Abandoned Mine With Three Tunnels In Jemez Valley Of New Mexico
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- čas přidán 5. 08. 2023
- Hello all! As always, thanks for watching! It's been a while since I've uploaded any new videos of mines. Well here's one! We were exploring in the Jemez Valley of New Mexico and stumbled across a rather large mine with three tunnels. At first I almost didn't enter because the opening was so small. We both had to crawl in on our bellies to make it past the entrance. Shortly after it opened up in to space large enough to walk upright for the remaining tunnels. There were many examples of chrysocolla, malachite, and some azurite with many other interesting minerals. I read that this area had many gold mines a long time ago. I think there was even some sulfur on the walls, if someone knows what the yellow mineral is please let me know!
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Ok I'm on this one my friend , just started watching now , thanks 👍, I will get back to you 😁
Ty Sir.
There are several uranium mines in NM , around Grants NM, just west of alb . Between there and Gallup . I had uncle's and cousins work there many years .
@gatorsskyexploration2876 As always thanks for the comment and the plethora of information! How interesting about your family history. I've read about a lot of uranium mining here in NM.
I worked in Mount Taylor cutting for the Blevins sawmill. They had Uranium mines up near San Mateo not far from Grants.
@Daniel_Antonio_Arellano782 Thanks for the comment!! I've spent a lot of time in the mines around Grants. There are lots of interesting finds. Thanks for watching!!
new sub. that was a cool little mine, looking forward to your next video
@jeanette8943 Thanks for watching and for subscribing! I'll be posting more videos of mines in the coming months as the weather cools down. Coming across this mine was a little unexpected. We didn't think we were going to find much.
Seems like a lot of greens and blues of copper mineralization. The blue would be azurite and the green would be malachite.
@danielvonbose557 thanks for the comment! Thanks for the information. We found some nice pieces of malachite and azurite. Thanks for watching!!
This mine is very small, and if they were after anything, it was likely copper since there is copper sulfates and azurite everywhere, but mostly outside compared to inside the mine. But what was in there was likely dug out long ago, but it would have been copper they were after.
@oculusangelicus8978 Thanks for the comment! Sorry it took me so long to reply! Thanks for the information!
Not too overly radio active , but definitely should yseca respirator or face mask arround it , especially when you have the wind . The black stuff is a older broken down version of the yellow stuff , even more dangerous .
These mines probably gave very little return for gold and silver. There is the presence of copper sulfate as a gold/silver indicator, but not much else. This is for inside or outside in the waste rock pile. The other thing to consider is, with the presence of copper and some sulfur and slight iron, the gold/silver would have been sulfide. And I cannot imagine that the Spaniards/Indians had any way to refine the gold and silver from that. There would have to be significant amounts of free gold/silver for them to recover, which would be unlikely in the presence of sulfides. It is highly possible that there are several layers of history to these mines. And that they were rediscovered by depression prospectors, and then all of the sulfides were harvested for milling sulfide gold/silver. The roof where you saw the sulfur is a slight bit of the load they would have been excavating. Keeping all this in mind, is there any possibility that with such a conspicuous presence of malachite and azurite, is it possible that this was actually a turquoise mine? Many times all three are found together. My general readings are that the indians were only as interested as the Spaniards were in recovering gold/silver. That is, as soon as the Spaniards left, and all trading for gold/silver stopped, the indian's interest completely waned. Obviously, not so for turquoise. Turquoise was extremely important to the Arizona natives. I would be very, very careful about entering a portals like that at 9:06. I would at least clear out the entrance so there is a much wider opening. Firstly, if there is a collapse, you will have an easier time getting out, and more importantly, removing rocks will give you an idea of the general entrance stability. Keep in mind, the older a mine is, usually the more unstable it is, and the portal is almost always the most unsafe part, because the rock was originally unnaturally exposed, and since then has been subject to excessive weathering; water, oxidation, and general debris sliding down along the entrance. In this case, there is a lot of debris possibly, from slides? The other thing to keep in mind is: when these things collapse, almost always they give you no warning. A collapse is usually immediate and completely unwarned. At 11:07, yes, the yellow material is sulfur. It will have the consistency of chalk and flake in your fingers. It is an indicator for heavy metals and is dissolved and carried along in fissures by superheated water. One last thing to keep in mind, sulfur crystalizes anywhere it becomes dry. So usually you find in vertically placed in mines, as the fissures the carried the sulfuric water generally traveled upwards due to pressure. This is not where the best heavy mineral deposits are placed. They are usually lateral. The reason being they are very heavy and unlike the sulfur, sink in their water. So when looking for gold and silver in sulfides, you follow lateral fissures and then test the base of the fissure for their presence.
