Exploring The Disappearing Continental Mine - Part 1 of 2

[@dazuk1969]

I haven't come across anyone else that explores such truly dangerous mines. It's a stark reminder of what a tough gig being a miner was back in the day. It is also a reminder that mother Earth does not give up her treasures easily. Stay safe in them there mines Guys.....Peace.

[@fuchsia5899]

This is one of my favourite old mine videos on this channel

[@Carolb66]

When you said it was kind of a mess in here i had to laugh that was an understatement! But what a mine stunning in its own way, loved the explore thank you. ❤😊👍

[@PlanetMojo]

This mine has a 'caustic' look to it. A very surreal looking place. Really cool -- thanks!

[@TVRExploring]

"Caustic" is a great word to describe it! And, yes, this one is definitely more surreal than almost any of the others we have visited...

[@ColdWarVet607]

Love these videos. I keep waiting to see in the far distance at a bend down the end of a long tunnel your flashlight to capture one of the creatures from "The Descent".

[@elonmust7470]

Sigh

[@kengamble8595]

When I see that you have another video up on Wednesday, I breathe a sigh of relief, for two reasons, first is that you're not stuck in a hole and second........ I get to see what's down in those holes ! 😊 Thanks for sharing and take care. 👍

[@TVRExploring]

I appreciate the concern, Ken, and I'm glad you're enjoying seeing these mines with us. Thank you for the words of support.

[@oldschoolmoto]

nice one never seen so many ore shoots and caved spots false floor will get your heart rate up thumbs up

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you. In the next video, there is a whole series of false floors I had to dance over to get to the other side. They definitely spiked the ol' heart rate a little!

[@Pappaoh]

Another amazing vid. I don't see part 2 in my que, but I can't wait to see it. You have a terrific objective way of presenting. You deserve a fat grant for your work and some recognition for what you're documenting. It occurs to me that that some of the mines you visit were originally natural caves that were then mined. Does this jive w your experience? I'd love to see you have a geologist companion accompany you for those especially cool mineral formations you come across. Again, great work! I can't get enough of your vids.

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you very much. Part 2 will be out on Wednesday... Yes, some mines do have sections that were once natural caves or caverns. I haven't published it yet, but we once came across a gigantic natural cavern inside of a mine in Nevada. If you find a geologist willing to come along, let me know!

[@scottt3407]

That Stope was YUGE ! Soo many ore shoots , an LOTS of colors , Thanks for sharing Tons of Mining stuff :)

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you. Yes, I can't even imagine how enormous those other stopes must have been. The miners must have essentially hollowed out the hill above this haulage adit...

[@paigelee6321]

Thank you 😊 always enjoying your adventures

[@ivanferguson2019]

That mine has had moisture issues in the past. A lot of the woodwork shows water staining, plus you can see where its leached down through the formation. With all of the different addits and huge ore chutes its pretty obvious that they took a lot out of that mountain. The nob and tube wiring insulators towards the portal make me think early 1900s. 20 or 30s mabe??? Super cool at any rate, thanks for taking us along.

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you. Yes, I imagine that the area above the haulage adit is pretty much hollowed out. This mine was dry when we visited and so I expect that the water seeps into the mine in the winter (which would be easier given the huge open spaces in those stopes).

[@rickeverett9993]

You and Chuck (and Mr. Nibbles of coarse) are my favorite mine explorers for sure. Having grown up and been to a couple of the spots you guys have covered its a treat to see in detail and hear and read the history connected to them. Id love to hook up and tag along some time. Keep up the great work and thanks for all the amazing videos and fearless adventuring.

[@TVRExploring]

Well, I sure appreciate that (and I know Chuck and Mr. Nibbles will too)... I'm glad you're enjoying the videos and the mines we visit. Good company is always welcome on exploring trips!

[@alexfishersfamilyvlogs9533]

I would love to see a video sometime where the mining terms are explained. Like difference between stopes and adits and drifts...this sort of thing. It be very interesting and help those watching your vids who are not familiar. Love your channel! Thank you!

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you. I'll try to explain more what the terms mean in upcoming videos. The videos aren't posted in chronological order though. So, it may be a little while until an explanation appears. Google may be far more useful than me anyway...

[@strietermarinesurvey1415]

Great video! Thanks for sharing!

