Exploring the Historical Bisbee Mines: A Tour of Arizona's Rich Mining Legacy

Discover the fascinating history of the Bisbee mines in Arizona, one of the richest in the world. Discovered in 1877, these mines produced billions of dollars worth of copper, gold, silver, lead, and zinc over the years. Follow along as we explore the underground workings and see historical drills, stopes, trams, and other equipment used to extract copper, gold, silver, lead, and zinc from the earth. Learn about the mining methods used in the past and see how the ore was transported to the surface. Join us on this unforgettable journey into the heart of one of the most famous mines in the world. The mines played a significant role in the settlement of the American West, and now you can take a tour of some of the underground workings to experience the history firsthand. Join us on this journey through time as we explore the legacy of the Bisbee mines and the impact they had on the region.
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Keywords: Bisbee, Arizona, mining history, abandoned mines, underground workings, copper, gold, silver, lead, zinc, settlement of the West
Tags: #Bisbee #Arizona #mininghistory #abandonedmines #undergroundworkings #copper #gold #silver #lead #zinc #settlementoftheWest
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00:00 Introduction
01:30 Going Underground
07:20 Stope Mining
14:30 Timbers & Square Sets
21:55 Loading Ore Cars
32:12 Drills & Drilling
36:40 Drilling Patterns & Blasting
43:18 Mucking The Ore
53:33 Open Pit

[@nikonikorian6124]

He's a great story teller and Tour guide. Kept it fun and light hearted.

[@michaelfercik3691]

It would be cool if mbmmlic filmed the tour of Hiddee Gold Mine Touring and Gold Panning, located at Central City, Colorado, that was known as being "The Richest Square Mile on Earth". It has an interesting history everywhere you go in Central City and Black Hawk City.

[@UmmmmmmmWhat]

Honestly, some of his comments about warrants, state/public work, and getting tasered make me think he was a state trooper or sheriff at some point as a previous job. He's definitely a cool guy who knows his stuff and loves that job.

[@denyspoyner8815]

I was going to say the same thing. He made it educational entertaining and fun.

[@briangarrow448]

I worked in copper mining across the southwest as a young man in the late 70’s and early 80’s. I worked with guys from Bisbee, Morenci, Silver City, Hillsboro and other little mining communities in Arizona and New Mexico. Some of the best people I ever worked with I met when I was there. I remember being the only guy in the bar that didn’t wear cowboy boots or hats!

[@susanturcotte3176]

Awesome, Brian! I bet you have great stories to tell, too! By the way, how were you initiated? Tee hee!

[@carl9826]

Awesome tour video! Bisbee is a beautiful place to visit 👌🏼👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽♥️

[@jangrahame4891]

Wow! Most people go through their whole lives without finding the any light at the end of the tunnel! Thanks for taking us along!

[@jonstein420]

The history of mining is what got me into prospecting.

[@hardrockuniversity7283]

Jason, Lived in S Az most of my life. Been through Bisbee a dozen times. Never had a chance for the tour. Thank you very much. Eva will be most interested when she wakes up.

[@sfbfriend]

That was fun, I've been to Jerome, another mining town in AZ but not to Bisbee, now it's on my bucket list. FYI, in 1974 I started working, still in High School, a sophomore, I made 1.65 an hour if I am remembering accurately. I have worked every year for 47 years having to retire in 2020 due to health reasons. I thoroughly enjoy mining history and its processes. I cannot thank you enough for the videos you create and I am a rock nut!

[@mikep9032]

My family was from Warren, part of Bisbee. My dad worked the Queen. He lost a thumb in a mining accident and wasn't taken for WW2. Mom was a nurse in Bisbee's hospital. I can remember spending summers with my cousins hiking the Mule Mts, which the Queen, the pit and citys are in. Your video brought back many memories. Thank you.

[@susanturcotte3176]

Thank you for the story, Mike. What a grand history your family was a part of! Until this video, I had never heard of this mine. Just think about how huge this mine would be if it had not closed in 1975.

[@mikep9032]

When i could first remember visiting Bisbee, they had soap-box races down the hill right through Bisbee on the 4 of July. Along with parades, it was really neat. They stopped the racing in the late 60s after a spectator got badly hurt. I grew up in San Francisco but after I enlisted in the Air Force, they sent me to Tucson at Davis Monthan AFB. That was April 1967. So my history, so to speak, of the southwest continued for many more years. My aunt Jeanne even worked as a guide at the Queen mine. Yep on the very same ore cars. Cool stuff.

