Finding Rare Mining Equipment in a Massive Abandoned Mine in Nevada (Part 1)

We found impressive, old mining equipment deep in this abandoned mine! To get to some of this equipment that you’ll see in Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3, we had to make our way through the Polaris Mine’s maze of flooded, branching tunnels and up several hundred feet of rickety, wooden ladders. Most of the mine was not flooded, however, which made things a lot easier. A bonus was all the incredible miners’ graffiti we discovered on the upper levels we explored. It was like an art gallery, and some of the graffiti was quite risqué! We also found stunning copper deposits and other extremely colorful pockets of ore.

I had the pleasure of joining Justin, Joe, and Todd for this abandoned mine adventure. Have you watched any of their incredible videos of abandoned mine exploration? If not, please visit their channels, say hello, and subscribe to them by using these links:

Joe’s channel

Todd’s channel

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NOTE: This video was shot in stunning 4K resolution! If your viewing device can handle it, be sure to watch this video in 4K to experience cinematic supremacy!
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#ExploringAbandonedMines
#AbandonedMines
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[richardwarnock]

Some those mines were running in 60's and 70's that looked really like yesterday is there MOoooore!!!!😊

[AbandonedMaine]

Impressive operation. Even went through the trouble of bringing in some creature comforts. You wonder about companies that leave that much equpment behind instead of selling it off.

[purenatural]

This was somehow a more advanced mine in comparison with other mines you explored. It was nice to see something semi functional.

[edbrick]

The drill at 16:02 is an older model long hole drill. It has an external rotation motor, later the rotation became integral. Many people call this configuraion a "bar and arm drill". This is a misnomer. It is actual a column and arm drill set up. A horizontal arm is clamped to a verticle column and the arm can be rotated around the column. The drill is clamped to the arm and the drill angle can be adjusted up or down. I have used these set ups many times over the years.

[davestrang]

What a beautiful pristine place. Thanks 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[WDSY]

Frank, that was a teriffic mine. And lots of stuff to see. But about that drill sharpener, I see in the comments someone else saw that it began life as a winch. That round-shaped spool off the side is a windlass, and it was used by looping a rope around the thimble several turns to draw in the rope. Good for moving stuff. Also at the 13:00 mark, it looks like someone appropriated part the mine in which to live/sleep with that plastic sheeting. A great explore!!

[jverrelli]

Amazing Frank, it's like watching a movie, thanks for doing this so we can watch from home.

[Luminoussound]

That is one outstanding awesome mine for sure with so much equipment in it still like if they would come bk to work it again, those 2 flooded shafts need exploring with a ROV to see what is down there, that must of been one HUGE working mine with all that electrical stations in there ? That mucker was a amazing find as well .

[rolfsinkgraven]

A great find again, great stuff left, a easy one too open up again if that flooding did not weaken those tunnels that is. Still quit solid that part anyway hehe.

[casedoumasr]

Hello down there that piece that looked like winch you say is a drill steel sharpier i've go t to rewind and see that closer great explore 🏆⛏️🤔

[lesleyrobbins]

It almost looks as if the mine was worked recently, maybe in the 60's. It's crazy that it looks like they just walked away. More artifacts for us!!

[davegrummett]

Wow. An ore cart with just the wheels usually it's the other way round.

[EggnogonthebogProductions]

Another great explore.
Part 2 looks good as well.

[Carolb]

Just loving this episode, so exciting & interesting! Fab seeing the tracks down & other artifacts. Thank you & stay safe. ❤😊👍

[Davidautofull]

thats a big access mine and lots of things left behind. great fun to explore.
thanks Frank, you are on a roll.

[OdySlim]

Hey there Frank. What a great find my friend. Finds like these are far and few between. Look at the awesome miners grafitti at 14:40 - 14:55 from the 1920's. Awesome! I cant wait for part 2 Frank! Thank you & Regards from Ody Slim

[edbrick]

Good video, I have spent time around Polaris but never been in this one. Somebody has very recently though. I can tell by the white brattice cloth used to route the ventilation and the modern electrical panels, and the 2" victaulic pipe clamps.

[johnsmart]

Thank you very much for bringing us this very interesting video presentation of this magnificent massive mine which evidently had a long life. It was great to see the dates given as well as the other illustrations provided by the early miners which certainly provide an historical backdrop to the age of the mine, the more modern items providing an idea as to how late the mine was in use. Certainly there was little or any rust on some of the later equipment and electrical control boxes. One wonders if the mine may have been in use into the eighties or nineties. Having worked on the railroad in times past I was particularly impressed at how well engineered the trackwork is, it would seem no expense spared. The ore cart ran beautifully and the mucker was good to see, they are very interesting to see at work and a very useful piece of equipment to have around. It does seem that this mine was never intended to be closed down as it is unlikely that so much equipment would have remained. Maybe the value of what they were mining had dropped too much for it to be economically viable. Thank you again for all your great work, it really is appreciated.

[edbrick]

That machine at 8:57 is actually a winch not a bit sharpener. The drum is empty, no wire rope wound on the drum. The small spool on the side is a "cats head" winch. The cats head is used by winding rope a few wraps around the spool. When tension is pulled on the tail of the rope the cats head will pull the head of the rope. Release the tail of the rope and
the cats head free spins inside the wraps of rope until tension is applied again. I am a third generation miner and worked in underground mines mines all over the U.S. for over forty years, that's how I know what it is.

[dancjr]

Superb exploration, I was shocked to see all of the equipment left behind, an ore cart chassis without the bin, it’s usually the other way around. This is definitely a mine someone could lost in, the workings must be extensive. I almost did a double take a few times, I think this is the first time I’ve seen a complete drill, the double track was another shocker. I was laughing when you made the reference to Fallout, kind of does look like one of the vault doors.
Again, great video, this one is definitely a treasure trove of history. Thanks for sharing, onto part two.