[@nielsen145]

thank you, doing a fantatic job, showcasing the mines, before its too late for them. this mine seems, to be hit by water at some point, due to all the minerals on the wood, formations and so on, my guess it came from the stopes above, but with all collapsing around you, might have stopped the water for now, so i guess it can be wet on the stope/stopes

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you. Yes, this one is disappearing quickly as collapse after collapse starts blocking sections off... You're right about water getting in there. It was dry when we were there in summer and so I believe that water may be seeping into the mine in winter from the stopes as some of them run close to the surface.

[@MrJtappin]

Most sketchy mine I've seen. Good work.

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you. Ha, yes, I didn't perceive it as being that sketchy when I was there shooting, but when I was editing the video, I was thinking that it looked pretty sketchy indeed!

[@Neuron27]

This seems like one of the most dangerous/sketchy ones you’ve been in yet. Thanks for exploring these so the rest of us can just cringe and enjoy!

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you. Ha, yes, I didn't perceive it as being that sketchy when we were there, but it definitely seemed more dangerous when I was editing the video... Tungsten mines are usually pretty solid, so I'm not sure what made this one different.

[@jfrtbikgkdhjbeep9974]

Neuron27 exactly, they do good 😁👌

[@AbandonedMines11]

That portico at the mine’s entrance looks very similar to other porticos I have seen at another large, sprawling mine in Nevada. Know what I’m talking about? Is it the same location? Yes, tungsten mines tend to be very stable from what I can remember. It’s such a hard, sturdy, stable rock, I think.

[@DJRoach520]

Is this a tungsten mine? I was looking at the colors and it looks like asbestos and sulfur. Tungsten is super dense, can be strong so long as the surrounding rock has a decent hardness. otherwise it can easily overload softer substrates when under cut. Tried to look up info on it, cant even find the usgs on it.

[@TVRExploring]

Exploring Abandoned Mines and Unusual Places Yes, you have visited another part of this complex... I know exactly what you're talking about. "Sprawling" is an understatement. I'm used to tungsten mines being very solid as well. So, I'm not sure why this one is in such bad shape.

[@TVRExploring]

Patrick Madden Yes, this was a tungsten mine. I'm not sure about the other stuff in there though - it was very weird... In this case, I would say that the other substrates must have been much softer given all of the sections that were caved.

[@DJRoach520]

"innocent" that's a word for em... idc where it is. i have plenty to explore in az, when i go back home. unfortunately I'm having trouble finding inactive locations in Alabama to explore. I could probably figure out where you are fairly easily just from videos, especially as EAM has been there. 2 points of reference and all. Just like to be able to look up the data or maybe get a censored usgs reports.

[@UpcycleElectronics]

I don't know why I find these uploads so addictive. I never thought I'd be so interested in hearing "over there" a million times but it works :) You should do an edited upload with clips and comments from previous uploads. I've seen quite a bit of interesting info in various comments sections. If you compiled the more scientific info, it would be even more interesting. I don't know if you keep the raw footage after you upload. Even a few screenshots from old uploads with narration and the extra insights would be interesting. Thanks for the upload. -Jake

[@TVRExploring]

Yeah, I'm practicing becoming an abandoned mines pusher to get everyone addicted and coming back for more. Glad to see it is working! LOL, yeah, one's vocabulary often runs short in these settings. Ha, bear in mind though that I'm doing this while I'm seeing all of this stuff at the same time you are and I'm also looking out for hazards like false floors, loose dynamite, snakes, open winzes, etc. It isn't always easy to keep a smooth, articulate commentary running while processing everything going on around me. That's a good idea about the edited upload as there are indeed some great comments left. It's tough, however, to carve out time to respond to all of the comments, edit a new video each week, go out and find mines to do videos on each week and also to take care of everything else life has. So, I don't know if I'll have time to do something like that as well. I like the idea though.

[@ADITADDICTS]

@@TVRExploring Let's do it on a Q & A live feed! Ill behave I swear!

[@chrisboyack12345]

This mine is dope, I love popcorn🌽. Great video!

[@TVRExploring]

It is definitely an interesting mine... I expect the popcorn in this mine might have a fairly unique flavor!

[@mommaice]

patiently waiting for part 2 with my bucket of popcorn

[@TVRExploring]

Hopefully, it is a different flavor than the popcorn in this mine!

[@jfrtbikgkdhjbeep9974]

Marie Mitchell buttered? 😁🤘

[@martinjcamp]

Dude, have you ever been hopelessly lost? Fascinating.

[@TVRExploring]

Not yet...

