Unexpected Open Stope Leads to a 3 Level Lead/Copper Mine

[@tmk761]

There's a lot more to that complex than what you found. There's a degraded collar further uphill to the west that is do-able (barely) which will get you down into otherwise inaccessible areas. Continuing west and uphill, you'll come to an old road. Turn right (north on that road) and you'll find a number of collapsed collars that were beyond my comfort level. If you continue over the top of the hill and head NNW, you'll come to a number of shallow placer mine shafts, one of which still has a pile of hi-grade stacked on a corrugated sheet. If you go down the hill toward the south, you'll come across a large can dump and a giant tractor tire. If you go southeast from that initial prospect that you found, there's a number of smaller shafts scattered throughout the area. They're mostly prospects. The vein on that initial prospect was widest at the surface and petered out pretty quickly. You were in the only quartz zone in that area, and in addition to the obvious copper you'll find iron and (not very much) gold. The area was worked off and on from the early 1900's through December 1989 when the last claims were filed and never renewed. It was considered important enough in the 1920's to have its own 1/4 section marker placed (there isn't even a full section marker to the north, although there is one to the south). It took me 3 years to find the paperwork on this group because the claim index by location doesn't show them, so you have to slog through the microfilmed claim records to find the claims that are in that area. Fortunately, the newer claims required maps to be filed, so I'm 100% certain of the identification. If you're still exploring in that area, send me a message and I'll give you info on a group of 3 absolutely amazing silver mines nearby that were cut into natural fissures with the narrowest ladders you've ever seen, that are hot and steamy due to the geothermal activity in the area.

[@Askjeffwilliams]

good job on another fun explore my brother ....the dull blacks that you see in the Limonite is most likely Manganese oxides , in lead deposits you can also find Jaroite and Plumbojarosite as oxidized dark browns ( earthy color ) .... at least you have a fridge down there to keep your drinks cold hahhahaha not likely to find a mine car down there with all the traffic that place gets .... small ore body ... we smashed that like button HARD !!!! and be safe out there and keep'em coming my brother

[@BG-ll7xd]

i love this kid. he is top notch. im glad you agree as well. i broke my mouse smashing the like button ohh noo jk but like smashed hard!!! LFG also gold will be around 2900 very soon quarter 2 2026 keep eye on price action

[@danielflinn3571]

Thanks for sharing well done stay safe. Australia

[@northpeakadventures]

Good video man! Thanks for showing the stopes and a cool little adventure! Stay safe return home soon

[@TnTMyers2010]

Welcome back Jerith! You have been missed. Great little explore and loved the mineralization that little cubby hole held. Large or small - there is always something to explore. Looking forward to your next adventure.

[@WyomingTraveler]

I enjoy exploring these minds with you. If I love them, Southern California, I look you up and make you take me on some of your adventure.

[@MoePoe777]

I always enjoy your explorations and mine detective work. I like the still shots a lot, nice touch.

[@bluwtrgypsy]

Always happy to see a new WMD video. That mine had an amazing amount of different minerals. Hamm's brewed their first beer in 1865, in Minnesota. It was later bought by Pabst and In 1999, Pabst transferred the Hamm’s trademark to Miller, Stay safe out there and thank you.

[@genossinwaabooz4373]

I'm from the Hamm's family. That was very cool seeing that design and in situ!

[@jeremydiamond8824]

Thanks as always enjoy your vlogs !!😎👍🏻🇺🇸🦅😇🙏

[@pariariver302]

Thanks, you never disappoint….take care.

[@TimothyKepner]

I always enjoy your video's as you make it so easy to keep up with what is going on and taking the time to identify the ground around you. I used to watch a guy on Saturday ( let's call him Mr. Hollywood and his female side kick ) but he has got to the point with his un-funny humor. It's to the point that it is almost boring to watch and the rants he has about other mine explorers. Plus he let's everyone know just how great he is that this. Anyway thank you for being you and taking the time to let us come along

[@jimmyrivano3477]

I agree, not as good as in the beginning, he seems to have gotten so arrogant. I hate the 360 selfies constantly on him and not the explore.

