Quebec Mine

The map in the gallery is an 1881 map of the Quebec Mine on Michipicoten Island.

A major mineral find (silver and copper) was publicly announced in 1848, but the initial optimism was ill-founded and no mine was developed. Work on the Quebec Mine was started in 1853 by the Quebec and Lake Superior Mining Association. The mine location also went by the names, Fletcher’s Vein and Charles Jones Site. The initial shaft was dug to a depth of 14 meters when they hit a copper bed. In October 1854 a group of first nation people wired upon the mine workers forcing them all to flee for the season back to Sault Ste. Marie. There were no injuries reported and miners were back to work the next season. In the 1860’s the Quebec and Lake Superior Mining Association leased the property to the Michipicoten Mining Company run by Mr. Fletcher who expanded the mining operation significantly. In 1863 three more shafts ranging from 15 to 29 meters were sung. Two log boarding houses, an office, warehouse and a sawmill were constructed. In 1864 operations were suspended after anticipated yields of copper didn’t materialize. In 1881 the Michigan Native Copper Company took over operations of the mine and mining resumed until 1887. Four shafts reached a depth of 160 meters. In summer 1881 Lord Lome, the Governor General of Canada paid a visit to the mine during a cross Canada tour. Joseph Cozens bought the company in 1887 after the Michigan Native Copper Company went bankrupt. Mining continued at Quebec Mine until 1890 when worked ceased again.