MINERAL
INVENTORY FILE NO.
595
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
PRODUCT
COPPER
NTS AREA
64B5NE
REF.
CU 1
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
NAME OF PROPERTY
RUTTAN LAKE (KARL NO. 1-6)
OWNER OF
OPERATOR ADDRESS
1987- Hudson Bay Mining and
Smelting Ltd.
1906-201 Portage
Ave.
Winnipeg, MB, R3B 3K6
OBJECT LOCATED
Open Pit, Ruttan Mine
MINING
DIVISION
The Pas
Latitude
56°28'30"
Longitude
99°38'14"
Uncertainty
(m)
200 m
UTM Zone
14V
Easting
461900
Northing
6258700
L.S./Quarter
Section
9
Section
19
Township
86
Range
14, 15 WPM
DESCRIPTION OF
DEPOSIT
The Ruttan deposit is situated in the extreme eastern portion of the
Rusty Lake greenstone belt; a belt of isoclinally folded Precambrian
metavolcanics and metasedimentary rocks. The deposit appears to be continued to
metavolcanic rocks containing numerous thin intercalated layers of metasediments
(especially meta-argillite) and sills of diorite, and quartz diorite. The
deposit also appears to be conformable with the metavolcanics. Dykes of granite
gabbro, diabase, and andesite intersect the ore zones and the wall rocks.
The
ore zones “appears to be, in part, structurally controlled along a northeasterly
trending shear zone. However, the precise time relationship between ore
emplacement and shearing is not known” (Steeves and Lamb, 1972, p. 48).
ASSOCIATED
MINERALS OR PRODUCTS OF VALUE
Zinc, silver, and gold
HISTORY OF
EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT
The ore zone consists of two major and “en schelon” massive to
semi-massive sulphide lenses which plunge 45° to the east, strike north 70°
east, and dip 67° to the southeast. The ore body has an average length of 823 m
(2700 ft) and an average width of 37 m (120 ft). The lenses overlap for part of
their length, creating a “bulge” in the ore zone, that is up to 137 m (450 ft)
wide in the centre section of the structure. This bulge has been traced downward
on an easterly plunge to the 214 m (700 ft) horizon. The average width of the
two individual zones is 20 m (65 ft) (Sherritt Gordon Mines Limited; Brochure of
General Information – Ruttan Lake, Annual Report 1969; Steeves and Lamb, 1972,
p. 48).
The Ruttan mine is situated in an area approximately 100 km southeast
of Lynn Lake, and 125 km northwest of Thompson in northern Manitoba. The town of
Leaf Rapids is located 24 km to the west of Ruttan mine. Leaf Rapids is
accessible by Provincial Road No. 391 that connects Lynn Lake with
Thompson.
During July 1968, an airborne geophysical survey, conducted by
Sherritt Gordon Mines Limited, located anomalies in the vicinity of Ruttan Lake.
Follow-up ground magnetic and electromagnetic surveys were conducted on the
Ruttan anomalies. The site of the Ruttan Lake anomaly (August 1968) was staked
as Karl No. 1-6 (P8855D-60D), by W.F. Clarke in August 1973. The area of the
second anomaly, located approximately 9 km to the northeast of the Karl claims,
was staked by L.F. Baribeau in September 1968 as Vol No. 1-18
(P9013D-30D)(Sherritt Gordon Mines Limited; Brochures of General Information on
Ruttan mine).
In the fall of 1968, the area was included in the airborne
INPUT electromagnetic and magnetic survey flown by Questor Surveys Limited, for
the Manitoba Mines Branch, as part of the Southern Indian Lake Project. The
Ruttan Lake copper (Cu)-zone “deposit corresponds to a 6-channel anomaly that
was flanked to the east by a four-channel anomaly, and to the west by three and
five channel anomalies” (Steeves and Lamb, 1972, p. 48).