[@nocapyoulackn3594]

They found the perfect tour guide, thank you Jason for sharing this bro💯

[@krakhedd]

2 minutes in....I'm sold....this is already friggin' wicked!! PS - this tour is very well-developed, and the guide was great

[@brianwalko]

Great timbering

[@susanturcotte3176]

It was amazing at how well laid the supportive timbers were throughout the mine. These 'newer versions' found today can't hold a candle to it. Plus, the fact that it was only 2 men with 2 candles, that literally made progress in the dark!

[@wrxs1781]

What can I say Jason, great tour of a professionally run mine, definitely more to mining than meets the eye, the lumber alone would cost a fortune. So different to the small gold mining scratching's in the side of a hill. One could wonder the dollar value this mine produced when in operation.

[@AivoPaas]

Thank you for taking us on the tour.

[@Sauspreme]

What a character! I bet that guy could keep a crowd entertained with stories for weeks.

[@susanturcotte3176]

Jason, what a wonderful and educational tour that you brought to us! I was amazed at how simple the 'work' was, while also the most profitable and productive. I paused and read the information around the lavender pit and was surprised that I didn't "see" the geological differences until it was pointed out. I'm not geology rich in knowledge, yet learned that I need to pay attention to the many things my eyes already pointed out (if that makes sense). Thus, I'm going to take the time and effort to appreciate what is around me. Thank you for this opportunity to learn more! Kudos to the guide as well.

[@chuckster6513]

WOW ! That was very interesting. Thank you for taking us deep into the rocks. I am grateful to you Jason and the folks like that tour guide for giving of time to those of us who may never be able to make that trip. Fifty years ago I made the trek through Burro Schmidt's tunnel in California and enjoyed that very much. But this video made that trek seem like going into a small root cellar. Work Safe, Be Well Stay Warm

[@sparband]

That was a great tour and tour guide. Thanks for taking us along.

[@kevinbyrnes2462]

Took that tour almost 30 years ago. Enjoyed seeing it again

[@michaelchase418]

Nothing better than a great tour guide. Built my life around guiding fishing and whitewater trips. I'm not an outgoing person who cares much for crowds but I am good at the things that matter, the rest developed over time.

[@videoaccount1947]

I took the tour 20 years ago. It was fun and informative then and now.

[@darcam]

The tour use to be a lot longer and deeper, but they had a cave in years back and it reduced the tour length etc.

[@kenrolt8072]

Took that tour around 2005. Very worth it then, and probably more so now. Thx for making this video.

[@chris-wr4jl]

I really enjoyed this tour when I went back in 2006. Lots of cool stuff to see in here.

[@SuperDeucecoupe]

We did that tour in 2018. Pretty neat!

[@ITSFUNZ]

Thanks Jason ! Awesome video as usual! Much appreciated 👍

[@MakingUsThink]

Wonderful History preservation of this mine. Thanks Jason. For me this was a pleasant experience I would never get to do and I will forever remember enjoying this.

[@pamelasplace7429]

Thank you for taking us on that tour. That was fun and interesting. Our guide was a very good story teller!

[@Mark_Nadams]

Thanks for sharing Jason. It was like we were there by your side during the tour. I wish you could do more tours like this. There is an old zinc mine on the east coast that is now famous for the fluorescent minerals. That might make a real nice video tour.

[@ashantaehameen84]

This video is great for my kids, showing them skills and careers people had and still perform, fantastic Thanks!

[@hpummel5402]

Jason, excellent video! If you ever get to Michigan, I recommend The Quincy Mine in the Keweenaw Peninsula, also the mineral museum at Michigan Tech in Houghton Michigan. Most people don't realize Michigan has a rich history of mining iron and copper, along with other minerals like gold and silver.

[@daleolson3506]

Iron mountain in mi has a lot of history also

[@hpummel5402]

@@daleolson3506 yes Iron Mountain is cool too. Went there about 5years ago now.

[@cmcer1995]

Well, that was fascinating. He gave a very good tour and description of how it really was back then and how things operated and a wonderful sense of humor. too. Great video.

