Wild Underground World Of Blue: A Natural Marvel

We’ve seen some pretty impressive blues in abandoned copper mines before, but the blueness in this mine took things to the next level… To those unfamiliar with the properties of copper ores: when various copper ores are exposed to the air (oxidized), they take on the brilliant blues that you see in this video. Check out pictures of chalcanthite and azurite for a couple examples of this phenomenon.
The valuable ore body at this particular mine was discovered in the early 1900s and it was worked off and on (like almost all mines are) until the 1940s. Although the copper certainly dominates as a theme at this mine, there are also large amounts of tin present. In addition, respectable quantities of silver, gold and lead have been reported as byproducts of production.
We have noticed a marked increase in surveying and sampling activity at abandoned copper mines over the past couple of years as our economy becomes increasingly electrified and demand for copper is projected to soar. I’m sure that you noticed the ribbons and spray paint from such work at this mine as well. Given what we saw underground here, it would not surprise me to see the entire mountain hosting this mine turned into an open pit. As such, I’m glad that we documented what was here as I expect it shall soon be gone. As always, once I confirm that an abandoned mine site has been destroyed, I go back and change the video title to the actual name of the site and, usually, provide more details in the description below the video. I’ve already explained many times why we cannot share locations and so I won’t bore you by repeating that again.
I found it exceedingly difficult to not mix lyrics from the “Blue” song by Eiffel 65 into the title, thumbnail or commentary on this video. In fact, two other titles I considered using were:
It’s A Blue (Underground) World
Living In A Blue World (All Day and All Night)
I should be commended for my restraint in using a more sober title.
• Eiffel 65 - Blue (Da B...
“Yo listen up, here's the story
About a little guy that lives in a blue world
And all day and all night and everything he sees is just blue
Like him, inside and outside
Blue his house with a blue little window
And a blue Corvette
And everything is blue for him
And himself and everybody around
'Cause he ain't got nobody to listen
I'm blue da ba dee da ba daa
Da ba dee da ba daa, da ba dee da ba daa, da ba dee da ba daa
Da ba dee da ba daa, da ba dee da ba daa, da ba dee da ba daa
I'm blue da ba dee da ba daa
Da ba dee da ba daa, da ba dee da ba daa, da ba dee da ba daa
Da ba dee da ba daa, da ba dee da ba daa, da ba dee da ba daa
I have a blue house with a blue window
Blue is the color of all that I wear
Blue are the streets and all the trees are too
I have a girlfriend and she is so blue
Blue are the people here that walk around
Blue like my Corvette, it's in and outside
Blue are the words I say and what I think
Blue are the feelings that live inside me”
*****
You can see the full TVR Exploring playlist of abandoned mines here: goo.gl/TEKq9L
You can see the gear that I use for mine exploring here: bit.ly/2wqcBDD and here: bit.ly/2p6Jip6
Several kind viewers have asked about donating to help cover some of the many expenses associated with exploring these abandoned mines. Inspired by their generosity, I set up a Patreon account. So, if anyone would care to chip in, I’m under TVR Exploring on Patreon.
Thanks for watching!
*****
Growing up in California’s “Gold Rush Country” made it easy to take all of the history around us for granted. However, abandoned mine sites have a lot working against them - nature, vandals, scrappers and various government agencies… The old prospectors and miners that used to roam our lonely mountains and toil away deep underground are disappearing quickly as well.
These losses finally caught our attention and we felt compelled to make an effort to document as many of the ghost towns and abandoned mines that we could before that colorful niche of our history is gone forever.
I hope you’ll join us on these adventures!
#ExploringAbandonedMines
#MineExploring
#AbandonedMines
#UndergroundMineExploring

[@astralvirgin09]

That blue is amazing and it's Azurite. You should keep a UV light with you, it's amazing how some minerals glow under a black light! Fun explore, thanks Justin!

[@RiskyVentureMinerals]

I disagree, the sparkles would indicate challcanthite, the other indicator is how is covers rock exposed since blasting and excavation. Per mindat; “Chalcanthite is natural, water-soluble copper sulphate pentahydrate. It is a secondary mineral that is formed in arid climates or in rapidly oxidizing copper deposits. It is usually of post-mining formation, forming on mine walls and by the action of acidic surface waters on veins of copper ore.”