In early April 1969,
diamond drilling tested the Ruttan Lake anomaly. The first drill hole
intersected a wide zone of Cu and Zn sulphide mineralization. This resulted in a
program of additional staking about the Karl and Vol claims, and of increased
diamond drilling activity. C.B. No. 804-850, 951-953 were staked by E. Freek,
and D. Sweeny, in April 1969. By year’s end, a total of 2100 m (69 000 ft) of
drilling had been completed. Ore reserves were calculated down to the 122 m (400
ft) level at 11.7 million tonnes (t) (12.9 million tons) averaging 1.44% Cu and
2.61% Zn (using a Cu-Zn equivalent to 0.70% Cu) (Sherritt Gordon Mines Limited;
Annual Report 1969).
Initial plans called for an open pit and a decline to
develop the orebody. Test drilling was done to determine overburden depths in
the planned open pit and plant area. In March 1970, a 3629 t (4000 ton) sample
was mine from the open pit area, and was tested in a pilot mill at Lynn Lake, to
obtain design criteria for the concentrator.
During June 1970, various claims
about the Ruttan Lake deposit were assigned to Sherritt Gordon Mines
Limited.
The extensive drilling program was maintained until November 1970. A
total of 115 holes were drilled involving 42 000 m (138 000 ft), bringing the
total to 61 600 m (202 000 ft). Ore reserves, to the 610 m (2000 ft) level and
based on the 0.70% Cu equivalent cutoff grade, were calculated to be 46.3
million t (51 million tons ) averaging 1.47% Cu and 1.61% Zn. No allowance for
dilution was included. (Sherritt Gordon Mines Limited; Annual Report
1969).
In the latter part of 1970, a contract was let for the removal of
approximately 1.9 million m3 (2.5 million yds3)of overburden from the open pit
area, and construction of the mine site began in November 1970.
The decision
to bring the Ruttan mine into production was made early in 1971 and production
was scheduled for July 1, 1973. Initial requirements for the Ruttan mine were
estimated to total $100 million. This included $40 million to bring the
underground portion into production (Sherritt Gordon Mines Limited, Annual
Report 1970, 1971, 1974).
The Karl and Vol Groups of claims, and C.B. No.
804-820, 850, 951-953 were surveyed, in 1972, as Lot No. 1-27 of group 522. In
February 1973, a 21 year lease (M9476) was issued to Sherritt Gordon Mines
Limited for Karl No. 1-6, Lot. 6. At the same time, 21-year leases were also
issued for the other surveyed claims. Lot No. 1-5, 7-29 corresponds to Lease No.
M9471-75, M9477-78, M9480-97.
Construction of the mine site, including the
open pit, was completed by April 1973. The second phase of development (the
decline) was started during July 1972, and by the end of 1973, had reached the
305 m (1000 ft) level. Drifting was also started at the 305 m(1000 ft)
level.
The first Cu concentrate was shipped to Lynn Lake on April 23, 1973
and the first Zn concentrate followed in early June. Official production of the
Ruttan mine began on July 1, 1973. (Sherritt Gordon Mines Limited, Annual Report
1973).
In 1974, approximately 60% of the Zn concentration were shipped to
Mitsubishi Mining co. Ltd. and Mitsubishi Shoji Kaisha Ltd. in Japan. This was
the first year of a 10 year contract with these companies, which had lent $15
million for development costs. The balance of the Zn concentrate was diverted to
the Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting Co. Limited in Flin Flon for processing.
Processing of the Cu concentrate was to be smelted and refined by Noranda Mines
Limited, under a similar 10 year contact. During 1974, Noranda Mines Limited
also diverted approximately two-thirds of the Cu concentrate to Flin Flon
(Sherritt Gordon Mines Limited; Annual Report 1970, 1971,
1974).
