Uranium Mining
Very few miners had
enough money to
buy the expensive
mining equipment,
as they dug, picked,
and scraped their
ore into sacks, with
their bare hands.
They used pack
burrows to haul the
ore to purchasing
and milling stations.
Most of the mines
were worked by the
owner and, maybe,
his family. From
these mines came
Carnotite, a yellow
sedimentary rock that
contained uranium.
In 1935 the Vanadium Corporation of America purchased mill
sites and mines. Vanadium, which is used to harden steel, was
considered a by-product of uranium ore. The old mill tailings
were re-milled and the vanadium collected. With the onset of
World War II, the need for the vanadium and uranium increased,
but when the war ended, the need slowly declined. The mining
and production totally ended in the early 1980’s.
Look up! Several old mines can be
seen in the rock face to the east of where
you are standing. Look for tailing piles and
timber framed entrances. There are over 500
Uranium mines in the Paradox Valley and
Sn Miguel Basin. CAUTION: Abandoned
mines are dangerous! Please stay out!
