Post Date: Sept 8, 2013Trip Dates: Summer 2005 - 2010

The Marmoraton Open Pit Iron Mine, Marmora, Ontario










I would to start this article off by retelling a very old story. Fact or fiction, it is not for me to say. I have heard it said though…in all the tales and legends of long ago some truth did prevail.

Approximately 4,000 years ago, as the ancient Greek legend goes, in the land of Magnesia there lived an old shepherd named Magnus. He, like many of the people of that land, lived a simple life. His house was tent like in design made of animal skins and wooden poles built against a rocky hillside with a cave. Here generations of Magnus’s family before him had lived, tended to their sheep and passed on. Magnus owned but the necessities of life and the tools of his trade. His bed was made of straw, his clothing made of animal skins sewn together, his shoes made of a wooden sole with leather straps and nailed with crude iron nails to the wood soles. His prized possession, a tall wooden staff whose bottom was clad in iron to prevent wear.

Magnesia, in northern Greece, was a mountainous rocky region. The soil was good for farming and the raising of sheep. Small communities dotted this region. Seasons changed quickly here, farmers had to get their crops planted as soon as the snows melted. The shepherds herded their flocks up the mountain each spring farther and farther seeking out the rich sweet grasses which would fatten their sheep.

The shepherds traveled higher and higher up the mountain following the grazing animals. At some point they would no longer return to their homes but instead would camp on the mountain for the remainder of the season. At this time the shepherd’s family would travel to his campsite and remain with him. Rarely seeing another shepherd, it was a solitary life. An entire family was needed to guard the flock this far from home. Magnus knew his worst enemy...a hungry wolf was always lurking in the shadows. Wolves love to eat meat, especially fresh sheep meat. The shepherd had to be on constant look-out day and night for these predators. Armed with only a long knife and his strong wooden staff, Magnus took turns at night with family members to guard the flock. A shepherd did on occasion, defend the flock by fighting off a hungry wolf. Magnus had the bite marks embedded in his own flesh to prove that.

It was already the middle of the season, Magnus had climbed higher than he had ever gone before. The fields were knee high with beautiful green grasses and strewn with large boulders. Continuing higher still, Magnus continued upward until he reached an area almost barren of grasses with only patches of green here and there scattered about. It was an area dominated by all sorts, sizes and shapes of rock. He could see large areas of blackish rock covering vast portions of the land.

The area not being able to support his flock, Magnus was about to gather the sheep and start back down to greener pastures. Then, in the blink of an eye, he spotted his most feared enemy……a wolf. The flock sensed danger and became agitated, bellowing in defense. The wolf hunkering down as if to be unseen. Two lambs too scared to stay with the flock bolted from the rest racing across the rocky landscape in panic. Magnus saw the wolf stand upright, the sunlight reflecting off his pointed teeth, and spring automatically in pursuit of the two lamb. Magnus knew he must do what every shepherd must do and that was to protect his flock. He too was now in full flight with but one thought in mind, stopping the wolf. Stopping meant he would have to fight the wolf.

The two lamb ran as fast as they could and climbed a high rocky mound. Magnus stopped for an instant and gathered up one rounded rock. He threw it with all the force he could muster and as luck would have it, hit the wolf square in the head. The wolf stunned by the blow stumbled and fell. Lying motionless for just a second was all the time Magnus needed. Magnus pulled out his long knife and in a headlong leap sprang in a desperate leap and pierced the heart of the wolf. Magnus lay for several minutes his heart pounding like a banging drum he had saved his two lamb.

Magnus wanting to retrieve his lamb walked forward having to stand on and cross over one of the massive black rock masses which lay in his path. As he took each step forward, it became harder and harder to lift his feet to walk until finally they became stuck to the ground. He used his large staff to push himself from the ground but the staff itself became stuck. Magnus left hold of his staff and it stood upright on its iron clad bottom end. Never before had Magnus experienced such a dilemma. Much to his surprise when he removed his shoes he was again able to walk again. Leaving his staff and shoes behind Magnus rescued the lamb, returned to camp with a fantastic story. As the season ended he and his family returned down the mountain and to home. Magnus told his story to friends and shepherds of the area. Word spread beyond the village across the country to all of Greece and beyond. The black rocks with the power to pull and hold iron to it.

