New Mexico Mineral Symposium — Abstracts

The California gold rush introduced the idea of mining to America. Discoveries of more mineral deposits created an industry that thrived on the western frontier using "older" technologies. Following the introduction of explosives to mining in the 17th century, mining and ore processing had become a six step process: (1) drilling holes in rock, (2) filling the holes with explosives, (3) blasting down rock, (4) loading and hauling the rock to the surface, (5) separating ore from waste rock, and (6) extracting metals from the ore. The first four steps are the basic underground mining operations that have been used since that time, but through the years, technology has modified the manner of accomplishing each of these tasks.

During the latter half of the 19th century the industrial revolution brought a plethora of technological innovations to the underground world of hardrock mining. New inventions and methods changed the tasks of drilling and blasting; mucking and haulage; and hoisting and lifting. As the task of mining went deeper underground, new conditions demanded new technologies such as timbering, ventilation, and pumping and drainage. Even the most basic of tasks—providing light to work underground—went through four major technological developments during the frontier days. By the outbreak of World War I, hardrock mining had entered the modern age, and the frontier technology of the Colorado gold rush had become a relic of the past.