ABANDONED MINES ARE DANGEROUS!
But so is skiing!
Explorer using harnesses, helmet, lights, and protective clothing.
Are mines more dangerous than hiking? How about rock climbing? Caving, Water Sports, Sky diving, or most sports in general?
Statistically, mine exploration is safer. Since 1982 in Utah, there have been 5 deaths and a few recorded injuries while exploring abandoned mines, and the majority of those happened to those under the influence of mind altering substances, or were not mentally capable of handling mine exploration.
So do people actually explore mines? YES!! There are tens of thousands of visits into abandoned mines each year. Mine exploration is a passion and hobby shared by many around the world. With safety incidents as low as they are, it’s hard to see why state and federal governments are so negative about mine safety and insist on destroying these historic areas.
Mines do still pose dangers. Hard rock mines are some of the safest, but there are still perhaps a dozen or so different ways that you can end up dead from exploring old mining areas including (but not limited to) obvious things such as steep drops, hidden vertical shafts, collapse, or the less obvious CO2 buildup, oxygen depletion from ammonia build-up, getting lost, bumping your head only to pass out and wake up with no battery juice and then really getting lost, animal attack, Hanta Virus, cyanide, lead or arsenic exposure, etc. So not surprisingly, a good solid whiff or two of hydrogen sulfide (a.k.a., sour gas) is just as effective as any of these above-mentioned ways.
Because of these safety hazards, we do require hardhats and backup lighting, and recommend the use of a gas meter. We also possess a knowledge of certain gas properties, smells, and the content of the surrounding areas (mold, poo, rot, etc.).
Certain mines are covered in a mud/rust/oil sludge mixture (a.k.a. Reesty Goo) Hiking through this is dangerous due to its very slippery properties and high FeO2 hydrocarbon content. We recommend wearing gloves and pants that close over your socks. Good waterproof work boots are also an advantage.
Temperatures inside mines are usually around 50F-60F. This temperatures varies about +-5F through the different seasons. Water temperatures can be even lower. Certain passages require wading through water. Over prolonged exposure, hypothermia may set in. Waterproof boots are a plus. Pack spare socks and a jacket when entering mines with these properties.
The Adopt a Mine Program is not responsible or liable for you or to you in any way, shape, or form for the risks involved in mine exploration. We do not accept any responsibility to any entity or individual, including insurance coverage, rescue bills, police fines, or any other expense, obligation, or liability. By using any information found on this site, you agree to this.
By using some simple safety skills, a mine can be as safe as your home.
Safety Tips
Another explorer showing the power of her lights.
1. Never touch supporting structures.
Supporting structures are usually wooden beams that hold a ceiling up and prevent collapses. Many of the structures were put in place under the direction of the mine engineer who deemed the surrounding rock unstable. Decades later, these structures are decaying and beginning to give away. They may be the only thing holding up a ceiling.
2. Never touch the ceiling.
Prying neat rock or using the ceiling for balance are not good ideas. Since these tunnels have been holding themselves up for decades, it doesn’t take much for some of them to give way. Many times, cave ins are so large that it could take days for recovery crews to extract you.
3. Tell somebody what area or mine you are visiting.
Always inform another trustworthy party where you are going, an approximation of when you will be back, and whom to contact if you are not in contact with your party by a certain deadline.
4. Always have at least one spare light and two spare batteries for each light.
A light going out is never a good thing. We’ve all heard stories of people getting out of caves with their cell phone or watch. Don’t let this happen to you! A great advantage we have is the wonderful technology of white-LED. These bulbs don’t burn out or break. Their power usage is nominal compared to Xenon and incandescent bulbs. However, things still do happen to them. If the hardware of the light fails, you’ve got a backup to get you out. The spare batteries are a must. If your light dies and you have no spare batteries, the red-LED uses much less power that the white, and you can usually get yourself out on that.
5. Never explore without a buddy.
Splitting up for any reason is a bad idea. If by chance a safety incident occurs, having another person with you may be what it takes to survive or get out if you’re lost.
6. Keep tabs on your location.
There are some mines that are a simple one way adits that eventually dead end, and others that you can spend days in, much like the Ophir Hill Mine. Keeping either a visual or paper tab on your location can get you out of situations that you might not have been able to get out of otherwise.
7. Avoid potential cave in areas.
Areas where piles of ore and broken supporting timbers lie are usually some of the most dangerous areas of a mine. If you must cross these. use your best effort to follow the other rules outlined in these basic rules. Be smart!
8. Watch your floor.
On occasion, a miner would carelessly and accidentally dig into the floor of another tunnel; or a shaft could be dug down and later closed with wooden planks. These floors are known as false floors and can give way when walked on. Keep tabs at all times what you are walking on. If you find you are on wooden floors, use extreme caution, and consider returning back to solid ground until you can investigate further.
9. Check your air.
Make sure the air smells normal. If you smell rotter eggs, photo-fixer, or similar, your breathing the toxic gas of sulfur hydroxide. A concentrated pocket of this will and has killed miners. Stale air is caused by a lack of oxygen and higher concentrations of carbon dioxide. Mold and other fungus are the usual cause of this. Heavily wooded areas may be this way. Keep a lighter on you. They help test which way airflow is moving, along with the concentration of oxygen in the tunnel. (If in a coal mine, never light a lighter!! High amounts of methane and coal dust can cause quaking explosions!)
10. Research your areas.
If possible, learn the type of mine you are exploring, its rock composition, and a basic history of the area such as last date mined. This little extra information can help you determine the safety of the mine and allow you to use smarter logic.
While this list is quite thorough, mine safety is up to the individual. Use your God given logic and brains when entering a mine. Don’t do anything that jeopardizes you or anyone around you. You are ultimately responsible for you own safety.
And remember… ALCOHOL AND MINES DON’T MIX!
(Although I hear alcohol and juice do mix well…)
Stumble Upon
Del.icio.us
Buzz
