sufficient to cover cverv possible item), and assuming the value of load in Canada to be $80 (X16 stg.) per ton of 2000 Ibp. (a price below the present value), the credit and debit accouit >Y0uld stand thus : Value of 16,530 tons of load at $80 per ton ...... $1,322,400 ( 'ost of mining and treating 82,078 tons of ore.. . . 578,740 $743,054 As it would be scarcely judicious to uncover the vein above the adit now being driven, the first drift or gallery would be placed at about 110 feet below the mouth of the shaft, the adit cutting the shaft at about fifty feet from the surface. If, consequently, the vein were to become altoge- ther baiTcn at that comparatively slight depth (a most improbable conjec- ture, it must be understood), a very large profit would be realized from that one portion of the mine alone. The American hearth, giving a blast heated by the combustion of the ore and fuel, will probably be found the most suitable furnace for the re- duction of the Frontenac ore, notwithstanding the loss of metal entailed by its adoption. Workmen acquainted with the proper management of this furnace can be readily obtained, and the process of reduction by its use is very simple, and cheaply carried out. Pine wood is chiefly employ- ed as fuel, and very little is required, the heat being derived, to a great extent, from the combustion of the ore. An ordinary furnace of tliis kind will give from 3^ to 3| tons of lead, at a cost of about $2 per ton (or ra- ther less) for fuel and labour, in each shift of 24 hours. Much of the ore may be rendered fit for furnace treatment by simple hand dressing, but the amount of galena saved by a more complete system of separation, would soon cover the cost of a crushing mill and wasliing ap])aratus. The proper site for the erection of these would, of course, be in the immediate vicinity of the stream on Lot 10, and a light tramway should connect the dressing ground with the mouth of the shaft. The shaft itself is already well housed ; and a large shed for storing ore, together with a boarding house, blacksmith's shop, stable, and powder magazine, have also beea put up for permanent use. In conclusion, I may express my conscientious opinion that, under ju- dicious siiperintendence and liberal management, the property of the Frontenac Lead Mining Company cannot fail to yield an ample retui'a for the necessary outlay expended in its development. EDWARD J. CHAPMAN. T«ROXTO, Mav 8tli. 1808. 7 r f m *< \ REPORT BY CHARLES ROBB, Esq., Mining Engineer, and nou' in charge of ifie Geological Survey of New Brunstvick. ' ^ 96 St. FiiANyois Xavier Street, Montreal, 11th May, 1868. To the Directors of the Frontbnao Lead Mining CoMPA^^, Gentlemen, Having recently visited and inspected your very important and valuable Mining property in Loughborough, I beg now, in accordance with your request, to report, for your information, the following particu- lars with respect to it. The boundaries and extent of the property, its main topographical fea- tures, the direction of the mineral vems, and condition of the enclosing rocks, are fully indicated by the accompanying plan. The property is situated fifteen miles north of Kingston, at an elevation of about 300 feet above Lake Ontario ; and is accessible by good roads, which, with the exception of two or three miles next the Mine, are mac- adamized. Th«* 'jatural outlet to a port of shipment is by the Rideau Canal ; but for sojae time to come, it will probably be found most advan- tageous to ship from Kingston, to which city, ore can bo teamed from the Mine for 2 dollars per ton. The rocks by which this tract is underlaid, consist of alternating bands of grey and red Laurentian gneiss, interstratified with crystalline limestone, of the same geological age ; and overlaid, at some points, by outlying patches of the inferior member of the lower Silurian formation— the Pots- dam sandstone. In such geological position and mineral conditions, vems of galena, of greater or less importance, have been partially developed at several places in Canada, most of which have been visited by me ; but nowhere, so far aa I have observed, do they assume at all the same import tance, both as regards size and* richness, as on your property. The' strike, or general direction of the rocks, on your tract, is North 45^ East, with a dip to West at an angle of about 76^. The course of Uie lead bearing veins, several of which have been discovered on your )roperty,-variee fifom North 65Q WjBjI It ing true or fTsi^ure veins, cutting the rock i transversely and rcsultiui.' from powertul and deep-soatod disturbances