Today I explore a remote abandoned mining operation in the mountains. Support the channel www.paypal.com/donate?busines... Second Channel / @properexpedition2848 Instagram / proper_exploration
So I was with a friend of mine when his dad mentioned an old gold mine tunnel. He made us promise to never go look for it. So, the next night, we started looking for it. It took us two weeks, my friend finds it. He got me to go with him up to it, it is a slit opening on the side of a hill. He has to crawl in on his belly to get inside, but once in, there is room enough to stand up. We walk to the end, but realize it is not the end, just a caved in spot. This tunnel was all dirt, nothing supporting the walls. Crickets everywhere on the ceiling. We dug out enough to get through a small hole, and the next room is even larger. Crazy, nothing was smooth along the Walls until the end, where it was perfectly square and turned right and ended. An area was dug out to hold a cup at this area, and you could see pick axe marks all over the walls here. We didn't think to take pictures, this was in the 90s. I wouldn't go back in there for anything now, i should have known better. But what a memory! This was in the foothills of NC. No gold, though.
I don't think this is abandoned, it looks like a working mine and it's best to leave it alone, you can find out about the owners by doing some good old-fashioned research and then you will know. Always research an area before going to these places, you don't want to be looking down the business end of a shotgun.
@@Kordziel We actually knew the owners. Small community, lol. They said was an old gold mine, and told us they threw dead chickens from their farm into a vertical shaft from a gold mine. U gotta love rural NC! Lol
@@reedrk88t You didn't read my comment. Or you did not comprenend it. Look at it again. I said "RELATIVELY RECENTLY".... Do you know what I mean by "relatively"????????????????????. Geeesh. I wish people would learn how to read.
@@reedrk88t The condition of that Propane tank and Solar panel says its been within the last few months to 6 months Max. No Way that knob would be that shiny in the desert sun or that panel that clean with the driving dust..
Evidence of a lot of hard work.... The old times were rough times...Hard rock miners... My great respect for those people... The new machinery is evidence of recent activity around there.... Thanks for your respect.
I'm very happy that you thought to be respectful. As it is we don't know if the people have a legal right to mine that area and we also don't know that they don't have the rights to the area. Very often the mining claims will have the four corners marked with posts and signs. It is unfortunate that so many people think they have the right to take or destroy any thing the find just because there are no people arround to watch them.
I am a native Nevadan and have done my share of exploring and I have no idea where this is located but should I come across it or a another site like it, I would never touch a thing and I don't go inside the mines or even the structures. I treat them as museums and I am glad to see that this site appears to be unmolested and that is a pleasure. I hope it stays that way. Keep the secret.
These places are really no secret place with the satellite technology of today. They are so easy to find because of the trash and equipment they leave sitting around in the open. You wouldn't believe how many of these places I find all the time. The only problem is do you want to drive and then hike miles to these places. That is what stops a lot of people going to these mines.
LOOKS LIKE MINING STILL GOIN ON THERE. I DON'T LIKE THEM LEAVING ALL THAT PROPANE AROUND. WHEN U FIST GOT THERE, TO THE TRACKS, THERE WAS A FOREST BEINGS MANAQUIN, IF U WILL. I FELT THEY WERE SENDING A MSG TO MINE IF U WILL BUT TAKE UR TRASH OUT WHEN U LEAVE. I AGREE!!!. I HATE TO THINK OF A STORM HAPPENING AND THAT PEOPANE GOING INTO THE CREEK. PLEASE, CLEAN UP WHEN DONE AND SECURE POLLUTANTS. THANKS
Unless it was washed away there should have been a jar or a can nailed to a post or tree that held the claim for this mine. I can't imagine anyone would haul that generator up the side of the mountain and leave the claim exposed to anyone else who wanted to work it. It's pretty cool that vandals and/or souvenir hunters (sometimes go by the name thieves) don't know about this mine. You can tell that by the fact that the gauge on the engine in the shed still had glass in it. Vandals and thieves are required to break the glass in all gauges found at deserted mine sites. Keep the location a secret. Nice video.
There weren't any mining claims to be found, I did some research and this mine supposedly hasn't been active in over 30 years! This means the people mining here are doing it without a claim.
@@DaveSuzukiExploration I'd like to think that other people who visit this site will be as honest as you leaving the equipment alone. That generator didn't appear to have been there long but appearances can be deceiving.
After seeing that new generator I would of high tailed it out of there. You did the right thing and left the mine. I thank you for sharing it was intrastine to see the old miners stuff I like seeing old rusty stuff that haven't been moved in year's.
That was a good mine at one time , they spent a lot of time and money getting all that stuff up there, the new people figured it out and are trying to work it again
The vehicle engine looks like it actually still sitting on the the vehicle’s frame. So probably the hole car or truck or what ever it once was is still there
All those containers are full of concentrates that need to be cleaned up to get the gold out. Yes it looks like someone has been there within the last five years or so. The modern equipment there shows some age on them. Maybe more recent hung their lights there and forgot them when they were looking around. Anything is possible! Be safe!
The rust on that square-head shovel ain't but a week old . the guy filming this is probably being watched . As soon as I saw the solar panel with no dust or raindrops on it , I would have been GONE !
