Page:Report on the geology of the four counties, Union, Snyder, Mifflin and Juniata (IA reportongeologyo00dinv).pdf/226

198 F³. as the mining is carried back to the gangway. About 2′ of top slate was being blasted down which also adds to the mining expense.

There is no fixed limit to the length of breast, as the bed dips only 5° N., but the average will probably be about 60 yards. As soon as each 18′ room has been carried from gangway to gangway it is gobbed up with the top slate and supported with posts along the main traveling ways, so that the process is an advancing one, all ore being taken out near the outcrop before a new room is started.

The ore is very hard to mine, notwithstanding it carries the same parallel seams which divide it into blocks as before mentioned, for the roof slate under cover becomes as hard as sandrock. This roof is first blasted and after it is removed the ore bed itself must be removed in the same manner.

The “dressing” of the ore, or the removal of slate, at the mine mouth costs from 20 to 22 cents per ton, and hauling 87 cents a ton. An analysis of the Bird-eye fossil ore from this property yielded as follows (see Report F, p. 27):

The old Pontius mines, situated immediately across the ravine from Ripka’s and a little further north, were being worked under a lease to Swenk & Meiser; Here the dip has increased to fully 20° northward and consequently introduces another feature of expense. The bed, however, is above water level for some distance down the ravine to Middle Creek township, which has been taken advantage of as far as possible.

The outcrop has been exhausted from the forks of the road east for four or five hundred yards. The present ore is of medium quality, though all hard, and under increasing cover as the mines are being operated northwards, The outcrop itself has been worked clear over the divide and down the ravine leading to Kremer, so that the bulk of the