Composite Mine Map and Cross-Section A-A'
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The Ground Hog
underground mine consists of several levels connected by raises and winzes, plus stoped
areas where larger veins and kidneys or pods of granite were mined. The mine was
developed with four main levels, in descending sequence these are the: Smith, Dubie,
Hoy and Antelope. In addition, there are small open cuts referred to as the Ground Hog
surface pit and Ground Hog East pit. More recent entries were developed
northwest of the Ground Hog complex and are called the Sage and Badger adits.
A total of more than 2,350 tons (2,130 tonnes) of graphite was mined
and sold from the workings from 1902 to 1948, mostly during WW-I and WW-II as the demand
for steel rose and supply from Ceylon was cut off to the U.S. The adits and tunnels
total in excess of 3,500 feet (1,070 m). This gives a calculated ore grade of more than
15% Cg.
The historic mine provides good evidence of the mineral presence,
but the ore body has barely been touched.
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Inspection of the USGS
mine maps reveal the width and depth of the graphite occurrence within the Ground Hog
mine complex. True-width of the ore body where the graphite was exposed by tunneling
is estimated to be 164 ft (50 m) and has been found and mined to a depth of 330 ft
(100 m).
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Cross-Section B-B' of the Ground Hog Mine
Complex
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Crystal Graphite Co. Ground Hog
Mine Complex
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As shown on the
Land page, in addition to the previously-mined occurrences of
graphite at the Ground Hog mine complex located at the south-western portion of the
property, graphite was also mined at the Bird's Nest adits located in the
south-central part of the property. Flake and vein graphite has also been observed
at surface at the south-eastern portion of the property. When all observed occurrences
of graphite are combined, the deposit is potentially nearly 2 miles (3 km) in length.
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