Exploring Radioactive McCormick and Mi Vida Uranium Mines

[@deanstucker5835]

Nice job! I’m an old uranium Miner and worked many of these mines. The Ml vida mine was originally found and developed by Charley Steen, and the government paid him $10,000,000 for finding this huge deposit as a bonus in the 1950s.The company I worked for bought this mine in the early 1980s (Wisconsin Public Service ) through MRC (Mineral Recovery Corporation) .just before the collapse of Uranium Mining in this Country. It still has full face drifts of .40 hundreds ore. I also lived in Uravan Co. and worked for Union Carbide as a Mining Engineer from 1975 to1980. Keep up the good work!

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Thanks for the history about that mine. It seems to have a very rich deposit with all that radon coming out. Also very cool that you use to live in Uravan. I’m working on the video of my trip there. I’ve only been there twice but it was a very beautiful area.

[@deanstucker5835]

You mentioned you are going to Uravan so I thought I would give you some information on the small town. Madame Curie got all her Radium from Uravan and may have visited the area. During the early years of the mill it only produced Radium and threw all the high grade uranium ore into the River because uranium and no useful need at the time. The first atomic bomb got all the uranium it used from Uravan. It was under the control of the Manhattan Project during the war. The town was completely owned and run by Union Carbide when I lived there and had a company store, drug store, post office bording house, recreation center, medical cabin that had a Dr. One day a week, school, and Company housing. I had a 4 bedroom house that was very nice and cost $40 a month including utilities. We had seven Company mines in a 75 mile radius and numerous contract mines. Uravan was a great place to live.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

@@deanstucker5835 I already went to Uravan to get the footage for the next video. I would like to do a more in depth video about the location because its a very interesting area. Maybe even do something with the Rimrocker Historical Society and do some interviews. Thanks for all the additional info about the area. If you want to be one of those interviews email me. My email is in my channel info page. I don't post it here to keep the spam down.

[@josephkanowitz6875]

ב''ה, imagine if there was any interest in automating extraction for utility power instead of simply providing windfalls to oncologists. We can only imagine; this is America.

[@lucebus7440]

Lost in time😢

[@CaptianMoePedro]

I am Environmental Science Graduate looking to study Environmental Radioactivity, Radioactivity Safety & Dosimetry for my masters. I have seen lots of people make videos on topics similar to yours but NO ONE has such a beautiful layout and explanation for topics and just a general way of presenting imagery and information in a unique, entertaining and interesting way like you. Please take my subscription! More to come in the future!

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Thanks for subscribing. The subject of environmental radioactivity is very interesting. I see it in a bunch of different forms all over.

[@farklek]

As a Radiological Control Tech, it would be so cool to go exploring places like this and use what I've learned at work "for fun"! Just a few tips, bag your instruments like you mentioned, wear some coveralls to keep contamination off your skin and clothing, and in areas like this, a respirator would be a good idea. Those simple things would really go a long way in giving you the confidence to explore places like this in greater depth. Someday I wish to check some of these places out myself so I can teach my kids about all of this stuff, but until then, thanks for taking us along with you!

[@RadioactiveDrew]

No problem. Glad you enjoyed it. There are some mines I want to explore that have a very high level of radon. I want to use a boiler suit when I go inside so its much easier to remove that contamination. Depending on the mine I do bag my detectors. A contaminated detector isn’t the best thing to have out in the field that’s for sure.

[@OnTheRiver66]

Thank you for comparing your readings to chest and dental x-rays. It really puts things in perspective. Also your presenting the half life of the radon decay isotopes is very helpful in understanding. I don’t know how often that area has earthquakes, but if it was even once a year I would not go in that first mine!

[@saltmerchant749]

Just stumbled onto your channel. I absolutely love your niche in exploration.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Thanks. I’m glad I get to share these videos with everyone.

[@Wombletronix]

Sketchy locations, but fascinating. And the landscape is magnificent. What had me on edge was the reminder that you're not the only one going alone to places that are in states of imminent collapse - and that some of the people who do that neglect to tell anyone where they are going.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

I always let my family know where I’m going and when I should be back in cell service.

[@albing1397]

So amazing to think that the uranium from those mines might be standing watch in Minuteman missiles or powering an electrical plant. Such a desolate, yet beautiful area with a hidden energy source.

[@pourindiesel]

That drone shot driving along the cliff was amazing. Really appreciate your videos. Learned a bunch.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Thanks. That drone shot was cool for me to see when I was out there. Didn’t know exactly what that cliffside looked like.

[@scenicroadwaysyt]

Went on a cave tour in Alabama this week. My Geiger counter was up over 100cpm towards the end and must have picked up the radon daughters because the CPM stayed high, especially near my clothes for a few hours after. So fun to learn from this channel.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Sounds like it could have been radon. A cave would be a great place to find some natural radiation.

