Lost mines

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Lost mines are a very popular form of lost treasure legend. The mine involved is usually of a high-value commodity such as gold, silver, or diamonds. Often there is a map (in the United States sometimes called a "waybill") purportedly showing the location of the mine. Common reasons that the mines are lost include:

• The mine is discovered and worked by a recluse who refuses to divulge the location, and dies before revealing the location.
• The mine is worked by native peoples who refuse to divulge the location to others.
• The mineral deposit is discovered in a remote location, and upon returning to the area the discoverer cannot find it again.
• The discoverers are killed by hostile natives. Sometimes the natives cover up the entrance to the mine.
• In Spanish colonies in the New World, many lost mines were supposedly worked under the direction of Jesuit priests before their sudden expulsion in the 1700s.

Some lost mines have a historical basis; some have none. But the lure of lost mine legends is attested by the many books on the subject, and the popularity of publications such as Lost Treasure magazine.

Contents 1 List of lost mine legends 1.1 Australia 1.2 Mexico 1.3 United States 2 Lost mines that were never lost

[edit] List of lost mine legends

Legends of lost mines are probably worldwide. Those listed below are just a sampling.

[edit] Australia

• Lasseter's Reef

[edit] Mexico

• Lost diamond mine of Vicente Guerrero

[edit] United States

• Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine, Arizona
• Mine with the Iron Door, Arizona
• Lost Pegleg mine, California; supposedly found by mountain man "Pegleg" Smith
• Lost Breyfogle mine, California or Nevada
• Death Valley Scotty's secret mine, California or Nevada
• Lost Gunsight mine, California or Nevada
• Lost Adams diggings, New Mexico or Arizona
• Lost Blue Bucket mine, Oregon
• Swift silver mine, Tennessee
• Lost San Saba mine (sometimes called the Lost Bowie mine or the Lost Almagres mine), Texas
• Lost Rhoades mine, Utah
• Lost Padre mine, various locations in USA
• Lost Cabin mine, various locations in USA

[edit] Lost mines that were never lost

• Planchas de Plata, Sonora, Mexico