Chief Consolidated Mine

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This page was last updated on November 7, 2025.

(The focus of this page is the surface workings of the Chief Consolidated mine, as visible in photographs, as well as a general description of the mine, with minimal coverage of the geology and financial returns. Also to establish a timeline using sources not previously readily available.)

Overview

The following description of the East Tintic district comes from USGS Profession Paper 1024, published in 1979.

Prospecting was first undertaken in East Tintic in 1870; although small quantities of ore were produced in 1899 and from 1909 to 1913, the district first achieved prominence in 1916 with the discovery of the totally concealed Central ore body of the Tintic Standard mine. Within a few years of this discovery, the Tintic Standard became one of the most productive silver mines in the world. Additional discoveries of important concealed ore deposits have continued to be made in the district, including the North Lily mine in 1927, the Eureka Lilly and Eureka Standard mines in 1928, the Burgin mine in 1958, and the Trixie mine in 1969.

To December 31, 1975, the East Tintic mining district has yielded approximately 4.83 million short tons (4.38 million tonnes) of silver, gold, and base-metal ores, largely from concealed deposits overlain by many hundreds of feet of barren rocks. These ores have a gross valuation of approximately $231 million. The district first achieved prominence in 1916 with the discovery of the ore bodies of the Tintic Standard mine, which for a time was the world's richest silver producer (Lindgren, 1933, p. 588). By 1946 this deposit and a number of other deposits discovered and developed nearby had been exhausted, and the district became dormant.

A dramatic revival of, mining activities in the East Tintic district began in 1956 after the discovery and subsequent development of the concealed Burgin ore bodies in an area 1 mile (1.6 km) southeast of the Tintic Standard that previously had been only superficially prospected. As in the earlier history of the district, the Burgin development has led to the discovery of other concealed deposits, focusing international attention on the revitalization of a nearly abandoned mining district by the application of geologic and geochemical techniques.

Chief Consolidated Mine, Eureka

"The entrance in 1909 of the Chief Consolidated Mining Company into the area proved of great importance to Eureka and the Tintic Mining District. Walter Fitch, Sr., had entered Tintic earlier, purchasing shares of the Little Chief Mining Company. On January 21, 1909, the company was incorporated, and by March operations launched. In July, Fitch organized the Eureka City Mining Company, with the explicit purpose of prospecting under the Eureka townsite. By July 1910 the Chief Consolidated and Eureka City Mining companies were consolidated." (Notarianni, Faith, Hope and Prosperity, 1982, page 87)

"In 1909 Walter Fitch sank a shaft in Eureka Gulch to explore beneath the Rhyolite for the northward continuation of the Mammoth-Eagle and Blue Bell ore channels. After an expenditure of $300,000 in sinking and drifting, a silver-lead ore channel was found on the 1400 level in the Chief No.1 mine. Since then the Chief has been in almost continuous operation." (Geology and Ore Deposits of Tintic Mining District, Utah Geological Society, 1957, page 77)

February 20, 1909
The Chief Consolidated Mining company was organized to take over the property of the Little Chief Mining company, and several other mining claims just east of the town of Eureka. The new company would commence operations through the Little Chief shaft, which was already down 1,400 feet. Work at the Little Chief shaft had resumed several weeks ago after repairs had been made to replace the shaft house and machinery destroyed in a fire "last fall." (Salt Lake Herald, February 20, 1909)

March 1, 1909
Walter Fitch was president of the new Chief Consolidated Mining company. He was formerly superintendent of the Calumet & Hecla mine in Michigan, and previous to that general manager of the United States Mining company in Utah. The new company takes over the interests of the American Mines syndicate in the Tintic district, organized two years before by John Van Evera, president of the Little Chief Mining company. Other officers of the Little Chief included officers of other successful copper mines in the Michigan district, along with bankers that also served the Michigan mines. The interests of the American Mines Syndicate in Eureka included 160 acres made up of mining claims held by either majority of stock, or by bonds and leases. The syndicate had spent $85,000 on the Little Chief property over the previous two years, installing equipment and developing the potential ore body. The surface plant had burned in September 1908, but was thoroughly rebuilt with more capacity to reach down 2,000 feet. The mine resumed operations on February 1, 1909. The shaft was down to the 1400 level, with crosscuts of 400 feet into the ore. (Salt Lake Tribune, March 1, 1909; Salt Lake Herald, March 4, 1909)

April 21, 1909
The Chief Consolidated Mining Company, a corporation organized in Arizona, filed its articles of incorporation with the Juab County Clerk on April 21, 1909. On April 24, 1909, the company filed a copy of its articles of incorporation with the Utah Secretary of State, allowing the company to due business in Utah. (Salt Lake Herald, April 22, 1909; Salt Lake Telegram, April 24, 1909, "today")

June 16, 1909
The Chief Consolidated Mining company announced to all minority stockholders of the Little Chief Mining company, that it would exchange one share of the Chief company for three shares of the Little Chief company. (Salt Lake Herald, June 16, 1909)

June 25, 1909
The Chief Consolidated company shipped its first ore to market, to the surprise of many observers who were expecting a much longer delay. The ore was taken from a recent raise from the 1000 level, into a three-foot body of galena ore. The work extending the main shaft down to 1800 feet was continuing. (Salt Lake Tribune, June 26, 1909)

August 2, 1909
The Eureka City Mining company was organized to "search for mineral under the Eureka townsite. Already, $100,000 had been spent by the Chief Consolidated people to develop the property. The officers were the same as the Chief Consolidated company. The plan is to make every land owner in Eureka a stockholder in the new company, with each land owner of one acre of land being entitled to 1,000 shares of the company, with owners of more of less land in proportion. Prospecting for mineral was to begin immediately, working through the Chief Consolidated company's shaft. No prospecting would take place at any depth less than 700 feet below the surface, thus ensuring no danger to surface improvements or water wells. The plan was "met with hearty endorsement of the property owners." The stock of the new company was non-assessible, thereby protecting stockholders' ownership except by sale. (Deseret News, August 2, 1909)

December 27, 1909
"On the 1600 level of the mine, 700 feet of drifting has been accomplished, to develop the property of the Eureka City Mining company, recently organized by Manager Walter Fitch of the Chief Consolidated. The ore body was encountered on the 1400 level, which divides the two properties within a distance of 175 feet. The development work on the Eureka City Mining company's holdings which embrace the underground mineral rights of Eureka City and in which nearly all the taxpayers of Eureka City are shareholders, is being carried on from the 1400 and 1600 levels of the Chief Consolidated mine." (Salt Lake Tribune, December 27, 1909)

January 9, 1910
"Manager Walter Fitch of the Chief Consolidated Mining company is preparing to install heavier machinery at the company's Tintic mine, which, since last October, has attained prominence as a producer. The new plant of machinery will be of capacity to permit of working the property of the Eureka City Mining company through the Chief workings." (Salt Lake Herald, January 9, 1910)

February 23, 1910
Stock in the Eureka City Mining company was being exchanged for stock in the Chief Consolidated Mining company at the rate of five shares of Eureka company stock for one share of Chief company stock. (Deseret News, February 23, 1910)

(By February 1910, the Chief Consolidated company was shipping nine cars of high-grade silver-lead ore per week. Such production from a mine that was only one year old was remarkable, which explains why the Chief Consolidated became so famous, so fast. The previous Little Chief mine, while down as deep as 1,400 feet, had not been shipping ore to market. The mine was making a profit of $30,000 per month, about $1.1 million in 2025.)

