83 



TANTALUS COAL MINE. 



General Description. 



The Jura-Cretaceous beds in Tantalus Coal Area 

 [13, pp. 51-53; 19; 61, Vol. I, p. 117-118] have an aggregate 

 thickness of about 4,800 feet (1,460 m.) and, mainly for 

 economic reasons, have been divided into the Laberge 

 series and the Tantalus conglomerates. [13, pp. 30-38, 

 also see included map of "Tantalus Coal Area"]. The 

 Laberge series consists mainly of conglomerates, sand- 

 stones, graywackes, and shales. The overlying Tantalus 

 conglomerates have a maximum observed thickness in 

 the district of about 1,000 feet (300 m.) and consist 

 dominantly of thickly-bedded cherty conglomerates. 



All the best coals of Yukon occur in these Jura- 

 Cretaceous rocks, and are found at two distinct horizons, 

 the upper horizon being in and near the top of the Tantalus 

 conglomerates, and the lower horizon being in the Laberge 

 series and within 200 to 300 feet (60 to 90 m.) of the 

 overlying Tantalus conglomerates. The coals are dom- 

 inantly bituminous in character, and some seams yield 

 a fair grade of coke. In different portions of Yukon the 

 Jura-Cretaceous coals range from high grade lignites to 

 anthracites. The best and most valuable seams have so 

 far been found in the upper horizon, to which belong those 

 at Tantalus mine and on Tantalus butte. 



Particular Description. 



Tantalus mine is owned by the Five Fingers Coal 

 Company of St. Paul, Minnesota, and is situated on the 

 left limit of Lewes river about 205 miles (328 km.) down 

 the river from Whitehorse. 



The coal outcrops in the river banks and is, therefore, 

 well situated for economical working. The cars are hauled 

 out of level entries by mules, and by means of a cable, 

 operated by a small stationary steam engine, are pulled 

 up an incline, at the top of which the coal is dumped into 

 bunkers ready for loading on river boats or scows. Three 

 seams have been opened up, only the lower two of which 

 have been worked to any extent. The seams vary some- 

 what in thickness, but average about 7 feet 6 in., 6 feet 

 6 in., and 3 feet of coal in the bottom, middle, and top 

 seams respectively. The lower two seams have, in places, 

 34883—6! 