The Greeks later found other rocks with the same power. Eventually the rocks were named magnets.

So goes the legend…………..and it is said that in all legends a trace of fact exists. Lodestone is a naturally magnetized piece of magnetite. One could say they are naturally occurring magnets, which will attract and hold iron with a tight grasp. Though maybe not as the legend suggests.

As you continue reading the article, keep the thought or your mental image of Magnus close at hand. Here was a man willing to do mortal combat with a fierce predatory creature whose lust for flesh was insatiable. A mere mortal man who would risk his own life or limb in the defense of those who could not defend themselves.

He unknowingly walked onto a giant outcrop of very powerful Magnetite, lodestone. So powerful that the very iron nails that held his shoes together and the iron cap on his staff became immovable, permanently adhering to the lodestone.

Magnus had located a very large outcrop of Magnetite, lodestone. The Marmoraton Iron Pit Mine was also a large pile of Magnetite, 20 million tons of it……coincidence???

Magnus using a magnetic testing device which was “cutting edge technology” for his day, found his iron pile. We will find the Marmoraton was also located using “cutting edge technology” of the day….electromagnetic fields and a magnetometer. Also another coincidence???



The history of the Marmorton Open Pit Iron Mine………………..
The following information was pieced together either in part, whole or paraphrased when possible using the information available in the listed references.


























During a 10 year period between 1947 and 1956 the Geological Survey of Canada was operating its own aircraft for the purpose of aerial geological surveying. During this time the Survey averaged 40,000 line miles per year. Beginning in 1947 the Canadian Federal Government began aeromagnetic surveys as an aid to both geological mapping and mineral exploration programs. The aeromagnetic surveys were flown by Aero Service, Inc. By 1949, the surveys were funded jointly by the GSC and the Ontario Department of Mines.

What are aeromagnetic surveys? In order to understand the definition we will have to understand the meaning of a few other terms first. Geophysics is the study of the Earth using quantitative physical methods. The study includes the shape of the Earth, gravitation, magnetic fields, composition, magmas and volcanism, snow, ice, water Just about everything concerning the Earth and its make-up. A Geophysical Survey is a systemic collection of geophysical information by various means. One way to collect data is through using aeromagnetic surveys. These surveys are conducted from an aircraft using an instrument called a magnetometer either mounted on the aircraft itself or pulled along behind the aircraft. A magnetometer measures the strength and could measure the direction of magnetic fields. Invented in 1833 by one Carl Friedrich Gauss. Who remembers this man? What events in history were occurring in the USA and Canada during the 1830’s?

Why use aerial magnetic surveying? During the years mentioned above most geologic information was obtained from studies using scales ranging from 1:24,000 to 1:250,000. For research at these scales, aerial geophysics provided a more universal approach to subsurface research than any other type of method. There are other reasons for using the capabilities of aerial surveying.

1. Aircraft are suitable and commonly optimal platforms for acquisition of critical geophysical data, including data on potential fields (magnetic and gravity) and electromagnetic fields.
Electromagnetic field data include audio, very low and radar frequencies to thermal and near infrared
frequencies, and visible-light and gamma-ray spectra. Some sensors can be used simultaneously,
thereby obtaining information on surface and subsurface variations of several rock properties in a
single survey.

2. The horizontal resolution of data obtained by low-flying aircraft is more than adequate for mapping at scales as large as 1:5,000. Images of large swaths can be obtained in a single pass by high-flying aircraft for small-scale mapping. Through use of several sensors, information is obtained over a continuum of depths from the surface to tens of miles below the surface.