[@Diamonddavej]

@@RiskyVentureMinerals 10:45 this is azurite. I can tell due to the little bits of green malachite mixed in with it. It's also in a drier part of the mine, whereas chalcanthite is found in very wet areas of copper mines, where acid mine drainage is generated via oxidation of copper sulfide ores. This is chalcanthite 40:40

[@RiskyVentureMinerals]

@@Diamonddavejgoing back and watching that bit at 10:00, you’re right, I missed that part of the vid when I set my phone down. The latter part of the video is definitely Chalcanthite as you can see the seep patterns. A notable difference from the section at the 10:00 mark where the blues are an integral part of the tunnel wall and not merely a surface coverage.

[@patrickmanley9876]

Nope it is chalcanthite look it up it looks exactly what we are all seeing on this video. Plus he also said it was chalcanthite

[@patrickmanley9876]

Also azurite isn't going to form on the timbers but chalcanthite does and will

[@RiskyVentureMinerals]

Agree with the chancanthite conclusions! It’s beautiful stuff! If it covers rock surfaces that have been exposed during excavation, then it cannot be azurite. Per mindat; Chalcanthite “Chalcanthite is natural, water-soluble copper sulphate pentahydrate. It is a secondary mineral that is formed in arid climates or in rapidly oxidizing copper deposits. It is usually of post-mining formation, forming on mine walls and by the action of acidic surface waters on veins of copper ore.”

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, 100% correct.

[@erichaskell]

In the early seventies I was bushwhacking around in southern Arizona and came across a very weathered building which stated a museum was inside. It was a collection of found items all rusty and deteriorated. But what was the cream of this establishment was a large building full of rocks on tables and the elderly owners lowered wooden covers over the windows, turned on black lights we were amazed at the colors those rocks displayed. Very, very beautiful, never seen before!

[@TVRExploring]

Sounds like my kind of museum!

[@erichaskell]

@@TVRExploring This display was viewed by myself, my wife and was visited 50 years ago in southern Arizona near Tombstone and Bisbee.. The couple explained that most of the rocks were removed from mines they explored.

[@erichaskell]

Thanks for your reply; it is quite wonderful and a bit amazing to learn you visited the same exhibit. I was nearing the end of my four year enrollment in the Army and I visited with my wife as well. Because of my fondness for that area I later on built a home outside of Benson but due to life's circumstances I moved to St. George Utah in 2002.

[@Tunukuchiak]

The text on the burlap sack at 35:25 probably says "U.S. Silica Co.", "Flint Shot", and "Ottawa, Ill.". According to the website Justia, Flint Shot is a trademarked name for sand that is used for sandblasting. U.S. Silica Co. filed that trademark in 1916. They still have a plant in Ottawa.

[@TVRExploring]

Very interesting... Thank you.

[@AbandonedandForgottenPlaces]

“Gly”: Beautiful Chalcanthite deposit! That mineral is highly water soluble and that’s why it’s running down the wooden timbers like that. Nice find guys!

[@kadoj]

Woo! Good to see you here, gly. ;P seems to me I tend to keep finding that all the coolest folks in this community tend to keep turning up in the same cool places, I can’t say I’m surprised to see you here heh

[@lsxtmt4910]

Better looking than the inside of a Hyundai

[@AbandonedandForgottenPlaces]

@@lsxtmt4910 “Gly”: Boy oh boy you got that right!

[@worldtraveler930]

Firstly a big thank you to documenting this before it becomes a strip mine and To hear You utter the phrase "Wow! Just Oh Wow! Holy Shit! this is Totally Nuts!". is high praise for an Absolutely Mind-blowing sight to Behold!!! 🤠👍

[@ahummerich2751]

Great camera work.

[@Luminoussound2024]

Can we all appreciate the hard work that Justin does for us to find epic abandoned mines 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you very much. We nearly broke ourselves this most recent weekend hiking up and down steep canyons. So, your comment is even more appreciated than normal!

[@MinesoftheWest]

Those blues are insane!

[@TVRExploring]

It's the best underground color show that I've seen. Of course, you and I spend way too much time slopping through wet, muddy mines.

[@White-r4g]

You guys are the best mine Explorers on KZbin

[@TVRExploring]

Very high praise... Thank you for the kind words.

[@worldtraveler930]

I second that motion. 🤠👍

[@lsxtmt4910]

The guy telling you to step up your game has been filming his vids from inside a Hyundai crying to get his viewers to buy him a new jeep...another great vid guys!