and dislocations ; hence they will undoubtedly proye persistent in de})th to an indefinite extent. They belong, in fact, to, and [>robab1y constitute, the central, richc-sc and most ini]i')rtant section of the great group or system of lead-bearing lodes, which, tnllow- ing the general direction indicated, traverse the Laurcntian rocks from Northei • New York to Peterborough County in Canada ; and have been more or less extcnsiv<--ly developed at and near Rossie, Now York. I in the townships of Lansdowne. Bedford, Storrington, Loughborough, i'udor, Lake, Methuon, and Gahvay in Outario. Being thus persistent over such a great linear extent, there is every reason to bcheve that these veins will prove correspondingly so in depth. On your property the principal vein, so far as yet established, is that which ha" been exposed and developed to a considcrabl' jxteut by work- ing, on Lot 16, in the 9th Concession. \ Here the o"*-':.op of the vein was discovered on the northern flank of a hill overlooking a sinall lake (Indian Lake) and about 50 feet above the level of the water. A shaft has been sunk t^^ the depth of 40 feet uj^on the vein, which is not less than 13i feet in thickness, exclusive of a selvage of from four to six feet thick, on the 80\ith side. The vein cuts the rock ahiwst {)erpendicularly, but with a slight underhe to the north- The ganguo of the vein is composed of a calcareous spar, without any admixture of (juartz or other earthy mineral ; and it is richly charged throughout with galena. No other metallic mineral is visible, except a very small portion of iron pyrites^ in exceptional cases. The vein, as is usually tlie caac in all powerful, true or fissure veins, has a banded or comb-like structure, consisting of alternating vertical layers of I granular or compact ind coarsely crystalline .^par, with shoote of galena I mterposed throughout its entire thickness. I Towards tln« west, ujion the course of tiio vein, the rocks at the surface I have a natural declivity terminating in low ground, elevated not more than I five or six feet ub(,ve the lake, and al)out 50 yards from its bank.- Here, I a tunnel, or adit levol, is now being excavated upon the course of the vein, I which will cut the shaft at the depth of 45 feet from the surface. The I length of this adit will be 54 fathoms, of which, at the time of my visit, I 2o fathoms had been excavated, altogether from the lower side. I So far as yet opened up, the vein appears to preserve a remarkable I umtormity, both m thickness and .quality. The entire material of which I It IS composed will rank aa lead ore, of which I estimate that 12,340 I cubic feet have been already excavated and piled up. As nearly as I I r r'' '•' 7 ""■'?""" '"^^^ ^'^'^'^"^ ^^«^^g^ «^°^P1«3, these piles of ■ e wUl contain about 12i per cent, of galena. Taking the specific gravity ^ ih. gangue at 2.5, and that of the galena at 7.5, the s^cific gravity M^gKaS ^^^^^ ^"- ^■^"- ^- '^-n, and the weight Vf a cubic foot (lal toi tl, n 194.5 lbs., of whk'h tho proportion of galena will be 24^ lbs. From these data the followin'^ inferencori are deduced : — 0t '^'p 1. One ton (of 2,000 lbs.) of the vein, contains ii3i. »^l REPORT ON THE FRONTENAC LEAD MINE. BY Dr. J. Y{. DAWSON, F.R.S., F.G.S., &c., Principal of Mc Gill University, Montreal. I visited the above mentioned mine on tlie 15th instant, in company witk Br. T. Sterry Hunt, F. R. S., of the Geological Survey of Canada, Prof. Bell, F. G. S., and Mr, Romanes, of Kingston ; anil now beg lepve to make the following statements with reference to the results of my observations. I. — Geographical and Geological Jlelations of the Deposits. The mine is situated in the 9th Concession of Loughborough, Ontario, 15 miles north of Kingston, and on the border of a small lake, known as Indian Lake. The rock formation in which it occurs is the Lower Lau- rentian of Sir W. E. Logan's reports, consisting here, of thick beds of silicious and felspathic gneisi*, alternating with crystalline limestone. The beds of gneiss are nearly vertical, their dip being to the westward at angles of 80 ^ to 85 ^ . The strike of the beds is from N. 15 ° E. to N. 30 - E. by compans. The gneiss constitutes ridges traversing the country in the direction of the strike of the beds, while the limestones form intervening deprcssio" •, as is usual in the Laurentian districts. Certain felspathic bands or masses in the limestones produce occasional slight elevations in the valleys occ\ipied by the latter. The lead veins belong to a series of transverse fissures, traversing the beds nearly at right angles