Ezuri Section of Hanaoka Mine

Abstract

Ezuri deposits are situated at the outskirts of Odate City. It takes 20 minutes by car to reach the mine office from Odate Station. The are deposits are distributed in the area of 500 meters east to west, and 2, 500 meters north to south. They belong to Kuroko Mineral Belt, and consist of black ore, yellow are and siliceous are like the other deposits previously discovered in this area.The development work was started in October, 1977. The mine came into production in October, 1979 utilizing a fully trackless system, and has steadily increased the production rate from an initial 6, 000 tons/month to the present level of 10, 000 tons/month. Today, the grade of crude are is 155g/t Ag, 1.43% Cu, 2.8% Pb, and 7.8% Zn.The mining method applied is “The underhand cut and fill with artificial roofing” combined with a trackless system.