[@karhukivi]

Radon daughters giving off beta/gamma radiation mostly, the half-lives are about 20 minutes. After ten half-lives or about 3 hours the radiation from them will be only 0.1% of the original activity.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Since they decay away so quickly is why it’s so easy to detect them in extremely small amounts.

[@karhukivi]

@@RadioactiveDrew Yes, high radioactivity = short half-life. Which is why purified uranium chemicals are not so radioactive as the ore, the short-lived daughter products have been removed.

[@Desertprophet83]

I wonder if ruby falls in Tennessee has radio activity, I have been there twice .I live in Alabama.

[@rackets001]

Before I found your channel I had no idea so many every day objects are spewing radiation at us and we don't even realize it. Makes radiation seem slightly less scary to know that we're being constantly exposed any time we go out anyway. As a native Utahn, I had no idea such mines were around Moab! Pretty cool!

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Learning about all this really opened my eyes as well.

[@Koolkole27]

Exactly. Side note there are coralation between phones and other wifi devices harming people.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

RF radiation isn’t the same as ionizing radiation.

[@EvanCrocco]

Awesome showing of this mine, that banding looked quite old! The style of it is very cool, thought it was from the 50s and it was! What a time for mining... Dangerous as hell.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

No kidding…very dangerous.

[@robinwells8879]

Another genuinely interesting and gripping episode. So glad I found your channel. Sometimes the algorithm is spot on!

[@mysticforest7687]

Love hearing that radiacode just going REEEEEEEEEEEEEEE lol 😂 mine dose that every so often when i go exploring my area. Also you should bring a black light with you and see if there are any fluorescent U minerals. It’s really neet to do

[@RadioactiveDrew]

I usually do bring a UV light with me...didn't do it this time.

[@barthchris1]

Wow! Incredable how all of that uranium bearing ore was concentrated by geological processes which occurred at mindbogglingly long timescales.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Seems like a lot of it gets concentrated in ancient river beds. That's why you usually find fossils of all kinds in a uranium deposit.

[@vincedykmans970]

Great video. Thanks for sharing. Always great to see some nice landscapes and geology 👍

[@normkirk65]

Amazing videos ! Thank you ! To think that all of that Uranium and intense radio-activity came from distant supernova and a lot of it from that mine is either being used to make steam to generate electricity and inside nuclear weapons.

[@oldminer5387]

Great explore Drew. I wonder how the miners dealt with being contaminated with radioactivity. These mines look very sketchy to me, like the rock is just waiting to pancake off, nothing like the hard rock mines I worked in. Thank you for your efforts, take care.

[@isiso.speenie5994]

LoL Back in the old days , only the doctorate's in nuclear medicine were allowed to know about the dangers !

[@ajacks1349]

Other than ventilation tunnels & a good shower after their shift...nothing could be done. With heavy physical work respirators are not practical. That along with environmental contamination is why the mineral was outsourced to other countries...it was very risky & became very expensive...just like with the dangerous virus research that moved to China from the US... revelations we recently learned about.

[@TheAngieStoned]

I know I'm gonna love every video, so you have earned instant likes whilst the ad's are playing 🥳 Strolling around here in the comment section, just feeding the algorithm, and your ego. Best channel find of 2022! Much love from 🇸🇪

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Thanks so much. Yes the algorithm is hungry for comments.

[@TheAngieStoned]

@@RadioactiveDrew I'll be sure to throw it a bone in the future as well. I thoroughly enjoy coming along for the ride!

[@TalosCreations]

gotta be one of the most interesting youtube channels out there. These videos have me genuinely intrigued every time I watch them. Love the content man!

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Thanks so much. I'm glad people are enjoying these videos as I love making them about this subject.

[@scenicroadwaysyt]

The transition scene footage/music just after 14 min was beautiful. Awesome video.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Thanks.

[@jdhinckley1954]

Terrific combination of exploration video and the background information that makes watching those videos a richer experience. Not much of these ores here in New England, at least that were ever explored or mined.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Glad you enjoyed it. Yeah, Utah and Colorado have some pretty nice uranium deposits. Wyoming has got some really big ones but the mines there seem much harder to access.

[@bfgoalie99]

@@RadioactiveDrew I'm in washington state and theres a few around here I'm hoping to visit come springtime. one is at 6500 feet in the glacier peak wilderness area only accessible by about 10 miles of hiking but the second one is just off some forest service roads. Been keeping my eye out for any others I can easily visit.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

@@bfgoalie99 yeah, I've heard of a couple out in Eastern Washington.

[@bfgoalie99]

@@RadioactiveDrew there were some near Spokane near the Idaho border but there's also some closer to the center of the state where the continental shelf was pushed up by the basaltic zone, but there's very few roads out there now and I'd have to take a ferry and hike miles to get there.

[@vincentrizzi9797]

thanks for getting in there and sharing this remote place in Utah.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

No problem, glad you liked it.

