The Photographic Materials series consists of 6100 photographs, 900 slides and negatives documenting a wide variety of subject areas pertaining to both the operations of Cassiar Asbestos Corporation Ltd., and the company township of Cassiar, B.C. Types of subject areas found within this series include, but are not limited to: mine, plant, labour, and townsite operations at the company towns of Cassiar and Clinton Creek (including community activities associated therein and townsite development); construction of plant and mine buildings ; mines and equipment not owned by Cassiar Asbestos Corporation, but which are believed to have been used for operational research purposes ; aerial photographs ; company exploration of further mineral deposits outside of Cassiar ; official tours ; community images, promotional material ; executive portraits. The Photographic Materials series has been further subdivided into the following 4 subseries: Exploration & Development, Construction, General (Mining) Operations & (Townsite) Community Operations, and Corporate Affairs.
Two large black and white prints of infrared dryers annotated on recto "Thompson Pipe and Steel Company Bulk Material Dryers Van Dorn Iron Works Company" and bearing on verso the ink stamp of a photographer from Cleveland, Ohio.
Six metal storage cases containing primarily slides depicting drill core sections in wooden storage trays. Cases contain inventories of slide images as well as annotations which document the year, drill hole number, and the length along the drill hole from which core sections are taken. In addition to the documentation of drill core sections, the cases contain slides depicting the following subjects: “Representative samples” of drill core fragments, drill core fragments in perspective, “physical characteristics” of the drill cores and the storage trays, the pit mine, a worker in a plaid shirt, close up shots of the geology of the working face, and images annotated “SHOTS OF JADE BOULDER CORE J5-J1”. Five slides originally filed separately and stamp dated “Jul. ‘73” depict what is speculated to be employees working on the diamond drilling project include 2 images annotated ‘R. Dickin Aug ‘72’, ‘I. Oliver Aug ‘73’, ‘S. Zimmer Aug ‘73’, and ‘core shack ’73’. The cases contain 234 7x7cm slides and at least 8 5x5 cm slides which are duplicates of the remaining images. The file also contains a slide strip containing several 7x7 cm slide images.
The file contains eight photographs depicting close up images of three rock samples, some photographed with a ruler for scale. One of the rock samples is speculated to be obsidian and the other two are likely serpentine. The images where originally found in an envelope titled "ROCKS" and are likely dated around 1991.
Included in this file are an five photographs of rocks on a shelf, which may be asbestos sample rocks. There are five accompanying negatives to these photographs and are likely dated around 1977. The photographs and negatives were found in an envelope labelled "Negatives - CIMM Photos."
Additionally two negative strips of geology maps of Canada. These negatives were found in an envelope labelled "Negatives - CIMM Papers, Mining, Planning, Geology."
Photographic negatives depict men on tour in unknown locations in Russia. Images depict urban areas, mining areas, construction of buildings, railway, mineral samples, and equipment including dump truck and electric shovel. Also includes images of area speculated to be a mine pit. Men on tour are dressed in formal attire.
Handwritten annotation in pencil on envelope containing negatives: "Russian 'Asbest' Mine Slides" "7 copies of each - 23 negatives - 161 prints".
File contains set of images taken in Faro, Y.T. Annotation on photo envelope reads: “Visit to / CYPRUS ANVIL / FARO Y.T. / SEPT 1975 / BY DALE CARIN / R. WILSON.” Images depict the pit mine operated by Cyprus Anvil Corporation, including a grader, ore hauling truck (likely a Wabco), an explosives transport truck, and unidentified equipment including an electrical utility box and some type of rotating wheel in the mill building.
The file contains photographs originally found in an unmarked and undated black binder depicting colour-coded mill equipment and machinery. Several of these images are annotated “Bell”, “Bell Asbestos”, and “National”. It is speculated that these images originate from the underground asbestos mine in Thetford Mines, Quebec operated by Bell Asbestos Mines Ltd. and the National Mine in Quebec. One image appears to be, or looks similar to the new mill at Cassiar, built in 1971.
File contains photographs annotated Nordenham, presumably indicating that these images were taken in the Asbestos Corporation's plant in Nordenham Germany. The images depict bagging machinery in the mill, including a palletizer, automatic sewing machine, packer, shrinkwrap machine, glue applicator and cement bags. Some of the images include detailed annotations.
