Keane Wonder Mine

Keane Wonder Mine is currently closed as per Death Valley National Park rangers' request. The mine is located in the California side of the national park. At the moment Keane Wonder Mine is on unstable ground, though the rangers are hoping to be able to open up the site again in the near future. Miners who followed the gold rush and other ore materials came to Keane Wonder Mine to help find gold, silver, and lead. During its time Keane Wonder Mine was one of the most lucrative for the owners, producing more than 1,100,000 tons of product at a rate of $9.22 a ton.

The mine became a series of chambers that were all supported by pillars in order to get the ore out. However, such mining produced an unstable ground, where the mountain began to collapse, crumbling in on itself. It is currently labeled a safety hazard, so walking up to the mine is not possible but viewing it from a distance is. Toxic waste from ore, cyanide, and other chemicals are also present, making it important to stay away from the actual site. In recent years the Keane Wonder Mill structure has collapsed including the tramway.