3. Aircraft data now collected in digital form and is thus suitable for immediate computer
processing, analysis, and display by geographic information systems. The results form a uniform and consistent data: set that can be accessed and reinterpreted as often as needed to provide information on new problems or as geologic concepts change.

4. Data can be collected by aircraft over areas that are inaccessible on the ground because of natural causes, such as rugged topography, or man-made causes, such as restrictions imposed by private ownership.

5. Airborne geophysics is very cost effective when applied to large areas. Generally no other set of
ground-based methods can supply equally useful information at such low unit costs. The importance of airborne geophysics was recognized in past decades as can be seen by the relatively large data-acquisition programs of the USGS during 1950-1980. Twenty or thirty years ago the rate of acquisition of aeromagnetic data far exceeded USGS capabilities to interpret and fully utilize the data.


How does this relate to the Marmoraton Iron Pit Mine? While doing these surveys a large magnetic anomaly was detected in the area of Marmora, Ontario. After farther research a discovery of what was estimated to be a 20 million ton iron deposit resulted.


In 1970 a cost-benefit analysis was carried out for the Marmora discovery. It was estimated that the 1949 aeromagnetic survey cost about $45,000. The production and reserves at the Marmoraton property to the end of 1969 amounted to $198 million. This figure of $198 million was very much more than the total expenditures by the Geological Survey of Canada from 1842 to 1969!











Producer: Marmoraton Mine

Class: Contact metasomatic.

Location: Lots 4 and 5, Cone. 5 and 6; l mile SE of Marmora.

Reference: GSC, 1958, Bull. 45, Fig. 1.

Description: Magnetite-bearing skarn, containing magnetite (50-55%), salite, hornblende, chlorite, pyrrhotite, pyrite and minor amounts of calcite, apatite, sphene, epidote, clinozoisite, andradite, chalcopyrite, and sphalerite, in marble at a syenite-diorite contact over a length of 2,100 feet. The deposit was overlain by
approximately 130 feet of mainly Ordovician limestone and glacial drift.

Economic Features: The deposit contained magnetite-rich zones 50 to 100 feet wide which form a tabular body up to 400 feet wide and 2,100 feet long and is known to extend to at least 750 feet below the Paleozoic strata.

Exploratory Drilling: (1950-1951) indicated in excess of 20 million tons available to open pit mining. Ore grades approx. 35% Fe. Mining is at a rate of approximately 500,000 tons of pellets obtained from 3.1 million tons of ore and waste per year. In 1959, 313,259 tons of concentrate, containing 66.25% Fe, was obtained from 762,785 tons of ore.

Ownership; Marmoraton Mining Company Limited.


Marmoraton Mining Company Limited

Marmoraton Mining Company Limited is/was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bethlehem Steel Corporation. It was incorporated in the State of Delaware in November 1950. The authorized capitalization is 205,000 shares of S100 each, of which 200,500 have been issued. The directors and officers were: A. F. Peterson, president and director; P. S. Killian, and N. Berkeley, vice-presidents and directors; F. R. Brugler, comptroller and director; B. D. Broeker, secretary and director; H. O. Olsen, vice-president and general superintendent; P. B. Entrekin, W. H. Johnstone, E. P. Leach, and R. E. McMath, vice-presidents; E. W. Morris, treasurer. The head office and mine offices are at Marmora. The executive office is at Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.A. The company owns an iron property in Marmora and Rawdon townships, Hastings County, a short distance east of Marmora…

1950-1 40 Diamond drill holes for 37,000 feet by Bethlehem Steel Corporation.
1952-5 Removal of 22 million tons of limestone, mine and plant construction by Marmoraton Mining Co. Ltd
1955-67 6,053,145 tons of ore shipped from open pit ½ mile long and 1/4 mile wide.
The open pit and mill operated from l January to 30 June, 18 July to 30 September, and 14 November to 31 December 1960.
A total of 1,131,464 tons was mined in the open pit, from which 358,201 tons was discarded.
The mill treated 773,263 tons of ore, averaging 2,740 tons daily.
The average number of employees was 302: 70 in the open pit, and 232 on surface. H. O. Olsen, vice-president and general superintendent, was in charge of operations at the property S. J. Shale was manager.

