Delano Mine Discoveries: Dynamite, Dangerously Deep Holes, and a Defunct Ore Cart

[@josephisaacs78]

I LOVE THIS CHANNEL AND ESPECIALLY THE CREEPY-HAUNTED MINES

[@AbandonedMines11]

Thanks, Joseph! I’m working on finding some more creepy mines to explore. Stay tuned!

[@Sharktooth17]

i love your enthusiasm joseph this channel has made me enjoy caves 10 x more too

[@AbandonedMines11]

@@Sharktooth17 I love hearing that! Thank you very much for supporting my channel.

[@mtamech535]

We love our Frank…no other channel like his!

[@mrnoobsoldier599]

Bro the video a long time ago was sooo scary but I love it lol I'm subbed @exploring abandoned creepy minds

[@richardwarnock2789]

Swinging chains and Ant Miner's and large in Charge Death 🕳 Holes Do you fella's ever feel like your being watched!!! Great Video hopes theres more!!

[@AbandonedMines11]

I almost fell into one of those death holes, believe it or not! They were all over the place in the floor of those stopes! Never have felt being watched. For more awesome footage of this huge mine, check out Justin, Joe, and Todd’s channels.Links to them are in this video’s description. Thanks for your comment!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Wow, this mine is massive. Incredible to find so many artifacts down there too.

[@AbandonedMines11]

Thanks, Steve, for dropping by! I appreciate it.

[@Miner49er1]

This mine was so rich with artifacts! Glad you were able to explore as much as you did and get out safely!

[@AbandonedMines11]

Thanks, Nick! The stopes in this one make that huge stope in the Jackrabbit Mine seems small. And that Jackrabbit stope was pretty big!

[@casedoumasr656]

Hello Frank well i found my bag of Jerky so watched this late but boy there are all kinds of passage ways and stopes and good artifacts still intact great adventure and will check your buddy's channels as well ⛏️💰🤔thank you for the tag along p.s. keep rhose ropes handy

[@AbandonedMines11]

Thanks for checking out the video, Case! Yes, gigantic underground stopes in this one! They were the biggest stopes I have ever seen. Quite remarkable! What I didn’t like were all the ore passes in the floor of the stope. Somewhat easy to accidentally fall into one of those. In fact, I almost did! Thanks for taking the time to check out the channels of Justin, Joe, and Todd. They’ve got some great content on their channels that I think you and many others will enjoy.

[@karstent.66]

I love about this channel, it is still fillmed like the old KZbin was meant to be. And I have visited so many mines now because of you. Thankfully, America is not as restricted about old mines than western Europe and specially Germany is. I believe I follow you now for more than 10 years. Thank you for everything I could learn from/through you about historical mining. I wonder if you follow the channel of Paul Cook. There are still different kind of tunnels in the earth, specially on Malta, Mediteranean Sean, but not only there. Also Florida must have more caves than I thought. And has also more history than it is widely known.

[@AbandonedMines11]

It’s funny you mention that America is not as restricted about our mines compared to Europe and Germany. TVR Justin has spent some time over in Italy exploring abandoned mines, and I remember him telling me many years ago that the Italian government really didn’t care whether the mines in Italy were open or sealed up. Italy seemed to be very lax on restricting access to the abandoned mines in their country. I guess each country is different regarding all of that. Here in America, I have to disagree with you and say that there has been a big push to seal up, close, and destroy as many of these old mines as possible to prevent people from going in them. Most of us in the exploration community find it disheartening that they have been doing this for the last decade or two. It’s really picked up speed in the last 10 years or so. But there are literally hundreds of thousands of abandoned mines throughout the western United States. There’s far too many for them all to be sealed up and reclaimed.

[@claytonfs]

@@AbandonedMines11 This has generally been my experience as well. Lots of bat gates. I always wonder how you find the open mines you explore. Can you point to any resources for this?

