ABANDONMENT

The Ephemeral Nature of Human Endeavors

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THE GOLD HILL MINE

A Picturesque Abandoned Mine in Western Utah

June 29, 2003

The deserts in the western United States are dotted with abandoned mines. At various times, prospectors searched throughout the West hoping to make their fortunes digging gold out of the ground. Most, of course, found very little and left the gold fields penniless and disgruntled, and large companies came to control most of the mineral wealth. Rich mines often supported towns of thousands of people, but when the minerals played out and the mines closed, these towns often disappeared practically overnight.

This mine, about a mile northeast of the nearly abandoned town of Gold Hill, gave up its mineral wealth to the miners in the early 20th Century. While gold was initially the most important mineral in this area, less glamorous minerals such as copper, tungsten, and arsenic were actually the lifeblood of the community - they were desparately needed for the war effort during both World Wars. After World War II, most of the mines were abandoned, never to reopen.

This is a view down one of the tunnels in the back of the mine.


A rickety wooden ladder leads down a shaft into darkness.
A note to the foolhardy: Climbing an old ladder in a mine can lead to a nasty death, so avoid the temptation.


This is the door to the powder room. Fortunately, there are no explosives left inside.

A story about a visit to this mine, "What Kind of Nut Would Explore an Abandoned Mine in a Skirt", is located in the transgender section.

A Word on Mine Safety

Just in case somebody feels inspired by this article, I felt that I should copy my note on mine safety from the other article and place it here as well.

Abandoned mines can be dangerous. Hazards include, but are not limited to, structural problems, vertical shafts sometimes covered by rotten wood, ladders which look strong but are not, bad air, dynamite, and old mine equipment. But many of these hazards can be mitigated by the application of a little common sense.

Upon discovering a mine entrance, check its structural integrity. If it is blasted into solid rock, and there are few or no cracks, it is probably fine. If it is supported by timbers, make sure they are not rotten or broken. Timbers in a dry climate are likely to be better preserved. A pile of debris in front of the entrance is not necessarily bad; these piles often accumulate over the years as rocks and dirt gradually fall from above.

I follow two general prohibitions. The first is that I never enter coal mines. They are plagued by structural problems and bad air which is usually flammable. Always avoid these mines. Second, I never enter mines through shafts (vertical passages). Ladders, if they are present, are not to be trusted. Climbing in on a rope is also not recommended. It is too easy to dislodge debris from the sides of the shaft.

Before entering a mine, I check my flashlights. As a general rule, each person must have three working light sources. In a large group (four or more), two per person may be acceptable as long as the group does not split up. Do not bring cheap flashlights or use second-rate batteries. Also, if the group is large enough, leaving someone outside the mine at all times is prudent.

Inside the mine, evaluate the structural integrity frequently and do not venture into dangerous sections. Also, watch your feet. Vertical shafts may be anywhere. As I stated above, do not climb in the shafts. Sometimes, shafts are covered by boards which are thin and often rotten, so only step on solid ground. Other dangers at your feet may be dynamite or old equipment. Dynamite sometimes becomes extremely unstable after many years and can go off with little provocation. Old, rusty equipment may have sharp metal pieces not immediately visible in the low light, and it can deliver a nasty cut to the unwary. Bad, oxygen-depleted air sometimes lingers in dead-end tunnels deep within a mine. If the air seems stale and there is no breeze whatsoever, use caution. This is most likely to be a problem at lower levels in the mine. Finally, avoid making loud noises or sudden, violent movements. It may not take much to cause some loose debris to shift.

It is my opinion that exploring abandoned mines is not any more dangerous than many other recreational activities, provided that common sense safety rules are strictly followed.


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