[@pathsleasttraveled]

I've always had a sweet spot for Bisbee. I have taken that tour a few times and the last time I did, which was about 10 years ago now, I made sure to wear my hardhat that had Phelps Dodge on one side and Freeport on the other. The guides there really liked seeing someone who worked in the industry to be still fascinated in it. I started with Phelps Dodge right out of highschool and transitioned when Freeport bought them out in February of 2008. It's not a lie when they say "Mining gets into your blood". My father and grandfather were miners as well. Thank you for the awesome video Jason!

[@nightcrawleroriginal]

Great video Jason, learned a lot from it. :)

[@rodneyarmstrong3813]

This was a very awesome video, that gide was 100% awesome. I believe the world could use millions more men like him. He's making peanuts for bringing people into this mine and keeping everyone safe. What a great job he does.

[@xmj6830]

That was awesome! I watched it all, so captivating. The guide is so funny, lovely old folk. Thanks Jason for sharing.

[@KenSilvers]

Thanks Jason, I appreciate the vicarious thrill from your viewpoint more than just about anyone else's.

[@rsquared9703]

Ah Bisbee, it’s cool that the Queen mine is still open for tour. I’ve been inside once when I was like 8 years old. The town is interesting, mixture of mining history and hippies.

[@RealLifeFinance]

That was a super cool tour. Thanks Jason!

[@marsautoman]

Having taken the tour several times as a youngster, it was good to see it again in video. I have tour many mines in AZ. Keep up the good work.

[@martyparsons8395]

What a cool tour! I really enjoyed that!

[@semoneg2826]

That's why i love jason he's an all rounder ...he sells rocks and he gives you all that geology lessons... I could see this tour guide Clearly dosent love geology😊 he said its boring...However he did a fantastic Job...love the video and tour...this tour guide was very hillarious which made the video fun... Oh and not forgetting jasons laughter in the background.

[@Drachenfang]

Thank you Jason for posting this neat field trip. :)

[@NorthDownReader]

Great guide, and you did a very good job with the filming and sound. Thanks

[@skeeterbug9875]

Jason, You take us "Old Buzzrds" Along for unique adventures and we appreciate it. Thank You

[@mbmmllc]

I appreciate that!

[@ohnonotthatguy1465]

Awesome tour guide. Well educated in mining and great story teller.

[@Trybalone21]

I've been on many mine tours and each time , I don't want to leave the mountain. I feel at home in mines . Maybe I was once a miner in a past life.

[@jefferywilson4091]

What a great guide, thanks for taking us along

[@johnpappe3289]

This was a very informative video, Jason. Thank you for taking us along on the tour.

[@scruggsbuster9458]

Wow I never knew a lot of this happened and what they had to go through all the timber that they took down and set it up a lot of work 👨‍🦳thank you for the tour it was awesome😏 thank you for the video it's amazing how they did that because just Candlelight😊 is all they had water thank you so much 😃 see you on the next one⛏️🔨⚒️⚖️

[@dennisshoemaker2789]

Thanks for sharing your adventure with us. That was pretty cool.

[@paraglidingprospector]

Cool tour! Thx for bringing us along for the ride!

[@leonidas953]

Awesome video Jason. Best I’ve seen in years. I still can’t believe guys were paid 5 dollars an hour. That’s some back breaking work. Thanks again.

[@stephendey5576]

I live in Bisbee. The tour is a must see!

[@bloodybonescomic]

My Aunt and Uncle lived in Bisbee until 1975. Then they moved to Morenci. The house they lived in was built by my Uncle's father in 1921. Back when he was working underground many spectacular minerals were coming out. The house had columns that were faced with high grade ore samples and were a sight to see But they had to abandon the house and the hippies chipped all that rock away plus stole everything they could.

[@Mr007troy]

This tour was soooo cool! Do more, do more! I love the squeeky wheels and everything!

[@TeslaRebuilders]

Jason that was a really awesome tour of the mine, the guide was a hoot! I really enjoyed it because I would like to go to check out something like this one day. If I don't get to see one at least I got to see your experience in this mine. Thanks, Casey

[@Mdwells2944]

This was a great educational video on mining and blasting. Thanks Jason!