[@AbandonedMines11]

@@claytonfs The general mode of operation for these government agencies is to install gates and other deterrents in mines that are easily accessible or close to popular recreation areas or population centers. The more remote, inaccessible mines seem to have the lowest priority because most people don’t go to those or pass near them. However, I am finding it more and more common to find that gates in mines that have already been breached. Usually one of the bars has been cut out and removed. I know 12 years ago or so the government agencies would be pretty quick to repair such breached gates, but it seems that in recent years they stopped doing that. Maybe they realized it was hopeless and that the gates would always get repeatedly breached or they just don’t have the funds anymore to make repairs. Often times, too, you can find another nearby entrance that’s more obscure or somewhat off the beaten path that won’t have a gate in it if the main entrance is gated. If I come across a bat gate that’s not been breached, I just move on to the next mine. There are literally tens of thousands of abandoned mines out there that don’t have any gates in them at all. Lots to choose from!

[@sampoalaharju7239]

Wow. That is massive mine. I`ts allways nice to watch yours videos of those mines.

[@AbandonedMines11]

It certainly was massive! Sounds like you enjoyed the video. Thanks for spending some of your time day here on my channel and commenting. I appreciate it.

[@RockerRed]

This one is huge! Great video! Thanks Frank! I hereby declare that your videos are great for chronic illness relief! 👍🤘Thank you! Thank you!👍🤘💙💚💙💚

[@AbandonedMines11]

Thanks for your comment! Nice hearing from you again. Yes, these stopes were the largest ones I have ever seen underground. The video really doesn’t do them justice. You could fit city blocks in them!

[@ABANDONED_UNDERGROUND]

I'm so glad we got to explore this amazing place together! Thank you for the many shout-outs to Todd's, Joe's, and my channels, it really helps out! The fact that the section of this mine in your video Frank, is only about 25% of the workings of this mine. You can really fit a neighborhood inside of here!

[@AbandonedMines11]

It really was an experience! I’ve been in some large stopes during my day but nothing that compares to the stopes in this mine! It really was mind-blowing! Wasn’t overly fond of all the ore passes in the floor, though. Thanks again for the invitation. Had a great time!

[@rolfsinkgraven]

I'll comment once I can get my jaw off the floor, wow wow and wow, this little video made a big impression indeed, that ore cart was really lost in space there, nice stuff left, and they did hit the jackpot for real there, GREAT explore again thnx Frank.

[@AbandonedMines11]

Thanks, Rolf! Yes, that little ore cart certainly was lost in such a big space! These were the biggest stopes I have ever seen. Simply incredible!

[@jnw415]

Wow! What a hole. I love how you give small details to explain to all audiences "A stope is....". Keep up the great work!

[@AbandonedMines11]

Thanks so much for the comment! It’s always gratifying when a viewer like yourself lets me know that they are getting something out of my videos and are being entertained by them. I really appreciate the feedback. Thanks again!

[@Luminoussound2024]

The never ending piller mine , fantastic heartfelt exploring frank

[@AbandonedMines11]

Those stopes could fit an entire town in them! Never have seen stopes as big as those - and I’ve seen some big stopes in my day! Thanks, Alex, for the comment!

[@mickie7873]

Those stopes were outstanding in size. Thank you for documenting this abandoned mine.

[@AbandonedMines11]

Thanks for your comment! They definitely were the largest stopes I have ever seen. If you check out the guys’ KZbin channels - I put links in this video’s description - they have additional footage of different parts of this massive mine that they had already explored during previous trips. On Todd’s channel, he refers to it in titles as the “Dusty Bear Mine.“ On Justin‘s channel, he simply refers to it in titles as the largest abandoned mine in the state.

[@jamillos22]

"Horton mine all over again." Ha, that one and the Waldeck video I'll never forget.

[@AbandonedMines11]

The Horton Mine refuses to die. LOL

[@Sharktooth17]

always enjoy your narration during these clips especially the ore explanations 🪨🔮

[@AbandonedMines11]

I hope my narration is correct! I think most of it is. Believe it or not, I’m still learning stuff about mines, mining, and geology myself as I go along! Glad you are enjoying the videos, and thank you very much for the feedback.

