Abandoned Mine Inventory for Ontario

MINES (last updated: 2022-04-29 )

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Abandoned Mine Identifier: 08559

General Information

Permanent Link to this Record: 08559


Abandoned Mine Identifier: 08559

Official Name: Silver Islet

Site Classification: C

Primary Commodity: Silver

Long Name: 2016360053500

Date Mine Opened:

Date Mine Closed: 1922-12-31

Mine Closure Reason: Ceasing Production - Other

Mine Closure Plan: No

Rehabilitation Plan: No

Mine Plans on File: Yes

Legal Jurisdiction: Mining Act

Date Record Last Modified: 2006-04-10

Location Information

Township or Area: Sibley

District: Thunder Bay

NTS Number: 052A07

Longitude (dd): -88.81195 | Latitude (dd): 48.32151

UTM Zone: 16 | Easting: 365681 | Northing: 5353622

Operational Access Description: Access; The Islet Is Located Approximately 1.5km Off Shore From The Community Of Silver Islet On The Sibley Peninsula. History: In 1868 There Was Initial Surface Exploration. The Shaft Sinking Began In 1869. Between 1870 And 1873, Crib Work Built Around Islet, Mined To 360' Level, And 2 Million Ounces Of Silver Were Produced. Between The Years 1873 And 1878 There Was Mostly Underground Exploration, Southerly Drifting On 3rd Level (150' Depth) In 1878 Encountered Rich Ore Producing 800,000 Ounces Of Silver. From 1878 To 1883 Underground Workings Developed To 1230' Depth. In 1921 An Exploration Drift On 4th Level Driven Southwest For 783', And A Diamond Drill Hole Extended A Further 431'. In The Year 1922 Mining Carried Out Above The 60' Level. Later, An Exploration Drift On 560' Level Was Extended Northwesterly Along Vein For 720'. Vein System Followed Northwest On Main Land With Trenches And Shallow Shafts. 1976 Visit Noted Numerous Areas Of Cave Ins On The Island, Indicating Potential For More Water Access Will Not Deter Visitors To This Famous Site. Hazard Signage Should Be A Priority. Subsidence Hazard. The Mine Is A Past Producer Developed On 16 Levels To A Depth Of 354m. Extensive Narrow Vein Stope's Underlie The Islet And Extend Under Lake Superior. Year 2000 Survey Reports The Main Shaft Is A Three Compartment Shaft.


Hazard Feature Information

Mine Feature
Hazard Status
Condition
UTM Zone
Easting
Northing
Lateral Workings
Not Available
Old Reports Show 16 Levels Of Lateral Workings Extending To A Depth Od 354m, As Well As Crosscuts. Extensive Narrow Vein Stopes Are Shown To Underlie The Islet And Extend Under Lake Superior.
16
365681
5353622
Shaft - 1 Compartment - Vertical Shaft
Active
2000 Assessment; Timbered Shaft Collared Located Off South End Of Islet Below Appeoximately 1m Of Water.
16
365681
5353622
Shaft - 3 Compartment - Vertical Shaft
Active
2000 Assessment; Timbered Shaft Collared Off Southwest End Of Islet Below Approximately 1m Of Water. Coordinates Approximated From Site Map.
16
365681
5353612

Mineral Deposit Identifier: MDI52A07SW00002


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The information herein is provided by MINES free of charge and for information purposes only. All information is provided "as is" without warranties or conditions of any kind either expressed or implied. In providing this AMIS database information, MINES and the Government of Ontario accept no liability and make no warranty or any representation regarding the use, accuracy, applicability, completeness, performance, availability , security or reliability of the information. MINES is not responsible for, nor does it independently verify any information, through field measurements or otherwise. It is the sole responsibility of the person choosing to receive and use this information to verify the accuracy of any information obtained from this data package. The reader is warned to under take his or her own independent investigation to validate this information. Reports provided within are not compliant with CSA standards.

Contact

Emilie Trottier
Mine Hazards Technical Specialist
Mine Rehabilitation Group
Willet Green Miller Center - Level B6
933 Ramsey Lake Road
Sudbury ON P3E 6B5
Email: emilie.trottier@ontario.ca
Phone: 705-280-8658


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