I Mined A Bunch of Zinc & It Explained The REAL History Here

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In this video, we dive deep into the Zinc Era of Cerro Gordo. A period of time that doesn't get near the attention as the silver era, but was longer, and in many ways more productive.
I head down to the 700 level of the Union Mine to retrieve some smithsonite, refine the smithsonite all the way down to zinc, and use the zinc for it's most common uses. Along the way, we learn a lot more about the history of this famous mining town.
More photos on Instagram: / brentwunderwood
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Mailing Address: PO Box 490, Lone Pine, CA 93545
THANK YOU!

[@GhostTownLiving]

Here is a link to win the handmade coin from this video. It's FREE to enter: kingsumo.com/g/1ggqrj1/win-a-handmade-cerro-gordo-coin

[@MadDog-1961]

Brent, just a suggestion. I saw you struggling with your full 5 gal. bucket of rocks. (Not the first time) A single bucket puts unnecessary torque on your lower back. Next time bring two buckets and when one is full empty 1/2 into the other bucket. carrying 2 buckets of equal weight is far easier from a physical exertion perspective. And when negotiating narrow parts swing one in front and one behind. You can experiment with this in the lift building before going down again? BTW always love your Great content!

[@JohnMoses1897]

​@MadDog-1961 you are 100% correct. I believe he should take buckets for each level. Leave them next to cage & go to next level. Stop & pick up on assent to the top. Also walays additional sample quantity.

[@JohnMoses1897]

Hey Brent, next time you "desend into the abyss", take a couple buckets for each level - leave each 1/2 full next to hoist cage & go to visit next level. Stop & pick up buckets on assent "back to the world." Save your back. Keep up the great videos coming! Your a priceless treasure just like the mine & town. Safe prospecting

[@MadDog-1961]

@@JohnMoses1897 The old adage. (Work smarter NOT harder) Does NOT imply don't work hard! Lift with the legs NOT with the back! But I'm young and tough!! The problem is the damage is cumulative and it WILL come back to haunt you! :)

[@jeffcook8501]

Great thing about being up there when it is to hot. You can go down the mine and it will be so much cooler. I can definitely see you chilling in the water on the 700 lvl.

[@realmindscale]

these types of your videos are my favorite - a little bit of mining, little bit of metallurgy, little bit of history, and you produced a coin to boot! love it

[@GhostTownLiving]

Thanks! They're some of my favorites to make as well.

[@wlfgang]

Yes, I liked the basic chemistry lesson too...

[@edchester1773]

Fun Fact: My Mom was a welder in the shipyards during WW2! She welded Galvanized steel below the decks of large warships! At the end of the day they handed out quarts of milk for the welders to drink to neutralize the effects of the zinc in the galvanized smoke! Later when I was a welder we would grind off the galvanization off the area to be welded before welding anything galvanized! then we would spray-paint the weld with galvanized paint!

[@MapleHillMunitions]

Which ship yard? Is she still around? Lots of places would love to hear her story and get it on camera.

[@zedlips]

😂🤣😂🤣 Dude really..............

[@rock7282]

Yeah, milk doesn’t really work for zink off gas!

[@LordDragox412]

@@MapleHillMunitions Given they gave her milk to "neutralize the effects of the zinc smoke", I doubt it.

[@Frank-Thoresen]

I have also welded zink coated walkway gratings on offshore gas platform and we needed full breathing welding mask. The fumes wasn't great to breath.

[@jamiehill2671]

Another use: Zinc blocks are bolted to the underwater side of ship hulls to prevent corrosion. Battleship New Jersey has hundreds of them from their recent drydocking period. They changed from zinc to aluminum ones because the ship is moored in fresh water in Camden NJ.

[@edasm4113]

And now I have one of them :)

[@harry503]

​@@edasm4113Ryan in a mine or Brent in a 16 in turret? Or both

[@MikeMillerimages]

Sacrificial anodes is the technical term. 😊

[@MrCountrycuz]

Coins are made of zinc

[@schwags1969]

@@MrCountrycuz Well Brent did for giveaways.

[@robertlook1]

I have hiked and climbed in eastern mountains for over fifty years. Plants used to just be green plants to me. Once I began to learn how to identify them and learn about them give them a name, like you say they just jump out at you and you recognize them for the depth of their story. It is so amazingly rewarding. The Judy Kuhn song Colors of the Wind from Disney’s Pocahontas speaks to this, “every rock, and tree and creature has a life, has a spirit, has a name”.

[@MakingUsThink]

Yes just say it. Brent is a great story teller. Brent makes Walt Disney a Joke!

[@devakikaren]

What is more exciting than birds planting a wildflower or other plant in my garden. I transplant plants from side of road to home. The new apps that I.D. plants from a cell phone foto are wonderful.

[@chestyvulva]

Bret's story would make a great Disney film!

[@KenG557]

If the zinc lotion doesn't keep you from getting sunburned, at least you won't rust!