This collection is proposed Cassiar development for the operating budget in 1979. The photographs are of poster-size presentation information. Topics covered include: operating graph of cost vs. fibre production, productivity rates, waste removal, ore mining cost vs. ton, primary crushing cost vs. ton, ore delivery cost vs. ton transported, stockpile drying and storage cost vs. ton feed, milling cost vs. ton fibre, establishment of funds allocated to townsite, staff, O&T and P&M, three proposed plans for 1979 and the requirements and costs for these proposals.
Men working among lumber at crusher building site, various materials scattered throughout. Vertically protruding planks from framework of crusher building are in foreground. Tree-covered valley in background. Construction of a long structure near the edge of the excavation area can be seen in midground; this is speculated to be the section of the crusher building which housed conveyor "B".
Men standing behind saw horses on bottom level of crusher building site, lumber scattered throughout. View facing into mountainside.
View facing into mountainside and showing various levels of foundations. Men can be seen working on site. Unidentified machinery and pile of long metal rods in foreground.
Men can be seen working on site, building tools and supplies scattered throughout. Handwritten caption beside this photo reads: "View showing various levels of foundations". A chute of some kind extends from high level to men near bottom. Dirt road at site, and tree-covered valley can be seen in background. Construction of a long structure near the edge of the excavation area can be seen in midground; this is believed to be conveyor "B".
Photograph depicts a round bucket attached to the main hook line of a crane (crane not visible in image) suspended over building framework in crusher construction site. Four construction workers stand around the bucket. Two men can be seen on roof of long building in background believed to be the section of the crusher building which housed conveyor B. Dirt road crosses midground.
View of crusher building from above, featuring the bottom level foundation. A dirt road and long building believed to be housing conveyor "B" cross the midground. Valley in background.
Photograph depicts a round bucket attached to the main hook line of a crane and suspended over building framework in crusher construction site (crane not visible in image). Men stand around the bucket on high level of crusher building. A dirt road and long building believed to be housing conveyor "B" can be seen in background.
Photograph depicts man standing at bottom of crusher building. Portions of framework near top are covered with plastic. Snow on mountainside in background.
Photograph depicts one man standing on framework of crusher building and a second man leaning over on a lower level. Lumber and hose in foreground.
Handwritten caption beside this photo reads: "View of Crusher Base." Wood and metal framework throughout, lumber and scaffolding in foreground. View facing into mountainside.
Man in hard hat and overalls bent over wood structure in front of a wood box. Crusher building foundation, mountainside, and power lines in background.
View showing various levels of foundations. Men can be seen working on site. Vertically protruding planks from framework in foreground. A long building believed to be housing conveyor "B" can be seen in background, as well as the tree-covered valley.
Handwritten caption beside this photo reads: "Damage to Cassiar Grader, result of hazardous access to site". Rocks and rubble in foreground, mountain in background. Grader appears to be sitting on edge of cliff.
Men can be seen working on site. Crusher building in midground, chutes can be seen crossing the different levels of foundation. Lumber is leaning against excavated dirt wall in foreground, as well as a ladder which reaches up to the base level. Large tank can be seen in top level above building construction. Mountaintop and sky in background.
Handwritten caption beside this photo reads: "Lunchroom Damaged by Boulder". Large boulder stands to right of small building, walls of right corner partially destroyed. Lumber, upturned saw horse, and various other material lie on ground. Dirt road in foreground, mountainside in background.
Handwritten caption beside this photo reads: "Work crew eating in open at 10˚ below zero, evicted from Lunchroom, due to damage to, from falling rock." Men are shown sitting in snow. Various metal materials in foreground, snow-covered mountainside in background. It is believed that power lines are also visible in background.
Photograph depicts different levels of crusher foundations built into mountainside. Dirt piles and unidentified machinery in foreground, power lines and mountain range in background.
Handwritten caption below this photo reads: "Completed Foundations for Crusher, with forms being stripped." Men can be seen working on site. Switchback road, power lines and tramline towers are believed to be in valley in background.
Blue sky in background.
Handwritten caption beside this photo reads: "Elaborate barricades required due to amount of loose rock falling continuously". Three men work in area confined by barricades made of vertical metal rods and horizontal wood planks. Miscellaneous building material and supplies cover the ground. Rock pile in foreground on right.
Photograph depicts two construction workers in far right sitting on edge above of excavation area, and two construction workers behind them standing at a higher level with construction of lumber walls behind them. The boom and stick of the "Northwest" excavator are semi-visible on left.