The average grade of the ore was 10%. The ore contained Magnetite, which was crushed and ground. An electromagnet separated magnetic rocks from the limestone waste-rock. The result was a 65% iron concentrate. This concentrate was then heated to 2400 degree F in 4 vertical blast furnaces on site, creating the final product of the mine; Hematite Pellets.

The Pellets were loaded into 30-35 rail cars daily, then taken to Picton port for transport on an ore boat to the steel mill. By 1978 the cost of quarrying the ore outweighed the profit being gained from mining it, and the quarry was closed. The water pumps that kept springs, ground water and rain water out of the mine were turned off, and a lake began to form



The large, open pit of the Marmoraton Iron Mine exposes the most notable example of contact metasomatic iron oxide deposits in altered carbonate rocks. Here relatively pure carbonate rocks and minor impure carbonate rocks have been intruded by a diorite-syenite pluton of variable character to produce skarn rocks typically rich in magnetite with subordinate carbonate, epidote, garnet, pyroxene, amphibole, pyrite, pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite. The intrusive rocks are generally massive biotite-hornblende metadiorite, with minor leucodiorite and pink and yellow-grey medium-grained metasyenite; several early mafic dikes have been cut by granitic dikes. The border zone between the intrusion and the carbonate metasediments is
discontinuously syenitic, and in places appears to be sheared.

The intrusive body, formerly covered by limestone, is separate and distinct from the Cordova and Deloro plutons. It lies on the trace of an arcuate aeromagnetic anomaly which also includes small exposures of metadiorite or leucogabbro at Marmora and south of Crowe Lake; these rocks may represent the northern periphery of a large intrusive mass beneath Paleozoic cover. Contact skarns have developed where gabbro has intruded carbonate metasediments. These are dense, fine-grained rocks composed mainly of andradite garnet, green clinopyroxene, amphibole, epidote, magnetite, pyrite, pyrrhotite and carbonate; chalcopyrite is a minor constituent.


Between the years of approximately 2005-2010, my son and faithful rock collecting companion, Adam, visited this site numerous times. And, I would like to tell you about one or two of our experiences there. Leaving the USA and crossing the border at Niagara Falls we entered Canada. Driving through Toronto and along the upper portion of Lake Ontario on the QEW 401 highway we abruptly turned northward just above Belleville, onto highway 62 which was now a direct shot to Bancroft, our final destination. At the village of Madoc we made a side trip to Marmora and the Marmoraton Open Pit Iron Mine.






The roadway to the former mining site was open and clear for travel. However, after a short distance the road suddenly ended at a large set of gates blocking any farther passage. There was however a parking area with possibly enough room for 20-30 vehicles. We were the only ones there. The area hadn’t seen much activity in a while. Grasses, weeds and trees were growing tall and wild. Adam and I parked, there were some type of gigantic off-road tires surrounding the back of the parking area along with large piles of rocky material. The tires looked old and worn, possibly from the mine’s digging equipment. I figured the rocky material was waste product. There was also a pathway between several of the large tires. We explored the rocky material. There was traces of iron ore and lots of limestone. The space between the tires was a pathway and we followed it. It led us right to edge of the quarry and an observation booth. This booth was built to last a lifetime. Made of metal beams driven down into the limestone surrounded by reinforced steel fencing and a metal sheet roof. It was impressive. Best of all, the view from here was truly breathtaking. I was so absorbed with this view my entire body felt as if it had no mass. We were standing so close to the edge that it appeared there was nothing below us and certainly nothing in front of us. Birds were flying out over the quarry. The drop from the booth had to be 200-300 feet though not straight down as the pit was tiered. There is no possible way using but mere words to describe the enormity of this site, standing here at its edge, the sheer beauty was inspiring. Truly a sight one must experience for themselves. At one time a fence certainly must have surrounded the entire dig. It would be quite easy enough to walk right off the edge and not even realize it. The fence we saw was in decay and disrepair, as large sections were either missing or rotted and fallen over.