[@TVRExploring]

Haha, this one made me laugh out loud. Thank you for the laugh and the kind words.

[@lsxtmt4910]

@@TVRExploring any time

[@jonsdigs1]

At 35:35 was a burlap bag from a pure silica sand company at Ottawa, Illinois, that was used in assaying. It appeared to to be with a ground cloth used by the samplers.

[@Flyfish325]

Azurite is a soft, deep-blue copper mineral produced by weathering of copper ore deposits. During the early 19th century, it was also known as chessylite, after the type locality at Chessy-les-Mines near Lyon, France.

[@bethbartlett5692]

Thanks for sharing this detail.

[@MsSurigirl]

Beautiful mine! Looks like some turquoise in there, too. Stunning azurite. Such vibrant, brilliant colors! The named ore chutes have the leached(?) azurite and crystalline sparkle almost dripping down the chutes. That is SPECTACULAR.

[@markattardo]

🤯Wow 🤯 Fortunately for me the minerals leave an impression but blue da ba dee is quite forgettable. That's about the last song I want stuck in my head😂 Awesome explore👍👍

[@ChurchOfTheHolyMho]

My ancient laptop display is horrible and can't compete with my iPad's display.... but those blues were popping off the screen and in my face... Those colors (blues, yellows, oranges) were epic. Wow!

[@Jennifermcintyre]

44:35 Is that “Adena” it’s charming that they named the shoots!

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you. It was hard to read the writing on some of those. Ha, yes, I loved that they named the ore chutes as well. So much more fun than simply calling them "Ore Chute # 11" or whatever as we normally see...

[@VegasCyclingFreak]

11:15 Wow that is really spectacular!

[@oubliette862]

Would be useful if you defined the terms for the various workings.

[@WikkedDonkE]

Such great restraint, You're much stronger than I. I commend you, good Sir. ..It's Blue! da ba dee...

[@norm6973]

So much for mentioning the right hand rule.!

[@pamelacapps8359]

The blue is beautiful especially with the sparkles.

[@moonbear1st]

the blue really stood out on camera and the crystalisation was so sparkly i thought it was water running down the sides at one point.

[@TVRExploring]

Pretty wild, huh?

[@seldoon_nemar]

I love your videos, But I have one complaint, you should be in them more! you're talking about how big and small spaces are, flip the camera around and take a few steps back so we can see! Huge fan of your work, and I'll be here for years to come ❤‍🔥

[@dancer2]

So epic

[@David-jn4fx]

Wow!! What a view man 👍

[@SueGirling68]

Hi Justin, such a cool mine, the bright blue you and I geeked out on was stunning. Loving all of the colours going on in this mine, awesome. Holy crap that area with the ore chute was absolutely mad, here in Cornwall we have a mine called the Blue Mine, maybe that was the mine you mentioned, that blue was just so vivid on your camera, I'm blown away by that, wow. Thankyou for sharing, much love. xx ❤

[@TVRExploring]

I've seen pictures of a brilliant blue mine published by Cornish Mine Explorer. I'm not sure if it is the same mine that you are referencing, but I suspect it is. Amazing stuff!

[@christopherwells372]

Thanks for showing us the minerals! Big reason I would enter a mine..... I would take a sample 😊

[@loyalkuhn5778]

I don't think I've seen so much Azurite - ever !! This is so awesome. I'd love to get some samples for my collection. The crystal flash on the surface of the Azurite is incredible !! Wow, I'd love to see this in person, even if I had to pay for the trip.

[@TVRExploring]

I'm afraid it will be turned into an open pit soon.

[@patrickmanley9876]

It's chalcanthite not azurite

[@timothymilam732]

I'm about to put my age out here. I wasn't familiar with the song or the band you referred to, and being a hardcore music lover with a eclectic taste in my likings of very broad variety that's unusual. Yet something from my long memory of music, and musicians immediately popped into my last gray mat cell is by Bob Dylan. Fade to Blue started running round inside the vast emptiness that now surrounds the last surviving gray mat cell from too many years of being exposed to my ADHD. Seems that it takes it's toll after years of extreme concentration to remain fixed on one task until completion. Instead of allowing the disorder to wonder freely from subject to subject unchecked while never completely finish anything otherwise. Which is in itself a maddening task of trying to remember where and if any of the other task are complete or what status all of them are at. Leaves one with a severely burnt out mine of their own to deal with, especially when trying to maintain that it's location isn't ever found out of hands of the BLM, because we all know what that eventually leads to all to well. I'd like a few more years before those ruthless bastards have their demolition crew come blast the entrances closed down completely forever sealing the rest of the world out. Take care Justin, and all those others who team up with you at various times and places over the years past, as well as those to come in the future. I noticed over the years that copper pipe will develop the same color blue, and various other shades of blue, blue green, all the way down to green if a flux is left on the pipe for any amount of time after either laying it aside to the finished product left without washing off with a damp cloth of some sort.. As always appreciate the ride into the unknown depths left by those long gone before us.