March 15, 1910
"Eureka Reporter: Manager Walter Fitch, of the Chief Consolidated Mining company, has just placed an order for one of the most modern hoisting engines on the market, as well as a couple of large boilers and other material needed to give his company one of the best hoisting plants in the district. The machinery will be purchased direct from the factory, and the contract calls for delivery to be made within four months, although the boilers will no doubt be sent forward at an earlier date." (Salt Lake Mining Review, March 15, 1910)

March 24, 1910
"The Chief Consolidated Mining company the last of February had shipped the total of 2,006 tons of ore, netting $46,147, or an average of $23 a ton, after paying transportation and smelting charges, according to the report of President Walter Fitch. Production was begun last October. It is estimated that the March production will be 800 to 1,000 tons. Nearly the whole of this production is coming from the 1,400-foot level, but some is coming from the 1,600-foot level and indications are that that level will soon develop the same ore shoot that is being worked on the 1,400-foot level." (Salt Lake Herald, March 24, 1910) ($46,147 in 1910 is equal to about $1.6 million in 2025. This was for the period of just the one month of February 1910.)

June 30, 1910
"Chief Consolidated's total expenses since the beginning of operations, including the shaft sinking and driving the long crosscuts for exploratory and development work, has amounted to barely $100,000, and therefore the returns on the ore, $82,160, has come within less than $18,000 of balancing this entire mine development cost, including the large amount of dead work which necessarily goes with the early stages of a mine's career. Such an achievement during the first 18 months of operation, while ore production came almost entirely from development drifts and raises, forecasts a highly favorable condition, after the ore bodies have been more fully opened up and regular mining and stoping are under way." (Deseret News, June 30, 1910)

August 9, 1910
"Chief Consolidated has completed all payments on its properties and has cash on hand with which to make the payments on its permanent hoisting engine, now promised for delivery not later than the end of September." (Deseret News, August 9, 1910)

August 26, 1910
"Development of the mine has been retarded by the inadequacy of the hoisting plant. A new and much heavier plant was ordered many months ago; it was to have been delivered in June, but the time was set forward to September. Pending the installing of the new machinery, sinking and crosscutting had to be abandoned and development has been confined to drifting both ways on the 1400-foot level." (Salt Lake Herald, August 26, 1910)

October 9, 1916
Walter Fitch of the Chief Consolidated company, purchased control of the Plutus Mining company from David Evans and the Knight interests. The November 1916 annual report for the Chief Consolidated company included the following, "During the year your company [Chief Consolidated] has purchased numerous additional mining claims and also a majority of the shares of the Plutus Mining company, which it now controls. The lands of that company adjoin those of yours and it will be explored by the extension of the mine's workings." (Provo Daily Herald, October 9, 1916; Salt Lake Herald, November 7, 1916)

(Although the Chief Consolidated company controlled the Plutus company after 1916 through ownership of a majority of the stock, the company remained separate due to its minority shareholders.)

March 9, 1917
By early March 1917, it was reported, "The Victoria shaft [of the Eagle & Blue Bell company] was being used for the development of the Plutus and officials of the Chief Consolidated company are anxious to continue the prospecting of that section of the big estate owned by the Plutus, which they now control." The driving of the drift from the Victoria shaft into the Plutus ground, passing through Eagle & Blue Bell and Victoria ground, was started in November 1916. Any ore values found would be paid to the Eagle & Blue Bell company, which also controlled the Victoria company. (Salt Lake Herald, November 12, 1916; Eureka Reporter, March 9, 1917)

July 6, 1918
No. 2 Shaft -- "The Chief Consolidated company will at once commence sinking of another large working shaft. This shaft will be located on the Crusader claims, west of the Knightsville wagon road and about half a mile east of the present working shaft of the Chief. There are already a couple of shafts on that part of the Chief's territory, known as the Plutus and the Smuggler, but these are rather poorly located and will not be utilized in the campaign of work which is to be done. The point where the new shaft, to be known as No. 2, is located is just outside the Eureka City limits. It will be possible to build railroad tracks both above and below it, and the shaft will be in a position where it will not only serve an important section of the Chief property, but the Plutus property as well, which is also controlled by the same interests." The new shaft will take about a year to complete, with the goal being about 2,000 feet deep. (Deseret News, July 6, 1918)

(By March 1919, the No. 2 shaft was down to 400 feet, and was being concrete-lined its entire distance. A concrete shaft was necessary due to the soft ground it was passing through. Normal timber sets would not have supported the surrounding ground.)

March 26, 1920
Chief Consolidated No. 2 Shaft -- "This shaft is one of the largest in the state and it is the first to be concrete lined from top to bottom. The present depth of the shaft is about 1,200 feet and sinking will continue to the permanent water level, which will be about 1,800 feet." (Eureka Reporter, March 26, 1920)

July 15, 1920
The Chief Consolidated company's No. 2 shaft was down to 1,450 feet. The idea of a concrete lined shaft was not new or experimental, with the earliest examples being in Michigan in 1903. The five reasons for shaft being concrete-lined were: 1 - To ensure perfect alignment, without concern for "swelling" in the parts that passed through porphyry layers. Swelling had been known to snap 8x8 timbers; 2 - Safety, by not having to be concerned with projections which all safer hoisting of loads of all kinds without danger of catching on shaft lining; 3 - Permanent construction, doing away with wood linings that decay and require expensive replacement; 4 - Fire protection by not having wood linings; 5 - Control of the flow of water. (Salt Lake Mining Review, July 15, 1920)

(Article about the Chief Consolidated No. 2 shaft is in The Salt Lake Mining Review, July 15, 1920, page 25-28, with diagrams of form work)

(Article about the concreting of the Chief Consolidated No. 2 shaft is in Engineering & Mining Journal, Volume 110, Number 10, September 4, 1920, page 460-462)

January 3, 1921
Concreting work on the new No. 2 shaft was completed, and drifting was to start "the first of the coming week." The shaft was concrete lined from top to the bottom at 1,900 feet. (Deseret News, January 3, 1921)

