[Reprinted from " Proceed hi jrs of the Eiighieers' Club of Philadelphia," 
 
 Vol. 1, No. 3. J 
 
 ROCK-SALT DEPOSIT 
 Of Huron and Bruce Counties, Ontario, Canada. 
 
 AbHtraot from a paper by John Hy. Hakdkn, M.K., Meml)er of the Club. 
 
 Read May 3rf, 1879. 
 
 The town of Goderich, in the county of Huron, is situated on the 
 eastern shore of Lake Huron, on the south bank of the river Mait- 
 land, at an elevation of 105 feet above the lake. The surrounding 
 country is entirely devoted to aj;riculture, its contour generally level 
 and the town covers a considerable are* of ground, having wide streets 
 and buildings of a superior character. (Map shown.) It is orderly, 
 neat, clean, and has some reputation as a summer resort. 
 
 The Buffalo & Lake Huron Branch of the Grand Trunk llailroad 
 from Fort Erie to Goderich (161 miles) terminates within the harbor 
 of Goderich, interswtiug the main line at Stratford, communicating 
 with the railroad systems of both Canada and the United States. 
 
 The harbor accommodation for shipping freight by water to all the 
 princij»al points on the Great Lukes are all that can be desired. A 
 glance at any good map Avill show the commercial importance of the 
 situation, having in view the distribution of salt, or other product, both 
 by rail and water, with tl>e prospect of competing more successfully 
 with imported and other salt producing districts less favorably endowed 
 by nature than Goderich. 
 
 The first notice referring to the geology of the Ontario salt region 
 will be found in a report by Dr. T. Sterry Hunt to the Director of the 
 Geological Survey of Canwla, and will be found in the published 
 work of the Survey, together with notices of the occurrence of rock- 
 salt in the United States, etc. Salt was first discovered at G^defif^U 
 on the 19th of May, 1866, in prospecting for oil, at a depth of 964 
 feet, by Mr. Samuel Piatt. In the year following, salt was discovered 
 at Clinton, 13 miles east, and in the succeeding year at Kincardine, in 
 the county of Bruce, 30 miles to the north-west, at the depths of 1136 
 and 900 feet respectively. At this date there are sixteen wells whose 
 combined product would probably reach 75,000 tons per annum, all of 
 which is made from brine. Hitherto one-half the pnxluct has been 
 exported to the United States, paying a duty of $1.60 per ton. 
 
'2 
 
 The consumption of salt in the United States is about 47^ pounds 
 jser capita, and by some authorities it is estimated as high as 50 pounds. 
 This large consumptitm is due in a great measure to its cheapness, 
 together with the large quantity used in salting meats that are exported 
 to other countries. The consumption of salt in the United States of 
 all kinds and from all sources in 1877 was 990,129 gross tons; of 
 this quantity 417,627 tons, or 20 pounds per capita, were imported from 
 England, estimating the population as 46,624,000. If we estimate the 
 consumption of the Dominion of Canada after the same rate we must 
 add one-tenth, and the total consumption in the two countries would 
 be 1,089,142 gross tons. 
 
 - The production of salt of all kinds in the United Kingdom of Great 
 Britain during the years 1872 to 1876, both included, was 9,990,964 
 tons, valued at ^24,332,689, an average of $2.43 per ton ; during the 
 same time 1,015,710 tons were exported to the United States and 
 306,724 tons to British North America. In the soda manufacture in 
 1876 were consumed no less than 538,600 tons. 
 
 Production in the five principal salt districts of the United States, 1877 : 
 
 Bushels. 
 Michigan, . . . 8,304,485 
 
 New York, . . . 6,427,983 
 
 West Virginia, . . . 4,837,325 
 
 Ohio, . . . 2,400,350 
 
 Pennsylvania, . • • • 579,970 
 
 Total; . . . . 22,550,113 
 
 s= 563,753 gross tons. This large product was obtained from brine 
 by the process of evaporation. 
 
 Chemical products imported into the United States in the years 1875, 
 1876, 1877 and 1878 were as follows : 
 
 Year. 
 
 Quantity in Pounds. 
 
 Value, including duty. 
 
 N1875 
 
 303,257,928 
 
 $7,978,412 
 
 1.^76 
 
 278,972,675 
 
 6,470,409 
 
 1877^ 
 
 317,70(5,958 
 
 6,641,851 
 
 1878 
 
 "^V 334,050,396 
 
 6,433,217 
 
 Total, 
 
 . ^, 1,233,987,957 
 
 $27,523,889 
 
 During these years the imports into the Dominion of Canada were of 
 the value of more than one million dollars. 
 
Within the hwt few vearn the rm-k-salt of Gcxlerioh has been thor- 
 oughly prospecttnl by the Pennsylvania Diamond Drill Coni|)any, who 
 have taken ont samples (cores) of salt from the several beds (samples 
 shown). These have been analyzed by Dr. T. Sterry Hunt, and pro- 
 nounced by that gentleman as fit for mining. (See transactions of the 
 American Institute of Mining Engineers.) 
 
