How can I find an old mine shaft on my property?
I’m looking for an old mine that I know exists on my ranch, which is about 15 acres. I was wondering if there’s anything on the internet, google earth etc., that can aid me in my search. I recently read how archeologists are using special aerial photphotography devices to find underground pyramids and caves and was wondering if that could help me. Cost is an issue, as I don’t want to spend a fortune on this. Any ideas or advice would be great!
Google maps provides arial photographs of just about everywhere (just click the "satelite tab". It is close up enough to see a human, but I dont know if this helps in your quest. Other than that the cheapest means of finding it would probably be to just scour the land yourself as any advanced technology would be expensive, if even available to you.
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Google maps provides arial photographs of just about everywhere (just click the "satelite tab". It is close up enough to see a human, but I dont know if this helps in your quest. Other than that the cheapest means of finding it would probably be to just scour the land yourself as any advanced technology would be expensive, if even available to you.
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An aerial photograph is probably the cheapest and easiest method (Or a high look out point on your land).
It is possible to identify where there is something strange going on under the top soil just by observing differences in plant growth/colour. If the vegetation in a certain area is all very similar and then there is a patch where it is much longer/shorter and more/less green looking, this could indicate a manmade structure underneath.
If there is a pit or mine that has then been filled in with soil at some stage, this will hold more water than the surrounded compacted soil so the vegetation will be more lush. If there is an area of underground brickwork or concrete then there will be less water so the vegetation will appear drier.
Check out the photo below, you can clearly see the outline of a building even though it is under the soil.
http://www.smr.herefordshire.gov.uk/news_events2/images/lowerluggproj3.jpg
Another method would be to look for manmade hills or mounds on your land. These would have been formed from the waste material brought out of the mine and wouldnt be too far away from the shaft itsself. Anything that sticks out from the natural landscape, piles of loose rock etc.
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If you search the USGS Website (www.usgs.gov), you will find a database of topographical maps that you can view and download for free. Find your area, and zoom in to the appropriate 1:24,000 quadrangle, and there’s a good chance that a mine, even an old one, may be marked as such on the map. If it is, then you know where to start looking.
Google Earth / Maps might work, if there are high-resolution images available in your location. Often, higher-resolution imagery simply isn’t available. Plus, if it’s a shaft mine and it’s been abandoned for a long time, signs of it may be difficult to see using aerial imagery. If it’s a pit mine, well, you should be able to pick that out right away.
Another potential source of info are Sanborn fire insurance maps, but you’ll have to go to your library (if they have them). I’ve used Sanborn maps plenty of times to locate abandoned utility tunnel networks in my area, as part of my employment at the time.
Also if you hit up your library, you may be able to find out who operated the mine, and go from there. Also, try your local government offices, they may have some mine reclamation information for your area.
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Mines breathe if there is any, even a small opening. The air in a mine is usually 67 degrees and saturated with humidity. If the air is at a much lower temperature outside and the barometer is falling the mine will breathe out warm, humid air. You might see either fog coming out of the ground or a hillside or you might see a patch of frost on the ground or a hillside.
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Wherever you are there should be a ministry of mines or natural resources or something like that.
Depending on how old the mine is there is likely a claim recorded for it. They had to register their claim to the minerals, this will include a description of the claim and its location.
You might also find references to it in local histories.
If these fail look for old roads or trails.
Mining is heavy work and they would have needed a supply of water and at least a wagon trail to haul equipment on.
It really would have helped to know what kind of mine or a rough location.
Here in Canada we have a series of publications from the Geological Survey of Canada that list all of the known mineral deposits that were worth anything.
If you are from USA there should be something similar too.
http://store.usgs.gov/b2c_usgs/b2c/start.do;jsessionid=(J2EE8933300)ID0577042153DB21095649110912767369End;saplb_*=(J2EE8933300)8933353
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Hey be real careful around old mines.
Do not go alone or go inside.
There are often open shafts and raises you can fall down for hundreds of feet, even on the surface around the mine and they might not be easy to see or related to the mine portal at all.
Inside of an old mine you risk poison gas pockets, and collapses of loose ground.