[@TVRExploring]

All very well said... Thank you.

[@brucevanderzanden9638]

Really nice colors in this one Justin. Your little4-legged buddies abandoned you on that last drift. Thank you for taking us along.

[@markhooper5824]

Color's looked alien, like the surface of Jupiter. I would have a picture of that on my wall on a canvas. Awesome.

[@gracehudson4271]

Always look forward to your videos, they’re the perfect balance of interesting, entertaining, and informative! My friends and I will often put on your vids while we are doing study group for class because the vids are super relaxing as well! Many thanks from a group of gals trudging their way through college. My prof. was very impressed when I knew about placer mining (thanks to your videos) in my environmental science class!😂 Keep up the great work!

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you for an awesome comment that made my day... It could not make me happier than to have a group of viewers such as yourselves. And I'm glad that you were able to shock your professor with your knowledge on placer mining. That is definitely a niche topic for most people! Haha, I hope the videos are not so "relaxing" that they put everyone to sleep!

[@thomasgirty6397]

love your videos. no nonsense and very entertaining. between you and mines of the west's still pictures i get to see things i'd otherwise never see.

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you. Glad you enjoy the stuff from Graham (Mines of the West) and me...

[@patrickmanley9876]

Do you guys ever take any samples? I've never seen you guys with rock hammers

[@zenaakers7469]

beautiful and great job recording it. it reminds me of Cornish mine ex too. Thank you.

[@paulcooper2897]

Not much for artifacts .. But the mine made up for it in triplicate with the beautiful blues!!! Thanks for sharing 🇨🇦

[@kadoj]

Holy shit, that blue Azurite is amazing. And yeah you’re referring to chalcanthite, which may indeed also be present

[@Glenn-em3hv]

That bad part with all the ore chutes named after women must have been a major place in that mine at one time with all those chutes!!! I would have liked to have seen it before all the collapse!!!

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, I'd be curious to know how much farther it went there.

[@fredfarquar8301]

Excellent and thorough exploration of an interesting and breathtakingly beautiful mine! I was quite surprised, though, to hear that there was a lot of tin in the ore. I didn’t think there were any commercial deposits of tin anywhere in the US. Anyway, thanks so much for taking us along!

[@TVRExploring]

I don't believe that the tin in this mine was commercially viable on its own. There's just a lot of it in there...

[@Steven-vo8tk]

Loved this mine. Never seen so much blue in a mine before. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@TVRExploring]

It was the most I've ever seen as well.

[@TheSilmarillian]

@44:50 adele and @ 45:40 that blue ohhhh woooow indeed one would have 2 have been there to really appreciate that mineral formation even dripping down and coating the timbers holly crap ..................bizzare indeed in my humble opinion and yes the Cornish abandoned mine explorer is the only place I have ever seen that concentration before

[@Jennifermcintyre]

I thought Adele at first too but after looking closely I think it’s Adeana .. not a common name but I looked it up and it’s more popular back in the day.

[@TheSilmarillian]

@@Jennifermcintyre Ok I can go with that hello from down under opal miner here hence why I watch these mining uploads

[@johncarold]

Thanks for the video

[@davidsnider1703]

My oh my the colors. Those blues for sure. Loved this explore

[@archstanton9206]

I am at a loss for words on the colors in this one. The camera did bring it through. Incredible stuff. Thank you for sharing it with us.

[@TVRExploring]

We were definitely impressed.

[@kerzwhile]

Just watched this one again! The Azurite is absolutely Soectacular! I'd LOVE to get my hands on some of that for my crystal shop! ❤

[@seedy-waney-bonnie4906]

Very cool.

[@SueCooke]

WHOA! That is incredible. Very beautiful. Stay safe.

[@alexduran6742]

I always admire you running everything out.