[@AbandonedMaine]

Good thing your friends are along. It's hard to fathom how big those are

[@AbandonedMines11]

Hey, Drew! Yes, without Joe and Justin being in the background, it would be very difficult to get across just how big those stopes were. They really were something to see in person. I’ve been in a lot of stopes over the years but never ones as big as these were. Thanks for checking out the video!

[@Davidautofull]

really nice Frank. that massive place would be amazing to explore, for us. thanks for taking us along.

[@AbandonedMines11]

Definitely is one of the biggest minds I have ever been in. Glad you enjoyed the video! Thanks again for all your support here.

[@corgimom2]

I recently discovered your channel. I'm enjoying your videos. Old mines intrigue me. I grew up spending my summers in Ouray, CO. There are a lot of old mines there. My dad and I used to explore them. Most are closed off now. I would love to have one of those ore carts. There are some ore carts around Ouray that they plant flowers in each summer. Some are lucky enough to have them in their yards.

[@AbandonedMines11]

Glad to have you onboard here! Yes, Colorado certainly has a lot of abandoned mines throughout the state. I haven’t made it there yet but hope to one of these days. That’s great that you were able to explore a lot of them with your dad years ago. As you mentioned, many of them are probably no longer explorable for one reason or another.

[@corgimom2]

@@AbandonedMines11 Ouray is a gorgeous area to explore. Lots of old mining towns in the mountains. There is one active mine there. A silver mine.

[@mibbsname6570]

Cool mine. Like totally awesome videos.

[@AbandonedMines11]

Thanks!

[@ronniecardy]

Now i know what a rock bolts look like. I always thought they looked like a standard bolt . Thanks again for a very informative video Frank

[@AbandonedMines11]

Glad to hear that, Ronnie! Thanks for letting me know. I’m not sure what the maximum length would be for a rock bolt, so maybe someone with some mining experience will chime in here and let us know. I think I remember hearing they can be up to 50 feet long (15 meters).

[@ronniecardy]

Wow lot bolt. Must take a long time to drill those

[@roberttucker8129]

Mine this big, might not hurt to have a long line to be able to find your way out. Always enjoy your videos, not only for the interesting places you manage to find yourself, but also the information that you bring about those places. Glad to see you being safe as always, and hope you can continue to find more places that bring excellent adventures.

[@AbandonedMines11]

Justin, Todd, and Joe have already been in this mine on several earlier trips and it really is massive! They haven’t seen all of it yet. The aspect of this mine that I found to be really dangerous were all the open ore passes scattered across the floor of the stope. Some of them were next to huge piles of loose rubble that we had to traverse. One false move, one unintentional landslide, and you’d be going over the brink into one of those ore passes.

[@roberttucker8129]

@@AbandonedMines11 glad y'all made it out safely, and hope you get the opportunity to explore it in it's entirety

[@AbandonedMines11]

Todd has some videos on his channel of this mine. I believe he calls it the “Dusty Bear Mine.” Justin has a bunch of recent videos of it on his channel as well.

[@lbr2353]

You always brighten my day with these beautiful and exciting videos, much love from the Netherlands❤❤

[@AbandonedMines11]

Thank you very much for your nice comment! Glad to hear you are enjoying my videos. Your support is appreciated.

[@Foreststrike]

Looks like it was a really prosperous mine. Also pretty modern in construction.

[@AbandonedMines11]

I think it was last worked in the 1970s, but maybe one of the other guys can confirm that. Yes, more modern workings. Largest stopes I have ever seen.

[@Porty1119]

​@@AbandonedMines11Last confirmed production was in the early 70s, some work in the 80s that I believe saw ore shipped to a toll mill in Deming, quite a bit of drift driven around 1993 for non-mining experimental purposes, and an underground core-drilling campaign planned around 2002 but never executed.

[@AbandonedMines11]

Thanks for the detailed information, Jim!

[@ReclusiveMountainMan]

Loving it. Frank, thanks for making my day off a better one.

[@AbandonedMines11]

My pleasure! Always glad to have you along for the underground adventures, Matt!

[@mineadventures7938]

That's a good one Frank, the open stopes are very much like the one's in Darwin. I haven't seen this one before. Thanks for sharing

[@AbandonedMines11]

Definitely were some of the biggest stopes I have ever seen. Thanks for stopping by!

