IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) m.. ^ {/ / ,.>° m. f/. y. ^ t 1.0 I.I 1.25 I- IIIIM 1 2.5 •^^ IIIIIM mil 2.2 t 14^ 1 2.0 IliW i-4 IIIIII.6 V] 7: 'c?-! ^i > m '/ Photographic Sciences Corporation ( meaning "CON- TINUEO"). or the symbol V (meaning "END"), whichever applies. Lae Images suivantes ont tti raproduites avec le plus grand soin. compte tenu de la condition at de la netteti de l'exempiaire film*, at an conformity avec lea conditions du contrat de filmaga. Las exemplairee orfginaux dont la couverture en papier eat imprim4e sont filmte en commen^ant par le premier plat et an terminant soit par la derniira page qui comporte une empreinte d'!mpre«aion ou d'illuatration, soit par le second plat, selon le caa. Toua lee sutres axempiaires originaux sont filmte an commencant par la premiere page qui comports une empreinte dimpression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la derniire page qui comporta une telle empreinte. 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PETIIERICK, M. E. AND A. MICHEL, SUPERINTENDANT OF THE MINE. illontrcal: PRINTED BY PLINGUET & LAPLANTE, ST. GABRIEL STREET. %*0 n t VIGER COPPER MINE, (CHESTER.) The numerous discoveries of copper-bearing rocks made, within a few years, in the Eastern Townships, have awakened, and directed the attention of specu- lators to that eminently metalliferous region. A sys- tem of jobbing on a large scale was in consequence speedily carried on, especially in the United States' market. Taking advantage of the confidence created by real and valuable discoveries, parties have oflered lands as metalliferous, upon which superficial works of explor- ation had scarcely indicated more than a few slight marks of ore, and imposition of this kind having been resorted to, it was natural that apathy and distrust should have sup-^-rseded the first impulse in the pub ic mind. The indisputable fact still remains, however, that the chain of mountains forming the greatest portion of the territory of the Eastern Townships, and which has been designated, by our learned Provincial Ge(>- logist Sir William Logan, as the " Quebec Group," contains metal-bearing rocks which will, at a future day, be a source of wealth to Canada. The property which has been called the "Vigor Mine," and to which the present remarks have par- ticular reference, is situated in that chain of moun- taiiiF!, ill tlio f'onlor of the Townslii)) of Clicstor, as will he seen hy periLsiiig tlio aiiiioxed reports Nos. 1 and 2. Those two rejiorts were mostly wri^icu tit the com- mcneemeiit of the cxi)loration, which consists of ten excavations, more or less considerahle, and of several trenches. Sul)o(M(uent o[)erations have entirely verified the coijectm-es and previsions of the writers of these reports. Report No. 1, is from !Mr. riyruERiCK, a distingnishcd Mining Ejigineer, from Pensylvania, whose opinion upon such matters lias the greatest authority. Report No. 2, is from Air. A. Mkiikl, a french Miner of gicat practical knowledge, who superintended the works. No. 3 is a report of progress from the same. The development given to the works, since Mr. Pete- rick a report was written, are detailed in this report, of which an extract only is published. Being desirous of giving to their discovery such a character, as will strongly induce and attract public confidence in the future of this mine, the proprietors have thought proper not to mix up together, as has often been the case, the exploration with the working of the mine. The ore extracted from the excavations is solely the product of the copper-bearing veins, which have been met and cut in the course of a systematic explor- ation, without any attempt to follow them through their development. But according to Mr. Michel's observations, it has been ascertained that the richness of the mine increases, as the excavations are made deeper. 4 * m It is also i\ fo'.'t woitliv (»f notice, that, althoujili tho proprietors have dono nothing towards the working l»roi>er of t\w mine, tliey have nevertheless directed the works so as to have them made useful :it u sub- secpient period in view of more extensive works. Si'.mples of the ore may be seen at ^Ir. J. Barsai/)u's Office, No. 40, St. Fran^ois-Xavier Street, Montreal, where all informations required may be hud. Montreal, 14th November 186-. *. 