Giant Gold Mine Was More Than It Seemed
I was struggling to come up with a video title for our explore of this giant abandoned gold mine. So, I thought of the way that it felt for us to suddenly see those fantastic ore cars and that very promising winze after so long of stumbling through the clay-filled, and mostly artifact-free, halls and galleries above… That area with the ore cars and the winze even had nice, solid rock, which made us optimistic about having finally gotten below the clay layers. Therefore, the mine suddenly had the appearance of offering more than it seemed in the first hours.
That winze cried out to us as well. Very few people are willing or able to get on the ropes and to make their way down such vertical and near-vertical drops underground. So, that naturally filters out most of the looting of such historical sites and is, obviously, why we always have high hopes for the hard-to-reach areas. Having the abandoned mine suddenly take a dramatic turn for the better, right at the top of that somewhat messy (but large) winze certainly made us curious what was down there.
Also, as we considered it a certainty that the main shaft was plugged somewhere below us from all of the infrastructure and debris that had come crashing down it, we thought this winze might offer us a way around the blockage in the main shaft. The stopes had seemed to parallel the main shaft down to the point where the winze was. So, our hope was that we could continue the descent via stopes and possibly other winzes. We considered it to be a pretty safe assumption that very few people had made it to the depths of this mine after it was abandoned.
Oh, and for a point of reference, we came in via the adit on the 100 level and figured that we had gotten down to the 300 or 400 level. If you’ll recall from the video, this mine dropped down for 11 levels (1100 feet). Therefore, there was a considerable amount below us that was still waiting to be explored. Yes, the waste rock and mill tailings outside were enormous!
Thus, filled with optimism about good ground and great artifacts down that winze, we return to run it out as far as we can on our next video of this abandoned mine.
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You can see the full TVR Exploring playlist of abandoned mines here: goo.gl/TEKq9L
You can see the gear that I use for mine exploring here: bit.ly/2wqcBDD and here: bit.ly/2p6Jip6
Several kind viewers have asked about donating to help cover some of the many expenses associated with exploring these abandoned mines. Inspired by their generosity, I set up a Patreon account. So, if anyone would care to chip in, I’m under TVR Exploring on Patreon.
Thanks for watching!
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Growing up in California’s “Gold Rush Country” made it easy to take all of the history around us for granted. However, abandoned mine sites have a lot working against them - nature, vandals, scrappers and various government agencies… The old prospectors and miners that used to roam our lonely mountains and toil away deep underground are disappearing quickly as well.
These losses finally caught our attention and we felt compelled to make an effort to document as many of the ghost towns and abandoned mines that we could before that colorful niche of our history is gone forever.
I hope you’ll join us on these adventures!
#ExploringAbandonedMines
#MineExploring
#AbandonedMines
#UndergroundMineExploring
Пікірлер: 96
With all the beer and pop cans this could be the dutchman's lost aluminum mine
Still my favorite mine channel after years ❤
Just what I needed today! Thanks TVR for another awesome video.
For some reason, I find these videos relaxing, always fun exploring the unknown.
Another fine adventure into the depths of the underworld, that hasn't been seen in many years by but a few at best it appears. Another fine adventure you've gotten us into I see, but this was the longest video in some time, and so you really must have spent considerable amount of time down there. Which hopefully means another long video in the future, and maybe even another after that, especially since it's supposedly 1,100 of exploring to reach the bottom. Thanks for the ride along, and eagerly await the next adventure ahead. Take care gentlemen
Just a suggestion... Once in a while it would be great if you could pick up and film some of the Ore specimines. In particular if you are in a Magnesite, Cinnabar, Silver, Tungsten or Copper. You guys do such a great job documenting the equipment, inside and out, But once in a while it would be nice for you to pick up and dust off a mineral sample or two... I know that is difficult in a Gold Mine, but even the Quartz is cool to look at from time to time. Just a thought. Keep up the great documentation, historically this is needed!
Jeremy (the lunatic) returns for part 2. Can’t wait. Such a great channel
That can you thought was carbide earlier is a coal oil can, had a spout on one side of the lid and a filling cap in the middle, generally had a bucket type wire handle running transverse across the top to allow can to be tipped while holding it. Used for lighting/power kerosene as well for filling lanterns as well as oil for equipment. Late 1800's to 1950's from memory.
Home from work ... and an hr long video waiting for me! Mowing the lawn will have to wait until later!!! Thanks for sharing 🇨🇦
Well! Things perked right up there at the last! It was great to see the ore cars, but I was actually more interested in the electrical panel. The knob mounted single strand wire was used mostly from 1880 to the early 1900's, but was still around in limited use until the 1930's, and even later where there were no codes, or permits involved....because it was the cheapest way to run power. Also was cool to see that old electric safety switch by Square D company as they are still in business and a big name in electrical components. Any clue as to when this mine was operational? Can't wait for part dos.....thanks for a great explore Justin and crew.