Effective January 11, 1975, a 21 year lease status for the Ruttan
mines property (lease no. M9471-78, M9480-97) was converted to either a
production lease status or to a claim status. The production leases (P.L.) were
issued for a 10 year term. The distribution of the claims is as
follows:
P.L. Property
15............C.B. 951 (Lot 2), C.B. 804 (Lot
3) and parts of Karl 1 , 2 , 3,5,6 (Lot 6);
16............C.B. 812 (Lot 15),
Vol 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 (Lot 16) Vol 18 (Lot 20), C.B. 805 (Lot 9), C.B. 806
(Lot
................8) and parts of Karl 4,5,6 (Lot
6);
17............C.B. 805 (Lot 1), C.B. 807 (Lot 4), C.B. 808 (Lot 5) and
parts of Karl 2,3,4,5 (Lot 6)
18............C.B. 815 (Lot 10), C.B. 820 (Lot
13), C.B. 813 (Lot 14), Vol 1,2,6,7 (Lot 18) C.B. 810 (Lot 25),
and
................parts of Karl 5,6 (Lot 6)
During 1975, a conveyor
system, installed in the decline from the 305 m (1000 ft) level to the surface,
was put into operation. Drifting was done on the footwall side of the orebody on
the 244 m (800 ft) level for detailed drilling of the orebody from the 188 m
(600 ft) level to the 305 m (1000 ft) level. Also in 1975, the access decline
was deepened at 15° to the 365 m (1200 ft) level.
Commencing in December
1975, the planned annual production rate was decreased from 3 180 000 t (3 500
000 tons ) to 2 540 000 t (2 800 000 tons) of ore (Sherritt Gordon Mines
Limited; Annual Report 1975).
From 1976 to 1980, a crosscut was extended
through the ore zones on the 365 m (1200 ft) level and a drift was driven into
the hangingwall side. Sherritt also proceeded with deepening the mine to the 427
m (1400 ft) level with the intention of continuing to the 610 m (2000 ft) level
to make the transition from an open pit to an underground mine (Sherritt Gordon
Mines Limited, Annual Report, 1976). The headframe from the old A mine at Lynn
Lake was transported to Ruttan, to be used with the new shaft. Sherritt
continued with deepening the mine to 550 m, 610 m and 670 m (1800, 2000 and 2200
ft) levels by 1980.
An irregular ore body was found in 1981, this, along with
consistently low Cu prices, led to cutbacks in production and a 15-week shut
down of the mine. In 1983, $30 million was spent to deepen the mine an
additional 200 m (650 ft).
In 1986, Sherritt Gordon announced it’s intent to
sell or close the mine (Northern Miner, June 1, 1987) in an attempt to reduce
the company’s $220 million debt, which included a $10 million loan from Manitoba
Government. In 1987, however, Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting Co. Limited (H.B.M.
& S.) took over the loan payments on to the government, assumed the property
and prevented the closure of the mine.
In 1988, workers striked over changes
in wage bonuses. In 1989, exploration began at the new Ruttan Lake W Anomaly,
indicating 4 million t of probable ore. Production on this anomaly began in 1991
(Canadian Mines Handbook, 1992-1993, p.187).
In 1999, due to unprecedented
low Cu prices, Hudson Bay announced the upcoming closure of mine, scheduled for
2003. In November 2001, however, it was announced that the mine would actually
close in May of 2002 (Northern Miner, November 19-25, 2001), 18 months earlier
than expected. With the remaining resources, as of January 2001, were proven and
probable, 6.7 million t averaging 1.0% Cu and 1.7% Zn, the Ruttan mine closed on
May 31, 2001 (Canadian Mines Handbook 2001-02, p. 189).
HISTORY OF
PRODUCTION
Year........One Milled...Cu...Zn..... Cu, in...........Zn,
in.......Ag.......Au
................(million......(%)......(%).....concentrate...............
(000s oz) (000s oz)……tonnes)
.............(millions
lbs)
1973……1.697……1.14……2.01.......
