AHJ_ah10619 Inventory of the John B. Knaebel papers, 1920-1976 Knaebel (John Ballantine) papers Processed by Jennifer Williams The creation of the EAD-version of this finding aid was made possible through a grant from the National Historic Publications and Records Commission. University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.
American Heritage Center Dept. 3924, 1000 E. University Avenue University of Wyoming Laramie, WY 82071 Phone: 307.766.2574 Fax:307.766.5511 Email:ahcref@uwyo.edu URL:http://ahc.uwyo.edu/
1999;2006

University of Wyoming

 Finding aid encoded by Ann Mulfort August 2006 Finding aid is in English Collection Summary Knaebel, John B. (John Ballantine), 1906- John B. Knaebel papers 1920-1976 10619 16.00 cubic ft. (13 document boxes, 1 F24 box, 1 F31 box, 28 map tubes, 1 large map tube) University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center. English Collection contains reports, summaries, correspondence, maps and other records relating to Knaebel’s work with the Anaconda Mining Company and its management of mining operations. The maps are of various mining sites and include topographical, level, ore estimates and mining and geological maps. The records particularly document Anaconda’s operations of the Pilares mine in Sonora, Mexico and in British Columbia, Canada. Biography of John B. Knaebel

John B. Knaebel was born in Denver, Colorado, on January 1, 1906. He attended Cornell University, Northwestern University, and Stanford University between 1924 and 1929. He received a B.S. in Engineering from Stanford in 1929 and an E.M. in 1930. Beginning in 1929, Knaebel worked for a variety of companies in a wide array of capacities. His work took him from Mexico to the Philippines. These positions included everything from mining engineer to assistant to the vice president. In 1946, Knaebel took the job of engineer in charge of Anaconda British Guiana Mines, Ltd. This began a long employment with various branches of the Anaconda companies in South America, the U.S., and Canada. Some of the positions he held were vice president and general manager of the Anaconda Company (Canada), Ltd., vice president of the Anaconda American Brass, Ltd., Western Exploration Division, General Manager of the new mines department for Anaconda Company, and vice president of the Anaconda Company. He received numerous awards from professional societies and magazines.

In 1931, Knaebel married Joy James. Together they had two children, Jeffrey James and Stephen Park. In May of 1956, Knaebel divorced Joy. Then in 1958, Knaebel married Nelle M. McNulty. He had one step son, Terrence Patrick McNulty. Knaebel died in 1991.

 Scope and Content

The John B. Knaebel papers, 1920-1976, are primarily concerned with material related to Knaebel’s work with the Anaconda Mining Company. There are reports on various mines that include maps and tables. There is a large amount of material dealing with Mexico’s Pilares mine. A great deal of attention was paid to the political atmosphere and the difficulties Anaconda faced in acquiring and retaining control of the mine. There are several boxes of maps dealing specifically with this mine. There are also several files on Anaconda’s work in British Columbia, Canada. There are numerous boxes of maps from various areas where the Anaconda Mining Company had mines in addition to reports on those areas.

 Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.

 Copyright Information

The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.

 Related Materials

There are no other known archival collections created by John B. Knaebel at the date of processing.

 Acquisition Information

The John B. Knaebel papers, 1920-1976, were given to the American Heritage Center by Natalie Schutz, Jeff Knaebel and Dr. Terry P. McNulty from 1993 to 1994. They were received in good condition.

 Processing Information

The collection was processed by Jennifer Williams in April 1999. The materials were arranged for research purposes. Where original folder titles existed, they were kept. Where none existed, descriptive titles were created.

 Preferred Citation

Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, John B. Knaebel papers, 1920-1976, Collection Number 10619, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

 Access Terms Mines and mineral resources--Mexico. Mines and mineral resources--Canada. British Columbia. Sonora (Mexico : State). Pilares (Sonora, Mexico). Geological maps. Mine maps. Mining engineers. <?xm-replace_text {Title as Subject}?> Anaconda Company. Anaconda Mining. Agriculture and Natural Resources Mines and Mineral Resources Business, Industry, Labor, and Commerce Science, Technology and Health Container List Series I. General Files 1932-1976 7.07 cubic ft. (13 document boxes and 1 F31 box)

Arranged alphabetically. Contains reports, summaries, correspondence, articles, an award, and company documents. Pertains primarily to Knaebel’s work with the Anaconda Mining Company.

