The DeSoto Mine was discovered 1890. Produced Cu-W-Ag-Au-Pb-Zn-Fe from 1890-1972. Workings include a main tunnel 600 feet below the outcrop; a total of 4 tunnels (1928). Production was 180,000 tons of ore averaging 3.75% Cu & 1 oz. Ag/T plus 0.02 oz. Au/T.
The Swatstika Mine was discovered in 1874 by T.N. Alexander, W. Cole, E.G. Peck, and C.C. Bean. Its name comes from the pattern of tunnels if viewed from a height as the tunnels are in the shape of a swatstika. Main production period was 1907-1940. Workings include shafts (125 feet deep), drifts and tunnels. Workings include several shafts and drifts plus a tunnel nearly 400 feet long. The shaft is 400 feet deep. Production was some $40,000 of Ag (1883)(period values), and 600,000 oz. Ag (1910-1915). Production was $480,000 of silver (1875-1908)(period values). Ore assayed at 113 oz. Ag/T. This info referenced from Mindat.org. This ATV trip was a great ride and not too difficult to get to. The Desoto Mine is extremely dangerous as much of the over reaching rocks and dirt have fallen into the main area of the mine shafts creating a 60 degree incline into the shafts. Dropping a rock into the 600 ft. shafts generated sounds for up to a minute. Be very careful near this mine.
Desoto & Swatstika Mine Map
Starting Out on the Crown King Rd
Town of Cleator, Arizona
ATV Meet at the Cleator Bar
Just a Few Things I Need
Inside the Cleator Bar
Beginning of FR 259
Old Mine Relics Before Desoto Mine
Machinery Buried in Effort to Close Old Mines
Jay
A Shute Valve Used to Regulate the Flow of Ore to a Truck
Abandoned Mine Shaft
View From the Top
First Glimpse of the Desoto Mine and its Many Shafts
The Two Main Shafts - 600 Feet Deep
Jay Climbing Up
Shallow Digging
Caved In End
Large Excavation Area
Jay Looks at Another Shaft
Going Back Down
Another Shaft
Near the Swatstika Mine
Mine Shaft with Rails for Ore Cars
About 100 Feet In
Collapsed Building
Processing Relics
Swatstika Mine
Ladder to Upper Tunnel
Looking Back at Main Shaft Opening
Jay Climbing to Upper Tunnel
Taking a Break on a Chair We Found Inside
Shaft Meanders at Great Length
Pete
Small Room Off Adit
View From FR89
Silver Prince Mine Building
Rock Shop
Rock Rolled Down Cliff into Truck
Silver Prince Mine
Inside Silver Prince Mine - Flooded with 6 Inches of Water
Heading for the Peck Mine but it Turned Out to be Private
Where can I find out more information about these mines. I have been through all 3 of these pretty extensively. I would like to know more history on them.