Tintic, Kennecott

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This page was last updated on October 11, 2025.

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Overview

(The focus of this page is the surface workings of the of the Burgin and Trixie mines as originally developed by Kennecott Copper's Bear Creek Mining company, as visible in photographs, as well as a general description of the mines, with minimal coverage of the geology and financial returns. Also to establish a timeline using sources not previously readily available.)

Kennecott Tintic Division

(The following companies were the only references in online newspapers between 1935 and 1950, and are not affiliated with the Kennecott subsidiary)

In March and April 1953, Kennecott's Bear Creek Mining company became active in exploration work in the Jungo Mining District in Humboldt County, Nevada, about 36 miles west of Winnemucca. (Western Mineral Survey and Utah Statesman, March 13, 1953; April 24, 1953)

May 7, 1955
From the Salt Lake Tribune, May 7, 1955.

Bear Creek Mining Co., domestic exploration arm of Kennecott Copper Corp., is making a deal to move into a sizable exploration program in Utah's Tintic District. The firm would take over operations on the 3,000 acre Jenny Lind unit in geological prospect for nonferrous metals from E. J. Longyear & Co., a prime force in organizing the unit.

The Jenny Lind unit is a remarkable effort made by mining companies in the district in pooling claims for exploration which could be mutually beneficial to all interest holders. Participating in the unit in addition to Longyear are United States Smelting Refining & Mining Co., Chief Consolidated Mining Co., Newmont Mining Co., and the Raddatz estate of Salt Lake City. Chief Consolidated has a 50 percent interest in the project.

The area has been the subject of intense geologic discussion ever since T. S. Lovering of the United States Geological Survey propounded the theory that the rhylolitic outcrops may furnish an indication of ore deposition at depth. Drilling to prove this theory has been carried out for a number of years. Longyear and Consolidated Goldfields have been active in surface and sub-surface explorations in the area in the post war period.

The Jenny Lind Unit, so named because of a canyon in the area which in turn was named for the Swedish Nightingale, is co organized that if ore is found on claims in one participating party, other parties to the unit would share in the discovery. This unitization, a pattern, with modifications, in the petroleum industry, is unique in the mining business. But such agreements open up new vistas of exploration heretofore closed on account of local jealousies and arguments over whose claims might be the most valuable.

June 26, 1955
"Important new ventures loom in the field of lead-silver-zinc mining in Utah's Tintic-Eureka District, with explorations indicated by Bear Creek Mining Co., a Kennecott Copper Corp. affiliate and other major companies." (Salt Lake Tribune, June 26, 1955)

July 13, 1955
"Bear Creek Mining Co., domestic exploration subsidiary of Kennecott Copper Corp, expects shortly to commence deep drilling for nonferrous metals mineralization on the 3,000 acre Jenny Lind unit in Utah’s Eureka-Tintic district. The firm has formalized its contract with unit participants, taking over as operator from E. J. Longyear Co. During the last two months, Bear Creek personnel have engaged in surface geological reconnaissance and in drilling shallow wagon drill holes in geo-chemical prospecting." (Salt Lake Tribune, July 13, 1955)

November 30, 1955
"Bear Creek Mining Co. (Kennecott Copper Corp. exploration affiliate) is completing its fifth shallow hole on the Jenny Lind lease in the Eureka District, according to a report issued Tuesday. Chief Consolidated Mining Co. reported that these were short angle holes, averaging 600 feet in depth, for purpose of indicating the approximate intersection of two major faults on the tract. The Chief, holding about a 50 per cent interest in the Jenny Lind unit, said the next step will be a deep drilling program in search for mineralization and will probably be commenced early next spring. Meanwhile, drilling by E. J. Longyear Co., Minneapolis, continues on the Homansville structure. The program continues although no economic mineralization (ore) has been observed during the third quarter." (Salt Lake Tribune, November 30, 1955)

January 18, 1956
"Hope for discovery of new commercial ore bodies in the Eureka district, Juab County was heightened by the entry of the Bear Creek Mining Co., Kennecott Copper Corp's exploration subsidiary, into that area. Bear Creek took over from E. J. Longyear Co., a prospecting program on the 3,000-acre Jenny Lind unit, approximately half of which is owned by Chief Consolidated Mining Co., the other half belonging to United States Smelting Refining and Mining Co., Newmont Mining Co. and the Raddatz Estate. Geophysical surveys, geological diamond core drilling and other types of drilling are being carried forward. The Longyear firm is still active in the district, too, and is drilling on other properties of Chief Consolidated Mining Co." (Salt Lake Tribune, January 18, 1956)