[@GhostTownLiving]

hahah, I like that

[@Marioscorneraquatics]

He looks rusted already 😂. Sorry lame red head joke

[@KenG557]

@@Marioscorneraquatics He will probably think that's hilarious. 😂👍

[@dianemackey]

@@GhostTownLiving 12 MGs of Astaxanthin can protect you from the sun too! I take it daily and as a very white Irish lass, I don't burn any more.

[@raymondyannott1025]

Hahaha, yeah he's right!!! 😅

[@dennisfahey2379]

For those unaware of the history - coins originally were allowed to be cut into fragments as payment. A whole coin had its value and lower values were achieved with a simple snip. The smallest denomination was 1/8th (pieces of eight). Another term for 1/8th was a "bit". Think of it as a penny - the smallest one could charge. For a dollar coin, 1/8th is 12 1/2 cents so that is the "bit" and "two bits" would be 1/8 plus 1/8 or 1/4 or a quarter. Eventually the denominations were struck as unique coins and the snipping ( which could easily be used to cheat ) was outlawed. Coins also saw their rims embellished to prevent shaving off a little bit and this cheating the recipient of their full value.

[@blackdog6969]

That explains why there's 8 bits in a byte. Had no idea computing was related at least slightly to old school currency practices. That's pretty sweet

[@TgWags69]

No, not really. Early computer code was hexidecimal and its relationship to binary which gave the number for bits and bytes.

[@dennisfahey2379]

@@TgWags69 - Actually most early computers were coded in Octal. Hex gained dominance in the 1970's with microprocessors. Many early systems had what would be today "strange" integer width - like 22 bits etc. It was an artifact of the Von Neumann move to merge data and code space into one memory to save costs. The Data and address width as such merged too. The data width was generally decided based upon the precision of the math the system was to perform and flag bits associated with the results of sequentially pipelined calculations (in software). So for example you might have the result of an add operation and its carry or zero bits also in the data store (memory) to then feed back with the next variable. Some of these architectures were incredibly complex. Example Cray Research's implementations were brilliant and based upon actual cycle times of the processing system - all made out of discrete gates. All this is why, if you look up an ASCII character table from the period there was the character - its hex value and its octal value. There were also the days of Cobol (for business) and Fortran (for Engineering) dominance. With Pascal as newbie and "C" was but a twinkle in the eye.

[@TgWags69]

@@dennisfahey2379 Pre-dates Me 🙂👍

[@karengerhardt6008]

When I was a bank teller in Canada back in the '80s, if a customer had half a bill of any denomination, we had to give them half the original value and send that half back to the Bank of Canada with "mutilated" money.

[@nicholasmaxheleau9444]

Hey Brent, as a metallurgical chemist( long retired) I really enjoyed your inventiveness in extracting the zinc and the way you processed it to create your products. Well done! I love your curiosity and drive to explore. That keeps me coming back!

[@bobwoww8384]

Meee Too

[@STEVEARABIA1]

It’s great that you’re showing people where things come from and that mining and modern conveniences are so intertwined.

[@joshuajackson6442]

Amen, too many in our society take take take without understanding that we finite resources and can never be recovered again.

[@carrierhinier6291]

Oh my gosh! THIS was your best episode yet! Your excitement is infectious! It’s really cool how you’ve been able to connect the dots and identify things in the timeline! I can tell you had fun with your zinc experiments! You also did a GREAT job in explaining the processes! Well done, Brent! You had my full attention the whole time!

[@GhostTownLiving]

Thank you so much!

[@pamabernathy8728]

Brent, your passion, committment, literal blood, sweat & tears, allows us all to feel how special Cerro Gordo is!!!!

[@user-qz2tf6fh4j]

you know he is just a front man... some shady texas oil company bought it and him look like he isnt doing anything bad! yet he burned it down and killed his goats ! he is a tweaker for sure!

[@bobwoww8384]

Tru fact

[@snick69z]

I’m a line operator for a zinc plating factory. I push the buttons and run the bars full of parts and zinc plate them. I never realized how many things were plated until I stared. The process is pretty cool. We run the parts through 2 different soaps then they go into hydrochloric acid to strip all the rust. Then they go into the zinc tanks. The electricity pulls the zinc onto the parts and forms the protective coating. Then they get dipped into either a yellow dye tank or a clear / silver tank. We have zinc balls in the zinc tanks. Bigger than golf balls but smaller than apples. The current and acidic makeup pulls zinc from the balls to plate the parts. I played my axe head once 😅 looks awesome!

[@MickyDee67]

Well done Brent. My father worked in a galvanising workshop in Hobart Tasmania in the 1960,s where I worked in the welding shop next door. I used to watch the hot dip method where the item was dipped in sulphuric acid to clean, then washed and then hot dipped in tanks about 30 feet in length and about 6 feet deep. I was excited as you were when watching this video. Wonderful stuff. Thank you.