 The following is a section of the beds relative to the surface-level 
 (about 40 feet above the lake) : 
 
 
 ft. 
 
 In. 
 
 
 ft. In. 
 
 
 ft. 
 
 in. 
 
 First IkkI, 
 
 30 
 
 11 
 
 from 
 
 997 
 
 to 
 
 1027 
 
 11 
 
 Second bed, 
 
 25 
 
 4 
 
 
 1060 
 
 « 
 
 1085 
 
 4 
 
 Third bed, 
 
 34 
 
 10 
 
 
 1092 2 
 
 (( 
 
 1127 
 
 
 
 Fourth bed, 
 
 15 
 
 5 
 
 
 1207 7 
 
 (( 
 
 1223 
 
 
 
 Fifth bed. 
 
 13 
 
 6 
 
 
 1230 
 
 (( 
 
 1243 
 
 
 
 Sixth bed, 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 
 1379 
 
 (( 
 
 1385 
 
 
 
 The first consideration in the development of mining operations 
 would be the shaft-sinking, always an important but rarely a difficiilt 
 operation in ground free from water, yet under the conditions known 
 to exist would require special skill and appliances for overcoming the 
 large feeders of water known to exist within the depth of 400 feet 
 from the surface. 
 
 A. recent trial under the English system of sinking and pumping 
 the water until an impervious strata is met with, upon which to found 
 the water-tight lining (tubbing), has already proved its impracticability 
 within estimates to be relied upon. In this attempt, after spending 
 nearly $70,000 and attaining a depth of about 150 feet, Avith a clear 
 diameter of 10 feet 6 inches, the work was abandoned in consequence 
 of the overpowering influx of water under conditions not provided for. 
 The writer, therefore, is of opinion that no known method of dealing 
 with such a work is so applicable as that of " Kind Chandran," 
 described in the Transactions of the American Institute of Mining 
 Engineers by Mr. Julian Ddby. By this process, already well estab- 
 lished in other countries, reliable estimates can be formed as to the 
 cost and duration of the work. 
 
 In comparison with mines in this country, in England and on the 
 continent of Europe, 400 yards is not very deep. 
 
 The deepest mine in the United States is on the Comstock Lode, 
 Nevada, 783 yards. In England, Rosebridge Colliery, Lancashire, 
 
815 yanlrt. On tlie oontineiit of Europe, Adalbert, Austria, 1093 
 yards. Proponed Hhaft at (io<lerich, 400 yards. 
 
 Depth has betui found to interfere witli mining operations only when 
 adequate provisions for ventilation and drainage have been wanting. 
 
 The construction of the ingress or egress to a mine is of the utmost 
 importance. Through it we not only raise the mineral," pump the 
 water and ventilate the workings, but it is also the means of entrance 
 or exit for those engaged in raining. Shafts are sunk in various shapes 
 and sizes, the circular form being best adapted to sustain heavy pres- 
 sures. The design of twelve feet will give ample accommodations for 
 hoisting, ventilation and drainage. There are, however, objections to 
 single shafts, as it affords but one outlet for those working underground; 
 for that reason the mining laws of England and Pennsylvania |)ermit 
 operations to be carried on through a single oj)ening only under certain 
 restrictions. There is less objection to a salt mine worked through a single 
 outlet than to a coal mine, for which these laws were especially framed, 
 for obvious reasons. The depth from the surface and the impervious 
 strata between the salt beds and the feeders of water will protect the 
 workings from any influx from that source. Proper pillars of extra 
 size will be allowed to remain to protect the shaft. 
 
 The known regularity of the salt beds, prove<l by a number of bore 
 holes in different location^5, and the observed regularity of the stratifi- 
 cation agree so well that we miy feel confident that mining may be 
 carried on with success. 
 
 Mining will be regulated by the demand and the seasons of naviga- 
 tion on the Lakes, usually from six to seven months. 
 
 The plant designed for this work contemplated a speed for hoisting 
 the mineral at, 2000 feet per minute, extracting in cars of two tons 
 each, 100 tons per hour or 1000 tons per day ; for 200 days =i 200,000 
 tons. The speed of hoisting 2000 feet per minute, 33^ feet i>er second 
 or nearly 23 miles an hour, is much exceeded in many coal mines. 
 Tl\e engines at the Rosebridge Colliery, Lancashire, lift coal from a 
 depth of 2418 feet in 55 seconds =*: 43^^ feet per second, nearly 30 
 miles an hour. 
 