 44 1 Architectural Drawings undated

For the house of Mr. and Mrs. Anton Mosunic

 1 1 Articles about John B. Knaebel 1967-1976 1 2 Awards and Appointments - Correspondence, Articles, and Press Releases 1957-1975 1 3-6 Biological Leaching - British Columbia Research Council, Vancouver 1964-1968 1 7 Bonaparte Project - by H. E. Bradshaw 1965 44 2 Briarcliffe Scheme E – General Conclusions and Recommendations 1961 44 3 Briarcliffe Scheme E – Outcome Analysis 1961 1 8 Britannia Area - Surface Geology and Progress Report 18 1967 1 9 Britannia Mine - Report Summarizing Results of First Six Months of Anaconda Operations 1963 2 1 Britannia Operations - Examination of Milling Operations, Accountability and Facilities 1964 2 2 Bunker Hill Job Offer - Correspondence, Notes, and Annual Report 1960 Carr Forks: 2 3 Anaconda/Kenncott - 71 Agreement 1971 2 4 Colored Prints of Cross Sections Map 1972 2 5 Concentrator Flowsheets 1971 2 6 Correspondence and Notes - W. J. Garmoe 1970-1972 2 7 Cost Summaries - Feasibility Reports 1971-1972 2 8 Costs - Development 1971-1972 2 9 Development Layouts Diagrams 1971 2 10 Development - General - Scheme A 1971 2 11 Engineering - General and Miscellaneous 1971 2 12 Exploration Progress Report 1971-1972 3 1 Feasibility Study and Recommendations 1972

Contains maps

 3 2 General and Miscellaneous - Sketches - Scheme A 1971 3 3 General and Preliminary Sketches, Mining Methods 1970-1971 3 4 General Layout - by H. G. King 1971

Contains maps

 3 5 Metallurgy Ore Dressing 1971 3 6 Mining Study - Mining Research 1971 3 7 Miscellaneous Data 1970 3 8 Operative/Financial Outcome Summaries 1971-1972 3 9 Ore Reserve and Assay Data 1971 3 10 Progress Reports (Dewatering) 1971-1972 3 11 Property Rights of Anaconda 1970 3 12 Rough Notes of John B. Knaebel 1971 3 13 Stopping Costs 1971-1972 3 14 Stopping Methods 1971-1972 3 15 Time/Sequence Studies 1971 3 16 Carr Forks Project - Revised Feasibility Study and Recommendations 1972

Contains maps

 4 1 Carr Forks Project - Revised Feasibility Study and Recommendations 1972

Contains maps and tables

 44 4 Cartoon – Caption “And the next time you forget the tripod – YOU’RE FIRED!,” undated 4 2 Cobre de Mexico - Mexico 1970 4 3 Compania Minera Nocozari - Mexico 1966-1970 Correspondence: 4 4 Ballantine, Joseph W. 1937 4 5-8 Chronological File November 1963-June 1965 5 1-4 Chronological File July 1965-May 1967 6 1-5 Chronological File May 1967-1972 6 6 Chronological File - Canada 1963-1964 7 1-2 Chronological File - Canada 1965-1968 7 3 Depression Gold Rush - by J. B. Knaebel and M. W. von Bernewitz 1932 7 4-5 Dry Creek Prospects, British Columbia 1965-1966

Contains maps and reports

 7 6 Endako District, British Columbia - Diamond Drilling Program - Denak Mines Ltd. 1968 7 7 Flathead Mine 1965-1967 7 8 Friendly Lake Claims - Kamloops - Anaconda American Brass Ltd. 1966 8 1-2 Friendly Lake Claims - Kamloops - Anaconda American Brass Ltd. 1966

Contains maps

 8 3 Geological Research Laboratory - Anaconda American Brass Ltd. 1966-1976 8 4 Geological Research Laboratory - Progress Report No. 16 1967

Contains maps

 8 5 Gnawed Mountain Area - Highland Valley - Anaconda American Brass Ltd. - Geology and Mineral Occurrences 1964-1965 9 1-2 Gnawed Mountain Area - Highland Valley - Anaconda American Brass Ltd. - Geology and Mineral Occurrences 1965

Contains maps

 9 3 H. P. H. Claim Group - Geological, Geochemical, and Geophysical Appraisal - Quatsino Mining Division, British Columbia 1965 9 4-5 Hat Creek Coal Deposit - British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority 1957, 1964

Contains maps

 9 6 Julian Mining Company - Ann Project 1965-1966

Contains maps

 10 1 Kat Project - Geochemical Exploration in the Southern Chilkat Range 1966-1967

Contains maps

 10 2 Leaching in Place - Britannia Mine - Anaconda - Canada 1964-1966 10 3 LL Claim Group and Powell River Area, British Columbia - Geology and Geochemistry 1967

Contains maps

 10 4-5 McVicar, Indian River, and Bank of Vancouver Projects - Mt. Sicker Area Geological Study Summary 1966

Contains maps

 10 6-7 Mexico - Legal - Property - General 1970-1972 11 1 Mexico - Miscellaneous 1970-1971 11 2-3 Mexico - Politics and Miscellaneous 1970-1971 11 4 Neihart Mining District, Montana 1970

Contains maps

 11 5 North Thompson, Hayes Creek and Guichon, British Columbia - Geochemical and Geological Reconnaissance 1967

Contains maps

 11 6 Nye-Mouat - Stillwater, Montana - Ore Reserve Summary 1970 12 1-2 Pilares, Mexico - Geology - Engineering 1970-1971