[@mrwutchamacalit]

this was great glad to see new things but keeping to minning in some way hes good at his job was a good tour guide pretty cool thanks MBMM for the awesome content

[@chuckerickson6721]

Thank you Jason for Saturday history lesson on mining.

[@mikepotts4867]

Awesome thanks for taking us along .

[@StirlingLighthouse]

That was a lot of fun. Thanks Jason ⛏️

[@daver629111]

such kind words to hippies my ears had never heard. What a good man as the guide.

[@ranchero50]

Thanks for sharing. I never considered that they would have different crews that specialized in different types of work.

[@unitedstatesdale]

This is incredible. Its bucket list time. Thanks !!!

[@joshuam.m.2886]

Such a wonderful video and tour. Its amazing how mining has evolved over the years

[@Zendukai]

In our state in Australia, we have a town called Burra, the old copper mine open cut is now used as a deep water training for scuba diving.

[@james_wasson]

I hope that gentleman got a great tip. He's a fantastic story teller!

[@daveking9393]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing!

[@nwliving]

Thanks !! As far as I know, there is still lots of exploratory drilling going on

[@semiproactive9625]

Thanks Jason. I enjoyed every minute.

[@fhbbi]

Made a whopping $2.35/hour working at Kentucky Fried Chicken in 1975. Thanks, for the tour, Jason!

[@carltwigg3946]

That was truly enjoyable, much appreciated!

[@mandysouthen1505]

Very informative and great guide. My hubby is the same when sees “actors” doing his job he always says no driver worth his salt would drive like that or link trains that way. Always interesting to see how jobs have progressed and their tools.

[@hardrockuniversity7283]

Yep, Eva loved it. Thank you very much. The Asarco Mission mine has a good tour of a modern open pit just south of Tucson including some milling (assuming they are still operating).

[@Porty1119]

They're operating although another strike is possible.

[@hardrockuniversity7283]

@@Porty1119 It would be a good companion video to this one.

[@I.Live4oldcars.prospecting]

Awesome video. Thank you for showing this.

[@gilbertdarisse4705]

Such a cool tour! That guide was awesome

[@glenncivale6824]

Thanks for the great tour!

[@Shangsu2012]

I love this uncle narration. ❤️

[@rickpederson1219]

An amazing tour guide very interesting thanks !!!

[@jamesbrewer3020]

Thanks for sharing the great tour.

[@MabGrego]

not the video i was looking for, but surely the one i needed

[@lostjackets4006]

Thank you for this wonderful video and introducing us to such a brilliant guide.

[@labandonaldhock80]

I loved the tour. Live 40 miles from there!

[@metalicminer6231]

Great tour, such a knowledgeable guide.

[@nathangibson3264]

Fantastic tour guide!!

[@manjisaipoe517]

Very interesting tour, and a bit different from your usual stuff, thanks for the view and the history lesson.

[@the1dud]

Always enjoying your original content!!

[@jayarnett4157]

Thanks Jason. That was wonderful.

[@daleskogman3306]

excellent tour!!!!

[@TroyDowVanZandt]

My great-grandfather rode into Arizona Territory in 1885. His first job was in the Copper Queen. I don't know if the company gave them out, or if he bought them, but my great-aunt Ella had several stock certificates.

[@treborupp]

Nice job Jason. Thanks for sharing

[@andrewjohnston6841]

Hi Jason, That was an incredible video. Being from Australia I am unlikely to be in Bisbee to do that tour. So thank you for bringing that to us. More videos on this type of thing would be great.

[@snchilders]

Thanks for the tour.

[@alexkaring]

Awesome tour!

[@midlifetravelers6151]

My attention stayed from beginning to end. Will look into taking this tour. Thanks for sharing!

[@Thescidude1]

Absolutely awesome!!!

[@tonyking9623]

Great video! Really enjoy the tour of the mind

[@dewardtaylor4192]

Thanks Jason great video and tour

[@nitaweber6532]

wow what an interesting tour!!!

[@bobkelly3454]

Man, I grew up in Bisbee. That tour’s pretty much exactly as I remember it from the late 90’s. And yeah, Mayberry on acid is about right.

[@sinohui3]

Very interesting. Thank you for sharing.

[@wsurferdude_ct]

Great video! I've learned so much from your channel. Thank You!