Expansion of the Henry G. “Hank” Grundstedt
San Xavier Underground Mining Laboratory
John R. Hill, Principal Investigator
The
San Xavier Mining Laboratory is located in the Pima Mining District,
approximately 23 miles south of Tucson. The facility is part
of what was once the largest underground mine in the district. Founded
in 1880 by the San Xavier Mining and Smelting Company, the mine was
operated until 1952, producing silver, copper, lead and zinc. Beginning
in November 1958, the mine workings surrounding the Number #6 Shaft
were leased to the University of Arizona, College of Mines, for educational
purposes. In 1975, the Number #6 Shaft and related workings
were donated to the University. An additional 3 mining claims encompassing
over 50 acres were donated to the University in December 2007 bringing
the total land position to 90 acres. The mine currently utilizes
three underground levels (surface level, 100 feet deep level and
150 feet deep level), two of which are serviced by the primary shaft. The
mine is structured like an operating mine, where all supervisory
positions are held by undergraduate students including mine manager,
safety manager, and shift foremen. We are planning a new training
center building with classrooms and offices, installing the most
sophisticated research hoisting system in the U.S., and upgrading
the supporting infrastructure at the laboratory to expand its overall
research and training capabilities.
The
San Xavier Mining Laboratory is located in the Pima Mining District,
approximately 23 miles south of Tucson. The facility is part
of what was once the largest underground mine in the district. Founded
in 1880 by the San Xavier Mining and Smelting Company, the mine was
operated until 1952, producing silver, copper, lead and zinc. Beginning
in November 1958, the mine workings surrounding the Number #6 Shaft
were leased to the University of Arizona, College of Mines, for educational
purposes. In 1975, the Number #6 Shaft and related workings
were donated to the University. An additional 3 mining claims encompassing
over 50 acres were donated to the University in December 2007 bringing
the total land position to 90 acres. The mine currently utilizes
three underground levels (surface level, 100 feet deep level and
150 feet deep level), two of which are serviced by the primary shaft. The
mine is structured like an operating mine, where all supervisory
positions are held by undergraduate students including mine manager,
safety manager, and shift foremen. We are planning a new training
center building with classrooms and offices, installing the most
sophisticated research hoisting system in the U.S., and upgrading
the supporting infrastructure at the laboratory to expand its overall
research and training capabilities. 
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