[@ericcorse]

These last two mines have set the bar pretty high for all future explorations. They must have hauled a crap ton of ore out of there considering the proximity of all the chutes.

[@TVRExploring]

Ha, yes, I should probably release a really crappy video next to bring the bar on the videos back down a bit.

[@ericcorse]

None of them are crappy but these two👍 @@TVRExploring

[@TVRExploring]

@@ericcorse You're very kind! I cringe at some of my earlier videos.

[@NicholasX.]

The burlap sack at 35:29 said Ottawa Illinois which is an hour away from me, and I'm actually heading out there next weekend. That's pretty cool!

[@TheSilmarillian]

Nice indeed may I add that 100yrs ago people where actually shorter I restore antique furniture and some of the wardrobes I have restored do not accommodate modern day coat hangers also I have 2 restored lounges from circa 1840 and they are very low 2 the ground also a set of restored chairs that you have to hang onto the armrests to get out of but I digress I do that humble opal miner here down under. May I add sometimes pushing drives will make the back 6 ft high and the ribs the same am 6ft in height why? 1 cubic foot of rock produces three cubic feet of spoil, but I digress I do that and yes gobbing is still a thing also back filling saves hoisting the country waste rock out.

[@dabonemarrow5337]

Awesome azurite!! Wow the blue!! Kool stuff, I bet you this mine is loaded!! Great mine!! Thanks for sharing, again!! Godspeed brother

[@dabonemarrow5337]

No stoping??!!?? It's loaded. Godspeed

[@fireantsarestrange]

Those names are the names of the women that those men knew. They lovingly gave those ore chutes those names instead of assigning numbers to them.

[@Jennifermcintyre]

I just commented almost the same sentiment! Very classic names that gives so much charm!

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, I'm 100% in favor of naming chutes rather than assigning them soulless numbers.

[@frankgaletzka8477]

A wonderfull Video so much coulored rocks . The vitreoles are absolute amazing. There must be still very lange amount of Chopper ore left in the mine. Thank for your effords to bring this Video to us Glück Auf and all the best Yours Frank Galetzka

[@milwaukeeroadjim9253]

bottom of the sack said "Ottawa ILL" . Town in northern illinois on the Illinois River known for making glass as it had vast deposits of silica sand.

[@CornishMineExplorer]

WOW!! Some really striking blues and other colours in that mine, a really nice discovery! It don't look real till you see it with your own eyes, ain't nature just amazing!! Imagine the old miners faces if they see that now, must of missed a huge copper lode. Thanks for the mention, our blue mine is a lot lot smaller, but the effect of "WOW" to everyone that see's it never grows tired. Great exploring, awesome video as always!

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you for the kind words. It's tough to imagine ever topping your blue mine, but this one certainly at least reminded me of yours!

[@CornishMineExplorer]

@@TVRExploring I bet you have one somewhere over there, just waiting to be discovered one day.

[@TVRExploring]

That's the kind of sentiment that keeps getting us out there! @@CornishMineExplorer

[@rolfsinkgraven]

Certainly a nice look for sore eyes wow nice colors, there was a lot going on in that mine, sadly some off it will never be seen again, a few collapses waiting too happen aswel, a interesting explore thnx Justin.

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, all too many of these old mines have collapses in their near futures.

[@RustandDustExploration]

We've seen some copper infused flowstone in a few mines, but only once did we explore a mine that had this same color of blue in large quantity. You seemed fairly casual with it, so I have to ask: in your experience, how common are bright blue walls like this?

[@TVRExploring]

I've seen three or four other mines with blue color shows like this before, but nothing like what we saw in this one. The "fairly casual" reaction is just my personality as I tend to underreact to things.

[@lesliebarham7852]

Another great explore, like the Azurite, thanks Justin.

[@squadman3376]

Looks like a spectacular example of supergene enrichment. The mineralization of some of the wood structures illustrates the process nicely. B SAFE !!

[@nigelridgeway2579]

Really nice explanation guys, I think the Cornish mine you mentioned is Tretherup mine near Redruth, the blue level is certainly a site to see, there are similar levels in the neighbouring Tresavean mine,m, you have a great channel mate always great video. 👍

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you very much.

[@oak699]

Any chance on showing a few of your stills of the mind-blowing blue ore shute? In one of your earlier videos you included some stills, I recall. Gratz on the video :)

[@TVRExploring]

It was almost impossible to photograph and so I don't really have anything better than what the thumbnail shows.

