Location and stability analysis of the Michigamme Underground Mine for the US-41 re-alignment in Marquette County, Michigan.

676695474Final report.PDFTech ReportRC-1510MITRA0035MinesRisk assessmentStructural stability (Mathematics)Structural analysisStability analysisLocationMichiganMichigan. Dept. of Transportation. Construction and Technology Division. Testing and Research SectionVitton, Stanley J.Michigan Technological University. Dept. of Civil and Environmental EngineeringNTL-HIGHWAY/ROAD TRANSPORTATION-HIGHWAY/ROAD TRANSPORTATIONUS Transportation CollectionA proposed realignment of US-41 near Michigamme, Michigan will be located over an abandoned underground iron oremine. The mine, known as the Michigamme Mine, was started in 1872 and closed in 1901. Initial mining operationswere started in seven open pit mines but soon reverted to underground mining operations. There were at least tenproduction and ventilations shafts constructed at the mine. While the general locations of the shafts are known, theexact locations of some shafts are not. This is due in part to the filling in of the mine shafts with waste rock from themining operations. The purpose of this report was to determine the location of the shafts and to make an evaluation ofthe stability of the surface with respect to the highway realignment. After investigating mine maps and historicaldocuments it was determined that the realignment will not be affected by the underground mines. The only issue notedis that the highway will be adjacent to one of the shallower mine shafts. Mine maps indicate that this shaft is between50 and 100 feet deep but filled with mine rock. The exact location of this mine shaft will need to be determined andstructurally stabilized