March 6, 1921
The connection was made between the new No. 2 concrete shaft, and the old workings at the 1800-foot level. The connection allowed better ventilation of the old workings, with the temperature being immediately reduced "quite noticeably." (Eureka Reporter, March 6, 1921)

November 5, 1921
"The Chief Consolidated Mining Co. has acquired control of the Eureka Lily Mining Co. and the East Tintic Mining Co., both of which are situated in the eastern end of the Tintic district. The Eureka Lily property adjoins the Tintic Standard mine, while, the East Tintic company owns two blocks of ground that are divided by the Iron King holdings. At the annual meeting of the Eureka Lily stockholders on November 5 a new board of directors was elected, four of whom are officials of the Chief Consolidated; they are Walter Fitch, Cecil Fitch, L. H. Cripps, and Thomas Carmichael, while the fifth director is R. J. Evans, former president of the Eureka Lily. Acquisition of these two properties is in line with the policy of the Chief Consolidated to enlarge its holdings so as to perpetuate the company. The Chief company has built up one of the most successful mine organizations in the State, and it is known that its officials have taken a keen interest in the eastern part of the Tintic district ever since the Tintic Standard first found ore in 1915. It is reported that the Chief company has a substantial interest, if not control, in the Apex-Standard property, which is situated in the eastern part of this district." (Deseret Mews, November 5, 1921, "this morning"; Mining and Scientific Press, Vol. 123, November 19, 1921)

(There were rumors during late October 1921 that someone was buying large blocks of Eureka Lily stock. Grant Snyder, manager of the Eureka Lily stated that the Eureka Lily stock was "badly scattered" and that control had "never rested in the hands of one or two people." At one point, parties connected with the Chief Consolidated company bought 4,000 shares of Eureka Lily stock at 9.5 cents per share. -- Eureka Reporter, October 28, 1921; Salt Lake Telegram, November 5, 1921)

(The purchase of control of the Eureka Lily company by the Chief Consolidated company put the Chief company on the ground in East Tintic, adjacent to the Tintic Standard, which had been shipping large tonnage and high value ores almost from its early days in 1915. The Chief company wanted in on the success.)

October 18, 1921
"For the three months ending October 18, the Water Lily shaft was sunk a distance of 1106.8 ft., or an average of 368.9 ft. per month. The shaft is now down to a depth of 1250 feet." (Mining and Scientific Press, Vol. 123, November 19, 1921)

1922
During 1922, the Chief Consolidated was among the top ten gold producers in the state. It was the largest producer of silver in the state. It was also the largest produced of lead in the state, followed closely by United States Smelting Refining & Mining company, which had operations at both Eureka and Bingham. Also in 1922, the Chief Consolidated acquired control of the Grand Central, Gemini and Eureka mines. (Utah Payroll Builder, Volume 9, Number 9-10, 1922, page 28)

January 12, 1922
The Chief Consolidated Mining company exercised the option held by Paul Hillsdale for the purchase of "more than fifty per cent of the outstanding stock" of the Grand Central Mining company. Hillsdale held a lease of the entire property and released the property to leasers, "more than a hundred men are at work while the property is shipping at the rate of about two carloads, or 100 tons, daily." During the period of the option, the Chief Consolidated company investigated the property and determined that with additional expenditures for development, the Grand Central could begin shipping considerable tonnage. They would add more crosscuts and drifts, and begin deeper mining. The Grand Central workings would be connected with the Chief Consolidated's No. 2 shaft. A new compressor was being installed, and electric power had been extended over the mountain from the Chief Consolidated's transformer at its No. 1 shaft. The Grand Central's aerial tramway would remain in service because it had the capacity needed for present and future production. The leases for the leasers working the Grand Central property would be changed to match those of the Chief Consolidated company, which had proven to be very successful for both the company and the leasers. (Eureka Reporter, January 13, 1922, "yesterday")

February 3, 1922
Control of Apex Standard, East Tintic Consolidated, and Eureka Lily -- "During the past year the Chief Consolidated has acquired substantial interests in East Tintic. Among the properties acquired are the East Tintic Consolidated from the Knight Interests, the Eureka Lily from the Snyder interests and through purchase of treasury stock in the Apex Standard, control or options for the control of the Apex Standard, Tintic Zenith and Tintic Union." (Eureka Reporter, February 3, 1922)

February 13, 1922
"The Water Lily shaft in the East end of the [Chief Consolidated] company's holdings in East Tintic, was bottomed at 1468 feet, a point slightly below permanent water level, and drifting was taken up on the 1442 level." (Deseret News, February 13, 1922)

April 7, 1922
From the Eureka Reporter, April 7, 1922.

The holdings of the Chief Consolidated company now amount to about 8,000 acres, according to Manager Cecil Fitch, and in this big tract of mineral land there are over 4,500 acres of patented ground. Government title to many of the company's unpatented claims will most likely be secured before the end of the present year.

During 1921 the Chief Consolidated people added many acres to their holdings in this district, taking over, among other groups of claims, the Eureka Lily, the East Tintic Consolidated, the Apex Standard, Tintic Union, Tintic Zenith and Tintic Eastern, all in the eastern end of the district, and a number of large tracts in the North Tintic section. Since the first of the present year the Chief people have acquired the Grand Central, one of the older mines of the district, but a property with wonderful possibilities.

Among the most important pieces of development work which this organization has in progress at the present time is the prospecting of the Water Lily tract at a point just above the water level, the development of the Apex Standard ground at a depth of 900 feet, and extensive work in behalf of the Plutus. At the Apex Standard over 225 feet of drifting was made last month in one of the headings and another month's work is expected to take this drift to the lime formation in which an ore body will no doubt be found. With all of this work under way 1922 ought to be a most eventful one for the Chief, especially in view of the fact that new' ore developments have recently taken place in the main workings of the company.

Chief Consolidated Buys Grand Central (1922)

May 28, 1922
Grand Central Purchased -- The Chief Consolidated company notified the stockholders of the Grand Central company that when they took possession, they found that the mechanical equipment at the surface and underground was old and obsolete, and required replacement. They advanced $53,000 to the Grand Central company to upgrade and modernize the equipment. An additional $83,000 in improvements were needed to the hoist and electrical system, an additional compressor, improvements to other equipment and shaft repairs, all of which would bring the Grand Central property up to Chief Consolidated company's standard. An additional $80,000 would be needed to install pumping equipment when development work reaches the water level, and $100,000 will be needed to fund the planned intensive development work. The stock of the Grand Central company was non-assessible, and rather than reorganizing the Grand Central company to make the stock accessible to pay for improvements, the Chief Consolidated company could either make a loan to the Grand Central company, increasing the company's indebtedness, or offer to purchase the minority shares at the same price they paid for the stock they obtained (60 cents per share), or exchange one share of Chief Consolidated company for ten shares of the Grand Central company. The minority stockholders would have until June 30th to make their decision. (Salt Lake Tribune, May 28, 1922)

(All of the outstanding stock of the Grand Central Mining company was fully purchased by the Chief Consolidated Mining company in June 1922.)