to their strike, or with a direction of N. 60 ® W. Thene fissures, or the larger of tliem, constitute weaker places in the ridges of gneiss, and thus form notches or rows of '' Bink holes ;" and in some ])laces movements of displacement have occurred along the line of the veitts, causing abrupt transverse escarpments, tlie downthrow being to the north. The vein;? of this district are not local merely, but belong to a series of fissui'cs, traversing extensively the Laurentian district of this part of I'anada, and extending into St. Lawrence County, New York, where they have long been mined for lead. Li ^.iC locality, noAV under consideration,, they appear to be exceptionally large and productive. II. — Nature of the I>eposiu. The ))rincipal vein, which wc may designate No. 1, is well seoa i» ai adit, excavated in the course of the rein from the level of Indian Ltke, ■■■■HHHHHIiiiiilMaHaiil 14 and in a shaft 500 feet distant, on ground elevated about 50 feet above the mouth of the adit ; and also in some surface excavations on the crop of the vein. It is a very large and regular fissure vein, with an underlie from the perpendicular of about 5 - to the north. Its width varr3S from ten to fifteen feet. With the exception of i small quuntity of greenish argillaceous rockj lining the south wall, the vein is filled with white crystalline ealcare- ou '^ar, holding numerous crystalline a'^^gregatos of galena, or sulphide of lead, the most important ore of the n.otal. The only other raineral;< observed were small quantities of hydrous peroxide of iron (gossan) an*l of iron pyrites, and these aro\limited to the argillaceous band or " selvage," before mentioned. As in most large mineral veins, the veii»- stone presents, especially near the walls, a series of jjarallel bands, produced by layers of calcareous spar and galena, and probably indicating succes- sive periods of deposit. These bands arc often so distinct that the veinstone readily breaks with smooth surfaces along their plane? of junction. ITie part of this vein which may be regarded as proved, extends from the shore of Indian Lake about 650 feet to the eastward, in which space the ground rises in the course of the vein about 50 feet, and that to thu south of the course of the vein much higher ; the vein itself, as already mentioned, evidently" constituting ' a line of downthrow to the north. Throughout this distance the vein retains the thickness and composition above stated, and its walla consist of gi'eyish silicious gneiss. Beyond the limit above stated, the vein No. 1 is not seen for about 400^ yards, when it appears traversing a ridge of re'ddish feispathic gneiss* and reduced to atliickness of about nine inches of spar, v;ith little galena. This seeming failure of the vein is apparently connected with the occur- rence of another large vein, which wc may designate No. 2, about 10«> yards to the north of the course of No. 1. In a shaft sunk on Lot No. IT, this second vein is seen to be eleven feet wide, and to contain calcareous spar similar lo that of No. 1, but apparently holding less galena. Its strike, at the point where the shaft occurs, is N. 54 ® W., but, judging from other exposures, it varies somewhat in its direction. In tracing vein No. 2 back to the westward, it is seen, near the boundary of lot No. 16, to turn, or give off a large branch running N. 75® W. toward vein No. 1, and here the galena again becomes abundant. Tins cross vein apparently connects at this place veins No. 1 and No. 2, and in my opinion, explains the dwindling of the former in proceeding to the eastward. , The supposed structure of this part of the deposit is shown in the annexed •ketch map, the measurements of which have been taken from that prepar- f. Bell for the Comi t \\ 1 I. V f T I -Tf' 51 pi 1 1 . V 15 • The veins have not yet been ti-aced into the bauds of crystalline limestone^ lying on either side of the belt of gneiss above referred to. That thoy extend through these, is indicated by springs and accidental discoveries of galena in the soil, as well as by their appearance in the ridges beyond the limestone valloys. It will form a very interesting question in the explora- tion of the deposits, whether the veins, as is probable, improve in produc- tiveness in passing through the limestone ; and it would be desirable, as soon as possible, to ascertain whether this is the case. At present the rNvation of the ridge of gneiss renders the vein more conspicuous and accessible ' than in the limestone ; but when the mine becomes extended in depth,, there will be no obstacle to prevent the following