Nature’s Masterpiece: Stunning Quartz In Extraordinary Gold Mine

There is so much to say about this extraordinary abandoned gold mine that I will start by simply observing that if you have liked any of our videos, this one is truly in the “must see” category… The setting for this mine was exceptional, the sheer volume of quartz present was exceptional, the geological formations underground were exceptional and that section at the end of the lower level was exceptionally sporty. Although you guys seem to enjoy seeing us risk our necks!

This is one of the older mines in the district and, although no exact dates can be found as to when underground gold mining started at this location, the books and reports that I have reviewed universally agreed that the mine started sometime around the mid-1800s. So, it was definitely a part of the famous Gold Rush… As we see so often at mining operations, off and on efforts have been made over the generations of its existence. Judging from the infrastructure present underground and one the surface, a big push was made in the 1930s and, it seems, some exploratory work was done around the 1990s.

Obviously, the miners were encountering a lot of barren quartz (quartz not containing gold) for so much to be left behind. However, that does not diminish the extraordinary sight of so much quartz. The geological conditions for that volume of quartz to be deposited must have been truly violent and hellish underground.

*****

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, we set up a Patreon account. So, if anyone would care to chip in, we're 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.

We hope you’ll join us on these adventures!

#ExploringAbandonedMines
#MineExploring
#AbandonedMines
#UndergroundMineExploring

[dondavis]

A new TVR Exploring video pops up in my queue AND it's more than an hour long? Now THAT's what I call a WIN-WIN!

[paulcooper]

You get Full Credit for the effort of exploring that lower section ....
But -10 points for Not opening the fridge!!! LOL
Awesome explore!
Thanks for sharing 🇨🇦

[williamwintemberg]

I'm just an armchair viewer and have watched my share of mine explores. I have never seen this much quartz in any mine explore, not even close! Unbelievable! Thanks Justin and Crew!

[ralphpatrick]

You blow my mind sometimes with the sketchy sh-t you accomplish. You actually document a mines every nook and cranny.
Thanks, J!

[Benson_aka_devils_advocate_]

Old city water services worker here. You can get a silicone spray that you put on your boots that'll water proof them pretty well. If you look for boots with an attached tongue you can usually get into six inches of water no problem. It only lasts three to six months depending on how much you use your boots. But as you say, putting on waders is a pain!

I got it from the place I got my boots. But any camping store should have cans of silicone spray water proofers. Just give them a good spray the day before, get all the nooks and crannies, and you'll be good to walk in surprisingly deep mud. I would work in twelve inches of mud pretty regularly even though my tongue was only about seven or eight inches above the sole.

[lb]

Hi Justin, I thoroughly enjoyed your latest adventure. With the level of dryness present, I know that unfortunately the miners were creating SiO2 particulates in the air as they tore through these veins. Hope that some of them didn’t get sick.
Here in North Georgia, many families including my own had Dads, Uncles and Brothers who suffered from Silicosis in these Gold mines surrounding Dahlonega. Life happens, eh?
By the way, I’ll never forget how amazing your adventure was in that GA placer mine😮
Best wishes, Dr. Lauren ( sorry all, too many words from this old lady)

[jbawden]

Those lower workings are not for the faint of heart. It's literally fodder for my claustrophobic nightmares. Can't even begin to imagine working that, no way!!

[archstanton]

One heck of an investigation into an incredible mine. Thanks for taking us along. I cant help but wonder how much gold is still down there, and will it ever be worth the effort and cost to recover it.

[myshovelhead]

Great mine love all the quartz .thanks for braving through that climb and those lower workings.

[hoffbug]

Wow.. There is a ton of quartz in there still! Thanks for going the extra mile on this one. Hope the knee is OK.

[rh]

Trout fishing in that spot would be amazing! What a beautiful place. 👍👍👍

[Ian_P]

Those cave pearls 28.20 are very interesting. Thanks again Justin.

[oxskirra]

Sporty factor level 9… this was above your usual riske undertaking. Quartz gallore is not doing this site justice. Please be safe as always and thank you so much for bringing us along for this epic explore. I do wonder what the different minerals are in the colored flowstone formations

[etarheel]

Amazing video, you guys go above and beyond harms way to bring us a once in a lifetime adventure. My deepest gratitude to you all for an experience I would not have otherwise gotten to enjoy. Stay vigilant, if it ever seems to be routine to you, that’s when you need to sit and really reflect on continuing. God bless and keep you all safe!

[nathangibson]

Epic explore! The end of that was sketchy to say the least! Can't wait for the next one!

[VegasCyclingFreak]

The amount of quartz in this mine is tremendous - wow!

[glennbrown]

The 4 connected 8x8s were probably an anvil stand! G'day from Tasmania

[johncarold]

Hi Justin, WOW ! That is a ton of quarts still. I guess it didn't have enough gold per ton to keep going. This reminds me of the 16to1 mine with all the quarts. If I was 40 years younger, I would like to pan that river to see what I could find. Did I hear GOLD ? lol. No, not serpentine, I hate that stuff. Squeeze through that ? No turnaround, I can't believe they were working in that. Thanks again, Justin, for taking us along with you.

[loyalkuhn]

Wow, I'm a bit blown away. I don't think I've seen such a huge mass of quartz in a mine before. A lot looks like bull quartz and maybe that's why the mine is abandoned. There are some nicer pockets where there is iron staining and sulfides but overall, the owner must have been unimpressed with the low yield. A mom and pop outfit might be able to squeeze a living out of the pockets but overall the beauty and the flowstone is just awesome.

[RageKage]

Just amazing! The veins are absolutely massive! Ive been enjoying your videos for, must be close to a decade now!, man how the time flys. Thank you for sharing your amazing adventures Justin!