Contains maps

 Pilares, Mexico: 12 3 Map Inventories 1970-1971 12 4 Ore Drilling 1970-1971 12 5 Ore Estimates Data 1970 12 6 Pump Stations 1970

Contains maps

 12 7 Reports to Phelps Dodge 1970-1971 12 8 Redwing Project, Canusa Option 1966

Contains maps

 13 1 Redwing Project, Canusa Option 1966

Contains maps

 13 2 Santa Rosa - Mexico 1970-1971 13 3 Snapshots and Negatives - Various 1951-1973

Black and white and color film, color negatives

 13 4-6 Windy Mountain Project and Lakeview Prospect 1967

Contains maps

 13 7 Winston Area, Britannia Mine - Geology and Monthly Report No. 5 1965 14 Daniel Cowan Jackling Lecture Award 1972

Given by the Mining and Exploration Division of the Society of Mining Engineers of the American Institue of Mining, Metallurgical Petroleum Engineers to John B. Knaebel

 Series II. Maps and Tables 1920-1975 8.92 cubic ft. (28 map tubes, 1 F24 box, and 1 large map tube) Sub-Series 1. General Maps 1920-1975

Arranged alphabetically. Contains maps of various mining sites. These include topographical, level, ore estimates and geological maps. The tables are of ore estimates and projections for various mines.

 15 Bethlehem Copper Corporation Ltd. - Unidentified Topographic maps 1972 16 Bishop, California - Surface map 1975 16 Loretto Mine - Bristlecone Copper Company - Inyo County, California - Cross Section Maps 1975 17 Briarcliffe Section Maps 1961-1962 18 Britannia Ore Reserves - Estimates and Projections 1961-1962 19 Carr Forks Project - Scheme A & B – Tables 1972 20 Carr Forks Project - Geological Plan, Interpretations, and Various Sections 1970-1971 21 Carr Forks Project - Phase I, Feasibility Study and Recommendations - Maps and Tables 1971 22 Concord Group - Mother Lode Mining Map - Buffalo Hump, Idaho undated 22 Two Mile - Level Maps undated 23 Flathead Mine - Open Pit Study – Maps 1965 24 Flathead Mine – Various 1964 25 Melchett Lake Area - Plan Map and Ore Reserves Tables undated 25 Braircliffe - Pit Layout Map and Ore Estimates 1961 26 Melchett Lake Area - Ore Estimate Section Maps undated 26 Tamagas Mine - Vertical Sections Map undated 26 Honduras - Known Minerals Locations circa 1959 26 Santa Elena Hill - Plan and Profile Map undated 27 Municpio de Natividade 1938 27 Municipio de Iporanga 1938 27 Municipio de Xiririca 1938 27 Municipio de Apiai 1938 27 Municipio de Ribeira 1938 27 Panelas Mine - Topographical Map undated 27 Panelas Mine - Surface Geological Map undated 27 Unidentified Maps undated 28 Pilares – Level Maps 1970 29 Pilares – Level Maps 1971 29 Santa Rosa Claim – Topographical Map 1971 30 Pilares – Drilling Blocks 1924 30 Pilares – Ore Blocks 1924-1930 30 Pilares – Level Maps 1949 31 Pilares – Level Maps 1956 32 Pilares – Level Maps undated 32 Esperanza – Level Maps undated 33 Pilares – Level Maps 1930 34 Pilares – Level Maps – Geology 1920 35 Pilares – Level Maps 1956 36 Pilares – Level Maps 1970 37 Pilares – Level Maps 1970 38 Pilares – Level Maps 1970 38 Pilares – Surface Map 1970 39 Pilares – Level Maps undated 39 Pilares – Topographic Map 1971 39 La Caridad Area – Topographic Map 1971 40 Stillwater Project – Nye Basin – Cross Sections 1970 40 Stillwater Project – Benbow Basin 1970 41 Two Mile – Section E undated 41 Unidentified – Vertical Drill Hole Sections undated

Bethlehem Copper Corporation, Ltd.

 42 Unidentified Photographic Topography Maps undated Sub-Series 2. Oversized Maps 1922-1971

Arranged alphabetically. Contains maps of various mining sites. These include topographical, level, ore estimates and geological maps. The tables are of ore estimates and projections for various mines.

 43 Bingham-West Mountain Mining District 1926 44 5 British Columbia Geological Reference Map 1938 44 6 Cariboo District – Geological Map 1939 44 7 Cariboo-Thompson Gold Mind Inc. undated 44 8 Cariboo-Quesnel Lake undated 43 Carr Forks – Phase I-Feasibility Study and Recommendations Maps 1971 44 9 Fiddler-Tredway Mine – Plan and Elevation 1922 44 10 Hedley undated 44 11 “Historical Butte,” undated

Cartoon Map of Butte, Montana

 43 Indian River 1964 43 Mouat Property undated 44 12 Superior – Lower Adit 1939 43 Unidentified - Probably Mexico undated 44 13 Yank’s Peak Area – Ampro Mining Company Ltd. 1939