February 21, 1956
"Bear Creek Mining Co., domestic exploration subsidiary of Kennecott Copper Corp., is in negotiation with both Tintic Standard Mining Co. and Chief Consolidated Mining Co. on development of major exploration programs in Utah's East Tintic District. The proposition is said to involve all Tintic’s properties in the district and some 3,000 acres of the Chief Consolidated Mining Co.'s holdings." The discussions did not include any of the lease holdings that were part of the Jenny Lind Unit. The search was for non-ferrous metals, copper, lead-zinc, etc. None of the then-present principal operating properties of Chief Consolidated would be affected in the transaction. No sale of properties or companies is involved. (Salt Lake Tribune, February 21, 1956)

March 18, 1956
The Chief Consolidated Mining company, together with Tintic Standard Mining Co., was for several months engaged in negotiating a unit lease agreement with Kennecott's the Bear Creek Mining Co. The lease was to involve Chief Consolidated's Apex and Water Lily areas, comprising some 3,000 acres and all of the Tintic Standard Mining Co.'s property in the same area. Any development would require the expenditure of several million dollars to fully explore the possibilities. Bear Creek Mining Co. was to furnish the necessary capital and conduct the operations. (Salt Lake Tribune, March 18, 1956)

May 11, 1956
The Tintic Standard Mining company mined and shipped 9,912 tons of ore during 1955, shipping from its Tintic Standard and Iron Blossom mines. The company, and its subsidiary Eureka Standard Consolidated Mining company, and the Chief Consolidated Mining company, were in negotiations with Kennecott for the long-term lease of a 10,000-acre block held by the two companies in the East Tintic Mining District. (Salt Lake Tribune, May 11, 1956)

(Subsidiaries of the Tintic Standard Mining company included the South Standard Mining company, the Eureka Standard Consolidated Mining company, and the Eureka Lilly Consolidated Mining company. -- Salt Lake Tribune, June 13, 1956)

July 1, 1956
Tintic Standard Mining company and its subsidiaries (known as the Tintic Standard Group), together with Chief Consolidated Mining company, signed a 50-year lease unit agreement with Kennecott subsidiary Bear Creek Mining company. Kennecott was to retain 85 percent of net smelter returns from ore mined. The other 15 percent was to go as royalty to the other two companies. On ore taken from Chief Consolidated properties, the split of the 15 percent royalty was to be 2/3 to Chief Consolidated and 1/3 to Tintic Standard. On ore taken from Tintic Standard properties, the 15 percent was to be as 2/3 to Tintic Standard and 1/3 to Chief Consolidated. Kennecott and Bear Creek was to bear all mining and production costs, including infrastructure costs. (Salt Lake Tribune, July 1, 1956)

September 7, 1956
Kennecott and Chief Consolidated Mining company signed an agreement for a five-year option for Kennecott to acquire control through stock purchase of the Chief Consolidated Mining company. Kennecott paid $250,000 cash for the five-year option, at the end of which Kennecott could either recover the cash, or buy full controlling interest in the Chief Consolidated Mining company. In the interim, Kennecott could buy any or all of the unissued common and preferred stock in the Chief company. At the same time, Kennecott agreed to spend at least $100,000 to sink a 1,000-foot, three-compartment shaft to explore for minerals on the Chief Consolidated properties. (Salt Lake Tribune, September 7, 1956)

 

1967
"Bear Creek Mining Co. is continuing its search for commercial ores in the Tintic district." (Utah's Mining Industry, published by the Utah Mining Association, 1967, page 90)

Burgin Mine (1948-1977)

(The Burgin mine is located in the East Tintic district, in the vicinity of the former Apex Standard and South Standard mines.)

(The Apex Standard mine had been leased by the Chief Consolidated Mining company in December 1945 to the Newmont Mining Corporation.)

Interest in what would later become the Burgin mine started with the Newmont Mining Company just after World War II. Newmont started exploration and development work from their Apex Standard No.2 shaft. Their lack of success led to a termination of the work in 1948, after which the U. S. Geologic Survey took an interest and began formal geologic exploration of the region.

