Marine Challenges Encountered by a Small Mine on the Maine Coast

Abstract

Dallas, Texas 75206··=c~~~· THIS IS A PREPJ<. IN'r --.-, SUB.;rEqT TO CORRECTION This paper was prepared for presentation at the Second Annual Offshore Technology Conference to be held in Houston, Tex,.., Apri122-24, 1970. Permission to copy is 'restricted to an abstract of not mare than 300 ·w6rds. ,illustrations may not be copiea.~Such use of an abstract should conta in conspicuous ffcknowledgment of where ?-nd b;Y whomthe paper is pre sented. ABSTRACT Callahan Mining Corporation is currently mining copper and zinc ore from an open pit mine on the edge of. Peliobscot·Bay in Marne.The open pit occupies an area once largely covered by a salt water pond. The mining operation utilizes conventional mining and milling techniqu·es and" in this respect perhaps could not be consid'ered a true marine mining operation. However, many obstacles had to be overcome due to the proximity of the ocean before the mine could be lnought into production. Problems with which inland mines do not have to contend are faced daily. These include effluent control, marine mud stability, salt water encroachment, reclamation, and exploration.The ore deI:>osit~sa stratiform massive sulfide body in early Paleo2ioic volcanics. The principal ore minerals are sphalerite and chalcopyrite with minor galena. Associated minerals include chlorite, talc, and carbonate.

Offshore Use of the Self‐potential Method*

“…Examples in the United States include the coasts of Maine (Beck 1970, Young 1962 and southeastern Alaska (Buddington and Chapin 1929). Examples in the United States include the coasts of Maine (Beck 1970, Young 1962 and southeastern Alaska (Buddington and Chapin 1929).…”

“…There are many areas where conductive sulfide mineralization occurs at or close to shorelines. Examples in the United States include the coasts of Maine (Beck 1970, Young 1962 and southeastern Alaska (Buddington and Chapin 1929). In such areas, where heavy vegetation and rough topography may hamper conventional ground geophysical surveys and the high water table often results in substantial self-potential anomalies, an offshore self-potential survey may prove useful in (I) finding previously unknown onshore deposits located close to the shoreline; (2) determining whether a known onshore body extends off shore; and (3) locating offshore deposits in shallow water.…”