[@chrismack5908]

Oh! I love to know more about the geology of the places you visit and the geologic processes of how the uranium and other elements came to or near the surface. Thanks!

[@pazsion]

Human activity mostly brings it to the surface

[@matthewmiller187]

Any chance you could do a video explaining the different types of particle, which ones are the most and least dangerous, allow radiation levels etc. A beginners guide to help understand your videos even. Great job, really interesting to watch. Keep it up

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Yes, I plan on making a video like this.

[@MereDaddyJi]

I found this channel from nowhere, but love the things you show..... keep up the good work

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Thanks...glad you found the channel.

[@caveone-365]

Thank you for this man!!! Always enjoy your videos and your footage is no less than INCREDIBLE! Very, very cool! Wish I were there exploring myself, as it is both interesting, and beautiful. Thanks again my friend! 👍🙂

[@alexanderbohlen5923]

Not good not terrible, but we measured 3k microsieverts in Byk mines from gas masks!! Camera started to show white dots as radon concentration increases (probably will post a video), but for my friends it's so catchy to have a walk in huge multi-floor mines) but on 21:30 moment where you get 32k CPM readings is mad thing! Good luck, be safe!

[@scuder179]

I bought my Radiacode after your first video where you mentioned it and I love it. The spectroscopy was a little bit off from the factory, so i had to do some calibration (did a lot of searching and eventually came across a PDF in German that I had to run through Google translate that explained how to do it), but other than that, it's been great. The calibration is super simple if you have a check source (I used my Cs-137 source). And you were right. Flipping the screen back and forth is fun.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Do you have a link to that German doc. I’ve done some calibration on mine as well but I would like to understand it a bit more.

[@scuder179]

@@RadioactiveDrew Yeah, it's here: www.opengeiger.de/AnleitungSpektrumKalRC101.pdf

[@scuder179]

@@RadioactiveDrew I think KZbin is blocking my other comment because of the direct link. Try searching for AnleitungSpektrumKalRC101. Should be the first result.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Sorry about that. Thanks for the search to find this.

[@ajacks1349]

@@scuder179 Thanks...

[@trulyinfamous]

I have a cheap GQ Geiger counter because I like being able to learn more about the environment around me. A counter isn't something most people will use much, but it's a tool that when you need it, you NEED it. The most radioactive thing I've found is a granite boulder that looks like it's traveled for a long time given how smooth it is. It reads around 45CPM, while background radiation where I'm at is usually between 16-23CPM. Definitely not very hot and I'm pretty sure my counter can't detect any alpha particles. I live somewhat close to the highest point in Ohio, so where I'm at isn't exactly a radioactive hotspot compared to the West in the Rockies. I think that rock was brought here be glaciers and I don't think there's a whole lot of radioactive minerals between here and north into Canada. Oh, and intersting video as always.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Even a cheap Geiger counter is better than nothing. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@GlennSisson]

Thanks Drew for your wonderful content and artistic presentation. I just now finishing watching all your videos, oldest to newest (over a few weeks). This video seemed special, in that it seemed like one of the most radioactive situations you've put yourself in for a video. While you've certainly had very high CPS on your meter many times in your videos, those other times (if I recall) were always due to small sources held close to your meter (fiestaware, smoke detectors, etc). In those cases, moving the meter back from the object would quickly drop the radiation seen by the meter. But in this situation, even as you approached the mine entrance (not holding your meter close to anything) you had high readings. All that radiation was coming, not from small nearby sources held near your meter, but simply from "the environment"... the ground, the walls of the mine, the daughter products in the air... it all adds up to sort of a "shower" of radiation raining upon you from all directions at once. For me, this was one of the spookiest places that you've visited. Thanks again Drew.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Really glad you are enjoying the videos. Hope you stick around for more. I’m hoping to release a new video between every 1-2 weeks. 2 weeks between videos at this point seems more doable.

[@bfgoalie99]

you should use your gamma filter for your RadEye if you enter that mine again so you know how much dose you are really getting in there, and of course use your mask :) great videos, keep up the good work!

[@ricardo_acosta]

Man that place looks like rattlesnake heaven, be careful out there, great video as always!

[@RadioactiveDrew]

I've only seen a couple rattle snakes out in this general area. I'm always looking for them to stay out of their way.

[@nilepink]

Awesome video. Your content inspires me to explore some radiactive places myself. But I have to wait until next year for that.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

You would be surprised how easy it is to find radioactive places or objects around you.

[@nilepink]

​@@RadioactiveDrew I actually lived close to an uranium mine. I went there with a diy geiger counter but could not detect any considerable radiation. A friend showed me an old photo of it. It was a small open pit mine and they covered it with meters of soil. So anything interesting is not accessible anymore and the area is made safe. There are a bunch of other mines, but they are further away, so I'll make a vacation trip for that. I haven't found any other places in my vicinity. But I might check the mine I mentioned out again with my real geiger counter.

