Ethan in Adelaide Posted December 17, 2023 Share Posted December 17, 2023 Good evening fellas, Last trip To WA I was impressed as there were so many old gold mines, many were 5-30 meters deep, and I saw one shaft actually had two leves (stories). I wonder if someone can dive in and prospect in the tunnel, where there still might be gold behind the tunnel but cannot be found by the early explorers as 100 years ago they didn't have detectors? Any stories or experience? Surely it Must be dangerous ☠️?? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridge Runner Posted December 17, 2023 Share Posted December 17, 2023 If you ever do don’t go it alone but be sure your friend stays outside. The reason for this is so he can tell your family where to find you. Chuck 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethan in Adelaide Posted December 17, 2023 Author Share Posted December 17, 2023 1 minute ago, Ridge Runner said: If you ever do don’t go it alone but be sure your friend stays outside. The reason for this is so he can tell your family where to find you. Chuck Hi Chuck is that high death rate? LOL? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridge Runner Posted December 17, 2023 Share Posted December 17, 2023 It’s just so many dangers like old timber’s that’s ready to give way but you don’t know when until it’s too late. Maybe a old box ? of dynamite ? just waiting for you to come along and give it a kick. All I’m saying is just don’t put yourself in harms way. Lots of times they didn’t know they hit pay until some of it went down the hill side and that’s where you want to be looking. Chuck 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethan in Adelaide Posted December 17, 2023 Author Share Posted December 17, 2023 Just now, Ridge Runner said: It’s just so many dangers like old timber’s that’s ready to give way but you don’t know when until it’s too late. Maybe a old box ? of dynamite ? just waiting for you to come along and give it a kick. All I’m saying is just don’t put yourself in harms way. Lots of times they didn’t know they hit pay until some of it went down the hill side and that’s where you want to be looking. Chuck Thanks Chuck. I actually would like to see or hear what people found or see in those mines. Never under a mine just curious. I don't reckon I would risky myself into a shaft. If anyone has mine pics please show us ? You also mentioned 'some of it went down the hill side'. Sorry what you mean by that? I didn't get it. ? Ethan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Herschbach Posted December 17, 2023 Share Posted December 17, 2023 Yes, it can be dangerous. From https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/AML_PUB_DangersAtAbandonedMines.pdf Why Are There Abandoned Mines? Abandoned mines are what is left over from mining activities in the distant past. Back then, mine operators could simply walk away from a mine without removing safety or environmental hazards. Today, federal and state laws require that mine operators make mine sites safe before abandoning them. How Dangerous Are Abandoned Mines? Every year, many people are killed or hurt at abandoned mine sites. In 2000–2013 alone, 381 people were killed; 152 people suffered broken bones and other injuries. Across the country, abandoned mines exist in every state. Even a mine that was “safe” last year could be deadly today due to deteriorating conditions. The leading cause of death at abandoned mines is drowning in water-filled pits and quarries. Steep, slippery walls make it difficult to get out of the water. Old machinery and other hazards beneath the water can injure or trap you. The second most common cause of death and injury is falling into vertical underground mine openings. These openings can be hundreds of feet deep. Often they are not visible but concealed by dirt, rock, mine debris, and water. Unstable ground or decaying timbers around mine openings can simply drop out from beneath your feet. I would note that since this publication came out things have improved. The statistics are a decade old. They have marked and fenced many old shafts and pits. Still, I’ve seen plenty that are wide open, and a simple misstep in mining country could cost you your life. But frankly you can say the same about walking around in a city. Be cautious and have your wits about you, and never let gold greed overcome common sense. No finds or pics from me because I stay out of them. 8 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold Seeker Posted December 17, 2023 Share Posted December 17, 2023 26 minutes ago, Ethan in Adelaide said: Thanks Chuck. I actually would like to see or hear what people found or see in those mines. Never under a mine just curious. I don't reckon I would risky myself into a shaft. If anyone has mine pics please show us ? You also mentioned 'some of it went down the hill side'. Sorry what you mean by that? I didn't get it. ? Ethan One hazard not mentioned and has killed people who go into old mines is poisonous gases that build up down in some mines, you usually can't smell the gas and one lung full is usually enough to kill a person or at least make you pass out and then you die as you breathe more of the bad air. When the mines were active the miners had ventilation installed to vent out any bad air and pump in fresh air. What Ridge Runner is saying about some of it went downhill is, when the miners were removing the gold bearing ore they would haul it out of the mine and then had chutes that they dumped it in to get the ore downhill where they would process it to remove the gold, there could still be some gold bearing ore at the bottom of the hill that spilled out or was never processed. 5 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethan in Adelaide Posted December 17, 2023 Author Share Posted December 17, 2023 3 minutes ago, Steve Herschbach said: From https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/AML_PUB_DangersAtAbandonedMines.pdf Why Are There Abandoned Mines? Abandoned mines are what is left over from mining activities in the distant past. Back then, mine operators could simply walk away from a mine without removing safety or environmental hazards. Today, federal and state laws require that mine operators make mine sites safe before abandoning them. How Dangerous Are Abandoned Mines? Every year, many people are killed or hurt at abandoned mine sites. In 2000–2013 alone, 381 people were killed; 152 people suffered broken bones and other injuries. Across the country, abandoned mines exist in every state. Even a mine that was “safe” last year could be deadly today due to deteriorating conditions. The leading cause of death at abandoned mines is drowning in water-filled pits and quarries. Steep, slippery walls make it difficult to get out of the water. Old machinery and other hazards beneath the water can injure or trap you. The second most common cause of death and injury is falling into vertical underground mine openings. These openings can be hundreds of feet deep. Often they are not visible but concealed by dirt, rock, mine debris, and water. Unstable ground or decaying timbers around mine openings can simply drop out from beneath your feet. I would note that since this publication came out things have improved. The statistics are a decade old. They have marked and fenced many old shafts and pits. Still, I’ve seen plenty that are wide open, and a simple misstep in mining country could cost you your life. But frankly you can say the same about walking around in a city. Be cautious and have your wits about you, and never let gold greed overcome common sense. Very good, thank you.. I saw youtubes many people adventure in mines, very deep mines where it has water, that would make sense. not sure if in WA if the mines are deep enough to have water? Anyway I won't risk. I will always come back to chat in the forum to prove I am still alive, if not not by the mines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethan in Adelaide Posted December 17, 2023 Author Share Posted December 17, 2023 39 minutes ago, Gold Seeker said: One hazard not mentioned and has killed people who go into old mines is poisonous gases that build up down in some mines, you usually can't smell the gas and one lung full is usually enough to kill a person or at least make you pass out and then you die as you breathe more of the bad air. When the mines were active the miners had ventilation installed to vent out any bad air and pump in fresh air. What Ridge Runner is saying about some of it went downhill is, when the miners were removing the gold bearing ore they would haul it out of the mine and then had chutes that they dumped it in to get the ore downhill where they would process it to remove the gold, there could still be some gold bearing ore at the bottom of the hill that spilled out or was never processed. I see. Thanks for explanation I will pay more attention to this. ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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