[@martinjcamp]

@@TVRExploring That's great! At my age, I can't remember where I just laid my keys down. If I did what you did, there would be a huge ball of string involved. Thank you for the excellent videos!

[@TheFurriestOne]

Hmm, would be fascinating to get a mineralogical assessment of a piece of that 'popcorn'! With all that mineralization some of that wood might end up petrified over time! Looks like they took the fuses with them when they left, at least with that power box. This is certainly one of the more geologically disturbed mines we've seen in a while!

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, I'd love to know what that "popcorn" actually is... There certainly was a lot going on inside there geologically.

[@sharonlegnon427]

That was wild looking!!! A lot of ore shutes.

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, I'm struggling to think of any other mines where I have seen THAT many ore chutes and I'm coming up with a blank. That whole area above must have been completely hollowed out!

[@davidanderson8381]

Great video! I noticed a very sparkly blue rock in the bottom left at 6:03 - can you shed any light at what that might be ? Very cool whatever it is.

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you. I'm glad you liked the video, but, I'm sorry, my knowledge of geology is extremely limited...

[@zerofox7347]

Well done guys what score!!

[@lynnquinn7244]

So I guess the blue/purple mineral all over is tungsten ore? What was the pink at 2:50, right by the support? Would love some commentary re. minerals you're seeing. Thanks!

[@CornishMineExplorer]

Looking good down there, wonder what the popcorn stuff is? Some kind of crystalized calcite? Looks like a bit of copper minerals too with the greens coming through. Loads of ore chutes, so must be some huge stopes up above. Guess that was the main tramming level you been walking.

[@ADITADDICTS]

I know what the popcorn stuff is!! Delicious!! That's what it is! Lol

[@CornishMineExplorer]

Don't Lick It!!!!! :D lmao, we have a laugh in our group, especially when we suspect arsenic in the rock "Don't Lick it" is a common phrase!

[@TVRExploring]

Ha, unlike Adit Addicts, I didn't taste it. So, I'm afraid I can't say what it was... The look and texture were exactly like popcorn though. I've never seen anything like it before. Given the number of ore chutes and how large they were, I think that whole area above the haulage adit must be completely hollowed out.

[@edwinthompson6510]

Hi this exploration of this mine sections is so reminiscent of Tin mines in the UK...2018 spent time on vacation tracing my ancestry took time out to see the history of the UK We went into Tin / Copper mines in Cornwall .." Poldark" Geaver and Lelant Geaver been the more modern ... old mines.... the miners there worked by candle light which they had to buy themselves.from the mining company store...... we were told many Cornish miners emigrated to the US in search of Gold or Silver... back in the 1800s .............. See_Ya ......... Edwin J Thompson ........Ed

[@TVRExploring]

The "Mother Lode" region was full of Cornish miners. They taught everyone else how to properly mine underground. Towns like Nevada City still have a "Cornish Christmas" festival and there are many other Cornish connections in that part of California.

[@fredmoller1675]

The wooden blocks with the rock bolts going through are 'squeeze blocks' to hold-up the back, when they shatter or squeeze this tells us that the ground is moving.

[@TVRExploring]

Thanks for giving me the correct term... I would say the ground is definitely moving in this mine.

[@AbandonedMines11]

Being an earthquake junkie, I looked up the nearest named fault to these mines. It is the Penoyer Fault. But that is still about two or three miles away from the general area where the mining took place. There could also be an undiscovered or unnamed/unmapped fault at the mine causing all that collapse and movement.

[@TheSilmarillian]

True am opal miner here in Australia and our props don't act too hold up the back with some exceptions but they let me know by groaning when the ground is moving time to not be there

[@fredmoller1675]

We're narrow vein gold mining, but getting into operating bigger diesel boggers as you call them 6 and 8yds from using 1 and 2.5 yds, so no posts are used for ground support at all. We use heavy duty screen in conjunction with rebar, or Swellex for ground support, it works well together, if we have problems, a bolting machine comes into do any repairs if needed.

[@DFDuck55]

Very interesting mine with all the mineralization, stalactites & stalagmites (including green ones!). The popcorn section was really weird, but the floor was different colors than the ribs and back just about everywhere. With all those ore chutes, and the one giant stope we saw, they must have about gutted that mountain.

[@ericcorse]

Duck must have been a lot of minerals dissolved in that water to grow those mites and tites that fast.

