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Property Overview

The Nickel Plate is a small mineral operation located in the Whipple/Monumental Mining District. The Nickel Plate was historically located prior to 1800. In 1874 the mine was found by prospectors working the area with the expansion of the Copper Basin site. At that time the mine was reported to be an "old Spanish mine located in a wash where no dumps would be discovered".
Development began on the site sometime in 1882 and continued until 1926 when the property was taken over by a corporation that was developing the Copper Basin property. The property was mothballed.
It was worked again in the late 1940s on a small scale. USGS reports that the ore from the mine consists of ores averaging 1.2% copper and 0.83 oz/T AU. A rough estimate of 3000 tons of blocked ores were noted.
Over 1100' documented development underground in the form of stoping, drift works and raises. Drifts are cut in stable, competent rock. All air tested at or above MSHA minimum standards.
Gold Rush surveys showed very little value in the dumps outside the site. Ore body is a mass of chrysocola and limonite. Heavy copper and visible gold mineralization is found on the fracture zones. 24 Chip samples from vein material in the mine returned 1.1 oz/T AU average and 3.7% CU average.
The mine is not easily accessible. A rough and sandy road leads to the site. This should not be attempted with anything less than a high clearance, full 4WD vehicle. Sand is deep in the canyons and the road receives very little traffic. If you get stuck you may be out here for days.
The primary adit is measured at 710' with a large crosscut on vein material at 655'. There is a sizable raise and two good stopes where more copper is exposed.
There is adequate room at the mine camp for several vehicles and or a transport vehicle. There is no historic milling at the site and material will need to be removed to be processed.
This mine is an excellent prospect for a small mining operation as the valuable metals are easily distinguished and visible in the workings. It is simply a matter of extending the workings and opening up the veins to extract more material. Native gold and chrysocolla make for beautiful and expensive specimens.

Gold Rush Expeditions, Inc. does offer mining consultation services and assistance with permits for a small fee.

Training courses for underground work and exploration can be found here: https://stayoutstayalive.com/training/