Bear Creek Mining Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of Kennecott Copper, was active in the district at the time. Their interest extended to the Chief Oxide Zone (the formal name for the region where the Burgin is located). Their initial work was managed by Mr. William Burgin. Mr. Burgin died in an airplane crash in 1955 and the eventual Chief Oxide Zone discovery was named in his honor. In 1957 what is now the Burgin No.1 shaft was sunk some 50 feet east of the Chief Oxide shaft and surface drilling commenced.

(William H. Burgin died on October 6, 1955 in the crash of United Airlines DC-4 on the slopes of Medicine Bow Peak in southeastern Wyoming. Burgin was a resident of Denver and was among the 21 Utah residents that also died in the crash. The flight, with 61 passengers and a crew of three, had originated in Denver and was bound for Salt Lake City, and was 20 miles off course. The aircraft was completely destroyed, with no survivors.)

(Burgin was a geological engineer and was the district geologist in charge of exploration for the Rocky Mountain Region of Bear Creek Mining company, a subsidiary of Kennecott Copper.)

Centennial Development Company, a contractor working for Kennecott, collared the shaft on January 30, 1957 and reached the water table some 1,110 feet below on July 20, 1957. The 1050 level was established approximately 20 feet above the water level and an exploratory cross-cut was sent off in a westerly direction. After tunneling for 1300 feet, an important fault and vein of high value lead-zinc-silver ore was discovered.

Kennecott continued exploration to determine the limits of the newly discovered ore veins, and the projected reserves exceeded expectations. A production decision was made in 1963. The plan called for 75 tons per day of direct shipping ore initially, rising to full production of 500 tons per day by 1965." In 1965, at the 1330-foot level, an inflow of water at 140 degrees F, with a flow of 1400 gallons per minute was encountered. Despite intensive dewatering attempts, the flow was not stopped. The problem of water in the Burgin mine continues to today.

The thrust fault was intersected some 1,300 feet west of the shaft. Drifts were expanded into and down the fault and intersected numerous zones of lead-zinc oxide and lead carbonate. For the next three years drilling above and below the 1,050 level continued to increase the lead-zinc silver deposit that became the Burgin Mine.

A production decision was made in 1963. The plan called for 75 tons per day of direct shipping ore initially, rising to full production of 500 tons per day by 1965. The basis of the positive decision was 1,330,000 tons of lead - silver – zinc ore blocked out by drilling from the 1,050 level. As a matter of some significance, at the time of the decision some water flow during mining was anticipated, initially 3,000 to 4,000 gallons per minute, decreasing to 2,000 to 3,000 gallons per minute during production.

Kennecott produced it first ore from the Burgin mine in June 1963. (Deseret News, September 18, 1963)

As initially planned, the Burgin Mine would consist of a new (Burgin No.2) shaft which would have production levels at 1,050 feet, 1,200 feet and 1300 feet. A pumping station and associated water storage would be installed at 1,350-foot and the shaft would be terminated at the 1500-foot level. Rehabilitation of the near-by Apex No2 shaft to the 1,000-foot level and two connecting drifts would be provided for escape and ventilation purposes. Raise bored holes, winzes and raises would complete the main mine facilities.

This plan would be drastically amended, with negative impact, due to the problem that was to plague operations at the Burgin Mine.

One other feature of the initial operational plan was the elimination of a concentrating process plant. The preponderance of oxide ore presented metallurgical challenges that did not justify the risk of the additional cost. Production would come from high grade silica-laden silver lead-zinc ore that would be directly shipped to the Kennecott Utah smelter.

During 1965, with the Burgin No.2 shaft at 1,330 feet, an inflow of 140°F water at 1,400 gallons per minute was encountered in the southeast corner of the shaft. Despite intensive dewatering attempts, the flow was not stopped. As a result, a decision was made that would negatively impact all future operations. Production would commence from the 1,200-foot level and wells would be sunk from the same level to dewater the workings. Prior to this all dewatering had been through a single, deep well north of the shaft. The installation of wells on the 1200 level met only limited success and the ore-body was not adequately dewatered. It wasn't until a second surface well came on-line that the shaft inflow was reduced, and the workings became moderately drier.