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, the mineralization in there was really odd. And I've never seen anything like that "popcorn" before. I wasn't exaggerating when I said that the texture was exactly like popcorn... I agree - the whole area above the haulage adit must be absolutely hollowed out. Probably most of those stopes connect too.

[@christianbuczko1481]

Looks like alot of the wood is under massive pressure. You can see splits, bends and signs its all about to come down. I think the upper workings have collapsed and that section your in won't be there many more years. There's alot of odd stuff in the mine, do you have any idea what that pop corn stuff was? And seeing an ore sample would be good as I'm curious what tungsten looks like in that state.

[@ADITADDICTS]

This is the stuff we run across in most tungsten mines we go to. Not all. Scheelite g.co/kgs/umEMyS

[@christianbuczko1481]

Is it an ore of tungsten, or something which just turns up under similar geology?

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, no question that the area we were in will not be accessible for much longer. Already, as you saw, more and more parts of the mine are becoming inaccessible. That's why I called it the "disappearing" mine. No, I'm afraid I have no idea what the "popcorn" was. My knowledge of geology is pretty limited...

[@jayare1933]

What materials would be found in those formations?

[@markattardo]

Looks like you found swiss cheese mountain! crazy place for sure. The popcorn sounded like tephra when you were walking on it...or crusty snow.

[@stanleystrycharz2572]

Wow this mine has a lot of ore chutes. The crusty deposits look like sulfur or calcite. Ever bring a black light with you to see if any minerals fluoresce? Uranium oxide will under black-light. Great new video.

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you. Yes, the deposits do look like sulfur and/or calcite... I'm not 100% certain though. We have a black light, but don't always bring it - depends on how long the hike in is!

[@stanleystrycharz2572]

I have a small black light used for checking for AC leaks in cars. It's strong and small. Easy to bring along. I also use it when in Nevada to look for scorpions at night. They fluoresce!

[@ethelana9627]

cave popcorn! calcite and gypsum, so that mine must have been underwater for quite some time to have it

[@teachgold]

Three questions: 1. Is someone watching your back incase you are injured and can't evac by yourself? 2. Do you take a trophy to remember each explore? 3. How about a vid showing all your prep and equipment before you explore. Inquiring mine lurkers want to know.

[@destroya.5868]

teachgold I agree with each and every one of your questions and highly advocate and encourage the answering of said questions! Lol

[@MsGpetey]

U can hr him say we just came from thr so he must be with someone

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you for the interest. I am certainly happy to answer said questions... 1) I usually have someone with me. When we are underground together, we often keep some distance between us as something that happens like a fall or rocks caving would likely impact one of us rather than both of us if we're a bit apart. I cannot always find someone willing or able to go though and in those cases I make sure someone knows my itinerary and roughly when they should expect me to check in. 2) No, I don't take trophies from mines. The pictures and video are plenty for me. 3) You are 100% right about the "gear video" and I will do that in the very near future.

[@teachgold]

Take a rock when the camera turned off. Thx for the answers.

[@jfrtbikgkdhjbeep9974]

teachgold damnnn 😁🤘

[@revbobmartin]

I hope y’all took very good ore and other samples to investigate.

[@bobrenner7213]

At 8:53 there is a lot of blue looking stain on the wall to go along with the stains on the floor from flooding. I don't remember seeing that color in any other mine exploring videos. What might it be?

[@TVRExploring]

There was a lot of strange mineralization in this one that I have not seen before. So, I'm afraid I can't answer your question. I'd love to know myself!

[@SPARTAN085B]

If it's 100 degrees outside the mine, what temperature inside the mine?

[@ADITADDICTS]

SPARTAN085B a helluva lot nicer than it is outside that's a fact!

[@001desertrat3]

SPARTAN085B -- Normal ambient ground temperature is around 50 degrees Fahrenheit , but if the mine has Ventilation Shafts or Open Stopes then the air rushing into those openings to exit at a lower Portal can chill the air significantly to the point where it is downright chilly inside the mine .

[@SPARTAN085B]

Thank you, guys!

[@ADITADDICTS]

@@001desertrat3 Oh and on a freak'n super hot day that air feels so DAMN good too! It's like air conditioner Jesus just blew a blessing at you! :D

[@MinesoftheWest]

That popcorn sure was tasty!

[@TVRExploring]

Indeed! A very unique flavor...

[@TheSWolfe]

Caramel corn, perhaps?

[@claymoma]

Did the miners purposely overload the shutes so that no one could come in and start mining the mine? Your a brave sole for going so far into this mine, of course a bright flash light helps!!! Be safe!