4 No. 1. HEPORT 4 ON THE VIGER COPPER MINE, CHESTER, CANADA EAST. This interesting undertaking is situated on the Craig Road, in Chester Township, Arthabaska County, about 15 miles from the Arthabaska Station of the Grand TruTik Raih'oad. The mining explorations are on an improved lot of 250 acres (1), part of a territory of 1800 acres', the property of Mr. L. Labreche-Viger, Member of Parliament. South westerly from Mr. Labreche's Homestead, and 590 feet from the Craig Roiu\ ten diiferent explorations, embracing a length of nearly 2400 feet, have been made, presenting a very satisfactory pros- pect for copper mining in an eftective manner on the property. Those explorations I will now describe in the order in which they stand in the ascending ground southerly from the Craig Road. Excavation No. 1.— This is 590 feet southerly from the Craig Road. Here is a very strong quartz vein of very promising appearance. From lower ground, a (1) The actual area of the Lot is not positively ascertained ; but the limits are well defined. drift has been driven towards the vein 17 feet in schistose ground of a very congenial character for productiveness of copper, in which green carbonate of copper is well diffused. This drift will strike the vein at the depth of 30 feet. No. 2. — This excavation is 787 feet from the Craig Road. It is of little extent, but the green carbonate and copper pyrites present themselves here, whore the exploration was suspended by the influx of water. No. 3. — Is 1023 feet fro^n the Craig Road. Green carl) ate and the sulphuret were found in this opening whicxi iS quite a small one. No. 4. — This excavation is 1260 feet from the road. At 5 feet depth the yellow sulphuret of very good quality presented itself strongly, also the green carbo- nate. On the lower ground, about 60 feet distant, a drift has been commenced calculated to strike this vein at about 35 feet depth, and is stdl being extended; the green carbonate occurs in this drift also. No. 5. — This opening of 7 or 8 feet deep only, presents a very satisfactory appearance, the vein stuff giving a considerable quantity of the yellow sulphuret of copper, both in the schist and quartz ; also the green carbonate. This opening is 1560 feet from the Craig Road. No. 6. — This very satisfactory excavjition is 1720 feet from that road, and is some hundreds of feet in height above it. This is the most effective exposure yet made, and the best. The full use of the vein has not been proved, but about 9 feet of it has been opened containing a considerable quantity of very rich sul- phurets of copper, and presenting a most favorable appearance. 'I H '^ i Four other explorations, Nos. 7, 8, 9 and 10, have been made in the same southerly direction at these distances respectively beyond No. 6 exploration ; 184, 374, 644 ; the last No. 10 being 2904 feet from the Craig lload. These four explorations are of very insufficient extent for satisfactory development, but they all present the carbonate of copper, and copper pyrites, accomT)anied with " mnndic " or sulphuret of iron, the congenial associate of copper in mining. Those explorations are considered to be al' on the same vein, and I consider that the prospects of it, so far as developed, are most satisfactory, and that the more attractive explorations, including No, 6, and two or more others northerly therefrom, should be vigo- rously pushed, in order to commence, understandingly, more permanent works, in time to get them under cover before winter. I will now notice the prominent circumstances which occur to me, in regarding this mining undertaking, as I do, as presenting decided and important advantages. The vein, so partially developed, as described, is a large cupreous strong course of good size, — very large where most developed, — presenting fine rich copper ore, and that in a very congenial gangue, quartz, chlorite,, &c. The rocks through which this and other veins in the property range, chloritic and other congenial schists, are of very favorable charactc for the productiveness of the included mineral veins, and will not be expensive for working. That otJier veins are in the ?)roi)ortv is not ascertained bat it is known that there are others, — probably a great many. 1 observed two other veins \Qyy near the 10 one described on whifli the oxiilonitions were made; — stronfj; promising veins, ^vllicll I presume wil