October 24, 1922
"In order to simplify office work, the Grand Central Mining company will dissolved and the shipments of this property considered part of the present [Chief Consolidated] corporation. All of the stock of the Grand Central Mining company has now been acquired by the Chief Consolidated Mining company." (Salt Lake Tribune, October 24, 1922)

September 23, 1922
The stock of the Eureka Mines company was active because news had been received that Eureka Mines company had been taken over by Chief Consolidated. (Salt Lake Tribune, September 23, 1922)

Chief Consolidated Buys Eureka Hill (1922)

October 18, 1922
From the Eureka Reporter, October 20, 1922.

The Eureka Hill company has gone the way of the Grand Central, the Gemini, the Ridge & Valley, Eureka Mines, and nearly a score of other local mines, which is one way of saying that the old time producer has passed into the hands of the Chief Consolidated people.

On Wednesday [Oct. 18] the deal, which gave the Chief company the management and control of the Eureka Hill, was closed. At that time four representatives of the Chief were elected to places on the board of the Eureka Hill, which is one of the oldest mining corporations of Utah, organized at a time when million share corporations were unheard of. This company has but 10,000 shares issued, with a very modest par value and an exceptionally brilliant dividend record, the Eureka Hill ground having carried a liberal portion of Tintic’s old original ore channel on which are located such mines as the Gemini, Bullion Beck and Centennial Eureka. Even in recent years this company has been a dividend payer in a small way, but principally because of the fact that it owns valuable water rights at Homansville and a system which supplies the city of Eureka and many of the district's mines. This water system goes to the Chief along with other holdings of the company.

Since the dismantling of the hoisting plant several years ago, which followed the closing of the mine and the large stamp mill, the operations in the Eureka Hill have been carried out in a rather desultory fashion by lessees, who operated in close proximity to the surface or through adjoining mines.

Acquisition of the Eureka Hill gives the Chief Cons, company a solid block of ground in the vicinity of their main workings. The newly acquired property was worked at a time when mining was handled in an entirely different manner than at present.

October 24, 1922
"Control of the Eureka Hill mine has been acquired by the Chief Consolidated company, it is reported. By the consummation of this deal the Chief company has secured the major interest in the oldest property in the camp. Operation of the mine will be conducted on the leasing system." (Salt Lake Tribune, October 24, 1922)

Chief Consolidated Buys Gemini (1922)

(Two mines originally developed by the same owners, concurrent with the Gemini, the Ridge & Valley and the Eureka Mines companies, are not covered here due to their low production, other then by brief mention.)

(The Ridge & Valley mine, with 39 claims and 443 acres, adjoined the Gemini property. Ridge & Valley operations were conducted through the Gemini shaft. -- Salt Lake Mining Review, September 15, 1922)

September 22, 1922
From the Salt Lake Tribune, September 22, 1922.

Conveyance of the properties of the Gemini Mining company and the Ridge and Valley Mining company to the Chief Consolidated Mining company was announced at the local offices of the latter corporation yesterday as being completed. Stock control of the Eureka Mines company, another of the McChrystal properties, has also been taken over by Chief Consolidated Mining company. Mention of the price paid was not made.

Yesterday a statement made by officials of the Chief Consolidated Mining company confirmed the Tribune's article of two weeks ago in which it was noted that negotiations for the Gemini and the Ridge and Valley properties at Eureka had been practically completed by the Chief Consolidated Mining company.

On Monday and Tuesday afternoons of this week special stockholders' meetings of the companies, the Gemini and the Ridge and Valley were called to ratify the sale of the assets and effects of their corporations upon the terms and conditions agreed upon by their respective boards of directors.

Both the Ridge and Valley and the Gemini join the Chief Consolidated Mining company's estate at Eureka on the west. For the time being it is the plan of the management to work the newly acquired properties through the Gemini shaft, the point of entry from which both mines have been worked by the McChrystal management, although the three estates are connected for ventilation and safety purposes.

The Gemini has been one of the most profitable mine enterprises in the Eureka district. Jackson McChrystal, vice president and general manager of the Gemini company, to whom a large measure of the organization's success is attributed, is generally conceded to be one of the efficient mine operators in the state.

A remarkable feature of the mineralization in the Gemini mine is its richness as well as persistence. On the lowest level, the 1900, the mineral content of the ore is said to be as heavy as on the upper levels. Two hundred feet below the 1900 level of the Gemini, on the 2100 level of the Chief Consolidated, it is understood, some remarkable ore bodies have been opened up.

Both the Ridge and Valley and the Eureka Mines, while productive only in a small way, are considered to have great promise. The Eureka Mines, adjoining the Gemini, is traversed by the same mineral channels so productive in the latter property.

By acquisition of the Gemini and the Ridge and Valley holdings, the Chief Consolidated Mining company's estate of over 8000 acres will be increased by approximately 550 acres. During the years of 1921 and 1922 the Chief company has acquired control of no less than nine companies, among which are the Eureka Lily, the East Tintic Consolidated, the Apex Standard, the Tintic Union, the Tintic Zenith and the Tintic Eastern, all situated in the newer or eastern part of the district and now the Gemini, the Ridge and Valley and the Eureka Mines in the older part of the camp on the outskirts of the town of Eureka.

October 24, 1922
"At the Gemini mine a number of important changes are being made by the Chief Consolidated Mining company, which recently took over the property along with the Ridge and Valley and the Eureka Mines. The large frame building standing over the head of the Gemini mine has been torn down. Another compressor has been installed and the collar of the shaft lined with cement. A large part of the underground trackage has been changed and the rails spaced eighteen inches apart instead of twenty, so that Chief Consolidated cars may he used in the Gemini." (Salt Lake Tribune, October 24, 1922)

December 31, 1922
"The year has also been notable for the property acquisitions made by the Chief Consolidated Mining company. Among the mines to come under Chief Consolidated control were the McChrystal properties, the Eureka Mines, the Ridge and Valley and the Gemini. The Eureka Hill and the Grand Central, both old and important producers, were also merged with Chief Consolidated holdings, as well as a number of groups of claims on the east side of the district." (Salt Lake Tribune, December 31, 1922)