[@GoldenNorway1]

Azurite and chalcanthite.. first one's azurite, though. Nice colors and quite valuable to collectors. Chalcanthite is formes post-mining, and is "surface only". Lovely colors.

[@Glenn-em3hv]

That blue is a beautiful rock, I'm surprised that it's not in rings and necklaces!!!

[@TVRExploring]

Well, a lot of it is water soluble and some of it is quite toxic...

[@oxskirra]

Lots of colors there, Im glad to see this on here, Cornish Mine Explorer def sees the copper oxide formations more. Some of the blues look like Lapis.

[@milwaukeeroadjim9253]

"Lost Mines" in the UK has filmed some very blue walls in recent videos as well.

[@Ed_in_Md]

Beautiful colors!

[@slimwantedman6694]

Good evening from Southeast South Dakota

[@glennwall552]

Liked the way those timbers bowed especially that bit with the wedges in it till it broke not much longer before the earth shift. First time that blue came out so clear and so massive looked like Turquoise on the floor. Thks nit old to go exploring again.

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, I think a lot of people are not fully aware of how much pressure the shifting earth creates underground. The mountain wants to fill in the unnatural hole created in the middle of it.

[@The1nsane1]

You have shown remarkable restraint in your choice of music. I however would like recommend Incandescent Blue by Bruce Cockburn. I did think of suggesting Blue Sky Mine by Midnight Oil but that's about an asbestos mine so it's not the most appropriate 😉. P.S. Maybe I should have suggested Edged in Blue by Rory Gallagher? 😉😁Great video!

[@TVRExploring]

Ha, you know I always thought that the title of that song was "Blue Sky Mind"? I'd never seen the title written down before and had no idea that it was about a mine! Only heard the lyrics on the radio before... You just blew my mind. I'll have to hunt down the other songs that you mentioned.

[@tommybewick]

Yeah I can hear the air on the video. Very cool mine, thanks!

[@AUMINER1]

Impressive! Always happy to see your videos pop up in my feed! Thanks for showing us the underground world :)

[@ralphpatrick3071]

Absolutely incredible colors! Thank you, Justin!

[@olspanner]

That was a magnificent experience. Thanks to you guys. Stay safe!

[@lesleyrobbins1137]

All those colors remind me of a van Gogh or Monet painting. Beyond fantastic.

[@-r-495]

mindblowing blowing mine. Oh boy, this really is a favourite!

[@putteslaintxtbks5166]

It looks like alot of copper ore left in this one. If this is what was left, I wonder what the "good stuff" looked like. Also wonder if it's to unstable to do farther mining, looks like alot left. I think I would have had to try getting a chunk of some of that bright blue to take home.

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, if what we saw were the crumbs left behind, one does indeed wonder about the good stuff that was taken out. The next step will be to open pit this site. They won't do further underground mining.

[@williampugh6699]

Gorgeous blue color.

[@samuelgilbert9734]

46:00 Do the colors look as good in the video as they did in person?

[@TVRExploring]

They actually looked even better in person than on the video.

[@deepbludude4697]

Very cool thanks for taking us along!

[@ronaldhatch8859]

Love it bro thank you. This is amazing

[@davegrummett1263]

Wow. Just wow. So cool to see that mine. It's too bad the section was collapsed up that big ladder and that a the ore chutes and winzes were plugged. It seems like there might have been some good stuff there. Given all the people who have been in there as evidenced by the bottle collection it wasn't surprising that there wasn't much left at all in the way of artifacts. Still an interesting mine though. Thank you Justin. Blue Velvet (song or movie) would be another good reference for this mine. ; ) Although I like the Eiffel 65 reference 👌

[@keithrimmer3]

Fantstic colors in there guys

[@brianvalley5223]

Wow! Some of the geology there is really colorful.

[@MildaGoesWild]

Difficult to tell all those copper based minerals apart. The ladders looked really cool - shame the drift doesn't go far.

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, it was quite the color show of copper minerals. It is the best that I have seen in the States, but I know that you have far superior examples in your part of the world.

[@MildaGoesWild]

@@TVRExploring probably, I think it's to do with the fact that our mines are really wet so you get a lot of flow, in some places entire blue chambers

[@TVRExploring]

@@MildaGoesWild Haha, one of the few silver linings of the wet, muddy, cold mines... These trips to the desert are a treat for us as well because the normal area we explore in is in the mountains. So, plenty of water, mud and cold for us. However, they are all gold mines and so we get none of the brilliant colors that you encounter.

