Pipes not found in ’80s

I want to set the record straight on an article regarding Tournigan Mines that appeared on page B3 in the June 30 – July 6, 2006, issue of The Northern Miner.

The collapse breccia pipes were not discovered in the “early 80s.” Our company, Western Gold and Uranium, mined the Orphan pipe at Grand Canyon from 1953-1970 and others were mined at Hacks Canyon and other parts of the Grand Canyon. The Orphan deposit was not small. It produced about 11 million lbs. U3O8, much of it high-grade ore (1-7% U3O8).

It now belongs to the Grand Canyon National Park and the headframe still stands on the South Rim, 35 years after it was shut down. Ore was milled at Tuba City, Ariz., by Rare Metals Co.

Richard Wyman

Former manager of mines with Western Gold and Uranium

Boulder City, Nev.