be soon properly explored. In mining in this high ground, soutlierly from the Craig Road, a vast extent of mineral^ground can be mined without any machinery, either for pumping or hoisting the material ; which is a source of vast exi)enso in copper mining generally. In making these observations, I have confined jnyself to mining matters, without expatiating on other impor- tant advantages of the property — the great abundance of useful timber — the healthiness of the district, and chea})ness of lab(n' arising from its agricultural cir- cumstances, leaving those matters to be noticed by others locally and better informed thereon. Respectfully submitted by (Signed,) TIIO. PETIIERICK, 31. E. Sherbrooke, C. E., 30th July 18G4. m^ No. 2. {TRANSLATION.) *J ^lessrs. J. Barsalou & Co., Genth'mcn, I have tlic lioiior to report on tlio works I linvo caused to be executed from the 1st of ^Tay to the 20 th July last, on the 8th Lot of the Gth Kauge of the Township of Chester, the result of which has been the discovery of a co])])er-hearing bed, which has been called the " Yiger ^line." On mv arrival, durinu' the last davs of April, upon the property which 1 was instiaicted to explore, I determined after a survey of the locality to commence my operations at a distance of 800 feet Ea>t of the spot, superficially ex})lor("d during the winter; that ])lace b'cing jiointed out to nn^ as the base of the first researches. The cleared hill which rises a1)0ve the buildings, and which slopes sicntly down to the Craig Ivoad, is traversed l)y a series of rocky ledges all cro})i>ing out at the sur- face and running parallel to one another 8. W. toN. E., the stratification inclining towards the West. After a few encouraging trials, I resohed upon exa- mini-Hg the most westward ledge, which seenu^d to p-esent in case of success very satisfactory conditions for mhiing, owing to the inclination of the ground westward! v, with a slope suiliciently steep to admit of n * » the opening through the mass of the ledges of several superposed level adits, which might at a suhsequent time be used for the extraction of ore and for draining. The work, executed up to this time, extends over a distance of 2364 feet, or 13 arpents, and consist of ten excavations, one adit and one drift. The excavations are all opened on the summit of the ledge, the hreadth of which, so ftir as ascertained, is from 20 to 35 feet. Nos. 1, 2, 4 and 5 were made sinndtaneously during the month of May. Nos. 3, G, 7, 8, 9 and 10, the adit and drift were commenced in June and July. With a view to the understanding of the following statements, and to prevent repetitions, I may remark at once that the excavations are numbered from N. to 8. Excavation No. 1 at a distance of 590 feet from the Craig Road was opened in a depression of the surf^ice, where the ledge appears to the northward for the last time before dipping underground. The configuration of the ground rendered easily practicable the opening of a gallery, in the solid mass of the ledge, at a depth of about 30 feet from the surface. In this work, up to this date, quartz has been found, but in small veins only. Green carbonate of copper is found in quantity, sometimes in thick layovs, amongst the slates. Excavation No. 2 is 197 feet from No. 1. This work was soon interrupted by spring water, but has offered very satisfactory indications by the presence of green carbonate both in the schist and the quartz, and more particularly by the discovery in the quartz veins of numerous and good sized nodules of i)urple copper. <; T N < ■• » 13 * *• * 1^/ #« N I' Excavation No. 3, 236 feet from No. 2, is as yet but very superficial, being only two or three feet deep in the rock. Like No. 2 it was impeded by spring water. Here green carbonate of copper occurs in the slate, as well as traces of yellow sulphuret in the quartz. Excavation No. 4, 237 feet from No. 3, averages six feet deep and has produced very satisf^ictory results in copper pyrites not only in the quartz but also in the schist which is strongly impregnated with green car- bonate. A drift is already far advanced for the ope- ning of a level adit through the ledge under this exca- vation at a depth of irom 30 to 35 feet. Excavation No. 5 is opened at a distance of 300 feet from No. 4. This work yields very fine and abundant quantities of copper pyrites and variegated