of the veins into the limestone, should they prove productive. III. — Openings on the Vdn. The principal openings are the adit and shaft already mentioned. The adit was, at the time of my visit, 155 feet in length, and was being pushed forward. It is 6 feet in width ; and as the vein curves slightly, it exposes in one place the north, and in another the south wall of the vein, but in no plaee its whole thickness. The quality of thd vein is apparently uniform throughout the length of tlie adit, and all the matter extracted from it is sufficiently rich for crushing, except a small quantity of barren calcareous spar, and a little gossan or yellow peroxide of iron. On the north wall the veinstone is in direct contact with the edges of the strata of gneiss ; on the south wall, the " selvage" of gi-eenish argillaceous matter already mentioned, appears, with small quantities of iron pyrites. The shaft exposes a thickness of 10 foet 6 inches of the vein to a depth of forty feet. The whole of this thickness is calcareous spar with galena, without any otlier matter. The appearances are the same with those pre- sented in the adit. It would appear that the total width of the vein at the bottom of tlie shaft is not less than 19 feet, of which 6 feet are occu- pied with the argillaceous matter abeady mentioned, leaving 13 feet of veinstone and ore. The walls, as seen in the shatl, are similar to those in the adit, and there can be no doubt that the intervening portion of the vein, not yet opened, nmst be of the same dimensions and character. The shaft indicates that the vein widens somewhat in descending into the earth, and there is no indication that its quaUty becomes deteriorated. From the nature of the containing rocks, it may be safely inferred that it is continuous to a greater depth than mining excavations will ever reach. There is no appearance in the shall or adit of any faults affecUng tlie vein. In the former the dip of the gneiss on the north wall, was seen, in one place, to change to N. 60° £., at an angle of 45^, without affecting the vein. Ill both the adit and the shaft the gangue is more coarsely crystalline toward the centre of the vein, and more jjanded toward the walls, and the 'quantity of galena appears to be greater to>Mird the sides, especially the north side ; but the whole thickness is sufficiently rich to be profitably liiined. •The quantity of water in the adit and shaft is not excessive or threaten- ing ; and from the texture of the rocks and veinstone, I should not autici- ' pate any serious difficulty from thie. cause. The above openings are on vein No. 1, which is evidently the most im- portant for immediate mining operations. IV. — QiuiUty of Ou: Vein. The gaugue in vein No. 1, is composed entirely of crystalline calcareous 5(par containing galena in crystalline grains and masses of various sizes. Observing that the estimates of Prof. Cha})man and Mr. Robb are somewhat different, as to the percentage of galena in the vein, we carefully ■examined the heaps of ore and veinstone taken from the shaft and adit, and amounting to a quantity estimated at 1300 tons, and agreed that the uralena might amount to from one-fifth to one-sixth of the weight of the whole mass of the unsorted material : so that out of the comparatively small and superficial excavation-* above described, at least 213 tons of galena had been obtained. In order more correctly to estimate the value of the ore, an average sample of about 70 pounds was carefully selected, and having been broken and divided into portions, one of these was carefully washed, under my in- spection, and gave 16.5 per cent of pure galena.''' I am confident that this j)roportiou is not above tlie average j^roduce which will be obtained on the large scale. It is e([ual to 330 Dts. of galena or 280.5 lbs. of lead, per ton of 2000 'bs. At the same rate, each cubic foot of the vein contains 25.7 lbs. of galena ; each cubic fathom, 2.77 tons ; and each square fathom •of the vein, estimated at 10 feet thick, which is below the average width, 4.62 tons. At the rate of •170 per ton of galena, each cubic fathom of the vein is worth 1193.90. / Taking the actually proved portion of the vein at 600 feet in length, and supposing this portion to be worked by means of the shaft already in progress, and by levels at 60 feet apart, the space between two such levels or between the floor of the present adit and the first level, would afford 4,400 tons of galena, worth $308,000, without, as far as present appear- ances show, a yard of unproductive working. It is probable that the •depth to whieli such