Production commenced from the 1200 level and this hampered the ongoing deeper development. A decision was made to excavate the 1300 level station at the 1260 level. This decision also had a serious impact on future operations since it decreased by 40 percent the ore available for above-level extraction.

During 1966, a 500 ton per day flotation concentrator was authorized and installed at the Burgin Mine. This mill was under construction prior to a miner's strike in July 1967 and was completed shortly after the strike was over in April 1968.

In 1967, Kennecott was informed by the U.S. Steelworkers of America, that they intended to negotiate one contract for all workers and the Burgin Mine, under Bear Creek Mining, was to be part of this negotiation. By mid July, negotiations had not been successful and a general strike commenced. This strike continued until April of 1968 and had a huge influence on all subsequent operations.

During the strike, the water inflow had increased to 4,400 gallons per minute. A small sump on 1200 level pumped water to the much larger 1050 level sumps, (which had replaced the planned 1350 pumping level). From the 1050 level, the water was pumped to the surface for disposal. The few supervising staff available to work during the strike were simply overwhelmed with the tasks needed to maintain and improve mineability. As a result, the mine conditions degenerated considerably, creating wet, unstable ground in all of the existing and immediate future stoping areas. Working areas collapsed. A back-log of sand filling, immediately prior to the strike, created stress on a lot of the more important pillars with resulting damage to adjacent working stopes and future pillar recovery efforts.

This strike was also a turning point in the negative history of the mine. During the strike, water flow increased to 4400 gallons per minute, and the limited personnel on site were not able to keep ahead of this increased flow. The damage to the working areas of the mine was significant. Mining continued, from areas not affected by the unsafe conditions due to high water levels. The production was not sufficient for the economic operation of the concentrating mill, which was designed to operate at 800 tons per day. Production in 1970-1974 was as follows: (1970) 168,000 tons mined, about 655 tons per day; (1971) 140,000 tons mines, about 545 tons per day; (1972) 203,000 tons mined, about 815 tons per day; (1973) 197,000 tons mined, about 785 tons per day; (1974) 162,000 tons mined, about 650 tons per day. In 1975 and 1976, production continued to fall, as did the value of the ore, with high-value ore only being available in the high-water and unsafe areas. Although the mine held an excess of one million tons of high-value ore in proven reserves, it was all below the 1300-foot water level. In 1977, the decision was made to shut down the mine.

Dewatering of the Burgin mine was by use of of one surface well, and another well at the 1200-foot level. In 1967 the flow was 4400 gallons per minute. In 1969, the flow was 5200 gallons per minute. The flow continued to increase, and in 1970 the flow was 10,000 gallons per minute of mildly saline water that was 150 degrees F. In the 1980s the flow was reported as an average of 12,400 gallons per day. Current [2017] planning for economic operations is to accommodate up to 22,400 gallons per day.

The Burgin Mine and Concentrator was operated by Bear Creek Mining Co., a subsidiary of Kennecott Copper Corporation, from 1963 to July 1978. They produced separate lead and zinc concentrates by flotation from both sulphide and oxide ores. Ore was processed at rates which varied from 400 to 900 tons per day depending upon type of ore and availability of the mine and plant. The second ball mill was added in June 1975 in order to raise milling capacity from 500 tons per day, to 900 tons per day.

When opened in 1958, the Burgin mine was owned by the Chief Consolidated Mining Co., and leased by Chief to Kennecott. Kennecott developed its extraction operations using two new shafts, known as Burgin No. 1 and Burgin No. 2. In 1969 Kennecott opened the nearby Trixie mine, leasing the location from South Standard Mining Co. Kennecott gave up the two leases in mid 1978 due to high costs, including pumping to fight the increasing water levels in the mines.

(Read more about the Burgin mine after Kennecott gave up the unit lease in 1980)

Trixie Mine (1969-1980)

(The Trixie mine is located in the East Tintic district, in the vicinity of the former Apex Standard and South Standard mines.)

The Trixie shaft extends to a depth of about 1,300 feet and was active from 1969 to 1992. Operators initially were Kennecott Mining Company (1962-1980), followed for the last nine years by Sunshine Mining Company (1983-1992).

(Read more about the Trixie mine after Kennecott gave up the unit lease in 1980)

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