{"id":22786,"date":"2022-12-19T07:45:14","date_gmt":"2022-12-19T12:45:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/?p=22786"},"modified":"2022-12-19T07:56:51","modified_gmt":"2022-12-19T12:56:51","slug":"episode-699-my-last-mining-job-merritt-b-d-1965","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/?p=22786","title":{"rendered":"EPISODE   699   MY LAST MINING JOB, MERRITT B.D. 1965"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<header id=\"masthead\" class=\"site-header\" role=\"banner\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit; background-color: rgb(250, 250, 250); position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"custom-header\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit; position: relative; margin-bottom: 72px;\">\n<div class=\"site-branding\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit; padding: 3em 0px; position: relative; transition: margin-bottom 0.2s ease 0s; z-index: 3; margin-bottom: 0px;\">\n<div class=\"wrap\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 1000px; padding-left: 3em; padding-right: 3em; position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"site-branding-text\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit; display: inline-block; vertical-align: middle;\">\n<div style=\"box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 1rem; opacity: 0.8;\" class=\"\">&nbsp;Oeuvre<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"navigation-top\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-top-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); font-size: 0.875rem; position: absolute; bottom: 0px; left: 0px; right: 0px; width: 1554px; z-index: 3;\">\n<div class=\"wrap\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 1000px; padding: 0.75em 2em; position: relative;\">\n<nav id=\"site-navigation\" class=\"main-navigation\" role=\"navigation\" aria-label=\"Top Menu\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit; clear: both; 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margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 1000px; padding-left: 3em; padding-right: 3em;\">\n<div id=\"primary\" class=\"content-area\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit; float: left; width: 524.3125px;\"><main id=\"main\" class=\"site-main\" role=\"main\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/p>\n<article id=\"post-2379\" class=\"hentry post post-2379 category-uncategorized status-publish format-standard type-post\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\n<header class=\"entry-header\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit; padding: 0px 0px 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\">\n<div class=\"entry-meta\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit; color: rgb(118, 118, 118); font-size: 0.6875rem; font-weight: 800; letter-spacing: 0.1818em; padding-bottom: 0.25em; text-transform: uppercase;\"><span class=\"posted-on\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/?p=2379\" rel=\"bookmark\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit; color: rgb(118, 118, 118); text-decoration: none; -webkit-box-shadow: rgb(255, 255, 255) 0px -1px 0px inset; box-shadow: rgb(255, 255, 255) 0px -1px 0px inset; transition: color 80ms ease-in 0s, box-shadow 130ms ease-in-out 0s, -webkit-box-shadow 130ms ease-in-out 0s;\" class=\"\"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2019-02-08T15:10:06-05:00\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">FEBRUARY 8, 2019<\/time><span class=\"byline\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit; display: inline;\">&nbsp;BY&nbsp;<span class=\"vcard author\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/span><\/span><\/a><a class=\"url n fn\" href=\"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/?author=1\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit; color: rgb(118, 118, 118); text-decoration: none; -webkit-box-shadow: rgb(255, 255, 255) 0px -1px 0px inset; box-shadow: rgb(255, 255, 255) 0px -1px 0px inset; transition: color 80ms ease-in 0s, box-shadow 130ms ease-in-out 0s, -webkit-box-shadow 130ms ease-in-out 0s;\">TERRAVIVA<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<h1 class=\"entry-title\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 1.625rem; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; clear: both; line-height: 1.4; padding: 0px; font-weight: 300;\">SUMMER 1965: LAST JOB IN THE WILDERNESS<\/h1>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"entry-content\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\">\n<div style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\" class=\"\">\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">1965: &nbsp;My Last Summer in the Wilderness: &nbsp; Merritt Open Pit Mine, Merritt, BC<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">alan skeoch<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">Feb. 2019<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><img decoding=\"async\" apple-inline=\"yes\" id=\"12677180-CDDE-4FA3-AB7F-ECCAF9235FB0\" class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit; border-style: none; max-width: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_9578e.jpeg\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">As the Summer of 1964 ended, &nbsp;I thought my career as a Field &nbsp;Man in the Miining Industry<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">also &nbsp;ended. &nbsp;Was I waving a fond good-bye? &nbsp;Not a chance. &nbsp;Along came the Summer of 1965.<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">Marjorie now had a role which &nbsp;was misinterpreted as you will notice.<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cHello, Alan, is that you?\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cYep.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cNorm Paterson here\u2026need a man for a seismic job in BC\u2026two weeks, maybe three.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cWait until I check with Marjorie.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cShort job, Alan.