copper. The ore is met wdth both in the quartz and in the slate at a depth of from 5 to 10 feet. The bottom as w^ell as the sides of this excavation are streaked with veins of ore, and nodules are found of various sizes. A large quantity of ore of good quality, taking into account the little work done, has already been extracted and heaped around the Avorks. Excavation No. G is close to the forest at a distance of IGO feet from No. 5. This work is in every respect, up to this moment, the most important of all. It produces magnificent and very abundant results in yellow sul- phuret and variegated copper, at a depth of from 4 to 9 feet. A large quantity of rich ore, considering the depth of the work, has been extracted, part of which lies around the opening. The yellow sulphuret is dis- distributed through chloritic and talcose schists, some- times in veins two or three lines in thickness. Veins of pyritous and variegated copper four or five inches 1 14 thick mil across the quartz, all in ihe same divoction. TIk! asi.cct of tliis openinf^ is very promising. Excavation No. 7 is in the wood, 184 feet from No. 0. The depth of tlii-' 's l)ut from 4 to 5 feet in the rock. It nevertheless yields fine specimens of copper pyrites and variegated copper. Here as in excavation No. 4 iron pyrites is ;il)nndant at the surface of the rock. Excavations 8, 1) and 10, also in the wood, along a hue extending 1050 feet from No. 7, arc only as yet superficial works, undertaken for the purpose of ascer- taining the continuation of the ledge whicli in tlie wood is covered with vegetahle matters. In these three excavations at a depth of from 2 t(^ o feet green carbonate and nodules of i»urple copper were met with. In No. 9 a fe ; traces of lead were found and tlie ledge seems to be continued in the best possi- ble conditions. To the statements of the work done up to this day, I will add that the ore is found more a))undant and richer in all the excavations, where it has yet been met with, as they are more and more deepened. The hist blasts have given the best results in excavations No. o and 6. The 8th lot of the 0th range of the Township of Chester is traversed by the Craig road, which leads to the Arthabaska Station of the Grand-Tnmk Railway, a distance of 15 miles easily and speedily travelled over. This lot comprising more than 250 acres is for the most part cleared and used for pasture. A dwelling- house and out-honses, belonging to Louis JuABHECHE- ViGEii, the proprietor of the lot, are erected on the line of the road at a distance of a little over 300 feet from excavation No. 1. A saw-mill is constructed on a creek ^ \ 1 ^ 15 half a mile from the house. The locality is siifHcieutly inha])iteil for siipjilyiii^' the mine with thirty or forty a])le-l)odie(I lahorers who begin work from G A. M. and finish at G P. ^I. Miners are paid from 80 to 9-0 cents, and laborers 80 cents a dav, without l)oard. With regard to tlie results ol)tained, up to this day, you are. Gentlemen, enabled to judge fronr the speci- mens which have been successively despatched to you, from the examination you have made of the workings and fmally from the reports of the Minir.g Fngineei-^ who have paid a visit to the " Vigor Mine. " ^Ir. W-M. Williams, Engineer of Sher])rooke, a Cor- nish miner, examined the discovery on the first of July. His report as you know is highly favorable. More recen- tly, Captain Oatey, Senior, in whose practical experien- ce Sir W-M. Logan rests tlie greatest confidence, has declared himself very much satisfied with what he saw during his visit to this place. In conclusion the highly encouraging report of Mr. Petiierick, Miidng Engineer of Pennsylvania, U.-S., whose opinion in the matter has the greatest weight, gives to your mining property an undoubted value, and places it amongst the most important discoveries made up to this day in Lower-Canada. Your most respeciful serviut, A. MICHEL. \ " Vigor Mine, " 1 5th August 18G4. | No. n. (TILiNSLJTION.) To Messrs. J. Bausalou k Co., Oenfknicn, I have the honor to report upon the work executed on your property, during the mouths of August, Sep- tember and October. On the resumption of the work, on the 18th August, after an interrui)tion of 23 dnys, I contemplated to connect the two excavations, Nos. 5 and 6, by a ai Jt which would have cut the mass of the rock already explored, to