working could be carried Avould be limited merely * Dr. T. Stcrrr Hunt, F.R.8., of the Ooologioal Survey of Canada, writing from HontrMl. nne mado the basis of operations ; and even if the deposit should prove richer in the limestone, the present site will bo found sufficiently suited for work- ing this extension, and alpo for collecting the produce of such smaller workings as may be mad ; to prove the deposi\ east and west. The only portion of the mine that can be worked without pu nping is that above the level of Indian Lake ; but though this contains a considera- ble quantity of valuable ore, it should, I tliink, be left in the meantime, and pumping machinery should be erected sufficient to free the mine from any probable quantity of water, while all possible precautions should be taken to prevent the entrance of surface water from the outcrop of the vein. The property now in possession of the Company, appears to contain all the more valuable deposits, and to be sufficiently extensive. The percentage of silver found by Prof. Chapman in the ore, though for tlie present not deserving of entering into the calculation of the Com- pany, points to the importance, when the mine shall be more fully opened, of making trials of samples taken from the different veins in different parts of their extension longitudinally, and also in their depth and width, since it is quite possible that the silver may be accumulated in certain portions of the produce of the veins, in such a manner as to make a separate ex- tracdon with reference to it, profitable. I had not an opportunity to visit the outlier of Potsdam sandstone in the vicinity of the mine, referred to in Prof. Chapman's Report. It will, without doubt, be of considerable value to the Mine as affording the materials of furnaces, &c. It is possible that when excavations are made in the limestone valley on the course of the veins, quantities of alluvial or stream lead ore may be found to have accumulated from the waste of the outcrops of the veins. In conclusion, I would repeat the opinion expressed above, that the de- posit is of unquestionable richness and value, and free, in so far as can be observed, of any circumstances of a prejudicial character. I may add that it is, in so far as I know, by much the most important deposit of lead hitherto found in Canada, or in the neighbouring parts of the United 'States. J. W. DAWSON. Montreal, 27th May, 1868. i \% 1» i-m ,1 e» REPORT, BY CAPTAIN Mcdonald, Late General Manager of the Rossie Lead Mines, State of New Torh. Edwardsville, St. Lawrence County, N. Y., Msy im, 1868. To the Directors of the Frontbxac Lead Mininq Company, (lENTLEMEN, I visited the Frontenac Lead Mine about five weeks since, and was ^^JghJy gratified with the promising appearance of the vein. Tlie shaft at that time had attained a depth of about 33 feet. The vein at this depth is apparently of the same width as at the surface, varying from ten to twelve feet, and highly charged with mineral. The drift or level, which is being driven eas{ on the vein, had then gone in about one hundred and thirty feet with very satisfactory results. The rein is apparently as large at this point as it is in the shaft, and has lead disseminated through it in considerable abundance. The ore is remarkably free from any association with copper pyrites or mundic, differing in this respect from all the lead veins of Rossie, New York. With the mine fairly developed and with an amount of machinery (such as hoisting, crushing, dressing, and smelting power) adequate to the requirements, the success of the mine cannot be otherwise than permanently established. Respectfully Yours, A. McDonald. \ wmUk 21 REPOBT BY CAPTAIN PLUMMER, Of the Bruce and Wellington Klines. The following extracts from the report furnished to the Directors bj Captain William Plummer, of the Bruce and Wellington Mines, on the practical and economical working of the Frontenac Mine, ma/ prove of interest. West Canada Mine, Lake Huron, Ont., June 20th, 1868. To the Directors of the Frontenac Lead Mine. Gentlemen, I have visited and inspected your mining property situated in the Township of Loughborough, in the County of Frontenac, Ont., and beg to hand you the following report thereon : I would here premise that, as the property has been reported on by others,who have gone fully into its situation and extent, the topographical features and its geological characters, it will be unnecessary for me to refer to these points, any further than they bear upon the economical working of the Mine. The situation of the propertj' presents many favourable