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cAll clear, what\u2019s up\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cBig molybdenum mine near Merritt B.C\u2026worried about overburden slippage\u2026need seismic<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">info urgently.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cUsing the &nbsp;portable FS2 unit.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cYes, with some modifications\u2026\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cModificatons?\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cNothing big time\u2026you can handle it I\u2019M sure. &nbsp; Can you take the job?\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cWhen?\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cFly out to Vancouver tomorrow then short hop to BC interior.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cSounds great, count me int.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">That call came from out of the blue about August 10, 1965. &nbsp;This &nbsp;was our summer vacation as public&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">school teachers. &nbsp;Hardly a &nbsp;vacation for us since somehow I got Trench &nbsp;Mouth in early July. &nbsp;Trench Mouth?<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">Not many people have even heard &nbsp;of trench mouth. &nbsp;Lucky for that. &nbsp;It is a super painful mouth infection&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">Mouth\u2026a series of ulcers in mouth and throat\u2026super painful. &nbsp;Cause? &nbsp;Gums got infected with Trench ]<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">Mouth bacteria from some source. &nbsp;Rare disease &nbsp;dates back to soldiers in the &nbsp;trenches of World &nbsp;War I.<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">Knocked me out for month of July so the Seismic call from Dr. Paterson was a welcome return to normal life.<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">But I had a few questions\u2026reservations. &nbsp;What is molybdenum? &nbsp; What are these \u2018modifications\u2019 to the&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">FS 2 portable seismic unit? &nbsp; Where is Merritt? &nbsp;How big is the open pit mine? &nbsp;And finally a questions<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">best not put to Dr. Paterson\u201d &nbsp;\u201cCan Marjorie come along on the job?\u201d &nbsp;Of course, the final question was<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">the really big question. &nbsp;And &nbsp;it was already answered.<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cMarjorie, pack a &nbsp;couple of bags for two weeks\u2026light, one bag each.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cWhere are we going?\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cWish &nbsp;I knew\u2026place called &nbsp;Merritt.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cAnother bush job?\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cNope, sounds like a &nbsp;job at a mine site.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cWhere will we live?\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cNot sure\u2026I will fly in first and then you follow a couple of days &nbsp;later.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cBecause the mine manager expects an expert\u2026this &nbsp;job is serious business\u2026if the open pit is on verge of collapse\u2026<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">they do not expect a husband and wife team on some kind of junket.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cWhere am I to stay then?\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cStay in Vancouver for a day or two in some cheap hotel and then take a bus to Merritt\u2026by then the job should be well<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">underway.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cHow do I get there?\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cBy bus\u2026should be &nbsp;a nice ride.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cI\u2019ll book you into a an East &nbsp;Vancouver hotel,\u2026\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">MOLYBDENUM<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cWhat is molydenom?\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cIt\u2019s a mineral often found assoiated with copper.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">Never heard &nbsp;of it.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cNot many people &nbsp;have\u2026important mineral though\u2026alloyed with steel makes steel harder.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cWho needs harder steel?\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cMilitary. &nbsp;One inch thick steel plating of steel and molybdenum is as good as 3 inch think ,metal. &nbsp; Make<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">tanks ligher\u2026makes ships lighter\u2026\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"\" id=\"yui_3_5_1_1_1549651721730_3051\" apple-inline=\"yes\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit; border-style: none; max-width: 100%; margin-top: 0px; margin-left: 0px;\" src=\"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/th.jpeg\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">THE NATURE OF THE JOB: &nbsp;COMINCO OPEN PIT MINE PROBLEM<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">One wall on The Cominco Open Pit Mine was unstable and seemed about to collapse which would tumble &nbsp;hundreds of tons<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">of soil and rock into the open pit mine. &nbsp;Like a &nbsp;mountain landslide. &nbsp; Geologists and mining engineers became aware of the danger when slight rock falls began<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">to happen. &nbsp; Could the whole massive open &nbsp;pit mine be &nbsp;compromised? &nbsp; Maybe. &nbsp;Maybe not. &nbsp;There was &nbsp;a chance that deep<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">underground the rock was &nbsp;quite stable. &nbsp;Maybe there might even be some kind of intrusion underground that would inhibit any<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">further &nbsp;movement. &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">It was worth finding out. &nbsp;If stable then the profits would &nbsp;be secure. &nbsp;If not then drastic action would have to be taken. &nbsp;Action that<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">might even bring about the closure of this partciular open pit operation.