The Independence mine located near Stave Lake in British
Columbia tenure#705048 was first discovered by a prospector by the name of Gordon
McClary back in the early 1940s. Gordon worked two mine sites in the area
for several years.His second adit would go onto becoming the
Independence mine.It went on to produce some rich high grade ore for
Gordon and his brother. But it was not Gordons destiny to get rich from
the mine.
In the winter months when there was snow on the ground and he could not
make his living from mining anymore. Gordon worked in one of the local
mills and was in an unfortunate accident which left him blind in both eyes
ending his prospecting career. Gordon McClarys mine then faded into
history until being rediscovered by a prospector named Fred Foreman. A
small group was formed and further explorations was commenced on the
McClarys old workings. The group was encouraged by the find and planned on doing a
much heavier sampllng program. But due to personal conflict within the
group the enterprise fell apart allowing the claims to once again be lost
to history.
The Independence adit follows two principal vein sets. Each vein set
consists of several 3-8 centimetre wide quartz-minor pyrite veins across
a total zone width of about 3.0-5.0 metres. Other irregular quartz veins
are also present. Wall rocks again are dioritic.
The local historian Charles A miller who was an expert on the mines of the
Stave says that if diamond drilling and further exploration where done on
the property that he is confident even richer ground would come to light and
heavier mining would once again begin on the property. Other then the one
grab sample. No more work has been done on the property since Gordon
mclarys day. The property is also located close to Maple Ridge and
Vancouver making further exploration on the property even easier. This
property deserves further exploration.
Standing inside the Independence Mine
For a tour of the mine site click the following link.
The site is now for sale for 10,000 CDN.
If you are interested in investing in exploration of the mine site or in purchasing the site please contact dfriesen@direct.ca