Hi Justin, so many beautiful colours and sparkles everywhere, what an amazing mine and it was so cool to see the ore cart all still intact and I loved those arched sides on it, pretty cool. I am really looking forward to watching the next part with Jeremy and Graham and your good self obviously. Thank you for sharing, much love. xx 💖
Boy the finding of those ore cars ⛏️ never know till you explore 🏆Thank you for the tag along
Fantastic video this Jason & team. I love your commentary i find your voice so relaxing to listen to & your knowledge of what you are exploring is impressive. What a great find this mine was absolutely beautiful. ❤😊👍
And they call it a mine!!!! Walking upright is a rare luxury. 3:45 the greenish material (ore?) in the walls reminds me of an ore sample my grand-uncle gave me ~30 yrs ago. I can't recall where he obtained it nor his story of how he found it. I do know he was a photographer and travelled from LA to Vegas and Reno frequently back in the 60-80s (maybe even the 50s). 32:35 that's a super modern bucket
Pretty amazing place, Justin! I imagine the waste rock "pile" must have been more of a mountain than a pile...judging by the material removed from that mine and that incredible shaft...Can you imagine the sound when that collapse happened?
@TVRExploring
10 ай бұрын
The waste rock pile was absolutely enormous... And, yes, it must have been a hell of a thing to see when that shaft fell in!
Echo!! What?? LOL ....I dont know why that made me laugh. Keep em coming Justin!!
That was bloody fantastic.👍
Good stuff is an understatement! Fantastic! Thanks a bunch 🙏
Yup. Another great mine exploration! Loved that cool looking ore cart.
Thanks Tvr, awesome video as usual. ✝️🕯🙏
Hey Justin, Great video and explore of this mine.
Very cool mine. Thank you....Christine.
Great video as all was i will look forward to the next one
I don't know anything about geology, but the title gave me a hint that it was a gold mine 😁
wow! I'm drooling & on the edge of my seat!
Another top quality video - thanks! What are the red tags hanging from the rock? I find it interesting how the miner's knew where to put in timber supports. Each shift must have had experienced guys who knew how to read the rock and install support when needed. I always have a chuckle at your commentary: Hairy crystal stopes and your crew geeking out at the old machinery 😂
@fuzzedoutsounds
10 ай бұрын
Usually sample/location tags. Geologists have come through in recent years (could have been decades ago) and taken samples from different parts of the mine looking at mineralisation, often to assay to find out if the mine could be reopened if the ore quality is high enough to warrant the cost. It's more or less a locator tag that corresponds with the sample they took. There could be hundreds of them across a mine. When they get the samples back to examine, if they find something interesting they know where the sample came from if they need/want to return.
At 42:15 that's an overhead pulley for a haul cable/rope. Bolted to wooden frame generally and used to redirect the haul.
Maybe 15 years ago, buying a budget UV handheld light meant you basically bought a piece of dung, at least mine was. I picked a small one up a few days ago for about 10 bucks not expecting much and was kinda blown away at how good it actually was. It’s literally 10 times better than my original lol. I mean true UV (black light). Anyways, that to say the affordable good tech has come a long way in the led dep to give off correct wavelength of light at super cheap. If haven’t, y’all should take these jobbies on y’all’s explorations. It would be interesting to see how many of the minerals that fluoresce show up in the particular uv wavelength.
Good stuff man. 👍
What an AMAZING mine!!
I want to see how YOUR mine is progressing
What an unusual ore car, never seen one like that before either. Workings with ant-stopes are always a good time.
There's a huge mine just south of carlin Nevada. Huge stopes' rock walls. A must see
Wow! way cool!
Can't wait for part 2! Love the long videos, despite what YT says. We ("old" folks, 30+) have an attention span!
Wiring of the switchboard is purely early 1900's with the insulated standoffs holding the active and neutral wires clear of any backing to prevent sparks and shorts if insulation breaks down.
Wow. The mineralization was awesome to see, then that took a turn for the fan-freaking-tastic!!! How many hours were you all in there?
Absolutely hitting the Au nice Mineralization!!!; )
I really do enjoy watching your content and adventures. You guys are awesome stay safe
@TVRExploring
10 ай бұрын
Thank you.
Mineralization reminiscent of Tombstone mines. Very nice work.
@AUMINER1
10 ай бұрын
that is what I was thinking as well - southern AZ
Thank you for this amszing Video . Absolut interresting mine and a thst elektrikpanel abdoule good. All best wishes stay healthy and save. Yours Frank Galetzka
That is one MASSIVE Gold mine for sure with so many levels to explore, I wonder how many miners worked that mine ? This is why I enjoy your content cause I find it so interesting and informative 🙏🏻 ps how come it was like really foggy/hot in that mine ??
