Spanish Mines

[2fishon]

I dug out the bottom of that ring of stones today. I found nothing in the bottom, no bedrock, no flat stone, no ashes, not any sign at all of a fire. I did discover that it is not a ring of stones after all, just a horseshoe shape. The loose dirt only goes down about 2 feet. A couple of feet uphill from the stones the ore vein is right near the surface, only a few inches. Is it possible they built this stone catch to prevent the ore vein from being eroded? If that was their intent it worked perfectly. I had no idea it was so close to the surface right there.

 

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[djui5]

Is it possible they built this stone catch to prevent the ore vein from being eroded? If that was their intent it worked perfectly. I had no idea it was so close to the surface right there.

Maybe, but I'd imagine if they found the vein outcropping like that they would have just dug the vein out. Who knows. Are there any minerals in the vein? It might just be a weird natural occurrence, the horseshoe thing.

 

[2fishon]

There are minerals in the vein. I've got samples at an assayer right now. It's the same vein where there is a mine downhill. I'm going to dig around those stones more next time I get up there.

 

[truckinbutch]

Keep us all posted.Sounds like you have found something very interesting.

 

[djui5]

Keep us all posted.Sounds like you have found something very interesting.

+1

 

[2fishon]

The samples I sent in for assay came back not so good. I sent in a sample from surface areas. I plan on opening this mine and collecting samples from inside, hopefully at the face.

 

[Real de Tayopa Tropical Tramp]

HIO: what was the assay report? Au, Ag, Pb,etc.,??

Don Jose de La Mancha

 

[2fishon]

I sent in two samples. Both from the surface area. I still have not opened the mine, so no samples from the good stuff. Both were fire assays. Neither had any gold. One was .001 silver, and the other was .18 ounces per ton of silver.

 

[Real de Tayopa Tropical Tramp]

HI: low, but interestng since they were only rejected surface samples.

Don Jose de La Mancha

 

[2fishon]

The next step is to open this mine and see what's inside.

 

[djui5]

The next step is to open this mine and see what's inside.

Take pictures Best of luck

 

[nuggetshooter323]

If I were you, I would go to this site and read up on spanish death traps.

[[url]www.treasurehuntersuniversity.com /url]

They can still be active, and they can kill you.

 

[2fishon]

That is a pretty good website. I have his field notebook. I hope I need to use it soon.

 

[2fishon]

I went back today and did some more digging. That ring of stones is really bothering me. I did find a small amount of ashes in it today, about 18" deep. Very small though, no more than a pint. There is a branch from a living cedar tree that was cut with a saw right near the stones. I can't imagine why anyone would have done that recently. It's near the end of the branch like they were just cutting it to get it out of their way. I dug inside and outside the stones down to rock. I still haven't come up with any ideas on what it is or why it was built. Last time I dug down to the top of the mine opening. I dug quite a bit more this time. I'm off for two weeks after this one and this mine is getting opened.

 

[truckinbutch]

WOW! I'm impressed...Please keep us posted and be safe.

 

[Real de Tayopa Tropical Tramp]

HI: It is obviously man made, naturally.. How large in dia is it? Many times a crude one room hut was constructed if an Indian was going to be in an area for period of time, but no larger than necessary. Similar to a one man tent.

Your evidence of perhaps a small fire tends to back this thought up.

One thing for certain , it was NOT an arrastre

Don Jose de La Mancha .

 

[djui5]

Yes, PLEASE TAKE THE UTMOST PRECAUTION IN THE MINE!!

I'm starting to think the rock pile is to hide a camp fire for whoever was working the mine. See how the back side of it faces downhill? Building a wall like that would prevent anyone below from seeing the camp fire. I found a spot like this last year. Pretty neat

 

[2fishon]

I was thinking the same thing. The only problem is there is no indication (other than that very small amount of ashes) that it was used for a fire. The rocks have no blackening at all. It's also about 75 yards up a steep slope from the mine opening. Still, your idea makes the most sense so far. I was really hoping it was protecting a ventilation shaft, bummer.

 

[DSRTXJ]

Any updates

 

[2fishon]

Nothing new on this one. October is a busy month with the deer and elk hunters. This mine is just off an atv trail and I didn't want anyone to get curious and start nosing around. I didn't open the mine entrance because I didn't think I'd have time to do much before winter and I didn't want it to be open to rain and snow. I should be able to get after it again in February or March. The Forest Service closes the road into the area for the winter.