How many miles of mine working have been dug?

[OwenT]

I was just thinking it would be interesting to know approximately how many miles of mine working there are or have been dug at least in the US. Especially to compare it to the number of miles of roads or railroads constructed during the the same time period in the 1800s - early 1900s. I think the comparison would be surprising. I seem to remember reading plaques in displays about some mines saying that they had hundreds of miles of workings! I did a quick google search but I didn’t really see any estimates on how much there might be. Anyone have even a guess?

 

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[mike(swWash)]

Thousands is the only answer I can guess, plus a few feet more. Adding up the old timers shafts and adits, coyote holes, modern deep and long shafts, not to even consider what's gone on in other countries... it boggles my mind.
With all the undermining in the world, I'm waiting for the "paint your wagon effect"!

 

[tamrock]

I remember in orientation of being hired for the Climax mine in Colorado the guy say the two production levels had a total of 63 mile of train tracks under ground. I could only guess at the figures your asking. The question I like to know is how much of the easy pickings were left by the old timers. Gotta be something more than just the Lost Dutchman deposit out there.

 

[et1955]

Only you would think about that, LOL, I have explored a lot of the lode mines here in western Washington state, wish I could show you them but I can lead to some of the best explore, #1 the Apex mine on Money Creek near Skykomish, walking into that mine will affect you about the scale the old timers accomplished, also because the tunnel is so large as you walk in the sounds of your footsteps will eco and it will sound like someone is walking behind you, very creepy. The other mine and probably the richest historically is the Golden tunnel Mine, a natural cave with crystals and free milling gold, have fun checking them out, Ed, P.S. I was up at Horse Shoe Bend last week.

 

[CathyNoel]

It's not for everyone — it's for the few who love to descend into the bowels of the Earth to extract "black gold." Even as they face the risk of mines collapsing, or catching on fire, or the long term health threats like black lung.
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