Panamint City Part 2 - Exploring Its Mining History

The Wyoming Mine was discovered shortly after Panamint City’s big silver strike in 1873. It would soon become one of the principal mines in the district with its rich ore assaying up to $600 per ton. In the beginning, the Wyoming Mine went through the hands of several different operators including the Wyoming Consolidated and Panamint Mining Companies. It, along with most of the other claims in surprise canyon were eventually consolidated by the Surprise Valley Mill and Water Co. This company would turn the Wyoming mine into a large producer. In 1875 a 20 stamp mill and reduction furnace were built to process ore from the mines. A 2,600 foot long aerial tramway was built to connect the Wyoming Mine with the mill. Full production at the Wyoming Mine was short lived, however. By 1876 the ores were considered to be almost depleted and total shutdown occurred in 1877. By then, Panamint City was already dead. The Wyoming Mine would go through brief periods of activity through the 1880s and 90s.

In the 1920s, the Wyoming Mine was purchased by the new Panamint Mining Company. This company reconditioned the tramway and invested in heavy exploration at the mine. Their largest feat was blasting the 2,300 foot Lewis Tunnel just above the old mill. This operation however, proved to be a failure. The last period of mining in Panamint City occurred in the 1970s and 80s when silver prices were high. A lower adit using haulage trucks was dug about 200 feet below the old workings. It is unclear if this adit found any good ore.

The older workings of the Wyoming Mine consist of three principle adits: The Tramway, Kennedy, and Limestone Tunnels. The Tramway Tunnel is positioned right at the head of the old aerial tramway and contains lots of interesting mining equipment from the 1970s mining revival. Near the face of the adit there is a raise that apparently connects with the Kennedy Tunnel. This adit was most likely named after William Kennedy who was part of the trio that made the silver discovery in 1873. In the video, we explore an adit that I originally called the Kennedy Tunnel. However, I later questioned that. As of now, I am still not sure if the adit we explored was the Kennedy Tunnel or not. We may have been searching too high on the mountainside. The only way to confirm would be to make a return trip and possibly climb up the steep raise.

On the opposite side of the ridge as the other two adits sits the Limestone Tunnel. A big portion of the ore produced from the Wyoming Mine came from these workings. The Limestone Tunnel is interesting, as it appears to have not been reworked since the late 1800s. Its main features consist of a tall stope full of giant live-edge timbering and a winze 300 feet deep. What lies at the bottom of this winze is unknown to me. Above the tunnel there are a number of collapsed stopes and adits.

The Wyoming Mine was such a great mine to explore and was the highlight of our trip. After this we hiked over to Marvel Canyon and checked out the Hemlock Mine. This will be the primary focus of Part 3. Stay tuned!

Xavier’s Youtube Channel can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/user/Ercole746

Видео Panamint City Part 2 - Exploring Its Mining History канала Forgotten Mining History