[@Janer-52]

Brent, I've been watching since the beginning of your channel. I know how hard it was when you first started YT. The confidence and joy you now have is so inspiring! I'm so glad you have kept going - despite setbacks like the fire and the road washing out multiple times. Now you have marathons and bar-b-ques, a book and silver coins. And Joy. Bravo.

[@skyepilotte11]

Thx Brent...Cerro Gordo needed someone like you with passion for reviving the past of this mining district. Well done.

[@bobwoww8384]

Bravo Indeed

[@simonwilliams195]

Sunday evening with no kids, an ice cold beer and a new video from Brent... Sunday night made!!

[@michaelnguyen-mb3qf]

Damn right brother

[@Frostyeveryday]

I’m having a pour of Bourbon as well! But yes! Also, I’m curious how they know their isn’t another giant vein of minerals in the surrounding mountains. There has got to be a fortune there just waiting to be discovered!

[@kaneda015]

dont have wife and kids - everyday its sunday

[@aaronsavage1234]

Exactly

[@Eugenia_Farms]

@@kaneda015god bless you for now

[@mannsonthemove2958]

Brent they also use Zinc to make glass. The liquid silica is poured on to a pool of molten zinc . The molten zinc is perfectly smooth which is transferred to the glass on the bottom and the glass self levels on the top. I watched this process at PPG in Carlisle Pennsylvania.

[@craigbrowning9448]

Smithsonite, a zinc carbonate mineral, was named after James Smithson (1754-1829), an English chemist and mineralogist who first identified it in 1802. Smithson was also the founder of the Smithsonian Institution (Wikipedia).

[@PlatinumIrishrose]

The rock and Gem club I belong to has a member who mines Smithsonite. When he donates a piece to our scholarship table or silent auction table, everyone goes crazy over it. ❤

[@pholdren]

And who doesn't capitalize on that connection to James Smithson to sell smithsonite in the gem and mineral gift shop? Smithsonian Enterprises, the entity that operates the gift shops. Source: I worked there.

[@clutch2315]

The only channel that i can watch thats story driven and informative. Noone else can keep me coming back and back. Great job!

[@PlatinumIrishrose]

Try watching David Paulides on his KZbin channel Missing 411. He has written several books, has many videos, (around 800) concerning different topics and does public speaking and radio station talks. He's a retired detective. He has also made 3 movies. These two are my favorites. Brent and David.❤❤❤

[@GangLife-cj8hn]

You know it's a good day when Brent post a new video.

[@pamabernathy8728]

Exactly my thoughts!! Even told my husband, who has never watched the videos, "Brent from Cerro Gordo has a new video!!

[@SamOlds2999]

50th lke

[@Frantic857]

@@SamOlds2999 Trust in Jesus Christ, not antichrist. + I hope and pray that folks change their view and invite the Lord Jesus Christ into their life to rule and reign. + Satan is referred to as the prince of the power of the air for good reason, he owns the airwaves on planet earth and is the god (little g) of this world. It is my hope and prayer that you choose the God (Big G) of heaven who controls the destiny of your eternal soul. + (Matthew 10:28 > And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.) + (Proverbs 9:10 > The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.) + (2 Corinthians 4:3-4 > [3]-But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: [4]-In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.) + (Romans 10:9-10 > [9]-That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. [10]-For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.) + (Romans 10:13 > For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.) + (Ephesians 2:8-9 > [8]-For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9]-Not of works, lest any man should boast.) + (Revelation 3:20 > Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him, and he with me.) + Is Jesus knocking at the door of your heart? Is this your opportunity for eternal salvation? If it is, I hope and pray that you open the door and invite Him in to your heart and life, in Jesus' name. Amen! + All glory be to God in Jesus' name. Amen! All blessing to the Lord our God. Amen!

[@Frantic857]

@@pamabernathy8728 Trust in Jesus Christ, not antichrist. + I hope and pray that folks change their view and invite the Lord Jesus Christ into their life to rule and reign. + Satan is referred to as the prince of the power of the air for good reason, he owns the airwaves on planet earth and is the god (little g) of this world. It is my hope and prayer that you choose the God (Big G) of heaven who controls the destiny of your eternal soul. + (Matthew 10:28 > And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.) + (Proverbs 9:10 > The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.) + (2 Corinthians 4:3-4 > [3]-But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: [4]-In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.) + (Romans 10:9-10 > [9]-That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. [10]-For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.) + (Romans 10:13 > For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.) + (Ephesians 2:8-9 > [8]-For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9]-Not of works, lest any man should boast.) + (Revelation 3:20 > Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him, and he with me.) + Is Jesus knocking at the door of your heart? Is this your opportunity for eternal salvation? If it is, I hope and pray that you open the door and invite Him in to your heart and life, in Jesus' name. Amen! + All glory be to God in Jesus' name. Amen! All blessing to the Lord our God. Amen!