[@TVRExploring]

No, that rock overloading the chutes comes from the stopes above collapsing, causing a fair amount of the collapsed rock to come crashing down the ore chutes... Thanks for the support!

[@markcantemail8018]

Thanks , Wild place . I will use the term Speleothems loosely because you are in a Mine . You had Soda Straws off the Ore Chute after the Popcorn . Popcorn Calcite is a term also but may not fit exactly ? For such a roomy pleasant mine with good sound I was surprised what the wrecking crew did to that place . I hate to ask what county ? great video 270 views at 16 minutes

[@TVRExploring]

I'm not sure what the "popcorn" was... I've never seen anything like it in a mine before, but the texture really was exactly like popcorn. I wasn't exaggerating. Yes, lots of mineralization in there (like the soda straws). There is a really impressive soda straw in the next video. I was surprised at the amount of work the wrecking crew had done as well since tungsten mines are usually extremely solid.

[@stavrosdimitriou9]

What mined there?

[@mcd2796]

Very interested popcorn I wonder what it is? I was thinking maybe sulfur. But not sure.. and again going to have to wait another week for the second video!! 🤪

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, I really don't know either - I've never seen anything like it before! I wasn't exaggerating when I said the texture was like popcorn either. It was exactly that texture. It did sort of have the look of sulfur, didn't it? It didn't smell like sulfur in there at all though. So, yeah, like I said, I really don't know.

[@VegasCyclingFreak]

9:59 The perplexing dark stuff is perplexing. I was wondering if maybe it's grease residue from the tracks but I would think that too would just get covered in dust and look like an old oil stain on a driveway. Or is that tar?

[@TVRExploring]

I've seen grease from the tracks in a variety of settings and it never look anything like that. My best guess is that it is something left behind from standing water that seeped into the mine in the winter.

[@timothybarham6374]

This leaves you one choice, we must now brave the dark of Moria.

[@TVRExploring]

I was hoping to avoid that because it will make for a long day, but, yes, you're right...

[@OKB1133]

Would you agree that with age, parts of the wood in the false floors petrify and in fact make the floor more rigid and "safer" than it would have once been? Also, were there engineers directing the miners where to drill/dig etc or were the miners left mainly to their own devices you think?

[@TVRExploring]

The status of the wood depends almost entirely on how wet the mine is. A completely dry mine will usually have very solid wood unless the wood is being crushed by the rock. By stark contrast, a wet mine will always have wood that is terribly rotted and has almost no strength at all. A mine such as this one that is sometimes wet and sometimes dry has unpredictable wood strength, which is why I was a little cautious on the false floors here.

[@ADITADDICTS]

Most mines you could tell how good their engineer was by the success of the mine.

[@jfrtbikgkdhjbeep9974]

Tube Matrix damnnn, you got me, but cool to have the footage 😁🤘

[@paulareed9147]

At 2:51 That is an old tamping stick they used for stemming the powder. The only reason that it could still be there is while the where stemming the hole the fuse pulled out. Best not to even mess with it.

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you.

[@patrickmcleod111]

**Do you know how long ago these mines were first dug/blasted out?** It would be really cool to know how old these mines are(if its easy to figure out). Can you imagine being one of the guys tasked with installing the ore chute structures, back before electric lights were available(or before it existed)? How the heck did they do that work with only candles and carbide lamps?

[@TVRExploring]

I talk about the history in the description if you're curious for more, but to answer your question: the mine was started in the 1940s. Often we don't have dates though as that information is easily lost to history... No, I absolutely cannot imagine working in these conditions with only the light of a candle!

[@perfection4749]

So ore shoots mean an upper level, right?? Are/is those/that upper level blocked off?

[@ZILLION4EVER]

ore shoots mean stoping, not necessary an upper level ;)

[@TVRExploring]

Ore chutes mean that there are definitely workings above the haulage adit where the chutes are located, but they don't necessarily mean another connection with the surface. With this particular mine, there ARE sections that run to the surface (you'll see those in the second video). However, that is by no means guaranteed. Also in the case of this particular abandoned mine, the stopes above the ore chutes were inaccessible due to the large number of collapses.