<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cYou can do it, Alan,\u201d said Dr. Paterson which was comforting. &nbsp;I was not so sure as I had graduated from U. of T in history and &nbsp;philosophy.<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">Philosophy gives a person confidence. &nbsp;History made me aware of &nbsp;my ignorance. &nbsp;One cancelled out the other.<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">No matter, we were committed and picked up the portable \u2018modified\u2019 seismograph. &nbsp;Marjorie and I flew to Vancouver the next day. &nbsp;She was &nbsp;booked into a modest hotel in Vancouver while<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">I caught a plane to Kamloops and rented a snazzy red convertible for the trip down to Merritt. &nbsp;Then Rented a room in the local motel which was very close to the mine itself.<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">On arrival I &nbsp;met a company geologist and the mine manager<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">and we sleuthed out the site. &nbsp;Explosives and blasting caps were purchased and &nbsp;we got down to business. &nbsp;Plan was to start the job the following morning.<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">That sounds &nbsp;very business like. &nbsp;Very efficient. &nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">Unfortunately events did not go that smoothly. &nbsp;Let\u2019s start with the car rental. &nbsp;Nice red American &nbsp;made convertible. &nbsp;Luxury car was only car available so I motored joyfully<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">south through the desert landscape of sagebrush and Ponderosa pines. &nbsp; Pulled the car up near the mine admin building\u2026sort of a wooden temporary structure. &nbsp;Lots<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">of huge earth movers were busy stripping off the overburden then loading up with the blasted fragments of copper bearing ore\u2026very low grade\u2026with molybdenum &nbsp;and tiny traces &nbsp;of<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">silver and gold. &nbsp;Needed huge load of ore to get small amounts &nbsp;of copper or molybdenum. &nbsp;Gold &nbsp;and silver even less so.<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">Earth movers have a blade about midway down the body. The blade is a mouth\u2026once dropped it scoops up loose soil and rock\u2026then the mouth is lifted and<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">the pile of soil and rock is hauled to a dump site. &nbsp; These machines &nbsp;are often driven by devil may care cowboy kinds of people. Shake the shit out of &nbsp;drivers. &nbsp;Certainly true in this case. &nbsp;As &nbsp;soon<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">as I parked the car a cowboy tried to see how close he could come to the car. &nbsp;He got very close\u2026too close. &nbsp;Sheared off the passenger side and back bumper. &nbsp;Had to&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">rent another car, less luxurious. &nbsp;Funny thing was &nbsp;that neither the mining people nor the rental agency got their underwear in a twist.<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">Later I heard &nbsp;that heavy alcohol consumption in the area led &nbsp;to many car &nbsp;accidents. &nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"\" id=\"yui_3_5_1_1_1549140097628_2145\" apple-inline=\"yes\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit; border-style: none; max-width: 100%; margin-top: 0px; margin-left: 0px;\" src=\"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/th-3.jpeg\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">Imagine this rental car with the side sheared away.<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">An earth mover, called a tractor scraper, &nbsp;identical to this one took a &nbsp;swipe at my rental car\u2026ripped the passenger side and tore off the back bumper.<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">Driven by a young man about my age or younger\u2026maybe even only18 or so. &nbsp;I have no idea why he did it. &nbsp;Never met him<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">and he did not stop just kept hauling his load to the dumpsite.<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><img decoding=\"async\" apple-inline=\"yes\" id=\"B72835EE-6BF1-4119-9767-0E239FE4258F\" class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit; border-style: none; max-width: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/1cbfd68d8001a0f97f9b9735121cbfbc-caterpillar-equipment-heavy-equipment.jpg\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">The Cominco (later Highland Creek) Open Pit copper and molybdenum mine in 1965<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"img\" apple-inline=\"yes\" class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit; border-style: none; max-width: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/souce.jpeg\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">Current picture, circa 2018, of the Highland &nbsp;Creek open pit mine near Merritt, BC. &nbsp; When I worked there back in 1965, the pit<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">was not nearly tis deep. &nbsp; The place where we did the survey may have been somewhere near the central road way<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">but up on the former surface. &nbsp;Then again it could have been a nearby open pit that was subsequently abandoned.<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">SO YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THE FS2 PORTABLE SEISMOGRAPH?