Utah Mining History Timeline

[Stuart]

Just found this today while doing some research.

http://history.utah.gov/mining_heritage_alliance/highlights.html

Did anyone know there was a Department of Community and Culture Mining History Alliance in Utah?
Cool site anyway!

[UnderUtah]

Aahhh the great State of Utah and it's even more fabulous website. I like that there is something, even if it is a few silly pages, that promotes our mining history. I like the link to the map entitled: "Finding your way to mines in Utah" with the unintelligible map and legend that make absolutely no sense. Even better is the stay out, stay alive page with its completely random statements like:
“Unprotected shafts can be an extreme safety hazard.” - so right in so many ways!
“Two-hundred-foot deep shafts are not uncommon in Utah's thousands of abandoned mines.” I know of only about 200 that are that deep, perhaps I’ve missed something in the cumulative 300 or so mines I have been in that have less than 150’ or horizontal workings and NO vertical. Just where are the remaining thousands of mines with 200’ of vertical development? Are we talking about the same state here?
“When it looks dangerous, it is dangerous. Do not venture into the unknown.” Looking out my office window I can often see a lot of danger, but I still venture into the unknown every time I leave. Danger is everywhere. Whether it’s stranger danger or global warming, you pick your poison every day.
“Dark areas may hide a winze (a vertical shaft) that may be 70-feet or deeper.” Wow – is 70 feet the standard depth for winzes and nobody told me? Are winzes then only found in dark areas? Such random, rambling statements.
“The loose rocks and soil above this entry could break away and cover the opening, trapping anyone who enters the mine.”
Sure, that could happen, but something similar could occur if you were solo canyoneering and were trapped by rock fall and had to cut your arm off to save yourself. The difference is that if the latter occurred you would have a blockbuster movie made about the ordeal and you would be famous and hailed as a hero with indomitable spirit and will to live. Dying in a mine would make you an idiot hillbilly thrill-seeker and assumedly a drunk. You would end-up on the news and would become the poster boy for the AMRP and Stay Out Stay Alive.
And my final favorite statement:
“Report the location of any abandoned mine. You may help save someone's life.” Shall I also report rattlesnakes, tall rock formations from which I may fall if I climb on them, invasive vegetation, trip hazards surrounding wilderness trailheads, unsafe biking, or the use of unapproved footwear whilst traveling in wilderness study areas? There are so many better ways to spend OUR tax dollars than on fear campaigns and the closure and destruction of non-hazardous mine features…
Rant over.

[Stuart]

Kudos, that was a very nice rant.