[@exploringthetributaries643]

He really nailed this one!

[@JohnCouch-m4f]

Brent, great seeing you with a big smile and really enjoying yourself learning new things. The history lessons you pass along while educating your audience just helps draw us in to your excitement of your growth. Be mindful of the dangers involved while mining, and the dangers involved while processing. So cool to see you making more coins the old fashioned way, really gives you a sense of accomplishment and pride in your work! You Sir, are making life memories going down the path of your choosing that few people in modern times can fathom much less appreciate. Keep moving forward and stay safe.

[@PrePaidTeam]

Zinc very important oil additive for classic cars ! Can’t wait to stay in the hotel!! Thanks for your endeavor to preserve and promote Cerró history !!

[@namegoeshere2805]

It's in all of our coins too. A ton of hardware is zinc coated too.

[@PrePaidTeam]

@@namegoeshere2805 I had a great science teacher that ended up being a NASA employee named Dave Olson. We used to heat up modern pennies on the Bunson burner and drop them and watch the zinc squirt out!

[@tobiwonkanogy2975]

one of the many minerals the body likes . good for hair somehow and in every cereal. core component of chrome. versatile as heck.

[@stasi0238]

​@@namegoeshere2805"galvanised steel"

[@schwags1969]

I use a zinc additive for breaking in my diesel engines after rebuild. It is great for older cars as well. Great comment.

[@RZRMINERBDR]

As a zinc miner from Tennessee, I really appreciate the history of the mining and uses of the metal. I never gave it much thought before becoming a miner, but every piece of metal you see (everywhere you look) has been mined.

[@NickPDX22]

No offense, But I honestly didn’t think I would be such a fan of the channel. Also due to massive claustrophobia issues. But the history, revival, and seeing you mine and process your ore has been super super fascinating. Thanks man and God bless!!

[@schwags1969]

I figure Brent is an amazing story teller, and his passion for this mine is also very educational. I did not think I would like it at first, but this channel has really grown on me. I also love history and how we, as a modern civilization, got to this point. On a side note, he really upped his cinematography game.

[@Frantic857]

@@schwags1969 Trust in Jesus Christ, not antichrist. + I hope and pray that folks change their view and invite the Lord Jesus Christ into their life to rule and reign. + Satan is referred to as the prince of the power of the air for good reason, he owns the airwaves on planet earth and is the god (little g) of this world. It is my hope and prayer that you choose the God (Big G) of heaven who controls the destiny of your eternal soul. + (Matthew 10:28 > And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.) + (Proverbs 9:10 > The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.) + (2 Corinthians 4:3-4 > [3]-But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: [4]-In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.) + (Romans 10:9-10 > [9]-That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. [10]-For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.) + (Romans 10:13 > For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.) + (Ephesians 2:8-9 > [8]-For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9]-Not of works, lest any man should boast.) + (Revelation 3:20 > Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him, and he with me.) + Is Jesus knocking at the door of your heart? Is this your opportunity for eternal salvation? If it is, I hope and pray that you open the door and invite Him in to your heart and life, in Jesus' name. Amen! + All glory be to God in Jesus' name. Amen! All blessing to the Lord our God. Amen!

[@NickPDX22]

@@schwags1969 - yes he has a very contagious energy about him.

[@schwags1969]

@@NickPDX22 100%, he is a great person. I hope to go there one day, I am sure it is going to be popular.

[@schwags1969]

@@sfbfriend Thank you, I should.

[@bbrnkyle74]

I went from watching an old abandoned mining town to Bill Nye the Science Guy. I love it!!! You are going all out Brent! Knowledge is power.

[@UpLateGeek]

I was not expecting not only a science lesson, but actual science experiments! That's so cool that you can chisel out some rocks from the mine, grind them up and put them in a liquid, then run some electricity through the liquid and get metal out.

[@roderickmcdonald3429]

Brent, you missed your true calling which is professor. Every video you produce is a learning for your viewers. I feel that anyone who isn't subscribed to your channel is missing out on a fantastic experience. Keep up the good work.

[@GhostTownLiving]

Oh wow! Thank you. I really appreciate that. Both my parents are teachers, so that means a lot

[@Jeff-jg7jh]

My favorite high school teacher was a guy who traveled to Russia back in the fifties. He took photos that could have gotten him in prison. The only teacher who inspired me to really dig into school. He taught history.

[@JordanJihad]

If you learned something, he's a teacher. No need to waste six figures.

[@garywheeler7039]

Zinc is a very important material to protect steel from corrosion. The corrugated metal siding you see at Cerro Gordo on roofs and walls is colored grey from the zinc coating. Nails used outdoors are typically zinc coated (electro galvanized, or hot dipped galvanized) to form a "sacrificial coating". Even things like barbed wire, metal posts, water piping, metal buckets, air ducts, were galvanized with zinc. Oddly enough today its used in pennies and pot metal castings, complex car parts.