@callmeBe Thanks for the insightful comment and thanks for watching! I remember from a previous comment you wrote, you mentioned that when sulfides or copper are found in a gold mine it makes it costly and difficult to process. This particular mine does have a layered history. Originally this spot was found by natives and then rediscovered several times throughout history. You hit the nail on the head! This portal was one of the more sketchy entrances we've come across. Even inside there were small sections that looked as if rock had flaked off of the ceiling. This is one mine we probably won't enter again. It was nice to see, but I'm happy it was uneventful otherwise. Many of these mines we've come across seem to be dug out of fissures or what look to be fault lines in the surrounding stone. I truly appreciate your detailed responses, what you write reads as smooth as a textbook.
I've been interested in finding Turquoise. I didn't know it occured with malachite and azurite. I did always wonder as the colors seem to be similar. How would I differentiate Turquoise from other similar looking minerals? There have been several occasions where we've found minerals that look like Turquoise. If you prefer, email me at dmanoutdoorlife@gmail.com. I'd love to pick your brain. Thanks again!
Well, turquoise, malachite, azurite, are all copper sulfides. So they tend to naturally occur together. That being the case, there is a high chance with so much copper sulfide in that mine, that you will have turquoise. Chances are the turquoise will occur not in nuggets, but in strands running through the host rock. All three can be fairly soft, but turquoise is much harder than the others, and with a good solid sample you will not be able to crush or flake it with your fingernail. I imagine the malachite and azurite on a white streak plate would leave a very large and dusty streak. THe turquoise would not. If you are going to hunt for it, get a streak plate. You can also use the back (white) rough side of a tile to the same effect. Anyway, you will not find good samples of the turquoise crystalline and porus. I am not a turquoise expert, but I would highly image they can all form mixed together in the very same strand, as they are all formed by copper laiden sulfuric water. That being the case, you will need to depend upon a higher purity of the turquoise, or it will tend to exhibit the characteristics of the other sulfides. You'll need to take a good look at some of the You-tube videos on hardening turquoise, because that is definitely something you would be interested in. So anyway, the turquoise in this mine would probably lend itself to book ends and slab processing. Yea, I saw the cave-in materials on the floor (also called "level", I call it a "deck" as I was a Marine) in the video. Chances are, with such a history, you won't find too many nice samples in the waste rock pile. I would try expanding the actual entrance, and when you get past the debris, you will probably being to expose thin strands of virgin ore, which is what you want. Use a long (4-5 foot) crowbar combined with a mallet and several chisels to pry apart the sectionals. You can also use the crowbar to test the sound of the tunnel you are beginning to expose, much like a carpenter using a light hammer on drywall searching for a hidden post beam. You are listening for the difference between a solid rock sound and an open thud sound. Just like drywall the thud is a void, and presents an area of danger. So you open that void up to again get to solid rock. If you go to my video czcams.com/video/0lfz2-CTo1A/video.html at 6:00 I have an explanation of this process, and you can hear the difference in sound qualities of safer and unsafe rock. Of course, always go with a friend (who stays outside), tell someone exactly where you are going, and always ask yourself before you enter any mine, it this really worth my safety? I prefer to keep all correspondence posted like this because many people have the opportunity to learn. Back to turquoise: here is a good article on it's identification with a plate, and hardness test, chevage, etc. czcams.com/video/0lfz2-CTo1A/video.html
@callmeBe As always, thanks for the great reply! You truly deliver the goods! I appreciate all the information, especially the bit about safety. That is something I will begin to practice, tapping and listening to the sounds of the rocks. That video you referenced was very informative and all the mines you and your friend encountered was very interesting! I need to look in gi purchasing a steak plate as well as a four foot crow bar. Thanks again!
@@dmanoutdoorlife Safety is always #1. When the miners were blasting, once the explosion took place they would leave for 24 hours and let all the rock settle. Usually if there is a residual cave in, it will happen during that time. When they returned they would use the crowbar method to check for safety. The object of blasting was to crack the rock so it was properly prepared for leverage with a large crow bar, or hammer and chisel. You didn't want to blast the rock to hell, like in the movies, because then your recovery process would take much longer, and your load would be spread out all over the place. Before you removed the rock you would place a square piece of sheet metal on the floor (called a "mucker"), so that the rock you are now excavating would be easy to load in a cart off a perfectly flat surface, and you knew exactly where it fell. But yea, taking a large crowbar into these places is always a good idea.
