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December 3, 2007
We mine on a relatively small scale with "regular sized equipment" on Holloway Bar, but many northern mines use huge pieces of equipment to economically extract and move the raw materials from the ground for processing into saleable products. This immense Caterpillar 789C dump truck hauls coal near Tumbler Ridge, and is capable of hauling a 177,000 kg payload. It's 1770 hp motor pushes this beast to over 50 kmh if you're brave enough to put your foot to the floor in sixth gear. At 13 meters long by 8 meters wide and almost 7 meters (3 stories!) high, the sheer size of this dump truck would make it a nightmare to parallel park.
December 10, 2007
The Cassiar mountains contain an abundance of minerals. In addition to the riches of the gold fields, this area also produced asbestos (which kept the community of Cassiar operating for 40 years) and still produces some of the best Jade found anywhere. The many Jade boulders seen here at a staging area in Watson Lake all came from the Cassiar region, and rumours of a huge find - a single pure jade boulder weighing over 15 tons and worth millions of dollars - circulated through the area this fall. Much of this jade will be shipped to Asia where it will be carved into statues and jewelry, but one large area boulder was recently carved into a life-size Buddha statue in the lower mainland.
December 17, 2007
The Holloway Bar Placer Miner is permanently mounted on this sign, but is a little snowed in this time of year. Once the ground freezes and the snows come, most placer mining operations shut down for the winter. Miners have tried a variety of methods to try to extend the short mining season, including lighting large fires to try to thaw more ground to mine. Most quickly discovered that this was a lot of work for nothing as running water was still needed to separate the gold from the gravel, and at least in the Cassiar mountains, you just can't build a fire big enough to make enough water and material to justify mining. So, instead we brew another pot of coffee and wait for spring!
December 24, 2007
Merry Christmas to all of you from all of us at Holloway Bar!
May this festive season find you in good health surrounded by family and friends, and may the new year bring prosperous times and pans laden with gold nuggets!
We're busy planning out our 2008 adventures - so that we can share them and "bring our Northern adventure to your home" through our online home - www.hollowaybar.com. See you online!
December 31, 2007
Christina, Scott, Al and all of the Holloway Bar critters hope that all of you have a great 2008!
