San Rafael Swell, Utah.
Mine Sites
The Lucky Strike Mines are comprised of 21 horizontal adits, several buildings, old mine roads, and scattered mining artifacts. The mine was developed in 1950 by prospectors from Ferron, Utah, as part of the effort to stockpile uranium for weapons development.
The 4240905HO008 adit is partially timber framed, with a rock and dirt backfill once blocked the entrance to the mine. Previous explorers have moved rock and dirt to create a path into the mine. It should be noted that spray paint used by the miners indicates the way out throughout the entire mine workings. Immediately inside the mine is a storage shelf measuring 5 feet wide by 10 feet high. A tunnel extends an unknown depth to the right. Approximately 150’ within the mine is a tunnel directly to the left. The tunnel was once closed by a wood barrier measuring approximately 20’ wide and 12’ high. The barrier has been partially burned down, with smoke scorching the ceiling rock. This tunnel extends approximately 350’ down a slight incline.
Artifacts in this tunnel include an empty bag of Heckley Powder Company’s Nitro Carbo Nitrate (ANFO), wooden platforms, several prospect tunnels, including a wooden wall blocking access to adjacent tunnels, and piping heading to the mine’s surface. Continuing straight past the burnt barrier leads to several large stopes with cardboard signs hanging from the ceiling reading “DANGER DO NOT ENTER”. These signs were placed due to soft ceiling rock falling in the center of the rooms. The room edges are free from rock fall and provide safe passage. None of the rock fall appears to have been recent, due to a heavy dust coat on the fallen rock. Also in this stope was a half full bag of Dow DowFlake Calcium Chloride, of a 77-80 strength.
Several prospects extended left and right within the stope but ended after a short distance. Continuing straight through the stope led us to a room with a large door extending approximately 12’ wide and 9’ high. Passing through the door brought us to tunnels with extensive vinyl ventilation tubing through the workings. Artifacts including oil tins, headlamps, nails, and screws were found in this room. Several tunnels shot from this room, but ended within 50-100’. We continued straight through this room when we noticed a strong airflow entering the mine. We followed the airflow which brought us to a partially backfilled adit, which we exited through on the other side of the Lucky Strike Mining Complex. Safety hazards of the mine include unlikely rock fall from the ceiling. The hazard is mitigated via safety helmets.
Becquerelite | Chalcocite | Chalcopyrite | Fourmarierite | Galena | Malachite | Marcasite | Molybdenite | Nickeline | Pyrite | Rabbittite | Sphalerite | Uraninite | Zippeite
Requirements
4×4 or high clearance vehicle. Rough, sandy roads.
Location
38°45’18.74″N 110°56’57.07″W @ 7000′
Photo Gallery
View the gallery of San Rafael Swell, which includes the Lucky Strike Mines.
View the video of the Lucky Strike Mine.