@callmeBe You have a wealth of knowledge! We truly appreciate the insight that you offer! I enjoy learning about the processes used to dig out these mines and how to recognize minerals. The historical aspects are highly interesting as well.
What supplies would you consider essential for entering any mine? (Keeping in mind it must be equipment we can carry on our backs for sometimes 10 or more miles.)
Thanks again!
It's not sulfur , it's a radio active yellow cake naturally made some where around the plutonium range of the elemental chart . My uncle , a chemist for a Utah electric plant , and water plant , told me about it . And I heard from a army Corp of engineers 6 year war service and 10 more as an ACA ACADEMY . SERVICE VETRAN .
@gatorsskyexploration Thanks for the information! We did have masks on hand when we visited this time. Masks and flashlight was about what we had as we didn't expect to find anything. That's really good to know. I'm glad we washed up afterwards. Good to know. My profession is not related to geology, but I plan on getting a geology degree in the coming years. Thanks again!
@@dmanoutdoorlife you are very welcome , and I wish you well on a geology degree !
look up carnotite @@dmanoutdoorlife
Does anyone know where the hades mine is located at in new mexico? Im from and live in new mexico
@jacobgates1986 Thanks for the comment! I think I've heard of Hades Mine, but not sure on the location. I'll take a look though when I have a bit of free time. Thanks for the comment!
At 10:34 there appears to be something sticking out of the right hand wall........old tool handle or stick of dynamite????
@frankfritzges7819 It was an old tool handle. It was lodged on to the wall. This mine was initially discovered by natives, occupied by the Spaniards and rediscovered in the 1800's I believe. New Mexico has a rich and interesting history.
Learn the rock signs. The Spanish was using for there gold stages. And look up the six ships went down and stopped the train.
@EdGray-ol8pn I definitely will look it up. There is much Spanish history in the state.
Do your dd's on the pope revelution and the Spanish getting ran out. You will learn a lot about gold and silver mines though out nm.
@EdGray-ol8pn Thanks for watching! I appreciate the information. One of the reasons I love New Mexico is because of it's rich history. I've come across remnants from the Spanish on a few hikes in the boonies.
Copper. Spanish? Any markings anywhere around it outside?
@robertmartinez1582 Thank you for the comment! Apologies for my delay in responding. This mine is Spanish or perhaps native in origin. Unfortunately no markings of any kind on the outside. We didn't notice anything obvious inside either.
Your in an audit mine audits will face out if it was a tunnel it will open up on the other side.
Thanks for the information! Duly noted!
You marvel at the green stuff but never told the viewer what it is... is it uranium?
@algomaone121 Thanks for the comment! I believe the green mineral is malachite.
@@dmanoutdoorlife Thanks! I live about an hour from that mine!
@algomaone121 Thanks for the comment! This particular mine is also about an hour from where we live. What part of New Mexico do you reside?
@@dmanoutdoorlife Albuquerque!
That whole place is nope!
@frankhass565 Thanks for watching! Some mines are definitely a nope for me as well.
Yes I'm seen Coppa silver and silver and sofa if you're not allowed metal detectors on that they sell a handheld one that you can take in the mines with you I just go over the spot get more than an ounce it will pay for your metal detector and then song just don't make a video of it
@phildavis4878 Thanks for the comment! I didn't even realize there are smaller handheld metal detectors! There are a number of old mines I've stumbled across that I want to take a metal detector to. I've explored many mines in New Mexico, but just started making videos several months back.
You need to go and get yourself a gold metal detector I don't care if there was no gold found in that area jackpot
@phildavis4878 Thanks for the comment! That's actually what I want to buy next is a metal detector. There's a lot of old gold mines in New Mexico.
Copper
@frankjoseph4273 Thanks for the comment!
Enjoy your shows. Am I wrong or did the Comstock lode in Cal-Neva begin with a rich vein of silver that they followed until a slip strike fault interrupted it and they tried to find it again ?
Suffer smells like rotten eggs
@JoshuaBerner Thanks for the comment! It does! I've visited hot springs in the past that smelled like froggen eggs. Sorry for my delay in responding!