January 15, 1923
"Production from the Grand Central, Gemini, Eureka Hill and Eureka Mines has been included in the Chief Consolidated shipments since October, as these four properties, have been acquired by the latter company, which is opening them up upon the same leasing basis which has proven so successful in the development of the Chief Consolidated property. The purchase of these four mines is one of the outstanding events of the year [1922]." (Salt Lake Mining Review, January 13, 1923)

March 14, 1924
The Chief Consolidated Mining company had acquired the mines of the Gemini Mining company, the Ridge and Valley Mining company, the Eureka Hill Mining company, the Grand Central Mining company and the control of the Apex Standard Mining company. On the property of the Apex Standard company, exploration work was being done and since the Apex Standard was in the immediate neighborhood of the celebrated Tintic Standard mine, this section of Chief Consolidated company holdings possessed "remarkable possibilities." (Eureka Reporter, March 14, 1924)

March 14, 1924
"The company also owns control of the Eureka Mines company, Plutus Mining company, East Tintic Consolidated Mining company, Eureka Lily Mining company and Eureka Bullion Mining company. The last three properties nearly surround and are in close proximity to the Iron King Mining company's recent and very important development of ore." (Eureka Reporter, March 14, 1924)

February 6, 1925
"At a meeting of the shareholders of the Eureka Bullion Mining company, held the other day at Provo, a resolution was adopted changing the place of business to Salt Lake City. This company passed into the hands of the Chief Consolidated Mining company a year or more ago and the change in the place of business was made for the purpose of putting the books and other records of the company in the main office of the parent organization. No work is now being performed at the Eureka Bullion but a development campaign will most likely be worked out later in the year." (Eureka Reporter, February 6, 1925)

November 26, 1925
The Chief Consolidated Mining company owned 29 separately organized companies, which the company owned 100 percent and without any restrictions, also known as "fee simple." The exceptions were following companies, which the Chief Consolidated company controlled by large majority ownership of shares: East Tintic Consolidated Mining company; Eureka Lily Mining company; Eureka Mines company; Eureka Bullion Mining company; Apex Standard company; and the Plutus Mining company. (Salt Lake Tribune, November 26, 1925)

November 30, 1925
The Chief Consolidated Mining company extended, until January 10, 1926, its offer to Plutus Mining company minority stockholders to exchange five shares of their stock for one share of Chief Consolidated stock. This would allow Plutus stockholders to participate in the Chief company's regular quarterly "and indefinite" dividends. (Salt Lake Mining Review, November 30, 1925)

Based on the report in the above Salt Lake Mining Review item, as of November 1925, the Chief Consolidated Mining company controlled 11,000 acres of mining ground, which encompassed its own original mine plus others that it owned outright, including the Grand Central, Gemini, Eureka Hill and the Ridge and Valley mines.

The Chief Consolidated company represented the inclusion of 29 separately organized companies, the property of which the Chief owned outright, with the exception of the following, which it controlled by large majority ownership of shares: East Tintic Consolidated Mining company, Eureka Lily Mining company, Eureka Mines company, Eureka Bullion Mining company, Apex Standard Mining company, and the Plutus Mining company.

January 15, 1928
A list of shipments during 1927 showed that the Eureka Lily Mining company, and the Plutus Mining company were both subsidiaries of the Chief Consolidated Mining company. (Salt Lake Mining Review, January 15, 1938)

August 1928
The Apex Standard was in operation again. The officials of the Chief Consolidated Mining Co., decided on a new campaign of development work at their Apex Standard property located in the eastern end of the district. The hoist being used at this mine was the machine used in sinking the North Lily shaft. The company's plans called for work on the 900 ft. level. (Deseret News, August 25, 1928; September 8, 1928)

March 4, 1931
"Operate Five Mines -- The [Chief Consolidated] company had the following mines in operation during the past year: No. 1 mine; Plutus mine; Eureka Lily mine; Grand Central mine; and Eureka Hill mine. In addition to these, it has given over on short term leases the following properties owned or controlled by the Chief Consolidated company: Eureka Bullion Mining company; part of Eureka Lily Mining company; part of East Tintic Consolidated Mining company; the Baltimore property; and the Tintic Bullion property." (Salt Lake Telegram, March 4, 1931)

November 6, 1931
Excerpts from the November 6, 1931 Deseret News.

In a $400,000 deal, Anaconda's International Smelting company took ownership of selected properties of the Chief Consolidated Mining company. Included were: 75 percent ownership of Eureka Bullion Mining company stock; full deed and ownership of the Tintic Bullion Mining company and its property; several hundred acres of mining ground adjacent to the North Lily Mining property on the west, north and east; two leases of Chief Consolidated property; a five-year smelting contract for all ores produced by the Chief Consolidated Mining company.

The Chief Consolidated previously had no interest in selling any of its property, but its current indebtedness, together with low metal prices, made the sale necessary. All of the ground sold was in development and not yet producing.

The ground adjoining the Tintic Bullion property would be leased in the form of two separate leases to the North Lily Mining company, a subsidiary of the International Smelting company.

The Eureka Bullion company was currently under lease to the North Lily company, and the North Lily company would take the 75 percent ownership share. The Eureka Bullion company's shaft was down 1200 feet and an ore zone was being worked by laterals and winzes. Another ore zone within the Eureka Bullion ground was being worked from the 1600 Level of the adjacent Big Hill shaft, which is part of the Tintic Bullion ground.

"During the Depression years, the Chief Consolidated Mining Company of Eureka and the Tintic Standard and North Lily on the Utah County side of Tintic Mining District were the district's only producing mines." (History of Juab County, 1996, page 189)

"In 1942 Cecil Fitch, president and general manager of the Chief Consolidated Mining Company, announced plans to hire a large crew of men for work in installing pumps to drain and develop ore deep in the company's workings. He had received a telegram from a government committee in Washington, D.C., offering him premium price on all lead and zinc produced. The company had more than 100 mines with underground workings. Fitch exclaimed, "Eureka will boom again." (History of Juab County, 1996, page 231)

After World War II

1945
"Between 1945 and 1950 the E. J. Longyear Company undertook extensive geologic studies in the Main Tintic district and subsequently drilled a 2700-foot hole a mile northeast of the Chief No.1 shaft. Unfortunately no ore was found." (Geology and Ore Deposits of Tintic Mining District, Utah Geological Society, 1957, page 77)

December 7, 1945
Chief Consolidated Mining company and the Newmont Mining Corporation signed a lease for the Newmont company to re-open the Chief Consolidated company's inactive Apex Standard mine in East Tintic. The Apex Standard already had two working shafts on the property. Newmont was one of the largest mining companies in the United States, and had just recently acquired a large property in Park City. (Salt Lake Tribune, December 7, 1945)

1947
"In recent years, the old Chief Consolidated has staged a comeback. Reopened during World War II, the old Chief No. 1 Mine has been rehabilitated and placed in regular production. The ore runs have been extended below the old workings and further work has been projected to greater depth. The underground hauling system has been converted to electrical operation, replacing the old mule hauling method." ("The Mining Industry of Utah," published by the Salt Lake City Chamber of Commerce, 1947)

1947
"In 1947, International Smelting and Refining Company obtained a lease from the Chief Consolidated Mining Company and attempted to explore the northern projection of the Godiva and Iron Blossom ore zones. After considerable drifting and the production of a small quantity of ore, the project was terminated." (Geology and Ore Deposits of Tintic Mining District, Utah Geological Society, 1957, page 77)

August 15, 1947
From the Western Mineral Survey newspaper, August 15, 1947.