[@RICDirector]

Yup. Nick a penny and submerge in HCl, you get a really cool thin copper shell....all the zinc goes into solution, leaving it hollow.

[@Mayhem-pv9cc]

It's amazing, how you dedicate yourself to learn new stuff all the time. You are an inspiration for discovery, curiosity and adventuring. Brave intellectual indeed.

[@AlaskaDanger-jf6ti]

Hey Blair! Another thing that we did to heat water for bathing. We used a 75 gallon steel tub burried in sand and we used to roast ore before crushing and then hydro shock in cold water. Then it would crush like sugar releasing gold. Also found out that if we had basalt rocks up to 30 pounds in fire that when dropped in tub it would fizz like big alkaseltzet and some kind of magic happens on the heat transfer. You can step in tub 1/2 hour later and get scalded. Just add mafic rock. They will not explode in roast. No rock ever did.

[@kennyle8640]

I was up in Cerro Gordo 8 days ago (July 21; the road up to the town is...memorable) and got to see some of the zinc featured in this video in the staging workshop. I didn't get to see Brent (which is a shame since we were carrying his book around hoping it could get signed, but he's a busy man) because he was off doing chemistry in another part of the town, but I did get to feed the goats. If you've got a vehicle with decent clearance, some form of all-wheel drive (yes, I did need it since there were parts where at least some of my tires lost traction), and happen to be somewhere near Lone Pine, I recommend visiting just to see what it's like. You might want to email them beforehand, since the first time I went up during my son's spring break (back in March), the road up to the town was closed off to film a car commercial.

[@GhostTownLiving]

oh wow! thank you for coming up. I wish I would have been able to sign the book too. I was probably pretty deep in recording this video on that day. Thanks for feeding the goats!

[@kirtnewton4108]

I am so glad that you are sharing your Dream with all of US. Thank you again Brent. I’m only 54 but on Disability, on OXY, working so hard and rough, on my body. With like 7 issues. 1 in having 12 rodes and screws in my back.Tree hit me in 94 . 2001 I was crushed in a paper Mill. Anyway I wish I could come up there, and see all that you have done. Those coins are so Neat.Thank you Brent. God Bless. Kirt from Maine

[@williamoorejr]

wow That was so much info about zinc. Between that and how they extracted silver- I am amazed. Thanks for the deep dive into these products. Never to old to learn something.

[@schwags1969]

The day we, as a people, stop learning is usually because we died. I am an information sponge, I love it. Brent is such a great storyteller and his wealth of knowledge has grown so much because of his passion.

[@angelajones1352]

I love that you have been working so hard to bring an old town back to life... Very much appreciated...🤩🤩🤩

[@G_R_3]

Just what I needed on my Sunday afternoon!

[@valeriejohnson5283]

Hi Brent! You are a historian, researcher, restorer of a ghost town, miner, cave explorer, a story teller, and now a chemist making your own Cerro Gordo coin, sunscreen, and zinc nails! You have learned so much buying your own ghost town. You must spend alot of time researching your subjects along with rebuilding Cerro Gordo. You truly are an amazing man. I have much respect for your vision and dedication to this historical lost town and its former founders and citizens.🥂

[@deannacalef3513]

So cool to see your successes. I give you a 10 on oxidizing. I give you a 10 on sunscreen. I give you a 10 1/2 on coin printing

[@reed785M]

Brent, I have been watching since summer of 2020, and I have loved watching you grow with Cerro Gordo. You are doing this place a great justice, keep on going

[@KenG557]

BRENT, you look like a mad scientist in this video! 😂👍

[@Benson_aka_devils_advocate_88]

Breaking Bad Style

[@mariarobinson-jh7dm]

It’s interesting to see your experiment’s in mining the different rock and smelting it down into something you can use. Really gives a perspective on how much rock these guys had to pull out for the various products.

[@KenG557]

Brent, I really enjoy watching the English bloke you introduced to us, the one renovating the old castle in Texas. 👍

[@schwags1969]

That is also a good one.

[@harryskinner1]

Love the passion you put into these videos. Well done from Leicester - England.

[@schwags1969]

Hi England from Canada.

[@bruceheadrick9109]

Brent, what another fantastic adventure. From showing off the different mining techniques to all the zinc products!!!! Impressive.

[@stoichiometry147]

LMNT is amazing. I rolled the dice and purchased it off of recommendations with his sponsorship and it actually works well. I’m active outdoors in Phoenix, Arizona

[@GhostTownLiving]

That's awesome to hear!

[@AaronBennett-gx8rc]

I'm familiar with your electroplating I worked in my dad's electroplating shop for 20 years gold seal plating electronics electronics and electroplating is really awesome to watch

[@billping2633]

Brent I like how your showing how chemistry on a small scale works. It should give everyone who sees it a appreciation for all the people that came up with it in the past. Our modern world wouldn't exist without it.

