WorldWide Drilling Resource

57 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® APRIL 2014 Focus on CICEME The 10 th China (Beijing) International Coal Equipment & Mine Technical Equipment Exhibition - CICEME - is set for June 12-14, 2014. Look for WWDR at the China International Exhibition Center where nine theme areas will be staged for: a Image and achievements display of large groups a Coal mine production equipment a Mine six-system technical equip- ment and lifesaving cabin a Coal mine safety and monitoring a Coal processing and utilization a Mining services and computer applications a Mining mechanical and electrical equipment a Coal gas test and exploration and extraction equipment +0 .5 .&((&*$ -1&,)"*0 ' 3 ** 0.""0 (5,% *0 ##& " ("/ 7 " %*& ( 1,,+.0 7 4 7 ) &( .+0 .5!.&((&*$"-1&,)"*0 $) &( +) 10%+.&6"! *!2&' &/0.& 10+. ".2&*$ 0%" .+1*!3 0". *!1/0.5 a Open-pit and underground min- ing equipment Over 800 exhibitors from 25 coun- tries will present the most advanced equipment and technology in coal and mine exploration, drilling, transportation, testing, crushing, and more. For more information, visit: www.ciceme.com Mining in the USA Part 21 Compiled by Bonnie Love, Editor WorldWide Drilling Resource ® The California gold rush of 1848 drove miners to the uncharted western U.S. Some of those seeking to find their fortune made their way to Oregon by 1850. Gold, copper, and platinum was soon discovered in the creeks and rivers of the Beaver State. Between 1907- 1939 one of the largest deposits was the Mother Load Mine which produced gold and copper, but the mine ceased pro- duction by the end of the 1930s. Coal mining became an important in- dustry for Oregon in the early 1850s, and the first shipments of coal went to San Francisco in 1854. The first mines were small scale and locally owned, but by the 1870s, most had been bought out or started by outside entrepreneurs. The coal industry around Coos Bay lasted until the coal market started to diminish in the 1920s. Currently, there are no active coal mines in Oregon, but with recent dis- cussions regarding reopening the mines, that may soon change. The discovery of iron near the village of Oswego was big news in 1861, and by 1867 operations were in full swing. The Oregon Iron Company built the first blast furnace on the Pacific Coast. According to an 1886 mining report, the ore from the Prosser Mine was a very peculiar body of ore because it was sandwiched between two layers of basalt. The ore was deposit- ed in a depression in the rock and then covered by a lava flow. After 27 years, the iron mines closed in 1894. Nickel was discovered in 1865 by sheep herders, however, mining didn’t begin until 1891, and commercial mining didn’t start until 1954. Over the next thir- ty years, mining on Nickel Mountain was sporadic. Since the ore was very low- grade quality, the mine and smelter were closed by 1989. Oregon has a rich mining history and currently has mining operations for perlite, diatomite, bentonite, talc, stone, and pumice. Our series continues with The Keystone State! oregon Drill rig taking core samples on Woodcock Mountain in 1957. Photo courtesy of highway199.org