[@katherinekinnaird4408]

That was amazing. They appear to have dug out several city blocks. Thanks for taking us with you. Safe travels.

[@AbandonedMines11]

Hi, Katherine! Yes, “city blocks“ is a very apt description. Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@michaelpence468]

Another great mine exploration!

[@AbandonedMines11]

Thanks, Mike, for checking in!

[@FictionalRen]

That was such a nice cave. I'm gald you had friends with you to not get turned around. Safe travels, Frank!

[@AbandonedMines11]

Thanks for checking out the video! Glad you enjoyed the footage.

[@ExtremeFieldTripEntertainment]

Great episode, we need to start planning for another one soon!!

[@AbandonedMines11]

Sounds like a good idea!

[@parkerrowe4687]

Pillars are genrally comprised of the minral being mined Always love close ups of the pillars. Great vid. Thank you

[@AbandonedMines11]

Often when a mine closes permanently, the miners will go in beforehand and yank out the pillars to extract the remaining ore in them thus leaving behind stopes with dangerous, unsupported ceilings.

[@parkerrowe4687]

@@AbandonedMines11 like in the 16 to 1 mine,, retreat mining I believe its called

[@AbandonedMines11]

Yes, I think I’ve heard that term “retreat mining“ before.

[@AnnasBurningCuriosity]

Awesome video thank for sharing 👍

[@AbandonedMines11]

Hey, Anna! Thank you for taking the time to watch my latest video. I appreciate it.

[@royjennison3916]

wow , now thats impressive frank , great vid there mate , that mine had massive stopes , them poor miners must have being there years digging there .

[@AbandonedMines11]

Hey, Roy! Thanks for your comment! Apparently this mine was worked as late as the 1970s or thereabouts. I do believe they were using rubber-tired vehicles in those massive stopes to do most of the heavy lifting. But those modern stopes do intersect a lot of the older workings in the mine, so it’s quite the place to explore. The three guys I was with in this video had already been to that mine several times over the course of the past year or so - and they still haven’t seen all of it!

[@royjennison3916]

@@AbandonedMines11 thanks for the extra info Frank , cool

[@Paulman50]

Nice filming, I bet you enjoyed exploring that one.

[@AbandonedMines11]

Thanks for dropping in and watching and commenting! This definitely was a big mine. Justin, Todd, and Joe have already been in this mine a few times during the previous months and have some more dramatic video footage of it on their respective channels. It really is a massive place and would take many visits to see the whole thing. Todd refers to it in his videos as the Dusty Bear Mine.

[@johnsmart964]

Thank you very much for this very impressive exploration through this very impressive mine. It was obviously very productive and well worth the miners time and effort. The colour of the ore was most impressive. The 'ballroom', and thank you for explaining what the words peculiar to mining mean, looked like a natural cave system due to its immensity. Your video presentations are always of great interest and you have such a pleasant way of narrating which is very much appreciated.

[@AbandonedMines11]

Hey, John! Thank you very much for your helpful feedback. It’s always nice to know when a viewer is enjoying my videos and getting something out of them. Without enthusiastic, supportive viewers like you, what would be the point of me posting these videos in the first place? Thanks again, John!

[@mtamech535]

Great stuff Frank, loved it!

[@AbandonedMines11]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for letting me know.

[@EggnogonthebogProductions]

Wow. Enormous Stopes in the mine. Lots of pillars If there was ever an earthquake while in a mine, would you be screwed?

[@AbandonedMines11]

I don’t know. I would tend to think not based on other accounts that I’ve heard and read from people who were underground when a significant earthquake occurred. It seems that when underground, one really doesn’t notice the earthquake. The seismic waves are primarily felt on the surface of the Earth. Nonetheless, it would be an experience that would be something to go through.

[@anandrew6641]

Previous earthquakes probably did any damage, if any, and the ground settled in firm. A massive one, like 8+ magnitude, I'd probably not want to be in open stopes, or underground in general, but no way to predict.

[@AjayAdigopalOntario]

Reminds me of the movie " the descent"....Amazing video nonetheless...