36.072……43.113……-……-
1974……3.046……1.07……1.68……61.934……78.686……-……-
1975……3.030……0.96……1.90……54.939……98.207……-……-
1976……1.229……1.14……2.00……-……-……-……-
1977……5.019……1.37……1.78……-……-……-……-
1978……2.543……1.17……1.57……52.268……62.276……-……-
1979……2.308……1.39……1.17……57.678……37.320……-……-
1980……2.548……1.36……1.02……62.293……30.378……-……-
1981……1.877……1.30……1.25……44.540……32.687……-……-
1982……0.865……2.16……0.14……35.796……-……-……-
1983……1.428……1.62……0.73……43.69……14.554……-……-
1984……1.558……1.47……0.91……42.741……21.156……-……-
1985……No
statistics available for these
years.
1986……
1987……-……-……-……56.0……24.0……405……15
REFERENCES
Canadian Mines Handbook 1993: Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting Co. Ltd.;
Canadian Mines
Handbook 1992-93, p.187
Canadian Mines Handbook 2002:
Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting Co. Ltd.; Canadian Mines
Handbook 2001-02,
p.189
Manitoba Mineral Resources Division NE5 , 64B; Corporation files,
Sherritt Gordon Mines Limited
Northern Miner 1987: Copper Prices Boost
Hudson Bay Ruttan; Northern Miner, December
21, 1987.
Northern Miner
1989: Sherritt Gordon intends to dispose of Ruttan mine; Northern Miner,
June
1, 1989.
Northern Miner 2001: Ruttan to close sooner; Northern Miner,
November 19, 2001.
Olsen, Mac 2002: Despite mine closure, Leaf Rapids
moves on; Nickel Belt News, v.41
No. 38A, p. 1-3.
Pearse, G. 1964:
Geology of the Pemichigamau Lake Area, 64B/6 (East Half); Publication
61-3;
Manitoba Mines Branch.
Sherritt Gordon Mines Limited 1977:
Annual Report 1977; Sherritt Gordon Mines Limited.
Sherritt Gordon Mines
Limited 1979: Annual Report
Sherritt Gordon Mines Limited 1981: Annual
Report 1981, Sherritt Gordon Mines Limited.
Sherritt Gordon Mines Limited
1983: Annual Report 1983, Sherritt Gordon Mines Limited.
Steeves, M.A.
and Lamb, C.F. 1972: Geology of the Issett-Opachuanau-Pemichigamau-Earp
Lakes
Area; Publication 71-2F; Manitoba Mines Branch.
Thomas, D.C. 1971:
Sherritt Gordon Mines Limited: a Big Stake in Manitoba; Western Miner, vol. 44,
No. 5, p. 30.34.
MAP REFERENCES
Manitoba Industry Trades and Mines 2002: Map 64B Uhman Lake, Manitoba
Industry Trades and
Mines, Mineral Disposition and Quarry Lease Compilation,
scale 1:250 000.
Manitoba Mineral Resources Division: Maps, NE5, 64B,
“Circa 1976”, Claim Map Series; Mining
Recording, Mineral Resources Division,
claim map, scale 1:31 680.
Manitoba Mines Branch and Geological Survey of
Canada: Map 2388G Pemichigamau Lake;
Manitoba Mines Branch and Geological
Survey of Canada, aeromagnetic map, scale 1:63 360.
Pearse, G. 1964: Map
61-3 Pemichigamau Lake Area (East Half); 1:63 360 scale, geological
map
accompanying; Manitoba Mines Branch, Publication 61-3.
Steeves,
M.A. and Lamb, C.F. 1972: Map 71-2-6 Pemichigamau Lake; 1:50 000
scale,
geological map, accompanies Manitoba Mines Branch, Publication
71-2F.
Surveys & Mapping Branch 1985: Map 64A-5 Pemichigamau Lake;
Surveys & Mapping
Branch, Ottawa, topographic map (3rd Edition), scale
1:50 000
URL
N/A
Images
Images/0595-1
REMARKS
N/A
NOTES
Revised 03-03
Compiled/Revised
by:
GRJ; JJ
Date
06-72 02.73 09-76; 05-02
