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 Post subject: Fairview and Birch Mines- Rockaway
PostPosted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 3:23 pm 
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Joined: Thu Oct 13, 2011 5:05 pm
Posts: 80
Location: Berkeley Heights
I cannot find much in the way of historical references for these two mines. All I had was a small map that I found in one of the State publications. To my surprise, I was able to find both of these very old mines and although it appears that some remediation was attempted thirty years or so ago, there are still some surprises in the woods.

First up is the Fairview. Could this be what I think it is?


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 Post subject: Re: Fairview and Birch Mines- Rockaway
PostPosted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 3:24 pm 
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Joined: Thu Oct 13, 2011 5:05 pm
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Location: Berkeley Heights
Yes, yes it is. A nice little adit.


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 Post subject: Re: Fairview and Birch Mines- Rockaway
PostPosted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 3:25 pm 
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Joined: Thu Oct 13, 2011 5:05 pm
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Location: Berkeley Heights
A look inside.


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 Post subject: Re: Fairview and Birch Mines- Rockaway
PostPosted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 3:26 pm 
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Joined: Thu Oct 13, 2011 5:05 pm
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Location: Berkeley Heights
Some dumps in the area. My thought is someone was in here with a bulldozer long ago and tried to sanitize the place.


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 Post subject: Re: Fairview and Birch Mines- Rockaway
PostPosted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 3:27 pm 
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Joined: Thu Oct 13, 2011 5:05 pm
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Location: Berkeley Heights
Wandering further south a shaft is found.


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 Post subject: Re: Fairview and Birch Mines- Rockaway
PostPosted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 3:28 pm 
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Joined: Thu Oct 13, 2011 5:05 pm
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Location: Berkeley Heights
Further south is a curiosity. A brook with a deep pool and a mysterious stone structure.


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 Post subject: Re: Fairview and Birch Mines- Rockaway
PostPosted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 3:29 pm 
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Joined: Thu Oct 13, 2011 5:05 pm
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Location: Berkeley Heights
More tailings.


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 Post subject: Re: Fairview and Birch Mines- Rockaway
PostPosted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 3:30 pm 
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Joined: Thu Oct 13, 2011 5:05 pm
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Location: Berkeley Heights
Now heading north , the Birch Mine. The bulldozer did a lot more earth moving here. The result, very little to see.


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 Post subject: Re: Fairview and Birch Mines- Rockaway
PostPosted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 3:32 pm 
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Joined: Thu Oct 13, 2011 5:05 pm
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Location: Berkeley Heights
You can follow the vein north into the power line right of way.


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 Post subject: Re: Fairview and Birch Mines- Rockaway
PostPosted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 3:36 pm 
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Joined: Thu Oct 13, 2011 5:05 pm
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Location: Berkeley Heights
Back to the beginning of my hike, I found what looks to be an old privy in the power line right of way.


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 Post subject: Re: Fairview and Birch Mines- Rockaway
PostPosted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 3:37 pm 
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Joined: Thu Oct 13, 2011 5:05 pm
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Location: Berkeley Heights
And an old foundation. Hope you enjoyed.


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 Post subject: Re: Fairview and Birch Mines- Rockaway
PostPosted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 3:47 pm 
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Joined: Mon Jun 20, 2005 11:33 pm
Posts: 3080
Location: Above the Sterling Hill Mine
Some great shots!

According to the state reports, the Fairview mine had a 50 degree inclined shaft and a few shallow open cuts.

The Birch mine had a 35 degree inclined shaft and also an open shaft 12 x 20 x 40 feet deep which had water at the bottom. That one was inclined at 65 degree and was opened in 1988.

I believe there was remedial work done to both of these around 1988, so that is probably what you saw left.

Now for the Fairview, is that indeed an incline or do you think it is more of an adit. It almost looks inclined from the photos. Is the ground soft on the bottom as if it was plugged, or do you think that is as far as it goes?

Miner Greg


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 Post subject: Re: Fairview and Birch Mines- Rockaway
PostPosted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 6:02 pm 
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Joined: Thu Oct 13, 2011 5:05 pm
Posts: 80
Location: Berkeley Heights
Hi Greg,

You must have more current information then me. I was working off a 1978 publication.

To be honest, I didn't think to feel around inside the slope or adit. It was really cold out so I did not linger. My guess is whatever the working is was backfilled.

I'm surprised there is no mention of these mines in the various NJ geological reports.


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 Post subject: Re: Fairview and Birch Mines- Rockaway
PostPosted: Mon Jan 30, 2012 9:45 pm 
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Joined: Mon Jun 20, 2005 11:33 pm
Posts: 3080
Location: Above the Sterling Hill Mine
I didn't check my USGS reports for these mines, but I thought the USGS reports were referenced. This information was from a 1992 report. I agree, more than likely it was backfilled as there does appear to have been remediation here based on the 1992 report. Too bad...

Miner Greg


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