Nipissing Hill
Coleman Township, Cobalt area, Cobalt-Gowganda region, Timiskaming District, Ontario, Canada
Key Information
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Nipissing Hill is in Coleman Township, Cobalt area, Timiskaming District, Ontario, Canada, part of the Canadian Shield, known for mineral deposits.
It produced about 30 million ounces of silver from 1904 to 1968, with other minerals like acanthite and picropharmacolite.
The geology includes Precambrian rocks with Nipissing diabase intrusions, forming silver-cobalt veins.
Mining started in 1904, using shaft and hydraulic methods, and ended in 1968.
Cobalt has a rich mining heritage, with museums and events, and features boreal forests and lakes.
The climate has cold winters and warm summers, typical of northeastern Ontario.
Geographic Location
Nipissing Hill is located on Nip Hill, east of Long Lake, about 10 km from Temiskaming Shores, a town with around 10,000 residents. This area is in Coleman Township, part of the Cobalt area in the Timiskaming District, northeastern Ontario, Canada. It's part of the Canadian Shield, famous for its ancient, mineral-rich rocks.
Minerals Produced
The primary mineral is silver, with the Nipissing Mine producing approximately 30 million ounces between 1904 and 1968. Other minerals include acanthite, galena, pyrite, quartz, and less common ones like breithauptite, nickeline, and picropharmacolite, notable for their rarity and association with silver-cobalt deposits.
Geological Structure
The area's geology features Precambrian sedimentary, volcanic, and igneous rocks, with the Nipissing diabase intrusions playing a key role. Silver-cobalt deposits formed in veins, likely due to faulting and fracturing linked to these igneous intrusions.
Mining History
Mining began in 1904 with silver discovery, operated by Nipissing Mines Co. Ltd. until 1952, then merged with O'Brien Mines. It closed in 1968 after significant production, using methods like shaft mining and hydraulic overburden removal.
Local Culture and Characteristics
Cobalt, near Nipissing Hill, is known as the "Silver Capital of Canada," with a rich mining history reflected in museums and historical sites. The town hosts cultural events at venues like the Classic Theatre and offers natural attractions like lakes and forests.
Climate and Ecology
The climate is typical for northeastern Ontario, with cold winters and warm summers. The ecology includes boreal forests and numerous lakes, characteristic of the Canadian Shield, enhancing the region's natural beauty.