McIntyre Mines
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
McIntyre Porcupine was formed in 1911, adding land staked by Sandy McIntyre to nearby ground obtained by J. P. Bickell. The initial assays were lean, but Bickell kept the faith and the company afloat through these tough times. Later, as grades improved, he obtained additional ground.
The result was the McIntyre mine, which has earned a place in Canadian mining history as one of the nation's most important mines. In 1919, Bickell left the investment business to become president and, later, chairman of McIntyre-Porcupine Mines.
Between 1912 and 1955, total production was valued at $230 million and the company paid $62 million in dividends to shareholders.
McIntyre and his partner Hans Buttner are primarily known for the two claims they staked which formed the nucleus of the McIntyre mine.
McIntyre sold his interest in one the greatest gold mines the world has ever know for $65,325 of which $60,000 was never collected. He was however awarded a life pension for the use of his name, although his real name was Alexander Oliphant.[citation needed]
The McIntyre (Number 11) Headframe was completed in 1927. The six compartment shaft excavation underneath it was 4,250 feet deep and 160,000 tons of rock, as well as 40,000 tons of water were removed in the process. The project included 240,000 pounds of powder to blast the rock and 2,256,000 feet of Douglas fir to timber the shaft.
From 1912 to 1988 there were 37,529,691 tons milled, producing 10,745,361 ounces of gold, indicating an overall grade of 0.29.