[@mountainconsumer]

Excellent. This looks like early Spring? Too hot to hike desertt now.

[@CricketGirrl]

Nice little adventure -- loved it! ❤

[@DRFelGood]

Awesome exploration!!! TY

[@ralphpatrick3071]

Fun explore! That can was when they brewed Hamms in San Francisco.

[@Ramen.Butterbeard]

Brilliant thanks be safe ❤

[@lindatanner8726]

I love this stuff!

[@matthewzito5952]

Thanks again for everything .. your the best love you take care ✌🏻✌🏻

[@chrisk28]

We got a new video from WMD yay! Always so interesting and informative. You're one of my youtube heroes, bro. Stay awesome.

[@WesternMineDetective]

Thanks so much for that man, means a lot! Thanks for watching

[@ColoRockCo]

Awesome!

[@MPWEST83]

Woo-hoo! New WMD video!❤

[@romero965]

The Theodore Hamm's Brewing Company was an American brewing company established in 1865 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Becoming the fifth largest brewery in the USA & eventually went Out of business in1997.

[@rufusblair7623]

Nice work on the video

[@EraX52]

13:20 Lol, I couldn’t tell if you were going down an incline or a drift from that camera angle. Hey, WMD, keep up the great work, your mine vids are real good!

[@DavidB-rx3km]

How does a fridge end up in the middle of nowhere down a mine? Looking online, the Coke can looks like it's from 1966, the beer can looks to be from 1956! The rabbit looks to be a 1980's vintage.

[@pete.theeggbox]

its a shame that Malakite isn't Opel, you'd be a rich lad, i know Opel is big in Australia, but is it also found in the US i have seen Malakite used in jewelry - your obviously interested in your geology, but have you considered messing with a little alchemy??

[@polishhotdog933]

You should bring an ultraviolet flashlight to those mines to see what might glow that would be cool.

[@akshonclip]

You and Shango need to do a colab. That would be awesome

[@nedkent5239]

Whenever you walk in a mine I get concerned about something running out at you. Has anything like that happened before?

[@gazooberful]

how did you learn so much about mines?

[@MPWEST83]

The more you explore mines the more you learn. Also, Google is a mine of information LOL

[@WesternMineDetective]

@MPWEST83 Yep exactly! I’ve explored hundreds of mines and learn something new about them after every trip or even comments on my videos help me learn new stuff

[@MPWEST83]

@@WesternMineDetective Yes, that too. And I've learned quite a bit watching your videos- and I grew up in a mining town. So I was learning stuff about it at a young age. I was lucky. Hope all is well with y'all ❤️

[@WesternMineDetective]

@@MPWEST83 All is great! On deployment right now that’s why the regular scheduled once a week upload isn’t a thing but I’ll be back at it soon enough. Excited to get back on shore

[@MPWEST83]

@@WesternMineDetective I bet.. deployment can be difficult. And scary, depending on where you're at. Stay safe out there, sailor!

[@johnbrownlee7623]

I could watch drone shots, all day....Whats the temp there?........There is a special place in hell for trash people who put trash in old mines.....Grrrrr.......Like the Video, good Job..................JB...........

[@randallfabian6640]

I know you don't remove artifacts but that Hamms can would have gone home with me!

[@John-w9e7s]

Why did they cut down all of the trees 🌳 that's probably why the rivers dried up 😂😂

[@jimmyrivano3477]

😂😂🤣🤣

[@metingokbulut837]

💯🇹🇷⭐️👍

[@Badhabit4590]

Awesome , not sure if you can control what ads run on your vids? Keep political ads out . Especially Kamala . 😊

[@WesternMineDetective]

Ahh I can but unfortunately I didn’t really have the time to pick and choose the ads beforehand. Usually they just show Gillette shaving or something, I’ll keep it in mind. Thanks for watching!