Mine: Pewabic Mine, Hancock, MI

Began → Pewabic Mine → Quincy Mine

Operated for: 28 years.

From: 1853

Owned by: Pewabic Mining Company; then Quincy Mining Company in 1881.

Produced: Copper Ore

Method: Underground shaft mining.

Railroad connection: Mineral Range

Stamp Mill/Smelter:

Until: 1881

Lifetime Production: 

Notes

Location: 47.14111,-88.57083

An underground copper mine located north of Hancock, Michigan, and just north of the Quincy Mine. The Pewabic Mining Company was organized in 1853. For the first two years, work concentrated on opening prehistoric mining pits that traced an apparent amygdaloid bed. The first, and only, shaft Pewabic drove was driven on an incline following this bed. The shaft was located approximately 1,900 feet north of the Quincy No. 2 shaft. The mineralization on the "Pewabic Lode" at the Mine was not as rich as it was on Quincy's property. However, the company did manage to pay dividends amounting to $1 million. In 1884, management allowed the mining charter to lapse without renewal, and the company was forced to close. In 1891, Quincy Mining Company purchased the property and renamed the shaft Quincy No. 6, which became famous for its fabulous shafthouse. A total of approximately 27 million pounds of refined copper was produced between 1855 and 1884. Some pieces of copper can still be found today around the foundation of the old shafthouse; however, the shaft is privately owned. [MINDAT]

Time Line

1881. Property sold by the U.S. District Court special master in Sault Ste. Marie to the Quincy Mining Company. [LAS-1893-0729]

1893. The Pewabic Mine has been in the federal courts since 1884 and the results have been a complete victory for minority stockholders against the majority. The property was sold in January, 1881 by Special Master White for $7i10,000 and passed into the hands of the Quincy Mining Company. [LAS-1893-0729]