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History - Chapter 14
The Stewart Mining and
Development Co. Ltd acquired the interests of the Stewart brothers, Maranville
and Wallace and others in Sunbeam, Ben Hur, George E. and other adjoining
claims. Development work was carried on for a number of years on the George E.
on which some 3000 feet of underground work was done, but no large commercial
ore bodies were opened up and financial difficulties, compelled the closing
down of the work, and the property lay idle for as number of years.
In 1918 J. W. Stewart and Wm, Noble, while prospecting adjoining ground
which had been staked and re-staked many times, discovered the outcropping of
the Dunwell vein, which had been exposed by former owners having turned the
waters of a small creek down the mountain side. The water had been turned to
permit work to be done in the bed of the creek, where a small showing of
galena ore outcropped, but the work done proved the ore to be of little extent
and the claim was abandoned. The new ore showing, however, was a large
exposure of iron and galena ore form 2 to 5 feet wide, with fair values, and
additional streaks of high-grade gold and silver ore.
Work started on this showing with satisfactory results. As the vein on its
dip entered the Stewart M & D ground, a consolidation of the two
properties became necessary. This was effected and the Dunwell Mines Ltd.
Company was formed.
Active work was then begun on the mine, which was developed by four
tunnels. Ore bodies were opened up, the extent and value of which deemed
sufficient to warrant the erection of a small mill, the installation of an
aerial tramway and extensive mine buildings. Mining and milling operations
were carried on until lessening tonnage combine with lower metal prices
compelled the stoppage of operations.
By 1933 the fairly successful operations of leasers shipped high-grade ore
from the Sunbeam and Ben Hur claims led to the resumption of work by the
company, which was carried on until lately, when the property was taken over
by a local syndicate on a four year lease.
During the operations of the mine some forty thousand tons of ore was
produced, the average value being $13 a ton, exclusive of high-grade shipping
ore.
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