a depth equal to that of these two excava- tions. But after the removal of the soil, I perceived difHculties which would have rendered this open work very slow and consequently very expensive. I then decided upon widening the excavation No. 5 m a southern direction, so as to make it forty feet wide, sixty feet long, with a minimum depth of 25 feet at the point where the mass would be cut perpendicularly. The object of this work was to open two level adits for exploring purposes, the first running in an oblique direction, S. S. E., under the excavation No. 6, and the other nearly perpendicular to the small axis of the excavation towards the East. These level adits, divided at their opening by a space of about 25 feet, were consequently to deviate more and more as they pene- trated more deeply into the mineral mass. IS This work is, at this inoincnt, nciirly compU'ted, and as early as the loth November, the two adits will ])o opened if ordered. The lenjiht of the exeavation No. 5 is 58 feet, by 37 feet iii width at its furthest extremity, and the depth is already 17 feet ; part of a mass, ten feet high, only remains to be extnicted to complete the excavation. The sloping configuration of the hicality has favored the digging of a trench for the draining, as well of the excavfttion and its approaches, as of the contemplated level adits. This ditch, starting from the western extremity of the excavation, is 100 feet in lenght ; its Avidth at the bottom averages two feet and the dei)th is 7 feet. Its approaches -.a^ e been sulliciently prepa- red to facilitate extensive operations dnring winter. No land-slip need now be 'pprehendcd, and the neces- sary ascents for transporting the extracted matters have been established. The working of this excavation, from which 15,000 cubic feet of rock have aheady been extracted and which wiil probably extend to 20,000 when completed, has been productive of most fortunate discoveries. The yellow sulphuret, and sometimes the variegated copper ores have been found at different deptlt^- diss< «ninated over the surface of the whole excavation, often in veins well defined and rich, both in the (iuart/ and in the chloritic and talcose schists. I have extracted several tons of this copper-bearing stone from which si)lendid specimens have been del -ehed. Moreover rich and idnnidant ore was found more particuLirly in the slate on a distance of 8 or 10 feet long in the ditch, where the excavation opens in it. These new discoveries give to the metal bearing rock already ascertained upon f «f« > f -' t ^ I ' 11) the mx lot, a wi(ini of 170 foot, f.nd ovorytlun- UHuhU> iusviro tho ooiifubMico that the ovc sviW bo foiuul in tlio coiitcim)hite(l lovol a»lits * I took care fio^iuoutly to forward to you. Inrj^e aiu numerous specimens of the various ores olitamod at different depths and spots of the large excavation A rehitively large (luantity of the same ore is pded up near it, and its appearance leads to believe that it will average H o;o in the vein-stone. The viohnoss of the ore in copper has been estimated in my p-^-ence, by a competent person, at iroiu 25 to 33 o/o. Towards the latter end of October, you sout Uv Wlliams of Sherbro..ke to examine,-and roDort ^pon,-the progress rtv.lised and the actual state ot the Mine. This report of which a copy has been transmitted to ine must be very encouraging. 1 extract from it the following remarks : " In now speaking of the different vein, that have - been partiuUy developed, I can only say, .ludging - from each, one opinion, (as to its future results) can " be formed, which is favourable for its future progress, - having nearly every element for a good and lastmg ,, . the richness of the ores will very much overcome the distance of transporta- " tion (15 miles) ' - In conclusion, I beg to state there are many advan- u tages to be ob^ ined and afforded b) the positions " of the differeii realities in which mim. are situated. " Yours is one with an adit level over that by a shaft, "&c." p R _Since the above was written, and before sending it, I have made preparations for the winter works which are interesting for you to know. li :^u \ f The drift No. 1, which is ah'cady 18 feet deep, and where the operations wevo suspended on account of water, is now jterfectly drained, and this inconvenience cannot be exi»erienced liereafter. The dril't