Rhonda Mine

Back in 2007, a friend told us to check out this semi-modern gold mill tucked away in a seldom-visited canyon of the Mojave desert. The mill with most of the equipment still there was a great find.

Up on a high and steep slope, the Rhonda mill looks like it was last worked in the 1960s. There was never a road here, so all the equipment was brought in on the backs of mules. That was quite an achievement.

Rhonda mine

38 photos

The Rhonda mill and mine.

Dan checks things out.

The upper part of the tramway.

Boxcar Dan looks at an engine at the entrance to the mine.

Ore bin to jaw crusher to ball mill onto a shaker table. Also, keep in mind there are no roads here. This was all hauled up by hand or mule.

Dezdan and Boxcar at the ore bin.

The mill.

Micah explores the ruined mill.

These belts look almost new.

Voltage gauge.

Dezdan.

Ball mill. It looks home made, but...

...apparently it was manufactured. It says "Gold Getter Ball Mill, Mfg by Rencher Weld & Mchne. Wks. Chowchilla Calif. Ser. No. 29S."

Balls for the mill.

Wilfley style concentrating table.

Machinery for the Wilfley Table.

Spring and mechanism inside the Wilfley Table box.

Boxcar Dan finds a pick.

You can see the adjustment wheel for the Wilfley table.

"Carter concentrating table, Made & Sold by Sierra Mining Equip. Co. Model 2B Serial No. 340."

Pulleys and belts for the mill.

Mine and tramway.

Wheelbarrow and shovel.

Tramway and compressor tank.

Stacks of ore.

Mine portal.

Upper adit.

Powder storage?

Mine portal. Ragged canvas still hangs on the door.

Living quarters in the entrance of the mine.

Dynamite box.

Adit.

Dan organizes.

"Can you hear me now?" When is the last time you saw a rotary phone?

Sundries.

Old cot frame

All sorts of interesting items in here.

Someone's morning view.