conditions. The configuration of the ground consists of high ridges and valleys, and although it presents a rugged appearance, its broken nature affords increased facili- tfes for carrying on mining works, in the discharge of the stuff from the shaft, affording good sites for the construction of dressing machinery, and natural slopes for washing the ore, rendering unnecessary deep and expensive cuttings and removal of the soil, which are found to be serious charges, in most cases, upon the funds of new mines. There is an unfail- ing stream of water, equal to the wants of the washing department, running through the location, quite close to the point where it is required, which, 22 by the construction of an inexpensive dam at the place I pointed out, can be raised to a level sufficiently high for this purpose. There is also a good supply of timber at hand for raining purposes, and for smelting the ore on the spot. A good road, which is nearly completed, brings you within easy distance of a port of shipment for the produce of your mines, when con- verted into metal. The " country rock" on the property belongs to the Laurcutian series, and consists of belts of grey and white gneiss, or juartzite, with bands of limestone. The rock is regularly stratified, and dips in a westerly direc- tion, having a strike or bearing North of East. A series of parallel veins are discovered cutting transversely through the strata. The one on which mining operations arc presently carried on is found where a break occurs in the formation, near ' Indian lake,', and can be followed eastwardly by the numerous depressions on its course, where not otherwise exposed, for upwards of a mile. On lot 16, where the principal workings are, the vein averages 12 feet wide, and contains, in a gangue of pure crystalline carbonate of linfle, (calc- spar,) a considerable quantity of galena disseminated .through it. Near this point a shaft has been sunk some thirty feet deep, and has developed a vein of galena such as is mrely seen near the surface. * » The vein in tEe adit is precisely of the same character as in the shaft, and appears to be equally wide and rich. * * * I may here remark, that I had opportunities of knowing the percentage of galena, found by calcula- tion of the three gentlemen who have reported on the property, and I am inclined to think that that of Mr. Robb will be found to contain as much as will be recovered by mechanical or furnace treatment, and this amount, 12 per cent., must be considered rich, when compared with the lead mines in this or other countries. Such a vein as this, when brought into practical operation, will aflford handsome profits to the Stockholders. The vein can be traced eastwardly for a considerable distance through the property, by numerous depressions on thesariace where the substances of the vein have decomposed, and at every point where openings have been made, it shows it to be one of those '• 3Iaster Lodes'' practically without limit as to its depth or length. * * * There are several veins of pre- cisely the same character as the one described, but they have no^ yet beea traced into the ore-bearing bands of gneiss, but there can be no doubt, when they are opened on the same rock, that they will be foilnd equally as valuable. There are several circumstances connected with these veins which add greatly to thfeir value. First, the soft and friable nature of the rock renders it easy for cutting. Secondly, its ^reat width lessens materially the cost per ton for mininj s 1 1 ,B^"< c^l .1 ' .1 1 • ' 23 charges. A narrow and contracted vein often costs more per fathom than a wide and rich one. Thirdly, the ganguo it contains is easily reduced and removed by mechanical treatment. I have never before seen " vein so free from deleterious matters. There is no blend, or sulphuret of iron, or baryta, which, so common in lead mines, renders the mechanical treatment of the galena so extremely difficult and expensive ; and by the high specific gravities of the associated minerals, lessens, to a great extent, the yield of galena. I have groat faith that other points on the line of the vein will be found equally as rich as that on which the shaft is now being sunk. * * * The character of the formation, and the extremely well defined and per- sistent vein, shows it to be one of unquestionable value, and the future development of this, as well as the other parallel lodes on the property of the Company, points to a prosperous future of almost indefinite extent. I am, Gentlemen, Your obedient servant, WILLIAM PLUMMER, Manajer of MincB. # immtfimm u|i*i.