[@pazsion]

Even your diy Geiger is pretty effective. But you can test it to check with known sources around you. Like a smoke detector. Have a mask for radon and new canisters sealed and with you. At the very least rated for dust and particulate. No amount of radiation is safe, time is your friend too.

[@hughesis]

just started with radioactive item and rock collecting. found your videos while doing research and have to say you're pretty interesting. Now i need to get a better Geiger counter than this GMC-300E

[@RadioactiveDrew]

We all start somewhere with detectors. My first one was a Soeks Defender.

[@erikdenwalt4801]

I’ve been to both of these mines and I definitely recommend a rebreather or some sort of HEPA filter mask and sealed eye coverings for the mi vida mine. There is a ton of airflow, sure, but also a ton of radon gas as mentioned. I went into the Dirty Devil and Temple mountain mines a few months back without proper breathing equipment and my lungs were burning only a few seconds in. Be safe explorers, always use proper discretion and equipment while exploring

[@RadioactiveDrew]

The mines in Temple Mountain seem to have some kind of additional contamination maybe from some equipment. There is a pretty gnarly smell to some of the mines.

[@richardgraham1167]

Thx for the interesting video tour. How about always keeping a UV light on you for highlighting the radioactive minerals? Also, I'd be thinking about a radon filtering face mask, if they exist, as we'd all breathe easier for you when soaking up CPM like that. Nice camera work, too!

[@louistournas120]

There is no radon filtering mask. Radon is a noble gas and doesn't bind with anything. Using activated carbon helps a little to trap the radon in its pores. He should use a scuba oxygen tank and mask.

[@ape7773]

I love your stuff man. I have made a collage project about nuclear energy with things you teched to us. Keep it up!❤️

[@RadioactiveDrew]

That's awesome...and thanks.

[@markw.4679]

Gave thumbs up before the add finished!! 👍 More antiquing too please! 😁

[@RadioactiveDrew]

More antique shop exploring is coming up. I have one more video from this trip and then it will be some radioactive antiques and antique shops.

[@basroos_snafu]

Please protect your skin better! You may not be frightened of a random dose here and there of what you can't see, but what you do see is already doing damage. I think I'd rather see you masked in a white layer of protection than burnt this way. Excellent video as always, and I'm only 2 minutes in. Perfect picture, colors and crispness, a joy.

[@EricBrokeIt]

I'm curious, have you ever been the scattering of mines in Utah, going north from Bullfrong/Ticaboo, route 276 up through Mt Ellsworth, Fred's Ridge, Mt Holms, Mt Hillers, etc. I ask cause many years ago I worked at Bullfrog in my early 20's and would often take days off exploring those dirt roads we all see off the highway. One day with friends we saw some caves, which ended up being mines. I want to say it was prior to Mt Ellsworth, and not far off the road to the west. Drove right up to the mine openings, nothing was marked, and the mine openings were easily big enough for my jeep. So being the reckless 20 something I was as the time, I drove in. I remember getting a ways in before I saw "danger radiation" sign. Got back to lakeside and some greybeard(lol now me) said "oh yea they used to mine tons of uranium out of the hill around here, you shouldn't go anywhere near that stuff". Oh also.... arent you mad that old man emu doesn't make an upper control arm? :p

[@Daleejr08]

Great video! Looks like you had some fun! We’re hoping to head out that way soon to see the sites. Hoping the next video is on uravan. That area from uravan to Lisbon valley, from carpenters ridge to the north there is one of my favorites to explore!

[@RadioactiveDrew]

It’s such a beautiful area. It was a bit of a surprise when I went out there the first time.

[@Daleejr08]

@@RadioactiveDrew there’s some really cool backroads all over that area leading in and out of mines. Across the river from uravan there’s some good ones that appear to be operated more recently. The signs are really neat too, warning of being in radioactive mining areas etc.

[@batterynerd8779]

Nice Video. Love your content! But it would be super useful to always have a microsievert reading! Especially in like the Videos of your smoke detectors etc. The 101 is nice but it‘s only beta and gamma. Alpha would also be very nice.

[@justinreagan8391]

I love your channel and your explorations, because I’m visually impaired, and cannot see very well. These are places I’ll never have a chance to go into. And you I am learning about radiation. Still don’t really understand all that much, but it seems like the second cave you were in was extremely dangerous from what it sounds like. Please be safe.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Thanks for the concern...I try and be as safe as I can be with taking calculated risks.

[@ccjensen4670]

M father and Marlowe Smith staked the Rio Algum Lisbon Valley mine in the early 50's. At six years old I would camp with my dad at small mines. Dynamite shovels and a five yard dump truck got the ore to the refinery...I loved the desert and retired from water well, blast hole and temperature gradient holes for the Geysers. Also private wells and irrigation wells for the vinyards...I'm retired but the company is still active after 100 years..LOL

[@RadioactiveDrew]

That’s pretty cool. Must have been some interesting times.