Photograph depicts a construction worker carrying a plank of lumber across a higher level area of the construction site, semi-constructed walls below him. Barricades against loose rock are semi-visible in foreground (see item 2000.1.1.2.352).
Photograph depicts four construction workers in front of tall wood structure extending to top level of construction area. Building material and supplies cover the ground: lumber, saw horses etc. Barricades against loose rock enclose area in midground (see item 2000.1.1.2.352). Plastic-covered pile sits at top level in background.
Switchback road, power lines and tramline towers are believed to be visible in the background valley. Construction of a long structure near the edge of the excavation area can be seen in midground; this is speculated to be the section of the crusher building which housed conveyor "B".
Three men work in area confined by barricades made of vertical metal rods and horizontal wood planks (see item 2000.1.1.2.352). Two ladders in foreground, (one being used by construction worker). Lumber and semi-finished walls can be seen at higher level of elevation in background.
Four construction workers stand to left of blasthole drill number "604" among many empty cardboard boxes. Mountain range can be seen in background.
Stick, boom, and bucket of a "NORTHWEST" cable shovel excavator can be seen left of a steep wall of earth in lower level of construction area. Construction worker is partially visible in foreground on far right. Building materials in background.
Two men bent over ground (one with a shovel) inside semi-finished wood structure. Mountainside in background.
Handwritten caption beside this photo reads: "Lowering Crusher Base into place." Square crusher base in foreground is being lowered by a traveler crane on wheels. Two construction workers stand watching on left. Crane stands against mountainside in background.
Handwritten caption beside this photo reads: "Placing Crusher Pinion; Pitman; weight approx. 20 tons". Man stands on top of a very tall, red peice of equipment believed to be a crusher pitman. Boom of crane is visible in foreground, and two other men stand on a high level of the crusher building. Crusher foundations, an unidentified building, and mountain in background.
Handwritten caption beside this photo reads: "View of Pinion & three sections of Crusher". Red rectangular equipment stands enclosed in wood frame, which is also enclosed in the much larger steel frame of the crusher building. Traveler crane on right.
Handwritten caption beside this photo reads: "Erection of steel framework of Building". Red rectangular equipment stands enclosed in wood frame, which is also being enclosed in the much larger steel frame of the crusher building. Men are working on site, and boom of traveler crane can be seen on right. Other buildings at crusher plant are visible at top of mountain in background.
Handwritten caption beside this photo reads: "Moving the sides of Bin into place. Weight nine tons". Two construction workers on right of a large steel bin side. Steel framework and sheeting in background.
Handwritten caption above this photo reads: "Moving the sides of Bin into place. Weight nine tons" (see also item 2000.1.1.2.365). The bin side is not in view, but cable lines of crane can be seen lowering bin into building. Steel framework and sheeting in background, snow in foreground.
Handwritten caption beside this photo reads: "View of Bin and Pan Feeder". Interior view of crusher building. A square, snow-covered object is being lowered by crane into building.
Photograph depicts the large 9 ton side of a bin for the crusher building. It is suspended by a crane which stands behind it, mostly out of picture. Pile of steel beams for framework in foreground, mountainside in background. See also item 2000.1.1.2.365.
Photograph depicts two similar wood structures built into mountainside in snowy area. Unidentified machinery in foreground on far left. Power lines or other cables above in background.
Photograph depicts the steel sheeting of the crusher building underway. Three men stand on platform suspended by cables close to roof of crusher building. Three other men can be seen working on the roof of the building, one walking, one sitting, one lying on his stomach very close to the edge. All are wearing safety gear. Cassiar mountain range in background.
Handwritten caption beside this photo reads: "View of completed building." Large door on side of building, offering view of interior. Miscellaneous material in snowy foregrounded area: tractor equipment, steel drum, lumber etc.
Handwritten caption beside this photo reads: "Conveyor 'B'." Conveyor sits on tall steel framework and encased in steel sheeting, elevated over gravel area and small bulldozer. Unidentified buildings in midground, snowy valley in background.
Handwritten caption beside this photo reads: "Conveyor 'B' from below, & Propane Tank." Conveyor sits on tall steel framework and encased in steel sheeting, elevated over gravel area and propane tank. Conveyor structure stands to right of snow-covered slope. It is believed that the crusher building stands in background.