[@waffle4063]

Getting ready for work on a Monday morning, enjoying some of Brent’s great content 🎉🎉

[@shirlkallal2003]

I just finished your audible book and watching you start to record it down in the mine made listening to it so much more interesting. I RECOMMEND the audible book 100 percent.

[@Bierz68]

Such a wholesome and intellectual guy! Love the editing style and vibes you bring, Mr. Brent! I'm gonna try that LMNT too! That sounds awesome!

[@maryearll2135]

A great explanation about Zinc. I enjoyed this video more than I thought. Thank you Brent, keep the knowledge coming!! And be careful of that heat!!

[@dawnlight4366]

Thank you!! I was so excited seeing you would be posting today.

[@hankadlev173]

You continue to develop impressive skills as you pursue your goals up there! What an incredible education you have gotten and shared with us over the last few years! Thank you!

[@GhostTownLiving]

Wow, thank you!

[@goosejohnson3197]

Been subbed from nearly the beginning, like Brent getting out of dodge during the pandemic. For some reason these vids have fallen out of my recommendations. But I'm glad I found them again and I'm loving the production of these newer vids! Keep up the good work Brent, love your Cerro Gordo pasion!

[@OwenGiddings]

Smithsonite is one of my favorites--I found a brilliant clear aqua piece near Cerro Gordo about fist-sized.

[@OwenGiddings]

Also trace iron, manganese, and cobalt make smithsonite orange and pink.

[@socialentropy2993]

I would imagine there is a TON of good rock hounding in the area! Once it cools down I may head out that way for a few weeks.

[@OwenGiddings]

@@socialentropy2993 Indeed! You may need permission from Brent for these, but do you need any spot recommendations?

[@timothyelloway1201]

Why am I getting flashbacks of breaking bad?

[@OwenGiddings]

@@timothyelloway1201 Lol

[@AsilverLeaf4Me]

I learn so much in addition from watching the videos, the comments and advice shared. These touches of Chemistry, have been more interesting then I remember, taking back in school. From mining, to preparation, the final result and different uses...has a lot more meaning now & why the cost.

[@vampy5071]

Wow was just about to search this channel for any new vids when I got the notification pop up and clicked straight away 😂

[@GhostTownLiving]

Welcome! Hope you enjoy the new one!

[@vampy5071]

@@GhostTownLiving always do! Thanks Very interesting how many different techniques there are to extracting

[@TheGneissgirl]

This geologist is glued to this channel! This episode had me so intrigued!!!

[@pamabernathy8728]

My late Mother (born 1919, on the small family ranch in Brawley, CA) had a large collection of white pennies, used during WW2. She was very angry; my 4 older siblings discovered them in our garage in Pasadena, probably in the early 1950's. They bought candy with them. Family was poor, so that was a big deal. About which they kept quiet. Now I will ask Ms. Google if those were zinc pennies!!

[@GhostTownLiving]

Interesting! I wonder if it was!

[@chrisberglund2998]

During WWII 1943 steel cent (aka Lincoln Cent) was also coated w/ Zinc @ the SF and Denver Mints - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1943_steel_cent

[@pamabernathy8728]

@@GhostTownLiving Just checked with Ms. Google. The WW2 white pennies were steel. I was not blessed with a safe or "good" childhood. I did learn to keep myself as safe as possible, from a young age. Only sad part is that I have been driven by feeling secure, to some extent, as an adult. Worked out well for me. Been with my dear husband since 1978. Two great sons, now middle aged. Sons are both adventuresome, via world travel (accomplished in opposite ways) but also both happily married, only once each, & financially very secure. ANYWAY, I did have the privilege to learn about life during the Great Depression (again, Mother was born in 1919), and about civilian life during WW2. US perspective from my Mother, & perspective from LONDON from a dear friend who was born in 1909!! That's my favorite way to learn history (plus accurate & well researched historical novels & good videos by historians.) I loved science in school. You, Brent, are now my FAVORITE SCIENCE TEACHER!!! I enjoyed HS & college chemistry & biology, & microbiology, & anatomy & physiology. Got my BA in experimental psychology in 1978 (summa cum laude, despite working 2 -3 jobs the last 3 years). Went back to our local community college for a 2 year nursing degree, so I could practice as a mental health RN -- guess it suited me, retired after 40 years only due to badly damaged spine, from 2 childhood accidents & no medical care afterwards. Oh, one exception I made about learning about history . . . as soon as we knew that Covid 19 was a pandemic, I immediately found 2 excellent books, each written by a different medical historian. WOW. 25% of the volume of each work was reference sources. All original & international. Medical records from the Army physicians who treated first cases of the Pandemic of 1918. Erroneously & inaccurately referred to for decades as, "The Spanish Flu." The 1st case was traced to a young man from a farm in Kansas. Due to WW1 & movement of US troops, it became a world wide pandemic. Too much detail to explain why it was labeled, "Spanish Flu." Did you know that in San Francisco, during the Pandemic, going about the streets without a face mask led to immediate arrest & jail? Just fascinating. Blessings, Brent, & all.