[@rufusmedrano2962]

Radon stand is a breeze . You’ll be fine with that. At SONGS the HP’s had us sit at the check point in front of a fan. We would check every 5-10 minutes to see if the gas was gone.

[@farklek]

Hey, I like your t-shirt! Keep up the great videos!

[@RadioactiveDrew]

I sell the t-shirts on uraniumstore.com.

[@farklek]

@@RadioactiveDrew Oh cool, I didn't realize that I'll check it out, thanks!

[@farklek]

@@RadioactiveDrew My T-shirt came in this week. I thought it would be fitting to wear it under my protective clothing while surveying an area where cold war era transuranic waste is temporarily stored. I found a spot of fixed contamination that probed 500k CPM (the limit of my Ludlum model 12) I guess it's a lucky shirt 😂

[@RadioactiveDrew]

@farklek that’s pretty cool. Glad you like the shirt.

[@clark4817]

thanks for the tour, Drew!

[@RadioactiveDrew]

No problem...glad you enjoyed it.

[@user-lk6mo5fm1l]

You really deserve alot more subscribers i hope you get them soon. Great filming and neat angles. Thank you !!

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@hardyakka6200]

all of our uranium mines were open-cut. The radon gas wasn't a problem. I had a piece of green uranium ore in a sample bag put away for years. Decades in fact. The cotton bag had rotted away. Your gieger counter would have identified the ore in that mine. A gold mine near where i live had Pitch Blende with the gold ore. The Curries used Pitch Blende to extract their radium from.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

I’m not a fan of open-cut or open pit mining. That type of mining ruins the landscape.

[@fritzpipkin792]

You're right in my back yard, give me a shout there's a bunch I could show you great video keep it up

[@RadioactiveDrew]

I'll keep that in mind next time I'm out that way.

[@fritzpipkin792]

Cool really a neat era when these mines were going its what my grandfather and my father did while growing up in monticello till the mid 80s when the market just fell out

[@RadioactiveDrew]

@@fritzpipkin792 I feel the same about this time period. I wish the state wasn't so overzealous in closing so many of these mines. I feel like its bulldozing over history.

[@fritzpipkin792]

It was a different breed of people then, and they believed in hard work and family. It drives me crazy between the feds trying to control this land and the enviros controlling everything, its such a tragic loss

[@fritzpipkin792]

Looking forward to the uravan video I remembered going there several times with my father it's crazy when they did the reclamation there in 87

[@RevMikeBlack]

Great drone footage!.. although I share the same concern as several other viewers. If that counter is putting out a steady tone, it can't be good for human tissue. True, the overall dosage is low, but things add up over time.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Radiation exposure isn’t cumulative. Our bodies heal from ionizing radiation damage everyday. It’s the only reason why we have survived this long as a species.

[@ajacks1349]

@@RadioactiveDrew IF it's not cumulative, then WHY do many geiger counters/dosimeters have a cumulative dose mode...& WHY are nuclear plant workers also limited in their exposures with this taken into account? I'm no expert but I think you're wrong...

[@ajacks1349]

Simple really...the more the exposure...especially at these sorts of levels, the greater the risk from developing cancer. It's fun topic, but fools are putting their health & those they live with at elevated risk, when risk from cancer is already significant from other sources beyond their control. Just doesn't make sense to ADD to this...

[@Atomic_Chemist]

A Jacks unless you're being exposed to a high level source every day then no, it won't be cumulative. Like he said, your body is able to heal from radiation damage unless you're just constantly exposed

[@RadioactiveDrew]

@@ajacks1349 Nuclear plant workers have cumulative dose tracking for bookkeeping. It's over the course of a year making sure they don't go beyond a total dose over a year. Once that year is up their cumulative dose resets. So its only for the short term.

[@davebrunker3399]

I was born in the desert. This video reminds me how much I miss it sometimes.

[@v44n7]

how the heck miners used to work in that environment, i can imagine 45k at the entrance alone for hours and hours and maybe years working on those mine could do to them! crazy. Amazing video like always, curious to know where the name of the mine comes from "Mi vida" is "my life" in Spanish or also could be used as "my love" meaning "you are my life"

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Well that radiation level in the air was so high because of the concentration of radon. Most mines during the uranium boom had ventilation to cut down the level of radon in the mine. The name for the mine came from the guy that started it. Charles Steen started that mine and it was one of the most profitable ones in the area. I plan on doing a video about him and that mine.

[@rhettadams3052]

Nice video bro. You’re gonna be glowing in the dark before you know it.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Thanks...so far no night glow for me.

[@Desertprophet83]

Very nice video ! Did you happen to see the difference in readings between the radeye and radiacode in the mine itself ?love the vids ,very beautiful 😍

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Glad you like the videos. I do see a difference in readings between the Radeye B20 and the Radiacode 102. The Radiacode is much more sensitive to gamma radiation.

