Rix-Athabasca Smitty Mine Site
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| Fenced raise, Smitty Mine |
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| Concrete foundations, Smitty Mine |
Location:
The Rix Athabasca Smitty mine is located approximately 6 km southwest of Uranium City, on the east shore of a small lake known as Emu Lake.
General Description:
The work planned for the Smitty site will be focused on debris collection and a thorough examination of all the openings to the underground workings.
In the 1950s, Rix-Athabasca Uranium Mines Ltd. explored three underground mines, which included the Smitty Mine. The site was investigated by trenching and several diamond drill holes.
This work warranted the sinking of a shaft in late 1952, and two levels were established. Production began in 1953 and Rix-Athabasca became the first privately owned Canadian uranium producer.
The mine was closed in 1960 when the ore was depleted. Over 650,000 lbs of U3O8 was shipped.
The Smitty Mine covers a larger area in which the main shaft is located near the centre of the mine site.
The shaft opening has been filled in with timbers, rock, and other miscellaneous debris. The stability of the closure is poor, as is the overall condition of the shaft area.
The final opening at the Smitty mine site is a raise that has been sealed with waste rock.
There is a significant amount of waste rock in the area near the main shaft. The rock has been used extensively for road construction and building foundations.
The debris in the area is extensive and wide ranging, primarily consisting of scrap metal of all types: wooden debris, piping, hoses, concrete, etc.