Chief Consolidated Mining Company has five different programs under way in various parts of its property which spreads over a large area in the Tintic district.

One which is being watched with interest is the development of the Evans group of claims just south of the town of Eureka. A shaft is being sunk to a depth of 500 feet, from where a crosscut will be extended easterly in the hope of developing a new mineral zone parallel to one which has been productive for many years in the district.

At the Plutus property, the Chief Consolidated is sinking below old workings in an effort to prove the extension of ore runs found on upper levels. In the old No. 1 property, the shaft is being extended to the 2800-foot level, 300 feet below the present ore bodies. During the war the 2500 level was reopened and the old mine responded with considerable metal for the war effort.

The No. 2 shaft of the Chief Consolidated has been opened by the North Lily Mining Company under lease. The North Lily plans to extend old workings in to new territory to explore a new geological theory that has been advanced in that section of the district.

The Apex Standard property in the east end of the district is being reopened by the Newmont Mining Company under a lease arrangement. The Newmont plans systematic development of the area in an effort to bring this property into production.

(The "Evans Group" was a group of mining claims on the west side of the town of Eureka, assembled by Richard Evans, a mining man who in 1896, at age 31, came to Utah and got "mining fever." He previously had been associated with the Michigan copper mines for six years, starting in 1890. He began by developing mines in the Mercur area, then became involved with the development of the Silver King Consolidated Mining company in Park City in 1907. In the Bingham district, Evans was a force behind assembling the group of companies and claims that became the Montana-Bingham group in 1910, and in 1914, assembled the group of companies and claims that became the Utah Metal & Tunnel company in Carr Fork. In Tintic, starting with the Golden May claim, he assembled the Evans Group. He also put together the Plutus, Eureka Lily, Tintic Consolidated, Bullion, Apex Standard mines for the Chief Consolidated Mining Co. Richard J. Evans passed away on December 2, 1947 at age 82.)

(The Evans group of mining claims was located on the western outskirts of the town of Eureka, and included the Golden Ray, Anna, Anna No. 2, Hornsilver, Mary Bell, Mary Alice, Morning Star, George A. Wilson, West Mammoth, Annaconda, Mollie Gibson, Donnelly Boy, Goodenough, Pluto, Hades, and Styx claims. The Evans shaft was located on the Goodenough claim.)

(The Plutus property was surrounded by the Chief Consolidated on the north, southwest and southeast, the Eagle & Blue on the west, the Godiva on the east, and the Mammoth on the south. The Chief Consolidated Mining company had controlled the Plutus Mining company since October 1916, through ownership of a majority of Plutus stock.)

January 9, 1948
Newmont Exploration, Ltd., has decided to cease operation in the Tintic District. Operations had been continuous on the Apex Standard mine, property of the Chief Consolidated Mining company, since July 1946. The superintendent of the Newmont operation left immediately for a new position in Ouray, Colorado. (Eureka Reporter, January 9, 1948)

March 20, 1948
The Chief Consolidated Mining company spent $140,000 of its own funds, and $244,000 of special government exploration funds to rehabilitate 10,000 feet of old drifts and workings, and more than 18,000 feet of development work. The No. 1 mine had been opened in the lower levels, producing good tonnage of profitable ore. The E. J. Longyear as part of its lease was to start drilling on May 15th. A total of 10,844 feet of drifting work had been completed as part of new development work, and a new 1500-foot shaft had been sunk, also as part of development work. The company had shipped 93,676 tons during 1946, compared to 85,128 tons during 1945. (Deseret News, March 20, 1948)

"During 1949, Chief Consolidated properties shipped 2,096 loads, which was over 30 percent of the total output. The Tintic Standard company, which included the Eureka Standard and Iron Blossom mines in Utah County but still in the Tintic District, shipped 1,887 loads. The next largest shipper was the North Lily Mine, with 1,075 carloads. (History of Juab County, 1996, page 248)

January 9, 1949
The E. J. Longyear Company has taken over the lease of the Chief Consolidated's Apex Standard property from the Newmont Mining Corporation. (Salt Lake Tribune, January 9, 1949)

June 26, 1949
Excerpts from the Deseret News, June 26, 1949.

More than two years ago with the aid of government furnished exploration funds, work began in the Evans group of claims in the western part of Chief Consolidated ground. The company sank a two-compartment shaft 1100 feet, a depth equivalent to the 1800-foot level of the nearby Centennial Eureka. Drifts were started in search of an ore channel believed to run parallel to other channels that have been very productive in properties to the east of the Evans group. More than 6000 feet of drifts have been cut on this level since the shaft was completed. The objective of this work is to explore the California and Beck fissures.

In the past two years the International Smelting and Refining Company did over 2625 feet of drifting in leased old Bullion Beck ground, near the Chief No. 2 concrete shaft. Newmont Mining Corporation took over the Apex Standard owned by Chief Consolidated and did 2245 feet of churn drilling and 1580 feet of drifting. Neither of these operations resulted in any great discovery but Newmont and International spent their own money to develop Chief Consolidated ground.

By the end of 1946, Chief Consolidated completed the task of dewatering the old mine to the 2500 foot level, a task that required five years time to accomplish. This part of the mine had been abandoned in the early 1930s but was reopened in 1942 due to war demands. Tonnage mined last year was 118,083 tons and in 1947 93,676 tons. These workings were flooded for more than 15 years, and a five year job of pumping has reclaimed them so that large reserves of new ore can now be mined. Depth has been extended to the 2700-foot level. More than 3500 gallons per minute is now pumped from the 2700-foot to the 1800-foot level from where it flows into the Gemini property into a natural cave.

Last fall E. J. Longyear Company, drilling specialists, joined with the Consolidated Goldfields of South Africa Ltd. to drill an area north of the Leadville fault. They drilled by churn equipment 988 feet of hole and 1086 feet with diamond drills. Core recovered from a strata at a depth equivalent to the 1800 level of the old Chief Consolidated mine yielded values sufficient to justify the running of a drift from the Chief Consolidated workings to the showing. In May of this year, the drift was started and is being continued without delay to the objective disclosed in the drilling last fall. It should reach the drill area about 1900 feet from Chief workings.