No. 4 is likewise ready for the opening of the conteiii] dated level adit. A vein of copper glance, or vitreous copper, nine inches thick, w^as met in the trench ; it is as yet undeveloped, hut promising. The work in those drifts will he proceeded with as soon as the necessary orders shall have been given. The level adit, leading from excavation No. 5, will ])e opened on the 20th of this month, with good pros- pects of striking the vein after a very few^ weeks' working. I am happy to be able to state that the ore in this excavation continues to be abundant in the schist as Avell as in the quartz. The perfect confidence which I feel, that the mine will increase in richness as the searches are made deeper, has induced me to open a fourth drift, much below the level of the actual openings. This level adit, which will be opened on the 15th instant, will run from N. 0. to S. E. It will be about 35 feet below the level of excavation No. 5, and 125 feet below the summit of the hill. In its course, it will cut through the whole of the veins met with in the ditch, and in the fifth and sixth excavations. I anticipate the best results possible from this work which will not be expensive, on account of the fiivourable configuration of the locality, where no shaft i^ required, and of the veins dipping in a such a direction that a few^ fathoms of excavation will be sufiicient to meet them and prove their productiveness, , t '^ : ^ \ I < t ■-*> : I*" 21 I herewith sulyoin copy of the report of an assay made by Mr. Chs. IIobb, M. E., Montreal, of the ore of '^ Viger ^line. " This assay, although not absolutely conclusive as to the probable productiveness of the Mine, is nevertheless very satisftictory, inasmuch as it proves the yellow sulphuret, which is the predominating ore so far, to be very rich in metallic copper. I remain, Your Obedt. Servt., A. MICHEL. " Yiger Mine, " 12th Nov. 1864. ■^ * 53, St. Francois 'Xavier Street, Montreal, ilth Nov. 1864. L. Labreche-Viger, Esqr., M. P. P., Dear JSi?', As you have done me the honor of consulting me with reference to the value of the copper-veins recently dis- covered on your property, in Chester, C. E., I beg to submit the following observations, premising that as I have not had the opportunity of visiting the locality, my remarks must be regarded as general. In estimating the value of any metalliferous deposit, the principal data required are : the extent or lenght and depth, the average thickness and the average me- tallic contents. 99 In the case of your mine, the first has, I understand, been ah-eady satisfactorily proved ; the second can only be fully ascertained after much labor l.as been expen- ded in sinking shafts, &c., although it may reasonably be inferred to be proportional to the linear extent of the vein on the surface. The remaining data can only be ascertained by care- fully sampling and assaying the whole of the ore-bea- ring part of the rock. This process, in your case, has not yet been effected, and therefore it is impossible to give positive results. I have however riinutely inspected the specimens of the ore and rock sent to this city from time to time from the mine, and I note a decided improvement in the quaUty as the work has progressed. From the last assortment of specimens sent, I have selected one which appears to be below the average richness, and have pulverised, sampled and assayed one half; the remaining half, which is an exact counter- part. I herewith return, in order that by comparison, you may form an approximate judgement in regard to all other samples. The copper contents -^^ this specimen, I find to be 8.30 (eight and three tenths) per cent. From what I have seen of all the other specimens, I have no hesitation in saying that tlie copper contents will be full one half the above produce. I have assayed also a prill of the pure ore (yellow sulphuret) impregnating the (quartz rock, arid which is evidently all of unifom qiiality ; I find it to contain 31 (thirty-one) per cent metallic copper. « 1 i t 23 I regret being unable — from wnnt of the requisite Jatu — to give you more positive iiiformatious, and should recommend your measuring the amount of excavation, sampling and assaying the results, and thereby arriving at an accurate estimate. I have the honor to be, dear Sir, Your very respectfully, (Signed) CHARLES ROBB, Mining' Engineer.