[@ausnorman8050]

Awesome new video, Thanks Drew!

[@garyparrott1408]

I was an x-ray tech, so it refreshing to see someone not afraid of a little radiation!

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Once I learned how much radiation we are exposed to from background radiation and sources out in the world I changed my view on it.

[@knoxvilledoobie8549]

I love your content. I spent about 10 years as an underground miner.

[@rtqii]

It is pretty amazing to see where the nuclear programs begin, with a bunch of really spicy rocks.

[@antonchigurh6590]

Love your Channel Drew :)

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Thanks.

[@daveschuetrum576]

Drew...Could you do a video about the tools, techniques, and the people that did the digging back in the old days? That aspect intrigues me.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

I think that would be very interesting. I'll have to see what I can do.

[@isiso.speenie5994]

If that tiny detector is beings hit to the point of whistling , think about how much is tearing through your body and ripping up cell structures ?

[@RadioactiveDrew]

I’m not that worried about it because my expose is still very low.

[@isiso.speenie5994]

@@RadioactiveDrew I appreciate your bravery my friend !

[@chrismack5908]

I agree that radiation is not good at all. I appreciate Drew's inquisitive nature, but 30 years from now, the accumulated radiation could kill you. Just saying.

[@isiso.speenie5994]

@@chrismack5908 It is so hard to gauge the detrimental effects of radiation compared to all the chemical poisoning that our poor biological bodies are subjected to .

[@OnTheRiver66]

@@chrismack5908 Actually some radiation is good. I had a neighbor who was a health physicist at a hospital and I asked him one time about the benefit of blocking the background radiation we get from isotopes in the ground and from the sky (total about 40 counts per minute in most places) and he said experiments with protecting animals from radiation actually lowered their life span. Up to a certain point radiation actually improves your immune system - check out radiation hormesis on Wickipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiation_hormesis In passenger jets you get about 30 to 40 times the radiation you get on the ground.

[@FromGregg]

Cool video! Love the drone shots. Could you please switch to μSv from time to time? CPM means nothing to me lol.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

I do have uSv/hr in the video. It’s only useful in certain situations not for all situations. I use different measurements for different sources.

[@lanceleone2704]

Interesting to see the minecarts still outside of Mi Vida, do things like that normally get left behind when a mine closes? It's not carted off for recycling or something? Just left to rust?

[@RadioactiveDrew]

It’s weird that those mining carts and electric engine were left behind. First time I’ve seen it happen.

[@marieltr]

the second mine was so hot!? You went in there without anything on with such a dusty environment talking to the camera and everything. You are a special kinda guy to put yourself in those situations :P

[@Atomic_Chemist]

I measured 40k CPM right at the hole in MI Vida with just beta & gamma. I then walked around inside for about an hour and the level stayed around 9k. I never understood why my counter kept reading so high after I left the mine until now lol. Also there is one or two more open mines about a mile south of McCormick along the ridge, very easy to spot on Google earth and there's pics of the entrance on Mindat. If you have time to go back that way it would be super cool to see. It'll probably be next summer before I get a chance to go...

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Thanks for the info. I haven't been up that road that goes past the McCormick. I've explored a couple of the earlier roads and the other way into that area from the 191.

[@Atomic_Chemist]

Radioactive Drew I drove to Mi Vida on 114 (the dirt road that goes along the ridge) starting from the valley in a stock Honda accord lol I went right past McCormick and never even knew it was there until I saw your videos which kinda bumbed me out. Wish I had of done more research before I went.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

@@Atomic_Chemist don't feel too bad. I had been out three times before I found out about the McCormick mine. You really don't see it because you are looking at the road trying not to drive off of it or hit a big rock.

[@ericbecker3840]

It seems odd there would be signs and fences around that structure, and yet nothing around the screaming hot radioactive mine entrance...

[@RadioactiveDrew]

I think a sign would do the job. I'm not a big fan of fencing off sites. Life needs to have some risk and excitement.

[@ericbecker3840]

@@RadioactiveDrew agreed, at least a sign to warn people that wouldn't have a PRD handy!

[@mrhaltstop2294]

Why did they stop mining uranium ore in Utah ? is it cheaper when imported ?

[@RadioactiveDrew]

The government had a huge stockpile in the 1980’s from all that mining. Since the US government was the one driving demand the market went away. Plus there is a law that prohibits US uranium leaving the country. You can import it but not export it.

[@weirdmeisterinc]

and ? is your counter still active? great finish with that air borne cam

[@RadioactiveDrew]

My Radeye B20 was fine after 24 hours. I talk about it in the next video from this trip.

[@reapsgrimley]

the equipment left inside the mine is mind blowing. dwarfs that rusty stuff at the entrance.

[@kennyro7178]

Thanks Drew, I enjoy your videos. I was wondering about lava and it’s radioactivity. What are your thoughts? Thanks.

