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Manitowadge Geco and Wilroy Mines, Sept 21-23, 2018
Manitowadge Geco and Wilroy Mines, Sept 21-23, 2018
The Thunder Bay Geology and Lapidary Club planed a 2.5 day field trip to Manitowadge to visit the Geco and Wilroy Copper and other precious metals mines. We also visited the Local Museum and Municipal offices as well as some local beaches.
Here is some mine information.
Here is some mine information.
Trip EMail Notice
Trip EMail Notice
Hello TBGLC Members
The club is looking into a two and a half day field trip to Manitouwadge to visit the Geco and Wilroy Mine sites. Departure would be friday aft to sunday evening.
The mines primarily produced copper and gold starting from the 1950s and closed in the 1990s. There is a local motel there and participants would be responsible for making their own room bookings in advance. There are two restaurants, pizza shop and Esso Gas bar in town.
The field trip would generally follow this proposed schedule:
Friday Aft:
Assemble early (Intercity?), sign vehicle liability forms and carpool to Manitowadge (gas costs would be shared, driving optional)
Arrive at Manitowadge and meet our guide, John Lavoie, who worked at the mine and runs the local Museum.
We would also have some Mine safety talk and paperwork to do before going onsite with Mr Clarke, who is the mine site security.
Saturday:
Breakfast at the hotel
Proceed to probably Geco mine that am to allow for a full opportunity to collect samples.
We would look to club members to provide an Honorarium for John's help or Donation to the Museum (preferred). $20 per person is suggested.
Check in at the motel, gas up and have lunch.
Visit the larger Geco Mine and pick samples. John will be onsite to guide us.
Visit the Museum (mine history) and possibly the Municipal office (mine samples) that evening
There is a small admission fee to attend the Museum.
Dinner before or after. TBD.
Sunday:
The motel will provide a continental breakfast, Checkout.
Visit Wilroy Mine and/or return to Geco based upon which has the best pickings.
Alternatively visit some Lake Superior beaches near Marathon for more beach stones.
Lunch.
Assemble and drive back to Thunder Bay (Intercity?)
The club is currently looking for those that can commit to this trip on one of the following weekends (we assume that a weekend trip will interest more members): So if you are able to commit please pick a weekend and respond via email to this email. The reason we need an early and firm commitment is to submit a proposal to the Mine management so they know when and how many are coming on-site. Thanks in advance for your quick response to this event so we can get started on the final planning. Add any questions you may have. If you want to go ahead and book a room in advance then feel free to do so.
September 22nd and 23rd is a good weekend, weather permitting. (currently this is the preferred weekend of the working group)
September 29th and 30th is a good weekend, weather permitting.
October 13th and 14th is a good weekend.
We excluded these dates as follows:
Labour day weekend is too early, and members will have other plans.
October 6th and 7th is Thanksgiving Day and members may have other plans.
By October 20th and 21st it may be colder and possibly poor weather.
IMPORTANT: Please Read and Respond via email by Aug 26th at the latest, stating which weekend below you are committing to and how many are coming. We will confirm the list of participants then and start arranging carpooling, rooms, etc that week.
Note, You only need to respond if your are coming. Thank You
Accommodations
Accommodations
Manitowadge Motel has single rooms for $75 and two bed rooms for $95. Breakfast is served. I am told it had major renovations recently. All rooms have private bathrooms and showers. Their phone number is 807-826-4949.
Special thanks to Clair Pilgrim and Gerry White for gathering the information and contacts required to make this trip happen.
Attendance: 8
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