Nesbitt LaBine ABC mine
Location
The ABC mine site is located four kilometres east of Uranium City, on the eastern shore of Melville Lake.
General Description
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A failed adit closure at ABC mine site
with bars added to prohibit entry.
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Shaft covered with makeshift
grate of steel pipe.
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Nesbitt Labine Uranium Mines Ltd. acquired the property and began prospecting in 1950. In 1952, an adit was driven 290 metres from the east shore of Melville Lake to investigate the main zone and other zones of radioactivity in the vicinity of the ABC fault line. In 1954, a new zone was discovered in the foot wall of the ABC fault by diamond drilling from the adit level to a depth of 152 metres below. To investigate further, an internal shaft was started in late 1955 and eventually sunk to a depth of 243 metres in early 1956.
Ore ran out and the entire operation was shut down by the end of 1956. In 1959, some high grading was done by W. Lietz, who shipped 70 tons of ore to the Eldorado mill. No uranium production was recorded after this date.
The adits were closed by filling the entrances with rock. The shaft on the hill side was covered with a steel grate. The mine closure structures are all in need of remediation. Slumping of material in front of the adits has exposed the openings, and the corroded steel grate covering the shaft is in need of replacement.
In the interest of safety, temporary improvements to both adits were made in 2007 pending the installation of permanent closures planned for 2008.
A shaft is located approximately 70 metres directly up-slope from adit 1 (approximately 30 metres above the level of Melville Lake). The steel covering the shaft requires improvement.
In addition to remediation of the mine openings, there is a significant amount of mining-related steel debris (rails, drill rods, ore carts, etc.) scattered around the site, which will be collected and disposed of appropriately.