[@charlesglass999]

The place with the door was a bathroom and the "table " was a place to take a crap probably a bench seat with a hole inside that you could put a bucket under this is just my guess but it makes sense

[@aquilesyepez5045]

10:20 restroom

[@barryclarke3010]

looks to me,the last people to work this mine were a tad overzealous blasting, they left the place in a terrible condition, we call them hit and run miners, getting the last out, with no regard to future mining, thats the feeling i get from this place,

[@TVRExploring]

I don't know enough about mining to say one way or the other, but it sure was beat to hell...

[@jfrtbikgkdhjbeep9974]

Barry Clarke exactly 😁🤘

[@alvinosullivan2804]

Great video as always! Can't beat a bit of midweek abandoned mine porn! I bet those stopes were massive ,with all those chutes! Love all the timbering that's still intact! Look forward to part 2👍

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you. Glad to be able to provide your weekly mine porn fix... Yes, I think that with all of those ore chutes, the area above the main haulage adit must be essentially hollow.

[@ohmahgawdfilms]

this mine is sort of ominous feel. Did you have to deal with any issues while in it? 14:39 I wonder what those formations are. So cool

[@TVRExploring]

Ha, yes, I didn't perceive it as being that sketchy when we were there, but it definitely seemed more ominous when I was editing the video... No issues other than keeping an eye out for stray sticks of dynamite and dancing around a series of false floors as you'll see in the next video. I'm not sure about the formations, but they sure looked cool.

[@ohmahgawdfilms]

I am still searching for that gold mine out here by the way. I'll keep you updated when we find it. The area is pretty large, and I am worried there may be no road connecting to it anymore.

[@TVRExploring]

Sometimes those are the absolute best sites to visit because they haven't been ransacked.

[@ohmahgawdfilms]

@@TVRExploring i do hope so :)

[@ADITADDICTS]

@@ohmahgawdfilms Just look for the clues, pits dug in the middle of nowhere, metal or nails, glass and milled wood are always good indicators your close to an old site. And if there is no road there usually will be a trail or footpath somewhere cuz they had to walk in before they drove in. And of course old equipment lying around. If you have Google Earth you can try scouring the area from aerial views and maybe see something from there.

[@KowboyUSA]

Interesting construction within the portal.

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, I thought so too.

[@richardbidinger2577]

Fantastic video. This mine seemed to have cool and sketchy in equal parts. The "popcorn" was odd, any idea what it actually is? Very much looking forward to the second video for this one.

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you! Yes, it did have a good mix of the cool and the sketchy. That's a good way to put it... No, I'm afraid that I really have no idea what that "popcorn" is.

[@MyLevelheaded]

the white popcorn mine is it possible some one experimented with dry acids or alcoloids to try and precipitate the gold from the ore and as the water infiltrates it refines the ore....upper levels might reveal much...

[@drumtwo4seven]

2:12 looks like old knob and tube electrical wiring... old stuff

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, one doesn't see much of that anymore, to be sure!

[@ammobake]

The boards at 2:55 look to me like they half-ass bulkheaded that older ore-drop section off to abandon it in place - probably after scavenging the rails and wiring. Then they continued driving the main face forwards.

[@TVRExploring]

Yeah, I hadn't thought about a half-assed bulkhead... Makes sense. Thanks for the observation.

[@jd3497]

At 9:35, Sulfur depot on the floor?

[@TVRExploring]

I'm not sure, but it certainly looks like it.

[@brand3820]

Yes it was!! Bad sign..

[@robertsnyder5149]

The Continental mine in Bourne, Ore. has eleven miles of underground workings and the Cornocopia Mine has about the same.

[@vburke1]

I'm going to make an off hand guess that they went REALLY skimpy with the stulls in those stopes. Sketchy doesn't seem like an adequate word. If those big stopes came down that bad, it's a wonder they didn't take the adit below with it.

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, that's a good point. I hadn't fully considered that before... Given how much those large stopes had come crashing down, it is indeed pretty amazing that they didn't blow out more of the ore chutes or crush the haulage adit. I'm not sure if that is a result of very solid construction or just luck. In that large stope we were able to check out the end, I didn't see any sign of stulls (even in the part that hadn't collapsed). So, yeah, really skimpy with the stulls is spot on.

[@davidmicheletti6292]

Good video. Is that dark blue material small deposits of ore?

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you. I'm not sure of the exact stuff you're talking about, but, yes, rarely do the miners capture all of the ore they are chasing inside of a mine.