[@AbandonedMines11]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@theminejunkie]

Gnarly! Those massive stopes & pillars are incredible. How tall do you think those ceilings are? Those bacon strips kinda give mines a creepy vibe, but maybe it just reminds me of the Horton mine! Lol. Awesome exploration.

[@AbandonedMines11]

Those stopes certainly were something to see in person! Never had seen ones that big. Some areas in those stopes were five or six stories tall from what I can remember! I’ve been in some large stopes before over the last 15 years but they all pale in comparison to the ones in this mine. Yeah, those bacon strips are quite common in a lot of mines. They definitely were present in the Horton Mine and kind of gave its portal that iconic look. Thanks, man, for stopping by and checking out the video!

[@frankgaletzka8477]

Thank you for this video. A very impressiv mine. Yours Frank Galetzka

[@AbandonedMines11]

Thanks again, Frank, for your support here! It’s always nice hearing from you.

[@MrHiss2011]

Awesome mate those Stopes are Huge.

[@AbandonedMines11]

Thanks for watching and commenting, Mr. Hiss! Those stopes were incredible. Biggest ones I have seen in 15 years of exploring abandoned mines.

[@lesleyrobbins1137]

All I can see is an army of ants(miners), hollowing out the mountain! That must have been a busy place!

[@AbandonedMines11]

I totally agree with you, Lesley! It certainly must’ve been a busy, noisy place. Never have seen stopes as big and extensive as these ones were. Quite impressive. Thanks for stopping by and checking out the video!

[@noahtek1101]

Please go to the Carrie Nation mine in Madera Canyon, Arizona! I love your channel!

[@AbandonedMines11]

Maybe one day! Never heard of that mine until you mentioned it. I found a couple videos of it here on KZbin. Looks like a real scenic location. Thanks for the suggestion! It definitely looks like an abandoned mine I’d like to document. Thanks for your comment, and thanks for supporting my channel. I’ll have some new videos coming soon.

[@noahtek1101]

@@AbandonedMines11 You’re welcome! Thank you for your videos! I love watching them! Apparently the Carrie Nation mine goes back about 300 feet or so and it’s very muddy and a foot deep submerged in water. I want to explore it myself one day, but I would require waders and a good respirator mask. There are bats in it and some beautiful Chrsyacolla veins and ore cart tracks!

[@AbandonedMines11]

Sounds like an interesting one! Thanks for the additional information.

[@bobtk2352]

That was a massive mine.

[@AbandonedMines11]

It sure was! Thanks for checking out the video and for commenting.

[@Mike-01234]

My brother in-law he was a miner in the 1970's and 80's he said Dynomite that is really old like 100 years ago is no longer dangerous because all the nitro has evaporated just crumble only the paper is left and rots. Never know how old it really is.

[@AbandonedMines11]

Yeah, I’ve always heard that really old dynamite is extremely dangerous because of its instability. However, we have come across old dynamite sticks that are hollow. We figured that over the years the rodents who live in the mines eat the nitroglycerin that’s inside the sticks. Or, as you suggested, it might dry out and disintegrate over the years. It’s still nothing to mess around with, though. Better safe than sorry!

[@1949ala]

learned a ton of things with this video, very exciting, stay safe guys ps..if you removed on of those pillars, would the roof cave in ?

[@AbandonedMines11]

Thanks for your comment! It’s always nice to hear when someone is getting something out of my videos of being entertained by them. Sometimes when these bigger mines were about to close for good, the miners would go in and yank out all the pillars in order to extract all the remaining ore that was stored in them. So, yes, this leaves behind those voids (stopes) with a totally unsupported ceiling. Very dangerous because without the pillars, the ceiling could collapse at any moment.

[@richardmcgrew2167]

This one had some different things in it. Large mine and stopes. Do you carry anything with you to test the air? Boy you have a lot of old posts yet to view. How do you find out about all these old mines and how to get to them. You have certainly traveled some miles over the years.