Look close at the booth. On the left side a fence is visible, on the right side there is no fence.

From our vantage point there was little to no collectable material. I took a few small samples back at the parking area but that was about it. We only had so long to spend here as our collecting trip was not planned for here. We were headed farther north and only made a quick stop here. It wasn’t until later, 50 miles up the road, that it finally hit me…I forgot all about taking photos. I think I took 3-4. This site just overwhelmed me.


I stated earlier, Adam and I visited here several times and each time was just to stop and sight see from the observation area. This spot right here was void of collectables, though we did not explore to a great extent. I was afraid to “all of a sudden” be confronted with the “edge”. Adam was younger and the safest thing to do was to stay back and just observe. Each time we visited the road was open right up to the observation area. We saw no posted signs and for that matter if the area was posted the entry road should have been blocked at the highway and not where it was.

There was this one time though, one time, the once in a life time… happened. The parking area was packed full of cars. We wondered “what was going on”? Occasionally a few cars would be there. Sightseers would come, walk out to the observation booth, stay a period then leave. This visit was different from all other times. The strange part was that people were coming out from the path area with bathing suits on and people were leaving their cars wearing bathing suits and walking to the path area. Not just any people. Young people, families with children, women with children, children with children and everyone had a bathing suits on. Everyone with the exception of us two guys.

It was immediately clear……there is only one reason why one would wear a bathing suit. And it wasn’t to walk through the woods……they were swimming. The only body of water nearby was down in the iron pit itself. Adam and I were dressed in clean clothes not even our “collecting clothes”. I grabbed both of my cameras and said to Adam let’s go. Adam looked apprehensive. “Go where” was his response. The only reply that came to mind was “when in Rome do as the Romans”. The only guess I can offer concerning this situation was that the local good citizens of Marmora and surrounding area turned the open pit into a “swimming hole”.

On our way in, there were no signs advertising swimming. So this was not a business. It could only be the wonderful people of Marmora. We got out of our car and acted like Romans. We followed a group down the path.






From the photo we crossed over the old tires and past some sort of sign. Someone had printed on the sign “Swimming”. There was no fencing and the area here was not posted.













We walked past a pile of what was most likely large heavy metal conveyor belt plates. In the photo you can see rusted, sagging, decayed barbed wire with the metal plates on the other side of it, not the side we were on.

And, then the first glimpse of the conveyor building.














There was the open pit and down there were the swimmers. There had to be at least 40-50 people here.

For me this was the opportunity of a life time….No not to swim in the pit, though I do regret it now and wish I had. We were going to walk around the perimeter of the iron pit at a safe distance and take a pile of photographs.

Presented here is our trip around the perimeter, at a safe distance, of the entire Marmoraton Iron Mine…

Let’s begin at the mine buildings. Keeping a safe distance, we did not enter into any structure and we took nothing from the buildings. From the photos you can see their condition. Decaying, rotting and far from anything I would call safe. If you have read any of my earlier articles, you are aware of my policy of addressing safety as one’s primary concern.






































We were standing on a rocky roadway looking off to the far left. You can see some small piles of rocky material on a grassy field with a low ridge of material.




Nothing but nothing in the background.







Walking down the roadway we came upon an old digging machine who has seen better days. In his heyday, this machine was probably “state of the art” equipment. Who knows what it was capable of? One thing for sure it did the work of a dozen or more men. Now, abandoned and idle, only a shell of what it was.

A chimney stack possibly also abandoned.








Looking ahead all we see is black material everywhere. Piles and piles of waste material dumped here after being sorted out from the separation processes.

Then a rockhound appears inspecting ore samples.








Looking ahead and behind with stiched photos.