[@davebeckley2584]

You have to know your geology to find paying tungsten and it's kind of rare but not paying that much for a rare metal, about $22.00 currently. There were two circular formations that appeared to be about 6/8 inches across, one above the other kind of offset at 1:34. I only noticed them because it appeared as if there were a lot of pick scratches surrounding them and it seemed like there were a lot of other pick marks at different areas also, more than normally seen in a gold mine. I started dwelling on the amount of rock blocking pretty much every chute in this mine, and others, questioning where it all came from. If there was that quantity of loose rock up in those stopes, wouldn't that same amount of loose rock also be found on the floor of the drifts and cross cuts? It's not like the back and ribs are less prone to scaling or actual collapses, or are they? I don't believe all that rock was left from the last shot, one occuring mere hours before some foreman yelled to 'grab your junk, you're all fired'. Besides, some of that rock would hardly fit an ore cart. Not a big deal but it doesn't make sense, especially to someone who wants to see someone else climb up one of those chutes to show the rest of us how big those stopes really are. It's like I know someone who would do that for some people who are mere thumbs up and long, rambling comments on a KZbin page to him. Thanks, it is appreciated.

[@TVRExploring]

Haha, thank you for the comment, Dave... Yes, I don't think many people are getting rich off of tungsten. The stopes are seen as temporary in nature and, therefore, they don't receive all of the timbering and stulls one associates with more permanent fixtures such as haulage adits. Therefore, the stopes are more prone to collapse over time. However, this mine certainly took the collapses to the next level as I have never seen a tungsten mine in such bad shape before.

[@streaky81]

Very bad things have happened above, it's interesting you note that you didn't think it was particularly sketchy when shooting - it looks extremely sketchy on the video. Whatever happened up there the workings were definitely huge - damage is so complete it looks almost like somebody used explosives to cause it. Wouldn't even like to guess what that nasty popcorn looking stuff and the liquid ooze is.

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, I can't remember why I didn't perceive it as being as bad as it looked in the video. I definitely thought it looked pretty sketchy in the video... You're right about the stopes above - they must be an absolute mess. Tungsten mines are usually extremely solid and so you may well be correct about the use of explosives.

[@deeyoung50]

Why did you hiss @ 17:18.

[@ekummel]

Can you imagine the noise that mine must have made with all those ore shoots in action?

[@TVRExploring]

It would have been deafening!

[@SagebrushRebel]

Hey guys, Rick in Oregon here. That crunchy popcorn and the hanging stalagtites are probably halotrichite. This is formed in mines in arid areas where some leaching of metals drips down from limited water through the rock. Sometimes there are beautiful gypsum-like formations of this sulfosalt. For more info check out www.mindat.org

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, I believe some water gets into this mine in the winter... I haven't heard of halotrichite before. I'll go look that one up. Thank you!

[@geraldstrange7599]

not all chutes are ore chutes. some are waste material chutes to remove waste rock

[@TVRExploring]

True. I've always heard miners call all of them ore chutes (regardless of what they carried) though...

[@opnwndo]

With all the minerals and oils and water we extract from below...is it any wonder the ground is sinking down all over the surface in softer or unstable areas.

[@dajhssmith01]

Do you guys ever leave your names and dates when you explore the mines? If not you should.

[@TVRExploring]

No, but I sure appreciate when the miners did.

[@ronwhittaker6317]

13:43 crystals grow in caverens with warm to hot water, metals are what give them color, often determine hardness obviously this wasn't ideal conditions but it got damn close. its been flooded many times did you see a water line bubby? i'd be curious to know what the "popcorn" stuff is comprized of. looked like concrete gone wrong. it clearly settled out there like gold does from aquaresia. that color is copper no doubt in my mind copper linds itself to reds and greens ruby, garnet , aquamarine tourmaline,emerald, you see the nail I'm driving , magnesium does wild shit to gems as well, any way my best estimate is that booger floods often. seems you hit it just right. i know your are there to just asess the mine but I wish you would sample all that stuff. that popcorn stuff looks to me like a concretion id bet my left ass cheek that's full of residual metals it has to be acidic at times its a wonder the timber set is still there. that tells me they got old and dry s hell ,long before it started flooding there, they'res a far more interesting story there than just men digging holes for value. that tunnel will tell you everything you need to know about it if one was to look hard enough. would even give its age I imagine, some mines go back before records kept and Gov bullshit soup.

[@worldtraveler930]

Say just out of curiosity? What with you being a global journalist, war correspondent and all, is there any countries/places that you have not had the opportunity to visit?