[@Atomic_Chemist]

Its no more active than any other type of rock

[@RadioactiveDrew]

I've been to a bunch of different lava fields and haven't seen a noticeable uptick in radiation levels. There are trace radioactive elements in lava but usually not enough for it to be a concern.

[@ezio9010]

Do you think you will ever go in that mine and film it? And if so, would you be wearing any propective gear? Does the gasmask in your emergency gear video protects you from radon gas?

[@RadioactiveDrew]

I want to go back to these mines and use these masks to see if they filter out anything. I’m certain they would filter out a lot of the radon daughters. But as far as radon itself it would filter it out. Radon is a noble gas and doesn’t react with anything. So it’s incredibly difficult to filter out.

[@raginroadrunner]

The MiVida is just south of LaSalle where the big tipple is . Where are you?

[@RadioactiveDrew]

I'm in Montana. To get down there is a quick 10 hour drive.

[@NatsariymDefender]

Wow, lots and lots of critter chirping, after having one or two tours through or around these kind of readings or mines ...do you need potassium iodide, just wondering. If I should come across anything as your found here would I need a few doses?

[@beckmanspeedmachine1012]

Your intro music is the same as Blancolirio channels! Great vids. That is all.

[@slovokia]

It would be interesting to bring a cloud chamber to that mine and see what kind of tracks the mine air would generate.

[@gomergomez1984]

Definitely didn’t realize that was sandstone, not surprised it’s collapsing. Still cool though.

[@seldoon_nemar]

You should hook up with @AbandonedandForgottenPlaces. I think they are in the same region, and would probably love to explore some of these mines and have the tools and know how to get into those sketchy areas 10:00 that's known as "slabbing" for obvious reasons. it's coming apart in big man killer slabs. and yes, that's the "back" of the mine, and the sides are the ribs The yellow tubing isn't really for radon, although it works for that too. it's fresh air supply to the working areas. they blow air down though the mine though those so you always have fresh air at the deepest parts pushing any bad or stale air out, as well as blasting gases. those bags are in every mine in the country right now

[@RadioactiveDrew]

I know of the channel and watch Gly quite a bit. I enjoy his look into all the mines he explores. I saw a video from the 1960's about radon in uranium mines and they used that same yellow tubing. I'm sure now its used all over the place but I think for the time period this mine was going it was mainly for radon.

[@jefftoll604]

Another "hot" video.. very interesting. Looking forward to the next one.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Thanks. I have one more from this trip to post.

[@jaumetdepalma5347]

dear sir: I'm a fan of your videos. I know is not very dangerous to handle an old radioactive dish and that kind of stuff, but when you get into those uranium mines , i think you are wearing very weak protection. did you considered to wear a chainmil all over your chest, neck and arms? maybe you feel weird with it, but sure it will be a very good shield for alfa and beta radiation.. anyway, regards from Mallorca, Spain 😊

[@RadioactiveDrew]

I've never thought about wearing chainmail to protect myself from radiation. I'm not that worried about it because my dose is pretty low at most of these places. Also I don't think it would offer adequate protection from high intensity sources.

[@dodools]

On the east coast in the Appalachian area households deal with about 12 uc/L on a 30 day average. I can only imagine the headache of building a home in that region. How many Radon fans it would take to get below 2uc/L........lol

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Those radon numbers are so low they don't need anything done about them. The mine that I walked into at the end had radon around 12,000-20,000 pC/l to give you some reference.

[@jd3497]

Do you have to decontaminate your car inside and out after a trip like this?

[@RadioactiveDrew]

No. I keep everything in buckets and bags.

[@andrewwhite1576]

What the ph of the soil near the cactus 🌵 is what I want for mine

[@RadioactiveDrew]

I'm curious about this as well. I only saw these types of cactus growing near trees...never out in the open.

[@andrewwhite1576]

@@RadioactiveDrew if you can find a university nearby they usually do soil testing for like 20$. Just mail it in and get the results within a week or two.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

@@andrewwhite1576 I'll keep that in mind next time I'm out there.

[@southwesthardypalms]

Sorry I’m a little late to this, but I am a Utah native and grow many types of cacti in my garden. The soil PH in this area is going to be about 8, there aren’t many places in Utah that are lower, or higher than that. It’s pretty uniform throughout the state. Echinocereus will take PH’s down to 6.5-7 very easily though.

[@andrewwhite1576]

@@southwesthardypalms thanks for the info. I’ll try to adjust my soil to a more basic ph to see if I can get them a little more comfortable.

[@bonilla2022]

When you return to the airport do you set off radiation detection devices? Dust on clothing etc.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Haven’t yet.

