Northern Manitoba & Mining
The skyline of our Community today has changed. The above image is 777 Mine located on the north end of Hudbay properties which was once referred to as Flin Flon Callinan.
1927 - 2017
HUDBAY CELEBRATES 90 YEARS OF BEING A LEADER IN MANITOBA'S MINING INDUSTRY
The Flin Flon ore body was discovered by David Collins, local trapper, and showed it to Tom Creighton, Prospector in 1914, and at that time the first claim was registered in 1915. It took more than a dozen years to bring the mine into production because the ore body was huge, of high grade, required large amounts of hydro energy, and the hydro dam was built at Island Falls, Saskatchewan, and was isolated, and needed a Smelter. In 1927, the Whitney family of New York created HBM&S, which took over controlling interest in the Flin Flon property. By 1930, the mine, smelter, hydro electric dam and railroad were in full operation. The corporate head office was in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada but moved to Toronto, Ontario in 2008, later New York and London, England. During the ownership of Anglo American, also had offices in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The above image was taken in the winter of 1958 from what is known as the Hanson Lake road of today. Over the past 59 years, I have accumulated a great number of images which brings back many memories of days gone by. Many of these images that I will share with you are of processes and locations that no longer exist. I have found this a rewarding experience putting this selection of images together for this presentation. I hope you enjoy looking back on what mining has done for our community as there were many employees who were provided with a livable wage, good benefits, and also a great number of students who graduated from University debt free. Many Manitoba and Saskatchewan farm boys like myself, came and pursued our dreams as it was a young community with jobs and opportunity.
This image was taken from the Schist Lake road looking northwest over the town and company in the winter of 1958.
In 1974 there was a huge change to the Flin Flon skyline due to the erection of the 825 ft. smoke stack, a new anode casting plant for copper, and a new flue system for the smelter. This was an early morning sunrise taken from the Hanson Lake road.
The above photograph shows 3 headframes on the Flin Flon skyline. This was approximately 2004, and shortly after that the demolishing of North Main, and about a year later South Main was demolished as well. When you look at the above photograph, you can see the Open Pit where it all began, North Main being the first major shaft, and later in the 1940's, the development of South Main began, and today both no longer exist.
The development of 777 Mine was a blessing for Hudbay, Flin Flon and the mining industry. With North and South Main being mined out and exhausted ore reserves, there was only Trout Lake mine left in the Flin Flon area. As we look at 777 today, they are projecting by 2018 - 2020, the mine will be reaching it's life expectancy which is creating a great deal of concern in our community, as we have been involved in mining for 90 years, which is a long time for any mining community. Will we see 100?
This photograph shows the breakthrough at the 390 level of 777 into the existing drift from the old North Main shaft. This image is an image which few people have the opportunity to see. It shows the large drills driving 16 ft steel, and preparing to blast, and continue on with shaft sinking. Having the opportunity to capture these images was a privilege. It makes one appreciate the skills and ability of a shaft miner, and also the improvements of modern technology. When you think that this was once all done by hand, so to witness this was a great experience.
This image shows the Cryderman mucker removing the muck from the shaft floor. When you think that this was once all done by shovels and buckets, this is absolutely amazing. They drill as shown in the previous picture, then blast and remove the muck within a 12 hour period, then place in forms and pour a concrete liner.
This image is the breakthrough of the 777 shaft, linking up with North Main Callinan Drift. The two crews present are the Hudbay crew, and shaft contractor J.R. Redpath, Project co-ordinator Pat Smythe, CEO Russell Rood, Manitoba Mines Inspector, and other company officials.
This image is No. 90 Loco and slag train on the high dump. What I am attempting to do with this Northern Manitoba Mining article is to display a number of images which I have recorded over the last 60 years. I am compiling them for my own use and sharing them with individuals who may be interested, as they are images that will never be seen again.
This image shows the Loco and four slags pots at the high dump photographed from the lower level. The slag dumping during the day wasn't as sensational as it was at night. At night it presented a red glow in the sky which could be seen for miles.
This image shows No. 90 Loco and 3 pot train on the high dump on a cold January night. The slag dump always reminded me of the open prairies, cold and nothing to hide behind.
This image creates a great silhouette as you can actually see the engineer. The slag pour presented great opportunities for great images.
This image was taken before sunrise. Trying to get light in the sky and accomplishing natural light from the molten slag in the foreground was a challenge as this was done on film so not able to check my results instantly, like with the digital world which has options that would of made this easier.