Probably a word about the participants in this operation is in order. E. J. Longyear & Co. of Minneapolis, Minnesota are world famous in the field of ore drilling. Their associate in this lease is Consolidated Goldfields of South Africa Ltd., through their subsidiary the Goldfields American Development Co. Ltd. The parent company is one of the largest of its kind in the world.

September 2, 1949
"In the Tintic District, the Chief Consolidated is pushing a program of deep work. With most of the ore on upper levels mined, the company has just completed extension of the main shaft from the 2500 to the 2700-foot level to tap ore runs at that depth. On the Evans claims, located south and east of the town of Eureka, the Chief has sunk a 1200-foot shaft and is now crosscutting toward a projected new ore channel." (Garland Times, September 2, 1949)

"In the eastern end of the district, the Newmont Mining company is doing prospect work in the Apex Standard work on the 1200 foot level under a lease from the Chief Consolidated." (Garland Times, September 2, 1949)

(Beginning in December 1949 and continuing through December 1953, E. J. Longyear was shown as being delinquent on the taxes for two mining claims comprising 29 acres in the Tintic Mining District.)

March 30, 1951
"It has been in comparatively recent years that Chief Consolidated became active. Reopened during World War II, the old Chief No. 1 mine was rehabilitated and placed in production. Ore runs were extended below the old workings and further openings have been projected at depth. The underground hauling system was electrified and other improvements in keeping with modern operations were made. The Chief also reopened its Plutus property, once one of the main producers of the area. In addition, the company carried out an exploration program which included the sinking of a 500-foot shaft together with 2000 feet of lateral drifts on the Evans group of claims, aimed at providing a parallel ore channel. In the southern end of the Tintic district. Chief Consolidated’s Apex Standard property was leased to the Newmont Mining Company which, after considerable preliminary work, began developing on a large scale." (Eureka Reporter, March 30, 1951)

March 18, 1954
From Salt Lake Tribune, March 18, 1954.

The Chief Consolidated Mining company, and its affiliated Plutus Mining Co., "last year [1953] produced 2,984 ounces of gold; 574,692 ounces of silver; 9,110,847 pounds (4,555 tons) of lead; 102,650 pounds (51 tons) of copper; 5,904,661 pounds (2,952 tons) of zinc and 20,250 pounds (10 tons) of manganese. Smelter receipts amounted to $903,405.

Participating in the "unit lease" taken by Longyear are Tintic Standard Mining Co., United States Smelting, Refining and Mining Co., and other companies in addition to the Chief Consolidated company. The lease, in which the mining firms and individuals all pool their interests and claims, covers 2,700 acres. Chief Consolidated has about 1,240 acres in the unit. The Chief Consolidated firm would receive approximately 15 percent of the net profits from any ore shipped. Exploration this spring will consist largely of diamond core drilling by the Longyear firm, it is understood.

The drilling program of the United States Geological Survey on the Apex Standard property would continue during 1954.

Lease Of East Tintic Area To Kennecott, 1955-1980

(Beginning in May 1955, Chief Consolidated was part of a consortium that put their Tintic properties into a common "Unit Lease" to fund the exploration of the many adjoining mining claims in the region. Chief held 50 percent interest in the consortium, the other half belonging to United States Smelting Refining and Mining Co., Newmont Mining Co. and the Raddatz Estate. Known as the Jenny Lind Unit, the lease was awarded to Bear Creek Mining company, the domestic exploration subsidiary of Kennecott Copper Corporation, and was operated as Kennecott's Tintic Division. Kennecott gave up the Jenny Lind Unit lease in 1980.)

(From 1956 to 1958 Kennecott continued its exploration of the Unit Lease area. In 1958 they began development of the Burgin mine, on Chief Consolidated property, and in 1963 production from the Burgin mine began. In mid-1978, Kennecott gave up the two leases (Burgin and Trixie) due to high costs, including pumping to fight the increasing water levels in the mines.)

(In 1969 Kennecott opened the Trixie mine, leasing the location from South Standard Mining Co. In March 1973 Kennecott put the Trixie mine into production. By July 1976, all the ore from both the Trixie mine and the Burgin mine was being processed in the Burgin concentrating mill, then sent to the Kennecott smelter at Garfield. Kennecott shut down its operation of the Trixie mine in November 1982.)

Eureka Area After 1955

(Chief No. 1 Shaft, Chief No. 2 Shaft; Plutus Shaft - known as the Main Tintic Area)

November 30, 1955
"Chief reported for the first nine months of the year it expects to experience a loss of about $100,000. This includes added cost of salvaging expensive equipment and materials from abandoned lower levels. Efforts presently are confined to production and development of ore from areas above the water level of the Chief No. 1 mine and two of the firm's subsidiary properties." (Salt Lake Tribune, November 30, 1955)

January 18, 1956
"Chief Consolidated announced it had temporarily abandoned its long fight against water and high mining costs in the lower levels of its Chief No. 1 mine. Pumps were pulled, permitting the workings to flood from the 3,000-foot to about the 2,000-foot level. As a result, operations were greatly curtailed in the only mine of the Eureka district which has produced substantial quantities of ore in recent years." (Salt Lake Tribune, January 18, 1956)

June 15, 1957
The Chief Consolidated Mining company suspended operations. (Utah's Mining Industry, published by the Utah Mining Association, 1967, page 46)

1967
"Today, most of the mines in the Eureka area are closed, due to high costs, low metal prices and the problem of mining at great depth. The last of the major producers, Chief Consolidated Mining Co., closed on June 15, 1957. There is minor production from a few lead-zinc properties, most of them operated on a lease basis. In the 1940s and 1950s, considerable siliceous ore was shipped from various mines to the copper smelter at Garfield, to be used as a flux. Gold, silver and copper content was credited to the shippers. However, when Kennecott Copper Corp. acquired the smelter from the American Smelting & Refining Co. [in 1959], KCC used flux from its own properties in the Bingham district and purchased but little from outlying areas." "The only major producer in Juab County during the last two decades, the Chief Consolidated Mining Co., was forced to close down in 1957 as a result of low metal prices and high mining costs. Most block leasing operations in old mines of the district have ceased." (Utah's Mining Industry, published by the Utah Mining Association, 1967, page 46, 48)

1981
"ASARCO Incorporated erected a steel headframe on the Chief Consolidated Mining Co. property it leased in the Tintic mining district, Juab County. The Chief No. 2 shaft and some workings on the 1,450-foot level were rehabilitated in preparation for underground exploration and development drilling." (Mineral Yearbook, 1981, page 492)

