Mining in Nevada, Nevada mining history, nevada mines

Virginia City, Nev.
Taken by O'Sullivan using the glare of burning magnesium
for a flash of light, 1867--68.
The working space was often claustrophobic.

Virginia City, Nev.
By O'Sullivan, 1867-68.


The man in the stripped shirt is leaning against the vein.
List of Mines by County
Numbers below each name indicate number of mines
| Carson City 28 |
Churchill 82 |
Clark 238 |
Douglas 48 |
Elko 298 |
Esmeralda 265 |
Eureka 171 |
Humboldt 163 |
| Lander 723 |
Lincoln 253 |
Mineral 256 |
Nye 413 |
Pershing 304 |
Storey 110 |
Washoe 85 |
White Pine 264 |
Mayday Mine -Awakening Peak
The Jumbo Mine - Awakening Peak
(Thanks to Dale Hartley for these Jumbo Mine photos)
For more information on MINING HISTORY AND EQUIPMENT
WARNING! 
Abandoned Mines are no playground.

The sign says "DANGER - UNSAFE MINE"
Then it's probably a very good idea to keep out.
Even in the days when these mines were in operation, they were very
dangerous. Over the years these dangers have increased, making the mines
far more unstable than they were originally.

Imagine what this mine was like when there weren't any electric lights.
Look at the ceiling in this very typical mine. Doesn't look very safe, does it?
Mines attract the great explorer in us, but before anyone goes poking around
in one, there are a few facts that should be known:
| Number one - | The strong timbers that once held up the earth ceiling are now rotted support structures. |
| Number two - | Open shafts are everywhere. Some are clearly visible. Others are not. |
| Number three - | Deadly odorless gases & lack of oxygen. Doesn't need explaining. |
| Number four - | Becoming lost & disoriented. There are many twists and turns, and they all look alike. |
| Number five - | Explosives & toxic chemicals have been left behind, and they don't mellow with age. |
The following are true reports about mine explorers:
"TEEN SPELUNKER FALLS INTO OLD SHAFT" (Salt Lake Tribune)
The teen was 18 years old and fell into a shaft
600 - 1000 feet deep. His body was never recovered.
"HIKER KILLED BY TOXIC GAS IN MINE" (Denver Post)
Three youths were hiking when they found the
entrance to an abandoned coal mine. Two of them went in for a short distance.
Only one made it out alive. The other youth wasn't able to help his friend as he was
dizzy as he staggered out of the cave moments from death his self.
"TWO MEN FOUND DEAD IN MINE" (BLM Internal Advisory Board)
Two men, 35, decided to visit a mine near Virginia City.
They were found within 75 feet of the entrance, asphyxiated. They died of
carbon dioxide poisoning. They climbed a fence which posted signs warning of
"bad air".
"MINER, TEEN HELPER KILLED IN COLLAPSE IN SIERRA COUNTY"
(Sacramento Bee)
A Jr. High student, 16, and his friend, 67, were both
killed when the mine portal collapsed burying them under 10 feet of rubble.
For more information visit the BLM's website:
Nevada's
BLM