 The specific gravity of the rock-salt in question, as given by Dr. T. 
 Sterry Hunt, is 2*125, and a square acre one foot thick would yield 
 2582 gross tons. The second bed of salt, destiribed by the same 
 authority, as " entirely fit for mining, and in some parts of remarkable 
 purity : chloride of sodium 99'687, chloride of calcium '032, chloride 
 
of nnxiioHui 'OD.i, siilphute of lime 'OOO, iiiHolublu in wator '017, moirt- 
 ture '079, or le-w tlmn oiHj-qmirter of tmc |)er wMit. of impurity ; it w 
 2") fetit 4 incluw thick." The third hetl, 34 feet 10 iiichcH thiclc, is 
 described us " rtoinewhat less pure, but witii a little mre in sorting might 
 prolwibly be useil for all ordinal y purjioses." These two beds could be 
 mined to;5ether, leaving a stratum of salt in the roof and floor of both, 
 the pillars in eu^h working being direetly above or below the other ; 
 by this m'.»ns 20 feat <»f the se(H»nd an<l 25 feet of the third l^ed C(mld 
 be wrought with advantage deducting 33 per cent, for pillars, the pro- 
 duct from one acre would yield 37,342 gross tons. The absence of 
 noxious gjk<es, so freely generated in coal mines, as well as those con- 
 ditions requiring the use of large quantities of timl>er for supjwrts are 
 lulvantages to be considered. 
 
 At the present time the cost of mining should not exceed eighty 
 cents or one dollar |)er ton, as follows : •• , ' 
 
 ;. Miner, 6 days, @ $1.50, . „ . $9 00 
 
 Ljil)orer, 6 days, @ $1.00, . ,, 6 00 , , 
 
 Supplies, 6 days, . , , * , ^, , . 3 96 .^^^^ 
 
 ' Total, ' . ' . *'" . ' '"' . $18 96 '• •^' 
 
 Estimating the product of six days' work at 60 tons = 31^^ cents 
 iieip ton " ' " *" ** '"*'■: '' ' "*" "' •" ^i*""'"'! m^^t^ »»♦. 
 
 Estimated cost of producing one ton of salt fit for market : 
 Mining, . . • , . 31*36 cts. 
 
 Putting, . • . , 20-64 " 
 
 Preparing, . . ' . . 28-00 " 
 
 Total cents, . . ' . -. 80-00 > -"^■ 
 
 In 1877 the clieapest product of American salt (Michigan), much 
 inferior to that of Goderich, sold for fifty to sixty cents per barrel of 
 280 pounds = $4.40 pLT ton. This cheap rate of production is, in a 
 great measure, due to the use of an otherwise waste product (slabs, 
 sawdust and exhaust steam from the lumber mills) a.s fuel. Neceswa- 
 rily there will come a time when this source of fuel will be exhausted. 
 In 1877 New York salt sold foi* the lowast price ever known before 
 that date, 79 cents par barrel = $6.32 per ton. In 1878 Mr. A. C. 
 Powell, superintendent of the Onondaga Salt Springs, states the results 
 of the year's work to be 50 to 55 bushels of salt per ton of coal, cost- 
 ing eight cents per bushel = $3.20 per ton. If these figures are cor- 
 
 
mc'i, it \H Hcarcely iKXHrtible that Michipin <'an |)r«Mluco mo clicapiy. In 
 1877 the lowcHt vahie ever realized on inn)()rte(l salt, iiichidiii); duty, 
 wiw $9.30 on paekajj^eH and 1$4'48 [M^r ton in hulk. The average value 
 of Halt imported into Canada during the year ending June, 1877, was 
 $4.66 |)er ton. The lowest price for which Hidt hits ever been sold at 
 Gmlerieh was $2.40 per ton, f.o. 1). To this, if exported to the Unite<l 
 States, ad«l $1.60 duty, total $4.00. The price now, April, 187$), is 
 $3.00 per ton, f.o.h. From these figures we may s:ifely estimate the 
 cost of mining and preparing at $1.00 and the selling price, f. o. b., 
 $2.40. 
 
 The total astimated cost of oi)cning a mine etpial to the extra(;tion of 
 200,000 tons per atmuin Avould Ik* $250,000; time, 3J years; capitid 
 re<iuiretl, $350,000 to $400,000. Lands of a fine agricultural charac- 
 ter, underlaid with rock salt, can bo i)urchaswl for $400 yter acre. 
 
 Within a year rock-salt has l)een discoverinl nesir the village of 
 Wyoming, on the Rochester and State Line R-iilroad, in the Stnte of 
 New York. It was penetrated in search of oil, at the depth of 1270 
 feet, and is said to be 70 feet thick. An antdysis of a sample by F. 
 E. Englehardt, Ph.D., chemist to the Dairy St It Company, of Syra- 
 cuse, is as follows: insoluble matter 3"276, sulphite of lime 1*696, 
 chloride of calcium "413, chloride of magnesium '556, moisture and 
 loss '319, pure salt (chloride of s(xlium) 93*740. Thus there are nearly 
 6 per cent of impurities, while the Goderich salt contains less tlnn ^ 
 of one i)er cent. 
 
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