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Here, facing south, the massive hematite deposit was worked, especially
during the mine's historic Revolutionary War era. |
From 1851 to 1853, the mine produced approximately 3,000 tons per month.
Its ore, which was high in manganese content, was highly desirable as this
provided added strength when milled into rails and wire. Production decreased
by the early 1860's as the ore started reaching depletion. Unlike most Highlands
magnetite deposits, most of which were never bottomed, the supply at Andover
was finite and unfortunately unique in that respect. In 1863, the mine was
again abandoned.
In 1867, Cooper and Hewitt sold the Andover Mine and their ironworks at
Phillipsburg to Ario Pardee and I.G. Fell. The mine was reopened in 1871
and a spur of the Sussex Railroad refurbished for transportation. From this
period onward, its operation and production is obscure.
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