Thanks for the show .I hope you had a buddie with you ! You never know what could happen , bad fall , snakebite , bad guys , anything . Take a friend along bro.
That's really something, was waiting to see what the mine entrance was looking like after seeing the newer generator and if it was still open or the cord was running up under a pile of rock and they were still in there. Good video.
The Motor was probably for a mining locomotive, you would think there is no point in have the winches then, but, the minecarts could be too heavy for the locomotive to pull up that hill, no locomotive could pull cars up a hill that steep
Actually, with the narrowness of those tracks, the only type of locomotive would be either geared, or a narrow-gauge Shay. Either way, you would need a lot of torque to have a locomotive on those kind of tracks.
Good story. It was suspiciously fresh in ways before you got to the coal face. Some guy doesn't like the mess . As referred!? I love to see the relics of a time passed and the new guys up there still investigating whats in it for the reward of working it. I hope you got clear without a hassle , since some guys like that don't believe anybody and are hostile sometimes?
That place is remarkably unmolested. those old engines are easily from the 30's. I'm sure you are right about the recent mining activity. I see activity out at inactive mines too.
@@mr.j5919 Definately NOT a Model T . It has Overhead Valves , Model T was a FlatHead . Buy Definately aTruck Frame sticking out the front and the Back . I thought I saw a Chevy bowtie on the Transmission .
It’s always spooky to explore a place like that, Feels like your intruding on private stuff, I don’t suppose I’d be lucky enough to go there but great find guys
At the start of WWII all mines were closed to provide people for the military. many of them never reopened, got forgotten, owners died whatever--- The pvc pipe says this has been worked recently
It was the L209 law early 1942 said all mining activities had to shift over to strategic metal the mining of copper,nickel,chrome, lead etc.to support the war effort..gold and silver at that time was deemed a non strategic metal so those type of mines were closed to shift the work force of miners over to mine the raw materials needed for the war effort. Shoe
Huge amount of work to bring up and lay that track. But the way it has been done, inparticular if they were lowering ore down, would have been very time consuming have to load then unload three times. I would judge these probably original miners did not know how to curve the rails so all the segments lined up. It did not appear there were any remaining ore carts left. Interesting spot. Might be work another visit in a couple of years to see if there has been any activity. Good video. Someone who actually knows the difference between the zoom and focus. Frequent issue with videos of all types anywhere on the net.
Usually they would have a turntable right at the top of the incline so that the ore cars did not have to be loaded and unloaded. Just turn to align with the level grade or the incline. What you see there now might not be original. The old truck acting as a winch is probably not original either. The mine is probably much older.
You've found an old gold mine. I suggest looking around the place with a decent metal detector but be careful if you go in the mine, don't go too far back in there... because if the tunnel collapses it could become your grave. You would be wise to checkout some of those "ROCKS" in those rusty barrels.
How often do hard rock mines collapse ? if an adit has been open for 80 years why would it just collapse ? how many earthquakes has the mine survived in 80 years ? why don't you quote us some statistics ? right because there aren't any, stay behind your screen where it's safe.
@@DaveSuzukiExploration its possible that you may have stumbled upon someone's meth lab. That cave would be a good place for someone to go and work undetected.
I thought possible meth lab as well when I saw the propane cylinders. (Part of my firefighter training) I was relieved to see the propane was used to run the generator. It makes more sense that someone is still working that mine, versus making meth. People who make meth use empty propane cylinders to steal Anhydrous Ammonia, a key ingredient in fertilizer, from farmers in my area. The ammonia compound eventually ruins the tank valve body, and the people discard them. I've seen as many as fifty old propane cylinders left in abandoned basements and barns. It's a real 'red flag' hazard when fighting fires at abandoned houses that previously had no power.
you should have checked the LP tank to that generator, if it was empty that means to me the person might be trapped in that mine , it kept running until it ran out ,vs being turned off..
The washing machine up in the air is usually cut on one side so wind will spin the internal tub to drive the motor as an alternator or generator. Old stuff but smart. Check for wiring down to the shack.
Did you see any solid clues as to what was being mined there? And BTW thank you for being so respectful of other peoples things. Good job and cool explore!
I think what happened was it had been being worked on in the 1980's then abandoned, then started back up again. That would explain the older stuff being there and the modern equipment as well.
I understand your apprehension, but I would love to have a look in that mine ! You should go back to see if anything has moved since you were last there, which would be a better indication if it was active still. I agree with your previous comment about getting an oxygen meter to be safer tho. Great video. I just subscribed
If that mine was recently being used, it should have had it's paperwork all over the claim. If there was not a claim notice, then you could check with the claim office and maybe make the claim yours. Also if there was no claim paperwork posted, it could mean someone unauthorized, like the cartel or non-citizens were working that mine . As mining on BLM and national forests are only open to American citizens.