<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">I learned the business from the bottom up. &nbsp;My first job in New Brunswick was the \u2018hammer man\u2019 job. &nbsp;Dr. Paterson gave me<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">a heavy sledge hammer and &nbsp;small steel plate. &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cHit that plate as &nbsp;hard &nbsp;as you &nbsp;can wherever and &nbsp;whenever you are told to do &nbsp;so.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cMust I know how to run a seismograph?\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cYou do not need &nbsp;to know a damn thing\u2026just follow orders.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cBottom of the learning ladder kind &nbsp;of job, right Dr. Paterson?\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cRight\u2026if you are lucky, you come back as a field man for the company\u2026capable<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">of running a seismic survey. &nbsp;If you foul up, well, you can figure what that means\u2026\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cWho is &nbsp;my boss?\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cDr. Abul Mousuf, a professional geophysicist\u2026nice guy.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"img\" apple-inline=\"yes\" class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit; border-style: none; height: 480px; max-width: 100%; width: 640px;\" src=\"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/6886722_orig.jpg\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">Description: &nbsp;Sledge hammer pounded &nbsp;on a steel &nbsp;plate sent sound waves to&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">the portable seismograph at clearly defined spatial intervals. &nbsp;Some distance<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">from the Seismograph it was necessary use explosives. &nbsp; Sound waves &nbsp;travel at<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">different speeds in different material\u2026i..e. air, overburden soil, bed rock.<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><img decoding=\"async\" apple-inline=\"yes\" id=\"241261C5-5EE3-4155-AABF-AE547287E38C\" class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit; border-style: none; max-width: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/NpG8JOtYSsuXSmST9Xq3Gg_thumb_54646.jpeg\"><img decoding=\"async\" apple-inline=\"yes\" id=\"DC462D7E-C138-4E72-8EA3-99C043E5299D\" class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit; border-style: none; max-width: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/zPYrCMDRPaGpBOljZgA_thumb_e969.jpeg\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">So My first job we used an MD-1 portable seismograph. &nbsp;All I &nbsp;had to do was &nbsp;hammer a steel plate with heavy steel headed sledge hammer. &nbsp;Abul Mousuf &nbsp;was &nbsp;my boss on that job.<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">Just the two of us were sent to New Brunswick &nbsp;to confirm the future lakebed of the St. John River Valley was &nbsp;going to hold the huge amount<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">of water from the Macktaquack (sp?) dam. &nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">&nbsp;Abul was the first moslem I ever met. &nbsp;Very patient<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">and generous &nbsp;guy. &nbsp;He ran the portable seismograph while I provided the sound wave vibrations which were picked up by the machine in milliseconds..tiny<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">fractions of a &nbsp;second. &nbsp;I pounded the steel plate at measured intervals\u2026usually around 50 foot intervals. &nbsp; The more &nbsp;distant I got from Abul the<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">harder I had to hammer that steel plate. &nbsp;When hammering was no longer readable, we started to use force\u2026 explosives\u2026Explosives!<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cAlan, cut the Forcite sticks into quarters and &nbsp;halves.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cHow?\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cSlowly with a knife\u2026the sticks are quite stable\u2026<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cStable?\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cplastic C4\u2026needs big shock to detonate\u2026That\u2019s where &nbsp;the caps come in.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cCaps?\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cThese little metal tubes with wires\u2026electric &nbsp;firing caps.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cHow are they charged?\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cSlide the metal tube slowly into the Forcite\u2026quite safe.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cAnd the wires?\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cAttach to this cable that goes back to the firing switch\u2026<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cAny danger of error?\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cAlways &nbsp;a &nbsp;danger if more than two people get involved\u2026safe is we work together.<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">You set &nbsp;the charge\u2026bury it so some of the force will go down\u2026 then get back &nbsp;out of the way\u2026Signal me\u2026wave your arm\u2026yell, \u2018All clear\u2019<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">and I\u2019ll detonate the charge. &nbsp;usually only need quarter sticks.<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">We worked out a routine\u2026once the charge was buried and wires connected I signalled Abul, then moved out<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">of the way, and he pushed &nbsp;the firing button. &nbsp;Wham! &nbsp;A small geyser of dirt snd &nbsp;debris flew into the air. &nbsp;And beneath the ground a &nbsp;sound wave raced<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">to the seismograph. &nbsp;Sound &nbsp;waves move faster in &nbsp;hard surfaces so it is possible to \u2018read\u2019 what is &nbsp;beneath the ground\u2026and do &nbsp;a profile of the depth to bedrock.