Sunflower Mine, Sunflower Mining District, Maricopa County, AZ The Sunflower Mine is an old mercury mine located within the Mazatzal Mountains ⛰️. Discovered in 1911 by E.H. Bowman, the Sunflower Mine was the largest mercury producer within its mining district, hence the district's naming. The mine's most significant production and development occurred during the 1940s and 1950s. From the 1950s to the 1980s, multiple mining entities took leases on the mine, sporadically working and developing the group of claims. Besides some sampling and testing, mining activity began to die down around the late 1980s and into the 1990s. Today, the mine and it's accompanying mill are entirely deserted and ruined. To access the mine and its remains, use a high clearance 4x4 and take Sunflower Mine OHV Trial off Forest Road 201 near Rio Verde. The mine sits upon upatented US Forest Land. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #AZMH #arizona #abandonedandforgotten #AZ_mining_HST #azmineexplorer #arizonaadventures #adventure #abandonedmine #AZMININGHISTORY #abandonedplacesaz #abandoned_junkies #abandoned #abandonedplaces #photography #photoblog #mineexplorer #mineexploring #mineexploration #mininghistory #mill #machinery (at Sunflower, Arizona) https://www.instagram.com/p/CgfBAmcJnmH/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

The main shaft of the Black Rock Mine, Yavapai County, AZ The Black Rock 🪨 Mine contains two portals into its main underground workings, including the pictured shaft and a partially collapsed adit. The main shaft, which inclines 40 to 60 degrees, is 350 feet deep with levels at 55, 100, and 210 feet. The 100-foot level connects to the surface through the now partially collapsed adit. Consisting of about 6 claims, the main shaft and partially collapsed adit are part of the Olympia claim. . . . . . . . . . . . . . #AZMH #arizona #AZ_mining_HST #azmineexplorer #adventure #abandonedmine #az #abandoned #abandonedplaces #deserted #desert #decay #offroadadventure #offroad #photooftheday #photography #photoblog #picoftheday #hikingadventures #southwest (at Constellation, Arizona) https://www.instagram.com/p/CasK0L3p5Dz/?utm_medium=tumblr

The smelter ruins of Sasco, AZ Sasco is named after the Southern Arizona Smelter Company and once serviced the mines of the Silver Bell Mountains. The remnants of the short-lived smelting town consist of various smelter ruins alongside the remains of an old stone hotel. . . . . . . . . . . #AZMININGHISTORY #adventure #arizona #az #AZMH #AZ_mining_HST #AZMH #azmineexplorer #smelting #offroadadventure #deserted (at Sasco, Arizona) https://www.instagram.com/p/CUvDdUpJLNV/?utm_medium=tumblr

Victory No. 1 & 2 claims, Big Horn Mountains ⛰, AZ This group of former manganese claims, also known as the Gallagher and Flynn claims and Black Warrior claims, are located within the Aguila District. Some surface and underground workings, a picturesque headframe, explosive storage magazine, and smelting/crushing ruins are all that remain today. . . . . . . . . . . . . #az #offroadadventure #offroad #abandonedmine #abandoned #abandonedplaces #deserted #decay #desert #sonorandesert #AZMH (at Big Horn Mountains Wilderness) https://www.instagram.com/p/CUNs2WAPezG/?utm_medium=tumblr

Inside the underground workings of the Finch Mine, Hayden area, Gila County, AZ Known among Arizona mineral collectors for its unique Wulfinite specimens, the Finch mine encompasses 19 unpatented claims within the Banner Mining District. Individuals and sources sometimes refer to the the Finch mine as "Barking Spider Mine," although the reason for this is unclear. Workings of the mine include surface and underground, comprising six tunnels, a winze, and a shaft. Pictured is the most accessible tunnel, connecting two separate portals and the pictured winze. The early history of the mine is primarily undocumented, but reports tell that the mine's past production was very sporadic from small workings. This intermittent production consisted of lead produced and shipped to the El Paso, Texas smelter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . #arizona #abandonedandforgotten #AZMH #AZ_mining_HST #azmineexplorer #arizonaadventures #adventure #abandonedmine #AZMININGHISTORY #az #mineexplorer #mineexploring #mineexploration #photography #photoblog #undergroundmining #underground #underground_exploration #undergroundphotography #abandonedmine (at Hayden, Arizona) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cjs_1-IgGQj/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Underground workings of the Florence Lead and Silver Mine. Located on BLM land in the Tortilla Mountians, you can find this former lead and silver mine on the east side of Ripsey Hill. According to a report from the 1980s, a defaulted Boston company promoted and raised funds for the development. In the 1920s, an inexperienced miner developed the mine for the Boston company. The Florence Lead and Silver Mine and its output proved poor, though. Currently, the underground workings of this mine still contain a surprisingly fair amount of mining artifacts, including a wheelbarrow, ore cart tracks, doors 🚪, ventilation ducts, and other miscellaneous mining equipment, like the mine's first operator, the most recent mining operator(s) developed and operated the mine haphazardly. While the development work like timbering and ventilation seemed solid in some areas, other areas appeared very makeshift such as wood doors, former cardboard boxes 📦, and bent metal separating drifts (tunnels) within the mine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #AZMH #arizona #abandonedandforgotten #AZ_mining_HST #azmineexplorer #arizonaadventures #adventure #abandonedmine #AZMININGHISTORY #az #abandonedplacesaz #abandoned_junkies #abandoned #abandonedplaces #photography #photoblog #undergroundmining #underground #underground_exploration #undergroundphotography (at Ripsey Hill) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cgz258EvbYr/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

A look at the ruined workshop of the Monte Christo Mine This dilapidated building sits below the remains of the headframe and hoist house of the Monte Christo Mine. I've found no information about the building, but I assume this was a workshop or blacksmith from the investigation. Building materials and construction suggest Goldex most likely constructed the building as part of their property improvements in the 1970s. All standing structures on the property today date to the 1970s, as all of the older historic buildings burned up in 1969. . . . . . . . . . . . . #arizona #AZMH #AZ_mining_HST #azmineexplorer #arizonaadventures #adventure #abandonedmine #AZMININGHISTORY #AZ #mineexplorer #mineexploring #mineexploration #mininghistory #photography #photoblog #offroadadventure #offroad #decay #deserted #desert (at Constellation, Arizona) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cf9qUHoORWB/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Monte Christo Mine, Black Rock 🪨 Mining Distrct, Yavapai County, AZ Located in the area known as Constellation, the Monte Christo Mine is known for its well-preserved headframe and few remaining structures and machinery. The early development and history of the mine were turbulent and unclear until early 1900, when Ezra Thayer of Phoenix took claim. Ezra Thayer sold the mine to C.C. Julian in 1926, and the mine operated with some success until around the 1940s. In 1970 Goldex purchased a lease and explored the potential of the mine, investing a considerable sum ($200,000) in development and refurbishment. However, problems with flooding within the central shaft caused Goldex to eventually back out of the property and operation. Besides some test drilling in the 80s, the property has sat deserted. You can access the mine by traveling 3 miles down Constellation Road in Wickenburg. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #arizona #AZMH #AZ_mining_HST #azmineexplorer #arizonaadventures #adventure #abandonedmine #AZMININGHISTORY #az #mineexplorer #mineexploring #mineexploration #mineshaft #mininghistory #photography #photoblog #machinery #headframe #offroadadventure #offroad (at Constellation, Arizona) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cf7GmtlvZD1/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=