[@jeroldblunk8861]

I have watched most of your videos since you started and enjoy all of them. I am a history nut and enjoy learning about everything. Cerro Gordo dragged me in like a magnet. Thank you for all you have accomplished and will continue doing.

[@aimeemanjarres9503]

Love the topic. Educational and entertaining!

[@AdvantureZach]

What a lovely video! Your enthusiasm, Brent, is absolutely intoxicating. One of the best things to come out of the pandemic was this channel and I really feel like it’s gained new energy recently. All the stress of the past few years have really forged a whole new Brent with all you’ve overcame. I don’t usually comment on such things, but you look good. You look healthier and happier than ever. Final note, the quality of this video is top notch. Same beautiful self-filmed vibe as always, but the quality is fantastic. I can’t wait to visit your home, hopefully sooner rather than later!

[@EdwardRemiszewski-fs2vi]

Long time no hear nice to see your still alive and doing well 👍

[@schwags1969]

He does have a second channel to.

[@ATONAL6173]

Love the industrial engineering/chemistry you've learned and shared time after time. What a great storyteller and path you're on!

[@KenG557]

Hello Brent! 👋 Thank you for sharing your amazing adventures with us. Your passion, perseverance, and red beard are epic! (Not necessarily in that order 😁👍)

[@craigsdaddy4095]

after watching every single episode of ghost town living.. and it's one of my favorite shows ever i feel like Brent's a family member to me i watch all of them and always thumb up and i hope this always continues as the legacy Brent wants it to be. the earliest episodes our very first visit's down into the darkness.. the sense of fear and peril was so intense

[@crimsonfirelily]

I love your uploads! I have been watching your channel since the beginning. I don't comment very often, but I just wanted you to know that i appreciate everything you post! I am hoping to be able to come visit and help in some way soon. 🧡✌️

[@GhostTownLiving]

Thank you so much! I appreciate you sticking with the channel so long!

[@crimsonfirelily]

​@@GhostTownLiving🧡✌️

[@damonhill4909]

Zinc is a very very useful metal. As an electronics engineering technician, I've observed zinc used in many types of electronic connectors in vacuum tube electronics and modern transistor gear too. Fascinating to watch the whole process from mining the ore to refining it to creating actual products with it. Bravo! 😊

[@MaryBrownForFreedom]

Zinc whisker formation was a huge issue during the early days of solid state... satellites were failing from it and they didn't know the cause until someone saw whiskers form between contacts

[@KenG557]

From the drone view, I see there are several sheets of metal on your roof that need to be galvanized. 😁

[@RICDirector]

Regalvanized, technically....

[@joycefuller9177]

Love watching you be so excited about Cerro Gordo.

[@Jeffhuebner]

We use zinc oxide in the pottery business in our glazes. Thanks for all the videos over the years. Love the adventure!

[@GhostTownLiving]

Interesting! All sorts of uses for this stuff

[@Lyzrinn]

Just wondering when are you going to go back down to level 900 and start digging out those cave-ins to finally uncover the other layers of the mine !!! I'm genuinely so excited for that video !!!

[@LukasMcfarlane-o9k]

Love every video you do in the mine

[@melissarobinette7225]

Man you have come a long way been about a year since I’ve seen your content but this right here is it you’ve really found ur way this was very enjoyable to watch. Feels like I learned something. Love that you have stayed with it this long, came up there around the start of Covid and stuck with it I respect that. Keep going brother. I’ll be tuning in for now on.

[@wolfgangricky]

Closed captioning is a Hoot. Cerro Gordo was never written out. Who takes on the task of CC'ing a Cerro Gordo video & Writes, COG gerro, serogo, saror, Sarah Garda, cogora, Cog Goro, Cog Gordo, plus a few more. Smithsonite was consistently called Smith Tonight. Cool Stuff Brent, ty for taking us along

[@libertyandjustus8258]

Don't worry about the taxing job of the CC. It's a robot but it's compensated well😂 It's treat is nuts and bolts trailmix😀

[@user-pe9qg3hg3k]

Love seeing these videos. I live for these videos, ever since you first posted them. Thank you

[@GhostTownLiving]

Glad you like them!

[@AndresPerez-pp7rk]

Does stagnant air not worry you?

[@EricGranata]

Thanks for sharing. The more I learn about the history, the more I appreciate what you’re doing up there. 👍

[@chrisgeorgiou1516]

Anyone elce getting breaking bad vibes from this episode?

[@carolineindacityphx]

I love when you share the history of Cerro Gordo, and show us how these minerals are mined and how much work it takes to retrieve them. ❤ It is fascinating how you can tell where the minerals are located by looking at the tell-tale signs in the rock face. Example identifying the fault. Thank you for sharing these details with us.