[@AbandonedMines11]

Justin and the other guys in this video had been in this mine on previous visits. It’s extremely large and can’t be seen in one visit. The stopes in this mine are the largest I have ever seen! It’s amazing that there are underground caverns of that size in this mine. The US government also did explosives testing in this mine in concrete bunkers which I didn’t show in this video. I know Justin filmed those bunkers as did some of the other guys. It’s a really big, abandoned mine!

[@williamwintemberg]

It certainly is a "Big Mine". Love the old riveted ore cart! Yes! Leave the explosives where they lay. You guys could have spent a week in this mine. Nice explore!

[@AbandonedMines11]

If you check out the channels of Justin, Joe, and Todd, they have made repeated trips to this mine but still haven’t seen all of it. On Todd’s channel, he refers to it in his videos as the “Dusty Bear Mine.“ Thanks for watching and commenting, William!

[@Ktulu789]

Spanish-speaking viewers having a grin 😅 Delano

[@Hyperion-5744]

Good video frank.

[@AbandonedMines11]

Glad you enjoyed it! The underground stopes in this one are by far the biggest I have ever seen. You could fit small towns in some of those stopes.

[@bobbiesox6289]

How do you ever find your way out!!!

[@AbandonedMines11]

Fortunately Joe, Justin, and Todd had been in this mine before and knew a good portion of its layout. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@stabbincabbincowbboy3770]

Like 14💫 Wow That Mine Is Huge With All The Flavor Flav Materials There.. Lots of Man Power to Make That Mine Happen..🥓🧨💥🛒 HeeHawww 👋🤠🪨

[@AbandonedMines11]

Those stopes were the biggest I have ever seen. They were really impressive. The video doesn’t do them justice. Thanks for checking in, “Tony!“

[@ejsampana426]

bro are you sure you didn't wake up the balrog?

[@hrbailey379xhd]

I would just about bet that they had a slusher in there and was dragging the ore to the ore pass at about 10 minutes in. Probably what that pulley hanging in the drift was for

[@AbandonedMines11]

No doubt about that. It definitely must have been quite the operation back in the day.

[@kevanstafne5342]

In the mine I worked in we called them matts

[@AbandonedMines11]

Thanks for your comment! I’m not exactly sure what you are referring to, though. What specifically did you refer to as “matts?”

[@emmanuelperez9490]

I can't believe you haven't found a rattlesnake...

[@AbandonedMines11]

Out of sight, out of mind. Or in my case: out of mind, out of sight. Never see them. In 15 years of exploring, hiking, and bushwhacking, I think I’ve seen a total of eight or so.

[@MrTriMurda]

So is there any Ores left? I saw this as for sale for a hefty price and it states there's 2/3rds of minerals left and if so why abandon the place? Safety reasons? Would this be a good place to purchase if the sale is legit? Btw the knowledge was good, I learned some stuff. 🙌

[@AbandonedMines11]

Unfortunately my Delano Mine video does NOT feature any footage of the Delano Mine that is currently listed for sale in Elko, Nevada. My video features a completely different mine in another state.

[@JeriDro]

Hey do you have friends or family that you tell where you are going and how long you are going to be there just incase something happens?

[@AbandonedMines11]

Yes, we do!

[@thisisdvd8094]

6:44 why "open stope" when you have "stopen"

[@AbandonedMines11]

That’s a good question! LOL

[@rikertvonfulton16]

Sounds like Clint Eastwood voice .

[@kevinshowers6477]

Who is yelling at 11:27 and what are they saying.

[@AbandonedMines11]

That must’ve been either Todd or Joe. I can’t make out what they were shouting.

[@まなやはらはや]

…

[@ReclusiveMountainMan]

Just do me a favor and wear an N95 (at least) or P100 respirator when exploring talc or uranium mines. Talc is known to be associated with asbestos. Yucky stuff.

[@AbandonedMines11]

I think it’s been more than a year now since I’ve been in a talc mine. I think I’ve explored most of them that are in my general area. I believe that a one-time, brief exposure to talc dust while I’m exploring a talc mine is really no big deal. If I was going to be in a talc mine for eight hours a day seven days a week like the miners were, then that would be a different story. But even back in those days they didn’t have all the safety laws and regulations regarding respiratory awareness and safety like they do now!