<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">That is &nbsp;a very simple explanation. &nbsp;Forgive any errors. &nbsp;Remember I was just the hammer and explosives &nbsp;guy. &nbsp;The kid on the<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">job.<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><img decoding=\"async\" apple-inline=\"yes\" id=\"E51DDE84-4C8D-49D1-9723-D853EB67361E\" class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit; border-style: none; max-width: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ifZ5C6MKQquRCtDdETy7Q_thumb_54626.jpeg\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">The greeting by the professional staff at the mine site was a little disconcerting though. &nbsp;They had &nbsp;set up a demonstration test just to be sure the company, my company, knew what we we\u2019re doing.<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">At least that\u2019s the way I interpreted them gathering around the FS2 on the first working day. &nbsp; They assigned a hammer man to work with me, a man who was a little familiar with frociete explosives.<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">Really just a kid a few years younger than me. &nbsp;We walked along the edge of the huge open pit mine. &nbsp;Walked carefully. &nbsp;But not carefully enough for the hammer\/explosives man. &nbsp;He slipped over<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">the edge carrying the box fo Forcite sticks. &nbsp;Fell down about ten feet or so, regained his footing and popped up again. &nbsp;Forcite does not explode when dropped. &nbsp;A most stable explosive\u2026can be needed<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">and wrapped &nbsp;around a bank vault as they show in the movies. &nbsp;So there was no real danger although the boy who fell had misgivings.&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">Let me set the stags for the next critical incident:<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">We are standing on the edge of the open pit Molybdenum mine. &nbsp;A Great circular road &nbsp;weaves its way down to the pay dirt at the bottom. &nbsp;Huge Euclid mine trucks are going and coming<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">while equally large excavators are at work far below. &nbsp; The officials from the mine are interested in seeing the Seismograh at work. &nbsp;They are professional people\u2026a geologist and the mine manager<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">are among the 5 or 6 people present. &nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">I set up the console and mark off the intervals for a) the hammered plate and then, once hammering cannot be done b) the intervals for the electrically fired quarter snd half stick of Forcite. &nbsp;The hammer man<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">has been instructed how to slowly side the electric firing caps into the Frociete then use the lead wires to make the explosive secure.<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">I am nervous. &nbsp; What if nothing happens? &nbsp;What did Dr. Paterson mean when he said certain adjustments had been made to the FS2. &nbsp;Let me describe what happened next in dialogue form.<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cOK, we\u2019re all set up, &nbsp;FS is on.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cHammer the steel plate\u2026NOW.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cThat\u2019s odd, no reading\u2026no milliseconds indicted\u2026Do it again!\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">(Nothing happened\u2026I had my heart in my mouth\u2026was there something I did not know\u2026was it my fault?<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">Keep calm, Alan\u2026be confident.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cSorry, must be a defective board\u2026may have shaken something loose en route.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">&nbsp;Dr. Paterson had given me two or three spare \u201cboards\u201d filled with complicated soldered resistors and what not.)<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cJust do a replacement\u2026slide this board out and put a new one in\u2026happens all the time.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cOK, now take a good song with the hammer:<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cBingo\u2026working fine\u2026measures time vibration gets to the seismograph in milliseconds\u2026<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">te more distant the hammer or the explosives get from the seismograph the closer we get to finding&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">what is underground. &nbsp;What you want is a stable rock base\u2026or a rock knob to prevent any more slippage.<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">That will take s lot of readings\u2026(no need for an audience is what I really meant)\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cMy credibility had been established\u2026by pure luck\u2026well, more than luck, let\u2019s say guts\u2026Dad always<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">called me a \u2018gutsy bugger\u2019<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">GUESS WHO ARRIVED THAT FIRST DAY ON THE JOB?<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">Once the board was replaced all went well. &nbsp; Firing box for &nbsp;Explosives worked perfectly. All I had to do was push the button and &nbsp;then<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">write down the milliseconds it took &nbsp;for the sound wave to reach the seismograph. &nbsp;Simply add &nbsp;up the little twinkling lights. &nbsp;At least that<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">is what I remember. &nbsp;Things became routine.<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">My next shock was when I returned to the motel.