July 21, 1981
"ASARCO has leased the underground mining rights to approximately 6,000 acres of Chief Consolidated Mining Company's properties in the Main Tintic District. ASARCO has been evaluating the property since the spring of 1980. In September 1980, ASARCO informed Chief that it plans to initiate renovation work on the Chief No. 2 Shaft in preparation for an underground drilling program, if workings in the Chief Mines are in sufficient condition to carry out such a project. ASARCO has hired Centennial Development Company to do the work on the No. 2 shaft. An attempt was made to enter the workings in early 1981. Ice in the No. 2 Shaft drove them out. Currently Centennial is installing a temporary hoist and electrical system at the collar of the No. 2 Shaft and plans to enter the workings on June 29, 1981." (Eureka Reporter, July 21, 1981)

September 18, 1981
"Asarco and Chief No. 2 -- Water was a problem also for Asarco in its rehabilitation of the old Chief No. 2 shaft. However, it should be less of a problem than on the Apex because the water is cold and it is deep. Asarco is after the same kind of ore as Sunshine—principally lead-silver with some small associated zinc, gold and copper values." (Eureka Reporter, September 18, 1981)

May 24, 1984
ASARCO was expected to begin drilling in June, drilling 10 to 20 exploratory holes at least to about 5,500 feet, to confirm the existence of substantial additional tonnages in the Plutus, one of three orebodies mined by Chief in the Main Tintic District before 1957 when it ceased operations. The drilling was to be the determining factor whether ASARCO will decide to reopen Chief's mines. In 1979, Chief Consolidated, which derived all of its revenues from royalty fees it charged on its property, leased ASARCO 6,000 acres comprising its properties in the Main Tintic District. Since 1979 ASARCO had completed extensive geological work to determine how much ore is left and had renovated the Chief No. 2 shaft down to the 1,600 foot level. That was done to begin the underground exploration and development drilling program that was to start in June. (Eureka Reporter, May 24, 1984)

January 5, 1987
Chief Consolidated leased 5,000 acres of its property to Grand Central Mining company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Western Mining Corp. (U.S.A), which in-turn was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Western Mining Corp. Holdings Limited of Australia. The lease was for an initial 25-year lease. The new lease area was nearby to 6,437 acres Chief Consolidated already under lease to Sunshine Mining company of Boise. (Salt Lake Tribune, January 5, 1987)

November 24, 1995
From the Eureka Reporter, November 24, 1995, citing a Chief Consolidated letter to shareholders.

Plutus Mine Project -- Work has begun on the exploration and possible development of the Plutus Mine located on your Company's properties in the Main Tintic District. Centennial Development Corporation will shortly proceed to rehabilitate the Chief #2 Shaft to access the Plutus Mine.

This shaft was previously rehabilitated in 1984 by Asarco, Inc. under its lease with Chief. Asarco terminated its lease and surrendered the property back to Chief at the end of 1984 just before Asarco was to begin an extensive underground drilling program to explore the projected downward extension of the Plutus orebody.

Asarco's abrupt termination of its Main Tintic District project was due to an overall corporate policy adopted by Asarco at that time to terminate new exploration projects. Asarco had spent in excess of $2 million during the several years that Asarco worked on its Plutus Project.

After completion of any repair work required on the Chief #2 shaft and drifts, Chief will begin an underground drilling program which will closely follow Asarco's drilling plans to explore the projected extensions of the Plutus orebody. In limited prior production of 236,000 tons of ore mined from the Plutus orebody before the mine was closed some 40 years ago, the metals actually produced were 6.2 million ounces of silver; 9,500 ounces of gold; 42 million pounds of lead and 1.7 million pounds of copper.

From USGS, 1996 Summary of Mineral Activity in Utah, page 10.

In June 1996 shareholders of South Standard Mining Company approved the merger of South Standard into Chief Gold Mines, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Chief Consolidated Mining. Chief Gold Mines ultimately plans to rehabilitate the Trixie shaft and initiate an underground drilling program to confirm and increase gold reserves. The earliest start date would be late 1997. The mine was last operated in 1992 by Sunshine Mining Company.

Chief Consolidated also continued work in the Main Tintic district on the Plutus and Chief ore zones. The Chief No. 2 shaft has been rehabilitated to the 1,600-foot level and nearly 5,000 feet of drifts have been rehabilitated. Rehabilitated drifts have reached the Chief No. 1 shaft and are close to the Eagle and Bluebell shafts on the Plutus ore zone, and the Gemini shaft on the Gemini ore zone. Eight to ten underground holes have been drilled to date (December 1996) totaling nearly 3,000 feet. No ore-grade mineralization has been encountered to date. Additional underground drilling is planned for 1997 and a six-person crew will continue to rehabilitate the underground workings. The area was last explored by ASARCO during the early to mid-1980s.

September 18, 1998
"Main Tintic District Properties -- The Chief No. 2 shaft, which gives access to Chief's Main District mines, remains open and underground drilling operations are continuing in the Plutus Mine in conjunction with your Company’s plans and objectives relating to its wholly owned 6,000 acres of Main Tintic District properties. None of the 6,000 acres are included in the properties controlled by Tintic Utah Metals." (Eureka Reporter, September 18, 1998, citing Chief Consolidated's annual report)

(The Tintic Utah Metals ground was the location of the Burgin and Trixie mines in the East Tintic area.)

(All mining and exploration activity by Chief Consolidated and other companies in the area near and surrounding the town of Eureka ended in 2002 with the designation of the area as part of the EPA National Priorities List "Superfund site.")

East Tintic After Kennecott, circa 1980

Almost all of the activity by the Chief Consolidated company after the late 1990s was in its East Tintic area where the Burgin and Trixie mines were located.

(By 1980, and especially after 2007, Chief Consolidated Mining company had taken either control or full ownership of the properties that make up the area previously covered by the Kennecott lease. More research is needed to establish the chain of ownership of the variety of mining claims involved.)

EPA Settlement (2000-2010)

(This activity concerning the Environmental Protection Agency and the Chief Consolidated Mining company covers the former mined-out area in the vicinity of Eureka, Utah, and does not affect the area of the Burgin and Trixie mines in the East Tintic area.)

In July 2000, after receiving complaints from some Eureka residents, the State of Utah and EPA began investigating impacts of historic mining activities on the environment and residential areas of Eureka. In 2001, EPA began "Time Critical" soil removal actions due to high concentrations of lead and arsenic in soil combined with elevated blood lead levels in children living in Eureka. Based on the findings of the Site Investigation in 2000, the generically-named "Eureka Mills Site" was placed on the National Priorities List (NPL) in September 2002.

Remediation of the Eureka Site was completed in 2010 and the site was removed from the National Priorities List on September 25, 2018.

More Information

Tintic -- An article about the history of railroads and mining in Tintic.

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