The Maginnis and Kentucky Favorite declines offer the most accessible major underground workings at present. The Maginnis decline has been idle for most of the period from 1992 to the present and is in need of clean up and repairs. Upon completion of that work, the decline would be ready to operate. Access into the old workings may require some improvements.
The Kentucky Favorite decline, idled since 1989, requires clean up and miscellaneous repairs, not significantly more than the Maginnis. The stopes are open for inspection. A preliminary inspection of the Spotted Horse shaft indicates it would require moderate repairs. The Level 1 adit accesses the shaft 100 feet below its collar. "A" Drift, originally accessed the discovery, was mined in recent times and is open. In general, the underground workings are in good condition.
Surface facilities at the Spotted Horse include numerous empty buildings; the mill, mine laboratory, office and change house, geology office, mechanics shop, generator building, and trailer house (Mr. Henry's residence). All equipment, machinery, tools, and supplies are gone except the piping, underground railroad, electrical distribution system, pumps, and storage tanks. The complete hoisting facility is present. Environmental monitoring wells are in place. Numerous roads and trails traverse all the properties. Messrs. Hanley, Henry, Hinkley and another individual have equipment available including, LHD mucker, snowplow, backhoe/front end loader, crawler front end loader, jacklegs, pumps, fans, and complete setup for fire and atomic absorption assaying. An extensive collection of maps, reports, assays, and other data is available. |