[@jamesbergmann9846]

Just finished reading your new book and having watch your videos from day one …it brought a lot of memories that I am glad to say I was there along your side exsploring your town and mines….could not put it down until the end…for those have not watched until recently, you need to get the book ..it reads the excitement in his voice as he exsplores the town ! Anyone who enjoys history will enjoy the book

[@EzvbVdni]

Perfect for my Sunday afternoon needs!

[@Hanneth]

We went to the Britannia Mine Museum for my wife's birthday a couple of years ago. It was a large copper mine in BC, Canada. The mill was made on the side of the mountain. Literally one wall is the mountain, not really shaped that much, just there holding everything up. The mill apparently ran 24/7. The mine is also right there. They take you into the mine and the most eye opening demonstration is where they show you the tech used for lighting the mine. They shut off all the lights, and just have the various ways that were used to light the place. Starting with a simple candle. Explaining that many times the miners would mount the candle on their hats somehow.

[@mikem-VED70]

As an educator, you make me want to quit my job and come out there to create a research and teaching facility for the appreciation and uses of Cerro Gordo minerals. I've been subscribed from early on. Love what you do.

[@GhostTownLiving]

Thank you! And thanks for being an educator. Both my parents are teachers, so I very much appreciate that profession.

[@raktoda707]

Making what you need ! Old world mantra in a new world setting.Its amazing was you can do armed with knowledge, determination and some Cerro Gordo raw materials.You are amazing !

[@Gix3D]

Thans for taking us with you Brent. I love all this history in the making. Keep up the good show bruv.

[@jeffdeheer3827]

I can see parts of this being shown in schools too. The educator side of Brent came out thick in this one. Great video - as always!

[@br4xt0n1]

Thank you Brent for bringing me such peace with your videos for these past 4 years! My goal is to come visit Cerro Gordo one day, love from Norway

[@fibromighty]

The ending of the video showcasing the galvanized roof of your shop is not lost on me ❤

[@GhostTownLiving]

Thanks for noticing haha

[@patrickoguinn4553]

The amount of what I don’t know could fill up a mine. Thanks Brent

[@KC-603]

You captivate me with your knowledge of your little town of Cerro-Gordo! From the structures to the mine to your walkabouts, each subject is so interesting! Thank you!

[@schwags1969]

I 100% agree, I will be buying his book for sure. He is a great soul with a purpose in life.

[@MonkPetite]

Most informative , I love it. Zink cream ( zink oxide ) was also used as a medical cream. If you have rash or wounds that are slightly polluted , zink cream will help to heal it. In withe paint the zink oxide keeps the withe in the paint, basically it stabiel .

[@jamesdeen3011]

This is one of Brents most fascinating videos. Thanks for all your hard work. Enjoyed.

[@GhostTownLiving]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you

[@randyengle7691]

Brent, your story telling and video production just keeps getting better. I have gone from an occasional viewer to a regular viewer. I know funding for your operations is key. Maybe buy some zinc and silver sheets and do a limited run of coins? $50/zinc and $75-100 for silver? Good winter project?

[@jodiedwards2634]

There is so much history and education, as well as adventure in your videos. I look forward to each one! You, Sir, have met your true calling. Bravo!!

[@Zazzeria]

Your passion for cerro gordo is so inspiring, love watching your videos!

[@GohanKanor]

Whoa, that was a ton of zinc information. I'm in awe of both that and how they extracted the silver. I appreciate your thorough analysis of these products. Never too old to pick up new skills.

[@Nexttime]

I passed by Cerro Gordo three days ago after coming down from Yosemite, I saw someone heading up the road to the mine and thought it would be cool to visit one day when the town is completed!

[@Randall935]

Brent is an absolute legend, going down there to mine, knowing that the mine can collapse at any giving moment and risking his life by mining in those mines that are over 100 years old

[@Randall935]

@On_Te-Iegram-GhostTownLiving1 kys

[@kahnfu-zhin8627]

Dude! You’re getting SO GOOD at these videos. Wow! The 12 and a half cent coins were the original “bit” coins. Shave-and -a-haircut… Two bits! Since this denomination was never available in US currency, it shows how prevalent the experience of working in a company town was around the turn of the 20th century .

[@GhostTownLiving]

Thank you very much!

[@galacticmarine663]

No no no.... You have brought the town back to life you are preserving history not only have you done that but you made it famous in the old mining community you are a legend

[@vikinggoneraiding584]

i still get positivly surprised by your videos. i really love how you take your time, and talk about the history and facts about the place and process that you go through in your videos. keep up your awsome work. i hope to some day being able to come visit Cero Gordo!

[@idratherbeoutdoors715]

Can I just say that I love these type of episodes. It has history, chemistry explanation and manufacturing all in one. I have Cerro Gordo on my bucket list hopefully I will one day get to visit your ghost town and meet you Brent.