@Blake4625kHz
10 ай бұрын
I’m guessing water content in the strata, more specifically the clay is like a sponge for any water content in the ground.
great job you are doing. i am pretty old now to be doing the exploring and in the east there arent mines all over. i started out watching Frank, years ago. since i found your channel ive been sorting through. i have 3 questions, for now. would you think about numbering the videos, even if you start now instead of going back? the survey teams in there. do you know how many people they would consist of? and would you show or tell us what your buddies carry in the back packs. they are pretty big ones and i know rope takes up a lot of room but i bet the rope isnt in them. keep up the good work.
Well that mine had everything you want and dont want wow a very interesting explore, going down at some places looked very dangerous dont know if you guys will do that but well see it, thnx for 50 min of excitement.
wowza!!
I noticed what looked like romex wiring at one location so this mine was worked for many MANY years..
Great mine.
Every time you started getting close to the edge of that shaft I would get a little freaked out. That tingly sensation on the back of my neck. Said to myself, "that's close enough". LOL A little bravery, a little insanity. Be safe out there.
Good morning from Southeast South Dakota
Love these multi layered mines , and this one is very rewarding for a change !!! ✔️😎☠️
I've never seen an ore cart like this one with arched top rails - what a find!! an idea who manufactured this cart??
how old was this mine and have you ever found gold
Imagine a tunneling machine digging into the lowest level and mucking out all the freed gold from the cave ins and smelting the gold from the new adit a big undertaking but big reward also! one could spend a lifetime just mucking add crushing with a clear water lake from above constantly rinsing through as the mountain is gutted from below...I have seen tunneling machines making a few miles in just months a new adit 10 or twelve foot round with stabilized ceilings and rake out all the money...Gold prices higher than ever and methods so far advanced beyond what they had 50 or more years ago I'd wash that old mine out like a sausage skin...
What are some of the reasons surveyors would walk through an abandoned mine? To reopen it, demolition, other?
@jilbertb
10 ай бұрын
See if there's any gold for production. At $2k an ounce it may be worth it...
Is it a silver mine, lots of fractured qwartz crystals sparkling in the light, with gold in the heavy mineralized sulfur? Any samples takened for analysis?
Interesting, that is similar to the geology of the gold mine in Graubünden, Switzerland. Gold in clay folded everywhere.
@-r-495
10 ай бұрын
clay is decomposed stone too. not a geologist.
@-r-495
10 ай бұрын
reminds me of the reefs there are in Australia..
@BledaTurk
10 ай бұрын
Ocean mid-ridge volcanism, jarocytes and bornites are visible, and there's still a lot of gold there, but now they've recovered the nabites. I am a lawyer in Turkiye, by the way...
Looks like limestone and some calcite xls
13:45 is that a whisper or did a bag scrape? Sounded like something saying “hey”. Maybe just me. Carry on.
Wow there are a lot of sketchy areas in this moist swiss cheese gold mine.
1100 feet deep.. damn.
I hate these videos that get straight to the content. I want five minutes of them saying “waddup youtube” and telling me about their upcoming live shows and merchandise, and their collaboration with prime energy drinks. Please do more of that stuff and less of the interesting content.
@drahk7057
10 ай бұрын
Ok boss
@andrewmunchkin7212
10 ай бұрын
I know, he also needs to remind us that if we don't payup monthly on pateroen the vids will stop.
@jilbertb
10 ай бұрын
@@drahk7057He's being sarcastic.... 😂
@jilbertb
10 ай бұрын
I think he needs a sponsorship from a company that does something ATHLETIC, perhaps a GREEN drink, can you think of ONE?!?! 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂
@Porty1119
10 ай бұрын
BROUGHT TO BY RAID SHADOW LEGENDS
It appears that the majority of the drifts were exploratory.
*Hairy Crystals and the Chamber of Asbestos*. "You're not asbestos, Hairy!" Half expected the guys to say "roll for initiative " or something like that when you caught up to them. "Either it goes on or they're dead" Captured by goblins and kobolds counts, mindflayers, drow etc.
That cart should be called a loaf cart.
@TVRExploring
10 ай бұрын
Ha, that would be a good, descriptive name for it!
👍
Did it have a giant grow op in it? I just started watching so I assume yes... I like to comment about the video at the very beginning. It's a thing
nice job to bad all the litter left behind
Spelunker IRL
Have you ever found a skeleton?
@TVRExploring
6 ай бұрын
I'm assuming that you're referring to a human skeleton? No human skeletons, but I did come across the fairly fresh body of a miner at an underground mine in Afghanistan...
You sound like Tom Hanks
Yep another hole u won't ever go down
@garyshawii6608
10 ай бұрын
At the end another hole he won't ever go down
@TVRExploring
10 ай бұрын
Look at the next video in the series. We return and go down it.
placer mine?
@TVRExploring
10 ай бұрын
No, this was a lode mine, but your instincts to associate terrible ground in a gold mine to placer are correct.
I've never actually seen u finish a mine u just stop where u feel comfortable I suppose u apparently have no rope
@TVRExploring
10 ай бұрын
Then you haven't watched very many of my videos. We always return to the unfinished mines.
😎
Shit this is zelda
@garyshawii6608
10 ай бұрын
Watch for the dragon