[@MildaGoesWild]

@@TVRExploring agree - water adds to the experience but carrying ropes and kit while sweating in waders is no fun 😅

[@TVRExploring]

Haha, we just got back from a long weekend of doing exactly that and so that comments hits very close to home!@@MildaGoesWild

[@landofstan246]

This has to be the most colorful mine.

[@TVRExploring]

It's pretty impressive.

[@thomasanglin1751]

One would think that the owner of this mine would have hired someone who wasn't suffering from severe Tunnel Vision... great video awesome colors

[@napalmholocaust9093]

One interesting side effect of the coppers leaching into the wood is none of that will ever get any fungus within a mile of it and with no rot, the co2 won't be making bad air. By rot at least. Nice colors too.

[@johncarold]

Simply Beautiful, I just don't believe the oxidation in the copper.

[@alanbourne2332]

Great job (thanks)

[@gunny8978]

Is a very interesting mine, cool video, do yall still have the mine that was brought back to life? Be safe

[@z50king29]

Great video! Thanks mate!

[@martynnotman3467]

Did anyone else think that old coffee can at 23:26 was the top of a human skull 😂

[@lorrinbarth1969]

I'm guessing the vertical rack at the fuse cutting table is for drill steel.

[@northernontariofishing683]

It’s amazing how you guys can go into these mines, I work underground and the non active headings have zero safe air. How you guys can explore these old mines baffles me

[@TVRExploring]

It depends on how you define safe air. A slightly depressed oxygen level can be labeled "dangerous" by a lawsuit-fearing mining company when, in reality, it is perfectly fine. You wouldn't necessarily want to camp out there, but it is safe to pass through. I am also an underground miner and I have learned that the material presented regarding bad air in the required safety courses is largely theoretical and is developed by those that do not actually have a lot of experience outside of a laboratory or academic setting. You'll see a pretty big disconnect between what is taught in the mine safety courses and the "real world" settings. Also, bear in mind, that active mines (generally) have a lot more dangerous air around from blasting, operation of engines/equipment/machinery, etc. Also, further bear in mind that my comments above about the bad air do not apply to abandoned coal mines, which present a whole host of unique hazards and dangers. Unfortunately, the health and safety regulations are written as if every mine were a coal mine.

[@northernontariofishing683]

@@TVRExploring I completely agree with everything you said a few guys that go underground once every 3 months on a “tour” know nothing about what is actually happening down there I’m up in northern Ontario and love watching everything you do keep up the great work I see the stuff every day and still love sitting and watching everything you do I didn’t not mean any disrespect with my comment!

[@northernontariofishing683]

@@TVRExploring sorry for late response been high ballin lol

[@AGDinCA]

I am commending your restraint, as the Description told me I ought to. 😉😂

[@karenfay4545]

Does whomever hold the mineral rights to this mine realize how muck copper is in this mine, and how much cooper is worth $$$$? Mark Fay

[@TVRExploring]

Given the evidence of recent sampling and surveying, I'm pretty sure there are some excited mineral rights holders somewhere.

[@williamwintemberg]

Cool mine! Sketchy in many places. I wonder why the ore chutes were named after females? I have watched a lot of videos and have never seen blue like this! Notta! It is spectacular.

[@garrettmillsap]

Just speculating but maybe the names were inspired because they are holes that never close unless plugged and have had countless loads ran through them? Lol

[@williamwintemberg]

@@garrettmillsap OMG! That's funny! You may just have something! I'm still laughing!

[@garrettmillsap]

@@williamwintemberg I was just speculating is all lol

[@philliphall5198]

Who puts the orange red paint on the walls ??? I see it a lot on different videos also 😮 What does it mean and what is the information used for ??? I’m west Texas and don’t have a clue 😢

[@AGDinCA]

@36:49 - is that a cockroach on that ore chute? The image in question is located in the uppermost right-hand corner. Seems unlikely, I'm sure, since a roach would scamper if a human came that close, but still...

[@TVRExploring]

I don't think it was. It is hard to tell what it is in the quick pan of the video, but I suspect that it was something inanimate. It would be a very odd place for a cockroach and, as you observed, it almost certainly would have scurried away. I've never seen a cockroach in an abandoned mine before.