<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">Marjorie was unpacking her suitcase in our room. &nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><img decoding=\"async\" apple-inline=\"yes\" id=\"138991B4-6D91-47BC-AE06-5EDB5E445E33\" class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit; border-style: none; max-width: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ZYQzxsR5W4XEHhgxuYOw_thumb_54691.jpeg\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cMarjorie, I thought you were going to wait a couple of days?\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cNot in that Vancouver hotel. &nbsp;I &nbsp;was scared so I caught the night&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">bus to Merritt\u2026arrived this morning.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cScared?\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cStrange men\u2026noise\u2026drunks\u2026did not want to stay around.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cGlad to see you\u2026perfectly safe here\u2026\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">A little later, the mine geologist showed up to make me feel welcome. &nbsp;Me?<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">He was surprised to find an &nbsp;attractive young woman in my room with me.<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">Wore a kind of lopsided grin when I introduced Marjorie to him.<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">The next day I got the scuttlebutt from our hammer man that the execs thought I had<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">brought a hooker in from Vancouver. &nbsp;They were certain of that. &nbsp;No matter how many<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">times &nbsp;I introduced &nbsp;Marjorie as my wife, they figured I was leading them on.<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cMarjorie, these guys think you are a hooker\u2026can\u2019t dissuade them\u2026\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cSo, let\u2019s leave it at that then Alan.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><img decoding=\"async\" apple-inline=\"yes\" id=\"E6A915D2-2E48-409C-9784-8E71210553F9\" class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit; border-style: none; max-width: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_54677.jpeg\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">Pictures: Marjorie\u2026I know these were taken a few years after the BC venture\u2026but they seem to fit.<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">As the days wore on, I think they came to realize Marjorie was my wife but we were&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">never sure that fact was believed. &nbsp;There is &nbsp;an old story about mining that I picked<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">up when working on the Elliot Lake uranium job. &nbsp;Our liaison man on that job said<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">\u201cThe best way to tell if a mine is going to be operational is the arrival of the hookers.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">Maybe Marjorie was a good luck omen.<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">WHAT WAS THE RESULT OF THE SURVEY?<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">I was only the field man. &nbsp;The interpretation of my results was done by professional geophysicists like Dr. Paterson back in Toronto.&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">The execs from Cominco would have liked me to tell them if the unstable north wall of the open pit was on the verge of collapse<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">or whether it would &nbsp;stabilize due to a &nbsp;tilt in the bedrock. &nbsp;I never did know the results. &nbsp;That was true of all the jobs except for<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">the Southern Irish job where Dr. Stam and geologist John Hogan were on site for the duration of the job. &nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">When we finished our seismic readings and the results were sent back to Toronto, the job was over. &nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><br class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">So here we were in Central British Columbia with s &nbsp;few days before school started back in Toronto. &nbsp; What should &nbsp;we do?<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">Fly home right away? &nbsp; I never liked doing that on any job. &nbsp; Seemed &nbsp;an absolute waste because most of the places we surveyed<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">were distant from Toronto. Some were fascinating places like Anchorage, Alaska\u2026Keno City, Yukon Territory\u2026Bunmahon, County&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">Waterford, &nbsp;Ireland. &nbsp; It would be stupid to rush home. &nbsp;And it would be costly since two airfares were involved only one of<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit;\">which was covered by the company.<\/div>\n<div class=\"\"><br class=\"\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\">So we booked ourselves on a cross Canada tourist train both<\/div>\n<div class=\"\">of us in a Lower birth.<\/div>\n<div class=\"\"><br class=\"\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"\">alan skeoch<\/div>\n<div class=\"\">dec. 29, 3033<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/main><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;Oeuvre FEBRUARY 8, 2019&nbsp;BY&nbsp;TERRAVIVA SUMMER 1965: LAST JOB IN THE WILDERNESS 1965: &nbsp;My Last Summer in the Wilderness: &nbsp; Merritt Open Pit Mine, Merritt, BC alan skeoch Feb. 2019 As the Summer of 1964 ended, &nbsp;I thought my career as a Field &nbsp;Man in the Miining Industry also &nbsp;ended. &nbsp;Was I waving a fond good-bye? [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22786","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22786","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=22786"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22786\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=22786"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=22786"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=22786"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}