Are you trying to get him hurt or worse? Your advice is idiotic. If thats private property then he was trespassing. In many States people can take very aggressive action to defend their property against trespassers. If they are mining then its likely valuable and also likely secret. Just because some guy has a camera and likes exploring doesn't mean he is doing it legally. More importantly, you dont have to post anything advertising a mine on private land. You don't know what you are talking about. There are thousands of secret active mines all over the country and most are legal. You can register mines and keep them secret too. There is no law telling you that you have to advertise about your secret mine. You are wrong.
@@smokejaguarsix7757 there we go again, some troll idiot trying to put their two cents in. First of all you can't comprehend what you read, and furthermore you want to project your flawed understanding as facts. In addition, me being a prospector who makes a living doing this, enables me to know more about the subject matter. But it's OK, I don't mind teaching. For one you failed to notice, that I said on BLM land and national forests lands. Which by definition makes it not "private". Then you need to research the procedure of staking a claim, before you yap about it like you know something. Only 18 states allow prospecting for minerals on the federal land. And the law says that you have to mark your claim on at least 3 corners with posted document that the claim office gives you for this very purpose. And that's the only way you could mine the minerals there with all the legal rights. Because if you don't claim it, another person could claim and register it, and have you kicked off of the claim. And lastly, having a claim only gives you the right to mine the minerals in a 20 acre (which is the maximum acreage), it doesn't give you the ownership of that public land, like you can't prevent people from camping , hunting or photography for that matter. (Again remember, it's not a private property and it's the public land that we are talking about)
@@xerxessonofdarius1969 ridiculous. You have no idea if that is Federal land or private. Your advice is ridiculous and could get someone hurt or worse. What he did was beyond dangerous and you know it. If you REALLY are a miner then you know you gave him bad advice and you know you cant just walk into a claim office and stake out someones mine especially if it was illegal to begin with. So, you just looked up stuff on Wiki and spouted off. You are lying.
@@smokejaguarsix7757 OMG, the more you open your mouth, stupider you sound. Not knowing is OK, but insisting on your ignorance is something else. I follow this guy's videos, he never goes on private property, and if you'd watch all his videos, you'd know that his theme of discovery is to , venture out to BLM locations which he has predetermined. So again BLM , which means Bureau of Land Management, is the federal governments property. And YES, that's how you handle claims, by going to the "claims office " and registering your claim. You don't own your claim, you have to do site improvement work in addition to prospecting, and pay an annual fee of $165 , to be able retain the rights to extract minerals. Any failure in following this procedures, will cause you to loose your rights to that claim. Then that claim opens up to another prospector, to claim legally and ethically. So you have three options now. One is to thank me for educating you, 2nd you could finally stop trolling. And the third option is to ask this guy, and see that in fact, he is exploring the BLM land, and after that you could verify all I just taught you, repeated and articulated in www.blm.gov website.
Smokejaguar Six It's clear your a troll if you had ever worked for a mining operation or had any experience in mining you would know claims are required, infact there was not even a claim for the mine in the video! Which means anyone can come and take ownership, furthermore if mining is being done at this specific site it's clearly being done illegally, yes it can be hard to get a mining claim but that doesn't mean illegal mining is ok. A mining claim only makes it where your the only one who can mine but that doesn't mean you can keep people out of the general area, after all it's tax payers land.
That engine that powered the winch which I recognised straight away is the old stovebolt Chevy six which was used in the whole Chevy car and truck range from 1929 to 1962 63 and they were also commonly used as stationary engines for things such as winches, generators and auxiliary motors on cranes etc etc and were also popular in older speedboats in Australia in the 50s 60s and this engine was produced at the atlas foundry in Mexico right up to the early 2000s,those old stovebolts and blueflames were absolutely bloody dam good engines in the day and still are.
IIRC these had a problem where a cam bearing would spin in the housing and block an oil passage. The field fix instead of complete teardown was to drill and tap some strategic holes and run a hard pipe to bypass the blockage in the oil gallery.
I think they hiked into the mountains to wash their clothes as is evidenced by the generator and washing machine. No need for a dryer because of all that fresh mountain air.
No, no, no. This is arid southwest. This is where those giants live. You know, the ones that ate all those military dudes in that one movie? That's true-world stuff right there.
Your video popped up, very interesting. Would you by any chance know what their mining out there in the middle of no where? Looks very hot, like down here in Australia. Cheers mate. 👍🏻
Yes I do infact know what they were mining here it was mainly silver, gold, and ore. This area was higher in elevation so it wasn't crazy hot the day I explored this place it was about 80 degrees out. Australia sounds like one hell of a crazy place ive seen Overlanding videos, looks like an amazing place to explore.
It must have been a REALLY tough slog lugging all that equipment way up there, especially the gasoline engines. You're right, they probably had little results to show for it. By the way, you wouldn't catch me going into that mine...not now....not back then either. Really neat video.
Many of these types of mines are mined by Individuals and family members. They tend to be handed down from generation to generation. These are not corp. mines or large scale mining operations. Many are mined as a hobby and if you find a nugget or two, great, but you will not get rich off these mines, not saying you cant though. There are hundreds of these types of mines all over Calif and Nevada.
@@lookronjon The engines are pre-1932 so the mine might have been started a long time ago and a new guy took over recently. Any way you look at it, they did a huge amount of work before pulling out any profit.