[@EsotericGold_net]

Radon therapy spas exist all over Europe, old uranium mines turned into radon spas, including Colorado and Montana. There is tons of research showing the rejuvenation benefits of radon, a monoatomic energy based therapy. You're welcome to follow my channel on these esoteric subjects, and alchemy, under my name capitalized.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

I know about the radon health mines in Montana. I’ve done a video about the subject.

[@EsotericGold_net]

@@RadioactiveDrew we should speak sometime, is there a way to contact you. My channel has my email supposedly

[@ajacks1349]

Legacy of quackery sadly...just like with the mother of RADON... RADIUM, one hundred years ago. Certainly well worth doing best practice & competent research into these topics though...

[@bueb8674]

@@ajacks1349 Yes, it should be competently researched. There's a good Tom Scott video on a 'Radon Tunnel' for pain relief. The takeaway is 'a lot of people say it works, we should study it more.'' They don't claim miracles, the dose is tightly controlled and even needs a prescription.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

@@EsotericGold_net my email is in the about page of the channel.

[@502shifty502]

i guess you could say you got that uranium fever

[@RadioactiveDrew]

I do have uranium fever.

[@ajacks1349]

The US will have to start doing its own Uranium mining again, IF it gets cut off from its current sources, so we'll need people like DREW here to monitor the environmental situation on this.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

I would be curious to see how the US does uranium mining now. I think mining is extremely important but I hate strip mining more than anything. I've heard of uranium mining using water or some type of solution to dissolve the uranium in the ground and then pump it to the surface. I'm not a fan of this either as I think there is so much to learn digging down and seeing what is found in hard rock mining.

[@dante7228]

I really wonder that such places are so easily accessible and no gate, signs whatsoever to see anywhere at the entrance ....

[@RadioactiveDrew]

On the other road coming in there is a sign warning about hydrogen sulfide, which is way more dangerous than the radiation you would encounter at these mines.

[@woof3598]

I can ses a tired hiker falling down that one shaft and why Utah is sealing them up

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Yeah...that shaft is a problem. But you should always look where you're stepping out in the desert.

[@Milkybar3320011]

Another KZbinr (Robert Murray Smith) did an interesting experiment using americium and a solar cell to generate electricity. With your knowledge I wondered what else could be used?

[@theminiatureconstructionco4556]

I wonder what the average dosage for a miner would have been? 😲

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Good question…might have to make a video about it.

[@Quarterborefan]

I would be curious what your 101 recorded on each of these mines

[@RadioactiveDrew]

I posted it on my Patreon. I'm going to share info like that there. www.patreon.com/radioactivedrew Next one I'm going to post is the Radiacode 101 data from when I went to Uravan.

[@jefftoombs68]

This may be a stupid question but where do most of the radioactive ores be found in the US? It seems that you are out in western part of the US and was curious if they were concentrated out there?

[@RadioactiveDrew]

There are some pretty large concentrations of these minerals out west for sure. There are also some really big deposits of uranium in Wyoming.

[@ajacks1349]

@@RadioactiveDrew Think the US still have to start having to mine again...given the biggest exporters are likely to ban exporting to the US etc...

[@jefftoombs68]

@@RadioactiveDrew Cool. Thank you!

[@ParanormalLight.]

I know that you posted this video a year ago, but have you ever considered wearing a mask to stop accidently inhaling any radioactive dust that you could be kicking up while you're exploring?

[@RadioactiveDrew]

I have worn a mask in some of the mines I visited. The Mi Vida mine down the way from this one has a lot of radon in the air coming out of the mine. This mine I wasn't concerned about it because it wasn't dusty in there and the ambient radiation level in the mine wasn't very high.

[@getoffamycloud9844]

Love this content. R.I.P. headphones users. 🤣

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Really? I’ve tried to kick the volume down on that Geiger counter.

[@getoffamycloud9844]

@@RadioactiveDrew Holy cow, brotha.

[@The5As7]

"It only works so well, until it fails." quote of the day.

[@ThePeterDislikeShow]

When I was in 8th grade, I thought one could smell radon in their basement because it would decay to polonium which would smell like sulfur. So, I assumed any bad smell in the basement was a sign of radon.

[@klm724]

I'll go in there with you when you're ready. Let's do this!

[@RadioactiveDrew]

I'm hoping this summer I'll start checking the inside of these mines. Just need to get a gas monitor to wear...there's a lot of warnings in the area about H2S.

[@repro7780]

How old are these mines? When were they shutdown?

[@ajacks1349]

Shut down probably when they could no longer get away with poisoning their workers, as over time exposure dosage limits tightened...hence the out sourcing to other countries that may well soon ban exports to the US & elsewhere...so what are they going to do?

[@repro7780]

@@ajacks1349 Ya, I agree. I was wondering what years tho...70's, 80's?

[@fritzpipkin792]

It was in the 80s my grandfather and my dad worked in the majority of these mines the mivida being one of the largest

[@terencehorka731]

What type of Geiger counter counter are you using in the video ?

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Thermo Scientific Radeye B20.