[@TVRExploring]

Sure, there are plenty of places I haven't been... I haven't been to any of the touristy Caribbean islands (like Barbados). I also haven't been to Cyprus, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Argentina and a handful of the countries in the center and west of Africa. Oh, and I haven't been to Antarctica either. My favorite places to visit are Afghanistan, the former satellites of the Soviet Union (Poland, Hungary, Slovenia, Lithuania, etc.), Eritrea, North Korea and the wide open spaces in Nevada and Alaska (notice I said "visit" rather than "live").

[@RedcoatsReturn]

Looks very unstable. Are you sure you know the risks you are taking? Dying of cold, thirst and lack of good air in a silent black mine is a gruesome way to go.

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, this one was very unstable. We are aware of the risks (and the numerous unpleasant ways to die) and choose to proceed in spite of them.

[@michaelcoker3197]

So, what is the black stuff?

[@TVRExploring]

I really don't know. It was a tungsten mine, but none of the other tungsten mines we have visited had black stuff like that.

[@worldtraveler930]

Wicked!

[@drumtwo4seven]

2:12 thru 2:26... knob n tube electrical

[@probablynotmyname8521]

Those ore chutes are sketchy as hell. They look like a too heavy touch would collapse them.

[@TVRExploring]

Yeah, there were a lot of sketchy things in this one, to be sure...

[@mastergmoore]

The stuff you describe as popcorn is desert fungi. Be weary to step on them, don’t know if their spores will affect you.

[@TVRExploring]

They were minerals, not living material...

[@duanewhite3184]

Why is there no gold left

[@jessarellanes6648]

Interesting

[@michaelcoker3197]

Shoulda run, dude.

[@ADITADDICTS]

Looks like the ore chute is puking in the thumbnail.

[@TVRExploring]

That's the best description of what's going on in there that I've heard...

[@brand3820]

You're lucky to be alive... Don't go back in that mine!!

[@TVRExploring]

Yeah, that was a bad one...

[@gerretoutdoors3710]

There seemed to be a major drill holes in the very beginning, a drill bit, and some graffiti that you didn't look at like you normally do.

[@gerretoutdoors3710]

1:19 for the drill hole that I thought looked interesting

[@TVRExploring]

I don't remember what happened there.

[@cashewABCD]

I keep thinking Disney style: a skeleton a pirate chest could appear around the corner.

[@bernardgonzales4195]

Almost like the Diamond Mine without bending over all the way through.

[@TVRExploring]

Haha, well, also sprinkle in some sucking mud, scrambling over huge slabs of collapsed material and total exhaustion as well to match it perfectly!

[@Paul-gz5dp]

Lots of nickel ore there.

[@MsGpetey]

Wtf Was tht at 1:17 on the left

[@Cheese_based_lifeform]

MsGpetey his cohort from mines of the west. Another great channel!

[@MsGpetey]

Space Bear Prospector i thought it was a ghost.thank you

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, Space Bear Prospector (great name, by the way) is 100% correct.

[@utuber4841]

3:54 looks like some of those old Levi jeans!

[@drumtwo4seven]

Thumbs up #88 Comment #27 View #1,002

[@Crismodin]

I'm sure you know that you have two permanent black spots on your recording camera ?

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, and I hate them. They're actually right on the sensor and are not possible to remove. Given the tremendous abuse that cameras endure while mine exploring, I am not going to take a camera costing thousands of dollars mine exploring. So, I will instead purchase a mid-tier camera and will run it into the ground (they usually last for about two years of mine exploring abuse). I have a new camera with a clean sensor (so far) that I am trying to use for the outdoor shots and then switching over to the "spotty" camera for indoor stuff as the spots are not noticeable underground. The videos that are older than a few weeks will still feature spots in the outdoor shots, but except in exceptional circumstances, the new videos will be spotless.

[@Crismodin]

I understand, it's mildly annoying to see them but your content is really good, and I like your image stabilization > more than the two spots.

[@TVRExploring]

Trust me, I hate them more than you can imagine... They are still on some of the videos in the backlog, but they'll gradually disappear as more and more new videos come in.

[@LadybugLou]

15:40 I want to make it my house

[@TheSilmarillian]

Very blocky ground

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, it was crazy how blocky it was...

[@mattrichard7549]

Is there so much or than you should go back and start a company

[@rockoneer]

Koch,carefully and make sure you can,,,,hmmmm

[@duanewhite3184]

Why can't you find any left over gold 😭

[@allisonhutchinson9026]

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