Investigation of 1942
When the Provincial Government decided to involve itself in the Inverness mining industry it realized the frustration of their efforts. Since 1933 a serious attempt had been made to avoid total disaster and the Provincial Government kept the mines operating. Various changes were instituted such as updating machinery and developing several seams. However, these were only temporary measures and would not have lasting repercussions.
In order to plan for succeeding years the Provincial Government felt a full scale inquiry was necessary. In 1942, a thorough examination and report was made by an eminent independent mining engineer, Mr. W.J. Dick, of Edmonton, Alberta. The basic objective of this investigation was to survey the problems, make detailed observations, and present his conclusions in the form of recommendations.
One of the main areas of interest to Dick was the future of No. 1 mine. The Company was involved in some serious thinking in terms of reopening and anxiously awaited the results. Dick's findings confirmed their innermost thoughts and fears. According to the investigation, it was strongly stated that it was not feasible to continue the operations at No. 1. He based his conclusion on the following conditions:
a)The dip of the seam had increased from 27 degrees at the surface to 40 degrees at the face of the main slope at No. 9 Level. (At No. 11 Level the dip of the seam increased to 60degrees)
b)The mine had become very extensive, being approximately 2 miles wide by 4,000 feet deep along the dip.
c)The easy available coal had been extracted.
d)The workings would not be extended to the west from No. 6 and No. 7 Levels on account of faulty ground, except at considerable expense and doubtful results. (One quoted fee amounted to $2,500,000)
e)The east end of the workings was limited by the Plaster Fault which cut off the coal.
f) Pumping and haulage problems and upkeep of the mine were increasingly difficult onaccount of the extent of the workings and the increased dip.
g) The increased cover, due to the dip, caused a higher percentage of coal slack made in the mining operations, thus reducing the revenue to be secured for the coal h) Power cost had increased greatly due to additional horsepower required for operations.
The W.J. Dick Report closed the books on mines No. 1 and No. 4. Mine No. 1 had always been the big producer of top quality coal while No. 4 was continually facing economic failure and produced limited amounts of coal due to a heavy clay band. This combined with a soft roof caused difficulties in extracting pillars. Therefore, It was not surprising when Dick came down hard and caused the Government to withdraw their investment from the two biggest mines in Inverness. When Mr. Dick filed his report on Mine No. 1 he made the following statement: "The clay bands within 'the seams, particularly in the 13-Foot Seam at No. 4 Mine, have made mining so difficult and unprofitable. It is therefore apparent that conditions were present from the very start that made this seam an undesirable one to work. This mine has never been a success due to conditions and the upkeep of entries and haulage problems are decidedly bad. The prospect of conditions at depth are far worse than those previously encountered. As the loss on operation during the recent period exceeds $2.00 per ton, it is advised that this mine stay closed indefinitely. The technical skill employed under Government ownership has been of high order and no expense has been spared, in the operations."
As a concerned observer of the events that were unfolding before his eyes the miner was deeply disturbed. The Report seemed to be a straightforward and well-developed study. Its findings were based on technical expertise and it was difficult not to follow its recommendations. W.J. Dicks had arrived at a conclusion that placed Inverness in a severe economic position with little hope for the future. However, the end was not to be immediate and without a fight. The government on realizing the repercussions of a closedown decided to ignore the Report and continued to support the mines at a loss.
The reaction of government officials was to open two other mines in Inverness, namely. No. 3 and No. 5, The No. 3 mine (formerly No. 3 level of No. 1 Mine) showed no real potential since the coal was of poor quality and very difficult to extract. The No. 4 mine was opened to gain access to a pocket of coal situated between the plaster fault that had cut off No. 1 mine and the location of No. 4 mine. In general, the conditions in No. 5 mine were much worse than No. 4. ft was rather obvious that both of these mines had a limited future due to insufficient mineral resources and heavy clay in. both the roof and the floor.