This canyon like terrain was the former roadway down into the pit. The heave equipment used to dig up and dig out the ore material would have needed a roadway to enter the pit as it continually was being dug deeper and deeper. The roadways would have also had to have been continually dug deeper and deeper to accommodate the equipment flow.








As Adam and I continued walking, I continued to record our journey.











We reached the waste area. Millions of tons of processed waste lay here. These piles are extremely fine material. It was like course volcanic sand.











Rounding the far back and looking up and back toward the mine building.




“Zooming in” we see a view of the building from this vantage spot.



















On we walk, rounding the position directly opposite from where we began. Climbing up and away from the pit. At this point the waste material was to close to the pit edge. We kept our distance in order to stay safe.



















As we approached the area on the opposite side across from the buildings and conveyor lifting structure. You see photos of varying degrees of lens zoom. See if you can spot the swimmers













Shots using a normal lens. We are quite some distance from the opposite side high up at ground level. Time wise, it is uncertain how long of a walk we have taken so far. From the photos the sun is going down. The colors of pit rock layers are beautiful.







The view as spectacular.





A single drill hole in a mountain of rock.









Nearing the end of our journey, most of the swimmers have left by now. A few are still here if you look hard.












The rock layers are very distinct as their coloring is displayed. You are unaware but what you are actually looking at is the passage of time….. millions of years right before your eyes

Spot the people on top for a study of heigth. As clearly seen, there are large sections where the fence is nonexistent and is not posted. Your guess as to fall distance is as good as any.

The observation booth extremely well built and perfectly positioned, sitting right on the edge overlooking the entire operation.















Stiched photos, looking across and back.

During our walk, we did stop at the piles of large rock to rest and explore for collectables. Adam located several garnets and I located a large specimen of decaying pyrite. But again, this was a photo opportunity not to be passed by. We were dressed in clean clothes not typical collecting clothing. We carried no tools. We did locate a number of the garnet crystals shown here. Several specimens were given to me by a friend who is a member of a collecting group also.













Walking closer to the observation booth, the waste piles were no longer fine black material but large rock, like the photo of the drill hole. We continued to follow the rock piles for a distance continually turning to our left. The booth was now out of our sight and all to be seen were rocks and a thick dense wooded area. The roadway was to our right. With the sun going down, we turned right and proceeded into the wooded area planning to locate the road and walk to our car. Instead of finding the road, we found what appeared to be a heavily traveled path, for there was no growth of any kind on it. It was headed in the direction we were going so we followed it. It led right back to the parking lot. Most of the earlier vehicles were now gone, several remained. Maybe late night swimmers. Our unguided tour had come to an end.










Though we experienced a rare opportunity to walk the perimeter of the pit…Do Not expect to be able to do the same. Our trip was several years ago. Things probably have changed from when we were there. I only wish I had swam in the pit and had photos to say I did.

I was thinking of Magnus the entire walk and the possibility of finding a shoe. I had told the story numerous times over the years on camping trips as a scout leader with the boy scouts. The kids/young men loved this story and several others including the one about “the Green Man” A man, who during a fierce late night storm was struck by large bolt of lightning…………

The Internet is loaded with the Marmoraton Iron Mine photos should you be interested. Also while researching a few items I ran across new material concerning this mine.

Northland Power has proposed a $600 million, 400 MW power generating plant be built at the former iron mine. Listed below are web links to this story. Possibly the open pit mine is undergoing development at the current time.






References:
Geological Survey of Canada, Open File Report 5537, Geology of Belmont, Marmora, and Southern Methuen Townships, Peterborough and Hastings Counties, Ontario
Econ. Geol., 1965, Vol. 60, p. 1366-1379
Geological Survey of Canada, Annual Report Volume for 1960
Geological Survey of Canada Map 560A, 13G.
Geological Survey of Canada, 1958, Bull. 45, p. 44-6, Fig. 15.
Geological Survey of Canada, 1967, Econ. Geol. Rpt. 22, p. 80-82


Thank you and happy hunting

Frank