More Equipment Operating at Homestake

Dave Snyder, State News Web
Article Source

LEAD, S.D., - South Dakota Science and Technology Authority Executive Director Dave Snyder announced today that the ore hoist at the Ross shaft has been restarted and was operated on Thursday morning, March 22, at the closed Homestake mine in Lead, a location proposed for a deep underground science and engineering laboratory. Less than two weeks earlier, the Ross cage hoist was reactivated on Friday, March 9. This completes the work needed to restart the hoists, which was the major component in Phase One of a three-phase plan to open the mine announced by Governor Mike Rounds last December.

"This is a major accomplishment and an important step in our plan to re-enter the mine, establish an interim laboratory at the 4,850-foot level and hopefully be designated by the National Science Foundation as the location of a Deep Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory (DUSEL) at the 7,400-foot level, " said Dave Snyder.

Greg King, the Authority's Property Development Manager, was equally enthusiastic. "I was extremely pleased. Similar to what we found with the Ross cage hoist, the systems in the ore hoist were in great condition. We checked all bearing clearances and electrical components. The motor generator sets started up and ran as they did prior to the shut down of the mine in June 2003. They purred like a kitten," said King, who worked for Homestake Mining Company for 30 years before joining the Authority staff last August. He is familiar with all aspects of the hoist system. During his service with Homestake Mining Company, he had various responsibilities dealing with the mine's infrastructure, including shafts, hoists and support facilities and was the Site Foreman for Closure.

The hoists will undergo final testing and recertification prior to re-entry into the mine. Additional work in Phase One includes installing recently acquired exhaust ventilation fans for the #5 shaft.

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